A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

spotter542 · Nov 23, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

Sawadeekarp
How's all Thailand run roaders ?
How are you Pii joe ?
Tourist season should hit it's peak very soon.
Hope those staying there had their flu jab , you never know what diseases these white trash bring

Froggy · Nov 23, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

Nice view of Thailand from sky after take off from Suvarnabhumbi airport

Hindu meal - curry chicken and cauliflower and basmati rice

Bread looked a little funny though

yinyang · Nov 23, 2015

THAI chief braces for turmoil
Analysis: Losses balloon to B18.1bn as strong staff union, executive perks hinder cost-cutting strategies

Bangkok Post Published: 23/11/2015 at 04:30 AM

When Charamporn Jotikasthira, a veteran banker and engineer, assumed the presidency of Thai Airways International (THAI) last December, he vowed the struggling national carrier would "undergo an urgent transformation" to become profitable by 2016.

"Currently we are caught in a critical storm. Every staff member must join hands to pull up this plane," the 58-year-old executive said soon after he took up the reins of the airline.

But after his first year in office, his efforts to restructure the 55-year-old state enterprise have drawn flak on various fronts ranging from the head of government to airline staff.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has criticised the poor financial performance of the carrier, which is heading for a record net loss this year, as well as high salaries and excessive perks for top management staff. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has questioned Mr Charamporn's "costly" recruitment of an international consultancy firm and a foreign aviation expert as his personal adviser to help restructure the airline.

Obstructed by bureaucratic hurdles and staff resistance to big changes, Mr Charamporn's declaration to make the 25,000-staff airliner a profitable organisation by 2016 looks bleak. Although Mr Charamporn, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand for four years, from 2010-2014, is likely to survive his first-year performance evaluation, he will only have another six months to prove himself or face the axe, one cabinet minister said.

It is not uncommon for a THAI president, also known by the company's internal coding as "DD", to be unable to complete his contract, as past governments -- both civilian and military -- struggled for direct control over the once-lucrative state enterprise.
Flight routes and plane purchases were often made based on political decisions rather than their commercial feasibility. The workforce is relatively large with a strong union and excessive perks for senior executives and directors have drawn much criticism.

The Royal Thai Air Force has supported THAI since its founding in 1960. More than half of the airline's 17 DDs and about 50% of its chairmen on the board have been men in blue uniforms. Thaweesak Koranantakul, a member of the State-Owned Enterprises Policy Committee known as the "super board", said the airline's rehabilitation measures had not improved its bottom line.

The national carrier is not yet in the clear despite the management's efforts to reverse the dire situation, he said. The plan to improve finances and reduce losses involves suspending unprofitable flight routes, adjusting marketing strategies, selling assets and unused aircraft and restructuring manpower -- including a massive early retirement programme and improving non-core businesses.

The company plans to send 1,400 staff into early retirement this year as a part of its long-term plan to cut 5,000 workers. THAI is also cutting flights on unprofitable routes by 5% from last month until March.

Though the target is to slash 8-9 billion baht in costs this year, a recent review showed the airline's operations in the third quarter fell short of targets -- especially for cost reduction, Mr Thaweesak said.

BRACE FOR RECORD LOSSES
THAI posted a net loss of 9.89 billion baht in the third quarter, compared with a net profit of 1.1 billion baht during the same period last year. Of the July-September period net loss, 4.23 billion baht stemmed from aviation business operations while exchange rate fluctuations and damages to the company's assets and aircraft incurred a 4.63-billion-baht loss.

The net loss over the first nine months has ballooned to 18.1 billion baht, almost double that of the same period last year, raising the likelihood the flag-carrier's losses this year could equal or exceed the all-time high of 21.3 billion baht hit during the political crisis in 2008. The airline reported a net profit of 6.23 billion baht in 2012 and net losses of 12.05 billion baht in 2013 and 15.61 billion baht in 2014.

The cabinet has ordered Mr Charamporn, who is also a former executive at Siam Commercial Bank, to submit a restructuring plan by the end of this month, saying the current employee management is "inefficient", the president told Bangkok-based foreign journalists on Nov 4. At a board meeting on Nov 11, Mr Charamporn said the reform plan was on track and the airline would start making profits in January. He also insisted his restructuring plan has started to yield positive results, as the the carrier's operating loss from July to September this year was 27.3% less than operational losses last year, at 2.79 billion baht.
The first batch of 428 staff left the company in July, the airline said this month. Though THAI has cut salaries for its top eight executives by 10% during months that the company suffers losses, top officials at the Transport Ministry say it is not enough and is still a point of concern that Mr Charamporn has failed to rein in.

COSTLY CONSULTANTS
One of the most contentious of the president's decisions, according to critics, was to pay 10.6 million baht to hire international adviser Wayne Pearce, a former CEO of Oman Air, for six months. Mr Charamporn also paid out 35 million baht to global consultancy firm Bain & Co to develop a restructuring plan for the airline, upsetting cabinet ministers.

"In principle, when we hire a top executive to run an organisation, it means we are confident he is competent to lead. It is not right if he hires a consultant to help," said Mr Arkhom. Mr Charamporn has defended his decision to shell out millions for international help, saying it was necessary to help THAI to compete on the international stage.
Using a football analogy, he said THAI is competing against top global teams like Manchester Utd or Real Madrid, so it needs an internationally renowned manager to help. "A consultant is like a coach to train and elevate THAI to a level where it can compete on the global stage," he said.

A group of more than 10 retired senior THAI executives had offered in September to advise THAI for six months for a token fee of 10.6 baht, an ironic gesture mimicking the 10.6 million baht the airline is paying to Mr Pearce.
"We feel it is our duty to return something to the organisation where we spent much of our lifetime working," said Jothin Pamon-montri, who retired from THAI after 35 years in 1996, when he was executive vice-president for quality and safety assurance.
Capt Jothin pointed out the airline's problems must be fixed from the top.

THAI union president Dumrong Waiyakanee said the airline's board deserved the blame for three consecutive quarters of losses, not just the president and other management members since the board had approved the restructuring plan. The lack of teamwork, unity and common goals hinder the THAI president's mission to turn its balance sheet around, other THAI staff said.
Seen as as being a tough and sometimes unpleasant leader, Mr Charamporn faces unspoken resistance especially from senior executives, making it difficult for him to achieve his goals.

Many staff are complacent and are not ready for changes spearheaded by Mr Charamporn, and they feel demoralised in the workplace, according to THAI staff. Nevertheless, Mr Charamporn, who declined to be interviewed for this report, has vowed to cut 20% of the airline's non-fuel charges by the end of 2016.

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand on Nov 4, Mr Charamporn said cuts would be made to expenses such as maintenance, aircraft, salary and on-board service costs, which amounted to 180 billion baht in 2014. The measure is part of a package of 21 measures devised by THAI to thwart financial losses.
"If we can reduce those costs, we will easily make a profit," he said, adding the carrier has reduced its aircraft from 135 to 94, and the different types of aircraft operated have been cut from 11 to eight, which will lower maintenance costs -- a major contributor to losses.

Eventually, the carrier will have only four or five models, he added. The national flag carrier will also suspend its flights to destinations such as Los Angeles, Madrid and Johannesburg, he said. "But this will take time to do," he warned, saying THAI is acting as fast as it can to do away with expendable costs this year to move forward with its financial rehabilitation plan in 2016.

A GLOOMY OUTLOOK
Investment analysts remain sceptical of the carrier's prospects of revival. Bualuang Securities projects the airline will lose 20 billion baht this year, 3.38 billion baht in 2016 and 1.59 billion baht in 2017.
Earlier this month, Bualuang also downgraded its stock recommendation for THAI from ''hold'' to "sell". In a client note on Nov 12 it predicted the share price would fall to 7.5 baht over the next 12 months. The share price closed on Friday at 9.5 baht. In the year to date, the stock has plunged 34.93%, while Thai AirAsia -- or Asia Aviation Plc -- has risen 11.16%.
"We won't see positive results from the business restructuring plan in the short term. There are also risks it won't go ahead as scheduled because of the company's rigid cost structure and the multitude of stakeholders involved," the brokerage said in the client note.

CLSA Securities (Thailand) Ltd also gives a "sell" recommendation for THAI, with a 9-baht one-year target price. "It is a difficult task for Mr Charamporn to turn around the airlines in a sustainable manner as you have to either increase revenue or cut staff. But THAI continues to lose market share and has to pay staff salaries for 3.5 years just to get rid of them," CLSA Thailand head Prinn Panitchpakdi said.

Froggy · Nov 23, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

spotter542 said:
Sawadeekarp
How's all Thailand run roaders ?
How are you Pii joe ?
Tourist season should hit it's peak very soon.
Hope those staying there had their flu jab , you never know what diseases these white trash bring

Everything is good except the economy damn jialat and still no light at the end of the tunnel.

Narong Wongwan · Nov 23, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

Froggy said:
Everything is good except the economy damn jialat and still no light at the end of the tunnel.

Junta with its generals dunno how to do business.
Good example is singapore's junta.
I hope they fuck it all up to hell that even the elites will be crying for help.

Froggy · Nov 23, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

The above post 14762 Hindu meal is prepared by TG kitchen in Suvarnabhumbi as the SQ flight originated from Bangkok.

Below is the real SQ Hindu meal flight originating from Changi

Its mutton, daal and long grain basmati. Compared to the TG this is better quality in the material just compare both basmati can tell this is better and taste wise this is more Indian as in southern indian which we're more familiar.

As always, a festive tough in the cabin during this period

Charlie99 · Nov 23, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

Narong Wongwan said:
Junta with its generals dunno how to do business.
Good example is singapore's junta.
I hope they fuck it all up to hell that even the elites will be crying for help.

Please do not hope that it will go down that road,
otherwise, the commoners will suffer much worse.

Narong Wongwan · Nov 23, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

Charlie99 said:
Please do not hope that it will go down that road,
otherwise, the commoners will suffer much worse.

It has to get worse before it gets better....
Just like Sg the 70% still dun feel it's bad enough yet

spotter542 · Nov 24, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

Froggy said:
Everything is good except the economy damn jialat and still no light at the end of the tunnel.

Good to hear that
The local scene did not fare any better.
A looming recession is on the horizon
Like the saying : Calm before the storm

johnny333 · Nov 24, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

Froggy said:
Everything is good except the economy damn jialat and still no light at the end of the tunnel.

The bombing at Bangkok didn't help the tourism industry. Added to that the bombing of the Russian airline, Paris attacks, ... there is a sense that it is not safe to fly or to travel overseas.

The haze has also put a damper for visits to south east asia. I would say that it has been a bad year for tourism.

Froggy · Nov 25, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

johnny333 said:
The bombing at Bangkok didn't help the tourism industry. Added to that the bombing of the Russian airline, Paris attacks, ... there is a sense that it is not safe to fly or to travel overseas.

The haze has also put a damper for visits to south east asia. I would say that it has been a bad year for tourism.

Think many of us here are so used to all these crab so much so that uncertainties become expected. So life goes on for us. The Thai market is still huge and always space for everyone, just need to find the niche and you'll be all right.

Narong Wongwan · Nov 25, 2015

Re: A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand ? Feasible?

Happy Loy Krathong to one and all

yinyang · Nov 25, 2015

Strict ban on floating lanterns near Bangkok landmarks and airports
The Nation November 25, 2015 1:00 am

THE BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has warned that anybody selling or releasing airborne lanterns in key venues with tall and large buildings from 6pm today until 5am tomorrow would face up to three months in jail and/or Bt6,000 in fines.

The venues included palaces, temples, historic sites, event-organising places and government offices. Warning signs have also been posted at 32 piers and pontoons along the Chao Phraya River and 21 along canals prohibiting their use during the Loy Krathong festival. They include the Wang Lang (Siriraj) Pier, Suraosaikongdin School Pier, Wat Bukkalo Pier, Chongnonsee Pier and Wat Chatkaewchongkolnee Pier.

As for those that can be used, the city has also posted signs notifying the public about the pier's load limit, which is usually up to 60 persons.

The ban on floating lanterns was announced last week by deputy Bangkok governor Pol Maj-General Atsawin Kwanmuang, based on the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act 2007's Sections 21, 22, 32 and 37.

Floating lanterns are strictly prohibited in areas near Suvarnabhumi Airport, namely Prawet, Nong Chok, Suan Luang, Min Buri, Khlong Sam Wa and Lat Krabang districts. Areas near Don Meuang International Airport are Don Muang, Bang Khen, Lak Si, Sai Mai, Bang Sue, Lat Phrao, Dusit, Phaya Thai and Chatuchak districts.

Up North, Chiang Mai International Airport director Group Captain Wisoot Chantana yesterday affirmed that a total of 84 flights had been cancelled and another 40 rescheduled from yesterday until tomorrow as a measure to avoid the floating lanterns.

Wisoot said this encouraged visitors to arrive earlier and stay longer in the province, hence generating more spending. He said the number of arrivals in the two to three days before the festival had risen to 17,000 per day from the usual 12,000. He said visitors had been informed about flight cancellations or rescheduling, so they could plan accordingly.

Meanwhile, local craftsmen in Chiang Mai dismissed as untrue a viral post circulating in social media about floating lanterns being attached to small cooking-gas cylinders to keep them afloat longer and rise higher.

Nikorn Wongwiraj, owner of the Loongthong Khomloy shop, said such an invention was not likely to rise as high as 6,000 metres. He said the lanterns were made of paper, wire and bamboo so they are light enough to float and could not possibly carry a cylinder.

He explained that if there were such lanterns in reality, they would have to be rather enormous with a 10-metre radius to carry the weight, hence it would be witnessed by far more people if it were ever to take to the skies.

yinyang · Nov 25, 2015

Economy woes, exports still lousy 10th consecutive month

A worker stands crane's hoist line above stacked containers at a Bang Na depot. Containers are piling up as exports continue to fall, down 8.1% year-on-year in October. (Bloomberg photo)

Exports down for 10th month

Minister cites 'tepid' trading environment

Bangkok Post Published: 25/11/2015 at 06:16 AM

Exports plunged for a 10th straight month in October, with the blame again falling on soft demand from the weak global economy, plunging oil prices and volatile foreign exchange.

The Commerce Ministry said exports fell by 8.11% year-on-year last month to a value of US$18.6 billion. In the first 10 months, shipments were down by 5.32% year-on-year at $180 billion.

"The world economy has not recovered yet, while oil and farm product prices are still falling and exchange rates are volatile," Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said Tuesday.

A ministry report said exports of agricultural and agribusiness products fell by 10.3% last month to $2.87 billion, driven by lower shipments of rubber (-7.6%), rice (-17.6%), tapioca products (-11.4%) and frozen, processed and canned seafood (-25.8%).
Exports of industrial products fell by 6.6% to $14.6 billion, led by weakness in oil-related products such as finished oil, chemicals and plastic pellets.

Imports fell by 18.2% last month to $16.5 billion. October imports of capital goods rose by 2.5%, but raw material imports tumbled 21.3% and consumer goods slipped 9.1%, pointing to continued weakness in domestic demand.
For the first 10 months, imports fell by 11.3% to $170 billion.

"The global and Thai trading environment remains tepid," Mrs Apiradi said.
"It's fortunate that the contraction of Thai shipments remained low last month compared with those of other countries such as Australia (-21.7%), France (-13.7%), Singapore (-14.6%) and Japan (-9.3%)."

The Commerce Ministry is maintaining its export view of a 3% decline this year. The government's planning unit, the National Economic and Social Development Board, last Monday said Thai export value would contract by 5% this year but rise by 3% next year.

In related news, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said Tuesday that automobile exports rose by 19.1% year-on-year last month to 111,229 vehicles for an export value of 60 billion baht, up by 36.44%.

The surge was propelled by pickup trucks bound for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and eco-cars shipped to Europe and North America. Vehicle exports over the first 10 months totalled 1.02 million units, up by 9.03%, worth 492 billion baht, up by 11.7%.

Surapong Paisitpatanapong, a spokesman for the FTI's automotive industry club, voiced confidence that overall vehicle exports would exceed the club's target of 1.2 million this year.

The club said car output last month rose by 3.52% year-on-year to 165,381 vehicles but fell by 3.57% month-on-month.
For the first 10 months, car output edged up 1.84% to 1.6 million vehicles. The club said 67,908 vehicles were sold in the domestic market in October, down by 4.2% year-on-year but up by 9.8% month-on-month.

Domestic car sales fell by 13.6% to 621,740 vehicles in the first 10 months. Mr Surapong said full-year domestic sales would probably reach 750,000 vehicles.

Sarun Sunansathaporn, a Bank of Ayudhya (BAY) economist, said exports in the final two months would have to rise by 8.8% year-on-year just to achieve the Commerce Ministry's target of a 3% fall. BAY forecasts exports to record a mild pickup to 2% growth next year, snapping a three-year losing streak, for three reasons.

"First, export volume is likely to pick up gradually, supported by a moderate pace of recovery in advanced economies, offsetting a further economic slowdown in China," Mr Sarun said.
"Second, the reduction of tariffs for Thai goods in neighbouring countries after the Asean Economic Community takes effect this year-end could strengthen a growing trend in those markets.
"Third, the base effects from export prices dragging on export growth will fade over time."

Froggy · Nov 25, 2015

Jah_rastafar_I · Nov 25, 2015

159

An 28-year-old man was stabbed to death after fighting back against three men who robbed him of his iPad outside Shinawatra Tower II on Paholyothin road on Sunday.
The moment when the victim, reportedly identified as Somchai Sa-artchit, was using his iPad outside the office building before three men robbed and killed him was captured on CCTV and posted by his friend on Facebook last night in an attempt to bring attention to the case.
"Currently, the case is very quiet. I don't know how much the investigation has progressed. I'd like to demand justice for my friend," the friend told the media.
Somchai, who worked at a bakery at the building, was seen sitting on a staircase outside the building with his iPad before a man approached him from behind and tried to take his iPad. After Somchai resisted, two other men walked in to join the fight, in which Somchai was stabbed to death, according a report today on Thairath.
Bang Sue police said they are tracking down the suspects in the video and have collected some evidence. However, they could not reveal details as the investigation is ongoing.

yinyang · Nov 27, 2015

Miss Universe Thailand 2015 Aniporn Chalermburanawong wearing a dress that looks like a "tuk-tuk" a three-wheeled motorised taxi for the national costume segment of the beauty pageant poses for photographers during a press conference in Bangkok.PHOTO BY AP

yinyang · Nov 27, 2015

Images of colorful Loy Krathong from press

A man shows off his Loy Krathong haircut.PHOTO BY PATIPAT CHANTHONG

A procession of dancing girls and women makes its way to Khlong Ong Ang at the official opening of Loy Krathong festivities there.PHOTO BY PANUPONG CHANGCHAI

yinyang · Nov 27, 2015

And aftermath :p

Workers collect krathong from Wednesday night's festival near a pier at Kasetsart University, Bangkok. City cleaners gathered up 825,614 krathong from the waterways, down about 17% on last year.PHOTO BY PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL

Froggy · Nov 27, 2015

And here's a Thai chiobu

A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

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