oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | business, disasters, news, tourists, Travel
The earthquake that hit Thailand on Friday has dealt a blow to the country’s tourism sector, resulting in sluggish reservations for the forthcoming Songkran festival. Meanwhile, airlines have begun processing requests for reimbursements and annulments.
Yesterday, Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong met with the tourism industry to discuss how the recent earthquake has affected tourist activities. Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) intends to release a roster of approved accommodations that have passed stringent safety checks for international visitors.
Chaiyapatranun Thienprasit, who leads the Thai Hotels Association (THA), stated that the majority of Bangkok’s hotels are secure and have undergone inspections by engineers.
The Provincial Administration Department has requested hotel operators to assess the structural integrity and adherence to safety norms in their establishments as mandated by hotel regulations, and subsequently submit a report to the department. This directive stems from the fact that hotels are classified as public structures and serve numerous residents and visitors alike.
If damage occurred at a hotel, the operator needed to inform the department’s registrar within 15 days following the event.
He expressed his worry regarding the security of travelers who have reserved unauthorized lodging, should unforeseen incidents happen down the line.
These unauthorized accommodations may fail to register visitors’ information, and the buildings could be non-compliant with safety regulations because of unpermitted alterations, as he pointed out.
Furthermore, images of the State Audit Office building collapsing have circulated extensively through social media platforms and international news channels, affecting perceptions regarding the safety of tourists in Thailand.
Mr. Thienprasit stated that the government ought to promptly look into the incident’s origins and inform the public since the majority of structures in Bangkok haven’t suffered significant damage.
It should also improve the real-time disaster alert system with a hub platform which provides vital information.
Paisarn Sukjarean, who leads the THA’s upper northern division, stated that despite Chiang Mai being close to the quake’s center in Myanmar, local hotels haven’t experienced significant harm. This includes about 15 skyscrapers with over ten floors each in the province.
Mr. Paisarn mentioned that currently, there are about three structures in Chiang Mai that remain inaccessible, including one school and two residential buildings.
The Chiang Mai Municipality has promptly addressed building inspections within the city limits, particularly focusing on the main tourist hub where significant structures are located.
Even though the effects may not be visible until the end of the week regarding the Songkran festivities, hotels have experienced lower reservation numbers than anticipated since the weekend.
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, stated that the organization will assist hotel operators in collaborating with the Tourism Ministry to promote a list of accommodations deemed safe after undergoing evaluations.
Mr. Siripakorn mentioned that the tourism minister is contemplating allocating additional funds specifically aimed at supporting property checks.
Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, who leads the commercial division at Thai Lion Air, stated that the airline continues to operate all flights routinely. However, she admitted that declaring a state of emergency in Bangkok has noticeably affected the travel enthusiasm of incoming visitors.
Mrs Nuntaporn emphasized that it is essential for the government to guarantee safe travel in Thailand, offering official reports from accredited specialists to rebuild trust in anticipation of the Songkran festival.
Several international travelers asked about the airline’s rules regarding canceled flights and reimbursement procedures.
In the meantime, SET-listed Asset World Corp declared a 50% reduction in room rates at all of its nine Bangkok hotels until April 6 for individuals affected by the earthquake.
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | animals, biodiversity, conservation, culture, Travel
Visitors to the art exhibition are encouraged to explore the relationship between humanity and nature through “A Beast Of No Burden,” which begins today and continues until April 12 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on the first floor near the Pathumwan intersection.
Supported by the Embassy of Poland, “A Beast Of No Burden” is an initiative led by Polish visual artist and curator Anna Kedziora. This project features a floor installation composed of clay tiles adorned with distinctive patterns created from water buffalo hoof prints.
The exhibition’s title draws upon a water buffalo that formerly ruled over the countryside of Thailand and numerous other Southeast Asian nations. This creature provided essential strength for labor but, much like in most parts of the globe where animals assist with livelihoods and sustenance, it frequently became nearly one of the family members.
Kedziora’s creation was influenced by transformations in Thailand’s countryside after the introduction of agricultural mechanization, technological advancements, and the shift from using conventional farm animals to employing machines.
This shift led to the disappearance of deep connections between farmers, their families, and animals. Despite these changes making farming more convenient through advanced technologies, they have also taken away the distinctive relationship farmers once had with the natural world.
The flooring installation featuring hoof prints, sized around 2 meters by 2 meters, seeks to reintroduce the essence of animals into daily routines. Walking directly on it without shoes, as is common in Thailand, naturally fosters a tactile connection with these creature’s tracks.
Today at 6 pm, the opening ceremony will take place, after which there will be a conversation with the artist.
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | football clubs, money, soccer, sports
African Stars have pocketed N$1.5 million after clinching victory in the first-ever MTC Maris Cup on Saturday.
A crowd of several thousand spectators gathered at the Hage Geingob Stadium for the game, and Stars did not let down their supporters. A first-half goal by star player Willy Stephanus ensured their win.
The stars emerged aggressively, generating several opportunities early on, yet striker Youssouf Ibrahim was unable to capitalize on them.
The Stars took the initiative at the 14-minute mark when they won a corner. The ball was played out to Stephanus, who struck an impressive shot from just outside the penalty area. His powerful effort flew into the left-hand side of the net.
The stars kept launching assaults and had multiple chances during the opening period, yet neither Stephanus nor Abram Tjahikika could find the back of the net.
A young African returned even more resolute following his time off, with Nkwuda Obinna delivering solid crosses from the left flank. Meanwhile, Denzil Narib saw one of his headers brilliantly blocked by Stars’ goalkeeper Mervin Kasetura, and Deacon Kakuenje missed an opportunity when he sent another header over the crossbar from just a short distance away.
As the match entered its concluding moments, intense aerial challenges emerged, and with tempers flaring out of control, referee Vistoria Shangula struggled immensely to maintain order.
A young African player was unable to secure an equalizer, and as a result, the Stars managed to claim the trophy along with the winner-takes-all prize of N$1.5 million.
Following the game, Stephanus mentioned that their past experiences were crucial in the finale.
“The sense of accomplishment from clinching the inaugural Maris Cup is incredible, and I’m hopeful this will become an annual prize. We recognize that Young African is a strong opponent; their players are ambitious and always eager to compete against us due to our longstanding rivalry over the last couple of years, which ultimately came down to our experience today,” he stated.
“The players hold this trophy in high regard, and it will significantly enhance our momentum as we continue with our league efforts moving ahead. Since we’re currently leading the league, we aim to maintain this position and strive for our third championship title,” he concluded.
Stephanus likewise expressed gratitude to the fans of Stars for their backing.
The Starlite supporters consistently show up in large numbers, particularly here in Windhoek, so we must express our gratitude as players. We demonstrate this appreciation through our performance on the field.
The young African defender Dylan Horongo mentioned that Stars capitalized on opportunities and committed fewer errors.
“He mentioned that we understood the team taking risks would be the one to emerge as victors. The squad minimizing errors would ultimately claim victory, hence Stars seized their opportunities at the beginning of the match and subsequently controlled the game flow,” he stated.
“Since the cup is now complete, we’ll return to the planning stage to address our errors. We will face them again on Tuesday, but that’s alright; they can keep the cup, yet the league belongs to us,” he said additionally.
The Stars midfielder, Abram Tjahikika, took home the Player of the Tournament award, while their goalie, Kasetura, received the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade. Each was awarded N$20,000 for their exceptional performances.
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | economics, finance news, government, news, politics
New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI):
Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman
highlighted on Tuesday that the fiscal affairs of both the nation and its states should transcend political influence.
Speaking at the launch of the ‘
NITI NCAER State Economies Forum
‘
portal
In New Delhi, Sitharaman emphasized the well-balanced strategy adopted by the government.
GST Council
, where treasury officials from different countries collaborate to boost income without excessively burdening residents.
Sitharaman said at the event, which unveiled the new data repository created collaboratively by NITI Aayog and NCAER, that concerning the nation’s financial matters—whether those of the central government or state governments—it should not be influenced by political considerations.
The
Finance Minister
stressed that increasing revenue is essential for significant developmental initiatives but should be carefully managed alongside responsible debt practices.
She stated, ‘Your objective is to acquire funds and boost revenue. You aim to secure a superior position so that you can consider implementing more significant developmental initiatives.’
Sitharaman warned of escalating global debt worries, emphasizing that even though India is leading as the quickest-expanding economy, managing debts continues to pose a substantial difficulty.
“Across the globe, wherever there is an effort to develop into a more rapidly expanding economy, there is also a significant challenge in managing debt levels. Nations have grown increasingly burdened with obligations,” she cautioned.
The minister praised the
GST Council
His methodology entails reaching collective decisions grounded in data analysis rather than political factors.
“Through the
GST Council
We can demonstrate that the tough appearance is indeed the realistic one,” she stated, noting that when finance ministers with varying political perspectives review the data collectively, “those distinctions disappear entirely.
That is why some people believe we are merely preaching to ourselves.
GST Council
But I’m pleased about this since ultimately, people are examining the realities in front of them and making a decision, a shared decision, because it’s one nation with one set of facts,” Sitharaman commented.
The event was also highlighted by Suman K Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog; and Poonam Gupta, Director General of NCAER.
The newly launched
portal
acts as an extensive database containing information over roughly three decades (from 1990–91 to 2022–23). This resource encompasses various aspects such as social, economic, and fiscal indicators, alongside research studies, articles, and insights from experts regarding state finances. Its purpose is to enhance comprehension of broad patterns including macroeconomic, fiscal, demographic, and socio-economic shifts in an accessible manner. Additionally, it addresses the requirement for centralized access to detailed sector-specific data.
The
portal
Will facilitate comparative analysis between individual state data and other states as well as national statistics, offering a crucial forum for policymakers, researchers, and other interested parties to participate in knowledgeable dialogues and deliberations. (ANI)
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | coaching, cricket, south africa, sports, sports coaching
Johannesburg [
South Africa
], April 1 (ANI):
South Africa
On Tuesday, men’s white-ball team head coach Rob Walter resigned from his position due to personal reasons. He had been affiliated with the Proteas for 67 ODI and T20I matches.
Walter stated, as cited by the ICC, ‘Having coached the Proteas has been an extraordinary honor, and I feel immense pride in our collective achievements.’
The athletes, supporting personnel, and the assistant
South Africa
The cricketing community has been remarkable throughout this journey. Although it’s time for me to move on, I am confident that the team will keep growing and achieve even greater success,” he stated at 49 years old.
Throughout his time in charge, the Proteas created history by making their maiden appearance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2024, ultimately securing second place after losing to India in Barbados. This achievement came hot on the heels of an outstanding run of eight consecutive victories.
He similarly led the 50-over team into the semifinals of the competition.
ICC Men’s
Cricket
The World Cup 2023 in India.
Walter managed the national side in 36 One-Day Internationals and 31 T20 matches, guiding them to series wins over teams including the Netherlands, Australia, Ireland, and Pakistan.
His last task was the
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
, where he led the Proteas to another semi-final appearance, this time against New Zealand in Lahore during March.
South Africa
has not yet announced his replacement. (ANI)
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