Category Archives: bangkok

bangkok, hua hin, real estate, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s News-July 18

  • Anantasila’s Got Talent event set Wednesday/
  • Hua Hin Beach Life, July 21-23/
  • Officials in Hua Hin brief Night Market traders against selling counterfeit goods/
  • Major Muay Thai tournament coming to Hua Hin/
  • Magazine ranks Thailand 9th best retirement spot/
  • Storm Talim advances on Thailand/
  • Coalition decides to propose Pita as its PM candidate in second round/
  • Senators plan moves to derail people’s choice PM/
  • The promises and perils of crowdfunding hospital bills in Thailand/
  • Chon Buri resident’s lucky escape from giant lizard lurking in toilet/
  • Economy: Home buyers looking to resell properties/Thailand now world’s 2nd largest exporter of canned/processed fish/
  • Tourism: International tourism set to fall short next year/
  • Thailand Experience: Bangkok’s Chef Ton: The face of Thailand around the globe/
  • International: Vietnam implements unlimited re-entry 90-day e-visa/After bridge attack, Russia halts participation in Black Sea grain deal/
  • 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

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Officials in Hua Hin brief Night Market traders against selling counterfeit goods

Officials have briefed traders at Hua Hin Night Market about selling counterfeit goods to locals and tourists.

The move is part of a concerted effort to combat intellectual property infringement,
and comes after a meeting was held on July 14 in the Hua Hin municipal office. Continued …

Major Muay Thai tournament coming to Hua Hin Sunday

On Sunday, July 23, Hua Hin will play host to a Muay Thai tournament aimed at promoting Thailand’s cultural prowess and boosting its economy and tourism sector.

Organized by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the Hua Hin Sports Development Assn., this event aims to showcase the country’s soft power and reinforce the positive image and attitude of Thai citizens. Continued …

Magazine ranks Thailand 9th best retirement spot

Thailand secured its position as the world’s ninth-best retirement spot on International Living Magazine’s 2023 Annual Global Retirement Index. The index ranks countries based on their suitability for retirees, taking into account various factors, including cost of living, cost of healthcare, cultural activities, and more.

In the 2023 index, Thailand shares the spotlight with other popular retirement destinations such as Portugal, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece, and France. Notably, Thailand is the only Asian country featured in this esteemed group. Continued …

Storm Talim advances on Thailand

Several provinces are likely to be hit with heavy to very heavy rain from today to Thursday due to the influence of severe tropical storm Talim, the Thai Meteorological Department said in a weather warning issued today.

The department said the storm is hovering over Guangxi region in southern China, with wind speeds at the eye of about 100 km/hour. It is moving west at 20 km/hour and is expected to make landfall in upper Vietnam today or tomorrow and will downgrade into a depression and a severe low-pressure area, respectively. Continued … 

Coalition decides to propose Pita as its PM candidate in second round

The Move Forward-led eight-party coalition has decided to propose Pita Limjaroenrat as its candidate for prime minister in the second round of voting on July 19. The decision was made at a meeting of the eight-party coalition on Monday at Thai Summit Tower in Bangkok, Pita revealed.

The 42-year-old candidate said that he would still run for the coalition, but added that if he did not see a “significant” improvement in support, he would be prepared to back Pheu Thai’s nominee. Continued …

Senators plan moves to derail people’s choice PM

On Monday, a group of Thai senators announced they would oppose the renomination of Pita Limjaroenrat to parliament as prime minister on Wednesday. The move comes as concerns also grow about the potential intervention of the Constitutional Court on the same day. The court has a petition before it which could ultimately see the Move Forward Party dissolved.

The week is expected to see significant development in the political arena, with all the signs pointing toward a plot by conservative elements to derail the democratic agenda of the Move Forward Party. Continued …

The promises and perils of crowdfunding hospital bills in Thailand

For the 67 injured Brits who have appealed for cash to pay hospital bills in Thailand since the beginning of 2023, charity giving is both the first stop and a last resort. The British government and insurance companies will instantly recommend the route to distraught families, but the relatives in question can’t find mega-cash anywhere else in any case.

Commercial funding platforms such as the highly popular GoFundMe handle most of the campaigns. A review of the ads suggests that the average amount requested was around 25,000 GBP, with about 40% of the cash actually donated by the time the ad was cancelled or, more commonly, simply fell into disuse. Continued … 

Chon Buri resident’s lucky escape from giant lizard lurking in toilet

A resident of the Bang Nang community in Chon Buri’s Phan Thong district encountered an outsized lizard in his toilet. He was fortunate enough to evade a potential bite after doing his business as usual and alerted others of the lurking danger with detailed posts on social media.

Late at night, when Tiwa Kheawsom was using his bathroom, he noticed an eerie image after flushing the toilet. Much to his amazement, it was the head of a giant lizard lodged in the toilet. Despite his repeated attempts at flushing, the lizard refused to retire into the drainage system. Continued …

Home buyers looking to resell properties

With more people struggling to repay home loans, the number of second-hand homes and condos posted for sale is on the rise. The increase in non-performing assets (NPA), or foreclosed homes in the real estate market appeals to foreigners seeking residential properties. in prime locations.

According to Anchana Vallipakorn, co-founder and CEO of Baania (Thailand), the overall second-hand property market in Bangkok has seen a significant increase in the number of listings in five districts, namely Huai Khwang, Wattana, Chatuchak, Khlong Toei, and Ratchathewi. Continued …

Thailand now world’s 2nd largest exporter of canned/processed fish

Thailand has emerged as the world’s second-largest exporter of canned fish and processed fish products, after China, and the top exporter in ASEAN.

The expansion is being driven by free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries such as Japan, Chile, Peru and China, the Commerce Ministry said. Continued …

International tourism set to fall short next year

Tourism revenue from the international market in 2024 will not be able to match the level recorded in 2019, as the target has been downgraded to 1.92 trillion baht from an earlier target of 2.29 trillion baht due to the impact of a “polycrisis”, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

However, the overall target has been maintained at 3 trillion baht, as the agency will push the domestic market to reach 1.08 trillion baht next year. Continued …

Bangkok’s Chef Ton: The face of Thailand around the globe

Easily one of the more approachable and friendly chefs, chef Ton isn’t just a pretty face. The first Thai chef to take home the coveted No.1 spot, chef Ton is also the only chef to achieve the top spot and have two restaurants in the top five on the Asia’s 50 Best 2023 list. His other fine dining restaurant, Nusara, is No.3.

“The day after we won, Le Du’s inbox had almost 1,000 emails for reservations, which is something we have never seen before. This led to us to open reservations three months in advance. Everyday we have about 80 people on the waiting list and we haven’t added any more seats. Le Du can seat around 36 people and can only do about 60 covers, maximum. Though we don’t actually do two covers a night because we want people to enjoy and take their time. We don’t want to rush them through the experience,” says chef Ton. Continued … 

Vietnam implements unlimited re-entry 90-day e-visa

An extension of the E-visa to 90 days is expected to lure more oversea tourists to Vietnam. Starting on Aug. 15, upon being granted an e-visa, a visitor can enter and exit unlimited times within 90 days without obtaining a new visa. Continued …

After bridge attack, Russia halts participation in Black Sea grain deal

Russia said on Monday that it had halted participation in a landmark UN-brokered deal, which allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported through the Black Sea, just hours after Moscow said Ukraine had attacked the Crimean Bridge. Continued …

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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 Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590
bangkok, climate change, hua hin, medical tourism, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s News-July 15

  • Move Forward MPs File Bill To Rid Senators Of PM-Picking Power/
  • General Prawit may emerge next week to clinch prime minister’s job/
  • Political experts see no path for Pita to become PM/
  • Business community hoping for a quick political resolution/
  • Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok ranked among world’s best hospitals/
  • Tourism: Tourism sector anxious over possible protests in wake of failed PM vote/A beginner’s guide to the rainy season in Thailand/
  • Thailand Experience: The best things to do in Phrae/
  • International: Prolonged heatwaves grip US and Europe, raising health concerns/Israeli doctors reattach Palestinian boy’s head in pioneering surgery/Oil Prices Predicted to Recover Amidst Global Economic Rebound/
  • 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

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Move Forward MPs File Bill To Rid Senators Of PM-Picking Power

Move Forward MPs yesterday filed a renewed bill to put an end to the constitutional power of the military-appointed senators to pick a prime minister.

The Move Forward legislation was lodged in pursuit of amendment to Section 272 of the military-designed constitution to the extent that the senators be no longer empowered to vote for prime minister alongside the elected MPs. Continued …

General Prawit may emerge next week to clinch prime minister’s job

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, the leader of the Palang Pracharat Party, may emerge as a surprise new candidate for prime minister next Wednesday, with sources within the eight-party coalition increasingly concerned after Thursday’s polarized debate in parliament, that the avuncular party leader may gain the support of the 188 MPs in the House who voted against Pita and swing undecided senators to come in behind his bid, which could lead to him securing well over the 375 votes required under Section 272 to be legally confirmed as government leader.

On Friday, the day after the vote in Parliament which saw Pita Limjaroenrat fail to reach the minimum votes required, 375 in a joint session of Parliament to be elected Thailand’s 30th prime minister, the eight-party coalition behind him met to discuss its future strategy. Continued …

Political experts see no path for Pita to become PM

Many Thai experts and political analysts say that the Move Forward-led coalition may have to consider fielding a prime minister candidate other than Pita Limjaroenrat. They spoke on Friday, a day after Pita failed to win in the first round of parliament’s vote for prime minister.

Despite being the lone candidate, Pita was unable to secure majority support from parliamentarians, falling short of the 375 votes required. Continued … 

Business community hoping for a quick political resolution

Whichever faction of parties comes together to form a new government, the business sector insists there is an urgent need to swiftly establish an administration.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, an honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Assn., said the likelihood Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat will become the next prime minister seems murky, and Thailand’s political situation could be tense for a while. Continued …

Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok ranked among world’s best hospitals

Newsweek and Statista, a news magazine and a website for statistical information, recently published the World’s Best Hospitals list, ranking 250 of the top global hospitals. Bumrungrad International Hospital, in Bangkok, ranks 182nd overall, with a 93% score, while the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is the top-ranked hospital.

The result is a good sign for Thailand’s plans to make the country into a global medical and wellness hub by 2026, which is expected to generate more employment, boost investment, and contribute to various related businesses, as well as promoting alternative medicine. – Pattaya Mail

Tourism sector anxious over possible protests in wake of failed PM vote

Yesterday’s political fiasco, where Pita Limjaroenrat failed to become PM despite his party winning the most votes in the general election, has left Thailand’s tourism sector on edge.

The risk of political protests if Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure the votes needed to become PM in round 2 or 3 of voting (on July 19 and 20) is worrying tourism operators. Continued …

A beginner’s guide to the rainy season in Thailand

If you’re planning to pay a visit to Thailand when the rainy season is in full swing, these are the things you need to know.

Those of us who live in Thailand know that every year we alternate between enduring the scorching heat and the eventual torrential downpour and the floods that go along with it. Sure, there’s the extremely brief sweet spot where it’s cold (kinda), but other than that, it’s either hot or wet. Continued …

The best things to do in Phrae

Eat, Phrae, Love. It’s seems distracting, disrespectful almost, to admit to myself just how often the words slip through my mind on the sticky streets of Phrae.

Yes, the pronunciation of Phrae shimmies over the h and half notices the r. So it kind of sounds like pray. But that’s really where the similarity ends with the novel about a woman who sets out to travel the world to forget about her problems. Continued … 

Video

Prolonged heatwaves grip US and Europe, raising health concerns

A prolonged heatwave prompted an urgent warning by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) for over 115 million citizens. Notably, the city of Phoenix, Arizona, has endured consecutive high temperatures over 43 degrees Celsius for 13 days, with signs of breaking a record of over 18 days of consecutive heat, starting Tuesday, July 18. Continued …

Israeli doctors reattach Palestinian boy’s head in pioneering surgery

In a remarkable medical achievement, Israeli physicians have successfully performed a reattachment operation on a child’s head, following a collision with a vehicle while he was cycling that left him with an almost severed neck. The pioneering surgery was conducted at a hospital in Jerusalem. Continued …

Oil Prices Predicted to Recover Amidst Global Economic Rebound

The average price of ICE Brent crude oil in the second quarter of 2023 (April 1-June 30) remained stable at $77.75 per barrel, indicating tighter supply in the market compared to the previous quarter. Continued …

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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 Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590
bangkok, hua hin, marijuana, medical tourism, thai economy, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Monday’s News-July 10

  • Road closures this week/
  • Tommy Taylor: Both contradictions and clarity of purpose/
  • Prachuap Khiri Run to be held July 16/
  • Kolour music festival coming to Hua Hin Aug. 19/
  • What’s Plan B, Plan C and More If Pita Fails To Become PM?/
  • Heavy rain, floods, and landslide dangers as monsoon air currents persist/
  • Triple surge in dengue cases challenge Thai healthcare system/
  • Thailand has 150,000+ stateless children/
  • Ceremony held to remember those who died during Tham Luang rescue/
  • Plai Sak Surin eating well, sleeping well and free of disease/
  • A brief history of Thailand’s ‘elephant diplomacy’/
  • Four dead, 27 injured as bus carrying Thai marathon runners topples over/
  • Thai mother amputee defies odds, on road to recovery/
  • What can Australia learn from Thailand a year after cannabis was decriminalized?/
  • Economy: Outside of Politics, Thailand Has a Good Story to Tell/
  • Tourism: Tourism is still driving growth of Thai economy, central bank says/Thailand aims to boost economy with health tourism campaign/Pai Suspends Tubing in Rainy Season, Offers Jazz And Green/
  • Thailand Experience: Jet Tila’s Top 3 Thai Curry Recipe Videos/Paradise awaits campers at Kanchanaburi’s Kroeng Krawia Waterfall/Where to find the most famous street food in Bangkok/
  • International: Driverless taxis to start paid service in Beijing/Nail salon robbery attempt foiled by disinterested staff and customers/Proof humans reshaped the world? Chickens/
  • 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

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Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Tommy Taylor: Both contradictions and clarity of purpose

By Felicitee Lawrie

Given the name Thomas at birth, this man is now called Tom by his family and friends in England and other parts of the world, but is pretty much universally known as Tommy Taylor by his Thai friends and his many contacts in wildlife protection and conservation.

This nickname was bestowed upon Tom by a dear Australian friend, during his time as a WFFT volunteer. Tommy Taylor in the second-in-charge at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, and trusted lieutenant and heir-apparent to WFFT’s founder and head honcho, the renown Edwin Wiek. Continued …

Prachuap Khiri Run to be held July 16

One of the region’s most eye-catching running events will be held in Prachuap Khiri Khan Saturday, July 16. The Tipco Prachuap Khiri Run 2023 will take participants along the stunning Prachuap Bay and the Wing 5 military base.

Runners will have the opportunity to take in the beautiful surroundings, with the route boasting some breathtaking views along the bay and across the runway at the military base. Continued … 

What’s Plan B, Plan C and More If Pita Fails To Become PM?

On Thursday morning at 9am, parliamentarians will vote to select the new prime minister, and Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat’s future will become clear, if not clearer.

Last-minute lobbying for more junta-appointed senators to endorse Pita in the next three to four days aside, a rough and initial contingency plan has already been partly made public. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha and Second Deputy House Speaker Pichaet Chuamuangpan have made it clear earlier this week that Pita’s name will at least get to be tabled for a second and even a third vote if he kept failing to get at least 376 votes – the magic number required to make him Thailand’s 30th prime minister. Continued … 

Heavy rain, floods, and landslide dangers as monsoon air currents persist

Thailand continues to experience heavy rainfall in various regions due to eastward-moving monsoon air currents and southwestern monsoon winds that still cover the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand.

The adverse weather conditions have resulted in the need for vigilance against potential danger from intense and accumulated rainfall, which might lead to sudden floods and landslides, particularly in steep terrain near water courses and low-lying areas. Continued …

Triple surge in dengue cases challenge Thai healthcare system

A surge in dengue patients has been recorded in the first half of this year, with numbers almost triple that of the same period last year, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). The dengue outbreak continues to challenge the healthcare system, as the number of infected individuals soars.

From Jan. 1 to June 28, 27,377 dengue cases were identified, marking a near tripling of the numbers from the corresponding period the previous year. Furthermore, the DDC reported that 33 patients have tragically lost their lives in these cases due to the severe dengue outbreak. Continued …

Thailand has 150,000+ stateless children

Thailand is host to the second-largest refugee population in Asia. There are over 150,000 stateless children in the system, plus an estimated 50,000 who are not registered.

Though Thailand has made a lot of progress in the past 10 years, especially in terms of policies, there is still room for improvement in accelerating the process and reaching the goal of zero stateless children in the near future. Continued …

Ceremony held to remember those who died during Tham Luang rescue

A religious ceremony was held this morning in front of Tham Luang cave, in the Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park in Chiang Mai, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the dramatic search and rescue mission for 12 members of the “Wild Boar” school footballer team and their coach, trapped inside the flooded cave from June 23 to July 10, 2018.

The ceremony was also held to pay respects to two members of the Thai Navy SEAL team who died during the rescue, Saman Kunan and Beirut Pakbara, the late Chiang Rai Gov. Narongsak Osottanakorn, who supervised the search and rescue operations, and Duangphet Promthep, one of the footballers who died in February this year while studying in Britain. Continued …

Plai Sak Surin eating well, sleeping well and free of disease

The Thai elephant brought back from Sri Lanka has tested negative for six communicable diseases common among pachyderms in his first seven days of quarantine. The elephant is being quarantined at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang.

Saran Chansittivej, a veterinarian tending to the elephant, said on Sunday that blood and stool tests found Plai Sak Surin free of the following diseases: Continued …

A brief history of Thailand’s ‘elephant diplomacy’

When thinking about sending Thai elephants abroad, the first thing that comes to mind is the time when His Majesty King Rama IV attempted to gift elephants to former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.

Silpa-Mag and Siammanussati websites stated that HM King Rama IV contacted the former president on multiple occasions. In 1856, a royal letter and gifts were sent to President Franklin Pierce and then to James Buchanan in 1859. Continued …

Four dead, 27 injured as bus carrying Thai marathon runners topples over

In Sisaket, a province in northeastern Thailand, a tragic turn of events led to the death of four individuals and left 27 others with injuries of varying severity. The Sisaket bus accident took place yesterday morning when the vehicle ferrying marathon runners toppled over and plunged into the dense forest on a steep mountain road.

The runners, affiliated with Luang Pu Suang Wat Phrai Phatthana Technological College, embarked on their journey around 9.30am. The bus was in the process of climbing a mountain road near the Phaya Krupri Viewpoint when it fell off the steep road. Continued …

Thai mother amputee defies odds, on road to recovery

The son of the Thai woman who lost her leg in a faulty airport escalator believes she will be running faster than him in no time as she took her first steps on the road to recovery.

Suphannee Kittirattana yesterday took her first tentative steps since her leg was amputated after it got tangled in a dodgy travelator at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok on June 29. Continued …

What can Australia learn from Thailand a year after cannabis was decriminalized?

Stone Age, iStoned, High Got You, and Wake N’ Bake are just a handful of the endless weed puns popping up on shop signs across Thailand.

Over the past year, thousands of marijuana businesses have flooded the streets since the country decriminalized cannabis to help boost the tourism, agriculture and wellness industries. Continued …

Outside of Politics, Thailand Has a Good Story to Tell

When central bankers line up almost daily to assert their commitment to fighting inflation, it makes me think of Thailand. Not the fine resorts and great food. The country’s untrumpeted success is seriously taming prices to the point where officials might want to think about easing up, lest the economy slows too much.

Like the rest of Southeast Asia, Thailand has been blindsided by the modest nature of China’s rebound. Tourism, a key industry, is gradually recovering. The number of Chinese visitors is heading in the right direction, but nothing like the surge that was anticipated when Beijing canceled Covid Zero. Thailand’s divisive politics aren’t helpful: Two months after an election, the country is without a prime minister. Continued …

Tourism is still driving growth of Thai economy, central bank says

Tourism remains the engine of growth for the Thai economy, and with the number of foreign visitors continuing to rise, economic growth will pick up, according to the Bank of Thailand monetary policy department Director Sakkapop Panyanukul.

Consumption will also rise due to the recovery in the labor market, Sakkapop said. Government spending also increased in both operational and capital expenditures, he added. Continued …

Thailand aims to boost economy with health tourism campaign

The Thai government has launched an ambitious campaign, “Discover the New You” to entice international visitors to spend upwards of 18 million baht (US$510,000) by September of this year.

This initiative is a concerted effort by the government, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and over 130 healthcare, wellness businesses and service providers including hotels, spas, health resorts, hospitals, and clinics. Continued …

Pai Suspends Tubing in Rainy Season, Offers Jazz And Green

Tourism in Mae Hong Son province confirms the need to suspend tube rafting, a popular tourist activity in Pai district, due to high water levels during the rainy season. The risks of forest water and flash floods pose a danger to tourists.

Panuwat Khadnak, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mae Hong Son Office, said that, according to the measures to promote rubber rafting tourism on the Pai River, all entrepreneurs are required to stop rubber rafting activities on the Pai River for the safety of tourists. Continued …

Jet Tila’s Top 3 Thai Curry Recipe Videos

Video 

Paradise awaits campers at Kanchanaburi’s Kroeng Krawia Waterfall

The wet season is the perfect time for nature lovers to visit the Kroeng Krawia waterfall in Kanchanaburi’s Sangkhla Buri district. Located near the Khao Laem National Park’s Protection Unit 1, the beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush forests also offers stunning misty mornings.

Though offering unspoiled views, the surrounding area has been developed as a camping site, with facilities like toilets, electricity, wi-fi and food outlets. Continued …

Where to find the most famous street food in Bangkok

There are many reasons why people visit Bangkok: a change of pace, or the nightlife, or indeed, even the food. No one can deny how irresistible pad thai looks as you’re down the streets, or how curious the cravings for some khao tom pla can get after a few drinks.

From gai yang to som tum and boat noodles, here’s where to find some of the most famous street food in Bangkok. These neighborhoods are known for their good food, with a few standout stalls you should check out, too. Continued …

Driverless taxis to start paid service in Beijing

A larger fleet of driverless taxis will soon be available for hire in the capital city as the Office of the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone has decided to launch the commercial operation of autonomous vehicles and expand their serviceable area. Continued …

Nail salon robbery attempt foiled by disinterested staff and customers

An audacious, yet futile robbery attempt at a nail salon in Atlanta, United States, has left not only the perpetrator in disbelief but also the public, as both the staff and patrons seemed to be unfazed by the incident. Continued …

Proof humans reshaped the world? Chickens

When aliens or our distant progeny sift through layers of sediment 500,000 years from now to decode the Earth’s past, they will find unusual evidence of the abrupt change that upended life half-a-million years earlier – chicken bones. Continued …

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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 Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590

 

bangkok, hua hin, pattaya, phuket, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Wednesday’s News-July 5

  • Bus service times to airport updated/
  • Chomsin Road, Petchkasem road closures through July 11/
  • ‘3 strikes’ for Pita’s PM bid/
  • Inflation unexpectedly up in June but at slower pace/
  • Dry spell could last into 2024/
  • Fun facts about elephant’s repatriation from Sri Lanka/
  • Off-duty police officer kills 2 in drunken accident in Ayutthaya/
  • 64 Deaths in 4 Months From Phuket Road Accidents/
  • ‘Dancing Fountain’ Project Collapses in Pattaya/
  • Economy: Drought menacing Thailand threatens global supply of sugar and rice/
  • Tourism: Why you should never leave a negative hotel review in Thailand/Koh Samui battling extreme water crisis after being overrun by tourists/
  • Thailand Experience: 10 best restaurants in Silom, Bangkok/Five places to be wild at heart/
  • International: UN warns world to prepare for El Nino impact/We may be underestimating the climate risk to crops/10 dead, 38 wounded in three mass shootings ahead of US July 4 holiday/Approval for Japan’s Fukushima water discharge stirs global debate/Israel’s ethnic cleansing quest continues in Palestine/
  • 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

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Bus service times to airport updated

The Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport bus service schedule has been updated for the low season timetable. The price of tickets has been reduced to 294 THB.

Also, the service between Hua Hin and Pattaya has been updated.

The new schedule is as follows:

  • Departure from Hua Hin: 10am, 2pm, 5pm
  • Departure from Suvarnabhumi: 10am, 1:30pm, 5pm

New schedule for Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service

  • Hua Hin to Pattaya 9 am
  • Pattaya to Hua Hin 8 am

Price: 473 baht

‘3 strikes’ for Pita’s PM bid

If Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat fails in his bid to win the prime minister’s post during the first round of voting, he can expect one or two more chances before another deal must be struck, according to newly elected House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. The crucial first vote is expected within 15 days, Wan said.

Asked to comment on what was likely to happen if that vote doesn’t go in Pita’s favor, Wan said: “We will have to consider how many votes he still lacks, and voting should be repeated one or two more times.” Continued …

Inflation unexpectedly up in June but at slower pace

Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.23% in June from a year earlier, slowing from a 0.53% year-on-year rise in the previous month, the Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday.

Headline inflation was the lowest in 22 months, due to lower food and energy prices and a high base last year. It is expected to rise slightly in the third quarter, the ministry said. Continued …

Dry spell could last into 2024

Much of the country is experiencing below-average rainfall due to the El Nino phenomenon, and this is only likely to intensify in November and could even linger until early next year, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD).

TMD Director-general Chomparee Chompurat said drier-than-usual weather had been reported in the north, northeast, the Central Plains region, including Bangkok and its vicinity, the upper south and the western provinces, despite the rainy season starting over a month ago. Continued …

Fun facts about elephant’s repatriation from Sri Lanka

The male elephant, known in Sri Lanka as Muthu Raja (Pearly King) and Sak Surin (Mighty Surin) in Thailand, arrived in Chiang Mai on Sunday aboard a Russian Ilyushin IL-76 cargo plane, a six-hour trip that reportedly cost the Thai government 19 million baht (approximately $543,000).

Off-duty police officer kills 2 in drunken accident in Ayutthaya

An Isuzu pickup truck collided with three motorbikes on Napeephat Canal Road in Ayutthaya’s Wang Noi district at around 4.30am. The incident, resulting in two fatalities and two serious injuries, quickly drew the investigative eye of a deputy inspector from Wang Noi Police Station, Wivut Jannak.

Windowing into the accident scene, three motorcycles were found scattered across the road haphazardly among a mayhem of damaged and twisted metal. A 32-year-old woman, and a 19-year-old man succumbed to their injuries upon immediate arrival at Wang Noi Hospital. Found nearby was the responsible pickup truck, driver’s door agape, its front portion crumbled in an obvious testament to the severe impact. Continued …

64 Deaths in 4 Months From Phuket Road Accidents

In total, there have been 64 deaths in four months from Phuket road accidents so far this year, which is an increase from last year.

A Phuket road safety meeting was held this week, led by Phuket Vice Gov. Arnuparp Rodkhwan Yodrabam. Arnuparp said, “The number of deaths from road accidents in Phuket has continued to increase every year. Continued …

‘Dancing Fountain’ Project Collapses in Pattaya

The ambitious project of creating a new landmark in the heart of Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya, called the “Dancing Fountain,” has been abandoned after only a few years of operation.

Recently, a fresh coat of paint was applied to cover the deteriorating area, where tourists often encountered accidents. The community questioned whether the investment budget was thoroughly evaluated. Continued …

Drought menacing Thailand threatens global supply of sugar and rice

Thailand is preparing contingency plans to deal with a potential drought that could last years and squeeze global supplies of sugar and rice.

Rainfall across the nation may be as much as 10% below average this monsoon season, and the onset of the El Nino weather pattern could lower precipitation even further over the next two years, according to government officials. Thailand is facing widespread drought conditions from early 2024, authorities have warned. Continued … 

Why you should never leave a negative hotel review in Thailand

We’ve all been there. Whether it was a rude receptionist, an infestation of bedbugs or the stingy ratio of gin to tonic, sometimes, you’ve just got to vent.

Not to settle some petty score, no. As part of a noble cause to let the Internet know, so future travelers can choose a little better. Continued …

Koh Samui battling extreme water crisis after being overrun by tourists

A popular tourist island in Thailand is facing a severe water crisis caused by a rush of tourists combined with a decline in rainfall.

Local reports said many water reserves on Koh Samui – such as the Phru Na Mueang and Phru Krajud reservoirs along with Hin Lard waterfall – have seen a drop in their water levels, aggravating the freshwater crisis. According to local estimates, the remaining water is sufficient only for the next 30 days. Continued …

10 best restaurants in Silom, Bangkok

You may know Silom as Bangkok’s bustling business district, but let us tell you a little (not-so) secret: this corner of the world doubles up as an absolute paradise for culinary aficionados as the day turns into night. With a blend of Thai and international fine dining restaurants, charming cafes, and revered street food joints, it’s safe to say the gastronomic scene in Silom is as colorful and diverse as the community itself.

But first, a word of advice. If you’ve come across the kind suggestion, “You must try the street food in Silom”, cross our hearts, you should! However, tonight we’re trading the casual flares of street food for the ties and napkins of fine dining. So, here are the 10 best upscale restaurants in Silom that are too delicious to miss. Continued …

Five places to be wild at heart

After three months of an oppressively hot summer, the rainy season is almost upon us and will last until October. That means Thailand’s countryside is preparing a welcome mat of colorful wildflowers and the promise of wild swimming.

From June to August, the Siam tulips, or dok krachiao, in pink and ivory will emerge from the ground to carpet two national parks – Pa Hin Ngam and Sai Thong. Later, in October, thrill-seekers can enjoy some rough-and-tumble action on the rapids and wild rivers. Continued …

UN warns world to prepare for El Nino impact

The United Nations on Tuesday warned the world to prepare for the effects of El Nino, saying the weather phenomenon that triggers higher global temperatures is set to persist throughout 2023. Continued …

We may be underestimating the climate risk to crops

The risks of harvest failures in multiple global breadbaskets have been underestimated, according to a study Tuesday that researchers said should be a “wake-up call” about the threat climate change poses to our food systems. Continued …

10 dead, 38 wounded in three mass shootings ahead of US July 4 holiday

Ten people were killed and 38 wounded in mass shootings in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Fort Worth ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, officials said, prompting a fresh call from President Joe Biden to pass gun control legislation. (There were more deadly shootings after this report was filed.) Continued …

Approval for Japan’s Fukushima water discharge stirs global debate

An international watchdog has given the green light to Japan’s controversial proposal to discharge treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, declaring that the process aligns with global norms. Continued …

Israel’s ethnic cleansing quest continues in Palestine

Israel’s intent on ethnically cleansing Palestinians from their lands, the occupied areas around the West Bank, and Gaza Strip continues. Zionist forces yesterday conducted yet another bloody, horrific slaughter of innocent Palestinian men, women and children in the occupied West Bank. Continued …

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 10am, 2pm, 4pm, 5:00pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 10:00am, 1:30pm,  5pm

The one-way fare is 294 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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 Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590
bangkok, climate change, hua hin, thai economy, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s News-July 4

  • Raid on bar in Soi 80 leads to multiple arrests for illegal activities/
  • Heavy rain alert: 39 Thai provinces braced for potential floods/
  • Wan Nor is new House speaker/
  • Thai mother’s selfless act donates son’s heart, rekindling a stranger’s heartbeat/
  • Earthquake investigation uncovers overlooked fault line/
  • Uphill task to demilitarize and decentralize Thailand’s deep South/
  • Thai tycoon sentenced to 1,155 years/
  • Economy: EV market soars as Thailand and Indonesia take the lead in Asia/Businesses urged to use digital tax system/
  • Tourism: New small hotel regulations to increase tourist capacity/
  • International: Turkey will not lift its opposition to Sweden joining NATO/Unconstitutional to promote a multiracial Malaysia: former premier/More than 47,000 families growing crops in Laos to replace opium poppies/How Japan plans to release Fukushima water into the ocean/UK saw hottest June on record in 2023/
  • 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

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Raid on bar in Soi 80 leads to multiple arrests for illegal activities

A raid carried out during the early hours of Monday morning on an unlicensed bar in Hua Hin Soi 80 resulted in the arrest of several individuals involved in illegal activity.

A joint operation under the direction of Police Lt. Gen. Thanayut Wutthicharatchthon, the commissioner of Provincial Police Region 7, saw 167 people tested for drug use. Continued …

Heavy rain alert: 39 Thai provinces braced for potential floods

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued an advisory for continuous rainfall over many parts of the country. A total of 39 provinces, including the capital city of Bangkok, are expected to experience heavy rainfall, covering 60% of these areas. The Department has forewarned residents in these regions to be on guard for potential flash floods and land runoff from today onward.

The TMD reported that the monsoon over the southwest has gained intensity, covering the upper portion of the Andaman Sea and upper Thailand. This weather pattern, coupled with low-pressure covering over upper Vietnam, is causing increased rainfall. Continued …

Wan Nor is new House speaker

Wan Muhamad Noor Matha was elected as the speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand’s new parliament today.

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party, nominated Wan Nor when the House began its first session. There were 496 representatives in signed attendance. Full attendance is 500. Continued …

Thai mother’s selfless act donates son’s heart, rekindling a stranger’s heartbeat

The Thai Red Cross Society disclosed the touching story of a mother who donated the heart of her son on a life-support machine to save another’s life. Despite facing criticism from people who couldn’t understand her decision, the mother hit back saying it was the right thing to do to save the life of another.

Sopha Noyjinda’s son, Adisorn Sangsi, was involved in a tragic accident that turned the family’s life upside down. The accident left Adisorn on a life-support machine. Sopha said, “People were questioning how I could let him go as he was still breathing, but I knew his life was only due to the machines. If we unplugged him, he wouldn’t survive.” Continued …

Earthquake investigation uncovers overlooked fault line

Phitsanulok and Pichit provinces, situated in the north of Thailand, were recently shaken by a significant earthquake, rated 4.5 on the Richter scale.

The tremors caused noticeable damage to various buildings, including residences, religious sites, schools, and a hospital. As the earthquake investigation progresses, the fault line is currently under scrutiny by the Department of Mineral Resources and is suspected to be responsible for these tremors. Continued …

Uphill task to demilitarize and decentralize Thailand’s deep south

How will the coalition partners reconcile their differences in approach toward resolving the long-running conflict in the predominantly Muslim deep South? In the second of a three-part series, our political desk analyzes the challenges in pursuing a peace process.

The eight-party coalition expected to form the new government led by the Move Forward Party faces tough challenges mapping out a new peace initiative in the restive south, according to members of the working group. Among the progressive ideas being considered are demilitarization and decentralization of the region. Continued …

Thai tycoon sentenced to 1,155 years

Thai tycoon Prasit Jeawkok was sentenced to 1,155 years in prison yesterday after he was found guilty of 321 counts of fraud by the Criminal Court.

In practice, however, the most he will serve is 20 years under Thai law. Continued …

EV market soars as Thailand and Indonesia take the lead in Asia

In a global trend, electric vehicles (Evs) are steadily gaining traction in the worldwide automobile market, with significant growth realized in Asia-ASEAN countries, specifically Thailand and Indonesia. This comes as per a study undertaken by the BloombergNEF research agency.

Ideally placed at the forefront of Asia-Pacific transportation, senior analyst of Bloomberg NEF Allen Tom Abraham, projected a sharp increase in the global new passenger sales share, from 14% in 2022 to an astounding 30% by 2026. Continued …

Businesses urged to use digital tax system

The Revenue Department is encouraging entrepreneurs to use the digital tax system, which will make value-added tax (VAT) refunds five times faster than they currently are, says Director-general Lavaron Sangsnit. The department aims to have a 100% digital tax system by 2028.

The benefits of the digital tax ecosystem include eliminating the need for paper-based document management and expediting tax refunds within three days. Continued …

New small hotel regulations to increase tourist capacity

The latest amendment to the 2008 Ministerial regulations on the classification of hotel businesses will allow some 50,000 operators offering over 2 million rooms to legally register as small hotels, further enhancing Thailand’s capacity to welcome tourists, while also creating more jobs, the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) announced on Monday.

According to Manosit Jangjob, head of the TCT’s small hotel subcommittee, Thailand has around 85,000 businesses that fit the category of small hotels, but only 14,000 of them have been able to register under the 2008 regulations. Continued …

Turkey will not lift its opposition to Sweden joining NATO

Turkey will not lift its opposition to Sweden joining NATO unless it stops harboring groups Ankara considers to be terrorists, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. Continued … 

Unconstitutional to promote a multiracial Malaysia: former premier

It is unconstitutional to promote a multiracial country, says former premier Mahathir Mohamad. He said this is because the Federal Constitution never mentioned that Malaysia is a multiracial country. Continued …

More than 47,000 families growing crops in Laos to replace opium poppies

The government is working with private companies to encourage people in seven northern provinces to grow cash crops as a substitute for the illicit cultivation of opium poppies. Continued …

How Japan plans to release Fukushima water into the ocean

Japan is set to begin pumping out more than a million tons of treated water from the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant this summer, a process that will take decades to complete. Continued …

UK saw hottest June on record in 2023

The UK this year has seen its hottest June on record, both in terms of mean temperature and the average maximum temperature, the British Meteorological Office said Monday. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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 Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590
bangkok, chiang mai, hua hin, immigration, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s News-July 3

  • Thai Mobile Banking Apps Crash On Pay Day, Transfers Put Off/
  • Bangkok Bank Mobile App Continues to Have Widespread Issues/
  • Vana Nava ranked best water park in Thailand, 15th best in the world/
  • Conquer Singto Challenge held Sunday/
  • Hua Hin Bike Tour Tha Sadet cycling event Sept 10/
  • Police on alert ahead of today’s opening of parliament/
  • Are escalators and moving walkways safe?/
  • State hospitals in search of more doctors/
  • Thai company working on ‘milestone’ cancer treatment from tobacco plant/
  • After fatal accident, nearly 10,000 extinguishers found in sorry state/
  • Thai elephant Sak Surin safely repatriated after 22 years in Sri Lanka/
  • Interior Ministry rolls out digital ID app/
  • Southern Thailand’s military withdrawal sets off in full swing/
  • Get past school uniforms, reframe the purpose of education/
  • 70% work of India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway complete/
  • Economy: FTI seeks urgent measures to support Thai industries hit by export slump/Thailand’s sustained economic recovery pushes up energy consumption/Is nuclear power in the cards for Thailand?/Chinese EV Giant AION Opening First Overseas Branch in Bangkok/
  • Tourism: Thailand’s tourism confidence slides amid global economy concerns/Tourist forecast dips to 25 million for the year/Airport capacity at Suvarnabhumi to increase with new terminal and tech upgrades/AOT investing billions in its six airports to prepare for surge in passengers/Shifting patterns in global travel/LGBTQ+ tourism revenue boom fuels drive for legalized same-sex marriage in Thailand/Inside Thailand’s ‘rampant’ tiger cruelty as animals abused in zoos for selfies with tourists/
  • Thailand Experience: Harvesting Thai durian/
  • 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

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Thai Mobile Banking Apps Crash On Pay Day, Transfers Put Off

there were loud complaints Saturday after mobile banking apps and online service of several Thai banks crashed, with customers told that cash transfers made from 2 pm onward would reach the destination by 7 pm Sunday.

A lot of people were affected by the outage with Saturday being pay day and many complained about the banking problem on various social media platforms. Continued …

Bangkok Bank Mobile App Continues to Have Widespread Issues

The Bangkok Bank mobile application has had a number of issues over this first weekend of July 2023, frustrating clients.

The issues began Saturday, in which many users continually reported being unable to connect and getting a picture of a lady bowing and apologizing for the inconvenience instead. This caused people to be unable to transfer money or pay for goods and services on a busy weekend with many people traveling. Continued …

Vana Nava ranked best water park in Thailand, 15th best in the world

Vana Nava Water Jungle Hua Hin has been ranked as the best water park in Thailand and the 15th best in the world, according to the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2023.

The award solidifies its position as a leading lifestyle destination in Thailand, attracting tourists from all corners of the globe, and reaffirms its standing as one of the world’s top water parks. Continued …

Conquer Singto Challenge held Sunday

The Conquer Singto Challenge swimming and kayaking event was held Sunday at Khao Tao Beach. The event raises funds for the establishment of a state-of-the-art school catering to children with special educational needs or disabilities. The event will help ensure that the Special Children’s School in Hin Lek Fai will soon open its doors. The event was organized Ejan, a Bangkok-based media organization. The participants had to navigate the 5-kilometer round trip to Singto Island or the 13 km kayaking course.

Hua Hin Bike Tour Tha Sadet cycling event Sept 10

Get ready for a unique cycling experience as the Hua Hin/Cha Am Tourism Business Assn. gears up to host the Hua Hin Bike Tour Tha Sadet event on Sunday, Sept. 10.

Aimed at promoting local lifestyle tourism and encouraging the use of bicycles for both tourism and exercise, this event promises to showcase some picturesque historical and natural attractions of Hua Hin and its surrounding areas. Continued …

Police on alert ahead of today’s opening of parliament

Three city police stations have been readied to detain suspects should there be any protest violence during important political activities planned this month, including today’s opening of the new parliament at 5pm.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has prepared facilities at Thung Song Hong, Chalongkrung and Chorakhe Noy police stations. Continued …

Are escalators and moving walkways safe?

An airline passenger had part of her leg amputated this past week after an accident on a moving airport walkway in Bangkok, authorities said.

The accident, involving a 57-year-old woman, occurred Thursday in the domestic terminal of Don Mueang International, the older and smaller of two major airports that serve Bangkok, the capital. Continued …

State hospitals in search of more doctors

The work-life imbalance among Thailand’s medical personnel needs a solution. The latest example came from a doctor-turned-actress who posted on her Facebook that her overloaded work schedule at a provincial hospital ruined her life so much to the extent that she quit the job.

The challenge remains with the Public Health Ministry on how to create a better and fairer working environment for doctors and medical staff nationwide, while maintaining best practice in medical care at public hospitals. Continued …

Thai company working on ‘milestone’ cancer treatment from tobacco plant

A Thai plant-based pharmaceutical company has produced antibodies against cancer from tobacco and undertaken successful trials using lab animals, it said.

Baiya Phytopharm, a start-up under the auspices of Chulalongkorn University, is known for its Baiya Sars-CoV-2 Vax, a plant-based vaccine against Covid-19. Continued …

After fatal accident, nearly 10,000 extinguishers found in sorry state

An inspection carried out by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has found that almost 10,000 emergency fire extinguisher units across the capital’s 50 districts need to be urgently replaced.

The inspection was ordered after a student at Rajavinit Mathayom School was killed and 10 others injured when a fire extinguisher unit exploded during an emergency drill on June 23. Continued …

Thai elephant Sak Surin safely repatriated after 22 years in Sri Lanka

The enduring odyssey of Sak Surin, an elephant initially gifted by Thailand to Sri Lanka, took a homeward trajectory as the pachyderm touched down in Chiang Mai yesterday, ending a 22-year-long overseas sojourn.

Sak Surin’s journey back to Chiang Mai was an elaborate endeavor. Encased within a specially designed cage that was placed in the cargo hold of an Ilyushin IL-76, Sak Surin was accompanied by a team of four veterinarians and two mahouts who had journeyed to Sri Lanka earlier to facilitate the repatriation. Continued …

Interior Ministry rolls out digital ID app

In an effort to digitize various government-provided services and increase their accessibility, Thailand’s Interior Ministry officially rolled out a novel mobile application as part of its digital ID program on Friday.

The launch event was graced by none other than caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who wholeheartedly endorsed the newly unveiled “ThaID” mobile application. Continued …

Southern Thailand’s military withdrawal sets off in full swing

The forthcoming military withdrawal in the southern region of Thailand, which has seen 19 years of insurgent unrest, is currently in its initial phase, according to Fourth Region Army commander, Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanak. The four-year plan aims to gradually decrease military presence and remove the state of emergency that has been prevalent in the area.

Since 2004, Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani, along with certain sections of Songkhla, have been in a state of upheaval due to various kinds of civil unrest. This turmoil has had detrimental impacts on the lives of the people, the economy and the social fabric of the region. A planned military withdrawal from these areas is anticipated to bring some relief and push for normalization. Continued …

Get past school uniforms, reframe the purpose of education

The conversation over whether school uniform and hair rules in Thailand should be repealed has come and gone many times. As the arguments and counterarguments are explained, we seem to forget to discuss the purpose and real goals of education. A teacher activist invites us to ask what kind of education we want for our children.

School rules have always been an integral part of formative education, but we should ask whether some of the controls they exert actually make children focus more on study. Classic examples, and perhaps the easiest to enforce, are the rules covering hair and attire. Continued …

70% work of India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway complete

Around 70% of construction work on the ambitious India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway has been completed. India, Thailand and Myanmar are working on about 1,400-km-long highway that would link the country with Southeast Asia by land and give a boost to trade, business, health, education and tourism ties among the three countries.

The highway will connect Moreh in Manipur, India with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar. Continued …

FTI seeks urgent measures to support Thai industries hit by export slump

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is calling on the government to lay down new measures to support industries affected by sluggish exports. FTI chief Kriengkrai Thiennukul said businesses need urgent support because many have cut down working hours to prevent closure.

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has said it is evaluating strategies to provide quick assistance to industrial groups affected by the slowdown in exports. These groups include steel, roofing and equipment, furniture, machinery and metal, textiles, footwear, jewelry and accessories, glass and ceramics. Continued …

Thailand’s sustained economic recovery pushes up energy consumption

Thailand’s energy consumption rose by 3.8% in the first four months of this year, thanks to a sustained economic recovery following the easing of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), the rise in energy consumption was primarily driven by an increase in the consumption of refined petroleum products. Aviation fuel consumption saw a significant rise of 89.1%, while petrol consumption increased by 6.2%. However, other energy sources like lignite/coal in the industrial sector saw a drop of 8.9%. Continued …

Is nuclear power in the cards for Thailand?

Clean energy campaigns are not only promoting solar, wind and biomass power in Thailand, but also prompting conversations about nuclear energy.

Considered a highly contentious energy source by some people, nuclear power technology was addressed by Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, during a recent speech he delivered at the three-day World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in Bangkok, which ended on June 26. Continued …

Chinese EV Giant AION Opening First Overseas Branch in Bangkok

AION, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant, has signed its first memorandum of understanding for business cooperation with Gold Integrate, its first overseas distributor.

The company also announced the establishment of a subsidiary in Thailand, marking AION’s entry into the global market and the beginning of a journey to bring top-tier Chinese EV technology to the rest of the world. Continued …

Thailand’s tourism confidence slides amid global economy concerns

The second quarter of this year saw the Tourism Confidence Index remaining subdued, sliding from the previous quarter. The contributor to this drop was a blend of Thailand‘s low season and decreased earnings from tourism.

The president of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), Chamnan Srisawat, announced that the second quarter’s score was two points lower than the prior quarter at 72. This noticeably fell short of the identical period in 2019, which recorded 100, inferring weakened optimism. The findings came from a survey conducted from April 20 to May 30, comprising 740 operators. Continued …

Tourist forecast dips to 25 million for the year

In a recent announcement, the kingdom is on track to welcome 25 million tourists by the year end, offering a much-needed booster to the economy. (Earlier predictions were for 30 illion tourists for 2023.) This follows a significant surge in Thai tourism, exceeding 12 million arrivals recorded late last month.

Between January and June 25 of this year, the kingdom saw a record-breaking 12.46 million tourists, marking an increase of 539% over the same period in the previous year. The bulk of these visitors hailed from Malaysia – totaling 1.9 million. China followed with 1.3 million tourists, then Russia, South Korea, and India, with 784,428, 741,909, and 732,523 visitors, respectively. Continued …

Airport capacity at Suvarnabhumi to increase with new terminal and tech upgrades

Airports of Thailand (AoT) is set to inaugurate a new satellite passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport come this September.

This addition is expected to bolster the airport’s passenger-handling capacity significantly, managing 15 million extra passengers annually, which effectively raises the total capacity to 60 million per annum, revealed AoT’s president. Continued …

AOT investing billions in its six airports to prepare for surge in passengers

Airports Authority of Thailand Plc (AOT) will invest 100 billion baht in the expansion of its six international airports in Thailand over the next five years, as the number of passengers is forecast to rise to 200 million per year in 2027, AOT Chief Executive Officer Kirati Kitmanawat said.

The expansions will be funded by revenue, which rose dramatically in the first six months of this fiscal year to 2.2 billion baht. Continued … 

Shifting patterns in global travel

In the midst of an uncertain economic and political climate, people in Thailand have various options for getting away from the frenetic pace of life in big cities and recharging their batteries.

Recent findings from Booking.com’s 2023 Travel Trends forecast survey show a rise in the popularity of wellness travel among Thai tourists seeking mental and physical renewal. Continued …

LGBTQ+ tourism revenue boom fuels drive for legalized same-sex marriage in Thailand

Thailand is witnessing a surge in the burgeoning LGBTQ+ community, as diversity takes center stage worldwide, boosting LGBTQ+ tourism in the country. As per estimates by LGBT Capital, an asset-management company serving the LGBTQ community, 5% to 10% of the world’s population identifies as LGBTQ+. This demographic represented around 3.6 million residents in Thailand in 2019.

During Pride Month this past June, massive crowds were seen participating in parades across Bangkok. This growing demographic has been a key contributing factor in nudging corporations to advocate for gender equality. Consequently, this shift is positioning Thailand’s tourism sector to capitalize on LGBTQ+ tourism, aiming to establish the country as a preferred travel destination that embraces diversity for both locals and international visitors. Continued …

This animal has been drugged

Inside Thailand’s ‘rampant’ tiger cruelty as animals abused in zoos for selfies with tourists

A new undercover investigation of Thailand’s zoos shows abuse of tigers for tourist selfies is still “rampant”, a charity has said.

While concerns about the treatment of big cats in the country have been raised for years, animal rights campaigner group Lady Freethinker (LFT) said it had found cruelty against “photo-prop” animals in recent visits to 11 zoos across Thailand. Continued …

Harvesting Thai durian

A video boasting over 13.9 million views within a mere day showcases the skill and accuracy in the task of durian harvesting. The durian trees, found in a farm in Chumphon province, tower as high as 5 to 9 meters, setting an imposing stage for the footage.

Video 

The video offers an adrenaline-pumping window into the complex process of durian cultivation. The person aloft uses one hand to exact a clean cut from the durian stem, afterwards launching the fruit toward the ground. Descending at high speed, the durians are adroitly caught by another individual on the ground. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, climate change, hua hin, phuket, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s News-July 1

  • Foreign buyers spark surge in Hua Hin property market/
  • Tour De Thailand 2024 slated for January, starts/ends in Hua Hin/
  • Pickled toad eggs make splash in Hua Hin/
  • Pheu Thai ‘may claim PM role’ – despite election/
  • Faulty suitcase wheel may have triggered Don Mueang airport walkway accident/
  • Severe weather alert: 45 Thai provinces to experience heavy rain/
  • Koh Samui Struggles As Water Shortage Drags On/
  • 121 foreign nationals in Phuket donate blood amid Rh-negative shortage/
  • Case closed against suspected Thailand cyanide serial killer with 75 charges/
  • CP Foods and SOS Thailand transform surplus food into delicious meals/
  • Economy: Economy picks up as tourism, spending rise/World Bank urges Thailand to protect itself from climate change catastrophe/Perfect time for Thailand to jump in as European firms leave China/Hydrogen to replace fossil fuels? Thailand gives it a try/
  • Thailand Experience: Discovering Thonburi, Thailand’s ‘Venice of the East’/
  • International: France deploys 45,000 police to quell ‘unacceptable’ riots/Dozens killed in horrific Kenya road crash/
  • 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

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Foreign buyers spark surge in Hua Hin property market

Hua Hin is experiencing a surge in its property market, with increasing interest from foreign buyers seeking to invest in the area.

Three prominent property agents in Hua Hin – Andy Dyett from Hua Hin Property, Jirawan Duangdao from jirapropertyhuahin.com, and Nanath Wisanbhokinkul, a team leader with Fazwaz Hua Hin – provided insights into the current state of the local property market. Continued …

Tour De Thailand 2024 slated for January, starts/ends in Hua Hin

The Tour de Thailand 2024 will take place from the Jan. 8-15. The tour includes a trip down to Chumphon and ends in Hua Hin for a total of 783 km spread over the eight days.

On some days, there will be a break approximately every 30 km. This means typically 2-3 breaks a day, one of which will be of an hour’s duration for lunch. The average speed will be around. 25 km/hour. Continued …

Pickled toad eggs make splash in Hua Hin

A small eatery in Hua Hin has captured the taste buds of Thai foodies with its unusual (to say the least) “Ung Khai” – pickled toad eggs served with a spicy Korean sauce. Goojadong Korean, located near Cafe Amazon at Hua Hin Night Market, has seen a surge in popularity of the dish over the past week. Pickled toad eggs are a delicacy rarely seen on menus. Unfortunately, due to the demand, the restaurant’s supply of pickled toad eggs has been sold, with orders backlogged into next year. (HHT)

Pheu Thai ‘may claim PM role’ – despite election

The Move Forward Party (MFP) will step aside and let Pheu Thai Party take the lead in forming the new government if its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, fails to get enough support from senators in a prime ministerial vote, according to Pheu Thai sources.

In return, Pheu Thai will back down and let the MFP take the House speakership, as the House of Representatives will convene to select the new speaker and two deputies on Tuesday, the sources said. Continued …

Faulty suitcase wheel may have triggered Don Mueang airport walkway accident

A malfunctioning suitcase wheel is potentially behind an incident that took place at Don Mueang airport’s moving walkways, causing a woman to lose part of her left leg, according to the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT).

An adviser to the EIT’s mechanical engineering committee, Boonpong Kijwatanachai, recently provided an update about the ongoing investigation into the travelator system malfunction, which resulted in the unsettling occurrence yesterday morning. Continued … 

Severe weather alert: 45 Thai provinces to experience heavy rain

The Thai Meteorological Department issued a severe weather warning as a depression is set to bring heavy rainfall to 45 provinces, including Bangkok. In the wake of the monsoon, the southern region is expected to witness the worst conditions, with waves expected to reach up to 2 to 3 meters high.

Today’s weather conditions are further complicated due to the weakening depression passing over upper Myanmar and upper Laos, moving into a low-pressure area over upper Vietnam. The southwest monsoon remains over the Andaman Sea, the southern region, and the Gulf of Thailand. Continued …

Koh Samui Struggles As Water Shortage Drags On

Despite being a renowned tourist destination, Koh Samui continues to suffer from water shortage, with tap water either not flowing or doing so weakly, and this affecting the daily life of local people, as well as hotel and tourism operators.

Both ordinary people and entrepreneurs have installed tanks to store water, which they buy from private water trucks to meet their daily needs at a cost of 250-300 baht per 2,000 liters. Continued …

121 foreign nationals in Phuket donate blood amid Rh-negative shortage

In an uplifting gesture of community unity, the Immigration Department of Phuket extended heartfelt appreciation to the 121 foreign nationals who donated blood at a special drive held at the Central Floresta shopping complex yesterday.

The blood donation event was jointly orchestrated by the Phuket Immigration Department and the local chapter of the Red Cross Society. The primary motivation behind the drive was to replenish the rapidly diminishing blood supplies in the region. The depletion in supply, particularly of Rh-negative blood, has been attributed to the escalating incidences of road accidents involving foreign nationals, leading to their admission to hospitals and consequentially straining the Rh-negative blood resources. Continued …

Case closed against suspected Thailand cyanide serial killer with 75 charges

On Friday, Police Gen. Surachate Hakparn closed the case against Sararat Rangsiwutthaporn or Am Cyanide, who investigators believe to be Thailand’s deadliest-ever serial killer. Surachate described Sararat as mentally capable but having the characteristics of a voracious and merciless murderer who took life not as a male serial killer would, normally driven by sexual desire but for greed and financial gain.

The police revealed that 75 charges are to be pursued in the case relating to 14 murders and one attempted murder from 2005 to 2023 across eight provinces. Continued …

CP Foods and SOS Thailand transform surplus food into delicious meals

Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) has partnered with the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS) Thailand, a global food rescue organization, to continue the circular meal program for three consecutive years, to reduce food waste and ensure food security.

This partnership aims to ensure equitable access to high-quality and hygienic food for all population segments, including underprivileged populations, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. This CSR program has partnered with GEPP Sa-ard, a Thai start-up focusing on waste management, to implement a take-back system based on the closed-loop principle. Continued …

Economy picks up as tourism, spending rise

The Thai economy in May improved from the previous month as tourism gathered momentum and private consumption increased while exports remained weak, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) said on Friday.

Economic activity was seen rising steadily, with tourist arrivals still increasing, the BoT said in a statement. The BoT expects economic growth at 3.6% this year and 3.8% next year, with the tourism sector a key driver. Continued …

World Bank urges Thailand to protect itself from climate change catastrophe

The World Bank issued an alarming warning on Wednesday during a press conference for the release of its semi-annual Thailand Economic Monitor 2023 – if Thailand does not do more to reduce the risks of climate change the results will be catastrophic.

Specifically, the global development bank said Thailand urgently needs to implement a practical strategic framework to deal with severe flooding and drought in order to sustain the country’s growth. Continued …

Perfect time for Thailand to jump in as European firms leave China

Thailand should take advantage of the current trend of European firms moving out of China by negotiating more free trade agreements (FTA) with European countries.

Chaichan Charoensuk, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC), said on Friday that a survey had found that most European firms found doing business in China tough due to political interference. Continued …

Hydrogen to replace fossil fuels? Thailand gives it a try

Energy officials plan to push ahead with hydrogen fuel development in an effort to make it one of the main fuels used in the power, transport and industrial sectors, with the aim of becoming less dependent on fossil fuels, says the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO).

The office plans to run a pilot project this year using hydrogen for electricity generation at a gas-fired power plant, operated by state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, in Ayutthaya’s Wang Noi district, said Sarath Prakobchart, deputy director-general of EPPO. Continued …

Discovering Thonburi, Thailand’s ‘Venice of the East’

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is introducing a new travel experience for tourists that will guide them through the canals of Thonburi.

The “Thonburi Historic Canal Route Program” was announced on Friday by Deputy Gov. Sanon Wangsrangboon. He said it will promote community tourism and provide visitors with a close-up view of the canals in Thonburi and their importance to the people who live along or near them. Continued …

France deploys 45,000 police to quell ‘unacceptable’ riots

France on Friday deployed 45,000 officers backed by light armored vehicles to tackle a fourth straight night of violent protests after the fatal police shooting of a teenager. Continued … 

Dozens killed in horrific Kenya road crash

At least 48 people were killed when a truck lost control and plowed into other vehicles and pedestrians at a busy junction in western Kenya on Friday, police said. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-June 29

  • Hua Hin Profile: Mike’s motto and mantra : ‘Staples don’t quit’/
  • Dengue fever hits Hua Hin, 2 children die/
  • Standard planning 258-unit residential complex in Hua Hin/
  • TMD warns of torrential rainfall across 44 Thai provinces/
  • Pita ‘won’t get 5 votes’ for PM, says senator/
  • SRT looking at new electric trains instead of diesels/
  • Bangkok municipal pupils can wear hair styles and clothes of their choice/
  • Magnitude 4.5 earthquake recorded in Phitsanulok/
  • Economy: World Bank raises Thailand 2023 growth outlook to 3.9%/Tourism: 2 destinations in Phetchaburi and PKK selected for TAT campaign/‘Captive hell’: Report puts grim reality of wildlife tourism in the spotlight/Group makes plans for tourism future/No more street vendors on Pattaya’s Walking Street/1-in-10 travelers to Thailand now from China/TAT targets 5 million Chinese tourists this year/
  • International: Meat eating hits new low in Germany/Astronomers reveal evidence of universe’s ‘background hum’/
  • 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

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The latest in our ongoing profiles of Hua Hin residents, written by freelance journalist Felicitee Lawrie.

Mike’s motto and mantra : ‘Staples don’t quit’

It is truly easy to admire Mike Staples. He has faced and vanquished a fierce adversary and he is full to the very brim with compassion for those less fortunate than himself. Now he spends his days enjoying his family and dealing with a huge extended family of his own choosing, to whom he devotes copious time and energy. A more charitable man I cannot remember having met.

Mike Staples was born in Dar es Salaam, in what was then Tanganyika, a British mandate in East Africa. His mother was born just south of the great Mount Kilimanjaro, also in Tanganyika, which eventually became the modern-day country of Tanzania. Continued … 

Dengue fever hits Hua Hin, 2 children die

Health officials in the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Public Health Office have increased measures to control dengue fever after the deaths of two children.

A total of 196 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Prachuap Khiri Khan province this year so far, with a one-month-old infant and a four-year-old child succumbing to the disease.

Standard planning 258-unit residential complex in Hua Hin

Hotel chain Standard International plans to launch two branded residential projects in Phuket and Hua Hin, while also opening five new hotels with 600 rooms across four destinations in Thailand during 2023-26 to capitalize on robust demand.

In the first quarter of 2024, The Standard’s second branded residential project in Thailand will be launched in Hua Hin. It will be developed by Sansiri Plc, the company’s parent firm, on a beachfront site located 4.5 kilometers from The Standard, Hua Hin hotel. Continued …

TMD warns of torrential rainfall across 44 Thai provinces

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today warns that a trough will pass over the upper part of the country, causing torrential rainfall in 44 provinces. The southern region will experience heavy rainfall across 70% of its area. Additionally, the seas are predicted to have high waves.

The department‘s weather forecast for the next 24 hours mentions that a trough will pass over the northern region of the country and Laos to join a low-pressure area along the central coast of Vietnam. Continued …

Pita ‘won’t get 5 votes’ for PM, says senator

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party (MFP), will likely receive fewer than five votes from the Senate in the parliamentary election for the new prime minister, according to a senator.

The dust has already settled, and Pita will be hard pushed to draw five or more votes from the 250 senators during the vote, Kittisak Rattanawaraha, a deputy chairman of the Senate committee on political development and public participation, said on Wednesday. Continued …

SRT looking at new electric trains instead of diesels

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has proposed changing a plan to procure 184 diesel locomotives in favor of electric trains.

SRT Gov. Nirut Maneephan said the proposal has been approved by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and will be submitted to the new cabinet with an unchanged budget of 1.5 billion baht. Continued …

Bangkok municipal pupils can wear hair styles and clothes of their choice

In an unprecedented move, following increasing calls for freedom and liberties in schools, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to allow students in the 437 schools under its supervision to choose their own hair styles and to wear casual dress at least one day a week.

In one of two letters issued to district chiefs by Wantanee Wattana, the deputy permanent secretary of the BMA, students may wear whatever hair style they wish, but the styles should “look healthy” and improve the personality and confidence of the students. Continued …

Magnitude 4.5 earthquake recorded in Phitsanulok

An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck Phitsanulok last night, with the epicenter just 5 kilometers deep, according to reports.

Local media reported that strong tremors were felt in Pailom subdistrict, Bang Krathum district in Phitsanulok at 12.17 am on Wednesday night. Continued …

World Bank raises Thailand 2023 growth outlook to 3.9%

Thailand’s economy is projected to grow 3.9% this year, up from a previous forecast of 3.6%, helped by private consumption growth and a recovery in tourism, the World Bank said on Wednesday.

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy expanded 2.6% in 2022, when its tourism sector began to rebound after broad pandemic-related travel curbs were eased. Continued …

Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdee Prakat

2 destinations in Phetchaburi and PKK selected for TAT campaign

Two destinations in the region have secured a spot among the final 25 of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “Unseen New Chapters: New Corners of Thailand” campaign.

In an announcement made during a ceremony presided over by Yutthasak Supasorn, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phetchaburi province’s Tham Bo Cave in Khao Yoi and Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdee Prakat in Bang Saphan have emerged as chosen finalists. Continued …

‘Captive hell’: Report puts grim reality of wildlife tourism in the spotlight

Hundreds of animals in Bali and Lombok are being exploited for tourists’ entertainment, an animal welfare charity claims. The Holidays that Harm report by World Animal Protection states more than 1,300 animals were exploited for tourist entertainment in inadequate conditions across Bali and Lombok. The animals included elephants, orangutans and dolphins.

The recent report covered 34 venues in Bali and Lombok to provide a snapshot of the welfare of animals being used in the tourism industry. Continued …

Group makes plans for tourism future

The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) is hoping its revival will allow for a more flexible workflow and agenda-based development, after seven tourism associations recently quit the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and joined FETTA.

Adith Chairattananon, FETTA representative and honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said the federation will drive policies through a flat organizational structure without a hierarchy. Continued …

No more street vendors on Pattaya’s Walking Street

Pattaya City officials sent out a letter to Walking Street business owners earlier this week informing them of an upcoming change to current policies and procedures.

As of Monday, July 3, street vendors and stalls not part of a licensed building business will need to be entirely removed from Walking Street, according to the notice from Pattaya City officials. Continued … 

1-in-10 travelers to Thailand now from China

New figures from SiteMinder, Meituan and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reveal that over 1.3 million of the 11 million-plus international travelers to Thailand have this year arrived from China.

The figures, which indicate that Chinese travelers could constitute one-fifth of all international travelers to Thailand by year’s end, were unveiled at the “Amazing Thailand Sailing with Meituan” event in Bangkok. Continued …

TAT targets 5 million Chinese tourists this year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set an ambitious goal of attracting 5.3 million Chinese tourists and generating 446 billion baht in revenue this year.

However, there are challenges that need to be addressed to achieve these targets. One of the biggest challenges is the competition posed by other countries popular with Chinese travelers, as well as the recovery of the aviation industry. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Meat eating hits new low in Germany

Florian Busmann used to enjoy sausages and steak on the barbecue in summer, but these days he prefers meat substitutes and grilled vegetables like aubergines and peppers. Continued …

Astronomers reveal evidence of universe’s ‘background hum’

Astronomers across the world announced today that they have found the first evidence of a long-theorized form of gravitational waves that create a “background hum” rumbling throughout the universe. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, covid, hua hin, phuket, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s News-June 27

  • Special education fund-raising event this Sunday in Khao Tao/
  • Market Village Durian Festival June 30-July 4/
  • Chokdee Market at Centara on July 2/
  • What If Pita Is Rejected by the Junta-appointed Senate and Street Protests Resume?/
  • Monsoon surge raises flood risk across Thailand: 47 provinces on high alert/
  • COVID infections falling steadily, fewer fatalities over past month/
  • Bangkok trying new tech to solve traffic problems/
  • Analyzing the Myanmar Crisis and Thailand’s Complicity/
  • Economy: Thai economy booms as fiscal income beats projections, with 122B-baht surplus/17 Thai conglomerates make it to Forbes’ ‘Global 2000’ list/Thailand’s real estate sector urges foreign investment boost/Thailand unprepared as foreign investors flock back to ASEAN/Exports drop 4.6% in May/Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest/Plan to eradicate poverty proposed with 7 ‘sandbox’ provinces/
  • Tourism: Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture/
  • Thailand Experience: July packed full of amazing festivals and events around Thailand/The most popular Thai dish among Aussies revealed/The most hard-to-book restaurants in Bangkok, from street food to fine dining
  • International: Biden: US, allies not involved in uprising against Putin/Hong Kong sees over 1 million visitors during Dragon Boat Festival/World’s largest hydro-solar power station at the highest altitude in Tibet/Jumbo problem: Sri Lanka’s battle with plastic pollution
  • 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

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Special education fund-raising event this Sunday in Khao Tao

Khao Tao Beach will host the Ejan Satu Koh Singto Challenge this Sunday. The event raises funds for a state-of-the-art school for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

The Special Children’s School is being built in Hin Lek Fai, and will provide educational facilities for 48 children currently attending the Special Education Center at Anubaan Hua Hin Nongkhon School.

The school assists children with speech and language difficulties, hearing or visual impairments, autism spectrum disorders, and emotional and behavioral issues.

Event competitors swim and kayak out to Koh Singto, covering distances of 5km and 13km, respectively. The event gets underway on Khao Tao beach at 6am on Sunday morning. – HHT

What If Pita Is Rejected by the Junta-appointed Senate and Street Protests Resume?

With the Parliament to reconvene on July 3, the voting for the new prime minister is not too far away. Some prominent junta-appointed senators continue to claim that Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat will not be getting their support, or enough votes, and the possibility that Pita will not be chosen as the next PM is a lingering fear.

For weeks now, some protest leaders, including monarchy-reform protest co-leader Arnon Nampa, have been reminding protesters to be prepared to take to the streets en masse in case of such an eventuality. Continued …

Monsoon surge raises flood risk across Thailand: 47 provinces on high alert

Swelling rainfall across Thailand, spurred by the increasing strength of a monsoon, coupled with an area of low atmospheric pressure, has compelled the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) to warn that 47 provinces could face potentially hazardous situations.

Over the next 24 hours, it predicts 60% of their areas will face heavy rain, with the severity being the most significant in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. Continued …

COVID infections falling steadily, fewer fatalities over past month

New COVID-19 infections in Thailand and other countries were steadily falling over the past month, with fewer fatalities, according to Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, public health permanent secretary.

He expressed concern, however, for people over 60 and those suffering from underlying diseases, pointing out that most of the fatalities were people over 70 and those who were not vaccinated. Continued …

Bangkok trying new tech to solve traffic problems

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched an automatic traffic-management system on four city roads in a pilot project aimed at boosting vehicle flow along the routes.

Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt, who presided over the launch, said the system had been installed at 13 intersections on Rama VI Road, Ratchawithi Road, Phahon Yothin Road and Praditpat Road. Continued …

Analyzing the Myanmar Crisis and Thailand’s Complicity

2,146 kilometers of landlocked demarcation is all that cuts through Myanmar and Thailand, two Southeast Asian nations that share a complicated, erstwhile rivalry that has evolved into a mutual bilateralism in the scope of current developments, with the incumbent Prayuth Chan-ocha regime cozying up to the likes of the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s armed forces.

These two countries are nothing alike; they do not share any linguistic overlap nor do they have any cultural heritages together, and they follow drastically different models of governance. In that sense, they are not complementary to each other, but centuries of warfare and geopolitical realities have shaped a new outlook. Continued …

Thai economy booms as fiscal income beats projections, with 122B-baht surplus

The Thai economy demonstrated strong recovery and active imports as the Thai government’s net income during the first two-thirds of fiscal 2023 has surpassed projections by 122 billion baht.

Between October 2022 and May 2023, the Thai government raked in a total of 1.64 trillion baht, which is an 8% surge from the previous year’s growth rate of 4.9%. This leap also exceeded the target set by 122 billion baht. Continued …

17 Thai conglomerates make it to Forbes’ ‘Global 2000’ list

Forbes magazine has released its 20th annual ranking of the world’s top-performing conglomerates for the year 2023, with JP Morgan, the largest bank in the U.S. with US$3.7 trillion in assets, securing the first position for the first time since 2011.

Following closely behind is Saudi Aramco, the energy giant of Saudi Arabia, in second place, and three Chinese state-owned banks led by ICBC. Other notable companies in the top 10 include technology giants Alphabet (ranked 7th), Microsoft (ranked 9th), and Apple (ranked 10th). Continued …

Thailand’s real estate sector urges foreign investment boost

With an eye on boosting the economy, real estate developers and consultants are urging Thailand‘s new government to implement policies that promote foreign investment. They contend such measures will stimulate a more positive environment for overseas buyers in the property market, suggesting promotional efforts to increase awareness among foreign investors.

Artitaya Kasemlawan, head of residential sales projects at CBRE Thailand, said, “The attractiveness of Thailand as a destination for foreign buyers is unquestionable.” Continued …

Thailand unprepared as foreign investors flock back to ASEAN

Foreign investment in Thailand remains weak compared with ASEAN neighbors such as Vietnam and Malaysia, where it has recovered faster since the pandemic.

Even the 16th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, held in Thailand over the weekend (June 24-26), saw minimal investment from foreign businesses. The Covid-19 crisis saw a severe contraction in trade and investment across the world, including foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand. Continued …

Exports drop 4.6% in May

Thailand’s customs-based exports in May contracted 4.6% from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday.

The reading compared with an 8% year-on-year drop forecast for May in a Reuters poll, and came after April’s 7.6% drop. Continued … 

Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest

The age-old struggle with economic disparity continues to cast a shadow on Thailand’s society as inequality widens, particularly in the agricultural sector, which sees roughly 6% to 8% of its populace remaining below the poverty line.

According to a recent study by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), this disparity has been fueled by multiple factors, including the move to a digital economy, an aging society, post-Covid-19 economic recovery speed, and the burning issue of climate change. Continued …

Plan to eradicate poverty proposed with 7 ‘sandbox’ provinces

A local development agency is to propose a new sandbox project in seven target provinces to the new government, with the aim of eradicating poverty in these areas by the year 2027.

During the seminar “Thailand’s poverty situation: Problems and solutions” on Monday, the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) said it is planning a sandbox program in 7 target provinces after more than four years of surveying the 20 poorest provinces of Thailand. Continued …

Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture

In a resounding celebration of heritage and culture, over 1,000 people gathered for the Phuket Peranakan Festival‘s “Extravaganza Carnival” grand parade. The event unfolded in the vintage vicinity of Phuket Old Town Saturday evening.

The carnival, the crown jewel of the three-day extravaganza, resulted in the closure of roads, culminating in a tremendous spectacle. The festival wrapped up yesterday. Continued …

Reading the elephant manual

Photo courtesy of Dine Riedé-Hoogerdijk

July packed full of amazing festivals and events around Thailand

The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2023, beach fun with the Amazing Ultimate Festival, Pai Jazz & Blues Fest 2023, Hua Hin Cricket Sixes, Amazing Thai Taste@Chiang Mai, Tai Lue Local Festival, Amazing Muay Thai Experience, and VERY Summer Fest 2023 music festival… there’s this and more happening in July 2023.

Here is a list of what’s on, sorted by event date: Continued …

The most popular Thai dish among Aussies revealed

Thai food is loved around the world for its mouth-watering dishes made from fresh ingredients and topped with delicious spices. But when it comes to ordering from a Thai restaurant, which dish takes the crown?

How to make vegetarian pad Thai – video

A recent poll conducted by Nine.com.au has determined what is the most popular Thai food order among Aussies. Continued …

The most hard-to-book restaurants in Bangkok, from street food to fine dining

Last week, Bangkok fine diners loudly and proudly applauded the inauguration of two Bangkok restaurants onto the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list. Surpassed in Asia only by Japan (with three entries), it became apparent that the dining scene in Thailand is only growing stronger and becoming more globally recognized.

National pride aside, this also means that Bangkok has some of the most hard-to-book restaurant tables in the world. Be it fine dining or casual street food, here are the most impossible reservations in the city. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Biden: US, allies not involved in uprising against Putin

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday said a brief uprising by Russian mercenaries against the Kremlin is part of a struggle within the Russian system and the United States and its allies were not involved in it. “We made clear we were not involved, we had nothing to do with this,” Biden said. Continued …

Hong Kong sees over 1 million visitors during Dragon Boat Festival

Hong Kong saw over one million visitors during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday that ended on Saturday, according to data from the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government. Continued …

World’s largest hydro-solar power station at the highest altitude in Tibet

The first phase of the world’s largest hydro-solar power station at the highest altitude has been put into operation. The first phase of the Kela photovoltaic power station is located on a mountain at an altitude of 4,600 meters in Yajiang County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. Continued …

Jumbo problem: Sri Lanka’s battle with plastic pollution

Heart-wrenching images of revered elephants and cattle eating plastic in Sri Lanka have prompted politicians to toughen pollution laws, but skeptical conservationists warn past bans were repeatedly ignored. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

baht, bangkok, chiang mai, hua hin, marijuana, phuket, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism

Monday’s News-June 26

  • Heavy rainfall predicted across Thailand due to monsoon impact/
  • Thai baht weakens to baht35/USD/
  • Optimism grows for new government, Anutin defends pot industry/
  • Police, military prepare for mass protests if Pita’s bid to be PM is thwarted/
  • Ceremony at Tham Luang marks 5th anniversary of rescue mission/
  • Economy: Thailand No.1 in ASEAN according to UN’s 2023 Sustainable Development ranking/Thai Durian Exports to Vietnam Soar 10,000% as New Gateway to China/
  • Tourism: Chinese Tourists Face Charges for Taking Photos with Starfish/
  • Thailand Experience: Bangkok’s Baan Krua, a resilient community crafting its own future/Chiang Mai: Hipster magnet meets Buddhist cultural capital/An eco-friendly trip in Phuket/Ghostly good times in Loei/Longan fruit guide: Discovering Thailand’s sweet gem/20 Thailand islands to explore/The Thai food revolution: Young chefs put Bangkok on the fine-dining map/
  • International: Russian mercenaries halt march to Moscow/Vietnam approves extending e-visas to 90 days/
  • 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

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Heavy rainfall predicted across Thailand due to monsoon impact

In the forecast for the next 24 hours, weather conditions across Thailand are expected to turn severe, with heavy rains predicted in the northern and northeastern regions, and a significant 60% of Bangkok areas facing heavy downpours.

These conditions are following the impact of a monsoon trough passing over the northern region and upper Laos, which is leading into a low-pressure area over upper Vietnam, and the monsoon tides sweeping over the Andaman Sea and the Thai bay. Continued …

Thai baht weakens to baht35/USD

The Thai baht opened this morning at 35.13 baht per U.S. dollar, down from the previous day’s closing rate of 35.06 baht per U.S. dollar. This represents the sharpest weakening in more than three months, according to Krung Thai Bank’s Money Market Division analyst Poon Panichpibul.

Factors supporting the depreciation stem from the strengthening of the USD, which comes with a contraction in the price of gold, putting pressure on the Thai baht due to the reduced demand for gold purchases. Continued …

Optimism grows for new government, Anutin defends pot industry

Constructive noises from the Bhumjaithai Party and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s plea to the new government to protect the nascent cannabis industry comes in a week that has seen a shift in attitude by the establishment toward the election results, with increased optimism that a new government will be formed in July rather than in August as was originally envisaged.

The incoming government must act cautiously concerning calls to relist cannabis as a scheduled narcotic, warned Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul this week. He told reporters, on Sunday, that he believed there will be a new government in July led by Pita Limjaroenrat, while denying reports of an approach by the Move Forward Party to the Bhumjaithai Party to support the new ministry in parliament. Continued …

Police, military prepare for mass protests if Pita’s bid to be PM is thwarted

The armed forces and the Royal Thai Police are discussing security measures to implement if turmoil and violence erupts should Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat fail to be elected prime minister in the middle of next month, military and police sources said.

They said the armed forces and police fear that supporters of Move Forward and its major coalition party, Pheu Thai, may stage violent protests if the Move Forward-led coalition of 313 MPs fails to win support from 63 senators or MPs from other parties to elect Pita as the next prime minister of Thailand. Continued …

 

Ceremony at Tham Luang marks 5th anniversary of rescue mission

A ceremony was held in front of the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province on Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the global mission to save young footballers and their coach who were stranded in a flooded cave.

Photos of ex-Thai Navy Seal diver Saman Kunan, who died during the mission, ex-Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osatanakorn, who died on Wednesday, and Wild Boars football team member Duangphet Promthep, who died earlier this year in England, were set up in the area to commemorate their passing. Continued …

Thailand No.1 in ASEAN according to UN’s 2023 Sustainable Development ranking

Thailand‘s recent economic, social, and green development has been reflected in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Report for 2023. In a statement relayed by Trisulee Trisoranakul, the deputy government spokesperson, Thailand has now improved its standing to the 43rd position among 166 countries from 44th last year.

The Sustainable Development Report outlines that Thailand has, for the fifth consecutive year, held the number one spot for sustainable development within the ASEAN region. This successful development, represented through an SDG Index score of 74.7 in 2023, underlines the government’s efforts to foster sustainable progress. Continued …

Thai Durian Exports to Vietnam Soar 10,000% as New Gateway to China

According to the Ministry of Commerce’s report for the first four months (Jan.-April) of 2023, Thailand’s durian exports and frozen durian had a total value of 63,627 million baht, up 166% from the same period last year.

The top export market was China, with a value of 62,068 million baht, an increase of 170% from the previous year, followed by Hong Kong with a value of 941 million baht, up 77% year-on-year, and Taiwan with a value of 198 million baht, up 36% year-on-year. Continued …

Chinese Tourists Face Charges for Taking Photos with Starfish

Marine protection officials on Friday filed a police complaint against Chinese tourists for taking photos with rare sea creatures in the sea off Koh Racha.

Chinese tourists Sanyang Qin and Wen Zhang were accused of holding up a starfish and stepping on coral reefs during their Thursday diving trip in Phuket province. Their actions violated a law forbidding harm to the coastal environment, environment minister Varawut Silpa-archa said. Continued …

Bangkok’s Baan Krua, a resilient community crafting its own future

Go across a canal from Bangkok’s swanky speakeasies and megawatt malls to find a tangle of tiny lanes weaving through a community long written off as forsaken and impoverished.

While visitors flock to tour the Jim Thompson House, few cross a nearby footbridge to where it all began in a claustrophobic maze of homes once filled with looms weaving silk. Decades after Thompson’s mysterious 1967 disappearance, the perception endures that Baan Krua’s prosperity and future vanished along with its foreign benefactor. Continued …

Chiang Mai’s Phae Gate

Chiang Mai: Hipster magnet meets Buddhist cultural capital

The 2020s version of the hipster is a far cry from the beatniks or hippies of the swinging ’60s. The modern hipster is likely to be a coffee snob, shop at an organic food store, profit from their creative pursuits.

You’re likely to bump into one of them in a songthaew or what tourists call red cars in Chiang Mai — a sort of repurposed pickup truck that is used as public transport. Thailand’s northern hub has long been at the center of the country’s culture, language and religion. Today it’s also a magnet for solo travelers and pilgrims who have over 300 temples to choose from. Continued …

An eco-friendly trip in Phuket

From island hopping to jungle exploration, Phuket is one of the most attractive places to visit in Thailand. There are plenty of water activities to do in Phuket, such as kayaking, snorkeling and swimming. But what can make it an experience of a lifetime is a vacation that contributes to marine life conservation.

Phuket is known as the “Pearl of the Andaman” and is the largest island in Thailand. The beaches and crystal-clear waters make it a top destination for a tropical beach getaway. Furthermore, Phuket is known for its conservation and educational centers. Continued …

Ghostly good times in Loei

Decked out in elaborate long-nosed masks and ruffled pants, hundreds of people banged cowbells and danced in a grand parade on Saturday at the annual ghost festival in this northeastern province.

The streets of Dan Sai district in Loei province were awash with color and traditional music at the Phi Ta Khon carnival as participants summoned the spirits before thousands of spectators. Continued …

Longan fruit guide: Discovering Thailand’s sweet gem

Longan, or ลำไย “lum yai” in Thai, is a juicy, sweet fruit that tastes similar to lychee. Known as “dragon’s eye” due to its translucent, white flesh with a central black seed, longan is a popular option when it comes to tropical fruits in Thailand.

When visiting Thailand, longan fruit is a must-try because of its sweetness and numerous culinary applications. Let’s explore this delicious tropical fruit’s history, seasonality, health benefits, variety. Continued …

20 Thailand islands to explore

Thailand is home to some of the world’s best islands. When you picture paradise, sparkling turquoise water, spotless white sand stretching for miles and swaying palm trees may come to mind, and this is exactly what you’ll find on all of Thailand’s islands.

Aside from the fact that there are over 1,400 to choose from, each one offers something different besides the natural allure of the beaches and relaxation. Continued …

The Thai food revolution: Young chefs put Bangkok on the fine-dining map

Thailand has long been known for its excellent and affordable street food and, on the other end of the spectrum, its classic royal Thai cuisine. But the progressive Thai food now being served in boundary-breaking restaurants across Bangkok, and increasingly in other parts of the country, is something else entirely.

A new generation of chefs are reinterpreting Thai food, putting street food on the proverbial white tablecloths of the fine-dining space, and digging into history to tell stories about their food culture. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Russian mercenaries halt march to Moscow

Wagner fighters were leaving Russia’s southern Voronezh region Sunday, the local governor said, after the group halted a dramatic rebellion to bring down Russia’s top brass and U-turned on a march to Moscow. Continued …

Vietnam approves extending e-visas to 90 days

The National Assembly has approved extending tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days, starting from Aug. 15, 2023, at its ongoing fifth session held on Saturday. Upon being granted an e-visa, a foreigner can enter and exit an unlimited number of times within 90 days, without having to go through procedures for obtaining a new visa. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting