Tag Archives: phrae

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Saturday’s news-July 26

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Hua Hin unaffected by border crisis/Thai Troops Retaliate, 100 Cambodian Soldiers Dead/Thailand Rejects Mediation/Cambodia Calls for Ceasefire/Marines Launch Operation/Roots of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Fight/Martial Law Declared in Chanthaburi and Trat/Blood Donations Pour In/Tensions Impact Thai Baht and Tourism/Flooding crisis in Sukhothai and Phrae/Pattaya slashes spaghetti wires/ECONOMY: All eyes on tariff deadline/148 economic projects/TOURISM: Should You Cancel Your Trip to Thailand?/Chinese arrivals below 5 million/Thailand’s national park system/CLIMATE THAILAND: World Mangrove Day/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/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

Hua Hin, Thailand’s other holiday resort areas unaffected by border crisis

Although several governments have issued travel warnings, none has advised against visiting Thailand and Cambodia. The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office simply warns travelers not to go within 50 kilometers of the border in the at-risk provinces.

The most popular destinations – Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin – are hundreds of miles from the scene of any shootings or panic. Cambodia’s main attractions in Phnom Penh and the famous archaeological site at Siem Reap are similarly free from border-related violence. Continued …

Thai Troops Retaliate, 100 Cambodian Soldiers Dead in Fierce Clash

In a recent skirmish along the Thai-Cambodian border, the Thai military has reportedly engaged in intense combat, resulting in the deaths of approximately 100 Cambodian soldiers. The clashes occurred at approximately 4 p.m. yesterday. The Thai forces have maintained control across all confrontation points by deploying tanks and artillery to retaliate.

The conflict intensified as Cambodian troops attempted to breach key areas, including Chong Bok, Sam Tae, Phu Ma Khua, and other strategic locations. The Thai military has responded with continuous artillery fire, thwarting the opposition’s advances in these regions. Continued …

Thailand Rejects Mediation in Escalating Cambodia Conflict

In a firm stance amid escalating tensions, Thailand has turned down mediation offers from the United States, China, and Malaysia, choosing to address its dispute with Cambodia through direct bilateral talks. The conflict, the most severe between the two nations in over a decade, has so far claimed at least 16 lives, predominantly Thai civilians.

The border tensions, simmering for some time, erupted into intense hostilities with both sides engaging in heavy artillery exchanges for the second consecutive day. The Thai foreign ministry, represented by spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura, has voiced a clear preference for handling the matter independently with Cambodia, without third-party intervention. Continued …

Cambodia Calls for Ceasefire as Border Clashes with Thailand Escalate

Cambodia is urging an “immediate ceasefire” with Thailand after deadly skirmishes between the two neighboring nations. This appeal was made by Cambodia’s United Nations envoy after two days of intense fighting, which prompted the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting. In response to the clashes, Thailand has expressed its openness to dialogue, which could potentially involve Malaysia as a mediator.

The border dispute has been simmering for years but erupted violently with jets, artillery, tanks, and ground troops engaging on Thursday. The Cambodian province of Oddar Meanchey reported the death of a 70-year-old civilian and injuries to five others due to artillery fire. On the Thai side, over 138,000 residents have been evacuated from the border regions, with 15 fatalities — including civilians and a soldier — and 46 others injured. Continued …

Marines Launch Operation to Repel Cambodian Troop Incursion

The Royal Thai Navy has launched a military operation codenamed “Trat Phikat Phairee 1” after Cambodian troops allegedly crossed into Thai territory at three locations near the border village of Chamrak in Trat province.

The incursion reportedly began around 5:10 am today and marked the third consecutive day of rising border tensions. Cambodian forces are said to have initiated hostilities by opening fire on Thai positions. Thai troops, stationed along the Chanthaburi-Trat defense line, responded with immediate countermeasures. Continued …

Temple, Territory, Tensions: The Roots of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Fight

Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have resulted in a deadly standoff, killing at least 16 and displacing tens of thousands. Artillery fire marks the worst fighting in over a decade, as disputes over ancient temples fuel ongoing hostilities, leaving both countries on high alert.

Heavy fighting erupted early Thursday near a contested ancient temple, quickly spreading along the disputed frontier. Thailand retaliated by withdrawing its ambassador, expelling Cambodia’s envoy, and deploying F-16 fighter jets, while Cambodia responded with truck-mounted rocket launchers. The escalating violence has led to the evacuation of approximately 130,000 Thais and 12,000 Cambodian families. Continued … 

Martial Law Declared in Parts of Chanthaburi and Trat as Border Tensions Escalate

In a dramatic development amid escalating cross-border hostilities, the Border Defense Command for Chanthaburi and Trat provinces has officially declared martial law in select districts of the two eastern provinces. The announcement, made last night, follows increased military aggression by Cambodian forces along the Thai-Cambodian border.

According to the declaration, the move is deemed necessary due to continued attacks by Cambodian military units using armed force along the border. Continued …

Blood Donations Pour In to Aid Thai-Cambodian Border Casualties

In a display of national unity and compassion, people from all walks of life in Narathiwat province have rallied to donate blood for those injured in the ongoing clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. Soldiers, students, and civilians gathered at Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital in Muang district to support the wounded, showing that in times of crisis, the Thai spirit of solidarity remains unwavering.

Military personnel from the 151st Infantry Regiment at Kalyanivadhana and Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Camps were joined by students from Narathiwat Rajanagarindra University and members of the local community. The blood drive was organized to provide critical support for the injured and to bolster emergency blood reserves as border skirmishes continue. Continued …

Tensions with Cambodia Impact Thai Baht and Tourism

The Thai baht has experienced a downturn as tensions escalate with Cambodia, reflecting the currency’s sensitivity to regional conflicts. After having reached 32.11 per US dollar, its strongest point since February 2022, the baht fell by 0.3% on Thursday. This reaction follows a surge driven by optimism in trade negotiations and foreign capital inflows, complemented by high gold prices.

The trigger for this market response was an aggressive confrontation between Thai and Cambodian military forces near their disputed border, resulting in Thai fighter jets targeting Cambodian army posts. This heightened conflict has prompted investors to reconsider their positions, as observed by currency strategist Lloyd Chan of MUFG Bank, who noted, “The escalating border conflict is giving investors a reason to book some gains.” Continued …

Flooding crisis in Sukhothai and Phrae provinces as river levels rise

Flooding in Sukhothai and Phrae provinces has reached crisis levels, prompting the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and provincial authorities to issue a maximum-level emergency warning. This morning, floodwaters from the Yom River rapidly inundated Sukhothai city and surrounding areas, with water levels rising above the riverbanks and flooding homes.

According to the DDPM, floodwaters started overflowing in Sukhothai’s Muang District (Pakkhaew, Yang Sai, Pak Phra, and Thani subdistricts) and Si Samrong District (Wang Yai and Wang Thong subdistricts), with levels continuing to rise. Citizens have been advised to move valuables to higher ground, relocate vehicles to safe areas, and evacuate to designated shelters if necessary. Continued … 

Pattaya slashes spaghetti wires in major city makeover

Pattaya is finally tackling one of its biggest eyesores — those tangled telecom cables hanging from power poles — by cutting them down in a citywide cleanup drive.

On Thursday, Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet led the launch of the 2025 Telecommunications Cable Organization Project, aimed at removing disused wires and improving both public safety and visual appeal. Continued …

All eyes on Trump’s Aug 1 deadline

As global markets continue to digest US President Donald Trump’s latest trade announcements, attention now turns to the rapidly approaching Aug. 1 deadline that could reshape Southeast Asia’s economic landscape.

While recent bilateral deals have provided some clarity, Thailand faces the dual challenge of securing favorable trade terms with the US, while managing an unexpected military escalation with Cambodia. Continued …

148 economic projects allotted Bt87.3 billion

The Budget Bureau has allocated a total of 87.3 billion baht to fund 148 economic stimulus projects, according to Theerarak Saengsanit, deputy permanent secretary of the Finance Ministry. The allocation accounts for 75.7% of the 115 billion baht stimulus budget approved by the cabinet in June.

The cabinet had earlier approved the 115 billion baht tranche based on the proposal of the economic stimulus policy committee. This forms part of the broader 157-billion-baht stimulus package with a total of 481 projects aimed at revitalizing the economy. Continued … 

Should You Cancel Your Trip to Thailand Amid the Cambodia Border Conflict?

Escalating tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border have raised concerns for travelers planning a trip to Thailand. Armed clashes, airstrikes, and border closures have created uncertainty, particularly for those visiting areas near the conflict zone.

Thailand has closed all land border crossings with Cambodia, halting vehicle and tourist movement from seven provinces. Cambodia has restricted imports and downgraded diplomatic ties, further escalating tensions. While air travel between the two countries remains operational, land travel to Cambodia, including popular routes to Siem Reap, is currently impossible. Continued …

Chinese arrivals to dip below 5 million

Despite flight subsidies and incentive group stimulus, the number of Chinese tourist arrivals this year is expected to plunge below 5 million, significantly lower than the 6.7 million recorded last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, deputy governor of international marketing for Asia and South Pacific at TAT, said the government’s stimulus package worth 750 million baht should help drive Chinese arrivals to 5 million. Continued …

Weed stench driving tourists away, claims Phuket MP

A Phuket MP has lit up controversy by claiming that the smell of cannabis on local beaches is driving away big-spending tourists and damaging the island’s reputation.

Yesterday, Chalermpong Saengdee issued a fiery statement slamming the lack of cannabis regulation and the government’s “careless” visa-free policy, warning that Thailand’s top tourism destination is losing its luster. Continued …

Annual seasonal opening/closure of Thailand’s national park system

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has advised tourists on the opening/closed status of Thailand’s national parks, to ensure they can best enjoy the picturesque natural beauty and abundant flora and fauna on offer around the country.

This is normal practice, as Thailand’s national park system closes several attractions every year for a certain period, depending on weather and park conditions. Dates are varied, and the closure is often due to extreme weather, especially during the rainy months, that may create unsafe conditions and allows for some ecological recovery time. Continued …

Nationwide Drive to Restore Mangrove Forests on World Mangrove Day

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Chalermchai Sri-on, has called on all citizens to unite in a collective effort to restore the country’s mangrove forests as part of the “Thailand Mangrove Alliance” campaign. The announcement coincides with the World Mangrove Day today.

Chalermchai emphasized the importance of inclusive participation in managing mangrove ecosystems. He said that the ministry has been actively promoting mangrove restoration through community-led initiatives spearheaded by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and various network partners. These efforts, he noted, have resulted in a measurable increase in mangrove forest coverage across the country. Continued …

  • French National Arrested in Bangkok for Child Exploitation – Continued …
  • 34 Foreign Workers Arrested in Rayong Industrial Estate Raid – Continued …
  • Bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in BangkokThe first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin offers two round trips daily. The fare is 200 baht each way and takes three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure is from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.

    (We recommend checking with the bus company about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)

    Starting May 1, the Don Mueang-Hua Hin route will offer two round trips per day. The two outbound trips from Don Mueang Airport will depart at 8 am and 3 pm. The bus will stop at eight locations, including the Service Hall at Don Mueang, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Mahachai, Phetchaburi Big C, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, and the Hua Hin Bus Station.

    For the return trips from Hua Hin, buses will depart at  9 am and 3:30 pm, stopping at seven locations, including the Hua Hin Bus Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Mahachai, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, and Don Mueang Airport.

    Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.

    Bus Tickets 

    New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule

    Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):

    (We recommend checking with the airline about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)

    Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 12:10 pm

    Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 10:20 am

    Hua Hin train schedule

    To book online

    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.

     

    90-day online reporting

    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

     

hospitality, hua hin, immigration, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s news-Oct 14

Today’s news: Late king remembered/Crab bank initiative honored/16 Best Food Delivery Apps/Heavy rain warnings/What the Srettha government has done/Gold prices up Bt550/Girl’s toes get caught in escalator/Australia interested in investment/Noodle maker sets out expansion plans/Isuzu mulls e-pickup factory/Japanese firms upbeat on Thailand/Turning waste into wealth/Hoteliers embrace expat focus/Chinese tourists drop/Krabi, Thailand’s Nature Paradise/Thailand’s best-kept secrets/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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Late king, Rama IX, remembered in Hua Hin

Over a thousand people yesterday attended ceremonies honoring the late H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Participants carried the royal cypher of His Majesty from Phon Kingphet Public Park to Wang Klai Kangwon. Here, volunteer traditional Thai dancers from the Hua Hin-Pranburi region, adorned in yellow-patterned Thai Chitralada costumes, performed a candle dance. (HHT)

Hua Hin’s blue swimming crab bank initiative honored

Hua Hin has been listed in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories for 2023 for the “blue swimming crab bank” initiative in Khao Takiab. The initiative is organized by the local fishing community of Khao Takiab and focuses on the conservation of the blue swimming crab population.

Under the initiative, any gravied female crabs caught by the local fishing fleet are released back into the sea after they are placed in a nurturing condition to spawn. From October 2018 to May 2023, the crab bank initiative released over 150 million crab larvae into the sea, representing an economic value exceeding 1,000 million THB (approximately 28.5 million USD).

The crabs are released back into the sea every morning from 9am on the beach next to Amazon Coffee in Khao Takiab,. Anyone can take part in the releasing of the crabs.

16 Best Food Delivery Apps In Thailand

Food delivery apps are the best way to get food delivered to your home or office. Most people in Thailand use these apps because they are convenient, fast and easy to use. However, this can also be a disadvantage because you don’t know what ingredients they use in their foods because they don’t disclose it.

But if you want something that’s quick and effective then these food delivery apps will definitely serve as a good solution for you, since most of them provide delicious meals made from fresh ingredients that do not compromise quality for quantity. Continued …

Tropical depression triggers heavy rain warnings for 47 Thai provinces

Today, 47 provinces of Thailand, including Bangkok, brace for heavy rainfall due to a tropical depression covering the Gulf of Thailand.

The public has been warned to be cautious of flash floods and forest runoff, especially in hillside areas and low-lying regions. The sea waves are expected to reach a height of two meters in areas affected by thunderstorms. Continued …

What the Srettha government has done during its first month in office

After a month in office, the Pheu Thai-led coalition government has launched a slew of policies with many more to come, according to Prommin Lertsuridej, the head of Pheu Thai Party’s economic affairs committee and secretary-general of the prime minister’s office.

Prommin acknowledged that though the government had officially announced its policies, some were introduced a bit hastily, including the initiatives to reduce energy prices, support farmers, boost tourism, and implement soft power. He emphasized that the government would be introducing more policies in the coming months. Continued …

Gold prices up Bt550 to Bt33,000

The Gold Traders Assn. this morning announced the buying prices at 32,305.96 baht per baht weight for gold ornaments and 32,900 baht per baht weight for gold bars.

The selling prices were set at 33,500 baht per baht weight for gold ornaments and 33,000 baht per baht weight for gold bars. Continued …

Girl escapes serious injury after toes get caught in escalator

A 4-year-old girl was injured when her foot got stuck in an escalator groove at a popular mall in the Bangna area of Bangkok Friday evening.

The little girl’s right big toe and index toe got stuck when she was coming down the escalator with her mother. Continued …

Australia interested in investment in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor

Australia is interested in investing in infrastructure development projects, water resources in particular, in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), according to Thailand’s trade representative Nalinee Taveesin.

Australia is Thailand’s 8th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade last year estimated at about US$18.38 billion, with a tendency to increase in line with Australia’s economic strategy in Southeast Asia over the next decade and longer, as announced by the Australian prime minister in September, with the government having initially set aside US$95.4 million across four years to fund the strategy. Continued …

Mama noodle maker sets out expansion plans

Thai President Foods, the manufacturer of Mama instant noodles, plans to invest more than 2 billion baht over a three-year period to expand its production capacity in response to anticipated future growth, both domestically and abroad.

Of the total budget, 1.6 billion baht is slated for acquiring and installing eight machines, while 400-500 million baht is for the purchase of land and construction of a new factory, said General Manager Pun Paniangvait. Continued …

Isuzu mulls e-pickup factory in Thailand

Japanese automaker Isuzu Motors plans to build a factory to make electric pickups in Thailand if local demand for the vehicles increases significantly, says Tri Petch Isuzu, the local distributor of cars under the Isuzu brand.

The Yokohama-based company believes Thailand has the potential to become its electric vehicle (EV) export base if the EV market, especially its pickup segment, continues to grow. Continued …

Japanese firms upbeat on Thailand, ASEAN

Japanese businesses remain confident about their investments in Thailand and are keen to stay here, particularly in businesses related to automobile manufacturing, according to Hideyuki Tanaka, chair of the subcommittee on ASEAN economic relations, Keidanren (Japan Federation of Economic Organizations).

Thailand, which is one of 10 ASEAN member countries, has an abundance of natural resources, and Japan feels that its people have a common culture with Thais. More importantly, Thai people are friendly to the Japanese, Tanaka said. Continued …

China’s technologies help Thailand turn waste into wealth

There are abundant biomass resources in Southeast Asia, mainly including waste from agriculture and forestry. China has been employing its technologies to help its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partners in turning waste into wealth.

Thailand has rich biomass resources, such as crop straw and wood residue. The existing biomass gasification projects have faced problems like poor fuel flexibility, low gasification efficiency, high tar content in gas, and secondary pollution from tar wastewater. It is urgent to enhance equipment reliability and operation and maintenance capabilities to ensure system stability and reduce investment and operating costs. Continued …

Thai hoteliers embrace TAT’s forthcoming expat focus

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) recent announcement on the pivot toward offering benefits to expatriates in its 2024 strategy has garnered positive responses from leading hoteliers in the country.

Thailand, known for its cultural richness and scenic beauty, attracted 156,596 expatriates in 1Q2023 alone. Continued …

Chinese tourists drop by 75,093

The economic division of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that the number of Chinese tourists in Thailand last week fell by 75,093 compared to the previous week.

The ministry said Thailand received 497,966 foreign tourists last week. This was 54,453 or 9.86% less than the previous week. The number of foreign tourists in the country decreased, especially Chinese tourists. Continued …

Unleash Your Adventurous Spirit in Krabi, Thailand’s Nature Paradise

As exhilarating as it is to connect with unspoiled nature in all its primal glory, there are few places that deliver such experiences as wonderfully as Krabi does. Located in the southern part of Thailand, Krabi is known for its clear waters, stunning limestone cliffs, and dense mangrove forests – a paradise for thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts from around the world.

Adventure tourism has seen significant growth in recent years, and Krabi stands as a testament to this trend. Be it water sports, rock climbing, or jungle trekking, there’s no shortage of adventure activities in Krabi. Continued …

Why Nan and Phrae are Thailand’s best-kept secrets

There’s a couple I spot wherever I go in the northern Thailand province of Nan. He is bare chested with intricately tattooed legs; she is demurely dressed but smiles as he cups his hand and whispers in her ear. They pop up on tote bags and T-shirts and as fiberglass sculptures.

My guide tells me that to Thais their image is as synonymous with Nan as the “I (heart) NY” logo is with New York. If upcoming Tourism Authority of Thailand educationals pay off, this power couple could become a lot more widely recognized, as international visitors discover community-based tourism here and in the neighboring province of Phrae. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 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 once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. 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 

November Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flights reduced to two per week

Thai Air Asia will reduce direct flights from four to twice weekly between Chiang Mai, the gateway city to north Thailand and the beach resort town of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand.

From Chiang Mai, the new schedule switches to two weekly flights (Friday and Sunday), starting Oct. 30. The one-way is around USD78.40 (THB2,846), including fees and tax. Continued …

 

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

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
baht, cha am, hua hin, marijuana, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s news-Sept 23

Today’s news: Baht expected to continue slide/Landscaping of beach road/Long-tail boat racing/Cha Am to boost tourism/Thai PM at the UN General Assembly/Torrential rains forecast/Intense plankton bloom threatens/Less than 2,803 baht per month/Thailand’s mega land bridge project/Keen On Investing In ThailandLotus launches EV brand in Thailand/Cannabis Network Gives Warning/Movie scares Chinese tourists/China-Laos Railway Adds Extra Train/Unique things to see in Thailand/Reviving indigo textile production/5 offbeat Thai destinations/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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Baht expected to continue its slide

Economists are warning the baht will weaken further throughout this month and next because of higher volatility in money and capital markets worldwide after the U.S. Federal Reserve’s hawkish comments about its benchmark interest rate.

Poon Panitchpibun, money market strategist at Krungthai Global Markets, a research center of Krungthai Bank, said the baht opened on Thursday at 36.25 to the U.S. dollar, depreciating from the previous day’s close of 36.07. Continued …

Landscaping of beach road a priority?

Hua Hin municipal officials plan to improve the landscaping of the road leading to City Beach. At a meeting yesterday, the Sanitation and Environment Division was told to improve the landscape down to the beach front.

Given that the road is lined almost in its entirety with businesses and vendor stalls, where landscaping would be installed is a question, as is whether the cost of such landscaping is even necessary. The only break in the vendor lineup are the two Centara entrances.

Previously, “beautification” of the road involved new asphalt, as well as building vendor buildings to replace the makeshift stalls that were present. The result has been a narrowing of the pathway that accommodates motorcycles as well as pedestrians. The vendor improvements were made after a fire near the beach destroyed several stalls.

Officials did recommend also that the road be kept clean and that more trash bins would be installed.

Hua Hin seeks approval to hold long-tail boat racing event Nov 17-19

The Hua Hin municipality has submitted a formal request to provincial officials for the green light to host its annual long-tail boat racing event at Khao Tao reservoir in November.

The heart of the discussion revolved around the municipality’s request for the continuation of the longboat racing event. This event traditionally occurs every November to December at the Khao Tao reservoir, a project that was initiated by royal directive. Continued … 

Cha Am aims to boost tourism to international standards

Yesterday, Phetchaburi Province took a significant step toward advancing its tourism industry to meet international standards. A meeting was held at the Phetchaburi Provincial Hall, Mueang district, chaired by Wanpen Mangsri, deputy governor of Phetchaburi.

The central focus of the discussion was to address the needs concerning products and services in the tourism sector of Phetchaburi and Cha Am. Continued …

Full statement delivered by Thai PM at the UN General Assembly

On behalf of the delegation of the Kingdom of Thailand, allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, upon your election to preside over the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session.

Thailand has marked a new chapter in our democracy. I have only assumed office a few days ago, with the mandate of the people, to strengthen democratic institutions and values in Thailand, and to uplift the well-being of the Thai people, who have been through difficult times over the past several years. Continued …

Torrential rains forecast for the south as monsoon intensifies

Continuous thundershowers are forecast for most of the country today, with isolated heavy rains in the lower central region, including metropolitan Bangkok, and the east, according to the Meteorological Department.

The south could experience torrential rains, the department warned. The heavy rainfall is the result of a monsoon trough lying across the lower central, the east and the upper south, and the intensifying southwest monsoon across the Andaman Sea and the Gulf. Continued …

Intense plankton bloom threatens Chon Buri’s marine life and mussel farms

A severe plankton bloom, unusually dense in nature, has emerged off the eastern coast of Chon Buri province, leading to the formation of what marine scientists are referring to as an aquatic “dead zone.” This situation poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of local fishermen and the operations of mussel farms in the region.

(Editor note: Plankton blooms such as this one are generally caused by chemical runoffs from farm activities. With the Chao Phraya River emptying into the Gulf, and carrying runoff from Thailand’s farming heartland, such dead zones are likely to continue, and worsen.)

In specific areas of the Gulf of Thailand, marine scientists have recorded plankton levels that are over 10 times the normal amount. Continued …

More than 6% of all Thais still live on less than 2,803 baht per month

Although poverty has decreased in Thailand, incomes have risen and income inequality has decreased, disparities persist and require attention, the National Economic and Social Development Council said in a report.

The report put the poverty line at 2,686 baht per month per person in 2017 and at 2,803 baht per month per person in 2021. It focused on poverty under the government of former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017-2021). Continued …

Thailand’s mega land bridge project: an economic boon or environmental bane?

The Industry Ministry of Thailand is currently assessing the environmental impact of a proposed land bridge megaproject in the southern part of the country, a venture that promises to significantly bolster the Thai economy in the future. This assessment is crucial to determining the project’s viability and addressing any potential negative effects on the environment.

The proposed land bridge, which aims to establish a logistics network between Ranong on the Andaman Sea and Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand, has been a topic of discussion for four decades. It is envisioned as an alternative maritime route to the existing Indian Ocean-Pacific Ocean pathway via the Strait of Malacca, which sees approximately 85,000 ships annually — a figure projected to rise to 128,000 within the next 10 years, according to the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). Continued …

Goldman Sachs, Estee Lauder, Microsoft And Google Keen On Investing In Thailand: Srettha

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said after holding talks with executives of some top American companies that Goldman Sachs, Estee Lauder, Microsoft and Google are interested in investing in this country.

After a video call yesterday morning to address an Asian Business Council meeting in Thailand, with this being a gathering of more than 80 ASEAN businessmen, among them 10 Thai businessmen, and is the first meeting here in a decade, Srettha had a breakfast meeting with second-highest-ranking executive of Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities and investment-management firm. Continued …

UK sports carmaker Lotus launches EV brand in Thailand

The manufacturer of the famous British brand Lotus Cars officially launched its first-ever electric car brand in Thailand on Friday, hoping to be a game changer in the EV industry and start a new chapter for Lotus, said Katya Zavialova, its head of Southeast Asia Pacific.

She said during the launch ceremony that “Lotus Eletre” represents a historic turning point for Lotus, evolving from a 75-year legacy of sports car excellence that combines high technology, dynamic performance, and practicality. Continued …

Cannabis Network Gives Health Minister A Warning

A cannabis network yesterday urged Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew to clearly define what a planned draft bill on cannabis and hemp would mean in saying it is to be for medical and health purposes only, because if traditional medical practitioners are cut out it could lead to conflicts.

After the liberal marijuana policy became effective on June 9, 2022, possessing and using all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds, are now allowed. However, extracted content remains illegal if it contains more than 0.2% of the psychoactive ingredient that produces a “high” — tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Continued … 

Blockbuster movie scares Chinese tourists away from Thailand

For millions of Chinese tourists, Thailand used to be a happy land of water fights, lantern festivals and delicious food.

But thanks to social media rumors and a blockbuster movie, the kingdom’s image among many Chinese people is now one of dangerous illegality and seedy scam border compounds — leaving visitor numbers plummeting. Continued …

China-Laos Railway Adds Extra Train To Serve Growing Number of Passengers

The Laos-China Railway Co. (LCRC) has procured another electric multiple-unit (EMU) train, which arrived in the Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday, aiming to accommodate the growing number of passengers.

Anongdeth Phetkaysone, deputy director of the LCRC, said that the EMU train has been purchased to support passenger transportation both domestically and internationally, in order to support the increase in passengers and prepare for Laos’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Visit Laos Year 2024. Continued …

Unique things you can experience only in Thailand

Thailand’s tropical and coastal charms, historical monuments, and extensive cuisine, fashion and wellness offerings make it a tourist magnet. Apart from its cultural and geographical diversity, the country also houses certain endemic attractions that are incredibly one-of-a-kind.

Here are a few top picks of such experiences that need to be on your Thailand bucket list. Continued …

Northern Thailand town reviving indigo textile production for a new generation

“When I was small, it was all very traditional,” muses 69-year-old Prapapan Sritrai as she shows me around her workspace, where huge vats of bubbling, inky-blue liquid are being stirred by her husband. Auntie Ngeam, as she’s known locally, is one of a third generation of indigo artisans in a family descended from the Phuan, a people known for their handwoven fabrics.

A sizeable Phuan community, originally from Laos, settled in Phrae, in northern Thailand, after being displaced from their homeland when the borders of Siam were expanded in the late 19th century, bringing their indigo craftsmanship with them. Continued …

Koh Chang to Rai Leh: 5 offbeat destinations apart from Phuket and Pattaya

From stunning beaches and lush jungles to Thailand’s bustling cities and vibrant culture, it’s not hard to see why it’s one of Asia’s most popular travel destinations. But while many people flock to Phuket and Pattaya for their holidays, plenty of other places in Thailand deserve just as much attention.

Even recently, according to research conducted by MoneyTransfers.com, Phuket has been declared as the world’s most overcrowded tourist destination. However, from the remote islands of Koh Chang to the ancient ruins of Rai Leh, here are five offbeat destinations in Thailand that are not Phuket or Pattaya. Continued … 

More than 70% of farmers have already seen large impacts of climate change

Seventy-one percent of farmers say that climate change already has a large impact on their farm, and even more are worried about the impact this will have in the future; 73% have experienced increasing pest and disease pressure. On average farmers estimate that their incomes had reduced by 15.7% due to climate change in the past two years. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 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 once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. 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

 

90-day online reporting

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
bangkok, climate change, hua hin, medical tourism, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s News-July 15

  • Move Forward MPs File Bill To Rid Senators Of PM-Picking Power/
  • General Prawit may emerge next week to clinch prime minister’s job/
  • Political experts see no path for Pita to become PM/
  • Business community hoping for a quick political resolution/
  • Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok ranked among world’s best hospitals/
  • Tourism: Tourism sector anxious over possible protests in wake of failed PM vote/A beginner’s guide to the rainy season in Thailand/
  • Thailand Experience: The best things to do in Phrae/
  • International: Prolonged heatwaves grip US and Europe, raising health concerns/Israeli doctors reattach Palestinian boy’s head in pioneering surgery/Oil Prices Predicted to Recover Amidst Global Economic Rebound/
  • 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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Move Forward MPs File Bill To Rid Senators Of PM-Picking Power

Move Forward MPs yesterday filed a renewed bill to put an end to the constitutional power of the military-appointed senators to pick a prime minister.

The Move Forward legislation was lodged in pursuit of amendment to Section 272 of the military-designed constitution to the extent that the senators be no longer empowered to vote for prime minister alongside the elected MPs. Continued …

General Prawit may emerge next week to clinch prime minister’s job

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, the leader of the Palang Pracharat Party, may emerge as a surprise new candidate for prime minister next Wednesday, with sources within the eight-party coalition increasingly concerned after Thursday’s polarized debate in parliament, that the avuncular party leader may gain the support of the 188 MPs in the House who voted against Pita and swing undecided senators to come in behind his bid, which could lead to him securing well over the 375 votes required under Section 272 to be legally confirmed as government leader.

On Friday, the day after the vote in Parliament which saw Pita Limjaroenrat fail to reach the minimum votes required, 375 in a joint session of Parliament to be elected Thailand’s 30th prime minister, the eight-party coalition behind him met to discuss its future strategy. Continued …

Political experts see no path for Pita to become PM

Many Thai experts and political analysts say that the Move Forward-led coalition may have to consider fielding a prime minister candidate other than Pita Limjaroenrat. They spoke on Friday, a day after Pita failed to win in the first round of parliament’s vote for prime minister.

Despite being the lone candidate, Pita was unable to secure majority support from parliamentarians, falling short of the 375 votes required. Continued … 

Business community hoping for a quick political resolution

Whichever faction of parties comes together to form a new government, the business sector insists there is an urgent need to swiftly establish an administration.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, an honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Assn., said the likelihood Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat will become the next prime minister seems murky, and Thailand’s political situation could be tense for a while. Continued …

Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok ranked among world’s best hospitals

Newsweek and Statista, a news magazine and a website for statistical information, recently published the World’s Best Hospitals list, ranking 250 of the top global hospitals. Bumrungrad International Hospital, in Bangkok, ranks 182nd overall, with a 93% score, while the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is the top-ranked hospital.

The result is a good sign for Thailand’s plans to make the country into a global medical and wellness hub by 2026, which is expected to generate more employment, boost investment, and contribute to various related businesses, as well as promoting alternative medicine. – Pattaya Mail

Tourism sector anxious over possible protests in wake of failed PM vote

Yesterday’s political fiasco, where Pita Limjaroenrat failed to become PM despite his party winning the most votes in the general election, has left Thailand’s tourism sector on edge.

The risk of political protests if Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure the votes needed to become PM in round 2 or 3 of voting (on July 19 and 20) is worrying tourism operators. Continued …

A beginner’s guide to the rainy season in Thailand

If you’re planning to pay a visit to Thailand when the rainy season is in full swing, these are the things you need to know.

Those of us who live in Thailand know that every year we alternate between enduring the scorching heat and the eventual torrential downpour and the floods that go along with it. Sure, there’s the extremely brief sweet spot where it’s cold (kinda), but other than that, it’s either hot or wet. Continued …

The best things to do in Phrae

Eat, Phrae, Love. It’s seems distracting, disrespectful almost, to admit to myself just how often the words slip through my mind on the sticky streets of Phrae.

Yes, the pronunciation of Phrae shimmies over the h and half notices the r. So it kind of sounds like pray. But that’s really where the similarity ends with the novel about a woman who sets out to travel the world to forget about her problems. Continued … 

Video

Prolonged heatwaves grip US and Europe, raising health concerns

A prolonged heatwave prompted an urgent warning by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) for over 115 million citizens. Notably, the city of Phoenix, Arizona, has endured consecutive high temperatures over 43 degrees Celsius for 13 days, with signs of breaking a record of over 18 days of consecutive heat, starting Tuesday, July 18. Continued …

Israeli doctors reattach Palestinian boy’s head in pioneering surgery

In a remarkable medical achievement, Israeli physicians have successfully performed a reattachment operation on a child’s head, following a collision with a vehicle while he was cycling that left him with an almost severed neck. The pioneering surgery was conducted at a hospital in Jerusalem. Continued …

Oil Prices Predicted to Recover Amidst Global Economic Rebound

The average price of ICE Brent crude oil in the second quarter of 2023 (April 1-June 30) remained stable at $77.75 per barrel, indicating tighter supply in the market compared to the previous quarter. Continued …

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. 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

 

90-day online reporting

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 Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590