- Feedback/Hua Hin Jazz Festival/Monsoon Valley Jazz/Vintage Car Parade returns/Russia wins Hua Hin World Cup/Patients buy medication outside hospitals/Thailand braces for chilly weather/Hat Yai ‘back to normal’/$4 Billion in Losses from Southern Floods/Thailand wins 130 golds in SEA Games
- THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT: Thailand Rules Out Ceasefire/16 Thai soldiers killed/Trump makes toothless legal threat/221 Cambodian troops killed/Cambodia Closes Thai Border Crossings/Thais stranded in Poipet/Thai Forces Push for Gulf Closure/roops Seize Chinese Anti-tank Missles
- ECONOMY: Baht at 4-year high/Government transition could hit economy/Trade losses seen soaring/Thailand retools
- TOURISM: Thailand Unveils Wellness Strategy
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Things to do in Thailand with family/Native felines get boost
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Battle against plastics/Phuket’s Waste Crisis/Songkhla waste-to-energy plant
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Re: Brit discovering Thai bar girls can play pool
“Astonishing! Our intrepid Brit investigator uncovering shocking previously unknown secrets regarding ‘escorts’. Surely he must be up for a Pullitzer price in journalism.” – AJB
Re: thailand suspending constitution discussions
“Well, who would have imagined that: constitutional reform aborted, and an early election focused on nationalism and sovereignty!” – AJB
Hua Hin Jazz Festival set this weekend
The Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2025 is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday. The festival was originally scheduled for Nov. 28-29.
Organizers said that ollowing the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, several parties expressed concern about whether it would be appropriate to proceed with the festival as planned this month. Continued …
Phetchaburi–Hua Hin Vintage Car Parade returns this weekend
The Vintage Car Club of Thailand, in collaboration with Dusit Thani Hua Hin, has announced the 23rd Phetchaburi–Hua Hin Vintage Car Parade, under the concept “The Charm of Yesteryear… A Seaside Town with Local Color.” The event will take place from Dec. 19-21 at Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province.
According to Khwanchai Paphatphong, president of the Vintage Car Club of Thailand, “The Phetchaburi–Hua Hin Vintage Car Parade has now reached its 23rd year, and for the first time, the name of Phetchaburi has been added to the event. The format will be adjusted to better suit current circumstances.” Continued …
Russia wins Hua Hin World Cup after sudden-death penalty shoot-out
Russia won the Kahouze Hua Hin World Cup yesterday after edging hosts Thailand in a dramatic final decided by penalties, bringing the two-day international amateur football tournament at Arena Hua Hin 2 to a close.
The final ended in a sudden-death penalty shoot-out after a tightly contested match between Russia and Thailand finished 1-1 at the end of normal time. With both teams locked together throughout the game, the outcome was only settled after extra spot-kicks, securing Russia the title and leaving Thailand as runners-up in front of a strong local crowd. Continued …
Thailand to let insured patients buy medication outside hospitals
The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) and several healthcare agencies have officially launched a new initiative allowing patients at private hospitals to purchase prescribed medication from participating pharmacies, aiming to reduce treatment costs and improve access to essential drugs.
The program, called Sukkai Sabai Krabao (Healthy Body, Comfortable Wallet), is part of a government policy to ease the burden of rising healthcare costs. It is supported by the OIC, insurance industry associations, the Department of Internal Trade, the Department of Health Service Support, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Private Hospital Assn. Continued …
Thailand braces for chilly weather and heavy rain
The Meteorological Department has issued a warning about a new cold air mass set to bring chilly weather, strong winds, and a significant drop in temperatures across Thailand. Heavy rainfall is also expected in several areas, potentially causing flash floods and forest runoff.
The forecast to December 20 indicates a noticeable dip in temperatures in the upper regions of Thailand due to a high-pressure system or cold air mass from China. Continued …
Hat Yai ‘back to normal’
Hat Yai has returned to normal after the floods, with all zones cleared and services restored, officials say, allowing disaster controls to be scaled down.
Deputy Interior Minister Sakda Vicheansil chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) to review relief in the south. The meeting downgraded the disaster level to medium scale (Level 2) and returned control to Songkhla province. Continued …
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Economist Projects $4 Billion in Losses from Southern Floods
Severe flooding in southern Thailand has caused significant economic damage, with recent assessments highlighting widespread destruction in key provinces and the region’s primary commercial center, Hat Yai. The floods have disrupted transportation networks, inundated agricultural lands, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
Authorities are working tirelessly to provide relief and assess the full extent of the damage, while local businesses face mounting challenges in recovering from the disaster. Continued …
Thailand powers past 130 golds in SEA Games
Despite being dealt a hammer blow by a shock loss in the men’s sepak takraw team event, Thailand yesterday remained firmly on course to reclaim the overall title after snatching 35 gold medals — their biggest single-day haul so far — to surge well past the century mark at the 33rd SEA Games yesterday.
Gone are the days when the kingdom and Malaysia closely battled for supremacy in the sport both claimed originated from their countries. Nineteen-time champions Thailand had reeled off 17 successive titles in the regional sporting extravaganza since 1991. Continued …
Thailand Rules Out Ceasefire Until Cambodia Ends Hostilities
Thailand’s defense minister has confirmed that no ceasefire order has been issued to the military, stating that operations will continue until Cambodia clearly ends its hostile actions. The clarification follows public confusion over reports of a possible ceasefire amid escalating border tensions.
On Saturday, Defense Minister Natthapol Nakpanich said the government had not directed the armed forces to halt operations. He emphasized that “there will be no ceasefire until Cambodia clearly ends its hostility,”, adding that talk of a ceasefire had likely arisen from miscommunication during a period of intense official briefings. Continued …
16 Thai soldiers killed so far, over 300 injured
The Thai military said clashes and attacks are continuing at the Thai-Cambodian border, with one officer and a civilian having been killed in Phu Makheua area of Sisaket province yesterday, taking the military death toll to 16 and 327 injured.
A spokesperson of the Defense Ministry said Khmer troops are firing heavy weapons, specifically BM-21 rockets, targeting populated areas, with this leading to a civilian and and a medical officer being killed and four wounded. Continued …
Trump makes toothless legal threat to end Thai-Cambodian clashes
A US spokesperson said yesterday US President Donald Trump will be taking necessary legal action against those responsible for the fighting at Thai-Cambodian border continuing despite his phone call to both Thai caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday.
The White House spokesperson stated that, “President Trump expects all parties to fully fulfill their obligations as signed in these agreements, and he will take necessary action against those responsible to end the killings and build lasting peace.” It remains unclear what form this action will take. Continued …
Thai armed forces say Cambodia did not cease fire; estimate 221 Cambodian troops killed
The Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Air Force said yesterday that Cambodia did not cease fire as claimed, and that attacks on multiple Thai border areas continued overnight. They also estimated that 221 Cambodian troops have been killed since fighting began on Dec. 8.
In their daily update on the Thai–Cambodian border situation, the three services said Cambodian forces continued shelling Thai border areas with BM-21 rockets and artillery from 10pm on Saturday until dawn, with no sign of a ceasefire. Continued …
Cambodia Closes Thai Border Crossings as Fighting Continues
Cambodia has closed all border crossings with Thailand until further notice, preventing waiting Thai nationals, who have been stranded for days from returning, as fighting between the two forces continues along the frontier.
The closure was confirmed by Cambodia’s interior ministry and comes amid renewed clashes and reported rocket fire affecting civilian areas. Authorities on both sides have warned residents to avoid affected zones as the security situation remains volatile. Continued …
Up to 7,000 citizens stranded in Poipet after border about-face
Thailand says Cambodia is violating international human rights law by preventing up to 7,000 Thai nationals in the Poipet border town from returning home despite a prior commitment to reopen the border.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said about 6,000–7,000 Thai citizens were in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province, wanting to return to Thailand. However, Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen announced the Poipet border checkpoint would not be reopened. Continued …
Thai Forces Push for Gulf Closure to Throttle Cambodia’s Supplies
The Royal Thai Armed Forces are pressing the National Security Council (NSC) to seal the Gulf of Thailand to block oil and military supplies heading to Cambodia. An urgent proposal from military chiefs surfaced online, urging immediate action from the Defense Ministry to restrict critical supplies amid escalating tensions.
The proposal asks the NSC to instruct the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC) to intercept vessels carrying oil and military goods from Thailand to Cambodia. This includes commercial and fishing boats. Continued …
Thai Troops Seize Chinese Anti-tank Missles From Cambodian Base
Thai Army sources confirmed yesterday that troops seized a significant number of Chinese-made, fifth-generation anti-tank guided missiles after capturing a Cambodian military base on a strategic position known as Hill 500.
The weapons were recovered following an assault on the base, with the discovery highlighting the presence of advanced heavy weaponry in the border conflict area. The seizure is regarded as a major development on the Thai–Cambodian frontier, particularly in the ongoing clashes along the border. Continued …
Thai baht at 4-year high
The baht has climbed to its highest rate against the US dollar in more than four years, heaping pressure on the central bank to stem the rally ahead of its policy decision this week.
The Bank of Thailand tightened gold traders’ foreign exchange forward transactions today after the currency edged higher to 31.523 per dollar, holding at the strongest since June 2021. The baht has advanced more than 8% this year, making it the second best performer in Asia amid record gold prices and a weaker greenback. Continued …
Government transition could hit economy, delay US tariff talks, and chill investment
Thai business leaders have voiced concern that the dissolution of parliament and the shift to a caretaker government could disrupt key economic measures, undermine investor confidence, and push back high-stakes tariff negotiations with the United States.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the House dissolution on Friday, a move that business groups say could leave multiple government projects in limbo because a caretaker administration is limited in what it can approve. Continued …
Border shutdown batters 6 Northeast provinces, trade losses seen soaring to 80 billion baht
The closure of border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia is inflicting heavy damage on six northeastern provinces, with initial trade losses estimated at around 50 billion baht – and the bill could climb to 80 billion baht per year if the crisis drags on.
Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, president of the Restaurant Business Club and honorary adviser to the Thai Hostel Assn., said seven months of border tension and prolonged closures have hit Thai exports to Cambodia, which are normally worth about 70 billion baht a year, while imports from Cambodia total only around 20 billion baht. Continued …
Thailand retools for a tougher global economy
Well ahead of the scheduled end of the administration’s four-month term, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament on Dec. 11 amid concerns over several outstanding issues, including the Thai–Cambodian border conflict and the relief measures needed to assist flood-affected communities in the south.
Thailand is now facing three significant challenges: a new global trade order, rapid technological transformation, and severe climate change. The shift in trade rules driven by the United States’ reciprocal tariff policy echoes historic events such as the rapid appreciation of the yen in the 1980s, which triggered a large-scale relocation of production to Southeast Asia. Continued …
Thailand Unveils Strategy To Become The Global Leader In Wellness And Medical Tourism
Thailand is setting its sights on becoming a global leader in wellness and medical tourism by 2026. With a focus on health, personal transformation, and luxury experiences, the country aims to capitalize on the rapidly growing wellness tourism market.
By offering a blend of traditional therapies, advanced medical services, and innovative wellness programs, Thailand is positioning itself as the ideal destination for travelers seeking both rejuvenation and health-focused experiences. This ambitious strategy reflects the country’s commitment to attracting higher-value tourists and expanding its influence in the global tourism sector. Continued …
9 best things to do in Thailand with family
Thailand is one of Asia’s most family-friendly travel destinations, offering beaches, wildlife, culture, food, and easy transport. The country has activities suitable for all age groups, from young children to seniors. Short travel distances, affordable experiences, and well-developed tourist facilities make Thailand a practical option for family holidays.
Island tours are among the most popular family activities in Thailand. In places like Krabi and Phuket, families can visit multiple islands by longtail boat or speedboat in a single day. These tours usually include calm beaches, shallow swimming areas, and lunch. Children can enjoy boat rides and beach play, while adults relax or swim. Continued …
Native felines get boost to national status
Thailand has officially elevated its native felines to national status. In a move reflecting both cultural pride and a booming pet economy, the cabinet approved the designation of “Thai cat” as the country’s national symbol in the pet category.
The government says the decision followed extensive historical and genetic studies confirming Thailand’s native cats are distinct in both appearance and temperament, with deep roots in society. The celebrated breeds, the only five pure Thai cat breeds recognized today, are Suphalak, Korat, Wichienmaat (Siamese), Konja, and Khao Manee. Continued …
Thailand on forefront of battle against plastics
In the global fight against climate change, plastics have emerged as both a symbol of modern convenience and an environmental challenge.Thailand, which produces millions of tons of plastic waste annually, is now at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s efforts to reimagine how plastics are produced, consumed, and recycled.
The stakes are high. In addition to domestic sustainability goals, looming international trade rules could soon penalize carbon-heavy plastic imports, forcing industries to adapt or risk losing competitiveness. Continued …
Phuket’s Waste Crisis Sparks Health Concerns Amid Local Deaths
Phuket is under pressure to address its escalating waste crisis after reports from residents near a landfill and incinerator revealed significant health and environmental threats. The issue has gained urgency following the deaths of seven locals, sparking a response from provincial authorities.
Gov. Nirat Phongsitthithawon led a recent meeting at the Phuket Provincial Hall to confront the complaints from Sapam Hin village, where the incinerator and landfill are causing alarm among its 1,100 residents. Continued …
Thai Energy Minister fast-tracks Songkhla waste-to-energy plant
Thailand Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon has moved to tackle Songkhla’s mounting garbage crisis by ordering an early start-up of a waste-to-energy plant, which can burn 500 tons of waste per day and generate 9.9 megawatts of electricity.
The Energy Ministry recognizes that the garbage crisis is causing serious problems for residents — from foul odors and hygiene risks to blocked roads — and has therefore instructed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to urgently coordinate with operators of ready waste-to-energy plants to bring them online ahead of schedule. Continued …
16 dead in Australia shooting targeting Jewish Hanukkah party
At least 16 people died and dozens more were wounded in a shooting at Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach yesterday that targeted Australia’s Jewish community, police and officials said. Police said two suspects had been taken into custody, a father and son duo, one of whom later died. At least 42 people, including a child, were hospitalized. Continued …
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