BANGKOK, 14 June 2019(NNT) – Thai Airways International plans to resume direct flights between Bangkok and Sendai, from this year’s wintertime and expects up to 80% of Thai travelers to fly with them.
THAI President Sumet Damrongchaitham, has confirmed that THAI has signed an agreement with Sendai in Japan to resume direct flights between Bangkok and Sendai for a three-year period, offering three round-trip flights per week beginning on October 29. THAI currently provides chartered flights between Bangkok and Sendai. Up to 80% of Thai travelers to Sendai and 20% of Japanese travelers to Bangkok are expected to fly them. The anticipated number of air travelers would increase two or three times over the years.
In promotional round-trip flights, the air fare begins at 13,420 baht for one passenger alone and 12,820 baht for each member of a group of four passengers.
In addition, the online trading of goods via the THAI website and Application is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year. Meanwhile, THAI Kitchen will be hired to make meals for the passengers of many leading airlines.
13 June 2019 Singapore, June 13, 2019 — —Thailand will likely maintain continuity on infrastructure investment, after the country’s recent election results.
But its ageing society, moderate competitiveness and labour skills shortages remain key credit challenges.
Moody’s Investors Service has just released an FAQ on the Government of Thailand (Baa1 stable), analysing the outlook for policy, growth and structural reforms, against the backdrop of global trade tensions.
Moody’s report also examines the impact of Thailand’s elections in March 2019.
Moody’s expects policy continuity on the country’s 20-year national strategy, including investment in the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor. However, opposition to the ruling coalition’s slim majority in the lower house of parliament could delay the implementation of certain policies.
On the issue of how Thailand’s fiscal and external position will evolve, Moody’s says that Thailand will likely sustain its strong fiscal position, regardless of political developments, because of the country’s track record of adhering to fiscal rules, a factor that also supports Moody’s assessment of very high policy effectiveness.
Ongoing inflation within target and financial stability are factors that underscore the country’s monetary policy effectiveness, and persistent balance-of-payments surpluses will continue to bolster foreign exchange reserves and contribute to low external vulnerability risk.
Thailand’s ageing society to weigh significantly on growth potential.
The local delivery market on April 8 welcomed a new member, ADiDi, providing delivery, installation, repair and maintenance services, mainly for electronic products and household appliances.
ADiDi staff ready to deliver products at the launch ceremony for the ADiDi app on April 8
Tran The Vinh, general director of ADiDi JSC, which manages the ADiDi mobile and web app, noted that almost 3,000 electronics stores associated with modern retail chains are active on the local retail market, alongside some 10,000 traditional stores and online channels selling electronic items and appliances.
These local retailers usually have to develop human resources to conduct wide-ranging activities from confirming orders and handling delivery and installation to offering maintenance and warranty services, all of which raises their costs.
Accordingly, with ADiDi services, retailers can focus on sales alone. The ADiDi app connects the company’s delivery and installation staff with the warranty centers of electronics retailers across the country.
ADiDi will provide delivery services for small items, such as smartphones and headphones, and bulky products, including refrigerators, televisions and air-conditioners, along with collection services for third parties with a total value of up to VND100 million.
By using the ADiDi app, customers can easily search for the warranty centers of Samsung, Sony, LG and Daikin. Also, the cost of each service is displayed on the app.
Vinh added that over 2,000 users have downloaded the ADiDi mobile app to date, including 100 corporate customers. Apart from the launch ceremony on April 8 in HCMC, ADiDi will launch the app in Danang and Hanoi in the coming days.
The latest coil around China’s capital ticks off another checkbox in a long-held state plan to tie the city and its surrounding suburbs into a massive megalopolis known as Jing-Jin-Ji.
The investor seeking to put money into Real Estate in China ought to definitely take into account the financial and political background and legal frame offered by varied articles. Practically the entire giant fund companies have a fund that is designed for exposure to the growth of Real Estate in China and other Asian countries.
In the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, the real estate sector in China was growing so rapidly that the government implemented a series of policies – including raising the required downpayment for some property purchases, and five 2007 interest rate increases – due to concerns of overheating.
Bangkok, 13 June, 2019 – The Great Mekong Bike Ride 2019, scheduled from 28-30 June, is ready to welcome more than 2,000 Thai and foreign road race cyclists and elevate the awareness of Thailand’s Northeast (Isan) provinces of Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Sakon Nakhon, as sports tourism destinations.
This year marks the fourth edition of this epic, long-distance road race cycling event organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in cooperation with Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon and Mukdahan provinces, the Thai Cycling Association and Tri-League.
Registration is now closed as full participation numbers have been reached, at 2,000 cyclists. These include 400 international cyclists from 22 countries and 1,600 Thai cyclists. The event is expected to generate about 20 million Baht in tourism revenue for the local economy.
TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said: “The Great Mekong Bike Ride has earned its well-deserved place as a leading cycling event in Thailand thanks to the continued success of its last three seasons.
“The staged race format has been carefully designed to promote tourism and sport in the emerging destinations in line with the government’s policy and TAT’s marketing strategy. It showcases the rich history, culture and natural attractions that these Isan provinces can offer memorable experiences for local and international cyclists.”
The Great Mekong Bike Ride 2019 comprises four race categories: Open category for males and females; Age-group category for males, females and junior boys; Novice category for males and females, and Team category for groups of four members.
The race covers a total distance of nearly 400 km in three days.
Stage 1: King of Speed is on 28 June over a distance of 100 km from Nakhon Phanom to Sakon Nakhon, with the route following a main highway.
Stage 2: King of Endurance is on 29 June over a distance of 150 km from Sakon Nakhon to Mukdahan, with the route comprising highway and some hilly roads as well as a climb.
Stage 3: King of Khong is on 30 June over a distance of 127 km from Mukdahan to Nakhon Phanom with the route following a main highway along the Mekong River.
The registration fee includes three nights’ accommodation, an official cycling sweater, official T-shirt, medal, athlete shuttle bus throughout the race period, welcome dinner on 27 June, three breakfasts and three lunches, accident insurance during the race, race bib and official e-certification. Registration is also possible for one day.
In the spirit of promoting health and fun for all, the Great Mekong Bike Ride 2019 also features a short-distance fun ride on each of the event’s three days along flat road routes. The distance is 10 km and there are no age restrictions with participants receiving an official T-shirt, medal, race bib, pre-cycle breakfast and post-cycle lunch.
JAKARTA, 11 June 2019 – The ASEAN – Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) enters into force today, 11 June 2019, for Hong Kong and five ASEAN Member States, namely, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Under the AHKFTA, Hong Kong and Singapore will grant tariff free access and will bind their customs duties at zero upon entry into force of the agreement. Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand will eliminate customs duties on 85% of products traded with Hong Kong within ten years and reduce another 10% of tariff lines within 14 years. Indonesia and Viet Nam will eliminate customs duties for 75% of their products within ten years, and reduce another 10% of tariff lines within 14 years. Meanwhile, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar will eliminate customs duties for 65% of their products within 15 years and reduce another 20% of tariff lines within 20 years.
“The entry into force of this FTA is a significant outcome that further enhances trade flows between ASEAN and Hong Kong,” said His Excellency Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi, the Secretary-General of ASEAN. “This is also reflective of ASEAN and Hong Kong’s support for a rules-based international trade system, and signals our commitment to strengthen trade and investment linkages among our nations,” His Excellency added.
The AHKFTA and ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Investment Agreement (AHKIA) were signed by ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong on 12 November 2017 in Pasay City, Philippines. The AHKIA is scheduled to enter into force on 17 June 2019 for Hong Kong and the five same ASEAN Member States. The remaining ASEAN Member States will complete their ratification processes for the AHKFTA and AHKIA this year.
The AHKFTA contains 14 chapters covering broad areas of market access liberalisation, trade facilitation, rules to promote confidence in trade, and cooperation aimed at facilitating trade in goods and services in the region. It is ASEAN’s sixth free trade agreement with external partners, after China, Korea, Japan, India, and Australia-New Zealand. The agreements can be found here.
BANGKOK, 12 June 2019 (NNT) – King Power today won the bidding to run duty-free shops in three regional airports, marking another victory for the firm which previously won two licenses to operate duty-free shops and the commercial zone at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) yesterday unsealed bid envelopes for the duty-free operation at airports in Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai. The three bidders were King Power Duty Free Co that won the auction, followed by a Royal Orchid Hotel (Thailand) Plc joint venture, and a consortium led by Bangkok Airways Plc.
The results of the three bids to run the duty-free shops at three regional airports will be submitted to the committee in charge of revenue assessment on June 12 before being forwarded to the AoT board for consideration on June 19.
Prior to this, AOT launched a concession auction for the Suvarnabhumi Airport Duty Free Project. The right to operate a business to manage a commercial area within the Suvarnabhumi Airport building was also won by King Power Duty Free Plc.
Co-edited and introduced by Ashley J. Tellis, Strategic Asia 2019: China’s Expanding Strategic Ambitions, the eighteenth volume in the Strategic Asia series, describes how China seeks to reshape the international system to serve its strategic aims. Each chapter assesses the country’s ambitions in a particular geographic or functional area and presents policy options for the United States and its partners to address the challenges posed by a rising China.
Ashley J. Tellis holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Research Director of the Strategic Asia Program at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR).
Alison Szalwinski is Director of Political and Security Affairs at NBR.