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Today’s news: ‘Cycling Against Cancer’ journey/Donations for Jungle Aid sought/Cha Am boy shines in Hollywood/UK programs to boost English language proficiency/Coca-Cola’s recycled bottles/Motorbike blocks ambulance, breaks both legs/Thai gold price hits record/Cost of living concerns mount/Digital money handout to be delayed/Opposition to digital wallet scheme growing/Srettha and Xi agree to boost Thai-China ties/Thailand’s latest visa policy/BMW to settle EV plant plan/State agencies to buy EVs/EEC Sets New Investment Targets/21 Million Tourists Since January/PM proposes making Chinese visa-free entry permanent/Swedish family raised 2.44M baht to fly woman home/10 new Michelin stars in Thailand/Best Jay food to eat during Vegetarian Festival/Amusing rules for temple spirits/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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Regarding the return of the ‘PM2.5 season’

“PM 2.5 season is a terrible time. During the Thai elections Mr. Pita was the only one and the first Thai politician who addressed this to be a priority to solve. I really miss this good guy in Thai politics.” – GS

Cyclists complete 1,139 km “Cycling Against Cancer” journey to Hua Hin

A group of dedicated cyclists concluded their 1,139 km ride for cancer awareness yesterday in Hua Hin.

Starting in Mae Sai in northern Thailand, the “Cycling Against Cancer” project journeyed south over the span of seven days, making its final stop at the Wang Klai Kangwon on Phetkasem Road. Continued …

Donations for Jungle Aid sought Oct 26

To celebrate their 7th anniversary, the Hua Hin Ladies (HHL) are seeking donations of rice on Thursday, Oct. 26, with the donations given to Jungle Aid.

Donations should be dropped off at Cheers Restaurant & Bar any time from 9am until closing. Those attending the HHL party that day can bring donations the evening of Oct. 26.

Canned fish, soap, and toothbrushes and toothpaste are also welcomed. Last year, the event collected 715 kg of rice, 220 cans of fish, and 150 bars of soap.

Cha Am boy shines in new Hollywood blockbuster

It’s not every day that a young talent from Cha Am or Hua Hin gets to share screen space with Hollywood bigwigs like John David Washington and Gemma Chan. But for 10-year-old Harrison Phillips, this is exactly what has happened.

In the new American science fiction film “The Creator,” an epic tale set in a future where humans battle advanced AI, the pivotal role of a child AI weapon was deftly handled by Harrison, who was a stunt and body double. Continued …

Thai education embraces UK programs to boost English language proficiency

Thailand has officially embraced programs initiated by the United Kingdom, designed to boost English language proficiency among Thai students and teachers.

The Education Minister of Thailand, Police Gen. Permpoon Chidchob, held a conversation with the UK Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, to discuss this educational collaboration. The British ambassador, Mark Gooding, was also present at the discussion, which took place at the Ministry of Education. Continued …

Coca-Cola targets Thai plastic waste crisis with recycled bottles

Coca-Cola has finally joined the battle against Thailand’s plastic waste crisis by introducing 1-liter bottles made from 100% recyclable PET plastic.

Both Original Taste and Zero Sugar bottles will be available in PET plastic – though, of course, plastic waste will only be reduced if they are disposed of and recycled properly. Continued …

Motorbike rider, who blocks Phuket ambulance, breaks both legs in accident

A Phuket motorbike driver who blocked an ambulance that was rushing a patient to hospital has had his comeuppance. The bike rider in question deliberately blocked an ambulance traveling behind him, before getting into an accident where he broke both his legs.

Kusoldharm rescue worker Somphong Panaputae was driving the ambulance transporting a seriously ill patient to Patong Hospital. Continued …

Thai gold price hits record

Domestic gold prices rose to a record high of 34,100 baht per baht weight on Thursday, up 300 baht from a day earlier, as the intensity of the Israel-Hamas conflict has driven up demand for the safe-haven asset, says the Gold Traders Assn. (GTA).

The association announced on Thursday the sales price for domestic 96.5% gold jewelry was 34,100 baht per baht weight, as the spot gold price was USD1,949 per ounce. Continued …

Cost of living concerns mount

Fifty-seven percent of Thais are worried about their income being insufficient to cover their existing expenses, up from 51% in 2021, according to the market research firm Nielsen. This heightened uncertainty is driven by factors such as the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, escalating inflation and higher interest rates.

These worries about the cost of living are exerting a substantial influence on purchasing decisions across multiple sectors, the company’s 2024 Industry Insights Report shows. Continued …

Launch of government’s digital money handout to be delayed

The government scheme to hand out 10,000 baht in digital money to Thais is unlikely to start on Feb. 1 next year as instructed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said on Thursday.

He said the delay was caused by the need for more time to develop a security system for the scheme. Continued …

Opposition to the government’s digital wallet scheme growing

The government’s controversial digital wallet scheme is facing increasing opposition, with opponents seeking intervention from the Central Administrative Court, the Election Commission, the Office of Auditor-General and the Ombudsman to put the scheme on hold.

Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom filed a complaint with the Auditor-General’s office Wednesday, asking for a probe into the digital wallet scheme before submitting its findings to the Administrative Court to seek the scheme’s suspension. Continued …

Srettha and Xi agree to boost Thai-China economic, tourism and security ties

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and China’s Xi Jinping agreed to strengthen relations between their countries across four dimensions during a successful meeting in Beijing on Thursday, the Thai government has announced.

Economic, tourism, security, and multilateral collaboration between Thailand and China will be boosted over the next year, said prime minister’s office spokesman Chai Watcharong, summarizing the outcome of Thursday’s meeting. Srettha also invited Xi to visit Thailand. Continued …

Thailand’s latest visa policy reflects much wider economic hopes

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent journey to the international gathering at the Beijing National Convention Center is a significant effort to expand economic links between Thailand and its major trading partners China and Russia.

The latest Thai immigration news, which abolishes visas for Chinese and Russian tourists on a trial basis, is certainly part of that policy. Chinese citizens can enter Thailand visa-free for 30 days, which can be extended 30 days more at Thai immigration. Russian nationals next month will have the same visa-free opportunity for 90 days. Continued …

BMW unit to settle EV plant plan by year-end

BMW Group Thailand will finalize its plan to build an electric vehicle (EV) factory in Thailand within this year, as the Munich-based premium car manufacturer joins other automakers worldwide in seeking to take advantage of opportunities in the EV industry, which is being strongly backed by the government.

“We expect an investment plan will be concluded in the next 1-2 months, as we need to have further talks with our parent company and Thailand’s Board of Investment before making a final decision,” said Alexander Baraka, president and chief executive of BMW Group Thailand. Continued …

PM orders state agencies to buy EVs

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered state agencies to buy electric vehicles to replace older vehicles, build more charging stations nationwide and make insurance for EVs affordable.

The directive is part of a broader campaign to promote greater adoption of green transport to reduce carbon emissions and develop the country into a production hub for EVs and their parts. Continued …

Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Sets New Investment Targets

Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has set a new investment target of 500 billion baht (US$13.7 billion) over the next five years.

The government’s new Commerce minister pledged to address all long-standing obstacles within 99 days to better attract foreign investment into the EEC. This includes finalizing a key high-speed railway project that connects the EEC to three major airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and U-tapao. The 220-kilometer railway project is valued at 282 billion baht (US$7.7 billion). Continued …

Thailand Welcomes 21 Million Tourists Since January, Rakes in 882 Billion Baht

Thailand received 21 million international tourists in the January to Oct. 16 period this year, generating over 882 billion baht in tourism revenue.

In an exact tally, the country recorded 21,019,800 foreign arrivals since the beginning of 2023. These arrivals pumped 882.45 billion baht into the economy, reported Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol. Continued …

PM proposes making Chinese visa-free entry permanent

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin says he proposed making visa-free entry for Chinese tourists permanent during wide-ranging talks with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in Beijing.

Srettha also briefed his counterpart on the benefits of a proposed land bridge in southern Thailand for the China-backed Belt and Road Initiative. Continued …

Swedish family raised 2.44M baht to fly young woman home

A 25-year-old Swedish woman, Felicia Cedergren, who was in coma after a motorcycle accident on Koh Samui on Oct. 8, was last night evacuated back to Sweden.

More than four thousand people helped fund the special medical evacuation flight with a total donation of 735.000 SEK (2.44M baht) via a Go-Fund-Me page. Continued …

A glutton’s guide to all 10 new Michelin stars in Thailand

This year’s Michelin Guide has added another 10 restaurants in Thailand.

Four of the new Michelin-recommended restaurants are in Bangkok, while Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen scored two apiece, leaving one each in Phuket and Nakhon Pathom. Here’s a brief taster of all 10 new additions: Continued …

The best Jay food to eat during the Vegetarian Festival in Thailand

The Vegetarian Festival — or Jay Festival — is one of the biggest and most popular festivals in Thailand, celebrated largely in Phuket and in Bangkok, too. During this time, participants observe a strict Jay diet that is similar (but not identical) to a vegan diet.

Switching out various meats for plenty of vegetables, the festival is a Chinese celebration of the nine emperor gods. The idea is to cleanse the body of heavy meats and heavily scented vegetables. Continued …

Yala temple’s amusing rules for resident spirits

An intriguing set of rules has emerged from a renowned temple in Yala, aimed at the spirits residing within the temple’s vicinity. The rules, designed to foster harmony among the monks, villagers, and spirits, have gone viral, sparking amusement among netizens.

This unusual story began gaining traction when a vinyl signboard with the rules was posted within the famous Yala temple. Continued …

Amsterdam will charge the highest tourist tax in Europe in 2024

Amsterdam will increase its tourist tax in 2024 in a continued effort to crack down on rowdy tourists. The new rate will be the highest in Europe and the fourth highest globally. The new tax rate for overnight visitors will be 12.5%, up substantially from 7%. Continued …

Amsterdam sex workers protest planned move to ‘erotic center’

Amsterdam’s sex workers Thursday protested against the transfer of their famed red light district to an out-of-town “erotic center”, in what is seen as part of a battle for the city’s soul. Continued …

US military shoots down missiles and drones as it faces threats in Middle East

With tensions spiking in the Middle East, U.S. forces in the region are facing increasing threats, as a Navy warship shot down missiles appearing to head toward Israel Thursday and American bases in Iraq and Syria were repeatedly targeted by drone attacks. 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

November Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flights reduced to two per week

Thai Air Asia will reduce direct flights from four to twice weekly between Chiang Mai, the gateway city to north Thailand and the beach resort town of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand.

From Chiang Mai, the new schedule switches to two weekly flights (Friday and Sunday), starting Oct. 30. The one-way is around USD78.40 (THB2,846), including fees and tax. Continued …