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PHUKET, Thailand — Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill has been endorsed by the monarchy, making it the first country in Southeast Asia and the third place in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage. It will take effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ couples to register their marriages starting Jan. 22. “Congratulations on everyone’s love,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a post on X that included the hashtag #LoveWins. Thailand, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, is known for its tolerance and vibrant LGBTQ social scene, but it also retains conservative social values that made passing the law a yearslong struggle for activists. Taiwan was the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage in 2019, followed last year by the South Asian country of Nepal.

Persons: King Maha Vajiralongkorn, ”, Paetongtarn Shinawatra Organizations: Royal Gazette, ” Locations: PHUKET, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia, LoveWins, Taiwan, Nepal, Beijing

☆ Why Thailand is making it easier for travelers to stay longer
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( Karla Cripps | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The popular Southeast Asia destination recently introduced a new five-year visa targeted at remote workers and other travelers looking to stay in the kingdom for extended periods. According to a statement issued by the Thai prime minister’s office, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) will allow eligible travelers a period of stay up to 180 days per visit, on a multiple-entry basis, within five years. Thailand certainly isn’t alone in its desire to bring travelers in for longer periods. “A global trend we have observed throughout the post-Covid-19 period has been that travelers are staying at destinations for longer,” he says. “These measures will likely enhance the appeal of Thailand for long-term visitors, potentially increasing these proportions over time.”

Persons: It’s, it’s, ”, Gary Bowerman, ” Bowerman, “ You’ve, Olivier Ponti, Ponti, “ Organizations: Bangkok CNN, Muay, Thailand Visa, CNN, ” Locations: Bangkok, Phuket, Muay Thai, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Thai, Asia, –, Asia Pacific

☆ Opinion: ‘The big one’ disaster could happen in our lifetime. Can we be ready?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-14 | by ( Opinion Jeff Schlegelmilch | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

The country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority is active but relatively new in its current form, having been consolidated as a single agency only in 2009. The practice of emergency management has generally originated from the first responder community and the civil defense era, primarily with a focus on consequence management. But as emergency management agencies have been designed, emergency management systems have been shaped by laws and agreements across government bureaucracies and partners in the private and nonprofit sectors with a narrower focus on managing consequences, focused more on logistics than sociology. But disaster management in practice is still fundamentally a numbers game. Strong emergency management agencies are also important.

Persons: CNN —, Jeff Schlegelmilch Jonathan Sury, Paula Bronstein, Jeff Schlegelmilch, George Rose, Enrico Quarantelli, ”, ” Jeff Schlegelmilch, Megadisasters, Ho Organizations: CNN, Emergency Management Authority, Defense Department, Alaska Airlines, Geological Survey, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, United Nations Office, Nations, Twitter Locations: Gaziantep, Turkey, Hatay, America, Syria, Vesuvius, Patong, Phuket, Thailand, Ukraine, Mount St, Helens, Seattle , Washington, United States, Port, Prince, Haiti, Japan

☆ An ex-Wall Street banker who's visited every country shares 6 places where you can spend less and still travel in luxury
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

During a past trip to Thailand, Abbamonte stayed in a five-star hotel for less than $50 a night. Abbamonte has stayed in a range of luxury hotels in Bangkok that were relatively inexpensive for the service and amenities. Abbamonte stayed at several stunning hotels along the Chao Phraya River, which flows through the heart of the city. His favorite is Kata Rocks, an oceanfront five-star hotel that is "one of the most beautiful places" Abbamonte has ever been. In July 2024, a one-night stay at Kata Rocks in Phuket costs more than $490 according to its website.

Persons: Abbamonte Organizations: Getty Locations: Thailand, Bangkok, Southeast Asia, Phuket, Kata, Caribbean

☆ An American expat who retired at 53 said he got 3 things right on his decades-long FIRE journey
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Todd Miller retired at 53 because he did not want his life to be defined by his career. "I didn't have the vocabulary back then of 'financial independence,' but I said I wanted optionality," Miller told Business Insider. He picked age 50 to retire — what the personal finance industry now calls FIRE, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. In 2019, just three years after the initial age target he had set for himself, Miller took the plunge and retired at 53. His passive income now funds the family's lifestyle in Phuket, Thailand, where they live.

Persons: Todd Miller, —, Miller, that's, you've, shubhangigoel@businessinsider.com Organizations: Service, Business, Financial Independence, FIRE Locations: Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Phuket, American, Real, Mardi, Nepal, Africa, Cambodia, Vietnam, Europe, Canada, Paris, Uganda, Asia

☆ China is trying to connect Southeast Asia by high-speed rail. Here’s how that’s going
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Imagine jumping on a train in southwestern China, traveling some 2,000 miles and arriving in Singapore – less than 30 hours later. Southeast Asia is the “obvious” choice because of its “proximity to China,” Bowerman adds. “Beijing, I think, ultimately wants to see Southeast Asian countries within its sphere of geopolitical influence. A staff member waits for passengers to board the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train during a week-long public trial phase at the Halim station in Jakarta on September 17, 2023. “In the example of a high-speed railway line between Malaysia and Singapore, Singapore would likely have just one stop – Malaysia would have more,” Wong told CNN.

Persons: China’s, Gary Bowerman, ” Bowerman, ”, Pon Souvannaseng, Peerapon Boonyakiat, Bowerman, Pan Wenbo, Pan, Mei Wei, Wei, “ I’m, Xi Jinping’s, Souvannaseng, Hong Kong –, Hong Kong’s, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Wong Muh Rong, ” Wong Organizations: CNN, Initiative, China Railway, Reuters, East Japan Railway Co, Malaysian, Bentley University, of, Communist Party, Laos Railway, Laos Railway cumulatively, Orient Express, Getty Locations: China, Singapore, Asia, Laos, Kunming, Vientiane –, Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, West Java, Thailand, Bangkok, Thai, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Southeast Asia, “ China, Peerapon, Cities, Penang, Malacca, Phuket Old Town, Beijing, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Wat, Siem Reap, ”, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Halim, AFP, “

☆ 'Hostile elements' tried to take over communications with a flight from Thailand to Israel, trying to divert it, airline says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read preview"Hostile elements" tried to seize control of the communication network of an El Al plane flying from Thailand to Israel over the weekend, The Jerusalem Post reported. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. The Post reported that this was the second time in a week that such an incident occurred to an El Al flight. In a statement provided to Kan, El Al said that the disruptions were not aimed solely at its planes. The airline did not respond to a request for comment by Business Insider.

Persons: —, Kan, El Al Organizations: Service, Jerusalem Post, Ben Gurion, Business, El, Horn Observer Locations: El, Thailand, Israel, Jerusalem, Phuket, Tel Aviv, Iran, Yemen, Red, Gaza, Somaliland, Somalia, Mogadishu

☆ How Shaved Ice Took Over the Dessert Menu
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Whether you know it as Japanese kakigori, Korean patbingsu, Hawaiian shave ice, Italian granita, Indian ice gola or the American snow cone, a mound of shaved ice drenched in syrup and served on a hot day is a near-universal delight. Erickson serves kiwi-flavored shaved ice atop a creamy jasmine tea custard. At Bar Maze, which offers a cocktail-paired tasting menu in Honolulu, the head chef Ki Chung, 32, combines sweet corn pudding and sesame streusel with ice shaved from the same clear blocks used for drinks — the dessert is finished tableside with a pour of black sesame orgeat. For Srijith Gopinathan, 46, the chef and owner of Copra in San Francisco, shaved ice is infused with nostalgia. Part of the fun is the dramatic dimensions of the dessert, about the size of a volleyball.

Persons: “, ”, Maya Erickson, Erickson, Ki Chung, Dano Heinze, Gopinathan, Giles Clark, ” Clark, Martha Cheng Locations: Thai, Phuket, Portland , Ore, Honolulu, Vern’s, Charleston, S.C, San Francisco, Kerala, India, Yess, Los Angeles

☆ Thailand Deports Dissident Russian Rock Band to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Human rights activists had warned that the seven members of the self-exiled rock band Bi-2 would face harsh punishment if they were sent to Russia. Several band members, however, hold both Russian and Israeli citizenship, and the group had been based in Israel in the 1990s. Earlier this week, Thai immigration officials said the band could choose to be deported to another destination if they felt unsafe to return to Russia. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, welcomed the decision to send the band to Israel. "Human rights concerns won out in Thailand's to let all the Bi-2 band members travel to the safety of Israel," he said(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; editing by Miral Fahmy)

Persons: Surachate Hakparn, Surachate, Igor Bortnick, Vladimir Putin, Phil Robertson, Panu, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Thai, Deputy Police, Reuters, Tel Aviv ., Russia's, Human Rights Locations: BANGKOK, Russian, Ukraine, Thailand, Israel, Moscow, Phuket, Russia, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Asia, Thailand's

“The group participants remain detained at the immigration center in a shared cell with 80 people,” the post said. The seven band members were arrested last Thursday after playing a concert on the southern resort island of Phuket, reportedly for not having proper working papers. After paying a fine, the band members were sent to the Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok. The detained musicians “include Russia citizens as well as dual nationals of Russia and other countries, including Israel and Australia,” the group Human Rights Watch said in a statement Tuesday. Andrei Lugovoi, a member of the lower house of Russia's parliament, called the band members “scum” for their criticism of Russia's military operations in Ukraine.

Persons: Ilya Ilyin, “, ”, Elaine Pearson, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Gudkov, Gudkov, Andrei Lugovoi, ” Lugovoi, Alexander Litvinenko Organizations: —, Facebook, RIA Novosti, Immigration Detention, Human Rights Watch, Rights Watch, AP, Kremlin, Russian Foreign Ministry, YouTube, Spotify Locations: BANGKOK, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Russian, Phuket, Bangkok, Australia, Asia, ”, Britain, London

☆ Book a stay at the rumored luxury hotels from next season of HBO's 'White Lotus' before the fans flock there
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewLuxury hotels in Thailand will be hosting "The White Lotus" season three cast in February, and they're just as swanky as the last locations. That means travelers have a limited amount of time to book their luxurious hotel stays before they get the "White Lotus" treatment from fans. It boasts 83 pool villas designed after a Southern Thai village, award-winning Japanese restaurant Tree House, and Muay Thai kickboxing lessons. While season one of "White Lotus" was airing, web traffic to the Four Seasons Maui went up 425% year over year. If a luxe trip to Thailand is on your travel bucket list, you have until 2025 to book your stay at the resorts before "White Lotus" fans are rushing to plan similar vacations.

Persons: —, Ken Seet, Koh, Anantara didn't, Hopper Organizations: Service, Business, HBO, Bloomberg, Koh, Tree, Ken Seet Staff, Maui Locations: Thailand, Khao Villas Phuket, Anantara, Phuket, Southern Thai, Thai, Sicily, Domenico Palace

☆ AirAsia flight: Live snake discovered in overhead cabin on plane from Bangkok
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Heather Chen | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Chaos erupted on a domestic flight traveling from Thailand’s capital Bangkok to the southern province of Phuket after a live snake was discovered by passengers in an overhead bin. In a statement sent to CNN, AirAsia Thailand said it was aware of an incident onboard Flight FD3015 that departed Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok on January 13. This is the second reported incident of a snake found onboard an AirAsia plane. Passengers seated near the bin where the snake was spotted could be seen standing, away from their seats, in the video. Airport ground security staff were later spotted onboard the plane, investigating the area of the cabin where the snake was captured.

Persons: Phol Poompuang, ” Phol Organizations: Thailand CNN, CNN, AirAsia, Don Mueang International, Kuching International Airport, AirAsia Thailand Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thailand’s, Phuket, AirAsia Thailand, Don, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Kuching, Sarawak

☆ Passengers found a live snake in an overhead bin like a real-life 'Snakes on a Plane'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewAn AirAsia Thailand flight from Bangkok to Phuket erupted into chaos after passengers discovered a live snake in an overhead luggage bin, according to CNN. A video appearing to be from the incident, shared by the Malaysian news outlet UtusanTV on TikTok, shows the small snake slithering above the overhead bin. In the video, a flight attendant can be seen trying to capture it with a water bottle, before switching to a garbage bag. AdvertisementTikTok users in the comments referred to the 2006 movie, "Snakes on a Plane," which starred Samuel L. Jackson and involved dozens of venomous snakes being released onto a passenger plane. Phol also told CNN that certain passengers were relocated from the area as a precautionary measure, and that the flight landed without incident.

Persons: —, Samuel L, Jackson, Phol Poompuang, Phol Organizations: Service, AirAsia, CNN, Business, Business Insider Locations: AirAsia Thailand, Bangkok, Phuket, Malaysian

☆ What we can expect from season 3 of 'The White Lotus'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementA new batch of wealthy vacationers will check into the lavish White Lotus resort when HBO's "The White Lotus" returns for season three. The new cast includes Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, and Michelle MonaghanFrom left: Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, and Michelle Monaghan. AdvertisementMike White described the new season as 'supersized'Meghann Fahy, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, and Will Sharpe on season two, episode five of "The White Lotus." "It's going to be a supersized 'White Lotus,'" White told Entertainment Weekly in November. Season 3 will likely be released in 2025Aubrey Plaza on season two, episode one of "The White Lotus."

Persons: Natasha Rothwell, Belinda, Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, —, Mike White's, Thailand Sabrina Impacciatore, Valentina, White, Belinda Lindsey Natasha Rothwell, Jennifer Coolidge, Tanya, Mario Perez, HBO Rothwell, Jennifer Coolidge's, Tanya McQuoid, Rothwell's, Wonka, " Rothwell, Michelle Monaghan, Evan Agostini, Scott Garfitt, Jordan Strauss, Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Harry Potter, Parker Posey, Beau, Tayme Thapthimthong, Mike White, Meghann Fahy, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, Will Sharpe, Aubrey, Fabio Lovino, Max, Casey Bloys, Koh Organizations: Service, White, Variety, HBO, LA, AP HBO, Entertainment, WGA, SAG Locations: Thailand, Hawaii, Sicily, Italy, Asia, Koh Samui, Phuket, Bangkok

☆ Ultra-luxury Aman Resorts launches a more affordable brand called Janu. Here's what it costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-25 | by ( Rachel Ng | Jonathan Delise | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Few names exude "quiet luxury" like the ultra-luxe Aman Resorts. Its hotels bear its moniker: from Amanoi in Vietnam, to Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro and the hotel that started it all — Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand. Aman is set to open Janu Tokyo, the first hotel from its new more affordable sister brand, in March 2024. Janu was created to respond to demand from a wider cohort of guests, said Aman CEO Vlad Doronin. It will mirror Aman hotels in service and design, but will have a "different pace and spirit," he said in a press release.

Persons: Aman Sveti, Aman, Janu, Vlad Doronin Organizations: luxe Aman Resorts, Aman Locations: Amanoi, Vietnam, Aman Sveti Stefan, Montenegro, Phuket, Thailand, Aman New York, Tokyo

☆ 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

☆ The ‘dupe’ trend hit travel in 2023. It's a good way to save on your next trip, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

For example, flight searches more than doubled for several "dupe" destinations internationally, according to Expedia data. watch nowLikewise, flight searches to the island Curaçao, a stand-in for St. Martin, were up 228% in the U.S. and 185% worldwide. "TikTok popularized the idea of dupes … and the concept is increasingly taking off in the world of travel," Expedia said in a report published Wednesday. Internet search traffic in the U.S. for travel dupes spiked throughout 2023, peaking in July, according to Google Trends data. It's more than just the flight priceHowever, Hopper flight data indicates that not all dupes will necessarily pay off for travelers.

Persons: Klaus Vedfelt, Martin, TikTok, dupes …, Expedia, Hayley Berg, Hopper, Ho, Jon Gieselman, dupes, Sara Rathner Organizations: Digitalvision, Getty, Sydney, Expedia Brands, Auckland , New Zealand — Locations: Taipei, Seoul, U.S, Pattaya, Thailand, Bangkok, St, Perth, Australia, Liverpool, England, London, Hanoi, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Spain, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Barcelona, Phuket, Europe, Sydney, Nadi, Fiji, Auckland , New Zealand

☆ What Thailand's new coalition government means for the cannabis market
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In June 2022, the Southeast Asian nation became the first in Asia to decriminalize the cannabis plant, allowing it to be grown and consumed freely. Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai party and one of Srettha's coalition partners, was a key figure responsible for legalizing recreational cannabis. Currently, many outlets claim to be medical cannabis platforms but they often prioritize profits rather than patient health, a number of clinics told CNBC. "This could foster a more positive perception of the cannabis industry among the public, and for the industry to sustain in the long run," Jintana said. "The prospect of exporting cannabis products to legal foreign markets aligns with Thailand's medical hub policy propelling both medicinal cannabis and other traditional herbs to the forefront," said Jintana.

Persons: Dimas Ardian, that's, Srettha Thavisin, Soratat, Srettha, hasn't, Soratat Pongsangiam, Sornkanok, Anutin Charnvirakul, Anutin, Jintana Manorompatrasal, Jintana, May's Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Greenhead, Reuters, Greenhead Clinic, Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Deputy, CNBC, Sawasdee Clinic Locations: San, Bangkok, Thailand, Asia, Phuket, U.S

☆ 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

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

☆ Thai lawmakers plan fresh push to tighten use of cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cannabis buds are seen inside an indoor farm at the Amber Farm, in Bangkok, Thailand, January 30, 2023. "Cannabis will be - double underline - for medical purposes and research," said Saritpong Kiewkong of the Bhumjaithai party, which spearheaded the decriminalisation and is now the second largest component of Thailand's 11-party coalition government. "There is no policy for recreational use," the lawmaker told reporters in parliament, adding that such measures were not yet being considered. It covers permits for growing plants, sales and distribution, and tighter measures against sales in temples, schools and amusement parks. Last week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he supported only medical, and not recreational, use of cannabis.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Chayut Setboonsarng, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast Asia, Phuket, misbehaviour

☆ Thai economy may grow as forecast this year - deputy finmin
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Colorful umbrellas are seen in a restaurant as tourists enjoy a beach in the island of Phuket in Thailand January 19, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Thailand's economy may grow as forecast this year, helped by public consumption and investment after the formation of a new government, Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana said on Friday. The ministry has forecast economic growth of 3.5% this year. The new government led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is also finance minister, is seeking to revive Southeast Asia's second-largest economy and deliver on key campaign promises after an election in May. Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Krisada Chinavicharana, Srettha Thavisin, Kitiphong Thaichareon, Orathai Sriring, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Southeast, Thomson Locations: Phuket, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

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

☆ iPhone Photography Awards 2023: Winners unveiled
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Organizers announced the winners of the 2023 iPhone Photography Awards on Monday. Scott Galloway/iPhone Photography Awards"Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana,"Rome, Italy, by Leon Wang (United States) won 3rd place in Architecture. Sofia Ershova/iPhone Photography Awards"Duet," Zhejiang, China, by Zhang Xiaojun (China) won 3rd place in Children. Zhang Xiaojun/iPhone Photography Awards"Kapkungkap Tadau" Phuket, Thailand by Juan Castaneda (United States) won 2nd place in Series. Juan Castaneda/iPhone Photography Awards"Bi Mo," Zhaojue County, China, by Jian Wang (China) won 2nd place in People.

Persons: Ivan Silva, Heroe, Lionel Messi, Thea Mihu, Ba Jia Jiang, Surong Zhu, Scott Galloway, Leon Wang, Sofia Ershova, Zhang Xiaojun, Juan Castaneda, Jian Wang, Sasa Borozan, Beata Krowicka, Barry Mayes Organizations: CNN — Organizers, Italiana, Diesel Locations: Mexico, Sweden, Hanoi, Vietnam, Germany, Fujian, China, Ohio, USA, United States, Rome, Italy, Architecture, California, Zhejiang, Phuket, Thailand, Zhaojue County, People, Nature, Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Grande, Argentina, Poland, Travel, Sierra Leone, United Kingdom

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