Expats warned of scams/Unsafe air in 58 provinces/Air pollution soars in Bangkok/Upper Thailand to get colder/Medical facilities receive accreditation/17 indicted in iCon fraud/Monkey invasion in Krabi/ECONOMY: 2.4%–2.9% GDP growth predicted/Household debt climbs/Foreign investors into Thai condominiums/Thai residential index/Amazon Web opens/TOURISM: Tourism faces formidable challenges/Chinese New Year Tourist Drop Feared/Big boost in air travel/Sustainable travel trend/Mahout charged for elephant goring/British Tourist Found Dead/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Should you participate in elephant tourism?/CLIMATE THAILAND: Ban on Plastic Imports/Champion of Green Cuisine/INTERNATIONAL/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
Expats in Thailand warned of scams targeting bank accounts
A chief of police issued a warning to retirees in Thailand after two British expats in Pattaya were targetted by scammers attempting to drain their bank accounts. Police Lt. Col. Saksit Choobunrueang yesterday, announced that the elderly are being targetted by scam gangs because of their limited knowledge of technology.
The retirees, both residents of Thailand, received separate phone calls from the fraudsters claiming they might not need to register for a TIN (tax identification number), provided some routine checks confirmed their exemption. Continued …
Unsafe air in 58 Thai provinces
Air pollution hazardous or moderately dangerous to health was detected in 58 out of 77 provinces across Thailand this morning.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported on its website at 9am that ultrafine dust reached red (hazardous) levels in 20 provinces and orange (starting to affect health) levels in 38 provinces. Continued …
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Air pollution soars in Thai capital again, surpassing safety standards
Bangkok was ranked ninth among countries with the poorest air quality worldwide today. The capital’s air quality index surged to 163 as of 9am, higher than the safe standard of 0-50, according to the IQAir website.
Meanwhile, air quality in 64 areas of Bangkok was again below the safety standard this morning, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Air Quality Information Center said. Continued …
Upper Thailand to get colder, heavy rain forecast for south
Another strong high-pressure system from China will extend to Thailand and the South China Sea from Friday to Monday, causing a decrease in temperature and strong winds in the area, the Thai Meteorological Department said in a weather warning today.
A decrease of 5-7 °C is likely in the north and the northeast regions, and temperatures will drop by 3-5 °C in the central region, including Bangkok metropolitan area, the east and the upper south during the same period, the department said. Continued …
Two Bangkok medical facilities receive international JCI accreditation
Vichaiyut Hospital and Vichaiyut Medical Center have received certification from the Joint Commission International (JCI) from the United States, which is awarded to healthcare facilities that meet international standards in patient safety and comprehensive care. This certification reaffirms the hospital’s commitment to medical service quality, establishing it as a trusted private hospital with over 55 years of service.
The Joint Commission International (JCI) is a non-profit, independent organization from the United States that has been certifying the quality and safety of healthcare facilities worldwide for over 27 years. The accreditation process involves thorough evaluations to ensure that healthcare institutions meet JCI’s stringent requirements, with a focus on providing high-quality, safe medical care equivalent to international standards. – NNT
Prosecutors indict 17 in iCon fraud case
Prosecutors have indicted 17 suspects in The iCon Group fraud case, including CEO and founder Waranthaphon “Boss Paul” Wratyaworrakul, and dropped charges against actor Yuranunt Pamornmontri and actress Pechaya Wattanamontree.
The 17 defendants face charges of public fraud, fraudulent borrowing and illegally running a direct sales business, and other related offenses. Continued …
Monkeys invading communities in Krabi
Villagers living in Nua Khlong district of Krabi province have called on officials to deal with long-tailed macaques, which have left their habitat in the mangrove forest to forage for food in their communities and along the beaches.
They complain that the monkeys are causing a nuisance by ransacking garbage bins looking for food, destroying vegetable patches, invading food shops and breaking roof tiles. Continued …
Private sector panel expects 2.4%–2.9% GDP growth this year
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) yesterday forecast that Thailand’s economic growth for this year would be between 2.4% and 2.9%, with export growth projected at 1.5% to 2.5%.
The committee, comprising representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), and the Thai Bankers’ Assn. (TBA), held a press conference to announce its projections for key economic indicators. Continued …
Thai household debt climbs to 104% of GDP
Thailand’s household debt, including informal loans, has reached 104% of gross domestic product (GDP), which is expected to pressure economic growth, according to a report released by a private sector panel.
The study carried out by Chulalongkorn University, commissioned by the Joint Standing Committee for Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), indicates the household debt-to-GDP ratio reached 104% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Continued …
Foreign investors continue to pour money into Thai condominiums
Thailand’s real estate market continues to attract foreign investors, with a notable increase in condominium unit transfers during the third quarter of 2024, according to a report released by the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) yesterday.
The report revealed a 11.6% year-on-year (YoY) surge in the number of condominium units transferred to foreigners, reaching 3,756 units. The total value of these transactions also climbed by 8.9% YoY to 18.571 billion baht. Continued …
Thai residential index the lowest in 12 quarters
The overall residential market index in Thailand in the third quarter of 2024 dropped to its lowest level in 12 quarters, dating back to the third quarter of 2021, driven by declining housing transfers and a slowdown in supply.
The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) reported the index was 76.8 for the third quarter, down from 84.8 in the second quarter of 2024 and 79.3 in the third quarter of 2023, as market activity decreased. Continued …
Amazon Web opens its new cloud infrastructure region in Thailand
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has officially launched its Asia Pacific (Thailand) Region yesterday marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion across Southeast Asia, the company said at a press conference on Tuesday.
The new infrastructure aims to drive Thailand’s digital economy and support local businesses in adopting innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). The scale of AWS’s commitment to Thailand is substantial, with plans to invest more than US$5 billion over the next 15 years. Continued …
Thailand’s tourism faces formidable challenges
In a recent report by the Deloitte Thailand team, Thailand is set to shine in 2025, as its tourism industry prepares to play a pivotal role in the nation’s economy. Tourism, a key pillar of Thailand’s GDP, is estimated to generate $67 billion in 2025, with 36 to 39 million visitors expected for the year, up from around 35 million in 2024.
However, the industry faces pressing issues, such as climate change. Rising temperatures threaten popular outdoor attractions. Creative solutions, such as shaded outdoor spaces, innovative indoor cultural hubs, and climate-resilient infrastructure have been recommended to ensure Thailand remains a top destination. Continued …
Chinese New Year Tourist Drop Feared Amid Human Trafficking Alarm
Concerns are mounting over a potential slump in Chinese tourist numbers during the forthcoming Lunar New Year, as a recent human trafficking incident involving a Chinese celebrity is projected to dent visitor confidence. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) warns of a possible 10%-20% decline in arrivals.
The narrative unfolded after a Chinese actor was entangled in a human trafficking ring that allegedly exploited Thailand as a transit hub. The incident has sparked widespread media coverage in China, prompting fears of ripples through the tourism sector. Continued …
Big boost in air travel over the New Year holiday
New Year holiday passenger numbers were up almost 20% on last year at Thailand’s six main airports, and airlines increased the number of flights accordingly. There were 19.7% more travelers and 16.4% more flights year-on-year, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said yesterday.
The figures apply to Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai airports, which are under the supervision of Airports of Thailand (AoT). Continued …
Tourism sector banks on sustainable travel trend
The tourism sector needs to capture rising sustainable travel demand to make Thailand a top destination by utilizing more green practices and wellness programs, while luring tourists to newer local destinations, according to the tourism soft power subcommittee.
Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the tourism subcommittee of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, said the tourism supply chain and government face market pressure to quickly adopt sustainable standards and policies to stay competitive. Continued …
Mahout charged for elephant goring Spanish woman in Thailand
Police have charged the mahout responsible for the elephant that gored a Spanish woman to death last week in Koh Yao. The deadly incident has since ramped up intense scrutiny of Thailand’s elephant tourism industry.
The 38-year-old mahout faces charges of negligence causing death after a tragic accident involving the 22-year-old Spanish tourist in southern Thailand. Continued …
British Tourist Found Dead and Naked off Phuket Beach
The heartbroken family of a British man is seeking the truth after his body washed ashore a Phuket beach. The body of Regan Kelly was discovered on Saturday floating in the sea off a Thai beach.
The 28-year-old South London man’s body was discovered naked and face down merely hours after he was seen dashing out of a bar after a meeting with an unknown man turned heated. Continued …
Should you participate in elephant tourism? Here’s what experts say
An elephant handler in Thailand is under investigation after a Spanish tourist was killed during a bathing activity at a venue advertised as an ethical sanctuary, an officer at the Tourism and Sports Office in Phang Nga province said yesterday. The grim incident has again spotlighted the question of how tourists can ethically – and safely – interact with elephants while traveling.
Humans have been interacting with elephants for centuries, said Hannah Mumby, an assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Area of Ecology and Biodiversity who has studied human-wildlife interactions and Asian elephants. But regardless of how innocuous a tourism experience appears, she said, “an elephant is always still a wild animal”. Continued …
Thailand’s Ban on Plastic Imports Comes into Force
A ban on plastic waste imports has come into force in Thailand, two years after it was announced in a bid to control pollution and protect people’s health.
Lawmakers had been discussing the ban since 2020 as they sought to stop the flood of plastic from Western nations that has contributed to hazardous levels of air and water pollution in the country. Continued …
This Chiang Mai Hotel is a Champion of Elevated Green Cuisine
Perched on the 21st floor of Melia Chiang Mai, Mai Restaurant stands out for its unique high-rise panoramas across Thailand’s northern capital. With most buildings in this historic city subject to height restrictions, it provides a rare bird’s-eye view of the city.
Dining at Mai, guests can enjoy a different, but equally distinct, showcase of Chiang Mai: traditional Lanna cuisine infused with Mediterranean flavors and ingredients — a hallmark of the Melia brand — made from ingredients sourced from local farmers, which were fertilized using the hotel’s composted food waste. It’s the circle of life in Melia’s 360º Cuisine program. Continued …
Facebook axes fact checking
It was no accident that Meta Platforms chose Donald Trump’s favourite TV news show, Fox and Friends, to discuss its decision to ditch outside fact-checking. The move, which will impact content served to hundreds of millions of U.S. users on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, was in effect aimed at an audience of one. It was the latest calculation in a months-long effort by founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg to reposition the social media giant as a more Trump-friendly organization after years of conflict and tensions. Continued …
‘Make Greenland great again’? No, thank you, Greenlanders say
Christian Ulloriaq Jeppesen remembers how this all started. In 2019, during Donald Trump’s first term as United States president, Trump floated the idea of the United States buying the island of Greenland. At the time, most people in Greenland (and Denmark, the European country that controls it) thought his suggestion was a joke. Continued …
Mexican president trolls Trump, suggests US be renamed ‘Mexican America’
Mexico’s president took a swipe at Donald Trump yesterday, saying that the United States should be called “Mexican America,” after Trump’s vow to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” Continued …
Indonesia keeps iPhone 16 ban despite Apple’s $1bn investment
Indonesia will continue to ban local sales of the iPhone 16, saying that Apple’s $1-billion investment plan that includes building an AirTag factory is insufficient to meet local content requirements. Continued …
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