• OPINION

  Chim Shop Chai: bane or boon?

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 14/10/2019

  » In an effort to boost consumption and tourism in the country, the government is pouring 316 billion baht into its Chim Shop Chai (Eat, Shop, Spend) scheme, through which 10 million Thai citizens are entitled to 1,000 baht and a 15% rebate.

• OPINION

  Weathering the Covid storm

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 02/03/2020

  » The novel coronavirus outbreak has become a hot topic at home and in the office, something we've talked about almost every day as the health authorities try to educate people how to protect themselves from infection. Specialists have suggested that people shouldn't panic, but I can't help feeling nervous.

• OPINION

  Phuket struggles amid a pandemic

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 30/11/2020

  » Arriving in Phuket, everything looked different. I felt the silence as crowds of foreign tourists have disappeared from Phuket International Airport. The atmosphere was lonelier than usual with only a small group of passengers gathering at the luggage belt. There were no long queues in front of the bathrooms or check-in counters.

• OPINION

  Old but not out

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 01/02/2021

  » Thailand started the Year of the Ox by becoming a fully fledged ageing society, with the number of aged people rising to 13.1 million or 20% of the total population, according to the National Economic and Social Development.

• OPINION

  Be socially responsible this Songkran holiday

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 12/04/2021

  » The other day, Facebook Memories showed me pictures of a lonely supermarket in Siam Paragon I had posted while buying household products during lockdown last year. It seemed like a digital diary to remind me how I had celebrated the Songkran festival and this year, my holiday plan has once again been blown to pieces due to a third Covid-19 wave that has hit Thailand.

• OPINION

  Survival instinct is in full swing nowadays

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 11/10/2021

  » For several months, we have faced restrictions to contain Covid-19, which has led to social media becoming an important tool to reduce stress and stay in touch with friends.

• OPINION

  School of life reigns supreme

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 06/06/2022

  » Some 12th-grade students may have been up several nights awaiting the announcement of the Thai University Central Admission System late last month. My ex-colleague's daughter was one of those who were eventually admitted to Srinakharinwirot University. Others who were rejected still had a chance to win in the university's direct admission process, which will be announced later this month.

• OPINION

  Focus on low-carbon tourism

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 19/09/2022

  » This month, Thailand launched long-term resident visas, allowing affluent and high-income foreigners to stay in the country for up to 10 years to boost the economy and tourism. Approximately 400 people filed for the visa in the first 12 days, indicating considerable demand.

• OPINION

  Thailand tourism needs a trust boost

  Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 06/02/2023

  » The beginning of the Year of the Rabbit is a candle of hope for the tourist sector's revival. Thailand, however, does not appear to be off to a good start. The disgraceful saga of Thai police started at the end of last month when a Chinese tourist shared a video clip of four police officers offering her an unauthorised VVIP service on social media. She claimed to have been given the option of a speedy immigration check at the airport and a police escort to her hotel in Pattaya.

• OPINION

  Inspirations for travel

  Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 21/08/2023

  » When I visited Ayutthaya Historical Park last week, I noticed some tourists posing for photos among the ruined temples while wearing classic period attire. My companions and I started to perspire under the brilliant blue sky and soaring temperatures, but they carried on happily exploring various places to take in the nostalgic atmosphere. I could not help but admire how eager they were to enjoy their vacation.

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