Hua Hin Marathon/To sterilize more monkeys/Highest air pollution levels/Air pollution remains high in Bangkok/National park shut indefinitely/Set for a wet and windy ride/Thailand’s bureaucratic burden/Thailand’s rural doctors/Thailand Expands Digital Healthcare/LPG Tanker Runs Aground/Woman celebrates 15th straight lottery win/Foreigners behaving badly/ECONOMY: Export growth to fall/TOURISM: Fueling Thailand’s Tourism Growth/Casinos could spook Chinese tourists/Auto producers postpone export models/British tourist identified/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Magic of Songkran 2025/Thai cooking classes in Bangkok/CLIMATE THAILAND: Phuket Revolutionizes Thailand’s Tourism Industry/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
Hua Hin Marathon set for May 11
Hua Hin to sterilize more monkeys
North and northeast regions report highest air pollution levels
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported this morning that 43 provinces were blanketed with unsafe levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5) and red (hazardous-to-health) levels of the dust were detected in 18 northern and northeastern provinces. The government-set safe level is at 37.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air in 24 hours.
Moderate air quality with PM2.5 levels from 26.4 to 36.5µg/m³ were recorded in Bangkok and 32 provinces, including Ayutthaya, Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Pathom, Phangnga, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Songkhla and Surat Thani. Continued …
Air pollution remains high in all Bangkok districts
The air quality in all 50 districts of Bangkok was categorized as “orange”, or starting to affect health, this morning, the Air Quality Information Center of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said.
The center reported the average PM2.5 levels throughout the city at 44.5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), in excess of the country’s standard of 37.5 µg/m³ over a three-hour average (5am to 7am). Continued …
Phayao national park shut indefinitely as hotspots increase
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) yesterday announced the closure of the Doi Phu Nang National Park in Phayao province indefinitely following an increasing number of hotspots from wildfires.
The closure will allow nature to rehabilitate itself, while also preventing future wildfires in the area, which are mostly caused by villagers setting fire to the trees to hunt wild animals or harvest wild mushrooms. Continued …
Storm warning: Thailand set for a wet and windy ride
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has warned about heavy rain in 20 provinces, including Bangkok, advising caution due to potential dangers. Upper Thailand is experiencing extreme heat, with preparations needed for the upcoming summer storm, including strong winds and hail expected today.
A 24-hour weather forecast indicates that upper Thailand remains generally hot, with some areas experiencing extreme heat and haze. Thunderstorms with strong winds are anticipated in certain areas due to low atmospheric pressure caused by heat and the presence of southwesterly and southeasterly winds. Continued …
Thailand’s bureaucratic burden exposed as world governments streamline
Thailand remains a deeply entrenched bureaucratic state despite a growing trend for more efficient and streamlined governments, according to experts.
In the United States, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is busy slashing the federal workforce. Britain, meanwhile, aims to cut 10,000 government jobs by 2030, using AI to streamline operations and save 87 billion baht. Closer to Thailand, communist Vietnam has unveiled plans to slash its government workforce by 100,000 from the current 2 million to eliminate redundant bureaucracy and enhance efficiency. Continued …
Thailand’s rural doctors venture to remote places
Physician Pittaya Lhawong often travels far and wide from his hospital to make house calls and treat patients in remote corners of Mae Hong Son Province. He’s among a younger generation of doctors who have taken up the mantle of keeping Thailand’s decades-old Rural Doctors Movement going.
Their mission is to deliver medical care to places that are hard to reach and to bridge health-care disparities between urban communities and underserved populations across the countryside. Continued …
Thailand Expands Digital Healthcare to Cut Hospital Crowds
The Ministry of Public Health is advancing efforts to modernize healthcare delivery, with the goal of reducing outpatient congestion in public hospitals by at least 5% by September 2025. The strategy combines telemedicine services, home delivery of medication, and the use of digital medical certificates to provide faster and more accessible care, while easing the strain on medical staff and facilities.
Data from the ministry shows telemedicine has already contributed to a steady decline in outpatient visits. Between 2022 and 2024, average daily visits dropped from over 23,000 to 13,000 in regional hospitals and from nearly 30,000 to under 19,000 in general hospitals. Continued …
LPG Tanker Runs Aground Near Koh Larn’s Tawaen Beach, No Gas Leak Reported
An LPG tanker ran aground near Tawaen Beach, Koh Larn, in the early hours of yesterday morning. Fortunately, no gas leaks or environmental hazards were reported.
According to the ship’s captain, the grounding happened while attempting to avoid a fishing boat. However, the owner of the fishing vessel, who shared footage of the incident online, criticized the tanker’s actions, insisting that his boat had been clearly visible with all lights on. Continued …
Kamphaeng Phet woman celebrates 15th straight lottery win
A 55-year-old resident of Kamphaeng Phet province has gained a reputation for her repeated lottery successes. As of Tuesday, she has won the lottery 15 times consecutively, including the draw on March 16.
Sukanaya’s winning numbers are reportedly obtained through rituals at a spirit house in front of her home in Kosamphi subdistrict, Kosamphi Nakhon district. This has led to a buzz among locals, with many following her number choices and experiencing their lottery wins. Sukanaya, also known as Suay, has also donated a van to the Sawang rescue unit in Kosamphi Nakhon to assist the community. Continued …
- Ugandan Nationals Deported for Illegal Activities in Phuket – Continued …
- Drunken Tunisian Tourist Arrested After Holding Thai Woman Hostage in Pattaya Bar – Continued …
- Foreign Women Detained in Bangkok Karaoke Raid – Continued …
- Dutch tourist runs naked in Krabi hotel, takes a tumble – Continued …
Bank predicts Thailand’s export growth in 2025 to fall to 1.6%
The Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has lowered its export growth forecast for 2025 from 2% to 1.6%, citing trade wars and external factors as the main reasons.
In November, the SCB EIC predicted that Thailand’s export growth would be around 2%, while the Commerce Ministry and the government had set an export growth target of 3%-3.5%. The SCB EIC explained that the growth drivers seen in the first quarter of this year were not sustainable enough to support expansion throughout the year. Continued …
Thai auto producers postpone export models as tariffs loom
Car manufacturers in Thailand have decided to delay making some models for export due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariff policy. Trump said on March 24 he is preparing to impose an auto tariff soon and will push ahead with other levies on April 2, according to media reports.
Washington’s trade policy has caused Thailand’s trading partners to reduce purchases of mostly internal combustion engine-powered cars, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and spokesman for its Automotive Industry Club. Continued …
What is Fueling Thailand’s 2.9% Year-on-Year Growth in Foreign Visitors?
From Jan. 1 to March 23, Thailand reportedly has seen an increase in foreign tourist arrivals by 2.9% compared to the same period the previous year. This growth was significant, indicating a steady recovery in the tourism sector. In total, 8.88 million foreign visitors arrived during this period, reflecting Thailand’s ongoing appeal as a global travel destination.
The most notable contributor to this growth was China, which remained the largest source of international tourists for Thailand, with 1.26 million visitors from the country. The report also highlighted the increasing significance of China as a key market for Thailand’s tourism industry, a trend that could continue as tourism flows grow. Continued …
Tourism firms fear legal casinos could spook Chinese tourists
Tourism operators are warning the Chinese market could significantly decline if Thailand legalizes casinos and online gambling, after the issue was raised during the censure debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday.
The opposition People’s Party argued that legalizing casinos was never included in the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign pledges. The policy puts the Thai tourism sector at risk if China discourages its citizens from visiting Thailand as a result of legalized gambling, noted the opposition. Continued …
British tourist beaten to death by bar workers in Bangkok identified
The British tourist who died in Bangkok following a violent altercation with two karaoke bar workers last Sunday has been identified. The British man, 28-year-old Nick Weir from Salisbury, Wiltshire, South West England, was found lying on a footpath near Soi Pracharat Sai 1, in the Bang Sue district of Bangkok.
His body, wearing black shorts and a yellow polo shirt, was discovered with blood flowing from his nose. Police were called to the scene shortly after the altercation, but the man, who had no personal documents on him, was already unresponsive. He was later pronounced dead. Continued …
Thailand Unleashes the Magic of Songkran 2025 with Dazzling Nationwide Festivities
Thailand is set to dazzle the world this April as it unleashes the full magic of Songkran 2025, transforming cities, villages, and beaches into vibrant hubs of celebration. With its rich blend of spiritual rituals, joyful water-splashing traditions, and cultural parades, this year’s Thai New Year festival promises to be bigger, bolder, and more unifying than ever.
Backed by nationwide campaigns and UNESCO recognition, Songkran 2025 is not just a holiday — it’s a powerful cultural phenomenon reigniting national pride and propeling Thailand’s tourism revival on a global stage. Continued …
Get hands-on experience at these Thai cooking classes in Bangkok
There’s a lot involved in cooking Thai cuisine. Of course, you have your essentials, from the classic tom yum, to fragrant curries with well-cooked proteins.
If you had your share in beginner courses, there are also ample classes for baking, vegetarian cooking, and even how to select better ingredients from the market. Here are the best Thai cooking classes in Bangkok you will fall in love with. Continued …
Phuket Revolutionizes Thailand’s Tourism Industry With Carbon-Neutral Commitments
Phuket is taking bold steps to lead Thailand in sustainable tourism, with plans to make its Old Town carbon-neutral by 2030 and promote green hotel certifications. Tourism accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions, and Phuket, one of Thailand’s premier tourist destinations, is taking bold steps to reduce its environmental impact.
The Phuket Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation is at the forefront of efforts to make the island’s Old Town carbon-neutral by 2030. Additionally, the foundation aims to introduce green standards for tourism operators, with plans to help over 600 hotels achieve green certifications within the next two years. Continued …
BYD sales pass $100 billion, topping Tesla
Sales of BYD last year surpassed $100 billion, leapfrogging rival Tesla, as the Chinese auto giant wows consumers with a range of electric and hybrid cars packed with high-tech features. Continued …
Canadians cancel summer trips to Trump’s America
Rosalie Cote and her parents vacationed in the U.S. state of Maine every summer for 25 years – but this year they are staying home, incensed like many Canadians by Donald Trump’s threats of annexation and tariffs. Continued …
New bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok
The new first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin will offer two round trips daily. The fare would be 200 baht each way and would take three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure will be from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.
- The bus will leave Hua Hin at 7 am and 2 pm
- It will depart from Don Mueang at 7:30 am and 4 pm
- Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
Emergency hotline numbers:
- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
- State Railway – 1590
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