Category Archives: thailand

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Monday’s news-Aug 21

  • Heavy rain forecast for 45 provinces/
  • DDC warns of rise in influenza cases/
  • Thai-Danish beauty crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2023/
  • More Thais are installing their own solar panels to reduce costs/
  • Bangkok to Laos high-speed rail making progress/
  • Thailand’s ‘most beautiful’ road sweeper defies stereotypes/
  • Major Elite Card overhaul planned/
  • Thailand election: 14 parties coalesce to form new Thai government/Most Disagree With Pheu Thai Coalition Government, Poll Shows/
  • Economy: Climate change: Thailand beginning to figure it out/Revenues surge at restaurant chains as dining out is back in vogue/Q2 GDP growth below forecast, outlook trimmed/Institute predicts sales of 50,000 EVs/China eyes enhanced cooperation in various fields with Thailand/Revenue Dept pockets over 5 billion baht from e-service providers/
  • Tourism: Top 5 tourist arrivals to Thailand in first 7 months/Rough start for ‘new Chinatown’/Thais irked as Kuwaiti bikers living the fast life descend on Pattaya/
  • International: How Chinatown restaurants and food are evolving and redefining their place in the world/Korean Air to measure passengers’ weights for better safety, efficiency/Tens of thousands flee western Canada wildfires/Russian space agency says its Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed into the moon/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Heavy rain forecast for 45 provinces

Heavy downpours are likely to soak 45 provinces across the country today, including Bangkok and the surrounding areas, the Meteorological Department announced.

The increased rainfall, which could cause flash flooding and forest runoff especially in hilly areas near waterways and low-lying areas, is due to a monsoon trough passing through the northern and upper northeastern regions and combining with a low-pressure system along the central coast of Vietnam. Continued …

DDC warns of rise in influenza cases

The number of people infected with seasonal influenza has surpassed 970,000 so far this year, three times more than for the same period last year, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) says.

Among those infected, one has died — a 39-year-old man with a history of alcoholism and liver disease, said Dr. Sopon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director-general of the DDC. Continued …

Thai-Danish beauty crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2023

Anntonia Porsild, 26, representing Nakhon Ratchasima, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2023 on Sunday. She will now represent Thailand in the Miss Universe beauty pageant to be held in El Salvador late this year. Porsild is a Thai-Danish beauty contestant with an undergraduate degree in marketing and public relations from Stamford International University. (The Nation)

More Thais are installing their own solar panels to reduce costs

Expensive electricity bills are leading more businesses and households to adopt rooftop solar power technology, despite costly installation fees.

Businesses view this type of renewable energy as a way to save on costs and help them cut carbon dioxide emissions. Homeowners are eager to save on electricity bills over the long term. Continued …

Bangkok to Laos high-speed rail making progress

Construction of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train between Bangkok and the northeastern border province of Nong Khai is progressing satisfactorily, with the construction of the 250.77km section between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima province already almost 40% complete.

For the second section, between Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Khai, State Railways of Thailand (SRT) has recently completed the study and design of the project and it is ready to be submitted to the cabinet for approval, according to Sorapong Paitoonphong, deputy permanent secretary of Transport Ministry, in his briefing to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday during his field inspection of the project. Continued …

Thailand’s ‘most beautiful’ road sweeper defies stereotypes

Whether she is perched in the back of a water truck, gingerly plucking weeds with her manicured nails or staring down a stray dog on the streets, Pattaramon Thocharoen is always camera-ready with a full face of make-up and several poses.

Also known as “Bow”, the 27-year-old has an image to upkeep with over 300,000 TikTok followers, some of whom have dubbed her Thailand’s “most beautiful street sweeper”. Continued …

Major Elite Card overhaul planned

Thailand Privilege Card Co. (TPC), the operator of the Thailand Elite membership and benefits program for foreigners, is preparing for a major overhaul of its packages, which is expected to come with price increases.

The new packages are expected to be available in October, but applications will be accepted until Sept. 15 for the existing packages at the current posted rates, TPC has announced on its website. Continued … 

14 parties coalesce to form new Thai government

Fourteen parties, led by Pheu Thai, will hold a press conference at parliament at 1pm today to announce their partnership in forming a new government.

Collectively, the coalition has 317 seats in the 500-seat House of Representatives. Continued …

Most Disagree With Pheu Thai Coalition Government, Poll Shows

Most respondents to a NIDA Poll disagree with the Pheu Thai party partnering with the two junta-linked parties, Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation, to form a “government of reconciliation”, and most would prefer Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thailand’s next prime minister.

The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) conducted an opinion poll of 1,310 people aged over 18, and of various occupations and educational backgrounds across the country. Continued …

Climate change: Thailand beginning to figure it out

With household electricity bills surging in April as the temperature topped out at 44.6° Celsius in Thailand, followed by a record high average global temperature in July, businesses and governments are factoring in climate change when designing their forecasts.

The UN issued a striking warning regarding the arrival of an era of “global boiling”, as more people take steps to address the impact of climate change, as it is increasing costs for business operations and household living. Continued …

Revenues surge at restaurant chains as dining out is back in vogue

The restaurant business has bounced back from the pandemic, while food delivery services have seen a 32% decline since the pandemic, according to some estimates, as dining out is back in vogue, especially at large chains.

MK Restaurant Group’s revenue rose 10% year on year to 4.435 billion baht in the second quarter, while net profit reached 459 million baht, a 4.5% increase during the same period. In the first six months, the company’s revenue totaled 8.52 billion baht, up 13.5% year on year, and its net profit was 784 million baht, a 10.4% on-year increase. Continued …

Q2 GDP growth below forecast, outlook trimmed

Thailand’s economy expanded slower than expected in the second quarter, data showed on Monday, with strength in tourism helping to counter weaker exports amid a slowdown in global demand.

The government cut its 2023 gross domestic product growth forecast to 2.5% to 3.0% from a range of 2.7% to 3.7%, citing slower exports. Continued …

Institute predicts sales of 50,000 Evs

Electric vehicle (EV) sales are expected to reach a target of 50,000 units this year despite weak purchasing power, high household debt and banks’ stricter auto loan criteria, says the Thailand Automotive Institute TAI).

Last year, local EV sales tallied roughly 20,000 vehicles. EVs remain popular partially because of the government’s incentive package, part of efforts to make Thailand a regional EV hub. Continued …

China eyes enhanced cooperation in various fields with Thailand

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday met with the visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai in Beijing.

Noting that the development of bilateral relations will not be affected by changes in the international situation or the domestic situation in Thailand, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said it is believed Thailand will maintain stability and sustained development. Continued …

Revenue Dept pockets over 5 billion baht from e-service providers

The Revenue Department of Thailand has reported the successful collection of over 5.01 billion baht in tax revenue from foreign platforms and e-service providers. This reflects a growth of 3.2% compared to last year.

The revenue was amassed over the first nine months of the current fiscal year, which began in October 2022. The overall tax collection during this period reached approximately 1.59 trillion baht. Continued …

Top 5 tourist arrivals to Thailand in first 7 months

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand has welcomed more than 15 million foreign tourists during the first seven months of this year (January-July).

Statistics for foreign tourists entering Thailand from January to July show that the cumulative number is 15,391,104 people. That made Thailand’s income from foreign tourists rise to 638,161 million baht. Continued …

Rough start for ‘new Chinatown’

A parallel Chinese society has grown up in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district ,as the number of Chinese expats has increased, deepening the reputation of Huai Khwang as the second Yaowarat, or Bangkok’s new Chinatown.

The area temporarily emptied during the pandemic when Chinese vendors exited the country. But after the pandemic subsided and the Chinese government announced it would reopen its borders in January, investors returned to Huai Khwang. Continued …

Thais irked as Kuwaiti bikers living the fast life descend on Pattaya

Theatrically wobbling the handlebars as his cackling passenger covers his eyes from behind, a young Kuwaiti driver whips his motorbike around a bend of a narrow lane, blithe to the potential danger posed by a moped rushing toward him. It’s 9pm in Thailand’s Pattaya and the nightly show is just beginning.

“They go round and round like this until 3am or 4am,” says Ammy, a masseuse who has a free ringside seat to the motorized mayhem jump-started by Kuwaiti students visiting the country’s most popular resort city. Continued …

How Chinatown restaurants and food are evolving and redefining their place in the world

Take a walk down Gerrard Street in London’s Chinatown today and it looks, at first glance, as it did in decades past. The pagoda-topped gates still mark the entrance to the street, and red lanterns, the symbol of Chinatowns everywhere, criss-cross above, draped from second-story shopfronts. Continued … 

Korean Air to measure passengers’ weights for better safety, efficiency

South Korean carrier Korean Air said Sunday it would be measuring the body weights of its passengers in a bid to strengthen aviation safety and minimize excessive fuel use. Passengers on domestic flights will be asked to weigh in from Aug. 28 through Sept. 6, while international flight passengers will be weighed from Sept. 8 to 19. Continued …

Tens of thousands flee western Canada wildfires

Residents of western Canada scrambled to evacuate Saturday as raging wildfires encroached on two metropolitan areas — separate blazes that have sent tens of thousands fleeing over the course of just days. Continued …

Russian space agency says its Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed into the moon

Russia’s robot lander the Luna-25 spacecraft crashed into the moon after it had spun into uncontrolled orbit, the country’s space agency Roscosmos reported on Sunday. “The apparatus moved into an unpredictable orbit and ceased to exist as a result of a collision with the surface of the moon,” read a statement from the agency. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Saturday’s news-Aug 19

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

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

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

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

Rainfall forecast for most of Thailand until Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

Car seats for kids are now mandatory in Thailand

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

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

PM vote doubts persist

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

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

Changing Thailand: New Ideology, Old Politics

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

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

Thai, ASEAN solar firms face US penalty duties

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

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

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

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

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

Small tourism operators face high season staff woes

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

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

Haven Launched by the Elephant Freedom Project in Chiang Mai

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

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

Chiang Mai Hotel Exposes Hotel Booking Scams

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Historic City of Ayutthaya

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

Manila doubles down on casinos

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

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

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

US to sign strategic partnership deal with Vietnam

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Friday’s news-Aug 18

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

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Cha Am seafood festival returns Sept 9-16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All 12 districts of Nakhon Phanom declared flood disaster zones

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

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

Aging Thailand agonizes over welfare state as elderly subsidy cut

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

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

Swedish man arrested for overstaying visa 3 years

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

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

Elephant brutality: Wild Thai Park shooting sparks probe

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

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

More than a ton of endangered pangolin scales seized in Thailand

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

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

Coup-linked parties now part of new coalition

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

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

A long road ahead for Thailand

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

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

Economy likely grew 3.1% in Q2 on higher tourist arrivals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand, India compete for semiconductor investments

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

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

Property developers bullish on 2nd half of year

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

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

Bookings down as China slumps

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

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

600-kilometer road in southern Thailand would aid tourism

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

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

Inside Thailand’s Child Sex Tourism Trade

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

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

Thailand After Dark: Exploring the Kingdoms Enchanting Nightlife

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

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

Ten best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Bangkok

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

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Thursday’s news-Aug 17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alcohol advertising: Tightened restrictions urged amidst youth risk concerns

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

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

Inside Thailand’s ‘endless’ battle against hazardous waste

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

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

Aug 22 likely date for PM election

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

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

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

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

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

Five fast-food giants that crashed and burned in Thailand

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

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

Thai Private Sector Seeks Help As Chinese Products Flood Market

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

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

Thailand to position Nakhon Si Thammarat as a haven of adventure

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

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

Finnair Adds More Flights to Thailand

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

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

An elephant being “trained” for tourism

Video showcases abuses in training elephants for tourists

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

Video 

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

Echoes of the past in Suphan Buri

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Wednesday’s news-Aug 16

  • Bangkok Hospital to hold a free seminar for expats Aug 24/
  • Weather officials forecast downpour throughout Thailand/
  • Bird watching at Hat Wanakorn National Park in Thap Sakae/
  • Hua Hin hotels eager for 10,000-baht handout to have tourism category/
  • FoodPanda delivery rider surrenders to police after robbing Hua Hin gold shop/
  • Covid-19 survivors have 24% higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes/
  • Thailand Elite cancels visa change at the last minute/
  • Uncertainty Looms Thai Politics in the Week of the New PM Nomination/
  • Economy: Baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry/Economic recovery intact, says Bank of Thailand/Chinese EV manufacturers ramp up investment in Thailand/Thai durian shipments to China surge as China-Laos Railway boosts trade/Digital economy continues its forward march/EEC’s Map Ta Phut port to see third phase by 2027/
  • Tourism: Tourists flock to Khao Lom Muak for the views in Prachuap Khiri Khan/High tourism season to see 2,600 flights a day: AeroThai/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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

Weather officials forecast downpour throughout Thailand

The Thai Meteorological Department said today that across Thailand, intense rain is anticipated for 60% to 80% of the country, with some regions expected to experience heavy downpours. Particularly for Bangkok, afternoon to evening rain showers are expected.

This weather prediction points toward an acute southwesterly monsoon, currently strong over the Andaman Sea and Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, where it’s starting to weaken. Continued …

Bird watching at Hat Wanakorn National Park in Thap Sakae

Twenty-five tourists recently experienced a “Bird Walk @Hatwanakorn National Park” event at Hat Wanakorn National Park in Thap Sakae. Participants walked along a nature trail that is home to a variety of birds, including the black-winged stilt, hoopoe, yellow-bellied sunbird, common green pigeon, spotted owlet, blue-throated bee-eater, paradise flycatcher, Eurasian magpie, greater coucal, common barbet, swiftlet, and Chinese bittern. The park also provided binoculars, telescopes, and a bird guide to help participants identify the birds they saw. Hat Wanakorn National Park is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Hua Hin. (HHT)

Hua Hin hotels eager for 10,000-baht handout to have tourism category

As the Pheu Thai Party promises a 10,000-baht digital wallet giveaway, tourism operators are hoping the scheme will extend its spending range from a 4-kilometre radius to enable hotels to benefit. Continued …

FoodPanda delivery rider surrenders to police after robbing Hua Hin gold shop

A FoodPanda delivery rider who robbed a gold shop in Hua Hin has surrendered to police.

The suspect, 25-year-old Narinphat (surname withheld), was identified by police after they collected evidence from the crime scene and interviewed witnesses. He was arrested on Aug. 15 at Hua Hin Police Station. Continued …

Covid-19 survivors have 24% higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes

Research has revealed that people who test positive for Covid-19 are at an increased risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. The disclosure came from Dr. Thira Woratanarat of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, who referred to a study recently unveiled on the MedRxiv.org portal.

This research incorporated a sample size of 15 million people from the United Kingdom, Dr. Woratanarat explained. It found that individuals who contracted the Covid virus run a 24% higher risk of falling victim to Type-2 diabetes, in comparison to those unaffected by the virus. Continued …

Thailand Elite cancels visa change at the last minute

On the last enrollment day, Aug. 15, that holders of the five-year Elite “easy access”, five-year visas had been instructed to submit an application for a 15 years upgrade to 20 years in total, they have received an email from Thailand Privilege Card Co. informing them the new rule has suddenly and abruptly been scrapped.

They can, after all, update their five-year visa just three months or more before their personal expiry date. Just like before. But it is still ambiguous whether the transfer fees will remain the same in the future as they are now. Continued …

Uncertainty Looms Thai Politics in the Week of the New PM Nomination

In Thai politics, a full three months elapsed in mid-August since the May 14 general election without a new prime minister and government being elected, as constitutional irregularities hampered the democratic process.

Opposition from senators and former ruling party MPs prevented Pita Limjaroenrat of the Move Forward Party from becoming prime minister. Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party, which ranks second in terms of the number of MPs, had to cooperate with the former ruling parties and faced opposition from Move Forward Party supporters and democracy advocates. Continued …

Baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry

Asian currencies experienced a downturn yesterday, led by Thailand‘s baht, as concerns heighten surrounding the recovery status of the global economy’s second-largest player, China.

The baht plunged by a substantial 0.8%, marking it as the largest depreciation against the U.S. dollar in half a dozen weeks. Across the waters of offshore markets yesterday afternoon, it was changing hands at approximately 35.30 to the dollar. Continued …

Economic recovery intact, says Bank of Thailand

Thailand’s exports may be weaker than expected but the overall economic recovery was intact, Bank of Thailand (BoT) Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said today.

“The economy as a whole was recovering on consumption and tourism,” Sethaput told a central bank seminar. Continued …

Chinese EV manufacturers ramp up investment in Thailand

Changan Automobile, China’s fourth largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has set a target of manufacturing 100,000 EVs in Thailand per year, both for the domestic market and export to countries with right-hand drive such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and South Africa, a news source revealed on Tuesday.

The source said the state-owned company recently received the green light from the Chinese government to apply for investment promotional privileges from the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). Continued …

Thai durian shipments to China surge as China-Laos Railway boosts trade

Thailand’s durian exports to China through the China-Laos Railway expanded 365% in the first five months of this year, thanks to shorter transit time and advantages under the free trade agreements, Thai media reported on Tuesday.

The train route brings opportunities for Thai products to enter the Chinese market, as it greatly reduces the transit time to less than 15 hours from two days by road. Continued … 

Digital economy continues its forward march

The digital economy contributed 2.1 billion baht to Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, marking a 1.9% increase from the 2.04 billion baht the previous year.

Putchapong Nodthaisong, secretary-general of the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE-Thailand), said this week that Thailand’s digital economy GDP in 2022 grew by 3.49% compared to the 4.44 billion baht the previous year. This growth was the result of the improving situation following the pandemic, leading the overall economy to return to a state of normalcy and resulting in the expansion of the digital economy. Continued …

EEC’s Map Ta Phut port to see third phase by 2027

Reports indicate the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) remains optimistic about presenting the third phase of development of the Map Ta Phut deep-sea port in Rayong by the year 2027. The port, a notable part of ongoing development in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), is seen as an essential addition to Thailand’s infrastructure.

Map Ta Phut port progress is reportedly well underway, with key milestones reaching noteworthy completion levels. The governor of the IEAT, Veeris Ammarapala, offered an update on this progress: “The construction of a sand dam has progressed by 71%; land reclamation is 61% finished and the building of an embankment to protect the shoreline against waves is 39% done.” Continued …

Tourists flock to Khao Lom Muak for the views in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Hundreds of tourists flocked to Khao Lom Muak, the hill in Mueang Prachuap that offers some of the most spectacular views in the province.

The hill offers stunning views of Ao Manao and the surrounding area, and the climb is a popular activity for both Thai and foreign tourists. Continued …

High tourism season to see 2,600 flights a day: AeroThai

The Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AeroThai) projects that some 2,600 flights per day will land at Suvarnabhumi during this year’s high tourism season, which would result in a figure of over one million flights for this entire year.

According to Nopasit Chakpitak, president of AeroThai, the figures are expected to approach the levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019. The projection takes into consideration the upcoming Chinese National Day, which would likely bring in more Chinese tourists, as well as Christmas and New Year. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Tuesday’s news-Aug 15

  • More double-track railways to open this year/
  • Scholars of Sustenance: Rescuing food and nourishing Hua Hin communities/
  • Kayakers tackle Sam Roi Yod River challenge/
  • Why you should consider getting a Thailand Elite Visa/
  • Elderly face limits on who gets meager welfare assistance/
  • Thailand election: House speaker chooses to wait for court’s ruling before setting date for PM vote/Srettha Not Being Replaced As PM Candidate/Prayut’s Party To Decide Shortly Whether To Jump Onto Pheu Thai Bandwagon/Thaksin and Pheu Thai have burned their bridges/
  • Economy: Chinese buyers gradually cool on Thailand property purchases/Drought limits electricity imports from Laos/Excise Dept mulls carbon tax on oil refineries and EV batteries/Taiwanese target Thailand for overseas opportunities/
  • Tourism: Thailand tops Top 10 foreign tourism destinations for Chinese tourists in 2023/How to Choose Ethical Wildlife Experiences While Traveling/
  • Thailand Experience: The Two Types Of Rice You’ll Find In Nearly Every Thai Meal/Awakening Singburi with ‘Sang See Sing’/
  • International: Donald Trump indicted on 2020 election fraud charges in Georgia/Bikinis in downtown Seoul spark ‘indecent exposure’ row/At least 25 missing after Myanmar jade mine landslide/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

More double-track railways to open this year

More double-track sections in the national railway network are set to open this year. These new facilities are expected to greatly shorten travel times for commuters, as well as reduce costs for logistics operators. Included is the Bang Saphan Noi-Chumphon section on the Nakhon Pathom-Chumphon route passing through Hua Hin.

The caretaker government has announced its roadmap to open more sections of double-track railroads on the northern, northeastern, and southern lines operated by the State Railway of Thailand. Continued …

Scholars of Sustenance: Rescuing food and nourishing Hua Hin communities

Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) is leading the charge against food waste and hunger, while raising awareness about the importance of sustainability and community engagement.

SOS, a non-partisan and integrity-driven environmental organization, has been working to prevent food going to waste and reducing the number of people going hungry in the area. Continued … 

Kayakers tackle Sam Roi Yod River challenge

The inaugural Sam Roi Yod River Audax — Thailand’s first unsupported 60-kilometer kayaking challenge – was held Sunday with 32 kayakers taking on a 60-kilometer route that meandered close to five of Sam Roi Yod’s idyllic islands: Koh Kroram, Koh Nomsao, Koh Rawing, Koh Rawang, and Koh Satkut. Out of the 32 participants who embarked on the journey, only six managed to complete the challenge. (HHT)

Why you should consider getting a Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is possibly one of the most underrated visas in Thailand because people tend to lose interest once they hear about the application fee. However, the special visa program actually offers lots of convenience and benefits.

Whether you are an investor, a retiree, or a digital nomad, the Thailand Elite Visa is available for anyone who lives or regularly comes to Thailand but doesn’t want to deal with the complex immigration bureaucracy. Besides, there are many other things you can enjoy by being an Elite Visa member. Let’s take a closer look at the main benefits. Continued …

Elderly face limits on who gets meager welfare assistance

Critics have slammed the outgoing government for issuing a new regulation imposing income limits on the elderly receiving monthly allowances.

They say it should be left to the incoming government to decide on the matter, while accusing the outgoing government of inefficiently categorizing income groups. Continued …

House speaker chooses to wait for court’s ruling before setting date for PM vote

Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has said he will wait for the Constitutional Court’s decision on the ombudsmen’s petition before scheduling the next round of PM voting.

Wan Noor, also the House speaker, was on Monday referring to a comment made by Sen. Wanchai Sornsiri that the next round of voting should be held on Friday, as it is an astrologically auspicious date for the country to have a new PM and end the political impasse. Continued …

Srettha Not Being Replaced As PM Candidate

Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin will not be replaced with anyone else as pressed by the Bhumjaithai, according to Pheu Thai Secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong.

Prasert confirmed only the real estate mogul-turned-prime ministerial candidate will be named and voted in a joint House/Senate meeting later this month and that he will certainly not be replaced with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, one of a trio of Pheu Thai candidates for prime minister. Continued …

Prayut’s Party To Decide Shortly Whether To Jump Onto Pheu Thai Bandwagon

The Ruam Thai Sang Chart will be invited for informal talks with the Pheu Thai and decide for themselves whether they may join a Pheu Thai-led coalition government, confirmed Pheu Thai wheeler-dealer Bhumtham Wechayachai yesterday.

Known as a right-hand man for de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, the partisan wheeler-dealer confirmed Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew and Pheu Thai Secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong and himself will shortly discuss with their Ruam Thai Sang Chart counterparts whether the pro-military camp will jump onto the bandwagon and help strengthen the Pheu Thai coalition government. Continued …

Thaksin and Pheu Thai have burned their bridges

Thailand’s political crisis has already obliterated the unity and support behind the Pheu Thai Party’s “family”, following the decisions taken by the party’s executive in Bangkok in recent weeks, first in withdrawing from a coalition with the Move Forward Party and now for cementing a deal with the Bhumjaithai Party, while preparing to accept the participation of two parties associated with the military junta in a “cross polar” government.

The moves have outraged Pheu Thai and Redshirt supporters nationwide, who up to recent days could scarcely believe the conflicting media reports. Now, they are burning their shirts in spontaneous and numerous displays of anger just as the country’s second-largest party and the Shinawatra family appear to be on the verge of burning its bridges with its support base and power on the ground as a political movement. Continued …

Chinese buyers gradually cool on Thailand property purchases

Thailand dipped to fifth among destinations for Chinese property buyers, down one spot from last year and the top ranking in 2021, attributed to a sluggish recovery of travel and pricey flights.

Kashif Ansari, co-founder and group chief executive of Juwai IQI Group, a real estate marketing firm targeting the Chinese market, said Chinese buyers with smaller budgets who previously were the key market for Thailand now make up a reduced share of all travelers. Continued …

Drought limits electricity imports from Laos

The renewable power supply in Thailand could be affected by drought, as the country imports electricity generated by hydropower from Laos, which has reduced water volume in its rivers, says the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

If the drought becomes more severe, hydropower plants in Laos will generate less electricity, resulting in reduced imports, said Boonyanit Wongrukmit, governor of EGAT. Continued … 

Excise Dept mulls carbon tax on oil refineries and EV batteries

The Excise Department aims to promote ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals through the implementation of a carbon tax facility, along with the establishment of a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) team, to develop a globally standardized tax structure.

This initiative targets taxing carbon emissions released by oil refineries and proposing a carbon tax on EV batteries to address EV waste disposal issues in the future. Continued …

Taiwanese target Thailand for overseas opportunities

More than 20 Taiwanese companies, particularly in the skincare, food and drink, hair care and lifestyle product sectors, are exploring new business opportunities in Thailand.

Among the notable firms are Beauty Essentials Ltd., the marketer of Naruko skincare and beauty products; K2-Medical (Thailand) Co., the distributor of the NHH skincare brand; and Shaan Honq International Cosmetics Corp., the manufacturer and exporter of HH-RD hair care and styling products. These firms took part in the recent 2023 Taiwan Expo Thailand, aimed at identifying product distributors. Continued …

Thailand tops Top 10 foreign tourism destinations for Chinese tourists in 2023

Thailand and Japan were the most popular foreign tourism destinations in the first half of this year, according to the China Tourism Academy. Among these places, more than 60% of tourists visited the Asia-Pacific region.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 foreign tourism destinations for the first half of this year. Continued …

This is a definite no

How to Choose Ethical Wildlife Experiences While Traveling

One of the most cherished aspects of travel is encountering wildlife in its natural habitat, whether it’s from a Jeep on safari in Africa or on a beach in Thailand. However, as responsible travelers, it is our duty to ensure that our interactions with wildlife are doing more good than harm by knowing how to choose ethical wildlife experiences.

There’s no doubt that the rise in the popularity of wildlife tourism has led to concerns about the welfare of animals and the preservation of their habitats. Ten years ago, our Instagram feeds were filled with people riding on the backs of elephants, something you don’t often see today and, thankfully, something that is not idolized anymore. Instead, the only elephant photos we want to see are the ones where they’re in open fields, bathing in watering holes, and enjoying life without bars or cruelty. Continued …

 

The Two Types Of Rice You’ll Find In Nearly Every Thai Meal

Thailand is a major rice exporter worldwide, so it shouldn’t be surprising that rice is at the heart of its culture and food. Aside from noodle plates, rice is an integral element in most Thai cuisine, from curries and stir fry to larb salad and soups such as Kao Tom Goong (a breakfast rice soup).

But none of these recipes call for plain old rice. Rather, there are two specific types — Thai jasmine rice and sticky rice — that are found in nearly every Thai meal, lending a distinct and essential quality to whatever dish they enhance. Continued …

Awakening Singburi with ‘Sang See Sing’

Amidst the constant hustle and bustle of daily life, there are often hidden treasures that escape our notice. Singburi, a small province with a population of around 200,000, has long been a place most of us pass by without a backward glance, rather than a destination in its own right.

And that’s a shame, as Singburi harbors a multitude of stories from the past to the present just waiting for visitors to explore. Now, the province is inviting the public to uncover the charm that has gone unnoticed for too long. Continued …

Donald Trump indicted on 2020 election fraud charges in Georgia

A Georgia grand jury indicted 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump and several allies Monday on conspiracy charges of trying to steal Georgia’s electoral votes from President Joe Biden after the 2020 election. Continued …

Bikinis in downtown Seoul spark ‘indecent exposure’ row

Incidents of women dressed in bikinis in central Seoul areas have sparked criticism online, with the authorities considering charging them with indecent exposure. On Friday, a woman riding an electric scooter dressed in a bikini was spotted in Hongdae district. Photos taken by citizens quickly spread across online communities and social media. Continued …

At least 25 missing after Myanmar jade mine landslide

At least 25 people are missing after a landslide at an unregulated jade mine in a remote region of Myanmar, rescue workers said Monday. The incident on Sunday outside northern Kachin’s Hpakant township — near where hundreds of miners were entombed in a landslide in 2020 — comes days after much of the country was swamped by torrential rain and floods. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Monday’s news-Aug 14

  • Queen mother ceremony at Wat Huay Mongkol/
  • Two Hua Hin golf courses named among Asia’s 20 best/
  • Southwest monsoon to bring heavy rain nationwide/
  • How much does a Retirement Home cost in Thailand?/
  • Developer Sansiri sees net profit surge 162% in the first half/
  • Credit-card operators say raising interest ceiling to 18% only way to survive/
  • Excise Dept mulls reclassifying liquor and beer/
  • Wild elephant captured after 22 days of disruption/
  • Tak hospital in red as Myanmar migrant patient numbers soar/
  • Body of second victim of boat capsize in Phetchaburi recovered/
  • Thailand election: How Thailand’s long wait compares with the world record for forming a new govt/Pita Takes Pheu Thai To Task For About-Face On ‘Uncles’ Camps’/Light at the end of the tunnel?/
  • Economy: Economic danger signals emerging as politicians wrangle over election/Thailand: A Rising Economic Powerhouse in Southeast Asia/Thailand’s Ambitious Strides Toward Clean Energy/FamilyMart brand to be replaced by Tops Daily stores/
  • Tourism: Travel industry girds for weak low season amid cost and weather challenges/Chinese tourists to Thailand may drop as tour group restrictions lift/Thailand gears up to be the top destination for visitors from Europe, America, the Middle East/Opinion: Bangkok, a Most Visited City on Earth, and The Other Bangkok/Pattaya police nab defiant Arab road racers/
  • Thailand Experience: Rising Sea Levels Threaten 11 Million People in Bangkok/The best snacks to get at Thai 7-Eleven/Forget cereal, I’ll take these spicy breakfast noodles every time/
  • International: Maui wildfires deadliest in a century after death toll hits 89/China issues new guidelines to attract foreign investment/Chinese Uninterested in the Climate Change Narrative Despite Extreme Weather/Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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

Queen mother ceremony at Wat Huay Mongkol

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother was honored yesterday on her 91st birthday In an annual robe wrapping ceremony at Wat Huay Mongkol Temple, more than a thousand spectators paid their respects to the theme “Enhancing Your Heart with Faith.”

Under a hot August sky at the Wat Huay Mongkol Temple, located in the Thap Tai subdistrict of Hua Hin, hundreds of the attendees grabbed ahold and walked the 399-meter-long robe around the statue of the legendary Thai monk, Luang Pu Thuat.

Black Mountain

Two Hua Hin golf courses named among Asia’s 20 best

The diverse topography of Asia, the largest and most populous continent in the world, has been a golf architect’s delight for ages. Home to every imaginable terrain on the face of earth, designers have reveled and been challenged while giving shape to vast tracts of land, creating masterpieces that test golfers’ skill and temperament to the hilt.

Asia isn’t just about designer layouts and golf courses, though. Links-style courses and other designs, too, have played a part in highlighting the continent as a golfing juggernaut. Continued …

Southwest monsoon to bring heavy rain nationwide

The Southwest monsoon is intensifying, covering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, and causing heavy rainfall across 60%-80% of Thailand, according to the Meteorological Department.

People in affected areas are advised to be cautious of heavy to very heavy rain and accumulated rainfall, which could lead to sudden flooding and forest runoff, especially in hilly and low-lying areas. Continued …

How much does a Retirement Home cost in Thailand?

Aging is an inevitable part of our life cycle. And as you reach your golden years, planning for retirement becomes increasingly important. If you have set your sights on spending your retirement in Thailand, understanding the cost of a retirement home should be a priority.

The beauty of Thailand extends beyond gorgeous landscapes and rich culture; it also offers a range of high-quality elderly care options. Below, we’ve broken down the various costs associated with your potential future home – retirement Continued …

Developer Sansiri sees net profit surge 162% in the first half

Net profit at Sansiri Plc. surged 162% year-on-year to 3.2 billion baht in the first half on strong sales of high-end houses and furnished condos, the company’s CFO, Wichan Viriyaphusit, said. Sansiri operates several projects in Hua Hin.

Second quarter net profit was 1.62 billion baht, up 77% from the year-ago period. The profit margin for the six-month period was 17.3% compared to 9.3% in the first six months of last year. Continued …

Credit-card operators say raising interest ceiling to 18% only way to survive

Thailand’s Credit Card Club will ask the central bank to allow credit-card operators to bring the interest rate back up to 18% soon, the club’s chairman said.

Atis Ruchirawat, the club’s chairman and managing director at General Card Service Co., said on Sunday that the 16% interest rate ceiling may make it difficult for operators to cover their expenses due to the Bank of Thailand’s rising policy rates. Continued …

Excise Dept mulls reclassifying liquor and beer

The Excise Department is currently in discussions with relevant government and private sector agencies on proposals to adjust the structure of alcohol and beer taxes to align with the current situation and to be consistent with the development of alcoholic beverage products.

Currently, alcoholic beverages are subject to various tax rates, such as non-alcoholic beer with 0% alcohol content, according to Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director general of the Excise Department. Continued …

Wild elephant captured after 22 days of disruption

Perhaps only in Thailand can an elephant be avoiding a court order for disturbing the peace. After 22 days on the lam, a wild elephant has been successfully captured in the Nop Phi Tham district of the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The “elephant arrest” was made to comply with a court order issued to relocate it due to the animal’s continuous community disruption. Continued …

Tak hospital in red as Myanmar migrant patient numbers soar

The Ministry of Public Health has sent 20 million baht to Umphang Hospital in Tak province to help it cover the increased costs of treating the rising number of migrants fleeing the conflict in neighboring Myanmar. Continued …

Body of second victim of boat capsize in Phetchaburi recovered

The search for a second passenger, missing after a tour boat was struck by a waterspout and capsized, ended last evening when his body was recovered from the water near a pier, behind Pak Lad Temple in Bang Tabun Bay in Ban Laem district of Phetchaburi province.

The remains, identified as those of “Kritanat”, a resident of Ban Laem district, were taken to King Mongkut Memorial Hospital for autopsy. The other victim has been identified as “Chanin”, a Bangkok resident. Continued …

How Thailand’s long wait compares with the world record for forming a new govt

Could Thailand break world record time for forming new govt? Three months have passed since the May 14 general election, and Thailand’s next government is still nowhere in sight.

Waiting much longer could very well earn Thailand a place among countries that have suffered the biggest delays in forming governments after elections. Continued …

Pita Takes Pheu Thai To Task For About-Face On ‘Uncles’ Camps’

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat yesterday took the Pheu Thai to task for evidently turning an about-face only to bring “the uncles’ camps” into their coalition.

Without naming names, Pita told Move Forward supporters at a by-election campaign rally in Rayong that the Pheu Thai as core of the current coalition has gone back on their word by having the Palang Pracharath led by Prawit “Uncle Pom” Wongsuwan and the Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto boss/caretaker prime minister Prayut “Uncle Tu” Chan-o-cha jump onto the bandwagon. Continued … 

Light at the end of the tunnel?

Since the general election on May 14, Thailand has gone three months without a new government to lead the economy. Foreign investors, businesses and tourists are eager to see a favorable outcome following several unexpected twists and turns.

Some countries have issued a travel advisory for Thailand because of occasional unrest in Bangkok. Australia warned its citizens about an unpredictable security environment, given previous anti-government protests in Bangkok, while Canada highlighted demonstration sites that people should avoid. Continued …

Economic danger signals emerging as politicians wrangle over election

As Thailand’s politicians wrangle over who will take power amid a well-conceived conservative plot to use the unelected Senate to control the formation of the next government, the country’s economy is manifesting danger signals with a prolonged export slump and a rising problem with private sector debt that may become explosive.

These have combined with political instability concerns to reduce consumer confidence for the first time in 14 months. Continued …

Thailand: A Rising Economic Powerhouse in Southeast Asia

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country with a population of over 70 million people. It is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. The capital city is Bangkok.

Thailand has a long history of trade and commerce. It was a major trading hub in the region for centuries. In recent years, Thailand has become a major player in the global economy. It is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Continued …

Thailand’s Ambitious Strides Toward Clean Energy

Thailand is gaining recognition for its efforts in clean energy. With increasing demand driven by government initiatives, environmental awareness, and technological advancements, the country’s energy market is undergoing a transformation.

The Thai government has set a goal to increase the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption to 30% by 2036. This commitment has led to investments in various clean energy projects, such as solar and wind farms, bioenergy, and hydropower plants. Continued …

FamilyMart brand to be replaced by Tops Daily stores

Japanese convenience store brand FamilyMart is set to exit Thailand, with all stores set to be rebranded by the end of this year.

Three years ago, Central Retail Corp. bought out FamilyMart’s share in their joint venture in the market, at the time describing it as a precursor to network expansion as the master franchise holder there. Back then, there were 1,000 FamilyMart stores trading in Thailand. Now there are reportedly only 200 left, which will be converted to Central’s Tops Daily branding by the end of this year. Continued …

Travel industry girds for weak low season amid cost and weather challenges

The travel industry is bracing itself for an exceptionally weak low season, with predictions of stagnant demand, escalating operational costs at popular destinations, and the impacts of tropical storms.

The president of the Thai Travel Agents Assn., Charoen Wangananont, highlighted that the season’s sale rate for outbound packages significantly lags behind the comparison period recorded before the pandemic. He cited hesitancy and prudence shown by both individuals and executives, reducing their expenditure on travel. Continued …

Chinese tourists to Thailand may drop as tour group restrictions lift

In the wake of China’s announcement to allow tour groups to visit Japan and several other nations for the first time since 2020, Thailand’s tourism industry braces itself for a sharp fall in Chinese tourists. This drop is, in part, caused by ongoing visa application challenges, in spite of the government’s efforts to simplify the process.

This recent development comes as China finally moves to lift previously imposed Covid-19 travel restrictions on tour groups. Aside from Japan, other countries, including the U.S., South Korea, and Australia, can accept Chinese tour groups. In addition, China has expressed the desire for Japan to consider a visa waiver for Chinese citizens. Continued …

Thailand gears up to be the top destination for visitors from Europe, America, the Middle East

Thailand is gearing up to be the top destination for our friends in Europe, America, and the Middle East! Here’s why:

  • European visitors typically stay 19.4 days, spending around 71,718 baht.
  • Middle Eastern guests enjoy 16.17 days and spend an impressive 99,172 baht.
  • Americans unwind for 15.26 days, with a spend of 76,297 baht. – Pattaya Mail

Bangkok, a Most Visited City on Earth, and The Other Bangkok

Many Thais expressed pride when a travel website, Travelness.com, recently reported that Bangkok was the most visited city on earth in the first half of 2023 – 22.78 million foreign visitors compared to 19.1 of Paris and London’s 19.09 (Dubai clocked in the fourth place at 15.93 followed by Singapore at 14.67).

We should identify and reinforce Bangkok’s charms and strengths in order to further cement Bangkok as one of the most popular cities on the planet. Truth be told, Bangkok is a different city if you are working and living in the city as a low-paid working class, lower middle class or migrant laborer from neighboring countries. Continued …

Pattaya police nab defiant Arab road racers

Notorious Arab motorbike riders were forced to cancel their road-racing plans after some 200 policemen and Interior Ministry officials were deployed to keep law and order on Pattaya roads late on Saturday night.

Officers from Pattaya Police Station and officials from Chonburi provincial administration were deployed to check the roads and sois where local residents have complained about road racing and the blocking of traffic by Arab youngsters, mostly tourists from Kuwait. Continued …

Rising Sea Levels Threaten 11 Million People in Bangkok

Rising sea levels are a major concern not only for rural coastal communities but even for some of the world’s major cities surrounded by bodies of water. In the context of climate change, melting glaciers due to global warming is releasing frozen water back into the oceans at unprecedented rates never seen before in modern history.

Due to the threat, inhabitants of these “at risk areas” are forced to flee from the rising tides. One such place facing this threat is Thailand’s Bangkok metropolitan area, which has been projected by climate experts to further sink in the coming decades. Situated in Southeast Asia and near the Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok, and its suburbs are dealing with coastal flooding as a result of the global sea level rise. Continued …

The best snacks to get at Thai 7-Eleven

Ever prowled around a 7-Eleven searching for the perfect midnight snack? We know that feeling. Here are some of the best 7-Eleven Thai exclusive snacks, based on our most popular picks.

Walking through the white metal shelves, hoping you don’t spend too much time picking a snack, sneaking furtive glances at the cashier…we’ve been through it. There’s a 7-eleven seemingly on every corner in Thailand, so people can be found always searching the aisles, night or day. And when you’re spoiled for choice, there’s got to be a guiding light. Continued …

Khanom chin nam ya

Forget cereal, I’ll take these spicy breakfast noodles every time

Pity the Anglo-Saxon world for its lo-fi breakfast choices. Toast, cereal, even bacon and eggs… these carry little flavor, they’re stodge designed to fill a gap until lunch rolls around and the real eating begins. Not so in much of the rest of the world, including Thailand.

Picture this to kick-start your day: thin rice noodles known as khanom chin, curled into neat little bundles, topped with a ladle-full of nam ya, a fiendishly spicy curry of minced fish, with pickled mustard greens, boiled eggs, raw green beans and fresh herbs to stir through. Now that is a breakfast. Continued …

Maui wildfires deadliest in a century after death toll hits 89

The death toll from the Maui wildfires is now at 89, officials said on Saturday, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Gov. Josh Green warned at a news conference on Saturday afternoon that the death toll would continue to rise as more bodies were discovered. Continued …

China issues new guidelines to attract foreign investment

China has issued 24 new guidelines to attract more global capital and further optimize the country’s business environment for multinational corporations. The guidelines cover topics such as encouraging foreign investors to undertake major scientific research projects and ensuring equal treatment of foreign and domestic companies. Continued …

Chinese Uninterested in the Climate Change Narrative Despite Extreme Weather

This summer’s record heat and epic floods in China failed to spark local public debate about how the world’s top carbon polluter should mitigate climate change, leaving environmentalists furious at a wasted opportunity. Continued …

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
covid, hua hin, immigration, phuket, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s news-Aug 12

  • Today is World Elephant Day/
  • Tackling critical threats facing Asian elephants/
  • Happy Mothers Day and Happy Birthday to The Queen Mother/
  • Parks set for holiday surge as fees waived/
  • Perseid meteor shower promises interstellar treat on Mother’s Day/
  • Pheu Thai says it must include cou-linked parties in coalition/
  • Villagers Discover 5-Meter King Cobra Near Seaside Home/\
  • 8 new coronavirus variant infections found in Thailand, no cause for alarm/
  • Tourism: Russians fleeing Putin’s war find a home in Phuket/
  • Thailand Experience: Best things to do and where to stay in Koh Samui/10 Reasons Why You Should Visit This Charming Region In Thailand/
  • International: Wear A Rainbow Swatch Watch In Malaysia, Face 3 Years In Jail/Death toll in Maui fire disaster rises to 67, 1,000 missing/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Today is World Elephant Day

On this World Elephant Day, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) is launching the Asian Elephant Alliance (AEA) to secure a future in which loss and fragmentation of elephant habitats are reduced, people and elephants live side by side in a sustainable way, and wild elephant populations are stable.

World Elephant Day was founded in Thailand just over a decade ago to raise the profile of these pachyderms globally, and to garner support to rally around the issues they face. With a philosophy of collective effort at its core, World Elephant Day is meant to galvanize a powerful partnership of governments, the private sector, civil society and citizens to support conservation efforts for wild elephants. Continued …

 Tackling critical threats facing Asian elephants

Asian elephants are the largest land mammal next to their African cousins, and an important keystone species to maintaining healthy ecosystems and safeguarding other species with whom they share habitat.

Sadly, Asian elephants are globally endangered and particularly threatened in Southeast Asia and southern China, where only about 8,000-11,000 wild elephants share space in some of the most densely populated countries. Continued … 

Happy Mothers Day and Happy Birthday to The Queen Mother

In Thailand, Aug. 12 is a day of double celebration, intertwining the significance of motherhood and royal admiration.

On this day, Thai Mother’s Day coincides with the 91st birthday of the Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, creating a heartfelt occasion that will paint the country in shades of blue. Continued …

Parks set for holiday surge as fees waived

Khao Laem National Park in Sangkhla Buri district is gearing up for an influx of tourists over the three-day holiday weekend after entry fees to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country were waived to celebrate Mother’s Day and the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother today.

Abhisit Sombatmat, head of the 1,500-square-kilometer national park, said yesterday that more than 30 park officials were ready to ensure convenience and safety for visitors until Monday. Continued … 

Perseid meteor shower promises interstellar treat on Mother’s Day

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand has invited the public to view the Perseid meteor shower at Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rin district from 11pm on Saturday to 3am on Sunday.

The Perseids are a prolific meteor shower associated with the Swift-Tuttle comet. The meteors are called “Perseids” because they appear from the general direction of the constellation Perseus and in more modern times have a radiant bordering on Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis. Continued …

Pheu Thai says it must include coup linked parties in coalition

Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said on Friday that the party would eventually have to include two political parties linked to former junta leaders in its coalition government in the making.

Asked if the Pheu Thai-led government would need the Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties to ensure stability, Phumtham said: “The political math is clear. It’s a must, and the game is forcing us to take this path.” Continued …

Villagers Discover 5-Meter King Cobra Near Seaside Home

In a rare coastal encounter, villagers stumbled upon a colossal 5-meter long king cobra entangled near their residence.

The snake, weighing around 47 kilograms, had sought refuge beneath a palm tree. Rescuers from the Mirakel Wildlife Rescue Center in Krabi swiftly intervened upon receiving reports from residents of Tambon Talinchan. Continued …

8 new coronavirus variant infections found in Thailand, no cause for alarm

Eight cases of infection by the new coronavirus Omicron EG.5.1 variant, codenamed Aris, have been detected in Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently classified the variant as being “of interest”, which does not seem to pose more of a threat to the public than the other variants.

Dr. Wasun Chantratita, chief of the Center for Medical Genomics at the Faculty of Medicines, Mahidol University, said, however, that the eight cases of Aris were detected in the past three months and the variant is capable of spreading about 1% faster than XBB.1.66, the current dominant variant. Continued …

Russians fleeing Putin’s war find a home in Phuket

In the humid evenings on the Thai island of Phuket, Aleksei* often sits alone on his balcony, and wonders if the past 18 months have been a strange dream. Last year, he was living with his mother and siblings in Moscow, and working in an IT job in one of the city’s skyscrapers. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, changed everything.

“At that moment, I thought: ‘OK what opportunities do I have here in Russia?’ Go to war, which I don’t want, of course, because Ukrainians are our brothers,” he says. The alternative, to protest, was hopeless. “It is impossible to fight against the government in Russia,” he says. Continued …

Best things to do and where to stay in Koh Samui

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is the second-largest island in Thailand, known for its picturesque beaches, lush tropical landscapes, and vibrant nightlife. Koh Samui offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and modern amenities, making it a popular tourist destination.

The island is renowned for its palm-fringed white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and breathtaking sunsets. Some of the most famous beaches on Koh Samui include Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, and Bophut Beach. These beaches offer a wide range of water sports activities, such assnorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding and jet-skiing. Continued …

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit This Charming Region In Thailand

Sichon is a secret gem nestled along Thailand’s untouched coastline. This idyllic coastal town offers a beautiful blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a peaceful ambiance, making it a captivating destination for any visitor seeking an authentic Thai experience.

With its pristine beaches framed by swinging palm trees, dense tropical forests, and quiet fishing villages, Sichon delivers a scenic escape from the bustling tourist hotspots. People rejoice in the warm hospitality of the locals, savor mouthwatering seafood delicacies, explore ancient temples, and immerse themselves in the allure of this fascinating coastal haven. Continued …

Wear A Rainbow Swatch Watch In Malaysia, Face 3 Years In Jail

Wearing a rainbow-themed Swatch watch in Malaysia could now land you three years in jail, after the government banned what it described as the brand’s “LGBTQ related” products — claiming they are “harmful to morality.” Continued …

Death toll in Maui fire disaster rises to 67, 1,000 missing

The death toll from the Maui wildfire climbed to 67 Friday as Maui fire crews battled blazes still scorching parts of the island and rescue workers searched for about 1,000 people reported missing as questions began to swirl about Hawaii’s emergency warning system. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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

Friday’s news-Aug 11

  • Prachuap Khiri Khan is no longer in drought crisis/
  • Hua Hin Coffee Fest slated this weekend/
  • Special blends, unique brands key to Thai coffee’s global appeal/
  • Monsoon Valley Vineyard Fest this weekend/
  • Queen birthday celebration at Huay Mongkol Temple Sunday/
  • Thailand’s health services strain as dental appointments delayed/
  • Bangkok is sinking/
  • Iraqi man arrested for overstaying in Thailand for nearly 15 years/
  • Suvarnabhumi’s sustainable future fueled by solar panel installation/
  • Woman rescues 19 puppies abandoned in Isaan forest/
  • Thai researchers develop antibody drugs from tobacco plants for cancer treatment/
  • Pilots face pricey training fees to secure airline jobs/
  • Thailand election: Pheu Thai cruising toward power, but at what price?/The continuing crisis of Thai democracy/
  • Economy: Consumer confidence drops for first time in 14 months/Thai rice price surges amidst drought concerns/Fruit exports fare well in first 5 months/Thailand’s data center market to grow in triple digits/Thailand’s legal cannabis story – one year later/
  • Tourism: Tourist visa requirements eased for Chinese visitors/China Expands the Number of Countries for Travel/Thailand plans to build 3 terminals for cruise ships/Agency turns to culinary tourism/Hotels looking to hire temporary workers as high season nears/Motorbike collision sparks street fight between Thais and Kuwaitis in Pattaya/Police Urged To Stop Tourists Partying On Jomtien Beach All Night/
  • International: Maui fire fatalities rise to 53/Russia launches moon lander in race to find water on moon/Virgin Galactic rockets its first tourist passengers into space/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Prachuap Khiri Khan is no longer in drought crisis

Prachuap Khiri Khan has emerged from its drought crisis, with sufficient aid having been given to all the impacted areas, officials reported.

Decha Rueang-On, the director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DPMO) of Prachuap Khiri Khan, announced yesterday the province had activated a drought disaster response and solution center as early as Jan. 25. This initiative coordinated various government agencies to closely monitor the situation, gauge its impact on residents, and formulate appropriate assistance and support measures. Continued …

Hua Hin Coffee Fest slated this weekend

The Hua Hin Coffee Fest 2023 will be held Aug.10-13 at the Plik Vivek Cafe https://goo.gl/maps/oBAQs3hTcPTNDSFE6. The inaugural event,will offer a range of activities designed to celebrate the love of coffee:

  • A cold drip competition, “Drip Yenn Championship Thailand 2023,” on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13;
  • Booths from shops, coffee houses in Hua Hin, and nearby provinces, including coffee shops and roasters from all over Thailand. There will be cocoa, tea, bakery, coffee equipment, and various souvenirs, as well as local farmers who will offer a variety of special coffee processes to choose and taste from.
  • Workshops, coffee seminars with teachers, and celebrities in the coffee industry. Facebook; tel. 063 551 6244

Special blends, unique brands key to Thai coffee’s global appeal

Thai farmers and entrepreneurs are being urged to create unique coffee blends to increase sales in the lucrative and expanding global coffee market.

Thailand can increase its competitiveness in the global coffee market by producing and processing specialty coffees, Trade Policy and Strategy Office director-general Poonpong Naiyanapakorn said on Thursday. This will increase the value of Thai coffee and promote Thai coffee as a global brand, he said. Continued …

Queen birthday celebration at Huay Mongkol Temple Sunday

One of the region’s most significant religious and cultural events will be held at Wat Huay Mongkol in Hua Hin Sunday. Centered on the theme “Enhancing Your Heart with Faith,” this celebration pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother on her 91st birthday.

The event will see a 399-meter-long robe paraded through the temple grounds and around the statue of Luang Pu Thuat. Continued …

Thailand’s health services strain as dental appointments delayed

The lack of medical personnel in every department, coupled with the measly number of dentists, has pushed health services to the brink in Thailand, with patients finding themselves on the verge of collapse as dental appointments are pushed two years ahead.

At 9am yesterday, a caregiver, who was accompanying an 11-year-old boy for tooth decay treatment, shared this grim situation. The patient was treated at a provincial hospital in Chachoengsao. After the dentist performed root canal treatment, the boy was given a second appointment, in two years’ time. Continued …

Bangkok is sinking

Sopin Jindachom has lived in Bangkok all her life, but her village is far away from the bright lights of the city — and that is a blessing and a curse.

The blessing is that Sopin loves her small, coastal community, which is accessible only by foot, motorbike, or boat. But the curse is this part of Thailand’s capital is slowly being swallowed by the sea, and the authorities have no plan to try to stop it. Continued …

Iraqi man arrested for overstaying in Thailand for nearly 15 years

Immigration police officers arrested an Iraqi man in the central province of Kanchanaburi today after almost 15 years of overstaying in Thailand. As part of a concerted effort to root out illegal immigrants across the country, Thai authorities, led by the Royal Thai Police and Immigration Bureau, investigated cases in each province.

The operation led to the discovery of the Iraqi man, identified as 43-year-old Oday Jabbar Khudhair, who had been concealing himself in a guest house within Kanchanaburi. Continued …

Suvarnabhumi’s sustainable future fueled by solar panel installation

In a decisive move toward clean energy, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) are looking to harness the sun’s power, with the installation of solar rooftop panels on the passenger terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The green airport project is part of a larger crusade intending to derive 20% of the airport’s electricity from renewable sources in the coming two years. Continued …

Woman rescues 19 puppies abandoned in Isaan forest

A Thai woman rescued 19 puppies that were abandoned near a roadside forest in the Isaan province of Nong Bua Lamphu. The animal lover is now looking for new homes for the abandoned puppies.

The compassionate woman shared pictures of the black-and-light-brown-colored puppies on a Facebook group on Tuesday, in the hope of finding new homes for the cute little pups. Continued …

Thai researchers develop antibody drugs from tobacco plants for cancer treatment

For the first time in Thailand, lecturers at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences have successfully developed antibody from tobacco plants with inhibitory effects on the growth of cancer cells in laboratory animals. This signals hope for access to effective cancer medication and treatment at a lower cost.

From world-class success in producing a COVID-19 vaccine from tobacco plants, researchers from Baiya Phytopharm Co., a Thai company under Chulalongkorn University, have reached another milestone in the research and development of antibody drugs from tobacco plants, which have been found to reduce the size and inhibit the growth of cancer cells in laboratory animals. Continued …

Pilots face pricey training fees to secure airline jobs

With employment in the aviation industry yet to fully recover, airlines in Thailand are adopting pay-to-fly employment schemes, which require licensed pilots to pay more than 1.5 million baht for training to secure jobs.

Yet, the average salary of pilots in Thailand remains lower than before Covid-19, as airline fleets are below pre-pandemic levels. The situation would be even tougher for student pilots who do not have enough experience to compete with veteran pilots. Continued …

Pheu Thai cruising toward power, but at what price?

Voters are now watching how the Pheu Thai Party goes about forming the new government after it parted ways with election-winner Move Forward, and courted several conservative parties including Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation and Palang Pracharath.

With serious political bargaining laid bare under the public gaze, netizens are crying foul over Pheu Thai’s recent moves. Many have declared they will certainly vote for Move Forward again, after witnessing what they perceive as Pheu Thai’s betrayal of the popular liberal party. Continued …

The continuing crisis of Thai democracy

The prolonged volatility and instability in Thai politics attest to a continuing crisis of democracy since the military coup in September 2006. It is characterized by the nature, direction and duration of government after an election.

Unless the poll-topping political party is backed by the conservative military-authoritarian regime, it is either not allowed to take power or gets overthrown while in office before completing its term. This crisis of Thai democracy has now persisted since the May 14 poll, as the formation of the next government remains stuck in a stalemate. Continued …

Consumer confidence drops for first time in 14 months

Thai consumer confidence declined for the first time in 14 months in July, dented by concerns over persistent political uncertainty after elections were held in May, and a slow economic recovery, a survey showed today.

The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) fell to 55.6 in July from 56.7 in June. Continued … 

Thai rice price surges amidst drought concerns

The world has been witnessing increases in the price of rice following drought concerns and India’s export ban, but it is Thailand’s rice that has seen the sharpest rise, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

In its monthly rice update issued on Aug. 8, the FAO said that over the span of two weeks, quotations of Thai 100% B white rice jumped by US$38, raising the monthly average to $562 per ton, the highest since February 2021. Continued …

Fruit exports fare well in first 5 months

Thai fruit remained popular during the first five months of this year, as demonstrated by the utilization of free trade agreement (FTA) benefits by exporters, especially with regard to shipments bound for China.

Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said durian, guava, mango and mangosteen are popular fruits in China, especially during the hot season. The value of Thailand’s fruit exports utilizing ASEAN-China FTA privileges amounted to more than US$3.3 billion in the first five months of this year, up 14.2% year-on-year. Continued …

Thailand’s data center market to grow in triple digits

Thailand’s data center market is anticipated to post triple-digit growth over the next two years, fueled by an influx of global cloud service providers and tech companies, according to hyperscale data center firm ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Thailand).

Data centers form the digital infrastructure that contributes to the country’s economic growth, said Supparat Sivapetchranat Singhara na Ayutthaya, the company’s chief executive. Continued …

Thailand’s legal cannabis story – one year later

In June 2022, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize cannabis following the Food and Drug Administration’s removal of all parts of the plant from the national narcotics list. Thailand had previously legalized medical cannabis in 2019, and its leaves in 2021.

At the time, the Thai government said the new regulations were intended to promote small-scale cannabis farms and bring a much-needed boost to the country’s agricultural sector, which accounts for around one-third of the national workforce. As well as this, cannabis legalization was intended to bolster Thailand’s economy – with the potential to generate 10 billion baht per year (around £22.5M), while allowing people to showcase their cannabis and hemp-related products. Continued …

Tourist visa requirements eased for Chinese visitors

The government has further relaxed its tourist visa requirements and shortened the standard time required for approving visas for Chinese visitors, in a bid to make the process easier for people visiting the country.

Last week alone, 95,581 Chinese arrived in Thailand, representing the largest proportion of international visitors, followed by Malaysians (73,810), South Koreans (37,754), Indians (27,707) and Vietnamese (25,717), deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Thursday. Continued …

China Expands the Number of Countries for Travel

China has increased the number of countries that its big-spending tourists can visit by more than 70 following the lifting of its last COVID-19 travel restrictions. The decision comes as international flights to and from the country gradually return to their pre-pandemic levels.

China implemented strict lockdowns and draconian travel controls within the country and closed its borders almost entirely after the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019. Continued …

Thailand plans to build 3 terminals for cruise ships

 

Three feasibility studies for three terminals for cruise ships to dock in Thailand are 60% complete and will be finished next year, a senior official at the Transport Ministry’s Marine Department said on Thursday.

Kritphet Chaichuay, acting director-general of the department, said the three projects are for three cruise ship terminals on Koh Samui, the Andaman coast and Pattaya, with the latter two including ports. Continued …

Agency turns to culinary tourism

Thailand plans to hold the world’s first “Kaphrao Grand Prix” in Bangkok to showcase the authentic Thai dish to foreign travelers and increase local ingredient exports, aiming to increase food expenditure among tourists from 20% to 25% by 2027.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said this marks the first time the agency has held an official promotion dedicated to pad kaphrao, a dish beloved by locals and tourists alike. Continued …

Hotels looking to hire temporary workers as high season nears

With the high season approaching, hotel operators are preparing to address the current labor shortages so they are able to accommodate the pent-up demand from foreign travelers after the lifting of Covid-19 shutdowns.

According to Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), a survey conducted in July by the THA in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand (BOT) involving 91 hotel establishments, found that the labor shortage problem in the hotel business in July was close to the level of the previous month, with around 47% experiencing staff shortages, although this did not significantly impact the number of customers they could accommodate. Continued …

Motorbike collision sparks street fight between Thais and Kuwaitis in Pattaya

Panicked residents living on Soi Yensabai in Pattaya City had to rush out of their homes to stop a street fight between Thai locals and Kuwaiti tourists at about 15 minutes before 1am today.

The street fight took place in front of a restaurant after a group of Thais on motorbikes chased down a group of Kuwaiti tourists on motorbikes in an attempt to negotiate a settlement for a motorcycle collision the Thais blamed on a Kuwaiti tourist. Continued …

Police Urged To Stop Tourists Partying On Jomtien Beach All Night

Local residents in Pattaya have urged the authorities to crack down on tourists partying on Jomtien beach after midnight until 7 am, with the loud music they play preventing them from sleeping.

Upon receiving complaints, a TV station’s news team inspected the beach and found that after bars closed groups of tourists gradually flocked in and bought alcohol and drugs, plus renting bluetooth speakers to play music, which is against the law. Continued …

Maui fire fatalities rise to 53

The number of fatalities from the catastrophic fires in Maui, officially at 53 by Thursday afternoon, will probably surpass 60 and make the disaster the deadliest since Hawaii became a state in 1959, Gov. Josh Green said. Continued …

Russia launches moon lander in race to find water on moon

A rocket carrying a lunar landing craft blasted off Friday on Russia’s first moon mission in nearly 50 years, racing to land on Earth’s satellite ahead of an Indian spacecraft. Continued …

Virgin Galactic rockets its first tourist passengers into space

Virgin Galactic launched its first tourist passengers into the weightlessness of space Thursday, the culmination of a nearly two-decade commercial pursuit, the company said. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

  • Emergency hotline – 191
  • Emergency medical services – 1554
  • Water accident – 1196
  • Motorway hotline – 1586
  • Emergency medical – 1669
  • Highway police – 1193
  • Tourist police – 1155
  • Bus ticket – 1490
hospitality, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Thursday’s news-Aug 10

  • Prestige magazine features Hua Hin’s Intercontinental/
  • Hopes for Pheu Thai PM fade as conservative parties eye power/
  • True looks to bundled services for growth/
  • PTT to plant 86,173 rai of forests in 2023/
  • Thailand to grow opium, magic mushrooms to produce morphine, anti-depressants/
  • Economy: Thai economy riding recovery in tourism, amid flailing exports/FTI announces glum export outlook/Rice price hikes worry restaurant owners, some pass costs to diners/
  • Tourism: Thai tourists dominate PKK tourism numbers/Day trips more likely than longer stays over long weekend/Indian men clash for Thai woman in Pattaya/
  • Thailand Experience: 10 Tantalizing Thai Cookbooks/Learn about the long journey of Thai cats and local culture/
  • International: Indonesia’s Capital Named World’s Most Polluted City/Soaring rice prices stretch budgets for billions in Asia, Africa/People scramble for safety as Hawaii wildfires rage; 6 dead in Maui/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Prestige magazine features Hua Hin’s Intercontinental

One of the true joys of living in Thailand is having access to some of the world’s most beautiful coastlines. One such destination, the seaside haven of Hua Hin, offers an alluring blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.

Beyond its tranquil beaches and scenic landscapes, the town exudes an inviting atmosphere, with vibrant markets, world-class dining, and a wealth of recreational activities, which has made it increasingly popular for those looking to invest in properties that will provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the kingdom’s larger cities, as well as provide the setting for a lifetime of cherished memories in paradise. Continued …

Hopes for Pheu Thai PM fade as conservative parties eye power

Almost three months after the May 14 general election, Pheu Thai officially formed a new alliance with Bhumjaithai on Monday, and announced they are open to more political parties joining to form Thailand’s next government.

The new coalition emerged just days after Pheu Thai’s political divorce from the Move Forward Party, which won the largest number of seats in the election but failed to secure majority support from Parliament for its prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat. Continued …

True looks to bundled services for growth

Leading fixed broadband internet service provider True Online is offering bundled services, launching packages that include closed-circuit TV (CCTV), home and life insurance at a starting price of 600 baht per month.

The move aims to broaden its new household subscriber base from 3.8 million and increase its monthly average revenue per user from 475 baht, said Sakolporn Hanchanlert, head of online convergence at True Corp. Continued …

PTT to plant 86,173 rai of forests in 2023

Oil and gas giant PTT is planning to plant 86,173 rai of forest this year to accelerate the company’s bid to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

PTT President and CEO Auttapol Rerkpiboon said on Wednesday that the company’s reforestation project aims to rehabilitate the ecosystem and increase natural resources for absorbing carbon dioxide. Continued …

Thailand to grow opium, magic mushrooms to produce morphine, anti-depressants

The Cabinet has approved a draft royal decree for designating areas to grow opium and magic mushrooms on a trial basis for medicinal purposes.

Trisulee Trisaranakul, deputy government spokesperson, said the Cabinet gave the project proposed by the Justice Ministry the go-ahead on Tuesday. Continued …

Thai economy riding recovery in tourism, amid flailing exports

Amid sliding exports and the sluggish world economy, tourism is playing a key role in shoring up Thailand’s economy.

The tourism industry has generated 1.1 trillion baht revenue for the country in the first seven months of the year, 638.2 billion baht coming from spending by foreign tourists, deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Traisaranakul said recently. Continued …

FTI announces glum export outlook

Exports may contract by more than 2% this year, following an interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve and concerns over higher global energy prices in the winter, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI, predicted dim export prospects after the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking announced last month it was slashing its export growth forecast to -2% this year, down from -1%. Continued … 

Rice price hikes worry restaurant owners, some pass costs to diners

Rice prices have begun to climb, causing restaurateurs concern about the cost of producing made-to-order meals. Despite this, some restaurants have opted not to increase prices, sympathizing with their customers. They are instead appealing to the government to control the cost.

The Ministry of Commerce directed related agencies to balance rice prices after a lull in rainfall from El Niño and India’s suspension of rice exports, causing global market costs to rise. Continued …

Thai tourists dominate PKK tourism numbers

Prachuap Khiri Khan province saw 5,754,690 tourists between January and June this year. Most, 5,502,954, were Thai nationals. majority, 5,502,954, being Thai nationals.

The remaining 251,736 were foreign visitors.

Day trips more likely than longer stays over long weekend

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects Thais to make 2.6 million domestic trips during the National Mother’s Day long weekend (Aug. 12-14) and spend around 8.76 billion baht, a drop of 4% and 5%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

The reduced travel and lower spending are due to the impact of inflation and unfavorable weather conditions during the rainy season, TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said on Wednesday. Continued … 

Indian men clash for Thai woman in Pattaya

British writer John Lyly once wrote “All is fair in love and war,” but try saying that to two groups of Indian men who brawled in the street in a bid to win the heart of a fair Thai maiden on Southern Pattaya Road last night.

According to an eyewitness, a heated altercation erupted between the two Indian factions along the roadside. The witness courageously intervened, urging the groups to cease their conflict. However, one of the Indian men misinterpreted the intervention as an affront, escalating matters by attempting to wield a broken glass bottle as a weapon. Continued …

10 Tantalizing Thai Cookbooks

I’ll never forget the first time I tried Thai food. I couldn’t get enough of the savory pad Thai sprinkled with chili powder and ground peanuts, and I couldn’t help but crave it again the very next day!

Spicy curries, flavorful vegetable soups, and savory pad Thai are just a few dishes that you’ll be able to cook with confidence after reading these easy-to-follow cookbooks. Continued …

Learn about the long journey of Thai cats and local culture

As one of the most beloved animals in the world, cats have been people’s quintessential companions for thousands of years.

Domesticated felines have always played a significant role in human civilization, no matter where they are. From now until November, the Ministry of Culture’s Fine Arts Department presents “Wilar Wilas: The Journey Of Cats In Thai Tradition”, an exhibition that tells fascinating stories about this unique pet. Continued …

Indonesia’s Capital Named World’s Most Polluted City

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta topped the list as the world’s most polluted city on Wednesday, having consistently ranked among the 10 most polluted cities globally since May, according to data by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. Continued …

Soaring rice prices stretch budgets for billions in Asia, Africa

A surge in rice prices to the highest level in almost 15 years is renewing fears that food costs are going to get a lot more expensive for the world’s poorest people. Continued …

People scramble for safety as Hawaii wildfires rage; 6 dead in Maui

Wind-whipped wildfires in Hawaii forced hundreds of evacuations Wednesday, overwhelmed hospitals and even sent some residents fleeing into the ocean to escape the flames, as parts of the popular tourist destination turned into a raging inferno in a matter of hours. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

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

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Emergency hotline numbers:

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