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Today’s news: ‘I’m a pooyai!’/Melioidosis outbreak claims 10 lives/Thai village chief killed by wild elephant/Another Thai Dead In Israel-Hamas War/Thai therapists bolsters remittances/Thailand’s foreign policy needs to be reviewed/Details still hazy on digital handout/‘Green economy’ plans just greenwash?/Government to promote EVs/Thai stocks among worst-performing/Local TAT holds forum/Tourist figures soar/Most Favor Closing At 2am/Chiang Mai’s Tourism Hit by Slump/Thailand enters quality tourism agreement/Unforgettable Things To Do In Thailand/Heading to Chiang Mai?/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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‘I’m a pooyai!’ – The dilemma of ‘respect’ in Thai culture

Showing respect for adults and the elderly, collectively known in Thai as “pooyai” (ผู้ใหญ่), is a cultural norm in Thailand, which is widely perceived as a virtue.

While abuse of power is, however, becoming increasingly common, from boasting about their seniority and abusing youngsters to expecting special privileges, Thai people have found themselves rethinking how respect should really be perceived. Continued …

Melioidosis outbreak in Thailand claims 10 lives, farmers urged caution

An alarming outbreak of melioidosis, also known as Whitmore’s disease, has emerged in Thailand, claiming the lives of approximately 10 farmers in Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla.

Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) is warning farmers about the disease, triggered by the fungus Burkholderia pseudomallei, typically found in contaminated soil, water, rice paddies, and cropping farms. The spring outbreak has stirred anxiety among medical offices across the nation. Continued …

Thai village chief killed in wild elephant attack at Surat Thani plantation

A wild elephant, part of a herd that had wandered into an oil palm plantation, fatally attacked a village chief in Tha Chana district, Surat Thani province.

The village chief,, Samnao Kraiket, suffered severe injuries, including a crushed rib cage, broken hip, and head injuries during an attempt to drive the elephants back into the forest. Despite the efforts of fellow villagers, Samnao succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Continued …

Another Thai Dead In Israel-Hamas War, Two More Taken Hostage

One more Thai worker has died in the Israel-Hamas war, raising the death toll to 31, while two have been taken hostage, with there now being 19 Thais held captive by Hamas fighters.

Labor Ministry Permanent Secretary Pairoj Chotikasathien said the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv had mentioned that the number of injured remained unchanged at 16 but one of them was still unidentified. Continued …

Thai therapists popularity in the Middle East bolsters remittances amid conflict

Overseas Thai workers, particularly those in Israel, are in the limelight as the conflict escalates in the region. Over 7,000 Thai individuals are awaiting evacuation, with instances of Thais being kidnapped by militants.

Records from the Bank of Thailand reveal that the remittance from these overseas workers in the first three quarters of the current year was around 184 billion baht. Israel and Taiwan are the leading employers of Thai workers, with Israel in second place. These expats are projected to bring in 243 billion baht for Thailand by this year. Continued …

Experts say Thailand’s foreign policy needs to be reviewed

Thailand’s foreign policy over the past nine years, under former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration, dubbed “quiet diplomacy” by former foreign minister Don Pramudwinai, is irrelevant amid current geopolitical rivalries and complexities and needs to be reviewed, according to the opinions of experts in Thai foreign policy.

In a recent interview, former permanent secretary at the foreign ministry Sihasak Phuangketkeow said that Thailand has faded from the radar of international diplomacy over the past several years, because of a passive foreign policy that lacks direction, as manifested in its approach to the military junta in Myanmar, which came under heavy criticism from western governments and international human rights organizations. Continued …

Details still hazy on digital handout

Since the cabinet led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was sworn into office almost seven weeks ago, the administration has faced numerous incidents, testing the vows it made to the public on the campaign trail.

One urgent task is to bring home thousands of Thai nationals affected by the conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Continued …

Are Thailand’s ‘green economy’ plans just greenwash?

Thailand’s vision for a green economy fails to tackle the country’s environmental problems at their root, say many environmentalists, who accuse the government of prioritizing big business at the expense of our common habitat.

“I fear that the (sustainable economy) model adopted by the government will only benefit major industry operators, who are, in fact, the biggest polluters,” said Witoon Lianjamroon, director of sustainable food network Bio Thai. Continued …

Government to promote production and use of EVs in Thailand

The Thai government is determined to promote increased production and use of electric vehicles (EVs), in place of internal combustion engines, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2065, according to Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri, deputy government spokesperson.

She said that the government has assigned the Transport, Natural Resources and Environment, Energy, Commerce and Industry ministries, as well as other agencies, to study, set policies for and map out measures for the migration to electric vehicle use. Continued …

Thai stocks among world’s worst-performing, analyst says

The Thai Stock Exchange index (SET) has plummeted significantly, marking a 15% decline compared to global indices. In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei index has shown a robust performance, gaining 20%.

Global stock markets continue to face pressure due to a 10-year bond yield increase, coupled with expectations of another interest rate hike. The ongoing situation in the Middle East remains a concern, as worries increase about a potential escalation. Continued …

Local TAT holds forum on tourism plans

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Prachuap Khiri Khan office hosted a forum at the Hua Hin Municipality Office’s conference chamber last week.

The meeting, chaired by Polkrit Phuangvalaisin, Hua Hin district chief, Archawan Kongkanant, director of TAT Prachuap Khiri Khan office, and Busaba Choksuchat, Hua Hin City’s deputy mayor, sought to gather insights from industry stakeholders and tourism partners on amplifying tourism in the province. Continued …

Tourist figures soar over long weekend

A large number of visitors flocked to the island of Koh Chang over the three-day holiday this weekend. Similar reports were made from Trat, Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei, Tat and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Polwaree Buchakiat, chief of Mu Koh Chang National Park, said visitors had crowded the island for the holiday, connected with King Chulalongkorn Day today and the waning part of the school break. Continued …

Most People Favor Closing Night Venues At 2am

Most people are in favor of closing night venues at current 2 am rather than extending it to 4 am, as being moved by the Pheu Thai-led government, a new NIDA Poll shows.

The NIDA Poll, conducted during Oct. 17-19, with a total of 1,310 Thai nationals over 20 years of age and from all walks of life and in all regions of the country participating, also showed that an equal total of 27.7% either were certain extending the closing time of entertainment venues to 4 am would boost income or did not think it would help. Continued …

Chiang Mai’s Tourism Hit by Slump in Chinese Visitors Despite Visa Exemption

Chiang Mai local media sources have reported the unsatisfied aftermath of visa exemptions since late September for Chinese tourists, which was one of the Thai government’s policies to attract foreign tourists to visit Thailand.

Chiang Mai is one of the most popular Thailand destinations from around the world, however, statistical results showed otherwise. The number of incoming Chinese tourists to Chiang Mai was surprisingly low in the last one-month period. Continued …

Thailand enters quality tourism agreement with Chinese business partners

Thailand is keen in promoting high-quality tourism for incoming Chinese travelers with a new agreement with Chinese businesses.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presided over the signing ceremony of a letter of intent (LOI) between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and eight leading tourism players in China during his first official visit to China. Continued …

Unforgettable Things To Do In Thailand

Thailand, often referred to as the “Land of Smiles,” is a Southeast Asian gem that has captivated travelers for decades with its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and diverse range of experiences. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the tranquil beaches of the southern islands, Thailand offers a plethora of activities for every type of traveler.

Here are some of the best things to do in Thailand, ensuring that your visit to this enchanting country is an unforgettable one. Continued …

Heading to Chiang Mai? What to expect from northern Thailand’s distinct cuisine

Think Thai food, and most likely pad Thai, curry, and tom yum will come to mind. However, that’s not all the Southeast Asian gem gastronomically offers; Chiang Mai – the northern mountainous region of Thailand – brings to the dining table a distinct regional cuisine that tourists have been traveling to the cultural hotspot for.

Are you flying to Chiang Mai soon? Are you just curious to try out the traditional cuisine of northern hill tribes, and see how it differs from Thailand’s mainstream dishes? Continued …

ASEAN-GCC leaders call for lasting ceasefire, effective humanitarian aid to Gaza

ASEAN leaders and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) jointly called for a durable ceasefire and an effective delivery of humanitarian aid to people in Israel and Gaza. The statement was released after ASEAN-GCC leaders met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. Continued …

Wars reduce the global economy by 12%, but certain nations benefit economically

The order of magnitude of the economic burden of war is comparable to that of other “global public bads”, such as climate change, land degradation, alcohol consumption or malaria. In 2014, the world would have been 12% wealthier had violent conflict been absent since 1970. Continued …

The ideological evolution of Hamas

If and when Palestine achieves statehood, historians will be in a better position to judge Hamas’s contribution to the Palestinian freedom struggle. The Palestinian armed resistance group has been thrust into the international spotlight after the events of Oct. 7, when fighters associated with the outfit stormed Israel in unprecedented fashion, and Tel Aviv launched a brutal counter-offensive that continues. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. 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

November Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flights reduced to two per week

Thai Air Asia will reduce direct flights from four to twice weekly between Chiang Mai, the gateway city to north Thailand and the beach resort town of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand.

From Chiang Mai, the new schedule switches to two weekly flights (Friday and Sunday), starting Oct. 30. The one-way is around USD78.40 (THB2,846), including fees and tax. Continued …