Rising labour costs in the tourism sector are outpacing revenue growth, resulting in increased hotel expenses, as revealed by hospitality market analyst STR. Jesper Palmqvist, senior director for Asia-Pacific at STR, warned that the only risk for hotels this year is maintaining cost controls in light of the extraordinary growth of labour costs and room rates.

Over the past one to one and a half years, room rates have experienced a significant increase, allowing some Thai hotels to command room rates that were 20-25% higher than in 2019. However, Palmqvist revealed that the rate of this growth has already started to decelerate.

“For the market, we don’t see rates dropping much because as costs have gone up for hotels, the biggest cost continues to be labour costs.”

The driving force behind this trend is the persistent labour shortage in the tourism sector. To attract employees, operators have to offer highly competitive salaries, but interest in working in the industry has waned, stated Palmqvist.

This issue was prevalent last year when hotels in the country saw labour costs rise at a faster rate than their income. From January to November 2023, hotel labour costs per available room (LPAR) grew by 8.1% year-on-year, while revenue growth lagged.

Palmqvist noted that while the situation stabilised during the peak season late last year, with gross operating profit per available room growing by 23% year-on-year, compared with 13% LPAR, there is no assurance that this balance will be maintained throughout the year.

International tourism

“Every hotel needs to be very mindful of costs, particularly labour, as well as energy costs.”

Despite the challenges, Palmqvist expressed optimism about the Thai Tourism Industry, citing robust international tourism and diversified markets. Last year, hotels reported occupancy rates just five percentage points below the level recorded in 2019, even with a sluggish China market in 2023.

“If the Indian market continues to grow and the Chinese return, I think we’ll start making up that occupancy gap.”

He estimates that under this scenario, the hotel occupancy rate this year would remain three to four percentage points below the rate recorded in 2019, but with room rates 15-20% higher than in 2019.

In terms of specific locations, Bangkok is expected to have an occupancy rate four percentage points lower than in 2019, but room rates will be 18% higher. Phuket, on the other hand, is anticipated to outperform, fuelled by Russian, Indian and Chinese visitors, with a single-digit growth rate over 2023, which was 30% higher than in 2019.

Looking ahead to 2024, STR data suggests that approximately 41 new hotels, equating to over 10,000 rooms, are slated to open. The largest market share, at 32% of all rooms, will be in the upper-midscale category, reported Bangkok Post.

The story Labour costs outpace revenue growth in Thai tourism sector as seen on Thaiger News.

Pop chameleon Miley Cyrus bested a stacked field that included Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish to win the Grammy for Record of the Year on Sunday.

She nabbed the prize — recognizing overall performance of a song –- for her hit single “Flowers,” which spent eight weeks at number one on the Billboard top songs chart last year.

“This award is amazing but I really hope it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday,” Cyrus said onstage as she accepted he award. “Not everyone in the world will get a Grammy, but everyone in this world is spectacular, so please don’t think that this is important.”

The tune also earned the 31-year-old Cyrus a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year, which honors songwriting. She also earned a nod for Album of the Year.

She won her first Grammy of the day for Best Pop Solo Performance, also for “Flowers.”

“Flowers” was the lead single off Cyrus’ eighth studio album “Endless Summer Vacation,” which she released to critical praise, particularly for her vocals and its commercial appeal.

The dance-pop album also incorporates some country and rock elements, a nod to Cyrus’ roots in Tennessee, where she grew up outside of Nashville.

The pop star, whose father is country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, first gained fame as a teen idol, after breaking out on the hit Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.” As she reached adulthood, Cyrus broke away from her alter ego and created a more provocative image, including youthful exploits that served as tabloid catnip.

Cyrus has had a number of hit singles including “Party In the USA” and “Wrecking Ball” under her belt, and is praised for her versatility and cover songs.

“I don’t think I forgot anyone,” she said as she left the stage, but not before quipping: “But I might have forgotten underwear.”

By Agence France-Presse

The post Miley Cyrus wins Record of the Year Grammy for ‘Flowers’ first appeared on Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world.

PATTAYA, Thailand – The tranquil life of Huay Yai Village in east Pattaya was disrupted by an unexpected visitor On February 4. A crocodile, approximately 2 meters in length and weighing around 30 kilograms, was found lounging by a fish pond at Taklom Fishing Pond, basking in the sun.



The bizarre spectacle drew the attention of local residents and news crews, who gathered around the pond, capturing the event on video. The crocodile’s playful demeanor and skillful evasion of capture attempts added to the intrigue of the situation.

Kan Jantaravichian, the 56-year-old fish pond owner, revealed that this was not the first time a crocodile had been spotted in the area. A similar incident occurred a year ago, raising concerns among the locals. The crocodile was believed to have escaped from a nearby farm, but it was never claimed or retrieved.

Fearing potential dangers to the local fishing community, authorities from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, the Sub-district Municipality of Huay Yai, and a rescue team of over 20 personnel sprang into action. Despite hours of effort, the crocodile continued to resist capture, skillfully evading the authorities.

In a last-ditch effort, authorities decided to use a car battery to generate an electric current in the water, aiming to temporarily incapacitate the crocodile. The strategy worked, and the reptile surfaced, allowing authorities to safely apprehend it.

The captured crocodile, showing no signs of distress, was later transferred to the Banglamung Wildlife Breeding Station  at Khao Chee On for ongoing care. Investigations are underway to determine the origin of the crocodile and ascertain whether it escaped from a local farm, similar to the previous incident.

PATTAYA, Thailand – Mayor Poramet Ngamphichet chaired the opening ceremony of the Inter-Colour Sports Competition organized by Pattaya City’s Sports and Recreation for the Thai Health (SRRT) committee. The event, held at Pattaya City School 11 (Mathayom Sathit Pattaya) on February 3, aimed to promote physical and mental well-being among SRRT members and volunteers, emphasizing leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship.



The competition featured four color-coded teams representing different city zones: Purple (Zone 1), Yellow (Zone 2), Pink (Zone 3), and Red (Zone 4). Participants engaged in five disciplines, including eating-marathon, land-skiing, tire-rolling, filling water into bottles, and sweet waist swaying. A friendly volleyball tournament and enthusiastic cheering performances added to the lively atmosphere.

Mayor Poramet highlighted the event’s significance in fostering teamwork and physical well-being, commending the involvement of public health personnel. Regardless of the competition’s outcome, participants were encouraged to embrace the true spirit of sportsmanship and take pride in their efforts.

PATTAYA, Thailand – In a bid to enforce public safety policies, Pattaya police conducted a comprehensive inspection of service and entertainment venues in the city. The initiative, aimed at preventing illegal activities, particularly underage drinking and operation of unlicensed establishments, was carried out in accordance with the commanding officer’s policies.

At 1:30 a.m. on February 3, law enforcement officers conducted random inspections at various entertainment venues. The “Area 39” venue located along Pattaya Third Road was targeted, where over 100 individuals were found inside. Authorities ordered the venue to cease music, turn on lights, and requested identification from all patrons.



During the ID check, a 19-year-old female patron was discovered. The venue management claimed she used a fake ID to gain entry. Preliminary investigations led by Pol. Maj. Col. Aphinant Boonyarat resulted in the summoning of the venue manager for questioning.

The manager faces three charges – operating without permission, selling alcohol beyond legal hours, and allowing individuals under 20 to access the premises. Authorities have warned all service and entertainment venue operators in Pattaya that random inspections will continue, and any violations will face strict legal consequences.

PATTAYA, Thailand – Local residents and motorcycle taxi drivers in Jomtien Beach Soi 5 assisted Pattaya City Police in arresting Sutthipong Jaihong, a 31-year-old vagrant, accused of stealing an electric bicycle. The bicycle, valued at approximately 40,000 Baht, belonged to a 79-year-old Australian national Terry Rasmussen, who noticed his vehicle missing after parking it in front of a dental clinic on Jomtien Second Road.



Viphada Netthong, owner of a nearby motorcycle repair shop, recognized Sutthipong as the previous thief of her 7 year-old son’s bicycle. She rallied residents to assist in his capture. Sutthipong confessed to the theft, stating he intended to return to his hometown in Samut Prakan but lacked transportation funds.

Authorities promptly took Sutthipong into custody, charging him with theft, thanking the community’s swift involvement and quick response which was instrumental in the thief’s arrest, highlighting the importance of public cooperation in crime prevention.

SATTAHIP, Thailand – The Sattahip Veterans’ Association, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Marines Corps and local authorities, commemorated Thai Veterans Day on February 3 with a ceremony honoring the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers who served and defended the nation. Over 100 veterans participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Marines Monument in Chumpon Camp, Sattahip.

Vice Admiral Sema Suwannachot, President of the Sattahip Veterans’ Association, led the ceremony, which was attended by Rear Admiral Apichart Sapprasert, Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Marines Corps. The veterans paid their respects by laying wreaths and remembering the heroism and sacrifices of their comrades.

In his speech, Vice Admiral Sema expressed gratitude to all veterans and their families and emphasized the government’s commitment to developing support systems for veterans and their families.

In a related event, Capt. Asok Srisawat, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy Region 1, led a delegation to visit families of military personnel stationed at the Naval Patrol Unit 1 in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. The visit focused on three families facing financial challenges, offering them moral support and practical assistance.

A homeowner in Chon Buri province, Thailand, was confronted with an unexpected and steamy situation when he discovered a couple engaging in sexual activity in their car parked on his property. The incident escalated when the car’s driver attempted to flee, nearly hitting the property owner in the process.

The incident occurred late at night when the 48 year old homeowner was washing dishes and heard a vehicle pull up beside his house in Phan Thong district. Curious about the unexpected visitor, he approached to investigate, suspecting that it might be someone intoxicated. He decided to capture the event on camera as a precaution in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

To his surprise, upon shining a light into the vehicle, he observed a man and a woman in the throes of passion. As he switched to video recording, the male occupant reacted angrily, hitting the car window in disapproval before reversing the vehicle and lunging it towards the homeowner, who managed to dodge in time, narrowly avoiding injury.

The homeowner quickly alerted the village headman, Khomron Ketprayoon, but the couple had already fled the scene. Reflecting on the event, the homeowner expressed his wish to warn couples to think carefully before engaging in such acts, especially in places where they do not have permission to be, as it constitutes trespassing and could lead to harm to property owners, reported Sanook.

In related news, a public park in Pattaya, Chon Buri province, known for its idyllic beaches and vibrant nightlife, was turned upside down by a couple’s shocking behaviour. Their immoral act tarnished the image of the resort town, prompting local authorities to crack down and make arrests.

The incident unfolded in the early hours near Krathing Lai Beach. A resident enjoying a morning stroll stumbled upon the teenagers hidden behind rocks, engaged in an inappropriate act. This brazen display in a public space outraged the community and cast a shadow on Pattaya’s reputation.

The story Chon Buri homeowner catches couple in intimate act as seen on Thaiger News.

Thai Samsung Electronics’ Vice-President of Mobile Experience, Sitthichoke Nopchinabutr, expressed confidence in the company’s position in Thailand’s competitive smartphone segment. This follows the recent launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, equipped with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

Sitthichoke revealed that the volume of pre-orders for the S24 series places Thailand among the top five markets globally. Moreover, it leads to Southeast Asia and Oceania. The impressive demand for the Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra models signifies the country’s growing interest in generative AI technology.

Sitthichoke further optimistically projected the generative AI market in Thailand to hit a worth of US$1 billion by 2030. He expressed that while Gen Z consumers are already familiar with AI technology, he expects Gen X and Baby Boomers to soon recognise its benefits.

Preliminary data shows that 49% of millennials and Gen Z users are drawn to the photo editing assistant feature in the new models. Additionally, 40% value the live translate and note assistant features.

However, a report by market researcher GFK indicates that local smartphone sales have dipped from 12.3 million units in 2022 to 10.7 million in 2023. This decrease is reflected in the value of smartphone sales, which fell from US$3.7 billion in 2022 to US$3.5 billion last year.

Nonetheless, Sitthichoke remains positive, anticipating the premium smartphone market value to outstrip that of non-premium smartphones in the coming year. Further, Samsung intends to introduce AI-enabled tablets next month.

Market analyst at IDC Thailand, Apirat Ratanavichit, echoed Sitthichoke’s optimism. He forecasts continued growth for the premium smartphone segment following a strong performance in 2023.

“We think Thai consumers are keen to upgrade to a new device soon after launch, particularly when deals are attractive.”

Apirat also commended Samsung‘s ability to tap into consumer enthusiasm for AI and its successful incorporation into everyday use. He noted that while the AI features attract tech enthusiasts, the latest flagship models continue to appeal to general consumers.

However, Apirat highlighted Samsung’s A-Series models as a critical factor in determining the company’s market position in terms of volume. The performance of these models, which constitute the bulk of Samsung’s shipments, will be instrumental in the company’s local market ranking, reported Bangkok Post.

The story Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series boasts strong pre-orders in Thailand as seen on Thaiger News.

Astrological enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement as the month unfolds, with notable astrologer Thosaporn Sritula, popularly known as Mor Chang, revealing his top five zodiac signs set to experience a stroke of good fortune in February. The astrologer’s insights have not only captivated those who keenly follow their horoscopes but have also garnered attention from the entertainment industry and fans alike, all eager to embrace the predicted prosperity.

The much-anticipated list, published on social media by Thosaporn Sritula, ranks Pisces at the forefront, predicting an exceptionally prosperous period for those born between March 15 and April 13. Following closely in second place is Libra, with birthdays spanning from October 18 to November 16, poised to receive a windfall of good luck, reported KhaoSod.

Capricorn, whose birthdates fall between January 15 and February 12, soar to the third spot, anticipating a month filled with favourable outcomes. Scorpio claims the fourth position, suggesting those born from November 17 to December 15 are set to encounter a series of fortunate events. Finally, rounding out the top five is Aries, with individuals born between April 14 and May 14 expected to embrace the flush of success that February promises.

In related news, as the end of January approached, astrologer Thosaporn Sritula issued a cautionary warning to individuals born under Leo and Gemini zodiac signs. Advising a temporary pause in travel plans and discretionary spending due to potential financial instability, the astrologer emphasized the importance of financial prudence.

Despite steady incomes, rising expenditures posed a risk, leading to a call for a financial breather. The advice, well-received in the realm of astrological predictions, urged these signs to tread carefully with budgets, especially as the month neared its conclusion.

The message serves as a reminder to prioritise financial health and readiness for potential monetary turbulence, even in times of prosperity and apparent abundance.

The story Astrologer predicts February fortune for top five zodiac signs as seen on Thaiger News.