German Football Legends at Centara Grand/PKK to assist drought-stricken areas/Data Breach Concerns for Oppo, Realme/‘Fineasy’ halts services/NBTC suspends OPPO and realme sales/Southeast Asia’s soaring medical costs/Cold to very cold/Thailand’s ‘Cyanide Serial Killer’/Belgian man allegedly scammed/Bomb Explodes in Pattani/ECONOMY: Cabinet Greenlights Casino Bill/Bt120-240 billion tourism revenue from casinos/Caution urged on casinos/Businesses laud casino plan/Thailand attracts record investment/Chamber forecasts moderate growth/Poultry exports hit record high/TOURISM: Tourists saved from sinking boat/Chinese cancel Thai trips/Reassuring Chinese Tourists/Lunar New Year a bright spot/Diver’s Mysterious Demise on Death Island/CLIMATE THAILAND: New plan for nuclear power/UAVs to protect endangered dugongs/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
German Football Legends Relax at Centara Grand Hua Hin
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin hosted two leading figures in German football, Reiner Calmund and Erwin Staudt. Known for their management of Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart, respectively, these legends were welcomed to the resort by Jan Weisheit, general manager of the resort.
According to Weisheit, “It is a privilege to welcome Reiner Calmund and Erwin Staudt to Centara Grand Hua Hin. Their leadership and contributions to football history are inspirational, and we are delighted to offer them a tranquil escape where they can unwind and enjoy our beautiful surroundings.” Continued …
PKK to assist drought-stricken areas
Data Breach Concerns for Oppo and Realme Phone Users
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) will summon two Chinese mobile phone brands – Oppo and realme – amid concerns over an informal loan app that comes bundled with their phones.
Fineasy is a pre-installed app on Oppo and realme phones that cannot be removed, has access to personal information, and can send notifications, users report. Continued …
Money lending app ‘Fineasy’ halts services after backlash
The money-lending application Fineasy has halted all of its services from yesterday due to a “business adjustment”, the company said in a statement. Users can close the app by pressing on the app icon, selecting “app information”, then selecting “close application”, the statement said.
Fineasy promised that it would update the application to a version that can be removed from users’ devices as soon as possible. Continued …
NBTC suspends OPPO and realme sales over data privacy breach
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) have ordered the suspension of mobile phone sales by OPPO and realme due to the installation of loan applications without user consent. Both companies have until Jan. 16 to explain, failing which they face fines of up to 3 million baht.
Yesterday, the NBTC summoned the Possefy Group, the distributor for OPPO, and Prota Co., the distributor for realme, to address concerns about pre-installed applications like Fineasy on their smartphones. Users reported that these apps were installed without consent, and they could not control or delete them from their devices. Continued …
Southeast Asia grapples with soaring medical costs
Medical costs in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia are expected to skyrocket this year amid the growing incidence of illnesses and increasing dependence on health services, according to a medical trends report.
In a survey of health insurers, global advisory firm WTW found that key markets in Southeast Asia will be raising healthcare costs by double digits. However, medical inflation appears to be more pronounced in Indonesia and the Philippines, where the rates of increase are nearing 20%, well above the average in Asia Pacific of 12.3%. Continued …
Cold to very cold in Thailand
Cold to very cold weather is forecast for the upper part of Thailand, as a strong high-pressure system from China extends to cover upper Thailand and the South China Sea, the Thai Meteorological Department said today.
Cold to very cold weather with morning light fog is forecast in the north and the northeast, with possible frost on the mountaintops, while cool to cold weather is likely in the rest of Thailand, it said. Continued …
Thailand’s ‘Cyanide Serial Killer’. How She Was finally Caught
Known as “Ms. Cyanide,” Am allegedly used poison to take the lives of multiple victims over several years, targeting individuals close to her. She is believed to have lured victims with promises of financial opportunities, only to betray their trust with a deadly dose of cyanide. Video …
Belgian man allegedly scammed of 8 million baht by female Thai soldier
A Belgian man lost 2 million baht and his condominium room in Pattaya, worth 6 million baht, to a female Thai soldier who posed as a real estate agent. The suspect’s relative claimed the Belgian man and the soldier were previously in a relationship.
The 55-year-old Belgian policeman and his Thai wife sought assistance from the non-profit organization Saimai Survive after the financial loss. Ronald’s wife explained that her husband owned a condominium in Pattaya and was looking to rent it out. Continued …
Motorbike Bomb Explodes in Pattani, Injuring 10
A motorbike bomb was detonated in a busy area near TK Park in central Pattani yesterday morning, injuring 10 people, including six paramilitary volunteers (Or Sor) and three police officers.
A passing Malaysian visitor was also injured. The attack, which occurred just 20 meters from Pattani’s main police station, has sent shockwaves through the local community. Continued …
Thai Cabinet Greenlights Draft Casino Complex Bill
Thailand’s plans to legalize gambling took a significant step forward as the Cabinet provisionally approved the draft Entertainment Complex Act. If given the green light, this move aims to boost the economy while addressing societal concerns.
The Council of State, a key legal advisory body, will now scrutinize the details and establish guidelines for managing such complexes, including the creation of a policy and executive committee to oversee operations. Continued …
Bt120-240 billion tourism revenue expected from legalizing casinos
Legalizing casinos in Thailand could generate as much as 120 to 240 billion baht per year in tourism revenue from an additional 5%-10% foreign arrivals, the Finance Ministry said yesterday.
The Cabinet approved the principle of the draft “Entertainment Complex Business Act”, as proposed by the ministry. The draft law aims to legalize the kingdom’s vast underground gambling industry, allowing the establishment of entertainment complexes and casinos to generate tax revenue. Continued …
Caution urged on casino-based entertainment complexes
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has urged the government to proceed cautiously with the establishment of entertainment complexes, emphasizing the need to prioritize non-casino activities.
While acknowledging the potential for economic growth, investment, and job creation, the council stressed that the primary focus should be on developing recreational tourism for families. Continued …
Businesses laud government casino plan
The private sector has hailed the government’s comprehensive entertainment complex development plan, which crucially includes casinos, highlighting its potential to significantly boost domestic tourism and the economy once it becomes operational.
Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, urged the government and relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive study and facilitate wider public consultations. He emphasized the importance of thorough preparation, given that the primary goal of such casino-based entertainment complexes is to boost tourism. Continued …
Thailand attracts record investment in 2024
The Board of Investment (BOI) has announced record investment figures for 2024, with applications exceeding 1.13 trillion baht, the highest in the past decade.
BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi revealed that 2024 witnessed a significant increase in both the number and value of investment applications, reaching 3,137 projects – a 40% year-on-year increase, the highest since the BOI’s establishment. Investment value soared by 35% to 1.138 trillion baht, marking the highest figure in a decade. Continued …
Chamber of Commerce forecasts moderate growth
The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has forecast economic growth for 2025 to range between 2.4% and 2.9%, citing ongoing global challenges and the potential impact of U.S. trade policies.
While acknowledging strong export growth expected in the first half of the year, driven by pre-tariff import surges, the TCC expressed concerns about the second half, anticipating a slowdown in tourism and exports due to the implementation of U.S. tariffs and a potential global economic downturn. Continued …
Thailand’s poultry exports hit record high
The third quarter of 2024 brought record highs for poultry exports from Thailand, noted the Rabobank Global Poultry Quarterly 2025 report. According to the report, poultry export volumes reached a record 320,000 metric tons during the third quarter, an increase of 11% when compared to the third quarter of the previous year.
The report noted that processed poultry exports performed particularly well during the first three quarters at 505,000 metric tons, a year-over-year improvement of 14%. The improvement is largely attributed to a strong demand from European markets and from Singapore. Continued …
33 Chinese tourists saved from sinking boat off Phuket
Thirty-three Chinese tourists were safely rescued from a sinking catamaran off Phuket yesterday afternoon. The Phuket office of the Marine Department was informed that the catamaran sank about 1.6 nautical miles north of Koh Racha Yai, to the south of Phuket.
According to the catamaran manager, the boat was leaving Koh Racha Yai for Koh Hey with 33 Chinese tourists on board when a glass window on its right side became detached and water flowed in. Continued …
Chinese cancel Thai trips amid safety fears
Hotels and airlines have started to see mass cancellations from Chinese tour groups during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, while new bookings from independent tourists are also slower due to concerns over safety in Thailand.
Last week, Eason Chan, a singer and actor from Hong Kong, canceled his planned concert in Thailand, citing safety concerns over Chinese fans visiting the country, while Hong Kong’s Security Bureau sent a task force to Thailand this week to follow the case of their citizens being lured to job scams in Southeast Asia. Continued …
Thailand Boosts Efforts to Reassure Chinese Tourists Amid Concerns
In a bid to restore confidence among Chinese tourists after a concerning incident, Thailand’s government has unveiled a new tourism campaign and heightened security measures. The move follows the disappearance of Chinese actor Wang Xing, also known as Xingxing, who was lured to a lawless area in Myanmar after arriving in Thailand.
This proactive response was announced to develop initiatives aimed at rebuilding trust among Chinese visitors. Furthermore, the prime minister has directed the police chief to ensure sufficient tourist police presence in high-risk areas, with a specific focus on combating influential criminal gangs. Continued …
Lunar New Year a bright spot for restaurant sector
Despite ongoing safety concerns in the tourism sector, including the recent kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing, it is anticipated that the restaurant sector will be boosted by a surge of tourists during the upcoming Chinese New Year, says the Thai Restaurant Assn.
Thaniwan Kulmongkol, the association’s president, expressed optimism regarding the restaurant industry during this year’s festival period. The extended cold weather has positively influenced tourism sentiment, prompting increased domestic travel among Thais. Continued …
Fresh Details Emerge in Irish Diver’s Mysterious Demise on Death Island
Fresh details have emerged about the untimely death of Irish diver Robert “Robby” Kinlan, who was discovered lifeless in his room at the Baan Tao Bungalo Resort on Thailand’s Koh Tao Island, also known for its chilling moniker, Death Island.
Local Thai police revealed that the young diver, found on Thursday, Jan. 9, is believed to have succumbed to acute heart failure. The 21-year-old’s lifeless body was discovered by a friend, in the presence of his mobile phone, which was still connected to a wall socket. Continued …
New plan prepares for nuclear power
Authorities are working on a plan to prepare Thailand for nuclear power technology, though the enforcement of the new power-development plan (PDP), which approves the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), is facing delays.
An SMR is a form of nuclear power technology with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, about one-third of the generating capacity of larger, traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Continued …
Thailand launches UAVs to protect endangered dugongs
Conservationists have started using unmanned aerial vehicles to help protect endangered dugongs. Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said conservation efforts will include fixed-wing UAVs for a more precise population survey.
Footage shows a sea cow looking for food underwater in Phuket province, taken by divers from the Thai Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. On Jan. 5, they conducted one of the first flights to assess the health of the dugong population. The UAV was able to capture clear images of the animals from the air. Video …
Chinese trade surplus soars to $1 trillion
China’s trade surplus soared to a record last year, driven by strong exports that boosted the economy but may soon be threatened by the incoming Trump administration. Continued …
China, India refiners scour the world for oil after new US sanctions on Russia
Chinese and Indian refiners are scouring the globe for supplies of crude as fresh U.S. sanctions on Russian producers and tankers curb shipments to Moscow’s top customers, traders said. Continued …
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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The Ayutthaya Historical Park is a testament to Thailand’s ancient capital, Ayutthaya, which was founded in 1350. As a former kingdom, it flourished for more than 400 years, becoming one of the world’s largest urban areas and a center of global diplomacy and commerce. The ruins of palaces, temples and sculptures display the grandeur of the city, blending Thai, Khmer, Sri Lankan and Persian influences. This site is significant for its exceptional historical and architectural value. 
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