Ms. Neng was taken from the temple to the Government House Complaint Center for assistance.
CHONBURI – A 53-year-old Thai woman named Ms. Neng has filed a complaint with the Nongprue Police Station in Chonburi Province on March 27, 2024, claiming that she was beaten by her Austrian husband. She has been forced to flee to a temple for safety.
Ms. Neng met her husband while working as a housekeeper in Thailand. They fell in love and have been living together for over 5 years.
However, she says that her husband is a heavy drinker and becomes violent when he is drunk. He has been physically abusing her for the past 5 years, but she has endured it out of love.
The abuse has become increasingly severe in recent months. In December 2023, Ms. Neng was hospitalized with a broken arm after being beaten by her husband. He did not visit her in the hospital and continued to abuse her when she returned home.
A 53-year-old Thai woman was in the hospital after being injured by her husband.Ms. Neng has filed a complaint with the Nongprue Police Station in Chonburi Province on March 27, 2024.
After her hospitalization, Mrs. Neng continued to do the housework and took care of her husband while her arm was not yet fully healed. When she skipped housework to rest, her husband would yell at her. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she fled to her hometown in Surin Province.
On March 10, 2024, Ms. Neng returned home in Chonburi after her husband begged for forgiveness. However, he immediately beat her again, this time hitting her in the ear so hard that she could not hear. She fled the house and took refuge in a temple.
The acting abbot of the temple, Phra Khru Samuwirach Jareonphon, contacted the media and asked for help. Ms. Neng was then taken to the Government House Complaint Center for assistance.
OR continues to enhance its presence in the lifestyle business. In its latest stride, OR has partnered with Amorepacific, a leading player in South Korea’s beauty industry. This collaboration propels both parties to penetrate the Thai Health & Beauty market further, with a vision to provide a diverse range of affordable products to meet customer needs. Selected products from Amorepacific can be found in the new store concept by OR by mid-2024.
Mr. Disathat Panyarachun, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited(OR), and Mr. Sangmok Lee, Chief Executive Officerof Amorepacific Group, one of the world’s top beauty companies, have come together to sign a business partnership agreement in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties focuses on partnership opportunities for OR to sell Korean-beauty products from Amorepacific through its channels, in order to cater to the evolving demands of today’s Thai consumers.
Mr. Disathat discloses OR’s unwavering commitment to forge new strategic partnerships, aiming to emerge as a frontrunner in the Health & Beauty industry. Earlier this year, OR has teamed up with esteemed partners such as Sugi Holdings, a prominent Japanese drugstore, and Konvy, Thailand’s #1 online destination for beauty products, to accelerate and strengthen its entry in the health & beauty retail sector.
The collaboration between OR and Amorepacific focuses on Korean-beauty product supply and localized product development for Thailand and Southeast Asia in the future. These strategic moves underscore OR’s plan to broaden its lifestyle business portfolio beyond Food & Beverage and Tourism & Accommodation and set itself up for the long-term success.
Mr. Sangmok Lee said, “This MOU will be a great opportunity to create further synergies based on the strengths and expertise of both companies,”.
Furthermore, Amorepacific stands as South Korea’s pioneering beauty product manufacturer and distributor for over 30 leading Korean beauty brands. Established in 1945, it proudly possesses a rich legacy of crafting beauty products and leading innovations.
The company’s products often incorporate traditional Korean ingredients and techniques, alongside advanced skincare technology, catering to different demographics and skincare needs. Holding a prominent market share in Korea, it has gained global recognition with its esteemed brands including Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Innisfree, Mise-en-Scene and COSRX.
OR persists in bolstering its presence in the Thai Health & Beauty retail sector through its proactive pursuit of strategic partnerships both domestically and globally. This ongoing effort seeks to combine strengths and expertise of OR and its partners to offer a comprehensive range of affordable products and a convenient shopping experience tailored to meet the needs of Thai consumers, with an unwavering commitment to delivering accessible health and beauty products of exceptional value. Mr. Disathat emphasized in closing.
Children participate in the celebration of the Songkran Festival or the Lao New Year, in Luang Prabang, Laos, April 16, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)
BANGKOK – The Ministry of Labor proposed to the Cabinet meeting on March 27 to exempt migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar from paying the re-entry fee of 1,000 baht when they return to their home countries to celebrate Songkran Festival 2024.
The proposal was approved by the Committee on Foreign Worker Management Policy (KBT) at its first meeting in 2024. The aim of the exemption is to facilitate the journey of migrant workers returning to their home countries during the ASEAN New Year.
Tourists and locals gathered Thursday at Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai to pay respect to the sacred Buddha image of Luangpho Phra Sai. During a procession around the temple, people sprinkled water onto the buddha image under heavy rain. Read: Wet and Wild Songkran Splashes Throughout Thailand (Photos)
The Ministry of Labor has set the following guidelines for the exemption:
Migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar who have work permits, as well as their dependents, who hold passports or travel documents that have been stamped and granted permission to stay in the Kingdom temporarily (Non L-A Visa), and whose visas are valid until at least 15 May 2024, are allowed to travel back to their home countries to celebrate the Songkran festival in 2024 between April 1 and May 15 without having to apply for a Re-Entry Permit.
Migrant workers who do not wish to follow these guidelines, such as those who wish to return to Thailand after May 15 or do not yet know the exact date of their return, can apply for a permit to exit and enter the Kingdom under the Immigration Act as usual.
Somchai Morakotsriwarn, Director General of the Ministry of Labor, said the exemption will come into effect as soon as the Home Ministry’s announcement comes into effect or as specified by the Ministry of Interior.
He urged migrant workers to follow the Ministry of Labor’s news on the doe.go.th website. For more information, please contact the Bangkok Labor Office, Area 1-10, provincial labor offices nationwide, or the Ministry of Labor Hotline 1506, Press 2, Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Labor Hotline 1694.
Bangkok, Thailand – 28 March 2024 – Sunday Ins Co., Ltd. (“Sunday”), the first full-stack insurTech in South East Asia, introducing a special campaign to reward Sunday customers through the *”Friend Gets Friends” program. This initiative is designed to reward Sunday customers simply for spreading the word and referring friends to purchase Sunday insurance, whether it’s health insurance, car insurance, with policies worth 5,000 Baht and above. For every successful referral, you will receive 500 Baht, while your friends will receive 250 Baht, which Sunday will transfer to their registered account within 85 days*.
Fill in the OTP 6 digits code sent to your phone number.
After installing Jolly super app by Sunday.
Select “Friend Gets Friends”.
Read details about the campaign.
Fill in registration information.
Get a referral code to send to your friends.
*Term and Condition
Friend Gets Friends “Campaign” was provided by Sunday Ins Co.,Ltd, a life and non-life insurance broker “the Company”, exclusively for any insurance policies under this campaign purchased via easysunday.com.
Insurance policies under this campaign “the Policy” are any health or car insurance policies, excluded car insurance for BYD, insured by Sunday Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited.
Participating in the campaign, the referee shall complete their purchase on any of the Policy via easysunday.com within December 31, 2024 “Terms”
Referrers
4.1 This Campaign is eligible for applicants who are 20 years old or older on the date of their registration.
4.2 Referral code is unable to be used for any of the referrer’s own purchases.
Referees
The eligible referees, any new customer of the Company, shall be 20 years old or older on the date of their purchase via easysunday.com with a referral code.
The process
6.1 The referrer shall fill in registration information via Jolly super app by Sunday or other channels provided by the Company.
6.2 The referee shall enter the referrers’ referral codes before purchasing and complete the purchase order within the Terms of this Campaign. Premiums of the Policy purchased by the referee shall be more than THB 5,000 (after discount)
6.3 The referee’s policy must be approved, and the referee must hold the policy for at least 45 days.
Reward
7.1 The company will transfer cash reward to the registered bank account within 85 days, from the referee’s policy effective date only if the referee’s policy is remained in effect, at the following rate:
7.1.1 THB 500 cash reward per policy to the referrer if a referee used the referrer’s code in purchasing the Policy.
7.1.2 THB 250 cash reward per policy to the referee if the referee used the referrer’s code in purchasing the Policy.
7.2 There is no limit on the number of referred friends for each referrer and a 1% withholding tax will be deducted from the amount the referrer and/or the referee received for each payment.
In case of fraud or any misconduct by the referees and/or referrers, the Company reserves the right to cancel or request to return any reward received under the Campaign.
The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate the referral program without prior notice.
Any Outbound Customer Service officer of the company is not entitled to participate in this Campaign.
BANGKOK – Former Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhia is in town and he’s on a global mission to end capital punishment. Giving an interview in Bangkok on Wednesday to Khaosod, former Mongolian President Tsakhia, 60, a member of the International Commission Against Death Penalty (ICDP), said he’s in Thailand to convince the Thai government to abolish death penalty.
Mongolia abolished the death penalty under his presidency (2009 to 2027) in 2015 although it took eight years before it materialized. He said although Thailand has practiced a de facto moratorium on execution, it still maintains the death penalty.
The former Mongolian president met with representatives of various Thai agencies including those from the Justice and Foreign Ministries as well as MPs in an attempt to bring Thailand’s stance in line with international norms. Tsakhia adds that Thailand’s neigbours, Cambodia and the Philippines, have already abolished capital punishment but Thailand remains among 55 states that maintains the death penalty.
“We cannot end crimes but we can end executions by the state… Ending a life may in fact be too convenient and convicted criminals should have time to reflect on the crimes they have committed for the rest of their lives in prison,” he argued.
Thailand has for years sets its goal under its human rights plan to eventually abolish death penalty but has failed to materialized it over the past decade as conservatives argue heinous crimes needs to be punished in a most severe way – through execution.
Ms. Vu Dang Yen Hang, Chief Executive Officer of VinFast Auto (Thailand)
BANGKOK – Exclusive with CEO VinFast revealing strategic plans for Vietnamese car manufacturers Entering in Thailand market
As the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show kickstart, a notable surge was witnessed as several new electric car manufacturers made their debut, marking a pivotal moment in Thailand’s automotive landscape. This trend underscores the rapid acceleration of electric vehicle adoption in the country, propelled by government incentives and subsidies.
Thailand is poised to dominate the Southeast Asian electric vehicle market in 2022, with a projected 58% share, surpassing competitors such as Vietnam and Indonesia. Despite this impressive regional growth, the global electric vehicle market remains relatively modest, constituting just 0.5% of total sales in 2022, as reported by Counterpoint Research.
VinFast, a Vietnamese automotive company, stands alongside with Chinese brands At the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show on March 27, 2024.
Among the emerging electric car players, VinFast, a Vietnamese automotive company, stands alongside with Chinese brands At the Bangkok International Motor Show in this year, VinFast made waves by unveiling its ambitious plans to enter the Thai market.
Showcasing a diverse lineup ranging from A-SUV to E-SUV Segments including the VF5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9, the company aimed to introduce and familiarize Thai consumers.
Ms. Vu Dang Yen Hang, Chief Executive Officer of VinFast Auto (Thailand), shared with Khaosod English that Thailand, amidst its highly competitive automotive market, offers a promising landscape for VinFast’s foray into electric vehicles. She highlighted Thai consumers’ positive reception towards electric cars, noting their familiarity and knowledge in this domain. Additionally, the company stands to benefit from supportive government policies aimed at bolstering the electric vehicle sector.
Launching 4 models
The President of VinFast Thailand, revealed the company’s meticulous approach towards entering the Thai market, stating, “Prior to our expansion into Thailand, VinFast conducted extensive market research to understand the preferences of Thai consumers. This has led us to plan the launch of four electric car models within the country this year.” The company aims to kickstart its Thai venture by introducing the VF e34 model by June, followed by the VF 5 approximately 2-3 months later. The VF 6 and VF 7 models are anticipated for release by the end of 2024.
Following the formal partnership with the dealership, the company is set to launch the VF e34, VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 models, along with the VinFast EV motorcycle, complete with pricing details.
Vu Dang Yen Hang, chief executive officer of VinFast Thailand, poses in front of its electric vehicle VF7 during the 45th Bangkok Motor Show in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Highlighting the significance of the VF e34 model, Hang emphasized, “This 100% electric Sub Compact Crossover car was globally introduced in January 2021 and has garnered commendable feedback from users worldwide.” Manufactured primarily at VinFast Trading and Production LLC factory in Vietnam, the VF e34 is poised to offer Thai consumers another compelling choice in the electric vehicle market. The company aims to deliver the initial batch of VF e34 cars to Thai customers around a month after it’s June launch.
Ms.Hang further elaborated on their strategy, stating, “Our initial focus is to gauge the response of the Thai market. We are keen to understand which of our car models resonates most with Thai consumers.” To facilitate this assessment, VinFast showcased its entire lineup at this year’s motor show for the first time, aiming to gather insights into consumer preferences. She added, “Flexibility is key to our distribution plans, and we are prepared to adapt based on the feedback and demands of the Thai market.”
Establish a dealer network
Recognizing the fierce competition within Thailand’s electric vehicle sector, the Chairwoman of VinFast Thailand highlights the company’s distinctive strengths in this dynamic market. Despite being a newcomer, VinFast boasts a diverse array of models across various segments, setting it apart as a comprehensive solution provider. “VinFast stands out as the only brand offering a wide range of five car models alongside electric motorcycles, catering to diverse consumer preferences,” she asserts.
In addition to its extensive lineup, VinFast places a premium on customer satisfaction through its robust after-sales policies. “Our commitment extends beyond sales; all VinFast vehicles come with industry-leading warranties, including a 7-10-year powertrain warranty and an 8-10-year battery warranty, this is the longest warranty among electric car brands.
A Thai model poses next to Vinfast’s electric concept pickup trucks called “Wild” during the 45th Bangkok Motor Show in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
When questioned about VinFast’s investment plans, the Chairwoman reveals the company’s initial strategy of importing vehicles from its Hai Phong manufacturing facility in Vietnam. These vehicles will be distributed in Thailand through a network of trusted local partners. Looking forward, VinFast is exploring potential avenues for direct investment within Thailand. “As we expand our presence, VinFast Thailand will evolve into both importer and distributor roles, supported by a robust network of dealerships committed to delivering exceptional service,”
To kickstart operations, VinFast aims to establish a strong presence in Bangkok and its environs before gradually expanding across the country. “Our immediate goal is to establish 30-40 dealer nationwide, strategically positioned to cater to the needs of our customers,” she concludes, underscoring VinFast’s determination to carve out a position in Thailand’s burgeoning electric vehicle market.
BURIRAM – On March 27, 2024, the city of Buriram in Thailand celebrated the birthday of Lisa, a member of the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK. The event was held at the back of Buriram Railway Station, where Lisa once revealed her love for the local delicacy known as “Meatball Stand-Eating“.
The event was organized by the Meatball Stand-Eating Vendors Association, the Tourism Business Association of Buriram Province, the Tourism Industry Council of Buriram Province, and the Buriram Provincial Administrative Organization.
In attendance were representatives from the tourism sector, as well as local residents who came to celebrate Lisa’s birthday.
Meatball vendors created a cake especially for Lisa and placed meatballs on it.Lisa Blackpink, or Lalisa Manobal, a Thai-born K-Pop member of the girl group Blackpink, attended the football match between Thailand and South Korea at Rajamangala Stadium on March 26, 2024.
Ms. Eamarmorn Rassameeratyatham, president of the Tourism Business Association of Buriram Province, said that the people of Buriram and the meatball vendors are thrilled that it is Lisa’s birthday. The people of Buriram consider her as a person who has brought fame to the province and is the only person who could create a buzz that made the whole world know about Buriram meatballs in no time.
Mr. Chatchaiphat Saranram, President of the Tourism Industry Council of Buriram Province, said that first of all, he would like to wish Lisa happiness every day, happiness everywhere, good health, and the strength to produce work for her fans to follow.
As for Lisa’s birthday cake today, it will be a cake specially made for Lisa. There will be meatball vendors who will stick meatballs on the cake. And today will be the day to mark the meatball stand-eating by using 27 March as Buriram Meatball Stand-Eating Day, along with the launch of the meatball pants.
Mr. Yutthachai Phongpanich, deputy governor of Buriram Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), said that PAO is ready to support job and income generation. In the past, they have tried to organize various meatball events to give vendors the opportunity to earn a living as part of the province’s bigger picture.
Residents in Kanchanaburi Province hold signs asking about a digital wallet scheme to welcome Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's visit in December 2023.
BANGKOK – The 10,000 baht top-up scheme via digital wallets for people has made headlines once again, with Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin confirming that the project will begin paying eligible citizens in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The prime minister simply replied to journalists’ questions about the source of the 500 billion baht financing for the project, saying, “Please wait for details to be made clear on April 10.”
The Prime Minister started the Digital Wallet Policy Committee meeting at Government House on March 27 by asking about the Governor of the Bank of Thailand, Setthaput Suthiwat Narueput, who was not present. According to reports, he disagreed with the Prime Minister over interest rate policy, which the Bank of Thailand refused to cut despite the government’s request to benefit the people.
Ronadon Numnon, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Thailand for Financial Institution Stability, stated, “The governor is on a mission abroad, sir.” The Prime Minister nodded in acceptance and began the discussion.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presides over the digital wallets policy committee meeting at the Government House on March 27, 2024.
He highlighted that the Thai economy has been developing below its potential for a long time and is facing internal and global challenges, such as unequal income recovery following the pandemic, and that the interest burden remains high at all times. Therefore, economic stimulus measures are essential.
“I’d want to emphasise the 10,000 baht top-up scheme using digital wallet. It is one of the short-term steps that will assist raise the amount of money circulating in the economy, which will then be distributed to people. As a result, the Prime Minister stated, “This project should be driven and pushed to become concrete as soon as possible.”
He then directed the project’s responsible organizations, including the Ministry of Finance, to study and prepare specifics that were consistent with the situation and the precautions or opinions provided by various agencies. Each of the stages required by law and regulations must be carried out in a transparent and verified manner, with the state maintaining rigid fiscal discipline.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presides over the digital wallets policy committee meeting at the Government House on March 27, 2024.
He also directed the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the Digital Government Board to outline the system’s progress and readiness for open or open-loop participation by financial institutions and wallet business operators in the initiative.
The Royal Thai Police is in charge of setting up a framework for investigations, accepting complaints and accusations, and imposing the refunds.
The Prime Minister stated that on April 10, all parties will reach a conclusion and bring it to the Cabinet for discussion. He also reiterated the timeline, previously disclosed by Deputy Finance Minister Chulaphan Amornvivat: retailers and the general public will start registering in the third quarter. The people will receive the money in the fourth quarter.
“All sectors have agreed, including the Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council and the Governor of the Bank of Thailand. So wait for the good news on April 10,” added the Prime Minister.
Last year’s election, the Pheu Thai Party’s main campaign policy was its digital wallet initiative. However, independent organisations and fiscal experts have questioned its practices. The National Anti-Corruption Commission has put the project on hold to conduct a review. However, people in many areas continue to question the prime minister during his visits.
Travelers can use natural language to describe their ideal vacation and Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy will recommend matching destinations and home rentals
Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy is now testing a search with AI tool that will match travelers with the perfect home and destination based on a natural language search describing their desired vacation. This next gen search will take travelers’ own preferences and offer a curated list of properties from the 140,000 available properties on the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform.
Travelers can include as little or as much detail as they’d like through this easily accessible and user-friendly search functionality, alleviating the stress that selecting a vacation property might otherwise present. A few sample searches include:
I want to travel to London, Paris or Vienna and stay in city center
Best A-frame home in the mountains with a fireplace and stunning view
I want to take a trip to California this summer where I can bring my dog
I’m looking for a private villa in Asia for 6 people with a butler
I need a beach front home in the Caribbean perfect for a bachelorette celebration
The results will suggest destinations and identify specific properties that meet the criteria entered in the search bar or close alternatives that meet as many of the descriptors as possible. In addition, the results will include useful information such as weather and things to do at the location based on the criteria, such as hiking, sightseeing, or dining. Visitors to the site will have the option to use the new or traditional search functionality.
“Using the latest technologies, our new AI search tool breaks new ground among vacation rental platforms by allowing travelers to search without a specific destination. Consumers can focus more on the experiences they are passionate about and the amenities on their ‘must-have’ list to reveal their next memorable travel adventure,” said Jennifer Hsieh, Vice President, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. “With natural-language search, we’re able to play matchmaker, helping travelers effortlessly discover the perfect but perhaps unexpected property and destination among our global collection of extraordinary homes available on the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform.”
Whether travelers are yearning for a beach vacation or searching for an eclectic home overlooking a mountain range, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy has premium and luxury vacation rentals that can inspire more travel experiences.
By booking a home with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, travelers unlock the power of the award-winning travel program, Marriott Bonvoy, to gain access to free stays at hotels and destinations around the world and incredible experiences with the people, places, and passions they love.
Travelers can also take comfort that each home offered on the platform is fully vetted by Marriott, leveraging the company’s trusted travel expertise with exceptional quality, safe and reliable hospitality.
Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy’s search with AI functionality is being tested initially as a part of the broader technology transformation at Marriott International to unlock value for customers with more seamless, personalized, and engaging ways to experience travel. It is expected to become widely available to all visitors first on the website and then on mobile in the coming weeks. The search with AI tool was developed in collaboration with Publicis Sapient. For more information, please visit homes-and-villas.marriott.com.
FILE - Participants hold a rainbow flag during a Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
BANGKOK (AP) — Lawmakers in Thailand’s lower house of Parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill on Wednesday that would make the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender.
The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 400 of the 415 members of the House of Representatives who were in attendance, with 10 voting against it, two abstaining and three not voting.
The bill amends the Civil and Commercial Code to change the words “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners.” It would open up access to full legal, financial and medical rights for LGBTQ+ couples.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which rarely rejects any legislation that passes the lower house, and then to the king for royal endorsement. This would make Thailand the first country or region in Southeast Asia to pass such a law and the third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.
The House of Representatives on March 27 passed the Same-Sex Marriage Bill to allow for same-sex marriage through its third reading by 399 votes against 10, 2 abstentions and 3 no vote. All will have the same rights, benefits and wefare. The minimum marriage age has also been raised to 18. (Khaosod Photo/Worapong Charoenpol.)
Danuphorn Punnakanta, a spokesperson of the governing Pheu Thai party and president of a committee overseeing the marriage equality bill, said in Parliament that the amendment is for “everyone in Thailand” regardless of their gender, and would not deprive heterosexual couples of any rights.
“For this law, we would like to return rights to the (LGBTQ+ group). We are not giving them rights. These are the fundamental rights that this group of people … has lost,” he said.
Lawmakers, however, did not approve inclusion of the word “parent” in addition to “father and mother” in the law, which activists said would limit the rights of some LGBTQ+ couples to form a family and raise children.
Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity but has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law.
The new government led by Pheu Thai, which took office last year, has made marriage equality one of its main goals.
