Hua Hin offically becomes a ‘city’/Pressure put on Hua Hin/Big C coming to Bluport/Cargo Ship Damages PKK Coral Reef/Hua Hin footballer punches referee/Penalties for drink driving/Government Rejects Poll/Heat wave is no joke/Thailand to Introduce Salt Tax/Thai crypto investment damage/Wild Elephant Kills Ranger/ECONOMY: Court kills ‘automatic’ lease renewals/Illegal hotel woes plague Bangkok/Thailand Drops Rule for Casino Entry/Exports must expand 4%/Chinese investment in Thai property/Tax incentive sparks shopping spree/$240 million data center/Phuket ‘needs new growth strategy’/TOURISM: Koh Samui hotel rates surge/Visa-Free Travel for Thais/Bangkok gears up for Songkran/Thailand Tourism Festival/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Travel emergencies in Thailand/5 jungle destinations/CLIMATE THAILAND: Greenpeace Thailand/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
Hua Hin officialy becomes a ‘city’ March 28
Pressure put on Hua Hin for narcotices suppression, e-cigarette use
Upscaled Big C coming to Bluport
Cement Cargo Ship Damages Coral Reef at PKK’s Koh Talu
A cargo ship towing barges carrying cement collided with a coral reef near Koh Talu in Prachuap Khiri Khan, causing severe damage after rough seas led to the failure of its anchor chain.
On Sunday, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) received a report from local conservation networks that a cement cargo ship traveling from Bangkok to Pattani had run into difficulties due to strong winds and rough seas. In an attempt to seek shelter, the crew anchored near Koh Talu in Bang Saphan Noi district. However, the towing chain of the barge snapped, causing three barges to drift uncontrollably and crash into coral reefs and rocky outcrops, leading to significant environmental damage. Continued …
Hua Hin footballer punches referee and opponent
At the end of the first half of the match against Hua Hin City at Khao Takiap Stadium on Sunday, the visiting team Rajpracha was leading 3-0. After attempting to head the ball away, a Rajpracha player fell to the ground, causing the referee to stop the match and call the medical staff onto the field.
Believing that the visiting player was deliberately lying on the ground to waste time, Hua Hin player Songkran Puangnoi kicked his opponent. This behavior caused Songkran to receive a direct red card from the referee. The Hua Hin City defender became even angrier and punched the referee hard in the face, then turned to punch Srithai Bookok of Rajapracha. Continued …
What are the penalties for drink driving in Thailand?
Government Rejects Poll Showing Public Dissatisfaction
The government of Thailand has dismissed a poll released by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) indicating widespread discontent with its current performance.
Jirayu Houngsub, a government spokesman, criticized the poll, suggesting that its open-ended questions might be slanted against the administration. Instead, Jirayu highlighted the government’s own internal surveys, which reportedly reflect a more positive public perception. According to these surveys, the population generally supports the government’s social and economic initiatives. Continued …
Thailand heat wave is no joke, 40°C and stormy weather ahead
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today forecast that Thailand’s upper regions would experience hot weather, with some areas reaching extreme temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. Some 26 provinces were warned to prepare for potential thunderstorms and strong winds.
South (east coast): Partly cloudy with thunderstorms in 10% of the area, mainly in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan. Temperatures range from 22 to 25°C to 31 to 36°C, with easterly winds at 10 to 30 kilometers per hour. The sea will have waves below 1 meter, rising above 1 meter during thunderstorms. Continued …
Thailand to Introduce Salt Tax to Promote Healthier Eating
In a move toward improving public health, the Excise Department of Thailand aims to implement a salt tax this year. This initiative, supported by the Salt Reduction Network, targets reducing the consumption of sodium-rich foods and encouraging the production of healthier options.
Dr. Surasak Kantachuvessiri, president of the Salt Reduction Network, lauded the decision, citing international examples where similar measures have proven effective. In Hungary, for instance, a salt tax on snacks and seasoning sauces has effectively reduced the consumption of unhealthy foods by 20%-35%. Consequently, around 80% of Hungarians now opt for products containing reduced sodium formulas, boosting their sales. Continued …
Thai crypto investment damage surges
Thailand reported one of the highest increases in cryptocurrency investment damage globally, with more than 1,000 data requests for investigation of damage over the past three years, says Binance, the world’s largest blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency exchange.
These data requests are from investors who opened investment accounts with Binance.com and Binance TH by Gulf Binance only, compared with 65,000 total data requests worldwide. Continued …
Wild Elephant Kills Ranger in Phetchabun Province
An incident unfolded in Phetchabun province when a wild elephant attacked a team attempting to push it back into the forest, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury.
The incident occurred at approximately yesterday in Ban Huai Khoi, Lom Kao District. According to reports from the Phetchabun Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DPMO), the deceased was a member of the elephant control team from Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. Continued …
Supreme Court decision kills ‘automatic’ 30-year lease renewals
The Thai Supreme Court’s recent decision over the ‘automatic’ renewal of a 30-year lease of a property in Phuket is poised to significantly impact the real estate market in Thailand. Continued …
Illegal hotel woes plague Bangkok, but no crackdown on daily condo rentals
Despite complaints from residents and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) recognition of the issue, a condo building in Sukhumvit 11 developed by an SET-listed company has not been able to prevent half of the 450 units from being illegally rented out on a daily basis via online platforms, reflecting the critical situation concerning weak law enforcement in Thailand.
According to a source, who is a foreign resident and owned a unit at the condominium, over 250 units are being rented out daily via online travel platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb. Continued …
Thailand Drops 50-Million-Baht Account Rule for Casino Entry
Thailand has scrapped a requirement for its upcoming casino-entertainment complex project. Originally, Thais needed to show proof of having 50 million baht in a fixed deposit to gain entry. Now, they just need to demonstrate they have filed tax returns for the past three years.
This significant shift in the Entertainment Complex Bill is detailed in Section 65 of the draft. The government’s legal advisors, the Council of State, reviewed this section, pushing for a more practical approach. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, recent public feedback has influenced this change. Continued …
Exports must expand 4% for GDP growth to reach target
To achieve the government’s target of 3.5% GDP growth this year, exports must expand by 4%, according to the state planning unit.
Tourism revenue must also increase, while investment disbursement needs to reach 90% and foreign direct investment (FDI) should tally at least 400 billion baht, according to Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). Continued …
Chinese investment in Thai property hits rock bottom
Once a beacon of opportunity, Thailand’s vibrant condo market for Chinese investors is now dimming, as economic clouds gather over China’s middle class.
Stephen Yao, a former Chinese investments broker in Bangkok and Pattaya, has seen his formerly bustling schedule dwindle. In 2017 and 2018, he made a staggering 32 trips from China’s Guangdong province to Thailand. But recent years have painted a starkly different picture. Continued …
Thailand’s Easy E-Receipt 2.0 tax incentive sparks big shopping spree
Thailand’s recent economic stimulus initiative, the Easy E-Receipt 2.0, which wrapped up on Feb. 28, has resulted in a significant surge in domestic spending and local production, especially among Generation Z.
The scheme allowed taxpayers to claim deductions of up to 50,000 baht annually, divided into two categories: 30,000 baht for general goods and services from VAT-registered businesses issuing e-tax invoices, and an additional 20,000 baht for purchases from OTOP (One Tambon One Product) shops and other social enterprises. Continued …
$240 million data center planned for Bangkok
ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (Thailand) is investing US$240 million in the construction of STT Bangkok 2 – its third data center facility in Thailand – to support the demand of next-generation computing.
“We commenced the construction on STT Bangkok 2, which marks a significant milestone to support Thailand’s digital transformation,” said Budsarin Pradityont, country head at ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (Thailand), also known as STT GDC Thailand, the largest digital infrastructure provider in Thailand. Continued …
Phuket ‘needs new growth strategy’
The Phuket Chamber of Commerce is encouraging the private sector to set a new strategy for economic development to cope with increasing regional competition.
The chamber’s president, Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, said last week that Phuket saw a recovery in tourism and growth in local businesses last year despite challenges linked to global economic volatility and fast-evolving business trends. Continued …
Koh Samui hotel rates surge 40% after The White Lotus airs
Luxury hotel room rates on Koh Samui have increased by up to 50% following the airing of season three of The White Lotus two weeks ago. Despite this, rates have not yet matched the peak levels seen in Phuket and Bangkok.
Rathawat Kuvijitrsuwan, senior vice president of advisory and asset management for Asia at JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, noted that the average daily rate (ADR) for luxury hotels on Koh Samui has surpassed 10,000 baht per night over the past fortnight. Continued …
2025 Visa-Free Travel for Thais: 36 Countries Announced
Thirty-six countries will allow entry for Thais without a visa in 2025, making international travel more straightforward. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has detailed the destinations and the length of stay for Thai visitors.
These changes aim to enhance travel opportunities and ease the process for Thai tourists exploring the globe. Keep these destinations in mind when planning your adventures. Continued …
Bangkok gears up for massive Songkran extravaganza this April
The Cabinet has earmarked 153 million baht for the large-scale Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, which will be centered in Bangkok’s Sanam Luang grounds.
Anan Kaewkamnerd, director of the Budget Bureau, said the allocated funds will be taken from the national emergency reserves for the 2025 fiscal year, as proposed by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Continued …
Thailand Tourism Festival: celebration of culture and sustainability
Thailand is gearing up to host its 43rd annual Tourism Festival, a five-day extravaganza showcasing the nation’s diverse regional offerings, from March 26-30.
The event, officially titled Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) 2025, will take place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, promising a vibrant display of cultural performances, local handicrafts, culinary delights, and tourist attractions. Continued …
5 most common travel emergencies in Thailand and how to be prepared
Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities. However, travelers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, it’s essential to be prepared for these common travel emergencies in Thailand. By knowing the risks, having the right travel insurance, and staying aware of local safety practices, visitors can navigate potential problems and fully enjoy their time in this beautiful country. Continued …
5 jungle destinations in Thailand
Before you click purchase on your all-inclusive Thai beach resort this summer, consider these jungle destinations, too. For a relaxing introduction into the Thai jungle, explore one of six beautiful waterfalls located in Koh Chang National Park or go bamboo rafting after a trek through Huai Nam Dang National Park.
Drive the roads of Khao Yai National Park for a spot of wildlife watching, a habitat for over 350 rare and endangered species, or get to know the jungles of Thailand on a personal level through their community by spending the night in a tribal village at Huai Nam Dang National Park. With its extensive list of gorgeous national parks, it’s clear that Thailand has more natural beauty to offer than zen hotel retreats. Continued …
Tara Buakamsri bids farewell to Greenpeace Thailand
Tara Buakamsri is stepping down as the country director of Greenpeace Thailand after co-founding the organization and leading environmental campaigns for 25 years.
As a co-founder of Greenpeace Southeast Asia in 2000, Tara played a pivotal role in holding those in power accountable for stopping environmental destruction and enhancing public discourse in Thailand. As Greenpeace Thailand moves into its next chapter, a new leadership team will take the helm to continue the fight for climate justice and environmental rights. Tara also reaffirms his commitment to lend support to Greenpeace Thailand’s mission. Continued …
New bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok
The new first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin will offer two round trips daily. The fare would be 200 baht each way and would take three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure will be from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.
- The bus will leave Hua Hin at 7 am and 2 pm
- It will depart from Don Mueang at 7:30 am and 4 pm
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
Emergency hotline numbers:
- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
- State Railway – 1590
Move over ChatGPT, Meta’s AI chatbot now speaks Thai
Research institute urges rollout of ‘greener’ policies
