Thailand Roundup: Calls for peace, untapped music industry, travel scam
Calls for peace
NGOs in Southern Thailand are urging the new government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to prioritise regional peace. Civil Society Council chairman Lamai Manakarn expressed concern over the ongoing security issues and the stalled peace negotiation process, which has been ineffective since its initiation. As reported by the Sun The council, representing over 40 NGOs, plans to submit an open letter requesting the government's focus on resolving the conflict that has resulted in over 7,000 deaths since 2004. Paetongtarn, the youngest prime minister in Thailand's history, is expected to outline her policies soon, including addressing these pressing issues.
Corruption threats
The Democrat Party of Thailand, represented by Secretary-General Dech-it Khaothong, has pledged to withdraw from the coalition government if corruption occurs within the administration. Speaking on his first day as deputy public health minister, Dech-it reinforced the party's anti-corruption stance and stated that if the government remains graft-free, they will serve their full term. Despite claims of strong local support for joining the coalition, a recent survey revealed that 54% of respondents oppose the party's participation, with only 12% strongly supporting it. Dech-it indicated the party would evaluate its coalition performance monthly, Bangkok Post reports.
Thai-Chinese high-speed train project
Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote is seeking Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's approval to sign a construction contract for a 13.3-kilometre segment of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project, which has faced delays. The contract has been awarded but is held up due to concerns about the proximity of Ayutthaya Station to the UNESCO World Heritage site. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) completed a Heritage Impact Assessment and submitted it to UNESCO, agreeing to lower the elevated track's height from 19 to 17 metres, Bangkok Post reported. However, relocating the route is not feasible due to budget and time constraints. The SRT aims to finalise the contract by October and proceed with the project irrespective of UNESCO's final recommendation.
Untapped music industry
Experts from Thailand's Creative Economy Agency emphasise the country's potential in the global music industry, bolstered by the government's soft power promotion policy. The IFPI's Global Music Report 2024 noted that the global music market generated $28.6 billion in 2023, with a significant contribution from streaming (67.3% of total revenue). Countries like South Korea, China, and India are driving this growth, particularly through the popularity of K-pop. According to The Star, Thai music revenue reached $126 million in 2023, up 18.6% thanks to government initiatives like the Music Exchange project promoting Thai artists internationally. Innovations in technology, such as virtual reality and AI, continue to transform the music experience and engage global audiences.
Travel scam
A fraudulent tour company in Thailand has scammed over 150 victims, accumulating around 20 million baht. The scammers, identified by authorities as two individuals, operated by falsely advertising overseas employment and travel packages, mainly via social media. Victims recounted paying significant amounts for tours, only to lose contact with the company as departure dates approached. Investigations are ongoing, with victims gathering evidence to assist authorities. Concerns arise that the suspects may have fled the country, complicating recovery efforts for the defrauded funds, as reported by Asean Now.
