Showing 1 - 10 of 27
The price of PromptPay
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 08/01/2017
» Manaschuen Kovapirat considers herself the average user when it comes to online banking transactions: on a monthly basis, she uses her bank's mobile application to transfer money to her mother and to donate money. She does online shopping and prefers to transfer money online for transactions less than 100,000 baht. On some occasions, when she's out with her friends and doesn't have enough cash, she pays them back via online banking.
Forest clampdown hurts poor
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 11/09/2016
» For the past 39 years, Anutas Pleeta's family have made a living out of growing para rubber on their four-rai plantation in the southern province of Phangnga. By this time of the year, the trees would have been ready for tapping and Mr Anutas would have had more money to support his family of five, who currently live off an average income of 45,000 baht per year -- less than half the daily minimum wage -- from rubber grown on another six rai of land.
Making megabucks from trips to Mecca
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 15/05/2016
» Like all Muslims, Lukman Baik has been looking forward to the once-in-a-lifetime hajj pilgrimage. Despite being a mandatory religious duty provided one is physically and financially capable, Mr Lukman has been trying hard to save money for the trip. For the 35-year-old rubber farmer, doing so has been difficult, especially at a time when Thailand is struggling with falling rubber prices.
Waves of fear over phone tower claims
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 27/03/2016
» ‘Radio waves from cell phone towers are not as harmful as you think” has become the official government tagline. It’s heard on radio spots, published in leaflets and banners on song thaew vehicles, as well as printed on billboards in front of schools and government buildings.
Beyond the call of duty free
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 14/02/2016
» Giant billboards advertising Lotte Duty Free surround the 150,000 square metre shopping and entertainment complex on Rama IX Road, opposite the Grand Tulip Hotel. The tourist-oriented complex is due to open in June, but behind the glass shopfronts where the duty-free stores are supposed to be, the interior is empty.
Bangkok’s baffling booze ban
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 02/08/2015
» By 7pm, the six employees of the Hunsa bar had gathered around the white wooden table to eat their home-made kanom jeen, a dish consisting of rice vermicelli served with curry.
The need for compassion when lives are on the line
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 01/02/2015
» ‘Hello, I need someone to talk to. Who wants to talk to me?” asked Sai. “I have a secret that I can’t tell, not even to my family members.”
Foreign firms fear tighter restrictions
News, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 02/11/2014
» Foreign business chambers and embassies have expressed concern about a government proposal to restrict foreign control over joint-venture companies in Thailand.
Rise of the rural middle class
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 10/08/2014
» Outside the Central department store in Ubon Ratchathani, a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class with yellow Lao licence plates drove from the car park. It was a Wednesday, but at weekends, a security guard told me, some 20% of the vehicles parked here are from Laos, many of which are European cars travelling to the northeastern province through Pakse or Mukdahan.
Exports at risk 'by bad planning'
Business, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 21/03/2014
» Exports this year could dip by almost 14% if the political unrest continues until the second quarter, as 40% of companies do not have risk management plans in place for protests, a recent survey found.