Anything & Everything About Thailand (Part 2)

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 19 December 2006 :-

16 million tourists expected in 2007

Chiang Mai - Thailand plans to boost tourism in its northern provinces intending to attract 16 million tourists and generate 66 billion baht (about US$1.8 billion) in revenue next year.

Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee held a meeting with governors, local officials, and tourism business operators in 17 northern provinces on Monday. During the meeting, he gave tourism development policies to promote tourism in communities to generate income for local villagers.

Natural landscapes and Lanna (Northern Thai) culture are strong points that attract tourists but local communities are the key to support tourism. The minister said his ministry will discuss with the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives to develop the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek expo as a permanent tourist
attraction.

The minister said the project to build a convention and international expo centre will get the go-ahead and the feasibility study will be conducted, although the budget may be cut.

With the planned promotion campaign, approximately 16 million foreign tourists are expected to visit the Thai North next year, with at least 66 billion baht to be generated, said Mr Suwit.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 18 December 2006 :-

Cold weather sets in over most of country

Despite arriving late, cold weather has started to hit northern provinces.

The Meteorological Department warned that an intense high pressure ridge had extended to cover upper Thailand. Cold weather and winds are expected in the North, Northeast, Central and East regions until Wednes
day.

Sixteen districts and two sub-districts of Chiang Rai and some districts in Chiang Mai have been declared as disaster areas after a third day of temperatures below 15 degrees centigrade.

In upland areas such as Mae Sai, Mae Chan, Phan, Thoeng, Wiang Pa Pao, Mae Fa Luang and Wiang Kaen, temperatures below 5 degrees have been recorded at night.

More than 146,700 people, mostly living on the top of mountains, have been facing cold conditions. Chiang Rai's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office estimates that 140,000 people lack suitable clothing to cope with the cold. The province approved a budget of Bt300,000 for the distribution of clothes and medicines to affected people. Centres have been established in several districts to receive donations of warm clothing and blankets.

Santhanee Chaichiangpin, Chiang Mai's Meteorological Officer, said a mass of cold air covering the upper North had caused temperatures keep dropping.

Muang district was covered by fog yesterday while the temperature dropped to only 14-15C.

Frost has occurred on Doi Inthanon, the country's highest peak, where the temperature has been under 5C. Frost is regarded as a phenomenon by people living in the sub-tropical lowlands.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department also warned about the El Nino phenomenon, which has caused surface temperatures in the middle and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean to increase by more than 1-2 degrees in the past month.

It said El Nino would cause unusually high temperatures in Thailand during winter and summer as well as a little rainfall.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 19 December 2006 :-

Chiang Rai declared a disaster area as temperatures plummet

Plunging temperatures have prompted local authorities in Chiang Rai to declare the province a disaster area.

They also appealed for relief aid from relevant agencies and the public.

Kittirat Sornsue, chief of the Chiang Rai provincial office of disaster prevention and mitigation, said hundreds of thousands of Chiang Rai residents are in need of blankets and warm clothes.

Up to 150,000 blankets and 800,000 items of warm clothing are needed.

"The Chiang Rai governor has also sought an additional budget in order to help those residents in need of assistance," said Mr Kittirat.

Temperatures in Chiang Rai have dropped and will continue to do so until Jan 20, he said.

Yesterday morning, the temperature was measured at 12.7 degrees Celsius in the town of Chiang Rai and 9 degrees at Doi Tung mountain, said Mr Kittirat.

With a low pressure ridge moving down from China, the Meteorological Department has warned residents in the northern region to be prepared for lower temperatures of between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius this week. There will also be a wind chill factor in the region.

Besides the North, the temperature is expected to drop by between one and three degrees Celsius in every region except the South from Dec 18 to 22.

Down south, the northeastern monsoon covering the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea is still strong, causing between two- and four-metre waves in the Gulf and between two- and three-metre waves in the Andaman. Small boats should not sail in the Gulf of Thailand, the department warned.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 19 December 2006 :-

Culture Ministry targets 'lewd' website

The Culture Ministry yesterday sought the blocking of an overseas-based website allegedly showing live lewd acts by webcam users that are being widely accessed in Thailand.

The ministry has reported the site to the Information and Communications Technology Ministry and the police.

The site is called Camfrog and it has been available in Thailand for three years.

A network of Internet cafe operators brought the site to the attention of the Culture Watch Centre.

Some users is this country are allegedly posting and viewing lewd material on the site.

Ministry permanent secretary Weera Rojphojjanarat said yesterday it would seek police and ICT Ministry help to have the site blocked. It wants an investigation into possible offences.

The showing of a lewd act in public carries a maximum punishment of three years in jail and/or a Bt3,000 fine, he said.

Weera said the site had subscribed for Internet service with AsiaNet Thailand, which holds an ICT Ministry concession.

Meanwhile, director of White Internet for Thai Youths and Thai Webmasters Association chief Poramet Minsiri revealed that Thai users were the site's third most frequent visitors following the United States and China.

While many used the site in constructive ways, some broadcast lewd acts.

These include young people and students undressing for Web cameras. They are unaware the recordings can be sold and distributed, he said.

Poramet will raise the matter at a Wednesday meeting of a committee drafting computer-related crime legislation.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 19 December 2006 :-

Total ad ban would hike alcohol consumption, big firms claim

Total beer sales in Thailand are expected to increase dramatically from 5-6 per cent this year to more than 10 per cent next year, according to Singha Corp, manufacturer of the Singha and Leo brands of beer.

The prediction is made in the "worst-case scenario" of a total advertising ban on alcoholic beverages, which would force local players to shift their strategy from conventional media advertising to other activities to attract consumers and boost sales.

They include below-the-line marketing events, price dumping or even "underground" activities like word of mouth.

The country would witness cheaper beer with five to seven bottles costing Bt100 or liquor priced less than Bt100 by local manufacturers and importers.

"According to the World Health Organisation, Thais consume 8.47 litres of alcoholic beverages per annum on average. However, classifying by categories, we see that almost 7.13 litres is composed of liquors, while Thai people drink only 1.31 litres of beer and only 0.04 litres of wine," said Santi Bhirombhakdi, president of Singha Corporation.

He said Thailand was 85th in the world for beer consumption.

"We expect that if the authority launches a total advertising ban, most of the alcohol players, both whiskies and beers, will shift their marketing strategy to other kinds of below-the-line activities as well as price dumping, which would encourage Thai consumers to drink more alcoholic beverages," Santi said.

A total ad ban would also destroy the brand building of Thai beers and the confidence that foreign customers have in them, he said. Singha spent almost Bt2 billion a year on all advertising and marketing activities in building brands, particularly Singha and Leo Beer.

Santi said a total ad ban would not reduce alcohol consumption in Thailand.

"We can see that white spirits, which have an alcohol content of between 35 per cent and 40 per cent, can grow by between 11 per cent and 12 per cent every year without advertising," he said.

"The authority should not include beer, which has alcohol content of only 5 per cent, with other alcoholic beverages in blaming them for harming society and being a major cause of road accidents."

He said many developed markets such as Norway and Sweden had not banned alcohol advertising. Sweden allowed businesses to advertise beverages with an alcohol content of not higher than 15 per cent, he said.

Vorathep Rangchaikul, president of Riche Monde (Bangkok), which imports and distributes international liquor brands including Johnnie Walker whiskies, said yesterday that international case studies showed an ad ban would probably increase consumption due to lower product prices resulting from more aggressive pricing.

"As a result, we expect all our brands' sales volumes to increase at least 5 per cent from earlier targets," he said. Prior to the proposal for an ad ban, the company expected all brands' sales to increase by around 10 per cent. However, with the ad ban, sales volume may increase up to 15 per cent."

Riche Monde (Bangkok) also confirmed yesterday that it would host the Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket in March. Many of the world's top 50 players are expected to participate.

"In regard to the Johnnie Walker Classic, we aim to bring the excitement and experience of this international golf tournament to Thai fans. There's no intent to focus on promoting our products through this tournament," said Vorathep.

Santi said that rather than imposing a total ban on advertising, a more effective measure would be to revise excise tax based on alcohol content.

Singha Corp previously suggested the Excise Tax Department charge a flat rate for all distilled liquors of Bt2.4 per one degree of alcohol content per one litre, and up to Bt7 per one degree of alcohol content per one litre for all types of beer products.

"The move will encourage local brewery firms to launch more quality light beers with lower alcohol, which is a global trend and in line with the government's policy to reduce alcohol consumption among the people," Santi said.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 19 December 2006 :-

Baht depreciates to Bt35.92-Bt35.97

The Bank of Thailand (BOT)'s measure to withhold 30 per cent of capital inflows in order to curb baht speculation Tuesday prompted the baht value to depreciate from Monday's peak of Bt35.06, fresh nine-year high, to Bt35.92 to Bt35.97 per dollar at 3 pm. Tuesday 19 December 2006.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 20 December 2006 :-

Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge opens

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Wednesday morning presided over the opening of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Mukdahan.

A helicopter brought the princess to the ceremony at 9.45 a.m. At 10.30 a.m., the princess pushed electronic buttons to lift a veil covering the bridge's nameplate, marking the official opening of the friendship bridge.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Lao Vice-President Boungnang Vorachit together with delegates from the two countries joined the event.

After the opening, the princess was scheduled to go over to the Lao side to visit a school and an immigration point at Savannakhet before returning to Thai soil in the afternoon.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 20 December 2006 :-

New bridge to Laos opens today

Mukdahan - Villagers gathered on the banks of the Mekong river near the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge yesterday to worship the Naga, a mythical serpent believed to be the guardian of the river. They performed Buddhist and Brahman rituals to worship the Naga and ask the creature to bless the new bridge set to open today.

Local artists chanted a traditional Isan poem to please the gods which protect people living along the Mekong River.

These residents deeply respect the Naga. Therefore, before beginning any activity which affects the river, they pay their respects to, and seek permission from, the sacred creature, said Mukdahan Governor Boonsom Pirinyawong, who chaired the ceremony.

Thai and Lao people share the belief that the divine serpent inhabits the river. Many people also believe the Naga created the Mekong when the creature snaked southward from the north of Thailand and Laos several centuries ago.

The Naga worshipping ceremony was held on the eve of the opening ceremony of the bridge that links this northeastern province with Savannakhet province in Laos.

The bridge is part of efforts to open transport links in Southeast Asia under a scheme sponsored by the Asian Development Bank. The bridge connects with Road 9 in southern Laos to Vietnam.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening ceremony together with Lao Vice-President Boungnang Vorachit.

The first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong links Nong Khai and Vientiane, the Lao capital. Its construction was financed by Australia and the bridge was opened in 1994.

Spanning the Mekong, the new bridge, which received financing from Japan, is 12 metres wide and 1.6km long.

Attending the bridge opening ceremony today are 250 delegates from Thailand and 250 from Laos. Among the dignitaries will be Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his Lao counterpart Bouasone Bouphavanh.

The princess and Mr Boungnang will push electronic buttons to lift a veil covering the bridge's nameplate at 10.30am after hearing reports from Gen Surayud and Mr Bouasone. After that the princess will spend a few hours in Savannakhet before returning to Thai soil at 1.30pm.

Both Mukdahan and Savannakhet provincial authorities also plan grand celebrations for the new friendship bridge.

Mukdahan has planned a celebration over three days and three nights, beginning today, the governor said.

Savannakhet has been holding an eight-day celebration. The celebration began on Sunday and will end next Sunday. Part of the celebration is a trade expo and market on a large area 4km from the foot of the bridge on the Lao side.

However, after today's official opening, the bridge will not open for transnational traffic until next month, according to the Highways Department's acting director-general Songsak Phaecharoen.

Thailand and Laos have to sign a bilateral agreement regarding regulations for bridge operations and traffic rules before it can be used for cross-border activities.

Mr Songsak said Thai and Lao authorities had settled some regulatory details, including the entry fees for different types of vehicles.

However, the agreement must be approved by the government of each country before taking effect.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 20 December 2006 :-

Station lists Bangkok's 10 worst sois

Radio station FM91 Traffic Pro yesterday revealed the 10 most dangerous sois in Bangkok, while deputy Bangkok city clerk Rattapol Meethanathaworn admitted safety issues were due to lack of staff.

The police-owned radio station, which reports on safety and traffic issues, said the list was based on police records, reports to the station and public complaints over safety.

The list - aimed at helping police and administrators boost safety - included Lat Phrao 21 in Chatuchak, where a deserted section has seen crimes, including robberies in which victims were killed.

Soi Wat Makok on Rajvithi Road near Victory Monument also made the list because of drug and gangster problems are so severe residents don't dare to go out at night for fear of robbery or sexual assault.

Soi Charansanitwong 89 in Bang Phlat and Soi Vimutayaram are used as hangouts by gangsters, drug dealers and drug addicts.

Charansanitwong 37 in Bangkok Noi district was said to be the scene of many sexual assaults and thefts.

Other sois were Taling Chan's Soi Suan Pak 11, Lak Si's Soi Wipawadee 64, Huai Khwang's Soi Ruam Raksa, Samphanthawong's Soi Pirom and Khlong San's Soi Charoen Nakhon 23.

Rattapol said the report would alert the public about the danger very close to them, and inform the Bangkok officials about failings, such as a lack of lights in some sois.

The BMA would install more lights in deserted areas and fix broken streetlights, plus set up a patrol unit to help police, Rattapol said.

Police at 88 stations were told to increase the frequency of patrols on deserted sois and to have more plainclothes men on surveillance. --- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The STAR dated Thursday 21 December 2006 :-

PETALING JAYA : Thai authorities have barred IDD roaming services for ALL Malaysian-registered handphones in the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani.

Celcom Eastern Region General Manager Datuk Sulaiman Ahmad said Malaysian phones could not be used in the 3 provinces but IDD roaming was still available in the other provinces.

The Thai move was apparently due to suspicions that some bombings in Southern Thailand had been triggered by Malaysian-issued pre-paid handphones.

An industry source added that another reason was that the Thai authorities wanted to prevent those living in Southern Thailand from using the services of Malaysian telcos as the mobile rates were much cheaper.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 21 December 2006 :-

Major Bowl prepares to add 100 new lanes

Major Bowl Group Co, the sports entertainment unit of Major Cineplex Group Plc, hopes to earn 700 million baht in revenue next year by adding another 100 bowling lanes to the market.

The new Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl, a fashdhionable outlet targeting affluent consudhmers, will contribute strongly to growth of about 20% over this year's sales, according to Artorn Techatantiwong, chief of bowling business for the company.

He said the company now had two brands with a clear market focus: Major Bowl Hit designed for young and working people, and Blu-O-Rhythm & Bowl for a more upmarket crowd. They would contribute 80% and 20% respectively of the company's 2007 revenue.

Major Bowl will continue to build more boutique bowling outlets and develop them as integrated lifestyle and entertaindhment venues with additional attractions such as dining and karaoke, he said.

The company this year opened two Blu-O-Rhythm & Bowl outlets, at Siam Paragon and the Esplanade Cineplex on Ratchadaphisek Road, with a total of 60 lanes. Market response has been good and the outlets have become popular hangouts for local celebrities, he said.

The company plans to open six or seven Major Bowl Hit outlets next year in big cities such as Ubon Ratchathani, Chon Buri and Phitsanulok, adding to its current total of 442 lanes. The expansion will complement the opening of more Major Cineplex and EGV movie theatres under the umbrella of the parent Major Group.

''We plan to add other services such as online booking, free WiFi services, and standardised karaoke service for customers,'' Mr Artorn said., adding that Major Bowl would have a marketing and promotion budget of 40 million baht next year.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 21 December 2006 :-

Thai AirAsia to start Langkawi flights on Jan 6, 2007

Thai AirAsia will operate Bangkok-Langkawi as its 10th international destination and start flying to the Malaysian island on January 6.

The airline will serve the route every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Flights from Bangkok will depart at 2.15pm while flights from Langkawi will depart at 5.30pm (local time).

Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer, announced the opening of the route to the media in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. "We look forward to expanding our reach to Langkawi because of the growing tourism appeal towards the island, especially for tourists visiting Bangkok. As a tourism hub, Bangkok brings in millions of tourists every month. These tourists are always interested in visiting neighbouring destinations, and Langkawi is among their favourite destinations," Bijleveld said.

"We will start flying to Langkawi this January with three flights a week, but this route has the potential to have daily flights six months after its opening."

The airline offered 1,000 seats with a zero-baht airfare (exclusive of taxes and other fees) to announce the opening of the route. It continues to offer low fares to guests wishing to fly between the cities.

Langkawi will be Thai AirAsia's fourth destination in Malaysia, besides Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Kinabalu.

Its other international destinations are Singapore, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Yangon, Xiamen and Macau. It also flies within Thailand to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Krabi, Narathiwat, Phuket, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchani and Udon Thani.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 21 December 2006 :-

Seri Centre set to cash in on housing increase

Seri Centre shopping complex on Srinakarin Road expects the number of shoppers visiting it to grow 8 per cent next year, because of new residential projects nearing completion in the area, says assistant managing director Vorrapong Sukteera-anantachai.

He said after Suvarnabhumi Airport opened, several residential property projects were launched on Srinakarin Road, most of which will be completed next year, adding to the number of local residents. This is a positive development for the retail outlets in Seri Centre.

Vorrapong said the shopping complex would spend Bt20 million to renovate 1,000 square metres of its first floor next year, turning it into a fashion zone in response to customer demand. The company expects total revenues to grow 10.5 per cent next year, with some of that coming from adjustments to rental fees and the rest from new customers opening new shops.

For this year, Seri Centre expects total revenues of Bt350 million, up 12.2 per cent from last year. Its occupancy rate is 94 per cent of its total retail space of 80,000 square metres. The centre attracts an average of 40,000 shoppers each weekday and 50,000 a day on weekends.

Vorrapong said consumer spending this year had been slightly lower from last year, because shoppers remained concerned about their future earnings. However, he believes consumer spending will improve next year, due to a clearer political situation and continuing economic growth.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Friday 22 December 2006 :-

No more free entry for Thais from Jan 1, 2007

THE days when Thais can enter Malaysia without travel papers along the border are numbered.

From Jan 1,2007 they need to have proper travel documents.

And if they are driving, they must ensure their vehicles satisfy Malaysian regulations.

The new requirements were announced by Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohamed Johari Baharum at the lobby of Parliament House yesterday.

The move was seen as necessary after an assault on a Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs enforcement officer at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration complex on Dec 2 by a group of suspected diesel smugglers.

Following the incident, a meeting involving the Prime Minister’s Department’s National Security Division, Defence Ministry, Customs, Immigration Department, Road Transport Department and Malaysian Fisheries Development Board identified several areas where security could be beefed up.

This included the new arrangement for vehicles and people coming into the country from the Thai side of the border.

Thais are now allowed unrestricted movement of up to 2km inside Malaysia. This is to allow for easy movement of goods on both sides of the border.

“However, there are those who have misused this privilege and have entered further into Malaysia,” he said.

He said those who wanted to travel more than that distance ( 2 kms ) would need the International Circulation Permit.

Johari said motorcycle taxis transporting pillion passengers across the border from Thailand would be banned.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 22 December 2006 :-

Venues outside late zones 'must close at midnight'

Purachai insists Social Order must be enforced, with no exception for Xmas

Former interior minister Purachai Piumsombun, whose strict Social Order policy several years ago was widely welcomed - and opposed, warned yesterday that many new night entertainment venues were operating illegally outside permitted areas.

Purachai, now chairman of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA)'s panel on justice, police affairs and human rights, called on the Surayud government to strictly enforce the zoning policy, which allows venues to operate in only three areas in Bangkok - Ratchadaphisek, Phetburi and Patpong.

He said a large number of pubs, nightclubs, plus restaurants and food gardens where music is played for customers, now operate freely along Phaholyothin and Nawamin Roads.

But any place that sold alcohol after midnight - outside the three late-night zones - was regarded as unlawful.

During his time as minister in an early Thaksin cabinet, Purachai allowed these venues to open all night only on New Year's Eve (Dec 31 into Jan 1). No exception was allowed on other special nights including Christmas. And Purachai said he expected this policy to still be enforced this year.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[vmtech]

can repost the news about the suwanapoom airport closing ?