Friday’s news-Oct 4 -

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Hua Hin’s monkey problem/Elephant parade at Bluport/New regulation for COD/Public vehicle inspections in PKK/Bus Owner Tried to Hide Illegal Gas Cylinders/Gas leak cause of school bus fire/Bus Companies Lament Over Suspension/Chaig Rai district flooded again/Chiang Mai braces for more floods/Strengthening ties with Iran/Birth control campaign launches/Welfare card benefits updated/Thai gold primed for record/Economy: Stimulus to lift GDP/Stricter Regulations on Business Nominees/Political Economy of Cinema/Thai rice struggles/Tourism: Boosting tourism/Suvarnabhumi Airport Gears Up/Hassle-free DTV applications/Don Mueang-Lampang route/Discounted Flights To Beijing, Shanghai/Thailand Experience: Tips for families moving to Thailand/Jewel of budget street food/Climate Thailand: Making Bangkok a livable city/Renewables investment expected/Transforming Plastic Waste Management/BYD’s affordable EVs/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

Hua Hin still trying to deal with all those monkeys

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Elephant parade exhibition at Bluport

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New regulation empowers customers using cash-on-delivery services

A new regulation that allows consumers to inspect products before making payments for cash-on-delivery (COD) shipping services took effect from yesterday.

Under the new regulation of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, customers can now check their items before payment, and if the goods are damaged or not as advertised, they can reject the package. Continued …

Public transport vehicle inspections started in PKK

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Bus Owner Caught Trying to Hide Illegal Gas Cylinders After Deadly Fire

Authorities have uncovered attempts by the company responsible for the bus fire that killed 23 students and teachers in Pathum Thani to conceal illegal modifications to other buses in its fleet.

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) revealed that additional gas cylinders were being secretly removed from five of the company’s buses just days after the fatal accident. Continued …

Investigation reveals gas leak as cause of deadly school bus fire

Authorities are now working to determine the exact cause of the gas leak and what sparked the tragedy in which 23 lives were lost.

Police Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwphan, who oversees the Police Forensic Science Office, revealed that initial findings confirmed a gas leak at the front of the bus. However, the exact cause of the spark that ignited the fire and what led to the gas leak remains undetermined. Continued …

Bus Companies Lament Over Suspension of School Field Trips

Tour bus companies across the nation are facing challenging times following a government directive halting school field trips. This decision came after a devastating bus fire in Pathum Thani on Tuesday, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 20 students and three teachers.

The Ministry of Education has ordered the temporary suspension for safety evaluations, putting a significant dent in the operations of many tour bus firms. Continued …

Chaig Rai district flooded again as Sai River breaks its banks

Residents of Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, recovering from a massive flood early last month, were inundated again on Thursday morning when the Sai River broke its bank.

Local authorities said the river broke its banks at around 9am near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, which links Mae Sai with Tachilek across the border. Continued …

Chiang Mai braces for more flooding

More flooding is expected in beleaguered Chiang Mai later today, with water levels along the Ping River expected to reach 4.95 meters starting in the morning. Recent heavy downpours in upstream areas have caused the Ping River to rise rapidly, Gov. Nirat Pongsitthithaworn said on Thursday.

He advised residents living along the river to move their vehicles and other valuables to higher ground. Hospitals and local clinics in low-lying areas have also been told to move bedridden patients to safer areas in case an evacuation is necessary. Continued …

PM discusses strengthening ties with Iran

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Thursday attended a bilateral meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to discuss elevating diplomatic relations, as well as cooperation in culture and sports.

The PM is in Doha, Qatar, this week to attend the 3rd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit. After the session on Thursday, she engaged in bilateral talks with international leaders, PM adviser Jirayu Houngsab said. Continued …

Birth control campaign launches nationwide

The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Organon (Thailand) Ltd., has launched a campaign to raise awareness and provide accurate information about birth control, aiming to address the issue of unplanned pregnancies in Thai society.

Under the theme “I’m Taking Control of My Birth Control,” the campaign focuses on empowering Thai women to access effective contraceptive implants at participating hospitals. This initiative aligns with the broader strategy to prevent and reduce unplanned teenage pregnancies, a critical issue impacting family stability, social well-being, and national development. Continued …

Thailand welfare card benefits updated for October

Thailand’s Comptroller General’s Department has updated the welfare card benefits for October. Eligible individuals will receive various allowances and benefits starting this month, including purchasing allowances, transport subsidies, and additional disability payments.

The benefits include a 300-baht monthly allowance for purchasing goods, an 80-baht discount on cooking gas purchases every three months from October to December, and a transportation allowance of 750 baht per person per month. Continued …

Thai gold primed for record high

The domestic price of gold could hit 44,000 baht per baht weight, from 41,350 baht now, as tensions rise in the Middle East, the baht depreciates and the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to continue cutting interest rates, says the Gold Traders Assn. (GTA).

The price of gold bars surged by 400 baht per baht weight on Wednesday, as the baht retreated to 33.02-33.04 to the U.S. dollar from Tuesday’s close of 32.76. Continued …

Stimulus to lift GDP by 0.3 percentage points

The government’s first phase of the cash handout scheme, amounting to 145 billion baht, is expected to help stimulate the economy this year, raising GDP by 0.3 percentage points, with the momentum extending into the first quarter of next year, says Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul.

The government is preparing more stimulus measures to maintain the economic growth momentum, which will encourage spending toward the end of this year, he said. Continued …

Thailand Imposes Stricter Regulations on Business Nominees

In fiscal 2024, the Thai Business Development Department identified 26,019 businesses across four key sectors — tourism and related services, real estate and land trading, hotels and resorts, and logistics and transportation — that potentially involve Thai nationals acting as nominees for foreign shareholders.

Oramon Sapthaweetham, the department’s director-general, disclosed that these businesses are situated across six provinces, including major economic hubs such as Bangkok, Surat Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Continued …

The Political Economy of Cinema in Thailand

Thailand’s economy is built around exports. The country is a leading regional exporter when it comes to cars, rice, and manufactured goods, as well as services like tourism. One export we probably don’t associate with Thailand immediately is movies, but the country actually has one of the better-developed ecosystems for film production in Southeast Asia.

There is a government agency, the Thailand Film Office, whose task it is to market Thailand to foreign production companies. There are a number of government incentives designed to make shooting in Thailand attractive, such as rebates for productions that meet minimum expenditures and hire locals. Continued …

Thai rice struggles as baht rises, India resumes exports

India’s resumption of rice exports on Sept. 28 has hit Thai exporters hard, according to the Thai Rice Exporters Assn. (TREA).

TREA President Chookiat Ophaswongse said India’s return to the market, combined with the Thai currency reaching a 30-month high of 32.37 per U.S. dollar on Sept. 30, has hurt the competitiveness of Thai rice exporters, cutting their revenues by 3-4 baht per dollar. Continued …

Tourism authorities look at ways to further boost tourism

The Tourism and Sports Ministry and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) discussed plans to reclaim Thailand’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination on Thursday. The meeting took place at the Dusit Thani Bangkok in the capital and was attended by representatives from the TAT’s 74 domestic and overseas offices.

“The public sector is ready to promote tourism, such as attracting investment in man-made destinations and drawing international events to the country,” Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong said, noting that the number of domestic and international flights to Thailand will increase in the high season. Continued …

Suvarnabhumi Airport Gears Up for Q4 Passengers in Peak Season

AOT expects an increase in the total number of passengers in the peak season or fourth quarter of this year, which started in October, coinciding with the Chinese National Day.

This coincided with the Golden Week of Chinese National Day, to reach a level comparable to that of 2019 before the COVID-19 crisis. Suvarnabhumi Airport alone is expected to handle up to 200,000 passengers per day. Continued …

Thai visa agencies offer hassle-free DTV applications

Visa agencies in Thailand are stepping in to simplify the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) application process, helping applicants navigate the often complex bureaucracy of Thai embassies.

Since the DTV’s launch in July, it has attracted interest from digital nomads and expatriates, but inconsistent requirements at different embassies have created confusion. Continued …

Air Asia now offers Don Mueang-Lampang route

Thai Air Asia has launched its new domestic route from Don Mueang Airport to Lampang, marking a significant turning point in connecting northern Thailand with Bangkok.

The airline operates the new route daily, utilizing A320s with 180 seats in a single-class layout. The average roundtrip fare is USD110, but currently is promoting special one-way promotional fares starting at Bt1,100 . Moreover, the airline uses an ATR72 with 70 seats and the flight duration is one hour and a half. Continued …

Thai Airways Offers Discounted Flights To Beijing And Shanghai

Thai Airways has launched exclusive deals for flights to Beijing and Shanghai, the two major cities and tourist hubs, for a limited period. This offer is part of Thai Airways’ latest initiative to boost connectivity and facilitate travel between the two nations.

From Nov. 2-24, the direct round-trip flight from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Beijing’s Capital International Airport is on sale. Flight TG674 is serving its route three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Economy flights start at Bt14,440, and business class tickets start at Bt41,410. Continued …

10 essential tips for families moving to Thailand

Moving to Thailand is an exciting adventure, especially when you’re moving with your family. The country is popular for its warm climate, rich culture, and welcoming people, making it a popular destination for expatriates.

However, settling in a new country can be challenging. To help make your transition smoother, here are 10 essential tips for families moving to Thailand. Continued …

The jewel of budget street food: 20 baht noodles in Kanchanaburi

We are sure that you are well aware of the street food scene in Thailand, where dishes from all walks of life can be found on every corner. No matter if you’re in Bangkok or any other city in the Kingdom of Thailand, street food vendors are always around to offer delicious and affordable meals.

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There is no separating flavorsome street food from Thai culture. Jae Nai, located in the very heart of Kanchanaburi, is a perfect example. In the province’s lively Red City Market lies a humble noodle stall that has been stealing the hearts of many online users. Continued …

Chadchart unveils his mission to make Bangkok a livable and sustainable city

Sustainable urban growth is not solely about environmental factors but also about the sustainability of citizens’ lives, Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said on Wednesday at the Sustainability Expo 2024 being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Taking part in a panel discussion titled “Pathways to a Sustainable Urban Future”, he unveiled his vision for “Bangkok: A Livable City for Everyone”. He said this requires cooperation among the government, private sector, and communities to invest in enhancing quality of life and sustainable development, to make Bangkok a livable city for all. Continued …

Bt300 billion in new renewables investment expected

Investment in new renewable energy development in Thailand is expected to reach 300 billion baht in value, as authorities accelerate efforts to promote clean power usage, says an Energy Ministry official.

The latest projection was made by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which launched a renewables scheme to increase the nation’s renewable power generation capacity, said the official who requested anonymity. Continued …

Transforming Plastic Waste Management in Rayong

Researchers from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi have conducted an in-depth study on enhancing plastic waste (PW) management in Rayong, a coastal city in Thailand. The study aims to improve the current systems of plastic waste handling by exploring ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while increasing economic value.

The city, located on Thailand’s eastern Gulf Coast, faces challenges in managing significant amounts of plastic waste, much of which is either incinerated for energy or ends up in landfills. By analyzing existing practices and proposing new strategies, the researchers present a roadmap to transition Rayong’s waste-management system toward a more efficient and environmentally sustainable model. Continued …

BYD and its affordable EVs

It may not yet be a household name, but BYD is gaining recognition outside China for its affordable and accessible electric vehicles (EV). Despite regulatory scrutiny in the West, it’s determined to lower the boundaries to manufacturing and transporting its vehicles across the globe.

Five years ago, BYD was just another Chinese carmaker in a crowded field. Since then, the Shenzhen-based company has rapidly become the undisputed leader of China’s automotive industry, as well as the world’s biggest producer of electric vehicles (including both pure EVs and plug-in hybrids). Continued …