Cha-am Drug Party Raid/Prachuap Khiri Khan Gastronomy Festival/Shellfish and Squid Festival Cha-am/Chiva-Som Hua Hin mangrove plantings/Blood test that could save your life/4 Dead, 5 Missing After Landslide/Sukhothai hit by severe floods/Unified Transit Ticket System/5 Salmon Myths/Buddhism in Thailand in crisis/ECONOMY: Ministry: GDP to exceed 2.2%/Central bank sees Thai growth slowing/Clamp Down on Illegal Migrant Workers/Myanmar refugees legal right to work/Data center, cloud services hub/Power-hungry data centers/Elecric motorcycle plant for southern Thailand/Aircraft shortage may delay THAI expansion/TOURISM: Call for action to boost travel industry/’Trusted Thailand’ Stamp/CLIMATE THAILAND: Thai EV bets/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/Kuwaiti tourists pay Bt200,000 compensation/INTERNATIONAL/NEW PAGE – Hua Hin 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
Cha-am Drug Party Raid: 52 Arrested at Pool Villa
Police and local officials raided a pool villa in Cha-am, 52 young men and women were allegedly holding a drug-fueled party in the early hours yesterday.
The joint operation, led by Provincial Police Region 7 officers, Cha-am police, and district officials, uncovered a large gathering aged between 16 and 28. Officers seized quantities of ecstasy, ketamine, methamphetamine pills, e-cigarettes, and 30 mobile phones as evidence. All suspects were taken into custody for questioning at Cha-am Police Station. Continued …
Prachuap Khiri Khan Gastronomy Festival This Weekend
Khao Kalok Beach in Pran Buri will host the first Prachuap Khiri Khan Gastronomy Festival from Aug. 29-31, bringing together more than 100 food and beverage stalls. The event will feature a range of dishes from local hotels, restaurants, and food vendors, highlighting the province’s culinary diversity.
Organized to showcase local talent and attract visitors, the three-day seaside festival will include cooking competitions, live music, and cultural performances. Visitors can look forward to an exclusive performance by singer Ae Jirakorn, along with a cooking demonstration and tastings by food influencer Nong Show, who has more than three million followers. Continued …
Shellfish and Squid Festival Cha-am returns September 13-20
Cha-am’s popular Shellfish and Squid Festival is set to return for its 24th year, offering a week of seafood, entertainment, and community activities along the Cha-am Beach coastline. The event will run Sept. 13-20 at the Cha-am Beach Viewpoint.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phetchaburi Office, together with Cha-am Municipality, the Phetchaburi Tourism Business Assn., and Singha Corp., will host the festival. Organizers said the event highlights Cha-am’s importance as both a tourist destination and one of Thailand’s largest shellfish and squid production areas. Continued …
Chiva-Som Hua Hin marks International Mangrove Day with mangrove plantings
Chiva-Som Hua Hin observed International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 26 with a mangrove planting initiative in Thailand.
The team from Chiva-Som planted 500 mangrove trees at the Krailart Niwate Mangrove Ecosystem Preservation Project, located a short distance from the resort. The Hua Hin initiative forms part of an ongoing program that has seen the planting of more than 12,500 mangrove trees since 2013, alongside the creation of a 1,000-meter elevated boardwalk to encourage community access and engagement. – bwhotelier.com
A simple blood test that could save your life
At first glance, it looks like any other blood test: a vial drawn from your arm, sealed, labeled, sent off to a lab. But what it can reveal could be life-changing.
Instead of measuring cholesterol or blood sugar, this test searches for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) — fragments of genetic material shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream. If detected, these fragments can signal the earliest stages of cancer, often months or years before symptoms appear. Continued …
4 Dead, 5 Missing After Landslide Hits Villages in Chiang Mai
The deputy governor of Chiang Mai has led officials to inspect damage and provide relief to victims of the landslide and flash floods that struck Ban Pang Ung in Mae Chaem district, where the death toll has now risen to four, with five people still missing.
Siwakorn Buapong, deputy governor of Chiang Mai, headed a provincial team to the disaster-hit area today to assess the damage and oversee assistance for residents affected by the disaster. Continued …
Sukhothai hit by severe floods as Yom River bursts banks
The flood situation in Sukhothai province reached a critical level today, with the Yom River rising sharply and breaching embankments. Reports indicate that water has overflowed at the Fuang Fah point, severely affecting four major communities: Khlong Pho, Khuha Suwan, Ruam Phatthana, and Loe Thai.
Phatsorn Donpimpa, mayor of Sukhothai Municipality, along with relevant officials, visited the Fuang Fah site to oversee operations personally. She ordered rescue teams to prioritize the immediate evacuation and assistance of affected residents. Authorities also advised locals in high-risk areas to move valuable items to higher ground to prevent damage. Continued …
Thailand Approves Law for Unified Transit Ticket System
Thailand’s disjointed public transport ticketing system is heading for a revolutionary change after MPs gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to a fresh law aiming to unify fares across the nation’s transit networks.
The act is set to herald a unified ticketing system, integrating Thailand’s scattered transit services into a single card or platform. Authorities highlight this as a way to simplify travel, cut wait times, and streamline passenger adventures. Continued …
5 Salmon Myths Seafood Experts Wish Everyone Would Stop Believing
It’s easy to see why salmon is so popular: It’s packed with nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids (which are good for your heart, brain and skin), protein and vitamin D.
Despite its popularity, seafood experts we talked to say that there are still some common misconceptions about salmon that simply aren’t true. Here, grocery store seafood buyers, as well as seafood science professors, dispel the most popular myths about salmon and give their tips on what to keep in mind when you’re shopping. Continued …
Buddhism in Thailand in crisis
Yesterday, a legendary monk and abbot was sent to prison by Bangkok’s Criminal Court. Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, at the same time, ordered all textbook references to Phra Alongkot, or Tid George, and his AIDS work removed.
Thailand’s Sangha faces a crisis. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) charges him with decades of fraud, embezzlement and identity theft. Police warned the public to brace for more shocks, as authorities comb through mountains of tip-offs following a July sex scandal involving monks. Investigators expect more explosive revelations. Continued …
Ministry: GDP growth to exceed 2.2%
Thailand’s economic growth this year is expected to surpass the Finance Ministry’s earlier forecast of 2.2%, driven by the positive impact of the US reciprocal tariff, which gives the country a competitive edge over its rivals.
Speaking after his keynote address at “Thailand Focus 2025” organized by the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul said yesterday the Fiscal Policy Office on July 30 projected GDP growth of 2.2% for this year, but it may be upgraded in the next forecast, as the latest economic indicators are better than expected. Continued …
Central bank sees Thai growth slowing next year
The Bank of Thailand expects the country’s economic growth to fall below its potential next year, weighed down by sluggishness in several sectors. According to minutes of the Aug. 13 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting released yesterday, the Thai economy is also projected to slow in the second half of 2025.
“The below-potential growth of the Thai economy next year will stem from four sectors: exports, manufacturing, tourism, and domestic consumption,” the minutes state. Continued …
Thailand to Clamp Down on Illegal Migrant Workers
The Thai Ministry of Labor is implementing a widespread overhaul to eliminate illegal foreign labor, with a focus on preventing undocumented workers from taking jobs from Thai nationals. Officials have stated that all offenders will be prosecuted without exception, and employers are being strongly reminded to comply with regulations.
While migrant workers are acknowledged as a crucial part of Thailand’s manufacturing and service sectors, the ministry insists it will not permit the use of unmonitored foreign labor, which can lead to various social issues. Continued …
Thailand grants Myanmar refugees legal right to work
Thailand is granting long-term Myanmar refugees the legal right to work, following a Cabinet decision yesterday, approving measures to regulate employment for refugees living in temporary shelters for those fleeing conflict in Myanmar. This initiative allows refugees to work legally while making a meaningful contribution to Thailand’s economy.
Jirayut Huangsub, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister stated, “Thailand is upholding humanitarian values, while also making a strategic investment for the country’s future. Refugees can support their families, boost local consumption, generate jobs, and contribute to GDP growth and economic resilience.” Continued …
Gulf sees Thailand as data center, cloud services hub
Thailand has the potential to become a hub for data centers and cloud services in Southeast Asia, due partly to the development of more facilities in this sector, says Gulf Development, Thailand’s largest energy company by market value and a telecom operator.
Gulf is among several companies that have announced plans to venture into the data center sector to serve growing demand in the country. The company aims to develop more data centers after recently opening a data center with an IT load of 20 megawatts. Continued …
Suppliers keen to serve power-hungry data centers
The rapid growth of data center businesses globally is presenting a new opportunity for power companies, with Global Power Synergy (GPSC) planning to sell electricity and steam to data center operators in Thailand and India.
Energy-hungry data centers need a large amount of power supply for daily operations. Steam is also needed as an energy source to cool down heat generated by a network of computers. Continued …
Electric motorcycle plant planned for southern Thailand
Niphon nyamanee, former deputy Interior minister, former Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization president and eight-term MP, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Chinese investors from Chengdu to establish an electric motorcycle factory in southern Thailand.
The project, which will seek investment incentives from Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), aims to assemble electric motorcycles for the domestic market, beginning in the southern provinces. A key focus will be creating jobs and livelihoods locally, reducing the need for migration to Bangkok or other provinces, and stimulating the regional economy. Continued …
Global aircraft shortage may delay THAI expansion plan
Thai Airways International says it may delay its flight and route expansion plans because it has been unable to acquire enough additional passenger jets.
The flag carrier is scrambling to lease wide-body aircraft for its expanded European service, Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri said. It is relying on leased aircraft as a bridge before the delivery of purchased planes begin in 2027, he said. Continued …
Call for action to boost weak travel industry
Tourism operators and airlines are urging the government to restore border stability and improve confidence, as recent incidents have the potential to reduce the average occupancy rate in Thai hotels by more than 10% year-on-year.
“Thailand gives the appearance of strong political instability and tension within the region, primarily with Cambodia,” said Bill Heinecke, chairman of Minor International. Continued …
Thailand unveils ‘Trusted Thailand’ Stamp to boost global confidence
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has launched the “Trusted Thailand” stamp to reinforce international confidence and enhance the kingdom’s image as a safe, reliable and welcoming destination.
The initiative assures travellers of peace of mind when choosing Thailand, while recognizing operators that meet the highest safety standards. Continued …
Thai EV bets in a changing landscape
In late July, electric vehicle (EV) company Omoda & Jaecoo announced it would increase investment in Thailand after pledging to build a manufacturing plant. A subsidiary of Chery Automobile, it is the latest in a wave of Chinese EV companies setting up production in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor.
The surge in Chinese EV investment is hard to miss: new factories, frequent headlines, and billboard ads lining Bangkok’s roads. Continued …
Kuwaiti tourists attack lifeguard, pay Bt200,000 compensation
A group of Kuwaiti tourists who assaulted a lifeguard at Nai Harn Beach in Phuket have agreed to pay the man 200,000 baht in compensation after a video showing the attack was widely shared on social media.
The assault occurred Monday evening, after the lifeguard warned the tourists not to enter the sea because of the strong waves and the red flags marking the beach as closed for swimming. Continued …
- Chinese-Thai Scammers Caught Red-Handed in Chiang Mai Mall – Continued …
NATO says all countries to finally hit 2% defense spending goal
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) today said all its members were finally set this year to hit the alliance’s previous defense spending target of 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) – as they gear up for a far more ambitious goal. Continued …
German auto industry in deep crisis: 50,000 jobs cut in H1
Germany’s automotive sector, under pressure from economic headwinds and mounting challenges, shed tens of thousands of jobs in the first half of 2025. An analysis found that the German auto industry, one of the country’s largest sectors, reduced its workforce by nearly 7%, or about 51,500 positions, during the period. Continued …
US tariffs on Indian goods double to 50%
US tariffs of 50% took effect yesterday on many Indian products, doubling an existing duty as President Donald Trump sought to punish New Delhi for buying Russian oil. The latest salvo strains US-India ties, giving New Delhi fresh incentive to improve relations with Beijing. Continued …
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