Hua Hin’s Sunpower Solar/Hua Hin’s Centara honored/Hua Hin mum pimped daughter/Hua Hin car fire/Covid-19’s XEC Variant Spreads/Phuket Covid surge/Snakes released in condo/ECONOMY: Trade war dampens investment/Thailand aims to cut US trade gap/US confirms Thailand solar tariffs/Bt157 billion to counter US tariff impact/Hold on digital wallet/MGM Resorts urges ‘competitive’ casino tax/TOURISM: 1.75% y/y drop in foreign visitors/10,000 Flock to Koh Samui Every Day/Australia’s Thailand Travel Advisory/Rethinking short-term rentals/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Nature-Postive Tourism/Top destinations for “Slow Travel”/10 safest cities in ASEAN/CLIMATE THAILAND: Reduce Reliance on LNG Imports/Dire sea level rise foreseen/17 Irrawaddy dolphins remain/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/LINKS: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
Expat News is always pleased when a sponsor decides to continue using us for their marketing. We are therefore pleased to announce that Sunpower Solar, a Hua Hin-based household and business solar power installer, has decided to continue its support of Expat News.
We are passionate about solar energy. We had our own solar system installed. After a few days, we found it so inspiring we were hooked and decided to start a business.
Personally, we would like to see every house on the planet equipped with solar power.
We had been hearing of people with less than positive experiences after having their system installed, so decided we should provide a professional service to ensure people do not experience anything other than excellence in their new venture, while making a significant contribution to the environment.
The solar industry is rapidly expanding, largely due to falling prices, along with peoples desire to see their monthly electricity bill reduced, as the cost of electricity steadily increases. Couple this with more and more people being aware and taking action against global warming, solar power is one of the obvious ways to help achieve this.
Therefore, it not only becomes a financial saving, but also helps the environment for future generations. A win win situation for all.
All of our products (Inverters/Panels/Batteries/Hardware) are sourced locally from distributors in Thailand. This facilitates quick and easy backup or replacement, should it ever be needed.
It is hard not to emphasize enough, all of our products are genuine items. Our solar panels are backed up with certificates from the manufacturer. We will never sell counterfeit products. We only install approved PEA equipment.
Contact: Tel. 0877931069 (EN); Email: http://mail to:sunpowersolarandcctv@gmail.com; Web.
Hua Hin’s Centara honored at Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards
Thai hotel operator Centara Hotels & Resorts announced that 18 of its global properties have been recognized in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2025. Four Centara properties also earned the prestigious “Best of the Best” distinction, a mark of excellence reserved for the top one percent of listings on Tripadvisor worldwide.
The iconic Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin was recognized in both the Top and Luxury categories in Thailand, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s most cherished heritage beachfront resorts. Continued …
Hua Hin mum ‘pimped 11-year-old to get money for drugs’
A 13-year-old girl in Hua Hin has revealed she was forced into sex work at age 11 by her mother and aunt, who sold her to a 50-year-old man in exchange for drug money and to repay daily loan shark debts.
The case came to light after the girl confided in her father and stepmother on April 26. Four days later, her father contacted the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, seeking legal and protective action. Continued …
Honda Jazz gutted in Hua Hin car fire on Phetkasem Road
A car caught fire along Phetkasem Road in Hua Hin, late last night, leaving a Honda Jazz completely gutted. The driver, a 41-year-old woman from Pran Buri district, noticed smoke and flames while driving home. Fortunately, she managed to escape unharmed.
The fire brigade from Hua Hin municipality and local police worked together to extinguish the blaze, which took over 30 minutes to control. Despite their efforts, the car was completely destroyed by the fire. Continued …
Covid-19’s XEC Variant Spreads Like Wildfire: Health Ministry
The spread of the XEC variant of Covid-19 has put Thailand’s Public Health Ministry on high alert, as the virus is reportedly spreading seven times faster than the common flu. A concerted effort led by Minister Somsak Thepsuthin aims to safeguard vulnerable groups, while also keeping a vigilant eye on its proliferation in schools throughout the nation.
According to official figures, since Jan. 1, 108,891 cases of the XEC variant have been logged, resulting in 27 fatalities. The majority of the deaths, around 80%, have been among senior citizens. Continued …
Phuket Covid surge: Island ranks 3rd in Thailand
Phuket’s picture-perfect beaches may be drawing tourists in droves but the island is quietly battling a Covid-19 surge that places it among the top three provinces for infection rates in Thailand this year, though not a single death has been reported.
According to the Department of Disease Control, from Jan. 1 to May 10, Phuket recorded 1,287 cumulative Covid cases, marking an infection rate of 317.82 per 100,000 people. Only Bangkok and Chon Buri ranked higher. Continued …
Snakes released in condo hallway to protest noisy dog
A resident of a Bangkok condominium that has a no-pets policy released two large snakes in the corridor to warn a neighbor who kept a noisy dog. The resident was angry because the dog had been making noise for about two years. The building management had ignored complaints from other residents.
The snake owner posted a video online. He said he loved animals and was responding to his neighbor who claimed to also love animals. “Today, I brought two. Tomorrow I’ll bring more. I could not carry the bigger one today,” he wrote in his post. Continued …
BOT warns trade war dampens investment as bank loans contract
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has released its overview of commercial banks’ performance in Q1 2025, noting that while the banking system remains stable with high liquidity and reserves, concerns are growing due to economic vulnerabilities and the impact of the ongoing trade war. These factors have contributed to a continued contraction in overall bank loans and persistently high levels of non-performing loans (NPLs).
Suwannee Jatsadasak, assistant governor of the Financial Institution Supervision Group at the BOT, stated that although the banking system’s financial stability remains intact, close attention is needed on tightening financial conditions and the debt-servicing capacity of businesses and households — especially vulnerable groups potentially affected further by global trade policies. Continued …
Thailand aims to cut US trade gap by $15 billion
Thailand expects to reduce its trade surplus with the United States by as much as $15 billion a year, or one-third, with its recent initiatives to prevent the misuse of origin rules for exports, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
The government is committed to translating a number of anti-trade circumvention policies into action to ensure Thailand establishes a long-term, fair, and balanced partnership in trade and investment with the U.S., Pichai said at an American Chamber of Commerce conference in Bangkok yesterday. Continued …
US confirms Thailand solar tariffs of 375%-972%
The U.S. International Trade Commission has made an affirmative determination in its antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigation concerning silicon solar cells and panels from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The affirmative final decision from the ITC that the U.S. industry has been harmed by imports from Southeast Asia means that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can begin collecting duties on product in less than a month.
The Dept. of Commerce released its final tariff calculations last month. Tariffs on imports from Cambodia range from 650% to 3,500%; Malaysian tariffs range from 14% to 250%; Thai tariffs range from 375% to 972%; and Vietnamese tariffs range from 120% to 813%. Continued …
Cabinet approves Bt157 billion to counter US tariff impact
The cabinet has reallocated 157 billion baht ($4.7 billion) of budget spending away from a consumer stimulus scheme (digital wallet) to fund projects in the coming months that will help Thailand counter the impact of U.S. tariffs, the government said yesterday.
Thailand faces a 36% U.S. tariff if a reduction cannot be negotiated with Washington before a moratorium expires in July. The United States has set a 10% tariff for most nations while the moratorium is in place. Continued …
PM backs hold on digital wallet handout
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has defended the government’s decision to postpone the third phase of the 10,000-baht handout program, saying uncontrollable circumstances made it impossible to implement it. The premier yesterday dismissed criticism that the Pheu-Thai-led government had failed to fulfil its election pledge of implementing the scheme.
She said that money was already given to welfare cardholders, people with disabilities, and those aged 60 and over under the first two phases of the scheme, but the third phase has to be postponed due to unexpected events, particularly the U.S.’s reciprocal tariffs, which have affected numerous countries. Continued …
MGM Resorts urges ‘competitive’ casino tax
Thailand should have a casino tax rate that is competitive with Singapore and a substantial number of locals should be allowed to visit casino complexes, rather than solely serving foreign tourists, in order to stimulate tourism and economic growth, says integrated resorts operator MGM Resorts International. The operator is interested in investing in a US$3-5 billion casino facility in Bangkok.
Ed Bowers, president of global development at MGM Resorts, said new countries embracing integrated resort investments need to be competitive with other countries in the region, especially in terms of casino tax rates. Continued …
Thailand records 1.75% y/y drop in foreign visitors so far in 2025
Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals from Jan. 1 to May 18 fell 1.75% from the same period a year earlier, the Tourism Ministry said yesterday. There were about 13.4 million foreign visitors in the period, it said. China was the largest source market, with 1.83 million visitors.
On Monday, the National Economic and Social Development Council cut its forecast for foreign tourist arrivals this year to 37 million from 38 million. There was a record of nearly 40 million visitors in 2019, before the pandemic. – Reuters
Island Overload: 10,000 Flock to Koh Samui Every Day
Thailand’s pristine island getaway, Koh Samui, is reeling under the weight of a tourist invasion, with 10,000 visitors descending upon its shores each day. The rise in tourist numbers follows the release of HBO’s “White Lotus,” filmed on the island, which has led to the spike dubbed as the ‘White Lotus Effect’.
Koh Samui, spanning 228.7 square kilometers, has experienced a 28% surge in foreign visitors compared to the previous year, transforming from a quaint fishing village into a high-end luxury destination. Continued …
Australia’s Thailand Travel Advisory Updated After Rise in Tourist Deaths
The Australian government has renewed its travel advisory for Thailand following a noticeable increase in Australian tourist deaths over the past year. Official data shows that 324 Australian citizens died in Thailand between 2023 and 2024 — a 7% rise compared to the previous reporting period.
Causes of death ranged from pre-existing health conditions to more preventable incidents, including road accidents, risky adventure tourism activities, and suspected drink spiking incidents in nightlife areas. Continued …
Rethinking short-term rentals in Thailand
In Thailand, many property owners are increasingly turning to short-term rentals to supplement their income. However, the regulatory environment remains murky – especially when it comes to condominiums.
While short-term leasing was previously tolerated under certain interpretations, a 2022 directive from the Department of Lands reaffirmed that condominiums are for residential use only, effectively banning daily rentals. Continued …
Nature-Postive Tourism: A Community-Led Path in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan
Thailand is a home to some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Yet it also faces pressing environmental challenges. As one of the 30 countries most vulnerable to climate change, Thailand’s rich biodiversity is increasingly at risk from deforestation, urban expansion, and other human activities. But this biodiversity isn’t just a treasure to be protected — it is also a foundation for sustainable growth.
In Thailand, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has worked for years to promote the conservation of biodiversity in ways that benefit both people and the planet — ranging from policy interventions and government budgeting to private sector investment, local enterprises, and nature-based solutions. Continued …
Rayong, Pattaya are top destinations for “Slow Travel” in Thailand
Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed the top destinations in Asia to embrace the art of “slow travel”, with Thailand’s coastal city Rayong emerging as the top choice for travelers looking to hit the brakes and linger longer.
Rayong’s laid-back spots like the long stretch of Mae Ram Phueng Beach, peaceful golden mangroves at Tung Prong Thong, and chilled-out island vibes in Koh Samet make it the perfect place to slow down and just enjoy the moment. Continued …
Pattaya cracks top 10 safest cities in ASEAN, Chiang Mai #1
Pattaya, long known for its wild nightlife, has been named one of the Top 10 Safest Cities in ASEAN for 2025. The ranking, released by Numbeo, a global database that tracks cost of living and quality of life, placed Pattaya at 9th with a Safety Index score of 53.9. The list measures residents’ and visitors’ perceptions of crime, safety during the day and night, and concerns like theft, assault, burglary, and vandalism.
Top of the list? Chiang Mai, crowned as the safest city in ASEAN at 78.2, narrowly beating Singapore, which scored 77.4. Thailand’s bustling capital Bangkok also earned a spot in the top 10, landing at 7th with a score of 60.7. Continued …
Solar, Wind and Batteries Could Enable Thailand to Reduce Reliance on LNG Imports
Scaling up renewables would be the most economic pathway for Thailand to make progress toward its climate-related goals, according to BloombergNEF’s latest report, “Thailand: Turning Point for a Net-Zero Power Grid”. In comparison, retrofitting thermal power plants for hydrogen blending or ammonia co-firing is both more expensive and less effective in abating emissions.
Similar challenges apply to the usage of carbon capture and storage technology at existing thermal power plants in the near term. Thailand, which is the third largest electricity consumer in Southeast Asia, is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, and net-zero emissions by 2065 or earlier. Continued …
Dire sea level rise foreseen even if climate targets met
Rising seas will severely test humanity’s resilience in the second half of the 21st century and beyond, even if nations defy the odds and cap global warming at the ambitious 1.5 degrees Celsius target, researchers said yesterday.
The pace at which global oceans are rising has doubled in the past three decades, and on current trends will double again by 2100 to about one centimeter per year, they reported in a study. Continued …
Just 17 Irrawaddy dolphins remain in Songkhla Lake
The critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin population in Songkhla Lake has dropped to just 17, prompting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to accelerate efforts to save the species and restore the lake’s fragile ecosystem.
The minister, Chalermchai Sri-on, visited the lake on Monday and stressed the need for conservation and development of the Songkhla Lake bridge to proceed hand in hand to ensure long-term ecological and economic sustainability. Continued …
- Naked men run riot on Pattaya streets – Continued …
- Russian Man Arrested for Visa Overstay After Living in Koh Phangan Temple – Continued …
- Croatian Man Arrested for Running Illegal Tour Business in Chiang Mai – Continued …
- Sixteen Chinese Nationals Arrested at Patong Construction Site for Working Illegally – Continued …
- Pattaya waitresses battered by foreigner at beach bar – Continued …
- Turkish Ice Cream Seller Among Eight Arrested on Khaosan Road – Continued …
What a trade war means for one US importer
Businesses importing goods from China are navigating an ever-changing landscape of tariffs since U.S. President Trump took office. One affected business is Prince of Peace Enterprises, an importer of Chinese food products. Video …
Honda to scale back on EVs, Nissan plans workforce reduction
Honda Motor said yesterday it was scaling back its investment in electric vehicles (EVs) given slowing demand and would be focusing on capturing growing demand for hybrids with new models. Nissan is considering plans to shut two car assembly plants in Japan and overseas factories, including in Mexico. Continued …
New Schedule: Bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok
The first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin offers two round trips daily. The fare is 200 baht each way and takes three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure is from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.
(We recommend checking with the bus company about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
Starting May 1, the Don Mueang-Hua Hin route will offer four round trips per day. The two outbound trips from Don Mueang Airport will depart at 8 am and 3 pm. The bus will stop at eight locations, including the Service Hall at Don Mueang, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Mahachai, Phetchaburi Big C, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, and the Hua Hin Bus Station.
For the return trips from Hua Hin, buses will depart at 9 am and 3:30 pm, stopping at seven locations, including the Hua Hin Bus Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Mahachai, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, and Don Mueang Airport.
Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
(We recommend checking with the airline about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 12:10 pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 10:20 am
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
Emergency hotline numbers:
- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
- State Railway – 1590
Airbnb reports 30% surge in Thailand bookings
Japanese visitors remain uncertain
