New Year’s festivities/Alcoholic drinks market/Tougher Drink-Driving Penalties/7 deadly days/Year in Review: Lifestyle and entertainment/Top health news/Thai media struggle/2024’s elephant tragedy/Thai politics in 2024/ECONOMY: Multinational corporate tax begins/GDP growth under pressure/Ticking time bomb/Demand for condos expected/Hotels unfazed by wage increase/Digital wallet ambitions scaled down/Phase 3 of handout/TOURISM: Travel trends in Thailand/Alcohol Sale Rules at Major Airports/Crackdown on Beach Prostitution/Patong’s Bangla Road brawl/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Tsunami’s 20th anniversary/2004 tsunami in Phuket/Australian survivor retells ordeal/American survivors recall tsunami/CLIMATE THAILAND: Greater use of clean energy/IRPC Advances Renewable Energy/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
Alcoholic drinks market set for vibrant New Year season
The alcoholic beverage market is expected to be vibrant during the New Year season, according to the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Assn. (TABBA).
Kawee Sakawee, chairman of TABBA, said the association expects sales of alcoholic beverages are likely to approach pre-pandemic levels during the high season for tourism. Continued …
Thailand Boosts New Year’s Road Safety with Tougher Drink-Driving Penalties
The Thai government is set to increase penalties for drink-driving, as part of a broader effort to reduce road accidents during the upcoming New Year festivities. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced the initiative at the launch of the “Safe New Year, Together for Safer Roads” campaign yesterday.
Reflecting concerns over rising accidents from drink-driving, distracted driving, and general disregard for traffic laws, the Ministry of Transport aims to revise legal penalties, making them stricter to deter such behaviors. Continued …
The 7 deadly days (Be safe out there)
- Construction Worker Falls from Pickup, Hit by Car, and Killed Near Pattaya – Continued …
- Husband and Wife Killed in Head-On Collision with Pickup Truck – Continued …
- 18-Wheeler Overturns in Chiang Rai Ravine, Driver Killed – Continued …
- Fatal Accident Leaves Two Dead and Several Injured in Phetchabun – Continued …
- Mother Dies in Motorcycle-Truck Collision, Four-Month-Old Baby Seriously Injured – Continued …
- Khon Kaen Bus Crash Leaves 1 Dead, Dozens Injured – Continued …
- Motorcycle crash in Pathum Thani kills one – Continued …
Ethereum co-founder donates Bt10 million to Moo Deng zoo
Ethereum blockchain co-founder Vitalik Buterin has donated 10 million baht to Moo Deng’s home, Khao Kheow Open Zoo, in the name of the bouncy baby to pay for improvements for all animals at the zoo.
Buterin visited the 5-month-old pygmy hippo in Si Racha district of Chon Buri on Nov. 19 wearing a Moo Deng-patterned shirt. Continued …
2024’s Top lifestyle and entertainment newsmakers
What a year it has been for the lifestyle and entertainment industry! 2024 has been packed with action, achievements, and amazing stories. This year, several celebrities became caught up in shocking scandals, while many others brought smiles and joy to their fellow Thais.
On a brighter note, Thailand’s “flag” has proudly waved on the global stage, thanks to these personalities. Despite a few hiccups in the industry, 2024 stands out as a truly unique year. Let’s take a look back at the personalities that made 2024 so memorable. Continued …
Top health news stories in 2024
2024 was a year marked by both positive and tragic news stories related to health. From extending universal health coverage to all locations to an alarming surge in poor mental health and the school bus tragedy, here are the top six news articles that sparked the most conversation in the Thai public health arena.
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Extensions of universal health coverage for all
This year saw the National Health Security Office (NHSO) launch the “30-baht treatment everywhere” project, which is part of the universal health coverage scheme (UHCS), also known as the gold card, marking a milestone for the Thai public health system. Continued …
Thai media struggle to survive in the age of digital disruption
The Thai Journalists Assn. (TJA) has described 2024 as the “Year of Hardships” for the Thai print and broadcast media, as the industry as a whole is facing increasing challenges from digital disruption and changes by consumers in the ways they access information.
These resulted in reductions in advertising revenues, readerships and audiences, as well as mass layoffs or pay cuts among media professionals. Continued …
2024’s elephant tragedy sparks soul-searching on safety of national icon
Tall, strong and excellent swimmers, it’s hard to imagine that elephants – Thailand’s national emblem – could succumb to floodwaters. So, when news emerged that two elephants had drowned in floods that struck Chiang Mai in October, shock and dismay rippled through Thai society.
On Oct. 5, two elephants were found dead in the Mae Taeng River, six kilometers from their home at the Elephant Nature Park in the northern capital. Park staff identified the drowned creatures as 16-year-old Fah Sai and 40-year-old Ploy Thong. The latter was blind. Continued …
Thai politics in 2024
On the first day of the year, then-prime minister Srettha Thavisin declared that Thailand was about to enter a new era “that will make up of nine years of missed opportunities.” As 2024 comes to a close, it is worth taking a look at how this year unfolded in Thai politics — although just the fact that the man who made this prediction is no longer in office is indicative enough of how things have turned out.
Political science professor Amy Freedman has described Thailand as an “awkward middle power.” She noted that “as measured by capabilities, Thailand falls in the upper middle tier of states.” But unstable domestic politics has ensured that the country consistently punches below its weight on the international arena; Thailand thus “refrains from playing more than a cursory role in global affairs.” Continued …
15% multinational corporate tax begins Jan 1
The Royal Gazette website yesterday published a royal decree for the top-up tax on multinational corporations operating in Thailand, to come into effect on Jan. 1. The top-up tax is a mechanism designed to ensure that multinational corporations pay a minimum level of corporate income tax, typically aligned with the global minimum tax (GMT) initiative led by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
If a multinational corporation pays corporate income tax at a rate below 15%, it will need to pay the difference (to reach 15%) in the country where its parent company is headquartered. Thailand’s imposition of top-up tax will allow corporations to pay the difference in the kingdom instead. Continued …
GDP growth under pressure amid threat of US tariff hikes
Thai GDP might expand at a slower pace in 2025 than the projected growth of 2.6% this year, as the policies of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump could put pressure on exports, which have rebounded significantly to become a major growth driver of the economy.
While most forecasters predict economic growth will rise in 2025, Kasikorn Securities anticipates that the country’s GDP growth might fall to 2.4% because of emerging risks from policy uncertainties in the U.S., its trade war with China, and more intense competition from Chinese goods shipped to other markets. Continued …
Household debt a ticking time bomb
Household debt is a major concern for policymakers, who fear it could become a ticking time bomb for the economy.
According to Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, as of the second quarter of 2024 household debt tallied 89.6% of GDP. Although the rate dropped from 90.7% in the first quarter, household debt remains elevated beyond recommended levels. Continued …
Big surge in demand for condos expected in Pattaya and EEC areas
Experts predict an exponential growth in the property market in Pattaya and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) due to buyers’ demand for condominiums near the beach and relocation of production bases by Chinese entrepreneurs.
Phattarachai Taweewong, director of research and communication at investment management firm Colliers Thailand, said on Wednesday that up to 20 condominium projects worth 43.28 billion baht have been launched in Chonburi province. Continued …
Hotels in Chonburi, Phuket unfazed by wage increase
The Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) said raising the daily minimum wage rate for unskilled workers next year will not affect hotels in Chonburi and Phuket because most already pay more than usual.
The heads of THA’s eastern and southern chapters made the comment yesterday in reference to the new 400-baht daily wage rate for Phuket, Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong provinces, as well as for Surat Thani’s Koh Samui district. The new rate will go into effect on Jan. 1. Continued …
Digital wallet ambitions scaled down after criticism
The government’s much-touted digital wallet project, initially envisioned as a major stimulus initiative, similar to an “economic whirlwind”, appears to have lost its momentum.
The scheme faced opposition from various sectors, particularly the Bank of Thailand governor, who argued that a big-ticket budget was unnecessary for economic stimulation. The regulator’s chief instead advocated for targeted assistance to vulnerable groups. Continued …
Platform being prepped for phase 3 of handout
The third phase of the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme will be distributed through a digital payment platform, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.
Julapun said the government’s digital wallet policy has already been implemented via two phases. The first involved distributing 10,000 baht to 14.5 million people who hold state welfare cards and disability cards. Continued …
Discovering travel trends in Thailand
Thailand captivates travelers from all over the world, cementing its reputation as Asia’s most popular destination. The country’s diverse transportation options and seamless connectivity remain a gateway to exploration and cultural discovery.
12Go, a global online travel agency specializing in multi-modal itineraries across Asia and beyond, has identified emerging trends to help travelers choose the perfect destination for their trip to Thailand in 2025. Continued …
Thailand Eases Alcohol Sale Rules at Major Airports
In a notable shift aimed at fostering tourism and economic growth, Thailand has relaxed its restrictions on alcohol sales within major international airports. This strategic move was officially sanctioned when the Prime Minister’s Office issued a regulation extension published in the Royal Gazette on Christmas Day, with immediate effect from yesterday.
This change follows a recommendation from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee that was embraced by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Initially, the sale of alcoholic drinks was curtailed on the five major Buddhist holy days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, and the start and end of Buddhist Lent. Continued …
Pattaya Police Crack Down on Beach Prostitution, Arrest 20 Foreign Women
In a coordinated operation, the Pattaya Tourist Police, Chonburi Immigration Bureau, and Chonburi Social Development and Human Security Office arrested 20 foreign women suspected of engaging in prostitution along Pattaya Beach.
The operation yesterday followed complaints from local residents and tourists about scantily clad women occupying areas under trees along the beach. Reports suggested these individuals were soliciting tourists for sexual services, prompting the authorities to take action. Continued …
Foreign tourists throwing fists in Patong’s Bangla Road brawl goes viral
Phuket has once again made waves on social media as a video surfaces of two foreign tourists engaging in a dramatic brawl on Bangla Road in Patong Beach yesterday, one of the island’s most famous tourist destinations.
The video, lasting 38 seconds, shows the two men fighting in a combination of Muay Thai and wrestling style, with a crowd of onlookers cheering them on. Continued …
Andaman provinces mark tsunami’s 20th anniversary
People in provinces along Thailand’s Andaman coast held remembrance events yesterday to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 tsunami that killed 230,000 people across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and nine other countries.
Remembrance and religious ceremonies took place at Mai Khao Cemetery and on Patong beach in Phuket, at the Tsunami Memorial Park at Ban Nam Khem in Phangnga, and at the Sailfish Sculpture on Ao Nang beach in Krabi. Continued …
Remembering the 2004 tsunami in Phuket
A disaster that transpired almost two decades ago, yet the wounds are still fresh for many present on the southern island at the time. Although Phuket has evolved to become a powerhouse of Thailand’s tourism as of late, for those present on the fateful day in 2004, the memories of a sunny day quickly turning deadly remain engraved in their minds for decades to come.
On Boxing Day 2004, just after Christmas where children woke up to the presents delivered by Santa just the night prior. The festive season spirits and atmosphere still lingered as many prepared for the short stretch toward the new year. Continued …
Australian survivor retells harrowing 2004 tsunami ordeal
The morning of Dec. 26, 2004 began like any other for tourists and locals across the Indian Ocean. But by evening, the world had witnessed one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. A 9.1-magnitude earthquake off Sumatra unleashed a tsunami that claimed 230,000 lives, including 26 Australians.
For central Victorian Melinda Kennedy, a last-minute decision to board a ferry instead of a speedboat saved her life. The Aussie and her friends were en route to Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands when the tsunami struck. At sea, their ferry rolled over violent waves, described by Kennedy as a “massive storm.” Continued …
American survivors recall the harrowing moments of the century’s deadliest tsunami
Twenty years ago, the world was stunned by the Asian tsunami, whose towering waves killed an estimated 230,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and other countries the day after Christmas.
The tsunami, which was triggered by a powerful 9.3-magnitude earthquake off the coast of northern Indonesia, is considered the deadliest natural disaster this century and one of the deadliest in recorded history. Continued …
New power plan touts greater use of clean energy
Thailand is stepping up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the launch of the new power development plan (PDP) to promote greater use of clean energy.
The PDP, which includes the latest versions of the oil plan, the gas plan, the alternative energy plan and the energy efficiency plan, forms part of the national energy plan, designated to be enforced from 2024 to 2037. Continued …
IRPC Advances Renewable Energy with 74.88MW Solar Project
IRPC Public Co. is making strides in renewable energy with the development of a 74.88-megawatt solar power plant on its 716-rai estate in Chana District, Songkhla. The project, undertaken by IRPC Clean Power Com. (IRPCCP), a joint venture with Global Power Synergy Public Co. (GPSC), aims to enhance energy security and promote sustainable growth in southern Thailand.
Terdkiat Prommool, president and CEO of IRPC, announced that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has granted a concession to IRPCCP to operate as a producer and trader of renewable electricity under the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme for 2022–2030. The project aligns with Thailand’s Power Development Plan (PDP2018 Rev.1) to increase the proportion of renewable energy in the national power system. Continued …
Panama president rules out talks with Trump over canal threat
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino yesterday ruled out negotiations with United States president-elect Donald Trump over control of the Panama Canal, denying that China was interfering in its operation. Continued …
Russia’s Air Defense Fire Likely Caused Azerbaijan Plane Crash
Aviation experts said yesterday that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. 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