Tag Archives: thailand rice exports

chiang mai, climate change, hua hin, thai economy, thai food, thailand

Tuesday’s News-July 11

  • Pak Nam Pran to host Allianz Ayudhya World Run Nov 26/
  • Outgoing Thai PM found guilty of neglect of duty over PM2.5 pollution/
  • Expect heavy rain in 42 provinces including Bangkok/
  • El Nino will expose Thailand’s lack of defense against climate change/
  • Thailand braces for 150,000 dengue fever cases/
  • Missing German Businessman Hans Peter Mack Found Dismembered in Freezer/
  • Overpass Bridge in Bangkok Collapses, Multiple Fatalities and Injuries Reported/
  • Survey shows progress in adolescent births, worrying trends in education, child development/
  • University sets its sights on tackling Thailand’s food waste problem/
  • Economy: Thailand’s foreign direct investment skyrockets with focus on EV industry/Fitch affirms Thailand’s sovereign credit rating at BBB+/PTT puts renewable strategy into overdrive/How small businesses in Thailand can thrive with the rise of Web3 technologies/Thai rice exports poised to hit 9 million tons amid climate anxieties/
  • International: Myanmar crisis to dominate ASEAN meeting/Turkey gives green light to Swedish NATO membership bid/Germany sends troops to Australia as Berlin shifts focus to Indo-Pacific/
  • 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

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Pak Nam Pran to host Allianz Ayudhya World Run Thailand Series Nov 26

The Allianz Ayudhya World Run Thailand Series 2023 will be held near Hua Hin in November and registration is now open.

The event takes place over two days, with a mini-concert and bib collection taking place on Nov. 25 ahead of the actual race on Nov. 26. The run will see participants compete over distances of 10km or 21.1km. Continued …

Outgoing Thai PM found guilty of neglect of duty over PM2.5 pollution

The Chiang Mai Administrative Court ruled against the prime minister and the National Environmental Board yesterday for neglecting their duty to deal with the annual dense smog in Chiang Mai.

Both defendants were found to have ignored their duties as stipulated in the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535 (1992). Continued …

Expect heavy rain in 42 provinces including Bangkok

The Thai Department of Meteorology has alerted residents in 42 provinces to expect heavy rainfalls, including in the capital, Bangkok, with 70% of the southern region particularly affected. Citizens are cautioned to take necessary precautions to avoid potential hazards.

This 24-hour forecast, valid from 6am today to 6am tomorrow, is due to a southwest monsoon prevailing across the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Continued …

El Nino will expose Thailand’s lack of defense against climate change

Although the rainy season has begun in Thailand, the threat of prolonged drought and water shortages is hovering on the horizon because of El Nino.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which monitors sea temperatures at over 200 locations, forecasts that El Nino – a change in the weather system that increases global temperatures – will drag on from now until at least February next year. Continued …

Thailand braces for 150,000 dengue fever cases

Health authorities in Thailand issued a warning about a potentially significant outbreak of dengue fever in the country. Predicted figures from the Department of Disease Control (DDC) suggest that up to 150,000 instances of infection may occur by year-end.

Opas Karnkawinpong, the permanent secretary for public health, yesterday confirmed that this year has already seen a significant rise in dengue cases, with numbers exceeding 30,000 and resulting in 33 fatalities. Dr. Opas was speaking at a seminar titled “Dengue: Effective Action for Treatment and Prevention,” held at Rajavithi Hospital. Continued …

Missing German Businessman Hans Peter Mack Found Dismembered in Freezer

The body of missing German businessman Hans Peter Mack, 62, was found in a rental home in Pattaya last evening and was confirmed early this morning, around 12:30 AM by Banglamung officials.

Mack’s body was found in a large freezer in a rental home in the Chokchai Garden Home 1 Village in Pattaya, which police targeted following reviewing leads they had been investigating throughout the last 24 hours and CCTV that showed the freezer being transported in a black pickup truck by what appeared to be foreign nationals. Continued …

Overpass Bridge in Bangkok Collapses, Multiple Fatalities and Injuries Reported

An under-construction overpass bridge located at the On Nut-Lat Krabang Road in Bangkok collapsed near dusk yesterday evening, killing at least two people and injuring eight more.

Wisanu Subsompol, deputy governor of Bangkok, said the under-construction bridge appeared to have flipped over while significant traffic was in the area under the bridge construction. Continued …

Survey shows progress in adolescent births, worrying trends in education, child development

The largest national survey on the situation of children and women in Thailand, released on Monday by the National Statistical Office (NSO) and UNICEF, shows improvement in many areas, such as breastfeeding, adolescent birth rates and less violent discipline used against children at home.

However, it also reveals worrying trends in early childhood development, education, nutrition, and child marriage. Continued …

University sets its sights on tackling Thailand’s food waste problem

With food waste in Thailand continuing to increase due to excessive sales and over-purchasing, Thammasat University has stepped in with a plan to counter the climate-damaging methane gases polluting the atmosphere from decomposing organic matter in landfills.

According to Dr. Racha Thepsorn, lecturer at the university’s Department of Science and Technology, the food waste situation is becoming more severe, with Thailand generating 17 million tons of food waste in 2022 alone. Continued …

Thailand’s foreign direct investment skyrockets with focus on EV industry

Investment attraction to Thailand has seen a remarkable surge in the first half of this year. The nation registered a 70% year-on-year increase to an impressive 364 billion baht, according to the Board of Investment (BoI).

This boost, particularly contributed by an astonishing 141% soar in foreign direct investment, serves as a testament to Thailand’s status as a preferred manufacturing hub for international firms. Continued … 

Fitch affirms Thailand’s sovereign credit rating at BBB+

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Thailand’s sovereign credit rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook, citing external strengths, GDP growth and recovery of the tourism sector as the key rating factors, while also pointing out structural constraints.

Thailand’s ratings balance its strong external finances and sound macroeconomic policy framework against weaker structural features, such as lower per capita income and World Bank governance scores, compared with its BBB category peers, the report noted. While ongoing political uncertainty weighs on Thailand’s credit profile, this may be partially alleviated in the near term after the Thai parliament agrees on a new prime minister. Continued …

PTT puts renewable strategy into overdrive

National oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc is stepping up efforts to use more renewable power and further develop its hydrogen fuel business, part of a move to grow the company in a sustainable manner.

PTT’s current plan is to produce 12 gigawatts of electricity from renewable sources and limit power generation from fossil fuels to 8GW by 2030, but this target will be upgraded to better reflect the company’s clean energy campaign, said Cherdchai Boonchoochauy, senior executive vice-president for innovation and new ventures. Continued …

How small businesses in Thailand can thrive with the rise of Web3 technologies

The Internet has radically changed over the past 30 years, becoming increasingly visual and massive. As we approach the next generation of the Internet, known as Web3, iStock a leading ecommerce platform, revealed new research to help SMBs and SMEs in Thailand navigate the impact new technologies are having on people across the globe, especially as consumers continue to prioritize their personal well-being.

According to iStock’s visual research platform, VisualGPS, over the past year, people in Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia are placing greater focus on regaining more balance and control in their lives, with 64% (versus 54% globally) expressing that a successful life is one which my physical, mental and emotional needs are being met. Continued …

Thai rice exports poised to hit 9 million tons amid climate anxieties

Thailand stands on the cusp of a hugely promising year in terms of rice exportation, which, forecasts suggest, could reach up to 9 million tons. Making the most of a climate-induced market fervor, the Thai industry anticipates shipping masses of what is an integral commodity to many.

The increase in demand is believed to be rooted in anxieties about the potential fallout of the El Niño weather phenomenon. Continued … 

Myanmar crisis to dominate ASEAN meeting

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Indonesia today, with Myanmar’s deadlocked political crisis expected to dominate discussions. Continued …

Turkey gives green light to Swedish NATO membership bid

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday agreed to forward to parliament Sweden’s bid to join the NATO military alliance, appearing to end months of drama over an issue that had strained the bloc as war has raged in Ukraine. Continued …

Germany sends troops to Australia as Berlin shifts focus to Indo-Pacific

Germany will, for the first time, send troops to Australia for joint drills with some 30,000 service members from 12 other nations, underlining Berlin’s increased focus on the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China in the region. Continued …

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm

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.

UPDATED! Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. 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

 

90-day online reporting

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 Hughways – 1586
  • State Railway – 1590

 

baht, hua hin, pattaya, prauchuap khiri khan, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Friday’s News-June 30

  • US Kids Golf 2023 Thailand Tour returns to Black Mountain/
  • Midnight sea tragedy in Prachuap Khiri Khan claims fisherman’s life/
  • Chiva-Som to host gala dinner for mangrove conservation/
  • Passenger’s Leg Severed By Moving Walkway At Don Mueang Airport/
  • Not The First Time – Airport Moving Walkway Devoured Passenger’s Sandal In 2019/
  • Don Mueang Airport ranks among the most dangerous airports in the world/
  • Thailand’s people have spoken. Will its military listen?/
  • Phitsanulok Quake Shows Buildings Should Be Strengthened: Expert/
  • Thailand’s barrier-free toll system: a boon for motorists – a challenge for cheaters/
  • 9% of youth smoke illegal vapes, study finds/
  • Economy: Baht falls to 7-month low/Return of foreign buyers helping property sector to grow/International filmmaking boosts Thai film sector with 1.84-billion-baht earnings/Thailand set to overtake Vietnam as world’s No 2 rice exporter/MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023: Discover the latest products & design/
  • Tourism: Controversial Thai Tourism Fee Postponed Again/Cruise ship terminal to be built in Pattaya for 7.4 billion baht/Construction of high-speed railway linking three airports delayed by a year/Paradise by the dentist’s drill/
  • Thailand Experience: 10 Most Terrifying Spiders Found in Thailand/Wat Samphran Dragon Temple, the dragon we all are in awe of/
  • International: Rising monkey and pig populations pose human disease risk/
  • 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

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US Kids Golf 2023 Thailand Tour returns to Black Mountain Golf Club

The worldwide junior golf organization “U.S. Kids Golf” will bring the Tour to Thailand, supported by Golf Impact Center, The Thailand PGA and Chaowarat Golf Academy.

Hua Hin’s Black Mountain Golf Club will exclusively host all six events on the Thailand tour, from August to October 2023. The first event is scheduled for Aug. 6. Continued …

Midnight sea tragedy in Prachuap Khiri Khan claims fisherman’s life

A fishing crew member tragically drowned at sea near Prachuap Khiri Khan region. The unfortunate accident occurred around half past midnight, as revealed by Artit Butlakorn, deputy inspector at Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan Police Station. Local police were alerted by officials at Prachuap Khiri Khan Port Control Center (Pipo).

Upon arrival at the scene near Placharoenlap Bridge, police found a fishing trawler named Pongsombat 5, which was about to dock. On the boat’s deck lay a covered body. Preliminary identification revealed the victim was 43-year-old Prasit. Continued …

Chiva-Som to host gala dinner for mangrove conservation

Hua Hin’s wellness destination Chiva-Som has sceduled a fundraising gala for its mangrove preservation project to celebrate the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

On July 26, the world celebrates the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The day was designated by UNESCO in 2015 to raise awareness about mangrove ecosystems, and to promote solutions for their conservation, sustainable management and utility. Continued …

Passenger’s Leg Severed By Moving Walkway At Don Mueang Airport

A female passenger’s left leg was ripped off to the knee by a moving walkway at Don Mueang International Airport early yesterday morning and she was quickly taken to Bhumibol Hospital for treatment.

Karan Thanakuljeeraphat, director of Don Mueang Airport, said at 8.30 a.m. that the unidentified female passenger was traveling to Nakhon Si Thammarat and was proceeding through the southern corridor between piers 4-5 in Terminal 2 when hit by the accident. Continued …

Not First Time – Airport Moving Walkway Devoured Passenger’s Sandal In 2019

After a woman’s left leg was severed to the knee by a moving walkway at Don Mueang Airport early yesterday morning it has led to netizens criticizing airport safety, with one of them mentioning that a similar incident occurred four years ago, but fortunately he pulled his foot out of the jammed croc sandal he was wearing, which was then devoured by the machine.

The unnamed passenger said that on July 30, 2019, upon landing at Don Mueang Airport from Osaka, Japan, at around 3.50 a.m., he was going through a moving walkway and just as he was about to step off it his croc got stuck and was so badly jammed he could not lift his foot. Continued …

Don Mueang Airport ranks among the most dangerous airports in the world

The travel website The Boutique Adventurer has ranked Don Mueang Airport as one of the 29 most dangerous airports in the world in 2023. In a recent article published at the end of June 2023, the website revealed the list of the most perilous airports, with Don Mueang Airport securing the 26th position.

According to the report, the list of hazardous airports is not limited to those under development in various countries, as established airports are also included. Countries such as the United States, France, Japan, and Norway have their airports featured in the rankings. Continued …

Thailand’s people have spoken. Will its military listen?

In last month’s parliamentary elections, voters in Thailand made their desire to be rid of military rule and to restore democracy unmistakably clear. They turned out in record numbers and gave overwhelming support to two pro-democracy parties.

Out front in the results was the progressive upstart Move Forward party. Its young leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, should rightly have the claim on the position of prime minister. Continued …

Phitsanulok Quake Shows Buildings Should Be Strengthened: Expert

After a 4.5 magnitude earthquake rocked Phisanulok and was felt in Phichit and Kamphaeng Phet provinces at 12.17 a.m. Yesterday, an academic pointed out that buildings in this zone should be strengthened, as a ministerial regulation governing seismic resistance of structures was only enforced in 2021.

Amorn Pimanmat of Kasetsart University’s engineering faculty said this was a medium magnitude earthquake, but because it was shallow, being 5 kilometers deep at its epicenter in Phitsanulok’s Phai Lom subdistrict, Bang Krathum district, vibrations were felt across this province as well as nearby Phichit and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. Continued …

Thailand’s barrier-free toll system: a boon for motorists – a challenge for cheaters

Launched just over a year ago, Thailand’s M-Flow or barrier-free toll system is now serving more than 110,000 vehicles each day. Although praised for easing traffic flows, it has also been a boon for cheaters, who have sought to exploit the system’s automated license plate recognition and post-pay service.

The issue made headlines again this week when police arrested the driver of a luxury BMW sedan and accused her of evading M-Flow tollgate charges around 260 times. Continued …

9% of youth smoke illegal vapes, study finds

An estimated 9.1% of young people in Thailand use e-cigarettes, mostly due to peer pressure and the influence of their friends, according to the results of a survey by the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS).

The survey was conducted on 61,688 people nationwide between April 25 and June 6. The results showed that 14.6% of young people in Bangkok use vapes, ranking the capital the highest among the 13 areas studied, said DHSS chief Sura Wisetsak. Continued …

Baht falls to 7-month low

The baht has again weakened to 35.60 to the U.S. Dollar, in a continuation of the trend that has been prevalent over the last seven months.

According to Krung Thai Bank’s currency analyst, Poon Panitpiboon, the exchange rate opened yesterday at 35.60 baht/US dollar, breaching the resistance level of 35.50 the previous day. Continued … 

Return of foreign buyers helping property sector to grow

Foreign buyers will fuel growth in Thailand’s property market during the second half of this year, but domestic buyers have not fully regained their purchasing power due to unfavorable factors, real estate appraisal and consultancy agencies say.

Thailand’s economy has shown signs of improvement thanks to foreign purchasing power, particularly since China’s reopening, and the country’s tourism sector, as well as selected businesses, are experiencing a resurgence and growth. Continued …

International filmmaking boosts Thai film sector with 1.84-billion-baht earnings

Thailand has seen a prosperous influx of international filmmakers in the first half of this year, with over 200 foreign films being produced in the country, according to deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana.

This number has resulted in revenue of approximately 1.84 billion baht, signaling a successful outcome of the Thai government’s proactive endeavors to present the nation as a prime shooting location for international film making. Continued …

Thailand set to overtake Vietnam as world’s No 2 rice exporter

Thailand is on track to overtake Vietnam as the world’s second-biggest rice exporter this year, after its shipments in the first four months rose to 2.62 million tons, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday.

This represents an increase of 14.4% over the same period last year, with the government now estimating that total rice exports in 2023 will surpass eight million tons, well above last year’s tally of 7.69 million tons, which put Thailand in third position among global rice exporters following India and Vietnam, respectively. Continued …

MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023: Discover the latest products & design

Jointly organized by Comasia Ltd. (Comasia) and Worldex G.E.C Co. (Worldex), MEGA SHOW Bangkok 2023 will be held from July 19-21 at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC).

The three-day event will bring together 500+ booths, showcasing the latest products and design from Asia, including gifts and premiums, houseware and kitchen, stationery, travel and sporting goods, lifestyle products, smart green home products, outdoor decoration and furniture, etc., which are all highly sought after by the mass population and consumers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Continued …

Controversial Thai Tourism Fee Postponed Again

The 300-baht ‘land entry’ fee collection has been postponed to Jan. 1 of next year.

The caretaker minister of Tourism and Sports Piphat Ratchakitprakarn told Thai media, “We have agreed to postpone the 300-baht land entry fee collection. which previously was expected to take effect this month to January 1st of next year.” Continued …

Cruise ship terminal to be built in Pattaya for 7.4 billion baht

The Marine Department will this year seek Cabinet approval to build Thailand’s first cruise ship terminal in Pattaya.

The Marine Department will oversee development of the terminal, which will meet growing demand from cruise operators, a senior official said on Thursday. Wannachai Butrthongdee, director of the department’s Engineering Division, said the cruise ship terminal will be built under a public-private partnership (PPP) project worth 7.4 billion baht. Continued …

Construction of high-speed railway linking three airports delayed by a year

The chief of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office on Thursday said that the construction of a high-speed railway linking three airports will be a year behind schedule.

EEC chief Jula Sukmanop said Asia Era One Co., the concessionaire of the Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao high-speed railway, could not begin construction this year, as it was still awaiting an approval of investment privileges from the Board of Investment. Continued …

Paradise by the dentist’s drill

I decide to book a flight to tropically beautiful Thailand, known as the land of smiles. I think, to add to my beautiful smile, why don’t I get a problematic wisdom tooth drilled out on the first day I’m there. I mean, it’s not really a holiday in paradise without the sound and feel of a drill reverberating throughout your skull, with the taste of blood and anesthetic trickling down your throat. Is it?

I had shopped around a number of Australian dentists who were unwilling to go near the extraction for fear of causing nerve damage (the impacted tooth had a root that on X-rays looked entangled in a major nerve). The alternative was engaging the services of an oral surgeon, which would have ballooned the price of the procedure into the thousands. Continued …

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10 Most Terrifying Spiders Found in Thailand

Known for its diverse wildlife, Thailand is home to a variety of spine-chilling spiders that will send shivers down your spine. Over 10 species of these hairy, eight-legged creatures prowl the dense forests.

From venomous huntsmen with lightning-fast movements to intimidating tarantulas boasting potent bites, this exploration will take you on a hair-raising journey through the fascinating yet fear-inducing world of Thai spiders. Prepare yourself for a chilling encounter with these formidable eight-legged predators. Continued … 

Wat Samphran Dragon Temple, the dragon we all are in awe of

Wat Samphran Dragon Temple, also known as Wat Samphran Temple or the Dragon Temple, is easily one of the most intriguing pieces of temple architecture. Wat Samphran is located in Nakhon Pathom Province in Thailand, approximately 40 kilometers from the capital city of Bangkok.

When you look at Wat Samphran Dragon Temple, you are looking at a uniquely built 17-story tower, adorned with a dragon sculpture that wraps around the entire structure. Continued …

Rising monkey and pig populations pose human disease risk

Exploding populations of wild pigs and macaque monkeys in Southeast Asia are threatening native forests and disease outbreaks in livestock and people, according to research led by The University of Queensland. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

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

 

90-day online reporting

chiang mai, climate change, hua hin, immigration, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Wednesday’s News-June 21

Today is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.

  • Monsoon Valley Vineyard Fest Aug 11-13/
  • Pita Catches Covid For The Third Time, Coalition Talks Put Off/
  • El Niño is brewing – and that’s bad news for drought-prone Thailand/
  • Dengue situation could worsen this year, Disease Control Dept fears/
  • Taiwanese National Arrested in Nan Province for Overstaying 3,971 Days/
  • Another chonky feline survives Thai balcony plunge/
  • Economy: Failure to install new govt by August could affect GDP/Pizza Company rolling out another 40 branches to feed growing Thai appetite/Rice export surge: Thailand fast-tracks new varieties to boost global market share/
  • Tourism: TAT governor discusses his job, Thailand’s allure/Election uncertainty affects Thai tourism; domestic spending slows down/Thailand welcomes 11.8 million tourists this year, earns 494 baht in revenue/Chiang Mai sweats reputation after Chinese TikToker’s thong videos/Unleashing Thailand’s Soft Power Potential/Unfinished 29-million-baht tourist center in Satun languishes after six years/Thai Vietjet tempts with Zero THB fares/
  • Thailand Experience: 10 best Thailand beaches/
  • International: Sweltering Heat, Power Cuts In India Overwhelm Hospitals, Death Toll at 170/Titanic tourist sub still missing, as rescuers race the clock/Ocean warming depleting fish, reducing size: Malaysian study/Sudan war uproots 2.5 million, UN says, as bodies line Darfur streets/Iceland suspends whale hunt/Massive marlin disqualified from N.C. fishing tournament, costing crew $3.5M title/
  • 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

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Pita Catches Covid For The Third Time, Coalition Talks Put Off

Move Forward leader and prime minister-designate Pita Limjaroenrat has caught Covid-19 for the third time, and, as he is now self-isolating a meeting of the eight-partner coalition government scheduled for Thursday June 22 has been put off to next week.

Chaitawat Tulathon, Move Forward’s secretary-general, said while this key meeting has been postponed, a seminar to be attended by Move Forward’s new MPs scheduled for June 21-23 will continue with him standing in on Pita’s behalf. Continued …

El Niño is brewing – and that’s bad news for drought-prone Thailand

The arrival of El Niño this year is likely to drive global temperatures up to record levels in the next few years, according to scientists. That’s bad news for drought-prone Thailand.

El Niño is triggered by a rise in surface temperatures of the eastern Pacific Ocean, leading to a phase of planet warming. The natural phenomenon usually occurs every two to seven years and brings reduced rainfall in Southeast Asia and southern Australia. Continued …

Dengue situation could worsen this year, Disease Control Dept fears

The Disease Control Department is worried that the dengue fever situation in Thailand will worsen this year as the death toll has risen to 17 and the number of cases have soared to over 19,000 early this month, the government spokesman said on Tuesday.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the department has reported a high number of dengue fever cases even before the arrival of the rainy season, when usually cases increase. Continued … 

Taiwanese National Arrested in Nan Province for Overstaying 3,971 Days

On June 19 at Chaisathan subdistrict, Mueang Nan District, Nan Province, the Nan Immigration Office, led by Police Col. Apisak Pisanno, director of Nan Immigration and team, apprehended an overstaying Taiwanese male. The individual had been residing in the Kingdom of Thailand without proper authorization for a duration exceeding 3,971 days.

The arrest was prompted by a report received by the Nan Immigration office from foreign service officers indicating that a Taiwanese national had traveled to Thailand and inquired about information regarding staying in the country. Continued …

Another chonky feline survives Thai balcony plunge

Thailand’s murderous balconies would have claimed another soul last night – if it didn’t have eight to spare.

Mochi the cat fell from the fifth floor of an unspecified residential building and landed on the front window of a pickup truck Monday evening. Fortunately, Mochi only suffered a broken chin in the fall, according to his human companion Bambie. Continued …

Failure to install new govt by August could affect GDP

Hailing the announcement by the Election Commission (EC) that it has certified the 500 members of parliament as good news for the private sector, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is now hoping to see the formation of a new coalition Thai government by August.

FTI Chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul stressed the importance of avoiding any delays that could impact investor confidence, leading to a slowdown in investment until a new government is formed. Continued …

Pizza Company rolling out another 40 branches to feed growing Thai appetite

The Pizza Company will serve Thailand’s hungry diners an extra slice this year by opening another 40 branches nationwide, its general manager said on Tuesday.

In its biggest rebrand since landing in Thailand 22 years ago, the franchise operated by Minor Food Group will also renovate existing outlets while targeting a 15% boost in membership. The ongoing overhaul comes in response to Thailand’s growing hunger for dine-in, take-out, and delivery pizza. Continued …

Rice export surge: Thailand fast-tracks new varieties to boost global market share

Thailand is making significant strides in boosting its export competitiveness by fast-tracking the development of new rice varieties to meet global market demand, with plans to introduce 30 new varieties in the coming year.

Following the “new rice variety contest for Commerce” event, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit discussed Thailand’s efforts to combat the lack of diversity in its product offerings within the global rice market. This led to the country’s increased focus on producing new rice varieties to compete with other market players. Continued …

TAT governor discusses his job, Thailand’s allure

As a long-standing trusted partner of the Tourism Authority of Thailand UK, The Luxury Editor’s, Ross Fraser, was invited to meet Yuthasak Supasorn, the governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand at the UK agent roadshow in Glasgow earlier this month. This is Tourism Authority of Thailand’s first UK agent roadshow in three years, which was hosted in both Manchester and Glasgow.

The significance of the roadshow was further amplified given that the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand is retiring this year and his attendance was to be his final business trip to the UK. Continued … 

Election uncertainty affects Thai tourism; domestic spending slows down

As the Election Commission validates candidates for MP-elect roles this week, tourism operators expressed concern about a slowdown in domestic spending. Travelers appear to be delaying their plans, while local businesses hesitate to reinvest until a government is established.

“There will still be a vacuum period until the government is formed,” stated Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Assn. Continued …

Thailand welcomes 11.8 million tourists this year, earns 494 baht in revenue

Since the start of the year, Thailand has welcomed close to 12 million foreign tourists, statistics released by the Tourism and Sports Ministry show.

This number is in line with expectations, the ministry’s permanent secretary’s office said, adding that the number of arrivals should cross the 12-million mark in the next week. Continued …

Chiang Mai sweats reputation after Chinese TikToker’s thong videos

A Chinese woman who stripped down to her thong aboard a Chiang Mai songthaew for TikTok has prompted the obligatory pearl-clutching in the Rose of the North.

In clips posted over several days, Chinese internet idol Huanxi59 struck provocative poses as she removed her clothes, sparking concerns she had tarnished the city’s reputation. In the first clip, watched more than a million times since it was posted Friday, she shows off a tiny thong as the songthaew drives around during sunset. Continued …

 

Unleashing Thailand’s Soft Power Potential

Immediately after Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban, a member of the Korean-pop girl group Blackpink, in an interview casually mentioned her favorite meatball vendors at her hometown train station in Thailand’s Buriram province, sales of the local delicacies spiked by a staggering 1,000 percent.

Lisa’s first solo music video album, in which she donned a dazzling traditional Thai outfit, garnered an astonishing 10 million views on YouTube within just two hours. Now that’s soft power! Lisa’s phenomenal popularity makes her one of Thailand’s prime soft power exports. Continued …

Unfinished 29-million-baht tourist center in Satun languishes after six years

A tourist service center worth 29 million baht in Khuan Don, Satun province, remains incomplete after six years, despite pledges to expedite construction. The contractor for the project is the younger brother of the local governor.

On Facebook, the watchdog page “Operation Dog Guarding House” exposed the construction of a tourist service center located in Khuan Don, Satun province. The project, with a budget of 29,798,000 baht (US$ 855,121), was approved in 2016. The contract was awarded to Giat Jaroenchai Karnchang Co., a construction company owned by the younger brother of Samrit Siangprasit, the governor of Satun. The center was initially scheduled to be completed by Dec. 22, 2017, but each year since the deadline passed, the project has faced significant delays and unfinished work. Continued …

Thai Vietjet tempts with Zero THB fares

Thai Vietjet has introduced its “Mid Year Mega Sale”, which presents an opportunity to tap zero THB fares (excluding taxes and fees) for travel on the airline’s international network.

The promotional fares are available for booking June 20-30, 2023, with the travel period running from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2023 (excludes public holidays, with terms and conditions) at www.vietjetair.com. Continued …

10 best Thailand beaches

Thailand has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, thanks to its sprawling capital, vibrant cities and over one thousand islands awaiting those who visit.

With the country on course to welcome over 30 million tourists this year, it’s clear that it has maintained its appeal as Southeast Asia’s top holiday destination for everyone from gap-year backpackers to honeymooning couples – plus travelers of all stripes who are keen to catch some guaranteed sunshine and average temperatures of 27C, even in winter. Continued …

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Sweltering Heat, Power Cuts In India Overwhelm Hospitals, Death Toll at 170

A scorching heat wave in two of India’s most populous states has overwhelmed hospitals, filled a morgue to capacity and disrupted power, forcing staff to use books to cool patients, as officials investigate a death toll that has reached nearly 170. Continued …

Titanic tourist sub still missing, as rescuers race the clock

Rescuers were scouring thousands of square miles in the remote North Atlantic for a third day on Tuesday, racing against time to find a missing submersible after it disappeared while taking wealthy tourists to see the wreckage of the Titanic in deep waters off Canada’s coast. Continued …

Ocean warming depleting fish, reducing size: Malaysian study

Ocean warming is not only depleting fish stocks in the ocean, it is also resulting in smaller fish sizes and even displacement of certain species, a local study has revealed. Continued …

Sudan war uproots 2.5 million, UN says, as bodies line Darfur streets

Bodies have lined the streets in Sudan’s western Darfur region as the UN said Tuesday that more than two months of fighting have forced over 2.5 million people from their homes. Continued …

Iceland suspends whale hunt

Iceland’s government said on Tuesday it was suspending this year’s whale hunt until the end of August due to animal welfare concerns, likely bringing the controversial practice to a historic end. Continued …

Massive marlin disqualified from N.C. fishing tournament, costing crew $3.5M title

A 619-pound blue marlin was disqualified from a fishing tournament in North Carolina over the weekend because of apparent bite marks on its flesh, depriving anglers of more than $3.5 million in prize money. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

  • Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm
  • Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6:30pm

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

 

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