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Tuesday’s news-May 23

  • Thailand’s rains arrive, but will not be enough to fill reservoirs/
  • Devastating Rainstorm Claims 6 Lives at Phichit school/
  • Over 10,000 Covid Cases In Chonburi Last Week/
  • Move Forward’s ‘Government of Hope’ coalition delivers a program promising a new charter/
  • Foreign investment posts 77% rise in value/
  • Struggling to survive/
  • Chon Buri woman discovers pearl in local market oyster/
  • Farmer in Phitsanulok puts buffalo up for sale for US$1.5 million/
  • Huge explosion at rocket festival sends locals fleeing in Kalasin/
  • Unregulated cannabis expected to be curtailed/
  • Tourism: Two views of elephant tourism in Thailand/Phuket speedboat driver tests positive for meth after crash injuring 37 tourists/TAT to boost safety measures/
  • International: Sino-ASEAN land-sea trade corridor shows great vitality/Climate: ‘dangerous heat’ could afflict billions by 2100/Chinese researchers discover evidence of ancient ocean on Mars/Brazil faces dilemma: endangered macaw vs wind farm/
  • Links: Calendar of events/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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Thailand’s rains arrive, but will not be enough to fill reservoirs

Some parts of Thailand will suffer water shortages despite rains this year, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced. According to TMD, Thailand’s wet season arrived on Monday and will last until mid-October.

Some areas are expected to be hit with heavy rain until early June, while thundershowers will hit up to 80% of the east of Thailand and the southern west coast. Continued …

Devastating Rainstorm Claims 6 Lives at Phichit school

As anticipated by the Meteorological Department’s forecast for the onset of the rainy season, heavy rainfall swept through multiple areas of Phichit province, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The province had braced itself for 20% of the predicted rainfall, and the forecast proved to be spot on.

During the rainfall, strong winds and a cyclonic storm affected the Wat Noinpo School located in Sam Ngam District, Phichit. The school had a large dome building used as a volleyball court, a 7-a-side football field, and for various other sports activities. Continued … 

Over 10,000 Covid Cases In Chonburi Last Week

Chon Buri’s Public Health office said yesterday that there were 10,648 new Covid cases and 12 deaths last week (May 14-20), with the majority being the elderly. Of this total, 13 were being treated for pneumonia while 19 require oxygen.

People in this province adjacent to Bangkok were urged to strictly follow Covid prevention measures as follows: Continued …

Move Forward’s ‘Government of Hope’ coalition delivers a program promising a new charter

The deputy leader of the Move Forward Party, tipped to be Thailand’s next Minister of Finance, Sirikanya Tansakul, on Monday spoke about growing confidence that the party would be able to form its proposed government with Pheu Thai, with more support coming from within parliament and positive noises from the Thai Senate.

The proposed coalition, on Monday afternoon, published a memorandum of understanding signed by the eight parties, which did not refer to the controversial Section 112 provision on lèse-majesté and promised a new constitutional reform program would be launched within 100 days with a referendum to be put to the people, which could lead to a new constituent assembly. me of reform being proposed by what the Move Forward Party describes as a ‘government of hope’ for Thailand. Continued …

Foreign investment posts 77% rise in value

The value of investment in Thailand soared by 77% year-on-year to 185.7 billion baht from 397 project proposals between January and March, with South Korea being the top foreign investor in terms of value in the first quarter, says the Board of Investment (BoI).

Foreign investment accounted for 155.2 billion of total investment, a year-on-year increase of 115%. Continued …

Struggling to survive

You are what you eat, but some do not have the privilege to choose. Nai, who is skinny and short for his age, lacks more than just a proper diet. He has been abandoned by his mother, and his father is serving a jail term. As a result, his uncle has kindly taken him into his own family.

But like others, he is living from hand-to-mouth, so providing his nephew with a balanced diet from the five food groups is difficult. Due to a lack of variety in their diet, slum children, though not starving, are suffering from malnutrition. Continued …

Chon Buri woman discovers pearl in local market oyster

A lucky woman in Chon Buri found a valuable pearl inside a large oyster purchased from a local market. The resident, Thevalee Sitonwong, discovered the stunning orange pearl while preparing a meal for her and her husband.

Thevalee revealed that she and her husband had gone to the market to buy some ingredients for their dinner, which included a popular Thai dish named Som Tum. They bought two large oysters, intending to cook them as part of their meal. As per usual, Thevalee cleaned and boiled the oysters before serving, and just as they began to eat, her husband bit down on something hard within the oyster’s flesh. Continued …

Farmer in Phitsanulok puts buffalo up for sale for US$1.5 million

A farmer in Thailand put a giant water buffalo up for sale for 50 million baht (US$1.45 million) yesterday.

Forget a pool villa in Phuket, for the same price you could bag yourself one of the biggest buffaloes Thailand has ever seen. “Petch Lamkhong,” a three-year-old water buffalo (“kwai“) from “Big Ice Farm” in Phitsanulok, weighed in at a whopping 1.4 tons at the 6th Phitsanulok Giant Buffalo Contest yesterday. Continued …

Huge explosion at rocket festival sends locals fleeing in Kalasin

A dramatic display unfolded during the annual Bun Bang Fai Talai Lan Festival in Kalasin Province’s Kuchinarai District as a single 20-million-fireworks rocket lifted off and exploded mid-air. The festival, which took place yesterday, is uniquely celebrated in this province, with numerous rockets being launched into the sky, attracting numerous local and international tourists.

At around 7pm, footage of the 20-million-fireworks rocket explosion was shared on the Facebook Page “Taxi Roi-Et 092-9030306.” The one-of-a-kind rocket was seen bursting mid-air, causing sparks and debris to shower down on frightened spectators. Fortunately, no one was injured as the event organizers had taken necessary precautions and arranged security measures. Continued …

Unregulated cannabis expected to be curtailed

The ease of buying marijuana on the streets of every province in Thailand will soon come to an end, as nearly all parties who contested Thailand’s election are calling for the repeal of the law that famously decriminalized the cannabis plant.

In the absence of strict regulations, the cannabis industry has flourished in Thailand. With over 250,000 growers and more than 4,500 dispensaries selling ganja in every province, the industry was valued at $1 billion by 2025 by University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Thailand has become so notorious for cannabis this is prompting law enforcement agents in other countries to screen returning travelers for cannabis use. Continued …

Two views of elephant tourism in Thailand

The history of people and elephants in Chian Mai goes back thousands of years. Centuries ago, Thai kings rode these giants into battle. Elephants were used in harvesting timber until Thailand banned logging in national forests in 1989, prompting many owners to turn to tourism.

An elephant being “trained” for tourism

Then came the dramatic halt caused by the pandemic. Elephants are expensive to keep (they can eat more than 300 pounds of food a day). Most elephant attractions closed their doors, and many elephant owners – who rented out their animals to tourism operators – brought them back to their villages, some walking along the road for days. Continued …

Phuket speedboat driver tests positive for meth after crash injuring 37 tourists

The man who crashed a speedboat into a channel marker in Chalong Bay in Phuket, southern Thailand – injuring 37 Thai and foreign tourists – on Wednesday tested positive for methamphetamine.

The 29-year-old tour boat driver, Sathit Mardchai, underwent a blood test for alcohol and drugs following the incident, commander of Phuket Provincial Police Maj. Gen. Sermphan Sirikong said yesterday. Continued …

TAT to boost safety measures

With the number of Chinese visitors hitting 1 million, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Tourist Police Bureau have committed to strengthening safety measures for travelers.

Tanes Petsuwan, TAT deputy governor for Asia and the South Pacific, said the TAT still has work to do to reach the target of 5 million Chinese tourists this year, with about 70% expected to be independent tourists with high purchasing power who are unfazed by deflation in China. Continued …

Sino-ASEAN land-sea trade corridor shows great vitality

The new International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a major international logistics project, has achieved great success, as a recent report shows that its development index in 2022 surged to 135.2 from 122.6 in 2021 and 102 in 2020. Continued …

Climate: ‘dangerous heat’ could afflict billions by 2100

Current policies to limit global warming will expose more than a fifth of humanity to extreme and potentially life-threatening heat by century’s end, researchers warned Monday. Continued …

Meta hit with record 1.2-billion-euro fine over EU data rules

Facebook owner Meta has been fined a record 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for transferring EU user data to the United States in breach of a previous court ruling, Ireland’s regulator announced on Monday. Continued …

Chinese researchers discover evidence of ancient ocean on Mars

Chinese researchers have uncovered direct evidence of an ancient ocean on Mars’s northern plains, according to a team from the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan. The discovery, recently published in the journal National Science Review, has the potential to further solidify our understanding of the Red Planet’s geological history. Continued …

Brazil faces dilemma: endangered macaw vs wind farm

A wind farm in northeastern Brazil sounds like a welcome climate-friendly energy solution, but it is causing controversy over another kind of environmental worry: the impact on the endangered Lear’s macaw. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • 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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing 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-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, climate change, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai environment, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s news-May 18

  • How people in Prachuap Khiri Khan voted in the general election/
  • Four scenarios for next Thai govt and only two have Pita as PM/
  • What role will senators play in naming Thailand’s next PM?/
  • Move Forward lines up changes for 45 laws as soon as Parliament reopens/
  • Royal Ploughing Ceremony forecasts bumper crops and prosperity for year ahead/
  • Baby elephant saved after falling in a golf course well/
  • Cyanide murder suspect had massive online gaming debts/
  • Teen Girl, 2 Youths Held For Killing Chinese Factory Owner/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Residential sales revenue delines in Q1/CBRE Reveals Positive Signs of Foreign Demand for Luxury Residences in Thailand/Thailand Remains Popular Filming Location/Thailand keen to serve as ASEAN energy hub/Thailand eases EV restrictions to attract European manufacturers/US$20M invested in data center expansion amid cloud services boom/3 municipal biomass power plants approved/After election, Thai cannabis ready to roll with the changes/
  • Tourism: Tourism to limit economic pain as new government awaited/Pattaya Police ban prostitution on the beach/30 tourists injured, 1 missing after Phuket speedboat crashes into pillar/Flights to Mae Hong Son to resume in August/
  • International: Heat Wave in Asia Made 30 Times More Likely Because of Climate Change/Vietnam bets big on LNG, South China Sea gas fields/Four kids, including baby, found alive in Amazon after plane crash/
  • Links: Calendar of events/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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How people in Prachuap Khiri Khan voted in the general election

The Election Commission of Prachuap Khiri Khan has announced the results of how people in the province voted during the election, which took place on Sunday. Officials said that Prachuap Khiri Khan witnessed higher voter turnout in this election.

According to the unofficial results released by the Election Commission of Prachuap Khiri Khan, 328,366 people, or 76.4% of eligible voters, cast their ballots out of a total of 429,883 eligible voters. This is a significant increase compared to the 2019 election, which had a voter turnout of 70.2%. Continued …

Pita Limjaroenrat

Four scenarios for next Thai govt and only two have Pita as PM

Even though Move Forward Party won Sunday’s general election with 152 seats, that won’t be enough for party leader Pita to become Thailand’s 30th prime minister.

Pita will need a majority of at least 376 votes from the 500-seat House of Representatives to nullify the 250 votes from the junta-appointed Senate. The four scenarios for the next government’s formation are as follows: Continued …

What role will senators play in naming Thailand’s next PM?

Despite declaring that Move Forward will form the next coalition with five other parties, party leader Pita Limjaroenrat is facing one formidable obstacle on his journey to the premiership – the junta-appointed Senate.

Move Forward’s allies are Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Thai Liberal, Prachachart and Fair parties, and together they will have 310 of the 500-seat House of Representatives. Continued …

Move Forward lines up changes for 45 laws as soon as Parliament reopens

Move Forward Party will submit 45 bills to either amend or enact new laws once Parliament reopens, a party executive said.

Bencha Saengchantra, a Move Forward party-list MP, said on Wednesday that the 45 bills will aim to reform the bureaucracy and abolish mandatory conscription. In her post, she grouped the 45 items into eight groups, as follows: Continued …

Royal Ploughing Ceremony forecasts bumper crops and prosperity for year ahead

The year ahead will be one of bumper crops, booming trade, and economic growth for Thailand, according to Wednesday morning’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony.

The ceremony was held at Sanam Luang at 8.30am and was presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen. It was the second day of the annual two-day ceremony, during which the King blesses the start of the rice-growing season. Continued …

Baby elephant saved after falling in a golf course well

The calf was found in a cement well at Chatrium Golf Course in Chanthaburi Province. Staff from the local wildlife sanctuary and volunteers scrambled to save it, using a digger to dig around the well as its mother watched on. Video …

Cyanide murder suspect had massive online gaming debts

Online gambling debts are believed to be the leading motive of murder suspect Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, who allegedly poisoned at least 14 people with the deadly chemical cyanide, Deputy National Police Chief Surachet Hakparn said on Wednesday.

He said police discovered 78 million baht spread over 180 bank accounts belonging to Sararat, which had been used to transfer money to and from several online gambling websites. Continued …

Teen Girl, 2 Youths Held For Killing Chinese Factory Owner

Police arrested a teenage girl and two youths on the charges of stabbing a Chinese parawood processing factory owner to death at a resort in Trang province after the girl called for help upon being physically assaulted by her sex client.

The 17-year-old girl, only identified as Fai, together with Natdanai (surname withheld), 22, and Nattaphon, 19, were arrested in Satun province after being tracked down there and were charged with jointly killing Li Zhri Rui, 43, a Chinese national and owner of several parawood processing factories in the south by stabbing him around 20 times in the rented room. Continued …

Residential sales revenue delines in Q1

The expiration of the easing of loan-to-value (LTV) limits has had an impact on two-thirds of listed developers, resulting in residential sales revenue declining year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023.

Based on reports submitted to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, of the 30 developers engaged in residential development business, 20 experienced a year-on-year decline in revenue from residential sales in the first quarter. Continued …

CBRE Reveals Positive Signs of Foreign Demand for Luxury Residences in Thailand

CBRE, one of the world’s leading property consultants, says foreign interest in purchasing luxury residences in Thailand, including condominiums, houses, and villas in prime locations, has surged since the return of international tourists in the second half of 2022.

Sales transactions through CBRE have increased by more than 200%-300%, confirming this trend. In response to the growing demand, developers are gearing up to launch new luxury and super-luxury residential projects in 2023, with a particular focus on single houses. Continued …

Thailand Remains Popular Filming Location

Thailand remains a popular filming location among international production houses. Filming activities have generated massive revenue for the country and local people, while at the same time revitalizing the country’s own film industry.

Thailand has maintained its reputation as a popular filming location and has recently welcomed the production teams of two series from Singapore and the U.S. television network HBO, who chose Hat Yai City in Songkhla as a filming location. Continued …

Thailand keen to serve as ASEAN energy hub

Thailand is ready to be ASEAN’s future energy and mobility hub, as part of the global trend to improve sustainability through collaboration with countries worldwide, a senior Thai official said.

Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo, deputy permanent secretary at the Energy Ministry, revealed this ambitious objective during his speech at the opening ceremony on Wednesday of “Future Energy Asia and Future Mobility Asia Exhibition and Summit 2023”. Continued …

Thailand eases EV restrictions to attract European manufacturers

The caretaker Cabinet on Tuesday approved changes aimed at making it easier for European and other foreign manufacturers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to set up production in Thailand.

The two amendments to the EV3.5 promotion package offer more flexibility in the requirement for foreign manufacturers to offset imports to Thailand with an equal number of BEV units manufactured here. Continued …

US$20M invested in data center expansion amid cloud services boom

Etix Itel Bangkok Co., the company behind the ETIX Bangkok#1 data center, is set to invest nearly US$20 million in expanding its capacity to meet the increasing demand for cloud services and digital transformation in Thailand. The growth of the digital economy in the country has been bolstered by global cloud providers investing in the region.

The data center is currently in its second phase, with a capacity of 0.6 megawatts and 85% occupancy. The company anticipates full capacity in the next quarter and is preparing for the third phase, worth US$11 million, which will increase capacity by an additional 1.5MW in the fourth quarter of 2024. Continued …

A biomass-fired power plant operated by TGE in Surat Thani

3 municipal biomass power plants approved

Thachang Green Energy (TGE), a SET-listed biomass power plant developer and operator, has been awarded contracts to develop three municipal solid waste-fired power plants as the firm aims to reach a revenue target of more than 3 billion baht in 2026. Last year TGE’s revenue was 955 million baht.

The company signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the Provincial Electricity Authority, the state electricity distribution arm, to supply electricity to three administrative bodies in Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo and Chumphon. Continued …

After election, Thai cannabis ready to roll with the changes

Is the sky falling on Thailand’s nascent cannabis industry? Not according to some of its biggest players.

After the votes were counted Sunday, cannabis entrepreneurs were even more confident that the future of weed is green, with most saying the outcome gave them more confidence that much-needed regulation will be rational and reasonable under a Move Forward-led coalition government. Continued …

Tourism to limit economic pain as new government awaited

Thailand has not been spared the political uncertainty that usually comes with elections, yet foreign tourists returning by the millions this year are counted on to help shield Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.

The influx of visitors — totaling 6.5 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared with 498,000 a year ago — is aiding greater business and consumer activity in Thailand. On track to hit the government’s target of hosting three times more foreign guests this year from 10 million in 2022, tourism is seen as an anchor amid the political noise, even as the exports growth-engine sputters. Continued …

Pattaya Police ban prostitution on the beach

Thailand’s Tourist Police have banned sex workers from selling services on the beach in Pattaya.

Last night, Tourist Police and officers from Pattaya City Police Station headed down to Pattaya Beach and instructed the city’s ladies and ladyboys of the night to move along. Continued …

30 tourists injured, 1 missing after Phuket speedboat crashes into pillar

Thirty tourists, most of them Russian, have been injured after the tour boat they were traveling in crashed into a concrete pillar/navigation marker approaching Chalong Pier in the south of Phuket. According to a number of media reports, one person is still missing following the incident, which happened at around 5.30pm yesterday.

There were over 33 people on board when the Thanathip Marine speedboat hit a channel marker in Chalong Bay as it was bringing tourists back from a trip to the Phi Phi islands (about a 45-minute journey). Provincial marine chief Nachapong Pranit says that in addition to the tourists and the boat driver, the driver’s assistant and a tour guide were also on board. Continued …

Flights to Mae Hong Son to resume in August

Tourism operators in Mae Hong Son expect a more active market during the cool season, with Bangkok Airways poised to revive flights from the capital after Nok Air ended operations in April.

Phanuwat Khatnak, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Mae Hong Son office, expects air travel to increase tourist numbers by 10%, as there are currently no commercial flights. The tourist tally this year would reach 1.5 million, he said. Continued …

Heat Wave in Asia Made 30 Times More Likely Because of Climate Change

A searing heat wave in parts of southern Asia in April this year was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a rapid study by international scientists released Wednesday. Continued …

Vietnam bets big on LNG, South China Sea gas fields

Vietnam’s plan to quadruple by 2030 its gas-processing capacity, turning it into its first source of energy, marks a big bet on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and its reserves in the South China Sea, despite supply and geopolitical risks. Continued …

Four kids, including baby, found alive in Amazon after plane crash

Four Indigenous children, including an 11-month-old baby, have been found alive in the dense Colombian Amazon after a plane crash more than two weeks ago, President Gustavo Petro said Wednesday, declaring “joy for the country.” Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • 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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing 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-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, marijuana, real estate, thai environment, thailand, tourism

Monday’s news-May 8

  • Heatstroke warning as mercury rises beyond 50ᵒC in many parts of Thailand/
  • Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail/
  • Thailand Election 2023: Eager Thais cast ballots in early voting/
  • Dark predictions as the opposition parties look set to sweep to power in next weekend’s Election/
  • The critical first 100 days/
  • Police to seek additional arrest warrants in cyanide poisoning investigation/
  • Remote Korat villagers to get electricity after 70 years/
  • Chinese seeking freedom, security snap up posh homes in post-Covid Thailand/
  • Thailand’s cannabis sellers say US growers are eating their lunch/
  • Tourism: Departures tax hailed as the kiss of death/’No plan’ to revive exit tax/New Bt300 foreign tourism levy postponed yet again/How Thailand is Preparing for a Surge of Chinese Tourists arrivals/Thailand’s B2B Startups Lead to Tourism Renaissance/
  • Thailand Experience: How a two-week kayaking adventure teaches you to slow down and enjoy the moment/5 Best Places To Visit In Bangkok/
  • Links: Calendar of events/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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Heatstroke warning as mercury rises beyond 50ᵒC in many parts of Thailand

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned people to beware of heatstroke, as the mercury is expected to rise beyond 50 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country.

TMD said Chonburi would be the hottest city in the east of Thailand on Sunday, with the temperature hitting 53ᵒC. In Bangkok, the hottest district would be Bang Na, which will hit 52.7ᵒC.

The hottest city in the Northeast is Kosum Phisai district in Maha Sarakham with 46ᵒC, while Phuket in the South hit 51.1ᵒC. – The Nation

Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail

Thailand’s Meteorological Department has forecast a 24-hour weather outlook, with the northern region experiencing summer storms characterized by thunderstorms, strong winds, and isolated hail. Some areas may also experience lightning.

Residents in these regions are advised to exercise caution during summer storms, avoiding open spaces, large trees, weak structures, and billboards. It is also recommended to avoid wearing metallic items and using mobile phones during thunderstorms. Farmers should prepare to protect their agricultural produce and livestock from potential damage. Continued …

Thailand Election 2023: Eager Thais cast ballots in early voting

Eager Thai voters cast their ballots on Sunday a week ahead of the official polls, with many lining up before the doors opened at 8am.

Gosol Pungtaku, 51, was among the many voters who expressed a desire to see positive changes and progress in Thailand. “There has been a rise in drug-related and criminal incidents, so I hope that the newly elected government will take steps to prevent them,” said Gosol. Continued …

Dark predictions as the opposition parties look set to sweep to power in next weekend’s Election

The prime minister’s United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chart) Party has released a video clip warning of the danger of Thailand reverting to a land of political turmoil with just days to go to the general election, with the two main opposition parties, Move Forward and Pheu Thai, riding high in the polls. At the same time, a revered abbot in Chiang Mai is predicting a return to street protests and civil strife in the aftermath of next weekend’s election.

With days to go before the general election in Thailand on May 14, uneasiness currently pervades the country’s political scene with all opinion polls showing clearly the prospect of a decisive victory for the key opposition parties of Pheu Thai Party and Move Forward in what is shaping up as a profound rejection of the post-coup government formed in 2019, with parties in that government looking like they will be lucky to gain 20% to 25% of the vote, while the opposition bloc looks poised to poll anywhere from 65% to 85% of the vote. Continued …

The critical first 100 days

Business leaders have begun to think about the outlook for Thailand in the first 100 days under a new administration, with the poll less than a week away.

From the appointment of new ministers to policy priorities in the business sector, executives share their wishes for the incoming government. Continued …

Police to seek additional arrest warrants in cyanide poisoning investigation

Thai police are to seek warrants for the arrests of one or two additional suspects, thought to have assisted serial murder suspect Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is believed to be responsible for the deaths of at least 15 people, allegedly by cyanide poisoning.

Police Gen. Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, said Saturday that they have obtained sufficient evidence to indicate that Sararat acted alone in procuring cyanide online, but used other people’s names and addresses to cover her tracks. Continued …

Remote Korat villagers to get electricity after 70 years

For city dwellers, just 30 minutes of power outage can feel like the end of the world. Yet, there are some 300 people in a remote corner of Nakhon Ratchasima who have been living without electricity since their village was formed 70 years ago.

It is Ban Sub Hin Kaew or Moo 16 village in Tambon Chanthuek of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district. Continued …

Chinese seeking freedom, security snap up posh homes in post-Covid Thailand

Shanghai resident Daniel Bian drinks in the sweeping views over the Thai capital from the 19th-floor, rooftop swimming pool of a luxury condominium that may become his second home. “Hello, Bangkok!” he shouts happily as his 70-year-old mother looks on, smiling.

Cooped up in Chinafor three years under some of the world’s toughest curbs against Covid-19, Bian is among a flood of mainland Chinese hunting for property in the Southeast Asian nation since Beijing opened its borders this year. Many are eager to invest in a second home, keen for a safety net in case of a similar disease outbreak, and also to hedge against economic risks at home. Continued … 

Thailand’s cannabis sellers say US growers are eating their lunch

Nearly a year after Thailand decriminalized cannabis amid promises of an economic bonanza, Thai growers and sellers say they are being undercut by illegal imports from the United States that sell for a fraction of the price of homegrown buds.

Thailand struck cannabis from its list of banned narcotics in June 2022 after a high-profile campaign by Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to establish the kingdom as a global hub for cannabis for medical purposes. But Thailand’s parliament has yet to pass a long-awaited cannabis bill, leaving the regulatory framework for the industry in limbo. Continued …

Departures tax hailed as the kiss of death

Tourism industry chiefs were shocked this week to discover that Thailand’s Revenue Department is laying the groundwork for a new outbound levy of Bt1,000 to be applied to all outgoing airline passengers from Thailand, including foreign tourists and Thai citizens, in addition to already existing charges and levies.

One key travel industry executive warned that the plans will have a serious negative impact on the country’s still-recovering tourism industry and may disrupt the plans of airlines that Thailand badly needs to reconnect to its international airports. Continued …

‘No plan’ to revive exit tax

The Revenue Department rejects claims that it is planning to impose a 1,000-baht departure tax on departing Thais and foreign residents.

Responding to fears raised on social media, the department says it is legally obligated by the constitution to seek the public’s opinion on executive decrees scrapped by past administrations. Continued …

New Bt300 foreign tourism levy postponed yet again

A leading tourist industry chief has called for the government to establish a separate state agency to manage the country’s proposed foreign tourism levy, which has been postponed yet again by the Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn until after a new government is formed.

Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, the chairman of the Phuket Tourist Assn., also expressed concern that the collection of the levy should not be imposed on airline carriers, while it should also be collected at both land and sea points of entry into the kingdom. The new tourism levy, according to the minister and key officials, will pay for automatic emergency health coverage for foreign tourists who get into trouble in Thailand but the industry itself is perplexed by concern about the ongoing delay in the introduction of the charge and transparency around how the money raised is used in what could turn out to be a vast annual sum collected by the government as tourist numbers rise. Continued …

How Thailand is Preparing for a Surge of Chinese Tourists arrivals

Thailand is expecting a significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists in May, as Chinese airlines plan to operate more flights to the country.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), Chinese airlines have requested to increase their flights to Thailand from 100 per week to 430 per week starting on June 1. Continued …

Thailand’s B2B Startups Lead to Tourism Renaissance

Thailand’s tourism industry has long been a major contributor to the country’s economy. Travel bans and border closures brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic have had a substantial impact on the sector, nevertheless, as evidenced by the steep drop in visitor numbers.

In spite of these difficulties, Thailand’s startup ecosystem has become a significant force for innovation and expansion in the travel and tourist industry. In this new era of travel, B2B leads are now more crucial than ever. Startups are transforming business processes for hotels, airlines, and other travel service providers with innovative B2B solutions. Continued …

How a two-week kayaking adventure teaches you to slow down and enjoy the moment

The sky is overcast as I paddle out from a small beach on the morning of my 50th birthday on Day 1 of a two-week, 250km solo kayaking trip around Phang Nga Bay, an aquatic biosphere off the southwest of Thailand, with dramatic islands and limestone karsts that rise like titans hundreds of meters from the sea.

I’ve never done anything like this before, but past travels have taught me a bit about problem-solving in remote places and how to pack for survival. Continued …

5 Best Places To Visit In Bangkok

If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss out on some of the must-visit places in Bangkok. From ancient temples to bustling markets, Bangkok has something for everyone.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, are two of the most famous attractions in Bangkok. The Grand Palace was the official residence of the Kings of Siam (now Thailand) since 1782. Today, the palace is used for ceremonial purposes only. Visitors can see the palace complex and its intricate architecture, which reflects a blend of Thai and European styles. Wat Phra Kaew is the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand and houses the Emerald Buddha, a highly revered statue carved from a single block of jade. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • 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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing 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-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

covid, hospitality, hua hin, marijuana, pattaya, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai economy, thailand, tourism

Monday’s news-May 1

  • Thailand’s original beach resort is 100/
  • Final weekend to see Phetchaburi salt piles/
  • Temperatures soar, headaches rise/
  • Thai Expert Explains High Electricity Bills in Thailand/
  • Annual Covid-19 booster shots planned for Thailand this year/
  • Chumphon beauty named this year’s Miss Grand Thailand/
  • More than four-legged friends/
  • Vote buying: The engine of corruption in Thailand/
  • Police say 14 people are thought to have died in serial cyanide poisonings/
  • Thai students recount dangerous escape from Sudan/
  • Video: Station master praised for saving elderly woman’s life/
  • Si Racha Badly Flooded With Some Cars Floating Away In Floodwaters/
  • Gunfight erupts during wedding, 13-year-old boy injured in crossfire/
  • Raid at a Pattaya hotel uncovers Indian gambling ring, 100 arrested/
  • Karen villagers can return to Kaeng Krachan National Park/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Thai Labor 2023 Survey: Increased Employment But Rising Debt/Wage hike pledges slammed/Thailand: Southeast Asia’s ‘weed wonderland’/All controls in place for cannabis use in Thailand: govt/From watermelon to weed: Thai farmers regret switching to cannabis as prices fall/
  • Tourism: Asia Pacific’s tourism industry to surpass pre-pandemic peak in 2025/TAT offers half-a-million-baht holiday in travel blogging contest/Market report predicts boom in Phuket hotel industry in next decade/Thailand’s ‘Inspector Beagles’ can be a smuggler’s worst enemy/
  • Thailand Experience: 15 Best Things to Do on Koh Tao/
  • Links: Calendar of events/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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Thailand’s original beach resort is 100

All eyes were on the immaculately coiffed Cocoa as she slid from her lemon-colored sunlounger to strut beside the pool. Pausing to sniff the sea air, she unrolled a tiny pink tongue, and three more pomeranians bounded across, their owners trotting dutifully behind, waving treats and lining up photographs.

A lapdog pool party was probably the last thing I expected to see on a trip with my husband and two young daughters to Hua Hin. The original Thai beach resort is better known for attracting royalty and retirees, but as its oldest hotel turns 100, the resort town is out to prove that it’s still got it. And at the Standard, the newest luxury boutique hotel in Hua Hin, Instagramming is par for the course. Continued …

Final weekend to see Phetchaburi salt piles

Phetchaburi’s salt harvesting season comes to en end this weekend (May 6-8). The slat piles will be visible May 6-7, and the salt-carrying process starts May 8.

This is the last opportunity to witness the traditional salt harvesting for this season. Open from 7:30am to 5:30pm

Temperatures soar, headaches rise

Like other early birds, Dao Dul, 35, goes on duty at first light. For her, time is literally money. Her office is not a well-built weather-proof skyscraper. It is a makeshift cart that provides affordable dishes to hundreds of community residents from dawn to dusk.

It is not a long day, but the scorching summer is making her life unbearable. A couple of weeks ago, the city’s mercury peaked at 40°C. Continued ,,,

Thai Expert Explains High Electricity Bills in Thailand

Praiphon Koomsub, former dean of the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University, explained an increase in the Thai power bills recently.

He said the increase actually started at the end of 2022, but people did not acknowledge it until March to April when the weather became significantly hotter, leading to an increase in electricity consumption and thereby a surge in power bills. Moreover, at the beginning of this year, the government adjusted the fuel tariff rate, which further increased the price. Continued …

Annual Covid-19 booster shots planned for Thailand this year

The Public Health Ministry in Thailand aims to make this year the first in which individuals receive annual Covid-19 booster shots, akin to the seasonal flu vaccine.

Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek stated yesterday that Thailand must continue to monitor Covid infections, particularly after cases spiked twice last week due to the global spread of XBB.1.16, a substrain of the Omicron variant. Continued … 

Chumphon beauty named this year’s Miss Grand Thailand

Thaweeporn “Aoom” Phingchamrat from the southern province of Chumphon bagged the Miss Grand Thailand 2023 crown on Saturday night. Tia Taweepakamphan from Phuket, Pimjira from Bangkok, Saenak Archaree Sirsuk from Loei and Ketuwalee Polbodee from Phrae were first, second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Grand Thailand was presented with a golden crown worth 1.2 million baht and received other prizes, including a million baht in cash and keys to a condominium. (The Nation)

More than four-legged friends

Pets are often regarded as integral members of the family rather than merely animals. The pandemic led to a surge in pet ownership, resulting in unprecedented growth in the pet economy this year.

New independent companies have emerged offering a variety of products and services, with some adopting a collaborative approach by partnering with veterinarians to co-develop pet food and increase consumer confidence in their products. Continued …

Vote buying: The engine of corruption in Thailand

Vote buying can be a deciding factor in Thai elections at any level – whether for a village head, a local administrator, or a member of Parliament. And the upcoming general election on May 14 is no exception, according to analysts and even politicians themselves.

Many Thai election candidates have blamed their defeat on vote buying, while several election wins have been attributed to parties buying votes. Continued …

Police say 14 people are thought to have died in serial cyanide poisonings

Fourteen people are believed to have been fatally poisoned by a female Thai suspect being held in custody, 36-year-old “Srarat”, but police are currently only investigating 11 of the cases, according to Police Col. Anek Taosuparb, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).

Arrest warrants have already been issued in three cases, including the case of a female victim named “Siriporn”, a police officer named “Nipa” and “Rotjarin”, a vegetable vendor. Continued …

Thai students recount dangerous escape from Sudan

A group of Thai nationals who arrived home this past weekend after escaping civil war in Sudan described their difficult journey out of the war-torn country that had them constantly on edge through sleepless nights as they passed through numerous checkpoints.

Speaking from Don Mueang Airport where they were welcomed by dignitaries, the president of the Thai Student Assn. in Sudan told reporters the fighting in Sudan was extremely intense, and it was challenging for them to travel without official permission. The student leader, named Yikasem, was among 78 Thai citizens who landed safely at the airport. Their flight was made possible by a 24-hour ceasefire. Continued …

Video: Station master praised for saving elderly woman’s life

Members of the public have heaped praise on the station master of Ban Song railway station in Wiang Sa district for saving the life of a 75-year-old woman with impaired hearing as she was about to be hit by a train on Sunday.

Security camera footage showed that at about 9.50am on Sunday, the woman was walking across a rail track while express train No 85 (Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat) was entering the station. The woman was completely unaware that she was in danger. Continued … 

Si Racha Badly Flooded With Some Cars Floating Away In Floodwaters

Three hours of heavy rain yesterday morning led to many areas of Chonburi’s Si Racha district being damaged, with cars seen floating away in floodwaters.

At around noon, reporters in this district said the torrential rain had also toppled trees, with some falling heavily on cars and damaging them. Continued …

Gunfight erupts during wedding, 13-year-old boy injured in crossfire

Yesterday, a confrontation between two groups of teenagers escalated into a gunfight at a wedding in Buriram Province. The incident left three villagers injured by stray bullets, including a 13-year-old boy in critical condition. Authorities are pursuing charges related to bodily harm and firearms law violations.

Police Lt. Col. Withisarn Aphornphong, superintendent of Prakhon Chai Police Station, led the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect known as “Bee”, along with a .38-caliber revolver, and an 18-year-old suspect known as “A” with a homemade shotgun. Continued …

Raid at a Pattaya hotel uncovers Indian gambling ring, 100 arrested

A combined police task force led by Major Gen. Kampon Leelaprapaporn, the Chonburi provincial police chief, executed a raid this morning on a prestigious 4-star hotel situated in Nong Prue dubdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

The operation was initiated after receiving intelligence regarding a substantial illicit gambling ring being operated within a hotel conference room. Continued …

Karen villagers can return to Kaeng Krachan National Park

An independent committee examining a land dispute between Karen villagers and authorities has granted approval for the villagers to return to Bang Kloy Bon if they wish.

The first solution suggested by the committee was to approve the desire of 732 Karen villagers to return to arable lands deep in the forest of Bang Kloy Bon in Kaeng Krachan National Park, their ancestral home. Continued …

Thai Labor 2023 Survey: Increased Employment But Rising Debt

On the occasion of National Labor Day today, Montri Mahaplerkpong, the vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), revealed the 28th FTI member survey (FTI poll) on the topic of “Industrial Sector Perspectives on Employment and Workforce Adaptation in the Future” in April 2023.

It was found that a majority of the FTI executives, 48.6%, believed that the current employment rate has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. Meanwhile, 24.8% expected the employment rate to increase by 10%-20%, while 19.3% anticipated a decrease in the employment rate by 10%-20%. Continued …

Wage hike pledges slammed

As the country marks Labor Day today, activists have expressed concerns over campaign promises made by parties to abruptly raise the minimum daily wages to levels they believe are unrealistic. Continued …

Country’s labor challenges require a lot more than minimum wage pledges

Policies to improve the daily minimum wage for rural workers are hotly debated in the run-up to every election, with this year no exception ahead of the country’s first general election in four years on May 14.

The topic often creates some tension as the industrial sector sounds the alarm on unrealistic demands for wage hikes that hurt the entire consumption chain, while analysts urge the authorities to prioritize skills development. Continued …

Thailand: Southeast Asia’s ‘weed wonderland’

A new symbol has appeared in the kaleidoscopic jumble of neon signs that light up Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok’s most international street. The sudden ubiquity of the five-pointed marijuana leaf, in lurid green, announces the spectacular boom there has been in weed-related businesses in Thailand since cannabis was decriminalized last June.

Walk two kilometers east of the BBC office in Bangkok, and you pass more than 40 dispensaries, selling potent marijuana flower buds and all the paraphernalia needed to smoke them. Continued …

All controls in place for cannabis use in Thailand: govt

Thailand has clear laws governing the use of cannabis, government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Sunday. She made the remark in response to critics, who question the policy that was promoted by Bhumjaithai Party, which holds the public health portfolio.

She said the policy aims to offer cannabis as an alternative medical treatment and stimulate the economy. Continued …

From watermelon to weed: Thai farmers regret switching to cannabis as prices fall

When Thailand legalized cannabis for medical use in June 2022, thousands rushed to stake their claim, including small-time farmer Tukta Sinnin.

The 43-year-old pumped in nearly 500,000 baht (S$19,500) to grow more than 400 cannabis plants on her land in Nakhon Phanom, a northeast province by the Mekong River. Continued …

Asia Pacific’s tourism industry to surpass pre-pandemic peak in 2025

Travel experiences in Asia Pacific have returned to rapid growth since the region reopened borders for regional and long-haul travel. The industry – especially tour activities and attractions – is expected to surpass the pre-pandemic peak in 2025, according to research conducted by Arival Co.

The company released its new research findings ahead of its conference in Bangkok in June. Titled “The Outlook for Experiences 2019-2025”, the study forecasts that the industry will reach US$67 billion in 2024, and $75 billion in 2025. Continued …

TAT offers half-a-million-baht holiday in travel blogging contest

Ever wish you could holiday for a living – hopping from serene beaches to five-star city hotels? The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) is about to make that wish come true with its latest campaign to promote domestic tourism.

TAT is looking for 20 finalists to compete for the title of “Tourist of Thailand” by presenting their travel content, published on their own social media channels. Continued …

Market report predicts boom in Phuket hotel industry in next decade

Phuket should have 38 new hotels with 14,357 additional rooms on offer by 2032, the newly released Phuket Hotel Market Update 2023 report shows.

Phuket has been getting 260 flights daily and welcoming some 40,000 passengers per day since Thailand lifted all travel restrictions in October last year. This surge in arrivals has pushed the occupancy rate to 80% compared to 48% last year. Continued …

Thailand’s ‘Inspector Beagles’ can be a smuggler’s worst enemy

“Inspector Beagles” have been critical in efforts to deter the smuggling of meat into Thailand, the Livestock Development Department said.

In December of last year, Inspector Beagles foiled 17 attempts to smuggle meat into the county, leading to the seizure of 64.8 kilograms of illegal meat worth 32,995 baht, the department said. Continued …

15 Best Things to Do on Koh Tao

Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in the Gulf of Thailand and a fantastic spot to get your beginner’s diving license. This tiny paradise is full of incredible things to do and see. Besides snorkeling and scuba diving, you can enjoy incredible viewpoints, sandy white beaches, and great party scenes – not to mention incredibly friendly locals! (Really? Three “incredibles” in one paragraph?)

Whether you plan to stay a few days or a few weeks, you’ll want to know all the best things to do on Koh Tao to make the most of your vacation. Start scrolling to plan your ultimate getaway! Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • 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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing 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-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, prauchuap khiri khan, solar, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-April 6

  • Thailand to hit scorching 45.8C on Wednesday/
  • Centara Hua Hin receives Traveler Review Award/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Recession fears rise as growth projections are cut, exports continue decline/Inflation forecast lowered for 2023/Panel urges rethink of power tariff/Prime Road targets 1,800MW renewable power by 2027/Forbes: 3 Thais among world’s 150 richest people/
  • Chinese businessman hires sexy girls to fulfill vow at shrine/
  • 1,000 tons of hazwaste dumped in Ayutthaya/
  • Fine dust smothers Mae Hong Son/Thailand’s thriving exotic pet trade/
  • Thailand’s cannabis future drags on in political limbo/
  • Tourism: Immigration Bureau to tighten screening of tourists entering with visa on arrival/Suvarnabhumi Prepares for 1 Million Songkran Tourists/Drunken Songkran antics spur plea for police action/Thailand’s air pollution threatens the health of residents and its tourism industry/Michelin Guide, TAT extend partnership through 2026/British tourist smashes up Bangkok 7-Eleven/
  • Thailand Experience: Next Michelin Guide edition includes unique flavors of Surat Thani and Koh Samui/Here’s Why You Should Visit Chiang Mai/
  • International: Gold prices surge as dollar weakens/
  • 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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Thailand to hit scorching 45.8C on Wednesday

Thailand’s heat index – a measure of temperature and humidity – will soar as high as 45.8 degrees Celsius (114.44 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD).

The department forecast the hottest areas in each region as follows:

  • North: Tak province, heat index of 41C
  • Northeast: Si Sa Ket, 38.4C
  • Central: Bangkok’s Bang Na district, 45.5C
  • East: Chonburi, 45.8C
  • South: Phang Nga, 43.3C Continued …

Centara Hua Hin receives Traveler Review Award

Centara Hotels & Resorts, one of Thailand’s leading hotel operators, has announced that five Centara properties received the 2023 Traveler Review Award from Booking.com.

Awarded annually to partner hotels and resorts, the Traveler Review Awards highlight properties for their exceptional hospitality, as evidenced by Booking.com review scores left by guests after their stay. Continued …

Recession fears rise as growth projections are cut, exports continue decline

Growth prospects for the Thai economy have been downgraded as the country’s leading export body, this week, warned of a 10% decline in the opening quarter of the year with weaker demand from Western markets suffering from tightened liquidity due to concern within the banking system and rising interest rates.

The promised upturn in demand from China has also failed to materialize, with exports to that market down 7.8% in February, the ninth month in a row when output to the communist country has fallen. The situation leaves Thailand facing the rising prospect of a technical recession. Continued …

Inflation forecast lowered for 2023

The Commerce Ministry has downgraded its headline inflation outlook for this year from a range of 2%-3% to 1.7%-2.7%, in line with economic conditions and falling energy prices. Continued …

Panel urges rethink of power tariff

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) plans to ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reconsider the electricity bill calculation, believing the power tariff of 4.77 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit) could be further reduced.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) previously announced both businesses and households would pay the same tariff rate of 4.77 baht per unit between May and August. Continued …

Prime Road targets 1,800MW renewable power by 2027

Prime Road Power, an operator of solar farms and provider of solar panel installation services, aims to increase its renewable power generation capacity to 1,800 megawatts by 2027, up from 304MW, thanks to campaigns for fossil fuel reduction to fight global warming across Asia-Pacific.

These efforts should bring bright prospects for the company’s business, including more use of solar power at industrial estates nationwide operated by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), said Somprasong Panjalak, chairman and founder of Prime Road Power. Continued …

Forbes: 3 Thais among world’s 150 richest people

Three Thai tycoons have been ranked among the world’s richest people on the Forbes list of 2,640 world billionaires in 2023. Thailand has 28 billionaires on the list.

Dhanin Chearavanont, the senior chairman of Thailand’s largest food and agriculture conglomerate Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, was ranked by Forbes as the 116th richest person in the world with a net worth of US$4.9 billion in 2023. Continued …

Chinese businessman hires sexy girls to fulfill vow at shrine

A successful Chinese businessman hired more than 10 sexy girls to dance at a shrine located in Kamphaeng Phet province, situated in the central region of Thailand, to fulfill a vow he had made after achieving business success. The businessman has reportedly fulfilled his vow at the same shrine four times already.

A Thai woman named Kanya-on Chanjohn shared a video featuring other Thai women dancing in front of statues. The caption on the video read “Rich, Rich, Rich!” Kanya-on later explained on social media that the performance was a vow fulfillment ceremony for the aforementioned Chinese businessman’s success. Continued …

1,000 tons of hazwaste dumped in Ayutthaya

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has sought help from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED) to find out who was responsible for illegally dumping 1,000 tons of hazardous waste in Ayutthaya.

This is not the first occasion illegal waste disposals have been made in the area, and local officials suspect the same company may be responsible. Continued …

Fine dust smothers Mae Hong Son

Pai district in Mae Hong Son province, one of the best-known tourist destinations in the North, experienced the highest level of hazardous ultrafine dust in the country on Wednesday.

The highest level of PM2.5 – 356 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) – was recorded in tambon Wiang Tai, according to a daily report of air quality data from the Pollution Control Department (PCD). Continued …

Thailand’s thriving exotic pet trade

Dobby scurries frantically around a tiny dorm room at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, snorting and dousing the air with a pungent smell. For the past 10 minutes, Sujitta Thanomsingha, a 22-year-old communication student, has been trying to get her hands on her pet ferret.

As Sujitta darts across her tiny dorm room, she spots Dobby’s pink nose peeking from under the bed, and this time, she is determined to catch him. Finally, and after much resistance, he gives in to Sujitta’s grasp and allows her to secure a collar around his furry yellow neck. Continued …

Thailand’s cannabis future drags on in political limbo

Shortly after cannabis was legalized in Thailand, thousands of cannabis stalls popped up along the streets of Bangkok and tourist spots, representing hopes of a boost to the nation’s economy.

Yet, nearly a year on, the promise of a new bonanza crop seems to have gone up in smoke as a legal framework has never been clearly set out, and long-promised legislation failed in February to get through parliament, leaving the country without an umbrella law to regulate its use. Continued …

Immigration Bureau to tighten screening of tourists entering with visa on arrival

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has been told to tighten screening of tourists using visa on arrival, following a gruesome murder allegedly committed by three Chinese nationals.

Royal Thai Police Commissioner Damrongsak Kittiprapas said on Wednesday that he held a meeting on Tuesday with Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pakphumpipat Sajjaphan to discuss measures for filtering out possible criminals who may attempt to enter the country using visa on arrival (VOA). Continued …

Suvarnabhumi Prepares for 1 Million Songkran Tourists

Suvarnabhumi Airport announced its readiness to serve incoming tourists during the Songkran Festival from April 11 to 17. It is estimated that a total of one million tourists will come to the Thailand airport, an average of 143,000 tourists per day.

The airport will set up a temporary outbound checkpoint at the end of row W in the departure lounge, 4th floor. The airport will also deploy more staff at the checkpoints to provide maximum efficiency for tourists. Continued …

Drunken Songkran antics spur plea for police action

More than 40 people yesterday joined hands to submit a letter to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to strictly enforce laws about alcohol sales and sexual harassment during the Songkran festival.

The Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation (WMP), as well as various youth and development networks and city communities, urged National Police Chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas to act. Continued …

Thailand’s air pollution threatens the health of residents and its tourism industry

“Take a trip to toxic Thailand.” Hmmm, despite the smart alliteration, we can’t see that one catching on as a tourism slogan.

The air in the Land of Smiles/Grimaces has been especially foul of late – and could prove to be a double whammy, as choking smog strikes down residents and at the same time weakens the nation’s tourism industry. Continued …

Michelin Guide, TAT extend partnership through 2026

The Michelin Guide Thailand has helped to generate more than 842 million baht for the tourism economy during its first five-year contract with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) starting in 2017, according to the agency.

Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT deputy governor for marketing communications, said as food experiences are one of the top reasons listed for foreign tourists to visit Thailand, the Michelin Guide Thailand has helped emphasize the country’s strengths. Continued … 

British tourist smashes up Bangkok 7-Eleven

Thai police arrested a young British man for destroying property at a 7-Eleven convenience store in the Pathumwan district of Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday at 3am.

In a bizarre TikTok clip filmed by a European onlooker, the British tourist picks up various items inside the 7-Eleven and launches them at the door in an attempt to smash the glass. Continued …

Next Michelin Guide edition includes unique flavors of Surat Thani and Koh Samui

Surat Thani and the island of Samui in the province have made it to the seventh edition of Michelin Guide Thailand 2024, expected to be released at the end of 2023.

Michelin Guide international director Gwendal Poullennec said Surat Thani and Koh Samui have many charming and interesting things to be discovered, including natural wonders, cultural heritage, and culinary delights. Continued …

Here’s Why You Should Visit Chiang Mai

If you plan on visiting Thailand soon, add Chiang Mai to the itinerary. When anyone asks us how they should spend their time in Thailand, we say they must give the country an entire month.

Bangkok is the most popular city in Southeast Asia. Similar to New York, the city attracts tourists from all over the world. The streets are full of tourists and locals, shopping malls on all the major avenues, and one of the busiest street food districts you’ll ever see. Continued … 

Gold prices surge as dollar weakens

Gold prices hit a 13-month high, touching US$2,031 per ounce as weak U.S. economic data spurred demand for the safe-haven asset amid a weakening dollar, according to analysts. 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-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting