Category Archives: tourism

chiang mai, hospitality, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-March 3

  • Campfire Fest on the Beach March 11/
  • Hua Hin Boat Show at Racer Marina March 24-26/
  • Hua Hin Red Cross Fair set March 31-April 9/
  • Thailand issues 24/7 hotspot alert as thousands of fires deepen haze crisis/
  • Real estate trends to watch in 2023/
  • Merger perks coming for True, DTAC customers/
  • Telenor Asia anticipates $2.5B gain via True-DTAC merger/
  • Thai economic woes grow with a 10-year high trade deficit/
  • Industry panel does not expect a recession in Q1/
  • Go easy on fried dough, Thai tea, say health experts/
  • Experts ask for healthcare system reform to address new challenges/
  • PTT sees EVs as new revenue stream/
  • Tourism: Other Voices: Thailand bets on sustainable tourism/Will air pollution levels stall Thailand’s plans to boost tourism?/Pattaya gets set for Chinese despite concern/Fishing boat blockade causes chaos for tourists heading to Koh Lipe/Thailand launches free gastronomy tourism e-guidebook/Police say Canadian tourist lied about attack, started fight/
  • Thailand Experience: 6 ethical elephant adventures in Thailand/Best Stays in Thailand When You Want to Work Remotely/
  • 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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Hua Hin Boat Show at Racer Marina March 24-26

The first-ever Racer Marina Hua Hin Boat Show will take place in Pak Nam Pran from March 24 to 26.

The show will showcase a selection of boats, as well as a variety of marine accessories and equipment. Visitors can speak to industry experts, view boats and purchase the latest equipment from some of Thailand’s leading suppliers and brokers.

Several of Thailand’s biggest yachting companies are taking part in the event, including Simpson Marine, Asiamarine and Motorfield, while Suzuki and Tohatsu will also be at the show.

For more information; tel: 032 632 206.

Hua Hin Red Cross Fair set March 31-April 9

The Red Cross Festival returns March 31-April 9 on Soi 102 behind BluPort Hua Hin. The event features numerous food booths, OTOP shops, entertainment, games and entertainment.

Proceeds go to helping the poor, the handicapped and the underprivileged.

Thailand issues 24/7 hotspot alert as thousands of fires deepen haze crisis

Authorities have been placed on a 24/7 high alert for forest fires in the country’s northern, northeastern and central regions, as the number hotspots continues to rise.

Firefighters are on standby and agencies in risk areas are establishing war rooms at national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, under urgent orders issued by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on Thursday.

Firefighters have also been told to ensure their equipment is in good condition. Continued …

Real estate trends to watch in 2023

Thailand has entered 2023 with a positive outlook economically and for the real estate sector in general. The property consultant CBRE Thailand has identified key trends to watch in the residential, office, retail, industrial, hotel, and industrial and logistics sectors. Continued …

Merger perks coming for True, DTAC customers

True Corp., the new company formed by the merger of True and Total Access Communication (DTAC), has vowed that customers of both brands will automatically receive cross-company privileges and other benefits from the tie-up.

The new entity has begun by offering privileges such as top-up bundling of all existing promotional packages as a favor to its combined 55 million mobile phone subscribers.

On Thursday, the company also announced it would give 10 gigabytes of free internet for seven days to all prepaid and postpaid mobile subscribers. Continued …

Telenor Asia anticipates $2.5B gain via True-DTAC merger

Telenor Asia expects a synergistic effect worth up to US$2.5 billion over the next three years from the mergers of True Corp. and Total Access Communication (DTAC) in Thailand, and Celcom and Digi in Malaysia.

Telenor Asia celebrated the telecom merger with a $20.7 billion enterprise valuation in Thailand, Jørgen Arentz Rostrup, executive vice president and head of Telenor Asia, said. He is also deputy chairman of True Corp., the name of the newly merged firm.

“Thailand is a tech-savvy market and one of the most valuable for Telenor. We’ll continue our investment in the region,” he said. Continued …

Thai economic woes grow with a 10-year high trade deficit

The chances of Thailand entering into a technical recession in the first quarter of the year rose on Thursday when the country’s exports for January fell by 4.5%, a sharper drop than expected, leaving the kingdom with a near-record trade deficit of $4.65 billion for the month.

The rising economic headwinds caused by heightened inflation in its export markets now leave the kingdom precariously dependent on accelerated foreign tourism growth this year.

Thailand posted its largest trade deficit in 10 years on Thursday when the Ministry of Commerce revealed that exports for January had contracted at a sharper-than-expected rate of 4.5%. Continued …

Industry panel does not expect a recession in Q1

Thailand will not enter a recession in the first quarter of 2023, thanks to tourism recovery, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) said.

Thailand’s gross domestic product contracted by 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2022 from a huge drop in exports.

However, the JSCCIB does not expect the economy to continue to contract in the first quarter of 2023, mainly because of the higher-than-expected number of tourists that were boosted by China’s reopening. Continued … 

Go easy on fried dough, Thai tea, say health experts

Thai people love their street food, but too much “pa thong ko” (fried dough) and Thai iced tea can be bad for you, says the Health Department.

The department’s Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai spoke after TasteAtlas, an online food travel guide, put pa thong ko on its list of 10 best Thai dishes.

But a 100-gram serving of pa thong ko contains as many as 441 calories. Continued …

Experts ask for healthcare system reform to address new challenges

Despite Thailand gaining global recognition for its world-class medical and wellness facilities, lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, rising health expenditure, and the surge in the aging population are putting increased pressure on future healthcare services.

Speaking at a recent seminar on “Health and Wellness Sustainability”, Associate Prof. Chanchai Sittipunt, dean of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, said that the government must reform the healthcare system based on people-centered health services in response to the needs and expectations of its population. Other challenges to be addressed are primary care, integrated care, and patient-centered care.

Nowadays, poor health is not only caused by known illnesses but by many factors, including PM2.5 pollution, emerging diseases, global warming and overflowing garbage. Non-communicable conditions, as well as a fast-growing aging population also affect health and become challenges for the future health system. Continued …

PTT sees EVs as new revenue stream

National oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc is angling toward becoming a new electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in Thailand, as construction of its assembly plant in Chon Buri is scheduled to finish next year.

EVs are among the new S-curve businesses being promoted by PTT and its subsidiaries to create new revenue sources, said Buranin Rattanasombat, senior executive vice president.

These businesses have the potential to grow rapidly, he said. Continued …

Thailand bets on sustainable tourism

The coronavirus pandemic caused extensive pain and hardship for Thailand’s tourism industry, but now there may be a silver lining. Visitors are returning to enjoy a coastal environment that has had a chance to recover. Whale sharks and sea turtles are back, and the new buzz phrase is sustainable tourism.

Last November, almost 400 divers from around the world gathered for a special event at the popular beach resort of Phuket. Their task was to collect garbage from the sea in an initiative that would reap benefits for the environment and the tourism sector alike.

“We set up this event to create awareness among foreign visitors,” says Chiravadee Khunsub, an executive director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. “We want them to know Thai people prioritize conservation and sustainability now, after the pandemic.” Continued …

Will air pollution levels stall Thailand’s plans to boost tourism?

After an unexpected economic slump in the last quarter, Thailand is seeking ways to boost its tourism industry in a bid to negate the effects of falling exports. But the country’s air pollution levels can put a dampener on all its efforts.

In February this year, air quality levels in the capital Bangkok and its surrounding regions deteriorated sharply, with PM2.5 levels almost 14 times the recommended levels by the World Health Organization, according to a Reuters report. The pollution levels in the country still remain high, with the atmosphere hazy around many tourist hotspots.

As per a Nikkei Asia report, the Thai government and the tourism industry have promoted the dry season (from November to February) as the best time of the year to visit the country. But international tourists may “postpone their travel to Thailand, or worse, choose instead to go to a different country with cleaner air,” Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries told Nikkei while talking about the air pollution levels in the county. Continued … 

Pattaya gets set for Chinese despite concern

Pattaya has shrugged off concerns over Chinese businesses, including those using Thai nominees, partly because the tourism market from the mainland is slowly reviving.

Titipun Pettrakul, deputy mayor of Pattaya City, said the number of Chinese tourists remained relatively low compared with other markets, such as India, Vietnam and South Korea, the top three source markets at the moment.

Titipun said the city should wait until the second quarter to see a significant volume of Chinese arrivals. Continued …

Fishing boat blockade causes chaos for tourists heading to Koh Lipe

Over 100 fishermen parked their boats to block the waterway leading to Pak Bara Pier in La-ngu district, in response to the arrest of 24 fishermen for allegedly trespassing in Tarutao National Park. Protestors argue that the national park overlaps with commercial fishing areas, making the arrests unfair.

The Pak Bara Pier is a gateway to tourist islands, including Koh Lipe, Koh Adang, and Koh Ra Wi, as well as Tarutao National Park. Tourists are currently stranded on boats unable to dock at the pier due to the blockade, with some being forced to transfer to speedboats heading to Laem Te Ban Pier, an alternative route to Koh Lipe.

Meanwhile, tourists returning from the islands are having to detour to other piers to get to the mainland so they do not miss their flights. Continued …

Thailand launches free gastronomy tourism e-guidebook

The Thai government has launched a free guidebook to promote gastronomy tourism for Muslim and other foreign tourists, an official said on Thursday.

Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said the Thai and English versions of the e-book, “Muslim Friendly & Gastronomy Tourism Routes”, is available for free download.

Rachada said the guidebook from the Tourism Department of the Tourism and Sports Ministry aims to support self-drive tourism connecting 14 southern provinces, and extending to Malaysia, Singapore, and Batam Island in Indonesia. Continued …

Police say Canadian tourist lied about attack, started fight

A Canadian tourist has been charged for fighting in public before being reported to the Thai Immigration office after he first claimed that he was attacked and robbed.

According to Thai police, the man lied and had actually started the fight.

The Patong Police said Thursday that after a full investigation they found that William Lamarche-Saint-Louis, 28, a Canadian national, was not robbed as he said at first. The actual situation was a fight between Lamarche-Saint-Louis and beach vendors that spilled into a nearby beach restaurant. Continued … 

6 ethical elephant adventures in Thailand

Say no to cruel riding camps and animal performances, and visit one of these ethical sanctuaries that allow rescued elephants to thrive in their natural jungle environment.

1. Elephant Nature Park

The inspirational Lek Chailert (herself a Karen woman) has spent years supporting elephants across Thailand. Her excellent sanctuary currently hosts 118 pachyderms, many of them elderly retirees from logging or tourism. It allows day visits as well as week-long eco-volunteering stays. Where: Chiang Mai; more information.

Best Stays in Thailand When You Want to Work Remotely

The holiday blues are probably coming in strong right about now. Summer has come and gone and dreams of a lazy mid-year escape feel like a lifetime away. Throw in the fact that you’re probably out of annual leave and have even less cash than usual to splash on a luxe resort (#costofliving, amirite?), and any ideas about sipping a margarita on a sunny island are slipping away.

So, would you believe us if we told you we’ve found a single solution that will solve every one of your ‘I need to find a way to make money without eating into my holiday allowance while also enjoying a fresh cocktail’ dilemmas at once? Unofficial title: Operation Working Holiday in Thailand.

Start by doing the hard yards and figure out how that digital nomad thing works (note: we’re using the term ‘hard’ loosely here, because it’s actually pretty easy). Then, the only thing you need to decide on is where you want to base yourself for that first bowl of Pad Thai. Whether you dream of urban style or beachy chic, we chatted to Tourism Authority of Thailand and got their suggestions for the best accommodation options for those considering a remote working holiday. 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, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, medical tourism, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-March 2

  • Old Days Festival at Bluport this weekend/
  • Cha Am seafood festival set for March 11-18/
  • Beach Party/Music Festival in Cha Am April 29/
  • Makha Bucha Day Monday: lots of Buddhism, no alcohol/
  • Trafficker abandons 106 illegal migrants stuffed inside truck in PKK/
  • FTI anticipates lower May power tariff/
  • Lazada Thailand says its e-commerce merchants rose 30% last year/
  • US serviceman found dead in Thai army barracks in Lop Buri province/
  • China-Laos Railway has carried 10 million passengers/
  • Dams constructed by China and Laos on the Mekong pose major problems/
  • 50 elephants ‘addicted to sugarcane’ destroy 2000 rai of crops/
  • Man arrested with 30 live monitor lizards, large quantity of reptile flesh/
  • Yes, you can have a lion as a pet in Thailand/
  • Foreigners flee Thai stocks at rapid rate/
  • London dogs head to Thailand to sniff out pangolin smugglers/
  • ‘Happy toilets’ on the way at land offices/
  • The highs and lows of liberalizing marijuana/
  • How Thailand’s booming cannabis industry can benefit all/
  • Tourism: Over 7,000 Russians in Phuket apply for visa extensions/Where are rich Russian holidaymakers going to avoid travel sanctions?/Expensive flights to Thailand too hot for Chinese/Taiwanese Tourist Dies After Snorkeling in Krabi/New Zealand Tourist Rescued After Getting Lost in Phangan Island Jungle/German Tourist Rescued After Getting Injured Inside Krabi Cave/Two Russian Kids Back with Parents after Being Lost in Patong/
  • International: Finnish parliament passes NATO bill with large majority/APEC posts lower economic growth, weaker trade activity/The ultra-rich lost 10% of fortune in 2022/
  • 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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Cha Am seafood festival set for March 11-18

Cha Am will hold its annual seafood festival between March 11-18, with the festival taking place on the viewpoint on Cha Am beachfront.

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

The festival also features a walking street and night market where visitors can purchase local products and souvenirs. There also will be live music every night.

Beach Party/Music Festival in Cha Am April 29

The NangLay Beach Party and Music Festival will be held at the northern end of the Cha Am beach area, near the Triple Tree Resort on Saturday, April 29.

The non-stop party features many popular artists, including Bright Vachirawit and Nanon, Billkin, Palmy, Potato, Paradox, Joey Boy, Three Man Down, Tillybirds, Paper Planes And Sarah Salola, with a light and sound system throughout the night.

Early ticket sales start on March 31 HERE, in every 7-Eleven store or HERE.

Makha Bucha Day Monday: lots of Buddhism, no alcohol

Next week, Thailand will celebrate Makha Bucha Day, an important religious holiday for Thai Buddhists. The holiday falls on Monday, March 6.

While the day may not hold the same religious significance for non-Buddhists, it is still recognized as a significant day in Thai culture, and for tourists for the banning of alcohol sales.

Makha Bucha Day falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month. Even the massive Full Moon Party in Koh Pha Ngan, which rarely follows the rules and laws, postpones the big event by one day in observance of Buddha Day. Other parties start after midnight when it is technically the next day and drinking is legal again. Continued … 

Trafficker abandons 106 illegal migrants stuffed inside truck in PKK

Police discovered 106 illegal migrants crammed into a truck in Prachuap Khiri Khan province yesterday. The driver was nowhere to be found.

A concerned forklift driver rang officers at Bang Saphan Police Station to say that he believed that a “suspicious” vehicle parked on the side of Petchkasem Road was carrying illegal immigrants.

Police arrived to find a six-wheel truck, about 20 meters in size, with a Bangkok registration plate. The truck driver was not there. Continued …

FTI anticipates lower May power tariff

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expects the new mid-year power tariff, which is used to calculate electricity bills, to not exceed 5 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit) following a drop in liquefied national gas (LNG) prices.

The current rate for businesses, in effect from January to April, is 5.33 baht a unit.

Energy authorities are discussing the adjustment of the tariff, to be imposed from May to August. Continued … 

Lazada Thailand says its e-commerce merchants rose 30% last year

The number of retailers using the platform of e-commerce firm Lazada Thailand rose 30% last year, its chief business officer, Thanida Suiwatana, told a press conference on Wednesday.

The company will provide more innovative features and services to attract more shoppers to its platform, Thanida said.

Although she did not provide comprehensive details, she did give some examples. Lazada will make it easier for users to get refunds and accelerate deliveries, Thanida said. Its average delivery time is 1.1 days, she added. Continued …

US serviceman found dead in Thai army barracks in Lop Buri province

Thai police are investigating the death of a U.S. serviceman who was found lifeless in a bathroom of the 31st Infantry Regiment of the Royal Guards barracks in Lop Buri yesterday.

The American was a member of the U.S. force participating in the Cobra Gold 2023 joint exercise, being held in Lop Buri Province.

The body has been sent to the Ananda Mahidol Hospital, where a doctor said that there was a wound to his head. Mueang district police said that they have reported the incident to the Immigration Bureau for further action. Continued …

China-Laos Railway has carried 10 million passengers

The China-Laos Railway operated 20,000 passenger trains and carried 10.3 million passengers by Jan. 31, 2023, according to an update from the China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co.

The China-Laos Railway, with a total length of 1,035 km, runs from Kunming in China to the northernmost provinces and Vientiane in Laos.

Since the full line was made operational on Dec. 3, 2021, related departments in Laos have scientifically analyzed the travel rules for passengers, constantly enriched passenger transport products, optimized station services, and set up ticket offices in major cities in Laos to extend the pre-sale time. Thus, the China-Laos Railway is able to meet the travel needs of passengers better. Continued …

Dams constructed by China and Laos on the Mekong pose major problems

Video 

50 elephants ‘addicted to sugarcane’ destroy 2000 rai of crops

A herd of around 50 wild elephants has migrated into farmland in Loei province in northeast Thailand, destroying 2000 rai of crops so far. There is no sign of them retreating into the forest.

Recently, around 50 elephants migrated into agricultural land in the Phra Kradueng district from the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary.

No wonder the elephants moved away from their home, given the goodies on offer – the herd has worked their way through entire fields of sugarcane, bamboo, bananas, and cassava, and even chomped on rubber trees. Continued …

Man arrested with 30 live monitor lizards, large quantity of reptile flesh

Wildlife officials and police have arrested a man and seized 30 live monitor lizards (Varanus salvator), 59 lizard carcasses and several live turtles in a raid on an illegal slaughterhouse in Suphan Buri province.

Padet Laithong, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, said that the meat was being sent to wildlife restaurants in Trat province, falsely identified as tree monitor (Varanus bengalensis) meat.

He also said that officials are investigating a report in social media that the monitor lizard meat might have been sent to customers to turn into meatballs. Continued …

Yes, you can have a lion as a pet in Thailand

Thai media were reporting that you can keep a lion as a pet in Thailand, as long as you have the required paperwork and tell the authorities in good time.

Earlier, a senior Pattaya policemen, vets and park staff, had been alerted to a foreigner keeping a lion at a housing estate in Nong Prue.

Neighbors were terrified that their children might soon be attacked and eaten by the lion – still actually a cub – that was allowed to prowl round the house. Continued …

Foreigners flee Thai stocks at rapid rate

Foreign investors were net sellers of US$1 billion (37 billion baht) worth of shares on the Thai stock exchange in February, the highest value among Asian bourses for the month and the biggest net sell-off on the exchange since April 2020, with several factors pressuring investments, according to analysts.

Foreign investors sold 3.33 billion baht worth of Thai shares on Tuesday, according to LH Securities. The current account deficit reached $2 billion in January, as reported by the Bank of Thailand on Tuesday, prompting continued capital outflows and a further weakening of the baht. Continued … 

London dogs head to Thailand to sniff out pangolin smugglers

Two Labrador dogs, which have been trained by British police, are to be flown to Thailand to help crack down on the smuggling of critically endangered pangolins, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) said on Tuesday.

Pangolins, nocturnal creatures famed for their full armor of scales, are the most trafficked mammal in the world, according to the World Wildlife Fund, and all eight species are on the red list of threatened species and at risk of extinction, the ZSL said.

The two dogs, Buster and Bess, who have already undergone an eight-week training program with London’s Metropolitan Police, will be sent to Thailand to complete their training, and then use their sniffing skills to detect pangolins being smuggled through airports, ports and by road. Continued … 

‘Happy toilets’ on the way at land offices

The Health Department and the Department of Lands have teamed up to renovate 461 public restrooms at land offices nationwide to meet health, accessibility and safety (HAS) standards.

During the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Bangkok Metropolitan Land Office between the two departments, Amporn Chantawibul, a senior sanitary expert of the Health Department, said the project aims to provide hygienic restrooms. Continued … 

The highs and lows of liberalizing marijuana

A boom in cannabis businesses has helped jolt the tourism industry back to life, as travelers flock to Thailand for marijuana tourism.

However, decriminalization preceded passage of the legislation needed to control and regulate cannabis, which has led to a free-for-all in the industry, as businesses, many owned by foreigners, invest in cannabis outlets and users buy weed with little or any medical or consumer guidance. Continued …

How Thailand’s booming cannabis industry can benefit all

 

With the increasing legalization of medical cannabis in many countries, a unique opportunity has arisen for Thailand to use this industry as an engine for positive change. An innovative example is Bloom Thailand using cloning technology to bring education and resources to disadvantaged communities in Bangkok.

Bangkok Community Help Foundation and Bloom sponsored a workshop in the Khlong Toei community to teach cloning techniques for growing vegetables.

The goal of the workshop was to empower the community to cultivate its own food using sustainable methods, leading to greater self-sufficiency. Continued … 

 

Over 7,000 Russians in Phuket apply for visa extensions

Over 7,000 Russians in Phuket are applying for visa extensions in a bid to stay in Thailand. Local immigration chief, Thanet Sukchai, says the great weather is one factor in their attempts to stay.

“Phuket is a nice place to visit, with delicious food and good weather. As word has spread about the island, Russian tourists keep coming to the province.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year, Thailand has become a refuge for Russian citizens, as reported by Al Jazeera. Continued …

Where are rich Russian holidaymakers going to avoid travel sanctions?

Travel sanctions didn’t stop rich Russians from going on holiday last year, a new report has revealed.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union suspended visas for Russian travelers. But wealthy tourists simply decided to holiday elsewhere.

According to research from flight data firm ForwardKeys, wealthy Russians returned to travel “with a vengeance”. Continued … 

Expensive flights to Thailand too hot for Chinese

Expensive flights to Thailand from bigger cities in China are delaying Thailand’s tourism recovery. Most tariffs are still one and a half times more than pre-pandemic prices, while for smaller cities, fares are more than double previous levels.

According to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn, while most tickets are cheaper than last year, prices for March and April are still higher than before the pandemic in every Chinese city.

Prices of flights from major cities in the mainland are 1.5 times higher, with prices from Shanghai as high as 24,500 baht (US$690). Ticket prices to and from smaller cities – in China a city of 4.2 million like Xiamen is considered “smaller” – are still around double the previous rates, and direct flights are still hard to come by from most transit hubs. Continued …

Taiwanese Tourist Dies After Snorkeling in Krabi

A Taiwanese tourist died after snorkeling at an island in Mueang Krabi.

The Mueang Krabi Police said they were notified of the incident by Krabi Hospital on Tuesday. Yueh Lee, 36, a Taiwanese national, was taken from Hong Island in the Khao Thong subdistrict. He was pronounced dead at the Krabi hospital. A doctor said he died from drowning.

Yueh’s unidentified friend told police that they went to Hong Island for snorkeling. Continued …

New Zealand Tourist Rescued After Getting Lost in Phangan Island Jungle

A tourist from New Zealand has been rescued after he got lost in a forest on Phangan Island in Surat Thani.

The Samui Tourist Police said on Monday they were notified that a 56-year-old New Zealand tourist was missing.

His friends told police that he was missing from a resort at 4am on Sunday. They went out to search for him but failed before they called for help. Continued …

German Tourist Rescued After Getting Injured Inside Krabi Cave

A German tourist has been rescued after she sustained injuries inside a cave in Mueang Krabi.

Emergency responders were notified on Tuesday from a local long-tailed boat operator that a 61-year-old female German tourist fell and injured herself inside a cave.

Rescue workers went into the area with the long-tailed boat before climbing up on a ladder in the natural hall inside the cave, which is more than 10 meters high. Continued …

Two Russian Kids Back with Parents after Being Lost in Patong

Two Russian kids are back with their parents after they got lost near Bangla Road.

The Phuket Tourist Police said on Sunday night at 9:35pm that they were notified by a Russian woman that she had lost her two kids aged four and five years old.

The Phuket Tourist Police, the Patong Police, and the Patong Beach lifeguards searched for the kids along Patong Beach. Continued …

Finnish parliament passes NATO bill with large majority

Finland’s parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly backed its bid to join NATO. Approval of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s treaties and Finland’s accession passed with 184 members of the 200-seat parliament voting in favor, seven against and one abstaining. Continued … 

APEC posts lower economic growth, weaker trade activity

The Asia-Pacific’s economy grew 2.6 % in 2022, a decline from 6.1 % growth in 2021, according to a new report published by the APEC Policy Support Unit. The region’s economy is expected to pick up in the short term with the gross domestic product (GDP) projected to expand by 3.1% this year. Continued …

The ultra-rich lost 10% of fortune in 2022

The world’s ultra-richest saw their fortunes shrink by 10% in 2022, due to the war in Ukraine, a study said Wednesday, but the outlook for them this year is bright. The study, by London-based property consultants Knight Frank, examined the fortunes of what it calls ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs): people with a net worth of at least $30 million, including their main residence. 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

baht, bangkok, chiang mai, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s News-March 1

2 Comments

  • Prachuap Khiri Khan ramps up ‘100% helmet’ and mandatory car insurance campaign/
  • Chiang Mai flights will operate four times per week/
  • Demystifying sticky Thai goods prices/
  • Baht tipped to strengthen in 2023 after US rates peak/
  • Chiang Mai listed in top 10 most-polluted cities in the world/
  • Excessive PM2.5 pollution in most of northern Thailand today/
  • Thailand’s interprovincial bus operator ready to go electric/
  • Telemedicine lays the pathway to equality in medicine, Bangkok forum hears/
  • Traffic cop delivers 100 babies on the streets of Bangkok/
  • Thailand to promote use of insect larvae for making animal feeds/
  • Finnish expat found dead with throat cut in Chon Buri/
  • Tourism: Hua Hin and Cha Am 2nd most popular destinations for Thai families/TAT suggests tourism operators still upbeat on recovery outlook/Danish and Swedish passengers stranded in Bangkok/Plush cruises eyed to boost tourism cash/
  • Thailand Experience: Top 3 Place For Jungle Trekking In Thailand/11 Indian restaurants to try in Bangkok/
  • International: Drones Fly Deep Inside Russia; Putin Orders Border Tightened/
  • 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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Prachuap Khiri Khan ramps up ‘100% helmet’ and mandatory car insurance campaign

Drivers of cars and motorcycles in Prachuap Khiri Khan are the subject of a new campaign aimed at boosting road safety.

On Tuesday, Satean Charoenyuen, the governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, presided over the launch of a campaign to promote mandatory car insurance among motorists, as well as the wearing of helmets among motorcyclists.

According to the law in Thailand, all drivers must have car insurance, while motorcyclists must wear a helmet. Continued …

Chiang Mai flights will operate four times per week

Demystifying sticky Thai goods prices

Thailand may be unique in handling the domestic prices of products and services. Whenever manufacturers and business operators shoulder higher production costs and ask state units for permission to raise their prices, the Internal Trade Department always rushes to call a joint meeting with them.

Most of the time, the manufacturers and operators come to an “agreement” to maintain prices while authorities monitor the market.

In one recent instance, seven manufacturers and distributors of baby and adult diapers talked with the department and agreed to maintain prices, even after announcing to the local media their plan to increase prices starting in March, in line with rising production costs. Continued …

Baht tipped to strengthen in 2023 after US rates peak

The baht is likely to recover and strengthen to 33-34 to the U.S. dollar by the end of 2023, as the greenback could go into reverse and start to depreciate in six months, says SCB Chief Investment Office (CIO).

The Thai currency traded below 35 baht to the dollar yesterday, moving in a range of 35.15 to 35.38, amid continued concerns over U.S. interest rate hikes. The baht, analysts said, was under pressure from capital outflows from the Thai stock and bond markets amid the dollar appreciation.

The baht has weakened by 5.2% this year. Continued … 

Chiang Mai listed in top 10 most-polluted cities in the world

Chiang Mai and Bangkok were named the sixth and 14th most polluted cities in the world by IQAir in its latest global index.

The Swiss air-quality technology company released its list of the world’s worst polluted cities and their AQI (air quality index) readings as of 8.30am on Tuesday morning.

The top 10 worst polluted cities and their AQI readings are: Continued …

Excessive PM2.5 pollution in most of northern Thailand today

PM2.5 dust in most northern provinces today exceeds the safety level, being measured at between 61 and 200 microns. The situation is likely to deteriorate in the coming days, according to the Pollution Control Department.

The level of PM2.5 in most of Bangkok and its suburbs has been measured at between 39 and 114 microns, compared to the safety level in Thailand of 50 microns.

Only five areas in the northeast are reported to have excessive levels of PM2.5, measured between 23 and 130 microns. Continued … 

Thailand’s interprovincial bus operator ready to go electric

Transport Co.’s board of directors agreed on Tuesday to procure 75 electric buses for 12 routes across Thailand.

“The aim is to preserve the environment and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and PM2.5 dust particles,” Transport Co.’s Managing Director Sanyalak Panwattanalikhit said.

He added that the shift to electric buses also matches the Transport Ministry’s aim to develop transportation services that do not hurt the environment. Continued … 

Telemedicine lays the pathway to equality in medicine, Bangkok forum hears

The application of telehealth services in Thailand was the key topic of discussion at the Than x Forum 2023 held last week in Bangkok.

Telehealth, or telemedicine, is identified as the use of technology to provide healthcare from a distance without requiring in-person visits.

The objective of the forum was to let the world know of Thailand’s ambition to become a medical hub. The first step, however, will be turning Bangkok into a healthy city, so its people can also become healthier. Continued …

Traffic cop delivers 100 babies on the streets of Bangkok

Sporting big bikes, brown outfits and guns on their hips, Thai traffic police officers don’t look like your average midwives. But in gridlocked Bangkok, pregnant women don’t always make it to the hospital in time.

In a sprawling city home to nearly 11 million people, sometimes the only way to reach those in need of medical help is on two wheels.

A motorbike weaving in and out of the traffic will reach someone in need much faster than an ambulance. That’s why the 160 men comprising Royal Thai Police’s traffic unit are medically trained first responders. Continued …

Thailand to promote use of insect larvae for making animal feeds

The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards will promote the use of larvae of black soldier flies as main ingredients for making farm animal feeds and pet foods for both local consumption and export.

Bureau Secretary-general Pisan Pongsapitch unveiled the plan during a seminar jointly held by the Livestock Development Department, and the Thai Feed Mill Assn. at the Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday.

The seminar was aimed at educating animal feed makers and farmers of black soldier flies about the regulations for using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in making the feeds and for exporting BSFL and feeds and pet foods that are made of BSFL. Continued …

Finnish expat found dead with throat cut in Chon Buri

A Finnish expat was found dead with his throat cut in Thailand’s Chon Buri province this morning. His Thai wife, 49-year-old Aranya Srisaeng, told police that she was the first person to find the body of her husband, 57-year-old Markku Tapanni Karjalainen. His death was reported at 8.30am.

Karjalainen had lived with Aranya in a single-story house in the Bang Saray subdistrict of Sattahip district.

According to Aranya’s statements, she and Karjalainen had been living together for five years without registering their marriage. Her husband had returned to Finland for a few years, but he came back about nine months ago and decided to buy a house. Continued …

Hua Hin and Cha Am 2nd most popular destinations for Thai families

Pattaya is this year’s most popular destination for Thai families looking to enjoy a domestic vacation together.

Based on early 2023 search data from digital travel platform Agoda, Pattaya tops the list and is joined on the podium by Hua Hin/Cha Am and Phuket.

According to Agoda, Thai families are most likely to enjoy some quality time around seaside cities this year. The full list of top 10 most-searched domestic destinations by families contains Pattaya, Hua Hin/Cha Am, Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Khao Yai, Krabi, Rayong and Ko Samet, respectively. Continued …

TAT suggests tourism operators still upbeat on recovery outlook

Business operators still have confidence in the country’s tourism recovery as campaigns for the general election kick into high gear and the next phase of the “We Travel Together” scheme is projected to have the participation of more than 9,000 hotels, with the aim of stimulating domestic spending, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said there had been 2 million foreign arrivals per month since January, which helped build positive momentum for the tourism industry.

He said that with the launch of the fifth phase of hotel subsidy under the We Travel Together program, domestic tourism should be stronger during the Songkran festival and would also help maintain domestic consumption during the transition period before a new government takes over in the second half of the year. Continued …

Danish and Swedish passengers stranded in Bangkok

About 200 passengers from Denmark and Sweden were stranded at Bangkok airport after their flight from Krabi to Bangkok was delayed due to problems with the airport’s electricity.

The passengers were stranded because the flight they would otherwise have been on took off without them and there are no other available seats on flights to Europe.

Initially, Thai Airways, which is the airline behind the delayed departure, blamed bad electrical installations for the problems. Continued …

Plush cruises eyed to boost tourism cash

Authorities are looking at cruise ships to support the recovery of the tourism sector, which will also be boosted by a new plan to cooperate with Netflix in launching a creative travel guide to attractive locations featured in movies. Continued …

Khao Sok National Park

Top 3 Places For Jungle Trekking In Thailand

Thailand is popularly known for its mesmerizing beaches and delicious street food, but did you know that it also features some of the most beautiful and diverse range of rainforests in the world? If you’re an adventure seeker looking for a chance to immerse yourself in nature, then jungle trekking in Thailand should be on your bucket list.

With its lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, and beautiful scenery, Thailand offers a variety of trekking options for all levels of fitness and experience. In this post, we will take a look at the top three places for jungle trekking in Thailand that you don’t want to miss.

Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park, located in northeastern Thailand, is a nature lover’s paradise. It’s home to lush rainforests, grasslands, and cascading waterfalls, making it an ideal destination for jungle trekking. With a variety of trekking options available, there’s something for everyone, from easy walks in nature to more challenging treks that lead to scenic viewpoints. Continued … 

11 Indian restaurants to try in Bangkok

Compared to many cities in the world, Bangkok’s Indian food scene tilts toward the higher end – and a little pricey, even those places at the budget end of the spectrum.

But that also means an abundance of excellent cuisine to choose from, with a range of fine-dining options spanning the subcontinent from terrific Punjabi treats to delectable southern dosas.

Here are some of our favorites to choose from. Continued …

Drones Fly Deep Inside Russia; Putin Orders Border Tightened

Drones that the Kremlin said were launched by Ukraine flew deep inside Russian territory, including one that got within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of Moscow, signaling breaches in Russian defenses as President Vladimir Putin ordered stepped-up protection at the border. 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 March flight schedule

 

 

90-day online reporting

baht, bangkok, cha am, climate change, covid, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s News-Feb 28

  • Camping Festival at Market Village March 1-10/
  • ‘Dustman’, the Gravel Bike Race this weekend/
  • Phetchaburi Immigration to move closer to Cha Am March 20/
  • March flight schedule for Hua Hin Airport/
  • Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin opens its doors/
  • Baht declines amid volatile markets/
  • Thailand is home to the most motorcyclists in the world/
  • Haze problem set to worsen in March/
  • Elephant time: Have a smile at Thailand’s new elephant heartthrob/
  • Two Wild Elephants, Mother and Son, Are Rescued – video/
  • The Problems with Thailand’s Thailand’s Long-Term Visa/
  • Indian, Chinese Investors Buying Pubs, Restaurants In Pattaya/
  • ‘Wild Boar’ Duangphet to be cremated in England today/New round of state welfare card benefits to cover 14.5 million Thais/Over 52 million Thais eligible to vote during May 7 election/2% fewer drinkers in Thailand since booze controls in 2008/Thai government plans major push to Laos train service/Thailand and China to Expand Free Trade Agreement/Mega-flood ‘likely’ in the next decade/Cobra Gold 2023 officially begins in eastern provinces/
  • Tourism: Thailand welcomed 2.14 million international tourists last month/Pattaya’s Songkran Day on April 19/Thailand strengthens tourism ties with China/Outbound visa applications in Thailand increase 576%/Expats voice their opinions on Thailand vs Vietnam/
  • Thailand Experience: High-Quality Cannabis Food Sets a New Standard for Thai Cooking/
  • Covid: Songkran to test Thailand’s Covid defenses/Hong Kong scraps mask mandate after almost 1,000 days/
  • International: Exporters fear costs of EU carbon scheme/Antarctic sea ice shrinks to record low/Kremlin ‘drift’? Georgia turns on Russian opposition exiles/Finland moves closer to joining NATO without Sweden/
  • 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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Camping Festival at Market Village March 1-10

‘Dustman’, the Gravel Bike Race this weekend

Phetchaburi Immigration to move closer to Cha Am March 20 – Location

March flight schedule for Hua Hin Airport

Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin opens its doors

Radisson Hotel Group has announce the opening of Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin, featuring 243 well-appointed rooms and suites, all with modern interiors and balconies overlooking the sea.

Six different accommodation types are available, including family suites with bunk beds and children’s amenities. A full range of leisure facilities includes an outdoor pool with a water slide, a water sports activity hub, a fitness center, spa, skate park and direct beachfront access.

A diverse collection of dining and social venues includes Horizon Restaurant with daily buffet breakfast, JoeKool Terrace Restaurant, which offers an elevated seafront experience with Thai and international cuisine, and JoeKool Pool Bar. The coastal Beach Club & Cabanas offers a long list of freshly caught seafood, barbecued on the spot, plus a regular calendar of uplifting events and entertainment, and the Champions Sports Bar provides cold beverages, light bites and live sports.

With a total of six function spaces, the resort offers a diverse mix of indoor and outdoor locations for business events and social celebrations.

Baht declines amid volatile markets

The baht fell to less than 35 against the U.S. dollar on Monday and recorded its lowest level for two months, after being the most volatile currency traded in the region this year.

The baht opened at 34.93 per dollar on Monday. During day-trade, it weakened to 35.16 against the greenback before closing at 35.10.

Roong Sanguanruang, head of global markets and research at the Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), said that over the past two months the baht had been the most volatile currency in the region. Continued …

Thailand is home to the most motorcyclists in the world

The Pew Research Center reported that Thailand has the most motorcyclists in the world. Similarly, most victims of road accidents in the country are riding motorcycles.

If you’ve ever visited Vietnam, you might have noticed the abundance of motorbikes on the road, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. It may lead you to believe that Vietnam has the highest number of motorcyclists in the world.

However, a recent report by the Pew Research Center indicates that Thailand takes the lead in terms of motorbike ridership globally. According to the report, 87% of households in Thailand own at least one motorbike, beating Vietnam by only a sliver, where 86% of households own a motorcycle. Continued …

Haze problem set to worsen in March

The Center for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) on Monday revealed that the haze pollution the country faces, especially in the northern region, will likely worsen next month, while Bangkok and its adjacent provinces will likely experience high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

On Monday, the CAPM reported that the air quality in 25 locations across the country is at unhealthy levels, as PM2.5 levels have surpassed the safe threshold of 50μg/m³. Continued …

Elephant time: Have a smile at Thailand’s new elephant heartthrob

“Tula” is a Thai wild elephant calf who has gone viral online due to its mischievous behavior. The rescued juvenile jumbo likes to tease its human babysitter during bath time. Check out Tula’s playful and naughty nature captured in this video.

Tula became separated from its herd at Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chanthaburi province in October last year. Video 

Two Wild Elephants, Mother and Son, Are Rescued

Rescue wildlife officers saved two wild elephants, mother and son, that fell into a 5-meter deep hole in the middle of the Forest Protection Conservation Unit Khao Borae, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi, on Monday.

Residents reported to officials at the nearby Lam Khlong Ngu National Park at on Sunday. Officials then prepared the rescue mission with elephant conservation volunteers and rescue workers.

Video 

The incident in which the mother elephant and her 2-month-old son fell was a 5-meter sinkhole. Officials prohibited people from being near it because a herd of about 10 elephants was nearby trying to help the mother and son, which could pose a danger to people. Continued …

The Problems with Thailand’s Long-Term Visa

The Thai LTR (long-term residency) visa was introduced in September 2022, but the Board of Investment is currently looking for international investment firms to promote more golden eggs to be laid by wealthy foreigners. There are issues to solve.

Although Thailand promotes its version of LTR, other nations are discontinuing theirs – because immigrants, particularly Chinese and Russians, have been utilizing their resident permits to purchase up desirable houses, causing inflation and making it impossible for less-fortunate citizens to go on the property ladder, Portugal and Ireland recently canceled their 10-year options.

The same sell-out accusations were voiced in Thailand last year, forcing the government to scrap any plans to let wealthy foreigners purchase freehold homes or property in November. Only condominiums are permitted. Continued …

Indian, Chinese Investors Buying Pubs, Restaurants In Pattaya

While many foreigners are investing in Chonburi province, Indian and Chinese investors have channeled the most funds in buying up businesses in Pattaya to cater to their countryfolk holidaying at this seaside tourist city, business people in this province said.

Indian investors bought up pubs and restaurants on Pattaya’s Walking Street before China lifted travel restrictions on Jan. 8, but their investment is not fully integrated as is the pattern of Chinese investors.

Chinese investors have started buying restaurants, three- to four-star hotels and pool villas in Bang Lamung area, Pattaya city and Jomtien beach. Their investment includes chartering tourists attractions to integrate as a comprehensive tourism venture to cater to Chinese tourists, these business sources said, adding that it is likely the zero-dollar tours will return. Continued …

‘Wild Boar’ Duangphet to be cremated in England today

The parents of Duangphet “Dom” Promthep, 18, one of the 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai in 2018, will hold a funeral ceremony today to coincide with his cremation in England where he died.

Duangphet, one of the Wild Boar football team members who, along with their coach, was trapped in Tham Luang Cave in 2018 for over two weeks, died in England on Feb. 14, after collapsing in his dormitory room on Feb. 12.

He had won a scholarship to study at Brooke House College, a football academy about 150 kilometers north of London, in August last year, and subsequently flew to England in September. Continued …

New round of state welfare card benefits to cover 14.5 million Thais

About 14.5 million low-income earners will be eligible for benefits under the new round of the state welfare card scheme, the Finance Ministry said on Monday.

The ministry will propose the plan for this year’s first round at a Cabinet meeting today, said minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.

After approval from the Cabinet, he expects to disburse the benefits from April 1 onward. Continued … 

Over 52 million Thais eligible to vote during May 7 election

As many as 52.32 million people are eligible to vote in the upcoming general election, with most voters aged between 42 and 57, social-tracking website Rocket Media Lab learned.

As per the Election Commission’s data, 52,322,824 out of 66,090,475 people across 400 electoral constituencies nationwide are eligible to vote.

Thais have the constitutional right to exercise their ballot once they turn 18. Continued …

2% fewer drinkers in Thailand since booze controls in 2008

The implementation of the alcoholic drink control act 15 years ago has led to a 2% drop in drinkers in Thailand, a seminar was told.

The seminar, titled “Different Views on 15-year Enforcement of the Alcoholic Drink Control Act”, was held on Sunday at Bangkok’s Asia Hotel. It had been organized by Moonlanithi Pua Sukphawa (Foundation for the State of Happiness) and the Network of Creative Media for Social Change.

Associate Prof. Dr. Udomsak Sae-ngow, director of the Research and Innovation Institute for Excellence at Walailak University, said since the act was implemented in 2008, there has been a definite drop in the number of boozers in Thailand. Continued …

Thai government plans major push to Laos train service

The Thai government plans to increase train service between Nong Khai province in Thailand and Thanaleng Station in Laos to 16 round trips a day in two years.

Work on the railway line between Nong Khai and Thanaleng, near Vietniane, was completed on June 30, 2022, and is presently operating, Tipanan Sirichana, deputy spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, said.

Currently, the train service runs twice a day, facilitating easy travel for Thai and Lao people. Continued …

Thailand and China to Expand Free Trade Agreement

Thailand has been stepping up trade cooperation with China by upgrading the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and ASEAN, including expanding mini FTAs with Chinese cities and provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has said.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit made the announcement at the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce last week.

Jurin said the two countries enjoy practical cooperation under mechanisms including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and mini FTAs between Thailand and Chinese provinces such as Hainan and Gansu. Continued … 

Mega-flood ‘likely’ in the next decade

Thailand is likely to suffer from another “mega-flood” similar to the historic inundation in 2011 in the next decade, as climate change will increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events all over the world, a conference was told on Monday.

The director of Climate Change and Disaster Center, Seree Supratid, said at a press conference organized by FutureTales Lab by MQDC and Esri Thailand, that according to climate forecasting models, Thailand is likely to be seriously affected by widespread inundation in the next few years, with up to 34% of about 70 million Thais set to be affected by floods. Continued …

Cobra Gold 2023 officially begins in eastern provinces

Thailand Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Chalermpol Srisawasdi and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec today presided over the Cobra Gold 2023 opening ceremony at the Royal Thai Naval Airbase, Royal Thai Air Fleet in Rayong province.

Also attending the ceremony were the ambassadors to Thailand from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The Cobra Gold exercise is the largest joint multilateral military exercise in Southeast Asia, co-hosted annually in Thailand by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Continued …

 

 

Thailand welcomed 2.14 million international tourists last month

Thailand welcomed 2.14 million international tourists in January, data from the tourism ministry showed today. The data showed a small decline from the previous month.

The top three source markets last month were Malaysia with 288,745 tourists, Russia with 202,759 tourists, and South Korea 169,462 tourists.

However, the return of travelers from China, following the removal of Covid-19 restrictions, helped boost the numbers. A total of 91,841 Chinese tourists flocked to Thailand last month, compared with 3,110 in the same period last year. Continued … 

Pattaya’s Songkran Day on April 19

Pattaya’s biggest and wettest party officially returns for the first time in four years due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Songkran, which in one form or another will likely last a bit over a week in Pattaya, will culminate as it usually did, before Covid, with Wan Lai, or the “Big Day” on April 19.

This is, without a doubt, Pattaya’s biggest and wettest party but also polarizing especially to many expats, as hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists convene on Pattaya. Continued …

Thailand strengthens tourism ties with China

Thailand continues to strengthen tourism ties with China following the high-profile meeting between Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s minister of tourism and sports, and Hu Heping, minister of culture and tourism of the People’s Republic of China, taking place in Beijing on Feb. 21.

Also present at the meeting were Atthayut Srisamut, Thailand ambassador to China, Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing, and Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Ratchakitprakarn said, “On behalf of the Thai government and the Thai people, I would like to express our sincere thanks to the Chinese government for its continued confidence in Thailand as a preferred holiday destination, and for including the kingdom among the 20 pilot destinations for the resumption of group travel from China.” Continued … 

Outbound visa applications in Thailand increase 576%

Applications for all visa types made between Jan. 1–31 last year grew by 576% when compared with applications made in the same time frame in 2021, reports VFS Global.

The fivefold increase shows that Thais are regaining their sense of adventure amid relaxed global restrictions, although visa applications are still not hitting pre-pandemic figures, reports TNA.

Head of VFS Global Australasia, Kaushik Ghosh, said, “The significant surge in visa applications from Thailand indicates that travelers’ confidence has rebounded faster than expected. With the peak outbound travel season expected to start in March, we expect this momentum to grow further and, therefore, those planning foreign travel outside of Thailand must apply for visas well in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.” Continued …

Expats voice their opinions on Thailand vs Vietnam

There are obvious reasons while Thailand has been more attractive to tourists than Vietnam, but many expats also vouched for Vietnam as a nice destination that still has space for improvements.

“I, between Thailand and Vietnam, prefer Vietnam. I find the people in Vietnam nicer, friendlier and more polite. And I find a more genuine environment without seedy places like Thailand’s red-light districts, and I hope I never see them in Vietnam. The problem is that I am retired and eager to stay in Vietnam most of the year, (I like to live in Hanoi from March until mid-December) I am forced every 30 days to fly to Bangkok in order to be able to get a new visa of only 30 days, resulting in financial and time expense. Why not grant a visa of at least 3 months?” – Steve Continued … 

High-Quality Cannabis Food Sets a New Standard for Thai Cooking

Think again if you believe that the deliciousness of Thai food cannot be improved. Thai cuisine has changed as a result of the expanding culinary cannabis craze. Imagine combining the advantages of marijuana with the flavors of Thai food. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect marriage?

Thailand made history by legalizing marijuana in June 2022 for both medical and culinary purposes. It took a long time for this historic decision to be made, which represents a major shift in how the nation views marijuana.

The government has allowed companies to sell a variety of cannabis-infused foods by removing marijuana from the list of narcotics that are prohibited for consumption or distribution. Entrepreneurs and chefs can then explore the herb’s potential in novel and interesting ways, while showcasing their culinary creativity. Continued …

Songkran to test Thailand’s Covid defenses

Thai hospitals and community health centers have been ordered to prepare for a spike in Covid-19 infections over Songkran in April and schools reopening in June.

Hospitals have admitted 204 Covid-19 cases in the past week (Feb. 19-25), 66 of whom were suffering severe symptoms, said Public Health Permanent-secretary Opas Karnkawinpong on Monday.

Nine patients died of Covid-19 in the past week, all of them belonging to at-risk groups (over 60 and/or with chronic conditions). Continued …

Hong Kong scraps mask mandate after almost 1,000 days

Hong Kong is scrapping its mask mandate from tomorrow, Chief Executive John Lee announced, ending the financial hub’s last major Covid curb as it seeks to emerge from the pandemic.

The city was one of the last places in the world to require face coverings in virtually all public settings, with everyone over the age of two required to wear one or face a fine of up to HK$10,000 ($1,275).

“I announce that the masking requirement will be completely canceled starting tomorrow, March 1, including for indoors, outdoors and (on) public transportation,” Lee said at a brief press conference today. Continued …

Exporters fear costs of EU carbon scheme

Asian exports could potentially face a higher cost burden as the EU is preparing to launch a new regulation pertaining to imported carbon-intensive commodities later this year, experts say. Continued …

Antarctic sea ice shrinks to record low

Antarctic sea ice likely shrunk to a record low last week, U.S. researchers said on Monday, its lowest extent in the 45 years of satellite record-keeping. Continued … 

Kremlin ‘drift’? Georgia turns on Russian opposition exiles

Like thousands of Russians who decided to emigrate after their country invaded Ukraine, Anna Rivina moved to neighboring Georgia. But, a year later, she is no longer welcome. Continued … 

Finland moves closer to joining NATO without Sweden

Finland, which has one of Europe’s longest borders with Russia, today kicks off a parliamentary debate aimed at accelerating the country’s bid to join NATO, increasing the likelihood it will leave neighbor and military partner Sweden behind. 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 

 

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, climate change, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s News-Feb 27

  • Hua Hin Boat Show March 24-26/
  • TradeAtlas reviews spike sales of Thai tea and dessert/
  • Bangkok rated 30th best city in the world, 2nd best in ASEAN/
  • Study finds Thai women eager to enhance job skills/
  • Chinese eye Thai properties to hedge against economic issues at home/
  • Krabi homeowner shocked by 5-meter king cobra/
  • Climate change bonanza/
  • Executives list policy priorities/
  • Economy to grow 3.8% this year, inflation to ebb: Finance minister/
  • Tourism: Thousands of Russians Flee to Thailand to Escape War/‘Tipsy tubing’ on Pai River hit by alcohol ban/Islanders tell tourists – don’t pollute or bring jet skis and drugs/Residents of Trat province’s Koh Mak Island have issued a set of rules to eFirst time in Thailand!? Don’t take a taxi! Do this instead/How to choose between Phuket and Koh Samui/6 major Bangkok tourist attractions, and where to go instead/Phase 5 of ‘We Travel Together’ program opens for registration today/Why Thailand has attracted more foreign tourists than Vietnam/
  • Thailand Experience: Preserving Thailand’s historic railway heritage/
  • International: North China city launches first China-Europe freight train/Daily marijuana use increases heart disease risk by over a third, study finds/
  • 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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TradeAtlas reviews spike sales of Thai tea and dessert

Sales of pa thong ko and Thai iced tea have surged since they made the top 10 lists on TasteAtlas, even in traditional restaurants that are a bit off the beaten track.

Sombat Suwanmanop said his restaurant in Trang province’s Mueang district, Kopee Sombat, is having a hard time keeping up with demand for the sweet snacks and beverages.

He said sales of pa thong ko and Thai iced tea have increased exponentially since they appeared on the lists compiled from reviews of food critics worldwide. Continued …

Bangkok rated 30th best city in the world, 2nd best in ASEAN

Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok has been ranked high lately on several lists of cities in a number of different areas. Now, a famous tourism consulting company, Resonance Consultancy, has named Bangkok the 30th best city in the world, and the second best in ASEAN. A Thai government spokesperson, Anucha Burapachaisri, announced the ranking on Saturday.

Resonance Consultancy is a leading global adviser in destination development, branding, and marketing. It is known for its annual reports on city rankings. The rankings name the world’s most desirable places to visit, live, work, and invest in, based on factors such as attractions, infrastructure, culture, and environment.

The list of “100 Best Cities in the World 2023” evaluates six categories, including place, product, people, prosperity, programming, and promotion. Continued …

Study finds Thai women eager to enhance job skills

Nearly half of Thai women age 35 and older showed the strongest motivation toward entrepreneurship, as the majority of the female workforce across Southeast Asia is interested in taking additional courses to develop their skills, a recent study showed.

A survey by Singapore-based non-profit She Loves Data (SLD) found 87% of female employees in the region are looking forward to enrolling in professional courses this year, with IT, computing and programming (33%) the top three choices.

Social media marketing is the most sought-after course among female employees in Thailand, according to more than half of respondents in two age groups: workers aged 16-34 and those 35 and older. Continued … 

Chinese eye Thai properties to hedge against economic issues at home

Guo Haojie had grown tired of China’s “high-pressure” lifestyle and reliance on personal connections to get things done. The native of Henan province had scoped out Thailand as a tourist years ago and went back in 2020 to invest, buying two condominiums.

And just like that, the 37-year-old IT consultant became part of a growing trend.

Chinese from the middle class upward are sending some of their money – and even themselves – to Thailand, particularly as China has been reopening following three difficult years under zero-Covid. Many are hoping to hedge against economic pressures at home, while building their future in an inexpensive Southeast Asian country with growth prospects. Continued … 

Krabi homeowner shocked by 5-meter king cobra

If you were a giant king cobra snake, where would you live? The answer is apparently “anywhere you want.”

A homeowner in Krabi got a major surprise when he discovered a five-meter-long king cobra relaxing at his house this week.

A team of snake handlers successfully caught the king cobra that was hiding under a chair in front of their home in Baan Nanai, Klong Tom Tai subdistrict earlier this week. Rescue workers had alerted the team after being notified of the presence of the dangerous snake. Continued … 

A biomass power plant operated by Clover Power in the northern province of Phitsanulok.

Climate change bonanza

Global campaigns to cut carbon dioxide emissions not only alert businesses to new non-tariff barriers imposed as part of efforts to fight global warming, they can also lead to new opportunities in the clean energy sector.

As the European Union (EU) gears up for the first phase of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) later this year, many businesses have announced plans aiming to benefit from the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

CBAM, which imposes charges on manufacturers that fail to adopt technology that benefits the climate, can affect Thai exporters in certain industries if they are too slow to make production more environmentally friendly. Continued …

Executives list policy priorities

The upcoming general election slated for May 7 is sparking speculation on a potential successor to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as well as new economic policies that might be promoted by an incoming government.

Business leaders have begun to chime in on what they believe could help the country survive economic challenges this year after Prayut told the House of Representatives that parliament would be dissolved in early March.

From tourism, wages and digital-related topics, which are always in the media spotlight, to issues related to steel that are crucial but appear less frequently in the headlines, company executives voiced their concerns and put forward suggestions for the next government to jointly shape a new look for Thailand. Continued …

Economy to grow 3.8% this year, inflation to ebb: Finance minister

Thailand’s economy is expected to grow 3.8% this year, helped by a rebound in the vital tourism sector, while inflation should cool to its target range, the finance minister said on Saturday.

Domestic spending has increased and the government will accelerate large project investment to help growth, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told a Radio Thailand program.

As the global slowdown hurts exports, “tourism is our hope,” he said. Continued …

Thousands of Russians Flee to Thailand to Escape War

Russian tourists are fleeing to Thailand to escape the war in Ukraine or look to move to the Southeast Asian country.

Thailand has become a haven for Russian visitors who are looking to escape Moscow’s war in Ukraine that has now entered its second year. Visitors are in Thailand but are they fleeing Russia, too.

Since Thailand fully reopened its borders and dropped Covid-19 restrictions in October, Russian arrivals have made up the third-largest group of visitors, only behind Malaysia and India, according to government data. Continued … 

‘Tipsy tubing’ on Pai River hit by alcohol ban

The sudden surge in the popularity of “tipsy tubing” down the Pai River in Mae Hong Son province has prompted the provincial office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to enforce safety regulations drafted last year and also protect visitors from price gouging and shoddy services.

Operators are now required to prohibit tubers from drinking alcohol while tubing down the river, said Phanuwat Khatnak, director of TAT’s Mae Hong Son office.

The prohibition against drinking while tubing was made last year, but enforcement will become strict due to the surging number of tubers, officials said. Continued …

Koh Mak

Islanders tell tourists – don’t pollute or bring jet skis and drugs

Residents of Trat province’s Koh Mak Island have issued a set of rules to ensure the idyllic island remains a low-carbon destination. These include a ban on motorsports and plastic food containers.

The 9,500-rai island is home to rubber and coconut plantations, residences, small hotels, and resorts. It is the third largest island in Trat, following Koh Chang and Koh Kut, and was among three Thai locations listed among the world’s Top 100 Green Destinations in 2022.

Even though it has few tourist attractions and even fewer facilities, the island’s natural beauty attracts foreign travelers. Continued …

First time in Thailand!? Don’t take a taxi! Do this instead

If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok, one of the things you may be worried about is transportation. After all, the city is known for its traffic congestion and sometimes chaotic roads. However, there are several transportation options available that can make getting around Bangkok easy and convenient.

One of the most popular transportation options for tourists is the airport rail link. This is a train system that connects both of Bangkok’s airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, to the city center.

The trains run from 5am to midnight and cost less than 50 baht, which is very affordable compared to other options. The train is also a fast and efficient way to get to the city center, especially during rush hour when traffic can be particularly heavy. Continued …

How to choose between Phuket and Koh Samui

Looking for an island holiday in Thailand? Phuket and Koh Samui are two of the country’s most popular destinations, but how do they stack up against each other?

Prior to the pandemic, some 40 million tourists visited Thailand annually. For many, the promise of lazing on an island beach shaded by coconut palms was sufficient enticement to jump on a plane, and the likelihood was that either Phuket or Koh Samui would be their final destination.

Fast forward a few years and Thailand’s tourism industry is clicking back into gear, with Phuket and Koh Samui leading the way. It’s hardly surprising; both islands offer a blend of relaxation and holiday indulgence. Phuket is busier, yet it offers more to do. Koh Samui is half the size of Phuket and is the more laid-back of the two, though action is never far away. Continued …

6 major Bangkok tourist attractions, and where to go instead

Sure, it’s easy to go to the obvious. There’s a reason why Bangkok’s most famous tourist attractions are packed with people, after all. Let us introduce you to a few places in Bangkok that are quite underrated, but will surely give you a memorable time.

It can be quite hard to look into destinations to travel to when you’re not familiar with the city. “Should I choose somewhere obvious because that’s what all the tour guides say? How do I find the places that won’t scam me, and that locals actually enjoy? Why do I have to buy a THB 500 ticket just to enter some temples?”

We hear these questions more times than we anticipated, and we’re here to help. If you’re looking for a good time, and want to stray away from the crowds without missing any of the culture, here’s where to go. These are the underrated tourist attractions in Bangkok you’ll have fun visiting. Continued …

Phase 5 of ‘We Travel Together’ program opens for registration today

People who want to join the fifth phase of the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) program can register today from 6am until 9pm, deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Traisoranakul said Sunday.

She also said that those who have already registered for the first four phases of the program do not need to reapply, but they do need to click to accept the terms and conditions in the “Pao Tang” app on their smart phones.

560,000 “entitlements” are available under the fifth phase of the scheme and those who have registered can start booking hotel rooms between March 7 and April 26, and can check in to the hotels from March 10 until April 30.

Those who are eligible for the travel entitlements must be Thai nationals, aged at least 18. Continued …

Why Thailand has attracted more foreign tourists than Vietnam

A friendly visa policy and diverse entertainment services have made Thailand more attractive than Vietnam in the eyes of foreign tourists.

Grant Wilson, 61, an Australian who has been living in Vietnam for six years, said he had traveled to Thailand more than 30 times.

Though Vietnam has beautiful scenery, delicious food and friendly people, Wilson said that Thailand has been developing tourism better than Vietnam, especially the quality of tourism services. Continued … 

Preserving Thailand’s historic railway heritage

In most countries, people take great pride in their railway systems. Thailand’s historic railways, however, occupy a different place in the national psyche.

Time, money and effort go into the conservation of valuable public assets around the world that give a sense of place, beauty and identity. When developers want to tear down old station railway stations, people take to the streets in protest.

When Manhattan’s Pennsylvania Station was bulldozed in 1963, there was international outcry. This was the beginning of the architectural conservation movement across America that inspired New York’s civic preservation law. That’s why Grand Central Station, which had also been slated for the wrecking ball, remains grand today. Continued …

North China city launches first China-Europe freight train

The city of Langfang in north China’s Hebei Province saw its first China-Europe freight train leave the station Saturday. The freight train, carrying 55 40-foot containers, will complete a journey of 7,800 km. Continued … 

Daily marijuana use increases heart disease risk by over a third, study finds

Using marijuana every day increases the risk of developing heart disease, U.S. researchers found, adding to an increasingly complex picture about the drug’s health impact. The results released on Friday showed daily cannabis users were 34% more likely to have coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease, compared to those who never used the drug. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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 

 

90-day online reporting

 

bangkok, cha am, hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s News-Feb 25

1 Comment

  • Ban on standing on back of songtaews puts drivers in a pickle/
  • Soi cats and dogs beware! PAT is on the job/
  • Reggae and ska festivals to be held in Cha Am March 4/
  • How online gambling infiltrated government websites to bypass betting ban/
  • Health Minister Says It is ‘Impossible’ to Legalize E-Cigarettes/
  • Global and Thai economy in a ‘no-landing scenario’/
  • Thailand’s dilemma as world splits one year into Russia-Ukraine war/
  • Thailand votes for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine at UN Assembly/
  • Thailand claims No.2 rank for bioplastic production/
  • Is TikTok disinformation threatening ‘democracy’ in Thailand?/
  • Border security boosted as fighting erupts in Myanmar/
  • Tourism: Thailand Sanctuary Caring for Elephants with ‘Caved-in’ Backs Damaged by Years of Tourist Rides/Pattaya, Hua Hin favorite getaways for Thai families – Agoda/Where you can pan for gold just two hours south of Hua Hin/How much does hospitality contribute to Thailand’s economy?/Thai hotels recover as foreign tourists return in droves/Upswing in bookings from China to Thailand/Tubing on the river in Pai – video/Thai Airways rides Asia’s travel reopening back to profit/Carriers upbeat on recovery prospects/Thai Smile-THAI merger ‘to cut losses’/
  • Thailand Experience: Thai iced tea: a global success story brewed over 4 centuries/Airbnb in Thailand: Remote Eco-Villa Floating on a Lake in Kanchanaburi/Bangkok beyond the bustle: Where to eat, shop and explore in Thailand’s capital/If You’re New To Cooking Thai Food, Taste As You Go/The healing power of cannabis in Thai herbal medicine/
  • International: ‘They brought war, and I don’t know why’ – Kherson resident on frontline life/EU agrees new sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine/G7 threatens Russia sanctions busters with ‘severe costs’/Ericsson to cut 8,500 jobs worldwide/
  • 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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Ban on standing on back of songtaews puts drivers in a pickle

A new law has been published in the Royal Gazette, stating that passengers are no longer allowed to stand on the back of baht buses, also known as songtaews. But drivers are also obligated to pick up all passengers, leaving drivers with the dilemma of either illegally not picking up passengers when full or illegally overcrowding and allowing passengers to stand on the back of the bus.

Similar laws have long existed – and often been ignored – on a local level throughout Thailand. But last Friday, the ban on standing on the back of baht buses was enacted as a federal law. Some believe the national law will be more strictly enforced than local laws.

Baht buses are a common form of public transportation in Thailand, especially in urban areas. They are typically pickup trucks or vans with covered seating areas in the back, and they follow fixed routes around the city, picking up and dropping off passengers along the way. Baht buses are known for their low fares, and passengers can flag them down from the roadside or hail them from a designated stop. Continued … 

Soi cats and dogs beware! PAT is on the job

With a team of trained staff, a vehicle to transport captured stray animals, clinic and operating theater, People and Animals Thailand is now ready to undertake its mission to significantly reduce the number of stray dogs and cats on regional streets.

People And Animals Thailand (PAT) is managed by Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT). Located between Hua Hin and Cha Am, the clinic has been set up specifically to help deal with the overpopulation of soi dogs and cats in the region.

This is not an animal refuge or general animal hospital but a facility to realize the purpose of PAT to provide free sterilization and vaccination services to improve the quality of life for both people and animals. Continued … 

One of Thailand’s biggest reggae and ska festivals to be held in Cha Am March 4

The Sunset Beach Music Festival 2023, one of the most highly anticipated events for reggae and ska music lovers in Thailand, will be held in Cha Am March 4.

With performances by some of the biggest names in the industry, the festival is regarded as Thailand’s biggest reggae and ska music festival by the sea. The event will be held at Baan Mai Bon Hat resort on Bang Kao Beach in Cha Am. Continued …

How online gambling infiltrated government websites to bypass betting ban

Hackers working for online gambling platforms have hijacked the web pages of many Thai government agencies and turned them into portals for illegal gaming sites.

Websites of state agencies under all 20 ministries have been infiltrated by the hackers, said Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn. More than 30 million URLs of state-agency websites were found to have been corrupted, he said.

The hackers managed to plant malicious scripts that linked to online gambling websites, the minister explained. The script, which contains keywords for online gambling and links to gaming platforms, caused state agency web pages hijacked by online gambling websites to appear among the top Google search results. Continued … 

Health Minister Says It is ‘Impossible’ to Legalize E-Cigarettes

Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated his stance on banning all forms of e-cigarettes, including selling and importing the products into the country.

Anutin told a meeting of the National Confederation of Networks for Thai Smoke-Free Society that it is alarming that more people, especially youngsters, turned to smoking electronic cigarettes nowadays due to a misconception that the device cannot cause cancer or is harmless for health.

This is totally not true, Anutin said, citing the World Health Organization’s study, which confirms that e-cigarettes are indeed harmful. Continued …

Global and Thai economy in a ‘no-landing scenario’

The world economy in the first quarter of 2023, especially in January, seems to be defying gravity. The U.S. labor market and retail sales figures have been much better than expected, while inflation is showing signs of a slower-than-expected slowdown.

You probably have heard of hard and soft landings, but what is happening now is what some economists and strategists define as a “no-landing scenario”.

What that means is that the economy is still expanding despite rising interest rates, while inflation is still high, which will lead central banks, especially the U.S. Federal Reserve to continue to raise interest rates. Continued …

Thailand’s dilemma as world splits one year into Russia-Ukraine war

Experts have urged Thais to brace themselves for a more volatile and unstable world as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates and new variables emerge.

The warning came as the war following Russia’s invasion approached its one-year anniversary on Feb. 24 with no sign of a peace agreement.

Somchai Pakapasvivat, an academic and analyst of international politics and economics, said the war was shifting the world into a new era of “unstable multipolarism”. Continued …

Thailand votes for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine at UN Assembly

Thailand was one of 141 countries at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly that voted for Russia to end the war in Ukraine and withdraw troops immediately.

Seven countries voted against and 32 countries abstained.

Thailand’s vote is significant since Thailand refused to condemn Russia’s annexation of Ukraine at a UN Assembly in October 2022, abstaining from the vote. Continued …

Thailand claims No.2 rank for bioplastic production

Thailand is the world’s second-largest producer of bioplastic products, serving growing demand overseas thanks to plenty of raw materials to drive manufacturing, says the Thai Bioplastics Industry Assn. (TBIA).

The country’s production capacity is 95,000 tons a year and manufacturers plan to increase the volume by 75,000 tons a year, said Viboon Pungprasert, president of TBIA.

Bioplastic manufacturing not only adds value to Thai agricultural products, but also supports global efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions and is one option to deal with problems caused by single-use plastics, he said. Continued …

Is TikTok disinformation threatening ‘democracy’ in Thailand?

Especially at voting time, fears grow of TikTok “disinformation” threatening democracy. Politicians and their paymasters are terrified that they can no longer control the supply of information to the public, thanks to platforms like Facebook and TikTok.

With Thailand’s general election only a few months away, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) is battling to take back control of information through self-censorship of the TikTok video-sharing platform. Ostensibly, this is to keep young voters on the government’s straight and narrow path. Continued …

Border security boosted as fighting erupts in Myanmar

Security has been tightened along the border in Sangkhla Buri district as fresh fighting erupted in Myanmar on Saturday morning.

Myanmar troops clashed with unknown forces for more than one hour. People on the Thai side of the border heard the sound of gunfire around 6.30am, with thick smoke and flames billowing over Myanmar’s Payathongzu township, opposite Phra Chedi Sam Ong village Moo 9 in tambon Nong Lu of Sangkhla Buri, said a border source. Continued …

Thailand Sanctuary Caring for Elephants with ‘Caved-in’ Backs Damaged by Years of Tourist Rides

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand https://www.wfft.org/(WWFT) in Phetchaburi is working to raise awareness about how tourists’ decisions can negatively impact animals.

An elephant being “trained” for tourism

WWFT runs the largest wildlife center in Thailand, which includes a sanctuary for elephants. Many of the center’s elephant residents are animals rescued from the trekking industry, where elephants spend countless hours giving tourists rides around Thailand.

One of the WWFT’s former trekking elephants is Pai Lin. She spent over 25 years giving rides to humans, sometimes being forced to carry six tourists at once on her back. Continued …

Pattaya, Hua Hin favorite getaways for Thai families – Agoda

Pattaya topped the list of holiday destinations for domestic travelers this year, followed by Hua Hin and its adjoining city Cha Am, search data collected by hotel booking platform Agoda shows.

Phuket, which is usually popular among foreigners, came in third.

According to Agoda’s insights, Thai families are most interested in vacationing in seaside towns this year. The 10 most searched local destinations by Thais are Pattaya, Hua Hin/Cha Am, Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Khao Yai, Krabi, Rayong and Koh Samet, respectively. Continued …

Where you can pan for gold just two hours south of Hua Hin

Bang Saphan, located little over two hours from Hua Hin, is one of the few places in Thailand where you can still pan for gold.

The gold panning takes place in the river that runs through the Ron Thong subdistrict, and according to locals, the gold found in the area is of the best quality in the country.

Gold panning in Bang Saphan is a popular activity among locals, who see it as a way to supplement their income, but it is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and those seeking to try new experiences. Continued …

How much does hospitality contribute to Thailand’s economy?

Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and the Thai economy benefits hugely from the multibillion-dollar tourism sector.

Renowned as one of the most beautiful locations in Asia, there is a plentiful mix of destinations in this magical country. If you want to visit a vast, sprawling city, Bangkok is the place to stay. However, if you prefer a traditional area with more of a cultural aspect to it, you can visit Chiang Mai in the north.

Island life is another area where the tourism industry is again returning to its full potential following the lockdown. You can visit Phi Phi and other regional islands, including Koh Tao and Koh Lanta. Continued …

Thai hotels recover as foreign tourists return in droves

Thailand’s hotel industry has seen a strong recovery following a surge in the return of foreign tourists, according to the international real estate consulting firm CBRE Thailand.

The positive trend in the tourism sector started last year and continued this year, resulting in increased hotel room occupancies, said Atakawee Choosang, head of hotels at CBRE Thailand.

He said that the trend was propelled by the return of Chinese tourists following China’s lifting of quarantine requirements for its nationals returning from overseas trips. Continued …

Upswing in bookings from China to Thailand

Newly released data from SiteMinder, the world’s leading open hotel commerce platform, highlights an increase in outbound reservation volumes to Thai properties from mainland China following the country’s relaxation of travel restrictions since Jan. 8.

SiteMinder has seen a 108% uptick in net reservations from Chinese travelers booking stays in Thailand since mid-December and a 37% increase globally.

Thailand, of the markets analyzed, is the country where reservations to SiteMinder properties are increasing the fastest, followed by Spain (84%), Vietnam (51%), Australia (51%), Singapore (44%), and the U.S. (43%). Continued …

Tubing on the river in Pai

Any lingering doubts about Thailand’s tourism recovery were washed away on Thursday when the meandering Pai River in Mae Hong Son became a traffic jam of floating foreigners.

TikTok user @RoritarChipmunk captured the scene in a video clip showing hundreds of tourists happily logjammed at the popular Pai attraction. Continued …

Video 

Thai Airways rides Asia’s travel reopening back to profit

Thai Airways International’s operating profit swung back to the black in 2022, the carrier reported Friday, as passenger revenue recovered thanks to the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

Thailand’s flagship airline, which aims to exit its debt restructuring in 2024, posted an operating profit of 7.7 billion baht ($220 million) for the year, rebounding from a year-earlier loss of 19.7 billion baht.

Revenue jumped more than fourfold on the year to 105 billion baht, helping absorb higher fuel costs. Passenger numbers grew 5.5-fold to 9.01 million, while revenue from ticket sales and baggage was up more than 13-fold at 74 billion baht. Continued …

Carriers upbeat on recovery prospects

Airlines are optimistic about recovery this year, with an expansion of services to China being a key driver, following a significant improvement in 2022, particularly during the fourth quarter.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, chief executive of SET-listed Asia Aviation (AAV) and Thai AirAsia (TAA), said after resuming China routes in January this year, the airline expects to regain 28% of pre-Covid-pandemic capacity to the mainland within the first quarter. The company plans to ramp up services to China to 40 flights per week this quarter. Continued …

Thai Smile-THAI merger ‘to cut losses’

Thai Airways International (THAI) revealed on Friday that Thai Airways is merging Thai Smile Airways with THAI to reduce losses.

It said the plan is expected to be approved by the end of this year.

Piyasvasti Amranand, chairman of THAI’s committee overseeing the airline’s rehabilitation, said the restructuring had been in the cards for a while. Continued …

Thai iced tea: a global success story brewed over 4 centuries

Thai iced tea has been ranked the seventh-best non-alcoholic drink in the world by foodie website TasteAtLas.com. The caramel-colored cooling beverage has long been popular with Thais of all ages.

However, its fame is now spreading across the world, as tourists who get a taste in Thailand seek out the stuff when they return to their home countries.

Thai iced tea beat competition from India’s famed Darjeeling brew and Italy’s ultra-intense espresso in the website’s survey. Continued …

Airbnb in Thailand: Remote Eco-Villa Floating on a Lake in Kanchanaburi

Even though I’ve called Thailand home for the better part of a decade, every year I discover something new that make me as giddy as I was when I first visited in 2011.

During a recent weekend trip with my wife and four-year-old son, I felt it again: that bubbly feeling in my stomach, the wondrous thrill of seeing a place for the very first time.

I was on top of a hill overlooking the Srinakarin Lake, a mountain-fringed water reservoir in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province. In front of us, the lake fanned out like a giant mirror, speckled with a handful of jungled islets and back-dropped by a horizon of mountains in the hazy blue distance. Squinting my eyes, I could almost imagine myself in the coastal regions of southern Thailand. Continued …

Bangkok beyond the bustle: Where to eat, shop and explore in Thailand’s capital

From its glittering, gold-embellished temples to the multitude of sprawling markets, Bangkok feels like a flurry of intensity for all the senses. Yet, the huge city of around 10 million people also has serene corner and a more relaxed pace, as I discovered on my travels this winter.

You can slow down to admire the art and design, linger over a leisurely Michelin-starred meal, or browse for hours in a cool, new shopping alley. Once you’ve hit all the iconic landmarks, here are a few more places that will have you wishing you’d booked a longer trip here.

For upscale dining: Paste

Chef Bee Satongun, named Asia’s best female chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2018, specializes in recreating ancient Thai recipes at her Michelin-starred spot, Paste. While this will likely be the most expensive restaurant you’ll experience in Bangkok, you will regret nothing. Continued …

If You’re New To Cooking Thai Food, Taste As You Go

Learning a new cuisine can be both fun and maybe (a tad) intimidating. When recreating your favorite Thai dishes like pad Thai, larb, tom yum soup, or even blending an authentic curry paste from scratch, there’s a vital cooking practice to remember as you follow a recipe.

Every ingredient and every finalized dish is different. Even when following the same recipe, you’re bound to find a slight variation in flavor profile and heat level with every finished dish. Unlike other styles of cooking, Thai food prides itself on the ability to bring a balance to a dish that is rich in sweetness, savoriness, saltiness, sourness, and hotness.

According to Chef Jet Tila, the combination of these flavors is referred to as yum in Thai cuisine. So how do you make sure that both you and your guests sharing in your meal have the perfect Thai yum experience? Taste your dish as you go. Continued …

The healing power of cannabis in Thai herbal medicine

Want to explore new ways to heal your body and mind? Then Thailand’s thriving medical cannabis clinics are your answer. Since the legalization of cannabis in 2022, these clinics have popped up all over the country, offering innovative treatments for a variety of ailments.

But wait, what exactly is Thai herbal medicine, and how does cannabis fit in? Well, let’s dive into the fascinating world of this ancient practice and explore how medical cannabis clinics are changing the game.

Thai herbal medicine has been a key part of Thai culture for centuries, with roots in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. The practice emphasizes the use of natural remedies to treat various ailments, from headaches to digestive issues to chronic pain. Continued …

‘They brought war, and I don’t know why’ – Kherson resident on frontline life

The south-Ukrainian frontline city of Kherson suffers from regular shell fire since Russian troops left more than three months ago. But high hopes that the city’s return to Ukrainian control would bring normalcy have not materialized. On Tuesday, the central square was deserted. Continued … 

EU agrees new sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine

The EU agreed to a new round of sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine on Friday, the one-year anniversary of Moscow’s invasion, the bloc’s Swedish presidency announced. Continued … 

G7 threatens Russia sanctions busters with ‘severe costs’

G7 leaders, joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, met in a virtual summit Friday and issued a stern warning to countries helping Russia evade international sanctions. Continued …

Ericsson to cut 8,500 jobs worldwide

Telecom equipment maker Ericsson said Friday it would slash 8,500 jobs worldwide, part of a cost-cutting program as financial headwinds push operators to rein in spending. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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 

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, climate change, hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Friday’s News-Feb 24

2 Comments

  • Adverse weather expected through Feb 28/
  • Academics ask Westerners to donate rare blood/
  • Bangkok professor says air pollution cost Thailand 4.6 trillion baht in 2019/
  • Thai food and kidney disease – an unholy alliance/
  • Aging with grace: New health and social care model for older people in Thailand/
  • Chinese agencies devouring Chiang Mai property market/
  • Foreigners invest 5 billion baht in Thailand in January/
  • Investors target high-end Pattaya hotels/
  • Thailand’s EV exports double in 2022/
  • Forest encroachment at Thap Lan puts tigers at risk/
  • CP Foods installing solar panels at 180 facilities in renewable energy push/
  • Want a sex toy? Try Thai rubber/
  • Bhumjaithai party to champion cannabis bill next term/
  • Tourism: The growing popularity of traditional Chinese medicine among western tourists/Pattaya Resurrects, Tourist Spending Increases to ฿100 Million Per Night/
  • Thailand Experience: Traditional Songkran promoted in Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai/
  • International: UN marks one year of Ukraine war with ‘historic’ vote/One year of the Russia-Ukraine war – a loss for all/Ransomware 3.0 strikes on the rise/Global wildlife contaminated by ‘forever chemicals’/
  • 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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Adverse weather expected through Feb 28

Adverse weather conditions are forecast across much of Thailand through at least Feb. 28. The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a weather warning for a combination of factors affecting different parts of the country Feb. 25-28.

The northeast monsoon prevailing over the Gulf of Thailand is likely to bring waves of 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet) in the upper Gulf of Thailand from Surat Thani Province northward and waves of 2-4 meters (6.5-13 feet) in the lower Gulf of Thailand from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province southward, as well as waves of 1-2 meters (3-6.5 feet) in the Andaman Sea. Authorities have requested that all vessels navigate with caution and avoid thunderstorms. Small boats are advised to refrain from leaving the shore. Continued …

Academics ask Westerners to donate rare blood

Rh-Negative blood reserves in Thailand are extremely low, academics told a panel discussion on Wednesday evening, during which they encouraged the international community in Thailand to donate blood. Continued … 

Bangkok professor says air pollution cost Thailand 4.6 trillion baht in 2019

A Bangkok professor has come forward with some troubling facts about the financial cost of Thailand’s air pollution in 2019.

The Kasetsart University professor, Wissanu Attawanich, said that air pollution from PM2.5 particles caused a staggering 2.173 trillion baht economic damage to Thai households that year. Wissanu said that when counting the damage from all pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, CO, NOx, NO2), the total was 4.616 trillion baht.

Wissanu’s research paper, disseminated by the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research (PIER), revealed five provinces with the highest cost of damage to households. The top five provinces were Bangkok, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen. Bangkok had the largest cost of 436.330 billion baht per year for PM2.5, and 927.362 billion baht per year when all air pollutants are considered. Continued … 

Thai food and kidney disease – an unholy alliance

About 17.6% of the Thai population, or eight million people, are suffering from chronic kidney disease, of which 200,000 are in the final stages. These figures are increasing by an average of 7,800 a year, according to Professor Dr. Atiporn Ingsathit, deputy director of Ramathibodi Hospital, quoting a 2020 report by the Ministry of Public Health.

According to the U.S. Renal Data System, Thailand ranks fifth in the world for kidney disease.

One of the causes of the high incidence of the disease is excessive consumption of sodium, averaging 3,635 milligrams per day, or about two teaspoons full, which is twice the amount recommended. Sodium is present in seasonings, such as soy sauce, fish sauce, shrimp paste, soup and seasoning powder. Continued …

Aging with grace: New health and social care model for older people in Thailand

In several poorer countries, aging populations and a lack of universal access to long-term care place the burden of care for older adults on their family. To mitigate this, researchers have successfully implemented a community-integrated intermediary care model in Thailand.

This care service has proven effective in reducing caregiver burden and improving the functional ability and independence of seniors. The multi-pronged model includes care prevention activities, capacity-building for family caregivers, and community respite services.

Rapidly aging populations are a problem that many low- and middle-income countries are currently facing. However, for several of these countries, inclusive health and social care is not a reality. Since older adults require constant attention and monitoring due to age-related morbidities and disabilities, the onus of caring for them usually falls on their families. Continued …

Chinese agencies devouring Chiang Mai property market

Property agents warn that an increasing number of Chinese nationals are buying houses in Chiang Mai via Chinese agencies opened using Thai nominees.

The Real Estate Trade Assn. of Chiang Mai Northern said on Thursday that around 1,000 houses worth over 3 million baht in Chiang Mai are now owned by Chinese nationals, with total value of at least 5 billion baht.

“Chinese have been buying real estate in Chiang Mai for more than a decade,” said association President Non Hirunchetskul. Continued … 

Foreigners invest 5 billion baht in Thailand in January

In the first month of 2023, foreign investment in Thailand amounted to 5.129 billion baht, the biggest investors being the Japanese, investing 3.588 billion baht.

Foreign investment is expected to reach 100 billion baht by the end of the year.

Today, Deputy Minister of Commerce Sinit Lertkrai revealed 52 cases of foreign investment in January under the Foreign Business Act (1999). Continued … 

Investors target high-end Pattaya hotels

Hotel investors are focused on buying upscale establishments because of high demand from independent guests, instead of hotels targeting mass tour groups, which have unfavorable locations and produce low returns, say Pattaya operators.

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, said 4- and 5-star properties, or those located near beaches and city centers, are more attractive investments because their customers tend to have high spending power.

“Investors learned from Covid-19 that location is an important factor,” said Thanet. Continued …

 

Thailand’s EV exports double in 2022

Exports of electric vehicles (EV) in 2022 rose to 9,515 units, double the number sold in the previous year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries’ Automotive Industry Club.

Total EV production last year reached 92,746 units, increasing 37.9% year-on-year, the club reported on Thursday.

Of these, 84,685 units were hybrid electric vehicles, a 44.9% year-on-year increase in production, while 8,061 units were plug-in hybrid EV, whose production dropped 21.2%. Continued … 

Forest encroachment at Thap Lan puts tigers at risk

Forest encroachment at Thap Lan National Park in Prachin Buri – the heartland of Thailand’s tiger population – has become so severe that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa is considering the possibility of new borders being drawn up.

“I’m confident the government won’t be disadvantaged by using forest borderlines to solve this problem inside the park. We would accept any borderline that ends the encroachment problem.”

Throughout Thailand, tigers have been driven to extinction. Until recently, there was only one known viable population of tigers in the country, along its western border with Myanmar. Then, in 2017, a population of at least 18 cats was found in Thap Lan National Park. Khao Yai National Park next door lost its tigers due to poaching. Continued … 

CP Foods installing solar panels at 180 facilities in renewable energy push

Agro-industrial and food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Co. (CP Foods) announced it plans to increase its usage of green energy via the installation of solar panels at 180 animal farms, feed mills, and processing plants across Thailand.

The total energy capacity of the company’s Thailand-based operations will be 65 MW by 2023 the Bangkok-based company stated in a press release. It added that it aims to reach 100 MW of solar energy across its supply chain by 2025.

“CP Foods works to promote the use of solar energy throughout the value chain to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable cost optimization. The company had earlier this year announced that it had successfully phased out coal use across all of Thailand’s operations in accordance with coal-free 2022 campaign. The business substitutes biomass energy for coal,” CP Foods Executive Vice President Peerapong Krinchai said. Continued …

Want a sex toy? Try Thai rubber

In an effort to boost the price of natural rubber, Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said this commodity should be channeled to the production of sex toys and dolls, which would draw additional income for the country.

Chalermchai, who is also the secretary-general of the Democrat Party, said, “Made in Thailand sex toys and dolls produced from the best natural rubber will raise the value of this commodity, with these sex products not just being about pornography but “a matter of sexual health.”

In 2021, the global sex toy market was worth 1.3 trillion baht, having grown 300% since 2016, he said, also estimating that it will increase to 2 trillion baht by 2030. Continued …

Bhumjaithai party to champion cannabis bill next term

The Bhumjaithai party yesterday pledged to push for the passage of a bill on cannabis and hemp after the next election as the controversial draft law appears unlikely to clear the House of Representatives before the end of its current term.

Supachai Jaisamut, chairman of the House committee vetting the draft law and a Bhumjaithai list-MP, seemed resigned to the fate of the bill sponsored by his party.

On Wednesday, the House continued its second reading of the draft law, and it took almost three hours to try and meet a quorum and vote on Section 15/3. Continued … 

The growing popularity of traditional Chinese medicine among western tourists

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become increasingly popular among western tourists visiting Thailand and other Asian countries where TCM is widely practiced and easily accessible.

Western tourists are often attracted to TCM for various reasons, including its perceived effectiveness, natural remedies, and holistic approach to health and wellness.

At Chinglian TCM Clinic, which is located next to Ratchathewi BTS station, we are seeing a particular increase in younger westerners seeking out alternative treatments for a wide range of ailments. Continued …

Pattaya Resurrects, Tourist Spending Increases to ฿100 Million Per Night

The tourism industry in Pattaya, both day and night, including Walking Street and entertainment venues, is experiencing an increase in spending by tourists from Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The level reaches 100 million baht per night, the figure trumping the record set pre-COVID-19. Business owners in the area are calling on the government to make it a free zone for entertainment until 4 am, like Phuket.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya Director Anoma Wongyai said Pattaya is in high season right now and many Russian tourists, along with travelers from India, Indonesia and China, want to visit the city, starting with private and family groups. Continued …

Traditional Songkran promoted in Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai

Following the inclusion of the Songkran Festival to a tentative list for recognition as an intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Thai authorities plan to promote the festival in a more traditional way in key tourist provinces this April.

Kowit Pakamart, director-general of the Department of Cultural Promotion, said his department is collaborating with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to promote traditional Songkran to showcase Thai culture for this year. Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt reaffirmed the collaboration, adding that the city’s cultural council will host events throughout the year to promote the nation’s intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in the capital. It will also promote information on ICHs, including cultural displays in Bangkok’s 50 districts. Continued …

UN marks one year of Ukraine war with ‘historic’ vote

The United Nations overwhelmingly isolated Russia on Thursday, marking one year since Moscow invaded Ukraine by calling for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” and again demanding Moscow withdraw its troops and stop fighting. Continued …

One year of the Russia-Ukraine war – a loss for all

One year into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the West is convinced that, with more powerful arms support to Ukraine, the country will win the war. After all, the U.S. and NATO can still take comfort in the fact that it was Russia’s blatant contravention of the UN Charter, by violating the territorial sovereignty of an independent state, that caused the conflict. Continued … 

Ransomware 3.0 strikes on the rise

Thailand recorded the second-highest number of targeted ransomware attacks in Southeast Asia and hackers are expected to increase their extortion and inflict greater damage on financial and reputational victims with Ransomware 3.0, says Russia-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. Continued …

Global wildlife contaminated by ‘forever chemicals’

From pandas to sea lions to tigers, hundreds of wildlife species across the globe are contaminated by potentially harmful “forever chemicals”, according to a review of hundreds of peer-reviewed studies. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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 

 

90-day online reporting

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

Thursday’s News-Feb 23

  • Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park wins ‘green shield’/
  • Surf time at Hua Hin Surf Festival this weekend/
  • Final 4 days of Monsoon Valley Harvest Festival/
  • Beach polo returns to Intercontinental April 1/
  • Turkey earthquake a daunting debut for Thailand’s international rescue team/
  • Vaping in Thailand not illegal, vape importation is/
  • No appointment needed for international driving permit/
  • PM promises Thailand won’t be a dump, plastic-scrap imports face ban/
  • Asia’s largest hub for content creators in Bangkok 40% complete/
  • Economists: Tourism surge offsets export setback/
  • Thai farmers tap into sustainable rubber industry/
  • Australian miner Kingsgate resumes gold operation in Thailand/
  • Cannabis bill running out of time/
  • Tourism: Phuket reports over 500 motorbike accidents in 2 months involving tourists/Russians make Thailand a refuge as Ukraine war enters second year/Hotels, tour agents fix gaze on China/Thai tourism entrepreneurs not ready for foreign visitors/TCEB’s five-year plan to join the top ranks of preferred MICE destinations /Pay to play: The latest destinations charging visitor fees in 2023/Thai Airways to trial biometric check-in at Suvarnabhumi Airport/
  • International: One woman dies every 2 minutes in pregnancy, childbirth/11 Palestinians killed, dozens shot in Israel West Bank raid/Southeast Asia lags in EVs/Webb spots surprisingly massive galaxies in early universe/
  • 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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Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park wins ‘green shield’

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province has won the Green National Park Shield for outstanding environmental management.

The award was announced on Wednesday by Pongsakorn Promkhunthod, chief of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.

He said it was joint award by the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Continued … 

Surf time at Hua Hin Surf Festival this weekend

The Hua Hin Surf Festival is set to take place Saturday and Sunday at Khao Takiab beach.

This event will bring together surfers and beach enthusiasts to celebrate the surf culture, fun and entertainment over a weekend filled with competitions, food, live music and activities.

The event is being organized by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Prachuap Khiri Khan office and Pineapple Surf Club. Continued …

Final 4 days of Monsoon Valley Harvest Festival

Beach polo returns to Intercontinental April 1

Beach polo on the sands behind the InterContinental, a blend of sport, fashion and high-society lifestyle, is returning for the 12th edition on Saturday, April 1.

Promoted as Asia’s largest and only beach polo event, the competition will see top teams from across the region, gathered to compete for the HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha trophy.

While the matches provide a stage for both International and local polo talents alike, regulars at the Asian beach polo scene will know it’s also very much a style-focused event. As players from varying nations engage in some friendly competition, expect to see crowds of fabulously dressed spectators, ready to showcase the very best of this years’ polo season fashion trends. Continued …

Turkey earthquake a daunting debut for Thailand’s international rescue team

The concept of a national urban search and rescue (USAR) team set up for large-scale natural or man-made disasters is rather new in Thailand. The country’s only USAR team has just returned from its first international mission, aiding search efforts following the devastating earthquake that leveled thousands of buildings in southern Turkey and northern Syria on Feb. 6.

USAR Thailand was set up in 2014 but its status as a national USAR team was only officially recognized by the National Emergency Operations Center on Feb. 2 last year, according to the Interior Ministry’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

The national USAR team comes under the department, which is working with relevant state agencies and private entities to ensure its potential and capabilities meet international standards. Continued …

Vaping in Thailand not illegal, vape importation is

When the public health official who gave Thailand legal weed promoted a heavy-handed crackdown on electronic cigarettes this week, one couldn’t be blamed for asking: Just what was he smoking?

After all, Bangkok, like the rest of Thailand, is awash in vapes. Legions vape in broad daylight. They puff away in bars and restaurants from devices sold openly on sidewalks.

So why was health minister Anutin Charnvirakul thundering on about arresting those importing e-cigarettes? And how could something so prevalent be illegal? Continued …

No appointment needed for international driving permit

People can apply for an international driving permit without making an appointment, says the Department of Land Transport (DLT).

Deputy Director-general Seksom Akaraphan on Wednesday said international driving permits are available at land transport offices nationwide without the need for an appointment, and cost 505 baht.

Thais who want to apply must bring their passport, ID card, original driving license in Thailand and two non-glossy photos sized two inches taken in the last six months. Continued …

PM promises Thailand won’t be a dump, plastic-scrap imports face ban

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged on Wednesday to ban the import of plastic waste from 2025 if he is re-elected, saying Thailand will not be a dump for other countries.

This will prevent Thailand from being perceived as the “garbage bin of the world”, Prayut said.

He made the statement in a Facebook post, a day after the Cabinet agreed to ban the import of plastic waste from 2025. Continued …

Asia’s largest hub for content creators in Bangkok 40% complete

Cloud 11, a project to build Asia’s largest hub for content creators and a center where the new generation can pursue careers and develop businesses in content creation, is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024, the developers said.

The project is being built at a cost of 40 billion baht by leading property developer Magnolia Quality Development Corp. (MQDC). Construction on 254,000 square meters of land on Sukhumvit Road near BTS Udomsuk station, Bangkok, began last year and is 40% complete.

Narong Chearavanont, honorary chairman of Cloud 11 Advisory Committee, said technologies and innovations are playing an important role in the global economy. He added that they are also accelerating significant growth across various sectors, including the entertainment and creative content industry. Continued … 

Economists: Tourism surge offsets export setback

The Thai economy is set to bounce back from a surprising contraction in the fourth quarter of 2022, as foreign tourist arrivals are likely to surprise on the upside and counter headwinds to merchandise exports from a global slowdown, say leading economists.

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy will expand by 4% this year even after the “sharp and surprise sequential contraction” in the fourth quarter, exports from a global slowdown, say leading economists. Continued …

Thai farmers tap into sustainable rubber industry

By the light of a head torch, Wanida Hityim deftly strips bark from a rubber tree, collecting the milky latex as she explains why she’s among a small number of Thai farmers trying to work more sustainably.

Factory workers process natural rubber sheets at the Klongpan rubber cooperative in Trang province (AFP)

As the world’s largest producer of natural rubber – supplying more than a third of global stocks in 2021 – Thailand’s policies have stimulated massive deforestation, plummeting biodiversity and soaring soil erosion.

The vast majority of the kingdom’s plantations are still worked conventionally, but a few farmers like Wanida are abandoning pesticides to try and lessen their impact on the environment. Continued … 

Chatree gold mine

Australian miner Kingsgate resumes gold operation in Thailand

Australia’s Kingsgate Consolidated, which runs the Chatree gold mine in Thailand, said it is restarting operations there after a six-year dispute between the company and the Thai government over the health and environmental effects of the mine was resolved.

Ross Smyth-Kirk, executive chairman of Kingsgate, operator of the mine since 2001 under the wholly owned Thai subsidiary Akara Resources, said the company has received an expanded metallurgical license and the processing plant has been overhauled.

“The refurbishment engineering contractors have started to demobilize, and subject to a final inspection by Thai government agencies and the delivery of key reagents required for ore processing, the commissioning of Plant 2 will start this month, leading to a ramp up into steady state production,” he said in a statement. Continued … 

Cannabis bill running out of time

Thailand’s parliament is running out of time to pass a much-awaited bill to regulate wider use of cannabis, as lawmakers remained divided over key provisions of the legislation, leaving the nation’s fast-growing industry in a regulatory limbo.

The House of Representatives failed to conclude the second reading of the bill on Wednesday, the last session earmarked for the controversial legislation before it goes into a recess next week. The delay was caused by some factions of lawmakers arguing that the bill lacked the teeth to prevent recreational use of cannabis and demanding the plant be listed as a narcotic again.

With Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha planning to dissolve parliament next month before polls slated for May, the fate of the bill will depend on the next government. A bill typically needs to be passed by a majority of the members at three readings, before being sent for a Senate approval to become law. Continued …

Phuket reports over 500 motorbike accidents in 2 months involving tourists

Phuket’s vice governor reported that over 500 motorbike accidents have occurred in the area involving foreign tourists in the past two months. Vice Gov. Anuphap led a meeting on the increasingly pressing issue yesterday.

Anuphap said many of the accidents involved foreign tourists who had rented motorbikes.

He said, “Eighty percent of them do not have driving licenses, some were wearing swimsuits, driving at high speed, and not familiar with routes. From January to February, there were more than 500 accidents involving foreign tourists.” Continued …

Russians make Thailand a refuge as Ukraine war enters second year

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, a growing number of Russians have looked to Thailand as their ticket to a new life.

Tens of thousands of Russians hoping to avoid the threat of conscription and the economic ravages of the war have traveled to the kingdom in the year since the invasion, many of them seeking a new home.

In Phuket, a popular resort island, Russians are buying off-plan condos with half a million dollars or more to facilitate their relocation or provide a landing pad for a future time when they may feel forced to leave their homeland.

Between Nov. 1, 2022, and Jan.21, 2023, more than 233,000 Russians arrived in Phuket, according to data from Phuket International Airport, making them the biggest group of visitors by far. Continued …

Hotels, tour agents fix gaze on China

Spending among Chinese tourists has not been affected by the global economic slowdown, as there is huge pent-up demand following a three-year hiatus, helping to stimulate the market, says a travel agent group.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said Chinese tourists coming to Thailand during this quarter were mostly individual travelers who haven’t been affected by the sluggish economy.

However, Chinese tour groups, which were allowed to travel to Thailand since Feb. 6, are only expected to account for 10% of the Chinese market in the first quarter, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimating 300,000 arrivals from the mainland during that period. Continued …

Thai tourism entrepreneurs not ready for foreign visitors

Most tourism-related small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are unprepared for the return of foreign visitors this year, according to a nationwide survey. Meanwhile, many say their post-Covid recovery depends more on domestic tourists than foreign visitors.

The Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (OSMEP) surveyed 572 business owners from six regions about their readiness and tourism in 2023.

The survey found that locals make up more than 50% of SMEs’ customers in the tourism industry, while 47.4% of SMEs have a specific customer group in their province. Continued …

TCEB’s five-year plan to join the top ranks of preferred MICE destinations

With the Covid-19 pandemic and digital technology continuing to redefine the world, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) – the public agency responsible for the business events sector in Thailand – has set an ambitious five-year strategic action plan (2023-2027) that aims to attract over 160 million MICE travelers and earn Thailand more than 945 billion baht.

As it enters its third decade of promoting Thailand’s MICE industry, TCEB is committed to making the country the undisputed premier business destination of choice. This mission is in line with the national economic development strategy and driven by long-term megatrends.

TCEB’s President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya explained that the action plan outlines five main approaches to speed up progress under the TCEB Go strategy and Thailand MICE to Meet You Year 2023 campaign. The first is to win more global events through partnerships with government agencies, including the One Ministry One Convention project. Continued …

Pay to play: The latest destinations charging visitor fees in 2023

Visitors heading to Thailand will have to pay a small entry fee from June, it has been confirmed.

Whether exploring Thailand’s vibrant cities or relaxing on its picture-perfect beaches, you’ll have to pay extra this year – but not by much.

The government has been given the go-ahead to apply an entry fee of up to 300 baht to all international visitors, regardless of where they’re coming from. Those who arrive by air will be charged 300 baht (about $9), which will be added to airline ticket prices. While those who arrive by bus, train, or boat will have to pay an additional 150 baht ($4) for their fare. Continued …

Thai Airways to trial biometric check-in at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Airports of Thailand (AOT) chose flag carrier Thai Airways to trial a new biometric check-in service at Suvarnabhumi Airport, starting on its Bangkok – Singapore route.

AOT hopes that bolstering facial recognition technology will streamline the check-in process and reduce waiting times.

From now until April 30, passengers on daily THAI flight TG409 from Bangkok to Singapore can check in by simply looking at a camera. Continued …

One woman dies every 2 minutes in pregnancy, childbirth

A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth complications, despite maternal mortality rates dropping by a third in 20 years, the United Nations (UN) said today. Continued … 

11 Palestinians killed, dozens shot in Israel West Bank raid

An Israeli army raid killed 11 Palestinians, including a teenager, Wednesday in Nablus, the Palestinian health ministry said, in the deadliest escalation in the occupied West Bank since 2005. Continued …

Southeast Asia lags in EVs

For self-confessed tech geek and adrenaline junkie Farhan Abdul Rahim, becoming one of the first Malaysians to own an electric car in 2020 was a no-brainer – but he did not simply stop there. Continued …

Webb spots surprisingly massive galaxies in early universe

The James Webb Space Telescope has spotted six massive galaxies that emerged not long after the Big Bang, a study said Wednesday, surprising scientists by forming at a speed that contradicts our current understanding of the universe. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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 

 

90-day online reporting

hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism

Wednesday’s News-Feb 22

  • Shops, people warned against reserving areas of public roads for personal parking/
  • Netflix Thailand slashes basic service by 60%/
  • Global conditions hinder Thailand’s economic recovery/
  • Young Thais urged to eat more rice, as records show slump in demand/
  • Tops rebranding drive makes headway among consumers/
  • Three men found shot in head in car in swamp in southern Thailand/
  • Tourism: 8 places worth visiting in Prachuap Khiri Khan/The Hidden WOW tourism campaign in Prachuap Khiri Khan/Arrival of Chinese Tour Groups Still Unexpectedly Low/Thailand expects big jump in tourists from China/Best Western betting on Thailand with eight new hotels, one in Hua Hin/
  • Thailand Experience: Spice up your life with Thai food/10 Simple Thai Recipes To Add Some Spice To Your Plate/
  • International: ‘Terrible toll’ of Russia’s year-long invasion of Ukraine/Putin accuses West of stoking global war to destroy Russia/Four-day work week in UK gains converts/
  • 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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  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach !
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • Get a beach-bed at Anantasila Beach Khao Takiab
  • 500 Baht per person and the good thing about that: You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our Restaurant or Beach-bar.
  • That sounds like a deal doesn’t it?!!

Get a beach-bed at our Anantasila beach – 500 Baht per person

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Shops, people warned against reserving areas of public roads for personal parking

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Tuesday warned shops and people against reserving public roads for personal parking, saying they could face fines of up to 10,000 baht.

The CIB posted on its Facebook page that reserving parts of public roads as personal parking space would violate both the traffic law and the “Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country BE2535 (1992)”.

Fights for parking space on roads in front of shops or houses often lead to heated disputes and sometimes even deadly squabbles. Continued … 

Netflix Thailand slashed basic service by 60%

Mixed news for series addicts on a budget: Starting today, Netflix has reduced the monthly rate for its basic package by 60%, but users may not share their accounts.

The basic monthly package now runs THB169, down from THB279. That means enjoying the latest episodes of psycho thriller You, searing K-dramas, or any of Note Udom’s comedy specials at 720p resolution, which qualified as HD in 2010. The package limits users to only one device at a time.

Those already subscribed to the basic package will automatically pay the new rate on their next billing cycle. Continued …

Global conditions hinder Thailand’s economic recovery

Thailand’s economic growth in the fourth quarter of last year has disappointed many people. Real gross domestic product (GDP), a broader measure of economic output, grew just 1.4% year-on-year, decelerating sharply from 4.6% growth in the third quarter.

The 1.5% negative contraction quarter-on-quarter has raised questions whether the economy might enter a technical recession if it contracts again in the first quarter of this year.

Thailand’s exports had seen a steep drop by 10.5% year-on-year in the fourth quarter. Continued …

Young Thais urged to eat more rice, as records show slump in demand

The Commerce Ministry has launched a campaign calling on young Thais to eat more rice after a recent study showed that the consumption of rice in Thailand has plummeted.

“In 2018, the rate of rice consumption among Thais, particularly the younger generation, dropped from 100 kilos per person per year to 72kg per person per year,” said Udom Srisomsong, deputy director-general of the Department of Internal Trade.

“In Bangkok, the rate of consumption has dropped to just 50kg per person per year.” Continued …

Tops rebranding drive makes headway among consumers

Central Food Retail Co., the operator of Tops grocery stores under Central Retail Corp. (CRC), vows to continue opening new stores and renovating existing outlets.

The company also wants to complete its rebranding plan by the end of this year.

Stephane Coum, Central Retail’s chief executive for the food group, said the company’s major rebranding effort to unify all brands as Tops starting in October last year received a positive response from consumers. Continued …

Three men found shot in head in car in swamp in southern Thailand

Buketa police in Waeng district of Narathiwat in the far south of Thailand and the military responded after reports that three men were found in the boot of a car in the Jeurae swamp.

A large group of locals were gawking at the scene in Mae Dong subdistrict when forensics officers arrived.

Three shirtless men were in the boot of a blue Toyota Yaris. It’s registration plate was found detached in the swamp. Continued … 

8 places worth visiting in Prachuap Khiri Khan

The Hidden WOW tourism campaign in Prachuap Khiri Khan is a promotional initiative aimed at promoting some of the lesser-known attractions and destinations in the province.

The campaign focuses on showcasing the unique and authentic experiences that the area has to offer, such as stunning natural landscapes, local cultural activities, and important religious sites.

The goal of the campaign is to attract tourists to all eight districts of the province, boosting the local economy and preserving the cultural heritage of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Continued …

Arrival of Chinese Tour Groups Still Unexpectedly Low

The number of Chinese tour groups traveling to Thailand remains unexpectedly low due to a lack of flights, said Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Thai Association of Tourism Businesses (ATTA).

Sisdivachr disclosed that most Chinese arrivals in Thailand were free independent travelers (FIT), which refers to tourists who travel on their own without a tour guide or joining a tour group. These types of visitors are largely attributed to the majority of recent Chinese arrivals, while the number of tour groups was still very low despite China already allowing outbound group travel, Sisdivachr said.

The ATTA president associated this unexpected phenomenon with insufficient flights. Continued …

Thailand expects big jump in tourists from China

Thailand has revised its forecast upward for the number of inbound Chinese tourists in 2023, following a strong recovery in China’s tourism market.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of Thailand’s Tourism Authority, said the figure has been raised by 2 million from the previous estimate of between 5 and 6 million. Thailand is now expecting between 7 and 8 million Chinese visitors.

He made the remarks in Shanghai on Monday at the “Amazing Thailand, Amazing New Chapters Roadshow to China 2023.” Continued …

Best Western betting on Thailand with eight new hotels, one in Hua Hin

Best Western is looking east. The U.S.-based global hospitality group will open eight new hotels in Thailand this year to capitalize on the Kingdom’s resurgent tourism, and as part of its expansion across the Asia-Pacific region, a top-ranking executive said last week.

Best Western Hotels (BWH) operates 16 properties in Thailand under three brands: one World Hotels Collection hotel, 13 Best Western Hotels and Resorts properties, and two Sure Stay Hotels. The new ventures represent a 50% increase in BWH’s Thai portfolio.

They include properties in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Hua Hin, basically all the major tourism centers in the Kingdom. Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi are also under consideration as new locations, the company said. – thaiembdc.org

Spice up your life with Thai food

Thai food is a cuisine that is beloved by people all over the world for its complex and diverse flavors. From the sour tang of tom yum soup to the spicy kick of green curry, Thai food offers a unique culinary experience that satisfies the taste buds and leaves a lasting impression.

But Thai cuisine is more than just a delicious meal. It’s a reflection of the country’s rich history and cultural influences. The story of Thai food is one that spans centuries. It has roots in various countries and cultures that have come together to create a unique and vibrant culinary tradition.

In this article, we will explore the history and cultural significance of Thai food, from its background and earliest roots to its modern-day popularity. Continued … 

10 Simple Thai Recipes To Add Some Spice To Your Plate

Thai cuisine is a tantalizing combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors that has become increasingly popular worldwide. A melting pot of influences from Chinese, Indian, and Malay cuisines, Thai cooking is characterized by its bold use of herbs, spices, and aromatics, as well as its emphasis on fresh, vibrant ingredients.

From the classic tom yum soup to the iconic pad Thai, Thai cuisine is an explosion of taste that has captured the hearts and palates of many food lovers.

One of the most notable features of Thai cooking is the use of fresh herbs and spices, such as lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime (leaves and zest), Thai basil, coriander, and bird’s eye chilies. These ingredients are often used to make curry pastes, marinades, and sauces that infuse dishes with intense and complex flavors. Thai cuisine also relies heavily on stir-frying, grilling, and steaming to create dishes that are healthy, quick, and easy to prepare. Continued …

‘Terrible toll’ of Russia’s year-long invasion of Ukraine

When Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, he started a war that has killed tens of thousands of people, ravaged cities, and pummeled the country’s economy. Continued … 

Putin accuses West of stoking global war to destroy Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday vowed to continue with his country’s year-long war in Ukraine and accused the United States-led NATO military alliance of fanning the flames of the conflict in the mistaken belief that it could defeat Moscow in a global confrontation. Continued …

Four-day work week in UK gains converts

The largest-ever trial of the four-day work week has found that most UK companies participating are not returning to the five-day standard, and a third are ready to make the change permanent. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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 

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, cha am, covid, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, solar, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s News-Feb 21

  • Standing on back of songthaews now prohibited/
  • Hua Hin International School seeks teacher/
  • Cha Am Forest Park opens new camping area/
  • Sugar mills plan to help farmers stop burning of sugar cane fields/
  • No respite for Bangkok as PM2.5 readings continue rising/
  • US army to learn Muay Thai from champ Buakaw during Cobra Gold/
  • FTI frets over increase in inexpensive Chinese products/
  • Ukraine war blows huge hole in Thai exports to Russia/
  • Body floating near Koh Tao identified as Myanmar woman/
  • Schneider Electric unit eyes renewables/
  • Tourism: Thailand expects THB3.9 billion from tourist entry fee this year/
  • Thailand Experience: Phi Phi Islands’ Drive to Balance Tourism, Environmental Conservation/Thai Comfort Food Adapts to the Times – Video/Thai fine-dining restaurants in Bangkok to savor the taste of the Kingdom/
  • Covid: Fewer people testing positive for Covid-19 in Thailand/
  • International: Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine/Darkened plane, silent overnight train: how Biden got to Kyiv/Fresh earthquake hits Turkey-Syria border two weeks after disaster/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

Standing on back of songthaews now prohibited

A new law announced Feb. 17 will make it mandatory that passengers sit down in songthaews, the ubiquitous form of passenger transport in Thailand that has two rows of seats in the back of a converted pickup.

For decades and more, passengers – especially in the rush hours – have stood up and even hung precariously off the back of such vehicles.

But now, Thailand is becoming more safety conscious. But that is not pleasing the drivers. They say they are having to pay between 800-1,000 baht a day for fuel, they need as many passengers as they can get. Continued …

Hua Hin International School seeks teacher

Cha Am Forest Park opens new camping area

Cha Am Forest Park officials have announced the opening of a new camping area at the park, offering access to the beach and town center.

The more than 300 rai area off Phetkasem Road is less than a five-minute drive from Cha Am Beach.

The park includes permanent accommodation, bathrooms and shower facilities, conference rooms, a nature trail gym, and a visitor’s center. And now, visitors can pitch tents to camp overnight. Location 

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach !
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • Get a beach-bed at Anantasila Beach Khao Takiab
  • 500 Baht per person and the good thing about that: You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our Restaurant or Beach-bar.
  • That sounds like a deal doesn’t it?!!

Get a beach-bed at our Anantasila beach – 500 Baht per person

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

 

Sugar mills plan to help farmers stop burning of sugar cane fields

Sugar mills across Thailand are working to tackle the problem of sugar cane burning, with the aim of reducing PM2.5 pollution.

The Office of Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) recently invited all parties involved in the cane and sugar industry, including representatives of sugar cane farmers and sugar mills, to discuss measures to end the burning of sugar cane in order to reduce the environmental impact and the occurrence of PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter).

“To solve this problem sustainably, all parties, including government agencies and factories, must work together by adding supportive measures to encourage farmers in cutting fresh sugar cane,” said Pramote Wittayasuk, president of Thai Sugar Millers Corp. (TSMC). Continued …

No respite for Bangkok as PM2.5 readings continue rising

Most of Bangkok was covered in a haze of hazardous air as of 7am on Monday, with 67 air-quality monitoring stations reporting high levels of PM2.5 pollution.

PM2.5 readings were between 49 and 77 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3) in most parts of the capital. PM2.5 are dust particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that can severely affect people with chronic lung and heart conditions.

Thailand’s safe standard for PM2.5 pollution is 50μg/m3, though the World Health Organization sets it at 12μg/m3 or lower. Continued … 

US army to learn Muay Thai from champ Buakaw during Cobra Gold

Muay Thai boxer Sombat Banchamek, widely known as Buakaw Banchamek, has been invited by the U.S. Army to train U.S. soldiers in the Thai martial art during the upcoming Cobra Gold military drills.

Cobra Gold, the multinational Indo-Pacific military exercises, are scheduled to take place in Thailand from Feb. 27 to March 10.

Besides training the U.S. soldiers in Muay Thai, Buakaw will take part in Cobra Gold’s Strategic Airborne Operations (SAO) training. Continued … 

FTI frets over increase in inexpensive Chinese products

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is gripped with a fresh worry over the influx of inexpensive Chinese goods following China’s reopening, though Beijing’s policy is good for the tourism sector.

Thailand will barely compete in the international trade arena because entrepreneurs currently cannot control production costs due to higher energy bills and wages than those in China, said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI.

“The Chinese are seeking markets for their products. The country will increase exports after its reopening in order to boost the economy,” said Kriengkrai. Continued … 

Ukraine war blows huge hole in Thai exports to Russia

Thai exports to Russia fell 43.3% to $585.44 million in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago. Hardest hit were exports of heavy vehicles, which dropped by 74%, according to the Department of International Trade (DITP).

It said the fall in exports is likely to continue in 2023.

The top 10 Thai exports to Russia were vehicles, tires, machinery and mechanical parts, canned and processed fruits, machinery and mechanical components, refined oil, canned seafood, processed rubber, rice, and food seasoning. Continued … 

Body floating near Koh Tao identified as Myanmar woman

The deceased woman found floating in the sea near Koh Tao in southern Thailand yesterday has been identified as 39-year-old Aye Pa Pa Khaing from Myanmar.

A fisherman found Aye Pa Pa Khaing floating among gallon drums about 12 nautical miles northwest of the island yesterday morning. Her body was recovered by the Royal Thai Navy. Continued … 

Schneider Electric unit eyes renewables

Schneider Electric Thailand is focusing on renewable energy, with more installations of rooftop solar panels at its factory in order to reduce expensive power bills and help the government effort to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

Adopting clean energy is in line with the carbon neutrality campaign, said Chartchai Phothivorn, Schneider Electric Thailand’s manager for facility and environmental health and safety.

Carbon neutrality refers to global efforts to strike a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and reduction. Continued … 

Thailand expects THB3.9 billion from tourist entry fee this year

Thailand would gain 3.9 billion baht in revenue following the decision to implement a 300-baht fee on foreign tourists beginning June 1, Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday.

His estimate was based on the projection that 13 million travelers would visit the country from June 1 to the end of the year.

Starting June 1, visitors who enter the country by air will be charged a 300-baht fee, while those who enter the country by land or water must pay a 150-baht fee. Continued … 

Phi Phi Islands’ Drive to Balance Tourism, Environmental Conservation

As sightseeing boats headed into the turquoise waters of Maya Bay, a floating buoy rope kept them a few hundred meters away from the glistening beach, leaving tourists to appreciate the beauty from afar before the boats turned back and departed.

These boats then need to navigate around to the back of the bay, where a floating pier has been built for brief stops. From there, tourists disembark and walk along a wooden pathway through the jungle to the white sand beach, a place made famous after featuring in a 2000 film “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

This has now become a common pattern for visitors coming to Phi Phi islands’ famous scenic spot on the Andaman Sea coast. Continued … 

Thai Comfort Food Adapts to the Times – Video

People in Thailand have long enjoyed the taste of pork skewers called moo ping. It’s a popular street food. But as younger folks become more health conscious, a new type of skewer is gaining traction. Video

Thai fine-dining restaurants in Bangkok to savor the taste of the Kingdom

What does it mean to eat as a Thai? Some may think of the use of local ingredients — aromatic spices that are hard-hitting, and the level of spiciness that will make Caucasian folks reluctant to savor another mouthful. Many might refer to the generous portions and the sense of community as you’re meals are often presented sharing-style.

In Bangkok, these restaurants have really done their homework, and even people born and raised here can appreciate all these factors, but in an elevated setting.

Bookmark them, call them up for a table, call your friends for some company. You’re going to enjoy every bite at these Thai fine-dining restaurants in Bangkok. Continued …

Fewer people testing positive for Covid-19 in Thailand

The number of people admitted to hospital for Covid-19 dropped substantially last week, the Department of Disease Control said in its weekly report published on Monday.

In the week of Feb. 12-18, 203 people tested positive for Covid-19 compared to 392 in the previous week.

Of the 203 Covid-19 patients recorded last week, 78 developed lung inflammation, while 51 had to be hooked up to respirators. Continued …

Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden promised new military aid for Ukraine worth $500 million during a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday, almost a year to the day since Russia’s invasion. Continued … 

Darkened plane, silent overnight train: how Biden got to Kyiv

President Joe Biden’s surprise visit Monday morning to wartime Kyiv began in the dead of night at a military airport hangar outside Washington. Continued … 

Fresh earthquake hits Turkey-Syria border two weeks after disaster

Another earthquake struck the border region of Turkey and Syria on Monday, just two weeks after the area was devastated by a larger quake that killed more than 47,000 people and damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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 

 

90-day online reporting