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☆ I spent 18 months and $34,000 traveling the world but was burnt out and unhappy—this was my No. 1 mistake
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Helen Zhao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Looking to heal my burnout and find happiness beyond work, I spent a year and a half — and $34,000 — exploring South America and Asia. That's when I realized I'd made a huge mistake: I had changed my circumstances, but not my state of mind. But my burnout gave me the clarity I needed to slash my sabbatical bucket list in half, to focus on quality over quantity. I accepted that I'd continue traveling later if I wanted to, even if it meant less time to pursue professional goals. I gave up trying to work and make money while travelingIn my first few months traveling, I frequently stayed up late to formulate and pitch freelance story ideas.

Persons: I'd, Helen Zhao I, Chiang Mai Organizations: Starbucks Locations: South America, Asia, Patagonia, Thailand, Island, Korea, Japan, Tokyo, Pai , Thailand, Cartagena, Colombia

☆ Songkran 2024: Celebrating Thailand’s annual New Year festival
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —On the surface, Thailand’s annual Songkran festival appears to be just one great big water fight. Pipad Krajaejun, a history lecturer at Bangkok’s Thammasat University, says it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when the water fights became such a key part of the festival. (We’ll share more on the water fights below.) Some towns limit the water fights to one day, so be sure to check ahead if you’re planning to join the battles. Soe Zeya Tun/ReutersAmong the highlights of the festival is the Maha Songkran Parade, which will happen on April 11.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, that’s, ”, Songkran, Boonserm Satraphai, Pipad, “, Soe Zeya Tun, University’s Pipad, Nam, Chalinee Thirasupa, MBK, Lauren DeCicca, John S Lander, it’s, CNN Travel’s Karla Cripps, she’s Organizations: CNN, Thailand CNN, UNESCO, Heritage, Bangkok’s Thammasat University, CNN Travel, ”, Thailand’s Tourism Authority, of, Reuters, Central Department, Thai Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, it’s, Chiang Mai, Thailand's, Khao San, Chiang, Old City, Pipad, Chiangmai, Thailand’s, Ratchadamnoen, Lanna, San

☆ Spring equinox: First day of spring arrives
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The spring equinox will arrive exactly at 3:06 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on Wednesday, March 20, according to EarthSky. Click here to look up the exact moment of the spring equinox where you’re located. Spring equinox has another nameIf you ever hear anyone say “vernal equinox,” it means the same thing. Zhang Xiaoyu/Xinhua News Agency/Getty ImagesIn Japan, Vernal Equinox Day is a public holiday (on Wednesday, March 20, this year). In China, trying to stand an egg upright is a popular game during the spring equinox, according to VisitBeijing.com.

Persons: Tuesday •, •, • Chiang Mai, David Silverman, Alex Pena, It’s, you’ve, it’s, Hugo Borges, Itzá, El Castillo, Zhang Xiaoyu, ” Organizations: CNN, Tuesday, United, Southern, Anadolu Agency, Getty, NASA, Northern Hemisphere, Northern, Southern Hemisphere, National Weather Service, Heritage, Xinhua News Agency Locations: • Anchorage, Alaska, Vegas ( Nevada, Tuesday • Guadalajara, Mexico, Chicago, Illinois, Toronto, Canada, Jacksonville, Florida, Halifax, • Dublin, Ireland, Accra, Ghana, • Berlin, Germany, • Alexandria, Egypt, • Ankara, Turkey, • Dubai, United Arab Emirates, • Mumbai, India, Thailand, • Hong Kong, • Tokyo, Japan, Stellenbosch , South Africa, Northern, South, Quito, Ecuador, Singapore, San Andrés, Zapotitán, El Salvador, Pole, Scandinavia, Itzá, Yucatan State, AFP, England, Malta, Yoyogi, Tokyo, Vernal, Persian, China

☆ World’s worst polluted cities are in Asia - India’s Begusarai topping IQAir report
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“We see that in every part of our lives that air pollution has an impact,” said IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes. “And it typically, in some of the most polluted countries, is likely shaving off anywhere between three to six years of people’s lives. Central and South Asia were the worst performing regions globally, home to all four of the most polluted countries last year: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Tajikistan. South Asia is of particular concern, with 29 of the 30 most polluted cities in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. One bright spot is increasing pressure and civic engagement from communities, NGOs, companies, and scientists to monitor air quality.

Persons: ”, Frank Hammes, Hammes, “ What’s, IQAir, Chiang Mai, that’s, ” Hammes Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Health, IQAir, WHO, Dhaka, CNN, America, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, India, India’s Bihar, Guwahati, Assam, Delhi, Mullanpur, Punjab, South Asia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Lahore, New Delhi, Finland, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, French Polynesia, Canada, Alberta, United States, Minneapolis, Detroit, Columbus , Ohio, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, China, Beijing, Hotan, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangkok, Africa, South America, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Chad

☆ I took a luxury overnight bus in Thailand and got 10 hours of business-class service for $30. The US should take notes.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Brendan Sainsbury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I paid $30 to take a luxury Sombat Tour bus from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Boarding the bus was easy and the service on board reminded me of business class. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementBus transport varies considerably from country to country, from super-slick intra-city buses in Mexico to down-at-heel Greyhounds in the US. On a recent visit to Thailand, I experienced my most deluxe bus ride to date.

Persons: Chiang Mai, —, I've Organizations: Service, Greyhounds Locations: Bangkok, Mexico, Thailand

☆ Charmed by a City Off Thailand’s Beaten Path
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Patrick Scott | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Thailand is renowned among hard-charging tourists for nightlife in Bangkok, full moon parties on Koh Phangan island and hedonistic walking streets in Pattaya. It’s also a magnet for the bohemian and wellness crowds who flock to the mountain destinations of Chiang Mai and Pai. But mostly ignored by foreign tourists is Lampang, in Northern Thailand. This utterly charming, riverside city of about 90,000 people has preserved the historic architecture and stately squares from its days as a major city in the ancient Lanna kingdom and a hub in the teak lumber trade. Wooden temples from centuries ago and two-story teak mansions from the late 1800s and early 1900s still stand, and alongside the Wang River, the streets in the Kat Kong Ta enclave are like an open-air museum of well-preserved Chinese shophouses and European gingerbread-style buildings.

Persons: Koh, Chiang Mai, Pai Locations: Thailand, Bangkok, Pattaya, It’s, Lampang, Northern Thailand

☆ Factbox-Thailand's Polarising Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

(Reuters) - Thailand's billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from detention on Sunday, enjoying freedom in his country for the first time since fleeing into exile nearly 16 years ago to avoid jail. - Thaksin ran several failed businesses with his wife before getting his break in the 1980s leasing computers to the police. In 2010, a court seized $1.4 billion worth of Shinawatra assets, concluding Thaksin had concealed his Shin Corp shareholdings and tailored policy to benefit his business. - Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was also prime minister and suffered an almost identical fate as him. - Thaksin's youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, is Pheu Thai party leader and eligible to become prime minister.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Chiang Mai, Thaksin, Yingluck Shinawatra, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Srettha Thavisin, Martin Petty, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Fried, Thailand's, Shin Corporation, Shin Corp, English Premier League football, Fulham, Manchester City, Forbes, Thai Rak, Thai Rak Thai, People Power Party, Srettha Locations: Thai, Chiang, Kentucky, Singapore, Thailand, Liverpool, Dubai, Britain, Montenegro, Thai Rak Thai, Thai Rak, Bangkok

☆ Canadian Man Opens Thai Airways Plane Door Before Takeoff in Thailand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Canadian tourist opened the door of a Thai Airways flight that was preparing to take off from Chiang Mai airport bound for the capital Bangkok, local broadcaster ThaiPBS and officials said this week. "The whole plane was in chaos," wrote Facebook user Ananya Tiangtae, who was on the flight, adding that officials escorted the passenger off the plane. A passenger opened the emergency door, causing the inflatable slide to activate and the aircraft was unable to take off, Chiang Mai Airport director Ronnakorn Chalermsaenyakorn said late on Thursday. After the inspection, the aircraft was cleared to depart with all passengers and crew safe, Thai Airways said. The passenger was later seen in custody at a local police station on local TV station ThaiPBS, which identified the male tourist as Canadian.

Persons: Tiangtae, Ananya, Ronnakorn Chalermsaenyakorn, Ronnakorn, it's, Jirawat Yarnkiatpakdee, ThaiPBS, Chayut Setboonsarng, Tom Hogue Organizations: Canadian, Thai Airways, Chiang Mai Airport Locations: BANGKOK, Chiang Mai, Bangkok

☆ Canadian arrested for allegedly opening plane door, deploying evacuation slide in Thailand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Kocha Olarn | Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Bangkok CNN —A Canadian man has been arrested in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai after he allegedly opened the door on a commercial plane and triggered the evacuation slide prior to takeoff. According to a statement issued by the Chiang Mai International Airport, the incident took place on the night of February 7. The Airbus A320 was unable to be immediately moved, temporarily preventing other flights from taking off and landing, said the statement. Chiang Mai officials say 2,295 passengers were affected by the February 7 incident. Police said they were unaware of the suspect’s motive for opening the door, but noted he appeared stressed and was difficult to communicate with.

Persons: Bangkok CNN —, Chiang Mai, Chiang, “, ”, Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn, Manuschai, Wong Sai Heung Organizations: Bangkok CNN, Chiang Mai International Airport, Thai Airways, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, Airbus, Airways, Chiang Mai International Airport Thai Airways, Chiang Mai Police, CNN, Police, Psychiatric, Canadian Embassy Locations: Bangkok, Thai, Chiang Mai, Thailand

☆ I retired and moved to Thailand. It's cheap, and I feel more respected here than in the UK.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Rebecca Root | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The 75-year-old Brit landed on Hua Hin, a beach town south of Bangkok, Thailand. south of Bangkok, Thailand. He spends his days swimming and sun bathing and said medical care is cheaper and faster. Choosing where I wanted to retire abroad was difficultI decided against a care home in the UK for myself. My family's reaction when I said I would retire in Thailand was, "We can't come to see you.

Persons: Jeffrey Ogden, Brit, Hua Hin, —, I've, I'd, I'm, Chiang Mai, didn't Organizations: Service, Sunshine International Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Watford, United Kingdom, Spain, Caribbean, America, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Asia, Pattaya, Hua

☆ I've spent months in Thailand. Here are 6 things everyone should do there.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Dominique Mills | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Visit Bua Thong Waterfall — aka "The Sticky Waterfall." Because of the limestone deposits, the waterfall isn't slippery. Dominique MillsBua Thong Waterfall, more commonly known as The Sticky Waterfall, is a famous multitiered, limestone waterfall in Thailand. The waterfall's uniqueness is alluded to in its nickname. Due to the dense limestone deposits, you can effortlessly ascend and descend without slipping.

Persons: Dominique Mills, Chiang Mai Locations: Thailand, It's, Lanna, Chiang

☆ The top 9 'must-have' travel experiences of 2024, according to luxury advisors
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Jonathan Delise | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

If that sounds like a tall order for a summer getaway, the luxury travel company Virtuoso asked 20,000 of its travel advisors to share their top experiences for 2024. Dark sky tourism focuses on rural locations without light pollution, such as Greece's Olympus Mountain National Park. Departing in August, Virtuoso recommends travelers first take in the Olympic Games before departing the city in style. Passion travelsHobbies may be associated with the home, but Virtuoso recommends taking your passions on the road. Virtuoso recommends exploring Peruvian cuisine at the Mistura Food Festival, or checking out the street food of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Persons: Nicolas Economou, Manoj Shah, Belles, Bhutan's, Young, Peter Adams, Chiang Mai, Koh, Wiphop, Sakura, James Cole, Hillary, Cousteau, Shackleton, pricey, Yasin Akgul, bookworms, Wolfgang Kaehler, Brian Curtice, Levente Bodo, ERNESTO BENAVIDES Organizations: Nurphoto, DarkSky, Stone, InterContinental, UNESCO, Istock, Expedition, Getty, CNBC Travel, Orient, Afp, Departing, Olympic Games, Chelsea Flower, Lightrocket, Festival Locations: stargazing, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Northern Mexico, Blanco , Texas, Albanya, Spain, Africa, Bhutan, Thailand, Pana, Yai, Bangkok, Japan Japan, United States, North America, Japan, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Fuji's, Antarctica, Paris, Istanbul, Turkey, Asia, Europe, Venice, Turkish, Strahov, Riau, Isla, Ljubljana, Slovenia

☆ I traveled to over 7 countries in 2023. Here are 4 of the most affordable cities I visited.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dominique Mills | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I traveled to over seven countries in 2023, and some places stood out for being budget-friendly. Porto, Portugal, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, offered affordable accommodations and fun activities. Here are the four most affordable places I visited in 2023. Chiang Mai, Thailand, was culture-rich and inexpensiveChiang Mai, Thailand, was inexpensive but beautiful. Dominique MillsNestled in the lush greenery of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is one of my favorite cities to visit.

Persons: Chiang, —, Dominique Mills, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Dominique Mills I've Organizations: Service, UNESCO, US Department of State Locations: Porto, Portugal, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Hanoi, Vietnam, Douro, Northern Thailand, Bangkok, Old City, Soi, Prabang, Laos, Luang Prabang, Asia, Vientiane, Indochina

☆ Thailand to allow clubs, bars to stay open longer to boost tourism
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Entertainment venues, clubs and karaoke bars in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattya, Chiang Mai and Samui, popular tourist destinations, will be allowed stay open two extra hours until 4 AM, Traisulee Traisaranakul said. The decision to allow entertainment venues to stay open longer is the latest step taken by the government to boost foreign arrivals after the government in September waived visa requirements for Chinese visitors, a key source of tourists for Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy. Thailand has so far welcomed 24.5 million foreign tourists this year and is forecasting 28 million arrivals for the full year. Before the pandemic, Thailand booked a record 39.9 million arrivals, with 11 million from China. This year, the government expects just 3.5 million arrivals from China.

Persons: Chalinee, Chiang Mai, Traisulee Traisaranakul, Srettha Thavisin, Paarat Thepgumpanat, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Entertainment, Thailand's, Southeast Asia's, Thomson Locations: Thai, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Phuket, Pattya, Southeast, China

☆ Mid-Autumn Festival holidays: Millions of Chinese tourists are going on holiday again -- many headed for Thailand
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Kathleen Magramo Kocha Olarn Berry Wang Carina Cheng | Kathleen Magramo | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Only 2.2 million Chinese travelers arrived between January and September 10 this year, according to data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin greeted travelers on the first day of the government's visa-free scheme for Chinese tourists. “Competition is really intensifying in the region to attract Chinese tourists amongst all countries, and you have to make it as easy as possible,” said Bowerman. Chinese tourists pray in front of Thai dancers at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand on September 22, 2023. Rumors, film complicate efforts to lure back touristsPrior to the announcement of the visa-free policy this month, Chinese tourists had been slow to return to Thailand.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, It’s, ” Sretta, “, Chiang, Wang Wenbin, Peerapon Boonyakiat, pare, Gary Bowerman, ”, Bowerman, Huang, “ I’ve, coronavirus, Trip.com, Jin Junhao, Joanna Lu, Anusak, Wolfgang Georg Arlt, “ There’s, Thailand ”, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn Organizations: CNN, China’s, Tourism Authority of, Thai, Civil Aviation Administration, China Railway, Asia, Tourism Research Institute, Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Thai Travel Agents Association Locations: China, Shanghai, Bangkok’s, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, ”, Beijing, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Asia, Sichuan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, United Kingdom, Erawan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Weibo

☆ Why Thailand's having second thoughts about decriminalizing cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Little more than a year after cannabis decriminalization, following an election that saw a more conservative coalition government come into power, there are signs Thailand’s laws on cannabis could be rewritten once again. Most cannabis dispensaries like his he says, have been responsible and diligent from the start in checking buyers’ IDs and educating customers about cannabis rules. “Thousands of cafes, stores, and other cannabis businesses have sprouted and hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent by tourists in a short amount of time,” Zaytsev said. The debate comes just as the quality of domestically produced cannabis in the country was improving, she added. “The quality of Thai cannabis has gotten better and better.

Persons: “, ” Iemvijan, –, Nitikrist Attakrist, ” Attakrist, Chiang Mai, Srettha Thavisin, ” Thavisin, Iemvijan, Cannabis, ”, Wisawa Mcintyre, Anutin Charnvirakul, Athit Perawongmetha, hasn’t, Ley Singdam, Ley, ” Ley, Kitty Chopaka, Chopaka, Michael Zaytsev, LIM, ” Zaytsev, Gloria Lai, ” Lai, ” “, Thavisin, Manan Vatsyayana Organizations: CNN, Thai, Bloomberg, Thailand’s Public, Thai Health, Staff, Reuters Observers, ” Farmers, Thais, International Drug Policy Consortium, Bhumjaithai Party, Getty Locations: Thai, Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, San, Thonglor, Phuket, ‘, ”, Athit, New York, Asia, Singapore, Indonesia, AFP

☆ Meet the families who are ditching America to travel abroad as digital nomads
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Simone Stolzoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

At just shy of 400,000 inhabitants, Sintra is also big enough to absorb the 25 Boundless families without the expats dominating all the local haunts. At school, kids are fed organic meals made by a local chef. After school, kids from different families entertained themselves in the cobblestone streets and parks under light adult supervision. But despite some early success, Boundless Education, like the organization itself, is still very much a startup. On my last night in Sintra, the Boundless families gathered together at Praia de Maçãs, a beach 20 minutes from downtown.

Persons: Shirly, Erez Weinstein, Shirly Weinstein, Ella, Mauro Repacci, Simone Stolzoff, Edward, Jessica, —, Rekha Magon, I've, Repacci, Marcos Carvalho, Rolf E, Carvalho, Lona Alia, Alia, Elina Zois, it's, Andreas Wil Gerdes, Penguin Random Organizations: Khan Academy, Green School, Nordic Baccalaureate, North America, Penguin Locations: United States, Israel, Atlanta, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Portugal, Indonesia, Italy, Greece, Bali, Dominican Republic, Sintra , Portugal, Lisbon, Sintra, Ohio, Seattle, Italy's Tuscany, Montreal, Costa Rica, Europe, Southeast Asia, North, Praia, Maçãs, America, San Francisco

☆ European castles, private chefs, and a startup school: These families are ditching the US to live the American dream abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Simone Stolzoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin handed out gifts and posed for pictures as his tourism minister and other VIPs greeted about 300 travelers from Shanghai. He said that the government plans to promote Thailand’s smaller cities as destinations for Chinese tourists to encourage them to stay longer and spend more. Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said there has been about a 30% surge in accommodation and flight bookings since the policy was announced. Chai Wacharonke, a spokesperson for the prime minister, earlier said that Thailand received 15 million international visitors in the first seven months. He said the government aims to draw 28 million tourists and generate 1.4 trillion baht ($39.2 billion) in revenue in 2023.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, ” Srettha, Srettha, Dai, Chiang Mai, Peng, Wan Yi, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Chai Wacharonke Organizations: Bangkok’s, Central, Tourism, Tourism Authority of, Ministry of Tourism Locations: BANGKOK, Shanghai, Thai, Thailand, Bangkok, Phuket, Wan, Wat Arun, Chinatown, Central Asian, Kazakhstan, China, Tourism Authority of Thailand

☆ Climate change adds workplace costs and hazards
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Mark John | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The 57-year-old's death in hospital was announced in late August - just as his trade union was ratifying a deal with UPS on improved heat protections. In a statement to local media, UPS (UPS.N) said it was cooperating with the authorities as they investigated the cause of death. "We train our people to recognize the symptoms of heat stress, and we respond immediately to any request for help," it said. Many European and other usually temperate countries still have no laws establishing maximum work temperatures. "Climate change is such a paradigm shift that all of us need to rethink these legacy economic assumptions," said NELP's Christman.

Persons: patchily, Chris Begley, Halshka Graczyk, Graczyk, Chaya, Anastasia Christman, Owen Tudor, Tudor, Jerome Volle, NELP's, David Stanway, Catherine Evans Organizations: UPS, Teamsters, International Labour Organization, Chiang Mai University, . Occupational Health, Safety Authority, Employment Law, International Trade Union Confederation, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Texas, Paris, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Singapore

Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin gestures at the party headquarters before a royal endorsement ceremony after Thailand's parliament voted in favour of his prime ministerial candidacy, in Bangkok, Thailand August 23, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the resort island of Phuket on Friday, a first official trip to underline plans to shore-up economic recovery by bolstering tourism, a key driver of growth. The state planning agency has since cut its growth projection to a 2.5% to 3.0% range from 2.7% to 3.7%. The government will then have to deliver policy objectives to a joint session of parliament before starting work, likely in late September. ($1 = 35.1100 baht)Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgupmanat; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pheu, Thailand's, Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chiang Mai, Panu, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Tourism, Thai Party, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Phuket, China, Phangnga

BANGKOK, Aug 22 (Reuters) - When Thailand's deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra went into self-imposed exile in 2008 facing a raft of corruption charges following his ouster in a military coup, he issued a hand-written note. Thaksin has been Thailand's most prominent politician for decades, retaining outsized influence despite the years away. "It closes a crucial chapter in Thailand's politics," Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, said of Thaksin's return. A shrewd operator who rarely minces his words, an increasingly wealthy Thaksin entered politics in the mid-1990s, initially serving as foreign minister and then deputy prime minister. But the brash Thaksin, who called himself Thailand's first "CEO prime minister", faced royalist accusations that he was undermining the revered monarchy, which he denied.

Persons: Thailand's, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Thaksin's, Yingluck Shinawatra, Critics, watchdogs, Chalinee, Chiang Mai, Love Thais, Devjyot Ghoshal, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panu, Robert Birsel Organizations: Thaksin, Chulalongkorn University, Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Shin Corporation, Thai Rak Thai, Singapore's Temasek, Premier League, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Bangkok, Thailand, Chiang, United States, Thai, Britain

☆ Myanmar junta officially postpones election promised after 2021 coup - state TV
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHIANG MAI, Thailand, July 31 (Reuters) - Myanmar's ruling junta has officially postponed an election promised by August this year after its 2021 coup, state television reported on Monday night. Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, in a meeting on Monday with the army-backed National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), extended a state of emergency by six more months. The military seized power after complaining of fraud in a November 2020 general election won by Suu Kyi's party. The overthrow of Suu Kyi's elected government derailed a decade of reform, international engagement and economic growth, while leaving a trail of upended lives in its wake. Reporting by Myanmar staff; Editing by Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: CHIANG, General Min Aung, Nobel, Aung, Suu Kyi, Suu Kyi's, Nick Macfie Organizations: CHIANG MAI, Junta, National Defence, Security, Myanmar, Thomson Locations: Thailand, Suu, Myanmar

CNN —At least 12 people were killed and 121 injured in an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand. The incident – in the village of Mu No – reduced the warehouse and surrounding area to rubble, drone footage showed. At least two of the victims were children, including a four-year-old boy and a eight-month-old baby girl, according to state run Radio Thailand. Kriya Tehtani/APThe cause of the explosion is under investigation but initial reports suggested there had been a welding error. When there was a flood, I still could survive but now I really have nothing left.”Fireworks accidents are not uncommon in Thailand.

Persons: Anuruth Imarb, “, ”, Samsueya Chuenchompoo, Chiang Mai Organizations: CNN, Radio Thailand, “, Provincial Police, AFP Locations: Thailand, Mu

☆ A Mother, Her Daughter, a Masterwork of Psychological Tension
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Flynn Berry | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

HOW TO LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER, by Hila Blum. A woman travels for thousands of miles to spy on a family at the start of “How to Love Your Daughter,” by Hila Blum. Inside are her daughter Leah and her two granddaughters, but they don’t know she is outside: Yoella hasn’t seen Leah in years and has never met her granddaughters. For six years, Leah has made sporadic calls to her mother from around the world, “from Dharamsala, Bangalore, Hanoi, Chiang Mai. She puts herself on trial as a mother, summoning witnesses, poring over the evidence, searching for a crime.

Persons: Hila Blum, Daniella Zamir, Yoella, Leah, Yoella hasn’t, Chiang Mai, “, poring Locations: Dharamsala, Bangalore, Hanoi, Netherlands

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