- Government Decisions On Legalizing Thai Casinos Stall/Tourism, wellness, and green businesses to drive Thai economy this year/New power tariff reduced for business/Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country/Thai baht to continue strengthening, Asian economies to benefit from China’s reopening/Thailand to up tax on sweet drinks, food from April 1/Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant/14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022/Special team on hunt for gunman who killed British expat in Pattaya/Sick of the grind, China’s well-off seek slower pace in Thailand/Online sales of lottery tickets surged since June debut/Commentary: Blood alcohol content limit for drivers in Thailand should be set at 0%/’Energy for All’ winners ready to start/Thai village piloting carbon-credit plan to preserve forests/
- Tourism: Tourism sector preps for Chinese/In the provinces, arms open for Chinese return/New curbs hobble return of Indians/Koh Phangan: ‘20,000’ on island for first Full Moon Party of 2023/
- Thailand Experience: MasterChef judge reviews Chiva-Som/’You buffalo!’ How this animal became an insult in Thai/How to get around Thailand on a budget/
- Covid: Covid strains from West more serious than from China, says virologist/
- International: Global food prices in 2022 hit record high amid drought, war/US approves new drug to treat Alzheimer’s/Covid surge exposes China’s healthcare gap/New Indonesia capital branded ‘ecological disaster’/Gas cooking linked to 12.7% of childhood asthma in US/29 killed in arrest of Mexico drug kingpin son/Strikes in east Ukraine despite Putin’s ceasefire order/
- Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas
Government Decisions On Legalizing Thai Casinos Stall
After a final report with recommendations to move forward to establish legal casinos in Thailand was delivered to government on July 27, 2022, a July 29 forum in Hua Hin heard from Dr. Saensak Siriphanich and Udorn Olsson, both key members of the 60-person committee.
The speakers suggested that government cabinet considerations were expected to approve the committee’s recommendations to establish legal casinos, then for regulations to be framed. The speakers were optimistic that there could be licenses approved and investment agreements in place before the end of the year (2022).
Although naming Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (Hua Hin) but not Phetchaburi, the speakers stated that the preferred regional location is within 40 kilometers of the Hua Hin Airport. This means a site could be in either province. Continued …
Tourism, wellness, and green businesses to drive Thai economy this year
Tourism, wellness, and green businesses will be the major growth drivers for the Thai economy this year, Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai said on Friday.
The three sectors have a bright outlook for 2023 due to their performance last year, growth prospects, the current business environment, and economic trends, Sinit said, citing a forecast by the Department of Business Development.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to create an economic crisis globally, it creates opportunities for new businesses, Sinit said, adding: “Entrepreneurs need to adapt swiftly and carefully study business trends.” Continued …
New power tariff reduced for business
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will make a cut to the power tariff for businesses after concerned groups petitioned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to lower electricity prices.
The decision came after the premier told energy officials to find ways to reduce electricity bills for businesses. Continued …
Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has urged the government and the private sector to place more focus on equipping people with digital knowledge and human soft skills to accelerate the country’s transition to a high-income country.
The suggestion is part of TDRI’s latest study, “A Portrait of High-Income Thailand: Future Labor Market Outlook”, which was released on Friday. The goal of this research is to find the best solution for labor policies and measures in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report paints the picture of a changed labor landscape as a result of digital technology and innovation. This disruption has speeded global activity than ever before. Meanwhile, people are realizing that one set of skills is never enough and that knowledge could get outdated. Continued …
Thai baht to continue strengthening, Asian economies to benefit from China’s reopening
The baht, which in October was trading around 38 to the U.S. dollar, has strengthened to 34 to the dollar, and the currency is likely to continue to strengthen into 2023 as the Thai economy continues to recover, and China’s reopening will help sustain recessionary fears from the west.
The Thai baht has benefited from the surge in the domestic economy as Thailand opened its doors to foreign tourists on July 1, 2022.
The currency has benefited from the weakening U.S. dollar that has seen the U.S. Federal Reserve starting to slow its interest rate hikes that it has undertaken aggressively during 2022. Continued …
Thailand to up tax on sweet drinks, food from April 1
Sweet, sugary food and beverages will become more expensive from April 1, as the Excise Department will be pushing up the tax again.
Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the department’s director-general, said on Friday that the hike was initially meant to be put in place on Oct. 1 last year, but was postponed by the Cabinet to March 31 this year.
“The Excise Department will launch the third phase of the tax hike in fiscal 2023 in line with the law,” he said. Continued …
Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant
14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022
As many as 939,713 road accidents were reported in Thailand last year, up 4.7% from 2021, the Thailand Road Accidents Data Center for Road Safety Culture (ThaiRSC) said.
According to data revealed by ThaiRSC on Friday, road accidents claimed 14,737 lives and injured 924,799 in Thailand last year. Of them, 536 deaths and 7,885 injuries were foreigners.
ThaiRSC said that the average damage incurred per accident was about 200,000 baht, while most accidents occur during morning rush hour, especially from 10am to 11am. Continued …
Special team on hunt for gunman who killed British expat in Pattaya
Chonburi Police Region 2 is hunting down a mysterious murderer who shot and killed a retired British engineer yesterday Thursday.
Police Lt. Col. Ittipon Ittisaranachai, chief of Police Region 2, called for a meeting of immigration officials, tourist police, and investigators to track down the suspect who shot a 70-year-old British man to death.
The victim was shot four times in the back, according to police. Continued …
Sick of the grind, China’s well-off seek slower pace in Thailand
Xiaohongshu, China’s answer to Instagram, is abuzz with the benefits of emigrating to Thailand.
In videos on the popular social media and e-commerce platform, influencers paint a picture of paradise that promises something for all.
For stressed-out parents, cheap international schools and the possibility of remote work in an exotic locale await. For retirees, there is affordable healthcare just a stone’s throw from the beach. Continued …
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Online sales of lottery tickets surged since June debut
As many as 890,000 people won cash prizes totaling 7.5 billion baht from lottery draws after the Government Lottery Office office debuted online sales for tickets on June 2 last year, the office said on Friday.
Following the debut of online lottery ticket sales, 14 draws were held between June 16 and Dec. 30 last year.
Online sales were introduced to reduce price gouging by retailers, who added 25% surcharges on the 80-baht ticket price. Lottery draws are held twice a month: on the 16th and at the end of the month. Continued …
Blood alcohol content limit for drivers in Thailand should be set at 0%
The Center for Alcohol Studies (CAS) has urged relevant departments to consider setting the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers in Thailand at 0%, instead of 0.05%, because drivers with 0.05% of BAC in their system still cause fatal road accidents.
The legal BAC is set at 0.05% in Thailand. This means that motorists in the country can drive if their BAC is less than 0.05%, or 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood. This is the equivalent of two glasses of wine or beer.
The vice president of the CAS, Ponthep Wijitkunakorn, used a recent fatal road accident that killed five victims in the Isaan province of Sisaket to emphasize why the legal limit for a driver’s blood alcohol level needed to be changed. Continued …
‘Energy for All’ winners ready to start
Energy investors who won an auction under the state’s “Energy for All” renewable scheme are pushing ahead with their projects after the latest legal hurdle that caused more delays was cleared.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) recently resolved to drop a complaint made by one investor over alleged irregularities in the auction held in 2021 to grant investors licenses to develop and operate power plants.
Introduced in November 2019, Energy for All is designed to facilitate businesses and communities to jointly invest in biomass and biogas-fired power plants. Continued …
Thai village piloting carbon-credit plan to preserve forests
A village in central Thailand is piloting a new approach to forest preservation by partnering with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in a project to trade carbon credits in return for keeping its area green.
“When local communities realize that their forests can be a source of steady income, they will be driven to preserve their green areas,” said Varawut Silpa-archa, minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who attended the opening ceremony Ban Khong Ta village in central Petchaburi province.
“These communities will not only benefit from the plants and fruits they pick, but also the carbon credit market. We hope that over 12,000 communities nationwide will learn from this,” and join the initiative, which is being overseen by the Royal Forestry Department, he added. Continued …
Tourism sector preps for Chinese
Tourism operators are prepared for a wave of Chinese tourists in terms of hotel room capacity, public health hygiene and flight capacity, though demand remains unclear.
The government confirmed on Thursday Chinese tourists will be exempted from RT-PCR Covid tests upon arrival, but will be required to buy Covid insurance to guarantee they have medical expense coverage in case they are infected before flying back home.
Phunut Thanalaopanich, president of the northern chapter of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), said Chiang Mai is ready to accommodate all tourists, including those from China, which are expected to return starting this month. Continued …
In the provinces, arms open for Chinese return
Key tourism provinces are bracing for the return of tourists from China after the country reopens its borders on Sunday.
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya of Chon Buri are popular among Chinese travelers. About 300,000 Chinese arrivals are forecast for the first quarter of the year, including January with a reduced total of only 60,000 due to limited seat capacity.
Suladda Sarutilavan, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Chiang Mai Office, said the Chinese market plays a major role in driving the tourism sector in the province. Before the pandemic, it had welcomed 1 million Chinese travelers each year. Continued …
New curbs hobble return of Indians
Tourism operators have started to feel the pinch from the slowing Indian market in the first quarter, particularly the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) segment and independent travelers, as the Indian government requires Covid-19 RT-PCR tests for those returning from Thailand.
The Indian MICE segment from February to April is “on hold” because of the rising cost of Covid-19 tests and fear of getting Covid-19 abroad, said Rajesh Nair, chief executive of Enchantive Asia, an inbound tour company focusing on the subcontinent.
“The problem is travelers are discouraged because of the test requirement before boarding,” said Nair. Continued …
Koh Phangan: ‘20,000’ on island for first Full Moon Party of 2023
The first Full Moon Party of the year happened last night on the holiday island of Koh Phangan in southern Thailand’s Surat Thani province.
In attendance at Had Rin beach were Deputy Gov. Chusak Rooying, the chief of the Surat provincial police, Maj-Gen Saranya Chamnanrach, Phangan District Chief Wichan Junthawijit and the island’s police chief, Col. Panya Niratimanon.
Plus lots of tourist and immigration police and DOPA officials. Continued …
MasterChef judge reviews Hua Hin’s Chiva-Som
I used to wonder what it might be like to have the kind of crazy, high-profile job that requires a few weeks’ respite at some place perfectly plush to recover when it’s all over.
And while I’m aware I’m not and will probably never be Arianna Huffington-level busy, and certainly not Oprah-level famous, surely a Gold Logie nom rents me a place in the sun – at least for a couple of days.
Regardless of what you or I do for a crust and whether our faces are recognizable to those outside our circles of friends, family, co-workers and followers on social media, life’s increasing pressures sure can squeeze a lot of the energy from our souls. I’ve done health retreats in Australia before, but what happens when you blend health and well-being protocols with lush, tropical vistas, sunshine, incredible food (that’s good for you), and the kind of hospitality that will have you begging never to leave? Continued …
‘You buffalo!’ How this animal became an insult in Thai
“Ai Kwai!!!” literally translated as “you buffalo”, as in “you idiot”, is one of the most common insults in the Thai language.
In light of a recent controversy, where the permanent secretary of Thailand’s Interior Ministry called his subordinate “as stupid as a buffalo”, have we ever wondered why we have to use a buffalo to signify people’s stupidity, rather than other animals?
Buffaloes have always been part of Thai people’s livelihoods, especially in rural areas, where agriculture is the dominant industry. Being called a “buffalo”, however, is considered very offensive by many Thais, almost as extreme as being called a “monitor lizard”, equivalent to dropping the f-bomb. Continued …
How to get around Thailand on a budget
Traveling around Thailand on a budget can be a great way to explore this beautiful country while still saving money. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get around Thailand on a budget.
1. Travel by bus or train
The bus system in Thailand is extensive and covers the whole country. It’s a great way to get from point A to point B at an affordable price. The buses are comfortable and offer a variety of services depending on the route.
Many of the buses feature air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and even onboard entertainment. And with ticket prices ranging from $10-$20, it’s a great way to get around the country without breaking the bank. Continued …
Covid strains from West more serious than from China, says virologist
New coronavirus strains from visitors arriving from western countries could pose a higher health threat than older strains from tourists arriving from China, according to virologist Yong Poovorawan.
Amid concerns over rising infections with China easing restrictions on travel, Dr. Yong wrote on his Facebook account on Friday that China’s recent outbreak is predominantly led by the Omicron subvariant of Covid-19, BA.5, which had already spread in Thailand.
“We should be more concerned about the strains that have not spread in Thailand, especially the BQ variant from western countries, which is more alarming,” wrote Dr. Yong, chief of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine. “We do not check and cannot force (them) to wear face masks.” Continued …
Global food prices in 2022 hit record high amid drought, war
Global prices for food commodities like grain and vegetable oils were the highest on record last year, even after falling for nine months in a row, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said, as Russia’s war in Ukraine, drought and other factors drove up inflation and worsened hunger worldwide. Continued …
US approves new drug to treat Alzheimer’s
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a highly anticipated new drug designed to slow cognitive decline in patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Continued …
Covid surge exposes China’s healthcare gap
Understaffed and underfunded clinics stand half-empty in parts of the Chinese countryside, even as hospitals in major cities heave under an unprecedented Covid wave — an illustration of the stark disparities in the country’s healthcare system. Continued …
New Indonesia capital branded ‘ecological disaster’
The twisting road that leads to Indonesia’s future capital is lined with dense rainforest and pockets of plantations, punctuated every so often with monkeys enjoying a laze out on the tarmac. Continued …
Gas cooking linked to 12.7% of childhood asthma in US
Cooking with gas indoors has been linked to 12.7% of all childhood asthma cases in the United States, a new study has found, comparing its effect on health to that of second-hand smoking. Continued …
29 killed in arrest of Mexico drug kingpin son
Ten soldiers and 19 criminal suspects died in a massive operation to arrest a son of jailed drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the Mexican government said Friday, with a dramatic shootout damaging three planes and sowing terror at a local airport. Continued …
Strikes in east Ukraine despite Putin’s ceasefire order
Artillery exchanges pounded war-scarred cities in eastern Ukraine on Friday despite Russian leader Vladimir Putin unilaterally ordering his forces to stop attacking for 36 hours. Continued …
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
