Category Archives: thai wildlife

bangkok, cha am, chiang mai, hospitality, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-Sept 14

Today’s news: Officials discuss tourism initiatives/Hua Hin ‘Reminiscing the Past’/Miss Thailand World in Hua Hin/Mrigadayavan Palace 3-day reopening/Navy To Retrieving HTMS Sukhothai/American man faces dilemma/Pita named an emerging leader/Surprise python visit/Cabinet takes steps to ease cost of living/Digital wallet scheme/To keep VAT at 7%/El Niño effect/Government’s plans to court China/Digital industry to contribute 30%/Sena’s energy-efficient homes/Bangkok Gems fair dazzles/Visa-free entry for Chinese/Thailand welcomes nearly 18.5M/Pattaya hotel industry shines/Chiang Mai Airport expansion/Noodle as tourist attraction/Shoe Gets Stuck At Airport/Baby Turtles Emerge on Koh Tao/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hua Hin officials discuss tourism initiatives

On Tuesday, the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Tourism Development Committee convened to chart the course for a new era of tourism throughout the region.

Officials unveiled a slew of initiatives aimed at stimulating the economy, creating jobs, and positioning Prachuap Khiri Khan as a premier tourism and business events destination. Continued …

Hua Hin ‘ Reminiscing the Past’ event Sept 22-Oct 1

Hua Hin will host the annual “Hua Hin, Reminiscing the Past” event Sept. 22-Oct. 1 to promote tourism and spotlight the cultural traditions of the region. The event wkill be held at the event grounds behind the BluPort Shopping Mall.

This year’s event will celebrate Hua Hin’s rich history, traditions, and the unique way of life enjoyed by locals.

Miss Thailand World beauties in Hua Hin

The Avani+ Hua Hin Resort recently played host to the contestants of Miss Thailand World 2023. The Miss Thailand World 2023 competition revolves around the empowering theme of “Real Beauty Empowers.” The fortunate contestant who will be crowned as Miss Thailand World 2023 stands to win a cash reward of 1 million baht, a diamond crown, and a car. (More photos) – HHT

Mrigadayavan Palace 3-day reopening Oct 13-15

The historic Mrigadayavan Palace in Cha Am will temporarily reopen to the public for three days Oct. 13-15. The palace has been undergoing restoration since 2021 and is set to officially reopen in May 2024

The can be viewed Oct. 13 from 1:30-4:30 pm, and on Oct. 14-15 from 9am-4:30 pm.

Admission fees are as follows:

  • Adults (both Thai nationals and foreigners: 90 baht per person
  • Higher education students and teachers: 60 baht per person
  • High school students and their teachers: 30 baht per person
  • Elementary school and kindergarten students, young children, teachers, priests, monks, the elderly, and people with special needs are encouraged to make a donation.

Navy Confirms Retrieving HTMS Sukhothai From Sea Off PKK

The Navy yesterday confirmed it is going ahead with its project to retrieve a sunken corvette from the Gulf of Thailand sea floor, while categorically dismissing allegations of non-transparency over it.

Navy spokesman Adm. Pokkhrong Monthatpalin said the Navy Fleet based at Sattahip will certainly have the sunken HTMS 442 Sukhothai retrieved by a private firm from the bottom of the sea off Prachuap Khiri Khan, though six bidders had earlier failed to meet specifications under the 200-million-baht project’s terms of reference. Continued …

American man faces dilemma as Thai girlfriend’s parents demand 1 million baht dowry

An American man asked netizens for advice on what to do after his Thai girlfriend’s family demanded a million baht dowry, known as sinsod in Thailand. He said he loved her very much but was not a foolish farang.

The American shared his story on the social media platform Reddit. The man began by explaining that he was dating a Thai university student from a province in the Isaan region of Thailand. He expected that his girlfriend did not make much money from her career after graduation but her parents are middle class and own a shipping company. Continued …

Pita named an emerging leader in TIME100 Next list

Move Forward leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat is the only Thai to make it to Time magazine’s “TIME100 Next” list for 2023.

The U.S.-based magazine on Wednesday published this year’s list of emerging leaders from around the world who are shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership, in a campaign that has been held annually since 2019. Continued … 

Late-night drive in Bangkok takes a twist with surprise python visit

A woman’s late-night drive took a slithery turn when a python surprised her by emerging from the engine compartment after she returned from a meal. At around 1am today, emergency services from the Thung Mahamek Fire Station were called to a parking lot in front of a convenience store in the Yan Nawa district of Bangkok.

The woman had been driving back from a meal with friends at Lang Linchi Road when the incident occurred. The driver, and identified only as Monchanapath, was shocked to see a python’s head emerge from the front of her black Mazda2 car. Continued …

Cabinet takes steps to ease cost of living, sets dates for visa-free scheme

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin set up a committee on Tuesday to oversee the implementation of his government’s much-publicized 10,000 baht digital wallet scheme. The committee will be chaired by the premier himself in his capacity as finance minister, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said.

In the policy statement delivered to Parliament on Monday, the Pheu Thai-led coalition had stated that the 10,000 baht digital wallet handout would not be a burden on the country’s public debt and would adhere to stringent financial discipline. Continued …

Digital wallet scheme could take a decade to pay off, economists warn

The government’s digital wallet scheme will most likely help Thailand’s GDP reach 6% next year, but the effect will be short-lived and will saddle the country with a massive amount of public debt for nearly a decade, Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) warned on Wednesday.

The warning was made as the EIC released its third-quarter revised report on Thailand’s economic growth outlook for the year. Continued …

Cabinet agrees to keep VAT at 7% for another year

The Cabinet decided yesterday to retain the 7% value-added tax (VAT) rate on goods and services until Sept. 30, 2024, to stimulate economic recovery through spending on consumer products and services.

Keeping it at 7% will be a relief for consumers and businesses alike, who were worried that VAT might rise to 10%, which would impact spending by consumers. Continued …

El Niño effect: Industries in hot water as mining and livestock hit hard

El Niño’s weather anomaly is triggering a ripple effect on industries beyond just agriculture, with mining and livestock sectors also feeling the pinch. This is according to a new study by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, which warns that the phenomenon may lead to a surge in prices for consumer goods, energy, and inflation, compounded by an increase in international shipping costs.

The director-general of the office, Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, expressed concern over the potential harm El Niño could inflict on Thailand’s agricultural sector. The report suggests that a decrease in income from agricultural and agro-industrial exports is on the horizon, with the mining and livestock industries already seeing adverse effects. Continued …

Government’s plans to court China ignores economic realities

In economics and diplomacy, decisions can’t be made lightly — especially when they have far-reaching implications for a country’s economic and geopolitical stability. Yet, Thailand’s new government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appears to be taking an ill-advised gamble by tying the nation’s economic future primarily to China.

This strategic move is especially concerning given the precarious state of China’s economy and its increasingly ideological governance under Xi Jinping. Continued …

Digital industry predicted to contribute 30% of GDP by 2027

The Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE) is predicting that Thailand’s digital industry will contribute as much as 30% of the country’s gross domestic product by 2027, adding that next year it intends to focus on promoting cloud-based infrastructure to ensure achievement of this target.

ONDE Secretary-general Putchapong Nodthaisong on Wednesday announced the office’s operational strategy for 2024, saying that it would fully support the “Go Cloud First” policy of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES). Continued …

Property developer Sena takes big strides toward energy-efficient homes

Real-estate company Sena Development (Sena) is building “zero energy” houses in line with Thailand’s environment-friendly, sustainable trends.

The company’s Managing Director Kessara Thanyalakpark said on Wednesday that people are now more focused on preserving the environment, and many parties are working on achieving sustainable goals. Continued …

Bangkok Gems fair dazzles with record-breaking success

The 68th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, which recently concluded, surpassed all anticipated outcomes. The fair took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) Sept. 6-10 and welcomed almost 40,000 attendees hailing from 117 countries, a notable 44% surge compared to the previous event, according to Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, the director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP).

The fair was particularly appealing to international participants, with India, Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, the United States, Japan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Russia and Australia making up the top 10 countries represented. Throughout the five-day event, the estimated trade value hit 3.3 billion baht, surpassing the initial target. Continued …

Thailand approves visa-free entry for 5 months for Chinese

Thailand’s new government Wednesday approved a measure granting temporary visa-free entry to Chinese tourists, signaling that the recovery of the country’s tourism industry is a top economic priority.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the visa exemption, which will also apply to visitors from the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan, will be effective from Sept. 25 until Feb. 29 next year. He said the relevant authorities had been consulted to ensure they are ready to handle the expected surge in travelers. Continued … 

Thailand welcomes nearly 18.5 million tourists in 2023

Nearly 18.5 million foreign tourists have visited Thailand so far this year, with the Malaysians leading the way. Of the total number of foreign tourists to visit the kingdom this year, 3 million were Malaysian.

According to the tourism ministry, revenue from tourist spending stands at more than 775 billion baht. It’s forecasting a total of 28 million foreign visitors to the kingdom this year, with a big surge predicted during the peak end-of-year holiday season. Continued …

Pattaya hotel industry shines amid European gloom

Despite Europe’s deteriorating economic forecast, Pattaya’s hotel industry remains robust, backed primarily by Asian and domestic tourists, says the managing director of LH Mall and Hotel (LHMH). Pattaya, traditionally known for its nightlife, has successfully rebranded itself as a family and business-friendly destination.

As the European Commission revises the Eurozone’s growth outlook and Germany faces a potential recession this year, LHMH Managing Director Kitti Worrabanpott, suggests that hotels focusing on the European market may feel the impact more significantly. Continued … 

Chiang Mai Airport plans massive expansion to accommodate 16.5 million travelers

Chiang Mai Airport is set to table its expansion proposal to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his scheduled visit this weekend.

The airport’s director, Wijit Kaewsaitiam, revealed that the Thai Cement Manufacturers Assn. (TCMA) is set to spearhead the construction of the terminal’s first phase. Continued …

How the noodle became a tourist attraction

Tourists visiting Thailand can now learn about local attractions, cultures and cuisines just by reading the packaging of instant noodles.

The campaign is the latest collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Nissin Foods (Thailand), which has seen the redesign of instant noodles packaging to include photos and details of tourist attractions in Thailand. Continued …

Tourist’s Shoe Gets Stuck At Airport Moving Walkway

Taking place again just two and half months after a woman’s left leg was severed to the knee by a moving walkway at Don Mueang Airport was a scary moment for a tourist when his shoe got jammed in a travelator at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

A video of this scary incident was shared by a TikTok user and fortunately the tourist was not injured. Continued …

Foreign Tourists Marvel as 52 Baby Turtles Emerge on Koh Tao

Yesterday, in Surat Thani province, members of the Turtle Conservation Assn. on Koh Pha Ngan received a report from staff at the Koh Tao Resort, Nai Thon Beach, Koh Tao, that the first baby turtles from Mother Thongdee’s second nest had emerged from their eggs since Monday morning from a total of three nests.

Members of the Turtle Conservation Assn., municipal officials of Koh Tao, and volunteers joined forces to monitor the turtle nest, attempting to allow the baby turtles to naturally make their way to the sea. Continued …

Death toll from flooding in Libya surpasses 5,000

The death toll in Libya has surpassed 5,300 people after a storm caused dams in a coastal city to break, leaving thousands more injured. Muhammad Abu Moshe told the Libyan News Agency the death toll for the entire region is at least 5,300 after Storm Daniel made landfall on Sunday and dropped as much as 16 inches of rain in the Northern African country. Continued …

How close is Earth to becoming unlivable?

We’re two-thirds of the way towards an unlivable planet. According to a new study released Wednesday, human activity has now gone past six of nine planetary “boundaries” that are “important for maintaining the stability and resilience of Earth as a place conducive to human welfare.” Continued …

iPhone 12 sales banned in France over radiation level

A French watchdog agency says Apple’s iPhone 12 emits too much electromagnetic radiation and should be withdrawn from the market, a claim the tech giant disputes. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Wednesday’s news-Sept 13

Today’s news: Monkey sterilization in Hua Hin/PKK park scoops award/What is Blue tea?/Turmeric’s ‘golden’ touch/Temple warns about life support/Cat gets man’s wife pregnant/Srettha vows to increase minimum wage/Optimistic about tourism recovery/Thai airlines expand fleet/More flights to China/Koh Samui seeks extended stays/Battleships sunk off Koh Tao/Russian Takeover of Phuket/Elephant Nature Park Named/Delight with a fatal bite/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Monkey sterilization drive in Hua Hin aims to control escalating population

Hua Hin municipality has spearheaded a sterilization drive to curb the escalating monkey population in the area, aiming to sterilize approximately 300 primates. This determined effort is hoped to alleviate the persistent problems of residents and communities caused by the monkeys.

Deputy Mayor Busaba Choksucharti revealed details about the annual sterilization drive for the monkeys, stating that it is aimed at reducing the rapidly growing monkey population. The Hua Hin municipality, in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, allocated budgetary funds to support the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for this cause. Continued …

PKK’s Hat Wanakorn Park scoops Thailand Tourism Silver Award

The National Park of Hat Wanakorn, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan, has been honored with the prestigious Thailand Tourism Silver Award in the category of natural tourist attractions. The award was presented to Netnapha Ngamnet, the head of the park.

The park is renowned for its conservation efforts and commitment to promoting sustainable tourism. The park’s recognition was part of the 14th Thailand Tourism Awards 2023, an initiative that acknowledges high-quality products and services in the tourism sector. This award scheme encourages businesses to improve their services, aiming to elevate Thailand’s tourism industry to international standards. Continued …

What is Blue tea and why should you start drinking it?

Move over green tea, there’s a new player in town – blue tea! This trendy beverage, also known as butterfly pea flower tea, is gaining popularity for its potential health benefits.

Blue tea, made from the petals or whole flowers of the Clitoria ternatea plant, is caffeine-free and packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants are like little warriors in your body, fighting off harmful molecules called free radicals that can cause various health problems. Continued …

Turmeric’s ‘golden’ touch cures indigestion

Have you ever overindulged in food or drink, only to suffer the discomfort of indigestion afterward? Fear not, for a groundbreaking new study suggests that turmeric, the spice responsible for giving curry its distinctive yellow hue, might offer an alternative remedy as effective as conventional drugs for treating indigestion.

The study zeroes in on curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric. Researchers have uncovered compelling evidence suggesting that curcumin could match the effectiveness of omeprazole, a commonly prescribed medication used to reduce stomach acid, in alleviating indigestion symptoms, reported the StudyFinds platform. Continued …

Buddhist temple warns good people can go to hell for using life support

Wat Pa Kramathan, a famous temple in Nakhon Ratchasima, set up an educational center to disseminate Buddhist teachings. It has installed a sign with an intriguing Buddhist message: “Doing good deeds can lead to hell.” The temple head explained the reasoning behind this unusual warning – a condemnation of artificial medical life support.

Located in the Non-Saad district of Chokchai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Wat Pa Kramathan transformed its precincts into a learning center to impart the teachings and philosophies of Gautama Buddha. The Buddhist teachings center narrates stories of sin and virtue, rewards and punishments, aiming to serve as a reminder to those who visit. Continued …

Cat gets man’s wife pregnant – don’t worry, not the way you’re thinking!

There have long been stories of women or even men sabotaging condoms to cause a pregnancy (often called an anchor baby). But what if the saboteur is… a cat? A woman got unexpectedly pregnant due to the actions of a mischievous orange cat, according to a viral story on social media.

The cat reportedly gnawed through the packaging of contraceptives, causing the woman to unwittingly fall pregnant. The husband was taken aback, anticipating the day he would have to explain to his child that their birth was indirectly due to their pet cat. Continued …

Srettha vows to increase minimum daily wage to 400 baht as soon as possible

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to increase the minimum daily wage to 400 baht as soon as possible during a meeting in Parliament on Tuesday.

On the second day of the new Cabinet’s declaration of its policies, he said the government would negotiate with laborers and employers to increase the minimum wage to the appropriate level. Thailand is lucky to have less than 1% unemployment, he said. Continued …

Thai hospitality magnate ‘very optimistic’ about Thailand’s tourism recovery

Thailand’s tourism recovery is poised for recovery, as diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia normalize and Chinese tourists return, according to American-born hotel tycoon William Heinecke.

“We’ve seen the recovery of all Saudi tourism into Thailand. Now there’s two flights a day from Saudi direct to Thailand,” Heinecke, who is chairman of Thai hospitality company Minor International, said on the sidelines of the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore. Continued …

Thai airlines expand fleet, open new routes to ride post-Covid momentum

The Thai aviation industry is on the cusp of a strong comeback after the pandemic, with many airlines preparing to expand their fleet and regain their former glory days.

The upbeat sentiment follows three years of challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, forcing airlines to downsize their operations to survive during the global downturn. Continued …

More flights to China as visa policy takes off

After a discussion with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Thai Airways (THAI) is planning to increase its flights to China from 25 flights to 35 flights a week in response to the free visa policy for Chinese tourists.

Srettha announced after the meeting with the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) that the government planned to extend temporary visa exemptions to Chinese tourists during Thailand’s high tourist season. The policy is expected to start from Oct. 1, marking a first for Thailand in waiving visa requirements for Chinese visitors. Continued …

Koh Samui seeks extended stays for European travelers amid water crisis

Koh Samui’s tourism sector called for the government to extend stays for European travelers, arguing that the proposed visa-free travel for Chinese tourists will not significantly benefit the island.

This comes from Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, the president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, who noted that Chinese nationals only make up a small percentage (10%) of the island’s foreign tourist demographic. Continued …

Two Thai battleships sunk off Koh Tao for underwater tourism

The royal battleships Su Phairin and Han Hak Satru just took their last splash, as they were submerged undersea to form refinement ambassadors. Rear Admiral Charasakiat Chaiphan, commander of the 2nd naval area, led the initiative, all part of the underwater learning park project to take the plunge into underwater tourism.

The two decommissioned vessels found their new home off the picturesque coast of Koh Tao, nestled within Surat Thani province. This venture holds the promise of serving as a captivating diving site, while actively contributing to the preservation and rejuvenation of marine and coastal ecosystems in the region. Continued …

Officials Dispute Media Coverage of the Russian Takeover of Phuket

Thai authorities are investigating claims that Russians are taking over Thailand’s local businesses after Al Jazeera reported that Russian nationals have entered Phuket to engage in various businesses, including property purchases, tourism, ride-sharing apps, moonlighting and competing for jobs with Thai citizens.

Immigration authorities said that from January 2023 to August 2023, a total of 2,569,052 tourists visited Phuket, of which 487,504 were Russian tourists, accounting for 19.3%. Continued …

Elephant Nature Park Named Among Best Wildlife Parks in the World

For animal lovers who enjoy experiencing wildlife up close and personal in their natural habitat, visiting a wildlife refuge can be the ultimate travel experience. The best wildlife parks in the world offer the unique opportunity to have unforgettable interactions with endangered animals.

You also can learn about conservation efforts to help protect these important habitats for generations to come. From the jungles of Africa to the forests of South America, there are plenty of fascinating animal refuges around the world worth exploring. Continued …

A Thai culinary delight with a fatal bite

Food in Thailand is renowned worldwide for its rich and diverse flavors, combining elements of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in unique and harmonious ways – but there’s one dish that could be fatal.

Millions of tourists flock to the Land of Smiles every year to experience the nation’s country’s vibrant culture, blending influences from China, India, Malaysia, and neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Continued …

Thousands Dead And 10,000 More Reported Missing After Devastating Libyan Floods

Emergency workers uncovered hundreds of bodies as they dug through the wreckage of Libya’s eastern city of Derna on Tuesday, and 10,000 people were reported still missing after floodwaters broke through dams and smashed through the city, washing away entire neighborhoods. Continued …

Rice price spike offers preview of climate food disruption

A 15-year high in rice prices, prompted by top exporter India’s restrictions on overseas sales, should be a wake-up call on how climate change can disrupt food supplies, experts say. Rice prices jumped 9.8% in August, bucking decreases in other staples, the Food and Agriculture Organization said last week. Continued …

Singapore Airlines’ hot seat: Passengers fume over 8-hour ‘sauna’ delay

Singapore Airlines apologized to furious passengers for keeping them onboard for eight hours in suffocating “sauna” conditions, as the air conditioning was turned off as they tried to fix a technical problem on a flight bound for Singapore from Shanghai. Continued …

Indonesia to ban goods transactions on social media

Indonesia is planning to ban goods transactions on social media under new trade regulations, the deputy trade minister told a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday. Ministers have repeatedly said that e-commerce sellers using predatory pricing on social media platforms were threatening offline markets in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. Continued …

US Approves Updated Covid Vaccines To Rev Up Protection This Fall

The U.S. approved updated Covid-19 vaccines on Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter. The Food and Drug Administration decision opens the newest shots from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to most Americans even if they’ve never had a coronavirus vaccination. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

bangkok, hospitality, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Monday’s news-Sept 4

Today’s news: Heavy rain for all of Thailand/Herbal solutions to PM2.5 diseases/Droness Launched At Wing 3/Bangkok to Songkhla Bus CrashesDrought forcing elephants in search of food and water/Calls for LGBTQ retirement hub/The untouchable tax/Thailand’s smaller cities’ economic role/Expand welfare policies to boost economy/Thai family-run businesses thriving/Thai exporters warned to prepare/South Korean EV manufacturers eye Thailand/Chinese EV producer to set up Thai plant/Prachuap Khiri Khan tourism/Thai immigration policy/Small hotel operators cash in/Chonburi Sees 13 Million Tourists/Meet the mum with 10 dogs, 15 cats and 10 elephants/Candle Is Flavors Classic Thai Dishes/Sharing Experiences Or Traditions From AbroadChina’s food security is at risk/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Warnings of heavy rain for all of Thailand

The Thai Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy downpours in the northern, northeastern, and central regions, as well as extremely heavy rain in parts of the eastern and southern regions.

People in these areas should be cautious of the dangers associated with heavy rain, including the possibility of sudden flooding and forest runoff, especially in hilly areas and low-lying areas. Continued … 

Herbal solutions to PM2.5 dust-related chronic diseases sought

In promising scientific research, experts are exploring the potential of three herbal plants in combating chronic diseases connected to PM2.5 dust. The focal point of this collaborative project is to address the health challenges arising from prolonged exposure to harmful PM2.5 dust particles, a pressing concern in regions affected by air pollution.

The collaborative efforts have seen researchers from Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri joining forces with experts from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine at Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute in Samut Prakan. Continued …

Three Israeli-Made UAVs Launched At Wing 3

Three Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicles were launched Saturday for deployment by the Thai air force.

Air force chief ACM Alongkorn Wannarot ceremonially launched the three Dominator XP UAVs, manufactured by Israel’s Aeronautics Defense Systems Co., at Wing 3 air base in Nakhon Sawan. Continued …

Driver Dies, 14 Injured After Bangkok to Songkhla Bus Crashes in Chumphon

A bus driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while 14 people sustained injuries, after a passenger bus from Bangkok to Hat Yai (in Songkhla) crashed in Chumphon.

The Tha Sae Police were notified of the accident after midnight on Saturday on the main southern road, Petchkasem Road, in the Had Punkrai subdistrict in Mueang Chumphon. Continued …

Drought forcing elephants to venture further in search of food and water

Acute water shortages in Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary in Uthai Thani province have led to several elephants venturing out of the sanctuary to forage for water and food on farmland, according to Tarasak Nipanan, chief of the Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife breeding station.

He said that the sanctuary has been experiencing a water shortage since late last year and the situation appears to be worsening as a result of the El Niño, as natural water sources in the sanctuary have dried up. Continued …

Calls for LGBTQ retirement hub

Thailand has the potential to boost the pink economy by attracting international LGBTQ+ seniors who are looking for a place to retire.

Speaking at a conference on “Thailand Gets Ready to Become A Key Destination for LGBT Retirement” organized in Bangkok, Dr. Chaiwat Songsiriphan, founder and medical director of the Safe Clinic, a private human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic, said Thailand could be a key retiree destination for LGBTQ, as people in the country have a high tolerance of gender diversity. Continued …

VAT: The untouchable tax

Since the introduction of value-added tax (VAT) in Thailand in 1992, no government has dared to increase the rate because of concerns regarding the economic impact, the greater burden in terms of living expenses, and most importantly how politically unpopular such a move would appear.

Over the past decade, technocrats in the Finance Ministry and the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) have highlighted a growing need to raise the VAT rate from 7%, but senior officials at the ministry insist any VAT rate hike must take account of the country’s economic conditions. Continued …

Thailand’s smaller cities can help drive economic growth and reduce inequality

Thailand’s cities outside Bangkok can accelerate the country’s growth but will need to find ways to access private capital to improve urban infrastructure, a World Bank study produced with the Program Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMU-A) and Khon Kaen University says.

Bangkok has long been the country’s hub of economic growth and productivity. But as that growth slows, cities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Rayong could pick up the baton with investments in mass transit systems, renewable energy, and other urban infrastructure, which will be critical for Thailand’s competitiveness and ability to adapt to a changing climate, according to the study, “Thailand Urban Infrastructure Finance Assessment.” Continued …

Expand welfare policies to boost economy, experts say

The government should boost the country’s short-term economic growth by expanding state welfare policies to reduce inequalities in society, academics said at a seminar organized by the Thai Journalists’ Assn. yesterday.

Nonarit Bisonyabut, a senior academic with the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the Srettha Thavisin administration will face tough challenges as it attempts to reboot the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …

Survey finds Thai family-run businesses thriving

A total of 451 companies were identified as family businesses on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), and they have a combined market capitalization of about 8 trillion baht (about US$ 226 billion), representing a 43% share of the market, a survey by the SET found.

Over the past seven years, 149 family businesses have raised over 3.08 trillion baht through initial public offerings, the survey found. Continued …

Thai exporters warned to prepare for worst as China’s economy heads downward

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) is urging Thai businesses, especially exporters, to brace themselves for the effects of China’s economic slowdown.

The warning is in response to slower-than-expected growth in China, as its real-estate sector suffers severe debt and liquidity problems. NESDC Secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan said earlier this week that though it’s too early to tell how much China’s economy will affect Thailand, it is still worth being cautious. Continued …

South Korean EV manufacturers preparing to plug into Thailand

Manufacturers of electric vehicles (EV) from South Korea have expressed interest in investing in Thailand for the manufacturing of small EVs, motorcycle EVs, and EVs for agriculture, according to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI).

About 20 South Korean businesses from the Korea Smart E-Mobility Assn. (KEMA) and Kang Jong-man, mayor of Yeonggwang-gun, recently met with BOI representatives to discuss EV investment in Thailand, BOI Secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said. Continued …

Chinese EV producer to set up Thai plant

Omoda & Jaecoo International Co., a subsidiary of China’s state-owned automobile manufacturer Chery International, plans to apply for Board of Investment (BoI) privileges to set up an electric vehicle (EV) production base in Thailand.

The company will disclose investment and business plans in a couple of months, said Qi Jie, Thailand national director at Omoda & Jaecoo International. Continued …

Prachuap Khiri Khan sees over 6.5 million visitors

Prachuap Khiri Khan has witnessed growth in its tourism sector, according to data released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The recently released data shows revenue generation of over 23.8 billion baht from January to July 2023 – a 27.9% increase from the same period in 2022. Continued …

Thai immigration policy: shape of things to come

New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has specified that immigration reform will be a priority in the new government. Although Thailand in 2023 has already attracted over 17 million foreign visitors, it will need many more if the aim to boost tourism revenue to US$100 billion by the end of 2024.

Entry policy in recent years has been set by the Cabinet and senior ministers, with the immigration police bureau playing an enforcer rather than a policy-maker role. Continued …

Small hotel operators cash in as tourism industry starts reviving

The first seven months of this year have seen more than 500 new entities emerge in Thailand’s hotel industry, mostly small companies with a registered capital of up to 5 million baht.

This surge in small operators indicates an economic recovery and revival of Thailand’s tourism industry, helped by supportive legislation for small enterprises. Continued …

Chonburi Sees 13 Million Tourists from January to August

Chonburi received more than 13 million tourists from January to August, and saw spending of over 119 billion baht, the Chonburi Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports reported on Friday.

Ampai Sakdanukuljit Sliwinski, a Tourism and Sports official, provided an overview of tourism in Chonburi for the first seven months of the year, from Jan. 1 to Aug. 23. Continued …

Meet the mum-of-five who looks after 10 dogs, 15 cats and 10 elephants

Every day Katherine Connor is up at 5am getting breakfast ready… but not for her five children. They’re still fast asleep while she feeds her 10 rescue dogs, 15 cats and the family rabbit. Then she gets ready to tend to a few of her larger babies – a herd of 10 vulnerable elephants.

By the time mum has breakfast on the table for Hope, 15, Noah, 13, Aaron, 11, Ethan, nine, and Luke, eight, their chatter across the cereal and toast is punctuated by rumbles, snorts and the occasional trumpeting outside. Continued …

How A Humble Candle Is Utilized To Flavor Classic Thai Dishes

Whether you’re going with an ever-popular pad Thai recipe or fresh som tam salad, Thai food is bursting with flavor. So it’s no surprise to see Thai desserts have an equally powerful sense of taste.

The interesting twist is that some of the flavors don’t come from the ingredients inside the dish but are instead absorbed from the air. That’s right, we’re talking about the culinary incense known as tian op, otherwise known as the Thai dessert candle. Continued …

People Are Sharing Experiences Or Traditions From Abroad They Wish They Could Adopt Back Home

Whenever you visit a new place, there are likely to be aspects of daily life there that feel totally new. And personally, I love discovering international habits or customs I wish I could adopt back home. So we asked, “What did you experience in another country that you wish you could make a part of your regular life?” Here’s what people said. Continued …

China’s food security is at risk due to climate change

Over the past four decades, China has made significant achievements in maintaining food security through institutional reforms, technological progress and increased investment in public agricultural infrastructure. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

bangkok, climate change, hua hin, immigration, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-Aug 31

Today’s news: Champions Cup 7s event this Saturday/Hua Hin native Pone Kingpetch honored/Another media bites the dust/Retail LPG to remain at same price/Elite Card price to be increased by 50%/Cuts to diesel, electricity prices to be proposed/Economic peril for Srettha’s government/Thailand’s per capita income falls/Rules on digital wallet scheme/Boost for condominium sales/Factory output falls 4.43%/New EV policy/EV and renewable energy keyThailand plans visa overhaulNo more beer in glass bottles on Koh Tao/Thousands of Ducks Charge Across Rice Fields/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Champions Cup 7s event this Saturday

This Saturday, the first Champions Cup 7s Thailand will be held at True Arena, beginning at 9:30am. Organized by Viking Club Hua Hin, the event expects as many as 200 players from around Thailand.

Thailand’s first boxing world champion, Hua Hin native Pone Kingpetch, honored

The World Boxing Council’s Asian branch (WBC Asia) has formally recognized the legacy of Thailand’s first world boxing champion, Pone Kingpetch.

In a recent meeting at the Asian Boxing Council office an honorary certificate was received from the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF). Pone Kingpetch was inducted into the Hall of Fame in June. Continued …

Another media bites the dust

The Royal Coast Review, started by a former editor of Hua Hin Today several years ago, has gone on what its founder calls a “sabbatical.”

According to the publication, “The personal circumstances of the Royal Coast Review founder and managing editor has lead to a decision to take an extended sabbatical away from Thailand and the suspension of the publication of the Royal Coast Review website.”

RCR was started as competition for Hua Hin Today, but recently changed its focus to only report on the local nightlife scene.

Media history suggests that a publication taking a leave such as this rarely makes a comeback.

Retail LPG to remain at same price

The retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is expected to be maintained at 25.87 baht per kilogram, or 432 baht per standard 15-kg cylinder, for another month, according to the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO).

Wisak Watanasap, director of the OFFO, said the fund’s board met on Tuesday and passed a resolution to cap the LPG retail price until Sept. 30, extending it from the expiration date of Aug. 31. Continued … 

Elite Card price to be increased by 50%

Thailand Elite Card is preparing to raise its minimum membership price by 50% to 900,000 baht, from 600,000 baht, as the company attempts to ramp up annual revenue to 8 billion baht, according to Thailand Privilege Card Co. (TPC), the operator of the card.

The four new types of card will also remove the word “Elite” from their title, which has been used since the scheme’s establishment under the Thaksin Shinawatra government in 2003. Continued …

Cuts to diesel, electricity prices to be proposed

New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he expects his Cabinet to announce cuts to the price of diesel and electricity right after its first meeting.

Srettha was speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning after meeting with outgoing Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow and ML Chayotid Kridakon, chief of the United Thai Nation Party (UTNP)’s economic team. The meeting was held at the Pheu Thai head office at 11am. Continued …

Economic peril poses a greater threat to Srettha’s government than politics

Even though there are plenty of political challenges facing the Pheu Thai party, not the least being in a weak coalition, the economic challenges are far greater and could spell potential doom for the government if not handled correctly.

Experts say that 2024 will likely be a down year for the global economy and several macroeconomic issues will likely present themselves to the incoming government. Continued …

Thailand’s per capita income falls

Per capita income for this year has taken a hit after the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) revised the gross domestic product (GDP) projection from the initial estimate of 2.7%-3.7% to 2.5%-3%.

This decline is attributed to the second-quarter economic figures for 2023, which fell short of expectations due to a mere 1.8% expansion compared to the 2.6% achieved in the first quarter. The decrease in exports over the course of three consecutive quarters since the fourth quarter of 2022, with a negative growth of 5.7%, is the primary cause. Continued …

Rules on 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme clarified

Pheu Thai Party’s digital wallet scheme will be implemented in the form of utility tokens, a news source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The party leading the government coalition promised during its election campaign to stimulate the domestic economy by providing 10,000 baht in digital money to all Thais aged over 16. Continued …

Free visa policy expected to boost condominium sales

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s policy to offer free visas to Chinese and Indian tourists will likely boost sales of condominiums, the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) said today.

The center’s acting director, Wichai Wiratkapan, expects the Thai property sector to recover slightly from the economic slowdown and strict financial institution regulations on borrowing. Continued … 

Factory output falls 4.43%

Thailand’s manufacturing production index (MPI) in July dropped 4.43% from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said on Thursday, as exports declined amid sluggish global demand.

The figure compared with a forecast in a Reuters poll for a fall of 4.0% in July. Output shrank 5.24% in June. – Bangkok Post

New EV policy would maintain and increase level of sales

Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) is planning to propose to the new government that it implements measures to promote the purchase and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand under the EV 3.5 policy until 2025.

BOI Secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said on Wednesday that the EV 3.5 policy would help maintain the momentum of EVs in the automotive market, which has been growing thanks to the previous EV 3.0 policy. Continued …

EV and renewable energy key to addressing climate change challenges

Electric vehicles (EV) and renewable energy are essential to deal with climate change and herald a low-carbon society, experts said at the “ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week” on Wednesday at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.

Manu Leopairote, chairman of event organizer Informa Markets Thailand, said that climate change was the major problem affecting all regions of the world. Continued …

Thailand plans visa overhaul to boost tourism, lure Chinese and Indians

The Foreign Ministry is set to overhaul the visa system to boost tourism revenue from Thailand’s main markets, especially China and India.

The move comes after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with the airports authority and airlines on Monday for talks on how to attract more foreign visitors. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is targeting revenue of 3 trillion baht from foreign visitors next year. However, Thai tourism operators have complained that lengthy and sometimes costly visa application processes are deterring travelers from Thailand’s top two overseas markets – China and India. Continued …

No more beer in glass bottles on Koh Tao

From tomorrow, beer in glass containers will be banned from Koh Tao as part of attempts to solve the garbage problem on the island.

Only canned beer will be allowed, said Pollution Control Department Director General Pinsak Suraswadi on Wednesday. Vendors on the island will sell only canned beer, he said. Continued … 

Why Thousands of Ducks Charge Across Fields in Thailand Every Year

Step into the enchanting world of rice farming in Thailand through the video below. It captures a breathtaking spectacle. The scene unfolds with an aerial panorama. It reveals a torrential flow of thousands of ducks surging through a gate, akin to molten lava cascading over a precipice.

Video 

This feathered force floods into the rice fields like an invading army. Their awe-inspiring sight might seem like the rice field’s doom to the uninitiated eye. However, a twist in the narrative uncovers a harmonious partnership between the ducks and the farmers. It unveils an ingenious agricultural practice. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

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

Monday’s news-Aug 28

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

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

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Local restaurants warned of sophisticated wine scam circulating in Hua Hin

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

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

Promised Change Gives Way to Familiar Faces

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

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

Elephant Stabs His Master To Death After Being Sold

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

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

Fears over Fukushima seafood rise

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

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

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

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

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

Business operators against 600-baht wage hike policy

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand running out of jobs for university graduates, report shows

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

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

Thailand’s Weed Industry Is Poised to Grow Fast

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

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

PM to look into extending tourist visas to 90 days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pattaya Speedboat Operators in Wild Brawl Arguing Over Tourists

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

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

Chinese Tourist Shortfall Takes Toll on Pattaya’s Tourism Sector

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

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

5 Unknown Islands In Thailand To Experience Paradise Without The Crowds

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

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

What’s really killing historical UK pubs

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

hua hin, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Wednesday’s news-Aug 23

  • Pheu Thai’s Srettha wins PM post by large majority/
  • New government forms, but at what cost?/
  • Lung cancer: PM2.5 tiny particles pose threats to lungs/
  • Abnormal sleep behaviors may require medical intervention/
  • Economy: McKinsey foresees AI technology dominating Thailand’s future/
  • Tourism: Domestic tourism recovery in Thailand hits 93%/
  • Thailand Experience: Thais see ‘elixir’ as solution to human-elephant conflict/Initiative to help foster symphony of elephant-human coexistence/US vet students helping animals and their owners in Thailand/
  • International: Seven key questions about the Fukushima water release/Helicopters, ziplining commandos rescue 8 from Pakistan cable car/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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Pheu Thai’s Srettha wins PM post by large majority

Pheu Thai’s candidate Srettha Thavisin was named Thailand’s 30th prime minister on Tuesday, effectively bringing the nearly 100-day political deadlock to an end.

After hours of debate, the former real estate tycoon received 482 votes in the joint parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, far higher than the required 374 votes. Against votes stood at 165, while 81 parliamentarians abstained and 19 were absent. Continued …

New government forms, but at what cost?

Thai politics is entering a new chapter as the color-coded political divide that has polarized the country for several years is expected to end after Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin won parliament’s endorsement to become the country’s 30th prime minister on Tuesday.

After more than a decade of conflict between red-shirt and yellow groups, the two opposing camps now appear to have buried the hatchet and joined forces to fight against the Move Forward Party (MFP), which is perceived as their main threat, according to observers. Continued …

Lung cancer: PM2.5 tiny particles pose threats to lungs

For more than 25 years, Thailand has struggled with poor air quality, including the PM2.5 threat. The north, in particular, has borne the brunt. In 2023, the amount of dust particles has exceeded safe limits by 14 times.

Statistics show up to 1.7 million Thais came down with illnesses related to air pollution between Jan. 1 and March 19, 2023. In 2022, there were also as many as 180,000 lung-cancer patients in Thailand. The number of these patients has been rising every year. Continued …

Abnormal sleep behaviors may require medical intervention

Sleep disorders affect tens of millions of people across the globe. They include insomnia, which is the most common sleep disorder, restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy and parasomnias. REM sleep behavior disorder, also known as RBD, falls into that last category.

The term parasomnia refers to abnormal behaviors that occur during sleep. Sleep talking, sleep paralysis, bed wetting, repetitive tooth grinding, sleepwalking and nightmare disorder are also considered to be parasomnias. Continued …

McKinsey foresees AI technology dominating Thailand’s future

The Thai branch of global consultancy McKinsey & Company predicts that the three most impactful trends for Thailand over the next year will be generative artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technology, and climate technology. The prediction is a part of the company’s 2023 Tech Trends Outlook, which was published in July.

Gordon Candelin, senior expert and leader of McKinsey Design Southeast Asia at McKinsey & Company Thailand, emphasized the transformative potential of generative AI technology. Continued … 

Domestic tourism recovery in Thailand hits 93%

Thailand’s domestic tourism sector has seen a significant recovery, reaching 93% of its pre Covid-19 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT expects to record approximately 160 million domestic trips in the country this year, a sharp contrast to the dismal figures witnessed at the onset of the pandemic in 2019.

The projected tourism-related revenue is also expected to reach 808.2 billion baht by the end of this year, marking a 75% increase from 2019. Continued …

Thais see ‘elixir’ as solution to human-elephant conflict

Hidden in the forest of Chachoengsao Province in eastern Thailand, a compound of several single-story houses is being guarded by crews of security guards. In one of these houses, Piyawan Unaha is closely watching the monitors for the appearance of Asian elephants.

Piyawan works at the Bajrasudha Gajanurak Command Center, an advance warning project to detect the activities of wild elephants in five eastern Thai provinces, namely Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo. The provinces are home to nearly 600 wild elephants. Continued …

Initiative to help foster symphony of elephant-human coexistence

Thailand enjoys great animal diversity, with more than 200 protected areas of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife non-hunting areas, which cover 17% of Thailand’s total area.

The country is well known for the Asian elephant, the largest land mammal in the world, which can also be found in countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and China. Continued …

US vet students helping animals and their owners in Thailand

This summer, 14 students from the School of Veterinary Medicine traveled to Thailand to spay and neuter cats and dogs for owners who would otherwise be unable to afford the procedures.

For students at Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, an annual Thailand spay and neuter trip is an opportunity to help Thai communities that lack veterinary resources while honing their clinical skills. Continued …

Seven key questions about the Fukushima water release

Japan’s plan to release nuclear wastewater from its Fukushima reactor has sparked many questions. Japan is set to discharge millions of tons of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear reactor, which was damaged in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, into the Pacific Ocean. Continued …

Helicopters, ziplining commandos rescue 8 from Pakistan cable car

Military helicopters and ziplining commandos rescued eight people, including six schoolboys, who were trapped for hours on Tuesday in a stricken cable car high above a remote Pakistani valley. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

 

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

Tuesday’s news-Aug 22

  • Thailand threatens to shut down Facebook/
  • BCCT Multi-Chamber Connecting Western Seaboard event Friday/
  • Elephant found dead in Pranburi had been shot/
  • Hua Hin’s ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ ceremony set for Sept 24/
  • Excise Dept mulls single tax rate for cigarettes/
  • Thailand election: Exiled ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra finally returns to Thailand/More Than Half The Senators Likely To Vote Srettha For PM/Thaksin returns, Pheu Thai in bed with military parties: What about Thailand?/
  • Economy: Thailand now has 36 smart cities in 25 provinces/Almost 2,000 businesses forced to close in July/Thailand urges ASEAN to lower or lift tax on agricultural goods/Cannabis regulation back on agenda as outlets soar/
  • Tourism: Illegal cannabis dispensaries shut down in Phuket/
  • International: Global Food Security Is at Crossroads as Rice Shortages and Surging Prices Hit the most vulnerable/Hun Manet officially Cambodia’s Prime Minister/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Thailand threatens to shut down Facebook

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

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

Elephant found dead in Pranburi had been shot

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

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

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

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

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

Excise Dept mulls single tax rate for cigarettes

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

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

Exiled ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra finally returns to Thailand

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

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

More Than Half The Senators Likely To Vote Srettha For PM

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand now has 36 smart cities in 25 provinces

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

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

Almost 2,000 businesses forced to close in July

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

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

Thailand urges ASEAN to lower or lift tax on agricultural goods

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

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

Cannabis regulation back on agenda as outlets soar

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

Illegal cannabis dispensaries shut down in Phuket

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

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

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

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

Hun Manet officially Cambodia’s Prime Minister

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Saturday’s news-Aug 19

  • Big sex-for-sale website shut down by police in Hua Hin/
  • Rainfall forecast for most of Thailand until Thursday/
  • Dengue Fever Cases Climb To 5,000-6,000 a Week/
  • Car seats for kids are now mandatory in Thailand/
  • Thailand election: PM vote doubts persist/Changing Thailand: New Ideology, Old Politics/
  • Economy: Thai, ASEAN solar firms face US penalty duties/
  • Tourism: Ranong among four finalists for planned Andaman mega-cruise-ship port/Small tourism operators face high season staff woes/Haven Launched by the Elephant Freedom Project in Chiang Mai/Chiang Mai Hotel Exposes Hotel Booking Scams/Thailand’s first sniffer dog training center unleashed for battling narcotics/
  • Thailand Experience: Experience the Rich Heritage of Thailand Through These UNESCO World Heritage Sites/
  • International: Manila doubles down on casinos/China Appears To Be Building Runway on Disputed South China Sea Island/US to sign strategic partnership deal with Vietnam/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Big sex-for-sale website shut down by police in Hua Hin

Police this week arrested an American/Thai couple in Hua Hin after they suppressed the operation of what they believed to be Thailand’s leading prostitution website catering to foreign tourists in the kingdom. A press conference in Bangkok was told that ฿40 million in assets were seized, including a pool villa and 9 million baht in bank deposits in a joint task-force raid last Sunday morning.

The website, according to a police briefing given by Deputy Immigration Bureau Chief Police Panthana Nuchanart, was the leading site on Google and had nearly 430,000 visits per month, according to police cyber experts. Continued …

Rainfall forecast for most of Thailand until Thursday

A moderate southwest monsoon will bring rainfall to most of Thailand from today until next Thursday, with isolated heavy rains in some areas, the Meteorological Department forecast on Friday.

Isolated heavy rains are likely today in the east and the south’s west coast. From Sunday to Monday, a moderate monsoon trough will move down from Laos to lie across the north, northeast, central, and upper east regions, while the moderate southwest monsoon will lie over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Continued …

Dengue Fever Cases Climb To 5,000-6,000 a Week

The Public Health Ministry said Friday the number of dengue fever patients has risen to around 5,000-6,000 a week over the past four weeks, and to cope with the situation emergency operation centers have been opened in 31 provinces and seven other districts.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, also revealed that the cumulative total of dengue fever cases has risen to 65,552, while the cumulative death toll is 58, of which 40 were older children and adults. Continued …

Car seats for kids are now mandatory in Thailand

Children under six years old must be placed in car seats that have proper harnesses and have passed the safety standards of the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, or the drivers of the vehicles they are in will face fines of up to 2,000 baht, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have announced.

The announcement was a reminder that the 13th amendment of the Land Traffic Act of 1879 has been effective since Aug. 17, after being published in the Royal Gazette in May last year. Continued …

PM vote doubts persist

Questions remain over whether the country’s 30th prime minister can be elected on Tuesday, as the political situation is still highly volatile, according to observers.

The Pheu Thai Party, which is in charge of forming a new government, now has the backing of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, which has agreed to join a Pheu Thai coalition and vote for its prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin. Continued …

Changing Thailand: New Ideology, Old Politics

The victory of the opposition parties, the Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai Party (PTP), at Thailand’s May 14 election marked the end of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s eight-year-long administration. Prayut, a military general who came to power after the 2014 coup and maintained his position after the highly disputed 2019 election, has recently announced his retirement from politics.

The overwhelming votes for the MFP in the election highlight a clear ideological divide and the mainstreaming of a hitherto radical stance among the Thais, considering the party’s intention to revise the lese-majeste law (Article 112 of the criminal code). But following a concerted effort to block the MFP from taking part in the governing coalition, it is unclear if the voters’ cries for change will be met. Continued …

Thai, ASEAN solar firms face US penalty duties

The United States is preparing to impose steep penalty duties on solar panel makers who finished their products in Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, to avoid tariffs on Chinese-made goods.

The duties threaten to push up the cost of renewable power and slow the development of clean energy in the United States if solar power developers cannot find other sources of supply. Continued …

Ranong among four finalists for planned Andaman mega-cruise-ship port

Ranong tourism operators are upbeat, as the southern province has been selected as one of the four candidates for constructing a port for mega-cruise ships on the Andaman coast.

Nit Uitekkheng, deputy chairman of Ranong Chamber of Commerce, said on Friday that the other candidates were Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga provinces. Continued …

Small tourism operators face high season staff woes

As the tourism sector remains buoyant, small operators are likely to face labor shortages during the high season as larger businesses offer more competitive salaries.

Krod Rojanastien, board adviser for the Thai Spa Assn., said about 30% of more than 8,000 spas and Thai massage venues nationwide lack the necessary amount of therapists, particularly small operators, as the number of foreign arrivals keeps increasing. Continued …

Haven Launched by the Elephant Freedom Project in Chiang Mai

The Elephant Freedom Project recently launched the Premiere Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand. The sanctuary is nestled in the heart of northern Thailand’s mountains and is dedicated to rescuing and protecting abused elephants.

The Elephant Freedom Project is a pioneering organization dedicated to rescuing and protecting elephants. Its new project, The Premiere Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand, is nestled deep in the picturesque mountains of northern Thailand, an hour’s ride from Chiang Mai City. Known to locals as the “Jurassic Park of Thailand,” the sanctuary is set to revolutionize the ethical elephant sanctuary tourism industry. Continued …

Chiang Mai Hotel Exposes Hotel Booking Scams

A renowned hotel in Chiang Mai has filed a complaint to the police against scammers creating a fraudulent Facebook page to deceive individuals into making accommodation bookings and transferring money.

The manager of R1 Nimman Hotel Chiang Mai filed the complaint at the Phu Ping Police Station after a cybercriminal gang took images from the hotel’s official Facebook page, created a counterfeit page, and posted messages claiming to offer room reservations. Continued …

Thailand’s first sniffer dog training center unleashed for battling narcotics

 

The Thai Customs Canine Training Center (TCCTC) was officially inaugurated yesterday in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan. This is Thailand’s first facility for training sniffer dogs, set to become a vital tool in combating narcotics smuggling. Roughly five dogs are anticipated to be enlisted for a program focusing on the identification of illicit substances concealed within imported and exported goods. (thethaiger.com)

Experience the Rich Heritage of Thailand Through These UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Thailand is quite famous for its Michelin-rated street food, shopping and nightlife; however, it also has a rich cultural heritage associated with it. And, if you want to delve deeper into this side of The Land Of Smiles, then this list of heritage sites can be your guide.

Historic City of Ayutthaya

Founded in 1350, the historical city of Ayutthaya thrived between the 14th and 18th centuries. In 1767, the Burmese army attacked and burned it down, but the ruins still speak of its glorious past and make for an important archaeological site with its monasteries, such as Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Continued …

Manila doubles down on casinos

The Philippines’ gambling industry expects to double its gross gaming revenue by 2028, as the country attracts more tourists such as wealthy Chinese gamblers, the gaming regulator’s chief said on Wednesday. Continued …

China Appears To Be Building Runway on Disputed South China Sea Island

China appears to be constructing a runway on a disputed island in the South China Sea claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan in its latest move to claim sovereignty in the contested waters, a Hong Kong newspaper reported Friday, citing satellite images. Continued …

US to sign strategic partnership deal with Vietnam

United States President Joe Biden will sign a strategic partnership agreement with Vietnam during a state visit to the Southeast Asian country in mid-September. The agreement will allow for new bilateral collaboration that will boost Vietnam’s efforts to develop its high technology sector in areas including semiconductor production and artificial intelligence. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
baht, bangkok, cha am, hua hin, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Friday’s news-Aug 18

  • Cha Am seafood festival returns Sept 9-16/
  • Sansiri partners with Huawei to launch ‘SOLAR to ZERO’ campaign/
  • Energy Ministry kicks off plan to transform Surat Thani with smart energy/
  • All 12 districts of Nakhon Phanom declared flood disaster zones/
  • Aging Thailand agonizes over welfare state as elderly subsidy cut/
  • Swedish man arrested for overstaying visa 3 years/
  • Elephant brutality: Wild Thai Park shooting sparks probe/
  • More than a ton of endangered pangolin scales seized in Thailand/
  • Thailand election: Coup-linked parties now part of new coalition/A long road ahead for Thailand/
  • Economy: Economy likely grew 3.1% in Q2 on higher tourist arrivals/Thailand preparing for a soft landing as ‘cracks’ open up in the Chinese economy/Foreign investments bolster Thai economy with 58.9-billion-baht boost/Thailand, India compete for semiconductor investments/Property developers bullish on 2nd half of year/
  • Tourism: Bookings down as China slumps/600-kilometer road in southern Thailand would aid tourism/Inside Thailand’s Child Sex Tourism Trade/
  • Thailand Experience: Thailand After Dark: Exploring the Kingdoms Enchanting Nightlife/Ten best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Bangkok/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

Cha Am seafood festival returns Sept 9-16

The viewpoint at Cha Am Beach will play host to the 22nd “Shellfish & Squid Festival @ Cha Am” from Sept. 9-16. The event promises lots of delicious food, live music, and lots of fun activities.

One of the main highlights of the festival is the wide range of locally caught seafood that will be available for visitors to sample. From grilled prawns and squid to fried fish and crab, there will be something to please everyone’s taste buds. Continued …

Sansiri partners with Huawei to launch ‘SOLAR to ZERO’ campaign

Sansiri Public Co. plans to install 100% solar systems for 10,000 houses, reducing carbon emissions by up to 42,000 tons/carbon through revolving credit funds of over 2 billion baht in five years.

This collaboration in the “SOLAR to ZERO” campaign is in line with Sansiri’s mission as Thailand’s first real estate company to set a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (Net-Zero) by the year 2050, to create a sustainable turning point for the environment. Sansiri has several projects in the Hua Hin area. Continued …

Energy Ministry kicks off plan to transform Surat Thani with smart energy

The Energy Ministry on Thursday began a two-day seminar in Surat Thani to mark the official start of its effort to transform the southern tourism province into the first “smart province in terms of energy management” in Thailand.

Pethai said Surat Thani is the pilot province for smart energy management and other provinces will follow. The smart energy province project is part of Thailand’s plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero emissions by 2065. Continued …

All 12 districts of Nakhon Phanom declared flood disaster zones

Nakhon Phanom Gov. Wanchai Chanporn on Thursday declared all 12 districts in the northeastern province as flood disaster zones to speed up aid efforts for the affected people.

The governor said that as per the initial estimates, some 40,000 rai (6,400 hectares) of paddy fields were under floodwater following several days of heavy rains. Continued …

Aging Thailand agonizes over welfare state as elderly subsidy cut

Thailand’s universal welfare has taken a backward step with the caretaker government’s recent decision to limit monthly subsidies of 600 to 1,000 baht per head to just poor, elderly Thais.

Previously, all elderly Thais were eligible. But those who register themselves as elderly from now on will not receive monthly state subsidies unless they can prove that they do not have enough income or resources to live on. Continued …

Swedish man arrested for overstaying visa 3 years

The Immigration Police arrested a Swedish man for overstaying his visa by over three years in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon.

Following an ongoing effort to thwart foreign criminals seeking refuge in Thailand, officers from the Sakon Nakhoh Immigration Office discovered a 49-year-old Swedish man, Toerner John Alexander, overstaying his visa. Continued …

Elephant brutality: Wild Thai Park shooting sparks probe

In Loei, law enforcement services are currently being solicited by park authorities to uncover the culprit behind a recent act of elephant brutality in Phu Luang wildlife sanctuary in this northeastern region. A wild bull elephant was confirmed to be the victim of the cruel act.

This elephant brutality discovery was made near a forest creek located within the Sri Song Rak sector of the Dan Sai district yesterday morning. Speculation from officials at Phu Luang suggests that the deceased appears to have been part of a roaming trio of elephants, who had been sighted near local farmland in the preceding two months. Continued …

More than a ton of endangered pangolin scales seized in Thailand

Thai authorities said Thursday they have seized more than a ton of pangolin scales worth over 50 million baht ($1.4 million) that are believed to have been headed out of the country through a land border.

The scales that cover a type of anteater were found Wednesday night in the northeastern province of Kalasin, and apparently were meant to be transported out through Mukdahan province, which shares a border with Laos, Thai police said at a news conference in Bangkok on Thursday. Continued …

Coup-linked parties now part of new coalition

The Pheu Tha-led coalition government now has mustered a combined force of 314 Mps, including those of the “uncles’ camps” on their side, confirmed Pheu Thai wheeler-dealer Bhumtham Wechayachai yesterday.

The 314-MPs-strong coalition partners include the Pheu Thai under de facto party boss Thaksin Shinawatra with 141 MPs, the Bhumjaithai under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob with 71 MPs, the Palang Pracharath led by Prawit “Uncle Pom” Wongsuwan with 40 MPs, the Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto party boss/caretaker prime minister Prayut “Uncle Tu” Chan-o-cha with 36 MPs, the Chart Thai Pattana led by Varawut Silpa-archa with 10 Mps, and the Prachachart led by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha with nine Mps, plus those of six splinter parties with only one MP or two each. Continued …

A long road ahead for Thailand

We all should have been celebrating. The celebration should have started the night of the election when the Democratic Alliance, led by the Move Forward Party, claimed victory.

I still vividly remember that night’s energy — people thronging the streets, social media posts celebrating progress’s triumph over fear and intimidation, and even my friends marveling at how the Move Forward Party had achieved the impossible. Continued …

Economy likely grew 3.1% in Q2 on higher tourist arrivals

Thailand’s economy likely grew 3.1% in the April-June quarter from a year ago, up from 2.7% in the previous quarter, driven by increased foreign tourist arrivals, according to the median forecast of 21 economists polled.

On a quarterly basis, gross domestic product (GDP) was forecast to have grown by a seasonally adjusted 1.2%, a slowdown from the 1.9% growth in the preceding quarter, according to a smaller sample of forecasts in the Aug. 14-17 poll conducted by Reuters. Continued … 

Thailand preparing for a soft landing as ‘cracks’ open up in the Chinese economy

The Thai baht has fallen in value against the U.S. dollar by 8.4% since Jan. 30, as the kingdom finds itself being buffeted by the country’s political instability and a growing crisis linked with the Chinese economy, as well as elevated interest rates in the United States.

This week, at a conference in southern Thailand, Bank of Thailand Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput suggested that while the economic recovery was still intact, the bank was now focused on achieving a “soft landing” as he referred to “cracks” in China’s economy. Continued …

Foreign investments bolster Thai economy with 58.9-billion-baht boost

From January through July of this year, Thailand saw 377 foreign business people invest 58.95 billion baht in the kingdom, an increase of 17% in the number of investors but a drop of 20% in the value of foreign direct investment (FDI), a senior official said.

Estimates suggest that the Japanese investors led the pack with a total outlay of 19.9 billion baht. They were closely tailed by Singaporean enterprises who injected 12.9 billion baht into the Thai business sector. Additionally, Chinese and U.S. firms put in 11.7 billion and 3.04 billion, respectively, catalyzing foreign investments within the nation. Continued …

Thailand, India compete for semiconductor investments

Thailand and India are competing to attract semiconductor investments, aiming to reduce dependency on the supply chain from China.

The trade dispute between the U.S. and China regarding the transfer and export of advanced semiconductor technology has led both countries to see an opportunity to become a production base and benefit from major technology players seeking new options in the supply chain system. Continued …

Property developers bullish on 2nd half of year

SET-listed developers are hoping an economic recovery in the second half will help them achieve their performance goals this year after modest first-half results.

Wongsakorn Prasitvipat, managing director of Property Perfect Plc., said the company plans to launch nine new residential projects worth a combined 13.3 billion baht in the second half after introducing just one 1-billion-baht project in the first half. Continued … 

Bookings down as China slumps

China’s economic woes are pressuring inbound tourism during the Golden Week holiday in October, leading to sluggish forward bookings, according to tourism operators.

Surawat Akaraworamat, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said travel agents reported slower booking than usual for China National Day, one of the longest holidays in that country. Continued …

600-kilometer road in southern Thailand would aid tourism

The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) in Thailand recently announced a forthcoming impact study concerning a proposed coastal road project linking the provinces of Ranong and Satun to boost Andaman tourism.

The proposed two-lane highway, covering a distance of 600 kilometers, is designed to notably enhance the ease of access for tourists to key attractions spread across six different provinces – these being Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun, relayed Punya Chupanit, who is at the helm of OTP. Continued …

Inside Thailand’s Child Sex Tourism Trade

Thailand’s multibillion-dollar sex tourism trade is thriving again after its shutdown during the COVID-19 lockdowns. With the country’s borders open again, tourists are flocking from around the world.

Despite prostitution being illegal, bar girls in the coastal city of Pattaya can earn triple the average wage, drawing workers from the country’s poor rural provinces. But police say children are increasingly targeted in the city’s red-light district. Video 

Thailand After Dark: Exploring the Kingdoms Enchanting Nightlife

A completely new universe comes to life when the sun sets over Thailand’s beautiful surroundings. Thailand’s nightlife is a vivid tapestry of colors, noises, and sensations that captivates both locals and tourists alike, from bustling cities to peaceful seaside towns.

Thailand changes into a land of lit streets, bustling marketplaces, and exciting entertainment as the day gives way to night. Everyone may find something to enjoy in the country’s diversified nightlife culture, which spans the vibrant metropolis of Bangkok to the calm beaches of Phuket. Continued …

Ten best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Bangkok

For decades, vegetarian dining in Bangkok was synonymous with rice and curry dishes crafted from tofu, soy protein, and additives. However, a rapid transformation occurred almost overnight. Chefs embraced creativity, menus underwent a renaissance, and a wave of trendy specialized restaurants emerged.

New culinary terms entered the lexicon: legumes, quinoa charcoal burger, chia seed pad Thai, tempeh. And just like that Bangkok became a vegan- and vegetarian-friendly city. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
bangkok, climate change, hua hin, thai economy, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-Aug 17

  • Three new water-management measures adopted to cope with El Niño/
  • Kru Kai Kaew believers reportedly sacrifice puppies and kittens to the diety/
  • Alcohol advertising: Tightened restrictions urged amidst youth risk concerns/
  • Inside Thailand’s ‘endless’ battle against hazardous waste/
  • Thailand election: Aug 22 likely date for PM election/Voting for next PM to go ahead, with growing turmoil likely to end with General Prawit as PM/
  • Economy: Five fast-food giants that crashed and burned in Thailand/Thai Private Sector Seeks Help As Chinese Products Flood Market/
  • Tourism: Thailand to position Nakhon Si Thammarat as a haven of adventure/Finnair Adds More Flights to Thailand/
  • Thailand Experience: Video showcases abuses in training elephants for tourists/Echoes of the past in Suphan Buri/
  • International: How Asia can invest in averting a food crisis caused by climate change/Videos Put Scrutiny On Downed Power Lines As Possible Cause Of Deadly Maui Wildfires/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Three new water-management measures adopted to cope with El Niño

Three new water-management measures were adopted at a meeting of the National Water Command Center yesterday in anticipation of a prolonged drought after the rainy season this year, due to the effects of El Niño.

Attending the meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, were representatives from the Meteorological, Water Resources and Royal Irrigation departments, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the Hydro Informatics Institute. Continued …

Kru Kai Kaew believers reportedly sacrifice puppies and kittens to the diety

Thai believers in the supernatural power of the Kru Kai Kaew deity rocked social media this week after they reportedly sought puppies and kittens for a sacrificial ceremony in the pursuit of luck and prosperity. The practice has taken a dark turn, as some followers hope to receive lucky lottery numbers in exchange for innocent lives.

Kru Kai Kaew, portrayed as an anthropomorphic entity adorned with resplendent wings and gleaming golden talons, recently gained even more notoriety when a colossal sculpture of the deity caused a major traffic jam on Bangkok’s Rachadapisek Road. The statue’s towering height hindered its passage through an underpass, sparking rumors that this was a calculated move to seize public attention. Continued …

Alcohol advertising: Tightened restrictions urged amidst youth risk concerns

Further restrictions against alcohol advertising are being urged by the Alcohol Watch Network. Concerns center around young people and new drinkers who are at risk due to various impacts on health, economy and society.

Teera Watcharapranee, director of the office of the Alcohol Watch Network, stated yesterday that despite the responsibility of enforcing the law falling on the Ministry of Public Health under the Alcohol Control Act of 2008, the network and its allied sectors have publicly supported the cause, closely monitoring any acts of defiance related to alcohol advertising. Continued …

Inside Thailand’s ‘endless’ battle against hazardous waste

First it was the stench, then the changing color of the ponds that made residents of eastern Thailand’s Nong Phawa community realize that something had gone seriously wrong in their neighborhoods.

Since at least 2012, the Nong Phawa community had observed the nearby recycling factory with suspicion. Its close proximity to the community center and the noticeable odor it emitted raised serious concerns. But their understanding of the plant’s activities was limited, preventing them from speaking out. Continued …

Aug 22 likely date for PM election

Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has called a meeting of Senate whips and representatives of major political parties to discuss the date for the election of the prime minister, parliamentary officials said.

The officials said Wan Noor would hold a meeting of Senate whips and representatives of the Pheu Thai-led coalition and those outside the bloc at 10am. Continued …

Voting for next PM to go ahead, with growing turmoil likely to end with General Prawit as PM

The Constitutional Court on Wednesday cleared the way for the parliamentary process to elect Thailand’s 30th prime minister to continue when it rejected petitions made against the blocking of Pita Limjaroenrat’s renomination on July 19. A new vote on the nomination of Pheu Thai’s Srettha Thavisin is likely within the week but there are doubts as to whether it will succeed, opening up the possibility of a Bhumjaithai Party-led effort to form a government and the eventual election of Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan as Thailand’s next PM.

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court in Bangkok threw out petitions submitted to it via the Office of the Ombudsman questioning the legality of the decision in Parliament on July 19 not to debate the renomination of Pita Limjaroenrat for the office of prime minister. Continued …

Five fast-food giants that crashed and burned in Thailand

Five popular international food brands, Gardenia, Carl’s Jr, Roti Boy, A&W and Baskin Robbins, suddenly disappeared from Thailand after suffering heavy losses during economic downturns and the Covid-19 crisis.

Gardenia, known for its fragrant and buttery bakery treats, entered the Thai market in 1987. Gardenia is famous for its diverse range of flavors, including buttered scones and bread varieties like milk oat, whole wheat, banana-infused whole wheat, pumpkin, chocolate, raspberry, coconut pandan, and more. Its unique and delicious flavors quickly gained popularity in Thailand. Continued …

Thai Private Sector Seeks Help As Chinese Products Flood Market

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) today yesterday called for help as Chinese products are now flooding in from every direction, with Thai entrepreneurs unable to compete anymore.

Kriangkrai Thiennukul, FTI’s president, said 20 industrial groups out of a total of 45 have been severely impacted by the heavy flow of Chinese products into Thailand, from only five to six groups previously hit. Continued …

Thailand to position Nakhon Si Thammarat as a haven of adventure

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the provincial governor’s office of Nakhon Si Thammarat are working together to increase tourism promotion to the southern Thailand province.

Just an hour’s flight from Bangkok, Nakhon Si Thammarat is a well-kept secret by the locals and features an abundance of natural wonders – it has been nicknamed “the green lungs of Thailand’”, where travelers come to simply unplug from their daily lives. Continued …

Finnair Adds More Flights to Thailand

Finnair is adding more flights between Helsinki and Bangkok this winter, in response to increased demand for travel to Thailand.

The airline – celebrating its 100th anniversary this year – will go from 11 per week to an increased double daily service. Flights will depart Helsinki at 1:50pm and 4:30pm each day this winter, arriving into Thailand at 6:20am and 9:05am the following morning. Continued …

An elephant being “trained” for tourism

Video showcases abuses in training elephants for tourists

Collaborating with Tang Tawanwad Wanavit, aka TangBadVoice, renowned Thai Hip Hop artist, street photographer, and director of photography, World Animal Protection Thailand has released the music video “No Elephant Show.”

Video 

The upbeat song is inspired by the famous Thai elephant song (เพลงช้าง) while peeling back the layers to expose the distressing violence and cruelty involved in elephant training. Continued …

Echoes of the past in Suphan Buri

We were mesmerized by vast lush paddy fields on either side of the road, where equestrians expertly rode their horses as we gazed out of our van en route to Suphan Buri. However, ancient temples and historical ruins remain powerful attractions for travelers to discover Thailand’s rich history and fascinating cultural heritage.

Based on artifacts found here that date back between 3,500 and 3,800 years, this settlement is thought to have been on the east banks of the Tha Chin River as early as the New Stone Age. During the Ayutthaya period, it’s here that King Naresuan and Burmese Crown Prince Maha Uparaja fought a fabled royal battle on elephant back that resulted in Siam’s independence. Continued …

How Asia can invest in averting a food crisis caused by climate change

After Covid-19 disruptions resulted in increasing concerns about manufacturing supply chain vulnerabilities, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted markets to adopt a laser-like focus on energy costs and their implications for industry. Yet, markets’ focus on disrupted and costlier industrial energy have left a far more worrying prospect largely forgotten: food shortages. Continued …

Videos Put Scrutiny On Downed Power Lines As Possible Cause Of Deadly Maui Wildfires

Awakened by howling winds that tore through his Maui neighborhood, Shane Treu went out at dawn and saw a wooden power pole suddenly snap with a flash, its sparking, popping line falling to the dry grass below and quickly igniting a row of flames. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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