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Thai exports hit a record high in terms of value, rising 12.2 per cent to US$21.81 billion in September following continued growth in agricultural product shipments, the Commerce Ministry said.

Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said that exports in September expanded for a seventh straight month and their value marked a record, as agricultural shipments expanded for a 11th straight month, increasing 7.9 per cent during the month. Shipments of manufacturing products also expanded for a seventh straight month, climbing 12.5 per cent, she said.

She added that the purchasing power of Thailand’s trading partners and the economies of their main destinations also improved. For the first nine months of this year, Thai exports rose 9.3 per cent to $175 billion, the highest in six years.

Apiradi expressed confidence over Thai export growth, saying this year is expected to see export growth at no less than 8 per cent, higher than the targeted 7 per cent expansion.

Imports in September totalled $18 billion, rising 9.7 per cent and, as a result, the country’s trade account recorded a surplus of $3.36 billion in the month for total surplus of $12.2 billion for the first nine months.

Thai exports are expected to continue their growth trajectory in the rest of the year, Apiradi said, on the back of global trade recovery and increasing demand from Thailand’s major trading partners – particularly China and Japan.

Moreover, the global crude and commodity prices showed improvement and could be positive factors in boosting Thai export growth, she said.

If Thai exports average $19 billion per month for the rest of this year, export growth in 2017 will be higher than 8 per cent, she said, cautioning that currency movements could pose a risk to Thai export growth. She urged Thai exporters to hedge against foreign exchange risks.

Source: THE NATION

Thailand is imposing a smoking ban on some 20 popular beaches across the country as part of the country’s sustainable tourism plan efforts. The ban comes into effect in November 2017.

These beaches are in the provinces of Phuket (Patong); Surat Thani (Bo Phut on Ko Samui); Krabi (Phra Ae and Khlong Dao on Ko Lanta); Chon Buri (Bang Saen and Pattaya as well as Tam Pang on Ko Si Chang); Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Khao Takiap); Phetchaburi (Cha-am); Phang-nga (Ko Khai Nok and Ko Khai Nai on Ko Yao); Songkhla (Chalatas); Pattani (Tha Wa Sukri); Rayong (Mae Phim); Chanthaburi (Laem Sing), and Chumphon (Sai Ri).

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said, “These beaches are among the most beautiful in Southeast Asia, and the aim is to keep them that way.”

Many tourists include a visit to one or more beaches as part of their holiday in Bangkok and wider Thailand, and these beaches offer the opportunity to enjoy some unique Thai local experiences.

“People who do smoke need not worry, as they will still be accommodated. The new smoking ban on Thai beaches is aimed at maintaining a clean and safe environment for everyone and to help with Thailand’s positive image as a wonderful tourist destination,” Mr. Yuthasak added.

While the smoking ban covers the beaches themselves, officials say there will be designated smoking areas provided inland with refuse containers for the disposal of cigarette butts.

Cigarette butts, apparently, are the main reason behind the new smoking ban on Thai beaches. More precisely, the disposal of butts, or even more precisely, the disposal of butts in the proper way.

Thailand’s Department of Marine And Coastal Resources says it has had to retrieve tens of thousands of butts from the sands of beaches, with this accounting for a large amount of all rubbish collected. A department official said up to 138,000 butts had been collected from just one particular beach – a 2.5 km stretch of Phuket’s popular Patong Beach.

Come November, the new smoking ban on Thai beaches that has been making Thai tourism news recently will carry a fine of up to 100,000 Baht or a year in prison. Far better, it will be, to head to the designated smoking areas for a cigarette.

Officials say the ban initially being implemented on the 20 or so beaches could be expanded to all beaches in Thailand, if it is successful in tackling the waste problem. Meanwhile, under consideration is a similar measure against smoking on tourist boats.

Thailand became a party to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on 27 February, 2005. Since then, the country has become one of the world’s forerunners in the fight to ban smoking from public places.

source: TAT NEWS

Thailand will hold a general election in November 2018, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday, the most precise date he has given yet for the vote since taking power in a 2014 military coup.

Prayuth, head of the ruling junta, said the exact date would be announced in June 2018. The junta has announced election dates at least two times in the past, only to push them back later, citing concerns such as changes to the constitution and security issues.

“Around June we will announce the date for the next election,” Prayuth told reporters at Bangkok’s Government House. “In November we will have an election.”

Former army chief Prayuth, who led the May 2014 coup widely criticized by Western nations, said it was necessary to end a decade of political turbulence and root out corruption.

In April, King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed into law a military-backed constitution that kickstarts the process for an election the junta has promised will restore democracy.

The new charter provides for a proportional voting system likely to reduce the influence of major political parties, which critics say aims to strengthen the role of the military.

Analysts expect political activities to resume slowly after the funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej this month ends a year of mourning for a monarch many Thais saw as a father figure.

“Prayuth wants to delay the election but he knows that after the king’s cremation, there will be pressure for an election,” said Kan Yuenyong of the Siam Intelligence Unit think tank.

“This announcement for the election in November next year will act to reduce that pressure, because if not, there could be chances for protests,” he told Reuters.

Thailand’s main stock index rose 0.7 percent after the news, having opened Tuesday down 0.3 percent.

The government has faced increasing pressure to lift a ban on political activities levied soon after the coup. Prayuth will consider lifting the ban “at an appropriate time”, he told reporters, without giving details.

The junta had initially promised an election in 2015, after seizing power from the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin’s governments, or those backed by him, have won every election since 2001, partly because of their overwhelming popularity with politically-powerful rural voters. But the Shinawatras made enemies, including those among the military-backed establishment who accused Thaksin and his allies of corruption.

Ong-art Klampaiboon, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, Puea Thai’s biggest competitor, welcomed the news.

“The election date creates clarity,” Ong-art said. “This should be good for the country and the people.”

Source：Reuters

According to survey by Ctrip, a Chinese provider of travel services including accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours, Thailand will be the Chinese’s top destination during the 8-day golden week. Second popular destination is Japan.

Initial estimate by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is 260,000 Chinese tourists arriving during the golden week period, and 21 billion baht in earnings.

According to the China Tourism Academy, more than 710 million Chinese tourists will be traveling domestically or abroad during this year’s holiday, up 10% year over year.

Total tourism receipts during Golden Week 2017 are expected to increase by 12.2% year over year and reach ¥590 billion ($89 billion).

Mid- to long-haul trips appear to be the norm: 49% of Chinese travelers plan to travel for 4–7 days, while 31% plan to travel for 2–3 days and 18% for one week to one month.

The China National Tourism Administration’s Holiday Travel Guide indicates that the Southeast Asia region remains the most popular short-haul travel destination. This is largely attributable to the relative ease with which certain countries in the region grant visas to Chinese passport holders.

In addition, the number of direct flights between Chinese and Southeast Asian cities has grown this year, making it easier for Chinese tourists to reach various destinations in Southeast Asia.

Chinese passport holders benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 65 countries and regions around the world this year, an increase from 57 countries last year.

Thai permanent secretary for Tourism and Sports Mr Pongpanu Svetarundra said the ministry has forecast that about 260,000 Chinese tourists will visit Thailand during the Golden Week, up 35% from the same period last year, according to NNT.

According to the ministry, the Chinese tourists will likely spend their holidays in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Samui Island.

source: Thailand Business News

Bangkok Airways was recently voted “Best Regional Airline 2017 Award” in the 28th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2017 by readers of TTG Asia, a leading publisher and organiser of events in travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region.

Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth (middle), Bangkok Airways President, received the “Best Regional Airline 2017 Award” from Mr. Michael Chow (2^nd from left), TTG Asia Media’s Group Publisher – Travel group at the 28th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2017 Ceremony and Gala Dinner held at the World Ballroom, Centara Grand at Central World, Bangkok.

Mr. Puttipong said, “On behalf of everyone at Bangkok Airways, I am proud to receive TTG Travel Award as Best Regional Airline this year.

“With years of experience, this is one of the reputed awards that the airline is honored to be recognised for.

“I would like to extend our thanks to all the readers of TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, TTG Mice, TTG-BTmice China, TTG associations and TTG Asia Luxury for casting their votes for us,” he added.

“This achievement not only reflects our internationally recognised level of service and safety standards, yet it also manifests our continuous commitment to delivering the excellent products and services for our passengers which underlines the airline’s position as “Asia’s Boutique Airline,” Mr. Puttipong concluded.

Organised annually by TTG Asia, The TTG Asia Travel Awards honors the best of the best in the Asia-Pacific travel trade. This prestigious travel industry event marks a time for the industry to recognize the exemplary organizations that raise the bar of excellence.

source : TAT NEWS