Super Typhoon Yagi drenches southern China ahead of landfall

By:
On:
In: Asia

As one of the strongest storms to hit Asia this year and heading for ashore along Hainan’s tropical beach, strong winds and heavy rainfall from Super Typhoon Yagi drained southwestern China on Friday ( Sep 6), forcing schools to close for a second time and cancelling flights.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 245kmh near its attention, Yagi files as the country’s second-most strong tropical storm in 2024 so much, after the Category 5 Atlantic storms Beryl.

Yagi is expected to make land along China’s beach from Wenchang in Hainan to Leizhou, Guangdong on Friday evening, more than double its durability since it earlier this year destroyed the northern Philippines.

Immediately and on Friday night, the area experienced strong thunder and lightning and wind throughout the region.

On Friday, some flights in Hainan, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao were canceled, with the majority of southern China’s transportation links being closed. The country’s longest ocean crossing, the major bridge linking Hong Kong with Macao and Zhuhai in Guangdong, was likewise closed.

The stock exchange was shut down while universities remained shut in Hong Kong’s financial hub.

The storms 8 signal, the next highest, would be in place until at least 12pm on Friday, Hong Kong’s observatory said, meaning some businesses may be opened and transport will be drastically reduced.

Residents are being advised to stay away from the shoreline by the statement,” Intense rainbands associated with Yagi will bring heavy squally showers to the territory”.

According to the official news agency Xinhua, China’s government sent task forces to Guangdong and Hainan to provide advice on preventing floods and typhoons.

Super Typhoon Yagi’s projected landfall in Hainan is uncommon, as the majority of typhoons landing on the duty-free island are categorized as weak. From 1949 to 2023, 106 typhoons landed in Hainan but only nine were classified as super typhoons.

Typhoons are becoming stronger, fuelled by warmer oceans, amid climate change, scientists say. Typhoon Shanshan slammed into southwest Japan last week, making it the strongest storm to hit the nation in decades.

Yagi, which strengthened into a super typhoon on Wednesday night, is the Japanese word for goat and for the constellation of Capricornus, a mythical creature that is half goat, half fish.

Continue Reading

The Italian town that banned cricket

By:
On:
In: Asia
BBC Miah BappyBBC

A group of Bangladeshi friends are practicing their baseball skills on a small piece of masonry while the sun is scorching on the Adriatic coast of Italy.

They are playing on the fringes of Monfalcone, near to Trieste Airport, because the president has in effect forbid them from doing so in the city itself.

They say those who try can face fines of up to €100 ( £84 ).

” If we were playing inside Monfalcone, the officers would have already got around to stop us”, says staff captain Miah Bappy.

He mentions a group of Bengali teenagers who were” caught” playing their country’s national sport in a nearby park. Their game was ended by a police patrol who fined them because they were n’t aware that security cameras were being used to record them.

” They say bowling is not for Italy. But I’ll tell you the truth: it’s because we are europeans”, Miah says.

The restrictions on baseball serves as a metaphor for the deep seated conflicts that are roiling in Monfalcone.

The city has an cultural make-up distinct in Italy: of a population of just over 30, 000, almost a third are immigrants. The majority of them are Muslims from Bangladesh who started building massive cruise ships in the late 1990s.

In effect, according to president Anna Maria Cisint, who is a member of the far-right League group, the social nature of Monfalcone is in risk.

She seized the opportunity to “protect” her city and uphold Christian values after winning the election for president due to anti-immigration attitude.

” Our story is being erased”, she tells me. ” It’s like it does n’t matter anymore. All is deteriorating in a negative way.

Italians in American clothing interact with Bangladeshis wearing shalwar kameez and veils in Monfalcone. A network of cycle paths, which are mostly used by the South Eastern society, is present, along with Bangladeshi restaurants and kosher stores.

Ms. Cisint has rebuffed what Muslim women wearing at the beach and removed the seats in the village square where Bangladeshis used to relax during her two terms in office.

” There’s a very powerful method of Islamic fundamentalism around”, she says. ” A society where people oppress and treat people badly.”

The president claims there is no money or space to create a new ball and that cricket balls pose a threat when it comes to her restrictions on cricket.

She claimed that Bangladeshis are denied the right to execute their country’s national sport and that they offer “nothing in return.”

” They’ve given nothing to this town, to our society. Zero”, she says. ” They are free to go and play cricket anywhere else … outside of Monfalcone”.

The Fincantieri shipyard

The president has received death threats because of her opinions on Muslims- and that’s why she’s then under 24-hour police security.

Miah Bappy and his brother batsmen have relocated to Italy to construct boats at the Fincantieri factory, which is one of the largest in the world and one of the biggest in Europe.

The mayor accuses the business of “wage dumping,” which is the practice of paying wages lower than the market, frequently to foreign workers, while claiming that because the company’s salaries are so small no Roman may want to do the same amount of work for the same amount of money.

However, the shipyard’s director, Cristiano Bazzarra, insists that the company’s and its architects ‘ salaries are in compliance with Roman law.

” We are not able to get trained staff. He claims that it’s very hard for young people in Europe to operate in shipyards.

Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe. Last year just 379, 000 babies were born in Italy with an average of 1.2 children per woman.

Italy is also experiencing labor shortfalls, and according to experts, it will need 280, 000 overseas staff annually until 2050 to make up for a declining labor force.

Anna Maria Cisint

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy, has increased the number of grants for non-EU staff despite previously saying she wanted to reduce emigration.

But Anna Maria Cisint firmly believes that the way of living of the Bangladeshi Muslim community is “incompatible” with the existence of native-born Italians.

The tensions in Monfalcone reached a brain when the president in effect forbade group prayer at the two Islamist centers in the city.

The president claims that” a large number of folks are praying in the two Islamist centers in just one building” after “people from the city started sending me stunning photos and videos.

” There are so many scooters left on the road, and loud prayers five days a moment- even at day”.

Mayor Cisint claims that this was cruel to the area’s residents and that the city’s ban on social prayer is related to industrial planning regulations. She claims it’s certainly her job to provide the Muslim centers because they are not intended for religious worship.

Due to the difficulty of constructing places of worship, Islam is not one of the 13 official religions that are recognized by European law.

Bangladeshis in Monfalcone claim that the president’s choice has had a significant influence on the Sunni population.

” The president thinks that Bengalis are trying to Islamify Italy- but we are really minding our own company”, says 19-year-old Meheli. She was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, but raised in Italy and grew up in Western clothing. She speaks Italian fluently.

She claims that her Bengali identity has caused her to face harassment and swear swearing in public.

Miah Bappy is hopeful that his Roman card will be issued this year, but he is unsure whether he will stay in Monfalcone.

” We do n’t cause any trouble. We pay fees”, says the port employee. ” But they do n’t want us here”.

The president believes the way of living of the Bangladeshi area is “incompatible” with the existence of local born Italians.

However, Miah Bappy points out that if they all left their respective countries tomorrow, “it would consider the port five years to build a second ship.”

A local court overturned the town council’s decision to forbid shared prayer over the summer.

But Monfalcone’s president has vowed to continue her campaign against what she calls” the Islamisation of Europe” beyond Italy.

She has now been chosen to represent the EU in a debate in Brussels.

Bob Howard provided further monitoring.

Continue Reading

Midstream tech firms to move out of China, S&P says – Asia Times

By:
On:
In: Asia

According to an S&amp, P report, some global downstream systems technology companies have started emigrating from China or adding new capacity abroad, evoking the example of their clients. &nbsp,

In phase one of the relocation, many downstream electronic manufacturing services ( EMS ) firms, including Taiwan’s Foxconn Industrial Internet, had moved to diversify their investment from China to other countries such as Vietnam and India. This step has been mostly completed. &nbsp,

Phase two of the emigration, which refers to the removal of downstream power from China, will result in higher paying, higher operating expenses, and the possibility of shoddy executions.

Over the next two to three years, tech firms may continue to diversify their supply chains away from China, with a focus shifting to the middle of the tech value chain, according to Clifford Kurtz, a major record analyst at S&amp, P.

Tech companies could maintain geopolitical risks, including the loss of important supply lines, the emergence of punishing taxes, or any other events brought on by US-China tensions, thanks to a more geographically distributed production footprint, he claims. &nbsp,

He adds that because of the significant funding in moving-related plants and equipment, phase two relocation will be challenging to change. &nbsp,

According to the S&amp, P report, technology hardware producers are suppliers of quiet components, energy electronics and motors, connectors and sensors, printed circuit boards, and contracted silicon council and check services that are likely to accelerate investment outside of China in 2024 and 2026. &nbsp,

S&amp, P has found that the exposure of 14 midstream technology firms it tracks by fixed-assets dropped to 26 % in 2023 from a peak of 30 % in 2021. Over half of these companies ‘ new investments over the past two years were spread across Asia, the European Union, or the Americas, such as Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and India. &nbsp,

Over the next two years, Foxconn is anticipated to increase its annual capex to 13 billion yuan, according to the report. This will be used to build factories outside of China in large part. &nbsp,

Another case is Vishay Intertechnology, an American semiconductor maker, which is going to spend more than US$ 1 billion in total to expand production in Mexico, Taiwan and Europe over the next two years. The company’s capex was US$ 300 million last year. &nbsp,

Vishay currently has seven factories in Chinese cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Huizhou and Xi’an.

According to the S&amp, P report, global technology hardware firms will continue to move out of China despite higher costs, operational disruptions, and lower efficiency as a result of some push and pull forces.

The push factors include Washington’s restrictions on imported technology from China and export controls on expensive semiconductors and artificial intelligence technologies. The pull factors include foreign governments ‘ new incentives to grow their technology sectors. &nbsp,

Since the US-China trade war broke out in 2018, China has seen its share of imported US technology hardware decline in favor of Mexico and ASEAN nations. &nbsp,

China’s share of US imports of electronic computers fell to 44 % last year from 66 % in 2017. China’s share of US imports of other electronic components decreased from 61 % during the same time to 16 %. &nbsp,

FDI and unemployment&nbsp,

On August 17, China’s Ministry of Commerce said the country’s foreign direct investment fell 29.6 % to 539.5 billion yuan ($ 76.11 billion ) from a year earlier. Without providing a full geographical breakdown, it said FDI from Germany and Singapore increased 26.4 % and 11 % year-on-year, respectively. &nbsp,

Due to the departure of numerous foreign manufacturers, Chinese factory workers have said it is now very difficult to find employment in Guangdong. Some said they are now offered a monthly salary of about 3000 to 4, 000 yuan, compared with 8, 000 to 10, 000 yuan per month in the past. &nbsp,

According to the National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS ), China’s youth unemployment rate increased to 17.1 % in July, the highest level since the new system of record-keeping began last December. In June this year, the figure was only 13.2 %. &nbsp,

Overall, the unemployment rate in urban areas was 5.1 % during the first seven months of this year. According to economists, these figures may have understated how unemployed people in China are because they do not qualify as unemployed. For example, someone who works more than one hour per week is not considered unemployed.

” Goodbye, Guangdong”! has recently become the most popular search term in China as thousands of skilled workers decided to leave their homes in Guangdong, Hubei, Guangxi, and Sichuan provinces because they were unable to find employment or make ends meet there. &nbsp,

These workers, who have resided in Guangdong for more than ten years, typically only returned home once a year during the Lunar New Year holiday in January or February. Some of them had endured months of homelessness because they could not afford rent. &nbsp,

According to Chinese media reports from 2022, many Shenzhen and Dongguan, Guangdong, companies that manufacture electronic components, were shut down because of insufficient orders. &nbsp,

R&amp, D investment: the German factor

While many American, Japanese, and Taiwanese companies are diversifying their supply chains outside China, some German companies are increasing their R&D investment in mainland China. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Germany’s FDI in China grew 12.3 % to 7.3 billion euros ( US$ 8.1 billion ) in the first half of this year from 6.5 billion euros in the same period of last year, the Financial Times reported, citing the Bundesbank, Germany’s central bank. &nbsp,

The investment growth was mainly driven by big German carmakers, according to the report. According to experts, German businesses made about 19 billion euros in profits in China last year and made the decision to reinvest more than half of it domestically.

Germany’s FDI into China represented about 11.5 % of China’s total FDI of 498.9 billion yuan in the first half of this year, assuming both figures are calculated with similar methods. &nbsp,

In a press release released on Monday, Martin Klose, executive director and board member of the German Chamber of Commerce in South &amp, Southwest China, stated that” German companies are investing in local innovation and strategic partnerships with Chinese customers and suppliers to stay competitive in an intense and dynamic market environment.” &nbsp,

The German Chamber of Commerce in China, in cooperation with BearingPoint, conducted the Innovation Survey 2024 from February 19 to March 13 this year, with 324 German Chamber member companies participating. &nbsp,

About 19 % of the surveyed companies are automakers, while about 31 % are manufacturers of machinery and industrial equipment. The remaining are engaged in services ( 12 % ), electronics ( 8 % ) and chemicals ( 5 % ) businesses. &nbsp,

According to the survey report released on Monday, 63 % of respondents said they conducted research in China, an increase of 6 percentage points from 2022. About 69 % say they do development in China, up 4 percentage points from 2022. &nbsp, &nbsp,

In addition, according to the report, 29 % of German businesses conduct research in China for global markets, up from 25 % a year ago, indicating China’s rise as a hub for global innovation. &nbsp,

Read: Beijing rips Canada’s 100 % tariffs on China-made

Follow Jeff Pao on X: &nbsp, @jeffpao3

Continue Reading

Deep Dive Podcast: Is it a problem when able-bodied people use PMAs?

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

People like seniors and younger children might find it quite risky to walk along for paths because of how unpleasant that will turn out to be.

Crispina Robert:
For this group of people, this system, in my mind anyhow, saves money, because they buy it once&nbsp, off Carousell or TikTok store or whatever, probably$ 1, 000, under$ 2000- no diesel, no income. It’s such an easy means for them, and even, quite a lot of them do sales as well.

Therefore, it doubles as a group of people’s cheap transportation option. Do you think this will go away, yet if we say,” PMAs can only be used for medical reasons, and only 6kmh”. Do you believe that we should take a closer look at this?

Florence:
Because more people have been complaining about how the PMAs have been misused and misused, I believe this is a very serious problem. This needs to be addressed very immediately.

Crispina:
But, there’s a genuine have, is what we’re saying? &nbsp,

Steven:
It only means that instead of using PMAs, they will have to consider other options.

Michael Kuan:

Not because a disabled person is seated on the couch, but because it was specifically designed for the handicapped. My kind of hair is very lightweight and small.

People with disabilities must enter searching centers and stores. We must be able to switch on the money and squeeze into tight paths.

It’s those great chair that’s super, super great. Even I wo n’t call them as PMAs—they are PMDs. I notice a lot of elderly citizens reclining in those tiny chair.

Continue Reading

The duo behind this Singapore silk label includes a former in-house artist at LV and Goyard

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Pets are prominent in Ang’s models, a smile to her earlier work in the industry, where clients frequently requested paintings of their favorite animals or pets.

Their most popular printing thus far? The” Classic Porcelain Cat is doing very well. The pareos ( sarongs ) are sold out”, shared Tan. The printing, which features the Singapura Cat frolicking among blue and white florals inspired by traditional Chinese porcelain, exemplifies Ang’s name humor and a smile to the brand’s Taiwanese history. It’s joy, but even elegant.

When asked to pick a favorite design, Jasline hesitated. ” It’s so hard to choose”, she admits before eventually picking up a blanket. ” I truly love the qilin, because we’re Studio Qiling”, she said with a smile.

ART MADE PRACTICAL

With her business background, Tan brings a consumer’s attention to the innovative approach. She is very helpful in establishing the overarching elements that underpin each set.

She suggested we use the safari design for our first launch and a mythical beast design for Chinese New Year. Her input does n’t end there, she’s also her partner’s go-to sounding board for colour decisions. ” I’ll inquire her – blue and green, or blue and pink? She picks the combo”, Ang shared.

Continue Reading

Why protecting Australia’s surf breaks is crucial to the country’s economy

By:
On:
In: Asia

Surfing was first introduced to Australia more than a century before.

Since therefore, the game has grown both as a cultural and commercial giant.

Research from the Australian National University (ANU) estimates surfing injects at least A$3bn ($2bn; £1.5bn) into the national economy each year.

However, the review includes a clear notice that surf breaks, or areas where the waves start to decline or fall, should not be taken for granted and require more legal safety.

The elements that make these high quality tides probable are frequently in threat, according to Dr. Ana Manero, a professor of water economics and management at ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy.

” I do n’t think the lack of protection right now is deliberate. It is just sea breaks, and they just fall into a blind spot for policy manufacturers right now.

Global heat and inadequate water quality are surfing ‘ key problems, according to the report published in the journal, Marine Policy.

Although Bells Beach in Victoria and about a hundred beach breaks in the state of New South Wales are protected legally, researchers want much more.

” Those waves may not appear on a world-class image but they do offer price for people like you and I,” Dr. Manero told the BBC from her business in Perth, Western Australia.

The waves we need to focus our attention on are the ones that do n’t catch the attention of the world.

Waves off the area of Mundaka in northeastern Spain vanished after a dredging operation in a local river.

Additionally, studies revealed that development of a pier in Perth resulted in the departure of three browse breaks in 2022, and that an artificial reef has been suggested.

Some responses for Australia may be found far ahead in South America or far away from home.

” In Peru they established what they call La Ley de Rompientes, which means the laws of sea falls, that protects these property”, added Dr Manero.

In New Zealand, protections are provided by an already-existing act of parliament and a distinct, comparable legislation that acknowledges the importance of local, regional, and national search areas. They are protected in accordance with how significant their value is to surfing.

Using data from the Australian Sports Commission, a government agency, the ANU review estimates there are more than 720, 000 active child surfing in the country. On average they spend about A$ 3, 700 each month.

However, it is likely to be a conservative figure because it does n’t take into account children, foreign visitors, or money made through professional surfing.

” It is like this great business, cafes, restaurants, surf shops, hotel. Yeah, it’s great. Like it”, said Matt Grainger, who runs the Masculine Surf School in Sydney.

” I’ve had the company for 30 times. Just looking forward, I pretty much see it]with ] just a slow growth. So, we make an effort not to grow too quickly here, like we do with the surf school, because you do n’t want to crowd out the ocean with too many surfers.

” When you’ve got your table, it’s free and it’s always different, the sea, the storm, the swell”, he told the BBC.

On a bright and sunny winter’s night on Australia’s Pacific coastline, Mika Flower, an trainer, is preparing to take cost of another session.

The labor to win, or attempt to learn, a flood begins with repeated drills on the sand.

” I have surfed my entire career. It’s very fun”, Ms Flower explains.

It’s good not to work in an office, and I thought I had like to be able to share the joy of surfing with others. Working at the beach and being immersed in the water are good things. Australia is, kind of, seen as the land to sea. Everyone wants to climb on the wagon”.

Surfing is about embracing the power of character, for those looking for the perfect wave. For them, it’s a product that should be protected.

Continue Reading

Reliance-Disney: A mega merger aims to reshape India’s entertainment landscape

By:
On:
In: Asia

If a movie streaming acquisition is approved, Indians might be on the verge of enjoying watching The Bear, Succession, Deadpool, and the real series Bigg Boss all on one system.

The deal, which brings together the media assets of India’s largest conglomerate Reliance Industries and entertainment giant Walt Disney, has sparked both excitement and concerns over potential monopolistic dominance in the Indian entertainment and advertising industries.

The$ 8.5bn ( £6.5bn ) merger aims to create India’s largest entertainment company, potentially capturing 40 % of the TV market, reaching 750 million viewers across 120 channels, and dominating the advertising sector.

This strengthens Disney’s position in the difficult American industry while aiding Reliance’s expansion efforts. Additionally, it pits the new leisure behemoth against well-known rivals like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sony, and 50 different streaming services.

Consider the approach of this innovative entertainment big: Disney’s Star India operates more than 70 TV stations in eight language, while Reliance’s Viacom18 runs 38 programmes in eight language. Both have access to big streaming services, including Hotstar and Jio Cinema, as well as video productions.

Owning the rights to broadcast a sizable amount of India’s athletics events, including the wildly acclaimed Indian Premier League baseball event, amplifies their influence even more.

In a cricket-obsessed society, this is a primary business location. According to Elara Capital, a world purchase and consulting firm, the merged entity is reportedly in charge of 75 to 80 % of the American sports streaming market, across both straight TV and online platforms.

Reliance and Disney will have a significant share of the overall advertising business due to their dominance in this industry, particularly cricket. It showcases” solid growth in an industry where activities is a key driver of viewers on both TV and online programs”, says Karan Taurani, an scientist at Elara Capital, who calls it a “large internet juggernaut”.

Although the acquisition promises to offer customers a variety of information, critics wonder if it places too little power in the hands of just one person.

Any competition firm would sit up and take notice of the development of a large in the market, according to KK Sharma, who previously led the merger manage division of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

According to analysts, India’s competition watchdog reviewed the agreement before approving it with a proviso that reads” content to the conformity of deliberate modifications.”

Although the two companies have not yet made these “voluntary modifications” people, it is reported that they have committed to not exceptionally raising advertising rates while streaming bowling games.

The agreement depends on these assurances, adds Mr. Sharma, because the CCI “retains its power to actually break the business- if the strong enterprise becomes a threat to competition in the market.”

Both Disney and Reliance have a lot to gain from the deal, which gives them a chance to consolidate their pole position in an increasingly competitive but expanding Indian streaming market.

However, experts warn that it could also result in a potential decline in the business profits of smaller players.

” The Indian market values bundling and is price-sensitive. ]Subscribing to ] this combined entity can offer a comprehensive package including]access to ] web series, movies, sports, original content, and a global catalogue”, says Mr Taurani.

And he cautions that other streaming companies may struggle to raise prices if the combined company can also make use of Reliance Jio’s large telecom subscriber base, he adds.

The Reliance Group has a tried-and-true business model that has allowed it to succeed in India’s price-sensitive market: it launched Jio in 2016 with cheap mobile data, and its JioCinema streaming subscription is only 29 rupees ( 0.35 ) per month.

Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani has also promised “unparalleled content at affordable prices” as a result of this agreement.

The cost of programming and content will cause concern for other streaming services. Will they be forced to drop prices”? says media and entertainment industry specialist Vanita Kohli-Khandekar. She claims that Reliance’s practice of selling goods for” trash” usually “destroys value” for its rivals.

Although streaming competitors may be simpler to deal with, the new company will also face significant opposition from rivals with large budgets, such as Google, Meta, and Amazon, who have been attempting to expand in India.

According to a report from research firm Media Partners Asia, these global tech giants “have played a crucial role in expanding India’s video market, which is currently estimated to be worth$ 8.8 billion in revenue for content owners.” In 2022-23, Google’s YouTube alone had an 88 % share in India’s premium video-on-demand (VOD ) market.

The new Reliance-Disney behemoth hopes to monopolize not just sports, news, and movies, but also transfer these large corporations ‘ digital advertising revenues to its own pockets.

” Now, it’s an even fight”, says Ms Kohli-Khandekar. You must have scale in order to compete with some of the large global corporations that are active in India, according to the statement” about 80 % of digital revenues go to Google and Meta.”

However, she warns that the new company will need to deliver quality with quantity, even though it may have scale and heft. For instance, if the streaming industry becomes more reliant on views over subscriptions, “programming quality will only be good on one or two apps,” she says.

” That is something I would be on the lookout for.”

Continue Reading

Govt moves forward with casino complex plan

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Sep 2024 at 05: 26

Immigration police raid an illegal casino in a hotel in Nonthaburi in November last year. (Police photo)
In November of last year, immigration authorities raided an unlawful game in a motel in Nonthaburi. ( Police photo )

According to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat on Thursday, the government will continue to build a giant leisure complex in Thailand that will include casinos.

He claimed that the program had been approved by 80 % of the participants at the public hearing.

The common hearing was held to discuss the entertainment complex act drafted by the Ministry of Finance, according to Mr. Julapun, a vital part of the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party.

The legislation will make gambling establishments legal, of which games will be a piece.

He claimed that the costs may be modified to include useful information from audience members ‘ notes.

The government would be given the modified bill so that coalition parties could choose to support it. The assistant secretary added that if they vote in favor, the bill will go to the Council of State for review before being sent to the House of Representatives.

The majority of gambling is now prohibited in the kingdom, but there is a lot of it. State-controlled animal tribes and an established raffle are permitted.

The Finance Ministry study last month showed that the government’s suggested entertainment complicated project, which includes games, is expected to bring generally Thai players, accounting for up to 90 % of consumers.

A source from the Finance Ministry said that minimal or people confined companies with authorized funds of at least 10 billion baht are required to apply for concessions for entertainment complexes. The Entertainment Complex Policy Committee requires these businesses to have a license.

A license is valid for 30 times and can be renewed at any time. The licensing fee is 5 billion baht per permission, with an annual charge of 1 billion baht.

The game entry cost for Thais will never reach 5, 000 baht per individual, according to the cause.

In an effort to increase employment, revenue from the state, and draw in more unusual visitors, many administrations have attempted to legalize gambling. But, each test met pushback from liberals.

Pheu Thai claims that Thailand’s gambling market has fallen behind its neighbors. Thaksin Shinawatra, parents of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is widely seen as a main force behind her state. In a dining speech last month, Thaksin emphasized the potential advantages of regulating and impoziting online gaming and institutionalizing the larger underground market.

In Southeast Asia, the countries of Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, and the Philippines have legalised games. Cambodia and Myanmar’s games primarily cater to Thai and Chinese tourists, with the majority of them taking weekend trips.

Continue Reading

Fishermen sue CPF over blackchin tilapia invasion

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Sep 2024 at 07: 44

Blackchin tilapia fish caught from Sanam Chai and Khok Kham canals in Samut Songkhram are cooked to serve people at the BKK Food Bank activity held at Bang Khunthian district office in Bangkok on July 19, 2024. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
At the BKK Food Bank event held at the Bangkok district office on July 19, 2024, individuals will be served with grilled blackchin fish bass from Sanam Chai and Khok Kham rivers in Samut Songkhram. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

Local Samut Songkhram residents filed a lawsuit against Charoen Pokphand Foods ( CPF ) in Samut Songkhram, asking for compensation for the harm caused by the province’s unchecked spread of blackchin tilapia.

On Thursday, Panya Tokthong, a part of the Upper Gulf of Thailand Preservation Network and Mae Klong Community Lovers Network, led the group to the Bangkok South Civil Court to file a complaint against CPF and its nine committee members for the economic losses caused by the spread of the invasive types.

He said the team represented 1, 400 local sailors from Amphawa, Bang Khonthi and Muang regions.

According to a cause, the CPF is accused of failing to stop the blackchin fish fish, which the corporation imported from Ghana in 2010 for breeding studies in its development center in Amphawa region, from envading local waterways.

According to the lawsuit, the invasive species was first discovered in the Amphawa district in 2012 before spreading to several waterways in 13 provinces along the Gulf of Thailand coast.

According to the “polluter pays” principle, the plaintiffs requested that CPF be ordered to rehabilitate the affected waterways at their own expense.

The compensation is broken up into two parts.

The first is claimed by a network of neighborhood fish farmers, which has more than 1, 000 members, to make up for the annual income loss at a rate of 10,000 baht per rai for seven years ( 2017-2024 ).

The second is claimed by a group of about 380 local fishermen to compensate for lost income, at a rate of 500 baht per day, or 182, 500 baht per year, for seven years from 2017.

Members of both groups are also requesting an additional 50, 000 baht per person for the violation of their natural resource rights.

Both organizations demand about 2.48 billion baht in compensation.

The Lawyers Council also filed a lawsuit against 18 government organizations and their top officials for allegedly abusing their duties on behalf of 54 individual fish farmers and fishermen in front of the Central Administrative Court.

They are the Department of Fisheries, the National Fisheries Policy Committee, the Fisheries Safety and Biodiversity Committee, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the Marine and Coastal Resources Management Policy and Planning Committee, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the National Environment Board, the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Finance.

According to the source, they also requested that the organizations designate the affected area as a disaster zone so that emergency funds can be released and the CPF can start the compensation process.

Continue Reading

Government moves forward with casino complex plan

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Sep 2024 at 05: 26

Immigration police raid an illegal casino in a hotel in Nonthaburi in November last year. (Police photo)
In November of last year, immigration authorities raided an illegitimate game in a motel in Nonthaburi. ( Police photo )

According to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat on Thursday, the government will continue to build a mega-entertainment advanced in Thailand that will include casinos.

He claimed that the program had been approved by 80 % of the participants at the public hearing.

The common hearing was held to discuss the entertainment complex act drafted by the Ministry of Finance, according to Mr. Julapun, a vital part of the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party.

The legislation will make gambling establishments legal, of which games will be a part.

According to him, the act may be modified to take into account the valuable information from the hearing’s comments.

Alliance parties would have the option of voting in favor of the revised costs when it was presented to the cabinet. The assistant secretary added that if they vote in favor, the costs will go to the Council of State for review before being sent to the House of Representatives.

Although underwater gambling is commonplace in the kingdom, the majority of gambling is already prohibited in the country. State-controlled animal tribes and an established raffle are permitted.

The Finance Ministry study last month showed that the government’s suggested entertainment complicated project, which includes games, is expected to bring generally Thai players, accounting for up to 90 % of consumers.

A source from the Finance Ministry said that minimal or people confined companies with authorized funds of at least 10 billion baht are required to apply for concessions for entertainment complexes. These businesses may get a permit from the Entertainment Complex Policy Committee.

A license is valid for 30 times and may be renewed for up to 10 times at once. The licensing fee is 5 billion baht per permission, with an annual charge of 1 billion baht.

The game entry cost for Thais will never reach 5, 000 baht per individual, according to the cause.

In an effort to increase employment, revenue from the state, and draw in more unusual visitors, some administrations have attempted to legalize gambling. But, each test met pushback from liberals.

Pheu Thai claims that Thailand’s entertainment industry is insufficiently developed compared to its neighbors. Thaksin Shinawatra, parents of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is commonly seen as a major force behind her state. In a meal speech last month, Thaksin emphasized the potential advantages of regulating and impoziting online gaming and institutionalizing the larger underground market.

In Southeast Asia, the countries of Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, and the Philippines have legalised gambling. Cambodia and Myanmar’s gambling primarily cater to Thai and Chinese tourists, with the majority of them taking weekend trips.

Continue Reading