Category Archives: immigration

bangkok, hospitality, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Monday’s news-Sept 4

Today’s news: Heavy rain for all of Thailand/Herbal solutions to PM2.5 diseases/Droness Launched At Wing 3/Bangkok to Songkhla Bus CrashesDrought forcing elephants in search of food and water/Calls for LGBTQ retirement hub/The untouchable tax/Thailand’s smaller cities’ economic role/Expand welfare policies to boost economy/Thai family-run businesses thriving/Thai exporters warned to prepare/South Korean EV manufacturers eye Thailand/Chinese EV producer to set up Thai plant/Prachuap Khiri Khan tourism/Thai immigration policy/Small hotel operators cash in/Chonburi Sees 13 Million Tourists/Meet the mum with 10 dogs, 15 cats and 10 elephants/Candle Is Flavors Classic Thai Dishes/Sharing Experiences Or Traditions From AbroadChina’s food security is at risk/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Warnings of heavy rain for all of Thailand

The Thai Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy downpours in the northern, northeastern, and central regions, as well as extremely heavy rain in parts of the eastern and southern regions.

People in these areas should be cautious of the dangers associated with heavy rain, including the possibility of sudden flooding and forest runoff, especially in hilly areas and low-lying areas. Continued … 

Herbal solutions to PM2.5 dust-related chronic diseases sought

In promising scientific research, experts are exploring the potential of three herbal plants in combating chronic diseases connected to PM2.5 dust. The focal point of this collaborative project is to address the health challenges arising from prolonged exposure to harmful PM2.5 dust particles, a pressing concern in regions affected by air pollution.

The collaborative efforts have seen researchers from Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri joining forces with experts from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine at Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute in Samut Prakan. Continued …

Three Israeli-Made UAVs Launched At Wing 3

Three Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicles were launched Saturday for deployment by the Thai air force.

Air force chief ACM Alongkorn Wannarot ceremonially launched the three Dominator XP UAVs, manufactured by Israel’s Aeronautics Defense Systems Co., at Wing 3 air base in Nakhon Sawan. Continued …

Driver Dies, 14 Injured After Bangkok to Songkhla Bus Crashes in Chumphon

A bus driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while 14 people sustained injuries, after a passenger bus from Bangkok to Hat Yai (in Songkhla) crashed in Chumphon.

The Tha Sae Police were notified of the accident after midnight on Saturday on the main southern road, Petchkasem Road, in the Had Punkrai subdistrict in Mueang Chumphon. Continued …

Drought forcing elephants to venture further in search of food and water

Acute water shortages in Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary in Uthai Thani province have led to several elephants venturing out of the sanctuary to forage for water and food on farmland, according to Tarasak Nipanan, chief of the Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife breeding station.

He said that the sanctuary has been experiencing a water shortage since late last year and the situation appears to be worsening as a result of the El Niño, as natural water sources in the sanctuary have dried up. Continued …

Calls for LGBTQ retirement hub

Thailand has the potential to boost the pink economy by attracting international LGBTQ+ seniors who are looking for a place to retire.

Speaking at a conference on “Thailand Gets Ready to Become A Key Destination for LGBT Retirement” organized in Bangkok, Dr. Chaiwat Songsiriphan, founder and medical director of the Safe Clinic, a private human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic, said Thailand could be a key retiree destination for LGBTQ, as people in the country have a high tolerance of gender diversity. Continued …

VAT: The untouchable tax

Since the introduction of value-added tax (VAT) in Thailand in 1992, no government has dared to increase the rate because of concerns regarding the economic impact, the greater burden in terms of living expenses, and most importantly how politically unpopular such a move would appear.

Over the past decade, technocrats in the Finance Ministry and the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) have highlighted a growing need to raise the VAT rate from 7%, but senior officials at the ministry insist any VAT rate hike must take account of the country’s economic conditions. Continued …

Thailand’s smaller cities can help drive economic growth and reduce inequality

Thailand’s cities outside Bangkok can accelerate the country’s growth but will need to find ways to access private capital to improve urban infrastructure, a World Bank study produced with the Program Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMU-A) and Khon Kaen University says.

Bangkok has long been the country’s hub of economic growth and productivity. But as that growth slows, cities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Rayong could pick up the baton with investments in mass transit systems, renewable energy, and other urban infrastructure, which will be critical for Thailand’s competitiveness and ability to adapt to a changing climate, according to the study, “Thailand Urban Infrastructure Finance Assessment.” Continued …

Expand welfare policies to boost economy, experts say

The government should boost the country’s short-term economic growth by expanding state welfare policies to reduce inequalities in society, academics said at a seminar organized by the Thai Journalists’ Assn. yesterday.

Nonarit Bisonyabut, a senior academic with the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the Srettha Thavisin administration will face tough challenges as it attempts to reboot the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …

Survey finds Thai family-run businesses thriving

A total of 451 companies were identified as family businesses on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), and they have a combined market capitalization of about 8 trillion baht (about US$ 226 billion), representing a 43% share of the market, a survey by the SET found.

Over the past seven years, 149 family businesses have raised over 3.08 trillion baht through initial public offerings, the survey found. Continued …

Thai exporters warned to prepare for worst as China’s economy heads downward

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) is urging Thai businesses, especially exporters, to brace themselves for the effects of China’s economic slowdown.

The warning is in response to slower-than-expected growth in China, as its real-estate sector suffers severe debt and liquidity problems. NESDC Secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan said earlier this week that though it’s too early to tell how much China’s economy will affect Thailand, it is still worth being cautious. Continued …

South Korean EV manufacturers preparing to plug into Thailand

Manufacturers of electric vehicles (EV) from South Korea have expressed interest in investing in Thailand for the manufacturing of small EVs, motorcycle EVs, and EVs for agriculture, according to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI).

About 20 South Korean businesses from the Korea Smart E-Mobility Assn. (KEMA) and Kang Jong-man, mayor of Yeonggwang-gun, recently met with BOI representatives to discuss EV investment in Thailand, BOI Secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said. Continued …

Chinese EV producer to set up Thai plant

Omoda & Jaecoo International Co., a subsidiary of China’s state-owned automobile manufacturer Chery International, plans to apply for Board of Investment (BoI) privileges to set up an electric vehicle (EV) production base in Thailand.

The company will disclose investment and business plans in a couple of months, said Qi Jie, Thailand national director at Omoda & Jaecoo International. Continued …

Prachuap Khiri Khan sees over 6.5 million visitors

Prachuap Khiri Khan has witnessed growth in its tourism sector, according to data released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The recently released data shows revenue generation of over 23.8 billion baht from January to July 2023 – a 27.9% increase from the same period in 2022. Continued …

Thai immigration policy: shape of things to come

New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has specified that immigration reform will be a priority in the new government. Although Thailand in 2023 has already attracted over 17 million foreign visitors, it will need many more if the aim to boost tourism revenue to US$100 billion by the end of 2024.

Entry policy in recent years has been set by the Cabinet and senior ministers, with the immigration police bureau playing an enforcer rather than a policy-maker role. Continued …

Small hotel operators cash in as tourism industry starts reviving

The first seven months of this year have seen more than 500 new entities emerge in Thailand’s hotel industry, mostly small companies with a registered capital of up to 5 million baht.

This surge in small operators indicates an economic recovery and revival of Thailand’s tourism industry, helped by supportive legislation for small enterprises. Continued …

Chonburi Sees 13 Million Tourists from January to August

Chonburi received more than 13 million tourists from January to August, and saw spending of over 119 billion baht, the Chonburi Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports reported on Friday.

Ampai Sakdanukuljit Sliwinski, a Tourism and Sports official, provided an overview of tourism in Chonburi for the first seven months of the year, from Jan. 1 to Aug. 23. Continued …

Meet the mum-of-five who looks after 10 dogs, 15 cats and 10 elephants

Every day Katherine Connor is up at 5am getting breakfast ready… but not for her five children. They’re still fast asleep while she feeds her 10 rescue dogs, 15 cats and the family rabbit. Then she gets ready to tend to a few of her larger babies – a herd of 10 vulnerable elephants.

By the time mum has breakfast on the table for Hope, 15, Noah, 13, Aaron, 11, Ethan, nine, and Luke, eight, their chatter across the cereal and toast is punctuated by rumbles, snorts and the occasional trumpeting outside. Continued …

How A Humble Candle Is Utilized To Flavor Classic Thai Dishes

Whether you’re going with an ever-popular pad Thai recipe or fresh som tam salad, Thai food is bursting with flavor. So it’s no surprise to see Thai desserts have an equally powerful sense of taste.

The interesting twist is that some of the flavors don’t come from the ingredients inside the dish but are instead absorbed from the air. That’s right, we’re talking about the culinary incense known as tian op, otherwise known as the Thai dessert candle. Continued …

People Are Sharing Experiences Or Traditions From Abroad They Wish They Could Adopt Back Home

Whenever you visit a new place, there are likely to be aspects of daily life there that feel totally new. And personally, I love discovering international habits or customs I wish I could adopt back home. So we asked, “What did you experience in another country that you wish you could make a part of your regular life?” Here’s what people said. Continued …

China’s food security is at risk due to climate change

Over the past four decades, China has made significant achievements in maintaining food security through institutional reforms, technological progress and increased investment in public agricultural infrastructure. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490

 

bangkok, hua hin, immigration, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s news-Sept 2

Today’s news: Weekend of downpours/New income requirements for Norwegians/Foreign Resident Quota Set/Is the ‘land bridge’ project worth the cost?/Digital handout scheme/Wage increase likely early next year/Motorcycle outlook rosy/Thapanee Kiatphaiboon begins as TAT governor/Thailand’s responsible tourism project/Thailand’s Visa-Free Travel plan/Free visa plan to add 700,000 Chinese/In Love with Thai Food/5 Thai delights/Bangkok restaurant serves modern Thai food/Typhoon Saola makes China landfall/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Flash floods and rough seas post danger during weekend of downpours

Heavy to very heavy rains will hit 46 provinces, including metropolitan Bangkok, today and tomorrow, the Meteorological Department forecast.

The downpours will be brought by the strong monsoon trough lying across the north, northeast and central regions, and a strong southwest monsoon spanning the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the department said. Continued …

New income documentation requirements for Norwegian expats

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok and consulates in Pattaya and Phuket have changed the document requirement for confirmation of annual income on a short notice.

“Norwegian citizens in Thailand may need confirmation of their income/pension from Norway in connection with the extension of a one-year visa. In this connection, they ask the embassy to confirm annual income/pension. Continued …

Foreign Resident Quota Set at Maximum of 150 Individuals in Thailand for the Year

The allocation of the number of foreign nationals and stateless persons to be residents of the Kingdom of Thailand for the year 2023 was announced in the Royal Gazette on Aug. 31. This coincided with the day General Prayut Chan-o-cha resigned from his position as prime minister.

The terms of this allocation were specified by announcements from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Interior as follows: Continued …

Is the massive ‘land bridge’ project worth the trillion-baht investment?

One of the mega projects being inherited by the new government from the Prayut administration is the land bridge, intended to facilitate the movement of cargo containers and oil from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand and to destinations beyond Thailand, as an alternative to the busy Strait of Malacca.

The Prayut administration has painted a rosy picture of this mega project, a new alternative to the Kra Canal project, which has laid dormant for several decades. It hopes that construction of the project can commence in 2025 and be completed in four years. Continued …

Digital handout scheme could boost Thailand’s GDP by 3%

The Pheu Thai Party‘s proposed digital handout scheme, requiring around 500 billion baht, could potentially boost Thailand’s GDP growth by 3% in the next year, according to the Bank of Thailand. Sakkapop Panyanukul, the central bank‘s director of the economic and policy department, mentioned the digital handout contribution depends on the economic multiplier.

The 3% GDP projection uses a cash transfer model, but definitive forecasts await more digital handout scheme details. The program suggests a digital wallet with 10,000 baht for citizens aged 16 and above, spent locally within six months to stimulate the economy and aim for 5% GDP growth. Continued …

Wage increase likely early next year, PM Srettha says

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Friday that he expected the minimum daily wage to be increased early next year to help workers cope with the rising cost of living.

Increasing wages is a major policy platform of all the coalition parties, but his government will also consider concerns over possible higher costs for business operators, he said. Continued …

Motorcycle outlook rosy

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expects total motorcycle production this year will exceed the target of 2.1 million units.

The rebound of the tourism industry has increased demand for motorcycles and the easing of the global semiconductor shortage means chip makers can supply a greater number to motorcycle producers, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice chairman and spokesman for the FTI’s Automotive Industry Club. Continued …

Thapanee Kiatphaiboon begins her role as new TAT governor

Thapanee Kiatphaiboon today began her role as the new governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Having been with the TAT since 1999 after earning a master’s degree in science from the University of Surrey in the UK, Thapanee has held various positions within the organization, including deputy governor for tourism products and business, and most recently deputy governor for domestic marketing. Continued …

Thailand launches second edition of responsible tourism project

With the success of the The One for Nature initiative in 2020, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled The 2nd The One for Nature project in its continuous efforts to promote responsible tourism in Thailand.

The 2020 project embodied the concept of “travel with responsibility” in Thailand, and aimed to spotlight Thailand’s sustainable tourism and safeguard the nation’s abundant natural resources. Continued …

Chinese Buzz with Enthusiasm for Thailand’s Visa-Free Travel

The introduction of visa-free travel, urged by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is primarily intended for Chinese visitors. Currently, visitors from Mainland China are visiting Thailand less than expected, and this year’s target of 5 million is likely to be missed.

According to the Department of Economic, Tourism and Sports Statistics of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, a total of 17.6 million foreign tourists entered Thailand from Jan. 1 to Aug. 27. The top five nationalities are Malaysians (2,797,462), Chinese (2,182,038), South Koreans (1,046,200), Indians (1,006,629) and Russians (914,666). Continued …

Free visa plan expected to add 700,000 Chinese guests

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates the government’s plan to issue free visas to visitors from China will add 700,000 arrivals during the high season.

TAT Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool said on Friday that 350,000 to 400,000 Chinese visit Thailand per month, with the tally for the first eight months this year at 2.1 million. Continued …

How the Thai Government Made the Whole World Fall in Love with Thai Food

Food may not always be an obvious source of power. But as the substance that not only keeps us alive but also in many ways brings us meaning — ritual, community, nourishment — it should go without saying that food is a powerful force, one that has the ability to shape what we eat, what we think, who we are.

It’s understandable, then, that some would seek to harness this force. One example is gastrodiplomacy, when food is leveraged to essentially build a nation’s brand and strengthen ties with other countries. Continued …

5 Thai curry delights spice up top rankings in TasteAtlas List

Thai curry dishes stole the spotlight in this year’s “43 Curry Varieties Ranked from the Worst to the Best,” launched by the food guide website TasteAtlas. Five curry dishes from Thailand are listed in the top 10.

Last year, TasteAtlas declared the northern Thai curry dish Khao Soi as the world’s best soup in the “50 Best Soups in the World.” The foodie platform also ranked Khao Soi and other four Thai curry dishes in its list again this year. The curry dishes included in the top 10 are: Continued …

Bangkok restaurant serves modern Thai food worth its Michelin-star status

Seeking to change the perception that Thailand’s cuisine is dominated only by cheap street outlets, the Michelin-starred Le Du serves Thai food with a modern approach.

When I sit down to dinner with him on a recent visit to Bangkok, chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn says he applies international techniques to Thai ingredients, in the process whipping up dishes that “look modern, but taste authentic”. Continued …

Typhoon Saola makes landfall in Guangdong after slamming Hong Kong, Macau

Typhoon Saola made landfall in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong early today as violent winds lashed nearby Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau, leaving at least one dead and a trail of destruction and flooding in many areas. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490

 

bangkok, climate change, hua hin, immigration, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-Aug 31

Today’s news: Champions Cup 7s event this Saturday/Hua Hin native Pone Kingpetch honored/Another media bites the dust/Retail LPG to remain at same price/Elite Card price to be increased by 50%/Cuts to diesel, electricity prices to be proposed/Economic peril for Srettha’s government/Thailand’s per capita income falls/Rules on digital wallet scheme/Boost for condominium sales/Factory output falls 4.43%/New EV policy/EV and renewable energy keyThailand plans visa overhaulNo more beer in glass bottles on Koh Tao/Thousands of Ducks Charge Across Rice Fields/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Champions Cup 7s event this Saturday

This Saturday, the first Champions Cup 7s Thailand will be held at True Arena, beginning at 9:30am. Organized by Viking Club Hua Hin, the event expects as many as 200 players from around Thailand.

Thailand’s first boxing world champion, Hua Hin native Pone Kingpetch, honored

The World Boxing Council’s Asian branch (WBC Asia) has formally recognized the legacy of Thailand’s first world boxing champion, Pone Kingpetch.

In a recent meeting at the Asian Boxing Council office an honorary certificate was received from the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF). Pone Kingpetch was inducted into the Hall of Fame in June. Continued …

Another media bites the dust

The Royal Coast Review, started by a former editor of Hua Hin Today several years ago, has gone on what its founder calls a “sabbatical.”

According to the publication, “The personal circumstances of the Royal Coast Review founder and managing editor has lead to a decision to take an extended sabbatical away from Thailand and the suspension of the publication of the Royal Coast Review website.”

RCR was started as competition for Hua Hin Today, but recently changed its focus to only report on the local nightlife scene.

Media history suggests that a publication taking a leave such as this rarely makes a comeback.

Retail LPG to remain at same price

The retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is expected to be maintained at 25.87 baht per kilogram, or 432 baht per standard 15-kg cylinder, for another month, according to the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO).

Wisak Watanasap, director of the OFFO, said the fund’s board met on Tuesday and passed a resolution to cap the LPG retail price until Sept. 30, extending it from the expiration date of Aug. 31. Continued … 

Elite Card price to be increased by 50%

Thailand Elite Card is preparing to raise its minimum membership price by 50% to 900,000 baht, from 600,000 baht, as the company attempts to ramp up annual revenue to 8 billion baht, according to Thailand Privilege Card Co. (TPC), the operator of the card.

The four new types of card will also remove the word “Elite” from their title, which has been used since the scheme’s establishment under the Thaksin Shinawatra government in 2003. Continued …

Cuts to diesel, electricity prices to be proposed

New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he expects his Cabinet to announce cuts to the price of diesel and electricity right after its first meeting.

Srettha was speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning after meeting with outgoing Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow and ML Chayotid Kridakon, chief of the United Thai Nation Party (UTNP)’s economic team. The meeting was held at the Pheu Thai head office at 11am. Continued …

Economic peril poses a greater threat to Srettha’s government than politics

Even though there are plenty of political challenges facing the Pheu Thai party, not the least being in a weak coalition, the economic challenges are far greater and could spell potential doom for the government if not handled correctly.

Experts say that 2024 will likely be a down year for the global economy and several macroeconomic issues will likely present themselves to the incoming government. Continued …

Thailand’s per capita income falls

Per capita income for this year has taken a hit after the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) revised the gross domestic product (GDP) projection from the initial estimate of 2.7%-3.7% to 2.5%-3%.

This decline is attributed to the second-quarter economic figures for 2023, which fell short of expectations due to a mere 1.8% expansion compared to the 2.6% achieved in the first quarter. The decrease in exports over the course of three consecutive quarters since the fourth quarter of 2022, with a negative growth of 5.7%, is the primary cause. Continued …

Rules on 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme clarified

Pheu Thai Party’s digital wallet scheme will be implemented in the form of utility tokens, a news source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The party leading the government coalition promised during its election campaign to stimulate the domestic economy by providing 10,000 baht in digital money to all Thais aged over 16. Continued …

Free visa policy expected to boost condominium sales

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s policy to offer free visas to Chinese and Indian tourists will likely boost sales of condominiums, the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) said today.

The center’s acting director, Wichai Wiratkapan, expects the Thai property sector to recover slightly from the economic slowdown and strict financial institution regulations on borrowing. Continued … 

Factory output falls 4.43%

Thailand’s manufacturing production index (MPI) in July dropped 4.43% from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said on Thursday, as exports declined amid sluggish global demand.

The figure compared with a forecast in a Reuters poll for a fall of 4.0% in July. Output shrank 5.24% in June. – Bangkok Post

New EV policy would maintain and increase level of sales

Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) is planning to propose to the new government that it implements measures to promote the purchase and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand under the EV 3.5 policy until 2025.

BOI Secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said on Wednesday that the EV 3.5 policy would help maintain the momentum of EVs in the automotive market, which has been growing thanks to the previous EV 3.0 policy. Continued …

EV and renewable energy key to addressing climate change challenges

Electric vehicles (EV) and renewable energy are essential to deal with climate change and herald a low-carbon society, experts said at the “ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week” on Wednesday at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.

Manu Leopairote, chairman of event organizer Informa Markets Thailand, said that climate change was the major problem affecting all regions of the world. Continued …

Thailand plans visa overhaul to boost tourism, lure Chinese and Indians

The Foreign Ministry is set to overhaul the visa system to boost tourism revenue from Thailand’s main markets, especially China and India.

The move comes after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with the airports authority and airlines on Monday for talks on how to attract more foreign visitors. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is targeting revenue of 3 trillion baht from foreign visitors next year. However, Thai tourism operators have complained that lengthy and sometimes costly visa application processes are deterring travelers from Thailand’s top two overseas markets – China and India. Continued …

No more beer in glass bottles on Koh Tao

From tomorrow, beer in glass containers will be banned from Koh Tao as part of attempts to solve the garbage problem on the island.

Only canned beer will be allowed, said Pollution Control Department Director General Pinsak Suraswadi on Wednesday. Vendors on the island will sell only canned beer, he said. Continued … 

Why Thousands of Ducks Charge Across Fields in Thailand Every Year

Step into the enchanting world of rice farming in Thailand through the video below. It captures a breathtaking spectacle. The scene unfolds with an aerial panorama. It reveals a torrential flow of thousands of ducks surging through a gate, akin to molten lava cascading over a precipice.

Video 

This feathered force floods into the rice fields like an invading army. Their awe-inspiring sight might seem like the rice field’s doom to the uninitiated eye. However, a twist in the narrative uncovers a harmonious partnership between the ducks and the farmers. It unveils an ingenious agricultural practice. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490

 

bangkok, cha am, climate change, hospitality, hua hin, immigration, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s news-Aug 30

Today’s news: Chomsin Road expansion faces delay/How to find EV charging stations/EV charging stations in Hua Hin/Local developers earn property awards/Flood warnings for much of Thailand/Military coups in Thailand are gone/Solar for Bangkok rail lines/Thai tourism faces strain/Thailand likely to ease visa rules/Don Mueang to build third terminal/September festivals, art, sports/World Gravy Wrestling Championships/Existential threat to marine life/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Chomsin Road expansion in Hua Hin faces 100-day delay

The road expansion project of Chomsin Road in Hua Hin, which aimed to alleviate traffic congestion by expanding from two lanes to four, faces a setback.

An additional 100 days of work has been projected following the discovery of decayed metal drainage covers that can no longer support vehicle weight. Continued …

How to find EV charging stations in Hua Hin and throughout Thailand

The future of motoring in Thailand is electric. That might seem hard to imagine just now but Thailand has gone full throttle on electric vehicles (EV).

With the entry of Tesla and the rise of Chinese electric vehicle makers in Thailand, the choices for buyers have expanded, and the industry has witnessed substantial growth. Continued …

EV charging station at Bluport Mall

EV charging stations in Hua Hin, Cha Am and PKK

  • FN Factory Outlet Cha Am
  • Bang Chak Pump Cha Am (Lemon Green Square)
  • BluPort Hua Hin
  • Market Village Hua Hin
  • Chocolate Factory
  • MG Showroom, Phetkasem Road (All MG showrooms in Thailand have charging stations)
  • Provincial Electricity Authority Office, Phetkasem Road
  • EleX by EGAT, PT Gas Station, Bang Saphan Noi, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Most major hotels in Hua Hin and Cha-am now provide EV charging stations for guests

Three local developers earn property awards

The Dot Property Thailand Awards acknowledged a record-breaking 44 winners from all corners of the Kingdom, with two developers in Cha Am and one in Hua Hin earning recognition.

The eighth annual Dot Property Thailand Awards illuminated winners who are not only nurturing growth but also accommodating the evolving needs of home seekers. Honored in Cha Am and Hua Hin were:

  • Best Luxury Villa Development Hua Hin – La Felice Villa Hua Hin by PNP Real Estate Co.
  • Best Villa Development Cha Am – The Cielo Haus Cha-Am Beach by The Cielo Haus Co.
  • Best Beach Villa Architectural Design Cha Am  – Casa Contento x Contenta by Casa Moderna Co. Continued … https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2637983

Flood warnings as heavy rain forecast for much of Thailand

Downpours are likely to increase today, causing possible flash flooding in many parts of the country, especially in the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions as well as on the west coast in the South and in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

This weather pattern is due to the influence of the southwest monsoon moving across the northern, northeastern, and central parts of Thailand. Continued …

New defense chief: The days of military coups in Thailand are gone

Sutin Klungsang, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party and tipped to be the new defense minister, said today that Thailand has long passed the days of military coups.

He expressed confidence that, with the help of advisers who are former military officers, he will be able to manage the affairs of one of country’s most important ministries effectively. Continued …

MRT to partially power two Bangkok rail lines with solar energy

Thailand’s first deal to use electricity from solar energy to power the rail transport system was finalized on Tuesday with a contract signing between CKPower (CKP) and Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM).

CKP, a leading producer of power from renewable energy in the ASEAN region, has entered into an agreement with BEM, operator of MRT trains, as well as several expressways in Bangkok, to use solar energy in powering the MRT trains for the first time in Thailand. Continued …

Thai tourism faces strain from sluggish Chinese, Japanese economies

Tourism operators in Thailand are facing significant challenges due to the sluggish economies of China and Japan and an uneven recovery in Thai tourism that benefits larger operators.

A recent survey by the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) and the Bank of Thailand revealed that 29% of three-star or lower-rated hotels have been severely impacted by interest rate hikes and may require debt restructuring. Continued …

Thailand likely to ease visa rules to lure Chinese, Indian tourists

Thailand is likely to ease visa rules for Chinese and Indian travelers and allow longer stays for visitors from all nations as new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin looks for ways to boost tourism revenue to nearly US100 billion next year.

Chinese — the largest group of visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic — face a costly and cumbersome visa-application process, which has has been a drag on the tally this year, according to the premier. Meanwhile, travelers from India must pay 2,000 baht ($57) for a 15-day visa on arrival. Srettha of the Pheu Thai Party said he wants the list of visa-exempt countries expanded, as well as increased stay limits for most international travelers, with caps of 15 days or 30 days for many nationalities. Continued …

Don Mueang set to build third terminal

Airports of Thailand (AoT) has announced it will build a third passenger terminal at Don Mueang International Airport to increase capacity to handle up to 50 million passengers a year in 2029.

AoT President Kerati Kijmanawat said on Tuesday that the airport can support 30 million passengers a year and will soon reach its full capacity. Continued …

Thailand’s September sizzle: Festivals, art, sports, and much more

A vibrant array of festivals and events await visitors in Thailand this September. The calendar is packed with religious festivities, art and craft exhibitions, and a variety of sports events. Among these, the Tenth Lunar Month Festival, Ko Lae Boat Racing, Long-boat Racing, Cross-Region Travel Fair, and several marathons and half marathons stand out as key events, promising an exciting month ahead.

The Cross-Region Travel Fair, set to take place from Sept. 1 to 3 in central Hatyai, Songkhla, is the last in a series of five travel fairs organized throughout the year. The fair encourages cross-region travel and showcases a variety of promotions, deals, and DIY workshops reflecting local wisdom from all five regions of Thailand. Continued … 

Inside the World Gravy Wrestling Championships

Competitors participated in a peculiar method of fundraising on Monday at the World Gravy Wrestling Championships in the English village of Stacksteads. Wrestlers donned themselves in fancy dress and battled in a gravy-filled pool to raise money for the local East Lancashire Hospice, which supports people with life-limiting illnesses. Continued …

Existential threat to marine life as oceans impacted by global warming

Marine life is facing a serious threat, as global warming is leading to oceans absorbing excessive carbon, as well as contamination caused by human waste. Ratnavali Poosawat, a specialist on ecology at the Department of Fisheries, said: “The oceans absorb approximately 90% of the Earth’s heat energy. As global temperatures rise, coupled with the absorption of around 30% of emitted carbon dioxide, this results in a decrease in oxygen levels in the water, leading to the condition known as ‘ocean acidification’.” Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490

 

bangkok, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s news-Aug 28

Today’s news: Wine scam circulating in Hua Hin/Opinion: Promised Change/Elephant Stabs His Master To Death/Fears over Fukushima seafood rise/Dr Pakpilai Thavisin: Thailand’s new First Lady/The 600-baht wage hike policy/No plan to increase VAT to 10%/Few jobs for university graduates/Weed Industry Is Poised to Grow Fast/90-day tourist visas?/Thai Smile exiting Surat Thani/Phuket seeks 4am/U-Tapao Airport Nightspots Can Operate 24 Hours a Day/Pattaya Speedboat Operators in Wild Brawl/Chinese Tourist Shortfall in Pattaya/5 Unknown Islands To Explore/What’s really killing historical UK pubs/

Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Local restaurants warned of sophisticated wine scam circulating in Hua Hin

An elaborate wine scam, which previously made headlines in Bangkok, has made its way to Hua Hin, with restauranteurs urged to remain vigilant.

The scheme came to attention earlier this week when a Hua Hin restaurant narrowly avoided falling prey to it. The modus operandi involves scammers making a reservation under the guise of hosting a high-end event and then pushing restaurants to procure wine from a specific vendor. Continued …

Promised Change Gives Way to Familiar Faces

The political landscape in Thailand remains mired in complexities and contradictions, as the recently formed government represents both a reiteration and a perpetuation of existing political realities.

Despite the majority of voters casting their ballots for significant political change, the composition of the new cabinet belies these aspirations. Continued …

Elephant Stabs His Master To Death After Being Sold

A tragic incident happened when a male elephant named Pha Tulu belonging to the Karen tribe fatally stabbed his owner with his ivory at the intersection of Mai Village, Mae Tan subdistrict, Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province, northern Thailand. Pha Phi Du Lerttikhamphon, a 57-year-old mahout, died from a traumatic injury in his body.

The elephant refused to obey Pha Phi Du’s orders to take him to the vehicle and deliver him to his new owner in Surin Province after being sold for 2,760,000 baht. Pha Phi Du became enraged and beat Pha Tulu with his equipment. The elephant then retaliated with his tusks, stomping on the mahout until he died. Continued …

Fears over Fukushima seafood rise

The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Fisheries to tighten measures on imported seafood from Japan after several countries banned the products following the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

TCC official Panuchot Tongyang yesterday said China, Hong Kong and South Korea have suspended imports of Japanese seafood, including live sea animals, frozen and dried seafood, sea salt and seaweed due to concerns about contamination. Continued …

Dr Pakpilai Thavisin: From anti-aging pioneer to Thailand’s new First Lady

Dr. Pakpilai Thavisin is feeling heat from the media spotlight after her husband Srettha Thavisin became Thailand’s 30th prime minister. But this is far from her first taste of fame.

With her high-flying career and fashionable dress sense, Pakpilai has been a favorite subject of gossip columns for years. She has also aired her views in media interviews. Continued … 

Business operators against 600-baht wage hike policy

The Pheu Thai-led government intends to press ahead with its election promise to raise the minimum wage to 600 baht within 4 years from the current range of 328-354 baht per day introduced in October 2022.

The party first introduced what is regarded as a populist policy back in 2011, when it launched the nationwide minimum wage policy of 300 baht per day. Then, like now, the private sector made its opposition known, citing political interference and uneven investment distribution nationwide. Continued …

Thai finance ministry has no immediate plan to increase VAT to 10%

The Ministry of Finance has no policy to increase value-added tax from 7% to 10%, to generate more revenue to fund old age pensions, according to Pornchai Theeravet, director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesman for the ministry.

His remark is in response to a report that the National Economic and Social Development Council has proposed several measures to increase support for pensioners, including a proposed increase in the rate of VAT. Continued …

Thailand running out of jobs for university graduates, report shows

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has warned that new university graduates may find it tough to get jobs, as demand is on the decline.

This warning came in a recent report released by the agency, which said that new university graduates may be hired at lower salaries or jobs may be given to those with lower qualifications. Continued …

Thailand’s Weed Industry Is Poised to Grow Fast

In Bangkok these days, it’s hard not to notice the weed dispensaries catering to tourists that have multiplied since the government decriminalized the drug last year.

Many of them take advantage of lax regulations to openly sell visitors dried marijuana flowers that have been imported illegally from Canada or the United States. On a recent afternoon, one shop advertised its pungent offerings — weed strains with names like “Ice Cream Cake” and “Lemon Cookies” — as “California’s finest.” Continued …

PM to look into extending tourist visas to 90 days

The new government will consider extending tourist visa validities from 30 days to 90 days and the easing of immigration procedures, to make them more convenient for foreign tourists, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, responding to call from tourism business operators for the government to boost the tourism industry.

He also said, however, that the proposal from some tourism business operators for the government to exempt entry visas for tourists from China, India and Russia is a different issue, which has security implications and has to be considered carefully. Continued …

Surat Thani governor snarls at Thai Smile’s flight axe plan

The governor of Surat Thani has asked Thai Smile Airways not to cease its flight services to the southern province in order to protect its tourism.

Gov. Wichawut Jinto said on Sunday that people earlier complained to him that Thai Smile Airways would stop its flight services on Oct. 1. Continued …

Phuket’s night-life venues ask new PM to let them to stay open until 4am

Night entertainment operators in Phuket have proposed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin allow their venues on Patong Beach to stay open until 4am, instead of the current 1am.

Weerawit Kruasombat, president of the entertainment business operators association on Patong Beach, said Saturday that the proposal was submitted to Srettha during yesterday’s meeting between the prime minister and representatives of tourism-related business. Continued …

U-Tapao Airport Nightspots Receive Green Light to Operate 24 Hours a Day

The Thai government has clarified that the recent permission granted for entertainment venues to operate around the clock in the U-Tapao International Airport & Eastern Airport City Project does not extend to nearby areas such as Pattaya and Rayong.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul clarified this on Sunday, emphasizing that the Interior Ministry’s recent notice in the Royal Gazette applied exclusively to the specified locations within the U-Tapao airport complex. Continued …

Pattaya Speedboat Operators in Wild Brawl Arguing Over Tourists

Two groups of rival speedboat operators in Pattaya engaged in a widely filmed and shared viral fistfight over who would transport a group of tourists on Saturday evening.

The fight broke out at 5 PM at Bali Hai Pier, panicking numerous tourists who were waiting to board a ride to Koh Larn. Continued …

Chinese Tourist Shortfall Takes Toll on Pattaya’s Tourism Sector

The tourism sector in Pattaya is grappling with a waning number of Chinese tourists due to current strict visa regulations and a shortage of flight options.

Boonanan Pattanasin, the president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Assn. (PBTA), revealed that the current tourism situation in Pattaya is predominantly centered on Chinese and Indian tourists. However, the number of Chinese tourists has significantly declined in recent months, hindering the city’s full recovery. Continued …

5 Unknown Islands In Thailand To Experience Paradise Without The Crowds

There’s the picture-perfect beach vacation we all dream of. White sand beneath your feet, an ice-cold drink in your hand, and the quiet sounds of the palm trees blowing in the wind and turquoise waves crashing on the shore. Total tranquility.

Then, there’s the beach vacation we actually get. Somehow, fighting for overpriced beach chairs at overcrowded beaches amid blaring music, screaming children, and unruly tourists never live up to the seaside serenity you had in mind. Continued …

What’s really killing historical UK pubs

When the Crown and Anchor pub in Llanidloes in mid-Wales was built, there was a different Charles on the throne, America was a British colony and France still had a king. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490

 

bangkok, chiang mai, climate change, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s news-Aug 25

Today’s news: Expats and the new government; cheapest flights from Thailand; VAT to 10%?; road safety in PKK; climate change plans; international crime crackdown; Korat restaurant billing in Laotian kip; economic news no all good; digital wallet on the way; Thailand and BRIC; TAT sets sights on Australia; Chiang Mai airport expansion; Air Japan to Bangkok; Thailand tourism flourishes; ‘One for Nature” Project/

Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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What Thailand’s expats can expect from the new government

In order to achieve post-election constitutional power, Thailand’s Pheu Thai party finds itself abed with its former enemies allied to the military junta, which seized power in 2014. It may seem a wobbly coalition, but it’s likely to last several years.

Pheu Thai fears that its erstwhile popularity will dip, or perhaps ditch, in a fresh general election. The military-backed parties may face wipe-out as younger Thais, in particular, clearly prefer the radical reformist policies of the Move Forward party now consigned to sit on the opposition benches. That’s despite Move Forward having won the most seats in the May 2023 general election. Continued …

Cheapest flight fares from Thailand

As inflation bites, travelers globally are on the lookout for the best deals out there. To help bargain hunters on their way, digital travel platform Agoda shares the cheapest routes that were booked on Agoda in early August by travelers from Thailand.

With thousands of flight routes from Thailand to choose from on Agoda, Thai travelers had access to fares starting as low as US$8, ranking first among 10 Asia Pacific markets for the lowest domestic rate together with the Philippines. Continued …

VAT hike from 7% to 10% proposed

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) supports an increase in the value-added tax (VAT) to tackle inadequate retirement savings among the elderly.

The aim is to raise the VAT rate from the current 7% to 10%, with 3% of this increase being allocated as retirement savings for the population. Continued …

Officials say road safety sees improvement in Prachuap Khiri Khan

At a meeting convened on Aug. 23 at the Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial building, officials highlighted the improvements made in road safety in recent years. However, they pointed out that more efforts are required, especially concerning speeding.

Komkrit Charoenpattanasombat, the deputy provincial governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, led the Road Safety Center Committee meeting. It was attended by heads of government departments, representatives from state agencies, the private sector, and public organizations. Continued …

New plan to deal with climate change to be launched this year

The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has finished drafting a new operations plan to cope with climate change, the OAE chief said this week.

Chantanon Wannakhejorn, secretary-general of the OAE, which is under the Agriculture Ministry, said the OAE has worked with both state and private agencies in drafting the new plan, adding that the previous plan covering the period 2017-2022 had now expired, so the subcommittee responsible for enforcing policies on climate ambitions for land use and agriculture has been assigned to draw up a new one. Continued …

International motorcycle gang and Indonesian drug syndicate nabbed

An international motorcycle gang and a major Indonesian drug gang, both of whom had fled to Thailand, have been apprehended in a sweeping operation by the Thai Immigration Bureau (IB). The series of arrests also included the capture of a notorious human trafficking network operating in the Sa Kaeo province.

The first significant arrest was that of Den, a German national wanted by his homeland’s authorities for a serious assault. The German Federation had requested his extradition to face punishment under the German Penal Code for causing grievous bodily harm to another person. The German attorney general had already issued an arrest warrant for Den. Continued …

Korat restaurant’s unique billing system in Laotian kip amuses diners

Imagine enjoying a fine meal and, when the bill comes, it costs hundreds of thousands. A Laotian restaurant in Korat has been giving a shock that turns into amusement among diners with its unusual billing system.

The eatery, which has been widely shared on social media, charges customers hundreds of thousands for their meals – but in Laotian kip, not Thai baht. The restaurant owners explained that they hoped to create a fun and unique dining experience for their patrons. Continued …

Household debt surges, interest rates rise, vehicle sales fall

Rising household debt and increasing interest rates have impacted consumer purchasing power, leading to a decline in car sales in the country in July 2023, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported. The export market has shown slight growth.

While the overall Thai automotive industry saw growth in production and exports during the first half of the year, domestic car sales fell, totaling 58,419 units, down 8.77% from the same month in 2022. From January to July of this year, car sales reached 464,550 units, a decrease of 5.45%. Continued …

‘Digital Wallet’ scheme expected to be launched by mid-2024

Pheu Thai party’s Digital Wallet scheme is expected to be launched during the first half of next year, but before the Songkran festival in April.

Deputy spokesperson for the Pheu Thai party, Treechada Srithada, said that viral social media claims that they have canceled the scheme, amid the spread of a fake application asking people to register to receive the 10,000-baht subsidy, was fake news. Continued …

Joining BRICs would lead to opportunities for Thailand

Joining the BRICs alliance would present economic opportunities for Thailand, as the alliance, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is enjoying strong negotiating power in trade agreements, according to former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala.

Trade with China was extensive back in the days when the Chinese economy was dominant, Thirachai pointed out, adding that this fell off after Thailand aligned itself with the U.S. after World War II. Now that China’s global influence has grown significantly, Thailand must adjust its foreign relations strategy, lessening dependence on the USA but being cautious to avoid problems with the long-standing U.S. relationship. Continued …

TAT turns its sights on Australia

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to boost the number of Australians visiting Thailand to 650,000 this year.

According to Busakorn Prommanot, director of the TAT Sydney office, Australia is considered a high-quality tourist market. In 2022, Thailand welcomed 336,688 Australian tourists, while from Jan. 1 to July 31 this year, 385,100 Australian tourists made their way to Thailand. Continued …

AOT launches Chiang Mai airport expansion to serve 20M passengers

Airports of Thailand (AOT) on Thursday officially launched its 10-year development project of Chiang Mai International Airport, aiming to improve its capacity to serve 20 million passengers per year by 2033.

Executives of AOT and the airport got together in an event at Wintree City Resort in Chiang Mai province on Thursday to announce the project, its objectives and schedule to partners and potential investors. Continued …

Japan’s largest airline selects Bangkok as first destination for new mid-haul unit

Japan’s largest airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA), will next year launch a new unit for medium-haul international routes – Air Japan – with an inaugural flight between Bangkok and Tokyo, ANN announced.

Air Japan President Mineguchi Hideki told a press conference on Thursday that the airline will officially start service on Feb. 10, 2024, with the Tokyo-Bangkok route. Continued …

4 Reasons Why Thailand Continues To Be One Of The World’s Top Tourist Destinations

Now that all travel restrictions have dropped and normality has been reinstated across Southeast Asia, it is exploding in popularity. Filled with paddy fields, sweeping green panoramas, and centuries-old pagodas, it is a fascinating, mystical land certain to blow your mind.

Though there are as many as 11 countries that make up the subcontinent, including some of the most promising destinations in this post-crisis scene, namely Vietnam and Cambodia, one country in particular continues to lead visitation trends with over 14.5 million tourists recorded this year. Continued …

‘The One for Nature’ Project to promote responsible tourism in Thailand

In 2020, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched “The One for Nature” initiative, embodying the concept of “Travel with Responsibility in Thailand,” aimed at promoting Thailand’s sustainable tourism and safeguarding the nation’s abundant natural resources. The campaign achieved remarkable success and garnered widespread cooperation.

The resurgence of this project brings forth its distinctiveness, as it offers travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in even more abundant natural surroundings once again after natural sights across Thailand have rejuvenated and restored their natural beauty. Continued …

Indonesia shuts down factories, to spray mist to reduce air pollution

The Environment and Forestry Ministry has moved to shut down the operation of four companies alleged to be running activities that caused major pollution in the Greater Jakarta area. The ministry’s Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement Director General Rasio Ridho Sani announced the decision on Wednesday, with the order for the four companies to cease operation effective immediately. Continued …

China Bans Seafood From Japan After Fukushima Begins Wastewater Release

The tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant‘s operator says it began releasing its first batch of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday — a controversial step that prompted China to ban seafood from Japan. Continued …

Former US president arrested – again

Donald Trump was arrested Thursday evening at Georgia’s Fulton County Jail on charges he tried to steal the 2020 election, the fourth criminal case he faces while campaigning for president next year. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490

 

baht, covid, hua hin, immigration, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s news-Aug 16

  • Bangkok Hospital to hold a free seminar for expats Aug 24/
  • Weather officials forecast downpour throughout Thailand/
  • Bird watching at Hat Wanakorn National Park in Thap Sakae/
  • Hua Hin hotels eager for 10,000-baht handout to have tourism category/
  • FoodPanda delivery rider surrenders to police after robbing Hua Hin gold shop/
  • Covid-19 survivors have 24% higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes/
  • Thailand Elite cancels visa change at the last minute/
  • Uncertainty Looms Thai Politics in the Week of the New PM Nomination/
  • Economy: Baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry/Economic recovery intact, says Bank of Thailand/Chinese EV manufacturers ramp up investment in Thailand/Thai durian shipments to China surge as China-Laos Railway boosts trade/Digital economy continues its forward march/EEC’s Map Ta Phut port to see third phase by 2027/
  • Tourism: Tourists flock to Khao Lom Muak for the views in Prachuap Khiri Khan/High tourism season to see 2,600 flights a day: AeroThai/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Weather officials forecast downpour throughout Thailand

The Thai Meteorological Department said today that across Thailand, intense rain is anticipated for 60% to 80% of the country, with some regions expected to experience heavy downpours. Particularly for Bangkok, afternoon to evening rain showers are expected.

This weather prediction points toward an acute southwesterly monsoon, currently strong over the Andaman Sea and Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, where it’s starting to weaken. Continued …

Bird watching at Hat Wanakorn National Park in Thap Sakae

Twenty-five tourists recently experienced a “Bird Walk @Hatwanakorn National Park” event at Hat Wanakorn National Park in Thap Sakae. Participants walked along a nature trail that is home to a variety of birds, including the black-winged stilt, hoopoe, yellow-bellied sunbird, common green pigeon, spotted owlet, blue-throated bee-eater, paradise flycatcher, Eurasian magpie, greater coucal, common barbet, swiftlet, and Chinese bittern. The park also provided binoculars, telescopes, and a bird guide to help participants identify the birds they saw. Hat Wanakorn National Park is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Hua Hin. (HHT)

Hua Hin hotels eager for 10,000-baht handout to have tourism category

As the Pheu Thai Party promises a 10,000-baht digital wallet giveaway, tourism operators are hoping the scheme will extend its spending range from a 4-kilometre radius to enable hotels to benefit. Continued …

FoodPanda delivery rider surrenders to police after robbing Hua Hin gold shop

A FoodPanda delivery rider who robbed a gold shop in Hua Hin has surrendered to police.

The suspect, 25-year-old Narinphat (surname withheld), was identified by police after they collected evidence from the crime scene and interviewed witnesses. He was arrested on Aug. 15 at Hua Hin Police Station. Continued …

Covid-19 survivors have 24% higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes

Research has revealed that people who test positive for Covid-19 are at an increased risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. The disclosure came from Dr. Thira Woratanarat of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, who referred to a study recently unveiled on the MedRxiv.org portal.

This research incorporated a sample size of 15 million people from the United Kingdom, Dr. Woratanarat explained. It found that individuals who contracted the Covid virus run a 24% higher risk of falling victim to Type-2 diabetes, in comparison to those unaffected by the virus. Continued …

Thailand Elite cancels visa change at the last minute

On the last enrollment day, Aug. 15, that holders of the five-year Elite “easy access”, five-year visas had been instructed to submit an application for a 15 years upgrade to 20 years in total, they have received an email from Thailand Privilege Card Co. informing them the new rule has suddenly and abruptly been scrapped.

They can, after all, update their five-year visa just three months or more before their personal expiry date. Just like before. But it is still ambiguous whether the transfer fees will remain the same in the future as they are now. Continued …

Uncertainty Looms Thai Politics in the Week of the New PM Nomination

In Thai politics, a full three months elapsed in mid-August since the May 14 general election without a new prime minister and government being elected, as constitutional irregularities hampered the democratic process.

Opposition from senators and former ruling party MPs prevented Pita Limjaroenrat of the Move Forward Party from becoming prime minister. Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party, which ranks second in terms of the number of MPs, had to cooperate with the former ruling parties and faced opposition from Move Forward Party supporters and democracy advocates. Continued …

Baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry

Asian currencies experienced a downturn yesterday, led by Thailand‘s baht, as concerns heighten surrounding the recovery status of the global economy’s second-largest player, China.

The baht plunged by a substantial 0.8%, marking it as the largest depreciation against the U.S. dollar in half a dozen weeks. Across the waters of offshore markets yesterday afternoon, it was changing hands at approximately 35.30 to the dollar. Continued …

Economic recovery intact, says Bank of Thailand

Thailand’s exports may be weaker than expected but the overall economic recovery was intact, Bank of Thailand (BoT) Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said today.

“The economy as a whole was recovering on consumption and tourism,” Sethaput told a central bank seminar. Continued …

Chinese EV manufacturers ramp up investment in Thailand

Changan Automobile, China’s fourth largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has set a target of manufacturing 100,000 EVs in Thailand per year, both for the domestic market and export to countries with right-hand drive such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and South Africa, a news source revealed on Tuesday.

The source said the state-owned company recently received the green light from the Chinese government to apply for investment promotional privileges from the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). Continued …

Thai durian shipments to China surge as China-Laos Railway boosts trade

Thailand’s durian exports to China through the China-Laos Railway expanded 365% in the first five months of this year, thanks to shorter transit time and advantages under the free trade agreements, Thai media reported on Tuesday.

The train route brings opportunities for Thai products to enter the Chinese market, as it greatly reduces the transit time to less than 15 hours from two days by road. Continued … 

Digital economy continues its forward march

The digital economy contributed 2.1 billion baht to Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, marking a 1.9% increase from the 2.04 billion baht the previous year.

Putchapong Nodthaisong, secretary-general of the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE-Thailand), said this week that Thailand’s digital economy GDP in 2022 grew by 3.49% compared to the 4.44 billion baht the previous year. This growth was the result of the improving situation following the pandemic, leading the overall economy to return to a state of normalcy and resulting in the expansion of the digital economy. Continued …

EEC’s Map Ta Phut port to see third phase by 2027

Reports indicate the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) remains optimistic about presenting the third phase of development of the Map Ta Phut deep-sea port in Rayong by the year 2027. The port, a notable part of ongoing development in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), is seen as an essential addition to Thailand’s infrastructure.

Map Ta Phut port progress is reportedly well underway, with key milestones reaching noteworthy completion levels. The governor of the IEAT, Veeris Ammarapala, offered an update on this progress: “The construction of a sand dam has progressed by 71%; land reclamation is 61% finished and the building of an embankment to protect the shoreline against waves is 39% done.” Continued …

Tourists flock to Khao Lom Muak for the views in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Hundreds of tourists flocked to Khao Lom Muak, the hill in Mueang Prachuap that offers some of the most spectacular views in the province.

The hill offers stunning views of Ao Manao and the surrounding area, and the climb is a popular activity for both Thai and foreign tourists. Continued …

High tourism season to see 2,600 flights a day: AeroThai

The Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AeroThai) projects that some 2,600 flights per day will land at Suvarnabhumi during this year’s high tourism season, which would result in a figure of over one million flights for this entire year.

According to Nopasit Chakpitak, president of AeroThai, the figures are expected to approach the levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019. The projection takes into consideration the upcoming Chinese National Day, which would likely bring in more Chinese tourists, as well as Christmas and New Year. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
hua hin, immigration, real estate, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s news-Aug 15

  • More double-track railways to open this year/
  • Scholars of Sustenance: Rescuing food and nourishing Hua Hin communities/
  • Kayakers tackle Sam Roi Yod River challenge/
  • Why you should consider getting a Thailand Elite Visa/
  • Elderly face limits on who gets meager welfare assistance/
  • Thailand election: House speaker chooses to wait for court’s ruling before setting date for PM vote/Srettha Not Being Replaced As PM Candidate/Prayut’s Party To Decide Shortly Whether To Jump Onto Pheu Thai Bandwagon/Thaksin and Pheu Thai have burned their bridges/
  • Economy: Chinese buyers gradually cool on Thailand property purchases/Drought limits electricity imports from Laos/Excise Dept mulls carbon tax on oil refineries and EV batteries/Taiwanese target Thailand for overseas opportunities/
  • Tourism: Thailand tops Top 10 foreign tourism destinations for Chinese tourists in 2023/How to Choose Ethical Wildlife Experiences While Traveling/
  • Thailand Experience: The Two Types Of Rice You’ll Find In Nearly Every Thai Meal/Awakening Singburi with ‘Sang See Sing’/
  • International: Donald Trump indicted on 2020 election fraud charges in Georgia/Bikinis in downtown Seoul spark ‘indecent exposure’ row/At least 25 missing after Myanmar jade mine landslide/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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More double-track railways to open this year

More double-track sections in the national railway network are set to open this year. These new facilities are expected to greatly shorten travel times for commuters, as well as reduce costs for logistics operators. Included is the Bang Saphan Noi-Chumphon section on the Nakhon Pathom-Chumphon route passing through Hua Hin.

The caretaker government has announced its roadmap to open more sections of double-track railroads on the northern, northeastern, and southern lines operated by the State Railway of Thailand. Continued …

Scholars of Sustenance: Rescuing food and nourishing Hua Hin communities

Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) is leading the charge against food waste and hunger, while raising awareness about the importance of sustainability and community engagement.

SOS, a non-partisan and integrity-driven environmental organization, has been working to prevent food going to waste and reducing the number of people going hungry in the area. Continued … 

Kayakers tackle Sam Roi Yod River challenge

The inaugural Sam Roi Yod River Audax — Thailand’s first unsupported 60-kilometer kayaking challenge – was held Sunday with 32 kayakers taking on a 60-kilometer route that meandered close to five of Sam Roi Yod’s idyllic islands: Koh Kroram, Koh Nomsao, Koh Rawing, Koh Rawang, and Koh Satkut. Out of the 32 participants who embarked on the journey, only six managed to complete the challenge. (HHT)

Why you should consider getting a Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is possibly one of the most underrated visas in Thailand because people tend to lose interest once they hear about the application fee. However, the special visa program actually offers lots of convenience and benefits.

Whether you are an investor, a retiree, or a digital nomad, the Thailand Elite Visa is available for anyone who lives or regularly comes to Thailand but doesn’t want to deal with the complex immigration bureaucracy. Besides, there are many other things you can enjoy by being an Elite Visa member. Let’s take a closer look at the main benefits. Continued …

Elderly face limits on who gets meager welfare assistance

Critics have slammed the outgoing government for issuing a new regulation imposing income limits on the elderly receiving monthly allowances.

They say it should be left to the incoming government to decide on the matter, while accusing the outgoing government of inefficiently categorizing income groups. Continued …

House speaker chooses to wait for court’s ruling before setting date for PM vote

Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has said he will wait for the Constitutional Court’s decision on the ombudsmen’s petition before scheduling the next round of PM voting.

Wan Noor, also the House speaker, was on Monday referring to a comment made by Sen. Wanchai Sornsiri that the next round of voting should be held on Friday, as it is an astrologically auspicious date for the country to have a new PM and end the political impasse. Continued …

Srettha Not Being Replaced As PM Candidate

Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin will not be replaced with anyone else as pressed by the Bhumjaithai, according to Pheu Thai Secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong.

Prasert confirmed only the real estate mogul-turned-prime ministerial candidate will be named and voted in a joint House/Senate meeting later this month and that he will certainly not be replaced with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, one of a trio of Pheu Thai candidates for prime minister. Continued …

Prayut’s Party To Decide Shortly Whether To Jump Onto Pheu Thai Bandwagon

The Ruam Thai Sang Chart will be invited for informal talks with the Pheu Thai and decide for themselves whether they may join a Pheu Thai-led coalition government, confirmed Pheu Thai wheeler-dealer Bhumtham Wechayachai yesterday.

Known as a right-hand man for de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, the partisan wheeler-dealer confirmed Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew and Pheu Thai Secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong and himself will shortly discuss with their Ruam Thai Sang Chart counterparts whether the pro-military camp will jump onto the bandwagon and help strengthen the Pheu Thai coalition government. Continued …

Thaksin and Pheu Thai have burned their bridges

Thailand’s political crisis has already obliterated the unity and support behind the Pheu Thai Party’s “family”, following the decisions taken by the party’s executive in Bangkok in recent weeks, first in withdrawing from a coalition with the Move Forward Party and now for cementing a deal with the Bhumjaithai Party, while preparing to accept the participation of two parties associated with the military junta in a “cross polar” government.

The moves have outraged Pheu Thai and Redshirt supporters nationwide, who up to recent days could scarcely believe the conflicting media reports. Now, they are burning their shirts in spontaneous and numerous displays of anger just as the country’s second-largest party and the Shinawatra family appear to be on the verge of burning its bridges with its support base and power on the ground as a political movement. Continued …

Chinese buyers gradually cool on Thailand property purchases

Thailand dipped to fifth among destinations for Chinese property buyers, down one spot from last year and the top ranking in 2021, attributed to a sluggish recovery of travel and pricey flights.

Kashif Ansari, co-founder and group chief executive of Juwai IQI Group, a real estate marketing firm targeting the Chinese market, said Chinese buyers with smaller budgets who previously were the key market for Thailand now make up a reduced share of all travelers. Continued …

Drought limits electricity imports from Laos

The renewable power supply in Thailand could be affected by drought, as the country imports electricity generated by hydropower from Laos, which has reduced water volume in its rivers, says the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

If the drought becomes more severe, hydropower plants in Laos will generate less electricity, resulting in reduced imports, said Boonyanit Wongrukmit, governor of EGAT. Continued … 

Excise Dept mulls carbon tax on oil refineries and EV batteries

The Excise Department aims to promote ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals through the implementation of a carbon tax facility, along with the establishment of a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) team, to develop a globally standardized tax structure.

This initiative targets taxing carbon emissions released by oil refineries and proposing a carbon tax on EV batteries to address EV waste disposal issues in the future. Continued …

Taiwanese target Thailand for overseas opportunities

More than 20 Taiwanese companies, particularly in the skincare, food and drink, hair care and lifestyle product sectors, are exploring new business opportunities in Thailand.

Among the notable firms are Beauty Essentials Ltd., the marketer of Naruko skincare and beauty products; K2-Medical (Thailand) Co., the distributor of the NHH skincare brand; and Shaan Honq International Cosmetics Corp., the manufacturer and exporter of HH-RD hair care and styling products. These firms took part in the recent 2023 Taiwan Expo Thailand, aimed at identifying product distributors. Continued …

Thailand tops Top 10 foreign tourism destinations for Chinese tourists in 2023

Thailand and Japan were the most popular foreign tourism destinations in the first half of this year, according to the China Tourism Academy. Among these places, more than 60% of tourists visited the Asia-Pacific region.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 foreign tourism destinations for the first half of this year. Continued …

This is a definite no

How to Choose Ethical Wildlife Experiences While Traveling

One of the most cherished aspects of travel is encountering wildlife in its natural habitat, whether it’s from a Jeep on safari in Africa or on a beach in Thailand. However, as responsible travelers, it is our duty to ensure that our interactions with wildlife are doing more good than harm by knowing how to choose ethical wildlife experiences.

There’s no doubt that the rise in the popularity of wildlife tourism has led to concerns about the welfare of animals and the preservation of their habitats. Ten years ago, our Instagram feeds were filled with people riding on the backs of elephants, something you don’t often see today and, thankfully, something that is not idolized anymore. Instead, the only elephant photos we want to see are the ones where they’re in open fields, bathing in watering holes, and enjoying life without bars or cruelty. Continued …

 

The Two Types Of Rice You’ll Find In Nearly Every Thai Meal

Thailand is a major rice exporter worldwide, so it shouldn’t be surprising that rice is at the heart of its culture and food. Aside from noodle plates, rice is an integral element in most Thai cuisine, from curries and stir fry to larb salad and soups such as Kao Tom Goong (a breakfast rice soup).

But none of these recipes call for plain old rice. Rather, there are two specific types — Thai jasmine rice and sticky rice — that are found in nearly every Thai meal, lending a distinct and essential quality to whatever dish they enhance. Continued …

Awakening Singburi with ‘Sang See Sing’

Amidst the constant hustle and bustle of daily life, there are often hidden treasures that escape our notice. Singburi, a small province with a population of around 200,000, has long been a place most of us pass by without a backward glance, rather than a destination in its own right.

And that’s a shame, as Singburi harbors a multitude of stories from the past to the present just waiting for visitors to explore. Now, the province is inviting the public to uncover the charm that has gone unnoticed for too long. Continued …

Donald Trump indicted on 2020 election fraud charges in Georgia

A Georgia grand jury indicted 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump and several allies Monday on conspiracy charges of trying to steal Georgia’s electoral votes from President Joe Biden after the 2020 election. Continued …

Bikinis in downtown Seoul spark ‘indecent exposure’ row

Incidents of women dressed in bikinis in central Seoul areas have sparked criticism online, with the authorities considering charging them with indecent exposure. On Friday, a woman riding an electric scooter dressed in a bikini was spotted in Hongdae district. Photos taken by citizens quickly spread across online communities and social media. Continued …

At least 25 missing after Myanmar jade mine landslide

At least 25 people are missing after a landslide at an unregulated jade mine in a remote region of Myanmar, rescue workers said Monday. The incident on Sunday outside northern Kachin’s Hpakant township — near where hundreds of miners were entombed in a landslide in 2020 — comes days after much of the country was swamped by torrential rain and floods. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
covid, hua hin, immigration, phuket, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s news-Aug 12

  • Today is World Elephant Day/
  • Tackling critical threats facing Asian elephants/
  • Happy Mothers Day and Happy Birthday to The Queen Mother/
  • Parks set for holiday surge as fees waived/
  • Perseid meteor shower promises interstellar treat on Mother’s Day/
  • Pheu Thai says it must include cou-linked parties in coalition/
  • Villagers Discover 5-Meter King Cobra Near Seaside Home/\
  • 8 new coronavirus variant infections found in Thailand, no cause for alarm/
  • Tourism: Russians fleeing Putin’s war find a home in Phuket/
  • Thailand Experience: Best things to do and where to stay in Koh Samui/10 Reasons Why You Should Visit This Charming Region In Thailand/
  • International: Wear A Rainbow Swatch Watch In Malaysia, Face 3 Years In Jail/Death toll in Maui fire disaster rises to 67, 1,000 missing/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Today is World Elephant Day

On this World Elephant Day, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) is launching the Asian Elephant Alliance (AEA) to secure a future in which loss and fragmentation of elephant habitats are reduced, people and elephants live side by side in a sustainable way, and wild elephant populations are stable.

World Elephant Day was founded in Thailand just over a decade ago to raise the profile of these pachyderms globally, and to garner support to rally around the issues they face. With a philosophy of collective effort at its core, World Elephant Day is meant to galvanize a powerful partnership of governments, the private sector, civil society and citizens to support conservation efforts for wild elephants. Continued …

 Tackling critical threats facing Asian elephants

Asian elephants are the largest land mammal next to their African cousins, and an important keystone species to maintaining healthy ecosystems and safeguarding other species with whom they share habitat.

Sadly, Asian elephants are globally endangered and particularly threatened in Southeast Asia and southern China, where only about 8,000-11,000 wild elephants share space in some of the most densely populated countries. Continued … 

Happy Mothers Day and Happy Birthday to The Queen Mother

In Thailand, Aug. 12 is a day of double celebration, intertwining the significance of motherhood and royal admiration.

On this day, Thai Mother’s Day coincides with the 91st birthday of the Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, creating a heartfelt occasion that will paint the country in shades of blue. Continued …

Parks set for holiday surge as fees waived

Khao Laem National Park in Sangkhla Buri district is gearing up for an influx of tourists over the three-day holiday weekend after entry fees to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country were waived to celebrate Mother’s Day and the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother today.

Abhisit Sombatmat, head of the 1,500-square-kilometer national park, said yesterday that more than 30 park officials were ready to ensure convenience and safety for visitors until Monday. Continued … 

Perseid meteor shower promises interstellar treat on Mother’s Day

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand has invited the public to view the Perseid meteor shower at Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rin district from 11pm on Saturday to 3am on Sunday.

The Perseids are a prolific meteor shower associated with the Swift-Tuttle comet. The meteors are called “Perseids” because they appear from the general direction of the constellation Perseus and in more modern times have a radiant bordering on Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis. Continued …

Pheu Thai says it must include coup linked parties in coalition

Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said on Friday that the party would eventually have to include two political parties linked to former junta leaders in its coalition government in the making.

Asked if the Pheu Thai-led government would need the Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties to ensure stability, Phumtham said: “The political math is clear. It’s a must, and the game is forcing us to take this path.” Continued …

Villagers Discover 5-Meter King Cobra Near Seaside Home

In a rare coastal encounter, villagers stumbled upon a colossal 5-meter long king cobra entangled near their residence.

The snake, weighing around 47 kilograms, had sought refuge beneath a palm tree. Rescuers from the Mirakel Wildlife Rescue Center in Krabi swiftly intervened upon receiving reports from residents of Tambon Talinchan. Continued …

8 new coronavirus variant infections found in Thailand, no cause for alarm

Eight cases of infection by the new coronavirus Omicron EG.5.1 variant, codenamed Aris, have been detected in Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently classified the variant as being “of interest”, which does not seem to pose more of a threat to the public than the other variants.

Dr. Wasun Chantratita, chief of the Center for Medical Genomics at the Faculty of Medicines, Mahidol University, said, however, that the eight cases of Aris were detected in the past three months and the variant is capable of spreading about 1% faster than XBB.1.66, the current dominant variant. Continued …

Russians fleeing Putin’s war find a home in Phuket

In the humid evenings on the Thai island of Phuket, Aleksei* often sits alone on his balcony, and wonders if the past 18 months have been a strange dream. Last year, he was living with his mother and siblings in Moscow, and working in an IT job in one of the city’s skyscrapers. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, changed everything.

“At that moment, I thought: ‘OK what opportunities do I have here in Russia?’ Go to war, which I don’t want, of course, because Ukrainians are our brothers,” he says. The alternative, to protest, was hopeless. “It is impossible to fight against the government in Russia,” he says. Continued …

Best things to do and where to stay in Koh Samui

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is the second-largest island in Thailand, known for its picturesque beaches, lush tropical landscapes, and vibrant nightlife. Koh Samui offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and modern amenities, making it a popular tourist destination.

The island is renowned for its palm-fringed white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and breathtaking sunsets. Some of the most famous beaches on Koh Samui include Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, and Bophut Beach. These beaches offer a wide range of water sports activities, such assnorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding and jet-skiing. Continued …

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit This Charming Region In Thailand

Sichon is a secret gem nestled along Thailand’s untouched coastline. This idyllic coastal town offers a beautiful blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a peaceful ambiance, making it a captivating destination for any visitor seeking an authentic Thai experience.

With its pristine beaches framed by swinging palm trees, dense tropical forests, and quiet fishing villages, Sichon delivers a scenic escape from the bustling tourist hotspots. People rejoice in the warm hospitality of the locals, savor mouthwatering seafood delicacies, explore ancient temples, and immerse themselves in the allure of this fascinating coastal haven. Continued …

Wear A Rainbow Swatch Watch In Malaysia, Face 3 Years In Jail

Wearing a rainbow-themed Swatch watch in Malaysia could now land you three years in jail, after the government banned what it described as the brand’s “LGBTQ related” products — claiming they are “harmful to morality.” Continued …

Death toll in Maui fire disaster rises to 67, 1,000 missing

The death toll from the Maui wildfire climbed to 67 Friday as Maui fire crews battled blazes still scorching parts of the island and rescue workers searched for about 1,000 people reported missing as questions began to swirl about Hawaii’s emergency warning system. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
bangkok, hospitality, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, solar, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s news-Aug 11

  • Prachuap Khiri Khan is no longer in drought crisis/
  • Hua Hin Coffee Fest slated this weekend/
  • Special blends, unique brands key to Thai coffee’s global appeal/
  • Monsoon Valley Vineyard Fest this weekend/
  • Queen birthday celebration at Huay Mongkol Temple Sunday/
  • Thailand’s health services strain as dental appointments delayed/
  • Bangkok is sinking/
  • Iraqi man arrested for overstaying in Thailand for nearly 15 years/
  • Suvarnabhumi’s sustainable future fueled by solar panel installation/
  • Woman rescues 19 puppies abandoned in Isaan forest/
  • Thai researchers develop antibody drugs from tobacco plants for cancer treatment/
  • Pilots face pricey training fees to secure airline jobs/
  • Thailand election: Pheu Thai cruising toward power, but at what price?/The continuing crisis of Thai democracy/
  • Economy: Consumer confidence drops for first time in 14 months/Thai rice price surges amidst drought concerns/Fruit exports fare well in first 5 months/Thailand’s data center market to grow in triple digits/Thailand’s legal cannabis story – one year later/
  • Tourism: Tourist visa requirements eased for Chinese visitors/China Expands the Number of Countries for Travel/Thailand plans to build 3 terminals for cruise ships/Agency turns to culinary tourism/Hotels looking to hire temporary workers as high season nears/Motorbike collision sparks street fight between Thais and Kuwaitis in Pattaya/Police Urged To Stop Tourists Partying On Jomtien Beach All Night/
  • International: Maui fire fatalities rise to 53/Russia launches moon lander in race to find water on moon/Virgin Galactic rockets its first tourist passengers into space/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Prachuap Khiri Khan is no longer in drought crisis

Prachuap Khiri Khan has emerged from its drought crisis, with sufficient aid having been given to all the impacted areas, officials reported.

Decha Rueang-On, the director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DPMO) of Prachuap Khiri Khan, announced yesterday the province had activated a drought disaster response and solution center as early as Jan. 25. This initiative coordinated various government agencies to closely monitor the situation, gauge its impact on residents, and formulate appropriate assistance and support measures. Continued …

Hua Hin Coffee Fest slated this weekend

The Hua Hin Coffee Fest 2023 will be held Aug.10-13 at the Plik Vivek Cafe https://goo.gl/maps/oBAQs3hTcPTNDSFE6. The inaugural event,will offer a range of activities designed to celebrate the love of coffee:

  • A cold drip competition, “Drip Yenn Championship Thailand 2023,” on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13;
  • Booths from shops, coffee houses in Hua Hin, and nearby provinces, including coffee shops and roasters from all over Thailand. There will be cocoa, tea, bakery, coffee equipment, and various souvenirs, as well as local farmers who will offer a variety of special coffee processes to choose and taste from.
  • Workshops, coffee seminars with teachers, and celebrities in the coffee industry. Facebook; tel. 063 551 6244

Special blends, unique brands key to Thai coffee’s global appeal

Thai farmers and entrepreneurs are being urged to create unique coffee blends to increase sales in the lucrative and expanding global coffee market.

Thailand can increase its competitiveness in the global coffee market by producing and processing specialty coffees, Trade Policy and Strategy Office director-general Poonpong Naiyanapakorn said on Thursday. This will increase the value of Thai coffee and promote Thai coffee as a global brand, he said. Continued …

Queen birthday celebration at Huay Mongkol Temple Sunday

One of the region’s most significant religious and cultural events will be held at Wat Huay Mongkol in Hua Hin Sunday. Centered on the theme “Enhancing Your Heart with Faith,” this celebration pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother on her 91st birthday.

The event will see a 399-meter-long robe paraded through the temple grounds and around the statue of Luang Pu Thuat. Continued …

Thailand’s health services strain as dental appointments delayed

The lack of medical personnel in every department, coupled with the measly number of dentists, has pushed health services to the brink in Thailand, with patients finding themselves on the verge of collapse as dental appointments are pushed two years ahead.

At 9am yesterday, a caregiver, who was accompanying an 11-year-old boy for tooth decay treatment, shared this grim situation. The patient was treated at a provincial hospital in Chachoengsao. After the dentist performed root canal treatment, the boy was given a second appointment, in two years’ time. Continued …

Bangkok is sinking

Sopin Jindachom has lived in Bangkok all her life, but her village is far away from the bright lights of the city — and that is a blessing and a curse.

The blessing is that Sopin loves her small, coastal community, which is accessible only by foot, motorbike, or boat. But the curse is this part of Thailand’s capital is slowly being swallowed by the sea, and the authorities have no plan to try to stop it. Continued …

Iraqi man arrested for overstaying in Thailand for nearly 15 years

Immigration police officers arrested an Iraqi man in the central province of Kanchanaburi today after almost 15 years of overstaying in Thailand. As part of a concerted effort to root out illegal immigrants across the country, Thai authorities, led by the Royal Thai Police and Immigration Bureau, investigated cases in each province.

The operation led to the discovery of the Iraqi man, identified as 43-year-old Oday Jabbar Khudhair, who had been concealing himself in a guest house within Kanchanaburi. Continued …

Suvarnabhumi’s sustainable future fueled by solar panel installation

In a decisive move toward clean energy, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) are looking to harness the sun’s power, with the installation of solar rooftop panels on the passenger terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The green airport project is part of a larger crusade intending to derive 20% of the airport’s electricity from renewable sources in the coming two years. Continued …

Woman rescues 19 puppies abandoned in Isaan forest

A Thai woman rescued 19 puppies that were abandoned near a roadside forest in the Isaan province of Nong Bua Lamphu. The animal lover is now looking for new homes for the abandoned puppies.

The compassionate woman shared pictures of the black-and-light-brown-colored puppies on a Facebook group on Tuesday, in the hope of finding new homes for the cute little pups. Continued …

Thai researchers develop antibody drugs from tobacco plants for cancer treatment

For the first time in Thailand, lecturers at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences have successfully developed antibody from tobacco plants with inhibitory effects on the growth of cancer cells in laboratory animals. This signals hope for access to effective cancer medication and treatment at a lower cost.

From world-class success in producing a COVID-19 vaccine from tobacco plants, researchers from Baiya Phytopharm Co., a Thai company under Chulalongkorn University, have reached another milestone in the research and development of antibody drugs from tobacco plants, which have been found to reduce the size and inhibit the growth of cancer cells in laboratory animals. Continued …

Pilots face pricey training fees to secure airline jobs

With employment in the aviation industry yet to fully recover, airlines in Thailand are adopting pay-to-fly employment schemes, which require licensed pilots to pay more than 1.5 million baht for training to secure jobs.

Yet, the average salary of pilots in Thailand remains lower than before Covid-19, as airline fleets are below pre-pandemic levels. The situation would be even tougher for student pilots who do not have enough experience to compete with veteran pilots. Continued …

Pheu Thai cruising toward power, but at what price?

Voters are now watching how the Pheu Thai Party goes about forming the new government after it parted ways with election-winner Move Forward, and courted several conservative parties including Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation and Palang Pracharath.

With serious political bargaining laid bare under the public gaze, netizens are crying foul over Pheu Thai’s recent moves. Many have declared they will certainly vote for Move Forward again, after witnessing what they perceive as Pheu Thai’s betrayal of the popular liberal party. Continued …

The continuing crisis of Thai democracy

The prolonged volatility and instability in Thai politics attest to a continuing crisis of democracy since the military coup in September 2006. It is characterized by the nature, direction and duration of government after an election.

Unless the poll-topping political party is backed by the conservative military-authoritarian regime, it is either not allowed to take power or gets overthrown while in office before completing its term. This crisis of Thai democracy has now persisted since the May 14 poll, as the formation of the next government remains stuck in a stalemate. Continued …

Consumer confidence drops for first time in 14 months

Thai consumer confidence declined for the first time in 14 months in July, dented by concerns over persistent political uncertainty after elections were held in May, and a slow economic recovery, a survey showed today.

The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) fell to 55.6 in July from 56.7 in June. Continued … 

Thai rice price surges amidst drought concerns

The world has been witnessing increases in the price of rice following drought concerns and India’s export ban, but it is Thailand’s rice that has seen the sharpest rise, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

In its monthly rice update issued on Aug. 8, the FAO said that over the span of two weeks, quotations of Thai 100% B white rice jumped by US$38, raising the monthly average to $562 per ton, the highest since February 2021. Continued …

Fruit exports fare well in first 5 months

Thai fruit remained popular during the first five months of this year, as demonstrated by the utilization of free trade agreement (FTA) benefits by exporters, especially with regard to shipments bound for China.

Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said durian, guava, mango and mangosteen are popular fruits in China, especially during the hot season. The value of Thailand’s fruit exports utilizing ASEAN-China FTA privileges amounted to more than US$3.3 billion in the first five months of this year, up 14.2% year-on-year. Continued …

Thailand’s data center market to grow in triple digits

Thailand’s data center market is anticipated to post triple-digit growth over the next two years, fueled by an influx of global cloud service providers and tech companies, according to hyperscale data center firm ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Thailand).

Data centers form the digital infrastructure that contributes to the country’s economic growth, said Supparat Sivapetchranat Singhara na Ayutthaya, the company’s chief executive. Continued …

Thailand’s legal cannabis story – one year later

In June 2022, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize cannabis following the Food and Drug Administration’s removal of all parts of the plant from the national narcotics list. Thailand had previously legalized medical cannabis in 2019, and its leaves in 2021.

At the time, the Thai government said the new regulations were intended to promote small-scale cannabis farms and bring a much-needed boost to the country’s agricultural sector, which accounts for around one-third of the national workforce. As well as this, cannabis legalization was intended to bolster Thailand’s economy – with the potential to generate 10 billion baht per year (around £22.5M), while allowing people to showcase their cannabis and hemp-related products. Continued …

Tourist visa requirements eased for Chinese visitors

The government has further relaxed its tourist visa requirements and shortened the standard time required for approving visas for Chinese visitors, in a bid to make the process easier for people visiting the country.

Last week alone, 95,581 Chinese arrived in Thailand, representing the largest proportion of international visitors, followed by Malaysians (73,810), South Koreans (37,754), Indians (27,707) and Vietnamese (25,717), deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Thursday. Continued …

China Expands the Number of Countries for Travel

China has increased the number of countries that its big-spending tourists can visit by more than 70 following the lifting of its last COVID-19 travel restrictions. The decision comes as international flights to and from the country gradually return to their pre-pandemic levels.

China implemented strict lockdowns and draconian travel controls within the country and closed its borders almost entirely after the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019. Continued …

Thailand plans to build 3 terminals for cruise ships

 

Three feasibility studies for three terminals for cruise ships to dock in Thailand are 60% complete and will be finished next year, a senior official at the Transport Ministry’s Marine Department said on Thursday.

Kritphet Chaichuay, acting director-general of the department, said the three projects are for three cruise ship terminals on Koh Samui, the Andaman coast and Pattaya, with the latter two including ports. Continued …

Agency turns to culinary tourism

Thailand plans to hold the world’s first “Kaphrao Grand Prix” in Bangkok to showcase the authentic Thai dish to foreign travelers and increase local ingredient exports, aiming to increase food expenditure among tourists from 20% to 25% by 2027.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said this marks the first time the agency has held an official promotion dedicated to pad kaphrao, a dish beloved by locals and tourists alike. Continued …

Hotels looking to hire temporary workers as high season nears

With the high season approaching, hotel operators are preparing to address the current labor shortages so they are able to accommodate the pent-up demand from foreign travelers after the lifting of Covid-19 shutdowns.

According to Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), a survey conducted in July by the THA in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand (BOT) involving 91 hotel establishments, found that the labor shortage problem in the hotel business in July was close to the level of the previous month, with around 47% experiencing staff shortages, although this did not significantly impact the number of customers they could accommodate. Continued …

Motorbike collision sparks street fight between Thais and Kuwaitis in Pattaya

Panicked residents living on Soi Yensabai in Pattaya City had to rush out of their homes to stop a street fight between Thai locals and Kuwaiti tourists at about 15 minutes before 1am today.

The street fight took place in front of a restaurant after a group of Thais on motorbikes chased down a group of Kuwaiti tourists on motorbikes in an attempt to negotiate a settlement for a motorcycle collision the Thais blamed on a Kuwaiti tourist. Continued …

Police Urged To Stop Tourists Partying On Jomtien Beach All Night

Local residents in Pattaya have urged the authorities to crack down on tourists partying on Jomtien beach after midnight until 7 am, with the loud music they play preventing them from sleeping.

Upon receiving complaints, a TV station’s news team inspected the beach and found that after bars closed groups of tourists gradually flocked in and bought alcohol and drugs, plus renting bluetooth speakers to play music, which is against the law. Continued …

Maui fire fatalities rise to 53

The number of fatalities from the catastrophic fires in Maui, officially at 53 by Thursday afternoon, will probably surpass 60 and make the disaster the deadliest since Hawaii became a state in 1959, Gov. Josh Green said. Continued …

Russia launches moon lander in race to find water on moon

A rocket carrying a lunar landing craft blasted off Friday on Russia’s first moon mission in nearly 50 years, racing to land on Earth’s satellite ahead of an Indian spacecraft. Continued …

Virgin Galactic rockets its first tourist passengers into space

Virgin Galactic launched its first tourist passengers into the weightlessness of space Thursday, the culmination of a nearly two-decade commercial pursuit, the company said. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

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Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490