Today’s news: Thailand braces for cold snap/Thai boy, 8, to cross Gulf/Green plankton bloom/Empowering Thai women/Drug bust in Sam Roi Yot/Unsafe levels of PM2.5/24 Subtle Restaurant Signs/German president visits Thailand/Workers killed by overpass/Private ownership of 153 lions/Economy: Economy in ‘crisis’/Economy not in crisis/Thailand needs structural reform/18 FAQs on southern land bridge/Questions about the land bridge/552 million baht for Andaman coast/Global relocation trend/State enterprises earn 6.78 billion baht more/New business registrations/Tourism: Wooing Chinese tourists back/Minor expects tourist arrivals to exceed target/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

---

---

Thailand braces for cold snap, heavy rains

A sudden drop in temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius and strong winds have been forecast across multiple regions in Thailand, with Bangkok experiencing a 4 degree Celsius decrease.

The northeastern part of Thailand is bracing for cold to very cold weather conditions, accompanied by gusty winds, leading to temperature reductions of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. The central region, including Bangkok and its vicinity, as well as the eastern part, are also expected to experience cooler climates, with a 1 to 4 degrees Celsius dip in temperature. Continued … 

Thai boy, 8, to cross Gulf of Thailand on a kite foil from Pattaya to Hua Hin

Thanawat “Shane” Promwen, 8 years old, started his adventure across the Gulf of Thailand this morning, embarking on a journey of 110 kilometers (70 miles) from Pattaya to Pak Nam Pran, in the Hua Hin area, setting the record for being the youngest child ever to achieve this goal. by crossing with kite foil.

Shane has been making waves in the kite and wing foilling world since the age of 3, and his latest adventure marks a big step forward. In preparation for international competition in 2024. At present, he is too young to compete and has to rely on special invitations to participate in adult competitions.

Shane’s trip will start from Pattaya Club Lung Chat at Na Jomtien Beach. and will end at Prince Chumphon Shrine Beach At Pak Nam Pran, 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin.

Shane’s journey can be followed via Facebook; website; or follow through LINE.

Green plankton bloom mars Hua Hin beaches

Hua Hin Beach is currently witnessing a “plankton bloom.” This phenomenon has turned the sea from the Tubtim shrine right along the beach toward Khao Takiab, a green color.

Despite the unusual coloration, officials have reassured that the sea remains safe for swimming, despite similar plankton blooms in other countries killing thousands of fish and causing medical problems with swimmers. Continued …

Empowering Thai women in international marriages

For most women, the life from a wife to a widow is a journey that no one wants to make, often fraught with uncertainty and hardship. But for those living in a foreign country, grappling with language barriers and lacking familial or social support, that transition can be even more difficult to navigate.

Suppose you are a Thai woman residing in Germany with your German spouse, and he passes away suddenly and unexpectedly. In this challenging scenario, especially if you are not fluent in German, determining the right course of action and identifying who to contact can be daunting. Continued …

Major drug bust in Sam Roi Yot: 150 kilograms of crystal meth

Police in Sam Roi Yot have seized a substantial haul of 150 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice.

The deputy governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Kittipong Sukphakulkul, acting on behalf of the governor, alongside Montchai Noonoi, the district chief of Sam Roi Yot, announced the arrests in a press conference Monday. Continued …

Bangkok region hit by unsafe levels of PM2.5 smog again

Air quality in Bangkok and surrounding areas was still poor on Tuesday, with levels of PM2.5 pollution exceeding the safety threshold in 68 districts in and around the capital. According to the Air Quality Management Department, the highest PM2.5 levels across the country were recorded in eastern and central provinces.

In Ayutthaya, PM2.5 levels reached 100 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg/m3), almost three times higher than the safe standard of 37.5mcg/m3. In Pathum Thani, the PM2.5 level was 97 mcg/m3, which is also considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Continued … 

24 Subtle Signs That Often Signal That A Restaurant Is, In Fact, Very Good

Life is too short for bad meals, but it can be tricky to differentiate between a great restaurant and a mediocre one. Well, redditor u/halfblood_god asked, “What are some green flags in restaurants?”

Here are the tell-tale signs that a restaurant will be good, according to people who love to eat. Continued …

German president’s state visit to Thailand after 22 years sparks hope

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has embarked on a state visit to Thailand, commencing today, following an invitation extended by Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister of Thailand. This marks the first visit by a German president to Thailand in 22 years.

The three-day visit has its highlight set for tomorrow, where a discussion on trade, investment, climate change, and vocational education will take place between Steinmeier and Srettha. German private sector representatives are set to be present at this event. Continued …

Workers on garbage truck roof killed by overpass

Two garbage truck workers in Kanchanaburi were killed yesterday when their truck passed under a low bridge overpass. The incident occurred on on the motorway connecting Bang Yai and Kanchanaburi in Tambon Takramen, Amphoe Thamaka, Kanchanaburi Province.

The victims, both employees of the Takramen Subdistrict Administrative Organization (TAO), were seated on top of the garbage truck when the driver failed to notice the low clearance of the underpass. The collision resulted in fatal head injuries for both workers. Continued …

Thailand probes private ownership of 153 lions after Pattaya Bentley incident

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation revealed that there are 153 lions in the possession of 24 Thai nationals, highlighting the controlled status of these wild animals and the legal requirement to declare ownership.

This announcement comes amid a high-profile investigation following the circulation of a video showing a lion being driven around Pattaya in a Bentley, which drew significant public attention. Continued …

 

Srettha insists economy in ‘crisis’, pledges more stimulus

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said today he believes Thailand’s economy is in crisis, adding the government would roll out stimulus measures in addition to handouts to boost growth.

“I confirm that the economy is not doing well and is in crisis,” Srettha, also the finance minister, told reporters, adding it was fine if the Bank of Thailand (BoT) disagreed with him. Continued …

Central bank chief says economy not in crisis

Economic growth will be slower than expected this year but the current state of the Thai economy is not a “crisis”, Bank of Thailand Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said on Tuesday.

The government’s short-term stimulus measures will not solve the country’s economic problems, as structural issues were holding back growth, Sethaput said. Continued …

Experts warn Thailand needs structural reform to reclaim competitive edge

Thailand must undergo fundamental structural reforms, including deregulation, workforce reskilling, and technological adoption, to reclaim its competitive edge, a panel of experts declared at a Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group (KKP) seminar on Monday.

Titled “Revive Thailand: How the Country Moves Forward”, the seminar warned the kingdom risks lagging behind the global economy, with GDP growth potentially capped at a meagre 3% over the next decade. Continued …

18 FAQs on southern land bridge project and its benefits

Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri released 18 FAQs related to the government’s ambitious southern land bridge project on Tuesday to show how it will benefit the country. The 18 FAQs on the project are as follows:

1. Will gas separation and oil refinery plants be built?

Oil, gas or petroleum industries are not part of the project. Ships and other vessels will have to refuel and the concession winner will take charge of bunkering services by building oil storage for them. Continued …

Questions about the viability of Srettha’s land bridge arise

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been busy this week promoting the land bridge initiative in southern Thailand. It comes with Srettha, buoyed by interest in the project from potential international investors, visiting Ranong in southern Thailand on Monday with a populist message of jobs and prosperity.

The project’s white knights include Dubai Port World Co., a logistic and global trade pioneer. However, questions have arisen about the viability of the concept. In brief, a key study conducted in 2021 by Chulalongkorn University, concluded it is not a viable proposition as currently formulated. Continued …

Mobile Cabinet allocates 552 million baht for Andaman coast development

A total of 552 million baht (US$15 million) has been allocated by the mobile Cabinet toward the development of 18 new projects across six southern provinces on the Andaman coast. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday after a Cabinet meeting in Ranong.

The projects, proposed by the Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee responsible for the southern provinces on the Andaman coast, have been approved. These provinces include Krabi, Trang, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong, and Satun. Funds for these projects will be sourced from the central budget’s emergency and urgent expenditure reserve for fiscal 2023. Continued …

Global relocation trend to boost Thai industrial sector assets in 2024

Thailand’s industrial estate sector is expected to stand out from other property assets this year, thanks to the global relocation trend and the continued growth of e-commerce, Thanapol Sirithanachai, country CEO of Frasers Property Thailand (FPT), said on Tuesday.

The comments came as he revealed the company’s 2024 strategic growth roadmap, which focuses on portfolio balancing, using technologies and innovation to improve services, and achieve its net zero goal by 2050. Continued …

Thai state enterprises earn 6.78 billion baht more than expected in Q1

The State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO) reported revenue earnings of 63.68 billion baht in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 (October-December 2023). Tibordee Wattanakul, SEPO director-general, said on Monday that the collected revenue crossed the target by 6.78 billion baht.

He said SEPO expected total revenue from state enterprises during fiscal 2024 to come in at 175 billion baht, and the first quarter collections covered 36% of the target. Continued …

New business registrations in 2023 reached decade high

Thai entrepreneurs rushed to establish new businesses last year, tallying over 85,000, the highest in a decade, with registered capital worth 560 billion baht.

Foreign investment in Thailand reached 130 billion baht in 2023, with the Japanese taking the lead. Continued …

Thailand pulls out all the stops to woo Chinese tourists back

Even though Thailand fell short of its 2023 target to attract four million Chinese tourists, the government says it is confident enough to double that figure this year – a goal that industry observers have described as a tall order.

Thailand’s economy – the second-largest in Southeast Asia – is heavily reliant on tourism throughout the year, with a key source market being China. The tourism sector accounts for about 12% of gross domestic product. Continued …

Thai hotel giant Minor expects tourist arrivals to exceed govt target

Thai hospitality giant Minor International expects foreign tourist arrivals to exceed 34 million, beating the government’s forecast, as Chinese travelers return, the company’s chairman told reporters on Tuesday.

Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. This year the government is forecasting 33.5 million foreign arrivals. Continued … 

Deadliest attack since Gaza offensive: 21 Israeli troops killed

Palestinian militants carried out the deadliest single attack on Israeli forces in Gaza since the Hamas raid that triggered the war, killing 21 soldiers, the military said Tuesday, a significant setback that could add to mounting calls for a cease-fire. Continued …

Mass deadly Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities

Russia unleashed a mass air strike on Ukraine on Tuesday, local officials said, killing at least six people and wounding more than 70 others, as the Kremlin said the Russian military does not target civilians when it hits objects in Ukraine. Video …

Toyota chief says battery EV potential limited

Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda says the market share of battery electric vehicles will reach 30%, at most, with the rest taken up by hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell and fuel-burning cars. Continued …

Bus Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule

Hua Hin train schedule

To book online

 

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