Thailand Eases Visa Rules to Boost Economy Urgently. The Thai government has announced a three-phase economic stimulus plan, including easing visa rules to boost tourism and attract more foreign visitors. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on May 28, as the country faces a prolonged economic slowdown, low GDP growth, and increasing public debt.

Thailand Eases Visa Rules to Boost Economy Urgently

May 28, 2024 5:26 pm

Tourists crowded at Suvarnabhumi Airport on February 25, 2024. (Photo by Pravit Rojanaphruk)

BANGKOK – The Thai government has announced a three-phase economic stimulus plan, including easing visa rules to boost tourism and attract more foreign visitors. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on May 28, as the country faces a prolonged economic slowdown, low GDP growth, and increasing public debt.

The Cabinet meeting reached a unanimous conclusion that Thailand needs to generate new income by fully accelerating tourism policies, which are considered the only economic engine that will yield rapid returns. Key points of the plan are divided into three phases for 2024-2025.

The government aims to generate this short-term measures no less than 3 trillion baht (81.91 billion USD) in tourism revenue by the end of 2024.

Short-term measures:

• Visa exemption for tourists, business visitors, and short-term workers from 93 countries (up from 57), allowing stays of up to 60 days.
• Expansion of Visa on Arrival (VOA) to 31 countries (up from 19).
• Introduction of a new visa category, Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), for foreigners seeking to stay in Thailand for an extended period and work remotely (workcation).

Koh Samui

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) eligibility and benefits:

• Skilled foreign talent, digital nomads, freelancers, and those engaging in activities such as learning Muay Thai, cooking, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, and arts and music events.
• Spouses and legal children (under 20) of DTV holders.
  Proof of financial support or a guarantee of at least 500,000 baht for the duration of stay.
• DTV allows a stay of up to 180 days, with a visa fee of 10,000 baht, valid for 5 years. The stay can be extended once for another 180 days with an additional fee of 10,000 baht.

Improved benefits for foreign students:

• Foreign students pursuing bachelor's degrees or higher with a Non-Immigrant Visa (ED) will have an easier time finding work and staying in Thailand after graduation.
• Extended stay of 1 year after graduation for job hunting, traveling, or other activities, with certification from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

Pattaya

Medium-term measures:

It will be implemented from September to December 2024.

• Restructuring and reducing the number of Non-Immigrant visa categories from 17 to 7, starting in September 2024.
• Adjusting the criteria and conditions for the Long Stay visa for elderly people who wish to spend their retirement in Thailand, starting in September 2024.
• Reducing the health insurance requirement for Non-Immigrant visa (O-A) from 3,000,000 baht to pre-COVID-19 levels: 40,000 baht for outpatients and 400,000 baht for inpatients.
• Expanding the e-Visa service from 47 to 94 Thai embassies, consulates, and trade and economic offices worldwide by December 2024.

Long-term measures:

It will be fully implemented by June 2025.

• Developing an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for foreign nationals eligible for visa exemption.
• Using technology and innovation to enhance the screening of foreign nationals by integrating data with the Immigration Bureau.

Government spokesperson Chai Wacharong stated that while these measures to facilitate tourism will result in a loss of approximately 12.3 billion baht (335.7 million USD) in government revenue annually, the expected return from increased tourism, estimated at 800 billion to 1 trillion baht (21.8 – 27.3 billion USD), led the Cabinet to approve the measures.

Koh Samui Tourism Struggles Amid Infrastructure Challenges. Efforts to boost tourism in the southern islands of Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao are underway as the government tackles pressing issues such as water shortages and illegal businesses. Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich recently engaged with entrepreneurs from Surat Thani’s Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan islands to address the province’s pressing tourism challenges. ASEAN Now



 

Efforts to boost tourism in the southern islands of Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao are underway as the government tackles pressing issues such as water shortages and illegal businesses.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich recently engaged with entrepreneurs from Surat Thani's Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan islands to address the province's pressing tourism challenges.

 

Koh Samui district Chief Kampanat Klinsaowakon noted a marked improvement in tourism since late last year, with a significant influx of tourists, particularly those arriving by cruise ship.

 

Tourism growth, however, is being stifled by infrastructure problems, including inadequate water supplies, road safety concerns, and traffic congestion due to the increased number of visitors.

 

President of the Koh Samui Tourism Association, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, pointed out that the island's infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the rising number of tourists. He highlights how Koh Samui lacks a cruise ship pier despite over 40 cruise ships scheduled to visit this year.

 

Small boats are currently employed to transfer passengers ashore, creating inconvenience and delays that impede tourism growth. He further underlines the persistent issues of water shortages and power outages that plague business operators, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

 

Koh Pha Ngan faces similar infrastructure woes, with the island also dealing with land ownership disputes and tourist safety concerns, especially during the Full Moon Party events.

 

Ratchaporn adds that many business operators in Koh Samui are still grappling with the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, advocating for lower interest rates and increased access to credit.

 

Additionally, there are calls for the government to intensify efforts against illegal businesses, promote legitimate land ownership, and address nominee investment issues.

 

The concerted push to resolve these challenges aims to bolster the tourism sector, ensuring sustainable growth and improved visitor experiences in these popular Thai destinations.

 

Picture courtesy: Royal vacation

 

-- 2024-05-28

Bangkok Post - Thailand falls by more than 10 places in tourism ranking. Tourism operators are disappointed with the government for failing to improve the country’s position in the travel and tourism development index, after Thailand dropped to 47th place, from 36th, in the latest World Economic Forum (WEF) index.

Thailand falls by more than 10 places in tourism ranking

Tourists travel on a Tuk Tuk taxi near Ratchaprasong intersection. (File photo: Somchai Poomlard) 

Tourism operators are disappointed with the government for failing to improve the country's position in the travel and tourism development index, after Thailand dropped to 47th place, from 36th, in the latest World Economic Forum (WEF) index.

The decrease was also larger than the decline seen in the 2021 index, when Thailand fell from 35th to 36th place, which was attributed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among Southeast Asian nations, three countries outperformed Thailand – Singapore, which was ranked 13th, followed by Indonesia (22nd) and Malaysia (35th). Compared to 2019, Thailand also fell by six spots and lagged the global average of 117 countries by 3.9%.

Thailand, which was classified as an upper-middle income country in this index, had the lowest score in tourist services and infrastructure at 2.18 of 7, while the overall index of infrastructure and services also secured a low average score of 3.61.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), said the index proved that the post-pandemic tourism rebound was dependent on existing selling points rather than improving and developing services and infrastructure.

"Since the previous government, we've been disappointed that the master plan for developing the tourism industry didn't take shape. The current government might have a good initiative to lure tourists, such as the visa-free scheme, but in terms of planning for an improvement in infrastructure and services, we still haven't see a difference from the previous government," he said.

Mr Sisdivachr said Atta and other tourism associations under the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations will submit a white paper to Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanich on May 30 when he is scheduled to join Atta's monthly meeting.

The white paper sets out threats and obstacles to the development of the tourism industry in Thailand, which requires a concrete long-term plan, along with greater effort and collaboration from all stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors.

Mr Sisdivachr said the current government has wasted too much time on visiting provinces during the cabinet meeting roadshows over the past few months, which meant the tourism minister was not able to focus on his core responsibility, which is to improve the quality of the tourism experience.

He said not every province that the cabinet visited has the potential to boost its tourism revenue.

Instead of providing support that lacks focus, the government should select provinces that offer great potential in terms of attractions and resources and should have started planning necessary infrastructure since the start by gauging possible demand in each province, such as enhancing their air and land connectivity.

He said that over the past nine months, the tourism industry has not been able to rapidly progress as the tourism minister's position had been shuffled, resulting in a lack of continuity.

"If the current government can still not expedite the tourism development plan or solve existing obstacles, our ranking in the WEF index might again drop lower than this," said Mr Sisdivachr.

Bangkok Post - Srettha distant fourth in popularity poll. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has accepted the result of a new poll showing him in a distant fourth place among those positioned to take the job, saying that he respects the people's opinion.

Srettha distant fourth in popularity poll

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin leads a meeting of economic ministers at Government House on Monday, after his return from overseas. (Photo: Government House) 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has accepted the result of a new poll showing him in a distant fourth place among those positioned to take the job, saying that he respects the people's opinion.

The prime minister was responding to questions about the survey conducted by King Prajadhipok's Institute. He said the delayed passage of the budget was not an excuse for his poor popularity.

"The survey reflects the opinions of the people. We have to respect the results," he said.

The poll released on Sunday showed him in fourth place with only 8.7% support in a list of seven candidates for the premiership if a general election were called soon.

Move Forward Party chief adviser Pita Limjaroenrat comfortably led the list, followed by former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnviraul, former Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit  and Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwon were behind him.

Favourites for prime minister

• Pita Limjaroenrat 46.9%
• Prayut Chan-o-cha 17.7%
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra 10.5%
• Srettha Thavisin 8.7%
• Anutin Charnviraul 3.3%
• Jurin Laksanawisit 1.7%
• Gen Prawit Wongsuwon 0.4%

Move Forward would win 208 seats if elections were held soon, almost twice as many as Pheu Thai with an estimated 105 seats. Bhumjaithai would get 61 seats, followed by the Thai Nation Party,  34, Gen Prawit's party with 30 seats and the Democrats with merely 22 seats.

The poll was conducted from May 7-18 with 1,620 resondents randomly picked from eligible voters in all provinces across the country, including Bangkok.

King Prajadhipok's Institute put the survey error rate at plus or minus 5%.



Starting 27 May, users of mobile banking services in Thailand must ensure that the name registered with their SIM card matches the name on their bank account. This crackdown targets over a million "mule accounts," used fraudulently. ASEAN NOW

 

Starting 27 May, users of mobile banking services in Thailand must ensure that the name registered with their SIM card matches the name on their bank account. This crackdown targets over a million "mule accounts," used fraudulently. 

 

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTTC) advises users to dial *179*ID number# to verify their registration details. If the names do not align, mobile banking services will be blocked until corrections are made at a service centre.

 

Previously, it was possible to have a bank account registered under one name and use a SIM card registered under another name. However, due to increasing incidents of "mule accounts" and fraudulent activities, the government has introduced new regulations.

 

Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Mr. Prasert Chanratwongthong, emphasised that these measures are essential for curbing financial fraud. If mismatches are detected, a notification will be sent through mobile banking apps, advising users to rectify the information. If not corrected within the given timeframe, the bank account remains usable, but mobile banking services will be inaccessible.

 

Currently, Thailand has 106 million mobile banking accounts, with an estimated 30 million having mismatched registration details. The government aims to shut down about 100,000 mule accounts each month through these measures.

 

General Nathorn Phosunsorn, head of NBTTC's legal committee, stated that the agency will review and match data from commercial banks and the Anti-Money Laundering Office to identify discrepancies. The entire verification process is set to be completed within 120 days.

 

Thus, mobile operators, banks, and NBTTC are jointly working to notify and update account details to prevent fraudulent activities effectively. The government is determined to tighten security and protect citizens from online crimes.

 

Picture courtesy: Bangkokbiznews

 

-- 2024-05-27

Foreign investors may hesitate to invest in Thailand due to concerns over the Thai government’s stability, now that the Constitutional Court has accepted for consideration the petition by a group of 40 senators, claiming that the court should remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for alleged violation of ethical standards for the appointment of Phichit Chuenban as PM Office minister. Thai PBS World

Charter Court trial of PM makes foreign investors hesitant to invest

9 mins ago

Foreign investors may hesitate to invest in Thailand due to concerns over the Thai government's stability, now that the Constitutional Court has accepted for consideration the petition by a group of 40 senators, claiming that the court should remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for alleged violation of ethical standards for the appointment of Phichit Chuenban as PM Office minister.

Phichit resigned ahead of the court's decision to accept the petition.

Kriangkrai Thiennukul, president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FDI), said that the court's decision has affected the confidence of corporate executives, to the extent that they may wait and see how the political situation pans out before investing.

Although the court decided not to suspend the prime ministerduring their deliberations, Kriangkrai said that there is already a risk, adding that some investors have asked for how long the case will drag on, before there is a decision by the court, and whether the promises given by the government regarding some investment projects will be kept.

Meanwhile, Tanit Sorat, vice president of Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai), said that the case has impacted the government's stability and that the cabinet may be reshuffled again, which will affect the government's policies and the economic situation.



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Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has returned to Thailand and summarized his recent missions to France, Italy, and Japan, highlighting key achievements and discussions from each visit. NNT





Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has returned to Thailand and summarized his recent missions to France, Italy, and Japan, highlighting key achievements and discussions from each visit.

In France, the prime minister participated in the Thailand - France Business Forum, addressing nearly 100 Thai and French businesses from various sectors, including transportation, logistics, energy, construction, food, hotel, and retail. Several agreements were signed, particularly in security and defense. France confirmed its support for Schengen visas for Thailand, increased flights between the two countries, and invited Thailand to participate in an AI conference next year. Discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron also covered economic, political, and social dimensions, as well as various international issues.

In Italy, Srettha engaged with key businesses in fashion, agriculture, food, banking, finance, and energy. He met with representatives from Zegna, Loro Piana, Versace, and Bvlgari, showcasing indigo-dyed fabric and woven products. The Don Koi model from Sakon Nakhon province was presented for potential collaboration. In agriculture, he visited cheese and meat processing plants, discussing certification and quality control methods. In finance, talks with Intesa Sanpaolo explored joint ventures. Energy and transportation discussions with companies such as Eni, Leonardo, Generali, and Ducati focused on renewable energy, training centers, insurance market expansion, and promoting E-bikes. The premier also evaluated the feasibility of hosting Formula 1 races in Thailand by visiting the Imola Circuit, with plans to potentially host races by 2027-2028.

In Japan, Srettha delivered a keynote speech at the Nikkei Forum Future of Asia, emphasizing Thai-Japanese economic cooperation. He held meetings with key Japanese companies, including Mitsui, Ajinomoto, Sony, MUFG, Soft Bank, and Nidec. Discussions focused on green energy policies, enhancing agricultural capabilities, expanding semiconductor production, and investing in high-tech manufacturing. Nidec announced plans to invest 1.7 billion baht in Thailand in 2024 and proposed extending internships for Thai students to develop local labor skills.

According to the prime minister, a team of officials from the Board of Investment and the chairman of the Thailand Trade Representative is scheduled to visit Osaka on June 20-21 to follow up on the discussed initiatives.

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BREAKING NEWS Cannabis crackdown: Only marijuana buds return to the blacklist. Thailand’s Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, has announced that only cannabis buds will be reclassified as Category 5 narcotics, leaving the rest of the marijuana plant legal. ASEAN NOW

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Thailand's Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, has announced that only cannabis buds will be reclassified as Category 5 narcotics, leaving the rest of the marijuana plant legal. This decision aims to clarify the nation's cannabis regulations following Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's pledge to recriminalise marijuana.

 

In this new directive, parts of the cannabis plant such as leaves, branches, roots, stems, and seeds remain unaffected by the ban. The focus is solely on the buds, which contain psychoactive compounds used for recreational purposes. This announcement provides relief to many in the cannabis industry who feared a broader crackdown.

 

In 2022, the Public Health Ministry, with approval from the Narcotics Control Board, removed marijuana and hemp from Thailand's Category 5 narcotics list. However, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's campaign to reinstate restrictions on marijuana has led to widespread uncertainty.

 

Somsak's clarification reassures businesses that only the buds are targeted. "The directive will specify regulations on planting, possessing, importing, exporting, and utilising the parts of the marijuana plant that remain legal," he stated.

 

The minister also confirmed that hemp would not be relisted as a drug. He emphasised that cannabis-related activities would require permissions, primarily for medical, research, and other legitimate purposes.

 

He assured that the new system of permissions will not impose excessive burdens and will clearly define the qualifications for individuals or businesses to engage in cannabis-related activities, ensuring transparency and ease of compliance.

 

Somsak promised a phased approach to implementing these new regulations, including a clear timeline for enforcement. This will give businesses ample time to adjust to the new legal landscape, aiming to mitigate any disruption to the burgeoning cannabis sector.

 

With these measures, Thailand seeks to balance public health concerns while offering some stability to the cannabis industry, aligning with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's vision.

 

TOP: File photo: A person sits outside a cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

-- 2024-05-24





Preventing another military coup in Thailand not so easy. The Thai government aims to rewrite the military-inspired charter to prevent coup makers from being regarded as sovereign or legitimate rulers. Moreover, a new law is expected to give the prime minister the authority to sack generals suspected of plotting to overthrow the legitimate authorities. - Pattaya Mail

Preventing another military coup in Thailand not so easy

Barry KenyonMay 23, 2024

A surprising feature of Thai coups is their popularity with some members of the public. (Photo Wikipedia)

The Thai government aims to rewrite the military-inspired charter to prevent coup makers from being regarded as sovereign or legitimate rulers. Moreover, a new law is expected to give the prime minister the authority to sack generals suspected of plotting to overthrow the legitimate authorities. Pheu Thai deputy leader Chusak Sirinil said the plan was to prevent wannabe coup leaders from appearing legitimate in the eyes of the public.

This isn't the first time. In 2013 there was a similar bill before a parliamentary subcommittee which promptly collapsed amid political bickering. During the May 2023 general election, Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat advocated that army generals should be restricted from entering politics and that compulsory military conscription should end. These notions were promptly placed in the bin and the Move Forward party consigned to the back benches.

In a 2024 NIDA poll, most respondents did not believe Thai coups are a thing of the past. Ken Connor in his book on military interventions wrote that there is a strong coup culture in Thailand, even an addiction. Putsches have occurred on average every seven years in the last century. Many members of the public actually expect the army to intervene once the political situation boils over into violence on Bangkok streets: that is precisely what happened in the most recent coup of May 2014. Life quickly returned to normal, the trains and buses ran on time and opposition to the army quickly faded away.

Neither the Thai press nor the courts opposed that coup, nor indeed any of its predecessors. Politicians tend to maneuver for position. In 2014 a Cabinet minister of the Yingluck-led civilian administration (when the coup occurred) actually ended up as the justice minister in the new military government. Even if a future coup maker tore up the constitution, which authority would challenge him? The technical agency would be the constitutional court which does not to date have a convincing record in opposing the generals.

It is also possible to argue that a coup is not really a coup. In 2021, the army in Myanmar displaced the civilian government but the generals claimed they were within the law as chronic voting fraud had made the country ungovernable and its parliament illegitimate. In May 2014 the Thai army introduced martial law under a 1914 act, stressing that the reason was solely public security and nothing to do with a coup. Two days later Government House was under military occupation and supreme power vested in the army leader. Army spokesmen claimed it was the public will.

Thailand does not presently appear to have the mechanisms to enforce a constitutional or legislative answer. The stark reality is that only failed coups are illegal. Successful ones by definition bestow the levers of power on a new regime inevitably claiming to be acting in the national interest. As Barbara Tuchman noted, "To put on the garment of legitimacy is the first aim of every coup." The big question is whether it will work again in Thailand.

MER OM SAS TILL BANGKOK - SAS øker til Bangkok til vinteren - FinalCall.travel Norge

SAS øker til Bangkok til vinteren

21. mai 2024

Foto: SAS

Det har vært mange som har lurt på om og eventuelt hvordan SAS vil fly til Thailand kommende vinter. Nå har SAS offentliggjort sitt vinterprogram, og de melder om flere avganger enn forrige vinter.

SAS starter opp igjen ruten til Bangkok i slutten av oktober. Da har selskapet byttet allianse fra Star Alliance til SkyTeam, og mange har lurt på hvor mange avganger i uken SAS kommer til å ha. For mens Star Alliance hadde 20 daglige avganger fra Europa til Bangkok, har SkyTeam bare 2. 

Mens SAS fløy tre ganger i uken mellom København og Bangkok forrige vinter, starter de denne vinteren opp med fire ukentlige avganger. Dette øker til fem i desember og fra slutten av januar til starten av mars vil de øke til daglige avganger. Ruten skal flys med flytypen Airbus A350-900 som byr på tre ulike kabinklasser ombord. SASBusiness, SAS Plus og SASGo.

Ulike avgangstider annenhver dag

Mens det tidligere har vært nattflyvninger begge veier, har SAS til vinteren når de starter med daglige avganger ulike flytider hver annen dag. Rutetidene vil da se slik ut:

København – Bangkok:

• Avgang kl 14:15tirsdager, torsdager, lørdager og søndager. Ankomst 07:30 neste dag
• Avgang kl 23:55mandager, onsdager og fredager. Ankomst 17:10 neste dag

Bangkok – København

• Avgang kl 09:45mandager, onsdager, fredager og søndager. Ankomst 16:50 samme dag.
• Avgang kl 23:50tirsdager, torsdager, lørdager. Ankomst 06:55 neste dag

Bangkok Post - Rainy season has officially started. The Meteorological Department on Tuesday announced the end of the summer season on May 20 and commencement of the rainy season.

Rainy season has officially started

The sky was overcast and looked stormy in Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert) 

The annual wet season is officially here, with heavy rain reported over at least 60% of the upper regions of the country.

The Meteorological Department on Tuesday announced the end of the summer season on May 20 and commencement of the rainy season.

In upper Thailand, heavy rain has been reported over at least  60% of the region for three consecutive days,  the department said.

Trade winds blowing over Thailand at around 1,500 metres in height had changed direction. Southwest winds would continuously carry moisture over the land from the Andaman Sea.

At about 10,000 metres height, the winds had changed direction to blow from the east.

With these conditions, the rainy season had started in Thailand, the department said.

The rainy season in upper Thailand was expected to end in mid-October, while heavy rain in the South, particularly on the east coast, would continue to pound the region until mid-January.

The department's immediate forecast is for heavy rain in areas in the North, Northeast, Central Plains and East and on the south coast, from May 21-24.

Residents are warned to prepare for heavy to very heavy rain, runoff and possible flash flooding during this period.

SAS tilbyder fra januar 2025 daglige flyvninger mellem København og Bangkok. CHECK-IN.DK

Dessvärre blockerad artikel men…." 30.000 flere passagerer efter SAS-entré til Bangkok

SAS tilbyder fra januar 2025 daglige flyvninger mellem København og Bangkok. Rutetrafikken til Thailand er blevet øget med op imod 30.000 passagerer siden SAS' tilbagekomst på ruten.

Den 30. oktober sidste år vendte SAS tilbage til Bangkok-ruten fra København efter 10 års fravær. I første omgang med tre ugentlige afgange i vintertrafikprogrammet, men det er tilsyneladende gået så godt, at SAS opjusterer kapaciteten i den..." 

BREAKING NEWS: 1,882 new COVID-19 hospitalisations and 16 deaths in the last week. Thailand is experiencing a significant but underreported surge in COVID-19 cases, with both public and private hospitals feeling the strain as outpatient and inpatient admissions rise. Governments worldwide, including Thailand, are often downplaying the severity of this surge, with some manipulating COVID data. Despite claims from health authorities that new KP variants are not more transmissible or immune evasive, the increasing severity and hospitalisation rates suggest otherwise. | Thaiger

BREAKING NEWS: 1,882 new COVID-19 hospitalisations and 16 deaths in the last week

Dr. Nikhil PrasadPublished: 11:08, 20 May 2024

Majority of Thais Support Reclassifying Cannabis as Narcotic; Public Backs Medical Use Over Recreational. On May 19th, 2024, Thailand’s first survey center, NIDA Poll, publicly revealed a survey between May 14th to 15th from 1,310 individuals on a proposal to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic illegal drug.- The Pattaya News

NIDA Poll: Majority of Thais Support Reclassifying Cannabis as Narcotic; Public Backs Medical Use Over Recreational

Kittisak PhalaharnSunday, 19 May 2024, 23:27

PHOTO: Thansettakij

National—

On May 19th, 2024, Thailand's first survey center, NIDA Poll, publicly revealed a survey between May 14th to 15th from 1,310 individuals on a proposal to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic illegal drug.

The data was collected from 1,310 individuals aged over 15 in a wide range of careers and incomes across Thailand, according to NIDA. The survey was made by a multi-stage sampling method on phone interviews. It was reported that the confidence value was at 97% in the results being accurate by the surveyors.

According to a survey on public opinions regarding considering cannabis as a narcotic, 53.74% of respondents agreed but said it also has medical and economic benefits, 33.59% agreed and said cannabis has no benefits, 11.60% disagreed, and 1.07% were unsure. 

Regarding public opinions on the government's cannabis policy, 74.58% of respondents indicated that it should be for medical and therapeutic purposes only, 19.39% indicated that the government should not implement any policy to support cannabis or cannabis products, 10.53% believed it should support legal cannabis products with 7.40% for boosting general public income, 3.21% for supporting recreational purposes, and 0.99% were unsure or did not answer.

On the issue of reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic, 60.38% of respondents strongly agreed, 15.27% somewhat agreed, 14.50% strongly disagreed, 8.93% somewhat disagreed, and 0.92% were unsure or did not answer.

Concerning compensation for cannabis farmers or businesses if cannabis is reclassified as an illegal narcotic, 46.95% of respondents believed the government should not compensate anyone, 35.03% thought the government should compensate both cannabis farmers and businesses, 10.08% said only farmers should be compensated, 2.06% said only cannabis businesses should be compensated, and 5.88% were unsure or did not answer.

Lastly, regarding their experiences with cannabis, 68.93% of respondents reported having no experience with cannabis, and 31.07% had some experience.
Among those with cannabis experience (407 respondents), 52.58% had used it in food or drinks, 34.64% had smoked or consumed it, 22.36% had used it for medical purposes, 15.97% had grown cannabis, and 0.98% had experience with commercial cannabis product processing and trading.

This poll comes in the wake of a growing debate between the Thai government and pro-cannabis groups over a proposal to reclassify cannabis as an illegal narcotic, as we have reported extensively such as here.

Pro-cannabis groups have already been protesting the proposal and delivering legal threats and formal letters to the Thai government, protesting the proposal that would basically recriminalize cannabis in Thailand except for medical use with strict government regulations, ending the ability for people to grow small amounts at home and potentially causing people to face the possibility of high fines and extensive jail sentences for even small amounts of marijuana.

The ongoing debate over what to do about cannabis in Thailand, with both sides of the debate having polar opposite views, has gone on for two years since cannabis was decriminalized but opposition fought finalizing laws to regulate the industry, leaving it in a legal grey area to this date.

🛫 Message from TG: Please plan to arrive at the airport at least #3hours before your scheduled departure time. This extra time allows for check-in, security checks, and any unexpected delays. Safe travels! ✈️🌎



Queen Silvia of Sweden Supports Children in Bangkok. In Bangkok, the event was organized in collaboration with the Thai organization “Safeguardkids,” which also contributes significant funds nationally. Despite the festive atmosphere and Queen Silvia dancing to ABBA’s hit “Dancing Queen” (a song composed for her wedding), the evening’s serious purpose remained at the forefront for all attendees.- The Pattaya News

Queen Silvia of Sweden Supports Children in Bangkok

Adam JuddFriday, 17 May 2024, 22:32

Bangkok-A recent gala evening in  Bangkok was dedicated to children who have difficult childhoods. Queen Silvia of Sweden, who founded "The World Childhood Foundation" decades ago, has helped raise over 60 million dollars worldwide. In  Bangkok, the event was organized in collaboration with the Thai organization "Safeguardkids," which also contributes significant funds nationally. 

Over four million baht were donated during the evening, attended by only 70 guests including Dr. Darin Phanthusak, a prominent figure in this organization, is well-known in  Pattaya and co-owns establishments such as Tiffany's Theatre, Woodland Hotel, La Ferme, and La Baguette.

Despite the festive atmosphere and Queen Silvia dancing to ABBA's hit "Dancing Queen" (a song composed for her wedding), the evening's serious purpose remained at the forefront for all attendees.

Queen Silvia's Childhood Foundation currently supports more than 115 programs across 17 countries, including Belarus, Brazil, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Nepal, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, and the United States. The foundation actively raises awareness about children's rights and combats child exploitation worldwide. Its offices are located in São Paulo (Brazil), New York City (USA), and Munich/Berlin (Germany), with headquarters in Stockholm (Sweden).



The number of unemployed people increased to around 410,000 in Q1 of 2024, representing an unemployment rate of 1%, compared to 329,000 or 0.8% in Q4 of 2023, according to the National Statistical Office of Thailand. Thai Enquirer