Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has expressed her readiness to give clarifications to the Ombudsman regarding her recent visit to the Four Seasons Hotel which is deemed suspicious by many sides.

Speaking of her personal meeting with Mr Srettha Taveesin, a property tycoon, at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, Prime Minister Yingluck confirmed that she is now fully ready to clarify the incident to the Ombudsman in compliance with certain parties’ demand for her to do so within 30 days. However, the date and time will be determined later, depending on her schedule.

The premier said she has prepared all necessary information for presenting to the Ombudsman, reiterating that her rendezvous with Mr Srettha was only to exchange opinions. She also insisted that the discussion did not involve any personal benefits nor did it touch on the designation of lands for retaining floodwater and building floodways.

Asked whether she will press charges against those who spread rumors about her visit to the hotel, Ms Yingluck said she has assigned her legal team to consider the matter. Instead of talking about such a trivial issue, the Prime Minister encouraged the public to focus on more creative subjects as well as her achievements so far.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255502220029

The Transport Ministry is prepared to discuss with the Chinese counterpart on Friday the conclusion of an MOU on joint development of high-speed rail systems in Thailand.

Related departments have already worked together to prepare data and progress on the high-speed railway project before discussing the information with the Chinese representatives. Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport Chamroon Tangpaisalkit said some points in the agreement signed recently between the two countries are still ambiguous and prompt the ministry to seek more talks with China.

Under the proposed MOU framework, Mr Chamroon said the Thai side will set up a technical committee to make sure that Thailand will benefit from the project. The committee, once set up, will also look at the format of private sector investments in the project.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Yutthana Tapcharoen said the definite rail route is yet to be identified and whether to allow the private sector joining in the program or not is still undecided.

Mr Yutthana added that the Pheu Thai government has a clear-cut policy to develop high-speed railways with the first potential route running between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Initially, five routes have been designed including Bangkok-Nong Kai, Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Rayong, Bangkok-Padang Besar, and Bangkok- Ubon Ratchathani.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255502220010

Commuters are expected to brace themselves for a price hike of 1 baht for MRT services starting on July 3.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) board has resolved to permit a fare raise for MRT rides according to the concession agreement which grants the Bangkok Metro Company Limited (BMCL) the authority to increase MRT fares every two years. The positive consumer price index in September 2011 has indicated a need to adjust the minimum fare upward by 1 baht. Thus, the current fare range of 15-40 baht will be adjusted to 16-40 baht. The MRTA board stated that commuters will not be impacted by this minor change.

The MRTA will be proposing the price adjustment to the Ministry of Transport to await further approval from the cabinet. The new fee is scheduled to come into effect on July 3, 2012.

Currently, the standard fare for MRT services stands at 15-40 baht, depending on the journey distance. Children under the age of 14 whose height is less than 90 cm. are entitled to free rides. Meanwhile, children and senior citizens are charged at a discounted price of 8-20 baht. Student card holders aged under 23 are charged at 13-33 baht.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255502220007

Thai spa operators are now facing a crisis due to the shortage of therapists, given that many have been recruited to work overseas.

Chairman of the Federation of Thai Spa Apichai Jearadisak revealed that currently the Thai spa business has lost its workforce, especially spa therapists, to overseas spa operators in China, the Middle East and Europe. He admitted that the pay abroad is twice as much as the rate offered in Thailand. He also pointed out that spa businesses in foreign countries choose to recruit Thai therapists due to their long training period and good skills.

During the past year, Thailand’s health spa business welcomed 5.5 million clients, generating revenue of 14 billion baht. For 2012, it is estimated that the business will grow by 7-10%, which will in turn push revenue up to stand at 15.5 billion baht. 60% of the clients are foreigners while the remaining 40% are Thai nationals.

Currently, there are a total of 1,200 spas in Thailand; 60% of which are operated by hotels, whereas the rest are independent businesses. A continuous growth trend has been predicted for the spa business since spas have become a key selling point of hotels. Thus, independent spas should adapt themselves to remain in the competition by expanding their venues to accommodate large tour groups, for instance.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255502210009

The Real Estate Broker Association (REBA) has revealed that the Thai pre-owned housing industry is not ready for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), urging the government to come up with stimulus measures.

With the AEC to be established in 2015, REBA President Dr Somsak Muneepeerakul said the Thai secondhand housing industry will have to compete with neighbors like Singapore and Malaysia. He explained that the Thai real estate agents will not be able to do business in the neighboring countries because they have laws and license to control the works of realtors. He said Thailand is lacking behind on this matter.

Dr Somsak said without any legal act on realtor practice, Thai agents will not be able to penetrate the market in other ASEAN countries. On the contrary, with the opening up of free flow of movements, realtors from the neighboring nations will be able to seek opportunity in the Thai market.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255502210007

The Department of Tourism has indicated that Thailand has become a popular filming location among movie makers, with over 50 requests to use Thailand as a filming location in just one month.

Director of the Thailand Film Office, under the Department of Tourism, Wansiri Morakul disclosed that, in January alone, the office received 56 requests from movie makers to film their production in Thailand, which accounts for a total investment value of around 687.35 million baht. Among these requests is a high-budget production from New Zealand, which is expected to start filming in Thailand in April. Ms. Wansiri pointed out that the fact that high-budget films have chosen Thailand as their filming location bodes well for the country.

In 2011, a total of 606 films were shot in Thailand, generating a revenue of 1.22 billion baht for the economy. However, last year’s income from this area is 34.38% lower than that of the previous year when 1.86 billion baht was brought into the country from only 578 films. This is partly a consequence of the flood crisis during the end of the year, which slowed down filming processes during October to December.

According to Ms. Wansiri, the office has planned five roadshow activities for this year. Two roadshows have already been conducted in South Korea and UK, while the remaining three are scheduled for Hong Kong, Cannes and the USA. The office will reassure film makers that filming locations in Thailand have not been affected by last year’s devastating flood.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255502210006

Domestic oil retailers and refineries PTT and Bangchak are set to raise their benzene and diesel prices tomorrow by another 60 satang and 40 satang, respectively.

PTT Plc and Bangchak Petroleum Plc have announced that their retail prices of benzene will be increased by 60 satang per liter and diesel by 40 satang, starting from tomorrow at 5.00 hrs onwards. The price of Gasohol E85 will be adjusted by 30 satang a liter.

As a result, Benzene 91 will cost 40.91 baht per liter.

Gasohol 95 will be at 39.63 baht and Gasohol 91 at 37.88 baht per liter.

Gasohol E20 will be at 36.88 baht while Gasohol E85 will be at 23.68 baht per liter.

Diesel will be at 31.73 baht per liter.

Situated in the heart of Bangkok, Century Park Hotel offers convenient access not only to the international airport but also to numerous popular sights throughout the city. Guests will be able to enjoy nearby restaurants, clubs, shopping centers and more.

Guests will find the hotel located about a 20 minute drive from the Don Muang domestic airport. The international airport is located about 40 minutes from the hotel. The expressway offers convenient access to and from the hotel and between both airports.

380 guestrooms are offered by the Century Park Hotel and include such amenities as private bathrooms, mini-bars, refrigerators, in room safes, tea and coffee making facilities, pay television and laundry service.

A grand ballroom and landscaped swimming pool are just two of the amenities that are featured on the property of the Century Park Hotel. The hotel also offers a variety of other modern amenities as well.