Today’s news: New Suvarnabhumi bus schedule/Red flags at beaches in Hua Hin/Bangkok to Hua Hin train journey/Goat carcasses spark concerns in Pranburi/Long boat racing returns to Kao Tao/Miss Universe Thailand’s costume/Meteor shower tonight/Gun carry permits suspended/Brakes on illegal exhaust pipes/A disaster for at-risk communities?/Rubber farmer switches to melons/Fortune teller reveals zodiac forecasts/Iguana imports suspended/Thai hostages to be freed during ceasefire/Economy: Loy Krathong spending/Delay may blunt effect of handout/A race to nowhere/Microsoft to help create digital-first Thailand/US$288 billion export revenue in 2024/True IDC’s Green Data Center/Credit card payments to be raised/Circular economy in Trang Province/Tourism: Nine must-do highlights of Hua Hin/Council to allocate visitor fees/Thailand Experience: Sukhothai lights fuse for Loy Krathong/Amazing Thailand: Fun facts and trivia/Thai Food Has Taken Over London/Links: Calendar of events/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
Red flags raised at beaches in Hua Hin
Red flags have been raised at several beaches in Hua Hin and the surrounding area.
The Tourism and Sports Department of Prachuap Khiri Khan has initiated the distribution of red flags across various beaches in the region in response to the increased dangers posed by recent strong winds and turbulent waves in the Gulf of Thailand. Continued …
Bangkok to Hua Hin train journey to be reduced to 3 hours
As the construction of the new dual track train line nears completion, the travel time between Hua Hin and Bangkok will soon be reduced to just 3 hours, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced.
Commencing Dec. 15, the new train schedule will see the Bangkok to Hua Hin train journey trimmed down to 3 hours, a notable reduction from the 4-hours (and often longer) it takes to complete the journey. Continued …
Goat carcasses spark disease outbreak concerns in Pranburi
Five goat carcasses were found discarded on the roadside in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, raising fears of a disease outbreak. Residents alerted the animal health officials to investigate the situation.
Yesterday, a resident, rummaging for old items, discovered several goat carcasses dumped in a roadside ditch along the Pranburi-Cha Am bypass at kilometer marker 43-600, northbound near a vehicle turnaround and rest area in Wang Phong, Pranburi District. Consequently, animal health officials were informed to inspect the site. Continued …
Long boat racing returns to Kao Tao this weekend
Khao Tao Reservoir will host the 16th edition of “Long Boat Racing for River Masters” today through Sunday. Participants from all over Thailand are expected to compete across four boat categories.
The event will feature traditional Lao vessels, ancient long boats, Naga head long boats from Nan province, and iron long boats from Buriram.
The schedule:
November 18: 8:30 am – Opening ceremony; 9 am – Commencement of the long boat races; 7:30 pm – Performance by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. 8 pm – Performance by artist Tom Dundee.
November 19: 9 am – Semifinals and finals for all boat categories. 3 pm – Presentation of the royal trophy and other awards to competition winners. 4 pm – Closing ceremony.
Earth deity inspires Miss Universe Thailand’s costume
Meteor shower to light up Thai skies tonight
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) said on Thursday that people should keep an eye out for the Leonid meteor shower that will light up the eastern skies from after midnight tolnight to early Saturday morning.
It is estimated that the Leonid shower will see as many as 15 meteors an hour fall to Earth from 1am onwards, said NARIT. Continued …
Issuing of gun carry permits suspended nationwide
The issuance of permits for individuals to carry firearms in public has been suspended nationwide to ensure people’s safety, as instructed by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Interior Permanent Secretary Suttipong Juljarern said on Thursday.
Suttipong said an order has been sent to the governors of all 76 provinces and he has coordinated with the national police chief (Gen. Torsak Sukvimol), who has the authority to issue gun-carrying permits in Bangkok, to suspend the issuance of permits until further notice. Continued …
Crackdown puts brakes on illegal exhaust pipes, curbs street racing
A nationwide crackdown on the production and sale of illegal exhaust pipes for motorcycles took place today.
The operation, led by the Royal Thai Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), targeted 21 locations across 11 provinces. The mission aimed to curb street racing activities, especially as winter season trips by groups of young people are on the rise. Continued …
Is Thailand’s climate strategy a disaster for at-risk communities?
Being the people who will suffer the worst impacts of climate change, women and youths from Thai communities on the front line of the crisis are demanding that the government pay greater attention to the environment.
On the eve of the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), residents of at-risk communities have exposed what they claim are serious gaps in Thailand’s climate policy. Continued …
Thai rubber farmer switches to melons in southern Thailand and reaps sweet success
A rubber plantation farmer transformed his life by rooting out rubber trees and converting his land into a greenhouse for melon farming in Khuan Kalong District, Satun Province. The venture proved to be more profitable than anticipated, turning him from a low-income farmer into an exemplar of agricultural success.
Previously a rubber plantation owner, Somsak Jantrakul decided to repurpose his land to cultivate vegetables. The switch yielded better-than-expected results, leading to a remarkable boost in his income. His success story has thus transformed him into a model for other farmers. Continued …
Famed Thai fortune teller reveals year-end zodiac forecasts
Famed fortune-teller Uy Chanitta has revealed her predictions for the zodiac signs as we approach the year’s end.
With some signs set to pay off debts and experience good fortune, while others should beware of significant financial loss, her forecast spans a range of outcomes for the zodiac signs. Continued …
Iguana imports suspended as population surges
Wildlife authorities plan to suspend the importation of iguanas in response to their surging population in the wild across various provinces.
The suspension was prompted by the increasing sightings of iguanas in both natural habitats and public areas, said Attapon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Continued …
Hamas tells negotiators Thai hostages will be freed during ceasefire
A team of Thai negotiators returned from Iran and said that Hamas negotiators would release Thai hostages once its call for a 72-hour ceasefire is accepted by Israel.
Muk Sulaiman, secretary to House speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, held a press conference with team members at Parliament to offer a briefing on the outcome of the talks. Continued …
Loy Krathong spending set to grow 5%
Spending during the Loy Krathong festival this year is expected to grow by 5% to 6.1 billion baht, as locals remain cautious about higher living costs, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The TAT expects 2.04 million domestic trips for the festival, up 10% from last year, as many local residents travel within their own areas. Continued …
Delay may blunt effect of digital wallet handout
The digital wallet handout, estimated to cost the government 500 billion baht, is two to three months behind schedule, which may result in diminishing economic stimulus effects, says Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.
Originally scheduled to launch in February, the plan to give 10,000 baht in digital money to some 50 million people is now expected to start in May. However, the government still requires parliamentary approval of a lending bill to borrow 500 billion baht to fund the scheme. Continued …
Thailand’s digital stimulus plan is a race to nowhere
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has promised 10,000 baht (US$275) to every Thai citizen over the age of 16, a form of stimulus designed to inject life into the economy after it was battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recipients can use the one-off digital cash handout at local businesses within a four kilometer radius of the recipient’s registered address. The Srettha government projects that the scheme will boost cash flow to the economy by over 2 trillion Thai baht — four times the cost of the policy. Continued …
Microsoft signs MoU to help create a digital-first, AI-powered Thailand
Microsoft has agreed to collaborate with the Thai government to drive the country’s national digital development, upgading the work force and sustainability efforts to pave the way for digital infrastructure investments centered on artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday in San Francisco with the Thai government to pursue the vision of a digital-first, AI-powered Thailand. Continued …
Commerce ministry targets US$288 billion export revenue in 2024
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand has established an export growth goal for next year, aiming for an increase of 1.99%, which equates to approximately US$288 billion or 10 trillion baht. This information was shared by Commerce Secretary Keerati Rushchano, following a meeting attended by Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, other ministry heads and representatives from the private sector.
The gathering was held to discuss strategies for speeding up export and border trade activities for the rest of this year and through next year. Continued …
True IDC Partners with Altervim to Power Green Data Center
True Internet Data Center Co., or True IDC, a leading provider of data center and cloud services in Thailand, announced its position as a front-runner in Thailand’s green data center transformation.
This involves the mixed use of traditional data center energy and clean energy, utilizing advanced technology to support the government’s energy policy, aiming to achieve over 30% domestic use of renewable energy by 2030. Continued …
Minimum monthly credit card payments to be raised to 8% from Jan 1
Credit card users will have to pay a higher minimum percentage of their bill from the beginning of next year. Commercial banks will start enforcing the central bank’s rule of monthly repayment at minimum 8% of total credit card spending by their customers.
Currently, credit card issuer banks allow customers to pay 5% of the accumulated spending amount on the monthly due date. Continued …
Enhancing circular economy model in Trang Province
Through the EU-GIZ and IUCN “Rethinking Plastic” partnership project, significant strides have been made in enhancing the circular economy model at the local level and improving municipal waste-management practices and policies.
The video above provides a summary of the efforts made by local people, the private sector, civil society, and local authorities in the Koh Libong subdistrict, Kantang District, Trang Province. It highlights the project’s achievements, lessons learned, and the areas impacted in the eight targeted island-based communities since the project’s inception in February 2021 through October 2022. Continued …
Nine must-do highlights of Hua Hin
In the beginning, according to legend, a royal prince who was out hunting tigers found instead a magnificent beach. The year was 1910 and soon after was born the country’s first beach resort.
Hua Hin (“Rock Heads”), 200 kilometers south of Bangkok on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand owes its name to the central cluster of granite from which the beach sweeps north and south. Its aristocratic provenance has ensured that Hua Hin’s sands remain mostly free of frenzied watercraft and hectares of deck chairs. At the far southern end is the even quieter Khao Takiab Beach. Continued …
Thailand tourism council to allocate visitor fees
The Tourism Council of Thailand plans to allocate a tourism fund, garnered from fees collected from foreign visitors, predominantly for the improvement of the tourism sector by state agencies. The fund, according to Surawat Akaraworamat, the vice president of the Tourism Council, is being prepared for implementation as soon as the government green lights the project.
Three subcommittees have been working to put the final touches to the project, which includes fee collection, fund management, and tourist insurance. Continued …
Sukhothai lights fuse for spectacular festival in home of Loy Krathong
Sukhothai’s UNESCO World Heritage Site is celebrating Loy Krathong in style from Saturday by inviting tourists to wear traditional costume and watch spectacular firework displays over Siam’s old capital.
Sukhothai Gov. Suchart Thikhasuk said staff adorned in period dress would welcome tourists at the Sukhothai Historical Park from Nov. 18 to 27. Continued …
Amazing Thailand: Fun facts and trivia every traveler should know
Thailand is unique, like that one tree in the forest that’s grown tall and strong without ever being chopped down. It’s a place proud of its cultural DNA, a vibrant patchwork of traditions that’s been kept safe from the outside forces that have reshaped so many other places.
In Thailand, smiles are the national currency. The people give them freely and often, and they come straight from the heart. This isn’t just about being polite; it’s about a warmth that will cosy up your spirit. It’s Thailand’s way of making you feel like you belong to their family, even if you’re miles from your own home. Continued …
Here’s Why Thai Food Has Taken Over London
There are more than 2,000 Thai restaurants around the United Kingdom; almost all are Thai-owned. But until recently, few offered much more than Chinese-style, deep-fried starters, a couple of soups, the ubiquitous pad Thai and “traffic light” curries colored green, red and yellow.
Spice levels were dumbed down, coconut came from a can and the décor invariably had more to do with the 1950s Broadway musical The King and I than any nonfictional representation of Thailand. Continued …
Cambodia launches new Chinese-funded airport in Siem Reap
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese officials on Thursday launched Cambodia’s new China-backed Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, slated to serve as the primary gateway to the country’s Angkor Wat temple complex. Continued …
Myanmar ruling junta facing existential crisis as it fails to deal with insurgency
Myanmar’s ruling military was facing an “existential crisis”, an analyst told Reuters Thursday as anti-junta insurgents mounted the biggest challenge to the army in years. A junta spokesperson on Thursday said the military was facing “heavy assaults from a significant number of armed rebel soldiers” in Shan State in the northeast, Kayah State in the east and Rakhine State in the west. Continued …
The Future of Distribution: Top 10 Trends and Predictions
The distribution industry connects producers and manufacturers with consumers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the distribution landscape is poised for significant transformation over the next decade. Continued …
Emergency hotline numbers:
- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
- State Railway – 1590