Today’s news: Landfill fire engulfs Hua Hin/UK pension policies spark rebellion/Stringent compliance regulations for new bank accounts/Cha Am park campsite closed/Jurassic World 4 to film in Thailand/Viral sensation meets silver screen/1.4 tons of heroin seized/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Thailand casino faces big obstacles/Thailand promotes land bridge/Cannabis Network Opposes PM’s Move/Tourism: Phuket governor, British meet/Seaplane Service Set for Phuket/Cebu Pacific to Don Mueang/Is weed still legal in Thailand?/Major change coming to Aussie tourist hotspot/Climate Thailand: Today’s Thai environmental 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
Smoke from landfill fire engulfs Hua Hin
A noxious haze descended upon Hua Hin for days, emanating from a blaze at an old landfill between Soi 102 and Soi 112 in Thap Thai. The enduring landfill inferno stubbornly smouldered for five relentless days.
Initially subdued by recent rains, the inferno reignited Wednesday morning, spewing flames anew. The disused landfill is in Village 1, Nong Pranpuk, Thap Tai subdistrict, where over 20 rai of land is shrouded in smoke, choking the atmosphere and posing health hazards to the populace. Continued …
UK pension policies spark election rebellion
As the United Kingdom gears up for a pivotal general election, British expats in Thailand are raising a storm over frozen pensions and government neglect.
In Thailand, British expats like Kevin Hoye and Anthony Peters are feeling the heat of political discontent. Hoye, a former Tory loyalist, finds himself disillusioned by frozen pension policies, while Peters, hailing from the sunny shores of West Sussex, echoes his frustration. Continued …
Thailand to implement stringent compliance regulations for new bank accounts
Thai authorities are set to enforce severe compliance regulations for customers seeking to open new bank accounts in the country.
The move comes as a result of the use of accounts for illicit or fraudulent activities; from November of last year to the present, local authorities have closed more than 300,000 mule accounts. Continued …
Cha Am Forest Park campsite closed until May 20
Cha Am Forest Park has announced the temporary closure of its camping area from May 10 to May 20 to facilitate environmental recovery and maintenance.
The closure will allow for essential repairs, enhancements, and general upkeep of the park’s facilities, which include accommodation, seminar rooms, and a youth camp building, alongside its natural attractions such as nature trails and a 5-kilometer long running and cycling path. Continued …
Jurassic World 4 to film in UK, Thailand, and Malta
A fresh scoop from industry insiders has unleashed details about the highly anticipated Jurassic World 4, revealing filming locations including the London, Thailand and Malta.
The franchise director, Gareth Edwards, is set to take audiences across the globe through his cinematic lens to London, the exotic locales of Thailand and the picturesque landscapes of Malta. Continued …
Viral sensation meets silver screen at Planet of the Apes premiere
The Thai girl photographed aiming an air gun at a monkey in a viral, award-winning picture, was guest of honor at the gala premiere of the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes movie at Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok yesterday. She shared her experiences of living with troops of monkeys in the central province of Lopburi.
Back in February, the image of the Thai girl, later identified as Noey, went viral on Reddit and various social media platforms. The photo, taken by wildlife photographer nhm_wpy, scooped the top award in the 50th European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Continued …
1.4 tons of heroin seized in Nong Khai
Four drug smugglers have been arrested and 1.4 tons of heroin smuggled across the Mekong River seized from a house and a rubber plantation in Sangkhom district of Nong Khai province.
Local officers from the Na Ngiew police station and border patrol police were dispatched to Phukhao Thong village in tambon Ban Muang on Wednesday night after an investigation revealed that a large quantity of smuggled drugs were being kept at a house in Sangkhom district of the northeastern province bordering Laos. Continued …
- Austrian Man Detained for Overstaying Visa by 920 Days – Continued …
- Russian Man Caught with Magic Mushroom – Continued …
- British Man Arrested on Charges of Defaming a Phuket Restaurant – Continued …
Thailand casino progress leapfrogs Japan, still faces big obstacles
Following nearly unanimous parliamentary support and cabinet approval, Thailand’s casino legalization process has the momentum to meet Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s target of opening a casino within two years. This is the first step toward establishing “entertainment complexes” with gaming in tourist areas across the kingdom.
Thailand’s speedy progress contrasts Japan’s glacial advance toward casino gaming. Successful legalization efforts in the world’s third largest economy commenced in 2013. Final legislative approval came in 2018. The first license was granted in 2023 and an integrated resort is not expected to open before 2030. Continued …
Thailand promotes land bridge project to Chinese investors
More than 30 Chinese entrepreneurs attended the Thailand Land Bridge Roadshow event hosted by the Thai Transport Ministry on Wednesday in Beijing.
The road show, which aims to attract investment in the 1-trillion-baht megaproject, was led by Deputy PM and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who has been in China since earlier this week on various transport-related missions. Continued …
Thai Cannabis Network Opposes PM’s Move To Outlaw the Drug
Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network issued a statement yesterday in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s order instructing the Ministry of Public Health to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic substance.
The network emphasized that the definition of what constitutes an addictive substance should be based on scientific evidence. They called on the Ministry of Public Health to carry out a comparative analysis of the benefits and harms of cannabis, alcohol and cigarettes. Continued …
Phuket governor and British ambassador discuss tourist safety
Sophon Suwannarat, the governor of Phuket, hosted Mark Gooding, the British ambassador to Thailand, in a meeting on May 7, focusing on the safety of tourists. The meeting, which took place at the Phuket Provincial Hall, aimed to foster relations between Phuket and the British government.
Sophon emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of tourists, particularly by reducing road accidents involving motorcycles and guaranteeing water safety. He also underscored the collaborative efforts between the Phuket Provincial Office and various consular representatives in spreading essential information and promoting cultural respect among tourists. Continued …
New Seaplane Service Set for Phuket
A seaplane service is scheduled to start operating in Phuket by the end of the year. This development, an initiative by the Transport Ministry, aims to boost tourism and is a part of the government’s aviation hub policy.
The policy has been implemented to increase the nation’s capacity to accommodate an influx of international tourists. Continued …
Cebu Pacific launches direct flights to Don Mueang Airport
Cebu Pacific will soar between Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) three times a week, whisking eager travelers away on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, starting July 16.
This latest addition boosts Cebu Pacific’s Manila-Bangkok flights to 17 times weekly, making it easier than ever to experience the magic of Thailand. Continued …
Is weed still legal in Thailand? Here’s what tourists need to know
Less than two years after Thailand opened the floodgates by legalizing cannabis, the country’s new conservative coalition government is seeking to slam them shut.
Neon weed signs have become ubiquitous in Bangkok’s busy tourist area, with dispensaries cropping up on every corner. Hundreds of food and drink vendors advertise cannabis-infused menus. But this could all change under new proposals to strictly regulate marijuana use and restrict it for medicinal purposes. Continued …
Major change coming to Aussie tourist hotspot of Thailand
Thousands of Aussies who freely enjoyed cannabis while holidaying in a popular tourist hotspot are set to be disappointed as the drug is re-banned.
Thailand will officially ban the drug from being used for non-medicinal purposes by the end of this year, backtracking on its decision to allow people to buy and sell marijuana for recreational purposes in 2022. Continued …
Today’s Thai environmental news
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31
FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35
FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15
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
