wowpow
April 8th, 2006, 08:50
The Nation
"Thais head overseas for Songkran. Although most Thais will stay in Thailand during the Songkran new year period, the number of people who plan to go abroad during next week's holiday had increased from last year, according to a poll conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Yachai Choowicha, UTTC survey committee chairman regarding business said that of more than 1,200 respondents to the poll, 32 per cent said their activities during the Songkran festival centred on paying respect to the elderly in their families by doing the traditional pouring of lustral water over their hands, while 27 percent said they would have special meals at home. Slightly over one in four -- 27 per cent -- of those surveyed said they would make merit and only 11 per cent said they would travel. The poll was conducted before caretaked Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced that he would step down, so two-thirds of the respondents--67percent didn't plan to travel during the long period holiday and only 33 per cent did.
The respondents were reported inconsistent in their answers: nearly three-fourths--73 per cent--said they planned to tour in Thailand, especially in the eastern region, while almost 33 percent decided to go overseas on holiday at an estimated expense of Bt58,000 (US$ 1450) per head. Asked about their concern regarding the Songkran festival, 59 per cent worried about their safety during the journey while 52 per cent worried that burglars might break into their homes when they were away.
Half -- slightly over 50 per cent--worried about increased prices of goods, while hot weather is a concern of 36 per cent. Asked about Thailand's current situation, the high price of oil concerns two out of three persons (67 per cent), followed by corruption ( 64 per cent), a sluggish stock market (55 per cent), politics (54 per cent), and the southern violence (41 per cent). Thanawat Polvichai, head of the Economic and Business Forecast Centre at UTCC, said this year the number of Thais travelling abroad is increasing, with most going to Hong Kong (to visit Disneyland), China, and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, he said, Thais who opted to travel at home are expected to spend about Bt90 billion (US$2.25 billion), an increase of Bt10 billion from last year, due to higher prices of goods, service and gasoline. He predicted that consumers will spend more money on goods and services after following the decision of the premier to step down to ease poiitical tensions.
The poll respondents suggested that they wanted the new government to boost confidence of foreign investors and also solve the problems of the high prices of goods, drugs, education, pornography, and poverty. - (TNA)"
"the problems of the high prices of goods, drugs, education, pornography, and poverty. - (TNA)" ?????!
Thaksin to fly to England on Saturday. Outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra would accompany his daughter, Pintongta Shinawatra, back to London on Saturday, a Thai Rak Thai Party source said. The source said Thaksin would stay in London until after the Songkran holidays before returning to Thailand. Pinthongta would go back to study for a master degree. The source said Thaksin would fly to Chiang Mai on Saturday and return to Bangkok on Saturday to play golf with some of his Cabinet members. He would leave for London with Pinthongta Saturday night.
"Thais head overseas for Songkran. Although most Thais will stay in Thailand during the Songkran new year period, the number of people who plan to go abroad during next week's holiday had increased from last year, according to a poll conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Yachai Choowicha, UTTC survey committee chairman regarding business said that of more than 1,200 respondents to the poll, 32 per cent said their activities during the Songkran festival centred on paying respect to the elderly in their families by doing the traditional pouring of lustral water over their hands, while 27 percent said they would have special meals at home. Slightly over one in four -- 27 per cent -- of those surveyed said they would make merit and only 11 per cent said they would travel. The poll was conducted before caretaked Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced that he would step down, so two-thirds of the respondents--67percent didn't plan to travel during the long period holiday and only 33 per cent did.
The respondents were reported inconsistent in their answers: nearly three-fourths--73 per cent--said they planned to tour in Thailand, especially in the eastern region, while almost 33 percent decided to go overseas on holiday at an estimated expense of Bt58,000 (US$ 1450) per head. Asked about their concern regarding the Songkran festival, 59 per cent worried about their safety during the journey while 52 per cent worried that burglars might break into their homes when they were away.
Half -- slightly over 50 per cent--worried about increased prices of goods, while hot weather is a concern of 36 per cent. Asked about Thailand's current situation, the high price of oil concerns two out of three persons (67 per cent), followed by corruption ( 64 per cent), a sluggish stock market (55 per cent), politics (54 per cent), and the southern violence (41 per cent). Thanawat Polvichai, head of the Economic and Business Forecast Centre at UTCC, said this year the number of Thais travelling abroad is increasing, with most going to Hong Kong (to visit Disneyland), China, and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, he said, Thais who opted to travel at home are expected to spend about Bt90 billion (US$2.25 billion), an increase of Bt10 billion from last year, due to higher prices of goods, service and gasoline. He predicted that consumers will spend more money on goods and services after following the decision of the premier to step down to ease poiitical tensions.
The poll respondents suggested that they wanted the new government to boost confidence of foreign investors and also solve the problems of the high prices of goods, drugs, education, pornography, and poverty. - (TNA)"
"the problems of the high prices of goods, drugs, education, pornography, and poverty. - (TNA)" ?????!
Thaksin to fly to England on Saturday. Outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra would accompany his daughter, Pintongta Shinawatra, back to London on Saturday, a Thai Rak Thai Party source said. The source said Thaksin would stay in London until after the Songkran holidays before returning to Thailand. Pinthongta would go back to study for a master degree. The source said Thaksin would fly to Chiang Mai on Saturday and return to Bangkok on Saturday to play golf with some of his Cabinet members. He would leave for London with Pinthongta Saturday night.