Rain expected in Hua Hin/Thai PM 29th in Forbes ranking/Storm alert for southern Thailand/Science behind herbal compresses/Malaysia Rejects Border Wall/National Park to be closed/Thailand Reinvents STEM Education/ECONOMY: Thai PM Pledges Populist Policies/Consumer confidence up/Thai businesses satisfied/Salaries Predicted to Rise/Bt400 minimum wage fading/Developers’ profits set to plunge/DIG plan for data center parks/Plan to attract Chinese investment/Modest growth for Thai vehicle production/Agricultural exports surge/MR. D.I.Y. Expansion/TOURISM: Pattaya businesses still struggle/To double hotel portfolio/Illegal jet ski crackdown in Phuket/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand’s UNESCO Treasures/CLIMATE THAILAND: Japan Develops Revolutionary Plastic/Thailand’s mangrove ecosystems/Green Education Project/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
Rain expected in Hua Hin over coming week
Thai PM 29th in Forbes annual ranking of the world’s most powerful women
Forbes today announced its 21st annual ranking of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. The list is the definitive ranking of the female CEOs, entertainers, politicians,philanthropists and policymakers who wield significant hard power and are creating lasting impact around the world.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, tops the list for the third consecutive year followed by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, who remains at No. 2. Number three is Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and new to the top five is Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was inaugurated in October and is her country’s first female head of state. Continued …
New storm alert for flood-stricken southern Thailand
Flooding and landslide alerts are in effect for all southern provinces near the Gulf of Thailand, with torrential rain forecast to pound the region until next Monday.
The southern office of the Meteorological Department issued a fresh warning on Thursday for eight provinces from Thursday to Monday. Continued …
Researchers in Thailand are exploring the science behind herbal compresses
The scent of fragrant lemongrass mingles with earthy ginger and tangy tamarind, punctuated by the sharp, menthol-like aroma of camphor. It’s a familiar smell for spa-goers: a traditional Thai herbal compress. The treatment combines herbs in a cotton cloth, which is wrapped into a compact ball and steamed for around 10 minutes before the practitioner applies it to the body, typically after a massage.
Herbal compresses have been used for centuries for muscle aches, joint pain, and to reduce inflammation. However, it’s unclear how much benefit comes from the herbs: a 2015 review paper highlighted that the effects were mainly associated with heat, which increases blood flow and reduces pain. Continued …
Malaysia Rejects Thailand Border Wall, Eyes Tech Solutions
The Malaysian government has decided against a proposed border wall between Kelantan state and Thailand’s Narathiwat province, opting instead for high-tech solutions to tackle cross-border smuggling and crime.
Initiated by Kelantan, the wall proposal faced opposition from Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who cited the high costs associated with building and maintaining such a barrier. Continued …
Phu Kradueng National Park to be closed indefinitely following wild elephant attack
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has been closed indefinitely after a Thai national died following an attack by a wild elephant in the park.
On Wednesday, according to the national park staff, the elephant attacked one of two women who were walking along the Ong Phra Buddha Metta nature trail toward the Phen Phop Waterfall. The pachyderm reportedly attacked the 49-year-old Chachoengsao native twice, resulting in her death. Continued …
Thailand Reinvents STEM Education with Thai-US Program
Thailand has taken a transformative step in reshaping its education landscape with the introduction of the Thai-U.S. Joint-Degree Sandbox for STEM Teacher Education Program. Launched on Nov. 29 at the Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Ploenchit, this initiative signals a new era for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the country.
Developed in collaboration with Thai and U.S. institutions, the program addresses critical shortcomings in teacher education, aiming to equip Thai educators with internationally competitive skills. Continued …
Thai PM Pledges Populist Policies to Boost Economy
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has unveiled a series of populist initiatives aimed at invigorating the Thai economy and bolstering governmental support. In a televised address, she outlined strategies focusing on soft loans, affordable housing, and energy cost reductions to address key economic challenges like high household debt and subdued consumer spending.
Poised to stimulate the economy, Paetongtarn’s measures will include targeted financial assistance for community enterprises and village funds, as well as a uniform rate for urban rail commutes. She has also proposed formalizing Thailand’s vast informal economy, which reportedly contributes around 49% to the country’s gross domestic product, to better protect consumers and generate revenue for the state. Continued …
Thai consumer confidence up in November
Consumer confidence rose for a second consecutive month in November, bolstered by government economic measures and tourism, a survey showed on Thursday.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce increased to 56.9 in November from 56.0 the previous month, the university said. Consumers had started to believe that the economy will recover in the future, it said. Continued …
Thai businesses satisfied with government’s achievements in first 90 days
The Thai business sector is generally satisfied with what the current government has done in the 90 days since Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took the helm, but is urging clear economic stimulation plans for next year, especially in provinces with high potential.
Paetongtarn on Thursday highlighted the government’s achievements over the past 90 days in the event titled “2025 Empowering Thais: A Real Possibility” held in Bangkok. Continued …
Thai Salaries Predicted to Rise by 5% in 2025 Amid Competitive Job Market
The average salary in Thailand is expected to increase by 5% in 2025, maintaining the growth rate of the current year. This insight comes from Mercer, a leading human resources consultancy known for its comprehensive surveys of employment trends.
Mercer’s Total Remuneration Survey 2024, which forms the basis of this prediction, analyzed pay trends and compensation policies across more than 700 companies and over 5,000 roles in Thailand. Continued …
Chances for Bt400 minimum wage fading
The prospects of the government delivering on its pledge to increase the minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide on Jan. 1 appear to be fading.
The national wage committee, consisting of representatives from business, labor groups and the government, met on Thursday but failed to reach a decision. It will meet again on Dec. 23, said Bunsong Thapchaiyut, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Labor. Continued …
Thai developers’ profits set to plunge this year
The combined profits of listed housing developers are expected to decline by more than 10% this year compared with 2023, driven by intense market competition and aggressive discount campaigns to capture dwindling demand.
Sumitra Wongpakdee, managing director of property research and consultancy Terra Media and Consulting, said a sluggish market prompted developers to make significant adjustments this year. Continued …
DIG shakes up Thai market with ambitious 1.5GW plan for data center parks
Doma Infrastructure Group (DIG) has announced plans to develop 1.5GW of data center parks in Thailand. Positioning itself as a developer of master-planned data center parks, DIG has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Silicon Tech Park (STP), a Thai technology park operator.
Together, they will jointly develop three AI-ready data center parks with a planned power capacity of 1.5GW by the third quarter of 2026. This joint venture will see the acquisition of 300 acres of freehold land across the provinces of Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong, all parts of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Continued …
IEAT unveils plan to attract Chinese investment to Thailand
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) plans to draw more Chinese investors to Thailand via a new Thailand-China collaboration dubbed “Two Countries, Twin Parks” that promotes investment and trade between the two nations.
“We want Thailand to be a key investment destination for Chinese investors. The Thai government will come up with projects to facilitate investment and trade,” said Industry Minister Akanat Promphan. Continued …
Modest growth likely for Thai vehicle production in 2025
Thailand’s automotive sector continues to face significant economic and financial headwinds as of the third quarter of 2024. According to data provided by the Asean Automotive Federation, total vehicle sales declined by 25.3% year-on-year as of September 2024 to tally 438,303 units.
Vehicle production followed the downward trend in sales, declining by 18.6% year-on-year over the same period to total 1.13 million units. As a result, the Federation of Thai Industries reduced its car manufacturing target for the second time in 2024, to 1.5 million units from 1.7 million and 1.9 million before that. Continued …
Thailand’s agricultural exports surge to Bt1.54 trillion Jan-Oct
Thailand’s agricultural sector chalked up a trade surplus of over 900 million baht in the first 10 months of the year, driven by strong export performance, a senior official of the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) said on Thursday.
Total agricultural trade value climbed to 2.15 trillion baht between January and October, representing a 6.49% increase compared to the same period in 2023, office Secretary-general Chantanon Wannakejohn, said. Exports reached 1.54 trillion baht, while imports stood at 610 billion baht, resulting in a trade surplus of 926.663 billion baht. Continued …
MR. D.I.Y. aims to open 200 stores in 2025
Home improvement retailer MR. D.I.Y. (Thailand) plans to open 200 more stores in 2025 with an investment budget of 2 billion baht.
Aggressive expansion the past few years reflects the company’s confidence in the Thai home improvement market, said Andy Chin, chief executive of MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Plc. The company opened 122 new stores in 2021, 161 branches in 2022 and 188 last year, he said. Continued …
Over 30 million tourists visit Thailand, but Pattaya businesses still struggle to recover
The Thai government recently announced that over 30 million foreign tourists have visited the country in 2024, reflecting a strong recovery for the tourism sector after the pandemic. However, many businesses in Pattaya, a major tourist hub, report they are still struggling. Several factors contribute to this disconnect.
While Thailand has seen a surge in tourists, their travel patterns and preferences have shifted. Many travelers are now opting for shorter stays, budget accommodations, or alternative destinations outside of mainstream tourist spots like Pattaya. Popular emerging destinations such as Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Koh Samui are drawing visitors who might have otherwise chosen Pattaya. Continued …
Minor seeks to double hotel portfolio
Minor Hotels plans to double its hotel portfolio to 1,000 within five years, expanding Europe-based NH Hotels in Asia and entering new markets such as Japan and the Philippines.
Puneet Dhawan, head of Asia at Minor Hotels, said the company upgraded its new hotel target from 200 by 2026 to 500 by 2029, banking on the robust global tourism sector. Continued …
Illegal jet ski crackdown in Phuket sees 17 more rentals shut down
Phuket’s battle against illegal jet skis has made another big splash. A raid led by marine officials uncovered 17 unlicensed jet skis being used for illegal tourist rentals in the popular tourist spot of Laem Nga, Ratsada.
The operation also extended to the islands of Koh Mali and Koh Pae, off Phuket’s east coast. Continued …
Thailand’s UNESCO Treasures: Exploring Natural and Cultural Marvels
Thailand’s UNESCO sites reveal its rich heritage: eight World Heritage sites, six Intangible Cultural Heritage elements, and five Biosphere Reserves offer unique cultural and natural experiences for discerning travelers.
From the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai to the lush biodiversity of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, these sites showcase Thailand’s historical depth and ecological diversity. Visitors can immerse themselves in traditional Thai dance, cuisine, and craftsmanship, celebrated as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage. Continued …
Japan Develops Revolutionary Plastic That Fully Dissolves in Saltwater
A team including government-backed research institute Riken has developed a plastic material that is as strong and easy to process as conventional plastics but can be dissolved in seawater in just a few hours. The findings were published in an online edition of the U.S. journal Science on Friday.
The international team, which also includes the University of Tokyo, hopes that the new material will help reduce environmental pollution, including that caused by microplastics. Continued …
The genetic conservation of Thailand’s mangrove ecosystems
Thailand’s mangroves face threats from climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. Genomic conservation aims to protect their biodiversity through modern techniques like DNA sequencing, enhancing resilience against environmental stressors.
Thailand’s coastal ecosystems, particularly its mangroves, play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, storing carbon, and offering protection against climate change impacts. These mangroves act as a buffer against flooding, support marine life, and absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate global warming. Continued …
Huawei and JA Solar Launch Green Education Project in Thailand
Huawei, JA Solar, UNESCO, and Thailand’s Ministry of Education have officially launched the Green Education Project in Thailand, aiming to develop a new generation of green-skilled and digitally empowered learners.
Running under Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative, the project will bring clean energy solutions and training in information and communications technology (ICT) skills to 11 Thai schools and community hubs. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
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
Cooking gas subsidies extended to Sept 30
A common ASEAN visa may be too ambitious to realise
