Today’s news: How New Year’s Day changed/Free entry to national parks, wildlife sanctuaries/Holidaymakers hit the roads/Doubts over road-safety plan/Minister Mulls 12-15 Year Prison Terms/New governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan/New governor unveils operational guidelines/Hua Hin Marathon/Untreated Hernias/Thailand’s Labor Law/Southern region on high alert/PM Srettha’s personal wealth/Pollution not taking a holiday/Economy: Hoping for the best/Rising star businesses next year/Freight rates from Asia spike/Factory output down/Thailand’s Clean Energy Revolution/Tourism: Herbal medicines recommended/Indian Tourists Brawl with Thais/More US and Canadian tourists/Full Moon Party At Koh Phangan/Thailand Experience: Lobster at Koh Libong/Visions in pink/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
How New Year’s Day changed from April 13 to January 1 in Thailand
Jan. 1 first became New Year’s Day in Thailand in 1941 after the country abandoned its centuries-old custom of starting the new year on April 13, the first day of Songkran.
“Songkran” derives from the Sanskrit word “sankranti”, which literally means “going from one place to another, transference, or course change”, meaning astrological passag – the Sun’s entry into the constellations or the Sun’s passage from one zodiac sign to another. Continued …
Free entry to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries on Dec 31 and Jan 1
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will open all its national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, no-hunting areas and forest parks to the public free of charge this Sunday and Monday.
Moreover, the department has arranged necessary facilities at 320 rest areas near national parks for New Year holiday makers. Some parks may, however, be closed as part of their forest fire prevention measures, to allow the flora and fauna to recover or due to heavy rains. Continued …
Holidaymakers hit the roads for the New Year break
The main arterial road to the northeast, known as the Friendship Road, was heavily congested yesterday as hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers head for home or to other holiday destinations in private and public transport, ahead of the official New Year break.
The Bang Sue train terminal was also crowded with travelers. The State Railway of Thailand said that it has arranged additional trains and is capable of accommodating up to 100,000 passengers a day. Continued …
Experts flag doubts over road-safety master plan
Thailand entered the annual “seven dangerous days” yesterday with sirens already sounding over efforts to meet its 2027 goal of cutting the appalling death toll from traffic accidents.
Road traffic fatalities currently stand at 25 for every 100,000 people – more than double the 12 per 100,000 targeted within the next four years. Also worth noting is that these figures do not reflect the thousands of accident victims left disabled for life. Continued …
Transport Minister Mulls 12-15 Year Prison Terms for DUI Fatalities
Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Thai minister of transport, has publicly revealed consideration in increasing penalties in fatal accidents from DUIs, with up to 12 to 15 years of imprisonment.
Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation representative Dr. Taejing Siripanich requested for the Thai Ministry of Transport officials to draft bills regarding the increasing penalties for fatal accidents resulting from drunk driving cases. Continued …
New governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan province takes office
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province welcomed its new governor, Niti Vivatwanich, on Dec. 21, marking the beginning of his tenure with a series of traditional and ceremonial visits.
Accompanied by his wife, Patama Vivatwanich, the governor’s inaugural day was characterized by respect for local customs and a warm reception from the community. Continued …
PKK’s new governor unveils operational guidelines
In a meeting Wednesday, at Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall’s Koh Lak meeting room, key figures in the province’s administration met to discuss future directions.
The meeting was presided over by Niti Wivatvanich, the newly appointed governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, and was attended by deputy governors Kittipong Sukphakul, Komkrit Charoenpatanasombat, and Ongkarak Thongniramol, along with heads of various government agencies. Continued …
Hua Hin Marathon 2024 registration opens Jan 1
Registration for the Hua Hin Marathon 2024 opens at 10 am on Jan. 1. Here’s all you need to know about the event and how to register.
The marathon will take place on Sunday, May 12. The start and finish point for the race is Wat Khao Krai Lat, Nong Kae, Hua Hin. Continued …
Untreated Hernias are More Dangerous Than You Think
A hernia is a condition where internal organs in the abdominal cavity move through an abnormal passage to another location.
These organs include the bowels and omentum, which is a fat apron of tissue that hangs covering the internal organs. It can occur anywhere from the diaphragm down to the groin. Continued …
Thailand’s Labor Law: A Comprehensive Guide For Employers And Employees
Navigating the intricate landscape of Thailand’s labor laws can be a challenging endeavor for both domestic and foreign enterprises. The regulations, while designed to foster fairness and harmony in the workplace, can be vast and complex.
Hence, it becomes imperative for businesses and individuals to find a trustworthy partner or expert who can guide them confidently through these legal intricacies. Continued …
Thailand’s southern region on high alert due to severe flooding
Flooding in the southern reaches of Thailand has the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) on high alert. Surasee Kittimonthon, ONWR’s secretary-general, expressed concern yesterday, disclosing that the situation is expected to remain critical for several days, as forecasts predict continued downpours.
The Flood-Prone Area Water Management Center in the southern region, chaired by Surasee, is particularly worried about the southernmost provinces where the deluge has already wreaked havoc on homes and farmland. Continued …
Thai PM Srettha’s personal wealth valued at over 650 million baht
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin owns wealth valued at 650 million baht, including a 50-million-baht luxury car and 38 watches, Thailand’s corruption watchdog made public on Thursday.
The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Thursday revealed that the Thai premier, a former real-estate mogul, owned assets worth a total of 659,391,610 baht. Continued …
Pollution not taking a holiday
The New Year holiday may have dramatically reduced traffic on Bangkok streets, but air pollution remains a problem, with 16 districts classified in the red zone for serious health impacts today.
Data obtained at 8am showed readings for PM2.5 dust levels above 75 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) in 16 out of 50 districts of the capital, according to the website of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). Continued …
Hoping for the best
With 2024 around the corner, everyone is hoping for a better year. Yet, Thailand’s economic outlook is murky. The World Bank recently slashed the country’s GDP growth estimate for this year down to 2.5% from 3.4% in an earlier forecast, citing weak exports and the ongoing fiscal consolidation.
GDP in 2024 is now anticipated to expand by 3.2%, down from 3.5% projected in October. Continued …
E-commerce, content creators poised to be rising star businesses next year
E-commerce, content creators, YouTubers, product reviewers and influencers are poised for substantial growth next year, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
E-commerce business gains positive sentiment from a change in consumer behavior to reduce their spending outdoors, such as at convenience stores and shopping malls. Meanwhile, e-commerce platforms offer them advantages in price. Continued …
Freight rates from Asia spike by 53% amid Red Sea crisis
Freight rates from Asia have spiked by 53% in a month depending on the route, plus container shipping giants and oil super major British Petroleum having halted transit via the Red Sea-Suez Canal route after the attacks, the latest Freightos data said.
The disruption assumes significance as Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, is vital for 30% of global container traffic and India relies on the route to trade with parts of West Asia, Africa, and Europe. Continued …
Factory output down 4.7% y/y, more than forecast
The manufacturing production index for November was down 4.71% from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said on Thursday.
The figure compared with a forecast for a 4.0% year-on-year fall for November in a Reuters poll, and followed October’s 4.31% revised decline. Continued …
Innopower Drives Thailand’s Clean Energy Revolution
Humanity faces a “code red” scenario, as the escalating threat of climate change poses substantial risks to vital ecosystems. Urgent action against global warming is now of unprecedented importance, with reports highlighting a troubling temperature surge.
This has resulted in pervasive global consequences, including increased heat, insect outbreaks, declining water supplies, reduced agricultural yields, and heat-related health impacts in cities. Continued …
Herbal medicines recommended for travel-related sickness
With millions of Thais preparing to travel to their hometowns during the long New Year break (Dec. 29-Jan. 1), a doctor is advising travelers to stick to the “Drink Don’t Drive” rule, and keep these useful herbal medicines handy in case of travel-related sickness.
“Travelers might become ill due to the long commute, inadequate rest, eating at irregular hours, and the changing weather,” Dr Preecha Nootim, director of Thai Traditional and Complementary Medicine Hospital, said on Thursday. He advised commuters to keep these affordable herbal medicines in their travel bags to help alleviate sickness during the trips. Continued …
Indian Tourists Brawl with Thais on Pattaya Beach Road
Foreign tourists, reported to be of Indian nationality, engaged in a violent brawl with Thai people on Pattaya Beach Road early yesterday, sending shock waves through the city just one day before its New Year’s celebration.
Local residents and joggers running along Pattaya Beach captured the incident on video, which quickly went viral on Thai social media. The roughly one-minute clip depicted Thai and Indian people, both men and women, exchanging blows in the middle of busy Pattaya Beach Road near Soi 13 in the Nongprue subdistrict. Continued …
Thailand wants to see far more US and Canadian tourists
Thailand’s tourism promotion executives plan to target the long-haul market in 2024. They are particularly seeking more U.S. and Canadian travelers. Significantly, a key aim is to increase flight connectivity and lower airfares with chartered flights.
Additionally, with a new Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Chicago, executives will spread the word about the new Songkran all-month festival to American audiences. It comes as figures show that 39% of foreign tourists in 2023 were long-haul travelers. They spent an average of Bt74,000 per trip, nearly twice as much as short-haul Asian visitors. Continued …
10,000 Tourists Enjoy Full Moon Party At Koh Phangan
As many as 10,000 mostly young foreign and Thai tourists packed Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan island to enjoy the full moon party that continued all night until dawn yesterday.
Some revelers painted themselves with fluorescent body paints as they danced to the exciting rhythm at the world-famous party. Continued …
Tourists with a taste for lobster head to Koh Libong
Tourists have been flocking to Koh Libong in Trang province to taste the iconic delicacy known as “7-color lobster”, which local farmers have been raising in offshore farms in the Andaman Sea off Thailand’s west coast.
Prasit Bensa-ard, 51, who has been raising lobsters for over three decades, said on Thursday that his 70 or 80 fully grown 7-color lobsters have been reserved by local restaurants. The crustacean delicacy goes for 2,500-3,000 baht per kilogram, generating substantial income for the fishing community. Continued …
Visions in pink as Boraphet marsh bursts into bloom
A last look at Asia’s winners and losers in 2023
In 2022, in our annual look at Asia’s “winners and losers”, we took to CNBC and put the spotlight on Southeast Asia’s “comeback kids”, for their overcoming skepticism, family history and backroom intrigue and winning elections to lead their respective nations, we named Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as winners of “Best year in Asia 2022”. Continued …
Half of Red Sea container ships rerouting
Half of the container-ship fleet that regularly transits the Red Sea and Suez Canal is avoiding the route now because of the threat of attacks, according to new industry data. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
Hua Hin train schedule
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
Price hikes to affect over 7,000 food, drink products
Thailand readies for turbulent economic ride
Environment was uppermost in the minds of many in 2022
Thai navy intensifies hunt for 8 missing HTMS Sukhothai crew
Thai exports exceed 2022 target despite end-of-year slump
Export sector outlook looks bleak as global economy heads into tailspin
Seven key trends expected to influence financial services in 2023
National Parks chief charged with massive corruption
Indian man arrested in Patong for 1,322 days of overstay 
Pakistani Man Arrested in Patong for 3,270 Days of Overstay
Bangkok airport girds for New Year travelers
Massive flight cancellations leave thousands of suitcases stranded at US airports
Putin bans Russian oil exports to countries that impose price cap
