The post Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand as of 4 November 2020, 11.30 Hrs. appeared first on TAT Newsroom.
Four approaches proposed due to labor shortage in industrial…
BANGKOK (NNT) – The industrial sector has reported a shortage of laborers despite increased unemployment brought on by COVID-19 as many migrant workers have been unable to return to the Kingdom.
Private sector entities via the Thai Chamber of Commerce have proposed four possible ways to aid unemployed individuals and the industrial sector, to the Senate Committee on Labor.
Vice President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Labor Strategy and Skill Development Poj Aramwattananont outlined the four as encouraging businesses to offer flexible working hours starting from a minimum four hours to retain workers and draw in new employees; maintaining privileges for foreign workers to reinforce international confidence; enhancing skills through e-Learning, and creating a Big Data powered Digital Platform for domestic and foreign laborers.
Fitch expects Thai hotels’ RevPAR to drop by more than 60% in 2020 – Tourism
Thai hotels, as a major victim of the coronavirus pandemic, will continue to suffer from low RevPAR, which Fitch Ratings expects to recover in 2021-2022 from the trough in 2020 but to remain below the 2019 level.
A slow recovery in the number of inbound tourists, amid a weakening global economy, will remain a key challenge in the next two to three years.
Cash preserving and cost saving have become survival factors in light of this tough operating environment.
Fitch expects Thai hotels’ average RevPAR to drop by more than 60% in 2020.
A sharp recovery is unlikely in hotel room occupancy (OCC) and average daily rate (ADR) as the country’s reopening to foreign tourists should be on a gradual basis.
We expect most hotel operators’ EBITDA to be negative in 2020, improving slowly in 2021-2022. The top-three listed hoteliers’ profit margins narrowed dramatically 1H20, despite efforts to scale down costs.
The hoteliers have indicated their ongoing capability to reduce monthly costs and expenses by 20%-30% from the base-2019 level, which would translate to a lower break-even OCC by about 10%-20%, varying by company.
A deterioration in earnings is likely to double financial leverage by end-2020.
Deleveraging to pre-pandemic levels should take at least three to four years, assuming no large capex spend.
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SMART SME EXPO 2020
BANGKOK (NNT) – People who wish to have their own business, or are job seekers can visit the Smart SME Expo 2020 where they can choose to invest in interesting businesses and franchises. Also participating in the event are financial institutions that offer low-interest loans.
Taking the concept “Best Businesses of the Year, New Normal Together”, the event is divided into six zones: beauty and health, food and beverage, technology and innovation, financial institutions, services and logistics and interesting franchises which require a budget of less than 10,000 baht. There are also businesses that require a budget of 10,000 to 100,000 baht and more. Free vocational training is also offered to create opportunities for people interested in becoming a business owner, allowing them to see new options to create jobs and help stimulate the economy at the end of the year.
Mr Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, emphasized that he has placed importance on promoting the SME sector because it is an important local economic driver. Currently, there are approximately three million SME entrepreneurs, amounting to 95 percent of the total number of domestic business operators. During the COVID-19 crisis when operators must adjust themselves to cope with the situation, the Department of Business Development is the main agency promoting the use of technology to help business management and promote marketing channels.
Interested persons can visit the Smart SME Expo until November 1 at Hall 9 -10, Impact Muang Thong Thani.
PCD uses satellite imagery to predict air pollution
BANGKOK (NNT) – Despite overcast skies over Bangkok in recent days, the Pollution Control Department reports that the air quality in the capital is still good, with high airborne particle concentrations in heavy traffic areas. The department revealed that it is implementing measures to curb the increasing trend of airborne dust, with satellite imagery used to forecast pollution build-up.
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) Director General Attapon Charoenchansa said Thailand is entering the winter season, which lasts from November to January, during which the lower temperature and other climate conditions make it difficult for airborne particles to disperse, including PM2.5 and PM10.
This build-up of air pollution has been observed in Bangkok, as well as in 17 provinces in the northern region. The PCD chief said the department has put this issue on the national agenda and drafted a response plan, to be implemented by many organizations.
The PCD’s suggestions have led to the restriction of large and diesel engine vehicles from operating in Bangkok, campaigns encouraging the general public to make changes to protect themselves from hazardous air pollutants and discussions with the transportation and tourism industries to help reduce air pollution.
For provinces in the northern region, the government has developed an application to help farmers schedule crop stubble burning times, to help reduce the concentration of particles emissions from the fires. This scheduling is done along with combustibles management, to reduce the volume of combustibles in areas prone to fire.
Gen Prawit urges Digital Ministry to tackle fake news
BANGKOK (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has delivered the government’s policy for the Ministry of a Digital Economy and Society, to tackle fake news and illegal websites, while promoting online media literacy among members of the public.
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said today that social media platforms have become hosts for social conflicts, sedition, and inappropriate expressions, urging the Ministry of a Digital Economy and Society (MDES) to take more proactive action, which includes blocking access to illegal websites and prosecuting the persons involved.
He has called on the MDES to coordinate with the Royal Thai Police, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, internet service providers, and platform owners, while implementing advanced technology to detect illegal websites and raising public awareness of online media literacy.
On social and security sites, the DPM delivered the policy to the MDES to focus on assisting elders and underprivileged persons by promoting their access to digital technology, and to drive forward the roles of the National Cyber Security Committee to prevent cyber attacks.
On the economy, Gen Prawit has urged the MDES to step up digital technology implementation to help the general public generate more income, drive forward the national 5G network and promote the utilization of this high-speed mobile network infrastructure.
Responsible Tourism at Bang Kachao
Need a short urban getaway?
Responsible Tourism at Bang Kachao from TATnews Official
Grab some fresh air at Bang Kachao, known as the ‘Green Lung of Bangkok and once acclaimed as the ‘Best Oasis of Asia’. Cycling around on a bicycle and visiting the community to make your own handicrafts here are recommended to explore a responsible tourism experience.
Let’s travel responsibly. Don’t forget to wear a face mask and comply with the safety and hygiene measures.
The post Responsible Tourism at Bang Kachao appeared first on TAT Newsroom.
Malaysia’s Pandemic Labor Shortage in October 2020 “ASEAN Today”
How Malaysia’s palm oil industry is trying to fix a labor problem while dealing with the coronavirus is in the October 2020 edition of “ASEAN Today.”
Raissa Chentami of The Indonesia Channel anchors the program from Jakarta. She also reports on the ongoing street protests in Thailand and Indonesia, and Singapore’s efforts to boost domestic tourism.
This is the 104th episode in the informative and entertaining series now in its 11th year of broadcast, and can be viewed on on the internet at https://youtu.be/paPyPCP72Wk as well as through ASEAN broadcasters such as The Indonesia Channel and Vietnam’s VOV-TV.
“ASEAN Today” is a joint production of the ASEAN Secretariat and The Indonesia Channel. Some materials are provided by broadcasters in member countries. Check local listings for broadcast times. For more information, contact Raissa Chentami at [email protected].
