By Reuters and published by CNA TESLA Inc launched two electric vehicle (EV) models in Thailand on Wednesday (Dec. 7), marking its first foray into the regional auto hub that has long been dominated by Japanese manufacturers. The launch of two EVs with prices ranging between 1.7 million baht to 2.5 million baht (US$48,447
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Public Health Ministry opposes 4 a.m.closing time for night venues
DEPUTY Prime Minister-cum-Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (Dec. 6) that he disagrees with a proposal of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to extend the closing time of entertainment venues to 4 a.m., Amarin TV said. Shutting night venues at 2 a.m. is probably appropriate in light of the Covid-19 outbreak and
Read moreCentral bank raises key rate, trims growth outlook on global slowdown
By Reuters and published by CNA THAILAND’S central bank raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points for a third straight meeting on Wednesday, as it tries to contain above-target inflation while supporting an economic recovery facing increasing global headwinds. The Bank of Thailand’s (BOT) monetary policy committee voted unanimously to raise the one-day
Read moreThai central bank to deliver third straight 25bps hike on Nov. 30: Reuters poll
By Reuters and published by CNA THE Bank of Thailand will raise interest rates by a modest quarter-point on Wednesday for a third straight meeting amid fragile tourism-reliant growth and signs inflation has started to ease, a Reuters poll of economists found. The widely-expected move, which would take the benchmark rate to only 1.25
Read moreCharter flights bringing more Russian tourists to Thailand
THE arrival of the first Russian charter flight at U-Tapao International Airport today (Nov. 26) after a long suspension and daily shuttles now likely signals a bustling high-season for Pattaya, Phuket and Bangkok with this uptick expected to continue next year, Matichon newspaper said. At 7:45 a.m. Pattaya City Mayor Mr. Poramet Ngamphichet along
Read moreKoh Samui tourism body asks for more flights during high season
AMID fears of losing business opportunity during the high season that starts next month, Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association called for increased local and international flights to meet the needs of foreign tourists eager to travel to the resort island, Matichon newspaper said this afternoon (Nov. 23). Mr. Ratchaporn Poolsawat, the association’s president, said
Read moreSoft loan application for hotel renovation extended till June 2023
THE cabinet today (Nov. 23) extended the application for soft loans by hotels and related supply chain businesses to undertake renovation after closure during the Covid-19 pandemic till June 2023, Matichon newspaper said. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the Cabinet had approved the extension of the low-interest loan programme from September this year till
Read moreNew booze regulation comes into effect tomorrow
THE ROYAL Gazette has published a ministerial regulation on loosening control over liquor production with this coming into force the very next day, that is tomorrow Nov. 2, 2022, Naewna newspaper said this evening. Ministerial regulation B.E.2565 (2022) was approved by the cabinet this morning as proposed by the Finance Ministry with this amending
Read moreNagas approved as Thailand’s mythical emblem
THE CABINET today (Nov. 1) approved nagas, a race of semidivine serpent creatures in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, as the country’s mythical emblem with this being part of soft power to use Thai culture to drive the economy and increase national income, Matichon newspaper said. Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office,
Read moreXi Jinping to give a keynote speech at Apec CEO Summit
CHINESE leader Xi Jinping has accepted an invitation to give a keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) CEO Summit 2022 which is being held in parallel to the 29th Apec Summit taking place during Nov. 16-19, INN News said today (Nov. 1). Mr. Poj Aramwattananon, chairman of the Apec CEO Summit 2022, said
Read moreRussian tourists flocking to Koh Samui
THE outlook of Koh Samui this high season is bright with a large number of European tourists escaping the winter there to enjoy the sunshine here and amid this is the noteworthy return of Russian holidaymakers, Naewna newspaper said this evening (Oct. 30). Mr. Ratchaporn Poolsawat, president of Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, said
Read morePhuket business groups urge Prayut to quickly repair Patong highway
THIRTEEN Phuket business associations have jointly sent a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urging him to order the quick repair of Highway 4029 that was damaged by floods triggered by tropical storm Nesat earlier this month as it links Patong beach to Phuket Town and the airport with both Thai and foreign tourists
Read morePrayut moves to block booze bill
PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha held a meeting with leaders of all coalition parties on the Progressive Liquor Bill proposed by Move Forward Party with the conclusion being that the government should block its approval by the Lower House, Matichon newspaper said today (Oct. 25). In June this year the Lower House had approved this bill,
Read moreThai consumer group to file petition against True, DTAC merger
By Reuters and published by CNA A THAI consumer group today (Oct. 21) said it plans to ask a court to suspend the 326 billion baht ($8.6 billion) merger of the country’s second- and third-largest mobile operators over competition concerns. The move by Thailand Consumers Council comes a day after the regulator cleared the
Read moreThai telco regulator gives conditional clearance to True, DTAC merger
By Reuters and published by CNA THAILAND’S telecommunications regulator cleared the merger of the country’s second and third largest mobile operators, True Corporation Pcl and Telenor ASA’s Total Access Communication Pcl (DTAC) with conditions. The conditions include a price ceiling and price controls, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) said in a statement today
Read morePosh ice cream, craft beer in vogue as Chinese downsize their love of luxury
By Reuters and published by US News & World Report Shanghai – Chinese consumers are typically known for lavish spending on high-end handbags, clothes and accessories that sustain Western luxury brands. This year, however, economic ill winds have sapped much of their urge to splurge and it’s the littler luxuries in life – artisanal
Read moreMisprinted 20 baht polymer banknotes in circulation
THE BANK of Thailand said today (Sept. 29) that an error was found in a batch of 20 baht banknotes with the Thai numeral not matching the Arabic one but the public could still use them as normal until they are fully removed from the system, Sanook.com said this evening (Sept. 29). Ms. Wachira Aromdee,
Read moreThai central bank raises rates, willing to adjust tightening as necessary
By Reuters and published by US News & World Report THE Thai central bank raised its key interest rate modestly for a second straight meeting today (Sept. 28) to tame 14-year high inflation and said it was willing to adjust the size and timing of rate moves as necessary. The Bank of Thailand’s (BOT) monetary
Read moreCabinet approves additional budget for 6 movies shot in Thailand
THE CABINET today (Sept. 20) approved an additional 212 million baht from this year’s budget reserved for emergencies and necessary expenses to cover a shortfall in the promotion of the shooting of six foreign movies in Thailand with these scheduled to be released this year, INN News said. Ms. Traisulee Traisornkul, deputy spokesperson for
Read moreWall St tumbles to biggest loss in two years following CPI data
By Reuters and published by US News & World Report New York – A broad sell-off sent US stocks reeling yesterday (Sept. 14) after a hotter-than-expected inflation report dashed hopes that the Federal Reserve could relent and scale back its policy tightening in the coming months. All three major US stock indexes veered sharply lower,
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