The Government has announced that there will be no ban on alcohol sales over the Songkran holiday this year.
The National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control made the announcement yesterday after its meeting to discuss the ban. It has instead opted to launch an intensive campaign against drink-driving, to be handled by the relevant agencies.
Deputy Prime Minister Sanan [...]
On 25th March, 2009, Bangkok Bank cut its lending rates and most deposit rates by 0.25%, thereby reducing its MLR to 6%. This is the second reduction in March and reflects the current excess liquidity in the banking system.
The bank Executive Chairman said that banks are lending money as usual, but demand for new loans has [...]
This weeks trips to TOPS and Villa Thong Lo.
Price Changes
At TOPS Thong Lo - Royal Gala Apples up 3 baht for a pack of 6 compared to last week.
At Villa Thong Lo - S-Pure Pork Chops up 5 baht / kg, Chicken Legs down 5 baht/kg.
Price Comparisons
Geeta Brand Basmati Rice (1 kilo bag) is priced [...]
This week is time for the annual trip to Suan Phlu for the extension of the Non-Immigrant ‘O’ Visa. Based on last year’s experience I was reckoning on 2 trips to the bank for the letter, then the trip to Suan Phlu. Needless to say that does change the normal routine somewhat, but it’s the [...]
Not much to report I’m afraid. The Alcohol Policy Committee met yesterday and deferred a decision until they get a ruling from the Council of State as to whether they can ban alcohol sales during Songkran.
Regardless, the final decision rests with the cabinet but with this bureaucratic dithering and buck passing there appears to be [...]
Saturday’s Postbag could have been dubbed the Songkran Alcohol Ban issue, given the number of letters published all of a sudden. I’m sure there has been a steady stream of them, but for whatever reason, the Bangkok Post finally elected to print a few in one go.
There was an interesting spectrum of opinions and it will be [...]
Headed out yesterday to catch the Crusaders v Waratahs game at a sports bar on Sukhumvit. The area around Emporium was much busier than a couple of weeks back, but when I arrived at the bar there were only 4 customers there. Pretty quiet for a busy rugby day. Anyway, as there were only 2 [...]
It is not something I spend too much time dwelling on, but from time to time I do wonder about the safety of fresh produce in Thailand.
I notice that when you buy fresh fruit and vegetables in Bangkok, you will either get locally grown produce or (since the Thai-China Free Trade Agreement) a fair sprinkling of [...]
You might recall the parody of the TV news show that always began “As the stomach churns…..”
The threat of the ban is still with us, but there appears to be a glimmer of hope that reason will prevail. The Bangkok Post today reported (Booze ban ‘will harm tourism’) that a bitter row has erupted between [...]
Woke up a little after 5 a.m. this morning to peals of thunder and shortly after it started raining heavily. After months of dry weather, this was certainly most welcome.
The rain did not last very long and soon I could hear birds chirping outside our bedroom. A while later, it started raining again and this [...]
