Latest news with #Atta
Bangkok Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Impact of tariff hikes on tourism likely to unfold next year
Tourism operators view the US's tariff policy as indirectly hampering Thai tourism in the form of reduced spending, but this impact is not expected to unfold until next year, as many tourists have already booked trips for the upcoming high season. They have also suggested the Thai government use this opportunity to upgrade the country's tourism infrastructure, develop new attractions to remain competitive with Vietnam, and accelerate the 350-million-baht chartered flight incentive to prevent a freefall in arrivals. Rangsiman Kingkaew, president of the Tourism Council of Phuket, said the economies of major inbound markets to Thailand, such as South Korea and Japan, had been stunned by the US's latest tariff rates, although there's still room for negotiation until the end of this month. Trade tensions between the US and China also persist, which could result in higher living expenses and increased prices of goods for US residents, leading to a reduction in spending and a slowdown in travel, said Mr Rangsiman. He said domestic tourism, a key driver during the low season, is also being hampered by the 36% tariff rate imposed on Thailand, as the policy would hinder the export sector and overall GDP growth. "These developments will undeniably impact the global tourism industry," said Mr Rangsiman. "However, the major tourism slowdown might occur next year, as many tourists, especially long-haul travellers, have already booked their trips to Thailand and Phuket for the high season." He said that during this period of uncertainty, the government should take the opportunity to address weaknesses in the tourism sector. These include addressing the country's image in relation to safety and incomplete infrastructure projects. Mr Rangsiman said Thailand's rivals, such as Vietnam, have been heavily investing in new attractions and infrastructure, but Thailand's tourism development has been inconsistent and continues to rely primarily on its existing charms. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), said slow forward bookings, particularly from short-haul and Chinese markets, during the second half of this year could be further affected by the severe US tariffs imposed on multiple countries. The short-haul market is a vital source for Thai tourism, typically accounting for over 70% of inbound visitors. Mr Thanapol said it was very disappointing that the subsidy for the chartered flight programme under the 750-million-baht "Summer Blast China & Overseas Market" had not yet been officially launched. He said many Chinese travel agents had asked Atta about this project as they are reluctant to launch tour packages to Thailand at present. "Other countries have been consistently promoting inbound tourism, notably China, which has extended visa-free entry to more nations and continues to offer promotional travel packages," he said.
Bangkok Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Malaysia now No.1 source of tourists in Thailand
Malaysia has surpassed China as the largest inbound tourism market for Thailand in the first half of this year, as the latter plunged by 34.1%, while tourism operators say they have little hope that Asian markets will rise in the low season. In the first six months, Thailand welcomed 16.6 million foreign arrivals, dipping 4.6% year-on-year, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Only four source markets tallied more than 1 million tourists for the period: Malaysia, China, India and Russia. Malaysia posted 2.29 million arrivals and China 2.26 million, registering declines of 5.59% and 34.1% respectively, followed by the Indian market at 1.18 million arrivals, up 13.8%, and Russia at 1.03 million, a gain of 12.3%. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Association of Chonburi Tourism Federation, said the outlook in the third quarter would remain unchanged as the Chinese market might not significantly improve. As the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) prepares to organise a roadshow to three Chinese cities this month — Chongqing, Lanzhou and Hangzhou — Mr Thanet said it would only stimulate the market for the short term via chartered flights, which are eligible for subsidies from the government's stimulus campaign. In the long run, he said Thailand still faces challenges based on its declining reputation among Chinese travellers, especially the perception that it no longer offers good value for money. 'There are growing complaints about expensive and unpleasant food in the Banthat Thong area and unhygienic street food in Yaowarat," said Mr Thanet. "More price-conscious travellers have shifted to Vietnam, which is more competitive in terms of price.' With European arrivals to Thailand surging by 16.6% to 4.3 million in the first half of the year, tourism operators in Pattaya are more optimistic about the upcoming high season, which is typically the peak period for long-haul markets. He said the Asia-Pacific market would continue to struggle, after declining by 12% to 11.2 million visitors in the first six months, with no positive factors yet to drive a recovery. According to Atta, its three-city roadshow this month is expected to connect 60 Thai tourism operators with 1,000 Chinese tour agents. The association plans to support the Tourism Authority of Thailand with promotion of its chartered flight subsidy scheme, which offers up to 350,000 baht per flight for operators that achieve a load factor of more than 80%.
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: A boy's magical friendship adventure
THE title of this movie sounds remarkably close to one from Disney about a flying elephant, but its only animals are three adorable goats belonging to the hero's best friend. Welcome to 'Jumbo', Indonesia's most talked-about movie this year, and the region's best-selling animated movie to date. The title character's name isn't Jumbo, but Don (voiced by Prince Poetiray), and Jumbo is a nickname given to him by Atta (Muhammad Adhiyat), his biggest tormentor in school and the neighbourhood. Don is a chubby and awkward 10-year-old boy who loves fairy tales and one day meets a real fairy. This fantasy directed by Ryan Adriandhy in his directorial debut comes to Malaysian cinemas three months after its Indonesian debut on March 31, and features popular singers Bunga Citra Lestari and Ariel Irham of Noah as the protagonist's late parents. Don, who is often belittled by his schoolmates because of his large size and clumsiness, inherits a book from his parents, filled with illustrations and magical stories. Entirely crafted by Don's parents who perished in an accident when he was 4, the book serves as an escape for Don in a world that feels unwelcoming due to the insults by his neighbours and schoolmates. One day, Don decides to prove himself participating in a community talent show — he plans to perform a play inspired by the stories in the book. Atta steals the book, but fortunately, Don has the support of his wise grandmother (who looks after him) and his best friends — goofy Nurman (Yusuf Ozkan) who lives with his goat-breeding grandfather, and Mae (Graciella Abigail) who is level-headed and street-smart. Don soon meets Meri (Quinn Salman) a sweet fairy who asks for his help to find her parents. They strike a deal — Meri decides to help Don improve his presentation and recover his book, while Don has to help Meri find her parents and defeat their captor. Thus begins an adventure full of wonders, transforming Don's view of himself and teaching him the meaning of friendship, courage and self-confidence. In terms of animation, 'Jumbo' is as good as Malaysia's 'Upin & Ipin', 'Boboiboy', 'Mechamato' and 'Ejen Ali', and here's hoping that the republic's animation industry continues to grow stronger. Each character has superb and realistic facial expressions, movements and gestures, and the director based them on real life activities performed by the cast members. And the movie's settings look very much like Jakarta's suburbia, only neater and more colourful. Don may look adorable but honestly, he is rather annoying — he is selfish until he gets to know Atta after meeting his crippled elder brother Acil (Angga Yunanda), a hard-working electronic goods repair man. The real heroes are his best friends, his grandmother (Ratna Riantiarno) and Meri, who teaches him to be brave, caring and sharing. Getting to know Atta awakens him to his own flaws and the mutual reconciliation that follows finally makes him a hero. The villain, Pak Rusli (Kiki Narendra), is two-dimensional as his motive for villainy is childish. His late wife's grave was destroyed by a developer, and that turned him into a malevolent ghostbuster who destroys graves and captures ghosts including Meri's parents. Flaws aside, 'Jumbo' is a timeless and heartwarming story for the whole family, which contains magic for the young and human values for the adults. Viewers will realise that there is a bit of Don and Meri in everyone — he is the everyman who needs to break out of his comfort zone, and she is our higher self that loves, gives and grows. 'Jumbo' is a wholesome animated story that places strong emphasis on family, friendship and being independent, brave and selfless. Malaysians ought not to miss it, and it is best that they bring their families along to the cinemas. NOW SHOWING JUMBO DIRECTED BY Ryan Adriandhy FEATURING THE VOICES OF Prince Poetiray, Quinn Salman, Yusuf Ozkan, Graciella Abigail, Muhammad Adhiyat, Ratna Riantiarno, Angga Yunada, Bunga Citra Lestari, Ariel Irham, Cinta Laura Kiehl, Ariyo Wahab, Kiki Narendra, Aci Resti and Rachel Amanda CLASSIFICATION U
Daily Record
28-06-2025
- Daily Record
Shop staff share terror as meat cleaver thug launched attack before £2k till raid
Police have launched a probe after £2,000 was stolen from the Premier Bathville store in Armadale, West Lothian, at around 8.15pm on Thursday. A terrified shopkeeper was left in tears after a meat cleaver thug burst into a corner shop with a huge blade and demanded money from the till. Police have launched a probe after £2,000 was stolen from the Premier Bathville store in Armadale, West Lothian, at around 8.15pm on Thursday. Shop owner Abdul Manan, 27, has told how the balaclava-clad brute was seen in CCTV waiting at a bus stop outside the shop for half an hour as he carefully planned out the sinister attack. He then barged into the store, holding the meat cleaver above his head, as he pushed a member of staff with force and said "open your till now, empty it". Speaking to the Record, Abdul said: "It was my staff member Atta that was on when it happened. "He was terrified. He phoned me straight away and just started crying apologising to me, saying he should have stopped him. "I told him, don't worry. He did the right thing. All I wanted to know was that he was okay. "We don't want somebody getting hurt just for some money. That's not going to happen. He is still very shaken up, though." In CCTV footage captured in the shop, the thug can be seen with his face covered by a black balaclava and wearing a grey and black tracksuit top, with grey joggers and grey Adidas trainers. He is shown entering the store with the large meat cleaver and pushing Atta - who was tidying up newspapers at the time - against a shelf of vapes. The thug then threatens the terrified worker, directing the meat cleaver towards him and forcing him to open the till. Brave Atta can be seen calmly standing at the side of the robber before he makes off with nearly £2,000 in cash. Abdul said: " The police came out within five minutes and forensic officers were here until 2am checking for fingerprints and DNA. "It's quite disgusting. It was a very big meat cleaver he had. I've seen kitchen knives before but never this. "We are working hard and times are tough as it is - but for things like this to happen, it's devastating." Abdul says the shop will be hit hard by the robbery and the till will now be emptied every half an hour. He added: "I don't think there is any chance we will get this money back. Even if they catch the guy, I don't think we will get it back. "It will affect us. We were running short as it was but we will just need to work it out. "These guys just think they can get away with it - that's why they keep doing it. "I just hope the police catch him now so he can't target anyone else." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Police received a report of a robbery at a premises on Lower Bathville in Armadale around 8.20pm on Thursday, June 26, 2025. 'A man threatened staff with a weapon before stealing approximately £2,000 in cash and running off. No-one was injured. 'Officers attended and enquiries are ongoing to trace the man.'
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Terrifying moment balaclava-clad robber threatens shop worker with meat cleaver before stealing £2,000 - as police launch manhunt
A baclava-clad robber waved a meat cleaver in the face of a shop worker before stealing £2000 as he instructed him to 'empty the till now'. CCTV shows the thug storm into the Armadale Premier in Bathgate, West Lothian, at around 8.15pm yesterday evening. Wearing a grey tracksuit and grey Adidas trainers, he can be seen shoving the shop owner into a corner before helping himself to the cash. Shop bosses took to social media to share the video and are now appealing for any information about the culprit. They wrote on Facebook: 'There was a robbery at the shop at 8:15pm, if anyone know anything about this guy please let us know.' Store owner Abdul Manan added there had been 'minor incidents in the past but nothing like this' and said the store assistant was 'shaken but is doing ok'. Mr Manan, who was not in the store at the time, said he was first alerted to the incident after the store clerk, Atta, contacted him immediately when it happened. He told the Edinburgh Evening News Atta had informed him there'd been a robbery at the shop. Mr Manan explained: He said he was [ok] so I said just hang up and call the police and I'm on my way. 'He's been working in the shop for quite a while and that's the first time this has ever happened.' The store owner went on to say he believed the robber was seen at around 7.45pm standing at the bus stop next to the shop for half an hour, keeping an eye on the store. He said Atta had been getting ready to close the shop for 9pm, clean it, and mop everything before the incident took place. Mr Manan added: 'The police were here until around 2am on Friday and forensics have been out. Because I shared the CCTV video on social media lots of people have come back to me as well with information and I have given that to the police.' One well-wisher wrote: 'Poor guy, just doing his job' while another said: 'This is absolutely disgusting, I hope you're ok, that must've been terrifying.' A third customer added: 'This is out off order they are trying to make a honest living to help the community they are so nice and helpful.' A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Police received a report of a robbery at a premises on Lower Bathville in Armadale around 8.20pm on Thursday, 26 June, 2025. 'A man threatened staff with a weapon before stealing approximately £2,000 in cash and running off. No-one was injured. 'Officers attended and enquiries are ongoing to trace the man.'
