Category Archives: thailand

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Thursday’s news-May 18

  • How people in Prachuap Khiri Khan voted in the general election/
  • Four scenarios for next Thai govt and only two have Pita as PM/
  • What role will senators play in naming Thailand’s next PM?/
  • Move Forward lines up changes for 45 laws as soon as Parliament reopens/
  • Royal Ploughing Ceremony forecasts bumper crops and prosperity for year ahead/
  • Baby elephant saved after falling in a golf course well/
  • Cyanide murder suspect had massive online gaming debts/
  • Teen Girl, 2 Youths Held For Killing Chinese Factory Owner/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Residential sales revenue delines in Q1/CBRE Reveals Positive Signs of Foreign Demand for Luxury Residences in Thailand/Thailand Remains Popular Filming Location/Thailand keen to serve as ASEAN energy hub/Thailand eases EV restrictions to attract European manufacturers/US$20M invested in data center expansion amid cloud services boom/3 municipal biomass power plants approved/After election, Thai cannabis ready to roll with the changes/
  • Tourism: Tourism to limit economic pain as new government awaited/Pattaya Police ban prostitution on the beach/30 tourists injured, 1 missing after Phuket speedboat crashes into pillar/Flights to Mae Hong Son to resume in August/
  • International: Heat Wave in Asia Made 30 Times More Likely Because of Climate Change/Vietnam bets big on LNG, South China Sea gas fields/Four kids, including baby, found alive in Amazon after plane crash/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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How people in Prachuap Khiri Khan voted in the general election

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

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

Pita Limjaroenrat

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Royal Ploughing Ceremony forecasts bumper crops and prosperity for year ahead

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

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

Baby elephant saved after falling in a golf course well

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

Cyanide murder suspect had massive online gaming debts

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

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

Teen Girl, 2 Youths Held For Killing Chinese Factory Owner

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

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

Residential sales revenue delines in Q1

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand Remains Popular Filming Location

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

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

Thailand keen to serve as ASEAN energy hub

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

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

Thailand eases EV restrictions to attract European manufacturers

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 municipal biomass power plants approved

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

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

After election, Thai cannabis ready to roll with the changes

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

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

Tourism to limit economic pain as new government awaited

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

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

Pattaya Police ban prostitution on the beach

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

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

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

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

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

Flights to Mae Hong Son to resume in August

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

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

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

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

Vietnam bets big on LNG, South China Sea gas fields

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

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

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Wednesday’s news-May 17

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

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Is this election a new dawn for Thailand?

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

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

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

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

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

Liberal govt led by Move Forward may be a pipe dream

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

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

Analysts upbeat on Thai growth outlook

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

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

Thailand’s Election Results May Reverse Cannabis Policy

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

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

WHO: Artificial sweeteners do not help in weight loss

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

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

Royal Ploughing Ceremony kicks off rice-growing season

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

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

Fruit prices hike on Chinese demand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tourism operators express hope post-election

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

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

Thai tourism operators target more arrivals from India

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lost luggage soars with air travel revival

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

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

Council of Europe gathers to discuss future prosecution of Russian leaders

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

Cyclone toll in Myanmar’s Rakhine state at least 41

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

UN: Time running out in war on plastic pollution

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

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

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

Hidden lives of terminal dwellers in South Korea

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

Vietnam pledges no new coal plants after 2030

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Tuesday’s news-My 16

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

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Move Forward Announces Six-Party Coalition

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

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

Timeline to the formation of a new government

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

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

Thai baht soars as voters back pro-democracy parties

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

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

NESDC names economic challenges new government will face

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

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

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

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

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

Subsidy for household electricity bills can go ahead

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

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

Is weight-loss surgery worth it?

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand’s economy poised to expand 3.7% this year

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

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

Thai industrial estates ride the EV boom

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

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

Polish National Arrested for Gruesome Murder and Dismemberment of Ukrainian Girlfriend

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

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

Cops to arrest abettors of Aem Cyanide

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

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

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

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

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

Tycoon’s property unit to boost spending on tourism boom

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

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

Cruise ship’s arrival in Phuket signals booming tourism uplift

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

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

TAT Unveils ‘Amazing Thailand Culinary City’ Project

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

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

Argentina ramps interest rate to 97% as inflation soars

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Monday’s news-May 15

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

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

Thais vote overwhelmingly for democracy parties, reject military

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

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

Move Forward’s Pita ready to be next prime minister

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history

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

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

Western media agree Thailand is at a crucial juncture

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

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

Post-election challenges for Thais and new government

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

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

Scorching electricity costs may sear the economic recovery

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

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

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

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

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

Q1 GDP grows 2.7% y/y, beats expectations

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

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

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

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

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

Missing Thai Teen Girl found dead in north Thailand

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

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

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

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

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

Thai rice exports soar in first 4 months of 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unravel Mae Hong Son – Thailand’s unspoiled tourist paradise

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

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

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

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

THE CLASS

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

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

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

Turkey braces for momentous runoff after election drama

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Saturday’s news-May 13

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

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

 

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thai parties make push to woo voters ahead of Sunday election

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

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

Thailand’s long and winding election road

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

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

Even wild elephants no match for Chachoengsao dogs

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

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

Exploring the peace corps’ 60-year history in Thailand

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

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

Thailand’s experiment with weed goes up in smoke

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

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

Number of registered businesses at highest level in a decade

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

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

EV Primus angles to create EV supermarket

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

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

Chon Buri to get new EV battery factory

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

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

Asia Biomass eyes 20% revenue growth in 2023

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

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

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

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

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

Thai tourism rebound evident with surge in new business registrations

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

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

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

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

The website features:

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

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

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

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

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Friday’s news-May 12

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

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Practical tips for learning Thai as a beginner

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

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

Global warming and smog are boosting production of Thai air conditioners

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

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

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

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

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

Foreign community looks to newly elected government for better investment opportunities

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

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

Uptick in consumer confidence persists

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

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

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

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

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

Thai cement firm ‘prints’ two-story medical center

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

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

Arson attacks strike 23 locations in far south

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

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

Why buying cannabis in Thailand might get tougher after election

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

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

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

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

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

Tourists flee as python slithers into Krabi’s Emerald Pool

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

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

Western tourists embrace traditional Chinese medicine in Thailand

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

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

THAI, Bangkok Airways earnings surge as tourists flock back

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

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

The Food School Bangkok: Where Culinary Dreams Come to Life

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

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

ASEAN pushes for greater local currency use

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

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

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, covid, hua hin, immigration, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-May 11

  • Meteorological Dept issues tropical depression warning/
  • 23 Illegal Immigrants arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province/
  • 50 satang reduction in diesel price just not worth it, says LTAT chief/
  • A volunteer’s view of daily life at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand in Phetchaburi/
  • Thai, Chinese Police Cooperate in Crackdown on Chinese Crooks/
  • Covid-19 Guidelines Provided to Schools/
  • 78 million baht found in accounts linked to suspected ‘cyanide killer’/
  • Murdered youth’s father goes ballistic at re-enactment/
  • Wild elephant tramples woman to death in front of officials/
  • Expressway from southern Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi being studied/
  • The political significance of the marigold bloom/
  • Circular economy could generate millions of job opportunities/
  • Tourism: Thailand targets high-spending Middle Eastern tourists for tourism growth/TAT pushes for bigger visa quota to meet surging demand of Chinese tourists/
  • Thailand Experience: Thailand touts traditional charms of 55 cities and towns off the tourist trail/Most Extreme Seafood Tour of Bangkok/
  • International: Gold demand surges amid jitters/Toyota projects 10% profit growth, five-fold increase in EV sales this year/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

Meteorological Dept issues tropical depression warning

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

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

23 Illegal Immigrants arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thai, Chinese Police Cooperate in Crackdown on Chinese Crooks

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

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

Covid-19 Guidelines Provided to Schools

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

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

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

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

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

Murdered youth’s father goes ballistic at re-enactment

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

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

Wild elephant tramples woman to death in front of officials

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

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

Expressway from southern Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi being studied

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

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

The political significance of the marigold bloom

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

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

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

Circular economy could generate millions of job opportunities

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

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

Thailand targets high-spending Middle Eastern tourists for tourism growth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most Extreme Seafood Tour of Bangkok

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

Gold demand surges amid jitters

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

Australia told to shoot kangaroos before they starve

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

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

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

hua hin, thailand, tourism

Wednesday’s news-May 10

  • Storm warning for North, South to see heavy rain and flash floods/
  • Pran Buri train station renovated/
  • Diesel price set to fall this month/
  • Demand for gold bars, coins up in Thailand, banks stock up on precious metal/
  • Thailand still attractive as manufacturing base, more foreign firms shift operations here/
  • 15th charge laid in serial cyanide killings case/
  • Sex offender confesses to murdering Thai-British teenager, girlfriend still missing/
  • Thailand’s sex workers hope election will change their lives/
  • Man brutally kills 4 stray dogs in southern Thailand/
  • Tourism: Clarifying departure levy scuttlebutt/Thailand Sees More Than 400,000 Foreign Tourists in First Week of May/Chinese tourist arrivals to hit pre-pandemic levels in October/
  • International: ASEAN at a crossroad as violence escalates in Myanmar/Jury finds Donald Trump liable in civil sex abuse case/Putin touts ‘sacred’ battle with West in Ukraine as Russia marks Victory Day/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

Storm warning for North, South to see heavy rain and flash floods

A tropical storm could bring thundershowers and gusty winds to upper Thailand until Monday, Thai Meteorological Department said today.

Hailstorms, lightning and heavy rains are forecast in some areas during this period, the department added, warning people in upper Thailand to stay away from large trees and unsecured billboards. It also advised travelers to avoid wearing metal accessories and using smartphones in thundershowers. Continued …

Pran Buri train station renovated

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has released photographs of the newly renovated Pranburi Railway Station. The new station is located on the southern double-track line between Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan. The station has been upgraded to meet universal design standards, with improvements made to the station’s facilities and amenities.

Diesel price set to fall this month

The domestic diesel price should decrease by 0.5 baht a liter to around 32 baht on May 15 in response to falling global oil prices, says the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO). Continued …

Demand for gold bars, coins up in Thailand, banks stock up on precious metal

The banking crisis, tight monetary policies and the overall macroeconomic slowdown have increased the demand for gold from major central banks around the world, as the precious metal is regarded as the proper safe haven, the World Gold Council said.

Shaokai Fan, the council head of Asia-Pacific (ex-China) and global head of central banks, told an online press conference that central banks had helped boost demand by adding 228 tons to global reserves. As a result, the first quarter of this year set a new high in this data series. Continued …

Thailand still attractive as manufacturing base, more foreign firms shift operations here

The first half of this fiscal year has seen many foreign companies shifting their manufacturing bases to Thailand and taking over up to 2,900 rai (464 hectares) of land in industrial estates.

Veeris Ammarapala, governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), said on Tuesday that 2,975 rai of land in industrial estates around the country was either rented or sold to foreign investors from October last year to March this year. Continued …

15th charge laid in serial cyanide killings case

Police on Tuesday laid another charge against alleged serial killer Sararat “Aem” Rangsiwuthaporn after police said they had evidence showing she poisoned a 15th victim with cyanide in 2015.

According to Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn, who is leading the investigation, police in Thong Lor – the area where the death of the 15th alleged victim, Monthathip “Sai” Khao-in, occurred – on Tuesday invited the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital doctor, who performed the autopsy, for questioning. Continued …

Sex offender confesses to murdering Thai-British teenager, girlfriend still missing

A man formerly imprisoned for sex crimes has confessed to murdering the Thai-British teenager who was found dead in the woods of Lampang province, northern Thailand, on Sunday. The police are still searching for the deceased’s missing girlfriend.

Police arrested a 44-year-old Thai man named Chaiwat Boonkarin under suspicion of murder and concealing a corpse on Monday. Initially, he denied the charges. After being interrogated all night, he confessed to killing 17-year-old Woramet “Ben” Taota, a dual Thai-British citizen. Chaiwat was released from prison for sex crimes less than eight months ago. Continued …

Thailand’s sex workers hope election will change their lives

Thailand’s sex workers are pinning their hopes on a new government after the general election on May 14 to pass legislation decriminalizing the country’s buzzing, billion-dollar sex industry, which provides livelihoods to an estimated 300,000 people.

Many sex workers have rallied behind groups like the Empower Foundation, a local nonprofit campaigner for the rights of sex workers, that lobby political parties for endorsements. Continued …

Man brutally kills 4 stray dogs in southern Thailand

A man reportedly killed four stray dogs at Kantang Stadium in Trang province in the southern part of Thailand on Monday. The dog killer in question brutally slashed each dog and left their dead bodies on a road, causing outrage among locals and animal-rights activists.

A local man who encountered the dead stray dogs, reported the issue to the media and Kantang Municipality. According to the man, the stray dogs were about one year old and suffered fatal stab wounds to their bodies. He found them lying dead in a pool of blood. Continued …

Clarifying departure levy scuttlebutt

As the general election draws near, implementing collection of a new tax is an extremely sensitive issue and almost unheard of as a political tactic.

Given this backdrop, the Revenue Department sidestepped concerns last week that it is considering a new departure tax on outbound travelers, based on a 40-year-old “emergency decree”. Continued …

Thailand Sees More Than 400,000 Foreign Tourists in First Week of May

Thailand saw 446,936 foreign tourists in the first week of May 2023, a slight decline due to the end of the long holiday in many regions, said the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports.

The office estimated that there would be at least 2 million tourists visiting the country in May, mainly from ASEAN countries, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Continued …

Chinese tourist arrivals to hit pre-pandemic levels in October

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that Chinese tourist arrivals are set to reach one million a month starting from October, a figure last witnessed prior to the pandemic. The increase in travel is likely to gain momentum during winter and long national holidays.

TAT has observed a rise in advanced hotel bookings and chartered flight requests, indicating a swell in arrivals. Chuwit Sirivejkul, regional director for East Asia at TAT, elaborated on these trends at a briefing held on Tuesday. Continued …

ASEAN at a crossroad as violence escalates in Myanmar

Southeast Asian nations are at a “crossroad”, as escalating violence in junta-controlled Myanmar threatens to overshadow a regional summit, warned Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Mahfud MD. The two-year-long crisis has left Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) diplomatic attempts to resolve it fruitless. Continued …

Jury finds Donald Trump liable in civil sex abuse case

A federal jury found Donald Trump liable Tuesday in a civil case for sexual abuse and defamation of E. Jean Carroll in 1996 and said he should pay her $5 million in total damages, a verdict that could further complicate the former president’s election bid in 2024. Continued …

Putin touts ‘sacred’ battle with West in Ukraine as Russia marks Victory Day

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russians were united in a “sacred” fight with the West over Ukraine but the strains of war were evident at one of the most pared back anniversaries of the victory over Nazi Germany in decades. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, marijuana, real estate, thai environment, thailand, tourism

Monday’s news-May 8

  • Heatstroke warning as mercury rises beyond 50ᵒC in many parts of Thailand/
  • Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail/
  • Thailand Election 2023: Eager Thais cast ballots in early voting/
  • Dark predictions as the opposition parties look set to sweep to power in next weekend’s Election/
  • The critical first 100 days/
  • Police to seek additional arrest warrants in cyanide poisoning investigation/
  • Remote Korat villagers to get electricity after 70 years/
  • Chinese seeking freedom, security snap up posh homes in post-Covid Thailand/
  • Thailand’s cannabis sellers say US growers are eating their lunch/
  • Tourism: Departures tax hailed as the kiss of death/’No plan’ to revive exit tax/New Bt300 foreign tourism levy postponed yet again/How Thailand is Preparing for a Surge of Chinese Tourists arrivals/Thailand’s B2B Startups Lead to Tourism Renaissance/
  • Thailand Experience: How a two-week kayaking adventure teaches you to slow down and enjoy the moment/5 Best Places To Visit In Bangkok/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

    Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

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

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

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

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

Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail

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

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

Thailand Election 2023: Eager Thais cast ballots in early voting

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

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

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

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

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

The critical first 100 days

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

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

Police to seek additional arrest warrants in cyanide poisoning investigation

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

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

Remote Korat villagers to get electricity after 70 years

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Departures tax hailed as the kiss of death

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

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

‘No plan’ to revive exit tax

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

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

New Bt300 foreign tourism levy postponed yet again

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

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

How Thailand is Preparing for a Surge of Chinese Tourists arrivals

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

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

Thailand’s B2B Startups Lead to Tourism Renaissance

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

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

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

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

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

5 Best Places To Visit In Bangkok

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

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

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