Barkar Nash (Page 44)

230, 000 guests owing over five-day interval

During the New Year’s vacation, Thailand anticipates a sizable influx of tourists, with Phuket anticipating 230, 000 visitors from December 28 through January 1.

In northeastern Thailand, Chiang Mai Airport will eventually get 33, 000 travellers per day because people are constantly drawn there by the region’s renowned hills nations, elephants, and digital vagabond vibe.

In Phuket, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, director of the provincial Tourism Authority of Thailand’s ( TAT ) office, said the province was expecting almost 8 billion baht to be generated from more than 230, 000 visitors between Dec 28 and Jan 1, or roughly 35, 000 baht per person on average.

The regular routine expenses by visitors are estimated at 9, 000 baht per person, which may help boost the local market, he said.

He claimed that during this time, the average hotel occupancy rate on the island is over 80 %.

Mr Lertchai said some of the noted activities during the New Year include countdown activities, concerts, fire features and a coffee event.

Meanwhile, TAT Phuket has launched a campaign for public transportation on the island, promoting electric vehicles ( EVs ) and buses as the main modes of transportation to ease traffic congestion and enhance visitor experiences.

TAT also intends to improve and modernize the lineup of conventional year-end spiritual events to draw in younger audiences.

Art products may be incorporated into the religious customs that are upheld annually, including at shrines.

Mr. Lertchai claimed that this year, the beach has attracted more American visitors than ever.

He referred to Saudi Arabia as a promising emerging market that is also then aware of what Phuket has to offer.

Mr. Lertchai claimed that the TAT business is keeping tabs on the number of guests to the island province in the new year to avoid large volumes of traffic congestion.

Despite the efforts to reduce customers, he said this year’s income is expected to increase by 30 %, rising from 388 billion to 450 billion ringgit.

However, in Chiang Mai, Wg Cdr Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn, general manager of Chiang Mai Airport, just led a launch ceremony for the airport’s security labor to make living safer and more convenient for people including travellers between Dec 27 to Jan 4.

Wg Cdr Ronnakorn stated that the airport anticipates 205 planes a day during the trip, an increase from the standard 196 flights.

The airport also aims to get a normal average of 33, 000 people, 22 % more than the preceding year, he said.

Visitors are advised to use the integrated check-in program during the holidays when the aircraft is typically busy and to allow more time for the check-in process.

A new rules, which the Prime Minister’s Office has announced, will allow daily sales of alcoholic beverage at major international flights.

The announcement was made on Christmas Day and became effective on Thursday.

An spectator said the goal is to make the law more appropriate and in line with the” present condition.”

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on the tips of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee, has revoked the PM’s Office news on Feb 5, 2015 that limited the price of alcoholic beverages.

On Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, and the beginning and end of Buddhist Lent, which are the five main Buddhist holy days, for income are prohibited global.

The PM has since approved the alcoholic beverage control committee’s decision to allow all international airports under Airports of Thailand Plc ( AoT ) to sell alcohol during those five days.

That list comprises Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai flights.

The aim is to improve travellers ‘ spending and encourage tourism more, said a source.

In the meantime, the Department of Excise has announced its intention to update the rules governing the production of society spirits in order to boost the local business and raise the standard for local alcoholic beverages.

This is intended to lower the barriers to obtaining permits to develop community liquor, increase earnings, and promote private products, according to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul.

Breweries and craft beer breweries can now buy cellar beer off-site thanks to the revised guidelines. Keg pots must be at least 20 gallons. Small beer companies will also be able to upgrade without having to apply for a new license to become medium-sized companies.

The new regulations are expected to come into effect in February, he said.

” Higher speeds will improve path health,”

Following common criticism on social media, Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt defended the state’s new speed control laws, saying they would increase highway safety and reduce mortality.

Mr Chardchart, accompanied by his deputies, advisers and Sitthiporn Somkidsan, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s ( BMA ) Office of Transport and Traffic, on Thursday explained the rationale behind the city speed limits at City Hall.

Bangkok, said the chancellor, was one of only 15 locations worldwide that however permitted an 80 km/h rate control, while other countries have adopted lower levels, including the Philippines, which imposes a capital speed limit of 40 km/h.

According to studies on fatality risks from crash impacts, the likelihood of death increases by 20 % when the speed is 60 km/h, and increases by 60 % when the speed is 80 km/h.

Results revealed that most drivers in Bangkok generally drive at an average rate of 50 km/h despite having a frequency limit of 80 km/h.

The new limits, according to Mr. Chadchart, aim to lower road fatalities and enhance safety, noting that they could triple the accident rate. ” Speeding is a main cause of deaths, as seen in the case of Dr Kratai. In future, systems like velocity cameras will be used to maintain traffic laws, related to techniques in other countries”, he said.

He was referring to Dr. Waraluck Supawatjakul, who was struck by a police riding a Ducati scooter at a cross in the Ratchathewi city on January 21, 2022. The policeman appeared unobservant of the crossing, which caused a great uproar.

The government urged drivers to follow traffic regulations or face penalties like having their coverage denied if they are found to get speeding. He added that to reduce injuries and loss, the speed restrictions may be further lowered in particular areas like colleges and private communities.

Published in the Royal Gazette on Monday and taking quick impact, the fresh maximum speed limit of 60 km/h is imposed on most bridges in the money, except main thoroughfares, and 50km/h near the Grand Palace.

The free routes are: Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bang Na-Trat Road, Srinakarin Road, Phahon Yothin Road, Ram Intra Road, Ratchaphruek Road, Baromratchonnanee Road, Kanlapaphruek Road, Rom Klao Road, Suwinthawong Road, Chaengwattana Road, Rama III Road and Srinakarin-Rom Klao Road.

On the following 10 routes close to the Grand Palace, the speed limit is then 50km/h, with an more” no honking of ears” requirement: Ratchadamnoen Nai Road, Na Phra That Road, Prachan Road, Na Phra Lan Road, Sanam Chai Road, Kalayana Maitri Road, Thai Wang Road, Maha Rat Road, Rachini Road and Setthakan Road.

Mr. Chadchart noted that the BMA has also taken additional steps to enhance road safety, such as adding more street lights, upgrading more than 1, 000 pedestrian crossings, and addressing risks at 100 accident black spots.

The speed limit initiative is another step toward reducing fatalities, he said, and these efforts have resulted in a 9 % decrease in road accident fatalities in Bangkok, which shows that it is on the right track.

Online, there have been mixed reactions to the new speed limits, with some expressing approval while others expressing sarcasm. Critics suggested installing speed limit signs, not just traffic cameras for fines, to remind motorists.

Others argued that it was also necessary to impose stricter regulations on existing laws, such as those requiring seatbelts and imposing penalties for drunk driving.

Some skeptics wondered how reckless drivers, such as those who run red lights and risk the lives of others, could be a part of the new speed limits.

All parties involved in the new speed limits, according to Pol Maj Gen Thawat Wongsanga, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau in charge of traffic, as a requirement for better traffic discipline and road safety.

With 2025 rapidly approaching, the’ Bangkok Post’ takes a look at five of the top social reports that intrigued the country over the past 12 weeks, writes Aekarach Sattaburuth

1 Srettha’s state gone in blink of an eye

Srettha Thavisin’s wealth have taken a major change, from a real estate magnate to the government’s 30th perfect minister.

However, his reign as premier was only lasted for a time before an expected fall from grace.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party nominated Mr. Srettha from its three possible candidates for political office. His nomination followed the Move Forward Party’s ( MFP ) futile bid to get the Senate’s endorsement of its own candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, in the leadership contest.

On August 22, 2023, Mr. Srettha took over as premier. He rose to the position of leader despite being accused of playing the role of a marionette prime minister and lacking social experience.

He was praised for his regular established trips abroad and for having fought over interest rates with BoT chancellor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput.

Mr. Sethaput urged the central bank to have more control over how much money is spent, while Mr. Srettha frequently requested that the BoT reduce prices to encourage the business.

Additionally, Mr. Srettha received criticism for failing to implement Pheu Thai’s premier online budget plan as promised during the vote.

However, a petition was filed against Mr Srettha for naming ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a government minister.

The Constitutional Court found Mr. Srettha innocent of a grave ethical lapse following the appointment of Pichit on August 14. Mr. Srettha lost his job as a result of the decision.

Coalition party officials met in Bangkok’s Charan Sanitwong Road property at former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s invitation, according to rumors.

The decision was made to nominate original attorney-general Chaikasem Nitisiri for prime minister. The only individuals for Pheu Thai’s prime minister positions were him and Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

However, some Pheu Thai people called a press conference the following morning to demand that the party nominate Ms. Paetongtarn, Thaksin’s youngest girl and party leader, as the primary governmental applicant for a vote in parliament. The group obliged.

The group people claimed that Mr. Chaikasem had a bad health. Ms Paetongtarn, on the other hand, belonged to a new generation of politicians, is able to attend components far and wide and has the value of group members, according to the party.

On August 16, the Parliament appointed Ms. Paetongtarn to the position of prime minister.

According to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who added that the government had collaborate with the Interior Ministry to enact tougher penalties for drunk drivers in the next year, the sentence will be harsher.

Mr Suriya monday expressed worry over traffic injuries, especially those caused by drunk driving, individuals distracted by phones, tired moving, speeding and violating traffic laws.

In the previous New Year, traffic fatalities resulted in 284 casualties and 2, 307 injuries, according to information from the Don’t Pull Drunk Foundation.

He claimed that the government has been collaborating with various organizations to develop legitimate proposals, including more severe drunk travelling penalties and suspended suspensions. This aims to reduce street injuries and deaths.

Mr. Suriya claimed that the current laws, which has been in effect for more than two years, has not properly addressed the issue of repeat offenders.

He claimed that there must be more rigorous enforcement of the law.

By reducing mercy and ensuring greater police, the new legislation aims to strengthen the rules and make punishments more stringent.

When concluded, the plan may be submitted to the case for approval.

The government has ordered companies such as the departments of Land Transport, Airports, Marine, Highways, Rural Roads and Rail Transport to ensure safe and easy journey for the consumer to prevent accidents during the vacation time.

The government has set a goal to prevent injuries during the New Year’s Eve, with particular attention aiming for no accidents in public transportation systems.

From now to Jan 5, about 2.3 million people are expected to use public transportation, a 12.99 % increase from the previous month.

Public transport companies have also been ordered to ensure that vehicles, especially cars, meet security requirements.

However, local government organizations have been given instructions to keep track of all railroad crossings to prevent accidents.

Thailand has made significant progress since the wave, according to the UN Development Programme, but more needs to be done.

According to the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ), people in Thailand should make disaster preparedness a habit to prevent large casualties in the future, such as those caused by the tsunami of 2004.

According to Niamh Collier-Smith, the UNDP citizen representative in Thailand, disaster preparedness really become a daily practice to make sure people are protected if a wave occurs repeatedly. Thailand has made tremendous progress in this area.

At 7.58am on Dec 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude disaster occurred off the coast of Aceh territory in Indonesia, sending large waves into the shores of Indonesia, Thailand and 12 different locations along the Indian Ocean, causing 227, 898 incidents.

In Thailand, the tsunami hit six provinces along the Andaman coast ( Krabi, Phuket, Phangnga, Ranong, Trang and Satun ), leading to 5, 395 deaths.

The 2004 wave provided an important lessons to society, that planning is a key to survival, Ms Collier-Smith said at an event held on Thursday in Khao Lak, Phangnga to celebrate the 20th celebration of the drama.

People at that time did not know what to do, or what was happening, because they had never experienced a wave before, she said. But, people were not ready to respond quickly.

” Twenty years have passed and many steps have been taken to make us stronger when disaster strikes us again,” she continued.

An early warning system remains a need, she said, while ordinary removal drills are also needed to ensure a quick response.

” Moreover, it is important to have society engagement to assure that no one is left behind when a crisis hits, especially people with disabilities, the old or those who have less natural mobility”, she added.

She also noted that the tsunami of 2004 has taught people about the value of having the appropriate communication tools and sharing data among nations and regions.

” As well as between the government and the affected communities themselves, it is even more important,” she continued.

She praised Thailand for making significant strides over the past 20 years to protect coastal communities from tsunamis and keep its coastline a top tourist destination in the world.

” Tsunami drills must become a habit to make sure people are prepared for the next disaster,” according to safety demonstrations on airplanes. I do not believe any nation has yet attained that level,” she continued.

The tsunami, according to deputy interior minister Sabeeda Thaised, was a clear call for Thailand to develop active risk and disaster management policies that emphasize preparedness, prevention, and mitigation of large-scale disasters.

The government, she said, would continue to prioritise disaster management research and knowledge-sharing, both domestically and internationally, and adapting that knowledge to the Thai context.

Thailand commits to improving disaster preparedness and establishing systematic, effective, and holistic disaster management strategies. We make an effort to support regional and global efforts for resilience and safety,” she continued.