"Asian cities have traditionally dominated the rankings in the past years but the pandemic has reshuffled the rankings of this edition," said Upasana Dutt, the EIU's Head of Worldwide Cost of Living.
Bangkok also slipped twenty places, and is now ranked 46th most expensive.
The EIU's report is geared towards expatriates, with the data used by multinationals to help them calculate the cost of business trips and expatriate packages.
Most Chinese cities have risen up the rankings largely due to the US-China tech war which has tested the resilience of supply chains and raised consumer prices.
Expensive Europe
Cities in the Americas, Africa and Eastern Europe have become less expensive since last year, while Western European cities have become costlier.
Western Europe accounted for four of the ten most expensive cities on the index, with Zurich and Paris taking equal first place.
Geneva and Copenhagen were seventh and ninth respectively.
Getty Images
Singapore skyline
This partly reflects the relative strength of European currencies on an index that compares every city to the cost of living in New York.
The biggest price gains were in Iran's capital Tehran, which moved 27 places up the rankings due to US sanctions, which have impacted the supply of goods.
Pricey cigarettes, cheap shirts
The EIU's Worldwide Cost of Living index compared the prices of 138 goods and services in about 130 major cities in September.
Overall, prices have been fairly flat, but the report said the prices of essential goods have been more resilient than those of non-essential goods.
Logistical challenges also affected prices, with shortages of goods such as toilet roll and pasta fuelling price rises in some categories.
Of the ten categories covered by the report, tobacco and recreation saw the biggest price increases, while clothing prices have seen the steepest decline.
"In terms of consumer goods, there has been a sharp increase in the prices of computers, while clothing prices have seen a decline," said Ms Dutt.
Koh Sichang is the Kingdom's only island that boasts a beautiful public park-cum-museum converted from an old palace. With heritage architecture dating back to the 19th century, including the famous Asdang Bridge, and refreshing greenery by the sea, Phra Chudadhuj Ratchathan is a must-visit place for tourists to the island. For those who wish to take photos with the flowers of frangipani which are grown in abundance in the area, schedule your trip between mid-March or April when the trees blossom. At the entrance of the palace sits a museum on marine science called Cholatassathan, which, like the palace itself, is run by Chulalongkorn University. The compound is open every day, from 9am to 5pm. But all museum buildings are closed on Monday. There is no admission fee. (Photos by Pongpet Mekloy)
Ask any Thai to mention the names of the five islands that immediately come to mind, chances are Koh Sichang would be included in the shortlist, maybe even the first. This small island 12km off the coast of Si Racha, Chon Buri, is the closest to the capital.
Because of its proximity, Koh Sichang has been visited by Thai monarchs and royalty seeking a fresh sea breeze since the 19th century. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) first came to the island with his father King Rama IV when he was young. After he ascended to the throne, King Chulalongkorn returned to Koh Sichang many times with his royal family. In 1888, for example, he brought his son Prince Vajiravudh to the island. The prince who was then seven years old was suffering from a severe illness and needed fresh air to recuperate. In 1891, the king brought a younger son Prince Asdang Dejavudh for the same purpose. By then the royal family had convalescence homes built on the island.
During another visit the following year, another son of his, Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok, was born on the island while construction of the palace named after him was taking shape.
All the princes mentioned were born to Queen Saovabha Phongsri. Prince Vajiravudh became the Crown Prince in 1895, replacing his half-brother Prince Maha Vajirunhis who died that year. The new Crown Prince became King Rama VI in 1910. If he wasn't brought to Koh Sichang, it's not impossible that history might have changed to a different course.
Prince Asdang Dejavudh was promoted as heir to the throne in 1816 but he died before his elder brother. Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok, after finishing his studies in England, returned to Siam and was given a palace of his own in Bangkok, called Wang Phetchabun, which was located in the plot of land that is now CentralWorld.
During the years that Koh Sichang was frequented by the royal family, public facilities, from roads and a lighthouse to piers and water supply systems have been built. These days several of these structures still bear the princes' names.
After a visit to Ko Sichang, you might feel inspired to find out more about other things that are unexpectedly related to this particular island. Who knows, you might even discover a new reason to love Koh Sichang even more.
TRAVEL INFO
Koh Sichang is easy to reach from Bangkok. If you drive, just leave your car at one of the parking lots in Koh Loy on the west side of the city and take a ferry from there to the island. In case you take a bus or a passenger van from Bangkok, get off at the Si Racha branch of Robinson Department Store and take a motorcycle taxi from there to Koh Loy pier.
The boat ride, which takes about 45 minutes, costs 50 baht per person each way. The service is available every hour daily, 7am-8pm from Koh Loy and 6am-7pm from Koh Sichang.
Taxis on the island are expensive compared to Bangkok. If you travel alone or as a couple, and know how to ride a motorbike, renting one from the pier is a very good option. The fee is 250 baht for a single day and 300 overnight (24hrs).
Tourist accommodation on Koh Sichang is available in large numbers, most of them family-run. I stayed at a place called Sichang My Home which was one of the few that cost under 1,000 baht. It's a clean and quiet place with a convenient location, provided that you have a rental bike. The owners are also nice. The small resort, which is easy to find on the internet, is a good one to consider.
The Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) has approved tourism promotion and stimulus measures proposed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to lure back foreign tourists to Thailand.
The measures comprise special tour packages and the approval for Thailand Elite Card holders to invest in property and other investments.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn, in partnership with tour operators and Thai Airways International Plc, said the packages will be offered to foreign tourists who pass the quarantine requirements, with the government subsidising transport expenses.
TAT plans to use 20 million baht of its own budget to subsidise free lodging and transport expenses to provincial areas for foreign visitors, he said.
The agency projects the scheme will attract 2,000 foreign visitors a month, spending 93,000 to 100,000 baht per person per head.
The programme will be implemented between December to March 2021, coinciding with the period when flights for the national carrier are scheduled to restart to Europe and the Asia-Pacific markets.
CESA also approved offering work permits and visas to Elite Card holders who invest US$1 million in Thailand within one year after approval.
They are allowed to invest in property, company shares and the Stock Exchange of Thailand. They are also required to maintain their investments for at least five years.
Existing holders of the Elite Cards are eligible to join the scheme on the condition they must have validity for their card for at least five years. New members who apply for the packages have to pay the card's fee, worth more than 1 million baht.
The TAT reported there were 372 foreign visitors travelling to Thailand between July 9 and Nov 16 under the special tourism visa scheme, most of them from China.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, said the centre also yesterday approved in principle the second phase of the co-payment scheme following a positive response to the first phase of the scheme.
The Finance Ministry was told to prepare more details of the new phase and propose them to the next meeting of CESA on Dec 2.
Mass pro-democracy rally ends peacefully outside police HQ
A protestor paints a plaque of the Royal Thai Police during a rally on Wednesday. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
Anti-government protesters called off a mass rally outside Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection around 8.30pm on Wednesday despite anger over the rejection of the so-called "people's draft" of amendments to the constitution.
Before leaving the area, protesters sprayed water into the Royal Thai Police headquarters and left their mark in a blaze of colour on the compound's fence and nearby roads.
The demonstrators spray-painted the plaque of the police agency.
Earlier, police warned that any attempt to storm their adjacent headquarters would meet with a decisive response.
Protesters began gathering at Ratchaprasong intersection in downtown Bangkok late Wednesday afternoon. The Royal Thai Police headquarters are adjacent to the intersection.
Demonstrators gather at Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok shortly before 4pm on Wednesday. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool)
Pol Maj Gen Yingyos Thepchamnong, spokesman of the Royal Thai Police Office, said on Wednesday morning that demonstrators planned to gather at Ratchaprasong intersection and then move to police headquarters.
Riot police were on standby to cope with the situation, he said.
"Any action that causes damage to government property and barricades is considered a violation of the law... If trespassers destroy government property, we will have to take action in accordance with our authority and duty. I emphasise this," Pol Maj Gen Yingyos said.
Traffic police advised motorists to avoid roads in the vicinity of Ratchaprasong intersection from 2pm. The warning covered Ratchadamri, Rama I and Ploenchit roads.
Bangkok deputy police chief Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai said that during Tuesday's demonstrations damage was caused to many government vehicles -- four water cannon trucks, two water tankers, two prison vehicles, three buses, 13 vans, three pickup trucks and three multi-purpose vehicles.
Expensive equipment was torn off the high-tech water cannon trucks, and sand, food scraps and metal put in their engines, he said.
Pol Maj Gen Yingyos said the government vehicles were bought with taxpayers' money. Damaging them would not end the political conflict.
Police would continue to enforce the law, he said.
Here's how you can apply for a tourist visa to visit Thailand in the COVID time
Time Out Bangkok
It has been about a year now since Thailand last saw an influx of tourists as the country has, since July, imposed restrictions on incoming visitors from other countries due to the outbreak of COVID-19. However, since the pandemic is pretty much contained here, the authority has slowly lifted a number of restrictions previously issued to prevent the growing number of virus infections.
The result is our country is gradually welcoming back a certain number of vacationers per month. The government agreed to issue the special traveling visa (STV) back in October with an aim to let in up to 1,200 tourists a month to rejuvenate the now destitute economy, and on October 20, the very first batch of 41 vacationers from China finally arrived in Bangkok, marking the first return of tourism in Thailand.
On November 16, Travel Off Pathreported that the Thai government was planning to further alleviate the restrictions for prospective tourists. According to the source, the government intended to reduce the period of quarantine upon arrival from 14 days to 10 days in an attempt to encourage travelers to visit Thailand. While the consensus has not been reached, we have gathered all key information regarding the issue of tourist visas for anyone who aspires to make a trip to Thailand.
As of now, there are two types of tourist visas: Tourist Visa (TR Visa) and Long Stay Visa (aka Special Tourist Visa; STV). The first type grants up to 60 days for a stay in Thailand and can be applied by residents of any country. Meanwhile, the second type is for residents of any low-risk countries who commit to stay for a minimum of 90 days. Some of the documents required for the application forboth types of visaswith the Thai embassy/consulate in their home country are as followed:
Bank statement showing proof of income in the last six months with the minimum amount of B500,000 (approximately USD16,336)
Proof of medical and traveling insurance that covers COVID-19 worth at least USD100,000 in coverage for the entire stay duration
Approved visa and approved certificate of entry (COE), which can be applied here
Proof of booking payment for an accommodation during the entire stay (and also a booking payment for an alternative state quarantine [ASQ] hotel/hospital, if tourists do not prefer to self-isolate in government-designated facilities)
Alongside the above documents, the grantees must follow COVID-19 testing entry requirements, which include
Proof of a negative COVID-19 polymerize chain reaction (PCR) swab test taken within 72 hours before flight
Second COVID-19 PCR test upon the arrival
If tested positive, the tourist will be transferred to a state hospital for quarantine.
If tested negative, the tourist will be transferred to a state quarantine facility or an ASQ accommodation for the 14-day quarantine scheme. See the recommendation list of ASQ hotels here.
After going through two weeks of self-isolation in a preferred accommodation and tested negative, a visitor can finally leave the premises and travel freely in Thailand but still must follow basic preventive measures such as wearing a face mask and keeping social distancing in public.
We admit all mentioned above are not totally easy and convenient to make a trip to Thailand at the moment, but it's worth considering if you are comfortable (mostly financially) to do what the government says. If not, just hang in there, for things must surely be better, and we'll all get to meet very soon.
Sidenote: We have gathered the information of the general requirements from the Thai embassy in several countries. To check out specific and all application requirements, please kindly visit the website of the embassy in your country of residence, which can all be found via this link.
High season? What high season? Thai tourism has a gap year.
OPINION
High season. What's happening to Thailand's traditional tourist high season this year?
(Sounds of crickets and tumbleweed rolling down the streets)
Just as last year's high season was wrapping up, the Covid-19 pandemic became real and much of the world closed its borders in March. Thailand hoteliers, tour operators and airlines had to endure a very quiet low season, obviously a lot lower than usual. But with the next high season looming the prospects of a sudden surge of tourists is slim. And thousands of businesses that were holding out for a bounce back over the traditional busy tourist season will now have to wait even longer.
The mandatory 14 day quarantine and copious paperwork, despite all the best intentions, is simply too much of a burden for the overseas visitors that might want to travel to Thailand. The uptake of the much-hyped Special Tourist Visa has been dismal. Now the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Sports and Tourism have again scheduled a talkfest with the country's leading hotel groups because, well, they don't know what to do.
It's simple. The hotel groups will say we need to find a way to re-open the borders and manage the Covid situation into the future. The public servants will nod in agreement and say they'll "look into it". There will be another 'proposal', and nothing much will change. Thai government officials seem to be waiting for the magic pill, a viable vaccine, to provide the safety net for a re-opening of the borders.
Meanwhile, the Thai government is caught inside a travel bubble of its own making. A travel bubble of ONE.
Around the country leaders in various industries are looking, assuringly, to the Thai government for leadership and a way forward. But as the 2020/2021 high season kicks in, there is only another 3 months of almost zero tourism on the horizon. Whilst Thais are being stirred out of their provinces with stimulus packages to stay in hotels and eat at restaurants, most aren't travelling far and the hopes for a domestic-tourism-led recovery are fanciful at best.
Bryan Flowers is the CEO of the Night Wish Group based in Pattaya, owners of some of the town's most popular bars. He's vaguely hopeful but says they've been struggling.
"Unless the visa situation lightens, quarantine is scrapped and flights are increased, we do not expect a high season, 50% of our sales are online now, maybe that will increase if people have time off."
"We really hope we can catch a high season in December but the general consensus is things wont get back to normal until after Songkran, of which we normally hit our lowest sales of the year in June-July, But I expect some huge momentum in traffic coming into Thailand once the quarantine is dropped totally."
Scot Toon, the MD from The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, Asia, says they'd hoped to start welcoming back tourists to Pavilions Phuket back in August.
"Like many we have made changes to our operations but maintained the five star standards of the resort we have focused heavily on the Thai market and insured that we changed our offerings to meet the needs and wants of this key market. We have found that the Thailand travel agents especially the ones that used to focus on inbound or outbound travel is now changing their focus on driving thai business to local destinations."
"We have worked closely with domestic focused travel partners And have seen great pick up and bookings for October, November and December. Although nowhere near full it is helped us to reduce the burden of cash flow and move forward and grow our business from the zero base of being closed."
"Long term we look forward to borders opening as there is not nearly enough domestic business for all the hotels in the island."
Bill Barnett, MD and senior consultant for c9hotelworks.com, says this year's high season is proving to be a 'gap year' for the industry.
"It's a bit like a Bear Grylls episode of hotel managers parachuting into the jungle, rife with danger at every corner and a hike out o the wilderness into the light, and promise of the vaccine. Hard yards ahead but there are some green-shoots out there and Thailand will bounce back, it's just a matter of time."
But nothing short of a broad re-opening of the borders, along with dropping many of the restrictions and paperwork, will save Thailand tourism. But the country's health officials are saying the risk is too great, especially as much of the world is now experiencing a major surge in new cases and deaths caused by Covid-19.
And even if they fling open the borders tomorrow, who would be coming? The volume of the world's travellers have been reduced to a trickle and, around the world, international flights are few, and expensive.
Some of Thailand's larger tour companies and hotel groups will be able to hang in there, surviving on limited re-openings of rooms or just keeping the doors locked and sacking staff. Smaller businesses have either already closed up shop or will not be able to weather any further extension of the tourist drought.
In Chiang Mai the weather is starting to cool with crisp mornings and evenings making the northern city a popular tourist hot spot through December, January and February. In Phuket, the wet season is over and the skies glow bright blue with cooling breezes and long stretches of clear beaches. In Bangkok the Christmas decorations are already up at shopping malls awaiting the flood of international tourists for the high season.
But the fate of this high season is already sealed and the return-to-normal simply isn't going to happen. Whilst much of the tourism and hospitality industry thought that this year's 2020/2021 high season would signal the start of a 'new beginning', it's just turned out to be the beginning of a long haul for Thailand's industry players, and the thousands they employ.
Thai Government sub-committee approves proposal to extend Emergency Decree until mid January of next year, moves to CCSA and Cabinet for final approval
The proposal, however, will need final approval from the full CCSA and the Thai Cabinet, however both are nearly certain to happen based on analysis from multiple relevant government agencies.
General Natthaphon Nakphanich, Secretary-General of the National Security Council, made the announcement yesterday afternoon at a press conference. He also stressed the decision was not political in any way and not associated or tied into any protests taking place in the country.
The Emergency Decree has been in place since spring of this year and has been used, according to the Thai Government, to properly control measures related to the Covid-19 virus. General Natthaphon stated to the press that the measures needed relating to the decree were primarily border control and quarantine for those arriving in the country which, according to him, could not be properly managed without the decree in place.
In theory, the Decree gives the government sweeping powers to handle the Covid-19 situation, but draconian restrictions and powers like curfews, travel bans, lockdowns and others have all been lifted as Thailand has handled the Covid-19 situation from a local spread perspective well, according to the General.
The longer than usual extension of 45 days, which is normally only a month, is due to the holiday period and the fact that many people will be traveling around the country during this period and that the CCSA will need to have the Decree in place in case the amount of travel causes unexpected cases of Covid-19.
The CCSA sub-panel also stressed that border controls must be stepped up over the holiday period as many migrant workers would be tempted to illegally cross the border and return to go see their family.
Police fire water cannon to disperse anti-government demonstrators trying to break through barricades set up outside parliament. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Pressure is mounting on parliament to accept the controversial charter amendment bill sponsored by civil group Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) after clashes between pro-monarchy supporters and anti-government protesters erupted on Tuesday, leaving several people injured.
Police used water cannon to fire teargas solution to disperse anti-government demonstrators who tried to break police lines, barbed wire and barriers to get to the gates of parliament.
A group of demonstrators wearing helmets and other protective gear reached the line of concrete barriers and razor wire near Bang Krabue intersection in front of parliament at 2.30pm. They then attempted to breach the barricade.
Cops use water cannon
Police used a water cannon truck to fire salvos and force them back. Protesters then threw smoke bombs and bags of paint towards rows of riot police on the other side.
An injured anti-government protester is carried away by his fellow protesters. (Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
A group of yellow-clad people confront anti-government protesters at Kiakkai intersection near parliament. (Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
After that brief confrontation, police tried to start negotiations with a representative of the approaching men, who were apparently acting as an advance guard for the demonstrators behind.
Pol Col Kissana Phathanacharoen, deputy police spokesman, said police warned demonstrators not to tear down the barricades and when they refused to back off police fired four more salvos from the water cannon.
The first three consisted of plain water. When that failed to deter the demonstrators, he said, police then used the water cannon to fire a liquid that included teargas.
Rally leaders earlier announced they planned to stay overnight outside parliament ahead of Wednesday's decision by MPs on whether to accept for deliberation a proposed constitutional amendment drafted by iLaw. That is one of seven charter change drafts submitted to the parliament, the other six having been sponsored by government and opposition parties.
Parliament on Tuesday started its two-day debate on proposed constitutional amendments and legislators will on Wednesday vote on whether to accept any of the proposed drafts for deliberation.
Some lawmakers were forced to leave parliament by boat as government supporters and pro-democracy demonstrators clashed at the nearby Kiakkai intersection.
Members of the two groups threw missiles at each other at that location but riot police did not intervene, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre tweeted.
Protesters were held back by thousands of police standing behind barricades, who repeatedly used water cannon to fire teargas solution to prevent them from getting closer to parliament.
MPs, senators and parliament officials began leaving parliament on boats arranged by the Marine Department, from Kiakkai pier on the Chao Phraya River, at about 4.40pm.
Among them were MPs from both camps, including Pol Lt Gen Viroj Pao-in and Karun Hosakul of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, and Chada Thaiset of the coalition Bhumjaithai Party.
Police deployed more water cannons at the main gate on Samsen Road at about 4.30pm, taking the total number of water cannons used on Tuesday to four.
Just after 5pm police withdrew their water trucks from Kiakkai intersection, whereupon demonstrators removed the barricades and barbed wire and occupied parts of the intersection.
Protesters' 'victory'
Just before 8pm, anti-government protesters eventually broke through barricades and advanced towards parliament.
Protest leader Parit (aka Penguin) Chiwarak then declared "victory" as the protesters gathered outside parliament.
Police remained, however, to prevent demonstrators from entering the parliament premises.
Earlier, police announced that they would use rubber bullets to stop the protesters if the use of teargas solution failed to stop them.
Protest leader Arnon Nampa later said on Facebook that police had indeed fired rubber bullets at protesters, although there was no immediate independent confirmation of his claim.
Further clashes broke out between anti-government protesters and yellow-clad royalists at about 8.30pm.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan centre reported last night that at least 18 demonstrators were injured and were being treated at Vajira Hospital.
Meanwhile, during day one of the debate in parliament, Wirote Lakkana-adisorn, a Move Forward Party MP, asked parliament president Chuan Leekpai to tell police not to use force against protesters and allow them gather near parliament.
However, Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn, a Palang Pracharath Party MP, told the meeting that the protesters must not pressure parliament, while chief government whip Wirat Ratanasate said that police must take decisive action against anyone who tried to storm the building.
Sompong Amornvivat, leader of the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, says opposition parties agreed to accept all seven charter amendment bills.
Chief opposition whip and Pheu Thai MP Sutin Klungsang said that opposition parties had studied the iLaw bill carefully and approved it.
More than 40 hurt in Thailand's most violent protests since new movement emerged
By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat
A demonstrator tries to stop clashes during an anti-government protest as lawmakers debate on constitution change, outside the parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, November 17, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
BANGKOK (Reuters) - At least 41 people were hurt, some with gunshot wounds, when demonstrators marching on the Thai parliament clashed with police and royalist counter-protesters, in the worst violence since a new youth-led protest movement emerged in July.
Police fired water cannon and teargas at protesters who cut through razor-wire barricades and removed concrete barriers outside parliament. The police denied that they had opened fire with live ammunition or rubber bullets, and said they were investigating who might have used firearms.
The protest movement, which has called for deep constitutional reform to a system demonstrators say has entrenched the power of the military, has emerged as the biggest challenge to Thailand's establishment in years.
Thousands of demonstrators converged on parliament to put pressure on lawmakers discussing changes to the constitution. The protesters also want the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army ruler, and to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Bangkok's Erawan Medical Centre said at least 41 people were hurt. It did not immediately give a full breakdown, but said at least 12 were suffering from teargas and five people had gunshot wounds. It did not say who might have used firearms.
"We tried to avoid clashes," the deputy head of Bangkok police, Piya Tavichai, told a news conference. He said police had tried to push back protesters from parliament and to separate them and the yellow-shirted royalist counter-protesters.
Protesters advanced on police with makeshift shields, including inflatable pool ducks. After about six hours, police pulled back and abandoned their water trucks, which the protesters mounted and sprayed with graffiti.
"I hereby announce the escalation of the protests. We will not give in. There will be no compromise," Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak told the crowd at the gates of parliament before protesters dispersed.
Another protest was set for central Bangkok on Wednesday.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said police had been obliged to use teargas and water cannon to keep parliamentarians safe.
Prime Minister Prayuth took power as the head of a military junta in 2014 and remained in office after an election last year. He rejects opposition accusations that the election was unfair.
Lawmakers were discussing several proposals for constitutional changes, most of which would exclude the possibility of altering the monarchy's role.
There is also discussion of the role of the upper house Senate, which was entirely selected by Prayuth's former junta and helped ensure that he kept power with a parliamentary majority after last year's disputed vote.
Some protesters fought with dozens of royalists who had remained behind after an earlier demonstration by hundreds of right-wing Thais calling on lawmakers not to make changes to the constitution.
"Amending the constitution is going to lead to the abolition of the monarchy," royalist leader Warong Dechgitvigrom told reporters. Protesters have said they do not want to abolish the monarchy.
(Additional reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Jiraporn Kuhakan, Juarawee Kittisilpa; Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Angus MacSwan and Peter Graff)
