The Latest Breaking News from Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi

Thai tourism operators expressed concerns over crowded events and urged related authorities to be prepared for possible accidents after the tragedy at Itaewon in South Korea during a Halloween event.

With the country's next general election tentatively slated for May 7, 2023 by the Election Commission, assuming the House of Representatives completes its four-year term by March 23, many political parties have cranked up their election machines, with leading parties already kicking off their campaigns.

Plans to exempt more small hotels from regulation will lead to unfair competition and heightened safety and security risks, according to the Thai Hotels Association (THA).

Landlords in the hotel sector have raised concerns about the government's policy to confiscate vacant land which has not been utilised for 10 years as there are no proper schemes or environment-related laws from state authorities to help develop the land for public benefit.

A move to expedite the enforcement of the new daily minimum wage as early as October has added to the debate over what the most acceptable wage rise should be.

Despite fully reopening in July, the employment rate in the hotel sector stands at just 71% of the pre-pandemic level with 68% of hotels hit by a labour shortage, according to the Thai Hotels Association (THA).

Bustling commuters, traffic gridlocks and crowded shopping malls have become more common in the third quarter following the country's reopening in June, fuelling hopes that Thailand is now getting back on its feet.

Parliament may cool down after legislators finished their job grilling the government in the censure debate last week, but how the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration will better combat economic hardship remains a burning issue.

Tourism and hospitality businesses that proposed stimulus measures to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha remain sceptical that the suggestions will be put into practice, as related authorities may be reluctant to help.