Downpours expected to herald arrival of rainy season on Monday/
Thap Sakae EV charging station part of 5,000km SE Asian EV highway/
The election is over, a new round of ‘war’ begins/
Pita Limjaroenrat: Meet Thailand’s (probable) next leader/
He promised change in Thailand. But will he be allowed to lead?/
Phitsanulok locals stock up on eggs amid rising price and tight supplies/
EGAT plans hybrid hydro-floating solar project in Khon Kaen/
Thailand sending essential supplies to cyclone-hit Myanmar/
C.P. Group collaborating with French companies on food, energy and transportation/
Tourism: Immigration Bureau Intensifies Crackdown on Overstaying Foreigners/Almost 10 Million Foreign Tourists So Far This Year/
Thailand Experience: 7 Most Scenic Bangkok Train Trips To Take At Least Once/Koh Samui Is an Idyllic Thailand Getaway/Isaan booming as fuse lit for annual Rocket Festival/
Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
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Downpours expected to herald arrival of rainy season on Monday
Heavy rains are forecast for most parts of the country when the wet season officially begins on Monday, the Meteorological Department announced on Friday.
Downpours are expected to be frequent in most regions of the country as Thailand’s summer season ends and the wet season begins, according to weather forecasts. Continued …
Thap Sakae EV charging station part of 5,000km SE Asian EV highway
Singapore-based charging provider for electric vehicles (EVs) Charge+ has announced a strategic partnership with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to boost the country’s EV ecosystem as it strives to become a zero-carbon emission nation by 2050.
EGAT will provide Charge+ with a site for a direct current (DC) charging station in Thap Sakae, about 320 kilometers south of Bangkok, according to a statement from Charge+. Continued …
The election is over, a new round of ‘war’ begins
After the polls have closed, the victories of two major opposition parties mark a new chapter in Thai politics, as the country enters the phase of forming a new government. However, the Thai political scene is abuzz with several pressing questions:
Will the Forward Party manage to establish the government successfully? Will Pita Limcharoenrat become the prime minister? Could the Forward Party face dissolution or will Pita face a dismissal? Continued …
Pita Limjaroenrat: Meet Thailand’s (probable) next leader
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat is on the road to becoming Thailand’s next prime minister after his three-year-old progressive party’s shock victory in last Sunday’s general election.
The election results, which are awaiting endorsement by the Election Commission, show Move Forward in first after winning 152 of the 500 MP seats in the House of Representatives. Continued …
He promised change in Thailand. But will he be allowed to lead?
When Pita Limjaroenrat was a student at Harvard in 2008, he shadowed his American classmates who were campaigning at the time for Barack Obama. The experience gave him a window into electoral politics, from phone banks and polling data to knocking on doors and putting campaign flags on front lawns.
Fifteen years later, Pita said he used what he learned in Massachusetts to help his recent campaign in Thailand, where he stunned the country’s political establishment by leading his progressive Move Forward Party to a momentous victory. Continued …
NOTICE: Avatar Garden has temporarily closed for renovations. We will reopen about July 1. Stay tuned!
Phitsanulok locals stock up on eggs amid rising price and tight supplies
Consumers in Phitsanulok are bristling over a 0.2 baht per piece rise in the price of chicken eggs, or six baht per tray of 30 eggs. The price hike was announced by Thailand’s Egg Farmer Cooperative Network earlier this week.
The network on Monday told its members to raise the price of assorted eggs at farms from 3.6 baht to 3.8 baht per egg, the highest price yet this year. Continued …
58.5MW Floating PV Plant with Sungrow PV and Floating Solutions
EGAT plans hybrid hydro-floating solar project in Khon Kaen
The EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand)–MPD Consortium has signed a construction contract for a hybrid hydro-floating solar project at Ubol Ratana Dam in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.
The project will ensure renewable energy stability for sustainability, driving the country to achieve carbon neutrality, according to a press release. Continued …
Thailand sending essential supplies to cyclone-hit Myanmar
Thailand will be sending a plane carrying essential supplies to Myanmar, after the neighboring country was hit by powerful cyclone “Mocha”, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
The spokesperson for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kanchana Patarachoke, said that the Thai government had expressed its concerns to Myanmar, where Cyclone Mocha has killed 145 people and left 800,000 people in need of food aid, according to reports as of Friday evening. Continued …
C.P. Group collaborating with French companies on food, energy, transportation
Charoen Pokphand Group Co. (C.P. Group) announced that the group will collaborate with leading French corporations on projects that span the agribusiness, renewable energy, and transportation sectors.
The projects and the broader partnership will strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation, introduce advanced technologies and innovation into Thailand, and create employment opportunities for the local economy in Thailand and France. Continued …
Immigration Bureau Intensifies Crackdown on Overstaying Foreigners
In their most recent effort to crack down on overstaying foreigners, the Thai Immigration Bureau (IB) delivered a robust display of enforcement.
Yesterday, a briefing was held to share the results of the dureau’s operations. In attendance were various high-ranking officials, including the commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, his deputies, and other members of the force. Continued …
Almost 10 Million Foreign Tourists So Far This Year
The Thai tourism industry is soaring, as seen by altogether 9.47 million foreign tourists having come here from the beginning of the year until May 15, with the biggest markets being east and south Asia, plus ASEAN countries.
Trisulee Trisoranakul, deputy spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, also said that total tourist expenditure during this period reached 391 billion baht. Continued …
Kanchanaburi railway bridge
7 Most Scenic Bangkok Train Trips To Take At Least Once
Flying is one way to get to different cities in Thailand. But if you’re after an epic journey that lets you wind through dramatic valleys, forests, and mountains, then you should hit the rails.
From short jaunts to cross-country trips, here are seven scenic trains in Bangkok for you to indulge in slow travel. We’ve even provided helpful train travel tips because you’ll most likely want to book a trip after seeing what’s in store. Continued …
Koh Samui Is an Idyllic Thailand Getaway
Phuket has its nightlife and Pha Ngan has its full-moon parties, while Krabi has the coastline and Koh Tao has dominion over Thailand’s scuba scene. Samui stands apart by offering a slice of it all, with strings of serene, white sandy beaches and blissful indulgence from a collection of the country’s swankiest resorts, combined with no shortage of amusement or adventure.
Thailand is picking up where it left off after a lengthy pandemic shutdown to international tourism, returning as one of the most favored of far-flung destinations. Koh Samui, part of the Surat Thani province, is an island found in the Gulf of Thailand about halfway down the country’s thin central land strip. It caters to tourists, and as such, rather than mourning the sense of calm their absence provided, it’s celebrating their return in grand style, eager to once again offer its signature, friendly hospitality. Continued …
Isaan booming as fuse lit for annual Rocket Festival
Isaan skies are streaked with gray smoke trails from May to July every year, as locals launch Bang Fai or bamboo missiles to prod the rain god awake. Celebrated in Thailand’s northeast and Laos, the Bun Bang Fai rocket festival blasts off to summon clouds at the start of the rainy season around the end of May.
“Bun” means merit while “bang” refers to the giant bamboo bodies of the missiles. “Fai” (fire) is what happens when fuses are lit and the sparks ignite the gunpowder packed inside. Continued …
The UK government has disclosed that the state funeral and related events for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September, cost taxpayers almost £162 million (US$201 million). This is the first public estimate of the expenses associated with the funeral of Britain’s longest-serving monarch. Continued …
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 twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. 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
Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October
Mice steal gran’s 50K and stash it in the rafters/
Japanese restaurants see record-breaking growth in Thailand/
Chinese mafia case taken over by police chief/
CP and Toyota join forces to study path toward carbon neutrality in Thailand/
Thai firm to buy used cooking oil to convert to plane fuel/
Industrial estates to install solar systems/
EV producers cheered by bookings at motor show/
House panel reverses cannabis status as narcotic/
Tourism: Thailand is most popular destination in SEA for North Americans and Europeans/Thailand’s Secret Wine Region Is a Lush, Grape-Scented Paradise/ TAT sees Chinese tourists returning soon/-Where will Chinese tourists travel post-Covid?/Thailand renowned for high medical care standards at friendly rates among foreign tourists/Phuket peak tourism season expected over Christmas and New Year/Phuket hotels lack workers/Call of the mountains/Marriott plans to open 8 more hotels in Thailand in 2023/Thai Airways is recruiting 1,000 workers for Suvarnabhumi/
Covid: Mask wearing required in crowds in Bangkok New Year’s celebrations/Covid surge spooks Beijing residents, disrupts government/
International: It’s no joke: Across globe, satire morphs into misinformation/Japan unveils future-food breakthrough: ‘meat’ made from rice bran/
Links: Airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas
Foe more information, email us at aim@hhexpatnews.com
Vintage Car Parade this weekend at Dusit Thani
The 20th Vintage Car Parade to be held this weekend, courtesy of Dusit Thani Hua Hin Resort.
About 50 vintage cars will be involved and will arrive at the resort on Friday afternoon.
A parade is planned for Saturday at 9am, with the group stopping for lunch at Monsoon Valley Vineyard. The parade will also visit the Ban Wang Khoi School in Thap Tai.
A dinner will in the Dusit Thani Grand Ballroom will complete the visit, with vehicles returning to Bangkok on Sunday.
Hua Hin World Cup won by Swiss team
The Switzerland team defeated Thailand in a penalty shootout (following a 1-1 draw in extra time) to win this year’s Hua Hin World Cup.
The tournament raised 20,000 baht for the Jungle Aid Foundation.
A Story of Life-Saving Cooperation and Coordination
A 28-year-old male patient involved in a car accident received a serious brain injury and was recently admitted to Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital. Despite a neurosurgery team making every effort with surgery and intensive care, the patient was declared to be in a state of brain death but the condition of the heart and other organs were still good.
After close consultation with the family of the man, permission was received for organ donations to the Thai Red Cross Society Organ Donation Center to be made available for patients waiting for life-saving organ transplants. The donated organs consisted of a heart, a liver, two kidneys, a pancreas and two eyes.
The hospital then coordinated with the Thai Red Cross Society to prepare a team of doctors, nurses and equipment to collect the organs. The heart transplantation was particularly important, with time limits on a viable transplantation making transport from Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital to Bangkok impractical by road. Continued …
Meteor shower will light up the skies tonight
The annual Geminids meteor shower can be viewed tonight before 11pm, with stargazers in rural areas expected to get the best view, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand.
There could be as many as 150 meteors per hour when the shower is most visible, from about 8 pm until 11 pm, the institute said.
The meteor shower can be viewed with the naked eye from locations that are distant from artificial lighting. Continued …
Amazing MuayThai Festival set in Hua Hin Feb 4-6
The Amazing MuayThai Festival 2023 will be held at Rajabhat Park in the Hua Hin Feb. 4-6, announced the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
TAT is organizing this event with the Royal Thai Army, the Ministry of Culture, Sports Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, and private sector partners.
The festival aims to promote cultural tourism and is in line with the Thai government’s policy to promote Thailand’s soft-power foundations, which include food, film, fashion, fight, and festival. Continued …
LPG price cap to remain through January
The Energy Policy Administration Committee (EPAC) has decided to continue capping the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is used as cooking gas, at 408 baht per 15-kilogram cylinder until the end of next month in a bid to slow rising living costs.
The group also agreed to maintain the ex-refinery price of LPG at 19.98 baht per kg. LPG is a petroleum product created from the crude oil refining process. Continued …
Baht hits 6-month high against dollar after US Fed rate hike
The baht opened at 34.53 to the U.S. dollar today, strengthening from Wednesday’s close of 34.57 to a six-month high.
The currency will likely move between 34.50 and 34.70 against the greenback during the day, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.
Poon said that the baht strengthened on dollar weakening and gold sales but cautioned the Thai currency could weaken if foreign investors begin selling Thai stocks due to a risk-off state in the U.S. and Asian currency markets. Continued …
World Bank eyes slower Thai growth
The Thai economy is projected to recover faster than expected this year, but will face slower growth in 2023 because of global headwinds, according to the World Bank.
Thailand’s economic growth is estimated to expand by 3.4% in 2022, exceeding the 2.9% World Bank projection made in June.
Growth was supported by stronger private consumption and services exports thanks to the nascent tourism recovery and strong pent-up demand after the relaxation of lockdown measures and travel restrictions, according to the World Bank report “Thailand Economic Monitor: Fiscal Policy for a Resilient and Equitable Future” released on Wednesday. Continued …
Unemployment declined thanks to increased economic activity and a rebound in tourism. However, household debt increased, albeit at a slower pace, while total loan quality improved.
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported on Wednesday unemployment in the third quarter tallied 491,400, representing 1.23% of the total workforce, declining from 546,600, or 1.37%, of the workforce in the second quarter.
The unemployment rates in 2020 and 2021 were 1.69% and 1.96%, respectively. Before the pandemic, the unemployment rate was around 1%. Continued …
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Shrimp industry continues to tread water
The local shrimp industry remains in the doldrums this year because of persistent diseases and unfavorable weather.
Ekapoj Yodpinit, president of the Thai Shrimp Assn., said on Wednesday the country’s overall shrimp production is expected to stay at 280,000 tons, on par with the previous year.
Production from the upper southern region is expected to account for 32% of this year’s output, with the eastern region making up 25%, the lower southern region on the Andaman Coast 21%, the lower southern region on the Gulf of Thailand 10%, and the central region 12%. Continued …
Mice steal gran’s 50K and stash it in the rafters
Media reported on a TikTok video going viral under the name flower_for. It featured a family dismantling a wall and rafters in a house after 50,000 baht of a grandmother’s money went missing over the last year.
They said that mice had stolen the old lady’s money and stashed it in the cavities.
They were pulling down handfuls of her cash. Continued …
Japanese restaurants see record-breaking growth in Thailand
The number of Japanese restaurants in Thailand rose 21.9% in 2022 over the year before, the highest jump since the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) began keeping track in 2007, Jetro said on Wednesday.
Jetro recorded a total of 5,325 Japanese restaurants in Thailand this year, up 955 from 4,370 in 2021. It said the expansion of Japanese restaurants has been prominent in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. However, since 2019, it has been possible to find Japanese restaurants in every province, according to Jetro.
“I’m glad that more Japanese restaurants are opening in Thailand … [they] offer a great opportunity for Japanese food lovers to taste Japan’s delicious dishes and expand the market for Japan’s food industry,” said Jun Kuroda, president of Jetro Bangkok. Continued …
Chinese mafia case taken over by police chief
Thai Police Commissioner General Damrongsak Kittiprapat has taken over responsibility for the case involving the alleged Chinese drug mafia network linked with Du Hao or Chaiyanat Kornchayanant. Police Gen. Surachate Hakparn or “Big Joke” will continue to play a crucial coordinating role with the Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Police Lt. Gen. Thiti Saengsawang handling the investigation into drugs being sold at exclusive nightclubs in Bangkok.
Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) Chief Gen. Torsak Sukwimol will take charge of suppression activities concerning the extended gang network and the use of “gray capital”, which has been linked with extensive property purchases. Alleged malfeasance within the Immigration Bureau is being reviewed by a high-ranking civil service commission.
Following an announcement on Monday by Damrongsak that he was taking over supervision of the DU Hao case and associated investigations, the operation of a suspected Chinese illicit drug network has also been linked, in the last week, to allegations of malfeasance within the Immigration Bureau. Continued …
CP and Toyota join forces to study path toward carbon neutrality in Thailand
Toyota Motor Thailand has announced its partnership with Thai conglomerate CP Group to support a carbon-neutral pathway.
The project also includes Toyota’s competitors such as Daihatsu, Isuzu, Suzuki, and its affiliated company Hino.
Since its establishment in 1921, CP has been operating with the core value of three benefits: to country, to people, and to organization. Continued …
Thai firm to buy used cooking oil to convert to plane fuel
Thailand’s leading petroleum and energy conglomerate Bangchak Corp. and its joint venture will launch a campaign to recycle used cooking oil for making plane fuel.
Bangchak’s Senior Executive VP Somchai Tejavanija, acting executive vice president of the refinery and logistics business Kanthamat Kritayanukul, and Executive VP of BBGI Plc Kittima Wongsaen, as well as directors of Bangchak and BSGF, encouraged people to sell their used cooking oil at 44 Bangchak petrol stations as they launched the“ Tod-Mai-Ting”(recycling used cooking oil) campaign, which opens on Dec. 21.
Used cooking oil will be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), in response to the bio-circular-green economy (BCG) economic model. It emphasizes the use of biotechnology to create value addition to the economy and aligns with the circular economy and green economy, together with social development to create stability and sustainability, according to Bangchak. Continued …
Industrial estates to install solar systems
Industrial estate developer Pinthong Industrial Park Plc (PIN) plans to allocate 1.6 billion baht to invest in renewable energy projects by installing floating and rooftop solar panels at its industrial estates.
The floating solar panels will be installed on a reservoir spanning 300 rai at its industrial complex, while the investment in rooftop solar panels is for another five industrial estates with total area of 1.3 million square meters, said Surach Patanawongyuneyong, chief operations officer of PIN.
“The company is in the process of developing the two projects. We expect them to be completed so we can start recognizing revenue in the second quarter of next year,” he said. Continued …
EV producers cheered by bookings at motor show
Bookings for 5,800 electric vehicles (EVs) at the Thailand International Motor Expo are providing fuel for the government’s ongoing efforts to develop the domestic EV industry.
The EV total made up 15% of all car bookings, which tallied 36,679 units during the 12-day car event that ended on Dec. 12, according to the organizer.
Chinese EVs were the most popular among prospective buyers, partly because their manufacturers have joined the government’s EV incentive scheme, which includes tax cuts and subsidies, said Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit. Continued …
House panel reverses cannabis status as narcotic
The House committee vetting the controversial cannabis/hemp control bill on Wednesday agreed to remove Section 3 of the draft law, which stipulates that cannabis and hemp were not considered narcotic substances under the Narcotics Act.
This raised questions about the status of the plant, but the Bhumjaithai Party, which sponsored the bill, and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) insisted that axing Section 3 would not affect the rest of the bill.
The committee’s decision came as lawmakers resumed their deliberation of the bill. Continued …
Thailand is most popular destination in SEA for North Americans and Europeans
New research from BBC News shows that people around the world are actively searching for their next getaway abroad and that Thailand is now seen as the most popular destination to visit in Southeast Asia for visitors planning a trip from North America and Europe.
In fact, more than half of the respondents from both Europe and North America named Thailand as their number 1 destination of choice in Southeast Asia; 57.4% of the global respondents who are intending to travel to SEA say they would be more likely to visit Thailand than any other country in the region.
Furthermore, the research showed that travelers to Southeast Asia are often experienced world travelers, looking for new and different experiences, and they will plan to stay for 1-2 weeks, preferring self-planned trips to package deals. Continued …
Thailand’s Secret Wine Region Is a Lush, Grape-Scented Paradise
People often travel to Thailand for endless heaps of noodles, opulent royal palaces and temples, and the serenity of the surrounding tropical beaches. That was certainly the majority of my intended itinerary, until I visited the country’s Monsoon Valley Vineyards and realized the country held an additional, unexpected appeal for me. Namely, Thai wine.
Outside of the bustling coastal city of Hua Hin, serene rolling hills give way to rows and rows of grapevines. The aroma of soy sauce and chillies omnipresent in Hua Hin’s streets is replaced by the dual scents of fresh air and ripe grapes. This lush, fragrant place is Monsoon Valley, the vineyard founded in 2001 by lead winemaker Suppached Sasomsin, now a leading producer of Thai wines.
After studying wine in France, Italy, and Spain, Sasomsin was inspired to develop viticulture in his native country, Thailand, where he recognized the bountiful potential for growing grapes. His first vineyard at Tab Kwang, in the country’s traditional grape-growing region of Khao Yai, was a success. He sought out other areas of Thailand with less of a reputation for wine and eventually found the Baan Khork Chang valley, just over 20 miles from the beaches of Hua Hin. Continued …
TAT sees Chinese tourists returning soon
Outbound tourism from China is expected to restart during the Chinese New Year in late January 2023, as Beijing gradually lifts Covid-19 restrictions, aiding tourism-related stocks and the overall travel sector in Thailand, say industry operators.
Speaking at an event on Wednesday hosted by the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (FETCO), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said the agency plans to promote Chinese travel to Thailand during the holiday next month, or within the first quarter at the latest.
“It is possible China will start to allow its citizens to travel outside the country as early as Chinese New Year. Hopefully, Thailand will be on a list of countries the Chinese government allows its people to visit,” he said. Continued …
Where will Chinese tourists travel post-Covid?
The proportion of mainland Chinese travelers who are “eager to travel” as soon as they are allowed has more than doubled in the past year, according to a just-published survey.
It has been a difficult time for the Chinese travel industry. Quarantine, strict lockdown policies and inconvenience have all been listed as reasons for postponing domestic and overseas trips.
As Beijing begins to ease zero-Covid restrictions, huge pent-up demand for international travel signals a strong rebound is in the cards. Continued …
Thailand renowned for high medical care standards at friendly rates among foreign tourists
The Ministry of Public Health has emphasized the potential benefits of its “Health for Wealth” concept in enhancing Thailand’s economy through medical tourism promotion.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that according to the Medical Tourism Assn., Thailand ranks 5th among the world’s most popular health tourism destinations in 2021. High medical care standards, quality treatments, reasonable rates, and affordable cost of living for long-term patients have made the kingdom one of the most popular medical destinations.
According to the Department of Health Service Support, a ministry survey conducted in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand (BOT) on 30 hospitals last year revealed that tourists who came for medical treatment spent around 11.9 billion baht. This represents a 47% increase over the previous year. The top five treatments generating the most revenue for hospitals were cardiovascular issues, metabolism, cancer, bones and joints, and neurological systems. Continued …
Phuket peak tourism season expected over Christmas and New Year
The peak of the Phuket tourism high season is expected from Christmas to New Year, as Russians lead the pack of visitors.
The president of the Southern Thai Hotels Assn., Sueksit Suwannadissakun, said, “Phuket tourism has improved since the beginning of October. About 57 percent of hotels in Phuket re-opened in October and in November this was 70 percent.
“We are expecting that during Christmas and New Year there will be 80 percent of hotels in Phuket opened.” Continued …
Phuket hotels lack workers
A stronger occupancy rate and the abrupt surge of the Russian market has Phuket hotels facing a labor shortage during the high season, prompting operators to urge the government to help attract more foreign workers to shore up the market. Continued …
Call of the mountains
Thailand’s northwest frontier, between the provinces of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai, was once a draw for traders seeking fortune in the abundant teak forest. Today, the region entices visitors with its majestic landscape, ethnic diversity, and culinary delights, making it ideal for a week-long, self-drive adventure.
Technically, you can drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son in around six hours, but this is not the sort of road trip you’ll want to rush. The classic Chiang Mai–Mae Hong Son route along Route 108 is one of Thailand’s most challenging yet scenic routes, with 1,864 twists and turns, so roll down the windows, enjoy the views and soak up local and tribal cultures.
The route takes you along Thailand’s northwest outposts where Shan culture, tranquil valleys, thatched farmhouses and food adventures are waiting to be rediscovered. Continued …
Marriott plans to open 8 more hotels in Thailand in 2023
On the heels of Thailand celebrating its milestone of 10 million tourist arrivals in 2022, Marriott International, Inc., announced on Tuesday plans that it expects to reach 50 hotels in the country by mid-2023, including adding an anticipated eight hotels in 2023.
With these openings, the company also expects to debut two new brands – Autograph Collection Hotels and Moxy Hotels – in the country. Continued …
Thai Airways is recruiting 1,000 workers for Suvarnabhumi
Thai Airways International is recruiting about 1,000 ground workers, mainly to tackle delays in luggage handling at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, its acting CEO Suvadhana Sibunruang said on Wednesday.
Suvadhana admitted that it took more than 30 minutes to handle one flight’s luggage at Suvarnabhumi airport earlier this year and that some flights were delayed due to slow luggage handling.
He said the carrier realizes this is an issue and is recruiting more staff to deal with it. About 1,000 positions are open at the carrier’s Suvarnabhumi operations. These are positions for ground services, including baggage handlers, drivers of vehicles in the airport, and kitchen staff, he said. Continued …
Mask wearing required in crowds in Bangkok New Year’s celebrations
New Year countdown celebrations will be allowed to take place in Bangkok, though patrons will be required to wear face masks in areas where crowds gather.
Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said on Wednesday the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will ramp up its Covid-19 control measures during the New Year festival, with clear safety protocols that revelers will be expected to follow – especially those who are considered at high risk of catching the disease. Continued …
Covid surge spooks Beijing residents, disrupts government
Covid infections are surging in Beijing, disrupting official government work and keeping people at home after authorities made an about-turn in their strict policy of managing virus cases. Continued …
It’s no joke: Across globe, satire morphs into misinformation
Is a U.S. state considering a tax on breathing? Is celebrating goals forbidden during the Qatar World Cup because that is “too gay?” Did insect repellent manufacturers recruit a Ugandan man for his mosquito-killing farts? Continued …
Japan unveils future-food breakthrough: ‘meat’ made from rice bran
Defatted rice bran is often wasted, as it lacks practical applications, but a Japanese scientist and firm have managed to turn the byproduct into a high-protein food. Yamagata University Prof. Masanori Watanabe and rice-milling machine manufacturer Satake Corp. have announced success in their efforts to produce a meat substitute using protein extracted from defatted rice bran. The breakthrough is expected to bring a new source of income for farmers in the future. Continued …
Foe more information, email us at aimhhexpatnews.com
Downpours expected to herald arrival of rainy season on Monday
Thap Sakae EV charging station part of 5,000km SE Asian EV highway
The election is over, a new round of ‘war’ begins
Pita Limjaroenrat: Meet Thailand’s (probable) next leader
He promised change in Thailand. But will he be allowed to lead?
Queen’s funeral costs taxpayers £162M amid cost-of-living crisis
Hua Hin World Cup won by Swiss team
Baht hits 6-month high against dollar after US Fed rate hike
CP and Toyota join forces to study path toward carbon neutrality in Thailand
Thai firm to buy used cooking oil to convert to plane fuel
Industrial estates to install solar systems
EV producers cheered by bookings at motor show
House panel reverses cannabis status as narcotic
TAT sees Chinese tourists returning soon
Thailand renowned for high medical care standards at friendly rates among foreign tourists
Call of the mountains
Covid surge spooks Beijing residents, disrupts government
Japan unveils future-food breakthrough: ‘meat’ made from rice bran