Tag Archives: thai property market

Friday’s News-March 10

  • Hua Hin dealing with water supply problems/
  • Free pet rabies vaccinations offered in Hua Hin/
  • Hua Hin Magic during the 2023 Thailand Open/
  • No hike in electricity rates until August, minister assures/
  • Summer storm warning for Bangkok and 41 other provinces/
  • Avoid eight types of foods to prevent kidney disease/
  • Being an English teacher in Thailand 2023 – What is it like?/
  • Measures sought to stimulate property market/
  • As election nears, PM vows no more coups/
  • Thailand improves but still ‘not free’/
  • Big Joke prepares cases against 116 corrupt immigration officers/
  • Thailand unveils 3 strategies to become global EV-manufacturing center/
  • Dept of Corrections denies existence of ‘VIP rooms’ in Thai prisons/
  • Tourism: Tourism sector braces for 80 million visitors by 2027/’Gangs of foreigners’ accused of stealing jobs from locals in Phuket/Rayong cheers as Chinese tourists return on first flight to U-Tapao/First of many? Russian Man Arrested on Pha-ngan Island for 188 days of Overstay/Two Thai destinations win awards in Germany for sustainable tourism/Take Advantage of Eco-Tourism Travel Apps in Thailand/
  • International: Indonesia unveils construction site of new capital city/China’s Xi handed historic third term as president/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Hua Hin dealing with water supply problems

Hua Hin is facing issues with the supply of drinking water, as its main storage facility for raw water is at a low level. Some residents have experienced no water or a drop in water pressure in recent days.

Officials say repairs to water pipes in Phetchaburi have significantly reduced flow to the reservoir. The repairs were due for completion yesterday.

Also contributing to the problem is the lack of rainfall recently, as well as the increased visitor numbers.

Free pet rabies vaccinations offered in Hua Hin

Hua Hin is launching a vaccination campaign for dogs and cats in all communities to prevent the spread of rabies during the hot season and ensure safety for residents and tourists.

The municipality is currently promoting a week-long vaccination campaign for rabies prevention as part of the “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans” project.

The project aims to provide vaccination services to the town’s dogs and cats, as well as offer owners information and advice on observing the behavior of pets and animals living in public areas that may be infected with rabies. Continued …

Hua Hin Magic during the 2023 Thailand Open

The 2023 Thailand Open Hua Hin presented by E@, a WTA 250 tournament held in Hua Hin in February, still lingers in the minds of professional tennis players and remains their topic of conversation, even past its completion more than a month ago.

Hua Hin boasts a number of famous tourist spots, all of which are well known to foreigners who have visited before. In fact, this resort town actually offers a lot of charming aspects that are worth discovering.

Thus, Proud Group and True Arena Sport Club, on behalf of the organizers, joined hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to carry out special activities to highlight Hua Hin as a city of culture and health to tourists from across the world using social media and word-of-mouth. Continued …

No hike in electricity rates until August, minister assures

There will be no increase in electricity rates from May to August this year for both the household and industrial sectors, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said on Thursday.

He made the remark during the seminar “The Next Thailand’s Future” at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.

Supattanapong said that electricity is currently at 4.72 baht per unit for the household sector and at 5.33 baht per unit for the industrial sector. Continued …

Summer storm warning for Bangkok and 41 other provinces

People living in 42 provinces in the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions of Thailand, including Bangkok and its suburbs, are advised to brace for summer storms, which will bring heavy rain and hail to some areas from Sunday until next Tuesday.

The Meteorological Department said today that a moderate cold front is forecast to blanket the northern part of Thailand and the South China Sea and this will collide with the westerly winds over the northern region, as the country is experiencing hot weather.

This weather condition will create summer storms, with strong winds in the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions, as well as hail in some areas, said the department. Continued …

Avoid eight types of foods to prevent kidney disease

The Department of Health has advised Thais to avoid eight kinds of foods and ingredients that cause kidney disease.

They comprise:
– Foods with high sodium content, such as MSG, sauces, and seasoning powder;
– Processed meats such as sausages and ham;
– Foods that contain butter and cream, such as cake, pizza, and pastries;
– Foods with high phosphorus content, such as dairy products, animal innards, and dried prawn; Continued …

Being an English teacher in Thailand 2023 – What is it like?

Have you ever considered teaching English abroad? If you’re looking for an adventure and an opportunity to make a positive impact, then being an English teacher in Thailand might be just what you’re looking for.

First things first, why Thailand? Well, it’s a beautiful country with a rich culture and warm, friendly people. The food is amazing, the beaches are stunning, and there’s something for everyone here. Plus, the cost of living is incredibly low compared to Western countries, so you’ll be able to save money while living comfortably.

Now, let’s explore what it’s like to teach English in Thailand and why it might be the perfect opportunity for you. Continued …

Measures sought to stimulate property market

The next government should revise loan-to-value (LTV) limits, reduce the minimum land size for low-rise houses and extend the leasehold period to stimulate residential demand amid unfavorable conditions, according to property associations.

Meesak Chunharuckchot, president of the Thai Real Estate Assn., said the easing of LTV limits should be extended to those borrowing for more than two years, as it would help boost both the new and second-hand home market.

“Borrowers who have been making payments on a home loan for over two years are generally considered to be reliable borrowers,” he said. “They should get a 100% loan-to-value if they want to buy a second home as their income rises,” Meesak said yesterday at the Property Focus 2023 seminar. Continued …

As election nears, PM vows no more coups

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday vowed there would be no more coups, saying the 2014 putsch was the last, in an attempt to allay fears as the general election nears.

Prayut was responding to a question regarding remarks written by Deputy Prime Minister and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Prawit Wongsuwon on Facebook on Wednesday.

In the post, Prawit, who is the PPRP’s prime minister candidate, said he can do better than others in promoting national reconciliation and coordinating national development between politicians and the elite. Continued …

Thailand improves but still ‘not free’

Thailand has improved slightly in an annual assessment by Freedom House but remains “not free” overall, the U.S. democracy research group said on Thursday.

The country was assigned a score of 30 out of 100, compared with 29 out of 100 in the group’s 2022 report. The total score consists of two main components: Political rights (6 out of 40), and civil liberties (24 out of 60).

“Following five years of military dictatorship, Thailand transitioned to a military-dominated, semi-elected government in 2019,” the authors of the Freedom in the World 2023 report wrote. “The combination of democratic deterioration and frustrations over the role of the monarchy in Thailand’s governance triggered massive demonstrations in 2020 and 2021. Continued …

Big Joke prepares cases against 116 corrupt immigration officers

The investigation against 116 allegedly corrupt immigration police officers is moving apace. It involves the issuing of visas to foreigners.

A huge amount of evidence of their taking of bribes and back-handers is being sifted through.

Nine immigration offices across the northeast and the north are in the crosshairs. Continued …

Thailand unveils 3 strategies to become global EV-manufacturing center

The Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI) on Thursday unveiled its three-point strategy to forge a global manufacturing hub for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030. TAI comes under the Industry Ministry and is tasked with developing the Thai automotive sector.

TAI President Kriengsak Wongpromrat said the domestic auto industry’s transition to ZEV manufacturing is being guided by the institute’s “Reshape the future” roadmap.

“TAI is also helping businesses in the automotive industry cope with the transition, especially small and medium enterprises,” he said. Continued …

Dept of Corrections denies existence of ‘VIP rooms’ in Thai prisons

Contrary to allegations in the media that inmates in Thai prisons can buy their way into an air-conditioned, smoking room with unlimited TV, the Department of Corrections says there is no such thing as a VIP room when you’re behind bars in Thailand.

On Tuesday, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Corrections Sitthi Suteewong said he would like to clarify several points about inmate life in Thailand.

Sitthi says there is no smoking whatsoever in any of Thailand’s prisons. Before 2018, inmates were allowed to smoke cigarettes outside at specified times. In 2019, the Ministry of Public Health declared prisons “smoke-free zones,” prohibited the sale of tobacco in prisons, and completely banned smoking on prison grounds. Continued …

Tourism sector braces for 80 million visitors by 2027

Intense congestion at popular tourist destinations needs to ease in order to accommodate a new target of 80 million foreign arrivals by 2027, says Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

“It might be harsh to say this, but Thailand should never return to the conditions of 2019 when almost 40 million foreign tourists flocked to the country, with many destinations overcrowded like slums,” said Phiphat.

Speaking at a seminar held by Krungthai Bank on Thursday, he said the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) wants the tourism industry to contribute 25% of GDP by 2027, up from 17.8% in 2019, generating a minimum of 6 trillion baht. Continued …

‘Gangs of foreigners’ accused of stealing jobs from locals in Phuket

The hospitality sector in Phuket is urging the government to solve the issue of foreign mafia on the resort island.

It is concerned the group is now exploiting laws to run their own businesses while also taking up the jobs traditionally reserved for locals.

Speaking during a recent meeting about tourism issues in the three Andaman provinces, Kata Group Resorts founder and President Pramookpisitt Achariyachai said some foreigners were breaching rules on jobs that are normally restricted to Thais. Continued …

Rayong cheers as Chinese tourists return on first flight to U-Tapao

U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport in Rayong welcomed 160 Chinese tourists on the inaugural flight of China’s Loong Air to the eastern province on Thursday.

Flight GJ8973, an Airbus A320, arrived from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport in northwest China carrying tourists who wish to explore Thailand, said airport Deputy Director Kiatkul Suwan.

A group of dancers and drummers from Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya welcomed Chinese visitors with a Thai traditional music show at the airport. Each tourist also received a floral garland and souvenir from the airport. Continued …

First of many? Russian Man Arrested on Pha-ngan Island for 188 days of Overstay

A 50-year-old Russian man was arrested on Pha-ngan Island in Surat Thani for 188 days of overstaying his legal visa conditions.

Surat Thani Immigration officers said they arrested Leonid Toisloi, 50, a Russian national. He was arrested in front of a convenience store in Chalok Lam, on Pha-ngan Island. Continued …

Koh Mak

Two Thai destinations win awards in Germany for sustainable tourism

Two Thai destinations have won prestigious awards in Germany for sustainable tourism. The destinations are the island of Koh Mak, located in the eastern Trat province, and Huay Pu Keng village in the northern Mae Hong Son province.

The two picturesque locations won top spots at the Green Destinations Story Awards held at ITB Berlin 2023 in Germany. The awards ceremony honors the most inspirational initiatives for sustainable tourism development across six categories from submissions to the annual Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition. Continued …

Take Advantage of Eco-Tourism Travel Apps in Thailand

A growing number of tourists around the world are looking to travel more sustainably. The market for eco-tourism products and services rose from $157 billion in 2021 to $185 billion in 2022. As customers become more concerned about sustainability, more countries are embracing sustainability to earn tourist dollars.

Thailand is among the countries that has made sustainability a priority. In fact, Thailand has been rated the number one country in Southeast Asia for meeting the United Nations Sustainability Goals.

Since Thailand is so dedicated to sustainability, more eco-tourists are likely to visit the country in the future. If you are an eco-friendly traveler, you will want to consider the ways that you can enjoy the area. Continued …

Indonesia unveils construction site of new capital city

Orange-red ground has been broken in the jungle of East Borneo, where the Indonesian government has begun construction of its new capital city. Officials promise a “sustainable forest city” that puts the environment at the heart of development and aims to be carbon-neutral by 2045. Continued …

China’s Xi handed historic third term as president

Xi Jinping was handed a third term as Chinese president today, capping a rise that has seen him become the country’s most powerful leader in generations. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 2:30pm, 4pm, 6pm

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting

Wednesday’s News – March 8

  • Why International Women’s Day matters/
  • Inflation slows, but electricity, cooking gas costs likely to go up/
  • Anzac Day services in Kanchanaburi April 25/
  • Mask use urged as haze fastens grip/
  • Areas of three national parks closed due to fire risks/
  • Cloud-seeding to be used to control fires in Thailand’s western forests/
  • Wild elephants flee forest fires in eastern Thailand/
  • Foreigners picked to buoy property market/
  • Thai shippers’ council expects rebound in export market this year/
  • PTTEP grabs two new oil exploration licenses in Gulf/
  • Thai seller of rubber duck calendar found guilty of royal defamation/
  • Foreign Teacher Charged After Son’s Friend Drowned at Sea/
  • WHAUP rooftop solar panel business set to surge/
  • Thailand’s missing macaques: Chinese medicine or US labs to blame?/
  • Thailand gives GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan great reception – he doesn’t disappoint/
  • Tourism: Chinese are back on Koh Samui – tourists from Chengdu given special welcome/People hurry to snap up subsidized hotel rooms/German Tourist Drowns on Samui Island/
  • Thailand Experience: How To Make The Most Of Your Thailand Trip?/Thailand: From tiny islands to wellness retreats, here’s why you should visit/Thailand’s Tarutao National Park Spans 51 Islands of Natural Contemplation/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Why International Women’s Day matters

Today is International Women’s Day.

It has been observed by the United Nations since 1975 and celebrated by many countries before then. Yet, if one looks on social media, many still argue that International Women’s Day should not be celebrated for different reasons. (“Why is this a thing? Why is there an international women’s day but not an international men’s day?”)

But the most compelling reason that even feminists may side with is: why should International Women’s Day be celebrated, when women’s rights should be advocated for every day, not just on March 8 of each year? To this I say, yes, women’s rights should be advocated for every day, but that does not mean that we should not dedicate a special day to commemorate it. Continued …

Inflation slows, but electricity, cooking gas costs likely to go up

Thailand’s average headline inflation in February was at 3.79%, the lowest in 13 months, following a drop in fuel prices, the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) said on Tuesday.

The average headline inflation is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which in February dropped from the previous month by 0.12% to 108.05.

The office also expected electricity bills and the price of cooking gas to go up in March due to continued economic recovery, especially in the tourism sector. Continued …

Anzac Day services in Kanchanaburi April 25

The upcoming Anzac Day memorial service to be held on Tuesday, April 25, starts with a dawn service at 5:30am, while the public will be welcome to enter the complex from 3am onward. The service will be followed by the traditional Gunfire Breakfast, with refreshments and snacks donated by Australian-Kiwi communities here in Thailand.

The Anzac Day Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass is the only official memorial service in Thailand, and is jointly hosted by both the Australian and New Zealand embassies.

Located in Kanchanaburi, the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Center is a memorial site established and maintained by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Australian government. It is dedicated to those who were forced to work and build the railway connecting Burma and Thailand during the Second World War. Over 60,000 Allied prisoners worked on the railway, with approximately 12,500 lost lives, including British, Australian, Dutch, American and tens of thousands of Asian laborers (Romusha).

For decades, this place has become a significant commemoration site for Anzac Day – a memorial service that honors and acknowledges all Australians and New Zealanders who served and sacrificed their lives in war.

Mask use urged as haze fastens grip

A pulmonologist from Siriraj Hospital has suggested people wear masks to protect themselves from dust pollution, as the number of patients with respiratory diseases continues to rise, especially among children.

Meanwhile, 48 provinces were found to have ultra-fine dust particles (PM2.5) levels above the safe threshold on Tuesday.

Dr. Nitipatana Chierakul, head of the Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis Division at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, said hospitals nationwide have seen a spike in cases that began in December. Continued …

Areas of three national parks closed due to fire risks

Areas of three national parks in Kanchanaburi in the west of Thailand were declared off limits due to the risk of fire. They are the Sai Yok, Khao Laem and Lam Klong Ngu parks.

Helicopters did 38 sorties carrying 19,000 liters of water to douse flames.

People rearing buffaloes, in particular, were ordered to stay away from affected areas. – Thai Rath

Cloud-seeding to be used to control fires in Thailand’s western forests

The Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation Department is expected to be cloud-seeding from this Saturday until next Monday to help contain fires in Thailand’s western forests, which appear to be out of control.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said yesterday that may hot spots have been detected in the forests north of the Srinagarind Dam in Kanchanaburi.

He said that fires have now spread to dry evergreen woodland, which is only accessible after several hours of trekking through the forests. Continued …

Wild elephants flee forest fires in eastern Thailand

It is not just forest land that has been affected by fires in Bo Rai district of Trat in eastern Thailand.

Wild elephants were also fleeing the impact of the fires that had burned over 2,500 rai in the Nonsri and Dan Chumphon areas.

Pictures of almost 20 elephants show them were trumpeting their displeasure at having to leave their regular stomping grounds in two areas. – Siam Rath

Foreigners picked to buoy property market

Despite the economic recovery, the property market this year may depend heavily on foreign demand, as negative factors still affect domestic buyers, according to economists and property analysts.

Piyasak Manason, senior vice president of the wealth research department of InnovestX Securities, said property market growth this year would likely slow because of various financial policies.

“When inflation is high, the Bank of Thailand will raise interest rates to cope with it,” he said. “With the termination of the lending-curb easing, which affects lower-end home demand, we do not expect to see a strong real estate market in the near future.” Continued …

Thai shippers’ council expects rebound in export market this year

A weaker baht and improvement in many countries’ production index will boost the Thai export market, the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) says.

TNSC Chairman Chaichan Charoensuk said on Tuesday that Thai export value in February should hit US$22 billion (760.34 billion baht), especially since the baht has weakened to about 34-35 to the dollar.

Thailand’s exports in January were 4.5% less at $20.24 billion (705.45 billion baht) due to an 11% contraction in the Chinese market and a delay in orders for electronic goods. Continued …

PTTEP grabs two new oil exploration licenses in Gulf

PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) was awarded exploration and production licenses at two of three new petroleum blocks in the Gulf of Thailand, a move that should pave the way for more domestic oil and gas supply to strengthen the country’s energy security.

The company was awarded the rights for blocks G1/65 and G3/65, while U.S.-based Chevron Offshore (Thailand) was awarded a license for block G2/65, according to the Department of Mineral Fuels. Continued …

Thai seller of rubber duck calendar found guilty of royal defamation

A Thai seller of a rubber ducky calendar has been found guilty of royal defamation. The 26-year-old man, “Tonmai,” was arrested on Dec. 31, 2020, and charged with royal defamation. Now, he will serve two years in prison after being found guilty.

The Taling Chan Criminal Court ruled that the depiction of the rubber duck was a mockery of Thailand’s head of state. According to Prachatai English, the rubber ducks first arrived at pro-democracy demonstrations back in 2020. Continued …

Foreign Teacher Charged After Son’s Friend Drowned at Sea

An American language teacher, 45, was charged with negligent homicide on Tuesday after an eight-year-old boy drowned in the sea of Chumphon province, despite the boy’s parents not wanting to see him charged.

The American teacher was an employee of a local church in Pathio District, Chumphon province. His family, consisting of his wife, son and four children friends of his son, were on a holiday in Thung Zang Bay.

While everyone was relaxing on the beach, his son and Wiwat, 8, were playing in the water. The two boys were holding onto a fish-shaped rubber bouy, meters from the shore when they lost control. The teacher’s son was rescued by a Myanmar worker in time while Wiwat drowned. Continued …

WHAUP rooftop solar panel business set to surge

SET-listed WHA Utilities & Power Plc (WHAUP), which provides utilities under WHA Corp., Thailand’s biggest industrial land developer and operator, expects its rooftop solar panel installation service to grow by 24% to 300 megawatts this year, thanks to greater adoption of clean energy in the industrial sector.

Last year, solar panels installed by WHAUP under private power purchase agreements stood at 133MW.

Rooftop solar panels with an electricity generation capacity of 1MW can lead to a reduction of 700 tons of carbon dioxide a year, so with a combined capacity of 300MW, up to 210,000 tons of carbon dioxide would be cut annually, said Somkiat Masunthasuwun, chief executive of WHAUP. Continued …

Thailand’s missing macaques: Chinese medicine or US labs to blame?

Authorities have blamed the latest monkey smuggling case in Thailand on demand from traditional Chinese medicine – but evidence indicates traffickers supplying U.S. laboratories are the real culprits.

In the latest smuggling case, 47 long-tailed macaques were found caged in a truck stopped by police in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Non Sung district on Monday. Police said the two suspects had confessed, claiming they did know that long-tailed macaques are protected under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act. The suspects had agreed to smuggle the monkeys from Khao Ta Khrong National Park in Ratchaburi to Laos via Nong Khai in exchange for 17,000 baht, investigators said.

Peersasak Paksasuay, director of conservation for Nakhon Ratchasima, said national parks were working with police in Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum and Buri Ram to stop wildlife smuggling. He added that the macaques were destined for China for probable use in Chinese traditional medicine. Continued …

Thailand gives GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan great reception – he doesn’t disappoint

The highlight of the second day of the Six Red World Snooker Championships 2023 in Pathum Thani was the evening appearance of Ronnie O’Sullivan, widely regarded as the greatest snooker player of all time.

A packed TV arena at the Thammasat Convention Center gave Englishman O’Sullivan a rousing reception, then watched in awe as he stormed into a 4-0 lead against compatriot Jimmy Robertson inside 25 minutes.

But Robertson, 36, was not there to make up the numbers against his 47-year-old opponent. He made the score 4-3 before O’Sullivan closed out the match. Continued …

Chinese are back on Koh Samui – tourists from Chengdu given special welcome

Thailand gave a special welcome back to the first direct flight from China to Koh Samui since the pandemic.

Surat Thani Deputy Gov. Nanthawat Charoenwan and local Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) chief Kanokkitika Kritwuthikorn were on hand with many other officials to welcome a full load of 130 tourists aboard Chengdu Airlines EU 2807.

The auspicious flight – the first direct flight from China to the holiday island in the south of Thailand since February 2020 – was met with much pomp and ceremony. Continued …

People hurry to snap up subsidized hotel rooms

People rushed to book hotels during the first day of the latest phase of the hotel subsidy program, with 112,876 room nights reserved out of 560,000 available under the scheme within six hours.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said the value of transactions during the first six hours of availability on Tuesday reached 443 million baht from 112,876 room nights.

Of the total amount, 60% or 273 million baht was paid by the purchaser and 170 million baht (40%) came from the government subsidy. Continued …

German Tourist Drowns on Samui Island

A German tourist drowned near a beach on Samui Island.

Bo Phut Police said they were notified that a male foreign tourist drowned at Chaweng Beach on Monday. Emergency responders and police arrived at the beach.

The man was identified by police as a 58-year-old German man. His body had already been pulled from the water. Continued …

How To Make The Most Of Your Thailand Trip?

The Southeast Asian nation of Thailand is renowned for its delectable cuisine, vibrant culture, and stunning coastline.

Starting in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, one can visit the Grand Palace, a magnificent complex that has been the home of Thai kings for over 150 years. The palace is surrounded by temples, shrines, and halls, each of which is adorned with intricate carvings, gold leaf, and colorful mosaics. Visitors can also see a statue of the Emerald Buddha made from a single jade block and considered one of Thailand’s most important religious artifacts.

For a unique shopping experience, one can visit the largest open-air marketplace in Thailand, the Chatuchak Weekend Market. With over 15,000 stalls selling everything from clothing and accessories to food and antiques, it’s a great place to find unique souvenirs and taste some local street food. Continued …

Thailand: From tiny islands to wellness retreats, here’s why you should visit

A firm favorite with tourists, Thailand is well-known for its glorious white sand beaches, diverse landscapes and exciting nightlife.

But while the beaches of Phuket or the urban sprawl of Bangkok may be the first places that spring to mind when you think of the southeast Asian country, the Tourism Authority of Thailand wants you to look a little further.

“We are encouraging tourists to visit emerging destinations and travel during the weekdays to decongest those destinations, while also reducing environmental and cultural wear and tear. Continued … 

Thailand’s Tarutao National Park Spans 51 Islands of Natural Contemplation

The islands of Tarutao National Park are not the most touristy beaches in beautiful Southern Thailand. These 51 islands have jaw-dropping scenery, yes, but lack the raving full moon parties of Koh PhaNgan, the impossible-to-escape reputation of The Beach filming location on Koh Phi Phi Le, and the 2.3 million vacationers who flocked to Phuket last year in just nine months alone.

With only 238,000 visitors throughout the entire year, Tarutao beckons to adventurous, nature-loving wanderers looking for more than just a party scene studded with bucket-sized cocktails.

Across these archipelagos, you’ll find waterfalls, caves, so many pristine shorelines, trails leading to vistas for sunsets and sunrises, as well as a thought-provoking tribute to the biggest island’s sobering past. Park-goers can explore a self-guided jungle trail to learn about how the government transformed a now-defunct prison into an outdoor museum memorializing all those who struggled and lost their lives onsite, a dark moment in human history that’s been returned to — and reclaimed by — nature. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare is 325 baht.

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 2:30pm, 4pm, 6pm

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedules

 

90-day online reporting