Thai baht at 13-year high
BANGKOK, 7 October 6, 2010 – Thailand’s currency strengthened beyond Bt30 to the dollar Wednesday for the first time in more than 13 years.
The unit, which has appreciated around 10% this year, roared past the psychologically important level to hit Bt29.95 to the greenback, fanning concerns over the key export sector.
Thailand, in line with other regional neighbours, has seen its currency soar as robust economic growth and a rising stock market attract an influx of capital into the country.
BACKGROUND: Top army post goes to hardliner
BANGKOK, 1 October, 2010 – Thailand’s powerful new military chief, thought to take a hardline view of anti-government “Red Shirts,” vowed to protect the country’s monarchy in a ceremony Thursday to mark his appointment.
General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who officially starts work Friday, is the Thai army’s 37th commander-in-chief and takes the helm at a crucial juncture for the country following the deadliest political unrest in decades.
Air Bagan plans Phuket service
BANGKOK, 20 September 2010 – An airline in military-ruled Myanmar will launch twice-weekly flights between Yangon and the Thai resort island of Phuket, media reported Sunday.
A spokeswoman for Air Bagan told the privately-owned but state-censored Myanmar Times that the service will begin in early December on Mondays and Fridays, using a Fokker aircraft that seats about 100 passengers.
Nok Mini limited to two routes
September 16, 2010 by Rapeepat Mantanarat
Filed under News
BANGKOK, 16 September, 2010 – Initially Nok Mini will stay with just two routes – Chiang Mai-Pai and Chiang Mai-Nan – for the duration of the winter schedule, 31 October ending 26 March 2011. the airline announced on Wednesday.
Airline executives said it would settle for limited services until a new aircraft is delivered when it should be able to resume services suspended earlier this year.
Thai economy riding high
BANGKOK, 15 September, 2010 – Thailand’s economy is riding high again, just months after a crippling political crisis, underlining the strength of a system used to political turmoil but also seen as inherently vulnerable.
In May, when the retail heart of Bangkok was under the control of anti-government “Red Shirt” protesters, there was widespread concern about economic growth prospects and loss of investor confidence.
Those fears became more acute after a bloody military crackdown left the death toll from the two-month rally at 91, with 1,900 wounded, deepening the country’s colour-coded political divide.
Thailand denies entry to activists
BANGKOK, 13 September 2010 – Thailand has refused entry to two human rights campaigners due to speak at a Bangkok press conference Monday about alleged abuses in neighbouring Vietnam, a journalists’ organisation said.
The move forced the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights, a long-time critic of the country’s communist regime, to cancel the event at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT), the media group said.
The FCCT said on Sunday it had been asked by Thailand’s Foreign Ministry not to allow its premises to be used for the news conference “as it might contain information detrimental to a neighbouring country.”
Thai baht hits 13-year high
BANGKOK, 9 September, 2010 – The Thai baht smashed a 13-year record against the US dollar on Thursday as the country’s prime minister predicted continuing strength for the currency, while fears over the impact on exports persist.
The unit surged to 30.85 against the dollar – its best since August 1997 – as premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said further advances were not “beyond expectation”.
“I cannot say that it will reach 29 baht but it’s likely to get stronger,” he said, adding that the Bank of Thailand was now closely watching the inflows of funds thought to be helping drive the baht’s strength.
TG flight returns after bomb hoax in LA
September 9, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
BANGKOK, 9 September, 2010 – Thai Airways International confirmed, Wednesday, that US federal authorities released its aircraft after a two hour delay to conduct security checks after a threatening message was discovered scrawled on a toilet mirror.
TG794 landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport, but authorities initiated an immediate inspection of the aircraft after it was towed to a remote parking area at the US airport.
The departure of flight TG795, routed Los Angeles-Bangkok, was delayed two hours from original scheduled departure of 2320 to 0145 (Los Angeles time), 8 September. Read more
CBT tourism falls off the radar
September 7, 2010 by Rapeepat Mantanarat
Filed under Tour Operators
BANGKOK, 7 September, 2010 – Thailand’s community-based tourism may have gained the attention of the media, but it still fails to tap mainstream marketing channels especially in Europe.
That was the conclusion of Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute director, Potjana Suansri, who was commenting to TTR Weekly on the sidelines of a recent CBT seminar.
Thai baht soars to two-year height
BANGKOK, 2 September, 2010 – Thailand on Thursday ordered the central bank to keep a close eye on the baht and “prepare measures” after the currency soared to a 29-month high against the US dollar, the finance minister said.
Travel industry sources expressed concern as the Thai baht also gained against the UK pound and Euro. They estimate a strong baht could raise the cost of travel to Thailand by as much as 15% when compared with costs in 2009. A stronger baht makes Thailand more expensive for travellers from key markets such as UK and all the Euro currency countries.
