Thailand likely detects a new, more dangerous mpox variant. Thailand announced on Wednesday a probable first case of a new lethal variant of mpox, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has termed a worldwide health crisis. ASEAN NOW

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Thailand announced on Wednesday a probable first case of a new lethal variant of mpox, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has termed a worldwide health crisis.

 

The affected person likely carrying the strain is a European visitor who traveled from Africa to Thailand, according to Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, the Chief of Thailand's Disease Control Department.

 

The individual is currently isolated in a hospital while lab tests are being done to identify the strain, thought to be Clade 1.

 

Thongchai confirmed that the patient has mpox, but it's crucial to verify that it's not the Clade 2 variant. He showed certainty that the individual has the Clade 1 variant, but the final lab result is still two days away.

 

Over the past few months, mpox has seen a surge in Africa with outbreaks reported in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

 

Mpox is a virus-caused disease that spreads from infected animals to humans through close physical contact, causing symptoms like fever, muscle pain, and large skin sores similar to boils.

 

Although mpox has been known for decades, a new and more lethal strain known as Clade 1b has recently caused a surge in mpox cases.

 

According to the WHO, the Clade 1b variant results in death in about 3.6% of cases, with children being more susceptible. The virus, previously named monkeypox, was first identified in 1958 within research monkeys in Denmark.

 

The Democratic Republic of Congo reported over 16,000 cases and 500 deaths from mpox this year alone.

 

On August 15, the first case of the Clade 1 variant was confirmed outside Africa in Sweden.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-08-21

8 Mpox subvariants found in Thailand cause only mild disease. Department of Medical Sciences, which has identified 8 sub-variants of the Mpox virus, confident that outbreak can be prevented. The Nation

8 Mpox subvariants found in Thailand cause only mild disease

Department of Medical Sciences, which has identified 8 sub-variants of the Mpox virus, confident that outbreak can be prevented

Urgent Surveillance Recommended for Mpox Variant in Thailand. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already classified the ongoing outbreak within these African regions as a public health emergency of international concern. ASEAN NOW

FILE - Dr Yong Poovorawan. Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

Thailand's foremost virologist, Dr Yong Poovorawan, has emphasised the critical need for vigilant monitoring of the latest 'Clade 1b' Mpox (monkeypox) variant. This call to action follows the variant's concerning spread across central and eastern Africa.

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already classified the ongoing outbreak within these African regions as a public health emergency of international concern.

 

Originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this outbreak has resulted in at least 450 fatalities. The new variant's rapid progression and high mortality rate have scientists particularly alarmed.

 

Mpox is notorious for its ease of transmission, spreading through direct contact such as unprotected sex, skin-to-skin interaction, and airborne particles from close-range talking or breathing. Symptoms include flu-like signs and distinctive skin lesions. The disease is severe, with approximately 4% of cases being fatal.

 

Dr Yong, who leads the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine, used his Facebook platform on Sunday to draw attention to the urgency of monitoring the 'Clade 1b' variant. He highlighted the necessity of preventive strategies, especially for children, given the prohibitively high cost of the current vaccine.

 

He further mentioned the importance of researching whether reducing the vaccine dosage could potentially retain its effectiveness, making it more viable for widespread use.

 

Anan Jongkaewwattana from the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology echoed Dr Yong's concerns. He clarified that the WHO's emergency declaration was due to the variant's rapid spread rather than its discovered severity.

 

With these points in mind, it's evident that Thailand must take proactive measures to track and manage the potential threat of this new Mpox variant, ensuring public health safety remains uncompromised.

 

-- 2024-08-20

Thaksin Shinawatra Faces Legal Trouble for Political Interference. Legal action appears imminent for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra following allegations of his unlawful involvement in recent political activities while on parole. ASEAN NOW



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Posted 2 hours ago

Thailand's for mer Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, left, hugs his daughter and newly elected Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra before the royal endorsement ceremony appointing Paetongtarn as Thailand's new prime minister at Pheu Thai party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Legal action appears imminent for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra following allegations of his unlawful involvement in recent political activities while on parole. 

 

Thaksin, who is often viewed as the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, allegedly hosted a secretive meeting at his home with coalition party leaders just hours after Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin was ousted as Prime Minister by the Constitutional Court. This gathering purportedly resulted in the nomination of Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as a prime ministerial candidate.

 

Thaksin, who was recently released on royal pardon along with 50,000 other convicts, is prohibited from engaging in political activities while on parole. Former Democrat MP Tepthai Senapong remarked that Thaksin had no legal authority to direct political meetings, hinting that legal action could be underway soon.

 

The Election Commission might probe into the clandestine session at Thaksin's Chan Song Lah residence, which involved key coalition members such as Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjaithai and Thammanat Prompao of Palang Pracharath.

 

Should the allegations hold, Thaksin faces a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. Additionally, political parties of the meeting attendees could face dissolution, and their executives may be banned from holding political positions for a decade.

 

Further controversy surrounds Thaksin's appearance at a royal edict reception yesterday, where he wore a white jacket typically reserved for political officials. Critics argue he was not entitled to don such attire due to his convict status, which, though technically mitigated by a royal pardon, still legally invalidates his claim to political office, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

Adding to his legal woes, Thaksin attended a Criminal Court hearing today regarding a lese-majesty lawsuit linked to comments he made about the 2006 coup that ousted him, during an interview in South Korea in 2015. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence ranging from three to 15 years.

 

The saga continues to unfold, potentially reshaping the Thai political landscape.

 

-- 2024-08-19

Paetongtarn "must be afraid of" ghosts from the past. August 19, 2024: According to former Red Shirt warrior Jatuporn Prompan, who is sounding more and more conservative, Thailand’s newest and youngest prime minister will be ousted from Government House by early next year. He gave a list of “old wounds” that can resurface to compromise Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s legal and constitutional legitimacy. The already-big mess can get even messier over the next few days. PBS Would

Paetongtarn "must be afraid of" ghosts from the past

August 19, 2024: According to former Red Shirt warrior Jatuporn Prompan, who is sounding more and more conservative, Thailand's newest and youngest prime minister will be ousted from Government House by early next year.

He gave a list of "old wounds" that can resurface to compromise Paetongtarn Shinawatra's legal and constitutional legitimacy. Among them is curious ownerships of the previous Alpine Golf Course, which had led to a big political scandal that blew up in many Pheu Thai faces.

Some conservative analysts or activists have said the same thing. They think Alpine can undermine Paetongtarn, with official complaints seeking to remove her certain to be launched.

"Oong-ing (the new prime minister) must check the records to see if she had anything to do with Alpine," Jatuporn said. "If she did, it could be a similar case that ended the political path of (ex-Palang Pracharath politician) Pareena Kraikupt."

He also mentioned education matters that raised ethical questions, "nominee purchases" of Thai properties by foreigners, and election campaign policies that seemed to benefit foreigners at the expense of Thai sovereignty.

"The country is not a toy, (in other words) an experimental playground for risky policies like Digital Wallet or increased foreign stakes in condominiums," Jatuporn said.

He added in his Facebook Live that opponents of Pheu Thai must be drooling while sharpening their knives.

August 18, 2024: The Constitutional Court essentially ruled that Srettha Thavisin lost his legitimacy as prime minister because of a Cabinet appointment, but what actually tested his integrity as a leader more was the Pheu Thai Party's flagship policy.

Newly-appointed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing the same ultimate test. She has hinted that the "Digital Wallet" scheme may need to be reviewed, but her statement was still ambiguous to the point of making certain mainstream media outlets believe that there would be no significant changes to the controversial programme.

So much debate has focused on whether Digital Wallet would really help the poor effectively and boost the Thai economic rather than ruin it in the long run. If she wants to continue it essentially in its current form, she must be able to defend it scientifically and rationally. She must not invoke the key Srettha argument that claimed "conspiracy" and virtually offered no valuable explanation to back up the plan.

Srettha's integrity also dimmed because of his handling of the Thaksin issue. For obvious reasons, the Thaksin affair will complicate Paetongtarn's political status more than it did to Srettha's. Thaksin is a former convict who is now the father of Thailand's prime minister and still faces legal charges.

Paetongtarn's path will be strewn with legal and constitutional landmines. How the justice system will function in the current circumstances remains to be seen and will be a telltale sign as to the country's direction.

August 17, 2024: You have to lead a superpower nation to be able to be rudely playful with a reporter and get away with it.

This is not to downplay what Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan did the other day. (According to some LINE comments, he might have put an end to any prime ministerial aspiration with that little "patting".)

This is to say that a politician's aggressiveness toward members of the press is perceived differently from place to place. What is considered rude also seems to increase in seriousness in reverse proportion to the sophistication of politics.

For example, in one of President Joe Biden's hot mic moments, he was overheard murmuring while being inquired about inflation: "What a stupid son of a @#$%&"

Imagine Prawit was overheard saying something like that when a reporter asked him about the House of Representatives vote to elect Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the new prime minister.

Peter Doocy is a senior White House correspondent, mind you. What happened in the studio of Fox News? They laughed at it. They found it hilarious. Most pro- and anti-Biden news networks gave it a rest after two days.

Again, this is not in Prawit's defence. This is to bring back a record that the leader of the free world could call a member of a major element of democracy "stupid" and all everyone did was laugh.

August 16, 2024: If someone had predicted early last year that Move Forward would sweep the May 2023 election but would not be in the government and would finally be dissolved, that Pheu Thai would form an administration with the main conservative parties, that a Pheu Thai prime minister would be removed by the Constitutional Court, only to be replaced by another Pheu Thai prime minister, that the cannabis deregulation policy that the conservatives were so proud of would be reversed at their own "approval", that the Digital Wallet policy that the conservatives decried would sleepwalk through Parliament, again at their approval, that predictor would be sent to a mental institution.

That's how crazy the past 16 months has been. Bad news is it can get crazier, at the expense of development policies that will be written, rewritten, revoked and reintroduced for fun.

Nobody can really celebrate. The "conservatives" and "liberals" are both swallowing bitter pills. Pheu Thai will have to keep looking over its shoulder. Backstabbing will be the most vital part of the Thai political game. Alliance will be based on vested interest, not trust or desire to give Thais utmost benefits.

August 15, 2024: The last thing people thought on hearing Wednesday's Constitutional Court verdict against Srettha Thavisin was that Parliament would vote less than two days later to elect the new prime minister.

But here we are, just hours before the House of Representatives is scheduled to make it seem like Wednesday was another normal day in Thai politics.

This is the idea. A lot of people concerned would not want things to drag on for various reasons. Big businesses do not want great uncertainties. Politicians in power do not want mathematical formulas to emerge that could encourage the previously hopeless or entice potential rebels into upping bargains.

The swift schedule means much remains in Pheu Thai's control as there is not enough time for the likes of Anutin Charnvirakul or Prawit Wongsuwan to conjure up a competing scenario. As for the newly-dissolved party, they did not stand a chance in the first place due to the complications of last week's ruling and the mistake of failing to name substitute prime ministerial candidates. (This candidacy naming issue would give everyone a valuable lesson, not just the "Orange" camp.)

Also, we are seeing the importance of being able to control House schedules. (In addition to the ballooning irony of government leaders' cars entering and leaving the house of you-know-who.)

August 14, 2024: Today's Constitutional Court ruling on the prime minister's case can ensure escalation of Thailand's political turmoil, which has been kept from exploding by a fragile and absurd political equilibrium where partnership exists not on ability and willingness to work together, but on developments caused and dictated by utmost extremism and self-interest.

Things were always heading toward a dead end either way. The equilibrium is so sensitive that the most minuscule change can cause a turbulent upheaval, let alone a gigantic development like the dissolution of the Move Forward Party or the prime minister's removal.

The court verdict ousting Srettha would only hasten the inevitability, a free-for-all political fight that cannot guarantee the winner but can ascertain one thing _ whoever emerges "triumphant" will not be able to bring peace and will have to continue looking over his or her shoulder.

As everyone knows, Pheu Thai's relationship with the conservatives depends on how the latter group perceives Move Forward or its reincarnation. It is never based on public interest. Pheu Thai and what remains of Move Forward, meanwhile, have crucially-conflicting interests as well.

Horse-trading will take place at full throttle. Who is needing whom more and who is holding whom hostage are slippery questions invoking slippery answers.

The already-big mess can get even messier over the next few days.



Hon är Thailands rekordunga premiärminister. Den thailändske kungen har formellt utnämnt Paetongtarn Shinawatra till landets nya premiärminister vid en ceremoni på söndagen. SVT Nyheter



Hon är Thailands rekordunga premiärminister

UPPDATERAD IDAG 14:25

PUBLICERAD IDAG 08:00

Den thailändske kungen har formellt utnämnt Paetongtarn Shinawatra till landets nya premiärminister vid en ceremoni på söndagen.

37-åriga Paetongtarn Shinawatra, dotter till den kontroversielle miljardären och tidigare premiärministern Thaksin Shinawatra, är kungadömets yngsta person hittills på posten och tar över rodret efter en turbulent tid där hennes föregångare tvingades sluta och det största oppositionspartiet upplösts av en domstol.

Hon blir den tredje i släkten Shinawatra att utses till premiärminister. Sannolikt hoppas hon dock att undvika att sluta på samma sätta som fadern och fastern Yingluck Shinawatra som båda avsattes i militärkupper.

"Öppet hjärta"

Paetongtarn Shinawatra mottog kung Maha Vajiralongkorns formella, skriftliga uppmaning att bilda regering i ceremonin som hölls på huvudkontoret tillhörande en tv-kanal som tidigare varit känd som Shinawatra-trogen.

– Som regeringschef kommer jag att arbeta tillsammans med parlamentet med ett öppet hjärta och vara mottaglig för alla idéer som kan vara till hjälp vad gäller att utveckla landet, sade hon efter ceremonin.

Thailändsk politik har präglats av instabilitet de senaste två årtiondena, med kupper, maktkamper och stora folkliga protester. Bakom kulisserna anses militären fortfarande styra med järnhand efter sin kupp 2014. Så sent som förra veckan upplöste landets konstitutionsdomstol det stora partiet Kao Klai, som vann förra årets val med löften om minskad makt för militären och kungahuset – men som inte släpptes fram till regeringsmakten.

Gravid under valkampanj

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ledare för partiet Pheu Thai, växte upp i Bangkok och studerade senare i Storbritannien. Under valkampanjen i fjol skapade hon rubriker då hon var gravid i åttonde månaden – och födde barn knappt två veckor före valdagen.

Hennes största utmaning blir att få Thailands pandemidrabbade ekonomi på rätt köl igen, spår analytiker – liksom att bevisa att hon inte enbart är sin pappas hantlangare.

BAKGRUND: MAKTKAMP MELLAN ELIT OCH OPPOSITION

Thailändsk inrikespolitik kan beskrivas som en maktkamp mellan anhängare till en traditionell elit – militären, kungahuset och statsförvaltningen – och en bred grupp som står i opposition.

Störst i parlamentet efter valet 2023 blev det progressiva och ungdomsvänliga Kao Klai. Partiet gick till val på löften om att lätta på landets strikta majestätslagar och avskaffa militärens politiska inflytande – men släpptes trots valsegern aldrig fram till regeringsmakten.

Det kan förklaras av att det politiska systemet är kraftigt riggat i militärens favör, enligt en grundlagsändring som genomfördes efter militärkuppen 2014. En tredjedel av nationalförsamlingen och hela senaten tillsätts av militären.

Tidigare i augusti upplöste Thailands konstitutionsdomstol Kao Klai. Enligt domstolen utgjorde partiets vallöften ett försök att störta den thailändska monarkin. Tilltaget mot Kao Klai har fördömts av EU, USA, FN och flera människorättsorganisationer.

Partier som utmanar det militära och monarkistiska etablissemanget i Thailand har även tidigare blivit ogiltigförklarade på olika vis.

Källor: Landguiden/UI med flera. 

Immigration and the New Government. The shock resignation of prime minister Srettha Thavisin is bound to reverberate in all sorts of directions. But it’s virtually certain that the new Pheu Thai-led administration will get round to immigration and visas sooner rather than later. - Pattaya Mail

Immigration and the New Government

Pattaya MailAugust 18, 2024

The resignation of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to have wide-ranging impacts, while the incoming Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration may find the more liberal immigration and visa policies quite challenging to implement.

EDITORIAL

The shock resignation of prime minister Srettha Thavisin is bound to reverberate in all sorts of directions. But it's virtually certain that the new Pheu Thai-led administration will get round to immigration and visas sooner rather than later. Mr Thavisin's vision was to expand massively the entry and extension opportunities for visa-exempt tourists, whilst creating a new visa for long-stayers with a lawful activity in mind. But the foreign affairs ministry, which pushed through the changes in Cabinet, may have bitten off more than the new government can chew.

The latest rule allows visa-exempt tourists to receive 60 days on arrival with a 30 days' extension at local immigration. Nothing in print prevents these tourists from leaving the country – for example on a border hop – and repeating the procedure indefinitely. That would mean a permanent leave to remain in Thailand, without any visa, simply by briefly leaving the country – even for an hour or two – four times a year. No need to show any paperwork of any kind.

When challenged about multiple admissions, the foreign affairs ministry spokesman said that, of course, all entries to Thailand were subject to the discretion of the immigration officer. In other words, you would never be sure what might happen further down the line. One tourist might be refused, whilst another might be hassle-free, a scenario which would create the bad publicity which the Thai government abhors. The obvious solution is for the incoming Thai government to limit entries under the visa-exempt scheme to one or two in any twelve months' period.

The new Destination Thailand Visa is a long overdue measure to address the issue of digital nomads or remote workers who have been under a legal cloud for the past 20 years. The DTV allows those who report to a foreign company and/or have overseas clients to receive a multiple entry five years' visa which, with an extension at local immigration, allows them to remain in the kingdom for up to 360 days (180 on entry + 180 at extension). They must then "leave the country" to repeat the procedure. The unclear bits here are whether the remote worker's contracts or portfolio of work need to be updated, or whether no further checks are made for the five years' duration.

One can easily imagine the scenario whereby some remote workers would be checked more thoroughly than others on repeat visits or at the extension stage. Not to mention the huge queues likely to form at airports, land borders and immigration offices if the documentation is not up to standard. One way out of the confusion would be to authorize the digital nomad DTV for one year, or maybe two, before new documentation should be presented for scrutiny. Of course, the visa is strictly for remote workers with foreign clients. Any work for customers in Thailand requires a work permit, not the DTV.

The second and quite different route to the DTV is by participating in a lawful activity broadly defined as soft power. The current rules state that a foreigner may enrol for a cookery or martial arts course or be seeking medical treatment or be attending musical festivals or have a wife and/or dependants living in Thailand. Does this really suggest that someone could present a ticket for an upcoming pop concert or show a letter for dental treatment and receive, in return, a five years' multiple entry visa? Presumably not, but the lack of precise information is spell-binding. These soft power DTV visas are in need of urgent review.

The new immigration policies show every sign of having been pushed through the Cabinet without too much deliberation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acted on the instruction of the previous prime minister to boost tourism and revenue come what may, leaving the awkward detail to be sorted out later at entry points and at immigration offices throughout the land. But foreigners hate ambiguity as we also see in the kerfuffle about personal tax and income from overseas. The sooner the government starts clarifying rather than dictating, the better for all concerned.

Over 9,000 Deaths Annually Attributed to Secondhand Smoke in Thailand. The report also revealed major increases in illnesses linked to epidemiological surveillance, including a sharp rise in influenza and dengue fever cases. - The Pattaya News

Over 9,000 Deaths Annually Attributed to Secondhand Smoke in Thailand

Goongnang SuksawatSaturday, 17 August 2024, 23:09

PRESS RELEASE:

A recent report by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has raised a grave concern in Thailand, where over 9,000 deaths annually are attributed to secondhand smoke, exceeding the figures reported in the United States.

The NESDC's review, covering the social conditions of the first quarter of 2024, also brought attention to the health issues exacerbated by alcohol and cigarette consumption, among other social challenges.

The report also revealed major increases in illnesses linked to epidemiological surveillance, including a sharp rise in influenza and dengue fever cases. While cigarette usage saw a slight decline, the persistent problem of secondhand smoke has led to calls for stricter enforcement of public smoking bans and the creation of designated smoking areas to protect the public

Health experts are acutely concerned about the impact of e-cigarettes, debunking myths among parents who believe them to be harmless. Experts warn that the dangers of nicotine exposure from e-cigarettes can severely affect cognitive functions and development in children, potentially leading them to traditional smoking and even illegal drug use later in life.

The situation also calls for robust public health strategies to lower smoking rates and safeguard young and vulnerable populations from the detrimental effects of nicotine addiction.

The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.

Thaksin Shinawatra granted Royal pardon. The Thaiger

The Shinawatra family continues to face challenges. The future of the Pheu Thai Party and the Shinawatra family is at stake as they strive to avoid repeating past mistakes and potential exile from Thailand. ASEAN NOW

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The future of the Pheu Thai Party and the Shinawatra family is at stake as they strive to avoid repeating past mistakes and potential exile from Thailand.

 

After several political upheavals, Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been elected as Thailand's 31st prime minister. The political landscape remains unsettled following the Constitutional Court's ruling to dissolve the Move Forward Party, leading to a rebranding as the People's Party.

 

Recently, the Constitutional Court ordered Srettha Thavisin to step down as prime minister due to ethical violations, prompting further legal challenges. Srettha faces additional scrutiny from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), reported Daily News.

 

These developments have led to significant shifts in the government, with Thaksin Shinawatra, the influential figure behind Pheu Thai, calling for a meeting with coalition partners. Thaksin announced the cancellation of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, Pheu Thai's flagship policy, due to economic concerns.

 

With Paetongtarn now in power, attention shifts to forming a new Cabinet and potential reshuffles within key parties like Palang Pracharath and Ruam Thai Sang Chart. The upcoming policy announcement on August 28th will set the stage for Paetongtarn's administration.

 

Paetongtarn now faces the challenge of leading the country, guided by her father, Thaksin. The 2026 general election will be crucial, with the newly formed People's Party emerging as a major competitor.

 

Paetongtarn, now aligned with conservatives, must find a way to counter the "Orange Camp" representing younger voters.

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

-- 2024-08-17

Thailand has a new PM. The Nation



Paetongtarn Shinawatra to be Nominated as Thailand's New PM. Paetongtarn, 37, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected as the Pheu Thai leader last October. If elected by parliament during a special session today (Friday), she would become Thailand's 31st and youngest-ever Prime Minister, the second female to hold the position, and the third Shinawatra family member to do so, following her father Thaksin and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra. ASEAN NOW

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Leader of Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, wave before press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

The Pheu Thai Party has announced that it will nominate Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its candidate for Prime Minister to succeed Srettha Thavisin, who was removed from office by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday.

 

Paetongtarn, 37, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected as the Pheu Thai leader last October. If elected by parliament during a special session today (Friday), she would become Thailand's 31st and youngest-ever Prime Minister, the second female to hold the position, and the third Shinawatra family member to do so, following her father Thaksin and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

The press conference announcing her nomination was attended by government coalition leaders who expressed their support, making her political future appear assured. "We are confident that we will work together to help the country move past its economic problems and advance into the future," Paetongtarn said, thanking both the public and the coalition government parties for their support.

 

Initially, a meeting of government whips at Thaksin's residence had agreed to nominate Chaikasem Nitisiri, 76, as their candidate. However, a meeting of Pheu Thai MPs today decided to nominate Paetongtarn instead.

 

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also expressed his full support for Paetongtarn. "All the parties in the coalition government show their spirit in working together to ensure continuity in running the country," said Anutin, whose Bhumjaithai Party is the second biggest partner in the coalition. His endorsement is crucial.

 

Paetongtarn, nicknamed "Ung-ing," was born in the United States on August 21st, 1986, to Thaksin and Potjaman Na Pombejra. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Chulalongkorn University and a master's in international hotel management from the University of Surrey in England reported Thai PBS.

 

Before her political career, she was a major shareholder in SC Asset Corporation and held shares in around 20 other companies in real estate, telecom, and media sectors. She has experience as the chief executive of Rende Development Co. Ltd.

 

Married to airline pilot Pidok Sooksawas, with whom she has two children, Paetongtarn was recently appointed as deputy chair of two national committees, on soft power strategy and public health system development, under Srettha's government.

 

-- 2024-08-16

Useful Phone Numbers for Tourists and Residents in Thailand for 2024 - The Pattaya News

Useful Phone Numbers for Tourists and Residents in Thailand for 2024

Adam JuddThursday, 15 August 2024, 22:39

Chaikasem to be Nominated as New Thai PM at Special House Meeting. haikasem Nitisiri, a former justice minister and senior figure in the Pheu Thai Party, is expected to be nominated as the new prime minister of Thailand. This comes after the unexpected dismissal of Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court for ethical breaches. ASEAN NOW

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BREAKING: PM Srettha axed over controversial cabinet appointment



Thailand's Schengen-Style Visa Proposal Faces Hurdles. The success of the visa proposal will hinge on the adoption of sustainable tourism practices and effective regional cooperation. ASEAN NOW

Picture courtesy: Facebook/Phi Phi World

 

Thailand's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has proposed a unified visa system, similar to Europe's Schengen Area, to boost tourism in Southeast Asia. Despite the economic benefits of increased tourist numbers, concerns about feasibility, overtourism and potential inflationary pressure persist. The success of the visa proposal will hinge on the adoption of sustainable tourism practices and effective regional cooperation.

 

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has recently proposed a novel approach to reinvigorate tourism in Southeast Asia — a Schengen-style visa scheme. Modelled after Europe's Schengen Area, this unified visa system would allow travel to Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

 

This initiative is a key component of Thailand's efforts to boost tourism, aiming to attract 80 million tourists annually by 2027.

 

The Schengen-style visa proposal has potential to significantly enhance Thailand's economy. Tourism is a vital sector for Thailand, contributing approximately 12 per cent to the country's GDP annual and providing around 20 per cent of its jobs. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted this sector and its recovery has been slow, which has left Thailand unable to buffer a concurrent decline in manufacturing and exports.

 

In this proposed visa scheme, tourists must first pass through Thailand as a central hub, enhancing Thailand's appeal as a travel destination. It promises to attract more tourists, especially high-spending visitors who stay for extended periods.

 

Increased tourist arrivals are expected to boost tourist spending, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, retail and transportation. A surge in tourism could also create further job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in regions heavily reliant on tourism.

 

Thailand's well-developed tourism infrastructure positions it to benefit greatly from the consequential influx of tourists. Its burgeoning wellness industry, including traditional Thai massages, spa treatments and holistic healing practices, are particularly appealing to tourists seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.

 

The visa initiative could enhance accessibility for tourists interested in wellness experiences and help Thailand capitalise on the thriving global wellness tourism industry.

 

This Schengen-style proposal could also diversify Thailand's tourism markets. Thailand is traditionally dependent on tourists from the Southeast and East Asia regions, such as Malaysia, China, Russia, South Korea, India and Singapore.

 

But Thailand now seeks to attract tourists from markets farther afield like Europe, the Americas and Africa. This strategy could enhance the Thai tourism sector's resilience against global economic fluctuations.

 

Despite the initiative's potential economic benefits, there are widespread concerns about its feasibility, the risks associated with overtourism and inflation.

 

Southeast Asia's political landscape is remarkably diverse and intricate. Achieving consensus among the member states of ASEAN on visa policies is no small feat. Each country maintains its own immigration laws, security concerns and economic interests. Harmonising these disparate elements into a cohesive visa policy requires extensive negotiation and compromise.

 

Efforts to create a unified visa system in Southeast Asia are not new. In the 2000s, a joint visa proposal under Ayeyawady–Chao Phraya–Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy — an organisation of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar — only saw Cambodia coordinating with Thailand, reported East Asia Forum.

 

In 2019, an 'ASEAN Visa' plan also failed to materialise. Other attempts at regional integration, such as the ASEAN Economic Community, have shown that while progress is possible, it is often slow and fraught with challenges.

 

Infrastructure and technological readiness vary significantly across Southeast Asian countries. Implementing a unified visa system necessitates significant investments in border control infrastructure, data sharing mechanisms and security protocols. Countries with less-developed infrastructure may struggle to meet these requirements, potentially delaying the implementation of the scheme.

 

Additionally, this initiative raises broader questions about regional integration and mobility. One important consideration is whether this visa scheme could pave the way for ASEAN citizens to freely work, study or reside across national boundaries, including in Thailand. This potential development carries significant implications for logistics, infrastructure and immigration policies within the Southeast Asian region.

 

While this Schengen-style visa scheme will undoubtedly enhance travel convenience for international tourists, it stirs apprehension regarding overtourism. Thailand has already experienced the negative impacts of overtourism in popular destinations such as Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

 

Implementing such a visa scheme without addressing existing overtourism challenges might exacerbate these issues, potentially leading to environmental degradation, strained infrastructure and diminished quality of life for permanent residents.

 

Overtourism may also dilute the tourist experience, making popular sites overcrowded, more expensive and less enjoyable. This could ultimately harm Thailand's reputation as a travel destination and reduce the long-term sustainability of its tourism sector.

 

Another potentially detrimental consequence is the inflationary pressure emanating from a unsustainable influx of wealthy visitors. This would drive up demand for food, daily necessities and housing, which in turn raises prices and increases living costs for residents.

 

To mitigate these risks, Thailand needs to adopt sustainable tourism practices. This includes implementing measures to manage tourist flows, promoting lesser-known destinations and investing in infrastructure that can accommodate increased tourist numbers without compromising the environment or local communities. Regional cooperation is also crucial to ensure the benefits and burdens of increased tourism are equitably distributed among participating countries.

 

Srettha's proposal for a Schengen-style visa scheme in Southeast Asia is an ambitious and innovative idea with the potential to boost tourism and economic growth in the region. But its successful implementation requires overcoming substantial political, logistical and infrastructural challenges. While Thailand stands to gain economically, there is also a significant risk of exacerbating the overtourism crisis.

 

To maximise the potential benefits and minimise the risks, a balanced approach is necessary. Addressing these challenges could make this Schengen-style visa scheme a transformative initiative for Southeast Asian tourism, benefiting both Thailand and the broader region.

 

-- 2024-08-09