Friday’s news-Sept 29 -

Today’s news: Hot wings challenge/Toyota Senior Championship in Hua Hin/Baht depreciates further/80% of Thailand soaked/Line merges with Yahoo Japan/British Teachers Not Hired!/Lotus’s go pet-friendly shopping/Media organizations to probe payments/UTCC cuts estimate of economic growth/Minimum wage rise by year-end/International confidence in Thailand/Thailand shows exceptional economic health/Tourism revenue to hit Bt1.25-trillion/Thailand high on list as Golden Week starts/World Heritage Site Is Being Overrun/Thailand’s Most Affordable Tourist Destination/Suvarnabhumi Airport turns 17/New terminal fully open by year-end/Bangkok’s fine dining/Bangkok Street Omelet is Michelin-Rated/Thailand’s eco-friendly haven/Mother Kali ceremony/Teaching coffee-making to travelers/

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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Hot wings challenge at El Patrón Kitchen and Dispensary

Tomorrow, El Patrón Kitchen and Dispensary will hold its first Spicy Wings Challenge, with prizes to the winners – BT2,500 worth of vouchers valid at El Patrón Kitchen & El Patrón Dispensary, along with a cash prize of Bt1,000. The challenge will kick off from 5pm.

There will be complimentary tapas, snacks, cider and beer from 4-5pm, as well as the chance to snag some giveaways from the dispensary (Spoiler alert: This is a marijuana dispensary.).

El Patron is located near the True Arena gym at 206 Soi Nong Kae.

Thammanoon Sriroj claims victory at the Toyota Senior Championship in Hua Hin

Thai golf veteran Thammanoon Sriroj has added another feather to his cap, emerging as the champion of the Toyota Senior Championship 2023 held at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course.

The 54-year-old golfer from Plu Ta Luang finished the competition with a score of 9-under-par 207, narrowly beating Prayad Marksaeng by a single stroke. With this win, Sriroj secured the title of the Thai Senior Tour for 2023 and bagged a prize money of 117,600 baht. Continued …

Baht depreciates further

Thailand’s baht slumped to its lowest in more than 10 months on Thursday, hit by persistent worries over the country’s fiscal outlook, while other Asian currencies steadied after recent losses against a rallying United States dollar.

The baht fell as much as 0.3%, marking its lowest level since early November. The baht is valued at 36.81 per dollar as of Thursday afternoon, according to xe.com. Continued …

80% of Thailand soaked as intense rainfall reigns

Intense rainfall is expected to continue across 49 provinces in Thailand, with a staggering 80% of the area predicted to be affected, including the capital, Bangkok.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued this warning today, urging citizens to be cautious of potential flash floods and landslides, particularly in open areas and under large trees. Continued …

Line’s merger with Yahoo Japan creates new company, new name

A merger between Line Corp. and Yahoo Japan Corp. has created a new company called LY Corp. Line Corp., which operates the popular mobile messaging application Line, will use the new name from Oct. 1 onward, it said on Thursday.

From Oct. 1, LY Corp. will take over from Line Corp. It will oversee existing Line accounts in Thailand and other countries. – The Nation

British Teachers Not Hired! Thai School Clarifies Drama

A school in Nakhon Sawan is at the center of an online controversy, prompted by a viral video featuring two British women, who were mistaken as unqualified English teachers.

The video, shared extensively across social media platforms, triggered a wave of criticism and instigated a broader discussion online. Continued …

Lotus’s go pet-friendly shopping paw-tnership in 100 stores in Thailand

Supermarket chain Lotus’s announced the trial of a pet-friendly mall model allowing customers to shop alongside their pets in 100 stores across the country.

The global trend of pet humanization is growing, driven by pet owners who view their furry companions as family members or see themselves as their pets’ parents. These devoted pet parents spare no effort, both emotionally and financially, to ensure their pets’ well-being, akin to the care they provide to their offspring. Continued …

Media organizations to probe Surachate’s payments to journalists

Media organizations have announced an investigation into so-called “news fees” allegedly paid to journalists by Thailand’s deputy national police chief. Surachate Hakparn volunteered the information during a TV interview on Wednesday night about his “support” of selected journalists to report stories about his work and investigations.

Seven key media organizations say they’re forming a committee to investigate the payments, which they describe as “unacceptable” and a serious violation of professional ethics. Continued …

UTCC cuts estimate of economic growth to 3%

Several economic factors are signaling a less-optimistic outlook for the Thai economy, leading to a revised growth forecast for 2023, Thanawat Polvichai, rector of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), said this week.

Thanawat, who also serves as chief adviser to the UTCC’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, said that the UTCC has now revised Thailand’s economic growth rate for this year to 3% from the initial 3.6%. This adjustment is due to the decline in exports, an inflation rate of 1.8%, and household debt of 89.5%. Continued …

Labor minister vows to raise daily minimum wage by year-end

Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced on Thursday that the raising of the minimum wage would be a New Year’s gift for the labor sector, but could not confirm whether the increase would bring it up to 400 baht per day.

Formal discussions with the tripartite committee, composed of employers, employees, and government representatives, would first be necessary, he said, adding that the decision would be based on inflation rates, minimum wages in each province, varying wages in different industries, and the country’s inflation rate. A conclusion was expected by the end of November. Continued …

International businesses grow confidence in Thailand

The HSBC Global Connection survey, a new research commissioned by HSBC Commercial Banking, shows that international businesses from nine major economies are increasingly optimistic about their growth prospects in Southeast Asia.

Thailand is the key market for international businesses in the survey, with 37% of the sample already operating in the country. Among the nine countries surveyed, German businesses lead the way, with 45% of German companies reporting their presence in Thailand. Continued …

Thailand shows exceptional economic health moving forward: Grant Thornton

The Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) for H1 2023 shows dramatic improvements in economic conditions and positive sentiment for the private sector, both globally and for Thailand, in particular, as inflation concerns recede.

The biannual report compiles detailed surveys and interviews among mid-market businesses, providing analysis of expected trends and business conditions for the subsequent 12-month period. Continued …

Tourism revenue expected to hit Bt1.25-trillion target

Figures released for foreign tourism to Sept. 19 show Thailand on target to earn Bt1.255 trillion from the industry this year despite a continued downturn in visitor levels from China.

Thailand is on track in 2023 to achieve two-thirds of the foreign tourism income it saw in 2019, although with a deteriorating economic situation in China and negative fallout from media coverage of criminal activity linked to Thailand, that market is unlikely to return to what it once was. Continued …

Thailand high on list as Golden Week sees 20 times surge in travel by Chinese

Bookings by Chinese tourists flocking to overseas destinations during the extended holiday period beginning today has surged 20 times, and Thailand remains one of the most popular choices, according to an online travel service provider.

Trip.com said that the number of Chinese travelers heading to foreign countries had seen a big jump ahead of the Golden Week holiday period from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6. Trip.com said that the United Kingdom and South Korea were the top two choices of Chinese tourists. Continued …

Thailand’s Newest UNESCO World Heritage Site Is Being Overrun by Sacrilegious Tourists

The Khao Klang Nok monument in Si Thep, an ancient town 150 miles north of Bangkok, has survived more than a thousand years as kingdoms and empires rose and fell around it. But in just the week since the terraced temple and its surrounding area was named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Thai authorities have grown worried about its future.

The designation, Thailand’s first cultural site listing in more than 30 years, has transformed what was a sleepy historical park into one of the country’s hottest tourist destinations. But to locals’ dismay, hordes of new visitors have taken to climbing up the park’s most iconic ruins. Continued …

Hat Yai Is Thailand’s Most Affordable Tourist Destination for Year-End Holidays

Whether it’s New Year’s Eve, Christmas, school holidays or simply because of a quiet time at work, tourism booms globally during the final 10 days of the year. To help travelers find the best deals, Agoda reveals this year-end’s cheapest destinations around Asia Pacific.

Always on the lookout for the best possible deals and most competitive prices, Agoda analyzed the average room rates of tourist destinations between Dec. 22-31. In Thailand, Hat Yai is the most affordable tourist destination, with an average room rate of THB1,549. Continued …

Suvarnabhumi Airport turns 17, aims to get bigger and better

A total of 756.47 million passengers, 4.74 million flights and air cargo services moving 20.95 million tons — those were the impressive statistics that were rolled out as Suvarnabhumi Airport celebrated the 17th anniversary of its operations on Thursday.

The airport is the process of regaining the momentum lost in the three years of impaired operations during Covid-19, Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Kittipong Kittikachorn said on Thursday. Continued …

New terminal at Suvarnabhumi to be fully open by year-end

The new satellite terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport has been opened to the public following a soft launch on Thursday.

The new satellite terminal, dubbed Satellite 1 (SAT-1), will increase the overall handling capacity of the country’s main international gateway to 60 million a year from 45 million, said Kittipong Kittikachorn, director of Suvarnabhumi airport. Continued …

Bangkok’s fine dining lures tourists

When chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn first opened his Thai fine-dining establishment Le Du in Bangkok in 2013, his four-course set menu was 990 baht (US$28 today). It was a steal compared to fine dining establishments worldwide, but a fortune in a city where Thai cuisine had for decades been characterized as street food.

Chef Ton was told he would be forced to close within months for charging so much for food made with local products. On nearby sidewalks, dishes featuring similar ingredients were available for less than a dollar. Continued …

This Bangkok Street Omelet is Michelin-Rated

It’s a beautiful morning in Bangkok, and chef Lucas Sin is waiting for an omelet. But this isn’t your typical order of eggs — it’s the Michelin-rated oyster omelet at Nai Mong Hoi Thod, one of the most well-awarded oyster restaurants on the planet. Come into the kitchen and behind the scenes for an up-close look at the experience of eating at Nai Mong Hoi Thod, where the philosophy is all about textural and flavorful delights. Video

The idyllic Sichon beach in Nakhon Si Thammarat, praised by Lonely Planet as one of Thailand’s top 10 beaches.

Nakhon Si Thammarat: Thailand’s eco-friendly haven

Sitting quietly in southern Thailand, Nakhon Si Thammarat province is a captivating destination that showcases some of Thailand’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Its lush green hills and pristine coastline make it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Often referred to as “the green lungs of Thailand”, Nakhon Si Thammarat has remained relatively undiscovered, catering primarily to savvy international travelers and locals. However, this is changing. A harmonious collaboration between the public and private sectors, combined with improved transportation infrastructure, is set to reveal this ecological paradise to the world. Continued …

Mother Kali ceremony: Devotees flock to Kamphaeng Phet hoping for luck

Hundreds of devotees today gathered at the residence of Mother Kali, a famous spiritual medium in Kamphaeng Phet, to participate in a sacred ceremony. Believers consider Mother Kali, a Hindu deity, as a transformation of the terrifying goddess Uma Devi.

Despite her fearsome appearance, Kali is believed to be compassionate and benevolent, helping those who pray with sincerity to achieve their goals with ease, whether in work, finance, or luck. Continued …

This hill tribe is teaching coffee-making to travelers in northern Thailand

Like a finely brewed macchiato, roasting your own coffee beans is a layered affair. Standing at the bench of a makeshift mud-brick hut deep in northern Thailand’s fertile forests, coffee farmer Lo-Ue Jayo is about to guide me through my first coffee-making lesson using a 72-year-old Probatino roaster.

“You don’t need books to learn how to make good coffee,” says Lo-Ue encouragingly, his hazel eyes watching me intently as I crank the roaster by hand. “We learn how to roast by using all the senses: looking, listening, smelling. It’s like cooking.” Continued …

20 new bat coronaviruses raise alarm bells

A groundbreaking study spearheaded by Batwoman recently brought to light over 20 new strains of coronaviruses harbored by bats, all of which embody a high risk of transmission to humans. This is no blood-sucking joke. The discovery has sparked global apprehension regarding the looming threat of subsequent outbreaks. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. 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