- Hua Hin Dustman Gravel races March 4-5/Hua Hin Bikini Run March 25/Best Western opens first resort in Hua Hin/What’s hot and what’s not in the year to come/Bank of Thailand updates Thai economic recovery momentum/Business associations succeed in lowering rise in power price/Massive investment planned for new Smart City in Eastern Economic Corridor/Mass New Year exodus from Bangkok to Isaan begins/Two male foreign bodies found floating near Racha Island, Phuket/More than 30 Thais feared dead in Poipet casino inferno/Forgetful husband accidently abandons wife on a road trip after taking a quick leak/Deadly clashes continue between Myanmar troops and Karen rebels near Thai border/
- Tourism: The outlook for Tourism in Thailand in 2023/2022 marks revival of Thailand’s tourism after two years in the wilderness/No Special Measures for Chinese Visitors/Phuket eyes Bt100-billion New Year windfall/
- Thailand Experience: Thai Basil To Lemongrass, Ingredients That Complete Thai Food/The best new restaurants in Bangkok/15 Best Places to Visit in Thailand/
- Covid: What new Covid restrictions are Chinese travelers facing?/
- International: Russia pummels Ukraine’s power and water sectors/Brazilian Soccer Legend Pelé Dead At 82/US winter storm death toll rises to 61/
- Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas
Best Western opens first resort in Hua Hin
Best Western Hotels and Resorts has continued to expand its portfolio with the launch of its inaugural property in Hua Hin: Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin.
Set around a series of lagoon pools in Khao Tao, just 10 minutes south of Hua Hin and approximately 2.5 hours drive from Bangkok, the resort features a free-flowing organic design, a wide range of accommodations and facilities for leisure and business. Continued …
What’s hot and what’s not in the year to come
Trends change by the year, with some things in and others out, and 2023 will be no exception. Remember when the SMS was “in” some years ago? Here’s what we predict will be making a splash or quietly bowing out in the next 12 months.
In – cashless, out – coins and banknotes
Credit where it is due. The government’s “Khon La Khrueng” co-payment scheme has made cashless payment widespread, accelerating it with sellers, including street vendors who are learning to accept payment via the scheme. Another reason, on the buyer’s side, is the pandemic, which made people afraid of contracting Covid through contaminated coins and banknotes.
A couple of years back, we’d never imagined leaving home without a wallet. Now those pockets can stay empty as long as you have a smartphone with you. Even better, a purchase – no matter how small the amount is – can be done via a number of cashless methods. Credit cards can’t do that 40 or 50 baht payment. Continued …
Bank of Thailand updates Thai economic recovery momentum
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) says the Thai economy is still in a recovery mode, and that the momentum was driven by the continuous recovery of the service sector following the increase in the number of foreign tourists and the improvement in private consumption indicators.
Chayawadee Chai-Anant, assistant governor at BoT, said the the Thai economy was still in a recovery direction. The momentum was driven by the continuously recovering service sector following the increasing number of foreign tourists.
She said that seasonally adjusted number of foreign tourists increased from the previous month from many nationalities, especially Europe and the United States. Continued …
Business associations succeed in lowering rise in power price
The cost of electricity for businesses will not rise as much in January as proposed earlier this month, following an intensive and coordinated effort by Thailand’s largest business associations to prevent what they described as a crippling rise in the fuel tariff (Ft) rate.
The Energy Regulatory Commission has approved a decision by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to reduce a rise in the Ft rate during the first quarter of next year, commission Secretary-general Komkrit Tantravanich said on Thursday.
The Ft rate is determined by the cost of fuel used for generating electricity and the cost of buying power from private generating plants. Continued …
Massive investment planned for new Smart City in Eastern Economic Corridor
The government will invest 1.35 trillion baht to transform the eastern seaboard’s Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC) into a regional financial hub and a world-class smart city by 2037, deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said on Thursday.
(What is a Smart City? A smart city is typically a kind of municipal Internet of Things – a network of cameras and sensors that can see, hear and even smell. These sensors, especially video cameras, generate massive amounts of data that can serve many civic purposes like helping traffic flow smoothly.)
In the first 10 years, the focus will be developing the business and financial area, regional business offices, government offices, medical facilities, and educational centers, she said.
This will be followed by creating a world-class smart city by 2037 to serve as a model for the development of smart cities across the country, Rachada added. Continued …
Mass New Year exodus from Bangkok to Isaan begins
The mass exodus for New Year from the Thai capital Bangkok to the northeastern Isaan region has begun in earnest. To accommodate the traffic, special lanes were introduced to ease the flow in the area of Wang Noi at KM 106.
Police in the city of Saraburi also opened a special lane under the turn-off bridge and from KM marker 17 to 43, Thap Kwang to Klang Dong.
Gas stations were opening past regular hours, as large numbers of people used their facilities for fuel and rest stops. Continued …
Two male foreign bodies found floating near Racha Island, Phuket
Two bodies of male foreigners were found floating in the sea near the Racha Island, south of Phuket.
The Royal Thai Navy said that at 12:35pm yesterday they were notified from a tour boat captain that two bodies were found floating near the Rang Gai Beach, east of the Racha Noi Island off the Chalong area.
At 4:50pm, the Royal Thai Navy and rescue divers arrived at the scene to find two bodies tied with ropes connected together with a floating life jacket and a buoy. Continued …
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More than 30 Thais feared dead in Poipet casino inferno
Thai rescuers estimated that more than 30 Thai nationals perished in the massive blaze that engulfed the 355-room Grand Diamond City Hotel and Casino in the Cambodian border town of Poipet late Wednesday night, while a Cambodian official warned that the death toll could rise to the hundreds.
Banteay Meanchey provincial spokesman Sek Sokhom said late Thursday afternoon that the death toll could rise to the hundreds. He said the casino complex had 400 staff and an unknown number of guests. Anyone trapped in a room during the fire can be presumed dead, he said.
Rescue officials from Thai foundations who crossed the border from Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet district to the impoverished casino town on the Cambodian side of the border, said they retrieved bodies believed to be Thai. Continued …
Forgetful husband accidently abandons wife on a road trip after taking a quick leak
For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part, and in an emergency toilet break situation, every marriage is tested to some degree. And, an absent-minded husband truly tested the strength of his marriage on a road trip last week.
He pulled over by the roadside to quickly take a leak before climbing back into the car and driving off – leaving his wife behind who had wandered into a nearby jungle for a pee.
Boontom Chaimoon and his wife, Amnuay Chaimoon, took a road trip on Sunday to spend the seasonal holidays in her hometown in the Maha Sarakham Province. Continued …
Deadly clashes continue between Myanmar troops and Karen rebels near Thai border
More than 1,000 resistance forces were involved in a fierce battle against Myanmar junta troops at a Karen town near the border with Thailand.
Reports said many people were killed and injured in the armed clashes that have continued for over two weeks in a battle for the control of Kawkareik, a town in Myanmar’s Karen State.
The exact number of casualties could not be independently confirmed. Continued …
The outlook for Tourism in Thailand in 2023
Thailand is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, ancient temples, and delicious food. In 2023, the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) has announced a new plan to attract even more visitors to the country.
One of the main focuses of the 2023 tourism plan is sustainability. TAT has pledged to reduce the environmental impact of tourism and promote eco-friendly practices throughout the industry. This includes efforts to reduce plastic waste, protect natural habitats, and encourage sustainable transportation.
In addition to sustainability, TAT is also focusing on promoting diversity and inclusivity in its tourism efforts. This includes efforts to showcase the country’s diverse cultural heritage and promote equal access for all visitors, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. Continued …
2022 marks revival of Thailand’s tourism after two years in the wilderness
After bolting the doors for two years following the outbreak of the pandemic, Thailand decided to fully reopen the country in 2022, removing the COVID-19 restrictions that had throttled tourism, a key engine of economic growth.
Before fully reopening, Thailand had begun a carefully planned, phased and controlled return of international tourists beginning July 1, 2021. The Phuket Sandbox, Samui Plus, and 7+7 Extension programs were implemented with caution to ensure COVID cases would not soar. This was followed by a four-phase reopening time line from October 2021 to January 2022 in which destinations throughout the country were reopened to tourists.
On July 1 this year, the government removed the Thailand Pass registration requirement, allowing foreign nationals to arrive if they could show proof of vaccination or a negative antigen test taken not later than 72 hours before the flight. Continued …
No Special Measures for Chinese Visitors
The country will not need any strict disease control measure for Chinese visitors, the public health minister said.
Anutin Charnvirakul, public health minister and deputy prime minister, said officials from the Department of Disease Control, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Ministry of Transport discussed measures to be imposed in response to China’s planned country reopening on Jan. 8, and they agreed that existing measures would be enough.
The Chinese government required outbound Chinese travelers to undergo RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 and receive at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Most Chinese people had natural antibodies for COVID-19 also because 60% of the Chinese population already contracted the disease, Anutin said. Continued …
Phuket eyes Bt100-billion New Year windfall
Phuket expects to earn more than 100 billion baht in revenue from tourism during the New Year period.
Bhumikitti Ruktaengam, advisory chairman of the Phuket Tourist Assn., said on Thursday the situation is rebounding quickly in the resort island during the New Year period, as hotel room reservation rates on Kata, Karon, Patong, and Nai Harn beaches are averaging 70%. Continued …
Thai Basil To Lemongrass, Ingredients That Complete Thai Food
Thai food is incredibly effective at drawing foodies under its spell of flavor. You’ll be compelled to indulge in their decadent sweets, flavorful appetizers, fragrant sauces, and rich and creamy curries again and time again.
It takes talent to master, but the secret to making any Thai cuisine is to balance the five essential flavors of sour, bitter, salty, sweet, and spicy. As a result, no Thai food is ever monotonous and always gives your taste the much-needed punch.
Almost all Thai dishes start with a paste. Although you can buy pre-made Thai pastes (such red, yellow, and green curry), they won’t have the same flavor and scent, much alone the nutrition, of a paste produced from scratch. Continued …
The best new restaurants in Bangkok
What a year to eat out. Slowly yet stylishly reclaiming the steps we had fallen during the dark period of 2020-2021, the year 2022 saw Bangkok’s food and beverage scene gently rock up on its feet again. Here are all the new restaurants we loved this year.
New bar and restaurant openings were aplenty, new menus were flung left and right, and some of the world’s most renowned chefs visited our city, beautifully continuing to mark it as one of the greatest culinary hubs in the region.
We hosted the Asia’s 50 Best Bar Awards in Bangkok for the first time at the beginning of the year, as well as the Top 50 Pizza Asia Pacific ceremony. On the former, we saw five entries, and on the latter we were proud of five entries. Continued …
15 Best Places to Visit in Thailand
A list of must-dos holiday destinations for countless individuals, Thailand genuinely has everything: the turbulent appeal of Bangkok, the legendary tropical wildernesses, probably the best road food on the planet, and palm-lined sea shores that appear to continue for eternity.
Whatever your justification behind getting away to the place that is known for grins, Thailand will not frustrate. Assuming that you’re exploring locations and what should be done on your next tropical getaway, look at our rundown of the most ideal getaway spots in Thailand.
11. Hua Hin
While simply a calm town most popular for being the lord’s mid-year retreat, Hua Hin has turned into a well-known ocean-side hotel destination. Try not to expect wonderful turquoise waters or vivacious ocean-side life here; however, this is to a greater extent an objective for those meeting with family, or singles who need to sunbathe in harmony, away from the groups. Continued …
What new Covid restrictions are Chinese travelers facing?
Countries are imposing or considering imposing curbs on travelers from China amid a Covid-19 surge there after authorities relaxed “zero-Covid” rules.
They cite a lack of information from China on variants and are concerned about a wave of infections. China has rejected criticism of its Covid data and said it expects future mutations to be potentially more transmissible but less severe.
Below is a list of new regulations for travelers from China. Continued …
Russia pummels Ukraine’s power and water sectors
Doubling down on its efforts to use winter as a weapon, Russia launched its fiercest attack in weeks Thursday, battering Ukrainian power and water infrastructure amid freezing temperatures. Continued …
Brazilian Soccer Legend Pelé Dead At 82
Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died Thursday. He was 82. Continued …
US winter storm death toll rises to 61
The death toll from a fierce winter storm that gripped much of the United States over Christmas rose to at least 61 on Thursday, officials said. Continued …
