Category Archives: prauchuap khiri khan

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

Wednesday’s news-Aug 30

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

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Chomsin Road expansion in Hua Hin faces 100-day delay

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

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

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

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

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

EV charging station at Bluport Mall

EV charging stations in Hua Hin, Cha Am and PKK

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

Three local developers earn property awards

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

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

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

Flood warnings as heavy rain forecast for much of Thailand

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

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

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

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

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

MRT to partially power two Bangkok rail lines with solar energy

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

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

Thai tourism faces strain from sluggish Chinese, Japanese economies

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

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

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

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

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

Don Mueang set to build third terminal

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

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

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

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

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

Inside the World Gravy Wrestling Championships

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

Existential threat to marine life as oceans impacted by global warming

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

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

Monday’s news-Aug 28

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

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

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Local restaurants warned of sophisticated wine scam circulating in Hua Hin

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

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

Promised Change Gives Way to Familiar Faces

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

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

Elephant Stabs His Master To Death After Being Sold

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

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

Fears over Fukushima seafood rise

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

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

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

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

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

Business operators against 600-baht wage hike policy

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand running out of jobs for university graduates, report shows

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

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

Thailand’s Weed Industry Is Poised to Grow Fast

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

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

PM to look into extending tourist visas to 90 days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pattaya Speedboat Operators in Wild Brawl Arguing Over Tourists

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

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

Chinese Tourist Shortfall Takes Toll on Pattaya’s Tourism Sector

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

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

5 Unknown Islands In Thailand To Experience Paradise Without The Crowds

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

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

What’s really killing historical UK pubs

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s news-Aug 26

Today’s news: PKK community fights factory stench/Online vehicle registration implemented/Heavy rainfall expected/Thailand’s crashing birthrate and aging society/Cannabis network pushes for home-grown weed/Exports decline again/Bt6 billion on Thai EV factories/New PM focused on tourism/Pattaya’s Walking Street wireless/New airport for Phangnga?/Phuket opts for EV buses/Thai AirAsia plans Japan expansion/24-hour opening for eastern nightspots/Where to find Wellness Cuisine in Thailand/

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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PKK community fights factory stench, faces relocation woes

For years, the residents of the Ban Thammarat community in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been tormented by the foul odor emitted by the wastewater from a local rubber factory. Despite their pleas for regular inspections and serious action toward wastewater management, the issue remains unresolved, forcing some to relocate.

The community, located in Area 5, has long complained about the factory, which purchases rubber waste and discharges untreated wastewater onto personal land. The stench has permeated the area, affecting their daily lives. Continued …

Thailand shifts gears with online vehicle registration

The Thai government has launched an online vehicle registration service, providing a more convenient and time-saving option for the public. This move aligns with the government’s digital transformation policy, which aims to facilitate access to public services. As a result, citizens can now book a single number plate for each vehicle.

Ratchada Thanadirek, deputy government spokesperson, highlighted that this initiative is part of the government’s broader endeavor to promote digital transformation in public sector organizations. The policy, led by former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, focuses on digitalization to streamline processes and enhance service delivery. Continued …

Thailand braces for heavy rainfall

The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall across various regions of the country, brought about by low atmospheric pressure near the Vietnamese upper shore and the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and Thailand.

Thailand continues to experience thunderstorms, with heavy rain in certain parts of the northeast, and central regions, including Bangkok and its vicinity. Citizens in the upper northeastern region are advised to be cautious of heavy and accumulated rainfall, potentially leading to flooding. Continued …

Does crashing birthrate and aging society spell doom for Thailand?

The median age in Thailand currently stands at 40 years and two months, far older than the world average of 30 years and five months. This startling fact suggests that if Thailand fails to take action now, it could rapidly be overwhelmed by problems related to its aging society.

Thailand’s population is on course to shrink by at least 50% by 2100, according to the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. Continued …

Cannabis network pushes for home-grown weed, import ban

Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network is seeking 10,000 names to petition parliament to continue its reading of the Cannabis-Hemp Act, which would allow individuals to grow weed at home and ban the import of cannabis products for five years.

Prasitchai Nunual, the network leader, said yesterday the act was initially composed of 95 sections, but parliament’s reading only reached Section 17 due to a change of government. Continued …

Exports decline for 10th straight month

The value of Thai exports dropped for a 10th consecutive month in July, and by more than forecast, mainly because global commodity prices have fallen back from the highs reached last year in the first few months of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Weak global demand has been exacerbated by high interest rates and tougher lending practices, resulting in a deceleration of consumer spending, said Keerati Rushchano, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Commerce. Continued …

Aion to spend Bt6 billion on Thai EV factories

Aion Automobile Manufacturing (Thailand), a subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Corp. (GAC), the second-largest electric vehicle (EV) seller in China, plans to spend 6 billion baht building EV and battery factories in Thailand over 3-5 years, using the country as its new production and export base.

“We are considering the location for the factories, as well as production capacity to serve both domestic and overseas markets,” said Ocean Ma, managing director of Aion Automobile Manufacturing and Aion Automobile Sales (Thailand). Continued …

New government focused on boosting tourism to stimulate economy: new PM

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin flew to the island province of Phuket on Friday to highlight its significance as a major money-maker for Thailand’s tourism industry. It was his first provincial trip as the leader of Thailand’s new government in the making.

“The Pheu Thai Party sees tourism as the best way to stimulate the economy in the short term,” Srettha told reporters after arriving at the Phuket International Airport. Continued …

Pattaya’s Walking Street Sheds Its Power Poles

Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches inspected Walking Street in South Pattaya on Friday after the tourist attraction street underwent a modern upgrade to remove its unsightly power poles.

Poramase, along with other city officials, participated in the ceremony to open Walking Street in South Pattaya following the success of the major dismantling project of utility poles on the street. Continued …

Phangnga tourism council proposes new airport

A proposal for a new airport in Phangnga, which could potentially surpass Phuket as the south’s aviation hub, will be presented to the new prime minister by tourism operators in the Andaman provinces.

The president of the Tourism Council of Phangnga, Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, shared that the new airport’s necessity stems from the rapid growth in tourist demand for the south post-pandemic and the fact that expansion at Phuket airports has reached its limit. Continued …

Phuket earmarks 156 million baht for 24 EV buses and charging stations

The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) confirmed the allocation of 156 million baht (US$4.7 million) from this year’s budget for the purchase of 24 electric vehicle (EV) buses. These air-conditioned buses, each with a capacity of 21 seats, are set to serve three public routes across the province.

The announcement was made during a Phuket provincial land traffic subcommittee meeting, presided over by Vice Gov. Amnuay Pinsuwan. The meeting saw the participation of Phuket City Deputy Mayor Prasit Sinsaowapak and leaders from various government organizations. Continued …

 

Thai AirAsia targets 40% domestic market, plans Japan expansion

Thai AirAsia, a leading low-cost airline, has set a goal to command 40% of the passenger market share domestically by the close of 2023. This comes as the airline intends to introduce two additional routes in Japan in the upcoming year.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, the chief executive of Thai AirAsia, mentioned that the airline’s market share in the first half of the current year was 37%, a noticeable increase from the 33% recorded prior to the pandemic. He attributed this growth to the performance of domestic routes, with an average load factor of 94% on 32 routes leading to 21 provinces and eight cross-regional routes. Continued … 

Eastern Aviation City nightspots can remain open around the clock

In a bid to promote tourism and stimulate the local economy of the Eastern Economic Corridor area, specifically the Eastern Aviation City in Rayong province, entertainment venues located in the project can open 24 hours a day.

The Royal Gazette website on Friday published the fourth amendment of the Interior Ministerial Regulations on the Entertainment Place Act of 1966, allowing businesses located in Eastern Aviation City to open around the clock. Continued …

Chiva-som Hua Hin

Where to find Wellness Cuisine in Thailand That will Nurture Your Body and Soul

While modern day delicacies are delicious, there could be hidden toxins in your food that stimulate inflammation and cause discomfort to your gut. Wellness cuisine aims to use only the freshest and natural ingredients, in order to cook dishes that don’t only fulfill your cravings but also detox and nourish the body.

As the leading destination for wellness leisure, Thailand has several wellness retreats and wellness restaurants that are worth a visit. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

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

Friday’s news-Aug 25

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

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

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What Thailand’s expats can expect from the new government

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

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

Cheapest flight fares from Thailand

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

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

VAT hike from 7% to 10% proposed

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

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

Officials say road safety sees improvement in Prachuap Khiri Khan

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

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

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

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

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

International motorcycle gang and Indonesian drug syndicate nabbed

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

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

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

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

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

Household debt surges, interest rates rise, vehicle sales fall

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

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

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

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

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

Joining BRICs would lead to opportunities for Thailand

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

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

TAT turns its sights on Australia

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

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

AOT launches Chiang Mai airport expansion to serve 20M passengers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

China Bans Seafood From Japan After Fukushima Begins Wastewater Release

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

Former US president arrested – again

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

climate change, hua hin, marijuana, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s news-Aug 22

  • Thailand threatens to shut down Facebook/
  • BCCT Multi-Chamber Connecting Western Seaboard event Friday/
  • Elephant found dead in Pranburi had been shot/
  • Hua Hin’s ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ ceremony set for Sept 24/
  • Excise Dept mulls single tax rate for cigarettes/
  • Thailand election: Exiled ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra finally returns to Thailand/More Than Half The Senators Likely To Vote Srettha For PM/Thaksin returns, Pheu Thai in bed with military parties: What about Thailand?/
  • Economy: Thailand now has 36 smart cities in 25 provinces/Almost 2,000 businesses forced to close in July/Thailand urges ASEAN to lower or lift tax on agricultural goods/Cannabis regulation back on agenda as outlets soar/
  • Tourism: Illegal cannabis dispensaries shut down in Phuket/
  • International: Global Food Security Is at Crossroads as Rice Shortages and Surging Prices Hit the most vulnerable/Hun Manet officially Cambodia’s Prime Minister/
  • 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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Thailand threatens to shut down Facebook

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) is planning to shut down Facebook in Thailand for doing nothing to curb sponsored advertisements on the platform that have misled people into investing billions of baht in fake schemes.

The ministry plans to request a court order to block access to Facebook’s platform in the country. Recent incidents have involved Facebook receiving money from fraudulent pages that acted as sponsors to deceive and lure people into investing, causing substantial harm to many Thai citizens and damages exceeding 100 billion baht. Continued …

Elephant found dead in Pranburi had been shot

A young male elephant has been found dead in Pranburi. The discovery of the elephant, believed to be between 7 and 10 years old, has stirred local and national concern.

The elephant, identified as a wild Asian male weighing about 1,500 kilograms, was found in the Takian Yak Valley area. Officials estimated the creature had been deceased for at least one week before its discovery by a local villager. Continued …

Hua Hin’s ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ ceremony set for Sept 24

Marking a century-old tradition, Hua Hin’s “Blessing of the Fleet” merit-making ceremony is slated to return on Sept. 24 at the Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine.

The event, rooted in the town’s maritime culture, offers both local fishermen and visiting enthusiasts a chance to partake in an event that not only celebrates the town’s fishing heritage but also invokes blessings for the forthcoming fishing season. Continued …

Excise Dept mulls single tax rate for cigarettes

The Excise Department is considering setting a single tax rate for cigarettes and is preparing to negotiate with the Public Health Ministry to include e-cigarettes under its jurisdiction for seizure and fines.

According to Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director general of the Excise Department, progress is being made in the consideration of a new cigarette tax structure. The department is now aligning its tax collection approach with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation, suggesting that taxes should be levied based on higher quantities and at a single rate. Continued …

Exiled ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra finally returns to Thailand

After 17 years of living in exile abroad, except for a brief visit to Thailand in 2008, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra finally arrived at Don Mueang airport this morning at 9am.

He was met by his three children, including Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn, politicians from various parties and a large crowd of mostly red shirt-wearing supporters. – Thaipbsworld.com

More Than Half The Senators Likely To Vote Srettha For PM

More than half the senators will likely vote in support of Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin today, according to a source associated with senatorial whips.

Srettha will likely get more than enough votes to become the country’s 30th prime minister in today’s joint House/Senate meeting as far as those senators are concerned, the senatorial whip-associated source said. Continued …

Thaksin returns, Pheu Thai in bed with military parties: What about Thailand?

Ousted and fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinwatra’s return to Thailand today, the same day for the bicameral vote for PM, after a decade and a half in exile, means he is now confident the Pheu Thai Party will be back in power.

The vote for the new PM, with Srettha Thavisin as Pheu Thai PM candidate, will take place at around 3pm today, according to Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. Continued …

Thailand now has 36 smart cities in 25 provinces

The government has named 36 towns or municipalities in 25 provinces “smart cities” after they met the required criteria.

Rachada Dhnadirek, deputy government spokesperson, said on Monday that the 36 towns/municipalities had been endorsed as “smart cities” as of July. She added that another 15 towns will be named “smart” by the end of the year. Continued …

Almost 2,000 businesses forced to close in July

Many Thai businesses are struggling to continue operations, with almost 1,867 businesses shutting up shop in July, an 18.7% increase compared to the same period last year, but in line with the trends in business closures over the past five years. It is, however, the highest number for the first seven months for the past 10 years.

News sources at the Commerce Ministry reported that some of these business closures might be due to adjustments made by businesses to align with changing market conditions and consumer behaviors. The closure trend has been observed across various sectors, with general construction witnessing 175 closures (9%), the real estate sector 103 closures (6%), and hospitality/restaurants 43 closures (2%). Continued …

Thailand urges ASEAN to lower or lift tax on agricultural goods

Thailand is accelerating the upgrading of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) to address pending and new trade issues, including a proposal that agricultural export taxes from Thailand, such as on chilled chicken meat, rice, and fruits, be decreased or eliminated.

The fifth meeting of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement Trade Negotiating Committee was held from July 31 to Aug. 3 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The purpose of the meeting was to negotiate and update the agreement , ensuring it remains relevant amid trade changes. The meeting made significant progress, with a goal to conclude negotiations by 2024. Continued …

Cannabis regulation back on agenda as outlets soar

Tourism operators said the regulation of cannabis and hemp usage should be finished within one year following a five-fold increase in cannabis shops operating in the Khao San Road area since last year in Bangkok. Continued …

Illegal cannabis dispensaries shut down in Phuket

Thirteen cannabis dispensaries in Phuket have been shut down by authorities after they were found to be operating without a license, according to the province’s Public Health Office yesterday.

According to the office’s chief physician, Kusak Kukiattikoon, there are 1,701 registered cannabis-related businesses on the island, of which 1,451 are dispensaries. Out of the 1,451 shops, 502 are located in Kathu district, 222 in Thalang district, while the rest are located in Muang Phuket district. Continued …

Global Food Security Is at Crossroads as Rice Shortages and Surging Prices Hit the most vulnerable

Francis Ndege isn’t sure if his customers in Africa’s largest slum can afford to keep buying rice from him. Prices for rice grown in Kenya soared a while ago because of higher fertilizer prices and a years-long drought in the Horn of Africa that has reduced production. Cheap rice imported from India had filled the gap, feeding many of the hundreds of thousands of residents in Nairobi’s Kibera slum who survive on less than $2 a day. Continued …

Hun Manet officially Cambodia’s Prime Minister

Hun Manet is now officially the prime minister of Cambodia after the National Assembly (NA) gave him a vote of confidence this morning, the second day of the inaugural session of the NA’s seventh legislative term. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Wednesday’s news-Aug 16

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

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Weather officials forecast downpour throughout Thailand

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

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

Bird watching at Hat Wanakorn National Park in Thap Sakae

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand Elite cancels visa change at the last minute

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

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

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

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

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

Baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry

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

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

Economic recovery intact, says Bank of Thailand

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

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

Chinese EV manufacturers ramp up investment in Thailand

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

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

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

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

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

Digital economy continues its forward march

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Friday’s news-Aug 11

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

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Prachuap Khiri Khan is no longer in drought crisis

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

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

Hua Hin Coffee Fest slated this weekend

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

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

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

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

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

Queen birthday celebration at Huay Mongkol Temple Sunday

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

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

Thailand’s health services strain as dental appointments delayed

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

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

Bangkok is sinking

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

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

Iraqi man arrested for overstaying in Thailand for nearly 15 years

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

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

Suvarnabhumi’s sustainable future fueled by solar panel installation

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

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

Woman rescues 19 puppies abandoned in Isaan forest

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

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

Thai researchers develop antibody drugs from tobacco plants for cancer treatment

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

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

Pilots face pricey training fees to secure airline jobs

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

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

Pheu Thai cruising toward power, but at what price?

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

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

The continuing crisis of Thai democracy

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

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

Consumer confidence drops for first time in 14 months

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

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

Thai rice price surges amidst drought concerns

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

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

Fruit exports fare well in first 5 months

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

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

Thailand’s data center market to grow in triple digits

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

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

Thailand’s legal cannabis story – one year later

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

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

Tourist visa requirements eased for Chinese visitors

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

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

China Expands the Number of Countries for Travel

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

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

Thailand plans to build 3 terminals for cruise ships

 

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

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

Agency turns to culinary tourism

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

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

Hotels looking to hire temporary workers as high season nears

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

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

Motorbike collision sparks street fight between Thais and Kuwaitis in Pattaya

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

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

Police Urged To Stop Tourists Partying On Jomtien Beach All Night

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

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

Maui fire fatalities rise to 53

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

Russia launches moon lander in race to find water on moon

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

Virgin Galactic rockets its first tourist passengers into space

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

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
hospitality, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Thursday’s news-Aug 10

  • Prestige magazine features Hua Hin’s Intercontinental/
  • Hopes for Pheu Thai PM fade as conservative parties eye power/
  • True looks to bundled services for growth/
  • PTT to plant 86,173 rai of forests in 2023/
  • Thailand to grow opium, magic mushrooms to produce morphine, anti-depressants/
  • Economy: Thai economy riding recovery in tourism, amid flailing exports/FTI announces glum export outlook/Rice price hikes worry restaurant owners, some pass costs to diners/
  • Tourism: Thai tourists dominate PKK tourism numbers/Day trips more likely than longer stays over long weekend/Indian men clash for Thai woman in Pattaya/
  • Thailand Experience: 10 Tantalizing Thai Cookbooks/Learn about the long journey of Thai cats and local culture/
  • International: Indonesia’s Capital Named World’s Most Polluted City/Soaring rice prices stretch budgets for billions in Asia, Africa/People scramble for safety as Hawaii wildfires rage; 6 dead in Maui/
  • 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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Prestige magazine features Hua Hin’s Intercontinental

One of the true joys of living in Thailand is having access to some of the world’s most beautiful coastlines. One such destination, the seaside haven of Hua Hin, offers an alluring blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.

Beyond its tranquil beaches and scenic landscapes, the town exudes an inviting atmosphere, with vibrant markets, world-class dining, and a wealth of recreational activities, which has made it increasingly popular for those looking to invest in properties that will provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the kingdom’s larger cities, as well as provide the setting for a lifetime of cherished memories in paradise. Continued …

Hopes for Pheu Thai PM fade as conservative parties eye power

Almost three months after the May 14 general election, Pheu Thai officially formed a new alliance with Bhumjaithai on Monday, and announced they are open to more political parties joining to form Thailand’s next government.

The new coalition emerged just days after Pheu Thai’s political divorce from the Move Forward Party, which won the largest number of seats in the election but failed to secure majority support from Parliament for its prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat. Continued …

True looks to bundled services for growth

Leading fixed broadband internet service provider True Online is offering bundled services, launching packages that include closed-circuit TV (CCTV), home and life insurance at a starting price of 600 baht per month.

The move aims to broaden its new household subscriber base from 3.8 million and increase its monthly average revenue per user from 475 baht, said Sakolporn Hanchanlert, head of online convergence at True Corp. Continued …

PTT to plant 86,173 rai of forests in 2023

Oil and gas giant PTT is planning to plant 86,173 rai of forest this year to accelerate the company’s bid to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

PTT President and CEO Auttapol Rerkpiboon said on Wednesday that the company’s reforestation project aims to rehabilitate the ecosystem and increase natural resources for absorbing carbon dioxide. Continued …

Thailand to grow opium, magic mushrooms to produce morphine, anti-depressants

The Cabinet has approved a draft royal decree for designating areas to grow opium and magic mushrooms on a trial basis for medicinal purposes.

Trisulee Trisaranakul, deputy government spokesperson, said the Cabinet gave the project proposed by the Justice Ministry the go-ahead on Tuesday. Continued …

Thai economy riding recovery in tourism, amid flailing exports

Amid sliding exports and the sluggish world economy, tourism is playing a key role in shoring up Thailand’s economy.

The tourism industry has generated 1.1 trillion baht revenue for the country in the first seven months of the year, 638.2 billion baht coming from spending by foreign tourists, deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Traisaranakul said recently. Continued …

FTI announces glum export outlook

Exports may contract by more than 2% this year, following an interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve and concerns over higher global energy prices in the winter, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI, predicted dim export prospects after the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking announced last month it was slashing its export growth forecast to -2% this year, down from -1%. Continued … 

Rice price hikes worry restaurant owners, some pass costs to diners

Rice prices have begun to climb, causing restaurateurs concern about the cost of producing made-to-order meals. Despite this, some restaurants have opted not to increase prices, sympathizing with their customers. They are instead appealing to the government to control the cost.

The Ministry of Commerce directed related agencies to balance rice prices after a lull in rainfall from El Niño and India’s suspension of rice exports, causing global market costs to rise. Continued …

Thai tourists dominate PKK tourism numbers

Prachuap Khiri Khan province saw 5,754,690 tourists between January and June this year. Most, 5,502,954, were Thai nationals. majority, 5,502,954, being Thai nationals.

The remaining 251,736 were foreign visitors.

Day trips more likely than longer stays over long weekend

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects Thais to make 2.6 million domestic trips during the National Mother’s Day long weekend (Aug. 12-14) and spend around 8.76 billion baht, a drop of 4% and 5%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

The reduced travel and lower spending are due to the impact of inflation and unfavorable weather conditions during the rainy season, TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said on Wednesday. Continued … 

Indian men clash for Thai woman in Pattaya

British writer John Lyly once wrote “All is fair in love and war,” but try saying that to two groups of Indian men who brawled in the street in a bid to win the heart of a fair Thai maiden on Southern Pattaya Road last night.

According to an eyewitness, a heated altercation erupted between the two Indian factions along the roadside. The witness courageously intervened, urging the groups to cease their conflict. However, one of the Indian men misinterpreted the intervention as an affront, escalating matters by attempting to wield a broken glass bottle as a weapon. Continued …

10 Tantalizing Thai Cookbooks

I’ll never forget the first time I tried Thai food. I couldn’t get enough of the savory pad Thai sprinkled with chili powder and ground peanuts, and I couldn’t help but crave it again the very next day!

Spicy curries, flavorful vegetable soups, and savory pad Thai are just a few dishes that you’ll be able to cook with confidence after reading these easy-to-follow cookbooks. Continued …

Learn about the long journey of Thai cats and local culture

As one of the most beloved animals in the world, cats have been people’s quintessential companions for thousands of years.

Domesticated felines have always played a significant role in human civilization, no matter where they are. From now until November, the Ministry of Culture’s Fine Arts Department presents “Wilar Wilas: The Journey Of Cats In Thai Tradition”, an exhibition that tells fascinating stories about this unique pet. Continued …

Indonesia’s Capital Named World’s Most Polluted City

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta topped the list as the world’s most polluted city on Wednesday, having consistently ranked among the 10 most polluted cities globally since May, according to data by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. Continued …

Soaring rice prices stretch budgets for billions in Asia, Africa

A surge in rice prices to the highest level in almost 15 years is renewing fears that food costs are going to get a lot more expensive for the world’s poorest people. Continued …

People scramble for safety as Hawaii wildfires rage; 6 dead in Maui

Wind-whipped wildfires in Hawaii forced hundreds of evacuations Wednesday, overwhelmed hospitals and even sent some residents fleeing into the ocean to escape the flames, as parts of the popular tourist destination turned into a raging inferno in a matter of hours. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Wednesday’s news-Aug 9

  • Reader Feedback: More on the delayed Hua Hin Airport improvements/
  • Understanding property ownership in Prachuap Khiri Khan/
  • Hua Hin’s Cape Nidhra named by Tripadvisor/
  • Centara Grand named strongest brand in Thailand/
  • Behind the power tariff decision/
  • Buckle up! New law makes taxis ensure passenger wear safety belt/
  • Are you qualified to get the new 4-year SMART Visa in Thailand?/
  • What happens next in Thailand murder and dismemberment case?/
  • Drunken monkeys attack man, push him off a cliff in Ranong/
  • Analysis: Like It Or Not, Coup-linked General Most Likely To Become PM/
  • Economy: Thailand’s EV Industry Attracts Chinese Automakers/Bayer Thai taps solar energy for its row crops seed production site in Phitsanulok/
  • Tourism: What is sports tourism and why is it a key driver for PKK’s tourism sector?/Thai tourism industry anticipates growth under potential Pheu Thai government/Exat to hold public hearings on highway connecting Samui to mainland/World Dragon Boat Championship Officially Kicks off in Rayong/German father drowns, son survives off Phuket’s Karon Beach/Klook Ends Sale of Certain Cruel Wildlife Attractions/
  • Thailand Experience: The 10 Best Places to Retire in Asia; Hua Hin 10th/Ways to Maximize Your Thailand Travel Experience in 2023/Annual water buffalo race kick-starts rice cultivation season/Get ready to feast on meatballs in Buri Ram this weekend/
  • International: Italian dairy owner crushed to death by cheese wheels/Bear loose on Iraqi passenger flight at Dubai Airport/Scientists: No quick fix for Antarctic sea ice loss/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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

More on the delayed Hua Hin Airport improvements

Airport delay just normal in Thailand

“Criticism would not change anything because, as is well known, the clocks tick differently in Thailand than in Europe. It is also known that announcements are made long before the actual implementation. But maybe a competent person who has influence on flight connections is reading this. My suggestion would be to create a flight connection between Bangkok, Hua Hin, Phuket and/or Koh Samui. Udon Thani makes little sense to me. Greetings for a long waiting Flight Passenger.” – Willy

Disappointed in airport management

“I am so disappointed in Hua Hin Airport HHQ. Phoenix Aviation was given the contract almost 3 years ago to upgrade the airport terminals and add routes. Air Asia added flights to Udon about 6 months ago and then never opened the route (I got my money back.) Phoenix has fallen down.

“The “authorities” are saying that additional runway expansion and security is needed. They just completed the runway expansion project 6 months ago. A320’s have been landing at HHQ for years! But 30,000 flights per year? 555?

“Now they are saying the roadway bridge tunnel must be lengthened and a train tunnel? Sounds like a 20-year plan. Meanwhile, HHQ has 4 flights a week to CNX. Very disappointing. Mayor Newey, are you listening?” – Scpchris

Is no one worried about airplane noise?

“Where is the concern for homes and people under the flight path? Why are jets not landing and taking off over the water? Single and twin prop planes are no problem but jets are noisy and disruptive.” – MSA

Understanding property ownership in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Contrary to some misconceptions, Thailand allows anyone, regardless of nationality, to own property – be that structures, buildings, and houses.

However, when it comes to land, it is advisable and safer for foreigners to enter into a legally registered lease in their name, granting them the rights to the land during the lease term. Continued …

Hua Hin’s Cape Nidhra named by Tripadvisor

Hua Hin’s Cape Nidhra Hotel has earned the “Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2023” award, the hotel’s fourth consecutive win.

The hotel’s staff, in particular, was honored for consistently offerung the ultimate vacation experience for guests, according to Tripadvisor.

Centara Grand named strongest brand in Thailand

Centara Hotels & Resorts announced that its flagship brand, Centara Grand, has been recognized as the strongest brand in Thailand by Brand Finance’s Thailand 50 2023 report. This ranking highlights Centara Grand’s performance in terms of brand equity, trust, and value over the past year.

Brand Finance, a leading global brand valuation and strategy consultancy, evaluates thousands of renowned brands across various sectors and countries annually, with its Thailand 50 2023 report showcasing the top 50 most valuable and strongest brands in the country. Continued …

Behind the power tariff decision

A lower power tariff scheduled to take effect from Sept. 1 not only means cheaper electricity bills for households and businesses during the last four months of this year, but also helps the debt-ridden Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) with its plan to settle its debt.

The new power tariff, which is largely based on gas prices, is why EGAT is involved in determining the rates. Continued … 

Buckle up! New law makes taxis ensure passenger wear safety belt

An announcement requiring taxi drivers to warn their passengers to wear their safety belts has been issued and will become effective in November. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette Monday.

The warning was declared by the National Police office, which aims to establish a safety practice for taxi drivers in notifying and ensuring that passengers obey safety laws and wear their seat belts. Continued …

Are you qualified to get the new 4-year SMART Visa in Thailand?

For global experts and investors, the SMART Visa is a big win. It allows you to stay in Thailand for four years. And guess what? You only need to check in once a year, bidding goodbye to the old 90-day reporting rule.

With the buzz surrounding this SMART Visa, you’re probably bubbling with questions. Who can apply for it? What are the steps involved in getting one? Don’t worry. We’re here to explain everything. We’ll answer all your questions and guide you through the entire process, making it as easy as, well, it should be. Continued … 

What happens next in Thailand murder and dismemberment case?

Spanish chef Daniel Sancho, the son of actor Rodolfo Sancho, who has confessed to the murder and dismemberment of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta on the Thai island of Koh Pha-ngan, was remanded in custody Monday by order of the Koh Samui Provincial Court.

His possible cooperation in the investigation, the sentence that may be handed down if he is found guilty and the 1987 agreement signed between Madrid and Bangkok regarding “cooperation in the carrying out of criminal sentences” will decide the outcome of a complex and lengthy process Sancho’s defense hopes will conclude with his transfer to Spain to serve any possible sentence. Continued … 

Drunken monkeys attack man, push him off a cliff in Ranong

A 44-year-old Thai man was violently attacked by 10 drunken macaques when he was walking on a road that passes the top of a cliff in the Ranong area, Khao Niwet.

The gang of monkeys attacked him and pushed him off the cliff that descends 50 meters to the nearest road. Continued …

Analysis: Like It Or Not, Coup-linked General Most Likely To Become PM

Like it or not, Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan will be the most likely person to become prime minister after an upcoming general election, despite the likelihood of a failure on his own part to win most MP seats.

That Prawit will likely have the largest chance of winning the top post of government among all partisan contestants will by no means pertain to a number of MP seats the Palang Pracharath may get in the nationwide election, speculated in early or mid-May, but will decisively hinge on the hands of a coup junta-appointed army of 250 senators, according to political observers. Continued … 

Thailand’s EV Industry Attracts Chinese Automakers

Thailand, known as the largest auto manufacturer in Southeast Asia, has a well-established auto industry, with over 60 years of experience in vehicle assembly and manufacturing. The country produces nearly two million vehicles annually, accounting for approximately half of the Southeast Asian auto market.

Recognizing the immense potential, Chinese automakers have invested USD 1.44 billion to establish production facilities in Thailand, aiming to disrupt the stronghold that Japanese companies have traditionally held in the region. Continued …

Bayer Thai taps solar energy for its row crops seed production site in Phitsanulok

Bayer Thai Co. formally switched on its solar panel installation to power its corn seed production site in Phitsanulok using renewable energy.

The rooftop-based, solar-panel installation covers 50% of the site’s total available space and can generate 600KW. It will contribute to a 20% reduction in CO2 emission, which is equivalent to 371 tons per annum or comparable to the carbon absorption capacity of a 190,000 mangrove trees plantation. Continued …

What is sports tourism and why is it a key driver for PKK’s tourism sector?

In recent years, the concept of sports tourism has gained significant traction, with travelers increasingly seeking destinations that offer not only beautiful landscapes and cultural experiences but also opportunities to engage in sports activities or witness thrilling sporting events.

Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan, as a whole, have emerged as prime destinations for sports tourism, attracting both domestic and international visitors. Continued …

Thai tourism industry anticipates growth under potential Pheu Thai government

The Thai tourism industry is buzzing with optimism as the Pheu Thai party is potentially gearing up to form the anticipated government.

With Pheu Thai’s known successful stint in the realm of governance and its proven track record in enhancing the economy, the tourism sector is eagerly waiting for efficient tourism policies to be rolled out to mitigate existing challenges. Continued …

Exat to hold public hearings on highway connecting Samui to mainland

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) is studying seven possible routes for a highway that will link resort island Koh Samui to the mainland of Surat Thani, a coastal province in the Gulf of Thailand.

The project is having the first public hearing on Monday when the authority will present the pros and cons of each route to residents of Don Sak, Khanom and Koh Samui districts, where the construction could be taking place. Continued …

World Dragon Boat Championship Officially Kicks off in Rayong

The 16th IDBF World Dragon Boat Championship Thailand 2023 finally began yesterday at the Royal Thai Navy Rowing and Canoeing Training Center in Rayong and will last until Aug.13.

Poramase Ngampiches, the mayor of Pattaya, participated in the opening ceremony at Jomtien Beach near the D Varee Hotel. The ceremony was presided over by Patama Leeswadtrakul, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Continued …

German father drowns, son survives off Phuket’s Karon Beach

A German father drowned while swimming at Karon Beach in Phuket yesterday, while his 11-year-old son survived the incident.

The Thai lifeguard team on Karon Beach rescued the 52- year-old German, Jurgen Ralf Wiltzsch, who lost consciousness at the bottom of the sea. The rescue team was called to the scene and provided CPR to Wiltzsch and transferred him to Chalong Hospital, but staff could not save the foreign man. Continued …

Klook Ends Sale of Certain Cruel Wildlife Attractions

Klook, one of the leading online travel companies, has launched an animal welfare policy to end the sale of circus-style performances involving elephants, dolphins and tigers.

The policy will come into effect by the end of October 2023, ramping up pressure for more travel companies to follow suit as travelers seek more cruelty-free travel options. Continued …

The 10 Best Places to Retire in Asia; Hua Hin 10th

Asia boasts some of the most cost-friendly places in the world to retire. Pockets of India, Vietnam and Thailand can feel amazingly affordable to newcomers. Retirement in Asia is sure to be full of exotic experiences and unexpected adventures.

For some people, the culture shock is thrilling and invigorating, while others might be intimidated by the cultural differences. Retirees in Asia also have access to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Continued …

Ways to Maximize Your Thailand Travel Experience in 2023

It is very likely that you have heard about the beauty of Thailand on social media and are planning to visit the country. If you choose Thailand as your next holiday destination, you will be surprised by its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. The Thai people are warm and welcoming. No wonder Thailand is widely known as the land of smiles.

There are too many places to visit in Thailand and many more activities to participate in. This article will discuss the reasons for visiting Thailand and also tell you certain tips that can maximize your travel experience. Continued …

Annual water buffalo race kick-starts rice cultivation season

An annual water buffalo race took place in the eastern Thai province of Chonburi on Aug. 6. Held to celebrate the start of rice cultivation season, the race aims to preserve traditional Thai culture and educate the younger generation to appreciate these beasts of burden. Held to usher in the start of the rainy season, this year’s race came amid an impending drought brought on by the El Nino climate phenomenon. Video 

Get ready to feast on meatballs in Buri Ram this weekend

Buri Ram province is taking advantage of the National Mother’s Day weekend by hosting the 6th edition of its annual meatball-eating contest. This northeastern province has earned a name for its “Look Chin Yeun Kin”, or meatballs that can be eaten while standing – or meatballs on a stick that can be enjoyed on the go. Thai-style meatballs are pre-cooked and then chilled. They can be eaten either grilled or fried with Thai chilli sauce. This year’s meatball-eating fest will be held from Friday to Sunday from noon to 10pm in the plaza of Chang Arena in Buri Ram’s Muang district. Participants can expect over 40 stalls selling meatballs. (The Nation)

Italian dairy owner crushed to death by cheese wheels

We shouldn’t make light of any death, but this one was a bit… cheesy. In Italy, a 74-year-old man was found dead under a sizeable pile of cheese wheels. The cheese, stacked high on shelves in a Lombardy region dairy and cheese production facility, toppled over, causing thousands of heavy cheese wheels to crush the unfortunate man. Continued …

Bear loose on Iraqi passenger flight at Dubai Airport

An Iraqi Airways passenger flight met unexpected panda-monium when a bear wandered free from its transportation cage. Wildlife experts were called to manage the situation before it got grizzly as the plane prepared for departure at Dubai International Airport. They tranquilized the bear, returning it to its cage and removing it from the aircraft. Continued …

Scientists: No quick fix for Antarctic sea ice loss

Sea ice in the Antarctic region has fallen to a record low this year as a result of rising global temperatures and there is no quick fix to reverse the damage, scientists say in a new study of the impact of climate change on the planet. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Wednesday’s news-Aug 2

  • No alcohol sales today for religious holiday/
  • Foreign ‘Mafia’ group holds gun to head of tourists in Pattaya/
  • Robbery at Hua Hin gold shop: Thief flees with necklaces worth 300,000 THB/
  • Boy, 9, missing off PKK beach/
  • Local radio station Surf FM re-brands to SURF Radio/
  • Major landslide warning for 45 provinces as Thailand braces for heavy rainfall/
  • Wondering how to keep strong and age well? Think muscle health/
  • Mega changes ahead for Thailand’s Elite visa/
  • Move Forward ready to sacrifice government position to ensure no coup makers/
  • Tragic Fireworks Warehouse Explosion Leaves Community Severely Affected/
  • Economy: Employment on the rise as Thai economy continues to recover/Thai inflation to remain relatively low in Q3/Thai govt mulls halting Central Plains rice farming amid anticipated drought/Global warming could inflict massive loss on Thai agriculture/Founder of Wind Energy Holdings awarded US$900M in compensation by UK court/
  • Tourism: Beach beating: 20 Thai transwomen assault foreigners in Pattaya/Two Indian Men Drown At Phuket Beach After Allegedly Ignoring No Swimming Warnings/Bangkok: Digital nomads’ No.1 destination/Tourism revival in Thailand risks airport slot overcrowding/Marine officials close Maya Bay for 2 months’ ‘rest’ from tourists/Full Moon Party faces Buddha Days, water shortages this month/
  • Thailand Experience: What footprints do we, as tourists, leave behind?/5 great ways retirees in Thailand spend their free time/Indulging in Meaningful Wellness experiences in Koh Samui/Surin marks Asanha Bucha with elephant parade/Things to See and Do in Northern Thailand/
  • International: Trump indicted for efforts to overturn 2020 election and block transfer of power/Food security at risk without global cooperation, authorities warn/Myanmar junta pardons ex-leader Suu Kyi for five offenses/Chinese EVs smash monthly sales records/
  • 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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No alcohol sales today for religious holiday

Foreign ‘Mafia’ group holds gun to head of tourists in Pattaya

A shocking incident took place at the Voice of Navy 5 Viewpoint in Pattaya, as a Thai witness captured a distressing video of a foreign mafia member threatening a group of Asian men at gunpoint.

The video, lasting 1.39 minutes, shows a foreign mafia man dressed in all-black attire brandishing a gun and intimidating approximately 10 foreigners, believed to be Kuwaiti nationals. The most alarming moment was when the gunman pointed his weapon directly at the head of one of the men. Continued …

Robbery at Hua Hin gold shop: Thief flees with necklaces worth 300,000 THB

A thief dressed as a FoodPanda delivery rider struck a well-known gold shop in Hua Hin on Tuesday, brazenly escaping with a haul of gold necklaces worth nearly 300,000 baht.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 PM when Deputy Superintendent of Police at Hua Hin Police Station Pichaya Rongleua received a report of a robbery at the Yaowarat Gold Shop on Chomsin Road. Continued …

Boy, 9, missing off PKK beach

A search used rubber boats and drones to inspect an area of approximately 3 kilometers in search of a 9-year-old boy who went missing after swimming in the sea at Suan Son Beach yesterday. There were strong winds and waves at the time.

The missing boy and his family were visiting Samut Sakhon Province. The rescue operation involved hundreds of officials who combed an 800-meter stretch along the coastline. Specialized rescue divers searched an additional 1-kilometer distance into the sea.

Local radio station Surf FM re-brands to SURF Radio

The radio station started life 20 years ago by Pongsawatch Charoennithithat with a vision to provide English radio for expat residents and visitors to the area.

While the radio station initially experienced some success, it soon faced challenges due to inadequate signal, and low advertising sales. Continued … 

Major landslide warning for 45 provinces as Thailand braces for heavy rainfall

Continual rainfall appears to be holding Thailand under its reign. The Thai Meteorology Department (TMD) warned of potential landslides in 45 provinces, including Bangkok.

The precipitation accumulation could lead to sudden flooding and running forest water in the northern, eastern, and western southern provinces. Residents in these locations are advised to be cautious, especially around mountainous areas, or near river paths. Continued … 

Wondering how to keep strong and age well? Think muscle health

Sometimes it’s not until later in life that a person starts to think about aging well.Healthy aging can mean many things, from keeping your memory intact to maintaining an active social life to staying in peak physical condition.

One component of aging well is supporting your muscle health. Muscle loss begins around age 40 and increases year after year, accelerating at around age 70. Continued …

Mega changes ahead for Thailand’s Elite visa

The Thai Elite visa, which offers multiple-entry stays between five and 20 years, will totally replace its current packages on Oct. 1, 2023. Founded by then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003, Thailand Privilege Card Co. is wholly owned by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. But a new senior management team at Elite has decided to introduce unprecedented changes.

All new applications for Elite must be made by Sept. 15 under the existing application rules: after that it will be too late. Current holders of the popular Elite Easy Access – a five-year visa available for a cash payment of 600,000 baht – have until Aug. 15 to transfer to a longer Elite visa, usually for 20 years: after that it will be too late. Continued …

Move Forward ready to sacrifice government position to ensure no coupmakers

The Move Forward is ready to move to the opposition to ensure that neither the Palang Pracharath Party or the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party are in the next government coalition, a MFP MP said today.

Despite taking the lead in forming the government, the Pheu Thai Party has experienced difficulties due to Move Forward Party’s electoral promise to amend the lese-majeste laws and the refusal of the senate and more conservative parties to side with them while MFP was in the coalition. Continued …

Tragic Fireworks Warehouse Explosion Leaves Community Severely Affected

The death toll from the massive explosion at a fireworks and firecracker warehouse in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat has risen to 12, with more than 120 people injured. About 100 residential buildings in the area were also damaged.

Of the injured, 10 people are still being treated in hospitals, while the rest have returned home but are still suffering from the psychological aftermath. Continued with video …

Employment on the rise as Thai economy continues to recover

The employment situation for Thais has consistently improved, reflecting the continued economic recovery following the pandemic, the National Statistical Office reported this week.

During thesecond quarter of 2023, 660,000 people found jobs, bringing the total number of employed individuals to 39.7 million. The increase in working hours also indicates a rise in job opportunities, with around 560,000 more people working full time (35-49 hours per week) compared to the same period in 2022. Continued …

Thai inflation to remain relatively low in Q3

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) expects domestic inflation to remain relatively low in the third quarter following the 2.49% inflation in the first half of this year, while the Commerce Ministry estimates this year’s domestic inflation at 1%-2% with a median figure of 1.5%.

According to Wisit Limluecha, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and chairman of the Processed Food and Future Food Committee (PFC) of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the food industry is facing risks and challenges, such as economic stagnation, inflation, rising oil prices, and the effects of the El Nino phenomenon. Continued …

Thai govt mulls halting Central Plains rice farming amid anticipated drought

In a bid to counteract the effects of a potential drought, the central government of Thailand is contemplating the suspension of rice cultivation in the Central Plains region. This proposal comes alongside the potential establishment of a command center to combat reduced rainfall and water shortages.

The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) initiated this conversation, citing apprehensions about the forecasted decrease in this year’s nationwide rainfall. Surasri Kidtimonton, the secretary-general of the ONWR, expressed worry that the rainfall for the year has fallen below average, sparking prospects of a more arid rainy season. Continued …

Global warming could inflict massive loss on Thai agriculture

Global warming could break new records next year, severely affecting the agricultural sector and potentially causing losses of over 2.85 trillion baht by the year 2045, weather experts have warned.

During a panel discussion entitled “Cope and Adapt to Prevent the Global Warming Crisis”, Associate Professor Vishnu Atthavanich from the Faculty of Economics at Kasetsart University said that around 1.2 trillion trees would need to be planted just to absorb the carbon dioxide emitted in the past decade, adding that planting such a massive number of trees over a short period would be extremely challenging, if not impossible. Continued …

Founder of Wind Energy Holdings awarded US$900M in compensation by UK court

Founder and former CEO of Thai renewable energy firm Wind Energy Holdings (WEH) has been awarded US$900 million (about 30 billion baht) in compensation by a British court over a share sale swindle.

On July 31, the British court ordered the current chairman of Wind Energy Holdings (WEH) and 13 other co-defendants to compensate the founder of the company for fraudulently conspiring to lure the plaintiff into selling his shares in WEH at an undervalued price, according to a BBC Thai report. Continued …

Beach beating: 20 Thai transwomen assault foreigners in Pattaya

In the early hours of this morning, a gang of 20 Thai transwomen unleashed a physical assault on three foreigners along Beach Road in Pattaya, raising concerns due to their previous involvement in violent acts in the area.

The Pattaya Tourist Police swiftly responded to a distress call and arrived at the scene to aid the victims, comprising two Saudi Arabian men and one Palestinian man. Visibly shaken, the foreigners were taken to the police station for questioning. Continued …

Two Indian Men Drown At Phuket Beach After Allegedly Ignoring No Swimming Warnings

Two Indian tourists drowned at Karon Beach, Mueang Phuket, after allegedly ignoring red flags and no swimming warnings.

Emergency responders were notified of the incident at 6:45pm at Karon Beach on Tuesday. They arrived at the beach with red flags, which meant no swimming allowed, placed along the beach. Continued …

Bangkok: Digital nomads’ No.1 destination

Bangkok earned the prestigious title of top city for digital nomads worldwide, according to a recent survey conducted by CommercialSearch, a renowned platform specializing in working and co-working spaces. The bustling metropolis outshone all its competitors in this year’s rankings of the Best Cities for Digital Nomads.

CommercialSearch’s evaluation process involved assessing cities globally with populations exceeding 400,000 residents and completing data in all their metrics. From this comprehensive list, 57 cities emerged as the top contenders, with only one city selected from each country, ensuring a diverse set of large, well-connected urban centers that present outstanding choices for those embracing the digital nomad lifestyle. Affordability, Internet speed, coworking costs, fun factor, and safety were the key factors considered for the rankings. Continued …

Tourism revival in Thailand risks airport slot overcrowding

In anticipation of the upcoming high season, Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) has expressed concerns over the slot capacity at international airports. As more flights are set to resume, it is predicted that the country will receive around 8 million tourists this year, primarily derived from long-haul markets anticipating a significant tourism revival.

The TAT’s expectations for overall foreign visitors this year include at least six million individuals from Europe, one million from the Americas, and an estimated half a million from the Middle East. Continued …

Marine officials close Maya Bay for 2 months’ ‘rest’ from tourists

Krabi’s Maya Bay, on Koh Phi Phi Leh, has been closed for two months to give the ecosystem time to recover before the return of the tourist high season. The closure has been confirmed by Ratchanok Phaenoi, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park.

The picturesque bay, arguably the most famous in Thailand thanks to the 2000 Leonard di Caprio movie, The Beach, will re-open on Sept. 30. Continued …

Full Moon Party faces Buddha Days, water shortages this month

Local party and event organizers have scrambled to host the infamous Full Moon Party on Haad Rin Beach in Koh Pha Ngan this week while facing a number of setbacks. The country is seeing a surge in tourism due to the super-extended six-day holiday weekend, but that brings a downside for the partygoers on the island.

Normally, the week of Full Moon is full of all-night parties for at least five days, with popular shindigs like Waterfall Party and OXA Beach two nights before Full Moon, the legendary Jungle Experience the night before, Maya the day after and another Waterfall Party two days after, along with many other weekly and monthly events around the island. Continued …

What footprints do we, as tourists, leave behind?

When COVID broke out, I was an expat living in northern Thailand. In 2020, and most of 2021, the country had no access to COVID vaccines. The Thai government shut its borders to prevent the spread of disease. Most foreigners were locked out of Thailand. I was locked in.

Thailand’s shutdown of international tourism reduced the spread of COVID and was good for the natural environment. Local media reported that endangered animals were returning to coastal areas. Unfortunately, the Thai economy is heavily dependent upon international tourism. For the Thai people, the shutdown was a financial disaster. Continued …

5 great ways retirees in Thailand spend their free time

If you’re a retired expat settling down in Thailand, we bet you are keen to find your golden years with more than just basking in the sun (not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course). When the days feel a bit long, and you find yourself browsing “things to do when retired and bored” on your search engine, it’s a clear sign that you need to shake things up a bit.

But don’t worry. Thailand has a wealth of entertainment and activities that are perfect for retirees. Here are some of the most exciting ways to make your retirement in Thailand feel vibrant and thrilling. Continued …

Indulging in Meaningful Wellness experiences in Koh Samui

Koh Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, is not only well-known for turquoise waters, white sand, and tropical rain forests but also for being one of the top wellness destinations in Thailand. What makes the tropical paradise a wellness destination? Well, it’s not merely due to its sandy beaches.

The amicable and rich culture, healthy and authentic southern Thai delicacies, diverse flora, well-protected fauna and the island’s unrivaled serenity all enrich one’s body, mind and soul. So, what is an ideal “well-cation” in Samui? Read on to find out what a perfectly curated wellness experience in Koh Samui looks like. Continued …

Surin marks Asanha Bucha with elephant parade

Thirty-seven elephants carried 71 monks in a merit-making ceremony marking Asanha Puja Day in the northeastern province of Surin on Tuesday morning.

Hundreds of Thai Buddhists attended the ceremony to offer food and refreshments to the monks, while visitors took close-up shots of the elephant parade. According to the local report, this is the world’s only merit-making ceremony held on the elephant back. Continued … 

Things to See and Do in Northern Thailand

Earlier this year, I was planning a trip to Thailand, as I’d not been to this popular destination in a long while. Initially, I had wanted to book a trip to Bangkok or Phuket, as I was familiar with those locations and missed traveling there.

But after thinking it over, I decided to try something new for once. After looking up potential destinations to visit in Thailand, I made up my mind to book a trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s beloved “Rose in the North”. Continued … 

Trump indicted for efforts to overturn 2020 election and block transfer of power

Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department moving to hold him accountable for an effort to block the transfer of presidential power.

The four-count indictment, the third criminal case against Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark chapter in American history that has already been the subject of exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a months-long campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods culminated in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Trump sought to exploit that violence by trying to delay further the counting of votes that sealed his defeat. Continued …

Food security at risk without global cooperation, authorities warn

Amidst the global food crisis, caused by soaring prices worldwide due to the Russian war in Ukraine and volatile weather conditions, India’s ban on rice exports has raised concerns about food security. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has proposed that several countries review their food export policies to address the increasing food security concerns. Continued … 

Myanmar junta pardons ex-leader Suu Kyi for five offenses

Myanmar’s military-led government has reduced the prison sentences of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in clemency connected to a religious holiday in the Buddhist-majority country, state media said Tuesday. Continued …

Chinese EVs smash monthly sales records

Three of China’s top electric vehicle (EV) start-ups reported record monthly sales in July, as a release of pent-up demand in the world’s largest market for battery-powered cars continues. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590