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National Community Forest Day in Prachuap Khiri Khan/Monk expelled in Pranburi/Fair pricing or farang pricing?/State hospitals face mounting debt/Learn how to live with floods/Bangkok girds for big rains/Border Talks with Cambodia/Dispute with Cambodia escalates/Smoking rate drops/Thai beauty Miss World 2025/Pattaya’s road safety crisis/ECONOMY: Stalled cash handout scheme sours voters/Industrial output up/Krungsri forecast cut to 2.1%/Pride Month sparks growth/Parcel Wars Enter New Era/Fruit harvests aren’t bringing profits/Influencers told to pay tax/TOURISM: Too expensive for tourists?/Litter at wildlife reserve/Pattaya needs ‘better’ tourists/To boost secondary Thai cities/How new Covid wave Impacts Travel/THAI drops direct US flight plans/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: To showcase Thai Identity/Bangkok best city for remote work/Bangkok hop-on hop-off bus tour/CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand and China Boost Solar Ties/Officials catch ‘toxic waste kingpin’/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/Smuggling marijuana not a good idea/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

Thailand marks ‘National Community Forest Day 2025’ in Prachuap Khiri Khan

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment held the National Community Forest Day 2025 event this past weekend in Prachuap Khiri Khan province to advance Thailand’s efforts in aligning community forest management with national climate and sustainability goals.

Held at Pattawia Resort and Spa in Pran Buri district, the event supports the country’s targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. Continued …

Monk expelled after being caught visiting motel for sex with woman in Pranburi

A 68-year-old monk has been expelled from the monkhood after being caught on video changing into civilian clothes and entering a short-stay motel with a woman in broad daylight in Pranburi.

The incident came to light after a TikTok user posted footage of the monk, whom they claimed to recognize from his regular alms rounds in the area. The man, seen wearing a cap, patterned T-shirt, and black shorts, was recorded riding pillion on a motorcycle with a woman before the pair entered a motel. Continued …

Fair Pricing? More like farang pricing

The phrase “fair pricing” in Thailand, especially in tourist hubs like Pattaya, often feels more like the setup to a joke than a serious policy. For many expats and long-term visitors, the punchline comes when they discover the well-known but rarely addressed practice of dual pricing — where foreigners are charged significantly more than locals for the exact same services, attractions, or even basic necessities.

It’s a system so normalized that it’s often posted in plain sight. Visit a national park? Thais pay 40 baht. Foreigners? Try 200. Go to a public hospital? Locals get subsidized rates, while foreigners — regardless of visa status or years spent living, working, and paying taxes in Thailand — face inflated bills. Even some temples and museums apply it, despite being funded in part by public money. Continued …

Health ministry admits state hospitals face mounting debt

The Ministry of Public Health has acknowledged that mounting financial debt in Thailand’s state-owned hospitals has become a severe challenge that is affecting healthcare services nationwide.

Ministry officials plan urgent discussions with the National Health Security Office (NHSO), which runs the country’s universal healthcare program, to tackle the crisis. Continued …

Northern Thailand told to learn how to live with annual floods

Last year, floods in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province caused economic losses in the millions. Experts say this could be the beginning of an annual pattern of damage caused by severe natural disasters.

In May alone, Mae Sai, a border town opposite Myanmar’s Tachileik to the west and 900 kilometers north of Bangkok, flooded twice. A mass of water from the Sai River rushed through the city. Gold and rare earth mining in Myanmar was said to be the culprit, as well as mega-scale single crop plantations. Continued …

Bangkok girds for big rains

As Thailand officially enters the 2025 monsoon season, concerns about prolonged heavy rainfall and potential flooding are rising, particularly in Bangkok.

Already, fears abound that this year will bring severe floods after early rainfall levels appear unusually high. Meteorologists, however, warn that climate conditions remain unpredictable, requiring close monitoring throughout the season. Continued …

Thailand Ramps Up Border Talks with Cambodia to Ease Tensions

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiamphong has confirmed that urgent efforts are underway to resume bilateral border negotiations with Cambodia following a recent skirmish between troops from both nations.

Maris addressed the incident involving Thai and Cambodian forces on May 28. He expressed regret over the confrontation and assured that Thailand’s response would adhere strictly to both international and domestic law. Continued …

Task force mobilized as dispute with Cambodia escalates

Thailand’s Burapha Task Force, which oversees the Thai-Cambodian border, has moved its troops and weapons to a police compound in the border province of Sa Kaeo, in readiness for any possible border emergency.

Major Gen. Benchapon Dechatiwong na Ayutthaya said yesterday’s relocation is intended to reassure the public that, if a conflict arises at the border, the army will be there to protect them. Continued …

Thailand’s smoking rate drops 48% in 33 years

Thailand has successfully decreased its smoking rate by 48% over the past 33 years, yet tobacco use continues to impose a significant economic burden on low-income households. This was highlighted by the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation (ASH) during World No-Tobacco Day Saturday.

Chairman Doctor Prakit Vathesatogkit, referencing data from tobacco consumption surveys between 1991 and 2024, noted that the smoking rate among Thai adults dropped from 32% in 1991 to 16% in 2024. The most substantial decline occurred in the northern region, with a 58% reduction, whereas the southern region experienced the smallest decrease at 29%. Continued …

Thai beauty queen crowned Miss World 2025

Thai beauty queen Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri was crowned the 72nd Miss World 2025 on Saturday, marking a historic moment in Thai pageantry.

The event took place at the HITEX Convention Center in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. She was officially crowned by last year’s winner, Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic. Continued … 

Helmet ticket hikes alone won’t fix Pattaya’s road safety crisis

As Pattaya gears up for the new 2,000-baht fine for not wearing a helmet, questions swirl over whether stiffer penalties will actually curb the city’s alarming rate of road accidents — or simply pad government coffers.

With one of the highest per-capita rates of motorbike accidents in Thailand, Pattaya’s roads have become a daily gamble for both tourists and locals. Authorities hope the tougher fines will scare riders into compliance. But critics argue it’s a band-aid solution on a system that needs surgery. Continued …

Thailand’s stalled cash handout scheme sours voters

Rungthiwa Pimphanit waited months for a long-promised cash handout of 10,000 baht from Thailand’s ruling party, which she backed in 2023 elections, but now the scheme to stimulate a stalling economy has been put on ice.

“I’m very disappointed and angry,” said the 34-year-old government employee from the northeastern province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, who had counted on the money to pay for her son’s school supplies. “There’s no way I will vote for them again.” Continued …

Local industrial output up after 9-month decline

Industrial output has turned positive for the first time in nine months, with the automotive sector rebounding after a 21-month slump, says Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul.

The Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) rose by 2.2% year-on-year in April, marking its first positive growth in nine months. This signals the start of a potential recovery in the manufacturing sector, which has remained a persistent weakness in the economy in recent years. Continued …

Krungsri forecast for Thailand economic growth cut to 2.1%

Research by Krungsri has revised Thailand’s economic growth forecast for 2025 to 2.1%, down from an earlier estimate of 2.7%. This adjustment comes amid layered risks, including U.S. trade policy uncertainties and domestic pressures.

Pimnara Hirankasi, head of economic research and executive researcher at Bank of Ayudhya Public Co., highlighted mounting pressures on Thailand’s economy from both domestic and international factors. A significant concern is the U.S.’s variable and uncertain import tariff adjustments. Continued …

Thailand embraces the rainbow economy as Pride Month sparks growth

Thailand is among several countries expected to benefit from positive sentiment surrounding the rainbow economy during the Pride Month celebrations in June.

The rainbow economy is experiencing rapid and powerful expansion, particularly in the tourism, entertainment, and lifestyle sectors. This growth is largely driven by the LGBTQIAN+ community, which is estimated to comprise between 400 and 800 million people worldwide, accounting for 5%–10% of the global population. Continued …

Thailand’s Parcel Wars Enter a New Era

The fiercely competitive landscape of Thailand’s courier, express, and parcel (CEP) market is entering a profound period of consolidation.

Following an unprecedented boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, when online shopping became an indispensable part of daily life and attracted a swarm of new domestic and foreign entrants, the sector now finds itself in a ruthless culling phase. Continued …

Bumper fruit harvests aren’t bringing tidy profits

Mangoes have been selling at Huai Khwang Market for as low as 20 baht per kilogram recently. Pikul, a vendor, said she cannot remember the last time mangoes were so cheap. “I’ve never seen prices so low. This situation is really hurting farmers. Mango growers are in trouble — I feel for them,” said Pikul, who has worked at her stall for decades.

Her fruit comes in fresh each morning from the Simummuang wholesale market, but by evening she is forced to sell overripe mangoes at giveaway prices or simply discard them. Continued …

Influencers told to pay income tax

Influencers are being urged to pay their taxes accurately to avoid penalties and interest on unpaid tax liabilities. According to Pinsai Suraswadi, director-general of the Revenue Department, some influencers lack knowledge of tax obligations, while others deliberately evade taxes.

For tax evasion, he said the department strictly enforces the law and imposes a fine of double the tax amount in cases where no tax return is filed, and a fine equal to the underpaid tax amount if a return is filed but incomplete. Continued …

Is Thailand becoming too expensive for tourists?

Despite welcoming over 13.4 million international visitors in the first five months of 2025, Thailand is facing a deeper, more uncomfortable question: Where’s all the money going — and is the country on the right track?

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, foreign tourists contributed 632.9 billion baht between Jan. 1 and May 18. On the surface, this sounds like a booming recovery — even though total arrivals are down 1.75% compared to last year. But behind the glossy numbers and headline-grabbing festivals lies a more serious conversation: Is Thailand truly reinvesting in its future, or is it stuck in a short-term profit loop? Continued …

Litter at wildlife reserve: ‘Humans can be so disappointing’

A visit to a wildlife reserve took a frustrating turn for one TikToker after she discovered trash littered across the reserve. In a video, content creator Toni Payne (@officialtonipayne) points out discarded paper plates, a foil tray, takeaway containers, and even an egg carton — all left behind on the ground.

“I cannot begin to say the amount of trash that I have walked across just coming here to film today. It is ridiculous,” she said in the video. Continued …

Pattaya needs tourists who can afford to stay, spend, and return

Tourist numbers may be up, but Pattaya’s economy tells a different story. On paper, the arrivals look promising. In reality, local businesses — from hotels to restaurants to massage parlors — are struggling. Why? Because volume doesn’t equal value.

The truth is uncomfortable: Pattaya doesn’t need more people stepping off the plane. It needs visitors who can actually afford to stay, spend generously, and want to come back. Continued …

New route, airline policy to boost secondary Thai cities

Thailand’s Transport Ministry has fleshed out its “New Route-New Airline” initiative to promote aviation tourism to secondary cities by cutting carriers’ landing and parking fees in those provinces.

Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri said the Department of Airports (DoA) wants to encourage more tourists to visit secondary cities. ”The measure will entice carriers to operate more routes to DoA airports in secondary cities.” Continued …

COVID-19’s New Wave And How It’ll Impact Travel

Post the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of COVID-19 that surfaced during 2020-2022, a new sub-variant of the virus, LP.8.1, has emerged. With rising cases predominantly in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and western Pacific regions, the COVID-19 virus has prompted renewed public health and travel measures. Between May 18 to 24, 2025, alone, Thailand recorded 53,563 cases with five deaths.

“The newer variants, like JN.1 and the recent FLiRT, seem to spread more easily but generally cause milder symptoms, especially in people who are vaccinated or have had COVID before. Unlike Delta, which often affects the lungs and causes serious illness, the current variants tend to remain in the upper respiratory tract. Think sore throat, fatigue, mild fever, or congestion. But for older adults or people with health conditions, the risks are still real, so caution is important,” shares Dr. Paresh Sharma (Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur, India) . Continued …

THAI partners with airlines, drops direct US flight plans

Thai Airways International (THAI) has reaffirmed its readiness to attract American tourists to Thailand through collaboration with airline partners, despite shelving plans for direct flights to the United States.

THAI CEO Chai Eamsiri explained that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently upgraded Thailand’s aviation safety rating from Category 2 (CAT2) to Category 1 (CAT1), placing it among countries that meet international aviation standards. Continued …

Six National Symbols to showcase Thai Identity to the World

Thailand has officially declared six national symbols that reflect the essence of Thai identity, spanning nature, architecture, and cultural beliefs, to promote national image and pride on the global stage.

These symbols are intended to strengthen the country’s soft power and present a clearer image of “Thainess” internationally. The selected symbols represent living creatures, natural emblems, traditional design, and cultural practices. Continued …

Bangkok tops global list as best city for remote work

Bangkok has been ranked the world’s best city for remote work, according to a recent report by the New York Post, based on a global index developed by experts at QR Code Generator.

Scoring 69.98 out of 100, the Thai capital stood out for its high-speed internet and affordable cost of living, making it the top choice for digital nomads and remote professionals. Continued …

Explore Bangkok’s landmarks with ease: Hop-on hop-off bus tour

If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok and want to see the city’s most iconic landmarks in a fun and flexible way, the Elephant Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is the perfect choice.

Video 

This unique sightseeing experience lets you explore 16 must-visit attractions across the city with the convenience of unlimited rides throughout the day. Continued …

Thailand and China Boost Solar Ties to Cut Energy Costs

Minister of Energy Pirapan Salirathavibhaga has concluded a five-day visit to China to strengthen cooperation in clean and renewable energy, with a focus on solar technology.

He led a delegation to Jiangsu province and Shanghai, meeting with top solar firms to explore ways to reduce electricity costs and expand access to sustainable energy. The delegation held talks with six major companies involved in solar panel production, inverters, energy storage, and energy-management systems. Continued …

Officials catch ‘toxic waste kingpin’

A major figure behind the illegal trade of hazardous waste has been caught operating three companies involved in processing and exporting toxic industrial dust in violation of multiple laws, the Ministry of Industry said.

Minister of Industry Akanat Promphan appointed a special task force to investigate 11 steel factories using induction furnace (IF) technology in Rayong. The probe followed the closure of Sin Ke Yuan Steel and NFMR Co. in Rayong province for using forged hazardous waste transport documents and falsifying waste reporting. Continued …

Young Brits find smuggling marijuana not a good idea

Two British lads who jetted off for a three-week party spree in Thailand were met with a nasty surprise when they touched down in the UK. Lewis Ellis and James Poutch faced an unexpected detour at Manchester Airport, leading to court appearances due to their return baggage.

Ellis, 20, and Poutch, 19, had ventured to Southeast Asia for the Water Festival in April – a time for ushering in new starts and washing away woes. However, UK customs discovered a hefty 37 kilos of drugs wrapped in plastic within their luggage upon their return. Continued …

• Chonburi Police Chief Orders Crackdown After Chinese Gang Shooting – Continued …
• Algerian Pickpockets Arrested in Bangkok – Continued …
• Tip-Off Leads to Arrest of Chinese Scammer Hiding in Bangkok Condo – Continued …
• Man arrested at Mumbai airport for carrying venomous snakes from Thailand – Continued …

OPEC+ announces sharp increase in July oil production

Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other key OPEC+ members announced on Saturday a huge increase in crude production for July. They will produce an additional 411,000 barrels a day — the same target set for May and then June — according to a statement, which is more than three times greater than the group had previously planned. Continued …

2 Fans Died, Officer In a Coma after Champions League Celebrations

Two fans died and a police officer is in a coma after mass nationwide celebrations for Paris Saint-Germain’s historic Champions League victory, European soccer’s biggest prize, French authorities said yesterday. Continued …

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  New Schedule: Bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok

  The first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin offers two round trips daily. The fare is 200 baht each way and takes three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure is from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.

  (We recommend checking with the bus company about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)

  Starting May 1, the Don Mueang-Hua Hin route will offer four round trips per day. The two outbound trips from Don Mueang Airport will depart at 8 am and 3 pm. The bus will stop at eight locations, including the Service Hall at Don Mueang, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Mahachai, Phetchaburi Big C, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, and the Hua Hin Bus Station.

  For the return trips from Hua Hin, buses will depart at  9 am and 3:30 pm, stopping at seven locations, including the Hua Hin Bus Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Mahachai, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, and Don Mueang Airport.

  Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.

  Bus Tickets 

  

  New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule

  Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):

  (We recommend checking with the airline about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)

  Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 12:10 pm

  Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 10:20 am

  

  Hua Hin train schedule

  

  To book online

  

  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