• Tennis stars explore Thai culture ahead of Hua Hin tournament/
• Muay Thai Festival starts Thursday at Seapines/
• Soaring rice prices show food inflation still stalking the world/
• Chiang Mai beats Singapore as safest city in Southeast Asia/
• Thailand’s unemployment rate drops to 1.2% as of November/
• Regulator eyes tariff on factories to boost clean energy/
• China-Laos-Thailand rail link plans up for talks/
• 3-airport high-speed rail link completion seen by 2029/
• Mae Hong Son in dire condition – 135 fire hotspots so far/
• Pattaya’s revolutionary medical city moving ahead slowly/
• Tourism: Russians dominate Phuket tourism revival/14 rooms at Kanchanaburi river resort razed to the ground – everyone safe/RTP says ‘trust us’ not social media in Taiwanese actress extortion case/Taiwanese actress who claimed extortion caught in lie on camera/First Songkran in Four Years in Pattaya Looking to be a Major Event/Illegal jet skis return to Phuket’s Surin Beach/
• Thailand Experience: Exploring the National Parks of Thailand/Sustainable tourism could look like this/
• Covid: Over 80% of Thais have ‘hybrid immunity’ against Covid-19/
• International: Challenges remain for women’s reproductive health in Asia Pacific/Erdogan says Finland may join NATO without Sweden/Boeing’s 747, the original jumbo jet, prepares for final send-off/
• Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Tennis stars explore Thai culture ahead of Hua Hin tournament

Five tennis stars participated in a range of cultural activities in the resort town of Hua Hin on Saturday ahead of the upcoming 2023 Thailand Open tournament. The tournament is being held all week at True Arena.

The activities at Bluport mall included painting eco-friendly clothing, a gallery visit, and Muay Thai lessons.

Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska joined Anna Karolína Schmiedlová from Slovakia and Katie Boulter from the United Kingdom in an event to promote environmentally friendly clothing. The three painted attire to encourage consumers to pay more attention to the environmental impact of their fashion choices. Continued …

Muay Thai Festival starts Thursday at Seapines

Soaring rice prices show food inflation still stalking the world

Rice prices are climbing, a sign that the food inflation shock that threw millions into poverty is still reverberating, even as the cost of wheat and other farm commodities has declined.

Thai rice, a benchmark for Asia, has soared to the highest in almost two years. Strong demand lies at the heart of the rally, with some importers buying more of the grain to replace wheat after the war in Ukraine disrupted supplies.

Some consumers have also been stocking up ahead of festivals, while a strengthening Thai currency has also helped to push up dollar-denominated prices. Continued …

Chiang Mai beats Singapore as safest city in Southeast Asia

Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand was named Southeast Asia’s safest city and the 32nd safest among 416 cities across the world.

According to the Numbeo website, Chiang Mai won 75.5 points for safety in Southeast Asia, followed by Davao in the Philippines (72.4) and Singapore (70.8).

United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi was named the safest city in the world with 88.8 points, followed by Qatar capital Doha (85.5) and Taiwanese capital Taipei (84.9). Continued …

Thailand’s unemployment rate drops to 1.2% as of November

A new census conducted by the National Statistical Office shows that the number of unemployed persons in Thailand has dropped by 95,000, with 620,000 new people entering the workforce.

Traisulee Traisoranakul, deputy government spokesperson, said on Sunday that statistics show that 39.82 million Thais were gainfully employed as of November last year, up by 620,000 from October.

She said the census found that Thailand has 58.73 million nationals who are at least 15 years old, and 40.36 million are at employment age. Of them, 39.82 million are employed and 460,000 are not. She said 18.37 million are outside the workforce, including housewives, students, and seniors. Continued …

Regulator eyes tariff on factories to boost clean energy

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is working on a “green tariff” that will determine the price of power bills for factory owners that need to use clean energy to achieve carbon neutrality.

Carbon neutrality means striking a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption.

Details for tariff rates, which depend on types of renewable energy, are expected in April after the ERC announces the investors selected to join its 5,200-megawatt renewable scheme, said Khomgrich Tantravanich, secretary-general of the commission. Continued …

China-Laos-Thailand rail link plans up for talks

Thailand and Laos are in talks about the potential of a China-Laos-Thailand railway link that could reduce cargo transport costs by 30%-50% in three to five years, said the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) on Saturday.

Athipu Chitranukroh, deputy director-general of the DRT, and Kitjaluck Srinuchsart, deputy director-general of the Customs Department, visited Laos recently to discuss the matter.

The high-speed network will be developed alongside current infrastructure and benefit both Thailand and neighboring countries, observers say. Continued …

3-airport high-speed rail link completion seen by 2029

The Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway, officially known as the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Project, is in progress and expected to be completed by 2029, government deputy spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana said on Sunday.

Tipanan said Prime Minister Prayut, as chair of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Committee, had expedited the construction of the project to ensure a modern, convenient, fast and seamless transport system linking the three airports.

The State Railaway of Thailand (SRT) and the EEC Committee have entered a contract with a private consortium to build the 220-kilometer railway at a cost of 224,544 million baht and operate the system for 50 years. Continued …

Mae Hong Son in dire condition – 135 fire hotspots so far

Northern Mae Hong Son province will likely see an increase in forest fires this year, with as many as 135 fire hotspots having been detected during Jan. 1-27.

The Forest Fire Control Center said it is Mae La Noi district where most of the hotspots were seen, totaling 36, but this is outstripped by 77 detected in the national forest reserve.

Where air quality is concerned, the Zone One Environment and Pollution Control Office said today’s PM2.5 pollution level in Mueang Mae Hong Son reached 39 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) with 50 µg/m3 or higher considered poor air quality. Continued …

Pattaya’s revolutionary medical city moving ahead slowly

The 566 rai (one million square meters) former woodland area, now being excavated by Mabprachan Lake, is set to become a futuristic medical valley rather than a mere hospital. Part of the Eastern Economic Corridor initiative, Thammasat University has signed the deal with local and foreign investors to build an entirely new concept in medical hubs quite unlike any other development in Thailand or Southeast Asia.

The huge zone will include a hospital, clinic and residential areas for staff and patients, as well as promoting the latest smart technology to link all record keeping, screening tools, radiography information and laboratory research. There will also be a recreation park with international golf courses and development of premier housing estates by the private sector.

As Thailand’s population ages quickly while the birth rate continues to decline, the main purpose is to cater for affluent Thai and foreign nationals, especially seniors. Continued …

Russians dominate Phuket tourism revival

Phuket is experiencing a resurgence in tourism, with the number of visitors to the island reaching nearly 50% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Office in Phuket, Nantasiri Ronsiri.

According to the local TAT office, from January to December 2022, Phuket saw 9.26 million visitors, with 53.6% being domestic tourists and 46.4% being international tourists.

Ronsiri noted that foreign tourists contributed 70% of the entire revenue, while Thai tourists accounted for around 20%. The top 10 countries in terms of the number of arrivals to Phuket over the last year were Russia, India, Australia, England, Singapore, Germany, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, South Korea and the U.S. Continued …

14 rooms at Kanchanaburi river resort razed to the ground – everyone safe

Fire destroyed 14 of the 16 house rafts at a resort on the Khwae Noi river in Sai Yok district on Sunday afternoon, causing about 10 million baht damage. There were no casualties.

The fire at Saiyok Mantra Resort near Kaeng Pralom village in tambon Sai Yok began about 3.45pm, Police Capt. Kasan Para, a duty investigator at Sai Yok, said. Continued …

RTP says ‘trust us’ not social media in Taiwanese actress extortion case

The deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police spoke yesterday after a meeting concerning allegations made by Taiwanese actress An Yu Qing or Charlene An that she and three male friends were extorted of 27,000 baht in Bangkok on Jan. 4.

Huay Khwang in downtown Bangkok has been mentioned as the location of the alleged extortion incident in previous reports.

The case has caused a firestorm of controversy in both Thailand and Taiwan. It has been reported as damaging to the RTP, as well as Thai tourism, something admitted by the RTP itself. Continued …

Taiwanese actress who claimed extortion caught in lie on camera

Security camera footage from several locations in Bangkok shows the Taiwanese actress who claims Thai police extorted 27,000 baht from her after placing a vaping device in her hand using one before and after she was stopped at a checkpoint in the early hours of Jan. 5.

The actress, Charlene An, alleged on Taiwanese social media that she was forced to pay 27,000 baht to Thai police officers after they stopped a taxi she and her friends were traveling in at a checkpoint near the Chinese embassy at about 1 am on Jan. 5.

The actress told Taiwanese media that Thai police put a vaping device into her hand and that she did not know what it was. Continued …

First Songkran in Four Years in Pattaya Looking to be a Major Event

The first full Songkran in four years is looking to be a major event in Pattaya, as more events, festivals, concerts, and parties are announced.

Of course, this will be polarizing and divisive to many readers as although the event is popular with tourists it tends to be feared and despised by many ex-pats, who prior to COVID-19 often hunkered down for a week or even fled the city to avoid the water madness.

However, Songkran was entirely canceled in Thailand in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic concerns. In 2022, only traditional religious events were allowed and “fun” events, like the world-famous water fights, were banned. The last full Songkran was four years ago, in 2019. Continued …

Illegal jet skis return to Phuket’s Surin Beach

For the umpteenth time, the local provincial marine office has started clamping down on illegal jet skis and parasail boats in the sea off Phuket’s Surin Beach.

Along Millionaire’s Row on the west coast, Phuket’s Surin Beach is surrounded by boutiques, high-end resorts and residences. It’s popular year-round, and an excellent spot for sunbathing on fine white sand, with the Andaman Sea stretching out before you. Its calm and clear waters are excellent for snorkeling and kayaking, as well as boogie-boarding and surfing.

The Phuket provincial administration wants to keep Surin beach free from all marine sports, so the public can swim in the sea without fear of being harmed by drunken hooligans on powerful machines. The beach is strictly off-limits to all motorized marine sports activities. Continued …

Exploring the National Parks of Thailand

Embark on an adventure to discover the hidden gems of Thailand’s national parks. From Kaeng Krachan, the largest in the country, to the picturesque limestone cliffs of Ao Phang Nga, there’s a diverse array of natural wonders to explore. Trek through lush rainforests, swim in sparkling waterfalls, spot wild elephants, tigers and leopards.

Dive and snorkel in the Andaman Sea for an unforgettable marine experience. Pack your bags and let’s go on a journey to explore the beauty of Thailand’s national parks.

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Covering an area of over 2,915 square kilometers, Kaeng Krachan is the largest national park in the country. It’s located near Hua Hin between Thailand’s Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. Kaeng Krachan is home to an abundance of wildlife, including wild elephants, tigers, and leopards, as well as many species of birds and primates. Continued …

Sustainable tourism could look like this

“Help save the environment. Please reuse the towels.”

I can’t think of the last time I checked into a hotel that didn’t have some politely worded variation of that message, as if doing our small part is really even optional. And when I see such a message, I think about Koh Yao Noi.

Out in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay — on the edge of an incredible natural aquatic preserve between tourist hotspots Phuket and Krabi — Koh Yao Noi (Little Long Island) is still largely a locals’ island, more focused on agriculture than becoming a bucket-list travel destination. There is no welcome center, nor scooters for hire awaiting visitors upon arrival; for that matter, the island is still only accessible by boat. Continued …

Over 80% of Thais have ‘hybrid immunity’ against Covid-19

More than 80% of the Thai population has developed “hybrid immunity” to the Covid-19 virus from a combination of vaccination and infection, Professor Yong Poovorawan said on Saturday.

More than 70% of the Thai population, or over 50 million people, were infected with Covid-19, while at least 80% of the population has been fully vaccinated (with at least two doses), the virologist wrote in a Facebook post.

“So, most of the population – over 80% – have developed hybrid immunity, which helps lessen the severity of disease, covering new mutations like XBB.1.5, which is expected to arrive soon,” the virologist wrote. Continued …

Challenges remain for women’s reproductive health in Asia Pacific

While the world has made many advancements in healthcare, millions of women and girls in low- and low-middle income countries are still far away from having bodily autonomy and are not able to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health. Continued …

Erdogan says Finland may join NATO without Sweden

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said for the first time Sunday that Ankara could accept Finland into NATO without its Nordic neighbor Sweden. Continued …

Boeing’s 747, the original jumbo jet, prepares for final send-off

Boeing’s 747, the original and arguably most aesthetic “Jumbo Jet”, revolutionized air travel only to see its more than five-decade reign as “Queen of the Skies” ended by more efficient twinjet planes. The last commercial Boeing jumbo will be delivered to Atlas Air in the surviving freighter version on Tuesday, 53 years after the 747’s instantly recognizable humped silhouette grabbed global attention as a Pan Am passenger jet. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added 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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets