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Today’s news: Temperatures set to soar in Hua Hin/Restaurant encroachment threatens Hua Hin beaches/10 million sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses/Swiss man’s visa revoked/10 most expensive wines/Economy: Buying property in Hua Hin/Reforming land and building tax/Thai economy to bounce back/Consumer confidence at high/Flat growth for SME, retail/Seven Phuket transport projects/Hospitality industry takes center stage/Tourism: Bangkok airports ranked among worst/Illegal migrant labor and sex work/87 Wild Animals Seized at Suvarnabhumi/Pattaya Tourism Flourishes/Medical Cannabis Festival/Jetstar Asia to Krabi/Illegal nursery on Koh Phangan/Phuket cracks down – Three Russians Arrested; Romanian Man Arrested; Russian Man Arrested/Environment: EGAT solar project activated/Thailand Experience: Salt, sea and spoonbills/International news/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Market Village bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Temperatures set to soar in Hua Hin this week and next

Temperatures in Hua Hin and across Thailand are set to soar over the next week. The Thai Meteorological Department’s seven-day forecast for Hua Hin says maximum temperatures will range from 36–38 °C, with average temperatures between March 6-12 reaching 35°C.

However, forecasters say the temperatures may actually feel much warmer. According to the heat index, average temperatures will feel like 42 °C. Continued …

Restaurant encroachment threatens Hua Hin’s sandy shores

Yamu Beach in Phuket may have just played second fiddle to an encroachment crisis engulfing the pristine sands of Hua Hin. Evidence surfaced recently showcasing a long line of eateries and guesthouses that have sunk their claws deep into Hua Hin’s main beach.

Witnesses describe a scene akin to invasion, with some structures extending a staggering 20 meters into the sea, leaving beach-goers with nowhere to tread but upon these encroachments. This situation dwarfs even the recent fiasco at Phuket’s Yamu Beach. Shockingly, local authorities in Hua Hin seem to be turning a blind eye to the brazen land grab, prompting a furious outcry from the public. Continued …

Thailand: 10 million sought treatment for pollution-related illnesses in 2023

More than 10 million Thais sought treatment for illnesses linked to air pollution in 2023, authorities said.

The data from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) come as Thailand’s air quality is worsening. Widespread farm burning and forest fires, notably in the country’s north, often create a noxious smog at the beginning of the year. The start of 2024 has already seen a jump in cases of pollution-related diseases compared to the previous year. Continued …

Swiss man’s visa revoked after physical assault on Thai doctor

The Immigration Bureau revoked the visa of the Swiss man involved in the physical assault on a female Thai doctor near Yamu Cape in Phuket last week.

The Thai doctor, 26-year-old Tarndao Chandam, filed a complaint against Urs Fehr after the Swiss man attacked her on Saturday, Feb. 24, when she and her friend sat on the steps outside his luxury villa near Yamu Cape in Phuket. Tarndao added that Fehr and his Thai wife had also insulted her and threatened to use their police connections to put her in jail, as well. Continued …

The 10 most expensive wines in Thailand

Following the adjustment of the wine tax structure on Feb. 23 to support tourism and consumption within the country, the Department of Excise has published a list of the 10 most expensive wines available in Thailand.

The priciest is an eye-watering 1.5 million baht a bottle while the lowest is 200,000 baht. The list gives the recommended retail prices the department uses as a reference for wine importers for tax purposes. Continued …

Can you profit from buying property in Hua Hin?

The question of whether one can profit from buying property in Hua Hin is a frequent topic of discussion among both buyers and sellers. First thing first, no one buys property in order to lose money. That’s true whether you buy in Hua Hin or anywhere else.

However, the growth rates of the property market in Hua Hin are a nuanced subject, particularly when factoring in the Thai baht’s volatility against other currencies. This fluctuation can significantly impact investment returns. Continued …

Government to undertake study on reforming land and building tax

The Finance Ministry is studying how to reform the land and building tax to lessen the financial burden on the people while the country’s economy has not yet recovered, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Paopoom Rojanasakul, secretary to the finance minister, unveiled the plan during his speech to kick off a seminar on the property market, titled “Property Market Key Index of 2024 Economy”. Paopoom said the reform was aimed at reducing the impact on people when the country’s economy was still in crisis. Continued …

Thai economy predicted to bounce back in Q2 despite sluggish start

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Bangkok (JSCCIB) has indicated that the Thai economy, which is set to experience sluggish growth this year, is expected to pick up in the second quarter. This projection is attributed to the anticipated state budget spending and a reduction in tension within the Red Sea region.

The National Economic and Social Development Council has forecast GDP growth of 2.7% for the year, as fuel consumption recorded a downturn in January. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Federation of Thai Industries chairman, predicts that the economy will see improvement in the second quarter as the trade tensions caused by Houthi rebel attacks should ease, positively impacting international commerce. Continued …

Consumer confidence at 48-month high

Thai consumer confidence rose in February, reaching the highest level in 48 months, bolstered by government support measures and tourism, a survey showed today.

The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) increased to 63.8 in February from 62.9 in January, the UTCC said. Continued …

SCB predicts flat growth for SME, retail segments

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), the banking business unit under SCB X Plc, expects no growth in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and retail loans this year, citing the fragile financial conditions of these two customer segments.

For overall loan expansion in 2024, SCB is targeting a flat to marginal growth rate of around 1%-2%. Continued …

Seven transport projects planned to turn Phuket into regional economic hub

The Transport Ministry on Wednesday announced seven projects to upgrade transport infrastructure in Phuket province, with a combined investment of over 1.48 billion baht.

Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said these projects will help maximize the southern province’s tourism and logistics capacities for land, sea, and air transport, supporting its target of becoming a regional economic hub and global tourism destination. Continued …

Hospitality industry takes center stage

The Commerce Ministry aims to position Thailand as the epicenter of the hotel, restaurant and catering (HoReCa) industry in Asia.

After presiding over the opening ceremony of THAIFEX-HOREC ASIA 2024, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the trade show should open new business avenues for entrepreneurs in the HoReCa sector. to elevate their business to the next level through intelligent technologies, innovations and local wisdom. Continued …

Bangkok airports hit turbulence: Ranked among world’s worst

Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok ranked among the worst air travel hubs in Asia, according to Business Financing’s recent report.

The financial information and research website from the UK, Business Financing, launched the Best & Worst Airports in the World, according to business travelers in February this year. This rank is based on the business travelers across the world on the online forum, Air Quality. Continued …

Illegal migrant labor and sex work challenge Thailand’s tourism

Migrant workers, who have illegally entered Thailand by taking advantage of visa-free privileges, continue to pose a challenge in the country’s tourism sector, particularly within the sex industry. This issue has led to calls from operators for the government to legalize sex work.

A recent confrontation between Filipino transgender women and their Thai counterparts in Soi Sukhumvit 11, Bangkok, has brought this issue to light, with accusations of the Filipino trans women offering sexual services. Continued …

87 Wild Animals Seized at Suvarnabhumi Airport: Six Indian Tourists Face Charges

On Tuesday, the Suvarnabhumi Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Customs Office, and relevant agencies received a report from airport security officers after detecting 87 wild animals stashed inside eight baggage items of six Indian tourists heading to Mumbai, India.

According to Suvarnabhumi security officers, more than 87 wild animals were seized after six Indian suspects went through security processing at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. The wild animals included cotton-top tamarins, reptiles, macaws, lizards, red pandas, and other protected wildlife. Continued …

Pattaya Tourism Flourishes with Free Thai-China Visa Policy

Pattaya’s tourism industry is experiencing a surge in the number of Chinese tourists following the implementation of the free Thai-China visa policy, according to Boonkerd Suksrikan, vice president of the Eastern Thai Hotels Assn.

Boonkerd revealed that there is a significant rise in hotel bookings by Chinese tourists, particularly for stays extending into April, the month of Thailand’s word-famous Songkran water festival. Continued …

Pattaya to Host Major Medical Cannabis Festival in April

The CISW MedCann Festival International (CMCF) will be held in Pattaya from April 25-28, focusing on medical cannabis, health tourism, and business opportunities.

This year’s CMCF will showcase interesting new products, special items, and activities related to the medical cannabis industry. The festival aims to serve as a platform for international connection, bringing together experts and investors in the cannabis, medical, and pharmaceutical fields from countries such as Colombia, the United States, Germany, and Israel. Continued …

Jetstar Asia soars to Krabi and Clark, Philippines

Jetstar Asia announced two direct routes to Krabi and Clark, Philippines.

Starting June 7, travelers can jet off to the shores of Krabi, with the low-cost carrier offering six weekly services to this south Thai area. From June 16, travelers can hop aboard for a journey to the heart of the Philippines’ vibrant culture with four weekly services to Clark, soon to ramp up to five by Oct. 18. Continued …

American woman caught running illegal nursery on Koh Phangan

Police have detained an American woman for allegedly running an illegal nursery on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani.

About 20 foreign children were found in the premises, according to police. Three foreign women working as babysitters and four Myanmar housekeepers were also arrested and charged with working illegally. Continued …

Phuket finally cracks down on working tourists

Three Russians Arrested in Phuket for Work Permit Related Offenses

Three Russians were arrested at a vehicle rental shop in Cherng Talay for work permit-related offenses. They were arrested at a company on Sri Soonthorn Road in Cherng Talay, which was being operated as a vehicles rental shop. Continued …

Romanian Man Arrested in Phuket for Operating Tour Services

A Romanian man was arrested in Patong after he was found allegedly selling tour packages. Tourists also allegedly were seen buying a tour package and paying the Romanian man. Continued …

Russian Man Arrested For Working at Money Exchange Booth in Phuket

On Monday, the Sakoo Police apprehended a suspect identified only as Mr. Andrei, a 37-year-old Russian national, at a money exchange booth in the Sakoo subdistrict. The arrest occurred after he was found working inside the booth. Continued …

Solar inclusive EGAT power project activated, now supplying electricity

Customers are now receiving energy generated by the floating solar cells at Ubonrat Dam in Khon Kaen province after its launch on Tuesday, Jiraporn Sirikham, acting governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), announced.

The key advantage of the 24 megawatt hydro-floating solar hybrid power plant at the Ubonrat Dam lies in its integration of three clean-energy sources: solar energy, hydropower, and an energy storage system using batteries. This setup allows for the generation of electricity from solar energy during daylight hours and hydropower from the existing dam at night. Continued …

Salt, sea and spoonbills

During a morning stroll through vast salt fields in the seaside town of Samut Sakhon, I couldn’t resist but take breathtaking photos of a large flock of birds. Close by, experienced birdwatcher Suchart Daengpayon (also known as Mr. Tee) led a small group of foreign tourists on a trip to see the food-seeking behaviors of the spoon-billed sandpiper, an endangered shorebird species.

Fortunately, Mr. Tee kindly allowed me to use his spotting scope and gave me a brief overview of bird conservation efforts in tambon Khok Kham. Over 30 years ago, he and his neighbors established the Khok Kham Natural Conservation Club after working with an international survey team that wanted to get insights on the biodiverse marine habitats in Thailand’s wetlands. That’s when he realized that the best spot to go bird watching was right there at home. Continued …

Myanmar conflict displaces 2.7M, with 18.6M needing assistance

More than 2.7 million people have been displaced due to conflict in Myanmar, and by the end of 2024, more than 18.6 million people will need humanitarian assistance, announced the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in the humanitarian bulletin released on March 3. Continued …