- Thailand temps too hot to handle, more on the way/
- Thailand remains second-largest exporter of of air cons as sales grow 9%/
- ‘Endless record heat’ in Asia as highest April temperatures recorded/
- Fears for Asia’s summer after recent ‘monster’ heatwave/
- Thailand’s sustainability leaders offer insights on transformative trends/
- Thai executives closely attuned to sustainability, survey finds/
- Police building a ‘strong case’ against woman accused of serial killings by poisoning/
- PM sounds alarm on Covid’s resurgence/
- Thailand’s Economy: Finance minister expects Thai exports, domestic spending to rise in Q2/Government revenue exceeds target in first six months of fiscal 2023/Survey finds household debt rising/Thailand EV registrations soar in March as buyers grab generous incentives/Marijuana Emerges as Key Issue in Thai Election/
- Tourism: Few expats will escape the new Thai tourism tax/Tighter visa rules stymie Chinese groups/Trang governor unveils Kradan development plans for ‘world’s best beach’/Thailand to seek World Heritage status for Si Thep, Phu Phra Bat, and Andaman Sea areas/First Look at Thailand’s New $157 million Zoo on Royal Land/
- Thailand Experience: May 2023’s festivals and events in Thailand/Phuket: 7 Things Travelers Need To Know Before Visiting/
- International: Human activities in Asia have reduced elephant habitat by nearly two-thirds since 1700/At least 11 dead after Indonesia ferry capsizes/Asia must quit coal faster to stem worst climate woes/Australia’s oldest coal-fired power plant closed amid shift toward renewable energy/
- 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
Thailand temps too hot to handle, more on the way
Thailand is currently in the grip of some extreme weather, with temperatures set to reach heights beyond what the human body can comfortably withstand.
The Asian country is dealing with extreme heat right now and experts have predicted that the run could continue until the end of the summer, sparking concerns for people’s welfare. Continued …
Thailand remains second-largest exporter of air cons as sales grow 9%
Thailand’s exported air conditioners worth US$7.044 billion (240 billion baht) last year, up 9% over 2022, a senior government official said on Thursday.
Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN), said the export value of air conditioners grew 9% when compared to 2021. Thailand has maintained its rank as the second-biggest exporter of air conditioners behind China, she added. Continued …
‘Endless record heat’ in Asia as highest April temperatures recorded
Asia is experiencing weeks of “endless record heat”, with sweltering temperatures causing school closures and surges in energy use.
Record April temperatures have been recorded at monitoring stations across Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, as well as in China and South Asia. Continued …
Fears for Asia’s summer after recent ‘monster’ heatwave
A “monster” Asian heatwave, which shattered temperature records in more than a dozen countries, is an early warning sign of “what may come if action is not taken”, scientific experts said.
Extremely high temperatures have swept across large parts of South and Southeast Asia in recent weeks, including India, China, Thailand and Laos. Ultimately, one-third of the global population suffered under crippling heat that is being driven by the climate crisis. Continued …
Thailand’s sustainability leaders offer insights on transformative trends
Thailand’s largest sustainability network, the United Nations Global Compact Network Thailand, has published its “SDGs Mega Trends 2023” report, highlighting five major trends among the sustainable development goals (SDGs) that businesses could focus on to unlock global pathways to resilience, growth and sustainability in the post Covid-19 era.
Suphachai Chearavanont, the network’s chairperson, said: “As a local network of UN Global Compact, Thailand’s chapter has prepared “SDGs Mega Trends” for four consecutive years to serve as a knowledge center and framework for sustainable development practices for business operators.” Continued …
Thai executives closely attuned to sustainability, survey finds
Thailand is one of the top three of 16 markets in terms of executives’ attentiveness to sustainable development, according to a recent survey by Google Cloud.
The survey interviewed 1,476 executives in 16 markets worldwide, including four in Asia: Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, a report on the survey said. Continued …
Police building a ‘strong case’ against woman accused of serial killings by poisoning
Police are considering additional charges against a woman suspected of poisoning to death at least 11 people with cyanide over the past decade.
Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, is likely to face three more charges in connection with the suspicious deaths linked to her, Crime Suppression Division Deputy Commander Anek Taosuparp said on Thursday. Continued …
PM sounds alarm on Covid’s resurgence
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed health authorities in major tourism destinations to closely monitor the number of Covid-19 cases in their area, as the number of new infections continues to surge after the holidays.
The order was issued after Prayut received an update on caseloads between April 16-22 from the Department of Disease Control, which showed the number of new Covid-19 infections was on the rise, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri. Continued …
Finance minister expects Thai exports, domestic spending to rise in Q2
Exports should show positive growth in the second quarter of this year despite global headwinds, while domestic consumption is expected to increase as consumer spending rises, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Wednesday.
Thai exports have been sluggish since the fourth quarter of 2021, and have declined for six consecutive months, according to data released by the Commerce Ministry yesterday. Weak global demand and delays in orders for electronic devices and electrical appliances – two major Thai exports – have contributed to the export decline. Rising global demand for Thai agricultural products has partially offset declines in other sectors, Arkhom said. Continued …
Government revenue exceeds target in first six months of fiscal 2023
Government revenue collection in the first six months of fiscal 2023 (October to March) surpassed the target by 8.9%, the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) said on Thursday.
FPO Director-general Pornchai Thiraveja said revenue collection in the first six months amounted to 1.163 trillion baht, which was 6.9% higher than the same period last year. Continued …
Survey finds household debt rising
Average household debt for workers has hit the highest level in 14 years, attributed to durable goods purchases, investment to create income and daily expenses.
However, there are signs the proportion of consumers’ unorganized loans, or borrowing from loan sharks, is beginning to decrease, according to the latest survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Continued …
Thailand EV registrations soar in March as buyers grab generous incentives
The total number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Thailand surged to 61,594 in March, driven by subsidies and incentives, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday.
EV registrations in March rose to 8,522, almost double January’s figure of 4,543, according to Land Transport Department data. Most EVs registered in March were cars with no more than seven seats (6,205), followed by motorcycles (2,263). Continued …
Marijuana Emerges as Key Issue in Thai Election
Thailand’s political party known for getting cannabis partially legalized in the kingdom, the Bhumjaithai Party, has accused rivals of playing politics with its flagship policy ahead of a May 14 election, warning that marijuana reform is non-negotiable if it is to join any government coalition.
In June of 2022, Thailand decriminalized cannabis to be cultivated and sold by licensed businesses for medicinal use only. Continued …
Few expats will escape the new Thai tourism tax
The latest notice from the Thai tourism ministry lists the exceptions to the rule that all foreigners must pay on arrival 300 baht at airports and 150 baht by land or sea. The fortunate ones are diplomats, infants under 2 years, those with work permits, single day and transit passengers, and that famous expression: foreign residents in Thailand.
The latter phrase is optimistically being interpreted by some expats to include themselves, as they see themselves as “residents” by virtue of their annual, renewable extensions of stay based on retirement or marriage or because they are learning Thai. But the contextual meaning of “resident” here is “permanent resident”, or that category of foreigner who holds a red police residency book and has no visa expiry date in his or her passport. Continued …
Tighter visa rules stymie Chinese groups
Inbound tourism operators for the Chinese market are calling for clarification of new rules for visa applications via tour groups, warning that Thailand may lose a lucrative segment, including large business travel groups to competitors.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said operators want clear answers on the new visa procedures because they could hamper travel activities for tour groups and large meetings and incentive groups that consist of hundreds or thousands of applicants. Continued …
Trang governor unveils Kradan development plans for ‘world’s best beach’
Koh Kradan in Trang has been swamped by tourists this month after being named No. 1 in the Top 100 Beaches on Earth by the UK’s World Beach Guide.
In response, the governor on Wednesday announced development plans aimed at turning the tiny island into a major tourism destination. He was speaking after government agencies, local businesses and investors met to discuss ways to develop sustainable tourism with minimal impacts on Kradan’s pristine environment. Continued …
Thailand to seek World Heritage status for Si Thep, Phu Phra Bat, Andaman Sea areas
The National Committee on the Protection of World Heritage meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan agreed to propose the Andaman Sea conservation area for selection as a World Heritage site. The meeting also reviewed the progress report on the nomination of the historical park of Si Thep ancient city, and Phu Phra Bat.
The selection of the Andaman Sea (covering areas of Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket provinces), as a World Heritage site will boost tourism and the local economy in the future. Continued …
First Look at Thailand’s New $157 million Zoo on Royal Land
The project developer has unveiled the 3-dimensional image of Thailand’s new zoo, which will cost more than 5 billion baht and be built on 300 rai (120 acres) of royal land.
Ditto (Thailand), Siam TC Technology and Team Consulting Engineering and Management signed a construction contract with the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand on April 24 as an RSDT joint venture to build the first phase of a new zoo that will cost up to 5.354 billion baht (USD157 million). Continued …
May 2023’s festivals and events in Thailand
The month of May boasts an exciting lineup of festivals and events in Thailand, including local cultural celebrations, extravagant light-and-sound shows in all five regions nationwide, music festivals, a street art showcase, Muay Thai world championship fighting, triathlons, and a sailing regatta.
It’s also the time for the exhilarating and action-packed annual Bun Bung Fai or rocket festival, which is held in various Northeast provinces, the biggest and most famous of these being in Yasothon and Kalasin. Normally held mid-month just ahead of crop planting to ask the gods for plentiful rain and a good crop, this famous event sees the launching of home-made rockets containing anywhere from 1 kg to 120 kg of gunpowder high into the sky and is a breathtaking and very noisy spectacle that’s not-to-be-missed. Continued …
Phuket: 7 Things Travelers Need To Know Before Visiting
Phuket is Thailand’s golden child. The idyllic island is the nation’s most popular tourist destination, known for its breathtaking beaches, incredible food, natural beauty, and welcoming culture.
But before setting off to Phuket, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about traveling to Phuket, including: Continued …
Human activities in Asia have reduced elephant habitat by nearly two-thirds since 1700
Despite their iconic status and long association with humans, Asian elephants are one of the most endangered large mammals. Believed to number between 45,000 and 50,000 individuals worldwide, they are at risk throughout Asia due to human activities such as deforestation, mining, dam building and road construction, which have damaged numerous ecosystems. Continued …
At least 11 dead after Indonesia ferry capsizes
At least 11 people died and one was missing when a ferry capsized off the eastern coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, the national search and rescue agency said on Friday. Continued …
Spring ocean temperatures are shockingly hot around the globe
Global sea surface temperatures rose sharply in March and continued to rise during much of April and oceanographers and climate scientists are watching with trepidation. Continued …
Asia must quit coal faster to stem worst climate woes
Asia must rapidly cut fossil fuel subsidies and plow more money into a clean energy transition to avoid catastrophic climate change that puts its own development at risk, according to a new report Thursday from the Asian Development Bank. Continued …
Australia’s oldest coal-fired power plant closed amid shift toward renewable energy
Australia’s most senior coal-fired power plant is set to close today, marking a significant step toward the nation’s transition to renewable energy sources. Previously notorious for its climate inaction, Australia is now preparing for a remarkable transformation in its energy sector. Continued …
Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule
- Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
- Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 2:30pm, 4pm, 6pm
The one-way fare is 325 baht.
The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.
Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day
Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.
Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets
Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October
Book a flight
Culprits behind dense smog choking Thailand: Corn and wildfires
Top 10 reasons to retire in Thailand
How can I be eligible for O visa in Thailand?
Report exposes a decade of corruption involving politicians in Thailand
Former Kiwi PM commends Thailand for cannabis decriminalization
