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Make sure to add the promo code "QVERSE" before booking
Once successfully applied, you will see the following note on the top of the flight search page.
Click here to book Qatar Airways ticket with 10% discount code "QVERSE".
Save Up To 10% On Select Qatar Airways Fares
Click here to book Qatar Airways ticket with 10% discount code "QVERSE".
The promotion applies to select booking classes on both Economy and Business Classes below. The 10% saving applies to base airfare fare only and does not apply to taxes, surcharges and all other standard market surcharges.
Economy Class Classic fares: N,Q,T,O
Economy Class Convenience fares: K,M,L,V,S
Business Class Classic fares: R
Business Class Comfort fares: D,I
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Keep in mind that the "Lite (W)" fares are excluded from the promotion and you can use the offer on both one-way or round-trip journeys.
Click here to book Qatar Airways ticket with 10% discount code "QVERSE".
Here are some sample fares with discounts. You will be able to see the new pricing under the original price.
Qatar Airways Economy Class discounts
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Here are some Business Class fares with discounts:
Qatar Airways Business Class discounts
For full terms and conditions, you can check the page here.
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Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios earning chart
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Summary
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Update : Charter Court orders Pita to stop performing his parliamentary duties immediately
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Charter Court orders Pita to stop performing his parliamentary duties immediately
The Constitutional Court unanimously agreed today (Wednesday) to accept for consideration Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat's iTV share ownership case and, in a majority decision, ordered him to stop performing his duties as an MP immediately.
Pita has remained in the parliament chamber as the Court's order did not affect his candidacy for PM position.
A petition for the Charter Court to rule on Pita's parliamentary status was submitted by serial petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, who accused him of holding 42,000 iTV shares, a media company, when he registered his electoral candidacy, which is a violation of the charter.
The Constitutional Court ruled that the accusation has grounds, adding that Pita is entitled to rebut the accusation within 15 days.
On the petition to order Pita to stop performing his parliamentary duties, the Constitutional Court ruled 7-2 to order him to stop immediately.
After the Court issued the order for Pita to cease performing his MP duties, there are reports of more people gathering outside the parliament compound. Police have increased security around parliament.
Pita has been renominated for the premiership at a joint sitting of MPs and the Senate, after he failed to secure enough parliamentary votes for the position last week.
Thailand secured its position as the world's ninth-best retirement spot on International Living Magazine's 2023 Annual Global Retirement Index. The index ranks countries based on their suitability for retirees, taking into account various factors including cost of living, cost of healthcare, cultural activities, and more.
In the 2023 index, Thailand shares the spotlight with other popular retirement destinations such as Portugal, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece, and France. Notably, Thailand is the only Asian country featured in this esteemed group.
International Living acknowledges that the index's output is not meant to be scientific, however, it is based on the opinions and experiences of hundreds of retirees living in various countries.
The magazine acknowledges Thailand's expat appeal, citing its affordable cost of living combined with an enriched way of life. The country offers excellent opportunities in real estate, particularly for foreigners who can easily purchase condos and find bargains throughout the market. Additionally, Thailand boasts exceptional healthcare facilities, further enhancing its allure as a retirement destination.
To further bolster its appeal, the Thai government implemented investment promotion measures aimed at attracting foreign investors. Efforts are underway to enhance transportation networks within the country, ensuring domestic and international connectivity. These initiatives, coupled with the promotion of the creative economy, are expected to drive foreign investment in housing, generate employment opportunities, and boost income for the Thai population.
One retiree living in Thailand, Rachel Devlin, said…
"After living in Chiang Mai, a large city in the north of Thailand, my life could not be better. Over the last seven years, I have not been bored, not even for a minute. These days I enjoy a more active and healthier lifestyle. Happily, I have found a plethora of local events, including music, art, food festivals and locally run courses."
With its unique blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and welcoming communities, Thailand continues to captivate retirees from around the world.
Despite persisting concerns due to the ongoing political uncertainty, Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand revealed the TAT Action Plan 2024 at a conference held in Pattaya.
Pattaya, Thailand – Despite persisting concerns due to the ongoing political uncertainty, Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed the Tourism Authority of Thailand Action Plan 2024 (TATAP 2024) at a conference held on July 17at the Grand Center Point Space Hotel.
The conference was attended by representatives from the TAT headquarters, 29 overseas offices, and domestic branches, seeking to chart the course for tourism marketing in the upcoming fiscal year.
Part of a comprehensive five-year plan spanning from 2023 to 2027, TATAP 2024 focuses on sustainable tourism, enhancing capacity for accommodating tourists, ensuring readiness on the supply side, prioritizing environmental considerations, and integrating a bio-circular green economy. The plan seeks to attract the REVISIT traveler segment, encouraging visitors to return to familiar destinations.
Governor Yuthasak emphasized the importance of consistency and confidence to reassure stakeholders amidst evolving market dynamics. However, political developments loom as a significant factor. Sitthiwat Chiwarattanaphorn, President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), expressed concerns about the potential impact of ongoing political turmoil on the tourism sector. Detailed analysis of potential protests and their repercussions on tourism is needed, as the extent of demonstrations and clashes of divergent opinions among protesters could affect the industry.
The conference was attended by representatives from TAT headquarters, 29 overseas offices and domestic branches, seeking to chart the course for tourism marketing in the upcoming fiscal year.
Additionally, Chinese tourists, a significant segment of Thailand's visitor arrivals, have become increasingly cautious about political gatherings and their consequences. Negative news circulating on Chinese social media, including reports of extortion and taxi meter issues, has affected Thailand's safety image. This newfound perception among Chinese travelers could potentially impact their travel decisions.
The TAT is set to officially announce the plan on July 17 at the Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. Updates provided by overseas branch offices will offer valuable insights for operators in 2024, helping them navigate Thailand's dynamic tourism landscape.
Yuthasak Supasorn reassured the delegates stated, "Despite political uncertainties, the tourism sector eagerly anticipates the implementation of TATAP 2024. The plan is expected to establish a solid foundation for sustainable growth and restore confidence among domestic and international travelers in Thailand's tourism offerings."
Weekly COVID-19 Situation in Thailand 9 - 15 July 2023.
Number of confirmed infected cases admitted to hospitals 613 (88 per day on average),
Number of fatalities 14 (2 per day on average),
Cumulative infected cases (since 1 January 2023) 30,310,
Cumulative number of fatalities (since 1 January 2023) 741.
A family of tourists relax on Karon Beach, the longest beach in Phuket. The resort island expects to welcome 14 million visitors this year. (Photo: ACHADTHAYA CHUENNIRAN)
Phuket is targeting over 14 million international and domestic tourists with tourism-related revenue expected to exceed 200–300 billion baht by the end of this year, according to Phuket Tourist Association (PTA).
Phuket was hit heavily by the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020–2021 but tourists started returning once the Sandbox scheme kicked off in July, 2021.
Speaking to the Bangkok Post about Phuket's tourism plan for 2023-2024, Rangsiman Kingkaew, deputy president of the PTA, said about 700,000–800,000 tourists came to Phuket monthly before the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2019.
A total of 14 million tourists, including 10 million foreigners, visited Phuket, generating tourist revenue worth up to 440 billion baht, the second largest after Bangkok, he said.
Now tourism on Phuket has improved about 80% [compared to tourist arrivals in 2019] as some 500,000-600,000 tourists are arriving monthly, he said.
"Phuket could make more than 200-300 billion baht from tourism by the end of 2023 with more than 14 million tourists expected," Mr Rangsiman said.
The number of foreign tourists arriving in Phuket from many countries exceeds the number before Covid-19 hit.
The number of German tourists has grown over 150% compared to the pre-Covid-19 period, Russians 130%, Australians 97% and Kazakhs 3,000%.
Speaking of regular visitors from India, Mr Rangsiman said some Indian airlines have gone bankrupt, resulting in a smaller number of South Asian tourists coming to Phuket.
Kazakhstan was the first country to operate direct flights to Phuket during its Sandbox scheme which allowed international tourists to visit during the pandemic. Now Kazakhs have climbed to one of the top 10 visitors in Phuket by nationality, Mr Rangsiman said.
Muslim visitors from the Middle East are another target. In the future, Phuket might be able to position itself as a Muslim-friendly destination as it is well equipped with services suitable for halal practice.
From November last year to June 16, the three largest groups of international visitors were Russians followed by Chinese, Indians, Australians and Kazakhs.
Roadshow
Mr Rangsiman said Chinese tourists are likely to keep visiting Phuket during the current low season.
Reports said most international tourists take transit flights at airports in Dubai and Singapore where they embark on flights directly to Phuket.
Mr Rangsiman added that if Thailand's national air-carrier provides more direct flights from international cities to Phuket, the resort island would gain even more visitors.
The association will push strategies to attract both domestic and international visitors to the resort island via a roadshow in Thailand, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East next year.
First, the PTA hopes to retain Phuket's regulars from China, Russia, Australia, UK, Germany and other European countries. It will attend the tourism exhibition ITB Berlin, which is the world's largest tourism trade fair, next March to connect its network with European suppliers.
Apart from the ITB Berlin, the PTA will also hold a roadshow in April in China. Data shows China's economy has not bounced back from the pandemic, resulting in less international travel among its citizens.
In May, the PTA's tourism roadshow will travel to Australia, another target group for arrivals during the low season.
Next month, the PTA will visit Russia to promote its tourism roadshow.
Mr Rangsiman said Russian tourists tend to stays for weeks. Some holiday in Phuket for a month to 90 days.
"Russian nationals are granted a 90-day tourist visa to Thailand. Due to the political unrest in their country, many have sought villas in Phuket," he added.
A family of tourists relax on Karon Beach, the longest beach in Phuket. The resort island expects to welcome 14 million visitors this year. ACHADTHAYA CHUENNIRAN
New targets
The PTA also hopes to attract new target groups. The number of tourists from India, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and Oman has risen since the pandemic ended.
Direct flights from such countries play a big role in bringing Muslim tourists to Phuket.
Mr Rangsiman said India's GoAir and IndiGo launched direct flights to Phuket a few years before the Covid-19 pandemic hit and now Indians are one of the largest groups of visitors.
A new flight directly from Saudi Arabia to Phuket might be launched this year. Meanwhile, more flights from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam also visited the island in May.
Another potential market for the PTA is South African tourists who usually visit Phuket during the low season. Taking advantage of long-haul flights from Africa to Phuket, many South African tourists visit the island and can tend to stay for weeks.
The PTA also will work towards promoting Phuket's tourism to Thai nationals.
Even though the resort island is known for its international tourists, Thai tourists still make up over 30% of overall visitors by nationality, he said.
Mr Rangsiman said Phuket has welcomed Thai tourists in every season and the island survived the pandemic crisis by receiving attention from locals rather than foreigners.
He added the PTA also will organise its tourism roadshows in major regional provinces such as Bangkok, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Songkhla to attract more Thai tourists to travel to Phuket during the low season.
PHUKET: Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, arrived in Phuket last night (July 14).
Mr Lavrov landed at Phuket International Airport to be welcomed by a delegation that included Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan.
Official reports of Mr Lavrov's arrival mark that Mr Lavrov is expected to officiate the opening of the Russian consulate at Boat Lagoon in Koh Kaew. The consulate has been operating out of its offices at Boat Lagoon for several years.
No other information regarding Mr Lavrov's visit was provided.
Mr Lavrov has served as the Foreign Minister of Russia since 2004. He is the longest-serving foreign minister since the Tsarist era, and has served longer than any foreign minister of the Soviet period.
Mr Lavrov's visit follows a marked increase in the number of Russians visiting Phuket as tourists and the number of Russians choosing to stay on the island.
According to the Ministry of Tourism & Sports, 740,840 Russian nationals visited Thailand from January through May this year.
According to Phuket Immigration, Russia provided 25,947 visitors arriving directly in Phuket last month, a decrease of 2.6% from 26,624 in May.
Russian arrivals in Phuket last month were second only to Chinese nationals, who saw 44,066 direct arrivals in June, an increase of 16.4% from 37,949 in May.
Mr Lavrov on Thursday appealed to Southeast Asian countries to work together to revive flagging trade with his country, using a forum in Jakarta to pitch the use of national currencies, rather than dollars, to evade Western sanctions, reports Nikkei Asia.
The sanctions, leveled after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, have led to a 4.4% drop in trade between Russia and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
A report by Reuters marked that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday (July 14) that Mr Lavrov had not been constructive during this week's meeting between top diplomats from major powers and their Southeast Asian counterparts in Jakarta.
Speaking after the Asean Regional Forum – which involved the foreign ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states and key strategic partners such as China, the US, India and Russia – Blinken said Lavrov used his interventions to attack Washington, said the report.
The meeting in Jakarta marked only the second time Blinken and Lavrov have been in the same room since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine last year. They last saw each other in New Delhi in March, on the sidelines of a G20 meeting, the Reuters report noted.
🇹🇭 Update: Thailand's parliament failed to elect a new prime minister as the sole candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, fell short of the required majority. Pita, leader of the Move Forward Party, received 324 votes in favor, while 182 were against, and 199 abstained. A second round of voting is scheduled for July 19.
The Move Forward Party emerged as the largest party in the lower house after the general election. Pita's coalition will decide whether to back him again or nominate another candidate.
#ThailandPolitics #ElectionUpdates
Leading economists keeping a close eye on political situation
The private sector and economists are closely monitoring the formation of the next Thai government after Move Forward Party's prime minister candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat failed to be elected in the first round of voting.
While such an outcome was expected, the Board of Trade has expressed concern over the slow growth of Thai GDP of 2.5-3.0%, and the real estate business has been vocal in its fears of delayed budgets and decreased investment.
According to Kiatnakin Phatra Securities chief economist Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, an ongoing uncertain political situation poses a clear risk to the Thai economy as it will hinder new investments from both the public and private sectors.
Currently, the sole driving force of the Thai economy is tourism. However, if the situation drags on and leads to protests, it will immediately impact the overall tourism sector and pose a greater risk to the Thai economy.
CIMB Thai Bank chief economist Amonthep Chawla was more cautious, saying it was probably too early to assess the direction of the conclusion and the resulting impacts. Nevertheless, based on the ongoing political uncertainty which could potentially result in a prolonged government formation, effects could be observed in three aspects:
1. The impact on public sector investment may be more significant than anticipated. If the government formation is postponed until after the third quarter or extended until the end of the year or next year, it will affect government spending and the state budget, which will not contribute to supporting the Thai economy. Consequently, there might be a delay in public-sector investments, as well as a slowdown in private-sector construction projects.
2. Confidence in the financial market and private sector investments will be affected. As the world is undergoing a shift in production bases, especially with China increasing its presence in Asean, Thailand's perceived lack of political certainty and stability may hinder new investments into the country and encourage relocation of production bases to Indonesia or Vietnam. Should the political situation continues to linger, Thailand might miss out on new investments in the coming 1-2 months, and there might be a decrease in significant investments or large-scale investments in the near future.
3. Household consumption will inevitably be affected. Even without political protests, households are currently exhibiting low purchasing power and only recovering at the middle level. Without support to bolster the economy, there will be significant pressure on households, particularly in the agricultural and SME sectors.
If the political situation drags on and leads to public unrest, the fourth quarter Thai economic growth target of 5% will certainly be affected, Amornthep added.
Trinity Securities analyst Nuttachart Mekmasin noted that the election results for the current Prime Minister selection aligned with market expectations that the first round of voting would not pass. However, the outcomes had a positive effect on certain stocks, leading to increased profits. For example, electricity companies saw reduced pressure on electricity cost adjustments, construction contractors benefited from labour cost relief, and large-cap stocks in various industries saw positive movement.
It is therefore expected that the Thai stock market today (July 14) will not experience significant declines if it adjusts downwards, and any upward movement will be limited.
Nuttachart added that the research team had assessed the outcomes of the Prime Minister selection and government formation in three scenarios:
1. If Pita becomes the Prime Minister and the Move Forward Party leads the government formation, it would have a slightly positive impact on the Thai stock index, although concerns about the Move Forward Party's policies could negatively affect the capital market.
2. Were the Move Forward Party to join a newly formed government coalition, this too would have a slight positive impact on the Thai stock index. However, if MFP were to end up in opposition, the rise or fall of the index would largely depend on subsequent protests and whether these could be controlled.
According to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce president and director of the Economic and Business Forecasting Center Thanawat Polvichai, if the government formation is delayed, an interim government would be chosen to take over until a new government is formed. It is estimated that if the government is not formed by October, 2023 and if protests occur, the Thai economy could expand by only 2.5-3.%.
If the government is formed quickly, and the global economy recovers rapidly, there is a chance that the Thai economy could expand by 3.6-4%.
NATIONAL Police Chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat early this morning (July 14) ordered police nationwide to prepare for possible protests with Parliament strongly guarded following prime minister-designate Pita Limjaroenrat failing to get enough votes to take the helm of the government at a joint House/senate meeting yesterday, Naewna newspaper said.
The pro-Pita votes cast by the lawmakers yesterday only accounted for 324 votes, 13 of which came from senators, but it was 51 votes short of a minimum of 375 accounting for more than half the combined total of MPs and senators as required by law.
Tight security was mounted around the Parliament building with approximately 40 containers covered with vinyl sheets placed around the entrance. High-pressure water cannon trucks and paddy wagons were being brought in.
Samsen road was closed from Bang Krabue intersection to Boon Rawd Company ; Pracharat Sai 1 Road closed from Kiak Kai to Bang Po intersection; and Thahan road closed from Kiak Kai to Saphan Daeng intersection.
At these intersections police had placed containers, rolled our barbed wire and metal barriers to prevent Move Forward supporters from getting within 50-metre radius of the Parliament as announced by Metropolitan Police.
Some Move Forward supporters had gathered at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration complex, or Kiak Kai complex, near the Parliament since last night with more people carrying placards flocking in from morning.
First deputy House speaker Padipat Santipada, who is a Move Forward MP, came to inspect the area and give encouragement.
He said his visit is to arrange space for people rallying because it is the policy of House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, who is concurrently Parliament president, that gathering is a fundamental right and freedom of the people
He also pointed out that closing this area is too strict and may increase tension with demonstrators only wanting to show their support for Pita.
Pol.Gen. Damrongsak said he has ordered provincial police chiefs to closely monitor the situation with Metropolitan Police being responsible for the security in Bangkok and the Parliament.
Police were ordered to carry out their duties within the framework of the law and not increase further conflicts and prevent complications. They were also told to announce through loudspeakers the law and guidelines on assembling with the people having the right to gather.
Thailand sets goal to attract 68.5 million foreign tourists in 2028
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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set an ambitious goal of welcoming 68.5 million foreign tourists in 2028, which will generate an estimated total revenue of 5.6 trillion baht, equivalent to 25% of Thailand's GDP.
The TAT say that they are also finalising marketing plans for Thailand's tourism in 2025, which expect to generate a total revenue of 3.1 trillion baht, accounting for 16% of the country's GDP, with 74% coming from international tourists, equivalent to 2.29 trillion baht, and 26% from domestic tourists, equivalent to 805.6 billion baht.
Following the reopening of the country in 2022 and the post-pandemic recovery this year, 2025 will mark the beginning of the "Resilience phase," where the tourism industry rebounds and grows continuously. The TAT hopes to maintain sustainable growth in tourism income through 2028.
TAT's Governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, says that the recovery of the tourism sector will not be happening in Thailand alone. Other countries are also rolling out their marketing plans to revitalise the sector. Therefore, competition will become more intense. He says that Thailand must prioritise tourism marketing plans and hope that revenues from tourism will reach the level of 2020 soon.
SRF vann över Finnair – OTA:er får sälja flygbiljetter till lågpris
SRF, Svenska Resebranschföreningen, anmälde 2020 Finnair till Konkurrensverket sedan de förbjöd reseagenter att marknadsföra flygpriser som är lägre än flygbolagets egna. Konkurrensverket har sedan dess genomfört en omfattande utredning av ärendet. Denna har nu utmynnat i att Finnair gått med på ett frivilligt åtagande där agenter åter får marknadsföra och sälja biljetter till ett lägre pris än flygbolagets egna. Konkurrensverket har nu godkänt detta åtagande, enligt ett pressmeddelande.
"Konkurrensverkets beslut är en seger för landets resekonsumenter"
Beslutet från myndigheten innebär att de agenter som Finnair stängde av för tre och ett halvt år sedan åter kan börja sälja flygbolagets biljetter. Bryter Finnair mot sitt åtagande väntar böter på 100 miljoner kronor.
– Det är välkommet att Konkurrensverket tvingat Finnair att förbjuda marknadsföringen av priser som är lägre än deras egna. Det är helt absurt att leverantörer skall diktera vilka priser som skall gälla för konsumenterna, säger Didrik von Seth, generalsekreterare för SRF.
Didrik von Seth, SRF
Konkurrensverkets beslut om att godkänna Finnairs åtagande har en omfattande formulering där det bland annat konstateras att bolagets förfarande var konkurrensbegränsande. Det konstateras även att reseagenter är självständiga företag med rätt att ha egen prissättning.
– Detta åtagande säkrar att konsumenterna fortsatt lätt kan jämföra flygpriser från alla flygbolag och boka biljetter till bästa pris. Flygbolagen vill ha kontroll över distributionskanalerna för att kunna ta ut så högt pris som möjligt. Konkurrensverkets beslut är en seger för landets resekonsumenter, säger Didrik von Seth.
Även industrin är nöjd med domen.
– Vi ställer oss positivt till att Finnair frivilligt valt att åta sig detta beslut då det kommer gynna slutkundens valmöjligheter i slutändan, skriver Vincent Goodbrand, PR and communications manager på Ticket i ett mejl till Travel News.
The Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning today of a southwest monsooncausing thunderstormsthroughout the country. The alert specified significant rainfallprojected across 46 provinces, both north and south, covering 40% of the country's north and south. The population should be vigilant due to the inherent danger at this time.
The southwest monsoon now covers the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand leading to continuous bouts of thunderstorms, primarily on the side facing the monsoon. For the Andaman Sea, where wave heights may reach around 1 metre, areas affected by thunderstorms could experience waves of 1 to 2 metres. Boat operators are advised to exercise caution and avoid sailing in thunderstorm-affected regions.
Northern provinces are expecting thunderstorms in 40% of the area, including in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, and Phetchabun. The lowest temperatures would range between 23 to 27 degrees Celsius while the highest would be 33 to 37 degrees Celsius, with southwest winds gusting 10 to 20 kilometres per hour, reported KhaoSod.
Meanwhile, the northeast expects thunderstorms in 20% of the area, primarily in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. They should anticipate low temperatures of 23 to 26 degrees Celsius and highs of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius while the southwestern winds might blow at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.
Central provinces are likely to experience thunderstorms in 30% of the area, with the majority in Uthai Thani, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram provinces. With low temperatures at 24 to 26 degrees Celsius and highs at 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, they can also expect winds from the southwest gusting at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.
The eastern region also anticipates thunderstorms in 30% of the area, especially in the provinces of Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, and Trat. The temperature lows could range from 25 to 29 degrees Celsius and the highs from 32 to 37 degrees Celsius, with winds blowing at a speed of 10 to 30 kilometres per hour. In the sea area, waves could be less than 1 metre high but could rise to 1 to 2 metres during thunderstorms.
Finally, the south expects thunderstorms in 40% of the area, mostly affecting Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, and Satun provinces. Here, the lowest temperature will stay around 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, and the highest between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius. The winds from the southwest may reach speeds of 15 to 30 kilometres per hour. At sea, waves could be around 1 metre high and could rise to 1 to 2 metres in thunderstorm areas.
Bangkok and its vicinities will most likely experience thunderstorms in 30% of the areas with temperature lows hovering at 26 to 28 degrees Celsius, and highs ranging from 33 to 37 degrees Celsius as southwest winds blow at 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.
Prime Minister Prayut announces his retirement from active politics
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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday announced that he would resign as a member of the United Thai Nation Party (UTNP) and quit Thai politics altogether.
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In his Facebook post, Prayut said: "I would want to express my gratitude to the people who supported the United Thai Nation Party and me in the previous election."
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Read more: https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40029272 .
#ThailandNews #Prayut #politics #UnitedThaiNation #ประยุทธ์
The family offered a reward of 3 million to anyone who could provide information on Mack who had gone missing from his home in Bang Lamung on July.
Pattaya, Thailand – Pattaya police found the decapitated body of Hans Peter Mack, 62, a German property broker in a freezer. Two German nationals have become the targets of arrest warrants due to their suspected involvement in this gruesome crime.
Acting on a search warrant, Nong Prue police and forensic officers conducted an extensive investigation in a Nong Prue housing estate in east Pattaya. The search was prompted by information from the owners of a pickup truck who had been hired by a German individual to deliver a freezer to the rented house.
During the search, authorities were confronted with a chilling sight in one of the bedrooms – a tightly sealed freezer, secured with black tape. Opening it revealed a plastic bag containing the decapitated remains of a human body, initially believed to belong to the missing German property broker. The police noted signs of blunt force trauma on the severed head and sent the remains for further identification through autopsy procedures.
Additional evidence emerged from the rented house, including a bloodied electric chainsaw, two rolls of plastic wrap, and face masks, painting a troubling picture of the crime scene. Traces of a chemical cleanser were also detected on the upholstery of the victim's Mercedes car, which had been found parked near a condominium in Pattaya.
The caretaker of the rented house informed the police that the property had been leased by a foreigner for a one-year term at a monthly rate of 9,000 baht. However, the caretaker was unaware if the house had been sublet to others.
In an unexpected turn of events, the owners of a black Mazda pickup truck came forward, asserting their innocence. They said that they had been hired by a female German property broker to transport the freezer to the rented house. According to their account, another German man accompanied them in the back of the truck during the delivery. Both individuals claimed they had no suspicions until learning about the missing German property broker through the media.
Mack's Thai partner filed a complaint with Nong Prue police after her husband's disappearance. He had left their residence on July 4, to meet with a foreign real estate businessman in Pattaya, supposedly for discussions regarding a land deal worth over 100 million baht on Samui Island. His sudden absence deeply worried his partner, as he was known for his punctuality and had never been away from home for more than a day.
The German property broker's two sons, from his previous marriage, directly approached Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief to help them find their father.
Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Pakphumpipat Sajjaphan held a seminar on Thursday, July 6th, to equip immigration officers with the necessary skills to effectively address the issue of overstayers.
Overstaying is when someone stays past the date of their legal visa without permission from Thai Immigration.
Within the next three months, the number of overstayers should be reduced to zero, as they are more likely to engage in criminal activities, which can adversely affect Thailand's tourism industry, Pol. Lt. Gen. Pakphumpipat said.
He added that the immigration bureau would also develop complex investigative strategies to reach this goal of zero by focusing on dismantling networks involved in smuggling foreign individuals into the country.
Immigration officers would be deployed regularly to conduct on-site passport checks at places, especially entertainment venues nationwide, and businesses would be required to report the accommodation of foreign individuals to the officers. Thai law allows random checks of foreign nationals to ensure they are legally residing within the Kingdom. It is also the law to have legal identification on one's person at all times.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Pakphumpipat believed that in the future, the database of the Immigration Bureau on foreign people within the Kingdom would be greatly strengthened.
This would allow immigration officers and police officers to be able to track foreign individuals whether they were lost or had committed a crime within 1-2 days, he said.
The plan will also utilize smart cars which are equipped with advanced camera face recognition technology connected to the Thai Immigration Database constantly scanning faces of pedestrians and bystanders to identify those on overstay. This technology had been utilized successfully in busy tourist areas that also had many problems with overstaying like Phuket and Pattaya.
Penalties for overstaying differ based on the period overstayed but often include deportation at the overstayers expense, fines, blacklisting, and detainment at the Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok until one is deported.
AOT confident 95m passenger target can be achieved
BANGKOK (NNT) - Airports of Thailand is confident that its passenger target for 2023 at 95 million will be achieved, thanks to a swift recovery in the tourism sector.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced that the country is on track to hit the 95 million passenger number across all of its 6 airports this year. AOT's Chief Executive Officer Kirati Kitmanawat said 66.38 million passengers traveled through AOT-managed airports in the first 8 months of the 2023 fiscal year, starting October 2022.
This figure reflects a 170.4% year-on-year growth, with most being international passengers at 34.31 million, representing a 635.7% expansion. The number of domestic passengers in the same period was logged at 32.06 million, showing a 61.3% growth.
The AOT has set the annual passenger number target at 95 million for 2023, and at 142 million next year, which will be comparable to the pre-pandemic level.
The AOT is expected to start trialing the new satellite concourse (SAT-1) at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport this September, which will provide 216,000 extra square kilometers of passenger area. The company also reported some 2 billion baht profit in the first half of this year.
AOT (Airports of Thailand) to replace all walkways after the incident at Don Mueang airport
A committee has been formed by Airports of Thailand (AOT) to look into a recent incident involving a moving walkway at one of its airports that left a passenger with a severe leg injury.
The committee, which includes members from the Ministry of Transport, the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT), the Engineers Council, Siam Hitachi Company, and the victim's family, has been given a 15-day deadline to complete the probe.
The event happened on June 29 when the travelator passenger fell on, seriously hurting her left leg. In response, AOT Director Kerati Kijmanawat declared that the committee would consider whether to replace moving walkways at all six AOT airports, including Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, and Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai, that are older than 20 to 25 years.
All 20 of the airport's moving walkways have been put temporarily out of commission following the incident. After a comprehensive examination and any required upgrades, the walkways will gradually resume use. This procedure is expected to take around one month.
Director Kerati underlined that despite some of the travelators being over 27 years old, routine maintenance had been carried out on them. He added that the group will examine the replacement of individuals who were older than 15-20 years and the deployment of new technology, such sensors, to improve safety precautions. While awaiting the results of forensic tests, investigators are now questioning people connected to the case, according to Don Mueang police superintendent Pol Col Adirek Tongkeamkeaw.
To ascertain whether negligence contributed to the disaster, CCTV footage from the airport is also being examined.
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