Business
Phuket startup to launch Formula 1 simulators

PHUKET: Calling all speed freaks and racing fanatics, the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 simulator is nearly within reach at the soon-to-be-unveiled GR Phuket Racing Center in Patong.
Slated for an October 1 grand opening, the venue is in the process of preparing the simulators and staff for hordes of eager enthusiasts.
The eight simulators pit racers against one another in their choice of a V8, F1, Rally, Drift, GT3, Ferrari, Lamborghini and more, and go head to head on any track worldwide.
Racers start out with a practice round to get the feel for the car and track, move on to the qualifier and ultimately the final race which consists of five to 50 laps, depending on session time.
Advance bookings are available for groups or individuals and club memberships are offered for locals looking to develop a healthy racing habit.
A cafe and bar with a selection of food, drinks and adult beverages as well as televisions for watching the most recent races will keep spectators and bystanders entertained.
The mobile simulators will be available for hire and can be delivered to special occasions or events. They can also be purchased through GR Phuket so devoted racers can train around the clock at home.
Stop by on October 1 to see what a professional racing simulator is all about at GR Phuket 800 meters north of Bangla Road beside the post office.
For more information, visit: grphuket.com or call 076-510762.
— Jeremie Schatz
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
Governments & old media versus social media – who will win? | VIDEO

We look at the recent changes made by the Australian and Indian governments to except control over the world’s biggest social media platforms. India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social. There is now an open battle between the rise of social media platforms and the governments and ‘old’ media that have been able to maintain a certain level of control over the ‘message’ for the last century. Who will win?
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told. The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
The social media giants in battle with ‘old’ media and world governments | VIDEO

“The rules signal greater willingness by countries around the world to rein in big tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter that the governments fear have become too powerful with little accountability.”
India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social.
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The companies are also being made to publish a compliance report each month with details about how many complaints they’ve received and the action they took.
They’ll also be required to remove ‘some’ types of content including “full or partial nudity,” any “sexual act” or “impersonations including morphed images”
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told.
The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
Turbulence ahead for Thailand’s aviation industry | VIDEO

When the airlines, in particular, were asking the government to put their hands in their pockets for some relief funding in August last year, it was genuinely thought that international tourists would be coming back for the high season in December and January. At the very least local tourists and expats would head back to the skies over the traditional holiday break. And surely the Chinese would be back for Chinese New Year?
As we know now, none of that happened. A resurge in cases started just south of Bangkok on December 20 last year, just before Christmas, kicking off another round of restrictions, pretty much killing off any possibility of a high season ‘bump’ for the tourist industry. Airlines slashed flights from their schedule, and hotels, which had dusted off their reception desks for the surge of tourists, shut their doors again.
Domestically, the hotel business saw 6 million room nights in the government’s latest stimulus campaign fully redeemed. But the air ticket quota of 2 million seats still has over 1.3 million seats unused. Local tourists mostly skipped flights and opted for destinations within driving distance of their homes.
As for international tourism… well that still seems months or years away, even now.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
International travellers allowed to transit Thailand from Monday
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)4 days ago
PM Prayut postponing Covid‐19 vaccination citing paperwork issues
- Bangkok4 days ago
Bangkok police raid house where model died after playing hostess
- Bangkok2 days ago
Woman talks about the life of a Thai “pretty” after model’s death
- Myanmar4 days ago
Myanmar’s representative to UN urges strong action against military after increasing violence against protesters
- Events4 days ago
Phuket Monopoly game creators need your help with token designs
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Public Health Minister gets first Covid-19 vaccine shot in Thailand
- Bangkok2 days ago
At least 22 people arrested at Bangkok protest, officer dies of heart failure