Middle East
- Business News
Middle East tensions threaten Thai economy with rising oil prices
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having a significant impact on the Thai private sector, as the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas extends beyond a year. The ongoing Israeli offensive has led to rising oil prices and shipping blockages, which threaten to affect the Thai economy by increasing inflation and prompting higher interest rates in countries like the…
- Thailand News
Thailand assures 60-day oil reserve amid Middle East conflict
The Ministry of Energy assured the public that Thailand’s oil reserves are sufficient to last over 60 days amidst the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Measures are being taken to ensure stable oil prices despite the volatile situation. Weerapat Kiatfuengfu, Deputy Permanent Secretary and spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, stated that the ministry and relevant agencies are closely…
- Business News
Middle East tensions may impact OFFO’s debt repayment strategy
Rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran are anticipated to push global crude oil prices higher, potentially impacting the Oil Fuel Fund Office’s (OFFO) debt repayment strategy, according to a spokesperson from the Energy Ministry. Uncertainty surrounds whether the United States will back potential Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure, raising concerns about oil price volatility,…
- Thailand News
Pattaya police crack down on unruly Middle Eastern tourists
In response to an avalanche of complaints from frustrated locals, Pattaya police have finally taken a stand against the unruly behaviour of Middle Eastern tourists in Soi Yensabai. Following numerous disturbances caused by these tourists riding motorcycles, honking horns, and revving engines, police have established checkpoints at strategic spots along the street. Police officers are now stationed at the entrance,…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s spectacular showcase at Arabian Travel Market 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unleashes its latest concept Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, captivating audiences with tales of wonder and adventure. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool declared that the event marks Thailand’s 24th year at the ATM, showcasing TAT’s commitment to endless innovation in tourism. “Collaborating with the Phuket Tourist Association, we’ve…
- Business News
BGRIM to invest US$3.39m in Middle East’s energy market
A dominant player in the power industry, BGRIM disclosed its plans to infiltrate the Middle Eastern clean energy market, with an investment approaching US$3.39 million for a 40% stake in the independent power producer, ThreeEightSix Holdings Ltd. The company’s president, Harald Link, confirmed this strategic investment that focuses on commercial and industrial solar assets within the Gulf Cooperation Council region,…
- Thailand News
Thai-riffic partnership: Wego and TAT soar for fourth year running
Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), unveils its continued collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for the fourth consecutive year. Together, Wego and TAT are set to spotlight Thailand’s unmatched allure as a top-tier travel destination. Building upon the triumphs of their past ventures, Wego and the Tourism Authority of…
- Business News
Asian shares plunge over 2% amid rising Middle East tensions
Asian shares experienced a significant plunge of over 2% as tensions rose in the Middle East, according to MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares. This was in response to reported Israeli missile attacks on Iranian sites, which also caused US stock futures to drop by 1.3%. The escalation in hostilities has driven the bond yields to tumble, with US long-term…
- Thailand News
Cash and carry con: Middle Eastern man caught stealing from Ang Thong store (video)
A grocery store security camera in the central province of Ang Thong captured footage of a Middle Eastern man swindling money and stealing products from the shop. Similar incidents of theft involving individuals of Middle Eastern descent have been reported by other businesses in the province. Anchisa Butsunthorn, an employee of the grocery store, told Channel 7 that the theft…
- Business News
Hong Kong bolsters business links with SE Asia and Middle East
Hong Kong is set to intensify its business ties with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern nations, as part of its contribution to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, the Commissioner for Belt and Road, has identified Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as key cooperation partners for the year ahead. Ho Lik-chi oversees…
- Thailand News
Crisis at sea: Attacks threaten 1.31 trillion baht trade route
Thailand‘s 1.31 trillion baht worth of exports to Europe and the Middle East hangs in the balance as armed militants threaten a vital trade route. Expert warnings of a trade catastrophe are ringing alarm bells worldwide. Amid escalating conflicts in the Red Sea, Associate Professor Aat Pisanwanich, an international economics guru, has raised the red flag on the severe consequences…
- Thailand News
Air Arabia soars to new heights: Inaugural flight to Phuket unveils sky-high perks for budget travellers
Air Arabia, the leading low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, has launched its maiden flight to Phuket, Thailand, lifting off from the iconic Sharjah International Airport in the UAE. Air Arabia Group Chief Executive Officer Adel Al Ali, was beaming with pride as he celebrated this milestone, emphasising the airline’s unwavering dedication to making travel accessible and…
- Economy News
Economic resilience in question: Thailand’s situation amid Middle East conflicts
Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, the governor of the Bank of Thailand, addressed a business seminar today, emphasising the need for Thailand to bolster its economic resilience to secure sustainable growth. He warned that economic stability should not be taken for granted, particularly considering the potential high-risk side effects that conflict in the Middle East could pose. Thailand, the second-largest economy in Southeast…
- Economy News
Thai economy caught in global crossfire as Israel-Hamas tensions fuel price hike fears
The Thai economy, already tested by geopolitical conflicts over the past few years, is facing potential consequences from the hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, as governments and corporations all over the world look for excuses and justifications to hike prices to obscene heights. It’s a well-worn tactic last seen in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine…
- Business News
PTTEP plans Middle East expansion for greater petroleum output and renewable energy
PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) announced its strategic plans to centre business operations in the Middle East to expand petroleum output and explore opportunities for innovative energy enterprises, revealed Montri Rawanchaikul, PTTEP’s Chief Executive and President. On the domestic front, the company aims to escalate gas production at the Erawan gas field to 800 million standard cubic feet…
- Business News
Thailand targets high-spending Middle Eastern tourists for tourism growth
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is focusing on attracting high-spending visitors from the Middle East in the latter half of this year, with the goal of utilising this market as a new tourism growth engine. Apichai Chatchalermkit, TAT’s deputy governor for tourism products and business, has stated that since Thailand re-established full diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in early…
- World News
ISIS member involved in plot that killed Americans gets sentenced for life
Justice was served yesterday for one of the bloodthirsty savages of ISIS. The ISIS member, 34 year old former British national El Shafee Elsheikh, had been part of a plot to take hostages, which led to the killings of four Americans in Syria. Those slain included journalist James Foley and aid worker Kayla Mueller. ISIS members notoriously beheaded Foley in…
- Crime News
“Mega rich” Bangkok father and daughter arrested in Bahrain trafficking case
Two members of a wealthy Bangkok family were arrested on warrants for human trafficking earlier this week. The father and daughter, 54 year old Wiraya and 37 year old Wachi, allegedly started recruiting women to work in Bahrain in 2015, saying they would give traditional Thai massages. Instead, the women were forced into sex slavery. Some of the women escaped,…
- Tourism News
Thai officials visit Saudi Arabia for roadshow, push for more tourists
As part of a push to draw more Middle Eastern tourists to Thailand, tourism officials visited Saudi Arabia on May 15-16 in a roadshow. There, the Tourism Authority of Thailand signed a memorandum of cooperation with Almosafer, the biggest OTA in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The TAT also signed an MoC with Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, to promote a…
- World News
Iran-backed Houthis attack Saudi petroleum storage facilities
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi party says it struck Saudi petroleum facilities in Jeddah with missiles yesterday, just as Saudi Arabia prepares to hold a motor race on Sunday. The missiles caused fires in two storage tanks, however there were no casualties. A Houthi spokesman says they targeted ‘vital facilities’. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter. Saudi’s energy ministry said…
- Thailand Travel
Tourism officials plan Saudi visit to attract Middle Easter travellers to Thailand
In the wake of both the Chinese and Russian tourist taps being turned off, Thai tourism officials are planning to travel to Saudi Arabia with a goal of attracting 200,000-500,000 Middle Eastern tourists to Thailand this year. The Thai tourism ministry and Tourism Authority frequently run travel roadshows around the world as part of an ongoing marketing program to push…
- Thailand News
Tourism authorities greet first Saudi direct arrivals, plan new schemes
The Tourism Authority of Thailand greeted Saudi tourist arrivals with traditional Thai performances and a water salute on Monday. The flight was the first direct flight to Thailand from Saudi Arabia in 32 years landed in Bangkok, at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This flight symbolised the recent reconciliation between Thailand and Saudi Arabia after decades of frosty relations following the Blue Diamond…
- Tourism News
Emirates A380 to return to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to meet increased demand
The A380 is to return to the skies over Bangkok as Emirates upgrades capacity on flights to the capital to meet increased demand. TTR Weekly reports that Thailand’s recent re-opening to vaccinated tourists from approved countries has led to strong demand, with around 10,000 arrivals registered at Suvarnabhumi every day. In order to add capacity and frequency to its services,…
- Tourism News
Tourists from Middle East put off Thailand due to bureaucracy, costs of Covid tests
The Tourism Authority of Thailand says the high cost of Covid-19 tests, coupled with Certificate of Entry bureaucracy, is proving a deterrent for tourists from the Middle East. According to a Bangkok Post report, Chaiwat Tamthai from the TAT’s Dubai office says would-be tourists from the Middle East are in favour of the Phuket sandbox concept, but put off by…
- Tourism News
Thai health officials propose flights from the Middle East for medical tourists
Public health officials are discussing scheduling flights from the Middle East for medical tourists seeking treatment in Thailand. Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha says the move to bring foreign patients, who are free of Covid-19, to the country’s hospitals could “potentially boost Thailand’s economic growth during the Covid-19 pandemic.” There are about 10,000 people around the world who seek medical…
- Covid-19 News
17 new Covid-19 cases in Thailand, all repatriated citizens from the Middle East
Today the Centre of Covid-19 Administration reported 17 new cases of Covid-19 infection. All the cases were repatriated Thai personnel returning from the Middle East. Spokesperson Dr Taweesilp reported that most the returnees were asymptomatic and were confirmed as infected after a second test. “13 of the new cases had returned from Kuwait, 12 were men aged 31-56, and the other…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand Covid-19 figures (May 29)
The spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Dr Taweesilp has reported 11 new cases of Covid-19 virus in Thailand, same as yesterday. Of the number, all were reported as imported cases coming from Kuwait. All Thai nationals returning from overseas are placed into a mandatory 14 day state quarantine with no exposure to the general public. For the…
