Bangkok Post
Northeast SEZs in store, says industry minister
Special economic zones are set to expand to the Northeast to support the provincial economy and reduce income disparity, says Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.He said the ministry wants to bring a version of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme to the region with new special ...
Lamonphet Apisitniran
Plant barcoding to protect biodiversity
Thailand has adopted a DNA barcoding system in order to protect herbal plant species.The Biodiversity-based Economy Development Office (Bedo) is in the process of applying the barcoding system to identify the origin of herbal plants, fruit trees, and related species to preserve ecological biodiversity.Keep reading ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Govt speeding up drought relief work
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is speeding up efforts to mitigate the impacts of the looming drought after water levels in several major reservoirs fell below the levels of last year.Eighteen major reservoirs are holding less than 30% of their storage capacity including Pasak Jolasid ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
FTI wants SSF waiver for workers
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is calling for the Labour Ministry to waive the 5% contribution from insured workers to the Social Security Fund (SSF) for 6-12 months instead of increasing the daily minimum wage to 400 baht as promised during the election campaign.Keep ...
Lamonphet Apisitniran
Transparency a new goal for energy
The Energy Ministry will work towards being more transparent and improving its reputation after politicians jockeyed for control in recent weeks, says newly installed Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong.“This ministry is perceived as having value for politicians, who can benefit from controlling energy policies,” Mr Sontirat ...
Yuthana Praiwan
Weigh wage hike carefully
The Prayut Chan-o-cha government, which was officially sworn in this week, will have to weigh carefully the demand by labour leaders for the daily minimum wage to be raised to 400 baht.The 400-baht hike was one of the poll campaign promises made by the Palang ...
New tourism minister sees lure of marijuana
The new tourism and sports minister plans to promote medical marijuana tourism and legalise ride-hailing and accommodation-sharing apps and websites to attract foreign visitors.Speaking on his first day in office, Pipat Ratchakitprakan, a key Bhumjaithai Party leader, said he wants to include marijuana in medical ...
Dusida Worrachaddejchai & Narumon Kasemsuk
China must be sincere on Mekong
Last week, the Bangkok Post published remarks by Yang Yang, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Thailand, explaining how China and others are promoting water resources cooperation in the Mekong “for the benefit of the people in the region”.Keep reading ...
Niwat Roykaew
Labour minister: Minimum wage will rise gradually
The minimum wage will rise gradually, with increases awarded in those industries able to absorb them, Labour Minister MR Chatumongol Sonaku said on Wednesday.MR Chatumongol said he would give emphasis on development of labour skills in the workforce. He had set a target of a ...
Penchan Charoensuthipan
Dept warns of worst drought in decade
The Meteorological Department (MD) says Thailand is going to experience the worst drought in a decade, as average precipitation across large swaths of the country has fallen far short of the monthly average.Kornrawee Sitthichiwapak, the MD’s deputy director-general, said downpours this rainy season were far ...
Bangkok Post Reporter