Saturday’s news-Nov 16 -

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British Chamber event/Triathlon coming to Hua Hin/25% drop in hotspots sought/Thunderstorms to blanket Greater Bangkok/Leopard spotted in Kaeng Krachan/Wild elephants raid farms/Chiang Rai slaughterhouse shock/Police to receive increased allowances/ECONOMY: What’s behind weakening baht/Thailand Cracks Down on Thai Nominees/To Attract Foreign Real Estate Investment/Bt10,000 cash gift for elderly/Thailand readies more fiscal support/Suvarnabhumi as Southeast Asia’s Top Transit Hub/AI, GenAI raises power shortage fears/Thai employees favor 4-day work week/TOURISM: Unregulated booze and kratom market//THAILAND EXPERIENCE: One of Bangkok’s earliest expat communities/Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon/Thailand’s Bo Suak Village/INTERNATIONAL/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

British Chamber event at Monsoon Valley today

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Thai triathlon coming to Hua Hin Dec 1

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25% drop in hotspots sought to reduce air pollution

The government aims to reduce hotspots by 25% this dry season compared to last year to mitigate air pollution, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong.

This comes as Prasert, along with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on and Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt, met at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on Thursday to outline measures to combat PM2.5 in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Continued …

Thunderstorms to blanket Greater Bangkok as rain refuses to let up

Rain is predicted in Bangkok and its vicinity until Monday, according to the Meteorological Department. The agency on Friday issued a 10-day weather forecast, highlighting varying conditions nationwide.

A weak cold air mass will cover upper Thailand through Saturday, bringing morning fog and cooler weather to the upper parts of the northern and northeastern regions, while easterly and southeasterly winds are expected to bring moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to the lower northeast, the east, the lower central and the upper south, resulting in thunderstorms in these regions, it said. Continued …

Another leopard spotted in Kaeng Krachan park

A leopard was spotted wandering around a helipad in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province, believed to be waiting for its prey. Mongkol Chaipakdee, chief of the national park, said on Friday that park staff in the Ban Krang area observed the male leopard near the helipad.

The staff first saw the wild animal emerging from the nearby forest. It walked around a restroom area before entering the helipad, amid the cries of dusky leaf monkeys, said Mongkol. Continued …

Wild elephants raid Nakhon Ratchasima farms

A herd of over 80 wild elephants from the Thap Lan National Park invaded local farmland in Nakhon Ratchasima, feasting on crops and prompting a night-long operation by officials and volunteers to drive them back into the forest.

Wild elephants have been causing a stir in Nakhon Ratchasima as they forage beyond their natural habitat. Using thermal imaging drones, the rescue team from Foundation Hook 31 surveyed the area between Udom Sap subdistrict, Wang Nam Khiao district, and Chorakhe Hin subdistrict, Khon Buri district. Continued …

Dog ‘adopter’ linked to Chiang Rai slaughterhouse shock

An alleged animal welfare scandal has erupted in Chiang Rai province, where a man who posed as a compassionate dog adopter is now accused of sending his “rescued” pets to an illegal slaughterhouse.

Local animal welfare advocates and the Livestock Department are calling for immediate police action to bring the man, from the Akha ethnic group, and his suspected accomplices to justice. Continued …

Police in Thailand to receive increased allowances this year

Police officers across Thailand are set to receive increased allowances this year, following a directive signed by Kittirat Phanpetch, the national police chief. The directive, dated Tuesday, emphasizes the need for efficient budget management and cautions against any misallocation of funds.

Kittirat issued the directive to various police divisions, including the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Provincial Police Regions 1 to 9. The document outlines the 2024 fiscal budget management policies, which focus on personnel management and budget evaluations based on performance and conduct. The aim is to optimise resources and ensure sufficient budget allocation for all operational aspects. Continued …

What’s behind the rapid weakening of the baht

Thailand’s close relationship with China and the fact that the baht’s value is tied to the gold market are the two factors behind the volatility of the currency compared to other currencies in the region, Kriengkrai Thiennukul, president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said on Friday.

He was explaining the baht’s steep fall from 33.713 baht to the U.S. dollar on Nov. 4 to 35.09 on Nov. 14, the weakest in three months, and in sharp contrast to the fast appreciation recorded in September. Continued …

Thailand Cracks Down on Foreigners Using Thai Nominees

Thailand is taking action against foreign businesses using Thai nominees to conduct operations within the country. The Commerce Ministry has unveiled a new plan spearheaded by Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang.

This initiative aims to tackle illegal business practices that undermine local economic interests. The ministry’s subcommittee on nominee business prevention and suppression held discussions on Wednesday, bringing together several agencies to brainstorm strategies for identifying and prosecuting companies engaged in these unlawful practices. Continued …

Thailand Considers Law Revisions to Attract Foreign Real Estate Investment

Thailand is actively considering changes to its real estate laws to encourage foreign investment, as outlined by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.

The potential amendments aim to revise the “rights over leasehold assets” laws, offering more attractive lease agreements that could bolster the nation’s economy. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to draw foreign investors, improving Thailand’s economic growth, which has been sluggish and hampered by increasing household debt. Continued …

Bt10,000 cash gift for elderly over 50 considered

The Ministry of Finance is preparing to propose a one-time cash payment of 10,000 baht to the elderly, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul said on Friday. The plan will be raised at a meeting of the economic stimulus policy committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, he said.

State welfare cardholders and disabled people who received 10,000 baht in late September in the first phase of the consumption stimulus program would not be eligible for the new payment, he said. Continued …

Thailand readies more fiscal support to sustain growth momentum

The government is working on a raft of fresh fiscal measures to sustain an economic recovery, foster new foreign investment and lower the near-record household debt, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s top aide said on Friday.

The economic stimulus panel chaired by the premier is set to consider the second phase of a cash handout plan and other steps at a meeting next week, according to Paetongtarn’s Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej. Easier rules for long-term land leasing and credit restructuring led by government banks are also on the anvil, he said. Continued …

Thailand Looks to Bolster Suvarnabhumi Airport as Southeast Asia’s Top Transit Hub

The Suvarnabhumi Airport, internationally renowned and Thailand’s busiest, is in for a significant overhaul, with plans to be the top transit hub in Southeast Asia. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has released an ambitious master plan aimed at boosting the percentages of transit flights from a mere 4% to a lofty 20%. The ultimate aim is to join the ranks of the world’s top 20 airports by the year 2030.

“Our goal is to accentuate Suvarnabhumi’s strength as a regional hub by increasing transit flights to at least the 20% mark,” said AOT President Keerati Kitmanawat. “Currently, we are only at 4%, while Singapore’s Changi Airport has 40% of its flights under the transit category.” Continued …

High energy consumption of AI, GenAI raises power shortage fears

There has been a surge in electricity consumption due to artificial intelligence and generative AI (GenAI), and data centers are forecasting growth of up to 160% over the next two years, according to the latest Gartner’s report released on Thursday.

The exponential growth in consumption has raised concerns about power availability and its impact on sustainability goals. Gartner anticipates that 40% of current AI data centers will face operational constraints due to power availability by 2027. Continued …

Thai employees favor 4-day work week for better life balance

Most Thais prefer a four-day work week, even if that means a heavier workload, a survey by recruitment consultant Robert Walters Thailand shows.

Of over 5,000 respondents from 11 Asian countries, 95% of Thais said they preferred a four-day work week, followed by 94% in Malaysia, 93% in Singapore, 89% in the Philippines and 88% each in Indonesia and Vietnam. Continued …

Pattaya beach turns into unregulated booze and kratom market

Pattaya Beach, a once serene paradise for tourists and locals, is now teetering on the edge of chaos as unlicenced vendors run rampant.

Once discreet, these sellers now brazenly set up stalls along the shoreline, peddling kratom-laced cocktails and alcoholic beverages, ignoring the law with apparent ease. Despite frequent police patrols, vendors openly resume business the moment officers leave, leaving residents and tourists baffled by the seemingly powerless enforcement. Continued …

Video: Explore one of Bangkok’s earliest expat communities

Discover historical architecture and traditional cuisine on a one-day trip to Kudi Chin, a historic neighborhood on the western bank of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. Established over 200 years ago by Portuguese descendants, this community now attracts visitors with its unique blend of cultures and religions. Video …

Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon draws tourists with frosty scenic views

Cold temperatures on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai have attracted tourists eager to experience the chill and witness the stunning frost formations on grass and wildflowers.

As of yesterday, the temperature on the summit dropped to 9°C, creating a picturesque scene that drew many visitors to the national park. There is great anticipation for the occurrence of Maei Khap frost, a natural phenomenon that captivates many. Continued …

Thailand’s Bo Suak Village earns spot in UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages

In a milestone for Thailand’s rural tourism, Bo Suak village has become the country’s first-ever destination to be recognized as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” by UN Tourism. With this year’s announcement, Bo Suak is one of only 55 villages globally to receive this prestigious recognition for sustainable tourism development.

Bo Suak’s journey is particularly remarkable as it joined the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Program in 2021 and worked diligently over the last three years to advance its sustainable tourism practices, ultimately earning its place among the world’s top rural destinations. Continued …

Endless stream of storms draining Philippine GDP, home incomes

According to the website Science Direct, an average of 20 typhoons, or 25% of typhoons worldwide, barrel their way into the Philippines every year. Out of the 20, five are considered disastrous, while an average of nine makes landfall. Continued …

Xi seizes role as global defender of free trade against Trump

As United States President-elect Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs on the entire world, Xi Jinping is once again wasting no time in positioning himself as the premier defender of the international trading system. Continued …

World’s second-largest solar power plant goes online

China’s CHN Energy has connected the Mengxi Lanhai solar power plant (SPP) with a capacity of 3 gigawatts (GW) to the grid. During the 14-month construction process, 5.9 million photovoltaic panels worth $1.6 billion in total were installed at the plant. Electricity generated by the SPP will be supplied from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China to provinces on the east coast using ultra-high voltage (UHV) lines. Continued …