Friday’s news-Dec 22 -

Today’s news: Hospitals Cannot Refuse/Heavy rain, storm surges/Thai education system needs/Human trafficking ring busted/Overstays for 6 Years/British suspect refuses arrest/Economy: 105 Billion Expected To Be Spent/To seek higher minimum wage/Thailand plans two new airports/Elephant population on the upswing/To cut carbon emissions/Tourism: 26.5 Million Foreign Tourists/Tourist tax has been postponed/Americans want to visit the most/Thailand Experience: The rise of Thai Watchnight/Korat kicks off New Year/Bloom is on for Ubon Ratchathani/Cool and casual dining experiences/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hospitals Cannot Refuse Emergency Patients, Including Foreign Tourists

The National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEMS) has confirmed its readiness to handle an expected increase in accidents during the New Year festival. The organization has already conducted drills for emergency medical teams to ensure preparedness.

The institute said significant focus in this matter is on the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) system. The system is designed to protect emergency patients in critical conditions. Continued …

Heavy rain, storm surges to affect southern Thailand

Residents of southern Thailand, particularly those living along the east coast, are being warned of heavy to very heavy rains from Saturday to Monday, which could result in flash flooding, water runoff near foothills, and overflows in low-lying areas.

The warning was issued by the Hydro-Informatics Institute on Friday, which added that provinces to be affected by heavy rains include Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Continued …

Thai education system needs to embrace ‘Big 5 Model’ to reverse the decline

There have been numerous questions raised about the Thai education system following the release of the results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The assessment evaluates the performance of 15-year-old students in participating countries every three years. The findings revealed a decline in Thai students’ scores across all subjects, reaching the lowest point in 20 years. Continued …

Human trafficking ring using underage girls busted

An investigation led by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) led to the arrest of seven individuals allegedly involved in a human trafficking ring.

The accused were reportedly enticing underage girls from Mae Hong Son province to sell their virginity to Chinese investors in Bangkok for a fee of 200,000 baht (US$ 5,733). If the girls were found to be non-virgins, the fee was halved. Continued …

Indian National Overstays for 6 Years, Arrested for Alleged Loan Shark Activities

On Wednesday, Nonthaburi provincial immigration officers captured an Indian suspect who overstayed 2,366 days in Thailand, and allegedly was involved in illegal loan shark activities in Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi.

According to a report by Royal Thai Immigration officers, their recent policy on solving illegal loan shark debt problems was issued by the Thai government and, as a result, the officers performed an investigation on an alleged loan shark in a Muenag Nonthaburi market who was publicly identified only as Mr. Kay, a 39-year-old Indian. Continued …

Drunk British suspect refuses arrest, tries to injure Thai police

Police released a video of a drunk British man refusing to be arrested and attempting to assault Thai police after he crashed his pickup into another vehicle in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province.

The Englishman, identified as Martin, reportedly crashed his white Nissan pickup into a white Toyota Fortuner of a 43-year-old Thai woman whose identity was not released at the Baan Bang Saray intersection in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province. Continued …

105 Billion Expected To Be Spent During New Year Season

About 105 billion baht in cash flow over the purchase of merchandise and services is expected across the country during the approaching New Year season, the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce’s (UTCC) Center for Economic & Business Forecasting reported.

According to the UTCC economic forecast, an estimated 105.92 billion baht worth of varied goods and services will circulate nationwide during the festive year-end season with each reveler spending an average of about 6,000 baht. Continued …

Government to seek higher minimum wage next year

The government will go on the offensive in its push for a large daily wage hike for workers next year after this year’s modest rise, according to government spokesman Chai Wacharonke.

The government was left disappointed after it failed to encourage the tripartite committee on regulating the daily minimum wage to agree to increase wages. The committee agreed to a hike of only between 2 and 16 baht, or an average of 2.4%. The rate has reportedly irked Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Critics have also described the latest hike as a pittance. Continued …

Thailand plans two new airports, at 150-billion-baht expense

In a move set to revolutionize Thailand‘s air travel scene, Airports of Thailand (AOT) has unveiled ambitious plans for the construction of two new airports and an investment of 150 billion baht.

Speaking at the “Section II: Next Step” seminar on Dec. 20, AOT CEO Kirati Kitmanawat revealed plans for the Lanna and Andaman airports. These megastructures, with an estimated price tag of 70 billion baht and 80 billion baht, respectively, promise to redefine the sky-high standards in passenger capacity, boasting a 40 million annual footfall. Continued …

Thai elephant population on the upswing, fruit aids reproduction

A new study reveals that diet could play a role in the fact that Thai elephant populations are increasing. Padej Laithong, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, announced Tuesday the results of a survey on the behavior of wild elephants in Thailand.

The research was conducted after a herd of nearly 200 wild elephants in the eastern forests encroached on areas inhabited by humans. The investigation found that the elephants leave the forest more frequently than usual during this time of year, time of the sugar cane harvest. Continued …

Thailand promises to cut carbon emissions by 40%

Thailand has pledged a whopping 40% cut in carbon emissions, up from its initial 30%, following the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.

At a COP28 debriefing event Wednesday, Phirun Saiyasitpanich, chief of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, declared that a serious study based on social, environmental, and economic impacts is needed. This strategic shift is embodied in the second version of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), Thailand’s dynamic climate action plan. Continued …

26.5 Million Foreign Tourists in 2023, Record-Breaking Income

Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Thai minister of Tourism and Sports, publicly revealed the cumulative number of foreign tourists from Jan. 1 to Dec. 20 was at 26,455,680 people, generating income of more than 1.1 trillion baht.

The top five nationalities visiting Thailand were Malaysian, Chinese, Russian, Korean, and Indian. More than 104,838 Malaysian tourists reportedly visited Thailand during the past week, from Dec. 11-17, as it was a school vacation in Malaysia, said Sudawan. Continued …

300-baht tourist tax has only been postponed ‘until industry recovers’

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has postponed collecting the controversial tourist tax for fear that Thailand’s tourism industry could be affected. Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, however, clarified on Thursday that the tourist tax would not be revoked.

“The tourist tax collection would be postponed until the tourism situation is better. Although the fees are not high, we see that they may affect travel plans and the sentiment of many foreign tourists,” the minister said. Continued …

Thailand: The tropical destination Americans want to visit the most

A recent study has named Thailand the tropical destination Americans most want to visit in 2024. The analysis undertaken by the all-inclusive review site wereviewresorts.com analyzed the Google search behaviors of each state to pinpoint which tropical destination was searched for the most.

The study looked at the Google search traffic for 156 tropical destination terms across every state in America to discover destinations with tropical climates Americans are researching as we go into 2024. Continued …

The rise of Thai Watchnight, a uniquely mindful New Year celebration

Over the past decade, Buddhist Watchnight, or “Suad mon kham pee”, has emerged as an increasingly popular alternative to raucous partying on New Year’s Eve. The rising trend has prompted curiosity about the motivations for choosing this countdown meditation and the potential positive effects it may bring.

“Suad mon kham pee” offers a uniquely tranquil way of welcoming in the new year during a contemplative ceremony at your nearest temple. Continued …

Korat kicks off New Year countdown with winter festival

Nakhon Ratchasima’s iconic annual “Korat Winter Festival & Countdown 2024” runs from today until Jan. 2, ushering in the new year amid the chilly weather on Thailand’s northeastern plateau.

Free concerts, a theme park, street food and firework shows kick off tonight at the square in front of city hall in Muang district. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has laid on a giant Ferris wheel and other fairground rides for youngsters and the young at heart. Continued …

The bloom is on for Ubon Ratchathani

In the lower part of northeastern Thailand, along the Thailand-Laos border through which the Mekong River winds its merry way, lies Ubon Ratchathani — a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Known for the renowned candle festival, delicious “moo yor” pork sausage, and a rich cultural heritage, this province also boasts captivating landscapes and scenic woodlands. Continued …

5 cool and casual dining experiences in Bangkok

Bangkok is famous for its street food: visitors and tourists alike sit happily hunched on plastic stools at folding tables, frenziedly filling their faces with oyster omelet, satay and pad Thai, or daring to explore the protein-rich world of freshly fried insects. The city is also increasingly renowned for its haute cuisine, with months-long waiting lists for the many multi-starred restaurants that exist.

But there is a vast middle ground of cool, casual eateries offering a range of cuisines and styles in a setting that is more formal than those roadside set-ups, and far kinder on your wallet than the latest recipient of any Restaurant of the Year awards. Continued …

Prague gunman kills 14 in Czech Republic’s deadliest shooting

A student opened fire Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people, officials said, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting. The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student. The gunman also died and his name has not been released. Continued …

Malaysian economy to grow 4.5% to 5.5% in 2024

Malaysia’s economic momentum is expected to steadily improve heading into next year, with gross domestic product (GDP) set to grow by 4.5%-5.5% in 2024 from an estimated 4% this year, according to RAM Rating Services. Continued …

Global economy slows down, affecting oil prices

Oil prices have decreased following the global economic slowdown, despite OPEC+ members jointly announcing a reduction in oil supply to support prices. The price of ICE Brent crude oil in the 4th quarter of 2023, from Oct. 1 to Dec, 6, averaged $84.6 per barrel, a decrease from the 3rd quarter average of $85.9 per barrel. Continued …

Social media X goes dark worldwide

All around the globe, social media behemoths X and X Pro plunged into darkness, leaving millions in the dark. Formerly the avatars of tweets and trends, X (formerly Twitter) and X Pro (once known as TweetDeck) faced a collective blackout. Continued …