Following over two years of restricted travel and closed borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a core task for Thailand as host of APEC 2022 is to place tourism across the region back on a path of growth.
At the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting held in Bangkok on 19 August 2022, it was highlighted that APEC member economies had the opportunity to coordinate their policies to revive the tourism and travel industry with not only enhanced safety but also greater sustainability, responsibility, and inclusivity.
The statement released from the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting reflected these aspirations by marking Regenerative Tourism as the goal for future tourism to and within the 21 member economies of APEC.
Ahead of the meeting, Thailand has declared that it will use its leadership role in 2022 to push forward the APEC Policy Recommendations on Regenerative Tourism with the aim of paving the way forward to a future of tourism that "ensures that the industry contributes to all types of well- being locally."
The goals of Regenerative Tourism are already in line with the Thai government's Bio-Circular- Green or BCG Economy Model, which has been implemented to revive Thailand's tourism industry safely, inclusively, and sustainably.
Endorsed guidelines by attending ministers have set a course for rebuilding the tourism industry across the region "through investment, the creation of employment opportunities, human resource development, occupational standards, and support for small businesses".
The guidelines update advice from the pre- COVID-19 era and emphasize the need to reduce barriers that have a direct impact on visitor exports and tourist flows in the region.
A core set of seven guiding principles were adopted to support Regenerative Tourism. They call for policies and programs to respect local resource custodians, traditions, and culture; to enhance sustainable and responsible travel and tourism; to encourage the exchange of information and open dialogue; to foster human resource development, skills training, and occupational standards tools for a stronger industry workforce, including workers with disabilities; to utilize innovative technologies to improve economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being, as well as establish partnerships; to identify synergies and utilize resources through public-private partnerships to encourage tourism investment in the APEC region; and to strengthen the resiliency of tourism to prepare for future shocks.
The statement is an affirmation that tourism officials in the region are aware that smaller entities in the tourism sector have been impacted by challenges such as COVID-19 and that a re-energizing of travel should address such effects for prosperity in the long run.
Air travel in Phuket disrupted by floods, intercity buses not affected
A woman wades along a flooded road in downtown Phuket on Sunday. (Photo: Achadtaya Chuenniran)
Rare flooding in Phuket on Sunday continued to disrupt air travellers as passengers missed their flights out of the resort city, while those arriving struggled to reach their hotels or homes.
Several tourists missed their flights because of traffic congestion on roads to the airport due to flooding, although all airports extended service at check-in counters by 20 minutes to one hour, the provincial public relations office said, citing Ratchadaporn O-in, chief of the tourism and sports office in Phuket.
The situation was no better for those flying in, because public transport was hampered by vehicles stranded on roads, she added.
Phuket airport has requested travellers to leave for the airport three to four hours before their scheduled departures after torrential rain throughout the night submerged parts of the island. The famous old neighbourhood in downtown Phuket was one of the worst affected.
Tourism police and a representative of the Tourist Assistance Centre help travellers check in at Phuket airport. (Photo: Phuket public relations office)
The chaos came as many holidaymakers were leaving the island at the end of the four-day weekend for government and state enterprise officials that started on Thursday.
Flooded roads forced Phuket Smart Bus Co to temporarily suspend its airport bus services in Kamala, Cherng Talay, Surin beach and Ban Kian to avoid flooding.
Airport Bus Phuket No. 8411, a service from another company leaving Bus Terminal 1 in the city, has had to change its regular route.
"Passengers should prepare at least four hours for the trip," it said on its Facebook page, and advised customers to watch for updates to their schedules.
A bus from Phuket to Phatthalung leaves the island on a flooded road. (Photo: Phuket public relations office)
Adcha Buachan, the provincial land transport office chief, said all buses leaving Phuket for other provinces continued regular service from two city bus terminals. No passengers were stranded at the bus stations, he said, adding that services could yet be adjusted depending on the flood situation.
Only service by vans and small vehicles was suspended due to the high level of water on some roads, the official added.
More worrying days ahead
As officials tried to help people on the island affected by floods, weather forecasters warned of yet more rain or even downpours to lash Phuket and other provinces along the Andaman coast on Monday.
"Ranong, Phannga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun should beware of possible flash floods and runoff," said Charan Yiemvej, the forecaster on duty at the Meteorological Department in Bangkok.
The chance of rain on the island was 70% from Monday to Wednesday, according to the department.
The recent mass shooting in Nong Bua Lam Phu province was the deadliest in Thailand's history. The tragedy revealed even more shocking statistics, particularly the country's high ranking for gun violence and possession. It also restarted the conversation on gun laws.
Gun violence trend
Thailand is currently ranked 15th among countries with the highest number of gun-related deaths, and ranked 2nd in Southeast Asia, according to the World Population Review website.
Countries with the highest number of gun-related deaths are Brazil, the United States, Mexico, India and Columbia, while the Philippines has the highest number of deaths in the ASEAN region.
While it seems like gun violence and mass shootings are becoming more frequent, Southeast Asia, in fact, has less gun violence than other continents. Gun violence is much higher in the Americas.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also sees a downward trend in gun violence and homicides in Southeast Asia. Therefore, recent mass shootings in Thailand, both in Nong Bua Lam Phu and Nakhon Ratchasima in 2020, are considered quite "unique" for the region.
"In Southeast Asia and in Thailand, despite being appalling and tragic, we're not at levels that we can see in other continents," said Julien Garsany, the Deputy Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific of the UNODC.
Availability
As to why Thailand has the highest gun possession in ASEAN countries, Julien explains that it's mainly because of theavailability of guns, both legal and illegal. Such weapons can also be easily purchased onthe black market and online.
According to the Small Arms Survey (SAS) in 2017, Thailand has the highest number of guns in the possession of private individuals among ASEAN member countries.
Among a total of 10,342,000 guns recorded, 6,221,180 were legally registered and the rest were illegal. This means that 15 in every 100 people in Thailand possess a gun.
Updated information, however, is not available from the SAS, but it is widely believed that actual gun possession is much higher.
The UNODC representative also noted that most of the illegal firearms in Thailand were obtained through trafficking in such weapons along the borders. This indicates that there are internal conflicts and ongoing instability within the country.
"For instance, on the borderswith Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar we can see these flows of firearms going two ways, they can be more easily acquired. When you have instability, obviously you will have more availability of weapons."
Uncommon but too familiar
Although deadly mass shootings are quite rare, gun violence is not uncommon in Thailand. Whether shootings occur between partners, family members, neighbours or even colleagues, people who follow the news are all too familiar with such stories.
Besides the Nong Bua Lam Phu massacre, one of the most recent shootings was in Ubon Ratchathani province in August this year, which involved two rival gangs in the parking lot of a superstore. Two people were killed and seven people were injured.
Another shooting occurred in Ayutthaya in the same month, where three people were injured in a gun fight in broad daylight, involving over a dozen men from two rival ice factories.
Apart from the accessibility of (illegal) firearms, the media also plays a huge role in influencing people to believe that having a gun is the only way to protect themselves.
Gun violence is often portrayed in several Thai soap operas. [Image Credit: CH7HD]
Thai dramas often portray the use of guns as means to vent jealousy, anger, hatred or despair. Most scenes depict gun violence as a means to take revenge on enemies or to end tangled problems, such as love-triangles, fighting for inheritance or hierarchicaloppression.
Gun violence is often portrayed in several Thai soap operas. [Image Credit: CH3Thailand]
Feeling the necessity to possess a gun also indicates that Thai people have no trust in the state. As Thai criminologist, Associate Professor Police Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Krisanaphong Poothakool explains, people no longer believe that the police can effectively protect them when they are in trouble.
"On the other hand, why don't people in the UK, Japan, or Singapore believe that they have to possess a gun? Because their government reassures them that, if there's a crime, the police can take prompt action and provide justice."
Gun welfare program
Thailand's Interior Ministry also has a "gun welfare"program, where state agencies, such as the Royal Thai Police, the Customs Department and state enterprises, import guns through local gun traders for their staff at a much cheaper price.
Whether the reason is for self-defense, for protection of property, for sports or for game hunting, there is no limit on the number of guns an official can buy under this program. That means, they can use this "privilege" to purchase as many firearms as they wish.
"People nowadays have this belief that they should keep firearms as assets," said Associate Professor Dr. Piyaporn Tunneekul, a criminologist from Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University who does research on firearms possession in Thailand.
Under the gun welfare program, as Dr. Piyaporn explains, an official must retain possession of a gun for up to three years. Once the three-years expires, they can sell them. She feels, however, that the scheme should be limitedto one firearm per person, and owners have to sell or destroy their old gun before purchasing a new one.
"That is why the statistics look very high, because one official possesses more than one firearm, while it is very difficult for ordinary people, like us, to acquireone. This reflects how guns are symbolic of power, and Thai people want to have power over others."
Despite this "privilege", what also remains problematic is how police officers, who have already been dismissed from service, still have access to these weapons. This is apparently the root cause of the Nong Bua Lam Phu mass murder, where the ex-policemen, who was fired from this job for drug abuse, used his guns to commit the crime.
Dr. Krisanaphong strongly believes that Thailand's gun control should be increasedand that the process for issuing gun licenses needs to be reviewed. Authorities should also consider revoking gun licenses ofpeople who are convicted of serious wrongdoing.
"This is a loophole that we seriously need to look at," he said. "So far, there has never been a review nor an investigation ofofficials or criminals who have been convicted of drug abuse or other serious offenses, or even those displayingaggressive behaviour, posting rude or threatening messages on social media. We don't have such information on our databases yet."
Solution
It seems like the mass murder at a childcare centre in Nong Bua Lam Phu province has, at least, prompted some changes.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha recently held his first meeting on gun and illegal narcotic control, to develop guidelines for solving drug abuse problems and gun-related violence effectively. They also discussed the idea of revoking the gun licenses of people who are deemed to be a threat to society or who are addicted to drugs.
The Royal Thai Police arealso initiating the idea of confiscating weapons from police officers who misbehave or who are prone to gun violence, even if they are purchased legally. This measure may also include retired police officers.
Although amending the existing gun laws is the main priority, Dr.Krisanaphong thinks that both short-term and long-term strategies should also be implemented to curb gun-related violence.
"Once we learned that the gunman was an ex-policeman, who had a history of drug abuse and used his firearms to commit the crime, we now have to find out who else has been dismissed from the police force or been involved in drug abuse while on duty."
Other strategies, as the criminologist suggests, include having clear rules on revoking gun licenses,as well as confiscating guns from police officers who have committed drug-related crimes or other serious offenses, to prevent similar tragedies.
Mental health evaluations of police officers who possess firearms, at least once a year, are also necessary as a long-term strategy.
The government should also set a limit on the importation offirearmsunder the "gun welfare" scheme, to avoid officers hoarding firearms.
"The amount of imported firearms must coincide with the number of officials who really need to use them, whether it's police officers, soldiers or security officials," said Dr.Krisanaphong.
"Let's say you set a limit to no more than 5 million firearms across the country, authorities must find out whether the number of firearms in the market has reached 5 million. If it has reached the limit, then you cannot import any more of them," said Dr. Piyaporn.
Similarly, the UNODC believes that gun measures need to be fixed at the regional, national and institutional levels.
"There are two main UN international instruments that exist. The first one is the UN protocol against illicit trafficking and manufacturing of firearms, and another one is the UN arms trade treaty," said Julien.
"None of them have been ratified by Thailand or other countries in Southeast Asia."
Apart from considering the UN's international protocols on firearms, the UNODC suggests that the government seriously needs to revise the existing gun laws and contemplate the real purpose of gun possession.
Also, the police force and the military, which handle weapons on a daily basis, need to detect early warning signs as to whether certain officers are potentially dangerous and are likely to cause harm to others with the use of firearms.
In fact, one mass shooting is already way too many.
By Nad Bunnag and Jeerapa Boonyatus, Thai PBS World
Pattaya business and tourism chief bemoans dearth of Russians, Chinese
Boonanan Pattanasin, president of the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association, lamented the continued absence of Russian tourists in Thailand, suggested the government should "do something" about it.
Pattaya's top business leaders want Thailand to do something – although he can't say what – to allow Russians to use credit cards in Thailand again.
Boonanan Pattanasin, president of the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association, lamented the continued absence of Russian tourists in Thailand.
Visa International and other credit and debit card companies disabled cards linked to Russian bank accounts. Boonanan suggested the government should "do something" to get around that, although the issue is beyond the scope of Government House.
Boonanan is also upset China continues to limit foreign tourism due to that country's Covid-19 controls. Without Russians and Chinese tourists, Thailand must subsist on Indians, Turks and Thais this quarter, he said.
Currency Exchange booths in Pattaya are busier than ever, though international credit and debit card companies have disabled cards linked to Russian bank accounts.
Thai tourists continue to make up 80% of visitors to Pattaya and they should easily fill hotels for big year-end events such as the International Fireworks Competition, Loy Krathong and the Pattaya Countdown, Boonanan said. But, outside of those events, Pattaya must do more to promote tourism.
Boonanan said that he will ask the central government to again consider nightlife zoning in Pattaya and allow entertainment venues to open until 4 a.m. He also asks the powers that be to improve and increase operations at U-Tapao International Airport, making it a hub for air travel comparable to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The PBTA doesn't expect Pattaya tourism to recover to 2019 levels for one or two years, he added.
Boonanan Pattanasin said that operations at U-Tapao International Airport should be increased and improved to make it an aviation hub comparable to Bangkok International Airport.
The Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning to people in the northeast, east and central regions of the country to brace themselves for heavy rain as Tropical Storm Sonca hits Thailand today.
The storm will bring heavy rain and strong winds to several provinces in the Northeast including Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, and Ubon Ratchathani.
The weather guys also warned of flash floods in the mountains.
Small fishing boats are advised not to set sail in the coming days.
The south is expected to experience heavy rain from Sunday until Thursday due to a low-pressure front.
Northern parts will see cooler weather as a high-pressure area in the South China Sea causes temperatures to drop in the morning
The depression might worsen the northeastern flood situation with water already dangerously high in dams and reservoirs across the region.
Rain will increase in intensity on Saturday affecting Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi.
Water from the north will increase the level of water in the Chao Phraya River, especially in Nakorn Sawan, making floods a cause for concern.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, 28 provinces in the northeast, lower north and central regions are still affected by floods caused by the passage of storm Noru last week.
Floodwaters have affected 325,000 families. Water levels are still rising in the northeast and the central provinces.
Airports step up Covid surveillance on arrivals from Hong Kong, Singapore
Travelers flock to Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province last month. Disease control officials have stepped up surveillance for Covid-19 at all airports in the country after reports of the new XBB variant of Covid-19. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Health officials at airports are conducting random Covid-19 tests on passengers with respiratory symptoms from Hong Kong and Singapore to detect Omicron's new XBB subvariant, according to disease control authorities.
Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, acting director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said on Friday that 29 people who arrived in Hong Kong tested positive for the XBB strain.
XXB is a combination of Omicron's BJ.1 and BA.2.75 variants - descendants of the earlier Omicron BA.2 sub-type, which is itself about 50% more contagious than the BA.1 subvariant.
Of the 29 cases, 24 were detected on arrival and five others tested positive on their second day in Hong Kong.
"Most of them had returned from Singapore and three from Thailand," Dr Tares said.
The DDC was investigating into the three XXB cases from Thailand while information in other countries did not indicate more severity from the subvariant, Dr Tares said.
Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, DDC deputy director-general, said there was no local transmission yet of this subvariant in Thailand.
"Thailand has stepped up surveillance at Suvarnabhumi airport and all other airports," Dr Sophon said. "Any arrivals from Singapore, Hong Kong and countries with XBB outbreaks who have respiratory symptoms... will be randomised for variant examination at the Department of Medical Sciences," he said.
According to the DDC, Thailand logged 416 new Covid-19 patients a day and eight new fatalities related to the disease a day on average in a week, from Oct 2 to 8. The figures were declining and the BA.5 subvariant remained as the dominant strain in the country.
It is understood that Thailand's leadership is disappointed that US President Joe Biden will not attend the summit in Bangkok due to the planned wedding at the White House on the 19th of November of his granddaughter Naomi Biden. The importance being attached to the international event in Bangkok has meant the declaration of a two-day holiday in the capital and adjacent provinces while speculation mounts that it may be the moment that Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha decides to dissolve the House of Representatives and call a General Election.
It is not yet confirmed if Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the APEC summit in Bangkok in mid-November which has been a key priority for the Thai government although reports suggest that he has accepted the invitation to join the gathering in Thailand's capital. On Tuesday, Tanee Sangrat, a senior spokesman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs downplayed media reports and said that the list of those attending had yet to be finalised. However, it is becoming clear that US President Kamala Harris will represent the White House at the two-day event while arrangements are being put in place to allow US President Joe Biden play a role. Another potential surprise is the possible attendance of Chinese President Xi Jinping who was confirmed verbally last month to Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The United States will be represented at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit by US Vice President Kamala Harris (left) while US President Joe Biden (inset) is expected to play some role. In September, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi verbally confirmed to his Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai that Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre) will attend the summit while Russian President Vladimir Putin (inset) has not yet confirmed his attendance but signals were given in recent weeks that he may be present personally.
Thailand's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month due to take place from November 18th to 19th looks like it may be overshadowed not only by dramatic world events including ongoing developments in the Russian-Ukraine war and an emerging economic threat due to the soaring value of the US dollar but also by the fact that two days before it, Indonesia will host the G20 summit in Bali running from the 15th November to the 16th November.
Despite press reports in Bangkok on Tuesday, it has not been confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the event.
In fact, indications to the government in Bangkok, up to last week, were that he would not.
Backdrop is an escalation and increasingly serious war in Ukraine which threatens to become a wider world conflict. It already is, in economic terms
The summit is taking place against the backdrop of an escalating war in Ukraine with rising geopolitical tension and significant developments on a near-daily basis.
On Thursday, it emerged that Thailand along with China and thirty-three other states abstained in a vote of condemnation of the Russian annexation of four key territories in Ukraine at an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Thailand found itself in the company of India, South Africa, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Mali, Laos, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Congo, Central African Republic, Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Madagascar, Bangladesh, Armenia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Tajikistan, Sudan and Tanzania in its UN stance which signals its position in an increasingly bi-polar world.
Prior to the vote, Russia failed to obtain an agreement to have a secret vote on the issue while the United States made it clear that the vote would have consequences while insisting the world does not recognise Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.
Thailand abstains in UN vote along with China
The kingdom's stance leaves it firmly outside the fold of western countries.
A new political agenda has arisen from the Ukraine war which is less tolerant of realpolitik and is increasingly linking commercial and investment decisions with a country's political stance.
The Thai position on Thursday will not be good for inward investment into the country from the developed world.
Singapore, notably, voted to condemn Russia's action in Ukraine as did Malaysia and Indonesia although Thailand's key economic competitor in the region Vietnam also abstained.
Indeed, Thailand's reason for abstaining was because of the 'politicisation of international principles' according to its representative mission at the UN General Assembly.
'It has long been Thailand's longstanding and consistent policy to be opposed to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of any state, and the unprovoked acquisition of the territory of another state by force,' read a statement issued by the Thai delegation. 'However, Thailand chose to abstain from the vote on the resolution because it takes place during an extremely volatile and emotionally charged atmosphere, and thus marginalises the chance for crisis diplomacy to bring about a practical and negotiated resolution to the conflict that may push the world to the brink of nuclear war and global economic collapse. We are genuinely concerned about the increased politicisation of international principles that have become counterproductive as the means and guidance to end the war. Condemnation provokes intransigence and therefore greatly reduces the chance for constructive engagement.'
Thailand's UN response points to an escalation of world geopolitical tensions with the kingdom now seen moving towards the anti-western order
At the White House, US President Joe Biden welcomed the vote and said that it showed Russia 'cannot erase a sovereign state from the map' while accusing it of tearing at the very foundations of international peace and security.'
141 countries supported the motion or over 78% of states which voted at the United Nations in what is a ringing rejection of Russian actions.
Thailand's response at the UN, on Thursday, indirectly referenced the escalation of the war in Ukraine with a related energy war targeting European countries and growing western support for Ukraine.
The tough response to the Russian invasion is being interpreted as a warning to China over Taiwan while the Communist country gives tacit support to Russia. The current dynamic is threatening to plunge the world into a wider conflict between two world blocs.
An economic war is already raging and deepening between these two blocs which is ripping up the world global economy and supply chains that existed up to 2018 when the US-China trade war began.
US President puts family first as his 28-year-old granddaughter Naomi weds her fiancé in Washington
US President Joe Biden has been reported as not being available in person to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit due to the planned wedding of his granddaughter 28-year-old Naomi Biden to her fiancé 25-year-old Peter Neal planned for November 19th on the South Lawn of the White House.
Ms Biden is a lawyer as is her future husband. She is also the eldest daughter of the president's controversial son Hunter Biden.
It is believed that President Biden will be represented at the summit in Bangkok by Vice President Kamala Harris although there are strong indications that efforts are being made for the US president to play a role in the summit possibly by the use of a video link or message.
Thai government is privately disappointed the US leader will not attend in person, a blow to improving US-Thai engagement and boost for China's claims
The Thai government has invested a lot of energy and prestige in the event which was initially seen as a summit which would see 21 heads of government gathered in Bangkok from the 18th to the 19th of November.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha repeatedly extended an invitation to President Biden both during his visit to Washington DC in May for the ASEAN summit and during meetings with US officials since then.
The absence of the US President will be seen as a blow to Thailand's efforts to present the event as an endorsement of the kingdom and will not help what had been seen as closer ties between the United States and its oldest ally in Asia.
The attendance by Chinese President Xi Jinping would underline Chinese claims that it is the more consistent and local power in Asia and would be a setback for recently renewed American efforts to engage with the region including Thailand as a leading member of the ASEAN community.
Key moment that could see Thailand's political parties under starter's orders for a General Election
Thai hopes for the event were so high that during the summer it was strongly suggested by members of the cabinet including Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan that the culmination of the summit would see Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha call for the dissolution of the House of Representatives and start the countdown to Thailand's next General Election.
The importance attached to the event in Thailand can be seen from the fact that the government has declared an official holiday in Bangkok and the adjacent provinces of Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi for the two-day event which represents a mammoth logistical and security exercise for the country's security services who fear the event could be hijacked by political dissidents or these involved the southern insurgency.
President Xi Jinping was confirmed to attend verbally by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in September
Indeed the one key world leader in the current geopolitical tussle between the United States and western countries and more authoritarian regimes in Asia, who looks most likely to attend, at this point, is the Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The Chinese foreign minister has signalled that he will attend the event.
President Xi is expected to be endorsed as the leader of the Communist Party in Beijing when the 20th National Congress of the all-powerful party in China convenes on Sunday 16th of October next.
In September, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok confirmed that Xi Jinping had confirmed his participation in the event verbally through Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a meeting with the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai.
Participation of Biden not ruled out at summit
At the time, a senior spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Tanee Sangrat, also did not rule out the participation of President Biden in the summit.
'We still are in the process of coordinating. We are trying all means to convince all of the Apec leaders to come,' he told the Bangkok Postnewspaper.
It has already been communicated to officials in Bangkok via the Thai Embassy in Washington DC that Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the US delegation next month.
The event will be attended by the newly elected President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Junior and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as well as the leaders of Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Thailand is one of the 35 countries out of 193 that abstained in the vote to condemn Russia's annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions during the U.N. General Assembly on October 12th.
143 countries out of 193 resolved to condemn the Russian annexation, saying it was an illegal action, while only four counties which were Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea, and Belarus voted against the resolution.
Thailand was one of the 35 countries such as China, India, Laos, Pakistan, Vietnam, etc, that abstained from voting. After the vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked all 143 countries who voted their affirmation on his Twitter for supporting Ukraine.
The resolution rejected Russia's attempt to annex Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson while calling for Russia to cancel its decision and withdraw all military forces from Ukrainian soil.
From the Thai Foreign Ministry:
"Thailand chose to abstain from the vote on the resolution because it takes place during an extremely volatile and emotionally charged atmosphere and situation, and thus marginalizes the chance for crisis diplomacy to bring about a peaceful and practical negotiated resolution to the conflict that may push the world towards the brink of nuclear war and global economic collapse."
The full statement from Thailand and their decision is below:
Thailand proves a hot competitor with AC exports worth a cool THB203 bn
Thailand was the second largest exporter of air conditioners in 2021 after only China, shipping more than 203 billion baht worth of air conditioners and parts last year during the heat of the Covid crisis.
The figure increased by 25 per cent from 2020.
This year, Thailand exported more than 164 billion baht worth of air conditioners in the first eight months, an increase of 21 per cent from the same period last year.
The growth in exports reflects how the industry can cope as manufacturers face several problems.
In an interview with business news agency Thansettakij, Supanee Chantasasawat, president of the FTI's Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Club, said the export market is likely to grow now that the Covid-19 situation has eased and demand is recovering, especially from countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia.
At the height of the Covid crisis, domestic sales decreased but orders from foreign countries were continuous, so the industry was affected only slightly, Supanee said.
She expects more air conditioners will be manufactured in 2022 compared to the previous year as domestic demand rises, but high fuel and natural gas prices as well as chip shortages are affecting manufacturing costs.
Supanee believes hotter, longer summers around the world, especially in cold climate countries, will provide Thailand with increasing opportunities to export air conditioners and parts.
Furthermore, trade barriers between the US and China and the expansion of middle classes in hot nations including neighbouring countries and Asean might be a supporting factor for Thai exports, she felt.
According to Supanee, the industry is developing better products and parts that utilise smart technology, save energy and are environmentally friendly, so this would be an advantage when competing with other exporters in quality and price.
The top five countries Thailand exported air conditioners and parts to in the first eight months of 2022 were the United States, Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan, respectively.
China is still Thailand's main competitor, but Vietnam is an up-and-coming rival with cheaper wages and more available workers, so foreign manufacturers such as Japan have invested in Vietnam since 2018, she pointed out.
In 2023, the Ukraine-Russia war, volatile currencies, high manufacturing costs, chip shortages and trade barriers will pose challenges, Supanee warned.
Thailand still needs to import parts and materials from foreign countries so it might lose its competitive edge, she explained.
She wanted the government to support material and parts manufacturers in technology to compete in global markets amid the current Covid-19 situation and currency problems, expecting political tension and currency woes to take "around 1-2 years to ease".
The industry must prepare for changes in the future as it relies mainly on exports, she added.
