National Thai Elephant Day/Elephant attacks and damage/Sustainable Human-Elephant Coexistence/Mahout profession on brink of extinction/Imagining a world without the US/Makro PRO Top Grocery E-Commerce Platform/Summer drownings of children/Woman busted with e-cigarettes/Over 70,000 cattle smuggled/Foreigners behaving badly/ECONOMY: Thailand Chooses Casino Cities/Shadow over Thai property sector/Consumer confidence falls/McDonald’s to open 20 outlets/Minor plans US expansion/TOURISM: British Embassy Faces Rising Demands/Tourism’s lost opportunities/Koh Samui’s overtourism/European tourists searching elsewhere/36 tourists injured/Promote private air travel/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Bangkok No. 2 food city/CLIMATE THAILAND: Bt29 billion for renewables/Leading Asia’s green tech surge/Chinese battery maker in Chon Buri/Endangered Crocodile spotted/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
Thailand celebrates National Thai Elephant Day
Yesterday was National Thai Elephant Day, celebrated nationwide to honor Thailand’s elephants. At the Elephant Royal Kraal Village in Ayutthaya, activities included offering alms to Buddhist monks and a grand feast, where many jumbos enjoyed a spread of fruits and vegetables. The celebration highlights the deep cultural and historical bond between Thais and elephants. Video …
Bt749 million to address elephant attacks and damage
The Elephant Conservation and Management Committee has approved Bt749 million, to be secured from the Central Fund by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation, to address wild elephant attacks on people and the damage they cause to rural communities.
According to the department’s statistics, 18 people have been killed and 13 others injured since last October, compared to 39 fatalities and 18 injured in the previous fiscal year. Continued …
Early Warning System Achieves Sustainable Human-Elephant Coexistence
Elephants have long been intertwined with Thai history and way of life, symbolizing the king’s royal power, as they were trained for combat, and playing a crucial role in transportation and labor before the advent of machinery.
Currently, Thailand is home to over 4,000 wild elephants scattered across 91 protected areas. While the increasing elephant population is a positive sign for conservation, their natural habitat has been shrinking due to agricultural and community expansion, leading to overlapping living spaces between humans and elephants. Continued …
Mahout profession on brink of extinction before elephants, expert warns
Three government positions have been opened for the first time for mahouts in the National Parks and Wildlife Department, whose main task is to remove wild elephants from people’s areas.
Speaking on Thai Elephant Day yesterday, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the department’s director-general, said that, when people alert his department about wild elephants wandering into their living areas, he hires local mahouts to handle the situation, but the department believes it should have its own officials for the task. Continued …
Imagining a world without the US
Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has been the ultimate disruptor — surpassing any democratic leader or authoritarian ruler in modern history. He has upended global geopolitics, leaving allies uncertain and adversaries emboldened.
With each impulsive remark, executive order, and withdrawal from international commitments, Trump has shattered the traditional norms of U.S. foreign policy. The question now is: Has Trump isolated America from the world, or has the world turned its back on Trump? Continued …
Makro PRO Crowned Thailand’s Top Grocery E-Commerce Platform
A surge in online orders from small business operators has propelled Makro PRO to the forefront of Thailand’s grocery e-commerce market, securing its position as the country’s No.1 platform in the sector.
The accolade comes from Euromonitor International, a globally renowned market research firm, which highlighted Makro PRO’s dominance in the competitive digital grocery sector. According to the latest report, Makro PRO captured a dominant 39.5% share of total grocery e-commerce sales in 2024. Continued …
Keep an eye on your kids, urge officials, as summer drownings spike
Parents and guardians are urged to ensure the safety of their children during the summer holidays, as drowning remains a leading cause of death in Thailand for children under 15.
The highest number of young drowning cases occur during the school summer vacations from March to May. Statistics show that 173 children below the age of 15 drowned during the summer break last year, with the highest number of incidents occuring in March. Continued …
Woman busted with 10-million-baht worth of e-cigarettes
Officers of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) on Wednesday arrested a 29-year-old Thai woman at a condominium in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao area for allegedly possessing and selling e-cigarettes and e-liquid worth over 10 million baht.
Investigators launched a sting operation after learning that a Facebook page was selling e-cigarettes and supplies to online customers, CPPD chiefPattanasak Bupphasuwan said on Wednesday. Continued …
Over 70,000 cattle smuggled across Malaysia-Thailand border in 2024
Over 70,000 head of cattle were smuggled across the Malaysia-Thailand border states throughout the past year, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu.
He said the smuggling activities were detected in four states, namely Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis and Perak, which have hurt local farmers. The price of beef in the market has plummeted due to the influx of supply from these smuggling activities. Continued …
Another tourist brawl in Pattaya sparks local outrage
Another violent clash between foreign tourists erupted in Jomtien Wednesday, adding to growing concerns about unruly behavior tarnishing Pattaya’s reputation.
The brawl, which took place near Dong Tan Beach, saw two groups of foreigners engaging in a heated dispute before the situation turned violent. Continued …
- British TikTok Star Jailed in Thailand Over Visa and Benefit Fraud – Continued …
- Brits and Malaysian Nabbed in Cannabis Bust at Koh Samui Airport – Continued …
- Irish woman nabbed in Norway with £1 million worth of Thai cannabis – Continued …
- Crackdown on Foreign Nationals Storing Dangerous Chemicals in Residential Area – Continued …
- French National Arrested with Magic Mushrooms at Full Moon Party – Continued …
- Hungarian man running motorcycle rental business arrested on Koh Phangan – Continued …
Thailand Chooses Cities for Future Casino Complexes
The Thai government has announced plans to develop major entertainment complexes (casinos) in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. This announcement comes amid vocal public criticism, highlighting the country’s strategy to stimulate tourism and economic growth through these ventures.
The proposed complexes are expected to generate approximately 40,000 new jobs, positioning Thailand as a sought-after destination for global tourists and business investments alike, according to the government. Continued …
Global trade war turbulence casts shadow over Thai property sector
Thailand’s real estate sector is bracing for potential turbulence in 2025, as trade war anxieties intersect with a surge in foreign investment, according to analysts at a major industry seminar. Leading figures from the Thai Development Research Institute (TDRI) and Asia Plus Securities warned of economic headwinds, while highlighting emerging opportunities for developers.
Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr, TDRI’s Economic Intelligence Service Project director, identified U.S. trade policy in the second Trump presidency as the most significant risk to both the Thai and global economies. Continued …
Thai consumer confidence falls for first time in 5 months
Thailand’s consumer confidence fell for the first time in five months over uncertainty from U.S. trade policies, higher living costs and the slow recovery of the domestic economy, a survey showed yesterday.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce fell to 57.8 in February from 59.0 in January, the university said, having risen for four straight months. Continued …
McDonald’s to open 20 outlets in Thailand in 2025
McDonald’s plans to spend 700 million baht this year on adding new stores and renovating existing ones.
Kittiwan Anuwatesakul, chief executive of McThai Co., said the company aims to open 20 new stores this year, which will account for 70%-80% of the 700-million-baht budget. Moreover, the company plans to renovate 25 stores, she said. Continued …
Thai hotelier Minor plans US expansion to tap White Lotus craze
Minor International, whose hotels in Thailand feature in the hit TV series The White Lotus, plans to expand in the United States to cash in on newfound global fame that has sent its room bookings skyrocketing since the show began airing last month.
Already one of Asia’s largest hospitality groups, Minor will aim to open one Anantara hotel — its flagship luxury brand — in the U.S. by early next year, said Bill Heinecke, the company’s founder and chairman. Continued …
British Embassy Faces Rising Consular Case Demands in Thailand
With a surge in British travel \ers to Thailand post-Covid, there is an increasing demand for consular assistance from the British Embassy in Bangkok. In the past year, the embassy reported handling 2,007 assistance cases, encompassing various serious issues such as deaths, arrests, detentions, hospitalizations, and missing persons, illustrating the often-unforeseen challenges travelers may encounter abroad.
Deaths accounted for over a third of these cases, while more than 10% involved arrests, highlighting the need for urgent consular support in severe situations. Additionally, the team provided over two thousand notarial services and issued around six hundred emergency passports. Continued …
Tourism group laments lost opportunities
The era of more than 10 million Chinese visitors a year to Thailand has passed, given safety concerns in the segment and ineffective law enforcement, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA).
ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn said the Thai tourism industry has not developed as it should over the past four years when compared with other nations. The lack of new supply and poor management of existing supply has led to stagnant growth opportunities, he said. Continued …
Koh Samui Is Already 4x Denser with Tourists Than Paris
Koh Samui has nearly four times the tourist density per square foot of the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, one of the world’s most well-known overtourism hotspots.
In 2023, Koh Samui welcomed 3.54 million tourists, packing an island of just 88.3 square miles with an astonishing 40,111 visitors per square mile. This equates to almost 10,000 visitors per day. Continued …
Pattaya’s shift to Asian tourists leaves Europeans searching elsewhere
With Songkran approaching, the question arises whether the weakening baht will entice European tourists back to Pattaya or if the city has already become a hub primarily for Chinese, Indian, and Russian visitors. The Thai baht opened yesterday at 33.77 per U.S. dollar, strengthening slightly from the previous day’s close of 33.87.
However, despite these currency shifts, European tourist numbers in Pattaya may not see a significant boost. The city has increasingly catered to visitors from China, India, and Russia, with businesses and services aligning more with their preferences. Many European travelers, once a dominant presence in Pattaya, may now opt for quieter destinations in Thailand or other Southeast Asian countries where the atmosphere better suits their expectations. Continued …
36 tourists injured, three critically, as tour bus rams utility pole
Thirty-six tourists, both Thai and foreign, were injured when the driver of the tour bus in which they were traveling lost control and slammed into a utility pole in Phetchaburi province, breaking it in half. The accident was reported at around 4am this morning on Phetkasem Road (inbound) in Khao Yoi district of the southern province.
Three of the injured persons suffered critical injuries and were sent to Khao Yoi and Phra Chomklao hospitals, a rescue official said. Continued …
Promote private air travel to bring in high-value tourists: expert
Expanding business aviation could help Thailand achieve its goal of becoming an aviation and tourism hub, according to Experia Events Managing Director Leck Chet Lam, organizer of the Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo (BAFFEx) 2025. He said he was confident Thailand had the potential to drive a thriving business aviation market.
“Thailand is known the world over for luxury holiday resorts of the type favored by the rich and famous, who tend to want full control over how and when they travel. It therefore stands to reason that business aviation could enable Thailand to achieve its goal of becoming an aviation hub, thanks to the potential for flying anytime and anywhere.” Continued …
Bangkok ranked world’s No. 2 food city
Bangkok has once again proven itself as a global culinary powerhouse, securing second spot in Time Out’s ranking of the world’s best food cities in 2025 — just behind New Orleans. From sizzling street food to upscale dining, the Thai capital continues to captivate food lovers with its mix of affordability, flavor, and convenience.
The city’s world-famous street food culture played a massive role in securing its high ranking, with vendors serving up everything from aromatic bowls of noodles to fiery som tam (papaya salad) at all hours of the day. Continued …
WHAUP to sink Bt29 billion into development of renewables
WHA Utilities and Power (WHAUP), an arm of WHA Corp., one of Thailand’s biggest industrial land developers and operators, is allocating a large portion of its budget to develop its renewable energy business, hoping to earn long-term revenue by serving companies in the digital technology sector.
The development plans are being supported by a budget of 29 billion baht, set to be spent between 2025 and 2029. Almost 75% of the funding is to develop the company’s solar power business, including ground-mounted solar panels and rooftop solar panels, said Somkiat Masunthasuwun, chief executive of WHAUP. Continued …
Thai businesses said leading Asia’s green tech surge
A new report by Alibaba Cloud has revealed that Thai businesses are at the forefront of Asia’s drive toward sustainable technology, with a significant focus on energy-efficient data centers and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.
The “Technology-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024” surveyed senior executives across 13 markets in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It found that 76% of businesses recognize digital technology as a cornerstone of sustainable development. However, concerns remain, with 61% worried about the energy demands of these technologies. Continued …
Chinese battery maker allots Bt50 billion for Chon Buri plants
Chinese battery cell maker Sunwoda Automotive Energy Technology (Thailand) is building two new factories in Thailand, aiming to benefit from the growing electric vehicle (EV) industry here to use the country as its new export base, says the Board of Investment (BoI).
The company plans to spend 50 billion baht to develop two plants in Chon Buri, expecting to start operations later this year. “Sunwoda expects to hire more than 4,000 people, including 900 engineers and researchers,” said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the BoI. Continued …
Endangered Crocodile spooted in Phitsanulok national park
New bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok
The new first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin will offer two round trips daily. The fare would be 200 baht each way and would take three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure will be from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.
- The bus will leave Hua Hin at 7 am and 2 pm
- It will depart from Don Mueang at 7:30 am and 4 pm
- Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
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
Chamber projects 3% GDP growth next year
AOT confirms facial recognition for international flights
