Latest news with #JirayuHoungsub
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Visa help for labour 'in limbo'
The cabinet on Tuesday approved a six-month extension for Cambodian migrant workers employed in border provinces. The move comes in response to recent changes in border checkpoint operating hours across seven provinces, which have hindered the movement of workers in the area. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said that due to ongoing unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border and the implementation of stricter border control measures, a significant number of Cambodian workers have been unable to re-enter Thailand. These workers, who are employed in provinces along the border under the provisions of Section 64 of the executive decree on the management of foreign workers, typically use border passes for entry and exit. As a result of the new travel restrictions, many of these workers -- whose permitted periods of stay have expired -- are unable to leave Thailand to renew their legal status. Consequently, they have overstayed and are now considered to be residing in the country unlawfully. As of June, a total of 47,348 Cambodian migrant workers fell into this category, with many facing the expiration of their work permits. These permits are expected to gradually expire through to the end of September, Mr Jirayu said. He said the cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal from the Labour Ministry to grant a special exemption allowing the targeted group of foreign nationals to remain in the kingdom for employment in border areas for a period of six months. This grace period is effective from June 7, the date on which the Interior Ministry's border control measures came into force. The decision was made in light of the fact that this date marked the commencement of tighter border restrictions. The exemption will remain in effect either for the full six-month period or until normal border crossings at permanent checkpoints between the two countries have resumed for at least a month continuously. Furthermore, the cabinet approved a waiver of overstay fines for affected migrant workers whose period of stay in the kingdom has already exceeded the legal limit due to circumstances beyond their control. The Royal Thai Army on Tuesday held a briefing for defence attachés from 47 embassies to clarify the current situation following an incident in which three Thai soldiers from the 6th Infantry Regiment were injured by a landmine. Thai authorities later claimed that the explosion caused by an anti-personnel mine recently planted in Thai territory constitutes a breach of the Ottawa Convention, which both Thailand and Cambodia have ratified. Meanwhile, the Second Army Region has issued a stern warning that the Prasat Ta Muean Thom temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district could be closed for seven days if Cambodia fails to prevent further disruptive actions. Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang said that while Thailand remains committed to peaceful solutions, it will not tolerate provocation of any kind. The warning follows reports that 23 Cambodian tour buses had arrived at the disputed site, raising fears of unrest.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai Cabinet allows overstayed Cambodian workers to remain for six more months
BANGKOK: The Cabinet on Tuesday (July 22) approved a decision to allow around 47,000 Cambodian workers in seven border provinces, who have overstayed their permits due to the Thai-Cambodian border tensions, to continue working in Thailand for an additional six months. Extension for Cambodian workers in border provinces Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub announced that the Cabinet had approved the Labour Ministry's proposal to extend the stay of Cambodian workers with border passes in the seven border provinces by six months, retroactively starting from June 7. The Labour Ministry explained to the Cabinet that reduced operating hours at Thai-Cambodian border crossings, following the border skirmish near Chong Bok, affected 47,348 Cambodian workers as of the end of June. These workers, who entered Thailand on border passes, have overstayed their permitted duration. Impact of border skirmish on Cambodian workers The Labour Ministry further informed the Cabinet that some of these workers would see their work permits expire by the end of September. As a result, the Cabinet agreed to extend their stay under an executive decree on foreign worker management. The six-month extension period will be counted from June 7, marking the start of the Thai army's enforcement of stricter border crossing measures that limited operational hours at the border crossings, causing inconvenience for Cambodian workers seeking to return home and extend their stay. Exemption from overstay fines The Cabinet also decided to waive fines for Cambodian workers who have overstayed their permitted stay during the six-month period starting from June 7. Application for work permits and health insurance Cambodian workers can apply for a work permit either in person at employment offices or through the Labour Ministry's online service. The application fee is 100 baht, with an additional 225 baht fee for the work permit. The Cabinet also mandated that Cambodian workers who are not part of the social security scheme must apply for health insurance with the Public Health Ministry before their work permit can be approved or extended. Health insurance will be granted in three-month periods. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Cabinet approves B20 Bangkok train fare cap
The cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to cap all train fares in Greater Bangkok at 20 baht from Oct 1 to help commuters reduce travel costs and entice drivers to switch to mass transit. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said attracting more car users to travel by train would also reduce pollution in the capital and its surrounding provinces. The cheap train ride scheme will cover all 13 mass transit lines, including the Airport Rail Link, covering a network of 280 kilometres and 194 stations across Greater Bangkok. The policy is exclusively for Thai nationals, who can register using the government's Tang Rat app starting in August. Foreigners will still have to pay posted fares in excess of 20 baht where applicable. Commuters who register must link either their Rabbit prepaid card or EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) contactless credit card to the app, depending on the routes they use. The Rabbit card will be valid for the Green, Gold, Yellow and Pink lines, while EMV contactless cards can be used for the Red, Blue, Purple, Pink and Yellow lines and the Airport Rail Link. In the future, officials say, the system will also allow commuters to use QR codes from their bank apps, providing more convenience and flexibility. Mr Jirayu said the new fare system could save the country 10 billion baht a year in terms of fuel expenses and costs of damage from road accidents and combatting pollution. Benefits of the project will be assessed one year after the launch, he added. The 20-baht flat fare currently applies to the Red and Purple electric train lines. Fares on other mass-transit systems vary by distance, ranging from 17 to 43 baht on MRT routes and 15 to 62 baht on the BTS Skytrain system. Most mass transit lines are operated under concessions granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA). Some routes such as the Purple Line are directly controlled by the MRTA and the agency has commissioned SET-listed Bangkok Expressway and Metro Co to run them. To compensate operators for their losses, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has said the government will set up a joint ticketing fund, with an estimated 8 billion baht from the MRTA's profits and state coffers.
Bangkok Post
06-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Event to highlight Thai 'soft power'
The government is inviting the public to attend "Splash -- Soft Power Forum 2025", touted as Southeast Asia's largest soft power showcase, from Tuesday to Friday at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said on Sunday the event, held under the theme "Thailand's Opportunities in the Creative Cultural Industry", is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Cultural Promotion and the National Soft Power Strategy Committee with support from the private sector, local communities and international networks. It also brings together two former prime ministers, along with the incumbent, to address participants. The event aims to advance Thailand's soft power and elevate its presence on the global stage. It will highlight 14 creative industries, from food and fashion to film and tourism, as tools for sustainable economic growth. A key feature of the event is the Visionary Stage, where top thinkers, creators and leaders from Thailand and abroad will share insights and experiences. Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in her capacity as culture minister, will on Tuesday open the event with a speech on "Thailand Rising: Tourism, Education and the New Soft Power Frontier". On Wednesday, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will speak on "Crafting the Future: From Otop to ThaiWorks and Beyond". Meanwhile, former prime minister Srettha Thavisin will join a discussion with Thai boxer Buakaw Banchamek and taekwondo champion Panipak Wongpattanakit on "Rethinking Thai Sports in a Disruptive Era" on Thursday. The forum will also feature interactive exhibitions, business networking opportunities, expert-led workshops and immersive tech-driven experiences. Admission is free with advance registration at "This is a rare opportunity to learn from national leaders and leading experts while gaining inspiration to turn cultural value into economic power," the government spokesman said.
Al Jazeera
26-06-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Thailand moves to re-criminalise cannabis in blow to $1bn industry
The Thai government is moving to tighten rules around the sale of cannabis, just three years after the kingdom decriminalised recreational use of the popular substance. Thailand's Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday night ordered that cannabis use be restricted to medical use only, throwing the estimated $1bn industry into a state of uncertainty. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said cannabis had created serious social problems for young people, and the industry, which has boomed in recent years, needed to be scaled back. 'The policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only,' Jirayu said in a statement. The order, however, is not law yet. It will need to be published in the official Royal Gazette to come into force, and the government has not indicated when that will happen. Thailand became the first country in Asia to fully decriminalise cannabis in 2022, in a move that has been wildly popular with tourists but less so among more conservative Thais. Thousands of cannabis stores have opened across Thailand in the past three years, although it has remained relatively unregulated despite multiple attempts by the government. The latest move to restrict cannabis use comes amid wider political turmoil in Thailand. Last week the Bhumjaithai Party, previously a champion of decriminalising cannabis, withdrew from the government's ruling coalition due to its mishandling of a border conflict with Cambodia. The Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated that the cannabis trade could be worth $1.2bn by 2025, although experts say it has not reached its full potential due to the uncertainty that has plagued regulation around the industry since it was decriminalised.
