The anticipated 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, initially scheduled for a May launch, has encountered delays due to a study by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) warning of potential legal complications. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is also the finance minister, emphasised on Saturday the need for expedited discussions with Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat to determine the next steps for the initiative.

Despite the obstacles, the government is steadfast in its commitment to the project. The prime minister refrained from specifying the extent of the delay, stating that consultations with the NACC are ongoing. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the public’s anticipation of the scheme, reiterating his commitment to addressing their expectations.

Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the prime minister, assured that the flagship policy is on course. He revealed plans to proceed with a bill seeking a 500-billion-baht loan to fund the initiative. He stated that the government is set to answer any queries about the scheme once the NACC report is submitted to the government and the digital wallet committee reconvenes next week.

The urgency of implementing the digital wallet scheme is underscored by the current economic downturn in the country. Data from the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) reveals that the GDP growth was only 1.8% in 2023, falling short of the projected 2.7%. The FPO anticipates a 2.8% economic growth this year.

“Whether or not it’s a crisis, the government will decide. It’s the government’s job to formulate policies to alleviate the people’s plight and take action based on the real situation. This is what it hopes to achieve with the digital wallet” Dr Prommin expressed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai also emphasised the necessity of the digital wallet policy to address economic challenges. He cited a group of economists’ warning that without boosting purchasing power and stimulating the fiscal multiplier effect, Thailand might struggle to manage an economic crisis akin to the 1997 crash, reported Bangkok Post.

In a related development, the Thai government secured a 500-billion-baht loan to stimulate the economy. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat underscored economic worries, highlighting the necessity for stimulus measures and the substantial loan. Issues involved household debt and slow GDP growth.

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A deployment of over 4,000 personnel aboard the USS Somerset and USS Miguel Keith is on the horizon for the upcoming Cobra Gold 2024, a joint military exercise taking place in Thailand from February 26 to March 8.

The American soldiers form a significant part of the 9,590-strong contingent from 30 nations participating in these annual drills. The announcement came from General Thitichai Tiantong, Chief of Joint Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, during an event briefing.

The USS Somerset, a San Antonio-class transport dock, and the USS Miguel Keith, a Lewis B Puller-class mobile base, exemplify the US Navy’s advanced capabilities. The focus for the United States this year is primarily on amphibious drills, as disclosed by Colonel Kurtis A Leffler, Chief of the Joint US Military Advisory Group Thailand.

An intriguing aspect of Cobra Gold this year involves the Thai and US navies cooperating to salvage the wreckage of HTMS Sukhothai. The US embassy shared that the ship sank 35 kilometres off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan on December 18, 2022, due to a storm, reported Bangkok Post.

The exercise’s core parts will see the active participation of seven nations, namely Thailand, the US, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, China and India will restrict their involvement in humanitarian civic assistance training. Australia, on the other hand, will only participate in the command-post exercise.

An additional ten countries, grouped as the multinational planning augmentation team, will rotate their attendance during the exercise. This team includes Bangladesh, Canada, France, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Philippines, Fiji, Britain, and Brunei.

The final group, dubbed the combined observer liaison team, consists of ten other countries. These include Cambodia, Laos, Brazil, Pakistan, Vietnam, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka. They will contribute to different aspects of the exercise.

In related news, US Army Major Andrew Cotter, participating in Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand, was found dead in a Lop Buri army camp.

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The Thai government is considering lifting the afternoon prohibition on alcohol sales in a bid to boost its tourism industry. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew is planning to ask the government’s alcohol control committee to discuss the appeal by the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (Tabba) to revoke the rule that restricts alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm.

Though the afternoon ban is not strictly a part of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act but was implemented by a coup-maker in 1972, Dr Cholnan stated, “The committee would have to find out if it agrees the 2pm–5pm alcohol sale ban has to go for the sake of the government’s tourism promotion policy.”

If the alcohol beverage control panel approves Tabba’s proposal, the decision will be forwarded to the national alcohol policy committee for final approval. The national committee is usually headed by the prime minister or a deputy, and if they endorse the cancellation plan, a new announcement by the Ministry of Health will be published, allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages between 2pm and 5pm.

This change could potentially be expedited to be effective by early April, in time for the annual Songkran festival, according to a source on the committee. However, they also indicated that stricter measures would be required to safeguard the public, particularly minors, from the potential risks of lifting the ban, reported Bangkok Post.

Industry perspectives

Tabba adviser Thanakorn Kuptajit expressed last Thursday that the new regulation by the Ministry of Interior, which allows entertainment businesses in Bangkok, Phuket and Chon Buri to extend their opening hours until 4am, hasn’t fully benefited these businesses due to the afternoon ban.

“Regulations that set back tourism or aren’t really necessary should be adjusted to bring them in line with the government’s tourism promotion. This alcohol sale ban is one of those regulations,” he said.

In addition to the ban lift, Tabba is also urging the government to enhance the enforcement of legal measures to prevent alcohol-related road accidents and illegal alcohol sales to individuals below the age of 20.

The Thai-Chinese visa-free scheme, set to be effective from March 1, has increased Chinese interest in visiting Thailand. According to Thanakorn, the government’s decision to ease alcohol controls should further boost tourism revenue. He also pointed out that tourists from many other countries are accustomed to consuming alcoholic beverages during meals, particularly dinner.

Tabba has delivered its petition for the cancellation of the 2pm–5pm alcohol sale ban to PM Srettha Thavisin, DPM Somsak Thepsutin and Dr Cholnan.

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Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has revealed that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), led by China, has shown interest in funding Thailand’s Land Bridge project. This project, worth a staggering one trillion baht, aims to link Ranong with Chumphon in the southern region of Thailand. The goal is not only to establish an efficient logistics network but also to alleviate the persistent congestion in the Strait of Malacca over the forthcoming decade.

The Land Bridge project involves the construction of deep-water ports in both provinces. Additionally, it will feature a motorway directly connecting the two provinces and a comprehensive railway system. This ambitious endeavour has piqued the interest of the Chinese authorities.

Following a discussion with the AIIB president, PM Srettha disclosed, “They really like our policy, particularly the Land Bridge project — which I am confident they will take part in.”

The Prime Minister further noted that the AIIB has also expressed interest in another government project aimed at upgrading airports across the country. “The AIIB is ready to support Thailand, not only in terms of investing but also in the matter of conducting preliminary studies, as an independent organisation,” he explained.

The Thai prime minister added, “Besides investing in infrastructure, they are also interested in the technical system and what can be done to enhance Thailand’s education. I will have officials talk to them.”

In a post on his X account, the prime minister shared that the AIIB president concurred with his view that Thailand holds the potential to emerge as an economic leader in the region, provided its infrastructure development is efficiently established. This development would facilitate the funding of Thailand’s megaprojects, including the Land Bridge or the airport infrastructure development, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news, Thailand’s Transport Ministry launched a roadshow in China to promote the Land Bridge project, responding to China’s interest expressed by Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi. Ongoing research attracted foreign investors despite local concerns.

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The Government is proceeding with its plan to expand the “sky doctor” system covering remote areas across the country in order to provide people with greater access to quick medical services and ensure safety for patients and tourists.

Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said that the Prime Minister had assigned the Ministry of Public Health to further develop the sky doctor system, with the use of helicopter emergency medical services, to take doctor teams to remote areas, high mountains, islands in the sea, or urban areas with traffic congestion.

The doctor teams will provide initial treatment and bring emergency patients, who are ill, or injured, or need urgent care, to hospitals. This will save the lives of patients, reduce the mortality rate, and prevent disabilities.

The helicopter emergency medical services will also facilitate the transfer of emergency patients for treatment in high-level referral hospitals. They will also be upgraded to high international standards to handle medical emergencies with greater efficiency.

The Government Spokesperson said that the sky doctor system would bolster the favorable image of Thailand in terms of tourism. At present, Thailand uses sky doctor teams in many areas with difficult access, especially in northern and southern regions.

He said that providing emergency patients with an equal opportunity to have quick and inclusive treatment is the key to the sky doctor system. The Government would continue to push for the expansion of this system to cover all health regions nationwide.



Statistics show that the sky doctor system launched operations 401 times from 2021 to 2023 in three health regions, namely Health Region 1 (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, and Mae Hong Son), Health Region 2 (Tak, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, and Sukhothai), and Health Region 11 (Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Ranong, and Chumphon).

Operations for the sky doctor system are also being planned in five Andaman coastal provinces, which are designated tourism areas. They include Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Satun, and Trang.

Lao Airlines is expanding its flight services with new routes both domestically and internationally, in anticipation of increased passenger flow during Visit Laos Year 2024. The airline announced new routes connecting Savannakhet to Bangkok, Vientiane to Phnom Penh, and Vientiane to Danang to accommodate the surge of travelers and celebrate its 35th anniversary.



Starting March 15, Savannakhet-Bangkok flights will operate three times a week, while Vientiane-Phnom Penh flights will commence on March 19 with a similar frequency. From April 4, flights between Vientiane and Danang will be available twice a week.

Chanthanom Khampheng, Deputy Director of the Commercial and Marketing Department, said the high demand for bookings prompted the addition of more international and domestic flights starting next month.



Lao Airlines currently serves destinations in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, and South Korea and is exploring the possibility of launching flights to Japan. The airline’s domestic operations include routes between Vientiane and several provinces, such as Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Champassak, Xieng Khuang, and Huaphan, facilitating connectivity within Laos. (NNT)

The Thai Transport Ministry is revising its recently updated bus route numbers due to feedback from disgruntled passengers who found the changes confusing. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said the revision would eliminate the dash between zone and route numbers to simplify the system for commuters.

The move comes in the wake of alterations made to bus routes in Greater Bangkok last month as part of an initiative to reform the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), which included renumbering routes such as bus No.59 to 1-8, where the initial digit denoted the service area and “E” indicated expressway usage. These modifications, however,  have been met with widespread criticism for their ambiguity and insufficient dissemination of information to the public.



In response to the outcry seen on social media and the BMTA’s Facebook page, the minister has proposed a more intuitive numbering, for example, changing bus No.1-15 to 115, though the implementation date remains unspecified.

The new system has also faced opposition from the House Committee on Economic Development and the BMTA labor union, both of which have demanded a return to the original numbering, citing the confusion it has caused among passengers and arguing against the reform’s effectiveness. (NNT)

The USS Somerset and USS Miguel Keith with more than 4,000 personnel will be deployed during Cobra Gold 2024, a joint military exercise to be held in Thailand from Feb 26 to March 8.

Thailand is set to welcome tourists for the Chinese New Year with grand celebrations across the nation, especially in Bangkok’s Chinatown, where festivities are planned to mark the Year of the Dragon.

The event, described as a blend of traditional Chinese culture and Thai style, is expected to draw large crowds with its array of activities, performances, and local specialties. Organized with the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), local businesses, and law enforcement, the celebration is expected to provide a joyful and safe experience for both locals and visitors, with around 1,200 police officers on duty.



The 25th Chinese New Year celebration in Chinatown is scheduled for February 10 and 11, featuring an official opening ceremony by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Highlights include traditional dragon and lion dances and cultural performances from China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Fujian province. Other major destinations in Thailand, including Nakhon Sawan, Ratchaburi, Songkhla, Suphan Buri, and Chiang Mai, are also hosting events to celebrate the occasion.

TAT anticipates the celebrations will attract over 3 million Thai and international tourists, generating significant revenue. Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol noted an expected surge in tourists from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, attributing the increase to Thailand’s visa waiver policy and improved flight availability.



The influx of Chinese tourists is supported by data from Alipay+ and Ctrip.com, indicating a strong interest in visiting Thailand during the Lunar New Year. Agoda’s report further confirms Thailand’s popularity as an international city destination for the holiday period. (NNT)

A tragic bus accident in Samut Prakan province resulted in three fatalities and 22 injuries when a bus carrying employees plunged into a canal. Witnesses reported that the bus was travelling at high speed without braking before it crashed into a barrier and fell into the water. The incident occurred on Rattanakosin 200 Years Road during the early hours yesterday.

The accident site, shrouded in darkness, complicated the rescue efforts as emergency services and residents scrambled to free the trapped passengers by breaking the bus’s side windows. Two employees were found dead under the vehicle, submerged in mud. A third victim was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The injured passengers were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Authorities had to temporarily close the road to facilitate a large crane’s retrieval of the bus from the canal. The operation was meticulous to ensure no one else was left behind before the vehicle was finally lifted onto the bridge.

The 23 year old Witness, Atthapol Saibutr, recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the bus accident, describing how the bus collided with the bridge barrier as it hurtled down the road without any attempt to slow down. After the crash, he immediately stopped to help but was too late; the bus had already fallen into the canal. Construction workers joined the rescue by breaking the vehicle’s windows to pull people out to safety, reported KhaoSod.

Rung Promsat, a former village headman residing near the accident spot, spoke about the frequent accidents on this poorly lit construction road, which has been under development for over two years. He called for the project owner and contractors to expedite the construction and improve lighting to prevent further tragedies. He recalled a previous incident where a taxi driver unfamiliar with the route crashed into the canal and died in a resulting fire.

Police Lieutenant Visrut Chuachom, Deputy Investigator at Bang Bo Police Station, revealed that the bus was transporting employees of Kimpack Company, located in the Welgrow Industrial Estate. The driver, likely unfamiliar with the pitch-dark road, crashed into the barrier, causing the vehicle to plunge into the canal. Authorities are investigating the driver and eyewitnesses to determine the exact cause of the accident. Meanwhile, the identities of the deceased are pending confirmation by relatives, as no identification documents were found on the victims. The bodies have been sent for forensic examination to the Ramasamut Prakan Hospital.

 

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