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Today’s news: Thailand anticipates scorching summer/Baht could depreciate further/La Felice Villa ‘Best Boutique Villa Development’/Two more ‘pet’ lions sighted/Three people to be charged/University students need English/Portable pesticide-detecting device/Electric Songthaew Pilot Project/Swiss man sacrifices arm/Wound healing abilities?/Economy: Land Bridge: A Project for No one/China’s Foreign Minister begins visit to Thailand/December exports rise 4.7%/Germany to expand EV investment/Tourism: High hopes for Thai tourism/Chinese tourist surge/Bangkok-Vientiane train to start/Tourist Speedboat Collides with Reef/Tourist fees worldwide/‘Monopoly: Bangkok Edition’/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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Thailand anticipates scorching summer, with temperatures up to 44.5°C

Thailand is bracing for an intense summer this year, with the Thai Meteorological Department forecasting that temperatures could soar to a sweltering 44.5 degrees Celsius (112 degrees Fahrenheit). The summer season, which is expected to commence toward the end of February and last until the end of May, is predicted to be unusually severe, with temperatures rising 1-1.5 degrees above the average.

Additionally, rainfall is anticipated to be 30% less than normal, which could exacerbate the already challenging conditions. Continued …

Thai baht could depreciate further against US dollar

The Thai baht, already experiencing a downward trend, could further depreciate against the U.S. dollar, potentially reaching 36 baht to a dollar, according to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research). This forecast is contingent upon robust U.S. economic data, set to be released later this week, which could indicate a resilient U.S. economy.

Additionally, any delays in the Federal Reserve’s proposed trimming of interest rates could contribute to this scenario. Continued …

La Felice Villa Hua Hin named ‘Best Boutique Villa Development’

The Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards recognized 46 winners from across the region, with leading developers Asset Wise, Capitaland, and Asset World Corp. among those to be honored.

Winning in the “Best Boutique Villa Development” category was La Felice Villa Hua Hin, a PNP Real Estate Co. development. Celebrations took place at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chaophraya River as real estate industry leaders came together to commend the best of the best in what is the industry’s most anticipated awards event of the year. Continued …

Two more ‘pet’ lions sighted in Pattaya

Residents of a housing estate in Pattaya have been seeking help, after their foreign neighbor purchased two lions as pets, one of which gets loose and wanders around the neighborhood.

They have alerted the police to the presence of two big cats in Khaomakok Soi 3 in Banglamung district, but no action has been taken so far. The residents say that they believe this is because the owner of the lions is a foreigner. Continued …

Three people to be charged with owning a lion without a permit

The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department will initiate legal action against two Thais, a Sri Lankan and a Ukrainian for being in possession of and moving a lion without a permit.

The department’s decision to charge them comes after a viral video clip showed a young lion recently enjoying a ride in a convertible in Pattaya, Chon Buri province. Continued …

University students need English to graduate

University students must have their English language skills tested and meet Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) standards before they can graduate, said the government.

Each university can design its own tests, but the assessment must comply with CEFR standards, said government spokesman Chai Wacharonke. Continued …

Portable pesticide-detecting device for fruits, vegetables developed

In a bid to ensure the safety of food, the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) has developed a portable device to detect pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. The device, called K-Veggie Screen, uses electrochemical sensors to measure the concentration of pesticides in food.

Developed by a team of researchers from KMITL’s College of Materials and Technology, led by Associate Prof. Dr. Darinee Promyothin, the search is now for commercial partners to bring it to market. Continued …

Chiang Mai University Introduces Electric Songthaew Pilot Project

On Wednesday, Chiang Mai University announced a pilot project for the development of a 100% electric songthaew or truck taxi.

Asst. Prof. Anucha Promwungkwa, the electric songthaew project manager, stated that after eight months of research, it was finally deployed. Anucha aimed to study the prototype and further expand the project from piloting two electric songthaews to red taxis in Chiang Mai. Continued …

Swiss man sacrifices arm in bear attack

A Swiss man cut off his right arm as a bear locked his teeth onto his arm and stubbornly refused to release its grip while he was volunteering at a wildlife foundation in the northern province of Chiang Mai.

The 32-year-old Swiss man is in a private hospital in Chiang Mai province after being attacked by the Asian black bear at the wildlife foundation in Chiang Dao district of the province yesterday. Continued …

Could this traditional Thai medicine have wound healing abilities?

Sea holly, or Acanthus species, is a prominent herb in traditional Thai medicine due to its ability to treat diseases and heal wounds. It is used in Asian recipes to improve the life quality of cancer patients and cure skin conditions such as wound healing.

The plant is grown commercially and sold in traditional Thai stores due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The white flower cultivar, A. ebracteatus, is more often used than the purple variety, A. illicifolius. Continued …

Land Bridge: A Project for No one

The land bridge project, a flagship initiative under the leadership of Srettha Thavisin, has been touted as the catalyst for Thailand’s economic growth engine.

However, despite the government’s fervent promotion, the project has failed to attract concrete interest both internationally and domestically. This piece delves into the geopolitical intricacies surrounding the land bridge project, examining the lack of alignment with major players, particularly China, and its implications on Thailand’s foreign policy. Continued …

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi begins four-day visit to Thailand

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China will commence his four-day official visit to Thailand today, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release.

He will pay an official visit to Thailand as a guest of the Foreign Affairs ministry from Jan. 26-29. The primary objectives of his visit are to enhance cooperation between Thailand and China in areas such as trade, investment, security, culture, tourism, and to exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest. Continued …

December exports rise 4.7% year-on-year, less than forecast

Thailand’s customs-based exports rose for a fifth straight month in December, up 4.7% from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said today. The reading compared with a forecast for a 6.0% year-on-year increase for December in a Reuters poll, and followed November’s 4.9% rise. Continued …

Germany to expand EV investment

Germany has vowed to expand its investment in electric vehicles in Thailand so the kingdom can become an EV regional hub, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said.

He made the remarks on Thursday at a media briefing after holding talks with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, president of Germany, who is on a three-day state visit to Thailand, which ends today. Continued …

High hopes for Thai tourism in 2024

Tourism industry leaders are expressing optimism for 2024 even though Thailand’s tourism industry has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels either in terms of foreign tourist arrivals or revenues.

Indications that support the positive forecast were recently revealed at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2024 (TTF 2024), the annual forum focusing on the tourism/hospitality industry. Continued …

Thai travel agents expect Chinese tourist surge during Lunar New Year

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) anticipates a surge in Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday, estimating daily arrivals of 20,000 to 25,000. ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn attributes this boost to enhanced charter and scheduled flights, alongside the visa-free scheme designed to spur Chinese demand.

Chinese arrivals have shown a marked increase this year, averaging 15,000 to 19,000 visitors daily, a significant leap compared to the same period last year. The number is expected to spike to 25,000 per day during the Lunar New Year holiday next month, informed by strong tour bookings. Continued …

Bangkok-Vientiane train to start in April

The State Railway of Thailand plans to extend its Bangkok-Nong Khai train service to reach Vientiane in April.

Trains will start operating from the Thanaleng station just across the border in Laos to the new Khamsavath station in Vientiane next month in preparation for the extended service in April, said the Department of Rail Transport. Continued …

Tourist Speedboat Collides with Reef, 12 Tourists and 3 Crewmates Rescued

On Wednesday, the Trat Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Center (CARDC) received an emergency report of a speedboat colliding with a reef, causing a shipwreck 16 miles away from the Laem Thian area, Koh Kood, Trat.

After 30 minutes, Trat CARDC lost contact with 12 tourists and 3 crew mates at the speedboat. Three Trat marine rescue speedboats were dispatched to coordinates as reported by the victims. However, the marine rescue teams could not find the victims or the speedboat in the reported area, according to the rescue team. Continued …

What to know about the increasing tourist fees worldwide

Travelers to Venice will have to pay up to witness its historic canals and islands, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

To regulate heavy tourist traffic and “protect residents,” the City of Water announced tourist groups will be capped at 25 people – about half the capacity of a tourist bus – and ban loudspeakers, which create “disturbances,” according to the Italian city. Over the summer, crowds in St. Mark’s Square, the city’s main plaza, caused bridges to back up and tourists saw overflowing trash cans. Continued …

TAT unveils new ‘Monopoly: Bangkok Edition’

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that Bangkok will be the third destination in Thailand to get its own official Monopoly board game, the Monopoly: Bangkok Edition, following the success of the Phuket and Chiang Mai editions.

Duangjai Kanteeranon, deputy executive director of Europe region, said, “We are so excited to announce the launch of the Monopoly: Bangkok Edition in collaboration with Winning Moves. The development of the Bangkok edition marks a significant milestone in our partnership.” Continued …

All eyes on flurry of global elections

The flurry of elections coming up this year could alter the geopolitical scene and may entail some drama and uncertainties, says OCBC Bank chief economist Selena Ling. “The political calendar year in 2024 will be busy, with more than 70 elections scheduled, including in Indonesia, India and the United States, just to name a few,” he said. Continued …