Japan becomes Thailand’s largest export destination

Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) has paid off as the tariff cuts under this agreement has made Japan Thailand’s largest export destination.

The bilateral trade between Thailand and Japan totalled US$28.96 billion in the seven months to July this year, up 18% over the same period in 2007. This has surpassed the US-bound shipments. Among all the shipments, natural rubber, shrimp and prawns, animal feed, and lenses were the major items recording higher trade values. Shipments of lenses, prisms and mirrors from Thailand to Japan rose 53% year-on-year over the period.

Japan, on the other hand, still ranks the top as the biggest exporter to Thailand. While bilateral trade has accelerated, investments from Japan to Thailand have shrunk, according to the Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCC) in Bangkok.

JCC president Fukujiro Yamabe said Thailand should step up promotional privileges and ease regulations to lure Japanese investors to set up regional operating headquarters (ROH) in Thailand.

Friends of Thailand Awards 2008 to AirAsia Bhd and Indonesia AirAsia

Tourism Authority of India, every two years, recognizes and honors the most outstanding supporters of Thailand Tourism industry. This year the prestigious Friends of Thailand Awards 2008 in the category for international airlines for outstanding contributions to Thailands tourism industry in 2006 and 2007 has been awarded to AirAsia Group’s airlines, AirAsia Bhd and Indonesia AirAsia.

“It is a great honour for us to be recognised by no less than the Thai government for our contributions to Thailands tourism industry,” said AirAsia chief executive, Datuk Tony Fernandes.

Mr. Fernandes also said, “Thailands increasing popularity plays a huge part in helping AirAsia achieve its goal of promoting tourism in the Association of South-East Asian Nations region.”

Poorly-regulated ‘Motorbike for hire’ industry in Patong

According to the reports of Thai News Agency, there has been an alarming number of motorcycle accidents in Kathu district, where more than half of the 500 accidents reported to Kathu Police involved unlicensed foreign motorcyclists, all thanks to the poorly-regulated “motorbike for hire” industry in Patong.

Kathu Police Superintendent Col Grissak Songmoonnark was quoted as saying, “About 60% of motorcycle accidents are from unlicensed foreign motorcyclists, but there are so many unlicensed foreign motorcyclists that we can’t check the exact number. We can count only when accidents occur.”

At the motorcycle rental shops in Patong, foreign tourists and expats can easily rent a motorcycle without having a license. The rental of a motorbike for a 24-hour period – about 150 baht, is more or less the same as for just a single ride in a tuk-tuk in the resort town.

Local residents are also bitter about the fact that some foreign motorcyclists resort to reckless riding ignoring all the Thai traffic rules. Motorbike rental is also popular among some Thai criminals, who use the vehicles when carrying out crimes such as “snatch and runs” thefts.

However, the Land Transportation Department on Phuket insists tourists and expatriates can ride motorcycles in Thailand only when they have been issued a motorcycle license by the department. Motorbike licenses are obtained by submitting identification documents and a work permit or an address guaranteed by the Thai Immigration Office, then passing written and practical tests. The process can be done in a day.

Weerasak Kohsurat to visit China and Japan

There is no dearth in efforts from the Government to cover up the fall in Thailand tourisms. As a move in this direction, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat will fly to China and Japan over the next two weeks to try to persuade the countries’ governments and tour operators to encourage more tourism in Thailand. Mr. Weerasak will provide clear and accurate information about conditions in Thailand in order to clear the doubts in their minds so that they withdraw their travel warnings.

The China trip is planned for Oct 12 and will be followed by a visit to Japan.

Speaking about the Vhina tour, Mr. Weerasak said, ”The Chinese term for the declaration of the state of emergency has a very close meaning to the state of martial law, which is taken seriously by the Chinese, and it therefore frightens tour operators, which are mostly owned by state agencies, and all of their 60,000 clients who planned to travel to Thailand on China’s National Day holiday from Oct 1-10.”

Currently, 23 countries are maintaining travel advisory warnings but seven countries, namely, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, France and Ireland, have lessened the extent of their warnings after the lifting of the state of emergency, while urging their visitors to stay away from the protest area.

The minister also plans on Oct 3 to meet a 100-car caravan tour travelling from Kunming in China through Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok. Here, the ministry would ask the travellers to help spread a positive message about Thailand and the limited impact of ongoing anti-government protests.

Thailand and China to jointly study climatic changes

The weather in Southeast Asia is becoming increasingly unpredictable and severe and experts believe that global warming is the culprit behind it. The two annual monsoons in Thailand have increasingly brought floods and droughts to the kingdom. At least 16 people were killed in Thailand this month after monsoon rain waters swept away thousands of homes.

Now, Thailand and China are about to sign an agreement to launch a three-year study of climatic changes in the Andaman Sea so they can better predict monsoon patterns. The memorandum of understanding will be signed between Marine Biological Centre in Thailand’s southern Phuket island and China’s First Institute of Oceanography in Beijing.

“The aim is to understand the changing of monsoons,” said Somkiat Khokiattiwong, a researcher at the Marine Biological Centre in Thailand’s southern Phuket island.

“The Andaman is the birthplace of the monsoon. The study may also be able to help us understand cyclone patterns,” he told AFP from Phuket.

China will finance the deployment of buoys off the Andaman coast to collect data that will be analysed by scientists from both countries, Somkiat said.

Now all information on Thailand just a mouse-click away

Now, accessing any information about Thai culture, history, art, tourism and academic research is just a mouse click away for the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec) has completed “Digitised Thailand,” a project that marks the collaboration of several organisations.

The project has developed Thailand’s national digital archives by collecting and transforming all physical data scattered around the nation into digital form and allowing people at all levels to gain access to an enormous wealth of knowledge at any time and from anywhere over the Internet.

“The content goes beyond what have seen in video or audio content and Nectec will not cover the entertainment area, but will focus on knowledge-based content,” Nectec director Dr Pansak Siriruchatapong said.

The three-year project, which will be run from now until 2010, will start by collecting Thai-based data available on the Internet and will put it into the archive which concentrates on mainly five spheres of Thailand, namely, knowledge, language, culture, history and tribes. Apart from this, Nectec has also developed an encyclopaedia and dictionaries such as Thai-Japanese, Thai-Lanna and Thai-Malayoo so far.

In addition, Nectec has conducted pilot projects to develop digital content, starting by collecting data and knowledge related to Thai herbs under a project called “Knowledge Unifying Initiator for Herbal Information” (KUIHerb). This will be a herbal information resource that includes information about local medicines, photos, videos, medicine recipes and prescriptions and information about poisonous substances.

Dr Virach said, “We hope that once Thai-based data is converted and put into the digital archive, the country will have an enormous database that can be developed into sustainable knowledge and this will be invaluable information source, which will not only stimulate Thais to improve their self-learning but preserve Thai culture and offer new opportunities for business development.”

Thailand ranked 80th as the most corrupt country among 180 nations

There is some good news for Thailand. Thailand has ranked down from 84th last year to 80th this year as the most corrupt country among the 180 nations and territories according to the 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by the Berlin-based anti-corruption watchdog organisation Transparency International (TI).

Denmark, Sweden and New Zealand shared first place with the highest score of  9.3 points each, followed immediately by Singapore at 9.2. Myanmar with 1.3 came next to last, a position occupied by Somalia which scored only 1.

Thailand along with Burkina Faso, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Morocco shared 80th place, each scoring 3.5. Thailand in 2007 earned a 3.3 rating from Transparency International and was ranked 84th.

This index determines the the degree of corruption perceived by businessmen and country analysts, which ranges between zero — indicating extreme corruption,  to 10 — which is clean, honest and transparent.

Juree Vichit-vadakarn, the secretary-general of Transparency Thailand said that the country improved this year in the eyes of Thai and foreign investors as they believed fewer incidents of the practice of soliciting ‘tea-money’ in return of favours were conducted.

Thailand’s leaders must be “good role models,” Ms. Juree said, adding that they must also posses a higher ethics than the general public

AsiaTiv and hotel chains in Thailand join hands

AsiaTiv, a leading online hotel reservation portal, collaborates with hotel chains in Thailand to actively promote tourism in the country.

Political turmoil has taken its toll on Thai tourism with a drop in hotel business as well. Dror Meytal comments, “Many visitors are reluctant to travel and some even cancel their reservations when they heard the news, however life carries on pretty normal in Bangkok and Thailand and we want to help carry this message to the rest of the world.”

Now, the collaboration between AsiaTiv and leading hotel chains in Thailand aims to ease off this situation by offering special discounts and promotions on room rates for popular tourist destinations in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua hin, Krabi, Pattaya and Phuket.

Mr. Dror adds,

“The effect may not be as bad as it looks in terms of volume as September is usually a low season for Thailand. However, we want to get back to the same level of business as soon as the situation is resolved by offering special deals and promotions on all bookings for October and November. “

Dror also comments,

“We will keep an eye to the situation and advise of any changes so travelers can adjust their plans accordingly.”

Growing investment of Malaysia in Thai projects

With 25 projects worth 16.763 billion baht (100 baht = RM9.26) being approved in the first eight months of this year, Malaysian-based companies have emerged as one of the top investors in Thailand. Last year, Malaysian companies invested 11.57 billion baht in 33 projects. The leading investor in the kingdom is Japan which got approval for 193 projects worth about 44.93 billion baht this year. Though the country is facing political and natural turmoils, Thailand on the whole has approved 496 projects worth 174.91 billion baht from January to August this year. Of this, 305 projects, valued at 87.21 billion baht, were 100 percent foreign-owned.

Malaysia’s investments this year were largely in sectors like electric and electronic, agriculture, mineral and ceramics, light industries/textiles, metal products and machinery, chemicals and paper. Among the biggest Malaysian investors in Thailand are Petroleum Nasional Bhd, Aapico Hitech plc, Sime Darby Bhd, Trans Thai-Malaysia Ltd, Century Logistics and Bina Puri while other companies operating here include RHB Bank and CIMB.

Hirunya Suchinai, senior executive investment advisor at Board of Investment (BOI), said, “Malaysian investment projects refer to projects with Malaysian capital of at least 10 percent. That is why we have companies like Western Digital listed as investments from Malaysia.”

The BOI had approved investments totalling US$1.6 billion from over 160 Malaysian companies in the past five years, mostly in the electric and electronics, metal products and machinery sectors, while Thailand’s investments in Malaysia amounted to over US$200 million (US$1=RM3.39).

Koh Kong has more to offer than casinos

At the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) workshop on biodiversity conservation and tourism development in Bangkok, Mayuda Mang, deputy chief of the Tourism Department of Koh Kong, reminded the tourists that the 11,000 sq km province of Koh Kong had a wide variety of tourist attractions apart from its casino.

“Koh Kong is home to the country’s largest mangrove areas and we still have several small pristine islands eligible for ecotourism development,” said Ms Mayuda.

Though, situations have been tense between Thailand and Cambodia, Mayuda said Koh Kong and the opposite province of Trat have remained on good neighbourly terms. Trat has sent experts to help Koh Kong villagers preserve mangrove forests, said Ms Mayuda, adding: “We appreciate that cooperation and would like to see deepened collaboration on nature conservation in our country.”

However, she conceded that Road No 48, which was jointly opened by then-deputy prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, with a bridge linking the Thai border to Koh Kong and on to Phnom Penh, would inevitably attract all kinds of investors, traders and gamblers to Cambodia. The owners of the casino projects are Thais and Cambodians and gamblers come not only from Thailand, but also from China and Taiwan, as well as a few locals.

Floods kill 14 people and sicken about 53,000

Heavy downpours in northern and northeastern Thailand at the height of the rainy season caused the rivers to swell and the floods in Thailand have been creating havoc over the 36 provinces of Thailand for over past nine days now. The angry waters have killed 14 people and more than 53,000 people have been sickened by after contracting waterborne ailments after wading through floodwaters.

The Ministry of Public Health has warned the residents that floodwaters are full of parasitic leeches, human waste and bacteria that can cause skin infections and fungus.

The ministry said 53,946 people were sickened, with 35 percent suffering from skin funguses and 27 percent from cold and respiratory problems. Others suffered from diarrhea.

“We urge that people travel through flooded areas by boat or wear long pants tied at the feet with plastic bags if they must wade through flood water,” Prat Boonyawongwiroj, permanent secretary for public health, said in a statement.

Thailand gears up for biennial championship

Former England international Peter Reid has already been appointed as the new national coach of Thailand. Now, as soon as the Thailand Premiere League 2008 concludes early this month, the players will start their preparation for the biennial championship. Reid will be assisted by former Thailand captain Tawan Sripan, who has moved into coaching. Thais are hoping to win their fourth crown and a total of about 30 players will be chosen for centralized training.

The Agribank Cup is a quadrangular tournament featuring hosts Vietnam, New Zealand and a soon to be announced European side. For the AFF Suzuki Cup this year, hosts Thailand will be in Group B against Malaysia, Vietnam and the first team from the qualifying tournament in Cambodia. In Group A are hosts Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar and the second team from the qualifiers.

Somchai appeals for unity and reconciliation

Somchai Wongsawat is a 61-year-old former judge whose appointment as the new Prime Minister of Thailand was formally endorsed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej following Wednesday’s vote in Parliament.

Wearing a white ceremonial uniform, Somchai appealed for unity and reconciliation in his inaugural speech Thursday. “I want Thai brothers and sisters to rethink the importance our brotherhood, nationhood, unity and our advancement,” Somchai said. “We should turn to one another to reconcile, compromise and forgive.”

However, the protestors continue their siege claiming that Somchai is the brother-in-law of disgraced former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and that should disqualify him from holding the top office. Protest leaders say that any member of the People’s Power Party, which is full of Thaksin allies, is unacceptable as prime minister.

Somchai did not elaborate on what his government plans to do regarding the thousands of anti-government protesters occupying the grounds of his office. Somchai has set up a temporary office at Bangkok’s old international airport, sending the message to protesters camped at Government House since Aug. 26 that his approach will not be confrontational.

Thailand joins Malacca Straits Patrols

At a ceremony in Bangkok, the defence chief of Thailand signed the revised Standard Operating Procedures and Terms of Reference for the Malacca Straits Patrols (MSP) Joint Coordinating Committee, thus formalising his country’s participation with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. With this, Thailand has become the fourth country to join in the patrol in the Straits of Malacca, according to the Singapore Defence Ministry.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have been working together to enhance maritime security in the Straits of Malacca and the Straits of Singapore since the launch of the Malacca Straits Sea Patrols in July 2004. They subsequently began combined maritime air patrols and an exchange of intelligence.

One-third of the world’s trade and half of the world’s oil supply are carried through the Straits by about 90,000 vessels each year, officials have said.

The Straits were prone to pirate attacks in the 1990s but the joint action introduced in recent years reduced piracy to zero last year, Malaysia’s deputy air force chief, Bashir abu Bakar, was quoted as saying in April.

Thailand to develop road & railway links with NE India

To improve the bilateral trade with India, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Thailand Government Norachit Sinhaseni has favored road and railway links with the North East India. Sinhaseni said that a railway link connecting Thailand-Myanmar and the North East India would definitely boost the volume of trade in three countries. “If we want to increase our present volume of trade, we must develop road and transportation linkages,” he said.

Thai Government seems enthusiastic towards good projects for the link. The senior official under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We are ready for any fruitful project. Trans-Asian Highway project is already underway and we can undertake similar kind of railway projects with active support from the Indian Government.”

Sinhaseni is in Guwahati at present to participate in the 4th North East Business Summit. He said that Thailand is also keen to explore avenues in agro-based industry in the North East. “Agro-based products are available in the region and therefore we are in favour of initiating joint venture projects with the traders of the North East,” he informed.

Sinhaseni also revealed that Thailand is interested in investing in infrastructure and telecom sectors in the region. “This region is a high-potential area. Moreover, we have close historic ties with the North East. So we are really looking forward to establishing investment links,” he observed.

On Indo-Thai trade, he said that the bilateral trade between the countries has been picking up gradually. “Last year we had a target of $4 billion, but we surpassed the target and the existing trade is likely to go up to 38% this year. We want to increase our trade with India,” he added.