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bangkok, hua hin, real estate, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Tuesday’s news-Aug 8

1 Comment

  • Reader Feedback: 30,000 private jet flights to Hua Hin? Really?/
  • S.Ken’s Bistro – Home of Crafted Food & Drinks/
  • Queen birthday celebration at Huay Mongkol Temple Sunday/
  • Hua Hin Coffee Fest slated this weekend/
  • Monsoon Valley Vineyard Fest this weekend/
  • Thailand Election: Bhumjaithai comes on board to form government as Pheu Thai accepts its conditions/Opinion: In bed with the enemy/
  • Economy: Thailand says no rice export halt, to benefit from India’s export ban/Property developers hold back new projects amid political uncertainty/Thailand’s 2023 inflation forecast to be 1-2%, the lowest in ASEAN/3 key challenges Thailand is facing in international trade/World Bank highlights Thailand’s recovery prospects and challenges/
  • Tourism: Travel publisher puts Thailand on its “no list” for 2023/Problems in paradise? Six countries most popular with Russian tourists/
  • 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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News that Hua Hin’s airport would not be accepting international flights for 2-3 years came as a shock to many local expats, who had been told flights might start later this year. It turns out there is a lot more work to do to bring the airport up to international standards, including a major reconstruction of the highway tunnel supporting the airport runway (that’s sure to foul up traffic on the important north-south expressway). Your comments at aim@hhexpatnews.com are welcome.

30,000 private jet flights to Hua Hin? Really?

“About the article on Hua Hin Airport expansion, why we don’t trust the media: ‘Currently, Hua Hin Airport handles about 30,000 private jets a year, so it has the potential to grow, [Nopasit Chakpitak, president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand] said.

“Really. If flights were 10 hrs/day, 30,000 flights/year is eight per hour. I live in Hua Hin, and frequent the airport area and very rarely hear jets. I’d be surprised if there was even one single private jet. Ok, maybe two! – PB

“If they aspire to an international airport status, they must first remove the local mafia who harrass incoming passengers and intimidate Grab drivers from entering the airport property.” – RM

“The expansion of the Hua Hin airport and its international flights reminds me on the sky train and high speed train projects: The message is always next year or within 2 years will start. This goes over a decade.” – AZ

Hua Hin Expat News is pleased to announce that S.Ken’s Bistro in Kao Tao has extended its advertising program again. Chef Ken has been with Expat News since we first began accepting advertising seven years ago. Obviously, his advertising is working!

S.Ken’s Bistro – Home of Crafted Food & Drinks

Locally owned by chef Ken himself, who has a worldwide experience as chef of five-star hotels, this lake view restaurant is dedicated to giving the guests an enjoyable dining experience. S.Ken’s Bistro strives for the perfectly prepared and expertly served food, with an uncompromising commitment to quality and value. The bistro features European and Thai dishes.

Reservation recommended during high season.
Open daily, 11 AM to 9:30 PM.
13/24 Kaotao Nongkae, Hua Hin, tel: 0924646939, Facebook; Web; Email s.kensbnb@gmail.com

Queen birthday celebration at Huay Mongkol Temple Sunday

One of the region’s most significant religious and cultural events will be held at Wat Huay Mongkol in Hua Hin Sunday. Centered on the theme “Enhancing Your Heart with Faith,” this celebration pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother on her 91st birthday.

The event will see a 399-meter-long robe paraded through the temple grounds and around the statue of Luang Pu Thuat. Continued …

Hua Hin Coffee Fest slated Aug 12-13

The Hua Hin Coffee Fest 2023 will be held Aug.10-13 at the Plik Vivek Cafe https://goo.gl/maps/oBAQs3hTcPTNDSFE6. The inaugural event,will offer a range of activities designed to celebrate the love of coffee:

  • A cold drip competition, “Drip Yenn Championship Thailand 2023,” on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13;
  • Booths from shops, coffee houses in Hua Hin, and nearby provinces, including coffee shops and roasters from all over Thailand. There will be cocoa, tea, bakery, coffee equipment, and various souvenirs, as well as local farmers who will offer a variety of special coffee processes to choose and taste from.
  • Workshops, coffee seminars with teachers, and celebrities in the coffee industry.

Facebook; tel. 063 551 6244.

Bhumjaithai comes on board to form government as Pheu Thai accepts its conditions

The Pheu Thai Party and Bhumjaithai Party on Monday evening announced progress in forming a new coalition government. Pheu Thai leader Cholanan Srikaew and outgoing Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held a press conference at the Pheu Thai headquarters at 4pm.

After their initial discussions two weeks ago, Bhumjaithai has responded positively to the invitation to form a government with Pheu Thai, they told the press. Continued …

In bed with the enemy

The news that Pheu Thai is now in an alliance with the Bhumjai Thai Party to form a government should come as no surprise to longtime observers of Thai politics. Machiavellian measures always trumps ideals in this world.

But it does leave a bad taste in the mouth for people who took Pheu Thai at face value over the past few years as they attacked the coalition parties while they were in the opposition. BJT was one of the major targets of their ire and everyone from party leaders to rank and file MPs took turns to criticize their erstwhile enemy. Continued …

Thailand says no rice export halt, to benefit from India’s export ban

Thailand is benefiting from India’s rice export ban and has no reason to halt its own shipments, as it has sufficient output for exports and domestic consumption, its commerce minister said on Monday.

India in late July ordered a halt to its largest rice export category in a move that will roughly halve shipments by the world’s largest exporter of the grain, triggering fears of further inflation on global food markets. Continued …

Property developers hold back new projects amid political uncertainty

Real estate developers are delaying the launch of new projects, especially condominiums, in a trend that is expected to continue into the third quarter due to ongoing political uncertainty.

According to Prapansak Rakchaiwan, managing director of LWS Wisdom and Solution, a subsidiary of LPN Development Group, property developers could expedite project launches in the fourth quarter if the political situation improves. Real estate market growth this year has been revised down to 5% from the initial estimate of 10%-15%. Continued …

Thailand’s 2023 inflation forecast to be 1-2%, the lowest in ASEAN

Thailand’s inflation rate is the lowest among the seven ASEAN countries that have already announced their rates, with inflation for the whole year expected to range between 1% and 2%, according to Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director of the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office.

Based on information from June, he said Thailand’s low inflation rate is in line with global inflation, which is steadily falling, and is the lowest compared to Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Continued …

3 key challenges Thailand is facing in international trade

Geopolitics, green trade policies and the Russia-Ukraine war are posing some severe challenges to Thailand’s export market, the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) chief said.

Auramon Supthaweethum, DTN director general, was speaking at the “Thailand Economic Resilience and Opportunities” seminar on Monday. The seminar was held at Hyatt Regency Bangkok. Continued …

World Bank highlights Thailand’s recovery prospects and challenges

World Bank country manager Fabrizio Zarcone spoke at length about the prospects for Thailand’s economic recovery and the challenges that lie ahead in a Bangkok speech.

Zarcone opened his address by expressing gratitude for the invitation to the online event before going on to commend Thailand’s ambition to accelerate growth and enhance the quality of life for its citizens, saying that these goals were attainable. Continued …

Koh Kood

Travel publisher puts Thailand on its “no list” for 2023

Travel publisher Fodor has put Thailand on its “no list” for 2023, advising readers to avoid the overcrowding in tourist hotspots such as Koh Phi Phi, access point for Maya Bay, and dive mecca Koh Tao, where the authorities introduced a tourist user fee in 2022 to thin the crowds.

Although Thailand is likely to miss its target for 2023 of hosting 30 million foreign tourists, as fewer visitors from China have returned than was expected, the crowds are back, so if you are planning a trip to one of the country’s islands, it might be wise to consider a lesser-known destination such as Koh Kood. Continued …

Problems in paradise? Six countries most popular with Russian tourists

Despite Russia’s war against Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens continue to eye popular summer vacation spots, or even shelters to wait out the war, but their presence is causing problems.

“Some countries are willing to accept Russian money, but this has its consequences. The policy of accepting tens of thousands of tourists from a rogue country is already creating problems in paradise for some popular destinations,” Politico reports. Continued …

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.

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
bangkok, hua hin, immigration, phuket, thai economy, thailand, tourism, transportation

Monday’s news-May 15

  • Thais vote overwhelmingly for democracy parties, reject military/
  • Move Forward’s Pita ready to be next prime minister/
  • New government has room to spend 2 trillion baht on populist pledges/
  • Age no problem: 109-year-old granny casts her vote in Uttaradit/
  • Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history/
  • Western media agree Thailand is at a crucial juncture/
  • Post-election challenges for Thais and new government/
  • Scorching electricity costs may sear the economic recovery/
  • Scientists warn an El Niño is likely coming that could bring scorching heat to Earth/
  • Q1 GDP grows 2.7% y/y, beats expectations/
  • Southeast Asia and China top destinations for overseas business expansion in Asia/
  • Missing Thai Teen Girl found dead in north Thailand/
  • Phuket: 15th foreigner this year dies on roads in Karon area/
  • Thai rice exports soar in first 4 months of 2023/
  • Watermelon is one of summer’s most popular fruits, but is it healthy?/
  • Tourism: Thailand’s Electronic Tourist Visa Application: Is It Useful Or A Headache?/Lifeless Body Believed to Be Missing Russian Tourist Found in Phuket Sea/
  • Thailand Experience: Unravel Mae Hong Son – Thailand’s unspoiled tourist paradise/First-class on ‘the best train in Thailand’ – Bangkok to Hat Yai/
  • International: Kenya Doomsday Death Toll Hits 200, With More Than 600 Reported Missing/Turkey braces for momentous runoff after election drama/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Thais vote overwhelmingly for democracy parties, reject military

Voters have delivered a clear rejection of nearly a decade of military-aligned rule, election results showed Monday, backing two pro-democracy opposition parties.

The Move Forward Party (MFP), the newest force in Thai politics that channeled the energy of youth-led pro-democracy protests in 2020, secured the most votes. Continued …

Move Forward’s Pita ready to be next prime minister

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat has announced he is ready to be the country’s next prime minister, as his party scored a shock victory in the May 14 general election.

The unofficial vote count as of 10am on Monday (99% completed) showed that Move Forward had won 112 out of 400 constituency MP seats and 14.1 million votes for party-list MPs, narrowly beating Pheu Thai, which also had 112 constituency seats but only 10.8 million party-list votes. Bhumjaithai Party was in third place with 68 constituency MPs and Palang Pracharath was fourth with 39 constituency Mps. Continued …

New government has room to spend 2 trillion baht on populist pledges

The upcoming government is expected to have around two trillion baht at its disposal for implementing its populist policies, according to an anonymous source from the Finance Ministry. The figure takes into account the 500-billion baht needed for the Pheu Thai Party’s pledge to provide digital wallet handouts of 10,000 baht to those aged 16 and over.

Should the government need to borrow money to fund the proposed policies, it can do so through an emergency decree. However, such decrees are bound by strict terms and conditions, such as a lack of alternative funding sources. Continued …

Age no problem: 109-year-old granny casts her vote in Uttaradit

Lek Boon-Air, a 109-year-old Uttaradit local, was escorted by her family to cast her vote at a polling station in Muang district’s Na Noi Witthaya School on Sunday morning.

Great Granny Lek is Uttaradit’s oldest citizen and has never missed exercising her voting rights, be it in local or national elections, Hat Ngiew village headman Noi Yotsombat said. Continued …

Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history

The 2023 General Election witnessed the highest voter turnout in Bangkok’s history. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), over 74% of eligible voters cast their ballots in the election yesterday.

Representatives from the BMA announced the unofficial election result from 6,360 polling stations in Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 4,479,155 eligible voters, 3,339,664 exercised their right to vote, which accounted for 74.9% of the total voters. Among the total ballots cast, 1,191,989 were valid, while 48,694 ballots were invalid, and 98,981 voters rejected all candidates. Continued …

Western media agree Thailand is at a crucial juncture

Major foreign media outlets see the Thai general election as a major crossroads for a country familiar with military intervention in politics, but with a ballooning movement against the old norms.

According to the BBC, “The election is being described as a turning point for a country that has experienced a dozen military coups in its recent history. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the army general who led the last coup in 2014, is seeking another term, but he is facing a strong challenge from two anti-military parties.” Continued …

Post-election challenges for Thais and new government

With more than 99% of the votes in the May 14 general election counted and the opposition on the path to forming Thailand’s new government, attention must turn to strengthening the country’s economy, attracting domestic and foreign investment, and alleviating concerns among the Thai population about its stability, Thanawat Polvichai, director of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, said today.

If the government has clear policies and strong political stability, the country will have a robust foundation for implementing clear and sustainable policies, Thanawat added. The new government must therefore focus on policies that drive the economy, with priority given to economic recovery through tourism and strong exports, both of which are showing positive signs due to the global economic recovery. Continued …

Scorching electricity costs may sear the economic recovery

An economic research house is warning that the reduced level of inflation seen so far this year in Thailand may be impacted by the surge in electricity costs, which is also driving up costs within the foreign tourism industry and eating into its viability.

This year, Thailand saw record electricity prices, something that may be seen as a key factor in the general election result, driven by a rise in charges and record high temperatures, which may continue for another month because of the Pacific El Nino effect. Continued …

Scientists warn an El Niño is likely coming that could bring scorching heat to Earth

Buckle up. The world’s most influential natural weather feature is shifting gears.

An El Niño is building along the equator in the eastern Pacific Ocean. And, there’s above-normal chances it will be a strong El Niño, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said this week. That could have dramatic impacts around the globe later this year and into next year. Continued …

Q1 GDP grows 2.7% y/y, beats expectations

Thailand’s economy expanded 2.7% in the first quarter from a year earlier, official data showed on Monday, faster than expectations, as private consumption and tourism rebounded.

On a quarterly basis, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy grew a seasonally adjusted 1.9% in the March quarter, data from the National Economic and Social Development Council showed. Continued …

Southeast Asia and China top destinations for overseas business expansion in Asia

Southeast Asia and China are now the top choices for overseas expansion, with 83% of Asian businesses expressing interest in venturing abroad, as revealed in a recent report.

The Business Outlook report, conducted by United Overseas Bank (UOB), surveyed over 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as large organizations in Asia. The study showed that over four out of five businesses plan to expand overseas within the next three years. Continued …

Missing Thai Teen Girl found dead in north Thailand

A missing teen female who was last seen accompanying a murdered British/Thai boy to meet with an older Thai man was found deceased and buried in a forest in Lampang, northern Thailand.

On Saturday, Region 5 Police revealed to Thai media that police received a clue that something smelled very badly in a forest grove near the Mae Tan–Sobprab Road in Sandon Kaew, Mae Tha. A search was launched by police, local residents, and the female teenager’s relatives. Continued …

Phuket: 15th foreigner this year dies on roads in Karon area

Authorities in Phuket have ordered a clampdown on lax regulations to do with the hire of motorcycles on the holiday island amid a 64% increase in deaths mainly from motorbike accidents. The meeting on Monday night came hours before a Russian tourist lost control of his bike near Kathu Beach in the west of the province, becoming the 15th foreigner to die on Phuket’s deadly roads this year.

Early on Tuesday morning, rescue services in Phuket announced another fatal motorbike accident in the Karon subdistrict near Kathu on the west coast of the island. Continued …

Thai rice exports soar in first 4 months of 2023

Thailand’s rice exports in the first four months of this year surged to 3.05 million tons, resulting in increased income and confidence among farmers.

According to Alongkorn Ponlaboot, adviser to Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Srion, the continuous demand for rice in the market has driven the prices of almost all rice types in the country to exceed the guaranteed income prices, particularly jasmine rice, which has the highest production volume. Continued …

Watermelon is one of summer’s most popular fruits, but is it healthy?

As summer approaches, plans for backyard barbecues, pool parties and extended family time begin to crowd our calendars. And summer’s most popular and highly-ranked fruit is about to be consumed in abundance − to the tune of more than 40 million pounds. That’s watermelon, of course, the fruit known for its striking colors, juicy crunch and water-laden slices.

But watermelon offers a lot more than just being a delicious summertime staple. Made up of more than 90% water, the fruit is also incredibly hydrating and is loaded with electrolytes to help one recharge after a morning workout or afternoon of play. Continued …

Thailand’s Electronic Tourist Visa Application: Is It Useful Or A Headache?

In late 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand switched the visa application process to an e-visa system that no longer requires applicants to physically hand in documents and their passports at local embassies and consulates.

We decided to try this system to apply for an ordinary tourist visa that allows for a 60-day stay in the Kingdom, plus an optional extension of 30 days, rather than the 30+30 with visa-free entry. Continued …

Lifeless Body Believed to Be Missing Russian Tourist Found in Phuket Sea

The lifeless body of a man who authorities said could be that of a Russian tourist who had gone missing after being thrown into the sea by strong waves was discovered in Phuket waters Sunday.

The body of a white male foreigner clad only in black shorts was discovered by a local fisherman at around 12:50pm, the Phuket Rescue Foundation reported. Continued …

Unravel Mae Hong Son – Thailand’s unspoiled tourist paradise

Nestled in the far northwest of Thailand and sharing borders with Myanmar, Mae Hong Son is one of the most spell-binding locations in the kingdom, and for many reasons, an ideal spot for an offbeat summer sojourn. Despite many unspoiled attractions, travelers are rarely aware of this sanctuary, partly due to its remote position (it is approximately 900 kilometers from Bangkok). This, however, just adds to its allure, as it remains untouched by mainstream tourism.

Mae Hong Son, Thailand’s most forested province, offers some of the most authentically rewarding experiences, luring you away from the chaos of city life to repose in nature’s embrace. The region is mostly covered in mist and surrounded by rolling mountain ranges, pristine forests, lakes, rivers, breezy grasslands, and other countless viewpoints that will leave you in awe. Continued …

First-class on ‘the best train in Thailand’ – Bangkok to Hat Yai

Bangkok to Hat Yai in southern Thailand is a 16-hour, 940-kilometer journey. Special Express 31 “Thaksinarath”, operated by State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is a modern, Chinese-built, diesel-electric train, which departs daily at 14:50.

THE CLASS

The first-class sleeper cabin, twin share, is one of just 12 and is located in the last car. Continued …

Kenya Doomsday Death Toll Hits 200, With More Than 600 Reported Missing

The death toll linked to a doomsday cult in Kenya hit 201 Saturday after police exhumed 22 more bodies, most of them bearing signs of starvation, according to the coast regional commissioner. Continued … 

Turkey braces for momentous runoff after election drama

Turkey braced Monday for its first election runoff after a night of high drama showed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan edging ahead of his secular rival but failing to secure a first-round win. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

climate change, hua hin, marijuana, thai economy, thai wildlife, thailand, tourism

Saturday’s news-May 13

  • Cyclone Mocha to bring heavy rains to much of Thailand over the weekend/
  • ‘Monster’ Asian heatwave and arrival of El Niño signal severe drought crisis/
  • Thai parties make push to woo voters ahead of Sunday election/
  • Thailand’s long and winding election road/
  • Even wild elephants no match for Chachoengsao dogs/
  • Exploring the peace corps’ 60-year history in Thailand/
  • Thailand’s experiment with weed goes up in smoke/
  • Thailand’s Economy: Number of registered businesses at highest level in a decade/EV Primus angles to create EV supermarket/Chon Buri to get new EV battery factory/Asia Biomass eyes 20% revenue growth in 2023/El Nino May Slash Thai Rice Crop and Spur Inflation Across Asia/
  • Tourism: Thai tourism rebound evident with surge in new business registrations/‘Entry Thailand’ website introduced to provide useful information to visitors/
  • International: Russia Retreats North Of Bakhmut, Mercenary Boss Calls It A ‘Rout’/G-7 finance chiefs boost Ukraine aid, propose supply chain plan/
  • Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

 

Due to the election tomorrow, there will be no alcohol sales from 6pm tonight until 6pm Sunday.

 

 

Cyclone Mocha to bring heavy rains to much of Thailand over the weekend

The north, central, eastern and southern regions of Thailand will experience isolated heavy to very heavy rains from Friday to Monday due to the influence of tropical cyclone “Mocha”, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said on Friday.

The cyclone, which was hovering over the central Bay of Bengal as of 4am Friday, was moving north at about 10 km/hr with sustained winds of about 105 km/hr. It is expected to make landfall over Myanmar on either Sunday or Monday. Continued …

‘Monster’ Asian heatwave and arrival of El Niño signal severe drought crisis

Thailand is susceptible to the effects of El Niño, which is forecast by the Department of Meteorology and weather experts to commence in June. The world, Thailand included, is expected to face an intense drought due to the occurrence of El Niño, leading to reduced rainfall during the rainy season, or possibly no rain at all.

El Niño is the warm phase of a cyclical climate pattern known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, when temperatures in the Pacific reach more than 0.5 degrees Celsius above normal. Continued …

Thai parties make push to woo voters ahead of Sunday election

Surrounded by adoring crowds packed inside stadiums and halls, the main prime ministerial candidates of Thailand’s political parties made a final push to rally supporters on Friday, two days before a crunch general election.

After nearly a decade of a government that was led or backed by its royalist military, some 52 million eligible voters in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy will head to polling stations on Sunday when voters will choose whether to stay the course with military-linked conservatives or opt for change. Continued …

Thailand’s long and winding election road

When Thais go to the polls on Sunday, the challenge is how to help lay the groundwork for a system that can prevent the next election from being held under similar circumstances. It’s a tough ask, but every election presents a fresh hope, no matter how difficult the path remains.

The major paradox is there for all to see. It can’t be an election without heroes and villains, and it can’t be an election without everyone wanting to be a hero at the expense of others. It’s the way things are, but it’s not the way things are supposed to be. Continued … 

Even wild elephants no match for Chachoengsao dogs

An amusing scene of wild elephants being chased out of a residential area by a pack of domesticated dogs was captured on film by villagers on Friday evening.

A herd of some 20 wild elephants had wandered into Ban Khlong Mahad village in Chachoengsao’s Tha Takiab district, said Somwong Chanthachote, chief of the village’s “Elephant Watch” volunteer group. Continued …

Exploring the peace corps’ 60-year history in Thailand

The Peace Corps is a United States agency established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy to promote peace and friendship worldwide. Peace Corps volunteers have been working in Thailand since 1962, assisting Thai government agencies in various fields.

Currently, they operate in two main projects: teacher collaboration for development and youth development. Over 5,500 volunteers have worked with Thai communities for more than 60 years, but their work was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, Peace Corps volunteers returned to Thailand and underwent a 10-week training program before being dispatched to 29 provinces across the country. Their swearing-in ceremony coincided with the 60th-anniversary celebration of Peace Corps cooperation in Thailand. Continued …

Thailand’s experiment with weed goes up in smoke

After four years of support from the ruling coalition government, Thailand is expected to vote against the decriminalization of marijuana in Sunday’s general election. The current free-for-all and weed shops lining the busy tourist streets appears unlikely to continue in the months after the election and a new parliament is settled.

Almost all of the political parties involved in the 2023 national election are in favor of returning to the previous policies of marijuana prohibition and confining its use to medicinal purposes only. Only one party is still seeking some sort of policy that would allow and regulate recreational use. Continued …

Number of registered businesses at highest level in a decade

A total of 6,041 new businesses were registered in April, an increase of 12.37% over the same period last year, according to data released by the Department of Business Development under the Commerce Ministry.

The total number of registered establishments in operation during the first four months of this year reached 32,223, the highest in the past decade. The tourism sector saw 100% growth, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit disclosed on Friday. Continued …

EV Primus angles to create EV supermarket

The growing electric vehicle (EV) market in Thailand is leading car dealers to consider what EV brands should be featured in their showrooms.

Instead of relying on one brand, EV Primus sells a variety of brands, focusing on cars that match the different lifestyles of drivers. Continued …

Chon Buri to get new EV battery factory

Chinese high-tech enterprise Anwha (Shanghai) Automation Engineering has chosen Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor as its first overseas production base to make batteries for electric vehicles (Evs) under the MG brand.

“The factory will be located near the MG plant in Chon Buri,” said Anwha’s business development consultant Jay Teo, referring to a car assembly facility operated by Thai-Chinese joint venture SAIC Motor-CP, the manufacturer of MG cars. Continued …

Asia Biomass eyes 20% revenue growth in 2023

Asia Biomass Plc (ABM), Thailand’s largest biomass fuel producer and trader by volume, expects revenue to grow by 20% this year to more than 3.6 billion baht thanks to its business expansion amid growing concerns over global warming.

The company’s sales volume is projected to be 1 million tons in 2023. Last year, ABM revenue grew by 41% to 2.71 billion baht, up from 1.92 billion in 2021. Continued …

El Nino May Slash Thai Rice Crop and Spur Inflation Across Asia

Thailand, the world’s second-biggest rice exporter, is asking farmers to grow only one crop this year — instead of the usual two — as a likely El Nino looks set to reduce rainfall.

Rice is highly water-intensive and is dependent on irrigation and enough precipitation. It’s an early sign of how the disruptive weather pattern is threatening global food production. The resulting drop in rice output also has the potential to push up prices of a staple food for more than half the world’s population. Continued …

Thai tourism rebound evident with surge in new business registrations

Thailand’s tourism sector has witnessed a strong rebound, as evidenced by the significant surge in new registrations for tourism-related businesses during the initial four months of this year.

The Ministry of Commerce revealed yesterday that the number of new tourism-related business registrations had doubled year-on-year, reaching 2,579 in the first four months, with a total registered capital increase of 135% to 6.66 billion baht. Continued …

‘Entry Thailand’ website introduced to provide useful information to visitors

Thailand’s Department of Tourism has introduced “www.entrythailand.go.th,” a website that contains useful information, news, related websites, and applications for travelers on arrival and during their stay in Thailand.

The website features:

– Thailand information
– Real-time, in-depth flight information
– SHA/SHA+ accommodation booking
– Reservation home and camping
– Cultural calendar
– Weather warnings
– Thai disaster alert mobile application
– Thailand tourism directory
– VAT refund for tourists. Continued …

Russia Retreats North Of Bakhmut, Mercenary Boss Calls It A ‘Rout’

Moscow acknowledged on Friday that its forces had fallen back north of Ukraine’s battlefield city of Bakhmut after a new Ukrainian offensive, in a retreat that the head of Russia’s Wagner private army called a rout. Continued …

G-7 finance chiefs boost Ukraine aid, propose supply chain plan

Group of Seven (G-7) finance chiefs put more aid on the table for Ukraine, set up a new supply chain initiative and vowed to fill regulatory gaps in the banking sector in a show of unity on global geo-economic issues after three days of talks. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

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

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departing from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

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covid, hua hin, immigration, marijuana, thai economy, thai food, thailand, tourism, transportation

Thursday’s News-Jan 5

  • Johnston leaves Surf 102.5 radio/Wildlife Friends Foundation leading the fight against animal exploitation/Headline CPI up 5.89%, in line with forecast/Business trends on the horizon for entrepreneurs in 2023/Adaptability is key to national survival/High-speed train still on track/Soaring global demand for rice pushes Thailand closer to 2nd place/Thailand-France Relations Moving Into Higher Gear/Thailand, Cambodia to tap Gulf of Thailand gas resources/Cannabis bill in limbo as House meeting lacks a quorum again/
  • Tourism: Airlines up in arms over increase in Covid measures/Thailand expects 5 million Chinese tourists this year/Call for more tourists in the provinces/British woman ‘may never walk again’ after fall from resort balcony/Park officials condemned for allowing sailboat to destroy Krabi reef/
  • Thailand Experience: Hua Hin and 8 Beautiful Lesser-Known Spots In Asia/Thailand’s Unusual Street Food Delicacy — Chicken Testicles/Tips for planning the perfect Thailand vacation/
  • Covid: China stats ‘under-represent’ true impact of Covid outbreak: WHO/Shanghai hospitals filled to the brim in COVID outbreak/Malaysia responds to China’s lifted Covid restrictions with plans to tighten borders/
  • International: Oil prices dive, Europe gas price hits lowest level since 2021/Macron promises ‘first Western tanks’ for Ukraine/New York approves composting of human bodies/Graphics show atmospheric river soaking California’s Bay Area/Tuna fetches $273,000 at New Year auction in Tokyo/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

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Johnston leaves Surf 102.5 radio

Steve Johnston, a member of the Surf 102.5 FM team for the past six years, has taken the position of director of entertainment for Yas Plaza Hotels in Abu Dhabi.

During his time in Hua Hin,Johnston has been in a number of different DJ roles at the radio station. According to Surf’s Richard Buckle, “Steve has been very supportive over the years and a major contributor to the growth of the station. I wish him well in his new position.”

Johnston has previous experience working in Abu Dhabi, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands and Iraq.

Wildlife Friends Foundation leading the fight against animal exploitation

 

“It was a hobby that got out of hand,” says Edwin Wiek, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT).

For more than 20 years, Wiek has fought to save abused and exploited animals in Thailand.

He first moved to Thailand in 1989, and in the following years ran a successful business making fashion accessories. However, following a serious and near fatal road traffic accident, Edwin’s outlook on life changed. Continued …

Headline CPI up 5.89%, in line with forecast

Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 5.89% in December from a year earlier, in line with analyst forecasts, but above the previous month, driven by higher energy and food prices, government data showed on Thursday.

The index compared with a forecast for a 5.9% rise in December in a Reuters poll and followed November’s 5.55% increase.

The pace remains well above the Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) target range of 1% to 3%, reinforcing expectations that the central bank will raise its key interest rate at its next meeting on Jan. 25, to bring prices back within target. Continued … 

Business trends on the horizon for entrepreneurs in 2023

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been tough on small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of Thailand’s economic growth and development.

Increased digital transformation, changes in customer behavior, restrictions on travel, limited operations of retail outlets and restaurants, and inflation, to name but a few, caused a number of businesses to shut down.

Now, many of them have reopened, started afresh or even expanded thank to vaccinations and the government’s relaxation measures. Continued … 

Adaptability is key to national survival

Covid-19. Technological disruption. Climate crisis. These have happened at a rapid pace that challenges the adaptability of people around the world. Is Thailand prepared to withstand these challenges?

Ask the children – the future of the country – and their answers, according to the 2018 PISA Survey of 15-year-old children around the world, are not so encouraging.

Some 63% of Thai teenagers said they could not adapt well enough when change arises, and they cannot sufficiently adjust to new cultures, which is crucial in an interconnected world. That is not all. Continued …

High-speed train still on track

Lessons learned from the first phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project are believed to help ensure a smooth and faster operation of the next phase of the project, according to the Department of Rail Transport.

Despite some delays in construction during the first phase, the 179.41-billion-baht 253km standard-gauge railway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima will still open in 2026 as initially planned, said Pichet Kunadhamraks, department director-general in a recent interview.

“The delays happened for a reason and the reason is everything needs to be decided sensibly and in the best interests of the country,” he said. Continued …

Soaring global demand for rice pushes Thailand closer to 2nd place

Thailand is on track to becoming the world’s second-largest rice exporter after its shipments in the first 11 months of last year rose to 6.91 million tons.

This surpassed the 6.67 million tons exported by Vietnam, which held second place in 2021, the Thai Rice Exporters Assn. (TREA) said yesterday.

Meanwhile, India is still the top rice exporter after having shipped 18.25 million tons from January to November last year. Continued …

Thailand-France Relations Moving Into Higher Gear

The Year 2022 will remain a turning point for the relations between Thailand and France, marked by the signing of an important road map for future cooperation, a string of agreements and visits that culminated with French President Emmanuel Macron’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok as a special guest of Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, host and chair of the forum.

A shared focus on innovation and advanced technologies to boost trade and investment is giving centuries-old bilateral cooperation a new impulse.

“Relations between Thailand and France date back more than 300 years since the reign of King Narai the Great and King Louis XIV, when the two sides first exchanged ambassadors, and over that period they have developed into the comprehensive cooperation we see now,” said H.E. Tana Weskosith, ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the French Republic. “Today’s complex geopolitical and economic challenges have led Thailand and France to deepen their cooperation.” Continued …

Thailand, Cambodia to tap Gulf of Thailand gas resources

The Thai government is set to go ahead with a long-awaited joint development of petroleum resources in an energy-rich area in the Gulf of Thailand claimed by Thailand and Cambodia, according to government sources.

The sources said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had pushed for new talks on the matter with Cambodia for years.

He raised the matter again with Suy Sem, Cambodian minister of Mines and Energy, in Bangkok on Dec. 16, 2022.

Both sides discussed possible cooperation to make use of energy resources in the overlapping claim area (OCA) as a solution to energy shortages. Continued …

Cannabis bill in limbo as House meeting lacks a quorum again

The fate of the Bhumjaithai Party’s cannabis bill has been thrown into limbo once again, after numerous MPs refused to declare their presence in the chamber, bringing the House meeting to a premature end due to the lack of a quorum.

The House was scheduled to vote on Section 11 of the bill, which the scrutiny committee had proposed for deletion, but several MPs disagreed and wanted the bill to be withdrawn.

Pheu Thai MP for Lop Buri, Ubolsak Bualuang-ngam, told Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu, who was chairing the meeting, not to waste the time waiting for more MPs to show up to make the quorum. Continued … 

Airlines up in arms over increase in Covid measures

The worldwide airline lobby group International Air Transport Assn. (IATA) is up in arms over global plans to re-introduce Covid-19 restrictions for passengers arriving from China. The IATA says such measures represent a “knee-jerk” reaction to China’s recent lifting of Covid restrictions.

Such a reintroduction of measures for travelers is being criticized by the IATA as it says science should supersede politics. It furthered the notion that the previous steps taken to prevent the virus from spreading have been ineffective.

The group’s director-general, Willie Walsh, says travel restrictions have been shown to only delay the peak of new Covid waves by only a few days, rather than stopping them. He also says that such measures will damage economies even more by destroying jobs and strangling international connectivity. Continued … 

Thailand expects 5 million Chinese tourists this year

Thailand is expecting at least five million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, about half the number recorded before the coronavirus pandemic, as China reopens its borders, the government tourism body said.

The return of Chinese tourists would be a further boost to the Southeast Asian country’s economy and its vital tourism sector. More than 11 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in 2019, nearly a third of the total.

“We expect some 300,000 Chinese tourists to come in the first quarter of this year,” Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said. That compared with 220,000 in the first 11 months of 2022. Continued … 

Call for more tourists in the provinces

The Federation of Thai SMEs is asking the government to draw more foreign tourists to second-tier provinces in a move to help drive local economies and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The suggestion comes as Thailand prepares for the return of Chinese tourists after Beijing announced plans to reopen its borders on Jan. 8.

Authorities should consider launching new tourism packages to promote trips to provinces that are less popular than Chiang Mai in the north and Phuket in the south, instead featuring areas rich in natural attractions and unique culture, said federation President Sangchai Theerakulwanich. Continued … 

British woman ‘may never walk again’ after fall from resort balcony

A beautician has been told that she may never walk again, as she remains in a Thai hospital following a fall from a resort balcony on what was supposed to be a dream holiday.

Maddi Neale-Shankster, 21, has been left with fractures in her spine and needing drains to remove blood and fluid from her chest after the accident on the party island of Ko Pha-Ngan.

Her mother, Karen Moseley-Neale, flew to Thailand on Sunday to be by her daughter’s side as they wait to see if surgeons will operate on her back once her chest is clear. Continued …

Park officials condemned for allowing sailboat to destroy Krabi reef

Thai netizens condemned national park officials for failing to do their job after seeing images of a tourist sailboat destroying a coral reef in the southern province of Krabi.

On Wednesday, the environmental activist Monsoon Garbage Thailand posted photos of a white sailboat docking over the coral reef near Yawasam Island. The page explained that the island was under the care of Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and docking was prohibited. Continued …

H O T HIGH SEASON D I S C O U N T: 500 BAHT

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach ! 
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment
  • You can use the 500 Baht as a credit in our restaurant or beach bar, for food and drinks, up to that 300 Baht

That sounds like a deal, doesn’t it ? Welcome !

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Your deserve It!

Hua Hin’s Khao Takiab

Hua Hin and 8 Beautiful Lesser-Known Spots In Asia

Now that Eastern countries such as Japan are open to tourists again, many travelers are looking for Asian destination inspiration.

Below, TravelAwaits writers recommend beautiful, lesser-known, quaint towns to visit this year. Not all are unheard of — one is a tiny nation and another is the capital of Laos — but all are worth considering for 2023.

8. Hua Hin, Thailand

Just a few hours south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is a beautiful Gulf of Thailand beach-side community. “For the last century, the Thai Royal family has been suitably smitten by its charms,” says Michael Cullen, who tells us their summer palaces are here.

Hua Hin’s laid-back feel, authentic Thai character, choice of long, wide, safe beaches, and excellent year-round weather tick all the boxes. Outdoor lovers have an abundance of choices, such as eight golf courses (including two of Asia’s best), plus three nature-filled national parks within a 30-minute drive. Continued … 

Thailand’s Unusual Street Food Delicacy — Chicken Testicles

Thailand is world-renowned for its flavorful, exotic, and diverse street food, and for good reason. Thailand’s street food has something for everyone, from the most basic to the most adventurous dishes. One of the more daring street food delicacies, though, is chicken testicles. Yes, you heard that right.

Chicken testicles are sausage-like in structure and shape, resembling a chicken’s kidney. They’re covered in a tough skin that protects a soft interior.

Despite the fact that they are not commonly served in restaurants or commercially available, rooster testicles are considered delicacies, particularly in Chinese cuisine. People have compared the texture of testicles to that of tofu. Continued …

Tips for planning the perfect Thailand vacation

Planning the perfect Thailand vacation can be overwhelming, with so many incredible things to see and do. But with a little bit of planning and research, you can make your trip to Thailand unforgettable. Here are some tips for planning the perfect Thailand vacation in 2023.

1. Pick the right destination

With so many beautiful places to explore in Thailand, it can be hard to decide which destination is right for you. Consider your budget, the type of activities you want to do, and the length of stay. Do you want to relax on the beach, explore the jungle, or explore the city?

Decide which destination fits your vacation needs and interests. Research different destinations online to get a better idea of what each destination has to offer. Continued …

China stats ‘under-represent’ true impact of Covid outbreak: WHO

The World Health Organization criticized yesterday China’s “very narrow” definition of Covid deaths, warning that official statistics were not showing the true impact of the outbreak.

“We still do not have complete data,” the WHO’s emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters.

“We believe that the current numbers being published from China under-represent the true impact of the disease in terms of hospital admissions, in terms of ICU admissions, and particularly in terms of deaths.” Continued …

Shanghai hospitals filled to the brim in COVID outbreak

Hospitals in Shanghai were overwhelmed by visitors yesterday as international health experts predict at least one million deaths in China this year, but Beijing has reported five or fewer deaths a day since the policy u-turn.

At least seven hearses were seen in the parking lot of Shanghai’s Tongji hospital, as workers carried at least 18 yellow bags used to move bodies.

China’s axing of its stringent virus curbs last month has unleashed COVID on a 1.4 billion population that has little natural immunity having been shielded from the virus since it emerged in the central city of Wuhan three years ago. – Reuters

Malaysia responds to China’s lifted Covid restrictions with plans to tighten borders

Malaysia is responding to China’s recently lifted Covid-19 restrictions with plans to tighten its borders. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the country’s plans as fears mount over another Covid wave due to China.

“We will control and tighten (our borders) even more, including (travelers) from the U.S. and China,” Anwar said.

Anwar says the current plans are not biased against any particular nation, despite his statement mentioning the U.S. and China. He says that tightening the country’s borders was for all travelers, not just China. Continued …

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Oil prices dive, Europe gas price hits lowest level since 2021

Global oil prices plunged Wednesday over China demand concerns and European gas prices sank to their lowest levels since November 2021 as mild winter weather reduced needs. Continued …

Macron promises ‘first Western tanks’ for Ukraine

France is set to become the first Western country to deliver tanks to Ukraine, the French presidency announced Wednesday after talks between Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Continued … 

New York approves composting of human bodies

New York is the latest U.S. state to approve human composting as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional ways of dealing with human remains such as burial and cremation. Continued …

Graphics show atmospheric river soaking California’s Bay Area

Another major storm began pummeling the California coast on Wednesday as forecasters warned of massive amounts of rain and snow, as well as the possibility of even more storms. The powerful storm whipped up huge waves and high winds and included an atmospheric river anticipated to cause flooding and landslides in central and northern California. Continued …

Tuna fetches $273,000 at New Year auction in Tokyo

A bluefin tuna fetched 36.04 million yen (US$273,000) at the New Year’s auction at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, more than double the top price last year. The price paid for the 212-kilogram fish exceeded last year’s top price for a tuna of ¥16.88 million and is the sixth highest since comparable data became available in 1999. (Kyodo News)

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service schedule from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has been updated. In addition, a new Cha Am boarding location has been added in front of Government Savings Bank. The one-way fare in 325 baht.

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

The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya departure time remains unchanged at 11am, at 473 baht. Tickets 

 

90-day online reporting