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SINGAPORE - Parliament on Monday (March 8) approved the Government's $107 billion spending plans for the coming financial year, following nine days of debate on the national Budget where hot-button issues featured prominently on the agenda. These included sustainability, industry transformation, job security and mental health. Capping the debate, Leader of the House Indranee Rajah reminded MPs that Singapore may face difficult choices ahead as its spending needs grow despite a tight fiscal situation. While the House was agreed on Singapore's fiscal approach for this year's Budget, she said, it will likely have to debate the impending goods and services (GST) tax hike again - given what opposition MPs have said on the topic. "I wish only to leave Members with this thought: If we want to do more for our people, we will have to spend more," added Ms Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development. "In a tight fiscal situation, this Parliament will ... » Learn More about Parliament has to choose between what’s popular and what’s right as spending needs grow: Indranee

National – The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has published permission for international aircraft with passengers to transfer or change aircraft in the country, effective March 1st. The latest announcement is in accordance with the resolution of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on February 22nd as one of the financial solutions to help airline business globally, according to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. By virtue of Section 27 and Section 28 of the Act. Air Navigation 1954, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, therefore, issued the announcement to allow aircraft operating on an international flight in which passengers transfer or transit (Transit/Transfer Flight).” under the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announcement (No. 4) previously announced on the 27th of October 2020. The notification, the Pattaya News noted, will allow transit passengers to make a transfer flight in Thailand and to wait in the provided ... » Learn More about Thailand opens for international aircraft for transit in major international airports, effective next month

People take pictures of cannabis plants at the "360 Cannabis & Hemp for the People" expo in Buri Ram province on Friday. (Reuters photos) BURI RAM: People flocked to a cannabis exhibition as interest and demand in the plant surges after the government unlocked hemp use in food and cosmetics in the latest move to promote a new cash crop. The government held a convention in Buri Ram province in northeastern Thailand over the weekend to educate the public on cannabis use and promote businesses. People were able to taste hemp-based noodles, ice-cream and drinks. Hemp plants are a variety of cannabis that have higher concentrations of CBD, the non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and lower levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). "Ganja [marijuana] is the rising star to bring our good quality of lives and money back in our purses as good [economy] as before and even better," said Withid Sarideechaikoo, director of Buri Ram public health and organiser of the Cannabis 360° ... » Learn More about Thailand in a green rush

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai looks at samurai armour at a museum in the Japanese settlement in Ayutthaya. Deer skin was among export goods used as a cushion in samurai armour. Westerners were prominent in Ayutthaya, the former capital of the kingdom of Siam, in centuries past. They left historical records, architecture, language and cultural links of their contact with Iudea, as it was known at the time. Today they help us understand the area's history and Thailand's policies on international relations. "Ayutthaya is a multicultural society but there were clear conditions in the use of land. Churches could be set up but permission was needed, trading was allowed but had to be done via a system under the Treasury Department," said Assoc Prof Predee Phisphumvidhi, deputy dean of Mahidol University's Faculty of Liberal Arts. Foreign community settlement and access by foreign ships was limited to the south of the Ayutthaya city island with Pom Phet ... » Learn More about Westerners leave mark on Ayutthaya

Re-open for business, sort of. Chon Buri province’s PR department has released its latest list of orders which will come into force on Monday. It follows the CCSA changing the Chon Buri provinces Red Zone classification into an Orange Zone. More about the latest provincial zones and restrictions HERE . The hard-hit bar and entertainment scene in Pattaya will be breathing a sigh of relief following the latest easing of restrictions. The Pattaya News has translated the list from the original Thai text in the Provincial PR media release. 1. Koh Si Chang will re-open for visitors after being closed during the current restrictions. 2. Entertainment venues (bars, clubs, pubs, gentlemen clubs, karaoke, etc.) may open until 11pm. Proper social distancing measures must remain including Thai Chana check-in app, temperature checks, hand sanitising, and mask-wearing. Live music is ok. Dancing remains banned. 3. Restaurants may serve dine-in customers from 6-11pm. Alcohol can be sold ... » Learn More about Re-openings and easing of restrictions in Chon Buri, effective Monday, February 1

Image: Instagram/@themarcjacobs via ETX Studio They are becoming ever more frequent in our feeds. Sometimes they are taken right during the crucial moment itself. Sometimes they’re taken afterwards, showing a vaccination card (though that’s ill-advised) or an arm with a bandage as proof and badge of honor. The vaccination selfie has already been a thing for a few months now, but as vaccination roll-out programs get more inclusive and comprehensive, you’re bound to be seeing more and more in your social channels. And like most any social media phenomenon, there are feel-good vibes, FOMO, backlash and socioeconomic complexities all mixed in. This week, two big names added their vaccination selfies to the mass. Both Marc Jacobs and Dolly Parton posted images of themselves getting the jab; both were carefully attired for the occasion and both were flaunting their shoulders. And since it is an event, and also, for many, one of the few big outings they have had in the past year, ... » Learn More about Vacation selfies have been supplanted by vaccination selfies

Private educational institutions have been allowed to reopen from Dec 29 while the 2020-2021 academic year for public schools will resume on Jan 11, according to a notice from the Education, Youth and Sport Ministry. All schools are required to continue implementing safety measures. In a statement, minister Hang Chuon Naron said the decision applied to all private schools which had previously been permitted to open during the first and second phases of reopening earlier this year. “Private educational establishments that received permission from the ministry must continue to carry out the standard procedures for reopening in the context of Covid-19. “Students must be socially and physically distanced. When necessary, they must wear face masks on the campuses, ” he said. Public schools will follow the same guidelines when reopening. Students could be required to wear masks in the event of a new outbreak. In his Dec 29 address to the nation announcing the official conclusion ... » Learn More about Private educational institutions reopen

A cosmetic surgeon is sentenced to 5 years in prison for the death of a woman who had a severe allergic reaction to the anaesthetic during a facelift procedure. The Thai Criminal Court sentenced the 51 year old Thanapol Thongprasert, who ran a clinic in Bangkok, to jail for recklessness causing the death of 72 year old Nattamol Prachaseri , establishing a medical facility without permission and operating without permission. During the facelift procedure back in 2018, the doctor injected the patient with 12cc of anaesthetic without asking the patient if she was allergic to any medicine. Natthamol had a severe allergic reaction. Her lips swelled. Her fingers turned green. Her breathing appeared to stop. To treat the reaction, the doctor pumped the patient’s chest with medicine. In the trial, this was understood to cause broken ribs, ruptured liver and internal bleeding leading to the patient’s death. The doctor initially had a longer sentence, but the court shortened the sentence ... » Learn More about Bangkok cosmetic surgeon sentenced to prison for patient’s death

On behalf of the entire Thaiger team, Merry Christmas to all our readers and viewers. We really appreciate your support. May you have a few laughs and hugs tomorrow. • Despite a record high in new Covid-19 cases, the Thai government has not imposed any national lockdowns. Provinces are now classified on a colour-scale depending on their current level of risk. The vast majority of cases are concentrated in Samut Sakhon around a seafood market in Mahachai. In earlier reports, health officials said 90% of the cases are currently asymptomatic. More than 1,000 cases have been reported in Samut Sakhon so far, mostly Burmese migrant. Red (high risk for Covid-19) Samut Sakhon Orange (medium risk for Covid-19) Bangkok, Samut Songkram, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom Yellow (low risk for Covid-19) Saraburi, Samut Prakan, Suphan Buri, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Uttaradit, Chachoengsao, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phuket, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, ... » Learn More about Thailand News Today | No national lockdown, Bangkok schools closed, Abortion Bill | Dec 24

Nakhon Si Thammarat – Three Thai nationals were arrested in a rubber plantation in the Tham Phannara District of Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday, March 6th, for allegedly jointly killing their colleague who was reportedly working in an illegal drug business. The arrest took place following an arrest warrant from the Wiang Sa provincial court in the Surat Thani province issued on February 8th, charging the three for intentionally killing a human being and having firearms and ammunition in one’s possession without permission. A 46-year-old Thai national, whose real name was withheld per our editorial policy, was shot to death in a rubber plantation in Surat Thani. The initial investigation revealed that the three suspects, namely Thawin Pengsakul, 39, Sutin Pengsakul, 35, and Jakkrit Chumanee, 25, were reportedly involved in the incident before fleeing and discreetly living in Nakhon Si Thammarat. It is believed that the group of suspects and the victim were in conflict over ... » Learn More about Three alleged drug dealers arrested in Nakhon Si Thammarat for allegedly killing their colleague over money arguments