- Hua Hin property market/Classic cars at Bluport/Forest fires rage in north/Prison Mpox contained/Foreigners Lose B300 million/First Cat Pacemaker Implant
- ECONOMY: Industrial Confidence Edges Up/Timeline for 3-airport high-speed rail
- TOURISM: Thai Hotels Forecast Stable Foreign Arrivals/Affordable World Class Healthcare/Budget hotels at PTT stations/Chiang Mai airport sees traffic spike/Stop feeding elephants/Israelis attacked by French tourists
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Drainage pipe releasing wastewater into sea
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin property market bucks Thailand downturn
The Hua Hin property market is emerging as a relative bright spot in Thailand’s challenging real estate sector, supported by sustained foreign demand that is helping to offset weak domestic purchasing power.
Prachuap Khiri Khan, particularly Hua Hin, has stood out in a national market weighed down by high household debt, tighter lending conditions, and slowing residential transfers. A new report highlights the province as one of the few areas recording growth in foreign condominium ownership, even as overall activity across the country declines. Continued …
Classic cars on display at Bluport
Museo Auto Classica Hua Hin is welcoming visitors to Blúport Hua Hin with a curated collection of more than 40 classic and collectible cars, bringing decades of automotive design together under one roof.
Located on the second floor of Blúport Hua Hin, Museo Auto Classica Hua Hin is open daily from 11 am to 8 pm. The attraction, presented by Bangchak, combines vintage motoring with themed display areas that move from 1950s roadsters through to modern high-performance models. Continued …
Forest fires rage across northern provinces, PM2.5 levels surge
Forest fires, suspected to have been caused by human activity, have been raging uncontrollably in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son, driving PM2.5 levels beyond the 37.5-micron safety threshold, according to reports from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Several hundred firefighters and volunteers, along with heavy equipment, helicopters, and drones, have been mobilized to contain the fires, which appear to be intensifying due to the hot weather. Continued …
Health ministry says prison Mpox contained, with 2 new cases and 49 under watch
The Department of Disease Control (DDC), in collaboration with the Department of Corrections, visited a prison to investigate an Mpox outbreak following a reported fatality. Most recently, two additional close contacts tested positive.
Authorities are accelerating vaccinations for high-risk groups and have implemented strict 21-day control measures, confirming that the situation remains contained. Continued …
Foreign Nationals Lose B300 million in Pattaya Gold Scam
A group of foreign residents in Pattaya has lodged a complaint with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) after allegedly losing more than 300 million baht in a fraudulent gold-trading investment scheme branded “King Power Gold”.
The alleged fraudsters targeted foreign nationals living in Pattaya, Chonburi, by befriending them through recreational activities such as sports and snooker before persuading them to invest. Victims were promised daily returns of thousands of baht and shown commercial registration documents and checks to build credibility. Initially, dividends were reportedly paid to gain trust. Continued …
Thai Vets Make History with First Cat Pacemaker Implant
Veterinarians from Chulalongkorn University have achieved Thailand’s first successful pacemaker implantation in a cat, setting a milestone in animal healthcare.
An eight-year-old cat named Pepsi, who suffered from daily collapses, has fully recovered after the procedure. The operation, led by Dr. Anusak Kijtawornrat, marks a breakthrough in the country’s veterinary cardiology. Continued …
Industrial Confidence Edges Up as Thailand’s Manufacturing Sector Rebounds
Thailand’s Industrial Confidence Index rose marginally to 88.7 in January, up from 88.2 in December, as the manufacturing sector returned to full swing following the New Year holiday and demand picked up ahead of the Lunar New Year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
FTI Vice Chairman Nava Chantanasurakon attributed the modest improvement to a confluence of positive developments -factories ramped up production to fulfil Lunar New Year orders, particularly in the processed food, apparel, and packaging industries, while a surge in tourist arrivals — bolstered by government initiatives including direct flight routes and promotional events — helped channel spending into regional economies and local businesses. Continued …
SRT unveils timeline for 3-airport high-speed rail, seeks new Cabinet approval
Anan Phonimdang, deputy governor of the State Railway of Thailand and acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), revealed after the SRT board meeting yesterday that the board acknowledged the progress of the high-speed rail linking three airports project (Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, U-Tapao).
Currently, the SRT has submitted a report proposing an amendment to the project’s principles to the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO). This is in preparation to present it to the Cabinet for consideration to amend the joint investment principles, in accordance with the prior resolution made by the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECPC). Continued …
Thai Hotels Forecast Stable Foreign Arrivals in 2026
Thai hotel operators are forecasting stable foreign tourist arrivals in 2026, particularly from short-haul markets excluding China, while urging the government to strengthen safety measures and boost traveler confidence.
The outlook comes as the sector monitors competitive pressures and a continued recovery in key markets. Industry leaders say maintaining Thailand’s image and improving safety perceptions will be critical to sustaining demand. Continued …
Thailand Offers Medical Tourists Affordable World Class Healthcare
Thailand is steadily cementing its reputation as one of the leading global destinations for medical tourism, attracting millions of international patients each year with its high-quality healthcare services, affordability, and attractive recovery options.
The Southeast Asian nation is a top choice for medical travelers seeking affordable, yet world-class treatments, especially in areas such as cosmetic surgery, dental procedures, fertility treatments, and advanced medical surgeries. Continued …
Budget hotels planned at PTT petrol stations
Two listed firms, PTT Oil and Retail (OR) and Central Plaza Hotel (Centel), announced a joint venture that will run budget hotels at PTT petrol stations. OR, oil trade flagship of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc, reported on Tuesday night that its board of directors approved the establishment of the joint venture.
OR said hotel construction would begin early this year and the first hotel would open within this year. The project aims to create modern, convenient “rest stop” experience, featuring 70-80 rooms alongside existing amenities like Cafe Amazon, laundry services, and 7-Eleven. Continued …
Chiang Mai airport sees traffic spike
Chiang Mai International Airport has recorded a new post-Covid high in passenger traffic, with daily numbers surpassing 36,000, as airlines added 69 extra and charter flights to accommodate Lunar New Year demand.
Karan Thanakuljeerapat, the airport director, said that from Feb. 16–22 it added those flights on key routes from China and Taiwan, including Shanghai, Kunming, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Taipei, and Taichung. Continued …
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Puphaman National Park urges public to stop feeding elephants
Puphaman National Park, located in Loei and Khon Kaen provinces, has called on the public to stop feeding wild elephants by leaving fruit and other edible items for them, warning that such well-intentioned acts could ultimately harm the animals and increase the risk of human-elephant conflict.
The park said that placing food in community areas or at locations where elephants have been spotted may unintentionally alter the animals’ natural behavior. Once elephants learn that food is easily accessible near human settlements, encounters between people and elephants are likely to become more frequent. Continued …
Israelis, on vacation in Thailand, attacked by French tourists
Three Israeli citizens in their 20s were attacked Tuesday night while spending time at a bar on the island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand. One of them sought medical treatment at a hospital, and another apparently managed to flee but has not been heard from since.
Conversations with the families of the two other Israelis indicate that the attackers were French tourists of Arab origin. According to the Israelis’ account, the Frenchmen approached them after realizing their national identity, and a confrontation quickly escalated into physical violence. Continued …
Jomtien Beach drainage pipe seen releasing wastewater into sea
Concerns are growing at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya after locals and beachgoers reported that a large drainage pipe has become visible on the sand and is releasing dark, foul-smelling wastewater directly into the sea.
The issue surfaced publicly Tuesday after videos shared online showed a large rectangular drainage pipe, partly buried in sand, discharging polluted wastewater into the sea at the southern end of Jomtien Beach. Continued …
- Indian Man Held at Airport With 15 Wild Animals – Continued …
- Phuket Drug Bust Nets Four Foreign Suspects with Cocaine – Continued …
Hua Hin Links and Transport
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