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Thursday’s news-Nov 21

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Our newest sponsor: Sun Power Solar/PKK tourism brings in 37 billion baht/Cha Am road completed/Petrol prices to rise/Severe thunderstorm warning/Laos drink poisoning tragedy/Cyanide serial killer sentenced/Chinese buyers in Chiang Mai/Reducing Elephant’s Tusk Length/12 Bodies Found/Thailand village cashes in on earthworms/ECONOMY: Tariffs ‘could cost Thailand Bt160 billion’/Thailand Positioned as Strategic Hub/Is Thai baht at risk?/Third phase of handout/Interest payments to be suspended/Digital transformation said key/Thailand targets Japanese auto giants/Conflict in Myanmar sparks surge/Golden age of Thai cinema/TOURISM: Foreign arrivals cross 30 million/Major revamp of venues/Wide-body jets on domestic routes/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 10 healthiest Thai food orders/Phuket Festival returns/Chiang Mai golden tigresses/CLIMATE THAILAND: Journey Toward a Sustainable Future/Phuket goes green/Thailand emission reduction targets/Battery-swapping stations/EGCO’s ‘Triple P’ strategy/PTT to pursue low-carbon trends/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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PKK tourism brings in 37 billion baht

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New Cha Am road completed

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Petrol prices to rise

Starting today, petrol and gasohol prices are set to climb by 30 satang per liter, courtesy of PTT Station’s latest price tweak. In contrast, diesel users can breathe a slight sigh of relief as their prices remain untouched.

Expect to shell out 44.24 baht per liter for petrol. Gasohol 95 will hit 35.95 baht per liter, with its sibling, Gasohol 91, coming in at 35.58 baht. Continued …

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for south

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms affecting the southern region, anticipating torrential rain, gusty winds and rough sea conditions from today to Saturday.

According to the weather forecast, 12 of the 14 provinces along the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea will experience harsh weather, with only Ranong and Phuket exempt from the warnings. – Bangkok Post

US citizen the third suspected death in Laos drink poisoning tragedy

An American man is the third person suspected to have died after a mass drink poisoning in Laos that killed young Danish women and left two Australian teens fighting for their lives.

The U.S. State Department today confirmed the death of one of its citizens in Vang Vieng, a tourist town where at least 10 people became seriously ill last week from drinking spirits believed to be laced with methanol, a cheap and deadly form of alcohol mostly found in crude or criminal brews. Continued …

Cyanide serial killer sentenced to death

The Criminal Court of Thailand yesterday sentenced the cyanide serial killer to death for her chilling role in the murder of 14 innocent people. The Criminal Court wasn’t pulling any punches, as her accomplices didn’t get off lightly either.

The cyanide serial killer’s ex-police officer husband, Police Lt. Col. Witun Rangsiwutthaphon, has been given a one-year jail sentence, while the murderer’s lawyer, Thanicha Eksuwannawat got two years in prison. Continued … 

Chinese buyers in Chiang Mai spark Thai fears for future stability

In a recent surge of property acquisitions in Chiang Mai, Chinese buyers are acquiring homes and other investments, fueling both economic growth and local unease. In the heart of Thailand’s cultural capital, signs in Chinese adorn shops and cafes, marking a stark shift driven largely by Chinese nationals who now invest heavily in the area.

This buying spree, primarily focused in Hang Dong, San Kamphaeng, and San Sai, totaled investments from Chinese buyers of up to 5 billion baht in recent years. Houses priced from 3 million baht have proven particularly appealing, given the comparative affordability against China’s urban property markets, where prices can far exceed $700,000. Continued …

Thai Vets Consider Reducing Tusk Length of Plai Sak Surin

Plai Sak Surin, the famous Thai elephant who was brought back from Sri Lanka for health treatment last year, has growing tusks that concern veterinarians due to potential impact on his neck muscles. The matter is currently under consideration with experts from various sectors.

Plai Sak Surin, a male elephant around 30 years old, lived in Sri Lanka for 21 years before returning to Thailand for treatment. He was flown to Thailand on July 2, 2023, in an underweight condition, shackled, with abscesses on his hip and a crippled left leg. Continued … 

12 Bodies Found at Thai Meditation Site

Thai authorities discovered 12 bodies buried at a meditation site in Kamphaeng Phet province. The location, situated near the Siri Chan Forest Monastery in Khanu Woralaksaburi District, had been associated with unusual meditation practices, including alleged “clairaudience” and “clairvoyance” rituals. Following public outrage, these activities were banned, prompting an investigation into the site’s practices.

Forensic police, hospital staff, local officials, and rescue workers excavated 17 graves, uncovering 12 bodies. Among them were four recently deceased individuals and eight skeletal remains. Continued … 

Thailand village cashes in on earthworm empire

In a twist on traditional farming, a village in Nakhon Phanom is turning the world of unusual professions on its head by raking in a staggering 50 million baht annually from a rather slimy source: earthworms! Yes, you read that right. The ingenious residents of Ban Tan, nestled in the Na Wa District, have been cashing in on these wriggly wonders for over 30 years.

Once the rainy season bids farewell, the earthworm bonanza begins. Taking advantage of the cool weather, villagers venture out in the early morning fog or under the cover of night to scoop up these slippery critters. Continued …

Trump tariffs ‘could cost Thailand Bt160 billion’

Thailand risks missing its economic growth target next year if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump follows through with his pledge to raise tariffs, as it could hurt the country’s exports and weaken the baht, according to a study.

The economy could potentially lose about 160 billion baht ($4.6 billion), shaving off about 0.9 percentage points from a projected 3% gross domestic product growth rate next year, Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, told a briefing on Wednesday in Bangkok. Continued …

Thailand Positioned as Strategic Hub Amid US-China Tensions

Thailand remains neutral amid the escalating trade tensions between China and the U.S., with China viewed as a “big brother” and the U.S. as the “big boss,” said Suphachai Chearavanont, senior vice chairman and CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group, at the Forbes Global CEO Conference. He expressed support for the development of entertainment complexes, nuclear energy, and the strategic use of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive growth.

Suphachai emphasized Thailand’s unique position as a mediator between China and the U.S., highlighting its role as a “switch of Asia” due to its strategic location in the region. This neutrality allows Thailand to serve as a platform for dialogue, helping to facilitate agreements between the two economic giants. Continued …

Is the Thai baht at risk with Trump’s return to the White House?

The Thai baht is on track to experience significant vulnerability amid changing political dynamics, particularly due to Donald Trump’s resurgence in the White House. Given Thailand’s high dependency on trade — boasting a trade volume that is 129% of its GDP — the baht’s position is precarious, especially as U.S. monetary policy, under the hawkish Federal Reserve, threatens to further weaken it.

The rise of the dollar, fueled by Trump’s policies intended to enhance U.S. production, poses additional risks for trade-reliant economies, positioning Asian currencies, including the baht, for potential declines. Continued …

Third phase of handout to cost Bt140 billion

The Thai government expects to carry out the third phase of its cash handout stimulus program in the second quarter next year, when 140 billion baht will be distributed to 14 million people, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

“The various stimulus measures can push growth above 3% next year. We are quite confident of that,” Julapun said on Wednesday, adding that full-year growth in 2024 will not exceed 2.8%. Continued …

Non-performing loan interest payments to be suspended

The government is planning to solve the debt problems of the public and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by suspending interest payments for three years on accounts that became non-performing loans (NPLs) less than a year prior to October 2024.

The campaign will help debtors in 2.3 million accounts pay off their debts worth 1.31 trillion baht, Paopoom Rojanasakul, deputy finance minister, said on Wednesday. Continued …

Digital transformation said key to surviving economic uncertainty

Former Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak advised Thai businesses to quickly adapt to changes and transition to the digital economy, driven by big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to survive global economic uncertainty.

He was speaking at the event “WHA Open House 2024: Explore – Discover – Shape the Future”, held in Bangkok on Wednesday. Somkid currently serves as the board chairman of WHA Corp., a leading property and real estate developer. Continued …

Thailand targets Japanese auto giants for investment, tech transfer

Industry Minister Akanat Promphan said he will soon meet executives of top Japanese automakers and encourage them to invest in manufacturing advanced vehicles in Thailand and develop Thai personnel in future mobility technology.

He said he plans to meet the executives of Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda and Isuzu to discuss investments and the possibility of technology transfer and development of Thai personnel. Continued …

Conflict in Myanmar sparks surge in Thai property purchases

Buyers from Myanmar have been snapping up condominiums in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand, providing a bright spark for the kingdom’s sluggish real-estate market, as they look to move money out of an economy battered by civil war.

Thai condominium unit sales to Myanmar nationals in the first nine months of 2024 tripled from the same period last year, according to the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), making them the second-largest group of foreign buyers after those from China. Continued …

2024 hailed as golden age of Thai cinema as local films boom

The year 2024 marks a golden age for Thai film, according to the “king of cinemas”, Vicha Poolvaraluk. The CEO of Major Cineplex Group says the Thai film industry is experiencing its biggest boom in 30 years, driven by strong domestic and international demand.

Thai films now account for 60% of domestic film industry revenue, compared to just 15% in the past, according to Vicha. Hollywood films, which used to dominate Thai theaters with 85% of revenue, now only contribute 40%. Continued …

Foreign arrivals cross 30 million, generating Bt1.43 trillion

Thailand welcomed 30,564,481 foreign visitors between Jan. 1 and Nov. 17, generating some 1.43 trillion baht for Thai entrepreneurs, the Tourism and Sports Ministry announced on Tuesday.

China was the top source market for foreign tourists to Thailand, with 5,973,990 arrivals, followed by Malaysia (4,361,287), India (1,822,543), South Korea (1,608,369), and Russia (1,405,327). Continued …

Thailand plans major revamp of venues to host global events

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong outlined plans to revitalize Thailand’s events infrastructure and attract world-class competitions and concerts. He told the press on Wednesday that the ministry will act as a mediator between Chulalongkorn University and private companies to redevelop the National Stadium and the Nimibutr Sports Building.

The Physical Education Department’s contract for the stadium has expired and the owner, Chulalongkorn University, will be encouraged to allow private-sector management to transform it into a “multi-function stadium”. Continued …

THAI Airways to fly wide-body jets on domestic routes this December

In a move that’s sure to delight frequent flyers, Thai Airways (THAI) revealed plans to swap its A320s for wide-bodied aircraft on select domestic routes this December, just in time for the peak holiday season. The airline is ramping up capacity to accommodate the soaring demand during the Christmas-to-New Year rush, from Dec. 20 to 31.

While official word from THAI’s communications team is still pending, several travel sources, including Nation Online, have confirmed the changes. Starting in early December, Boeing 777s, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and Airbus A330s will replace the smaller A320s on key domestic routes, including those to Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai. Continued …

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10 healthiest Thai food orders, according to a nutritionist

Traditional Thai food is made with flavorful, good-for-you ingredients. (Think: a colorful, vegetable-filled coconut curry made with dozens of health-boosting herbs and spices, served over an energizing pile of rice.) But, as with many cuisines, what you’ll find in most restaurants is a higher-sugar, higher-salt, and higher-fat spin on many Thai dishes.

There’s good news though: So many popular Thai options are still nutritious and filling (or at least can be with some slight order tweaks). After all, Thai cooking typically puts vegetables and other plant-based foods in the spotlight — and many options use coconut milk instead of cream and herbs instead of cheese, says dietitian Amy Gorin, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in New York City. Continued …

Phuket Festival returns to kickstart tourism season this December

Patong City officially announced the return of the annual Phuket Festival, set to take place from Dec. 8 to 10, marking the kickoff of the island’s bustling tourism season. The 38th Phuket Tourism Festival, themed Phuket Memories of a Lifetime, was revealed during a press event held on Patong Beach.

Patong municipality has expressed its ambition to establish Patong Beach as a prime destination for tourists worldwide during the high season. The festival will highlight the beach’s natural scenery, cultural traditions, and hospitality. Continued …

Chiang Mai golden tigresses attract visitors

Chiang Mai Night Safari has introduced the three-year-old golden tiger Eva, who has quickly become a favorite on social media alongside her sister Luna. Luna was first introduced three weeks ago, followed by Eva on Tuesday.

The two cubs were born on Feb. 12, 2021, and are now attracting visitors with their striking and distinctive appearance. Continued …

Thailand’s Journey Toward a Sustainable Future Through Renewable Energy

One of the main areas where Thailand has been working and investing resources is known as the renewable energy sector. Thailand has been actively promoting the development and utilization of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower, to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and address environmental concerns.

The Thai government has implemented various policies and incentives to encourage investment and growth in the renewable energy industry, including feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, and the establishment of renewable energy targets. As a result, Thailand has seen a significant increase in the installed capacity of renewable energy in recent years, contributing to the country’s efforts to transition toward a more sustainable energy future. Continued …

Phuket goes green: Old town steps up for carbon-free tourism

Phuket Old Town took center stage on Monday, as the Department of Tourism unveiled its initiative to promote low-carbon tourism routes, marking a milestone in sustainable travel for the 2024 fiscal year.

Local leaders and media gathered for the showcase event in the historic heart of Phuket, which spotlighted eco-friendly travel practices and the charm of the island’s cultural heritage. Continued … 

Thailand to increase emission reduction targets

Thailand will aim to further reduce its emissions of harmful gases because a follow-up on the 2015 Paris climate agreement shows the country’s efforts are falling short of its target to help control the rising temperature of the planet, according to Chalermchai Sri-on, the minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Chalermchai made the remarks on Tuesday in his address at the COP29 climate summit being held by the United Nations in Baku, Azerbaijan. Continued …

Battery-swapping stations speed the shift to electric vehicles in Thailand

Taxi driver Chanjira Ruangchan is weaving her electric motorcycle through the crowded streets of downtown Bangkok when she spots what looks like a bank of airport lockers. Ruangchan, 53, pulls over and with a few presses on her phone, a door pops open.

Inside is a freshly charged battery. Ruangchan swaps it in for the nearly depleted power cell in her bike and in two minutes speeds off in search of her next fare. The battery swap station addresses a major drawback of electric vehicles: the relatively long time it takes to charge a battery from scratch. Continued …

EGCO’s ‘Triple P’ strategy drives sustainable profitability, growth, and low-carbon goals

Electricity Generating Public Co. (EGCO) unveiled its “Triple P” strategy for 2025-2027, targeting revenue growth and profitability. The plan emphasizes core power investments and energy opportunities with an annual budget of Bt30 billion.

The company also aims to optimize its investment portfolio management through improved operational processes and human resource development to support international growth. The “Triple P” strategy addresses sustainable growth across all dimensions by balancing business opportunities, profitability, and EGCO Group’s low-carbon organizational targets. Continued …

PTT vows to pursue low-carbon trends

PTT Plc has witnessed strong performance in the first nine months of this year, and is vowing to penetrate low-carbon business to meet global energy trends.

PTT and its subsidiaries’ reported a net profit of 80.78 billion baht in the nine months from January to September, up 1.50 billion baht or 2% year on year, the company CEO and President Kongkrapan Intarajang revealed on Tuesday. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27

Thai Airasia has updated its daily flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai:

Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm

Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm

Special schedule for Loy Krathong holiday (Nov 15): departure from Hua Hin 2pm, arrival in Chiang Mai 3:15pm

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
baht, chiang mai, hua hin, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s news-Sept 24

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Longboat racing at Kao Tao/More brass bells stolen/7 teens surrender in abuse of girl/Thailand mulls welfare for all/Flooding in six Thai provinces/Flooding still ravaging north/Landslide stops trains/The science of Moo Deng/Moo Deng fever spreads/Want to Eat Moo Deng?/190,000 Myanmar workers arrested/Economy: Baht at 19-month high/Economy in choppy waters/Keeping Thai inflation low/To postpone minimum wage hike/Strategic market for Chinese automakers/EV firms told to make car parts/Thailand’s first silicon chip plant/Tourism: Domestic tourism to fall short/Airlines suspend flights/Condor Resumes Flights to Thailand/App helps Muslim tourists/Thailand Experience: Thailand’s Untouched National Park Wonders/One of Thailand’s most celebrated chefs/Climate Thailand: Renewable scheme to start/Typhoon Yagi’s Destruction in Southeast Asia/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

Longboat racing at Kao Tao Nov 10

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More brass bells stolen from Hua Hin temples

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7 teens surrender in Sam Roi Yot abuse of girl, 13; abbot questioned

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Thailand mulls welfare for all, even in the sex trade

The government is contemplating extending welfare protections to freelance workers, including those in the sex industry, akin to those available to employees registered with the Social Security Fund (SSF), contingent on their payment of income taxes.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong revealed that discussions are underway with multiple agencies to establish a welfare system to safeguard freelance workers, including tour guides, ride-hailing service drivers, online content creators, and sex workers. Continued …

Email link: sivanavillas@gmail.com

Flooding in six Thai provinces

Seasonal flooding is affecting six provinces in the north, northeast and Central Plain, disrupting life in more than 18,0 00 households in 27 districts.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Monday that floods triggered by heavy rain had caused major damage in 33 provinces across the country since Aug. 16 – four in the north, six in the northeast, two in the east, three in the Central Plain and eight in the south. Continued …

Flooding still ravaging north

The flood situation in Chiang Rai remains critical, as some areas in the province have been hit by more flash floods and landslides, inundating several villages and blocking a main road connecting the province with Chiang Mai.

Atipach Chomdang, director of the Hydrological Division Chiang Rai, on Monday issued a warning that excessive rainfall in Ban Pa Sang Pattana and Ban Rong in Wiang Pa Pao district could cause flash floods there. Continued …

Landslide stops trains to Chiang Mai

Train services have been halted by a landslide and flooding on the northern line between Lampang and Chiang Mai stations, the State Railway of Thailand said on Monday. The section of the line would remain closed until further notice.

A landslide and runoff damaged the track between Lampang and Lamphun on Sunday night. Continued …

The science of Moo Deng

Hardly anyone knew about Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo that recently became an internet sensation. Then renowned local and international media outlets like Time magazine, the BBC, The Guardian and Forbes featured cute stories about Moo Deng.

“She’s an Icon, She’s a Legend and She is the Moment,” reads Time magazine. Although people may have seen viral videos of Moo Deng bouncing around, there’s more to know about the pygmy hippopotamus than that. Continued …

Moo Deng fever spreads to other zoos

The crowd-drawing power of baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng  is generating a new fervor for her pygmy relatives, attracting people to other zoos hundreds of kilometers away. Moo Deng (bouncy pig) is the two-month-old starlet at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, where her cute antics have made her a global online celebrity.

And the Moo Deng craze has influenced people to visit other zoos that also feature pygmy hippopotamus enclosures. Ubon Ratchathani Zoo reported a 20% increase in visitor numbers after pictures and videos of seven-month-old “Moo Khaki” (pork knuckles) were shared on the internet. Continued …

Why Do So Many People Want to Eat Moo Deng?

If you’re anything like us or pretty much everyone else online, photos of the virally famous two-month-old Thai pygmy water hippo Moo Deng, will make you gasp with joy and break out in tears — and perhaps, want to eat the adorable animal in question.

Oddly enough, there may be a perfectly reasonable expectation for this ghastly hunger: a documented psychological phenomenon called “cute aggression,” in which adorable things like baby animals can cause an unexpected urge toward violence. Continued …

Over 190,000 Myanmar workers arrested in Thailand’s crackdown on illegal labor

On the 106th day of Thailand’s 120-day plan to arrest illegal workers, it was reported that 193,430 Myanmar workers have been arrested.

According to the Ministry of Labor, a total of 256,213 illegal migrant workers from countries like Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia were arrested within 106 days from June 5 to Sept. 19. Continued …

Baht at 19-month high against US dollar

The baht surged to a 19-month high against the dollar, driven by a weaker U.S. currency and profit-taking in gold. On Monday, the baht opened at 32.92 per dollar, marking its highest level in 19 months, compared to Friday’s closing rate of 33.60 baht.

The appreciation of the baht, breaching the 33-baht-per-dollar mark, followed the dollar’s depreciation after the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) sharply reduced its policy rate by 50 basis points last week to curb inflation. Continued …

Thai economy in choppy waters after Fed slash

The economy is teetering on the edge as the surging Thai baht causes ripples across the nation. In the wake of a significant rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), local industries are now urging the Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to take swift action.

For over a year, the MPC has held interest rates steady, but the recent Fed decision has upped the ante. Manufacturers, exporters, and the tourism sector are all feeling the pressure as the baht continues to climb. While short-term impacts might not seem drastic, the long-term picture looks far grimmer, warned Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Continued …

China seen as keeping Thai inflation low

Thailand’s rate of inflation is not a major concern, as China is currently “exporting deflation” globally, according to the chairman of the state planning agency.

During the delivery of his keynote speech at the annual seminar of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), under the theme “Geopolitical Uncertainty: Navigating The Future”, Supavud Saicheua, chairman of the NESDC, said yesterday that as a small country, Thailand is inevitably affected by geopolitical problems. Continued …

Thailand to postpone Oct 1 minimum wage hike

Thailand will postpone a hike in the minimum wage to 400 baht per day scheduled for Oct. 1 by about two weeks due to a lack of a quorum at meetings of the committee working on the increase, a senior labour official said on Monday.

The committee, which includes representatives from employers, labor and the government, had failed to reach a quorum at two previous meetings to discuss the planned hike, Labor Ministry Permanent Secretary Pairoj Chotikasathien said. Continued …

Thailand emerging as strategic market for Chinese automakers

Southeast Asia, with Thailand as its core, is emerging as a hub for Chinese carmakers, especially those which produce new energy vehicles, serving as a springboard for them to explore more overseas markets.

Chinese brands have taken a leading position in Thailand’s nascent but booming NEV market, thanks to the cutting-edge features available in their vehicles. Continued …

EV firms told to make car parts in Thailand by 2026

Car manufacturers supported by the government’s electric vehicle (EV) promotion measures must invest in producing key EV components domestically by 2026, according to the chief of the Excise Department.

Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director-general of the Excise Department, said the three crucial components of an EV that must be assembled in Thailand are: the electric motor, which converts electrical energy into kinetic energy to power the vehicle; the reducer, which functions similarly to a gearbox in combustion engine vehicles; and the inverter, which converts direct current (DC) from the battery into alternating current (AC) to supply electricity to the motor. Continued …

Thailand’s first silicon chip plant to commence operations in 2 years

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has announced its support for a joint venture between Hana Microelectronics and PTT to construct Thailand’s first silicon carbide chip factory.

The project, with an initial investment of 11.5 billion baht, is set to commence production within two years, serving growth in power electronics for electric vehicles (EVs), data centers, and energy storage systems. Continued …

Domestic tourism receipts set to fall short of target

Domestic tourism is on course to reach 200 million trips this year, but revenue is expected to reach just 965 billion, falling short of the target of 1 trillion baht, while the private sector has called for the promotion of second-tier cities in the form of a loyalty program.

In the first seven months of this year, domestic receipts increased 12.4% to 581 billion baht, from 160 million domestic trips, which rose 8.8% year-on-year. Continued …

Airlines suspend flights as Middle East tensions rise

Concerns over a wider conflict in the Middle East have prompted international airlines to suspend flights to the region or to avoid affected air space.

Below are some of the airlines that have adjusted services to and from the region: Continued …

Germany’s Condor Resumes Direct Flights to Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) celebrated the arrival of Condor flight DE2368 from Frankfurt to Phuket yesterday, marking the airline’s return to the route after a hiatus due to the pandemic.

This resumption is a significant milestone for Thailand’s tourism recovery, with TAT projecting over 979,000 German tourists this year, expected to generate around 65 billion baht in revenue. The renewed direct flights signify a strong demand for long-haul travel to Thailand, which is crucial for aiding the tourism sector’s bounce back. Continued …

Halal Route app helps Muslim tourists

The Halal Route app has been developed and launched to support halal tourism and help Muslims travel in Thailand with peace of mind. Presented by the Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University, the application helps Muslims from around the world visiting the Kingdom.

According to the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index, Thailand is the 32nd most popular destination for Muslim tourists. However, a major problem Muslim tourists encounter is finding halal-accredited restaurants, hotels, accommodation or tourist attractions with service areas (such as prayer rooms) compliant with the Islamic way. Continued …

Khao Sak National Park

From Rainforests To Reefs, Explore Thailand’s Untouched National Park Wonders

Offering a glimpse into the country’s stunning natural beauty, national parks in Thailand showcase a rich tapestry of turquoise coastlines, sandy beaches, verdant rainforests, majestic cliffs, and astounding wildlife. These parks are home to diverse flora and fauna, considered a slice of heaven for birdwatching fans and diving enthusiasts.

From scenic waterfalls to floating campsites, and from ethical elephant camps to colorful songbirds, these places are full of unique things to see and experience. If you plan to visit this part of Asia, keep a few days aside to visit the amazing national park wonders of Thailand. Continued …

Supaksorn “Ice” Jongsiri is one of Thailand’s most celebrated chefs

Born in the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand, Chef Ice cultivated his passion for cooking alongside his grandmother, who inspired him with her mastery of traditional southern cuisine.

After completing his undergraduate studies in Boston and a master’s degree in cultural management in Thailand, he decided to fully embrace his passion for gastronomy by turning the family restaurant, Baan Ice, into an established brand. In 2018, he opened Sorn in a historic house in Bangkok, focusing on southern Thai cuisine. Continued …

Renewable scheme to start in Q4

The much delayed second-phase 3.6-gigawatt renewable scheme is likely to start in the fourth quarter of this year, following the end of a legal dispute concerning the first phase, says an energy official.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) could not push ahead with the scheme’s second phase after the Central Administrative Court suspended the state’s plan to buy 1,500 megawatts of wind power due to alleged irregularities in the process of selecting power plants in the first phase of the scheme, with combined power generation capacity of 5.2GW from wind, solar and biogas energy. Continued …

Typhoon Yagi’s Destruction in Southeast Asia Underscores Urgent Need for Global Climate Action

For the past two weeks, Chiang Rai and much of northern Thailand have been hit by devastating floods as Typhoon Yagi ravages Southeast Asia. Landslides and flash floods triggered by the typhoon have caused hundreds of deaths throughout Thailand, Vietnam, and war-torn Myanmar, and left millions more displaced, injured, or missing throughout the region.

Thousands of miles away from this death and destruction, world leaders have gathered in the august halls of the United Nations General Assembly in New York for the Summit of the Future. This week, the heads of state and government are adopting “The Pact for the Future,” a painstakingly negotiated outcome that reaffirms their commitment to tackling global challenges, including the existential threat of climate change. Yet, while the ink dries on the 60-something-page document, the harsh reality of climate change continues to unfold across Southeast Asia. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule Sept 21-Oct 26

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
baht, bangkok, climate change, hospitality, hua hin, phuket, solar, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Friday’s news-Aug 4

  • Thai baht falls on political uncertainties, Asian FX declines/
  • Heavy rain forecast for 43 provinces/
  • EGAT against further power bill cut/
  • Dismembered Body Part Found At Koh Phangan Garbage Dump/
  • Corrupt police officers linked to firework warehouse explosion/
  • 8 killed and 3 injured after pickup collides with train near Bangkok/
  • Villagers in Tak Wait For a New Road and Electricity/
  • Thailand election: Vote For Prime Minister Put Off After Court Postpones Pita Hearing/Pheu Thai party hints at coalition to include former coup supporters/Opinion: Pheu Thai’s Faustian folly/
  • Economy: Thailand bids to become smart, eco-friendly logistics hub in ASEAN/Chinese investors top BOI investment applications/Global rice trade shook by El Nino, politics, and embargo in Thailand/Thailand to turn global food security crisis into opportunity/Thai oil company division launches solar panel project/Smaller hotels struggling to cope with increasing costs/
  • Tourism: Bangkok beats Paris as most-visited city in 2023/Russian Man Drowns at Phuket Beach After Allegedly Ignoring No Swimming Warnings/
  • Thailand Experience: ‘Feels unreal’: College graduate visits Thailand to care for animals/
  • International: Trump pleads not guilty to election conspiracy charges/11 women mop the lottery floor in India/
  • 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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Thai baht falls on political uncertainties, Asian FX declines

The Thai baht hit a one-week low on Thursday on lingering political uncertainties after the populist Pheu Thai party took the lead in efforts to form a government, while other emerging Asian currencies fell against a firm U.S. dollar. The baht weakened 0.6% and equities in Bangkok shed 0.5%, a day after the Bank of Thailand raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points.

Southeast Asia’s second largest economy has been in political limbo since the May 14 election, and the latest twist came as the Pheu Thai party abandoned support for the reformist Move Forward party that had won most seats but twice failed to get parliament’s approval for its prime ministerial candidate. Continued …

Heavy rain forecast for 43 provinces

The southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, most of the country, as well as the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure system over the upper coast of Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin, will continue to bring heavy to very heavy rain to 43 provinces,mainly in the north, northeast and eastern regions.

This is likely to cause sudden floods and flash floods, especially in hilly and low-lying areas. Bangkok will also see downpours, with 60% of the area affected. Continued …

EGAT against further power bill cut

Debt-ridden Electricity Authority of Thailand (EGAT) cannot yield to any further requests for cheaper electricity bills in the next four-month cycle, as this would affect its future investment in the power infrastructure.

Its accumulated loss, which accrued after EGAT subsidized power bills from September 2021 to May 2023, is projected to decrease to 135 billion baht at the end of this month, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Continued …

Dismembered Body Part Found At Koh Phangan Garbage Dump

In a grisly discovery at a Koh Phangan rubbish dump yesterday, a body part was found in a blue plastic bag, with police suspecting it belonged to a foreign man who had been killed and his body cut up and disposed not more than 48 hours previously.

Within the blue plastic bag was the hip of a human being dismembered from both thighs to the waist. It is presumed to belong to a foreign man by thick black body hair. Continued …

Corrupt police officers linked to firework warehouse explosion

Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Surachate Hakparn, acknowledged the presence of corrupt police officers within the force. He ensured to investigate the public’s concern over corruption allegations linked to the firework warehouse explosion.

Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn stepped forward to expose the corruption within the RTP that may have played a role in the firework warehouse explosion at Muno Market in the Sungai Kolok district of the southern province of Narathiwat. Continued …

8 killed and 3 injured after pickup collides with train near Bangkok

A pickup truck collided with a train in the early hours of this morning, killing eight Thai people and injuring three others near Klong Udon Chonlajon in Chachoengsao province near Bangkok.

Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station officers and a rescue team promptly rushed to the scene at approximately 3am today. They found a train, laden with containers, positioned on the railway tracks. Around 50 meters away from the train’s front, lay a completely wrecked bronze Isuzu pickup. Continued … 

Villagers in Tak Wait For a New Road and Electricity

Many places in Thailand’s rural districts still lack roads and electricity, and children have to do their homework by candlelight.

Yesterday, villagers in Tak Province gathered and demanded support from government agencies, such as the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, to expedite the approval of electricity installation and road construction in their village. They have been waiting for eight years and are facing legal obstacles. Continued …

Vote For Prime Minister Put Off After Court Postpones Pita Hearing

Soon after the Constitutional Court postponed a hearing on accepting a petition on the constitutionality of a vote denying Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat a second chance to be named prime minister from yesterday to Aug. 16, tomorrow’s scheduled House/Senate vote for prime minister also was put off.

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said as the Constitutional Court has postponed considering whether or not to accept the Ombudsman’s Office’s petition to rule on constitutionality of this vote, the first agenda of tomorrow’s joint meeting has been put off, with the second agenda moved up. Continued …

Pheu Thai party hints at coalition to include former coup supporters

Thailand’s next coalition government should include representatives from a diverse political spectrum to ensure public acceptance, Pheu Thai Party deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said on Thursday.

Pheu Thai has taken up the responsibility of forming the government after the party with the most number of seats, Move Forward Party, failed in its efforts. Senior Pheu Thai figures on Wednesday announced the party’s “divorce” from Move Forward to stitch together a new coalition. Continued …

Pheu Thai’s Faustian folly

The political landscape of Thailand has always been tumultuous, but it has taken a tragic turn in the past 48 hours. The Pheu Thai Party, long touted by its supporters as politically savvy, finds itself caught in a tumultuous predicament, one of its own making.

A Faustian pact, sealed in the smoky backrooms of Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore, has led the Pheu Thai Party on a road to perdition. The strategy the Pheu Thai Party adopted was marred by poor calculations and a sense of impatience. Continued …

Thailand bids to become smart, eco-friendly logistics hub in ASEAN

In the realm of business and industry, a campaign is gaining traction in which the government is being urged to bolster the country’s standing as a prospective eco-friendly hub for logistics within the prominent Southeast East Asian alliance, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Moreover, there is a strong emphasis on preparing businesses to adapt to the dawn of smart, eco-friendly industries.

Suwit Ratanachinda, the individual at the helm of the Thai Logistics Service Provider Federation, has advocated for the impending government to adopt a firm policy stance to boost Thailand as a pivotal eco-friendly logistics center within ASEAN. He highlighted that Thailand’s geographical positioning and robust infrastructure, encompassing widespread roads and airports, create ideal connectivity to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Continued …

Chinese investors top BOI investment applications

Chinese investors are providing a welcome boost to the Thai economy by seeking opportunities to relocate their investments to Thailand.

The Board of Investment (BOI) reports receiving a steady influx of investment applications, particularly in the fields of electric vehicles (EV), electronics, and digital industries. Over the past six years, China has submitted more than 900 investment projects, with a value of more than 526 billion baht. Continued …

Global rice trade shook by El Nino, politics, and embargo in Thailand

In the face of mounting global food security concerns, the impact of El Niño weather patterns and international political disruptions are causing serious upheavals in the farming landscape, particularly in major global rice-producing countries.

Compounding the issue is Russia’s recent withdrawal from a vital agreement, which previously ensured the uninterrupted transport of Ukrainian grain goods through the Black Sea region. Continued …

Thailand to turn global food security crisis into opportunity

Covid-19, the Russo-Ukraine war, and climate change have brought the issue of food security into the spotlight, especially in countries where food prices are set to spike. There are currently about 200 million people who face food insecurity globally.

Chanthanon Wannakhajorn, secretary-general of the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), says that Thailand, a major global food producer, is ready to face the food security crisis. He is confident that Thailand produces enough food like rice, cassava, palm oil, pork, chicken, and eggs, he added. Continued …

Thai oil company division launches solar panel project

To promote clean energy usage, Global Power Synergy (GPSC), a member company of the PTT Group, recently launched a campaign to install solar panels for government agencies and non-profit organizations.

The campaign “Kon Mee Fai” (energizing people) will help reduce the energy costs of these agencies, boosting their efficiency in serving society and promoting a sustainable environment, Rosaya Teinwan, GPSC’s executive vice president of business development, said on Thursday. Continued …

Smaller hotels struggling to cope with increasing costs

Despite the upcoming lower power tariff, midscale and small hotels are still facing a surge in expenses due to high interest rates, while their rate of revenue growth lags behind those of five-star properties. Continued …

Bangkok beats Paris as most-visited city in 2023

The Thai capital has been ranked as top most-visited city in the world in 2023, according to a survey by Travelness.

According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek, caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was delighted to hear that Bangkok received the top ranking as the city with the most foreign visitors, totaling 22.78 million people, according to the travel website. Continued …

Russian Man Drowns at Phuket Beach After Allegedly Ignoring No Swimming Warnings

A Russian tourist drowned at a beach in Thalang, allegedly ignoring red flags and no swimming warnings.

The Phuket Tourist Police said they were notified of the incident on Thursday evening near dusk on Surin Beach. They arrived at the beach with red flags placed up by lifeguards, which meant no swimming was allowed along the beach. Continued …

‘Feels unreal’: College graduate visits Thailand to care for animals

How many bananas does an elephant eat in a day? Most people would have to hazard a guess when trying to answer that question, but Orangeville’s Laura DiCarlo can give a more educated answer based on real-life observations.

After completing her studies in animal care at Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada, DiCarlo spent two weeks in Thailand this past May working alongside experienced veterinarians to provide care to animals. Continued … 

Trump pleads not guilty to election conspiracy charges

Former U.S. president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to criminal charges that he conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election and defraud the American people. Continued …

11 women mop the lottery floor in India

Life has taken a decidedly fortunate turn for 11 female sanitation workers in southern India, who are no longer in the shit after scooping 100 million Indian rupees (41 million baht) on a united lottery ticket. These women, who were previously struggling to make ends meet with meager daily wages of 250 Indian rupees (100 baht), can now look forward to a brighter future. 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
  • Department of Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590
chiang mai, hospitality, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-March 3

  • Campfire Fest on the Beach March 11/
  • Hua Hin Boat Show at Racer Marina March 24-26/
  • Hua Hin Red Cross Fair set March 31-April 9/
  • Thailand issues 24/7 hotspot alert as thousands of fires deepen haze crisis/
  • Real estate trends to watch in 2023/
  • Merger perks coming for True, DTAC customers/
  • Telenor Asia anticipates $2.5B gain via True-DTAC merger/
  • Thai economic woes grow with a 10-year high trade deficit/
  • Industry panel does not expect a recession in Q1/
  • Go easy on fried dough, Thai tea, say health experts/
  • Experts ask for healthcare system reform to address new challenges/
  • PTT sees EVs as new revenue stream/
  • Tourism: Other Voices: Thailand bets on sustainable tourism/Will air pollution levels stall Thailand’s plans to boost tourism?/Pattaya gets set for Chinese despite concern/Fishing boat blockade causes chaos for tourists heading to Koh Lipe/Thailand launches free gastronomy tourism e-guidebook/Police say Canadian tourist lied about attack, started fight/
  • Thailand Experience: 6 ethical elephant adventures in Thailand/Best Stays in Thailand When You Want to Work Remotely/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hua Hin Boat Show at Racer Marina March 24-26

The first-ever Racer Marina Hua Hin Boat Show will take place in Pak Nam Pran from March 24 to 26.

The show will showcase a selection of boats, as well as a variety of marine accessories and equipment. Visitors can speak to industry experts, view boats and purchase the latest equipment from some of Thailand’s leading suppliers and brokers.

Several of Thailand’s biggest yachting companies are taking part in the event, including Simpson Marine, Asiamarine and Motorfield, while Suzuki and Tohatsu will also be at the show.

For more information; tel: 032 632 206.

Hua Hin Red Cross Fair set March 31-April 9

The Red Cross Festival returns March 31-April 9 on Soi 102 behind BluPort Hua Hin. The event features numerous food booths, OTOP shops, entertainment, games and entertainment.

Proceeds go to helping the poor, the handicapped and the underprivileged.

Thailand issues 24/7 hotspot alert as thousands of fires deepen haze crisis

Authorities have been placed on a 24/7 high alert for forest fires in the country’s northern, northeastern and central regions, as the number hotspots continues to rise.

Firefighters are on standby and agencies in risk areas are establishing war rooms at national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, under urgent orders issued by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on Thursday.

Firefighters have also been told to ensure their equipment is in good condition. Continued …

Real estate trends to watch in 2023

Thailand has entered 2023 with a positive outlook economically and for the real estate sector in general. The property consultant CBRE Thailand has identified key trends to watch in the residential, office, retail, industrial, hotel, and industrial and logistics sectors. Continued …

Merger perks coming for True, DTAC customers

True Corp., the new company formed by the merger of True and Total Access Communication (DTAC), has vowed that customers of both brands will automatically receive cross-company privileges and other benefits from the tie-up.

The new entity has begun by offering privileges such as top-up bundling of all existing promotional packages as a favor to its combined 55 million mobile phone subscribers.

On Thursday, the company also announced it would give 10 gigabytes of free internet for seven days to all prepaid and postpaid mobile subscribers. Continued …

Telenor Asia anticipates $2.5B gain via True-DTAC merger

Telenor Asia expects a synergistic effect worth up to US$2.5 billion over the next three years from the mergers of True Corp. and Total Access Communication (DTAC) in Thailand, and Celcom and Digi in Malaysia.

Telenor Asia celebrated the telecom merger with a $20.7 billion enterprise valuation in Thailand, Jørgen Arentz Rostrup, executive vice president and head of Telenor Asia, said. He is also deputy chairman of True Corp., the name of the newly merged firm.

“Thailand is a tech-savvy market and one of the most valuable for Telenor. We’ll continue our investment in the region,” he said. Continued …

Thai economic woes grow with a 10-year high trade deficit

The chances of Thailand entering into a technical recession in the first quarter of the year rose on Thursday when the country’s exports for January fell by 4.5%, a sharper drop than expected, leaving the kingdom with a near-record trade deficit of $4.65 billion for the month.

The rising economic headwinds caused by heightened inflation in its export markets now leave the kingdom precariously dependent on accelerated foreign tourism growth this year.

Thailand posted its largest trade deficit in 10 years on Thursday when the Ministry of Commerce revealed that exports for January had contracted at a sharper-than-expected rate of 4.5%. Continued …

Industry panel does not expect a recession in Q1

Thailand will not enter a recession in the first quarter of 2023, thanks to tourism recovery, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) said.

Thailand’s gross domestic product contracted by 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2022 from a huge drop in exports.

However, the JSCCIB does not expect the economy to continue to contract in the first quarter of 2023, mainly because of the higher-than-expected number of tourists that were boosted by China’s reopening. Continued … 

Go easy on fried dough, Thai tea, say health experts

Thai people love their street food, but too much “pa thong ko” (fried dough) and Thai iced tea can be bad for you, says the Health Department.

The department’s Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai spoke after TasteAtlas, an online food travel guide, put pa thong ko on its list of 10 best Thai dishes.

But a 100-gram serving of pa thong ko contains as many as 441 calories. Continued …

Experts ask for healthcare system reform to address new challenges

Despite Thailand gaining global recognition for its world-class medical and wellness facilities, lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, rising health expenditure, and the surge in the aging population are putting increased pressure on future healthcare services.

Speaking at a recent seminar on “Health and Wellness Sustainability”, Associate Prof. Chanchai Sittipunt, dean of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, said that the government must reform the healthcare system based on people-centered health services in response to the needs and expectations of its population. Other challenges to be addressed are primary care, integrated care, and patient-centered care.

Nowadays, poor health is not only caused by known illnesses but by many factors, including PM2.5 pollution, emerging diseases, global warming and overflowing garbage. Non-communicable conditions, as well as a fast-growing aging population also affect health and become challenges for the future health system. Continued …

PTT sees EVs as new revenue stream

National oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc is angling toward becoming a new electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in Thailand, as construction of its assembly plant in Chon Buri is scheduled to finish next year.

EVs are among the new S-curve businesses being promoted by PTT and its subsidiaries to create new revenue sources, said Buranin Rattanasombat, senior executive vice president.

These businesses have the potential to grow rapidly, he said. Continued …

Thailand bets on sustainable tourism

The coronavirus pandemic caused extensive pain and hardship for Thailand’s tourism industry, but now there may be a silver lining. Visitors are returning to enjoy a coastal environment that has had a chance to recover. Whale sharks and sea turtles are back, and the new buzz phrase is sustainable tourism.

Last November, almost 400 divers from around the world gathered for a special event at the popular beach resort of Phuket. Their task was to collect garbage from the sea in an initiative that would reap benefits for the environment and the tourism sector alike.

“We set up this event to create awareness among foreign visitors,” says Chiravadee Khunsub, an executive director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. “We want them to know Thai people prioritize conservation and sustainability now, after the pandemic.” Continued …

Will air pollution levels stall Thailand’s plans to boost tourism?

After an unexpected economic slump in the last quarter, Thailand is seeking ways to boost its tourism industry in a bid to negate the effects of falling exports. But the country’s air pollution levels can put a dampener on all its efforts.

In February this year, air quality levels in the capital Bangkok and its surrounding regions deteriorated sharply, with PM2.5 levels almost 14 times the recommended levels by the World Health Organization, according to a Reuters report. The pollution levels in the country still remain high, with the atmosphere hazy around many tourist hotspots.

As per a Nikkei Asia report, the Thai government and the tourism industry have promoted the dry season (from November to February) as the best time of the year to visit the country. But international tourists may “postpone their travel to Thailand, or worse, choose instead to go to a different country with cleaner air,” Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries told Nikkei while talking about the air pollution levels in the county. Continued … 

Pattaya gets set for Chinese despite concern

Pattaya has shrugged off concerns over Chinese businesses, including those using Thai nominees, partly because the tourism market from the mainland is slowly reviving.

Titipun Pettrakul, deputy mayor of Pattaya City, said the number of Chinese tourists remained relatively low compared with other markets, such as India, Vietnam and South Korea, the top three source markets at the moment.

Titipun said the city should wait until the second quarter to see a significant volume of Chinese arrivals. Continued …

Fishing boat blockade causes chaos for tourists heading to Koh Lipe

Over 100 fishermen parked their boats to block the waterway leading to Pak Bara Pier in La-ngu district, in response to the arrest of 24 fishermen for allegedly trespassing in Tarutao National Park. Protestors argue that the national park overlaps with commercial fishing areas, making the arrests unfair.

The Pak Bara Pier is a gateway to tourist islands, including Koh Lipe, Koh Adang, and Koh Ra Wi, as well as Tarutao National Park. Tourists are currently stranded on boats unable to dock at the pier due to the blockade, with some being forced to transfer to speedboats heading to Laem Te Ban Pier, an alternative route to Koh Lipe.

Meanwhile, tourists returning from the islands are having to detour to other piers to get to the mainland so they do not miss their flights. Continued …

Thailand launches free gastronomy tourism e-guidebook

The Thai government has launched a free guidebook to promote gastronomy tourism for Muslim and other foreign tourists, an official said on Thursday.

Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said the Thai and English versions of the e-book, “Muslim Friendly & Gastronomy Tourism Routes”, is available for free download.

Rachada said the guidebook from the Tourism Department of the Tourism and Sports Ministry aims to support self-drive tourism connecting 14 southern provinces, and extending to Malaysia, Singapore, and Batam Island in Indonesia. Continued …

Police say Canadian tourist lied about attack, started fight

A Canadian tourist has been charged for fighting in public before being reported to the Thai Immigration office after he first claimed that he was attacked and robbed.

According to Thai police, the man lied and had actually started the fight.

The Patong Police said Thursday that after a full investigation they found that William Lamarche-Saint-Louis, 28, a Canadian national, was not robbed as he said at first. The actual situation was a fight between Lamarche-Saint-Louis and beach vendors that spilled into a nearby beach restaurant. Continued … 

6 ethical elephant adventures in Thailand

Say no to cruel riding camps and animal performances, and visit one of these ethical sanctuaries that allow rescued elephants to thrive in their natural jungle environment.

1. Elephant Nature Park

The inspirational Lek Chailert (herself a Karen woman) has spent years supporting elephants across Thailand. Her excellent sanctuary currently hosts 118 pachyderms, many of them elderly retirees from logging or tourism. It allows day visits as well as week-long eco-volunteering stays. Where: Chiang Mai; more information.

Best Stays in Thailand When You Want to Work Remotely

The holiday blues are probably coming in strong right about now. Summer has come and gone and dreams of a lazy mid-year escape feel like a lifetime away. Throw in the fact that you’re probably out of annual leave and have even less cash than usual to splash on a luxe resort (#costofliving, amirite?), and any ideas about sipping a margarita on a sunny island are slipping away.

So, would you believe us if we told you we’ve found a single solution that will solve every one of your ‘I need to find a way to make money without eating into my holiday allowance while also enjoying a fresh cocktail’ dilemmas at once? Unofficial title: Operation Working Holiday in Thailand.

Start by doing the hard yards and figure out how that digital nomad thing works (note: we’re using the term ‘hard’ loosely here, because it’s actually pretty easy). Then, the only thing you need to decide on is where you want to base yourself for that first bowl of Pad Thai. Whether you dream of urban style or beachy chic, we chatted to Tourism Authority of Thailand and got their suggestions for the best accommodation options for those considering a remote working holiday. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hospitality, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-Jan 20

  • Thailand Open returns to Hua Hin/
  • How to register for the Hua Hin Marathon 2023/
  • Government to keep a close eye on food prices before Chinese New Year/
  • Southeast Asia’s biggest railway station opens to passengers/
  • With station change, commuters face railway confusion/
  • Charges filed against Chinese ‘gray’ organization members/
  • Rare clouded leopard struts its stuff in new wildlife haven/
  • JPMorgan sees Thai stocks as the most attractive in Southeast Asia/
  • Thai oil firm targets 7,000 EV charging units by 2030/
  • Tourism: Flexible visas to boost the economy as business confidence falters/Over 900,000 Foreign Tourists Came To Thailand During Jan 1-15/Dusit suffering from lack of long-haul hotel guests/Financial worries keep many Chinese at home/Thailand’s tuk-tuks go green amid rising demand for electric models/
  • Thailand Experience: Hua Hin: A golfer’s paradise/Bangkok’s best floating markets become much more accessible/This Is Where You Can Find Thailand’s Biggest Buddha/
  • International: Executives gloomy about global outlook/Star visibility eroding rapidly as night sky gets brighter/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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Thailand Open returns to Hua Hin

Australian three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic is among high-ranked players competing in the WTA “Thailand Open 2023 by E@”.

The event will be held at True Arena Hua Hin Sport Club in Prachuap Khiri Khan province from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5.

It is the most lucrative WTA event in Southeast Asia, offering a total prize money of US$250,000 (9.37 million baht). Continued …

How to register for the Hua Hin Marathon 2023

Registration for the Hua Hin Marathon on May 14 is available in English on the event’s website.

The event, which returns after being canceled due to the pandemic and then being abruptly moved to Cha Am in 2022, will see up to 5,000 runners take to the streets of Hua Hin.

The registration fee for each is as follows:

Marathon, 42.195km, (1,200 THB application fee)
Half Marathon, 21km, (900 THB)
Mini Marathon, 10.5km, (700 THB)
Fun Run, 5km, 5.45am, (500 THB)

Everyone running in the race will receive a t-shirt and medal, while trophies will be given to the winners and runners-up overall and across each age category.

Official Hua Hin Marathon Facebook page. Continued … 

Government to keep a close eye on food prices before Chinese New Year

State agencies will closely monitor prices of foods and products in the countdown to Chinese New Year to prevent unfair price hikes, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday.

Anucha said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered related agencies to survey the markets to prevent sellers from taking advantage of consumers during the Lunar New Year festival, which started on Sunday.

Anucha added that on Tuesday the Commerce Ministry launched the “Special Discounts for the Year of the Rabbit” campaign, under which participating manufacturers sell specially priced foods and consumer products at over 4,600 retail shops, discount stores and fresh markets nationwide. The campaign aims to help reduce people’s cost of living and will run until Friday. Continued … 

Southeast Asia’s biggest railway station opens to passengers

Southeast Asia’s biggest railway station officially began operations yesterday, a potential new age of train travel in Thailand.

The cost of the new terminal, including the station, tracks and a connecting station for Bangkok’s mass transit system, was around US$1 billion (30 billion baht).

Officially, the station’s name is Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, a name bestowed by the king, and the center of some controversy. To most people, it will likely continue to be known as Bang Sue Grand Station, after the part of Bangkok it’s in. Continued … https://thethaiger.com/news/national/southeast-asias-biggest-railway-station-opens-to-passengers

With station change, commuters face railway confusion

The State Railway of Thailand made a big change in its 126-year history on Thursday when the SRT moved the operation of long-distance train services to the north, northeast and south of the country from Hua Lamphong station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, formerly known as Bang Sue Grand Station, in Chatuchak district.

The aim is to fully utilize the 34-billion-baht central grand station and reduce traffic congestion around a number of railway crossings near the old rail hub in Bangkok, according to Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob.

The ministry plans to renovate the 121-rai Hua Lamphong area for commercial purposes, while the old terminal, which was constructed more than a century ago, will become a museum that is accessible via public transportation, he said. Continued … 

Charges filed against Chinese ‘gray’ organization members

The attorney general filed a string of charges against a key Chinese gray capitalist suspect and 40 others yesterday with drug-related offenses carrying maximum death penalty.

Naree Tantasathien, the attorney general, ordered the Office of Narcotics Litigation to submit the 332-page indictment of Chaiyanat “Tu Hao” Kornchaiyanan and 40 others to Southern Bangkok Criminal Court, with the police told to chase and arrest those suspects still on the run.

Among the charges the suspects face are setting up an organized crime to distribute category one narcotics and categories two and four psychotropic substances, money laundering, holding firearms, operating a transnational network to commit serious crime, running entertainment venues without permit, and allowing foreigners without work permit to work in their business. Continued …

Rare clouded leopard struts its stuff in new wildlife haven

In the mountains of Kanchanaburi in western Thailand, hidden cameras are capturing more and more clouded leopards, Indo-Chinese tigers, gaurs, and other wildlife.

Recognizing the importance of the conservation of Thailand’s wildlife, Thailand’s Treasury Department is preparing to declare an area of land covering 219,000 rai of land a non-hunting area.

The huge conservation area – covering Si Sawat and Bo Phloi district – is comprised of steep mountains and dense jungle home to millions of species of flora and fauna. Continued … 

JPMorgan sees Thai stocks as the most attractive in Southeast Asia

The strong recovery of Thailand’s tourism, with an expected influx of Chinese visitors, and strong domestic demand for consumer products have made the Thai stock market the most attractive in Southeast Asia, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co, an American multinational financial services company.

Jakkapun Pornpunnarath, JPMorgan’s head of Thai equity research, said that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has become the top pick for JPMorgan in Southeast Asia.

He pointed to robust trading of Thai stocks ahead of the next general election later this year and the strong operating performance of many listed companies. Continued …

Thai oil firm targets 7,000 EV charging units by 2030

PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) has vowed to become Thailand’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging service provider, with the number of charging outlets projected to increase to 7,000 by 2030 under the company’s “Rise OR” concept.

The plan was announced by OR’s new Chief Executive Disathat Panyarachun, who was introduced to the public yesterday.

At present, the company operates 139 EV charging outlets. Continued …

Flexible visas to boost the economy as business confidence falters

Danucha Pichayanan, the secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the government’s key economic agency, has called on ministers to make visa provisions for foreign tourists more flexible and user-friendly, while also marketing the kingdom’s legalization of medical marijuana or pot in a bid to boost the still slow recovery of the country’s critical foreign tourism industry.

It comes as Thai exports have plummeted, with the chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), this week, revealing that business confidence fell in December for the first time in seven months as the country’s industrial confidence index fell due to faltering output.

The chairman of FTI has issued a stark warning to the government that confidence in the manufacturing sector has been undermined, with the country’s industrial confidence index for December falling for the first time in seven months. Continued …

Over 900,000 Foreign Tourists Came To Thailand During Jan 1-15

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said altogether 913,013 foreign tourists came to the country the first 15 days of 2023, with Russians topping the list, followed by Malaysians, South Koreans, Indians and Laotians.

TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn revealed that during Jan. 1-15 there were 99,593 Russians arrivals, followed by 89,461 Malaysians, 76,057 South Koreans, 47,471 Indians and 41,863 Laotians. Just on Jan. 14, 58,528 foreign tourists arrived.

“In terms of incoming foreign tourists, it was found that Chinese nationals ranked tenth, totaling 28,643. This is in line with expectation that the Chinese market will gradually improve in 2023,” he said. Continued …

Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Dusit suffering from lack of long-haul hotel guests

Hotel operator Dusit International is experiencing an ongoing shortage of long-haul guests because of limited flights and high airfares, although last year’s fourth quarter saw its best performance in three years with a 75% occupancy rate.

Siradej Donavanik, vice president of global development at Dusit International, said long-haul guests could reach pre-pandemic levels in the fourth quarter of this year, as Thailand remains a popular destination for them.

He said the government should focus on increasing high-spending tourists and promoting Thailand as a high-end destination, such as by utilizing health and wellness concepts – serenity, sustainability and spirituality – rather than just being a sea-sand-sun destination. Continued …

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  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
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That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

Financial worries keep many Chinese at home

About 40% of Chinese travelers aren’t planning to venture overseas this year despite the sudden easing of restrictions, mainly because of the financial impact of Covid, according to a survey published yesterday.

Health concerns, the inconvenience of applying for travel documents, busy work schedules, worries over safety and destinations seen as unfriendly to Chinese were also among factors deterring overseas travel, the Dragon Trail International survey of 1,058 people in 49 cities found.

The survey was conducted from Jan. 4 to 7, just before the lifting of curbs such as mandatory quarantine came into effect. Continued …

Thailand’s tuk-tuks go green amid rising demand for electric models

Thailand’s iconic, gas-guzzling tuk-tuks are being replaced by a greener, more energy-efficient model, offering travelers a more environmentally friendly way of getting around what is one of the world’s worst countries when it comes to air pollution.

“The benefits are quite clear in terms of the environment”, says Krisada Kritayakirana, co-founder and CEO of start-up Urban Mobility Tech. “When you use traditional tuk-tuks, you can smell the gas and it sometimes could be unpleasant. With the electric tuk-tuks, basically you don’t have any noise and you don’t have any emission from tailpipes.”

In 2021, the levels of the pollutant PM2.5m in Thailand were four times higher than World Health Organization guidance. Inhalation of PM2.5 can cause respiratory problems and heart issues. In 2019, pollution was to blame for more than 31,000 deaths in the country. Continued …

Hua Hin: A golfer’s paradise

Hua Hin is a coastal town that lies 200km to the southeast of Bangkok and is a popular destination among expats, tourists, and Thai holiday makers alike. This region has a wealth of stunning beaches and scenery to offer, with a host of excursions and distractions to be enjoyed; however, what really stands out about Hua Hin is its golf courses. In fact, many people argue that Hua Hin is a golfer’s paradise – and with good reason.

Hua Hin, or “stone head” was named after the large rocks that were formed at the north end of the famous powdery sand beach. This renowned holiday destination was initially developed as a retreat for Thai royalty and the wealthy elite back in the 1920’s.

As the years have gone by, the region has gone through many changes and is now considered as being the number one golfing destination in all of Thailand. Continued …

Bangkok’s best floating markets become much more accessible

In today’s digital age, shopping can be done with a click of the mouse. However, there is no substitute for a visit to a local market.

That has become a whole lot easier thanks to the BMA putting on a feeder bus service from the MRT Blue Line station to Bangkok’s four best floating markets, serving as a link between urban dwellers and local farmers. If you are looking for a unique street food adventure and shopping spree, then head to these floating markets on a weekend.

Four brand-new electric buses with USB charging ports and modern facilities provide a free ride from/to the MRT Bang Khun Non Station to Wat Saphan Floating Market, Taling Chan Floating Market, Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, and Song Khlong Floating Market. Continued …

This Is Where You Can Find Thailand’s Biggest Buddha

One of Southeast Asia’s gems is the Land of Smiles. Thailand is well-developed and offers a wide range of modern conveniences due to a growing tourism sector, but it is also still wild enough to provide off-the-beaten-path adventure and once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities.

Thailand will not disappoint its visitors, whether they come for the enchanting mountain villages in the north or the world-class beaches in the south.

Cities like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok are hives of activity and business, but until tourists have gone on a mountain walk, interacted with elephants, or seen brazen monkeys who are always ready to take their food or their cameras, tourists have not really experienced the nation.

Each of Thailand’s attractions is unique and offers a pleasurable and memorable experience. However, the statues of Buddha in Thailand shine among the other attractions for their splendors and sizes. Here is where tourists can Thailand’s biggest Buddha. Continued …

Executives gloomy about global outlook

Chief executives of companies around the world are planning to cut operating costs, as nearly three-quarters of them anticipate a decline in global economic growth over the next 12 months, according to a recent survey by PwC. Continued … 

Star visibility eroding rapidly as night sky gets brighter

Light pollution is growing rapidly and in some places the number of stars visible to the naked eye in the night sky is being reduced by more than half in less than 20 years, according to a study released yesterday. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

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