• Kite festival this weekend in Thap Sakae/
• Thailand tops world in motorcycle use/
• Thailand second-best for paved roads in Southeast Asia/
• Thailand Businesses Lead the World in Business Health/
• Fewer smokers, surging taxes hitting Thai tobacco industry hard/
• JD Central discontinues operations in Thailand on March 3/
• Five healthy digital habits/
• Wife ties up gambling husband – quit or she’s going home to mum/
• Three more smart piers to be opened in 2023/
• Caught with two meth pills? You will be considered a dealer/
• Tourism: Actress bribe claim borne out by officers’ confessions/Police fast-track scandal prompts question: Can everything be bought in Thailand?/Thailand’s police caught with their pants down in extortion case/Taiwanese actress case puts e-cigarettes back in the spotlight/Hotels struggle to attract quality staff as tourism recovers/Phuket Expects 12 Million Tourists This Year/Chinese yearning for overseas trips in 2023/Why China isn’t about to save Thailand’s economy yet/Vendors at Bangkok shrine condemned for overcharging Chinese tourists/ASEAN cities face uphill battle to preserve heritage/Thailand Is Building an Epic New $9 Billion ‘Aviation City’ for Tourists/
• Thailand Experience: 10 Unbelievably Delicious Dishes You Have to Try in Thailand/Unlock the Secrets of Authentic Thai Food with These Essential Ingredients/
• International: Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 59, Wounds 150 At Pakistan Mosque/France, Australia announce artillery deal for Ukraine/US Fed set to slow down rate rises this year/
• Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

---

---

Kite festival this weekend in Thap Sakae

The Fantasy Kite and Flag Festival, featuring more than 100 kites, is set for this weekend in Thap Sakae on Ban Thung Pradu Beach.

The event is organized by the Thap Sakae Beach Love Group, the Thap Sakae Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Thailand Kite Flying Assn., Prachuap province tourism and sports officials and the Ban Thung Pradu tourism community. Map 

Thailand tops world in motorcycle use

Thailand second-best for paved roads in Southeast Asia

Thailand Businesses Lead the World in Business Health

Grant Thornton released its International Business Report this month, showing that the business health of the Thai mid-market has been at its highest point since 2017. In the second half of 2022, Thailand’s business health improved by 3.8 percentage points over H1 2022, with the index reaching 8.8 – marking the highest point in five years and exceeding regional and global averages for the first time since 2017.

In contrast, ASEAN business leaders are more cautious, while Asia Pacific and global business leaders remain bearish.

Ian Pascoe, CEO and managing partner at Grant Thornton in Thailand, said this on the findings: “Business leaders are better prepared after having gone through 3 years of unprecedented economic turbulence as Thailand emerges from the pandemic. Our business survey indicates Thai businesses share a positive sentiment in their outlook for 2023 and are more positive about the effects of the external factors on their business.” Continued … 

Fewer smokers, surging taxes hitting Thai tobacco industry hard

The Tobacco Curers Development Assn. is calling on the Tobacco Authority of Thailand (TOAT) and the Finance Ministry to review the current tax structure as the dual cigarette tax rates are affecting them financially.

TOAT recently announced that it was earmarking 56.16 billion baht to provide a 50% subsidy for production to tobacco farmers and independent tobacco curers.

Arun Pothita, secretary-general of Chiang Mai’s TOAT branch and a representative of an alliance of tobacco farmers in Thailand, said farmers under contract with TOAT are aware that the agency’s earnings are also affected by the tax structure. Continued …

JD Central discontinues operations in Thailand on March 3

Online shopping platform JD Central (www.jd.co.th) announced on Monday that it was discontinuing its operations in Thailand from March 3, though customer service will be available until March 31.

The company said the JD Central official store will stop accepting orders from 11.59pm on Feb. 15, while the JD Central platform with other vendors will stop accepting orders from 11.59pm on March 3.

The company has promised to fulfill all orders placed on or before March 3. The time taken for deliveries will be determined by the third-party logistics provider and seller. Continued …

Five healthy digital habits

Early January is a great time to start using healthy digital habits, and you still have time to make a promise to yourself and try to follow them during the next year. It’s certainly easier than mending our ways regarding health, exercise and self-improvement!

A set of simple healthy digital habits that can strengthen the safety of your data and make life easier in the coming year. Kaspersky experts prepared this list:

#1 New Year, new passwords!

Start the New Year with a real password revision. Now is the time to check and change passwords on all accounts. And remember the main rule – don’t use the same password for multiple accounts! Continued …

Wife ties up gambling husband – quit or she’s going home to mum

Thailand was having a great laugh – usually signified by 555 (ha ha ha) – after an online post of a man who had been tied up by his wife.

The errant husband was bound hands and feet before he agreed to stop his gambling habits.

Fah – the wife – said that when a message came in on her husband’s phone she thought he was chatting to another woman. Continued …

Three more smart piers to be opened in 2023 in Bangkok

Three more smart piers will be opened by this year, namely Rama VII, Tha Tien and Kiakkai, deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana said on Monday.

She said the project to build 29 smart piers across Greater Bangkok at a total cost of 942 million baht aims to facilitate travel and tourism.

She added that this project is in line with the government’s 20-year national strategy, which aims to make Thailand a developed country with security, prosperity and sustainability without leaving anyone behind. Continued …

Caught with two meth pills? You will be considered a dealer

In an effort to effectively combat the illegal drug trade, a law is being amended in Thailand so that anyone caught in possession of more than one meth pill will now be considered a drug dealer. Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul announced this change on Monday, stating that the current regulation has been exploited by those who actually intend to sell the drugs.

The harsh new law will view anyone with more than one pill as having the drugs with intent to sell, instead of the current standard of 15 pills or fewer being considered for personal use only.

The amendment, which has already been prepared by the Committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts, is awaiting a signature from the Health minister. It will then go to the Cabinet for its sign-off before ultimately being published in the Royal Gazette, making the law official. – thethaiger.com

Actress bribe claim borne out by officers’ confessions

A number of officers among the seven Huai Khwang policemen accused by Taiwanese actress Charlene An of extorting 27,000 baht from her in the early morning of Jan. 4 have now admitted she was telling the truth, according to a police source.

The source was quoting information discussed by executives of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) during Monday’s meeting of a committee that screens senior police officials for promotion.

The seven officers who stopped the Taiwanese actress and her companions in a Grab taxi for a security check at a checkpoint in front of the Chinese embassy on Ratchadaphisek Road did, in fact, demand 27,000 baht not to arrest the actress, who was found in possession of a vaping device, said the source. Continued …

Police fast-track scandal prompts question: Can everything be bought in Thailand?

Countless numbers of Thais have flown in and out of Thailand over the years, but few have paid much attention to fast-track services at airports. That changed last week when a Chinese tourist posted a clip of herself enjoying VVIP services from police at a Thai airport.

The tourist’s clip went viral and stirred up a huge controversy. In the clip, the female creator gives a frank and positive review of the VVIP service she received, with police facilitating her entry into Thailand at every step.

She describes how she was greeted by a policeman as soon as she walked off her flight. She was then guided to a special immigration lane, helped with her luggage, and led to a private sedan for transfer to her hotel. Police motorcycle outriders accompanied her sedan all the way to her hotel in Pattaya, clearing traffic to ensure she had a smooth and uninterrupted journey. And all for a modest price of around 7,000 baht. Continued …

Thailand’s police caught with their pants down in extortion case

The case of the extortion of a Taiwanese actress and her friends in a late night shakedown outside the Chinese Embassy in Huay Khwang on Jan. 4 took several new twists yesterday.

Increasingly, it appears that the police – specifically officers from the Huay Khwang force – have been caught with their pants down. It is no longer an “alleged extortion”, according to sources.

Attempts to wriggle their way out of the damaging case for the RTP and Thai tourism are now in tatters. And things look set to only get worse for the so-called BiB. Continued …

Taiwanese actress case puts e-cigarettes back in the spotlight

Punishments related to the import and sale of what Thais call “buree fai faa” – e-cigarettes and “nam yaa buree fai faa” – vaping fluid are back in the spotlight.

The issue is one of the features of the extortion case surrounding the Taiwanese actress Charlene An that is the talk of Thailand.

Many tourists are confused by the law and there have been calls for signage at airports to clarify the issue as it relates to visitors. Continued …

Hotels struggle to attract quality staff as tourism recovers

Working in a hotel used to be considered an attractive career, as not only was the job itself interesting but the monthly salary was relatively decent and there were other benefits, too. But the Covid-19 pandemic changed all that, and now hotel operators are having to work harder than ever before to recruit staff as tourists start coming back to Thailand.

Operators of hotels with fewer than 5 stars are facing the biggest headaches. Experienced staff who are returning to the industry have mostly moved to work at the top hotels where the pay is higher. As thing stands now, many hotels in the provinces want to resume full operations but can’t because they don’t have enough staff. Continued …

Phuket Expects 12 Million Tourists This Year

The Phuket Tourism Authority of Thailand (Phuket TAT) is expecting 12 million tourists to visit Phuket this year.

The director of the Phuket TAT, Nathasiri Ronnasiri, said, “We are expecting 12 million tourists to visit Phuket this year. This will be roughly the same number of tourists as before Covid-19.”

“Last year, the number of visitors in Phuket was 9,260,657. Of those numbers 46.4 percent were foreign tourists and 53.6 percent were Thai tourists. Phuket has generated 74.4 percent of its income from foreign tourists.” Nathasiri stated. Continued …

Chinese yearning for overseas trips in 2023

A recent report by tourism website Qyer unveiled that most Chinese plan to travel overseas within a year, as the country’s adjusted Covid-19 response has lifted restrictions on overseas trips.

It revealed that Chinese travelers are yearning for overseas trips — 75.4 % of the subjects paid attention to outbound tourism content while they were browsing travel tips.

About 38.5 % of the subjects wanted to have an outbound travel within half a year and 12 % planned to do so during the approaching Spring Festival holiday. Over half said they wanted to have a 10-day overseas trip. Continued …

Why China isn’t about to save Thailand’s economy yet

The recent surge of optimism that the world economy would have a soft landing is largely due to China’s decision to ditch its “zero-Covid” policy. Clearly, the reopening has lessened the risks and uncertainty surrounding the outlook.

China’s real GDP increased by 3% overall in 2022 from the previous year, which was the second-worst performance since 1976, the final year of the Cultural Revolution (the worst being 2020, when the pandemic began).

The earlier and faster than expected ending of zero-Covid restrictions in China bodes well for the global economy and adds to the recent run of positive news. But how significant will the spillovers from China’s policy likely be for Thailand and the global economy? Continued …

Vendors at Bangkok shrine condemned for overcharging Chinese tourists

Thai netizens condemned vendors selling religious offerings to foreign tourists at extortionate prices outside the famous Erawan Shrine in Bangkok after a video went viral on social media of a vendor charging Chinese tourists over 10,000 baht for an offering set.

Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular religious sites in the capital city. Formally known as the Thao Maha Phrom Shrine, the shrine houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.

The name might also refer to Mahabrahma, the ruler of the Brahma realm in Asian mythology. It is located in Bangkok city center at Ratchaprasong intersection, near the CentralWorld shopping mall. Continued …

ASEAN cities face uphill battle to preserve heritage

Right behind San Sebastian Basilica, one of Manila’s most revered churches, a high-rise condominium is under construction, triggering a conflict between developers and conservationists. The unsavory development also threatens to derail the Philippines’ bid to have the monument listed as a World Heritage Site and preserve the country’s heritage value.

In some other ASEAN nations, like Thailand or Cambodia, which prioritized their tourism agenda to propel economic growth, activists are fighting a losing battle against developers for heritage preservation.

“The impact of this is the commodification of natural and cultural heritage with the results in the loss of authenticity, and sometimes irreversible damage not just to nature but also culture,” said Johannes Widodo, professor at the National University of Singapore and a senior adviser to the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA). Continued …

Thailand Is Building an Epic New $9 Billion ‘Aviation City’ for Tourists

An historic airport in Thailand will soon be taken to new heights.

The Thai government is spending $8.8 billion (฿290 billion) to turn the country’s Vietnam War–era U-Tapao airport into a new “Eastern Aviation City.” Construction on the massive megastructure is set to begin early this year. The project will reportedly generate 15,600 additional jobs in the first five years and bolster Thailand’s aviation industry.

Covering approximately 1,040 hectares (2,570 acres) in the country’s industrial east, the new transport hub is aiming to attract more tourists to the tropical archipelago.

The new international terminal will be linked with a budget airport (Don Muang) and Thailand’s main airport (Suvarnabhumi) in order to bring passengers an array of flights and carriers. In addition, the city will include a free trade zone for commodities, a flight training center and an aircraft maintenance center. Continued …

10 Unbelievably Delicious Dishes You Have to Try in Thailand

If you are looking for delicious, authentic food that will tantalize your taste buds, you should definitely head to Thailand. The tasty and unique flavors of Thai cuisine are notorious around the world and the country is home to some of the most amazing dishes.

The best Thai food has a unique blend of all five flavors: spicy, sweet, sour, salty, and creamy. Let’s explore the 10 must-try dishes when visiting Thailand.

Tom Yum Goong

You can’t go wrong with starting your culinary journey in Thailand with some tom uum goong. This classic dish features a spicy and sour soup with shrimp as the main ingredient. Tom yum goong also includes lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, mushrooms, shallots, and tomatoes to enhance the flavor. Another key feature of this dish is the access to a special chili paste called nam prik pao that you can use to add a tasty kick of heat. Continued …

Unlock the Secrets of Authentic Thai Food with These Essential Ingredients

Are you tired of eating the same old food day in and day out? Do you want to add a little spice to your life? Look no further, because Thai cuisine is here to save the day!

Thai food is popular for its bold and flavorful taste, and the secret to its deliciousness lies in the unique ingredients in its dishes. In this guide, you will learn all about the essential Thai ingredients and pantry staples you need to cook authentic Thai food in your own kitchen.

1. Essential Thai Ingredients

Thai food is all about balance. The flavors of sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and savory must all be present in every dish. The following ingredients are the building blocks of Thai cuisine and are present in almost every dish. Continued …

Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 59, Wounds 150 At Pakistan Mosque

A suicide bomber struck a crowded mosque inside a police compound in Pakistan on Monday, causing the roof to collapse and killing at least 59 people and wounding more than 150 others, officials said. Continued … 

France, Australia announce artillery deal for Ukraine

France and Australia announced a deal to jointly produce 155 mm artillery shells for Ukraine on Monday after a ministerial meeting in Paris that showcased efforts to relaunch ties between the Pacific allies. Continued … 

US Fed set to slow down rate rises this year

The U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to lift interest rates by just 0.75% this year amid improving economic figures, benefiting Asian stock markets as well as high-risk assets, investment company Principal Asset Management said yesterday. Continued …

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 is 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