- Holiday market to open at Queen Sirijit Park/
- Prachuap Food Festival & Siam Powerboat Dec 23-25/
- Hua Hin airport security man shoots himself dead with pen gun/
- International schools in Hua Hin to send your kids/
- An end to chronic pain? Future treatment could look very different/
- Companies hit with 20% power hike/
- NE village on alert for underwear thief – ladies warned by loudspeaker/
- Thailand refutes US determination of solar panel ‘dumping’/
- Thailand signs partnership and cooperation deal with EU/
- Russian teen electrocuted at public basketball court/
- AURA sees glittering future for its gold shops/
- Man savaged to death by three pit bulls/
- EGCO Group and Hitachi cooperating on development of smart industrial estate/
- Siam Cement to invest $3B in renewable energy and decarbonization/
- For Tesla Thailand, all bumpy roads lead to China/
- Koh Lipe, sea gypsy tensions soar amid land fight/
- FDA chief insists ganja no longer narcotic regardless of cannabis control law/
- ID will be required for purchase of marijuana buds next month/
- Tourism: Thailand’s economy to grow by 3.6% in 2023, riding on tourism recovery/Five romantic things to do for Christmas in Thailand/Phuket most popular holiday spot in Thailand for foreign tourists this year/Central Thailand Travel Guide – 7 Splendid Trip Ideas/The 9 Best Spas in Bangkok/
- Covid: IATA calls for adoption of travel health code/
- International: Eight killed, dozens missing in Malaysia landslide/UN details civilian executions in Ukraine/ECB: Euro zone economy probably contracting/China’s economy braces for more turmoil/Biden tells leaders US is ‘all in’ for Africa/US places Chinese chipmakers on trade blacklist/Twitter suspends accounts of journalists covering Musk/
- Links: Airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas
Holiday market to open at Queen Sirijit Park
The Rimlay Market at the Queen Sirikit Park (19 Rai) will host a New Year’s Eve Festival from Dec. 29 to New Year’s Day. The event will offer a variety of foods and crafts.
Prachuap Food Festival & Siam Powerboat Dec 23-25
The Prachuap Food Festival & Siam Powerboat 2022 event will be held Dec. 23-25 at the provincial office at Prachuap Bay.
The event will showcase a variety of local food and goods, as well as different water sports and powerboat competitions.
Hua Hin airport security man shoots himself dead with pen gun
Police are calling it a tragic accident at a house in the village of Ban Nong Kham in Cha-Am, Phetchaburi, south central Thailand.
By a door in a house opposite the local school, police found Sukreedee, 43, a security man at Hua Hin airport.
He was in uniform lying in a pool of blood. A .22 pen gun was lying beside the body. Continued …
International schools in Hua Hin to send your kids
For many expats in Thailand, choosing an international school to send their child to is one of their most important priorities. Hua Hin, a seaside city with a laid back atmosphere, might be a great environment for your kid.
In Hua Hin, there are four international schools that promise students a rigorous education, along with an excellent and nurturing experience. We’ll give you the low-down on the four schools, which are Hua Hin International School, Beaconhouse Yamsaad, The British Educational Children Center (BECC), and Halio International School Hua Hin. Continued …
An end to chronic pain? Future treatment could look very different
Steven Pete knows what it feels like for a knife to slice through his skin. He can tell from the sensation how deep the cut is and how badly he has been hurt.
He believes he can identify such things better than other people, because he’s not distracted by pain. He doesn’t feel any.
Yes, he can sense the difference between hot and cold. His foot tingles when he sits on it too long. And he knows his knees are arthritic, because he can see their swelling and finds they’re not as mobile as they used to be. Continued …
Companies hit with 20% power hike
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has decided to maintain the power tariff at 4.72 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit), keeping electricity bills for households unchanged for the first four months next year, but it plans to increase the tariff imposed on businesses.
Although the decision will help people deal with high living costs, Isares Rattanadilok Na Phuket, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said on Thursday he was “very disappointed” with the announcement because entrepreneurs are also struggling to deal with energy prices.
The ERC will increase the power tariff for the non-household sector by 20.5% to 5.69 baht per unit, up from 4.72 baht per unit. Continued …
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NE village on alert for underwear thief – ladies warned by loudspeaker
A village in the northeast of Thailand is on alert after a man was caught on CCTV stealing bras and panties from a rail behind a house.
A clip was posted on the page of Ban Thatu Mahanakhon 2019 after the incident on Tuesday night in Ban Thatu, Phen, Udon Thani.
Nitaya, 50, and the phu yai ban Sarawuth, 46, at the house, was out with her daughter having dinner and when they came back they thought some underwear had blown away. Continued …
Thailand refutes US determination of solar panel ‘dumping’
The Commerce Ministry has refuted the United States’ preliminary determination that solar panels imported from Thailand are evading U.S. anti-dumping measures.
U.S. authorities published a determination on Dec. 8 that solar cells and modules imported from manufacturers in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia are using parts from China. This shows an intention to evade U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures against China, the determination said.
On Thursday, the Thai Commerce Ministry said it dispatched an objection letter to Lisa Wang, assistant secretary of commerce for enforcement and compliance, to protect Thailand’s exporters. Continued …
Thailand signs partnership and cooperation deal with EU
Thailand has signed a comprehensive partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA) with the European Union (EU).
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels.
Leaders from 10 member countries of ASEAN, including Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, on Wednesday met with their EU counterparts at the conference held to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two regional groupings. Continued …
Russian teen electrocuted at public basketball court
Authorities in Pattaya are investigating after a 19-year-old Russian man was electrocuted while having a game of basketball with friends at a public court at the resort yesterday.
Police Captain Yutthaphon Bunkert and Sawang Boriboon rescue services responded to a call for help from people at the court within a sports center on Sukhumvit Road Pattaya Soi 15.
They found Alexey Sobolev unresponsive. Despite CPR and being rushed to hospital, he was subsequently pronounced dead. Continued …
AURA sees glittering future for its gold shops
Aurora Design Plc (AURA), one of Thailand’s leading gold and diamond jewelry retailers, is expanding its consignment business under its Thong Ma Ngern Pai (Gold Comes, Money Goes) brand of shops.
The move comes after it became the first gold jeweller to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) last month. The decision to roll out more shops was driven by expanding demand in the consignment sector, AURA Chief Marketing Officer Anipat Srirungthum explained on Thursday.
Thong Ma Ngern Pai brand is a retailer that also allows customers to temporarily exchange jewelry for cash to boost their liquidity. Continued …
Man savaged to death by three pit bulls
A man was savaged to death by three pit bulls in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. The owner of the dogs is distraught and revealed he will find a new home for the dogs to avoid the same fate in the future.
Pornchai Ritmaha was attacked by three pit bulls last night at about 8pm. The 47-year-old man was walking past a neighbor’s house when the three pit bulls suddenly attacked him. Continued …
EGCO Group and Hitachi cooperating on development of smart industrial estate
Electricity Generating Plc (EGCO Group) and Hitachi Group will jointly study technology and intelligent systems for the EGCO Rayong industrial estate, according to a memorandum of understanding between the two.
The estate in Rayong is being developed into a smart and green industrial estate for advanced industries, such as electric vehicle manufacturing, in the Eastern Economic Corridor ( EEC ).
EGCO Group, together with Hitachi Asia (Thailand) Co., and Hitachi Energy (Thailand) signed an MOU to carry out a project to study the development of technology and intelligent systems under the project named “Accelerated Digital Transformation: DX Study” for the “EGCO Rayong” Industrial Estate Project, which seeks to jointly develop an appropriate technology and smart system plan in this industrial estate, as well as apply the study results to other development projects of EGCO Group, as appropriate. Continued …
Siam Cement to invest $3B in renewable energy and decarbonization
Siam Cement Group, Thailand’s largest building materials company, has laid out its investment plans for the next five years, showing a strong emphasis on environmental issues as it attempts to shift its business style to a more circular one.
The company announced that it will invest 100 billion baht ($2.89 billion) through the end of 2027 in areas such as renewable energy, while also continuing efforts to decarbonize its main building materials and chemicals businesses.
SCG plans to strengthen its position in manufacturing materials for solar power generation and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. In the solar power business, it aims to expand power generation to about 15 times the current capacity, or 3,000 megawatts, by 2027. Continued …
For Tesla Thailand, all bumpy roads lead to China
For newly minted Tesla Thailand, there’s a bumpy road ahead, and it leads back to China.
Tesla began sales in Thailand just over a week ago, offering its popular Model 3 and Model Y at prices that compete with rivals like BYD. The company staged a glitzy showcase of its plans at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon mall, with vehicles to be delivered in the first quarter of next year. Around the same time, Toyota was staging a glitzy showcase of its own electric dreams.
Tesla deliveries in China this November were at an all-time high, but that has done nothing to stop a deluge of news that the company is in decline. Continued …
Koh Lipe, sea gypsy tensions soar amid land fight
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is stepping up calls for the government to implement its recommendations on land disputes faced by sea gypsy residents living on Koh Lipe in Satun province.
The plight of ethnic groups who have occupied the island for generations is back in the spotlight following an incident early this week when pupils gathered to protest against a business operator who claimed ownership and blocked a walkway locals use to access a school, a hospital, and a beach. Continued …
FDA chief insists ganja no longer narcotic regardless of cannabis control law
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration chief insisted on Thursday that all parts of ganja plants, including the buds, will remain legal no matter what the new cannabis and hemp control bill states.
FDA Secretary-general Paisarn Dunkum was commenting as the House of Representatives resumed its second reading of the bill on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the House panel vetting the bill had agreed to remove Section 3, which stated that marijuana, hemp and their extracts will not be regarded as narcotics under the law. Paisarn is a member of the vetting panel. Continued …
ID will be required for purchase of marijuana buds next month
Thais will have to start flashing their citizen identification cards next month to buy ganja buds from 5,000 registered shops nationwide, a senior official said on Thursday.
Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, director-general of the Thai Traditional and Complementary Medicine Department, said that after his department issued a directive to declare marijuana buds a controlled herb it began developing an online system to monitor their sale in registered shops.
Thongchai said owners of the registered shops must inform the department what they are doing with the dried marijuana buds, where they bought them and who they are selling them to. Continued …
Thailand’s economy to grow by 3.6% in 2023, riding on tourism recovery
The country is likely to see 3.6% economic growth in 2023 thanks to the performance of the tourism sector, despite the nation’s export growth slowing down, according to University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
The president of the UTCC and adviser to the university’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, Thanavath Phonvichai, said the number of tourists visiting Thailand is expected to increase from 11 million this year to 22 million people in 2023, while the nation’s exports are slowing down due to a decline in trade partners’ purchasing power.
“Exports are expected to recover by the third quarter of next year,” he said. “In addition, investment from the public sector is also a factor that will bolster Thailand’s economy, as production bases are shifted to several ASEAN countries, including Thailand.” Continued …
Five romantic things to do for Christmas in Thailand
Christmas is often one of the most romantic days of the year for people who have a special someone. In Thailand, a Buddhist-majority country with no snow, it may at first appear difficult to capture the romantic Christmas feeling.
But there are several exciting activities for lovebirds to do in Thailand on Christmas, and during the holiday season. Read below to learn about some things you and your one-and-only can do for Christmas in Thailand.
1. Go on an outdoor adventure
Several areas of Thailand, particularly in the north and northeast, boast mountains and outdoor sites with breathtaking views. If you and your partner are hikers or campers, such sites are definitely worth visiting. Continued …
Phuket most popular holiday spot in Thailand for foreign tourists this year
Data from the Thailand’s tourism ministry shows that Phuket was the most popular destination with foreign tourists during the first 10 months of 2022. The island has also generated nearly 128 billion baht in tourism revenue, the highest in the country.
Deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana says the tourism industry in the kingdom is slowly recovering after a very difficult few years. It started with the launch of the Phuket Sandbox, Thailand’s pilot project for a gradual re-opening of the country to international travelers. Earlier this month, Thailand welcomed its 10 millionth foreign visitor.
“The success of the program also came from strong public health measures and Thai people’s cooperation that has helped the tourism industry bounce back in a V-shaped recovery and attracted 10 million visitors before the year-end.” Continued …
Central Thailand Travel Guide – 7 Splendid Trip Ideas
Travel 2-3 hours north of modern Bangkok in central Thailand, and you can time travel. Get lost in cities famed for ancient ruins, memorial sites, WWII traces and soothing nature.
The central region of Thailand was the stronghold of the Ayutthaya Kingdom that lasted over 400 years, paving the way for present-day Thailand. Aside from Ayutthaya’s historical park, where the earlier territory comes alive, spirits of the past still haunt the area today – from Lopburi’s temples to Kanchanaburi, paying homage to its WWII heritage.
Take these seven trip ideas and dive into the cultural heartland of one of the most underrated regions of Thailand. Continued …
The 9 Best Spas in Bangkok
Although celebrated retreats are nothing new in the tropical island regions of Thailand, the best spas in Bangkok boast a particularly unique approach, setting the city apart from many other destinations around the world.
The bustling Southeast Asian metropolis has long been synonymous with a wild nightlife scene, Michelin-starred street food, and ancient temples — and its intrepid visitors have come to the city hungry for an unforgettable adventure. But in recent years, there’s been an appetite for a new brand of tourism taking over the Thai capital: wellness.
This refreshing energy is very much due to the destination’s focus on the marriage of Thai tradition — which, for centuries, has taken a holistic approach to health —with modern science and medicine. From classic treatments like Tok Sen massage, an ancient Thai technique that uses a special wooden hammer to tap along the body’s energy line, and Harmonized Qi rituals to a new medical wellness retreat offering up the latest longevity innovations (think: cryotherapy, DNA testing, whole-body light therapy, and hyperbaric chambers), there are more than a trip’s worth of wellness experiences to be had. Continued …
IATA calls for adoption of travel health code
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling for a universal health code for air travel, with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard used to prepare for future health emergencies. Continued …
Eight killed, dozens missing in Malaysia landslide
At least eight people died after a landslide struck a Malaysian campsite today, officials said, as rescuers searched for dozens who were still missing. Continued …
UN details civilian executions in Ukraine
In just the first weeks of Moscow’s war in Ukraine, Russian forces summarily killed hundreds of civilians, the UN rights chief said Thursday, decrying likely war crimes. Continued …
ECB: Euro zone economy probably contracting
The euro zone economy may contract in the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year because of high energy prices, but it should still manage weak growth in 2023, the European Central Bank (ECB) said on Thursday. Continued …
China’s economy braces for more turmoil
Economic activity in China weakened in November before the government abruptly dropped its zero-Covid policy, while a surge in infections in coming months is likely to cause more turmoil and push policymakers to increase stimulus. Continued …
Biden tells leaders US is ‘all in’ for Africa
President Joe Biden threw his support Thursday behind a larger African role in the world but also vowed the United States would not shy away from promoting democracy. Continued …
US places Chinese chipmakers on trade blacklist
The U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday blacklisted 36 Chinese companies, including top producers of advanced computer chips, severely restricting their access to American technology. Continued …
Twitter suspends accounts of journalists covering Musk
Twitter suspended Thursday the accounts of more than a half-dozen journalists who had been writing about the company and its new owner, Elon Musk. Some of the journalists had been tweeting about Twitter shutting down an account that tracked flights of the billionaire’s private jet and about versions of that account hosted at other social networks. Continued …
