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Wednesday news-Feb 11

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  • Thailand’s Top Trending Valentine’s Day Destinations/Quiet end of the visa run era/QR Codes Debut for Taxis/Driver wants ’10 more jobs like this’/Thailand 116th in corruption index/Thailand ready to scrap sea-boundary deal/Thai Silk into Medical Innovation
  • ECONOMY: 269-billion-baht Airport Expansion/Manufacturing Sector Struggles/Thai exporters used FTA perks/IT policies may spike data center
  • TOURISM: Visa changes aim to boost tourism/Chinese New Year in Thailand/What foreign tourists and long-term visitors expect/Thailand launches Wellness Hub drive/Thailand foreign visitors drop 7.8%/Pattaya banking on Chinese New Year/Phuket gears up for CNY/’Creative City Branding’/
  • THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Where Social Security Pays Like a Six-Figure Salary/Mouth-Watering Thai Dishes/Top 10 Thai Dishes
  • CLIMATE THAILAND: KWE Installs Solar Power System/Global solar and wind capacity growth
  • FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Hua Hin Among Thailand’s Top Trending Valentine’s Day Destinations

As Valentine’s Day draws near, romance takes center stage, marking one of the most meaningful moments of the year for couples. In celebration of the season of love, digital travel platform Agoda has released new insights into Thailand’s trending Valentine’s Day destinations, based on accommodation search trends among Thai travelers traveling as couples.

Beach destinations continue to lead as couples seek scenic coastal settings for romantic moments. Surat Thani leads as the destination with the highest growth in accommodation searches, offering settings such as Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach and long-tail boat journeys through Ang Thong National Marine Park. Nakhon Si Thammarat is also seeing rising interest in quieter seaside experiences with cultural depth. Krabi remains a favorite for its dramatic limestone cliffs and turquoise waters, while Hua Hin continues to attract couples looking for a relaxed beach atmosphere with easy access from Bangkok. Continued …

Thailand’s quiet end of the visa run era

Much of the discussion around visas in Thailand focuses on rumors, anecdotes, and social-media panic. In reality, the more important development in 2026 is quieter and more structural: immigration enforcement is now aligning with policy intent.

No dramatic new law has been introduced. Instead, existing rules are being applied with greater consistency, particularly in cases where short-term visas are used for long-term residence. This shift matters because it changes outcomes, not paperwork. Continued …

QR Codes Debut for Taxis: Track, Report and Estimate Fares

Passengers in Thailand can now utilize QR codes for enhanced taxi ride safety and convenience. This new feature allows users to verify driver details, real-time track their journey, share trip information, and rate their experience. The Department of Land Transport plans to equip around 70,000 taxis with these QR codes by June.

Previously, passengers had limited means to verify driver identity or report issues. The new system aims to address these concerns with three QR code variants: purple for driver verification, blue for fare estimation and feedback, and red for urgent complaints. The codes are linked to government systems, promising quick resolution of reported issues. Continued …

Driver wants ’10 more jobs like this’ after adorable delivery

A ride-hailing driver posted a touching experience on the “Grab Car Driver Club Thailand” Facebook group, declaring: “I want 10 more jobs like this”. The first image showed the journey details – from Huai Khwang to Phra Khanong. The second revealed the adorable passenger: what appeared to be a long-coat Chihuahua.

Fellow drivers flooded the comments section with enthusiasm: “Got lost driving but the passenger didn’t complain once,” one wrote. “I would love a job like this, too,” said another. One joked: “That dog would jump and bite your neck clean off, lol.” Pet owners particularly appreciated the post, with one commenting: “Love this! It’s like a power boost.” Continued …

Thailand slips to 116th in corruption index

The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows Thailand scored 33/100 and ranked 116th globally — below the world average of 42. The index, released by Transparency International, placed Thailand 116th out of 182 countries and territories, down one spot from 2024 when it scored 34.

Denmark ranked first with 89, followed by Finland with 88. Singapore placed third and remained ASEAN’s top performer with 84. New Zealand and Norway tied for fourth with 81, while Sweden and Switzerland tied for sixth with 80. Luxembourg and the Netherlands shared eighth place with 78, and Germany and Iceland were tied for 10th with 77. Continued …

Thailand ready to scrap sea-boundary deal with Cambodia

The cabinet has been instructed to start preparing to void a 25-year-old memorandum of understanding (MoU) used by Thailand and Cambodia as a framework to settle their overlapping maritime boundaries.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday he wanted to begin preliminary work on scrapping the contentious document so that the new government could take action once it takes office. Continued …

Chula Researchers Transform Thai Silk into Medical Innovation

Researchers at Chulalongkorn University are redefining the role of Thai silk by developing silk protein into a versatile platform for medical products, aiming to reduce Thailand’s reliance on imported biomaterials while creating sustainable income for farmers.

The SilkLife research project converts silk protein into various medical applications, including pain-relief and sleep-aid patches, artificial tissues, and injectable joint gels. The initiative addresses a key challenge facing Thailand’s rapidly expanding medical industry, which still depends heavily on imported materials such as collagen and hyaluronic acid. Continued …

AOT Seeks Cabinet Approval for 269-billion-baht Airport Expansion

Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to seek approval from Thailand’s next cabinet for two major airport expansion projects worth a combined 269 billion baht, covering Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.

The proposals aim to significantly increase passenger capacity, improve connectivity, and raise flight-handling efficiency at the country’s two main aviation hubs. If approved, the projects would reshape Thailand’s aviation infrastructure over the next decade. Continued …

Manufacturing Sector Struggles with Underutilization as Chinese Competition Intensifies

Thailand’s once-robust manufacturing sector is facing a protracted slowdown, with factory capacity utilization hovering below 60% for the past two years, raising concerns about the country’s economic competitiveness and industrial policy effectiveness.

The manufacturing sector, which accounts for 24% of Thailand’s GDP, 15.7% of total employment, and approximately 80% of exports, has been operating in the doldrums despite government stimulus measures, according to recent analysis by Professor Archanun Kohpaiboon of Thammasat University. Continued …

Thai exporters used FTA perks worth US$82.943 billion in Jan–Nov

Arada Fueangthong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), said Thailand’s utilization of trade preferences under free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to expand in January–November 2025.

Total FTA utilization value reached US$82.943 billion (about B2.5 trillion), up 8.7% year-on-year, representing 81.6% of the value of exports eligible for FTA preferences. Continued …

IT policies may spike data center sector by 6%

If the incoming coalition government implements its IT policies as pledged during the campaign, it should increase revenue growth of system integrator and data center businesses by 5.8% year-on-year to 260 billion baht this year, says Krungthai Compass, a research unit under Krungthai Bank.

The revenue of these businesses is projected to expand 6.5% year-on-year to 276 billion baht next year, according to Phongprapha Napapruekchat, assistant vice-president of the think tank. Continued …

Visa changes aim to boost tourism

The cabinet yesterday endorsed a comprehensive visa package proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to boost tourism, attract long-stay visitors, and stimulate the economy.

A government spokeswoman said the measures, implemented in phases, aim to enhance Thailand’s appeal to tourists, remote workers, and long-term residents. Continued …

Chinese New Year in Thailand: A National Celebration and a Regional Travel Magnet

As Asia-Pacific travel continues its strong rebound, Bangkok is reaffirming its status as one of the region’s most compelling cultural and retail destinations — particularly during the Chinese New Year season. This month, Thailand’s capital will transform into a festive hub of heritage, gastronomy, and world-class shopping.

While Songkran marks Thailand’s traditional New Year, the Lunar New Year holds cultural significance across the country, shaped by generations of Thai-Chinese heritage. Each year, the festival drives one of Thailand’s most dynamic travel and consumption periods, attracting domestic and international visitors seeking meaningful cultural experiences alongside premium lifestyle offerings. Continued …

What foreign tourists and long-term visitors expect after Thailand’s election

As Thailand enters the post-election period, many foreign tourists and long-term visitors say their expectations are not focused on political personalities or campaign rhetoric, but on practical changes that shape daily life, travel decisions, and confidence in Thailand as a long-stay destination. Conversations among foreign residents and repeat visitors consistently return to the same themes: clarity, fairness, and predictability.

Visa policy remains at the top of the list. Long-term visitors say frequent adjustments, unclear interpretations, and uneven enforcement have created uncertainty, particularly for retirees, digital workers, and those who have built their lives around extended stays in Thailand. What they hope to see after the election is not necessarily more generous visa terms, but clear, written rules that are applied consistently nationwide. Continued …

Thailand launches Wellness Hub drive for global top five

If people used to talk about tourism in the past, it may have meant a short break and a change of scenery from everyday life, a brief moment of happiness that recharged the body before returning to normal routines. Today, however, tourism is shifting from “temporary rest” to “a long-term investment in health”.

Thailand is recognized worldwide as a destination with wide-ranging potential, whether in its beautiful and diverse natural landscapes, its distinctive world-class cuisine, or its deep well of health wisdom, shaped by a culture of humility and genuine hospitality. Continued … 

Thailand surpasses 4 million foreign visitors, but total drops 7.8%

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has updated Thailand’s latest tourism figures for Jan. 1 to Feb. 8, showing the country has welcomed more than 4 million international visitors.

In an update issued yesterday, the ministry said Thailand recorded 4,185,291 foreign tourist arrivals during the period, down 10.8%, generating an estimated HB207,066 million in revenue from international visitor spending. Continued …

Pattaya banking on Chinese New Year boost

With Chinese New Year approaching next week, Pattaya tourism operators expect similar conditions as last year. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Association of Chonburi Tourism Federation, said Pattaya operators expect a large number of foreign tourists for the holiday, particularly from long-haul markets, accounting for 80% and helping the occupancy rate near 90%.

He said Chinese tourists are expected to visit the city, though not in such large numbers as in the past, as many shift to other destinations or travel within China. Continued …

Phuket gears up for CNY tourism surge

Phuket is preparing to welcome a surge of visitors during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, with a month-long program of events beginning today aimed at stimulating early-year tourism and generating more than 600 million baht in revenue.

Siriwan Siharat, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office, said the province is forecasting an average hotel occupancy rate of 81.9% during the Chinese New Year period, which officially runs from Feb. 17-23. Tourism revenue during the period is expected to exceed 600 million baht. Continued …

‘Creative City Branding’ Revamps 9 Thai Provinces

The Creative Economy Agency (CEA) has launched an ambitious project to promote “Creative City Branding” across nine provinces in Thailand. This initiative, known as CEA Creative City & Place Branding, aims to unlock the potential of local cities by developing a unique identity and fostering collaboration across sectors. The project focuses on creating value and experiences that resonate with both locals and visitors.

The project will be piloted in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Ratchaburi, Lamphun, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Singburi, Sakon Nakhon, and Phetchaburi. These provinces will undergo a comprehensive process to create their “Creative City Brands” — from analyzing each city’s potential and identity, to defining strategic directions, and finally implementing tangible projects to enhance the city’s reputation. Continued …

For Americans, Hua Hin Among Places Where Social Security Pays Like a Six-Figure Salary

Picture this for a moment. You’ve worked decades, paid into Social Security your entire adult life, and when retirement finally arrives, the monthly check lands somewhere around $1,800. In many parts of the United States, that barely covers rent. It’s frustrating, I know.

Yet ,there’s a growing movement of retirees who have discovered something remarkable: a passport, a little courage, and that same Social Security check can unlock a lifestyle abroad that feels closer to luxury than scraping by. Continued …

13 Mouth-Watering Thai Dishes You Need To Try

Pad Thai may be the dish most people associate with Thai cuisine (and one with its own intriguing history), but treating it as the only option is a grave mistake. In Thailand, every dish reveals centuries of influence from migration and trade routes to climate and religion.

So, when you move beyond ordering another Pad Thai, you take one step closer toward understanding how Thai people actually eat. Dishes like Pad Kra Pao and Khao Soi may sound unfamiliar if you’ve never tried them, but in actuality are everyday meals, quick fixes for hungry commuters, and comfort food for families through the year. Continued …

TasteAtlas reveals Top 10 Thai Dishes in 2026 global food rankings

TasteAtlas has recently updated its list of 2026 food rankings for the “Top 100 Thai foods.” The rankings were compiled based on available reviews, awards, local recommendations, media and blog coverage, and consumer reviews.

The 19 best Thai foods are as follows: Roti — A pan-fried flatbread of Indian origin, made with flour, water, eggs, and fat, but mainly associated with Malaysia, and surrounding countries like Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand; Phanaeng curry — A Thai curry characterized by its thick texture and salty-sweet peanut flavor. Continued …

KWE Installs Solar Power System At Thailand Warehouse To Cut Emissions

Kintetsu World Express has taken another step toward cleaner operations by installing a solar power generation system at its warehouse in Prachinburi Province. The project has been carried out by its local subsidiary, KWE-Kintetsu World Express (Thailand) Co., as part of the group’s wider push toward decarbonized and sustainable business practices.

Under the project, an on-site power purchase agreement model has been adopted. A total of 326 solar panels have been installed at the warehouse, with an expected annual power generation of around 307,000 kilowatt-hours. This clean electricity is expected to meet about 96% of the warehouse’s yearly power demand. Continued …

Global solar and wind capacity growth ‘slowed in 2025’

Planned or under-construction solar and wind projects slowed last year, analysis showed yesterday, casting doubts on whether countries will hit a goal of tripling renewable capacity by 2030. Dozens of nations agreed in 2023 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 as part of efforts to limit global warming.

But announcements and construction starts of new wind and solar projects grew 11% in 2025 — down from 22% in the previous year, as wind development projects faced hurdles, Global Energy Monitor (GEM) said. Continued …

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  • Rhino Horn Smuggling: Vietnamese Man Arrested at Suvarnabhumi – Continued …
  • South Korean Women Caught Stealing Swimwear in Phuket – Continued …
  • Indonesian, Malaysian men arrested in Udon Thani car break-in theft – Continued …

Ten dead, including the suspect, in mass school shooting in Canada

At least 10 people died yesterday in a remote part of western Canada, including seven who were shot at a secondary school and two others found dead at a residence, federal police said. Twenty-seven people were injured. An individual believed to be responsible for the killing in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, was found deceased with what appears to be a self-inflicted injury. Continued …

Study: Noisy humans harm birds and affect breeding success

Noise pollution is affecting bird behavior across the globe, disrupting everything from courtship songs to the ability to find food and avoid predators, a large-scale new analysis showed today. Continued …

 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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

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Monday’s news-Aug 25

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Hua Hin Food Festival/PKK debuts emergency warning system/Typhoon Kajiki Hits Thailand/Indo-Pacific Defense Conference in Hua Hin/Hua Hin train station development/Cha-am motorway plans/Refusing Breathalyzer Test Equals Drunk Driving/Crabmeat supplier defends Jay Fai/Higher food prices’ improve taste perception/Miss Universe Thailand/One year of Paetongtarn/Corruption worries Thais/Insurgency erupts again in south/ECONOMY: Phuket’s Russian Residential Buyers/KBank offers early retirement/Exodus of Cambodian workers/Netflix eyes Thailand/TOURISM: 5 things Western tourists do in developing countries/Phi Phi Islands Longtail Boat Trip/Thailand to host gaming event/Roi Et’s New Zipline/Thai Airways Major Expansion Plan/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Next station Nana!/CLIMATE THAILAND: Barriers to rooftop solar growth/Thailand gets 4,200 electric trucks/Thais on course to buy 100,000 BEVs/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/NEW PAGE – Hua Hin 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 https://hhexpatnews.com/hua-hin-links/

Thousands attend Hua Hin Food Festival

The Hua Hin Food Festival 2025 drew thousands of visitors over the weekend, marking the town’s largest culinary event to date and coinciding with the 88th anniversary of Hua Hin Municipality.

Held at Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab, the three-night festival featured over 100 food booths, live music, hot air balloon rides, and nightly fireworks. Visitors enjoyed dishes from local eateries alongside signature plates prepared by chefs from some of Hua Hin’s five-star hotels. Continued …

PKK debuts emergency warning system to warn of impeding storms

Residents across Prachuap Khiri Khan, including Hua Hin, were alerted yesterday to a storm warning, as tropical storm Kajiki strengthened, bringing the risk of flash floods, runoff, and landslides. The warning marked the first use of the province’s new emergency alert system.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said widespread heavy rain was expected as the southwest monsoon intensified over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, while a monsoon trough extended across the north and upper northeast into a low-pressure system over central Vietnam. Continued …

Typhoon Kajiki Prompts Thailand to Prepare for Impact

Typhoon Ka sifying, prompting Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to urge nationwide vigilance among governors. With the storm gaining strength, regional authorities are preparing for potential emergencies.

Wechayachai emphasised constant readiness to assist the public, while instructing the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to establish a war room for continuous coordination with all governors. This comes as Kajiki rapidly strengthens, threatening significant impact. Continued …

Indo-Pacific Defense Conference starts tomorrow in Hua Hin

The 2025 annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense (CHOD) Conference, is scheduled to take place from tomorrow through Thursday in Hua Hin.

Jointly organized by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the United States Indo-Pacific Command, the conference brings together senior military leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region. – kathmandupost.com

Hua Hin train staion development plans discussed

Hua Hin City Municipality has outlined a series of proposals aimed at revitalizing the old train station area and improving rail-related infrastructure across the city.

The municipality has suggested multiple projects to make the area around the historic station more functional and appealing. These include: Developing a road alongside the railway complete with a drainage system; and creating a pavilion, exercise area, and public park in the Rung Ruang community using SRT land. Continued …

Cha-am motorway plans being expedited

The Transport Ministry is expediting plans for the Nakhon Pathom–Cha-am motorway in a bid to ease congestion along Rama II Road and improve connectivity between Bangkok and the southern provinces.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said the detailed study for Motorway No. 8 (M8) has been completed and the proposal will soon be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. The 109-kilometer route, which will pass through Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram, is designed to provide a faster and more efficient alternative for travel between Bangkok, Cha-am and Hua Hin. Continued …

Refusing Breathalyzer Test Now Equals Drunk Driving, Say Police

Thai authorities have declared that drivers who refuse a breathalyser test will be treated as if they were driving under the influence. This move comes after a high-profile incident involving actress Marie Braun, 33, and renowned businessman Atchamon Singsikornkul. Braun repeatedly refused to comply when stopped at an alcohol checkpoint, sparking discussions on the consequences set by this new regulation.

According to the Central Investigation Bureau’s official page, drivers who decline the breath test will be presumed guilty of drink-driving under the Traffic Act B.E. 2542, Section 142. This legal presumption means stiff penalties could be enforced. Continued …

Costly crabmeat supplier defends Jay Fai

The crabmeat supplier to Raan Jay Fai has defended the Michelin-starred chef embroiled in controversy over pricing, saying she recognizes top quality and pays a fair price for it.

The founder of Bangkok-based seafood supplier Bird Market praised Jay Fai as a benefactor to his team and fishing communities in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the crabs are caught under the strictest environment-friendly conditions. Continued …

Research shows ‘higher food prices’ improve taste perception

Have you ever tried wine or tea for the first time and thought the taste wasn’t quite to your liking, but once you found out how expensive it was, your perception started to change, making it seem much more enjoyable?

This phenomenon is similar to the case of the “Jay Fai” restaurant, where dishes such as the 4,000 baht crab omelette and 600 baht stir-fried vegetables are significantly more expensive than those found in the market. Despite the simple setup, with no air conditioning, customers still queue up and wait for hours just to taste the food. Continued …

Thai-Indian named Miss Universe Thailand

Praveenar “Veena” Singh, 29, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2025, marking a triumphant fourth attempt at the title. The first Thai-Indian beauty queen to earn this prestigious honor, Veena, will represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok this November.

Veena, a graduate of Thammasat University, had previously been a formidable contender in the national pageant, securing second runner-up in 2018, first runner-up in 2020, and second runner-up once more in 2023, before finally clinching the crown this year. Continued …

One year of Paetongtarn: government at risk, policies at breaking point

After one year in office, Paetongtarn’s government faces a “legal war,” with the Constitutional Court set to rule on August 29 in the audio clip case, a verdict that could mark both the government’s risk point and the end of its policies, with wide political and economic repercussions.

On Aug. 16, 2024, the House of Representatives voted 319 to 145 to endorse Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thailand’s 31st prime minister, succeeding Srettha Thavisin, who was disqualified by the Constitutional Court over the appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a minister attached to the prime minister’s office. Continued …

Corruption worries Thais more and more

From police and politicians to monks, you name it. Thailand’s graft is bad, but we just don’t know how bad. The latest Dusit poll has confirmed the fact that corruption is one of the country’s biggest problems, and the issue has topped the list of national emergencies in public eyes.

Of more than 1,100 Thais surveyed nationwide over the past few days, more than 93% say corruption is very critical now. To add to the worries of those surveyed, a big majority or 78.5% do not trust the justice system to handle wrongdoings. Continued …

Insurgency erupts again in south with bold attacks on security forces

Violence is surging in Thailand’s insurgency-hit southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala, as militants have launched a relentless wave of attacks. Security forces are on high alert after a blitz aimed at sowing fear and chaos.

In response, authorities have ramped up patrols, set up roadblocks and tightened control along the Thai-Malaysian border. Officials warn insurgents are exploiting the border to shield themselves and coordinate increasingly daring attacks deep inside the southern provinces. Continued …

Phuket Becomes Premier Residential Destination for Russian Buyers

Phuket, Thailand’s largest and most popular island, is now a top choice destination for Russian property investors looking for a budget luxury lifestyle. Famous for its beautiful beaches, balmy tropical climate, and international-standard amenities, Phuket provides a unique blend of luxury living and contemporary convenience — making it a desirable place to invest in luxury property or just relax on a luxurious holiday.

Phuket has seen a growing number of Russian nationals investing in property, attracted by the island’s affordable luxury, proximity to major international markets, and safe environment. It’s no surprise that the island is quickly becoming a top choice for Russian buyers in search of peaceful, high-quality living away from the hustle and bustle of cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. Continued …

AI prompts KBank to offer unusual early retirement scheme

Driven by the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) disruption, Kasikornbank (KBank) has introduced a special early retirement (ER) program for employees aged 45 and older, with several other banks reportedly offering similar initiatives.

According to an internal announcement, KBank, the country’s third-largest lender by total assets, launched a one-time ER scheme allowing employees 45 and older to participate on a voluntary basis. Continued …

Economist urges action on exodus of Cambodian workers

A leading Thammasat University economist has urged the Ministry of Labor and the Immigration Bureau to survey the number of Cambodian migrant workers returning home, warning the labor shortage is already disrupting key industries.

Assoc. Prof. Kiriya Kulkolkarn, a lecturer at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Economics, said the outflow of Cambodian workers has created acute pressure in sectors heavily reliant on them. Continued … 

Netflix eyes Thailand as new content hub in Asia

Netflix has taken a significant strategic step, channeling more than 200 million USD into Thailand over the past four years with the goal of establishing the country as its new content hub in Asia.

The success of Thai content has already demonstrated the country’s creative potential, with flagship titles like Master of the House becoming a global phenomenon. Continued …

5 things Western tourists do in developing countries without realizing how entitled they come across

I was staying in Thailand a few years back, and I watched a fellow Westerner at a local market haggling aggressively over what amounted to about 15 cents. The vendor, clearly uncomfortable, eventually gave in. The tourist walked away triumphant, completely oblivious to the fact that everyone around him was staring.

That’s when it hit me — how often do we travel to developing countries without realizing the impact of our behavior? During my time in Southeast Asia, I witnessed countless moments like this. Well-meaning tourists who would never dream of acting entitled at home somehow transformed the moment they stepped off the plane. Continued …

Phi Phi Islands Private Longtail Boat Trip

Experience the Phi Phi Islands in comfort on a private longtail boat. Visit Maya Bay, relax at Pileh Lagoon, snorkel in pristine waters, and customize your day to your preferences. Video …

Thailand to host Asia’s largest gaming event in October

For the first time, Thailand will host Asia’s largest gaming exhibition, “Gamescom Asia × Thailand Game Show 2025”, from Oct. 16–19 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. Covering over 30,000 square meters, the event is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors.

The exhibition will feature both B2C (entertainment area) and B2B (business area) zones, alongside a wide range of activities, including high-energy e-sports tournaments, an indie game showcase, cosplay events, and other entertainment, welcoming participants from across Asia and beyond. Continued … 

Thailand’s Roi Et Tower Unveils New Zipline to Attract Young Travelers

Roi Et Tower, a prominent landmark in Thailand’s northeast region, has just added a new zipline to its array of attractions. The move aims to diversify the visitor experience and encourage adventure tourism in the area.

The launch of the zipline attraction at Roi Et Tower on Saturday is designed to attract younger travelers, who are seeking more dynamic and interactive experiences. The zipline provides an adventure component to the already well-established site, which blends cultural, educational, and recreational experiences. Continued …

Thai Airways Major Expansion Plan Unveiled

Thai Airways International (THAI) is expanding its network and boosting flight frequencies, aiming to fortify its regional presence and mitigate market dependencies.

Chai Eamsiri, THAI’s CEO, emphasized that these changes aim to bolster the airline’s regional hub status, linking Asia and beyond. These growth strategies aim to boost passenger volumes during off-peak hours, optimize slot utilization, and lessen reliance on specific markets. Continued …

Next station Nana! Why do tourists chuckle?

Anyone who has travelled on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain system has probably heard the announcement for “Nana Station.” But if you’ve ever observed international tourists when the station name is called, you might have noticed a few chuckles.

Video 

There’s a funny little story behind why the name “Nana” elicits such reactions, and it’s all about cultural differences and a dash of lighthearted humor. Nana BTS Station, located in the heart of Bangkok, is named after Lek Nana, a Thai-Indian mogul whose contributions helped transform the surrounding area into one of Bangkok’s most famous entertainment districts. Continued …

4 Barriers holding back Thailand’s rooftop solar growth

Thailand’s residential solar energy market continues to grow below its full potential, despite the Ministry of Energy’s estimation that the country could generate over 121,000 MW from rooftop solar installations.

However, data from 2022 revealed that only 1,893 MW had been installed, representing just 1.6% of the total potential capacity. This indicates that consumers still face significant barriers when deciding to invest in solar panel installations. Continued …

Thailand gets 4,200 battery-swappable electric trucks

China’s U Power, SAIC Hongyan, and Dutch EV firm UNEX EV have signed an MoU to deploy 4,200 battery-swapping compatible electric heavy trucks in Thailand. The trio will explore extending the cooperation to other markets across Asia and beyond.

The tripartite collaboration will support Thailand’s push to decarbonize commercial transport, particularly highly polluting heavy-duty truck operations. The companies will focus on reducing emissions on major highway routes and at container ports. Continued …

Thais on course to buy 100,000 BEVs in 2025

Domestic sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) should reach 100,000 units this year, with Japanese automakers likely to produce BEVs to compete with Chinese rivals, says MG Sales (Thailand). BEVs have become a key car segment for the sluggish Thai auto market, as sales plunge for internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicles.

For the first six months of 2025, passenger BEV sales in Thailand soared by 61% year-on-year to 54,084 vehicles, compared with a 12% drop for oil-fueled passenger cars to 72,512 units. Continued … 

  • Two Lebanese Men Arrested on Koh Samui for Drugs – Continued …
  • South Korean Arrested for Laundering Cryptocurrency into Gold – Continued …
  • Foreign Nationals Arrested for Selling ‘Laughing Gas’ – Continued …

Amid tourism surge, 92 Japan municipalities mull accommodation tax

Ninety-two municipal governments across Japan have considered introducing lodging taxes at hotels and traditional Japanese ryokan inns, results from a recent Kyodo News survey showed. A total of 42 municipalities have either already introduced or plan to introduce lodging taxes, with the figure likely to rise as many aim to utilize the levies to develop tourism infrastructure amid surging inbound arrivals. Continued …

NEW PAGE – Hua Hin Links

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bangkok, healthcare, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, retirement, thai economy, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s news-Jan 31

Today’s news: Tax briefing on foreign income/Thailand faces thunderstorms/Barbecue heath risks/Monsoon Valley Harvest Festival/Free Kayaking/PP United wins/Expired food safety concerns/Thailand falls 7 places in corruption survey/Thailand’s Cannabis Roll Back/Thailand’s Cannabis empire/Economy: Transport Ministry outlines projects/China-Thailand rail must be sped up/Factory output drops/Trade deficit with China/Thai workers overseas contribute/Most desirable employer in Thailand/Tourism: Tourists in speedos at Phuket airport/Tourists in Briefs Ignite Fury/Online searches up seven-fold/Extended tourist visas/Environment: PM2.5 at critical level in Bangkok/Thailand Experience: Unveiling Baan Krua’s rich heritage/International news/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Tax briefing on foreign income set in Hua Hin Friday

Following the recent changes in Thai tax regulations requiring residents to pay personal income tax on income brought into Thailand from overseas, the BCCT Pre-Connecting Western Seaboard (Hua Hin) Tax Briefing event aims to shed more light on the situation.

The event is free to attend and should not be missed by anyone who is potentially affected by the issue. The event takes place before the BCCT networking at Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin, scheduled for Friday from 5 to 6 pm. Continued …

Thailand faces thunderstorms and high waves

Today’s weather update signals turbulent conditions across the country, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issuing an alert for thunderstorms in 20 provinces. The forecast warns of high waves exceeding 2 meters in the southern seas, while the northern region experiences a significant drop in temperature.

The weather pattern over the upper northern region is influenced by a westerly wind in the upper levels, leading to cooler air and a temperature decrease. This development is expected to continue until tomorrow, with the lowest temperatures ranging from 15 to 22 degrees Celsius and the highest from 27 to 33 degrees Celsius. Continued … 

Diners warned of barbecue heath risks

A Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) survey has revealed five health risks from tabletop barbecue buffet dining.

Dr. Samart Thirasak, DHSS deputy chief, said that from Dec. 4-22, the department conducted a monitoring survey on 26,889 restaurant-goers nationwide and found about 32% often patronized DIY barbecued pork buffets. Continued …

Monsoon Valley Harvest Festival Feb 17-25

A wonderful time of year to visit any vineyard is harvest time. It is when the grapes are being picked and processed, offering a unique opportunity to witness the wine-making process and to see the vineyard at its most active.

In February, the Monsoon Valley Harvest Festival 2024 is happening at Hua Hin’s Monsoon Valley vineyard. This year’s festival, happening from Feb. 17-25, promises an immersive and fun experience into the world of wine making. Continued …

Final opportunity for free Kayaking at Sirinart Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem

The Sirinart Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Center in Pak Nam Pran is offering its last free kayaking sessions for this season in February. This unique opportunity allows participants to experience the mangrove ecosystem up close along the scenic Klongkoy Canal.

The kayaking journey stretches over 1.5 kilometers, offering a rare chance to engage with the local environment in a way that is both educational and enjoyable. Continued …

PP United wins Orchid Palm Homes Cup IX

The Orchid Palm Homes Cup IX produced some late drama with PP United anxious spectators in the final match. The team was left hoping that top placed Black Mountain slipped to a defeat at Wat Nalom in the last game of the day.

Black Mountain was undefeated and knew that a win would guarantee it the top spot but it was Wat Nalom who came out on top, securing its first victory of the day to consign the hosts to second place. PP United ultimately ran out as winners in this Under 13 tournament at the Hua Hin International School, with two wins and two draws. Continued …

7-Eleven addresses expired food safety concerns

Concerns over the consumption of expired food products have recently been addressed by the official 7-Eleven account, following a query posted by a consumer. The question raised was whether a packet of fried rice purchased from 7-Eleven, which had passed its expiration date by just a few days, was still safe to eat.

An online forum member initiated the discussion with a post titled, “Can I eat 7-Eleven’s crab fried rice that expired yesterday?” Continued …

Thailand falls 7 places in corruption survey

Thailand has fallen seven places, to 108th out of 180 countries, in the annual survey on corruption published by Transparency International.

The Corruption Perceptions Index 2023, released on Tuesday, ranks countries by their perceived levels of public-sector corruption according to experts and business people. Scores are assigned on a scale of zero (most corrupt) to 100 (least corrupt). Continued … 

Thailand’s Cannabis Roll Back: From Laissez-Faire to Structured Framework

Earlier this month, Thailand Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew proposed a new bill that would effectively roll back the country’s pioneering adult-use cannabis legalization.

In the latest example of a stark shift in cannabis policy following a change in administration, something likely to be repeated globally throughout 2024, cannabis in Thailand is expected to soon be reserved for medical purposes only. Continued …

Thailand’s Cannabis empire worth an estimated 2 billion baht

Cannabis in Thailand since its decriminalization on June 9, 2022, not only marked a monumental step forward in the entire Southeast Asian region but also an opportunity for an estimated whopping 2 billion investment value to the Land of Smiles.

Enter Every Day Cannabis Co., which provides professional consulting, as well as agricultural planning and technology. Every Day Cannabis company was founded by Jason Jade Thanyasiri, a veteran of cannabis agriculture and sales. With participation since 2017 the beginning of cannabis research and development, Jason has been actively involved with agricultural planning, farming, development and collaboration, with several original founding cannabis pioneers such as Kris Thirakaosal, former CEO of GTG, since its introduction to medical research in Thailand. Continued …

Transport Ministry outlines its projects for 2024

The Ministry of Transport has allocated 389.75 billion baht to fund transportation projects as part of the government’s plan to create a seamless transportation system in Thailand.

Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit revealed on Tuesday that the transportation projects for this year include 64 projects set to become operational and 31 new projects on which construction is slated to commence. He also mentioned 57 new investment projects for 2025 with a combined investment value of 263.016 billion baht. Continued …

Beijing says construction of China-Thailand rail must be sped up

China and Thailand need to speed up the construction of a delayed, high-speed railway to link their countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday at the end of a three-day visit to Bangkok.

“The two sides should jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, speed up the construction of the China-Thailand railway, and open the central line of the Trans-Asian Railway,” Wang said to Srettha at their meeting, the statement said. Continued …

December factory output drops 6.27% y/y

Thailand’s manufacturing production index in December fell 6.27% from a year earlier, as car production output declined, the Industry Ministry said today.

The figure compared with a forecast for a 3.2% year-on-year fall for December in a Reuters poll, and followed November’s 4.71% decrease. Continued … 

Thailand’s trade deficit with China reaches record high

For the fifth consecutive year, Thailand recorded a trade deficit with China in 2023, the highest yet at US$36 billion, up from $29 billion in 2022.

The deficit is the result of Thailand importing more goods from China than it exports. In 2023, Thailand’s imports from China totaled $105 billion, while its exports were just $69 billion. Continued … 

Thai workers overseas contribute 60 billion baht in Q1

Over 21,000 Thai workers were dispatched overseas in the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, generating nearly 60 billion baht (US$1.69 billion) in remittances, as disclosed by a leading labor representative.

The period of October to December saw 21,281 Thais heading overseas for work, half of whom, numbering 10,024, were recruited by the private sector, according to Pairoj Chotikasathien, the permanent secretary for labor. Continued …

Google ranked as most desirable employer in Thailand

WorkVenture released its “Top 50 Companies in Thailand 2024” list at a recent gala dinner, with Google maintaining its position as the most desirable employer for the sixth year.

The survey, which included over 11,452 young professionals aged 22 to 35 with at least a bachelor’s degree from Bangkok and surrounding areas, provides a comprehensive look at the Thai labor market in 2024. Continued …

Tourists make splash in speedos at Phuket airport

A Facebook user sparked viral attention after sharing an image in the Thai Tourism group, Du Lịch Thái Lan, capturing the unusual sight of two foreign tourists clad in tiny speedo trunks at Phuket International Airport.

The social media post, by Bui Thi Huong, which rapidly garnered over 500 likes, featured a caption in Vietnamese saying, “Heard that Phuket Airport is right by the beach, feels like I’m gonna puke,” humorously alluding to the proximity of the airport to the sea. Continued …

Tourists in Briefs Ignite Fury in Thailand

In recent weeks, Thailand has once again found itself at the center of a cultural controversy, thanks to the actions of foreign tourists that have sparked widespread debate across social media and within the local community. This discourse is not new to Thailand.

However, the recurring theme of cultural insensitivity displayed by some Western tourists while visiting the kingdom raises profound questions about respect, cultural relativism, and the seemingly double standards that pervade international tourism. Continued …

Online searches for Thailand up seven-fold in China

There has been a significant rise in online searches for Thailand in China since both countries signed a reciprocal visa waiver agreement. Google Trends is reporting a 7-fold increase in searches for “Thailand tourism” in China.

But, so far, this searching hasn’t resulted in a sudden rise in actual Chinese tourists, although a surge is expected in the lead up to the Chinese New Year celebrations, especially in Phuket and parts of Bangkok, where the CNY is widely celebrated. Continued …

TAT calls for extended tourist visas

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is asking the government to extend the visa-free stay duration for long-haul tourists, including those from the United States and Europe, to 90 days, aiming to lift long-haul revenue to 40% of the country’s total in 2024.

Longer-duration visas would help increase average length of stay and maximize spending per trip, said Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Continued …

PM2.5 at critical level in Bangkok and several provinces

The air quality in Bangkok and its vicinity was at a critical level when measured at 6am today. The average PM2.5 level in Bangkok is 86 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), which is in the red zone, meaning it has a significant impact on health.

The main causes of PM2.5 are the burning of fossil fuels from vehicles, industrial plants, and agricultural activities. The current weather conditions in Bangkok and its vicinity are characterized by still air, which is causing the accumulation of small particles, resulting in critical air quality. Continued …

Unveiling Baan Krua’s rich heritage through Its signature dish

Many Thais are familiar with the Muslim community of Baan Krua mainly because of its fight several years ago against a planned expressway, which would have eaten up a significant part of the community had it gone ahead.

Many foreign tourists visit the community to witness silk weaving, considered the backbone of Jim Thompson silk, as the community is the original supplier of the silk brand. However, another reason to explore this historically rich community is to savor the food heritage that has been passed down through the generations. Continued …

IMF says global ‘soft landing’ in sight, raises 2024 growth outlook

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday edged its forecast for global economic growth higher, citing faster-than-expected easing of inflation. The IMF’s chief economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, said the global lender’s updated World Economic Outlook showed that a “soft landing” was in sight, but overall growth and global trade remained lower than the historical average. Continued …

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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

bangkok, covid, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism

Tuesday’s News-April 18

2 Comments

  • Thailand braces for scorching summer/
  • Huge storms wreck about 1,800 houses/
  • Culprits behind dense smog choking Thailand: Corn and wildfires/
  • Fire-fueled haze shrouds both North and South/
  • Kidnapped Chinese man locked in box in Hua Hin/
  • Top 10 reasons to retire in Thailand/
  • How can I be eligible for O visa in Thailand?/
  • Long-Term Visa: Importance of Thailand’s 90-Day Reporting/
  • Report exposes a decade of corruption involving politicians in Thailand/
  • Major arrest opens Pandora’s Box of crimes/
  • Thailand Becomes Major Link in Regional EV Supply Chain/
  • Thai exporters are facing a rocky year/
  • PM Warns Public of New Narcotic Drug/
  • Former Kiwi PM commends Thailand for cannabis decriminalization/
  • Songkran: PKK officials report 44 injuries and 2 deaths on Prachuap’s roads April 11-16/44 Road Accidents in Six Days of Phuket Songkran’s Seven Days/97% of cases taken to court during Songkran involved drunk driving/
  • Covid: Myanmar Man Found Dead, Likely Infected With New Omicron Strain
  • Tourism: Thailand’s Similan Islands to close next month/Inside Thailand’s wild and secret party backpackers are desperate to find/
  • Thailand Experience: Tom Kha Gai ranked 9th in TasteAtlas’s Best Rated Soups in the World/
  • International: Bali considers tourist entry tax/Asia-Pacific state debt reaches 18-year high/200 dead, 1,800 wounded in Sudan battles/
  • 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 braces for scorching summer

Climate experts are warning that Thailand will experience hotter and drier conditions in the upcoming months as a result of El Nino weather patterns, and they caution that this is just the start of the impact of climate change.

While hot and humid weather is expected at this time of year, recent heatwaves have been more extreme than anticipated. A new high-temperature record of 45.4 degrees Celsius was measured in Tak on Saturday, breaking the previous record of 44.6 degrees Celsius in Mae Hong Son on April 28, 2016. Continued …

Huge storms wreck about 1,800 houses

Around 1,800 houses in 10 provinces were damaged after summer storms wreaked havoc across the Northeast and South over the weekend, as authorities continued the search for crew members of stricken trawlers off the coast of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

According to authorities, the storms battered 235 villages in Amnat Charoen, Surin, Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Roi Et, Kalasin, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, damaging a total of 1,781 houses across the country. Continued …

Culprits behind dense smog choking Thailand: Corn and wildfires

It was almost midnight, and the full moon appeared an eerie burnt orange above the streetlights that were clouded by the smog hanging in the air.

“Our nose burns, our throats get stuck and our eyes turn teary. It has been this way since February,” said Phattanik Masa, a resident of Mae Sai, in northern Thailand, who was wearing two face masks as she stood in line with others to offer alms to monks. Continued …

Fire-fueled haze shrouds both North and South

As wildfires continue to rage in many parts of the North and a district in southern Yala province, both parts of the country are being affected by the haze the fires produce.

Many parts of Betong, the southernmost district in Yala, were shrouded in thick haze yesterday, prompting complaints of eye irritation and respiratory problems from locals. Continued …

Kidnapped Chinese man locked in box in Hua Hin

One suspect was arrested and four others are being tracked down by police after the abduction of a wealthy Chinese man in Bangkok on Friday and payment of a 3.5-million-baht ransom.

The victim was smuggled out of a Bangkok condominiun in a plastic box and taken to Hua Hin. Continued …

Top 10 reasons to retire in Thailand

Known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, and affordable cost of living, people are now considering the benefit to retire in Thailand.

According to a survey by International Living, Thailand ranks as the ninth best country to retire in 2021, based on factors such as cost of living, healthcare, climate, and lifestyle. In addition, a survey by HSBC found that Thailand ranks as the seventh most popular retirement destination for expats worldwide. Let’s deep dive into the reasons why Thailand makes for a great retirement spot. Continued … 

How can I be eligible for O visa in Thailand?

Thailand is a popular destination for expats, digital nomads, and retirees looking for a new adventure. To stay in Thailand for an extended period, a non-immigrant visa is required, with several categories to choose from.

One of these categories is the O visa, which is specifically designed for foreigners who wish to retire in Thailand. The O visa is also known as the Thai Retirement Visa and is available to applicants who are 50 years of age or older. To be eligible for this visa, applicants must meet several requirements that we will look into below. Continued …

Long-Term Visa: Importance of Thailand’s 90-Day Reporting

The 90-day reporting is a requirement for foreigners staying in Thailand for an extended period of time. It is a process where non-Thai nationals need to report their current residential address and other personal information to the immigration authorities every 90 days.

The 90-day reporting is mandatory for anyone who holds a long-term visa, such as a non-immigrant visa, retirement visa, marriage visa, or work permit. Failure to comply with the 90-day reporting can result in fines, deportation, or other legal consequences. Let us explore how can we seamlessly comply with Thailand’s rules and regulations and the possible consequences if we fail to do so. Continued …

Report exposes a decade of corruption involving politicians in Thailand

The Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) recently published a report detailing graft cases involving politicians over the past decade. The most significant financial loss, amounting to 130 billion baht, was caused by the rice-pledging scheme.

The report studied 61 cases involving a total of 68 politicians, analyzing media coverage, investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and rulings by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions and the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases from 2012 onward. Continued …

Major arrest opens Pandora’s Box of crimes

The arrest of a 53-year-old Chinese woman with Thai citizenship and a long history of alleged criminal activities means more to police than just busting a document forgery ring.

Navaporn Phakiatsakul, who was detained on April 8 in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district, is the alleged leader of a criminal syndicate involved in fraud, surrogacy and human trafficking, according to national Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn. Continued …

Thailand Becomes Major Link in Regional EV Supply Chain

As Japanese, Chinese and South Korean electrical vehicle (EV) makers race to launch production bases in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Indonesia are becoming two prime destinations for investments in EV parts and materials.

Japanese plastics maker Kuraray recently opened its first plant in Thailand, one of a growing number of EV-related investments in the kingdom, in a joint venture with local petrochemical giant PTT Global Chemical and Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp. Continued …

Thai exporters are facing a rocky year

Prospects for Thai exports look weak this year, as a storm of economic uncertainties are expected to slow down shipping.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) lists the likelihood of a global recession, the impact of the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, high inflation and currency fluctuations as risk factors behind sluggish international trade in 2023. Continued …

PM Warns Public of New Narcotic Drug

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned the Thai public of a new narcotic drug being sold on social media, while urging officials to monitor the situation closely. Anyone found guilty of sharing or posting content advertising the use of narcotics will face a prison sentence of up to two years or a 200,000 baht fine.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has reported that powdered ecstasy is being sold on social media. The substance is usually concealed inside sachets of other products such as electrolyte drinks, collagen drinks, or instant coffee. Continued …

Former Kiwi PM commends Thailand for cannabis decriminalization

Helen Clark, former New Zealand prime minister and a current member of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, applauded Thailand for decriminalizing cannabis. However, she also urged the country to put an end to capital punishment, particularly for drug-related offenses.

During the Harm Reduction International Conference 2023 (HR23), Clark commended Thailand as one of the countries that has managed to successfully decriminalize cannabis, which she believes is a crucial step in ending unnecessary criminalization. Clark said. Continued …

PKK officials report 44 injuries and 2 deaths on Prachuap’s roads April 11-16

Officials have announced the number of accidents and fatalities that occurred on roads throughout the first six days in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province during Songkran.

Officials said that during the period from April 11-16, there were 42 accidents on the roads, resulting in 44 injuries and two fatalities. Continued …

44 Road Accidents in Six Days of Phuket Songkran’s Seven Days

Phuket has announced in total 44 road accidents in six days (April 11–16) in Songkran’s Seven Days of Danger road accidents campaign.

The Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) office said details on the sixth day (April 16) of the ‘Songkran’s Seven Days of Danger’ road accidents campaign. Continued …

97% of cases taken to court during Songkran involved drunk driving

A total of 8,575 drunk-driving cases represented 96.7% percent of all motoring-related cases taken to court by the police during the seven days of Songkran celebrations, seeking to have the drivers be placed on probation, according to the Department of Probation.

The courts, however, only ordered drivers in 1,910 of the cases to be placed on probation. These include 1,870 cases of drunk driving and 40 of the 270 cases of drinking while driving. Continued …

Myanmar Man Found Dead, Likely Infected With New Omicron Strain

A Myanmar man was found dead in his room in the Sathorn area after celebrating Songkran with his friends and it is suspected that he was infected with the new Omicron subvariant XBB. 1.16, a newspaper said Monday afternoon.

Police Lt. Col. Saranyapong Thongpan, an investigator at Wat Phraya Krai police station, was notified of a Myanmar man having died at a commercial building on Chan road and went there to check with a forensic doctor from Chulalongkorn Hospital and rescuers Ruamkatanyu Foundation. Continued …

Thailand’s Similan Islands to close next month

Thailand’s Similan Islands were bustling with tourists during the Songkran holidays but will soon be much quieter when the archipelago closes for a period of environmental restoration on May 19.

The marine park will be closed off to tourists during the monsoon season and will reopen again on Oct. 15, after nature has had a chance to recover from a hectic high season. Continued …

Inside Thailand’s wild and secret party backpackers are desperate to find

The island of Koh Phangan attracts thousands of backpackers every year but there is one secluded party spot they are all desperate to find.

After a boat trip or a two-hour trek through the snake-infested Thai jungle, intrepid travelers can find themselves at the Eden Garden party. Continued …

Tom Kha Gai ranked 9th in TasteAtlas’s Best Rated Soups in the World

Food guide website TasteAtlas ranked the traditional Thai dish Tom Kha Gai, or coconut chicken soup with galangal, ninth in the 100 Best Rated Soups in the World. The well-known Tom Yum soup came in at 16th.

The list was compiled based on votes from foodies around the world and published on the TasteAtlas website on March 30. Tom Kha Gai scored an impressive 4.7 out of 5, earning it a place in the top 10. Continued …

Bali considers tourist entry tax

Indonesia is considering a tourism levy for visitors to Bali, adding another potential hurdle for holidaymakers after the island cracked down on traffic and visa breaches. Continued …

Asia-Pacific state debt reaches 18-year high

The average government debt level in Asia-Pacific is at an 18-year high, with most developing economies in the region trying to stabilize it at current levels by 2027, according to recent research. Continued …

200 dead, 1,800 wounded in Sudan battles

Fighting between the army and paramilitaries in Sudan has killed around 200 people and wounded 1,800, damaging hospitals and hampering aid after three days of urban warfare. 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

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bangkok, chiang mai, climate change, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s News-Feb 13

  • Soi Hua Hin 70 will be closed today, tomorrow and Thursday/
  • Most Wanted fugitive crime boss, living in Hua Hin, arrested/
  • Pranburi Half Marathon winners/
  • Where to wine and dine your loved one this Valentine’s Day in Hua Hin/
  • Roses may fade as more intimate and public Valentine’s gifts proliferate/
  • Rose farmers get Valentine’s Day gift – pre-Covid prices/
  • Cops red-faced as scandals rock force/
  • You can now kill mosquitoes with Covid-19 herb – Fah Talai Jone/
  • Public warned after dengue fever spikes in January/
  • Over 300 hotspots detected in Chiang Mai Province on Sunday/
  • Regulating the lure of lottery and the Thai love of gambling/
  • Ambulance crashes in Thailand dismay researchers/
  • Japanese crime ring masterminded from Thailand and Philippines/
  • Why one woman plants crops to fight oppression/
  • Few Thais aware of real reasons for global warming/
  • Tourism: India lifts PCR test restrictions – tourism to Thailand expected to rise/Bangkok ranked 13th under ‘Best Food Destinations in the World’/64 airlines financially ‘crash and burn’ during pandemic/Tourism lifts retail growth projection to 6%-8%/Small hotel, hostel bookings register recovery/
  • Thailand Experience: Northern Thailand food straight from Chiang Mai’s ‘magical hills’/The best things to do in Udon Thani/7 Things I Loved About My First Trip To Thailand/
  • International: Turkey Probes Contractors As Earthquake Deaths Pass 33,000/’It’s like Verdun’: The grinding battle for Ukraine’s Bakhmut/On climate, most corporations more talk than action/China ‘considers tripling nuclear warheads’/Walking dogs for over $100,000 a year in America/Chiefs beat Eagles in Super Bowl 57/
  • 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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Soi Hua Hin 70 will be closed today, tomorrow and Thursday from 9pm-4am for construction work on the new dual track train line

Most Wanted fugitive crime boss, living in Hua Hin, arrested

An organised crime boss who has been on the run for five years has been arrested in Thailand. Richard Wakeling, 55, of Brentwood, Essex, England, fled the country in January 2018 on the eve of a 12-week trial.

He was convicted in his absence of trying to import £8 million worth of amphetamine suspended in liquid in 2016 and jailed for 11 years in April 2018 at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Wakeling, who has a prosthetic lower right leg, was placed on the National Crime Agency’s Most Wanted list and appeals were issued for information to help trace him. Continued … 

Pranburi Half Marathon winners

The Pranburi Scenic Marathon was held in Pak Nam Pran on Sunday morning, with almost 4,000 runners taking part. Runners competed across distances of 5k, 10k and 21.1k.

The men’s 21k was won by Gezu Muse,Emebet Sode was the winner of the women’s 10k, and Moges Abate won the men’s 10k race.

Where to wine and dine your loved one this Valentine’s Day in Hua Hin

Valentine’s Day is a special occasion that is celebrated by couples all over the world. It is a day to express love, affection, and gratitude toward your significant other.

Hua Hin offers many romantic and unique dining experiences for couples to celebrate this day of love.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere fancy to impress someone special, or somewhere more low-key and laid back on Feb. 14, we’ve rounded up some of the most romantic restaurants in Hua Hin. Continued …

Roses may fade as more intimate and public Valentine’s gifts proliferate

Roses are facing competition on Valentine’s Day as social media platforms and applications create personalized and often more intimate ways to say “I love you” – publicly.

Online greetings are often dismissed as trite, but social media companies and apps are increasingly offering their users ways to make declarations of love more intimate and personal, and adding what may be the most motivating factor – an audience.

Line lets users create their own stickers and TikTok, of course, allows its users to create video clips to profess their adoration for another person directly and publicly. Continued …

Rose farmers get Valentine’s Day gift – pre-Covid prices

Rose growers in Tak province say they have been so overwhelmed with orders that prices are rising to as high as nine baht for a single high-quality rose.

Rose growers in Phop Phra and Mae Sot districts started sending flowers to Pak Klong wholesale market in Bangkok ahead of Valentine’s Day on Sunday.

They are being paid eight or nine baht for top-grade roses, they said. Continued …

Cops red-faced as scandals rock force

A series of recent scandals involving police officers’ misconduct has dealt further blows to public confidence in the Royal Thai Police (RTP), and increased pressure for long overdue reform.

A Pattaya police officer accused of demanding 60,000 baht from a tourist for possession of an e-cigarette has been suspended pending a disciplinary investigation.

Police Senior Sgt. Maj. Noppakrit Pornwatanathanakij, a traffic officer at Pattaya station, was initially transferred to an inactive post at the Provincial Police Office on Feb. 1 following a program that aired on Channel 3 on Jan. 31. Continued …

You can now kill mosquitoes with Covid-19 herb – Fah Talai Jone

The Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachinburi has created a mosquito spray from Fah Talai Jone, the traditional herbal medicine used by most Thais to ease symptoms of Covid-19.

The hospital, which specializes in developing alternative medicines from herbs, announced its success in creating the mosquito spray from green chiretta (Andrographis paniculate) on Saturday.

Dr. Supaporn Pitiporn, chairperson of the Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation’s local Thai wisdom development committee, and Asapha Chaocharoen, a pharmacist from the hospital’s alternative medicine center, held a press conference to announce the spray on Saturday. Continued …

Public warned after dengue fever spikes in January

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has warned people to guard against the spread of dengue fever after 2,683 cases were reported during the month of January.

According to the DDC’s weekly forecast of diseases and health hazards for Feb. 12-18, a total of 2,683 cases of dengue fever, with one death, were found during the period from Jan. 1-Feb. 1 – one case for every 405,000 people in Thailand.

The three age groups that suffered the most cases of dengue fever were 5-14 years old (11.6%), 15-24 years old (7.3%) and 0-4 years old (5.2%). Continued … 

Over 300 hotspots detected in Chiang Mai Province on Sunday

More than 300 hotspots have been detected in forests in Chiang Mai Province on Sunday and a member of the Anandamahidol Foundation Society has warned that air pollution in Thailand is expected to be worse this year than last.

Dr. Jain Charnnarong, a member of the society dedicated to solving the problem of PM2.5 in Thailand, said it is pointless for Thailand to blame its neighbors for forest fires this year because many forest fires in the country are being caused by irresponsible villagers.

“One person starts a fire in a forest and the entire village suffers,” he said, as he alleged that the arsonists are among the firefighting volunteers, adding that it is high time that efforts are stepped up to educate villagers about the impacts of starting forest fires to facilitate the hunting of wild animals or to burn farm waste. Continued …

Regulating the lure of lottery and the Thai love of gambling

A large number of people in Thailand’s middle-class and lower-income groups have been trapped in a dream of becoming rich overnight by winning a big lottery prize.

The Government Lottery Office (GLO) holds its draw twice a month — on the first and the 16th — and issues 100 million tickets for each round.

For many people, the two days when the lucky numbers to be drawn are special and full of hope. Such is the importance of the event that it is even aired live by state TV and by many social media platforms. Continued … 

Ambulance crashes in Thailand dismay researchers

The grim statistics on ambulance crashes in Thailand worsened on Friday night when a patient was badly injured in a horrific late-night crash.

An ambulance smashed into the back of a truck in the Lom Sak district in the northern part of Phetchabun province, northern Thailand, close to midnight on Friday.

The patient, who was being rushed from Khao Kho Hospital in Phetchabun to Lomsak Hospital in the same province, was badly injured. Continued …

Japanese crime ring masterminded from Thailand and Philippines

A Japanese crime ring operated from Thailand and the Philippines is behind a string of crimes across Japan.

The international crime syndicate was coordinated remotely from Thailand. The crimes being investigated include the murder of a 90-year-old woman, as well as cash-card fraud involving a number of elderly victims.

Yuki Watanabe, 38 years old, and another senior member of the Japanese crime ring, Tomonobu Kojima, 45 years old, were sent to Japanese prosecutors on Friday after they were deported to Japan from the Philippines. Continued … 

Why one woman plants crops to fight oppression

Eva Dickerson has spent her life thinking about food. Not just about what to eat, but more specifically what it means to have access to food, to groceries and space to grow crops.

“Food access might ask why there isn’t a grocery store in someone’s neighborhood,” Dickerson, 26, said, “but food apartheid might ask who planned neighborhoods so that some people have groceries in their neighborhoods and some people don’t.”

These questions form the basis of Dickerson’s work as a farmer and activist. She’s currently living in Thailand as a fellow for Princeton University in Asia and spends her time teaching children how to farm, as she tends to community gardens and harvests produce for her local community. She describes her mission as working toward “food sovereignty” and against “food apartheid.” Continued … 

Few Thais aware of real reasons for global warming

Most Thais have little awareness of the damages being done to the Earth by climate change, a National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) report published on Sunday shows.

NESDC said only 35% of Thais believe the use of fossil fuel should be reduced, a reflection of the fact that Thais generally are not too aware of the causes of climate change.

A survey conducted by Meta and Yale University last year showed that more than 50% of respondents worldwide are aware of climate change and rising global temperatures, especially those in developed countries. Continued …

India lifts PCR test restrictions – tourism to Thailand expected to rise

The elimination of pre-departure Covid-19 test requirements for travelers from India, as well as other countries like China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, is a positive development for the Thai tourism industry and is expected to give it a much-needed boost as we move into quieter times of the year.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s upgraded target for Indian arrivals from 1.4 million to 2 million this year is a positive sign, and the market could recover faster than expected, potentially even matching the 2019 tally of 2 million arrivals by the end of the year.

However, the recovery of the Chinese market is expected to be slow, due to limited seat capacity, but the government’s decision to allow tour groups to resume overseas trips from Feb. 6 is expected to result in significant improvement in the coming months. Continued …

Bangkok ranked 13th under ‘Best Food Destinations in the World’

Bangkok is ranked 13th as world’s top food destination under the Best Food Destinations in the World – Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

The ranking is made based on the quantity and quality of traveler reviews submitted to Tripadvisor, the digital travel platform, throughout last year. Bangkok also ranks second among ASEAN cities in this Tripadvisor’s compilation.

Here’s Bangkok according to Tripadvisor: “Golden palaces, floating markets, majestic porcelain-laid spires…you’ve never seen a capital city quite like Bangkok. Visit Pratunam or Siam Square for premium shopping, then unwind in the European-style gardens of Dusit. Thon Buri is home to the awesome Wat Arun temple, and over in Phra Nakhon, you’ll find the Wat Pho temple of the Reclining Buddha. Savor mango sticky rice at a food stall before taking in the gilded splendor of the Grand Palace.” Continued …

64 airlines financially ‘crash and burn’ during pandemic

2023 was supposed to be the year that travel finally returns to normal after three years of the industry being on its knees. However, the airline bankruptcies and increase in prices have made it challenging for travelers to plan their trips.

Locally, Thai Airways has been grounded, let loose from Thai government ownership, rebooted, rerouted and, currently, battling its way out of bankruptcy.

The average economy fares for 2023 have already increased by 36%, according to UK-based booking agency Flight Center. Some destinations are nearly impossible to visit on a budget, with fares to far-flung countries like New Zealand increasing by 81% and to South Africa from the UK increasing by 42% in economy and 70% in business. Continued … 

Tourism lifts retail growth projection to 6%-8%

Thailand’s retail industry is expected to grow by 6%-8% this year, double the rate of the GDP, helped by the recovery of tourism, according to the Thai Retailers Assn. (TRA).

Yol Phokasub, president of the TRA, said the retail industry has been improving, particularly in destinations reliant on tourism such as Phuket, Samui and Pattaya.

“Tourism makes up a vital portion of the Thai economy, in addition to exports,” said Yol. “Although consumer sentiment early this year remains fragile, it is better than expected.” Continued … 

Small hotel, hostel bookings register recovery

A study of small hotels and hostels found current bookings are higher than pre-pandemic levels, with bookings from foreign tourists exceeding those of domestic tourists.

As the tourism industry recovers quickly, bookings have increased by 26% more than the pre-Covid era, said Supakrit Phansomboon, Little Hotelier’s country manager for Thailand.

The data was gathered from operators of small hotels and hostels below the three-star level in Thailand, most with 20 rooms or less per property, featured in the database of two hotel management platforms: Little Hotelier and SiteMinder. Continued … 

Tradition Northern Thai food

Northern Thailand food straight from Chiang Mai’s ‘magical hills’

In a country of high-profile tourist attractions and destinations, northern Thailand can sometimes feel neglected.

It is, after all, something of a land apart. The area’s traditions have been shaped by centuries as part of the Lanna Kingdom, an independent state that was absorbed into Siam in the late 19th century. The north has a unique juju.

As a resident of Bangkok for the best part of the last decade – and a frequent visitor to Thailand for longer than that – I can attest to its rich seam of wizardry. That’s why I’m back here in the hills for another swig of its elixir. Continued …

The best things to do in Udon Thani

Udon Thani, with its abundance of cultural spots and natural attractions, is one of the hidden gems less visited by tourists. Let us show you some things to do in the province.

Many people don’t know what to answer when prompted with the question: “What’s in Udon Thani?” It turns out that it’s not just a quiet city in Isaan, but a lively province filled with interesting places to pop by. There are department stores to shop in, great restaurants to dine at, luxurious hotels to enjoy a staycation, and even cocktail bars to sit back and relax in.

Take a snap for the ‘gram at Red Lotus Lake

When it comes to natural attractions, our minds could head to mountains and waterfalls. Red Lotus Lake is telling them to eat their hearts out, as they offer 36 square kilometers of water lilies blossoming over Nong Han Lake. However, it’s only available in all its glory from December to February, so plan carefully. Continued …

7 Things I Loved About My First Trip To Thailand

After a fabulous first visit to Vietnam in early 2020, my husband and I made it a goal to travel to more Southeast Asian countries, with Thailand topping the list. While the pandemic put the kibosh on overseas travel plans for a while, we finagled a 3-week stay in the beautiful country toward the end of 2022.

The focus of our trip together? Rest and relaxation on white-sand beaches after taking in the key sights in the capital city. We started our trip in Bangkok and then spent the bulk of our time on the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan off Thailand’s Southeast Coast.

By no means was this a comprehensive tour of the country; popular Phuket and Chiang Mai were notably absent from our agenda. Still, we scratched the surface, learning a bit about the country’s history and culture, while thoroughly enjoying the tropical weather and delicious food (oh, the food!), which left me wanting a return visit to experience more. Continued … 

Turkey Probes Contractors As Earthquake Deaths Pass 33,000

Turkish authorities are targeting contractors allegedly linked with buildings that collapsed in the powerful Feb. 6 earthquakes as rescuers found more survivors in the rubble Sunday, including a pregnant woman and two children, in the disaster that killed over 33,000 people. Continued …

‘It’s like Verdun’: The grinding battle for Ukraine’s Bakhmut

An ambulance screams toward a triage hub for wounded Ukrainian soldiers outside Bakhmut, the stage for the longest battle of Russia’s invasion, where there is no end in sight to a brutal stalemate. Continued …

On climate, most corporations more talk than action

The world’s biggest and richest companies are failing to deliver on their climate pledges, according to an in-depth analysis released Monday that calls on governments to crack down on corporate greenwashing. Continued …

China ‘considers tripling nuclear warheads’

China is considering tripling its stockpile of nuclear warheads to 900 by 2035, as tensions with the United States are expected to escalate further over Taiwan, sources close to the matter said Saturday. Continued …

Walking dogs for over $100,000 a year in America

Dressed in black leggings and a puffer jacket, Bethany Lane, 35, was walking down Bleecker Street in Manhattan on a recent Friday afternoon with a pack of three goldendoodles and one bernedoodle named Tinkerbelle. Continued …

Chiefs beat Eagles in Super Bowl 57

The NFL’s next dynasty may have been born in the desert Sunday night. Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35, winning Super Bowl 57. Continued …

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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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

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.

 

90-day online reporting

chiang mai, hua hin, marijuana, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, solar, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s News-Feb 11

  • Thailand Pickleball Open Feb 16-19 at True Arena/
  • Give your lover shallots this Valentine’s Day, suggests PM/
  • Wine Pairing: How to Choose the Right Bottle to Drink With Your Favorite Foods/
  • 44 Foreign Drivers Arrested in Patong with No Driving Licenses/
  • Muay Thai and Kun Khmer: a comparative overview/
  • Thailand, Malaysia unite to restore peace in deep South/
  • Chiang Mai tackles PM2.5 pollution with giant vacuum cleaner/
  • Salvaging the HTMS Sukhothai is costly and perilous, navy chief says/
  • Chuwit Kamolvisit: Thailand’s ‘super-pimp’ turned sensational whistle blower/
  • Solar D sees 100% revenue hike to Bt1 billion/
  • Amata, BGRIM to develop city in EEC/
  • Thailand Experience: Misty mornings and starry nights from Phayao’s Doi Phu Langka/Need to relax? Cannabis Thai Massage can soothe your mind, body, and soul/
  • International: First Thai team arrives in quake-hit Turkey/Quake death toll above 23,000 in Turkey, Syria/Do fewer shark bites mean fewer sharks?/
  • 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 Pickleball Open Feb 16-19 at True Arena

The 2023 Thailand Pickleball Open is set for Feb. 16-19 at True Arena Hua Hin. As many as 140 players from many international communities are expected, including from Hong Kong, UK, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, other European countries and Thailand.

Give your lover shallots this Valentine’s Day, suggests PM

The smell of red onion is in the air this Valentine’s Day in Thailand as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invites the public to send shallots to their lover instead of a red rose this year.

PM Prayut is pushing shallots as a symbol of love this V-day to support shallot farmers in Srisaket province in northeast Thailand.

The shallots grown by Srisaket farmers are specially marketed in Valentine’s Day packaging ready for you to present as a gift to your loved one. Continued … 

Wine Pairing: How to Choose the Right Bottle to Drink With Your Favorite Foods

Despite all the deep cellars out there, most of the wine consumed is purchased on the same day that it is opened, and of that a very high percentage is uncorked and enjoyed within two hours of leaving the wine shop. That means there is an awful lot of last-minute decision making going on, much of it based on the food that it will be paired with.

The correct response to, “Can you pick up a bottle of wine on the way over?”, besides “Yes, of course,” should also be, “What’s for dinner?”

There are a few basics to pairing wine and food, and they go beyond the overly simplified “red with meat, white with seafood.” What is the taste profile of the food? Is it spicy? Is it sweet? Is it fatty? Is it lean? Continued … 

44 Foreign Drivers Arrested in Patong with No Driving Licenses

Forty-four foreign drivers have been arrested in Patong for not having driving licenses.

The crackdown was launched last night after 20 French motorbike racers had been arrested after causing a public nuisance this week.

The Patong Police said that last night from 7:30pm to 10:30pm they arrested 39 foreign drivers for not wearing helmets, 44 with no driving license, and eight for jumping red lights. Continued …

Muay Thai and Kun Khmer: a comparative overview

Host Cambodia has dropped Muay Thai from disciplines for the 2023 SEA Games, and replaced it with its own version, Kun Khmer. This led to protests by Thailand that the host country had simply changed the name of the sport from Muay Thai to Kun Khmer.

Cambodia, however, argues that Kun Khmer is an ancient martial art, from which Muay Thai was born.

Thailand decided to boycott the Kun Khmer competition on grounds that the Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) has announced that boxing martial arts that involve the use of fists, knees and elbows must be called “muay” only. Continued …

Thailand, Malaysia unite to restore peace in deep South

Thailand and Malaysia on Friday agreed to work together to end decades of insurgency on the Thai side of their shared border.

Visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan at a Bangkok hotel on Friday to discuss security issues involving the kingdom’s restive southern border region.

Both sides agreed to work together to end insurgent violence in the Muslim-majority provinces and pave the way for development in border areas, a source said. Continued … 

Chiang Mai tackles PM2.5 pollution with giant vacuum cleaner

Thailand‘s Disaster Department is testing out a giant vacuum cleaner as a way to tackle the PM2.5 dust pollution problem that plagues the northern city of Chiang Mai every “burning season.”

Every year, farmers around Thailand send their forests and fields up in smoke because it’s the cheapest way to prepare to plant new crops, but causing PM2.5 levels to shoot upward. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of rain at this time of year.

Chiang Mai is especially affected because of the sheer volume of agricultural fires in northern Thailand sending dust floating into the city, which lies in a valley. Continued … 

Salvaging the HTMS Sukhothai is costly and perilous, navy chief says

Salvaging the Sukhothai from the Gulf of Thailand could cost over 200 million baht, Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet said on Friday.

The ship sank to a depth of about 50 meters and recovering it could cause damage that will make it more difficult to determine why it sank, the admiral said.

The navy is carefully selecting qualified contractors to salvage the vessel, Choengchai added. Continued … 

Chuwit Kamolvisit: Thailand’s ‘super-pimp’ turned sensational whistle blower

Chuwit Kamolvisit has earned the reputation of an anti-corruption hero after repeatedly exposing police bribery and underground businesses linked to corrupt state officials.

Once a self-declared “super pimp”, Chuwit has evolved from a massage-parlor tycoon to become a politician, a convict, a TV talk-show host, and a crusader against Thailand’s chronic corruption.

Over recent months, he has been busy acting as whistle blower, producing evidence against Chinese triad gangs and the dishonest law enforcers helping them to thrive in Thailand. He also spoke out against senior police officers, accusing them of involvement in illegal online gambling. Continued … 

Solar D sees 100% revenue hike to Bt1 billion

Solar D Corp., the distributor of the Tesla Powerwall energy storage system, expects its revenue to soar by 100% this year to 1 billion baht thanks to growing demand for solar power in Thailand from both the commercial and residential sectors.

The company predicts positive business prospects in the rooftop solar panel and energy storage business in the country because the government has a clear policy to support a shift toward renewable energy, said Sumrit Sitthiwaranuwong, managing director of Solar D.

“In 2022, the company recorded total revenue of around 500 million baht,” he said. Continued … 

Amata, BGRIM to develop city in EEC

Industrial developer Amata Corp. has teamed with B.Grimm Power (BGRIM) to conduct a feasibility study on the construction of Amata European Smart City, expected to serve European companies investing in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

The companies plan to set up a joint venture to develop the project, set to be located on 200 rai of land in Amata City Chon Buri, said Vikrom Kromadit, chief executive of Amata Corp.

“Amata will hold a 60% share in the joint venture, with the remaining 40% funded by BGRIM,” he said. Continued … 

Misty mornings and starry nights from Phayao’s Doi Phu Langka

Intrepid travelers now have a new destination from where they can enjoy a sea of morning mist and bright stars – the top of 1,720-meter-high Doi Phu Langka in Phayao province.

The mountaintop in the northern province’s Pong district is part of Tham Sakoen National Park, which spans 250 square meters across Phayao and Nan.

Doi Phu Langka is some 100 kilometers from Phayao town, with the last 12km covering the scenic PY4020 Road. Continued …

Need to relax? Cannabis Thai Massage can soothe your mind, body, and soul

Over the past few years, many people have turned to alternative therapies to help manage their physical and mental health. A popular one of these is Thai massage. It is a unique practice that has been around for centuries. Moreover, it’s thought to bring the body and mind into harmony, while also providing an array of medicinal benefits.

But, in recent times, the healing power of Thai massage has been given a new twist – the use of hemp oil.

Since the legalization of cannabis in Thailand last year, the country has opened up to new possibilities in the field of medicine and wellness. And one exciting development is the combination of Thai massage with the therapeutic properties of hemp oil. This article explores the benefits and potential of this unique approach to wellness and how it’s changing the game for Thai massage therapy. Continued …

First Thai team arrives in quake-hit Turkey

The first Thai rescue team arrived in Istanbul on Friday, while the Public Health Ministry announced its readiness to send an army medical team today, said the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Dr. Narong Apikulwanich. Continued …

Quake death toll above 23,000 in Turkey, Syria

The death toll in Turkey and Syria from this week’s catastrophic earthquake surpassed 23,600 on Friday as relief organizations struggled to overcome an array of obstacles to deliver aid to survivors in both countries. Continued …

Do fewer shark bites mean fewer sharks?

Shark attacks worldwide fell in 2022, resulting in fewer shark bite incidents compared to the past decade. In 2020, travel restrictions and beach closures were thought to have resulted in fewer encounters between humans and sharks and fewer shark bites. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

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.

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, climate change, covid, hua hin, immigration, phuket, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thai food, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s News-Feb 7

  • Inflation in January falls to 9-month low as cost-of-living crisis eases/
  • What you need to know about that knee problem/
  • Dental seminar set at Be Well Clinic Feb 18/
  • Muay Thai world record set – video/
  • Chinese buyers seek quick move amid zero-Covid fears/
  • Thailand deploying 20-member urban search and rescue team to Turkey/
  • Thai foodies angered as Kaeng Som named among world’s worst dishes/
  • 110 Thai immigration police officers charged in visa scandal/
  • Many Thai workers ill-prepared for old age/
  • Tourism: Forest park in Phetchaburi to become geological tourist attraction/PKK’s Golden Swan in Thap Sakae/First Chinese tour group in 3 years arrives in Phuket/Ministry to probe attack on Chinese tourist/Chinese investors return to Chiang Mai, Bangkok/Nine Swedish Tourists Survive after Boat Capsizes in Krabi/Body of German tourist who jumped from Koh Pha Ngan ferry found/Foreigners, particularly Russians, accused of working illegally in Phuket/
  • Thailand Experience: Thai cuisine comes in at 13 in TripAdvisor’s latest ranking/Northern Thai Food: A Guide to Regional Specialties in Thai Cuisine/
  • Covid: New Covid cases, deaths dropped by about half last week/
  • International: Rescuers Scramble In Turkey, Syria As Earthquake Death Toll Rises To 4,000/Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so deadly?/Single-use plastics production still on the rise/
  • 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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Inflation in January falls to 9-month low as cost-of-living crisis eases

Thailand’s headline inflation fell to a nine-month low of 5.02% in January, from 5.89% in December, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) announced Monday.

TPSO Director-general Wichanun Niwatjinda said the inflation slowdown reflected falling prices of energy and fresh foods. The TPSO expects inflation to drop further this month.

Wichanun said headline inflation in January stood at 108.18 points, up 5.02% year on year but still the lowest for the past nine months. Continued … 

What you need to know about that knee problem

Your knees are essential to your health. They have an incredibly important job of supporting and stabilizing your body as you walk, run, dance, or play sports. But most people don’t think about them until they start hurting.

Knee pain can be experienced in many different guises, it is common during growth spurts in children, or with trauma from sport or falls, or it may come on as we age with wear and tear. Knee pain can stem from the muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage or meniscus. It can sometimes also be referred from the hip joint or lower back.

Acute knee injuries often occur with sports that involve rapid acceleration or deceleration, twisting, kicking or sudden changes of direction. More gradual onset of knee pain can occur due to repetitive running, jumping and landing, kicking or squatting. Continued … 

Dental seminar set at Be Well Clinic Feb 18

The Be Well Medical Clinic in Hua Hin will hold a dental seminar, hosted by the Be Well Dental Department, on Feb. 18.

The seminar will address degeneration prevention, restorative dentistry (e.g., crowns and bridges), esthetic treatments (e.g., whitening, veneers), implants, and the speakers will also cover the possibilities, risks and costs of various therapies.

Registration will start at 9.30am with the seminar starting at 10am.

The clinic is located at the Coral Restaurant @ Banyan Resort (next to the Be Well Medical Center) Petchkasem Road, between Soi 120 and 122.

@BeWell members and Banyan Privilege Club members can attend for free, for others the fee is THB500. Advance registration is by email at event@bewell.co.th. For more information.

Muay Thai world record set

Renowned Muay Thai fighter Sombat “Buakhao” Banchamek teamed up with 3,650 soldiers to break a Guinness world record by performing the traditional Thai dance, Wai Kru, at the Amazing Muaythai Festival 2023 in Hua Hin.

Feb. 6 of every year is marked as Muay Thai Day to preserve and promote Thailand’s soft power Thai boxing.

Video 

Commander of the Royal Thai Army, Narongphan Jitkaewtae, wanted to celebrate and promote the cultural heritage of Muay Thai. So, the army collaborated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and other relevant departments to host a celebration event named Amazing Muaythai Festival 2023. Continued …

Chinese buyers seek quick move amid zero-Covid fears

Ready-to-move-in condos in Thailand are attracting Chinese buyers, as the majority of them want to speed up relocation to the country due to concerns over the future of Beijing’s zero-Covid policy.

Kashif Ansari, co-founder and chief executive of Juwai IQI Group, the real estate marketing firm that owns the international real estate portal juwai.com in China, said Chinese buyers had a sense of urgency, which never appeared prior to the pandemic.

“If Chinese nationals are planning to move to Thailand, they want to do it right away, not in two years. These are the first movers,” he said. Continued …

Thailand deploying 20-member urban search and rescue team to Turkey

Thailand will deploy a 20-member urban search and rescue (USAR) team to the disaster zone of major earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said 20 fully equipped members of USAR Thailand are on standby and will depart as soon as they get the green light from Turkish authorities.

USAR Thailand team members are trained experts with experience in search and rescue operations in large-scale disasters at both national and international levels. Continued … 

Thai foodies angered as Kaeng Som named among world’s worst dishes

Thais are struggling to digest the news that one of their favorite foods, kaeng som (spicy-sour fish curry), has been ranked the 12th worst dish in the world by a global foody website.

Netizens are venting their anger and disgust after the distinctive watery Thai curry received a score of 2.3 out of 5 in the online food guide TasteAtlas on Saturday.

Kaeng som is made from a paste of shrimp and shallots, its sharp sweet-sour flavor coming from the addition of tamarind and sometimes lime juice. Continued …

110 Thai immigration police officers charged in visa scandal

More than 100 immigration police officers, including three generals, have been found to have issued visas illegally to foreign visitors, Police Gen. Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, said yesterday.

All 110 of them have been charged with malfeasance in office and taking bribes, he said, adding that he expects the case to be sent to the public prosecutors this week.

The probe into visa scandal, in which immigration police officers and several local administration officials are implicated, is an extension of an investigation into the conduct of a handful of immigration police officers who were allegedly involved in issuing visas for Chinese businessman Chaiyanat Kornchayanant and other Chinese businessmen allegedly involved in “gray” businesses in Thailand. Continued …

Many Thai workers ill-prepared for old age

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith is concerned that more than 16 million informal workers have yet to participate in any savings scheme to prepare for life during retirement, even though Thailand is expected to become an aged society in the next two years.

He said that Thailand is now an aging society, as at least 10% of the population has been 60 years old or more since 2005. A total of 12.5 million people, or 19% of the population, is currently over 60. Thai people are also enjoying a longer life span.

Arkhom added that the country is expected to become an aged society in the next couple of years when elderly people will surge to 20% of the total population. It is set to become a super-aged society in 2034 when the elderly proportion of the population reaches 28%. Continued …

Forest park in Phetchaburi to become geological tourist attraction

Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to develop the Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park in Phetchaburi province into a geological tourist destination, to promote geological study and conservation of natural resources.

Geologists from the Department of Mineral Resources have recently found many fossilized marine creatures embedded in the limestone mountain in the park, which are thought to be from about 250 million years ago, during the Permian period.

The fossilized marine creatures include bivalves, single-shell mollusc and corals.

The limestone mountain in the forest park was created by the massive accumulation of calcium carbonate sediments, dating back more than 250 million years. Some of the fossilized corals appear like tree branches or horns, called Rugose corals, which became extinct about 250 million years ago. – thaipbsworld.com

PKK’s Golden Swan in Thap Sakae

One of the most significant religious sites in Prachuap Khiri Khan province is the “Giant Golden Swan” located on the Hua Hin-bound side of Petchkasem Road in Thap Sakae. Believers say it is a gathering spot for angels. It was built by the former abbot of Huay Luek Temple, “Phra Kru Paisarn”. People who make merit at the temple do so to ask for fortune or money, and when the request is granted, frequently bring bracelets or sculptures of swans to say thank you. (HHT)

First Chinese tour group in 3 years arrives in Phuket

Phuket tourism officials have welcomed the first Chinese tour group to visit the island in three years. The group touched down at Phuket International Airport at 3.15pm yesterday.

Passengers were welcomed by airport director Monchai Tamod and Montree Manator from the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. There were 180 passengers in the group, arriving on a direct flight from Shanghai with Spring Airlines.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Chinese tour groups were a regular feature on the island. However, harsh outbound travel restrictions imposed by Beijing meant there have been none for nearly three years. Continued …

Ministry to probe attack on Chinese tourist

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is rushing to investigate a case involving a Chinese tourist who was assaulted by a travel agent in Phuket after the case went viral, but the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is still hoping to secure 7-8 million tourists from China this year as the first batch of tour groups touched down in the country on Monday.

A viral TikTok clip showed a Chinese tourist being assaulted with a knife by a member of staff at a tour agency in Phuket during an altercation after the agency was unable to return in full a 5,000-baht deposit for a Similan Islands tour package, which a tourist had booked in advance for his group.

The tourist claimed the members of the group were instead left stranded at their hotel on the morning of Jan. 31, when they were supposed to take the tour. Continued …

Chinese investors return to Chiang Mai, Bangkok

Thailand welcomed 2.24 million foreign tourists in December, a surge from 1.17 million in July. The figures are expected to exceed 2 million people in January, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimated.

The significant recovery of the tourism industry has been able to attract foreigners to invest more in the supply-side business in Thailand – especially the major tourist destination cities, including Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. These popular provinces are seeing their bright future, as TAT expects more than 30 million arrivals of foreign visitors in 2023.

The rebounding of tourism sector not only brings back visitors, but also foreign investors, Panlop Sae-Jew, chairman of the Chiang Mai Tourism Industry Council, says. Continued …

Nine Swedish Tourists Survive after Boat Capsizes in Krabi

Nine Swedish tourists have survived after a long-tailed boat capsized in Krabi.

The head of the Than Bok Khorani National Park, Weerasak Srisajjang, stated tthey were notified of the incident on Sunday near the Hong Island in the Khao Thong subdistrict, Mueang Krabi.

Rescue teams went to the scene to find nine male and female Swedish nationals and the boat captain in the sea near the long-tailed boat, which was capsized. Continued …

Body of German tourist who jumped from Koh Pha Ngan ferry found

A body found floating in the sea near Koh Tao is believed to be the missing German tourist who jumped off a ferry shortly after it departed from Koh Pha Ngan in southern Thailand one week ago.

At 4pm yesterday, the Kusol Sattha Rescue Foundation was informed that a tourist boat came across the body of a male tourist floating in the Ao Muong Bay in Koh Tao subdistrict, Koh Pha Ngan district, Surat Thani province. Continued …

Foreigners, particularly Russians, accused of working illegally in Phuket

The Phuket Information Center Facebook page has accused foreigners, particularly Russians, of operating illegal businesses and working illegally in Phuket.

It shared with its followers Sunday that, “A lot of foreigners stay and work in Phuket, both legally and illegally. Recently, a group of foreigners started a car rental business. They offered both cars and minibuses and also served tourists as chauffeurs. They steal jobs from Thai people!”

“If anyone has more information on this, please send it to the page’s admin. We, together with the Phuket Tourist Police, will get rid of this issue.” Continued … 

Thai cuisine comes in at 13 in TripAdvisor’s latest ranking

Despite being a top travel destination for many, Thai cuisine only came in No. 13 in the latest ranking by online travel information and booking website TripAdvisor.

The top three food destinations in the world were the Italian capital Rome, the Greek island of Crete and the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

However, TripAdvisor sang Bangkok’s praises, saying: “Golden palaces, floating markets, majestic porcelain-laid spires … you’ve never seen a capital city quite like Bangkok. Continued …

Traditional Northern Thai food

Northern Thai Food: A Guide to Regional Specialties in Thai Cuisine

Thai cuisine is a melting pot of diverse flavors and ingredients, each region offering its own unique twist on classic dishes. If you’re tired of the usual pad Thai and green curry, head north to explore the treasure trove of delicious treats waiting to be discovered. Here’s what you need to know about the delicious northern Thai food.

Northern Thai cuisine is famous for its bold and pungent flavors. It uses plenty of chili, herbs, and spices. It’s a feast for the senses, leaving a lasting impression on the taste buds.

The region is renowned for its sausages, which consist of a mixture of pork and sticky rice. It also has a popular signature dish, Khao Soi. The local people make this rich and creamy curry with egg noodles, chicken, and a blend of spices that’ll tantalize your taste buds. Continued …

New Covid cases, deaths dropped by about half last week

Hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19 last week dropped by about half from the week before, Thailand’s Disease Control Department (DCD) said on Monday.

The DCD reported that 252 Covid cases were hospitalized from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4, an average of 36 patients per day. That represented a decline of 46.3% from the 472 cases hospitalized from Jan. 22-28, an average of 67 per day.

Deaths from Covid last week dropped to 17 (an average of 2-3 per day), from 29 a week earlier. Currently, 122 Covid patients are being treated in hospital for pneumonia, 78 of whom are on ventilators. Continued …

Rescuers Scramble In Turkey, Syria As Earthquake Death Toll Rises To 4,000

Rescuers in Turkey and war-ravaged Syria searched through the frigid night into Tuesday, hoping to pull more survivors from the rubble after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 4,000 people and toppled thousands of buildings across a wide region. Continued … 

Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so deadly?

A combination of factors made the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria early Monday particularly deadly, including its timing, location, relatively quiet fault line and the weak construction of the collapsed buildings, experts said. Continued …

Single-use plastics production still on the rise

Minderoo Foundation’s Plastic Waste Makers Index (PWMI) 2023 shows the planet’s plastic pollution problem is worsening, and new estimates of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from single-use plastics demonstrate how single-use plastics producers also contribute to the climate crisis. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

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.

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Saturday’s News-Feb 4

  • Muay Thai festival events this weekend/
  • Today’s Thailand Open matches/
  • Hua Hin one of 30 Thai ‘Smart Cities’/
  • Commercial fishing banned 3 months off PKK, Surat Thani/
  • Bangkok disappearing under smog/
  • Confusion reigns over e-cigarette enforcement/
  • Thai Police Continue to Warn Vaping is Illegal/
  • THB24 billion for subsidies to boost domestic manufacture of EV batteries/
  • Ex-national parks chief ‘temporarily’ dismissed from government service/
  • Tourism: Digital ID now accepted to board domestic flights/85% of Hotel Rooms in South Booked Until Next Month/Bangkok’s New Chinatown bustling again as Chinese tourists return/2023: A vital year for tourism in Asia Pacific/Thai AirAsia adding back idled jets amid China tourism restart/
  • Thailand Experience: Thailand’s uber luxe eco resort Soneva Kiri/
  • International: Hong Kong to give away 500,000 free airline tickets/
  • 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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Muay Thai festival events this weekend

Today’s Thailand Open matches

Hua Hin one of 30 Thai ‘Smart Cities’

Senior ministry officials were in Hua Hin recently to discuss the Hua Hin Smart City project. Hua Hin is among 30 cities in Thailand that will be transformed into “Smart Cities”, Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES), announced at the meeting.

A Smart City is defined as a city that takes advantage of modern and intelligent technology and innovation to increase the efficiency of service and city management.

The aim is to reduce the cost and resource utilization of the target city and population, with an emphasis on good design and the participation of business and people in urban development.

Commercial fishing banned 3 months off PKK, Surat Thani

The Department of Fisheries will close the southwestern part of the Gulf of Thailand for three months from large-scale commercial fishing this month, after finding a similar closure last year led to a 63% increase in mackerel in the area.

Chalermchai Suwanrak, chief of the department, revealed that the closure will ban large-scale fishing in the central section of the Gulf of Thailand in Prachuap Khiri, Chumphon and Surat Thani provinces.

The policy is part of the department’s marine resources management to allow time for mackerel to breed and nurture their young. The announcement was endorsed by the Chumphon and Surat Thani provinces. Continued …

Bangkok disappearing under smog

Bangkokians awoke to a shroud of fine dust this week with over 70 areas reporting levels of PM2.5 had breached 90 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3).

Thailand’s safety limit is 50 μg/m3. High levels of PM2.5 pose health risks, especially for people with chronic lung disease.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts levels of PM2.5 – particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – will rise across much of Thailand through Friday as the fine-dust pollution accumulates in stagnant air. Continued …

Confusion reigns over e-cigarette enforcement

A senior Thai cabinet minister called for the legalization of e-cigarettes on Friday following this week’s dramatic events linked with the damaging extortion case involving Taiwanese actress Charlene An or An Yu Qing.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn said a move to legalize the currently illicit activity would help to raise money for the government and eliminate a dangerous breeding ground for corruption. His view appears to contradict sentiments expressed by Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Thai public health minister who controversially made cannabis legal in Thailand last year.

Anutin told a conference in August 2022 that e-cigarettes should remain prohibited as a threat to public health, despite being used regularly by over 80,000 Thai adults, many of them young while it is perfectly legal in most countries. Continued …

Thai Police Continue to Warn Vaping is Illegal

A Thai senior police officer from the Legal and Litigation Department said that anyone caught carrying e-cigarettes or vapes can be fined up to 500,000 baht and get a maximum jail term of five years.

Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiewphan, head of the department, said Wednesday that e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are prohibited products, which cannot be imported into the Kingdom, according to the 2014 and 2016 directives of the Ministry of Commerce. The statements come after several high profile cases of alleged extortion have hit Thai news.

People with e-cigarettes in their possession, therefore, violate the law for accepting or owning prohibited products and can be fined up to 500,000 baht and/or get a jail term of up to five years in line with Section 246 and Section 244 of the 2017 Customs Act, said Trairong. Continued …

THB24 billion for subsidies to boost domestic manufacture of EV batteries

A budget of 24 billion baht has been set aside to subsidize domestic manufacturing of battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs), Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said on Friday.

He said that the state subsidy was aimed at helping manufacturers cut their production costs, which would result in cheaper prices for EVs in the domestic market.

The subsidy is part of measures agreed upon by the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee at its first meeting of the year. Among other measures is a reduction in excise tax for EV battery-makers, from 8% to 1%. Continued …

Ex-national parks chief ‘temporarily’ dismissed from government service

Embattled former national park chief Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya was “temporarily dismissed” from government service yesterday, with immediate effect, after initial findings show there are grounds to support bribe-taking allegations against him.

Natural Resources and Environment Permanent Secretary Jatuporn Buruspat, who signed the dismissal order, said that the action is intended to ease pressure on and damage to the image of officials at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and to ensure transparency.

Thalerngsak Petchsuwan, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in his capacity as head of the disciplinary committee, said today that the panel had questioned about 50 people and most of them have given testimonies pointing in the same direction, namely that bribes have been paid to Rutchada, with a handful of them insisting that they paid money to Rutchada in return for images of King Chulalongkorn. Continued …

Digital ID now accepted to board domestic flights

Passengers are now allowed to use digital IDs to verify their identity when boarding domestic flights, a government spokesperson said on Friday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has given the go-ahead for the use of digital ID following the rollout of the D.DOPA mobile application, said Traisulee Taisaranakul.

D.DOPA was developed by the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) for registering a digital ID. It can be used on both the iOS and Android platforms. Continued … 

85% of Hotel Rooms in South Booked Until Next Month

The southern tourism situation has improved, with 85% of hotel rooms booked until next month, said the president of the Southern Hotel Assn.

Sueksit Suwandissakun, the president of the association, said, “Tourism in the southern part of Thailand is better than December last year. Room bookings are at 85 percent, which is more than we expected. Tourism has increased to levels at about the same as before Covid -19 in 2019. Many hotels are full in famous tourism areas. However, most of the room bookings are in three-star hotels and below.

“The booking rate this month is up to 80 percent; meanwhile, next month it is at 60 percent and even more booking is continuing . The limiting factor for tourism is that only 50 percent of flights are back to service when compared to 2019 (240 fights from 450 flights). Continued …

Bangkok’s New Chinatown bustling again as Chinese tourists return

Eateries, shops and street stalls in Bangkok’s New Chinatown area are once again bustling with customers after having been quiet for two years due to the pandemic.

The New Chinatown (not to be confused with the original Chinatown in Yaowarat area) stretches from Huai Khwang intersection to Pracha Uthit Road.

3.Most of the people spotted in the area this past week were Chinese nationals who had arrived to mark the Lunar New Year and decided to extend their vacation. Continued …

2023: A vital year for tourism in Asia Pacific

This year is shaping up as a big one for tourism in the Asia Pacific. Travel started recovering in 2022, with more and more countries throwing open their borders – and now China, with its zero-Covid policy left behind, is ready for Chinese group travel tours to start heading overseas from Feb. 6 to a handful of countries, including Thailand.

The travel and tourism outlook for Asia Pacific was recast in the evening of Dec. 26, 2022. The Chinese government decreed that, from Jan. 8, 2023, Chinese travelers would no longer need to undertake quarantine when re-entering China.

Few other details were released, but the announcement delivered what the travel industry had coveted for almost three years: the return of the world’s largest outbound market. Continued … 

Thai AirAsia adding back idled jets amid China tourism restart

Budget carrier Thai AirAsia plans to resume operations of eight aircraft that were idled during the pandemic and is considering shifting planes from other parts of the group to cater for the growing number of visitors from China.

Asia Aviation, the operator of Thailand’s biggest low-cost airline, also expects improved earnings growth with the resumption of more flights to Chinese cities, Chief Executive Officer Santisuk Klongchaiya said during an interview in Bangkok on Thursday.

“Our advance bookings have demonstrated strong earnings momentum”, Santisuk said. “We may find a big challenge to expand seat capacity with demand from Chinese travelers. But seat shortages are a problem we’re happy to deal with”. Thai AirAsia currently has 53 jets in its fleet, he said. Continued … 

Thailand’s uber luxe eco resort Soneva Kiri

Walking barefoot up the wooden pathway, it’s hard not to feel slightly Robinson Crusoe-esque. My partner admits he’s having more of a Lost Boys in Hook moment. But one thing is clear, this is unlike any place we’ve been before.

Soneva Kiri is Thailand’s uber luxe eco resort on the island of Koh Kood, one of the biggest, yet least developed islands in the country on the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Unlike Robinson Crusoe, who washed ashore to his far-flung paradise in heavy storms, we arrive by the resort’s private eight-seater plane on an 80-minute trip from Bangkok, landing on a tiny neighboring island. Continued … 

Hong Kong to give away 500,000 free airline tickets

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will distribute 500,000 free airline tickets to woo visitors “from every part of the world” to visit the financial hub in a bid to revive the battered economy and boost its global image. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

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.

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, cha am, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-Feb 3

  • Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day/
  • Thailand to reduce the 50-micron PM2.5 safety standard to 37.5 microns/
  • Bangkok disappearing under smog/
  • Exposure to PM2.5 affects heart and can be fatal, study shows/
  • Diesel price to drop for first time in 7 months/
  • Here are the rules about vaping in Thailand/
  • Railway on track for completion this year/
    ‘Mink’ becomes first Thai to reach world No 1 in women’s snooker/
  • Murderer transports woman’s corpse to landfill site via motorbike/
  • Tourism: Six Bangkok policemen charged with extorting Taiwanese actress’s group/
  • Thailand Experience: Khao Yai’s top five things to do and see/A firsthand look at traditional Chinese medicine in Thailand/
  • International: Belgian couple ditch baby at airport after refusing to buy extra ticket/Google, Apple disappoint as tech earnings hit by gloom/Poland expects 40 nations to oppose Russian athletes at Olympics/
  • 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

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

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.

Thailand to reduce the 50-micron PM2.5 safety standard to 37.5 microns

Thailand will adjust the country’s standard safety level of air pollution from an average of 50 microns to 37.5 microns from June 1, with the hope that this will help the Pollution Control Department manage air pollution with increased efficiency, according to PCD Director-General Pinsak Suraswadi.

For the time being, he said that the PCD has implemented its Level 3 Plan, which means that they are seeking cooperation from employers by allowing their staff to work from home, and from motorists, by reducing their use of private cars to reduce emissions.

Construction sites have been instructed to reduce activities that push dust into the atmosphere, and the burning of waste in the open is prohibited, he said. Continued …

Bangkok disappearing under smog

Bangkokians awoke to a shroud of fine dust this week, with over 70 areas reporting levels of PM2.5 had breached 90 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3).

Thailand’s safety limit is 50 μg/m3. High levels of PM2.5 pose health risks, especially for people with chronic lung disease.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts levels of PM2.5 – particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – will rise across much of Thailand through Friday as the fine-dust pollution accumulates in stagnant air. Continued …

Exposure to PM2.5 affects heart and can be fatal, study shows

PM2.5 dust could put people at risk of heart disease, the head of Chulalongkorn University’s Information Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases said on Thursday.

Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha said people could die due to acute myocardial infarction if they are exposed to PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter), PM10 and nitrogen dioxide, citing the Journal of American College of Cardiology published last year.

“Apart from lung, this study has proved that dust particles also affect the heart,” he said. Continued …

Diesel price to drop for first time in 7 months

The price of diesel will fall by 50 satang to 34.50 baht per liter from Feb. 15, Oil Fuel Fund Office Director Wisak Wattanasap said on Thursday.

Wisak said the price cut would be the first in seven months.

The price has been 35 baht per liter since June 14 last year. Continued …

Here are the rules about vaping in Thailand

The Thai government introduced a ban on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or ‘vaping’), shisha smoking, and electronic shishas in 2014, for “health reasons and to discourage young people from starting to smoke”.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is reminding visitors to the country about this ban, which is part of the Tobacco Control Law, and the law prohibiting smoking in public areas.

Travelers to Thailand are advised not to bring any electronic cigarettes, shishas or any items associated with e-cigarettes, such as the “juice” and scented oils used in these devices. Travel agents and tour operators should also inform their clients of the ban on these products. Continued …

Railway on track for completion this year

Construction of the 145-kilometer Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho double-track railway in Nakhon Sawan, which includes the country’s longest elevated stretch at 19km, will be completed on schedule by the end of this year, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) said on Thursday. The 19km elevated stretch and a 10km one at ground level are being built along Highway No.366. The construction is 81.72% finished. (Bangkok Post)

‘Mink’ becomes first Thai to reach world No 1 in women’s snooker

Nutcharut “Mink” Wongharuthai on Thursday became the first Thai to reach No. 1 in the women’s world snooker rankings after qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Asia-Pacific Women’s Championship 2023.

The 23-year-old made it to world No 1 after winning her first three matches to top Group A, highlighted by a break of 114 against Australia’s Linda Larrea.

The young Thai snooker ace ousted Reanne Evans of England at the top of the world rankings. Continued …

Murderer transports woman’s corpse to landfill site via motorbike

After a woman’s corpse wrapped in a yellow blanket was found dumped at a landfill site in Prachin Buri province in central Thailand yesterday, police uncovered important CCTV footage of the murderer transporting her body via motorbike.

Police believe the murder to be a result of a love triangle.

At 4.39am on Jan. 27, a man is pictured driving out of an apartment block on a Honda Icon motorbike transporting a slumped figure wrapped in a yellow blanket. Continued …

Six Bangkok policemen charged with extorting Taiwanese actress’s group

A police investigation panel on Thursday charged six Bangkok police officers – two captains and four sergeants – with bribe-taking over 27,000 baht allegedly extorted from a Taiwanese actress and her friends.

Maj-Gen. Thiradej Thammasuthee, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, said one of the seven initial suspects was cleared, as he was not present when the bribe was allegedly demanded from actress Charlene and her group at a checkpoint in the early hours of Jan. 5.

He was among seven Huay Kwang policemen transferred on Monday after being identified as the ones who manned a temporary checkpoint in front of the Chinese Embassy on Ratchadaphisek Road where An’s group was stopped. Continued … 

Khao Yai’s top five things to do and see

Thailand is full of natural beauty, and Khao Yai may be one of the most picturesque regions in the country. Just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, this natural wonderland is teeming with amazing photo ops.

The location of Khao Yai is in Thailand’s eastern region and the province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Known as one of the big four cities of Isaan, the exotic cultural aspects will open your world to a whole new way of life.

Here, we have the five best things to do and see in Khao Yai. Continued …

A firsthand look at traditional Chinese medicine in Thailand

For anyone who’s ever had a sore throat, hot tea offers a welcome reprieve. But as Kevin Huang learned recently on a Penn Global seminar trip to Thailand, not all teas are created equally.

“Teas have different herbal properties, so they can be hot or cold, and they have different flavor profiles, like pungent, sour, sweet, salty, bitter,” explains Huang, a cell and molecular biology major from Bellmawr, New Jersey. “Each affects your body differently. Some can relieve cough; some are meant to help lower cholesterol. There are teas that address fatigue or insomnia and some for relieving stress.”

At this particular tea therapy workshop, Huang tried a varietal meant to boost energy. Fourth year School of Nursing student Linda Jiang tasted one that reduces stress and anxiety, surrounded by 18 other Penn students, who created and sipped herbal elixirs of their own. Continued …

Belgian couple ditch baby at airport after refusing to buy extra ticket

A Belgian couple at Israel’s Tel Aviv airport abandoned their baby after realizing they needed to buy a ticket for the child. The couple was late for a flight to Belgium and decided their child wasn’t worth the extra cost. They left their child at the check-in counter’s baggage conveyor belt and hurried to clear security to board their Ryanair flight to Brussels. Continued … 

Google, Apple disappoint as tech earnings hit by gloom

Google and Apple on Thursday reported downbeat results for the last quarter of 2022 as Amazon beat expectations, but warned that the coming months would be uncertain in a difficult moment for Big Tech. Continued … 

Poland expects 40 nations to oppose Russian athletes at Olympics

Polish Sports Minister Kamil Bortniczuk on Thursday said he expected several dozen nations to come out against the inclusion of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

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.

 

90-day online reporting

bangkok, chiang mai, hua hin, prauchuap khiri khan, thai environment, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-Feb 2

  • Muay Thai Festival starts today at Seapines/
  • Kite festival this weekend in Thap Sakae/
  • National park in Nan opts for bamboo over plastic/
  • Bangkok air pollution worsens/
  • Air Pollution Hits Unhealthy Levels in Chiang Mai/
  • Summer season starts in Thailand at the end of February/
  • Fruit vendor wins 30 million baht lottery jackpot/
  • Myanmar citizens in Thailand protest on coup anniversary/
  • Tourism: Bangkok police crack down on checkpoints after actress bribe scandal/Tourists ‘told to pay or go to jail’/Thailand is most searched destination for Chinese Airbnb guests/Taxi scam concerns visitors the most/Bangkok opens first free space for street hawkers/Krabi hotel accused of favoring foreigners over Thais/
  • Thailand Experience: You Think You Understand Thai Culture Because You Eat at Thai Restaurants?/Restaurant Review: Praça at The Standard Hua Hin/
  • International: Philippines to expand US access to military bases/Australia to oust monarch from banknotes/’Surprising’ ancient Egyptian mummy ingredients discovered/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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Muay Thai Festival starts today at Seapines

Kite festival this weekend in Thap Sakae

The Fantasy Kite and Flag Festival, featuring more than 100 kites, is set for this weekend in Thap Sakae on Ban Thung Pradu Beach.

The event is organized by the Thap Sakae Beach Love Group, the Thap Sakae Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Thailand Kite Flying Assn., Prachuap province tourism and sports officials and the Ban Thung Pradu tourism community. Map 

National park in Nan opts for bamboo over plastic

Sri Nan National Park in northern Nan province is the latest public attraction to go plastic-free by providing bamboo cups and other naturally derived utensils made by people living in adjacent communities.

Staff at the park, known for its campgrounds amid beautiful mountain scenery, worked with a team from Chulalongkorn University and had the support of Thailand Science Research and Innovation to plan the project and recruit craftspeople in Ban Wana Phrai, Ban Nongphum and Ban Nam Pi to make the utensils.

Associate Professor Dr Khemarat Talerngsri, the project leader, said bamboo sheath and pluang leaves are run through specially developed forming machines to ensure good quality and reduced production costs.

Bangkok air pollution worsens

Seventy air-quality monitoring stations reported unsafe levels of air pollution in Bangkok as of 7am today, with the number rising to 80 by noon, the Bangkok Air Quality centrer said.

Four stations detected “red” levels of PM2.5.

PM2.5 refers to fine particles of dust in the air. It can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause premature death from lung and heart conditions, especially among the elderly and those with health complications. Continued …

Air Pollution Hits Unhealthy Levels in Chiang Mai

The northern province of Chiang Mai on Wednesday was blanketed with haze from forest fires, while the visibility was reduced, many people suffered eye and nose irritation.

The PM 2.5 level in the city reached 56 micrograms per cubic meter, while at Hot district of Chiang Mai, PM 2.5 level was measured at 93 micrograms per cubic meter. The air quality index (AQI) in Chiang Mai stood at 203, which is considered harmful to people’s health.

Inside the campus of Chiang Mai University, the air pollution detectors were installed at every faculty to monitor the level of PM2.5, starting on Wednesday morning for real time results hourly. Continued …

Summer season starts in Thailand at the end of February

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is predicting a scorching high of 43 degrees Celsius in Thailand this summer, and that the new season will kick in before the end of February.

The TMD reported yesterday that the summer season in Thailand would be delayed by one or two weeks this year. The weather will get warmer by the end of February and the summer season will end around May.

March and April will bring hot, humid weather with thunderstorms, and temperatures will be about 35.5 degrees Celsius, a bit higher than last summer. Continued …

Fruit vendor wins 30 million baht lottery jackpot

A fruit vendor from Rayong province in eastern Thailand won 30 million baht (US$916,310) in the government lottery yesterday. He says it will pay off his debt and pay for his children’s education.

The new-found millionaire, 33-year-old Phongpat Witheethep, was at the market in Pluak Daeng district where he sells fruit for a living when he spotted a lottery ticket that he “liked the look of.”

Phongpat had such a good feeling about the number 297411 that he decided to buy five tickets with the same number. Continued …

Myanmar citizens in Thailand protest on coup anniversary

Hundreds of Myanmar citizens and workers gathered in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand to mark the second anniversary of the military coupin their home country, calling for the release of their duly elected leader Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Video 

Bangkok police crack down on checkpoints after actress bribe scandal

The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has warned officers to abide by Royal Thai Police regulations on setting up and operating road checkpoints.

Station chiefs and their superiors at two levels would be made responsible for any failures to comply with these regulations, said MPB chief Thiti Saengsawang in an urgent order dispatched on Tuesday.

The order was issued after Huay Kwang police reportedly admitted to extorting 27,000 baht from a Taiwanese actress in exchange for turning a blind eye to her illegal vaping device. Continued … 

Tourists ‘told to pay or go to jail’

A Singaporean man who was with a Taiwanese actress who alleged earlier that her group was extorted said police told him to pay up or spend two days in jail for having vaping devices he’d bought in Bangkok. Continued … 

Thailand is most searched destination for Chinese Airbnb guests

Thailand is the most searched destination for Chinese Airbnb guests. According to Airbnb’s data, Thailand was the most searched spot for Chinese guests within 24 hours of the government’s announcement on Dec. 26 to lift inbound quarantine requirements.

The top cities within Thailand that Chinese guests searched for were Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya.

Searches among Chinese guests have spiked for the categories of historical homes, domes, boat houses, and camping tents. These became the most anticipated searches by Chinese users in 2023. Continued … 

Taxi scam concerns visitors the most

Overpriced taxi services are the leading complaint among foreign tourists, along with poor garbage management and facilitation at the airport, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).

TCT’s quarterly survey, which polled 200 Western tourists in Thailand during the final quarter of 2022, showed satisfaction with taxi services received the lowest score of 3.5 out of 5, with tourists indicating this is the most critical problem that should be solved immediately.

The survey of tourists in Bangkok found they were not satisfied with what they deem to be unfair treatment, as taxi drivers often only take passengers who agree to pay a fare without using the meter, which means drivers can arbitrarily charge higher prices for their service. Continued … 

Bangkok opens first free space for street hawkers

Bangkok kicked off a project to offer space free of charge for hawkers and street vendors in the heart of the city on Wednesday, clearing cluttered pavements.

City Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt presided over the launch of the “Hello Hab-Re” (Hello Hawkers) project outside Samyan Mitrtown on Rama IV Road.

The project will reorganize hawkers and street vendors in the city by allocating suitable areas that do not block public footpaths. The operator of Samyan Mitrtown, a mixed-use shopping complex, has agreed to provide space next to its building in Soi Chula 42 for registered vendors to use for free from Monday to Friday, 8am-2pm and 3pm-8pm. Continued …

Krabi hotel accused of favoring foreigners over Thais

Thai tourists condemned a hotel in Krabi for discriminatory service standards after they claimed the hotel provided better treatment to foreign guests and neglected domestic tourists. They claimed that the hotel prioritized foreign guests with higher purchasing power over them for financial gain.

A Thai man posted three videos to share his bad experience at a hotel on Railay Beach. The incident was reported to have happened last Sunday.

In the videos, the man and his friends explained to the hotel staff that they booked the hotel for 5,000 baht per night. The fee included a shuttle golf cart from a car park to the Nam Mao Pier and a boat trip from the Nam Mao Pier to Railay Beach, where the hotel was located. Continued … 

You Think You Understand Thai Culture Because You Eat at Thai Restaurants?

Growing up in the American South, I was usually the only Thai person in any room. I’m used to seeing the limited knowledge that many Americans have about Thai culture, often reducing it to a takeout order or an object of fetishization.

As a Thai-American person, I find myself thinking a lot about my own experiences, as well as my family’s of being Thai restaurant owners, and I come back to this quote by scholar Jennifer Ho: “I understood my identity through my family and foodways.

Food has played a significant role in the ways people perceive my family’s identity in America. Witnessing members of my family being expected to fulfill a role of being easy-going (Thailand is marketed as “The Land of Smiles”) and serving delicious food compels me to explore the origins of this concept of “Thainess.” Continued …

Praça at The Standard Hua Hin

Be it at home or when traveling, the Let’s Eat team is always on the lookout for a great bar serving original quality drinks.

Such appealing watering holes receive bonus points if they are beach side in an idyllic, tropical, Insta-worthy setting. Double bonus if they have a food selection perfect for nibbling or sharing. Triple points if that food offering is inventive, appealing, and veers from the “usual” food and drink selection.

One such example is in Hua Hin, and it’s called Praça. Blessed with a prime beachfront location at the modish The Standard Hua Hin Hotel, Praça, is Portuguese for plaza or piazza, signifying a local meeting place. With its seaside garden setting and restored heritage beach house, Praça must be one of the coolest meeting places on Hua Hin’s beachfront. Continued …

Philippines to expand US access to military bases

The United States and the Philippines are expected to announce a deal Thursday that will give U.S. troops access to another four military bases in the Southeast Asian nation, as the longtime allies seek to deter Chinese aggression in the region. Continued … 

Australia to oust monarch from banknotes

Australia will erase the British-based monarch from its banknotes, replacing the late Queen Elizabeth II’s image on its $5 note with a design honoring Indigenous culture, the central bank said Thursday. Continued … 

‘Surprising’ ancient Egyptian mummy ingredients discovered

The discovery of dozens of beakers and bowls in a mummification workshop has helped reveal how ancient Egyptians embalmed their dead, with some “surprising” ingredients imported from as far as Southeast Asia, a study said Wednesday. Continued …

Click on imge above for more information

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

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