Thailand and the new coalition government

• Government cosies up to press with football friendly

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The government coalition is planning two events this month, starting with a dinner party on February 13 and a friendly football match on February 20, a news source said on Wednesday.

The dinner will be hosted by Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, Bangkok from 6pm next Tuesday. Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to give a speech at the dinner, which will be joined by members of the Cabinet, their secretaries and advisors, as well as coalition parties’ executives.

On February 20, Pheu Thai Party will hold a friendly football match between the government coalition and members of the press at Alpine Football Camp in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district from 5.30pm.

Srettha, his deputies, and leaders of coalition parties will play against the press in the match, which aims to strengthen the relationship between the government and mass media.

• Thai delegation, BRN agree to endorse peace plan soon

Representatives of the Thai government and a major separatist group ended their two days of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur today with an agreement to endorse a comprehensive peace roadmap “at the earliest opportunity,” according to a statement issued by the Malaysian facilitator of the negotiations.

It said the Thai peace delegation affirmed the Thai government’s readiness to create an environment conducive to bringing about peace in the three southern provinces of Thailand which have been ravaged by at least two decades of violence.

The statement provided no details but said measures to foster such environment will be discussed by a technical team to be set up by the two sides in February and March.

The statement was issued at the end of the two-day talks hosted by Malaysia. The Thai delegation to the meeting is headed by Chatchai Bangchuad, who is concurrently deputy secretary general of the National Security Council, while the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN) is led by Anas Abdulrahman.

The two sides in the last round of talks in February last year discussed a peace roadmap known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan toward Peace (JCPP) which focuses on cessation of violence, public consultation with stake-holders, and finding a political solution to the decades-long conflict.

The statement said after two days of talks the two sides “agreed in principle on the JCPP which be endorsed at the earliest opportunity.”

The meeting, it said, also reaffirmed their commitment to involve stakeholders in the conflict in the peace dialogue. The statement did not specify who the stakeholders are but described them as “important drivers in bringing sustainable peace to the southern border provinces of Thailand.”

The statement also reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment as the facilitator for the peace process.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the BRN representatives expressed concerns over a series of legal action taken by Thai authorities in southern Thailand against Muslim activists which they said could exacerbate the conflict in the region.

• Thai negotiators agree joint roadmap for peace in insurgency-hit deep South

Thai government representatives agreed in principle to quickly finalise a joint plan for peace in the deep South during the latest round of talks with insurgents.

Thai chief negotiator Chatchai Bangchuad, secretary-general of the National Security Council, announced on Thursday that his team and umbrella insurgent group Barisan Revolusi National (BRN) had approved in principle the Joint Comprehensive Plan Towards Peace (JCPP).

Both sides expressed determination to finalise the JCPP draft as soon as possible as a roadmap to peace in southern border provinces, he said.

Chatchai's delegation met for the seventh round of talks with BRN negotiaters led by Anas Abdulrahaman in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The talks were facilitated by Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, a representative of the Malaysian government.

The Thai delegation gave no timeframe for the work to complete the JCPP draft. However, the Malaysian facilitator told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that meetings to iron out details will be held later this month and in March.

The latest peace talks were the first under the tenure of the Pheu Thai-led government, and for the first time in nine years were led by a civilian negotiator.

Chatchai told reporters that the talks went smoothly and the draft roadmap would deliver a political solution to the conflict.

The violence in southern border provinces flared in 2004 after firearms were seized from a Thai military base. Deep South Watch, which monitors the situation in the region, says more than 7,300 people have been killed in the conflict since then.

Insurgents are calling for independence for Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla, which border Malaysia. The region was annexed by Thailand in 1909 as a part of treaty with Britain.

• Southern civic groups want peace talks in parallel with Gov-BRN talks

Civic groups in restive Deep South are calling for parallel peace talks, between the government and the people and people to people, to run alongside the government-Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) negotiations, to find a political solution to the decades-long violent conflict.

Fa-id Krasi, of the Fa Sai Association to Promote Peace Among Youth, said that more space should be open for parallel peace talks, because conflict remains between the government and the people and among the people themselves.

Rujirada Wongkaew, another youth leader in the Deep South, said that some of the violence in the region stems from mistrust and misunderstanding between various groups of people.

Chief of the Thai delegation to the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and Wednesday, Chatchai Bangchuad, said that the government does not block the people from expressing their views on the southern conflict, but would prefer a more appropriate forum for them to participate in finding peace in the region.

He indicated that a public forum will be opened in the future, in which all stakeholders will be able to participate.

The Thai government and the BRN agreed to endorse the Joint Comprehensive Plan toward Peace (JCPP) “at the earliest opportunity” after the two-day talks in KL this week.

The roadmap focusses on cessation of violence, public consultation with stakeholders and finding a political solution to the conflict.

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• Srettha wishes Thais and Chinese nationals a happy Chinese New Year

On the occasion of the upcoming Chinese New Year this Saturday (February 10), Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday wished Thais and Chinese nationals a happy and prosperous New Year.

He wrote in Chinese 新年快乐, 万事如意 - which translates as “Happy New Year! Everything goes well.”

Then he wrote in Thai: “I wish 2024 to be the year of affluence and prosperity, while all of you enjoy an endless stream of wealth and good fortune.”

Srettha expressed hope that the trading and investment between Thailand and China would further expand this year and that the visa waiver policy will help promote travel between the two countries and make it more convenient.

“Thailand always welcomes Chinese visitors and will ensure their safety while they are staying here,” he said. “I hope that the Thailand-China relationship will stand strong forever. Thais and Chinese are no strangers, but essentially siblings.”

Last month, China and Thailand inked a visa-free deal for 30-day visits, to be effective from March 1.

Under the deal, Chinese and Thai passport holders can enjoy visa-free holidays and transits for 30 days in other countries. They can also extend their 30-day arrival visa to 90 days within 180 days.

• NACC stance on digital wallet scheme exceeds its authority: deputy minister

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said on Friday that the anti-graft agency was “exceeding its authority” by cautioning the government against implementing the controversial 500-billion-baht digital wallet scheme.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Wednesday cautioned that the scheme could violate the Constitution and fiscal discipline and leave scope for corruption.

Julapun said the government would go ahead with the handout scheme as it was accountable to the public, “unlike certain agencies that do not need to heed the people’s voice”.

He said the government would be held responsible for the country’s “plummeting economy” and it needed to take decisive action.

The deputy minister said that the scheme was meant to be a “big stimulus” for the economy. “The purpose of this project is to stimulate the economy, and not charity,” he said.

Julapun said that although the NACC’s advice was in line with the anti-corruption law, he described its actions as exceeding the agency’s authority.

He pointed out that certain points raised by the NACC could have been based on misunderstanding or incomplete information.

However, he said the government’s digital wallet committee would consider the NACC’s formal recommendations on the matter when the panel convenes its next meeting on February 15.

On Wednesday, NACC secretary-general Niwatchai Gasemmongkol told a news conference that the recommendations were based on a study by its panel that also involved gathering opinions from all stakeholders.

The NACC’s study identified the risk of policy corruption and corruption among recipients of the benefit. It also found that Thailand’s economic situation was not critical enough to justify massive handouts that require as much as 500 billion baht in the state budget.

The study also pointed to the risk of violating the Constitution and possible breach of fiscal discipline standards. The NACC reminded the government that the scheme’s hefty price tag would place a huge financial burden on the country.

Regarding blockchain technology, which is expected to be used for the handout, the NACC urged the government to consider whether the technology was necessary or appropriate, given the cost of its development just for the scheme.

• Thai, Chinese governments jointly launch Chinese New Year celebrations

The governments of Thailand and China on Friday together held a ceremony to give New Year’s blessings to all Chinese nationals and descendants worldwide, and officially launched the Chinese New Year Festival in Thailand.

The ceremony was held at the China Cultural Centre in Bangkok, attended by Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol and Han Zhiqiang, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand.

Also attending were Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, China Cultural Centre director Que Xiaohua, TAT executives and the general public.

Sudawan said Thailand and China have long enjoyed a close and strong relationship in terms of trade, culture and tourism. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand continued to increase to over 3.5 million people in 2023.

“The Chinese New Year Festival in Thailand is considered one of the largest Chinese New Year activities outside of China,” she said. “This year’s celebration also marks the 49th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China and the 20th anniversary of cultural cooperation between the TAT and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.”

Sudawan wished happiness, a healthy body and mind, and prosperity to all Thai and Chinese people living in Thailand, China, and other countries.

During the event, attendants witnessed cultural performances from Xijang Autonomous Region and the city of Quanzhou, Fujian province, hosted by the Chinese government.

The Thai government hosted four cultural shows titled Pornchai Mahamongkol, Colourful Light Chaturathit, Amazing Thai Way, and Muay Thai Dance.

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The TAT is organising the Chinese New Year Festival at Yaowarat, or China Town of Bangkok, throughout the month of February. Highlights of the event include the Golden Dragon Tunnel, cultural performances, light projection mapping on historic buildings in Yaowarat, and booths demonstrating astrological practices by Thai and Chinese fortune tellers.

TAT expects the Chinese New Year Festival to generate 34.39 billion baht in tourism revenue, growing 30% year on year.

• Srettha vows to tackle Lopburi's macaque menace as he opens King Narai fair

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Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday opened the King Narai Reign Fair in Lopburi province, an annual event to celebrate the life of King Narai the Great (1632-1688), the 27th king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom who pioneered foreign diplomatic policies.

To promote the government’s soft power policy, Srettha appeared in Thai traditional costume: A blue shirt and purple knee-length lower garment made from Lopburi’s Mat Mi silk, a fabric made with a tie-dyeing process before weaving to create a design.

The premier was joined by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich while viewing an elephant parade and cultural performance at the event venue in King Narai's Palace historical site in Muang district.

Srettha praised the royal kindness and achievements of King Narai in developing Lopburi and Ayutthaya Kingdom by maintaining positive relationship with foreign allies. He also thanked participants for dressing up in Thai traditional costumes to preserve the province’s cultural heritage and promote its soft power as an economic driver.

Before leaving, a Lopburi local handed Srettha a photo of a schoolgirl pointing her toy gun at a little monkey while carrying bags of beverage in one hand to deter the pesky primate. He urged the government to tackle the overpopulation of crab-eating macaques before it ruins Lopburi’s chance of becoming a global tourist destination.

The photo had gone viral on social media earlier this week, raising public awareness that increasing numbers of Lopburi’s iconic mascot were threatening the city’s livability.

Srettha did not take the photo, but promised to take action to fix the problem.

Crab-eating macaques are protected wild animals under the Wild Animal Conservation and Protection Act.

With over 5,000 simians swarming its municipality that was once a thriving trade hub, Lopburi is at risk of becoming a ghost town, as the mischievous monkeys harass residents and damage houses and businesses while deterring potential visitors.

Many businesses in the city area have been put up for sale due to a constant decline in customers.

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• PM confirms Bangkok campus to be relocated after decades of deadly student rivalry

A Bangkok university campus notorious for deadly student battles with a rival institution has been barred from recruiting new students until it relocates out of the city centre, the government confirmed on Thursday.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his higher education minister confirmed that

Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok's Uthenthawai Campus must move from its current site on land owned by Chulalongkorn University.

The confirmation followed an attack last week by Uthenthawai alumni that reportedly led to the death of a Pathumwan Institute of Technology student.

Srettha and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi were responding to a point raised by Democrat party-list MP Chuan Leekpai in Parliament on Thursday.

Chuan asked the prime minister and education minister to clarify the issue following confusing reports that Uthenthawai Campus had been barred from recruiting students this year.

Chuan said the order would affect 600 new students, threatening their chance of further education. He said no past go government had barred a university from enroĺing students. Chuan said latest reports indicated the education minister had changed her order on Wednesday to allow the university to entol students as long as they didn’t study at Uthenthawai.

Chuan asked whether the government had prepared a site and budget for relocation of the campus and whether students in their second year and beyond would have to be moved away as well.

Srettha replied that he was saddened by the decades of fatal fights between students of Uthenthawai Campus and Pathumwan Institute of Technology (PIT).

He said the government wanted to solve the issue but the two institutions played a vital role in producing mechanics, engineers and the skilled worforce required to attract investment. Without the two institutions, the country would not have enough engineers to meet demand from foreign firms, he added.

“They are crucial mechanisms for driving the country forward. But the government also wants to tackle this chronic issue [of student violence],” Srettha said.

As such, the Education Ministry and Treasury Department have been tasked with finding a new and appropriate site for the campus, he said.

Supamas had also ordered all institutions blighted by violent student rivalry to set up centres to monitor and prevent the street fighting.

Srettha said he also instructed police to beef up security around key university anniversaries, which often see violence flare.

Supamas said the Supreme Administrative Court has ordered the return of Uthenthawai Campus to Chulalongkorn University, which owns the plot of land. Uthenthawai would have to start relocation this year and plan student recruitment accordingly, she said.

Options for Uthenthawai include relocation to the university's Bang Phra Campus in Chon Buri, Chakrabongse Bhuwanat Campus in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district, a Treasury Department plot in Samut Prakan or a donated plot in Minburi.

Supamas said her ministry would coordinate with the Budget Bureau and Chulalongkorn University for budget or relocation costs.

She said Uthenthawai Campus would have to start moving its Faculty of Engineering and Architecture to the Chakrabongse Bhuwanat Campus on March 12.

Srettha added that the Finance Ministry would seek a final site for the campus.

In December 2022, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that Uthenthawai had to vacate its current site within 60 days. However, the university stayed put and students pleaded with Supamas in October last year to be allowed to stay.

The campus is on 20 rai of land leased from Chulalongkorn in 1935 for 68 years. The lease expired in 2003 and Chulalongkorn has been pushing unsuccessfully for the return of the land since 1975.

In 2002, the Treasury Department offered Uthenthawai the use of 36 rai of land in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district, while the government allocated 200 million baht to fund the construction of buildings. But relocation never took place due to strong protests by students.

• UTNP to seek urgent debate on better protection of royal motorcades

Coalition partner United Thai Nation Party will propose an urgent debate in Parliament on the protocol required to protect the motorcades of royal family members.

This is in response to an incident earlier this month when an activist tried to disrupt the motorcade of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The party also condemned former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat for sounding protective of the activist Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon who allegedly honked at and tried to join the princess’s motorcade on February 4.

UTNP secretary-general Akanat Promphan said he will propose at the party meeting on Tuesday that an interpellation be submitted to call for an urgent debate on improving security for members of the royal family.

He said his party would propose to all House standing committees concerned to review security members for the royals to protect them from intimidation, challenge or defamation as happened on February 4.

He added that police and intelligence agencies should also review their protocol for protecting royal motorcades.

Preventing clashes

The party added that if Tantawan and the driver of the car she was in are not brought to justice soon, there will be more clashes and social rifts will widen.

On February 4, a car chased the motorcade of Princess Maha Chakri on Makkasan expressway after the unidentified driver honked continuously while the motorcade was passing.


When the car was blocked from joining the motorcade, Tantawan, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, engaged in a heated argument with an on-duty police officer. She cited urgency and questioned the “preferential treatment” given to certain vehicles.

The first time Tantawan got into trouble for defamation was two years ago and was granted temporary release in May 2022 after Pita used his MP status as a guarantee.

However, the latest incident sparked outrage among royalists on social media, with many slamming Pita for allegedly supporting this activist.

‘Young people’

On Saturday, Pita insisted that he did not support Tantawan’s behaviour, but hinted that the conflicts might stem from the attitude of young people.

“As a politician and a Thai, I am worried about the country’s situation and the future of young people. I understand that many people are uncomfortable, worried, and want understanding. All parties should help ease the situation to prevent more rifts,” he said.

The incident also sparked a clash between Tantawan’s Thaluwang group, which literally translates to “piercing through the palace”, and the People’s Centre to Protect the Monarchy group at the Siam BTS station.

Meanwhile, UTNP spokesman Akkaradej Wongpithairoj slammed Pita for using “young people” as a political rhetoric.

He warned that this rhetoric would further divide society because Pita failed to show responsibility as Tantawan’s bail guarantor. In 2022, the Criminal Court had assigned Pita to be the young activist’s bail supervisor.

Akkaradej said Pita should have condemned Tantawan for violating the law instead of using the “young people” rhetoric.

“Pita acted as the guarantor for Tantawan and had even debated in support of her in the House. So, he should have done more to take responsibility for the action that trampled on the hearts of many Thais,” Akkaradej said.

“I would like to tell Pita to stop using the ‘young people’ rhetoric as this is not an issue of any generation. It’s just a violation of law. It’s a matter of people knowing what they can and cannot do. Don’t use the rhetoric to gather support from young people as many of the young generation do not support this kind of action and even abhor Tantawan’s act this time.”

United Thai Nation party to seek revamp of Royal motorcade security
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• No question of downscaling royal motorcades, says PM, as he orders tighter security

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he has instructed the National Police and the National Intelligence Agency to tighten security for royal motorcades. This was in response to an incident involving an anti-monarchy group on February 4.

Srettha said on Monday that he met with Royal Thai Police chief Pol General Torsak Sukvimol and other senior officers on Sunday to discuss the issue.

On February 4, two members of the Thaluwang (“piercing the palace”) group reportedly sped after the motorcade of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. One of them was identified as Tantawan Tuatulanon, 20, who has been campaigning for equal rights to use the public roads.

Srettha said he told the National Police chief that the protection of royal family members was of utmost importance.

He said he has also instructed the National Intelligence Agency to step up its intelligence operations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Separately, Srettha also called on all sides and political parties to not support the Thaluwang Group, which has been campaigning against preferential treatment for the royals.

“No one should support the group because royal motorcades are only provided when members of the royal family have official activities,” Srettha said.

He explained that members of the royal family often had public engagements and it was the government’s duty to protect them.

Though Srettha did not name any names, this comment was seen as referring to former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who in 2022 had used his MP status to secure bail for Tantawan in a previous lese majeste case.

Though Pita said he did not support the February 4 incident, he added that it was understandable judging by the attitude of young people.

As for the Thaluwang group’s plans to hold more rallies to gather public opinion on royal motorcades, Srettha said they should refrain from doing so and leave the matter to be discussed in Parliament.

Srettha said the issue should not be discussed in public as it will only lead to political violence.

On Saturday, Thaluwang members engaged in a brawl with a group of royalists at the Siam BTS station while gathering public opinions on royal motorcades.

The PM said he also instructed the National Police chief to step up measures to prevent more political violence.

As for Move Forward’s plan to seek amnesty for lese majeste offenders along with political offenders, Srettha said his government will not support such moves.

Srettha said lese majeste cases should not be considered political issues because it is not right to defame or harass the royal family.

• THAI, BFS told to improve ground services or risk termination

The Transport Ministry has ordered two airport ground service operators, namely Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) and Bangkok Flight Services (BFS), to improve their service or it would terminate the contracts if problems continue to persist.

After a meeting with airport service operators on Monday, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said that the ministry has received several complaints regarding poor ground services, crowding at aircraft bays, and the baggage handling system of these two companies.

Suriya said discussions with all parties, including representatives from THAI and BFS, found that the service quality problems were caused by inadequate equipment and lack of qualified personnel due to frequent staff resignations.

To fix the problems in the short term, Suriya suggested having Airports of Thailand Ground Aviation Services (AOTGA) take the workload off some of the ground services, with the consent of the two operators, until they can find suitable replacements for personnel and additional equipment.

The meeting also found that the ongoing repair works on taxiways at Suvarnabhumi Airport had resulted in the airport having too few available aircraft bays, causing crowding at contact gates to the passenger terminal.

To fix the aircraft bay problem, Suriya suggested airlines use bays at Satellite One (SAT-1) terminal instead, while Airports of Thailand (AOT) and ground service operators were told to conduct a study on improving the baggage handling system at SAT-1 to cope with increased usage and submit their report to the ministry in two weeks.

Suriya said currently the SAT-1 terminal is handling 82 flights per day, and the ministry expects to increase usage to 200 per day within the next month.

Suriya also told the meeting that bidding for AOT’s planned third ground service operator would commence by April. He said the move aims to further improve ground service quality at Suvarnabhumi Airport to cope with increased passengers and flights, with a target of making it one of the world’s top 20 international airports and turning Thailand into a regional aviation hub.

• Govt launches new medical coverage scheme for tourists

Foreign tourists will receive medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht in case of accidents in Thailand, and compensation of up to 1 million baht in the event of death under the government’s new campaign to enhance tourists’ confidence while travelling in Thailand.

The campaign, a collaboration between the Tourism and Sports and Public Health ministries, aims to assure foreign tourists that they will be properly taken care of while they are in the kingdom, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said at the launch of the campaign on Wednesday.

Explaining that the campaign’s goal is to strengthen the positive image of Thailand as a global vacation destination, she said the ministry had set aside 50 million baht to fund the scheme. The money will come from the ministry’s budget for emergency expenses and will be used to compensate foreign tourists on a case-by-case basis during their travel in Thailand between January 1 and August 31 this year, she said.

The maximum coverage is 1 million baht per person in case of death and 300,000 baht per person for permanent organ loss, loss of sight or permanent disability. Medical expenses will be covered at the amount actually paid, but not exceeding 500,000 baht.

Tourists will not be eligible for the coverage if the incidents stem from their carelessness, intention to take part in any illegal activity, or risky behaviour.

To apply for the coverage, foreigners holding a tourist visa can submit documents at the provincial tourism and sports offices, or at tourist assistance centres located in Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Applications can also be submitted via post and e-mail.

Sudawan said the ministry believed that the campaign would help boost revenue from tourism. She added that foreign arrivals as of February 11 totalled 4.3 million, putting the country on track to achieve its target of 35 million foreign tourists in 2024.

The ministry has set a revenue target of 2024 at 3.5 trillion baht from these 35 million foreign tourists and some 205 million trips made by Thai tourists.

The insurance programme intends to cover the vacuum between the expiry of the Foreign Tourists Assistance Fund and the new tourism fee scheme, which is yet to begin.

The fund was dissolved two years ago and a new tourism fee is expected to be collected for tourism insurance and to develop tourist attractions. Under the scheme, foreign arrivals by air will be charged 300 baht while those coming by sea and land will be charged 150 baht. The scheme, however, has been indefinitely postponed.

Sudawan insisted that the ministry does not plan to cancel the 300-baht landing fee, although it will not be implemented in the immediate future, as the tourism market has only just recovered from the impact of Covid-19, and the ministry wants to focus on increasing arrival numbers and tourism spending first.

The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Mongkon Wimonrat added that the ministry will use its Thailand Traveller Safety (TTS) platform to facilitate the disbursement of insurance coverage to foreign tourists. The platform offers online registration for non-Thai residents with tourist visas.

Mongkon said the TTS database, which collects data with the consent of providers, can be accessed by the Tourist Police Bureau and National Institute for Emergency Medicine, which will help speed up the disbursement process.

Tourists can claim medical expenses within 15 days of the incident and compensation is expected to be paid 15 days after that, he said.

• House passes land bridge project feasibility report despite opposition

Southern and Move Forward MPs unanimously voiced their opposition to the government’s ambitious land bridge mega project, questioning the credibility of its feasibility study. They remain unconvinced that the project is worth the staggering one trillion baht investment or its impacts on the environment and lucrative tourism industry in the region.

During a debate in the House today on the feasibility study, submitted by the House scrutiny committee led by Pheu Thai party-list MP Wisut Chainaroon, former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat quoted the claim in the report that the land bridge will shorten the time and distance for freighters which currently pass through the Strait of Malacca.

He said there are three questions which need to be answered by the government. First, whether there are other more competitive options to the land bridge project. Second, how the government will manage the impacts of the project on the affected areas, which include many durian plantations, fishing grounds, forests and six world heritage sites. Finally, whether the project will ensure the utmost benefit for the country and its people.

The Move Forward chief advisor also noted that the feasibility study fails to specify how much more convenient and how much faster it would be for freighters to use the land bridge instead of the Strait of Malacca.

Another Move Forward MP, Sirikan Tansakul, said she quit the House scrutiny panel because she could express her dissenting views on the report, which has been left unaltered, noting that the government has been determined from the beginning to implement this project.

She said that she could not trust the report, prepared by the Office of Transport and Traffic Planning, regarding the maritime routes, the estimated growth of the deep-sea ports at either end of the land bridge or the projection that it will breakeven in 24 years.

After about four hours of debate, the House approved the feasibility study by 269 votes to 147.

Fascinating, do you think it will be built. What is your opinion ?

Bad idea

why?.

Are you lonely or already drunk?

think..........Recouping your investment

Lonely? Hmm nope and barely had a drink since Christmas day. Now do you have an opinion on the land bridge or the current Govts performance. The 10k scheme, the universal health care roll out. The lowering of alcohol tax. How shit Mercan sports are, what the solution is to the Mercan murder rate, can Biden solve the climate crisis, can he remember what a crisis is, does France have better fish recipes than Greenland or is it ethical to keep cows pregnant for their milk. So many issues.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by malmomike77

Now do you have an opinion on the land bridge.

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see post 239 and 241

• Agriculture minister orders investigation into removing of demarcation marking stone in Khao Yai

The ministries of Agriculture and the Natural Resources and Environment appear to be at the loggerheads over land ownership claims in Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

On Tuesday this week, Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, chief of the Office of National Parks at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, went to Khao Yai National Park to investigate alleged encroachment, claiming the plot of land in question is part of the land reform area for the issuance of land title deeds.

Chaiwat reportedly ordered the demarcation marking removed and filed land encroachment complaint at the Mu See police station.

About 416 hectares of land in Khao Yai National Park are being claimed as part of the land reform area by the Land Reform Office in Nakhon Ratchasima, with land title deeds to be distributed to landless people under the land reform program.

Park officials had contacted the Land Reform Office to seek clarification about land demarcation in the park’s area, but the response was vague.

Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao, the driving force behind the plan to issue land title deeds for land reform plots, went to the national park on Thursday to investigate the conflict.

After the trip, the minister told the media that he disagrees with the arbitrary removal of the demarcation marking stone by park officials, claiming that it is state property.

He suggested a joint committee be set up by the Agriculture Ministry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, both under the supervision of the Palang Pracharath party, to settle the conflict based on legal principles.

The land in and around Khao Yai national park is much sought after by resort and property developers. Some prime plots are priced at about 30 million baht per rai (0.16 hectares), but on the condition that there is an associated land title deed.

• PM Srettha says he has no plan to meet with Thaksin yet

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said today that he has no immediate plan to meet with convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but wishes him a happy reunion with his family following his release on parole from the Police General Hospital this morning.

He also said that he has not called Pheu Thai party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra to congratulate her on the release of her father, adding that he can speak to her when they meet.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, also leader of the Bhumjaithai party, said that he will visit Thaksin when his health improves, because Thaksin used to be his boss.

He dismissed speculation that, with the release of Thaksin on parole, the seat of power will move from Government House to the Ban Chan Song La Thaksin residence.

Anutin said that he believes that numerous people in the government are keen to meet with Thaksin and to seek his advice, adding that he has also sought advice from former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai hit back at Move Forward party leader Chaithawat Tulathon for suggesting that Thaksin may interfere with the government after his release.

He insists that Prime Minister Srettha is nobody’s puppet and hinted that Chaithawat may be fantasising.

“Nobody wants to be a puppet. Ask yourself first whether you would want to be,” said Phumtham, apparently, referring to the Move Forward party leader.

• Srettha hands over long-term leasing rights to 434 farmers in Udon Thani

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin handed over the rights to lease military land in Udon Thani to more than 430 farmers on Monday.

The ceremony was held at Nong Wua So district and is part of a long-term project to give state-owned land on a long lease to farmers in the country.

The project, implemented in cooperation with the Defence and Finance ministries, is titled “Treasury Department Supporting the People”.

In a speech at the ceremony, Srettha said he had made it his government’s urgent policy to give unused military land to landless farmers on long-term leases.

The land held by the armed forces actually belongs to the Treasury Department, he said, adding that he had instructed the Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) in October last year to work with the Treasury Department to lease its unused land to farmers at low cost.

• Tourism minister pushes for benefits to attract foreign filmmakers

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is preparing to propose greater fringe benefits for foreign filmmakers who use Thailand as a location for their productions, a move that would help promote the country’s soft power in the film industry, as well as boost demand from tourists.

Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said on Monday that the current benefits include 20-30% money back on the investment budget of filming in Thailand.

The first portion of 20% is guaranteed payback if the film invests over 100 million baht in Thailand, she explained. The second portion of 10%, meanwhile, will be paid on certain conditions, including adding elements of “Thainess” in the film, filming in second-tier provinces up to 50% of shooting time, and hiring Thai employees as part of the crew.

All these benefits are however capped under 750 million baht of investment.

Sudawan said the ministry is considering removing the 750-million-baht cap, which would attract more large-scale filmmakers, as well as adding other benefits to sweeten the deals.

“Having more international films shot in Thailand would help promote the country’s image as a tourist destination, as well as boost the economy,” she said. “Film crews spending months in Thailand means more spending with local entrepreneurs. And, after the film is in the theatres, viewers will be motivated to visit Thailand to witness the real location. This happened with the hit movie ‘The Beach’ which was shot in Krabi about 20 years ago.”

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The topic of shooting foreign movies in Thailand has made headlines this month following the announcement that Thailand’s very own K-pop princess Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban would make her acting debut in the third season of HBO’s dark comedy TV series “The White Lotus”.

Filming for the third season will kick off this month, with production set in Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui. The series is expected to hit the screens in 2025.

Lisa is a member of the K-pop all-girl band Blackpink.

Sudawan said revenue from foreign filmmakers in 2019, before the pandemic, was 4.46 billion baht. In 2021, that grew to around 5 billion and then reached 6 billion baht in 2022 and 2023.

• When it comes to football, the government and the media are on par

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Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday evening joined Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of a football match between members of the government coalition and members of the press at the Alpine Football Camp in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district.

Srettha, who doubles as the Finance Minister, told reporters he decided not to play due to a muscle injury at the waist, adding that he expected to have plenty of fun cheering from the sidelines.

Before the match started, the PM received a red football jersey from the press, its back emblazoned with “SRETTHA 30” along with his signature.

The match, which started at 7.30pm, was joined by important figures including Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, Justice Minister Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, United Thai Nation MP Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prachachart MP Soekarno Matha, and Pheu Thai MP Chaturon Chaisang.

The friendly match was played in four periods, each of 30 minutes duration, with both teams taking the lead at various times, but eventually ending in a 7-7 draw.

During the first-half break, Srettha and Paetongtarn took group photos with players of both sides. Some players took off their football jerseys and had the PM autograph them as a memento of this friendly match, which was organised by the Pheu Thai Party.

• PM drives daughter’s tiny electric hatchback to EV board meeting

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Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin drove his daughter’s yellow hatchback electric car to the year’s first meeting of the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee (EV Board) at Government House on Wednesday.

Srettha, who stands 1.92 metres (6 ft 4 in) tall, steered the small Abarth 500e, made by Stellantis, through the main gate of Government House at 9.10am. The license plate read Sor Thor 30, matching the premier’s initials.

Emerging from the car, Srettha explained he wanted to experience the fun of driving instead of being driven by his chauffeur all the time.

He said he had driven the Stellantis EV from his residence on Sukhumvit Road.

“I like to drive sometimes because it’s one of my pleasures. When I was a businessman, I always drove,” he told reporters at Government House, confirming that he had borrowed the Stellantis from his daughter.

The premier expressed his admiration for the hatchback EV in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “I love its bright colour and the fact that it’s an electric car.”

Srettha also showed off the electric car to Government House reporters before heading to the meeting.

Stellantis is a multinational carmaker formed in 2021 through the merger of Italian-US company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and France’s Groupe PSA.

The EV uses a more powerful electric motor with 113kW (155 horsepower) and 235Nm of torque, compared with the Fiat 500e’s 87kW (118hp) and 220Nm.

The EV board meeting discussed measures to support large commercial electric vehicles such as buses and trucks and measures for supporting the EV battery industry in Thailand.

• March 25 set as date for Senate to grill Cabinet

At their meeting on Wednesday, Senate whips set an agenda for the Senate’s general discussion with members of the cabinet regarding facts and problems in government administration, without casting a vote, a news source told The Nation.

According to the source, the debate is slated to take place on Monday, March 25 from 9am to midnight, totalling 15 hours. Senators will have the stage for 11 hours and 30 minutes to grill the government about its projects and general administration, while the Cabinet will have 3 hours to answer the questions. The last half hour is reserved for the remarks by the president of the Senate.

Another agenda set on Wednesday is for a Senate meeting next Tuesday (February 27), when senators would consider members of the ordinary committee to inspect the profile, conduct and ethics of the nominee for the position of Auditor General (Monthien Charoenpol).

On Wednesday, the Senate whips also considered four draft bills that have passed the first readings by the House of Representatives and resolved to forward them to corresponding senate committees for further consideration. Three of these bills are regulations on human resources management in local administrative organisations, while the last is the bill for revocation of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s order on human resources management in local administrative organisations.