Category Archives: phuket

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

Wednesday’s News-July 5

  • Bus service times to airport updated/
  • Chomsin Road, Petchkasem road closures through July 11/
  • ‘3 strikes’ for Pita’s PM bid/
  • Inflation unexpectedly up in June but at slower pace/
  • Dry spell could last into 2024/
  • Fun facts about elephant’s repatriation from Sri Lanka/
  • Off-duty police officer kills 2 in drunken accident in Ayutthaya/
  • 64 Deaths in 4 Months From Phuket Road Accidents/
  • ‘Dancing Fountain’ Project Collapses in Pattaya/
  • Economy: Drought menacing Thailand threatens global supply of sugar and rice/
  • Tourism: Why you should never leave a negative hotel review in Thailand/Koh Samui battling extreme water crisis after being overrun by tourists/
  • Thailand Experience: 10 best restaurants in Silom, Bangkok/Five places to be wild at heart/
  • International: UN warns world to prepare for El Nino impact/We may be underestimating the climate risk to crops/10 dead, 38 wounded in three mass shootings ahead of US July 4 holiday/Approval for Japan’s Fukushima water discharge stirs global debate/Israel’s ethnic cleansing quest continues in Palestine/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Bus service times to airport updated

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

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

The new schedule is as follows:

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

New schedule for Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service

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

Price: 473 baht

‘3 strikes’ for Pita’s PM bid

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

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

Inflation unexpectedly up in June but at slower pace

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

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

Dry spell could last into 2024

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

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

Fun facts about elephant’s repatriation from Sri Lanka

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

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

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

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

64 Deaths in 4 Months From Phuket Road Accidents

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

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

‘Dancing Fountain’ Project Collapses in Pattaya

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

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

Drought menacing Thailand threatens global supply of sugar and rice

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

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

Why you should never leave a negative hotel review in Thailand

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

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

Koh Samui battling extreme water crisis after being overrun by tourists

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

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

10 best restaurants in Silom, Bangkok

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

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

Five places to be wild at heart

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

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

UN warns world to prepare for El Nino impact

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

We may be underestimating the climate risk to crops

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

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

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

Approval for Japan’s Fukushima water discharge stirs global debate

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

Israel’s ethnic cleansing quest continues in Palestine

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

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 294 baht.

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

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590
bangkok, climate change, hua hin, phuket, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s News-July 1

  • Foreign buyers spark surge in Hua Hin property market/
  • Tour De Thailand 2024 slated for January, starts/ends in Hua Hin/
  • Pickled toad eggs make splash in Hua Hin/
  • Pheu Thai ‘may claim PM role’ – despite election/
  • Faulty suitcase wheel may have triggered Don Mueang airport walkway accident/
  • Severe weather alert: 45 Thai provinces to experience heavy rain/
  • Koh Samui Struggles As Water Shortage Drags On/
  • 121 foreign nationals in Phuket donate blood amid Rh-negative shortage/
  • Case closed against suspected Thailand cyanide serial killer with 75 charges/
  • CP Foods and SOS Thailand transform surplus food into delicious meals/
  • Economy: Economy picks up as tourism, spending rise/World Bank urges Thailand to protect itself from climate change catastrophe/Perfect time for Thailand to jump in as European firms leave China/Hydrogen to replace fossil fuels? Thailand gives it a try/
  • Thailand Experience: Discovering Thonburi, Thailand’s ‘Venice of the East’/
  • International: France deploys 45,000 police to quell ‘unacceptable’ riots/Dozens killed in horrific Kenya road crash/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Foreign buyers spark surge in Hua Hin property market

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

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

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

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

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

Pickled toad eggs make splash in Hua Hin

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

Pheu Thai ‘may claim PM role’ – despite election

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

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

Faulty suitcase wheel may have triggered Don Mueang airport walkway accident

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

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

Severe weather alert: 45 Thai provinces to experience heavy rain

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

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

Koh Samui Struggles As Water Shortage Drags On

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

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

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

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

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

Case closed against suspected Thailand cyanide serial killer with 75 charges

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

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

CP Foods and SOS Thailand transform surplus food into delicious meals

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

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

Economy picks up as tourism, spending rise

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

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

World Bank urges Thailand to protect itself from climate change catastrophe

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

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

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

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

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

Hydrogen to replace fossil fuels? Thailand gives it a try

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dozens killed in horrific Kenya road crash

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Tuesday’s News-June 27

  • Special education fund-raising event this Sunday in Khao Tao/
  • Market Village Durian Festival June 30-July 4/
  • Chokdee Market at Centara on July 2/
  • What If Pita Is Rejected by the Junta-appointed Senate and Street Protests Resume?/
  • Monsoon surge raises flood risk across Thailand: 47 provinces on high alert/
  • COVID infections falling steadily, fewer fatalities over past month/
  • Bangkok trying new tech to solve traffic problems/
  • Analyzing the Myanmar Crisis and Thailand’s Complicity/
  • Economy: Thai economy booms as fiscal income beats projections, with 122B-baht surplus/17 Thai conglomerates make it to Forbes’ ‘Global 2000’ list/Thailand’s real estate sector urges foreign investment boost/Thailand unprepared as foreign investors flock back to ASEAN/Exports drop 4.6% in May/Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest/Plan to eradicate poverty proposed with 7 ‘sandbox’ provinces/
  • Tourism: Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture/
  • Thailand Experience: July packed full of amazing festivals and events around Thailand/The most popular Thai dish among Aussies revealed/The most hard-to-book restaurants in Bangkok, from street food to fine dining
  • International: Biden: US, allies not involved in uprising against Putin/Hong Kong sees over 1 million visitors during Dragon Boat Festival/World’s largest hydro-solar power station at the highest altitude in Tibet/Jumbo problem: Sri Lanka’s battle with plastic pollution
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Special education fund-raising event this Sunday in Khao Tao

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COVID infections falling steadily, fewer fatalities over past month

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

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

Bangkok trying new tech to solve traffic problems

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

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

Analyzing the Myanmar Crisis and Thailand’s Complicity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand’s real estate sector urges foreign investment boost

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

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

Thailand unprepared as foreign investors flock back to ASEAN

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

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

Exports drop 4.6% in May

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

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

Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest

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

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

Plan to eradicate poverty proposed with 7 ‘sandbox’ provinces

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

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

Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture

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

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

Reading the elephant manual

Photo courtesy of Dine Riedé-Hoogerdijk

July packed full of amazing festivals and events around Thailand

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

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

The most popular Thai dish among Aussies revealed

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

How to make vegetarian pad Thai – video

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

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

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

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

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

Biden: US, allies not involved in uprising against Putin

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

Hong Kong sees over 1 million visitors during Dragon Boat Festival

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

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

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

Jumbo problem: Sri Lanka’s battle with plastic pollution

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Monday’s News-June 26

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

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Heavy rainfall predicted across Thailand due to monsoon impact

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

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

Thai baht weakens to baht35/USD

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

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

Optimism grows for new government, Anutin defends pot industry

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

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

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

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

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

 

Ceremony at Tham Luang marks 5th anniversary of rescue mission

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chinese Tourists Face Charges for Taking Photos with Starfish

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

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

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

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

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

Chiang Mai’s Phae Gate

Chiang Mai: Hipster magnet meets Buddhist cultural capital

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

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

An eco-friendly trip in Phuket

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

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

Ghostly good times in Loei

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

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

Longan fruit guide: Discovering Thailand’s sweet gem

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

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

20 Thailand islands to explore

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russian mercenaries halt march to Moscow

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

Vietnam approves extending e-visas to 90 days

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, cha am, hua hin, pattaya, phuket, real estate, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-June 22

  • Martin Wuethrich appointed GM of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa/
  • Traffic lights installed at Khao Tao junction/
  • Formal opening of new Phetchaburi Immigration office in Cha Am/
  • New PM in July a turning point for the Thai economy/
  • Official who oversaw Wild Boars rescue dies of cancer/
  • Remembering the “Moo Pa” Governor – the hero of the cave rescue/
  • Cheesemaker Spreads Joy In Tropical Thailand/
  • Laughing chickens bring joy and profit to Thai farm with their quirky crowing
  • AI Used to Catch Illegal Riders on Bangkok Footpaths/
  • Pattaya to construct four monorail lines/
  • Leopard sightings now common in Thai forests/
  • Tiger warning issued after footprints found near communities in Yala/
  • Economy: Thai economy stimulus: Government plans 1.9-trillion-baht boost/Phuket renews focus on medical hub plans after failing to win Expo bid /Foreigners snap up condo units/
  • Tourism: TAT unveils Meaningful Wellness Travel programs/Muay Thai travel experience campaign launched by TAT/
  • International: Journey to the bottom of the sea: On a Titanic tour/ASEAN emerges as top investment hub for EVs’ manufacturing and fintech firms/India’s IndiGo places record order for 500 A320 aircraft/China’s economic woes deepen/
  • 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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Martin Wuethrich appointed GM of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa

Martin Wuethrich has been appointed as the new general manager of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa. Bringing with him 30 years of hospitality experience and expertise, the Swiss national was most recently the general manager at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur. – ttgasia.com

Traffic lights installed at Khao Tao junction

In a move aimed at enhancing road safety and address the recurring accidents at the junction of Soi Hua Hin 101 at Khao Tao, Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul, has announced the installation of traffic lights at the problematic intersection.

The traffic signals are expected to be operational by August this year. Continued …

Formal opening of new Phetchaburi Immigration office in Cha Am

The formal opening ceremony of the new Phetchaburi Immigration office in Cha Am took place on June 16.

While the office has been operational since March, the ceremony served as an official inauguration of the building, showcasing its modern facilities and improved services. Continued …

New PM in July a turning point for the Thai economy

As news emerged on Wednesday that a new government could be in place in July and not August as previously envisaged, a senior economist at Siam Commercial Bank has singled out the formation of a new government with a new prime minister without a political accident or stalemate developing as critical to the country’s economy this year, which could grow by up to 4% driven by a rebounding foreign tourism industry and younger Asian travelers with stronger consumer confidence as a result.

On Wednesday, the caretaker government’s legal expert, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, outlined a schedule that will see parliament meet earlier than anticipated in July and a new government put in place within the month. Continued …

Official who oversaw Wild Boars rescue dies of cancer

Pathum Thani Gov. Narongsak Osottanakorn, who was hailed for his role in coordinating the “Wild Boars” rescue operation in Chiang Rai over four years ago, has died after unsuccessful treatment for cancer, according to a senior official of the Interior Ministry.

He said Narongsak, 58, passed away peacefully at Siriraj Hospital at around 6pm on Wednesday. Continued …

Remembering the “Moo Pa” Governor – the hero of the cave rescue

Narongsak Osatanakorn was appointed to oversee a supposedly sleepy province in the north but ended up having to supervise one of its most breathtaking events that will forever be recorded not just in local, but also in international history.

Narongsak passed away on June 21 at the age of 58. He will be remembered forever as the “Moo Pa” (Wild Boar) governor for his strong leadership throughout the search-and-rescue mission for the 12 young footballers and their coach. On June 23, 2018, Narongsak, then governor of Northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, was set to leave for his new post in Phayao, another quiet northern province, but extended his stay to head up an almost impossible mission. Continued …

Cheesemaker Spreads Joy In Tropical Thailand

Thailand is renowned for its vibrant street food and luscious tropical fruits, but Rachanikorn Srikong is on a mission to make a new addition to the menu – cheese.

Vivid green rice paddies and fruit orchards cover the kingdom’s countryside, but dairy accounts for a tiny proportion of agriculture and cheese has not traditionally been part of the Thai diet. Continued …

Laughing chickens bring joy and profit to Thai farm with their quirky crowing

Unique laughing chickens in Trang are gaining popularity among farmers who are speedily breeding the novel birds for sale, creating an extra source of income. With a sound that resembles human laughter, the amusing birds are brightening people’s days and attracting eager customers.

Kritiwit Eiadnun, also known as Goong Kuanhan, a 50-year-old hospital worker and owner of the Pa Saun Kwang farm in Muang district, decided to breed the so-called “laughing chickens.” Continued …

AI Used to Catch Illegal Riders on Bangkok Footpaths

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) software to detect motorcyclists illegally riding on footpaths, through CCTV cameras at five spots before expanding the system to cover 100 locations across the capital.

According to the BMA, road accidents occurred to 900 pedestrians every year and it received most complaints about riders traveling on footpaths. Continued …

Pattaya to construct four monorail lines

The Pattaya City Administration plans to introduce four monorail lines to ease traffic congestion. It will begin with a 9.9-kilometer “Green Line” route, which will connect the future high-speed train station to Bali Hai pier.

Pongtavee Lertpanyavit, a project study supervisor, on Wednesday told the media the long-awaited monorail project would help mitigate traffic congestion and improve the city’s transport system. Continued …

Leopard sightings now common in Thai forests

Once rarely seen by visitors, sightings of leopards or panthers have become relatively common among tourists in Kraeng Krachan National Park, proof positive that Thailand’s work to protect and conserve endangered big cat species are bearing fruit.

The sightings have prompted the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to announce that it will cooperate with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to survey the population of leopards and panthers in Thailand to determine their numbers and locations. Initially, they will focus on the western forest complex, of which Kraeng Krachan is a part, as well as the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai and Phu Khieo-Nam Nao forest complexes. Continued …

Tiger warning issued after footprints found near communities in Yala

Villagers living near the edge of Bang Lang National Park in Tarnto district of Thailand’s southern province of Yala have been advised by park officials not to venture out on their farms after recent footprints of a tiger were found.

Padet Laithong, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said a team of veterinarians and officials from the national park have been sent to investigate and assess the situation. Continued …

Thai economy stimulus: Government plans 1.9-trillion-baht boost

Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) unveiled plans to inject 1.9 trillion baht into the Thai economy to bridge the gap before the new government can budget for the year 2024, emphasizing fiscal reforms and monitoring household debt.

Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan highlighted the need for industry restructuring and government action in response to shrinking exports, which is affecting the whole region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. With an expected increase in foreign tourists and strong private consumption, the Thai economy is expected to remain healthy. Continued …

Phuket renews focus on medical hub plans after failing to win Expo bid

Phuket is turning its attention back to its international medical hub plans after losing out to Belgrade in its bid to host the next Specialized Expo. According to a report, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri says the island will now market itself as a world-class health and wellness destination, in addition to its reputation as a favorite tropical island with lots of beaches and world-class entertainment.

While Phuket passed in the first round of voting to determine the Expo host yesterday, it was eliminated in the second round. In addition to Belgrade, the island was competing against Minnesota in the U.S., Malaga in Spain, and Bariloche in Argentina. Continued …

Foreigners snap up condo units

Foreigners spent more than 17 billion baht on condominiums in Thailand during the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 67% year on year and the highest in five years, the Government Housing Bank’s Real Estate Information Center (REIC) reported on Wednesday.

A total of 3,775 condominium units worth 17.12 billion baht were transferred to foreigners from January to March, the center said. This number is 79.2% higher than the same period last year. Continued …

TAT unveils Meaningful Wellness Travel programs

Embarking on a wellness journey in the 21st century has taken a significant turn, as people across the globe seek deeper meaning in their lives. Meaningful Wellness Travel has emerged in the realm of wellness tourism, reflecting the aspirations of post-Covid wellness travelers who yearn for more than just a spa retreat.

Travelers are seeking a transformative voyage that nurtures their physical and mental well-being, encompassing profound discovery, authentic connections, personal growth, and genuine fulfillment. In other words, a journey that fosters a beautiful harmony between people, culture, and nature. Continued …

Muay Thai travel experience campaign launched by TAT

The “Amazing Muay Thai Travel Experience” campaign has been launched in an attempt to expand Thailand’s tourism industry. This unique initiative aims to showcase the diverse ancient Thai martial arts across the four regions of the country.

Apichai Chatchalermkit, TAT’s deputy governor for tourism products and business, emphasized the use of the fighting art as a soft power asset to attract more visitors. Continued …

Journey to the bottom of the sea: On a Titanic tour

The journey to the ocean floor to reach the wreck of the Titanic is one that gets relentlessly colder and darker, says one of the handful of people who have ever visited the luxury liner’s watery grave. Continued …

ASEAN emerges as top investment hub for EVs’ manufacturing and fintech firms

Southeast Asia has emerged as a global investment hub, with the region serving as a “bright spot “despite global challenges, including geopolitical conflicts, inflationary pressures and economic slowdown, a forum heard on Tuesday. Continued …

India’s IndiGo places record order for 500 A320 aircraft

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has placed a firm order for 500 A320 Family aircraft, setting the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the history of commercial aviation. Continued …

China’s economic woes deepen

The Chinese economy, which was once a beacon of hope as the world’s second-largest economy, is now faltering. Domestic consumption, imports, exports, and high debt levels are all contributing to the crisis. The hope of becoming a global engine may not materialize, as young people losing their jobs becomes a common occurrence. Continued …

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

baht, bangkok, chiang mai, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, phuket, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s News-June 19

  • Sunee Hill: Forging her own path/
  • Asia’s biggest Golf Tournament created a financial boost for Hua Hin/
  • Hua Hin Cricket Sixes returns to Dusit Thani Hua Hin in July/
  • Opinion: The Fear of Pita and Move Forward Explained/
  • Thai children losing out on height due to too little milk/
  • Funeral attendees win cows, receive rice gifts in unique 200,000 baht Thai almsgiving/
  • Keeping poor kids at school/
  • People flee high-rise buildings in Bangkok as Myanmar quake tremors felt/
  • Myanmar Junta Launches Airstrikes Near Thai Border As Clashes Escalate/
  • Coalition begins opening a path to deliver peace to the restive South/
  • 50,000 Signatures Sought to Keep Cannabis off the Narcotics List/
  • Economy: Thai baht continues to be volatile/Thai economy to enjoy positive growth, economists say/Further interest hikes likely/Household debt in Thailand soars to 86.9% of GDP, dampening consumer spending/
  • Tourism: Retirees skip Chiang Mai amid heavy smog/Chinese tourists top low season visitors list/
  • Thailand Experience: 7 best things to do in Hua Hin/A guide to visiting Koh Samui in 2023/Travelindex Unveils Winners of Bangkok’s Top 25 Restaurants/
  • International: Air Travel Demand Seen Soaring 28% To Near Pre-pandemic Level In 2023/China calls on US to meet it halfway amid frosty ties/
  • 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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Sunee Hill: Forging her own path

By Felicitee Lawrie

When I first met Sunee Hill, a petite, feisty, white-haired Thai nonagenarian, she fixed me with her steely eyes and told me, point-blank, that I could write her story. This is the remarkable story of her life journey and her art, which has helped her explore her Chinese heritage.

Sunee was born and raised in Bangkok, the second child of nine to Chinese immigrant parents. Her father was a merchant who supplied materials to the construction industry. Because Thai authorities at the time had difficulty recording the details of her name and existence in Chinese language, she was not officially registered until quite some time later, so has a passport recording her birth as having happened in 1940, when it was indeed in 1932. What local lady wouldn’t mind shaving eight years off her age? Continued …

(Expat News is pleased to welcome a new series of articles about Hua Hin residents (above), written by freelance journalist Felicitee Lawrie, a Sydney, Australia, native. To read more about Felicitee, or to volunteer yourself or someone else for a possible profile by Felicitee, click HERE.)

Asia’s biggest Golf Tournament created a financial boost for Hua Hin

Over 480 competitors participated in Asia’s biggest golf tournament in Hua Hin from June 11-17.

While the golf media are currently focused on the PGA and PIF, one major golf tournament went ahead last week without any political issues. The Centara World Masters Golf Championship attracted over 480 amateurs to Hua Hin. Continued …

Hua Hin Cricket Sixes returns to Dusit Thani Hua Hin in July

The Hua Hin Cricket Sixes tournament will take place at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin from Sunday, July 2, to Friday, July 7.

Despite cricket not being particularly popular in Thailand, this event has become a sporting tradition for cricket enthusiasts and players alike and is now in its 26th year. Continued …

The Fear of Pita and Move Forward Explained

The Move Forward Party is new, and it has never been in power before. The unknown factor has driven some to fear what is to come when (and if) the party is in charge, particularly if you are the elites and the upper middle class for the following reasons.

Imagine yourself being the owner or in charge of one of Thailand’s largest corporations. Your company, or conglomerate, has established all the connections with the old guards in the world of politics, the bureaucracy, and the top echelon of Thai society. Continued …

Thai children losing out on height due to too little milk

Packed with essential nutrients, milk is an integral part of children’s diets and supports their growth. It contains calcium, which is great for the teeth and the bones, and has other health benefits, too, among them boosting the immune system, strengthening heart health, and improving the skin, according to experts.

Yet, despite these advantages, a study shows milk consumption is low among young Thais, raising concerns over their short stature. Continued …

Funeral attendees win cows, receive rice gifts in unique 200,000 baht Thai almsgiving

In Buriram province, a funeral for 92-year-old Wun Chongchaingam has drawn a large crowd due to the unusual almsgiving of 1.5 tons of rice and a raffle for five cows, worth a total of 200,000 baht (US$ 5,758), for needy villagers and attendees. The event took place at Wat Pa Non-Somboon temple.

Many villagers attended the funeral to pay respects and participate in merit-making for the deceased woman, as well as to try their luck at winning one of the five cows. In addition to the cow lottery, which was held in front of the guests, over 700 bags of rice, each containing approximately two kilograms, were prepared as gifts for attendees. Continued …

Keeping poor kids at school

Anirut Thongdech has a broad smile when he learns that he will have a chance to return to school this term after having dropped out for two years.

The 11-year-old boy, also known as Saming, was forced to leave school due to his parents’ inability to afford his education, a problem in Thai society that has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …

People flee high-rise buildings in Bangkok as Myanmar quake tremors felt

Many office workers in high-rise buildings in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province rushed into the streets after they felt their buildings shake this morning.

One netizen tweeted that he was on the 13th floor of a building in the Lat Phrao area when he saw ceiling lamps swaying and felt dizzy. Another said that she dared not re-enter their building, after she and her colleagues ran out. Continued …

Myanmar Junta Launches Airstrikes Near Thai Border As Clashes Escalate

Fighting between Myanmar junta forces and Karenni armed groups just across the border from Mae Hong Son intensified yesterday, with the former launching 13 airstrikes against the latter.

Thai security forces said that Myanmar junta’s 430th Rapid Mobility Battalion continued to clash heavily with Karenni Army (KA), Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and People’s Defense Force (PDF), the loosely organized armed wing of the pro-democracy National Unity Government, around eight to 10 kilometers from Mae Ngao subdistrict, Khun Yuam district, Mae Hong Son province. Continued …

Coalition begins opening a path to deliver peace to the restive South

The Prachachart Party vowed on Sunday that it and its coalition partners will work to ensure that both Buddhist and Muslim residents of the South will be able to live in harmony.

The party’s stronghold is the Muslim-majority southern border provinces. It made the promise at a public forum with representatives of Buddhist residents of the southern border provinces. Continued …

50,000 Signatures Sought to Keep Cannabis off the Narcotics List

The Future Cannabis Network is marching across Thailand in a campaign to gather 50,000 signatures opposing the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic, confident that the new government will listen.

Amid current legislative changes surrounding the public Cannabis Act – which was initially proposed to the progressive party, before being stalled in committee – the group seeks to ensure that cannabis will not revert to its status as a controlled substance. Continued …

Thai baht continues to be volatile

After a week of fluctuations last week amid strong selling pressure on the U.S. dollar and bond yields, the exchange rate of the Thai baht to the U.S. dollar is expected to be volatile again this week, ranging between 34.40 and 34.90 Baht.

Key factors to watch include the statement from the U.S. Federal Reserve chairman to Congress, the direction of foreign capital flows, Thailand’s export data for May, and the political situation in the country. Continued …

Thai economy to enjoy positive growth, economists say

The Thai economy is still growing despite the risk of a global economic recession, economists said during the recent “Investment Forum: New Chapter, New Opportunity” seminar organized by Krungthep Turakij.

Somprawin Manprasert, head of Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center, said that while the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) did not hike interest rates at its meeting last week, as it wanted to send a signal that such hikes need not be constant, it was anticipated that there would be two further increases from the current rate of 5.25% this year, mainly to mitigate the impacts of rising fuel costs. Continued …

Further interest hikes likely

Thailand is likely to see higher interest rates in the second half of 2023 following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s indication of two further interest rate hikes this year and a signal from the Bank of Thailand that it, too, might raise interest.

According to Roong Sanguanruang of Krungsri Bank, it was earlier expected that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) might pause interest rate hikes at 2%. Continued …

Household debt in Thailand soars to 86.9% of GDP, dampening consumer spending

Thailand’s mounting household debt is raising concerns, as it continues to hinder consumer spending, affecting various industries and impeding economic growth. The latest data from the National Economic and Social Development Council shows debt in the nation reached 15.1 trillion baht in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 3.5% increase year on year, and accounting for 86.9% of GDP.

Debt levels remain alarmingly high, as the major factors behind rising household debt are real estate purchases and personal loans. Continued …

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Retirees skip Chiang Mai amid heavy smog

Chiang Mai tourism operators hope the new government will work to urgently solve the haze problem to lure back long-stay senior tourists, which represent a major loss for the province.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat visited the province last week to discuss environmental and tourism policies with representatives from the tourism sector. Continued …

Chinese tourists top low season visitors list

The majority of international tourists in Phuket at the start of the low season come from China, followed by Russia and Australia, according to the Phuket Tourist Assn. (PTA).

PTA Vice President Thanawat Oncharoen said yesterday most of the visitors from China were independent travelers, adding the number of tourist groups from the country remains low, though he did not reveal any details. Continued …

7 best things to do in Hua Hin

Packing the bags and jetting off to the delightful seaside resort of Hua Hin is becoming quite the hot ticket for locals and expats alike. With its prime position along the Gulf of Thailand, this lovely destination serves as a delightful getaway for those toiling away in bustling Bangkok.

Moreover, stunning landscapes and a plethora of captivating activities make it a top choice for everyone in search of some fun in the sun. But with so many things to do in Hua Hin, it can get a bit overwhelming. So to help you plan your travels, here are the best things to do in Hua Hin for an enjoyable holiday. Continued …

Tell us what you consider the best activities for visitors in Hua Hin at aim@hhexpatnews.com.

A guide to visiting Koh Samui in 2023

Koh Samui has long been a go-to hotspot for sunseekers and holidaymakers, and in 2023 it promises to be even more amazing. You might be wondering what all the fuss is about, but don’t you worry your sunscreen-lathered hands because our guide will show you everything Koh Samui has to offer, from the best time to visit to the best villa to stay to the yummiest food and dazzling night markets that you can’t miss.

You can fly into Koh Samui International Airport with Bangkok Airways, AirAsia, or Thai Airways routes. On the other hand, you can take a ferry to Koh Samui, which requires around 1-2 hours, depending on what pier you are getting on board. Continued …

Travelindex Unveils Winners of Bangkok’s Top 25 Restaurants

Travel-index, a content-driven ecosystem for the travel and tourism sector, has rolled out its annual list of 25 restaurants throughout Bangkok that it considers the top eateries, highlighting why the capital is such a popular gastronomic destination among gourmets and gourmands.

Travelindex has annually listed and awarded the best restaurants since 2018 based on its own patented “Restaurant Rating Index.” Continued …

Air Travel Demand Seen Soaring 28% To Near Pre-pandemic Level In 2023

Global air passenger traffic is expected to soar 28.3% to 4.35 billion people in 2023, returning to near the pre-pandemic level of 2019, with Asia-Pacific airlines benefiting from a sharp recovery in demand, according to estimates by an industry body. Continued …

China calls on US to meet it halfway amid frosty ties

China has called on the United States to meet it halfway, saying that bilateral ties are at the lowest point since the start of diplomatic relations, according to an official Chinese account of talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Sunday. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

hua hin, phuket, thai economy, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s News-June 17

  • Price controls get one-year extension/
  • Thai election: Jumping the gun aren’t we?/
  • Entire column of Myanmar military flees to Thailand following attack/
  • Japanese man Arrested in Sa Kaeo for Overstaying Visa by 547 Days/
  • Sales of electric vehicles surge 474% in first five months of the year/
  • Thailand may need ‘bigger boat’ as China’s appetite for fruit increases/
  • Thailand-Europe free trade negotiations continue in Oslo/
  • Phuket struggles to attract tourists in 2023 low season/
  • 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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Price controls get one-year extension

The Ministry of Commerce has extended price controls on 51 products and services for another year. The extension will expire on June 30, 2024.

The list of 51 items — 46 products and five services — will be forwarded for cabinet approval, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Friday after chairing a meeting of the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services. Continued …

Thai election: Jumping the gun aren’t we?

The fate of the Move Forward Party (MFP) is hanging by a thread despite its best efforts to overlook the lurking dangers that could have seismic consequences in politics. Continued …

 

Entire column of Myanmar military flees to Thailand following attack

According to the announcement made by the Special Operation Force (SOF), the Military Council column responsible for transporting food and ammunition to the Kwi Lon Taing base in Kyainseikgyi Township in Myanmar, specifically within the 6th Brigade area of the Karen National Union (KNU), was intercepted, and the entire column fled to Thailand.

The Military Council column, composed of approximately 50 troops, fell into an ambush by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and SOF. During the attack, the Military Council troops suffered casualties, and the soldiers were forced to retreat, carrying the bodies of their fallen comrades, toward the border with Thailand, according to an SOF member. Continued …

Japanese man Arrested in Sa Kaeo for Overstaying Visa by 547 Days

Yesterday, the police of Sa Kaeo province detained a Japanese man for overstaying his visa by 547 days. According to reports, Police Col. Rung Thongmon, chief of Sa Kaeo Provincial Police, led the arrest operation.

The arrested man, 60-year-old Noboru Kobayashi, a Japanese national, was apprehended in the vicinity of Muang Kaeo market, Sa Kaeo subdistrict, Muang Sa Kaeo district, Sa Kaeo province. Continued …

 

Sales of electric vehicles surge 474% in first five months of the year

More than 32,000 electric vehicles (EVs) were registered with the Ministry of Transport in the first five months of this year, compared to fewer than 2,000 in all 2021 and about 10,000 in all last year.

The surge followed an EV tax break that took effect last November to increase sales of EVs, data from the ministry shows. The 80% tax break will continue until Nov. 10, 2025. Continued …

Thailand may need ‘bigger boat’ as China’s appetite for fruit increases

The latest chapter of Thai fruits’ success story in China is unfolding in the mega-port city of Guangzhou – and it’s a blockbuster.

Orders at the ongoing Thai Fruits Golden Months and Thai Durian Festival now total 20 million baht, up 260% from the same period in 2022, said the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), which is organizing the events. Continued …

 

Thailand-Europe free trade negotiations continue in Oslo

Thailand aims to conclude free-trade agreement (FTA) talks with the European Free Trade Assn. (EFTA) by the first quarter of next year, according to the trade negotiations chief.

Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations, said Thai representatives are attending the fifth round of negotiations for the Thai-EFTA FTA in Oslo, Norway, which started on Tuesday. The talks continued through yesterday. Continued …

Phuket struggles to attract tourists in 2023 low season

The Phuket Tourist Assn. is putting together proposals to the new government aiming to revitalize the island’s tourism economy and restore the impressive 400 billion baht in income it reached back in pre-Covid 2019.

PTA President Thaneth Tantipiriyakij emphasized the importance of tourism as one of the island’s key economic drivers, alongside exports. Continued …

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

hua hin, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Wednesday’s news-June 14

  • So where are the aliens hiding in Hua Hin?
  • Hua Hin Beach Life 2023 festival in Khao Takiab, July 21-23/
  • Beer Truck Overturns in Nakhon Pathom: Over 2,500 Cases Lost/
  • Pita Is Confident In ITV Case; Anutin, Prawit Deny Being Involved/
  • Egg Price Hike Hits Low-Income People; Food Vendors Try to Cope/
  • Pattaya Finally Removing Unsightly Electrical Wires off Walking Street/
  • Nearly 6,400 people laid low in Phuket by digestive disease outbreak/
  • Thailand’s National Animal Is Pushing Back against Habitat Loss/
  • Narathiwat locals go gold hunting in canals for additional income/
  • Economy: Parsing the economic impact of the parched season/Plan to relocate factories to industrial estates on track/
  • Thailand Experience: Ten waterfalls worth visiting during the rainy season/Surin’s connection to the ancient Khmer Empire/
  • International: Asia’s gamblers cheer wave of legalization/Ukraine advances in counteroffensive, NATO pledges support/Influencers overtaking journalists as news source/Trump pleads not guilty/
  • 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

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

So where are the aliens hiding in Hua Hin?

It was a balmy summer evening’s dusk in Hua Hin, the seaside resort town south of Bangkok. I was sipping a vodka and tonic on the sea-facing porch of a quiet local hotel, swatting mosquitoes and looking out into the gloom. The air-quality index was good, as was visibility, and I recognized many constellations. Then the stars began to move.

First, one slid to the left and veered right, gaining speed and distance until it was far out to sea. Meanwhile, three more flew in from left field, moving in a tight V formation. A sharp laser-like beam of light emanated from the foremost light. More flew in, some projecting lights, others with blinking signals of different colors. Continued …

Beer Truck Overturns in Nakhon Pathom: Over 2,500 Cases Lost

Traffic in Nakhon Pathom came to a halt yesterday when a beer-laden tractor-trailer overturned on the Malai Maen road near Nong Ngu Lueam village, causing widespread congestion and scattering its cargo across the carriageway.

The trailer, registered in Prachuap Khiri Khan, was carrying a full load of beer when it tipped over, spilling approximately 2,520 cases of beer — worth at least 1 million baht — across the inbound lane to Nakhon Pathom city. Continued … 

Pita Is Confident In ITV Case; Anutin, Prawit Deny Being Involved

Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat expressed confidence on Tuesday that he will survive the ITV share ownership scrutiny because he and his party have more information to fight against the allegation.

Pita was also asked about another possible move where 50 MPs could force the voting for the new PM to be deferred, citing Pita’s alleged lacking of qualifications. He said he’ll have to look into the legal details on the matter first. Continued … 

Egg Price Hike Hits Low-Income People; Food Vendors Try to Cope

Thai low-income people face rising costs of living as the price of eggs increases, which has a significant impact on their lives, as an egg is a basic protein for low-income people.

Chicken farms in several provinces have already increased their retail prices from 3.60 baht per egg, on May 15, to 3.80 baht per egg. The price is also expected to rise to 4 baht per egg soon. Continued … 

Pattaya Finally Removing Unsightly Electrical Wires off Walking Street

The unsightly mess of electrical wires above Pattaya Walking Street are finally being dismantled in response to completion of an underground cable installation project.

The underground cable project, which is part of the city’s plan to improve the street’s scenery, has been carried out off and on over the past few years and caused a lot of inconvenience to tourists and residents alike. Continued …

Nearly 6,400 people laid low in Phuket by digestive disease outbreak

A viral outbreak targeting the digestive system has left near 6,400 people fighting diarrhea in Phuket province in the last week.

Dr. Kusak Kukiattikul from Phuket’s public health said on Tuesday that the number of patients were the highest on June 8, adding that both Thai and foreigners had developed symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Continued …

Thailand’s National Animal Is Pushing Back against Habitat Loss

From her yard, she can see the place where it happened. The spot out back by the eucalyptus trees that she ran to, and immediately understood what had happened – the stillness, the odd calm that hung over the site of the calamity.

Piyawan Daonan is standing in her driveway in Tha Thakiap, a district in the Thai province of Chachoengsao. The 42-year-old, slender mother of two can only fall asleep these days with the help of medication – a restless slumber punctuated by nightmares – ever since she became a widow. Without looking herself, she points to the place, just a couple hundred meters away, where her husband was trampled to death by an elephant. Continued …

Narathiwat locals go gold hunting in canals for additional income

Apart from rubber and fruit farming, the residents of Phukhao Thong community in Sukhirin district of Narathiwat province also pan for gold in the canals to generate income.

A 66-year-old Phukhao Thong community resident, Saengarun Chanhom, said on Tuesday that locals can pan for gold throughout the year as they were not allowed to use machines for the activity. Continued …

Parsing the economic impact of the parched season

The effects of the El Niño weather pattern are becoming increasingly evident with the persistence of hot, dry weather and high temperatures despite the official start of the rainy season on May 22, as announced by the Meteorological Department.

The department said the total rainfall throughout the country during the rainy season will be lower this year than in 2022, roughly 5% below the annual average. This anticipated decrease in rainfall may result in prolonged dry spells across numerous regions, leading to potential water shortages. Continued …

Plan to relocate factories to industrial estates on track

The Industry Ministry is planning to push domestic manufacturers to relocate their factories to industrial estates to enhance business operations and minimize the environmental impact caused by factories.

“We want to see entrepreneurs move their manufacturing bases to industrial zones, be they the industrial estates under the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) or the industrial parks under the Department of Industrial Works,” Nattapol Rangsitpol, the Industry Ministry’s permanent secretary, said on Monday. Continued …

Ten waterfalls worth visiting during the rainy season

The rainy season is an ideal time to visit Thailand’s waterfalls, because they are at their most beautiful.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has recommended 10 such waterfalls located in national parks across the country. These include: Continued …

Surin’s connection to the ancient Khmer Empire

Surin is a province located in northeastern Thailand, known as Isaan. It is situated about 450 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Surin is famous for its rich cultural heritage, traditional festivals, and unique attractions.

One of the most prominent features of Surin is its connection to the ancient Khmer Empire. The province is home to several Khmer historical sites and ruins, such as the Prasat Sikhoraphum and Prasat Ta Muen temples. These structures showcase the architectural brilliance and influence of the Khmer civilization that once thrived in the region. Continued …

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

Asia’s gamblers cheer wave of legalization

In a sea change for the traditionally conservative region, some of the biggest tourism spots in Asia and the Middle East are moving toward building or allowing their first casinos, raising competitive pressure on existing hubs like Macau. Continued …

Ukraine advances in counteroffensive, NATO pledges support

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised the progress of his troops as they advance near the city of Bakhmut in the east and on the southern front. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also acknowledged Ukraine’s progress in its counteroffensive against Russia, promising increased support from NATO leaders in their upcoming meeting. Continued …

Influencers overtaking journalists as news source

TikTok influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people, according to a report published Wednesday by the Britain-based Reuters Institute. Continued …

Trump pleads not guilty

The indictment of Donald Trump unfolded in two distinct arenas on Tuesday afternoon – a federal courtroom in Florida and the realm of public opinion. Within the Miami courthouse, Trump and his legal representatives maintained a composed demeanor. A lawyer for the former president informed the judge that Trump was pleading not guilty to all charges. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

UPDATED: Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

 

hua hin, phuket, solar, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s news-June 13

  • Rainy season? No rain forecast for most of Thailand in July/
  • Pita inches closer to PM post/
  • PM pushes ambitious land bridge project in South/
  • British expat’s 1,050km charity walk aims to raise 1M baht for abused children/
  • Top Thai military brass visits Beijing/
  • Economy: AIS faces hurdles in bid to buy 3BB/Biomass power giant turns its sights to solar energy/Kraft Heinz’s Journey into Thailand’s Culinary Wonderland/Thai Durian on the Upswing: Export Prices to China at Record/
  • Tourism: End of travel subsidy scheme takes a toll on Thai hotel occupancy/Thailand records 11.4M foreign tourists/
  • Thailand Experience: Buffets In Thailand Look So Different From The Ones In America/Phuket’s Old Town is a must-visit on Thailand’s largest island/
  • International: Ukraine says seven villages retaken in ‘tough’ offensive/
  • 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

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

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

Rainy season? No rain forecast for most of Thailand in July

Despite the fact that it is now the rainy season in Thailand, no rain is forecast for most of July, returning in August. The Royal Irrigation Department has instructed its officials to adjust their water-management plans to ensure optimum use of water and to maintain as much as possible in the reservoirs.

According to Thaweesak Thanadachopol, deputy director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, the total volume of water in Thailand’s four main reservoirs, namely behind the Bhumibol, Pasak Jolasid, Sirikit and Kwae Noi Bumrung Dan dams, is at 45% of full capacity, or 11.301 billion cubic meters, with only 15% at Pasak Jolasid. Continued …

Pita inches closer to PM post

Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s bid to become prime minister moved a step closer to reality on Monday after the chairman of a recent meeting of iTV shareholders said the media company is currently not operating pending a legal case.

As a result, Pita could be spared from legal wrangles that could lead to him being disqualified as an MP if it is proven that the media company has shut down. Continued …

PM pushes ambitious land bridge project in South

Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wants to expand transportation infrastructure to enhance the economic development of the southern region, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said on Sunday. This includes connecting transportation between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, he added.

This project is intended to further enhance the advantages of Thailand’s geographic location in Southeast Asia, which is conducive to transportation and trade. Relevant agencies have been instructed to study and develop the southern land bridge project as part of the basic infrastructure development efforts to integrate seamless transportation service between the two seaports in Ranong and Chumphon provinces. Continued …

British expat’s 1,050km charity walk aims to raise 1M baht for abused children

James Lee Valentine, a 59-year-old British expat, has demonstrated the power of determination and charity by completing a 1,050km walk from Pattaya to Phuket in Thailand.

The walk aimed to raise 1 million baht for Take Care Kids, a children’s foundation based in Pattaya that supports underprivileged children who have suffered abuse. Continued …

Top Thai military brass visits Beijing

Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief General Narongpan Jitkaewthae is in China this week at the invitation of China’s Defense Ministry to discuss military cooperation between the two countries, with the aim of enhancing peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

This is the first visit to China by the Thai army chief, who left Bangkok on June 8 and will return on June 16. Continued …

AIS faces hurdles in bid to buy 3BB

The ongoing takeover of fixed broadband service 3BB by Advanced Info Service (AIS) may face tough consumer remedies from the telecom regulator because of the dominant position of their combined market share.

Rival True Corp. reported to the Stock Exchange of Thailand that in the first quarter this year it had 3.84 million household subscribers. That figure accounts for 31.5% of the fixed broadband market share, said Pisut Ngamvijitvong, senior equity research analyst at Kasikorn Securities (KS). Continued …

Biomass power giant turns its sights to solar energy

After seeing a big jump in revenue this year, biomass power producer National Power Supply (NPS) is all set to establish the country’s largest private floating solar farm with a capacity of 150 megawatts capacity.

The company enjoyed a 24.4% jump in revenue to 5.64 billion baht in the first quarter of 2023 over the same period last year, NPS Executive Director Yothin Dumnernchanvanit said on Monday. Continued …

Kraft Heinz’s Journey into Thailand’s Culinary Wonderland

Here’s a look at how Kraft Heinz caters to Thailand’s unique tastes by adapting its product portfolio and embracing local ingredients. We also discover their commitment to sustainability, food safety, and quality control, as they drive culinary innovation in the evolving food service landscape of Thailand. Video

Thai Durian on the Upswing: Export Prices to China at Record

Despite the impact of the climate on Thai durian production this year, sales of durian produced in the east reached a record high, which could serve as a model for farmers and exporters in the south of Thailand when the annual harvest begins on June 10 and continues through October.

Nuttakrit Oranhirunrak, vice president of the Thai-Chinese Agribusiness Assn. in Chanthaburi Province, said Thailand is expected to export more durian to China than in other years. From the start of the harvest season until June 10, a total of 33,000 containers of durian were shipped to China. The current figure is already much higher than that of three years ago, which was 15,000 containers. Continued …

End of travel subsidy scheme takes a toll on Thai hotel occupancy

Hotel occupancy rates in Thailand plunged to below 50% during the period May to June, an immediate fallout of the termination of the government’s ”Let Us Travel Together” phase 5 campaign in April.

The Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) predicted that the overall hotel occupancy rate in Thailand for the month of June would be less than 50% after experiencing a full-scale slowdown in both the domestic and international markets. Continued …

Thailand records 11.4M foreign tourists

Thailand received 11.4 million foreign tourist arrivals from January to June 11, and saw spending of 472 billion baht (US$13.67 billion), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said in a statement today.

The tourist numbers surpassed the 11.15 million in the whole of 2022. Continued …

Buffets In Thailand Look So Different From The Ones In America

Navigating your way around an unfamiliar country can be pretty daunting for some world travelers. Yet, for others, it’s an exciting opportunity to experience an unfamiliar culture.

Video

For TikTok user Tom from Texas, adventuring his way through Thailand’s buffet scene was a bit of both. He quickly discovered that he had a lot to learn upon visiting a hot pot-style buffet during his trip. Buffets in Thailand are quite different than those in America. Continued …

A visit to Phuket’s Old Town

Phuket’s Old Town is a must-visit on Thailand’s largest island. A beautiful small town lined with colorful old shophouses, it has stunning architecture and street art, plus great restaurants, bars and cafes.

Phuket’s Old Town is toward the south. Many visitors to the island like to stay close to the beaches and, unfortunately, miss out on this stunning area. Continued …

Ukraine says seven villages retaken in ‘tough’ offensive

Ukraine on Monday said it had retaken seven villages and made small gains in a “tough” counter-offensive against Russian forces that France said could last months. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

UPDATED: Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

hua hin, marijuana, phuket, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Friday’s news-June 9

  • Hua Hin’s Feast Thailand GM nominated for travel award/
  • Dangerous political flux in the aftermath of the general election is growing/
  • The state of food security in Thailand and 4 key challenges/
  • With 3.9 billion monthly views, Voom is booming in Thailand/
  • 40 police officers to be transferred over overloaded truck bribe scandal/
  • DLT combats illegal driving license sales/
  • Economy: Competition fierce as Thailand sets out to be EV hub/FTI seeks Chinese investment boost in Thai EV, food, and healthcare sectors/90% of Thai employees seek new jobs despite bleak economy/Japan’s Isuzu says no plans to relocate factory from Thailand to Indonesia/‘It’s like Starbucks’: Inside Thailand’s legal weed scene/
  • Tourism: Thailand boosts tourism budget to 5-billion baht, targets off-peak travelers/Diarrhea outbreak spreading in Phuket/
  • Thailand Experience: Wildlife Of The Isaan Region/
  • International: Trump faces US criminal charges for mishandling documents, obstruction/Bali seeks new kind of tourist after kicking out 136 unruly visitors this year/How much plastic is in our oceans?/
  • 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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Hua Hin’s Feast Thailand GM nominated for travel award

It has been seven years since Expat News attended the first “test’ tour offered by Hua Hin’s Feast Thailand. Australians Leigh Higgins and her husband Shane were “hands on” with our small group, helping to explain (along with their English-speaking Thai host) what we were eating.

Feast Thailand has come a long way since then, including surviving the Covid pandemic while several other foreign-run enterprises folded. Expat News doubts you will find another foreigner in Hua Hin, perhaps in Thailand, who has a better understanding of Thai food and its culture than Leigh Higgins.

And now, Feast Thailand GM Leigh Higgins has been shortlisted for the Inspiring Women in Travel (Asia) Awards. The award honors women for their contribution to the travel industry in Asia. Congratulations!

Higgins was nominated in the Women Entrepreneurs in Travel Asia category and the Women Foodpreneur sub-category.

The awards will be announced on Saturday, June 24, at the Montien Surawong in Bangkok, where a number of senior executives and distinguished professionals from the travel industry will come together to celebrate, appreciate and recognize the stories, journeys and contributions of women in the Asia travel industry. Feast Thailand Facebook.

Dangerous political flux in the aftermath of the General Election is growing

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, whose candidacy for the position of PM has the support of an eight-party coalition representing over 75% of the electorate and 62% of the provisionally announced seats in the House of Representatives, sounded less confident this week about the issue of his alleged shares in a defunct media company even as he tried to put it behind him.

It came alongside a growing campaign from conservative forces in Thailand questioning the essence of the May 14 general election and warning of the dangers of a Move Forward Party-led government taking power, while political uncertainty is beginning to erode business confidence. Continued …

The state of food security in Thailand and 4 key challenges

The state of food security in Thailand is currently grappling with various challenges in the wake of global food shortages. To ensure sustainable food security, the Kingdom must address four key issues identified by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The availability of food is a critical factor for human survival. Food scarcity can have a profound impact on health and productivity, leading to potential conflicts, and having sufficient food is considered a vital aspect of stability. Continued …

With 3.9 billion monthly views, Voom is booming in Thailand

LINE’s short-video content service, Voom, has signed up more than 35 million monthly users in Thailand and they are so enthusiastic about the service it is getting 3.9 billion views a month, according to the head of LINE Voom, Philip Kim.

He put the service’s popularity in Thailand down to its real-time content and diverse user base. The service allows users to create both static images and short videos. “It provides user-friendly tools for creating informative and entertaining content (that is) easy to share,” Kim said. Continued …

40 police officers to be transferred over overloaded truck bribe scandal

About 40 highway police officers are expected to be transferred to “inactive posts” at the operations center of the Highways Police Division, pending the outcome of an investigation into their alleged involvement in the overloaded truck bribe sticker controversy.

Police Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankeaw, commander of the Police Counter Corruption Division, in his capacity as acting commander of Highways Police Division, told the media that Police Lt. Gen. Jirabhop Bhuridej, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, is expected to sign an order today, to transfer the commissioned and non-commissioned officers out of the division. Continued …

DLT combats illegal driving license sales

Thailand‘s Department of Land Transport (DLT) is taking action against individuals selling driver’s licenses illegally, following a Move Forward Party MP’s exposé on the matter.

MP-elect Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn discovered several people advertising online services to provide driver’s licenses without requiring the driving test and posted screenshots of customers who had received valid DLT-certified licenses despite not taking the test. Continued …

Competition fierce as Thailand sets out to be EV hub

Investment in Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) industry in the first quarter of this year rose 77% year on year to 185.73 billion baht, putting the country on track to become the regional hub for EV manufacturing, the Board of Investment (BOI) said on Thursday.

A total of 397 manufacturers applied for investment promotion with the BOI in the first three months of 2023, a (% increase year on year, BOI Secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said. Continued …

FTI seeks Chinese investment boost in Thai EV, food, and healthcare sectors

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is seeking to boost Chinese investment in Thailand, focusing on the electric vehicle (EV), food, and healthcare sectors, through increased business collaboration with Beijing.

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI, recently met with the Chinese ambassador to Thailand, Han Zhiqiang, to discuss potential investment opportunities. Kriengkrai envisions Thailand as a production base for Chinese companies, acting as a gateway to the ASEAN region. Continued …

90% of Thai employees seek new jobs despite bleak economy

A significant majority of Thai workers are open to exploring new job opportunities despite an uncertain global economic climate, a recent study by recruitment firm Michael Page has found.

The Talent Trends report, which surveyed 942 individuals in Thailand, revealed that over half of the respondents are actively seeking or planning to find new employment within the next six months. Continued …

Japan’s Isuzu says no plans to relocate factory from Thailand to Indonesia

Japanese truck maker Isuzu Motors said on Thursday it was not planning to move a factory to Indonesia from Thailand, a day after the Indonesian industry minister signaled it would.

“While our company continues to focus on Indonesia as a major market, there are no plans to relocate a Thai factory to Indonesia,” an Isuzu spokesperson said. Continued …

‘It’s like Starbucks’: Inside Thailand’s legal weed scene

Tucked away from city traffic in an alley full of massage parlors, office buildings and hotels, the place looks like it could be a cocktail bar. Customers can sit in leather armchairs or claim a high stool at the wooden, L-shaped bar.

The shelves, though, are absent of alcohol. In lieu of the typical bottles and glassware, there are bongs, rolling papers, grinders and dramatically lit jars of cannabis flowers like Critical Purple Cush and Amnesia Haze, the most popular strain in the shop. All The Smoke Lounge is one of the classier places to get high in Bangkok. Continued …

Thailand boosts tourism budget to 5-billion baht, targets off-peak travelers

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced its plans for the fiscal year 2024, with a focus on growing off-peak customers, increasing spending per trip by 7%, and distributing income to a wider range of destinations. The budget for these initiatives is set at 5 billion baht, a significant increase from the 3.25 billion baht allocated for fiscal 2023.

TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn explained that the key strategies for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning in October, will be promoting fairness in revenue distribution through a “sharing economy” and making Thailand a “Tourism for All” destination. The aim is to achieve better distribution of tourists to secondary provinces and improve the dispersal of visitors throughout the year, rather than just during the high season. Continued …

Diarrhea outbreak spreading in Phuket

Diarrhea is spreading in Phuket, with an average of about 150 cases being treated at state and private hospitals per day, and the outbreak is expected to persist for 1-2 months, according to Dr. Kusak Kukiattikoon, the provincial health chief.

He said that the condition is spreading in all age groups, but mostly among students. Patients are complaining of abdominal pain, watery stools and vomiting, with some also having a fever. Continued …

Wildlife Of The Isaan Region

The Isaan Region, also known as northeastern Thailand, is a vast and diverse area that is home to a rich variety of wildlife. The region encompasses 20 provinces and occupies about one-third of the country’s total land area.

Its diverse ecosystems range from fertile plains and plateaus to forested hills and mountains, providing habitats for numerous plant and animal species. Here are some of the notable wildlife species found in the Isaan Region of Thailand: Continued …

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

Trump faces US criminal charges for mishandling documents, obstruction

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been indicted by the Justice Department over his handling of classified documents at his residence at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Trump, who is reportedly facing seven charges, said he’d been summoned to appear in court in Miami on Tuesday. Continued …

Bali seeks new kind of tourist after kicking out 136 unruly visitors this year

Indonesia’s paradise island teeming with beaches and lush rice fields wants to refocus its tourism away from guests who tend to misbehave and instead lure talented nomads, retirees and health buffs. Continued … 

How much plastic is in our oceans?

Every year, about 400 million tons of plastic products are produced around the world. About half are used to make single-use items such as shopping bags, cups and packaging material. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

UPDATED: Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting