Category Archives: covid

climate change, covid, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, pattaya, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-Jan 12

  • Stamford International Charity Night Jan 25/
  • Market Village Food Festival and concerts/
  • Vendors want to add more sunbeds and seating to Khao Takiab beach/
  • Navy Wants To Raise Sunken Warship For Return To Service/
  • Rise of online payments accelerates march to cashless society/
  • Ministry extends price controls on five products/
  • Phase 2 of Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach widening set to begin/
  • Trendsetting Thai company adds CBD line of lotions/
  • Tourism: 300 THB Tourist Fee to be Imposed in June/TAT aims to make the whole year high season for travel in Thailand/Tourism Ministry Eyes 80M International Tourists In 2027/Thailand’s tour package prices bump up for Chinese visitors/Englishman ‘crawled for half a mile’ after moped crash in Thailand/
  • Thailand Experience: Exploring How to Travel Thailand/
  • Covid: DDC Affirms Chinese Travelers Pose Low COVID Risk/Face-mask makers asked to increase output as tourists from China surge/
  • International: ASEAN pushes back against King Dollar/Alibaba Unveils Top Technology Trend Forecasting for 2023/Should fossil fuel firms be forced to clean up carbon pollution?/Graves sink, fisheries shrink as climate change hits Fiji/Space junk, not meteorites, remains biggest threat to spacecraft/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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Market Village Food Festival and concerts

Market Vilae is hosting a food festival from Jan. 18 to Feb. 5 at 5-10pm in its open-air front court. There will be a variety of food vendors and a beer garden.

The festival also includes Thai artist concerts on Jan. 21 and Feb. 3.

Vendors want to add more sunbeds and seating to Khao Takiab beach

Beach vendors have submitted a request to expand the seating areas available to tourists on Khao Takiab beach.

The written request was submitted to the mayor and discussed by the Hua Hin Beach Organizing Committee from approximately 20 vendors who operate on Hua Don beach in Khao Takiab.

The vendors said they wanted to extend the area currently allocated for sunbeds by a further five meters to accommodate more foreign tourists who like to come to the beach to sunbathe. Continued … 

Navy Wants To Raise Sunken Warship For Return To Service

The navy’s committee on salvaging HTMS 442 Sukhothai corvette that sank in the Gulf of Thailand on Dec. 18 is now choosing a company to urgently raise and return the warship to service, with the estimated budget of 100 million baht.

The committee, chaired by Adm. Adung Phan-iam, commander of the Thai fleet, would have to follow the procedure and get final approval from the Defense Ministry for the expenditure on salvaging the corvette, which sank to a depth of 50 meters about 19 nautical miles from Bang Saphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

There are 12 companies that meet navy’s criteria on raising the warship, with the key one being that its condition be maintained so that it could return to service. This means it must not be disassembled or cut up. Continued …

Rise of online payments accelerates march to cashless society

Former magazine editor Kaysinee Sutthavarangkul never used to give much thought to making cashless payments, as it seemed unlikely to her that every transaction could be made online. But she has changed her buying behaviour since the pandemic.

After seeing her 25-year-old daughter use mobile banking applications, the 61-year-old began making online payments. She has now realized that online channels allow her to explore and connect with sellers whose products were normally difficult to acquire. Continued … 

Ministry extends price controls on five products

The Commerce Ministry has extended price controls on five products comprising hygienic face masks, synthetic fibers for face-mask production, alcohol gel, paper for recycling, and chicken for another year.

A meeting of the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services, chaired by Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, yesterday agreed to place a total of 56 items on the price control list, 51 of which are products, including the five products accorded an extension. The five other items on the list are services. The list would later be put forward for cabinet approval.

The price control list covers essential items for daily use such as food, consumer products, farm-related products (fertilizers, pesticides, animal feed, tractors and rice harvesters), construction materials, paper, petroleum and medicines. Continued …

Phase 2 of Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach widening set to begin

The Marine Department is accelerating the widening of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya to tackle coastal erosion and attract tourists to the city.

The project was begun in 2020, and the first phase of 3.5km was completed on Dec. 29, 2021.

The department is working on the second phase of 2.6km of beach. Continued … 

Trendsetting Thai company adds CBD line of lotions

Thai-owned British Dispensary Group is launching a line of skin-care products using cannabidiol, or CBD, marking the first time the more than 130-year-old company will use a hemp extract in its products, it announced on Wednesday.

Group President Anurut Vongvanij told media that the new product line, named “HerbaCeutic”, will start with four lotions using CBD produced by Salus Biocutical (Thailand), a subsidiary of one of Canada’s largest cannabis companies, MPX International.

Anurut said the collaboration with Salus would guarantee Canadian expertise, as well as large-scale production of hemp extract. The new products use medical grade, high-quality CBD that meets standards in Canada, as well as Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration, Anurut said. Continued … 

300 THB Tourist Fee to be Imposed in June

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has announced plans to begin collecting a 300-baht fee from foreign tourists arriving in the country starting in June.

According to Phiphat, the funds raised from this fee will be used to support visitors involved in accidents and to develop tourist destinations in the country.

Minister Phiphat noted, however, that the fee will not be collected from foreigners with work permits and border passes. Continued … 

TAT aims to make the whole year high season for travel in Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to make the whole year a high season for travel, to boost both domestic and inbound tourism, according to Parichart Boonclai, TAT executive director of advertising and public relations. The strategy is to promote the identity of each region, to encourage domestic tourists throughout the year.

Northern Thailand will present the beauty of the old days, which aims to persuade people in the north travel to other provinces in the region.

Central Thailand will present the brand new experience of traveling under the theme of “Trendy C2”s, to resonate with Gen Y and Z tourists. Continued … 

Tourism Ministry Eyes 80M International Tourists In 2027

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports hopes to drive up the number of international visitors to Thailand to 80 million over the next five years.

This optimistic target will see the number of international visitors doubling the pre-pandemic figure, and exceeding the country’s current population of 70 million.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said this target, once achieved, could raise the country’s tourism revenue from 1.93 trillion baht in 2019 to 5 trillion baht. Continued …

Thailand’s tour package prices bump up for Chinese visitors

Thailand’s tour package prices are being bumped up for Chinese visitors to the Land of Smiles. This news comes after China lifted travel restrictions on its citizens on Jan. 8.

There are now fewer flight connections between Thailand and China, and unprepared tour agents in China, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s regional director for marketing in East Asia. The director, Chuwit Sirivejkul, said the result of this is a limited amount of tour packages.

Due to the high demand and few tours, Chuwit said the price of packages is 20% higher on average than the rate before the Covid-19 pandemic. He noted that many airlines are working to increase flights in the first quarter. Continued … 

Englishman ‘crawled for half a mile’ after moped crash in Thailand

A moped crash on Koh Yao Noi island in southern Thailand has left an Englishman in need of urgent surgery.

Arron Rouse, from Worcestershire in England, sustained several broken ribs and a gaping wound on his leg when he was thrown off his moped on the night of Dec. 16.

Far away from a proper hospital, Arron couldn’t access the right treatment at first, causing his leg wound to get infected. As a result, he needs surgery that will cost 180,000 Thai baht (£4,537.75). Continued … 

Exploring How to Travel Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia. With its stunning beaches, vibrant cities, and ancient temples, it’s no wonder why so many people flock to this beautiful country.

If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, you need to know how to prepare. This article will explore how to travel Thailand, from planning your route to understanding transportation options and preparing for emergencies.

Plan Your Route

The first step in planning your trip to Thailand is to decide where you want to go. You can take a classic route that includes popular tourist spots like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket. Or, if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, consider exploring some of the lesser-known provinces such as Nan or Prachuap Khiri Khan. No matter which route you choose, make sure to include plenty of time to relax on the beach or explore the bustling night markets. Continued …

DDC Affirms Chinese Travelers Pose Low COVID Risk

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has stated that an increase in the number of Chinese tourists will not lead to a spike in new Covid-19 infections.

According to DDC Director-General Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, the agency plans to assess the situation regarding coronavirus infections in two weeks’ time. Currently, the average daily caseload is 900, and the number of Covid-19 patients in critical condition who require a respirator is decreasing.

The DDC director-general stated that tourism businesses have also been preparing for a potential influx of tourists from China, with many fully vaccinated and practicing universal prevention measures. Continued …

Face-mask makers asked to increase output as tourists from China surge

Manufacturers of face masks have been asked to increase production as demand is expected to increase, as the number of Chinese tourists surges since Beijing removed restrictions on international travel on Monday.

Department of Internal Trade Director-general, Wattanasak Sur-iam, said on Wednesday that the department had notified face-mask manufacturers to prepare for a sudden spike in demand and to increase their output to prevent a shortage.

A shortage of face masks could contribute to a new wave of infections in Thailand, Watanasak said. Continued … 

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

ASEAN pushes back against King Dollar

Southeast Asia, like much of the rest of the world, is losing patience with King Dollar. The weaponization of the world’s reserve currency, for example, through sanctions on those deemed to be bad actors — such as Russia for its war in Ukraine — has pushed even typically diplomatic Southeast Asians to warn the United States of the consequences. Continued … 

Alibaba Unveils Top Technology Trend Forecasting for 2023

Alibaba DAMO Academy, the global research initiative by Alibaba Group, has shared its annual forecasting of the leading technology trends that could shape many industries in the years ahead. Among the leading technology trends, Generative AI, which has already gained considerable traction, is expected to make further strides with its growing applications set to transform how digital content is produced. Continued …

Should fossil fuel firms be forced to clean up carbon pollution?

Could fossil fuel companies be forced to remove planet-heating carbon pollution from the atmosphere? Researchers argue in a new paper that would be a cheaper, fairer solution to the climate crisis. Continued … 

Graves sink, fisheries shrink as climate change hits Fiji

The sea has already swallowed the village graveyard in Togoru, Fiji, and long-time resident Lavenia McGoon is dreading the day it claims her house. Continued … 

Space junk, not meteorites, remains biggest threat to spacecraft

Dodging the kind of meteorite strike that forced Russia to plan a space station rescue mission is nearly impossible, yet the greater threat to spacecraft is actually the man-made debris in orbit, experts say. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting

chiang mai, climate change, covid, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, phuket, solar, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s News-Jan 11

  • The World’s Most (and Least) Powerful Passports in 2023/World Bank: Recession a looming threat for global economy/Casino project to be reviewed tomorrow/SRT suspends scandal-hit signboard project at Bangkok’s central station/Banpu NEXT continues to provide solar power to electricity-deprived schools/Super-resistant mosquitoes in Asia pose growing threat/Friendship Bridge to Myanmar now ready for reopening/List of top herbs eyed for export/ID soon required to buy cannabis buds/
  • Tourism: Compulsory health insurance now not required/Krungthai Compass predicts 22.5M foreign arrivals in 2023/May 5 Announced as Special Public Holiday/Chinese heading to Phuket, Chiang Mai/
  • Thailand Experience: Fancy Thai desserts with odd names/7 must-see festivals in Thailand you don’t want to miss/Ghosts in Thailand: some eerie sites to explore/
  • Covid: Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers drop in first week of 2023/China targets Korea, Japan over Covid curbs/Mainland Chinese citizens are eager to travel — for the West’s mRNA Covid vaccines/
  • International: French pension reforms potentially explosive/Extreme weather caused $165 billion in US damage in 2022/NATO, EU vow more support for Ukraine/Russia hits Ukraine’s Kharkiv after German minister visits
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

The World’s Most (and Least) Powerful Passports in 2023

As we enter the new year, the latest results from the Henley Passport Index provide fascinating insights into a world characterized by extraordinary upheaval and offer a revealing look at what lies ahead.

For the fifth year running, Japan crowns the index, which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Assn. (IATA) and ranks all the world’s 199 passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

Japanese citizens can now visit an astonishing 193 destinations out of 227 visa-free, while those of South Korea and Singapore, which are tied in second place, enjoy a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 192. Continued …

World Bank: Recession a looming threat for global economy

The global economy will come “perilously close” to a recession this year, led by weaker growth in all the world’s top economies — the United States, Europe and China, the World Bank warned on Tuesday.

In an annual report, the World Bank, which lends money to poorer countries for development projects, said it had slashed its forecast for global growth this year by nearly half, to just 1.7%, from its previous projection of 3%.

If that forecast proves accurate, it would be the third-weakest annual expansion in three decades, behind only the deep recessions that resulted from the 2008 global financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Continued …

Casino project to be reviewed tomorrow

A report by a special House committee studying the feasibility of allowing an entertainment complex to be built that includes legal casinos is expected to be deliberated tomorow, a member of the committee said yesterday.

Aimed at raising tax revenue from legalizing gambling businesses in a yet-to-be-designated area, the project has been studied by the House committee since late last year, added the source.

If approved, the report will be forwarded to the government for consideration, the person said. Continued … 

SRT suspends scandal-hit signboard project at Bangkok’s central station

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) abruptly suspended the scandal-hit 33-million-baht project to change signboards at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station on Tuesday.

SRT Gov. Nirut Maneephan signed the order to suspend the project, which includes changing the main signboard at Thailand’s new rail hub to “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal”, the official name granted by His Majesty the King in September last year.

The order was addressed to the managing director of Unique Engineering and Construction Plc, which won the contract bidding with a proposed price of 33.16 million baht. The SET-listed company signed the contract with SRT on Dec. 29. Continued … 

Banpu NEXT continues to provide solar power to electricity-deprived schools

With a belief that “Learning is the Power of Change and Development”, Banpu NEXT is making continuous progress in its “Light & Learn” project by bringing solar power systems to electricity-deprived schools in remote areas to help light up learning opportunities and benefit the children.

Most recently, the company took its employees on a field visit to join forces with highland teaching volunteers on the solar power system and storage battery installation for Ban Po Por Kee HACLC in Tak Province and hold edutainment activities for the children, which creatively taught them to appreciate nature and clean energy.

Over the past five years, it has already installed solar power systems for 73 schools in Tak, Mae Hong Son, and Kanchanaburi provinces. Continued …

Super-resistant mosquitoes in Asia pose growing threat

Mosquitoes that transmit dengue and other viruses have evolved growing resistance to insecticides in parts of Asia, and novel ways to control them are desperately needed, new research warns.

Health authorities commonly fog mosquito-infested areas with clouds of insecticide, and resistance has long been a concern, but the scale of the problem was not well understood.

Japanese scientist Shinji Kasai and his team examined mosquitoes from several countries in Asia, as well as Ghana, and found a series of mutations had made some virtually impervious to popular pyrethroid-based chemicals like permethrin. Continued …

Friendship Bridge to Myanmar now ready for reopening

The Friendship Bridge linking Thailand and Myanmar reopens tomorrow, much to the delight of eager traders who have waited three years for the resumption of border trade stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Provincial authorities held a meeting yesterday to prepare for the reopening of the bridge, which crosses the Moei River at Ban Rim Moei in Mae Sot district opposite Myawaddy in Myanmar.

Surapol Wongsukpisal, Tak deputy governor, led the meeting, also attended by Somchai Traithipchartsakul, Mae Sot district chief, and heads of the security and administrative agencies. Continued … 

List of top herbs eyed for export

The Public Health Ministry has unveiled its list of so-called “herbal champions”, but cannabis, hemp and kratom have been omitted, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.

Dr. Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, the department chief, said yesterday the government plans to promote local herbs under the list and ideally develop them for export. Herbs on the list include turmeric, krachai dam or black galingal, and fah talai jone or green chiretta.

He said cannabis, hemp and kratom have not yet made the cut after a policy committee on national herbs led by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul agreed recently that their use must be limited, adding further research and development is required. Continued … 

ID soon required to buy cannabis buds

Thai nationals seeking to purchase cannabis buds will soon have to show their ID cards, with sales information recorded on a government database, according to the Department for the Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM).

Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, the department’s director-general, said he had signed the directive and it would take effect as soon as it is published in the Royal Gazette.

It is not known whether foreigners seeking to buy cannabis buds will have to show ID such as a passport. A recent health ministry publication, “10 Things Tourists Need to Know about Cannabis in Thailand”, makes no mention of any requirement. Continued …

Compulsory health insurance now not required

The public health minister, via the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, has canceled the requirement for foreign arrivals, from countries which require PCR tests on return, to have at least US$10,000 health insurance coverage for the duration of their holiday, plus seven days.

The requirement for proof of Covid vaccinations, to present while checking in for your flight to Thailand, has also been scrapped. It was in response to complaints from Thai tourism associations, foreign embassies and travel groups who say the measures, originally imposed on Jan. 7, would discourage many people from visiting Thailand.

Social media has been full of people being turned away at check-in, concerned travelers canceling trips and people just confused about the original regulations and then the sudden reversal of policy. Continued …

Krungthai Compass predicts 22.5M foreign arrivals in 2023

Krungthai Compass, a research unit under Krungthai Bank, expects foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 to more than double the number recorded last year, estimating it will take two years to return to the level posted in 2019.

The research house forecasts foreign arrivals this year to tally 22.5 million, up from 10.2 million expected for 2022.

Of the total, Krungthai Compass anticipates 4.8 million visitors will be Chinese nationals, a 20% increase from its previous forecast of 4 million, attributed to China’s reopening since Jan. 8 this year, said chief economist Patcharaphot Nuntramas. Continued …

May 5 Announced as Special Public Holiday

The government has announced May 5 as a special public holiday, creating a 4-day weekend break. The government hopes the long holiday will help boost the economy through various tourism activities.

During their weekly meeting, Cabinet members approved the decision to bridge the holiday gap between Coronation Day on Thursday, May 4, and the weekend.

Government spokesperson Traisuree Traisaranakul said the combined 4-day break is expected to help push forward economic activities, particularly in the business and tourism sectors. Continued …

Chinese heading to Phuket, Chiang Mai

Both Chiang Mai and Phuket are expecting to see a significant rise in air travel on direct flights from China from Jan. 18, according to local airport authorities.

There will be one direct flight daily from China to Chiang Mai and three a day to Phuket, with non-stop air links to keep rising between the two countries.

A flight between Shanghai and Chiang Mai is due to begin operating on Jan. 18, with another from Guangzhou to Chiang Mai to start two days later, Wichit Kaeosaithiam, the director of Chiang Mai airport, said yesterday. Continued …

Fancy Thai desserts with odd names

If you like unnecessarily posh names, you’ll love Ban Nong Bua, an old community in Thailand’s East.

The canal-side village in Chanthaburi province is drawing visitors and those with a sweet tooth for its desserts with strange names, including “Monkey Willy” (a mung bean rice crepe in a phallic shape). It’s a funny but tasty sweet that will have you searching for more idiosyncrasies of old-school cooks.

Located 10 kilometers south of Chanthaburi, the village of Ban Nong Bua has been home to Hainanese descendants for over 200 years. Their forefathers, seafarers, sailed from Hainan Island in Southern China to the horizon and eventually settled down along the mouth of the Chanthaburi River. Continued …

7 must-see festivals in Thailand you don’t want to miss

Songkran, Loi Krathong, Yi Peng, Loy Krathong Yipeng, Chak Phra and Rocket Festivals are some of the most popular traditional festivals celebrated in Thailand. Each festival has its own unique history and meaning and is celebrated with much enthusiasm and joy by both locals and tourists.

From the water fights of Songkran to the magical sight of sky lanterns during Yi Peng, each festival offers something special and memorable. At the Rocket Festival, the launching of handmade rockets is a symbol of asking the gods for bountiful rains and a good harvest. Celebrate the culture of Thailand and join in the festivities of these traditional festivals.

Songkran Festival

The Songkran Festival is an important event in Thailand and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by locals and tourists alike. The festival marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year and is celebrated with a variety of activities. Continued …

Ghosts in Thailand: some eerie sites to explore

Thailand is known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, and rich culture, but it also has a dark side. Thai culture has long believed in ghosts, some good, some bad.

A large percentage of people in modern life are still afraid of ghosts in Thailand and, as such, the country has some infamously haunted and eerie places. Here are a few of the ghostliest places in Thailand, where you might catch a glimpse of a phantom apparition:

The Old Phuket Town Ghost House

Located in the Old Phuket Town area, this abandoned house is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who committed suicide there. Visitors to the house have reported strange noises, unexplained movements, and even the feeling of being watched. Some have even claimed to have seen the ghost herself, often described as a woman with long, flowing hair and a sad expression on her face. Continued …

Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers drop in first week of 2023

Thailand’s Covid-19 situation appears to have improved, with the number of hospitalizations during the first week of this year falling by half from the previous week.

Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said on Tuesday that 997 Covid patients had been hospitalized in the first week of January, averaging at about 142 per day. He said this was half the daily average compared to the last week of 2022, without elaborating.

As of press time, 382 Covid patients were in hospital for lung infections, while 242 of them were on ventilators. However, Tares said the number of lung infections and patients requiring ventilators has dropped by 28% and 30%, respectively, compared to the previous week. Continued …

China targets South Korea, Japan over Covid curbs

China has suspended issuing some visas for South Korea and Japan in Beijing’s first retaliation against Covid-related curbs on Chinese travelers.

Chinese consulates in South Korea will stop issuing short-term visas for visits, business, tourism, medical care, transit and personal matters from Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul said in a statement.

The suspension will be adjusted if South Korea removes its “discriminative inbound restrictive measures” targeting China, it added. Continued …

Mainland Chinese citizens are eager to travel — for the West’s mRNA Covid vaccines

Mainland China’s move away from its zero-Covid policy has led to a sharp surge in infections, and the resumption of travel means some are looking farther afield for vaccines.

In mid-December, China’s full Covid vaccination rate stood near 87%, with 54% boosted. The main Covid vaccines approved for use in China are from Sinovac and Sinopharm.

Mainlanders have been flocking to Macao in recent months for Western mRNA vaccines, which are widely administered around the world but not endorsed by China. Continued …

French pension reforms potentially explosive

The French government is set to announce its proposals for overhauling the pension system on Tuesday, in a potentially explosive reform fraught with danger for President Emmanuel Macron. Continued … 

Extreme weather caused $165 billion in US damage in 2022

Major hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, drought and a fierce winter storm caused more than $165 billion in damage in the United States last year, with climate change “supercharging” some extreme weather, a government report said Tuesday. Continued … 

NATO, EU vow more support for Ukraine

NATO and the EU vowed Tuesday to bolster their backing for Ukraine to fight off Russia’s invasion and ramp up cooperation between Europe and the U.S.-led alliance. Continued … 

Russia hits Ukraine’s Kharkiv after German minister visits

Russian strikes hit eastern Ukraine’s city of Kharkiv late Tuesday, the regional governor said, just hours after a surprise visit by the German foreign minister with her Ukrainian counterpart. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, covid, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s News-Jan 10

  • Thailand reverses course: no vaccination required for tourist entry/

  • Thailand causes global confusion after reinstating then dropping vaccination requirements/
  • Calendar: WTA Thailand Open at True Arena Jan 30-Feb 5/Muay Thai Festival Day at Rajabhakti Park Feb 2-6/Pranburi half marathon Feb 12/Monsoon Valley Harvest Festival Feb 18-26/Sunset Beach Music Festival March 4/Hua Hin Bikini Run March 25
  • Thailand ushers in new education era, but will rich-poor gap close?/
  • Elephant herd leaves sanctuary, raids crops/
  • Tax incentives to encourage reduction in plastic usage/
  • Tourism: Prachuap Khiri Khan is ready to welcome Chinese tourists/First group of 200 Chinese tourists lands in Thailand/Two Foreigners and Captain Survive After Krabi Long-tail Boat Capsizes/Consuming cannabis in Thailand: what tourists need to know/
  • Thailand Experience: Unleash the power of Thai Cuisine: 7 health benefits of a Thai diet/Wat Phra Kaew: Home to Thailand’s most sacred deity/
  • Covid: Where to get booster vaccines in Hua Hin/Bangkok Tightens Covid Measures as City Expects Tourist Influx/
  • International: Researchers dig up secrets of ‘self-healing’ Roman concrete/Brazil upheaval spark deja vu? It already happened in US/Japan culls record 10M birds as avian flu spreads/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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

Thailand reverses course: no vaccination required for tourist entry

On Monday morning, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed reports that a controversial entry restriction to Thailand for unvaccinated foreign tourists had been rescinded and that the country was now open without restriction to visitors from all countries on an equal footing including China.

The move followed an emergency Monday morning meeting after a weekend of chaos and urgent calls from the foreign tourism industry to avoid disruption to a recovery underway now buoyed by Chinese arrivals.

The Thai government on Monday reversed its controversial measures requiring that all arrivals to the country have proof of vaccination just under 24 hours after the requirement took effect on airlines flying into its international airports. Continued … 

Thailand causes global confusion after reinstating then dropping vaccination requirements

Travelers, airlines and tour operators had a roller coaster few days after Thailand reinstated its Covid-19 vaccination entry requirement, only to drop it again just hours later.

On Saturday, Thailand officials announced international visitors would have to provide proof of full vaccination before arriving in the country from Monday, Jan. 9.

The decision was made in response to China reopening its borders on Sunday, Jan. 8. To avoid discrimination, all international travelers would be asked to follow the requirement. Continued …

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

Thailand ushers in new education era, but will rich-poor gap close?

Thai education is about to enter a new phase as Parliament prepares to vote on the National Education Bill. Yet, experts do not expect the bill and its reforms to bring big improvements for Thailand’s much-criticized education system.

“Once the National Education Bill becomes law, Thailand’s education sector will shift to a new era,” said Dr. Sompong Jitradub, an education expert at the Equitable Education Fund (EEF).

The education draft law advocates decentralization and paves the way for schools to have more power over their operations, he said. The idea is to allow them to respond faster and better to the needs and concerns of students, parents and other stakeholders. Continued …

Elephant herd leaves sanctuary, raids crops

A herd of 100 wild elephants has been foraging away from the confines of the Ang Rue Nai sanctuary in the Tha Chang subdistrict of Prachinburi incentral/eastern Thailand. The animals have been feasting on sugar cane and cassava fields. Locals pushed the herd back toward the sanctuary but acknowledged it was a hopeless task, since the animals needed food. The locals want more help from the authorities to help in protecting their crops that are well outside the area of the sanctuary. (Thai Rath)

Tax incentives to encourage reduction in plastic usage

The Industry and Finance ministries are using a new corporate income tax reduction program to encourage businesses to use more biodegradable plastic products, in a move to reduce waste.

“The tax reduction amounts to around 25% of what companies paid to buy biodegradable plastic products between 2022 and 2024,” said Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. Continued …

Prachuap Khiri Khan is ready to welcome Chinese tourists

After a bumper New Year, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s tourism industry is hoping the arrival of Chinese tourists to Thailand will be a further cause for optimism.

Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Prachuap Khiri Khan Office Achawan Kongkanan said the New Year holiday was a busy period for the local tourism industry. Throughout the province’s eight districts, the average hotel occupancy rate was around 80%, he said.

In Hua Hin, the busiest district in the province, hotel occupancy rates peaked to between 90% and 100%. Continued …

First group of 200 Chinese tourists lands in Thailand

The first direct flight from China since the pandemic shut borders arrived in Thailand on Monday, a day after Beijing dropped COVID border controls that had largely prevented its 1.4 billion residents from traveling for three years.

Passengers of Xiamen Airlines flight MF833, carrying 269 Chinese travelers, were given a warm welcome upon landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul handed out garlands, while airport officials distributed bags of souvenirs to the arriving visitors. Continued …

Two Foreigners and Captain Survive After Krabi Long-tail Boat Capsizes

Two foreign tourists and a boat captain have been rescued after a long-tail boat capsized in Krabi.

The Than Bok Khorani National Park Office said it was notified over the past weekend that a long-tail boat that was carrying foreign tourists was capsized between Hong Island and Hang Nak Cape.

Rescue teams arrived in the area in question to find the long-tail boat being towed and rescued by two other tour boats. Continued …

Consuming cannabis in Thailand: what tourists need to know

Since the delisting of parts of the marijuana plant as a narcotic last year, cannabis cafes and weed dispensaries have become common in Thailand.

But confusing government amendments to the laws and continued debate about what should be permitted has created what has become known as “a weed Wild West” that could land tourists in trouble.

“Since legalisation, no one really (knows) whether we have the correct information”, says Kitty Chopaka, an independent cannabis advocate based in Bangkok. Continued …

Unleash the power of Thai Cuisine: 7 health benefits of a Thai diet

The Thai diet is a healthy and nutritious way to eat. It is full of flavorful dishes that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It is also low in sodium, bad cholesterol, and fat, making it a great choice for anyone looking to lose weight or improve their overall health.

The Thai diet also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, which can help reduce inflammation in the body, and healthy fats, which can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and support heart health.

Eating a Thai diet can also help boost the immune system and promote weight loss. All of these benefits make the Thai diet an excellent choice for those looking to improve their overall health. Continued …

Wat Phra Kaew: Home to Thailand’s most sacred deity

The Emerald Buddha Temple, or Wat Phra Kaew, is one of Bangkok’s most venerated sites, housing many objects deemed sacred in Thailand.

The temple, also known as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, lies within the Grand Palace compound and is home to the Emerald Buddha, which is venerated as Thailand’s protector.

Construction of the temple began in 1783, under the auspices of the Chakri dynasty’s first king, King Rama I. Since then, each successive king has been personally involved in adding, restoring and embellishing the temple as a way of making merit and glorifying the dynasty. Continued …

Where to get booster vaccines in Hua Hin

Hua Hin Hospital and the Red Cross Hua Hin have announced an update to the schedule for booster vaccines in Hua Hin.

Free booster vaccines are available at Hua Hin Hospital every Tuesday between 8:30am and 11:30am. The vaccines are available to ages 5-11 (Pfizer dose 1, 2) and the over 12s (Pfizer dose 1,2,3,4,5).

Anyone who wishes to receive a booster vaccine should go to the 10th floor of the car park building at Hua Hin Hospital. Continued …

Bangkok Tightens Covid Measures as City Expects Tourist Influx

Bangkok City Hall has announced it is making all preparations necessary to control the spread of COVID-19, as more visitors will be making their way to the Thai capital this year.

Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said he has instructed deputy governors to assess the preparedness of the city’s public health system, including available personnel, bed, medication, and vaccine.

The city hall will be closely monitoring the situation at tourist hotspots such as Yaowarat Road, Khaosan Road, hotels, temples, and floating markets, which could see an increase in transmission risks with a higher number of visitors. Continued … 

Researchers dig up secrets of ‘self-healing’ Roman concrete

How have Rome’s ancient aqueducts and architectural marvels such as the Pantheon, which features the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, endured the test of time? Continued … 

Brazil upheaval spark deja vu? It already happened in US

A charismatic right-wing leader refuses to concede an election, boycotts his successor’s inauguration, then sits back as supporters storm the seat of government. As in so many aspects of its politics, Brazil is following the U.S. example down to a T. Continued … 

Japan culls record 10M birds as avian flu spreads

The number of birds culled at poultry farms in Japan has exceeded 10 million, as cases of avian flu continue to spread nationwide, the farm ministry said Tuesday. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

 

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, covid, hua hin, immigration, medical tourism, pattaya, phuket, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s News-Jan 9

  • New entry rules to Thailand – effective today/Hua Hin’s ‘boardwalk’ – a dream for some/Comedy show, free concert coming to Hua Hin/Thai electricity bills to get slightly cheaper from January/New point system for motorists takes effect today/Man who shot Brit turns himself in to Pattaya police/Bangkok’s New Rail Service Terminal In Operation From Jan 19/Thailand ranked 1st in ASEAN in Sustainable Development Report/Shaking up the EV market/Man jailed for killing and eating dogs he kept in his home/British man claims he was tortured in Thailand jail/
  • Tourism: Covid chaos descends again on Thailand’s foreign tourism sector/Thailand’s new regulations keeping tourists away, say tour agencies/Some visitors must show minimum US$10,000 health insurance/Will Chinese arrivals overwhelm Thailand’s healthcare sector?/Chinese tourism set to surge as 15 airlines open routes to Thailand/What the return of Chinese tourists means for the global economy/Medical tourism in Thailand expected to generate over 25 billion baht in 2023/Brit tourist blamed for damaged Thai art, refuses to pay/
  • Thailand Experience: Get lucky at Wat Doi Suthep, the famous Chiang Mai temple/
  • Covid: Free COVID-19 vaccinations stepped up ahead of increased foreign arrivals/
  • International: ASEAN poised for starring role in global economy this year/Bolsonaro supporters storm Brazil Congress, presidential palace/2 men found frozen in the belly of Colombian plane/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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

New entry rules to Thailand – effective today

The requirement that all international travelers show proof of full Covid-19 vaccination before boarding flights to Thailand took effect from Sunday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said on Saturday.

The aviation regulator has formally notified all parties about the change to arrival rules for international travelers aged 18 and over. They will take effect for flights landing in Thailand from 1am local time on Monday and will remain in effect at least until the end of the month.

The vaccination requirement was scrapped last October but it has been revived as travel from China is about to resume worldwide on a large scale. Many countries have responded with special measures out of concern that Covid-19 is sweeping through China since the country scrapped its zero-Covid restrictions last month. Continued …

Hua Hin’s ‘boardwalk’ – a dream for some

It’s the closest thing Hua Hin has to a boardwalk – Naresdamri Road in downtown Hua Hin, the approximately 500 meter stretch of road that runs from the fishing pier to the Chinese temple located close to the Hilton Hotel.

In decades gone by, it was originally the hub of Hua Hin’s fishing community, and while that is still true to some extent, the area is now home to a range of restaurants, guesthouses and other tourism-related businesses.

Video 

However, recent years have seen a partial redevelopment of the area. The redevelopment has been somewhat “stop/start” to say the least. Continued …

Comedy show, free concert coming to Hua Hin

Stand-up comedy is coming to town for the first time in Hua Hin on Jan. 21 at the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa. A roster of some of the funniest international comedians are scheduled to appear.

Meanwhile, on Jan. 14. Swedish band DUO Jag will perform a free concert at Black Mountain Golf Club, starting ay 6pm.

There are only 70 tickets available for the Jan. 21 Hua Hin Comedy Show, which starts at 8pm. Very early bird tickets at 400 baht can be purchased until Jan. 15; early bird tickets are 500 baht, and tickets at the door ar 600 baht. BOOK TICKETS 

Thai electricity bills to get slightly cheaper from January

The Energy Regulatory Commission has relented to complaints about rising power bills and agreed to reduce its service fee slightly from this month.

Consumers who use more than 150 units per month and those who are charged under the time of use (ToU) rate during off-peak hours will find their monthly service charge reduced from 38.22 baht to 24.62 baht.

Small businesses using low-voltage power are eligible for a new service charge of 33.39 baht per month, down from 46.16 baht. Continued …

New point system for motorists takes effect today

Traffic police will start enforcing a new point system for motorists today, but it will be implemented gradually, with education being the initial priority, a senior officer said on Saturday.

The point system aims to improve compliance with traffic laws, reduce accidents, and increase road safety, Highway Police Division commander Maj-General Ekkarat Limsangkat said.

Each motorist will start with 12 points. Violations of traffic laws will result in the deduction of points, with the most severe offenses resulting in the biggest deductions. Continued …

Man who shot Brit turns himself in to Pattaya police

A 32-year-old man turned himself in to police for shooting dead a retired British engineer in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district, saying he acted in a fit of anger after the victim honked a motorcycle horn at him and hit his car.

Apicha Boonsawat contacted police about his surrender at about 9am yesterday before police took him to Huai Yai station for detention and questioning. Continued …

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

Bangkok’s New Rail Service Terminal In Operation From Jan 19

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has officially announced the relocation – effective from Jan. 19, of 52 long-distance, rapid, and express train services from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station to the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

From this date onward, people will need to catch their trains to other destinations throughout Thailand from the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, while the inbound trains to Bangkok will also arrive there. This includes 14 train services to the north, 20 to the south, and 18 to the northeast (Isan).

The Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is the new main train station of Thailand designed to be a major rail transportation hub. Located near the famous Chatuchak weekend market, it is close to both the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway networks, making for convenient travel around Bangkok, and to the Bangkok bus terminal (Chatuchak). Continued …

Thailand ranked 1st in ASEAN in Sustainable Development Report

Thailand has been ranked first in ASEAN in the latest Sustainable Development Report by United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN).

The report assesses 193 UN member states on their progress toward achieving the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and calculates their percentage of achievement. 100% indicates that all SDGs have been achieved.

Thailand ranked first in ASEAN and 44th in the world with 74.1%, ahead of Vietnam (72.8%), Singapore (71.7%), Malaysia (70.4%), Indonesia (69.2%), Brunei (67.1%), Philippines (66.6%), Myanmar (64.3%), Cambodia (63.8%) and Laos (63.4%). Continued … 

Shaking up the EV market

The entry of more Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producers into the Thai market is not only improving sentiment among buyers, as they can choose from a wider variety of models, but it is also testing their brand loyalty.

Thais have long been enamored with cars produced by Japanese and European companies, eager to buy their products and services.

With the shift from internal combustion engines to battery-powered vehicles, the question is whether consumers will buy new technology from familiar brands, or take the plunge with Chinese entrants. Continued … 

Man jailed for killing and eating dogs he kept in his home

A man in Chalerm Prakiat district of Nakhon Si Thammarat has been arrested and sentenced by a local court to three months in prison for slaughtering dogs and using their meat for cooking, according to the Soi Dog Foundation.

The not-for-profit organization said a dog sterilization team had recently rescued an injured puppy that had escaped from a house that neighbors told the team was owned by a former drug addict whom they said had been killing and eating his dogs.

The foundation sought help from the police and six dogs were rescued during a search, and they also found the remains of many others. Continued …

British man claims he was tortured in Thailand jail

A British national claims he was beaten and tortured by police in a Thai jail while incarcerated abroad.

Carl Gentry-Evans, 51, was on vacation in Phuket, southern Thailand, when a local gang targeted him and drugged his drink, turning his life upside down.

The unsuspecting Southampton man lost almost everything in the incident, including four teeth, according to images obtained by a newspaper, which tell a dramatic story. Continued …

Covid chaos descends again on Thailand’s foreign tourism sector

Last Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced new restrictions on incoming tourists to Thailand in response to the reopening of the Chinese market.

This includes a requirement that all arrivals must be vaccinated. Over the weekend, it became clear that the new regime would be going into effect on Sunday concerning all incoming flights after Monday at 1 am, with international airlines tasked with screening passengers when boarding flights and instructed to deny passage to unvaccinated passengers.

The situation has sent waves of chaos throughout the foreign tourism industry, with travel agents in France, Germany, Scandinavia and Russia warning that confidence in Thailand as a tourist destination has been damaged as thousands of passengers stand to lose money with thousands of holiday night bookings already withdrawn in Phuket alone. Continued …

Thailand’s new regulations keeping tourists away, say tour agencies

The government’s new regulations for foreign arrivals is badly affecting the tourism industry, the Phuket Tourist Assn.’s chief said.

Phukmit Raktaengam said on Sunday that the latest 7-point notice to airmen (Notam) announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has caused many tourists to cancel their trips.

The CAAT regulations require airlines to check if all passengers have had at least two Covid-19 vaccines before letting them board flights to Thailand. Continued …

Some visitors must show minimum US$10,000 health insurance

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) from today will require visitors whose next destinations require proof of a negative Covid-19 test to show health insurance coverage worth at least US$10,000.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Sunday the CAAT’s notice requires visitors who must test negative for Covid-19 before leaving Thailand to show proof of health insurance coverage worth at least $10,000 in case the test leads to Covid-19 treatment. Continued …

Will Chinese arrivals overwhelm Thailand’s healthcare sector?

While several countries have imposed stringent COVID-control measures on travelers from China, Thailand has decided to welcome them with open arms despite concerns about its healthcare sector being overwhelmed.

(A high percentage of passengers on flights from China have tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in several countries.)

China dropped quarantine rules yesterday, signaling that its people can resume outbound travel without restrictions.

While this move may sound like good news for both Chinese travelers and tourism-dependent economies like Thailand, it has triggered international concern over the surging COVID-19 infection rate in China. Continued …

Chinese tourism set to surge as 15 airlines open routes to Thailand

The long-awaited return of Chinese tourists will be a surge, as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has given permission for 15 Chinese carriers to fly from major cities in China to Thailand from Sunday.

After enduring more than two years of lockdowns and restrictions on travel, citizens of the world’s most populous nation are rushing to take advantage of the relaxation of China’s zero-Covid-19 policy to travel abroad, and Thailand remains a preferred destination.

Thailand welcomed more than 11 million Chinese tourists in 2019, the year before the Covid-19 pandemic paralyzed air travel. Continued …

What the return of Chinese tourists means for the global economy

In the years before Covid, China was the world’s most important source of international travelers. Its 155 million tourists spent more than a quarter of a trillion dollars beyond its borders in 2019.

That largesse fell precipitously over the past three years as the country essentially closed its borders. But, as China prepared to reopen on Sunday, millions of tourists are poised to return to the world stage, raising hopes of a rebound for the global hospitality industry.

Although international travel may not return immediately to pre-pandemic levels, companies, industries and countries that rely on Chinese tourists will get a boost in 2023, according to analysts. Continued …

Medical tourism in Thailand expected to generate over 25 billion baht in 2023

The medical tourism industry in Thailand has shown good signs of growth since the decline of the COVID-19 pandemic. ttb analytics, a division of TMBThanachart, has recently forecast that medical tourism in Thailand would generate revenue of over 25 billion baht (700 million USD) in 2023.

According to ttb analytics, Thailand has become one of the world’s major medical destinations thanks to its reputation for good healthcare management and security. It has been shown on the Johns Hopkins University’s 2021 Global Health Security (GHS) Index that Thailand was ranked fifth place out of 195 countries, and first in Asia, in its ability to respond to pandemics and epidemics.

The forecast also declared that the global trends in wellness tourism and innovations in medical technology would lead to good opportunities for Thailand to enhance its medical tourism industry, since the country has health professionals of high capability, as well as international-standard hospitals and relatively inexpensive costs for medical expenses. – PRD

Brit tourist blamed for damaged Thai art, refuses to pay

The chief of the Thai cultural affairs department, Dr. Apinan Posyananda was furious, along with many art lovers, after an albino water buffalo at the Bangkok Biennale 2022 art show was destroyed. It was “Kwai Calm” by artist Maitree Siriboon.

Apinan said that several German and British tourists were “having a great time”.

He named one 34-year-old Brit for allegedly destroying the buffalo after climbing on it. Then, he said the tourists refused to apologize or pay for the damage. Continued …

Get lucky at Wat Doi Suthep, the famous Chiang Mai temple

If you know what’s what in Thailand, you’ll know a wat is a temple, and that wats are the why when it comes to Chiang Mai.

Still with me? The key thing to know is that it’s all in the name. Wat Doi Suthep. The temple on Suthep Mountain. It’s probably the northern Thai city’s most famous site, its gold-plated stupa visible from the town in the valley below, shining out of the jungle.

I didn’t need our guide, Khun Nao to tell me it was high up. Our van took half an hour to putter up the steep road from the city, passing more dedicated pilgrims on foot and bicycle. Continued …

Free COVID-19 vaccinations stepped up ahead of increased foreign arrivals

Due to an anticipated increase in foreign arrivals, Chinese tourists in particular, everyone, especially those over 60, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, those who weigh over 90kg, small children and those who have not been vaccinated, have been urged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or to get booster shots.

COVID-19 infections are on the rise in several provinces. In the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, for instance, over 600 cases were reported last week alone, with 14 fatalities, most of whom were unvaccinated.

The vaccination services are free of charge for Thais and foreigners at state hospitals or health centers nationwide. Continued … 

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

ASEAN poised for starring role in global economy this year

Key ASEAN economies will be among the few globally to show impressive growth this year, as the world economy slips into slower growth or a recession, according to a recently published report by one of the largest banks in Southeast Asia – Singapore-headquartered United Overseas Bank (UOB). Continued … 

Bolsonaro supporters storm Brazil Congress, presidential palace

Supporters of Brazil’s far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro pushed through police barricades and stormed into the national Congress building Sunday in a dramatic protest against President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration last week. Continued … 

2 men found frozen in the belly of Colombian plane

An aircraft maintenance technician in Colombia made a shocking discovery. Under the belly of an Avianca plane at the airport in Bogota, the bodies of two young men were frozen to death. The airline technician was inspecting and performing regular maintenance on the aircraft of Colombia’s flagship airline when he was horrified by the corpses. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting

baht, bangkok, chiang mai, climate change, covid, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s News-Jan 7

  • Government Decisions On Legalizing Thai Casinos Stall/Tourism, wellness, and green businesses to drive Thai economy this year/New power tariff reduced for business/Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country/Thai baht to continue strengthening, Asian economies to benefit from China’s reopening/Thailand to up tax on sweet drinks, food from April 1/Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant/14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022/Special team on hunt for gunman who killed British expat in Pattaya/Sick of the grind, China’s well-off seek slower pace in Thailand/Online sales of lottery tickets surged since June debut/Commentary: Blood alcohol content limit for drivers in Thailand should be set at 0%/’Energy for All’ winners ready to start/Thai village piloting carbon-credit plan to preserve forests/
  • Tourism: Tourism sector preps for Chinese/In the provinces, arms open for Chinese return/New curbs hobble return of Indians/Koh Phangan: ‘20,000’ on island for first Full Moon Party of 2023/
  • Thailand Experience: MasterChef judge reviews Chiva-Som/’You buffalo!’ How this animal became an insult in Thai/How to get around Thailand on a budget/
  • Covid: Covid strains from West more serious than from China, says virologist/
  • International: Global food prices in 2022 hit record high amid drought, war/US approves new drug to treat Alzheimer’s/Covid surge exposes China’s healthcare gap/New Indonesia capital branded ‘ecological disaster’/Gas cooking linked to 12.7% of childhood asthma in US/29 killed in arrest of Mexico drug kingpin son/Strikes in east Ukraine despite Putin’s ceasefire order/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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

Government Decisions On Legalizing Thai Casinos Stall

After a final report with recommendations to move forward to establish legal casinos in Thailand was delivered to government on July 27, 2022, a July 29 forum in Hua Hin heard from Dr. Saensak Siriphanich and Udorn Olsson, both key members of the 60-person committee.

The speakers suggested that government cabinet considerations were expected to approve the committee’s recommendations to establish legal casinos, then for regulations to be framed. The speakers were optimistic that there could be licenses approved and investment agreements in place before the end of the year (2022).

Although naming Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (Hua Hin) but not Phetchaburi, the speakers stated that the preferred regional location is within 40 kilometers of the Hua Hin Airport. This means a site could be in either province. Continued …

Tourism, wellness, and green businesses to drive Thai economy this year

Tourism, wellness, and green businesses will be the major growth drivers for the Thai economy this year, Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai said on Friday.

The three sectors have a bright outlook for 2023 due to their performance last year, growth prospects, the current business environment, and economic trends, Sinit said, citing a forecast by the Department of Business Development.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to create an economic crisis globally, it creates opportunities for new businesses, Sinit said, adding: “Entrepreneurs need to adapt swiftly and carefully study business trends.” Continued … 

New power tariff reduced for business

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will make a cut to the power tariff for businesses after concerned groups petitioned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to lower electricity prices.

The decision came after the premier told energy officials to find ways to reduce electricity bills for businesses. Continued …

Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has urged the government and the private sector to place more focus on equipping people with digital knowledge and human soft skills to accelerate the country’s transition to a high-income country.

The suggestion is part of TDRI’s latest study, “A Portrait of High-Income Thailand: Future Labor Market Outlook”, which was released on Friday. The goal of this research is to find the best solution for labor policies and measures in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report paints the picture of a changed labor landscape as a result of digital technology and innovation. This disruption has speeded global activity than ever before. Meanwhile, people are realizing that one set of skills is never enough and that knowledge could get outdated. Continued …

Thai baht to continue strengthening, Asian economies to benefit from China’s reopening

The baht, which in October was trading around 38 to the U.S. dollar, has strengthened to 34 to the dollar, and the currency is likely to continue to strengthen into 2023 as the Thai economy continues to recover, and China’s reopening will help sustain recessionary fears from the west.

The Thai baht has benefited from the surge in the domestic economy as Thailand opened its doors to foreign tourists on July 1, 2022.

The currency has benefited from the weakening U.S. dollar that has seen the U.S. Federal Reserve starting to slow its interest rate hikes that it has undertaken aggressively during 2022. Continued …

Thailand to up tax on sweet drinks, food from April 1

Sweet, sugary food and beverages will become more expensive from April 1, as the Excise Department will be pushing up the tax again.

Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the department’s director-general, said on Friday that the hike was initially meant to be put in place on Oct. 1 last year, but was postponed by the Cabinet to March 31 this year.

“The Excise Department will launch the third phase of the tax hike in fiscal 2023 in line with the law,” he said. Continued …

Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant

Thailand’s entrant for Miss Universe 2022, 24-year-old Anna Sueangam-iam, will be dressed in a shimmering silver creation inspired by the mystical seven Songkran ladies from Thai folklore. Dubbed “Songkran Devi”, the glittering dress was fashioned by Thai artisans to capture the concept of “flowing water”. Anna will also be carrying a beautifully crafted silver bowl used in the annual water festival to symbolize Thailand’s life, culture, tradition and local wisdom. (The Nation)

14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022

As many as 939,713 road accidents were reported in Thailand last year, up 4.7% from 2021, the Thailand Road Accidents Data Center for Road Safety Culture (ThaiRSC) said.

According to data revealed by ThaiRSC on Friday, road accidents claimed 14,737 lives and injured 924,799 in Thailand last year. Of them, 536 deaths and 7,885 injuries were foreigners.

ThaiRSC said that the average damage incurred per accident was about 200,000 baht, while most accidents occur during morning rush hour, especially from 10am to 11am. Continued …

Special team on hunt for gunman who killed British expat in Pattaya

Chonburi Police Region 2 is hunting down a mysterious murderer who shot and killed a retired British engineer yesterday Thursday.

Police Lt. Col. Ittipon Ittisaranachai, chief of Police Region 2, called for a meeting of immigration officials, tourist police, and investigators to track down the suspect who shot a 70-year-old British man to death.

The victim was shot four times in the back, according to police. Continued …

Sick of the grind, China’s well-off seek slower pace in Thailand

Xiaohongshu, China’s answer to Instagram, is abuzz with the benefits of emigrating to Thailand.

In videos on the popular social media and e-commerce platform, influencers paint a picture of paradise that promises something for all.

For stressed-out parents, cheap international schools and the possibility of remote work in an exotic locale await. For retirees, there is affordable healthcare just a stone’s throw from the beach. Continued …

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

Online sales of lottery tickets surged since June debut

As many as 890,000 people won cash prizes totaling 7.5 billion baht from lottery draws after the Government Lottery Office office debuted online sales for tickets on June 2 last year, the office said on Friday.

Following the debut of online lottery ticket sales, 14 draws were held between June 16 and Dec. 30 last year.

Online sales were introduced to reduce price gouging by retailers, who added 25% surcharges on the 80-baht ticket price. Lottery draws are held twice a month: on the 16th and at the end of the month. Continued …

Blood alcohol content limit for drivers in Thailand should be set at 0%

The Center for Alcohol Studies (CAS) has urged relevant departments to consider setting the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers in Thailand at 0%, instead of 0.05%, because drivers with 0.05% of BAC in their system still cause fatal road accidents.

The legal BAC is set at 0.05% in Thailand. This means that motorists in the country can drive if their BAC is less than 0.05%, or 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood. This is the equivalent of two glasses of wine or beer.

The vice president of the CAS, Ponthep Wijitkunakorn, used a recent fatal road accident that killed five victims in the Isaan province of Sisaket to emphasize why the legal limit for a driver’s blood alcohol level needed to be changed. Continued … 

‘Energy for All’ winners ready to start

Energy investors who won an auction under the state’s “Energy for All” renewable scheme are pushing ahead with their projects after the latest legal hurdle that caused more delays was cleared.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) recently resolved to drop a complaint made by one investor over alleged irregularities in the auction held in 2021 to grant investors licenses to develop and operate power plants.

Introduced in November 2019, Energy for All is designed to facilitate businesses and communities to jointly invest in biomass and biogas-fired power plants. Continued …

Thai village piloting carbon-credit plan to preserve forests

A village in central Thailand is piloting a new approach to forest preservation by partnering with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in a project to trade carbon credits in return for keeping its area green.

“When local communities realize that their forests can be a source of steady income, they will be driven to preserve their green areas,” said Varawut Silpa-archa, minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who attended the opening ceremony Ban Khong Ta village in central Petchaburi province.

“These communities will not only benefit from the plants and fruits they pick, but also the carbon credit market. We hope that over 12,000 communities nationwide will learn from this,” and join the initiative, which is being overseen by the Royal Forestry Department, he added. Continued …

Tourism sector preps for Chinese

Tourism operators are prepared for a wave of Chinese tourists in terms of hotel room capacity, public health hygiene and flight capacity, though demand remains unclear.

The government confirmed on Thursday Chinese tourists will be exempted from RT-PCR Covid tests upon arrival, but will be required to buy Covid insurance to guarantee they have medical expense coverage in case they are infected before flying back home.

Phunut Thanalaopanich, president of the northern chapter of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), said Chiang Mai is ready to accommodate all tourists, including those from China, which are expected to return starting this month. Continued …

In the provinces, arms open for Chinese return

Key tourism provinces are bracing for the return of tourists from China after the country reopens its borders on Sunday.

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya of Chon Buri are popular among Chinese travelers. About 300,000 Chinese arrivals are forecast for the first quarter of the year, including January with a reduced total of only 60,000 due to limited seat capacity.

Suladda Sarutilavan, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Chiang Mai Office, said the Chinese market plays a major role in driving the tourism sector in the province. Before the pandemic, it had welcomed 1 million Chinese travelers each year. Continued … 

New curbs hobble return of Indians

Tourism operators have started to feel the pinch from the slowing Indian market in the first quarter, particularly the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) segment and independent travelers, as the Indian government requires Covid-19 RT-PCR tests for those returning from Thailand.

The Indian MICE segment from February to April is “on hold” because of the rising cost of Covid-19 tests and fear of getting Covid-19 abroad, said Rajesh Nair, chief executive of Enchantive Asia, an inbound tour company focusing on the subcontinent.

“The problem is travelers are discouraged because of the test requirement before boarding,” said Nair. Continued … 

Koh Phangan: ‘20,000’ on island for first Full Moon Party of 2023

The first Full Moon Party of the year happened last night on the holiday island of Koh Phangan in southern Thailand’s Surat Thani province.

In attendance at Had Rin beach were Deputy Gov. Chusak Rooying, the chief of the Surat provincial police, Maj-Gen Saranya Chamnanrach, Phangan District Chief Wichan Junthawijit and the island’s police chief, Col. Panya Niratimanon.

Plus lots of tourist and immigration police and DOPA officials. Continued …

MasterChef judge reviews Hua Hin’s Chiva-Som

I used to wonder what it might be like to have the kind of crazy, high-profile job that requires a few weeks’ respite at some place perfectly plush to recover when it’s all over.

And while I’m aware I’m not and will probably never be Arianna Huffington-level busy, and certainly not Oprah-level famous, surely a Gold Logie nom rents me a place in the sun – at least for a couple of days.

Regardless of what you or I do for a crust and whether our faces are recognizable to those outside our circles of friends, family, co-workers and followers on social media, life’s increasing pressures sure can squeeze a lot of the energy from our souls. I’ve done health retreats in Australia before, but what happens when you blend health and well-being protocols with lush, tropical vistas, sunshine, incredible food (that’s good for you), and the kind of hospitality that will have you begging never to leave? Continued …

‘You buffalo!’ How this animal became an insult in Thai

“Ai Kwai!!!” literally translated as “you buffalo”, as in “you idiot”, is one of the most common insults in the Thai language.

In light of a recent controversy, where the permanent secretary of Thailand’s Interior Ministry called his subordinate “as stupid as a buffalo”, have we ever wondered why we have to use a buffalo to signify people’s stupidity, rather than other animals?

Buffaloes have always been part of Thai people’s livelihoods, especially in rural areas, where agriculture is the dominant industry. Being called a “buffalo”, however, is considered very offensive by many Thais, almost as extreme as being called a “monitor lizard”, equivalent to dropping the f-bomb. Continued …

How to get around Thailand on a budget

Traveling around Thailand on a budget can be a great way to explore this beautiful country while still saving money. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get around Thailand on a budget.

1. Travel by bus or train

The bus system in Thailand is extensive and covers the whole country. It’s a great way to get from point A to point B at an affordable price. The buses are comfortable and offer a variety of services depending on the route.

Many of the buses feature air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and even onboard entertainment. And with ticket prices ranging from $10-$20, it’s a great way to get around the country without breaking the bank. Continued …

Covid strains from West more serious than from China, says virologist

New coronavirus strains from visitors arriving from western countries could pose a higher health threat than older strains from tourists arriving from China, according to virologist Yong Poovorawan.

Amid concerns over rising infections with China easing restrictions on travel, Dr. Yong wrote on his Facebook account on Friday that China’s recent outbreak is predominantly led by the Omicron subvariant of Covid-19, BA.5, which had already spread in Thailand.

“We should be more concerned about the strains that have not spread in Thailand, especially the BQ variant from western countries, which is more alarming,” wrote Dr. Yong, chief of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine. “We do not check and cannot force (them) to wear face masks.” Continued …

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Global food prices in 2022 hit record high amid drought, war

Global prices for food commodities like grain and vegetable oils were the highest on record last year, even after falling for nine months in a row, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said, as Russia’s war in Ukraine, drought and other factors drove up inflation and worsened hunger worldwide. Continued … 

US approves new drug to treat Alzheimer’s

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a highly anticipated new drug designed to slow cognitive decline in patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Continued … 

Covid surge exposes China’s healthcare gap

Understaffed and underfunded clinics stand half-empty in parts of the Chinese countryside, even as hospitals in major cities heave under an unprecedented Covid wave — an illustration of the stark disparities in the country’s healthcare system. Continued … 

New Indonesia capital branded ‘ecological disaster’

The twisting road that leads to Indonesia’s future capital is lined with dense rainforest and pockets of plantations, punctuated every so often with monkeys enjoying a laze out on the tarmac. Continued … 

Gas cooking linked to 12.7% of childhood asthma in US

Cooking with gas indoors has been linked to 12.7% of all childhood asthma cases in the United States, a new study has found, comparing its effect on health to that of second-hand smoking. Continued … 

29 killed in arrest of Mexico drug kingpin son

Ten soldiers and 19 criminal suspects died in a massive operation to arrest a son of jailed drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the Mexican government said Friday, with a dramatic shootout damaging three planes and sowing terror at a local airport. Continued … 

Strikes in east Ukraine despite Putin’s ceasefire order

Artillery exchanges pounded war-scarred cities in eastern Ukraine on Friday despite Russian leader Vladimir Putin unilaterally ordering his forces to stop attacking for 36 hours. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting

climate change, covid, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-Jan 6

  • Proof of Covid vaccines will be required again for all arrivals to Thailand/Hua Hin-Phuket, international flights remain in limbo/Thailand ties with Italy on list of world’s top retirement destinations/Thailand’s official population at Dec 31 was 66,090,475/317 die, 2,437 injured on Thai roads during 7-day New Year holiday/British pensioner gunned down in Pattaya/33-million-baht signboard scandal derailing Thailand’s new grand central station/Bangkok workers fleeing back to the provinces/Thai inflation rate poised to slow to 2%-3% in 2023/Newly appointed chief spells out four-point plan to develop EEC/Leasing and renewable energy firms to promote solar rooftops/Tackling our plastic waste woes/
  • Tourism: Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination Proof Angers, Panics International Travelers/Thailand’s entry rules on arriving Chinese tourists falls shorter than other countries/First planeload of 200 Chinese tourists to land in Thailand on Monday/Tourism sector preps for Chinese/Thai hotels in dire need of staff as tourists flock back/With few entry tests, SE Asia may gain most from China’s travel revival/Pattaya Beach is second most popular beach in the world on TikTok/
  • Thailand Experience: What You Should Avoid Ordering At Thai Restaurants/
  • Covid: Over a quarter of travelers from China test positive in Taiwan/
  • International: Asia tourist hubs ready for China influx/It’s a bountiful bunny world in Year of the Rabbit/Taiwan shipping giant Evergreen gives up to 52 months’ pay as year-end bonuses/Half of world’s glaciers expected to vanish by 2100/Teslas now over 40% cheaper in China than US/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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Proof of Covid vaccines will be required again for all arrivals to Thailand

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has adopted four measures that will be applied to all tourists visiting Thailand, including from China. The announcement follows news that the Chinese Government would travel restrictions on their citizens on Jan. 8.

The first flights from China, in the wake of the announcement from China, are scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Jan. 12. So the time for the re-introduction of the measures will be sometime from now until Jan. 12. The minister was not clear on this.

The newly announced measures:

  1. All visitors must have received at least TWO doses of Covid-19 vaccine before their arrival Continued … 

Hua Hin-Phuket, international flights remain in limbo

Perhaps the most discussed topic on the regional tourism scene is the continuing absence of scheduled flight connections to the Hua Hin Airport. That includes international flights, but also to Phuket, the most eagerly awaited domestic connection.

Hopes still remain high that more than the solitary Chiang Mai flights will happen soon, but some local hoteliers now openly state they aren’t expecting this to happen within the next six or even 12 months.

Stacey Walton, president of Skål international Hua Hin & Cha-Am, speaking during a visit to Phuket to consider that burgeoning tourism scene, is among those asking questions. Continued …

Thailand ties with Italy on list of world’s top retirement destinations

Thailand is the world’s ninth cheapest place to live for expat retirees, according to the Annual Global Retirement Index.

The 2023 list of “10 Cheapest Places to Live After Retiring” was compiled by experts at the International Living website and published this week. It details the best places to retire in terms of high quality of life and low cost of living.

Portugal tops the list thanks to the weakness of its currency and ease of acquiring a long-term visa. Second is Mexico, followed by Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece and France. Thailand ties with Italy in ninth place. Continued …

Thailand’s official population at Dec 31 was 66,090,475

Thailand’s population as of Dec. 31, 2022, was 66,090,475, according to the latest census data provided by the Central Domicile Registration Office.

The population was made up of 65,106,481 Thai nationals and 983,994 who are yet to receive Thai citizenship.

Of the Thai nationals, there were 31,755,032 males and 33,351,449 females. Continued …

317 die, 2,437 injured on Thai roads during 7-day New Year holiday

A total of 317 people were killed and 2,437 others injured in 2,440 road accidents across Thailand between Dec. 29 and Jan. 4, according to statistics provided by the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and related agencies.

On the last day of the New Year holidays on Wednesday, 25 people died and 253 others were injured in 241 road accidents.

Speeding was the cause of 34.9% of the accidents and 80.2% involved motorcycles; 24.5% were the result of cutting in front of another vehicle at speed.

Most of the accidents (85.1%) occurred on straight roads, 49% occurred on local and rural roads. Most of the accidents took place between 4pm and 5pm. Continued …

British pensioner gunned down in Pattaya

A British pensioner was shot multiple times in the back by an unknown assailant as he was returning home on a motorcycle in the Pattaya area.

Neil Lewis Roger, 71, had told his close friend that he was off to have a drink with a friend in town. After buying some groceries, he headed home to Huay Yai but was shot on the way at least three times.

He died in a pool of blood 2 kilometers from his home. His friend called him a popular man who had no known enemies. Continued …

33-million-baht signboard scandal derailing Thailand’s new grand central station

Thailand’s new national rail terminus has run into trouble even before its official unveiling.

Bang Sue Grand Station is setting social media alight with news that signboards for its new royally granted name will cost a whopping 33 million baht to install.

Enraged Thai netizens have posted pictures showing how such a large budget could be better spent elsewhere, including to fund the construction of classrooms for a small school. Continued …

Bangkok workers fleeing back to the provinces

Workers in Bangkok who live from hand to mouth have decided to return to their hometowns, as the cost of living in the capital becomes unaffordable.

They said expenses in Bangkok have doubled compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic. After deducting expenses, there is almost nothing left to save.

Capping the price of more essential commodities would help low-income workers, they said. Continued … 

Thai inflation rate poised to slow to 2%-3% in 2023

Thailand’s inflation rate is expected to slow to 2%-3% this year after soaring to a 24-year high last year, driven mainly by rising energy prices.

The Commerce Ministry on Thursday reported headline inflation, gauged by the consumer price index (CPI), rose by 6.08% in 2022 from a year earlier, which was close to the projection (between 5.5%-6.5%, with an average of 6%).

The main contributors were rising energy prices following limited production controlled by oil-producing countries, and the Russia-Ukraine war which led to a tight supply of energy and, finally, high domestic prices of fuel, electricity and liquefied petroleum gas. Continued …

Newly appointed chief spells out four-point plan to develop EEC

The new chief of the state agency that runs the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has come up with a “4Rs” plan to push the special industrial zone as a model for sustainable development.

Chula Sukmanop, the newly appointed secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), said that his mission was to lead the agency to “re-evaluate, re-image, revive, and realize”.

Re-evaluation involves assessing challenges facing the EEC’s development, including the post-Covid “next normal” environment, the global recession, and climate change, he said in an interview. Continued …

Leasing and renewable energy firms to promote solar rooftops

Saksiam Leasing (SAK), a Thailand personal loan provider, has formed a joint venture with TC Renewable Energy with the goal of entering the solar rooftop system installation business and providing financing to Thai households nationwide.

The joint venture, Saksiam TC Energy Co., will have a registered capital of 50 million baht, with SAK and TC Renewable Energy holding 35% and 65%, respectively. This joint venture is scheduled to launch in this month.

Siwaphong Boonsalee, SAK’s managing director, said yesterday the joint venture is a significant step in expanding the service of providing loans for the installation of solar rooftop systems at residential properties, and supporting the public’s access to solar power as a clean and widely available source of energy. Continued …

Tackling our plastic waste woes

Today, most of the products and packaging in our local market are designed to be “disposable”, with little or no concern for environmental impacts and any negative influences on human health.

Yet, such waste is rarely recycled and barely managed in a sustainable manner. But in many countries, the policy of “extended producer responsibility” (EPR) is used to address this concern.

EPR emphasizes the entire life cycle of a product and encourages packaging manufacturers to keep resources in the loop as long as possible through product and packaging stewardship. Continued …

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination Proof Angers, Panics International Travelers

A proposal made by multiple Thai agencies to require proof of at least two Covid-19 vaccine shots in the wake of the return of Chinese tourists next week has caused anger, frustration, and panic among many would-be travelers to Thailand.

The proposal was led by Thai Public Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and included input from multiple ministries such as Tourism and Sports, Transport, Office of the Insurance Board, and more.

In essence, the proposal is due to the return of Chinese tourists after three years effective from Sunday, Jan. 8, after China dropped most of its Covid zero measures and prepares to reopen its borders to travel. Continued …

Thailand’s entry rules on arriving Chinese tourists falls shorter than other countries

Thailand’s way of dealing with the expected influx of Chinese tourists starting this Sunday is much weaker than other countries that have put in place a requirement of RT-PCR test to be done before these tourist head into their country.

The move by the Thai government to impose restrictions on arriving Chinese tourists has come after heavy criticism that the government of 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha was not doing enough to prevent another wave of outbreak.

The Thai government has come out to say that it was looking to impose entry regulations on all travelers to prevent outbreaks of Covid-19 from the expected influx of tourists this year, with no specific rules for Chinese tourists. Continued … 

First planeload of 200 Chinese tourists to land in Thailand on Monday

The first flight carrying around 200 Chinese tourists will touch down at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday as China resumes outbound travel, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Thursday.

The flight from Xiamen in southern China will be the first to arrive in Thailand after China scraps quarantine measures on Sunday, giving the green light for citizens to travel. The country is also downgrading Covid-19 from a top-tier Class A infectious disease to Class B.

Phiphat said the first flight is a good sign that Chinese tourists will return to Thailand in large numbers following more than two years of Covid-19 restrictions. He said more flights will be restored before the Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan. 22. China was Thailand’s largest overseas tourism market before Covid, accounting for 28% of total arrivals. Continued …

Tourism sector preps for Chinese

Tourism operators are prepared for a wave of Chinese tourists in terms of hotel room capacity, public health hygiene and flight capacity, though demand remains unclear.

The government confirmed on Thursday Chinese tourists will be exempted from RT-PCR Covid tests upon arrival, but will be required to buy Covid insurance to guarantee they have medical expense coverage in case they are infected before flying back home.

Phunut Thanalaopanich, president of the northern chapter of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), said Chiang Mai is ready to accommodate all tourists, including those from China, which are expected to return starting this month. Continued …

Thai hotels in dire need of staff as tourists flock back

The Thai hotel industry is seeking migrant workers to help relieve staff shortages, as millions of tourists have returned to the country.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), called on the government to relax the existing rules to make it easier for migrant workers to work in the hotel industry to help alleviate the shortage of workforce.

She suggested that the Thai government’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with neighbouring countries allow more positions in which migrant workers can be hired, easier hiring of migrants, and allow more foreign nationals to work in the hotel industry. Continued …

With few entry tests, SE Asia may gain most from China’s travel revival

Southeast Asia’s tourist economies are set to be leading beneficiaries of China’s scrapping of travel bans, as they have steered clear of the Covid-19 tests before entry that Europe, Japan and the United have imposed on Chinese visitors.

Even as the virus tears through its 1.4 billion people, the world’s second largest economy is opening its borders from Sunday, a move that promises to unleash a wave of travelers eager for diversion after three years of strict curbs at home.

Such newly mobile Chinese tourists will opt for “minimal hassle” and head for destinations that do not demand testing, which in turn stands to benefit Southeast Asia, said CIMB economist Song Seng Wun. Continued … 

Pattaya Beach is second most popular beach in the world on TikTok

Pattaya Beach was named the second most popular beach in the world on TikTok. The most popular beach prize goes to Bondi Beach in Australia.

The UK luxury holiday company, Destination2, created a list of the most popular beaches across the world on TikTok. The company conducted the research on TikTok by creating a specific hashtag for the dream beaches all over the world and tracked the number of views.

Pattaya Beach was ranked as the second most popular beach in the world with the number of views at 128.5 million. The champion, Bondi Beach in Australia, gained over 445.8 million views. Continued …

What You Should Avoid Ordering At Thai Restaurants

Thai food is super popular worldwide, and for good reason. The cuisine combines a unique array of flavors that offer a mind-blowing dining experience. After all, it’s not every day you find a single dish with sweet, salty, sour, and even bitter tastes in perfect proportion, but Thai food strikes an excellent balance.

However, there’s a distinct peculiarity in the interaction of Thai food with American culture that’s quite unlike the rest of the world. It’s tempting to assume that Thai food was integrated into America by the immigration of natives from Thailand, but there are a few more twists to the story, as Mark Padoongpat, a Thai-American professor of Asian studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, discovered.

Thailand was never a formal U.S. colony, but by 1946, all of its surrounding Southeast Asian countries were colonies of seven world powers, most of whom were Western nations. According to Northern Illinois University, this meant that Thailand was treated like a U.S. colony. Americans visited freely, became immersed in the food culture, and even wrote Thai cookbooks for Western audiences. Continued …

Over a quarter of travelers from China test positive in Taiwan

Thailand may want to rethink its pandemic prevention strategy for Chinese tourists after news broke this week that more than a quarter of passengers from China landing in Taiwan tested positive for Covid-19.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) in Taiwan reported that over a quarter of the 500 plus travelers who arrived in Taiwan from China returned positive Covid test results.

Last week, the CECC announced that travelers from China needed to take a PCR test when arriving in Taiwan from Jan. 1, as Taipei tried to fight the current wave of Covid infections. Continued … 

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

Asia tourist hubs ready for China influx

In Tokyo’s Asakusa tourist district, caricaturist Masashi Higashitani is dusting off his Chinese as he prepares for an influx of travelers after Beijing ends inbound quarantine rules. Continued … 

It’s a bountiful bunny world in Year of the Rabbit

Now that 2023, the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac, has kicked off, goods featuring bunny characters and places related to the lucky animal are drawing even more attention. Many rabbit lovers are eagerly working to make the new year a time of leaps and bounds. Continued … 

Taiwan shipping giant Evergreen gives up to 52 months’ pay as year-end bonuses

Taiwanese shipping giant Evergreen Marine has rewarded employees with massive year-end bonuses worth between 10 and 52 months of salary each, after posting bumper 2022 profits. Most of the company’s junior workers with a monthly salary of NT$40,000 (44,274 baht ) took home a bonus worth NT$2 million (2,212,550 baht ) each last weekend, which is equivalent to more than four years’ pay. Continued … 

Half of world’s glaciers expected to vanish by 2100

Half of the Earth’s glaciers, notably smaller ones, are destined to disappear by the end of the century because of climate change, but limiting global warming could save others, according to a new study. Continued … 

Teslas now over 40% cheaper in China than US

Tesla Inc. made another round of price cuts on its Model 3 and Y electric vehicles (EVs) in China today, while also introducing its higher-end Model S sedan and Model X to get a better hold on the premium end of the world’s biggest EV market. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare in 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting

covid, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-Jan 5

  • Johnston leaves Surf 102.5 radio/Wildlife Friends Foundation leading the fight against animal exploitation/Headline CPI up 5.89%, in line with forecast/Business trends on the horizon for entrepreneurs in 2023/Adaptability is key to national survival/High-speed train still on track/Soaring global demand for rice pushes Thailand closer to 2nd place/Thailand-France Relations Moving Into Higher Gear/Thailand, Cambodia to tap Gulf of Thailand gas resources/Cannabis bill in limbo as House meeting lacks a quorum again/
  • Tourism: Airlines up in arms over increase in Covid measures/Thailand expects 5 million Chinese tourists this year/Call for more tourists in the provinces/British woman ‘may never walk again’ after fall from resort balcony/Park officials condemned for allowing sailboat to destroy Krabi reef/
  • Thailand Experience: Hua Hin and 8 Beautiful Lesser-Known Spots In Asia/Thailand’s Unusual Street Food Delicacy — Chicken Testicles/Tips for planning the perfect Thailand vacation/
  • Covid: China stats ‘under-represent’ true impact of Covid outbreak: WHO/Shanghai hospitals filled to the brim in COVID outbreak/Malaysia responds to China’s lifted Covid restrictions with plans to tighten borders/
  • International: Oil prices dive, Europe gas price hits lowest level since 2021/Macron promises ‘first Western tanks’ for Ukraine/New York approves composting of human bodies/Graphics show atmospheric river soaking California’s Bay Area/Tuna fetches $273,000 at New Year auction in Tokyo/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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

Johnston leaves Surf 102.5 radio

Steve Johnston, a member of the Surf 102.5 FM team for the past six years, has taken the position of director of entertainment for Yas Plaza Hotels in Abu Dhabi.

During his time in Hua Hin,Johnston has been in a number of different DJ roles at the radio station. According to Surf’s Richard Buckle, “Steve has been very supportive over the years and a major contributor to the growth of the station. I wish him well in his new position.”

Johnston has previous experience working in Abu Dhabi, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands and Iraq.

Wildlife Friends Foundation leading the fight against animal exploitation

 

“It was a hobby that got out of hand,” says Edwin Wiek, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT).

For more than 20 years, Wiek has fought to save abused and exploited animals in Thailand.

He first moved to Thailand in 1989, and in the following years ran a successful business making fashion accessories. However, following a serious and near fatal road traffic accident, Edwin’s outlook on life changed. Continued …

Headline CPI up 5.89%, in line with forecast

Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 5.89% in December from a year earlier, in line with analyst forecasts, but above the previous month, driven by higher energy and food prices, government data showed on Thursday.

The index compared with a forecast for a 5.9% rise in December in a Reuters poll and followed November’s 5.55% increase.

The pace remains well above the Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) target range of 1% to 3%, reinforcing expectations that the central bank will raise its key interest rate at its next meeting on Jan. 25, to bring prices back within target. Continued … 

Business trends on the horizon for entrepreneurs in 2023

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been tough on small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of Thailand’s economic growth and development.

Increased digital transformation, changes in customer behavior, restrictions on travel, limited operations of retail outlets and restaurants, and inflation, to name but a few, caused a number of businesses to shut down.

Now, many of them have reopened, started afresh or even expanded thank to vaccinations and the government’s relaxation measures. Continued … 

Adaptability is key to national survival

Covid-19. Technological disruption. Climate crisis. These have happened at a rapid pace that challenges the adaptability of people around the world. Is Thailand prepared to withstand these challenges?

Ask the children – the future of the country – and their answers, according to the 2018 PISA Survey of 15-year-old children around the world, are not so encouraging.

Some 63% of Thai teenagers said they could not adapt well enough when change arises, and they cannot sufficiently adjust to new cultures, which is crucial in an interconnected world. That is not all. Continued …

High-speed train still on track

Lessons learned from the first phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project are believed to help ensure a smooth and faster operation of the next phase of the project, according to the Department of Rail Transport.

Despite some delays in construction during the first phase, the 179.41-billion-baht 253km standard-gauge railway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima will still open in 2026 as initially planned, said Pichet Kunadhamraks, department director-general in a recent interview.

“The delays happened for a reason and the reason is everything needs to be decided sensibly and in the best interests of the country,” he said. Continued …

Soaring global demand for rice pushes Thailand closer to 2nd place

Thailand is on track to becoming the world’s second-largest rice exporter after its shipments in the first 11 months of last year rose to 6.91 million tons.

This surpassed the 6.67 million tons exported by Vietnam, which held second place in 2021, the Thai Rice Exporters Assn. (TREA) said yesterday.

Meanwhile, India is still the top rice exporter after having shipped 18.25 million tons from January to November last year. Continued …

Thailand-France Relations Moving Into Higher Gear

The Year 2022 will remain a turning point for the relations between Thailand and France, marked by the signing of an important road map for future cooperation, a string of agreements and visits that culminated with French President Emmanuel Macron’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok as a special guest of Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, host and chair of the forum.

A shared focus on innovation and advanced technologies to boost trade and investment is giving centuries-old bilateral cooperation a new impulse.

“Relations between Thailand and France date back more than 300 years since the reign of King Narai the Great and King Louis XIV, when the two sides first exchanged ambassadors, and over that period they have developed into the comprehensive cooperation we see now,” said H.E. Tana Weskosith, ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the French Republic. “Today’s complex geopolitical and economic challenges have led Thailand and France to deepen their cooperation.” Continued …

Thailand, Cambodia to tap Gulf of Thailand gas resources

The Thai government is set to go ahead with a long-awaited joint development of petroleum resources in an energy-rich area in the Gulf of Thailand claimed by Thailand and Cambodia, according to government sources.

The sources said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had pushed for new talks on the matter with Cambodia for years.

He raised the matter again with Suy Sem, Cambodian minister of Mines and Energy, in Bangkok on Dec. 16, 2022.

Both sides discussed possible cooperation to make use of energy resources in the overlapping claim area (OCA) as a solution to energy shortages. Continued …

Cannabis bill in limbo as House meeting lacks a quorum again

The fate of the Bhumjaithai Party’s cannabis bill has been thrown into limbo once again, after numerous MPs refused to declare their presence in the chamber, bringing the House meeting to a premature end due to the lack of a quorum.

The House was scheduled to vote on Section 11 of the bill, which the scrutiny committee had proposed for deletion, but several MPs disagreed and wanted the bill to be withdrawn.

Pheu Thai MP for Lop Buri, Ubolsak Bualuang-ngam, told Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu, who was chairing the meeting, not to waste the time waiting for more MPs to show up to make the quorum. Continued … 

Airlines up in arms over increase in Covid measures

The worldwide airline lobby group International Air Transport Assn. (IATA) is up in arms over global plans to re-introduce Covid-19 restrictions for passengers arriving from China. The IATA says such measures represent a “knee-jerk” reaction to China’s recent lifting of Covid restrictions.

Such a reintroduction of measures for travelers is being criticized by the IATA as it says science should supersede politics. It furthered the notion that the previous steps taken to prevent the virus from spreading have been ineffective.

The group’s director-general, Willie Walsh, says travel restrictions have been shown to only delay the peak of new Covid waves by only a few days, rather than stopping them. He also says that such measures will damage economies even more by destroying jobs and strangling international connectivity. Continued … 

Thailand expects 5 million Chinese tourists this year

Thailand is expecting at least five million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, about half the number recorded before the coronavirus pandemic, as China reopens its borders, the government tourism body said.

The return of Chinese tourists would be a further boost to the Southeast Asian country’s economy and its vital tourism sector. More than 11 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in 2019, nearly a third of the total.

“We expect some 300,000 Chinese tourists to come in the first quarter of this year,” Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said. That compared with 220,000 in the first 11 months of 2022. Continued … 

Call for more tourists in the provinces

The Federation of Thai SMEs is asking the government to draw more foreign tourists to second-tier provinces in a move to help drive local economies and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The suggestion comes as Thailand prepares for the return of Chinese tourists after Beijing announced plans to reopen its borders on Jan. 8.

Authorities should consider launching new tourism packages to promote trips to provinces that are less popular than Chiang Mai in the north and Phuket in the south, instead featuring areas rich in natural attractions and unique culture, said federation President Sangchai Theerakulwanich. Continued … 

British woman ‘may never walk again’ after fall from resort balcony

A beautician has been told that she may never walk again, as she remains in a Thai hospital following a fall from a resort balcony on what was supposed to be a dream holiday.

Maddi Neale-Shankster, 21, has been left with fractures in her spine and needing drains to remove blood and fluid from her chest after the accident on the party island of Ko Pha-Ngan.

Her mother, Karen Moseley-Neale, flew to Thailand on Sunday to be by her daughter’s side as they wait to see if surgeons will operate on her back once her chest is clear. Continued …

Park officials condemned for allowing sailboat to destroy Krabi reef

Thai netizens condemned national park officials for failing to do their job after seeing images of a tourist sailboat destroying a coral reef in the southern province of Krabi.

On Wednesday, the environmental activist Monsoon Garbage Thailand posted photos of a white sailboat docking over the coral reef near Yawasam Island. The page explained that the island was under the care of Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and docking was prohibited. Continued …

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

Hua Hin’s Khao Takiab

Hua Hin and 8 Beautiful Lesser-Known Spots In Asia

Now that Eastern countries such as Japan are open to tourists again, many travelers are looking for Asian destination inspiration.

Below, TravelAwaits writers recommend beautiful, lesser-known, quaint towns to visit this year. Not all are unheard of — one is a tiny nation and another is the capital of Laos — but all are worth considering for 2023.

8. Hua Hin, Thailand

Just a few hours south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is a beautiful Gulf of Thailand beach-side community. “For the last century, the Thai Royal family has been suitably smitten by its charms,” says Michael Cullen, who tells us their summer palaces are here.

Hua Hin’s laid-back feel, authentic Thai character, choice of long, wide, safe beaches, and excellent year-round weather tick all the boxes. Outdoor lovers have an abundance of choices, such as eight golf courses (including two of Asia’s best), plus three nature-filled national parks within a 30-minute drive. Continued … 

Thailand’s Unusual Street Food Delicacy — Chicken Testicles

Thailand is world-renowned for its flavorful, exotic, and diverse street food, and for good reason. Thailand’s street food has something for everyone, from the most basic to the most adventurous dishes. One of the more daring street food delicacies, though, is chicken testicles. Yes, you heard that right.

Chicken testicles are sausage-like in structure and shape, resembling a chicken’s kidney. They’re covered in a tough skin that protects a soft interior.

Despite the fact that they are not commonly served in restaurants or commercially available, rooster testicles are considered delicacies, particularly in Chinese cuisine. People have compared the texture of testicles to that of tofu. Continued …

Tips for planning the perfect Thailand vacation

Planning the perfect Thailand vacation can be overwhelming, with so many incredible things to see and do. But with a little bit of planning and research, you can make your trip to Thailand unforgettable. Here are some tips for planning the perfect Thailand vacation in 2023.

1. Pick the right destination

With so many beautiful places to explore in Thailand, it can be hard to decide which destination is right for you. Consider your budget, the type of activities you want to do, and the length of stay. Do you want to relax on the beach, explore the jungle, or explore the city?

Decide which destination fits your vacation needs and interests. Research different destinations online to get a better idea of what each destination has to offer. Continued …

China stats ‘under-represent’ true impact of Covid outbreak: WHO

The World Health Organization criticized yesterday China’s “very narrow” definition of Covid deaths, warning that official statistics were not showing the true impact of the outbreak.

“We still do not have complete data,” the WHO’s emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters.

“We believe that the current numbers being published from China under-represent the true impact of the disease in terms of hospital admissions, in terms of ICU admissions, and particularly in terms of deaths.” Continued …

Shanghai hospitals filled to the brim in COVID outbreak

Hospitals in Shanghai were overwhelmed by visitors yesterday as international health experts predict at least one million deaths in China this year, but Beijing has reported five or fewer deaths a day since the policy u-turn.

At least seven hearses were seen in the parking lot of Shanghai’s Tongji hospital, as workers carried at least 18 yellow bags used to move bodies.

China’s axing of its stringent virus curbs last month has unleashed COVID on a 1.4 billion population that has little natural immunity having been shielded from the virus since it emerged in the central city of Wuhan three years ago. – Reuters

Malaysia responds to China’s lifted Covid restrictions with plans to tighten borders

Malaysia is responding to China’s recently lifted Covid-19 restrictions with plans to tighten its borders. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the country’s plans as fears mount over another Covid wave due to China.

“We will control and tighten (our borders) even more, including (travelers) from the U.S. and China,” Anwar said.

Anwar says the current plans are not biased against any particular nation, despite his statement mentioning the U.S. and China. He says that tightening the country’s borders was for all travelers, not just China. Continued …

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

Oil prices dive, Europe gas price hits lowest level since 2021

Global oil prices plunged Wednesday over China demand concerns and European gas prices sank to their lowest levels since November 2021 as mild winter weather reduced needs. Continued …

Macron promises ‘first Western tanks’ for Ukraine

France is set to become the first Western country to deliver tanks to Ukraine, the French presidency announced Wednesday after talks between Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Continued … 

New York approves composting of human bodies

New York is the latest U.S. state to approve human composting as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional ways of dealing with human remains such as burial and cremation. Continued …

Graphics show atmospheric river soaking California’s Bay Area

Another major storm began pummeling the California coast on Wednesday as forecasters warned of massive amounts of rain and snow, as well as the possibility of even more storms. The powerful storm whipped up huge waves and high winds and included an atmospheric river anticipated to cause flooding and landslides in central and northern California. Continued …

Tuna fetches $273,000 at New Year auction in Tokyo

A bluefin tuna fetched 36.04 million yen (US$273,000) at the New Year’s auction at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, more than double the top price last year. The price paid for the 212-kilogram fish exceeded last year’s top price for a tuna of ¥16.88 million and is the sixth highest since comparable data became available in 1999. (Kyodo News)

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare in 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, climate change, covid, hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, phuket, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s news-Jsn 4

  • New Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule/Bangkok’s new train terminus renamed, to open Jan 19/Bt33M for new train station logo redesign and sign?/Property sector hopes for turnaround in 2023/ ‘New Year gifts’ for people in the Deep South/6,992 Drunk-Driving Cases Recorded in 6 Days/Road accidents kill 40 more people, holiday death toll climbs to 263/Devotees climb into coffins for Thailand’s strangest New Year ceremony/Embittered Thai craft beer brewers plead for justice/
  • Tourism: Post-Covid tourism plan gets green light/Health Minister Assures: No Lockdown when China Re-opens Borders/Chinese tourist surge unlikely this month/Thai hotels see positive growth as tourists start returning/Nearly 12 million foreign tourists visited Thailand last year/Indian tourists cancel Thailand trips after govt imposes Covid test/Cabinet to mull revised subsidy for domestic travel/Phuket focuses on foreigners causing motorbike accidents/New handbook on marijuana consumption for tourists in Thailand/Police arrest two Russians for begging on the streets of southern Thailand/
  • Covid: Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures/
  • International: Singapore explores underground space to protect nation against rising sea levels/Did a fourth-grader write this, or Chatbot?/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

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

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

New Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare in 325 baht.

Leaving Hua Hin:

6am, 8am, 10am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

Leaving Suvarnabhumi:

7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 2:30pm, 4pm, 6pm

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht.

Tickets 

Bangkok’s new train terminus renamed, to open Jan 19

The Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal, previously known as Bang Sue Grand Station, will be officially opened on Jan. 19, with the maiden Bangkok-Ayutthaya air-conditioned diesel train for tourists slated as the inaugural service.

According to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the first train will leave the station for Ayutthaya at 1.19pm, to be followed by another maiden service, the Bangkok-Sungai Kolok express train.

All 52 long-haul trains serving the southern, northern and north-eastern routes will be relocated from Hua Lamphong, Bangkok’s old main terminal, to Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal. Continued …

Bt33M for new train station logo redesign and sign?

The Transport Ministry has ordered an investigation into a 33-million-baht contract for a nameplate and logo redesign of Bang Sue Grand Station after concerns were raised about the project’s cost.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) signed the contract with Unique Engineering and Construction Plc (UNIQ) for the redesign project, which includes the installation of a new logo for the station and 24 three-meter-tall Thai letters.
The redesign follows His Majesty the King renaming the Grand Station “Krung Thep Abhiwat Central Terminal” in September. Continued …

Property sector hopes for turnaround in 2023

Thailand’s real estate sector did not fully recover in 2022, due mainly to the economic decline and the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as higher inflation and interest rates. But while the expected recovery did not happen, the overall outlook gives new hope for 2023.

The improved CCI (Consumer Confidence Index), which has continued to rise for six consecutive years, currently stands at 47.9, the highest in 20 years, signaling that consumers’ spending confidence is back.

Another factor that has supported the property industry is the Bank of Thailand’s continued loan relaxation (loan-to-value: LTV), which is about to end. It has successfully encouraged customers with real demand to purchase property units. Continued … 

‘New Year gifts’ for people in the Deep South

The Thai cabinet agreed yesterday to present “New Year gifts” to people in the Deep South. They include a free lunch program for children attending religious schools, nutritional food and vitamin supplements for mothers and their children, promotion of the learning of foreign languages, and development of language skills among students.

Another “gift” from the government is the promotion of the restive provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat and four districts in Songkhla as “the world’s Halal food and services hub.”

Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said the government intends to solve the nutrition problem among small children in the Deep South by providing nutritional food and vitamin supplements to about 46,000 mothers and young children. Continued …

6,992 Drunk-Driving Cases Recorded in 6 Days

There were 6,992 drunk-driving cases in six days and the country needed serious measures on the wrongdoers, according to the director-general of the Probation Department.

Weerakit Harnpariphan, director-general of the department, said courts ordered probation for 6,992 drunk-driving cases from Dec. 29 to Jan 3, 2023. They formed 96.1% of the 7,277 cases in which probation was ordered during the same period. Continued …

Road accidents kill 40 more people, holiday death toll climbs to 263

Road accidents on Monday claimed 40 lives, taking the total death toll in the first five of the so-called “7 dangerous days” to 263, the Road Safety Center said yesterday.

Boontham Lertsukhikasem, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and secretary-general of the center, said 294 road accidents had occurred on Monday, which left 295 people injured and 40 dead.

The center has been monitoring road accidents since Dec. 29 and will keep a close eye on roads through today, when the New Year break wraps up. Continued … 

Devotees climb into coffins for Thailand’s strangest New Year ceremony

Every New Year holiday, people pour into Wat Takian temple on the western outskirts of Bangkok to participate in a strange ceremony they believe will remove their bad luck and bring good fortune throughout the year.

Devotees of these spooky rites lie in open coffins with flowers and incense sticks clasped between their wai-ing hands, resembling corpses as they enter the crematorium.

Buddhist monks then chant prayers over the coffins while those inside devote the merit made to their deceased family members. Once the ceremony is completed, participants consider themselves reborn and freed from bad luck, ready to start their new year afresh. Continued … 

Embittered Thai craft beer brewers plead for justice

With the onerous liquor laws that have let just a few large breweries dominate the market and have forbidden entry by small-scale newcomers for decades, Chiang Mai native Saksit Sanguanphon was forced to fulfill his dream to produce his own artisanal craft beer somewhere else. He went to Laos.

As it is for other Thai entrepreneurs, running a small-sized craft beer business is a struggle for Saksit. It all began with a long bus journey from Bangkok to Savannakhet almost a decade ago.

“I took a Nakhon Chai Air bus at 8pm from Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, slept over in Mukdahan and arrived in Savannakhet at six in the evening the day after,” Saksit recalls. Continued …

Post-Covid tourism plan gets green light

The cabinet yesterday approved a blueprint for tourism development over the course of the next five years, with a plan to push for Thailand to be among the world’s top wellness destinations among several ambitious goals.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Taisaranakul said the cabinet had approved its third national tourism development plan for 2023-2027.

The plan will serve as a guideline for relevant agencies at national and local levels to map out action plans for tourism development, Traisulee said. Continued …

Health Minister Assures: No Lockdown when China Re-opens Borders

The Thai Minister of Public Health announced yesterday Thailand will not implement lockdown or strict regulations in response to the easing of harsh travel restrictions that is soon to take effect in China next Sunday.

Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters that he has decided at a meeting with the Medical Affairs Committee that Thailand will not implement any specific measures against Chinese arrivals, as the country already has effective measures in place.

As for testing for the coronavirus, Anutin said it is “unnecessary,” adding if there is any medical issue, we leave it to the Department of Disease Control, which is responsible for disease prevention and surveillance, to determine the necessary measures without causing harm to the country’s economic system.” Continued …

Chinese tourist surge unlikely this month

An influx of Chinese tourists is unlikely during the coming Lunar New Year holiday, as not enough flights can be added in such a short time, while large tour groups are still awaiting an official announcement from the Chinese government, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA).

ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn said only small groups of friends and families are expected to travel when entry restrictions on the mainland are lifted on Jan. 8, as direct flights remain limited, with prices much higher than pre-pandemic rates of 10,000-20,000 baht.

“It is too soon to expect a massive Chinese flow in January, as seat capacity remains scarce,” said Sisdivachr. Continued … 

Thai hotels see positive growth as tourists start returning

Hotels in Thailand expect occupancy rates to start picking up in the second half of this year, especially since travel has become easier and China will lift restrictions from Sunday.

The Hotel Business Operator Sentiment Study, conducted by the Thai Hotel Assn. and the Bank of Thailand last month, shows that most hotels expect their revenue to rise by 10%-30%.

The study, which covered 95 hotels, showed that most operators expect to welcome more guests this year. Continued …

Nearly 12 million foreign tourists visited Thailand last year

As many as 11.81 million foreign tourists visited Thailand last year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said yesterday.

Thai and foreign travelers were expected to generate 1.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue for the country last year, TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said.

He said most foreign visitors last year came from Malaysia (1.95 million), followed by India (965,994), Laos (844,959), Cambodia (591,657) and Singapore (589,770). Continued …

Indian tourists cancel Thailand trips after govt imposes Covid test

The Thai Hotels Assn. last night reported that tourists from India are canceling trips to Thailand in droves after their government insisted that returning travelers produce a negative Covid-19 test before reentering the country.

The new mandate has come as a shock to Indian holidaymakers, as the rest of the world contemplates what to do with returning Chinese tourists. China announced last month it is reopening its borders to foreign travelers on Sunday, Jan. 8, and scrapping quarantine rules.

Thai Hotels Assn. Eastern Chapter President Sanphet Supbowornsathian revealed the Indian government’s decision to produce negative RT-PCR tests has left many travelers reconsidering holidays to Thailand. Continued …

Cabinet to mull revised subsidy for domestic travel

A revised subsidy scheme to stimulate domestic tourism is set to go before the cabinet meeting next Tuesday.

According to Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the ministry is scheduled to propose a revised budget worth 4 billion baht, with half of the budget allotted to support the fifth phase of the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) hotel subsidy campaign to promote domestic tourism.

Of the total budget, 2 billion baht would be allocated for the fifth phase of the We Travel Together campaign to promote domestic tourism for a total of 500,000 rooms, he said. Continued … 

Phuket focuses on foreigners causing motorbike accidents

As Thailand sees the tail end of the dreaded “Seven Days of Danger”, where road accidents and death tend to spike over the new year holiday, officials in Phuket are focusing on the number of accidents involving foreigners on their roads.

At a briefing at the Phuket Provincial Hall, officials said that foreigners on holiday renting motorbikes and driving poorly or dangerously is a common denominator in the number of accidents reported on the island.

The briefing was delivered by the Chief of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation who went over the daily figures and discussed the issue with foreign motorbike drivers. Continued … 

New handbook on marijuana consumption for tourists in Thailand

The Public Health Ministry has come up with a guide called “10 Things Tourists Need to Know about Cannabis in Thailand” to help clarify doubts over the newly decriminalized plant.

The English-language guide is necessary as Thailand is the first Asian country to legalize marijuana and will attract foreigners interested in consuming cannabis-related products, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Dr. Narong Apikulwanich said yesterday.

The guide has been published on www.moph.go.th, while authorities in tourist provinces have also been instructed to publish handbooks for tourists. The handbook will soon be translated into other languages, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Russian. Continued …

Police arrest two Russians for begging on the streets of southern Thailand

Thai police arrested two Russian men yesterday for begging on the streets of Surat Thani in southern Thailand. The men held signs saying they are fleeing war in Russia.

Surat Thani Immigration officers, tourist police officers, and officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security jointly arrested 36-year-old Evgenii Malakhov and 32-year-old Alexander Kulikov at the Glowing Garden Fair near the Naris Bridge. Continued …

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

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures

The Chinese government sharply criticized COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on visitors from China and threatened countermeasures against countries involved, which include the U.S. and several European nations.

“We believe that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing yesterday.

“We are firmly opposed to attempts to manipulate the COVID measures for political purposes and will take countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity,” she said. Mao did not specify what steps China might take. Continued …

Singapore explores underground space to protect nation against rising sea levels

National water agency PUB will explore the use of underground space to defend Singapore against rising sea levels amid climate change and more intense rainfall. The agency said last Thursday that a study to assess the feasibility of using an underground drainage and reservoir system to combat inland and coastal flooding will start in 2023. Continued … 

Did a fourth-grader write this, or Chatbot?

It’s hard to fully grasp the enormous potential of ChatGPT, a recently released artificial intelligence chatbot. The bot doesn’t just search and summarize information that already exists. It creates new content, tailored to your request, often with a startling degree of nuance, humor and creativity. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare in 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting

chiang mai, covid, hua hin, phuket, real estate, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s News-Jan 3

  • January Hua Hin flight schedule/Six national parks to start e-ticketing from Saturday/IMF predicts a recession in Thailand/Economic chiefs promise brighter 2023 for Thailand despite gloomy world outlook/2023 positive for Thailand as EECO predicts full economic recovery/Agency to continue cost-of-living battle/Thailand’s property sector unfazed by inflation, expects a profitable 2023/‘7 dangerous days’ road toll rises to 218, 66 deaths on New Year’s Day/Nine Thais remain missing after casino blaze/
  • Tourism: New Thailand international travel curbs to be announced Jan 5/What China sudden reopening could mean for Thailand/Elephants: Covid and ethics reshape Thailand’s tourism industry/Phuket tourism on road to recovery/Patong Beach cleared of 12 tons of trash in New Year cleanup/
  • Thailand Experience: Life through the lens of a batik maker/
  • Covid: Fewer Covid-19 hospitalizations, deaths during Christmas week/Experts urge end to Covid fear as Chinese gates swing open/Why China’s Covid wave is stirring fear/
  • International: Airport Worker Killed By Being ‘Ingested Into The Engine’ Of Plane/Europe Sees ‘Unprecedented’ Winter Heat Wave As 2023 Begins/Floods In Philippines Leave 51 Dead/Moscow Says Ukrainian Rocket Strike Kills 63 Russian Troops/People Can Now Carry Guns Without A License In Half Of America’s States/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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Six national parks to start e-ticketing from Saturday

Six national parks will test e-ticketing from Saturday as an alternative to cash for tourists to pay entry fees, the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation announced on Monday.

The department said the e-tickets would be issued at Ao Phang Nga National Park, the Mu Ko Similan National Park, Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Khao Yai National Park, Doi Inthanon National Park and Erawan National Park from Saturday in a pilot project.

The department said tourists can start buying e-tickets from Monday by using the QueQ app but the e-tickets can be showed to park officials at the entrance of the six national parks from Saturday onward. Continued …

IMF predicts a recession in Thailand

The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts Thailand and Southeast Asian countries will suffer from recession this year along with the rest of the world.

Kristalina Georgieva said a third of the global economy will be in recession this year, including Thailand and Vietnam.

The Bulgarian economist reckons 2023 will be “tougher” than last year, as the United States, European Union, and China witness a slowdown of their economies. Continued … 

Economic chiefs promise brighter 2023 for Thailand despite gloomy world outlook

Thailand may enjoy what appears to be a stronger and brighter economic recovery in 2023 than it felt in 2022, according to Bank of Thailand Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, who told an audience on Monday that GDP growth in 2023 will be driven primarily by foreign tourism, which has a broader and deeper impact on people’s pockets.

Minister of Finance Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, at the same time, highlighted the determination of the present government facing an election this year to stick to a prudent course by reining in public spending, while also raising taxes to address the country’s chronic issues of an aging society and private debt levels that are too high. All this would be achieved against a backdrop of a darker world economy with rising interest rates and lower economic growth. Continued …

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

2023 positive for Thailand as EECO predicts full economic recovery

The Thai economy should return to the pre-pandemic level by the middle of this year thanks to the recovery of the tourism sector and private consumption, the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) said.

The agency said on Monday that it believes the economy will expand by 3.8% this year.

“However, there is still the risk of declines in export due to rising production costs and high-interest rates,” EECO said. Continued …

Agency to continue cost-of-living battle

The Commerce Ministry vows to move ahead with plans to help reduce the cost of living for people this year despite inflationary pressure easing, as reflected by lower domestic prices of most products and services.

According to Internal Trade Department Director-general Wattanasak Sur-iam, the department is setting guidelines to manage product prices next year, focusing on continued requests to manufacturers to help maintain their product prices in order to alleviate the financial burden on consumers as the country’s economy recovers. Continued … 

Thailand’s property sector unfazed by inflation, expects a profitable 2023

As many as 120,000 residential units are expected to be snapped up this year despite rising inflation, property firm Supalai said in its latest prediction.

Supalai Director Prasas Tangmatitam said that listed real-estate companies had sold 115,902 units last year compared to 75,364 in 2021. He said this was a clear indicator of the property market’s expansion.

Prasas reckoned that the sale of property had risen because home buyers in the 26-30 age group had not been affected by the economic fallout of the Covid-19 crisis. Continued … 

‘7 dangerous days’ road toll rises to 218, 66 deaths on New Year’s Day

Road accidents on Sunday claimed 66 lives, bringing the total death toll in the first four of the so-called “7 dangerous days” to 218, the Road Safety Center announced on Monday.

Boontham Lertsukhikasem, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and secretary-general of the center, told the press that 478 road accidents had occurred on New Year’s Day on Sunday, in which 465 people were injured and 66 killed. Continued …

Nine Thais remain missing after casino blaze

Nine Thai nationals caught in the Cambodian hotel-casino blaze are still missing, Sa Kaeo authorities said on Monday.

The bodies of 19 Thai nationals who were killed by the blaze at the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino complex last week have been brought back to Thailand, said Thawatchai Boonsang, Aranyaprathet district’s senior deputy district chief and acting director of the Thai victims’ rescue operations center. Continued …

New Thailand international travel curbs to be announced Jan 5

Thailand’s Department of Disease Control has announced that a Cabinet decision is expected on Jan. 5 about new regulations for anyone entering Thailand by land, sea and air.

At the moment, Thai immigration police do not require to see Covid vaccination records or insurance documentation from arrivals: the only check is occasional random inspection by health officials of anyone coughing and sweating or reported by an airline to look potentially sick.

The Beijing’s government’s abrupt cancellation of its zero-tolerance Covid policy and opening up of its borders has already led to several countries imposing extra health restrictions on passengers arriving from China. Continued … 

What China sudden reopening could mean for Thailand

It was almost three years ago that the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China. The World Health Organization designated the outbreak a pandemic three months later and advised that steps be taken to stop the virus’s spread.

In these initial stages, China closed its borders, isolated people diagnosed with COVID-19, and implemented wide scale lockdowns when cases were found in the community.

As a result of the so-called zero-Covid strategy, the economy suffered and people became weary of the limitations and constant testing. Continued … 

Elephants: Covid and ethics reshape Thailand’s tourism industry

As he ambles in for his annual health check, Kwanmueang’s size takes your breath away.

Kwanmueang and his mahout Lek have returned to their home town as the tourism industry changes

Nearly three meters high at the shoulder, weighing at least four tons, and with spectacular tusks that curve together until they almost touch, the 18-year-old Thai bull elephant is an imposing sight.

Yet, he and his keeper, or mahout, Sornsiri “Lek” Sapmak, are in trouble. Continued …

Phuket tourism on road to recovery

Having endured the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic for more than two years, Phuket’s tourism is bouncing back, welcoming more than 2.3 million visitors and raking in at least 127 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first ten months of 2022.

Business operators have high hopes that international tourist arrivals will continue to strengthen this year, while acknowledging it may take more than a year for the industry to fully recover.

For all its devastating impacts, the Covid-19 pandemic spurred the so-called “Phuket Sandbox”, a reopening model for international travelers, and made business operators, large and small, weather the crisis, learn about what it takes to adapt and rebuild their confidence. Continued …

Patong Beach cleared of 12 tons of trash in New Year cleanup

More than 12 tons of trash were cleared from Patong Beach Sunday as staff from Patong Municipality and volunteers cleaned up the debris left behind from the New Year countdown that saw thousands of people celebrate the New Year in Patong. Continued …

Life through the lens of a batik maker

Jantima Sukmetta, 52, gradually unfolds a batik fabric. It has distinguished colors of golden yellow and brown, the naturally dyed colors from turmeric and leaves of khonthi (beach vitex).

The khonthi plant is easily found along beaches in tambon Na Thap of Chana district in the southern province of Songkhla, where her Me-D Na Thap Batik Group is located.

“The cloth is specially designed because of the patterns initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and integrated with the identity of our province,” she said. Continued … 

Fewer Covid-19 hospitalizations, deaths during Christmas week

As many as 2,111 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospital and 75 succumbed in the last week of 2022, a drop from 2,900 admitted and 89 deaths the week before.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on Monday that about 302 people per day had to be hospitalized for severe symptoms in the week of Dec. 25-31, compared to 414 daily average in the week of Dec. 18 to 24.

The average daily death rate from Covid in the week of Dec. 25-31 was 10, compared to 12 per day the previous week, the department added. Continued …

Experts urge end to Covid fear as Chinese gates swing open

Health experts are attempting to allay concern that new coronavirus strains in China may be imported into Thailand, saying they are less worrisome than the already dominant strain in Thailand.

They made the remarks with Chinese tourists expected to flock back to Thailand after Beijing reopens its borders on Sunday. Continued … 

Why China’s Covid wave is stirring fear

China is experiencing a huge Covid-19 surge after years of hardline containment restrictions were dismantled last month.

A growing number of countries are worried about a lack of data and transparency surrounding China’s outbreak.

Here is why it is sparking concern: Continued … 

Airport Worker Killed By Being ‘Ingested Into The Engine’ Of Plane

A ground crew worker at a regional Alabama (USA) airport was killed on Saturday by being sucked into the engine of a parked plane. The person, whose name has not been released, was “ingested into the engine” of an aircraft at Montgomery Regional Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board said. Continued … 

Europe Sees ‘Unprecedented’ Winter Heat Wave As 2023 Begins

A historic winter heat wave sent temperatures soaring in parts of Europe over New Year’s weekend. Thousands of temperature records were broken on the continent from Saturday to Monday, and on New Year’s Day alone, at least seven countries experienced the warmest January weather on record. Continued … 

Floods In Philippines Leave 51 Dead

Thousands of people in the Philippines remained in emergency shelters in the wake of devastating Christmas flooding, as the death toll climbed to 51 with 19 missing, authorities said Monday. Continued … 

Moscow Says Ukrainian Rocket Strike Kills 63 Russian Troops

Ukrainian forces fired rockets at a facility in the eastern Donetsk region where Russian soldiers were stationed, killing 63 of them, Russia’s defense ministry said Monday, in one of the deadliest attacks on the Kremlin’s forces since the war began more than 10 months ago. Continued … 

People Can Now Carry Guns Without A License In Half Of America’s States

Alabamians woke up Sunday with the right to carry a gun without a license. The change, implemented by a state law passed last year, marked a major milestone: half of America’s 50 states now allow people to carry handguns without first seeking a permit. Continued …

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90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, climate change, covid, hua hin, phuket, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s News-Jan 2

  • New Year festivals are making Thailand fun again, minister says/Bangkok welcomes 2023 with fireworks over the Chao Phraya/Phetchabun hilltop temple heaves with devotees on New Year’s Eve/Chiang Mai welcomes 2023 with prayers, lanterns and pyrotechnics/Tourists flood Phi Phi on Jan 1/The mass return to Bangkok begins/Guide for Retiring in Thailand: Everything You Need to Know/Thailand in 2023: Tiptoeing through the minefield/ESG expected to be business trend for 2023/Thai industries moving toward a cleaner future/Navy scours Chumphon waters for last 5 HTMS Sukhothai crew/High momentum of EV growth seen for Thailand/
  • Tourism: Thailand ups 2023 forecast to 23M visitors/Thailand makes another travel list: Fodor’s ‘No List’/Green is Thai tourism’s new mandate/Cathay Pacific’s revives direct Phuket-Hong Kong flights/Mayhem and mischief: How tourists behaved badly in 2022/
  • Covid: Thai tourism workers urged to have Covid vaccine booster/PCR tests for travelers reintroduced around the world as Covid-19 cases surge/
  • International: Flying back into profit after pandemic/Vietnam pulls off Asia’s fastest growth/Canada bans most foreigners from buying homes/US stocks mark end to ‘terrible year’ of rate hikes and inflation/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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New Year festivals are making Thailand fun again, minister says

The New Year countdowns held across Thailand are inspiring confidence among tourists and reinvigorating the kingdom’s reputation as a destination for festivities, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said.

He made the comments during the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023 @Hatyai” in Songkhla on Sunday.

Phiphat said the countdowns are stimulating domestic travel and drawing international tourists, especially from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Continued … 

Bangkok welcomes 2023 with fireworks over the Chao Phraya

Bangkok skies were lit up with a spectacular fireworks display at midnight as Thailand marked the New Year at Iconsiam’s “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023”. The display, visible from most parts of the city, involved more than 30,000 fireworks being set alight along the banks of the Chao Phraya River. (The Nation)

Chiang Mai welcomes 2023 with prayers, lanterns and pyrotechnics

Thousands of Thais and foreigners flocked to Chiang Mai’s many attractions to ring in the New Year.

Among them was the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, where people gathered to take photographs of the last sunset of 2022.

Many also attended the “Chiang Mai Love is All Around” countdown at the northern capital’s Tha Phae Gate. The event, presided over by Chiang Mai Mayor Assanee Buranupakorn, saw people releasing lanterns for good luck and wowing over a dazzling fireworks display. – The Nation

Tourists flood Phi Phi on Jan 1, Thailand ups 2023 forecast to 23M visitors

Phi Phi Islands National Park in Krabi province was flooded by over 5,000 tourists per day on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, said a park official on Sunday.

Authorities deployed extra staff to oversee parking and increased the number of ticket booths to prevent crowding, as visitors poured in all day to witness the crystal-clear waters and white-sand islands of the 388-square-kilometer marine sanctuary, officially known as Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko National Park.

Large crowds of tourists were seen at Railay Beach, Thale Waek (Separated Sea), Ko Poda and Pi Leh Bay. Continued … 

Phetchabun hilltop temple heaves with devotees on New Year’s Eve

Wat Pha Sorn Kaew in Phetchabun’s Khao Kho district attracted thousands of devotees, who wanted to pray for a successful 2023. The crowds began building from early morning on New Year’s Eve, with most of them being Myanmar migrant workers. Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, also known as Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaeo, is set on an 830-meter peak between Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces. The temple features a main pagoda and surrounding buildings adorned with over 5 million colorful mosaic tiles and pottery items and five bright-white sitting Buddha statues. (The Nation)

The mass return to Bangkok begins

Bangkok’s light traffic and quiet roads over the last couple of days will begin to return to the normal congestion today, as New Year revelers return in droves, making it slow going on several highways.

According to the state-run Transport Company, between 50,000 and 60,000 passengers are expected to arrive at its main bus terminals in Bangkok today, with many having started their journeys last night.

Traffic congestion on the Asian highway, from Ayutthaya to Bangkok, was reported to extend up to 10 kilometers this morning. All lanes were clogged with cars and buses, as they inched their way toward the Bang Pa-in elevated section, connecting with Phahonyothin Road and the motorway. – thaipbs.com

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

Guide for Retiring in Thailand: Everything You Need to Know

Many prefer retiring in Thailand. Its beautiful beaches, delicious food, affordable prices, and tropical climate simply makes it the closest thing to paradise. This is why expats and retirees from all over the world prefer enjoying the remaining years of their lives in the country.

If you’re considering retiring in Thailand, this article is perfect for you. We will enlist everything that you need to know – from benefits to retirement places, and even answers to frequently asked questions. We will also enlist guidelines on ho  you can also get a retirement visa.

  1. Affordable Lifestyle

Thailand is ideal for retirement because you get to live luxuriously without spending so much. In Thailand, your £16 (669 baht) will already be able to afford you a delicious three-course meal at a restaurant. Rent in a city will only cost around £308 (12,872 baht). For beer, you would only need £1.30 (54 baht). Continued …

Thailand in 2023: Tiptoeing through the minefield

2023 should be the first time in three years Thailand can fully return to normal practices after Covid-19 was downgraded to endemic in October 2022. Yet, businesses still need to stay alert to several obstacles on the horizon.

Higher rates

Borrowers face higher financial costs in 2023 under the Bank of Thailand’s policy normalization approach and the trend of rising interest rates in the market. Continued … 

ESG expected to be business trend for 2023

The past three years have proven to be challenging for many people following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Though the situation has improved, many businesses are still grappling with economic pressures, such as higher costs driven by inflation and higher energy prices, while concerns over climate change are motivating businesses and the public to become more environmentally aware.

Here are some key business trends that are expected to set the tone in 2023.

Banks incorporate ESG

Banks are continuing to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their business operations in a push for a sustainable transformation of the economy. Continued … 

Thai industries moving toward a cleaner future

Companies in the clean energy sector expect bright business prospects in 2023, as concerns over high energy costs and the impact of fossil fuels on the environment continue to grow.

Not only are solar, wind energy and bio-gas set to increase under the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) renewable energy scheme, but demand for natural gas, which is considered cleaner than oil and and coal, is also expected to rise.

At a forum on environmental, social and corporate governance, Somruedee Chaimongkol, chief executive of non-oil energy conglomerate Banpu Plc, said her company viewed gas as a “bridge” between fossil and renewable fuels. Continued … 

Navy scours Chumphon waters for last 5 HTMS Sukhothai crew

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) dispatched 28 Navy Seals and 53 divers on Saturday to hunt for the still missing five HTMS Sukhothai crew members.

The team will focus on seven islets and Makham Bay in the Gulf of Thailand off the coast of Chumphon province.

Vice Admiral Pichai Lorchusakul, commander of the First Naval Area Command, said it is believed the strong waves may have taken the bodies to these spots. Continued … 

High momentum of EV growth seen for Thailand

Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market will continue to gain momentum in 2023, with sales expected to reach between 25,000 and 35,000 units, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

But whether the target will be attained depends on the availability of semiconductors, which have become scarce worldwide, affecting the automotive industry.

The FTI says EV sales in 2022 could reach 1,000 units. Continued … 

 

 

Thailand makes another travel list: Fodor’s ‘No List’

Thailand boasted recently of its ranking on many travel lists, from being among the least corrupt countries in Asia to ranking one of the best locations for expats, and rating one of the safest countries to visit.

The country has made the ranks by having some of the top-rated food and beaches in the world. But Thailand also received a nod this year that they might not be as quick to promote: Fodor’s “No List” for 2023.

The popular travel company puts out a list each year of countries, cities, and locations that people should reconsider traveling to for various reasons. The company considers tourism’s damage to a place’s culture and the environment, or a country’s record on human rights or corruption. Continued …

Green is Thai tourism’s new mandate

Tourism analysts say sustainability and responsible tourism represent a new mandate for the Thai industry after the pandemic.

Responsible tourism and sustainability in tourism will be the main direction in the future, Thanet Phetsuwan, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said at the “Bangkok Post Year-End Forum”.

Thanet said the TAT is trying to shift to quality-based tourism from a quantity-focused strategy, which saw Thailand welcome 40 million arrivals in 2019. Continued …

Cathay Pacific’s revives direct Phuket-Hong Kong flights

The return of flights to Phuket keep racking up. But this one is particularly welcome. Hong-Kong based carrier Cathay Pacific, one of the worst affected airlines in the world over the past three years, has re-launched direct flights to Phuket.

The re-launched flight schedule arrived yesterday, with 118 passengers on board. The airline tried to relaunch flights last year in November but had to postpone the re-introduction because of the latest surge of Covid at the time.

Hong Kong, along with China, recently eased Covid-19 travel restrictions and the introduction of the direct services back to Phuket is a reflection of this. Staff at Phuket Airport were on hand to welcome passengers arriving on CX771, presenting them with gifts and souvenirs to mark the occasion. Continued … 

Mayhem and mischief: How tourists behaved badly in 2022

In 2022, the world started traveling again — and with that came the return of all the usual misbehavior and antics abroad. But with nerves perhaps frayed by a record year for airline cancellations, delays, lost luggage and inflated prices, misconduct was a particularly strong theme. Here are the standout moments from a year of travelers behaving badly.

‘Did you pack your bag yourself?’

Sharp items and weaponry are, as everyone knows, huge no-nos when it comes to carry-on bags at the airport.

Everyone that is except for the man in Boston with a sword concealed inside a cane, the passenger at New York’s LaGuardia who was packing nunchucks, three saw blades, a switchblade and a folding knife, and the traveler in Alaska who rocked up to the security checkpoint with a bag filled with 28 knives. Continued … 

Thai tourism workers urged to have Covid vaccine booster

With China experiencing a surge in Covid infections and simultaneously about to re-open its borders, tourism staff in Thailand are being urged to have a booster vaccine dose. According to a report, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is calling on all tourism workers to ensure they’re protected ahead of the expected return of Chinese tourists.

Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT governor, says staff who are likely to have close contact with tourists, such as hotel receptionists, drivers, and tour guides, should make sure they’re protected against infection. China’s borders re-open next Sunday and Thailand expects to see a rise in the number of Chinese arrivals.

A government spokesman says PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has also instructed the Public Health Ministry to ensure measures are in place to keep the public safe from infection. Thailand is preparing to welcome around 300,000 visitors from China during the first quarter of 2023, according to spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri. Continued …

PCR tests for travelers reintroduced around the world as Covid-19 cases surge

Just as mandatory PCR testing for travelers had become a thing of the past in many parts of the world, regulations are being reintroduced as Covid-19 cases surge once more.

Much of this is driven by the surge in cases from China, after Beijing dismantled its zero-Covid policies, including regular PCR testing of its population, triggering concern around the world.

The U.S., Australia and UK, for example, are to impose PCR testing requirements on any travelers from China from Thursday. The U.S. and Australia’s guidelines also cover Hong Kong and Macau. Continued … 

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Flying back into profit after pandemic

The outlook for the aviation industry worldwide is chiefly positive this year,s although the path ahead is not without risks, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Continued … 

Vietnam pulls off Asia’s fastest growth

Vietnam’s economy grew at the fastest pace in Asia this year, signaling momentum just before risks from a global slowdown began to materialize. Continued … 

Canada bans most foreigners from buying homes

A ban on foreigners buying residential property in Canada took effect on Sunday, aiming to make more homes available to locals facing a housing crunch. Continued … 

US stocks mark end to ‘terrible year’ of rate hikes and inflation

Wall Street stocks saw their worst year since 2008 on Friday, after a “terrible” period shaken by inflation and aggressive moves to rein in costs. Continued …

 

90-day online reporting