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Hua Hin plans 22-kilometer road/New law expands alcohol sales/International Schools Thrive/Architects deny changing plans/Mother offers to sell organs/Rubber serum shows potential in Alzheimer’s/Free flu shot/Pattaya clamps down on parking/ECONOMY: Restaurant industry faces crisis/Thailand pitches trade proposals/Handout scheme in question/Trade talks are likely to fail/Bank Flags Investment Slump/National e-marketplace/Frog farming a boon in Isan/TOURISM: Thai hotels see 30% drop in Chinese tourists/Double whammy from tariffs/Tourism groups prepare proposals/Foreign beggar gang busted/Trang Airport progress/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Pad Thai recognized again/CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand’s Floating Hydro-Solar Farm/EV maker to ramp up Thailand presence/EVs to displace 5 million barrels of oil/Illegally imported electronic waste/INTERNATIONAL/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 plans 22-kilometer parallel road to rail line
New law expands venues selling alcohol despite Buddhist fest bans
The government is set to widen the scope of venues permitted to sell alcoholic beverages daily, following the enactment of a new law last week. This legislation allows five categories of venues to sell alcohol.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that the new law, announced in the Royal Gazette on May 9 and effective from May 10, continues the prohibition of alcohol sales during Buddhist festivals such as Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, and the start and end of Buddhist Lent. Continued …
International Schools Thrive Despite Challenges in Thai Education System
Parents in Thailand increasingly choose international education over traditional curriculum despite slower growth and fewer new school openings, says Kasikorn Research Center. Dr. Temyot Pandajphong of Denla School points out that today, parents focus on skills, educational quality, and the environment for their children.
According to the Kasikorn Research Center, the international school sector in Thailand is expected to grow by 9.7% by 2025, generating revenues of 95 billion baht. Although growth has slowed compared to last year (13.1%), mainly due to fewer new schools opening, only eight this year, five fewer than last year, the sector remains robust. Continued …
Architects deny changing plans at doomed tower
An architectural firm involved in the construction of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) headquarters has denied making any revisions to the original design, amid an ongoing parliamentary investigation into the tragedy.
Representatives of Forum Architect Co. and Meinhardt (Thailand) appeared before the House Committee on Corruption Prevention and Suppression to explain their roles in the project. Continued …
Desperate Thai mother offers to sell organs to keep son alive
A Thai mother took to social media in a desperate attempt to sell her organs to raise funds to care for her one-year-old son and to seek a better home for the young boy.
The 33-year-old woman from the Isaan province of Sisaket initially shared photos of her son on Facebook to find an adoptive family. In her post, she wrote: “Anyone interested in adopting a young boy? I’m unable to care for him. He hasn’t had any milk to drink for three days already. I’m suffering from multiple illnesses and don’t know how much longer I can stay with my son.” Continued …
Innovative Thai rubber serum shows potential in combating Alzheimer’s
Thai researchers have made an advancement by developing a rubber serum for medical use, showing potential in combating Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes.
The innovation was introduced by the Center for Research and Development of Rubber Serum Biotechnology (CERB) at Prince of Songkla University. Thanawat Pitakpornpreecha, a researcher at the center, explained that the idea stemmed from the observation that rubber trees produce a wide range of bioactive compounds to sustain themselves despite being tapped daily. Continued …
Thailand offers free flu shot to 7 high-risk groups nationwide
The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the National Health Security Office (NHSO), is now offering free influenza vaccinations to seven high-risk groups at all medical facilities nationwide until Aug. 31. The initiative aims to prevent the spread of seasonal influenza.
The government, through the NHSO, has procured vaccines based on the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to combat circulating flu strains. A total of 4.57 million doses have been prepared and distributed across healthcare service units. The vaccines protect against three strains of the influenza virus: A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and B (Victoria lineage). Continued …
Pattaya clamps down on parking space hogs
It’s the end of the road for parking space hogs in Pattaya, as city officials crack down on locals and businesses reserving public roads with cones, chains, and bins like it’s their private driveway.
Pattaya’s war on illegal space-grabbing has kicked into high gear, with municipal officers hitting the streets to clear cones, barriers, and random clutter dumped on public roads by individuals and businesses trying to bag exclusive parking. Continued …
Restaurant industry faces crisis as domestic spending drops, Chinese tourists vanish
Restaurant owners are struggling to survive amid declining domestic spending and a sharp drop in Chinese tourist arrivals. Thailand’s economic recovery appears sluggish and uncertain. With consumer purchasing power dwindling and costs rising, many food businesses are bracing for closures.
Chinese tourists — once a key customer base — have nearly disappeared. Meanwhile, Russian and Middle Eastern tourists are spending more cautiously. Major food chains have responded by diversifying and lowering prices, but many are still battling daily increases in operating costs, with some reporting food cost burdens as high as 40%. Continued …
Thailand pitches trade proposals to US
Proposals that Thailand has submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), outline Thailand’s willingness to import energy products, petrochemicals, aircraft, fruit, and animal feed from the United States, says Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
More imports of U.S. goods are one element of a five-part strategy intended to improve the trade balance between the two countries. Reducing Thailand’s high trade surplus, which was $45 billion last year, is viewed as a key to persuading Washington not to impose a threatened 36% tariff on imports from Thailand. Continued …
Tariffs put fate of handout scheme in question
The fate of the third phase of the government’s flagship digital wallet scheme is hanging in the balance in light of the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Thai economy.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira confirmed on Wednesday that the 10,000-baht handout program is under review, as the government must reconsider its priorities in light of trade turmoil that is affecting the economy worldwide. Continued …
Thai-US trade talks are likely to fail
Don’t get too excited over news the temporary trade deal between China and the U.S. will mean friendly negotiations with other countries. The U.S. government still aims for higher import tax income to narrow its monstrous fiscal deficit.
Donald Trump would love to see an average tariff rate of around 20% or higher on imports. Higher customs revenue already allowed the U.S. to achieve a budget surplus of US$258 billion (8.5 trillion baht) in April. The figure incorporates only a 10% universal tariff, as full reciprocal tariffs were postponed for 90 days from April 8. Just imagine how nice the US budget position would be with 20% or more import tariff revenue? Continued …
Bank of Thailand Flags Investment Slump
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has expressed growing concern over persistently low investment levels, warning that its capacity for further monetary policy intervention is becoming increasingly constrained.
At the recent Monetary Policy Forum 1/2025, central bank officials emphasized that with the benchmark interest rate already at a low 1.75% following three rate cuts since late last year, the effectiveness of additional reductions would be limited. Continued …
Call for national e-marketplace
E-commerce leaders are proposing the government establish a national e-marketplace as an alternative for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to promote their products and services.
The move would reduce their reliance on large foreign e-marketplaces that continue to raise commission fees and dominate the e-commerce space. In Southeast Asia, only Vietnam and Indonesia have successful local e-marketplaces. Continued …
Frog farming a dry season boon for Isan farmers
Frog farming has generated a handsome income for residents of a village in Renu Nakhon district during recent dry seasons. Sales of live and frozen frogs and tadpoles have brought in 10 million to 20 million baht a year to their community.
When the dry season begins, a group of farmers at Ban Nong Tae in tambon Nakham turn their harvested paddy fields into frog farms. They sell tadpoles, or luk huak in Isan dialect, to local markets for 150 to 200 baht a kilogram. Continued …
Thai hotels see 30% drop in Chinese tourists, occupancy rate falls to 52% in May
Thailand’s tourism sector has entered the full low season, and private businesses are increasingly concerned about the foreign tourist market. Not only are there no positive factors supporting growth, but negative influences are compounding.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the number of foreign tourists between May 1–11 reached 851,912, while the total for Jan. 1–May 11 stood at 12,948,032 — a decrease of 1.04% compared to the same period last year. Chinese tourists still ranked first in number at 1,766,870, only 100,000 more than Malaysian tourists, who ranked second. Continued …
Thai hotels face double whammy from tariffs
Thai hotels are likely to face secondary effects from the U.S. reciprocal tariffs, as slowing tourist arrivals may cause hoteliers to cut prices or introduce more aggressive campaigns at home, while their overseas operations cannot escape the impact of the global economic slowdown.
Spending per person in Thailand is expected to decline 1% next year and stay flat in 2027, attributed to the weaker global economic outlook, said CGS International Securities. Continued …
Tourism groups prepare proposals to offset crisis
The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) plans to submit a proposal to the prime minister in person this month, requesting a concrete plan to restore confidence and avoid a crisis.
The decision was reached on Tuesday at a meeting of member organizations, which include the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) and the Association of Chonburi Tourism Federation. Continued …
Foreign beggar gang busted for using kids as cash bait in Pattaya
A foreign beggar gang using children and the disabled to pull in cash from tourists has been busted in a dramatic sting operation by immigration police in Pattaya.
Undercover officers, posing as holidaymakers, swooped on a group of Cambodians spotted hustling money from passersby at popular tourist spots around the city. Continued …
Trang Airport finally taxiing toward take-off after years of turbulence
After years of delays, walkouts and government waffling, Trang Airport’s long-stalled revamp is finally back on the runway, with part of a new terminal expected to open next month and billions more being poured into the project.
The opposition People’s Party has vowed to keep a close eye on Trang Airport’s 4.4-billion-baht overhaul, which has been riddled with contractor chaos and snail-paced progress. But now, one major phase of the revamp is nearly ready for lift-off. Continued …
Pad Thai makes list of five best stir-fry dishes globally
Pad Thai, one of the most popular Thai dishes abroad, has been ranked fifth among the best stir-fry dishes in a survey by TasteAtlas, an online world atlas of traditional dishes.
Pad Thai’s flavors are “an intricate combination of sweet, sour and salty, with a well-balanced contrast of textures,” according to TasteAtlas. Two other Thai stir-fry dishes also made it into the top 50, namely Phat kaphrao in eighth place and Phat Si-io in 28th. Continued …
Thailand Built One of the Largest Floating Hydro-Solar Farms in the World
Imagine if you could rely on both solar and hydropower. Wouldn’t that greatly increase your chances of energy stability? The Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand has built one of the world’s largest floating hydro-solar farms in Ubon Ratchathani province.
The hybrid project covers 300 acres (121 hectares) on the Sirindhorn Dam and is built on a reservoir. It consists of 144,417 solar panels that together form seven solar farms that can generate 45 MW of power. Continued …
Chinese EV maker to ramp up Thailand presence
China’s state-owned Changan Automobile is looking to establish a research and development center for right-hand-drive electric vehicles (EVs) and a regional office in Thailand.
Thailand Board of Investment (BoI) Secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said Changan Automobile Chairman Zhu Huarong and the company’s executive team paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday during their visit to Thailand to attend the opening ceremony of the Chinese company’s new EV manufacturing plant. Continued …
EV surge poised to displace 5 million barrels of oil per day by 2030
Electric vehicles are set to displace more than 5 million barrels of oil per day globally by 2030, highlighting their growing role in reshaping fuel demand and bolstering energy security, a new report stated.
China alone is expected to account for half of this displacement, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest global publication, as it continues to dominate global EV sales, manufacturing, and battery production. Continued …
Thai officials seize over 200 tons of illegally imported electronic waste from the US
Thai officials said yesterday they seized 238 tons of illegally imported electronic waste from the United States at the port of Bangkok, one of the biggest lots they’ve found this year.
The waste, which came in 10 large containers, was declared as mixed metal scrap but turned out to be circuit boards mixed in a huge pile of metal scrap, said Theeraj Athanavanich, director-general of the Customs Department. It was found Tuesday in a random inspection. Continued …
Ukraine, Russia to hold first direct talks since 2022
War rivals Ukraine and Russia are set to go into their first direct talks in more than three years today, with Russian President Vladimir Putin not included on the list of attendees. Continued …
Foreigners flock to China’s Shenzhen as visa-free entries surge 160%
Shenzhen, China’s southern tech hub, has reported a swell of overseas visitors this year, an influx attributed to the country’s expansion of visa-free entry and its integration of the Greater Bay Area, a region that incorporates Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau. Continued …
New Schedule: Bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok
The first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin offers two round trips daily. The fare is 200 baht each way and takes three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure is from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.
(We recommend checking with the bus company about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
Starting May 1, the Don Mueang-Hua Hin route will offer four round trips per day. The two outbound trips from Don Mueang Airport will depart at 8 am and 3 pm. The bus will stop at eight locations, including the Service Hall at Don Mueang, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Mahachai, Phetchaburi Big C, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, and the Hua Hin Bus Station.
For the return trips from Hua Hin, buses will depart at 9 am and 3:30 pm, stopping at seven locations, including the Hua Hin Bus Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Mahachai, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, and Don Mueang Airport.
Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
(We recommend checking with the airline about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 12:10 pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 10:20 am
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