BANGKOK, 26 June 2019(NNT) – The incoming President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Bangkok, Atsushi Taketani, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, at Government House this week, with both officials looking forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Japan.
The current JETRO Bangkok President, Hiroki Mitsumata, introduced the incoming JETRO Bangkok President to Gen. Prayut at Government House yesterday.
The Prime Minister thanked Mr. Mitsumata for supporting Japanese investment in Thailand and carrying out projects to stimulate the Thai economy. The Prime Minister also welcomed Mr. Taketani as the new JETRO Bangkok President and expressed his confidence that the knowledge and experience of Mr. Mitsumata would be carried forward in JETRO Bangkok’s future activities .
Prime Minister Prayut said he would like JETRO Bangkok to help upgrade Thailand’s industrial sector and attract new investment from Japan in targeted industries, as both sides have been working together in various areas, such as aircraft, medical equipment, robotics and digital technology. The Prime Minister said he would like JETRO Bangkok to invite educational institutions and research and development facilities in Japan, to invest in the EEC.
On the joint investment by Japan and China in a third country, Thailand is the first such country to make this possible through its High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports project. Gen. Prayut said this type of cooperation can be carried out in the form of Thailand+1 in neighboring countries, so that they can grow and prosper together. The Prime Minister said he hoped JETRO Bangkok will continue to support Thailand in the future.
Mr. Mitsumata praised the government’s economic policy, especially the Thailand 4.0 initiative, and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, as they will strengthen the Thai economy and improve the efficiency of the government’s economic team.
PM Prayut, JETRO Bangkok discuss investment, industrial promotion
Southeast Asia moving in the right direction – Property, Real Estate
We recently launched the 10th edition of our Global Real Estate Transparency Index, a leading publication that has been charting the progression of transparency across the world for two decades.
The 2018 Index builds upon the strong track record of our previous surveys, evolving to meet ever-changing demands, and now covering 100 countries and 158 city markets.
We have observed a lot of change in the last 20 years and transparency has become ever more paramount.
We have experienced a global financial crisis that put a spotlight on debt and regulation, witnessed the emergence of new technologies that have the potential to disrupt our industry, and here in Asia Pacific, we have seen more than 700 million new people living in cities which necessitated the need for higher quality real estate and supporting services.
Emerging markets in South and Southeast Asia that led the way in transparency gains in the 2018 Index
Encouragingly, Asia Pacific has made positive strides throughout this period and in the 2018 survey, it recorded the biggest improvement of the four major regions globally.
There is growing recognition by governments, occupiers and investors that transparency is necessary for an efficient real estate market. It can help fuel economic activity and build community well-being, which has led to new reforms and greater market intelligence.
Taiwan is a good example, where government initiatives such as the Real Estate Tax Declaration platform are continuing to increase the availability and quality of real estate data, and leading to steadily improving transparency.
Myanmar was the biggest improver in the region and globally
Remarkably, it was emerging markets in South and Southeast Asia that led the way in transparency gains in the 2018 Index.
Myanmar…
The Mobilization of Conservative Civil Society
Overview by Richard Youngs
As the domain of civil society burgeoned in the 1990s and early 2000s—a crucial component of the global spread of democracy in the developing and postcommunist worlds—many transnational and domestic actors involved in building and supporting this expanding civil society assumed that the sector was naturally animated by organizations mobilizing for progressive causes. Some organizations focused on the needs of underrepresented groups, such as women’s empowerment, inclusion of minorities, and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights; others addressed broader societal issues such as economic justice, social welfare, and antipoverty concerns. In many countries, the term “civil society” came to be associated with a relatively bounded set of organizations associated with a common agenda, one separate from or even actively opposed by conservative political forces.
However, in the past ten years, this assumption and outlook are proving increasingly incorrect. In many countries in the developing and postcommunist worlds, as well as in long-established Western democracies, conservative forms of civic activism have been multiplying and gaining traction. In some cases, new conservative civic movements and groups are closely associated with illiberal political actors and appear to be an integral part of the well-chronicled global pushback against Western liberal democratic norms. In other cases, the political alliances and implications of conservative civil society are less clear. In almost all cases—other than perhaps that of the United States, where the rise of conservative activism has been the subject of considerable study—this rising world of conservative civil society has been little studied and often overlooked.
This report seeks to correct this oversight and to probe more deeply into the rise of conservative civil society around the world. It does so under the rubric of Carnegie’s Civic Research Network project, an initiative that aims to explore new types of civic activism and examine the extent to which these activists and associations are redrawing the contours of global civil society. The emerging role and prominence of conservative activism is one such change to civil society that merits comparative examination.
Taken as a whole, the report asks what conservative civic activism portends for global civil society. Its aim is not primarily to pass judgment on whether conservative civil society is a good or bad thing—although the contributing authors obviously have criticisms to make. Rather, it seeks mainly to…
Phang Nga’s waterfalls reopened after heavy rain
PHANG NAG, 24 June 2019 (NNT) – Heavy rains in the southern region caused the temporary closure of Lumpi and Tonprai waterfalls in Phang Nga yesterday due to the risk of flash floods. The waterfalls have re-opened to visitors as of today.
This is the entrance to Tonprai waterfall in Khao Lampi – Hat Thai Mueang National Park this morning, which is now significantly dryer than yesterday, where the water overflowed onto the path, forcing the national park office to temporarily stop visitor access to Lumpi and Tonprai waterfalls. The conditions which have improved today, mean the office has now re-opened the waterfalls to tourists, with officials working to ensure safety.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation meanwhile, (DDPM) has reported a low pressure system with southwest monsoon winds, have been affecting Thailand since 23rd June, causing flash floods in Phang Nga and Krabi provinces. 1,700 persons in 442 households have been affected in Phang Nga, particularly in Takua Pa, Kapong, Muang Phang Nga, Thai Mueang, and Takua Thung districts.
In Krabi, continuous heavy rain has caused flash floods in Sala Dan and Ko Lanta Yai subdistricts of Ko Lanta island, affecting 240 people in 100 households. The flood level has now reduced somewhat, though rainfall continues to be reported. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is coordinating with the provincial office, the military, local administrative organizations, and related agencies to provide assistance to disaster victims. Affected villagers can request assistance by calling the 1784 hotline available 24 hours a day.
Private sector urges ASEAN to standardize regulations
BANGKOK, 23 June 2019 (NNT) – Representatives from the private sector in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) held a business dialogue and resolved that ASEAN should adjust certain rules and regulations to be in line with international standards to facilitate trade in the region.
The EU-ASEAN Business Dialogue was held at the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok. Attendees discussed non-tariff barriers to trade, such as rules, regulations and other mechanisms being implemented in the bloc.
Delegates from ASEAN and the EU agreed that some ASEAN member states are using different sets of rules and regulations. The meeting resolved that ASEAN should standardize them to facilitate trade in the region.
ASEAN has placed great importance on addressing this issue, as the elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade is one of the agenda of the ASEAN Blueprint 2025. This shows that ASEAN has been taking steps to remove non-tariff barriers to trade and narrow the development gap between its member states.
“Phuket Surf Fest 2019” kicked off
Phuket, 12 June 2019 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office recently organised the “Phuket Surf Fest 2019” to kick off the Phuket Surf Series 2019, scheduled from June to September, and promote tourism during the current Green Season.
The Phuket Surf Fest 2019 event was held under collaboration with Patong Municipality, Surfing Thailand, Phuket Surfing Club, Quiksilver Thailand and the public and private sector partners, from 31 May to 2 June at the Loma Park on Patong Beach.
TAT Phuket Office Director Mrs. Kanokkittika Kritwutikon said the Phuket Surf Fest 2019 spotlighted Phuket as a destination for surfing and ramped up promotion for the Phuket Surf Series 2019, scheduled during June-September at five popular beaches in Phuket: Surin, Patong, Kamala, Kata and Kalim.
She added that the Phuket Surf Series 2019 continued the success of the inaugural “Phuket Surf Series 2018+KHAOLAK”, which saw an increased number of surfers and surfing enthusiasts taking part or enjoying the competitions.
“We hope that this year’s Phuket Surf Fest 2019 will continue to impress local and international travellers with the possibility to enjoy surfing in Phuket, and encourage them to participate or enjoy the upcoming surfing competitions,” Mrs. Kanokkittika added.
Phuket Surf Series 2019
The 3rd Cherngthalay Surfing Contest
by the Surin Surfers Club & Love Surin Beach Club
15-16 June, 2019, at Surin Beach, Phuket
- Open Short Board
- Open Long Board
- Grom Under 14
Contact: Surfer Club; Tel.: +66 (0) 93 662 5442; Facebook: Surin Surfer Club
Pearl of the Andaman Surfing Contest 2019
28-30 June, 2019, at Patong Beach, Phuket
- Short Board Men’s Open Division
- Long Board Men’s Open Division
- Short Board Women’s Open Division
- Long Board Women’s Open Division
Contact: Mr. Decha Sithidej; Tel.: +66 (0) 89 973 2161; E-mail: [email protected]; Facebook: Dede Decha Sithidej
The Annual Kamala Beach Surfing Contest
by the Kamala Go Surfing Club
13-14 July, 2019, at Kamala Beach, Phuket
- Open Short Board
- Open Long Board
- Grom Under 14
Contact: Mr. Vissanu Madsatool; Tel.: +66 (0) 98 043 2509 E-mail: [email protected]; Facebook: Kamala Go Surfing Club
The Annual Kata Beach Surf Competition
by the Kata Crew
9-11 August, 2019, at Kata Beach, Phuket
- Open Short Board
- Open Long Board
- Grom Under 14 – Beginner’s
- Women’s Division
Contact: Mr. Chalong Loysamut; Tel.: +66 (0) 81 537 0105; Facebook: Kata Crew Phuket
The 3rd Kalim Beach Surfing Contest
by the Kalim Reef Surfers Club
6-8 September, 2019, at Kalim Beach, Phuket
- Open Short Board
- Open Long Board
- Grom Under 14 – Beginner’
- Women’s Division
Contact: Mr. Prasert Hamra; Tel.: +66 (0) 64 948 3352; E-mail: [email protected]; Facebook: Kalim Reef Surfers; Website: www.kalimreefsurfers.com
ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
The Asia–Pacific and Indian Ocean regions are amongst the most dynamic in the world as well as centers of economic growth for decades. As a result, these regions continue to experience geopolitical and geostrategic shifts. These shifts present opportunities as well as challenges. On the one hand, the economic growth of the region opens up possibilities of cooperation to alleviate poverty and elevate living standards of millions of people. On the other hand, the rise of material powers, i.e. economic and military, requires avoiding the deepening of mistrust, miscalculation, and patterns of behavior based on a zero–sum game.
Download the full statement here.
Vietnam and Thailand top destinations for Russians – Russia, Tourism, Vietnam
The central province of Khanh Haa, home to the famous beach town of Nha Trang city, is much loved by Russian tourists, accounting for one fifth of total foreign arrivals. (Source: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam has become one of the top destinations in the Asia Pacific region for Russians, according to global travel analysis firm ForwardKeys.
The ForwardKeys survey found that Vietnam saw the highest increase in Russian market seat capacity at 153 percent, followed by Thailand and the Maldives, which saw a growth of 125 percent and 58 percent, respectively. The Republic of Korea and India also saw seat capacity rising by more than 30 percent.
Last year, Russian tourist arrivals to Khanh Hoa reached nearly 400,000, up 1.5 percent year-on-year, making it the second biggest feeder market for local tourism after China.
Vietnam received a record high of 606,000 Russians last year, accounting for 4 percent of total foreign tourist arrivals. –VNA
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