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Saturday’s news-Aug 3

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From the Editor/Feedback/Thailand Open stage in Hua Hin/Squid and Seafood Festival/Amazing Food Festival Hua Hin/Floods hit 11 provinces/Climate change August deadline/Monk wins 12 million baht lottery/New Thai-Lao bridge delayed/Expert warns against six foods/Bangkok waste disposal crisis/10 baht meals for conscripts/Economy: Potential ‘lost decade’/Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies/Detailed timeline for digital wallet/20 million register for digital handout/Online retailers set to hike fees/Foreign ad film shoots in Thailand/Network for small EV batteries/Support for ICE car sector/Norwegian Seafood Aims for Bt10 billion/Four guidelines for property developers/Tourism: Tourist Arrivals Expected to Fully Rebound/Sports and music tourism/Apple Withdraws Ad/Tourism Cares Travel Summit/Direct flights from Manila to Chiang Mai/South Korean drowns/Thailand Experience: Thailand for Under $500/Best Time to Visit Bangkok?/Ultimate guide to Transportation/Thailand-China bond deepens/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

From the Editor:

We would like to thank our thousands of readers for their support of the companies who sponsor Hua Hin Expat News, the ones you see daily in this newsletter. These local companies – from restaurants to book stores to insurance to real estate to home improvement – keep renewing their sponsorships of Expat News, meaning our readers are buying their products. We thank you both!

Re: Temu’s Thailand entry puts factories at risk

“Before using Temu’s services, I would strongly urge people to watch a UK Channel 4 documentary called “Dispatches: The Truth About Temu.” – BP

WTA’s Thailand Open stage to be held in Hua Hin Sept 18

The WTA on Friday announced two key changes to the 2024 calendar during the Asian swing later this season. The WTA 500 sanction previously held by the Zhengzhou Open will be transferred to the Ningbo Open starting in 2024, increasing its status from a WTA 250 event. The new WTA 500 Ningbo Open will take place during Week 42 of the calendar, commencing Oct. 14.

The vacant WTA 250 sanction will see a special one-year return to Hua Hin for the second staging of the Thailand Open this season, which will be held in Week 38 and begin Sept. 16. – wtatennis.com

Squid and Seafood Festival Aug 9-11

The 2024 One-Sun Squid and Seafood Festival is set to take place from Aug. 9-11 at Laem Kade, on the beach front in Pak Nam Pran. This annual event returns after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival’s signature attraction is the “one-sun squid,” renowned for its unique taste. Squid from Pak Nam Pran is celebrated for being naturally sweet and tender, a result of the freshwater from the Pranburi River flowing into the sea and enriching the marine environment with plankton. Continued …

Fuel subsidies ‘only for the needy’ proposed

The Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO) is considering revising its price subsidy programs to focus only on groups of people who badly need help, rather than making them universal.

The agency has hired Thammasat University to evaluate its fund management since the passage of the Offo Act in 2020. The findings will be used to improve performance. Continued … 

Srettha to discuss water management plan, as floods hit 11 provinces

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has called a meeting on Monday with officials of concerned agencies to discuss water-management plans after continuous downpours inundated some areas in 11 provinces, the Royal Irrigation Department said on Friday.

According to weather reports, several provinces in the north and northeast regions have been experiencing heavy rains since Tuesday this week, which are expected to continue until Sunday, department Director-general Chuchart Rakjit said. Continued …

Climate change: the August deadline

When you spend four years writing a book on climate change, you get to know most of the leading players. I have never seen them so dismayed.

“By August, if we’re still looking at record-breaking temperatures, then we really have moved into uncharted territory,” said climate scientist Gavin Schmidt in April. Well, July 22 was the hottest average global temperature ever recorded – and July 23 promptly broke that brand-new record. Here we are in August, and it is not looking promising. Continued …

Monk wins 12 million baht lottery, plans to help community

The abbot of Wat Si Chumphon in Khon Kaen received a warm celebration from devotees after winning 12 million baht in the national lottery. The 69-year-old monk shared his journey of finding the winning numbers and his plans for the prize money.

Wat Si Chumphon in Ban Nong Kiao, Khon Kaen, was buzzing with excitement as locals and followers gathered to congratulate Phra Nopporn Khemako, who recently won the first prize in the lottery. The abbot purchased two winning tickets, netting him a total of 12 million baht. Continued …

Opening of new Thai-Lao bridge delayed

A new bridge over the Mekong River connecting Thailand and Laos is now expected to open in mid-2025, a delay from the earlier plan for this year.

The bridge, located between Bung Kan province and Bolikhamxay in Laos, is more than 90% complete, Highways Department Director-general Sarawut Songsivilai said on Friday. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Taiwanese expert warns against six foods for better sleep

Taiwanese nutritionist Li Wanping issued a warning about six types of foods that should be avoided before bedtime, highlighting popular Thai dinner dishes. This, she claims, is a key reason many people struggle with insomnia.

Modern life is often filled with stress, and many people remain emotionally tense well into the night. This ongoing stress can lead to daily bouts of insomnia. Li Wanping, a nutritionist, revealed on a health program that consuming certain foods before bed can significantly impact sleep quality. Continued …

Bangkok waste disposal crisis: Garbage trucks queue for kilometers

A long line of garbage trucks formed across Bangkok yesterday, with drivers waiting from morning until afternoon to dispose of waste. Authorities are being urged to address the issue promptly.

A video clip shared on social media yesterday shows a queue of numerous garbage trucks waiting to offload their waste. A social media page posted a video along with a plea for responsible agencies to resolve the problem. Continued …

Thai army introduces 10 baht meals for conscripts after criticism

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) introduced a meal plan priced at 10 baht per meal, offering high-quality dishes that include both savoury and sweet options. This initiative follows social media criticism regarding the quality of food provided to conscripts in Bangkok, where a video showed inadequate meals.

The video, which quickly gained attention online, featured two breakfast dishes: cucumber soup with egg and fried Chinese sausage. The food appeared spoiled, consisting mostly of water. The conscript who posted the video urged higher authorities to address the issue. Continued …

Economists warn of potential ‘lost decade’

SCB EIC, a research center under Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), has raised concerns that the economy might be on the verge of entering a “lost decade”. Drawing from Japan’s experience, SCB EIC warns that Thailand could face economic stagnation extending until 2050.

The term “lost decade” is used to describe Japan’s economy during the 1990s, characteried by two key features: (1) prolonged low economic growth and (2) a loss of confidence among the Japanese people that the economy would recover to its former growth levels, leading them to save more and spend less. Continued …

Vietnam, Thailand among Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies

The six leading economies in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, are projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.1% over the next decade.

This projection was released in a report on Aug. 1 by the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), consulting firm Bain & Company, and the Angsana Council. Continued …

Detailed timeline for digital wallet scheme to be revealed on Monday

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Friday that his ministry will call a special press conference on Monday to clarify the digital-wallet timeline for merchants.

Approximately 2 million shops are expected to join the digital wallet scheme, including street vendors and local government organizations. The initiative also includes retailers and “Thong Fah” stores, which aim to provide goods at fair prices to alleviate the cost of living. Continued …

20 million register for digital handout in two days

At least 20 million people registered for the digital wallet scheme during the first two days.

Spokesman Chai Watcharonke said the government is impressed with the positive feedback on its flagship policy, which saw 20.1 million people registering as of 1pm on Friday. Continued …

Online retailers set to hike sales fees

Shopee, Lazada and TikTok are expected to continue to increase sales transaction fees to grow revenue, which raise costs for local merchants. TikTok Shop announced two fee increases this year. In April, it changed from a flat 4% fee for all product categories to a range of 4%-5.35%, depending on the category.

A further increase is planned, raising commission fees by roughly 1% per category, which will take effect in September. The sales transaction fee for fashion items will rise from 4%-4.28% to 4%-5.35%, while fees for fast-moving consumer goods and lifestyle items will increase from 4.28% to 5.35%. The fee for electronics items will remain at 4.28%. Continued …

Foreign ad film shoots in Thailand generate Bt588 million in first half of 2024

Thailand earned over half a billion baht from serving as a location for advertisement shoots in the first half of 2024, according to the Thailand Film Office (TFO). Crews from 21 countries filmed 107 projects in Thailand, with Bangkok being the top filming location.

Thailand attracts an average of 400-500 foreign film productions annually, generating over 4 billion baht each year. Advertisements are among the most common types of films shot in Thailand, thanks to favorable conditions that meet the needs of international film crews, the TFO said. Continued …

Thailand launches network for standardized small EV batteries

A public-private network was recently launched to promote cooperation to develop technology for the making of standardized swappable batteries for small electric vehicles (EVs). This development matches the government’s policy of making Thailand an EV hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), an agency under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), unveiled its tie-up with the Thailand Energy Storage Technology Assn. (TESTA) at the International Energy Storage Forum 2024 in Bangkok on July 5. Continued …

Ford Thailand urges support for ICE car sector amid EV rise

Ford Thailand is urging the government to extend support to companies in the internal combustion engine (ICE) car segment, particularly motorcycle manufacturers, who are struggling to adapt to the rapid expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Despite the implementation of measures such as tax cuts and subsidies to promote the EV industry, ICE sector operators have yet to see government initiatives to help them manage the disruptions in the automotive industry, according to Ford Thailand Managing Director Ratthakarn Jutasen. Continued …

Norwegian Seafood Aims for Bt10 billion in Thai Market for 2024

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has launched a new campaign, “Norwegian Thai Taste: Valuable Ingredients…for Thai Food in 4 Regions”, aiming to expand its market in Thailand by partnering with local restaurants and stores nationwide.

Åshild Nakken, director of Southeast Asia for the NSC, announced the initiative, which builds on the success of the “The Story from the North” campaign in 2022. The campaign kicked off in Bangkok on Aug. 1 at Gaysorn Tower with Thai-Norwegian actress Yaya-Urassaya Sperbund, who will join to promote Norwegian seafood in Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Khon Kaen throughout this month. Continued …

Four guidelines for property developers to create eco-friendly projects

Property developers in Thailand need to follow four guidelines in order to become eco-friendly and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, property research and development company LWS Wisdom and Solutions said on Friday.

The property sector is among industries that have been urged to play a role in mitigating environmental degradation. “These guidelines aim to meet consumer trends, as well as the government’s policy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero carbon emission by 2065,” the company’s managing director, Praphansak Rakchaiwan, said. Continued …

Thailand’s Tourist Arrivals Expected to Grow in 2024 and Fully Rebound by 2025

Our 2024 forecast for Thailand’s tourist arrivals is growth of 28.3% y-o-y to 36.1 million. However, the market’s 2024 arrivals will fall short of the pre-pandemic level in 2019, meaning that the recovery will still be playing out over the year.

We forecast a further expansion in Thailand’s tourist arrivals in 2025, growing by by15.1% y-o-y to reach 41.6 million, with the year marking a full recovery. The market’s arrivals will continue to increase over the remainder of our medium-term forecast period (2024-2028), primarily driven by key source markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. Continued …

Sports and music tourism will soon represent a 53 trillion baht economy

If you have lost track of how many people in your orbit have recently posted pictures of themselves at a Formula One race or Taylor Swift concert, chances are you are not alone.

According to new research from Collinson International, which owns Priority Pass and LoungeKey airport lounges around the world, sports and music tourism are growing at unprecedented rates and are forecast to represent a USD1.5 trillion (53 trillion baht) industry by 2032. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Apple Withdraws Ad Amid Thai Backlash, Extends Apology

Apple has apologized and withdrawn the latest ad in its “Underdogs” series, following significant backlash in Thailand. The tech giant’s fifth installment, meant to highlight Thai culture positively, instead sparked controversy, prompting the company to halt its distribution.

In a statement, Apple expressed regret, acknowledging the ad failed to accurately represent contemporary Thai life. The company had collaborated with a local Thai firm, intending to feature Thailand in a flattering light. Yet, the move backfired, as the portrayal was widely criticized for not aligning with modern Thai society. Continued …

Tourism Cares’ 2025 Global Meaningful Travel Summit to be Held in Thailand

Tourism Cares, a leading non-profit dedicated to advancing sustainability within the travel industry, will be holding its 2025 Global Meaningful Travel Summit in Thailand.

The invitation-only event will bring together travel industry leaders, tour operators, travel advisers, travel associations and the media to explore meaningful and sustainable travel practices. Continued …

Cebu Pacific unveils first direct flights from Manila to Chiang Mai

Cebu Pacific is introducing direct flights from Manila to Chiang Mai, starting Oct. 29. This new route marks the airline’s fourth destination in Thailand, adding to its existing services from Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports.

Cebu Pacific’s President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao highlighted the significance of this new route. “Chiang Mai’s natural heritage, ancient temples, and laid-back atmosphere promise a tranquil escape,” he said. Continued …

South Korean drowns while snorkeling off Larn island

A South Korean tourist drowned yesterday afternoon, as he was snorkeling in the sea near Ta Waen Beach on Larn Island, off the coast of Pattaya City. The victim, 37-year-old Eik Yu-han, and another South Korean visited Larn Island yesterday and went snorkeling together.

After being in the water for a long time, the other South Korean reportedly told the police that he found his friend floating face down and rushed to his rescue. He pulled him ashore and called for help. Continued …

How to Have the Time of Your Life in Thailand for Under $500

Thailand is well-known as one of the most idyllic tropical places in the world, and as someone who lived there, I can certainly vouch for this.

Your dollar will also go far in Thailand, making it a super economical option as well. If you have a $500 budget, you can have the time of your life in Thailand by following a few simple steps. Continued …

When Is the Best Time to Visit Bangkok?

Whenever you go to Bangkok, the delights remain abundant, from spicy pork noodles pulled from curbside woks to serene mornings, watching the laundry flutter on the canal tributaries.

There’s incredible shopping at every price point (and incredible spa treatments at the same) as well as historic nostalgia around every turn, whether you tour the famous palaces or wander the back streets of Talat Noi, visiting petite ancestor shrines with smoldering incense. Continued …

Ultimate guide to Transportation in Thailand

Discovering the vibrant streets and serene landscapes of Thailand can indeed be an electrifying adventure. But, like any journey, it has its challenges. Experiencing the bustling traffic of urban cities or the tranquil island ferries, you will find that Thailand’s transportation system reflects the country’s vast diversity.

A mosaic of transportation options awaits in Thailand, reflecting the country’s diversity. Let’s delve into the specifics of these transport modes to aid your exploration in the vibrant Land of Smiles. Continued …

Thailand-China bond deepens over decades

As China and Thailand have benefited from cultural exchange since ancient times, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are increasingly close, showing unprecedented vitality over the past years with the all-round development of bilateral relations, said Fu Zengyou, former dean of the Confucius Institute at Chulalongkorn University.

Recalling his first trip to Thailand in 1980, Fu said many people from the two countries barely knew each other then, partially due to poor transportation and a lack of communication. The condition did not change until 1975 when China and Thailand officially established diplomatic relations. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Highways – 1586
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Friday’s news-Aug 2

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Electricity bills to remain unchanged/Power tariff set to fall/Khao Takiab canal encroachment/Hua Hin Food Festival starts/Hua Hin youth learn about water safety/’Share Your Pet Story’ Contest/‘Work-Life Balance’ trend disrupted/Specific law on e-cigarettes/King’s ransom in gold bars/Severe flooding threatens rice fields/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Decade of low growth/Temu entry puts factories at risk/Over 100,000 Myanmar workers arrested/16.5 million sign up for digital wallet/Legal Consequences for Exploiting Digital Wallet/Supply chain shifts/Smartphone market in Thailand/Locals back plan to relocate port/Motorcycle manufacturing decline/Thailand’s Electric Dreams/Farmers get shot in the arm/Law on packaging recycling/Over 1,600 illegal items seized/Factory fined for waste water in reservoir/House passes Cannabis Act/Tourism: Thailand well placed for aesthetic surgery/Thais ground overseas travel plans/Thailand Eases Regulations for Coastal Hotels/Chinese Tourist Killed by Falling Tree/Body of missing Dutch teen recovered/Thailand Experience: Southeast Asia weaving tradition/Muslim woman stands up for peace/A kindergarten closes in the jungle/How to win a MICHELIN Star/International news/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Electricity bills to remain unchanged at 4.18 baht per unit

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) resolved on Thursday to keep the fuel tariff (FT) for electricity unchanged at 39.72 satang for September to December, which will keep electricity capped at 4.18 baht per unit.

Poonpat Leesombatpaiboon, the commission’s secretary-general, said the move to keep the FT unchanged was in line with the Cabinet’s resolution on July 23 to retain the ceiling on power bills as part of the government’s bid to help ease people’s financial burdens. Continued …

Power tariff set to fall by early 2025

The power tariff, which will be capped at 4.18 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit) to maintain electricity prices until the end of this year, is likely to decrease early next year, as global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is thought to be decreasing, which would result in lower gas prices.

The demand and supply of LNG plays a key role in determining the tariff rate, which is used to calculate power bills. Gas, from domestic sources and LNG imports, makes up 60% of the fuels used to generate power in Thailand. Continued …

Khao Takiab canal encroachment, new public pier discussed

Continued …

Hua Hin Food Festival starts today

Continued …

Hua Hin youth learn about water safety

Continued …

‘Share Your Pet Story’ Contest

With the growing trend of treating pets as family members, many people now love and care for their pets as if they were their own children. Taiwan Excellence says that innovation fosters happiness and enhances the quality of life. Its mission is to integrate Taiwan Excellence Award-winning products into daily life, making it more convenient and enjoyable for everyone and to recognize the special bond between pet owners and their furry friends.

The company has launched the “Share Your Pet Story” contest for pet owners to share their pets’ cuteness and intelligence, turning them into mini-celebrities who bring joy and smiles to everyone. Continued …

‘Work-Life Balance’ trend is disrupted by ‘Work Hard To Survive’

A recent viral topic has sparked an intense online debate on whether employees should prioritize maintaining a work-life balance to achieve the best harmony between their professional and personal lives.

On the other hand, should they work hard to survive by producing exceptional results to demonstrate their value to the organization, especially in the current alarming global economic scenario? Continued …

Demands grow for specific law on e-cigarettes

Deputy Public Health Minister Thanakrit Jitareerat is calling for the introduction of a separate law to restrict the use and sales of e-cigarettes in Thailand, saying existing laws have proved to be ineffective.

At a discussion at the National Health Commission Office on Wednesday, Thanakrit said that while the Public Health Ministry has formed a task force to investigate the issue, no law specifically deals with e-cigarettes. Continued …

Unusually rich ex-Revenue Dept chief loses king’s ransom in gold bars

The Supreme Court has upheld lower courts’ rulings and ordered the seizure of gold bars worth 871.5 million baht owned by a former Revenue Department chief.

Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), said on Thursday that the Supreme Court decided on July 17 to uphold the rulings of the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases and the Appeals Court against Satit Rungkasiri, a former Revenue Department director-general. Continued …

Severe flooding in Mae Hong Son threatens rice fields

Heavy rainfall in Mae Hong Son has caused the Mae Sa Nga River to overflow, flooding over 1,000 rai of rice fields. The famous Sutongpe Bridge, a well-known tourist spot, is also at risk of submersion, with landslides blocking several roads.

Mae Hong Son is currently facing a crisis due to continuous heavy rainfall, which has led to severe flooding in the area. The Mae Sa Nga River has overflowed, resulting in significant damage to agricultural lands in the Mok Cham Pae and Pang Mu subdistricts of Mueang Mae Hong Son district. Over 1,000 rai of rice fields have been submerged, adversely affecting local farmers. Continued … 

Phuket Overstay Crackdown Nets Seven Foreign Nationals

A recent crackdown by Phuket’s Immigration Office has led to the arrest of seven foreign nationals who significantly overstayed their visas. The operation, conducted over 10 days from July 23 to Aug. 1, was aimed at tightening immigration controls and ensuring the safety and regulation of foreign residents on the island.

Muhammad, a Pakistani national, topped the list with 1,377 days of overstay. Egyptians Mr. Hesham and Mr. Moustafa were next, exceeding their legal stays by 213 and 204 days, respectively. Continued …

  • Belgian Man Arrested for Crimes in Thailand and Malaysia – Continued …

Thailand heading for decade of low growth

The Thai economy is projected to expand by an average of 2.8% per year over the next decade, boosted by a tourism rebound, its status as a regional automotive hub, and the regionalization of large Thai conglomerates, says a DBS Bank report.

According to the “Navigating High Winds: Southeast Asia Outlook 2024-34” report, the Southeast Asian economy is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.1% on average, with Vietnam and the Philippines driving the region’s growth, with GDP expansion exceeding 6% in each of those countries. Indonesia will be close behind with 5.7% growth. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Temu’s Thailand entry puts factories at risk

Thai manufacturers may succumb to a new flood of cheap products from China if the government fails to launch measures to deal with the entry of Chinese online retailer Temu, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

With Temu planning to give discounts of up to 90% on products sold on its platform, the prospect of many more factories shutting down becomes even more likely, as their products are less competitive than those of their Chinese rival, according to the federation. Continued …

Over 100,000 Myanmar workers arrested in Thailand’s crackdown

Thailand’s Ministry of Labor reports that over 100,000 Myanmar workers were arrested during a 120-day crackdown on illegal workers. The operation, running from June 5 to July 25, included extensive factory and industry inspections nationwide.

During this period, a total of 147,726 undocumented migrant workers were apprehended. The crackdown involved inspections by the Thai Employment Department, the Department of Immigration, and the police, focusing on restaurants and industries in Bangkok. Continued …

16.5 million sign up for digital wallet on first day

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expects the number of registrants for the 10,000 baht digital wallet handout scheme to exceed 20 million people today.

According to his social media post, the premier said 16.5 million people registered for the scheme on Thursday from 8am to 2pm, which was the first day of registration. Continued …

Thais Warned of Legal Consequences for Exploiting Digital Wallet

The Thai government issued a stern warning to citizens that misusing the new digital wallet scheme for cash conversions will result in legal repercussions. This public alert comes from Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, who highlighted the potential implications for those attempting to circumvent the intended use of funds.

The scheme, initiated by the Pheu Thai Party, aims to distribute 10,000 baht to Thai nationals aged 16 and over. The funds, accessible through a digital wallet, are solely intended for purchasing specific goods and services such as groceries, food, and non-alcoholic beverages within recipients’ home districts. Continued …

Supply chain shifts to drive more manufacturing to Thailand

The next decade will accelerate shifting supply chains, whereby manufacturing and production locations will diversify to multiple locations across Thailand, Southeast Asia and India. According to JLL, markets like Thailand stand to be net beneficiaries of companies diversifying manufacturing capabilities to complement existing bases in China; however, companies will need to be flexible when considering locations and funding options to take advantage of volatility in supply chains.

Over the past few years, companies have begun exploring the relocation of manufacturing outside of China. In Asia Pacific, this trend has resulted in the China+1 strategy, where companies add additional manufacturing bases outside of China to hedge against supply chain disruptions by reducing reliance on a single country. Continued …

Who is leading the smartphone market in Thailand?

Thailand is considered a leading player in the smartphone industry in the Southeast Asian region. Major brands such as Apple and Samsung have contributed significantly to the industry’s expansion in the country. Additionally, Chinese brands like Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi have also established a strong presence in the Thai smartphone industry.

The number of smartphone users in Thailand has been gradually increasing since 2017 and is expected to keep growing, reaching around 59 million users by 2025. Continued …

Locals back plan to relocate Bangkok Port from Klong Toei

Most people support the government’s plans to relocate Bangkok Port from Klong Toei district and use the area for other purposes, an opinion survey has found.

The survey was carried out by the research institute of North Bangkok University (North Bangkok Poll) from July 22 to 30. The pollster said it interviewed 2,500 respondents but failed to provide more details. Continued …

Motorcycle manufacturing output decline set to persist

Thailand’s motorcycle manufacturing output will continue to decelerate in the second half of this year amid the high level of household debt and the weak economy, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Under the current economic circumstances, it would be difficult for the motorcycle industry to record a significant increase in total motorcycle production, but the FTI still maintains its projection for this year’s manufacturing target, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice chairman of the FTI and spokesman for the federation’s Automotive Industry Club. Continued …

Thailand’s Electric Dreams

For decades, Thailand was where the world’s top automakers made cars in Southeast Asia. As countries turn to electric vehicles, Thailand has fresh ambitions to make its mark in the EV revolution. Video …

Phatthalung farmers get welcome shot in the arm

Phatthalung has been chosen as the southern hub for an agricultural product-development project by the Thailand Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade of Thailand and the provincial chamber of commerce. At least eight farm products from Phatthalung have won the government’s Product Champion Award.

The province is touted as an example of how local farmers can produce more than one quality product with added value under an integrated system, and distribute their products to the rest of the country to generate higher income. Continued …

Law on packaging recycling poses a challenge for Thai exporters

As every organization aims for sustainable business development, they must expand their social and environmental responsibilities. Changing global trade regulations now require products to be eco-friendly and have traceable supply chains to build consumer confidence.

This has become a tool for European countries to block products lacking manufacturer responsibility. Thailand, as an exporting country, cannot avoid these regulations, especially regarding used packaging. Continued …

Over 1,600 illegal items seized from 11 Chinese supermarkets in Bangkok

Eleven Chinese supermarkets in Bangkok were found to be selling products that do not meet legal requirements in a joint operation led by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday.

FDA representatives, together with officials from the Consumer Protection Police Division and the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, searched 11 Chinese supermarkets in four districts of the capital, namely Samphanthawong, Lak Si, Bueng Kum, and Huay Khwang, following complaints that they might be violating safety standard and health-related laws. Continued …

Chinese-owned factory fined 1.8 billion baht for waste water in reservoir

The Chachoengsao Provincial Court fined a Chinese-owned factory 1.8 billion baht for releasing wastewater into the Jone Reservoir in the central province of Chachoengsao.

THH Moly Processing Co.’s illegal action came to light in 2019 after 2 million cubic meters of water in the Jone Reservoir was contaminated with multiple toxic substances. Locals could not use the water for consumption or agriculture. Continued …

House passes Cannabis Act, PM urged to sign

Yesterday, the network for Shaping the Future of Thai Cannabis, led by spokesperson Chokwan Chopaka, submitted a letter to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urging him to promptly sign the Cannabis Act passed by the House of Representatives.

The lette emphasized that Srettha had previously outlined a strategy to regulate cannabis in Thailand through specific legislation, namely the Cannabis Act. This is instead of a controversial and highly criticized previous proposal, now shelved after numerous protests, to recriminalize cannabis instead. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Thailand well placed to be world leader for aesthetic surgery

Thailand is poised to become a world leader in aesthetic surgery, driven by increasing demand both domestically and internationally, according to clinical Prof. Dr. Apirak Songsuwanitch, president of the Association of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons of Thailand.

In an interview, Dr Apirak highlighted a growing trend toward self-care, particularly among the younger generation. This trend, which includes skin care, supplements and exercise, has contributed to a significant rise in aesthetic procedures. Continued …

Thais ground overseas travel plans amid squeeze on spending power

Thailand’s outbound travel market is experiencing a slowdown in the second half of this year due to a decline in consumer spending power, according to Charoen Wangananont, president and board committee member of the Thai Travel Agents Assn. (TTAA).

In an interview, Charoen explained that economic uncertainties had prompted many Thais to postpone overseas travel plans to avoid additional expenses during the downturn. As a result, the TTAA anticipates a subdued outbound market for the remainder of the year, with the typically busy fourth quarter expected to be particularly weak. Continued … 

Thailand Eases Regulations for Coastal Hotels

The government includes “illegal hotels” in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga in the legal system and expects 2,500 more legal hotel rooms. Hotels with no more than 49 rooms do not have to carry out an environmental impact assessment (IEE).

This will allow hotels near the coast to operate legally without having to demolish or alter their buildings to comply with the new regulations, as these hotels were built before the ministerial order was announced. Continued …

Chinese Tourist Killed by Falling Tree in Chiang Mai

In a tragic accident in Chiang Mai, a Chinese tourist lost her life, and another was injured when a tree fell on them while they were ziplining. The incident occurred around noon in Village 2, Thep Sadet subdistrict, Doi Saket District. The Erawan Rescue Center swiftly dispatched emergency services to the scene.

The couple, Liu Yang, 46, and Jing Chen, 44, from China, were crossing a suspension bridge after enjoying a ziplining adventure. Without warning, a large tree, likely destabilised by recent heavy rains, toppled onto the bridge. The impact caused them to plunge approximately 15 meters to the ground below. Continued …

Body of missing Dutch teen recovered from Dragon Crest Mountain in Krabi

The body of a missing Dutch teenager was discovered on Thursday, a day after he was reported missing, on “Dragon Crest Mountain,” a popular tourist attraction on Phi Phi Islands, Krabi province.

According to local rangers, the 18-year-old victim, Tim Bakker, hails from the Netherlands. A rappeling team discovered  Bakker’s body while searching the cliff area of the 360-degree viewpoint, Dragon Crest Mountain’s highest point. Continued …

Southeast Asia weaving tradition: A lesson from Thailand and Indonesia

Southeast Asia is home to many cultures, which give birth to plenty of crafts, including fabrics, which have been acknowledged as the world’s heritage and showcased around the globe.

There are also shared similarities, such as weaving as a method of producing and the women being the weaver. Beyond that, the weaving and fabric also have stories or values imprinted into it, both personal by the weaver and also as community values. Continued …

Amid the challenges, a Muslim woman stands up for peace

Despite being home to more than 7.5 million Muslims, half of them female, it’s rare to see a woman in a hijab standing up for her sisters in society. An exception is Pateemoh Pohitaedaoh, a party list MP in the Bhumjaithai Party, who refuses to stay silent about the problems and challenges facing Muslim women in today’s Thailand.

The founder of the Women for Peace Assn. (WePeace) and a mother, Pateemoh knows all about loss and the heartbreak of losing loved ones in a senseless conflict. Continued …

A kindergarten closes in the Thai jungle

I recently received a message from my former translator Suntimar, who was forced to flee Burma with his wife and children after the coup in 2021. “The Bamboo Kindergarten my kids go to is closing down because no funds.”

It was just one sentence but somehow encapsulated the sad reality of the war in Burma and the plight of more than six million people who have been forced to flee their homes in the face of the world’s longest ongoing conflict. Continued …

How Prin Polsuk and Mint Jarukittikun Won a MICHELIN Star

Inside the darkened ballroom of the Capella Hotel in Bangkok, a record number of MICHELIN Stars were awarded to Thailand’s restaurants at the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Thailand Ceremony in November 2024.

With dramatic black walls, the venue is bathed in the glow of a giant screen that projects the guide’s iconic red colors and displays the names of each winner. Bright red lights cast a celebratory aura over the venue, illuminating ceiling decorations inspired by the elegant Thai sea – a display of oceanic elegance. Continued …

US and Russia complete biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history

The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free. Continued … 

United Nations warns Islamic Terrorism is again on the rise

The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the rising threat of international terror groups. It comes as the Islamic State (ISIS) is again on the rise in eastern Syria. In particular, recent disturbances surrounding the Olympic Games in Paris have reminded the world that this menace still lurks. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Highways – 1586
baht, bangkok, exports, healthcare, hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, thai economy, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-Aug 1

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Baht set to strengthen/Thailand Eyes Olympic Glory/Flood risk rises/Bangkok ‘facing unprecedented threats’/Health Benefits of Galangal/Class-action suit threatened/86 communities sign up for drones project/Praise for tiger protection/Pattaya City buys crabs/Thieves caught stealing cannabis plants/Economy: First day of digital wallet registration/Factory output falls/Japan built Thailand auto industry/Temu enters Thai e-commerce market/Restaurant sector anticipates further risks/Rice glut set to hit Thai exports/Harnessing the power of clean energy/Wage Crisis Hits Thousands in Chonburi/PTTEP announces first-half performance/Tourism: British tourists warned about vaping/Capturing more of the Chinese market/Government Embraces Apple Ad/Sustainable Tourism in Thailand/Direct flights from Phuket to India/Thailand Experience: Agroforestry offers Thai rubber farmers a pathway to profit/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Baht set to further strengthen this year despite headwinds

The baht could appreciate further to 35.30 to the U.S. dollar in the short term, after hitting a four-month high of 35.72 early Wednesday, but political instability and deteriorating fiscal positions as a result of the government’s populist policies could limit the Thai currency’s rebound.

The Thai currency was trading at 35.72 baht to the greenback around noon Wednesday, compared to Tuesday’s close of 35.99, said Kanjana Chockpisansin, head of the research, banking and financial sector at Kasikorn Research Center. Continued …

Thailand Eyes Olympic Glory in Boxing, Taekwondo, and Badminton

With the Olympic cauldron now ablaze in Paris, Thailand’s hopes for glory are fervent. As athletes from the nation take their positions on the global stage, the pursuit of gold medals unites fans and competitors alike.

Thailand has dispatched a formidable team of 51 athletes to compete across 17 different sports, with lofty ambitions of securing six gold medals in boxing, taekwondo, badminton, weightlifting, and golf. This objective marks a significant leap from their sole gold medal in taekwondo at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Continued …

Flood risk rises with rain, high tides

Residents in flood-prone areas of Bangkok and five other provinces have been warned of possible floods due to a combination of high tides and continuous rainfall expected until Aug. 8.

The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has predicted that high sea levels and continuous downpours between Aug. 2 and Aug. 8 will cause rivers to rise, which could affect low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Thachin and Bang Pakong rivers. Continued …

Bangkok ‘facing unprecedented threats from more intense storms’: study

Typhoons in Southeast Asia are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change, according to a joint scientific study released on Wednesday.

Coastal communities and cities like Hai Phong in Vietnam and the Thai capital Bangkok are “facing unprecedented threats from longer-lasting and more intense storms”, a statement about the study said. Continued …

Health Benefits of Galangal

Galangal, also known as Thai ginger, is a spice often used in traditional medicine around the world, especially in Thailand and Indonesia. The term galangal refers to the root of several plant species belonging to the Zingiberaceae or ginger family.

Galangal has many benefits, including treating pain and inflammation, improving fertility in people assigned male at birth, and reducing the risk of cancer. Continued …

Class-action suit threatened against CPF over Blackchin Tilapia

The Law Society of Thailand (LST) announced on Wednesday that it will file a class-action civil lawsuit against Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) for damages caused by the infestation of alien blackchin tilapia in water resources across 16 provinces.

At a press conference chaired by LST President Wichian Chupthaisong at the LST head office, the LST did not mention CPF by name but referred to “a business operator that sought permission and imported the alien species for an experiment in 2010.” Continued …

86 communities sign up for first batch of agricultural drones project

The agricultural drones project aimed at improving productivity has secured participation from 86 communities across 22 provinces in the first batch, a statement released by Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency said on Wednesday.

The initiative is part of the One Tambon One Digital (Chumchon Drone Jai) project being implemented by the Digital Economy and Society Ministry, in collaboration with the agency. Launched in November last year, the project aims to increase Thai farmers’ efficiency and productivity. Continued …

Thailand welcomes praise for tiger protection

The government has welcomed the notion that Thailand is now recognized as a leader in Southeast Asia’s efforts to protect wild tigers. The recognition stems from the country’s achievement in protecting royal tigers (Panthera tigris), which has led to a significant increase in their population.

Adult royal tigers in Thailand are now estimated to number between 179 and 223, which is about 149 higher than the number recorded in 2022, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Wednesday, citing Natural Resources and Environment Ministry figures. Continued …

Pattaya City buys crabs to boost marine life, support fishermen

Pattaya Cityhas launched an innovative project to support local fishermen and conserve marine life by purchasing low-grade blue swimming crabs and releasing them into the mangrove forest in Na Kluea.

The initiative involves paying 250 baht per kilogram to fishermen, aiming to balance ecological preservation with community income generation. Continued …

Thai thieves caught stealing cannabis plants to start business

Police arrested four Thai thieves after they stole cannabis plants from a farm in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom to fulfil dreams of being cannabis farm and business owners.

The cannabis farm owner filed a complaint with Mueang Nakhon Phanom Police Station after thefts occurred at the farm. The thieves stole high-value cannabis plants worth about 30,000 to 40,000 baht, together with other well-known cannabis species, fertilizer, and planting tools. Continued …

First day of digital wallet registration is today

The “Thang Raj” application, which is to be used to register for the government’s 10,000-baht digital wallet handout scheme, was set to be ready for users from 8am today, the first day of registration for those who have smartphones, the Finance Ministry announced.

Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul said on Wednesday evening that the application had stopped working from 7pm to 10pm on Tuesday to prepare for the latest update, not because of an outage or malfunction. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Factory output falls more than forecast as car output slumps

Thailand’s manufacturing production index dropped 1.71% in June from a year earlier due mainly to lower car production and higher energy costs, the Industry Ministry said on Wednesday, missing analysts’ expectations.

The figure compared with a forecast year-on-year fall of 1.5% for June in a Reuters poll and followed an annual drop of 1.54% in May. Continued …

Japan built Thailand auto industry, now China is gunning for it

Japanese companies established Thailand’s auto industry virtually from scratch, dating back to the years after World War II. By the late 1970s, Japanese brands commanded around 90% of car sales in Thailand. They invested in building Thai supply chains, and their cars were also widely perceived by customers as reliable. Continued …

Expert warns of disruption as Temu enters Thai e-commerce market

An e-commerce expert is warning Thai online retailers about a greater influx of cheap Chinese products following the entry of online retailing platform Temu to the Thai e-commerce market on Monday.

In an interview on Wednesday, Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, founder and chief executive officer of Creden.co and PaySolutions, noted that Chinese products have been flooding the Thai online market via applications like Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop, which host both Thai and Chinese retailers, but this is about to change after the entry of Temu. Continued …

Restaurant sector anticipates further risks in second half

Restaurant business operators anticipate a risk of closures in the second half of the year due to low consumer purchasing power and high costs.

Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, head of the Restaurant Business Club, said the restaurant industry enjoyed rising momentum in the first quarter of the year due to the rebound of the tourism sector. However, after the Songkran festival, the industry saw a significant decline in the number of customers as consumer spending dwindled. Continued …

Global rice glut set to hit Thai exports

Thai rice exports are likely to be less than 8 million tons next year due to myriad risk factors hampering their competitiveness, which include a lack of research and development (R&D) for rice varieties, rising global supply, and the possibility of India lifting its rice export restrictions at year-end.

Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Assn., said rice exports next year are expected to fall below the earlier estimate of 8.2 million tons. Continued …

Harnessing the power of clean energy

Attractive investment incentives are necessary to catch the interest of prospective foreign investors but they may not be enough to ensure they will definitely establish businesses in Thailand.

A sufficient supply of renewable power has become an increasingly important factor behind companies’ decisions on whether or not to invest here, as they need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to help decelerate the rise in temperatures globally. Continued …

Wage Crisis Hits Thousands of Thai and Vietnamese Workers in Chonburi

Over 8,000 Thai and Vietnamese workers are affected by subcontract companies that have been unable to pay their wages due to liquidity problems. Many endure the situation in the hope of being paid back wages, while some borrow money from illegal moneylenders to support their families.

Groups of Thai and Vietnamese workers from three subcontractors of a clean energy company have gathered in front of Thaioil refinery plant, along Sukhumvit Road in Sriracha, Chonburi, to protest as they have not received their wages as scheduled. Continued …

PTTEP announces first-half performance of 2024

PTTEP revealed its operational performance and key progress for the first half of 2024, highlighting its success in expanding strategic investment in the Middle East to increase the company’s petroleum-proof reserves immediately.

The board of directors approved an interim dividend payment of Bt4.50 per share for the period. At the same time, the company contributed over Bt30,170 million in royalties and taxes to support national development. Continued …

British tourists warned about vaping in Thailand

British tourists heading abroad this summer are being warned of a costly mistake that could ruin their holiday. E-cigarette smokers need to be aware of strict anti-vaping laws in popular Southeast Asian destinations. The penalties for breaking these rules range from hefty fines to imprisonment.

Countries like Thailand and Singapore have some of the strictest vaping bans in the world. In Thailand, vaping has been prohibited since 2014. Unwitting tourists caught with an e-cigarette could face fines of up to 30,000 baht, or, in severe cases, a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Continued …

TAT widens net in bid to capture more of the Chinese market

With 8 million Chinese tourist arrivals projected for 2024, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is diversifying its target to niche markets who still have plenty of purchasing power, including young travelers, small meeting groups, and caravan tours.

“Demand among Chinese is not enough to entice Chinese airlines to increase flights to Thailand,” said Nonglux Yooyendee, director of the TAT’s Shanghai office. Continued …

Thai Government Embraces Controversial Apple Ad, Sees Tourism Boost

Despite widespread criticism from Thai internet users that the new Apple ad portrays Thailand as backward and third-rate, with some even promising to stop buying Apple products, the government takes the opposite view.

It finds the advertisement humorous and sees it as beneficial to the country, as it promotes tourism and the culture of “working from anywhere”. Continued …

Discover the EEE rating for Sustainable Tourism in Thailand

Sustainable tourism is a crucial approach to promoting environmentally and socially responsible travel. Effective hygiene management is central to this, especially in the current era where tourists demand higher standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Utilizing biotechnology to enhance cleaning efficiency while being eco-friendly is the most suitable option.

Dr. Watson Ariyaphuttarat, president of the Thai Biotech Industry Assn., stated that the association aims to promote tourism through biotechnology for effective hygiene management. This approach not only reduces the use of harmful chemicals but also fosters efficient waste management, reducing long-term environmental impact, which is essential for sustainable tourism. Continued … 

AirAsia launches direct flights from Phuket to India

AirAsia Thailand unveiled new direct flight routes from Phuket to Chennai and Kolkata, promising seamless travel to paradise from two of India’s major cities.

Starting from Oct. 27, these flights will offer travelers a convenient gateway to Phuket’s pristine beaches, vibrant cultural scenes, and delectable seafood. The Chennai-Phuket route will operate three times a week, while the Kolkata-Phuket connection will take off daily. Continued …

Agroforestry offers Thai rubber farmers a pathway to profit and sustainability

Little by little, the canopy of branches and interlocking leaves closes overhead as our vehicle rollicks deeper into the plantation. Pakamart Tongkam points from the driver’s seat into the stark thicket of rubber trees that now surround us: “When I was a child, I slept out there in a small hut while my mum and dad worked in the plantation through the night.”

Several years later, as an adolescent, Pakamart helped her parents with their daily rubber tapping. The routine was grueling, she says during a visit to Nathawi district in southern Thailand’s Songkhla province, a heartland of rubber production. Rising at 2 a.m., the family would trek through the humid plantation to strip the bark of hundreds of individual rubber trees to collect the milky latex. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Tuesday’s news-July 30

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MICE events for PKK/Hua Hin kitesurfer at Olympics/Thailand’s leading social networks/Monsoon rains to hit 39 provinces/Wildlife rescuer comatose after cobra bite/PEA pulls plug on EV meters/Some Reasons Not to Panic/Singaporean influencer apologizes/Picking sweet watermelons/Economy: Most important economic goal/Analysts see headwinds persisting/Thailand’s potential $15 billion casino market/Bangkok port will not be moved/Thang Raj app downloads surge/Thailand saw one of the worst drops in FDI/Educate public over nuclear/Pitfalls of ‘going nuclear’/Plant-based milk market/Pickup truck loan defaults surge/Tourism: Radical benefits for travelers/Suvarnabhumi airport expansion/2.2 million Russian tourists in 2025/Tourists accused of killing kitten/Thailand Experience: Stay Slim While Eating Rice Daily/Shark fin consumption wanes in Thailand/International news/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

MICE events promoted for PKK

Continued …

Hua Hin kitesurfer interviewed at Olympics

Continued …

 

Facebook, Line and TikTok are Thailand’s leading social networks

According to a Q3 2023 report by DataReportal, Facebook maintains the highest penetration rate among social media platforms in Thailand, reaching approximately 91% of the population.

The number of Facebook users in Thailand reached around 50 million in 2023. Thailand can be counted among the leading social media countries in Southeast Asia. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Monsoon rains to hit 39 provinces, flash flood warnings

Heavy monsoon rains are expected to lash 39 provinces across Thailand, with severe weather warnings issued for potential flash floods and runoff. Bangkok is also bracing for significant rainfall, with 70% of the area anticipated to be affected.

In the southern region (east coast), thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, mostly in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Temperatures will range from 23-26°C to 32-35°C. For areas from Surat Thani upward, southwest winds will blow at 15-35 km/h with 1-2 meter waves and over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. Continued …

Thai wildlife rescuer remains comatose months after cobra bite

A Thai wildlife rescuer remains in a comatose state five months after being bitten by a king cobra. A recent update reveals the extent of the challenges faced by Aun and his family.

A member of the Asoraphiphat rescue team, Jakrin Nilkamhaeng, was bitten by a king cobra in a vein, leading to severe complications. Despite five months passing since the incident, Jakrin’s condition has shown little improvement. Continued …

PEA pulls plug on EV meters for homeowners after reports of misuse

The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) will from next month stop accepting new applications for second power meters for charging electric vehicles at home after learning they were being misused.

PEA Gov. Supachai Ek-un said on Monday that no new applications will be accepted from Sept. 1 onward, though those who already have a time of use (TOU) meter can continue using it. Continued …

Some Reasons Not to Panic About a Thai Demographic Collapse

China’s demographics alone – even if you ignore its increasing marginalization from global trade, its dependency on food and energy imports, and President Xi Jinping’s utter gutting of the bureaucracy of anyone who might bring him accurate but unwelcome news – could collapse its economy in the coming decades. Between now and 2050, by conservative estimates, its working-age population will shrink by 220 million people, around a fifth.

That has justifiably sparked major concerns about whether the Chinese state can survive in the coming decades. Thailand will also experience a demographic decline, which has led to similar doom-ish predictions about the country’s future stability. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Singaporean influencer apologizes for viral clip about Thai sex workers

Local content creator Wendy Cheng, better known as Xiaxue, has apologized for a viral clip that has offended Thai people, claiming it had been taken out of context.

She posted a video of her apology and explanation on Instagram and TikTok on July 27, in which she said: “So I’ve recently gone viral in Thailand and not in a good way. Apparently, a video that I was in really offended many Thais.” Continued …

The one thing watermelon experts do to pick sweet ones

Don’t worry, it is not just you. It is hard to pick a good watermelon. So much of what determines its sweetness is beyond your control. And what is in your control may go against your instincts. It is a challenge to your sense of free will, an exercise in letting go, a gamble at the market.

Also, it’s just a watermelon. Everything will be OK. And if you do manage to pick the perfect melon, everything will be great in that sticky-fruit-juices-down-your-arm-on-a-summer-afternoon way. Continued …

Thailand’s most important economic goal

Any relatively new finance minister, such as Pichai Chunhavajira, comes into office facing a crowded agenda: Maintain good relations with the central bank, ensure strong revenue collections and pursue fiscally responsible policies, manage customs and excise.

Keep an eye on inflation, which reached 1.54% in May but eased to 0.62% in June, and meet the joint monetary policy target agreed with the Bank of Thailand. Improve access to finance. Continued …

Analysts see headwinds persisting until mid-2025

A high level of non-performing loans (NPLs), slow loan growth and rising household debt will continue to pressure banks until the first half of next year, as a reduction in consumer purchasing power and rising living costs will affect not only small businesses but also large companies, analysts say.

Krungsri Securities (KS) has downgraded the banking sector to “bearish” from “neutral”, although most banks reported better than expected net profits in the second quarter, due to “increasing asset quality risks”, said analyst Chayaporn Tocharoen. Continued …

Thailand’s potential $15 billion casino market could become the world’s third largest

A recent study by brokerage CLSA forecasts that a legalized casino market in Thailand could generate annual gross gaming revenues (GGR) of $15.1 billion, positioning it as the third largest globally. This projection is based on Thailand’s anticipated growth in tourism, particularly from China and India, and favorable regulatory conditions.

The report estimates that Thailand could attract 39 million visitors annually, with each spending an average of $386, comparable to Singapore’s gaming market. Continued …

Bangkok port will not be moved, but improved

The Bangkok port will not be moved away from the capital, but will instead be improved with a focus on vertical development to maximize the use of the land, the Transport Ministry announced on Monday.

The ministry was clarifying earlier reports that the port in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district will be relocated in a bid to tackle issues among residents in the neighborhood. Continued …

Thang Raj app downloads surge after digital wallet details announced

The government’s Thang Raj app has seen a dramatic surge in registrations after the announcement of the digital wallet scheme last week, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Monday.

Chai said that after the government’s announcement of details related to the digital wallet scheme on July 24, there has been a significant rise in downloads and registrations for the app. Continued …

In 2023, Thailand saw one of the worst drops in FDI in the world

Foreign direct investment (FDI), a key barometer for economic growth for developing countries, has seen a decline of about 2% in 2023, with Thailand’s share of FDI inflow declining among the highest in the world, according to latest data released by United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD), with ASEAN continuing to remain in the positive trajectory witnessing a 1.2% uptick in its FDI to US$ 226.3 billion.

UNCTAD, in a report released recently, said that global FDI in 2023 decreased marginally, by 2%, to $1.3 trillion. This headline figure was affected by wild swings in financial flows through a small number of European conduit economies; excluding the effect of these conduits, global FDI flows were more than 10% lower than in 2022. Continued …

Call to educate public over nuclear push

 

A new public perception of nuclear technology in the power sector is needed and crucial for the Energy Ministry’s efforts to push for small modular reactor (SMR) projects in the 2024 power development plan, say energy and nuclear technology experts.

SMR is a type of nuclear power technology with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, about one-third of the generating capacity of larger, traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Continued …

The pitfalls of ‘going nuclear’

Reports that the energy ministry is conducting a feasibility study into developing small nuclear power plants have been met with mixed reactions – from welcome, mainly by the energy and industrial sectors, to reluctance and fear.

The split response was anticipated. Although Thailand has aspired to “go nuclear” for almost four decades, valid fears – solidified by tragic accidents at nuclear power plants in Chernobyl in Ukraine in 1986 and Fukushima in Japan in 2011, as well as domestic accidents involving radioactive waste – remain about whether Thai-style management can cope with technology so reliant on highly efficient, transparent and trustworthy leadership. Continued …

Plant-based milk market is expanding

There are several reasons plant-based milk is gaining popularity worldwide. Food trends, of course. Health, definitely. Environmental concerns also count.

Despite differences in purpose, what is for sure is the plant-based milk market is expanding – not just in Thailand but globally. According to Business Research Insights, the global plant-based milk market was valued at US$13.89 billion (498.2 billion baht) in 2021 and is expected to grow and reach $35.3 billion by 2032. Continued … 

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Pickup truck loan defaults surge 39% in May

The National Credit Bureau (NCB) reported a significant 39% increase in bad debt for pickup truck loans in May, highlighting an alarming trend in the auto finance sector.

Banks have also seen a contraction in car loans during the first half of this year, corresponding with a nationwide decline in car sales. By May 2024, non-performing loans (NPLs) for pickup trucks had reached approximately 138 billion baht, marking a 39.1% year-on-year rise. Continued …

Thailand’s July 15 visa revolution offers radical benefits for travelers, more to come

A senior Thai civil servant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the last week has brought home the significance of the crucial visa changes ushered in on July 15. Undeniably, the changes offering a 60-day visa exemption to travelers from 103 countries extendable to 90 days and the new DTV visa are radical departures.

For instance, on the 60-day exemption, Naruechai Ninnart explained that this was a new visa from the previous 30-day one. In short, it allowed for business engagement and ad hoc working. Similarly, with the DTV or Destination Thailand visa, here is a visa for genuine freelancers or digital nomads that for Bt10,000 offers them the ability to enter and exit the country for five years, staying for up to 180 days at a time. Continued … 

AoT greenlights Suvarnabhumi airport expansion plan

The Airports of Thailand’s (AoT) board has approved the master plan for a five-year expansion project at Suvarnabhumi airport, which will take place between 2025 and 2030.

AoT Director Kirati Kijmanawat said on Sunday the master plan was approved during the meeting of AoT’s board last Thursday, along with a 170-million-baht budget for hiring a team of consultants for the project. Continued …

Thailand anticipates record 2.2 million Russian tourists in 2025

Thailand’s tourism sector is set to witness a surge in Russian travelers, with projections indicating a record 2.2 million arrivals next year, buoyed by a new 60-day visa-free scheme. However, a shortage of aircraft in Russian airlines poses a challenge, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

In 2025, TAT aims for a 7.5% increase in revenue, targeting 39 million foreign tourists and 205 million domestic trips. Continued …

Tourists accused of killing kitten with luggage

Thai netizens condemned two foreign tourists for kicking and running their luggage over a kitten, leading to its death in Soi Phayanak near Ratchathewi BTS Station in Bangkok. The tourists were widely assumed to be Chinese.

An online post shared pictures of the dead animal and the tourists, reported to be Chinese, on Sunday, saying, “These two Chinese tourists pulled their luggage through Soi Phayanak near Ratchathewi BTS Station where a stray kitten, called Yen, was playing. It played near the tourists’ luggage, prompting them to kick it and run their luggage over it. A witness took the cat to the clinic but it succumbed to the injury.” Continued …

7 Surprising Ways to Stay Slim While Eating Rice Daily

During a months-long stay in Thailand, Emily, a French dietitian, was struck by how slim the locals were despite eating rice at every meal. By observing their lifestyle, she uncovered their seven unexpected slimming secrets. Let’s break it down.

Rice is the star of Thai cuisine, but it’s always served in reasonable portions of about 150 grams, or 200 calories. “Thai people take time to chew each mouthful of rice thoroughly, at least 15 to 20 times. This promotes satiety and prevents overeating,” explains Emily. Continued …

Shark fin consumption wanes in Thailand, yet demand persists

Consumption of shark fin has declined by more than one-third in Thailand since 2017, according to a new report from wildlife advocacy group WildAid. But with more than half of urban Thai citizens reporting they still plan to eat shark in the future, demand remains high.

“Thais are becoming more aware of the importance of sharks to the ocean,” Petch Manopawitr, a conservation scientist and Thailand program adviser at WildAid, said in a statement. “(However), not only does the demand for shark fin persist, but sharks are becoming more commonly used in pet food and snacks, as well.” Continued …

Floods ravage Cambodian provinces, crocodile alerts issued

Flooding along the Stung Prek Tnaot River and other areas has reached dangerous levels, inundating the homes of hundreds of families, while a crocodile scare has alarmed residents in O’Som commune of Pursat’s Veal Veng district. Continued …

Indonesian President Jokowi tries out palace in proposed new capital

Indonesian President Joko Widodo spent his first night in the eagle-shaped palace of the country’s proposed new capital Nusantara, ahead of official meetings yesterday, as the outgoing leader works to allay fears about the beleaguered infrastructure project. Continued …

Air-to-water generators address shortages in Cambodian rural areas

Five air-to-water generation stations have been built in areas experiencing severe water shortages to reduce poverty and improve the health of people in remote regions. The lack of clean water in some rural areas has severely affected people’s lives, health and well-being. In these localities, there are not enough sources, such as rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater, to produce clean water for everyday use. Continued …

Hong Kong customs to use AI to check 6,000 digital images in seconds

Hong Kong customs will establish a new artificial intelligence (AI) system that can process up to an hour of surveillance camera footage, or about 6,000 images, within seconds to crack down on crimes involving digital evidence. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Highways – 1586
bangkok, climate change, healthcare, hua hin, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, retirement, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s news-July 23

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A future of heat waves/They built a home in PKK/Purchase of alien blackchin tilapia/Thailand braces for heavy rain/Chao Phraya overflows/Bridge connecting Koh Samui/Yoga significantly improves health/Foreign Passports for Sale/Chinese passport ad removed/Ex-Husband’s Rampage Leaves Five Dead/New buildings for Buddhist orphanage/Bangkok plans 130 new parks/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Thailand’s New Visa Strategies/Digital Wallet Scheme Excludes 18/Profits of 10 listed banks/Premium EV sales plunge/How Much Lower Can EV Prices Go?/Chinese EV Makers to Use Local Parts/c Shaken/Tourism: New Bangkok-Vientiane passenger train/Record Visitor Numbers for Phuket/Chinese Tourist Dies After Falling From Songthaew/Two speedboats crash off Samui/Thailand Experience: Advice for trekkers in national parks/Best Indian Restaurants In Bangkok/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Prepare for a future of heat waves

People across Asia have eagerly awaited the end of heat-wave season, which now appears to be drawing to a close. In my home country, the Philippines, the first typhoon of the year arrived in late May, lowering temperatures that had climbed to nearly 50° Celsius (122° Fahrenheit).

Over the previous few months, the record-breaking heat led to school closures, a spike in emergency room visits, reduced productivity, and a return to remote work. Continued …

They built a home in PKK after their US property was flooded

With his retirement fast approaching, Jim Dolan, from the U.S., felt as though his future was more or less mapped out. He and his wife Som Dolan would build a house in her native country, Thailand, and split their time between the Southeast Asian destination and the States.

But the couple ended up leaving the U.S. for good after their home in Houston was severely flooded during Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm that hit Texas in 2017. “Our finances were such that we couldn’t live what was thought to be our dream life,” Dolan, who previously worked for NASA, said. Continued …

Purchase of alien blackchin tilapia to kick off Aug 1 in PKK

The government will start buying invasive fish species blackchin tilapia at 15 baht per kilogram starting next month at 49 buying stations in 14 provinces, the Agriculture and Cooperatives ministry said on Monday.

The 49 buying stations will be located at fish markets registered with the Fisheries Department in 14 provinces where high numbers of invasive fish have been reported. They are: Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Continued …

Thailand braces for heavy rain amid monsoon and storm warnings

The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warned residents and holidaymakers to brace themselves for heavy rain over the next 10 days, highlighting periods of reduced rainfall and times when heavy downpours are expected. A strong monsoon and a tropical storm on the horizon necessitate vigilance and monitoring.

The TMD updated its daily cumulative rainfall forecast (every 24 hours: from 7am to 7am the next day) and wind levels at 925hPa (750 meters) for the next 10 days, from today, July 23 to August 1. Continued …

Riverside residents in 7 central provinces warned of Chao Phraya overflows

Riverside residents and businesses along the Chao Phraya River in Uthai Thani, Sing Buri, Lop Buri, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya and Chainat have been advised to brace for possible flooding, as a result of an increase in the amount of water being released through the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat province.

Water runoff from northern provinces, following heavy rainfall there over the past several weeks, has increased the volume of water in the reservoir, forcing the irrigation office in Chainat to increase the discharge through the dam, from 100 cubic meters/second to 610 cubic meters/second, to ease the pressure on the dam. – Thai PBS

Bridge connecting Koh Samui with mainland to be ready by 2033

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) on Monday unveiled the blueprint of the 40-billion-baht, four-lane bridge connecting Koh Samui with the mainland.

The project’s feasibility study and environmental impact assessment is expected to be completed by 2026, with construction starting in 2029. The bridge is expected to open for operation in 2033. Continued …

Yoga significantly improves health of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients

Yoga can significantly improve the health of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, according to a new study from the AIIMS, New Delhi.

RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. It causes joint damage and pain and can affect other organ systems, as well, like the lungs, heart and brain. Traditionally, yoga has been known for its physical and mental well-being benefits. Continued …

Bangkok Billboard Offering Foreign Passports for Sale

A large billboard in Bangkok advertising foreign passports for sale has sparked concern among locals and officials. Move Forward Party list-MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn highlighted the presence of the Chinese-language advertisement located at the Din Daeng intersection.

Targeting primarily Chinese nationals who reside or conduct business in Bangkok’s Din Daeng and Huai Khwang districts, the billboard offers passports from various countries at different prices. Continued …

Giant Chinese passport ad removed

Continued …

Ex-Husband’s Rampage Leaves Five Dead Across Two Provinces

A tragic series of events unfolded in Thailand’s Sisaket Province as an ex-husband went on a deadly shooting spree, killing his former wife, her new husband, and two relatives, before taking his own life in Buriram Province.

The incident began in Nong Phai subdistrict, Mueang Sisaket District, where police found a horrific crime scene. The victims included the director of a local elementary school, her new lawyer husband, and two female relatives – her mother and aunt. A 10-year-old boy, the director’s son, escaped the carnage and sought help from neighbours. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

New buildings for Buddhist orphanage in Kanchanaburi

The revered Korean Dharma master and Buddhist activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim and volunteers from the Buddhist humanitarian relief organization JTS Korea, accompanied by a delegation from the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), attended a formal ceremony to inaugurate two new buildings for a Buddhist orphanage in the western Thai province of Kanchanaburi.

The orphanage, operated under the Dhammanulak Children’s Foundation and managed by Buddhist nun Maechee Chutipa, has undergone a year-long project sponsored by JTS Korea to renovate and remodel the residential buildings for the 80 girls and boys of all ages under the orphanage’s care. Continued …

Bangkok plans 130 new parks, doubles tree goal by 2026

Bangkok is taking a bold step toward sustainability under the leadership of Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt. Moving past the Green Bangkok 2030 initiative, the governor has set his sights on an ambitious environmental agenda.

Chadchart’s vision includes creating a 15-minute city with accessible green spaces. The plan involves adding 130 parks and doubling the tree-planting goal to two million by 2026, following the success of planting one million trees in two years. Continued …

American Arrested for Stabbing Australian to Death

Continued …

 

All the Details About Thailand’s New Visa Strategies Expected to Supercharge Economic Growth

On May 28, the Thai government announced major updates to its visa policies to attract more global citizens, digital nomads, and skilled professionals alike. The new measures will be rolled out in three stages, with the aim of boosting tourism and attract skilled talent in focused industries.

The first stage, which became effective on July 15, focuses on visa-free entry and the introduction of a new visa for foreigners who will be working remotely from Thailand. Continued …

Digital Wallet Scheme Excludes 18 Products and Services

The Thai government has unveiled a new “digital wallet” scheme aimed at bolstering local economies and benefiting smaller retailers. However, 18 specific products and services have been excluded from being purchased through this initiative, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed.

The digital wallet scheme permits citizens to make transactions using government-provided benefits aimed at encouraging spending within communities. Yet, to ensure the scheme is utilized for essential, everyday needs and not for luxury or non-essential items, the government has outlined a list of excluded products. Continued … 

Profits of 10 listed banks for H1 rise 3.7%

The 10 SET-listed banks reported a combined net profit of 126.4 billion baht for the first half of this year, marking a 3.7% increase year-on-year. This growth was primarily driven by large banks, while smaller banks experienced a decline in earnings.

Four out of the 10 financial institutions posted better net profits in the first half of 2024 compared to the corresponding period last year. Continued …

Thailand’s premium EV sales plunge 35%

Thailand has experienced a significant decline in the sales of premium electric vehicles (EVs), dropping 35% year-on-year in the first half of the year. Despite this downturn, BMW remains optimistic about its EV sales, banking on the appeal of its newly launched models in the Mini family in Bangkok.

Sales of premium EVs fell to 3,844 units between January and June, according to Krisda Utamote, former president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) and BMW Group Thailand’s director for corporate communications. Continued …

How Much Lower Can EV Prices Go?

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have dominated Thailand’s auto market, angering customers with repeated price cuts, and threatening Japanese automakers, while the Thai government aims to establish itself as a premier EV hub.

Chinese companies are increasingly expanding their presence in emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, where there is a growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Chinese EVs hold a competitive advantage in terms of pricing, which makes them more appealing compared to their pricier Western and Asian counterparts. Continued …

Thailand Urges Chinese EV Makers to Use Local Parts

In a decisive move to bolster its automotive supply chain, Thailand’s Industry Ministry has asked Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to integrate at least 40% locally sourced parts in their production processes.

The aim is to bring more benefit to Thai auto parts makers and ensure they can keep pace with the rapidly evolving automotive technology. Continued …

Thai Coconut Water Industry Shaken as “Vietnam” Competes for Chinese Market

The multi-billion dollar aromatic coconut water industry is facing upheaval as Vietnam enters the competition for the Chinese market. It has been revealed that some producers have been processing coconuts from outside the Ratchaburi geographical indication (GI) area for export.

Narongsak Chuensuchon, managing director of NC Coconut Co., and chairman of the Ratchaburi Provincial Industrial Council, said both whole coconuts and coconut water are currently very popular worldwide. Continued …

New Bangkok-Vientiane passenger train boosts connectivity across region

The inaugural direct international passenger train between Bangkok and Vientiane was launched on Friday and is expected to enhance connectivity between Thailand and Laos, as well as bolster ties with China and other ASEAN countries.

Departing Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station at 9:25 pm, train No 133 carried about 400 passengers, arriving in Laos’ capital Vientiane the following Saturday. The journey went smoothly, with efficient cross-border customs checks and passengers reboarding at Nong Khai station in northeastern Thailand. Continued …

Record Visitor Numbers Boost Phuket’s Tourism Industry

Phuket experienced an increase in visitor arrivals in April 2024, according to figures released this week. Leading the influx were tourists from Russia, with approximately 63,500 visitors, making them the largest group of international travelers.

Chinese tourists were the second-largest group, contributing around 46,700 visitors. Additionally, there was a significant presence of tourists from India and Australia, further emphasizing Phuket’s global appeal. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Chinese Tourist Dies After Falling From Songthaew In Pattaya

A Chinese man holidaying in Pattaya who fell from a songthaew passenger vehicle early yesterday morning later died from his injuries after being rushed to a hospital.

Video 

The tourist, identified as Chi Fai Lam, 48, was seriously injured after falling from the songthaew on Pattaya Sai Song road at around 8.30 am, with the driver not stopping to help him. Continued …

Two speedboats crash off Samui, 1 dead

Two speedboats collided on Monday night near Koh Samui island, killing one person and injuring two others.

They crashed about one nautical mile off Bo Phut in Koh Samui district. It was reported to local police about 8.30pm, Police Lt. Sirachat Kamunee, officer on duty at Bo Phut police station, said today. Continued …

Advice for trekkers in national parks during rainy season in Thailand

Trekking and hiking in national parks around Thailand are popular activities during this green season, as it is a great time to explore the beauty of nature. In spite of the beautiful surroundings, good preparation prior to a visit is necessary to avoid any dangerous situations.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation posted a list of precautions and rules for trekkers in the national parks, which are listed below. Continued …

The Best Indian Restaurants In Bangkok

Besides the mushrooming of Instagrammable Korean-esque cafes in Thailand’s capital, we’re here to tell you that diners with a proclivity for Indian cuisine can now heave a sigh of relief — yes, the city’s culinary scene is brimming with stellar desi options.

From cosy nooks that serve up the best grub to Michelin-starred restaurants that tick all the right boxes, we list five tried and tested spots that do a neat job of tantalizing your taste buds. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Highways – 1586
bangkok, cha am, healthcare, hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, medical tourism, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, retirement, solar, thai economy, thai food, thailand, thailand festivals, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s news-July 20

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Expats angry at Thai visa changes/No alcohol sales this weekend/Hua Hin 94 Road Improvement/Cha Am-Phetchaburi Food Festival/Hua Hin collects invasive fish/PKK rubber farmers oppose fish purchase/Microsoft cloud outage/Fix delivered for tech outage/No increase in power bills/Floods swamp 5 provinces/Thai meal can give you liver cancer/Organic approach to sustainable well-being/Thailand changes Olympic uniforms/Thai tenant shocks owner/Government ‘united’ on weed policy/Opposition to outlawing cannabis/Put weed plan on hold/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Economists worry about Thai economy/Thailand as Financial Hub/Thailand’s medical device market/Banks post mixed results/SCBX profit of 10 billion baht/CIMB Thai profit of Bt1.2946 billion/Krungsri earnings of 15.75 billion baht/Drought, Flood, And Rice Security/SolarEdge Introduces New Products/Tourism: Cashing in On Amateur Events/Tourist safety upgrades in Phuket/Enhance safety on Pattaya beaches/Thai AirAsia X suspends Sydney route/Thailand Experience: Thailand’s Tranquil Retreats/Thai traditional medicine/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Expats angry at huge concessions in latest Thai visa announcements

Longstay expats with expensive visas say the new 60-days visa-exempt policy and the 180-days Destination Thailand Visa have made the Elite visa and the annual extensions of stay for retirement and marriage worthless. Geoffrey Fisher, a Brit who recently paid 900,000 baht (about 20,000 UK pounds) for the five-year Elite visa said he had wasted his money, as more or less anyone can now stay in Thailand almost indefinitely for a paltry sum.

The disenchanted argue that the 60-days visa-exempt can evidently be extended at local immigration for 30 days more, followed by a border run to start the whole process again. Some immigration officers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport have allegedly told new arrivals they can now do as many border runs as they like. Continued … 

Reminder: No alcohol sales this weekend

Thailand celebrates the start of Buddhist Lent, a three-day religous holiday, this weekend – meaning no alcohol sales for the duration. Today is Asahna Bucha Day, Sunday is Khao Phansa Day, and Monday is a second Asahna Bucha Day.

Alcohol sales are banned from Friday night at midnight until Monday night at midnight.

Asahna Bucha Day is the celebration in Thailand of the “Four Noble Truths” preached by Buddha in his first sermon after his enlightenment. These four noble truths are dukkha, tanha, nibbana, and the eight-fold path.

Khao Phansa Day is a Buddhist holiday observed in Thailand on the first day following the full moon occurring in the eighth month of the Thai lunar calendar. Khao Phansa marks the first day of “Buddhist Lent”, a time when observant Buddhists fast from such things as meat, alcohol, and tobacco. For the most part, only Theravada, rather than Mahayana, Buddhists observe Khao Phansa, and even many Theravada practitioners choose not to fast.

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Hua Hin 94 Road Improvement Project Begins Monday

This week, Hua Hin municipal officials and staff, and representatives from Chok Kijcharoen Ltd., the contractor responsible for the project, inspected the site for the upcoming renovation of Hua Hin 94 Road. The project involves installing drainage pipes and resurfacing the road from the western railway intersection to Ban Chang Heng.

During the site visit, project officials announced that construction machinery would be deployed on Monday to begin the first phase of the project. This phase will cover the area from Hua Hin 94 Soi (in front of the 7-11) to the Amara Resort intersection. Continued …

Cha Am-Phetchaburi Food Festival set for July 24-28

The Cha Am-Phetchaburi Food Festival, running from July 24-28, promises an array of delicious food, live music, and fun activities. Held at the Cha Am Beach viewpoint in Phetchaburi from 4 pm to 11 pm daily, the event aims to boost tourism and stimulate the local economy.

The festival, officially titled the Cha Am-Phetchaburi Soft Power & Food Festival, features numerous booths offering a variety of foods from different vendors. Continued …

Hua Hin collects 50 kilograms of invasive fish in one day

Continued …

PKK rubber farmers oppose fund use for fish purchase

Rubber farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan raised concerns over the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to use funds from the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) to buy black-banded trevally fish at 15 baht per kilogram. The farmers question the fairness and appropriateness of this policy.

Rungroj Ratanakaw, a resident of Thong Mongkol subdistrict in Bang Saphan district, voiced his disagreement with the ministry’s policy. He stated that using funds from the RAOT to support the Department of Fisheries in purchasing large quantities of black-banded trevally fish seems unreasonable. Continued …

Thailand affected by Microsoft cloud outage

Thailand faces disruptions as a global IT meltdown wreaks havoc across key sectors, impacting airports, banks, offices, and retailers. The crisis, attributed to a recent Microsoft Windows update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, has left many organizations in disarray.

Airports of Thailand (AOT), managing six key airports, reported significant delays and urged passengers to arrive at least four hours before departure. Among the affected airlines at Suvarnabhumi Airport were Cebu Pacific Air, GoAir, Hong Kong Express Airways, IndiGo Airlines, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, SpiceJet, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, and Norse Atlantic Airways. Continued …

Fix delivered for tech outage that caused chaos worldwide

The cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike has deployed a fix for a software problem that triggered one of the biggest tech outages the world has ever seen, affecting industries ranging from airlines to banking and healthcare worldwide, the company’s CEO said on Friday.

All Windows computers affected by the failure will need to be manually rebooted, CrowdStrike said. Continued …

No increase in power bills through end of year

The government will try to keep the power tariff unchanged for the rest of the year to curb electricity bills, amid predictions that gas prices will rise in the second half, despite more financial pressure on the state budget.

Businesses and households are likely to pay bills determined by the current tariff rate of 4.18 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit) during the last four months of this year, although the latest calculation made by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) indicates that the rate must increase, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said on Friday. Continued …

Satellite images show floods swamping 5 provinces

Satellite images have shown extensive flooding across Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Phitsanulok, Maha Sarakham and Khon Kaen provinces, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).

Captured by COSMO-SkyMed-2 on Thursday evening, the photos show more than 118,000 rai of land inundated. Of the affected areas, more than 2,800 rai are rice farms. Continued …

This Thai meal can give you liver cancer if you take just one bite

Foodies will already be aware that Southeast Asian cuisine is best known for blending strong aromatic components with ingredients such as tamarind and lemongrass. And while you may have tucked into a couple of bowls of steaming Tofu Pad Thai and Gang Gai Khao Mun (Thai chicken curry) in your time, there’s another popular dish you probably haven’t tried.

That’s because this cheap food is reportedly responsible for around 20,000 deaths per year. Koi Pla is the name of this deadly dish and it’s claimed that millions of people regularly tuck into it every year. Continued …

Organic approach to sustainable well-being

Although progress has been made in production and policy measures, organic agriculture is still considered to be at an early stage of development in Thailand when it comes to major actors such as private companies, government projects, grower cooperatives, grassroots support groups and non-government organizations.

Plearnprai Organic Social Enterprise Co. is a social enterprise established by a team of doctors that develops healthy products from sustainable agricultural practices. Continued …

Thailand changes Olympic uniforms after criticism

The National Olympic Committee of Thailand will replace the controversial outfits worn by Thai athletes used for the 2024 Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony.

The new uniforms, designed by Grand Sports and four other teams, will feature the Ban Chiang pattern for the ceremony in Paris next Friday, the NOCT announced on Friday. Continued …

Thai tenant shocks owner by bringing 29 cats for one night

A tenant staying at a daily rental room shocked the owner by bringing 29 cats along for just one night. Initially, the situation seemed amicable, but it ended poorly.

The landlord, who owns daily and monthly rental rooms, posted a clip showing the aftermath of a guest who rented a room for a single night and brought along 29 cats. The incident was reported yesterday after complaints from other occupants on the same floor about a foul odor emanating from the room. Continued …

Government ‘united’ despite weed policy U-turn

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai insisted the government is still united despite recent hiccups with the plan to re-list cannabis as a narcotic, adding that he already talked with Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The decriminalization of cannabis was a flagship campaign policy of the Bhumjaithai Party led by Anutin. A related bill has already passed the first reading in the House. However, it was shelved due to opposition from the medical profession. Continued …

Anutin raises the stakes, expresses opposition to the PM’s policy outlawing cannabis

The question of cannabis is fast becoming a political headache for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This week he was confronted by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who voiced his opposition to the process presently underway to re-criminalize possession and use of the drug for recreational purposes.

At a meeting between the key coalition partner and Srettha, Anutin confirmed he would vote against the criminalization of cannabis at a forthcoming meeting of the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) to be chaired by the PM. Afterward, the deputy prime minister also noted ominously that this was currently a ministerial matter that had not reached Cabinet level yet. Continued …

Put weed plan on hold

The government, especially Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, needs to immediately put on hold the plan to put cannabis back on the narcotics list, and engage in dialogue on the issue with all stakeholders.

The decision to fast-track the re-criminalization of the herb is just arrogant, authoritative and wilfully ignorant of the importance of public participation in such policy shifts. Continued …

  • Gambian Man Arrested After Seven Years Overstay – Continued …
  • Foreign Suspect Sentenced to 1,073 Years Imprisonment Over Patong Child Sexual Exploitation – Continued …
  • Four Colombians arrested for Bangkok area home burglaries – Continued …
  • Chinese men flee to Hong Kong after Chon Buri home invasion – Continued …
  • South Korean man faces jail for hiding illegal Thai worker’s body – Continued …
  • 10-Year Canadian Friend Steals $400k Gems from Bangkok Merchant – Continued …

Economists worry despite IMF’s positive forecast for Thai economy

Though the Finance Ministry is optimistic about Thailand’s economic prospects after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgraded the country’s GDP growth to 2.9% from 2.7%, many economists remain worried.

Despite the modest increase, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira described the revised forecast as encouraging. “Although the difference of 0.2 or 0.3% is low, it is still good amid an ongoing downturn,” he said. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Thai PM Launches Project to Transform Thailand into Financial Hub

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered a keynote address at the Finance Ministry’s “Ignite Finance” Initiative on Friday, part of his “Ignite Thailand” vision to position the country as a global financial hub.

The “Ignite Finance” initiative seeks to propel Thailand onto the global financial stage with a strategic focus on banking, securities, derivatives, digital assets, and insurance. It aims to broaden financial accessibility for underserved communities and small businesses, fostering inclusive economic growth. Continued …

Thailand’s medical device market to grow at CAGR 6.9% to 2028

Thailand’s medical device market is projected to value $2.5 billion (Bt97.6 billion) in 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% in local currency terms.

According to BMI, the market’s positive outlook is due to strong import growth from the past year. Moreover, the market’s growth is attributed to the country’s continued efforts to promote medical tourism and integrate digital health technologies in line with the Thailand 4.0 policy. Continued …

Country’s leading banks post mixed results for first half

The big three banks reported mixed results for the first half of this year. Despite lowering loan rates to support vulnerable customers amid a sluggish economic recovery, their overall income growth remained positive.

Bangkok Bank (BBL) and its subsidiaries posted a net profit of 22.3 billion baht for the first half of 2024, up 4.2% from the same period last year. Continued …

SCBX announces Q2 net profit of 10 billion baht

SCB X Public Co. (SCBX) reported a consolidated net profit of 10 billion baht for Q2 2024, a 15.6% YoY decrease. For the first half of the year, net profit was 21.3 billion baht , down 6.9% YoY.

For the quarter, net interest income rose 5.8% YoY to 32.6 billion baht, driven by an expansion in net interest margin (NIM) and a slight overall loan growth of 0.6% YoY through strict new loan underwriting practices and a focus on quality customers amid a challenging business environment. Continued …

CIMB Thai posts net profit of THB 1.2946 billion

CIMB Thai Group recorded a consolidated net profit of THB 1.2946 billion, a year-on-year (“YoY”) decrease of THB 74.3 million, or 5.4%, while profit before tax (“PBT”) decreased by THB 117.2 million, or 6.8%, YoY to THB 1.611billion.

The decline was mainly from a 1.7% contraction in operating income and a 7.7% increase in operating expenses, partially offset by a 22.7% decline in expected credit loss (ECL). Continued …

Krungsri reports 2024 earnings of 15.75 billion baht

Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya PCL and its business units) posted a net profit of 15.75 billion baht for H1 2024, a 7.9% YoY decline due to increased prudential provisions. Operating profit growth was driven by revenue from 2023 ASEAN acquisitions and higher domestic income.

In the first half of 2024, Krungsri’s corporate and SME loans grew by 0.8%, driven by support for businesses’ working capital needs, while retail loans contracted by 3.5%, highlighting strict lending standards amid high borrower debt burdens. Total loans contracted by 1.3%. Continued …

Drought, Flood, And Rice Security In Central Thailand

Rice continues to play a fundamental role in income generation and in ensuring food security for millions of households in Thailand and abroad. As a key global rice supplier, Thailand exported 5.27 million metric tons of rice from January through August 2023 and, due to increased global rice prices and India’s rice export ban, its shipment is projected to reach at least eight million metric tons this year.

The top export markets include Indonesia, Iraq, South Africa, the U.S., and China. Rice exports account for about 16% of Thailand’s total export revenue derived from agricultural-related products. Continued …

SolarEdge Introduces New Products Amid Thailand’s PV Boom

Thailand’s photovoltaic (PV) market is experiencing significant advancement, propelled by several key factors, including the push for electrification, the rise of electric vehicles, ongoing decarbonization efforts, and increasing electricity prices.

This evolving landscape is driving a shift from standalone PV systems to more sophisticated integrated PV storage solutions, which address the challenge of solar energy intermittency and enable more efficient energy management. Continued …

Cashing in On Large-Scale Amateur Events

Restaurants, hotels, golf clubs and local economies around the region are set to cash in on an increase in the number of large-scale amateur tournaments. Such has been the success of Golfasian-organized events in recent years that the demand for additions to the calendar is growing.

Last month, Golfasian staged the Centara World Masters in Hua Hin and the Avani Pattaya 2-Ball. Spanning two weeks, the tournaments featured more than 550 amateur golfers from 20 countries. The impact on the two cities was substantial, with income generated through hundreds of room nights for local hotels, while food and beverage departments were busy organizing nightly parties and gala dinners. Continued …

Tourist safety and infrastructure upgrades urged in Phuket

A leading business organization has called for the improvement of safety measures and infrastructure to maintain the resort island as a prime destination for quality tourism.

Phuket Tourist Assn. President Thaneth Tantipiriyakij said on Friday that members were “somewhat” worried about the deaths of foreigners in Thailand, as they reflected badly on safety in the country. Continued …

New regulations implemented to enhance safety on Pattaya beaches

A meeting was held at City Hall this week to regulate beaches and boat docking in order to enhance water safety in Pattaya. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Mayor Wuthisak Rermkijakarn and attended by officials from the Marine Office, Tourist Police, and City Council members.

Several issues concerning Pattaya Beach were discussed, including the disorganized nature of water sports activities, which sometimes endanger both residents and tourists. The disorderly docking of jet skis and other watercraft was also highlighted as negatively impacting Pattaya’s tourism image. Continued …

Thai AirAsia X suspends Sydney-Bangkok route

Thai AirAsia X announced the suspension of its sole Australian route between Sydney and Bangkok, effective Aug. 1. Despite the temporary halt, the airline assures it remains committed to the Australian market and plans a grand return in December with increased flights and enhanced connectivity.

The decision to suspend services was driven by fleet management and operation hub movement. As part of a strategic shift, Thai AirAsia X will relocate all operations back to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) from Oct. 1, moving away from Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). Continued …

Recharge and Reconnect With Thailand’s Tranquil Retreats

When the fast-paced, round-the-clock action in big cities becomes too routine, you can find plenty of wonderful destinations to recharge and reconnect to the qualities that make Thailand so unique.

From Chiang Dao’s rustic charms to Sakhon Nakhon’s cultural heritage and Songkhla’s vibrant mix of history and art, each offers a unique experience that invites you to slow down, savour the local life and immerse yourself in Thailand’s natural bounty and rich traditions. Continued …

Public Health Ministry promotes Thai traditional medicine

The Public Health Ministry has added 18 herbs to the national list of essential medicines, with the ranking based on the total value of drugs dispensed over five years, from 2019 to 2023.

The ministry said it has tasked the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) to promote the use of Thai herbs instead of modern medicine to reduce the reliance on imports and promote Thailand’s traditional medical practices. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Highways – 1586
bangkok, climate change, hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s news-July 19

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Hua Hin to get much larger/Journalist in Samui Threatened/Banks’ Involvement in Myanmar Arms Sales/Thailand and the Olympics/NBTC won’t broadcast Olympics/Thai athletes’ Olympic outfit/Economy: Direct renewable power sales/Digital wallet to aid restaurants/Thais place faith in lucky charms/Rise in new business registrations/Rayong developers reduce launches/Thai Beverage exits real estate sector/Thai oil firm branches out/ADB revises growth forecast/Chinese EV upstarts/Anutin opposes cannabis reclassification/Tourism: Unlimited entry by land/Thai AirAsia X to move to Don Mueang/Bangkok tourism still struggling/Embracing community-based tourism/New Thai-Lao Train Service/Koh Samui benefitting/Thailand Experience: Thailand’s Tasty Hideouts/5 luxury villas in Phuket and Koh Samui/Uncertain future for sea nomads/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Hua Hin city about to get much larger

Continued …

 

 

Hua Hin Beach now has showers

Continued …

Journalist in Samui Threatened with Violence Over Luxury Villa Report

A Channel 7 journalist in Koh Samui filed a complaint after being threatened by the owner of a luxury villa project. The incident occurred following the journalist’s report on potential irregularities in the construction permits for the villas.

Authorities from the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Division 4 are currently investigating the Samui Green Cottages project, which is located on Chaweng Noi Mountain in Surat Thani province. Continued …

Thai FM Denies Banks’ Involvement in Myanmar Arms Sales

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa has firmly denied allegations from a United Nations report claiming that Thai-owned banks were involved in arms sales transactions with Myanmar’s government forces.

During a House of Representatives session, Maris rebuffed claims from Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, who asserted that nearly $130 million in weapon sales had been funneled through unnamed Thai banks to Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw. The UN report, titled “The Billion Dollar Death Trade,” accused Thailand of being a key supplier of arms fueling Myanmar’s internal conflict. Continued …

Can Thailand continue its Olympic golden run in Paris?

Thailand has won 35 Olympic medals – 10 gold, 8 silver and 17 bronze – since debuting at the 1952 Helsinki Games. The first medal came 24 years later when boxer Payao Poontarat stepped onto the Olympic podium at the 1976 Montreal Games after winning bronze in the men’s light flyweight.

Boxing has become a symbol of hope for Thai people ever since. Thailand’s boxers continued to shine on the Olympic stage, with Dhawee Umponmaha winning silver at the Los Angeles edition in 1984, Phajol Moolsan punching to bronze four years later in Seoul, and Arkhom Chenglai grabbing another bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

NBTC votes not to purchase broadcasting rights for Olympics

A meeting of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on Wednesday voted unanimously 7:0 not to spend 435 million baht to sponsor the purchase of broadcasting rights for the 2024 Olympic Games and 2024 Paralympic Games.

The motion proposed that the NBTC use resources from its Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest to sponsor the purchase of broadcasting rights for the two sporting events, which will be held in Paris, France from July 26 to Aug. 11, and Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, respectively. Continued …

Thai athletes’ Olympic outfit stirs debate online

The new uniform for Thai athletes attending the Olympic Games 2024 has become a hot potato after some netizens criticized the design as being outdated.

The outfit, modeled by the team’s badminton player, Sapsiree Taerattanachai, is a blue-colored shirt made from Thai indigo-dyed silk. It sparked heated conversations on social media following its premiere, with many netizens criticizing it for its “outdated design”. Continued …

Direct renewable power sales garner support

The state’s move to promote direct power purchase agreements (PPAs) is gathering momentum, with the authorities and business people to jointly conduct a study over a plan to support direct sales of renewable energy from producers to factories in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), says the EEC Office.

Peer-to-peer power trade in the renewables category has not been permitted in Thailand, but the National Energy Policy Council wants to run a direct PPA pilot project to attract foreign investors, especially those in data center and cloud service businesses, who demand a sufficient supply of clean energy for their operations. Continued …

Restaurant group sees digital wallet spurring sales

Central Restaurants Group (CRG) expects the digital wallet handout scheme to help drive its sales growth by 5% in 2024, while the total value of the country’s restaurant market is expected to reach 400 billion baht this year.

Referring to the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s plans to initiate the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout scheme in the fourth quarter, Nath Vongphanich, president of CRG, said the company will await further clarity or guidance regarding this matter. Continued …

Thais place faith in lucky charms amid slow economic growth

Thailand has been witnessing a booming market for goods related to religious beliefs and superstitions since the Covid-19 pandemic, as the country deals with slow growth, with social media platforms prominent in marketing them.

Auramon Supthaweethum, director of the Thai Business Development Department, reported that 12 companies specializing in faith-based products registered between January and March of this year, compared with 33 registrations for the whole of last year and 24 in 2022. Continued …

Department predicts rise in new business registrations

The Department of Business Development (DBD) expects new business registrations for 2024 to reach between 90,000 and 98,000, marking a 5%-15% increase, attributed to the progress of the digital wallet handout policy, measures to attract foreign investment, namely the long-term resident visa scheme and corporate income tax exemption for foreign companies that conduct business here, as well as the use of investment budget following the disbursement of fiscal 2025 budget that began on April 26.

Moreover, the government’s plan to stimulate tourism in the second half of 2024 will drive the tourism sector and related businesses such as hotels, restaurants and logistics firms. Continued …

Rayong developers reduce launches as sales decline

Developers in Rayong are adjusting to a market slowdown by reducing the bulk of newly launched residential supply in the first quarter of 2024, in response to consecutive declines in sales.

Vichai Viratkapan, acting director-general of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), said the Rayong market, predominantly composed of low-rise houses, experienced a decline in sales in the first quarter. Continued …

Thai Beverage exits real estate sector, sells Frasers stake to TCC

Thai Beverage Pcl (ThaiBev) has notified the Singapore Exchange (SGX) that it will sell its entire stake in Frasers Property Limited (Frasers Property) to TCC Assets, a holding company affiliated with ThaiBev.

Under the share swap agreement with TCC Assets, ThaiBev will increase its holdings in Fraser & Neave (F&N), a food and beverage company in Singapore, instead. Continued …

Thai oil firm branches out into healthcare, beauty products

PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) aims to open 10 shops selling healthcare and beauty products both inside and outside petrol stations to support the company’s plan to grow its non-oil business.

“We want to make sure our customers can conveniently buy our products in many areas at any time,” said Disathat Panyarachun, chief executive of OR, adding that consumers can find such products at both PTT stations and community malls. Continued …

ADB revises growth forecast for Developing Asia upward to 5%

The Asian Development Bank has revised up its growth forecast for developing Asia in 2024 to 5.0%, citing improved tech-related exports in South Korea and Taiwan, and robust domestic demand across the region.

The growth forecast for Southeast Asia remains at 4.6% this year due to strong improvements in domestic and external demand. However, Thailand’s growth forecast of 2.6% indicates that the country’s economy is expected to expand at a moderate pace. This growth rate is lower than that of most other countries in the region, with the notable exception of Singapore. Continued …

Chinese EV upstarts to battle Japanese heavyweights for Thailand’s pickup truck market

In the Thai beach town of Pattaya, travelers disembarking at the Bali Hai pier can hail a taxi or cram into a songthaew, a modified pickup truck. On a recent weekday, a row of shiny white songthaews stood at the pier, part of a pilot launch of Toyota Motor’s new electric vehicle truck that aims to shake up Thailand’s pickup truck market.

A row of Toyota Hilux Revo-e trucks parked in Pattaya

The Hilux Revo-e, a version of the popular workhorse Hilux, is the automaker’s first EV pickup truck. Toyota, which is under pressure from Chinese electric vehicle makers in Thailand, has said it will manufacture the Hilux Revo-e in the country by the end of 2025, and also export the vehicle. Its Japanese rival, Isuzu Motors, also plans to manufacture its electric pickup truck D-Max in Thailand, and begin exports from next year. Continued …

Deputy PM Anutin opposes PM Srettha’s cannabis reclassification

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul declared his opposition to Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin‘s policy to reclassify cannabis as a Narcotics Category 5 drug.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) agreed last week to reclassify cannabis, which has been permitted for health-related purposes for over two years. This new policy is expected to be implemented next year. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption unleashes unlimited entry by land

Three days into Thailand’s 60-day entry visa exemption, a tourist discovered there are no restrictions on the number of entries by land in a calendar year.

A visa expert reported that the tourist did two free stamp land entries this year, left Thailand, then entered the country again, and got a new 60-day entry with no issues. “The immigration officer said entries are unlimited.” Continued …

Thai AirAsia X to move all flight operations back to Don Mueang Airport

In support of the government’s plan to establish Thailand as a regional aviation hub and to provide better and seamless connectivity to its guests, Thai AirAsia X (XJ) will be relocating all of its flight operations to Don Mueang Airport (DMK) starting Oct. 1.

The relocation follows successful coordination with, and is being facilitated by Airports of Thailand Plc. and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. Thai AirAsia X currently operates from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Continued …

Bangkok tourism still struggling: arrivals rebounding but not business

The Covid-19 emergency is now completely over, but Thai tourism is not taking off again. The authorities continue to show optimism, but the difficulties of a sector that was expected to soften the impact of the crisis are increasingly evident.

The fragility of the sector is intertwined with internal and external constraints: the flaunted numbers are strongly influenced by the parameters used (such as the distinction between tourist arrivals, arrivals in general, and the inclusion or non-inclusion of transits) and contrast with the real economic impact, which has seen the country drop to 40th place in the sector’s international rankings this year. Continued …

Embracing community-based tourism as a way to thrive and survive amid climate change

At 47, Cheunjit “Chuen” Chuaysong stands as one of the last individuals born in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand — a rainforest with biodiversity rivaling the Amazon. She is among the few women wilderness guides in the area who have championed community-based tourism and successfully engaged the next generation in this effort.

Passionate about the natural world and her home, she also highlights the challenges her community faced when Khao Sok took on its status as a national park. The story of Khao Sok is complex, and it challenges assumptions about the role of national parks in conservation and their impact on local lives. Continued …

New Thai-Lao Train Service Debuts Today

Starting today is a new Thai-Lao train service directly linking Bangkok and Vientiane, with this being a project undertaken by the governments of the two countries to better connect rail systems.

This daily rail service is an extension of the Bangkok-Nong Khai route, with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) having just opened reservations and these can be made up to 180 days in advance. Continued …

Koh Samui benefitting from ‘The White Lotus’ buzz

Koh Samui, the well-known tourist island off the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, is experiencing a significant rise in travel interest, with both international and domestic searches for accommodation spiking on Agoda.

On Wednesday, the digital travel platform reported a 26% increase in international searches and an 8% increase in domestic searches for Koh Samui in June compared to the same period last year. This surge coincides with the excitement surrounding the upcoming third season of the popular HBO series, “The White Lotus”, which is being filmed on the island. Continued …

Revisiting Thailand’s Tasty Hideouts

Well, here I am again, back in Bangkok, sitting on the same old wobbly plastic stool, outside the same old Chinatown food shop, eating the same old oyster omelet. But there’s nothing everyday about this particular dish.

Nai Mong Hoi Thod may look like little more than a white-tiled hole in the wall, with a few tables and a fearsome charcoal wok that sizzles and sparks and roars. But appearances can be deceiving. Michelin has designated the restaurant as Bib Gourmand, and its famous omelet — golden, gooey, and studded with sweet-salty bivalves — is a dish of frazzled majesty. Continued …

Top 5 luxury villas in Phuket and Koh Samui for your next holiday

Ask people to name the most beautiful places in Thailand, and you’ll often hear Phuket and Koh Samui being mentioned. Who would disagree? One is renowned for its bustling nightlife, vibrant culture, and lively beach scene, while the other is famed for its calm waters, lush greenery, and charming rural vibe.

Both are heavens for any holiday goers seeking soft sand and blue oceans for a day of fun in the sun. And what better way to enjoy these beauties than from a luxury villa? That’s why we’ve cherry-picked five luxury villas in Phuket and Koh Samui. Continued …

The uncertain future for Southeast Asia’s great sea nomads

For the past 4,000 years, the Moken people, a Southeast Asian seafaring group, have traveled between Thailand and Myanmar, spending most of their time on boats known as kabang, and relying on the ocean’s bounty for sustenance.

However, the Moken way of life, honed to thrive in harmony with the sea, faces an uncertain future. The present generation may be the last to benefit from the intricate knowledge of tides, constellations and marine life passed down through its oral traditions for centuries. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Highways – 1586
bangkok, hospitality, hua hin, pattaya, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, thailand festivals, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-July 18

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No alcohol sales this weekend/Respect for elders/Hyatt Close To Acquiring Standard Hotels/Tiger cub offered for sale/Investment dispute ends in cyanide tea party/Thailand braces for heavy rainfall/Controlling blackchin tilapia/Public ‘misled’ on park land/2.14 million unregistered mobile phones suspended/Four subdistricts of Maha Sarakham under water/Thai tiger numbers swell/Economy: Budget bill to fund digital wallet/Pricier power bills alarm FTI/IMF revises Thailand’s GDP growth/TikTok Shop/Enhancing the nation’s oil security/Thai Airways in top 10/GAC Aion opens EV assembly line/Bangkok electronics trade show/UOB and A Solar Partner/Tourism: Hotel price hikes ruled out/Mae Hong Son cracks down on tourists/Thailand Experience: The magic of Ubon Ratchathani’s Candle Festival/Fin Food Festival in Pattaya/10 Best Dishes in the World/Amazing Muay Thai Experience/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

No alcohol sales this weekend

Thailand will celebrate the start of Buddhist Lent, a three-day religous holiday, this weekend – meaning no alcohol sales for the duration. Saturday is Asahna Bucha Day, Sunday is Khao Phansa Day, and Monday is a second Asahna Bucha Day.

Alcohol sales will be banned from Friday night at midnight until Monday night at midnight.

Asahna Bucha Day is the celebration in Thailand of the “Four Noble Truths” preached by Buddha in his first sermon after his enlightenment. These four noble truths are dukkha, tanha, nibbana, and the eight-fold path.

Khao Phansa Day is a Buddhist holiday observed in Thailand on the first day following the full moon occurring in the eighth month of the Thai lunar calendar. Khao Phansa marks the first day of “Buddhist Lent”, a time when observant Buddhists fast from such things as meat, alcohol, and tobacco. For the most part, only Theravada, rather than Mahayana, Buddhists observe Khao Phansa, and even many Theravada practitioners choose not to fast.

Across Asia, respect for elders is seen as necessary to be ‘truly’ Buddhist

The vast majority of the world’s Buddhists live in the Asia-Pacific region, and Buddhism is a major part of culture and identity in many Asian societies.

To further our understanding of Buddhism in Asia, we conducted surveys in 2022 and 2023 that asked Buddhists if someone can be considered “truly” Buddhist if they engage in – or do not engage in – certain practices. Continued …

Hyatt Close To Acquiring Standard Hotels

Hyatt is in talks to acquire Standard Hotels. Talks are in “advanced stages” though have not been finalized.

The Standard in Hua Hin

Current Standard hotels include New York in the Meatpacking District and the East Village; Miami Beach; London; Maldives; Ibiza; and Hua Hin. Continued …

Tiger cub offered for sale on Hua Hin Facebook page

Continued …

 

Investment dispute ends in hotel cyanide tea party

Police suspect a 56-year-old Vietnamese woman with U.S. citizenship of using a lethal mixture of cyanide and tea to poison five compatriots when they met at a luxury hotel in Bangkok to resolve a financial dispute.

Police Maj. Gen. Nopasilp Poonsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, on Wednesday identified the suspect as Vietnam-born Sherine Chong. Continued …

Thailand braces for heavy rainfall and flash floods in 51 provinces

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for 51 provinces, forecasting heavy rainfall and advising caution against flash floods and forest runoffs.

Southern Region (East Coast): Sixty percent of the area will have thunderstorms, with heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon. Temperatures will be between 23 and 25°C minimum and 30 and 34°C maximum. From Surat Thani upwards, southwesterly winds will blow at 20 to 35 kilometers per hour, with the sea having waves around 2 meters, higher in thunderstorm zones. Continued …

Controlling blackchin tilapia ‘will take three years’

It will take three years to bring the population of invasive blackchin tilapia under control, using genetic modification that will produce infertile offspring, according to the Department of Fisheries.

Male blackchin tilapia would be genetically modified so that they would mate and produce infertile fry, Bancha Sukkaew, the director-general of the department, said on Wednesday. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Public ‘misled’ on park land

A House committee on Wednesday urged the government to clarify why it is allegedly misinforming the public regarding land disputes involving about 265,286 rai of land in Thap Lan National Park.

The committee claims the government has misled the public by saying the plots are part of virgin forest. This has led to ongoing opposition to the proposed separation of these land plots from the national park and handing them to parties eligible to use them. Continued …

Thailand suspends 2.14 million unregistered mobile phone numbers

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has temporarily suspended 2.14 million mobile phone numbers whose owners did not meet the identity registration deadline. This action aims to enhance security and prevent fraud associated with unregistered mobile numbers.

Individuals holding between six and 100 unregistered SIM cards are affected, and failure to register within the next 30 to 45 days will result in permanent revocation of the numbers. The NBTC is also reviewing mobile phone numbers connected to mobile banking accounts to verify ownership alignment. Continued …

Four subdistricts of Maha Sarakham under water as reservoir overflows

Torrential rain affecting Maha Sarakham province since Sunday has caused the Huay Chiang Kham Reservoir to overflow, releasing massive amounts of water into rice plantations in four subdistricts located below the reservoir in Borabue district.

Some areas in the four subdistricts of Nonrasi, Nong Muang, Kamphi, and Yang, all in the Borabue district, have been inundated since Tuesday evening. A route in Nonrasi subdistrict was also reportedly cut off by the flooding, forcing residents wanting to reach the downtown area of Borabue district to take a 20-kilometer detour. Continued …

Thai tiger numbers swell in western forests

The tiger population density in a series of protected areas in western Thailand has more than doubled over the past two decades, according to new survey data.

Thailand is the final stronghold of the Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), the subspecies having been extirpated from neighboring Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam over the past decade due to poaching, habitat loss and indiscriminate snaring. Continued …

House passes supplementary budget bill to fund digital wallet

After a day-long debate, the Lower House passed the first reading of the government’s 122-billion-baht mid-year supplementary budget bill, to fund the digital wallet scheme, by 297 to 164 votes.

The House then set up a 32-member scrutiny committee to deliberate the bill for two days, after which it will return to the House for its second and final readings by July 31. Continued …

Prospect of pricier power bills alarms FTI

The state plan to increase the cost of electricity later this year may affect foreign direct investment in Thailand, which is now grappling with a sluggish economy, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

The federation raised the warning after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced on Friday that power bills for businesses and households are likely to increase. Continued …

IMF revises Thailand’s GDP growth forecast for the year to 2.9%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised upward Thailand’s GDP growth forecast to 2.9% for this year, up by 0.2 percentage point over the previous forecast, but maintained 3.1% for next year.

Meanwhile, the IMF’s World Economic Outlook report is maintaining the global economic growth forecast for this year at 3.2% and raised it to 3.3% for next year, unchanged from its previous April report. Continued …

TikTok Shop giving Shopee, Lazada a run for the money

TikTok, owned by ByteDance, is rapidly climbing the ranks of e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia, challenging established leaders like Shopee and Alibaba’s Lazada. This development was unveiled in an annual study by Singapore-based consultancy Momentum Works, which was published in Nikkei Asia on Tuesday.

TikTok’s e-commerce arm, TikTok Shop, saw a remarkable surge in its gross merchandise volume (GMV), nearly quadrupling from US$4.4 billion in 2022 to $16.3 billion in 2023. Continued …

Enhancing the nation’s oil security

Subsidizing domestic oil prices through the state’s rapidly dwindling Oil Fuel Fund is not the only way to deal with the fluctuations in global crude prices.

Oil reserves can help Thailand relieve the impact of a surge in global oil prices when the world’s oil supply is disrupted by geopolitical conflicts. Continued …

Thai Airways ranks in top 10 international airlines

Thai Airways International (THAI) is among the top 10 best international airlines, according to a survey by Travel + Leisure. The national carrier announced today that it was ranked eighth in the best international airlines category in the survey by the U.S.-based travel magazine.

Airline ratings were based on various criteria, including cabin comfort, inflight services and customer service. Continued …

GAC Aion opens its first EV assembly line outside China in Rayong

Chinese automaker GAC Aion officially opened its electric vehicle (EV) assembly line on Wednesday in Rayong province, its first such facility outside China. The company said the initiative aligns with its plan to expand into global markets and establish a new production base in Southeast Asia.

The EV assembly plant is situated in the Amata City Industrial Estate, within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project area. Covering a total area of 85,000 square meters, it is operated by Aion Automobile Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., also known as GAC Aion. Continued …

Bangkok trade show gathers leaders in electronics

International innovators, technology enthusiasts and electronic circuit board manufacturers will be showcasing their products and services during “Thailand Electronics Circuit Asia (THECA) 2024”, which will take place at Bitec Hall 101 from July 24-26, 10am to 6pm.

Held for the first time by the Thailand Board of Investment, in collaboration with the Thai Printed Circuit Assn. and the Hong Kong Printed Circuit Assn. (HKPCA), the trade show focuses on the manufacturing and solutions of printed circuit boards and printed circuit board assembly. Continued …

UOB and A Solar Partner for SME Solar Rooftop Loans

UOB Thailand has recently partnered with A Solar Corp. to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to decarbonize by adopting renewable energy through solar rooftop installations.

Building on the success of the U-Solar program, where the bank connects the entire solar ecosystem to make solar energy accessible for businesses and individuals, A Solar Corp. has joined the network of EPC contractors with UOB to offer SMEs installation, commissioning, operations, and after-sales service packages for solar power systems. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Hotel price hikes ruled out amid poor tourist spending

Miracle Group, an operator of airport lounges and hotels, has observed tightened spending power among domestic tourists, prompting the company to rely on sales volume instead of raising prices.

Aswin Ingkakul, chairman of Miracle Group, said that even though the hotel sector has recovered from the pandemic, it is now facing headwinds from sluggish spending this year. Continued …

Mae Hong Son cracks down on inappropriate tourist behavior

Mae Hong Son Gov. Chucheep Pongchai issued an urgent directive to tighten regulations and enhance supervision of tourism activities in the Pai district, following reports of inappropriate behavior by some foreign tourists during river tubing on the Pai River.

The matter came to the fore when a local resort owner in Pai raised concerns about the current state of tubing activities along the Pai River. The complaints revealed that alcohol and beer were being illicitly sold to tourists, disguised in plastic water bottles to evade detection. Continued …

Discover the magic of Ubon Ratchathani’s Candle Festival

Tucked away in northeastern Thailand, Ubon Ratchathani comes alive each year with its renowned Candle Festival — a vibrant celebration that highlights the region’s rich culture and artistic heritage.

This year’s festival will take place July 20-21, transforming the city into a dazzling display of light, color, and intricate artistry. The Candle Festival signifies the start of the three-month Buddhist Lent, a period dedicated to deep reflection and spiritual renewal for Buddhists. Continued …

Fin Food Festival brings culinary delights to Pattaya this weekend

Food enthusiasts in Pattaya have something to look forward to as the Fin Food Festival promises a culinary delight. The event, offering an array of delicious dishes, caters to fans of local Thai flavors and those craving Western cuisine.

Running from July 17-21, the Fin Food Festival takes place on the ground floor, beachside, of the Central Pattaya Shopping Center, starting at 3pm. The event boasts over 100 mouthwatering dishes sourced from various corners of Thailand, as well as Western foods to appeal to tourists and expats. Continued …

10 Best Dishes in the World

Here we list top 10 best dishes in the world according to Online food guide TasteAtlas.

Phat kaphrao (Thailand) – A popular Thai stir-fry dish featuring minced meat stir-fried with garlic, chillies savory soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar sauce. Continued …

Amazing Muay Thai Experience to showcase legendary Thai martial art

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is staging the “Amazing Muay Thai Experience” series of events in its second year. Held between this August and September across the four origins of Muay Thai Boran martial art forms, the event aims to boost cross-regional travel and even out the distribution of tourism income across the country.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT governor, said, “The aged-old martial art of Muay Thai is one of Thailand’s national heritages and world-famous elements of Thai culture. It is an integral part of Thailand’s 5F soft-power foundations, which include food, film, fashion, fight, and festival, and which portray a vast scope of opportunities for travel experiences in the kingdom.” Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
  • Department of Highways – 1586
cha am, climate change, healthcare, hospitality, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s news-July 16

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Feedback/Heavy rainfall and storms/Hua Hin warns against damaging public property/Thai military trainingin Hua Hin/Samui sea bridge Challenges of Thai Healthcare/108,000 undocumented workers arrested/Thais at risk due to heavy drinking/’Committed’ to student tablet plan/Thais behaving badly/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Registration of digital wallet starts Aug 1/Digital wallet criteria for vendors unclear/Big business expresses concern/Top-earning businesses/Thai economy faces upheaval/Revenue Dept eyes new income sources/Saudi event leads to 100 partnerships/Solar Power at Koh Sichang Hospital/Long road ahead for EV industry/Tourism: The best resorts in Hua Hin/Disputes Claims of Deserted Cha Am/World’s 100 most loved hotels/Thailand’s new visa scheme/700,000 baht taken by fake Thai cops/25 popular Asian destinations/Laotian tourists on trial train/Thailand Experience: Who owns Thap Lan National Park?/Thailand’s Green Star Restaurant Chefs/Three tours recommended/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Re: “Navigating Foreign Pension Income Tax for Expatriates in Thailand”

Same stuff we already know but added confusion “Under the new rules, DTAs will continue to protect expatriates by preventing Thailand from taxing pension incomes that have already been taxed abroad” …”However, should there be any discrepancy in tax rates, additional taxes may still be collected in Thailand, although such measures are not yet officially declared and enforced.” Followed by the same warning words that you should hire us to save you. Nothing to see here.” – PB

Expat News: We always think it’s good to hear from different viewpoints on major issues, even though the topic might have been covered before, as it has here several times. Plus, not everyone is as informed as others might be. Repetition in getting the message out is important. Finally, among the best experts on tax matters are tax lawyers, so sharing their information, while it might seem like marketing to some, is a good way to share expert advice.

Heavy rainfall and storms in 57 provinces

Thailand faces severe weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms across 57 provinces, particularly in the northeast and east regions, with rainfall expected in up to 80% of these areas. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts severe weather conditions due to a strong monsoon trough.

In the south (east coast), thunderstorms will occur in 60% of the area, with heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani. Temperatures will range from 23°C to 25°C to a high of 32°C to 35°C. Continued …

Hua Hin warns against damaging public property

Continued … 

 

 

Bangkok beauty named Miss Universe Thailand 2024

Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri of Bangkok was crowned Miss Universe Thailand in an extravagant final held Sunday night at The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi that kicked off with a grand opening show featuring all 40 contestants. She will go on to represent Thailand in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant to be held in Mexico later this year. (The Nation)

Thai military training taking place in Khao Tao, Hin Lek Fai

Continued …

Samui sea bridge public hearings resume

The second phase of public hearings on the proposed sea bridge to Koh Samui began on Monday after the initial round decided the abutments should be in tambon Thong Nien in Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat on the mainland and in tambon Taling Ngam on the resort island.

The toll bridge would have two entrances and exits on the mainland, one in Don Sak district in Surat Thani and the other in Khanom. Continued …

Challenges of the Thai Healthcare System

Thailand is recognized for its efficient and successful healthcare model in Southeast Asia. The country is home to numerous public and private medical facilities, making it a global destination for medical tourism.

According to the 2021 Global Security Index Report, Thailand was ranked fifth in the world for having the strongest health security. Thailand received widespread praise for its successful prevention and control of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic in 2020. However, Thailand’s universal healthcare coverage (UHC) faces challenges due to an aging population and rising healthcare costs, requiring innovative solutions and radical measures for sustainable funding and efficient use. Continued …

Thailand arrests 108,000 undocumented workers, 80,000 are Myanmar nationals

According to the Thai Ministry of Labor, more than 100,000 foreign workers, including Myanmar nationals, have been arrested within 36 days of the 120-day plan to crack down on illegal workers in Thailand.

The 120-day plan to crack down on illegal workers, spanning from June 5 to July 11, resulted in the arrest of 108,875 undocumented workers in various factories, workplaces, and business sites during the 36-day period. Continued …

10% of Thais at risk due to heavy drinking, study shows

At least 10% of people in Thailand have indulged in heavy drinking over the past 12 months, a recent report released on Monday by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation shows.

According to the study, people in the north are the heaviest drinkers, followed by those in the northeast. Over the last year, 5.73 million people, or 10.05%, were found to have demonstrated signs of alcoholism. Continued …

Government ‘committed’ to student tablet plan

The Education Ministry remains committed to its tablet distribution project despite the budget being cut from 16 billion to 13 billion baht, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, an assistant to the Education Minister, said on Monday.

According to Siripong, Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob is determined to implement the “One District, One Quality School” project to build a pool of educational resources – both physical and technological – among schools in each district. Continued …

Police warn of online scammers disguised as police officers

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Monday posted photos of suspects of online scamming gangs dressed in police uniforms and contacting the victims via video chat.

The bureau warned that these scammers usually claimed they are police officers either seeking to obtain a statement or to notify charges filed against the victims. Continued …

State officials implicated in bid-rigging scheme for rubber latex firms

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) uncovered the involvement of state officials in bid-rigging for rubber latex companies in 10 provinces, leading to significant financial losses for the country. The investigation has been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further action.

Last year, a group of rubber latex traders submitted a letter to the prime minister, requesting an investigation into alleged preferential treatment given to specific individuals or groups in bidding processes for construction projects in the northeastern region. This alleged misconduct, which took place in 2022, has reportedly cost the country over 100 million baht in lost revenue. Continued … 

Thai couple arrested for illegal wildlife trade in Surin province

Police arrested a Thai couple allegedly involved in the illegal wildlife trade, confiscating two tiger cubs, two pairs of Thai elephant tusks, and 26 pieces of African elephant tusks worth millions of baht. Efforts are underway to rescue an additional four tiger cubs.

The suspects, identified as 49-year-old Karit and 48-year-old Manat, were caught with the contraband at a roundabout in Ban Lantae, Theparak subdistrict. Police had been tracking the illegal wildlife trade network for some time, which was known for its long-standing reputation in the area. Continued …

Monk kills mentally ill homeless man with hammer over laptop theft

A monk in Nong Khai killed a mentally ill homeless man with a hammer, suspecting him of attempting to steal his laptop. The incident occurred at Wat Phothisomphon Temple, leaving locals and officials in shock.

Officers from Nong Khai City Police Station yesterday received a report of a fatal assault at Phothisomphon Temple. Arriving at the scene, they found the two-story monk‘s quarters in a dilapidated state. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Registration of 10,000-baht digital wallet starts Aug 1

In a bid to rejuvenate the Thai economy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced that registration for a 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme will open on Aug. 1. This initiative, designed to boost local spending and aid economic recovery, is marked by strategic planning and significant budget adjustments.

During a recent announcement, Thavisin stated that the program aims to distribute financial aid directly to the citizens, ensuring swift and substantial economic stimulus. Continued …

Digital wallet criteria for vendors unclear

The digital wallet handout scheme will boost the economy, but the eligibility criteria for vendors remain unclear, according to Loxley Trading Co., the consumer goods distribution arm of trading conglomerate Loxley Plc.

Ouychai Rangchaikul, chief executive of Loxley Trading, said despite massive marketing budgets allocated for sales during this period, the returns anticipated might not be realized due to the country’s stagnant economy. Continued …

Big business expresses concern at economic slowdown

The Thai economy is experiencing a continuous slowdown, with the World Bank recently revising its 2024 economic growth forecast for Thailand down to 2.4%.

The economic slowdown has clearly affected entrepreneurs, especially SMEs. And now concerns about the business sector are extending to big corporations. Continued …

Top-earning business sectors revealed

The Department of Business Development has revealed the top 10 types of businesses with the highest level of income in 2023.

The list has been generated by analysis of the financial statements of companies operating in battery manufacturing and electric vehicle (EV) equipment, tourism, electrical appliances, pets and animal care, event organizing, e-commerce, cosmetics, health, toys, and spiritual beliefs. Continued …

Thai economy faces upheaval due to factory closures and cheap Chinese imports

When Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD opened its first Southeast Asian factory in Thailand earlier this month, the nation of 66 million people basked in the limelight and won praise for its industrial vision.

What, however, received less attention was an announcement by another big automobile manufacturer, Suzuki Motor, just a few weeks earlier that it will shutter a Thai factory that produced as many as 60,000 cars a year. Continued …

Revenue Dept eyes new income sources amid economic challenges

The Revenue Department is making a concerted effort to bring more entrepreneurs into the tax payment system in a bid to boost revenue in the 2024 fiscal year.

Kulaya Tantitemit, the department’s director-general, said on Monday that notices had been sent to some 100,000 entrepreneurs with irregular financial activities, but only half have responded. Continued …

Saudi event leads to 100 partnerships

The latest investment roadshow in Saudi Arabia has led to new opportunities, as up to 100 pairs of Thai and Saudi entrepreneurs agreed to forge business partnerships, says the Board of Investment (BoI).

The business matching was made during a Saudi-Thai investment forum, held as part of a three-day roadshow which ended yesterday. Continued …

Thaioil Expands Solar Power at Koh Sichang Hospital

Thaioil has continued with a solar cell power-generation system installation (Phase 2), providing a capacity of 52.70 kilowatts for Koh Si Chang Hospital, Koh Sichang District, Chon Buri province.

This aims to reduce electricity burdens and build up power stability, supporting the hospital’s medical services expansion and enhancing residents’ quality of life on Koh Sichang. Continued …

Long road ahead for EV industry

The ongoing price wars and uncertainty surrounding insurance coverage for electric vehicles serve as reminders that Thailand’s EV industry is still in a transitional stage. However, these challenges should not deter the nation from its path toward an electric future.

It is widely accepted that the future of automobiles is electric. Industry giants, including Goldman Sachs, predict that EVs could make up nearly half of global car sales by 2035. Continued …

The best resorts in Hua Hin for any kind of getaway

Whether a three-day weekend or a work-from-anywhere occasion, stay at these resorts in Hua Hin for the perfect peaceful hideaway.

Hua Hin is always a top destination for a long or short holiday. Not only international tourists, but locals have long enjoyed this seaside escape for several decades. To make the experience even more unforgettable, stay at one of these five-star hotels that suit any kind of getaway. Continued …

And there’s also …

Government Disputes Claims of Deserted Cha Am and other Tourist Spots

Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke has refuted recent claims about deserted tourist spots in Thailand, specifically Cha Am Beach and Amphawa Floating Market.

Reports circulating on social media suggested a decline in visitors to these attractions, supported by a viral video depicting an empty Cha Am Beach on a Sunday and assertions of low footfall at Amphawa Floating Market amid economic challenges. Continued …

Thailand surpasses Vietnam, Cambodia in world’s 100 most loved hotels ranking

Thailand has five representatives, while Cambodia and Vietnam have two each, in a list of the 100 most loved hotels in the world, as voted by readers of American magazine Travel+Leisure.

In Thailand, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui ranked 40th, followed by Mandarin Oriental (Bangkok) at 44th, Capella Bangkok at 48th, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River at 64th, and The Standard at Hua Hin at 81st. Continued …

Thailand’s new visa scheme explained

Thailand has introduced a raft of new visa regulations, including the number of countries eligible for visa-free entry has risen from 57 to 93, and the entry stamp has changed from 30 to 60 days (effective immediately).

The number of countries eligible for visa-on-arrival has risen from 19 to 31 (effective immediately). Continued …

700,000 baht taken from Chinese tourists by fake Thai cops

A Thai travel agency took to social media to seek justice after a group of alleged police officers extorted 700,000 baht from Chinese tourists on a motorway heading to Pattaya.

The Thai woman, who claimed to be a representative of a travel agency, shared a dashcam video in which a group of men, claiming to be police officers, asked the car carrying the Chinese tourists to stop on the motorway at about 7.29pm on July 10. Continued …

Wat Pho ranks among TripAdvisor’s 25 popular Asian destinations

Bangkok’s Wat Phra Chetuphon, also known as Wat Pho, was recently named among this year’s 25 popular destinations in Asia by U.S.-based online travel agency TripAdvisor.

The “Temple of the Reclining Buddha” has been named among Asian destinations since 2020, and it was ranked ninth this year. Meanwhile, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), a big Buddha statue in Phuket province, and the Grand Palace were named 11th, 13th and 25th, respectively. Continued …

TAT welcomes Laotian tourists on a trial train from Vientiane to Bangkok

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have launched a new train service connecting Vientiane and Bangkok. This initiative aims to boost cross-border tourism and strengthen economic cooperation between Thailand and Lao PDR.

On the train’s inaugural trial trip, Laotian passengers on SRT’s Rapid No. 134 were greeted with fresh floral garlands at Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station, symbolizing traditional Thai hospitality. Continued …

Battle for paradise: Who owns Thap Lan National Park?

The dispute over Thap Lan National Park shows no sign of ending as opposition mounts against plans to drastically reduce the park’s size, fearing it will benefit developers over long-time residents.

The environmentalist Seub Nakhasathien Foundation has vowed action against the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) if it continues with plans to slash about one-fifth of the national park’s area. Continued …

Sustainability Tips from Thailand’s Green Star Restaurant Chefs

You can travel to plenty of top-notch restaurants for gastronomic pleasure. However, only a handful shine in terms of sustainability. In a world where everyone feels the heat of the climate crisis, we invite you to become a green hero.

These chefs from MICHELIN Green Star restaurants in Thailand will inspire you with their sustainability practices and share tips on how to make your everyday life greener. Continued …

The three tours recommended by the Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the nation’s leader in tourism operations, recommends three tours for travelers who want to truly experience Thailand’s beauty.

TAT hopes to grow Thailand’s tourism ecosystem by providing trustworthy resources, information and data for prospective travel ers to guide their activities and preparation. While Thailand has an innumerable amount of things to do and places to see, TAT is well versed in what experiences are the best for tourists seeking to enjoy their time in Thailand. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Monday’s news-July 15

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Navigating Foreign Pension Income Tax/Illegal foreign workers arrested in Hua Hin/Royal Hua Hin Golf Course celebrates/Three arrested for stealing ‘sacred stones’/Thailand braces for heavy rainfall/224 Euro 2024 gambling sites/New Bangkok-Vientiane rail service starts/Buriram Couple Die 2 Hours Apart/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Disbursal of budget/Banking on trio of sectors/Thailand’s Special Economic Zones/New hydropower dam in Laos/Zeekr to launch EV range/Critics slam approach to cannabis/Tourism: List of 93 visa-free countries/Outstanding questions remain/Cha Am busy with tourists/17.5 million foreign tourists/Pai tubing too hot to handle/Alcoholic beverages in tourist trains/Duo who assaulted Phuket officer/Luxury resort faces demolition/Boat capsizes off Phi Phi island/Speedboat rescues 12 tourists/Laos shopkeepers not accepting baht/South Korean tourist arrivals/Thailand Experience: Thai Island For The Food Lover/International news/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Navigating Foreign Pension Income Tax for Expatriates in Thailand

After receiving numerous inquiries about personal tax management from foreigners residing across Thailand, I am revisiting this topic to explain the implications of foreign pension income in light of new regulations.

This report provides an in-depth look at how P.O. 161-162/2567 affects foreign pension income in Thailand, equipping expatriates with the knowledge to navigate this new regulatory environment effectively. Continued …

Illegal foreign workers arrested at Hua Hin Night Market

Continued …

 

Royal Hua Hin Golf Course celebrates 100th anniversary

Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

‘Music on the Move’ plays at Hua Hin railway station

Continued …

Three arrested for stealing ‘sacred stones’ from Khao Sam Roi Yat

Continued …

Thailand braces for heavy rainfall and flash floods this week

Thailand faces heavy to very heavy rainfall from today to July 18, which may cause flash floods and forest runoff, especially in Bangkok. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for the entire country.

The department, led by Gorravee Sitthichivapak, announced that from today to July 18, a strong monsoon trough will pass through the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand, merging with a low-pressure system over the central South China Sea. Continued …

Police shut down 224 Euro 2024 gambling sites

Police have shut down over 200 websites involved in Euro 2024 football-related gambling, with 2.4 billion baht in circulation, according to the police. Police released the information following a crackdown on both online and offline gambling activities as the Euro 2024 football matches concluded yesterday.

The operation, which began on June 14 — the same day the Euro 2024 finals commenced — ended on July 11. Assistant National Police Chief Akradet Pimolsri revealed that a special task force was formed on June 14 specifically to tackle football betting cases. This task force successfully apprehended 3,863 individuals suspected of gambling-related offenses. Continued …

New Bangkok-Vientiane rail service starts Friday with tickets from 281 baht

A test run for the new cross-border rail link between Bangkok and Vientiane took place yesterday, paving the way for the official passenger service set to start this Friday.

Bookings for the rail service have been open since July 10, with the first scheduled commercial trip departing this Friday. The train will leave Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station in Bangkok at 9.25pm and is expected to arrive at Vientiane station at 9.05am the following day. Continued …

Buriram Couple Married 70 Years Die 2 Hours Apart

A couple from Buriram province, who had been in love for 70 years, passed away on the same day, just two hours apart. Family members, while saddened, believe that the couple is now together.

The funeral ceremony for Mr. and Mrs. Kleerim was held at Ban Trat Truan, Village No. 4, Chumhet subdistrict, Mueang Buriram District, Buriram Province, on Saturday. The family placed their coffins side by side, with many villagers who heard the news attending the ceremony. Continued …

  • Chinese Tik Tik star believed to have been murdered by another Chinese tourist – Continued …
  • 5 Foreigners Arrested for Violent Robbery of British Crypto Trader in Bangkok – Continued …
  • Pattaya Locals Warn of Foreign Scam Gang Allegedly Preying on Tourists – Continued …
  • Freeloading Russian enrages local food vendor – Continued …

Disbursal of budget revving up

A total of 3.48 trillion baht from the 2024 fiscal budget was finally disbursed in this year’s second quarter, after delays that began on Oct. 1 last year due to political setbacks following the general election held in May 2023.

Amid stagnant economic growth, public expenditure has been regarded as the key factor to help revive subdued private spending and consumption in the country. Continued …

Revenue Department banking on trio of sectors

Energy businesses, financial institutions and tourism will remain the main revenue generators for the Revenue Department, capable of contributing significantly to tax revenues this year, says the department’s chief.

Kulaya Tantitemit, director-general of the department, said these three sectors are performing well and can pay high taxes to the department during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 (October 2023 to June 2024). Continued …

Thailand’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) contribute to growth and attract investment

The Thai government has made significant strides in developing special border economic zones (SEZs) across 10 regions, including Tak, Sa Kaeo, Mukdahan, and Songkhla, to stimulate economic growth and attract private investment.

Launched in 2015, the zones have seen substantial infrastructure improvements and investment incentives. Since 2021, under the Prime Minister’s Office, these zones have drawn investments totaling 51.654 billion baht. With 84 Board of Investment projects worth 25.840 billion baht initiated, sectors like automotive and healthcare are flourishing. Continued …

New hydropower dam in Laos could lead to ‘economic losses’

Conservationists and people of the Mekong Basin are petitioning the Thai government not to sign a contract to buy electricity from the Pak Beng Hydropower Dam in Laos, fearing economic and territorial losses.

The signatures were contained in an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Zeekr to launch EV range amid sales dip

Domestic premium car sales plunged by 30% year-on-year during the first half amid the economic slowdown and intensifying competition, fueled by more Chinese electric vehicles entering the Asian market as a result of the impact of the U.S.-China trade war, says Zeekr Intelligent Technology, a Chinese EV maker under the Zeekr brand.

The company, owned by Geely Automobile Holding, raised the concern as it plans to market its Zeekr X compact electric sports utility vehicles, targeting motorists in the luxury car segment. Continued …

Critics slam government’s approach to cannabis

Critics have slammed the government’s plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, arguing it will harm businesses involved in cannabis-based products and undermine investor confidence in the country.

A health committee responsible for controlling illegal drugs voted by majority on July 5 to reclassify cannabis and hemp as narcotics, effective from Jan. 1, 2025, as confirmed by Surachoke Tangwiwat, deputy permanent secretary for public health. Continued …

List of 93 destinations enjoying Thailand’s visa relaxations

Thailand has released a list of 93 countries and territories whose citizens can enter Thailand without a visa or obtain a visa on arrival and can stay for up to 60 days from July 15.

The 57 destinations who were already enjoying a visa waiver and can now get a 60-day stamp on arrival are: Continued …

Outstanding questions remain about new visa rules for Thailand

The interior minister has now signed off on the latest immigration rules, which will permit citizens of 93 countries to obtain a visa-exempt 60 days on entering Thailand by land, air and sea. This includes all the countries that provide significant tourist numbers, including the traditional markets of UK, mainland Europe, the USA and Australia.

The formal introduction date is today, but reports from newly arrived visitors suggest the doubling of 30 days to 60 is already in place. Continued …

Cha Am busy with tourists

Continued …

17.5 million foreign tourists visit Thailand in 6 months

According to the statistics of Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports on international visitors during the first six months of 2024 (from Jan. 1 to June 30), Thailand welcomed 17,501,283 foreign visitors. It could generate from their expenditure of approximately 825 billion baht (US$22.5 billion).

The top nationals traveling to Thailand were from China, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, respectively. The final week of June alone, when the Pride Month 2024 events were held in various areas of the country, attracted 659,830 foreign tourists, an increase from the previous week, with only 19,083 persons. Continued …

Pai tubing too hot to handle with drunk tourists, resort says

A resort operator in Mae Hong Son province’s Pai district says operators of popular tubing activities have violated the rules by selling alcohol to Western tourists who got drunk day and night.

The operator, who requested anonymity, said a drunk Western couple recently sneaked into the resort’s compound to have sex even though they were not staying at the resort. Continued …

Government to allow sale of alcoholic beverages in tourist trains

The Transport Ministry has come up with a plan to allow sales of alcoholic beverages in trains in a bid to stimulate tourism, starting with tourist trains. Sale of alcoholic beverages had been barred at train stations and in passenger cars since 2015.

Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote said on Sunday that the amendment aimed to offer new train travel experiences to tourists. Allowing alcohol sales in tourist trains would help meet the demand of travelers, he added. Continued …

Duo who assaulted Phuket officer back in New Zealand

Two brothers from New Zealand who were facing multiple charges after an assault on a police officer in Phuket are back home after spending nearly four months in detention in Thailand.

Hamish and Mattson Day were on holiday in Phuket when they were arrested on March 16 and charged with assaulting a police officer, robbery, obstruction of police duty, driving without a licence and bribery. Continued …

Luxury resort project on Samui faces demolition

Authorities suspended a Chinese-owned luxury resort project on Koh Samui after finding out the property was not being built according to its permit and was taller than the law allowed.

Police Maj. Gen. Watcharin Poosit, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED), said on Sunday that officers of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Koh Samui municipality raided the site of the “Anzhu Seamate” project in tambon Maret in Surat Thani’s Koh Samui district on Saturday. Continued …

Boat capsizes in storm off Thailand’s Phi Phi island, Chinese tourists rescued

Two Chinese tourists and a Thai were safely rescued after their boat driven by the Thai man capsized in a rainstorm and hit waves in Ao Nang bay in Muang district on Sunday morning.

The incident happened near Phi Phi Le island in tambon Ao Nang at about 11am when people on a speedboat belonging to Narayana Marine Co. were able to rescue a Chinese man, a Chinese girl and a Thai boat driver. Continued …

Speedboat rescues 12 tourists from sinking boat near Pattaya

A dramatic rescue unfolded between Koh Larn and Pattaya City after the passenger boat Tara Jade experienced a sewage pump failure, causing it to take on water. The boat was carrying 12 Thai passengers — five men and seven women — when the incident occurred.

Speedboat operators quickly responded to the emergency, with Ed Chankrajai, the driver of the speedboat Yodtong, leading the rescue. As seawater poured into the stern of Tara Jade, Ed instructed everyone to put on life jackets. The tourists were swiftly moved to the speedboat, which transported them back to shore at Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya. Continued …

Laos shopkeepers not accepting Thai baht

Attracting a lot of attention in Thailand is Laos’ #SaveLaoKip campaign to protect their currency, with Laotian shopkeepers no longer accepting both Thai baht and other foreign currencies but, if necessary, they will give the foreigners a lower rate than that officially set.

Many shops in Laos have kicked off this campaign to only trade in their currency kip and not accept Thai baht. An example is one shop announcing that they will not accept any foreign currencies, with those coming in with Thai currency only getting 30,000 kip for 100 baht. However the official rate for 100 baht is 61,318 kip. Continued … 

South Korean tourist arrivals expected to reach 1.94 million this year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is upbeat that South Korean tourist arrivals this year will reach a record 1.94 million, higher than the pre-Covid 1.88 million.

Pattanapong Pongthongcharoen, director of the TAT office in Seoul, said that the negative sentiment among Thai tourists, who have boycotted South Korea, had not affected the desire of South Korean tourists to visit Thailand. Continued …

Koh Kood: The Thai Island For The Food Lover

When I dream of Thailand, I think of an isolated white beach with crystalline water and lush palm trees dripping with coconuts. That is also what Alex Garland’s novel “The Beach” famously captured, the quest for the most legendary beach, untouched by mass tourism, a plunge into authentic Thai life that surrounds it.

“You fish, swim, eat, laze around, and everyone’s so friendly. It’s such simple stuff, but… If I could stop the world and restart life, put the clock back, I think I’d restart it like this. For everyone,” he wrote about Thailand. Continued …

Trump survives assassination attempt

Former U.S. president Donald Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday in an incident described as an assassination attempt. Trump was hit in the ear by either a bullet or glass shrapnel and treated at a local medical facility. Continued …

Japan fights growing scourge of customer harassment

Japan, known for its exacting service standards, is now taking a stronger stance against a growing scourge of customer harassment to protect its legions of service workers from abuse. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

Van/minibus service at Market Village

Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:

  • Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
  • Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
  • Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
  • Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
  • Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)

The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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