Today’s news: Top Destination for Relocation/Program for expatriates/Parliament in favor of legalizing gambling/Thailand’s Path to Casino Legalization/’Foreigners only’ casinos proposed/Workers Protest As Crane Collapses/Why YouTubers are quitting?/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Redeeming features in Thailand’s slow growth/Household debt rises/Opportunities and challenges in lithium industry/New semiconductor fab/Tourism: Chiang Mai Songkran booze and smoking bans/700 speedboats for Songkran/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Hua Hin train schedule/Market Village bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
Thailand: A Top Destination for Foreigners Seeking Relocation
Thailand is rapidly emerging as one of the most sought-after destinations for individuals looking to relocate from across the globe. Relocating to Thailand has become increasingly popular for various reasons. The country’s rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, affordable living costs, and warm tropical climate are just some of the factors contributing to its appeal.
Whether it’s retirees seeking a peaceful retreat in Asia, digital nomads in search of a remote work paradise, or families craving a new adventure, Thailand offers something for everyone. Continued …
Comprehensive orientation program for expatriates April 3-4
The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT) will conduct the 4th Expatriate Orientation Program (EOP 4), scheduled to take place at Vithes Samosorn Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, April 3-4.
This initiative, a collaboration between the Thailand Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is crafted to enrich the living and working experience of expatriates in Thailand. The program is tailored for a diverse group of international residents, including diplomats, business professionals, experts, and journalists. Continued …
Parliament in favor of legalizing gambling to boost economy
The House of Representatives voted in favor of legalizing gambling, while boosting the nation’s economy. The special commission championing the creation of integrated entertainment complexes unveiled its plan, urging the government to join hands with the private sector.
The commission stressed that public involvement is key, advocating for the legalization of specific gambling forms like Thai boxing to drive this initiative forward. Continued …
Thailand’s Path to Casino Legalization: A Strategic Economic Move
Thailand is on the brink of a significant transformation with its move toward legalizing casinos, a decision that could reshape the country’s economic landscape.
The Thai government is considering a draft bill that, if passed by parliament, would mark a pivotal shift in the nation’s stance on gambling, potentially generating more jobs and state revenue. Continued …
‘Foreigners only’ casinos proposed in Hat Yai
The government has been urged to open the first-ever entertainment-casino complex on Thai soil in Hat Yai to boost tourism, with only foreigners allowed to enter the premises initially.
The suggestion was made by the president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotels Assn. as he voiced support for the opening of such a complex, saying it will boost the economy. Continued …
Workers Protest As Crane Collapses, Killing 7
After hours of negotiation, workers at a construction site in Rayong’s Pluak Daeng district, where a crane collapsed and killed seven people yesterday, have allowed the police and rescue teams to retrieve the bodies of their dead colleagues.
The workers, mostly from Myanmar, opened the site this morning after the firm in charge of the construction agreed to pay compensation of Bt1.6 million to the family of each fatality. Continued …
Dream jobs drown in ‘Red Ocean’: Why YouTubers are quitting
Prominent YouTubers have recently left the social media platform, while many others are considering cutting down on their video uploads. It’s a trend that is growing globally, and Thailand is no exception.
Among the most popular videos on YouTube are those about the creators leaving the platform, with most of them getting a lot of views. Things are not so different in Thailand, where a lot of established YouTubers of various genres, such as Momm Tanad Dak (4.79 million subscribers) and Bearhug (4.79 subscribers), have announced their decision to leave the platform after 10 years. Continued …
- Rabid Russian assaults police team in Phuket – Continued …
- South Korean and Taiwanese arrested on fraud charges – Continued …
- International scammers caught in massive call-center bust – Continued …
- Thai police seize 20 kg of meth from Chinese nationals in Bangkok – Continued …
Service sector, tourism redeeming features in Thailand’s slow growth
The Thai economy expanded at a slow pace in February, but the performance of the service sector, which saw a large improvement in both the number of tourists and tourism revenue, was a silver lining. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) released its monthly economic outlook on Friday.
The central bank said private investment and manufacturing production also improved in some sectors, while private consumption remained stable. However, the value of merchandise exports, excluding gold, declined from the previous month by 2.9%, as exports of several industries remained sluggish. This is a result of a subdued recovery in global demand, a high level of inventory, as well as Thailand’s structural factors, the BOT said. Continued …
Household debt rises to 91.3% of GDP
The ratio of household debt to gross domestic product in Thailand rose slightly to 91.3% at the end of 2023 from 91% in September, the Bank of Thailand said on Friday, as the economy slowed.
The amount of debt was 16.4 trillion baht, versus 16.2 trillion baht at the end of the previous quarter, the central bank said in its monthly economic update. Continued …
Thailand faces opportunities and challenges in the lithium industry
Thailand has discovered lithium resources but faces challenges such as low financial returns, environmental concerns, and competition in the APAC market. Government support and financial incentives may make lithium mining in Thailand more attractive.
Australia is the top producer of lithium mines in the Asia-Pacific market and is making advancements in the processing industry. Meanwhile, Indonesia is aiming to become a hub for electric vehicle production by leading in lithium processing and partnering with companies in lithium resources, battery, and car manufacturing. Indonesia also highlights its nickel and cobalt mineral resources, which are important for battery production alongside lithium. Continued …
Sony Group starts operations at a new semiconductor fab in Thailand
Sony Group has started operations at a new semiconductor fab in Thailand to boost production of automotive image sensors for driver-assistance systems.
The new fab in Pathum Thani province will create 2,000 new jobs, with 20% being engineers, by 2026 and has space for future expansion to meet growing demand. Continued …
Chiang Mai expands Songkran booze and smoking bans
Chiang Mai will prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol, as well as smoking, in many public areas, including those around the city’s moat, during the extended Songkran festival next month.
The restrictions would be in place from April 1-21, said Nirat Phongsitthithawon, the provincial governor and chairman of a city committee on alcoholic beverage and tobacco product control. Continued …
Pattaya Port Authority prepares 700 speedboats for Songkran
As the Songkran Festival looms closer, the Pattaya Port Authority is preparing for an influx of travelers with an initiative to ensure safety and convenience. From April 11 to 17, they are set to facilitate seamless water travel between Koh Larn and Pattaya.
To cater to the needs of both locals and tourists, the authority has orchestrated a fleet comprising 60 passenger boats and 700 speedboats. Their ambitious setup aims to handle at least 20,000 travelers daily. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
Hua Hin Chiang Mai flight schedule May 4-June 14
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
- Chiang Mai–Hua Hin, 10:20am–11:50am
- Hua Hin Chiang Mai, 12:20pm–13:35pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
- Chiang Mai–Hua Hin, 9am–10:30am
- Hua Hin–Chiang Mai, 11am–12:15pm
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
Emergency hotline numbers:
- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
Yet another article about the delights of Thailand as a relocation destination. A lot of what was written is true but don’t you think this should be balanced by some words about a few pitfalls that would be good to avoid when settling here? Stories about police corruption are already quite well documented, of course, but what about the corruption and other questionable activities in property development, for example? Surely, potential retirees should be warned before they commit their savings to property in The Land of Smiles that such things do happen – even in Hua Hin!!
RF
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