Thailand durian sales value rise to 1 trillion baht
Good day to all. This is the early edition of the probable award-winning Fishwrap for Tuesday, April 16.
Retirement Planning
I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them. (Phyllis Diller)
Danged chilly getting to work on a motosai pillion seat. But the daytime temps are pushing close to 100 American (40C) so that's more liveable.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spoke to the nation yesterday, and wished all the elderly and Thai families happy National Elderly Day and Family Day -- on Saturday and Sunday past.
I would like to extend love and thoughts to all the elderly and all Thais in all families.
(Srettha is 62.)
When families are strong, the society and the country will also grow strong.
The elderly are valuable persons and they have valuable experience, knowledge and wisdom that should be preserved.
He noted in the message that a key factor of each family is the elder members.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40037225
Unpleasantly, on southern Phuket province/island
A hallucinating hopped-up American identified only as "Mister Denny, age 46" grabbed a brick and attacked a car as the owner tried to park it at the Seabed Hotel.
The American damaged the windshield and passenger door. An insurance agent said that, after quick inspection, damage was at least 200,000 Thai baht -- equivalent to 7,500 Canuckian loonies.
Police quickly arrested 'Mister Denny.' The car's owner said he never had seen the American man before. He was parking in his reserved parking place at the hotel.
BANGKOK TOURIST DEATH
A foreign tourist on Sunday dropped hia plastic water-gun into the Saen Saep canal in central Bangkok.
He jumped into the water to retrieve it but couldn't keep his head above the water, and drowned.
The foreigner came to Thailand last week, specifically to celebrate Songkran and the annual water fights.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40037250
Songkran (Thai New Year) celebrations in Bangkok alone are expected to generate 3.69 billion baht in revenue and attract 653.590 domestic tourists -- around US$ one hundred million.
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/tourism/2024/04/12/songkran-world-water-festival-2024-boosts-tourism-revenues/#google_vignette
THAILAND ECONOMY EXPORTS
Beyond stinky or simply delicious -- or both, up to you.
The value of exports of durian so far this year is about one trillion-with-a-'T' baht. Say, 27 billion U.S. dollars.
https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/thailand/economy/40037254
For that kind of money, government and bureaucrats cannot resist.
Prime Minister Srettha said that his government intends to bring in regulations on durian sales and, especially, exports.
He claimed new rules on 'product standards' will ensure the quality of durian exports and maintain competitive pricing. Because who would know better about during quality and pricing than government regulators.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2776287/
Shipments of Thai durian last year totalled 900,000 tonnes:
300,000 tonnes for local markets and sale, with the vast majority of the rest shipped out to China.
[The Tuesday Morning Joke]
Will I Live to see 85❓ (Something to think about)
After having to choose a new primary care doctor, I was curious! After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, she said I was doing fairly well for my age. (I am north of 75). A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking her, 'Do you think I'll live to be 85?' She asked, 'Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer, wine or hard liquor?'' Oh no,' I replied. 'I'm not doing drugs, either!' Then she asked, 'Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?' I said, 'Not much... My former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!'' Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, boating, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?''No, I don't,' I said. She asked, 'Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?'' No,' I said. She looked at me and said, 'Then ... why do you even give a shit?' [h/t Isophorone Blog]
ASTRONOMY METEORS
It's going to be a strong 'storm' for the next two weeks.
You should know that-allows-file-overwrite-so-update-now
The Lyrids meteor shower is one of the oldest known meteor showers.
The Lyrids have been observed for 2,700 years. The first recorded sighting of a Lyrid meteor shower goes back to 687 BC by the Chinese.
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/lyrids/
April 15 to April 29 (Peak April 23). Peak Activity about 18 meteors per hour.
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/lyrids/
CANADA DEFENCE ANALYSIS
Justin Trudeau's big defence policy update took two years to create.
But it still leaves major questions unanswered.
The Toronto Star https://t.ly/IgBsy
SPORTS GOLF TIGER
Thai-American phenom Tiger Woods played in the Masters -- and recorded his worst score ever at the tournament -- 16 over par, the worst score of his professional gold career.
Yahoo Sports: https://shorturl.at/lGVW6