Today’s news: 8-year-old windsurfs Gulf/Unsafe levels of smog/Young organ donor saves lives/Tiny Bacterium Could Defeat Dengue/Phone makers target Thais/Northern Thailand welcomes ‘Indy Jumbo’/Economy: Thailand’s Food Delivery Market/New policies raise prices/Aid for ailing property sector/Top 10 best-selling car brands in Thailand/Thailand’s Medicinal Herbal Exports/Progressive agenda is welcomed/Tourism: Strategies to raise tourist numbers/44.3% jump in spending/Russians conned in Phuket/Man tries to open plane’s emergency exit/Flights to Japan, China/German flights to operate Bangkok and Phuket/Environment: Thailand to explore gas, oil deposits/International news/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
8-year-old becomes the youngest to windsurf across the Gulf of Thailand
Water sports history was written yesterday when eight-year-old Thanawat “Shane” Promwaen became the youngest to windsurf 107 kilometers (66 miles) across the Gulf of Thailand – a claim to fame he most wanted as a gift for his ninth birthday this coming Sunday. It was a case of “third time lucky” for Shane, whose two previous attempts at the epic crossing were scuppered by poor wind conditions.
The boy wonder achieved his kite foil crossing in just four hours and 10 minutes – the fastest time yet for windsurfers of any age. He even beat the four hours and 45 minutes crossing time recorded by a jetskier. Thailand’s wee windsurfing wizard was flagged-off from Surfspot in Hua Hin and landed at Pattaya Kitesurfing Clubloongchat on Na Jomtien Beach.
Unsafe levels of smog cover upper Thailand
Forty-eight from all 77 provinces, especially those in the northeast, experienced hazardous levels of ultrafine dust on Thursday morning, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
GISTDA reported at 10am that 13 provinces were blanketed by red (seriously harmful) levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5), ranging from 75.8 to 97.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) of air over the past 24 hours. The government’s safe threshold for PM2.5 is 37.5 µg/m³, while the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend 25 µg/m³. Continued …
Young organ donor saves lives after death in Hua Hin
Doctors from Hua Hin Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society have posthumously honored a 13-year-old patient for donating organs following his tragic death.
Patcharaphon Srilert, 13, from Hua Hin recently passed away from a brain aneurysm, with his family choosing to donate his organs to assist numerous patients awaiting treatment. The donated organs, which include the liver, kidneys, and heart valves, were transported from Hua Hin Hospital to Chulalongkorn Hospital by the Thai Red Cross. Continued …
How a Tiny Bacterium Called Wolbachia Could Defeat Dengue
(Thanks to reader “P.M.” for providing this link.)
The best time of day to release mosquitoes in northern Australia is midmorning. Later in the day, winds might sweep the insects away and dash any hope that they will find a mate. Earlier than that, the workers who drive around and release containers full of mosquitoes would have to get overtime pay.
And so, on a sweltering January morning at the height of the Australian summer, I climbed into my white van with thousands of mosquitoes stowed in Tupperware cups on the back seat. Continued …
Phone makers target Thais with new high-end models
Smartphone manufacturers are parading their premium devices with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, foldable mobile phones, and gaming mobile phones to woo affluent Thai consumers in the first quarter.
The move aligns with the government’s tax incentive for shopping and the festive mood of Chinese New Year. Continued …
Northern Thailand welcomes famed elephant ‘Indy Jumbo’
An elephant known as Indy Jumbo has found a new lease on life after a viral video catapulted her to fame.
The elephant, affectionately dubbed Indy Jumbo by Thai netizens, shot to stardom after a video of her leisurely beach escapade took social media by storm. The charming clip showcased her unwavering love for nature as she gazed at the sea and sky, much to the amusement of viewers worldwide. Continued …
The Three-Way Fight for Thailand’s Food Delivery Market
The food delivery market in Thailand has seen a rapid growth in the past few years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased the demand for convenient and contactless food delivery options. A report by Statista showed that the market value of food delivery in Thailand increased by 62% in 2021, reaching 51.5 billion baht (about 1.6 billion USD).
Among the food delivery apps that operate in Thailand, Grab, Line Man, and Foodpanda are the most popular and competitive ones. Grab is a super app that offers ride-hailing, food delivery, digital payments, and more. It has been leading the food delivery market in Thailand since it launched GrabFood in 2018. Continued …
New policies raise prices paid for agricultural products
The prices paid for several agricultural products have increased in the past six months thanks to the Commerce Ministry’s new policies, Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Thursday
Phumtham, who is also a a deputy prime minister, said that in the past six months the prices of Hom Mali and sticky rice rose by 12%, tapioca by 49%, oil palm by 9%, rubber by 22%, corn for animal feed by 6%, shallot up 27%, and oranges by 57%. Prices of export fruits also went up significantly, such as durians to 205 baht per kilogram and mangosteen to 100 baht/kg. Continued …
Finance Ministry urges aid for ailing property sector
The Finance Ministry recommends the government implement measures to improve the property sector and stimulate the economy, says Deputy Minister of Finance Krisada Chinavicharana.
He said the ministry plans to use fiscal measures to help sectors that have been adversely affected by sluggish economic growth, in particular the property market. Continued …
SC Asset sees tough residential market
Top 10 best-selling car brands in Thailand eye 2024 growth
The Thai automotive industry saw a slight downturn in 2023, with total car sales reaching 775,780 units – a 9% decrease from the previous year, while commercial vehicle sales experienced a significant drop of 17%, AND the passenger car segment witnessed a 10% increase, totaling 292,505 units sold.
The decline in car sales is attributed to sluggish economic recovery, high household debt, tight loan conditions, and high-interest rates. Despite these obstacles, established players like Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Ford, and Mitsubishi maintained their positions as the top five car brands in Thailand. Continued …
Thailand’s Medicinal Herbal Exports Worth Over USD2.8 billion Annually
KK Strategies has revealed that its new project based in the province of Phetchaburi is positioned to benefit greatly from the booming medicinal herbal market in Thailand. According to The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Thailand’s medicinal herbal exports are between 100 -150 billion baht, or 2.8-4.2 billion USD annually.
KK Strategies disclosed that Thailand is set for unprecedented growth due to recent government policies supporting the development medicinal herbal industry, particularly for exportation to the United States. This is particularly true for the pain-related medicinal herbal exports. Continued …
Government’s progressive agenda is welcomed
The recent initiatives undertaken by the Srettha Thavisin-led government in Thailand mark a significant departure from the conservative and military-driven policies of the past, illuminating a path toward a more inclusive and peaceful society.
These initiatives, aimed at resolving the Deep South conflict and recognizing the rights of indigenous people, underscore a commitment to progressive change that has been long overdue in Thai politics. Continued …
Tourism Council outlines strategies to raise tourist numbers
Thailand’s tourism businesses must redesign their products and services so that the country can directly attract new tourists, while also encouraging visitors to return and extend their stay in Thailand, Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said yesterday.
He added that rather than promote each destination separately, it would be better to combine nearby destinations in a single journey thus maximizing the tourist experience. Continued …
44.3% jump in spending for inbound Chinese New Year bookings
Data from leading global travel service provider Trip.com Group has revealed that Thailand will see an increase of 44.3% in total trip expenditure for inbound bookings when comparing this year’s Chinese New Year (CNY) festive period with 2023’s CNY period, with expenditure for outbound travelers increasing by 70.8%.
The increase in spending may be attributed to Southeast Asian tourists taking longer trips, traveling beyond Southeast Asia for the 2024 Chinese New Year period. In the previous year, 72% of Chinese New Year travel was within Southeast Asia, but now just over half (50.2%) of travelers are visiting destinations further away. Continued …
Russians conned in 720,000-baht Phuket villa booking scam
A Russian couple is hundreds of thousands of baht out of pocket after falling for a villa rental booking scam in Phuket.
The couple made a pre-payment of 720,000 baht for a villa booking, only to arrive in Phuket and find that no such booking existed. Continued …
Man arrested after trying to open plane’s emergency exit before takeoff
A Canadian man was arrested on Wednesday night after attempting to open an emergency exit shortly before the takeoff of a Thai Airways flight at Chiang Mai Airport, police and witnesses said on Thursday.
The 40-year-old passenger, identified as Wong Sai Heung, apparently suffered from a panic attack. He reportedly ran to an emergency exit at the front section of the aircraft, attempting to unlock the door while shouting that someone was going to assault him. Continued …
Thai AirAsia to increase flights to Japan, China
Thai Airways orders 45 Boeing 787s, plus options
Thai Airways has placed a firm order for 45 Boeing 787 jets, with options potentially boosting the size of the deal to around 80 aircraft as it serves rising international travel demand, industry sources said.
The deal, to be formally unveiled later this month, is already reflected in Boeing’s published order backlog as a contract for 45 planes with an undisclosed customer, they said. Continued …
German airline Condor to operate direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket
German airline carrier Condor unveiled plans to revitalize travel to Asia by introducing non-stop flights from Frankfurt to Bangkok and Phuket starting in September.
The airline is set to add seven weekly flights to Thailand. Frankfurt to Bangkok flights will operate four times a week, while the Phuket services will run thrice weekly. Continued …
Thailand to explore deposits of natural gas, crude oil and petroleum
The Department of Mineral Fuels is preparing to open bidding for petroleum exploration projects in nine terrestrial fields across Thailand before the end of this year in the hope of finding petroleum, natural gas and crude oil.
Seven of these fields are in the northeast while two are in the central region, covering a total area of 33,944 square kilometers, the department’s Director-general Warakorn Brahmopala said on Thursday. Continued …
China no longer No. 1 source of US imports
China was the second-biggest source of imported goods in the United States last year on a customs-cleared basis, losing the top spot it had held since 2008 to Mexico, official trade data showed Wednesday. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
Hua Hin train schedule
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
