Jan 3, 2015, 10:09 pm
Last edit by: aBroadAbroad
This thread is for Thailand news/events and general discussion. It is meant to reduce clutter in the main forum. If you notice a topic here that deserves its own thread, please alert a moderator.
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Special thanks to FlyerTalker Kalboz for launching the original Thai News & Open Discussion lounge back in 2009!
READ FIRST: Thailand Lounge-Thread Guidelines
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Special thanks to FlyerTalker Kalboz for launching the original Thai News & Open Discussion lounge back in 2009!
Thailand Forum Lounge-Thread: Thai News & Open Discussion
Dec 18, 2018, 5:58 am
#1126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Luxury hotel to open in Thailand's tallest building
AccorHotels is set to open the first Orient Express Hotel at King Power Mahanakhon Building in 2019, aimed at elite customers from overseas. Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, chief executive of King Power Group,...
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...llest-building
Dec 19, 2018, 4:59 pm
#1128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Dec 19, 2018, 10:37 pm
#1130
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Luxury hotel to open in Thailand's tallest building
AccorHotels is set to open the first Orient Express Hotel at King Power Mahanakhon Building in 2019, aimed at elite customers from overseas. Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, chief executive of King Power Group,...
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...llest-building
AccorHotels is set to open the first Orient Express Hotel at King Power Mahanakhon Building in 2019, aimed at elite customers from overseas. Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, chief executive of King Power Group,...
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...llest-building
- Orient Express
- Accor
- King Power
Dec 23, 2018, 8:27 am
#1131
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,193
Bangkok in top 100 most expensive cities for expats
"Bangkok has joined the list of the 100 most expensive cities for expatriate workers for the first time on the strong baht, economic growth and more stable politics, based on cost of living surveys by ECA International.
"Over the past five years, Bangkok has climbed more than 80 places. The Thai capital now sits in 90th place in our cost of living rankings," Lee Quane, Asian director of ECA International, said on Monday. The company provides information for the management and assignment of international employees."
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gen...iew_bottom_box
"Over the past five years, Bangkok has climbed more than 80 places. The Thai capital now sits in 90th place in our cost of living rankings," Lee Quane, Asian director of ECA International, said on Monday. The company provides information for the management and assignment of international employees."
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gen...iew_bottom_box
Dec 26, 2018, 8:11 am
#1132
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
"Bangkok has joined the list of the 100 most expensive cities for expatriate workers for the first time on the strong baht, economic growth and more stable politics, based on cost of living surveys by ECA International.
"Over the past five years, Bangkok has climbed more than 80 places. The Thai capital now sits in 90th place in our cost of living rankings," Lee Quane, Asian director of ECA International, said on Monday. The company provides information for the management and assignment of international employees."
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1595782/bangkok-now-among-worlds-100-most-expensive-cities?utm_source=bangkopost.com&utm_medium=homepa ge&utm_campaign=most_view_bottom_box
"Over the past five years, Bangkok has climbed more than 80 places. The Thai capital now sits in 90th place in our cost of living rankings," Lee Quane, Asian director of ECA International, said on Monday. The company provides information for the management and assignment of international employees."
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1595782/bangkok-now-among-worlds-100-most-expensive-cities?utm_source=bangkopost.com&utm_medium=homepa ge&utm_campaign=most_view_bottom_box
Cost of living indices are used by ECA’s clients to calculate cost of living allowances for assignees. The survey covers:
Food: Groceries; dairy produce; meat and fish; fresh fruit and vegetables
Basic: Household goods; recreational goods; general services; leisure services
General: Clothing; electrical goods; motoring; meals out; alcohol and tobacco
Certain living costs such as accommodation rental, utilities charges (electricity, gas, and water), car purchases and school fees are not included in the survey. Such items can make a significant difference to expenses but are usually compensated for separately in expatriate packages.This comparison of cost of living was calculated on a base composed of various developed countries and is used to reflect an international lifestyle. Other indices available from ECA reflect specific city-to-city comparisons, and different levels of shopping efficiency.
Food: Groceries; dairy produce; meat and fish; fresh fruit and vegetables
Basic: Household goods; recreational goods; general services; leisure services
General: Clothing; electrical goods; motoring; meals out; alcohol and tobacco
Certain living costs such as accommodation rental, utilities charges (electricity, gas, and water), car purchases and school fees are not included in the survey. Such items can make a significant difference to expenses but are usually compensated for separately in expatriate packages.This comparison of cost of living was calculated on a base composed of various developed countries and is used to reflect an international lifestyle. Other indices available from ECA reflect specific city-to-city comparisons, and different levels of shopping efficiency.
Jan 2, 2019, 5:22 pm
#1133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn to be held May 4-6
An elaborate three-day coronation ceremony for HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be held May 4 to 6, the palace announced Tuesday, nearly two and half years after the passing of his revered father King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn to be held May 4-6: palace
An elaborate three-day coronation ceremony for HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be held May 4 to 6, the palace announced Tuesday, nearly two and half years after the passing of his revered father King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn to be held May 4-6: palace
Jan 6, 2019, 6:20 am
#1134
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Saudi woman 'trapped at Bangkok airport trying to flee family'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46773625
She was transiting through BKK on her way to Australia to seek asylum when her passport was confiscated by the Thai authorities!!! If she is sent back and killed, Thailand will be directly culpable. This is shameful.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46773625
She was transiting through BKK on her way to Australia to seek asylum when her passport was confiscated by the Thai authorities!!! If she is sent back and killed, Thailand will be directly culpable. This is shameful.
Jan 6, 2019, 3:19 pm
#1135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Saudi woman 'trapped at Bangkok airport trying to flee family'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46773625
She was transiting through BKK on her way to Australia to seek asylum when her passport was confiscated by the Thai authorities!!! If she is sent back and killed, Thailand will be directly culpable. This is shameful.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46773625
She was transiting through BKK on her way to Australia to seek asylum when her passport was confiscated by the Thai authorities!!! If she is sent back and killed, Thailand will be directly culpable. This is shameful.
"She says she has an Australian visa but her passport was seized by a Saudi diplomat when he met her coming off the flight at Suvarnabhumi airport."
Interesting, I assumed Thai-Saudi "relations" were still "on the rocks"?
No clue why a Saudi "diplomat" can seize a passport, or detain or finely grind a citizen in a third country? Oops, never mind.
Beats washing up dead on the banks of the Hudson bound in duct tape, so far.
Jan 6, 2019, 8:12 pm
#1136
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
this whole thing is really shameful. The Thais have essentially washed their hands of her and are allowing the Saudis to abduct her to send her to her death. The last report I saw said she's barricaded herself in her hotel room and is asking to see UNHCR officials.
Jan 7, 2019, 3:48 am
#1137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
"The Thais have essentially washed their hands of her..."
It seems like "Big Joke" has come through as of ~18:05, but the situation remains "fluid"? (Some rumors that DPM Prawit insists she must be deported to KSA due to "bilateral" matters, so may have to wait for Junta Supremo Prayut to weigh in?)
‘WE WON’T SEND SOMEONE TO THEIR DEATH,’ THAI IMMIGRATION CHIEF SAYS
SAMUT PRAKAN — The head of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau said a Saudi woman who fled her family to seek asylum in Australia will not be forcibly deported.
Speaking at the Bangkok airport where Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun refused to board a flight this morning back to the family she fled, Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn said just after 4pm that Thailand has reversed course and will not deport her against her will.
“If deporting her would result in her death, we definitely wouldn’t want to do that,” he said. Asked if about Saudi Arabia’s death penalty for renouncing Islam, he said “their laws are like that.”
?We Won?t Send Someone to Their Death,? Thai Immigration Chief Says
It seems like "Big Joke" has come through as of ~18:05, but the situation remains "fluid"? (Some rumors that DPM Prawit insists she must be deported to KSA due to "bilateral" matters, so may have to wait for Junta Supremo Prayut to weigh in?)
‘WE WON’T SEND SOMEONE TO THEIR DEATH,’ THAI IMMIGRATION CHIEF SAYS
SAMUT PRAKAN — The head of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau said a Saudi woman who fled her family to seek asylum in Australia will not be forcibly deported.
Speaking at the Bangkok airport where Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun refused to board a flight this morning back to the family she fled, Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn said just after 4pm that Thailand has reversed course and will not deport her against her will.
“If deporting her would result in her death, we definitely wouldn’t want to do that,” he said. Asked if about Saudi Arabia’s death penalty for renouncing Islam, he said “their laws are like that.”
?We Won?t Send Someone to Their Death,? Thai Immigration Chief Says
Last edited by transpac; Jan 7, 2019 at 4:00 am
Jan 7, 2019, 6:39 am
#1138
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
You do realize Thailand’s record in this regard is abysmal, yeah? Thai document’s put the number of indefinitely confined refugees at over 100,000. They pride themselves on the fact that 15,000 returned of their own accord... sounds like it’s perpetual detention or back to the government you were running from. That’s on top of half a million stateless in Thailand, their bragging point here is that they’ve patriated about 5% of them. https://www.unhcr.or.th/en/about/thailand
Those are all Thai numbers. I don’t know about you, but I have zero confidence in the Thais being able to accurately admit to anything. So, my suggestion is that these numbers are hiding a more dismal truth, along the lines of the rumor of generations of detainees in camps along the border.
Ive also heard of Thailand’s successes in saving countless lives, when they allowed unfettered access over the Thai borders every night when Cambodian’s were fleeing from the Khmer Rouge in Kampuchea... but that was long ago.
Its out of the scope of my personal knowledge. But let’s just say the truth lies somewhere between their numbers and the rumors I’ve heard over the years. Perhaps someone can correct any inaccuracies.
Last edited by seanthepilot; Jan 7, 2019 at 7:13 am Reason: added link referencing details
Jan 9, 2019, 1:55 am
#1140
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
BBC just reported that the UN gave her a refugee status: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-46806485