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Today’s news: Feedback/Mid-sea airport for Hua Hin/Speed up work on Rama II/Bus and van station at Market Village/How to learn Thai/Cha Am Crab Tasting Festival/Hua Hin Heroes Golf Charity Cup/Checks ordered on foreigners in Phuket/Swiss man’s visa revocation requested/Keep beaches public/7-year-old twins wed/Economy: Thai economy set for revival/Headline CPI falls/Activists Urge Reject Land Bridge/Loan rejections soar/Phuket money laundering suspicions/Foreign currency deposits surge/Kia considers EV factory in Thailand/Tourism: Hua Hin’s last tricycle rider/BluPort event for Songkran/British Airways resumes flights to Bangkok/THAI to fly to Perth/Environment: Chiang Rai hits highest air pollution/’Saraburi Sandbox’/Waste-to-energy power plants/Thailand Experience: Charmed by a City/International news/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

Will Hua Hin become the ‘new Pattaya’?

“Even if you do manage to negotiate Rama II road: the beach is cluttered with food stalls, dirty in places and dangerous due to the horses, the sea unusable in places due to kiteboarders too near the shore, and jetskis; the proliferation of ‘entertainment’ areas such as ‘Walking Street’, Soi 94/’Wonderland’, Soi 80; wooden pier area a ‘ghost town’; overcrowded with visitors previously associated with Pattaya; clogged with traffic at all times.” – AB

Mid-sea airport for Hua Hin would cater to the rich

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has unveiled an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming Thailand into a global aviation hub. The plans involve a nationwide overhaul and expansion of Thailand’s airport infrastructure to support both domestic and international travel.

And while Hua Hin’s existing airport wasn’t mentioned in the plans specifically, another interesting development for the region was. Part of this vision is the development of a state-of-the-art mid-sea airport in Hua Hin, designed to cater exclusively to high-net-worth individuals traveling on private jets. Continued …

Contractors ordered to speed up work on Rama II

Contractors building the elevated motorway on Rama II Road, which has been the source of notorious bottlenecks, have been ordered to complete the job no later than mid-next year.

Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit summoned the contractors to a meeting on Monday to discuss the cause of their construction delays after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he wanted the contractors to clear the road before the Songkran holidays. Continued …

New bus and van station at Market Village

The new bus and van station at Market Village Hua Hin is now open. Operated by JKP Transports, it is located in the outside car park next to the shopping center.

The waiting area is spacious and open, capable of accommodating many passengers. It offers complete facilities, including restrooms, mobile charging stations, and soon will include a MaxMart by PT and a Thai coffee shop, along with a pet service store. Continued …

How to learn and master Thai language in 6 months

Mastering any foreign language, especially a tonal language like Thai, in six months may seem like an impossible goal. You have to learn a thousand new things, from the phonetics and grammar rules to phrases and idioms.

But with dedication, consistency, and the right approach, it’s entirely possible to achieve a high level of proficiency in Thai within this time frame. Here are tips and hacks to help you get better at learning and mastering Thai in six months or fewer. Continued …

Cha-Am Crab Tasting Festival to be held March 9-16

The 9th Cha-Am Crab Tasting Festival showcasing fresh, high-quality crabs directly from the sea in Cha Am is scheduled for March 9-16 at the Cha Am beach viewpoint.

The festival was formally announced during a press conference led by Nattachai Nampoolsuksan, the governor of Phetchaburi Province, at the Raya Resort Cha Am. Continued …

Hua Hin Heroes Golf Charity Cup raises Bt1.3 million for Thap Thai school

The inaugural Hua Hin Heroes Golf Charity Cup presented by Orchid Palm Homes has raised 1.3 million THB for the Ban Wang Khoi school in Thap Thai, Hua Hin.

The tournament, which was sponsored by Hua Hin Health Park and Misthos Group, saw over 150 players take part and was held at the Pineapple Valley Hua Hin Golf Club. Continued …

Checks ordered on foreigners in Phuket for possible links to organized crime

The Phuket provincial administration has instructed all district officers to check the backgrounds and conduct of foreigners living on the resort island, including the Swiss man who allegedly assaulted a female Thai doctor, to ascertain whether they are members of extortion gangs or involved in organized crime.

Phuket Deputy Gov. Adul Chuthong said that Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered an investigation of foreign criminal gangs in Phuket, following the incident last week when the Swiss man, identified only as David, allegedly assaulted a female Thai doctor for allegedly trespassing on his property on Yamu Beach, when she sat on the staircase of his rented seaside villa. Continued …

Swiss man’s visa revocation requested

The commander of Region 8 Police in Phuket, Lt. Gen. Surapong Thanomjit has announced that Phuket police have made an official request to the Immigration Police to revoke the visa of 45-year-old Urh ‘David’ Fehr – he’s the Swiss citizen who is alleged to have attacked a female Thai doctor at the beachfront step of his villa in Cape Yamu.

The commander deemed the Swiss man to be a threat to the safety and order of the people under Article 12 of the Immigration Act. Continued …

Keep beaches public

The public’s reaction to a foreigner accused of kicking a female doctor who sat stargazing in front of his swanky Phuket villa is a reflection of the deep frustration over the unchecked tourism and land development on the tourist island.
The situation regarding the use of land that helped lead to this incident is not uncommon. Beaches along Thailand’s coastal provinces – except areas situated in national parks – are public spaces accessible by any individuals, but it has become a near normal practice that hotels and some private residences try to restrict the public’s use of beaches. Continued …

7-year-old twins wed in Ayutthaya

A traditional Thai belief led to a unique wedding ceremony in Ayutthaya where seven-year-old twins were married in a ritual to ward off bad luck. The village of Kanon Luang in Bang Pa-In district became the scene of an elaborate wedding, uniting Achiraya Penguin Kongsakul and Asawin Plawan Kongsakul, both seven years old.

The twins’ parents adhered to ancient customs rooted in the belief that marrying off male-female twins when they turn six or seven years old ensures good health and happiness. Continued …

Thai economy set for revival amid global uncertainties

The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (FETCO) anticipates a revival of the Thai economy in the latter half of the year, supported by potential interest rate reductions. This optimistic outlook emerges amid global economic uncertainties, with possible recessions in the UK and Japan, and China grappling with a prolonged property crisis.

FETCO Chairman Kobsak Pootrakool says that the global economy could bounce back once central banks commence lowering their interest rates, which may occur in the coming months. Continued …

Headline CPI falls less than expected

Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) fell 0.77% in February from a year earlier, versus a 1.11% year-on-year drop the previous month, the Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday.

The figure compared with a forecast fall of 0.8% for February in a Reuters poll. The core CPI increased 0.43% year-on-year in February, versus a forecast rise of 0.5%. Continued …

Activists Urge UN, Embassies to Reject Thailand’s Land Bridge Project

A coalition of local activists has taken a bold step by petitioning the United Nations and several foreign embassies to reject Thailand’s ambitious land bridge megaproject, citing significant human rights and environmental concerns.

Members of the Patoh Conservation Network, Rak Ranong, and the Council of Southern People have come together to voice their apprehensions about the project. According to Somchok Jungjaturant, a representative from the Patoh Conservation Network, the project lacks transparency and poses a threat to the environment and the principles of human rights. Continued …

Loan rejections soar for Thai homes under 3 million baht

The Thai housing market is facing a significant challenge, as a growing number of loan applications for homes priced below 3 million baht are being rejected. According to the Housing Finance Assn., the rejection rate has spiked to 50%, highlighting the vulnerability of this segment despite its substantial market size.

The association’s secretary-general and chairman of the executive board, Alangkot Boonmasuk, pointed out that several factors contribute to this situation. The high household debt level, which stands above 90% of the country’s GDP, coupled with declining incomes and rising living costs, have all weakened the purchasing power for residential properties. Continued …

Phuket real estate boom sparks money laundering suspicions

Phuket’s property market is experiencing an unwarranted surge in prices, prompting the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to consider looking into the possibility of foreign mafia using real estate to launder money. Over the past couple of years, real estate prices in Phuket have risen by 15%-20%, coinciding with the growing trend of demand from foreign nationals.

Maetapong Upatising, president of Phuket’s Real Estate Assn., attributes this surge to several factors. For instance, he said, after the Russian-Ukraine war began, Phuket has seen an influx of affluent Russians opting to invest in villas and condominiums. Continued …

Foreign currency deposits surge in Thailand

The past year has seen a significant upturn in foreign currency deposits (FCDs), spurred by appealing interest rates due to global rate hikes.

According to data from the Deposit Protection Agency (DPA), member financial institutions observed a surge in FCDs to a total value of 812 billion baht (US$22 billion) by November 2023, up from an earlier figure of 640 billion baht (US$17.89 billion). Continued …

Kia considers setting up electric vehicle factory in Thailand

Korean car manufacturer Kia is exploring the possibility of setting up an electric vehicle (EV) factory in Thailand, as per an announcement made by Kia Sales (Thailand). The move comes in response to the rapidly expanding EV market in the country.

If approved by Kia Corp., the parent company that falls under the Hyundai Motor Group, Thailand would become the second Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member to host a Kia car plant, after Malaysia, said Jun Oh Lee, Kia sales (Thailand) president. Continued …

Meet Uncle Tee, 72, Hua Hin’s last tricycle rider

In Hua Hin, recognized by many for its historic charm and as Thailand’s oldest seaside resort, one man pedals against the tide of modernity.

At 72, Jaran Promhom, affectionately known as Uncle Tee, is the last remaining tricycle rider in this ever-growing city. His story is not just one of personal endurance but also a living testament to a fading profession that once thrived in the streets of Hua Hin. Continued …

BluPort Hua Hin plans major event for Songkran

BluPort Hua Hin has announced that it will host its “April Splash event for Songkran Festival 2024”.

This year, BluPort Hua Hin is aligning with the government’s policy by organizing activities that fuse ancient Thai culture with Hua Hin’s seaside atmosphere. The event will transform the area in front of BluPort Hua Hin into a hub for cultural creativity and traditional water splashing fun, designed to appeal to both Thai and international tourists. Continued …

British Airways resumes flights to Bangkok

Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are back on the British Airways map – but the link to the Thai capital is much diminished compared with the pre-Covid era.

Starting with the winter 2024-25 schedules in late October, BA Boeing 777s will depart three times a week from London Gatwick to Bangkok. Previously, the airline flew daily from Heathrow. First class has also been dropped, though it remains available on BA’s competitors from Heathrow to the Thai capital. Continued …

THAI to fly to Perth, Colombo and Kerala

Thai Airways International (THAI) will begin services to Perth in Western Australia and to Colombo in Sri Lanka on March 31, and to Cochin airport, which serves Kochi city in Kerala, southwestern India, on April 2.

Chief Commercial Officer Korakot Chatasingha said on Monday that the service from Bangkok to Perth would be daily. The airline already flies to Melbourne and Sydney in Australia. Continued …

Chiang Rai hits highest air pollution levels in Thailand

Air pollution has reached critical levels in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand, with 36 provinces reporting particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations exceeding the safe standard, according to a recent report from the Air Pollution Control Department (APCD) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The province of Chiang Rai recorded the highest levels in the country. Over the next seven days, from March 5 to March 11, an increase in PM2.5 levels is anticipated across the north. Continued …

‘Saraburi Sandbox’: Thailand’s pioneer Net Zero urban ecosystem

The governor of Saraburi Province has joined hands with the Thai Cement Manufacturers Assn. (TCMA), the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) to build on the progress of the “Saraburi Sandbox” connecting the industrial, agricultural and community sectors, paving the way for the net zero emission urban ecosystem with Saraburi as a model city for Thailand.

Bancha Chaowarin, governor of Saraburi Province, said that Saraburi Sandbox was a testament to the success of the public-private-people partnership (PPP) and has been seeing continuous progress since the declaration of the joint commitment in August last year. Continued …

Four waste-to-energy power plants in the offing

Thachang Green Energy (TGE), the SET-listed biomass power plant developer and operator, is preparing to build four waste-to-energy power plants this year to boost its revenue once public hearings on the projects are completed.

The power plants, which use community waste as fuel, can help local officials deal with garbage, but their construction is first required to pass public consultation. Continued …

Charmed by a City Off Thailand’s Beaten Path

Thailand is renowned among hard-charging tourists for nightlife in Bangkok, full moon parties on Koh Phangan island and hedonistic walking streets in Pattaya. It’s also a magnet for the bohemian and wellness crowds who flock to the mountain destinations of Chiang Mai and Pai.

But mostly ignored by foreign tourists is Lampang, in northern Thailand. This charming, riverside city of about 90,000 people has preserved the historic architecture and stately squares from its days as a major city in the ancient Lanna kingdom and a hub in the teak lumber trade. Continued …

Jupiter moon thought to be habitable may be oxygen starved

Under its bright, frosty shell, Jupiter’s moon Europa is thought to harbor a salty ocean, making it a world that might be one of the most habitable places in our solar system, but life as we know it needs oxygen and and it’s an open question whether Europa’s ocean has it. Continued …