Tag Archives: Eco-Tourism Thailand

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Saturday’s news-Dec 20

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  • WFFT Animal Trafficking Allegations/Hua Hin Racer Marina Jazz Festival/Salesian Academic Day in Hua Hin/Credit Card Fraud Proof Shifted to Banks/Bangkok faces severe air pollution/Thailand sets SEA Games gold record
  • THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT: Cambodia Tallies Heavy Losses/Continued tension along Sa Kaeo border/Thai marines retake Trat border area/PM vows to never give in/Cambodia Said Violating Geneva Conventions/International media view
  • ECONOMY: Thai banks cut interest rates/Agricultural economy to grow/How affordability reshaped ambition
  • TOURISM: Thailand’s tourism crown slips/Chiang Mai guesthouses pivot/Power bank bursts on Thai AirAsia flight
  • THAILAND EXPERIENCE: What really happens to tigers at ‘selfie zoos’/Discover Eco-Friendly Tourism
  • CLIMATE THAILAND: 25% of new cars sold globally were EVs
  • INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS

Animal Trafficking Allegations Denied by Dutch WFFT Founder

The Dutch founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), Edwin Wiek, has denied accusations of animal trafficking after receiving a tiger from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNU) in Kanchanaburi on Wednesday.

The allegations were made by retired national park official Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, who claimed that Wiek and Thai officials were involved in the illegal transfer of the tiger from Myanmar into Thailand. Chaiwat made these claims public online and called for an investigation. Continued …

Hua Hin Racer Marina Jazz Festival January 10

The owners of Why Not are behind the second edition of the Hua Hin Racer Marina Jazz Festival, which will be held south of Hua Hin in Pranburi on Jan. 10.

‘It’s an amazing venue, the marina is located between the river, the mountains and sea,’ says Eliot Nielsen, who organized the festival last year with his wife Surassawadee Phumbua and Philippe Oursel. This year’s event begins at 4 pm with the Swing Mother Funky Quintet and concludes with a fire show finale, finishing at 11 pm. Continued … 

Salesian Academic Day held in Hua Hin

The Salesian Schools Commission in Thailand organized the third Salesian Academic Day Dec. 11-12, hosted by Hua Hin Vitthayalai School with the slogan “Collaborating for Tomorrow: Salesian Academic Excellence 2025”.

The event was attended by representatives from six Salesian schools, including teachers and students, a total of 1,900 people. During the event, plaques of honor were presented to teachers who had achieved excellent academic results in each Salesian school. Continued … 

Thai Court Ruling Shifts Credit Card Fraud Proof to Banks

Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that banks, not customers, have the responsibility to prove who authorized disputed credit card transactions. This ruling sets a legal precedent aimed at enhancing consumer protection amid increasing cyber scams. By placing the burden on banks, the decision represents a major step towards empowering consumers against unauthorised credit card charges.

The landmark decision, Supreme Court ruling No. 2624/2568, originated from a case where a bank pursued a customer over disputed charges made without the cardholder’s consent. The customer insisted their card had been compromised, while the bank contended liability lay with the cardholder, adhering to typical credit card agreements holding users responsible for all transactions. Continued …

Bangkok faces severe air pollution crisis

The Bangkok Air Quality Information Center this morning reported a concerning rise in PM2.5 levels across the city, with many areas exceeding safe limits.

The average PM2.5 concentration for Bangkok is 36.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), just below the standard limit of 37.5 µg/m³. However, certain areas are facing dangerously high pollution levels. Continued …

Thailand sets SEA Games gold record

Thai athletes more than compensated for the football heartbreak of the previous night by setting a new benchmark for total gold medals at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games yesterday.

As of last night, the country’s haul stood at 232 golds, with more expected before the close of competition. The figure comfortably eclipsed the previous record of 205, set by Vietnam at their home Games in 2021 — an edition delayed and disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …

Cambodia Tallies Heavy Losses in Border Conflict

Cambodia is counting mounting human and economic costs from renewed fighting with Thailand, as hospitals treat severely wounded soldiers and civilians flee border areas. The second round of clashes has lasted longer and proved more destructive than the five-day conflict in July, with heavy casualties and widespread displacement.

The fighting resumed on Dec. 7 along the 800-kilometer border, involving artillery exchanges and close-quarter battles over forested hilltops. Thai air strikes have hit targets inside Cambodia, which has limited air defenses and no significant air force, while Cambodia has fired BM21 rockets into Thailand, killing one civilian and injuring others despite early evacuations. Continued …

Army reports continued tension along Sa Kaeo border

The Burapha Task Force of the 1st Army Region provided an update on the ongoing conflict along the Thailand-Cambodia border. The situation remains tense as Cambodian troops continue to reinforce positions at Ban Nong Ya Kaew and Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo, stockpiling supplies, weapons, and ammunition, preparing for 2-3 days of sustained combat.

The conflict, now on its 12th day, involves clashes over territorial control in three key areas. Continued …

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Thai marines repel Cambodian forces’ attempt to retake Trat border area

Gunfire erupted once again along the Thai-Cambodian border early yesterday as Cambodian forces attempted to reclaim the so-called Ban Sam Lang (three houses) area, prompting Thai marines to respond with artillery and mortar fire, forcing the intruders to retreat in disarray.

Capt. Thammanoon Wanna, commander of the Trat Marine Task Force, yesterday confirmed that Thai surveillance detected movement of three to four Cambodian vehicles entering the Ban Sam Lang area of Ban Nong Ri in Trat province during the early hours. Continued …

Anutin vows nation will never give in

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared that Thailand will never yield amid escalating hostilities along the Thai-Cambodian border, reaffirming the government’s full support for the armed forces in defending national sovereignty.

The remarks came after a group of activists visited the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters to present flowers and offer moral support, urging the prime minister to fulfil his duties with resolve and to ensure that no one infringes on the country’s sovereignty. Continued …

Cambodian Actions Said Violating Geneva Conventions

The 2nd Army has highlighted three key behaviors by Cambodia that it says violate the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) amid the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border clashes.

Since the border conflict began on Dec. 7, and has continued for 13 days, the 2nd Army has released details of Cambodia’s military actions that breach IHL. The investigation, including video footage and photographs, revealed several violations. Continued …

International media view on Thai-Cambodian border clash, scam centers

The ongoing Thai-Cambodian border conflict has entered its 13th day. Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported on the Thai Air Force’s attack on a “scam center” as part of the strategic objectives in the region.

The paper highlighted that many buildings in Cambodia, far from being mere entertainment venues or tourist accommodations, are, in fact bases, for online scams, siphoning money from victims worldwide. These operations are linked to human trafficking, money laundering, and cybercrime on an industrial scale. Continued …

Thai banks cut interest rates following MPC decision

In a move aligned with the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) unanimous decision to reduce the policy interest rate by 0.25% to 1.25% from 1.5% per annum, several commercial and state-owned banks in Thailand have announced cuts to their interest rates. This is aimed at easing the financial burden on consumers amid an economy showing clear signs of slowing down and increased risks.

For retail clients, KBank has adjusted its MRR (minimum retail rate) by 0.01%, from 6.78% to 6.68% per annum. Additionally, deposit rates have been cut by 0.05% to 0.10%. These changes will be effective from Dec. 22. Continued … 

Agricultural economy to grow despite headwinds

The country’s agricultural economy is expected to see slightly slower but still robust growth of 2%-3% next year as landowners and farmers have secured more water resources and benefit from higher demand in the global market, as well as accelerated domestic economic growth.

However, the industry still faces a raft of challenges, including the impact of climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and higher tax barriers, according to the Office of Agricultural Economics. Continued …

Working sideways – how affordability reshaped ambition

In Bangkok, work no longer arrives as a single, contained thing. For many younger people, especially Gen Z and early-career millennials, employment sits inside a wider arrangement rather than at the center of it.

A full-time role might exist, but it is rarely the whole story. It is supplemented by freelance work, part-time consulting, tutoring, content creation, small businesses, or projects that are still forming. This is often described as hustling, but that framing misses the point. What’s emerging is not a chase for scale, but an attempt to balance affordability with autonomy. Continued …

Rivals, rain, and rising costs: Thailand’s tourism crown slips

As the windows rattled from distant explosions, British tourist Brian sat sleepless in a dim hotel room in Thailand’s Trat province, waiting out a curfew he had not known existed. With artillery ringing out from across the border with Cambodia, his dreams of reaching the island of Koh Kood seemed to dissolve into the darkness.

“The police said the road was closed and I’d have to find accommodation overnight,” Brian said. “I heard explosions all through the night, but I got out first thing in the morning.” Continued … 

Chiang Mai guesthouses pivot to long-haul markets

Tourism in Chiang Mai could reap benefits from robust long-haul markets, while the segment is expected to continue growing next year as LOT Polish Airlines became the latest carrier to confirm a new scheduled flight to Bangkok.

La-iad Bungsrithong, a board advisor for Thai Hotels Assn., said Chiang Mai tourism operators this year have learned to adapt their businesses amid the absence of two major feeder markets, Chinese and domestic tourists, which severely declined. Continued …

Power bank bursts into flames on Thai AirAsia flight, crew douse blaze with bottled water

Multiple videos circulating online show a power bank spontaneously igniting and exploding aboard a Thai AirAsia flight to Hokkaido, sending thick smoke through the cabin.

One male passenger wrote that the flames “rose higher than the seat,” while a female traveler said the aircraft “smelled of burning petrol” and “everyone was coughing”. Footage shows several flight attendants using bottled water to extinguish the fire, which was ultimately brought under control. Continued …

This tiger obviously has been drugged

Video exposes what really happens to tigers at ‘selfie zoos’

A chilling video that went viral in May showing a tiger pouncing on a tourist during a photo session has reignited global outrage over Thailand’s tiger selfie industry, where investigators say big cats endure lives of sedation, starvation, and abuse so travelers can snap the perfect Instagram shot.

Investigations by World Animal Protection have documented conditions at 17 major tiger entertainment venues across Thailand. The findings paint a disturbing picture of systematic abuse hidden behind tourist-friendly facades. Continued …

Discover Eco-Friendly Tourism in Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has recently launched a new website called TravelGreenThailand.com. This website aims to help promote eco-friendly tourism opportunities. The platform is part of Thailand’s ongoing effort to establish itself as a global leader in responsible tourism.

The launch follows Thailand’s hosting of the Tourism Cares Global Meaningful Travel Summit in September. The event gathered leaders from around the world to discuss how tourism can contribute positively to the environment and local communities. With the introduction of TravelGreenThailand.com, the Tourism Authority seeks to build on this momentum by offering a digital resource dedicated to eco-conscious travelers. Continued … 

25% of new cars sold globally in 2025 were EVs, 20% in Thailand

More than 25% of new cars sold globally in 2025 are now electric, according to new analysis from energy think tank Ember. This growth is increasingly driven by emerging markets that, only a few years ago, had minimal adoption of EVs.

Indonesia has reached 15% this year, surpassing the US for the first time. Thailand has reached 20% and has sold more EVs in the first three quarters of 2025 than Denmark. These shifts demonstrate how rapidly the region is transitioning from a low base to a position of leadership. Continued …

Twenty-nine beloved celebrities the world lost in 2025

This year, we lost some of the icons who shaped pop culture, from Hollywood legends to beloved musicians and television stars, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Val Kilmer. We honor their memory by celebrating their lives and their enduring works. Continued …

US strikes over 70 IS targets in Syria

United States forces struck more than 70 Islamic State group targets in Syria yesterday in what President Donald Trump described as “very serious retaliation” for an attack that killed three Americans last weekend. Continued …

Epstein files opened: famous faces, many blacked-out pages

The US Justice Department yesterday began releasing a long-awaited cache of records from its investigations into the politically explosive case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – though much of the material remained heavily redacted. Continued …

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Monday’s news-Oct 7

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Hua Hin Heroes providing flood aid/Thailand flood news: At least 2 dead in Chiang Mai/Cleanup begins in Chiang Mai/Tourists stranded in Chiang Mai/Bangkok, 10 other provinces get warning/Heavy rains wash out Phuket/Elephants Deliver Supplies/Two elephants drown/Rescue of more than 100 jumbos/National Debate on Safety, School Trips/Road Accidents, Deaths in Thailand/5 Million Baht to Support Moo Deng/18-Hour Flight to see ‘Moo Deng’/Our fascination with Moo Deng/DDC warns against uncooked pork/Economy: Spending bonanza from stimulus/Impact on trade amid Middle East conflicts/Investments in battery storage sytsems/Pet Fair Southeast Asia/Tourism: Thailand Tourism in 2024/Readers’ Choice Awards/Thai Airways spicing up its menu/Thailand Experience: Get Back to Nature/Climate Thailand: Bangkok’s Sustainability Expo/To slash Thailand’s carbon emissions/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

Hua Hin Heroes providing flood aid in Chiang Rai

Continued …

At least 2 dead as flood victims await evacuation in Chiang Mai

Evacuations are underway to help people stranded at numerous locations in Muang and Saraphi districts of Chiang Mai province, which were heavily hit by the overflowing Ping River from late Saturday night.

The level of the Ping River at the Nawarat Bridge in Muang district reached a historic high of 5.30 meters on Saturday night. The level declined to 5.15 meters at 4am and 5 meters at 8am on Sunday. Continued …

Cleanup begins in Chiang Mai as flood recedes

Chiang Mai Municipality started a major cleanup on Monday as the huge flood that paralyzed the northern city began draining off.

Tractors and water trucks were deployed to help workers remove the thick alluvial sediment from areas around three bridges crossing the Ping River, Naowarat, Nakhon Ping and Rattanakosin. Other crews and volunteers continued to suppy food and drinking water to houses still cut off by floodwater. Continued …

Authorities working to rescue people stranded at famous Chiang Mai tourist destination

Authorities are rushing to clear roads to rescue people stranded in Muang Khong, a famous tourist destination in Chiang Mai province, after multiple landslides cut off access. Heavy rains in the province have caused widespread flooding, not only in the main city district but also in neighboring areas.

In Chiang Dao district, flash floods triggered landslides at several points along the Chiang Dao-Muang Khong Road, cutting off access to Muang Khong, a popular tourist spot, leaving several tourists stranded. Continued …

Bangkok and 10 other provinces get warning to be on flood alert

A flood warning has been issued to Bangkok and 10 provinces in the central region amid increased release of water from the Chao Phraya Dam.

Chaiyawat Junthirapong, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said the warning had been issued to Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan provinces, as well as Bangkok. Continued …

Heavy rains wash out Phuket

Catastrophic downpours wreaked havoc across Phuket yesterday, submerging parts of the island and leaving traffic in complete disarray. Areas like Cherng Talay, Kamala, Thalang, and Kathu were battered by relentless rain starting just before midday, leading to dramatic flooding and a partial landslide that had locals reeling.

In a particularly hard-hit spot, Soi Hua Khuan Nuea near the iconic Phuket FantaSea complex, officials reported that 30-50 centimeters of water accumulated, causing streets to resemble rivers. Several homes in the Bang Wan area were left underwater, sparking urgent calls for help from residents. Continued …

Monk Leads Elephants to Deliver Supplies to Flood Victims

As the flood situation in Chiang Mai continues to pose challenges, despite the gradual decline in the Ping River’s water level, many families remain in need of food supplies. Certain areas have become inaccessible to larger relief vehicles, making it difficult to deliver essential aid.

In a resourceful response, Phra Kru Aod, a monk from Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai, has taken the initiative to use two elephants under his care, “Khun Saen” and “Saen Thap,” to deliver supplies to flood victims in these hard-to-reach areas. The elephants have been able to traverse areas where six-wheel trucks could not, ensuring that much-needed aid reaches stranded residents. Continued …

Two elephants drown at Chiang Mai’s Elephant Nature Park

A religious ceremony was held to bid farewell to “Fah Sai” and “Ploy Thong”, two female elephants from the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai province, who were washed away by a flash flood on Friday.

Their remains were buried at the site where they were found on Saturday. Fah Sai and Ploy Thong were swept away by the floodwaters, and their bodies were later found on the grounds of a resort by the Mae Taeng River on Saturday. Continued …

Rescue of more than 100 jumbos from flooded sanctuary in Chiang Mai accomplished

More than 100 elephants were safely evacuated over Friday and Saturday from the flooded Elephant and Environment Foundation, in Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai province, according to the Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang province.

The center said that it received a call for help from the foundation on Friday morning and immediately sent a team to assist. All road access to the foundation was flooded by overflows from the Taeng River and the currents were strong. Communication by cellphone was cut off and only radios were working. Continued …

Horrific Bus Fire Sparks National Debate on Safety, School Trips

In the wake of a horrific bus fire that claimed the lives of 20 students and three teachers in Pathum Thani, the nation finds itself embroiled in a heated debate over the safety and viability of school field trips. This tragedy, which unfolded on a seemingly ordinary day, has shaken communities and brought to the forefront pressing questions about transport policies and safety measures for educational outings.

On the unfortunate day, a bus carrying students from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam school in Uthai Thani was engulfed in flames whilst traveling on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. The excursion, aimed at enriching students’ knowledge through visits to historical and educational sites, ended in unspeakable loss. Continued …

Road Accidents and Deaths in Thailand: A Road to Nowhere

Almost a week after the tragedy, the nation is still mourning the loss of 23 people, 20 of them young students, in the school bus fire in Pathum Thani province on Oct. 1, and trying to understand what went wrong.

The driver, who fled after he briefly tried and failed to extinguish the fire, is now detained, the bus company that illegally installed half a dozen gas tanks into the bus are now being scrutinized, social media shared instructions on how-to break a glass window of a bus in case of an emergency, a deputy education minister made a half-baked order to forbid all school excursion trips only to be snubbed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who said the problem isn’t with excursion trips, and more. Continued …

Dubai Businessmen Donate 5 Million Baht to Support Moo Deng

Khao Kheow Open Zoo has become a viral sensation, as “Moo Deng,” the world-famous and adorable baby hippo, continues to captivate tourists who flock to see her cuteness.

Recently, a group of businessmen from Dubai traveled to Thailand to donate 5 million baht to support Moo Deng and Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Atthaphon Sriran, director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, revealed that this generous donation was made due to the growing global popularity of Moo Deng. Previously, the zoo had also received support from investors in the cryptocurrency industry, with a donation of 35,882 baht under the name “Moodeng on ETH,” a meme coin inspired by this pygmy hippo. Continued …

Thai Officer Shares Moment with American Tourist’s 18-Hour Flight for ‘Moo Deng’

Molly, an American woman who flew 18.5 hours from New York to Thailand specifically to see Moo Deng, the famous baby pygmy hippo of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, became known to Thai netizens when she posted many clips about her trip on TikTok.

“I’ve made it to Thailand! Today is the day I see moo deng! I am so freaking excited, the zoo just confirmed you can see her every day! I am on cloud nine!!!” was the first message with a clip she posted when she arrived in Thailand on Oct. 3. In another clip, she mentioned that customs agents in Thailand couldn’t believe it when she told them she came to Thailand for the first time to see Moo Deng. Continued …

Our fascination with Moo Deng the pygmy hippo

It is not lost on some that internet sensation Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo, already lives inside a zoo enclosure – the perfect pedestal from which onlookers so possessed by her cuteness can gawk, heckle, and harass her so much that they’ve confessed to wanting to ball her up and swallow her whole. After all, her name translates to “bouncy pork.”

Pygmy hippos are not native to Southeast Asia, so how did Moo Deng and her mom Jona, end up in Chon Buri, Thailand? There’s an overlooked narrative at play here, one in which Moo Deng is the central spectacle in a discussion between conservation and exploitation. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

DDC warns against uncooked pork after 12 deaths in Thailand

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a warning yesterday regarding the consumption of uncooked pork, following 12 fatalities linked to Streptococcus suis in four provinces in the lower northeastern region of Thailand.

Dr. Taweechai Wisanuyothin, head of DDC Office 9, reported that from Jan. 7 to Sept. 3 there were 149 cases of hearing loss caused by this bacterium in the surveillance areas of Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, and Chaiyaphum. Continued …

Hoping for a spending bonanza from cash stimulus

The initial phase of the government’s cash handout is expected to lift the Thai economy in the coming months, according to industrial leaders and brokerages, with some suggesting targeted assistance in the second phase for people with more purchasing power.

The government handed out 10,000 baht in cash per person to 14.5 million welfare cardholders and disabled people in the first phase. The distribution was initially intended to be via a smartphone app, with the money to be spent in communities. Continued …

Thai shippers council worried about impact on trade amid Middle East conflicts

The Thai National Shippers’ Council has expressed concern that the renewed violence in the Middle East will impact Thai exports to the region, which is considered a “strategic market” for Thailand.

The increasing hostilities between Israel and Iran have raised worries of a prolonged and escalating war in the region, which would inevitably affect global trade and the world economy. Currently, the Middle East accounts for 2.8% of total Thai exports and 10.7% of total imports. Continued …

Thailand banking on investments in battery storage sytsems

Many people know electric vehicles (EVs) are fueled by batteries, but houses, factories and power plants that use renewable power also require batteries for lighting, supporting daily work, and to serve as a back-up electricity source.

Buildings and renewable power-generation facilities need a battery energy storage system (BESS) to ensure they use or supply electricity without interruption. Continued …

Pet Fair South East Asia: A Global Hub for the Pet Industry

Pet Fair South East Asia has taken the pet industry by storm in recent years, establishing itself as an international meeting hub for pet industry stakeholders from Asia, Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East.

The 2024 edition will take place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, featuring 400 exhibitors from 45 countries and an estimated 15,000 trade visitors from 75 countries. Free Visitor registration is now open on www.petfair-sea.com. Continued …

Thailand Tourism in 2024: A year of rebound and reflection

Thailand’s tourism industry is witnessing a robust rebound, with hotel bookings now exceeding pre-Covid levels. According to a recent report from Krungthai Compass, domestic travel has skyrocketed, with over 136 million trips made by Thai travelers in the first half of this year alone, that’s a 21% increase from pre-pandemic figures. The report does acknowledge that international tourist arrivals are on the up but lower than 2019 levels.

Hotel occupancy rates nationwide have jumped to 72.6%, with southern Thailand leading the charge, largely thanks to its luxurious resort offerings. The average daily rate for hotels has also seen an upward trend, with prices forecast to rise even further in the coming years. However, despite these promising indicators, foreign arrivals have yet to return to the levels seen in 2019. Continued …

Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 placed Thailand among Top 20 Countries

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that Thailand and 14 Thai tourism entities have performed well in Condé Nast Traveler’s 37th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, earning altogether 15 titles.

On the global level, Thailand was placed sixth on the list of the “Top 20 Countries in the World”, while Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa (on Ko Samui) was ranked 14th spot on the list of “Top Spas” and The Sukhothai Bangkok was placed 24th on the list of the “Top Hotels – World”. Continued …

Thai Airways spicing up its menu with signature street food dishes

Thai Airways International is planning to tap into Thailand’s rich cuisine heritage as a key strategy to grow its business. The airline is promoting “street food” to impress passengers, while also promoting Thai cuisine on a global scale, supporting the government’s policy to push food as a soft power.

Chai Eamsiri, chief executive officer of Thai Airways, revealed that the airline has traditionally offered a diverse range of inflight meals, mainly for first class and business class passengers. However, the airline’s future business strategy will focus on impressing passengers across all classes, encouraging repeat customers, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the food service experience. Continued …

3 Perfect Places to Get Back to Nature in Thailand

Whether you want wildlife, mountain hikes or castaway island experiences, there’s a perfect back-to-nature getaway waiting for you in Thailand.

Each corner of the country offers a unique adventure, from spotting birds and elephants in lush forests to swimming in azure waters teeming with marine life. Here are three great places, from north to south, where you can immerse yourself in Thailand’s beautiful tropical wilderness. Continued …

Bangkok’s Sustainability Expo ends with pledge to mirror UN’s Decade of Action

Bangkok’s Sustainability Expo will continue until 2030, serving as a platform to accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and create new sustainability models, delegates and speakers agreed on Sunday, as this year’s edition drew to a close.

The 10-day event, the brainchild of Thai Beverage Plc and partners, has been held for five consecutive years at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) to raise public awareness of living sustainably. Continued …

SCG promotes plan to slash Thailand’s carbon emissions

Siam Cement Group (SCG), a leading conglomerate in Southeast Asia, is asking the government to adopt four proposals to speed up Thailand’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The four proposals, raised during the ESG Symposium 2024, were presented to Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, who presided over the recent event in Bangkok. Continued …

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Monday’s news-Jan 15

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Today’s news: Bangkok to Hua Hin by seaplane?/City officials discuss air pollution/Chat Chai Market update/Soi 102 road expansion/Covid reinfection risk higher/Easing of restrictions at Singkhon border/Bangkok residents warned of air pollution/Government facilitates solar rooftops/Evolving Landscape of Cannabis/Pot industry pushes back/Tax revisions for cigarettes/Economy: China’s visa-free deals/Trade pacts to ignite growth/Electricity price support/Tourism: Huge Budget Boost/Lift 2-5pm booze ban/Rail the way to go/U.S.-Asia airfares jump/Pattaya Nightlife Sees Boom/Koh Samui set for tourism boost/Thailand Experience: Eco-Tourism Thailand/ World Heritage Site Of Ayutthaya/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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Bangkok to Hua Hin by seaplane? Only Bt335,400 ($9,309)

Siam Seaplane is among nine new airlines set to launch operations in 2024, signaling a significant recovery and expansion of Thailand’s aviation industry post-COVID. Over the past year, Siam Seaplane has demonstrated its commitment, most notably by acquiring its air operator license (AOL). Here are five key facts about this pioneering airline.

Video 

The service features flights like a 45-minute trip from Bangkok to Hua Hin and a 50-minute journey to Khao Yai. Prices for these excursions vary, with the platinum package for the Bangkok to Hua Hin route starting at Bt335,400 ($9,309) and the trip to Khao Yai priced at Bt358,200 ($9,950). Continued …

City officials discuss air pollution, Chat Chai makeover

The Municipality’s Strategic Committee of Hua Hin city convened for its inaugural meeting of the year on Friday, led by Mayor Nopporn Wutikul.

Also in attendance was Deputy Mayor Busaba Choksuchart, City Clerk Jeerawat Phramanee, and several government department heads, with the meeting focused on a variety of issues and developmental strategies for the city. Continued …

Hua Hin Municipality plans to update Chat Chai Market

In a bid to enhance the shopping experience at Chat Chai Market, Hua Hin’s municipal officials have announced plans to update the market’s layout and parking facilities.

This initiative, led by Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul, aims to modernize the market, making it more accessible and attractive to locals, entrepreneurs, and tourists. Continued …

Soi 102 road expansion project reviewed

In an effort toward improving local infrastructure, Nopporn Wutthikul, the mayor of Hua Hin, led a site survey on Soi 102, ahead of plans for an extensive road expansion project in the area.

Joined by key officials, including Nonglak Phadungthos, Cheep Suksee from the municipal council, Rawiroj Thaemmi of the Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial council, and Kalyuth Kuyyukam, the director of the engineering office, the mayor assessed the current conditions and logistics required for the expansion. Continued …

Covid reinfection risk higher among those who received multiple vaccines

Dr. Panthep Puapongpan (also known as Dr. Duer), a Thai doctor and public health expert, has warned that people who have previously been infected with Covid-19 and have received multiple Covid vaccines may be at risk of serious complications should they become reinfected.

Dr. Duer cited a study published in the journal Nature Medicine that found that people who had been infected with Covid-19 and then received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were more likely to develop severe disease from reinfection than people who had not been infected with Covid-19. Continued …

Easing of restrictions at Singkhon Border checkpoint discussed

In a significant move toward normalizing trade relations, Major Gen. Nathapong Praekaew of the Thai Border Military, along with other high-ranking officials, initiated talks on Jan. 11 to reopen a key trade relaxation point at the Thai-Myanmar border. This initiative aims to revive the bustling border trade economy to its pre-COVID-19 state.

Previously the border checkpoint was open for Thai and Myanmar nationals to cross, while Singkhon was also a bustling trading zone. Continued …

Bangkok residents warned of escalating air pollution, urged to work remotely

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) warned residents of Bangkok to prepare for an escalation in ultra-fine particle pollution in the air, which is anticipated to worsen by Wednesday. As a result of this alert, the PCD has implored individuals residing in the capital to opt for remote working until the situation improves.

The intensifying accumulation of PM2.5 pollutants, according to Preeyaporn Suwanakate, the PCD’s director-general, is a consequence of compromised air circulation in several areas across the city. This complication is largely attributed to the combination of low atmospheric pressure and fluctuating wind patterns in the region, leading to the buildup of pollutants. Continued …

Government facilitates solar rooftop expansion

In response to rising energy costs, the Thai government is fast-tracking the process for entrepreneurs to establish solar rooftops without the need for formal permission.

Nattapol Rangsitpol, the permanent secretary of the Industry Ministry, said the private sector’s interest in solar rooftops is expected to rise exponentially, not just due to rising power prices but also reduced installation costs. Continued …

The Evolving Landscape of Cannabis in Thailand

In June 2022, Thailand marked a significant shift in its drug policy by becoming the first country in Asia to fully decriminalize cannabis. This bold move stood in stark contrast to the stringent drug laws prevalent in neighboring countries like Singapore, where drug trafficking can result in the death penalty, and Hong Kong, where even non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) is illegal.

Previously, in 2018, Thailand had already taken a progressive step by legalizing medical marijuana, but the 2022 decriminalization allowed for broader use of cannabis and hemp products, especially in treating illnesses. Continued …

Pot industry pushes back against draft law

The cannabis industry is pushing back at Pheu Thai’s efforts to again criminalize the drug for recreational purposes. This week, Minister of Public Health Dr. Cholnan Srikaew was forced to clarify that a hard line draft bill signed by him was not final. The minister said it was a draft position prepared by his industry for the prime minister’s office.

However, the final law to be presented to parliament would, first of all, be agreed by the cabinet. The bill, which is to be treated as financial legislation, therefore has become one of political importance. In view of the contrast between the policies of the Pheu Thai Party and its coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, the issue has the potential to become as politically divisive as it is within society. Continued …

Excise considers tax revisions for cigarettes

The Excise Department is considering whether a single tax rate or weight-based levy should be applied for cigarettes, says Director-general Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

At present, a two-tier system is applied for excise duties levied on cigarettes, which comprises a 25% tax on cigarette packs with a retail price of up to 72 baht to ease the burden on low-income earners, and 42% for packs priced higher than 72 baht. Continued …

China’s visa-free deals could trigger ASEAN trade, investment boost

Enthusiasm for more regional economic cooperation could jump, analysts said, after China’s efforts to tap the Southeast Asian market partly paid off as Thailand followed hot on the heels of Malaysia by announcing a permanent visa-free policy for Chinese visitors from March.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the “upgrade” of the bilateral relationship at the start of January, with Thai businesses anticipating more Chinese tourists, increased exports of rice and durian, and additional China-invested factories. Continued … 

Thailand forges ahead with free trade pacts to ignite economic growth

Thailand is actively negotiating 11 free trade agreements (FTAs) in a bid to expand trade, attract investment and bolster the country’s revenue streams.

The Commerce Ministry’s Department of Trade Negotiations said that five of these agreements involve improving existing partnerships, while the remaining six seek to establish new trade and investment connections. Continued …

Electricity price support has cost PTT Bt10.8 billion in lost revenue

State-owned oil and gas giant PTT Plc has said that that its support measures to control electricity prices have cost the company 10.8 billion baht in lost revenue.

The measures, which have been in place since October 2022, have capped the increase in electricity prices for households and businesses at 2%. This has meant that PTT has had to absorb the cost of the rising cost of fuel and other inputs. Continued …

Thai Tourism Agencies Get Huge Budget Boost

Led by a record 60% increase in the 2023/24 fiscal year budget of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai government is positioning the tourism industry as “the primary engine of economic growth” this year. However, those hopes are likely to be dashed in the event of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

A detailed analysis of the Thai budget bill, currently going through Parliament, shows that the budget allocation for the TAT is up from 3,258 million baht in fiscal year 2022/23 (beginning in October) to 5,201 million baht in fiscal year 2023/24, the largest percentage increase of any government agency. In the same period, the budget allocation for the Thai Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is up from 637 million baht to 826 million baht and the Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports up from 1,753 million baht to 1,896 million baht. Continued …

Lift 2-5pm booze ban so tourists spend more, complain less: restauranteurs

Restauranteurs have proposed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin lift the suspension of alcohol sales in the afternoon because visitors are complaining.

Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, head of the Restaurant Business Club, sent an open letter to the prime minister to ask the government to lift the ban on sales of alcohol every day between 2pm and 5pm. Continued …

For short hops, rail the way to go

With average global temperatures rising faster than experts had initially projected, flying is starting to look out of fashion, and not just among climate activists and environmentalists.

More travelers are realizing that while jets are without a doubt the fastest means of covering vast distances, their advantage over other means of transport significantly decreases as the trips get shorter. The question is whether the government – particularly the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) – adapts fast enough to cash in on the growing trend? Continued …

U.S.-Asia airfares jump as COVID travel restrictions end

Airfares from the U.S. to China and Japan rose about 30% last year, as more travelers headed to the countries after pandemic-era travel restrictions were lifted.

Fares on 29 routes between the U.S. and Japan’s Narita, Haneda and Kansai airports increased 20% to 50% on the year in 2023, according to an analysis by Nikkei and U.K. aviation information company Cirium. Continued …

Pattaya Nightlife Sees Boom After Extended Operating Hours

The Pattaya Entertainment Industry Association highly praised the Thai government’s policy of extending entertainment opening hours until 4 AM, citing its positive impact on the local economy, and urging further expansion of legal entertainment zones.

The extended hours, officially implemented on December 15th, 2023, as part of a pilot program in five provinces, have garnered positive feedback from a large number of Pattaya business owners. According to Mr. Damrongkiat Phinijkarn, secretary-general of the Pattaya Entertainment Industry Association, most entertainment businesses reported a significant increase in daily income, ranging from 20-30%, since the longer hours were implemented. Continued … 

Koh Samui set for tourism boost with influx of cruise liner visits

Surat Thani province’s popular resort island Koh Samui is expecting a significant boost in tourism this year, with 47 cruise liners set to dock and unload around 25,000 international travelers, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

As stated by Kanokkittika Kritwuthikorn, TAT’s director for Koh Samui, the majority of these tourists will be hailing from the United States, Europe, and Australia. With 10 cruise liners scheduled to arrive in just January, the island is bracing for a busy start to the year. Continued …

Eco-Tourism Thailand: Enjoy Nature’s Paradise

Eco-tourism, which combines “ecology” and “tourism,” has become a buzzword in the travel industry. Responsible travel means respecting local cultures and conserving the environment.

With travelers looking for meaningful experiences that contribute positively to the places they visit, eco-tourism has grown significantly in recent years. Continued …

All About The UNESCO World Heritage Site Of Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, about 89 kilometers north of Bangkok, was the historical capital of Siam. Ramathibodi I, also known as King U Thong, is said to have founded the town around AD 1350 on an island formed by the confluence of the Chao Phraya, Lop Buri, and Pa Sak rivers.

Thailand’s modern state may be traced back to the creation of Ayutthaya, whose numerous rulers increased their powers to make their realm one of the most powerful in Southeast Asia. Continued … 

Frederik X becomes Denmark’s new king as Queen Margrethe II abdicates

Denmark’s prime minister proclaimed Frederik X as king on Sunday after his mother Queen Margrethe II formally signed her abdication, with massive crowds turning out to rejoice in the throne passing from a beloved monarch to her popular son. Continued …

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