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Ministry Of Tourism And Sports In Search Of A Miracle

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:20:52 +0000

We already know that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand is looking for miracles in 2012 with their Miracle Thailand Year 2012 campaign, but how do they propose to achieve this?

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has already declared that they will allocate over 200 million dollars (6.3 BILLION baht) to develop “cultural” events like water fights (Songkran) and shopping (Thailand Grand Sales).

Cultural Songkran

So, here is the brilliant plan from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports that is worth spending over $200 million on: Add the word Miracle to all Festival Campaigns, and extend the time of the events. So, a one-day event could become one-week long and a one-week festival could be extended to last one month.

This Ministry of Tourism and Sports story was reported in the Official Thailand News – the National News Bureau of Thailand, Public Relations Department – 2012 to be declared ‘Miracle Thailand Year’.

To make this year’s theme widely known, the word ‘Miracle’ will be included when it comes to naming tourism campaigns and festivals in all provinces. The duration of those events and their scales of organization will also be extended in a bid to boost local economies.

So, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, we will now have the following:

Hat Yai Miracle Lantern Festival
Nakhon Pathom Miracle Food Fair
Chiang Mai Miracle Flower Festival
Chainat Miracle Straw Bird Festival
Trang Miracle Underwater Wedding Ceremony
8th World Thai Miracle Martial Arts Festival
Thailand International Miracle Kite Festival

Definitely worth $200 MILLION Dollars to me.

And, we are getting some music from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports – YANNI – yes the pan flute dude, will be coming back to Thailand guaranteed to bring in at least 100 million foreign tourists.

Loads of fun-filled events will be held throughout the year including a concert by world-renowned musician Yanni at one of the country’s landmarks, and weekend One-Tambon-One-Product fairs on Ratchadamnoen Road.

OTOP has been going on for many years, and in some places it is actually good showing hand-made articles indigenous to a region or province. But, in many cases, the “OTOP” vendors don’t sell province-specific items – they just sell the same old crap that you can get at any Thai market.

In line with the government policy to make 2012 the Miracle Thailand Year, the Ministry will start drumming up the campaign in March with PR activities on Songkran Festival. The Tourism Authority of Thailand will be responsible for the arrangement of the activities.

I guess that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand will be heavily promoting the “World’s Largest Outdoor Water Fight” once again instead of the tradition and culture of honoring one’s ancestors at the temple during Songkran.

Two-hundred million dollars will be wasted by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports promoting the same old crap only with more days of celebration.

Ministry Of Tourism And Sports In Search Of A Miracle is a post from: Khon Kaen

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In Pursuit Of The Yellow House Book

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:47:10 +0000

The saga of getting a Yellow House Book from the Thai Government.

When I applied for my one year Non-Immigrant O-A visa extension last year, one of the required documents is some kind of proof of where you live – Blue or Yellow House Book. I used my wife’s blue house book (tabien baan) along with her ID card and listed that address as where I live. No check was made. More info here.

Since that time, we have moved into a newly built house, and I told my wife that I wanted to get a tabien baan (yellow house book) for myself which is basically a proof of residence.

Yellow House Book

There were a couple of reasons that I wanted the Yellow House Book – one – so that I could use it for annual visa extension requests, and, two, to use to get a driver’s license. There may be some additional uses, but these were my main two reasons.

So, my wife decided she had some time, and headed out to the local Amphur (registration) office here in Khon Kaen. She was told that I had to go to Thai Immigration in Khon Kaen and get a letter attesting to my residence.

The next day, my wife and I went to Thai Immigration and I went inside while my wife remained in the car. I had my passport and my wife’s blue house book, and copies of it along with copies of my visa, arrival card, wife’s ID card, and marriage paperwork. I took a number and a few minutes later sat down with Police Captain Aroonrat.

She was very pleasant and spoke English very well. I explained that I needed a letter of residence in order to get my Yellow house book. My wife had also supplied me with a few lines of Thai writing from the Amphur that I showed her. She asked where my wife was and I told her she was waiting in the car. Police Captain Aroonrat politely asked me to fetch my wife.

As soon as my wife sat down, the entire conversation reverted to Thai. I picked up quite a bit, especially when the Police Captain’s voice lowered and she indicated that Thai Immigration doesn’t do these kind of letters and that their purpose in life is to do 90-day extensions and visa stuff.

However, the nice Police Captain, out of the goodness of her heart, would be able to do up the required letter for a nominal fee. When my wife asked how much, the Police Captain said it was not up to her to specify a fee. Basically, it was “up to you”.

Now, my wife is no stranger to Thai Government graft and corruption, so she handed the paperwork to the Police Captain, along with a 500-baht note, and 5 minutes later we had the required letter. But, the Police Captain’s assistant had my visa info wrong. She then had to correct Non-Immigrant O to Non-Immigrant O-A. It isn’t until we get home that we notice that the letter has the old house address and not the new. My wife says she will get it changed at the Amphur office – I am sure for a small fee.

My wife felt that she might have been able to get away with offering a little bit less, but didn’t want to piss off anyone at Thai Immigration since I have to go there next month for a visa extension. She wanted it done quickly so we could get out of there.

After we get home, my wife has a little bit of buyer’s remorse and keeps debating with herself if she could have gotten it done cheaper. I tell her not to worry as this is a one-time deal and we got what the guy at the Amphur requested.

Then, my wife tells me that we are supposed to have two witnesses that can attest that I actually live in the house that will be listed in the Yellow house book. She is also told by the guy at the Amphur that if my wife cannot produce two witnesses, they can be had at the Amphur for a small fee.

My wife was up and at ‘em bright and early, and off to the Amphur office with all documentation in hand. About 1/2 hour later, she calls and wants to know the names of my mom and dad. Go figure.

My wife returned home at 1600 and told me she got the Yellow House Book at 1500 (she did a bit of grocery shopping on the way home).

I asked her what it cost and she told me 100 baht for the Yellow House Book and an “up to you” payment of 200 baht for the two “witnesses” that attested to my living where my wife reported.

At no time did I go in or near the Amphur office. Only my passport and the documents from Thai Immigration were there to represent me.

So, now I have a book that shows where I live that was issued by an office that was based on a letter from Thai Immigration. Now, I can use this book to prove my residence to Thai Immigration. Here we go loop de loop, Here we go loop de lie, doin’ the yellow house book tango.

In Pursuit Of The Yellow House Book is a post from: Khon Kaen

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More Amazing Numbers From The Tourism Authority Of Thailand

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:41:51 +0000

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has come out with some dire news about how much money will be lost due to the low numbers of tourist arrivals.

An article in MCOT.net, Thailand likely to lose Bt16-19 bln in revenue from flood crisis: TAT, shows that the Tourism Authority of Thailand is fudging the numbers again. Have not seen this reported in the almost English newspapers – The Nation and the Bangkok Post.

Thailand Floods

Since the Tourism Authority of Thailand is known to inflate their numbers of tourist arrivals, it is safe to say that they under-report the amount of damage and under-report the amount of tourists not coming to Thailand.

Thailand is forecasted to lose approximately Bt16-19 billion in revenue from the loss of 400,000-750,000 foreign visitors as a result of the ongoing flood crisis should it conclude by December, according the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

You can easily double the amount of revenue lost and double the amount of tourists lost as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Never, ever believe any numbers from any Thai Government Organization, especially the Tourism Authority of Thailand since no one ever questions a Thai Government official and no one ever verifies the numbers. This all has to do with face and budgets.

This figure was reported to the Tourism and Sports Ministry on Sunday, said Tourism and Sports Ministry Spokesman Watchara Kannikar.

Lying to the boss. The Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor has already admitted he has to lie to his superiors and to other Thai Government Agencies or else they will not publish his reports.

The number of domestic tourists was also predicted to fall by about 6 million by the year-end, representing a loss of about Bt13 billion in revenue, resulting in a total tally of domestic and international travellers for 2011 at 18-19 million.

This line is interesting as the Tourism Authority of Thailand has forecast 18-19 million FOREIGN tourist arrivals for 2011 (a totally bogus number) and the number of DOMESTIC tourists at about 91 million. So, I have no idea where this TOTAL tally for domestic and international travelers combined at 18-19 million travelers comes from. Maybe the truth?

TAT pointed out that foreign visitors have either cancelled or delayed their trips to Thailand owing to the enduring image of flooded Don Mueang Airport, the issuance of travel advisory against Thailand by many countries, and rumours of contagious diseases resulting from floods.

Yep the enduring image from local THAI newspapers online, honest travel advisories from foreign embassies and not the bullshit “situation updates” that the Tourism Authority of THailand posted 2-3 days old with inaccurate, incomplete, and false information. OOPS – make that FIVE DAYS OLD – just checked – 1127 hours on 28 November 2011, and the current TATNEWS situation update is from 1400 on the 23rd of November 2011. Rumours of contagious diseases are based on the facts that people see tons of trash and raw sewage photos all over the Internet and the possibility of a breakout of some sort of disease is a definite possibility. What tourist in their right mind would take the chance?

As the overall flood situation has improved, Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa assigned related agencies and personnel to clarify the situation to foreign countries and many have already cancelled their travel advisories against visiting Thailand.

Passing the buck so that they can’t be blamed. This is THE job of the Department of Tourism, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Concerning rumours of contagious diseases, the ministry – together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Health Organization (WHO) – would clarify the matter by this week to ease fear and tension among travellers.

Why wait? If the Thai Government, especially the Tourism Authority of Thailand, had provided timely, accurate, and honest situation updates, this would not be necessary. Damage control at its weakest.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, meanwhile, proposed to the Tourism and Sports Ministry its plans to revive the country’s tourism, such as tourism promotions and activities as well as marketing communications both for domestic and overseas markets.

The above statement says absolutely nothing. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has no clue on how to market to foreigners and FAILS at Social Media.

About 500 members of the press and media worldwide have already been invited by the TAT as a part of the plans and will be visiting Thailand on Dec 13.

Stupid. Invite these folks here, spend a ton of baht, and watch how the high tides make Bangkok even worse. I hope that the Tourism Authority of Thailand brings them to the “big bag” areas – sandbagged areas where armed locals are pissed off and tearing down the sandbags.

According to Tourism Department’s statistics, the cost of damages from flooding at 175 tourist attractions in 21 provinces countrywide was estimated at nearly Bt560 million.

Considering that the waters have not yet fully receded, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has no frigging way of knowing how much the damages will be.

Just more bullshit numbers from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

More Amazing Numbers From The Tourism Authority Of Thailand is a post from: Khon Kaen

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TAT’s “Miracle Thailand” Campaign Really Needs A Miracle

admin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:53:54 +0000

Yes, the Tourism Authority of Thailand will definitely need a miracle, or a bunch of lies, to reach a goal of 30 million foreign tourist arrivals in the next four years.

Supposedly, Thailand will hit 19 million tourist arrivals in 2011, but, this is the number being reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and I don’t believe it for a moment.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Praying for a Miracle

Here is the latest on the Tourism Authority of Thailand and their proposed 8.4 BILLION Baht budget from The Nation, Bt8 bn sought for TAT’s ‘Miracle Thailand’ campaign:

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will ask the government for Bt8.4 billion to finance its new 2011-2012 tourism campaign, “Miracle Thailand”.

The budget for the Tourism Authority of Thailand for 2011 is 5 BILLION Baht. Initially, a few months ago, TAT was asking for an increase to 5.5 BILLION Baht. Now, it is 8.4 BILLION Baht. An extra 3 BILLION Baht for WHAT? That is an extra $100 MILLION DOLLARS! What the heck is the Tourism Authority of Thailand going to do with an extra $100 million US Dollars?

What this article doesn’t mention is that 600 million Baht will be spent to honor the King of Thailand’s 84th birthday this year and the Queen of Thailand’s 80th birthday next year. Not sure how many tourists will plan their holiday around these two birthdays, but I doubt it will be many.

The Cabinet will be asked to approve the budget by next month before the new financial year kicks off in October. This new campaign will replace TAT’s long-running “Amazing Thailand” theme.

I hope that the Cabinet tells the Tourism Authority of Thailand to go and pound sand and remind them that they already have approved an increase of .5 Billion baht for 2012. Maybe give them a raise if they dump the “Amazing Thailand” slogan.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who presented her government’s tourism policies to the Cabinet, hopes to boost total visitors to 30 million per year in the next four years. The private sector has predicted that the country would have more than 19 million tourists this year. The new government is also hoping to boost tourism income to Bt2 trillion per year by 2016.

Someone needs to tell Prime Minister Yingluck that there will NOT be 19 million tourists this year. It is more like 10 million, so you will need to triple, not double, the amount. And, also tell her that it is NOT the private sector that has preaching the numbers, it is the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said the country’s tourism industry needed more money to achieve its goals, adding that the additional funding would be spent mostly on marketing activities both in local and foreign markets.

Mostly on local markets – like the 600 million baht for the King and Queen’s birthday celebrations.

Kongkrit Hirankit, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, has called on Yingluck to help push the tourism industry forward because it desperately needs the confidence of operators overseas.

More than confidence is needed. Jobs for millions in America and Europe so that they can actually take a holiday and have some money to spend. Remind the TCT VP that there is a global recession going on and it will get worse before it gets better.

Suraphon said tourists were returning to Thailand after the July 3 general elections, and the industry should pick up significantly if there are no threats.

Not in any significant numbers. Diethelm is closing its Chiang Rai office and out-sourcing a couple of others. Bars and hotels are for sale all over Pattaya and Phuket. The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand needs to realize that global issues DO affect Thailand.

“The number of international tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport grew by 30 per cent from August 1 to 20. This is a very good sign for high season this year,” he said.

Grew by 30% compared to when? Last year? I don’t believe it. This is low season – slow season – rainy season. Tourists DON’T come to Thailand at this time of year.

In the first seven months of this year, Thailand has already welcomed more than 11 million tourists despite ongoing political activities.

Bullshit! MasterCard predicted that the number of arrivals to Thailand in 2011 would be approximately 10.5 million.

However, TAT is preparing to deal with the economic slowdown in key markets like Europe and last week’s earthquake in the United States, which may halt inbound traffic.

Don’t forget that there are officially 14 million unemployed in the US (more like 24 million if you count everyone), countries going bankrupt in Europe, riots in the Middle East, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and on and on and on.

“All TAT offices in the US and Europe were told to keep an eye on the situation, but continue selling Thailand because it is still a value-for-money destination compared to other countries in the region,” Suraphon said.

You cannot sell anything to people that don’t have jobs or money.

Meanwhile, TCT has suggested that the government and< TAT focus on regional markets and reclaim visitors from key markets such as Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong. Tourism authorities are also urged to capture emerging markets like India, China and Russia.

Go after the markets that come for a shorter period, stay in hotels owned by their fellow countrymen, travel in buses owned by their fellow countrymen, and eat in restaurants owned by their fellow countrymen.

Someone needs to clue the Tourism Authority of Thailand Amazing Thailand Facebook page about this new campaign since they continue to post worthless data:

Amazing Thailand Monday

Posting “Monday is coming !!!!!!!” is not going to get you any more tourists.

So, we will have to see if the Cabinet approves the 2012 budget increase for the Tourism Authority of Thailand and then see how they spend it.

TAT’s “Miracle Thailand” Campaign Really Needs A Miracle is a post from: Khon Kaen

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Tourism Authority Of Thailand Worthless Five Year Plan

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:35:50 +0000

Announced today in The Nation by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), 5-year tourism plan in place, shows once again that the Tourism Authority of Thailand does not know what they are doing.

This is the “new” plan that the Tourism Authority of Thailand will present to the “new” Thai Government that is, in reality, the same old shit served up on a different platter.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Spa and Mud Bath

Here is the big plan that will be proposed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand that is completely worthless as it is based on fabricated numbers:

The Tourism Ministry has prepared a five-year tourism development plan aimed at receiving 30 million tourists and Bt1 trillion revenue per year.

This goes right along with the make-believe tourist arrivals that the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand has been rattling off and no one has questioned. The TAT Governor’s numbers are about 5 million tourist arrivals above what MasterCard has reported.

For next year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has set an international target of 19.5 million arrivals and Bt760 billion revenue. The domestic target is 93 million trips and Bt453 billion revenue.

I can already predict that the Tourism Authority of Thailand will call 2012 a banner year and exceed their fictitious number and claim that 20 million tourists arrived in Thailand.

Why do I believe MasterCard over the Tourism Authority of Thailand? MasterCard actually uses facts and figures to calculate their estimates. I have not seen anywhere that shows how the Tourism Authority of Thailand determines how many tourist arrivals Thailand has and how they determine how much each and every tourist spends. Completely fabricated numbers.

The human development plan calls for improving personnel skills and working closer with more international tourism organisations like the Greater mekong Sub-region and United Nations World Tourism Organisation as well as Asean nations.

Thailand is waaaay behind the power curve in improving personnel skills and will start losing more and more jobs to other countries in the ASEAN community. The lack of English and Chinese will force many hotel staff out of work giving jobs to those from the Philippines and Taiwan that are fluent in English and Chinese respectively. Is the Tourism Authority of Thailand doing anything about this?

The ministry will ask the new government to increase caretakers and security guards at tourist spots around the country in order to reassure visitors. New products and attractions will be created by re-grouping eight tourism clusters covering all kinds of existing products, such as beaches, culture, nature and Thainess.

This is dumb beyond belief. More security guards at hotels? More guys sleeping? Believe me, tourists are NOT reassured by having Thai security guarding a hotel.

I don’t know exactly where these eight tourism clusters are, but if they are talking about new stuff at old locations, then it is the same old shit in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and a couple other. I would really like to hear the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand define the word “Thainess”.

The new government should focus more on niche markets, including MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions), medical tourism and shopping.

I agree with the first two, but why isn’t the Tourism Authority of Thailand doing this NOW? They sure as shit promote the heck out of shopping in Bangkok. And what about other niches? Golfing? Weddings? Honeymoons? Buddhism? Meditation? Muay Thai? Bicycling? Marathons? Trekking? Eco-tours? Gay/lesbian community?

Oh, I forgot. The Tourism Authority of Thailand doesn’t know what it is doing or they would be doing all of this instead of the same old videos showing temples, elephants, and markets and using the tired and worn out “Amazing Thailand” slogan.

The five-year plan would entail a significant boost in the budget for the entire industry from Bt20 billion currently to Bt100 billion per year.

Here is why this Tourism Authority of Thailand “Master Plan” is doomed to fail. Along with basing your entire plan on fictitious tourist arrivals, the new Thai Government is going to seriously impact Thai businesses, which will include the tourism sector.

From the Bangkok Post today, Sector fears impact of 50% wage bump.

Tourism operators say they will suffer and their expenses will rise by as much as 50% if they have to raise minimum wages to 300 baht a day in January.

Yep, doubling your staff’s salary will cut a big chunk out of profits – so it looks like pink slips will be handed out at New Years parties. In Yingluck Shinawatra’s Vision 2020 plan, the minimum daily salary increases to 1,000 baht per day. Expect fewer staff and crappier service.

The current minimum wage is 159-221 baht, and Pheu Thai also proposed raising the starting salary for bachelor’s degree holders to 15,000 baht per month, effective at the start of next year.

This is why there are 10 receptionists at hotels that only need 2-3. You can get them dirt cheap. Expect job cuts of 50%.

Around 2.5 million people work in the tourism industry, including those on daily wages and monthly salaries.

So, figure half that will join the ranks of the unemployed.

Entry-level salaries in service industries vary widely but many positions pay less than 10,000 baht a month.

This will be upped to minimum 15,000 baht per month – so more job cuts of current staff. How is the Tourism Authority of Thailand 5-year plan looking now?

Kongkrit Hiranyakit, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) had this to say:

The TCT believes tourism operators would have to pass on higher costs to customers. Once product and service prices rise, then inflation would increase, and Thai tourism would lose its competitiveness, he said.

Fewer staff will result in poorer service and increased wages will mean higher hotel costs. This will probably also impact the airlines. So, prices will go up, up, up and the tourists will go elsewhere. The Tourism Authority of Thailand 5-year plan is looking very bleak.

Susdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said hotels and airlines would have to increase room rates and airfares to afford higher wages. Some 70% of operating costs of tour companies go to staff salaries.

This will greatly help Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam. And how many jobs will go to members of the ASEAN community that are fluent in English and Chinese – creating more job losses for Thais. Was this factored in to the Tourism Authority of Thailand five-year plan?

Mr Kongkrit said he was worried that wage and salary adjustments would draw an influx of workers from abroad, especially from the Philippines.

Yep. Better skilled labor and most are fluent in English. Look out Thailand or will you abandon the 2015 ASEAN community plan and make it even harder for foreigners to work in Thailand? I can already see the visa restrictions coming.

Long-term, he is concerned about firms being more cautious about adding workers. Some may relocate to other countries where wages are still low.

Short-term, expect massive lay-offs and outright firing of service staff. Expect many to resort to becoming prostitutes to make ends meet. This will mean that the Tourism Authority of Thailand will continue to promote Pattaya as a world class tourist destination – hahaha.

Toss into the mix the level of education in Thailand. From The Nation, Thai students found below global average, the report shows that Thai IQ levels are below the world average. Doesn’t bode well for getting jobs in Thailand or the rest of the ASEAN community.

If you want to know why Thai students are below average, it is the Thai education system of rote learning, not accepting responsibility, skipping classes, buying diplomas, and piss-poor teachers.

But, Dr Apichai Mongkol of the Mental Health Department said yesterday:

Apichai said he believed insufficient iodine intake was the main cause of the below-average IQs of children in these provinces.

To promote higher IQs, he said parents should express their love for their children, provide them with nutritious food and allow them to interact with nature.

“Let children play without restrictions because that will boost their creativity,” Apichai said. “Aside from that, parents should encourage their children to read, sing and play sports.”

Iodine? This guy is a doctor? Creativity? The Thai education system practically forbids creativity and free thinking.

Right now, in Thailand, in many households both parents work. The “students” in Khon Kaen can be seen at Fairy Plaza waiting for it to open so they can play video games at 1030 in the morning on a school day. You can see here the Thai children reading, singing and playing sports – or are they playing video games? I can’t tell.

Thai Students Higher Education

Oh yeah. The Pheu Thai Party will purchase computer “tablets” for 9 million Thai students. I guess, then, they will be able to play games on Thailand’s fantastic 5G 4G 3G 2G network.

This is what happens when a Political Party promises the sun, the stars, and the moon just to get elected and doesn’t look at the overall impact of the country. Guess Yingluck didn’t talk to the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Expect higher inflation, greater unemployment, and fewer tourists despite the Amazing Thailand 5-year plan from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Tourism Authority Of Thailand Worthless Five Year Plan is a post from: Khon Kaen