Category Archives: thai environment

chiang mai, climate change, covid, hua hin, marijuana, phuket, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s news-May 23

  • Thailand’s rains arrive, but will not be enough to fill reservoirs/
  • Devastating Rainstorm Claims 6 Lives at Phichit school/
  • Over 10,000 Covid Cases In Chonburi Last Week/
  • Move Forward’s ‘Government of Hope’ coalition delivers a program promising a new charter/
  • Foreign investment posts 77% rise in value/
  • Struggling to survive/
  • Chon Buri woman discovers pearl in local market oyster/
  • Farmer in Phitsanulok puts buffalo up for sale for US$1.5 million/
  • Huge explosion at rocket festival sends locals fleeing in Kalasin/
  • Unregulated cannabis expected to be curtailed/
  • Tourism: Two views of elephant tourism in Thailand/Phuket speedboat driver tests positive for meth after crash injuring 37 tourists/TAT to boost safety measures/
  • International: Sino-ASEAN land-sea trade corridor shows great vitality/Climate: ‘dangerous heat’ could afflict billions by 2100/Chinese researchers discover evidence of ancient ocean on Mars/Brazil faces dilemma: endangered macaw vs wind farm/
  • 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 rains arrive, but will not be enough to fill reservoirs

Some parts of Thailand will suffer water shortages despite rains this year, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced. According to TMD, Thailand’s wet season arrived on Monday and will last until mid-October.

Some areas are expected to be hit with heavy rain until early June, while thundershowers will hit up to 80% of the east of Thailand and the southern west coast. Continued …

Devastating Rainstorm Claims 6 Lives at Phichit school

As anticipated by the Meteorological Department’s forecast for the onset of the rainy season, heavy rainfall swept through multiple areas of Phichit province, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The province had braced itself for 20% of the predicted rainfall, and the forecast proved to be spot on.

During the rainfall, strong winds and a cyclonic storm affected the Wat Noinpo School located in Sam Ngam District, Phichit. The school had a large dome building used as a volleyball court, a 7-a-side football field, and for various other sports activities. Continued … 

Over 10,000 Covid Cases In Chonburi Last Week

Chon Buri’s Public Health office said yesterday that there were 10,648 new Covid cases and 12 deaths last week (May 14-20), with the majority being the elderly. Of this total, 13 were being treated for pneumonia while 19 require oxygen.

People in this province adjacent to Bangkok were urged to strictly follow Covid prevention measures as follows: Continued …

Move Forward’s ‘Government of Hope’ coalition delivers a program promising a new charter

The deputy leader of the Move Forward Party, tipped to be Thailand’s next Minister of Finance, Sirikanya Tansakul, on Monday spoke about growing confidence that the party would be able to form its proposed government with Pheu Thai, with more support coming from within parliament and positive noises from the Thai Senate.

The proposed coalition, on Monday afternoon, published a memorandum of understanding signed by the eight parties, which did not refer to the controversial Section 112 provision on lèse-majesté and promised a new constitutional reform program would be launched within 100 days with a referendum to be put to the people, which could lead to a new constituent assembly. me of reform being proposed by what the Move Forward Party describes as a ‘government of hope’ for Thailand. Continued …

Foreign investment posts 77% rise in value

The value of investment in Thailand soared by 77% year-on-year to 185.7 billion baht from 397 project proposals between January and March, with South Korea being the top foreign investor in terms of value in the first quarter, says the Board of Investment (BoI).

Foreign investment accounted for 155.2 billion of total investment, a year-on-year increase of 115%. Continued …

Struggling to survive

You are what you eat, but some do not have the privilege to choose. Nai, who is skinny and short for his age, lacks more than just a proper diet. He has been abandoned by his mother, and his father is serving a jail term. As a result, his uncle has kindly taken him into his own family.

But like others, he is living from hand-to-mouth, so providing his nephew with a balanced diet from the five food groups is difficult. Due to a lack of variety in their diet, slum children, though not starving, are suffering from malnutrition. Continued …

Chon Buri woman discovers pearl in local market oyster

A lucky woman in Chon Buri found a valuable pearl inside a large oyster purchased from a local market. The resident, Thevalee Sitonwong, discovered the stunning orange pearl while preparing a meal for her and her husband.

Thevalee revealed that she and her husband had gone to the market to buy some ingredients for their dinner, which included a popular Thai dish named Som Tum. They bought two large oysters, intending to cook them as part of their meal. As per usual, Thevalee cleaned and boiled the oysters before serving, and just as they began to eat, her husband bit down on something hard within the oyster’s flesh. Continued …

Farmer in Phitsanulok puts buffalo up for sale for US$1.5 million

A farmer in Thailand put a giant water buffalo up for sale for 50 million baht (US$1.45 million) yesterday.

Forget a pool villa in Phuket, for the same price you could bag yourself one of the biggest buffaloes Thailand has ever seen. “Petch Lamkhong,” a three-year-old water buffalo (“kwai“) from “Big Ice Farm” in Phitsanulok, weighed in at a whopping 1.4 tons at the 6th Phitsanulok Giant Buffalo Contest yesterday. Continued …

Huge explosion at rocket festival sends locals fleeing in Kalasin

A dramatic display unfolded during the annual Bun Bang Fai Talai Lan Festival in Kalasin Province’s Kuchinarai District as a single 20-million-fireworks rocket lifted off and exploded mid-air. The festival, which took place yesterday, is uniquely celebrated in this province, with numerous rockets being launched into the sky, attracting numerous local and international tourists.

At around 7pm, footage of the 20-million-fireworks rocket explosion was shared on the Facebook Page “Taxi Roi-Et 092-9030306.” The one-of-a-kind rocket was seen bursting mid-air, causing sparks and debris to shower down on frightened spectators. Fortunately, no one was injured as the event organizers had taken necessary precautions and arranged security measures. Continued …

Unregulated cannabis expected to be curtailed

The ease of buying marijuana on the streets of every province in Thailand will soon come to an end, as nearly all parties who contested Thailand’s election are calling for the repeal of the law that famously decriminalized the cannabis plant.

In the absence of strict regulations, the cannabis industry has flourished in Thailand. With over 250,000 growers and more than 4,500 dispensaries selling ganja in every province, the industry was valued at $1 billion by 2025 by University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Thailand has become so notorious for cannabis this is prompting law enforcement agents in other countries to screen returning travelers for cannabis use. Continued …

Two views of elephant tourism in Thailand

The history of people and elephants in Chian Mai goes back thousands of years. Centuries ago, Thai kings rode these giants into battle. Elephants were used in harvesting timber until Thailand banned logging in national forests in 1989, prompting many owners to turn to tourism.

An elephant being “trained” for tourism

Then came the dramatic halt caused by the pandemic. Elephants are expensive to keep (they can eat more than 300 pounds of food a day). Most elephant attractions closed their doors, and many elephant owners – who rented out their animals to tourism operators – brought them back to their villages, some walking along the road for days. Continued …

Phuket speedboat driver tests positive for meth after crash injuring 37 tourists

The man who crashed a speedboat into a channel marker in Chalong Bay in Phuket, southern Thailand – injuring 37 Thai and foreign tourists – on Wednesday tested positive for methamphetamine.

The 29-year-old tour boat driver, Sathit Mardchai, underwent a blood test for alcohol and drugs following the incident, commander of Phuket Provincial Police Maj. Gen. Sermphan Sirikong said yesterday. Continued …

TAT to boost safety measures

With the number of Chinese visitors hitting 1 million, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Tourist Police Bureau have committed to strengthening safety measures for travelers.

Tanes Petsuwan, TAT deputy governor for Asia and the South Pacific, said the TAT still has work to do to reach the target of 5 million Chinese tourists this year, with about 70% expected to be independent tourists with high purchasing power who are unfazed by deflation in China. Continued …

Sino-ASEAN land-sea trade corridor shows great vitality

The new International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a major international logistics project, has achieved great success, as a recent report shows that its development index in 2022 surged to 135.2 from 122.6 in 2021 and 102 in 2020. Continued …

Climate: ‘dangerous heat’ could afflict billions by 2100

Current policies to limit global warming will expose more than a fifth of humanity to extreme and potentially life-threatening heat by century’s end, researchers warned Monday. Continued …

Meta hit with record 1.2-billion-euro fine over EU data rules

Facebook owner Meta has been fined a record 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for transferring EU user data to the United States in breach of a previous court ruling, Ireland’s regulator announced on Monday. Continued …

Chinese researchers discover evidence of ancient ocean on Mars

Chinese researchers have uncovered direct evidence of an ancient ocean on Mars’s northern plains, according to a team from the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan. The discovery, recently published in the journal National Science Review, has the potential to further solidify our understanding of the Red Planet’s geological history. Continued …

Brazil faces dilemma: endangered macaw vs wind farm

A wind farm in northeastern Brazil sounds like a welcome climate-friendly energy solution, but it is causing controversy over another kind of environmental worry: the impact on the endangered Lear’s macaw. 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, cha am, climate change, covid, hua hin, immigration, phuket, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s news-May 22

  • Wild Animal Rescue Network conference June 13-15 at the Avani +/
  • Garbage traps installed in Thap Sakae/
  • 14 dead macaques found during raid on house in Cha Am/
  • Thailand faces sizzling heat, heavy rain, and health warnings/
  • El Niño could return in 2023; what that means for the world’s weather/
  • Private Sector ‘Confident Senators Will Back Pita For PM’/
  • Experts call for uniform air quality indicator in ASEAN/
  • Is honey good for you?/
  • Covid-19 cases rise, related deaths up/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Property developers call for a gradual increase in the minimum wage/Sudden wage hike ‘may lead to job losses’/Jobless rate lowest in 3 years as tourism rebounds/Thailand’s first data center powered by renewable energy open for business/
  • Tourism: ‘Not Thailand anymore’: Russians flocking to Phuket — not all is well in paradise/Thailand’s Tham Luang Cave reopens for tourists in July/Khon Kaen Opens ‘Blue Lagoon’ Tourist Destination/US TV late-night star Conan O’Brien to feature Bangkok in HBO travel show/Phuket som tam restaurant returns 200,000 baht to European tourist/
  • Thailand Experience: Fish Sauce To Palm Sugar; A Concise Guide To Essential Thai Ingredients/Thai Street Food Food Tour of Bangkok: Video/8 unique experiences in Phuket/
  • International: G7 stiffens resolve to thwart Russia, engage warily with China/Spacex Sends Saudi Astronauts, Including Nation’s 1st Woman In Space/Investigation Begins On Two Ancient Shipwrecks In South China Sea/Are cryptocurrencies making a comeback?/German police say probing suspected poisoning of Russian exiles/
  • 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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Wild Animal Rescue Network conference June 13-15 at the Avani +

Garbage traps installed in Thap Sakae

Garbage traps were installed at Hat Wanakorn National Park in Thap Sakae on Friday in a bid to combat marine debris and sea pollution.

The nets have been installed in an area spanning 38 meters in locations specifically chosen to trap and intercept the most amount of litter. Continued …

14 dead macaques found during raid on house in Cha Am

Provincial wildlife protection authorities discovered the bodies of 14 dead macaques during a raid carried out at a house in Cha Am last Thursday.

Rescued from the property were another five macaques, who were alive but had been confined to distressing conditions, devoid of food and water. The operation was led by Prawet Sunthornthai, the director of the local wildlife conservation team, following a tip-off from a concerned neighbor. Continued …

Thailand faces sizzling heat, heavy rain, and health warnings

The Meteorological Department has issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours, warning that the northern parts of Thailand may experience scorching temperatures with partly cloudy skies during the daytime. Some areas may experience heavy rain and thunderstorms. Residents are encouraged to take care of their health due to the intense heat.

Meanwhile, the westerly winds blowing across the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand are likely to trigger heavy rainfall in some parts of the western south coast. Continued … 

El Niño could return in 2023; what that means for the world’s weather

An El Niño appears to be forming along the equato  off the west coast of South America in the Pacific Ocean. That could have a big effect on the weather around the world.

For three years now, La Niña was large and in charge, but the La Niña ended, and now warmer water temperatures signal an El Niño probably is forming. Continued …

Private Sector ‘Confident Senators Will Back Pita For PM’

The head of Thai Condominium Assn., Peerapong Jaroon-ek, said yesterday the private sector is certain senators would definitely endorse Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister, as they would not dare oppose voters who gave his party a huge victory, with Pheu Thai Party coming second.

Peerapong, who is also CEO of Origin Plc, also foresees economic and social improvement after the new government is formed, with this boosting confidence among both Thai and foreign investors. Continued …

Experts call for uniform air quality indicator in ASEAN

The need for a common indicator to track air quality in Southeast Asia has become more urgent, with drier weather conditions and the likelihood of the warmer El Nino weather phenomenon developing in the coming months.

This call from experts comes as Singapore is set to host talks from June 7 to 8 with ASEAN members Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to develop a second road map for transboundary haze cooperation. Continued …

Is honey good for you?

Bees are, well, the bee’s knees. They are master pollinators. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, these busy pollinators “contribute to 35 percent of the world’s total crop production, pollinating 87 of 115 leading food crops worldwide.”

And, they create honey – a sweet, sticky, natural substance that they make as food for themselves. It also provides all kinds of benefits for humans. Sweet! Continued …

Covid-19 cases rise, related deaths up

The number of Covid-19 inpatients continued to increase and fatalities also rose over the past week, when schools reopened, the Department of Disease Control reported today.

The department recorded 2,632 Covid-19 inpatients from May 14 to May 20, up about 12% from 2,356 cases between May 7 and May 13. Continued …

Property developers call for a gradual increase in the minimum wage

Executives in the Thai property sector on Saturday called for the new government to be formed as quickly and smoothly as possible, and advised it to raise the minimum wage gradually to prevent a sudden surge in costs.

Worawut Kanchanakul, president of residential developer W House, said the new government should increase the minimum wage gradually, so entrepreneurs will be able to cope with rising construction costs. Continued …

Sudden wage hike ‘may lead to job losses’

The Move Forward Party (MFP) should let Pheu Thai handle the country’s economic policy, business leaders said, warning that raising wages too high and too fast could lead to job losses due to workers being replaced by machines.

Pratheep Watcharachokkasem, deputy chair of the United Chinese Clans Assn. of Thailand, said he had written to MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Continued …

Jobless rate lowest in 3 years as tourism rebounds

Thailand’s unemployment rate hit a three-year low in the first quarter, the state planning agency said today, declining to 1.05% from 1.15% in the last three months of 2022, as recovery in the crucial tourism industry strengthened.

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, driven by the continued pickup in the travel sector, a key source of jobs that was decimated by the pandemic. Continued …

Thailand’s first data center powered by renewable energy open for business

UK-based Telehouse opened its first data center in Thailand on Friday, saying it will provide the best ecosystem for all internet-related customers in the country, while also meeting Thailand’s sustainability needs.

It will be Thailand’s first data center entirely powered by renewable energy, said Telehouse Thailand Managing Director Ken Miyashita. The new 2.5-billion-baht data center will be a safe and reliable hub of connection in Bangkok and the Southeast Asia region, Miyashita said at the inaugural ceremony for the data center. Continued …

‘Not Thailand anymore’: Russians flocking to Phuket — not all is well in paradise

It is no wonder that Russians facing travel restrictions to most of the rest of the world are flocking to Thailand. With its fine white sands, stunning landscapes and rich culture, “the land of a thousand smiles” has much to offer paradise seekers, never mind those fleeing a tightening autocracy, economic downturn and war.

The Thai island of Phuket expects to welcome one million Russians this year — the biggest group of foreign visitors by far — according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Some are escaping the dim of winter. Some are dodging the draft. Others are buying local property as a ticket to a new life. Continued …

Thailand’s Tham Luang Cave reopens for tourists in July

Safety measures are being implemented ahead of the Tham Luang Cave site’s reopening in July, as announced by Thailand‘s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

The cave gained international attention in 2018 when 12 young Wild Boars football players and their coach were trapped inside for 18 days due to flooding before being successfully rescued. Continued …

Khon Kaen Opens ‘Blue Lagoon’ Tourist Destination

Khon Kaen has inaugurated “Blue Lagoon,” a new tourist attraction featuring an emerald-green quarry surrounded by expansive limestone hills, spanning over 100 acres.

Located in Na Fai subdistrict, Phu Pha Man District, Khon Kaen, also known as the Nong Haeo-Song Khon area, Phu Pha Man District, Khon Kaen, this natural quarry has rapidly gained popularity among travelers. The sight of the ancient green quarry, glistening under the midday sun, has earned it the esteemed title of Khon Kaen’s stunning and novel “Blue Lagoon.” Continued …

US TV late-night star Conan O’Brien to feature Bangkok in HBO travel show

Former U.S. late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien is getting ready to release a show on Bangkok that is due to air on HBO Max, the popular U.S.-based streaming TV service, in the coming year as part of his “Conan Without Borders” series.

One of America’s longest-running late-night talk show hosts has been working in recent weeks in Bangkok with a broadcast understood to be in the pipeline promoting the world’s most visited city. Continued …

Phuket som tam restaurant returns 200,000 baht to European tourist

A European tourist was reunited with his bag containing money and assets worth 200,000 baht yesterday thanks to the honest owner of a som tam restaurant in Phuket.

The restaurant, Som Tam Yam 3 Aow, posted photos of the smiling tourist with a big stash of cash on Facebook with the caption, “From the incident where a customer had forgotten a bag at the shop yesterday containing cash and assets worth almost 200,000 baht.” Continued …

Fish Sauce To Palm Sugar; A Concise Guide To Essential Thai Ingredients

Thai food is famously known for its liberal use of flavors derived from fresh ingredients, as well as an array of pre-made condiments that add depths of flavor to food. Whether it is a soup, curry, salad or even grilled vegetables or meat, Thai food is packed with spice, citrus and tons of umami flavor.

While it isn’t always possible to peel, chop and grind ingredients to make pastes or condiments from scratch, one can always stock up on a few basic ingredients to bring that Thai flair to your food. Here’s a list of a few must-haves in your pantry, if Thai food is something you find yourself steering toward often, for meals like lunch or dinner. Continued … 

Thai Street Food Food Tour of Bangkok: Video 

8 unique experiences in Phuket

At Phuket’s far southeastern tip, sleepy Ao Yon Beach is the perfect place to ease into a Phuket escape. Accommodation at The Mooring Resort comprises a handful of stylish villas arrayed with a shaded swimming pool, with free kayaks and paddleboards for launching off a private bay. Just a sandy barefoot stroll away, The Cove dishes up wood-fired pizza and great cocktails.

On weekends, Ao Yon gets slightly busier, as local families swim at a nearby cove, picnic on the beach, and enjoy a scattering of street food stalls. If you’re after something more energetic, fire up the handy Grab or Bolt ride-sharing apps for the 20-minute journey north to Phuket Town. Continued …

G7 stiffens resolve to thwart Russia, engage warily with China

The Group of Seven (G7) nations signaled to Russia their readiness to stand by Ukraine for the long haul, while giving President Volodymyr Zelensky a chance to win over countries such as Brazil and India on the last day of a summit in Japan. Continued …

Spacex Sends Saudi Astronauts, Including Nation’s 1st Woman In Space

Saudi Arabia’s first astronauts in decades rocketed toward the International Space Station on a chartered multimillion-dollar flight Sunday. SpaceX launched the ticket-holding crew, led by a retired NASA astronaut now working for the company that arranged the trip from Kennedy Space Center. Also on board: a U.S. businessman who now owns a sports car racing team. Continued …

Investigation Begins On Two Ancient Shipwrecks In South China Sea

An archaeological investigation on two ancient shipwrecks discovered in the South China Sea was launched on Saturday, opening a new chapter of China’s deep-sea archaeology, according to a press conference held Sunday in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province. Continued …

Are cryptocurrencies making a comeback?

Last year was a rough one for cryptocurrencies, as Bitcoin, the largest digital asset in the world, lost nearly 65% of its market value. Crypto enthusiasts were caught off guard by a series of unfortunate events, such as the Terra Luna crash, the collapse of major exchange FTX, and unfavorable macroeconomic conditions. Continued …

German police say probing suspected poisoning of Russian exiles

German police are investigating the possible poisoning of exiled Russians after a journalist and an activist reported health problems following a Berlin meeting of dissidents, a spokesman for the force said on Sunday. 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, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s news-May 20

  • Downpours expected to herald arrival of rainy season on Monday/
  • Thap Sakae EV charging station part of 5,000km SE Asian EV highway/
  • The election is over, a new round of ‘war’ begins/
  • Pita Limjaroenrat: Meet Thailand’s (probable) next leader/
  • He promised change in Thailand. But will he be allowed to lead?/
  • Phitsanulok locals stock up on eggs amid rising price and tight supplies/
  • EGAT plans hybrid hydro-floating solar project in Khon Kaen/
  • Thailand sending essential supplies to cyclone-hit Myanmar/
  • C.P. Group collaborating with French companies on food, energy and transportation/
  • Tourism: Immigration Bureau Intensifies Crackdown on Overstaying Foreigners/Almost 10 Million Foreign Tourists So Far This Year/
  • Thailand Experience: 7 Most Scenic Bangkok Train Trips To Take At Least Once/Koh Samui Is an Idyllic Thailand Getaway/Isaan booming as fuse lit for annual Rocket Festival/
  • International: Queen’s funeral costs taxpayers £162M amid cost-of-living crisis/
  • 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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    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Downpours expected to herald arrival of rainy season on Monday

Heavy rains are forecast for most parts of the country when the wet season officially begins on Monday, the Meteorological Department announced on Friday.

Downpours are expected to be frequent in most regions of the country as Thailand’s summer season ends and the wet season begins, according to weather forecasts. Continued …

Thap Sakae EV charging station part of 5,000km SE Asian EV highway

Singapore-based charging provider for electric vehicles (EVs) Charge+ has announced a strategic partnership with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to boost the country’s EV ecosystem as it strives to become a zero-carbon emission nation by 2050.

EGAT will provide Charge+ with a site for a direct current (DC) charging station in Thap Sakae, about 320 kilometers south of Bangkok, according to a statement from Charge+. Continued …

The election is over, a new round of ‘war’ begins

After the polls have closed, the victories of two major opposition parties mark a new chapter in Thai politics, as the country enters the phase of forming a new government. However, the Thai political scene is abuzz with several pressing questions:

Will the Forward Party manage to establish the government successfully? Will Pita Limcharoenrat become the prime minister? Could the Forward Party face dissolution or will Pita face a dismissal? Continued …

Pita Limjaroenrat: Meet Thailand’s (probable) next leader

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat is on the road to becoming Thailand’s next prime minister after his three-year-old progressive party’s shock victory in last Sunday’s general election.

The election results, which are awaiting endorsement by the Election Commission, show Move Forward in first after winning 152 of the 500 MP seats in the House of Representatives. Continued …

He promised change in Thailand. But will he be allowed to lead?

When Pita Limjaroenrat was a student at Harvard in 2008, he shadowed his American classmates who were campaigning at the time for Barack Obama. The experience gave him a window into electoral politics, from phone banks and polling data to knocking on doors and putting campaign flags on front lawns.

Fifteen years later, Pita said he used what he learned in Massachusetts to help his recent campaign in Thailand, where he stunned the country’s political establishment by leading his progressive Move Forward Party to a momentous victory. Continued …

NOTICE: Avatar Garden has temporarily closed for renovations. We will reopen about July 1. Stay tuned!

Phitsanulok locals stock up on eggs amid rising price and tight supplies

Consumers in Phitsanulok are bristling over a 0.2 baht per piece rise in the price of chicken eggs, or six baht per tray of 30 eggs. The price hike was announced by Thailand’s Egg Farmer Cooperative Network earlier this week.

The network on Monday told its members to raise the price of assorted eggs at farms from 3.6 baht to 3.8 baht per egg, the highest price yet this year. Continued …

58.5MW Floating PV Plant with Sungrow PV and Floating Solutions

EGAT plans hybrid hydro-floating solar project in Khon Kaen

The EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand)–MPD Consortium has signed a construction contract for a hybrid hydro-floating solar project at Ubol Ratana Dam in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.

The project will ensure renewable energy stability for sustainability, driving the country to achieve carbon neutrality, according to a press release. Continued …

Thailand sending essential supplies to cyclone-hit Myanmar

Thailand will be sending a plane carrying essential supplies to Myanmar, after the neighboring country was hit by powerful cyclone “Mocha”, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The spokesperson for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kanchana Patarachoke, said that the Thai government had expressed its concerns to Myanmar, where Cyclone Mocha has killed 145 people and left 800,000 people in need of food aid, according to reports as of Friday evening. Continued …

C.P. Group collaborating with French companies on food, energy, transportation

Charoen Pokphand Group Co. (C.P. Group) announced that the group will collaborate with leading French corporations on projects that span the agribusiness, renewable energy, and transportation sectors.

The projects and the broader partnership will strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation, introduce advanced technologies and innovation into Thailand, and create employment opportunities for the local economy in Thailand and France. Continued …

Immigration Bureau Intensifies Crackdown on Overstaying Foreigners

In their most recent effort to crack down on overstaying foreigners, the Thai Immigration Bureau (IB) delivered a robust display of enforcement.

Yesterday, a briefing was held to share the results of the dureau’s operations. In attendance were various high-ranking officials, including the commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, his deputies, and other members of the force. Continued …

Almost 10 Million Foreign Tourists So Far This Year

The Thai tourism industry is soaring, as seen by altogether 9.47 million foreign tourists having come here from the beginning of the year until May 15, with the biggest markets being east and south Asia, plus ASEAN countries.

Trisulee Trisoranakul, deputy spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, also said that total tourist expenditure during this period reached 391 billion baht. Continued …

Kanchanaburi railway bridge

7 Most Scenic Bangkok Train Trips To Take At Least Once

Flying is one way to get to different cities in Thailand. But if you’re after an epic journey that lets you wind through dramatic valleys, forests, and mountains, then you should hit the rails.

From short jaunts to cross-country trips, here are seven scenic trains in Bangkok for you to indulge in slow travel. We’ve even provided helpful train travel tips because you’ll most likely want to book a trip after seeing what’s in store. Continued …

Koh Samui Is an Idyllic Thailand Getaway

Phuket has its nightlife and Pha Ngan has its full-moon parties, while Krabi has the coastline and Koh Tao has dominion over Thailand’s scuba scene. Samui stands apart by offering a slice of it all, with strings of serene, white sandy beaches and blissful indulgence from a collection of the country’s swankiest resorts, combined with no shortage of amusement or adventure.

Thailand is picking up where it left off after a lengthy pandemic shutdown to international tourism, returning as one of the most favored of far-flung destinations. Koh Samui, part of the Surat Thani province, is an island found in the Gulf of Thailand about halfway down the country’s thin central land strip. It caters to tourists, and as such, rather than mourning the sense of calm their absence provided, it’s celebrating their return in grand style, eager to once again offer its signature, friendly hospitality. Continued …

Isaan booming as fuse lit for annual Rocket Festival

Isaan skies are streaked with gray smoke trails from May to July every year, as locals launch Bang Fai or bamboo missiles to prod the rain god awake. Celebrated in Thailand’s northeast and Laos, the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival blasts off to summon clouds at the start of the rainy season around the end of May.

“Bun” means merit while “bang” refers to the giant bamboo bodies of the missiles. “Fai” (fire) is what happens when fuses are lit and the sparks ignite the gunpowder packed inside. Continued …

Queen’s funeral costs taxpayers £162M amid cost-of-living crisis

The UK government has disclosed that the state funeral and related events for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September, cost taxpayers almost £162 million (US$201 million). This is the first public estimate of the expenses associated with the funeral of Britain’s longest-serving monarch. 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, climate change, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-May 18

  • How people in Prachuap Khiri Khan voted in the general election/
  • Four scenarios for next Thai govt and only two have Pita as PM/
  • What role will senators play in naming Thailand’s next PM?/
  • Move Forward lines up changes for 45 laws as soon as Parliament reopens/
  • Royal Ploughing Ceremony forecasts bumper crops and prosperity for year ahead/
  • Baby elephant saved after falling in a golf course well/
  • Cyanide murder suspect had massive online gaming debts/
  • Teen Girl, 2 Youths Held For Killing Chinese Factory Owner/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Residential sales revenue delines in Q1/CBRE Reveals Positive Signs of Foreign Demand for Luxury Residences in Thailand/Thailand Remains Popular Filming Location/Thailand keen to serve as ASEAN energy hub/Thailand eases EV restrictions to attract European manufacturers/US$20M invested in data center expansion amid cloud services boom/3 municipal biomass power plants approved/After election, Thai cannabis ready to roll with the changes/
  • Tourism: Tourism to limit economic pain as new government awaited/Pattaya Police ban prostitution on the beach/30 tourists injured, 1 missing after Phuket speedboat crashes into pillar/Flights to Mae Hong Son to resume in August/
  • International: Heat Wave in Asia Made 30 Times More Likely Because of Climate Change/Vietnam bets big on LNG, South China Sea gas fields/Four kids, including baby, found alive in Amazon after plane crash/
  • 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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How people in Prachuap Khiri Khan voted in the general election

The Election Commission of Prachuap Khiri Khan has announced the results of how people in the province voted during the election, which took place on Sunday. Officials said that Prachuap Khiri Khan witnessed higher voter turnout in this election.

According to the unofficial results released by the Election Commission of Prachuap Khiri Khan, 328,366 people, or 76.4% of eligible voters, cast their ballots out of a total of 429,883 eligible voters. This is a significant increase compared to the 2019 election, which had a voter turnout of 70.2%. Continued …

Pita Limjaroenrat

Four scenarios for next Thai govt and only two have Pita as PM

Even though Move Forward Party won Sunday’s general election with 152 seats, that won’t be enough for party leader Pita to become Thailand’s 30th prime minister.

Pita will need a majority of at least 376 votes from the 500-seat House of Representatives to nullify the 250 votes from the junta-appointed Senate. The four scenarios for the next government’s formation are as follows: Continued …

What role will senators play in naming Thailand’s next PM?

Despite declaring that Move Forward will form the next coalition with five other parties, party leader Pita Limjaroenrat is facing one formidable obstacle on his journey to the premiership – the junta-appointed Senate.

Move Forward’s allies are Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Thai Liberal, Prachachart and Fair parties, and together they will have 310 of the 500-seat House of Representatives. Continued …

Move Forward lines up changes for 45 laws as soon as Parliament reopens

Move Forward Party will submit 45 bills to either amend or enact new laws once Parliament reopens, a party executive said.

Bencha Saengchantra, a Move Forward party-list MP, said on Wednesday that the 45 bills will aim to reform the bureaucracy and abolish mandatory conscription. In her post, she grouped the 45 items into eight groups, as follows: Continued …

Royal Ploughing Ceremony forecasts bumper crops and prosperity for year ahead

The year ahead will be one of bumper crops, booming trade, and economic growth for Thailand, according to Wednesday morning’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony.

The ceremony was held at Sanam Luang at 8.30am and was presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen. It was the second day of the annual two-day ceremony, during which the King blesses the start of the rice-growing season. Continued …

Baby elephant saved after falling in a golf course well

The calf was found in a cement well at Chatrium Golf Course in Chanthaburi Province. Staff from the local wildlife sanctuary and volunteers scrambled to save it, using a digger to dig around the well as its mother watched on. Video …

Cyanide murder suspect had massive online gaming debts

Online gambling debts are believed to be the leading motive of murder suspect Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, who allegedly poisoned at least 14 people with the deadly chemical cyanide, Deputy National Police Chief Surachet Hakparn said on Wednesday.

He said police discovered 78 million baht spread over 180 bank accounts belonging to Sararat, which had been used to transfer money to and from several online gambling websites. Continued …

Teen Girl, 2 Youths Held For Killing Chinese Factory Owner

Police arrested a teenage girl and two youths on the charges of stabbing a Chinese parawood processing factory owner to death at a resort in Trang province after the girl called for help upon being physically assaulted by her sex client.

The 17-year-old girl, only identified as Fai, together with Natdanai (surname withheld), 22, and Nattaphon, 19, were arrested in Satun province after being tracked down there and were charged with jointly killing Li Zhri Rui, 43, a Chinese national and owner of several parawood processing factories in the south by stabbing him around 20 times in the rented room. Continued …

Residential sales revenue delines in Q1

The expiration of the easing of loan-to-value (LTV) limits has had an impact on two-thirds of listed developers, resulting in residential sales revenue declining year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023.

Based on reports submitted to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, of the 30 developers engaged in residential development business, 20 experienced a year-on-year decline in revenue from residential sales in the first quarter. Continued …

CBRE Reveals Positive Signs of Foreign Demand for Luxury Residences in Thailand

CBRE, one of the world’s leading property consultants, says foreign interest in purchasing luxury residences in Thailand, including condominiums, houses, and villas in prime locations, has surged since the return of international tourists in the second half of 2022.

Sales transactions through CBRE have increased by more than 200%-300%, confirming this trend. In response to the growing demand, developers are gearing up to launch new luxury and super-luxury residential projects in 2023, with a particular focus on single houses. Continued …

Thailand Remains Popular Filming Location

Thailand remains a popular filming location among international production houses. Filming activities have generated massive revenue for the country and local people, while at the same time revitalizing the country’s own film industry.

Thailand has maintained its reputation as a popular filming location and has recently welcomed the production teams of two series from Singapore and the U.S. television network HBO, who chose Hat Yai City in Songkhla as a filming location. Continued …

Thailand keen to serve as ASEAN energy hub

Thailand is ready to be ASEAN’s future energy and mobility hub, as part of the global trend to improve sustainability through collaboration with countries worldwide, a senior Thai official said.

Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo, deputy permanent secretary at the Energy Ministry, revealed this ambitious objective during his speech at the opening ceremony on Wednesday of “Future Energy Asia and Future Mobility Asia Exhibition and Summit 2023”. Continued …

Thailand eases EV restrictions to attract European manufacturers

The caretaker Cabinet on Tuesday approved changes aimed at making it easier for European and other foreign manufacturers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to set up production in Thailand.

The two amendments to the EV3.5 promotion package offer more flexibility in the requirement for foreign manufacturers to offset imports to Thailand with an equal number of BEV units manufactured here. Continued …

US$20M invested in data center expansion amid cloud services boom

Etix Itel Bangkok Co., the company behind the ETIX Bangkok#1 data center, is set to invest nearly US$20 million in expanding its capacity to meet the increasing demand for cloud services and digital transformation in Thailand. The growth of the digital economy in the country has been bolstered by global cloud providers investing in the region.

The data center is currently in its second phase, with a capacity of 0.6 megawatts and 85% occupancy. The company anticipates full capacity in the next quarter and is preparing for the third phase, worth US$11 million, which will increase capacity by an additional 1.5MW in the fourth quarter of 2024. Continued …

A biomass-fired power plant operated by TGE in Surat Thani

3 municipal biomass power plants approved

Thachang Green Energy (TGE), a SET-listed biomass power plant developer and operator, has been awarded contracts to develop three municipal solid waste-fired power plants as the firm aims to reach a revenue target of more than 3 billion baht in 2026. Last year TGE’s revenue was 955 million baht.

The company signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the Provincial Electricity Authority, the state electricity distribution arm, to supply electricity to three administrative bodies in Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo and Chumphon. Continued …

After election, Thai cannabis ready to roll with the changes

Is the sky falling on Thailand’s nascent cannabis industry? Not according to some of its biggest players.

After the votes were counted Sunday, cannabis entrepreneurs were even more confident that the future of weed is green, with most saying the outcome gave them more confidence that much-needed regulation will be rational and reasonable under a Move Forward-led coalition government. Continued …

Tourism to limit economic pain as new government awaited

Thailand has not been spared the political uncertainty that usually comes with elections, yet foreign tourists returning by the millions this year are counted on to help shield Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.

The influx of visitors — totaling 6.5 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared with 498,000 a year ago — is aiding greater business and consumer activity in Thailand. On track to hit the government’s target of hosting three times more foreign guests this year from 10 million in 2022, tourism is seen as an anchor amid the political noise, even as the exports growth-engine sputters. Continued …

Pattaya Police ban prostitution on the beach

Thailand’s Tourist Police have banned sex workers from selling services on the beach in Pattaya.

Last night, Tourist Police and officers from Pattaya City Police Station headed down to Pattaya Beach and instructed the city’s ladies and ladyboys of the night to move along. Continued …

30 tourists injured, 1 missing after Phuket speedboat crashes into pillar

Thirty tourists, most of them Russian, have been injured after the tour boat they were traveling in crashed into a concrete pillar/navigation marker approaching Chalong Pier in the south of Phuket. According to a number of media reports, one person is still missing following the incident, which happened at around 5.30pm yesterday.

There were over 33 people on board when the Thanathip Marine speedboat hit a channel marker in Chalong Bay as it was bringing tourists back from a trip to the Phi Phi islands (about a 45-minute journey). Provincial marine chief Nachapong Pranit says that in addition to the tourists and the boat driver, the driver’s assistant and a tour guide were also on board. Continued …

Flights to Mae Hong Son to resume in August

Tourism operators in Mae Hong Son expect a more active market during the cool season, with Bangkok Airways poised to revive flights from the capital after Nok Air ended operations in April.

Phanuwat Khatnak, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Mae Hong Son office, expects air travel to increase tourist numbers by 10%, as there are currently no commercial flights. The tourist tally this year would reach 1.5 million, he said. Continued …

Heat Wave in Asia Made 30 Times More Likely Because of Climate Change

A searing heat wave in parts of southern Asia in April this year was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a rapid study by international scientists released Wednesday. Continued …

Vietnam bets big on LNG, South China Sea gas fields

Vietnam’s plan to quadruple by 2030 its gas-processing capacity, turning it into its first source of energy, marks a big bet on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and its reserves in the South China Sea, despite supply and geopolitical risks. Continued …

Four kids, including baby, found alive in Amazon after plane crash

Four Indigenous children, including an 11-month-old baby, have been found alive in the dense Colombian Amazon after a plane crash more than two weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro said Wednesday, declaring “joy for the country.” 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

chiang mai, climate change, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

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

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

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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

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

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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, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-May 11

  • Meteorological Dept issues tropical depression warning/
  • 23 Illegal Immigrants arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province/
  • 50 satang reduction in diesel price just not worth it, says LTAT chief/
  • A volunteer’s view of daily life at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand in Phetchaburi/
  • Thai, Chinese Police Cooperate in Crackdown on Chinese Crooks/
  • Covid-19 Guidelines Provided to Schools/
  • 78 million baht found in accounts linked to suspected ‘cyanide killer’/
  • Murdered youth’s father goes ballistic at re-enactment/
  • Wild elephant tramples woman to death in front of officials/
  • Expressway from southern Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi being studied/
  • The political significance of the marigold bloom/
  • Circular economy could generate millions of job opportunities/
  • Tourism: Thailand targets high-spending Middle Eastern tourists for tourism growth/TAT pushes for bigger visa quota to meet surging demand of Chinese tourists/
  • Thailand Experience: Thailand touts traditional charms of 55 cities and towns off the tourist trail/Most Extreme Seafood Tour of Bangkok/
  • International: Gold demand surges amid jitters/Toyota projects 10% profit growth, five-fold increase in EV sales this year/
  • 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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Meteorological Dept issues tropical depression warning

A tropical depression in the Bay of Bengal, which is moving toward Thailand, is expected to bring heavy rain to the northern, central, eastern, and southern regions from May 11-16, the Meteorological Department warned today.

A tropical depression forms when a low-pressure area is accompanied by thunderstorms that produce a circular wind flow with maximum sustained winds below 63 km/hr. Continued …

23 Illegal Immigrants arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

A substantial operation led by high-ranking officials from the Thai Immigration Bureau has resulted in the arrest of 23 Myanmar nationals who had reportedly crossed into the Kingdom of Thailand illegally.

The operation was directed by Police Lt. Gen. Pakphoomphiphat Sajaphan, the Immigration commissioner. The investigative team from the Prachuap Khiri Khan Immigration Office, under the leadership of Police Lt. Col. Nattawat Kaewthip Net, collaborated with military officers from the Jong Ong Suek Special Forces, administrative officials, and law enforcement officers from the Thap Sakae Police Station. Continued …

50 satang reduction in diesel price just not worth it, says LTAT chief

The Energy Ministry should bring the price of diesel down further if it wants to stimulate the economy and tourism, the Land Transport Assn. of Thailand (LTAT) said.

LTAT chief Apichart Prairungruang said on Wednesday that the ministry’s decision to only reduce the price of diesel by 50 satang per liter will have no effect on the cost of transportation. He explained that the cost of transport rises or drops by 3% for every 1 baht change in diesel price. Continued …

A volunteer’s view of daily life at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand in Phetchaburi

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand operates an extensive animal sanctuary in Thayang, Phetchaburi. Its website (wfft.org) will give you some great bird’s eye views of the facilities that have been purpose-built to rehome animals that cannot be re-released to the wild.

The sanctuary also provides a home to animals being rehabilitated after illness or injury and those that have been rescued from inappropriate settings in captivity, such as zoos, logging camps, tourist venues and private residences not able to properly care for them. Continued …

Thai, Chinese Police Cooperate in Crackdown on Chinese Crooks

National police chief sent Thai immigration police to China to work with Chinese police in a crackdown on Chinese criminals using Thailand as their base for illegal activities.

Thai immigration police flew to China to seek cooperation and exchange of information with Chinese police. The one–week trip from May 5-11 is aimed to prevent Chinese criminals from fleeing to Thailand and using the kingdom as hideouts. Continued …

Covid-19 Guidelines Provided to Schools

Caretaker Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health to lay down COVID-19 prevention guideline for schools.

Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul disclosed that as the opening of new school term is imminent, the prime minister has instructed two ministries to work together in laying down guidelines for prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, such as influenza. This is due to the increase of COVID-19 infected cases following the Songkran holidays, coupling with the country’s entering into the rainy season. Continued …

78 million baht found in accounts linked to suspected ‘cyanide killer’

Police have tracked down several bank accounts with a total of 78 million baht linked to suspected “cyanide killer” Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, the deputy national police chief said.

Gen. Surachat Hakparn said on Tuesday that there has been a steady flow of money transfers to the different bank accounts from at least 12 people. Hence, he said, police are further looking into these transfers to work out their relations with the suspect. Continued …

Murdered youth’s father goes ballistic at re-enactment

The father of a British boy battered to death in Thailand has furiously confronted the man who murdered his son, screaming at him: ‘Look me in the eye, you b***ard’.

Shaking with rage, Steven Graham stared through the window of a police truck as sex crimes convict Chaiwat Boongarin, 44, was taken back to the spot where he murdered Woramet Ben Taota, 16, and dumped his body on Saturday. Continued …

Wild elephant tramples woman to death in front of officials

In a devastating incident, a woman was trampled to death by a wild elephant in front of wildlife officials in Wang Chan District, Rayong. Even after firing two magazines of bullets, the authorities could not stop the charging animal, which was extremely fast and caught everyone off-guard.

The tragic event occurred at a palm plantation in the district, where 40-year-old Namthip was fatally assaulted by an elephant. Police Major Saisawat Shinawong, an on-duty official at Wang Chan police station, was immediately informed of the incident and coordinated with local authorities, medical teams, and rescue workers to rush to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the wild elephant task force already guarding Namthip’s body and watching over the surrounding area to prevent the animal from returning. Continued … 

Expressway from southern Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi being studied

A feasibility study on the elevated motorway linking southern Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport is underway and, once completed, it will be proposed to Cabinet for approval after an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is conducted, officials at the Expressway Authority of Thailand said.

The feasibility study on the 19-kilometer motorway between Srinakarin and Suvarnabhumi International Airport will take six months, and public hearings on the project will be held while the EIA is being conducted, the officials added. Continued …

The political significance of the marigold bloom

Marigold flowers have been in great demand in the months leading up to the general election, as politicians have been racing to meet people across the country in an attempt to win their votes.

People in Thailand have always used marigold garlands for religious or ritual purposes, partly because its name in Thai “Dao Ruang” means prosperity and its yellow color is associated with Buddhism. Continued …

Reminder: Due to Sunday’s election, there will be no alcohol sales from 6pm Saturday until 6pm Sunday.

Circular economy could generate millions of job opportunities

The circular economy is a concept that aims to reduce waste and promote sustainability by reusing, recycling and repairing products.

It has been estimated that this approach could create millions of new jobs, especially in developing countries where most of the waste management and recycling activities take place. However, a new report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the World Bank and Circle Economy reveals a lack of research on how the circular economy affects decent work and vulnerable populations in the global south. Continued …

Thailand targets high-spending Middle Eastern tourists for tourism growth

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is focusing on attracting high-spending visitors from the Middle East in the latter half of this year, with the goal of utilizing this market as a new tourism growth engine.

Apichai Chatchalermkit, TAT’s deputy governor for tourism products and business, has stated that since Thailand re-established full diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in early 2021, the authority has been increasing efforts to bring in high-spending tourists from the Middle East. Chatchalermkit also mentioned that Middle Eastern consumers hold a positive image of the quality of health and wellness businesses in Thailand. Continued …

TAT pushes for bigger visa quota to meet surging demand of Chinese tourists

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will next week push for an increase in the visa quota for Chinese tourists to meet rising demand and recovery of the sector.

Chuwit Sirivejkul, TAT regional director of marketing for East Asia, said on Wednesday that TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn will meet with Foreign Ministry executives next week to discuss the issue. Continued …

Thailand touts traditional charms of 55 cities and towns off the tourist trail

Tourists are being encouraged to sample the unspoiled traditional charms of 55 towns around the country, in Thailand’s latest campaign showcasing its diversity.

Local traditions and cultural heritage are the big draw, said Tourism Authority of Thailand Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn as he unveiled the “Amazing Secondary Cities, Must Visit, Must Love” campaign on Wednesday. Continued …

Most Extreme Seafood Tour of Bangkok

Get ready for the ultimate extreme seafood tour of Bangkok. Explore Bangkok for some of the most incredible street seafood! Get ready for some of the best and most unique seafood food in the world! Video 

Gold demand surges amid jitters

Global demand for gold among investors is growing this year thanks to turmoil in the banking sector, geopolitical tensions and a challenging economic environment, leading more people to flock to the precious metal as a safe-haven asset, says the World Gold Council (WGC). Continued …

Australia told to shoot kangaroos before they starve

Australia’s kangaroos could die in “catastrophic” numbers if a population boom is left unchecked, ecologists have warned, while backing the industrial-scale culling of the marsupials. Continued …

Toyota projects 10% profit growth, five-fold increase in EV sales this year

Toyota Motor Corp. revealed on Wednesday that a 10% increase in operating profit is expected during this business year, as sales of pure electric vehicles (EV) are predicted to surge five-fold with a reduction in global supply chain disruption caused by the ongoing chip shortage. 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, marijuana, real estate, thai environment, thailand, tourism

Monday’s news-May 8

  • Heatstroke warning as mercury rises beyond 50ᵒC in many parts of Thailand/
  • Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail/
  • Thailand Election 2023: Eager Thais cast ballots in early voting/
  • Dark predictions as the opposition parties look set to sweep to power in next weekend’s Election/
  • The critical first 100 days/
  • Police to seek additional arrest warrants in cyanide poisoning investigation/
  • Remote Korat villagers to get electricity after 70 years/
  • Chinese seeking freedom, security snap up posh homes in post-Covid Thailand/
  • Thailand’s cannabis sellers say US growers are eating their lunch/
  • Tourism: Departures tax hailed as the kiss of death/’No plan’ to revive exit tax/New Bt300 foreign tourism levy postponed yet again/How Thailand is Preparing for a Surge of Chinese Tourists arrivals/Thailand’s B2B Startups Lead to Tourism Renaissance/
  • Thailand Experience: How a two-week kayaking adventure teaches you to slow down and enjoy the moment/5 Best Places To Visit In Bangkok/
  • 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.

Heatstroke warning as mercury rises beyond 50ᵒC in many parts of Thailand

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned people to beware of heatstroke, as the mercury is expected to rise beyond 50 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country.

TMD said Chonburi would be the hottest city in the east of Thailand on Sunday, with the temperature hitting 53ᵒC. In Bangkok, the hottest district would be Bang Na, which will hit 52.7ᵒC.

The hottest city in the Northeast is Kosum Phisai district in Maha Sarakham with 46ᵒC, while Phuket in the South hit 51.1ᵒC. – The Nation

Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail

Thailand’s Meteorological Department has forecast a 24-hour weather outlook, with the northern region experiencing summer storms characterized by thunderstorms, strong winds, and isolated hail. Some areas may also experience lightning.

Residents in these regions are advised to exercise caution during summer storms, avoiding open spaces, large trees, weak structures, and billboards. It is also recommended to avoid wearing metallic items and using mobile phones during thunderstorms. Farmers should prepare to protect their agricultural produce and livestock from potential damage. Continued …

Thailand Election 2023: Eager Thais cast ballots in early voting

Eager Thai voters cast their ballots on Sunday a week ahead of the official polls, with many lining up before the doors opened at 8am.

Gosol Pungtaku, 51, was among the many voters who expressed a desire to see positive changes and progress in Thailand. “There has been a rise in drug-related and criminal incidents, so I hope that the newly elected government will take steps to prevent them,” said Gosol. Continued …

Dark predictions as the opposition parties look set to sweep to power in next weekend’s Election

The prime minister’s United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chart) Party has released a video clip warning of the danger of Thailand reverting to a land of political turmoil with just days to go to the general election, with the two main opposition parties, Move Forward and Pheu Thai, riding high in the polls. At the same time, a revered abbot in Chiang Mai is predicting a return to street protests and civil strife in the aftermath of next weekend’s election.

With days to go before the general election in Thailand on May 14, uneasiness currently pervades the country’s political scene with all opinion polls showing clearly the prospect of a decisive victory for the key opposition parties of Pheu Thai Party and Move Forward in what is shaping up as a profound rejection of the post-coup government formed in 2019, with parties in that government looking like they will be lucky to gain 20% to 25% of the vote, while the opposition bloc looks poised to poll anywhere from 65% to 85% of the vote. Continued …

The critical first 100 days

Business leaders have begun to think about the outlook for Thailand in the first 100 days under a new administration, with the poll less than a week away.

From the appointment of new ministers to policy priorities in the business sector, executives share their wishes for the incoming government. Continued …

Police to seek additional arrest warrants in cyanide poisoning investigation

Thai police are to seek warrants for the arrests of one or two additional suspects, thought to have assisted serial murder suspect Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is believed to be responsible for the deaths of at least 15 people, allegedly by cyanide poisoning.

Police Gen. Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, said Saturday that they have obtained sufficient evidence to indicate that Sararat acted alone in procuring cyanide online, but used other people’s names and addresses to cover her tracks. Continued …

Remote Korat villagers to get electricity after 70 years

For city dwellers, just 30 minutes of power outage can feel like the end of the world. Yet, there are some 300 people in a remote corner of Nakhon Ratchasima who have been living without electricity since their village was formed 70 years ago.

It is Ban Sub Hin Kaew or Moo 16 village in Tambon Chanthuek of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district. Continued …

Chinese seeking freedom, security snap up posh homes in post-Covid Thailand

Shanghai resident Daniel Bian drinks in the sweeping views over the Thai capital from the 19th-floor, rooftop swimming pool of a luxury condominium that may become his second home. “Hello, Bangkok!” he shouts happily as his 70-year-old mother looks on, smiling.

Cooped up in Chinafor three years under some of the world’s toughest curbs against Covid-19, Bian is among a flood of mainland Chinese hunting for property in the Southeast Asian nation since Beijing opened its borders this year. Many are eager to invest in a second home, keen for a safety net in case of a similar disease outbreak, and also to hedge against economic risks at home. Continued … 

Thailand’s cannabis sellers say US growers are eating their lunch

Nearly a year after Thailand decriminalized cannabis amid promises of an economic bonanza, Thai growers and sellers say they are being undercut by illegal imports from the United States that sell for a fraction of the price of homegrown buds.

Thailand struck cannabis from its list of banned narcotics in June 2022 after a high-profile campaign by Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to establish the kingdom as a global hub for cannabis for medical purposes. But Thailand’s parliament has yet to pass a long-awaited cannabis bill, leaving the regulatory framework for the industry in limbo. Continued …

Departures tax hailed as the kiss of death

Tourism industry chiefs were shocked this week to discover that Thailand’s Revenue Department is laying the groundwork for a new outbound levy of Bt1,000 to be applied to all outgoing airline passengers from Thailand, including foreign tourists and Thai citizens, in addition to already existing charges and levies.

One key travel industry executive warned that the plans will have a serious negative impact on the country’s still-recovering tourism industry and may disrupt the plans of airlines that Thailand badly needs to reconnect to its international airports. Continued …

‘No plan’ to revive exit tax

The Revenue Department rejects claims that it is planning to impose a 1,000-baht departure tax on departing Thais and foreign residents.

Responding to fears raised on social media, the department says it is legally obligated by the constitution to seek the public’s opinion on executive decrees scrapped by past administrations. Continued …

New Bt300 foreign tourism levy postponed yet again

A leading tourist industry chief has called for the government to establish a separate state agency to manage the country’s proposed foreign tourism levy, which has been postponed yet again by the Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn until after a new government is formed.

Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, the chairman of the Phuket Tourist Assn., also expressed concern that the collection of the levy should not be imposed on airline carriers, while it should also be collected at both land and sea points of entry into the kingdom. The new tourism levy, according to the minister and key officials, will pay for automatic emergency health coverage for foreign tourists who get into trouble in Thailand but the industry itself is perplexed by concern about the ongoing delay in the introduction of the charge and transparency around how the money raised is used in what could turn out to be a vast annual sum collected by the government as tourist numbers rise. Continued …

How Thailand is Preparing for a Surge of Chinese Tourists arrivals

Thailand is expecting a significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists in May, as Chinese airlines plan to operate more flights to the country.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), Chinese airlines have requested to increase their flights to Thailand from 100 per week to 430 per week starting on June 1. Continued …

Thailand’s B2B Startups Lead to Tourism Renaissance

Thailand’s tourism industry has long been a major contributor to the country’s economy. Travel bans and border closures brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic have had a substantial impact on the sector, nevertheless, as evidenced by the steep drop in visitor numbers.

In spite of these difficulties, Thailand’s startup ecosystem has become a significant force for innovation and expansion in the travel and tourist industry. In this new era of travel, B2B leads are now more crucial than ever. Startups are transforming business processes for hotels, airlines, and other travel service providers with innovative B2B solutions. Continued …

How a two-week kayaking adventure teaches you to slow down and enjoy the moment

The sky is overcast as I paddle out from a small beach on the morning of my 50th birthday on Day 1 of a two-week, 250km solo kayaking trip around Phang Nga Bay, an aquatic biosphere off the southwest of Thailand, with dramatic islands and limestone karsts that rise like titans hundreds of meters from the sea.

I’ve never done anything like this before, but past travels have taught me a bit about problem-solving in remote places and how to pack for survival. Continued …

5 Best Places To Visit In Bangkok

If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss out on some of the must-visit places in Bangkok. From ancient temples to bustling markets, Bangkok has something for everyone.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, are two of the most famous attractions in Bangkok. The Grand Palace was the official residence of the Kings of Siam (now Thailand) since 1782. Today, the palace is used for ceremonial purposes only. Visitors can see the palace complex and its intricate architecture, which reflects a blend of Thai and European styles. Wat Phra Kaew is the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand and houses the Emerald Buddha, a highly revered statue carved from a single block of jade. 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, climate change, hua hin, pattaya, phuket, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s news-May 5

  • Hua Hin learning-disabilities school progress reported/
  • Searing heat continues in north, storms most likely in central, eastern and southern regions/
  • Thailand to enter rainy season later this month, less rain expected/
  • ‘Safe’ dust pollution threshold cut 25%/
  • Thailand’s democracy faces pivotal moment in upcoming election/
  • The future of Thai workforce: Embracing flex work and employee experiences/
  • GrabFood No.1* Food Delivery App is now available in English/
  • Bikini-wearing durian seller sparks sales in Kamphaeng Phet/
  • Actress and nurses investigated for buying same poison as killer/
  • Indian gambling kingpin in net after bust in Pattaya/
  • Karen villagers’ settlement in Kaeng Krachan National Park sparks public outcry/
  • Three People Seriously Injured After Guardrail Pierces Through Minivan/
  • Thailand’s One Drone, One Community project aims to boost smart farming/
  • Foreigner police report: Young Polish Woman Dies in Motorbike Accident in Phuket/Canadian teenager found dead in Bangkok condo room/Fun-loving UK teenager dies after taking drugs at Full Moon party/Italian man throws furniture off Pattaya balcony, tests positive for ‘ice’/Body found floating near Koh Samui/
  • Tourism: Why Are Chinese Group Tours in April Lower Than Expected?/Full Moon Party draws 20,000 tourists to Koh Phangan/Tourist Police launch campaign to enforce Alcohol Ban during elections/AOT to extend automated check-in at Suvarnabhumi airport from June 1/AOT to develop Suvarnabhumi into the nation’s first ‘Green’ airport prototype/Sacred Thai temple closes after vendors accused of tarnishing it/Thailand to close several popular islands for environmental restoration/
  • Thailand Experience: The Best Beers To Pair With The Many Flavors Of Thai Food/
  • International: Another Mass Shooting Rocks Serbia Just Days After Deadly School Rampage/Heating oceans a climate ‘time bomb’/Russia takes stock after failed offensive/China factories tap brakes on recovery/Airbnb upbeat as tourism rebounds/In Brazil, a damaged city lives on edge of abyss/
  • 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 learning-disabilities school progress reported

Almost 12 months ago, the construction of a new school for children with learning difficulties began near Black Mountain, with the support of a variety of provincial, municipal and education officials, and the sponsorship of many community and business organizations.

E-Jan, a large Bangkok-based media group, is just one of these benefactors offering sponsorship for this significant development in the region’s capacity to meet the needs of disadvantaged children in the community. Continued …

Searing heat continues in north, storms most likely in central, eastern and southern regions

The Meteorological Department today warned the central, eastern, and southern regions to expect possible thundershowers and strong wind gusts.

Low pressure due to heat covers upper Thailand, making it generally hot with cloudy skies during the day, with extreme heat in some areas in the North. Continued …

Thailand to enter rainy season later this month, less rain expected

The rainy season in Thailand will start in the third week of May. The Meteorological Department has announced it is expecting less precipitation this year.

The department expects the amount of precipitation throughout the monsoon season to be 5% less than the normal range. Continued …

‘Safe’ dust pollution threshold cut 25%

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) said it will follow World Health Organization guidelines and reclassify the safe level for ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) to 37.5 µg/m3 in a bid to curb dust pollution.

Jatuporn Burutphat, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said the ministry supports lowering the threshold on Thailand’s Air Quality Index. Continued …

Thailand’s democracy faces pivotal moment in upcoming election

As Thailand prepares for its upcoming general election on May 14, the country has found itself facing a pivotal moment in the history of its democracy, with Bangkok residents calling for change after having lived under the current administration for eight years.

“I am certain that change is what I want to see,” said 48-year-old Bangkok resident Naratouch Kanjanakul. “We were previously forced to accept things as they were.” Continued …

The future of Thai workforce: Embracing flex work and employee experiences

Despite facing economic uncertainties, nearly 60% of global executives anticipate their businesses to achieve stable or significant growth. Asian leaders, however, express concerns about the rising cost of capital and debt, labor market tightness, and competition for talent when planning for the upcoming year.

In the Global Talent Trends (GTT) Study 2023 by Mercer, human resources leaders in Thailand shared similar concerns. The study surveyed around 2,500 HR leaders worldwide, with nearly 100 companies in Thailand being represented. Among the issues highlighted were a lack of workforce capability and future skills (47%), too many priorities distracting employees (40%), and juggling transformation with a survival mindset (38%). Continued …

GrabFood No.1* Food Delivery App is now available in English

Living in a foreign country can be a thrilling adventure, but it can also pose its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles for many expats is navigating unfamiliar dining options.

With language barriers and an overwhelming array of unfamiliar dishes, finding a satisfying meal can be a daunting task. Fortunately, in Thailand, there’s an app that stands out from the rest, making your life a little easier: GrabFood. Continued …

Bikini-wearing durian seller sparks sales in Kamphaeng Phet

A young woman wearing a pink bikini has created a buzz by selling durians in front of a roadside shop. The “Thip Durian” shop is located along Kamphaeng Phet-Phichit Road in Mueang District. The woman behind the bikini, Aranya or Nong Aum, is 22 years old. She sells durians to help her mother, who has been selling seasonal fruits for over 31 years to generate income and send her children to study. According to Nong Aum, durian sales have exceeded expectations. (Thai Rath)

Actress and nurses investigated for buying same poison as killer

There has been another twist in the Thai cyanide serial killer case. Not only has the serial killer’s husband been charged with aiding and abetting her crimes and released on bail, but the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is investigating the purchase of some cyanide by a famous Thai actress and 10 nurses, who reportedly bought the poison from the same lot number as the killer.

Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, the alleged Thai cyanide serial killer, has been charged with the murder of 10 of the 14 victims so far. The RTP has finished gathering evidence in the other four cases and it is reported that Am will be charged for those, as well. Continued …

Indian gambling kingpin in net after bust in Pattaya

Chikoti Praveen, an infamous name in India due to his activities in casinos and gambling, has been caught in a major raid by police in Thailand.

He was one among at least 83 Indian tourists caught during the raid. The arrest took place in early hours of Monday at Asia Pattaya Hotel in Bang Lamung District. Chikoti Praveen had raked in more than 12 million dollars from a makeshift casino set up in the hotel’s convention center. Continued …

Karen villagers’ settlement in Kaeng Krachan National Park sparks public outcry

Protests have erupted among local residents in Phetchaburi over the Thai government’s decision to settle 150 Karen villagers in Kaeng Krachan National Park.

The controversy was sparked on April 30 when the prime minister issued an order permitting the villagers to return to arable land located deep within the Bang Kloy Bon area of the national park. Continued …

Three People Seriously Injured After Guardrail Pierces Through Minivan

Three people have sustained severe injuries after a minivan crashed before piercing through a guardrail in the Thung Song district of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The Thung Song Police were notified of the accident on Thursday morning on the Asia Nakhon Si – Bangkok Road in the Cha Mai subdistrict. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find that a guardrail had pierced through a minivan on the left side. Continued … 

Thailand’s One Drone, One Community project aims to boost smart farming

The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) has announced its plan to launch a pioneering project in Thailand that will provide large drones to communities and offer training in drone maintenance to encourage smart-farming development.

The initiative, titled “One Drone, One Community,” is backed by the Digital Economy Fund and aims to create an economic impact exceeding 800 million baht across 500 communities, with a planned start date in July. Continued …

Foreigner police report:

Young Polish Woman Dies in Motorbike Accident in Chalong, Phuket

A 33-year-old female Polish rider died after she crashed her motorbike and slid under a trailer truck in Chalong, Phuket. Continued …

Canadian teenager found dead in Bangkok condo room

A young Canadian man was found dead in his rented condo room in Bangkok yesterday. Police say they are investigating suspicious evidence found inside the room. Continued …

Fun-loving UK teenager dies after taking drugs at Full Moon party

A fun-loving, “fiercely independent” teenager from the United Kingdom died after taking drugs at a Full Moon party in Thailand an inquest heard. A UK coroner yesterday determined that the 18-year-old woman from Winchester died by misadventure after taking ecstasy while backpacking in Thailand. Continued …

Italian man throws furniture off Pattaya balcony, tests positive for ‘ice’

An Italian man made a scene in front of over 100 witnesses on Wednesday night when he threw furniture and large items off a Pattaya balcony. Continued …

Body found floating near Koh Samui

A dead body was found floating in the sea between Koh Samui on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, yesterday. The deceased appears to be a foreign woman. Continued …

Why Are Chinese Group Tours in April Lower Than Expected?

According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), the number of tourists traveling in the form of “group tours” through tour companies using the services of ATTA at Suvarnabhumi Airport in April 2023 was between 1,000 and 2,000 people per day, compared to approximately 3,000 to 4,000 people in March, a decrease of over 50%, clearly reflecting the significant loss of tourists traveling through tour companies.

Adith Chairattananon, secretary-general of ATTA, which looks after the inbound market (Chinese tourists), said the big problem for the Chinese tourism market at the moment is the inconvenience of applying for visas. Continued …

Full Moon Party draws 20,000 tourists to Koh Phangan

About 20,000 tourists attended the popular Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan on Thursday night, and it is estimated that the holiday will generate tens of millions of baht for the southern island. Continued … 

Tourist Police launch campaign to enforce Alcohol Ban during elections

Yesterday, Police Lt. Col. Pramet Duangkaew led a team of tourist police officers on a mission to enforce an alcohol ban during the upcoming elections.

They were stationed in the busy Rama 9 market area and the popular Khao San Road, where they distributed flyers and conducted public relations activities. Continued …

AOT to extend automated check-in at Suvarnabhumi airport from June 1

Starting June 1, air passengers can check in with their luggage using automated check-in services up to five hours in advance of their departure time, instead of three hours, in order to address congestion at the check-in counters at Suvarnabhumi international airport, according to Kirati Kitmanawat, president of Airports of Thailand Public Co. (AOT).

He disclosed that passengers are worried about the congestion at check-in, with some arriving at the airport up to seven hours in advance, but check-in counters for most airlines only open three hours in advance of departure, resulting in congestion. Continued …

AOT to develop Suvarnabhumi into the nation’s first ‘Green’ airport prototype

Airports of Thailand’s Chief Executive Officer Kirati Kitmanawat says that AOT has a 4-year plan to turn Suvarnabhumi Airport into the first environmentally friendly, or “Green” airport in Thailand. The goal is to develop renewable energy for use within the airport to reduce electricity costs by an average of 20%-30% per year.

AOT has already installed solar panels on the roof of the main terminal and will be adding further photovoltaic power to support a renewable energy system that can help reduce electricity costs even more, similar to other major airports overseas, which have shifted to solar panels to generate power. Continued … 

Sacred Thai temple closes after vendors accused of tarnishing it

Wat Phra That Phanom, one of the most important spiritual sites in Thailand, will be closed for one month starting today so that a plan can be developed and implemented to ensure the vendors who conduct business in and around the temple do not trash it. The mess vendors make inside and around the temple will prevent Wat Phra That Phanom from being named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is located near the Mekong River in That Phanom district in the southern part of Nakhon Phanom province in the Northeast. (The Nation)

Thailand to close several popular islands for environmental restoration

Four islands in Trang province, southern Thailand, will close for four months to give nature a chance to restore itself after a hectic tourist season, namely Koh Muk, Koh Kradan, Koh Chuek, and Koh Waen. Thailand’s Similan Islands will also close for the monsoon season.

Yesterday, the chief of Hat Chao Mai National Park, Prit Narasaritkul, announced the temporary cease of tourism activities and overnight stays in the park from June 1 – Sept. 30. Continued …

The Best Beers To Pair With The Many Flavors Of Thai Food

Thai food is one of the world’s most unique, flavorful cuisines. There are so many flavors and ingredients that go into that panang curry, tom yum soup, or papaya salad you love at your local Thai restaurant, from lemongrass and chili peppers to fish sauce and coconut milk.

What makes Thai cuisine so delicious and complex is the ability to marry some of the most interesting ingredients harmoniously and fit into five flavor profiles: spicy, salty, sour, sweet, and creamy. Every authentic Thai dish you have the pleasure of digging into expertly blends the above elements. Continued …

Another Mass Shooting Rocks Serbia Just Days After Deadly School Rampage

At least eight people were killed and 10 wounded late Thursday in a drive-by shooting in a town close to Belgrade, the second such mass killing in Serbia in two days, state television reported. Continued …

Heating oceans a climate ‘time bomb’

With sea surface temperatures swelling to new highs in recent weeks, scientists warn that humanity’s carbon pollution has the potential to turn oceans into a global warming “time bomb”. Continued …

Russia takes stock after failed offensive

Russia announced its winter offensive in Ukraine with great fanfare, but the ill-fated campaign has been another disappointment for Moscow. Continued …

China factories tap brakes on recovery

China’s factory activity unexpectedly contracted in April, as orders fell and poor domestic demand dragged on the sprawling manufacturing sector, a private survey showed on Thursday, imperiling the broader economic outlook for the second quarter. Continued …

Airbnb upbeat as tourism rebounds

Airbnb closed 2022 with an impressive turnaround, as the pandemic-hit business reported its first annual profit on revenue growth of 40% to US$8.4 billion, with net income of USD9 billion. Continued …

In Brazil, a damaged city lives on edge of abyss

A few steps from a cliff edge, Deusimar Batista is hanging clothes to dry in her yard. Near it, a neighbor’s house used to stand on a residential street, but they have all collapsed into the abyss. 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

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    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