• Thailand plans to extend 45-day visa-free stays until year end/
• Prachuap Khiri Khan beach was the most searched for in Thailand in 2022/
• EXAT ramps up Koh Samui bridge plan/
• Will the driver’s license point system work?/
• Three generals among 80 immigration police charged in triad visa scam/
• Why house lizards have adapted to your home/
• Thailand among 25 countries with least paid leave days/
• Video: School teacher taken down by female gold shop staff after failed heist/
• Southern Thai man strikes gold with rare cobra encounter/
• Tanker explodes, 8 dock workers missing/
• Gold price to reach eight-month high/
• Tourism: China market poised to surge in Q4/This Is How Much Money You’ll Need Per Day In Thailand/Phuket’s new year tourist surge levels off/Dental tourism’s top destinations around the world/
• Thailand Experience: Thailand’s Dragon Temple Is Real, & Here’s How To Get There/Carpet of lilies lures visitors to Nong Han lake in Udon Thani/What Will You Learn At Thailand’s Sanctuary Of Truth?/
• Covid: Thailand’s Covid-19 hospitalizations drop, but deaths rise in 2nd week of 2023/Video: Will the Lunar New Year worsen China’s COVID surge?/
• International: 73% of CEOs around the world say global economic growth will decline this year/Italy arrests Sicilian Mafia boss after 30 years on the run/Russian Strike On Ukraine Apartment Building Kills At Least 40/China’s population shrinks for first time since 1960/Runaway West Antarctic ice sheet collapse not ‘inevitable’/
• Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

Thailand plans to extend 45-day visa-free stays until year end

The Tourism Authority of Thailand will propose extending the 45-day visa exemption on arrival policy until the end of the year to boost tourism recovery.

In September last year, Thailand’s Cabinet approved the temporary extension of visa on arrival and visa exemption on arrival for the high season.

Between Oct. 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023, foreign tourists arriving in Thailand are eligible to stay in the kingdom as follows depending on their passport country. Continued …

Prachuap Khiri Khan beach was the most searched for in Thailand in 2022

EXAT ramps up Koh Samui bridge plan

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is preparing to study the feasibility of building a bridge linking the mainland to Koh Samui.

EXAT Gov. Surachet Laophulsuk has visited the island to review information and inspect the proposed site for the bridge.

If the project clears the study and wins public approval, work is expected to begin in 2028 and finish two years later. Continued …

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Will the driver’s license point system work?

A new hope in the effort to make Thailand’s roads safer, a demerit point system has been introduced by the Royal Thai Police and the Land Transport Department.

These two major organizations will eventually connect their systems and attempt to curb traffic violations and dangerous driving, in the hope of increasing driver discipline on Thailand’s infamous roads. Video 

Three generals among 80 immigration police charged in triad visa scam

Over 80 Immigration police, including three holding the rank of major general, will be summoned for questioning for allegedly helping a group of Chinese gray capitalists reside in Thailand.

Deputy National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, whose nickname is Big Joke, said a meeting will be held this week on this case with two of the three major generals being fellow officers of the Royal Police Cadet Academy, Class 47, the same class as a deputy commissioner of police.

Initially, they will be charged with violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code for allegedly demanding or agreeing to accept assets or other benefits for oneself or others and wrongfully acting or not acting in keeping with their position. Continued …

Why house lizards have adapted to your home

House lizards that once lived in forests but now occupy urban areas are very familiar to anyone who lives in Thailand. House lizards are common throughout the tropics, but what makes one species into a house lizard and another … dead?

The Puerto Rican crested anole, a brown lizard with a bright orange throat fan, unique to the island, has sprouted special scales like a gecko to help cling to smooth surfaces like walls and windows and its legs have grown longer, making it faster across open areas, and harder for a cat to catch.

Kristin Winchell, a biology professor at New YorkUniversity, said, “We are watching evolution as it’s unfolding.” Continued …

Thailand among 25 countries with least paid leave days

Thailand is among a list of countries offering the least amount of days of paid leave and paid public holidays in the world, according to a new study by Resume.io.

No East/Southeast Asian country whatsoever made it into the top 25 countries with the most amount of paid public holidays and paid annual leave days.

Resume.io‘s study found out how much annual leave and paid public holidays are available on average in every country in 197 countries around the world. Continued …

Video: School teacher taken down by female gold shop staff after failed heist

Dramatic CCTV from two angles show a primary school teacher in Roi-Et, northeastern Thailand, trying to rob a gold shop.

It happened at the Yaowarat gold shop at the Rajabhat Roi-Et University at 10.30 am yesterday, a day off for many teachers being Teachers’ Day in Thailand.

CCTV from inside the shop showed a woman in lots of clothing. She then runs off with an item before CCTV from outside the shop shows a woman staffer kick the would-be robber off her escape motorcycle. Continued …

Southern Thai man strikes gold with rare cobra encounter

A rare golden cobra slithered into a rubber plantation in Satun province in southern Thailand on Thursday.

Sitthinai Soisuwan was walking in the rubber plantation behind his house in Satun province when he spotted an unusual golden snake. Sitthinai said the snake flared its hood and threatened him.

Captivated by its beauty, Sitthinai didn’t think about the snake’s potentially deadly venom and wrangled the snake, put it in a sack, and carried it home. He said he planned on raising the golden snake as a pet. Continued … 

Tanker explodes, 8 dock workers missing

Eight workers were missing and houses damaged after an empty oil tanker caught fire and exploded at a dockyard on the Mae Klong river in Muang district on Tuesday morning.

The explosion aboard the tanker Smooth Sea 22 was reported to police about 9.17am.

The tanker, which has a capacity of 6,500 deadweight tons, was undergoing regular maintenance at Ruammitr Dockyard in tambon Laem Yai. Its tanks were empty. Continued …

Gold price to reach eight-month high

The price of gold is expected to reach an eight-month high of US$950 an ounce this week on looming fears of a global recession after the latest U.S. inflation rate fell to 6.5%, said SET-listed Hua Seng Heng Gold Futures.

Gold prices closed $23.50 higher on Friday, touching their highest level since April 2022 at $921.80, thanks to a weak dollar.

As U.S. inflation eased to 6.55% in December, from 7.1% previously, the market expects the Federal Reserve (Fed) to slow down interest rate hikes. Continued …

China market poised to surge in Q4

Luxury hotel operators are expecting the Chinese market to pick up stronger late this year, as there were no notable bookings from the mainland in the first quarter.

Ho Ren Yung, senior vice president of brand and commercial at Banyan Tree Group, said the company has seen an increase in bookings driven by Chinese tourists from February, particularly the high end and luxury segment, as well as business travelers.

However, Ho, the daughter of Banyan Tree’s founders, said the group still maintains a conservative forecast that the Chinese market will come back strongly in the fourth quarter. Continued …

This Is How Much Money You’ll Need Per Day In Thailand

Thailand is a travel destination that doesn’t disappoint. It’s a place where one can expect to experience a total cultural immersion through its sumptuous local dishes, majestic Buddhist monasteries, and pompous festivals like the Songkran.

There are also stunning white beaches, turquoise waters, and never-ending parties. Whether one is looking for luxurious or budget travel, Thailand has it all. Mostly, it’s a destination known to be popular among backpackers looking to explore the countries of Southeast Asia.

It is definitely a pocket-friendly country, where one can expect to find cheap or free activities. Also, the transportation system is pretty convenient, and there are always many options to look at when moving around. Continued …

Phuket’s new year tourist surge levels off

Figures from Phuket’s Immigration Office indicate that the huge surge of tourists into Phuket has leveled off after the Christmas/New Year holiday period.

From Dec. 25 to this week, the daily arrival numbers have hovered between 9,500 and 12,900 people. But the average has “flatlined” since Dec. 15 last year, although there is no clear sign of the daily arrivals dropping at this stage, although the graph at the bottom of the information suggests a mild softening in demand since New Year.

Again, the Russian arrivals are, by far, the most numbers of the nationalities flying into Phuket at this time, almost three times more numerous as the second highest population of arrivals from India. The figures, below, show arrival numbers from the start of November up to Jan. 14. Continued …

Dental tourism’s top destinations around the world

Due to the high cost of dental treatments in some countries, many people can’t have access to appropriate oral health and that reflects in the number of cases of tooth loss and other oral diseases. This is the main reason why people have decided to travel to another country to get the oral care they need but spend less money.

Of course, this has also been an opportunity for the countries that receive tourists that are seeking medical attention. Some countries are now well-known for the great service they offer and the prices of the different treatments, which are usually considerably less expensive than in the patient’s local dental clinic.

Thailand has always been an amazing destination to enjoy a good vacation on its beautiful beaches, but when tourists discovered the quality and great prices of its dental clinics, it became one of the most popular countries for dental tourism. Continued …

Thailand’s Dragon Temple Is Real, & Here’s How To Get There

Travelers have always enjoyed a love affair with Thailand — a country famed for its delicious cuisine, vibrant culture, breathtaking palm-lined white-sand beaches, and glistening turquoise waters.

Whether visiting the country’s famed southern islands of Koh Phi Phi to savor their paradisical experiences or adventuring in the Thai capital, Bangkok, “The Land of Smiles” ticks every tourist box, from relaxing island pastimes and immersive cultural activities to action-packed extreme sports.

There’s plenty to experience for travelers visiting Bangkok, from eating one’s way through the city and sampling the energetic nightlife to visiting the bustling local markets full of delicious delicacies, handicrafts, and apparel. However, out of the many things to do in Bangkok (especially if visitors only have a couple of days), touring the city’s numerous beautiful temples always comes top of the list. Continued … 

Carpet of lilies lures visitors to Nong Han lake in Udon Thani

Pink lilies that blanket Nong Han lake in Kumphawapi district of Udon Thani province are in full bloom to welcome visitors until March this year.

The lake has seen a surge in visitors after CNN included it on its list of the 15 strangest lakes of the world in 2014.

The lake covers more than 22,500 rai (3,600 hectares) and is the second-largest freshwater lake in the Northeast. The lake also is a nurturing habitat for a range of fish, birds and aquatic plants. Continued …

What Will You Learn At Thailand’s Sanctuary Of Truth?

There are many interesting tours to experience when visiting Thailand, like taking a tuk tuk in Bangkok to relish some mouth-watering Thai dishes or indulging in extreme sports such as skydiving, which is not necessarily the typical thing to do when visiting this popular destination.

But those who wish to learn more about the cultural side cannot skip visiting Thailand’s Sanctuary of Truth, since it’s a place where one can experience the aesthetic side of Thai architecture and history.

Nestled in the north of Pattaya, facing the Gulf of Thailand in Naklua, the magnificent Sanctuary of Truth is a wooden structure that comprises a temple, a museum, an art gallery, and a workshop. There are some intricate wooden designs of fine figures, and what makes it unique is that not even a metal nail was used in its construction. The highest point of the structure is 105 meters high and stands against the backdrop of the sea, making it a perfect place to visit and take wonderful pictures. Continued …

Thailand’s Covid-19 hospitalizations drop, but deaths rise in 2nd week of 2023

Though fewer people have been hospitalized for Covid-19 during the second week of this year, the number of deaths has risen, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on Monday.

According to DDC, 969 people were hospitalized for Covid between Jan. 8 and 14, averaging 138 patients per day. This was slightly lower than the 997 patients hospitalized in the week of Jan. 1-7, which averaged about 142 patients per day.

So far this year, 1,966 patients have been admitted to hospital for Covid-19 symptoms. Continued …

Video: Will the Lunar New Year worsen China’s COVID surge?

The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. But with droves of city dwellers finally heading back to their rural hometowns for the holiday after three years of lockdowns, there are fears that the COVID outbreak raging in that country will overwhelm those smaller communities. – Reuters

73% of CEOs around the world say global economic growth will decline this year

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of CEOs say global economic growth will decline over the next 12 months, according to PwC’s 26th annual Global CEO Survey, which polled 4,410 CEOs in 105 countries and territories in October and November 2022. Continued …

Italy arrests Sicilian Mafia boss after 30 years on the run

Italy’s No. 1 fugitive, convicted Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro, was arrested on Monday at a private clinic in Palermo, Sicily, after 30 years on the run, Italian paramilitary police said. Continued …

Russian Strike On Ukraine Apartment Building Kills At Least 40

The death toll from a weekend Russian missile strike on an apartment building in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro has risen to 40, authorities said Monday, as Western analysts pointed to indications the Kremlin was preparing for a drawn-out war in Ukraine after almost 11 months of fighting. Continued ,,,

China’s population shrinks for first time since 1960

China’s population shrank last year for the first time in more than six decades, official data showed Tuesday, as the world’s most populous nation faces a looming demographic crisis. Continued …

Runaway West Antarctic ice sheet collapse not ‘inevitable’

The runaway collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet — which would trigger catastrophic sea level rise – is not “inevitable”, scientists said Monday following research that tracked the region’s recent response to climate change. 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