• Sunee Hill: Forging her own path/
• Asia’s biggest Golf Tournament created a financial boost for Hua Hin/
• Hua Hin Cricket Sixes returns to Dusit Thani Hua Hin in July/
• Opinion: The Fear of Pita and Move Forward Explained/
• Thai children losing out on height due to too little milk/
• Funeral attendees win cows, receive rice gifts in unique 200,000 baht Thai almsgiving/
• Keeping poor kids at school/
• People flee high-rise buildings in Bangkok as Myanmar quake tremors felt/
• Myanmar Junta Launches Airstrikes Near Thai Border As Clashes Escalate/
• Coalition begins opening a path to deliver peace to the restive South/
• 50,000 Signatures Sought to Keep Cannabis off the Narcotics List/
• Economy: Thai baht continues to be volatile/Thai economy to enjoy positive growth, economists say/Further interest hikes likely/Household debt in Thailand soars to 86.9% of GDP, dampening consumer spending/
• Tourism: Retirees skip Chiang Mai amid heavy smog/Chinese tourists top low season visitors list/
• Thailand Experience: 7 best things to do in Hua Hin/A guide to visiting Koh Samui in 2023/Travelindex Unveils Winners of Bangkok’s Top 25 Restaurants/
• International: Air Travel Demand Seen Soaring 28% To Near Pre-pandemic Level In 2023/China calls on US to meet it halfway amid frosty ties/
• 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

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Sunee Hill: Forging her own path

By Felicitee Lawrie

When I first met Sunee Hill, a petite, feisty, white-haired Thai nonagenarian, she fixed me with her steely eyes and told me, point-blank, that I could write her story. This is the remarkable story of her life journey and her art, which has helped her explore her Chinese heritage.

Sunee was born and raised in Bangkok, the second child of nine to Chinese immigrant parents. Her father was a merchant who supplied materials to the construction industry. Because Thai authorities at the time had difficulty recording the details of her name and existence in Chinese language, she was not officially registered until quite some time later, so has a passport recording her birth as having happened in 1940, when it was indeed in 1932. What local lady wouldn’t mind shaving eight years off her age? Continued …

(Expat News is pleased to welcome a new series of articles about Hua Hin residents (above), written by freelance journalist Felicitee Lawrie, a Sydney, Australia, native. To read more about Felicitee, or to volunteer yourself or someone else for a possible profile by Felicitee, click HERE.)

Asia’s biggest Golf Tournament created a financial boost for Hua Hin

Over 480 competitors participated in Asia’s biggest golf tournament in Hua Hin from June 11-17.

While the golf media are currently focused on the PGA and PIF, one major golf tournament went ahead last week without any political issues. The Centara World Masters Golf Championship attracted over 480 amateurs to Hua Hin. Continued …

Hua Hin Cricket Sixes returns to Dusit Thani Hua Hin in July

The Hua Hin Cricket Sixes tournament will take place at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin from Sunday, July 2, to Friday, July 7.

Despite cricket not being particularly popular in Thailand, this event has become a sporting tradition for cricket enthusiasts and players alike and is now in its 26th year. Continued …

The Fear of Pita and Move Forward Explained

The Move Forward Party is new, and it has never been in power before. The unknown factor has driven some to fear what is to come when (and if) the party is in charge, particularly if you are the elites and the upper middle class for the following reasons.

Imagine yourself being the owner or in charge of one of Thailand’s largest corporations. Your company, or conglomerate, has established all the connections with the old guards in the world of politics, the bureaucracy, and the top echelon of Thai society. Continued …

Thai children losing out on height due to too little milk

Packed with essential nutrients, milk is an integral part of children’s diets and supports their growth. It contains calcium, which is great for the teeth and the bones, and has other health benefits, too, among them boosting the immune system, strengthening heart health, and improving the skin, according to experts.

Yet, despite these advantages, a study shows milk consumption is low among young Thais, raising concerns over their short stature. Continued …

Funeral attendees win cows, receive rice gifts in unique 200,000 baht Thai almsgiving

In Buriram province, a funeral for 92-year-old Wun Chongchaingam has drawn a large crowd due to the unusual almsgiving of 1.5 tons of rice and a raffle for five cows, worth a total of 200,000 baht (US$ 5,758), for needy villagers and attendees. The event took place at Wat Pa Non-Somboon temple.

Many villagers attended the funeral to pay respects and participate in merit-making for the deceased woman, as well as to try their luck at winning one of the five cows. In addition to the cow lottery, which was held in front of the guests, over 700 bags of rice, each containing approximately two kilograms, were prepared as gifts for attendees. Continued …

Keeping poor kids at school

Anirut Thongdech has a broad smile when he learns that he will have a chance to return to school this term after having dropped out for two years.

The 11-year-old boy, also known as Saming, was forced to leave school due to his parents’ inability to afford his education, a problem in Thai society that has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …

People flee high-rise buildings in Bangkok as Myanmar quake tremors felt

Many office workers in high-rise buildings in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province rushed into the streets after they felt their buildings shake this morning.

One netizen tweeted that he was on the 13th floor of a building in the Lat Phrao area when he saw ceiling lamps swaying and felt dizzy. Another said that she dared not re-enter their building, after she and her colleagues ran out. Continued …

Myanmar Junta Launches Airstrikes Near Thai Border As Clashes Escalate

Fighting between Myanmar junta forces and Karenni armed groups just across the border from Mae Hong Son intensified yesterday, with the former launching 13 airstrikes against the latter.

Thai security forces said that Myanmar junta’s 430th Rapid Mobility Battalion continued to clash heavily with Karenni Army (KA), Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and People’s Defense Force (PDF), the loosely organized armed wing of the pro-democracy National Unity Government, around eight to 10 kilometers from Mae Ngao subdistrict, Khun Yuam district, Mae Hong Son province. Continued …

Coalition begins opening a path to deliver peace to the restive South

The Prachachart Party vowed on Sunday that it and its coalition partners will work to ensure that both Buddhist and Muslim residents of the South will be able to live in harmony.

The party’s stronghold is the Muslim-majority southern border provinces. It made the promise at a public forum with representatives of Buddhist residents of the southern border provinces. Continued …

50,000 Signatures Sought to Keep Cannabis off the Narcotics List

The Future Cannabis Network is marching across Thailand in a campaign to gather 50,000 signatures opposing the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic, confident that the new government will listen.

Amid current legislative changes surrounding the public Cannabis Act – which was initially proposed to the progressive party, before being stalled in committee – the group seeks to ensure that cannabis will not revert to its status as a controlled substance. Continued …

Thai baht continues to be volatile

After a week of fluctuations last week amid strong selling pressure on the U.S. dollar and bond yields, the exchange rate of the Thai baht to the U.S. dollar is expected to be volatile again this week, ranging between 34.40 and 34.90 Baht.

Key factors to watch include the statement from the U.S. Federal Reserve chairman to Congress, the direction of foreign capital flows, Thailand’s export data for May, and the political situation in the country. Continued …

Thai economy to enjoy positive growth, economists say

The Thai economy is still growing despite the risk of a global economic recession, economists said during the recent “Investment Forum: New Chapter, New Opportunity” seminar organized by Krungthep Turakij.

Somprawin Manprasert, head of Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center, said that while the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) did not hike interest rates at its meeting last week, as it wanted to send a signal that such hikes need not be constant, it was anticipated that there would be two further increases from the current rate of 5.25% this year, mainly to mitigate the impacts of rising fuel costs. Continued …

Further interest hikes likely

Thailand is likely to see higher interest rates in the second half of 2023 following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s indication of two further interest rate hikes this year and a signal from the Bank of Thailand that it, too, might raise interest.

According to Roong Sanguanruang of Krungsri Bank, it was earlier expected that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) might pause interest rate hikes at 2%. Continued …

Household debt in Thailand soars to 86.9% of GDP, dampening consumer spending

Thailand’s mounting household debt is raising concerns, as it continues to hinder consumer spending, affecting various industries and impeding economic growth. The latest data from the National Economic and Social Development Council shows debt in the nation reached 15.1 trillion baht in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 3.5% increase year on year, and accounting for 86.9% of GDP.

Debt levels remain alarmingly high, as the major factors behind rising household debt are real estate purchases and personal loans. Continued …

Retirees skip Chiang Mai amid heavy smog

Chiang Mai tourism operators hope the new government will work to urgently solve the haze problem to lure back long-stay senior tourists, which represent a major loss for the province.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat visited the province last week to discuss environmental and tourism policies with representatives from the tourism sector. Continued …

Chinese tourists top low season visitors list

The majority of international tourists in Phuket at the start of the low season come from China, followed by Russia and Australia, according to the Phuket Tourist Assn. (PTA).

PTA Vice President Thanawat Oncharoen said yesterday most of the visitors from China were independent travelers, adding the number of tourist groups from the country remains low, though he did not reveal any details. Continued …

7 best things to do in Hua Hin

Packing the bags and jetting off to the delightful seaside resort of Hua Hin is becoming quite the hot ticket for locals and expats alike. With its prime position along the Gulf of Thailand, this lovely destination serves as a delightful getaway for those toiling away in bustling Bangkok.

Moreover, stunning landscapes and a plethora of captivating activities make it a top choice for everyone in search of some fun in the sun. But with so many things to do in Hua Hin, it can get a bit overwhelming. So to help you plan your travels, here are the best things to do in Hua Hin for an enjoyable holiday. Continued …

Tell us what you consider the best activities for visitors in Hua Hin at aim@hhexpatnews.com.

A guide to visiting Koh Samui in 2023

Koh Samui has long been a go-to hotspot for sunseekers and holidaymakers, and in 2023 it promises to be even more amazing. You might be wondering what all the fuss is about, but don’t you worry your sunscreen-lathered hands because our guide will show you everything Koh Samui has to offer, from the best time to visit to the best villa to stay to the yummiest food and dazzling night markets that you can’t miss.

You can fly into Koh Samui International Airport with Bangkok Airways, AirAsia, or Thai Airways routes. On the other hand, you can take a ferry to Koh Samui, which requires around 1-2 hours, depending on what pier you are getting on board. Continued …

Travelindex Unveils Winners of Bangkok’s Top 25 Restaurants

Travel-index, a content-driven ecosystem for the travel and tourism sector, has rolled out its annual list of 25 restaurants throughout Bangkok that it considers the top eateries, highlighting why the capital is such a popular gastronomic destination among gourmets and gourmands.

Travelindex has annually listed and awarded the best restaurants since 2018 based on its own patented “Restaurant Rating Index.” Continued …

Air Travel Demand Seen Soaring 28% To Near Pre-pandemic Level In 2023

Global air passenger traffic is expected to soar 28.3% to 4.35 billion people in 2023, returning to near the pre-pandemic level of 2019, with Asia-Pacific airlines benefiting from a sharp recovery in demand, according to estimates by an industry body. Continued …

China calls on US to meet it halfway amid frosty ties

China has called on the United States to meet it halfway, saying that bilateral ties are at the lowest point since the start of diplomatic relations, according to an official Chinese account of talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Sunday. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

• Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
• Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight