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Wednesday’s news-May 17

  • Is this election a new dawn for Thailand?/
  • What Thailand’s Election Outcome May Mean for Military, Monarchy/
  • Liberal govt led by Move Forward may be a pipe dream/
  • Analysts upbeat on Thai growth outlook/
  • Thailand’s Election Results May Reverse Cannabis Policy/
  • WHO: Artificial sweeteners do not help in weight loss/
    Royal Ploughing Ceremony kicks off rice-growing season/
  • Fruit prices hike on Chinese demand/
  • Polish killer asked taxi driver to help cut up Ukrainian woman’s body/
  • Chinese Businessman Found Dead With Over 20 Knife Wounds at Trang Resort/
  • First raise in a decade sought for Thailand’s defenders of the wild/
  • Tourism: Tourism operators express hope post-election/Thai tourism operators target more arrivals from India/Police help 9 foreign tourists stranded at the Thai-Cambodian border/American Tourist Rescued from Pattaya Sewer, Trapped For Over Seven Hours/Lost luggage soars with air travel revival/
  • International: Council of Europe gathers to discuss future prosecution of Russian leaders/Cyclone toll in Myanmar’s Rakhine state at least 41/UN: Time running out in war on plastic pollution/Pacific islanders: Rich countries are not doing enough to control climate change/Hidden lives of terminal dwellers in South Korea/Vietnam pledges no new coal plants after 2030/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Is this election a new dawn for Thailand?

On May 15, Thailand woke up to a new dawn. Nine years after Prayut Chan-ocha conducted a coup d’etat to oust Yingluck Shinawatra’s government, the electoral landslide by the opposition parties in the latest general election appears to put Thailand back on a path to democracy. After a decade of hopelessness, Thailand welcomes back the long lost sense of hope, aspiration and optimism.

Spearheading this change is undoubtedly Move Forward. The party’s growing popularity is not a surprise. Strong showings in the censure debates has clearly demonstrated the party’s competence and commitment to human rights and democratic values. However, the party shocked everyone (and probably themselves) by winning the entire general election, beating the old serial champion-like Pheu Thai Party in the process. Continued …

What Thailand’s Election Outcome May Mean for Military, Monarchy

Pro-democracy groups in Thailand have made a stunning political comeback after nine years of rule by the conservative military-backed bloc helmed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha.

The next leader faces challenges including steering the future of the $506 billion economy that counts China as its largest trading partner, while navigating U.S. and ASEAN relations. Also at stake is the fate of one of Asia’s worst-performing stock markets and the revival of Thailand’s key tourism sector. Continued …

Liberal govt led by Move Forward may be a pipe dream

For many Thais, the proposed new coalition government of parties from the opposition camp represents a “dream team” of liberal democrats. The six-party coalition, led by election-winner Move Forward, would have 310 MPs and an absolute majority in the 500-seat House of Representatives.

However, to make this dream come true, the coalition would need majority support in both houses of Parliament, comprising 500 MPs and 250 senators. Backing from at least 376 parliamentarians is required for the coalition’s PM candidate to get the country’s top job. Continued …

Analysts upbeat on Thai growth outlook

Thailand’s economic growth is expected to accelerate in the final nine months of this year, even as the global economy teeters near a recession, thanks partly to a lift following the May 14 election, analysts say.

First-quarter GDP growth of 2.7% year-on-year beat the consensus forecast of 2.3%, and accelerated from 1.4% growth in the fourth quarter last year, as external demand improved, reflected by exports and a strong recovery of the tourism sector, according to BMI, a unit of Fitch Group. Continued …

Thailand’s Election Results May Reverse Cannabis Policy

Thai voters have delivered a surprising and stunning verdict in favor of an opposition party that advocates for significant institutional reforms in the country. However, the winning parties may reverse the current cannabis policy, which has resulted in an unregulated market and has faced criticism from many parts of society.

Thailand’s reformist opposition and the youth-led Move Forward Party (MFP) emerged victorious in the country’s general elections held on Sunday, May 14. They secured the majority of seats in the House of Representatives, with 152 out of 500 seats, showing a strong rejection of the military-aligned parties within the current government coalition. Continued …

WHO: Artificial sweeteners do not help in weight loss

Artificial sweeteners, used to replace sugar in a vast range of products, do not help in losing weight and can have serious health effects, according to the World Health Organization.

The United Nations’ health agency this week released new guidelines advising against using so-called non-sugar sweeteners, or NSS. Continued …

Royal Ploughing Ceremony kicks off rice-growing season

Their Majesties King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida on Tuesday evening oversaw a ceremony to appoint the Phraya Raekna (Lord of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony) and celestial maidens for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony today.

The ceremony took place at Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district. Continued …

Fruit prices hike on Chinese demand

Fruit prices have been consistently rising, driven by increasing demand from the Chinese market, improving transport services and falling shipping costs.

According to Wattanasak Sur-iam, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, the agency has been monitoring prices and found they are increasing, particularly for durian and mangosteen. Continued …

Polish killer asked taxi driver to help cut up Ukrainian woman’s body

A taxi driver revealed that the Polish man arrested under suspicion of murdering and attempting to dismember his Ukrainian girlfriend “Alona” in a Bangkok condo room yesterday asked him to help get rid of her body via Google Translate.

The taxi driver said that he picked up the suspect – Lagoda Filippow Jan Jerzy – on the roadside outside a condo and communicated with him via Google Translate. The Polish tourist told the taxi driver that he wanted to gamble at a casino. The pair drove around but couldn’t find one. Continued …

Chinese Businessman Found Dead With Over 20 Knife Wounds at Trang Resort

A Chinese businessman was found dead with more than 20 stab and slash wounds at a resort in Mueang Trang. The Mueang Trang Police were notified of the incident on Tuesday afternoon at a resort in the Tub Tieng subdistrict.

They and emergency responders arrived at the resort to find the body of a 43-year-old Chinese man (Zhirui Li) inside a bathroom. He was face down wearing only a towel and covered in blood. Continued …

First raise in a decade sought for Thailand’s defenders of the wild

The parks department is seeking a long overdue bump in the salaries of park rangers to kick in Oct. 1.

Attapol Charoenshata, acting chief of national parks, said today that a formal letter was sent to the finance ministry asking for 13,000-plus ranger salaries to be increased from THB9,000 to THB11,000 per month. Though it amounts to over 20%, it would be the first such increase in 10 years. Continued …

Tourism operators express hope post-election

Chiang Mai and Phuket tourism operators hope the new government led by the Move Forward Party (MFP) can solve the PM2.5 dust crisis, work to decentralize power, and allocate budget for regional development and restoring tourism competitiveness.

La-iad Bungsrithong, board adviser for the Thai Hotels Assn., said the election result reaffirms that Chiang Mai desires change. Continued …

Thai tourism operators target more arrivals from India

Thai tourism operators plan to woo more visitors from India, the world’s most populous country with 1.4 billion people. Thai tourism business operators hope to expand the Indian tourist market in the post-Covid-19 era to ensure more balance in market diversity and reduce excessive dependence on the Chinese market.

According to a report by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, a total of 1,961,069 Indians visited Thailand, generating revenue of over 80 billion baht. Continued …

Police help 9 foreign tourists stranded at the Thai-Cambodian border

The Royal Thai Police helped nine foreign tourists who were stranded near the Cambodian border in Sa Keao province, eastern Thailand, to find a place to rest their heads last night.

The tourists, including six Spanish nationals, one Ukrainian national, and two Indian nationals, were “very impressed” with the work of Sa Keao Tourist Police, soldiers of the 13th Ranger Forces Regiment, and officers at Khlong Luek Police Statio,n and would be advising their friends to travel to Thailand. Continued …

American Tourist Rescued from Pattaya Sewer, Trapped For Over Seven Hours

Pattaya locals and rescuers rescued an unlucky American man who fell and got trapped in a sewer last night. The man said he fell into the sewer around noon and wandered down there for hours.

At around 8pm yesterday, rescuers from the Sawang Boriboon Thamasathan Foundation responded to a report of a tourist being stuck in a sewer on Soi Thep Prasit 8 in the Nongprue subdistrict, Banglamung district, and rushed to help. Continued …

Lost luggage soars with air travel revival

The rate of lost, damaged or delayed luggage nearly doubled last year as air travel rebounded and the sector faced staff shortages following the Covid pandemic, a new study has found.

The report issued on Tuesday by Sita, an IT provider for the air transport industry, said 7.6 bags per thousand passengers were mishandled in 2022, up from 4.35 the previous year. Continued …

Council of Europe gathers to discuss future prosecution of Russian leaders

A year after Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe (CoE) due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the leaders of the 46-nation human rights body convened in Iceland to take preliminary steps toward the potential prosecution of Russian leaders. The summit’s main focus was the creation of a “register of damages” to document evidence for use in a special court that Ukraine and several Western allies hope to establish. Continued …

Cyclone toll in Myanmar’s Rakhine state at least 41

The death toll in cyclone-hit Myanmar’s Rakhine state rose to at least 41 on Tuesday, local leaders said. Myanmar’s strife-torn Rakhine State bore the brunt of Sunday’s storm that unleashed winds of up to 210 kilometers per hour (130 miles per hour), ripped roofs off homes and brought a storm surge that inundated the state capital Sittwe. Continued …

UN: Time running out in war on plastic pollution

The world must halve single-use plastics and slash throwaway consumption to stem the tide of environmental pollution, according to a UN report on Tuesday that warns the next few years are critical. Continued …

Pacific islanders: Rich countries are not doing enough to control climate change

Pacific Island leaders are criticizing rich countries for not doing enough to control climate change despite being responsible for much of the problem, and for profiting from loans provided to vulnerable nations to mitigate the effects. Continued …

Hidden lives of terminal dwellers in South Korea

In February 2020, an African man landed at Incheon Airport in South Korea, seeking asylum. He had fled his homeland, where a civil war had killed many of his family members and relatives. The South Korean immigration office, however, refused to accept his application for refugee status, because he was a transfer passenger. His eligibility as a refugee was not even reviewed. Continued …

Vietnam pledges no new coal plants after 2030

Vietnam will not develop new coal power plants after 2030, according to a long-delayed national power plan published Tuesday, although the blueprint drew criticism that the transition to renewables is too slow. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

baht, covid, hospitality, hua hin, phuket, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s news-My 16

  • Move Forward Announces Six-Party Coalition/
  • Timeline to the formation of a new government/
  • Thai baht soars as voters back pro-democracy parties/
  • NESDC names economic challenges new government will face/
  • Social media pivotal in Moving Forward Party’s election victory, experts say/
  • Subsidy for household electricity bills can go ahead/
  • Is weight-loss surgery worth it?/
  • Covid-19 cases surge 39% in a week, public urged to take precautions/
  • Thailand’s economy poised to expand 3.7% this year/
  • Thai industrial estates ride the EV boom/
  • Polish National Arrested for Gruesome Murder and Dismemberment of Ukrainian Girlfriend/
  • Cops to arrest abettors of Aem Cyanide/
  • Tourism: This is what tourists to Hua Hin will look like in 2033/Tycoon’s property unit to boost spending on tourism boom/Cruise ship’s arrival in Phuket signals booming tourism uplift/TAT Unveils ‘Amazing Thailand Culinary City’ Project/
  • International: Argentina ramps interest rate to 97% as inflation soars/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Move Forward Announces Six-Party Coalition

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party (MFP), has announced the formation of a coalition government comprising six parties, with a total of 309 members of Parliament (MPs).

In Sunday’s election, the conservative vote and long-standing patronage politics that have governed the country for a decade were swept away by what is being called the “Orange Wave.” Continued … 

Timeline to the formation of a new government

As Thailand ushers in another landmark moment in the country’s political history on Sunday, There is a timeline of events after the May 14 general election leading up to the formation of the next government.

Section 85 of the Constitution stipulates that the Election Commission must declare the official results of the election within 60 days of election day. If candidates or voters believe the election was unfair, they are allowed to file objections to the EC before or within 30 days of the release of the result. Continued …

Thai baht soars as voters back pro-democracy parties

The Thai baht hit a five-week high after pro-democracy parties came out as the biggest winners in Sunday’s general election after nearly a decade of military-backed rule in Thailand.

The baht rallied 0.9% to 33.70 against the greenback for the first time since April 5 after opposition parties Move Forward Pary (MFP) and Phue Thai won the majority of seats by a mile, paving the way for a coalition to wrangle power away from the military and back into the hands of the population. Continued …

NESDC names economic challenges new government will face

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has named four economic challenges the new Thai government must tackle this year.

Although the political landscape in Thailand has become clearer now the general election is over, there is still uncertainty about the parties that will form the new coalition government. Continued …

Social media pivotal in Moving Forward Party’s election victory, experts say

The 2023 election results have highlighted the significant role social media played in the Moving Forward Party‘s victory, as digital agencies and communication experts emphasize the importance of appealing content and social media engagement.

It has become evident that social media is not just an alternative channel for election campaigns, but a mainstream media channel, reaching 85% of the population, with Thai citizens spending an average of eight hours daily on these platforms, according to Pawat Ruangdejworachai, CEO of creative digital agency Media Intelligence. Continued … 

Subsidy for household electricity bills can go ahead

The Election Commission (EC) has approved the caretaker Cabinet’s proposal to spend 10.46 billion baht on subsidizing household electricity, election commissioner Thitichet Nutchanat said on Monday.

Under the measure, those who use up to 150 units of electricity will see a reduction of 92.04 satang per unit, while those who use 151 to 300 units will get a 67.04 satang per unit reduction (100 satang equals 1 baht). Continued …

Is weight-loss surgery worth it?

A female influencer surprised her followers by posting before and after photos and a video of herself after having a sleeve gastrectomy – a surgical weight-loss procedure. In the video, the influencer said that her previous weight was 86kg and she lost 18kg in three months following surgery.

The post received a lot of attention on the internet, especially from people who are having difficulty losing weight. However, many people opposed the post and commented that the influencer should have also provided details of any side effects that occurred, since sleeve gastrectomy is a major surgery. Continued …

Covid-19 cases surge 39% in a week, public urged to take precautions

The Department of Disease Control issued a public warning yesterday, alerting citizens to the resurgence of Covid-19 and urging them to take necessary precautions to protect themselves.

The director-general, Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, revealed that there were 2,356 Covid-19 inpatients last week, marking a 39% increase from the previous week. Continued …

Thailand’s economy poised to expand 3.7% this year

The Thai economy expanded by 2.7% in the first quarter of this year, nearly doubling from 1.4% in the previous quarter.

If economic conditions remain stable without a recession, a 3.7% GDP growth for this year is possible, the secretary-general of state agency National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), Danucha Pichayanan, said on Monday. Continued …

Thai industrial estates ride the EV boom

The electric vehicles (EV) market in Thailand is booming, in line with green energy trends, because they are environmentally friendly and offer cost savings as an alternative to fossil fuels.

The Thai government has been supportive of the EV industry and has implemented measures to promote the use of electric vehicles, through tax incentives and subsidies, to attract foreign EV manufacturers to set up factories in Thailand. These measures have also helped lower the prices of EVs in Thailand. Continued …

Polish National Arrested for Gruesome Murder and Dismemberment of Ukrainian Girlfriend

A Polish man allegedly murdered and dismembered his 25-year-old Ukrainian girlfriend “Alona” inside a condo room in the heart of Bangkok. He tried to flee the country via taxi yesterday but was arrested near the border of Cambodia in Sa Keao province last night.

Yesterday, police from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station were informed that the body of a Ukrainian woman was discovered in a condo room in Bang Khlo subdistrict in the Bang Kho Laem district of Bangkok. Continued …

Cops to arrest abettors of Aem Cyanide

Police will request arrest warrants from the court for associates of alleged serial killer Sararat “Aem” Rangsiwuthaporn, who advised and helped her destroy evidence of her crimes, according to the deputy national police chief.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Police Gen. Surachate Hakparn revealed that he hoped to be able to submit the case to the attorney general later this week. Continued …

This is what tourists to Hua Hin will look like in 2033

A study by Amadeus, the one of the world’s leading global providers of travel technology solutions, has given an insight into the tourist of the future.

Attendees at the May meeting of the Royal Coast Riviera Club saw a presentation from Anthony Hoglund, vice president and general counsel, Asia Pacific, for Amadeus, who revealed the different types of tourists who are most likely to visit Hua Hin and Thailand over the next decade. Continued …

Tycoon’s property unit to boost spending on tourism boom

The property and hotel development unit of Thailand’s richest man plans to invest at least 100 billion baht (US$3.1 billion) over the next five years to develop new shopping malls, hotels and office buildings, betting on pent-up demand once the pandemic subsides.

Asset World Corp.’s main project will be a mixed-use property development in Bangkok’s Chinatown, according to its Chief Executive Officer Wallapa Traisorat. It also plans to invest more at its Asiatique tourist-focused complex in the city, adding facilities including luxury hotels, she said. Continued …

Cruise ship’s arrival in Phuket signals booming tourism uplift

Yesterday, Phuket’s Makham Bay Customs dock was a hive of activity, as it welcomed the arrival of a massive cruise ship from Langkawi, Malaysia.

Spearheading the operation, Natchapong Pranit, director of the Phuket Regional Harbor Office, facilitated the docking of the ship, which brought with it over two thousand tourists to explore the province of Phuket. Continued …

TAT Unveils ‘Amazing Thailand Culinary City’ Project

The visionary initiative, aligned with the Thai government’s bio-circular-green (BCG) economy model, seeks to foster a creative economy by offering innovative and immersive experiences.

Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT deputy governor for marketing communications, elaborated, “The Amazing Thailand Culinary City project, developed within the framework of the BCG economy model, incorporates the AGFEC principles: agriculture, gastronomy, food safety, experience, and creative entrepreneurship. It promotes a circular economy and underscores our nation’s commitment to economic, social, and environmental sustainability.” Continued …

Argentina ramps interest rate to 97% as inflation soars

Argentina’s central bank hiked its base interest rate Monday by six points to 97% as the government prepares to announce a spate of measures to tackle soaring inflation ahead of October’s general election. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, immigration, phuket, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s news-May 15

  • Thais vote overwhelmingly for democracy parties, reject military/
  • Move Forward’s Pita ready to be next prime minister/
  • New government has room to spend 2 trillion baht on populist pledges/
  • Age no problem: 109-year-old granny casts her vote in Uttaradit/
  • Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history/
  • Western media agree Thailand is at a crucial juncture/
  • Post-election challenges for Thais and new government/
  • Scorching electricity costs may sear the economic recovery/
  • Scientists warn an El Niño is likely coming that could bring scorching heat to Earth/
  • Q1 GDP grows 2.7% y/y, beats expectations/
  • Southeast Asia and China top destinations for overseas business expansion in Asia/
  • Missing Thai Teen Girl found dead in north Thailand/
  • Phuket: 15th foreigner this year dies on roads in Karon area/
  • Thai rice exports soar in first 4 months of 2023/
  • Watermelon is one of summer’s most popular fruits, but is it healthy?/
  • Tourism: Thailand’s Electronic Tourist Visa Application: Is It Useful Or A Headache?/Lifeless Body Believed to Be Missing Russian Tourist Found in Phuket Sea/
  • Thailand Experience: Unravel Mae Hong Son – Thailand’s unspoiled tourist paradise/First-class on ‘the best train in Thailand’ – Bangkok to Hat Yai/
  • International: Kenya Doomsday Death Toll Hits 200, With More Than 600 Reported Missing/Turkey braces for momentous runoff after election drama/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Thais vote overwhelmingly for democracy parties, reject military

Voters have delivered a clear rejection of nearly a decade of military-aligned rule, election results showed Monday, backing two pro-democracy opposition parties.

The Move Forward Party (MFP), the newest force in Thai politics that channeled the energy of youth-led pro-democracy protests in 2020, secured the most votes. Continued …

Move Forward’s Pita ready to be next prime minister

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat has announced he is ready to be the country’s next prime minister, as his party scored a shock victory in the May 14 general election.

The unofficial vote count as of 10am on Monday (99% completed) showed that Move Forward had won 112 out of 400 constituency MP seats and 14.1 million votes for party-list MPs, narrowly beating Pheu Thai, which also had 112 constituency seats but only 10.8 million party-list votes. Bhumjaithai Party was in third place with 68 constituency MPs and Palang Pracharath was fourth with 39 constituency Mps. Continued …

New government has room to spend 2 trillion baht on populist pledges

The upcoming government is expected to have around two trillion baht at its disposal for implementing its populist policies, according to an anonymous source from the Finance Ministry. The figure takes into account the 500-billion baht needed for the Pheu Thai Party’s pledge to provide digital wallet handouts of 10,000 baht to those aged 16 and over.

Should the government need to borrow money to fund the proposed policies, it can do so through an emergency decree. However, such decrees are bound by strict terms and conditions, such as a lack of alternative funding sources. Continued …

Age no problem: 109-year-old granny casts her vote in Uttaradit

Lek Boon-Air, a 109-year-old Uttaradit local, was escorted by her family to cast her vote at a polling station in Muang district’s Na Noi Witthaya School on Sunday morning.

Great Granny Lek is Uttaradit’s oldest citizen and has never missed exercising her voting rights, be it in local or national elections, Hat Ngiew village headman Noi Yotsombat said. Continued …

Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history

The 2023 General Election witnessed the highest voter turnout in Bangkok’s history. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), over 74% of eligible voters cast their ballots in the election yesterday.

Representatives from the BMA announced the unofficial election result from 6,360 polling stations in Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 4,479,155 eligible voters, 3,339,664 exercised their right to vote, which accounted for 74.9% of the total voters. Among the total ballots cast, 1,191,989 were valid, while 48,694 ballots were invalid, and 98,981 voters rejected all candidates. Continued …

Western media agree Thailand is at a crucial juncture

Major foreign media outlets see the Thai general election as a major crossroads for a country familiar with military intervention in politics, but with a ballooning movement against the old norms.

According to the BBC, “The election is being described as a turning point for a country that has experienced a dozen military coups in its recent history. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the army general who led the last coup in 2014, is seeking another term, but he is facing a strong challenge from two anti-military parties.” Continued …

Post-election challenges for Thais and new government

With more than 99% of the votes in the May 14 general election counted and the opposition on the path to forming Thailand’s new government, attention must turn to strengthening the country’s economy, attracting domestic and foreign investment, and alleviating concerns among the Thai population about its stability, Thanawat Polvichai, director of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, said today.

If the government has clear policies and strong political stability, the country will have a robust foundation for implementing clear and sustainable policies, Thanawat added. The new government must therefore focus on policies that drive the economy, with priority given to economic recovery through tourism and strong exports, both of which are showing positive signs due to the global economic recovery. Continued …

Scorching electricity costs may sear the economic recovery

An economic research house is warning that the reduced level of inflation seen so far this year in Thailand may be impacted by the surge in electricity costs, which is also driving up costs within the foreign tourism industry and eating into its viability.

This year, Thailand saw record electricity prices, something that may be seen as a key factor in the general election result, driven by a rise in charges and record high temperatures, which may continue for another month because of the Pacific El Nino effect. Continued …

Scientists warn an El Niño is likely coming that could bring scorching heat to Earth

Buckle up. The world’s most influential natural weather feature is shifting gears.

An El Niño is building along the equator in the eastern Pacific Ocean. And, there’s above-normal chances it will be a strong El Niño, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said this week. That could have dramatic impacts around the globe later this year and into next year. Continued …

Q1 GDP grows 2.7% y/y, beats expectations

Thailand’s economy expanded 2.7% in the first quarter from a year earlier, official data showed on Monday, faster than expectations, as private consumption and tourism rebounded.

On a quarterly basis, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy grew a seasonally adjusted 1.9% in the March quarter, data from the National Economic and Social Development Council showed. Continued …

Southeast Asia and China top destinations for overseas business expansion in Asia

Southeast Asia and China are now the top choices for overseas expansion, with 83% of Asian businesses expressing interest in venturing abroad, as revealed in a recent report.

The Business Outlook report, conducted by United Overseas Bank (UOB), surveyed over 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as large organizations in Asia. The study showed that over four out of five businesses plan to expand overseas within the next three years. Continued …

Missing Thai Teen Girl found dead in north Thailand

A missing teen female who was last seen accompanying a murdered British/Thai boy to meet with an older Thai man was found deceased and buried in a forest in Lampang, northern Thailand.

On Saturday, Region 5 Police revealed to Thai media that police received a clue that something smelled very badly in a forest grove near the Mae Tan–Sobprab Road in Sandon Kaew, Mae Tha. A search was launched by police, local residents, and the female teenager’s relatives. Continued …

Phuket: 15th foreigner this year dies on roads in Karon area

Authorities in Phuket have ordered a clampdown on lax regulations to do with the hire of motorcycles on the holiday island amid a 64% increase in deaths mainly from motorbike accidents. The meeting on Monday night came hours before a Russian tourist lost control of his bike near Kathu Beach in the west of the province, becoming the 15th foreigner to die on Phuket’s deadly roads this year.

Early on Tuesday morning, rescue services in Phuket announced another fatal motorbike accident in the Karon subdistrict near Kathu on the west coast of the island. Continued …

Thai rice exports soar in first 4 months of 2023

Thailand’s rice exports in the first four months of this year surged to 3.05 million tons, resulting in increased income and confidence among farmers.

According to Alongkorn Ponlaboot, adviser to Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Srion, the continuous demand for rice in the market has driven the prices of almost all rice types in the country to exceed the guaranteed income prices, particularly jasmine rice, which has the highest production volume. Continued …

Watermelon is one of summer’s most popular fruits, but is it healthy?

As summer approaches, plans for backyard barbecues, pool parties and extended family time begin to crowd our calendars. And summer’s most popular and highly-ranked fruit is about to be consumed in abundance − to the tune of more than 40 million pounds. That’s watermelon, of course, the fruit known for its striking colors, juicy crunch and water-laden slices.

But watermelon offers a lot more than just being a delicious summertime staple. Made up of more than 90% water, the fruit is also incredibly hydrating and is loaded with electrolytes to help one recharge after a morning workout or afternoon of play. Continued …

Thailand’s Electronic Tourist Visa Application: Is It Useful Or A Headache?

In late 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand switched the visa application process to an e-visa system that no longer requires applicants to physically hand in documents and their passports at local embassies and consulates.

We decided to try this system to apply for an ordinary tourist visa that allows for a 60-day stay in the Kingdom, plus an optional extension of 30 days, rather than the 30+30 with visa-free entry. Continued …

Lifeless Body Believed to Be Missing Russian Tourist Found in Phuket Sea

The lifeless body of a man who authorities said could be that of a Russian tourist who had gone missing after being thrown into the sea by strong waves was discovered in Phuket waters Sunday.

The body of a white male foreigner clad only in black shorts was discovered by a local fisherman at around 12:50pm, the Phuket Rescue Foundation reported. Continued …

Unravel Mae Hong Son – Thailand’s unspoiled tourist paradise

Nestled in the far northwest of Thailand and sharing borders with Myanmar, Mae Hong Son is one of the most spell-binding locations in the kingdom, and for many reasons, an ideal spot for an offbeat summer sojourn. Despite many unspoiled attractions, travelers are rarely aware of this sanctuary, partly due to its remote position (it is approximately 900 kilometers from Bangkok). This, however, just adds to its allure, as it remains untouched by mainstream tourism.

Mae Hong Son, Thailand’s most forested province, offers some of the most authentically rewarding experiences, luring you away from the chaos of city life to repose in nature’s embrace. The region is mostly covered in mist and surrounded by rolling mountain ranges, pristine forests, lakes, rivers, breezy grasslands, and other countless viewpoints that will leave you in awe. Continued …

First-class on ‘the best train in Thailand’ – Bangkok to Hat Yai

Bangkok to Hat Yai in southern Thailand is a 16-hour, 940-kilometer journey. Special Express 31 “Thaksinarath”, operated by State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is a modern, Chinese-built, diesel-electric train, which departs daily at 14:50.

THE CLASS

The first-class sleeper cabin, twin share, is one of just 12 and is located in the last car. Continued …

Kenya Doomsday Death Toll Hits 200, With More Than 600 Reported Missing

The death toll linked to a doomsday cult in Kenya hit 201 Saturday after police exhumed 22 more bodies, most of them bearing signs of starvation, according to the coast regional commissioner. Continued … 

Turkey braces for momentous runoff after election drama

Turkey braced Monday for its first election runoff after a night of high drama showed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan edging ahead of his secular rival but failing to secure a first-round win. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

climate change, hua hin, marijuana, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s news-May 13

  • Cyclone Mocha to bring heavy rains to much of Thailand over the weekend/
  • ‘Monster’ Asian heatwave and arrival of El Niño signal severe drought crisis/
  • Thai parties make push to woo voters ahead of Sunday election/
  • Thailand’s long and winding election road/
  • Even wild elephants no match for Chachoengsao dogs/
  • Exploring the peace corps’ 60-year history in Thailand/
  • Thailand’s experiment with weed goes up in smoke/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Number of registered businesses at highest level in a decade/EV Primus angles to create EV supermarket/Chon Buri to get new EV battery factory/Asia Biomass eyes 20% revenue growth in 2023/El Nino May Slash Thai Rice Crop and Spur Inflation Across Asia/
  • Tourism: Thai tourism rebound evident with surge in new business registrations/‘Entry Thailand’ website introduced to provide useful information to visitors/
  • International: Russia Retreats North Of Bakhmut, Mercenary Boss Calls It A ‘Rout’/G-7 finance chiefs boost Ukraine aid, propose supply chain plan/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

 

Due to the election tomorrow, there will be no alcohol sales from 6pm tonight until 6pm Sunday.

 

 

Cyclone Mocha to bring heavy rains to much of Thailand over the weekend

The north, central, eastern and southern regions of Thailand will experience isolated heavy to very heavy rains from Friday to Monday due to the influence of tropical cyclone “Mocha”, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said on Friday.

The cyclone, which was hovering over the central Bay of Bengal as of 4am Friday, was moving north at about 10 km/hr with sustained winds of about 105 km/hr. It is expected to make landfall over Myanmar on either Sunday or Monday. Continued …

‘Monster’ Asian heatwave and arrival of El Niño signal severe drought crisis

Thailand is susceptible to the effects of El Niño, which is forecast by the Department of Meteorology and weather experts to commence in June. The world, Thailand included, is expected to face an intense drought due to the occurrence of El Niño, leading to reduced rainfall during the rainy season, or possibly no rain at all.

El Niño is the warm phase of a cyclical climate pattern known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, when temperatures in the Pacific reach more than 0.5 degrees Celsius above normal. Continued …

Thai parties make push to woo voters ahead of Sunday election

Surrounded by adoring crowds packed inside stadiums and halls, the main prime ministerial candidates of Thailand’s political parties made a final push to rally supporters on Friday, two days before a crunch general election.

After nearly a decade of a government that was led or backed by its royalist military, some 52 million eligible voters in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy will head to polling stations on Sunday when voters will choose whether to stay the course with military-linked conservatives or opt for change. Continued …

Thailand’s long and winding election road

When Thais go to the polls on Sunday, the challenge is how to help lay the groundwork for a system that can prevent the next election from being held under similar circumstances. It’s a tough ask, but every election presents a fresh hope, no matter how difficult the path remains.

The major paradox is there for all to see. It can’t be an election without heroes and villains, and it can’t be an election without everyone wanting to be a hero at the expense of others. It’s the way things are, but it’s not the way things are supposed to be. Continued … 

Even wild elephants no match for Chachoengsao dogs

An amusing scene of wild elephants being chased out of a residential area by a pack of domesticated dogs was captured on film by villagers on Friday evening.

A herd of some 20 wild elephants had wandered into Ban Khlong Mahad village in Chachoengsao’s Tha Takiab district, said Somwong Chanthachote, chief of the village’s “Elephant Watch” volunteer group. Continued …

Exploring the peace corps’ 60-year history in Thailand

The Peace Corps is a United States agency established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy to promote peace and friendship worldwide. Peace Corps volunteers have been working in Thailand since 1962, assisting Thai government agencies in various fields.

Currently, they operate in two main projects: teacher collaboration for development and youth development. Over 5,500 volunteers have worked with Thai communities for more than 60 years, but their work was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, Peace Corps volunteers returned to Thailand and underwent a 10-week training program before being dispatched to 29 provinces across the country. Their swearing-in ceremony coincided with the 60th-anniversary celebration of Peace Corps cooperation in Thailand. Continued …

Thailand’s experiment with weed goes up in smoke

After four years of support from the ruling coalition government, Thailand is expected to vote against the decriminalization of marijuana in Sunday’s general election. The current free-for-all and weed shops lining the busy tourist streets appears unlikely to continue in the months after the election and a new parliament is settled.

Almost all of the political parties involved in the 2023 national election are in favor of returning to the previous policies of marijuana prohibition and confining its use to medicinal purposes only. Only one party is still seeking some sort of policy that would allow and regulate recreational use. Continued …

Number of registered businesses at highest level in a decade

A total of 6,041 new businesses were registered in April, an increase of 12.37% over the same period last year, according to data released by the Department of Business Development under the Commerce Ministry.

The total number of registered establishments in operation during the first four months of this year reached 32,223, the highest in the past decade. The tourism sector saw 100% growth, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit disclosed on Friday. Continued …

EV Primus angles to create EV supermarket

The growing electric vehicle (EV) market in Thailand is leading car dealers to consider what EV brands should be featured in their showrooms.

Instead of relying on one brand, EV Primus sells a variety of brands, focusing on cars that match the different lifestyles of drivers. Continued …

Chon Buri to get new EV battery factory

Chinese high-tech enterprise Anwha (Shanghai) Automation Engineering has chosen Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor as its first overseas production base to make batteries for electric vehicles (Evs) under the MG brand.

“The factory will be located near the MG plant in Chon Buri,” said Anwha’s business development consultant Jay Teo, referring to a car assembly facility operated by Thai-Chinese joint venture SAIC Motor-CP, the manufacturer of MG cars. Continued …

Asia Biomass eyes 20% revenue growth in 2023

Asia Biomass Plc (ABM), Thailand’s largest biomass fuel producer and trader by volume, expects revenue to grow by 20% this year to more than 3.6 billion baht thanks to its business expansion amid growing concerns over global warming.

The company’s sales volume is projected to be 1 million tons in 2023. Last year, ABM revenue grew by 41% to 2.71 billion baht, up from 1.92 billion in 2021. Continued …

El Nino May Slash Thai Rice Crop and Spur Inflation Across Asia

Thailand, the world’s second-biggest rice exporter, is asking farmers to grow only one crop this year — instead of the usual two — as a likely El Nino looks set to reduce rainfall.

Rice is highly water-intensive and is dependent on irrigation and enough precipitation. It’s an early sign of how the disruptive weather pattern is threatening global food production. The resulting drop in rice output also has the potential to push up prices of a staple food for more than half the world’s population. Continued …

Thai tourism rebound evident with surge in new business registrations

Thailand’s tourism sector has witnessed a strong rebound, as evidenced by the significant surge in new registrations for tourism-related businesses during the initial four months of this year.

The Ministry of Commerce revealed yesterday that the number of new tourism-related business registrations had doubled year-on-year, reaching 2,579 in the first four months, with a total registered capital increase of 135% to 6.66 billion baht. Continued …

‘Entry Thailand’ website introduced to provide useful information to visitors

Thailand’s Department of Tourism has introduced “www.entrythailand.go.th,” a website that contains useful information, news, related websites, and applications for travelers on arrival and during their stay in Thailand.

The website features:

– Thailand information
– Real-time, in-depth flight information
– SHA/SHA+ accommodation booking
– Reservation home and camping
– Cultural calendar
– Weather warnings
– Thai disaster alert mobile application
– Thailand tourism directory
– VAT refund for tourists. Continued …

Russia Retreats North Of Bakhmut, Mercenary Boss Calls It A ‘Rout’

Moscow acknowledged on Friday that its forces had fallen back north of Ukraine’s battlefield city of Bakhmut after a new Ukrainian offensive, in a retreat that the head of Russia’s Wagner private army called a rout. Continued …

G-7 finance chiefs boost Ukraine aid, propose supply chain plan

Group of Seven (G-7) finance chiefs put more aid on the table for Ukraine, set up a new supply chain initiative and vowed to fill regulatory gaps in the banking sector in a show of unity on global geo-economic issues after three days of talks. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

climate change, hua hin, marijuana, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s news-May 12

  • Cyclone Mocha to bring heavy rains to much of Thailand over the weekend/
  • Thai banks considering cash transaction fee ‘to cover their costs’/
  • Practical tips for learning Thai as a beginner/
  • Global warming and smog are boosting production of Thai air conditioners/
  • RTA army chief assures there’ll be ‘no coups on his watch’/
  • Foreign community looks to newly elected government for better investment opportunities/
  • Uptick in consumer confidence persists/
  • Roughly 60% of people in Asia-Pacific work a side job/
  • Thai cement firm ‘prints’ two-story medical center/
  • Arson attacks strike 23 locations in far south/
  • Why buying cannabis in Thailand might get tougher after election/
  • Tourism: TAT targets digital nomads with 100-baht travel vouchers on weekdays/Tourists flee as python slithers into Krabi’s Emerald Pool/Western tourists embrace traditional Chinese medicine in Thailand/THAI, Bangkok Airways earnings surge as tourists flock back/
  • Thailand Experience: The Food School Bangkok: Where Culinary Dreams Come to Life/
  • International: ASEAN pushes for greater local currency use/Labuan Bajo: Why is the Indonesian town known as the next Bali?/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

Cyclone Mocha to bring heavy rains to much of Thailand over the weekend

The north, central, eastern and southern regions of Thailand will experience isolated heavy to very heavy rains from Friday to Monday due to the influence of tropical cyclone “Mocha”, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said today.

The cyclone, which was hovering over the central Bay of Bengal as of 4am today, was moving north at about 10 km/hr, with sustained winds of about 105 km/hr. It is expected to make landfall over Myanmar on either Sunday or Monday (May 14-15). Continued …

Thai banks considering cash transaction fee ‘to cover their costs’

The members of the Thai Bankers’ Assn. are considering adjusting banks’ fee structures, including levying a cash transaction fee, the association president, Payong Srivanich, said. The association will have to seek approval for the move from the Bank of Thailand (BOT).

Payong, who is also the executive director and member of Krungthai Bank’s risk oversight committee, said the adjustment of the fee structure was aimed at striking a balance between the banks’ costs and services, and not to increase profits. Continued …

Practical tips for learning Thai as a beginner

Learning a new language can be challenging, and Thai is no exception. As a beginner, you might find yourself struggling to grasp the tonal nuances of the language, the unfamiliar script, and the sheer volume of vocabulary to learn.

But with the right mindset and approach, learning Thai can be an exciting and rewarding journey that opens up a world of possibilities. And to make your language-learning journey smoother and more enjoyable, we’ve put together some practical tips that will help you get started on the right track. Continued …

Global warming and smog are boosting production of Thai air conditioners

Scorching heat and air pollution have driven production of air conditioners in Thailand to their highest level in eight years, the Office of Industrial Economics said on Thursday.

Warawan Chitaroon, its general director, said Thailand exported about US$850 million worth of air conditioners in March alone, up 16.7% from the same month last year. Continued …

RTA army chief assures there’ll be ‘no coups on his watch’

Royal Thai Army (RTA) Gen. Narongpan Jittkaewtae assured the Thai public yesterday that there would be no coups on his watch, stating that the term should not exist in anyone’s vocabulary. Narongpan is set to retire on Sept. 30 and provided reassurances in the lead-up to the elections on Sunday. There have been concerns about possible unrest following the polls.

When questioned about the potential for future unrest and the military’s response, the Army chief explained that he was not worried. Continued …

Foreign community looks to newly elected government for better investment opportunities

Thailand’s foreign community is hoping for a more democratic and investor-friendly new government to emerge from the general election taking place this Sunday, May 14.

Jon Åström Gröndahl, Swedish ambassador to Thailand, said: “Sweden welcomes Thailand’s general election and hopes that it will be a free and fair election.” Continued …

Uptick in consumer confidence persists

Consumer confidence in April rose for an 11th straight month, reaching the highest level in 38 months, helped by a reduction in Covid-19 infections, the recovery of domestic tourism and lively election campaigns nationwide.

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) reported on Thursday the consumer confidence index rose to 55 in April from 53.8 in March, 52.6 in February and 51.7 in January. Continued …

Roughly 60% of people in Asia-Pacific work a side job

Almost 60% of people in Asia-Pacific have a side job, with the majority saying they do so to make ends meet, according to a recent survey from global health and wellness company Herbalife.

Findings from Herbalife’s 2023 Asia-Pacific Side Job Survey indicated almost 3 in 5 (59%) respondents have a side job, with the top reason (61%) being to make ends meet. Continued …

Thai cement firm ‘prints’ two-story medical center

Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) has printed a two-story medical center in Saraburi, billed as the first of its kind in the world.

It used Danish printer-maker Cobod’s BOD2 concrete printer to build the 345-sq-meter facility faster and with fewer workers compared to conventional construction practices, Cobod said. Continued …

Arson attacks strike 23 locations in far south

Twenty-three locations in Thailand’s southernmost provinces were hit by arson attacks late on Thursday night, resulting in the torching of mobile phone antenna towers and power poles and the burning of tires. The incidents occurred between 9pm and 11pm, officials said.

The affected areas included seven locations in Muang, Raman and Thanto districts of Yala; 12 locations in Muang, Nong Chik, Sai Buri, and Yarang districts of Pattani; and four locations in Muang, Rueso and Tak Bai districts of Narathiwat. Continued …

Why buying cannabis in Thailand might get tougher after election

The days of easily buying marijuana on the streets of Bangkok or Phuket may soon be over.

Four years after the Bhumjaithai party won almost four million votes on a vow to decriminalize cannabis — then carrying it out as the third-biggest bloc in a military-backed government — the tide has turned: most of the parties contesting Sunday’s national election are calling for the measure to be repealed and restrict the use of cannabis to medical purposes. Continued …

TAT targets digital nomads with 100-baht travel vouchers on weekdays

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on Thursday launched a new campaign offering tourism promotions for as little as 100 baht to encourage Thais to travel during the week and work remotely.

Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, TAT deputy governor for the domestic market, announced the “Workation Thailand for only 100 baht” campaign at a press conference, saying its goal was to increase domestic travel and overnight stays during weekdays by offering tourism products and services for as little as 100 baht each. Continued …

Tourists flee as python slithers into Krabi’s Emerald Pool

A two-meter-long python slithered into the popular Emerald Pool in Krabi province in southern Thailand on Tuesday, sending panicked tourists clambering in all directions.

In a chaotic TikTok clip, tourists scream as one brave swimmer splashes water at the python on the poolside in an attempt to drive it away. But it was a hot day. The python wanted to cool off, too. Video 

Western tourists embrace traditional Chinese medicine in Thailand

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is seeing a surge in popularity among Western tourists visiting Thailand and other Asian nations where TCM is widely practiced and easily accessible. Visitors are often drawn to TCM due to its perceived effectiveness, the use of natural remedies, and its holistic approach to health and wellness.

In recent years, TCM has received increased recognition and acceptance in the Western world, with many countries legalizing and regulating its practice. This has also contributed to the growing number of Western tourists seeking TCM treatments while vacationing in Thailand. Continued …

THAI, Bangkok Airways earnings surge as tourists flock back

Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways reported a surge in first-quarter earnings as tourists flocked back to the nation.

Thai Air posted net income of 12.51 billion baht in the three months through March, rebounding from a net loss of 3.25 billion baht a year earlier. Bangkok Airways’ net income was 875 million baht versus a net loss of 1.02 billion baht in the same quarter last year. Continued …

The Food School Bangkok: Where Culinary Dreams Come to Life

Aspiring chefs seeking an exceptional learning experience that can launch a highly successful career need look no further than The Food School Bangkok, a progressive culinary school that brings together three renowned partner institutes in a single location.

ALMA – The School of Italian Culinary Arts from Italy, TSUJI Culinary Institute from Japan, and Dusit Thani College from Thailand have joined forces to create a unique culinary educational experience for aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts. Continued …

ASEAN pushes for greater local currency use

ASEAN leaders declared at this week’s summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, that member countries should use their own currencies more often in intraregional trade, as the bloc aims to insulate the region from external volatility. Continued …

Labuan Bajo: Why is the Indonesian town known as the next Bali?

Southeast Asia’s leaders are meeting this week in an enchanting harbor town known as a “gateway to the dragons” and one of Indonesia’s “10 new Balis”. Labuan Bajo is a once-quiet fishing village nestled in the westernmost part of Flores Island, in east Indonesia’s Nusa Tenggara region. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, covid, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism

Thursday’s news-May 4

  • Today’s Guest Sponsor: Little Spain/
  • How to protect yourself against seasonal coronavirus/
  • Can Thailand finally end its century-long history of coups?/
  • Thai voters most concerned about rising cost of living/
  • Energy Crisis Prompts Thailand to Accelerate Shift to Renewables/
  • Thai herbs promoted for use in modern medicine/
  • Aem Cyanide’s police husband arrested/
  • Thailand’s most beautiful lake runs dry after months of drought/
  • Industry urges drought measures/
  • ‘World’s smelliest fruit’ now banned from Bangkok buses/
  • Gas cylinder explosion damages 8 houses, car and injures teenage boy/
  • China’s CATL considers EV battery facilities to Thailand/
  • Tourism: Thailand’s Tourism Industry Blossoms Anew With Influx of Chinese Visitors/Crackdown on crime wave against Chinese tourists in Bangkok/Pattaya gears up for 600,000 Indian tourists this year/
  • Thailand Experience: Thai fried chicken in Hat Yai!/Experience the Scrumptious Art of Thai Gastronomy/
  • International: Lilly drug slows Alzheimer’s progression by 35% in trial/Drone attack on Kremlin points to ‘messaging’ effort by Ukraine/World’s tallest hempcrete building set to open in Cape Town/Serbia school attack is a rare mass shooting outside US/Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2023 highest-paid athletes list/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

    Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

Today’s Guest Sponsor: Little Spain

How to protect yourself against seasonal coronavirus

Just like influenza, Covid-19 can now reinfect individuals several times, according to virologist Dr. Yong Poovorawan. Yong said Covid-19 has become a seasonal disease, similar to other respiratory infections including flu, RSV, and rhinovirus.

He said these seasonal bugs can cause problems, especially for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, those with weak immunity, people with underlying diseases, and young children. Continued …

Can Thailand finally end its century-long history of coups?

Just two weeks before Thailand holds its general election, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, one of the leading candidates to be the country’s prime minister, gave birth to a baby boy. Was it a hopeful augury, a sign that Thailand’s turbulent politics might be about to forge a fresh new start?

Well, it’s possible. But equally the focus on the 36-year-old face of the Pheu Thai party, daughter of the self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reminds many of the real question about this election: Will the cycle of parties associated with Thaksin winning at the polls, only to be forced out of office by military coups, finally be broken? Continued …

Thai voters most concerned about rising cost of living

Most Thai voters want the new government to reduce the cost of living, boost welfare and minimum wage, as well as upskill the workforce, a recent survey shows.

Respondents to a survey conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting also want the new government to tackle poverty, debt and social inequality. Continued …

Energy Crisis Prompts Thailand to Accelerate Shift to Renewables

The fallout from the global energy crisis is pushing Thailand to accelerate its shift to renewables after dragging its feet for years, the latest nation to embrace wind and solar in order to reduce dependence on imported fuel.

The Southeast Asian country was forced to rethink its renewable energy strategy following last year’s surge in natural gas prices sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said Wattanapong Kurovat, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office. The situation was exacerbated by Thailand’s drop in production. Continued …

Thai herbs promoted for use in modern medicine

A campaign is under way to promote use of herbal plants in modern medicine to boost their value by at least 90 to 100 billion baht by 2027.

The plan was hatched following the release of the “Herbal Champions” announcement by the Ministry of Public Health, which included a list of 15 Thai herbs to be pushed into the global market, said Dr. Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTTAM). Continued …

Aem Cyanide’s police husband arrested

A police lieutenant colonel who is the ex-husband of suspected serial cyanide killer “Aem Cyanide” has been fired from the force, arrested and charged with related crimes.

Police Lt .Col. Withoon Rangsiwuthaporn, deputy superintendent of the Suan Phueng police station in Ratchaburi province, was charged with receiving stolen property, jointly forging official documents and jointly using forged official documents. Continued …

Thailand’s most beautiful lake runs dry after months of drought

The water level of Thailand’s fourth largest freshwater lake, Kwan Phayao, dropped to just 5% as of Tuesday due to an extended drought in the North.

Provincial Gov. Narong Rojsothorn said the water level had dropped from 55.65 million cubic meters to just 2.8 million, and that he is getting the lake refilled with water channeled from two nearby reservoirs. Continued …

Industry urges drought measures

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) plans to ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to brace for drought and possible water shortages that will affect businesses, causing them to increase the prices of goods again.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which led to a surge in global oil prices, caused some entrepreneurs to adjust their prices last year as they were unable to bear higher energy fees without passing along the cost. Continued …

‘World’s smelliest fruit’ now banned from Bangkok buses

The smell of durians has been classified as a public nuisance by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and, as of today, passengers are no longer permitted to carry the pungent-smelling fruit on its buses.

The decision is based on a directive issued by the Transport Ministry in 2014 to ensure peace and order on public transport, the transit authority announced on Wednesday. Continued …

Gas cylinder explosion damages 8 houses, car and injures teenage boy

A gas cylinder explosion damaged eight houses and a car in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, while a 15-year-old boy living in the incident house suffered serious burn wounds all over his body.

The incident occurred yesterday in a three-story townhouse owned by a 39-year-old man named Weeraphat Chuensomsong. He was not home during the explosion. Unfortunately, his 15-year -old son was at home alone at the time and suffered serious burns all over his body, especially to his legs. Continued …

China’s CATL considers EV battery facilities to Thailand

The government of Thailand has started negotiations with China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), aiming to incentivize battery production to the country.

CATL is the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery supplier by market share. The deal would see the company open a first factory in Southeast Asia. The Chinese battery manufacturer has recently been making strides in its battery technology. These include a supposed 500Wh/kg battery announced as having the energy density to power a passenger aircraft. The company also sells EV batteries to auto manufacturers such as Ford, Tesla and Volkswagen. Continued …

Thailand’s Tourism Industry Blossoms Anew With Influx of Chinese Visitors

The Grand Palace, high-end shopping malls, and the Pattaya Pier in and around Bangkok are once again bustling with activity, as Chinese tourists flock to Thailand during the five-day Labor Day holiday.

For nearly a decade, Suchart has been a familiar sight on Pattaya Beach, setting up beach chairs and preparing for visitors who come to relax, drink coconut water, and ride speedboats out to sea. Continued …

Crackdown on crime wave against Chinese tourists in Bangkok

Thailand has begun to crack down on criminal elements entering the country from China, at the same time as the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau has begun to suppress illegal activities by Chinese underworld operators in the capital.

The move comes as the ongoing growth of Chinese incoming tourists has slowed in response to a negative perception of the kingdom on the Chinese mainland driven by overblown social media reports, disinformation, and including a negative portrayal of the country’s perceived new cannabis free-for-all culture. Continued …

Pattaya gears up for 600,000 Indian tourists this Year

At least60 Indian tourists are anticipated to visit Pattaya this year, returning the visitor numbers to levels similar to those prior to the pandemic, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Anoma Vongyai, director of TAT’s Pattaya office, revealed that over 900,000 Indian tourists traveled to Thailand in the year preceding the pandemic, with approximately 600,000 of them visiting Pattaya. In 2019, Indian visitors represented the third-largest group of foreign tourists, following Chinese and Russian travelers. Continued … 

Thai fried chicken in Hat Yai!

Welcome to the fried chicken capital of Thailand – Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่)! We’re going to one of the best Thai street food stalls for fried chicken in all of Thailand, and the world. The chicken is deep fried until golden crispy, and so juicy on the inside. One of the highlights is also when you eat it with hot fresh sticky rice and crispy shallots. Video

Experience the Scrumptious Art of Thai Gastronomy

Centuries ago, people emigrated from southern Chinese provinces — especially Sichuan — into modern-day Thailand. Over the centuries, many other influences have affected the Thai culinary tradition, including dishes and methods of cooking from India and Portugal.

In the southern part of the country, Malay and Burmese culinary influences are also found. Thailand also has a sizable Buddhist community, which has impacted the cuisine, as well. These influences have been incorporated into Thai gastronomy to create uniquely tasty dishes. This delectable cuisine is known for its aromas and the remarkable balance of flavors, such as sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. The food of Thailand is both considerably regional and seasonal. Continued …

Lilly drug slows Alzheimer’s progression by 35% in trial

An experimental Alzheimer’s drug developed by Eli Lilly and Co. slowed cognitive decline by 35% in a closely watched late-stage trial, the company said on Wednesday, raising hopes for a second effective treatment for the brain-wasting disease. Continued …

Drone attack on Kremlin points to ‘messaging’ effort by Ukraine

Russia accused Ukraine on Wednesday of a failed attempt to assassinate President Vladimir Putin in a nighttime drone attack on the Kremlin in Moscow, and threatened to retaliate. Continued …

World’s tallest hempcrete building set to open in Cape Town

The world’s tallest building constructed with industrial hemp, a 12-story establishment boasting a stunning view of Table Mountain, is nearing completion in Cape Town, South Africa. Workers are currently adding the final touches to the 54-room Hemp Hotel, which is set to be completed in June. Continued …

Serbia school attack is a rare mass shooting outside US

A mass shooting on Wednesday, in which eight students and a security guard were killed at a school in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, was a reminder that such attacks are far less common outside the United States. Continued …

Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2023 highest-paid athletes list

Cristiano Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr nearly doubled his annual playing salary, while Paris St-Germain duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe round off the top three, according to Forbes. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, covid, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s news-May 3

  • Public holidays: immigration offices closed tomorrow, Friday/
  • National park in Thap Sakai in PKK closes for ‘renewal’/
  • Cabinet approves Bt10.4 billion to subsidize domestic electricity charges/
  • Headline CPI up 2.67%, slowest in 16 months/
  • Investment in factories creates 30,000 jobs in 6 months/
  • COVID-19 infections on the rise with 1,811 cases and 10 deaths last week/
  • ‘Policeman’ Faces Arrest Over Cyanide Killings/
  • ‘Am Cyanide’: The story of Thailand’s female serial-murder suspect/
  • Thousands of beetles invade homes in Prachinburi/
  • Pattaya tourist gambling den ‘bribed officials with 2 million baht’/
  • Tourism: Over 8.5 Million Foreign Tourists So Far, Spending Tops 355 Billion Baht/Thai Consulate Clarifies Chinese Visa: No Additional Measures/Thailand Launches “Premium Andaman” to Boost Tourism Revenue/No windfall for tourism with legal pot/SAS launches direct flights to Bangkok/
  • International: Asian Regions Subject to Particularly High Levels of Environmental Pollution/Myanmar pardons 2,153 prisoners jailed for dissent/Fresh rout of US regional banks despite First Republic deal/Second Russian train hit by explosive near Ukraine border/Analyzing the push for sustainable jet fuel/Hollywood writers stage first strike since 2007/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Public holidays: immigration offices closed tomorrow, Friday

Thailand is gearing up for three upcoming public holidays that will temporarily shut down government offices, including immigration departments. The first of these holidays, Coronation Day, falls on Thursday, May 4, and will be followed by a “bridge” continuation day on Friday, May 5.

The Thai government announced these additional holidays last year as a means to boost domestic tourism as the country started recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …

National park in Thap Sakai in PKK closes for ‘renewal’

Namtok Huai Yang National Park in Thap Sakai will be closed until May 31 to allow nature to rehabilitate.

This annual step helps preserve the park’s natural resources, giving the park time to regenerate. – HHT

Cabinet approves Bt10.4 billion to subsidize domestic electricity charges

The Thai cabinet approved the allocation of 10.464 billion baht from the Central Fund yesterday to subsidize electricity charges for 18.32 million households from May through August, and for another 23.4 million households in May as an emergency measure.

The proposal to fund the program will be resubmitted to the Election Commission (EC) for reconsideration, after the commission rejected it last week due to the lack of Cabinet approval. Continued … 

Headline CPI up 2.67%, slowest in 16 months

Thailand’s headline inflation dropped to its lowest in 16 months in April, coming in close to expectations owing to lower energy and food prices and a high base in 2022, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.

The headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.67% in April from a year earlier, compared with a forecast rise of 2.7% in a Reuters poll, and against March’s 2.83% increase. Continued …

Investment in factories creates 30,000 jobs in 6 months

Thailand built or expanded 1,211 factories during the first half of fiscal 2023, with an investment value of 113 billion baht, generating more than 30,000 jobs, according to the Industry Ministry.

Part of the investment during October 2022 to March 2023 came from entrepreneurs in the bioplastic and electric vehicle (EV) industries, in line with the government policy to promote a green economy and eco-friendly cars, said acting Industry Minister Anucha Nakasai. Continued …

COVID-19 infections on the rise with 1,811 cases and 10 deaths last week

COVID-19 infections in Thailand between April 23-29 increased to 1,811, or an average of 258 cases a day, and 10 deaths, according to the Department of Disease Control.

So far this year, 8,382 people have been infected and treated at hospitals. Of these, 288 have died, 157 suffered lung infections and 79 were put on ventilators. Continued …

‘Policeman’ Faces Arrest Over Cyanide Killings

Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn said Tuesday afternoon that a policeman has been found to be linked to the cyanide serial killings, with a request for a warrant for his arrest being made soon, while a company in Bangkok is suspected to have imported the lethal poison.

Surachate, nicknamed Big Joke, added that a lot of progress had been made in this case, with a meeting held today to speed up investigation into all killings, totaling 14 so far, with one survivor. Continued …

‘Am Cyanide’: The story of Thailand’s female serial-murder suspect

Police have launched an investigation into what they suspect is Thailand’s first female serial killer. The number of her alleged victims rose over the past week as more people came forward to voice their suspicions.

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, was arrested on April 25 after police were alerted to the death of her friend, 32-year-old Siriporn Khanwong. As of press time, the investigation had expanded to cover as many as 14 deaths and one suspected survivor of poisoning. Cyanide has been identified as the likely murder weapon, and money as the motive. Continued …

Thousands of beetles invade homes in Prachinburi

Villagers in Prachinburi Province are suffering from an invasion of tens of thousands of scarabs, which have entered their homes and forced them to sleep outside in tents.

These beetles are small, black, and have stiff wings. They tend to live in large groups in corners, clothing, and bedding. They usually appear at the beginning of the rainy season and remain in the area for one to two months before disappearing naturally. Continued …

Pattaya tourist gambling den ‘bribed officials with 2 million baht’

Police who raided illegal gambling at a luxury hotel in Pattaya on Monday are investigating claims that it was allowed to operate after bribing government officials with 2 million baht.

Police arrested 93 suspects, mainly Indian nationals, during the raid at Asia Pattaya Hotel in Chonburi’s Bang Lamung district in the early hours of Monday. Continued …

Over 8.5 Million Foreign Tourists So Far, Spending Tops 355 Billion Baht

thailand welcomed a total of 8,596,452 foreign tourists during the first four months this year, with total expenditure reaching 353.331 billion baht amid an increase in arrivals from ASEAN countries, East and South Asia plus Africa last week.

Statistics revealed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports show 567,361 foreign tourists came to Thailand last week (April 24-30), or an average of 81,052 a day. This added up to 2,130,715 arrivals last month. Continued …

Thai Consulate Clarifies Chinese Visa: No Additional Measures

The Thai Consular Department, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the public that the department is aware of the increasing arrival of Chinese tourists and that the department has confirmed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that no additional visa measures have been introduced for those entering the country.

Tourists can apply for a visa to Thailand via the Internet and at travel agencies. The ministry has also instructed Thai embassies and consulates-general to inform the Chinese so that they understand the regulations properly, especially regarding travel agencies, which are already subject to strict rules. Continued …

Thailand Launches “Premium Andaman” to Boost Tourism Revenue

Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that the ministry is gradually taking measures to develop the coastal areas of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Islands, which cover a total of 3,000 kilometers and generated 1.2 trillion baht (35,100 billion U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue in 2022. The project consists of five clusters as follows:

The first area is the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which consists of Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao. The project will cover 2 more provinces, namely Chanthaburi and Trad, making a total of five provinces. This cluster is expected to bring in 340 billion (9.94 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue, with an average expenditure of 3,081 baht (90 U.S. dollars) per person per day. Continued …

No windfall for tourism with legal pot

Since the government legalized cannabis on June 9, 2022, by removing the plant from the list of prohibited narcotics, the tourism sector was expected to reap a windfall as Thailand was the first country in Asia to allow hemp consumption for certain purposes, other than recreational use.

A month after decriminalization, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) published rules and regulations concerning cannabis and hemp use in the country in a bid to inform and warn tourists about prohibitions against smoking in public. Continued …

SAS launches direct flights to Bangkok

SAS will now open a new route to Bangkok. Following this route expansion, travelers will be able to fly direct to Bangkok three times weekly, with convenient overnight flights in both directions using the Airbus A350 aircraft.

First departure is planned from Copenhagen on Oct. 30. Continued … 

Asian Regions Subject to Particularly High Levels of Environmental Pollution

Asia, the world’s largest continent, is grappling with an alarming extent of environmental pollution. According to a report by Verisk Maplecroft, 99 out of the 100 cities facing the biggest environmental risks are in Asia, with 37 in China and 43 in India. These environmental hazards include extreme heat, climate change, and natural disasters. Continued …

Myanmar pardons 2,153 prisoners jailed for dissent

Myanmar’s junta on Wednesday announced it had pardoned more than 2,000 prisoners jailed under a law used widely in its crackdown on dissent since seizing power more than two years ago. Continued …

Fresh rout of US regional banks despite First Republic deal

Shares of United States regional banks suffered deep losses on Wall Street Tuesday, dashing hopes that the resolution of First Republic’s woes would end the crisis. Continued … 

Second Russian train hit by explosive near Ukraine border

An explosive device derailed a Russian freight train in a region bordering Ukraine for a second straight day Tuesday ahead of an expected counteroffensive by Kyiv. Continued …

Analyzing the push for sustainable jet fuel

Biodiesel, a mix of diesel and palm oil-derived methyl ester used by cars with internal combustion engines, as well as used cooking oil that previously was deemed useless, are now vying to change the aviation industry. The two oils can be processed to make sustainable jet fuel, or SAF, a biofuel for aircraft. Continued …

Hollywood writers stage first strike since 2007

Thousands of Hollywood television and movie writers have gone on strike for the first time in 16 years, their union said on Tuesday, after talks with studios and streamers over pay and working conditions ended without a deal. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

hua hin, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, solar, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s news-May 2

  • Hua Hin’s iconic Chat Chai Market to undergo a revamp/
  • How an aging population is creating new business opportunities/
  • Electric bill increase fuels rise in food production costs/
  • Heat and air pollution persist in North, South sees heavy rain/
  • Scorcher powers LG air conditioner sales/
  • Practical tips for learning Thai as a beginner/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Bloomberg calls Thailand a new economic star/Workers mark Labor Day with demand for THB700 minimum wage/Shippers expect exports to rise 1% this year/EGAT to spend Bt300 billion on floating solar farm development/MG readies the construction of EV battery plant in Thailand/Executives fret over ‘greenwashing’/
  • Tourism: Thai tourism industry optimistic as Chinese tourist arrivals skyrocket/Wealthy tourists unfazed by pricey trips/Phuket’s international arrivals stabilize, with Russians still leading the way/
  • International: North Asia’s factories stuck in decline/How Close is Asia to Fixing its Plastic Pollution Problem?/Chase’s takeover of First Republic does not end worries over US banks/Biden and Marcos Jr discuss Beijing’s South China Sea expansion/Brain scans and AI could transcribe what people are thinking/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hua Hin’s iconic Chat Chai Market to undergo a revamp

Hua Hin’s iconic Chat Chai Market is set to undergo a major revitalization, according to plans announced by Hua Hin municipality. The market, which has been a fixture of the Hua Hin community for almost a century, will be modernized and upgraded to meet the needs of both locals and tourists.

The project will involve both the development of new products and the upgrading of existing offerings to be more contemporary, while still retaining the unique character of the historic market. Additionally, the market’s layout will be reorganized to provide more organized parking and shopping areas. Continued …

How an aging population is creating new business opportunities

The world’s population is getting older. And Thailand is among the fastest-aging societies in the world. Of its 67 million population, more than 12 million Thais are elderly, according to the Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, with the majority of them in the 60-69 group.

Japan became the world’ first “super-aged” society in 2006. By 2029, Thailand is expected to join Japan in this demographic trend, according to recent research carried out by Kasikorn Research Center (KResearch). This is due to a decrease in the population in the past three years. Continued …

Electric bill increase fuels rise in food production costs

The rise in electricity bills since the start of this year has increased the overall cost of food manufacturing by 2.5% to 5%, Wisit Limleucha, vice president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said on Monday.

He said last year’s electricity costs were responsible for 5%-10% of manufacturing costs of the food industry, but this year the number has jumped to 7.5%-15%, prompting some operators to find ways to reduce their power bills, including installing solar rooftops and turning off unnecessary appliances. Continued …

Heat and air pollution persist in North, South sees heavy rain

Thunderstorms and gusting winds will affect 36 provinces over the next two days due to the presence of a cold air mass over the upper region of Thailand, which is experiencing scorching temperatures.

Meanwhile, the winds blowing in over the Gulf of Thailand, the southern region, and the Andaman Sea, are increasing in strength, causing an increase in rainfall in the southern region and heavy rain in some areas. Continued …

Scorcher powers LG air conditioner sales

LG Electronics (Thailand) Co., the distributor of LG air-conditioning products, has reworked its marketing strategies after experiencing a surge in sales attributed to the scorching heat.

Amnaj Singhachan, the company’s senior marketing manager, said LG revised its sales targets for air-conditioning products twice this year because of unprecedented demand related to the hot weather. Continued …

Practical tips for learning Thai as a beginner

Learning a new language can be challenging, and Thai is no exception. As a beginner, you might find yourself struggling to grasp the tonal nuances of the language, the unfamiliar script, and the sheer volume of vocabulary to learn.

But with the right mindset and approach, learning Thai can be an exciting and rewarding journey that opens up a world of possibilities. And to make your language-learning journey smoother and more enjoyable, we’ve put together some practical tips that will help you get started on the right track. Continued …

Thailand’s biggest serial killer suspect legally protected from the death penalty

As the police screen more incoming reports of suspicious deaths linked with what officers suspect to be Thailand’s biggest-ever serial killer, Sararat Rangsiwutthaporn, one story in recent days of a doctor working with the Royal Thai Police stood out as particularly harrowing.

The doctor appeared on the country’s popular Channel 3 TV telling top host, Kanchai Kamnodploy, on the daily news program that he believed his wife was poisoned by a pill sent to her after she had just given birth to the couple’s infant daughter in November 2020. Continued …

Bloomberg calls Thailand a new economic star

Global financial news service Bloomberg is calling Thailand an economic star for its resiliency and reports that investors are flocking to the Kingdom.

“Among the kingdom’s attributes are a resurgence in tourism, low foreign debt and a surplus in the broadest measure of trade. That is a halo historically associated with Switzerland, Japan, or prized asset classes like U.S. Treasuries,” Bloomberg wrote, adding that investment bank Goldman Sachs likened the Kingdom to a “safe haven.” Continued …

Workers mark Labor Day with demand for THB700 minimum wage

Labor representatives gathered on National Labor Day on Phitsanulok Road in Bangkok to demand 700-baht daily wage from the next government.

Rallyists also demanded that the new government, expected to be formed after the May 14 general election, would ensure laborers have the right to form a union to negotiate with their employers for better compensation and benefits. Continued …

Shippers expect exports to rise 1% this year

Thailand’s exports are likely to rise 1% in 2023 and should pick up later in the year, owing to a recovery in China’s economy, the Thai National Shippers’ Council said today.

Exports, a key driver of Thai growth, were not as weak as expected in the first quarter and should improve in the remaining months of the year, Chaichan Chareonsuk, chairman of the council, told a news conference. Continued …

58.5MW Floating PV Plant 

EGAT to spend Bt300 billion on floating solar farm development

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) aims to increase its power-generation capacity from floating solar farms at its nine hydropower plants to 10 gigawatts by 2037, with investment of almost 300 billion baht.

The government earlier approved EATs plan to develop 2,725 megawatts from floating solar farms at the nine dams. Continued …

MG readies the construction of EV battery plant in Thailand

SAIC Motor-CP and MG Sales (Thailand), manufacturer and distributor of MG cars in Thailand, held a foundation stone laying ceremony with a road map to transform the 75-rai factory space into partnership development areas for car parts and a battery-manufacturing plant in response to the electric vehicle trend.

The factory is located in the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2 (WHA ESIE 2) in Chonburi. Spanning across an area of over 437.5 rai, the manufacturing facility has a maximum production capacity of 100,000 units per year. Continued …

Executives fret over ‘greenwashing’

More than half of executives surveyed in Thailand admitted their organizations have overstated or inaccurately represented the impact of their sustainability initiatives, which could potentially stall progress on sustainability, according to a recent report.

A report by Google Cloud found corporate greenwashing is a prevalent concern among local executives, with 83% of them believing greenwashing is accidental when companies cannot effectively measure results or progress, which leads to overstatement of sustainability efforts. Continued …

Thai tourism industry optimistic as Chinese tourist arrivals skyrocket

The recent steady increase of Chinese tourists to Thailand has been observed by a Thai expert, who views it as a positive sign for the Thai tourism industry and the broader Thai economy.

From Jan. 1 to April 23, over 737,000 Chinese tourists visited Thailand, marking a 30-fold increase from the same period last year, according to Kevalin Wangpichayasuk, assistant managing director of Kasikorn Research Center. This increase came after China optimized its COVID-19 restriction measures late last year. Continued …

Wealthy tourists unfazed by pricey trips

Increased hotel room prices and living expenses in Japan will not significantly affect tourists with high purchasing power, as they usually demand premium services, but the outbound market could slow based on seasonality.

A survey by hotel research firm STR found Tokyo’s room rates already exceeded the level recorded before the pandemic. A domestic travel subsidy scheme in Japan also contributed to increasing occupancy rates. Continued …

Phuket’s international arrivals stabilize, with Russians still leading the way

Tourism arrival numbers appear to have stabilized in Phuket during April after a drastic drop immediately after Songkran on the holiday island. Between February and the middle of April, the average tourist arrivals dropped around 20%.

But from April 20 until the end of the month, there has been a welcome uptick in international arrivals, which bodes well for the post-Songkran tourist traffic onto the island. Continued …

North Asia’s factories stuck in decline

North Asia’s export powerhouses continued to stutter in April amid sluggish global trade and a patchy economic recovery in China, according to new data that amplified concerns about the risk of a global recession. Continued …

How Close is Asia to Fixing its Plastic Pollution Problem?

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental problem across the world, but Asia is particularly vulnerable. With high population density, rapid urbanization, and inadequate waste-management infrastructure, plastic waste is accumulating in Asian waterways and ultimately ends up in the ocean, where it poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems. Continued …

Chase’s takeover of First Republic does not end worries over US banks

The seizure of First Republic Bank by bank regulators and the selling of its assets to JPMorgan Chase on Monday may have resolved the largest U.S. bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis. Still, experts say it did not wholly eliminate lingering concerns about U.S. banks. Continued …

Biden and Marcos Jr discuss Beijing’s South China Sea expansion

In recent discussions at the White House, President Joe Biden and Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed Beijing’s assertive expansion through the strategic trade routes and islands of the South China Sea. This move signals Washington’s increasing concern over China’s aggressive claims of sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, despite international rulings stating otherwise. Continued …

Brain scans and AI could transcribe what people are thinking

Scientists have announced a breakthrough in the decoding of human thoughts, utilizing a combination of brain scans and artificial intelligence (AI) models. The technology uncovers “the gist” of an individual’s thoughts and may significantly benefit those who have lost their ability to communicate. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

covid, hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thailand, tourism

Monday’s news-May 1

  • Thailand’s original beach resort is 100/
  • Final weekend to see Phetchaburi salt piles/
  • Temperatures soar, headaches rise/
  • Thai Expert Explains High Electricity Bills in Thailand/
  • Annual Covid-19 booster shots planned for Thailand this year/
  • Chumphon beauty named this year’s Miss Grand Thailand/
  • More than four-legged friends/
  • Vote buying: The engine of corruption in Thailand/
  • Police say 14 people are thought to have died in serial cyanide poisonings/
  • Thai students recount dangerous escape from Sudan/
  • Video: Station master praised for saving elderly woman’s life/
  • Si Racha Badly Flooded With Some Cars Floating Away In Floodwaters/
  • Gunfight erupts during wedding, 13-year-old boy injured in crossfire/
  • Raid at a Pattaya hotel uncovers Indian gambling ring, 100 arrested/
  • Karen villagers can return to Kaeng Krachan National Park/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Thai Labor 2023 Survey: Increased Employment But Rising Debt/Wage hike pledges slammed/Thailand: Southeast Asia’s ‘weed wonderland’/All controls in place for cannabis use in Thailand: govt/From watermelon to weed: Thai farmers regret switching to cannabis as prices fall/
  • Tourism: Asia Pacific’s tourism industry to surpass pre-pandemic peak in 2025/TAT offers half-a-million-baht holiday in travel blogging contest/Market report predicts boom in Phuket hotel industry in next decade/Thailand’s ‘Inspector Beagles’ can be a smuggler’s worst enemy/
  • Thailand Experience: 15 Best Things to Do on Koh Tao/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Thailand’s original beach resort is 100

All eyes were on the immaculately coiffed Cocoa as she slid from her lemon-colored sunlounger to strut beside the pool. Pausing to sniff the sea air, she unrolled a tiny pink tongue, and three more pomeranians bounded across, their owners trotting dutifully behind, waving treats and lining up photographs.

A lapdog pool party was probably the last thing I expected to see on a trip with my husband and two young daughters to Hua Hin. The original Thai beach resort is better known for attracting royalty and retirees, but as its oldest hotel turns 100, the resort town is out to prove that it’s still got it. And at the Standard, the newest luxury boutique hotel in Hua Hin, Instagramming is par for the course. Continued …

Final weekend to see Phetchaburi salt piles

Phetchaburi’s salt harvesting season comes to en end this weekend (May 6-8). The slat piles will be visible May 6-7, and the salt-carrying process starts May 8.

This is the last opportunity to witness the traditional salt harvesting for this season. Open from 7:30am to 5:30pm

Temperatures soar, headaches rise

Like other early birds, Dao Dul, 35, goes on duty at first light. For her, time is literally money. Her office is not a well-built weather-proof skyscraper. It is a makeshift cart that provides affordable dishes to hundreds of community residents from dawn to dusk.

It is not a long day, but the scorching summer is making her life unbearable. A couple of weeks ago, the city’s mercury peaked at 40°C. Continued ,,,

Thai Expert Explains High Electricity Bills in Thailand

Praiphon Koomsub, former dean of the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University, explained an increase in the Thai power bills recently.

He said the increase actually started at the end of 2022, but people did not acknowledge it until March to April when the weather became significantly hotter, leading to an increase in electricity consumption and thereby a surge in power bills. Moreover, at the beginning of this year, the government adjusted the fuel tariff rate, which further increased the price. Continued …

Annual Covid-19 booster shots planned for Thailand this year

The Public Health Ministry in Thailand aims to make this year the first in which individuals receive annual Covid-19 booster shots, akin to the seasonal flu vaccine.

Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek stated yesterday that Thailand must continue to monitor Covid infections, particularly after cases spiked twice last week due to the global spread of XBB.1.16, a substrain of the Omicron variant. Continued … 

Chumphon beauty named this year’s Miss Grand Thailand

Thaweeporn “Aoom” Phingchamrat from the southern province of Chumphon bagged the Miss Grand Thailand 2023 crown on Saturday night. Tia Taweepakamphan from Phuket, Pimjira from Bangkok, Saenak Archaree Sirsuk from Loei and Ketuwalee Polbodee from Phrae were first, second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Grand Thailand was presented with a golden crown worth 1.2 million baht and received other prizes, including a million baht in cash and keys to a condominium. (The Nation)

More than four-legged friends

Pets are often regarded as integral members of the family rather than merely animals. The pandemic led to a surge in pet ownership, resulting in unprecedented growth in the pet economy this year.

New independent companies have emerged offering a variety of products and services, with some adopting a collaborative approach by partnering with veterinarians to co-develop pet food and increase consumer confidence in their products. Continued …

Vote buying: The engine of corruption in Thailand

Vote buying can be a deciding factor in Thai elections at any level – whether for a village head, a local administrator, or a member of Parliament. And the upcoming general election on May 14 is no exception, according to analysts and even politicians themselves.

Many Thai election candidates have blamed their defeat on vote buying, while several election wins have been attributed to parties buying votes. Continued …

Police say 14 people are thought to have died in serial cyanide poisonings

Fourteen people are believed to have been fatally poisoned by a female Thai suspect being held in custody, 36-year-old “Srarat”, but police are currently only investigating 11 of the cases, according to Police Col. Anek Taosuparb, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).

Arrest warrants have already been issued in three cases, including the case of a female victim named “Siriporn”, a police officer named “Nipa” and “Rotjarin”, a vegetable vendor. Continued …

Thai students recount dangerous escape from Sudan

A group of Thai nationals who arrived home this past weekend after escaping civil war in Sudan described their difficult journey out of the war-torn country that had them constantly on edge through sleepless nights as they passed through numerous checkpoints.

Speaking from Don Mueang Airport where they were welcomed by dignitaries, the president of the Thai Student Assn. in Sudan told reporters the fighting in Sudan was extremely intense, and it was challenging for them to travel without official permission. The student leader, named Yikasem, was among 78 Thai citizens who landed safely at the airport. Their flight was made possible by a 24-hour ceasefire. Continued …

Video: Station master praised for saving elderly woman’s life

Members of the public have heaped praise on the station master of Ban Song railway station in Wiang Sa district for saving the life of a 75-year-old woman with impaired hearing as she was about to be hit by a train on Sunday.

Security camera footage showed that at about 9.50am on Sunday, the woman was walking across a rail track while express train No 85 (Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat) was entering the station. The woman was completely unaware that she was in danger. Continued … 

Si Racha Badly Flooded With Some Cars Floating Away In Floodwaters

Three hours of heavy rain yesterday morning led to many areas of Chonburi’s Si Racha district being damaged, with cars seen floating away in floodwaters.

At around noon, reporters in this district said the torrential rain had also toppled trees, with some falling heavily on cars and damaging them. Continued …

Gunfight erupts during wedding, 13-year-old boy injured in crossfire

Yesterday, a confrontation between two groups of teenagers escalated into a gunfight at a wedding in Buriram Province. The incident left three villagers injured by stray bullets, including a 13-year-old boy in critical condition. Authorities are pursuing charges related to bodily harm and firearms law violations.

Police Lt. Col. Withisarn Aphornphong, superintendent of Prakhon Chai Police Station, led the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect known as “Bee”, along with a .38-caliber revolver, and an 18-year-old suspect known as “A” with a homemade shotgun. Continued …

Raid at a Pattaya hotel uncovers Indian gambling ring, 100 arrested

A combined police task force led by Major Gen. Kampon Leelaprapaporn, the Chonburi provincial police chief, executed a raid this morning on a prestigious 4-star hotel situated in Nong Prue dubdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

The operation was initiated after receiving intelligence regarding a substantial illicit gambling ring being operated within a hotel conference room. Continued …

Karen villagers can return to Kaeng Krachan National Park

An independent committee examining a land dispute between Karen villagers and authorities has granted approval for the villagers to return to Bang Kloy Bon if they wish.

The first solution suggested by the committee was to approve the desire of 732 Karen villagers to return to arable lands deep in the forest of Bang Kloy Bon in Kaeng Krachan National Park, their ancestral home. Continued …

Thai Labor 2023 Survey: Increased Employment But Rising Debt

On the occasion of National Labor Day today, Montri Mahaplerkpong, the vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), revealed the 28th FTI member survey (FTI poll) on the topic of “Industrial Sector Perspectives on Employment and Workforce Adaptation in the Future” in April 2023.

It was found that a majority of the FTI executives, 48.6%, believed that the current employment rate has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. Meanwhile, 24.8% expected the employment rate to increase by 10%-20%, while 19.3% anticipated a decrease in the employment rate by 10%-20%. Continued …

Wage hike pledges slammed

As the country marks Labor Day today, activists have expressed concerns over campaign promises made by parties to abruptly raise the minimum daily wages to levels they believe are unrealistic. Continued …

Country’s labor challenges require a lot more than minimum wage pledges

Policies to improve the daily minimum wage for rural workers are hotly debated in the run-up to every election, with this year no exception ahead of the country’s first general election in four years on May 14.

The topic often creates some tension as the industrial sector sounds the alarm on unrealistic demands for wage hikes that hurt the entire consumption chain, while analysts urge the authorities to prioritize skills development. Continued …

Thailand: Southeast Asia’s ‘weed wonderland’

A new symbol has appeared in the kaleidoscopic jumble of neon signs that light up Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok’s most international street. The sudden ubiquity of the five-pointed marijuana leaf, in lurid green, announces the spectacular boom there has been in weed-related businesses in Thailand since cannabis was decriminalized last June.

Walk two kilometers east of the BBC office in Bangkok, and you pass more than 40 dispensaries, selling potent marijuana flower buds and all the paraphernalia needed to smoke them. Continued …

All controls in place for cannabis use in Thailand: govt

Thailand has clear laws governing the use of cannabis, government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Sunday. She made the remark in response to critics, who question the policy that was promoted by Bhumjaithai Party, which holds the public health portfolio.

She said the policy aims to offer cannabis as an alternative medical treatment and stimulate the economy. Continued …

From watermelon to weed: Thai farmers regret switching to cannabis as prices fall

When Thailand legalized cannabis for medical use in June 2022, thousands rushed to stake their claim, including small-time farmer Tukta Sinnin.

The 43-year-old pumped in nearly 500,000 baht (S$19,500) to grow more than 400 cannabis plants on her land in Nakhon Phanom, a northeast province by the Mekong River. Continued …

Asia Pacific’s tourism industry to surpass pre-pandemic peak in 2025

Travel experiences in Asia Pacific have returned to rapid growth since the region reopened borders for regional and long-haul travel. The industry – especially tour activities and attractions – is expected to surpass the pre-pandemic peak in 2025, according to research conducted by Arival Co.

The company released its new research findings ahead of its conference in Bangkok in June. Titled “The Outlook for Experiences 2019-2025”, the study forecasts that the industry will reach US$67 billion in 2024, and $75 billion in 2025. Continued …

TAT offers half-a-million-baht holiday in travel blogging contest

Ever wish you could holiday for a living – hopping from serene beaches to five-star city hotels? The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) is about to make that wish come true with its latest campaign to promote domestic tourism.

TAT is looking for 20 finalists to compete for the title of “Tourist of Thailand” by presenting their travel content, published on their own social media channels. Continued …

Market report predicts boom in Phuket hotel industry in next decade

Phuket should have 38 new hotels with 14,357 additional rooms on offer by 2032, the newly released Phuket Hotel Market Update 2023 report shows.

Phuket has been getting 260 flights daily and welcoming some 40,000 passengers per day since Thailand lifted all travel restrictions in October last year. This surge in arrivals has pushed the occupancy rate to 80% compared to 48% last year. Continued …

Thailand’s ‘Inspector Beagles’ can be a smuggler’s worst enemy

“Inspector Beagles” have been critical in efforts to deter the smuggling of meat into Thailand, the Livestock Development Department said.

In December of last year, Inspector Beagles foiled 17 attempts to smuggle meat into the county, leading to the seizure of 64.8 kilograms of illegal meat worth 32,995 baht, the department said. Continued …

15 Best Things to Do on Koh Tao

Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in the Gulf of Thailand and a fantastic spot to get your beginner’s diving license. This tiny paradise is full of incredible things to do and see. Besides snorkeling and scuba diving, you can enjoy incredible viewpoints, sandy white beaches, and great party scenes – not to mention incredibly friendly locals! (Really? Three “incredibles” in one paragraph?)

Whether you plan to stay a few days or a few weeks, you’ll want to know all the best things to do on Koh Tao to make the most of your vacation. Start scrolling to plan your ultimate getaway! Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Friday’s news-April 28

  • Thailand temps too hot to handle, more on the way/
  • Thailand remains second-largest exporter of of air cons as sales grow 9%/
  • ‘Endless record heat’ in Asia as highest April temperatures recorded/
  • Fears for Asia’s summer after recent ‘monster’ heatwave/
  • Thailand’s sustainability leaders offer insights on transformative trends/
  • Thai executives closely attuned to sustainability, survey finds/
  • Police building a ‘strong case’ against woman accused of serial killings by poisoning/
  • PM sounds alarm on Covid’s resurgence/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Finance minister expects Thai exports, domestic spending to rise in Q2/Government revenue exceeds target in first six months of fiscal 2023/Survey finds household debt rising/Thailand EV registrations soar in March as buyers grab generous incentives/Marijuana Emerges as Key Issue in Thai Election/
  • Tourism: Few expats will escape the new Thai tourism tax/Tighter visa rules stymie Chinese groups/Trang governor unveils Kradan development plans for ‘world’s best beach’/Thailand to seek World Heritage status for Si Thep, Phu Phra Bat, and Andaman Sea areas/First Look at Thailand’s New $157 million Zoo on Royal Land/
  • Thailand Experience: May 2023’s festivals and events in Thailand/Phuket: 7 Things Travelers Need To Know Before Visiting/
  • International: Human activities in Asia have reduced elephant habitat by nearly two-thirds since 1700/At least 11 dead after Indonesia ferry capsizes/Asia must quit coal faster to stem worst climate woes/Australia’s oldest coal-fired power plant closed amid shift toward renewable energy/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Thailand temps too hot to handle, more on the way

Thailand is currently in the grip of some extreme weather, with temperatures set to reach heights beyond what the human body can comfortably withstand.

The Asian country is dealing with extreme heat right now and experts have predicted that the run could continue until the end of the summer, sparking concerns for people’s welfare. Continued …

Thailand remains second-largest exporter of air cons as sales grow 9%

Thailand’s exported air conditioners worth US$7.044 billion (240 billion baht) last year, up 9% over 2022, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN), said the export value of air conditioners grew 9% when compared to 2021. Thailand has maintained its rank as the second-biggest exporter of air conditioners behind China, she added. Continued …

‘Endless record heat’ in Asia as highest April temperatures recorded

Asia is experiencing weeks of “endless record heat”, with sweltering temperatures causing school closures and surges in energy use.

Record April temperatures have been recorded at monitoring stations across Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, as well as in China and South Asia. Continued …

Fears for Asia’s summer after recent ‘monster’ heatwave

A “monster” Asian heatwave, which shattered temperature records in more than a dozen countries, is an early warning sign of “what may come if action is not taken”, scientific experts said.

Extremely high temperatures have swept across large parts of South and Southeast Asia in recent weeks, including India, China, Thailand and Laos. Ultimately, one-third of the global population suffered under crippling heat that is being driven by the climate crisis. Continued …

Thailand’s sustainability leaders offer insights on transformative trends

Thailand’s largest sustainability network, the United Nations Global Compact Network Thailand, has published its “SDGs Mega Trends 2023” report, highlighting five major trends among the sustainable development goals (SDGs) that businesses could focus on to unlock global pathways to resilience, growth and sustainability in the post Covid-19 era.

Suphachai Chearavanont, the network’s chairperson, said: “As a local network of UN Global Compact, Thailand’s chapter has prepared “SDGs Mega Trends” for four consecutive years to serve as a knowledge center and framework for sustainable development practices for business operators.” Continued …

Thai executives closely attuned to sustainability, survey finds

Thailand is one of the top three of 16 markets in terms of executives’ attentiveness to sustainable development, according to a recent survey by Google Cloud.

The survey interviewed 1,476 executives in 16 markets worldwide, including four in Asia: Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, a report on the survey said. Continued …

Police building a ‘strong case’ against woman accused of serial killings by poisoning

Police are considering additional charges against a woman suspected of poisoning to death at least 11 people with cyanide over the past decade.

Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, is likely to face three more charges in connection with the suspicious deaths linked to her, Crime Suppression Division Deputy Commander Anek Taosuparp said on Thursday. Continued …

PM sounds alarm on Covid’s resurgence

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed health authorities in major tourism destinations to closely monitor the number of Covid-19 cases in their area, as the number of new infections continues to surge after the holidays.

The order was issued after Prayut received an update on caseloads between April 16-22 from the Department of Disease Control, which showed the number of new Covid-19 infections was on the rise, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri. Continued … 

Finance minister expects Thai exports, domestic spending to rise in Q2

Exports should show positive growth in the second quarter of this year despite global headwinds, while domestic consumption is expected to increase as consumer spending rises, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Wednesday.

Thai exports have been sluggish since the fourth quarter of 2021, and have declined for six consecutive months, according to data released by the Commerce Ministry yesterday. Weak global demand and delays in orders for electronic devices and electrical appliances – two major Thai exports – have contributed to the export decline. Rising global demand for Thai agricultural products has partially offset declines in other sectors, Arkhom said. Continued …

Government revenue exceeds target in first six months of fiscal 2023

Government revenue collection in the first six months of fiscal 2023 (October to March) surpassed the target by 8.9%, the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) said on Thursday.

FPO Director-general Pornchai Thiraveja said revenue collection in the first six months amounted to 1.163 trillion baht, which was 6.9% higher than the same period last year. Continued …

Survey finds household debt rising

Average household debt for workers has hit the highest level in 14 years, attributed to durable goods purchases, investment to create income and daily expenses.

However, there are signs the proportion of consumers’ unorganized loans, or borrowing from loan sharks, is beginning to decrease, according to the latest survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Continued …

Thailand EV registrations soar in March as buyers grab generous incentives

The total number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Thailand surged to 61,594 in March, driven by subsidies and incentives, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday.

EV registrations in March rose to 8,522, almost double January’s figure of 4,543, according to Land Transport Department data. Most EVs registered in March were cars with no more than seven seats (6,205), followed by motorcycles (2,263). Continued …

Marijuana Emerges as Key Issue in Thai Election

Thailand’s political party known for getting cannabis partially legalized in the kingdom, the Bhumjaithai Party, has accused rivals of playing politics with its flagship policy ahead of a May 14 election, warning that marijuana reform is non-negotiable if it is to join any government coalition.

In June of 2022, Thailand decriminalized cannabis to be cultivated and sold by licensed businesses for medicinal use only. Continued …

Few expats will escape the new Thai tourism tax

The latest notice from the Thai tourism ministry lists the exceptions to the rule that all foreigners must pay on arrival 300 baht at airports and 150 baht by land or sea. The fortunate ones are diplomats, infants under 2 years, those with work permits, single day and transit passengers, and that famous expression: foreign residents in Thailand.

The latter phrase is optimistically being interpreted by some expats to include themselves, as they see themselves as “residents” by virtue of their annual, renewable extensions of stay based on retirement or marriage or because they are learning Thai. But the contextual meaning of “resident” here is “permanent resident”, or that category of foreigner who holds a red police residency book and has no visa expiry date in his or her passport. Continued …

Tighter visa rules stymie Chinese groups

Inbound tourism operators for the Chinese market are calling for clarification of new rules for visa applications via tour groups, warning that Thailand may lose a lucrative segment, including large business travel groups to competitors.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said operators want clear answers on the new visa procedures because they could hamper travel activities for tour groups and large meetings and incentive groups that consist of hundreds or thousands of applicants. Continued …

Trang governor unveils Kradan development plans for ‘world’s best beach’

Koh Kradan in Trang has been swamped by tourists this month after being named No. 1 in the Top 100 Beaches on Earth by the UK’s World Beach Guide.

In response, the governor on Wednesday announced development plans aimed at turning the tiny island into a major tourism destination. He was speaking after government agencies, local businesses and investors met to discuss ways to develop sustainable tourism with minimal impacts on Kradan’s pristine environment. Continued …

Thailand to seek World Heritage status for Si Thep, Phu Phra Bat, Andaman Sea areas

The National Committee on the Protection of World Heritage meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan agreed to propose the Andaman Sea conservation area for selection as a World Heritage site. The meeting also reviewed the progress report on the nomination of the historical park of Si Thep ancient city, and Phu Phra Bat.

The selection of the Andaman Sea (covering areas of Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket provinces), as a World Heritage site will boost tourism and the local economy in the future. Continued …

First Look at Thailand’s New $157 million Zoo on Royal Land

The project developer has unveiled the 3-dimensional image of Thailand’s new zoo, which will cost more than 5 billion baht and be built on 300 rai (120 acres) of royal land.

Ditto (Thailand), Siam TC Technology and Team Consulting Engineering and Management signed a construction contract with the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand on April 24 as an RSDT joint venture to build the first phase of a new zoo that will cost up to 5.354 billion baht (USD157 million). Continued …

May 2023’s festivals and events in Thailand

The month of May boasts an exciting lineup of festivals and events in Thailand, including local cultural celebrations, extravagant light-and-sound shows in all five regions nationwide, music festivals, a street art showcase, Muay Thai world championship fighting, triathlons, and a sailing regatta.

It’s also the time for the exhilarating and action-packed annual Bun Bung Fai or rocket festival, which is held in various Northeast provinces, the biggest and most famous of these being in Yasothon and Kalasin. Normally held mid-month just ahead of crop planting to ask the gods for plentiful rain and a good crop, this famous event sees the launching of home-made rockets containing anywhere from 1 kg to 120 kg of gunpowder high into the sky and is a breathtaking and very noisy spectacle that’s not-to-be-missed. Continued …

Phuket: 7 Things Travelers Need To Know Before Visiting

Phuket is Thailand’s golden child. The idyllic island is the nation’s most popular tourist destination, known for its breathtaking beaches, incredible food, natural beauty, and welcoming culture.

But before setting off to Phuket, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about traveling to Phuket, including: Continued …

Human activities in Asia have reduced elephant habitat by nearly two-thirds since 1700

Despite their iconic status and long association with humans, Asian elephants are one of the most endangered large mammals. Believed to number between 45,000 and 50,000 individuals worldwide, they are at risk throughout Asia due to human activities such as deforestation, mining, dam building and road construction, which have damaged numerous ecosystems. Continued …

At least 11 dead after Indonesia ferry capsizes

At least 11 people died and one was missing when a ferry capsized off the eastern coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, the national search and rescue agency said on Friday. Continued …

Spring ocean temperatures are shockingly hot around the globe

Global sea surface temperatures rose sharply in March and continued to rise during much of April and oceanographers and climate scientists are watching with trepidation. Continued …

Asia must quit coal faster to stem worst climate woes

Asia must rapidly cut fossil fuel subsidies and plow more money into a clean energy transition to avoid catastrophic climate change that puts its own development at risk, according to a new report Thursday from the Asian Development Bank. Continued …

Australia’s oldest coal-fired power plant closed amid shift toward renewable energy

Australia’s most senior coal-fired power plant is set to close today, marking a significant step toward the nation’s transition to renewable energy sources. Previously notorious for its climate inaction, Australia is now preparing for a remarkable transformation in its energy sector. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting