Price to align with the times

The Bangkok Post has been devoted to providing Thai and international visitors with high-quality news, in-depth research, and complete protection of local and international activities for 79 times.

Given today’s fast changing community and tumultuous global economic climate, fair, balanced, and precise journalism is more important than ever.

Beginning on May 1, we will be adjusting the price of our week and Saturday copies from 30 ringgit to 40 baht per version in response to rising manufacturing and operating costs.

The Sunday edition’s cost will be the same, at 40 ringgit. The newspaper’s include cost will increase for the first time since 2008, according to this announcement.

This adjustment will allow us to keep up the high standards of media that have been our guiding principles since 1946, and to reaffirm our responsibility to our visitors and our region by providing trustworthy news and articles for the public attention.

Thank you for your knowing and continued reading.

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House gives round-up for year to date

Khampee: Gives a summary
Khampee: Provides a succinct description

Since December, the House has approved nine costs, and the prime minister has until December to approve 45 more.

A representative for the House speaker, Khampee Disthakorn, gave a brief description of the legislative sessions from December 12 last year to April 10 at yesterday’s meeting.

MPs convened 31 times during that time, along with six shared political classes.

19 legal amendments are still pending after the combined meetings, one natural law was approved, one was rejected, and three treaties were approved. Additionally, three democratic gestures were passed.

One bill was suspended under Part 137 of the law, and another is currently being reviewed by a mutual commission, making up nine costs full that were approved by parliament.

Numerous more charges are still being considered: four are being reviewed by the Senate, 19 are being reviewed by the council, 63 are awaiting plan thought, and 12 are undergoing impact evaluation studies and open hearings.

Regarding the constitution’s public-proposed costs, Mr. Khampee reported that six are on the plan, and 10 are pending the perfect minister’s approval.

Additionally, legislature approved committee information linked to 15 movements and passed 28 motions directing the government to take action.

One action for no confidence was made in accordance with Section 151. Additionally, the House reviewed and addressed a number of commission information, of which 135 received responses in the Royal Gazette.

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ABOUT POLITICS: Governor needs a sprint finish

Chadchart: Promises not kept?
Promises never kept, Chadchart?

The rate at which Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt runs City Hall’s affairs has been compared by observers to an old gasoline energy engine– slow to start, just to accelerate towards the end.

Mr. Chadchart faced criticism for not keeping his presidential election promises during the first half of his four-year phrase.

The politician, who largely won the highest couch at City Hall with 1.3 million vote again in 2022, has a polarized opinion of his achievement as governor, according to observers.

Before the ballot, Mr Chadchart exuded the image of a hard-working, high-calibre candidate for Bangkok’s operational best job. He made numerous pledges that would be fulfilled when in company, including a lasting remedy for the city’s persistent floods, which usually occur during the rainy season.

Nonetheless, his opponents were underwhelmed by the governor’s” dramatic” live performances, which frequently feature him riding a motorcycle while inspecting flooded streets and sois.

After some such channels, people felt turned off, slamming what they said was the mayor’s failure to adopt an effective correct for the storm problem.

The supporters of Mr. Chadchart also blasted what they claimed were unfair criticism of him, insisting that Bangkok has a myriad of structural and infrastructure problems that cannot be fixed overnight.

One of the busiest sois meandering through a dense business and residential district, the governor was criticized for a critical traffic snarl in November of last year. The jam was triggered by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s ( BMA ) closure of a partial traffic lane that had instead been converted into a bicycle lane.

The traffic chaos caused by the conversion quickly flooded into Sukhumvit and nearby roads during rush hours and all day long.

Social media caused a lot of public outcry, with numerous complaints branding the converted lane as an ill-thought-out and short-sighted plan.

The BMA immediately issued an apology, and Mr Chadchart leapt forward to defend the merits of the bicycle lane. He argued that the BMA’s initiative, which was launched in collaboration with foreign experts and embassies, represented a designation of a safe route for cycling and walking through the city.

However, the dedicated lane was not tolerated by drivers and residents, leading to traffic issues on 17 major thoroughfares and nearby Phetchaburi, Thong Lor, and Ekkamai.

Motorists reported long queues stretching as far as Victory Monument and Phatthanakan Road. Observers observed that delivery riders and motorcycles primarily used the bicycle lane rather than cyclists.

The BMA made no mistake when it removed the lane barriers, restored two-lane vehicle traffic, and maintained a shared pedestrian and bicycle path.

Mr Chadchart also apologised and admitted that urban development was prone to being marred by the “occasional missteps”.

At the time, it was anticipated that Mr. Chadchart’s popularity would decline as a result of the residents ‘ unpleasant aftertaste of their bicycle lane experiences. The underlying danger, according to critics, may be related to the voters ‘ growing concern that the bicycle lane backtrack may attest Mr. Chadchart’s propensity to get carried away with projects that affect the masses before abandoning them later.

Growing concerns and the absence of substantial achievements may have spurred the governor to get his act together. After all, the following governor’s election is scheduled for the following year.

It wasn’t until recently that MCOT News Radio reported that Mr. Chadchart had made a decision to run for re-election when his current term expires in June of that year.

His strategy is to meet residents in communities via mobile campaigns on Sundays, listen to their problems, and deal with them with a hands-on approach. Additionally, he is expected to make more strides to finish the important initiatives and policies to address persistent issues like floods, microdust pollution, traffic congestion, and refuse collection.

According to a source, Mr. Chadchart’s biggest stumbling block was not completing what he started by quickly removing the most unforgivable sin a leader has committed: graft.

The BMA, with Mr Chadchart at its helm, has had its fair share of graft allegations, including the procurement of overpriced fitness equipment and the construction of what were viewed as substandard bus stops.

The source claimed that Mr. Chadchart’s recent campaigning for “visibility” was not surprising because it appeared to have swayed his popularity.

Projects have been running since November last year, dubbed by his critics as an “early” poll-canvassing ploy.

This refers to City Hall’s success in clearing out the Lao Market, which had for years encroached on the pavement opposite Klong Toey Market. The governor then directed the attention of the illegal stalls that had been occupying the pavement outside Klong Toey Market, where vendors admitted to having bribed city thessakij inspectors to keep their businesses running.

Additionally, Mr. Chadchart made an announcement that the authorities were repressing traffic on city streets and streets that have been obstructed by abandoned vehicles.

Also, recently, the government set a goal of planting 1.06 million trees in Bangkok’s eastern suburbs by April next year.


Pheu Thai battling for space

The Pheu Thai Party-led government has decided to temporarily halt its controversial casino-entertainment complex bill in response to rising economic pressure from many nations and concentrate instead on growing concerns over Washington’s 36 % increase in import tariffs on Thai goods.

Pichai: Solutions must be' viable'

Pichai: Solutions must be’ viable’

Fears are pervasive that they could still be put in place against the kingdom despite President Donald Trump’s surprise this week, which included a 90-day pause on the tariffs for nations that chose not to retaliate.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra refrained from accusing the Thai government of using its delay as a stalling tactic in order to distract attention from the contentious bill’s controversial provisions.

Last week, Mr Trump announced a minimum 10 % tariff on imports from all countries, along with additional country-specific retaliatory tariffs. Thailand’s rate was set at 36 %, which was originally effective on April 9.

The House of Representatives was scheduled to read the bill the day before the decision to postpone it, and the same day, the new tariff rate was scheduled to go into effect before the 90-day pause.

As the government moves from a local political battle to weather broader economic storms, political analysts suggest it should not rush into any deal and must first understand what the US truly wants to achieve.

There is no need to make any concessions right now, according to Sompob Manarangsan, president of the Panyapiwat Institute of Management, and the government should look for other ways to negotiate as well.

Mr. Sompob claimed that the US Trade Representative ( USTR ), the Thai-US Chamber of Commerce, and other in-person contacts like lobbyists who are close to the US Republican Party could be used as well.

He noted that markets with larger trade volumes with the US like Japan, the European Union ( EU) and Canada will feel the brunt of the tariffs more than Thailand.

In order to divide the countries facing tariff increases, Mr. Sompob divided them into three groups: smaller nations that support the US without retaliation, those who support China, the EU, and Canada, and those who are eager to see how things turn out.

The US-China tension is rising, and it is hurting the US economy, as evidenced by the decline in US stock prices and consumer confidence. This may prompt the US to reconsider its tariff policy”, he said.

Exporting to the US must continue as usual despite the effects of the tariffs, Mr. Sompob continued, noting that all nations will experience the pinch.

The US may end up being the biggest loser, he said, because its citizens will end up paying higher prices for goods.

Somjai Phagaphasvivat, an independent political and economic analyst, said the tariff hike appears to be driven more by national security concerns than economic ones, especially against countries perceived to be aligned with China.

He noted that Vietnam and Cambodia are subject to nearly 50 % tariff increases, which is thought to be a way for China to re-export Chinese goods under their own labels.

He claimed that because Thailand is perceived as leaning toward China, it faces the threat of a 36 % tariff.

Mr Somjai said the government must adopt a multipronged approach in its negotiations with the USTR and use any leverage the country has, especially in agriculture.

He claimed that the nation might increase imports of US goods and promote its security cooperation and investment by private Thai companies in the US to lessen tensions and lessen the impact of the tariffs.

He remarked,” Don’t be a punching bag.”

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who leads the Thai negotiation team, has admitted that settling on terms that satisfy both countries equally will not be easy.

We must fully comprehend what the US wants and what they’re attempting to fix. Although I’m willing to negotiate, we must make sure that the ideas we bring to the table are useful and achievable.

” We need to work hard to show that our proposed solutions are viable, “he said.

The trade imbalance, according to the finance minister, is a contributing factor to the US debt, which accounts for about 123 % of its GDP.

The US wants to lower its interest rates and debt. That’s why they’re pushing to correct trade imbalances and bring more manufacturing back to America,” Mr Pichai said.

Thailand’s trade surplus with the US was estimated to be greater than US$ 40 billion ($ 1.37 trillion baht ) in the previous year.

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Thailand and NZ press on amid tariff turmoil

Two nominees engage in a telephone conversation to reiterate their desire to improve business ties.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra takes part in a telephone conversation with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Friday. (Photo: Government House)
On Friday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speak over the phone. Government House is in the picture.

In light of the threat of large mutual tariffs in the United States, Thailand and New Zealand have come to a consensus to reinforce bilateral trade ties across all channels using current frameworks.

According to government official Jirayu Houngsub, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her New Zealand rival Christopher Luxon had a telephone conversation on Friday to talk about closer assistance.

Ms. Paetongtarn stated during the discussion that the Thai government is carefully monitoring the effects of US tax policies and is willing to engage in dialogue with Washington to encourage more a balanced trade relationship.

Mr. Luxon pointed out that while New Zealand’s actual average tariff was only 1.9 %, the US had a 20 % reciprocal tariff rate.

Even though the US has announced a 90-day wait on bilateral taxes for all nations but China, and withholding the 10 % foundation transfer tax, the two leaders have come to a consensus to speed up progress to improve economic relations.

The two countries even expressed concern about the potential for rising global inflation and trade war, which was stifle regional economic growth.

The leaders reaffirmed that existing bilateral and multilateral frameworks, such as the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement ( AANZFTA ), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ( CPTPP ), should be used as tools to reduce the impact of US import taxes.

Mr. Luxon even expressed his condolences over the recent earthquake in Thailand, and he thanked the Thai government for aiding Myanmar in the process.

Ms. Paetongtarn concluded the discussions by reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to developing diplomatic relations with New Zealand into a strategic relationship by 2026.

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Public warned to stay alert to drowning risk

According to statistics, April and Songkran are at their highest points of the year when it comes to water casualties.

Passengers wait for buses to take them home or to holiday destinations at the Mor Chit terminal on Friday, as people start leaving Bangkok for the Songkran holidays. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
As people begin leaving Bangkok for the Songkran vacations, people wait for cars at the Mor Chit switch on Friday to take them home or to their vacation destinations. ( Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill )

Given the rise in deaths annually around the water event, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has issued a warning to the public during the Songkran vacations.

He said on Friday that disturbing records indicate that drowning fatalities rise rapidly in April, particularly during Songkran.

An average of 327 people per April, and between April 13 and April 15, there are up to 15 drowning on average per day, which is 1.5 times higher than at other periods of the year, according to statistics from the ministry’s continuous secretary’s business.

Adults between the ages of 45 and 59 are the most vulnerable, causing an average of 84 murders in April, followed by children under 15 and those between the ages of 70.

According to a report from the Department of Disease Control, 79 % of drowners now occur in agricultural or natural water sources, compared to 12 % who previously drank alcohol. No one who passed away was wearing a life jacket.

A lack of knowledge about how to support victims, bad swimming or survival skills, and a lack of awareness about how to help victims was all risk factors, according to Mr. Somsak.

He urged the general public to follow safety instructions posted at holiday destinations, to use career coats when engaging in water sports, and to stay away from alcohol in the water or near it. He emphasized that families may not leave their children unattended near the water.

He argued that lifeguards may be present in tourist destinations like reservoirs, waterfalls, and beaches, where there should be secure swimming areas kept away from boat traffic.

During the April 12 to 15 Songkran trip, the Marine Department announced that it would dispatch almost 800 officers and 52 police boats to improve health on piers and tourist destinations across the nation.

According to assistant state representative Sasikarn Wattanachan, the ministry has cooped with the Royal Thai Navy, the Sea Police Division, and rescue organizations to improve safety measures.

She advised people to avoid alcohol and use life vests when boarding ships. Additionally, they are advised to keep an eye on weather forecasts and dial the 1199 line 24 hours a day to review water-related emergencies.

Ms. Sasikarn stated that the Saen Saeb canal’s passenger ship companies may remain suspended from April 12 to April 15 as part of the security drive.

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Waterspout causes alarm near Phuket marina

No reports of damage or injuries brought on by biological phenomena in Chalong Bay.

A waterspout forms over the sea in Chalong Bay in Muang district of Phuket on Friday. (Photos: Government Public Relations Department)
On Friday, a tornado forms over the water in Chalong Bay in the Muang city of Phuket. Government Public Relations Department ( Photos )

Boaters and spectators in Chalong Bay, Phuket, were alarmed by a link that formed simply off a catamaran marina’s entrance on Friday.

A foreign visitor witnessed the normal occurrence on camera in the area around 11am when it first appeared.

Expressions of surprise and grief can be heard as a column of swirling waters rises from the ocean on video.

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No injuries have been reported to any warships, including local fishing ships and harbour structures, despite the event taking place close to a marina for boats and speedboats.

Authorities promised to examine the picture and investigate the circumstances.

Residents and visitors to the Chalong Bay region have been urged to closely monitor reports and remain on property for the time being until safety is assured.

The Meteorological Department predicted winds to strike 60 % of the southern area, including Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun provinces, with waves erupting over two meters and winds gusting up to 35 kilometers per hour.

Waterspout emerges near yacht marina Phuket, causing alarm

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Tourist boat bursts into flames off Koh Kut

Two injured members of the crew were safely brought to sea by a Thai family of four.

Flames rise from a tourist boat that caught fire off Koh Kut in the eastern province of Trat on Friday, injuring two people. (Photo supplied)
Two people were hurt when two people were thrown from a visitor boat that catches fire off Koh Kut in Trat state on Friday when it caught fire. ( Photo provided )

A visitor boat carrying a family of four caught fire off the shores of Koh Kut in Trat state on Friday, injuring at least two persons.

The Aor Subpiti went up in flames at around 11.40 am, prompting municipal government to intervene. One wounded person was reported aboard the first reports.

A family of four visitors and a two-person staff were reported aboard the ship. All patients were taken to Koh Kut Hospital with the assistance of individuals.

The home, which included a dad, mom, and two children, had left Koh Kood Cabana Resort and had taken a marine jumping trip with the ship. The boat’s engine apparently caught fire when they returned. The staff members suffered burns while assisting their customers ‘ return to shore.

When the last member of the crew who was still on the scene couldn’t extinguish the flames, he had to leave the ship and was taken away by a passing fishing vessel.

Just six people were aboard the ship at the time of the incident, according to local government, with the two crew members being the injured.

Because the motor adhered to safety standards, checks revealed that the fireplace was an accident.

The getaway area, where between 3, 000 and 4, 000 visitors are already residing for the Songkran vacation, has received a call for greater caution.

The boat’s user has been identified as Angkana Apibansri. Supawat Rojanamol, 18, and Manawat Bialy, 16, served as navigator. Manawat sustained severe wounds to his face and arms.

The community traveling with them was identified as Thai immigrants who had arrived on Thursday.

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Light signal brings hope for quake survivor of collapsed building

Rescuers look inside a hole after detecting a light in the collapsed 30-storey building of the State Audit Office on Friday. (Screen capture from the Phetkasem Foundation)
Firefighters look inside a hole after detecting a light in the fell 30-storey tower of the State Audit Office on Friday. ( Screen capture from the Phetkasem Foundation )

The diagnosis of a mild, possible from a cellular phone, has reignited hopes of finding victims in the collapsed federal building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak area.

The 2.14-billion-baht State Audit Office ( SAO ) skyscraper collapsed in seconds due to the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in central Myanmar on March 28.

Pakamol Metheepakdee, a recovery volunteer with the Phetkasem Foundation, said his staff was alerted to indications of victims in the aircraft at 6am on Friday. They received data that light signs, probably from a cellular phone, had been detected.

According to Mr Pakamol, firefighters working in Zone C, using large equipment, heard the sound of an Android mobile booting up while passing a hollow in Zone B. The noise is believed to have come from a 50-centimetre room originally located in images.

Upon further research, volunteers spotted a bright light and requested a micro-camera from the USAR group, which confirmed the sun’s life. But, when they asked the sun’s source to shift for verification, there was no response. It was only when they requested the light been turned off and on that they received conformity.

More images indicated the possible presence of two individual bodies about 1 and 3 feet above ground level, but firefighters have refrained from labelling these results as individuals.

Volunteers use heavy equipment to clear dust at quake-hit tower in Chatuchak area, Bangkok, on Friday. ( Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill )

Volunteers use heavy equipment to clear dust at quake-hit tower in Chatuchak area, Bangkok, on Friday. ( Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill )

Individuals are properly removing dust by side from the area and using a pump to provide air to the chamber.

The building’s programs suggest a plate may become facilitating the place now being excavated, but the need to cut through material structures has slowed their development, Mr Pakamol said.

Rescuers are still looking for 67 people still missing from the collapse, which killed 27 people and injured nine, according to the latest update on Friday by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ).

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Two Chinese arrested for thefts on plane to Bangkok

A policeman at Suvarnabhumi Airport frisks a Chinese national suspected of stealing money from other passengers on the same flight Thursday. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)
A Chinese federal is being detained by a police officer at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday after being suspected of stealing money from other passengers on the same journey. ( Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan )

On a trip from Macao to Bangkok, two Chinese individuals were detained and charged with stealing money from other passengers.

According to Pol Col Seksan Thiruangrit of the Tourist Police Bureau, Han, 54, and Wang, 46, were detained after Air Macau trip NX996 made its way to Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday.

The flight issued an alert regarding thefts on the plane, and both men are thought to be involved in the murder.

A customer witnessed Mr. Wang stealing a plastic bag filled with Thai baht from another traveler, only identified as Trang, from the bandwidth bin, according to Pol Col Seksan. Additionally, another travellers observed Mr. Wang and Mr. Han leaving their seats to search for other people’s luggage.

When Mr. Wang and Mr. Han appeared dubious upon exiting the plane, where they discovered$ 30,000 in money belonging to Mr. Trang, police requested their arrest.

Ding, a second rider who is also from China, after reported losing 50, 000 baht on the flight. The two people discovered the cash in their hands.

They were accused of stealing from common property.

Air Macau aircraft NX996 leaves from Macau at 7:30 am local time and arrives in Suvarnabhumi at 9:30 am.

Some airlines have cautioned customers about potential thefts while flying and advised travelers to retain valuable items close at all times.

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New plan to promote food waste sorting

People sort rubbish at waste sorting bins in Bangkok. (File photo: BMA)
At Bangkok’s waste sorting bins, individuals type trash. ( File image: BMA )

According to an assistant to Bangkok government Pornphrom Vikitsreth, families in six districts across Bangkok may be eligible to receive a discount on their rubbish collection fees if they separate their meal scraps from their common waste.

Given that rubbish collection costs are expected to rise in October, the cheap serves as an incentive to encourage more people to sort out their trash before disposing of it.

Beginning on April 21, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) will begin collecting food waste in the districts of Bang Phlat, Bang Kho Laem, Lat Phrao, Phaya Thai, Thon Buri, and Lat Krabang.

Households interested in partnering with the initiative is sign up for the BKK Waste Pay wireless application. Green spend luggage may be provided to households that have successfully registered so they can dispose of their food waste.

According to Mr. Pornphrom, the BMA’s Environment Department will collaborate with officials from the six districts to analyze the task before extending it to other districts.

Two or three times per week will get picked up for meals waste. Additionally, the BMA will inspire people to use food scraps as fertilizer or feed animals.

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