|
Moving more than 5 tons of unmilled rice banned in 24 border provinces
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce on Thursday announced a
ban on transport of more than five tons of paddy in 24 border provinces
without state permission to prevent fraud in the government’s rice mortgage
scheme.
Permanent-Secretary for Commerce Yanyong Puangrach announced the policy
after the government’s central committee on commodity and service prices met
last weekend, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Kittirat Na
Ranong.
Yanyong said the panel resolved to restrict the movement of over five tons
of paddy rice in 24 provinces bordering Thailand’s neighbor countries from
Oct 1 with no set termination of the regulation.
The resolution bans transport of large amounts of unmilled rice without
permission from the committee secretary-general or the director-general of
the Department of Internal Trade or their authorized agents.
The move is aimed to prevent fraud in the rice mortgage scheme to avoid
damage which may cost to the state and impair the internal rice trade
system, Yanyong said.
The newly-launched measure is not meant as a protectionist policy, Yanyong
said, defending the decision.
Those found guilty of any unauthorized transport of rice can face an up to
five-year jail term and be fined Bt100,000, Yanyong said, while false
statement of amount of transported rice can lead to three years in prison
and a Bt6,000 fine.
Moreover, Yanyong stated, rice traders and rice mills nationwide must report
monthly with the commerce ministry if they hold over 15 tons of unmilled
rice. Those violating the ban can face up to one year in jail and a Bt20,000
fine.
The commerce minister is scheduled to call a meeting with the Thai Rice
Mills Association who joined with the government’s mortgage scheme to
prepare and understand the policy implementation early next month.
The National Rice Policy Committee earlier approved the Pheu Thai-initiated
rice mortgage scheme’s startup on Oct 7 for in-season unmilled rice. So far,
some 2-4 million rice farmers, or over 50 percent of Thailand’s rice
growers, have registered to join the scheme. (MCOT)
|
|
 |
Hilton Pattaya named country winner: Luxury Coastal Resort 2011, World Luxury Hotel Awards
Marinique Truter (left),
executive manager, World Luxury Hotel Awards and Harald Feurstein (right),
general manager of Hilton Pattaya at the World Luxury Hotel Awards Gala in
Zagreb, Croatia on September 16, 2011.
The newly-opened 302-room Hilton Pattaya has just been
recognized as the country winner of the prestigious ‘Luxury Coastal Resort’
announced in Zagreb, Croatia on September 16. This accolade, presented at the
2011 World Luxury Hotel Awards, recognizes Hilton Pattaya for its world-class
facilities and exceptional service standards.
“We are truly delighted and honored to be rewarded by industry experts and
guests who have experienced our amazing property. The award acknowledges Hilton
Pattaya not only as a world-class luxury hotel but demonstrates our commitment
to enhancing guest experiences. It also bears testament that Hilton Pattaya is
well positioned to meet the growing demand for upscale accommodation, offering
the finest in hospitality, service and dining while being ecologically
responsible,” said Harald Feurstein, general manager, Hilton Pattaya.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards recognizes the world’s finest hotels, committed to
the highest standards of quality and service. It was founded on the principle of
celebrating extraordinary hotels that have astonishing service and encourages
them to maintain excellence within a highly competitive industry. It is all
about congratulating hotels that have taken the extra step by providing their
guests with outstanding experiences and thus proven to be part of the ‘very rare
legendary hotel’ association.
As the 2011 country winner in the ‘Luxury Coastal Resort’ category, the stunning
Hilton Pattaya is an ideal travelers’ destination where they may experience
exceptional service.
|
|
Suvarnabhumi Airport
passenger volume up 12%
Passenger volume at Suvarnabhumi Airport reached 47
million this year, a 12 percent increase from 2010, according to airport
spokesperson Wilaiwan Natwilai.
Marking the fifth anniversary of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s opening in 2006,
Wilaiwan said that since the start of the 2011 fiscal year (Oct 1, 2010)
until present, the airport has handled 47 million passengers, a 12 percent
increase from the previous year.
Among the 47 million passengers, she said, 10.28 million were domestic
travelers while 36.90 million were international passengers.
Thai nationals comprised the largest group of passengers, followed by
Chinese, Japanese and Russian nationals respectively, she said.
Wilaiwan said at the moment, over 120,000 passengers used Suvarnabhumi
airport on a daily average and during the last quarter of this year
(Oct-Dec) the volume of the passengers is expected to increase as the last
quarter is the high season for tourism in Thailand.
She said that during Thailand’s high season countries in the northern
hemisphere, including Europe, United States and Russia enter winter, so more
tourists would travel to the kingdom.
As for air freight, the airport spokesperson said Suvarnabhumi has handled
1.24 million tons of cargo, a 4.42 percent higher amount when compared to
the previous year.
Domestic cargo registered 48,686 tons, while 1.19 million tons was
international cargo.
In response to the increasing annual number of passengers, she said,
Suvarnabhumi Airport has improved its facilities including expansion of
areas for passenger inspections, automatic check-in machines, implementation
of body scans for transit passengers, installation of information kiosks,
and adding Chinese language at information and direction signs to
accommodate the increasing number of Chinese tourists.
Information brochures for free distribution are printed in four languages -
Thai, Chinese, English, and Japanese. Additionally, Chinese, Japanese,
Korean and Russian interpreters will be provided to help passengers. (MCOT)
|
|
|
|
