Inside Thailand’s wild animal hospital/Beach polo returns/Suspect arrested in Hua Hin/PKK launches anti-drug operation/PM2.5 levels exceed safety standard/Chiang Mai wildfires/Preventing Deaths from the Burning Season/Temperatures likely to top 40°/One-baht drop in fuel prices/Crackdown on Vapes/Foreigners behaving badly/ECONOMY: Thai Economic Outlook/Foreign investment surges/Land Bridge Gains Global Interest/Car production down again/Carmakers act/Incentive to plant other crops/Ministry drops airport plan/TOURISM: Songkran makes a bigger splash/Phuket hotels see solid high season/New Phuket, Samui tollways/Trat Islands Sees Tourism Surge/German Tourist Severely Beaten/Pattaya police beef up patrols/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Dark side of Thailand/Restoration of Ethnic Thai Dishes/Mountain Village For Coffee Lovers/Unearthing Nakhon Ratchasima’s hidden past/CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand’s Coastline Threatened/Floating solar project/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
A tiger on a gurney? Peek inside Thailand’s wild animal hospital
Lantao is on the road to recovery. The little long-tailed macaque had an open fracture in her right arm and was severely traumatized when found on the Thai island of Ko Lanta. At the time of her rescue, the baby monkey was blind in one eye and also severely malnourished.
But Lantao had a stroke of luck: volunteers took her to the wildlife hospital of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) in the province of Phetchaburi, roughly a two-hour drive south of Bangkok. Continued …
Beach polo returns to Hua Hin
The “Princess Pa’s Cup InterContinental – B.Grimm Beach Polo 2025” will return to the shores of Hua Hin on Saturday, bringing together world-class polo and high society.
Held to mark the 14th anniversary of a commitment to a meaningful cause, this year’s tournament will see four distinguished teams from Thailand, Hong Kong, Belgium and Germany competing on the beachfront of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Continued …
Organ trafficking network suspect arrested in Hua Hin
A Japanese national with ties to criminal organizations in Thailand has been arrested following a history of violence and fraud. The suspect is also under investigation for possible human trafficking connections and is wanted on arrest warrants in both Thailand and Japan.
Police Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, commander of the Immigration Bureau, revealed that immigration police arrested a 42-year-old Japanese citizen at a Hua Hin residence yesterday. He is accused of committing fraud by using documents and information from a Japanese company registered in Thailand to deceive both Thai nationals and his fellow Japanese citizens into investing in cannabis businesses and various other ventures. Continued …
PKK launches anti-drug operation
PM2.5 levels exceed safety standard in all of Bangkok
The air quality in all 50 districts of Bangkok was categorized as “orange”, or starting to affect health, this morning, the Air Quality Information Center of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said.
The center reported the average PM2.5 levels throughout the city at 51.2 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), in excess of the country’s standard of 37.5 µg/m³ over a three-hour average (5am to 7am). Continued …
Chiang Mai wildfires still uncontained
Areas in two Chiang Mai districts where wildfires have been burning for the past two weeks have been declared disaster zones, as local authorities battle to bring the fires under control.
Chiang Mai Gov. Nirat Phongsittithaworn announced yesterday that five subdistricts in Chiang Dao and Omkoi districts were designated disaster areas where emergency relief measures and wildfire monitoring were being stepped up. He said the move was necessary to help soldiers and state officials monitoring hotspots, preventing man-made fires and arresting and prosecuting offenders. Continued …
In Thailand, Eating Plants Could Prevent 100,000 Deaths from the Burning Season
Replacing half of meat and seafood production with plant proteins could save 100,000 lives lost from air pollution in Thailand, a new study has found.
Thailand’s annual crop-burning season causes air pollution lethal enough to prematurely kill 34,000 people every year but the solution lies in another agricultural element: plants. Specifically, plant-based proteins. Agricultural burning is the biggest source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the country, which is one of the main air pollutants. During the December-April season, PM2.5 levels are three times higher than the national acceptable standard. Continued …
Temperatures likely to top 40° Celsius in north today
The upper part of Thailand will experience a hot to very hot day today, with isolated thunderstorms and wind gusts, the Thai Meteorological Department said this morning. These conditions are due to a low-pressure cell covering the upper country combining with southwesterly and southeasterly winds, the department said.
South (east coast): Isolated thundershowers mostly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat; minimum 22-26°C, maximum 33-36°C; waves about a meter high and above one meter in thundershowers. Continued …
One-baht drop in fuel prices promised for Songkran break
The Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO) has announced a 1 baht per liter reduction in the price of petrol and diesel in an effort to alleviate people’s burden and encourage domestic travel during the upcoming Songkran festival.
Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said the decision was made by the OFFO Executive Committee yesterday based on the general downward trend in global oil prices and the improving financial health of the Oil Fuel Fund. Continued …
Thailand Cracks Down on Vapes with Severe Penalties
Thailand has intensified its stance on e-cigarettes, with individuals caught with these illegal items facing up to five years in prison and substantial fines. Under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who initially favored legalization during her campaign, the government has reversed course, emphasizing public health concerns, particularly among teens and children.
This crackdown includes significant actions from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, which has blocked over 9,500 URLs related to vape sales. Using advanced social listening tools, the ministry removed numerous online ads, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy. Continued …
British Nationals Face Increased Scrutiny as Thailand Cracks Down on Crime
Thailand has long been a popular destination for British tourists, but recent reports suggest a concerning trend: an apparent uptick in criminal activities involving British nationals. Recently highlighted is an increase in the arrest of British tourists, suggesting a potential link between rising crime rates and the presence of young Brits from cities like London, Liverpool, and Leicester.
These reports echo concerns from Metro UK News, which notes a troubling rise in Brits attempting to import banned substances back to the United Kingdom from Thailand. Continued …
- Pattaya Immigration Officers Crack Down on Illegal Foreign Workers – Continued …
- Phuket Police Probe Suspicious Dollar Bills from Russian Woman – Continued …
- German Man Nabbed After Fleeing Through Window in Phang Nga – Continued …
Thai Economic Outlook for Q1 2025
The return of U.S. President Trump raises global uncertainties in trade and investment policies, as SCB EIC anticipates significant changes that could reshape international relations. Trump’s second term may lead to reciprocal tariffs instead of broader tariffs.
The implementation of these tariffs, especially on key imports like automobiles and steel, is expected to elevate the U.S. effective tariff rate by around 11%. If retaliatory measures emerge from trading partners, global GDP might decline by 1.3% and inflation could increase by 0.5% in the medium term. Continued …
Foreign investment surges in first 2 months
Foreign investment in the first two months of this year saw a 68% increase in the number of projects and a 33% rise in the investment value compared to the same period last year.
According to deputy government spokeswoman Sasikarn Watthanachan, the latest report on foreign business investment approvals under the Foreign Business Act (1999) reveals that 181 applications were approved in the first two months of this year, marking a 68% increase compared to the same period last year. Continued …
Thailand’s Land Bridge Project Gains Global Interest
Thailand is forging ahead with its land bridge project, a megastructure aimed at linking the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea. This development comes as the Thai government confirms keen interest from international investors in China and the Middle East.
The proposed land bridge, estimated at a cost of 1 trillion Baht, was introduced in a nationwide initiative to improve Thailand’s logistics and bolster its standing in the global marketplace. Continued …
Car production continues to fall, down again in February
Car production in Thailand dropped 13.6% in February from a year earlier to 115,487 units due to weaker domestic sales and exports, the Federation of Thai Industries said today.
The fall followed January’s 24.6% year-on-year slump, and was the 19th straight month that production has contracted.Thailand is Southeast Asia’s biggest auto production center and an export base for some of the world’s top automakers, including Toyota and Honda. Continued …
Carmakers act to spur flagging sales
Automakers are trying to deal with sluggish domestic car sales by cutting costs and launching new promotional campaigns, which are expected to boost bookings at the Bangkok International Motor Show, which opens tomorrow.
Many car brands are pinning their hopes on these campaigns, as they are looking for ways to simulate sales, which have continued to fall this year, said Wallop Chalermvongsavej, managing director of Hyundai Mobility Thailand, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group. Continued …
Rice farmers to receive 1,000-baht incentive to plant other crops
The final draft of incentives to encourage farmers to plant other crops will soon be sent to the National Rice Policy and Management Committee (NRPMC) for approval, a well-informed source from the Commerce Ministry has said.
The source stated that the draft was prepared in line with the resolution of the NRPMC meeting on Feb. 26. During the meeting, the NRPMC agreed in principle to pay 1,000 baht per rai to farmers in exchange for not planting off-season rice, as a measure to address falling rice prices. Continued …
Ministry drops plan to transfer regional airports to AoT
The Transport Ministry has decided to drop its plan to transfer the management of three regional airports under the Department of Airports (DoA) to Airports of Thailand (AoT), citing the potential negative impact of such move.
According to Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, the DoA will continue to manage Udon Thani, Buriram and Krabi airports, as transferring the management of these airports to a different agency might have an adverse impact on the airports’ budget allocation and human resources. Continued …
Songkran makes a bigger splash among tourists
Thailand’s Songkran festival is drawing increasing numbers of international visitors, with overseas guests making up 86% of scheduled hotel check-ins between April 10-17, according to data from SiteMinder. This marks a 15% point increase compared to last year’s figures.
The festival’s growing international appeal has led to a significant rise in hotel bookings across Thailand. Koh Samui saw a 65% increase in bookings year-on-year, Chiang Mai experienced a 41% rise, and Bangkok saw a 20% increase. Continued …
Phuket hotels see solid high season
Despite a sharp decline in Chinese arrivals flying direct to Phuket, hotels in the island could still record a solid high season for January and February, with a 92% occupancy rate and average room rate surging 15% to 5,557 baht.
The average occupancy is expected to drop to 75% in March, while the average room rate should slip to 4,483 baht, said Suksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Assn. Continued …
New Phuket, Samui tollways hope to end traffic horrors
New tollways planned for Phuket and Samui will solve many of the traffic problems of the islands, according to the chief of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT).
EXAT’s governor said on Sunday that the new toll road in Phuket would reduce accidents and traffic gridlock on the tourist island. The project still needed cabinet approval, which was expected later this year. It was expected to be open to traffic by 2030. Continued …
Trat’s Island Trio Sees Tourism Surge Ahead of Songkran Festival
Tourist numbers to Thailand’s Trat province, particularly its three main islands — Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak — have increased significantly since December 2024 through the New Year 2025 period.
Taweesak Wongwilat, vice president of the Trat Tourism Business Assn., reports that international tourists are now booking extended stays of 1-2 weeks. The number of foreign visitors has increased by more than 40% compared to 2024. Continued …
German Tourist Severely Beaten in Pattaya by Group of Men
A German tourist was violently attacked by a group of about 10 men on Pattaya Beach Road in Chonburi. Local police in Pattaya swiftly arrested three suspects involved in the assault.
The victim suffered extensive injuries, including facial wounds and a laceration above his left eyebrow. Rescuers promptly provided first aid before rushing him to hospital. Continued …
Pattaya police beef up patrols to tackle crime surge
In response to a recent spike in criminal activities, Pattaya police rolled out a robust initiative to keep the city’s streets safe. The Pattaya City Police Station has deployed newly trained patrol units dedicated to maintaining order and preventing crime.
This move comes after a series of unsettling incidents. Before hitting the streets, teams undergo rigorous training and tactical reviews to handle incidents effectively, focusing on protecting both themselves and the public. Continued …
The dark side of Thailand
While The White Lotus TV show might be fiction, it tends to do a thorough job at presenting its destinations. Which is why my ears pricked up watching a recent episode, when – minor spoiler alert – Walton Goggins’s character, Rick Hatchett, decided to spice up his time on the Thai island of Koh Samui by visiting a seemingly legal cannabis boutique.
“They have legal cannabis in Thailand now?” I texted an old friend, who happens to be somewhat knowledgeable on both of those particular topics. “Not quite – but it sometimes seems that way,” he replied, before explaining how the Thai government’s legalization of medical cannabis has led to a wave of opportunistic businesses that are largely left to their own devices by authorities. Continued …
The Politics of Lanna Identity and the Restoration of Ethnic Thai Dishes
The Thai state has historically employed specific ethnic groups to represent regional identities and control cultural narratives. This strategy is particularly evident in the promotion of tai yuan cuisine in the context of northern Thai food.
However, minority groups in northern Thailand have recently begun showcasing their diverse culinary traditions to locals and tourists in defiance of the central government. Continued …
Thailand’s Most Underrated Mountain Village For Coffee Lovers
“Huai Hom is a coffee village. Thanks to our Arabica varieties, we have regular income,” said Wa, visibly pleased, showing me the Google translation on his phone as a rooster crowed in the background.
Wa, is a Sgaw (white) Karen, a member of an ethnic sub-group of Thailand’s Karen hill tribes. As such, he wears a hand-painted t-shirt and an embroidered, handwoven cotton cross-body bag, plus fisherman pants and Adilette slides. “We don’t need much money for food and have our own supplies,” he tells me in clipped English. Continued …
From Ayutthaya to Prehistory: Unearthing Nakhon Ratchasima’s hidden past
What began as a search for the old Ayutthaya-era city walls unexpectedly led to the discovery of prehistoric human remains, revealing that Nakhon Ratchasima’s history dates back thousands of years. This find suggests that a community existed long before the well-known city moat was constructed.
The Fine Arts Department initiated excavations in the Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality in 2024, aiming to locate remnants of the city wall from the reign of King Narai (1656-1688) of the Ayutthaya period. Continued …
Thailand’s Coastline Threatened by Melting Iceberg, Expert Warns
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, is melting at a worrying rate due to rising global temperatures, posing a potential threat to Thailand’s coastline over the coming 25 years, cautioned environmental expert Sonthi Kotchawat yesterday.
Iceberg A23a, a massive block of ice covering around 3,500 square kilometers – an area over twice the size of greater Bangkok – has been lodged off South Georgia Island, near Antarctica, since it detached from the ice sheet in 1986. Continued …
Thailand seeks developers for floating solar project
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is inviting bids for the delivery of a 158-MWac floating solar project at the Bhumibol Dam Hydropower Plant in Tak Province.
The Bhumibol Dam Floating Solar Project 1 at the 779-MW Bhumibol hydropower plant is slated to start commercial operation by 2027. EGAT said it is part of efforts toward carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero emissions by 2065. Continued …
Chinese EV giant BYD’s fourth-quarter profit leaps 73%
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD’s net profit leapt 73.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to a record 15 billion yuan ($2.1 billion), it said yesterday, reaping the rewards of lower prices and higher sales than rivals. Video …
US turns to Brazil for eggs during bird flu outbreak
The U.S. has almost doubled imports of Brazilian eggs once used only for pet food and is considering relaxing regulations for eggs laid by chickens raised for meat, as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to bring down sky-high prices spiked by bird flu. Video …
Trump to impose sharp tariff on countries buying Venezuelan oil
U.S. President Donald Trump announced yesterday steep tariffs on imports from countries buying Venezuelan oil and gas, a punitive measure that could hit China and India, among others, and sow fresh global trade uncertainty. Continued …
New bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok
The new first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin will offer two round trips daily. The fare would be 200 baht each way and would take three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure will be from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.
- The bus will leave Hua Hin at 7 am and 2 pm
- It will depart from Don Mueang at 7:30 am and 4 pm
- Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
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
Bangkok’s overhead cables moving underground
‘Pet humanization’ trend playing a big role in expanding Thailand’s pet market
Examining causes of major retail outlet closures
More man-made tourism magnets
Saving the planet from the plastic menace
Downpours forecast for most of Thailand until Thursday
Heart failure: cardiologists put out a call to action
Female teachers required to serve alcohol, dance at religious event
Property developers glum on outlook
Long holiday a boon for Ko Samui tourism
Unprecedented six-day holiday leads to tourist boom in Pattaya
Eastern Trat islands see huge influx of visitors as long holiday break begins
Thai health and wellness tourism in the global spotlight
Typhoon Doksuri destroys power lines, closes factories as it rips into China
US announces $345M military aid package for Taiwan
