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Saturday’s news-Nov 18

November 18, 2023 Hua Hin Expat News

Today’s news: Winds, waves disrupt Hua Hin/Tighter Tax Rules/Paracetamol not good for hangover/Seismic upheaval in Myanmar/Hospitals report quake damage/Economy: Baht set to rise/Land bridge on the agenda/Trillion Baht Budget For 2024/Urgent economic stimulus sought/Cannabis-Hemp Act draft finalized/Tourism: Higher Q3 airfares/4th most-searched tourist city/‘Best Affordable Long-haul Destination’/French tourist joins ‘Pattaya Flying Club’/Thailand Experience: The Absolute Best Thai Curry Paste/New rail route/Why You Should Visit Khao Yai/Phuket’s holiest – and goriest – festival/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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Strong winds and waves disrupt Hua Hin, Cha Am beachfront tourism

Powerful cold winds have been blowing across the east coast of Thailand and high waves are seen in the Gulf of Thailand, likely caused by the northeast monsoon, according to the Thailand Meteorological Department.

Along the coastline spanning over 200 kilometers from Hua Hin Beach to Bangsaphan Noi district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, waves 2-4 meters high have been observed. Continued …

Tighter Tax Rules Not Applicable If Double Taxation Agreement Signed

Amid concern among foreigners who have retired in Thailand about the impact of more stringent tax rules on remittance of overseas income as announced on Sept. 15, an expert pointed out this could be avoided if their country has signed a double taxation agreement with Thailand.

According to the Revenue Department directive issued on that day, Thai tax residents, that is anyone who has lived in the country for more than 180 days, have to report and pay income tax on funds transferred from abroad starting Jan. 1, 2024. Continued …

Using paracetamol to cure a morning hangover is a bad idea

A night out on the town can leave many seeking a quick remedy for that pounding, unrelenting hangover headache. You know, the kind that makes you want to shut the blinds and wear sunglasses indoors.

But paracetamol, as powerful as it is for reducing day-after headaches, is not a recommended remedy. Pharmacists warn that paracetamol is broken down in the liver by the same enzyme as alcohol. Continued …

Seismic upheaval in Myanmar prompts call for earthquake-resistant structures in Thailand

A seismic upheaval of 6.4 magnitude rattled Myanmar and was perceptible in various regions of Thailand yesterday, prompting engineers and academics to urge the implementation of stringent regulations to ensure the resilience of structures against future earthquakes.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.4, originated in Myanmar at 8.37am yesterday. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department reported the epicenter to be roughly 100 kilometers northwest of the Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai. Continued …

14 Thai hospitals report quake damage

Fourteen Thai hospitals — 13 in the north and one in the northeast — have been damaged by the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that occurred in neighboring Myanmar on Friday morning, with services at two hospitals partially suspended, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said.

According to reports sent to the ministry, affected were 11 hospitals in Chiang Rai and two in Chiang Mai in the north, and one hospital in Sakon Nakhon province in the northeast. Continued …

Baht set to rise next week

The baht is expected to rise to 35 to the U.S. dollar next week, as the greenback weakens after investors forecast an end to Federal Reserve rate hikes.

The baht opened at 35.23 to the dollar on Thursday, strengthening from Wednesday’s close of 35.47. Continued …

Land bridge on the agenda with a 2029 launch date

The government plan for a land bridge linking Chumphon and Ranong ports or the Andaman Sea and Indian Ocean has emerged this week as a key policy objective of the government of Srettha Thavisin.

Scorned by critics as a “pipe dream” but approved by the Cabinet in principle on Oct. 16, the TBT1 trillion scheme, if the government can find a suitable foreign partner to take it on as a commercial proposition, would help to boost the kingdom’s GDP both in the short and long term if it can be launched by 2029. Continued …

Trillion Baht Budget For 2024 Due For Cabinet Nod

A 3.48-trillion-baht budget for fiscal 2024 will be submitted for cabinet approval next week, a government official said.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to chair next Tuesday’s cabinet meeting to pass the 2024 budget bill prepared by the Budget Bureau and then forward it to parliament, according to the official attached to Government House. Continued …

Government seeks urgent economic stimulus amid rising household debt

The economy is in a dire state and in urgent need of a stimulus package to prevent further deterioration, according to the government.

This stance arises amid ongoing discussions about the true state of the economy, with some expressing doubts about the actual need for the government’s proposed US$313 million handout scheme, which would necessitate a loan of US$15.6 billion. Continued …

Public Health Ministry finalizes Cannabis-Hemp Act draft

The Cannabis-Hemp Act‘s first draft has been completed by the Public Health Ministry, and despite public speculation, cannabis will not be reclassified as a narcotic.

According to Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, the new legislation is a refined version of the initial draft, now streamlined from 94 to approximately 70 sections. The updated version addresses public concerns and closes loopholes that previously allowed recreational use of cannabis. Continued …

Travel demand drives higher Q3 airfares

Average airfares in the third quarter this year continued to surge even though it was the low season, with the increases driven by strong travel demand.

Thai AirAsia reported a 22% year-on-year increase in airfares in the third quarter, while Bangkok Airways recorded a 15% uptick. Continued …

Bangkok ranks 4th most-searched tourist city this year

Bangkok ranks as the 4th most searched tourist city in the world for 2023. This reflects Thailand’s popularity as a tourist destination and aims to further enhance its potential in tourism development.

The prime minister’s spokesperson, Chai Watcharong, revealed on Nov. 16 that, according to a survey and ranking of the top 10 most-searched tourist destinations worldwide for this year (Top 10 Most Searched Destinations Of 2023) conducted by eDreams Odigeo, a major travel company, Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, secured the 4th position after London, Paris, and New York. Continued …

Thailand named ‘Best Affordable Long-haul Destination’

Thailand was voted as the “Best Affordable Long-haul Destination” in the Travel Great RES Prize Destination 2024 awards organized by RES and Travel News, a Swedish leading travel industry magazine.

The Travel Great RES Prize Destination 2024 awards ceremony was held at the Travel News Market in Stockholm, Sweden. Continued …

French tourist becomes another statistic of the ‘Pattaya Flying Club’

A 43 year old French tourist became yet another statistic of the insensitively named “Pattaya Flying Club” when he jumped from a hotel building in Pattaya and died at the scene.

Police Lt. Anirut Jeroh, deputy inspector of investigation, Pattaya City Police Station, received a report at 4.20am this morning of a French tourist who fell to his death from the hotel balcony. The incident occurred at a hotel in Soi 7, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri Province. Continued …

How To Choose The Absolute Best Thai Curry Paste

Whether using a premade Thai curry paste or creating one from scratch, get ready for an earthy flavor explosion on your palette. Thai food is famous for its deeply rich and creamy taste and textures, but also for the wide range of possibilities based on one thing: the type of curry paste you choose.

The options come down to more than just personal preference, since each must be perfectly paired with the specific curry dish you’re making. Thai curry paste, known as prik gaeng in Thailand, is quite simply a blend of spices, chilis, herbs, and culinary aromatics such as garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and shallots, all pressed together with a mortar and pestle. Continued …

New rail route connects cultures of the Gulf and Andaman Sea

The Southern Railway Travel Route connecting the cultures of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman is an innovative initiative aimed at promoting creative tourism, creating economic value and developing cultural capital.

Organized by Songkhla Rajabhat University (SKRU) in collaboration with the State Railway of Thailand, the project is designed as a unique travel experience that intertwines the rich cultural heritage of the Andaman region with community attractions. Continued …

7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Khao Yai

Located less than a three-hour drive away from Thailand’s capital is Khao Yai — a stunning paradise for nature lovers, with waterfalls, wildlife, fields of flowers, breathtaking views, and lots of fun activities.

Home to Thailand’s third-largest national park, this hidden gem has become increasingly popular among travelers seeking a different, more serene side of the Land of Smiles. Continued …

Phuket’s holiest – and goriest – festival is back with a bang

I was startled every few minutes by the sight and sound of the plastic-coated gunpowder exploding with a flash, inches from my feet, smoke billowing in my eyes and blasts ringing in my ears.

Volleying a firecracker at the wooden god effigies paraded at Phuket’s deceptively named Vegetarian Festival – in fact, everyone goes vegan – is deemed good luck by the thousands that gather there. Continued …

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Friday’s News-March 31

March 31, 2023 Hua Hin Expat News

Thailand’s extreme air pollution: ‘I feel sorry for my daughter’/
Chiang Mai’s Air Ranks Worst Globally Several Days This Week/
Mountain blaze nears residential area, threatens Khao Yai/
ASEAN to tackle haze crisis/
Thai Spirits Businesses Set to Produce One Billion Baht Monthly/
From vision to reality: Making the Port Authority of Thailand world-class/
4,500 trips arranged from Bangkok to transport 60,000 people every day during Songkran/
World Bank maintains Thailand’s 2023 growth outlook at 3.6%/
Thai exports expected to recover in second half of year/
Food and beverage industries turning to recycled plastic for packaging/
Elderly British man overstays visa in Thailand by 11 years/
Thai cop gets 256 years+ for stealing and selling guns from police station/
Tourism: Elephant rides are cruel, advocates say. So why are people still doing them?/Tourists flee gang warfare on Chon Buri’s Bang Saen beach/Hong Kong Airlines to launch direct flights to Phuket/
International: Former US president Trump indicted/UK claims post-Brexit win with trans-Pacific trade pact membership/
Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Thailand’s extreme air pollution: ‘I feel sorry for my daughter’

For the past few weeks, Thommamoon Khowasat has painstakingly explained to his four-year-old daughter that the yellow cloud they see outside their window – which has tickled her imagination – is actually a danger to her health.

It’s a scare that has gripped northern Thailand, where millions of people are currently finding it harder to breathe. Continued …

Chiang Mai’s Air Ranks Worst Globally Several Days This Week

The levels of carcinogenic particulate matter 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) in Thailand’s Chiang Mai province has been deemed the worst in the world as of Wednesday morning.

The Command Center for preventing and resolving forest fire problems, smog and PM2.5 fine dust of Chiang Mai reported that 334 hot spots have been discovered in 25 districts across the province. The most effected areas are Chiang Dao district with 65 hot spots, Chai Prakan with 35, Mae Ai with 32, Samoeng with 30, and Fang with 27. Continued …

Mountain blaze nears residential area, threatens Khao Yai

A wildfire that was reportedly caused by a lightning strike on Khao Chaphlu in Nakhon Nayok’s Muang district on Tuesday evening was inching closer to residential areas yesterday after having burned 700 rai of forest across three mountains.

Authorities fear strong winds in the area may cause the fire to spread toward Khao Yai National Park, which is now just three kilometers away from the blaze, said an informed source. The park is a part of the 6,152-square-kilometers of reserved areas that form Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, which became UNESCO’s 184th Natural World Heritage site in 2005. Continued …

ASEAN to tackle haze crisis

The secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has pledged to support efforts to combat transboundary haze pollution in the region.

Kao Kim Hourn yesterday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House during an official visit to Thailand. Continued …

Thai Spirits Businesses Set to Produce One Billion Baht Monthly

The overall spirits business in Thailand has expanded by 20% since the start of 2023 and is set to pump in one billion baht into the economy every month in the second quarter, said Thanakorn Kuptachit, adviser to the Thai Alcohol Business Assn.

All types of alcoholic beverages have witnessed an uptick in sales volume, such as beer and spirits, which are driven by many factors, including the lifting of all COVID-related restrictions, the reopening of the country for travel and tourism, the upcoming Songkran Festival, or even the general elections. Continued …

From vision to reality: Making the Port Authority of Thailand world-class

Kriengkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, director general of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), explains how PAT and partnerships, “work like a charm” to drive PAT to the global stage.

Kriengkrai has completed his first year as the PAT director general. He says he strongly believes in his next step to transform the organization into a world-class port with excellent logistics services. Continued …

4,500 trips arranged from Bangkok to transport 60,000 people every day during Songkran

State-owned and private buses and vans have been arranged to make 4,500 trips every day to carry an estimated 60,000 people back home to the provinces from Bangkok for the long Songkran holidays, the Transport Company announced on Thursday.

Sanyalak Panwattanalikhit, managing director of the state-run Transport Company, said some 60,000 people would leave Bangkok by buses or vans each day from April 10-12. Continued …

World Bank maintains Thailand’s 2023 growth outlook at 3.6%

The Thai economy is expected to grow by 3.6% this year, up from 2.6% last year, supported by stronger private consumption, a recovery in the tourism sector and strong pent-up demand following China’s reopening, the World Bank said on Friday.

The 2023 outlook was unchanged from a forecast in December, and compared with 4.1% growth predicted in September. Continued …

Thai exports expected to recover in second half of year

The Commerce Ministry projects the country’s export sector to gradually recover in the latter part of the year, as inflationary pressures and global supply chain issues align with energy price trends.

The rebound of the service and tourism sectors should also boost demand from trading partners, the ministry said. Continued …

Food and beverage industries turning to recycled plastic for packaging

The world is becoming more aware of the importance of using recycled packaging to protect the environment, in line with the principles of a circular economy where post-consumer recycled PET (PCR PET) plastic resins are used in packaging in the food and beverage industry.

Today, PTT Global Chemical (GC) and ALPLA Group have joined hands with customers and partners to innovate better for consumers, and better for the world, by creating packaging for food and beverages using 100% post consumer recycled PET (PCR PET) plastic resins under the InnoEco brand, in Thailand. This initiative aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero, or “Net Zero”. Continued …

Elderly British man overstays visa in Thailand by 11 years

Immigration Police arrested a 76-year-old British man in Bangkok who overstayed his visa in Thailand by a total of 4,142 days (11.3 years).

Thailand’s immigration authorities are taking their latest crackdown on foreign overstayers in the kingdom seriously – catching a British national who managed to slip through their net for more than a decade. He might be the longest overstayer to hit the headlines yet. Continued …

Thai cop gets 256 years+ for stealing and selling guns from police station

The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct cases, Region 1, has sentenced a policeman from the Pak Kret, Nonthaburi police station northwest of the Thai capital Bangkok to more than 200 years for stealing and selling guns from the station’s armory.

The case came to light last October in a report featuring the arrest of Police Senior Sgt. Maj. Chaowalit Pumkajorn. He admitted to stealing a few at a time over five years. Continued …

Elephant rides are cruel, advocates say. So why are people still doing them?

Earlier this month, a photo of Pai Lin made the viral rounds. The image of the septuagenarian female illustrated the dark and painful underbelly of elephant tourism in Thailand. The Asian elephant’s back sloped down like a ramp, the weight of countless visitors crushing her spine.

Pai Lin spent a quarter of a century entertaining tourists. She is now retired, living her remaining years at the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand in Tha Mai Ruak, the sanctuary that released the photo. However, around the world, many elephants and beasts of burden are not so fortunate. New generations of animals have joined their elders in a trade that is still prevalent but has been gaining more vocal opponents over the years. Continued …

Tourists flee gang warfare on Chon Buri’s Bang Saen beach

Gangs of around 20 young motorcyclists fought pitched battles at Bang Saen beach in Saensuk subdistrict of Chonburi on Thailand’s eastern seaboard last night.

Tourists – and they would have been mostly Thai at the resort famous for local tourism – scattered, fearing they might get caught up in the violence. Continued …

Hong Kong Airlines to launch direct flights to Phuket

Low-cost carrier Hong Kong Airlines will launch a direct flight to Phuket in southern Thailand starting June 16.

An Airbus A320 will service the direct Hong Kong–Phuket route four times per week to meet rising demand as tourists return to Thailand in full force. Continued …

Former US president Trump indicted

Former U.S. president Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan (New York) grand jury Thursday for his role in a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 election. Continued …

UK claims post-Brexit win with trans-Pacific trade pact membership

The UK will join 11 other countries in a major Asia-Pacific trade partnership, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Friday, in the country’s biggest post-Brexit trade deal following nearly two years of talks. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location 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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. 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

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedules

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Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

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bangkok, cha am, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-Feb 3

February 3, 2023 Hua Hin Expat News

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day/
Thailand to reduce the 50-micron PM2.5 safety standard to 37.5 microns/
Bangkok disappearing under smog/
Exposure to PM2.5 affects heart and can be fatal, study shows/
Diesel price to drop for first time in 7 months/
Here are the rules about vaping in Thailand/
Railway on track for completion this year/
‘Mink’ becomes first Thai to reach world No 1 in women’s snooker/
Murderer transports woman’s corpse to landfill site via motorbike/
Tourism: Six Bangkok policemen charged with extorting Taiwanese actress’s group/
Thailand Experience: Khao Yai’s top five things to do and see/A firsthand look at traditional Chinese medicine in Thailand/
International: Belgian couple ditch baby at airport after refusing to buy extra ticket/Google, Apple disappoint as tech earnings hit by gloom/Poland expects 40 nations to oppose Russian athletes at Olympics/
Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19.

The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. 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.

Thailand to reduce the 50-micron PM2.5 safety standard to 37.5 microns

Thailand will adjust the country’s standard safety level of air pollution from an average of 50 microns to 37.5 microns from June 1, with the hope that this will help the Pollution Control Department manage air pollution with increased efficiency, according to PCD Director-General Pinsak Suraswadi.

For the time being, he said that the PCD has implemented its Level 3 Plan, which means that they are seeking cooperation from employers by allowing their staff to work from home, and from motorists, by reducing their use of private cars to reduce emissions.

Construction sites have been instructed to reduce activities that push dust into the atmosphere, and the burning of waste in the open is prohibited, he said. Continued …

Bangkok disappearing under smog

Bangkokians awoke to a shroud of fine dust this week, with over 70 areas reporting levels of PM2.5 had breached 90 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3).

Thailand’s safety limit is 50 μg/m3. High levels of PM2.5 pose health risks, especially for people with chronic lung disease.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts levels of PM2.5 – particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – will rise across much of Thailand through Friday as the fine-dust pollution accumulates in stagnant air. Continued …

Exposure to PM2.5 affects heart and can be fatal, study shows

PM2.5 dust could put people at risk of heart disease, the head of Chulalongkorn University’s Information Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases said on Thursday.

Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha said people could die due to acute myocardial infarction if they are exposed to PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter), PM10 and nitrogen dioxide, citing the Journal of American College of Cardiology published last year.

“Apart from lung, this study has proved that dust particles also affect the heart,” he said. Continued …

Diesel price to drop for first time in 7 months

The price of diesel will fall by 50 satang to 34.50 baht per liter from Feb. 15, Oil Fuel Fund Office Director Wisak Wattanasap said on Thursday.

Wisak said the price cut would be the first in seven months.

The price has been 35 baht per liter since June 14 last year. Continued …

Here are the rules about vaping in Thailand

The Thai government introduced a ban on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or ‘vaping’), shisha smoking, and electronic shishas in 2014, for “health reasons and to discourage young people from starting to smoke”.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is reminding visitors to the country about this ban, which is part of the Tobacco Control Law, and the law prohibiting smoking in public areas.

Travelers to Thailand are advised not to bring any electronic cigarettes, shishas or any items associated with e-cigarettes, such as the “juice” and scented oils used in these devices. Travel agents and tour operators should also inform their clients of the ban on these products. Continued …

Railway on track for completion this year

Construction of the 145-kilometer Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho double-track railway in Nakhon Sawan, which includes the country’s longest elevated stretch at 19km, will be completed on schedule by the end of this year, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) said on Thursday. The 19km elevated stretch and a 10km one at ground level are being built along Highway No.366. The construction is 81.72% finished. (Bangkok Post)

‘Mink’ becomes first Thai to reach world No 1 in women’s snooker

Nutcharut “Mink” Wongharuthai on Thursday became the first Thai to reach No. 1 in the women’s world snooker rankings after qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Asia-Pacific Women’s Championship 2023.

The 23-year-old made it to world No 1 after winning her first three matches to top Group A, highlighted by a break of 114 against Australia’s Linda Larrea.

The young Thai snooker ace ousted Reanne Evans of England at the top of the world rankings. Continued …

Murderer transports woman’s corpse to landfill site via motorbike

After a woman’s corpse wrapped in a yellow blanket was found dumped at a landfill site in Prachin Buri province in central Thailand yesterday, police uncovered important CCTV footage of the murderer transporting her body via motorbike.

Police believe the murder to be a result of a love triangle.

At 4.39am on Jan. 27, a man is pictured driving out of an apartment block on a Honda Icon motorbike transporting a slumped figure wrapped in a yellow blanket. Continued …

Six Bangkok policemen charged with extorting Taiwanese actress’s group

A police investigation panel on Thursday charged six Bangkok police officers – two captains and four sergeants – with bribe-taking over 27,000 baht allegedly extorted from a Taiwanese actress and her friends.

Maj-Gen. Thiradej Thammasuthee, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, said one of the seven initial suspects was cleared, as he was not present when the bribe was allegedly demanded from actress Charlene and her group at a checkpoint in the early hours of Jan. 5.

He was among seven Huay Kwang policemen transferred on Monday after being identified as the ones who manned a temporary checkpoint in front of the Chinese Embassy on Ratchadaphisek Road where An’s group was stopped. Continued …

Khao Yai’s top five things to do and see

Thailand is full of natural beauty, and Khao Yai may be one of the most picturesque regions in the country. Just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, this natural wonderland is teeming with amazing photo ops.

The location of Khao Yai is in Thailand’s eastern region and the province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Known as one of the big four cities of Isaan, the exotic cultural aspects will open your world to a whole new way of life.

Here, we have the five best things to do and see in Khao Yai. Continued …

A firsthand look at traditional Chinese medicine in Thailand

For anyone who’s ever had a sore throat, hot tea offers a welcome reprieve. But as Kevin Huang learned recently on a Penn Global seminar trip to Thailand, not all teas are created equally.

“Teas have different herbal properties, so they can be hot or cold, and they have different flavor profiles, like pungent, sour, sweet, salty, bitter,” explains Huang, a cell and molecular biology major from Bellmawr, New Jersey. “Each affects your body differently. Some can relieve cough; some are meant to help lower cholesterol. There are teas that address fatigue or insomnia and some for relieving stress.”

At this particular tea therapy workshop, Huang tried a varietal meant to boost energy. Fourth year School of Nursing student Linda Jiang tasted one that reduces stress and anxiety, surrounded by 18 other Penn students, who created and sipped herbal elixirs of their own. Continued …

Belgian couple ditch baby at airport after refusing to buy extra ticket

A Belgian couple at Israel’s Tel Aviv airport abandoned their baby after realizing they needed to buy a ticket for the child. The couple was late for a flight to Belgium and decided their child wasn’t worth the extra cost. They left their child at the check-in counter’s baggage conveyor belt and hurried to clear security to board their Ryanair flight to Brussels. Continued …

Google, Apple disappoint as tech earnings hit by gloom

Google and Apple on Thursday reported downbeat results for the last quarter of 2022 as Amazon beat expectations, but warned that the coming months would be uncertain in a difficult moment for Big Tech. Continued …

Poland expects 40 nations to oppose Russian athletes at Olympics

Polish Sports Minister Kamil Bortniczuk on Thursday said he expected several dozen nations to come out against the inclusion of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Continued …

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Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location 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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. 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.

90-day online reporting