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- Thailand Thanks UNESCO for Adding ‘Phu Phrabat’ to World Heritage List
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered a keynote address via a teleconference on July 27, 2024 at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee
The post Thailand Thanks UNESCO for Adding ‘Phu Phrabat’ to World Heritage List appeared first on Khaosod English.
BANGKOK — Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered a keynote address via a teleconference on July 27, 2024 at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee following the decision made by Committee Members of the World Heritage Centre to inscribe “Phu Phrabat” on the World Heritage List.
The event took place at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition and Convention Centre, New Delhi, Republic of India. Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke disclosed gist as follows:
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation toward the Committee Members of the World Heritage Centre, and the Advisory Bodies for recognizing the Outstanding Universal Value of “Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sima stone tradition of the Dvaravati period”, which led to its inscription on the World Heritage List.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivers keynote address to express Thailand’s appreciation on inscription of “Phu Phrabat” on World Heritage List on July 27, 2024. With Phu Phrabat’s inscription, Thailand’s World Heritage List now includes five cultural and three natural sites. Udon Thani, where this new site is located, is now the only province in Thailand that is home to two World Heritage Sites.
According to the Prime Minister, the Phu Phrabat site consists of Phu Phrabat Historical Park and the Sima cultural sites. It represents the Sima stone tradition from the Dvaravati period, dating back to around the 8th Century, and preserves the largest corpus of Sima stones in the world.
The inscription of Phu Phrabat on the World Heritage List today is not only significant to Thailand, but it will also benefit future generations. This will bring forth conservation, restoration, and protection efforts at all levels, as well as contributions in academic research in the interest of humankind.
Committee Members of the World Heritage Committee inscribe ‘Phu Phrabat’ on the World Heritage List on July 27, 2024. 
Committee Members of the World Heritage Committee inscribe ‘Phu Phrabat’ on the World Heritage List on July 27, 2024. In closing, the Prime Minister stated that he looked forward to welcoming everyone to Thailand to visit the country’s newly inscribed World Heritage Site.
The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee is held during July 21-31, 2024 in New Delhi, Republic of India. At the session, two Thailand’s heritage sites have been included in the agendas:
1) Deliberation on inclusion of Songkhla and its Associated Lagoon Settlements in the the World Heritage Centre’s Tentative Lists
2) Deliberation on inscription of the Phu Phrabat Historical Park and proposal of title change to “Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sima stone tradition of the Dvaravati period” on the World Heritage List (Cultural Landscape) for its Outstanding Universal Value.
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27 July 27 2024Newshttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464911833 - Thailand’s Economic Forecast Ups to 2.7%, But Uneven Recovery Persists
The Thai economy is expected to grow 2.7% in 2024, according to increased government estimates; tourism and exports lead the rise, without the digital wallet scheme.
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BANGKOK — The Thai economy is expected to grow 2.7% in 2024, according to increased government estimates; tourism and exports lead the rise, without the digital wallet scheme.
Paopoom Rojanasakul, Deputy Minister of Finance, announced on Friday that the estimated growth of the Thai economy in 2024 is expected to be 2.7 percent, an increase from the previous estimate of 2.4 percent, due to tourism, exports, and private consumption.
He emphasized that the GDP estimate does not include the expected impact of the Digital Wallet project.
The Finance Ministry’s preliminary estimate on April 10, 2024, suggested that the Digital Wallet project alone could boost economic growth by 1.2-1.8 percent over the project’s duration, depending on the source of funds, project conditions, the number of participants, and spending behavior of beneficiaries.
General inflation is expected to be 0.6 percent per year, he said. The service balance surplus is driven by the increase in the number of foreign tourists, with the current account balance surplus expected to be 11.0 billion USD or 2.4 percent of GDP in 2024.
“Visa-Free Policy’ Is Showing Results
The economy will be supported by the tourism sector, with both the number of tourists and spending per tourist exceeding previous estimates. The number of foreign tourists is expected to reach 36 million in 2024, an annual increase of 27.9 percent compared to the previous estimate of 35.7 million.
The average spend per tourist is expected to be 47,000 baht per trip, up from the previous estimate of 44,600 baht. This increase is partly due to the visa waiver for 93 countries and the higher proportion of tourists from high-spending countries. Overall, the tourism sector is expected to generate over 1.69 trillion baht in 2024, an increase of 37.4 percent.
Foreign tourists dress in rented Thai traditional costumes to take photos inside Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon), or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, in Bangkok on July 13, 2024. (Khaosod Photo / Yokin Charoenyong) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted a message on July 27 that the government’s Visa Exemption policy is already showing results, with tourist numbers from Taiwan and India entering Thailand reaching record highs compared to post-COVID figures, and trending to surpass 2019 levels as well.
“Our measure to exempt visas for Indian and Taiwanese tourists, extending their stay to 60 days since late 2023 and continuing the project until November 11, 2024, along with cooperation from all sectors, is contributing to the continuous recovery of tourism. In just half of 2024, we’ve already increased tourists from a major market like India by more than 30%, and we expect this to reach 2 million people by the end of this year,” the Prime Minister said.
He also mentioned that the government has extended the 60-day stay to 93 more countries, which will increase the number of tourists with high per-capita spending. Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is preparing activities to attract tourists from each country throughout every month.
“I urge the tourism sector to be prepared. Today, Thailand’s big door is open,” the Prime Minister stated.
Figures Don’t Align with People’s Feelings
Exports are showing better-than-expected growth, projected to grow by 2.7 percent, up from the previous estimate of 2.3 percent. Demand from major trading partners, particularly the USA, China, and the Eurozone, has improved. The GDP of the top 15 trading partners is expected to grow by 3.2 percent, up from the previous estimate of 3.1 percent.
Private consumption is expected to grow by 4.5 percent, compared to the previous estimate of 3.5 percent. This is partly due to an 8 percent increase in farmers’ income and a 3.6 percent increase in real VAT, indicating increased spending and money circulation in the economy. This growth is supported by continued fiscal measures and government credit and liquidity measures.
However, Phaopoom admitted that the increased economic forecast figures do not align with the feelings of many citizens, who face high costs of living and economic hardship. This sentiment is reflected through the representatives of the people, both from opposition parties and government parties.
“The expansion of the Thai economy has improved beyond the forecast made this April. However, we must acknowledge that this may contradict the feelings of some people who feel that the economy is still not doing well. This is because the recovery of the Thai economy has a K-shaped characteristic, where economic growth is not evenly distributed. Therefore, the government aims to improve this situation further to help reduce income inequality among the country’s population,” he said.
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27 July 27 2024Businesshttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464911827 - Paris Olympics Begins with Ambitious, Sprawling Opening Ceremony on the River Seine
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony
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PARIS (AP) — Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.
On-and-off showers did not seem to hamper the enthusiasm of the Olympians, with some holding umbrellas as they rode on boats down the river in a showcase of the city’s resilience as authorities dealt with suspected acts of sabotage targeting France’s high-speed rail network.
Widespread travel disruptions triggered by what French officials called coordinated arson attacks on high-speed rail lines as well as the weather had dampened the mood ahead of the ceremony.
Ceremonial smoke in the colors of the France flag appear over the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Crowds crammed along the Seine’s banks and bridges and watching from balconies “oohed” and “aahed” as Olympic teams paraded in boats down the waterway. Undeterred from the festivities, many of the hundreds of thousands of spectators huddled under umbrellas and jackets as the rain intensified, though some dashed from their seats to seek shelter.
As global audiences tuned in, Paris put its best foot forward — quite literally, with a spectacular launch that lifted spirits and joyous French cancan dancers featured early on. A humorous short film featured soccer icon Zinedine Zidane. Plumes of French blue, white and red smoke followed. And Lady Gaga sang, in French, with dancers shaking pink plumed pompoms, adding a cabaret feel to what is expected to be a more than three-hour show.
French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, the most listened-to French-speaking artist in the world, sang her hit “Djadja” accompanied by the orchestra of the French Republican Guard. She emerged from a pyrotechnic display, wearing an all-gold outfit as she performed with a Republican guard band of the French army.
Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Merging the elements of opera and rock metal music on the global stage, band Gojira brought their progressive and technical death metal style, while singer Marina Viotti inserted her mezzo-soprano vocals.
With the opening ceremony, the stakes for France were immense. Dozens of heads of state and government were in town and the world was watching as Paris turned itself into a giant open-air theater. Along the Siene, iconic monuments became stages for dancers, singers and other artists.
The sprawling ceremony gave organizers bigger crowds to transport, organize and safeguard than would have been the case if they’d followed the example of previous Olympic host cities that opened with stadium shows.
Still, as the show got underway, optimism soared that Paris – true to its motto that speaks of being unsinkable – might just see its gambles pay off.
Paris organizers said 6,800 of the 10,500 athletes would attend before they embark on the next 16 days of competition.
The boats carrying the Olympic teams started the parade by breaking through curtains of water that cascaded down from Austerlitz Bridge, the start of the 6-kilometer (nearly 4-mile) parade route. The jetting waters were a wink at the splendid fountains of Versailles Palace, now the venue for Olympic equestrian competitions.
A boat with the delegations from Dominica, Egypt and El Salvador sails past the passerelle Debilly footbridge on the river Seine during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Luis Robayo/Pool Photo via AP) 
Athletes from Thailand react as the travel by boar down the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Per Olympic protocol, the first boat carried athletes from Greece, birthplace of the ancient Games. It was followed by the Olympic team of refugee athletes and then, the other nations in French alphabetical order.
Usually during Olympic opening ceremonies, the parade of athletes takes place during a pause in the razzmatazz. But Paris shattered that tradition by having the parade and pageantry at the same time, blending sports and artistic expression.
Some spectators who followed organizers’ advice to arrive well ahead of time along the ceremony route fumed over long waits to get to their seats.
“Paris has been great, anything to do with the Olympics and dissemination of information has been horrible,” said Tony Gawne, a 54-year-old Texan who turned up six hours in advance with his wife.
“When you spend $6,000 on two tickets, well, that’s a little frustrating.”
But Paris had plenty of aces up its sleeve. The Eiffel Tower, its head still visible below the clouds, Notre Dame Cathedral — restored from the ashes of its 2019 fire — the Louvre Museum and other iconic monuments will star in the opening ceremony. Award-winning theater director Thomas Jolly, the show’s creative mind, was using the signature Paris cityscape of zinc-grey rooftops as the playground for his imagination.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, righ, and IOC President Thomas Bach wave as they arrive for the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Loic Venance/Pool Photo via AP) His task: Tell the story of France, its people, their history and essence in a way that leaves an indelible imprint on Olympic audiences. Refresh the image and self-confidence of the French capital that was repeatedly struck by deadly extremist attacks in 2015. Capture how Paris is also aiming to reboot the Olympics, with Summer Games it has worked to make more appealing and sustainable.
It’s a big ask. So Paris is going big, very big. That goes for the security, too. Large fenced-off stretches of central Paris were locked down to those without passes and the skies during the ceremony were a no-fly zone for 150 kilometers (93 miles) around.
Many details of the spectacle that will stretch through sunset and into the Paris night had remained closely guarded secrets to preserve the wow factor.
Zidane, who led France to World Cup ecstasy in 1998, was among the guesses for who might light the Olympic cauldron. Another suggestion is that organizers might bestow that honor on survivors of the 2015 attacks by Islamic State-group gunmen and suicide bombers who killed 130 people in and around Paris.
The identity of the final torch bearers has been the country’s biggest secret. Chief Paris Games organizer Tony Estanguet said Friday morning that only he knows “the personality or athlete” and that he still hadn’t told that person.
“I plan to tell the last carrier today,” he said. “He or she doesn’t know.”
The ceremony’s broad-brush strokes have been previously announced and are stunning in their ambition. French President Emmanuel Macron said they initially felt like “a crazy and not very serious idea.”
This aerial photo shows the Invalides with the river Seine in the foreground in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Lionel Bonaventure/Pool Photo via AP) During the athletes’ waterborne adventure, Paris’ splendors unfurled before them. They were passing historic landmarks that have been temporarily transformed into arenas for Olympic sports.
Concorde Plaza, where French revolutionaries guillotined King Louis XVI and other royals, now hosting skateboarding and other sports, and the Grand Palais of iron, stone and glass, the fencing and taekwondo venue.
The golden-domed resting place of Napoléon Bonaparte, the backdrop for Olympic archery, and the Eiffel Tower, which donated chunks of iron that have been inlaid in the gold, silver and bronze Olympic medals. They’ll be won in the 32 sports’ 329 medal events.
Up to 45,000 police and gendarmes, plus 10,000 soldiers, were safeguarding the ceremony and its VIP guests, with IOC President Thomas Bach and Macron presiding.
Paris’ aim, said Estanguet, is “to show to the whole world and to all of the French that in this country, we’re capable of exceptional things.”
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26 July 26 2024Internationalhttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464911818 - Pattaya Police Crack Down on Noisy Foreign Motorcyclists Disturbing Residents
A group of foreigners in Pattaya who caused disturbance to local residents by riding motorcycles back and forth while honking horns and revving engines loudly
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PATTAYA — A group of foreigners in Pattaya who caused disturbance to local residents by riding motorcycles back and forth while honking horns and revving engines loudly was confronted by 10 patrol police officers around 5 a.m. on Friday.
On July 26, officers deployed forces to intercept motorcycles disturbing residents in this area, both at the entrance and end of VC Soi, South Pattaya, Moo 10, Nongprue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
They set up checkpoints to inspect the motorcycles. Most were rental motorcycles, some modified with loud exhaust pipes.
Officers confiscated 10 motorcycles of this type and stored them, waiting for the owners to bring documents to reclaim their vehicles and pay fines according to the Traffic Act.
Pattaya police officers intercept motorcycles disturbing residents in South Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province on July 26, 2024. 
Officers confiscate 10 motorcycles modified with loud exhaust pipes on July 26, 2024. The reporter also noted that while on-site, a group of foreign youths, aged approximately 18-25 years, attempted to surround the patrol officers and offered 2,000-3,000 baht to release the seized motorcycles. However, the officers refused and instead advised them to return to their accommodations and contact the police station to pay the full fines as per the Traffic Act.
Previously, police had conducted the same operation in this area on July 24. They focused more on public relations and warning tourists, mostly Kuwaitis, about their driving behavior, such as prohibiting reckless driving, revving engines, making loud noises, and causing disturbances to residents in the vicinity.
Police officers also enforced the law by arresting those violating the Traffic Act and confiscating dozens of motorcycles for inspection. But just two days later, groups of foreign youths continued to exhibit the same behavior, forcing the police to increase their enforcement measures.
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26 July 26 2024Crimehttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464911811 - American Retiree Found Dead Alone in His Room in Chanthaburi
A 77-year-old American tourist was found dead in his apartment room in Chanthaburi city. Police sent the body for an autopsy
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CHANTHABURI — A 77-year-old American tourist was found dead in his apartment room in Chanthaburi city. Police sent the body for an autopsy to determine the cause of death, suspecting it may be due to chronic health conditions.
On July 26, the Sawang Katanyutham Foundation’s rescue radio center in Chanthaburi notified the Mueang Chanthaburi Police Station about a foreign tourist found dead in his room for unknown reasons at an apartment complex in the city district. Police were dispatched to investigate along with immigration officers and a forensic doctor from Prapokklao Hospital.
The room was on the 5th floor of the apartment building. The deceased’s body was found next to the bed in the bedroom, unclothed. There were no signs of physical assault or accident on the body. The forensic doctor estimated that death had occurred about 2 days prior.
Inside the room, packages of medication for chronic conditions were found on the bed. Personal belongings were in normal condition.
According to Police Lieutenant Thanachot Promtha, the investigator on duty, the deceased was identified as Mr. Steven, a 77-year-old American citizen holding a tourist visa. He was described as a retired government official.
The deceased American’s room was on the 5th floor of the apartment building. Ms. Iam, who looked after Mr. Steven and lived in the room across from him, provided information that he had been traveling in Thailand and living in that room for several years. Recently, he had been suffering from various health issues, including an enlarged prostate and lymph node problems. She had tried to take him for treatment and contacted his relatives to inform them.
Ms. Iam also mentioned that the deceased often refused to cooperate in seeking medical treatment. The last time she saw him was on July 16, when he appeared weak. She tried to persuade him to go to the hospital for treatment, but he refused. They didn’t see each other after that as she had to take care of her grandchild.
It wasn’t until this morning when she came to check on the room that she found Mr. Steven had passed away. She then notified the authorities.
Rescue workers have taken the body for a detailed autopsy to determine the cause of death. They will also contact the relatives for further proceedings.
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26 July 26 2024Crime, Courts, Calamityhttps://www.khaosodenglish.com/?p=1464911807