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Today’s news: Hot weather warning/Government must form PM2.5 panel/Booze battle/Thais Among Top Target/10,600+ complaints about taxis/Big Bike Collision/Surge in monkey attacks/Monkey attacks on Koh Chang/Lopburi monkeys relocating/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Challenges for manufacturing/Thai-China high-speed rail/Korat seeks commercial flights/Tourism: Cha Am park wins award/Songkran is around the corner/Surge in illegal foreign workers/Casinos will bring revenue/Thailand elevates festivals/More people will travel upcountry/Koh Phangan for Full Moon Party/Pattaya Hotels Surge/Environment: Surat Thani’s blue crab project/Most Impacted By Weather Perils/Cooperation on electric taxis/Bumpy road for EV China’s place/Thailand Experience: Thailand’s Matcha culture/Amazing Balloon Fest/International news/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Hua Hin train schedule/Market Village bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hot weather warning issued for Thailand

The Thailand Meteorological Department has warned of hot weather throughout Thailand today, with temperatures rising to 39C in Bangkok and 40C elsewhere in the central region and the north.

It also forecasts a 20% chance of thunderstorms and advises people to take care of their health in hot weather conditions. Thunderstorms may occur in the lower northeast, central region, and east regions due to moisture-laden winds from the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea. Continued …

Government must form PM2.5 panel: TDRI

A national committee to devise a policy on battling the PM2.5 problem, and an agency to manage the smog are needed to address the nation’s air pollution, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).

The TDRI published an academic article addressing the air pollution problem in Bangkok and the northern region on its website on Thursday. Continued …

Booze battle: Thailand still missing the middle path in alcohol control

No less than four draft laws on alcohol control will soon go before Parliament, but none appear to contain a middle path that will satisfy everyone.

Two drafts, one proposed by the Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department (DCD) and the other by an anti-alcohol group, push for strict control – apparently out of concern about health and other impacts of drinking. Continued …

Thais Among Top Target Of Cyber Criminals In Asia

The Bank of Thailand revealed that Thais are among cyber criminals favorite targets in Asia, and as these scammers continuously come up with new tactics it led to a total of 56,746 online fraud cases in January this year, with 3.981 billion baht being stolen.

Pinyo Tripetcharaporn, director of the central bank’s Overall Risk Management Department, said that statistics show of the total cyber fraud cases in January, 46% involved being deceived in making online purchases, followed by 10% being tricked to borrow money and 7% duped into transferring money. Continued …

Transport ministry investigating 10,600+ complaints about taxis

Thailand’s Transport Ministry says it’s considering new measures to address a raft of complaints about taxis after a huge number of complaints in a 6-month period.

According to a report, the ministry has received over 10,600 complaints from taxi passengers. In response, officials say they plan to introduce measures to improve taxi services to ensure they are “convenient, safe, and reasonably priced”. Continued …

Big Bike Collision in Phuket Claims Three Lives

Yesterday, Chalong police officers received an accident report of a big bike colliding with a motorbike on Wiset Road, Mueang Phuket, claiming three lives and one serious injury.

Phuket emergency services and police officers were dispatched to the accident scene and found a blue big bike and a white motorbike overturned on the road. Nearby, two bodies of foreigners and one Thai body were on the road, whose names were publicly identified only as Mr. Kristofer, 36, Mr. Magnus, 52, and Mrs. Kanokkan, 44, respectively. Continued …

New compensation guidelines after surge in monkey attacks

A government committee has come up with new regulations for compensation to victims of monkey attacks in response to a spate of attacks by rogue monkeys in Lopburi. Under the new regulation, a maximum of 100,000 baht will be paid in case of death or disability.

The committee in charge of managing funds for wildlife protection convened a meeting on Friday and issued new compensation regulations, which went into effect on Saturday. Continued …

Monkey attacks keep Koh Chang park officials at bay

Koh Chang park officials are fed up with a growing number of macaques that pose a danger to local residents and tourists, as well as damaging property.

Neramit Songsagne, chief of Mu Koh Chang National Park, said on Sunday the park is mulling two plans to manage the marauding monkeys, either by sterilizing them to control their reproduction or moving them off the island to new sanctuaries on the mainland. The park is awaiting recommendations from a study by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on the impact of the monkeys on the island, the official added. Continued …

First Lopburi monkeys relocating Monday to reduce attacks, injuries

The Parks department will today temporarily move the first group of Lopburi monkeys into a special enclosure at a Wildlife Rescue Center, before later moving them to a “monkey garden”, in order to control a population that has become increasingly aggressive while stealing food and attacking people, causing injury to several individuals.

The final destination is a “Monkey Garden” in Pho Khao Ton subdistrict of Mueang Lopburi District. Continued …

15 Foreign Riders Arrested in Patong Breaking Traffic Rules – Continued …
Polish yoga instructor arrested in Koh Phangan for unlicensed operations – Continued …
Foreigners condemned for spray-painting Phuket footpath – Continued …
Egyptian man damages Phuket taxi in violent outburst – Continued …

Challenges for manufacturing as Thai labor force shrinks by 3 million

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) recently warned that the manufacturing sector stands to face severe challenges now that the country’s workforce has dropped by 3 million.

According to NESDC’s long-term national development plan (2022-2037), labor shortages are expected to have an inevitable impact on Thailand’s industrial sector. The projections indicate a steady decline of more than 3 million working-age individuals every decade. Continued …

Thai-China high-speed rail set to boost ASEAN connectivity

Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang projected a significant enhancement in the collaboration between Thailand and China upon the conclusion of the anticipated high-speed rail project. The statement came during a seminar addressing the economic ties between the two nations and the Thai-China visa-free agreement, held by the Thai-Chinese Journalists Assn. Recently.

The ambassador emphasized that the completion of the Thai-China high-speed rail would bolster Thailand’s connectivity with Laos, China, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at large, given Thailand’s strategic location linking to various regions. Continued …

Korat seeks PM’s help to return commercial flights

Provincial agencies in Nakhon Ratchasima have lobbied Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to use the air force base as an airport to promote tourism and business in the province.

In a meeting on Sunday, representatives of the provincial state agencies sought permission from the prime minister to allow the private sector to use Wing 1 of the Royal Thai Air Force again for commercial flights, according to deputy spokeswoman Kenika Ounjit. Continued …

Cha Am park wins tourism award

Khao Nang Phanthurat National Park in Cha Am has won the “Outstanding Tourism Promotion Person of the Province” award, a recognition from the Thai Lineage Club on behalf of the nation.

This accolade was received during an event at the Teachers Council Auditorium, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, highlighting the park’s significant contributions to the promotion and sustainable development of tourism in Thailand. Continued …

Songkran – Thailand’s most famous annual festival – is around the corner

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year and Thailand’s most famous annual festival, is coming very soon, in the middle of April. The festival this year will be an even bigger extravaganza, as the nation shows its delight in the inscription of “Songkran in Thailand” in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

As part of the celebration, a calendar of World Water Festivals will be launched nationwide in April for 21 days. It has also composed Songkran songs in Thai, English, Chinese, and French to tell visitors how joyful the festival is. Continued …

Thailand grapples with surge in illegal foreign workers in tourism

The Labor Ministry of Thailand has expressed worries over the persistent issue of foreigners being unlawfully employed within the country’s tourism sector.

Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed that the ministry has been vigilantly tracking the situation and has reported a steady increase in the number of illegal foreign workers. From October 2023 to February 2024, as many as 13,424 foreigners were found to be working in the country without proper legal documentation. Continued …

Casinos will bring revenue to Thailand, solve illegal gambling problem: minister

Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says that setting up legal casinos in Thailand will not only create new jobs but will also generate more revenue. He said on Saturday that by allowing entertainment complexes to include casinos, Thailand will also be able to tackle its chronic problem with illegal gambling.

Phiphat said each entertainment complex would create at least 10,000 new jobs, and if one was built in each of the country’s five major regions, up to 50,000 people could be hired. Continued …

Thailand elevates festivals as main driver for global tourist appeal

Thailand can use its unique festivals as another attraction to lure foreign tourists, the National Soft Power Strategy Committee’s secretary said recently.

Surapong Suebwonglee said festivals add to Thailand’s overall appeal, adding to its world-famous cuisine, diverse culture and tourist attractions. Admitting that previous efforts to promote Thailand’s soft powers had failed due to inadequate planning, “we now revise the management, so it generates more income,” he said. Continued …

More people will travel upcountry if roads improved, EV garages made available

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is urging the government to boost tourism in second-tier provinces by improving roads and putting up garages that can repair electric vehicles (EVs).

Somruedee Jitjong, TAT’s deputy chief for the domestic market, said the growing popularity of EVs would result in more Thais taking to the road and thereby boosting tourism. She added that the purchase and use of EVs have been rising over the past few years, and TAT is planning to launch tourism promotions for EV users next year. Continued …

Thousands of Foreign Tourists Flock to Koh Phangan for Full Moon Party

On Saturday, Surat Thani local media reported a large number of foreign tourists ferry traveling to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui to attend the full moon party yesterday on Haad Rin Beach.

Meanwhile, foreign tourists traveled to Koh Phangan and reserved hotel rooms and resorts in advance to participate in the full moon party, according to Surat Thani reporters. Continued …

Pattaya Hotels Surge in Occupancy as Songkran Approaches

Pattaya’s hotel industry is experiencing a significant surge, with some hotels seeing over 90% occupancy.

According to Wit Tantivorawong, managing director of the support division at Land and Houses Plc, Grand Center Point hotels, one of Thailand’s premier hotel brands, both Bangkok and Pattaya are experiencing a sharp increase in occupancy rates. Continued …

Surat Thani’s blue crab project

As many as 200,000 young blue crabs were released at Koh Set Island in the Chaiya district of Surat Thani province last week in a bid to preserve the marine ecosystem and food security in the Gulf of Thailand.

This preserved island under the Department of Fisheries has an abundant ecosystem that allows blue crabs and others like shrimps and shells to grow, said Jarin Choeichoeychom, chairman of an environmental preservation fishery group in Ban Phum Riang community. Continued …

Asia Pacific Tops List Of Most Impacted By Weather Perils

Climate change will be the main driver of future economic risks, with countries in the Asia Pacific region among the most vulnerable to extreme weather events, according to new analysis.

Four weather perils –– floods, tropical cyclones, winter storms and severe thunderstorms –– account for the largest share of economic losses from natural disasters globally, according to a report by the Swiss Re Institute, the research arm of global insurance firm Swiss Re. Continued …

China-Thailand cooperation on electric taxis transforming Suvarnabhumi Airport

At Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, amid the hustle and bustle of international travel, a batch of sleek, white electric taxis are painting the runway with a touch of modernity. These vehicles, produced by a leading Chinese automaker, have swiftly become an emblem of eco-friendly transportation at Thailand’s busiest airport.

Suvarnabhumi Airport stands as the gateway to Thailand, welcoming over 50 million travelers annually. Recognizing the need for sustainable travel options, Airports of Thailand (AOT) has joined forces with China’s GAC Aion to introduce electric taxi services since January this year. The initiative aims not only to enhance the passenger experience but also to propel the airport toward a greener future. Continued …

Bumpy road for China’s place in Thai EV evolution

The rapid growth in electric vehicle investment in Thailand from many Chinese EV makers is, in the eyes of some industry observers, reminiscent of “zero dollar” tours.

In this tour scam, which made headlines in 2016, Chinese visitors were lured into buying cheap tour packages in Thailand, but were forced to buy unusually expensive souvenirs and services during their stay. Only Chinese tour operators and shop owners in their network rake in money, with little or no benefits for the Thai tourism industry. Continued …

Khao Tao’s weaving community featured in Thai culture promotion

King Power, a leading Thai duty-free retailer, has unveiled a new promotional initiative titled “Thainess Station, Thai Products, United for the Community.”

The campaign aligns with the government’s push to highlight Thai culture and products, engaging both the public and private sectors in a collaborative effort. The initiative aims to spotlight the variety of Thai craftsmanship, including the fabric produced by the weaving community of Khao Tao. Continued …

Thailand’s Matcha culture: From traditional ceremonies to modern cafes

For connoisseurs of Matcha seeking to immerse themselves in the burgeoning Matcha culture within Thailand, a remarkable experience awaits.

Thailand, with an emphasis on its capital, Bangkok, has risen as a premier destination for enthusiasts of this variant of green tea, offering a broad selection of venues for the enjoyment of this refined beverage. The city accommodates diverse tastes through its contemporary Matcha bars and vegan-friendly cafes. Continued …

Nakhon Phanom’s ‘Amazing Balloon Fest’ takes flight

Nakhon Phanom province in the northeast of Thailand is gearing up for its first-ever balloon fest, scheduled to be held next week.

The “Amazing Balloon Nakhon Phanom Fest 2024”, held March 29-31, will showcase giant balloons, international kites and a walking street featuring local artisans and items unique to the province. Continued …

China’s construction for Indonesia’s new capital to lead growing overseas city-building portfolio

China is positioning itself to become one of the top foreign investors in Nusantara, the planned new capital of Indonesia that is being built from scratch over the next 20 years in the middle of forests and palm tree farms. Continued …

Suspects charged in deadly concert-hall attack in Moscow

Four men accused of staging the Russia concert hall attack that killed more than 130 people appeared before a Moscow court Sunday showing signs of severe beatings as they faced formal terrorism charges. One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing. Continued …