Bangkok Bank’s stricter verification/Marine and coastal conservation project/Project tackles dementia prevention/Prachuap Restaurant and Street Food Association/Young elephant dies in PKK/New rules for SIM cards/Jay Fai Fined 2,000 Baht/Wild Elephants Kill Villager/20 preserved bodies at AIDS treatment temple/Cobra strikes back in Phuket/ECONOMY: Inflation statistics. household reality/Chinese goods expected to flood Thailand/TOURISM: Bt700 million for free domestic flights/Essential guide to domestic flights/Mother’s Day Weekend Travel Boosts Economy/Suvarnabhumi targets 120 million/Global Wellness Summit/Foreigner drowns at Phuket’s Kata Beach/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Pak Nam Pran fishing village/Pranburi Forest Park/CLIMATE THAILAND: Antarctic climate shifts threaten/Zeekr launches SUV in Thailand/Jaecoo EV launched/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/LINKS: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
Expat News reader makes plea for missing friend
I’ve been a subscriber for a number of years, and I’ve lived in Thailand for a couple of decades. Decided to retire down here over the last few years.
A friend of mine, a friend of many of ours, James, didn’t return home Tuesday in the afternoon. He had lived in Thailand for decades, he wasn’t the sort to cause trouble or get into it.
The goal here from his wife, also a friend, is just to get any information anyone might have who might have seen him, or, if luck is on our side, who might know where he is.
She has posted online, as have other people – here is her Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cbt1Pqxci/ That has a photo in details, should it help.
If you think this is fit for your newsletter, which I enjoy on a daily basis, feel free to use it. If you do, please omit my name. I’m only helping, the focus should be on James and his wife’s search for him.
Thank you very much, I leave things to your discretion, and please keep up the good work. I wish I were emailing under better circumstances.
(Editor: Readers can also send information to Expat Bews HERE.)
Bangkok Bank enforcing stricter account verification
Bangkok Bank has recently begun enforcing stricter account verification requirements, in line with new government directives aimed at boosting security and cracking down on cybercrime and scams. Customers have been asked to visit their branch with identification documents, such as a passport, to verify their account details.
However, many foreign customers have reported that their accounts were suspended — leaving them unable to withdraw cash, transfer funds, or pay bills. Even after completing the verification process, some expats have reported their accounts being frozen for up to seven days.
Other banks are expected to adopt similar measures soon, as part of broader changes to Thailand’s banking and SIM card registration systems. – HHT
(Editor: Reader experiences with Bangkok Bank’s new verification procedures can be posted HERE.
Marine and coastal conservation project launched in Hua Hin
Ratchaburi Rajabhat University has launched a marine and coastal conservation project at the Blue Crab Bank in Khao Takiab to promote environmental awareness and sustainable tourism.
The project, opened yesterday by Associate Professor Napaporn Naktim, vice president of the Wang Klai Kangwon Campus of Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, brought together faculty members and first-year students from the faculty of hotel and tourism industry. Continued …
Hua Hin elderly health project tackles dementia prevention
Hua Hin City Municipality has launched the “Bright Age, Away from Dementia” project, aimed at promoting health and improving the quality of life among elderly residents.
The initiative was officially opened on Tuesday at the Golden Sea Hotel in Hua Hin, with Sinat O-iam, deputy governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, presiding over the ceremony. The event was organized by the Medical Division of Hua Hin City Municipality and attended by more than 250 elderly participants from local communities. Continued …
Prachuap Restaurant and Street Food Association launched
The newly established Prachuap Restaurant and Street Food Assn. was officially launched during a regional food industry conference held at Pranburi Cabana Resort yesterday.
The event, attended by food entrepreneurs and officials from eight central-western provinces, aimed to raise the standards of local food businesses and markets, while promoting food tourism to strengthen community economies. Continued …
Young elephant dies in PKK after attack by larger elephant
A young female elephant from the Pa La-U area was found dead in the Huai Sat Yai reservoir after being fatally injured in an attack by a larger elephant, officials confirmed yesterday.
The carcass was discovered in the “Sao Ha” reservoir area in Ban Khon Nom Pattana, Huai Sat Yai, outside the boundaries of Kaeng Krachan National Park. A joint team of park officials, administrative officers, police, soldiers, veterinarians from the Department of National Parks, and members of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Thailand inspected the site. Continued …
New rules for SIM cards will require facial recognition
The government has announced stricter measures for SIM card registration to combat rising online fraud, following cases in which criminals have exploited SIM-swap scams to steal from victims.
The system will apply to all new mobile subscribers, both prepaid and post-paid, as well as existing users replacing SIM cards while keeping the same number. The technology verifies identity in real time through facial recognition, similar to banking applications. This prevents scammers from using photos, videos, or 3D masks to impersonate others, a loophole that previously enabled fraudulent SIM registration, he said. Continued …
Jay Fai Fined 2,000 Baht for Unclear Menu Pricing Dispute
The Ministry of Commerce has issued a 2,000 baht fine to Michelin-starred street food vendor Jay Fai following a pricing complaint by a Thai YouTuber.
The controversy began when Pitchaya “Peachii” Chaychana, a YouTuber residing in the UK, visited Jay Fai’s establishment in Bangkok and was astonished by the price of her crab omelette. Although the menu listed the dish at 1,500 baht, Peachii and her friends were charged 4,000 baht. The difference, they were told, was due to the substitution of premium crab meat. Continued …
Wild Elephants Kill Villager in Khon Kaen
A group of wild elephants entered agricultural land in Si Chomphu District, Khon Kaen Province, and fatally attacked a local villager during the night.
Police from Si Chomphu District, together with volunteers from the Sattha Tham Si Chomphu Charity Assn., discovered the body floating face-down in a pond in Dong Lan subdistrict. Authorities reported multiple injuries, including bruises across his body, broken arms and legs, and severe facial lacerations. Continued …
Officials discover 20 preserved bodies at AIDS treatment temple
Officials from the Ministry of Public Health raided Phra Bat Nampu Temple in the central province of Lop Buri, where they discovered 20 bodies of AIDS patients illegally preserved and displayed in a museum within the temple.
Phra Bat Nampu Temple, also known as the AIDS temple, has long been running donation campaigns to raise funds for underprivileged AIDS patients. Many donors chose to support this temple, believing their contributions would directly benefit the patients. Continued …
Bitten by bravery: Cobra strikes back in Phuket
A Thai security guard in Phuket ended up needing hospital treatment after being bitten by a highly venomous king cobra moments after capturing it with his bare hands.
The encounter unfolded in Kamala yesterday afternoon when the guard bravely bagged the enormous reptile. But his moment of triumph quickly turned sour when the cobra lashed out and sank its fangs into his hand. Continued …
Inflation statistics and household reality
Thais are experiencing increasing financial stress from the rising cost of living, even as official inflation data suggests a period of deflation, according to a new nationwide survey by Marketbuzzz.
Forty-two percent of Thai citizens identified rising prices as a top concern in their province. This contrasts with government figures showing the Consumer Price Index fell 0.7% year-on-year in July — the fifth straight month of below-zero readings. Continued …
Chinese goods expected to flood Thailand over next three years
Ath Pisalvanich, an independent scholar and specialist in international and ASEAN economics, explained that the Trump Tariff will make it more difficult for China to export to the US, forcing Chinese goods to be redirected to other markets such as ASEAN, the Middle East and Africa.
Thailand is among the target markets, a phenomenon known as “trade diversion.” With Chinese production levels unchanged, the goods unable to enter the US will be exported elsewhere. Continued …
Tourism Minister proposes Bt700 million budget for free domestic flights
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong plans to request a Bt700-million budget from the Cabinet for a domestic flight giveaway initiative aimed at attracting at least 200,000 international tourists to various destinations across Thailand.
Sorawong said yesterday the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit a proposal to the Cabinet next week for the allocation of the budget to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The initiative, “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights,” aims to encourage foreign tourists to explore destinations beyond Thailand’s major tourist cities. Continued …
The essential guide to domestic flights in Thailand
For many of us who are looking to travel regionally in Thailand, the country’s domestic flight network is known for being one of the most comprehensive and affordable in Southeast Asia. With over 39 airports connecting everything from city centers to remote islands, flying around the Kingdom has never been easier.
According to industry data, Thailand operates one of the densest domestic route networks in the region, with airlines providing over 200 daily domestic flights during peak season. Continued …
Mother’s Day Weekend Travel Boosts Economy with 13.75 Billion Baht Revenue
Thailand experienced a tourism surge during Mother’s Day weekend, with 3.16 million trips contributing 13.75 billion baht. The average hotel occupancy rate reached 66%, with Thai nationals comprising 41% of travelers.
The central region led in trips (898,000), followed by the northeast (609,600) and east (600,500). Bangkok topped revenue (3.41 billion baht), trailed by the south (2.79 billion) and east (2.62 billion). Popular destinations included Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, and Chonburi. Prachuap Khiri Khan boasted the highest hotel occupancy at 88%. Continued …
Airports of Thailand revises Suvarnabhumi Airport plan, targets 120 million passengers
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) has revised the Suvarnabhumi Airport master plan, targeting a development project that can accommodate up to 120 million passengers per year, as it eyes the east expansion project tender next year.
The revision sets this new handling capacity as its goal, said acting AoT President Paweena Jariyathitipong. The study of the 2025 master plan is over 70% complete and will be finalized by October before it is submitted to the AoT board, the Transport Ministry, and the Cabinet. Continued …
Thailand to host Global Wellness Summit
Thailand has been selected to host the Global Wellness Summit 2026 (GWS 2026). The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine said this marks a golden opportunity to promote Thai health and beauty products worldwide.
The department’s deputy director-general, Somsak Kreechai, said the event will take place in Phuket. He emphasized that this global platform will reinforce Thailand’s role as a leader in health and beauty, particularly in traditional medicine and indigenous wisdom. Continued …
Foreigner drowns, another critical at Phuket’s Kata Beach
A foreigner drowned in the sea off Kata Beach in Phuket yesterday, while another foreigner survived but was left in a critical condition. Witnesses said locals managed to pull both foreigners from the water, but one had already died.
Notably, no red flag was installed on the beach at the time, giving the impression that swimming conditions were safe, and there reportedly were no lifeguards on duty. Continued …
Pak Nam Pran fishing village offers fresh seafood and local culture
Pak Nam Pran, where the Pranburi River meets the Gulf of Thailand, is one of the most distinctive communities in Pranburi District. Known for its long-standing fishing traditions, the village has become a center for fresh seafood and local products that attract visitors from across the region.
Fishing is the lifeblood of Pak Nam Pran, and many villagers continue to earn their living from the sea. Each day, fishermen bring their catches to shore, supplying local restaurants and market stalls. Continued …
Pranburi Forest Park offers a mangrove boardwalk near Hua Hin
Ecotourism is steadily gaining popularity in Thailand, and one of the most accessible options for residents and visitors to Hua Hin is Pranburi Forest Park in Pak Nam Pran, just south of Hua Hin.
The park stretches from the mouth of the Pranburi River to the Gulf of Thailand and offers a chance to explore a thriving mangrove ecosystem just a short drive from Hua Hin. Entry to the park is free, and visitors will find ample parking at the site. The highlight is a one-kilometer wooden boardwalk that winds through mangrove forest. Continued …
Antarctic climate shifts threaten ‘catastrophic’ impacts globally
Abrupt and potentially irreversible changes in Antarctica driven by climate change could lift global oceans by meters and lead to “catastrophic consequences for generations”, scientists warned yesterday.
More broadly, a state-of-knowledge review by a score of top experts revealed accelerating shifts across the region that are often both cause and effect of global warming, according to a study published in Nature. Continued …
Zeekr launches 7X SUV in Thailand
Zeekr has launched the Zeekr 7X in Thailand, bringing the family-oriented SUV (sport utility vehicle) to another overseas market.
The Zeekr 7X is available in three variants in Thailand – Standard RWD, Long Range RWD, and Performance AWD – with starting prices of 1,399,000 Thai baht (about $43,050), 1,599,000 Thai baht, and 1,799,000 Thai baht, respecitivly. Continued …
Jaecoo 5 EV launched in Thailand
The Jaecoo J5 EV has been launched in Thailand in 549,000-baht Dynamic and 599,000-baht Max variants. These prices apply to the first 1,000 units until Sept. 30, after which they should rise to 629,000 baht and 679,000 baht.
The B-segment EV SUV carries a 58.9 kWh battery that yields a 461 kilometer NEDC range, 0-100 km/h takes 7.7 seconds, and top speed is 175 km/h thanks to a 211 PS/288 Nm front-mounted electric motor. Continued …
- Brit, 22, Now Faces 10 Years in Jail After Pattaya Crash Death – Continued …
- Phuket Restaurant Hunts Foreigners in Watch Theft – Continued …
- South Korean Arrested Over Fake SMS Scam Using Spoofing Device – Continued …
Bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in BangkokThe first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin offers two round trips daily. The fare is 200 baht each way and takes three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure is from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.(We recommend checking with the bus company about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
Starting May 1, the Don Mueang-Hua Hin route will offer two round trips per day. The two outbound trips from Don Mueang Airport will depart at 8 am and 3 pm. The bus will stop at eight locations, including the Service Hall at Don Mueang, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Mahachai, Phetchaburi Big C, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, and the Hua Hin Bus Station.
For the return trips from Hua Hin, buses will depart at 9 am and 3:30 pm, stopping at seven locations, including the Hua Hin Bus Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Mahachai, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, and Don Mueang Airport.
Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
(We recommend checking with the airline about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
- Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 12:10 pm
- Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 10:20 am
The essential guide to domestic flights in Thailand
For many of us who are looking to travel regionally in Thailand, the country’s domestic flight network is known for being one of the most comprehensive and affordable in Southeast Asia. With over 39 airports connecting everything from city centers to remote islands, flying around the Kingdom has never been easier.
According to industry data, Thailand operates one of the densest domestic route networks in the region, with airlines providing over 200 daily domestic flights during peak season. Continued …
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
90-day online reporting 
Emergency hotline numbers:
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- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
- State Railway – 1590
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