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Hua Hin Airport to Become International Hub by 2025

In an ambitious stride to elevate Thailand’s aviation clout, Hua Hin Airport in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province is set for a dramatic overhaul. The newly dubbed Phetch-Hua Hin International Airport aims for completion by late 2025.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the construction site, emphasizing the project’s significance. “This is a crucial step in elevating Thailand’s infrastructure,” he remarked. Continued …

Golfing in Hua Hin

Few golf course deals can equal the one hatched on the Royal Hua Hin course in 1932. In the middle of a game, Siam’s King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) learned that a powerful alliance of bureaucrats and soldiers in Bangkok were demanding he replace his country’s 700-year old absolute monarchy with a constitutional one. The king reportedly said to his golfing partners “I told you so” and played on. And thus began Siam- Thailand’s sometimes-rocky journey toward democracy.

Golf is still the hottest game in town, with Hua Hin regularly hosting major local and Asian tournaments. It all began when Thailand’s first golf course, Royal Hua Hin, opened here in the 1920s (legend has it that the caddies first had to chase tigers off the fairways). Today, there are nine quality courses along the stretch of the Gulf of Thailand between Cha Am, 20km to the north, and Hua Hin, making this virtually the Gulf of Golf. Continued …

Village Chief Defends Burning Practices Amid Air Pollution Crisis

In Ban Mae Lan Kham, northern Thailand, villagers are gearing up for their annual land-clearing fires as the haze season begins, traditionally contributing to some of the world’s worst air pollution.

(For more Thailand environmental news, check out Climate Thailand.)

Village chief Nanthawat Tiengtrongsakun and his community cut down shrubs and trees on their small plots, setting controlled burns to clear the fields for planting. This age-old practice emits plumes of smoke, leading to a thick gray haze that permeates the region and makes breathing difficult for many locals. Continued …

PM given 15 days to save job

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday ordered all parties involved in Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s ethics case to submit evidence within 15 days, with the court scheduled to consider the case again on July 10.

The court said on Tuesday that those involved are asked to provide their opinions and evidence related to the topics specified by the court within 15 days to assist its consideration of the case. Continued …

Thailand Passes Landmark Same-Sex Marriage Law

June 18 marks a historic day for Thailand, as the country’s Senate overwhelmingly approved a same-sex marriage bill, making it the first nation in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex unions. The bill passed with an overwhelming majority vote of 130 to 4, with 18 abstentions.

This landmark decision culminates years of relentless advocacy by LGBTQ+ activists and allies in Thailand. With this legislation, same-sex couples can marry and enjoy the same legal protections and benefits as heterosexual couples, including inheritance rights, joint property ownership, and access to healthcare and social welfare programs. Continued …

Around 30 Malaysian couples head to Southern Thailand each month for polygamy

The Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council has disclosed that at least 30 couples from Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Terengganu travel to the province every month to enter into polygamous marriages.

Its deputy president, Abdul Aziz Che Mamat, said the majority of these couples came with the intention of formalizing their relationships and were willing to travel long distances for this purpose. Continued …

Cops hunt oil smuggling masterminds

Police vowed to find the masterminds of the oil-smuggled gang and will arrest another seven crew members who have been missing after the three seized oil-smuggling vessels were recaptured on Monday.

Police Col. Anek Taosupap, the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) deputy commander, said on Tuesday that as they investigated the case of missing vessels, police had also rounded up more suspects and witnesses related to the disappearance, adding more depth to the case. Continued …

Fake pet meds seized, worth Bt84 million

Police seized fake animal medication worth more than 84 million baht from two major gang networks during raids in Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon provinces.

Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and officials from the Food and Drug Administration seized 222,360 illegal items found at four premises in the two central provinces, Thanakit Jitareerat, vice minister for public health, told reporters on Tuesday. He said the seized goods had a retail value of 84.84 million baht. Continued …

Cyber police bust online gun-selling network in Thailand

Cyber police executed raids at four locations across three provinces yesterday, capturing an online gun-selling network and seizing a significant amount of illegal firearms and modification equipment.

Following months of investigations, the Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), Police Lt. Gen. Worawat Watnakornbancha directed an operation to execute warrants to search the identified sites suspected of illegal firearm production. Continued …

Thai industries face challenges from Chinese competition and minimum wage increase

Thai industries are facing challenges from Chinese competition and the rising daily minimum wage. Ongoing issues include factory closures, job losses, and structural defects. From the beginning of 2024 to the present, more than 1,700 factories have closed their operations in the Thai market.

A clear example of the current complex situation toward the manufacturing industry in the country is the recent announcement made by two of the main automobile manufacturing companies in Thailand, Subaru, and Suzuki, which announced that they will close their factories in Thailand at the end of 2024. Continued …

Despite economic uncertainty, Thai manufacturing finds opportunities in global decoupling

SCB EIC ( Economic Intelligence Center ) has revealed the global economy in 2024 and 2025 is expected to grow steadily at 2.7%, albeit remaining below the pre-Covid-19 pace.

The U.S. economic outlook for 2024 has significantly improved thanks to robust domestic demand. In Asia, China’s economy exhibits promising prospects from the manufacturing sector and economic stimulus measures, while India and ASEAN economies will continue their growth trajectory. On the other hand, the Eurozone and Japan are likely to experience subdued growth. Continued …

Anutin Unveils Initiative to Boost High-Tech Industries

Thailand is transitioning its economy toward high-value, high-tech industries, as unveiled in the “IGNITE THAILAND: Future Workforce for Future Industry” initiative.

The strategic announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation Supamas Isarabhakdi at a vision statement event Monday in Bangkok, attended by key governmental and industry leaders. Continued …

Economist warns of risk to foreign investment

SCB EIC, a research center under Siam Commercial Bank, has expressed concerns about heightened political risks undermining foreign investment in both financial and capital markets, as well as long-term foreign direct investment.

Various political risks could significantly impact foreign investor confidence, resulting in substantial capital outflows from offshore investors in the Thai equity market, said Somprawin Manprasert, chief economist at EIC. Continued …

Thai Condos Slump Amid Economic, Myanmar Woes

Prasert Taedulyasatit, president of the Thai Condominium Assn., said yesterday that the Myanmar government’s strict control over condominium purchases in Thailand has affected sales. Currently, Myanmar nationals are the second largest group of buyers after Chinese nationals.

It is expected that this restriction will further worsen the real estate market in the second quarter and continue the negative trend from the first quarter. Foreign demand is crucial, especially when domestic purchasing power is weak due to high household debt and the continued refusal to borrow. Nevertheless, customers from Myanmar still make up a small proportion compared to Chinese buyers, who remain the largest customer group. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

PTTGC to turn Thailand into petrochemicals hub

PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC), the largest petrochemical producer in Thailand by capacity, aims to jump-start a downbeat industry by transforming the country into a high-value speciality petrochemical production hub in Southeast Asia.

The slowdown in the global petrochemical market has resulted from higher supply from new production facilities in East Asia and the Middle East, as well as the impact from the U.S.-China trade war, causing Beijing to reduce petrochemical exports to the U.S. and focus on sales in Asia. Continued …

Air conditioner market set to grow 30%

High temperatures will be a key factor nudging people to buy new air conditioners or opting for maintenance on their existing appliances, with the Thai market expected to grow by 30% this year, according to TCL Electronics, a Chinese manufacturer of consumer electronics.

“Even though the rainy season has started, the weather is still quite hot. This is likely to drive the country’s air conditioner industry,” said Geerachai Saksangawong, sales director for air conditioners at TCL Electronics (Thailand). Continued …

The economic benefits of cannabis

Thailand is at a crossroads between accepting cannabis as a new kind of product or restricting its usage only to medical needs. Social views are divided: one side focuses on the negative effects on society, such as negative impacts on family and community relationships, while the other side stresses the positive effects, including easier and cheaper access for medical uses and contributions to the economy in terms of production, employment, and tourism-related activities.

This article is based on research conducted by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), which examines the economic benefits of cannabis legalization. Continued …

Unwelcome rebirth of zero-dollar tours

The scourge of zero-dollar tours has returned with even lower prices, targeting inbound tourists from China, Russia and India.

This trend has begun to ravage the tourism industry because of the poor quality of the tours, leaving licensed Thai operators unable to compete, said Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). Continued …

Chiang Mai seeks to get back on climbing map

Chiang Mai tourism operators want to showcase the province’s mountainous charms to capture a rock-climbing market that boasts 44.5 million enthusiasts worldwide, while urging the government to support the activity and sport in many provinces, as it offers great potential to help expand the tourism sector.

Punlop Saejew, acting president of the Tourism Council of Chiang Mai, said he had brought to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s attention the potential offered by the rock-climbing market during the premier’s visit to Chiang Mai earlier this month. Continued …

Thai AirAsia’s Fifth Freedom routes to Japan take off

Thai AirAsia launched its much-anticipated Fifth Freedom routes, creating a seamless travel experience connecting Bangkok, Taiwan, and Japan. The airline’s inaugural flight from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Taipei, followed by a final leg to Okinawa, garnered an overwhelming passenger response.

The Taipei to Okinawa route boasted a 99% load factor, arriving at a warm reception and a lively welcoming ceremony. The daily service from Bangkok departs at 7.25am, lands in Taipei at 12.20pm, and after a brief layover, takes off again at 1.30pm, touching down in Okinawa at 3.55pm. Continued …

Black panthers filmed at Kaeng Krachan National Park

Two black panthers were spotted by tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province, calmly walking along the road to Panoen Thung without showing signs of fear toward vehicles. Mongkol Chaiphakdee, head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, confirmed that a tourist named Amy captured the rare sighting near Kilometer 20 on the way to Panoen Thung.

Amy managed to photograph two black panthers strolling in the area. The big cats did not display any panic or distress at the sight of cars before they eventually retreated into the forest. Mongkol noted that the presence of black panthers and leopards in the vicinity of Panoen Thung is a subject of ongoing research. Continued …

Tourist’s Guide to Budget-Friendly Holiday in Thailand

Thailand is known for being a cost-effective destination for tourists all over the world. This country offers sandy beaches, rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and lively nightlife. However, during the peak of the summer holidays, Thailand can be quite costly.

But worry not, since there are several strategies to avoid spending too much money on your Thailand vacation. Here are 10 tips for a budget-friendly holiday in Thailand. Continued …

The Life-threatening Work of Myanmar Fishers in Thailand

A Myanmar migrant fisher, Maung Maung*, still remembers vividly the night he lost his younger brother, Chit Min Thu, to the sea. Maung Maung knows that working as a fisher has many risks, including death. He had always been worried when his younger brother joined him as a fisher in Thailand, especially because his brother did not know how to swim.

One night, on July 19, 2023, Maung Maung, Chit Min Thu, and their boss went to the sea in Thailand. Both of the brothers were fishing, while their boss became the boat leader. Continued …

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