Category Archives: tourism

baht, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-June 30

  • US Kids Golf 2023 Thailand Tour returns to Black Mountain/
  • Midnight sea tragedy in Prachuap Khiri Khan claims fisherman’s life/
  • Chiva-Som to host gala dinner for mangrove conservation/
  • Passenger’s Leg Severed By Moving Walkway At Don Mueang Airport/
  • Not The First Time – Airport Moving Walkway Devoured Passenger’s Sandal In 2019/
  • Don Mueang Airport ranks among the most dangerous airports in the world/
  • Thailand’s people have spoken. Will its military listen?/
  • Phitsanulok Quake Shows Buildings Should Be Strengthened: Expert/
  • Thailand’s barrier-free toll system: a boon for motorists – a challenge for cheaters/
  • 9% of youth smoke illegal vapes, study finds/
  • Economy: Baht falls to 7-month low/Return of foreign buyers helping property sector to grow/International filmmaking boosts Thai film sector with 1.84-billion-baht earnings/Thailand set to overtake Vietnam as world’s No 2 rice exporter/MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023: Discover the latest products & design/
  • Tourism: Controversial Thai Tourism Fee Postponed Again/Cruise ship terminal to be built in Pattaya for 7.4 billion baht/Construction of high-speed railway linking three airports delayed by a year/Paradise by the dentist’s drill/
  • Thailand Experience: 10 Most Terrifying Spiders Found in Thailand/Wat Samphran Dragon Temple, the dragon we all are in awe of/
  • International: Rising monkey and pig populations pose human disease risk/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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US Kids Golf 2023 Thailand Tour returns to Black Mountain Golf Club

The worldwide junior golf organization “U.S. Kids Golf” will bring the Tour to Thailand, supported by Golf Impact Center, The Thailand PGA and Chaowarat Golf Academy.

Hua Hin’s Black Mountain Golf Club will exclusively host all six events on the Thailand tour, from August to October 2023. The first event is scheduled for Aug. 6. Continued …

Midnight sea tragedy in Prachuap Khiri Khan claims fisherman’s life

A fishing crew member tragically drowned at sea near Prachuap Khiri Khan region. The unfortunate accident occurred around half past midnight, as revealed by Artit Butlakorn, deputy inspector at Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan Police Station. Local police were alerted by officials at Prachuap Khiri Khan Port Control Center (Pipo).

Upon arrival at the scene near Placharoenlap Bridge, police found a fishing trawler named Pongsombat 5, which was about to dock. On the boat’s deck lay a covered body. Preliminary identification revealed the victim was 43-year-old Prasit. Continued …

Chiva-Som to host gala dinner for mangrove conservation

Hua Hin’s wellness destination Chiva-Som has sceduled a fundraising gala for its mangrove preservation project to celebrate the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

On July 26, the world celebrates the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The day was designated by UNESCO in 2015 to raise awareness about mangrove ecosystems, and to promote solutions for their conservation, sustainable management and utility. Continued …

Passenger’s Leg Severed By Moving Walkway At Don Mueang Airport

A female passenger’s left leg was ripped off to the knee by a moving walkway at Don Mueang International Airport early yesterday morning and she was quickly taken to Bhumibol Hospital for treatment.

Karan Thanakuljeeraphat, director of Don Mueang Airport, said at 8.30 a.m. that the unidentified female passenger was traveling to Nakhon Si Thammarat and was proceeding through the southern corridor between piers 4-5 in Terminal 2 when hit by the accident. Continued …

Not First Time – Airport Moving Walkway Devoured Passenger’s Sandal In 2019

After a woman’s left leg was severed to the knee by a moving walkway at Don Mueang Airport early yesterday morning it has led to netizens criticizing airport safety, with one of them mentioning that a similar incident occurred four years ago, but fortunately he pulled his foot out of the jammed croc sandal he was wearing, which was then devoured by the machine.

The unnamed passenger said that on July 30, 2019, upon landing at Don Mueang Airport from Osaka, Japan, at around 3.50 a.m., he was going through a moving walkway and just as he was about to step off it his croc got stuck and was so badly jammed he could not lift his foot. Continued …

Don Mueang Airport ranks among the most dangerous airports in the world

The travel website The Boutique Adventurer has ranked Don Mueang Airport as one of the 29 most dangerous airports in the world in 2023. In a recent article published at the end of June 2023, the website revealed the list of the most perilous airports, with Don Mueang Airport securing the 26th position.

According to the report, the list of hazardous airports is not limited to those under development in various countries, as established airports are also included. Countries such as the United States, France, Japan, and Norway have their airports featured in the rankings. Continued …

Thailand’s people have spoken. Will its military listen?

In last month’s parliamentary elections, voters in Thailand made their desire to be rid of military rule and to restore democracy unmistakably clear. They turned out in record numbers and gave overwhelming support to two pro-democracy parties.

Out front in the results was the progressive upstart Move Forward party. Its young leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, should rightly have the claim on the position of prime minister. Continued …

Phitsanulok Quake Shows Buildings Should Be Strengthened: Expert

After a 4.5 magnitude earthquake rocked Phisanulok and was felt in Phichit and Kamphaeng Phet provinces at 12.17 a.m. Yesterday, an academic pointed out that buildings in this zone should be strengthened, as a ministerial regulation governing seismic resistance of structures was only enforced in 2021.

Amorn Pimanmat of Kasetsart University’s engineering faculty said this was a medium magnitude earthquake, but because it was shallow, being 5 kilometers deep at its epicenter in Phitsanulok’s Phai Lom subdistrict, Bang Krathum district, vibrations were felt across this province as well as nearby Phichit and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. Continued …

Thailand’s barrier-free toll system: a boon for motorists – a challenge for cheaters

Launched just over a year ago, Thailand’s M-Flow or barrier-free toll system is now serving more than 110,000 vehicles each day. Although praised for easing traffic flows, it has also been a boon for cheaters, who have sought to exploit the system’s automated license plate recognition and post-pay service.

The issue made headlines again this week when police arrested the driver of a luxury BMW sedan and accused her of evading M-Flow tollgate charges around 260 times. Continued …

9% of youth smoke illegal vapes, study finds

An estimated 9.1% of young people in Thailand use e-cigarettes, mostly due to peer pressure and the influence of their friends, according to the results of a survey by the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS).

The survey was conducted on 61,688 people nationwide between April 25 and June 6. The results showed that 14.6% of young people in Bangkok use vapes, ranking the capital the highest among the 13 areas studied, said DHSS chief Sura Wisetsak. Continued …

Baht falls to 7-month low

The baht has again weakened to 35.60 to the U.S. Dollar, in a continuation of the trend that has been prevalent over the last seven months.

According to Krung Thai Bank’s currency analyst, Poon Panitpiboon, the exchange rate opened yesterday at 35.60 baht/US dollar, breaching the resistance level of 35.50 the previous day. Continued … 

Return of foreign buyers helping property sector to grow

Foreign buyers will fuel growth in Thailand’s property market during the second half of this year, but domestic buyers have not fully regained their purchasing power due to unfavorable factors, real estate appraisal and consultancy agencies say.

Thailand’s economy has shown signs of improvement thanks to foreign purchasing power, particularly since China’s reopening, and the country’s tourism sector, as well as selected businesses, are experiencing a resurgence and growth. Continued …

International filmmaking boosts Thai film sector with 1.84-billion-baht earnings

Thailand has seen a prosperous influx of international filmmakers in the first half of this year, with over 200 foreign films being produced in the country, according to deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana.

This number has resulted in revenue of approximately 1.84 billion baht, signaling a successful outcome of the Thai government’s proactive endeavors to present the nation as a prime shooting location for international film making. Continued …

Thailand set to overtake Vietnam as world’s No 2 rice exporter

Thailand is on track to overtake Vietnam as the world’s second-biggest rice exporter this year, after its shipments in the first four months rose to 2.62 million tons, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday.

This represents an increase of 14.4% over the same period last year, with the government now estimating that total rice exports in 2023 will surpass eight million tons, well above last year’s tally of 7.69 million tons, which put Thailand in third position among global rice exporters following India and Vietnam, respectively. Continued …

MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023: Discover the latest products & design

Jointly organized by Comasia Ltd. (Comasia) and Worldex G.E.C Co. (Worldex), MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023 will be held from July 19-21 at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC).

The three-day event will bring together 500+ booths, showcasing the latest products and design from Asia, including gifts and premiums, houseware and kitchen, stationery, travel and sporting goods, lifestyle products, smart green home products, outdoor decoration and furniture, etc., which are all highly sought after by the mass population and consumers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Continued …

Controversial Thai Tourism Fee Postponed Again

The 300-baht ‘land entry’ fee collection has been postponed to Jan. 1 of next year.

The caretaker minister of Tourism and Sports Piphat Ratchakitprakarn told Thai media, “We have agreed to postpone the 300-baht land entry fee collection. which previously was expected to take effect this month to January 1st of next year.” Continued …

Cruise ship terminal to be built in Pattaya for 7.4 billion baht

The Marine Department will this year seek Cabinet approval to build Thailand’s first cruise ship terminal in Pattaya.

The Marine Department will oversee development of the terminal, which will meet growing demand from cruise operators, a senior official said on Thursday. Wannachai Butrthongdee, director of the department’s Engineering Division, said the cruise ship terminal will be built under a public-private partnership (PPP) project worth 7.4 billion baht. Continued …

Construction of high-speed railway linking three airports delayed by a year

The chief of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office on Thursday said that the construction of a high-speed railway linking three airports will be a year behind schedule.

EEC chief Jula Sukmanop said Asia Era One Co., the concessionaire of the Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao high-speed railway, could not begin construction this year, as it was still awaiting an approval of investment privileges from the Board of Investment. Continued …

Paradise by the dentist’s drill

I decide to book a flight to tropically beautiful Thailand, known as the land of smiles. I think, to add to my beautiful smile, why don’t I get a problematic wisdom tooth drilled out on the first day I’m there. I mean, it’s not really a holiday in paradise without the sound and feel of a drill reverberating throughout your skull, with the taste of blood and anesthetic trickling down your throat. Is it?

I had shopped around a number of Australian dentists who were unwilling to go near the extraction for fear of causing nerve damage (the impacted tooth had a root that on X-rays looked entangled in a major nerve). The alternative was engaging the services of an oral surgeon, which would have ballooned the price of the procedure into the thousands. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

10 Most Terrifying Spiders Found in Thailand

Known for its diverse wildlife, Thailand is home to a variety of spine-chilling spiders that will send shivers down your spine. Over 10 species of these hairy, eight-legged creatures prowl the dense forests.

From venomous huntsmen with lightning-fast movements to intimidating tarantulas boasting potent bites, this exploration will take you on a hair-raising journey through the fascinating yet fear-inducing world of Thai spiders. Prepare yourself for a chilling encounter with these formidable eight-legged predators. Continued … 

Wat Samphran Dragon Temple, the dragon we all are in awe of

Wat Samphran Dragon Temple, also known as Wat Samphran Temple or the Dragon Temple, is easily one of the most intriguing pieces of temple architecture. Wat Samphran is located in Nakhon Pathom Province in Thailand, approximately 40 kilometers from the capital city of Bangkok.

When you look at Wat Samphran Dragon Temple, you are looking at a uniquely built 17-story tower, adorned with a dragon sculpture that wraps around the entire structure. Continued …

Rising monkey and pig populations pose human disease risk

Exploding populations of wild pigs and macaque monkeys in Southeast Asia are threatening native forests and disease outbreaks in livestock and people, according to research led by The University of Queensland. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, immigration, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-June 29

  • Hua Hin Profile: Mike’s motto and mantra : ‘Staples don’t quit’/
  • Dengue fever hits Hua Hin, 2 children die/
  • Standard planning 258-unit residential complex in Hua Hin/
  • TMD warns of torrential rainfall across 44 Thai provinces/
  • Pita ‘won’t get 5 votes’ for PM, says senator/
  • SRT looking at new electric trains instead of diesels/
  • Bangkok municipal pupils can wear hair styles and clothes of their choice/
  • Magnitude 4.5 earthquake recorded in Phitsanulok/
  • Economy: World Bank raises Thailand 2023 growth outlook to 3.9%/Tourism: 2 destinations in Phetchaburi and PKK selected for TAT campaign/‘Captive hell’: Report puts grim reality of wildlife tourism in the spotlight/Group makes plans for tourism future/No more street vendors on Pattaya’s Walking Street/1-in-10 travelers to Thailand now from China/TAT targets 5 million Chinese tourists this year/
  • International: Meat eating hits new low in Germany/Astronomers reveal evidence of universe’s ‘background hum’/
  • 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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The latest in our ongoing profiles of Hua Hin residents, written by freelance journalist Felicitee Lawrie.

Mike’s motto and mantra : ‘Staples don’t quit’

It is truly easy to admire Mike Staples. He has faced and vanquished a fierce adversary and he is full to the very brim with compassion for those less fortunate than himself. Now he spends his days enjoying his family and dealing with a huge extended family of his own choosing, to whom he devotes copious time and energy. A more charitable man I cannot remember having met.

Mike Staples was born in Dar es Salaam, in what was then Tanganyika, a British mandate in East Africa. His mother was born just south of the great Mount Kilimanjaro, also in Tanganyika, which eventually became the modern-day country of Tanzania. Continued … 

Dengue fever hits Hua Hin, 2 children die

Health officials in the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Public Health Office have increased measures to control dengue fever after the deaths of two children.

A total of 196 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Prachuap Khiri Khan province this year so far, with a one-month-old infant and a four-year-old child succumbing to the disease.

Standard planning 258-unit residential complex in Hua Hin

Hotel chain Standard International plans to launch two branded residential projects in Phuket and Hua Hin, while also opening five new hotels with 600 rooms across four destinations in Thailand during 2023-26 to capitalize on robust demand.

In the first quarter of 2024, The Standard’s second branded residential project in Thailand will be launched in Hua Hin. It will be developed by Sansiri Plc, the company’s parent firm, on a beachfront site located 4.5 kilometers from The Standard, Hua Hin hotel. Continued …

TMD warns of torrential rainfall across 44 Thai provinces

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today warns that a trough will pass over the upper part of the country, causing torrential rainfall in 44 provinces. The southern region will experience heavy rainfall across 70% of its area. Additionally, the seas are predicted to have high waves.

The department‘s weather forecast for the next 24 hours mentions that a trough will pass over the northern region of the country and Laos to join a low-pressure area along the central coast of Vietnam. Continued …

Pita ‘won’t get 5 votes’ for PM, says senator

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party (MFP), will likely receive fewer than five votes from the Senate in the parliamentary election for the new prime minister, according to a senator.

The dust has already settled, and Pita will be hard pushed to draw five or more votes from the 250 senators during the vote, Kittisak Rattanawaraha, a deputy chairman of the Senate committee on political development and public participation, said on Wednesday. Continued …

SRT looking at new electric trains instead of diesels

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has proposed changing a plan to procure 184 diesel locomotives in favor of electric trains.

SRT Gov. Nirut Maneephan said the proposal has been approved by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and will be submitted to the new cabinet with an unchanged budget of 1.5 billion baht. Continued …

Bangkok municipal pupils can wear hair styles and clothes of their choice

In an unprecedented move, following increasing calls for freedom and liberties in schools, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to allow students in the 437 schools under its supervision to choose their own hair styles and to wear casual dress at least one day a week.

In one of two letters issued to district chiefs by Wantanee Wattana, the deputy permanent secretary of the BMA, students may wear whatever hair style they wish, but the styles should “look healthy” and improve the personality and confidence of the students. Continued …

Magnitude 4.5 earthquake recorded in Phitsanulok

An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck Phitsanulok last night, with the epicenter just 5 kilometers deep, according to reports.

Local media reported that strong tremors were felt in Pailom subdistrict, Bang Krathum district in Phitsanulok at 12.17 am on Wednesday night. Continued …

World Bank raises Thailand 2023 growth outlook to 3.9%

Thailand’s economy is projected to grow 3.9% this year, up from a previous forecast of 3.6%, helped by private consumption growth and a recovery in tourism, the World Bank said on Wednesday.

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy expanded 2.6% in 2022, when its tourism sector began to rebound after broad pandemic-related travel curbs were eased. Continued …

Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdee Prakat

2 destinations in Phetchaburi and PKK selected for TAT campaign

Two destinations in the region have secured a spot among the final 25 of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “Unseen New Chapters: New Corners of Thailand” campaign.

In an announcement made during a ceremony presided over by Yutthasak Supasorn, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phetchaburi province’s Tham Bo Cave in Khao Yoi and Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdee Prakat in Bang Saphan have emerged as chosen finalists. Continued …

‘Captive hell’: Report puts grim reality of wildlife tourism in the spotlight

Hundreds of animals in Bali and Lombok are being exploited for tourists’ entertainment, an animal welfare charity claims. The Holidays that Harm report by World Animal Protection states more than 1,300 animals were exploited for tourist entertainment in inadequate conditions across Bali and Lombok. The animals included elephants, orangutans and dolphins.

The recent report covered 34 venues in Bali and Lombok to provide a snapshot of the welfare of animals being used in the tourism industry. Continued …

Group makes plans for tourism future

The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) is hoping its revival will allow for a more flexible workflow and agenda-based development, after seven tourism associations recently quit the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and joined FETTA.

Adith Chairattananon, FETTA representative and honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said the federation will drive policies through a flat organizational structure without a hierarchy. Continued …

No more street vendors on Pattaya’s Walking Street

Pattaya City officials sent out a letter to Walking Street business owners earlier this week informing them of an upcoming change to current policies and procedures.

As of Monday, July 3, street vendors and stalls not part of a licensed building business will need to be entirely removed from Walking Street, according to the notice from Pattaya City officials. Continued … 

1-in-10 travelers to Thailand now from China

New figures from SiteMinder, Meituan and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reveal that over 1.3 million of the 11 million-plus international travelers to Thailand have this year arrived from China.

The figures, which indicate that Chinese travelers could constitute one-fifth of all international travelers to Thailand by year’s end, were unveiled at the “Amazing Thailand Sailing with Meituan” event in Bangkok. Continued …

TAT targets 5 million Chinese tourists this year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set an ambitious goal of attracting 5.3 million Chinese tourists and generating 446 billion baht in revenue this year.

However, there are challenges that need to be addressed to achieve these targets. One of the biggest challenges is the competition posed by other countries popular with Chinese travelers, as well as the recovery of the aviation industry. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Meat eating hits new low in Germany

Florian Busmann used to enjoy sausages and steak on the barbecue in summer, but these days he prefers meat substitutes and grilled vegetables like aubergines and peppers. Continued …

Astronomers reveal evidence of universe’s ‘background hum’

Astronomers across the world announced today that they have found the first evidence of a long-theorized form of gravitational waves that create a “background hum” rumbling throughout the universe. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

baht, cha am, climate change, hua hin, immigration, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Wednesday’s News-June 28

  • Power outage Thursday in downtown Chat Chai area/
  • 110 tons of illegal buffalo meat destroyed in Cha Am/
  • Price controls of 51 goods and services extended another year/
  • Bank of Thailand to loosen foreign exchange regulations/
  • Thai masseur wows beachgoers with 50 million baht puke treasure/
  • Pattaya Motorbike Taxi Driver Returns Lost Bag Containing Nearly 100,000 Baht/
  • Police Move To Clear Criminal Record Of 13 Million Thais/
  • Line readies new features, eyes ‘chat economy’/
  • Economy: Baht at 7-month low on political uncertainty/How Thailand’s welfare state could change/German and French firms eye Thailand’s booming electric vehicle sector/Japanese eye EEC outlay of Bt3.7 billion/Ongoing US-China tech war likely to benefit Thailand/Japanese account for 70% of total investment in Thai industrial estates/The bioeconomy success of Wang Som Za village in Thailand/
  • Tourism: Russian tourism faces slowdown in Thai markets amid Moscow’s political tension/Sichon to champion ‘tranquil tourism’ in southern Thailand/
  • Thailand Experience: The journey of chilies to Thailand/2 chicken dishes from Thailand soar in global rankings/
  • International: UBS to cut 35,000 jobs after Credit Suisse rescue/US targets Wagner Group over gold in Africa/More than 90% of global aquaculture faces substantial risk from climate change/
  • 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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Power outage Thursday in downtown Chat Chai area

A temporary power outage and road closures will be in effect in downtown Hua Hin on Thursday. The power interruption is is due to the relocation of communication lines as part of the ongoing Chomsin-Thapong Municipal Road Expansion Project. The interruption will occur between 9am and 4pm.

110 tons of illegal buffalo meat destroyed in Cha Am

In a move to combat the illegal smuggling of animal products, officials gathered in Cha Am on Monday to destroy 110 tons of illegally imported buffalo meat.

The meat was destroyed during a ceremony at the Wildlife Quarantine Center in Sam Phraya subdistrict. Continued … 

Price controls of 51 goods and services extended another year

The Cabinet has decided to continue controlling the price of 46 food and consumer products and five services until June next year, deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said on Tuesday.

She said the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services’ announcement on price controls is set to expire on Friday, and the Cabinet decided to continue controlling the prices to ease the burden on the public. Continued …

Bank of Thailand to loosen foreign exchange regulations

The Bank of Thailand has revealed plans to loosen foreign exchange regulations to stabilize the exchange rate long-term. The move, which shows a clear focus on balancing capital inflows and managing volatility, comes as Thailand’s economy globally integrates further.

Under the foreign exchange initiative, Thai individuals will now be able to pour as much as US$10 million into offshore markets, doubling the existing limit of US$5 million. According to Alisara Mahasandana, assistant governor and head of the Financial Markets Operations Group at the Bank of Thailand, this is part and parcel of the bank’s efforts to balance capital flows and manage the Thai currency’s volatility against the dollar. Continued …

Thai masseur wows beachgoers with 50 million baht puke treasure

A Thai masseur captivated the public’s attention by showcasing his collection of whale puke, found while plying his trade on beaches in the southern province of Phang Nga. If proven to be authentic, it could be worth 50 million baht.

The owner of a local furniture store in Phang Nga, Wirat Ratso, invited reporters to explore the whale puke collection at the house of his neighbor, 48-year-old Prapheut Sithatrad. Continued …

Pattaya Motorbike Taxi Driver Returns Lost Bag Containing Nearly 100,000 Baht

On Monday, an honest motorbike taxi driver in Pattaya city turned in a foreigner’s lost bag containing crucial documents and nearly 100,000 baht in U.S. dollars.

The driver, 62-year-old Chamnan Svansap, discovered the bag after dropping off a passenger and parking his bike. Noticing an unattended bag, he didn’t open it, instead waiting for about 10 minutes hoping its owner would return. When no one claimed it, Chamnan brought the bag to Pattaya City Police Station. Continued … 

Police Move To Clear Criminal Record Of 13 Million Thais

With the announcement of the amendment of police regulations on fingerprinting on May 27, which in the past led to fingerprinted suspects having a criminal background, thus unable to apply for a job despite the charges having later being dropped against them, the police are now rushing to clear the record of 13 million Thais thus affected.

Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, head of Thammasat University’s law faculty, said the unamended regulation led to suspects against whom charges were later dropped or who had died to continue having a criminal record. Continued …

Line readies new features, eyes ‘chat economy’

Line Thailand is preparing new consumer and business features and has embraced generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology as part of its plan to offer value-added services to users and target Gen Y in its network.

The company wants to develop a “chat economy” in Thailand. Continued …

Baht at 7-month low on political uncertainty

The Thai baht weakened to a seven-month low today as political uncertainty dampened investor appetite, while most other emerging Asian currencies also depreciated against a firmer dollar after resilient U.S. data eased recession concerns.

Equities in the region were largely in the red, with shares in Seoul taking the biggest hit, declining 0.8%, while those in the Philippines and China lost 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively. Continued …

How Thailand’s welfare state could change

For the past few decades, many countries have been working toward providing “healthcare for all”, including equity in access to healthcare and healthcare financing.

Thailand has declared equitable healthcare to be an integral part of its development strategy over many decades. Continued …

German and French firms eye Thailand’s booming electric vehicle sector

A surge of interest in Thailand’s budding electric vehicle (EV) industry has been noted among businesses from France and Germany. The Thailand Board of Investment (BoI) revealed this interest following an investment promotion roadshow in these European nations.

BoI Deputy Secretary-General Wirat Tatsaringkansakul suggested a particularly keen receptiveness from French and German investors. These potential investors are reportedly looking into expanding their production bases and outsourcing companies to satisfy the surging demand of the Asian market. Continued …

Japanese eye EEC outlay of Bt3.7 billion

At least three Japanese firms are expected to invest roughly 3.7 billion baht in industries such as electric vehicles (EVs) and smart electronics in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), says the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT).

The three Nagoya-based companies indicated interest in buying 200 rai of land in the EEC, which covers parts of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao. Continued …

Ongoing US-China tech war likely to benefit Thailand

The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) says the ongoing technological competition between the U.S. and China is prompting several companies to relocate their manufacturing bases, presenting opportunities for Thailand.

OIE Director-General Warawan Chitaroon said this competition is expected to continue and has so far influenced several major semiconductor firms to shift their production bases from China to countries that are not direct competitors in the technology war, particularly those in Southeast Asia with relatively stable political environments. Continued …

Japanese account for 70% of total investment in Thai industrial estates

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is actively encouraging the electronics and steel industries to focus on manufacturing products that utilize advanced technologies and innovations, collaborating with Japanese expertise.

Veeris Ammarapala, the IEAT governor, revealed that a delegation of developers from 10 industrial estates had participated in an investment promotion roadshow in the industrial estates in Nakhon Ratchasima province, which has industrial potential, and ranks third in Japan’s economic cities. Continued …

The bioeconomy success of Wang Som Za village in Thailand

In Phitsanulok province, about 400 kilometers from Bangkok, the community of Wang Som Za village has restored a local variety of orange, Som Za, after which the village is also named. The orange variety is called “za” because the fruit tastes tangy.

This bitter orange is the center of the community’s bioeconomy efforts to recover their surrounding ecosystems and provide a better livelihood for their communities. Continued …

Russian tourism faces slowdown in Thai markets amid Moscow’s political tension

Amid heightened political tensions in Moscow, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) observes a potential slowdown in Russian tourists to Thailand, although an increase in long-term stay visitors is also predicted if the situation worsens further.

To comprehend the short-term market movements of Russian tourism in detail, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has instructed its Moscow office to keep a vigilant watch over the evolving scenario. Continued …

Sichon to champion ‘tranquil tourism’ in southern Thailand

Southern Thailand never fails to wow the world’s travelers with its sandy beaches, spectacular scenery and rich cultural heritage. Now, a new destination is about to emerge onto the world stage as a haven of “tranquil tourism.” With the new international terminal at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport set to open by Q4 2023, the coastal enclave of Sichon is poised to become a new jewel in Thailand’s tourism crown.

Sichon is a serene and peaceful destination where travelers can embrace Thailand as it has existed for centuries. Buddhists pay their respects in ancient temples, fishermen pull their catches up onto the beach from emerald green waters, farmers wrestle coconuts down from soaring palms, and artisans patiently work looms to weave materials dyed by natural colors derived from local fruits. Continued … 

The journey of chilies to Thailand

The vibrant Thai cuisine, known for its distinctive combination of flavors – sweet, sour, salty, and spicy – owes much of its kick to an ingredient that was surprisingly not indigenous to the region: the chili pepper.

The chili pepper’s journey to Thailand is a fascinating tale of global exploration and cultural fusion. This voyage of the chili began around 1492 when Christopher Columbus, the Genoese explorer, first encountered these fiery fruits in the Caribbean while he was in search of India and its prized spices. Interestingly, Columbus and his crew initially mistook chilies for a type of pepper – hence the name “chili pepper.” Continued …

2 chicken dishes from Thailand soar in global rankings

A recent ranking of global chicken dishes by the esteemed food mapping site TasteAtlas has positioned two Thai food plates among the top 50.

Thai meals Khao mok kai (a Muslim-style platter of chicken with saffron-flavored rice) and Kai yang (simple grilled chicken dish) were No. 38 and No. 46, respectively. Khao mok kai notched up a commendable 4.3-star rating out of 5. Kai yang procured a solid rating of 4.2 stars. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

UBS to cut 35,000 jobs after Credit Suisse rescue

Swiss banking group UBS plans to cut 35,000 jobs at Credit Suisse — more than half its workforce — as part of the emergency rescue takeover of its rival in March, according to a report by Bloomberg News. Continued …

US targets Wagner Group over gold in Africa

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions aimed at disrupting gold mining activities that fund the Wagner Group in Africa, vowing to hold the mercenaries accountable for abuses days after they staged a mutiny in Russia. Continued …

More than 90% of global aquaculture faces substantial risk from climate change

Many of the world’s largest aquatic food producers are highly vulnerable to human-induced climate change, with some of the highest-risk countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa demonstrating the lowest capacity for adaptation, a landmark study has shown. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, covid, hua hin, phuket, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s News-June 27

  • Special education fund-raising event this Sunday in Khao Tao/
  • Market Village Durian Festival June 30-July 4/
  • Chokdee Market at Centara on July 2/
  • What If Pita Is Rejected by the Junta-appointed Senate and Street Protests Resume?/
  • Monsoon surge raises flood risk across Thailand: 47 provinces on high alert/
  • COVID infections falling steadily, fewer fatalities over past month/
  • Bangkok trying new tech to solve traffic problems/
  • Analyzing the Myanmar Crisis and Thailand’s Complicity/
  • Economy: Thai economy booms as fiscal income beats projections, with 122B-baht surplus/17 Thai conglomerates make it to Forbes’ ‘Global 2000’ list/Thailand’s real estate sector urges foreign investment boost/Thailand unprepared as foreign investors flock back to ASEAN/Exports drop 4.6% in May/Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest/Plan to eradicate poverty proposed with 7 ‘sandbox’ provinces/
  • Tourism: Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture/
  • Thailand Experience: July packed full of amazing festivals and events around Thailand/The most popular Thai dish among Aussies revealed/The most hard-to-book restaurants in Bangkok, from street food to fine dining
  • International: Biden: US, allies not involved in uprising against Putin/Hong Kong sees over 1 million visitors during Dragon Boat Festival/World’s largest hydro-solar power station at the highest altitude in Tibet/Jumbo problem: Sri Lanka’s battle with plastic pollution
  • 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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Special education fund-raising event this Sunday in Khao Tao

Khao Tao Beach will host the Ejan Satu Koh Singto Challenge this Sunday. The event raises funds for a state-of-the-art school for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

The Special Children’s School is being built in Hin Lek Fai, and will provide educational facilities for 48 children currently attending the Special Education Center at Anubaan Hua Hin Nongkhon School.

The school assists children with speech and language difficulties, hearing or visual impairments, autism spectrum disorders, and emotional and behavioral issues.

Event competitors swim and kayak out to Koh Singto, covering distances of 5km and 13km, respectively. The event gets underway on Khao Tao beach at 6am on Sunday morning. – HHT

What If Pita Is Rejected by the Junta-appointed Senate and Street Protests Resume?

With the Parliament to reconvene on July 3, the voting for the new prime minister is not too far away. Some prominent junta-appointed senators continue to claim that Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat will not be getting their support, or enough votes, and the possibility that Pita will not be chosen as the next PM is a lingering fear.

For weeks now, some protest leaders, including monarchy-reform protest co-leader Arnon Nampa, have been reminding protesters to be prepared to take to the streets en masse in case of such an eventuality. Continued …

Monsoon surge raises flood risk across Thailand: 47 provinces on high alert

Swelling rainfall across Thailand, spurred by the increasing strength of a monsoon, coupled with an area of low atmospheric pressure, has compelled the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) to warn that 47 provinces could face potentially hazardous situations.

Over the next 24 hours, it predicts 60% of their areas will face heavy rain, with the severity being the most significant in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. Continued …

COVID infections falling steadily, fewer fatalities over past month

New COVID-19 infections in Thailand and other countries were steadily falling over the past month, with fewer fatalities, according to Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, public health permanent secretary.

He expressed concern, however, for people over 60 and those suffering from underlying diseases, pointing out that most of the fatalities were people over 70 and those who were not vaccinated. Continued …

Bangkok trying new tech to solve traffic problems

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched an automatic traffic-management system on four city roads in a pilot project aimed at boosting vehicle flow along the routes.

Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt, who presided over the launch, said the system had been installed at 13 intersections on Rama VI Road, Ratchawithi Road, Phahon Yothin Road and Praditpat Road. Continued …

Analyzing the Myanmar Crisis and Thailand’s Complicity

2,146 kilometers of landlocked demarcation is all that cuts through Myanmar and Thailand, two Southeast Asian nations that share a complicated, erstwhile rivalry that has evolved into a mutual bilateralism in the scope of current developments, with the incumbent Prayuth Chan-ocha regime cozying up to the likes of the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s armed forces.

These two countries are nothing alike; they do not share any linguistic overlap nor do they have any cultural heritages together, and they follow drastically different models of governance. In that sense, they are not complementary to each other, but centuries of warfare and geopolitical realities have shaped a new outlook. Continued …

Thai economy booms as fiscal income beats projections, with 122B-baht surplus

The Thai economy demonstrated strong recovery and active imports as the Thai government’s net income during the first two-thirds of fiscal 2023 has surpassed projections by 122 billion baht.

Between October 2022 and May 2023, the Thai government raked in a total of 1.64 trillion baht, which is an 8% surge from the previous year’s growth rate of 4.9%. This leap also exceeded the target set by 122 billion baht. Continued …

17 Thai conglomerates make it to Forbes’ ‘Global 2000’ list

Forbes magazine has released its 20th annual ranking of the world’s top-performing conglomerates for the year 2023, with JP Morgan, the largest bank in the U.S. with US$3.7 trillion in assets, securing the first position for the first time since 2011.

Following closely behind is Saudi Aramco, the energy giant of Saudi Arabia, in second place, and three Chinese state-owned banks led by ICBC. Other notable companies in the top 10 include technology giants Alphabet (ranked 7th), Microsoft (ranked 9th), and Apple (ranked 10th). Continued …

Thailand’s real estate sector urges foreign investment boost

With an eye on boosting the economy, real estate developers and consultants are urging Thailand‘s new government to implement policies that promote foreign investment. They contend such measures will stimulate a more positive environment for overseas buyers in the property market, suggesting promotional efforts to increase awareness among foreign investors.

Artitaya Kasemlawan, head of residential sales projects at CBRE Thailand, said, “The attractiveness of Thailand as a destination for foreign buyers is unquestionable.” Continued …

Thailand unprepared as foreign investors flock back to ASEAN

Foreign investment in Thailand remains weak compared with ASEAN neighbors such as Vietnam and Malaysia, where it has recovered faster since the pandemic.

Even the 16th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, held in Thailand over the weekend (June 24-26), saw minimal investment from foreign businesses. The Covid-19 crisis saw a severe contraction in trade and investment across the world, including foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand. Continued …

Exports drop 4.6% in May

Thailand’s customs-based exports in May contracted 4.6% from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday.

The reading compared with an 8% year-on-year drop forecast for May in a Reuters poll, and came after April’s 7.6% drop. Continued … 

Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest

The age-old struggle with economic disparity continues to cast a shadow on Thailand’s society as inequality widens, particularly in the agricultural sector, which sees roughly 6% to 8% of its populace remaining below the poverty line.

According to a recent study by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), this disparity has been fueled by multiple factors, including the move to a digital economy, an aging society, post-Covid-19 economic recovery speed, and the burning issue of climate change. Continued …

Plan to eradicate poverty proposed with 7 ‘sandbox’ provinces

A local development agency is to propose a new sandbox project in seven target provinces to the new government, with the aim of eradicating poverty in these areas by the year 2027.

During the seminar “Thailand’s poverty situation: Problems and solutions” on Monday, the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) said it is planning a sandbox program in 7 target provinces after more than four years of surveying the 20 poorest provinces of Thailand. Continued …

Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture

In a resounding celebration of heritage and culture, over 1,000 people gathered for the Phuket Peranakan Festival‘s “Extravaganza Carnival” grand parade. The event unfolded in the vintage vicinity of Phuket Old Town Saturday evening.

The carnival, the crown jewel of the three-day extravaganza, resulted in the closure of roads, culminating in a tremendous spectacle. The festival wrapped up yesterday. Continued …

Reading the elephant manual

Photo courtesy of Dine Riedé-Hoogerdijk

July packed full of amazing festivals and events around Thailand

The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2023, beach fun with the Amazing Ultimate Festival, Pai Jazz & Blues Fest 2023, Hua Hin Cricket Sixes, Amazing Thai Taste@Chiang Mai, Tai Lue Local Festival, Amazing Muay Thai Experience, and VERY Summer Fest 2023 music festival… there’s this and more happening in July 2023.

Here is a list of what’s on, sorted by event date: Continued …

The most popular Thai dish among Aussies revealed

Thai food is loved around the world for its mouth-watering dishes made from fresh ingredients and topped with delicious spices. But when it comes to ordering from a Thai restaurant, which dish takes the crown?

How to make vegetarian pad Thai – video

A recent poll conducted by Nine.com.au has determined what is the most popular Thai food order among Aussies. Continued …

The most hard-to-book restaurants in Bangkok, from street food to fine dining

Last week, Bangkok fine diners loudly and proudly applauded the inauguration of two Bangkok restaurants onto the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list. Surpassed in Asia only by Japan (with three entries), it became apparent that the dining scene in Thailand is only growing stronger and becoming more globally recognized.

National pride aside, this also means that Bangkok has some of the most hard-to-book restaurant tables in the world. Be it fine dining or casual street food, here are the most impossible reservations in the city. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Biden: US, allies not involved in uprising against Putin

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday said a brief uprising by Russian mercenaries against the Kremlin is part of a struggle within the Russian system and the United States and its allies were not involved in it. “We made clear we were not involved, we had nothing to do with this,” Biden said. Continued …

Hong Kong sees over 1 million visitors during Dragon Boat Festival

Hong Kong saw over one million visitors during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday that ended on Saturday, according to data from the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government. Continued …

World’s largest hydro-solar power station at the highest altitude in Tibet

The first phase of the world’s largest hydro-solar power station at the highest altitude has been put into operation. The first phase of the Kela photovoltaic power station is located on a mountain at an altitude of 4,600 meters in Yajiang County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. Continued …

Jumbo problem: Sri Lanka’s battle with plastic pollution

Heart-wrenching images of revered elephants and cattle eating plastic in Sri Lanka have prompted politicians to toughen pollution laws, but skeptical conservationists warn past bans were repeatedly ignored. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

baht, bangkok, chiang mai, hua hin, marijuana, phuket, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism

Monday’s News-June 26

  • Heavy rainfall predicted across Thailand due to monsoon impact/
  • Thai baht weakens to baht35/USD/
  • Optimism grows for new government, Anutin defends pot industry/
  • Police, military prepare for mass protests if Pita’s bid to be PM is thwarted/
  • Ceremony at Tham Luang marks 5th anniversary of rescue mission/
  • Economy: Thailand No.1 in ASEAN according to UN’s 2023 Sustainable Development ranking/Thai Durian Exports to Vietnam Soar 10,000% as New Gateway to China/
  • Tourism: Chinese Tourists Face Charges for Taking Photos with Starfish/
  • Thailand Experience: Bangkok’s Baan Krua, a resilient community crafting its own future/Chiang Mai: Hipster magnet meets Buddhist cultural capital/An eco-friendly trip in Phuket/Ghostly good times in Loei/Longan fruit guide: Discovering Thailand’s sweet gem/20 Thailand islands to explore/The Thai food revolution: Young chefs put Bangkok on the fine-dining map/
  • International: Russian mercenaries halt march to Moscow/Vietnam approves extending e-visas to 90 days/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hua Hin Expat News is pleased to welcome a new sponsor:

Blue & Yellow Book Exchange

Heavy rainfall predicted across Thailand due to monsoon impact

In the forecast for the next 24 hours, weather conditions across Thailand are expected to turn severe, with heavy rains predicted in the northern and northeastern regions, and a significant 60% of Bangkok areas facing heavy downpours.

These conditions are following the impact of a monsoon trough passing over the northern region and upper Laos, which is leading into a low-pressure area over upper Vietnam, and the monsoon tides sweeping over the Andaman Sea and the Thai bay. Continued …

Thai baht weakens to baht35/USD

The Thai baht opened this morning at 35.13 baht per U.S. dollar, down from the previous day’s closing rate of 35.06 baht per U.S. dollar. This represents the sharpest weakening in more than three months, according to Krung Thai Bank’s Money Market Division analyst Poon Panichpibul.

Factors supporting the depreciation stem from the strengthening of the USD, which comes with a contraction in the price of gold, putting pressure on the Thai baht due to the reduced demand for gold purchases. Continued …

Optimism grows for new government, Anutin defends pot industry

Constructive noises from the Bhumjaithai Party and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s plea to the new government to protect the nascent cannabis industry comes in a week that has seen a shift in attitude by the establishment toward the election results, with increased optimism that a new government will be formed in July rather than in August as was originally envisaged.

The incoming government must act cautiously concerning calls to relist cannabis as a scheduled narcotic, warned Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul this week. He told reporters, on Sunday, that he believed there will be a new government in July led by Pita Limjaroenrat, while denying reports of an approach by the Move Forward Party to the Bhumjaithai Party to support the new ministry in parliament. Continued …

Police, military prepare for mass protests if Pita’s bid to be PM is thwarted

The armed forces and the Royal Thai Police are discussing security measures to implement if turmoil and violence erupts should Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat fail to be elected prime minister in the middle of next month, military and police sources said.

They said the armed forces and police fear that supporters of Move Forward and its major coalition party, Pheu Thai, may stage violent protests if the Move Forward-led coalition of 313 MPs fails to win support from 63 senators or MPs from other parties to elect Pita as the next prime minister of Thailand. Continued …

 

Ceremony at Tham Luang marks 5th anniversary of rescue mission

A ceremony was held in front of the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province on Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the global mission to save young footballers and their coach who were stranded in a flooded cave.

Photos of ex-Thai Navy Seal diver Saman Kunan, who died during the mission, ex-Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osatanakorn, who died on Wednesday, and Wild Boars football team member Duangphet Promthep, who died earlier this year in England, were set up in the area to commemorate their passing. Continued …

Thailand No.1 in ASEAN according to UN’s 2023 Sustainable Development ranking

Thailand‘s recent economic, social, and green development has been reflected in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Report for 2023. In a statement relayed by Trisulee Trisoranakul, the deputy government spokesperson, Thailand has now improved its standing to the 43rd position among 166 countries from 44th last year.

The Sustainable Development Report outlines that Thailand has, for the fifth consecutive year, held the number one spot for sustainable development within the ASEAN region. This successful development, represented through an SDG Index score of 74.7 in 2023, underlines the government’s efforts to foster sustainable progress. Continued …

Thai Durian Exports to Vietnam Soar 10,000% as New Gateway to China

According to the Ministry of Commerce’s report for the first four months (Jan.-April) of 2023, Thailand’s durian exports and frozen durian had a total value of 63,627 million baht, up 166% from the same period last year.

The top export market was China, with a value of 62,068 million baht, an increase of 170% from the previous year, followed by Hong Kong with a value of 941 million baht, up 77% year-on-year, and Taiwan with a value of 198 million baht, up 36% year-on-year. Continued …

Chinese Tourists Face Charges for Taking Photos with Starfish

Marine protection officials on Friday filed a police complaint against Chinese tourists for taking photos with rare sea creatures in the sea off Koh Racha.

Chinese tourists Sanyang Qin and Wen Zhang were accused of holding up a starfish and stepping on coral reefs during their Thursday diving trip in Phuket province. Their actions violated a law forbidding harm to the coastal environment, environment minister Varawut Silpa-archa said. Continued …

Bangkok’s Baan Krua, a resilient community crafting its own future

Go across a canal from Bangkok’s swanky speakeasies and megawatt malls to find a tangle of tiny lanes weaving through a community long written off as forsaken and impoverished.

While visitors flock to tour the Jim Thompson House, few cross a nearby footbridge to where it all began in a claustrophobic maze of homes once filled with looms weaving silk. Decades after Thompson’s mysterious 1967 disappearance, the perception endures that Baan Krua’s prosperity and future vanished along with its foreign benefactor. Continued …

Chiang Mai’s Phae Gate

Chiang Mai: Hipster magnet meets Buddhist cultural capital

The 2020s version of the hipster is a far cry from the beatniks or hippies of the swinging ’60s. The modern hipster is likely to be a coffee snob, shop at an organic food store, profit from their creative pursuits.

You’re likely to bump into one of them in a songthaew or what tourists call red cars in Chiang Mai — a sort of repurposed pickup truck that is used as public transport. Thailand’s northern hub has long been at the center of the country’s culture, language and religion. Today it’s also a magnet for solo travelers and pilgrims who have over 300 temples to choose from. Continued …

An eco-friendly trip in Phuket

From island hopping to jungle exploration, Phuket is one of the most attractive places to visit in Thailand. There are plenty of water activities to do in Phuket, such as kayaking, snorkeling and swimming. But what can make it an experience of a lifetime is a vacation that contributes to marine life conservation.

Phuket is known as the “Pearl of the Andaman” and is the largest island in Thailand. The beaches and crystal-clear waters make it a top destination for a tropical beach getaway. Furthermore, Phuket is known for its conservation and educational centers. Continued …

Ghostly good times in Loei

Decked out in elaborate long-nosed masks and ruffled pants, hundreds of people banged cowbells and danced in a grand parade on Saturday at the annual ghost festival in this northeastern province.

The streets of Dan Sai district in Loei province were awash with color and traditional music at the Phi Ta Khon carnival as participants summoned the spirits before thousands of spectators. Continued …

Longan fruit guide: Discovering Thailand’s sweet gem

Longan, or ลำไย “lum yai” in Thai, is a juicy, sweet fruit that tastes similar to lychee. Known as “dragon’s eye” due to its translucent, white flesh with a central black seed, longan is a popular option when it comes to tropical fruits in Thailand.

When visiting Thailand, longan fruit is a must-try because of its sweetness and numerous culinary applications. Let’s explore this delicious tropical fruit’s history, seasonality, health benefits, variety. Continued …

20 Thailand islands to explore

Thailand is home to some of the world’s best islands. When you picture paradise, sparkling turquoise water, spotless white sand stretching for miles and swaying palm trees may come to mind, and this is exactly what you’ll find on all of Thailand’s islands.

Aside from the fact that there are over 1,400 to choose from, each one offers something different besides the natural allure of the beaches and relaxation. Continued …

The Thai food revolution: Young chefs put Bangkok on the fine-dining map

Thailand has long been known for its excellent and affordable street food and, on the other end of the spectrum, its classic royal Thai cuisine. But the progressive Thai food now being served in boundary-breaking restaurants across Bangkok, and increasingly in other parts of the country, is something else entirely.

A new generation of chefs are reinterpreting Thai food, putting street food on the proverbial white tablecloths of the fine-dining space, and digging into history to tell stories about their food culture. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Russian mercenaries halt march to Moscow

Wagner fighters were leaving Russia’s southern Voronezh region Sunday, the local governor said, after the group halted a dramatic rebellion to bring down Russia’s top brass and U-turned on a march to Moscow. Continued …

Vietnam approves extending e-visas to 90 days

The National Assembly has approved extending tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days, starting from Aug. 15, 2023, at its ongoing fifth session held on Saturday. Upon being granted an e-visa, a foreigner can enter and exit an unlimited number of times within 90 days, without having to go through procedures for obtaining a new visa. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, cha am, climate change, hua hin, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s News-June 24

  • Hua Hin Expat News is pleased to welcome a new sponsor: Blue & Yellow Book Exchange/
  • Vets perform mass sterilization of macaques in Cha Am/
  • 133rd anniversary of the royal pavilion in the Phraya Nakhon Cave/
  • Hua Hin International School graduates second class/
  • Upgrade to scenic route in Cha Am is now complete/
  • Why patients should seek medical advice instead of relying only on tech/
  • Chinese fraud syndicate caught after swindling 500 million baht from Thai investors/
  • Thai elephant prepares for jumbo flight home/
  • As China becomes a great power, it has an opportunity to be a different kind of leader/
  • Tiny Thai school on the climate change front line/
  • Climate change may have stimulated plankton bloom behind mass fish die-off in Chumphon/
  • Tourism: The best time to visit Thailand for a holiday – and when to avoid the rainy season/TAT reveals 20 unique wellness itineraries to capture global attention/Tourism industry hopes for action on bribery/Tourism groups at odds, resign from Tourism Council/
  • International: Wagner leader calls for rebellion against Russian defense chief/3M reaches nearly $10.3 billion settlement in ‘forever chemical’ drinking water lawsuits/UK launches mortgage help as interest rate soar/
  • 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.

Hua Hin Expat News is pleased to welcome a new sponsor:

Blue & Yellow Book Exchange

Vets perform mass sterilization of macaques in Cha Am

In an effort to control the increasing macaque population and address the concerns of local residents and tourists, a sterilization operation was carried out on June 22 in Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park.

The operation was led by Dr. Yuthaphon Angkinan, adviser to the minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and involved the participation of government officials, entrepreneurs, and the public. Continued …

133rd anniversary of the royal pavilion in the Phraya Nakhon Cave

Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province held a commemorative ceremony marking the 133rd anniversary of the pavilion in the Phraya Nakhon Cave. Historical records reveal that five Thai kings have visited the cave over the years.

The ceremony on June 22, which was presided over by Gov. Sathian Charoenyen of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and attended by the district chief of Sam Roi Yot, aimed to pay homage to the historical significance of the cave and pavilion. Continued …

Hua Hin International School

Hua Hin International School graduates second class

Hua Hin International School (HHIS) bid farewell to its second cohort of graduating students. This diverse group of students, having completed their international baccalaureate (IB) examinations a day prior, now embarks on their individual journeys toward university education, employment, and career training across the globe.

The graduation event was attended by family, friends and teachers, and marked a major milestone in the lives of the graduates. Many among them were part of the school’s founding and formative classes when it opened its doors in 2015, making the occasion a particularly special celebration of their growth and progress at HHIS. – HHT

Upgrade to scenic route in Cha Am is now complete

The Department of Rural Roads has recently announced the completion of the upgrade to Route 1045, a major road in Cha Am.

The project, aimed at enhancing travel efficiency, promoting the tourism economy, and mitigating traffic congestion during the rainy season, has been successfully implemented by the Fourth Office of Rural Highways (Phetchaburi).

With the completion of this extensive upgrade, travelers can now conveniently and safely access popular attractions such as Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park, Khoi Chong Viewpoint, and Bang Ket Beach. Continued …

Why patients should seek medical advice instead of relying only on tech

Patients should consult doctors for advice on which technologies can give the best treatment results instead of deciding on their own, Vimut Hospital Deputy CEO Suwanich Triamchanchuchai said on Thursday.

He said digital technologies are playing an important role in people’s daily lives. “For instance, digital watches enable people to check their blood pressure instead of seeing doctors,” he said. Continued … 

Chinese fraud syndicate caught after swindling 500 million baht from Thai investors

A Chinese national believed to be at the helm of a swindling operation, was taken into custody by the Thai authorities alongside 10 other members of the fraud gang. The group is accused of soliciting people to participate in a bogus gold investment scheme, alleging its connection with Thailand’s Crown Property Bureau.

The illicit operation, which duped victims of around 500 million baht (US$14,213,630) in total, was run primarily from the notorious Kings Romans casino in the Golden Triangle, Laos, the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) stressed. Continued …

Thai elephant prepares for jumbo flight home

An ailing Thai elephant is being prepared for an arduous journey home from Sri Lanka after a diplomatic dispute between the two Asian nations over the creature’s alleged mistreatment.

Video 

Thai authorities had gifted the 29-year-old Muthu Raja — also known back in its birthplace as Sak Surin — to Sri Lanka in 2001. Continued …

As China becomes a great power, it has an opportunity to be a different kind of leader

China’s emergence as a great power on the global stage is an opportunity for her to redefine what it means to be a global titan, a chance to shape not only its destiny, but also the destiny of many developing nations, eager and desperate for a compassionate and understanding helping hand.

The West’s past is a cautionary tale of world domination, the ghosts of colonization and neocolonialism casting a long shadow on history. The relentless pursuit of power and wealth, often at the expense of the less fortunate, left scars across continents, across cultures. They still bleed, quietly but deeply. Continued …

Tiny Thai school on the climate change front line

Each morning, four children stand barefoot in a line and proudly sing the national anthem as the Thai flag is raised outside their school, perched on a finger of land surrounded by the sea.

They are the last pupils left at the school in Ban Khun Samut Chin, a coastal village less than 10 kilometers (six miles) from the edge of Bangkok that is slowly being devoured by the waves. Continued …

Climate change may have stimulated plankton bloom behind mass fish die-off in Chumphon

Climate change might have stimulated a plankton bloom that caused thousands of dead fish to wash up along a 3- to 4-kilometer stretch of beach in Thailand’s southern Chumphon province, an expert said.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, deputy dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, attributed the fish deaths on Thursday to the bloom – a natural occurrence that lowers oxygen levels in the water and causes fish to suffocate. Continued …

The best time to visit Thailand for a holiday – and when to avoid the rainy season

When planning a holiday to the Land of Smiles to explore jungles, relax on beaches and partake in exhilarating water sports, it’s important to consider an age-old obstacle to holidaymakers’ fun – the weather. From Bangkok to Koh Samui, holiday hotspots have optimum windows of wonderful weather that treats Thailand’s guests to largely sunny skies.

Thailand is blessed with consistently mild weather conditions year-round, as well as appealing annual temperatures, but the typically tropical climate is not without heavy rainfall, humidity and winds. Continued …

TAT reveals 20 unique wellness itineraries to capture global attention

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently hosted a Thailand Wellness Business Makeover seminar aimed at encouraging health and wellness providers to devise creative offerings that appeal to the global wellness tourism market. A key aspect of the event was a wellness itineraries contest that successfully drew participation from a range of providers.

Aligned with the Thai government’s Thailand Wellness Economic Corridor (TWC) strategy, TAT’s campaign is designed to promote high-value health and wellness tourism and foster a competitive edge for Thai providers in this sector. Continued …

Tourism industry hopes for action on bribery

Tourism operators hope the government can work to remove bribery in the industry, notably in night-time entertainment venues and the tour guide business, although the problem is not as severe as in other industries, says the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).

Chamnan Srisawat, president of the TCT, said all issues should be put on the table, as some night-time entertainment venues regularly pay bribes to stay open beyond the mandatory closing time of 2am. Continued …

Tourism groups at odds, resign from Tourism Council

A crack in Thailand’s tourism industry has become more apparent after the country’s seven major tourism associations recently resigned from the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), preparing to revive the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) in an effort to adjust the balance of power.

FETTA is scheduled to hold a press conference on Wednesday, during which the presidents of the seven associations, led by the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and Thai Travel Agents Assn. (TTAA), will provide additional details about the cooperation. Continued …

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Wagner leader calls for rebellion against Russian defense chief

The owner of the Wagner private military contractor escalated his direct challenge to the Kremlin on Friday, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by opening a criminal investigation into Yevgeny Prigozhin and calling for his arrest. Continued …

3M reaches nearly $10.3 billion settlement in ‘forever chemical’ drinking water lawsuits

3M has reached an agreement to settle lawsuits claiming toxic “forever chemicals” contaminated water supplies in the U.S. Under the settlement terms, the company agreed to pay up to $10.3 billion over a 13-year period to public water suppliers (PWS) that have detected the substances in drinking water across the nation, 3M said in a statement released Thursday. Continued …

UK launches mortgage help as interest rate soar

Britain on Friday unveiled help for millions of cash-strapped homeowners facing soaring mortgage costs in a cost-of-living crisis, after the Bank of England unexpectedly hiked interest rates to a new 15-year peak. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Friday’s News-June 23

  • Explosion engulfs Hua Hin hotel, 500,000 THB worth of damage/
  • Pa La U durian festival showcases Hua Hin’s finest fruit through Sunday/
  • Common mistakes to avoid while learning Thai/
  • Healthcare staffing shortage tackled by Thai government with new strategy/
  • Overloaded Thai public health system sees exhausted doctors quit in droves/
  • Thai healthcare costs skyrocket/
  • ‘No serious quake threat to Thailand’ from major Sagaing Fault in Myanmar/
  • Algerian Man, Dressed as a Woman Arrested for visa overstay/
  • Thailand International Dog Show in Bangkok, July 6-9/
  • Durian lovers rejoice as prices plunge on surplus/
  • Economy: Examining Thailand’s Economic Revival and Investment Opportunities/Insights of five EV customer segments in Thailand/Thai village profits from hot-season tokay gecko trade exports to China/Bangkok Airways triumphs at World Airline Awards for 7th consecutive year/
  • Tourism: Thailand ranks second in global travel, Bangkok tops city list/Thai tourism-linked businesses experience booming growth amid economic recovery/Chinese tourism deterred by tourist scams in Thailand, says ATTA/World Hindu Congress to be hosted by Bangkok this year, boosting Thai tourism/
  • International: Titanic sub destroyed in ‘catastrophic implosion,’ all five aboard dead/Diabetes cases to double to 1.3 billion by 2050/US county sues oil companies for $51 billion over ‘Heat Dome’ disaster/€60 billion pledged to help Ukraine rebuild/
  • 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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Explosion engulfs Hua Hin hotel, 500,000 THB worth of damage

Pigeons were said to have caused a sudden explosion that led to a fire engulfing a hotel room in Hua Hin, resulting in damages amounting to half a million baht.

On Thursday afternoon, Lt. Col.Pichcha Rangleuan, deputy superintendent of Hua Hin Police Station, received a report regarding a fire incident at room number 164/5-6 of Sunny House, which is located adjacent to the railway, just off Soi 70. Continued … Pigeons were said to have caused a sudden explosion that led to a fire engulfing a hotel room in Hua Hin, resulting in damages amounting to half a million baht. Continued …

Pa La U durian festival showcases Hua Hin’s finest fruit through Sunday

Hua Hin’s renowned durian cultivation hub, Pa La U, is currently hosting the highly anticipated Pa La U durian and fruit festival.

This Ban Pa La-U Fruit and Good Products Expo, which is now in its 10th year, aims to celebrate the delectable fruit and showcases a wide range of local agricultural products. Continued …

 

Common mistakes to avoid while learning Thai

Oh, the joys of learning a new language! Thai is a fascinating language, filled with unique sounds, tones, and expressions that promise to make your learning experience an exciting adventure.

But, like any language, Thai comes with its fair share of challenges and common Thai language mistakes that might catch you off guard. No worries, though! Along with our friends at ALA Language School, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common mistakes you should steer clear of when learning Thai. Continued …

Healthcare staffing shortage tackled by Thai government with new strategy

The Public Health Ministry has laid out strategies to address the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals in the nation’s state-operated medical sector. Within the next three years, these measures aim to expand the country’s cadre of medical personnel according to current legal parameters.

Government spokesperson Anucha Buraphachaisri indicated the interventions may result in a 40% increase in doctors and over a 50% surge in nursing staff by 2026. Continued …

Overloaded Thai public health system sees exhausted doctors quit in droves

Every year, hundreds of doctors leave the government sector after struggling under huge workloads for relatively low pay and with little prospect of promotion.

The numbers exiting the public health service are significant, given that the Public Health Ministry employs just 24,469 doctors. Over the past decade, around 450 doctors have left each year, along with at least 150 who have retired from public service. Continued …

Thai healthcare costs skyrocket

We all want good health and decent public health welfare. When we fall ill, the cures are also much more effective thanks to modern medical advancements. But the soaring costs of healthcare have made it beyond most people’s grasp.

Over the past two decades, global healthcare spending has more than doubled, skyrocketing from $4.2 trillion (145.8 trillion baht) in 2000 to an astounding $8.5 trillion in 2019. Continued …

‘No serious quake threat to Thailand’ from major Sagaing Fault in Myanmar

A major active fault in Myanmar could still trigger a 7.5-magnitude earthquake in 5-10 years, but will cause no serious damage to Thailand, the Mineral Resources Department said on Thursday.

Oranuch Lorpensri, director-general of the department, said the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar is still active and it could unleash enough power to trigger an earthquake with up to 7.5 magnitude in about 5-10 years. Continued …

Algerian Man, Dressed as a Woman Arrested for visa overstay

An Algerian man was arrested in Bangkok for 251 days of overstaying his legal visa after he allegedly tried to dress as a woman in order to avoid Thai Immigration officers.

Relevant officials from the Bangkok Thai Immigration Office arrested a 38-year-old Algerian man at a housing estate in Bueng Kum. Officers found that the Algerian man was dressed as a woman before they arrested him. Continued … 

Thailand International Dog Show in Bangkok, July 6-9

Attention to dog lovers! Don’t miss this year’s “21st Thailand International Dog Show2023” at IMPACT in Bangkok. Exclusive this year is a Grooming contest, with a dressing up theme of “Dog Show Sahara” and with more than 250 vendors.

The fair will be held from July 6-9 at building 5-6 at IMPACT. Continued …

Durian lovers rejoice as prices plunge on surplus

Singaporeans love durians. And this year, the spiky and pungent fruit is in such abundance that it can be found in claw machines, giving enthusiasts a chance to catch one for just a dollar.

A surplus in major producer Malaysia has pushed prices in the city-state down to levels never seen before. Premium varieties like Musang King were selling for as cheap as S$3 ($2.24) a kilogram earlier this month. Continued …

Examining Thailand’s Economic Revival and Investment Opportunities

Thailand’s GDP outlook is expected to grow between 2.7%-3.6% in 2023, an increase from 2.6% in 2022. Economic growth will be boosted by a recovering tourism industry and improving private consumption.

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy was in a severe recession in 2020 due to the pandemic. GDP fell by 6.1% in that year, which represented Thailand’s largest contraction since the Asian financial crisis. Continued …

Insights of five EV customer segments in Thailand

Krungsri Auto, a leader in automotive finance under Bank of Ayudhya PCL., unveiled insights into five electric vehicle (EV) customer segments based on the consolidated data of its current EV loan portfolio, forecasting EV market growth, with potentials for automotive financing providers in responding to EV users’ needs and taping into their lifestyle in all dimensions. Insights of five EV customer segments gathered from real EV finance user behaviors are:

Segment 1 – A stylish executive with a stable income

This group is the early adopter of EVs, making up the largest proportion of current EV owners. An EV is their second car. They purchase a car at medium to high prices with high down payment and short-term loans. They value design and car brands and look for comprehensive products and services with financial advisers who can help make arrangements easy and hassle-free. Continued …

Thai village profits from hot-season tokay gecko trade exports to China

A Thai village is gaining lucrative income from capturing and processing tokay geckoes, generating hundreds of thousands of baht (US$2,860) per month during the hot season. In the northeast province of Nakhon Phanom, villagers from Ban Tal in Nah Wah district are seizing the opportunity to capture the amphibians that thrive in the warm weather.

Ban Tal Thai village, known as the mysterious village of unique seasonal occupations, has been relying on this profitable tokay gecko trade for over 30 years. Each hot season, from March to July, villagers capture geckoes and sell them to processing groups. The tokay geckoes are then dried and exported to China, where they are believed to be an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Continued …

Bangkok Airways triumphs at World Airline Awards for 7th consecutive year

The World Airline Awards 2023 ceremony saw Bangkok Airways Public Co. retaining its resplendent position under the spotlight. The prestigious accolades of “The World’s Best Regional Airline” and “The Best Regional Airline in Asia” were pinned on this airline, marking its seventh year of triumph.

The presentation took place at the Paris Air Show, where Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, the airline’s president, and other management personnel, received the honors. Continued …

Thailand ranks second in global travel, Bangkok tops city list

Thailand tourism continues to thrive, as online travel platform Agoda recently revealed that the country holds the title of the second most popular destination for travelers worldwide, with Bangkok topping the list of favorite cities for global travelers.

Outperforming Thailand, Japan emerged as the leading destination for tourists during the same period. Early reopening of the country’s borders has undoubtedly contributed to Thailand’s tourism sector rebounding at a faster rate compared to other nations. Continued …

Thai tourism-linked businesses experience booming growth amid economic recovery

Amid escalating tourist arrivals and robust economic recovery, Thai tourism-associated enterprises have been reaping lucrative rewards, particularly in the fields of foreign exchange, travel agencies, tour guides, dining establishments, and the accommodation industry.

Such industries have experienced impressive growth within the initial five months of this year, as revealed by data garnered through the Business Development Department of the Commerce Ministry. Continued …

Chinese tourism deterred by tourist scams in Thailand, says ATTA

Fear of being conned by tourist scams poses a bigger concern to prospective Chinese tourists than Thailand’s political ambiguity, advises the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). Given a sluggish economic recovery on the mainland, the Chinese tourism market could slightly be affected.

Calling for tougher safety measures, ATTA President, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn indicated that improving the country’s image and reassurances over touristic scams would encourage Chinese travelers. He also emphasized the necessity to uplift the quality of services provided in the tourism sector to boost Chinese tourism. Continued …

World Hindu Congress to be hosted by Bangkok this year, boosting Thai tourism

As a first, Bangkok is set to host the World Hindu Congress (WHC), set to take place from Nov. 24 to 26. Around 3,000 Hindus hailing from 60 different countries are anticipated to grace the event chaired by Susheel Kumar Saraff.

Themed “Jayasya Aayatnam Dharmah” or “Dharma,” the Abode of Victory,” the congress aims to celebrate the virtues of the religion and the triumphant strides of Hindus worldwide. Continued …

Titanic sub destroyed in ‘catastrophic implosion,’ all five aboard dead

A deep-sea submersible carrying five people on a voyage to the century-old wreck of the Titanic was found in pieces from a “catastrophic implosion” that killed everyone aboard, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday, ending a multinational five-day search for the vessel. Continued …

Diabetes cases to double to 1.3 billion by 2050

The number of people suffering from diabetes worldwide will more than double to 1.3billion by 2050, driven by structural racism and gaping inequality between countries, new research predicted today. Continued …

US county sues oil companies for $51 billion over ‘Heat Dome’ disaster

A county in the northwestern state of Oregon on Thursday filed a lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies seeking more than $51 billion over the 2021 “Heat Dome,” one of the United States’ deadliest weather-related disasters. Continued …

€60 billion pledged to help Ukraine rebuild

Foreign donors have pledged €60 billion (US$66 billion) of new financial support for Ukraine, the United Kingdom said Thursday, as an international conference aimed at funding the war-ravaged country’s reconstruction closed. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, cha am, hua hin, pattaya, phuket, real estate, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-June 22

  • Martin Wuethrich appointed GM of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa/
  • Traffic lights installed at Khao Tao junction/
  • Formal opening of new Phetchaburi Immigration office in Cha Am/
  • New PM in July a turning point for the Thai economy/
  • Official who oversaw Wild Boars rescue dies of cancer/
  • Remembering the “Moo Pa” Governor – the hero of the cave rescue/
  • Cheesemaker Spreads Joy In Tropical Thailand/
  • Laughing chickens bring joy and profit to Thai farm with their quirky crowing
  • AI Used to Catch Illegal Riders on Bangkok Footpaths/
  • Pattaya to construct four monorail lines/
  • Leopard sightings now common in Thai forests/
  • Tiger warning issued after footprints found near communities in Yala/
  • Economy: Thai economy stimulus: Government plans 1.9-trillion-baht boost/Phuket renews focus on medical hub plans after failing to win Expo bid /Foreigners snap up condo units/
  • Tourism: TAT unveils Meaningful Wellness Travel programs/Muay Thai travel experience campaign launched by TAT/
  • International: Journey to the bottom of the sea: On a Titanic tour/ASEAN emerges as top investment hub for EVs’ manufacturing and fintech firms/India’s IndiGo places record order for 500 A320 aircraft/China’s economic woes deepen/
  • 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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Martin Wuethrich appointed GM of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa

Martin Wuethrich has been appointed as the new general manager of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa. Bringing with him 30 years of hospitality experience and expertise, the Swiss national was most recently the general manager at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur. – ttgasia.com

Traffic lights installed at Khao Tao junction

In a move aimed at enhancing road safety and address the recurring accidents at the junction of Soi Hua Hin 101 at Khao Tao, Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul, has announced the installation of traffic lights at the problematic intersection.

The traffic signals are expected to be operational by August this year. Continued …

Formal opening of new Phetchaburi Immigration office in Cha Am

The formal opening ceremony of the new Phetchaburi Immigration office in Cha Am took place on June 16.

While the office has been operational since March, the ceremony served as an official inauguration of the building, showcasing its modern facilities and improved services. Continued …

New PM in July a turning point for the Thai economy

As news emerged on Wednesday that a new government could be in place in July and not August as previously envisaged, a senior economist at Siam Commercial Bank has singled out the formation of a new government with a new prime minister without a political accident or stalemate developing as critical to the country’s economy this year, which could grow by up to 4% driven by a rebounding foreign tourism industry and younger Asian travelers with stronger consumer confidence as a result.

On Wednesday, the caretaker government’s legal expert, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, outlined a schedule that will see parliament meet earlier than anticipated in July and a new government put in place within the month. Continued …

Official who oversaw Wild Boars rescue dies of cancer

Pathum Thani Gov. Narongsak Osottanakorn, who was hailed for his role in coordinating the “Wild Boars” rescue operation in Chiang Rai over four years ago, has died after unsuccessful treatment for cancer, according to a senior official of the Interior Ministry.

He said Narongsak, 58, passed away peacefully at Siriraj Hospital at around 6pm on Wednesday. Continued …

Remembering the “Moo Pa” Governor – the hero of the cave rescue

Narongsak Osatanakorn was appointed to oversee a supposedly sleepy province in the north but ended up having to supervise one of its most breathtaking events that will forever be recorded not just in local, but also in international history.

Narongsak passed away on June 21 at the age of 58. He will be remembered forever as the “Moo Pa” (Wild Boar) governor for his strong leadership throughout the search-and-rescue mission for the 12 young footballers and their coach. On June 23, 2018, Narongsak, then governor of Northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, was set to leave for his new post in Phayao, another quiet northern province, but extended his stay to head up an almost impossible mission. Continued …

Cheesemaker Spreads Joy In Tropical Thailand

Thailand is renowned for its vibrant street food and luscious tropical fruits, but Rachanikorn Srikong is on a mission to make a new addition to the menu – cheese.

Vivid green rice paddies and fruit orchards cover the kingdom’s countryside, but dairy accounts for a tiny proportion of agriculture and cheese has not traditionally been part of the Thai diet. Continued …

Laughing chickens bring joy and profit to Thai farm with their quirky crowing

Unique laughing chickens in Trang are gaining popularity among farmers who are speedily breeding the novel birds for sale, creating an extra source of income. With a sound that resembles human laughter, the amusing birds are brightening people’s days and attracting eager customers.

Kritiwit Eiadnun, also known as Goong Kuanhan, a 50-year-old hospital worker and owner of the Pa Saun Kwang farm in Muang district, decided to breed the so-called “laughing chickens.” Continued …

AI Used to Catch Illegal Riders on Bangkok Footpaths

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) software to detect motorcyclists illegally riding on footpaths, through CCTV cameras at five spots before expanding the system to cover 100 locations across the capital.

According to the BMA, road accidents occurred to 900 pedestrians every year and it received most complaints about riders traveling on footpaths. Continued …

Pattaya to construct four monorail lines

The Pattaya City Administration plans to introduce four monorail lines to ease traffic congestion. It will begin with a 9.9-kilometer “Green Line” route, which will connect the future high-speed train station to Bali Hai pier.

Pongtavee Lertpanyavit, a project study supervisor, on Wednesday told the media the long-awaited monorail project would help mitigate traffic congestion and improve the city’s transport system. Continued …

Leopard sightings now common in Thai forests

Once rarely seen by visitors, sightings of leopards or panthers have become relatively common among tourists in Kraeng Krachan National Park, proof positive that Thailand’s work to protect and conserve endangered big cat species are bearing fruit.

The sightings have prompted the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to announce that it will cooperate with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to survey the population of leopards and panthers in Thailand to determine their numbers and locations. Initially, they will focus on the western forest complex, of which Kraeng Krachan is a part, as well as the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai and Phu Khieo-Nam Nao forest complexes. Continued …

Tiger warning issued after footprints found near communities in Yala

Villagers living near the edge of Bang Lang National Park in Tarnto district of Thailand’s southern province of Yala have been advised by park officials not to venture out on their farms after recent footprints of a tiger were found.

Padet Laithong, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said a team of veterinarians and officials from the national park have been sent to investigate and assess the situation. Continued …

Thai economy stimulus: Government plans 1.9-trillion-baht boost

Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) unveiled plans to inject 1.9 trillion baht into the Thai economy to bridge the gap before the new government can budget for the year 2024, emphasizing fiscal reforms and monitoring household debt.

Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan highlighted the need for industry restructuring and government action in response to shrinking exports, which is affecting the whole region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. With an expected increase in foreign tourists and strong private consumption, the Thai economy is expected to remain healthy. Continued …

Phuket renews focus on medical hub plans after failing to win Expo bid

Phuket is turning its attention back to its international medical hub plans after losing out to Belgrade in its bid to host the next Specialized Expo. According to a report, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri says the island will now market itself as a world-class health and wellness destination, in addition to its reputation as a favorite tropical island with lots of beaches and world-class entertainment.

While Phuket passed in the first round of voting to determine the Expo host yesterday, it was eliminated in the second round. In addition to Belgrade, the island was competing against Minnesota in the U.S., Malaga in Spain, and Bariloche in Argentina. Continued …

Foreigners snap up condo units

Foreigners spent more than 17 billion baht on condominiums in Thailand during the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 67% year on year and the highest in five years, the Government Housing Bank’s Real Estate Information Center (REIC) reported on Wednesday.

A total of 3,775 condominium units worth 17.12 billion baht were transferred to foreigners from January to March, the center said. This number is 79.2% higher than the same period last year. Continued …

TAT unveils Meaningful Wellness Travel programs

Embarking on a wellness journey in the 21st century has taken a significant turn, as people across the globe seek deeper meaning in their lives. Meaningful Wellness Travel has emerged in the realm of wellness tourism, reflecting the aspirations of post-Covid wellness travelers who yearn for more than just a spa retreat.

Travelers are seeking a transformative voyage that nurtures their physical and mental well-being, encompassing profound discovery, authentic connections, personal growth, and genuine fulfillment. In other words, a journey that fosters a beautiful harmony between people, culture, and nature. Continued …

Muay Thai travel experience campaign launched by TAT

The “Amazing Muay Thai Travel Experience” campaign has been launched in an attempt to expand Thailand’s tourism industry. This unique initiative aims to showcase the diverse ancient Thai martial arts across the four regions of the country.

Apichai Chatchalermkit, TAT’s deputy governor for tourism products and business, emphasized the use of the fighting art as a soft power asset to attract more visitors. Continued …

Journey to the bottom of the sea: On a Titanic tour

The journey to the ocean floor to reach the wreck of the Titanic is one that gets relentlessly colder and darker, says one of the handful of people who have ever visited the luxury liner’s watery grave. Continued …

ASEAN emerges as top investment hub for EVs’ manufacturing and fintech firms

Southeast Asia has emerged as a global investment hub, with the region serving as a “bright spot “despite global challenges, including geopolitical conflicts, inflationary pressures and economic slowdown, a forum heard on Tuesday. Continued …

India’s IndiGo places record order for 500 A320 aircraft

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has placed a firm order for 500 A320 Family aircraft, setting the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the history of commercial aviation. Continued …

China’s economic woes deepen

The Chinese economy, which was once a beacon of hope as the world’s second-largest economy, is now faltering. Domestic consumption, imports, exports, and high debt levels are all contributing to the crisis. The hope of becoming a global engine may not materialize, as young people losing their jobs becomes a common occurrence. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

chiang mai, climate change, hua hin, immigration, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s News-June 21

Today is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.

  • Monsoon Valley Vineyard Fest Aug 11-13/
  • Pita Catches Covid For The Third Time, Coalition Talks Put Off/
  • El Niño is brewing – and that’s bad news for drought-prone Thailand/
  • Dengue situation could worsen this year, Disease Control Dept fears/
  • Taiwanese National Arrested in Nan Province for Overstaying 3,971 Days/
  • Another chonky feline survives Thai balcony plunge/
  • Economy: Failure to install new govt by August could affect GDP/Pizza Company rolling out another 40 branches to feed growing Thai appetite/Rice export surge: Thailand fast-tracks new varieties to boost global market share/
  • Tourism: TAT governor discusses his job, Thailand’s allure/Election uncertainty affects Thai tourism; domestic spending slows down/Thailand welcomes 11.8 million tourists this year, earns 494 baht in revenue/Chiang Mai sweats reputation after Chinese TikToker’s thong videos/Unleashing Thailand’s Soft Power Potential/Unfinished 29-million-baht tourist center in Satun languishes after six years/Thai Vietjet tempts with Zero THB fares/
  • Thailand Experience: 10 best Thailand beaches/
  • International: Sweltering Heat, Power Cuts In India Overwhelm Hospitals, Death Toll at 170/Titanic tourist sub still missing, as rescuers race the clock/Ocean warming depleting fish, reducing size: Malaysian study/Sudan war uproots 2.5 million, UN says, as bodies line Darfur streets/Iceland suspends whale hunt/Massive marlin disqualified from N.C. fishing tournament, costing crew $3.5M title/
  • 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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Pita Catches Covid For The Third Time, Coalition Talks Put Off

Move Forward leader and prime minister-designate Pita Limjaroenrat has caught Covid-19 for the third time, and, as he is now self-isolating a meeting of the eight-partner coalition government scheduled for Thursday June 22 has been put off to next week.

Chaitawat Tulathon, Move Forward’s secretary-general, said while this key meeting has been postponed, a seminar to be attended by Move Forward’s new MPs scheduled for June 21-23 will continue with him standing in on Pita’s behalf. Continued …

El Niño is brewing – and that’s bad news for drought-prone Thailand

The arrival of El Niño this year is likely to drive global temperatures up to record levels in the next few years, according to scientists. That’s bad news for drought-prone Thailand.

El Niño is triggered by a rise in surface temperatures of the eastern Pacific Ocean, leading to a phase of planet warming. The natural phenomenon usually occurs every two to seven years and brings reduced rainfall in Southeast Asia and southern Australia. Continued …

Dengue situation could worsen this year, Disease Control Dept fears

The Disease Control Department is worried that the dengue fever situation in Thailand will worsen this year as the death toll has risen to 17 and the number of cases have soared to over 19,000 early this month, the government spokesman said on Tuesday.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the department has reported a high number of dengue fever cases even before the arrival of the rainy season, when usually cases increase. Continued … 

Taiwanese National Arrested in Nan Province for Overstaying 3,971 Days

On June 19 at Chaisathan subdistrict, Mueang Nan District, Nan Province, the Nan Immigration Office, led by Police Col. Apisak Pisanno, director of Nan Immigration and team, apprehended an overstaying Taiwanese male. The individual had been residing in the Kingdom of Thailand without proper authorization for a duration exceeding 3,971 days.

The arrest was prompted by a report received by the Nan Immigration office from foreign service officers indicating that a Taiwanese national had traveled to Thailand and inquired about information regarding staying in the country. Continued …

Another chonky feline survives Thai balcony plunge

Thailand’s murderous balconies would have claimed another soul last night – if it didn’t have eight to spare.

Mochi the cat fell from the fifth floor of an unspecified residential building and landed on the front window of a pickup truck Monday evening. Fortunately, Mochi only suffered a broken chin in the fall, according to his human companion Bambie. Continued …

Failure to install new govt by August could affect GDP

Hailing the announcement by the Election Commission (EC) that it has certified the 500 members of parliament as good news for the private sector, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is now hoping to see the formation of a new coalition Thai government by August.

FTI Chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul stressed the importance of avoiding any delays that could impact investor confidence, leading to a slowdown in investment until a new government is formed. Continued …

Pizza Company rolling out another 40 branches to feed growing Thai appetite

The Pizza Company will serve Thailand’s hungry diners an extra slice this year by opening another 40 branches nationwide, its general manager said on Tuesday.

In its biggest rebrand since landing in Thailand 22 years ago, the franchise operated by Minor Food Group will also renovate existing outlets while targeting a 15% boost in membership. The ongoing overhaul comes in response to Thailand’s growing hunger for dine-in, take-out, and delivery pizza. Continued …

Rice export surge: Thailand fast-tracks new varieties to boost global market share

Thailand is making significant strides in boosting its export competitiveness by fast-tracking the development of new rice varieties to meet global market demand, with plans to introduce 30 new varieties in the coming year.

Following the “new rice variety contest for Commerce” event, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit discussed Thailand’s efforts to combat the lack of diversity in its product offerings within the global rice market. This led to the country’s increased focus on producing new rice varieties to compete with other market players. Continued …

TAT governor discusses his job, Thailand’s allure

As a long-standing trusted partner of the Tourism Authority of Thailand UK, The Luxury Editor’s, Ross Fraser, was invited to meet Yuthasak Supasorn, the governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand at the UK agent roadshow in Glasgow earlier this month. This is Tourism Authority of Thailand’s first UK agent roadshow in three years, which was hosted in both Manchester and Glasgow.

The significance of the roadshow was further amplified given that the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand is retiring this year and his attendance was to be his final business trip to the UK. Continued … 

Election uncertainty affects Thai tourism; domestic spending slows down

As the Election Commission validates candidates for MP-elect roles this week, tourism operators expressed concern about a slowdown in domestic spending. Travelers appear to be delaying their plans, while local businesses hesitate to reinvest until a government is established.

“There will still be a vacuum period until the government is formed,” stated Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Assn. Continued …

Thailand welcomes 11.8 million tourists this year, earns 494 baht in revenue

Since the start of the year, Thailand has welcomed close to 12 million foreign tourists, statistics released by the Tourism and Sports Ministry show.

This number is in line with expectations, the ministry’s permanent secretary’s office said, adding that the number of arrivals should cross the 12-million mark in the next week. Continued …

Chiang Mai sweats reputation after Chinese TikToker’s thong videos

A Chinese woman who stripped down to her thong aboard a Chiang Mai songthaew for TikTok has prompted the obligatory pearl-clutching in the Rose of the North.

In clips posted over several days, Chinese internet idol Huanxi59 struck provocative poses as she removed her clothes, sparking concerns she had tarnished the city’s reputation. In the first clip, watched more than a million times since it was posted Friday, she shows off a tiny thong as the songthaew drives around during sunset. Continued …

 

Unleashing Thailand’s Soft Power Potential

Immediately after Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban, a member of the Korean-pop girl group Blackpink, in an interview casually mentioned her favorite meatball vendors at her hometown train station in Thailand’s Buriram province, sales of the local delicacies spiked by a staggering 1,000 percent.

Lisa’s first solo music video album, in which she donned a dazzling traditional Thai outfit, garnered an astonishing 10 million views on YouTube within just two hours. Now that’s soft power! Lisa’s phenomenal popularity makes her one of Thailand’s prime soft power exports. Continued …

Unfinished 29-million-baht tourist center in Satun languishes after six years

A tourist service center worth 29 million baht in Khuan Don, Satun province, remains incomplete after six years, despite pledges to expedite construction. The contractor for the project is the younger brother of the local governor.

On Facebook, the watchdog page “Operation Dog Guarding House” exposed the construction of a tourist service center located in Khuan Don, Satun province. The project, with a budget of 29,798,000 baht (US$ 855,121), was approved in 2016. The contract was awarded to Giat Jaroenchai Karnchang Co., a construction company owned by the younger brother of Samrit Siangprasit, the governor of Satun. The center was initially scheduled to be completed by Dec. 22, 2017, but each year since the deadline passed, the project has faced significant delays and unfinished work. Continued …

Thai Vietjet tempts with Zero THB fares

Thai Vietjet has introduced its “Mid Year Mega Sale”, which presents an opportunity to tap zero THB fares (excluding taxes and fees) for travel on the airline’s international network.

The promotional fares are available for booking June 20-30, 2023, with the travel period running from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2023 (excludes public holidays, with terms and conditions) at www.vietjetair.com. Continued …

10 best Thailand beaches

Thailand has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, thanks to its sprawling capital, vibrant cities and over one thousand islands awaiting those who visit.

With the country on course to welcome over 30 million tourists this year, it’s clear that it has maintained its appeal as Southeast Asia’s top holiday destination for everyone from gap-year backpackers to honeymooning couples – plus travelers of all stripes who are keen to catch some guaranteed sunshine and average temperatures of 27C, even in winter. Continued …

Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Sweltering Heat, Power Cuts In India Overwhelm Hospitals, Death Toll at 170

A scorching heat wave in two of India’s most populous states has overwhelmed hospitals, filled a morgue to capacity and disrupted power, forcing staff to use books to cool patients, as officials investigate a death toll that has reached nearly 170. Continued …

Titanic tourist sub still missing, as rescuers race the clock

Rescuers were scouring thousands of square miles in the remote North Atlantic for a third day on Tuesday, racing against time to find a missing submersible after it disappeared while taking wealthy tourists to see the wreckage of the Titanic in deep waters off Canada’s coast. Continued …

Ocean warming depleting fish, reducing size: Malaysian study

Ocean warming is not only depleting fish stocks in the ocean, it is also resulting in smaller fish sizes and even displacement of certain species, a local study has revealed. Continued …

Sudan war uproots 2.5 million, UN says, as bodies line Darfur streets

Bodies have lined the streets in Sudan’s western Darfur region as the UN said Tuesday that more than two months of fighting have forced over 2.5 million people from their homes. Continued …

Iceland suspends whale hunt

Iceland’s government said on Tuesday it was suspending this year’s whale hunt until the end of August due to animal welfare concerns, likely bringing the controversial practice to a historic end. Continued …

Massive marlin disqualified from N.C. fishing tournament, costing crew $3.5M title

A 619-pound blue marlin was disqualified from a fishing tournament in North Carolina over the weekend because of apparent bite marks on its flesh, depriving anglers of more than $3.5 million in prize money. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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

Tuesday’s News-June 20

  • Blue & Yellow Book Exchange has reopened/
  • Pa La U durian festival showcases Hua Hin’s finest fruit/
  • All 500 MPs-Designate Finally Ratified/
  • Phra Prang Wat Arun tilting, to be surveyed every 3 months/
  • Economy: Foreign firms bring THB45 billion to Thailand, down 18% y-o-y/Six in 10 Asian consumers express preference for hybrid Evs/MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023: Discover Latest Lifestyle Products/
  • Tourism: TAT expecting 5 million visitors from China this year/
  • Thailand Experience: Buffalo soldiers battle for supremacy in Chonburi/
  • International: Tourist sub exploring Titanic wreckage missing/Blinken and Xi pledge to stabilize deteriorated US-China ties/Spending patterns of super rich show Asia is most expensive region/Himalayan glaciers melting 65 percent faster than previous decade/
  • 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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Blue & Yellow Book Exchange has reopened

With over 10,000 books in various European languages, Hua Hin’s Blue & Yellow Book Exchange has reopened. The store is located at 114/23 Petchkasem Road, near the main traffic lights, opposite Krungsri Bank. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Pa La U durian festival showcases Hua Hin’s finest fruit

Hua Hin’s renowned durian cultivation hub, Pa La U, is currently hosting the highly anticipated Pa La U durian and fruit festival.

This Ban Pa La-U Fruit and Good Products Expo, which is now in its 10th year, aims to celebrate the delectable fruit and showcases a wide range of local agricultural products. Continued …

All 500 MPs-Designate Finally Ratified

All 500 MPs-designate were ratified yesterday by the Election Commission, capping a five-week period of the nationwide electoral process.

Election Commission Secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee announced ratification of all 400 MPs-designate running in constituency-based mode and all 100 MPs-designate vying in party-listed mode, after investigation had been earlier conducted into allegations of vote-buying and other breaches to the election law involving a total of 71 winning contestants vying in the former mode. Continued …

Phra Prang Wat Arun tilting, to be surveyed every 3 months

Thailand’s Fine Arts Department plans to survey Phra Prang Wat Arun, one of Bangkok’s most famous landmarks on the Chao Phraya River, every three months after it was discovered through scanning that the principal prang, a tall tower-like spire, has started to lean.

The assistant abbot and secretary of the temple, also known as the Temple of Dawn, said yesterday that the slight reclining of the principal prang has caused four secondary prangs, located at its four corners, and four mondops, a square or cruciform building with a pointed roof, to lean slightly toward the main prang. Continued …

Foreign firms bring THB45 billion to Thailand, down 18% y-o-y

The number of foreign companies setting up operations in Thailand in the first five months of 2023 grew 16% year-on-year but investment dropped 18%, according to the Commerce Ministry on Tuesday.

Some 274 foreign investors were granted permission under the Foreign Business Act to set up in Thailand from January to May, said the ministry’s Department of Business Development (DBD) Director-general Thosapone Dansuputra. They invested a total of 45.39 billion baht and created 2,999 jobs. Continued …

Six in 10 Asian consumers express preference for hybrid EVs

Sixty percent of Asia Pacific consumers will opt for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in the near future, according to a study released on Monday.

The “Automotive Ecosystem Vision Study” found rising demand for HEVs, with 53% of global consumers revealing a stronger preference to purchase hybrids, rising to 60% in Asia. Continued …

MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023: Discover Latest Lifestyle Products

“MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023”, organized by Hong Kong-based Comasia Limited and co-organized by Worldex G.E.C Co., will be held from July 19 to 21 at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC).

The three-day event will bring together 500 booths, showcasing the latest lifestyle products and designs from Asia, including gifts and premiums, houseware and kitchen, stationery, travel and sporting goods, lifestyle products, smart green home zone, outdoor decoration and furniture, etc. Continued …

TAT expecting 5 million visitors from China this year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is not concerned about China’s real estate slump as the agency remains confident about securing 5 million visitors from the country this year.

TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said most Chinese tourists are still keen to travel after saving money to travel abroad during the pandemic. Continued …

Buffalo soldiers battle for supremacy in Chonburi

Chonburi kicked off the rice-planting season on Sunday with a raucous tradition that dates back at least two centuries – buffalo racing. The races were organized to strengthen relationships between villagers, while also educating youngsters about the significance of this local tradition. Buffalos can hit speeds of up to 56 kilometres per hour as they thunder across muddy fields with jockeys either on their backs or dragged behind on flat sleighs. Most farms use mechanical equipment to plough fields these days, but the buffalo or “kwai” is still prized for its traditional place at the heart of Thai agriculture and rural life. (The Nation)
Click on image above for more information, or email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com

Tourist sub exploring Titanic wreckage missing

Search and rescue teams continue the relentless hunt across the vast North Atlantic Ocean to locate the Titan submarine, which mysteriously vanished on Sunday while en route to explore the wreckage of the legendary Titanic. Continued …

Blinken and Xi pledge to stabilize deteriorated US-China ties

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and said they agreed to “stabilize” badly deteriorated U.S.-China ties, but America’s top diplomat left Beijing with his biggest ask rebuffed: better communications between their militaries. Continued …

Spending patterns of super rich show Asia is most expensive region

Asia remains the most costly region in the world to live in, with Singapore taking the number one spot, followed by Shanghai and Hong Kong, according to Julius Baer’s latest Global Wealth and Lifestyle report. Continued …

Himalayan glaciers melting 65 percent faster than previous decade

Himalayan glaciers providing critical water to nearly two billion people are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters, scientists warned today. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

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

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting