New Year activities/A year in review/Holiday road accidents/Thailand braces for cold wave/Bangkok Hotel Fire Investigation/Elephants to get birth control shots/Lisa tops ‘soft power’ poll/Thailand Is Redefining ‘Soft Power’/The year of gold frenzy/Buddhism and public diplomacy/ECONOMY: How Thailand’s economy fared/“3S” trends among consumers/F&B’s critical shift/Business opportunities and challenges/TOURISM: National parks to waive entry fees/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Dining Spots Near Chao Phraya River/CLIMATE THAILAND: Top environmental issues/45th Dugong Carcass Found/Sugar mills ordered to suspend operations/’Green hospitals’ gain traction/LINKS: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
A year in review
As 2024 ends, we look back at the year’s top stories. From the Sukhumvit clash between Thai and Filipina transgender groups to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s luxury stay in Phuket, this year was filled with headlines that captured the attention of many.
Highlights also include the Bangkok-to-Beijing railway launch, updated foreign land ownership laws, and bold government policies like the alcohol tax cut. Continued …
Holiday road accidents claim 143 lives across Thailand
The number of road accidents in the first three days of New Year holiday travel neared 900, with more than 140. fatalities. Ayutthaya recorded the most accidents while Bangkok logged the most deaths.
From Dec. 27 to 29 there were 872 traffic accidents, 143 deaths and 841 injured people. Speeding was the most common cost of the accidents, followed by drink-driving. Motorcycles were the most common type of vehicle involved in the accidents. Continued …
Thailand braces for cold wave with thunderstorms in the south
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted a significant drop in temperature across northern and upper southern Thailand due to a cold air mass, with thunderstorms expected in several provinces in the south.
Today’s weather forecast highlights that a moderate cold air mass is covering the upper part of Thailand and the upper southern regions, resulting in cold to chilly weather in the northeastern and northern areas. Continued …
Three Korean Tourists Sought in Fatal Bangkok Hotel Fire Investigation
Thai police are searching for three Korean tourists who were occupants of the room where a deadly fire originated at The Ember Hotel near Khao San Road, Bangkok. The Sunday night blaze resulted in three foreign tourist fatalities due to smoke inhalation.
During an inspection of the fire scene uesterday, Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, reported that the six-story hotel’s structure on Tani Road remained intact. The fire was contained to room 511, where investigators found a severely damaged bed, suggesting it as the likely point of origin. Continued …
Elephants to get birth control shots to limit population
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is looking to use birth control shots on wild elephants to limit their population and lessen attacks on humans.
Thailand is reported to have at least 4,000 wild elephants, with its birth rate up by 7%-8% a year. The wild elephants’ population is predicted to grow to at least 6,000 in the next four years, which is inconsistent with shrinking forest areas. Continued …
Lisa tops ‘soft power’ poll
Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, the globally renowned Thai K-pop star, is in top spot for the 2024 Thailand’s most powerful soft power poll, followed by the baby pygmy hippo “Moo Deng” and the Butter Bear mascot, or “Nong Mee Noei”.
The poll on this year’s soft power overview was conducted among 1,500 participants between Dec. 24 and 28. Of those, 25.4% voted Lisa the most influential soft power figure of the year, followed by Moo Deng, the celebrity hippo at Khao Kieow Zoo, with 15.2% of the votes and Butter Bear, the mascot of a bakery shop of the same name, with 12.7% of the votes. Continued …
How Thailand Is Redefining ‘Soft Power’
Moo Deng might seem to most people like just an adorable viral baby hippo, but to the government of Thailand, where she’s from, she’s a cultural ambassador and shining example of the country’s push to boost what it calls its “soft power.”
The term soft power was coined at the height of the Cold War by American political scientist Joseph Nye, who used it to describe “when one country gets other countries to want what it wants” without the use of force, in contrast to the hard power “of ordering others to do what it wants.” Continued …
2024: The year of gold frenzy in Thailand
Gold prices witnessed a sharp spike in 2024, captivating both local and global markets. Spot gold this year, according to news agency Reuters, surged 28%t to $2,615.99 per ounce as of Dec. 27.
In Thailand, consumers and investors paid greater attention to the rapidly rising price and a high-profile public fraud involving two groups of gold dealers who tried to cash in on the gold fever. Continued …
Recognizing the link between Buddhism and public diplomacy
In Thailand, Buddhism and public diplomacy may have more in common than is apparent on the surface. The link, as explained by the venerable Phra Phrompacharayanmuni, also known as Ajahn Jayasaro, lies in the principles that can help promote mutual respect internationally.
Ajahn Jayasaro is one of this year’s recipients of Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award, co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thailand Foundation. Continued …
How Thailand’s economy fared in 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, Thailand’s economic landscape reflects a mixture of progress and setbacks. At the beginning of the year, leading banks, institutions and credit-rating agencies predicted economic growth between 3.5% and 4%.
However, recent estimates have adjusted this figure down to around 2.8% to 3.2%, reflecting global economic headwinds and domestic challenges faced throughout the year. Continued …
KResearch unveils the “3S” trends among consumers next year
Smart spending, self-healing and sustainability are expected to become trends among consumers next year, according to Kasikorn Research Center (KResearch) on Monday.
For the smart-spending trend, the center explained that consumers would plan their expenses carefully due to declining purchasing power and economic downturn. Continued …
F&B sector undergoing critical shift
Thailand’s food and beverage sector is experiencing a critical shift, driven by consumer preferences and government policies that prioritize sustainability.
In response to mounting environmental challenges, various countries are implementing policies such as the European Green Deal, the extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework, and Thailand’s Sustainable Packaging Act. Continued …
Business opportunities and challenges in Thailand in 2025
The food and beverage industry remains a timeless rising star, while healthcare, beauty, and tourism continue to lead alongside children’s products and green businesses.
If you’re planning to start a business in 2025, it’s crucial to gather information and seize the golden opportunities that align with consumer demands. Kasikorn Research Center reports that while business growth in 2025 will face multiple challenges, including economic slowdown, intense competition with imported goods, an aging population impacting spending, and unpredictable weather, there are still promising sectors. Continued …
National parks to waive entry fees for Thai tourists on Dec 31-Jan 1
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) will waive entry fees to all national parks nationwide for Thais on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, a government spokesperson said yesterday.
Sasikarn Watthanachan, deputy government spokesperson, said the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry wants to offer a New Year present to Thai citizens while promoting tourism. Hence, it has called on the DNP to waive entry fees at all national parks on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Continued …
Check Out These Dining Spots Near The Chao Phraya River
Let’s face it, 2024 has been a wild ride. Between juggling work, chasing goals, and surviving the occasional chaos of life, we’ve also had to deal with the cosmos throwing curveballs. Remember when Mercury retrograde was pulling up its antics or the moon making us all a little more emotional than we’d like?
Yeah, that was a crazy period, but we’ve made it through, so it’s now time to reward yourself the best way possible — with food. Here’s our guide to the best dining spots near the Chao Phraya River. Continued …
Top environmental issues of 2024: Kingdom’s ecology under attack
Environmental issues damaged Thai society and the economy in a number of ways in 2024.
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Invasion of the alien fish
The year-end is just around the corner, but the authorities’ attempts to find those responsible for the massive spread of blackchin tilapia has yet to yield solid results. For several months, this invasive species of alien fish has caused huge damage to Thailand’s economy and ecosystems. Continued …
45th Dugong Carcass Found in the Andaman Sea in 2024
A male juvenile dugong, emaciated and with barnacles attached to its body, was discovered washed ashore near the Ban Bo Mamuang Pier in Khlong Thom District, Krabi. This marks the 45th dugong carcass found in the Andaman Sea this year.
Preliminary examinations revealed that the carcass belonged to a male dugong measuring 200 centimeters in length and weighing approximately 100 kilograms. The animal was not yet fully grown and appeared malnourished. No significant injuries or fishing-related wounds were found. This discovery is the third dugong carcass reported in the last four days. Continued …
57 sugar mills ordered to suspend operations until Jan 2 to address air pollution
The Ministry of Industry has ordered 57 sugar mills across Thailand to temporarily close until Jan. 2 to tackle air pollution and improve road safety during the New Year holiday.
The shutdown aims to reduce pollution caused by the illegal burning of sugarcane, which harms air quality. Stopping sugarcane transportation during this period is also expected to lower traffic risks and make travel safer for holiday travelers. Continued …
‘Green hospitals’ gain traction
Many hospitals are stepping up efforts to become “green hospitals” with an aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and ensure high environmental standard practices.
Their projects range from increasing green areas to better dealing with energy and medical packaging issues to support the campaign against global warming. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
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
- State Railway – 1590