Theos-2 satellite -

Today’s news: Centara Hotels launches charity campaign/Thai baht strengthens/Heavy rain continues/Floods rise in northern Thailand/Nurse treats homeless man’s injury/Thai death toll in Israel rises to 18/1,099 Thais register to return home/Burmese man wanted for murder/Thailand’s Theos-2 satellite launched/Digital wallet payouts vital/Middle East conflict adds new risks/Thai community cashes in/Airbnb boosting GDP/Police Strengthen Surveillance of Foreigners/Best SIM cards/7 venues for a dream wedding/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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Centara Hotels launches charity campaign amid 40th anniversary

Centara Hotels & Resort has announced the launch of a charity campaign as part of the brand’s ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, Centara will pledge THB40 for every direct booking made through its website, with stays falling within this same period.

The proceeds from this initiative will directly support the efforts of The Chaipattana Foundation, a non-profit organization that aligns with Centara’s enduring commitment to responsible tourism. Continued …

Thai baht strengthens, US dollar weak, gold rebounds

The Thai baht opened slightly stronger today at 36.90 baht per U.S. dollar after the U.S. dollar weakened amid concerns about the impact of the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

Krung Thai Bank currency analyst Poon Panichpibul said the baht opened this morning stronger than the previous day’s close of 37.11 baht per U.S. dollar, gradually strengthening overnight supported by the dollar’s depreciation due to the bond yield’s decrease. At the same time, the weakening of both the dollar and the 10-year bond yield also supported the continuous adjustment of gold prices. Continued …

Heavy rain continues nationwide

Heavy downpours are likely to affect most of Thailand today, with a 60%-80% chance of precipitation in the lower northern, central, and eastern regions. Strong winds are also anticipated, especially in the northern and central regions.

This weather pattern is due to a medium-pressure system from China covering the northeastern and eastern parts of Thailand, as well as the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the southwestern monsoon still prevails over the southern region and the Gulf of Thailand. Continued …

Evacuation orders and snake defenses as floods rise in northern Thailand

Authorities in the north have issued evacuation orders after days of heavy rain caused rivers and reservoirs to overflow, flooding low-lying communities and farmland.

In Chiang Rai, mountain runoff caused the Chan River to overflow and submerge at least eight villages in Mae Chan district. The Chan-Mae Ai highway is also under 30 centimeters of floodwater, the province reported on Monday. Continued …

Nurse Count Dao treats homeless man’s injury in a heartfelt video

A well-known TikToker, also known as Nurse Count Dao, recently shared a poignant and deeply moving, heart-wrenching video. After spotting an elderly man, appearing to be homeless, sitting in front of a convenience store, she decided to buy him a meal. However, her attention was drawn to a substantial wound on his foot, compelling her to purchase medicine and provide treatment herself.

“I don’t know how to explain this. There are more than a million words to say. I went to a convenience store at 1am and saw him sitting there. I thought I’d buy him a meal. But when I gave him the food, I saw the wound on his foot. I was very shocked.” Continued …

Thai death toll in Israel rises to 18

The confirmed Thai death toll from the Hamas attack on Israel has risen to 18, the deputy foreign affairs minister said this morning.

Jakkapong Sangmanee said the return of their bodies to Thailand must wait until Israeli forces reoccupy the death zones. The victims’ bodies were unreachable until then. Continued …

1,099 Thais register to return home, some Thais taken hostage may have been freed

So far, 1,099 Thai nationals in Israel have registered to return home, while some of the 11 Thais taken hostage by Hamas may have been freed, the Foreign Ministry said.

Kanchana Patarachoke, director general of the Information Department and spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, told the press on Monday that the authorities were in the process of verifying the information that some of the 11 Thais taken hostage have been freed. Continued …

Arrest warrant issued for Burmese man for murder of former diplomat

Royal Thai Police submitted documents and evidence to the Thailand Courts to issue a warrant for the arrest of a Burmese man for the suspected murder of a former Thai diplomat at a house in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The suspect reportedly escaped arrest outside Bangkok but police believe he is still in Thailand.

Following the death of 63-year-old Wichit Chitwimarn, Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Division 1 Noppason Poonsawat told the media today that officers discovered Wichit’s mobile phone and tablet missing. The loss of other valuables such as watches, gold necklaces and rings is being investigated. Continued …

Thailand’s Theos-2 satellite successfully shoots into space

Thailand’s low-earth-orbit satellite, Theos-2, was successfully launched on Monday from the Guiana Space Center, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) said.

The satellite was originally scheduled to be launched on Saturday but was aborted just 14 seconds into the countdown due to technical difficulties. The space center is located in French Guiana in South America. Continued …

Digital wallet payouts vital to stimulating economic growth

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing 10,000 baht to the public through digital wallets. He noted the positive aspects of widespread criticism and discussion about this policy, pointing out that such scrutiny was lacking in the previous government.

With the current state of the Thai economy falling short of its full potential, this policy is designed to stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities, attract investments, and enable the government to recoup funds through taxation. Continued …

Middle East conflict adds new risks to global economic outlook

The conflict in the Israel and Gaza Strip may leave central bankers battling new inflationary trends and deal a blow to economic confidence at a time when they had expressed growing hope about containing the price surge sparked by the pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine.

The stunning violence in Israel, with hundreds killed as fighters from the Hamas movement invaded from their Gaza enclave and Israel responded in force, added the possibility of a broader Middle East conflict to the sense of global instability sparked by Russian military actions almost 20 months ago. Continued …

Thai community in Nakhon Phanom cashes in on Khao Mao harvest

The annual rice harvest has proven to be a golden opportunity for the Thai community in Nakhon Phanom in northeastern Thailand. This is especially true for a group of people who are making a substantial income by producing and selling traditional sticky rice known as Khao Mao. This business generates several million baht every year.

One such group is led by Sunat, who lives in Ban Phorong in the Fung Daeng district of Nakhon Phanom. Using traditional knowledge and methods, they transform harvested rice into Khao Mao during the rice harvest season. Continued …

Airbnb boosting GDP and jobs in the Land of Smiles

A recent study by Oxford Economics highlights the significant role played by Airbnb in Thailand’s tourism sector, making a substantial contribution to the country’s GDP and job market.

According to the report commissioned by Airbnb, the platform made a substantial 31-billion-baht contribution to Thailand’s gross domestic product in 2022, supporting almost 56,500 jobs. This translates to approximately 1.7% of the tourism industry’s overall GDP contribution. Continued …

Police Strengthen Surveillance of Foreigners Entering Thailand

National Police spokesman Lt. Gen. Achayan Kritong yesterday unveiled heightened security protocols issued by National Police Chief, Gen. Tosakit Sukvimol, in response to escalating violence abroad.

These measures underscore an intensified scrutiny at significant locations, including government and related facilities. Continued …

Best SIM cards for traveling in Thailand

From incredible street food to its famous temples, Thailand is a popular international destination for travellers. If you’re headed to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket and want to stay connected, then you’ll want to check out one of these affordable mobile roaming plans.

Before we start, here are the cheapest roaming plans from each postpaid telco featured in this guide: Continued …

7 gorgeous venues in Thailand for a dream wedding

Considering a destination wedding? Discover romance by the blue waters in Thailand. Whether it’s a beachfront paradise you desire, or some bling in the heart of a city, these venues have everything on offer that you’ll need to create an unforgettable experience. Explore the most gorgeous wedding venues in Thailand below:

Hyatt Regency Hua Hin

Your search for a property to host a relaxed seaside wedding ends here. Guests will enjoy the in-room comforts, gearing up for a late-night party in the ballroom. During the day, make use of the free-form pool and beach or you could host a themed brunch on the lawns. Continued …

Fighting escalates in war’s third day as Israel ups attacks on Gaza

Israel increased airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and sealed it off from food, fuel, and other supplies in retaliation for a bloody incursion by Hamas militants. Hamas pledged to kill captured Israelis if attacks targeted civilians without warning. Continued …

Chinese nuclear-powered sub disaster, 55 dead in the Yellow Sea

British intelligence has reported that a Chinese submarine suffered a malfunction in the Yellow Sea, with the loss of 55 people onboard, with just one survivor, after it became ensnared in a trap set for U.S. submarines and its oxygen system failed. Continued …

UN alarmed by Russia’s ‘mass’ passports move in Ukraine

The United Nations on Monday voiced deep concern over Moscow’s “mass conferral” of Russian passports in Ukrainian territory it controls and denying essential services to people who refuse them. 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