Ancient child skeleton rewriting prehistory/Cha Am Bikini Beach Run/To simplify work permit process/Flu cases surge/17 killed as tour bus overturns/Congestion and corruption at Laem Chabang Port/Worries about freed scam center foreigners/5-kilometer queue into Mae Sot/Lisa to perform at Oscars/Foreigners behaving badly/ECONOMY: Thai nominee crackdown/Exports up 13.6%/Falling rice prices/Thai Beauty Sector Growth/Global tax challenge/TOURISM: Russians seek escape on Phuket/Foreign investors cause a stir/Bangkok condo nightmare/Development of U-Tapao Airport/Streamlining Airport Experience/Thailand among top solo travel destinations/China market uptick for Thailand/Pattaya Nightlife Under Scrutiny/Bank Account with a DTV/Sitting with corpse on long-haul flight/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: March Festivals and Events/Traditional martial arts of Southeast Asia/Exploring Chiang Mai/Single spark that ignited 20 years of violence/CLIMATE THAILAND: Bangkok’s 1,520 electric buses/Pattaya plans low-carbon future/How much trash is being thrown out/INTERNATIONAL/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
Ancient child skeleton unearthed in PKK rewriting prehistory
A remarkable archaeological discovery in a remote cave within Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park has yielded the oldest human skeleton found in Thailand to date, potentially pushing back the timeline of human occupation in the region by tens of thousands of years.
The skeletal remains of a child, affectionately nicknamed “Pangpond” after a popular Thai cartoon character, were unearthed during excavations at Din Cave, a site already known for its prehistoric rock art. Continued …
Cha Am Bikini Beach Run March 15 -16
The Cha Am Bikini Beach run is a unique adventure, not only for mixing different surfaces along the course (road and sand) but for inviting runners to participate in their swimsuits. Continued …
Thailand moves to simplify work permit process
Warning issued as flu cases surge
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has warned the public about a spike in influenza after 130,000 infected patients were reported over the past two months.
DDC Director-general Dr. Panumas Yanwetsakul said that 131,826 influenza cases were reported from Jan. 1 to Feb. 24, with a dozen being fatal. Most patients were children aged five to nine, followed by babies and toddlers aged 0-4 and 10-14 years old. Continued …
17 killed, 40 injured as tour bus overturns in Prachin Buri
Over 40 people were injured, and 17 lost their lives after an educational field trip bus overturned while descending Khao San Pu Tone mountain in Prachin Buri’s Na Di district this morning.
The incident took place at around 4am, when a tour bus from Bueng Kan’s Phon Charoen district went off the curve on Highway 304 during the journey to Rayong province. The vehicleoverturned and was completely damaged. Continued …
PAT to ease congestion and tackle corruption at Laem Chabang Port
The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) is working with several agencies to address traffic congestion and boost customer satisfaction in Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri Province, which includes an investigation of queue-jumping bribes.
Laem Chabang Port is the largest deep sea port in Thailand and a major logistics hub in ASEAN, with more than 9.4 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and more than 6 million passing trucks a year. Continued …
Worries about influx of freed scam center foreigners
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has expressed concern about a possibleflood of foreignersreleased from shutteredscam centers in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
He said yesterday the government would try to block their entry until their home countries agreed to repatriate them. Illegal entry through natural border crossings was of particular concern. Continued …
5-kilometer queue of Burmese drivers crossing into Mae Sot to refuel
Long queues of cars, extending up to 5 kilometers, are waiting in Myanmar’s Myawaddy border township to cross the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge into Thailand’s Mae Sot to refuel.
This sight has become common place, as fuel is becoming increasingly scarce since Thailand cut electricity, fuel and internet supplies to locations in Myanmar, including Myawaddy, on Feb. 5, to put pressure on Myanmar and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) to crack down on Chinese-run scam call centers in the Myawaddy, Tachileik and Payathonzu border townships. Continued …
Blackpink’s Lisa to perform at Oscars, amid controversy
Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, is set to take the stage at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, much to the excitement of her global fanbase.The performance will be broadcast live and available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar.
Lisa, alongside Doja Cat and Raye, will perform their collaborative track “Born Again”. The song features in the third season of The White Lotus, in which Lisa also stars. Raye, a British singer-songwriter, wrote and produced the song. Continued …
British Man Arrested After 25-Year Visa Overstay
Chiang Mai Immigration recently arrested a British man who overstayed his visa by 9,135 days — more than 25 years. This case marks one of the longest recorded visa overstays in Thailand’s history. Continued …
- Naked Foreigner Walks into Phuket Convenience Store – Continued …
- 7 Tourists Nabbed in Pai for Public Cannabis Use – Continued …
- Police Launch Major Crackdown on Nominee Businesses in Region 8 – Continued …
- Lao woman arrested in Hat Yai prostitution sting – Continued …
Thai nominee crackdown uncovers tourism, property chaos
Authorities have announced progress in a crackdown on foreigners using Thai nominees to illegally run businesses, focusing on tourism and real estate. Between September 2024 and January 2025, a multi-agency taskforce led by the Commerce Ministry prosecuted 820 illegal nominee businesses, with estimated damages totaling 12.5 billion baht, officials revealed on Monday.
Authorities will investigate another 27,000 suspected nominees in 2025, targeting tourism, real estate, hospitality and logistics, Auramon Supthaweethum, the Department of Business Development’s director-general, said. Continued …
Thailand’s exports up 13.6% in January, as trade momentum continues
Thailand’s exports in January 2025 grew by 13.6% year on year to US$25.27 billion (862.36 billion baht), marking the seventh consecutive month of expansion, the Commerce Ministry announced yesterday.
Excluding gold, oil and military supplies, exports expanded by 11.4% compared to the same period last year, said Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). Continued …
Falling rice prices a hot potato for Thai government
Rapid changes in global market conditions have led to rice prices plummeting, posing a challenging situation for the Thai government.
Farmers in the central and northern parts of the country, who also form an important voting block, recently held protests, demanding that the government tackle the issue of declining paddy prices. The government responded with short-term measures to shore up prices and plans to spend around 1.9 billion baht. Continued …
Thai Beauty Sector Sees Explosive Growth, Foreign Investment
The Department of Business Development reports the beauty business has experienced continuous growth with new establishments over the past five years, now totaling 6,621 legal entities, with foreign investments reaching $83.1 million.
Yesterday, Oramon Sapthaweetham, director-general of the Department of Business Development, disclosed an analysis showing beauty business registrations jumped from 527 entities in 2020 to 1,161 in 2023 and 1,135 in 2024, with total registered capital of $5.65 billion. In-depth analysis of the past three years (2021-2023) shows average annual revenue exceeding $9 billion. Continued …
New global tax challenge lies ahead
U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to leave the global minimum tax accord is affecting international tax law worldwide. Thailand is not spared either.
While other major nations are still pressing ahead with the 15% corporate tax floor for multinational corporations, Thailand must rethink its strategy for drawing foreign investment — or risk falling behind. Continued …
Russians seek escape from sanctions, draft on Thailand’s Phuket Island – Not everyone is happy
For many years, Chinese tourism fueled the economy of the island paradise of Phuket, known for its tropical weather, stunning sunsets and foreign-friendly accommodations.
But with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Thailand’s Phuket Island is transforming into a different kind of getaway: a refuge for Russians fleeing military conscription, political oppression and the economic impact of Western sanctions. Continued …
Foreign investors in Thai property causes a stir
Tourist industry insiders voiced concerns about the amount of foreign investors snapping up hotels, pool villas, and luxury digs in Thailand’s bustling tourist hotspots like Phuket and Bangkok.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), added his voice to the growing chorus of concern. He’s especially wary of Russian property owners flouting the rules by secretly renting out their pads on a daily basis. Continued …
Bangkok condo nightmare: Noise, cannabis, and daily rentals
Residents of a Bangkok condominium are at their wits’ end as daily rentals by foreigners have turned their once peaceful home into a noisy nightmare.
Complaints of loud parties, the smell of cannabis lingering in hallways, and blatant rule-breaking at the swimming pool have become all too common, leaving long-term residents frustrated and desperate for solutions. Continued …
Development of U-Tapao Airport to proceed but on a smaller scale
Plans to expand U-Tapao Airport are being revised, with the project scaled back significantly due to ongoing delays with the high-speed rail link.
Keeree Kanjanapas, chairman of U-Tapao International Aviation (UTA), confirmed that the development of the airport and the adjacent Eastern Aviation City will go ahead, but without waiting for the delayed Bangkok-Rayong high-speed train. Continued …
AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat on Streamlining Airport Experience with Biometric Technology
Airports of Thailand (AOT) President Kerati Kijmanawat, in a two-part interview, discusses efforts to make airports more sustainable, focusing on carbon reduction and biometric technology for seamless travel. This second installment explores how Thailand’s leading airport operator is enhancing efficiency and reducing waiting times.
As part of its goal to enhance passenger experience, AOT has introduced self-check-in kiosks, self-bag drop kiosks, and biometric immigration processing. These changes have led to a reduction in average immigration processing times from 30 minutes to around 4 minutes. Continued …
Thailand among top solo travel destinations for 2025
Thailand ranks fifth globally for solo travel, according to a new survey by luxury tour operator Kensington. India tops the list, followed by Italy, Japan and Egypt.
“Solo travel is on the rise,” said Matt Cammaert of Kensington, speaking to Travel + Leisure magazine. “Travelers are increasingly seeking destinations rich in cultural significance and offering unique landscapes, combined with the independence and seamless, personalized service they desire.” Continued …
Trip.com Group sees China market uptick for Thailand
Though Chinese tourist bookings grew slower than expected in the first month of the year because of safety concerns, they should improve overall from last year, as Thailand remains a popular global destination, says online travel agent Trip.com Group.
According to Trip.com Group, the operator of CTrip and trip.com, Chinese travelers’ hotel bookings in Thailand from Jan. 1 to Feb. 19 rose by nearly 10% year-on-year. This figure fell short of its original forecast of 50% growth. Continued …
Pattaya Nightlife Comes Under Scrutiny Amid Noise Complaints
Pattaya’s lively beer bar scene is facing scrutiny as local authorities respond to mounting noise complaints from residents. Yesterday, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet spearheaded an investigation into a well-known beer bar complex on Soi Diana, South Pattaya.
The bustling area, known for its vibrant atmosphere, has drawn the ire of locals who claim the noise is disrupting their nightly peace. Continued …
Opening a Bank Account with a DTV Visa
Many foreigners holding a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) encounter difficulties when trying to open a bank account because almost every bank refuses to serve DTV visa holders.
The primary concern is that bank accounts opened by foreigners could be used for illegal financial activities such as online gambling, romance scams, or money laundering. Continued …
Australian says ‘wasn’t nice’ sitting with corpse on long-haul flight
An Australian couple has criticized Qatar Airways after a blanket-draped corpse was seated next to them during a long-haul flight. Mitchell Ring said a passenger died part-way through the 14-hour flight from Melbourne to Doha last week.
“They tried to wheel her up toward business class, but she was quite a large lady and they couldn’t get her through the aisle,” he told an Australian network this week. Continued …
March Festivals and Events in Thailand
March is filled with vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations, including the Phanom Rung Light Phenomenon. Enjoy world-class performances at Pattaya Music Festival 2025 and PELUPO 2025, while experiencing Thai heritage at the 17th World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony.
Book enthusiasts can explore the National & Bangkok International Book Fair, while the Thailand Tourism Festival showcases the best of Thai culture, crafts, and traditions. March promises an unforgettable mix of light, music, heritage, and excitement. Continued …
A Fighting Chance: the traditional martial arts of Southeast Asia
Every Southeast Asian country contributes to a rich arsenal of traditional martial arts that go beyond mere fighting techniques and are unique in their cultural identity.
“These traditional martial arts represent each of our member countries’ individual cultures and ways of life,” Caleb, a martial arts instructor, explained. Continued …
A First-hand Guide To Exploring Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has been all the rage recently, diverting attention from the more mainstream tracks that of Koh Samui. Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai, Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, a powerful realm that spanned across present-day northern Thailand, parts of Myanmar, Laos and China.
Today, Chiang Mai retains its rich historical roots while evolving into a vibrant cultural and culinary hub, attracting travelers from all corners of the world. With its astonishing temples, thriving street markets, lush landscapes and world-class cuisine, it is poised to become a cosmopolitan hub. Continued …
‘Petty criminals’ – a single spark that ignited 20 years of violence
“There is no separatism, no ideological terrorists, only petty criminals,” said then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after the “Pi-Leng Camp Weapons Raid” on Jan. 4, 2004, and the burning of 18 schools.
Thaksin was so furious that he reprimanded the military and soldiers for their lack of vigilance, saying, “If you have an entire battalion stationed there but still fail to be cautious, then you deserve to die.” Continued …
Bangkok set to roll out 1,520 electric buses by August
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is preparing to lease 1,520 electric buses, with the first batch set to be operational by August. This initiative aims to replace over 30-year-old non-air-conditioned buses and reduce maintenance costs.
According to a report from the Ministry of Transport, the BMTA will propose the leasing project to the board during its meeting ttoday. The project, valued at 15,355 million baht, will span seven years from 2025 to 2032. It involves an electronic bidding process for the lease agreement and will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval next month. Continued …
Pattaya plans low-carbon future with solar power and clean energy
Pattaya Cit yis on a mission to transform itself into a low-carbon tourism destination, with ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy.
In the second meeting of the Public Image Committee, Poramet Ngampichet, Mayor of PattayaCity, outlined a bold vision for a greener, cleaner future, leveraging solar power and clean energy solutions. Continued …
How much trash is actually being thrown out annually
Plastic pollution costs an estimated $300-600 billion USD per year in social and environmental impact, with some estimates above $1.5 trillion per year. Seventy-seven percent of plastic goes to waste every year, 18% ends up in mismanaged waste streams such as illegal dump sites or land and ocean litter.
Out of all plastic waste, 67% comes from homes, businesses, and public buildings, 11% comes from the automotive industry, 11% comes from textiles, 5% comes from building and construction, and 4% comes from electronics. Continued …
US Refuses to Blame Russia for Ukraine War, Splitting with European Allies
In a dramatic shift in transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump, the United States split with its European allies by refusing to blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in votes on three U.N. resolutions Monday seeking an end to the three-year war. Continued …
Could Fort Knox revaluation spark a global gold market boom?
The potential revaluation of U.S. gold reserves, particularly those stored at Fort Knox in Kentucky, has sparked considerable speculation, with some analysts predicting a surge in the price of the precious metal. Continued …
Alibaba to invest $53 billion in cloud, AI infrastructure in next 3 years
Alibaba Group announced on Monday that it will invest more than 380 billion yuan (about $53 billion) in building cloud and AI hardware infrastructure in the next three years, capitalizing on the rapid growth of the AI industry. Continued …
Private US company set for second Moon landing attempt
Intuitive Machines made history last year as the first private company to put a robot on the Moon, although the triumph was marred by the lander tipping onto its side. Now, the Houston-based firm is gearing up for a second attempt, determined to achieve a perfect touchdown. Continued …
New bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok
The new first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin will offer two round trips daily. The fare would be 200 baht each way and would take three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure will be from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.
- The bus will leave Hua Hin at 7 am and 2 pm
- It will depart from Don Mueang at 7:30 am and 4 pm
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
- State Railway – 1590