Latest news with #Pornchai

Bangkok Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Authorities consider adjusting diesel ceiling price
Energy authorities are considering adjusting the ceiling price of diesel at the pump, which has remained unchanged for years despite changes in economic circumstances, says the Oil Fuel Fund Office (Offo). The government had regulated the price of diesel by setting a maximum rate of 30 baht a litre, but since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when global crude oil prices skyrocketed, it has only been able to fix the price at 32-33 baht a litre, as opposed to the market rate of around 36 baht a litre, as additional subsides would incur a huge debt. During the 12-day Israel-Iran war last month, crude prices surged again and the government was able to cap the price at 31.94 baht a litre, which is the current price of diesel sold domestically. This led to a need to update the ceiling price to better suit the economic situation and the status of the Oil Fuel Fund, which is used to regulate the domestic diesel price. "The ceiling price should be revised in line with the fuel price crisis management plan to be implemented between 2025 and 2029," said Pornchai Jirakulpisan, head of Offo's policy and strategy department. He did not elaborate on the new ceiling price, saying only that the new price level would be announced once the drafting of the fuel price crisis management plan is completed. "We don't want to put too much financial burden on the fund," said Mr Pornchai. "We should have enough money to regulate the fuel price if an oil crisis erupts." During the Israel-Iran war, authorities decided to collect a lower contribution from users of diesel, gasoline and gasohol to support the fund to relieve the impact of the increase in global oil prices. Since the war subsided, gasoline and gasohol consumers have been paying contributions at regular rates, ranging from 1.9-9.6 baht a litre. Authorities still allow users of diesel, a key fuel for the transport and manufacturing sectors, to pay a contribution at a reduced rate of 0.9 baht a litre. The only financial burden for the fund is money to subsidise the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) price at 2.03 baht per kilogramme to fix the domestic LPG price at 423 baht per 15-kilogramme cylinder, compared with the actual market price of 453 baht per cylinder. The ceiling retail price of LPG, which is used as cooking gas, may be also be changed in the same direction as the ceiling price of diesel, said Mr Pornchai.

Bangkok Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Goods from Vietnam replacing Thai products in Cambodia
TRAT - Cambodian retailers in Koh Kong, a province bordering eastern Thailand, are turning to imports from Vietnam to fill shelves left empty by the ban on border trade with Thailand. Pornchai Limploypitat, a Thai trader who supplies staples to the Cambodian province, said his customers in Koh Kong were now selling consumer goods from Vietnam because of the shortage of Thai goods including snacks, instant noodles and construction materials. Vietnamese products were not as popular as Thai imports, but goods from Thailand had disappeared from Koh Kong markets, Mr Pornchai said. He now works as chief receptionist at Koh Koh Resort. Thailand banned the export of goods to Cambodia when the dispute over four contested areas of the border flared afresh after a brief exchange of gunfire between soldiers at Chong Bok in Nam Yuen district in Ubon Ratchathani province in May. Thailand has also shortened opening hours at international crossings to 8am to 4pm, instead of 6am to 10pm, since June 24. Thai exports to Koh Kong are mostly shipped through the checkpoint at Hat Lek in Khlong Yai district of Trat. Two-way trade there in fiscal 2024 was almost 30 million baht, with 23 million baht in favour of Thailand, according to Khlong Yai Customs House. Top export items from Thailand were soft drinks, milk, supplements and sugar, while seafood led imports from Cambodia. Another supplier, Somchai Kimsoi, deputy chief of tambon Hat Lek, said he had recieved no orders for goods from Cambodian traders since the cross-border ban was enforced. The border spat also dampened tourism, with few visitors to the Thai border market. "Hat Lek market once had more than 100 shops, with Cambodians from Koh Kong selling goods to tourists from Thailand. Now, 90% of them are closed," he said. (continues below) Their concerns were in line with a report in the Khmer Times saying Vietnamese companies were taking the opportunity to expand their market share in Cambodia. "In the past two weeks, Vietnamese brands have substantially increased their market presence, from biscuits to milk and chocolates to noodles," the Cambodian media outlet said on Monday, quoting an unnamed manager of a leading retail outlet.

Bangkok Post
14-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Authorities mull adjusting diesel ceiling retail price
Energy authorities are considering adjusting the ceiling retail price of diesel which has remained unchanged for decades and has not aligned with the changes in economic circumstances, says the Oil Fuel Fund Office (Offo). The government had regulated the price of diesel by setting a maximum rate of 30 baht a litre, but since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when global crude oil prices skyrocketed, it has only been able to fix the price at 32-33 baht a litre, as opposed to the market rate of around 36 baht a litre, as additional subsides would incur a huge debt. During the 12-day Israel-Iran war last month, crude prices surged again and the government was able to cap the price at 31.94 baht a litre, which is the current price of diesel sold domestically. This led to a need to update the ceiling price to better suit the economic situation and the status of the Oil Fuel Fund, which is used to regulate the domestic diesel price. "The ceiling price should be revised in line with the fuel price crisis management plan to be implemented between 2025 and 2029," said Pornchai Jirakulpisan, head of Offo's policy and strategy department. He did not elaborate on the new ceiling price, saying only that the new price level would be announced once the drafting of the fuel price crisis management plan is completed. "We don't want to put too much financial burden on the fund," said Mr Pornchai. "We should have enough money to regulate the fuel price if an oil crisis erupts." During the Israel-Iran war, authorities decided to collect a lower contribution from users of diesel, gasoline and gasohol to support the fund to relieve the impact of the increase in global oil prices. Since the war subsided, gasoline and gasohol consumers have been paying contributions at regular rates, ranging from 1.9-9.6 baht a litre. Authorities still allow users of diesel, a key fuel for the transport and manufacturing sectors, to pay a contribution at a reduced rate of 0.9 baht a litre. The only financial burden for the fund is money to subsidise the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) price at 2.03 baht per kilogramme to fix the domestic LPG price at 423 baht per 15-kilogramme cylinder, compared with the actual market price of 453 baht per cylinder. The ceiling retail price of LPG, which is used as cooking gas, may be also be changed in the same direction as the ceiling price of diesel, said Mr Pornchai.

Bangkok Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thai Obayashi, Saha Group Launch Luxury Hotel Venture
Thai Obayashi, one of Thailand's leading construction companies, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saha Group to jointly develop a luxury hotel on a prime site in the Ratchadamri area. The collaboration follows the successful Kingsquare project on Rama III Road, where Thai Obayashi served as the main contractor under Saha Group's assignment. The strong relationship and mutual trust established through that project have now culminated in this new joint venture—their first partnership in real estate development. The two parties have also joined forces with Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, a core company of Japan's Seibu Group and a renowned global hotel operator. Mr Pornchai Sittiyakorn, President of Thai Obayashi Corporation Limited, stated that the project will feature 200 high-end guest rooms along with an array of facilities, including banquet halls, meeting rooms, fine-dining restaurants, and an international-standard spa. The hotel will form part of a larger mixed-use development, which will also offer office space and full-service retail areas. 'This partnership marks a major milestone, evolving from a traditional business relationship to a strategic alliance. We believe this hotel will play a significant role in boosting the economy and enhancing Thailand's global image,' Mr Pornchai said. Mr Vichai Kulsomphob, CEO and Executive Chairman of Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Company Limited, added that the hotel will be operated by Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, a well-regarded Japanese hotel brand known for world-class service. This aligns with the shared vision of Thai Obayashi and Saha Group to deliver an exceptional guest experience. Construction is expected to be completed, and the hotel opened, by 2029. 'This hotel reflects our aim to revitalise the historic Ratchadamri area. Through this collaboration with Thai Obayashi, we aspire to create a new landmark in the heart of Bangkok. Meanwhile, operation by Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide will ensure global standards and elevate service quality to support Thailand's tourism sector,' Mr Vichai said. Mr Toshihiro Matsuo, Senior Vice President and Executive Managing Officer of Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, commented: 'We are incredibly excited to partner with Thai Obayashi and Saha Group on this prestigious project in Bangkok, a city that perfectly aligns with our vision for global expansion.' 'This collaboration underscores our commitment to bringing Japanese-origin hospitality experiences to key international markets. We are confident that our distinctive approach—combined with the project's prime location and outstanding design—will deliver a truly memorable experience for both business and leisure travellers, setting a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Bangkok.' Envisioned as a 'Garden in the Sky,' the hotel will span floors 26 to 36 of the tower. Guests will enjoy panoramic views of the city from the main lobby on the 27th floor and unwind at the infinity pool. The property will also include a Japanese restaurant with private dining rooms, as well as a full suite of amenities including a lounge and bar, spa, fitness centre, club lounge, and flexible banquet and meeting spaces.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'No Ma'am, No Sir': The White Lotus' Natasha Rothwell Shares Her Reaction To Belinda Taking The Money And Rejecting Pornchai At The End Of Season 3 (And I Think She's Right On The Money)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. HBO is known or its wildly popular TV shows, and Mike White's The White Lotus is one recent example. The dark comedy, which is streaming with a Max subscription, recently ended its third season, with fans having a strong reaction to the finale. The Season 3 White Lotus cast brought back Natasha Rothwell, who got honest about Belinda's fate at the end of the story. While latecomers figure out how to watch The White Lotus Season 3, hardcore fans like myself are still dissecting and discussing the way it ended. In it we saw Belinda get her happy ending with Greg's money, with both she and her son Zion surviving the shooting in the Thailand resort. Some fans were bummed that she abandoned plans to work with Pornchai, but Rothwell spoke to People and stood up for her character. In the actress' words: People tell me to my face, they're just like, 'Oh, you should have taken Pornchai with you.' And I'm like, 'No ma'am, no sir. She does not owe a man anything. She has decentered men. She is centering herself.' Honestly, good for her. While Belinda might have enjoyed her tryst with Pornchai, it's probably for the best that she put herself first. That includes getting out of Thailand with Greg's money and finally starting her own business in the states. But that also meant that she had to reject Pornchai, both personally and professionally. Max: Plans start from $9.99 a monthThe White Lotus is available to stream with Max. Pay $9.99 a month for its With Ads plan, and with three tiers available following a Max subscription. You can also prepay for a year and save up to 20%.View Deal The Season 3 White Lotus finale saw Belinda in some ways mirror what Tanya did to her in Season 1. After getting Pornchai's hopes up that they might open a clinic together in Thailand, she ultimately went with a more enticing option. Namely $5 million dollars, which is a world-changing amount of hush money. Fans are wondering how Belinda might change with this money, and Natasha Rothwell addressed whether or not she might become a bad person. In her words: I don't think so. I think her heart is good, but I do think that she was flirting with being a baddie by taking this money... So I don't think she'll turn bad, but I do think there's maybe a consequence by all those decisions have, sort of that yin and yang. Consequences don't seem totally out of the question, as we already know that Greg is shady and capable of arranging Tanya's murder. I have to assume that he'd be able to track down Belinda in the states. What's more, she could still end up. being a witness for Italian police who are trying to figure out how Jennifer Coolidge's heiress died. While speaking with People, Rothwell mused about her character's future might hold: Who knows? I don't even know if she's coming back. But in my mind I'm like, yeah, that probably would be the thing. It seems unlikely that Belinda would logistically return to another White Lotus location in order to appear in a future season, so we might not ever see Rothwell back in the Emmy-winning series. All three season of The White Lotus are streaming now on Max. Hopefully information about the next chapter comes sooner rather than later.