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Monday’s News-April 3

April 3, 2023 Hua Hin Expat News

Thailand’s 45-day visa exemption is back to 30 days/
Taxi drivers clash over foreign passengers at Hua Hin train station/
Polo on the beach/
Thailand is ‘burning’/
Three villages in Chiang Mai declared pollution disaster zones/
Chiang Rai skies lit up with disquieting message: ‘We can’t breathe’/
Thai Real Estate To Attract Foreign Investors up to Bt150 billion/
Thailand’s national lottery to stop paying out prizes in cash/
Most Thais want to be self-employed/
Local waste-to-energy trash solution draws fire/
UN group: more can be done for road safety in Thailand/
Flu vaccine ‘a top priority’ this year/
Chinese student kidnapped, tortured, murdered by gang from China/
Many unemployed elephants back home in Surin, huge and hungry/
Bangkok makes pact with Moscow to collaborate on 6 areas/
Tourism: New electrics make tuk-tuks a safer, cleaner and more convenient service/
International: Oil powers announce surprise cuts of more than 1 million bpd/Death toll at 32 after tornadoes hit US South, Midwest, East; more possible/
Links: 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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Thailand’s 45-day visa exemption is back to 30 days

Thailand’s 45-day visa exemption is back down to 30 days for visitors to the kingdom from a list of around 60 countries.

Starting from April 1, visitors from mainland Europe, the UK, the U.S., Australia, Saudi Arabia, and other countries will only be granted a 30-day stay in Thailand if they choose to enter the country without obtaining a prior visa, as the 45-day visa exemption is officially over. Continued …

Taxi drivers clash over foreign passengers at Hua Hin train station

An altercation involving two female taxi drivers, one of whom was a Grab driver, is being investigated by police.

The altercation took place on March 29 outside Hua Hin train station and reportedly began over a fare dispute involving a foreign family of five with their luggage. Continued …

Polo on the beach

The InterContinental–B.Grimm Beach Polo 2023 tournament took place Saturday on Hua Hin beach. The attracted international teams from four countries, as well as scores of spectators. The tournament was held at the beachfront of the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort. (HHT)

Thailand is ‘burning’

A list has been compiled of wildfires that have occurred over the past six months versus the same period a year earlier and the amount of land affected.

Forest fires are becoming a common occurrence in the country. The most recent, and perhaps the worst in years, was the blaze that broke out on Khao Chaphlu in Nakhon Nayok’s Khao Laem area on Wednesday. Continued …

Three villages in Chiang Mai declared pollution disaster zones

Three villages in Mueang and Hang Dong districts of Chiang Mai have been declared disaster zones by the provincial administration, as people in the northern capital are being choked by PM2.5 dust, the level of which is many times higher than Thailand’s safety level of 50-microns in many areas.

Deputy Gov. Chatchawarl Panya, acting on behalf of the governor, issued an announcement on Friday declaring Village 7 in Bang Pong subdistrict of Hang Don district, Village 3 in Mae Hia subdistrict and Village 12 in Suthep subdistrict of Mueang district to be disaster zones. Continued …

Chiang Rai skies lit up with disquieting message: ‘We can’t breathe’

A drone light show pleading for farmers to stop burning fields to reduce PM2.5 air pollution in northern Thailand was held on Sunday night at a school in Chiang Rai’s Muang district.

Phrases like “We Can’t Breathe”, “Please Stop Burning” and “Save the North” were spelled out in Thai in the sky above the city by lights from drones. Continued …

Thai Real Estate To Attract Foreign Investors up to Bt150 billion

Wichai Viratakaphan, bank inspector and acting director-general of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), said that the property market in Thailand has recovered since 2022. One of the main driving factors is the close relationship between the sector and the tourism industry.

After surveying 27 Thai provinces in 2022, REIC found that the total value of the industry was Bt390 billion (11.4 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 1,515% from 2021 when the value was Bt24 billion (704 million U.S. dollars). Continued …

Thailand’s national lottery to stop paying out prizes in cash

The Government Lottery Office has stopped paying out lottery prizes in cash, effective Saturday. Winners can instead claim their prize money through one of three channels, according to government deputy spokesperson Traisuree Traisoranakul.

The winners can have the money transferred to their bank accounts, except when the prize exceeds two million baht, for which the winner must have an account at either the Government Savings Bank or the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Continued …

Most Thais want to be self-employed

Now that Thailand’s economy has started picking up, many Thai entrepreneurs are looking for new business opportunities, a recent survey learned.

A poll titled “What do Thais think about business ownership” was conducted last month among 1,207 respondents nationwide and the results were published on Sunday. Continued …

Local waste-to-energy trash solution draws fire

Rather than protecting the environment and people from garbage pollution, the government plans to tackle overflowing waste by promoting small, localized waste-to-energy projects. This could bring about even greater environmental adversity and haze pollution, environmentalists say.

Due to the emission of hazardous pollutants and greenhouse gases from waste-to-energy projects, environmental experts and academics are urging the government to reconsider its strategy. They say it is impractical to create a sustainable waste-management system by prioritizing energy recovery alone. Continued …

UN group: more can be done for road safety in Thailand

Nneka Henry, head of the UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF), is calling on ASEAN member countries, including Thailand, to work closely with her organization to promote road safety in the region.

Henry, who recently participated in a workshop on Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue or E-READI in Bangkok organized by the European Union and ASEAN Secretariat, expressed her concerns over road safety among ASEAN member countries. Continued …

Flu vaccine ‘a top priority’ this year

Doctors are urging people to receive influenza vaccines to boost their immunity amid concerns that the flu is likely to rebound following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, president of the Influenza Foundation, said most people have been focused on how to protect themselves against Covid-19, such as by avoiding large gatherings and putting on face masks. Continued …

Chinese student kidnapped, tortured, murdered by gang from China

Nonthaburi Metropolitan Police on Saturday said three suspects have been identified who fled Thailand on March 30 after brutally torturing and murdering 22-year-old music student Jin Can who was enrolled at Bangkok Thonburi University and only arrived in the kingdom on March 8.

The case has parallels with another kidnap of a Chinese student on March 16 where a ฿3.2 million ransom was paid and police later arrested the gang. Continued …

Many unemployed elephants back home in Surin, huge and hungry

Lucky was busy munching on some freshly cut grass when she spotted a special treat a tourist was holding out. She dropped her next mouthful of greens and extended her trunk, asking for the banana.

For the first time in nine years, Lucky, 32, was back in her home village in rural Surin province in eastern Thailand, where tourists are much rarer than on the resort island where she used to work. Continued …

Bangkok makes pact with Moscow to collaborate on 6 areas

Bangkok and Moscow signed a joint-development pact in a ceremony at City Hall on Friday. Signing the memorandum of understanding were Deputy Bangkok Gov. Jakkapan Phiewngam and Moscow city government Minister Sergey Cheremin, who is also in charge of Moscow’s Department for External Economic and International Relations.

The MoU says the two cities will cooperate and exchange experiences in six aspects from 2023 to 2025, as follows: Continued …

New electrics make tuk-tuks a safer, cleaner and more convenient service

Three-wheeled vehicles, or tuk-tuks as they are known, are popular among tourists in Thailand due to their distinctive appearance and ability to provide a unique local experience. However, when start-up company Urban Mobility Tech (UMT) surveyed the pain points of passengers in Bangkok using public transportation, they responded that tuk-tuks did not have a standard price and the vehicles created noise and air pollution.

In 2017, UMT decided to launch Muvmi, an electric tuk-tuk company, to provide an environmentally friendly and safe public transportation option to Bangkokians. Continued …

Oil powers announce surprise cuts of more than 1 million bpd

Major oil powers led by Saudi Arabia announced a surprise production cut of more than one million barrels per day on Sunday, calling it a “precautionary” move aimed at stabilizing the market. Continued …

Death toll at 32 after tornadoes hit US South, Midwest, East; more possible

The death toll rose to 32 and more dangerous weather was forecast for a wide swath of the U.S. South and Midwest already in ruins Sunday from a surge of storms that fueled confirmed or suspected tornadoes in at least 11 states. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 2:30pm, 4pm, 6pm

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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

Book a flight

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hospitality, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-Jan 20

January 20, 2023 Hua Hin Expat News

Thailand Open returns to Hua Hin/
How to register for the Hua Hin Marathon 2023/
Government to keep a close eye on food prices before Chinese New Year/
Southeast Asia’s biggest railway station opens to passengers/
With station change, commuters face railway confusion/
Charges filed against Chinese ‘gray’ organization members/
Rare clouded leopard struts its stuff in new wildlife haven/
JPMorgan sees Thai stocks as the most attractive in Southeast Asia/
Thai oil firm targets 7,000 EV charging units by 2030/
Tourism: Flexible visas to boost the economy as business confidence falters/Over 900,000 Foreign Tourists Came To Thailand During Jan 1-15/Dusit suffering from lack of long-haul hotel guests/Financial worries keep many Chinese at home/Thailand’s tuk-tuks go green amid rising demand for electric models/
Thailand Experience: Hua Hin: A golfer’s paradise/Bangkok’s best floating markets become much more accessible/This Is Where You Can Find Thailand’s Biggest Buddha/
International: Executives gloomy about global outlook/Star visibility eroding rapidly as night sky gets brighter/
Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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Thailand Open returns to Hua Hin

Australian three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic is among high-ranked players competing in the WTA “Thailand Open 2023 by E@”.

The event will be held at True Arena Hua Hin Sport Club in Prachuap Khiri Khan province from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5.

It is the most lucrative WTA event in Southeast Asia, offering a total prize money of US$250,000 (9.37 million baht). Continued …

How to register for the Hua Hin Marathon 2023

Registration for the Hua Hin Marathon on May 14 is available in English on the event’s website.

The event, which returns after being canceled due to the pandemic and then being abruptly moved to Cha Am in 2022, will see up to 5,000 runners take to the streets of Hua Hin.

The registration fee for each is as follows:

Marathon, 42.195km, (1,200 THB application fee)
Half Marathon, 21km, (900 THB)
Mini Marathon, 10.5km, (700 THB)
Fun Run, 5km, 5.45am, (500 THB)

Everyone running in the race will receive a t-shirt and medal, while trophies will be given to the winners and runners-up overall and across each age category.

Official Hua Hin Marathon Facebook page. Continued …

Government to keep a close eye on food prices before Chinese New Year

State agencies will closely monitor prices of foods and products in the countdown to Chinese New Year to prevent unfair price hikes, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday.

Anucha said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered related agencies to survey the markets to prevent sellers from taking advantage of consumers during the Lunar New Year festival, which started on Sunday.

Anucha added that on Tuesday the Commerce Ministry launched the “Special Discounts for the Year of the Rabbit” campaign, under which participating manufacturers sell specially priced foods and consumer products at over 4,600 retail shops, discount stores and fresh markets nationwide. The campaign aims to help reduce people’s cost of living and will run until Friday. Continued …

Southeast Asia’s biggest railway station opens to passengers

Southeast Asia’s biggest railway station officially began operations yesterday, a potential new age of train travel in Thailand.

The cost of the new terminal, including the station, tracks and a connecting station for Bangkok’s mass transit system, was around US$1 billion (30 billion baht).

Officially, the station’s name is Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, a name bestowed by the king, and the center of some controversy. To most people, it will likely continue to be known as Bang Sue Grand Station, after the part of Bangkok it’s in. Continued … https://thethaiger.com/news/national/southeast-asias-biggest-railway-station-opens-to-passengers

With station change, commuters face railway confusion

The State Railway of Thailand made a big change in its 126-year history on Thursday when the SRT moved the operation of long-distance train services to the north, northeast and south of the country from Hua Lamphong station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, formerly known as Bang Sue Grand Station, in Chatuchak district.

The aim is to fully utilize the 34-billion-baht central grand station and reduce traffic congestion around a number of railway crossings near the old rail hub in Bangkok, according to Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob.

The ministry plans to renovate the 121-rai Hua Lamphong area for commercial purposes, while the old terminal, which was constructed more than a century ago, will become a museum that is accessible via public transportation, he said. Continued …

Charges filed against Chinese ‘gray’ organization members

The attorney general filed a string of charges against a key Chinese gray capitalist suspect and 40 others yesterday with drug-related offenses carrying maximum death penalty.

Naree Tantasathien, the attorney general, ordered the Office of Narcotics Litigation to submit the 332-page indictment of Chaiyanat “Tu Hao” Kornchaiyanan and 40 others to Southern Bangkok Criminal Court, with the police told to chase and arrest those suspects still on the run.

Among the charges the suspects face are setting up an organized crime to distribute category one narcotics and categories two and four psychotropic substances, money laundering, holding firearms, operating a transnational network to commit serious crime, running entertainment venues without permit, and allowing foreigners without work permit to work in their business. Continued …

Rare clouded leopard struts its stuff in new wildlife haven

In the mountains of Kanchanaburi in western Thailand, hidden cameras are capturing more and more clouded leopards, Indo-Chinese tigers, gaurs, and other wildlife.

Recognizing the importance of the conservation of Thailand’s wildlife, Thailand’s Treasury Department is preparing to declare an area of land covering 219,000 rai of land a non-hunting area.

The huge conservation area – covering Si Sawat and Bo Phloi district – is comprised of steep mountains and dense jungle home to millions of species of flora and fauna. Continued …

JPMorgan sees Thai stocks as the most attractive in Southeast Asia

The strong recovery of Thailand’s tourism, with an expected influx of Chinese visitors, and strong domestic demand for consumer products have made the Thai stock market the most attractive in Southeast Asia, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co, an American multinational financial services company.

Jakkapun Pornpunnarath, JPMorgan’s head of Thai equity research, said that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has become the top pick for JPMorgan in Southeast Asia.

He pointed to robust trading of Thai stocks ahead of the next general election later this year and the strong operating performance of many listed companies. Continued …

Thai oil firm targets 7,000 EV charging units by 2030

PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) has vowed to become Thailand’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging service provider, with the number of charging outlets projected to increase to 7,000 by 2030 under the company’s “Rise OR” concept.

The plan was announced by OR’s new Chief Executive Disathat Panyarachun, who was introduced to the public yesterday.

At present, the company operates 139 EV charging outlets. Continued …

Flexible visas to boost the economy as business confidence falters

Danucha Pichayanan, the secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the government’s key economic agency, has called on ministers to make visa provisions for foreign tourists more flexible and user-friendly, while also marketing the kingdom’s legalization of medical marijuana or pot in a bid to boost the still slow recovery of the country’s critical foreign tourism industry.

It comes as Thai exports have plummeted, with the chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), this week, revealing that business confidence fell in December for the first time in seven months as the country’s industrial confidence index fell due to faltering output.

The chairman of FTI has issued a stark warning to the government that confidence in the manufacturing sector has been undermined, with the country’s industrial confidence index for December falling for the first time in seven months. Continued …

Over 900,000 Foreign Tourists Came To Thailand During Jan 1-15

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said altogether 913,013 foreign tourists came to the country the first 15 days of 2023, with Russians topping the list, followed by Malaysians, South Koreans, Indians and Laotians.

TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn revealed that during Jan. 1-15 there were 99,593 Russians arrivals, followed by 89,461 Malaysians, 76,057 South Koreans, 47,471 Indians and 41,863 Laotians. Just on Jan. 14, 58,528 foreign tourists arrived.

“In terms of incoming foreign tourists, it was found that Chinese nationals ranked tenth, totaling 28,643. This is in line with expectation that the Chinese market will gradually improve in 2023,” he said. Continued …

Dusit suffering from lack of long-haul hotel guests

Hotel operator Dusit International is experiencing an ongoing shortage of long-haul guests because of limited flights and high airfares, although last year’s fourth quarter saw its best performance in three years with a 75% occupancy rate.

Siradej Donavanik, vice president of global development at Dusit International, said long-haul guests could reach pre-pandemic levels in the fourth quarter of this year, as Thailand remains a popular destination for them.

He said the government should focus on increasing high-spending tourists and promoting Thailand as a high-end destination, such as by utilizing health and wellness concepts – serenity, sustainability and spirituality – rather than just being a sea-sand-sun destination. Continued …

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Financial worries keep many Chinese at home

About 40% of Chinese travelers aren’t planning to venture overseas this year despite the sudden easing of restrictions, mainly because of the financial impact of Covid, according to a survey published yesterday.

Health concerns, the inconvenience of applying for travel documents, busy work schedules, worries over safety and destinations seen as unfriendly to Chinese were also among factors deterring overseas travel, the Dragon Trail International survey of 1,058 people in 49 cities found.

The survey was conducted from Jan. 4 to 7, just before the lifting of curbs such as mandatory quarantine came into effect. Continued …

Thailand’s tuk-tuks go green amid rising demand for electric models

Thailand’s iconic, gas-guzzling tuk-tuks are being replaced by a greener, more energy-efficient model, offering travelers a more environmentally friendly way of getting around what is one of the world’s worst countries when it comes to air pollution.

“The benefits are quite clear in terms of the environment”, says Krisada Kritayakirana, co-founder and CEO of start-up Urban Mobility Tech. “When you use traditional tuk-tuks, you can smell the gas and it sometimes could be unpleasant. With the electric tuk-tuks, basically you don’t have any noise and you don’t have any emission from tailpipes.”

In 2021, the levels of the pollutant PM2.5m in Thailand were four times higher than World Health Organization guidance. Inhalation of PM2.5 can cause respiratory problems and heart issues. In 2019, pollution was to blame for more than 31,000 deaths in the country. Continued …

Hua Hin: A golfer’s paradise

Hua Hin is a coastal town that lies 200km to the southeast of Bangkok and is a popular destination among expats, tourists, and Thai holiday makers alike. This region has a wealth of stunning beaches and scenery to offer, with a host of excursions and distractions to be enjoyed; however, what really stands out about Hua Hin is its golf courses. In fact, many people argue that Hua Hin is a golfer’s paradise – and with good reason.

Hua Hin, or “stone head” was named after the large rocks that were formed at the north end of the famous powdery sand beach. This renowned holiday destination was initially developed as a retreat for Thai royalty and the wealthy elite back in the 1920’s.

As the years have gone by, the region has gone through many changes and is now considered as being the number one golfing destination in all of Thailand. Continued …

Bangkok’s best floating markets become much more accessible

In today’s digital age, shopping can be done with a click of the mouse. However, there is no substitute for a visit to a local market.

That has become a whole lot easier thanks to the BMA putting on a feeder bus service from the MRT Blue Line station to Bangkok’s four best floating markets, serving as a link between urban dwellers and local farmers. If you are looking for a unique street food adventure and shopping spree, then head to these floating markets on a weekend.

Four brand-new electric buses with USB charging ports and modern facilities provide a free ride from/to the MRT Bang Khun Non Station to Wat Saphan Floating Market, Taling Chan Floating Market, Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, and Song Khlong Floating Market. Continued …

This Is Where You Can Find Thailand’s Biggest Buddha

One of Southeast Asia’s gems is the Land of Smiles. Thailand is well-developed and offers a wide range of modern conveniences due to a growing tourism sector, but it is also still wild enough to provide off-the-beaten-path adventure and once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities.

Thailand will not disappoint its visitors, whether they come for the enchanting mountain villages in the north or the world-class beaches in the south.

Cities like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok are hives of activity and business, but until tourists have gone on a mountain walk, interacted with elephants, or seen brazen monkeys who are always ready to take their food or their cameras, tourists have not really experienced the nation.

Each of Thailand’s attractions is unique and offers a pleasurable and memorable experience. However, the statues of Buddha in Thailand shine among the other attractions for their splendors and sizes. Here is where tourists can Thailand’s biggest Buddha. Continued …

Executives gloomy about global outlook

Chief executives of companies around the world are planning to cut operating costs, as nearly three-quarters of them anticipate a decline in global economic growth over the next 12 months, according to a recent survey by PwC. Continued …

Star visibility eroding rapidly as night sky gets brighter

Light pollution is growing rapidly and in some places the number of stars visible to the naked eye in the night sky is being reduced by more than half in less than 20 years, according to a study released yesterday. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 2:30pm, 4pm, 6pm

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, marijuana, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s News-Jan 14

January 14, 2023 Hua Hin Expat News

Today is Chilrden’s Day in Thailand/
Bangkok urologist at Be Well Clinic Jan 18/
Chiva-Som Hua Hin Appoints Patience Sangwa as Resident Naturopath/
Will Thailand’s new residency visa achieve results?/
Thai lawmakers endorse study on legalizing casinos/
Nearly 9,000 Holiday Traffic Offenders To Be Put on Probation/
Thai beauty queen wows with gown made from pull tabs/
Pension for elderly raise proposed to 3,000 baht a month/
Thailand to nominate King Bhumibol as a UNESCO World Eminent Personality/
Bangkok taxi fares increase for first time in 8 years/
Electric tuk-tuk innovator MuvMi to triple fleet as demand soars/
Thai power generator to adopt green fuels, technologies/
From Ancient to Modern: The Cannabis Tale of Thailand/
US weed giant to open Bangkok store/
Tourism: PKK to focus on places of worship, sacred religious sites in new tourism campaign/Will Thailand’s 300-baht tourist fee apply to expats?/TAT working on increasing flights, longer visa on arrival/
Thailand Experience: Exploring the Chinese New Year/Sustainability In Action: The Karen People’s Farming System/
International: Ant farms turn from science project to new agri-business in Cambodia/Steven Spielberg wins big as Golden Globes make comeback/Promised tanks a logistical challenge for Ukraine/
Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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Today is Chilrden’s Day in Thailand’s

Today is Thai Children’s Day. Bumper crowds are expected after the popular event, which sees state organizations fling open their doors to parents and their kids, was canceled for the last two years in the pandemic.

A police spokeswoman said they were concerned about parents losing their children in the big crowds and had five recommendations for the public, including advice on “sharenting”. Continued …

Bangkok urologist at Be Well Clinic Jan 18

Hua Hin’s Be Well Clinic will host visiting urologist Dr. Isares Saisorn from Samitivej Hospital Bangkok on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

He will be scheduling appointments for those suffering from changes in bladder functionality or urine, and lower abdomen or pain in the groin region.

To make an appointment: Tel. 02 111 6644; email – info@bewell.co.th, web.

Chiva-Som Hua Hin Appoints Patience Sangwa as Resident Naturopath

Chiva-Som Hua Hin has launched an online naturopathic and nutritional consultation program specifically for children.

The program, which will be headed by naturopathic doctor Patience Sangwa, has been designed to provide parents much-needed information on anything that concerns their child, such as nutrition and sleep, as well as mental and physical development.

Patience, a board-certified naturopath with the Allied Health Professionals Council of South Africa, completed dual bachelor’s degrees in complementary ehalth sciences and naturopathy at the University of the Western Cape before undergoing clinical training in Cape Town.

As resident naturopath at Chiva-Som, Patience will investigate the hindrances to the well-being of guests and enable them to get closer to their health goals by looking at nutrition, mental health, sleep practices, physical activity and lifestyle habits. – travelnewsasia.com

Will Thailand’s new residency visa achieve results?

On Sept. 1, 2022, Thailand introduced a new long-term resident (LTR) visa program. The program offers a 10-year renewable visa and a range of tax and non-tax benefits to four distinct categories of foreigners. These are wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals and highly skilled professionals.

Thailand’s Board of Investment contends the LTR program will attract wealthy, “high-potential” and talented individuals, who, in turn, will stimulate economic growth, through innovation, investment and domestic spending. Thailand’s government has set a target of attracting one million foreigners into the program over the next five years.

This target seems overly optimistic. The LTR visa enters a highly competitive global industry of long-term and second-home visa programs because of its focus on attracting wealthy global citizens. But it is difficult to envisage why applicants would invest at least US$500,000 in Thai property or low-yield Thai government bonds to be approved for this visa if they are expected to hold US$1 million in assets. Continued …

Thai lawmakers endorse study on legalizing casinos

Thailand’s lower House endorsed a feasibility study on legalizing casinos on Thursday, as the country seeks tax and tourism revenue to boost economic recovery from Covid-19.

The study report was produced by a special House committee and will now be sent to Cabinet for consideration.

The committee plans to ask the government to legalize casinos in five regions, aiming to increase state income from tax while suppressing illegal gambling dens. The five locations targeted for legal casinos are: Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Phang-nga or Krabi. Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani or Khon Kaen. and Greater Bangkok. Continued …

Nearly 9,000 Holiday Traffic Offenders To Be Put on Probation

Thai police announced that they will put traffic offenders in 8,923 cases caught nationwide during the New Year period on probation, said Weerakit Hanpariphan, director-general of the Probation Department.

Weerakit revealed that the majority of the offenses recorded during the Seven Days of Danger road safety campaign from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4 were related to drink driving, which accounted for over 8,567 cases or 96%, followed by driving under the influence of illegal drugs, with 335 cases or 3.8%, and reckless driving with 21 cases or 0.2%.

The three provinces with the highest number of road accidents were Roi Et with 469 cases, Samut Prakan with 388 cases, and Nonthaburi with 364 cases. Continued …

Thai beauty queen wows with gown made from pull tabs

Anna Sueangam-iam, who won the Miss Universe Thailand crown last year, was a sparkling sensation as she sashayed out on stage in a dress fashioned from pull tabs. The dress for the 2022 Miss Universe preliminary round was created as a tribute to her parents, who worked as waste collectors, and to showcase her eco-activism. The “Hidden Precious Diamond Dress”, fashioned from pull tabs and embellished with Swarovski diamonds, was created by Thai designer Arif Jehwang. The preliminary and national attire rounds for the 71st Miss Universe 2022 were held on Thursday in New Orleans. The 2022 Miss Universe will be crowned on Sunday at 8am Thailand time. (The Nation)

Pension for elderly raise proposed to 3,000 baht a month

Senior citizens should receive a universal pension of 3,000 baht per month to ease their financial burden, activists and academics said at a forum.

Four Regions Slum Network representative Nuken Inthachan was one of those calling for the government to revise its old age monthly allowance as a universal pension and lift it to 3,000 baht a month.

“The existing 600 to 1,000 baht subsidy for senior citizens is barely enough, even with them finding supplementary income themselves,” he said. Continued …

Thailand to nominate King Bhumibol as a UNESCO World Eminent Personality

Thailand’s Ministry of Education is preparing to propose His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the ninth monarch of Thailand, to the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s world eminent personalities, coinciding with the centennial anniversary of King Bhumibol’s birth in 2027.

The nomination aims at honoring his countless achievements, which impacted not only the country but also the world community.

A committee will be set up in charge of collecting all relevant information regarding King Bhumibol’s royal projects, in accordance with the UNESCO criteria, before submitting it to UNESCO by Dec. 1, 2024. Continued …

Bangkok taxi fares increase for first time in 8 years

A taxi fare rise for the first time in eight years took effect for taxis in Bangkok on Friday as Prime Minister Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha ordered relevant agencies to assess its impact on people.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the prime minister was concerned about impacts on the general public, so he instructed many agencies, such as the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, to monitor the impacts on people and the economy in general. and to propose proper economic measures to alleviate those impacts, particularly during the transition period.

At the same time, he realized the hardship of taxi drivers, affected by the rising cost of living and energy prices. It is the first fare rise in eight years to help them, the spokesman said. Continued …

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Electric tuk-tuk innovator MuvMi to triple fleet as demand soars

Thai startup MuvMi will nearly triple the number of its electric tuk-tuks this year from 350 to 1,000 due to rising demand for rides in vehicles, said the CEO of its parent company, Urban Mobility Tech.

Krisada Kritayakirana, who is also the co-founder of Urban Mobility Tech, told a press conference on Friday that demand for rides in electric tuk-tuks is growing in tandem with the rising popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand.

“Our initial goal is to provide environmentally friendly vehicles for city dwellers who struggle to find public transportation after departing skytrain, subway, and bus stations,” he said. Continued …

Thai power generator to adopt green fuels, technologies

Electricity Generating Plc (Egco), a power generation arm of state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, is planning to adopt green fuels and technologies to better manage electricity generation, part of efforts to achieve a carbon neutrality goal by 2050.

The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday with JERA Asia Pte, a subsidiary of JERA Inc. – Japan’s largest power company – to jointly conduct a study on ways to decarbonize Egco’s businesses by using hydrogen and ammonia as fuels, as well as adopting carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology. Continued …

From Ancient to Modern: The Cannabis Tale of Thailand

On June 9, 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia — and only the third in the world, after Canada and Uruguay — to decriminalize cannabis nationwide. But did you know that cannabis was not always illegal in Thailand? In this video, we give you a brief history of cannabis in Thailand, as well as experts giving us more information on the present situation of cannabis in Thailand. Continued …

US weed giant to open Bangkok store

After months of delay, one of America’s most popular weed brands is landing in Bangkok later this month.

Jan. 21 has been set for the opening date of Cookies in Bangkok’s Soi Ruamrudee, about four months after it was originally expected.

The San Francisco-based weed giant even invited a Buddhist monk to come over and bless the new storefront, where visitors will be able to buy cannabis alongside clothing and fashion accessories such as smell-proof backpacks, sweaters, and baseball caps. Continued …

PKK to focus on places of worship, sacred religious sites in new tourism campaign

Some of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s most sacred buildings and religious sites are to take center stage in the province’s latest tourism campaign, officials have announced.

The new campaign will offer tourists information on places of worship that they can visit and pay their respects to, while at the same time experiencing local cultures and traditions in each district of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The year-long promotional campaign will shine a light on the province’s most spectacular and significant religious sites and centuries-old temples, as well as some little unknown cultural attractions and far-flung places of worship. Continued …

Will Thailand’s 300-baht tourist fee apply to expats?

After years of false starts, Thailand is about to start slapping fees on every arriving tourist, a measure being adopted in the post-pandemic era in countries ranging from Brussels and Oslo to the Maldives.

While various fees have been considered and rejected over the years, officials began beating the drum last year for a THB300 fee that would offset tourist healthcare costs and be reinvested in tourism development. That’s now set to take effect in June.

There are still five months for them to reconsider: Arrival fees for travelers have been proposed numerous times in years past, only to be abandoned or shelved under criticism, such as a THB360 “tourism maintenance fee” proposed by the tourism authority in 2016. Indeed, the fee was supposed to happen nine months ago. Continued …

TAT working on increasing flights, longer visa on arrival

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to increase the number of flights in a bid to boost tourism during the high season.

“The flight load capacity must reach 90 percent during the high season this year,” TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said on Friday. The high season in Thailand is from November to March.

He added that Chinese authorities have requested information from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to boost the number of flights to 2019 levels, before the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …

Exploring the Chinese New Year traditions in Thailand

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, has been celebrated in Thailand for centuries by the country’s Chinese-Thai community. The festival typically takes place in January or February and is a time for families to come together, clean their homes, and decorate with red lanterns and other symbols of good luck.

Traditional activities include lion and dragon dances, fireworks, and the giving of red envelopes filled with money to children. Chinese New Year is also an important time for businesses, as it is considered a peak shopping season.

In recent years, Chinese New Year celebrations have become more popular among the general population in Thailand and are now celebrated by people of all backgrounds. Continued …

3 Thailand locations for the eco-conscious travelers to explore this year

Sustainable tourism is predicted to be the biggest trend for the global travel industry in 2023. This is due to the environmental and social pressures calling for responsible living in communities worldwide.

According to the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand London office, Sadudee Sangnil, Thailand is fully on board with the global shift toward more responsible travel practices.

“Eco-tourism reaps multiple benefits for travelers, local communities and the environment. It also provides countries like Thailand with the opportunity to build its economy in a way that will preserve its natural resources, landscapes, wildlife and people for future generations to experience and enjoy,” said Sangnil. Continued …

Sustainability In Action: The Karen People’s Farming System

For 2,000 years, the Karen people in northern Thailand have practiced a form of long-term rotational farming that allows the land to recover, then thrive, ready for the next harvest.

This practice lies at the heart of the way the people of the Hin Lad Nai community in the hills of Chiang-rai province manage natural resources. The philosophy of sustainable management is captured in a poem that says, “Auf hti K’tau hti, auf kauj k’ tauz kauj, auf deif k’ tauz lei, auf nyaf k’ tauz kwiv” (use water care of rivers, use land care of forest, use/eat frogs care of cliff and use/eat fishes care of water sources).

The system of fallow, or “rational farming cycle”, allows an area to regenerate for seven to 10 years, then the farmers cultivate it again for one year. After harvesting, they let the field become fallow again for another seven to 10 years while it regenerates. Continued …

Ant farms turn from science project to new agri-business in Cambodia

Forest-dwelling weaver ants are a common species in Cambodia and are often employed as a tasty addition to many traditional dishes like some sour soups, or prahok. They are usually collected wild from the countryside, but one enterprising woman has discovered how to raise them commercially. Continued …

Steven Spielberg wins big as Golden Globes make comeback

Steven Spielberg claimed top honors, including best drama, at the Golden Globes on Tuesday for his deeply personal film “The Fabelmans,” as Hollywood’s A-list stars flocked to the first major awards show of the year despite a series of scandals swirling around its organizers. Continued …

Promised tanks a logistical challenge for Ukraine

The imminent arrival in Ukraine of Western-made light tanks and armored vehicles, as well as possibly heavy tanks, means Kyiv will need to quickly train up troops to use and maintain the sometimes complex equipment, analysts say. Continued …