crisis

  • Thailand News

    Thailand grapples with hazardous air quality in 30 provinces

    Air pollution has escalated to crisis levels in 30 provinces across Thailand, with PM2.5 readings exceeding the safety threshold, particularly affecting the health of residents in 11 areas. The highest recorded level of these harmful particulates in the country, at 146.0 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), was in Mae Hong Son today, March 20. The Air Pollution Solution and Communication…

  • Business News

    Italian-Thai development grapples with liquidity crisis amid scandals

    Thailand’s leading construction firm, Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), is grappling with a liquidity crisis that has alarmed investors, regulators, and rating agencies. This scenario follows a series of local corporate scandals and debt defaults that have already unnerved the market. ITD confirmed yesterday, March 13, that it is seeking new loans from banks to alleviate the current cash crunch that…

  • Business News

    Thai PM announces stimulus measures amidst economic crisis

    Acknowledging Thailand’s struggling economy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also serves as the Finance Minister, said today the government is set to introduce a series of stimulus measures to bolster growth. This revelation comes amidst criticism from Bank of Thailand‘s (BoT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, who argued that the government’s efforts will not rectify the underlying structural problems at the root…

  • Thailand News

    Severe drought crisis looms in Nakhon Ratchasima with water reservoirs depleting

    Nakhon Ratchasima province faces a severe drought crisis, with medium-sized water reservoirs at worrying levels, holding less than half their capacity. A halt on off-season rice farming has been ordered and urgent discussions are underway to secure water reserves throughout this year’s dry season. The Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project’s water allocation division today reported on the water situation in the…

  • Business News

    SMK facing liquidity crisis as liabilities surpass assets

    The Syn Mun Kong Insurance Plc (SMK), overseen by the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC), is facing significant liquidity issues and has been given 60 days to solve these problems and raise capital. However, the OIC suggests that SMK is unlikely to comply within the given timeframe. SMK’s total liabilities have surpassed its assets, amounting to 30 billion baht, according…

  • Business News

    Thai economy in crisis: Government seeks foreign investment and tackles debt

    The economy in Thailand is in crisis and needs some significant stimulation, according to the nation’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also acts as the Thai Finance Minister. The nation’s reliance on tourism has been heavily impacted by lower-than-expected foreign arrivals, resulting in a need to prioritise foreign investment and tackle household debt. The 61 year old prime minister made…

  • Thailand News

    Economic reformation in action: Thailand open for foreign investments amid polycrisis

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared Thailand’s openness to foreign investments and readiness to collaborate with the private sector for an economic reformation to create an inclusive and sustainable future. Speaking on Wednesday at the Foreign Industrial Club Gala Dinner, the Thai PM’s speech, titled Reformation of Thai Economy Amidst Polycrisis, was summarised by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. The 61 year…

  • Thailand News

    Phichit flooding: Eight districts hit, 885 households submerged

    The province of Phichit is currently grappling with severe flooding that has affected eight districts, with as many as 885 households submerged and damage to the local infrastructure. The situation has been worsened by the overflowing of the Nan and Yom rivers, leading officials to raise red flags, signalling the start of a flood crisis. The water level in the…

  • Thailand News

    Flood crisis in Thailand worsens, Kalasin and Ubon Ratchathani hit hardest

    Eleven provinces in Thailand continue to grapple with severe flood crisis, with Kalasin and Ubon Ratchathani experiencing rising water levels, as of today. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has mobilised resources and personnel from various agencies to expedite flood relief operations. Heavy rainfall in the past has caused flooding across 35 provinces, affecting 52,290 households in 2,506…

  • Business News

    China SCE Group defaults on dollar bonds, triggers financial turmoil

    China SCE Group, a Xiamen-based property developer, announced today that it defaulted on its dollar bonds following a non-payment on a syndicated loan, triggering an event of default. The company joins numerous other Chinese property developers who are undergoing a similar financial crisis, defaulting on their offshore debt and kicking off a restructuring process. In its official filing, SCE stated…

  • Thailand News

    Thai ministry’s water woes: Bueng Boraphet faces aquatic crisis with levels plummeting tenfold

    The Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday investigated the water situation at Bueng Boraphet, revealing that the water level is ten times lower than the previous year, creating a water crisis that could impact the ecosystem. The secretary, Jatuporn Burusphat, ordered continuous water replenishment from today. Accompanied by Pichit Sombatmak, Deputy Secretary, and other concerned officials,…

  • Thailand News

    Rice prices spike threatens farmers in Thailand

    An increase in rice prices is causing concern for local farmers and rice millers in Uttradit, Thailand. The Agricultural Cooperative of Uttradit City Limited, known for producing and selling the “Good Udom” brand of bagged rice, is currently facing a shortage of husked rice. This crisis is due to large-scale rice millers purchasing at high rates, causing the price of…

  • World News

    Cuba turns to Russia amid fuel crisis and economic downturn

    Equipped with a navy blue, Soviet-era Lada, Cuban cab driver Jorge Lloro’s everyday life is a stark reminder of Cuba’s Cold War-era relationship with Russia. There are roughly 100,000 Russian-made autos on this island nation, originally brought here as a workaround for the United States’ long-standing economic embargo. Today, grappling with a severe fuel crisis and a grim economic outlook,…

  • World News

    UN Security Council adopts long-awaited resolution on Myanmar crisis

    The United Nations Security Council has adopted a long-awaited resolution to the crisis in Myanmar. The Council called for Myanmar’s junta to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a famous political prisoner whose democratically-elected party was ousted from power by the military in February 2021. The 15-member council has been divided on the situation in Myanmar for decades and has…

  • World News

    Is Russia invading Ukraine? Biden says so

    US President Joe Biden has called out Russia’s Vladimir Putin for claiming two sections of land in eastern Ukraine under the guise of new “sovereign” states and for sending so called peacekeeping troops to the region. In a televised statement on Monday, Putin confirmed his recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk — 2 breakaway areas in the Donbas region of eastern…

  • Phuket News

    Keeping hopes alive – Feeding the people of Phuket | VIDEO

    To make contact with Shaun or his team, go to their Facebook page, follow the progress of the project and contact them if you can help. https://www.facebook.com/5StarMarinePhuket After a year of zero foreign tourism, the Thai island of Phuket is now at a critical juncture. There are hundreds of thousands of people, previously employed or sustained from the tourist industry,…

  • Phuket News

    Can Phuket survive? Interview with Bill Barnett | VIDEO

    Interview with Bill Barnett from c9Hotelworks. Phuket has now been hit with a 3rd major crisis, each one more profound than the long-term effects from the 2004 tsunami. Now the island has new restrictions imposed on arrivals on the southern island, imposed by the Phuket Provincial Authority.

  • Tourism News

    The world aviation industry suffers Annus Horribilis | VIDEO

    In the Asia-Pacific, where the affect of Covid-19 has been lower (at this stage), the passenger load was 30-40% down, compared to last year. Overall, international flights for the latter part of 2020 are down 75% year on year. The world’s aviation industry has been profoundly affected by the border closures and restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today | No national lockdown, Bangkok schools closed, Abortion Bill | Dec 24

    On behalf of the entire Thaiger team, Merry Christmas to all our readers and viewers. We really appreciate your support. May you have a few laughs and hugs tomorrow. • Despite a record high in new Covid-19 cases, the Thai government has not imposed any national lockdowns. Provinces are now classified on a colour-scale depending on their current level of…

  • Tourism News

    Global tourism plunges up to 80% in 2020

    Internationally, tourism will plunge between 60 – 80% by the end of the year. The UN World Tourism Organisation makes the forecast in their latest report. The prediction, broad and probably conservative, will put millions of workers in the world’s tourism industry, out of work. In Thailand, with its reliance on tourism as a significant contributor to its GDP, will see…

  • Entertainment

    Thailand News Today | Live from Thammasat, Sacked teacher sues parents, Pattaya eating contest | October 5, 2020

    Today’s Thailand News Today was recorded live at the Thammasat University Tha Prachan Campus. Sarasas teacher, who allegedly abused students, files complaint against student’s parents for assault After being fired and charged with assault, a Nonthaburi teacher has now filed a police complaint against a student’s parents for allegedly assaulting her. The teacher, Onuma Ploadprong at the Sarasas Witaed Ratchaphruek…

  • World News

    AirAsia revenue nosedives 98%

    As Asia’s budget airlines struggle for survival, AirAsia Group Wednesday reported its revenue plummeted 98% year-on-year. The unaudited consolidated second quarter results of AirAsia Group, identified as the Consolidated Group (Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia) 1 reported revenue of 119 million ringgit, (around 888 million baht) down 96% from 2.9 billion ringgit (21.6 billion baht) in the second quarter of 2019.…

  • Economy News

    New lease on life for 7 of Thailand’s budget airlines

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha today threw a lifeline to 7 of Thailands’ domestic low-cost airlines, beginning with the injection of 24 billion baht in soft loans for the struggling aviation sector, battered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Representatives of Thai Air Asia, its long haul division Thai Air Asia X, Thai Smile, Thai Lion Air, Thai Viet Jet, Bangkok Airways and Nok…

  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand urged to promote itself as production hub for medical supplies, PPE

    Thailand is being encouraged to promote itself as a manufacturing hub for medical and personal protection equipment as part of its financial strategy amid the coronavirus crisis, as industries like tourism and hospitality struggle. The director of the Centre for International Trade Studies at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce told reporters that the latest survey of 200…

  • Covid-19 News

    British Airways makes cuts after Covid-19 profit loss

    British Airways is the latest airline to cut jobs after Covid-19 sent profits into a downward spiral. The company says it has reached an agreement with its pilots that will see 350 laid off and another 300 entering a pool in which they could be rehired at a later date. The airline previously said it needed to cut 12,000 jobs and…

  • Tourism News

    Covid-19 crisis sees nearly 100 Koh Samui hotels put up for sale

    The economic devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic on Thailand’s tourism and hospitality sectors has been inestimable, with foreign arrivals banned since March and hotels nationwide ordered shut in April. Some around the country have since re-opened but nearly 100 hotels on the tourist island of Koh Samui are now for sale. The president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui…

  • Politics News

    Thai PM thanks the 20 billionaires for their support during crisis

    The Thai PM has offered his “heartfelt thanks” to a list of Thai billionaires he wrote to a month ago seeking their guidance and ideas at the height of the Thai outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. He thanked them in a Facebook post and commented on their willingness to “offer a helping hand”. “All of them had responded energetically to my…

  • Covid-19 News

    Phuket’s tourist-driven economy faces crisis – Phuket Chamber of Commerce

    Phuket’s tourism-driven economy is facing what one city official calls a crisis, comparing the economic impact to what it was after the 2004 tsunami. Phuket’s economy has become increasingly focused on tourism and hospitality over the past 2 decades. The Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Thunusak Phungdet said at a meeting last Thursday that Phuket has no income right now.…

  • Covid-19 News

    Oil prices tank, as crisis fuels calls to re-open economies

    And now a global oil crisis hits home as well. Oil prices have crashed into negative territory after global coronavirus-related travel restrictions impacted demand. After addressing the early crisis with ‘lockdowns’ and social distancing, now the narrative pivots to lifting stay-at-home orders and re-opening economies. Some European countries have taken tentative steps to ease restrictions as coronavirus death rates start to…

  • Covid-19 News

    Migrant workers in Thailand can now stay until November 30

    Yesterday the Thai government officially announced a blanket extension for the country’s migrant labourers. They will now be permitted to stay until November 30 this year and will be exempted from any sort of overstay penalty. Government Spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat says that the government has backed the Ministry of Labour’s review of the Cabinet resolution on March 24 on the…

  • Environment News

    2015 plan dusted off as North suffers severe pollution levels

    All 77 of Thailand’s provinces have been told to adopt the 2015 disaster prevention and mitigation master plan to address the current PM2.5 air pollution crisis. The decision was approved by the cabinet this week after it was proposed by Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda. He says the 133 page plan contains guidelines for action on risk reduction, emergency response, international cooperation…

  • Thailand Weather Updates

    Top 10 ways to save our water

    Hot weather and Thailand’s boom-or-bust water issues (floods in wet season and water shortages in the hot season) are a part of our life. It’s predicted that there will be hotter hot seasons and wet-seasons with less rain in the future. Even if we’re not sure what the future brings we should all be conscious of our water usage, be…

  • Opinion

    Phuket’s water supply running on empty

    PHOTO: No, it’s not the moon, it’s Bang Neow Dam this week Phuket shuffles into the high season with meagre water reserves and no concrete, sustainable plans to meet the upcoming seasonal water demands. In April this year the local water authority shuffled uncomfortably about the crisis at the end of the 2018/2019 dry season, denying there was a problem…

  • Northern Thailand News

    Sand dunes exposed as water in Mekong River falls to critical level

    PHOTO: AFP Sand dunes are now being exposed for the first time in a century along many sections of the Mekong River, as water levels fall to a new low milestone of 1.5 metres. Sand dunes can now be seen along many sections, causing problems for fishing vessels and cargo boats trying to travel along the river. The Bangkok Post…

  • Business News

    “No liquidity crunch” – Thai Airways’ President

    PHOTO: Sumeth Damrongchaitham, Thai Airways’ President “Deputy PM says the rehabilitation plan had been implemented for a while now, but there was still no sign of the losses easing.” The President of national flagship carrier Thai Airways International is denying reports that it is experiencing a liquidity crunch. Sumeth Damrongchaitham claims that Thai Airways has sufficient cash flow “for present…

  • Northern Thailand News

    No rain in sight, eight Thai provinces on verge of water crisis

    Thailand’s water situation is becoming critical with eight provinces now listed as critical. Officials are now describing the situation as the worst drought in 50 years. PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha has allocated 1 billion baht to finance the expansion of local water bodies in drought-hit provinces. The lack of rain has left as many as 17 major dams in the…

  • Phuket News

    Phuket’s water shortage solution – pump it from the mainland

    For the Thai island surrounded by water, Phuket now faces acute water shortage problems and local officials are scurrying for solutions. This week a 3.5 billion baht plan was announced to pipe potable water across the channel from Phang Nga to Phuket as a remedy for the looming water crisis on the island. At this stage there’s no approval for…