Category Archives: tourism

baht, bangkok, hua hin, immigration, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s News-March 14

  • Khao Tao railway crossing closed today, tomorrow/
  • Cha Am Bikini Beach Run Sunday, March 19/
  • 12-vehicle pileup on Phetchkasem Highway blocks traffic/
  • Aussie Chamber names new executive director/
  • Thai banks unaffected by two recent US bank failures/
  • Baht surges amid US bank collapse/
  • New Bangkok running park links 3 green lungs in city center/
  • Wild elephants threaten farms/
  • Gartner Says 2023 Is the Moment of Truth for Battery-Electric Vehicles/
  • Mercedes-Benz seeks local partners for EV charging/
  • Tourism: Should you arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport 3 or 4 hours prior to departure?/Four new airlines to join Thailand’s crowded skies/Record number of Russian tourists affect economy/Russian tourist drowns at Phi Phi Island in Krabi/
  • Thailand Experience: Jumbo banquet served up in Ayutthaya to mark National Elephant Day/Local folklore show wins hearts of tourists at Buri Ram cultural festival/
  • International: China lifts sweeping visa curbs on foreigners/Biden says US banking system is safe after two banks collapse/Nuclear-powered submarine plan unveiled for Australia/Kyiv condemns ‘kidnappings’ as Russians foster Ukrainian kids/Thousands of hospital doctors walk out in latest UK strike/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Khao Tao railway crossing closed today, tomorrow

The railway crossing at Soi Hua Hin 101 in Khao Tao will be closed today and tomorrow between 9am and 3pm. Motorists are advised to use Soi Hua Hin 105 and the entrance to Thanarat Camp as an alternate route.

12-vehicle pileup on Phetchkasem Highway blocks traffic

A multiple collision occurred on Phetchkasem Highway heading south in Muang district of Prachuap Khirikhan province at 1.30 pm yesterday.

It happened in Bon Ek subdistrict at kilometer marker 291 +300. The road south was completely blocked and an emergency lane needed to be opened on the inbound to Bangkok side to move traffic.

Despite this, the media reported tailbacks of many kilometers yesterday afternoon. Continued …

Aussie Chamber names new executive director

Sam Hanna has been named the new executive director of AustCham Thailand. Hanna commenced his career in Australia and worked in manufacturing, automotive and franchising roles, such as managing director for Ultra Tune (Based in Australia).

In 1999, he moved to Thailand and since then has been leading organizations in the automotive, manufacturing, and tourism sectors. Some of his roles in Thailand include managing director of Makro Auto Care Co., CEO of Shell AutoServe, and general manager of ARB Thailand.

Hanna is currently deputy executive director at the Asian Institute of Technology Extension, as well as lecturing at the School of Management. In addition, he owns a health and wellness business based in Bangkok.

Hanna will commence with the Chamber full time on Friday, March 17.

Thai banks unaffected by two recent US bank failures

Thailand’s commercial banks and other financial institutions have not been affected by the recent failures of the U.S.’s Silicon Valley Bank and New York-based Signature Bank in the past week, deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Traisoranakul said yesterday.

She disclosed that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has, however, ordered the government’s economic team to monitor the situation closely.

She said that no Thai commercial banks or financial institutions had invested or engaged in any transactions with the two failed U.S. banks, adding that the impact of the closures on the U.S. economy is limited, because the services of the two banks were limited, unlike ordinary commercial banks, and thanks to swift intervention by the U.S. regulators. Continued …

Baht surges amid US bank collapse

The baht on Monday surged against a significant fall in the U.S. dollar mainly due to the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and the market’s expectation that the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) would slow down its policy rate hikes.

On Monday, the baht opened at 34.65 per dollar, after closing at 35.02 last week.

Due to the fallout from SVB’s collapse, the market predicts that the Fed will increase its policy rate by lower than 50 basis points this month, and the terminal rate is expected to be no higher than 5.5% around the middle of the year. Continued …

New Bangkok running park links 3 green lungs in city center

Bangkok opened its newest park on Monday, aiming to serve as an exercise space for over 800,000 people in the city’s central business district.

The catchily named National Sports Development Fund-Sports Authority of Thailand (NSDF-SAT) Park links three city parks – Benchakitti, Benchakitti Forest and Lumphini – to provide a green jogging and exercise route through the city center.

The park/route uses 5 rai (0.8 hectares) of the three parks, plus the so-called “green mile” elevated walkway that links Benchakitti and Lumphini parks. Continued …

Wild elephants threaten farms

Phimphitcha Soonjirad, a 40-year-old teacher from Sai Yok Noi Vitthaya School in Mauen in tambon Chorsadao in Kanchanaburi’s Mueang district, on Friday night accompanied a group of local villagers on a patrol close to her village located inside Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, which harbors around 270 wild elephants.

Her team’s work is just one of many initiatives tried by the locals in a bid to keep the herd from causing damage to the community.

She has spent over 20 years battling the wild jumbos that regularly destroy farmland and other assets. Continued …

Gartner Says 2023 Is the Moment of Truth for Battery-Electric Vehicles

The auto industry will see more turmoil in 2023. By 2025, tech giants will wwn a part of the vehicle’s operating system for 95% of new cars on the road. By 2026, more than 50% of EVs sold globally will be Chinese-branded automobiles.

Several factors will make 2023 a true test to the resolve of governments and the automotive industry in driving battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) forward, according to Gartner, Inc.

“2023 is the moment of truth to drive full electrification forward,” said Pedro Pacheco, VP analyst at Gartner. Continued …

Mercedes-Benz seeks local partners for EV charging

Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) is seeking more local business partners for joint investment in electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities to serve the growing domestic EV market.

Thailand is being developed into a high-potential EV market, following the government’s clear policy to strengthen the EV industry amid the global trend for using more zero-emission cars, said Martin Schwenk, president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand).

Last year, the cabinet approved a package of incentives, including tax cuts and subsidies, to promote EV consumption and production between 2022 and 2023. Continued …

Should you arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport 3 or 4 hours prior to departure?

Thai Airways (THAI) and Airports of Thailand (AOT) can’t agree on waiting times at Suvarnabhumi Airport. THAI recommends that passengers on international flights should arrive four hours ahead of departure due to delays at the airport.

AOT says this is “not true” and asks passengers to arrive three hours ahead of schedule.

THAI asks for passengers’ cooperation in arriving four hours before their flight, citing that Suvarnabhumi Airport’s international checkpoint Zone 3 is closed due to the installation of automatic return tray systems (ARTS) taking place from March 1-29. Continued … 

Four new airlines to join Thailand’s crowded skies

The Thai Transport Ministry has announced that there are four companies seeking licenses to operate airline services in Thailand – P80 Air, Really Cool Air, Landarch Airline and Siam Seaplane.

The process of obtaining air service licenses is expected to take some time, and the four new airlines are expected to be approved to operate next year.

They join a crowded sky over Thailand, which already has Thai Air Asia, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Thai Viet Jet, Nok Air and Bangkok Airways. Thai Smile, the short haul and discount offshoot from Thai Airways is expected to be amalgamated into the parent company. Continued …

Record number of Russian tourists affect economy

Thailand has seen a sharp rise in the number of Russian tourists in the country. So far this year, over 370,000 Russian visitors have arrived in Thailand. That’s 67% of last year’s entire total of 435,000.

Police Maj. Gen. Phanthana Nutchanart, the deputy commander of the Immigration Bureau, assures though that the influx has not increased Russian criminal activity.

The official stated that there has been no indication of any Russians sneaking into the country through illegal channels. They also say hardened criminals are not making it into Thailand, just well-off vacationers. Continued …

Russian tourist drowns at Phi Phi Island in Krabi

A male Russian tourist who had recently come from Phuket with a tour guide drowned at Phi Phi Island in Krabi.

Local media in Krabi reported that over the past weekend a 55-year-old male Russian tourist came from Phuket to Krabi with a tour guide. He joined in snorkeling activity with a tour group at Monkey Bay on Phi Phi Don Island.

The name of the tourist was withheld by Krabi officials. Continued … 

Jumbo banquet served up in Ayutthaya to mark National Elephant Day

The residents of Wang Chang Ayutthaya elephant camp were served up a delicious feast on Monday to mark National Elephant Day.

Apart from feeding the 80 elephants in the camp, the staff also made merit for deceased pachyderms and prayed that this event would raise awareness among Thais.

The camp’s owner, Laitongrean Meephan, said this event is held every year to shed light on the important role elephants have played in Thai society. In ancient times, elephants were used for transport, labor and in battle, and now they play a significant role in the tourism industry. Continued …

Local folklore show wins hearts of tourists at Buri Ram cultural festival

A spectacular performance called “The Baray stream” was organized at Prasat Hin Muang Tam in Prakhon Chai district of Buri Ram province on Sunday.

The performance, based on local folklore, was a highlight of the three-day festival, which began on Friday, to preserve culture and promote tourism in the province.

Apart from the dance, the event also featured other cultural performances and sale of locally made products. Continued …

Our regular menu is also available

China lifts sweeping visa curbs on foreigners

China will once again start issuing a range of visas to foreigners as of Wednesday, the country’s foreign ministry said, in a major easing of travel restrictions in place since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …

Biden says US banking system is safe after two banks collapse

U.S. President Joe Biden pledged on Monday to do whatever is needed to address a banking crisis threatened by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, which forced regulators to step in with emergency measures. Continued …

Nuclear-powered submarine plan unveiled for Australia

The leaders of the United States, Australia and Britain on Monday unveiled details of a plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines, a major step to counter China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. Continued …

Kyiv condemns ‘kidnappings’ as Russians foster Ukrainian kids

At their home in the middle of Siberia, Russian pastor Roman Vinogradov and his wife Yekaterina are the new foster parents of five children from Moscow-occupied eastern Ukraine. Continued …

Thousands of hospital doctors walk out in latest UK strike

UK hospital doctors on Monday began a three-day strike over pay at the start of a week that will also see teachers, train staff and civil servants walk out, in the latest wave of industrial action. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

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bangkok, chiang mai, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s News-March 13

  • Hua Hin to Phuket flights discussed/
  • Local residents solve problem of wastewater flowing onto Hua Hin beach/
  • PM orders another crackdown on haze sources as hotspots rage across North/
  • Medical professionals offer advice over dangerously poor air quality/
  • PM2.5 readings in Chiang Mai hit hazardous levels/
  • Will Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa work for you?
  • Hailstorm in Nan as Thailand hit by summer storms/
  • China’s triads and corrupt Thai cops undermined national security/
  • Chinese buyers ready to scoop up ‘better value’ Thailand property for investment, retirement/
  • 80-million baht of vaping gear and e-cigarettes seized around Bangkok/
  • Zoo offers reward for arrest of ‘Free gorilla’ activists/
  • Cattle introduction leads to increase of tigers in Kanchanaburi sanctuary/
  • Tourism: “What is quality tourism?’ topic discussed at Hua Hin seminar/Thailand Listed No. 4 Among Most Affordable Destinations/Russians putting down roots in kingdom/Wellness tourism helps boost Thai economy/Thailand Internet and Wi-fi: What You Need To Know/French Consul supports proposed red/yellow card system for law-breaking tourists/Opinion: What Phuket tourists need to know/Tourists flock to Nong Khai as sacred stupa emerges from Mekong River/Chinese Tourists’ School Uniform Fad Reaches Phuket/Thailand eyes food trucks as new tourist attraction/Hazy days ahead: The future of cannabis tourism in Thailand/
  • Thailand Experience: From Bangkok to Khao Lak: A wellness guide to Thailand/Thais cashing in on superstition/Bangkok’s Oldest Paved Road Is Bustling With Great Places to Eat/
  • International: Saudi Aramco reports record profit of $161.1 billion/‘Everything Everywhere’ wins best picture at the Oscars/Gender equality in the workplace still falls short/N. Korea launches missiles as US, S. Korea kick off major drills/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hua Hin to Phuket flights discussed

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Prachuap Khiri Khan office is pushing for flights to Phuket from Hua Hin Airport.

Khun Achawan Kongkanan, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Prachuap office, said Friday that TAT will be meeting with airlines in the coming weeks about a possible flight between Hua Hin and Phuket.

Currently, the airport serves Air Asia flights between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai with three weekly flights, which will be increased to four in April.

TAT’s meeting with airlines is scheduled for later this month.

Local residents solve problem of wastewater flowing onto Hua Hin beach

For more than two decades, a section of Hua Hin beach had been marred by a recurring problem.

Whenever heavy rains occurred, wastewater from nearby communities would flow into the sea, causing environmental pollution and health hazards.

The problem affected part of Hua Hin beach close to Soi 77, an area that is particularly popular with foreign tourists who go there to eat, drink, sunbathe and relax. Continued …

PM orders another crackdown on haze sources as hotspots rage across North

The prime minister has ordered yet another crackdown on sources of air pollution after satellite images showed more than 1,000 hotspot fires burning in Thailand on Saturday.

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) said the Suomi NPP satellite detected 1,061 hotspots across the country.

However, the region’s worst offender was neighboring Myanmar with 4,363 hotspots, followed by Laos with 2,868. Vietnam and Malaysia had just 647 and 32 hotspots, respectively. Continued …

Medical professionals offer advice over dangerously poor air quality

The Royal College of Physicians of Thailand and five other medical professional associations have issued a six-point guideline to help the public to protect themselves from the threat posed by high levels of PM2.5 dust pollution.

They point out that children, pregnant women, elderly people and those afflicted with chronic heart, lung, kidney or brain diseases are most at risk from fine PM2.5 dust, which may cause respiratory conditions, stroke or kidney disease.

The public should check the air quality reports from state or private information centers on a regular basis when planning their daily activities, in order to limit their exposure to excessive PM2.5 dust. Continued …

PM2.5 readings in Chiang Mai hit hazardous levels

Air pollution in Chiang Mai hit critical levels on Sunday morning with PM2.5 readings going well beyond 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) in many areas.

All air-quality measurement stations in the province reported red alert on Sunday morning, with the highest PM2.5 pollution detected in Chiang Dao district’s Tambon Muang Na with a reading of 145µg/m³.

PM2.5 stands for particles of fine dust that are 2.5 micrometers in diameter (more than 100 times thinner than human hair) that remain suspended in the air for long periods. These particles are particularly dangerous for people with chronic respiratory and heart disease. Continued …

Will Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa work for you?

At the March meeting of the Royal Coast Riviera Club, Luca Bernardinetti, CEO of Mahanakorn Partners Group, a company that specializes in visas for Thailand, presented a detailed description of the advantages, requirements and process related to Thailand’s recently introduced long-term resident (LTR) visa.

Almost 3,000 wealthy and/or skilled foreigners have applied for the LTR in the first four months, says government spokeswoman Traisulee Taisaranakul. Traisulee said 2,920 foreigners had applied for LTR visas from the Board of Investment (BOI) between Nov.1 and Feb. 28 this year.

The program authorizes foreigners to remain in the country for up to 10 years, and a total of four dependents may be granted a visa, as well, including a spouse and children under the age of 20. Continued … 

Hailstorm in Nan as Thailand hit by summer storms

Villagers in Nan province found themselves in a winter wonderland on Sunday evening as a hailstorm turned their streets and houses white.

Locals of Ban Daan and Ban Piangsor in Chaloem Phra Kiat district said the storm lasted for 10 minutes and brought down hail as big as an adult’s thumb. The hailstorm left a surreal alpine scene, with locals commenting that it felt like they had been transported to a foreign country.

There were no reports of damage by hail stones. More hail and high winds are forecast in upper Thailand, including Bangkok, until Tuesday. Continued …

China’s triads and corrupt Thai cops undermined national security

For decades, an unknown number of Chinese nationals have been involved in illegal or “gray” businesses in Thailand but managed to stay clear of trouble with the law thanks mainly to the help of corrupt state officials, particularly those in the police force.

These shady “businesspeople” have been left free to operate criminal activities that range from narcotics and arms trading to human trafficking, gambling, and money laundering.

Before the presence of these Chinese triads was exposed last year, Thai society was largely unaware of the problem, not to mention the extent of their gray businesses in Thailand. People, in general, did not know that networks of overseas Chinese – some of whom have become naturalized Thais – had made profits on Thai soil while corrupting the justice system. Continued …

Chinese buyers ready to scoop up ‘better value’ Thailand property for investment, retirement

As flights resume between China and Thailand, Shanghai resident Eri Chen is planning on visiting Bangkok and Chiang Mai in mid-March to look for homes to invest in and maybe even retire to.

Rising home prices and cost of living in Shanghai, China’s commercial hub, have prompted him to think about retiring in Thailand. Instead of spending at least 4 million yuan (US$574,000) just to live on the outskirts of Shanghai, or double that amount for an average unit in the city’s urban areas, Chen finds a home in downtown Bangkok for around 600,000 yuan a lot more appealing.

Moreover, investment in a property in Thailand might yield attractive results. “The interest offered on deposits in China is low. I want to make an investment that gets me a higher yield, so that I have more money to spend when I retire,” he says. Chen did not reveal his age, but said he is close to retiring. Continued …

80-million baht of vaping gear and e-cigarettes seized around Bangkok

On Saturday, police in Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom, to the west of the city, confiscated vaping devices and accessories valued at over 80 million baht during a series of raids. According to Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Deputy Commissioner Pairoj Sukruaythanachote, three locations, including a warehouse, were searched in Nakhon Pathom’s main city district.

Two people were arrested, with about 50 million baht worth of vaping devices and accessories being confiscated.

In Bangkok, police searched a condominium in Ratchathewi district and confiscated vaping devices and accessories valued around 50 million baht. A suspect was also arrested during the raid. Those arrested were charged with importing prohibited items, violating the Consumer Protection Act and the Export-Import Act. Continued … 

Zoo offers reward for arrest of ‘Free gorilla’ activists

Pata Zoo is offering a reward of 100,000 baht for information leading to the arrest of five animal-rights activists it accuses of defacing private property by painting slogans on the exterior wall of Pata Pinklao department store last week, calling on the store to release the gorilla from the zoo inside.

“Free Bua Noi”, the slogan reads in English and Thai, referring to the 33-year-old female gorilla “Little Lotus” in the department store’s zoo. She is described by the zoo as the last gorilla in a zoo in Southeast Asia.

The message was painted repeatedly over a 20-meter section on the exterior of the department store’s front wall in the early hours of March 6. Continued …

Cattle introduction leads to increase of tigers in Kanchanaburi sanctuary

Khao Namphu Nature and Wildlife Education Center chief Seree Makboon reckons the release of cattle in Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary has led to a significant increase in the Indochinese tiger population.

This is the first time in over 30 years that the sanctuary has seen a notable rise in tiger numbers in the sanctuary, located in Kanchanaburi in western Thailand.

Seree, who is involved in the management of the sanctuary, attributes this increase to the release of bantengs within the sanctuary. Continued …

“What is quality tourism?’ topic discussed at Hua Hin seminar

Thailand is joining a bevy of countries around the world that says quality is the way to go for their tourism future. But what is quality tourism, who are quality tourists and what is a quality destination?

The Thai Tourism and Sports Minister, Pipat Ratchakitprakan, says “the term quality tourists for me is not decided by the amount of money they have in their pockets, but it means tourists who spend a lot of money and stay for a long time or come to travel frequently and are tourists who have good intentions.

They respect rules, culture, lifestyle and don’t destroy our country’s environment. These are the qualities, the important characteristics of quality tourists that I want to attract more to visit our home. Continued …

Thailand Listed No. 4 Among Most Affordable Destinations

Kiplinger, an American publisher of business forecasts and personal finance advice, recently released its list of “10 Cheapest Countries to Visit”, placing Thailand as its number 4 destination.

Kiplinger reported that average daily expenses during a visit to Thailand totaled US$52, with accommodations costing $21 per night, on average, and a day’s worth of meals costing about $14.

The publisher added that while flights to Thailand can be expensive this time of year, savings on other expenses more than made up the difference. It also said Thailand is known for tropical beaches, jungle temples, Buddhist statues and delicious food offerings at restaurants and street markets. Additionally, it said these attractions have consistently made the kingdom the most visited country in Southeast Asia. Continued …

Russians putting down roots in kingdom

Russian tourists have been flocking to Thailand since pandemic travel restrictions were eased (and particularly after their country invade Ukraine), with many choosing to invest in the kingdom’s real estate sector after an extended holiday in the country.

Since January, over 370,000 Russian tourists have visited the country, according to Police Maj. Gen. Phanthana Nutchanart, deputy commander of the Immigration Bureau — a sharp increase compared to last year, which only saw about 435,000 Russians visit the country in the entire year.

Despite the influx, there has been no indication that Russian criminal figures have snuck into the country through illegal channels, he said, noting most legal issues involving Russian citizens in Thailand were minor offenses, such as traffic violations. Continued …

Wellness tourism helps boost Thai economy

Thailand has long been regarded as a top travel destination with its tropical islands, cuisine, historical and cultural treasures, and bustling markets. It has also become known for its world-class holistic wellness and health retreats.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Thailand welcomed 3.42 million international arrivals to the country for medical treatment and health care, generating 140 billion THB (3.99 billion USD) in revenue. The rapid recovery of tourism after the pandemic has contributed to the growth of wellness tourism.

According to the Central Bank of Thailand (BoT) and the Ministry of Health, the country earned 11.9 billion THB from health tourism in 2021, an increase of 47% compared to 2020. Continued …

Thailand Internet and Wi-fi: What You Need To Know

Are you planning a trip to Thailand and want to stay connected? If so, then you’ll need to consider how you will access the internet while in Thailand.

Wi-Fi is widely available throughout the country, but there are some things that travelers should know before they go.

In this guide, we’ll discuss what you need to know about using Wi-Fi and the Internet in Thailand so that your travels can be as stress-free as possible. Continued …

French Consul supports red/yellow card system for law-breaking tourists

The bizarre, and probably unworkable, “Yellow-Red” card scheme, cooked up by Phuket police officials two weeks ago, immediately vanished from the news – mostly accompanied by foreign doubters and critics on social media.

The card system, if implemented, would have recognized unlawful acts by foreigners with a yellow card and kicked them out of the country. More than one offense, presumably a red card, and they wouldn’t be able to return. For those not aware of the English Football penalty system, the Phuket police appear inspired by the umpires using yellow and red cards as warnings for errant players.

In the original proposal, there was no explanation of how the penalties would be dispensed and if alleged law breakers could take the matters to court. Continued …

What Phuket tourists need to know

With the confirmation earlier this week that the Phuket Immigration system of “red” and “yellow” cards to warn and deport foreigners repeatedly caught flouting the law has been approved by the national Immigration Bureau chief, it has become clear that tourism officials now need to step up and make an effort to warn tourists what consequences they may face for their behavior while on holiday on the island. Continued …

Tourists flock to Nong Khai as sacred stupa emerges from Mekong River

The rare sight of an ancient Buddhist stupa emerging from the Mekong River has sent tourists flocking to the northern province of Nong Khai.

Phra That Klang Nam is believed to have been constructed around 700 years ago on what was then the banks of the river. However, it toppled into the Mekong in 1847 and was submerged completely as the river changed course over the years.

On Sunday, crowds of tourists arrived to get a rare glimpse of the stupa, which was exposed to view after the river level receded sharply in recent days. Continued …

Chinese Tourists’ School Uniform Fad Reaches Phuket

with Phuket now bustling as a large number of both Thai and foreign tourists flock in, it is Chinese tourists who are making waves with their fad to take photos clad in Thai school uniforms at key downtown spots.

This trend among the Chinese tourists to wear Thai school uniforms while holidaying here had started a few years ago in Chiang Mai and its neighboring provinces after the smash hit of the Chinese comedy film “Lost in Thailand”.

They particularly like taking photos so dressed at Chiang Mai University, with the administrators having to set measures and provide facilities for these tourists and this continues to this day. Continued …

Thailand eyes food trucks as new tourist attraction

Food trucks can be viewed as “destinations” that promote the economy and increase awareness of Thai cuisine, according to Thosapone Dansuputra, director-general of DBD.

“Food trucks may entice people to travel to Thailand merely to sample food or drinks that are unique to this country,” he said.

The food truck culture, he continued, will help foster better relationships between foreigners and Thais and open doors for collaboration. Continued …

Hazy days ahead: The future of cannabis tourism in Thailand

If you’re a cannabis enthusiast, you might want to put Thailand on your travel bucket list. Since June 2022, the Land of Smiles has become one of the few countries in Asia to legalize the medical and recreational use of cannabis.

This landmark decision has sparked a lot of interest among locals and foreigners alike, as well as entrepreneurs and investors who see the potential of a new industry. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the growing trend of cannabis tourism in Thailand and what it means for the country’s economy, society, and culture.

With the legalization of cannabis, Thailand is positioning itself to become a major player in the global cannabis market, which Insight Partners predicts will reach a staggering $147 billion by 2027, with a booming CAGR value of 29.1%. Continued …

From Bangkok to Khao Lak: A wellness guide to Thailand

It’s official: 2023 is the year of the emotional detox retreat. “I’ve seen many clients post-pandemic who are on edge,” says Wellbeing Escapes founder Stella Photi. “People are realizing our ‘keep calm and carry on’ culture is harmful and it’s not good to bury your emotions.”

I can relate. Facing a return to work after a month-long burnout, I was offered the chance to spend a week sampling the finer things in life in Thailand. It had been a horrible time, so I was understandably into this idea. If a combo city break-cum-beach holiday in Bangkok and Khao Lak can’t help me regain my mojo, I reasoned, nothing can. After all, isn’t this where every recent grad heads to find themselves?

As it turns out, far from its reputation as a hotspot for boozy backpackers, Thailand holds many delights for those looking to nourish their body over putting it through an alcohol-induced ringer. Here’s how I got on. Continued …

Thais cashing in on superstition

In an uncertain world, people become anxious or worried for various reasons, including emerging diseases and epidemics, high living costs, war and job instability.

Adjusting personal behavior or business strategy seems an inadequate response for some people, leading to superstition playing a prominent role in the lives of Thai Buddhists.

In the wake of the pandemic, many people turned to good luck charms, superstitious objects and occult rites, known as mutelu, by visiting revered places or relying on talismans. Continued …

Bangkok’s Oldest Paved Road Is Bustling With Great Places to Eat

Bangkok was born of the river. It began in the 15th century, a tiny jungle trading post set at the water’s edge. Centuries passed, the outpost grew, and by the early 1800s Bangkok had taken its modern form.

Today, with over 20 million tourists annually, it’s one of the most visited cities on Earth. Over the past several years, the waterfront district known as Bang Rak has boomed — including one street in particular. Charoen Krung, Bangkok’s oldest paved road, completed in 1864, is now a fantastic stretch of inventive cocktail bars and jet lag–worthy restaurants, where Michelin has been very busy sprinkling stars. Here, the top destinations to add to your itinerary.

Yu Ting Yuan at Four Seasons

There’s no bad seat in this culinary theater of modern Cantonese cuisine, opened in 2020 and awarded Thailand’s only Michelin star for Cantonese, in 2021 (which it kept for 2022). Executive chef Qiu Xiaogui has developed a delicate, colorful dim sum experience coursed or à la carte — from yellow chrysanthemum tea leaves steeping in clear pots to crispy, golden duck carved in the glass-front kitchen. Continued …

Saudi Aramco reports record profit of $161.1 billion

Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco on Sunday reported a record annual net profit of $161.1 billion for 2022, up 46% from the previous year on higher energy prices, increased volumes sold and improved margins for refined products. Continued …

‘Everything Everywhere’ wins best picture at the Oscars

In the end, its victory was utterly predictable and yet still totally implausible. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — a wacky sci-fi featuring hot dog fingers, sex toys, bagels and talking rocks — on Sunday became surely the most absurd film ever to win the Oscar for best picture. Continued …

Gender equality in the workplace still falls short

Despite years of promoting gender equality in the workplace and female empowerment among leaders and organizations worldwide, significant progress is lacking, according to recent studies. Continued …

N. Korea launches missiles as US, S. Korea kick off major drills

North Korea said today it had test-fired two strategic cruise missiles from a submarine, as South Korea and the United States kicked off their largest joint military exercises in five years. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s News-March 11

  • 89 National Parks Closed To Curb Wildfires, Reduce Dust/
  • Air pollution triggers respiratory diseases/
  • Coup window not closed/
  • Thailand OK, but bleak economic view for Asia/
  • Oxford Dictionary gives pad Thai special treatment/
  • 3,000 apply for Thailand’s new long-term visa in first 4 months/
  • Illegal Myanmar immigrants arrested in Prachuap with ‘ice’ and ‘yaba’/
  • Cobra Gold 2023 draws to a close with live fire drills/
  • Report finds Thai prisons well below international standards/
  • Health Check: Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early/Mobile clinic delivers dental care to villages in the mountainous North/Bumrungrad launches its world-class Heart Institute to treat all heart conditions/
  • Tourism: Hotel scheme generates Bt1.25 billion/Secluded Trang beach touted as the next Maya Bay/
  • Thailand Experience: Trendiest café chains in Thailand to try/International masks to be among attractions at colorful Loei cultural fest/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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89 National Parks Closed To Curb Wildfires, Reduce Dust

The Center of Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM), Pollution Control Department, reports exceeding the PM2.5 (dust with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less) standard in many provinces of Thailand, especially in the north of the country.

(Editor: We are aware that our readers want air pollution information pertaining to Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, but there just hasn’t been any local coverage to share. Given how sensitive local officials – and many foreigners – are to anything negative being reported about Hua Hin, and how local media is more interested in promoting than reporting, we do not expect any local PM2.5 news any time soon.)

In northern Thailand, 72–145 micrograms per cubic meter of dust are reported to exceed the standard value in 32 areas in 17 provinces. In addition, a total of 20 areas are classified as the red zone, meaning that the air quality is “very unhealthy”.

Many provinces reportedly are now covered with heavy smoke and have persistent air pollution. The Chiang Mai Health Department said it had not received any report of patients whose health had been threatened by the air pollution. However, there have been several posts on social media from locals, including the story of a family whose 9-year-old daughter had a heavy nose bleed. Locals have tried to do their best by using air purifiers or avoiding being outdoors. Continued …

Air pollution triggers respiratory diseases

More than 31,000 people in Bangkok and 1.4 million nationwide have developed respiratory diseases due to haze pollution since Jan. 1, according to the Public Health Ministry.

Dr. Pathomporn Siraprapasiri, inspector-general at the Public Health Ministry, on Friday said the ministry has teamed up with the Health Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to endorse the Department of Disease Control’s air pollution control measures.

Data from public hospitals and the BMA’s Medical Service Department showed there are 31,695 patients in Bangkok, and 1,449,716 patients nationwide, who have developed symptoms caused by air pollution. Continued …

Coup window not closed

Academics agree it will be difficult for coups to take place in the country from now on but they have not ruled them out, especially under extreme conditions such as political violence.

They discussed the prospects of another one occurring if Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is seen to represent the conservative group, fails to return to power after the next election and the Pheu Thai Party succeeds in forming a government.

Prayut previously vowed there would be no more coups, saying the 2014 putsch would never be repeated, in an attempt to allay fears heading closer to the general election. Continued …

Thailand OK, but bleak economic view for Asia

Thailand and China are among the lone bright spots in Asia, projected to have higher real GDP growth this year even as the rest of the region is battered by unfavorable global economic conditions and geopolitical tensions, according to global trade insurer Atradius.

The insurer’s recent “Regional Economic Outlook Asia” report indicated the regional economic recovery was “clearly losing momentum” because of tighter financial conditions, inflation, a weak global economic environment and geopolitical tensions.

While China and Thailand are expected to post higher year-on-year growth in 2023, economies in the rest of the region are estimated to take a step back as they try to shake off tight financial conditions and weak external demand, Atradius noted. Continued …

Oxford Dictionary gives pad Thai special treatment

The tasty Thai noodle dish “pad Thai” enjoyed all around the world has now been listed in the Oxford dictionary website as a category C2 international word, which puts it on par with words like pizza from Italy.

A search at https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/ yields the following definition for pad Thai:

“A dish from Thailand made with a type of noodles made from rice, spices, egg, vegetables and sometimes meat or seafood.” Continued … 

3,000 apply for Thailand’s new long-term visa in first 4 months

Almost 3,000 wealthy and/or skilled foreigners have applied for Thailand’s new long-term resident (LTR) visa in the first four months, government spokeswoman Traisulee Taisaranakul said on Friday.

The 10-year, multi-entry visa was introduced on Nov. 1 last year to attract foreign talent and multinational firms to Thailand.

Traisulee said 2,920 foreigners had applied for LTR visas from the Board of Investment (BOI) between Nov. 1 and Feb. 28 this year. Continued …

Illegal Myanmar immigrants arrested in Prachuap with ‘ice’ and ‘yaba’

A special task force of military, protection agency and police received a tip of a movement of Myanmar nationals crossing illegally into Thailand yesterday.

In Moo 5, Ao Noi, Muang Prachuap Khiri Khan, the task force arrested 18 illegal Myanmar workers who were on their way to work in Malaysia; there were 11 men and 7 women.

In addition, three Myanmar facilitators were also arrested. Continued …

Cobra Gold 2023 draws to a close with live fire drills

The Cobra Gold military exercises, which this year saw 30 countries taking part, drew to a close on Friday.

The exercises are held annually and were co-hosted in Thailand by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

This year’s closing ceremony at the Artillery Center in Lop Buri’s Phatthana Nikhom district was presided over by Gen. Chalermphon Srisawasdi, chief of defense forces, and Major Gen. Stephen Smith, commander of the U.S. 7th Infantry Division. Continued …

Report finds Thai prisons well below international standards

An annual report has found that Thai prisons in 2022 were well below international standards. The no-governmental organization, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the Union for Civil Liberty released the report yesterday.

The report findings show that the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak led to authorities making little progress in implementing lessons learned from the pandemic to improve prison conditions and the well-being of inmates.

According to FIDH Secretary-General Adilur Rahman Khan, “Former prisoners described inhuman and degrading treatment to which no inmate should be subjected. While authorities have taken some positive steps to address some blatantly abusive situations, the overall picture of prison conditions remains bleak. The Thai government must increase its efforts to make prison conditions consistent with international standards and the country’s human rights obligations.” Continued …

Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early

Cervical cancer is a major public health burden with significant social and economic impact on health systems, national economies, and affected women and their families.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Nearly all women and people with a cervix are at risk. The main cause of cervical cancer is well-known: infection with human papilloma virus (HPV).

When women are ill, society is impacted. Women are major contributors to economies directly and indirectly and central to familial and community structures. Continued …

Mobile clinic delivers dental care to villages in the mountainous North

Communications channels and roads seem to reach every village in Thailand, except many in mountainous areas of the North that ethnic hill tribes call home. As a result, many still lack health centers offering the most rudimentary medical services.

The terrain restricts access to these remote villages. Instead of roads, there are only narrow, winding pathways leading to them.

Still, the dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Chiang Mai University – Assistant Professor Dr. Narumanas Korwanich – continues to send mobile dental units to these villages to bring their residents the healthcare most Thais can easily access. Continued …

Bumrungrad launches its world-class Heart Institute to treat all heart conditions

As people around the world live longer, the need for comprehensive and innovative cardiac care is ever increasing. According to Artirat Charukitpipat, CEO of Bumrungrad International Hospital, “The World Health Organization estimates heart conditions take about 18 million lives each year.

The data reveals this trend is likely to continue and become more complex in the near future due to the elderly’s risk of facing heart health conditions.”

“Bumrungrad International Hospital recognizes the importance of improving the level of care and prevention, which includes promoting healthy lifestyles, as well as screening and early detection programs for risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol in response to the increasing number of heart disease cases and their associated complications”, she stated. Continued …

Hotel scheme generates Bt1.25 billion

Domestic tourists spent more than 1.25 billion baht on hotel bookings during the fifth phase of the “We Travel Together” scheme, snapping up 560,000 room nights within four days.

Chon Buri was the most popular destination, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Total expenditure on the scheme, which includes a 40% subsidy from the government, was recorded at 2 billion baht, generated for 3,583 hotel partners. Continued …

Secluded Trang beach touted as the next Maya Bay

A secluded beach on the Andaman coast is being touted as the next Maya Bay, the sandy paradise made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Beach”.

Hat Yao beach has all the ingredients to become a major attraction for international travelers in the South, according the Tourism Council of Trang (TCT).

It cited the towering limestone karts of Ao Po Bay, Hat Yong Ling beach, the caverns of Tham Chao Khun and chances to spot dugongs and turtles. Continued …

Trendiest café chains in Thailand to try

Thailand’s café culture is thriving, with an array of options to choose from. You can find everything from charming cafés to pet-friendly ones. And café chains are on the rise, as well.

So, whether you’re in need of a quick caffeine fix, a spot to catch up with friends, or a cosy workspace, café chains are an easy go-to as they have multiple locations scattered throughout the country.

Although most serve some really delicious menus, not all serve them in an equally nice atmosphere, so if you’re thinking of going for a coffee journey in Thailand, here are our recommendations of popular café chains in Thailand! Continued …

International masks to be among attractions at colorful Loei cultural fest

With a funfair and plenty of festive vibes, the Mask Festival 2023 is all set to rev up the hot season in Thailand’s northeast this month. Taking place in Loei province from March 17-19, the international festival will not only bring together Loei’s three famous mask processions – including the iconic Phi Ta Khon – but will also feature spectacular mask parades from around Asia.

The festival is being held at the Kud Pong public square in downtown Loei and promises festival-goers a series of mask parades, cultural shows and lots of tasty local food.

Located along the Thai-Lao border, Loei is about 520 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. The province is famous for the Phi Ta Khon Festival. Inspired by Buddhist legend, this festive event celebrates the return of King Vessandorn (the incarnation of the Lord Buddha) to his throne after a long period of living as a hermit monk in the forest. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hospitality, hua hin, immigration, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-March 10

  • Hua Hin dealing with water supply problems/
  • Free pet rabies vaccinations offered in Hua Hin/
  • Hua Hin Magic during the 2023 Thailand Open/
  • No hike in electricity rates until August, minister assures/
  • Summer storm warning for Bangkok and 41 other provinces/
  • Avoid eight types of foods to prevent kidney disease/
  • Being an English teacher in Thailand 2023 – What is it like?/
  • Measures sought to stimulate property market/
  • As election nears, PM vows no more coups/
  • Thailand improves but still ‘not free’/
  • Big Joke prepares cases against 116 corrupt immigration officers/
  • Thailand unveils 3 strategies to become global EV-manufacturing center/
  • Dept of Corrections denies existence of ‘VIP rooms’ in Thai prisons/
  • Tourism: Tourism sector braces for 80 million visitors by 2027/’Gangs of foreigners’ accused of stealing jobs from locals in Phuket/Rayong cheers as Chinese tourists return on first flight to U-Tapao/First of many? Russian Man Arrested on Pha-ngan Island for 188 days of Overstay/Two Thai destinations win awards in Germany for sustainable tourism/Take Advantage of Eco-Tourism Travel Apps in Thailand/
  • International: Indonesia unveils construction site of new capital city/China’s Xi handed historic third term as president/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hua Hin dealing with water supply problems

Hua Hin is facing issues with the supply of drinking water, as its main storage facility for raw water is at a low level. Some residents have experienced no water or a drop in water pressure in recent days.

Officials say repairs to water pipes in Phetchaburi have significantly reduced flow to the reservoir. The repairs were due for completion yesterday.

Also contributing to the problem is the lack of rainfall recently, as well as the increased visitor numbers.

Free pet rabies vaccinations offered in Hua Hin

Hua Hin is launching a vaccination campaign for dogs and cats in all communities to prevent the spread of rabies during the hot season and ensure safety for residents and tourists.

The municipality is currently promoting a week-long vaccination campaign for rabies prevention as part of the “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans” project.

The project aims to provide vaccination services to the town’s dogs and cats, as well as offer owners information and advice on observing the behavior of pets and animals living in public areas that may be infected with rabies. Continued …

Hua Hin Magic during the 2023 Thailand Open

The 2023 Thailand Open Hua Hin presented by E@, a WTA 250 tournament held in Hua Hin in February, still lingers in the minds of professional tennis players and remains their topic of conversation, even past its completion more than a month ago.

Hua Hin boasts a number of famous tourist spots, all of which are well known to foreigners who have visited before. In fact, this resort town actually offers a lot of charming aspects that are worth discovering.

Thus, Proud Group and True Arena Sport Club, on behalf of the organizers, joined hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to carry out special activities to highlight Hua Hin as a city of culture and health to tourists from across the world using social media and word-of-mouth. Continued …

No hike in electricity rates until August, minister assures

There will be no increase in electricity rates from May to August this year for both the household and industrial sectors, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said on Thursday.

He made the remark during the seminar “The Next Thailand’s Future” at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.

Supattanapong said that electricity is currently at 4.72 baht per unit for the household sector and at 5.33 baht per unit for the industrial sector. Continued …

Summer storm warning for Bangkok and 41 other provinces

People living in 42 provinces in the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions of Thailand, including Bangkok and its suburbs, are advised to brace for summer storms, which will bring heavy rain and hail to some areas from Sunday until next Tuesday.

The Meteorological Department said today that a moderate cold front is forecast to blanket the northern part of Thailand and the South China Sea and this will collide with the westerly winds over the northern region, as the country is experiencing hot weather.

This weather condition will create summer storms, with strong winds in the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions, as well as hail in some areas, said the department. Continued …

Avoid eight types of foods to prevent kidney disease

The Department of Health has advised Thais to avoid eight kinds of foods and ingredients that cause kidney disease.

They comprise:
– Foods with high sodium content, such as MSG, sauces, and seasoning powder;
– Processed meats such as sausages and ham;
– Foods that contain butter and cream, such as cake, pizza, and pastries;
– Foods with high phosphorus content, such as dairy products, animal innards, and dried prawn; Continued …

Being an English teacher in Thailand 2023 – What is it like?

Have you ever considered teaching English abroad? If you’re looking for an adventure and an opportunity to make a positive impact, then being an English teacher in Thailand might be just what you’re looking for.

First things first, why Thailand? Well, it’s a beautiful country with a rich culture and warm, friendly people. The food is amazing, the beaches are stunning, and there’s something for everyone here. Plus, the cost of living is incredibly low compared to Western countries, so you’ll be able to save money while living comfortably.

Now, let’s explore what it’s like to teach English in Thailand and why it might be the perfect opportunity for you. Continued …

Measures sought to stimulate property market

The next government should revise loan-to-value (LTV) limits, reduce the minimum land size for low-rise houses and extend the leasehold period to stimulate residential demand amid unfavorable conditions, according to property associations.

Meesak Chunharuckchot, president of the Thai Real Estate Assn., said the easing of LTV limits should be extended to those borrowing for more than two years, as it would help boost both the new and second-hand home market.

“Borrowers who have been making payments on a home loan for over two years are generally considered to be reliable borrowers,” he said. “They should get a 100% loan-to-value if they want to buy a second home as their income rises,” Meesak said yesterday at the Property Focus 2023 seminar. Continued …

As election nears, PM vows no more coups

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday vowed there would be no more coups, saying the 2014 putsch was the last, in an attempt to allay fears as the general election nears.

Prayut was responding to a question regarding remarks written by Deputy Prime Minister and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Prawit Wongsuwon on Facebook on Wednesday.

In the post, Prawit, who is the PPRP’s prime minister candidate, said he can do better than others in promoting national reconciliation and coordinating national development between politicians and the elite. Continued …

Thailand improves but still ‘not free’

Thailand has improved slightly in an annual assessment by Freedom House but remains “not free” overall, the U.S. democracy research group said on Thursday.

The country was assigned a score of 30 out of 100, compared with 29 out of 100 in the group’s 2022 report. The total score consists of two main components: Political rights (6 out of 40), and civil liberties (24 out of 60).

“Following five years of military dictatorship, Thailand transitioned to a military-dominated, semi-elected government in 2019,” the authors of the Freedom in the World 2023 report wrote. “The combination of democratic deterioration and frustrations over the role of the monarchy in Thailand’s governance triggered massive demonstrations in 2020 and 2021. Continued …

Big Joke prepares cases against 116 corrupt immigration officers

The investigation against 116 allegedly corrupt immigration police officers is moving apace. It involves the issuing of visas to foreigners.

A huge amount of evidence of their taking of bribes and back-handers is being sifted through.

Nine immigration offices across the northeast and the north are in the crosshairs. Continued …

Thailand unveils 3 strategies to become global EV-manufacturing center

The Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI) on Thursday unveiled its three-point strategy to forge a global manufacturing hub for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030. TAI comes under the Industry Ministry and is tasked with developing the Thai automotive sector.

TAI President Kriengsak Wongpromrat said the domestic auto industry’s transition to ZEV manufacturing is being guided by the institute’s “Reshape the future” roadmap.

“TAI is also helping businesses in the automotive industry cope with the transition, especially small and medium enterprises,” he said. Continued …

Dept of Corrections denies existence of ‘VIP rooms’ in Thai prisons

Contrary to allegations in the media that inmates in Thai prisons can buy their way into an air-conditioned, smoking room with unlimited TV, the Department of Corrections says there is no such thing as a VIP room when you’re behind bars in Thailand.

On Tuesday, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Corrections Sitthi Suteewong said he would like to clarify several points about inmate life in Thailand.

Sitthi says there is no smoking whatsoever in any of Thailand’s prisons. Before 2018, inmates were allowed to smoke cigarettes outside at specified times. In 2019, the Ministry of Public Health declared prisons “smoke-free zones,” prohibited the sale of tobacco in prisons, and completely banned smoking on prison grounds. Continued …

Tourism sector braces for 80 million visitors by 2027

Intense congestion at popular tourist destinations needs to ease in order to accommodate a new target of 80 million foreign arrivals by 2027, says Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

“It might be harsh to say this, but Thailand should never return to the conditions of 2019 when almost 40 million foreign tourists flocked to the country, with many destinations overcrowded like slums,” said Phiphat.

Speaking at a seminar held by Krungthai Bank on Thursday, he said the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) wants the tourism industry to contribute 25% of GDP by 2027, up from 17.8% in 2019, generating a minimum of 6 trillion baht. Continued …

‘Gangs of foreigners’ accused of stealing jobs from locals in Phuket

The hospitality sector in Phuket is urging the government to solve the issue of foreign mafia on the resort island.

It is concerned the group is now exploiting laws to run their own businesses while also taking up the jobs traditionally reserved for locals.

Speaking during a recent meeting about tourism issues in the three Andaman provinces, Kata Group Resorts founder and President Pramookpisitt Achariyachai said some foreigners were breaching rules on jobs that are normally restricted to Thais. Continued …

Rayong cheers as Chinese tourists return on first flight to U-Tapao

U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport in Rayong welcomed 160 Chinese tourists on the inaugural flight of China’s Loong Air to the eastern province on Thursday.

Flight GJ8973, an Airbus A320, arrived from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport in northwest China carrying tourists who wish to explore Thailand, said airport Deputy Director Kiatkul Suwan.

A group of dancers and drummers from Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya welcomed Chinese visitors with a Thai traditional music show at the airport. Each tourist also received a floral garland and souvenir from the airport. Continued …

First of many? Russian Man Arrested on Pha-ngan Island for 188 days of Overstay

A 50-year-old Russian man was arrested on Pha-ngan Island in Surat Thani for 188 days of overstaying his legal visa conditions.

Surat Thani Immigration officers said they arrested Leonid Toisloi, 50, a Russian national. He was arrested in front of a convenience store in Chalok Lam, on Pha-ngan Island. Continued …

Koh Mak

Two Thai destinations win awards in Germany for sustainable tourism

Two Thai destinations have won prestigious awards in Germany for sustainable tourism. The destinations are the island of Koh Mak, located in the eastern Trat province, and Huay Pu Keng village in the northern Mae Hong Son province.

The two picturesque locations won top spots at the Green Destinations Story Awards held at ITB Berlin 2023 in Germany. The awards ceremony honors the most inspirational initiatives for sustainable tourism development across six categories from submissions to the annual Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition. Continued …

Take Advantage of Eco-Tourism Travel Apps in Thailand

A growing number of tourists around the world are looking to travel more sustainably. The market for eco-tourism products and services rose from $157 billion in 2021 to $185 billion in 2022. As customers become more concerned about sustainability, more countries are embracing sustainability to earn tourist dollars.

Thailand is among the countries that has made sustainability a priority. In fact, Thailand has been rated the number one country in Southeast Asia for meeting the United Nations Sustainability Goals.

Since Thailand is so dedicated to sustainability, more eco-tourists are likely to visit the country in the future. If you are an eco-friendly traveler, you will want to consider the ways that you can enjoy the area. Continued …

Indonesia unveils construction site of new capital city

Orange-red ground has been broken in the jungle of East Borneo, where the Indonesian government has begun construction of its new capital city. Officials promise a “sustainable forest city” that puts the environment at the heart of development and aims to be carbon-neutral by 2045. Continued …

China’s Xi handed historic third term as president

Xi Jinping was handed a third term as Chinese president today, capping a rise that has seen him become the country’s most powerful leader in generations. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, climate change, covid, hua hin, marijuana, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, solar, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-March 9

  • Holiday weekend brings Bt548M to province/
  • Officials launch anti-smoking and jellyfish awareness campaign on Khao Takiab/
  • Bully on the Beach at Bluport March 25/
  • Arkhom cools concern over inflation, economy overheating/
  • Over 1.3 Million Air Pollution Cases So Far This Year/
  • Chiang Mai to hand out face masks as dust from fires hits hazardous levels/
  • Burning rubbish set for big fines as Nakhon Phanom smog unbearable/
  • Fighting Thailand’s wildfires from the sky/
  • New climate study raises alarm for Asian megacities/
  • Illegal Chinese investment suspected in 6 Chiang Mai property projects/
  • New Chao Phraya bridge to open in 2024
  • Bangkok to Chiang Mai high-speed rail project gears up/
  • CoorsTek Selects Solar System at Rayong Manufacturing Facility/
  • Five hunters sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for killing tiger and its cub/
  • HelloFresh Drops Thai Coconut Milk After PETA’s Monkey Labor Drive/
  • Opinion: Weed bounty may go to pot/
  • Tourism: 25-30 million foreign arrivals expected – tourism minister/TAT anticipates 6m European visitors this year/Chinese tourists, infatuated with Thai school uniforms, given warning/
  • Thailand Experience: Women make their mark in Thai gastronomy/Hok Peng Festival in northern province of Nan reveres ancient relics/
  • Covid: Covid-19 drug now free of charge/
  • International: Women march as rights under threat across the globe/’Rapid’ and ‘unprecedented’ rise in ocean plastic reported since 2005/Russian military too deficient to make major gains, US spy chief says/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Holiday weekend brings Bt548M to province

The recent long weekend in Prachuap Khiri Khan province brought bustling tourism and generated revenue of over 548 million baht, according to data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Atchawun Kongkapan, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Prachuap Khiri Khan office, said during the recent long holiday weekend, the tourism atmosphere in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province was lively and that hotel occupancy rate during the long weekend was around 70%-80% on average.

Most Thai tourists were families, groups of friends and young couples, while foreign tourists mainly came from Germany, England, France, China, Korea, and Japan. Continued …

Officials launch anti-smoking and jellyfish awareness campaign on Khao Takiab

Officials visited Hua Don beach in Khao Takiab on Tuesday to launch a new anti-smoking and jellyfish awareness campaign.

The campaign aimed to educate tourists about the harmful effects of smoking on the environment, as well as raise awareness about the dangers of jellyfish in the sea.

The Smoke-free Beach project, initiated by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Region 3 (DMCR 3), seeks to reduce cigarette litter on beaches and promote designated smoking areas. Continued …

 

Arkhom cools concern over inflation, economy overheating

The economy is not overheating and authorities can control inflation rates, says Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.

He said the pace of Thailand’s economic growth was accelerating, unlike in other countries, and he hopes the rebound in the tourism sector will propel the growth momentum.

Arkhom said inflationary pressure was not caused by the demand side, but rather by rising energy prices. Continued …

Over 1.3 Million Air Pollution Cases So Far This Year

There were as many as 1,325,838 air pollution related cases in Thailand during Jan. 1-March 5 this year, with the public warned that airborne particles known as PM2.5 could lead to cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, while 31,081 people died from exposure to toxic airborne dust in 2019, according to the Public Health Ministry.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said of 1,325,838 air pollution cases recorded during this period 196,311 showed up this week, up from 161,839 last week.

This week has also seen a jump in respiratory cases to 583,238, up from 85,910 last week; skin infections soaring to 267,161 cases, up from 35,878 last week; eye infections climbing to 242,805 cases, up from 36,537 last week; and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases leaping to 208,880 cases, up from 33,413 last week. Continued …

Chiang Mai to hand out face masks as dust from fires hits hazardous levels

The Chiang Mai authorities in northern Thailand will hand out face masks to the public, as the province struggles with dangerously high levels of air pollution caused by persistent forest fires.

The fires are an annual problem between the months of December and April, when farmers set light to their fields to clear the land ready for the next crop cycle.

The government has temporarily closed several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in north and western regions because of the fires, and it is expected that cloud-seeding will be used from Saturday in some areas,. Continued …

Burning rubbish set for big fines as Nakhon Phanom smog unbearable

The northeast city on the banks of the Mekong suffocates under thick haze that landed on Tuesday, Nakhon Phanom is toughening up on residents who burn trash and greenery outdoors.

According to the city’s Office of Natural Resource and Environment, PM2.5 concentrations on Wednesday increased to 167 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg) in four districts that border Laos: Muang, Bang Phaeng, Tha Uthen, and That Phanom.

Any level beyond 50 mcg is dangerous, and chronic ailments including lung and heart difficulties have been related to long-term exposure. Continued …

Fighting Thailand’s wildfires from the sky

A joint agency mission is underway to fight the wildfire situation in the area of the Thung Salang Luang National Park of Phitsanulok Province.

Wildfires have been continuing since March 3, burning and spreading to the east and north along the highlands. With ground forces unable to travel to extinguish, the wildfire has the potential to burn thousands of acres.

Support was requested for KA-32 helicopters from the Department of Defense and armed forces, with the helicopters flying to draw water from the nearby Kang Wa-Kanghai basin, and dumping water over the forest fire to reduce the intensity of the fires. Continued …

New climate study raises alarm for Asian megacities

A new study that takes into account the effects of both climate change and normal oceanic variations predicts that by 2100 some of Asia’s major cities may be submerged.

Sea levels have already been rising as a result of rising ocean temperatures and record-breaking glacier melting brought on by climate change.

Yet, a study that was released in the journal Nature Climate Change provides new information, as well as dire warnings about the potential consequences for millions of people. Continued …

Illegal Chinese investment suspected in 6 Chiang Mai property projects

Police have begun cracking down on Chinese investment groups using Thai nominees to buy real estate in Chiang Mai.

Initial investigations uncovered six plots of land in the northern province suspected of being bought illegally by Chinese investors to build complexes, Deputy National Police Chief Surachet Hakparn told reporters on Wednesday.

Surachet spoke after meeting with officials from the provincial land office, immigration police, and local administration organizations following allegations that Chiang Mai land and real estate is being bought by Chinese companies using Thai nominees to avoid taxation under the Foreign Business Act of 1999. Continued …

New Chao Phraya bridge to open in 2024

Construction of the country’s widest river bridge, over the Chao Phraya in Bangkok, is expected to be completed next year.

The eight-lane bridge is being built parallel to Rama IX Bridge. It is a 2-kilometer-long cable-stayed structure, part of the Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Ring Road expressway project. It was designed to withstand a tornado-gust wind speed of 270km/h.

According to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), this 6.6-billion-baht bridge project will relieve traffic congestion on the adjacent cable-stayed Rama IX Bridge, which is 35 years old and in need of repair. Continued …

Bangkok to Chiang Mai high-speed rail project gears up

Thailand and Japan are preparing to begin the first-phase construction of a high-speed rail project linking Bangkok with the northern province of Chiang Mai.

A feasibility study focusing on the economy and finance was reviewed at a recent technical meeting attended by the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Public Health Management Office, Office of the National Economics and Social Development Council, and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Continued …

CoorsTek Selects Solar System at Rayong Manufacturing Facility

CoorsTek, a leading global manufacturer of technical ceramics, has signed a long-term agreement with TotalEnergies ENEOS for a 1.5 megawatt-peak (MWp) rooftop and carport solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its 110,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Rayong.

Expected to generate approximately 2,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually, the system will realize significant cost savings for CoorsTek and reduce the company’s carbon footprint by about 840 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.

CoorsTek broke ground on its Rayong, manufacturing facility in January of 2021 and began operations in January of 2022. The facility provides a critical production hub for the continued supply of CoorsTek high-quality engineered ceramics in Southeast Asia. Continued …

Five hunters sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for killing tiger and its cub

Five poachers were each sentenced to a total of four years and nine months in prison and fined 5,500 baht, after they were found guilty of killing a tiger and its cub in March last year in the Thong Pha Phum National Park, in the western province of Kanchanaburi.

The five convicts were also ordered by the court to pay 750,000 baht in compensation to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

The men were caught in the process of preparing two tiger hides in Huai Pilok forest, within the territory of the national park, by a team of park rangers on a routine patrol. Continued …

HelloFresh Drops Thai Coconut Milk After PETA’s Monkey Labor Drive

Meal kit provider HelloFresh, which is based in Berlin, Germany, said it will no longer sell coconut milk sourced from Thailand, as it does not support any form of animal cruelty across its supply chain, the company announced.

The move is in line with many brands in the West that have stopped selling some Thai coconut products over recent years after campaigning by PETA, which said that it had investigated Thai coconut farms and found chained monkeys that were forced to spend long hours climbing trees and picking coconut. Abuse of primates was “rampant”, the group has said.

It also called on Thai government officials to investigate the abuse of the monkeys at these coconut plantations. Continued …

Opinion: Weed bounty may go to pot

Chuvit Kamolvisit’s latest controversial revelations that cast a further shadow over the government’s cannabis liberalization policy engineered by the Bhumjaithai Party should serve as a warning over the monitoring of such dispensaries, which have mushroomed in number after the government removed cannabis from the Category 5 list of narcotics in the Royal Gazette on June 9 last year.

The scene when health officials from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine raided the “Chuweed Shop” – a cannabis dispensary that was surprisingly located in Chuvit’s Davis Bangkok Hotel, raised the question of double standards.

Would health officials have insisted on a closer look if Chuvit – who claims he just rents the space to the operator – had not attacked Bhumjaithai Party and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul over alleged social problems arising from legalizing marijuana? Continued …

25-30 million foreign arrivals expected – tourism minister

Thailand is expecting to receive between 25 million and 30 million foreign visitors this year as its crucial travel sector rebounds, its Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Thursday.

The number compares to the record of nearly 40 million in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic emerged.

The country had 4.2 million foreign visitors in the January-February period of this year, according to a presentation by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports at a business seminar on Thursday. Continued …

TAT anticipates 6 million European visitors this year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects 6 million tourists from Europe this year, roughly 80% of the pre-pandemic total, generating more than 420 billion baht as part of total revenue of 1.5 trillion baht by year-end.

“I am confident Thailand remains the top destination in Asia for European markets,” said TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn, while attending ITB Berlin 2023, one of the biggest travel fairs in Europe. Continued …

Chinese tourists, infatuated with Thai school uniforms, given warning

Chinese tourists wearing Thai student uniforms have been warned that they may violate the law if the names embroidered on their shirts match actual school names.

The image of a group of four Chinese tourists in Thai student uniforms, with their names embroidered on the shirts, has recently gone viral on social media. The four came from Hangzhou City and they bought the uniforms from a store in Bangkok’s Bang Lamphu market.

Rachapon Sirisakorn, a lawyer, said uesterday that, according to the Student Uniform Act B.E. 2551 (2008AD), if an individual, who is not a student, wears a student uniform to mislead other people into believing that he or she is a student may violate the law and may face a fine of up to 1,000 baht on conviction. Continued …

Women make their mark in Thai gastronomy

Yesterday was International Women’s Day and what better way to celebrate it than to honor the women in an industry that was once a man’s domain. Guru By Bangkok Post speaks to women who not only make a toque look good but have turned up the heat in hotel kitchens.

Having earned a culinary degree at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, Australia, Front Room’s Sarocha “Bua” Rajatanawin has worked her way up the career ladder from sous chef to chef de cuisine in the five years she’s been at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok.

“Cooking was the equivalent of play to me as a girl and what I’ve enjoyed doing most of all since — it’s now my career without feeling like ‘work’”, she says. “After university, I completed the School of the Oriental Hotel Apprenticeship Program, then the Advanced Diploma of Professional Culinary Management at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute, in Australia. Continued …

Hok Peng Festival in northern province of Nan reveres ancient relics

In the northern town of Nan last week, in 35°C midday heat, a colorful procession of villagers wearing distinctive ethnic attire made its way to Wat Phra That Chae Haeng down a lengthy staircase, aside which a pair of naga sculptures stood like guardians.

A number of classic wood litters carried replicas of a gold, bell-shaped pagoda, as well as various Buddhist offerings such as Lanna-style flags and khan dok trees, all to mark the return of the annual seven-day Hok Peng Festival.

As legend has it, Phaya Kan Muang built a 55.5-meter-high pagoda in 1353 to house Buddha relics, including hair and a left wrist that were obtained from Sukhothai. Every year, the Hok Peng ritual is performed to worship the relics ahead of the Full Moon of the sixth northern Thai lunar month, which this year fell last Monday. Continued …

Covid-19 drug now free of charge

The anti-viral drug molnupiravir has been included in the list of essential medications covered by the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) Plus scheme, according to deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul.

The drug’s inclusion means Covid-19 patients can now get molnupiravir pills for free. Prior to its inclusion, which was approved by the cabinet on Tuesday, patients had to pay 15 baht for a 200-milligram dose of the anti-viral medication. Continued …

Women march as rights under threat across the globe

Women hit the streets from Kabul to Mexico City on Wednesday to mark International Women’s Day and stand up for rights that are coming under increasing attack. Continued … 

‘Rapid’ and ‘unprecedented’ rise in ocean plastic reported since 2005

The world’s oceans are choked with as many as 170 trillion particles of plastic, new research released Wednesday shows, and that number could nearly triple over the next few decades if nothing is done to stop the flow of pollution. Continued …

Russian military too deficient to make major gains, US spy chief says

The Russian military has too many deficiencies – including heavy casualties and an inability to replenish weapons and ammunition – to make “major territorial gains” in Ukraine this year, the top U.S. intelligence official told a Senate committee Wednesday. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s News – March 8

  • Why International Women’s Day matters/
  • Inflation slows, but electricity, cooking gas costs likely to go up/
  • Anzac Day services in Kanchanaburi April 25/
  • Mask use urged as haze fastens grip/
  • Areas of three national parks closed due to fire risks/
  • Cloud-seeding to be used to control fires in Thailand’s western forests/
  • Wild elephants flee forest fires in eastern Thailand/
  • Foreigners picked to buoy property market/
  • Thai shippers’ council expects rebound in export market this year/
  • PTTEP grabs two new oil exploration licenses in Gulf/
  • Thai seller of rubber duck calendar found guilty of royal defamation/
  • Foreign Teacher Charged After Son’s Friend Drowned at Sea/
  • WHAUP rooftop solar panel business set to surge/
  • Thailand’s missing macaques: Chinese medicine or US labs to blame?/
  • Thailand gives GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan great reception – he doesn’t disappoint/
  • Tourism: Chinese are back on Koh Samui – tourists from Chengdu given special welcome/People hurry to snap up subsidized hotel rooms/German Tourist Drowns on Samui Island/
  • Thailand Experience: How To Make The Most Of Your Thailand Trip?/Thailand: From tiny islands to wellness retreats, here’s why you should visit/Thailand’s Tarutao National Park Spans 51 Islands of Natural Contemplation/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Why International Women’s Day matters

Today is International Women’s Day.

It has been observed by the United Nations since 1975 and celebrated by many countries before then. Yet, if one looks on social media, many still argue that International Women’s Day should not be celebrated for different reasons. (“Why is this a thing? Why is there an international women’s day but not an international men’s day?”)

But the most compelling reason that even feminists may side with is: why should International Women’s Day be celebrated, when women’s rights should be advocated for every day, not just on March 8 of each year? To this I say, yes, women’s rights should be advocated for every day, but that does not mean that we should not dedicate a special day to commemorate it. Continued …

Inflation slows, but electricity, cooking gas costs likely to go up

Thailand’s average headline inflation in February was at 3.79%, the lowest in 13 months, following a drop in fuel prices, the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) said on Tuesday.

The average headline inflation is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which in February dropped from the previous month by 0.12% to 108.05.

The office also expected electricity bills and the price of cooking gas to go up in March due to continued economic recovery, especially in the tourism sector. Continued …

Anzac Day services in Kanchanaburi April 25

The upcoming Anzac Day memorial service to be held on Tuesday, April 25, starts with a dawn service at 5:30am, while the public will be welcome to enter the complex from 3am onward. The service will be followed by the traditional Gunfire Breakfast, with refreshments and snacks donated by Australian-Kiwi communities here in Thailand.

The Anzac Day Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass is the only official memorial service in Thailand, and is jointly hosted by both the Australian and New Zealand embassies.

Located in Kanchanaburi, the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Center is a memorial site established and maintained by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Australian government. It is dedicated to those who were forced to work and build the railway connecting Burma and Thailand during the Second World War. Over 60,000 Allied prisoners worked on the railway, with approximately 12,500 lost lives, including British, Australian, Dutch, American and tens of thousands of Asian laborers (Romusha).

For decades, this place has become a significant commemoration site for Anzac Day – a memorial service that honors and acknowledges all Australians and New Zealanders who served and sacrificed their lives in war.

Mask use urged as haze fastens grip

A pulmonologist from Siriraj Hospital has suggested people wear masks to protect themselves from dust pollution, as the number of patients with respiratory diseases continues to rise, especially among children.

Meanwhile, 48 provinces were found to have ultra-fine dust particles (PM2.5) levels above the safe threshold on Tuesday.

Dr. Nitipatana Chierakul, head of the Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis Division at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, said hospitals nationwide have seen a spike in cases that began in December. Continued …

Areas of three national parks closed due to fire risks

Areas of three national parks in Kanchanaburi in the west of Thailand were declared off limits due to the risk of fire. They are the Sai Yok, Khao Laem and Lam Klong Ngu parks.

Helicopters did 38 sorties carrying 19,000 liters of water to douse flames.

People rearing buffaloes, in particular, were ordered to stay away from affected areas. – Thai Rath

Cloud-seeding to be used to control fires in Thailand’s western forests

The Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation Department is expected to be cloud-seeding from this Saturday until next Monday to help contain fires in Thailand’s western forests, which appear to be out of control.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said yesterday that may hot spots have been detected in the forests north of the Srinagarind Dam in Kanchanaburi.

He said that fires have now spread to dry evergreen woodland, which is only accessible after several hours of trekking through the forests. Continued …

Wild elephants flee forest fires in eastern Thailand

It is not just forest land that has been affected by fires in Bo Rai district of Trat in eastern Thailand.

Wild elephants were also fleeing the impact of the fires that had burned over 2,500 rai in the Nonsri and Dan Chumphon areas.

Pictures of almost 20 elephants show them were trumpeting their displeasure at having to leave their regular stomping grounds in two areas. – Siam Rath

Foreigners picked to buoy property market

Despite the economic recovery, the property market this year may depend heavily on foreign demand, as negative factors still affect domestic buyers, according to economists and property analysts.

Piyasak Manason, senior vice president of the wealth research department of InnovestX Securities, said property market growth this year would likely slow because of various financial policies.

“When inflation is high, the Bank of Thailand will raise interest rates to cope with it,” he said. “With the termination of the lending-curb easing, which affects lower-end home demand, we do not expect to see a strong real estate market in the near future.” Continued …

Thai shippers’ council expects rebound in export market this year

A weaker baht and improvement in many countries’ production index will boost the Thai export market, the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) says.

TNSC Chairman Chaichan Charoensuk said on Tuesday that Thai export value in February should hit US$22 billion (760.34 billion baht), especially since the baht has weakened to about 34-35 to the dollar.

Thailand’s exports in January were 4.5% less at $20.24 billion (705.45 billion baht) due to an 11% contraction in the Chinese market and a delay in orders for electronic goods. Continued …

PTTEP grabs two new oil exploration licenses in Gulf

PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) was awarded exploration and production licenses at two of three new petroleum blocks in the Gulf of Thailand, a move that should pave the way for more domestic oil and gas supply to strengthen the country’s energy security.

The company was awarded the rights for blocks G1/65 and G3/65, while U.S.-based Chevron Offshore (Thailand) was awarded a license for block G2/65, according to the Department of Mineral Fuels. Continued …

Thai seller of rubber duck calendar found guilty of royal defamation

A Thai seller of a rubber ducky calendar has been found guilty of royal defamation. The 26-year-old man, “Tonmai,” was arrested on Dec. 31, 2020, and charged with royal defamation. Now, he will serve two years in prison after being found guilty.

The Taling Chan Criminal Court ruled that the depiction of the rubber duck was a mockery of Thailand’s head of state. According to Prachatai English, the rubber ducks first arrived at pro-democracy demonstrations back in 2020. Continued …

Foreign Teacher Charged After Son’s Friend Drowned at Sea

An American language teacher, 45, was charged with negligent homicide on Tuesday after an eight-year-old boy drowned in the sea of Chumphon province, despite the boy’s parents not wanting to see him charged.

The American teacher was an employee of a local church in Pathio District, Chumphon province. His family, consisting of his wife, son and four children friends of his son, were on a holiday in Thung Zang Bay.

While everyone was relaxing on the beach, his son and Wiwat, 8, were playing in the water. The two boys were holding onto a fish-shaped rubber bouy, meters from the shore when they lost control. The teacher’s son was rescued by a Myanmar worker in time while Wiwat drowned. Continued …

WHAUP rooftop solar panel business set to surge

SET-listed WHA Utilities & Power Plc (WHAUP), which provides utilities under WHA Corp., Thailand’s biggest industrial land developer and operator, expects its rooftop solar panel installation service to grow by 24% to 300 megawatts this year, thanks to greater adoption of clean energy in the industrial sector.

Last year, solar panels installed by WHAUP under private power purchase agreements stood at 133MW.

Rooftop solar panels with an electricity generation capacity of 1MW can lead to a reduction of 700 tons of carbon dioxide a year, so with a combined capacity of 300MW, up to 210,000 tons of carbon dioxide would be cut annually, said Somkiat Masunthasuwun, chief executive of WHAUP. Continued …

Thailand’s missing macaques: Chinese medicine or US labs to blame?

Authorities have blamed the latest monkey smuggling case in Thailand on demand from traditional Chinese medicine – but evidence indicates traffickers supplying U.S. laboratories are the real culprits.

In the latest smuggling case, 47 long-tailed macaques were found caged in a truck stopped by police in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Non Sung district on Monday. Police said the two suspects had confessed, claiming they did know that long-tailed macaques are protected under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act. The suspects had agreed to smuggle the monkeys from Khao Ta Khrong National Park in Ratchaburi to Laos via Nong Khai in exchange for 17,000 baht, investigators said.

Peersasak Paksasuay, director of conservation for Nakhon Ratchasima, said national parks were working with police in Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum and Buri Ram to stop wildlife smuggling. He added that the macaques were destined for China for probable use in Chinese traditional medicine. Continued …

Thailand gives GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan great reception – he doesn’t disappoint

The highlight of the second day of the Six Red World Snooker Championships 2023 in Pathum Thani was the evening appearance of Ronnie O’Sullivan, widely regarded as the greatest snooker player of all time.

A packed TV arena at the Thammasat Convention Center gave Englishman O’Sullivan a rousing reception, then watched in awe as he stormed into a 4-0 lead against compatriot Jimmy Robertson inside 25 minutes.

But Robertson, 36, was not there to make up the numbers against his 47-year-old opponent. He made the score 4-3 before O’Sullivan closed out the match. Continued …

Chinese are back on Koh Samui – tourists from Chengdu given special welcome

Thailand gave a special welcome back to the first direct flight from China to Koh Samui since the pandemic.

Surat Thani Deputy Gov. Nanthawat Charoenwan and local Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) chief Kanokkitika Kritwuthikorn were on hand with many other officials to welcome a full load of 130 tourists aboard Chengdu Airlines EU 2807.

The auspicious flight – the first direct flight from China to the holiday island in the south of Thailand since February 2020 – was met with much pomp and ceremony. Continued …

People hurry to snap up subsidized hotel rooms

People rushed to book hotels during the first day of the latest phase of the hotel subsidy program, with 112,876 room nights reserved out of 560,000 available under the scheme within six hours.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said the value of transactions during the first six hours of availability on Tuesday reached 443 million baht from 112,876 room nights.

Of the total amount, 60% or 273 million baht was paid by the purchaser and 170 million baht (40%) came from the government subsidy. Continued …

German Tourist Drowns on Samui Island

A German tourist drowned near a beach on Samui Island.

Bo Phut Police said they were notified that a male foreign tourist drowned at Chaweng Beach on Monday. Emergency responders and police arrived at the beach.

The man was identified by police as a 58-year-old German man. His body had already been pulled from the water. Continued …

How To Make The Most Of Your Thailand Trip?

The Southeast Asian nation of Thailand is renowned for its delectable cuisine, vibrant culture, and stunning coastline.

Starting in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, one can visit the Grand Palace, a magnificent complex that has been the home of Thai kings for over 150 years. The palace is surrounded by temples, shrines, and halls, each of which is adorned with intricate carvings, gold leaf, and colorful mosaics. Visitors can also see a statue of the Emerald Buddha made from a single jade block and considered one of Thailand’s most important religious artifacts.

For a unique shopping experience, one can visit the largest open-air marketplace in Thailand, the Chatuchak Weekend Market. With over 15,000 stalls selling everything from clothing and accessories to food and antiques, it’s a great place to find unique souvenirs and taste some local street food. Continued …

Thailand: From tiny islands to wellness retreats, here’s why you should visit

A firm favorite with tourists, Thailand is well-known for its glorious white sand beaches, diverse landscapes and exciting nightlife.

But while the beaches of Phuket or the urban sprawl of Bangkok may be the first places that spring to mind when you think of the southeast Asian country, the Tourism Authority of Thailand wants you to look a little further.

“We are encouraging tourists to visit emerging destinations and travel during the weekdays to decongest those destinations, while also reducing environmental and cultural wear and tear. Continued … 

Thailand’s Tarutao National Park Spans 51 Islands of Natural Contemplation

The islands of Tarutao National Park are not the most touristy beaches in beautiful Southern Thailand. These 51 islands have jaw-dropping scenery, yes, but lack the raving full moon parties of Koh PhaNgan, the impossible-to-escape reputation of The Beach filming location on Koh Phi Phi Le, and the 2.3 million vacationers who flocked to Phuket last year in just nine months alone.

With only 238,000 visitors throughout the entire year, Tarutao beckons to adventurous, nature-loving wanderers looking for more than just a party scene studded with bucket-sized cocktails.

Across these archipelagos, you’ll find waterfalls, caves, so many pristine shorelines, trails leading to vistas for sunsets and sunrises, as well as a thought-provoking tribute to the biggest island’s sobering past. Park-goers can explore a self-guided jungle trail to learn about how the government transformed a now-defunct prison into an outdoor museum memorializing all those who struggled and lost their lives onsite, a dark moment in human history that’s been returned to — and reclaimed by — nature. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, cha am, chiang mai, covid, hua hin, marijuana, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s News-March 7

  • Run for Hunger set Saturday at Monsoon Valley/
  • Campfire Fest on the Beach Saturday/
  • Crab festival set in Cha Am March 11-18/
  • Headline CPI up 3.79% y/y in Feb, less than forecast/
  • The hot season arrives: Thailand expected to be hotter this year than last/
  • Bangkokians urged to mask up, avoid outdoor activity as PM2.5 levels rise/
  • Haze and blazes hit North/
  • Why Thailand Needs More Women Sports Stars/
  • More cancer patients get health cover/
  • Abundant cash crops help make Thailand 2nd-biggest bioplastics producer/
  • Poachers who killed rare Tigers lenient sentence angers activists/
  • ‘Rare’ tiger — with three ‘even rarer’ cubs — spotted in Thai rainforest – video/
  • 47 smuggled monkeys intercepted on their way to China via Laos/
  • Why Are Russians Buying Real Estate in Phuket?/
  • General Election turns into a referendum on marijuana/
  • McDonald’s plans 300 million baht investment in Thailand/
  • Tourism: TAT unfazed by tourism giveaways across Asia/Northern Thailand tourism plan expected to rake in Bt2.38 trillion/
  • Thailand Experience: Camping at Ban Krang, at Kaeng Krachan National Park/One of the best locations for snorkeling near Hua Hin/-Journey through Vietnam, Thailand among top once-in-a-lifetime trips/The Secret To Tasty Photharam Grilled Bananas/
  • Covid: Covid hospitalizations in Thailand continue dropping/
  • International: Archaeologists in Egypt discover Sphinx statue related to Roman emperor/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Run for Hunger set Saturday at Monsoon Valley

Scholars of Sustenance Thailand (SOS Thailand) is organizing a charity walk-run to be held at Monsoon Valley Vineyard on Saturday.

The first annual “Run for Hunger” event will support the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation’s food rescue mission in Hua Hin.

By participating in this event, you’ll be taking a step toward reducing food waste and creating food security in Thailand. And, the best part is that the entire family, including furry friends, can join in on the fun! Continued …

Crab festival set in Cha Am March 11-18

Cha Am municipality has announced its crab festival – “Gin Pu Chak@Cha-am festival” will take place March 11-18 at Cha Am viewpoint. Expect lots of fresh seafood and local cuisine, live music, entertainment, shopping and much more.

Headline CPI up 3.79% y/y in Feb, less than forecast

The headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.79% in February from a year earlier, less than analyst forecasts, due mainly to lower energy and food prices, Commerce Ministry data showed today.

The reading compared with a forecast for a 4.18% rise in February in a Reuters poll, and followed January’s 5.02% increase. – Bangkok Post

The hot season arrives: Thailand expected to be hotter this year than last

The director of the Meteorological Office in Thailand has predicted that this year will be hotter than last, with four northern provinces taking the brunt of the highs.

Chompharee Chomphurat declared that the cool season is now over as of last Saturday.

The hot season will last until mid-May, she said. Continued …

Bangkokians urged to mask up, avoid outdoor activity as PM2.5 levels rise

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has advised residents to wear face masks and avoid outdoor activities after fine-dust levels climbed above safe levels in several areas of the city this morning.

Data from air-quality monitoring stations showed the level of PM2.5 – particulate matter under 2.5 micrometers in diameter – ranged from 61 to 93 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg) of air in 69 areas of the city this morning.

Any level above 50mcg is considered unsafe, as long-term exposure is linked with chronic diseases, including lung and heart problems. Continued … 

Haze and blazes hit North

Haze pollution is exceeding safe levels in 36 provinces, particularly in the North, while Bangkok and surrounding provinces will remain blanketed in smog for two more days.

Jatuporn Buruspat, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said on Monday that ultra-fine dust particles (PM2.5) have remained at critical levels in the North and the Northeast for the past week, as a result of slash-and-burn activities in forests and farms, with more than 2,500 hotspots found on both sides of the border. Continued …

Why Thailand Needs More Women Sports Stars

Professional sports have long been a male-dominated arena. Both regionally and globally, this prevailing domination of the playing field by men disadvantages women and girls from media to participation.

A European Union study of five countries found the percentage of media coverage for women’s professional sports was, at best, 14%, and, at worst, as low as 2%.

In some countries before the COVID-19 pandemic, 90% of girls were insufficiently physically active, with rates recently worsening. Gender inequality in sports – whether at school or at the professional level – is indeed deeply rooted. This inequality is a symptom of a broader social condition where women’s pursuits are undervalued across many currently male-dominated fields.

But Thailand is bucking the trend impressively. For starters, Thailand has a rich history of producing world-class athletes, and recently, Thai women in sports have been dominating both regional and global headlines. Continued …

More cancer patients get health cover

At least 250,000 cancer patients benefited from the National Health Security Office’s (NHSO) gold card universal healthcare scheme in 2022, up from an annual average of 100,000 beneficiaries in the five years prior, the office has said.

Dr. Lalitaya Kongkam, NHSO’s deputy secretary-general, stated on Monday that the NHSO has covered at least 12 billion baht in medical fees for cardholders – some 7% of the NHSO fund budget.

This amount may increase in response to increasing numbers of cancer patients, Dr. Lalitaya said. Continued …

Abundant cash crops help make Thailand 2nd-biggest bioplastics producer

With a yearly production capacity of 95,000 tons, Thailand is now the second-largest producer of bioplastics in the world after the United States, which produces 150,000 tons.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri made the announcement on Monday, citing data from the Thai Bioplastics Industry Assn.

Anucha said Thailand is close on the heels of the U.S. thanks to an abundance of cash crops like sugarcane and cassava, and hopes to boost its annual capacity to 170,000 tons soon. Continued …

Poachers who killed rare Tigers lenient sentence angers activists

Five defendants were all found guilty by the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court of shooting at, luring, or removing wild animals from their habitat, acting cruelly toward them, all of which are separate offenses. The plaintiffs’ punishment was reduced in half as a result of their guilty plea. Initially, they received a 9 1/2-year sentence.

The court determined that the plaintiffs’ basis for filing the lawsuit, which was done out of retaliation for the Bengal tigers eating their cattle and to protect their property, was incorrect.

This serious issue is not only illegal, endangering the ecosystem and upsetting the natural order. Officials seized four guns, extra firearms, and further equipment, including 176 rounds of ammunition, two bottles of gunpowder, and one bag of gunpowder, from the five suspects to establish their intent to hunt wild animals and their capacity to survive for an extended period in the forest. Continued …

‘Rare’ tiger — with three ‘even rarer’ cubs — spotted in Thai rainforest – video

A mother tiger prowls through the muggy rainforest of Thailand, her three cubs close behind. Emerging from the brush, the cats pass by a trail camera before vanishing again.

The mother tiger and her three cubs were filmed walking through the Upper Western Forest Complex, the World Wildlife Fund said in a Friday, March 3, news release. This region is one of the last two areas in Thailand where wild tigers still roam.

Video 

The brief footage shows the tigress with two cubs behind her. A third cub emerges from the foliage a few seconds later. The mother crosses the foreground and leaves the camera’s view. Continued …

47 smuggled monkeys intercepted on their way to China via Laos

Thai wildlife officials and police intercepted a shipment of 47 macaque monkeys in a pickup truck Monday morning, at a checkpoint on Friendship highway in Non Sung district of the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

The two men in the truck were arrested after the officials found the monkeys, which are believed to be being shipped to China through Laos.

The driver of the truck, Kritaya, reportedly told the officials that they took delivery of the monkeys in Ratchaburi province, to be delivered to a customer in the province of Nong Khai, opposite Vientiane of Laos, who would then have sent the monkeys on to China. Continued … 

Why Are Russians Buying Real Estate in Phuket?

On Oct. 30, an Ikar Airlines jet landed at Phuket International Airport with 449 passengers on board. The flight’s arrival in Thailand marked the resumption of direct service from Moscow after a break of nearly three years and opened the floodgates to a surge of winter tourism from Russia.

By late January, Phuket had welcomed 233,000 Russian vacationers, the single largest contingent of international arrivals to the island.

A local newspaper called the return of the Russians a “stunning comeback.” The unexpected influx helped Thailand’s tourism industry cross a coveted post-COVID-19 milestone of 10 million visitors in 2022.

The arrival of the “snowbirds” had far-reaching consequences for the local economy beyond tourism revenues. Last year, Russians became the leading purchasers of condominiums on the island, dislodging Chinese buyers from the top spot. Continued …

General Election turns into a referendum on marijuana

Cannabis policy is turning into an electoral nightmare for the Bhumjaithai Party, with growing public opposition to the recreational free-for-all and the easy access to it being seen throughout the country, something that is now being plugged into by opposition parties and activist firebrand Chuwit Kamolvisit.

This opposition is being bolstered by medical arguments suggesting both mental and physical health problems of a serious nature are linked to the regular use of cannabis.

In November, an authoritative Lancet published study showed firm evidence of mental health deterioration linked with pot use across all age groups but particularly among young adults, while just this week a study in California compared the use of pot to using tobacco, with both activities reportedly causing inflammation and impacting the body’s cardiovascular system. Continued …

McDonald’s plans 300 million baht investment in Thailand

Fast-food lovers will be lovin’ the latest news that McThai Co., the operator of McDonald’s restaurants in Thailand, just announced a massive 300-million-baht investment plan that will bring more McDonald’s outlets to the country. The company has upgraded its original plan from 200 million baht after seeing a rise in consumption and the economy.

According to CEO Kittiwan Anuwatesakul, the funds will be used to open 10-15 new restaurants, adding up to about 237-242 outlets by the end of this year. The new restaurants will be strategically located in high-demand areas.

More than 30 existing restaurants will also be renovated this year, featuring the latest store design concept with a focus on sustainability and simplicity. Continued …

TAT unfazed by tourism giveaways across Asia

Many countries in Asia recently announced giveaway campaigns to bolster their tourism industry, aiming to drive post-pandemic economic growth.

These include Hong Kong’s giveaway of 500,000 flight tickets to foreign visitors and Taiwan’s proposal to offer a cash incentive worth NT$5,000 (5,633 baht) per person.

Japan and South Korea, perennial favorite destinations among Asian tourists, also lifted most entry restrictions for all travelers and are poised to loosen tight curbs for Chinese visitors as the fear of Covid-19 subsides. Continued …

Northern Thailand tourism plan expected to rake in Bt2.38 trillion

The provincial Public-Private Economic Development Committee and the Provincial Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Office on Monday discussed a plan to bring 2.38 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year.

The talks, led by Chiang Mai Deputy Gov. Weerapong Ritrod, focused on the economy and tourism in the northern region.

Officials during the meeting agreed the recovery would continue during this trimester due to many factors, including the increasing number of foreign visitors after the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued … 

Camping at Ban Krang, at Kaeng Krachan National Park

Hua Hin has many appealing factors, and one of them is its close proximity to stunning countryside and nature.

Ban Krang campsite is located in the Kaeng Krachan National Park, which is the largest national park in Thailand, covering an area of over 2,900 square kilometers, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is a popular spot for campers who love to enjoy nature and wildlife. The campsite offers good facilities, including tent rentals, making it an ideal destination for a weekend camping trip. Continued …

One of the best locations for snorkeling near Hua Hin

The Hat Wanakon National Park in Thap Sakae district is now welcoming tourists during the Thai school holiday season in March and April.

The park, which includes small uninhabited islands of Ko Chan and Ko Thai See, offers one of the best areas in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province for snorkeling.

One of the main attractions of Hat Wanakon National Park are the coral reefs around Ko Chan and Ko Thai See. Continued …

Journey through Vietnam, Thailand among top once-in-a-lifetime trips

American magazine Travel+Leisure has called a journey through Vietnam and Thailand one of world’s 21 life-changing trips everyone should experience at least once.

“A trip through Southeast Asia is a must for any traveler, especially foodies who love street eats,” the magazine said. “Thailand and Vietnam can easily be paired for an exciting trip packed with lush scenery, cultural experiences, and delicious food.”

Thailand is famous for its golden pagodas, ancient ruins, royal temples and is a paradise of street foods, while Vietnamese cuisine has become better known around the world over the last couple of years. Continued …

The Secret To Tasty Photharam Grilled Bananas

“Photharam Grilled Banana”, known for its sweet, soft, sticky and charcoal-scented grilled bananas, is located on the corner of Song Praphat Street, in front of Photharam Shop, Photharam district, Ratchaburi.

The shop has been open for 19 years and has become a trademark of the area, so much so that there is a saying that if you have not visited Photharam Grilled Banana, you have not yet arrived in Photharam.

Poj Reungthep, 56, the owner of the shop, said he used to work as a leather sewer in Bangkok until the business collapsed. He returned to his hometown of Photharam. During that time, his younger brother, who owned a grilled banana shop at Mahachai Market in Samut Sakhon, brought him grilled bananas as a gift and told him to visit if he wanted a recipe. Continued …

Covid hospitalizations in Thailand continue dropping

The rate of Covid-19 infections is dropping in Thailand, with an average of 21 patients being hospitalized per day over the past week.

This number has dropped from about 29 patients hospitalized per day during the previous week, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) announced on Monday.

The DDC website said that 147 Covid-19 patients had been hospitalized from Feb. 26 to March 4, compared to 203 patients the week before. Continued …

Archaeologists in Egypt discover Sphinx statue related to Roman emperor

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered one of the most important finds in decades in the southern region of the country. According to the antiquity ministry, a sphinx-like statue and the remains of an ancient shrine have been unearthed near the Hathor Temple, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sites. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

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

Monday’s News-March 6

  • Thailand’s Siripaporn wins World Women’s Snooker Championship/
  • Coral reefs off Ko Chan in PKK reported in excellent condition/
  • Doctor issues dire warning over PM2.5 crisis/
  • Four big banks announce service suspensions for maintenance/
  • Hearing into death of Wild Boar’s Dom scheduled for July 6/
  • Wild elephant uses trunk to flip passing truck east of Bangkok – video/
  • Prehistoric cave paintings found in Nakhon Ratchasima/
  • US soldiers receive Muay Thai lessons from Thai champion/
  • Friends fire 22 shots at each other at point blank range – both in comas/
  • Despite bad review, Kaeng som ‘still popular’/
  • Tourism: Travel demand fuels a boom in Asia Pacific — in hotel rates/Suvarnabhumi Passengers Urged to Arrive Early Amid Potential Delays/Khao San Road Opposing BMA’s Order To Remove Shop Signs/ Brit produces ‘Amazing Thailand Dance With Me ‘ video/Tourist attack: Former English teacher settles case for 50,000 baht/Irishman suffers life-threatening injuries in motorcycle accident/
  • International: New dam threatens Laos’ Luang Prabang’s Unesco status/Who is Li Qiang, successor of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang/China hikes military spending 7.2% in face of ‘escalating’ threats/Suspect shot dead, three arrested in Philippines’ governor assassination/France faces massive strikes over pension reform/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Thailand’s Siripaporn wins World Women’s Snooker Championship

Thailand’s 23-year-old Siripaporn Nuanthakhamjan won the World Women’s Snooker Championship, held at the Hi-end Snooker Club on Saturday night, by defeating her Chinese rival Bai Yulu 6 frames to 3.

Competing under best-of-11 frames rule, the Chinese player won 3-2 in the first session, but lost in the second session,when Siripaporn displayed superb form by winning four frames in a row to clinch the crown.

Siripaporn became the second Thai woman to win the Women’s Snooker Championship, after Mink Saraburi who was the champion last year. She defeated Mink in the semifinals to win the ticket to meet Bai Yulu in the final. Continued …

Coral reefs off Ko Chan in PKK reported in excellent condition

The coral reefs located off Ko Chan and Ko Thai See in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been found to be in excellent condition.

A survey conducted by the Royal Thai Navy Survey Department revealed that the coral reefs were in good health, showcasing an array of beautiful coral species and marine life.

The survey was carried out as part of the reopening of the Hat Wanakorn National Park to tourists. Continued …

Doctor issues dire warning over PM2.5 crisis

The number of people getting sick from fine dust in the air rose in February, even though PM2.5 is already killing up to 40,000 Thais a year, Dr. Chaichan Phothirat, a respiratory expert at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Medicine, said on Sunday.

He made the comments just hours before Chiang Mai was ranked the 6th most polluted city in the world – as of 1pm on Sunday, according to the website IQAir.

Levels of PM2.5 – particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – have exceeded safe levels in Chiang Mai since February. Continued …

Four big banks announce service suspensions for maintenance

Siam Commercial Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Tisco Bank and Bangkok Bank have announced that some online or mobile banking services will be suspended for maintenance for an hour or more on a few days of this month.

Siam Commercial Bank said its Mae Manee application will be suspended during certain hours on March 10, 11, 24 and 25 for maintenance. Users will not be able to open the app or use it to receive payment. Continued …

Hearing into death of Wild Boar’s Dom scheduled for July 6

The sudden death of the young teenager pursuing his dream of learning to play football in the United Kingdom came as a huge shock after Feb. 14 following an incident two days earlier at his exclusive boarding school where he was a student since late last year in Leicestershire.

An inquest process began before the Coroner Court days later, which should, in the months ahead, provide a fuller explanation of the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of Duangphet Phromthep.

Even after the ashes of Wild Boar football player Dom were returned on Saturday to Thailand, inquiries are ongoing in the United Kingdom into his demise, although a provisional cause of death has been furnished to the Leicester City and South Leicester Coroners court, which, at the end of February, set a pre-inquest review hearing in the case for July 6 without revealing the provisional findings. Continued …

Wild elephant uses trunk to flip passing truck east of Bangkok – video

A wild elephant in Chachoengsao’s Tha Takiap district wandered across the road, stopped a passing truck, and gently tipped it over on Saturday evening.

The incident took place in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, east of Bangkok, and was captured on video from a nearby car.

It is thought that the elephant was hungry and had decided there might be food inside the truck. Continued …

Prehistoric cave paintings found in Nakhon Ratchasima

Ancient paintings of prehistoric people have been found on the walls of the Hin Perng cave in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

Chaiyaporn Taptimthong, head of the Khao Phu Luang no-hunting zone, said that forest rangers found the paintings during their patrol to check animal shelters in caves in the So mountain range.

The paintings, depicting humans, animals and geometric drawings, were found scattered over the walls of Perng cave, he said, adding that he has informed officials at the 10th regional fine arts office.

Ancient cave paintings have previously been discovered in two caves in Si Khieu district and one in Soong Nern district. – thaipbsworld.com

US soldiers receive Muay Thai lessons from Thai champion

American soldiers received Muay Thai lessons from a champion fighter in Thailand during the annual multilateral “Cobra Gold” military drills hosted by the Asian nation.

Soldiers took instruction and punched and kicked alongside Thai champion Sombat Banchamek, or Buakaw (White Lotus) as he is widely known in the country.

“For every U.S. soldier who came to train in Cobra Gold, they also want to exchange and study our culture regarding Muay Thai, which is our national art,” Buakaw said. Continued …

Friends fire 22 shots at each other at point blank range – both in comas

Police in Klaeng, Rayong, on Thailand’s eastern seaboard, went to a house in Thang Kawian subdistrict after a shooting among friends at a drinks party at a house yesterday. They had been drinking since the previous evening.

Two men were lying with chest and abdomen injuries in pools of blood.

They were taken to Klaeng hospital where they are both in comas. Continued …

Despite bad review, Kaeng som ‘still popular’

Despite coming in 12th in TasteAtlas’ most recent Worst-Rated Dishes in the World, a distinction that sparked lively debate among Thailand’s netizens, vendors have reported no drop in sales of kaeng som.

The sour curry received an average rating of just 2.3 out of 5 from readers at the popular culinary website.

In the wake of the controversy, food vendors, nutritionists and kaeng som enthusiasts were asked if kaeng som really deserves such a measly ranking. Continued … 

Travel demand fuels a boom in Asia Pacific — in hotel rates

Finding a great hotel deal may be harder than ever before. Hotel rates are at an “all-time high,” Alan Watts, Hilton’s Asia-Pacific president, said.

Rates are being fueled by travel demand that is like “a feast … to offset the famine,” he said, referencing the pandemic.

“The most significant increase was recorded in Bali, Bangkok, Phuket and Singapore, with Bangkok topping the charts at over 70% and Singapore coming in at over 40%,” he said. Continued …

Suvarnabhumi Passengers Urged to Arrive Early Amid Potential Delays

Suvarnabhumi International Airport has started rolling out upgrades to its security screening facility at its departure terminal. The airport also warned departing passengers of potential delays, as checkpoints are partially closed due to this renovation.

Suvarnabhumi Airport has advised departing passengers of potential delays caused by renovation work at its security checkpoints where new equipment is being installed.

The airport is in the process of adding an automated tray return system at security checkpoints, where departing passengers are required to have their carry-on bags scanned for prohibited items. Continued …

Khao San Road Opposing BMA’s Order To Remove Shop Signs

Khao San road businesses have appealed to the Interior Ministry to coordinate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in putting off removal of shop signs and arrange a meeting to work out a solution to this issue.

Sa-nga Ruangwatanakul, president of Khaosan Business Assn., said these shop signs have been around for a long time and is the uniqueness of this tourist area, with foreigners liking taking photos of them similar to the signs on Yaowarat road. He also made the following points:

  • The signs do not cause a problem for the general public nor obstruct traffic. Conditions can be imposed on putting them up, such as having an engineer certify that they are sturdy; Continued …

Brit produces ‘Amazing Thailand Dance With Me ‘ video

A new song and video was launched today by Senator Weerasak Kowsurat the ex tourism minister of Thailand at the Hyatt Regency on Sukhumvit.

A magical piece of work by British Producer Will Robinson, known by many travelers who come to Thailand as “The Isan Project”, Will’s music and video creations continue to be popular among overseas visitors.

Video 

Following the success of his creations “Thailand Amazing Thailand, “This is the moment” and “Where the Eagles fly”. Will has penned this new gem with his co writer Daniel Ryan called “Amazing Thailand Dance With Me”. Continued …

Tourist attack: Former English teacher settles case for 50,000 baht

The case of a U.S. tourist who was handcuffed by a bouncer and slapped at a Khao San road pub has been settled with a basket of goodies and 50,000 baht.

On hearing that the tourist – Rodric Carkhuff, 34 – had gone to the central investigative branch of the RTP to make a complaint, the owner of “The Club Khaosan” turned up with local business leaders to settle the matter.

While the guard admitted using cuffs, it was stated that no knife was used. It was all a misunderstanding over a bottle of water. Continued … 

Irishman suffers life-threatening injuries in motorcycle accident

A young Irishman is the latest in a long line of victims injured in a motorcycle accident in Thailand without having any cover or insurance. How many more need to suffer fatalities or life-threatening injuries before they learn to drive properly or get insured?

Michael John Miller, from Knock in Mayo, is the latest man to suffer life-threatening injuries following a crash while traveling in Thailand.

Details of the motorcycle accident reported are vague but it appears Miller was riding from Chiang Mai to Pai when he crashed and was rushed to hospital with serious spinal injuries. Continued …

New dam threatens Laos’ Luang Prabang’s Unesco status

Waves of tourists are expected to flood back this year to Laos’ ancient city of Luang Prabang as pandemic travel restrictions end, but the cheer of economic recovery has been clouded by plans for a major hydropower dam just 25km upstream from the UNESCO World Heritage site. Continued …

Who is Li Qiang, successor of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

Li Qiang is poised to be confirmed as China’s premier during the National People’s Congress, which began on Sunday, replacing the retiring Li Keqiang, who is widely perceived as a pro-market reformer who was increasingly sidelined as Xi Jinping tightened his grip on the management of the economy. Continued …

China hikes military spending 7.2% in face of ‘escalating’ threats

China said Sunday its military spending would rise at the fastest pace in four years, warning of “escalating” threats from abroad at a meeting of its rubber-stamp parliament that is set to hand Xi Jinping a third term as president. Continued …

Suspect shot dead, three arrested in Philippines’ governor assassination

A suspect in the assassination of a Philippines governor was shot dead in a shoot-out with police yesterday, while three others were arrested. The attack, which occurred in the heartland of the Philippine sugarcane industry, left 17 people injured. Continued …

France faces massive strikes over pension reform

French trade unions are heading for what is expected to be a decisive showdown with President Emmanuel Macron over pension reform, with massive strikes from Tuesday aiming to bring the country “to a standstill”. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, covid, hua hin, marijuana, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, solar, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism

Sunday’s News-March 5

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  • Officials discuss forest fires, haze and drought in Prachuap Khiri Khan/
  • Municipality to set up designated areas for kite surfing on Hua Hin beach/
  • International Series Thailand returns to Black Mountain March 9-12/
  • PM2.5 surges again, Bangkok residents told to wear face masks/
  • Northern Thailand Ravaged By Toxic Smog PM2.5 Dust Particles/
  • Wild Boar Dom’s ashes come home/
  • Tourism: Exploring Prachuap Khiri Khan’s hidden gem, Thap Sakae/Thailand Considering Extending 45-Day Visa Exemption Until End Of 2023/
  • Thailand Experience: Discover the new shades of Thailand by visiting these underrated destinations/Thailand’s undiscovered gem: Sob Moei’s sea of mist/Will 5-star cannabis cuisine in Thailand catch on?/
  • Covid: Thailand spent Bt444B in 3 years to fight pandemic/
  • International: Digital consumers to propel ASEAN growth of 4.7%/Texas: Wind and solar stake claim to land of oil/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Officials discuss forest fires, haze and drought in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province held a meeting to discuss solutions to a possible drought this upcoming hot season, as well as monitoring air quality in the province.

On Friday, Satean Charoenyuen, the governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, chaired a meeting of the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee and the Drought Prevention and Response Operations Center.

Heads of government agencies and related organizations attended the meeting to follow up on measures to prevent and solve public emergencies in the area and to prepare for the drought situation in 2023. The meeting also addressed the current situation of forest fires, haze, and small PM2.5 dust particles. Continued …

Municipality to set up designated areas for kite surfing on Hua Hin beach

Hua Hin Municipality is expediting the regulation of kite surfing on Hua Hin beach to ensure the safety of tourists who may swim in the sea.

On Saturday, Nopphorn Wutthikul, the myor of Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, together with Apisit Khamphiroh, the director of the Regional Port Office Branch of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Jirawat Phramanee, the head of the Hua Hin Municipal Administration, Tourist Police and Provincial Tourist Assistance Center (TAC), inspected the beach after receiving complaints from tourists about water sports equipment that disturbed them while swimming in the sea.

Issues include construction of inappropriate structures, jet ski parking, and setting up tents in unauthorized areas, particularly the type of water toy, the kite surf, which is a nuisance to tourists while swimming. Continued …

International Series Thailand returns to Black Mountain March 9-12

The International Series Thailand golf tournament is one of the most prestigious golfing events in the region, and is set to return to Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin between March 9-12.

The tournament will bring together some of the best golfers from around the world to compete in a four-day event that promises to be a thrilling spectacle for fans of the sport. Continued …

PM2.5 surges again, Bangkok residents told to wear face masks

Bangkok officials have advised residents to wear face masks and reduce the amount of time they spend outdoors after fine-dust levels climbed above safe levels again on Saturday morning.

Data from air-quality monitoring stations found that the level of PM2.5 – particulate matter under 2.5 micrometers in diameter – ranged from 42 to 80 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg) of air in 53 areas of the city on Saturday morning.

Any measure above 50mcg is unsafe. Continued …

Northern Thailand Ravaged By Toxic Smog PM2.5 Dust Particles

The National Environment Board of Thailand states that after toxic smog pollution reached crisis levels in 17 northern Thailand provinces, the government will step up its preventive actions against toxic PM2.5 air particles.

According to Siwaporn Rungsiyanon, a spokeswoman for the Center for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM), since the middle of last month, slash-and-burn activities in neighboring forests and farmland have caused PM2.5 levels in the 17 provinces to exceed 100 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3).

There, the air is thought to be much less safe than any PM2. A 5 level of more over 50 g/m3 is regarded as harmful. According to Siwaporn, the air quality in the north is currently at the fourth category of highest warning. Continued …

Wild Boar Dom’s ashes come home

The ashes of young “Wild Boars” footballer Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep were returned to the embrace of his grieving family in Thailand on Saturday following his sudden death and cremation in England.

Zico Foundation Chairman Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang, a former Thai national team star and manager, brought the ashes back on a Thai Airways flight that arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport around 6.30am. Continued …

Exploring Prachuap Khiri Khan’s hidden gem, Thap Sakae

Thap Sakae in Prachuap Khiri Khan province is overlooked by most travelers as they travel south down the peninsula. However, this hidden gem on the coast boasts beautiful white sand, a peaceful atmosphere and a community that has preserved the local way of life.

This long, narrow province features some spectacular coastline destinations along the Gulf of Thailand, including Hua Hin, the country’s oldest resort town, which is located just north of the provincial capital.

Video 

Although the rest of the province beyond Hua Hin is not a attraction, it is certainly rich in natural resources, including mountainous areas, islands, and elaxing beaches. Continued …

Thailand Considering Extending 45-Day Visa Exemption Until End Of 2023

The Thai government is currently considering keeping the 45-day visa exemption stamp that is currently in place and set to expire on March 31 for another nine months.

The 45-day entry for a wide number of nationalities was implemented on Oct. 1, 2022, to help stimulate the Thai tourism industry.

Most visa-waiver-eligible passports of western countries used to receive a 30-day entry stamp, which can be extended once for an additional 30 days at a local immigration office. Continued …

 

Discover the new shades of Thailand by visiting these underrated destinations

Whether an adventurous solo trip or a romantic vacation with a beau, Thailand has been one of the most highly preferred getaway spots for travelers for all ages. Thailand is largely unique in its own right, evident by its indigenous art, exotic destinations, and palatial Thai hospitality.

Even if you have vacationed in Thailand numerous times, chances are that there are many enchanting locations in the country that you may have not yet explored… and now you should! Here is a list of underrated locations that you should discover on your next trip to Thailand.

Hua Hin: Evolved from a small fishing village, Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most beautiful and versatile tourist destinations. While most tourists and travelers remain unaware of its charms, this small town is home to pristine beaches, numerous water sports, activities, and a buzzing nightlife. Continued …

Thailand’s undiscovered gem: Sob Moei’s sea of mist

The sea of mist at the Glocelo Village in Mae Hong Son’s Sob Moei district on the Thai-Myanmar border is considered one of Thailand’s few undiscovered treasures.

Though the sea of mist can be admired from a viewpoint some two kilometers away, the experience is not as spectacular. The best season to enjoy the misty mornings and spectacular sunsets is in the cool season, between November and January.

To get to Glocelo Village, people can travel down Highway No 105 before taking rural road 3004 to get to Ban Lekho village. They will then have to tackle a winding, steep dirt road to Glocelo. Continued … 

Will 5-star cannabis cuisine in Thailand catch on?

Dinner began just like any other multicourse gastronomic odyssey at a five-star hotel, with an assortment of adorable appetizers. These were followed by a menu of delicacies such as Phuket lobster and prawn linguine, elegantly presented in swirls of foam, sauces and sautés.

But then the epicurean express swerved off the tracks. Things got goofy, but exactly where is tough to pinpoint. My notes taper off after the second course. Perhaps the marijuana cocktails should have served as a warning.

The arrival of pot-paired gastronomy is the latest treat in Thailand, which legalized marijuana in June 2022, allowing it to be smoked inside an individual’s residence and consumed in food at licensed restaurants. Continued …

Thailand spent Bt444B in 3 years to fight pandemic

Thailand spent a total of 444 billion baht (US$2.8 billion) on public health during the three years of the pandemic to contain the spread of Covid-19 and vaccinate its population, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

The cost of testing and treating people for Covid accounted for more than half the total spending at 260 billion baht, the ministry said in a statement Sunday. Vaccine procurement and distribution expenses were estimated at 78 billion baht, the ministry said, citing an internal study. Continued …

 

Digital consumers to propel ASEAN growth of 4.7%

A rapid increase in digital consumers is expected to be a major driver for Southeast Asia’s economy, which is projected to grow by 4.7% this year, according to consulting firm YCP Solidiance. Continued … https://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/2520154/digital-consumers-to-propel-asean

Texas: Wind and solar stake claim to land of oil

Modern Texas was built on oil, and its production has long been a source of immense pride. But now, areas that moved to the steady rhythm of oil derricks for more than a century are making the state a national leader in wind and solar energy. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, hospitality, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s News-March 4

  • It’s about to get hot in Thailand/
  • Alcohol ban in Thailand on Monday/
  • 90% of hotspots in northern Thailand caused by human activity/
  • Thailand still pushing its unattractive LTR 10-year visa/
  • Draft Prostitution Law To Set Voluntary Service At Minimum 20 Years Old/
  • Calling anyone “nhoo” is not endearing, especially at work/
  • Ministry says Bangkok’s port is staying put/
  • Hatching leatherback turtles gets helping hand/
  • O’Sullivan, Mink headline Snooker Six Red World Championships in Thailand March 6-11/
  • Tourism: March Madness: Thailand prepares for a month of festivals and events/Chiang Mai Airport Records More Than 200% Increase in Passenger Arrivals/Crowdfunding your medical bills seldom works in Thailand/Centara expects revenue surge as Chinese return/
  • Thailand Experience: In the ‘Guilin of Thailand’, locals lead efforts to conserve ancient rainforest/Video: Why do Thais put sugar in noodles?/
  • International: UN: Myanmar junta ‘at war with country’s own people’/Twitter’s revenue, adjusted earnings down 40%/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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It’s about to get hot in Thailand

Thailand is bracing for scorching temperatures, as summer officially begins gtomorrow, with the season expected to last until around mid-May. Bangkok is expected to see record-breaking highs of 39C, the hottest since 2019.

Meanwhile, provinces in the north, including Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai and Tak, are likely to see temperatures soaring upward of 43C, as forecasted by Thai government meteorologists.

Although Bangkok will experience heavy haze this month, there will be some cool morning winds in the north and northeast. The capital city can expect stable, sunny weather for the next week,with highs of 35C and progressively warmer evenings, with lows expected to rise from 23C to 26C by March 10. Continued …

Alcohol ban in Thailand on Monday

People in Thailand will observe the Buddhist religious day Makha Bucha on Monday, which also brings a 24-hour ban on the sale of alcohol.

One of the most important days in the Buddhist calendar, the sale of alcohol is prohibited at all venues, including restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels, convenience stores and supermarkets.

The 24 hour ban on alcohol is in place from 12:01am on Monday through to midnight. Continued …

90% of hotspots in northern Thailand caused by human activity

 

About 90% of the hotspots in northern Thailand are caused by humans and PM2.5 atmospheric pollution in the region is expected to increase before it gets any better, said Director-General of the Pollution Control Department Pinsak Suraswadi.

According to the IQAir website yesterday, Chiang Mai has the second worst air quality of any city in the world, with the quality measured at 177 on AQI, which means that the problem is affecting the health of everyone in the province.

Pinsak said that 90% of the hotspots were detected in conserved forests, with humans being the main culprit, adding that the problem trends worse from today until next Friday, with higher levels of dust reported in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Sukhothai and Phitsanuloke. Continued … 

Thailand still pushing its unattractive LTR 10-year visa

The government of Thailand is once again, making unsubstantiated claims regarding its 10-year, multiple entry Long Term Residence (LTR) visa program.

The government still reckons the LTR program will attract one million foreigners over five years and act as a catalyst to boost the nation’s tourism and promote economic growth in Thailand.

According to VN Express yesterday, the secretary general of Thailand’s Board of Investment, Narit Therdsteerasukdi, announced that 2,800 foreigners have already applied for the new visas since its launch on Sept.1 last year, with retirees accounting for 35%. However, the figures just don’t add up. Continued … 

Draft Prostitution Law To Set Voluntary Service At Minimum 20 Years Old

A committee drafting a new law governing prostitution has agreed that voluntary sexual service without any criminal penalties should be allowed from 20 years of age.

Jintana Chanbamroong, head of the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development at Social Development and Human Security Ministry, said after presiding over a meeting of the committee drafting the new law that public hearings both online and on-site were held in five cities,including Bangkok, Chonburi and Hat Yai.

Focus group hearings were held before a conclusion was reached and a proposal tabled to Social Development and Human Security Minister Juti Krairiksh that a new law on prostitution be implemented. Continued …

Calling anyone “nhoo” is not endearing, especially at work

We have heard people expressing their frustration of being called “girls” at work along with many other workplace micro-aggressions related to race, age and gender in recent years.

Meanwhile, in the Thai language, people are also frustrated with a similar, yet a complicated cultural problem, which is being called “nhoo” (หนู), literally “mouse”.

In Thai, “nhoo” (หนู) is often used as a pronoun referring to young children in an “endearing” sense. Adults would use “nhoo”, as in “you”, when talking to children and, in return, children would call themselves “nhoo”, as in “I”, when talking to adults. Continued …

Ministry says Bangkok’s port is staying put

The Transport Ministry has poured cold water on a suggestion by the Bangkok governor to move Bangkok Port from Klong Toey district, saying it has plans to develop the facility into a green port.

According to Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt, relocating from Klong Toey to the Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri could reduce the number of trips by freight trucks entering and leaving Bangkok Port by at least a million a year, which would cut road traffic and help ease PM2.5 levels.

He said City Hall would propose the relocation to political parties as a way of tackling Bangkok’s flood problems. By getting the port out of the capital, it would mean no more freight ships sailing up the river to hinder a future flood-prevention project he has in store. Continued …

Hatching leatherback turtles gets helping hand

It is past midnight on a beach in southern Thailand and 12-year-old Prin Uthaisangchai is anxiously staring at a leatherback turtle nest, waiting for scores of the endangered hatchlings to scrabble out from the sand. Continued …

O’Sullivan, Mink headline Snooker Six Red World Championships in Thailand March 6-11

Snooker fans in Thailand are in for a treat when many of the best players in the world head for Pathum Thani north of the Thai capital Bangkok for the Six Red World Championships 2023.

The venue is the Thammasat Convention Centre on the road that leads from Rangsit to the ring road.

Featuring 32 cueists including eight Thai players the event, not played since before the pandemic, runs from Monday to Saturday next week. Continued …

March Madness: Thailand prepares for a month of festivals and events

Thailand is preparing for a busy month of festivals and events in March, with the return of many annual celebrations that were put on pause during the pandemic.

March is a particularly important month in Thailand, as it includes the important Buddhist festival of Makha Bucha Day. This holiday falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month and celebrates a gathering between Lord Buddha and 1,250 of his disciples. This year’s Makha Bucha Day falls on Monday, March 6.

Thailand’s Hok Peng festival started on Feb. 28 and continued until March 1 in the northern Nan province. The festival is being held at the province’s Wat Phra That Chae Haeng temple. The festival, which celebrates the sixth Northern Thai lunar month, includes a range of Buddhist activities, a traditional market and shopping street, and cultural processions and competitions. Continued …

Chiang Mai Airport Records More Than 200% Increase in Passenger Arrivals

Chiang Mai International Airport celebrated its 35th anniversary on March 1, with a record more than 200% increase in passenger arrivals.

Vijit Keawsaitiam, general manager of Chiang Mai International Airport, Airports of Thailand, said on this occasion that Chiang Mai Airport has grown steadily over the past 10 years, reaching a record 11.3 million passenger arrivals in 2019. Only in 2020–2021, during the pandemic, did the airport see a decline in flight and passenger numbers.

Following the Thai and international governments’ decision to resume international travel, the airport has seen growth in flight and passenger arrivals again in 2022. Continued …

Crowdfunding your medical bills seldom works in Thailand

The current case of 23-year old British tourist, badly injured and totally immobile in Thailand after a fall from his hotel balcony, is an unfolding tragedy. His family needs a small fortune for an air ambulance to UK for a complex operation on the advice of doctors, illustrating the growing problem of huge medical bills in the Land of Smiles.

Medical insurance is optional for all tourists and most expats, but neither the Thai state nor foreign embassies will contribute a penny when ill fortune strikes. Understandably, public and private Thai hospitals customarily refuse to provide unfunded treatment. Their rules are insurance with a written commitment to pay or cash up front.

According to the monitoring portal Statista, there is a worldwide boom in charity crowdsourcing where friends, relatives and well-wishers are invited to make donations via the internet. But the average total donated is less than US$2,000, while the typical request via GoFundMe or Just Giving is for between US$30,000 and US$40,000. Continued … 

Centara expects revenue surge as Chinese return

Centara Hotels and Resorts (CHR) is aiming for revenue of 10 billion baht this year, exceeding the tally in 2019, with Chinese tourists expected to help the company gain momentum as it opens six more hotels in Thailand and Japan in 2023.

CHR Chief Executive Thirayuth Chirathivat said the company is optimistic about the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s forecast of 30 million foreign arrivals this year.

Thirayuth said most CHR hotels increased their room rates, as guests staying at its properties last year were not price-sensitive. Continued …

In the ‘Guilin of Thailand’, locals lead efforts to conserve ancient rainforest

The rangers move in formation, alert as they weave through dense foliage and wade across waist-deep rivers. The rainforest is loud with the siren calls of birds hidden in the canopy.

From afar, the group might be mistaken for a military unit. The men – some experienced and others as young as 19 – wear camouflage fatigues, grip rifles and mean business. But their success in recent years means they are more likely to be looking for elephants to monitor than poachers to catch.

The rangers form the forest protection unit of Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani province in Thailand’s south. Their patrol missions can last as long as 14 days as they venture deep into the wilderness. Continued …

Video: Why do Thais put sugar in noodles?

Why do Thais put sugar into their noodle soup when no other Asian country does it? The answer may surprise you and may relate to something much more pressing. (P.S., Don’t blame boat noodles for PM2.5) YouTube

UN: Myanmar junta ‘at war with country’s own people’

Myanmar’s military rulers now see civilians as their adversaries and are making war on the country’s own people, undermining the basic ability to live, the United Nations said on Friday. Continued …

Twitter’s revenue, adjusted earnings down 40%

Twitter Inc. has recorded a 40% decline in year-over-year in both revenue and adjusted earnings for the month of December, according to media reports. The news about fall in revenue comes after many advertisers cut down their spends on Twitter amid the uncertainty that followed the takeover of the platform by Elon Musk. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting