Road safety above profits/Southern provinces on high alert/Crisis in south/Family life in Thailand/Condo death fall epidemic/Foreigners behaving badly/ECONOMY: Driving Thailand’s Long-term Growth/Land and building tax/Cross-border trade jumps/Thai car market suffering/TOURISM: Bangkok Reigns on Agoda/China visa free for 30 days/30% of tourists to Japan experienced/CLIMATE THAILAND: Excessive PM2.5 in Bangkok/End to Phuket songthaews/Two more dugongs found dead/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
Road safety above profits
The collapse of a launching gantry crane and precast concrete on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon early on Friday morning resulted in the deaths of six construction workers and the injury of nine others. It was a shocking accident on this stretch of road, also known as Highway 35, which is already well known for its high rate of motoring accidents.
Last week’s collapse adds to a grim list of statistics linked to the road. According to the Department of Highways (DoH), 2,242 accidents occurred on the highway during 2018-2023, or 373 cases each year. In those six years, 132 people died, and 1,305 people were injured. Continued …
14 southern provinces on high alert for floods from today
Fourteen provinces in southern Thailand have been warned to prepare for potential flash floods, runoff, and prolonged flooding between Dec. 3 to 5.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said that according to the Meteorological Department, a low-pressure system over the southern South China Sea is expected to move across the Gulf of Thailand and southern Thailand into the lower Andaman Sea. Continued …
Crisis in south
Any reporter landing anywhere in Thailand’s flood-hit deep south now will get a big story. And several of them will find themselves in the middle of land-and-death situations.
That’s how serious the flooding in the deep south is. “Worst in my lifetime” is what many people have told news crews, and the interviewees are not in their 20s or 30s. They are old uncles or old grandmothers. Continued …
Family life in Thailand: Creating a healthy and happy home for expats
Living in Thailand as an expat family opens the door to a rich cultural experience, lively communities, and family-friendly facilities that make it a fantastic place to raise children.
Thailand is home to many expat-friendly neighborhoods, especially in cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya. In Bangkok, popular areas for families include Sukhumvit (especially areas like Thonglor and Phrom Phong), which offers access to international schools, parks, and healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, Chiang Mai provides a quieter, greener setting and is known for its outdoor spaces and child-friendly attractions. Continued …
Condo death fall epidemic continues: Russian woman dies in Bangkok
A Russian woman has died after falling from the 37th floor of a condominium in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok. The woman, whose name has not been released, lived there with her partner.
The police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. At this stage, no further details have been disclosed as officers work to gather evidence and witness statements at the scene. Continued …
- Passed out tourists on Phi Phi wheeled back to their hotels in trolleys – Continued …
- Indian Nationals Arrested in Phayao for Illegal Money Lending – Continued …
Driving Thailand’s Long-term Growth: The Urgent Need for Reform
Thailand faces a crucial decision between economic stagnation and revitalized growth, emphasizing the need for reform to secure long-term prosperity, as discussed by AMRO ASIA.
This pivotal moment requires policymakers to address structural challenges, enhance competitiveness, and foster innovation. By implementing strategic reforms, Thailand can unlock its economic potential, attract foreign investment, and ensure sustainable development. Collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential to drive progress and build resilience against future economic uncertainties. Continued …
Delay of two months for land and building tax collection
The government has postponed the collection of the land and building tax by two months, with collection starting in June 2025. Tax payments can be made in three installments.
According to Karom Polpornklang, deputy government spokesman, recent flooding and landslides across multiple provinces caused widespread damage, affecting taxpayers’ land and property. Continued …
Thai cross-border trade jumps 6.18%, boosted by fruit to China
Thailand’s cross-border trade jumped 6.18% in the first 10 months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said on Sunday.
Border trade from January-October was worth 1.514 trillion baht, with exports at 872.043 billion baht (+5.64%) and imports at 642.794 billion baht (+6.92%), resulting in a trade surplus of 229.248 billion baht, said Pichai, speaking after a meeting at the Mae Sai customs checkpoint in Chiang Rai. Continued …
Thai car market suffering sales slump
Thailand’s auto market has been sluggish this year, with October sales hitting just 37,691 units – the lowest monthly figure in over four years. This decline has been attributed to several factors, including a slow economic recovery and increasingly stringent credit policies from financial institutions dampening consumer purchasing power.
Thawatchai Jungsanguanpornsuk, managing director of Phranakorn Automotive Co., said that loan rejection rates have surged to 70%, particularly impacting pickup trucks, like single-cab and extended-cab models. Strict credit policies have also been exacerbated by falling second-hand car prices leading to a noticeable downturn in the auto market. Continued …
Bangkok Reigns as Top Travel Spot on Agoda
Bangkok has been named the most-booked destination in the world for 2025 by Agoda, with Thailand coming in as the second most popular country for tourists. This was announced by deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan, highlighting Thailand’s growing status as a major travel hotspot.
Additionally, the American magazine Travel + Leisure has recognized Thailand as the prime tourist destination for 2025. The country’s rich culture, delectable food, and unique blend of traditional and modern experiences make it a top choice for travelers. Continued …
China visa free for 30 days maximum: 5 ways to get in
China announced an extension of visa-free entry procedures in November to include the citizens of 38 countries, including Thailand and Japan. They can enter visa free for up to a month, in the latest effort to bring in more foreign tourists and support the economy.
A visa to China can take days to acquire, cost well over US$100 (3,450 baht) and require pages of paperwork. The red tape has deterred some foreigners from visiting the world’s second-largest economy as tourists or business travelers. Continued …
30% of tourists to Japan experienced overtourism problems in 2024
Over 30% of foreign tourists to Japan experienced problems associated with overtourism during their trips in 2024, and more than 60% said they are willing to accept higher charges as a way to ease congestion and protect natural and cultural resources, according to a recent survey.
The survey of 7,796 foreigners about their travel plans and experiences, jointly conducted by the Development Bank of Japan and the Japan Travel Bureau Foundation and released in October, found that congestion of tourist destinations was the most common problem, with 32% of respondents saying they experienced it during their stay. Continued …
Excessive PM2.5 pollution in many parts of Bangkok today
Air quality in Bangkok today is poor, with the amount of PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere measured in 63 places as exceeding the 37.5 micron (µg/m³) safety level, according to the Air Quality Information Center of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
The levels of PM2.5 over the past 24 hours, as measured at 7am this morning, range from 30.9-56.3µg/m³s, with the worst air pollution being reported in Nong Khaem, where the level was 56.3µg/m³s. Continued …
Electric buses spell end to Phuket songthaews
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) on Monday did a test run of its fleet of electric buses, which were bought to alleviate air pollution, reduce traffic congestion and promote smart city development.
The 121.7-million-baht project aims to replace the 24 passenger trucks (songthaews) with electric buses to cover locals and tourists traveling to tourist attractions, schools or shopping districts. Continued …
Two more dugongs found dead in seas off Krabi
Two more dugongs have been found dead in the sea off the southern province of Krabi, bringing the total number of deaths to 15 in the past two months.
One carcass was found floating in the sea in Chao Ooth Bay of Ko Lanta district by fishermen, while the other was found in the sea off Nua Khlong district. No wounds were found on their bodies and it is believed that they died of starvation, due to the rapid depletion of seagrass in their feeding grounds. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
Emergency hotline numbers:
- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
Art, culture and entertainment shine in an otherwise gloomy year
Bad air, caves and elephants
