Experts break down the new tax on expats/Hua Hin Chinese New Year Festival/Strong wind, high waves in PKK/Tourist police to focus on safety/Hua Hin 13th on List/Clean air in most of Thailand/Free transportation not the answer/Sugarcane harvest faces burning checks/Air Pollution Crisis Hits ASEAN Agenda/Public health emergency response center/Cold weather returns/Thai FDA approves kratom use/New baht banknotes scarce/Thai police officers held/Foreigners behaving badly/ECONOMY: Girding for a trade war/Thais Reject Casino Complex/Free trade talks with EU/Thai properties at risk/Law would target unregistered small hotels/TOURISM: There must be easier ways/Etiquette rules tourists should follow/How to be a better traveler/Medical Tourism Market to Surge/Thailand pushes Chiang Mai/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: How to welcome the Year of the Snake/Sweet twist on beloved breakfast/Locked up in a hellhole Thai jail/CLIMATE THAILAND: Bangkok renewable energy plant/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
Experts break down the new tax on expats – HERE
Expat News received a question about who has to file a tax return concerning government retirement programs from their country, such as U.S. Social Security or Canadian pensions. Here is the response from Expat Tax Thailand:
“People with no assessable income do not need to file. (so U.S. Social Security, Canadian pensions). For other pensions, if they have paid tax in another jurisdiction then they have to file and can use tax paid as a tax credit. Here is a link to our assessment.
Hua Hin Chinese New Year Festival schedule
Strong wind, high waves in PKK through tomorrow
Hua Hin tourist police to focus on visitor safety
Hua Hin 13th on List of Best Places to Retire Abroad
If you are interested in retiring overseas (or considering relocating from your present location), you may be curious about the best places to enjoy your newfound freedom.
The idea is becoming more widely accepted. “I think it’s caught on, it’s in the mainstream,” said Sophia Titley, editorial director at Live and Invest Overseas, said. “The more people travel and explore the world, I think it opens up their eyes to the possibilities. They’re seeing relocation stories or being inspired by what other people are doing. It’s one of those things that just spreads.” Continued …
Clean air in most of Thailand
Residents of 44 provinces enjoyed good to very good air quality this morning, while 12 of the 76 provinces had orange (starting to affect health) levels of PM2.5, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
GISTDA reported at 8am that the whole country was free of red levels (hazardous-to-health) of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5). Continued …
Free transportation not the answer to air pollution, critics say
In Bangkok, the government’s recent decision to offer free public transportation has ignited a heated debate. Designed to address the city’s escalating haze problem, this initiative is provoked by alarming dust pollution levels as particulate matter (PM2.5) reaches troubling concentrations. Yet, critics argue that the plan merely scratches the surface of a far deeper issue.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Friday that Bangkok’s transport services, including buses and electric trains, would be made free for a week, starting immediately on Saturday. This move aims to reduce vehicular emissions, a significant contributor to PM2.5 pollution, by encouraging residents to shift from private vehicles to public transport. Continued …
Big sugarcane harvest faces burning checks
Thailand’s sugarcane output is expected to increase in the 2024-25 crop year thanks to more rainfall, but farmers face strict screening for harvesting by burning, says the Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB).
Authorities previously ordered a temporary shutdown of a sugar mill in Udon Thani after it bought more burned sugar cane than the limit set by the government to curb burning, which is blamed for emitting PM2.5 ultra-fine dust. Continued …
Thailand’s Air Pollution Crisis Hits ASEAN’s Collaborative Agenda
Air pollution in Thailand has reached critical levels, prompting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to elevate the issue from a national concern to a matter requiring ASEAN-wide cooperation. This move aims to tackle the worsening pollution crisis, characterized by hazardous PM2.5 levels, which now demands a regionally coordinated response.
The prime minister, fresh from her return from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, emphasized the escalating problem as a cross-border issue affecting multiple nations. She has tasked Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa with conducting discussions with ASEAN counterparts to address this environmental challenge under existing regional frameworks. Continued …
Bangkok opens public health emergency response center amid PM2.5 smog
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) opened a public health emergency response center on Saturday to tackle the impact of PM2.5 air pollution on people’s health.
This move came as PM2.5 (fine particulate dust) in the capital reached unsafe levels for many consecutive days, causing the number of patients affected by air pollution to increase. Continued …
Cold weather returns as temperatures drop by 4–6°C
The Thai Meteorological Department reports that a new, moderately strong cold air mass from China has spread over northern Vietnam and is expected to reach northern Thailand, the northeastern region, and the South China Sea today. This will cause temperatures in the northeast to drop by 3–6°C, accompanied by strong winds.
In the northern and eastern regions, temperatures will decrease by 1–3°C. Residents are advised to stay warm and be cautious of fire hazards due to dry and windy conditions. Continued …
Thai FDA approves kratom use for health and economic benefits
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of kratom plant products for economic and health benefits. The regulations now permit mitragynine, an active compound in kratom leaves, to be used up to 3 milligrams (mg) per day, with appropriate warnings on product labels.
Previously, the limit was set at 1mg per day. The decision to increase the limit to 3mg per day was based on research conducted by Mahidol University, which focused on the safe use of kratom, and chronic toxicity studies in animals carried out by Naresuan University. Kratom leaf extract products are known for their antioxidant properties. Continued …
New baht banknotes scarce ahead of Chinese New Year
Demand for newly printed banknotes has surged in the run-up to the Chinese New Year festival, resulting in a shortage of fresh notes. Despite Thailand’s transition to digital payments, cash remains a necessity for this festive occasion.
Chinese New Year, celebrated this week from Wednesday through Friday, requires ang pao (red envelopes) that symbolize joy, with money stuffed inside. Continued …
Thai police officers held for extorting 2 million baht from Chinese
Eight people, inclujding four police officers and a ranger, have been detained for allegedly abducting and extorting 2 million baht from seven Chinese men.
Reports from the area indicate that the Chinese men managed to alert their relatives by sending the location of a resort in Ubon Ratchathani’s Phibun Mangsahan district, where they were being held, using a mobile phone. Continued …
- British man arrested for 20-year-old death of Thai wife – Continued …
- Two Chinese Investors Arrested Over 10 Tons of Hazardous Electronic Waste – Continued …
Thai businesses girding for a trade war
U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term in office has captured the attention of the Thai business sector, as his “Golden Age of America” vision focuses on bolstering the American economy by hiking tariffs and relocating production bases to the U.S.
These strategies are expected to reshape global trade dynamics, with neighboring nations Canada and Mexico the first to experience the impact from Trump’s first day in office. Continued …
Thais Reject Casino Complex and Online Betting Plans, Poll Shows
A comprehensive survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) reveals a decided public disapproval of the Thai government’s plans to establish a casino-entertainment complex and legalize online gambling.
The telephone-based NIDA Poll, carried out over Jan. 20-21, captured the views of 1,310 adults from diverse educational, income, and occupational backgrounds nationwide. Continued …
Thailand aims to conclude free trade talks with EU this year
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is pushing to finalize a free-trade aggrement (FTA) with the European Union this year, following its recent agreement with EFTA. Plans for FTAs with Canada, UAE, South Korea, and Bhutan are also underway, aiming to boost trade partnerships to 53 countries.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has directed the Commerce Ministry to accelerate FTA negotiations with the EU following Thailand’s signing of an FTA with the European Free Trade Assn. (EFTA) on Jan. 23. Continued …
Thai properties at risk as Chinese buyers go cold amid abduction, trafficking news
Beijing resident Evelyn Lin paid US$274,000 for a flat in Bangkok in 2018, hoping to use the property as her home when she spends holidays in the Thai capital.
However, the recent spate of kidnappings of mainland Chinese and the trafficking of Hong Kong residents to scam farms in nearby countries are keeping her away from Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destination. Continued …
New Thai law would target unregistered small hotels
The Tourism and Sports Ministry plans to propose a new Hotel Act dedicated to small and medium-sized hotels, aiming to register more than 500 illegal accommodations that cannot enroll in the current system.
Tourism Vice Minister Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham said there are more than 90,000 small and medium-sized accommodations in Thailand that do not meet the criteria of a hotel business based on existing law. Continued …
There must be easier ways to admit foreigners into Thailand
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that all foreign passport holders will need to fill in a pre-departure online TM6 form starting in May. The main reason is likely the introduction of 60 days visa exempt for millions of tourists that began last July.
They can just turn up at the airport or border post without any documentation, a move that critics say is an open invitation to wannabe criminals of one sort or another. Presumably the computerized form, not yet available, will ask for Thai address details, as well as passport-related information. Continued …
Etiquette rules tourists should follow to avoid upsetting Thai locals
You’ve been holidaying in Thailand all wrong. How? You’ve been tipping the wrong amounts, making too much noise and pointing at things, to name but a few faux pas.
But don’t worry. Travel experts have revealed some Thai-riffic etiquette tipsso you can have a holiday in Thailand without causing any upset. Here’s everything you need to know before heading to “The Land of Smiles”. Continued …
Everyone hates tourists: Here’s how to be a better traveler
When I lived in Athens a few years ago, I stumbled across a wall freshly spray-painted wall with the words: “TOURISTS GO HOME!” I was so stunned by it that I had to take a picture.
Today, I probably wouldn’t even notice it. Not after the recent anti-tourism protests in Barcelona and after Venice imposed a $ 5-a-day fee for day visitors. Continued …
Medical Tourism Market to Surge, Driven by Rising Demand in India, Thailand, and Mexico
The global medical tourism market is poised for substantial growth in the coming years, with projections suggesting its market value will rise from USD 11.7 billion in 2022 to approximately USD 35.9 billion by 2032. This increase represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%. Several factors contribute to this rapid expansion, affecting various sectors, including healthcare, travel, and local economies, with significant implications for travelers worldwide.
One of the most significant factors contributing to the growth of medical tourism is the cost efficiency it offers. Many countries, particularly in Asia, provide medical treatments at a fraction of the cost compared to developed nations like the U.S. and European countries. Continued …
Thailand pushes Chiang Mai for World Heritage status
The Ministry of Culture is advancing efforts to have Chiang Mai designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, aligning with the government’s strategy to elevate Thai tourism and soft power globally.
This year, the ministry is pursuing its objectives through four policies, three approaches, and two models toward one goal: positioning Thailand as a top destination for cultural, artistic, and religious tourism. Continued …
How to welcome the Year of the Snake, the Chinese way
For Thai-Chinese communities, the Chinese New Year is a time of profound significance, marked by elaborate preparations and heartfelt rituals to honor ancestral spirits and seek blessings from the gods.
To ensure a prosperous and auspicious year, careful attention is paid to the selection of offerings, the timing of ceremonies, and the number of incense sticks used. Continued …
Sweet twist on Thailand’s beloved breakfast
Moo ping, Thailand’s iconic breakfast-on-the-go, has long been a favorite for its juicy, grilled pork skewers paired with sticky rice.
Traditionally, the pork is marinated in garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar, then grilled to caramelized perfection — a smoky, savory delight that evokes nostalgia for many. However, a newer twist on this classic sparks online debate from time to time: moo ping nom sod. This version incorporates sweetened condensed milk into the marinade, offering a richer, sweeter flavor. Continued …
I was locked up in a hellhole Thai jail after a row over work
A British consultant has revealed she is facing 20 years in a Thai prison because she confronted a client who owed her £30,000.
Rachel Stallard, a private estates consultant from Bournemouth, spent four days and nights in a jail cell with almost no food or water after a dispute with a client led to her being arrested and charged with “seven of the most serious charges there are in Thailand”. Continued …
Bangkok renewable energy plant targets 2026 opening
The On Nut waste-to-energy power plant is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The On Nut Waste Disposal Center covers an area of 30 rai and is being built by New Sky Energy (Thailand) with an investment of 4.89 billion baht. It’ will be able to deal with large amounts of the city’s daily waste output and turn it into power. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
Emergency hotline numbers:
- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
- State Railway – 1590
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