Hua Hin revives airport upgrade/Thai PM suspended/Suriya acting PM/Revision of alcohol sales ban/Foreigners can purchase lottery tickets/Increased risks of heavy rainfall/Floods wreak havoc in Pattaya/Woman seeks one million baht a month/Thailand to Host Triple Sumo/ECONOMY: Bt400 minimum wage from today/’Solo Economy’ Drives Consumer Spending/TOURISM: Travel scheme crashes/Spanish Tourists Rescued/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand-China Diplomatic Relations/MICHELIN Restaurants Worth a Day Trip/CLIMATE THAILAND: Learn to live with heatwaves/Indicator of Bangkok being reclaimed by sea/Bangkok Airways’ green fuel/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY: Phuket boosts security/INTERNATIONAL: Europe hit by record heatwave/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

Hua Hin revives airport upgrade effort

A new committee has been established to help improve services and revive stalled development efforts at Hua Hin Airport, as part of a wider plans to position the airport for long-term growth.

The committee’s stated aim is to transform Hua Hin Airport into a “living airport” — one that serves not only as a transport hub but also as a welcoming gateway for tourists, with activities and events held at the airport to enhance the visitor experience. Continued … 

Thai PM suspended

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties pending a ruling on whether she breached ethical standards in violation of the constitution, following a controversial phone call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen.

The petition, filed by 36 senators, accuses the 38-year-old premier of dishonesty over the leaked call, which appeared to show her currying favor with Hun Sen while disparaging a Thai military commander. Continued …

Suriya to become acting PM

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will become the acting prime minister and will lead the new Cabinet at the oath-taking ceremony before His Majesty the King tomorrow.

An informed government source pointed out that Phumtham Wechayachai should have been the first in line to stand in for Paetongtarn as the acting prime minister during her suspension, had it not been for a legal technicality in the new Cabinet line-up rules, which means that Phumtham’s posts as deputy prime minister and defense minister have ended and he is yet to be formally reinstated as deputy prime minister and interior minister. Continued …

Revision of alcohol sales ban from 2-5 pm under review

The Ministry of Public Health expects scrutiny of a new bill containing a series of amendments to the Alcohol Control Act 2008 to be completed later this month, says Minister Somsak Thepsutin. The legislation will get rid of outdated military-era sales restrictions and ease curbs on advertising, but will also introduce some stricter regulations.

The law will also formally repeal National Peace Keeping Council Order No 253, dating back to 1972, which sets the legal hours for alcohol sales, currently 11am to 2pm and 5pm to midnight. Continued …

Foreigners can now purchase lottery tickets

Foreigners dreaming of winning the Thai lottery rejoice. You can legally purchase lottery tickets in Thailand, provided they’re bought from licensed vendors. With draws held on the first and 16th of each month, except during certain holidays, your chance to strike it rich is never too far away.

Priced at 80 baht per ticket and sold in pairs, each ticket flaunts a unique six-digit number. A standard lottery set holds up to 1 million tickets, but beware: numbers deemed lucky often carry a price premium, despite government efforts to curb this. Continued …

Increased risks of heavy rainfall and tropical storms

The country is bracing for heavy rains and the prospect of more storms from August to October, as the national water agency is rolling out a proactive flood-mitigation plan.

The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has warned of increased risks of heavy rainfall and tropical storms hitting the country during these three months, with the northern and northeastern regions particularly vulnerable to flash floods, runoff, and river overflows. Continued …

Floods wreak havoc as Pattaya bikes washed away

Tourists and locals in Pattaya were left soaked and stranded yesterday as a torrential downpour turned Thailand’s Sin City into a sodden swamp, with over 20 bikes washed away in raging floodwaters.

The heavens opened for more than two hours last night, swamping Bang Lamung district and bringing traffic to a watery standstill. Water levels surged to between 20 and 70 centimeters in parts of the city, rendering roads completely impassable. Continued … 

Thai woman seeks one million baht a month from suitor

A Thai woman’s social media post demanding a suitor provide her with one million baht per month has stirred up a significant online frenzy, capturing the attention and imagination of users nationwide.

The post features the woman dressed in a student uniform, articulating her unapologetic need for substantial financial support. She boldly states, “I’m searching for someone who ‘understands my value’ enough to offer 1 million baht a month without questioning why it’s expensive.” Continued …

Thailand to Host Triple Sumo Showdown

Thailand has been officially named host of three prestigious international sumo tournaments this September, marking a historic moment for the nation’s sporting calendar.

These are the 26th Sumo World Championship 2025, the 19th Junior Sumo World Championships 2025, and the 15th Asian Sumo Championships 2025. All events will take place from Sept. 13–14 at Rangsit University, with more than 300 sumo wrestlers from over 40 countries expected to compete. Continued …

Bt400 minimum wage in hotel and entertainment businesses from today

The new 400-baht minimum wage came into effect today in Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, and Rayong provinces, and in the Koh Samui district of Surat Thani province.

The new minimum wage applies to employees of 2-star to 5-star hotels with at least 50 rooms, as well as those who work in entertainment venues, such as bars, pubs, nightclubs, and karaoke bars. Continued …

How ‘Solo Economy’ Drives Two-Thirds of Consumer Spending

Thailand’s single population has emerged as the dominant force in consumer spending, accounting for more than two-thirds of total market expenditure and driving significant growth in luxury goods, beauty products, and premium lifestyle services, according to new research from The 1 Insight.

The comprehensive analysis reveals that Thailand’s “Solo Economy” represents not merely a large market segment, but one experiencing continuous expansion at rates exceeding overall market growth. Continued …

‘Half-Half Thai Travel’ scheme crashes on launch day

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has issued an apology after the registration system for the “Tiew Thai Khon La Krueng” (Half-Half Thai Travel) co-payment scheme suffered a technical failure, rendering it inaccessible yesterday — the launch day for registration of 500,000 travel entitlements.

TAT stated it is urgently working to restore the system as quickly as possible to allow Thai citizens to register and claim their entitlements aimed at boosting domestic tourism. The campaign allows people to register and claim travel subsidies via the website www.เที่ยวไทยคนละครึ่ง.com and the Amazing Thailand mobile application. The travel period runs from July 4 to Oct. 31, 2025. Continued …

Spanish Tourists Rescued After Longtail Boat Capsizes Off Koh Samui

A longtail passenger boat carrying four Spanish tourists capsized late yesterday mornin, between Koh Samui and Koh Taen due to strong winds and rough waves, authorities have confirmed.

The passengers, aged 10, 14, 42, and 45, were on a sightseeing trip when the incident occurred in choppy seas off the coast of Surat Thani province. Fortunately, all four were rescued by other bosts and brought safely back to shore. Continued …

50 Years Ago: Historic Meeting Sealed Thailand-China Diplomatic Relations

Exactly half a century ago, Thailand and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations in a groundbreaking ceremony marked by an unexpected hour-long audience with Chairman Mao Zedong that almost didn’t happen.

The historic meeting on July 1, 1975, came together with just 30 minutes’ notice, after Chinese doctors cleared the 81-year-old Communist Party leader to receive the Thai delegation led by Prime Minister M.R. Kukrit Pramoj. Continued …

5 MICHELIN Restaurants Worth a Day Trip from Bangkok

Bangkok might be one of the world’s great food cities, but some of the most rewarding meals in Thailand lie just beyond it.

From a royal Thai kitchen set in a riverside garden to a chef restoring century-old recipes over fire, these MICHELIN-rated restaurants offer compelling reasons to leave town for a quick lunch, a weekend drive, or an extended tour through the country’s food cultures. Here are five restaurants within reach of Bangkok that are well worth the detour. Continued …

World will have to learn to live with heatwaves: UN

The world will have to learn to live with heatwaves, the United Nations’ weather and climate agency said yesterday, as much of Europe roasted in high summer temperatures. The World Meteorological Organization said that in the future, people could expect heatwaves to occur more often and be more intense because of human-induced climate change.

WMO spokeswoman Clare Nullis said July was traditionally the hottest month of the year in the northern hemisphere, but it was exceptional, though not unprecedented, to have episodes of extreme heat this early in the summer. Continued …

Wat Khun Samut Chin: Graphic indicator of Bangkok being reclaimed by the sea

A popular temple in Samut Prakan, surrounded by the sea, serves as a graphic indicator that Bangkok could be reclaimed by the sea by 2050, an academic warned on Monday. Sonthi Kotchawat, an environmental expert, said Wat Khun Samut Chin in Samut Prakan was clear evidence that both Bangkok and Samut Prakan were facing a serious issue of coastal erosion due to global warming.

He noted that the temple used to have 76 rai of land around it, but now most of the land had been reclaimed by the sea, leaving only five rai of dry land for the temple grounds. Continued …

Bangkok Airways takes off with green fuel to slash carbon emissions

Bangkok Airways is propelling its Low Carbon Skies by Bangkok Airways initiative with a major commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Starting yesterday, the airline will officially introduce  sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on its commercial flights, marking a significant step toward a more environmentally friendly future for aviation in Thailand.

The airline will blend SAF with 99% Jet A-1 fuel, starting with a 1% SAF mix, which is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by around 128 kilograms per flight. This sustainable move is part of the airline’s broader mission to lead the charge in Thailand’s green aviation industry. Continued …

Phuket boosts security with 98-million-baht ‘Phuket Eye’ expansion

Phuket is about to get a major security upgrade as local officials unveil plans to expand the “Phuket Eye” initiative, a groundbreaking security model aimed at making the island safer, with crime suppression, tourist safety, and traffic management as top priorities.

Police Major Gen.Sinlert Sukhum, a key figure in the program, recently detailed the success of “Phuket Eye” during a briefing, revealing that since the start of the year, the police have apprehended 369 foreigners. Among them, 87 faced charges for illegal immigration, 65 were arrested for drunk driving, 27 for working in prohibited jobs, and 23 for drug-related offenses. Continued … 

• 15 Chinese Arrested in Thai Luxury Home Raid Over Scam Network – Continued …
• Broke British dad busted smuggling £100k cannabis from Thailand – Continued …

European countries hit by record heatwave

Europe is facing an “unusual” heatwave early this summer, prompting several countries to implement urgent measures as temperatures hit record highs yesterday. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that Europe is warming at twice the global average and is currently the fastest-warming continent in the world. Continued …

• • • • Bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok

      The first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin offers two round trips daily. The fare is 200 baht each way and takes three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure is from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.

      (We recommend checking with the bus company about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)

      Starting May 1, the Don Mueang-Hua Hin route will offer two round trips per day. The two outbound trips from Don Mueang Airport will depart at 8 am and 3 pm. The bus will stop at eight locations, including the Service Hall at Don Mueang, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Mahachai, Phetchaburi Big C, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, and the Hua Hin Bus Station.

      For the return trips from Hua Hin, buses will depart at  9 am and 3:30 pm, stopping at seven locations, including the Hua Hin Bus Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Mahachai, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, and Don Mueang Airport.

      Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.

      Bus Tickets 

      

      New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule

      Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):

      (We recommend checking with the airline about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)

      Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 12:10 pm

      Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 10:20 am

      

      Hua Hin train schedule

      

      To book online

      

      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