Day: December 7, 2022

BANGKOK, Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Against a backdrop of a recovering global economy and alleviated travel restrictions imposed due to ravaging effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic, The Mall Group of Thailand is aiming to capitalize on a resurgence of the Thai tourism sector by attracting visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to their shopping mall establishments.

As one of the leading mall chains in Thailand, The Mall Group is spearheading this initiative by focusing their outreach efforts on their leading malls, namely – Siam Paragon in downtown Bangkok, and the Emporium and EmQuarter in the Sukhumvit business district. The close proximity of these malls to major transportation hubs with direct BTS access, coupled with their interesting and bespoke attractions, makes them favorites amongst locals and tourists alike.

Taking the center stage, the malls feature an ensemble array of luxury and opulent brand offerings, ranging from designer jewelry and timepieces to bespoke merchandise and apparels. In order to cater for visitors from the GCC states, The Mall Group has set their sights on diversifying their tenant selection to accommodate more GCC themed attractions.

For those who are eyeing a sensory delight, a special emphasis has been placed by The Mall Group on the niche selection of fragrances available to intrigue visitors’ senses. Patrons wishing for a unique dining experience can indulge themselves with cuisines from Thailand, Japan and China for a unique gastronomic tingle.

To promote Thailand as the preferred shopping destination for GCC states, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Emirates, one of the flagship airlines of the UAE, in hopes of leveraging the airlines’ vast global network to boost tourism to Thailand.

“This MoC comes at an opportune moment, just as TAT is ready to communicate with the world regarding Thailand’s readiness in opening it’s doors to international travelers from all over the world,” said Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the Governor of TAT.

Concurrently, Thailand and Saudi Arabia have also agreed to fully restore their diplomatic relations by enabling Saudia Airlines, the flagship carrier of Saudi Arabia, to reinstate their direct flights between the two nations. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports have set their sights on penetrating the various markets available in Saudi Arabia by enticing Saudi Travelers to Thailand.

“Previously, leisure visits by Saudi Arabians to Thailand were strictly prohibited, as travels were only permitted for medical treatments and official business and governmental affairs,” said Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the Tourism and Sports minister of Thailand.

“We are now avidly promoting Thailand as the preferred tourist destination, and exploring further markets to attract visitors from Saudi Arabia to Thailand,” Mr. Phiphat further added.

Tourists from GCC are known for their high spending power, and this is reflected with their average spending of 40,000 THB compared to an average of 10,000 THB for tourists from other regions. To capitalize on this spending power, The Mall Group is also launching new promotional campaigns as a way to incentivize their GCC shoppers. Shoppers can now enjoy an additional 5% discount when they download a tourist card, and are entitled to a 600 THB cash coupon when they achieve a cumulative expenditure of 20,000 THB at the department store.

In the months leading up to October 2022, the number of tourists from the GCC states making their way to Thailand has seen a steady and gradual monthly increase, with the biggest increase recorded in May as the Thai government eased Thailand’s tourist entry policy.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOPWiXHc_n0
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1961402/The_EmDistrict.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1961403/Siam_Paragon_02.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1961404/VEJ2857.jpg

BEIJING, Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Chinese people plunged into grief after hearing the news of the passing of their former leader Jiang Zemin, who died on November 30 in Shanghai at the age of 96.

People across the country paid a three-minute silent tribute on Tuesday morning when a mourning session was held at a solemn memorial meeting.

Addressing the memorial meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday said “We hold Comrade Jiang Zemin in high esteem, and cherish the memory of Comrade Jiang Zemin because he devoted his life to the Chinese people, and worked tirelessly throughout his life to contribute to the cause of national independence and the liberation of the people, and to the prosperity of our country and the well-being of our people.”

Jiang Zemin’s great, glorious life

In his eulogy, Xi hailed Jiang’s glorious life, saying the great achievements of the Party and country in the 13 years since the fourth plenary session of the 13th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee were inseparable from Jiang’s great talent, key role, and exceptional art of political leadership as a Marxist statesman.

Xi pointed out in the face of a complex environment both abroad and at home, it was Jiang who lead the central collective leadership of CPC to unite the Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to unswervingly uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Apart from scoring great achievements in leading the modernization of the national defense and the armed forces, Jiang also pooled the wisdom of the whole Party to formulate the Theory of Three Represents, according to Xi.

The Theory of Three Represents highlights that the Party always represents the developmental demands of China’s advanced productive forces, the orientation for China’s advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the greatest possible majority of the Chinese people.

Xi emphasized the theory’s outstanding contribution stressing it further answers the questions of what socialism is and how to build it, and creatively addresses what kind of Party to build and how to build it. “It has deepened the understanding of rules to advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strengthen Party building in the new conditions.”

Xi also praised Jiang for leading the country to tackle a series of international emergencies concerning China’s sovereignty and security, overcoming difficulties and risks cropping up in the political and economic spheres and those brought by natural disasters, and in particular successfully coping with the impact of the Asian financial crisis and winning a complete victory in the disaster relief efforts during the floods in 1998.

Jiang guaranteed the great ship of China’s reform, opening-up, and socialist modernization forges ahead on the right track, Xi said.

Condolences pour in from home, abroad 

Shortly after Jiang Zemin’s passing was announced, hundreds of bouquets of flowers could be seen at significant places in the life of the late Chinese leader.

Floral tributes were placed on the doorstep of Jiang’s residence in his hometown of Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, as well as in a square at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, his alma mater.

On Monday, people from all walks of life in Beijing lined the streets to see off Comrade Jiang, expressing their deep sorrow as the hearse journeyed from the Chinese PLA General Hospital to the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery.

In Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Macao SAR, people from all walks of life went to the Liaison Office of the two SARs to express their condolences.

Eric Chu, chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, as well as Taiwan compatriots on the mainland, also expressed their condolences over the passing of Jiang.

Leaders of many countries and international organizations have also expressed their deep condolences by phone, letter and other means to President Xi over the passing of Jiang.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that Jiang had firmly advocated China’s international engagement, promoted China’s great economic progress and its successful entry into the World Trade Organization, and led China in hosting the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women.

Turning grief into positive action

Noting Jiang’s death as an inestimable loss to the Party, the military and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, Xi called on the whole Party, the entire military and the people of all ethnic groups to turn grief into strength, carry forward Jiang’s legacy and express their grief with concrete actions.

He urged the country to learn from Jiang’s revolutionary spirit, calling for striving in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.

“The people are the fundamental force that determines our Party and country’s future.” Xi said when stressing the need to always put the people first. He also called the reform and opening-up a crucial move in determining the future and destiny of contemporary China.

“China’s development cannot be achieved without the world, and the world also needs China for its prosperity,” the Chinese president said, adding the country will remain committed to promoting peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, and work to build a new type of international relations and a human community with a shared future.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-12-06/China-sees-off-Comrade-Jiang-pooling-strength-for-striving-forward-1fy7y2mCvzq/index.html