Today’s news: Thailand’s next capital?/Thailand’s healthcare system/Chiva-som wins award/Miss Universe Thailand PKK/French Expat Rescues Two/Major Global Cyber Crime Syndicate/Further than legalizing same-sex marriage/Economy: Restructuring the economy/Economy improved in April/Thailand’s aging population/Significant drop in vehicle sales/Jurassic World 4 in Thailand/Police Detain 34 Illegal Foreign Workers/Tourism: Coral bleaching forces closures/Phuket Airport Plans New International Terminal/Parasailing accidents in Pattaya/Songkhla pushes for cruise terminal/Indians’ Airbnb bookings/Thai Airways resumes Brussels-Bangkok route/Thailand Experience: Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park/Best time to visit Thailand/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
Could Phuket be Thailand’s next capital?
The news last month that Thailand’s government is seriously considering relocating the capital city due to rising sea levels has sent shock waves through the nation.
The catalyst for this dramatic proposition? Bangkok, the current capital and Thailand’s beating heart, is sinking. Continued …
How Thailand’s healthcare system serves the international market
The extensive network of private hospitals in Thailand is sophisticated in terms of the quality of care it offers for overseas patients and its marketing strategy. Many of the brands have become recognized globally for medical excellence. The growth has been astonishing.
Bangkok Hospital, which opened in 1972 with just four departments, is now under the umbrella of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), a group with 59 hospitals across six major brands, including Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej, BNH, Phyathai, and Paolo. Continued …
Hua Hin’s Chiva-Som wins Mahidol University ‘influencer’ award
Krod Rojanastien, consultant to CEO and chairman of Chiva-Som International Health Resorts, recently accepted the Mahidol Public Health Influencer Award for Organisation 2024 from the Mahidol University Faculty of Public Health, recognizing the resort’s excellence in health promotion.
The award celebrats the best of the best in public health promotion and sustainability across Thailand, honoring trailblazers who have set high benchmarks in health and wellness through meaningful initiatives and programs that have made a substantial impact on the community. Continued …
Miss Universe Thailand PKK introduced
French Expat Rescues Two Men from Drowning in Lopburi
On Sat urday, Khok Tum police received an emergency call about three individuals drowning at the Bott Camping Ground in Mueang Lopburi. Although two men were rescued, one individual remains missing.
Upon receiving the report, Khok Tum police, rescue divers, and other agencies rushed to the scene. Two of the men were pulled from a pond by the brave bystander, and transported to a local hospital. Both men were exhausted and had ingested water. Continued …
Thai Police and FBI Dismantle Major Global Cyber Crime Syndicate
In a significant victory against cybercrime, Thai police, in collaboration with the FBI, have dismantled an international cybercrime syndicate, culminating in the arrest of the group’s mastermind in Singapore and the seizure of over a billion baht’s worth of assets in Thailand.
The operation, spearheaded by Central Investigation Bureau chief Police Lt. Gen. Jirabap Bhuridej following a request from FBI attaché Mike Chai, targeted Wang Yunhe, a Chinese national identified as the ringleader. Continued …
PM says Thailand will go further than legalizing same-sex marriage
In its effort to promote gender diversity, Thailand will not stop at legalizing same-sex marriage, which will later become effective this year, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today.
“Thailand will continue to support gender diversity after successfully passing the marriage equality bill. We are looking forward to pushing for gender recognition and sex worker laws,” he said. Continued …
Restructuring the economy the only way forward, experts say
Compared to its neighbors, the Thai economy has grown at a slower pace in recent times, well below its potential, analysts say. In the first quarter of 2024, it grew by 1.5% year-on-year, while in 2023, it expanded by just 1.9%.
This is not only a result of the global economic conditions but also due to the country’s production structure, which has led to a decline in the competitiveness of Thai-produced goods on the global market, causing decreased exports and impacting overall GDP growth. Continued …
Thai economy improved in April, with growth driven by tourist arrivals
In April, the Thai economy saw improvement, bolstered by growth in the service sector due to an increase in tourist arrivals.
There was a rise in domestic demand, marked by an upswing in private consumption and investment. Additionally, exports, inflation, and the labor market exhibited encouraging indicators. Continued …
Thailand’s aging population hits consumption and economic growth
The demographic changes in Thailand, including an aging population and declining birth rate, are significantly impacting the country’s domestic consumption, which has been a major driver of economic growth.
A study by the Kasikorn Research Center highlights that compared to other countries in the region, Thailand has a higher reliance on domestic consumption for economic growth. Continued …
Significant drop in vehicle sales recorded from Jan-April
The overall performance of Thailand’s automotive industry in the first four months of 2024 has continued to slow, with 210,494 new vehicles sold in this period, representing a decline of 23.9%.
Breaking down the sales by segment reveals that 82,903 passenger cars were sold, a decrease of 15.2%. In the commercial vehicle market, 127,591 units were sold, marking a significant drop of 28.7%. Continued …
Jurassic World 4 Set to Film Across Thailand
Thailand is set to host the filming for “Jurassic World 4,” the latest installment in the iconic Jurassic Park franchise. The filming, directed by Colin Trevorrow, will take place from June 13 to July 16 in several picturesque locations, including Bangkok, Krabi, Trang, Phang Nga, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
The decision to film in Thailand came as a boon to the national economy, with expectations to inject around 650 million baht through a variety of local services. Continued …
Immigration Police Detain 34 Illegal Foreign Workers in Chonburi Raid
Chonburi immigration authorities raided a plastic factory yesterday and arrested 34 illegal foreign workers. The superintendent of the Chonburi Immigration Police, Naphatphong Kositsuriyamanee, led the operation, joined by officials from the Department of Employment and the Chonburi Provincial Labor Office.
(Editor: Normally, we might not post this story but, when reading, we wondered why the owner of the business was not arrested. The company is known for using illegal workers, who, in all fairness, are just looking for a way to survive.)
The raid took place in the Wat Suwan subdistrict, Bo Thong district, where a labor camp was discovered within the boundaries of a plastic factory. A substantial number of foreign workers were found busy sorting plastic parts in the camp. Continued …
Coral bleaching forces closures of PKK’s best snorkeling locations
Officials have announced the closure of snorkeling activities around Ko Chan and Ko Thai See due to coral bleaching, effective June 11.
The head of Hat Wanakorn National Park, Suporn Phonpan, stated that recent monitoring efforts have revealed significant coral bleaching in the shallow reefs surrounding these islands. The phenomenon, exacerbated by June’s low sea levels, poses a threat to the marine ecosystem and presents safety risks for tourists. Continued …
Phuket Airport Plans to Invest 6 Billion Baht in New International Terminal
Phuket Airport is set to undergo a major expansion, investing 6 billion baht to construct a new terminal dedicated to international flights. This development aims to increase the airport’s capacity from handling 12.5 million passengers annually to 18 million.
The airport’s director, Monchai Tanod, highlighted the urgent need for this expansion. Recent data shows that last month Phuket Airport saw an influx of approximately 16,000 domestic passengers daily, reaching 90% of its pre-Covid-19 traffic levels. International flights were even busier, averaging 22,000 daily arrivals and departures, which is 7% higher than the number recorded in 2019 before the pandemic. Continued …
Parasailing accidents spark action in Pattaya
Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet has declared immediate measures following an alarming rise in parasailing accidents in the popular tourist destination. At a meeting held on Friday, Ngampichet convened with city officials and tourist police to discuss stricter regulations for parasailing operators in Pattaya.
With activities ranging from jet skiing and sunset photography to banana boat rides, water sports are a significant draw for tourists visiting Pattaya Beach. Yet, the increasing number of parasailing mishaps has raised significant safety concerns. Continued …
Songkhla pushes for cruise terminal to boost tourism
The Songkhla Tourism Assn. is calling for government intervention to boost tourism by constructing a cruise ship terminal and introducing direct flights from Chinese cities to Hat Yai.
President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Assn. Songchai Mungprasithichai announced plans to seek government support for direct flights to Hat Yai, proposing routes such as Kunming-Hat Yai to attract more Chinese tourists to the province. Continued …
Indians’ Airbnb bookings in Thailand soar
More Indian tourists, especially those of Gen Y and Gen Z, are visiting Thailand. They like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket and Koh Samui, but have started to look at less-known destinations, according to a government spokesman.
Chai Wacharonke quoted the homestay platform Airbnb as reporting that the number of Indian travelers reserving accommodations in Thailand through Airbnb rose by about 60% during 2022 and 2023. Continued …
Thai Airways resumes daily Brussels-Bangkok route Dec 1
Starting Dec. 1, Thai Airways (THAI) will resume its daily direct passenger flights between Brussels Airport and Bangkok.
This route was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, and significantly enhances Brussels Airport’s intercontinental offerings. Continued …
Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park: a hidden gem in Cha Am
Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park, located just a short trip from Hua Hin, offers an adventurous, yet accessible, hiking experience that shouldn’t be missed. The park, known for its scenic limestone mountain range visible from the main road, features several hiking routes that are both short and rewarding.
One standout trail is the “Bathing Pond of Phra Sang,” a 2.5-kilometer nature trail that brings the classic Thai literature “Sang Thong” to life through four landmark points. Continued …
The best time to visit Thailand, based on the weather
While the Land of Smiles is recognized and revered for its balmy beaches, idyllic islands, ravishing resorts, stunning scenery, and crave-worthy cuisine, it isn’t known for having four distinct seasons.
Technically, Thailand’s weather encompasses three seasons: summer, monsoon, and the cool season. In actuality, the country experiences three main conditions: hot, hot and wet, and very hot. Continued …
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Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31
FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35
FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15
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
More people will travel upcountry if roads improved, EV garages made available
