Why is it difficult to add new flights at Suvarnabhumi?
With many countries opening their borders and returning to international flights, the question remains why many airlines still find it difficult to accommodate more arrivals and departures from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
According to Prachachat Business, the problems mainly affect flights from China where, according to earlier reports, more than 20 airlines have applied for Suvarnabhumi airport, with 50 to 60 flights a day, since China opened its border.
The above figure indicates that the majority of applications have not yet been approved. It is important to note that the above figure is well below the record of around 200 flights per day in 2019.
Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, president of Airports of Thailand (AoT), said AoT had in the past allowed Thai Airways and Bangkok Flight Services (BFS) to operate the ground services.
However, when Thai Airways, which was responsible for about 80 per cent of the territory, needed to be rehabilitated, the processes sabotaged its capacity to serve passengers, both in terms of equipment and staff, even though the company tried to hire more people to meet the demands.
Nitinai said AoT has proposed to Cabinet to open the auction for finding a third operator for the ground service to resolve the issue.
On March 7, 2023 the Cabinet approved the AoT to award the apron, ground handling equipment and other activities of Suvarnabhumi Airport to the third operator. The AoT will issue an invitation to the private sector to cooperate with the airport next June/July.
AoT added that it plans to have its subsidiary AOTGA also participate in the auction as the company has been operating at Phuket International Airport and Don Mueang Airport for 4 years.
AOTGA serves more than 50 airlines from around the world on the ground at Phuket International Airport and another 10 airlines at Don Mueang Airport.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has been in power since 2014 as coup leader and subsequently as a politician.
Now that a royal proclamation has now formally dissolved Thailand's parliament, the stage is set for a May general election. The Pheu Thai party, the favored opposition party in all recent polls, is pitted against the Bangkok-based "establishment", spearheaded by the military. Yet the ideologies in play are far more complex than populist left-wing radicals versus the conservative royalists.
The current prime minister, general Prayut Chan-o-cha, masterminded the 2014 coup and subsequently led a military-backed coalition which has now been dismantled. Yet his unpopular administration has been surprisingly liberal in aspects of social policy, for example decriminalizing cannabis as a narcotic and introducing legislation to allow abortion for the first time. Plans to decriminalize prostitution and to introduce gay marriage are still at committee stage but were approved at Cabinet level. Governments anywhere spawned by military putsches are not famous for such policies.
Meanwhile the opposition Pheu Thai, led by Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter Paetongtarn, is hardly the embodiment of leftism. The party opposes the liberal cannabis policy and has threatened to recriminalize it on taking office. It also opposes the sister opposition Move Forward Party's wishes to abandon the lese-majeste laws and to liberalize further pot smoking for leisure. In other words, the so-called alliances against the military-backed parties are by no means a united front which, perhaps, could yet create surprises on election day.
All political parties in Thailand are populist. Each one promises to raise the minimum wage, though by differing amounts, to extend banking services and credit to the general population and to help the hard-pressed farmers of Thailand's northern provinces. Really radical notions such as passing legislation to ban all future coup attempts or formally abolish the death penalty are not endorsed by any mainstream party, but only by fringe politicians leading factions.
What will determine the composition of the next parliament is maths. The Thai parliament is unique in having 500 seats, divided between single constituencies and party lists, with the added complication that the 250 unelected members of the Upper House or Senate (all appointed by the post-coup junta) can vote individually for a choice of prime minister. If Pheu Thai and its allies can win 376 seats in the parliamentary elections – more than 50 percent of the750 votes available in total – then they can become the government with their own choice of prime minister. The further away they are from that total and the more complex the bargaining will become. The fat lady may not sing immediately.
Chinese arrivals predicted to top 300,000 in April
Chinese tourists disembark a Shenzhen Airlines flight at Phuket airport on Mar 15. Shenzhen Airlines is now operating three flights a week from Shenzen using A320airliners. Photo: AoT Phuket
Han Zhiqiang, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, on Saturday (Mar 18) paid a courtesy call to Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew at the Provincial Hall. reports the Bangkok Post.
After welcoming the ambassador, Mr Narong gave an update on moves to set up sister cities with China, the Sino-Thai tourism outlook, and Thailand's plans to chair the Specialised Expo 2028.
Phuket has established links with Yantai, Hainan, Ningxia Hui, Guilin, Yanjiang, Xiamen and the Macau special administrative region, with Xi'an next on the list, he said.
The ambassador said Chinese President Xi Jinping last year paid a courtesy call to His Majesty the King along with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
They reached a consensus on building a community and shared future between the two countries as well as the need to set targets and maintain a positive direction in bilateral relations.
The number of Chinese tourists has been increasing rapidly this year. The ambassador was bullish over continuing growth prospects in the future.
Mr Han also enlivened hopes that China might back the Thai bid to host one of the prestigious world expos under the name Phuket Expo 2028. He also told the provincial governor that the Chinese government is considering backing Phuket as chair of the event.
Meanwhile, Thanet Tantipiriyakit, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said the visit of the Chinese ambassador will benefit the tourism sector on the island. As of now, an average of 20,000 Chinese tourists visit a day, on 20 flights.
Plans are afoot for the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation to support the private sector in launching a roadshow in Shanghai, Chengdu and Nanning, he said.
In Surat Thani, the Mein Schiff 5 cruise ship with about 2,450 passengers and crew docked at Koh Samui is expected to net the country more that B10 million in revenue. The visitors, mostly European tourists, went to various sites on the island, such as Wat Phra Yai, Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Mu Koh Ang Thong national park, Na Muang waterfall and an Otop community.
Search on for a pickup truck owner who may have the caesium-137
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Police are looking for the owner of a pickup truck who had his vehicle cleaned at a car wash in Si Maha Phot district of Prachin Buri about three weeks ago.
An employee at the car wash, in Village 10 of Krok Sombun sub-district, told a rescue worker from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation that he saw an "iron" cylinder, similar to the missing one containing a capsule of caesium-137, in the back of a pickup which came for a wash.
Police visited the car wash and showed the employee and his boss a picture of the missing cylinder. Both claimed it looked like the one they saw on the truck, which belongs to a security guard working at the 304 industrial park in the province.
The steel cylinder containing the radioactive material was found to be missing from a steam power plant in Si Maha Phot district in Prachin Buri during a routine check on March 10th. It is not known when it disappeared from the plant.
Officials from the Office of Atoms for Peace and Prachin Buri police have searched numerous scrap yards in the province, but have not found any trace of the radioactive material.
According to government spokesman Rachada Dhnadirek, the contents of the pact align with extradition agreements Thailand has with other nations, which will strengthen cooperation to combat crime.
Since the extradition agreement has no impact on Thailand's territory, economy, society, or commerce and investment, she argued, Parliament does not need to approve it.
Since the invasion in February of last year, tens of thousands of Russians have traveled to Thailand in an effort to evade conscription and the economic effects of the war with Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera.
According to data revealing that roughly 40% of condos sold to international buyers in Phuket last year were purchased by Russians, it claims that many people are hoping to relocate permanently to the Kingdom.
Excavation work has already begun on the delayed Rayong to Bangkok hi-speed rail project.
In spite of many predictions and promises, there is still no final Cabinet approval for the long-anticipated high-speed train network linking the two Bangkok airports with the now-expanded U-tapao airport near Rayong. According to the Eastern Economic Corridor, which sponsors Thai and foreign mega-projects, a final sign-off will be left to the government incoming after the general election expected in May. There still needs to be negotiation about construction and expropriation of property details.
The 220-billion baht project will allow super-fast, express trains to travel at speeds up to 250 km per hour. Supporters of the project envision a Chinese model in which sleek trains will pinball around the country, reducing road traffic logjams and enabling tourists, business people and freight to reach their destinations fast. Critics say that China is a much bigger country and that the high cost over relatively-short distances in Thailand poses quite different issues, including anticipated fare costs to the general public.
The final approval for the 220-billion baht 250 km per hour hi-speed rail project linking the 3 major airports will have to wait until after the elections in May.
Although some property gurus say that the rising price of property in the eastern provinces (which include Pattaya and Rayong) is dependent on a fast-train future, others deny the claim. Colliers International, for instance, points out that the property market is being driven by real demand and good roads between cities to transport goods and people. The consensus view is that the rail project will go ahead but that the first trains are unlikely to run before 2028 at the earliest.
Breathing easier: A man goes for a morning walk around Sanam Luang. He is donning a face mask to protect himself against high levels of PM2.5 pollution which has blanketed many parts of Bangkok.
Work-from-home measures will be implemented in Bangkok if the hazardous pollution levels caused by ultra-fine particles do not improve soon, said Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda on Saturday.
As of Saturday, the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Bangkok and many provinces were considered to be severe.
More than 50 areas in Bangkok, such as Bang Khun Tian and Din Daeng districts, tipped into the orange zone on Saturday, with PM2.5 levels hovering between 51 and 78 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m³), said the Pollution Control Department (PCD) director-general Pinsak Suraswadi.
This increase in fine dust particles was the result of a sudden weather change in the capital, compounded by smoke from forest hotspots blown in from neighbouring countries.
The PCD also warned city residents they should monitor dust levels, especially between March 15-18, when the problem may worsen due to wind blowing fine dust particles from areas outside the capital, added Mr Pinsak.
Meanwhile, Gen Anupong said people in Bangkok might be asked to work from home, as earlier suggested by City Hall, if the PM2.5 problem does not ease soon. The measure will also keep many vehicles off the roads, which would help reduce pollution.
The minister suggested the policy should be put in place, starting with people in the private sector, and expanding to government offices if the situation does not improve.
Praphan Phongkiatkul, president of the Indoor Air Quality Association, also suggested people wear face masks as basic protection.
Gen Anupong insisted strict measures were needed to bring down the fine dust pollution caused by slash-and-burn practices in the forest and farming areas, as well as industrial activities and construction work in the city and provinces. Also, a ban on certain types of vehicles entering roads at specified times might be considered.
The minister earlier accompanied Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on a helicopter tour over forest areas near the border where slash-and-burn activities were commonplace. On Thursday, he urged farmers to stop burning crops and help tackle dust pollution.
Bush fires, especially those in Kanchanaburi, have worsened the dust pollution which is also driving tourists away, according to Athapol Charoenshunsa, acting chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation.
He said that at least 30% of visitors have stayed away from key tourist attractions in the province since the dust problem occurred.
Summer storm warning for Bangkok and 41 other provinces
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People living in 42 provinces in the northern, north-eastern, central and eastern regions of Thailand, including Bangkok and its suburbs, are advised to brace for summer storms, which will bring heavy rain and hail to some areas from Sunday until next Tuesday.
The Meteorological Department said today (Friday) that a moderate cold front is forecast to blanket the northern part of Thailand and the South China Sea and this will collide with the westerly winds over northern region, as the country is experiences hot weather.
This weather condition will create a summer storm, with strong winds in the northern, north-eastern, central and eastern regions as well as hail in some areas, said the department.
People in the 42 provinces, including Bangkok and its surrounding areas, can check for updates on the weather conditions at the department's website http://www.tmd.go.th or by calling the hotline numbers 1182 or 0-2399-4012-13 around the clock.
The provinces to be affected by summer storm are:
March 12th: Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit and Phetchabun in the northern region; Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu and Udon Thani in the northeast.
March 13th: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanuloke and Phetchabun in the north; Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima in the northeast; Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Bangkok and its suburbs in the central region; and Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat in the eastern region.
March 14th: Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat in the eastern region.
The most recent Thai coup, in 2014, was largely bloodless and the only one in history not to use tanks to patrol the streets of the capital.
The possibility of yet another military putsch in Bangkok is currently being discounted as the political situation is still "normal". Provided the next general election, scheduled for May 2023, is relatively peaceful, that will remain the situation. The hope is that pandemonium won't break out in a disputed result.
According to coup historian Jens Bartelson, military intervention requires an exceptionally abnormal situation for justification. Typically, in Thailand, coup leaders over the years have used excuses such as corruption, anti-monarchist sentiment and street chaos in the capital to impose military rule. The last two coups in 2006 and 2014 saw the ongoing exile of two prime ministers, Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck. They want to come back.
400 constituency seats and 100 party-list seats in the House of Representatives (a truly complex constitutional arrangement) are up for grabs at the next national poll. But the separate 250 members of the unelected, military-backed Senate can also vote for the position of prime minister. If the main opposition party, Pheu Thai with connections to the Shinawatra clan, can capture, say, 300-plus House seats, immediate opposition is likely to be mooted. The people will have spoken. Sort of anyway.
But some polls suggest that Pheu Thai may win the largest number of seats, but fall short of the 300 benchmark. In northern Thailand, the Bhumjaithai party (a current coalition partner) is popular with farmers and smallholders for pushing through the delisting of cannabis as a narcotic. The current prime minister General Prayut is chief strategist of the new United Thai Nation Party which has already attracted around 30 renegade MPs from other parties left and right. Party allegiances tend to be pliable in Thailand. Over 80 political parties, mostly tiny, will likely contest the election as a whole, but some will win the occasional seat as they are in the fiefdom of an influential politician. A handful of seats can be crucial in a close contest.
The political landscape would sour if none of the bigger parties clearly has a popular lead. What could well follow include allegations of vote rigging and buying which could turn into street demonstrations in the capital. The election of the new prime minister would be a particularly sensitive issue with military parties more than concerned that Thaksin's daughter is a possible candidate nominated by Pheu Thai. Similarly, opposition parties are opposed to the return of General Prayut or his deputy General Prawit, the latter being the candidate for the ruling Palang Pracharath Party.
Political scientists yesterday told the Bangkok Post that military intervention was unlikely but could not be ruled out. Wanwichit Boonprong, from Rangsit University, said the danger would come if the opposition takes power but interferes in the military's sphere of influence. Olarn Thinbangtieo, from Burapha University, said another coup would be difficult to justify and unpopular yet not impossible. For Thailand's politics, the upcoming spring and summer will be a challenging time.
Har ju tidigare understukit vikten av att vara medlem i SVIV (Svenskar i världen), ok 500 SEK/år kan vara dyrt men de gör ett bra jobb och ju fler vi är desto mer makt får de att pusha våra politiker i rätt riktning.
Här en sammanfattning av Skandinaver på Phukets representant på ett möte mellan svenskföreningarna och Svenska ambassaden. Ett mkt lovvärt initiativ som jag hoppas det blir fler av. Tack Thomas!
(Ps. Imorgon lite om resa till Sverige och vad som gäller/man bör tänka på för sig själv och ev Thai sambo.)
Rapport från möte på Ambassaden 10/3 2023
Deltagare
Bangkok (ca 600 svenskar) Bo Olsen och Dan Wallenbert
Phuket Thomas Åberg
Udon Thani Kjell Nyström och Sven Arne Hedell (SVIV)
Chang Mai Kenneth Rimdahl
Svenska Kyrkan Marie och Olof Olsson
Ambassadens konsulära avdelning 5 personer (alla) Marcus Padoongwong håller i mötet
Saknade Kim Wadström (Koh Lanta) och någon från Hua Hin
Presentation
Ambassaden i Bangkok är med sina mer än 80 anställda näst störst i världen.
Konsulära avdelning 5-6 personer sköter 5 omkringliggande länder.
Ca 5.000 svenskar i Thailand. 60-70.000 thailändare i Sverige
Thailand har synpunkter på hur många konsulat Sverige kan ha. Kan bli neddragningar från dagens 4.
Vi fick en rundvandring på Ambassaden. De har flyttat från 2 våningar till 1. Lite trångt i rummen.
Diskussioner
Nordiskt samarbete kring pass diskuterades. Norge har mobil enhet. Att förlänga passtider till 10 år anses inte
vara aktuellt.
Tillgänglighet på ambassaden för passtider kritiserades men ambassaden tog då upp att det vissa dagar varit
50 % frånvaro vilket de upplever som frustrerande. Vi bör påpeka detta för medlemmar.
Ambassaden påpekade att de tillhandahåller "Hjälp till självhjälp".
Gången vid dödsfall diskuterades.
Pärmen som SKPP tagit fram berömdes och upplevdes som ett bra initiativ att sprida bland svenskar.
Det nämndes att Omställningsbidraget som efterlevande kan få kan dröja 10-12 månader.
I Thailand har man 6 arvsgrupper medans vi i Sverige har 3.
Advokatlista finns på Ambassadens hemsida men dessa är inte kontrollerade.
De påpekade vikten av att vara folkbokförd korrekt. Har man fel uppgifter så är det straffbart.
Vid inskrivning i Sverige så sköter Skatteverket det smidigt medans Försäkringskassan är långsamma. (?)
Det påpekades att bara 25 svenskar i Thailand är medlemmar i Svenskar i Världen (SVIV). Vi behöver
definitivt vara fler för att få gehör för våra åsikter.
Sjukförsäkring för svenskar i Thailand diskuterades. Bo Jonsson har arbetat mycket med att ta fram något.
Han flyttar snart till Belgien så det behövs nya krafter som jobbar med detta. Inom EU pratas det om nya
handelsavtal med Thailand och i detta arbete ingår enligt uppgift någon form av sjukförsäkring för expats. Just
nu är det mycket arbete i Thailand kring valet i Maj och därför är myndighetspersoner upptagna med detta.
Frågan om vem som kan ha hand om detta EU handelsavtal på Ambassaden fick inget svar.
Bankid togs upp och där finns mycket att ta i. Efterlevande Thai kan ha stora bekymmer att nå pengar de är
berättigade till på svensk bank då de ej kan få bankid. Det nämndes också att Kivra som är en stor aktör med
digital post enbart har Mobilt Bankid som påloggning. Man kan alltså inte logga in via datorn och bankid på
denna. Problem kan uppstå nu när bankid ändrat så att vid uppdatering av befintligt så krävs att enheten har
en NFC läsare för identifiering via passet. Tekniken blir mer avancerad och många äldre kan säkert få
problem.
"Det var bättre förr"
2 saker togs upp som förvånade lite
För ett antal år sedan fanns ett "Health card" för utlänningar som kostade 3.500 bath per år och gav
innehavaren fri sjukvård på statliga sjukhus. Kjell Nyström visade sitt kort…….
För några år sedan var det inga problem att skicka nya bankdosor via UD post till Ambassaden för personlig
kvittering. Bankerna har själva valt att inte fortsätta med detta…. Maila er bank och klaga!!!!
Sammanfattning
Trevligt att träffa alla. Synd att Kim och folk från Hua Hin saknades.
Förhoppningsvis kan detta vara en startpunkt för att få mer samarbete mellan svensk grupperna i Thailand.
Thomas skall försöka skapa maillista och ev Messengergrupp.
Vid pennan
Thomas Åberg
Om ni inte går med i SVIV så rekommenderar jag er iaf att försöka vara lite aktiva i era Svensk-/Skandinaviska föreningar där ni bor eller har närmast till. Alla försöker bidra till att vi alla får det bättre på plats i Thailand!
In March 2023, Suvarnabhumi International Airport will close the security checkpoint area Zone 3 (West) to install the Automatic Return Tray System.
During the maintenance time, please use the security checkpoint as follows:
Zone 1: For general passengers (at the check-in counter, Row A)
Zone 2: Check-in counter, Row J and Row M
Zone 3 (East): Check-in counter, Row S
To avoid crowded congestion at the departure hall and security checkpoint, please proceed to the boarding gate at least 4 hours prior to the departure time.
You can also save time by using the self-check-in kiosk and self-bag drop.🧳
Potential tourists explore products at ITB Berlin 2023, one of the biggest travel fairs in Europe.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects 6 million tourists from Europe this year, roughly 80% of the pre-pandemic total, generating more than 420 billion baht as part of total revenue of 1.5 trillion baht by year-end.
"I am confident Thailand remains the top destination in Asia for European markets," said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn while attending ITB Berlin 2023, one of the biggest travel fairs in Europe.
Mr Yuthasak said pent-up demand for travel among Europeans might continue for 1-2 years, helping Thailand maintain these traditional markets familiar with Thai tourism, especially the UK, Germany and Russia.
However, obstacles still remain such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the risk of recession, insufficient flight capacity and a labour shortage in the tourism industry, he said.
This year TAT's promotion is called "Visit Thailand Year 2023" to lure tourists, particularly quality markets who seek more meaningful travel experiences and responsible tourism, said Mr Yuthasak.
In the second quarter, which is usually the low season for European tourists, the agency will pivot its focus to the Middle East and China to maintain tourism receipts, he said.
Limited flight capacity and a slow resumption of frequencies has caused higher airfares, leading the TAT to project the extension of stays for tourist visas and visas on arrival, from 30 to 45 days and 15 to 30 days, respectively, has helped Thailand maintain consistent income as long-haul travellers stay longer for each trip.
The plan to extend this scheme from March 31 to the end of this year still requires cabinet approval.
To combat delays in processing and congestion at airports, the government is expected to approve a third ground handling operator at Suvarnabhumi airport by the end of this year, said Mr Yuthasak.
GRADUAL RETURN OF FLIGHTS
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said applications for summer slots from long-haul flights already reached 70% of the 2019 level after flights for the current cool season recovered by 60%.
According to the TAT, estimated long-haul flights during the 30-week summer schedule starting from April would have the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Germany, the UK and Oman operating the most flights to Thailand, totalling 2,440, 1,302, 868, 654 and 622, respectively.
He said the TAT pavilion at ITB Berlin this year was joined by more than 70 tourism operators from Thailand.
Princess Ubolratana was at the event to promote sustainable tourism and soft power.
Supachai Punja-apisith, director of sales and business development for Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, said the trade show could deliver a strong leisure tourism market, especially from key strategic partners in Germany, the UK and the US.
Mr Supachai said he is promoting an overnight cruise programme operated by Loy Pela Voyages along the Chao Phraya River from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, which gained popularity among these markets.
He said the average occupancy rate for Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort and Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel should exceed 78% in the first quarter.
The average room rate is 30% higher than the pre-pandemic level, driven by high demand from international markets, said Mr Supachai.
He said Europeans accounted for 40% of total hotel guests.
A pulmonologist from Siriraj Hospital has suggested people wear masks to protect themselves from dust pollution as the number of patients with respiratory diseases continues to rise, especially among children.
Meanwhile, 48 provinces were found to have ultra-fine dust particles (PM2.5) levels above the safe threshold on Tuesday.
Dr Nitipatana Chierakul, head of the Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis Division at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, said hospitals nationwide have seen a spike in cases that began in December.
He said the haze pollution usually peaks around Jan to March, resulting in health issues that could otherwise be avoided, particularly among children.
A recent study in China showed that hundreds of thousands of children aged 3-7 years from 51 Chinese cities have been affected by the PM2.5 pollution, leading to sleeping disorders that can threaten the development of their brains, he said.
"To protect children, households need to install air purifiers. Schools and daycare centres have to build dust-free rooms and limit outdoor activities," said Dr Nitipatana.
He added that air pollution can cause respiratory symptoms and irritations such as coughing, a runny nose, phlegm and rashes.
When asked for the best remedy, Dr Nitipatana suggested people wear masks outdoors rather than rely on nasal sprays or solutions as these can cause infections.
He also urged concerned agencies to fix the haze pollution as the problem has grown more severe in recent years.
Thailand has seen PM2.5 levels surpass the safe threshold of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m³) in 48 provinces this week.
The Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) reported on Tuesday that the PM2.5 levels in every region, except for the South, had risen above the government's safe threshold.
In Bangkok and its adjacent cities, levels ranged from 54-108 μg/m³ with most areas seeing heavy smog.
88% of Thail bank accounts have less than 50,000 THB
According to the Bank of Thailand (BOT), total deposits in commercial banks increased 4.3% to 16.897 trillion baht in 2017. It said that the increase was caused by the BOT raising its policy rate, which caused commercial banks to raise their lending and deposit rates in response.
Bangkok account holders lead the provincial rankings with total deposits of 10.58 trillion baht.
The following top 10 provinces are listed by the BOT for total deposits in commercial banks:
10.58 trillion baht in Bangkok
Nonthaburi, 586.02 billion
: 583.762 billion Samut Prakan
551.649 billion Chonburi
345.482 billion – Pathum Thani
– 291.601 billion for Chiang Mai
– 230.548 billion for Nakhon Pathom
196.036 billion Samut Sakhon
– 194.187 billion Songkhla
190.014 billion Rayong
Following are the ten provinces with the lowest total bank deposits:
7.452 billion baht. – Mae Hong Son
9.295 billion – Amnat Charoen
9.837 billion – Bueng Kan
10.966 billion. Satun
– 14.052 billion Nong Bua Lamphu
– 15.703 billion in Mukdahan
– 15.903 billion in Uthai Thani
– Nan: 16,188,000,000,000
18.060 billion Chainat
– Yasothon (Billions): 18.149
By region, these have the most accumulated deposits:
– Central: 3.665 trillion baht (not including Bangkok).
In the Northeast: 956.765 billion
South: 835.805 billion
861.239 billion in the South
4.3% increase in Thai bank deposits, while 90% of accounts have less than 50,000 baht.
According to the BOT, there were 121.40 million deposit accounts as of the end of the previous year, 110.84 million of which were savings accounts.
Among the savings accounts, 1,023 had more than 500 million baht, while 98.52 million had less than 50,000 baht.
Suvarnabhumi Passengers Urged to Arrive Early Amid Potential Delays
BANGKOK (NNT) - Suvarnabhumi International Airport has started rolling out upgrades to its security screening facility at its departure terminal. The airport also warned departing passengers of potential delays as checkpoints are partially closed due to this renovation.
Suvarnabhumi Airport has advised departing passengers of potential delays caused by renovation work at its security checkpoints where new equipment is being installed. The airport is in the process of adding an automated tray return system at security checkpoints, where departing passengers are required to have their carry-on bags scanned for prohibited items.
The new tray system will help double the capacity at checkpoints from 3,300 passengers per hour to 6,650. Once in operation, passengers can expect a faster process and less congestion at the airport.
To handle the current situation, the airport said it is deploying additional staff members to help passengers and has coordinated with immigration police to ensure a sufficient number of personnel at passport control. Nonetheless, departing passengers are advised to arrive at least 3 hours before departure time in order to avoid any unexpected situations.
Tourists and shoppers throng the walking street in Phuket town. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)
PHUKET: Nearly 7,600 Russian nationals have sought to extend the length of their stay in Phuket, according to the local immigration chief.
"Phuket is a nice place to visit with delicious food and good weather. As word has spread about the island, Russian tourists keep coming to the province," said Pol Col Thanet Sukchai, superintendent of Phuket immigration office.
"Many obtain visas to stay on the island for three months or not more than 90 days. There are also Russian business operators holding business visas. Russian nationals stay mostly in tambon Rawai and tambon Chalong."
Currently, a total of 7,596 Russian nationals are seeking to extend the length of their stay in Phuket, mostly in Muang district, followed by Thalang and Kathu, said Pol Col Thanet.
Data on total arrivals showed an average of 300,000 foreign visitors entering the island a month or 10,000 people a day, and the number continues to rise as tourism recovers after three lean pandemic years.
Russia accounts for the most visitors by nationality, followed by India, Kazakhstan, England and Australia.
Pol Col Thanet said a total of 31,128 foreign nationals are seeking to extend their stay on the island.
With the rise in the number of foreign tourists on the island, immigration police have launched a so-called "white accommodation" project featuring crime- and drug-free accommodation to ensure the safety of foreign nationals and local residents, he said.
Thanawat Ongcharoen, vice-president of the Phuket Tourism Association, said most Russian visitors stay in hotels. Some rent houses with the owners reporting their stay to immigration officers as required by law?
A group of tourists from China upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport. Somchai Poomlard
The average airfare for flights connecting key cities in China and Thailand remains 1.5 times higher than pre-pandemic prices, while for second-tier cities fares have surged 200%, which means low-priced tours cannot return, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said even though average airfares have decreased from last year, prices for March and April for every Chinese city are still higher than before the pandemic.
He said flights bound for key cities in the mainland are 1.5 times higher, such as 17,000-24,500 baht for Shanghai, 20,000-24,000 baht for Chengdu and 14,000-15,000 baht for Guangzhou.
Ticket prices for March and April have doubled for secondary cities without direct flights as the reopening only began this year, said Mr Yuthasak, with the flow of passengers still weak in the first two months.
In February, the number of seats from eastern China, such as Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Hebei, tallied 17,308 per week, with more than 10 airlines operating flights to Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Of that number, Shanghai secured the largest capacity at 10,000 seats.
The average spending per Chinese traveller increased as the more expensive travel costs prompted them to consider longer stays of 5-10 days, according to Dragon Trail research.
Mr Yuthasak at a roadshow hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in China last week.
They prefer to travel with a small group of family members or friends and seek new experiences, rather than use tour groups.
The average spending per person soared to 60,000-150,000 baht per trip, increasing from an average of 50,000-54,000 baht prior to the pandemic, according to Dragon Trail research.
Mr Yuthasak said it will be difficult for tour operators to offer low-cost tours because of the operating costs.
As Chinese tourists' preferences have shifted from mass tours to individual trips or tailor-made tours, low-cost tours might prove unpopular, he said.
Mr Yuthasak said the structure of post-pandemic Chinese travel will see individual trips dominate the market, outpacing mass tour groups, which have yet to resume.
The TAT last week held a roadshow in three cities: Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou.
The agency expects to generate at least 900 million baht from business matching between 61 tourism operators from Thailand and 302 travel agents in China.
Chinese tourists disembark a Shenzhen Airlines flight at Phuket airport on Mar 15. Shenzhen Airlines is now operating three flights a week from Shenzen using A320airliners. Photo: AoT Phuket
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