Winter to be cooler/Maquire wins at Black Mountain/Hua Hin hit-and-run/Cha Am’s ‘death village’/Muay Thai exhibition/Heavy rain expected/7 hidden health threats/5,600 People Accuse iCon Group/International victims sue iCon Group/Pyramid schemes in Thailand/Rise and fall of iCon Group/Congestion Charge to Curb Traffic/Bangkok awards best toilets/New king cobra species/Stolen supercars end up in Thailand/Draft regulations on cannabis, hemp/Economy: Investment pledges at 10-year high/Chronic debt in Thailand/Dealing with the deluge/Floods Result in Economic Damage/Handout for non-smartphone users/Digital infrastructure upgrade/More small firms are ailing/Successful year for fruit sector/First Official Nintendo Store/Tourism: Paradise at a crossroads?/UK adverts for elephant rides/Forest dept doubles its take/Budget for travel subsidy/Tour Bus Crash Injures 43/Thailand Experience: Krabi’s Boat Builders/Thailand’s Untouched National Park Wonders/World’s second-best tropical destination/Temple fair in Ayutthaya/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
Winter to be cooler in Thailand
Maquire wins Black Mountain Championship
American Michael Maguire won his maiden professional title at the Black Mountain Championship on Sunday after a playoff to deny compatriot John Catlin a third Asian Tour victory of 2024.
Maguire, 31, who is in just his second season on the Asian Tour, made a winning par on the second playoff hole after Order of Merit leader Catlin missed a 15-footer to extend the contest. Continued …
Foreign woman injured in Hua Hin hit-and-run
What is Cha Am’s ‘death village’?
Muay Thai exhibition held at Bluport
Heavy rain expected in 32 provinces with 70% of Bangkok affected
Today’s weather forecast from the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) predicts heavy rain across 32 provinces, with Bangkok expected to experience downpours over 70% of its area. Citizens are advised to stay alert for potential flash floods and forest runoff.
In the southern region (eastern coast), 40% of the area will have thunderstorms, with heavy rain in some places, particularly in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. Temperatures will range from 23 to 25°C at the lowest to 30 to 35°C at the highest, with variable winds blowing at 15 to 30 km/h. Continued …
7 hidden health threats every expat man in Thailand needs to know
Living as an expat in Thailand surely offers a vibrant lifestyle, but certain health risks may catch you off guard. While Thailand has a solid healthcare system, it’s important to stay aware of potential threats that could affect your well-being. Here are seven hidden health issues expat men in Thailand should watch out for, and tips on how to manage them.
1. Dehydration and heat stroke
Thailand’s tropical climate is hot and humid almost year-round. For older men, especially those not familiarized with the heat, dehydration and heat stroke are real dangers. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, older adults tend to dehydrate because their sense of thirst diminishes with age. Continued …
5,600 People Accuse iCon Group of 1.6 Billion Baht Scam
In a stunning turn of events, 5,600 individuals have lodged formal complaints, alleging losses of 1.6 billion baht linked to their dealings with The iCon Group’s direct sales business. This growing scandal is now under the microscope of Thai authorities who are preparing to level money-laundering charges against those involved.
Complaints began surfacing between Oct. 10 and 20 as people from across the nation, and even from overseas, came forward. So far, police have interviewed 2,822 individuals who claim a collective loss of approximately 965 million baht through investments in The iCon Group’s dietary supplements. Continued …
International victims sue iCon Group after losing over 20 million baht
Representatives of Thai and foreign victims living abroad arrived in Thailand to file complaints against the iCon Group company after they did not receive the products they had ordered. The total losses amount to over 20 million baht.
More than 40 people from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, Germany, Canada, Estonia, and Luxembourg were victims of the iCon Group. They paid more than 20 million baht to the company but never received any products. Continued …
Walls are closing in for ‘pyramid schemes’ in Thailand
Authorities have urged damaged parties to come forward and file complaints against suspects in the scandal engulfing The iCon Group, as investigations continue into allegations that it ran a pyramid scheme.
While 18 suspects, including the company’s CEO and founder, have been arrested, the fraud scandal, one of the largest in recent years, will not be the last, as pyramid scams and other fraudulent investment schemes are still thriving, authorities said. Continued …
The rise and fall of iCon Group
Whether it is Thailand’s largest pyramid-selling scheme or its most successful e-commerce business, The iCon Group has stirred a storm that extends far beyond the country’s borders.
Since the first alleged victim contacted police on Oct. 9, more than 4,500 complaints have been lodged against iCon Group, covering combined losses of over 1.35 million baht. Continued …
Bangkok Governor Supports Congestion Charge to Curb Traffic
Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt has thrown his support behind the Transport Ministry’s proposal to introduce a congestion charge for vehicles entering the city’s most densely populated areas.
This charge is intended to ease traffic and encourage a shift toward public transportation by helping fund a new policy offering a flat 20-baht fare on all electric train lines. The system is inspired by similar successful models in cities such as London and Singapore, where congestion charges have proven effective in reducing traffic while promoting sustainable transport alternatives. Continued …
Bangkok awards best toilets for hard work in big job
City Hall has announced this year’s 17 recipients of the best public-toilet awards as part of a push to promote the capital’s hygiene standards. Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said the Best Restroom of the Year award, which was launched in 2009, recognizes public toilets around the city with outstanding hygiene standards.
The winners will also be put forward to represent the capital in other similar regional competitions. The award is presented to both the toilets and their operators to show City Hall’s recognition of their hard work, he said. Continued …
New king cobra species discovered in Thailand
New research has revealed four distinct species of king cobra, including a new variant found in Thailand. Nirut Chamngam, the head of the Herpetology Group, shared this discovery on social media, explaining the differences and implications of these findings.
Chamngam, an expert on snakes and reptiles clarified that these species were not newly created but rather identified and classified from the previously known single species. The four species are: Ophiophagus hannah, Ophiophagus bungarus, Ophiophagus kaalinga, and Ophiophagus salvatana. Continued and video …
Most of the supercars stolen in London end up in Thailand
Authorities in Thailand have discovered a criminal network that steals cars in London and sends them to Bangkok. It is not known the routes or forms through which the robbers operate, who have so far carried out dozens of illegal transports.
They have even escaped numerous controls at the entrances and exits of the respective countries. Lamborghini, Porsche and BMW are among the supercars, which together amount to tens of millions of euros. – telegrafi.com
Draft regulations on cannabis, hemp products get Cabinet nod
The Cabinet meeting last week approved the draft of the Public Health Ministry’s regulation regarding application of cannabis and hemp products for private companies and the general public, paving the way for clearer rules on the use and commercialization of the former narcotics plants.
After their delisting from the Category 5 Narcotics List on Sept. 9, 2022, only extraction of cannabis and hemp with THC or tetrahydrocannabinol having concentration more than 0.2% is still regarded as a drug. However, the principles on their use and commercialization are still not clear. Continued …
Thailand says investment pledges at 10-year high
Thailand’s investment applications rose 42% in the January-September period from the same period a year earlier, led by electronic manufacturing and data center projects, the Board of Investment said today.
The value of investment applications rose to 723 billion baht during the period, the highest in 10 years, it said, with the majority coming from foreign investors. Continued …
Government set to tackle the evil of chronic debt in Thailand
The harrowing pain of a young husband who found his wife dead in her car on Saturday morning is the price Thailand is paying on a personal level for the country’s massive and growing household debt problem. At the same time, on a macro level, the problem threatens a potential crisis at any moment, while also acting as a constant impediment to economic growth.
PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra in September promised a government program to deal with the issue. Nonetheless, every day the problem is growing more acute and cries out for radical action. Continued …
Dealing with the deluge
The monsoon season this year has created tremendous concern in the business sector, as many key economic areas are impacted by severe flooding. Many provinces, notably Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, had high water levels ravage their economies for the first time in decades.
Following the flow of water along the Chao Phraya River down south, the level at dams has been monitored, prompting some areas to issue early warnings to residents to prepare for possible overflow, such as Nonthaburi. Continued …
Floods Result in Economic Damage Ranging from 30 to 50 Billion Baht
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has estimated that recent floods in northern and northeastern Thailand have caused economic damage amounting to between 30 and 50 billion baht.
Nava Chantanasurakon, vice chairman of the FTI, provided figures highlighting the urgent need for government intervention. The floods have extensively impacted households, agriculture, industry, and tourism, contributing to an economic slowdown. Continued …
State banks to register 10,000-baht handout for non-smartphone users
The government will soon allow individuals without smartphones to register for the 10,000-baht handout scheme at state banks, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced.
Julapun noted yesterday that the initial phase of the cash handout scheme, targeting 14.5 million vulnerable people, has effectively boosted economic activity and money circulation nationwide. Continued …
Digital economy minister seeks digital infrastructure upgrade
The Thai government has unveiled ambitious plans to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and ecosystem, aiming to position the digital economy as a key driver of national growth.
This commitment was announced by Prasert Chantararuangthong, deputy prime minister and minister of digital economy and society (DE), at the Bitkub Summit 2024 held over the weekend at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Continued …
FTI insists more small firms are ailing
More small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encountering financial difficulties caused by debt and declining sales as economic growth eases, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The number of financially unhealthy SMEs is increasing, as government assistance measures have yet to bear fruit, said the federation.
The FTI, which is dominated by SMEs, did not reveal how many SMEs are plagued by such problems, which range from liquidity shortages to difficulties in accessing sources of finance. Continued …
Minister of commerce reports successful year for fruit sector
As the 2024 fruit season in Thailand draws to a close, prices have surged across all categories, including durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longkong, mango, lychee, oranges, pomelo, pineapple, and longan. Meanwhile, Minister of Commerce Pichai Naripthaphan has instructed the Department of Internal Trade to prepare measures for the 2025 fruit season.
Pichai said the Department of Internal Trade has been monitoring fruit production and pricing for 2024. The season is nearing its end, and prices have increased across all categories, a success attributed to the 2024 fruit-management plan, which involved six key measures and 25 initiatives. Continued …
Thailand to Welcome Its First Official Nintendo Store
Nintendo will open its first authorized store in Thailand at Siam Paragon in November, partnering with Synnex following the closure of its previous online store.
Nintendo is expanding its retail presence globally, with a new initiative in Thailand. Despite having established various sales methods, there are still opportunities for growth in certain regions, prompting this development. Continued …
Paradise at a crossroads? Phuket’s fight to remain a top tourist destination
Phuket, the pearl of the Andaman Sea, has long been a magnet for travelers seeking stunning landscapes, vibrant culture and a taste of tropical life. But beneath the surface of this popular destination lies a growing concern: is Phuket losing its allure?
A confluence of factors threatens to tarnish its image, potentially stripping the island of its coveted “destination status”. Continued …
Adverts for ‘cruel’ elephant rides still rising despite new UK law
Growing numbers of travel companies are promoting holidays involving animal attractions through advertisements that should be illegal in the UK under new legislation, campaigners say.
MPs passed a law more than a year ago that gave ministers the power to ban tourism adverts that offer animal attractions, including elephant rides, but it has not yet come into force. In the first nine months of 2024, 1,201 companies had advertised unethical elephant attractions in the UK – many of them in Thailand. Continued …
Forest dept doubles its take from visits
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP)’s income has increased by almost 50% to 2.2 billion baht in the fiscal year 2024.
Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi in Krabi brought in the largest revenue of 629 million baht, and the most popular park is Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima. Continued …
Budget for travel subsidy may tick up
The Tourism and Sports Ministry plans to talk with the Finance Ministry about increasing the budget for the travel subsidy scheme aimed at mitigating the flood impact for tourism firms in the north.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong said last week Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a meeting to discuss economic and tourism stimulus measures, including how to upgrade existing ones. Continued …
Tour Bus Crash in Nakhon Ratchasima Injures 43
Authorities received reports at approximately Sunday evening of a traffic collision involving a tour bus in the Klong Dong area, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The incident occurred on the inbound Friendship Highway (Km. 35) near Mae Chompoo Restaurant in Phayayen subdistrict.
Emergency responders on arrival found the crash involved a tour bus with registration number from Kanchanaburi, which is reported to have lost all braking power, resulting in a collision with a parked truck and trailer at the side of the road. Continued …
Krabi’s Boat Builders Keep Ancient Craft Alive in Modern Times
The “Hua Thong boat”, or longtail boat, is a vessel built from local wisdom. It’s widely used in the southern seas of Thailand, especially along the Andaman coast, from Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang, to Satun provinces.
Locals traditionally use this type of boat for fishing and catching marine life. Nowadays, it has been adapted to serve tourists visiting the Krabi sea, becoming another unique feature of Krabi Province. Continued …
From Rainforests To Reefs, Explore Thailand’s Untouched National Park Wonders
Offering a glimpse into the country’s stunning natural beauty, national parks in Thailand showcase a rich tapestry of turquoise coastlines, sandy beaches, verdant rainforests, majestic cliffs, and astounding wildlife. These parks are home to diverse flora and fauna, considered a slice of heaven for birdwatching fans and diving enthusiasts.
From scenic waterfalls to floating campsites, and from ethical elephant camps to colorful songbirds, these places are full of unique things to see and experience. If you plan to visit this part of Asia, keep a few days aside to visit the amazing national park wonders of Thailand. Continued …
Thailand’s Koh Chang is world’s second-best tropical destination
Koh Chang has been named the second-best tropical holiday destination in the world by Travel + Leisure. The announcement was made by Neramit Songsang, head of the Mu Ko Chang National Park in Trat province.
Koh Chang, often referred to as the Gem of the Gulf of Thailand, achieved this prestigious ranking alongside other notable destinations in Southeast Asia, such as Palawan in the Philippines and Bali in Indonesia. This recognition highlights the region’s exceptional natural beauty, rich culture, and strong tourism potential. Continued …
Temple fair in Ayutthaya: a haunting blend of culture and thrills
A temple fair attracted thousands of visitors to Ayutthaya, as a roughly six-meter high “Mae Nak” statue, holding her baby in her arms, highlighted the event, with three giant incense welcoming at the entrance.
While aging chedis tilt in daytime, red and white beams transform historical sites into the backdrop for old-fashioned activities at night, such as open-air showings of 1960s horror movies and a Ferris wheel with neon lights. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule Sept 21-Oct 26
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
Thai Cabinet Approves New Anti-Corruption Bill
Bills introduced to reduce military power, prevent coups
Minister confident cannabis will be regulated, not banned
Villagers In Central Provinces Alerted Of Likely Flash Floods
Less Social With Age
Thailand’s flourishing cannabis culture to end as government seeks ban
Bangkok’s children gasp for air amid pollution nightmare
Wild jumbos not the issue
Hundreds of amateur footballers to descend on Hua Hin
Long holiday to boost domestic tourism, hotel occupancy
PKK monkeys to Phuket? Relocation tackles rampant macaque issue in Phetchaburi and PKK
Fuel tariff for Sept-Dec lowered, but private sector opposes it
Thai CEOs’ Top Concerns: Government Formation Delay and Global Demand Slowdown
What Happened to All Those Chinese Tourists?
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi moved from prison
Asia’s biggest Golf Tournament created a financial boost for Hua Hin
The Fear of Pita and Move Forward Explained
50,000 Signatures Sought to Keep Cannabis off the Narcotics List
Thai baht continues to be volatile
Further interest hikes likely
Chinese tourists top low season visitors list
Travelindex Unveils Winners of Bangkok’s Top 25 Restaurants
Air Travel Demand Seen Soaring 28% To Near Pre-pandemic Level In 2023
China calls on US to meet it halfway amid frosty ties