Today’s news: Hua Hin flights to Hat Yai?/Covid situation worsens/Chiang Mai’s ‘Rot Daeng’ Decline/Mushroom hunters find rock engraving/Confucianism’s Influence/Expert warns about excessive farting/Air in most cars is laden with carcinogens/Myopia is increasing among children/Cannabis to be classified as ‘soft drug’/Cannabis and Thai Traditional Medicine/Economy: Baht likely to face volatility/Employees, employers firmly opposed/Asia’s Fresh Food Wholesale Destination/Drought will dry up durian exports/Thai Airways Finalizes Sale of Aircraft/Tourism: Ambitious tourism revenue target/Visa-free travel to Europe/Run under the stars in Samui/Thailand Experience: Thailand’s mesmerizing ‘masked dance drama’/Samui gastronomy/4 Thai salads ranked/Climate Thailand: Today’s Thai environmental news/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
Hua Hin flights to Hat Yai? Huh?
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has set his sights on revitalizing Hua Hin airport with a series of upgrades and a proposed name change to “Petchcharat Hua Hin”. The PM, in collaboration with Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, recently visited the airport to assess the potential for expansion and improvement. #huahinairport
During the visit, the prime minister outlined plans to introduce new routes, such as Hat Yai-Hua Hin and Malaysia-Hua Hin, to bolster tourism in the seaside resort town. Additionally, there is a possibility of adding a route to a northeastern province, further increasing connectivity to the area. Continued …
Alarm bells ring as Covid situation worsens
Experts are becoming concerned about the worsening Covid-19 situation over the past weeks, with health authorities issuing warnings on the spread of the new Omicron sub-variants. #covidthailand
Dr. Yong Poovorawan, a virologist in the Pediatrics Department of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, posted a warning on his Facebook page on Monday about the HK2 sub-variant currently spreading, saying it is more contagious than the JN1 sub-variant behind most of this year’s Covid-19 cases. Continued …
Chiang Mai’s ‘Rot Daeng’ Decline While Grab Gains Momentum
Chiang Mai’s emblematic red trucks, central to the city’s transport system, face the risk of becoming mere relics of the past. The decline in users after the tourist season, compounded by the spike in popularity of global ride-hailing giants such as Grab and Bolt, has propelled the future of these traditional transports, locally called rot daeng, into uncertainty.
Discussion on this topic has flooded social media networks. Many locals have taken to these platforms expressing their dismay at the fading charm of the red trucks, making passionate pleas for an action plan to ensure the survival of their beloved transport icon. Continued …
Mushroom hunters in Buri Ram find ‘ancient’ rock engraving
On Friday, Pramul Kongkratok, a villager who lives near Khao Krachiao mountain in Buri Ram’s Non Din Daeng district, posted an image on social media which quickly went viral. The image showed an ancient engraving of a woman, with an arm above her head.
The photograph was captioned: “Went mushroom hunting and found this. I’ve lived here for so long, but just learned we have this around here. It’s a blessing.” Continued …
Confucianism’s Influence: Bridging East and West Cultures
During a recent meeting with the leader of China in Paris, French President Macron mentioned Confucius, or the Science of the Lords, a manuscript he presented to the Chinese leader in 2019.
He also said that it was Chinese Confucianism that inspired Montesquieu and Voltaire, thus contributing to the development of the European Enlightenment. Continued …
Expert warns excessive farting might stink of serious health issues
A Taiwanese colorectal surgeon recently acknowledged farting is a natural bodily function but added that excessive or irregular flatulence could be a sign of serious health issues.
Jong Yunni, a Taiwanese colorectal surgeon, stated that people typically fart between five to 25 times a day, with the average being around 15 times. This indicates a well-functioning digestive system. However, no flatulence at all can be concerning for gastroenterologists. Continued …
Research shows that air in most cars is laden with carcinogens
Imagine driving to work, dropping your kids off at school, or simply running errands in your car. Now, imagine that with every breath you take inside your vehicle, you’re inhaling potential carcinogens.
Researchers from Duke University, North Carolina, USA, discovered that the air inside virtually all personal vehicles is contaminated with harmful flame retardants. These chemicals, often used in seat foam and other materials, are added to meet outdated federal flammability standards, despite having no proven fire-safety benefits. Continued …
Myopia is increasing among children in Thailand and also globally
In recent years, the world has witnessed a concerning surge in myopia among children, with Thailand particularly affected, reporting between 11% to 12% of school-going children affected by the condition.
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry while close objects remain clear. This condition not only impacts a child’s academic success but also poses long-term risks if left untreated. Continued …
Cannabis to be classified as ‘soft drug’: Somsak
In a move to deter recreational use, the Public Health Ministry is planning to put cannabis back on the category 5 narcotics list but classify it as a “soft drug”, under which its production, import, export and use will be regulated by the ministry. #thailandmarijuana
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said on Monday that some category 5 drugs were also classified as soft drugs, including magic mushrooms and opium plants. Continued …
History of Cannabis and Thai Traditional Medicine
Did you know that cannabis has been a big part of traditional Thai medicine for centuries? Yes, during the time of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, cannabis, known locally as “ganja” was a big deal in Thai traditional medicine. It was used as an ingredient in various traditional medicines until it was criminalized in 1934.
Now, with all the talk about the legal standing of cannabis in Thailand, it’s fascinating to look back and see how it was used in traditional medicine – and its potential for the future. Continued …
Baht likely to face near-term volatility
The baht is likely to be volatile in the near term, pending clear signs from the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) concerning interest rate cuts, with the Thai currency expected to slide to 37.25 baht to the dollar within 1-3 months, bouncing back to 36 to the greenback by year end, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).
The baht edged down in line with other regional currencies to 36.8 to the dollar Monday morning, compared to Friday’s close of 36.72, as the greenback rebounded slightly ahead of the release in the U.S. of April’s consumer price index and producer price index later in the week, said Kanjana Chockpisansin, head of the research, banking and financial sector at the think tank. Continued …
Employees, employers firmly opposed on wage rise
Employee and employer representatives met with the labor minister on Monday and voiced opposing stances on a minimum wage increase ahead of Tuesday’s tripartite committee meeting. #thailandminimumwage
Representatives of the Thai Labor Solidarity Confederation and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation met Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn at the Labor Ministry at on Monday. Continued …
Simummuang Market: Asia’s Fresh Food Wholesale Destination
Simummuang Market has been a cornerstone of Thailand’s food supply chain for over 40 years and celebrated as Asia’s top destination for fresh produce. Awarded “Best Fresh Food Wholesale Market Brand for 2024”, Simummuang Market serves as a central hub connecting farmers and merchants with an extensive network of buyers such as fresh markets, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, online platforms and direct consumers nationwide.
More than a marketplace, Simummuang Market is a dynamic ecosystem where culture, commerce, and community converge, fostering rich business connections and drawing both locals and international visitors. Continued …
Drought will dry up Thailand’s durian exports, warns academic
An academic says the ongoing drought will have a severe impact on Thailand’s production of durian this year, and that Vietnam will step in to take over the market. #thailanddurian
Assoc. Prof. Aat Pisanwanich, an expert on international economics and adviser to Intelligent Research Consultancy Co., recently published a report on the subject, which said the lack of rain will severely impact Thailand’s export of durian. Continued …
Thai Airways Finalizes Sale of All 18 Boeing 777 and A380 Aircraft
Thai Airways International (THAI) announced the successful completion of the sale of its entire fleet of 18 retired aircraft, comprising six Boeing 777-200s, six Boeing 777-300s, and six Airbus A380s.
THAI CEO Chai Eamsiri confirmed that sales agreements have been signed for all 18 aircraft. The airline has already completed the paperwork for six of the aircraft, with the remaining 12 expected to be finalized shortly. Continued …
Thailand eyes ambitious tourism revenue target
Thailand’s newly appointed Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanit has reaffirmed the government’s plan to maintain the tourism revenue target of 3.5 trillion baht ($95 billion) this year.
The government plans to earn 2.3 trillion baht from 40 million foreign visitors and 1.2 trillion baht from 200 to 220 million domestic tourists, according to Thai media. Continued …
Visa-free travel for Thais to Europe still faces an uphill battle
A 2024 free trade agreement between Thailand and the European Union is in the cards. It makes good sense by benefiting businesses, services and the supply chain.
According to David Daly, EU ambassador to Thailand, bilateral trade has mushroomed to nearly one billion euros (nearly 40 billion baht) on a regular weekly basis. A comprehensive partnership and cooperation agreement will also cover intellectual property, government procurement and e-commerce. But a visa deal may be a different matter. Continued …
Run under the stars in Samui
Central Samui in Surat Thani invites running enthusiasts to join the Samui Neon Run 2024 to vie for a trophy on June 2.
Held in collaboration with the municipality of Koh Samui, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Tourism Council of Surat Thani, the Tourism Association of Koh Samui and hotel operators, this is the third edition of the vibrant night run that aims to promote tourism on the island and make it a key tourist destination in Asia. Continued …
Preserving Khon – Thailand’s mesmerizing ‘masked dance drama’
Khon is the crown jewel of performing arts in Thailand, dating back to the 17th century. Here are the people keeping this traditional performance alive. Video …
Samui gastronomy to entice hungry visitors
Koh Samui has launched a campaign to promote its gastronomy soft power after the island was recognized as the country’s prime wellness destination.
The gastronomic campaign, called “Samui Savor, Beyond Boarding Pass, Beyond healthy…through taste”, is a collaborative work between Bangkok Airways, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and other partners. Continued …
4 Thai salads ranked among world’s top 100 by TasteAtlas
Food guide platform TasteAtlas included four Thai dishes in its Top 100 Salads in the World ranking. #thailandsalads
TasteAtlas released the world’s top salads, and Thai food again made the list with som tam, som tam khai khem, phla kung, and yum woon sen. Two som tam types secured the 11th and 19th spots on the list, though their ranking dropped from 6th place last year. Continued …
Today’s Thai environmental news
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31
FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35
FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15
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
Thailand’s tweak of tax regulation on foreign income sparks confusion, worries
Record low inflation has a darker underside, as economy begins to show deflationary signs
No alcohol sales today and tomorrow for religious holidays
Thai Establishment Thwarts Popular Will with Post-Election Moves
Thai automotive industry under threat amid political uncertainty and loan concerns
Energy Absolute, two Chinese firms to jointly set up battery cell plants in Thailand
Reshaping Thailand’s healthcare to create a global treatment hub
Room for optimism in Phuket’s medical tourism industry
Phuket plans to ease reliance on tourism
Gold to top $2,000 this year
UNESCO Recommends Putting Venice On Heritage Danger List