wah lan eh... cheap price got something else.. hope to hear your feedback.. if it is all good, maybe i will try it next time.
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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand
- Thread starter Leongsam
- Start date
wah lan eh... cheap price got something else.. hope to hear your feedback.. if it is all good, maybe i will try it next time.
Lor mee
I will take pics of the room and breakfast.
TOURISM
Multiple visa a trade boon, say operators
Published: 6/08/2015 at 07:18 AM. Bangkok Post
The Tourism and Sports Ministry and tourism operators have hailed the approval of multiple-entry visas effective for six months as a measure that will help to attract more tourists to the country.
The ministerial regulation under the Immigration Act of 1979, approved by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday, will allow tourists to get a visa enabling them to make multiple entries into Thailand during a six-month period.
The multiple-entry visa costs 5,000 baht, while a visa for a single entry is 1,000 baht.
Multiple entry will become available 60 days after the regulation is published in the Royal Gazette.
Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the multiple visa was a new measure to boost tourism, as more tourists will visit the country.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, agreed with Ms Kobkarn, saying it would benefit those who often visit Thailand.
"It's a good start, although even the six-month period may still be short for some visitors," he said.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry earlier proposed the cabinet approve the multiple visa for a 12-month period.
"We hope this multiple visa measure will promote Thailand as a destination for weekend vacations and that business people will visit Thailand more often," Ms Kobkarn said.
During the first seven months of this year, the number of international tourist arrivals increased by 30.7% to 17.5 million, with tourism revenue growing by 30% to 818 billion baht.
The 2015 tourist arrivals target is 29 million visitors for tourism revenue of 1.4 trillion baht, up from 24.8 million visitors and 1.13 trillion baht last year.
Areepong Bhoocha-oom, newly appointed tourism permanent secretary, said his ministry would propose a strategic tourism development plan to the National Tourism Policy Committee next Monday.
Under the plan, the country will focus on generating tourism revenue, particularly for local communities, and try to attract more quality tourists. The plan comprises three strategies — tourism product and service development, tourism management, and marketing.
"We want to upgrade the quality of life of people in tourism destinations nationwide and make them stronger for sustainable tourism development. Self-sufficiency is key to our goal," Mr Areepong said.
Multiple visa a trade boon, say operators
Published: 6/08/2015 at 07:18 AM. Bangkok Post
The Tourism and Sports Ministry and tourism operators have hailed the approval of multiple-entry visas effective for six months as a measure that will help to attract more tourists to the country.
The ministerial regulation under the Immigration Act of 1979, approved by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday, will allow tourists to get a visa enabling them to make multiple entries into Thailand during a six-month period.
The multiple-entry visa costs 5,000 baht, while a visa for a single entry is 1,000 baht.
Multiple entry will become available 60 days after the regulation is published in the Royal Gazette.
Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the multiple visa was a new measure to boost tourism, as more tourists will visit the country.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, agreed with Ms Kobkarn, saying it would benefit those who often visit Thailand.
"It's a good start, although even the six-month period may still be short for some visitors," he said.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry earlier proposed the cabinet approve the multiple visa for a 12-month period.
"We hope this multiple visa measure will promote Thailand as a destination for weekend vacations and that business people will visit Thailand more often," Ms Kobkarn said.
During the first seven months of this year, the number of international tourist arrivals increased by 30.7% to 17.5 million, with tourism revenue growing by 30% to 818 billion baht.
The 2015 tourist arrivals target is 29 million visitors for tourism revenue of 1.4 trillion baht, up from 24.8 million visitors and 1.13 trillion baht last year.
Areepong Bhoocha-oom, newly appointed tourism permanent secretary, said his ministry would propose a strategic tourism development plan to the National Tourism Policy Committee next Monday.
Under the plan, the country will focus on generating tourism revenue, particularly for local communities, and try to attract more quality tourists. The plan comprises three strategies — tourism product and service development, tourism management, and marketing.
"We want to upgrade the quality of life of people in tourism destinations nationwide and make them stronger for sustainable tourism development. Self-sufficiency is key to our goal," Mr Areepong said.
Wah, you 2 really know how to stretch your bht. Contrast with froggy's high living :p
For thb700/900, the irony: cheaper than transit rates in our tiny red dot!
I used to stay at some of the finest hotels when I traveled under company time because it was an american MNC. Now I'm just a poor unemployed "lesser mortal" :o
To tell the truth I'm not sacrificing anything by staying in the cheaper hotels as they have the same amenities : satellite TV, Wifi, a gym, swimming pool, ...
Thailand provides good value & that is why I keep returning
Took the dog for a minor surgery (spaying) yesterday. The cost of taking care of a pet in Thailand may be cheaper that in Singapore however for Thai standard could be a little expensive but then Thais love their pets and willing to spend a lot of money on them.
Surgery was done last night and this morning the little doggy was able to walk around and discharged the total bill came to 11,544 ($450) this include a room as in human room with bed and TV and refrigerator etc so that can accompany the dog overnight if not the dog will be with the other sick dogs in cages and probably scared and sad.
Surgery was done last night and this morning the little doggy was able to walk around and discharged the total bill came to 11,544 ($450) this include a room as in human room with bed and TV and refrigerator etc so that can accompany the dog overnight if not the dog will be with the other sick dogs in cages and probably scared and sad.
i like this song. Found it after listening to a mix.
Golden mile chaos I guess they are going to Mudland and southern thailand
Somtam
Somtam
In Bumrungrad Hospital since 6.50am for physical check up. Here's the packages for those interested. I've chosen the Comprehensive. How eating for my last station the threadmill test. Was told that after that it's an hour wait and then consult doctor on the total result. Physical report can be email to the patient or collected next day before 3pm.
Divide by 25
Nice chicken chop
Last edited:
Baht's tumble to 2009 low ties BoT's hands
Published: 7/08/2015 at 11:18 AM
Online news: Bangkok Post
The baht’s descent to a six-year low as investors flee is making it harder for the Bank of Thailand to revive an economy beset by an El Nino-induced drought.
The central bank held its benchmark rate at 1.5% on Wednesday following cuts in March and April, even after the Finance Ministry lowered its 2015 growth forecast last month to 3% in its third reduction this year. The baht has weakened 3.9% this quarter, the most in Southeast Asia. Foreign funds have pulled US$1.6 billion from the nation's stocks in the past year and $900 million from bonds.
Exports have fallen every month this year as rubber and rice prices dropped and agricultural output is being devastated by the worst drought in almost 30 years. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha isn't making much progress on transport projects that investors had hoped would spur the slowest-growing emerging-market economy in the region.
"A rush to cut the key interest rate will probably cause a negative impact rather than help the economy because it may accelerate fund outflows," said Amonthep Chawla, the head of research at CIMB Thai Bank in Bangkok. "The need to weaken the baht further is fading."
Optimism evaporating
Optimism the Thai military junta would kick-start an economy hurt by political unrest has evaporated. The government has so far disbursed less than half of the 450 billion baht earmarked for roads, mass transit and other infrastructure projects in the fiscal year ending Sept 30.
The 3% growth estimate would be an improvement from 0.9% expansion in 2014 but is less than the 4% forecast by the government at the beginning of the year. The nation's farming sector may contract 3.3% to 4.3% in 2015, the worst performance in at least 36 years, Lersak Rewtarkulpaiboon, secretary-general at the Office of Agricultural Economics, said July 16.
A firefighter hoses down a paddy field July 22 to ease the effects of drought in tambon Lad Nga of Ayutthaya’s Sena district yesterday. Four sluice gates in the province have been raised following a government order allowing farmers to irrigate their rice crops which are almost ready to harvest. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
"With the continued slowing of the Thai economy, weak growth in China and the government not providing a fiscal boost by increasing spending, the future prospects for GDP growth are weak," said Manu George, Asian fixed-income investment director at Schroder Investment Management (Singapore), whose bond team oversees $10 billion. "This means the Bank of Thailand will have to do the heavy lifting."
The monetary authority will lower borrowing costs in "small increments" over the coming year to counter the impact of external headwinds, Mr George said.
Outflow risk
The central bank has cut its benchmark rate by two percentage points in an easing cycle that started in late 2011. Seven of 24 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg see a reduction to 1.25% by year-end, with the rest expecting no change.
"The monetary-policy stance now is accommodative," Bank of Thailand assistant governor Mathee Supapongse told reporters on Wednesday. The central bank "will stand ready to utilise an appropriate mix of available policy tools to support the economic recovery," Mr Mathee said.
One-year interest-rate swaps rose five basis points to 1.48% on Thursday, following a two-basis point increase on Wednesday, suggesting investors see a cut in borrowing costs as less likely after Mr Mathee's comments.
The central bank said on Wednesday that the baht's weakness is supportive of an economic recovery.
Further drops in the currency could exacerbate outflows though. The SET index of shares has declined 5.7% in three months, while Thailand's local-currency sovereign bonds fell 0.5%. That compares with gains of 0.3% in Malaysian notes and 2.7% for Philippine securities, Bloomberg indexes show.
'Sharp end'
Domestic economic challenges, the slowdown in China and the prospect of higher US interest rates put Thailand "at the sharp end of Southeast Asia's economic and financial woes," said Nicholas Spiro, managing director of Spiro Sovereign Strategy, an advisory firm in London.
"The currency is too weak for a rate cut right now," he said. "But a further easing in monetary policy could prove even more difficult to undertake once the Fed starts to hike rates."
Published: 7/08/2015 at 11:18 AM
Online news: Bangkok Post
The baht’s descent to a six-year low as investors flee is making it harder for the Bank of Thailand to revive an economy beset by an El Nino-induced drought.
The central bank held its benchmark rate at 1.5% on Wednesday following cuts in March and April, even after the Finance Ministry lowered its 2015 growth forecast last month to 3% in its third reduction this year. The baht has weakened 3.9% this quarter, the most in Southeast Asia. Foreign funds have pulled US$1.6 billion from the nation's stocks in the past year and $900 million from bonds.
Exports have fallen every month this year as rubber and rice prices dropped and agricultural output is being devastated by the worst drought in almost 30 years. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha isn't making much progress on transport projects that investors had hoped would spur the slowest-growing emerging-market economy in the region.
"A rush to cut the key interest rate will probably cause a negative impact rather than help the economy because it may accelerate fund outflows," said Amonthep Chawla, the head of research at CIMB Thai Bank in Bangkok. "The need to weaken the baht further is fading."
Optimism evaporating
Optimism the Thai military junta would kick-start an economy hurt by political unrest has evaporated. The government has so far disbursed less than half of the 450 billion baht earmarked for roads, mass transit and other infrastructure projects in the fiscal year ending Sept 30.
The 3% growth estimate would be an improvement from 0.9% expansion in 2014 but is less than the 4% forecast by the government at the beginning of the year. The nation's farming sector may contract 3.3% to 4.3% in 2015, the worst performance in at least 36 years, Lersak Rewtarkulpaiboon, secretary-general at the Office of Agricultural Economics, said July 16.
A firefighter hoses down a paddy field July 22 to ease the effects of drought in tambon Lad Nga of Ayutthaya’s Sena district yesterday. Four sluice gates in the province have been raised following a government order allowing farmers to irrigate their rice crops which are almost ready to harvest. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
"With the continued slowing of the Thai economy, weak growth in China and the government not providing a fiscal boost by increasing spending, the future prospects for GDP growth are weak," said Manu George, Asian fixed-income investment director at Schroder Investment Management (Singapore), whose bond team oversees $10 billion. "This means the Bank of Thailand will have to do the heavy lifting."
The monetary authority will lower borrowing costs in "small increments" over the coming year to counter the impact of external headwinds, Mr George said.
Outflow risk
The central bank has cut its benchmark rate by two percentage points in an easing cycle that started in late 2011. Seven of 24 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg see a reduction to 1.25% by year-end, with the rest expecting no change.
"The monetary-policy stance now is accommodative," Bank of Thailand assistant governor Mathee Supapongse told reporters on Wednesday. The central bank "will stand ready to utilise an appropriate mix of available policy tools to support the economic recovery," Mr Mathee said.
One-year interest-rate swaps rose five basis points to 1.48% on Thursday, following a two-basis point increase on Wednesday, suggesting investors see a cut in borrowing costs as less likely after Mr Mathee's comments.
The central bank said on Wednesday that the baht's weakness is supportive of an economic recovery.
Further drops in the currency could exacerbate outflows though. The SET index of shares has declined 5.7% in three months, while Thailand's local-currency sovereign bonds fell 0.5%. That compares with gains of 0.3% in Malaysian notes and 2.7% for Philippine securities, Bloomberg indexes show.
'Sharp end'
Domestic economic challenges, the slowdown in China and the prospect of higher US interest rates put Thailand "at the sharp end of Southeast Asia's economic and financial woes," said Nicholas Spiro, managing director of Spiro Sovereign Strategy, an advisory firm in London.
"The currency is too weak for a rate cut right now," he said. "But a further easing in monetary policy could prove even more difficult to undertake once the Fed starts to hike rates."
$5 for this bowl of crappy beef noodles in the newly opened food republic at bencoolen
Hokkien mee
A newsy bit of thai real estate
New condos down, prices up
Published: 8/08/2015 at 12:02 AM Bangkok Post
Newspaper section: Business
Bangkok’s condominium market saw a 21% reduction in project launches in the first half of 2015, but average prices rose by 35% as developers turned their attention to the medium- and high-priced segments, says consultancy Plus Property.
New projects posted a sell-through rate of 61% — almost equal to the 60% reported in the second half of last year — with midtown zones such as Phra Khanong-On Nut, Ratchadaphisek-Lat Phrao and Chatuchak-Bang Sue posting the best rates at 87%.
The market is expected to be stable in the second half of this year, while the high-end segment will continue to show lively activity thanks to consistently strong purchasing power across its customer base.
“The first half of 2015 saw 44 new condominium project launches in Bangkok comprising 20,052 units and representing a 21% decline from the second half of 2014, which had 56 new projects with 22,491 units,” managing director Poomipak Julmanichoti said.
“Demand in the first six months accounted for sales of 12,165 units, representing a sell-through rate of 61%.
“Meanwhile, new-launch prices have risen by 35.1% to 131,000 baht a square metre.”
Units priced from 100,000 to 200,000 baht per sq m were the top performers with a sell-through rate of 84%, followed by those costing more than 200,000 baht at 60% and those priced less than 100,000 baht at 49%.
A zone-based analysis found midtown areas had the best sales rates.
This was driven by convenient skytrain and subway transit, moderate prices lower than those of inner-city developments, a burgeoning rental market with higher returns than in central Bangkok and a wider customer base covering both cash and loan buyers with no household debt issues and high loan approval rates.
Inner zones such as Rama IV-Silom-Sathon, Ratchathewi-Phaya Thai, Asok-Phetchaburi and upper Sukhumvit came second with a 60% sell-through rate, while outer Bangkok, covering Bang Na, Thon Buri and Don Muang-Min Buri, had a 46% rate.
While inner developments did not post the best sell-through rate, many projects successfully sold their entire supply of units within a matter of days including The Monument Sanam Pao (by Sansiri); Nimit Langsuan (by Pace Development); and Klass Siam and Ashton Residence 41 (by Ananda Development).
Low sell-through rates were probably caused by projects with mismatches between features — such as unit size, material choices, unit designs or developer reputation — and demand.
Consumers are remarkably savvy when it comes to choosing a condo, and developers find it necessary to conduct a thorough analysis of the situation before putting a new project on sale.
If the analysis proves accurate, the result is fast sell-through rates.
“The property market in the second half of 2015, especially the condo segment, will likely show stable but unspectacular growth due to gradual economic improvement,” Mr Poomipak said.
“Regardless, high-end projects are likely to perform best, as customers in this segment still have strong purchasing power and high demand including buyers seeking long-term investments or assets for inheritance.
“The increasingly limited availability of projects in this range will also spur demand across all buyer types.
“One key factor developers need to consider is how their project designs match up with the needs of buyers in each area. Zones with high rental demands often have different styling preferences compared with areas with high proportions of residential buyers.”
New condos down, prices up
Published: 8/08/2015 at 12:02 AM Bangkok Post
Newspaper section: Business
Bangkok’s condominium market saw a 21% reduction in project launches in the first half of 2015, but average prices rose by 35% as developers turned their attention to the medium- and high-priced segments, says consultancy Plus Property.
New projects posted a sell-through rate of 61% — almost equal to the 60% reported in the second half of last year — with midtown zones such as Phra Khanong-On Nut, Ratchadaphisek-Lat Phrao and Chatuchak-Bang Sue posting the best rates at 87%.
The market is expected to be stable in the second half of this year, while the high-end segment will continue to show lively activity thanks to consistently strong purchasing power across its customer base.
“The first half of 2015 saw 44 new condominium project launches in Bangkok comprising 20,052 units and representing a 21% decline from the second half of 2014, which had 56 new projects with 22,491 units,” managing director Poomipak Julmanichoti said.
“Demand in the first six months accounted for sales of 12,165 units, representing a sell-through rate of 61%.
“Meanwhile, new-launch prices have risen by 35.1% to 131,000 baht a square metre.”
Units priced from 100,000 to 200,000 baht per sq m were the top performers with a sell-through rate of 84%, followed by those costing more than 200,000 baht at 60% and those priced less than 100,000 baht at 49%.
A zone-based analysis found midtown areas had the best sales rates.
This was driven by convenient skytrain and subway transit, moderate prices lower than those of inner-city developments, a burgeoning rental market with higher returns than in central Bangkok and a wider customer base covering both cash and loan buyers with no household debt issues and high loan approval rates.
Inner zones such as Rama IV-Silom-Sathon, Ratchathewi-Phaya Thai, Asok-Phetchaburi and upper Sukhumvit came second with a 60% sell-through rate, while outer Bangkok, covering Bang Na, Thon Buri and Don Muang-Min Buri, had a 46% rate.
While inner developments did not post the best sell-through rate, many projects successfully sold their entire supply of units within a matter of days including The Monument Sanam Pao (by Sansiri); Nimit Langsuan (by Pace Development); and Klass Siam and Ashton Residence 41 (by Ananda Development).
Low sell-through rates were probably caused by projects with mismatches between features — such as unit size, material choices, unit designs or developer reputation — and demand.
Consumers are remarkably savvy when it comes to choosing a condo, and developers find it necessary to conduct a thorough analysis of the situation before putting a new project on sale.
If the analysis proves accurate, the result is fast sell-through rates.
“The property market in the second half of 2015, especially the condo segment, will likely show stable but unspectacular growth due to gradual economic improvement,” Mr Poomipak said.
“Regardless, high-end projects are likely to perform best, as customers in this segment still have strong purchasing power and high demand including buyers seeking long-term investments or assets for inheritance.
“The increasingly limited availability of projects in this range will also spur demand across all buyer types.
“One key factor developers need to consider is how their project designs match up with the needs of buyers in each area. Zones with high rental demands often have different styling preferences compared with areas with high proportions of residential buyers.”
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