Thailand and the new coalition government

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• Colourful PM answers questions in House on overseas visits, online gambling crackdown

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Thursday, wearing a striking bright tie, took to the House floor for the first time since his election to the top office to answer impromptu questions from MPs.

Key points:

— Srettha answers interpellations for the first time

— PM assures House of benefits from his foreign trips

— PM to order police to speed up crackdowns on online gambling, call-centre gangs

The first interpellation came with a note of banter from a ruling coalition MP, who even shone the spotlight on Srettha’s bright orange necktie and green socks.

Akkaradej Wongpithakroj (Ratchaburi-United Thai Nation) asked the PM to brief the House about his recent foreign visits.

Akkaradej began his question by saying: “I won’t ask about the colour of your socks today although the social media pays much attention to your socks.”

“It’s your business what colour of socks you want to wear. But if you don’t wear socks, I’ll raise an interpellation about it.”

When Srettha was holding a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Putin in Beijing last week, Thai social networks noticed the Thai prime minister was wearing bright pink socks, and said they were cute.

In the interpellation, Akkaradej asked the prime minister to explain the benefits to the country from his foreign trips.

In his reply, Srettha addressed the House by saying: “I always respect the House. If I’m not busy, I’ll be here to answer interpellations and clear the doubts of MPs because this is the duty of the executive to the legislative. Today, I’m wearing orange tie and green socks.”

He told the House that during his foreign trips, he had met representatives of several sectors to encourage them to buy Thai goods and agricultural products as well as invite them to invest in the kingdom.

He said that during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he had even asked for Riyadh’s help to negotiate the release of Thai hostages held by Hamas.

He said he had assured all the countries he had visited that Thailand was now fully open to their investments.

Among other things, he invited foreign investors to invest in electric vehicle manufacturing in Thailand as well as in supply chains and other businesses.

He assured the House that the government was doing its best to try to repatriate some 8,000 Thai workers who had expressed their wish to return from Israel.

He said the government would also address the issue of the debt of the repatriated workers.

The second interpellation was raised by Chaichana Decho (Nakhon Si Thammarat-Democrat) who asked him about the government’s measures to crack down on online gambling and call-centre gangs.

Chaichana started by teasing Srettha and Akkaradej. He said he hoped Srettha would not get diabetes as Akkaradej’s question was too sweet.

Srettha replied that he was not worried about getting diabetes because he had just had his medical checkup.

In his reply, Srettha said he would consult with the Royal Thai Police on Thursday afternoon about drastic measures against operators of gambling websites.

Srettha said he would also instruct the police to try to extradite alleged culprits involved in online gambling from abroad.

He said his government had also set up a centre to suppress online crimes as a one-stop measure to fight cybercrimes and receive public complaints.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong also rose to explain that his ministry had been cracking down on mule accounts that used to receive money from cybercriminals. He explained that more and more accounts were opened so the crackdowns had to go on.

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• Thailand’s Digital Wallet Program Under Investigation for Potential Corruption Risks

Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has announced its decision to launch an investigation into potential corruption risks within the government’s digital wallet program. This program, a key pillar of the Pheu Thai Party’s economic revival strategy, proposes to distribute 10,000 baht in digital cash to every Thai citizen over the age of 16. Despite its ambitious intent, the initiative has sparked questions around its financial feasibility, prompting discussions about limiting the cash handout to those most in need.

A Digital Stimulus Amidst Economic Struggles

Under the considerable weight of the ongoing pandemic, the digital wallet program emerged as a proposed lifeline for Thailand’s struggling economy. It is designed to provide 10,000 baht in digital cash to each eligible citizen, empowering them to manage essential expenses and support local businesses. However, the potentially astronomical financial burden of this universal cash transfer has sparked concerns, with critics arguing for a more targeted approach that directs funds towards the most financially vulnerable.

Probing for Transparency

In response to these concerns, the NACC has taken the proactive step of initiating an investigation into the digital wallet program. A dedicated committee, led by Commissioner Supa Piyajitti, will be established to conduct a thorough review of the initiative. Piyajitti, known for her extensive background in anti-corruption efforts and previous role as the secretary-general of the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, will guide the committee’s work. The committee’s mission is to ensure transparency, gather diverse opinions, and assess potential corruption risks. It will comprise representatives from various public and private sector bodies, ensuring a comprehensive and balanced perspective.

Little more in the link

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• Srettha to open new train station during his Laos visit next Monday

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to visit Laos on Monday (October 30) to boost bilateral ties with Thailand’s eastern neighbour, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Friday.

The official visit comes after an invitation from Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, according to the spokesman.

“This official visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and close cooperation while reaffirming the strategic partnership for sustainable growth and development between Thailand and the Laos PDR,” Chai said.

During his visit, PM Srettha will also call on Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, who also serves as general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and Xaysomphone Phomvihane, the president of Laos’ National Assembly, according to the spokesman.

The Thai leader is also scheduled to jointly preside over, with his Laotian counterpart, the opening ceremony of the Vientiane (Khamsavath) Railway Station in the Laotian capital.

Construction of the railway station was completed earlier this year. It is situated on the Laos-Thailand Railway in inner Vientiane. It is about 7.5 kilometres from Laos’ Thanaleng station, which connects to Thailand’s Nong Khai province.

The rail extension and construction of the new Vientiane station are funded by Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency. The total cost is 994.7 million baht, 30% of which is in grant and 70% as a low-interest loan.

Laos will be the fifth Asean country that PM Srettha would be visiting after assuming office in late August, following Cambodia, Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Meanwhile, PM Srettha on Friday offered alms to 10 Buddhist monks during a religious ceremony held at Government House.
According to the prime minister’s deputy secretary-general, Somkid Chueakong, Srettha wanted to make merit after having worked at the premises for two months.

A source close to the prime minister said that the merit making was held for auspiciousness as Srettha planned to occasionally stay at his office. His bedroom at Government House has been renovated.

Srettha, who also doubles as the finance minister, offered alms to 10 senior monks from different Bangkok temples. The ceremony was also attended by some Cabinet members and senior PM’s Office officials.

The monks offered blessings to the prime minister and other participants of the ceremony. Chaokhun Somdej Thongchai, a senior monk from Traimit Withayaram Temple, sprinkled holy water inside the PM’s bedroom at Government House.

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Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn elected as Pheu Thai leader

• Pheu Thai will "keep eyes on the star and feet on the ground" : Paetongtarn

The Pheu Thai party, under its new leadership, will keep its eyes on the stars and its feet on the ground, while standing shoulder to shoulder with the people, said Paetongtarn today (Friday) in her first speech as party leader.

“Pheu Thai party’s heart is the people,” she said.

She said she realises that her new mission is sizeable and important, especially in the current volatile political context.“I have great confidence in the party, because it has a large number of well-qualified personnel with considerable experience. We have continuously developed since the Thai Rak Thai days,” she said.

Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of imprisoned former PM Thaksin, added that she has to thank her father for showing his commitment and political ideology to her.

“I would like to thank Khun Thaksin for allowing me to learn from him and being my inspiration in life,” she said.

The party will continue to develop, she said, with leadership by a new generation of politicians. We will learn lessons from the May general election, in order to lead the party back to its first place position.

The premiership of Srettha Thavisin over the past two months has been productive, creating opportunities for the people and the country, she said, adding the party will continue working to improve equality and the quality of lives, she said.

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• Srettha to open new train station during his Laos visit next Monday

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to visit Laos on Monday (October 30) to boost bilateral ties with Thailand’s eastern neighbour, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Friday.

The official visit comes after an invitation from Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, according to the spokesman.

“This official visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and close cooperation while reaffirming the strategic partnership for sustainable growth and development between Thailand and the Laos PDR,” Chai said.

During his visit, PM Srettha will also call on Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, who also serves as general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and Xaysomphone Phomvihane, the president of Laos’ National Assembly, according to the spokesman.

The Thai leader is also scheduled to jointly preside over, with his Laotian counterpart, the opening ceremony of the Vientiane (Khamsavath) Railway Station in the Laotian capital.

Construction of the railway station was completed earlier this year. It is situated on the Laos-Thailand Railway in inner Vientiane. It is about 7.5 kilometres from Laos’ Thanaleng station, which connects to Thailand’s Nong Khai province.

The rail extension and construction of the new Vientiane station are funded by Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency. The total cost is 994.7 million baht, 30% of which is in grant and 70% as a low-interest loan.

Laos will be the fifth Asean country that PM Srettha would be visiting after assuming office in late August, following Cambodia, Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Meanwhile, PM Srettha on Friday offered alms to 10 Buddhist monks during a religious ceremony held at Government House.

According to the prime minister’s deputy secretary-general, Somkid Chueakong, Srettha wanted to make merit after having worked at the premises for two months.

A source close to the prime minister said that the merit making was held for auspiciousness as Srettha planned to occasionally stay at his office. His bedroom at Government House has been renovated.

Srettha, who also doubles as the finance minister, offered alms to 10 senior monks from different Bangkok temples. The ceremony was also attended by some Cabinet members and senior PM’s Office officials.

The monks offered blessings to the prime minister and other participants of the ceremony. Chaokhun Somdej Thongchai, a senior monk from Traimit Withayaram Temple, sprinkled holy water inside the PM’s bedroom at Government House.

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• Govt urges ‘urgent evacuation’ of Thais in Israel as conflict with Hamas worsens

The Thai government on Saturday urged all Thais in Israel to leave as soon as possible now that the Jewish state has announced an expanded military ground operation in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, and his deputy Jakkapong Sangmanee issued a joint statement calling on all Thais living in Israel to return home as the armed conflict was expanding.

Family members and relatives of Thai workers in Israel were also asked to help persuade them in the hope that they would decide against staying on in the country.

“As Israel is intensifying ground operation in the Gaza Strip, the fighting is likely to become more intense, which is dangerous for Thais living in Israel. Also, when the fighting expands to larger areas, the repatriation operation will be complicated. The government is worried about the safety of Thais in Israel and asks you to return to Thailand as soon as possible,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Saturday.

About 4,000 Thais have been repatriated by air from Israel since a new round of armed conflict with Hamas militants broke out on October 7, with a surprise morning attack that left hundreds of Israelis dead.

However, many Thai workers – most of whom were hired as farmhands – decided not to return after their employees reportedly offered to raise their wages.

The appeal from the prime minister and his ministers came as the Foreign Ministry issued a new warning for Thais to join repatriation as soon as possible following Israel’s expanding military operation in Gaza.

Those wishing to return to Thailand can contact the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv or head for the relief centre at the David InterContinental Hotel at the address: Kaufmann Street 12, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 61501. The centre’s phone number is 050-443 8094. The embassy can be contacted by phone at 055-271 2201, 053-245 2826, and 054-636 8150.

On Saturday, the Israeli military announced an expanded ground operation after knocking out communications and creating a near-blackout of information in the Gaza Strip with increased bombardment and artillery fire overnight. Explosions from continuous airstrikes lit up the sky over Gaza City for hours after nightfall on Friday.

The Israeli military said it was expanding ground operations in the territory, signalling a move closer to an all-out invasion of Gaza meant to crush the ruling Hamas militant group after its attack on October 7.

More than 1,400 people were slain in Israel during the Hamas incursion, including at least 310 soldiers, according to the Israeli government. At least 229 hostages were taken into Gaza, though four were released earlier.

The Palestinian death toll, meanwhile, has passed 7,300, including over 2,900 children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

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• 71 Thai vocational students due to arrive from Israel on Monday

All the remaining 71 Thai vocational students, undergoing training in agriculture under a bilateral Thai-Israeli cooperation program, are to be flown back to Thailand on Monday.

Siripong Angkasakulkiat, vice minister of education, said today (Sunday) that 78 Thai vocational students had gone to Israel for agricultural training, at the Arava International Centre for Agricultural Training (AICAT), as part of the program.

He said seven students were repatriated earlier, adding that he had advised the remaining students that, even if their training centre is far from the war zone, there is still the risk of spill-over violence and, for their safety, urged all of them to return to Thailand immediately.

The students have agreed to be repatriated, he said, adding that, if the situation in Israel returns to normal and any of the students want to return to Israel to continue their training, the Ministry of Education will try make the arrangements.

Meanwhile, Interior Permanent Secretary Suttipong Juljarern said that provincial officials have been told to urge families of Thais still working in Israel to convince them to return to Thailand.

There are about 30,000 Thai nationals working in Israel, mostly in the farming sector. Fewer than 9,000 have agreed to be repatriated, while the rest remain reluctant to leave Israel, mostly due to concerns over outstanding debts at home, which will become a problem if they leave their well-paid jobs.

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• PM did not suggest he will step down to pave way for Paetongtarn

After she was elected Pheu Thai’s new leader yesterday (Friday), Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s comment about Paetongtarn Shinawatra now being qualified to be the next prime minister of Thailand was not indicating that he may resign, to pave way for Paetongtarn to succeed him, according to Phumtham Wechayachai, deputy party leader, today.

He dismissed speculation that Srettha may serve as prime minister for only two years and then pass the baton to Paetongtarn to serve for the remaining two years of the term.

The prime minister’s praise for Paetongtarn and images of him holding her hand after election as party leader have no hidden meaning, but are “just a show of admiration and mutual respect,” Phumtham explained.

Every party leader has a chance to become prime minister, he said, adding that Paetongtarn is more suitable, has more experience than the other party member and is ready to lead the party in the next general election in less than four years from now.

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• Commerce Ministry proposes rice price stabilisation scheme

The Thai Ministry of Commerce will propose, to the National Rice Policy and Management Committee this Wednesday, a 4-point measure to stabilise rice prices through the stockpiling of about 14 million tonnes of paddy for up to 5 months before the unmilled grain is released onto the market when the prices are right.

The harvest season for the 2023-24 rice crop will start in November in Thailand.

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Saturday that the measure was worked out by the ministry after it had taken opinions and suggestions from all stakeholders, among them rice farmers, millers and exporters.

First, farmers and farmers’ cooperatives will be asked to keep their paddy stock for 1-5 months, with the government providing them a subsidy of 1,500 baht per tonne, 1,000 baht for cooperatives and 500 baht for the farmers. The paddy in stock will be sold to millers when the price is deemed to be right.

Second, warehouse or silo operators will be asked to stock about 10 million tonnes of paddy for 2-6 months, with the government agreeing to shoulder their interest payments of up to 4% for the duration of the stockpiling.

Third, the government will shoulder interest payments of 3.85% for 15 months on behalf of individuals or cooperatives for stocking one million tonnes of paddy.

Finally, Phumtham said the government will help rice farmers reduce their production costs by granting each household a 1,000 baht subsidy for the rice harvest for each 0.16 hectares, but not exceeding 3.2 hectares.

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• Thailand objects to displaying of graphic images from Hamas attack on Israel

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry has voiced disapproval over Israel’s publication of video showing the brutal killing of a victim, asserted to be a Thai national, at a UN General Assembly meeting.

The ministry’s statement described the victims being shown as being “inhumanly killed, injured and abducted” as a result of the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

“Such horrific brutality has stirred a sense of outrage, not only among Thais but, undoubtedly, among people worldwide,” according to the statement.

The ministry disapproved of the display of such footage, which does not afford the proper respect and due consideration to the deceased and his family.

The Thai ministry was referring to a clip shown by Israel’s permanent ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, as he was addressing the special session of the UNGA on the Hamas-Israeli violence on Oct 26.

Erdan showed 193 UN members a clip of a Hamas fighter trying to decapitate a man with a garden tool during the Palestinian militants’ October 7th attack on Israel.

The victim, seen in the few seconds of footage he played for them on a tablet, was not Israeli or Jewish, but reportedly an agricultural labourer from Thailand.

“One can see a terribly injured civilian, bloodied, yet alive, laying on the ground as a Hamas savage, screaming Allahu Akbar, repeatedly pummels the man’s neck with a garden hoe in order to decapitate him,” Reuters quoted Erdan as telling the assembly.

The Thai Foreign Ministry’s statement, issued over the weekend, also condemned the killing of innocent civilians, regardless of nationality, by any group and for whatever reason.

Moreover, the ministry expressed its profound sorrow that the conflict has resulted in 32 Thai nationals having lost their lives, 19 being injured and 19 abducted (as of October 28th, 2023) and reiterated its call for the immediate release of all hostages of all nationalities detained.”

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• 30 Hong Kong firms keen on using Thailand to enter Asean markets

Thailand’s Trade Representative Nalinee Taveesin recently met 30 Hong Kong-based business entities keen on establishing production and logistics ventures in Thailand.

This initiative aligns with Hong Kong’s aim to expand its presence in Asean.

Nalinee also exchanged valuable trade-related insights with Ronald Ho, regional director of Southeast and South Asia at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Forming a collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will open up opportunities for Thai businesses, particularly SMEs and start-ups, to boost their product distribution and refine their skills.

This partnership will also place a strong emphasis on promoting products through e-commerce, webinars, virtual exhibitions, matchmaking events and online business platforms, contributing to the overall economic value of Thailand, Nalinee said.

The Thai trade rep also met with Kelvin Yang, president of the Fashion Designers Association of Hong Kong, to discuss the versatility of Thai silk beyond clothing, encompassing its use in furniture and everyday items.

The idea involves holding exhibitions alongside fashion shows to make Thai silk more accessible to younger generations, fostering new trends and shedding its formal image.

At the meeting, Nalinee also emphasised the pivotal role played by Hong Kong as a bridge between China and the rest of the world, serving as an international financial hub. In 2022, trade ties between Thailand and Hong Kong reached a total value of US$11.90 billion, ranking Hong Kong as Thailand’s 13th-largest trading partner.

Key Thai exports to Hong Kong include computers and components, jewellery, and electronic circuit boards.

Meanwhile, Ho also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to attend the Asian Financial Forum, which will be held in January in Hong Kong. This invitation follows Srettha’s recent meeting with John Lee Ka-chiu, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

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• Thai government tweaks strategy for joint extraction of petroleum resources with Cambodia

he government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has proposed an adjustment to the negotiation strategy with Cambodia on the overlapping claims areas (OCA) in the Gulf of Thailand, according to government officials.

The tweaking of the framework of the Thailand-Cambodia 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to speed up talks to reach an agreement on joint extraction of petroleum resources

Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said his government would refocus the negotiation with Cambodia on the OCA, emphasizing joint development rather than delimitation of the territorial sea.

“We need energy from the OCA, not the delimitation of the territorial sea. It’s difficult and takes time to settle disputes over territory since no country can easily accept the change in its boundaries,” he said.

Thailand and Cambodia have claimed their respective continental shelves and territorial seas at different times and the claims were based on different laws. “Both countries have legitimate claims, so it’s hard to judge who is right or wrong,” said Pirapan, a legal expert. “If we cannot settle the dispute easily, what is the point in making it more complicated by linking the two issues together,” he said.

The MoU, jointly signed by the former Thai foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai and the late chairman of Cambodian National Petroleum Authority, Sok An, on June 18, 2001, in Phnom Penh made clear that negotiations on delimiting territorial borders in the sea and the joint development of petroleum resources must be done simultaneously as an indivisible package.

A long history

More in the link

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Srettha vows to help turn Laos into ‘land-linked’ country by investing big on projects

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is in Laos on an official visit, promised his Laotian counterpart that Thailand would help the neighbouring country become a land-linked nation from a land-locked one.

Key points:

• Thai PM promises to grant Laos a soft loan for building railway bridge across Mekong
• Promises transport, logistics cooperation
• Promises to jointly develop trade area with Laos and raise bilateral trade value to US$11 billion

He also promised a soft loan for building a railway bridge across the Mekong.

Srettha met Laos PM Sonexay Siphandon on Monday morning to discuss a wide range of issues from trade, transport and logistics to infrastructure, transboundary haze and clean energy.

Government spokesman Chai Watcharong said after the two held a formal discussion, the premiers signed two memoranda of understanding before presiding over the completion of two projects marking long-standing bilateral ties.

Chai said Srettha and Sonexay had signed an MoU on cultural exchange and cooperation between Thailand’s Culture Ministry and Laos’ Information, Culture and Tourism Ministry.

The two premiers also signed an MoU on technical assistance for Laos to develop its railway system. Specifically, it was an MoU of cooperation between the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Neda) and Laos for technical assistance on locomotive driving and ticketing system, as well as the development of a business model on Laos’ national railway system.

The two then presided over a ceremony to mark the completion of a friendship park and an agricultural learning centre based on the sufficiency principles of King Rama IX. The two ceremonies mark the 70th anniversary of Thao-Laos diplomatic ties.

The government spokesman also said the two premiers discussed the following issues:

• Trade: Srettha pledged to jointly establish and develop a growth area between Laos and Thailand’s Northeast to achieve bilateral trade worth US$11 billion by 2025. The Thai Commerce Ministry will discuss the subject soon with its Laos counterpart.
• Basic infrastructure: Srettha promised to help develop basic infrastructure, so Laos can transform itself from a land-locked country to a land-linked one.
• Railway links: Srettha proposed that bilateral discussions on a railway bridge linking Nong Khai with Vientiane. Srettha also promised to provide a soft loan to finance the Laos side of the contract.

Srettha also proposed that the two countries speed up the drafting of a framework for technical arrangement, so a tourism rail route between Nong Khai and Vientiane can start next year.

• Transport and logistics: Srettha, meanwhile, congratulated Laos for good progress being made in the building of several friendship bridges. For instance, the 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge from Bueng Kan to Bolikhamsai Province is about to be completed soon.

Chai said the two sides have also agreed in principle to build the sixth friendship bridge from Ubon Ratchathani to Salavan in Laos.

Srettha, meanwhile, has called on both sides to jointly consider measures for improving transport and logistics between the two countries, including setting clear handling charges when Thai goods use Laos’ Vientiane Logistics Park. Srettha also proposed that both countries accelerate the setting up of a common control area at the 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Mukdahan to reduce the joint cost of operations.

• Transborder haze: Both countries have agreed in principle to draft a joint action plan covering Thailand, Laos and Myanmar to control the transborder haze issue. Thailand will also support Laos in mapping its fire risk map.
• Clean energy: Srettha expressed interest in buying more clean energy from Laos to cope with Thailand’s expanding industrial sector.

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• Perfectly legal to borrow 560bn for digital wallet scheme, says Phumtham

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said it is perfectly legal for the government to borrow 560 billion baht to finance its controversial digital wallet scheme.

Phumtham, who also doubles as deputy prime minister, said the previous government led by General Prayut Chan-o-cha had applied royal decrees to borrow 1 trillion baht to stimulate the economy. Hence, he said, the government can do the same.

Phumtham said the Pheu Thai-led coalition’s goal is to stimulate the economy, and it can be done legally through the borrowing of up to 560 billion baht.

“There should be no problem in getting a loan of 560 billion baht to stimulate the economy,” he said.

While campaigning for votes, Pheu Thai had promised that its government would hand out 10,000 baht to each Thai national aged 16 and above via a Blockchain-based digital wallet. This scheme would require a budget of 560 billion baht.

Some critics said the scheme would violate the law and many called on the government to adjust the scheme by restricting the types of recipients, so it would cost less.

Phumtham also welcomed the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)’s recent decision to study the scheme to find out if it would violate any law.

Phutham said the government would be willing to heed any suggestions from the NACC. He said if the NACC finds the scheme violating any laws, it should come forward to work with the government to help the administration do away with such legal obstacles.

He said the handout is necessary as the country’s economy has been sluggish since the 2014 coup, and the economic stimulus will boost the country’s GDP.

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In other news….

• Study shows digital wallet scheme will boost GDP with minimal impact on public debt

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• Digital ministry sets up ‘one-stop-service’ centre to tackle online scams

A one-stop centre to combat online frauds has been set up by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, allowing victims to report instances without having to deal with several other sectors or authorities, minister Prasert Chantararuangthong said

The Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC 1441), which will open next Wednesday, stemmed from cooperation between the ministry and several relevant bodies, namely banks, police departments, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission.

Prasert said that the purpose of the AOC 1441 was to employ sectoral integration to make it easier to deal with online scammers.

Previously, victims of scams had to reach out to multiple organisations, leading to lengthy delays of weeks or even months before their bank accounts could be frozen, he said.

However, with this centre, victims now only need to report their cases to the centre, and the process of freezing a fraudulent bank account would be completed in no more than one week, he added.

The minister explained that victim information would be stored on a government-owned cloud service system, whose security has been validated by an international standard.

He added that anyone affected by internet frauds could contact 1441 at all times, with 100 operators available.

Digital ministry sets up ‘one-stop-service’ centre to tackle online scams

According to reports by the High-Tech Crime Division at the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, there are currently 700 scam and fraud cases per day, with 40% involving e-commerce crime.

The Thai government earlier said that over the past year and a half, around 365,000 cases of online fraud had been reported, causing losses of 45 billion baht.

Prasert said that he had already had conversations with neighbouring countries in case Thailand requires their assistance in helping people who were being held on their territory.

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• Thailand to lift deep South emergency by 2027: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang on Monday told a House committee that the government will lift the emergency decree imposed in the insurgency-hit southern border provinces by 2027.

Sutin gave the pledge while speaking to the House panel on national security, border affairs, strategies and reforms, said committee chairman Rangsiman Rome.

The panel summoned the defence minister and armed forces chiefs and called on the government to lift the emergency decree.

Sutin replied that the armed forces still needed the decree to maintain security in the restive region, where more than 7,000 have been killed in insurgency related violence since 2004.

However, the defence minister promised to consider relaxing the decree gradually until it is lifted across al of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla by 2027, Rangsiman said.

Sutin also promised to end compulsory conscription to the armed forces soon but said the policy was still needed for national security, he added.

On the Royal Thai Navy’s plan to switch from procuring a Chinese submarine to an anti-submarine frigate, Rangsiman said the panel argued that the exchange should not cost the country more money.

Sutin said earlier that the Navy would need at least another 1 billion baht to buy the frigate after the submarine deal sank over China’s inability to provide a German-made engine.

Sutin also promised to open direct lines of communication for urgent matters between the panel and armed forces’ chiefs, Rangsiman said.

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• It’s Tuesday!

Srettha promises to deliberate Marriage Equality Bill on Tuesday

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Thursday promised full support for the LGBTQ-focused Marriage Equality Bill, which will be sent for Cabinet approval on Tuesday, a government spokesman said.

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• Cabinet okays Commerce Ministry’s proposal, makes sugar a controlled commodity

The Cabinet rejected plans to boost the price of sugar by 4 baht per kilo and instead agreed to add it to the list of controlled goods.

After the weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters that the Cabinet decided to approve the Commerce Ministry’s proposal to add sugar to the list of controlled goods under the 1999 Prices of Goods and Services Act.

The PM said the Cabinet resolution will go into effect once it is published in the Royal Gazette, which should be on Wednesday.

The Commerce Ministry sought the Cabinet’s approval after the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services, chaired by Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed to regulate sugar prices to alleviate the impact on consumers.

The committee took this action in response to the Cane and Sugar Board’s announcement on Friday, that it would allow ex-factory sugar prices to be raised by 4 baht per kilogram.

This announcement prompted sugar to disappear from grocery shelves as shops hoped to sell the product at higher prices.

As per the Commerce Ministry and central committee on prices, the ex-factory prices of granulated sugar and refined sugar will be retained at 19 baht and 20 baht per kilo respectively.

The retail price of granulated sugar and refined sugar will also remain unchanged at 24 baht and 25 baht per kilogram, respectively.

After his committee reached its decision, Phumtham said on Monday that it was necessary to alleviate the burden on the public.

He said sugar is used in several products, such as canned foods, drinks and desserts, and if the price was raised, it would have an impact on the public.

Phumtham added that from now on, the price of sugar will be controlled by the central prices committee and the announcement of the sugar board would no longer be effective.

Apart from leaving the price of sugar unchanged, the central prices committee will also control the export of the commodity. Those wanting to export more than a tonne of sugar will be required to first get the approval of a subcommittee of the central prices committee.

Phumtham said the rejection of the sugar board’s decision will have no impact on sugarcane farmers as they will continue receiving subsidies from the government.

________

• Cabinet okays excise tax cuts on all gasohol fuel

Gasohol 91 and 95 will become 1 baht cheaper as of November 7 for three months, according to a Cabinet resolution.

Energy Minister Peeraphan Salirathaviphak said on Tuesday that excise tax for all types of gasohol (petrol combined with ethanol) will be reduced by 1 baht a litre.

However, gasohol 91 will take a 2.50 baht cut, as it gets an additional 1.50 baht subsidy from the Oil Fuel Fund, Peeraphan said.

[OhOh]

^
Thank you, useful info you are posting.

[S Landreth]

^I think it’s much more convenient for members/guests to view the history (in one thread) rather than look throughout the forum for news related to this new Thai government.

_________

• No more charter evacuation flights for Thais in Israel after today : govt spokesman

The Thai government will not charter any more flights to bring Thais back from Israel after the last chartered evacuation flight today, unless there are enough passengers to fill an aircraft, Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Wednesday.

He said that Thais in Israel can, however, still make their own arrangements to fly back to Thailand and apply for a refund for the cost of the air ticket from the Labour Ministry.

The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv has told Thai nationals that they must report to a hotel in the Israeli capital today, if they wish to be on the last evacuation flight arranged by the Thai government.

Chai also said that the government has set aside 1.2 billion baht for returning Thais who need loans to repay their debt or to start a new business. On top of that, the Government Savings Bank and the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives have agreed to provide a combined 2 billion baht in long-term loans.

The low interest long-term loans, of up to 150,000 baht, will be extended to those who are in need of the money. The repayment period will be 20 years or by the time the borrower reaches 60.

_________

• No visa fees for Taiwanese, Indian tourists from Nov 10

Indian and Taiwan passport holders will now be able to enter Thailand without a visa from November 10 to May 10 next year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Tuesday.

“Tourists from India and Taiwan can enter Thailand for 30 days,” government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said.

Before the Cabinet approved the visa waiver, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the government was looking into ways of making it easier for foreign tourists to travel. This includes air travel measures, like visa exemption and land border checkpoints.

This visa-free policy has been applicable for Chinese tourists since September 25 and will run until February next year.

The prime minister said the government is looking to see if this exemption can be made permanent.

There are additional plans to make things easier for Malaysians entering Thailand through the Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province.

This special arrangement will waive the requirement of filling out immigration forms.

Thailand is targeting some 28 million arrivals this year, with the government hoping that the travel sector can help revive the economy.

There are additional plans to make things easier for Malaysians entering Thailand through the Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province.

This special arrangement will waive the requirement of filling out immigration forms.

Thailand is targeting some 28 million arrivals this year, with the government hoping that the travel sector can help revive the economy.

_______

• Paetongtarn predicts tighter US-Thai cooperation after talks with ambassador

Newly elected Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra has expressed confidence that the United States will tighten cooperation with Thailand under the Pheu Thai-led government.

Paetongtarn said she hosted US ambassador Robert Godec at Pheu Thai headquarters on Monday for talks on cooperation in a wide range of issues.

Posting on Facebook, she said the US ambassador pledged enhanced multilevel cooperation to mark the 190th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries this year.

Those levels would include government, private sector, universities, and people-to-people cooperation, she added.

Paetongtarn said the Godec was also keen on supporting the student exchange programme by granting scholarships to Thai students to study in the US.

The envoy meanwhile expressed admiration for Pheu Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent efforts on trips abroad to promote investment in Thailand.

“The ambassador also advised on how to promote Thailand to US investors,” she said.

Thai soft power was another topic of discussion, with Paetongtarn putting out an invitation to Hollywood scriptwriters to visit Thailand to teach their local counterparts. She said the Thai government may also send local filmmakers to attend short courses in the US to learn more about the US movie industry.

Paetongtarn encouraged the US ambassador to partake in the cooling delights of Thailand’s “winter” high season and also the Songkran Water Festival in April next year.

Paetongtarn was elected unopposed as Pheu Thai leader on Friday.

________

• Finance Ministry aims to cut household debt to 80% of GDP for economic stabilty

Thailand’s Finance Ministry has embarked on a mission to curtail the nation’s household debt level and bring it down to 80% of the GDP.

Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana said on Sunday that the household debt situation was critical, amounting to about 16 trillion baht, which is equivalent to about 90% of the GDP. Of this, about 10% can be categorised as “bad debt”.

The ministry’s target to reduce household debt to 80% of the GDP comes with a comprehensive approach focused on debt relief for borrowers, particularly those linked to state financial institutions. The goal is to help them come out of credit blacklists and regain their financial footing.

To deal with this, the Government Savings Bank (GSB) has been tasked with launching a household debt relief project by setting up an Asset Management Corporation (AMC). This corporation’s primary role will be to oversee the handling of bad household debts originating from state financial institutions. In the future, private commercial banks can also transfer their non-performing debts to the AMC.

“Improving the structure of household debts will likely benefit financial institutions as these bad debts are fully reserved by financial institutions. Therefore, any debt recovered after restructuring will translate into profits for the financial sector,” Krisada said.

In a bid to facilitate debt restructuring, GSB has been instructed to introduce a user-friendly menu-based system. This system will offer borrowers a range of options, including debt reduction and extending repayment periods.

The Finance Ministry, meanwhile, has also instructed the National Saving Fund (NSF) to integrate the 8 million informal workers who are not registered in the social security system and do not have a retirement savings plan. The minister has instructed NSF to enrol at least 6 million of them into the NSF system by next year.

Thailand has some 18 million informal workers, of whom only 10 million are registered under the social security plan.

[S Landreth]

• Netanyahu assures Srettha of Israel's efforts to help Thai hostages

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has assured Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin that his government will do its best to help secure the release of Thai workers being held hostage by the Hamas militants in Gaza.

Srettha said the assurance was given during a phone conversation he had with the Israeli leader this evening.

Netanyahu also pledged to help facilitate a return of Thai workers remaining in Israel if the current situation worsens and to arrange for them to be relocated to safe zones, according to Srettha.

The Thai prime minister quoted Netanyahu as saying that negotiations for the release of hostages being held by Hamas are ongoing and expressing his condolences for the deaths of Thai workers who were killed in the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7.

At least 22 Thais are believed to have been captured by the Hamas militants.

“He said if there is any progress, he will personally call me. And if there is any bargaining involved, he will also inform me. I told him that we are open and our priority is to bring the Thai workers home safely,” Srettha said.

Srettha said Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Thai workers’ contribution and encouraged Thai workers to return to Israel once the situation returns to normal.

Wan Noor’s aides say Hamas promised to release Thai hostages unharmed, but set no dates

_______

• Panpree calls on Qatar, Iran to help secure release of Thais held hostage by Hamas

Foreign Minister Panpree Bahiddha-Nukara travelled to Qatar to meet the prime minister and discuss how Thailand can secure the release of its 22 nationals being held hostage by Hamas.

The meeting with Qatar PM Sheik Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who also doubles as Foreign Minister, was held in Doha on Tuesday.

At the meeting, Panpree praised Qatar’s role in providing humanitarian aid to war victims and working hard to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Both Thailand and Qatar back negotiations that can lead to a genuine resolution to the conflict. The leaders also expressed condolences for the loss of lives and damage to property, with the Qatar PM commiserating for the deaths of 32 Thai workers. Sheikh Mohammed also agreed to provide full assistance to secure the release of Thai hostages, confirming that Thailand was not involved in the conflict and its nationals should be among the first freed by the militants.

The two sides also discussed enhancing cooperation and expanding bilateral ties in various sectors, particularly energy, food security, medical tourism and trade and investment.

Later in the day, Panpree met Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, also in Doha.

Both sides expressed concern about the volatile situation in Israel and Gaza, and the impact it is having on innocent civilians. Panpree also sought Iran’s support to expedite the release of Thai hostages, to which Iran pledged its full support.

Both parties also discussed expanding cooperation and promoting bilateral relations on all dimensions.

Panpree’s next stop was Cairo, where he met key officials calling for assistance in securing the release of Thai hostages.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation and developments in the Middle East.

Panpree said that though the Thai government is committed to securing the swift release of all hostages, their exact location is unknown. He said nobody knows if Hamas is keeping the hostages inside or outside the Gaza Strip.

Nevertheless, he added, the Thai government is ready to engage in negotiations through any available channels to secure their release.

Thai hostages may be among first groups to be freed

[S Landreth]

• Transport Ministry to take 1-trillion southern land bridge project on roadshow in 2024

The Transport Ministry will launch a roadshow of the 1-trillion-baht southern Land Bridge project next year in a bid to grab the attention of big foreign investors.

Key points:

• 2 deep-sea ports, land bridge to be ready by 2030
• Foreign investors to be given over 50% stake in joint venture
• Operations contract to last for 50 years

The aim is to attract large foreign conglomerates to build two deep-sea ports and a land link between them.

Panya Chupanich, director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), said the Cabinet recently told the Transport Ministry that it can go ahead with its ambitious plan to turn Thailand into a key marine logistics hub with the land bridge project.

The Cabinet also instructed the ministry to take the roadshow overseas to invite foreign investors to bid for the project, Panya added.

The OTP is currently in charge of the project, but once the government enacts the Southern Economic Corridor bill next year, the project will be taken over by the Office of the Southern Economic Corridor (OSEC).

Port locations pinpointed

Panya said his agency has completed studies of the prospective locations of the two deep-sea ports and has settled on the Andaman Sea’s Ao Ang Bay in Ranong and the Gulf of Thailand’s Riew Cape in Chumphon.

He said about 1 trillion baht will be needed for building the ports, a motorway and a double-track railway linking the ports.

The expected costs are as follows:

• 300 billion baht for the Chumphon deep-sea port
• 330 billion baht for the Ranong deep-sea port
• 140 billion baht for developing a goods transport system between the ports
• 220 billion baht for developing land and rail links between the ports

However, Panya said the study is not fully complete as OTP officials have yet to visit the selected sites to come up with proper estimates before compiling an Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) report.

Panya added that the OTP believes the roadshow can begin next year and will help sound out the opinions of both Thai and foreign investors.

These opinions, he said, will then be used to draft the request for proposal to call a bid in early 2025, he added.

Once a winner is selected, the contract should be signed in the third quarter of 2025.

He added that the roadshow will be held in countries where investors may be interested, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, France, and Germany.

Foreign investors will be allowed to hold more than 50% of the joint venture that bids for the project, as OTP realises that the cost will be high.

The winner of the bid will be allowed to hold a concession of the ports’ operations for 50 years, so the project is appealing enough for foreign investors.

For the sake of mobility and convenience, the bidding will be done in one contract for one operator of both ports, the motorway and rail link, Panya added.

The ports should go into operation by 2030, he added.

OTP expects the volume of goods transported through the two ports to be:

• 19.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) via the Ranong port
• 13.8 million TEU via the Chumphon port

Meanwhile, a Transport Ministry source said the government expected the draft on the Southern Economic Corridor bill to be enacted within December and OSEC should be ready to take charge of the project and hold bidding from April to June 2025. The source believes the Cabinet will approve the contractor by August 2025.

Construction is expected to be completed within five years after that and the ports should go into operation by October 2030, the source added.

________

• Thailand, Egypt discuss bringing Thais out through Rafah crossing

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Egypt to allow Thai officials access to the Rafah border crossing to bring Thai hostages out of conflict areas in the Gaza Strip as soon as they are released by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara was in Cairo on Wednesday for discussions with his counterpart Sameh Hassan Shoukry over a plan to bring 22 Thai hostages home as the negations with Hamas leaders continue.

Parnpree expressed his condolences to Egyptians who have been affected by the Hamas-Israel war and underlined Thailand’s stance in calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Both sides agreed to promote sincere and creative peace talks between Israel and Palestine to end the conflict.

Parnpree also urged the Egyptian government to support the negotiations with Hamas for the release of Thai and other hostages as soon as possible.

Shoukry said that Egypt will provide full support for Thailand’s efforts to bring the hostages home via the country’s Rafah border crossing, in the south of the Gaza Strip.

The two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation between their countries in other areas and the upcoming celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024.

As of Wednesday, the number of deaths and injuries among Thai nationals as a result of the war remained the same at 32 and 19 respectively.

[S Landreth]

• More charter flights to evacuate Thais from Israel

Additional charter flights have been arranged for today and tomorrow to evacuate Thais from Israel. The embassy in Tel Aviv is urging Thais to report to the evacuation centre, at a hotel in the Israeli capital, if they want to be repatriated.

Earlier, the Thai Foreign Ministry had said that no more charter flights would be arranged, after the last evacuation flight on Wednesday, unless there are enough evacuees to justify additional flights.

Meanwhile, Labour Permanent Secretary Pairoj Chotikasathien said that he has learned, from the Israeli ambassador in Thailand, that there are about 60 unidentified people of Asian origin who have been killed in Israel and it is unknown whether there are any Thais among them.

To date, 8,602 Thais, including some students, have been repatriated, he said, adding that about 15,000 Thai workers are still in Israel and about 5,000 in Gaza.

He also said that it is not known how many of the 5,000 Thai workers have been evacuated from Gaza, but Israeli officials have told the Thai embassy that they will do their best to extract them to safety.

According to the Thai Foreign Ministry’s web page, Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara held talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo yesterday, during which Parnpree asked Egypt to open the crossing at Rafah, to allow Thai hostages through, if or when they are released by Hamas.

Twenty-two Thais are believed to be held captive, but Hamas have insisted that they only have 19, who are now safe, and they promised to release them when the Israeli bombardment of Gaza ceases.

________

• PM underlines plans to expand GDP at FTI event

Speaking at the Foreign Industrial Club Gala Dinner event hosted by the Federation of Thai Industries at the Athenee Hotel in Bangkok on Wednesday (November 1), Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin told foreign business leaders that the country is ready for future investments and pledged full support to the private sector in target industries to boost the economy and improve people’s quality of life.

The PM, whose presentation was titled “Reformation of Thai Economy Amidst Polycrisis”, underlined the government’s economic stimulus measures to expand GDP in the post Covid era and prepare Thailand for long-term economic success. These “quick win” measures focus on cost-of-living reduction, domestic spending stimulation, improving people’s quality of life and promoting investment and business expansion.

Srettha went on to say that key measures to achieve the above goals included providing a debt moratorium for SMEs and farmers to boost their competitiveness, and the digital wallet scheme, which would revitalise the economy by increasing people’s purchasing power and raising production, leading to employment and job creation, as well as the circulation and multiplication of economic activities.

The PM said another quick win would be kickstarting tourism through the visa-exempt scheme for tourists from China including Taiwan, Kazakhstan and India, as well as several other countries currently under consideration.

In the future, through collaboration with the business sector, the MICE industry will be promoted, placing Thailand at the hub for regional conferences and exhibitions, he added.

The Prime Minister then stressed the key part of his government’s strategy, which is to transform Thailand from a manufacturer of low-profit commodities and primary agriculture products, into a high-value technology and innovation-driven economy. This will be done through investment promotion and the issuing of supporting policies for target industries, namely electric vehicles (EV), smart electronics, robotics and automation, medical and wellness, and processed foods.

Srettha also underscored the importance of environmental policies, noting that Thailand is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero by 2065. The country is reducing its reliance on fossil energy, increasing forest areas and investing in renewable energy to achieve this goal, he said, adding that Thailand was able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% in the energy and transportation sectors in the past year.

“This would be an opportunity for Thailand and its private sector to move towards sustainability and make this a competitive advantage for the country,” said Srettha.

[S Landreth]

• Srettha to meet Biden in San Francisco next month

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to visit the United States and meet with President Joe Biden next month for bilateral talks.

The source said that Srettha will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Leaders Meeting (APEC) in San Francisco, scheduled for November 15-17, and hold side-line meetings with APEC leaders, including Biden and leaders from 22 other economies. Both men met previously in New York, during the United Nations General Assembly in late September.

This year the US is chairing the APEC leaders’ meeting, on the theme of “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.”

APEC is a regional economic forum, established in 1989 to promote trade in the Asia-Pacific region. As host, Washington views APEC as the premier platform on which to advance economic policies in the region, to promote free, fair and open trade and investment and to advance sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

APEC countries account for nearly 40% of the global population and nearly 50% of global trade. For the US, its members are the destination for well over 60% of U.S. exports.

Furthermore, as of 2020, the APEC members have invested nearly US$1.7 trillion and employ 2.3 million American workers. Last year, in Bangkok, APEC leaders adopted a leaders’ statement outlining their successes and mutual cooperation in the future. Thailand succeeded in imbedding the bio-circular-green economic models into the APEC work programs.

___________

• Dieting Srettha listens to vendors complain about rising food prices

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the Government House cafeteria on Thursday to listen to complaints by vendors about the rising price of food ingredients.

Srettha dropped by the cafeteria after chairing a meeting of the National Security Council and asked vendors which foods had gone up in price and whether sugar was among them.

The vendors told him that all food prices were high.

Srettha sought to reassure them that the government was taking action, citing the Commerce Ministry’s recent move to regulate the price of sugar.

The vendors also complained that the price of chicken eggs had risen to 4.50 baht apiece.

When the PM inquired about the cost of cooking oil, the vendors replied that prices of all ingredients had become expensive.

They also invited Srettha to have breakfast at the cafeteria. The PM replied that he always skipped breakfast for health reasons, explaining that he only drank water and coffee with no sugar in the morning.

Asked about his dietary habits by a reporter, Srettha confirmed he was doing intermittent fasting to stay healthy as he had no time for exercise.

The PM then visited the City Plus Coffee shop, which hires disabled staff, and asked them whether they faced any difficulties in their working environment.

He also ordered an iced black coffee and chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream to take away, saying he would them save for lunch.

________

• Appointment of new NSC head awaited

The National Security Council (NSC) will remain leaderless for ten more days, after its former secretary general, Gen Supot Malaniyom, retired in September.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin chaired a meeting of the NSC for the first time since taking office today.

Widespread rumours indicate that Srettha will nominate Deputy Police Commissioner Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote for the top NSC post, but the prime minister told reporters after the meeting that he wanted ten more days to study some legal issues, before making the appointment. He did not elaborate.

Roy had earlier been a strong contender for national police commissioner, but the post went to Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol. Instead, the prime minister reportedly considered transferring him to the NSC.

Most NSC secretary generals have historically come from the army.

[S Landreth]

• PM Srettha eyes 3.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue for 2024

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has revised next year’s tourism revenue target to 3.5 trillion baht, an increase of 500 billion baht and a new high, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool.

This tourism revenue target is based on the assumption that the Thai tourism sector can fully recover to pre-Covid levels by next year.

In terms of the proportion of revenue between domestic and international travel, the projection means that in the next year, international markets must generate 2.5 trillion baht, an increase of 500 billion baht from the current target of 2 trillion baht, leading to the future target of 3 trillion baht, according to the policy of Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol. The revenue target for the domestic market remains the same at 1 trillion baht.

TAT is still aiming for total tourism revenue of 2.38 trillion baht in 2023, representing an 80% recovery compared to 2019. This includes 25-28 million foreign tourists generating revenue of 1.6 trillion baht and 200 million Thai visitors (including tourists and day trippers) meeting a revenue target of 800 billion baht.

Regarding tourist statistics in the first 10 months of this year (January 1 - October 31), the accumulated total tourism revenue reached 1.67 trillion baht. This came from 22 million foreign tourists, generating 963.14 billion baht, with Thais making up the balance with 710.87 billion baht. However, if the overall 2023 target is to be achieved, an additional 700 billion baht in revenue must be generated in the last two months of this year. While challenging, efforts will be made to achieve the target, mainly by encouraging longer stays from tourists to increase spending in the country.

TAT Governor Thapanee added that government support measures will help stimulate the tourism sector, especially in the following areas.

1. Ease of travel: The TAT has gradually announced measures related to visa exemption policies for tourism. This temporary visa exemption is for targeted markets in three phases, starting with the first phase for Chinese and Kazakhstani tourists, which allows visa-free stays of up to 30 days over a period of 5 months, from September 25 to February 29, 2024. The second phase for Russian tourists extends the stay to a maximum of 90 days from the previous 30 days, for a period of 6 months, from November 1 to April 30, and the third phase covering Indian and Taiwanese tourists allows visa-free stays of up to 30 days, with a maximum period of 6 months, from November 10 to May 10.

Visa exemption has also been introduced at immigration zone 6 at the Sadao border checkpoint, Songkhla province and runs through April 30, facilitating travellers primarily from Malaysia. The government is currently studying potential measures for other border checkpoints, such as Betong in Yala province, Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat and Wangprachan in Satun.

2. Expansion of targeted markets: strong growth has been observed in markets such as Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, the United States and the Middle East, primarily due to increased diplomatic ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. The Chinese market, meanwhile, despite the visa-free measures since the end of September 2023, remains marginally weaker, with approximately 8,000-9,000 daily arrivals. However, TAT anticipates a continuous positive trend, with Chinese arrivals reaching over 10,000 per day in November. In the first 10 months, the Chinese market brought approximately 2.8 million arrivals.

3. Communication and marketing campaigns: The TAT will launch a marketing and image campaign. A new tagline with the concept “Meaningful Relationship” will be introduced at the upcoming World Travel Market (WTM), the world’s second-largest tourism trade show, which kicks off in London on November 6. This campaign aims to convey meaningful messages about tourism. In December, another campaign titled “Thailand Always Cares” will be launched to communicate the image that Thailand's tourism sector cares about tourists from all markets.

4. Economic stimulus measures: The highlight is the organisation of activities and events. On November 10, Srettha will preside over a press conference to promote “soft power” through festivals. One of the highlights is the organisation of the “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival” this month and next in the capital. This is being put together with the collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, TAT, the Ministry of Culture, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and the National Soft Power Committee and features five main events, namely: Colourful Waterway Activity: Floating Lantern Festival 2023; Vijit Chao Phraya Activity 2023; Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges Activity; Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2023; and Amazing Thailand Countdown 2024.

Prime Minister Srettha has emphasised the importance of elevating activities and events from local to international levels. During the last two months of this year, more than 3,000 activities and events will take place nationwide, organised by both public and private sectors, the TAT governor said.

[S Landreth]

• I'm not a military puppet in not dissolving ISOC : Srettha

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has dismissed a claim by a media outlet that he is a puppet of the Thai military for his government’s decision not to dissolve the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).

In his X post on Thursday night, the prime minister said such criticism is misleading and he would like to set the record straight.

“Dissolving ISOC was never a part of the Pheu Thai party’s (PTP) policy, neither before, during nor after the election. The fact is reinforced by the policy statement I made in parliament. The PTP and the PTP-led government intend, however, to modernise the army and integrate it into the democratic process,” he said.

He did admit, however, that ISOC, which was created during the Cold War, is not relevant today and it is his duty to ensure that the organisation’s role aligns with democratic values, upholding the rights and protecting the freedoms of the Thai people.

“We believe in incremental change, especially given the two decades of political ideological conflicts Thailand has experienced,” said the prime minister, as he stressed that his government does not choose a path of confrontation and destruction, but rather of harmonising ideas and working for the benefit of the people.

Noting that his party was elected by the people and he was endorsed by parliament, he urged his critics not to undermine the voice of the people. He said that, if he were a puppet, he would choose to be a puppet of the people.

The prime minister’s X post was in response to an opinion piece “Srettha shows true colours as military-backed stooge” by the Thai Enquirer. The media criticized the prime minister for not supporting the Move Forward party’s bill seeking the dissolution of ISOC, noting that his decision is more than just a stand on a single policy “but a revelation of character.”

__________

• Thailand works with junta authorities to bring stranded Thais home

The Royal Thai Embassy is Yangon is coordinating with the Myanmar authorities to bring home 162 Thai nationals who have been transported out of the conflict area in Laukkaing, a town in Shan State, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said via X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Brotherhood Alliance made up of three ethnic armed groups has been raging since Friday (October 27) across a swathe of Myanmar’s northern Shan state, AFP reported on Thursday.

The area is where a billion-dollar rail link is planned as part of Beijing's Belt and Road global infrastructure project and is populated with Thais and other foreigners.

A Myanmar junta spokesman said on Thursday that clashes have taken place at 10 locations across Shan state over the past six days, without giving details on casualties.

Srettha said the embassy officials have helped move the 162 Thais to a safe area and are working on a plan to bring them home as soon as possible.

Thais trapped in Myanmar are safe : government spokesman

[malmomike77]

government intend, however, to modernise the army and integrate it into the democratic process,

Democratic process, hmmm - just how did Srettha get to be PM

his duty to ensure that the organisation’s role aligns with democratic values, upholding the rights and protecting the freedoms of the Thai people.

he's big on democratic values......

[S Landreth]

• Four provinces to pilot 4am closure for entertainment venues

Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket and Chiang Mai will pilot the government’s measure to allow entertainment venues, such as pubs, bars, restaurants, and karaoke joints, to stay open until 4am in a bid to boost tourism and domestic spending.

The pilot phase is expected to start on December 15 in these four tourist cities in the Central, East, South and Northern regions, respectively.

The decision was made during a meeting at Government House on Friday, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Joining the session were Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, governors of the four provinces, and representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and related agencies.

Srettha said the measure would be implemented in these provinces temporarily.

The PM also tasked the Interior Ministry with determining the appropriate duration of the pilot phase, as well as the zoning in each province to implement the 4am closing time.

Night venues in Thailand are currently allowed to stay open until 1am or 2am, depending on the location.

“Studies have shown that this measure would help boost tourism revenue,” said Srettha. “These establishments often see clients coming in for drinks and foods as late as 9pm-10pm. To ease public concerns, the authority will also increase monitoring of illegal drugs in the entertainment venues.”

The Cabinet in September had approved the move to extend the opening hours of entertainment venues, ideally before the high tourism season, to attract domestic and foreign visitors.

__________

• Egypt and Qatar assure Thailand of help in securing release of Thai hostages

The leaders of Egypt and Qatar have promised help to secure the release of Thai workers held hostage by Hamas, Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara said after a visit to the two Arab countries.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Friday that continuous efforts were being made to assist Thai workers in Israel.

The government is closely monitoring the Israel-Hamas conflict to ensure the safe evacuation of Thai citizens as soon as the situation permits, Srettha said.

Srettha revealed that on Thursday Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had informed him that 12 Thai workers from one group and another 8 workers from a different group were currently being relocated to the same location. Concurrently, efforts are being made to determine the whereabouts of the remaining 2-3 workers.

Srettha expressed his gratitude to Anwar and indicated that his Malaysian counterpart would keep him informed in case of further progress.

Srettha said the government would keep aircraft ready even though there are currently no signals that more Thai citizens in Israel intend to return. This proactive step is taken to establish flight routes in the event that there is a necessity to evacuate Thai citizens from countries other than Israel, he said.

Foreign Minister Parnpree, who is also the deputy prime minister, said he had met the leaders of Qatar and Egypt during his official visit to the two countries. He said the purpose of these meetings was to coordinate with Hamas and its network for the release of Thai workers who are being held as hostages. The leaders of these countries expressed surprise at the presence of Thai workers in Israel, as they had initially thought that these workers were engaged in business activities, Parnpree said.

Parnpree said he had clarified that these Thai workers were predominantly involved in agricultural labour to sustain their low-income families and were not engaged in political activities or involved in the conflict.

The officials expressed their surprise about the situation and expressed their willingness to engage in discussions with Hamas to provide full assistance to Thailand, he said.

Parnpree also requested the officials to keep the Thai embassies in their countries informed about the progress in securing the release of the workers, so that they could make preparations to expedite their repatriation.

[S Landreth]

• Parnpree emerges as economic powerhouse of Cabinet

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, has been appointed to head the government’s new committee on promoting economic and investment stimulation measures and attracting high potential foreign investment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai will serve as vice chairman of the committee.

A news source said that the move was approved by Cabinet meeting this week.

The meeting also voted Parnpree to chair the committee on boosting Thailand’s competitiveness in target industries, which is currently chaired by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin with Parnpree acting as the vice chairman.

This puts Parnpree, former president of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT, in charge of the government’s two committees on economic promotion and foreign investment.

A source said the move aims at improving the efficiency of the two committees and ensuring seamless operations in overlapping areas.

Parnpree, 66, served as assistant to the Commerce Minister during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration and was named Thailand’s Trade Representative in 2005.

He was the Pheu Thai party’s deputy leader and chief of the party’s economic team from 2008 to 2010, before becoming president of PTT in 2013.

[S Landreth]

• Embassy shelter for workers closes in Tel Aviv after registration drops

The Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv announced on Saturday that it has shut down its shelter in which Thai workers waited for a flight back home amid the Hamas-Israel war that broke out near the Gaza Strip earlier last month.

The Embassy’s shelter was opened on October 15 and has so far organised 35 flights to bring Thais back home, said the Embassy via its Facebook @thaiembassytelaviv.

“In the past two days, the number of Thais registering to use the shelter has dropped significantly,” said the announcement. “The centre therefore was shut down on Saturday after the last repatriation flight left Tel Aviv on Friday (November 3).

“With the closure of the shelter, the government will continue the repatriation mission for Thais in Israel,” noted the Facebook post.

It added that after returning home due to the war, Thai workers could bring travel evidence to the provincial labour office in their hometown to receive a refund.

To date, 26 Thai nationals have been killed in the war, with four persons still hospitalised in Israel and 23 persons confirmed to having been taken hostage by Hamas.

Some 7,831 Thais have been flown back home on repatriation flights organised by the government and participating airlines.