thailand spaceport -

Hua Hin Airport expansion plan: 2-3 years before international flights/
Hua Hin Profile: Panintorn Prakij/
Tips for finding an affordable auto repair shop in Thailand/
EGAT Rejects Cheaper Electricity Bills Amid Losses/
NHSO now authorized to reimburse all for basic health services/
Spanish Chef Confesses To Murdering Colombian Surgeon/
Climate change threatens wild tigers’ habitat/
Thailand election: Thailand’s precarious political situation is ‘far from over’/General Predicted to be Thailand’s Prime Minister at the End of August/
Economy: Thailand Still Wants to Develop a Major Spaceport/Convention bureau cuts MICE outlook/Oil firm subsidiary Arun Plus sees profit from EV foray within 3-5 years/
Tourism: Hua Hin and Cha Am among most popular destinations this Mother’s Day/Thai tourism banking on Chinese tourists/Kaeng Krachan National Park closes two areas for recovery/Pattaya Traffic Police Crack Down on Arab Groups/
Thailand Experience: 12 Things To Do In Ayutthaya/From World Heritage Site to Roti Sai Mai/Discover the charms of Sing Buri/
International: The world inches closer to feared global warming ‘tipping points’/
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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Hua Hin Airport expansion plan: 2-3 years before international flights

The Department of Airports (DoA) is planning to upgrade Hua Hin Airport into an international airport to boost tourism.

Rattapol Charoenphon, acting director of Hua Hin Airport, on Sunday said the airport, operated by the DoA, recently expanded its runway to 2.1 kilometers long and 60 meters wide to accommodate Airbus A320 aircraft. Continued …

Hua Hin Profile: Panintorn Prakij

By Felicitee Lawrie

As she sat in Veggie Tales/Wagging Tails Café to Panintorn Prakij, (Paang to her friends), she explained the many and varied demands on her time from the myriad projects she has immersed herself in.

Her business venture, XploreAsia, does provide a livelihood for herself, her business partner and their 15 or so employees, but there is another facet to the business and it can be clearly seen to be filling a profound need for all who participate in its activities. Then there is a charity foundation, The “For Future Foundation”, under whose umbrella the well-known animal welfare service, Rescue Paws, operates, ably assisted by profits from the very café we are sitting in. Continued …

Tips for finding an affordable auto repair shop in Thailand

Regular maintenance checks, routine tire changes, even more, complex transmission work – whatever it may be, it’s clear that going to a good auto repair shop can save you loads of time and money. But finding an affordable auto repair shop that you can trust isn’t always easy.

But here’s the good news – it’s not impossible! Here are six practical tips for finding an affordable auto repair shop in Thailand. Continued …

EGAT Rejects Cheaper Electricity Bills Amid Losses

The Electricity Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has announced that it cannot entertain any further requests for cheaper electricity bills in the upcoming four-month cycle.

The decision comes as EGAT faces financial strain due to its accumulated loss, which resulted from subsidizing power bills between September 2021 and May 2023. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) estimates the accumulated loss to decrease to 135 billion baht by the end of the current month. Continued …

NHSO now authorized to reimburse all for basic health services

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has been authorized to reimburse non-gold cardholders for vaccinations and disease-prevention expenses, the NHSO chief said.

Dr. Jadet Thammathat-aree, NHSO secretary-general, said on Sunday that caretaker Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed a third order for the NHSO expense management fund for this year. This would allow the NHSO to reimburse members of the Social Security Fund and state officials under the Prevention and Promotion (P&P) basic public health services. Continued …

Spanish Chef Confesses To Murdering Colombian Surgeon

Police on Koh Phangan said Saturday afternoon that a Spanish chef has confessed to the murder and dismemberment of a Colombian surgeon, with most body parts packed in a suitcase and dumped into the sea but some parts that did not fit in were discarded at a garbage dump.

Latest reports of the investigation into this grisly crime states that Daniel (surname withheld), 29, had now confessed to killing Edwin (surname withheld), 44. Continued …

Climate change threatens wild tigers’ habitat

Climate change presents a big challenge for protecting and preserving tigers in the wild, says the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment permanent Secretary Jatuporn Buruspat.

He shared strong concerns over the fires that are destroying the habitat of the forest’s top hunter. Continued …

Thailand’s precarious political situation is ‘far from over’

With Thailand in a political quagmire once again, Varawut Silpa-archa, the leader of the Chart Thai Pattana Party, and Amorn Wanichwiwatana, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, spoke about what lies ahead.

Their comments follow a tumultuous time in Thai politics. After lying in Move Forward’s hands for more than 70 days, Pheu Thai now holds the leading position for establishing a new government. Continued …

General Predicted to be Thailand’s Prime Minister at the End of August

Prescient political activist and anti-corruption campaigner Chuwit Kamolvisit, who this week announced that he may have only eight months to live, is predicting that Thailand’s next prime minister will be 78-year-old Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, who will be elected at the end of August after several further votes in parliament and the failure of the Pheu Thai Party to form a government.

On Sunday, Chuwit predicted that Thailand’s next prime minister will be the leader of the Palang Pracharat Party, Prawit, the current deputy prime minister and one of the three brothers-in-arms associated with the 2014 coup d’etat in Thailand. Continued …

Thailand Still Wants to Develop a Major Spaceport

In a groundbreaking move, Thailand is venturing into the realm of space exploration with plans to establish its own spaceport.

The initiative, spearheaded by caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, aims to propel the country’s technological capabilities and stimulate economic growth across multiple sectors, potentially creating more than 400 job opportunities for Thai citizens. Continued …

Convention bureau cuts MICE outlook

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has downgraded the revenue forecast for the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) segment to 96 billion baht, less than half the level recorded in 2019, and attributed to a subdued Chinese market.

TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said even though MICE travelers from Europe, India and Southeast Asia are rebounding strongly, Thailand still needs the Chinese market to return in order to reach its projections. Continued …

Oil firm subsidiary Arun Plus sees profit from EV foray within 3-5 years

Arun Plus Co., a subsidiary of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc, expects to gain profit from its fledging electric vehicle (EV) businesses within 3-5 years, as Thai drivers become more interested in these new-generation cars.

The company is pushing ahead with EV assembly, battery production and EV rental development projects, all meant to help establish a Thai EV ecosystem. Continued …

Hua Hin and Cha Am among most popular destinations this Mother’s Day

The next long weekend is set to be a busy one in Hua Hin and Cha Am. The two destinations are among the most popular for Thai families celebrating Mother’s Day (Aug 12), according to data from Agoda.

The travel booking website recently revealed the top domestic travel destinations for Thai families during the long Mother’s Day break. Continued …

Thai tourism banking on Chinese tourists

When China announced the country’s surprise reopening in January, every business sector in Thailand responded enthusiastically to the news, particularly the tourism industry, which earned more than 530 billion baht from Chinese visitors in 2019.

Since then, the feeble recovery of the mainland’s economy caused middle-income earners to face salary cuts, leading them to consider saving money instead of spending it on travel. Continued …

Kaeng Krachan National Park closes two areas for recovery

Kaeng Krachan National Park authorities have announced the temporary closure of two popular areas, in a bid to allow natural resources to regenerate and ensure safety during the rainy season.

Park officials said Phanoen Thung Mountain and Mae Saliang Creek will be off-limits to tourists from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31.

Park officials affirmed that several other attractions, including Ban Krang Camp, Pala-U Waterfall, and the Kaeng Krachan National Park Office will continue to welcome tourists, as usual.

Pattaya Traffic Police Crack Down on Arab Groups

Pattaya Traffic Police took firm action against defiant Arab groups on Soi Pattaya Second Road, an area notorious for their gatherings. Lt. Col. Arut Sapan, head of Pattaya City Traffic Police, deployed forces to discipline unruly drivers and operators.

The area frequently witnessed gatherings of Arab tourists revving their engines and causing disturbances to the public. The police issued warnings and public announcements to rental car operators, urging them to cooperate in preventing such behavior and finding solutions to curb the impact on society. Continued …

12 Things To Do In Ayutthaya

When considering a trip to Thailand, many travelers might focus on Bangkok, the lively Thai capital. But not far away is the smaller city of Ayutthaya, full of rich history, gorgeous sights, and a small-town feel that is refreshing after vacationing in adventurous Bangkok.

For those using Bangkok as a home base for myriad day trips in the area, or for anyone looking for an off-the-beaten-path exploration of Thailand, Ayutthaya offers a jam-packed itinerary. Continued …

From World Heritage Site to Roti Sai Mai

Among the first things that come to mind when talking about Ayutthaya, and perhaps equally as famous as Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is roti sai mai.

This famous dessert is a sweet wrap with a soft and very fine sugar thread filling. It became known worldwide after Lalisa Manoban, aka Lisa Blackpink, posted a video on her IG last year, preparing and then eating this sweet snack. And in more proof of its delectable delights, it even was featured in the Michelin Guide Thailand 2023 edition. Continued …

Discover the charms of Sing Buri

The legendary city of Sing Buri will be colored with art and design during the “Sang See Sing: Let’s Glow Singburi” festival, which will take place at Sing Buri City Hall Ror Sor 130 on Wilai Chit Road in Muang district, from Aug. 18-27.

Organized by the Tourism Council of Sing Buri, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, this festival aims to attract more tourists, especially the new generation, to explore the city’s creative movements and its traditional culture. Continued …

The world inches closer to feared global warming ‘tipping points’

Climate change effects usually become clear over decades and centuries, but they seem to be everywhere this summer: temperature records broken constantly, ocean waters as warm as hot tubs and world leaders so alarmed they’ve called this the “the era of global boiling.” 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