Category Archives: real estate

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Friday’s News-Dec 23

  • ‘Pineapple metropolis’ to be established in PKK in 2023/PKK said to have 50 residents over 100 years old/Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hua Hin/Limits announced on New Year’s alcohol sales/Pricey low-rise housing sector grows/Missing sailors, sunk ship draw fire/Another empty life raft from sunken ship washes ashore/Consumer spending expected to hit 17-year high during New Year period/Thailand ranked 4th least corrupt country in Asia/Foreign investors deterred by financial transaction tax/Surat Thani man arrested for peddling fake US dollars/Shipwrecked fisherman found alive, roped to dead crewmates/Flood-prone Thailand, Laos to partner on tackling climate-change issues/Global heating behind Bt12.6-trillion flood damage, 2,000 Thai deaths/Thailand creates new department to tackle climate change/Thailand aiming to build more green data centers/Second reading of marijuana bill delayed for ‘more urgent matters’/CBD oil review: best cannabis oils to buy in Thailand/
  • Tourism: The tale of Thailand tourism in 2022/TAT estimates 3.14M domestic trips during holidays/90% of hotels in Chiang Mai fully booked during New Year/Tourism is blossoming on Udon Thani’s pink lily lake/7 amazing places to visit in Thailand/What is it like smoking marijuana as a tourist in Thailand?/Bangkok ranks #1 trending global destination on Airbnb/New Year Countdown fireworks canceled in Pattaya/Why Thailand Is The Most Popular Destination For Americans In Southeast Asia/
  • Covid: 5,000 Covid deaths a day likely in China/Elderly Covid patients fill hospital wards in China’s major cities/
  • International: Ukraine’s Zelenskiy appeals for bipartisan support in speech to US Congress/Bad energy habits sweeping the world/
  • Links: Airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

‘Pineapple metropolis’ to be established in PKK in 2023

The Agriculture Ministry will establish a “pineapple metropolis” in Prachuap Khiri Khan next year to support growers of the spiky yellow fruit.

Alongkorn Ponlaboot, adviser to Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Srion, unveiled the plan at the 38th conference of the Sam Roi Yod pineapple farmers cooperative in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Sam Roi Yod district on Tuesday.

Alongkorn said the metropolis will also branch out to the pineapple-growing areas of Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi to bring farmers under the canopy of better government support. Continued … 

PKK said to have 50 residents over 100 years old

The Prachaup Khiri Khan provincial administration is rechecking a preliminary report that said about 50 residents of the province are over 100 years old.

Provincial Deputy Gov. Kittipong Sukphakphum said the preliminary report was filed by the provincial office of Poverty Eradication and Life Cycle Development.

“The provincial administration is checking the details about this. It’s quite exciting and heartening that they live so long,” the deputy governor said. Continued …

Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hua Hin

New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, as we prepare to say goodbye to 2022.

Despite being a highlight of the social calendar, the previous two years were disrupted by the pandemic, which put a stop to the usual festivities.

However, this year’s festivities promise to be bigger than ever, and if you haven’t yet decided on where you’ll be celebrating, you might want to take a look at this list of parties, events and celebrations taking place across Hua Hin and the surrounding area. Continued … 

Limits announced on New Year’s alcohol sales

The National Alcohol Policy Committee has agreed with proposals to limit alcohol during the 2023 New Year celebrations to help with DUI considerations and protect youth.

This means that outside of special zones alcohol will not be available up to 2 am. The committee has also opposed the opening of bars from 11 am to 4 am, a move that has already been shelved after Tourism Ministry proposals were knocked back.

Dangers to the public and an increase in crime were cited. Continued …

Pricey low-rise housing sector grows

Demand for high-priced, low-rise houses continued to grow for two consecutive quarters, with market value in the third quarter soaring by 58% from the second, while developers launched new supply in this segment.

Vichai Viratkapan, acting director-general of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), said low-rise houses priced 20 million baht and higher posted significant growth this year.

“High-end homebuyers preferred low-rise houses to condos after the pandemic. As demand continued to be robust throughout the economic slowdown, developers shifted to this segment,” he said. Continued … 

Missing sailors, sunk ship draw fire

The Navy has been taken to task for reported failure to ensure sailors aboard a sinking corvette, namely HTMS 442 Sukhothai, survived a stormy sea in the Gulf of Thailand on Sunday night.

Yesterday, Move Forward MP Natcha Boonchai-insawat blamed the navy for six fatalities reported so far among the sailors, plus 23 others who have been reported missing after HTMS 442 Sukhothai had capsized due to strong winds and high tides and finally sunk off Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The Move Forward MP doubted that the navy corvette had the number of life jackets and inflatable boats available for emergency use in proportion to that of its crewmembers and others, reportedly totaling 106. Continued …

Another empty life raft from sunken ship washes ashore

A second empty life raft, possibly from the sunken HTMS Sukhothai, was found washed ashore in Lang Suan district of Chumphon province on Thursday, as the search for the 23 missing crew continues.

The first empty life raft was found drifting at sea about 30km off the coast of Lamae district yesterday by the crew of a trawler.

After an extensive search of coastal areas, which continued late into the night, volunteers from the Reporters Association of Pathio district found a pair of dark blue tracksuit bottoms with red stripe and a black cap with a sun shade washed ashore on Thung Chang Beach in Pathio district. The two items were collected and sent to the provincial office. Continued …

Consumer spending expected to hit 17-year high during New Year period

Bolstered by the government’s stimulus measures, Thailand’s consumer spending is predicted to hit a 17-year high, reaching 103.04 billion baht, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

The president of the UTCC and adviser to the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, Thanavath Phonvichai, revealed during the conference on “Consumer behavior and spending during 2023 New Year festival” that the New Year period is expected to generate over 103.04 billion baht (US$2.9 billion) in consumer spending, leading to a 20.1% expansion of the economy.

“It would be the first time that consumer spending would be exceeding 100 billion baht since 2007,” Thanavath said, adding that it would benefit the economy in the post-Covid-19 era. Continued … 

Thailand ranked 4th least corrupt country in Asia

Thailand – a nation run by a semi-elected military government – was ranked 35th in the world and 4th in Asia in the U.S. News‘ “Least Corrupt Countries” list.

Yesterday, American media company U.S. News released its annual “Best Countries” ranking, featuring 73 countries all over the world. Data was collected from a worldwide survey with more than 17,000 participants.

Countries are ranked from best to worst based on 10 sub-rankings including, “adventure, agility, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, movers, open for business, power, quality of life and social purpose.” Continued …

Foreign investors deterred by financial transaction tax

Enforcement of the financial transaction tax could give foreign investors a reason to exit the Thai stock exchange and focus on other bourses, according to investment analysts.

The tax on securities trades, which comes into effect next year, could drive foreign traders away as the levy lowers the liquidity of the Thai market, they said. Continued …

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

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

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

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

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

Your deserve It!

Surat Thani man arrested for peddling fake US dollars

Region 2 police, under the command of Police Lt. Gen. Itthiphon Itthisanchai, and the Surat Thani provincial police arrested Nawat or “Et” Singhawak, 54, on a warrant for possessing and trading in foreign currency knowing it to be fake.

He was arrested outside a house in the Ek Mongkhon 4 housing estate in Pattaya.

A total of 759 fake U.S. bills worth 2.6 million baht were found in a Toyota Altis. Continued …

Shipwrecked fisherman found alive, roped to dead crewmates

A shipwrecked fisherman was found floating in the sea roped to three dead crewmates about 30 hours after their trawler sank during a storm in the Gulf of Thailand.

HTMS Tor 992 brought Sia Soy, a Cambodian national, and the three dead crewmen to the Songkhla naval base on Wednesday night. They had been transferred from another fishing boat that rescued them from the sea. Continued …

Flood-prone Thailand, Laos to partner on tackling climate-change issues

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa met with Laos Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh in Vientiane to discuss cooperation on climate issues on Wednesday.

Also accompanying Varawut on the trip to Lao People’s Democratic Republic was ministry permanent secretary Jatuporn Buruspat.

After the meeting, Varawut said he discussed experiences and strategies in tackling problems of natural resources and the environment, with a focus on climate-change issues that both countries are facing. Continued …

Global heating behind Bt12.6-trillion flood damage, 2,000 Thai deaths

Flooding driven by climate change has killed more than 2,000 people and cost 12.59 trillion baht over the past 30 years in Thailand, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

The finding confirms that Thailand is suffering serious social impacts from climate change, said the NESDC third-quarter report.

The country has suffered over 40,000 floods during the past 30 years, causing significant loss of life and severe economic damage, the report said. The devastation was worst during the national flood crisis of 2011, but last year’s inundation cost 53 billion baht in damages, it added. Continued …

Thailand creates new department to tackle climate change

Thailand has created a new department to tackle climate change. The new department, named the Department of Climate Change and Environment, aims to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.

The new department is responsible for proposing and developing strategies, plans, and programs on climate change and greenhouse gas reduction, as agreed at the COP26 meeting.

The ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is overseeing the new climate change department. Other departments involved include the Office of the Secretary, the Strategic and International Cooperation Division, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Division, and others. Continued …

Thailand aiming to build more green data centers

Large-scale data management is essential to advancing economies, while facilities require huge amounts of energy, posing challenges for the environment and the goal of net zero emissions. Hence, Thailand is aiming to have more green data centers.

As part of its drive to grow the country’s digital economy, Thailand has already emerged as a regional leader in data centers, management and processing, as well as cloud services. The energy powering most of the data centers is currently derived from fossil fuels.

Green data centers are powered by renewables such as solar, wind and other sources. Continued …

Second reading of marijuana bill delayed for ‘more urgent matters’

House Speaker and Parliament President Chuan Leekpai on Thursday informed coalition and opposition whips that the second reading of the cannabis-hemp regulation bill will be suspended next week for the House to consider more urgent matters.

The second reading of the bill was initially scheduled for next Wednesday when the House would continue deliberating Section 4.

But during the meeting of the whips, Chuan said the House needed to use next week’s meeting to consider whether to reaffirm five bills that have been passed in three readings by the Senate but were changed significantly. Continued …

CBD oil review: best cannabis oils to buy in Thailand

CBD oil, also referred to as cannabidiol and sometimes cannabis oil, is widely available in Thailand. You get to enjoy the health benefits of marijuana, minus the high part that some find unpleasant.

However, there are so many different cannabidiol oils to consider that it can be difficult to make the right pick that fulfills your requirements.

With that in mind, Weed Review has compiled a review of the top 5 CBD oils you can buy online in Thailand. So rest assured, if you seek cannabis tinctures for pain, sleep, or stress, you will find it on this list. Continued …

The tale of Thailand tourism in 2022

As the world has recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic’s three-year assault, the Tiger will hand the baton off to the Rabbit. The 2022 countdown celebration was ultimately toned down when Omicron infections quickly spread and the number of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand exceeded 20,000 in February.

The nightmare didn’t last long, since things seemed to be getting better a few months later. The virus infections dropped and the government relaxed restrictions so that people could enjoy the much-loved Songkran festival in public places.

Although water fights, powder smearing, foam parties and the sale of alcohol were still prohibited, this opened the door for tourism to rebound in the second half of the year. Continued …

TAT estimates 3.14M domestic trips during holidays

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts domestic tourism to tally 3.14 million trips during the New Year holiday, generating 11.2 billion baht, with the northern region posting the highest occupancy at 78%.

The countdown celebrations in 12 provinces are poised to stimulate 4.21 billion baht for the local economy, said the agency.

Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT governor, said the New Year holiday from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2 would see a surge of local tourists, with 560,380 trips projected for the northern provinces, as travelers want to experience cold weather in mountainous destinations. Continued … 

90% of hotels in Chiang Mai fully booked during New Year

If you’re planning on visiting Chiang Mai this New Year, then you had better be quick, because 90% of hotel rooms in the province are already booked up, according to the Thai Hotels Assn.

Hotels in the province are expected to generate one billion baht in revenue during the high season, which runs from November to March, according to the association.

President of the THA‘s northern region, Phunat Laopanich, said Thailand’s tourism industry has improved by leaps and bounds over the past few months. He said that tourism revenue was closing in on pre-pandemic levels. Continued … 

Tourism is blossoming on Udon Thani’s pink lily lake

Isaan’s second-largest lake is seeing an influx of tourists since the pink lilies that blanket it began to bloom late last month, local officials say.

More than 100 boats are now available for tours of the lake in Udon Thani province, Paisit Sukrome, chairman of the lake’s tourism boat enterprise, said Wednesday.

Paisat said the blooming lilies are more noticeable than in previous years because the lake’s floating moss has been eradicated. He said about 200,000 tourists have visited the lake so far this year, up from 50,000 in 2021. Continued … 

7 amazing places to visit in Thailand

Thailand is definitely one of the most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia. Travelers who visit the so-called “Land of Smiles” for the first time were overwhelmed by the incredible number of interesting attractions and all the amazing things you can find in Thailand.

Here are the top 7 places in Thailand that you should not miss if you are planning a trip soon.

Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi Island is a beautiful spot in Thailand, with limestone hills, turquoise lagoons, and the world-famous beach at Maya Bay. Continued … 

What is it like smoking marijuana as a tourist in Thailand?

In June, Thailand’s military junta did something so out of character, it seemed like a joke. The Buddhist kingdom that until recently had one of the strictest drug laws in the world became the first country in Asia to decriminalize possession of cannabis for medical and industrial uses.

Officially, Thailand has not yet decriminalized recreational marijuana use. Anyone caught enjoying the product without a doctor’s note can be imprisoned for up to three months.

Unofficially, though, Thailand has become the Amsterdam of the East, with thousands of recreational weed dispensaries now trading in the country. Continued … 

Bangkok ranks #1 trending global destination on Airbnb

Airbnb is wrapping up the year with a bow, revealing the categories and destinations that topped the charts in 2022, and providing a sneak peak at what 2023 has in store for travel.

Searches made in Q1-Q3 2022 for check-ins in 2022 vs the same period in 2021, saw Bangkok emerge as the #1 most trending destination for Airbnb guests across the world in 2022: Continued … 

New Year Countdown fireworks canceled in Pattaya

Pattaya authorities have decided to cancel the New Year countdown firework display from Dec. 29-31.

However, for now, concerts and food festivals set for the countdown will continue. Continued …

Why Thailand Is The Most Popular Destination For Americans In Southeast Asia

Now that their borders have reopened and they seem to have moved on from the darker days of the pandemic, Thailand is once again smashing tourism records and strengthening links with North America. In fact, new research has confirmed it is the go-to destination for U.S. citizens in Southeast Asia – but what’s behind this new wave of popularity?

For most of 2020 and 2022, Southeast Asia (SEA) remained virtually sealed off for tourism, as local governments cracked down hard on Covid, banning most, if not all, foreign arrivals, and imposing controversial measures such as nightly curfews and lockdowns. Thailand was no exception.

Certainly, we did not expect Thailand to bounce back as strongly or this quickly, yet here we are: Continued … 

5,000 Covid deaths a day likely in China

More than 5,000 people are probably dying each day from COVID-19 in China, health data firm Airfinity estimated, offering a dramatic contrast to official data from Beijing on the country’s current outbreak.

The UK-based firm said it had used modeling based on regional Chinese data to produce figures that also put current daily infections in the country at above a million.

Its estimates were “in stark contrast to the official data, which is reporting 1,800 cases and only seven official deaths over the past week,” it said in a statement. Continued … 

Elderly Covid patients fill hospital wards in China’s major cities

Elderly patients lined the wards of hospitals in major cities in China Thursday as the country battled a wave of Covid cases.

The virus is surging across the vast Asian nation in an outbreak authorities say is impossible to track after the end of mandatory mass testing.

And with cases soaring, Washington called on Beijing to share its Covid outbreak data, saying China’s caseload impacts the world. Continued … 

Ukraine’s Zelenskiy appeals for bipartisan support in speech to US Congress

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the U.S. Congress on Wednesday that the tens of billions of dollars of aid it had approved to help it fight a Russian invasion was not charity, but an investment in global security. Continued … 

Bad energy habits sweeping the world

A new survey of 6,000 homeowners and renters from across the globe has revealed nearly 9 in 10 people ignore what’s best when it comes to energy efficiency in the home, despite 80% saying they know how to use their household appliances in an energy-efficient way. Continued …

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, covid, hua hin, real estate, thai economy, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s News-Dec 13

  • Prospect of new government after elections gets economy humming again/
  • Thailand’s election timeline explained/
  • Consumers cut spending, wait for sales/
  • Inflation, attrition push up salaries/
  • Jets, drugs and fast cars: the ‘super-rich’ Chinese gangsters who call Thailand home/
  • Big Joke says he’s investigating Immigration from top to bottom/
  • Top 6 Favorite Thai Dishes/
  • With locals not disposing of plastic correctly, Thailand is importing the world’s waste instead/
  • TerraCycle Foundation cleaning Thailand’s waterways/
  • 7-11 Goes Green/
  • Bangkok’s Skytrain Fares To Rise On Jan 1/
  • Thailand testing electric trucks to replace fleet of 400,000 diesel vehicles/
  • Seawalls are no panacea/
  • Tourism: Chiang Mai welcoming more tourists as flights start returning/At least 100,000 join in the Big Mountain music festival in Nakhon Ratchasima/
  • Covid: Nearly 4,000 patients with Covid hospitalized, 107 deaths reported in a week/Covid-19 now becoming a seasonal bug/XBB Covid Variant In India Will Soon Reach Thailand: expert/COVID monitoring center in Korat to reopen as infections rise/Hong Kong drops curbs on incoming travelers, scraps Covid app/
  • International: China sends record wave of bombers into Taiwan defense zone/Former FTX CEO Bankman-Fried arrested in Bahamas/Russia’s McDonald’s successor replacing Big Mac with ‘Big Hit’/

Foe more information, email us at aimhhexpatnews.com

Prospect of new government after elections gets economy humming again

Thailand’s stock market has been vibrant since the Constitutional Court gave the green light to new electoral bills that are likely to benefit bigger parties. Stock analysts viewed the passing of the election law as paving the way for the next general election and the formation of a stable government. A government made up of one or some of the bigger parties is considered more stable than one formed by many small parties.

The stock market is a leading indicator, as it moves faster than the economy while it is still subject to many uncertainties, because nobody knows for sure whether the democratic alliance will win over the rival conservative camp, which is backed by the military.

Observers say political parties and politicians will spend more during the election campaign early next year leading up to the election expected to be held in May. Continued …

Thailand’s election timeline explained

Thailand is entering “election mode” after two organic laws necessary for the next national vote were recently cleared by the Constitutional Court to be submitted for royal endorsement.

The House of Representatives’ four-year term expires on March 23, but many analysts expect Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to dissolve the House early in search of political advantage.

The Constitutional Court last month endorsed the two organic laws – the Political Parties Act and MP Election Act – which restore the two-ballot system and the party-list MPs calculation method of dividing total votes by 100. The previous general election in March 2019 used a single ballot and divided party-list votes by 500. Continued …

Home buyer confidence rises two years in a row

The home buyer confidence index in 2022 improved for the second consecutive year, as owners of all sizes of businesses were more confident about the current and future economy, according to property research and consultancy Terra Media and Consulting.

Sumitra Wongpakdee, managing director, said consumers in all careers, except students and the unemployed, were quite confident about the economy, with the most change among business owners.

“Business owners were no longer worried about the economy, unlike two years ago,” she said. Continued …

Consumers cut spending, wait for sales

Thai consumers have cut back their spending this year amid rising inflation, but more than half plan to make digital purchases during the sales season, while online shopping across Southeast Asia declined from last year, a recent study revealed.

The “Inflation & Shopping in the Digital Age” survey, conducted in November, found inflation affected the spending of more than 9,000 consumers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines this year.

While 90% of respondents reduced their expenses over the last six months, higher-income shoppers did not change their shopping behavior because they were less affected by inflation, according to the study, which was jointly prepared by global research companies Blackbox Research and ADNA. Continued …

Inflation, attrition push up salaries

The median salary increase for Thailand in 2023 will be 5.1% compared with this year, according to a survey of more than 700 companies in the six largest Southeast Asian economies by Aon Plc, a global professional services firm.

The figure for Thailand compares with an expected median increase of 7.9% in Vietnam, 6.8% in Indonesia, 6% in the Philippines, 5.1% in Malaysia and 4.7% in Singapore, the company’s 2022 Salary Increase and Turnover Study found.

While inflation plays a significant role in how salary changes look across the region, supply and demand in the talent market is also a big factor, Aon found in the survey conducted in the third quarter of this year. Continued …

Jets, drugs and fast cars: the ‘super-rich’ Chinese gangsters who call Thailand home

A seized private jet, supercars, drugs and palatial mansions: the spoils of crime committed by suspected Chinese gangsters based in Thailand are raising awkward questions over how foreign criminals have freely moved millions of dollars of illicit money through the kingdom.

The scandal began to unfold in late October, when a nationwide anti-drugs operation by the Thai police unearthed a cavernous illegal nightlife den – called Jinling – hidden behind a car wash in Bangkok’s Sathorn commercial district.

It catered to a near-exclusive Chinese clientele, serving up bags of ketamine and other party drugs in karaoke rooms that raged through the night, allowing guests to stash any unfinished drugs for their next visit. Continued …

Big Joke says he’s investigating Immigration from top to bottom

Top investigator Police Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakpan did not mince his words when saying he intended to see a full investigation at the Immigration Bureau, from non-commissioned classes to the generals.

He is investigating links in the IB ranks to the granting of favors to Chinese nationals looking to live and do business in Thailand. Continued …

Cashew chicken

Top 6 Favorite Thai Dishes

Over 10 years ago, my wife and I traveled to different regions in Thailand. This was a fantastic adventure where I fell in love with Thai cuisine. While traveling, we got to taste extraordinary dishes with amazing flavors from different parts of Thailand.

After our trip, I started to learn how to make the dishes, adding a lot of flavor and joy to our meals! Check out the top 6 Thai dishes I’ve made and shared. I hope you love it!

Thai Red Curry

This is a delicious Thai curry that really balances the flavors of sweet, spicy, funky, and sour! This is a meal that bursts with flavor and is so simple to make that you will be adding it to your weekly meal rotation! Continued …

With locals not disposing of plastic correctly, Thailand is importing the world’s waste instead

A temple south of Bangkok has an unusual ask for its followers: They are encouraged to drop off plastic and glass bottles, milk cartons, paper and other used items.

At the Chak Daeng temple, the items are then sorted. Plastic bottles are compressed into bales that will be sent to a factory to be turned into polymer fibers. These are then mixed with cotton fibers to become thread, which is woven into fabric.

After the fabric is dyed saffron, it is sent back to the temple to be made into monks’ robes. “If we can make a robe from a plastic bottle, that means we’re following Lord Buddha’s teaching,” said temple abbot Pra Maha Pranom. Continued …

TerraCycle Foundation cleaning Thailand’s waterways

Some 80% of plastic waste in the ocean is transported via rivers or coastlines, demonstrating the importance of collecting it as far upstream as possible. To tackle this source of pollution, the TerraCycle Global Foundation, a non-profit founded by TerraCycle, has cleared 581 tons of waste from Thai waterways – roughly equivalent to the weight of more than 350 cars – in its first two years.

The foundation has operated in canals throughout Bangkok since June 2020. It partners with local community and government organizations to stop waste from reaching the ocean, where it degrades and becomes harder to capture and recycle.

Using innovative wildlife-safe traps, the foundation collects all types of waste, including plastic, reducing the chance of the waste breaking down into microplastics and other hard-to-capture particles. Continued …

7-11 Goes Green

CP All Public Company Limited, the sole operator of 7-Eleven stores and 7-Eleven Delivery committed to society development and environmental sustainability. The company has driven its 7 Go Green strategy as well as complying with the government’s new “BCG” (Bio-Circular-Green) economic model by developing innovations to reduce energy consumption in 7-Eleven stores and delivery services.

Wichien Jungviroj, Managing Director (Co) of CP All Public Company Limited, said, “CP All strongly committed to run our business under sustainability framework by implementing a strategic plan to drive Thailand’s BCG economic model for 2021-2026.” Continued …

Bangkok’s Skytrain Fares To Rise On Jan 1

Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS), the operator of the Skytrain system in the metropolis, yesterday announced a fare increase for rides to 24 stations over a distance of 23.5 kilometers starting Jan. 1.

The fare hike is applicable to the following lines:

  • Sukhumvit – Mo Chit to On Nut station;
  • Silom – National Stadium to Saphan Taksin;
  • Silom Extension – Krung Thon Buri to Wong Wian Yai station. Continued … https://thainewsroom.com/2022/12/12/bts-confirms-skytrain-fares-to-rise-on-jan-1/

Thailand testing electric trucks to replace fleet of 400,000 diesel vehicles

Thailand’s trucking industry will decide whether to switch its fleet of 400,000 diesel trucks to electric vehicles in April next year after EV tests, according to the Land Transport Association of Thailand.

Association President Apichart Prairungruang said the plan to switch from diesel to electric trucks came after the government released support measures for EVs.

He said that the association would test the EV trucks for safety to address concerns over possible battery explosions. It would also compare the capacity of electric and diesel trucks, since the new EVs will be used for long-distance trips of 300-500 kilometers, he said. Continued … 

Seawalls are no panacea

Last week, the environmental group Beach for Life launched a protest to urge the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to review its policies on the construction of seawalls and breakwaters intended to help prevent coastal erosion.

The group, which represents 94 civil groups and coastal communities, demanded the ministry overturn a ministerial resolution issued about nine years ago, which allowed the Public Works and Town Planning Department (DPT) to build such structures along the coast without conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Continued …

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

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

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

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

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

You deserve it!

Chiang Mai welcoming more tourists as flights start returning

Chiang Mai returned to its top spot as a favorite destination after the number of daily arrivals rose beyond 20,000 in December.

Nattawut Ta-inta, Chiang Mai Airport’s deputy director, recently said that the airport now welcomes between 18,000 to 20,000 passengers daily; of them, some 2,000 are international arrivals.

Some 130 domestic and about 20 international flights land in Chiang Mai daily. He said 11 international airlines have returned to their pre-pandemic schedule, including flights from Incheon and Busan in South Korea; Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; Singapore; Luang Prabang in Cambodia; Taiwan capital Taipei; Hong Kong; Yangon in Myanmar; and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Continued … 

At least 100,000 join in the Big Mountain music festival in Nakhon Ratchasima

At least a hundred thousand people joined in the Big Mountain Music Festival in Nakhon Ratchasima over the past weekend. The music festival returned after two years of being basically canceled due to Covid-19.

Watcharee Pratchanusorn, president of the Tourism Council of Nakhon Ratchasima, said, “There were at least 100,000 people who joined in the music festival. One hundred percent of rooms at hotels and resorts nearby were sold out, in which 208 hotels with a total of 8,221 rooms were full. Continued …

Nearly 4,000 patients with Covid hospitalized, 107 deaths reported in a week

A total of 3,961 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 received treatment in hospitals during the past week, and 107 patients succumbed to the disease, the Disease Control Department (DCD) reported on Monday.

In its weekly report, the DCD said 3,961 patients were hospitalized from Dec. 4 to 10, or an average of 566 patients a day.

The DCD said 107 people had died of Covid during the period, an average of 15 deaths a day. The number of Covid deaths has reached 11,694, the DCD added. Continued …

Covid-19 now becoming a seasonal bug

Covid-19 is becoming a seasonal virus in Thailand, primarily active during two periods of the year, said Yong Poovorawan, director of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University.

Dr. Yong said infections are expected to peak between June and September and November and February. He said the virus can re-infect a person, similar to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), but unlike diseases such as measles, which, once infected or vaccinated, can build immunity that lasts for life. Continued …

XBB Covid Variant In India Will Soon Reach Thailand: expert

A pulmonary disease expert said yesterday that Thailand has to watch what Covid-19 strain is spreading in India because the same variant usually comes here, with the one currently taking hold there being XBB.

Dr. Manoon Leechawengwong, who is based at Vichaiyut Hospital, said the Delta variant was first discovered in India late 2020, after which it spread globally, with Thailand suffering from a big Delta wave in the middle of 2021.

In June this year, India was among the countries where the BA.2.75 Covid subspecies was first identified and it then replaced BA.5 as the dominant strain there. After that ,this strain spread to many countries, including Thailand where it set off a new Covid wave. Continued … 

COVID monitoring center in Korat to reopen as infections rise

The Nakhon Ratchasima provincial administration plans to reopen the COVID-19 monitoring center next week, in the wake of a rising trend in new infections.

Currently, an average of two COVID-19 patients are dying each day in this northeastern province, with six fatalities reported Sunday alone, most of them elderly people who were not fully vaccinated. Continued …

Hong Kong drops curbs on incoming travelers, scraps Covid app

Arrivals in Hong Kong from Wednesday will no longer receive an “amber” code barring them from some venues, Chief Executive John Lee said, while dropping use of a government-mandated Covid-19 mobile application.

The news of a further loosening of Covid-19 curbs in the global financial hub, which has trailed most of the world in easing them, is set to boost resumption of travel and business, as the code had limited access to bars and restaurants. The government’s move to scrap its mobility-tracking app governing access to restaurants and venues such as gyms, clubs and salons, comes after mainland China dropped the requirement. Continued … 

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International

China sends record wave of bombers into Taiwan defense zone

China sent a record 18 nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan’s air defense zone, Taipei said Tuesday, just days after Beijing banned more Taiwanese imports in the latest sign of deteriorating ties. Continued … 

Former FTX CEO Bankman-Fried arrested in Bahamas

 

Sam Bankman-Fried, who founded and led FTX until a liquidity crunch forced the Bahamas-based cryptocurrency exchange to declare bankruptcy, was arrested on Monday in The Bahamas after being criminally charged by U.S. prosecutors. Continued … 

Russia’s McDonald’s successor replacing Big Mac with ‘Big Hit’

Starved of Big Macs since McDonald’s Corp. closed its Russian restaurants in March, Russians will from next year be treated to an alternative from the burger chain’s successor – the “Big Hit.” Continued …

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bangkok, chiang mai, covid, hospitality, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, medical tourism, pattaya, phuket, real estate, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Monday’s News-Dec 12

  • Kite boarding at Pran Buri, Dec. 17/
  • Sterilization alone is not the cure/
  • Thai economy and baht likely to maintain momentum in 2023/
  • Collection of land and building tax postponed again/
  • The perils of pigeon droppings/
  • Rice noodle soup for crab lovers/
  • A mental healing program with coffee, music/
  • Why Thailand’s new history class is causing national controversy/
  • Top Immigration officers investigated over Chinese corruption claims/
  • South African man arrested in Phuket with 196 days of overstay/
  • Norwegian man arrested on Samui Island for 15 days of overstay/
  • Thailand’s cannabis legal vacuum spawns multibillion-baht business plus health concerns/
  • Tourism: Thailand tops 10 million 2022 arrivals/KResearch forecasts 24 million-plus arrivals in Thailand next year/Standard forecasts continuing tourism growth/U-Tapao airport seeing major influx of Russian tourists daily to Pattaya/Hotels in Thailand getting closer to full recovery, survey shows/Small hotels in Phuket are yet to benefit from tourism recovery/Three Indian tourists arrested for stealing shorts and bracelet in Krabi/An Azur Air flight circles Phuket for hours, then aborts/
  • Covid: Six Covid dead in a day in ONE Korat hospital/Covid-Infected Thai Man Found Dead On Flight From Saudi Arabia/Thais urged to get booster shots as Covid-19 subvariant’s prevalence increases/Covid-19 treatments still free under Thailand’s SSO scheme/
  • International: Bali governor says new Indonesia laws pose no risk to tourists/NASA capsule Orion splashes down after record-setting lunar voyage/Russia ramping up production of ‘most powerful’ weapons/Ukrainian strike hits Russian-occupied Melitopol/
  • Links: Airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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Sterilization alone is not the cure

Cooky Laksana, a veterinarian with the Rescue P.A.W.S. foundation located just south of Hua Hin, sterilizes her 30th animal of the day. The same day, a local drops off an abandoned litter of puppies. “It can sometimes feel like an impossible task,” said Rescue P.A.W.S. Operations Manager Jacob Ivor Thomas. Continued …

Thai economy and baht likely to maintain momentum in 2023

Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to see stronger growth in 2023 amid recovery in the key tourism sector, despite the slowdown that is expected to be seen in the key export sector.

The tourism sector, which accounts for nearly 15% of the GDP, saw a sharp recovery over the past few months after Thailand opened its doors to visitors on July 1.

The revival of tourism has been witnessed by the influx of tourists which, despite the lack of Chinese tourists, has reached nearly 9.1 million in the past 11 months. Continued …

Collection of land and building tax postponed again

The collection of land and building taxes has been delayed by two more months due to the damage caused by recent flooding in many provinces.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda released a statement last month saying the implementation of the 2019 Land and Building Tax Act was being postponed.

The announcement said many local administrative organizations have been unable to survey the land and buildings subject to taxes, even though the flooding has improved in many areas. Continued …

The perils of pigeon droppings

Feeding birds is a lot of fun and helps people to connect with nature, which is known to bring benefits to health. It’s considered a form of merit-making to many people, as they are helping the wildlife to survive.

But doctors are warning that our avian friends can spread infectious diseases to humans through their dried feces that contain fungi and bacteria. Breathing these in can make people sick and even cause serious illness.

Such cases have been recorded in the past and one of the most recent reported in the Thai media concerned an actor being rushed to hospital for treatment. Continued … 

Rice noodle soup for crab lovers

Banh canh cua (crab thick rice noodle soup) is known as a major part of Southern cuisine. It is said to have existed in the 20th century in Vietnam and was famous for its flavorful red-orange broth.

People do not exactly know when the dish was created. Its origin is believed to be in southeast Vietnam last century after it made its debut in Trang Bang District, Tay Ninh Province.

Banh canh (rice noodles) is a traditional dish that is typically served for breakfast. The main ingredient is white, thick and chewy noodles made from rice flour. Continued …

A mental healing program with coffee, music

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the Shanghai Mental Health Center, also known as the Mental Health Center affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, recently released a series of products that include 10 packs of blended coffee, with each claiming to be able to address a mental status or problem such as anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Each pack also comes paired with a short piece of symphonic music and a three-minute audio clip of a mental health professional’s interpretation of symptoms.

For example, those who scan the QR code on the pack of coffee marked “anxiety” will hear Bach’s Sheep May Safely Graze, while scanning the pack titled “inferiority complex” will produce sounds of Ravel’s Morning Song of the Jester. Continued …

Why Thailand’s new history class is causing national controversy

From the next academic year, schools across Thailand will teach history as a main subject in line with the policy of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The move has prompted questions over whether the government is trying to cultivate a nationalistic and conservative mindset at a time when the world is focused on globalization and liberalism.

“It seems as if the government wants to force nationalism upon children,” prominent educator Prof, Sompong Jitradub said. “The move is unusual and goes against the principle of education and global trends.”

Sompong said the globe was moving toward democracy, human rights, the environment and liberalism. But instead of riding these mega-trends, Thailand’s Education Ministry is trying hard to exert nationalism and conservatism. Continued …

Top Immigration officers investigated over Chinese corruption claims

A top-level panel has been established by National Police Commissioner Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapat to investigate top officers within the Immigration Bureau based on substantiated claims made by former politician Chuwit Kamolvisit that Chinese nationals entering Thailand on tourist visas were subsequently able to obtain extended student or non-immigrant visas through a network of corrupt schools. The probe is focusing on three senior officers within the service with the rank of general.

Meanwhile, Deputy National Police Chief Gen. Surachate Hakparn, who is leading the police task force investigating the Chinese gangs and, in particular, the former empire of Du Hao, or Chaiyanat Kornchayanant, has assured whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit that the police will successfully prosecute the matter to the end.

His remarks came after Minister of Justice Somsak Thepsutin confirmed that over Bt3 billion of the Chinese kingpin’s assets have now been seized by the police unit, in addition to a further Bt1.13 billion seized earlier by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). Continued …

South African man arrested in Phuket with 196 days of overstay

A 30-year-old South African man was arrested in the Thalang district of Phuket with 196 days of overstay. He had recently been attempting to dodge Immigration by moving from Chiang Rai to Phang Nga and then to Phuket. He claimed he had no money to go back to his country.

Reynolds entered Thailand in April 2019 with a NON–B Visa. He extended his visa in Chiang Rai and was allowed to stay until May 27. He is now at 196 days of overstay. Continued …

Norwegian man arrested on Samui Island for 15 days of overstay

A Norwegian man was arrested on Samui Island in Surat Thani for 15 days of overstaying his legal visa conditions.

Surat Thani Immigration officers said Saturday they have arrested Jan Banan Thalmann, 43, a Norwegian national at a house in the Mae Nam subdistrict, Samui district.

He is now at 15 days of overstaying his visa, according to police. He was taken to the Koh Samui Police Station to face overstaying charges. Continued …

Thailand’s cannabis legal vacuum spawns multibillion-baht business plus health concerns

Thailand has spent more than six months trying to pass a law to control the use of cannabis, but this legal vacuum is likely to continue for some time.

Many lawmakers say the Marijuana and Hemp Bill, which has already been shot down once, will not be passed during this Parliament, which is scheduled to be dissolved in March for a general election tentatively scheduled for May 7.

Meanwhile, the legal vacuum has spawned businesses ranging from plush cannabis emporiums to street-side spliff stalls to food trucks serving ganja-spiked hamburgers. Backpackers on Bangkok’s Khao San Road now have several cannabis parlors to choose from. Continued …

Thailand tops 10 million 2022 arrivals

Thailand reached their 2022 international arrivals target Saturday, with celebrations held at key airports and border checkpoints to welcome passengers arriving in the kingdom on the momentous day.

Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the “Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations” welcome ceremony at Suvarnabhumi Airport, one of a number of key airports and border checkpoints holding momentous events to mark tourist arrivals from around the world reaching the 10 million mark – the target set for 2022.

The achievement of reaching the 10 million visitor mark before the end of the year is a clear sign of visitor confidence in Thailand as a preferred tourist destination, and symbolizes the kingdom’s well-established status as one of the world’s most popular holiday spots. Continued …

KResearch forecasts 24 million-plus arrivals in Thailand next year

Thailand can expect to welcome as many as 24 million foreign tourists next year and earn up to 1.01 trillion baht in revenue, a top research house forecast shows.

Kasikorn Research Center (KResearch) said on Sunday that the Thai tourism sector can expect a 60% recovery to pre-pandemic times now that people are less afraid of new Covid-19 waves being sparked.

“If there are new waves, we don’t expect them to result in lockdowns,” KResearch said, adding that more people will start traveling. Continued …

Standard forecasts continuing tourism growth

Standard International, a hospitality subsidiary of SET-listed developer Sansiri, is expecting this year’s strong tourism recovery to continue into 2023, with the resumption of the Chinese market a key driver.

Srettha Thavisin, chairman of Standard International, said global travel demand saw a significant uptick this year.

“The tourism sector is rebounding significantly, with robust growth projected for 2023-25,” he said. Continued …

U-Tapao airport seeing major influx of Russian tourists daily to Pattaya

The U-Tapao Airport located near the popular tourism destination of Pattaya held special ceremonies Saturday to welcome hundreds of Russian tourists as part of a national celebration marking the arrival of 10 million tourists in Thailand this year.

Thailand views the event, although far short of a record 40 million visitors in 2019, as a major step to recovery of its vital tourism industry after two and a half years of COVID-19 restrictions and border closures put the tourist industry on life support.

Much of the recent recovery, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, or TAT, is attributed to Russian tourism. Although ongoing sanctions and restrictions cause many Russian visitors to be limited on where they can travel internationally, caused by the ongoing military action between Ukraine and Russia, Thailand has continued to maintain neutrality in this conflict. As a result, Thailand has been a popular destination for Russian visitors. Continued …

Hotels in Thailand getting closer to full recovery, survey shows

As many as 47% of hotels in Thailand have managed to revive their earnings to more than half of the pre-Covid levels, the Bank of Thailand’s confidence index for November showed.

“The number has risen from 32% of hotels in October,” said Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotel Assn. (THA).

“This signals that Thailand’s hotel industry is on the path to recovery thanks to the influx of foreign tourists during the high season, which runs from November to March.” Continued …

Small hotels in Phuket are yet to benefit from tourism recovery

Although tourists are returning to Phuket in increasing numbers, compared to other provinces, many of the smaller hotels on the resort island are yet to benefit from the recovery in the tourism sector.

One of the biggest challenges facing these hotels is a shortage of funds to renovate or repair their premises, which were left unoccupied for most of the past three years during the COVID-19 pandemic, and banks remain reluctant to approve new borrowing until they repay their old loans.

Pimpisaporn Techauppathamkul, vice president of the Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium, said about half of the 400 small hotel members of the consortium folded and their properties were seized by their creditors, while some other hotels are fighting their cases in court. Continued …

Three Indian tourists arrested for stealing shorts and bracelet in Krabi

Three female Indian tourists were arrested at an airport after stealing shorts and a bracelet from shops in Ao Nang.

Ao Nang Police Deputy Chief Lt. Col. Somphon Thiparpakun said staffers at a clothing shop in Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi district, filed a report to the Ao Nang Police with CCTV footage last week.

CCTV footage shows three female foreign tourists came into the shop before taking away a pair of jean shorts. It was later reported that the same group of tourists stole a bracelet from an accessory shop nearby, too. Continued …

An Azur Air flight circles Phuket for hours, then aborts

An Azur Air flight intended for Russia never made it and no one is saying why. The flight took off toward Novosibirsk after a five-hour delay but never made it past the Andaman Sea. It circled for hours and ended up back in Phuket, leaving about 200 passengers stranded.

Azur Air flight ZF3750 was supposed to depart at 3.50pm yesterday toward Russia. Instead, it departed at 9.20pm and took three different circling patterns for two and a half hours before eventually returning to Phuket. Continued …

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Six Covid dead in a day in ONE Korat hospital

Thai media had the all-too-familiar scene from the pandemic of medics in hazmat style suits carrying a coffin for a body in a ziplock bag.

It was taken at the morgue of Maharat Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand, where six Covid infected patients died in 24 hours over the weekend.

Assistant Director Jet Bunyawongwiroj said cases were on the rise; there had been two fatalities a day prior to this. Continued …

Covid-Infected Thai Man Found Dead On Flight From Saudi Arabia

An elderly Thai man who died during a flight from Saudi Arabia to Thailand was found to be infected with Covid-19 after the airplane landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport Saturday afternoon.

The 71-year-old man was identified as Bahem Saeso. Continued …

Thais urged to get booster shots as Covid-19 subvariant’s prevalence increases

As the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths rise during the cool season, the Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 has become the main subvariant of the virus circulating in Thailand, officials say.

Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 has replaced subvariant BA.5 as the main cause of infection due, in part, to the swiftness with which it spreads, officials said.

They say confusion about the different variants is one reason people neglect to get booster shots, and urge members of the public to understand that booster shots are critical to prevent people from getting infected by new variants. Those who get infected after receiving a booster shot are less likely to experience severe illness, medical experts say. Continued … 

Covid-19 treatments still free under Thailand’s SSO scheme

Subscribers to the national healthcare scheme will still be covered for Covid-19 even though it has been declared endemic in Thailand, the Social Security Office (SSO) said.

SSO said people who test positive and have symptoms like fever, coughing, fatigue or develop pneumonia can be treated for free at their designated hospital.

Under the Social Security Act’s Articles 33 and 39, people are eligible to free treatment if they have contributed to the scheme for at least three months. Continued … 

International:

Bali governor says new Indonesia laws pose no risk to tourists

Visitors to Bali will not be put at risk by Indonesia’s newly ratified criminal code, the island’s governor said, dismissing concerns that revised laws that include articles criminalizing sex outside marriage may scare away tourists from its shores. Continued …

NASA capsule Orion splashes down after record-setting lunar voyage

NASA’s Orion space capsule splashed down safely in the Pacific on Sunday, completing the Artemis 1 mission – a more than 25-day journey around the Moon with an eye to returning humans there in just a few years. Continued …

Russia ramping up production of ‘most powerful’ weapons

Russia’s ex-president Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday the country was ramping up production of new-generation weapons to protect itself from enemies in Europe, the United States and Australia. Continued …

Ukrainian strike hits Russian-occupied Melitopol

Ukraine attacked the Russian-occupied southern city of Melitopol on Saturday evening, the Kremlin-installed local authorities and Ukrainian officials said. Continued …

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90-day online reporting