Poor air quality hits Hua Hin/Bangkok PM2.5 to worsen/Racer Marina Jazz Festival/Legend Fighting Championships/How HealthTech drives industry/Thailand’s ‘dual prime minister’ model/Bangkok temps near 40-year low/Chinese nationals missing/Moei River ‘scam city’/Bitcoin mine shut down/Wild elephant population surges/Foreigners behaving badly/ECONOMY: Economic Stimulus Set for March/Exports face headwinds/Macau casino operator opens Thai office/Myanmar No.2 for Thai condo sales/Warned over tax compliance/TOURISM: Thailand’s Premium Tourist Hub/Travel Advisory for Thailand/CLIMATE THAILAND: Thai Cities With The Cleanest Air/China Driving Thailand’s EV Industry/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
Poor air quality hits Hua Hin
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Bangkok PM2.5 tipped to worsen until Monday
Many parts of Bangkok have been blanketed in PM2.5 haze this week due to poor air circulation and an increase in hotspots in the provinces and neighboring countries, said Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt.
The poor air quality was reported not only in the capital but also in the central and northeastern provinces, and the dust pollution stemmed from stagnant air, burning of crops and weeds, and the wind blowing from the east, he said. Continued …
Racer Marina Jazz Festival tomorrow
Grand finale of Legend Fighting Championships Sunday
How HealthTech drives healthcare industry
Health technologies are expected to drive a change in the healthcare industry worldwide this year, according to the Thansettakij report yesterday.
A change in the Thai healthcare industry was driven by Covid-19 pandemic and aged society, as well as technology advancement, which helped boost treatment efficiency. Here’s some health technologies which could shift the industry. Continued …
Thailand’s ‘dual prime minister’ model is a delicate tight-rope walk
The era of dual prime ministers is becoming increasingly evident in Thailand – Thaksin Shinawatra and his daughter, the official PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
This is a political dream for Thaksin. Looking back, Thaksin had previously learned his lessons after giving the reins to a “prime minister outside the Shinawatra family”, particularly the case of Samak Sundaravej, who became prime minister after the People Power Party won the 2007 general election. Continued …
Bangkok temperatures approaching 40-year low
Bangkok is expected to experience its coolest weather in almost 40 years on Sunday and Monday, with low temperatures of 16 degrees Celsius, while lows in the north and the northeast will be 12°C, forecasters said yesterday.
“Anyone wanting to experience the coolest temperatures this year (with strong winds) should prepare your body and mind for Jan. 12 and 13,” said Seree Supharathit, director of the Center for Climate Change and Disaster at Rangsit University. Continued …
2 more Chinese nationals missing near Thai-Myanmar border
Thai police were launching a fact-finding investigation into the disappearance of two more Chinese nationals – a male model and a woman -after their relatives sought help.
Police Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, inspector-general with the Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO), said foreign media had reported the disappearance of Chinese model Yang Zeqi, who went missing near the Thai-Myanmar border. Continued …
Cry for help from Moei River ‘scam city’
“Do you think I can get out of here?” the question induced sudden dead air as no one could answer it. But for people familiar with the stories of a city of scammers located in a border town in Myanmar, it is not difficult to feel the gravity of terror inflicted on the woman who raised such a question.
Late last year, I had a private conversation with a Lao woman – given the pseudonym Buakam – who was forced to work as a scammer in Shwekokko in Myawaddy. As a journalist, I have followed the scammers and call centers in Myawaddy, a border town that is just a stone’s throw from Thailand’s Mae Sot district. I have also interviewed some of the victims of these call centers online. Continued …
Bitcoin mine in Chonburi shut down for massive electricity theft
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) joined forces with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) yesterday to shut down a Bitcoin mining operation in the Phanat Nikhom district of Chonburi after discovering it had tampered with its power meter to use electricity for mining purposes, largely free of charge.
CSD officers and PEA officials seized 996 Bitcoin mining machines and other related devices from the premises. PEA officials estimated that the operation had stolen electricity worth hundreds of millions of baht, although the exact figure has yet to be determined. Continued …
Thailand’s wild elephant population surges
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) released a report estimating Thailand’s wild elephant population to be between 4,013 and 4,422. These elephants are dispersed across 91 forests.
The report highlights increasing conflicts between wild elephants and communities, particularly severe in the eastern forests, with an annual population growth rate of 8.2%, affecting 257 villages across six provinces. Continued …
- Chinese ‘Tour Guides’ Arrested in Bangkok SMS Scam – Continued …
- British drug dealer arrested after his suspicious behavior in Phuket – Continued …
- Chinese Fraudsters Rob Fellow Citizens of 13M Baht in Bangkok Crypto Scam – Continued …
- Tourists Detained After Vaping Mid-Air on Nok Air Flight – Continued …
Launch of the Final Phase of 2024 Economic Stimulus Set for March
The Thai government has rolled out the final phase timeline of its 2024 economic stimulus program, featuring a 10,000-baht digital wallet fund.
This initiative aims to boost economic growth, provide financial aid to millions, and address inequality. Implemented in stages, the program targets various demographic groups. The second phase, focusing on seniors, aligns with Chinese New Year 2025, while the anticipated final phase, aimed at those under 60, launches in March. Continued …
Thai exports face headwinds
Thai exports are projected to achieve a modest growth of 2%-3% in 2025, but analysts warn of challenging headwinds, particularly from the potential impact of “Trump 2.0” policies.
Experts are concerned over possible U.S. tariff hikes and intensifying competition from Chinese products in global markets, though Thailand’s recent entry into the BRICS grouping may help mitigate some risks. Continued …
Macau casino operator opens Thai office
Melco Resorts & Entertainment, an operator of casinos in Macau, plans to invest in integrated resorts and hotels in Thailand, banking on the country’s robust tourism industry and culture — and approval of legalized gambling.
Thailand is a top tourism country with great hospitality and a unique culture, said Lawrence Ho, chairman and chief executive of Melco. Continued …
Myanmar No.2 for Thai condo sales
Thai condo transfers to Myanmar buyers ranked second after Chinese purchasers for the first nine months of 2024, overtaking Russian buyers as the neighbouing government’s crackdown on Thai condo purchases subsided.
Surachet Kongcheep, head of research and consultancy at property firm Cushman & Wakefield Thailand, said Thai condo sales to Myanmar buyers resumed after a brief pause following the Myanmar government’s crackdown last April. Continued …
Online vendors, influencers warned over tax compliance
The Revenue Department issued a warning to independent business owners, particularly online vendors and influencers, to file their taxes correctly, insisting the department can leverage IT systems to monitor their tax compliance.
According to Director-general Pinsai Suraswadi, with the first three months of the year allotted for filing personal income tax returns, income earners are urged to file returns, especially those with non-salary income or independent business owners, such as traders and online sellers. Continued …
Phuket Becoming Thailand’s Premium Tourist Hub
In a decisive move to elevate Phuket’s status, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has announced strategic plans to develop the island province into a premier tourist destination. During a recent visit to the southern paradise, key discussions centered around combating ongoing challenges such as traffic congestion, flood management, and infrastructure enhancement.
Phuket, attracting almost a quarter of Thailand’s international visitors, often serves as their primary entry into the country, bypassing Bangkok altogether. Recognizing this, Paetongtarn emphasized the government’s commitment to refining Phuket’s allure and encouraging higher tourist expenditure by transforming it into a luxury destination. Continued …
Canada Issues Travel Advisory for Thailand
The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for Thailand, indicating a high degree of caution be exercised by anyone planning a visit to the country. Travel to the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala is to be avoided entirely, the advisory said.
A warning was also issued for the areas near the Myanmar-Thai border in the provinces of Mae Hong Son and Tak, citing “occasional violence, banditry and clashes between government forces and drug traffickers.” Continued …
Explore These Thai Cities With The Cleanest Air
Bangkok’s air quality has recently deteriorated, with frequent haze and smog impacting the city and posing health concerns. The average air quality index (AQI) in early January 2025 reached 115, indicating poor air quality. With high levels of particulate matter, visiting Bangkok might not be ideal now.
While conditions will likely remain similar until February, improvements are anticipated soon. For tourists planning to visit Thailand and locals seeking a less polluted environment, consider these alternative cities with lower AQI. Continued …
China Driving Thailand’s EV Industry
In April 2024, Thai government officials traveled to the Chinese provinces of Fujian and Guangdong with a single-point agenda – convincing the leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery makers to invest in their country. Two months later, the global leader in the EV battery industry, China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), announced an initial investment of over $100 million to set up an assembly plant in collaboration with a local Thai state-owned company.
The pledge was the outcome of Thailand’s aggressive push to build domestic capacity to become a regional hub for both midstream and downstream sectors of the EV supply chains in Southeast Asia. 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
- State Railway – 1590