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Tuesday’s News-April 4

  • New opening schedule for Tamarind Market in April/
  • Junior golf clinic planned at Royal Hua Hin course/
  • Cost of diesel to be cut this week amid falling global oil prices/
  • Fires in Nakhon Nayok under control, focus shifts to park in Chiang Mai/
  • Sri Lanna park to be made ‘disaster zone’/
  • Chiang Mai ranks as most polluted city in the world for 9 days running/
  • Restaurants, real estate drive 18% rise in business registrations/
  • Man Dies After Bomb Explodes in Krabi/
  • Suspects in Nonthaburi slaying of female student arrested in China/
  • 37 People Injured After Bus to Phuket Overturns in Chumphon/
  • Annual motor show bookings surge 35%/
  • Exports seen contracting 10% in first quarter/
  • Tourism: Songkran celebrations in Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan/Pet-friendly Songkran trip ideas for the whole furry family/Thailand expects tourism revenue to hit 80% of pre-Covid level this year/Samui Negotiates More Direct Flights as Bookings for Songkran Soar/TAT keeping track of impact of Chinese tourists/Chiang Rai skywalk closed for repairs after glass panel shatters/
  • Thailand Experience: Students from UK high school embark on trip of a lifetime to Thailand/
  • International: Finland joins NATO as Russian war prompts shift/
  • Links: Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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New opening schedule for Tamarind Market in April

Hua Hin’s Tamarind Market is extending its opening hours over two public holidays in April.

During the Chakri Day weekend, the market will open its doors from 5pm between April 6-9. Over the Songkran holidays, the market will be open from April 12-16.

The nearby Cicada market will be open April 13-16 during Songkran.

Junior golf clinic planned at Royal Hua Hin course

On Wednesday, April 26, a junior golf clinic will be held by some of the competing golf pros at the Royal Hua Hin Thailand Championship coming to the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 25-27. The clinic will be held at the driving range commencing at 4pm.

The MENA (Middle East & North Africa) Tour is hosting the event. Over 70 golf professionals from across the globe have entered the event, with around 100 expected.

This free clinic is open to all aspiring junior golfers, but come before 4pm to register.

Cost of diesel to be cut this week amid falling global oil prices

The domestic diesel price is to be cut to 33 baht a liter this Friday, down from 33.5 baht a liter, as global oil prices keep falling, says the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO).

It will be the fourth in a series of price reductions since early February when the retail price in Thailand stood at 34.94 baht a liter. Continued …

Fires in Nakhon Nayok under control, focus shifts to park in Chiang Mai

After five days of relentless efforts, Thailand’s Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPDPM) announced Monday that firefighters have succeeded in getting forest fires in Nakhon Nayok province under control.

As a result of the success of the mission, the command center set up to deal with the fires on Khao Laem and several other mountains in Nakhon Nayok has been downgraded to just a local-level center, the task of which is to monitor the situation to ensure that the fires do not reignite. Continued …

Sri Lanna park to be made ‘disaster zone’

Authorities are preparing to declare Sri Lanna National Park a disaster zone due to the ongoing wildfires in the area.

After inspecting the fires yesterday, Chiang Mai Gov. Nirat Pongsitthaworn said the park will be declared a disaster zone due to the nature of the wildfire within the park’s boundaries. Continued …

Chiang Mai ranks as most polluted city in the world for 9 days running

Northern Thailand continues to battle a thick layer of smog, with Chiang Mai being ranked as the world’s most polluted city by PM2.5 rating for nine days in a row, according to the IQAir website.

The highest air quality index (AQI) value was found at the Health Hospital in Ban Khai Hospital in Mae Na Wang subdistrict, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province, measuring at a hazardous 411 μg/m3. Continued …

Restaurants, real estate drive 18% rise in business registrations

New business registrations in February this year rose 18.4% to 8,537 compared with the same period last year, though only 0.84% from January, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Monday. He cited a rise in tourism and hotel business registrations as evidence that Thai tourism is rebounding strongly after Covid-19.

New registrations in February were led by construction, real estate, and restaurant businesses, according to data from the Department of Business Development. Continued …

Man Dies After Bomb Explodes in Krabi

A 33-year-old man died after a bomb exploded in Krabi. The Klong Thom Police were notified of the incident on Sunday at a house in South Klong Tom. The Krabi EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and the Krabi Forensic Police were called to the scene.

The man was later identified as Kampanart Sapjaroen, 33, who had been pronounced dead at the scene. His body was surrounded by many unexploded bombs and the one that had set off. It took more than three hours for the EOD to recover all bombs from the area. Continued …

Suspects in Nonthaburi slaying of female student arrested in China

Three suspects in the gruesome murder of a Chinese student in Nonthaburi have been arrested in China, according to Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn.

Surachate said Thai police coordinated with Chinese authorities to arrest the suspects after discovering that they flew to Chengdu on March 30. He added that Chinese police are interrogating the suspects, who had committed other crimes in their home country before. Continued …

37 People Injured After Bus to Phuket Overturns in Chumphon

Thirty-seven people sustained injuries after a passenger bus from Nong Khai heading to Phuket crashed in the Sawee district.

Emergency responders were notified of the accident on Sunday morning on Asia 41 Road in the Na Poe subdistrict. Continued …

Annual motor show bookings surge 35%

Car and motorcycle bookings at the 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show, which ended on Sunday, rose by more than 35% year-on-year to 45,983 units, thanks to an improving economy and electric vehicles (Evs).

The economic recovery and the government’s policy to promote EVs, which encourages EV manufacturers to introduce electric cars to prospective EV buyers were key factors, said Jaturon Komolmit, vice chairman of Grand Prix International, which organized the event. Continued …

Exports seen contracting 10% in first quarter

Thailand’s exports are likely to show a contraction of 10% in the first quarter of this year from a year earlier, bigger than a previous forecast drop of 8%, the country’s shippers’ council said on Tuesday.

The global economy was slowing and a recovery in China’s economy was not as fast as expected, Chaichan Chareonsuk, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council, told a news conference. Continued … 

Songkran celebrations in Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan

Tourism officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan are gearing up for what is set to be a busy month in April.

With the big holiday break approaching, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan office is encouraging families and tourists to visit and enjoy the beach.

According to Archawan Kongkanat, director of Tourism of Thailand (TAT) Prachuap Khiri Khan office, the organization has prepared a tourism events schedule for the whole month of April. Continued …

Pet-friendly V Villas in Hua Hin

Pet-friendly Songkran trip ideas for the whole furry family

Songkran’s a long holiday, and leaving your beloved little ones at home? That just won’t do. Let us show you some of the best places to go on a pet-friendly trip that will take care of everyone, including your furry family members.

When you’re a parent of a furry one, you know it can be quite a big deal to go on vacation. After all, how are they going to survive at home alone? Hotels that are pet-friendly used to be quite hard to come by. But now, you have a lot of choices to choose from across Thailand. Continued …

Thailand expects tourism revenue to hit 80% of pre-Covid level this year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the country’s tourism sector to generate up to 2.4 trillion baht in revenue this year, or 80% of earnings in 2019, Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said on Monday.

Roughly 880 billion would come from Thai tourists, while the other 1.5 trillion would be from foreigners, he added. However, Thai tourism is experiencing difficulties because airlines had not yet reached their pre-Covid operating capacity, Yuthasak said. Continued …

Samui Negotiates More Direct Flights as Bookings for Songkran Soar

While Koh Samui is gaining popularity during the upcoming Songkran Festival, tourists are having problems with transportation, as many flights are fully booked. The president of the Koh Samui Tourism Assn. has been in talks with Bangkok Airways and Samui Airport to increase the number of flights to meet tourist demand.

With tourism in Thailand recovering, Koh Samui in Surat Thani province, one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, has seen a sharp increase in tourist numbers since Christmas and until this April. Most travelers come from Europe, Singapore and China, crowding the airport and ferry port. Continued …

TAT keeping track of impact of Chinese tourists

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is addressing concerns over the monopolization of foreign tourism businesses and zero-dollar tours, saying that “they are not a concern” as long as strict law enforcement and collaboration with Beijing continues.

TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn says that his office in China will continue to monitor these issues and ensure that only Chinese tour companies certified by the Chinese government are allowed to send tour groups to Thailand. Continued …

Chiang Rai skywalk closed for repairs after glass panel shatters

If you were planning on standing on the Chiang Rai skywalk in northern Thailand to stare into a thick layer of hazardous dust this week, think again, because the tourist attraction is now closed for repairs after a piece of the glass floor shattered yesterday.

Tourists standing 486 feet above sea level were terrified yesterday when a loud bang erupted from the “Three Lands Skywalk.” One layer of glass inside one panel on the West wing – about 2.5 by 2 meters long – had shattered. Continued …

The UK students will visit Elephant Nature Park and its founder, Lek

Students from UK high school embark on trip of a lifetime to Thailand

Students from one West Norfolk secondary school in the United Kingdom are embarking on a trip of a lifetime as they leave Lynn for a 17-day adventure in Thailand.

The year 12 students from Springwood High School, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, are taking part in a Thailand Global Citizenship Program, which will see them teach children in a Thai school about climate change, as well as spend time caring for rescued elephants at a sanctuary.

The 15 Springwood students, accompanied by three members of staff, flew to Thailand’s Chiang Mai airport on March 24 before transferring to Mae Sariang, where they will be working with pupils at Ban Kupuang (KP) School. Continued …

Finland joins NATO as Russian war prompts shift

Finland will become the 31st member of NATO today, in a historic strategic shift provoked by Moscow’s war on Ukraine, which doubles the U.S.-led alliance’s border with Russia. Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location 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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. 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 

Hua Hin-Chaing Mai flight schedule through October

Book a flight

 

90-day online reporting

Monday’s News-Feb 20

  • And yet another sponsor renews support for Expat News – S.Ken’s Bistro/
  • New Miss Thailand PKK crowned/
  • Cha Am pet health center reopens/
  • Hua Hin Surf Festival to be held this weekend/
  • Monsoon Valley Harvest Festival this week/
  • Cha Am Crab Festival set March 11-18/
  • Insurance firm rates Thailand drivers ‘the worst’/
  • Head injury reported in Wild Boar youth’s death/
  • Hero’s welcome for Thai rescue team returning from quake-hit Turkey/
  • Chiang Mai’s red ‘Songthaew’ transformation, a new generation of drivers/
  • Thailand Sets 2027 Target for 100% Reuse of Plastic/
  • Two Men Dead In A Game Of Russian Roulette/
  • Mystery woman found floating dead off Koh Tao/
  • Anutin dashes hopes for e-cigarette legalization/
  • Thailand essential to GWM’s ambitious electric vehicle plans/
  • Tourism: Chinese not happy with new Thailand tourist fee/Russian mafia-style ‘gangs’ causing concerns for Phuket businesses/Thai Health minister says no to 4am pub closing, except in tourist areas/Rejection of passengers tops list of complaints about Bangkok’s cabbies/Koh Samui Gears Up For Wellness Tourism With New Hospital/China-Laos high-speed train brings tourists to Thailand/Marine Department reassures public that ‘river taxi’ travel is safe/
  • Thailand Experience: V Villas Hua Hin Among Top 10 Most Expensive Luxury Hotels In Thailand/Aleenta Hua Hin Among 9 Incredible Beachfront Resorts In Thailand/7 exotic Thai fruits that are high in nutrients and antioxidants/
  • Covid: ‘Game over, Covid’: 10 things we learned about the virus in past 3 years/
  • International: Taliban bars Afghan girls from school. Inside their secret classes with a teacher in the US/The coming storm/Economic problems due to Ukraine war to continue/US says China mulls arming Russia in Ukraine war/New Study Shows Veganism сauses More Harm To The Environment Than Limited Meat Consumption/Facebook-owner Meta to roll out paid subscription/
  • Links: Calendar of events/airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

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And yet another sponsor renews support for Expat News

S.Ken’s Bistro – a Khao Tao experience

Locally owned by Chef Ken himself, who has worldwide experience as chef of five-star hotels, this lake view restaurant is dedicated to giving the guests an enjoyable dining experience. S.Ken’s Bistro strives for the perfectly prepared and expertly served food with an uncompromising commitment to quality and value. The bistro features European and Thai dishes. Reservation recommended during high season. Here are a few reviews of this popular Khao Tao eatery.

“Smashing little eatery. Best items on the menu for me are the Burger, the Beef and Rocket salad and the Bacon Sandwhich is one of, if not the best I’ve had in Thailand. If there’s a breeze, sitting outside is pleasant but on a warm night inside is cool and comfortable and the staff and Chef make you feel right at home.”

“The breaded, pan-fried fish was excellent; perfectly cooked, light, flakey and served with excellent house-made tartar sauce. Clean, fresh ambiance, nicely located across from Wat Khao Tao. We will return! Oh, I forgot to mention… even the vegetables, the peas and corn, were so good that I had to eat every last one of them!”

“Friendly staff, service with smile. Nice view of lake of Khao Tao (King’s Bhumibol first Irrigation system Royal Project), tasteful of food from Chef (His name is Ken if I am not wrong!) I and my friend love his food a lot, will visit again for sure!!!”

“Nice clean restaurant ..friendly staff…great food…just a great place for afternoon tea…or lunch…or dinner…don’t take my word for it…go see for yourself…you won’t be disappointed.”

“Food is amazing! Very nice restaurant! I would recommend this place to anyone.”

“Delicious food, great service! The burger was succulent and tasty. Apple crumble was super delicious!”

“Such a great little place to sit and watch to world go by, and then you have to staff all so helpful and so very kind, the just when you think things couldn’t get better…the food blows you away…so delicious…definitely have the dessert too, it’s so worth it!”

S.Ken’s Bistro strives for the perfectly prepared and expertly served food, with an uncompromising commitment to quality and value. The bistro features European and Thai dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner with a casual style. Reservation recommended during high season.

Hours: Wednesday – Monday 11AM – 9 PM; Breakfast Available on weekend 8 AM – 2 PM. Located at 13/24 Kao Tao Hua Hin; tel: 092 464 6939; Facebook/; Email s.kensbnb@gmail.com

New Miss Thailand PKK crowned

Nong Khanom was crowned as “Miss Thailand Prachuap Khiri Khan 2023” at Hua Hin’s Market Village Sunday. Twenty-five-year-old “Nong Khanom”, or Pachara Kritsanaserani, holds a bachelor’s degree in airline business from the School of Tourism and Service, Suan Dusit University, Hua Hin campus. She will now go on to represent Prachuap Khiri Khan province at the Miss Thailand beauty pageant later this year. (HHT)

Cha Am pet health center reopens

The People and Animals Thailand (PAT) Cha-Am clinic has reopened and able to renew efforts to manage and reduce the suffering of street animals to become a happier and healthier population.

The PAT clinic helped more than 6,000 dogs and cats when it first opened in 2019, before it was forced to close due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The clinic is located on Phetchakasim Road between Hua Hin and Cha Am, and uses modern surgical techniques to desex and vaccinate around 200-300 street animals per month.

Appointments are required. Location;  phone: 099-9292530; email PAT@wfft.org

Hua Hin Surf Festival to be held this weekend

The Hua Hin Surf Festival is set to take place on Feb. 25-26 at Khao Takiab beach.

This event will bring together surfers and beach enthusiasts to celebrate the surf culture, fun and entertainment over a weekend filled with competitions, food, live music and activities.

The event is being organized by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Prachuap Khiri Khan office and Pineapple Surf Club. Continued …

Insurance firm rates Thailand drivers ‘the worst’

Head injury reported in Wild Boar youth’s death

The tragic death last weekend of Duangphet Phromthep, one of 12 members of the Wild Boar soccer team at a prestigious British football academy, has left Thailand, his friends and family stunned, bringing an abrupt end to what appeared like a fairytale story for the soccer-loving teenager.

The exact circumstances of his death have yet to be explained but it is understood to have been a tragic accident resulting in a head injury, which will be adjudicated on by a UK coroners court.

Leicestershire Police in a statement on the death of 17-year-old Wild Boar soccer team captain Duangphet ‘Dom’ Phromthep has confirmed that his death last week at an exclusive boarding school in the town of Market Harborough was not suspicious and that a file on it is being prepared for the coroner. Continued … 

  • Treat yourself. Get away for the day. Get a beach bed at our Anantasila beach !
  • You get a Big Beach Towel for the day
  • You get to use our facilities
  • You are welcome to splash around in our infinity pool
  • You can enjoy the beautiful Anantasila environment

Get a beach-bed at our Anantasila beach – 500 Baht per person

The Beach at Anantasila, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin

A spacious safe environment with all measures taken.

For information or reservations: e-mail fb@anantasila.com or dial 032 527638

Hero’s welcome for Thai rescue team returning from quake-hit Turkey

The Thai search and rescue team that joined the global effort to retrieve earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria returned to a hero’s welcome on Saturday, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presenting each member – including the sniffer dogs – with a medal.

The Urban Search and Rescue Team arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport at about 10am on a Turkish Airline flight from Istanbul.

Applause and appreciation was given to its 42 people and two sniffer dogs: Sierra and Sahara. The Golden Retrievers are certified rescue dogs by the International Rescue Dog Organization. Continued …

Chiang Mai’s red ‘Songthaew’ transformation, a new generation of drivers

The red Songthaew minibuses in Chiang Mai have been an iconic form of transport for several decades, for both tourists and locals alike who do not have cars or motorcycles.

The buses, which are, in fact, pickup trucks fitted with two rows of seating facing each other, normally operate on fixed routes. Of late, however, some of them have undergone a transformation, to meet the changing environment and tastes of tourists, thanks to the creative thinking of a new generation of drivers, among them Phuthavat Singkha, a 29-year-old graduate.

Phuthavat said that he has worked as a songthaew driver for the six years since he graduated, thanks to inheriting the vehicle from his father. Continued …

Thailand Sets 2027 Target for 100% Reuse of Plastic

The government has emphasized the importance of managing plastic waste, which has had increasingly negative effects on the environment. It is now urging all sides to work toward reducing the use of plastic and eventually meeting the goal of reusing 100% of plastic waste by 2027.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has implemented policy and continuous assessments to address the issue of plastic waste management, as well as develop long-term solutions for the country. The national aim is to achieve 100% efficiency in plastic recycling by 2027, as outlined in the road map for plastic waste management from 2018-2030.

The private sector in Thailand has been participating in plastic waste management by utilizing upcycling technology to raise the value of plastic waste and transform it into high-value products, such as fabric fibers. In addition, the public has been encouraged to separate waste at the source, and there have been efforts to increase awareness of food safety due to the negative impacts of microplastics. Continued …

Two Men Dead In A Game Of Russian Roulette

Two of six young men drinking in Ayutthaya early Saturday morning died in a game of Russian roulette, with the same bullet passing from the head of the person who fired the shot to his friend sitting next to him.

At 3.30 a.m., Police Lt. Col. Narathip Suthon, an inspector at Bang Pa-In police station, was alerted of two persons being shot dead at a footpath in front of a shop on Rojana road inbound to the city and rushed there with a team of policemen and rescuers.

At the scene, they found the two men shot in the head, with one of them resting on a table and the other fallen on the footpath. Continued …

Mystery woman found floating dead off Koh Tao

A female body was found floating in the sea 12 nautical miles northwest off the southern Thai island of Koh Tao.

The body was floating among approximately 20 200-liter plastic oil drums and was taken to the temple of Wat Koh Charoen Santitham on Koh Tao. Police there were informed.

There was no ID on the body. It was a woman aged 25-30, quite plump, 160 cms tall, wearing a black and red long sleeve top, brown shorts and black underwear. Continued …

Anutin dashes hopes for e-cigarette legalization

Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dashed hopes of e-cigarette legalization. Vaping is illegal in Thailand and that is the way things are going to stay.

Anutin said that he had ordered the Department of Disease Control to work with the police and customs to ensure that vaping devices and vaping fluid is not imported into Thailand.

He said he is determined to work with schools and educational organizations to make sure that e-cigarettes are not available among young people, leading to more taking up regular smoking. Continued …

Thailand essential to GWM’s ambitious electric vehicle plans

Chinese sport utility vehicle manufacturer Great Wall Motor (GWM) is determined to expand its electric vehicle (EV) business in ASEAN, with Thailand and Indonesia selected as its top destinations.

The company views Thailand, which is promoting EV production and consumption, as its major EV market, while Indonesia, which is rich in nickel, is suitable as a base for battery manufacturing, said Parker Shi, vice president of GWM.

Nickel is a key raw material for the production of EV batteries. Continued …

Chinese not happy with new Thailand tourist fee

Once praised by Chinese travelers, Thailand is bursting its own bubble. On Feb. 14, the Thai cabinet approved the collection of an entry free on foreign visitors, effective starting on June 1. Those coming by air will need to pay 300 baht ($8) for each trip and those entering by land or sea ports must pay 150 baht each.

These fees will be used in part to develop local attractions, as well as provide tourists with insurance coverage during their stay.

The news has been met with dismay in China. On Weibo, the hashtag “Thailand will impose entry fees on foreign tourists” has garnered 130 million views, with many posts complaining about the additional travel costs. As one user @若依诗 wrote, “(Thailand) earned a lot of money and now has started to act rude! I have been to Thailand twice and I have a good impression of it, but this makes me dismiss the idea of going again.” Continued … 

Russian mafia-style ‘gangs’ causing concerns for Phuket businesses

The hospitality industry in Phuket is facing a problem with foreign mafia-style gangs becoming increasingly involved in business on the resort island. Industry executives are concerned that foreigners are exploiting laws to run their own businesses, while also taking up jobs only legal for local people.

Kata Group Resorts founder Pramookpisitt Achariyachai spoke during a recent meeting about tourism issues in the three Andaman provinces of Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga, stating that some foreigners were breaching rules on jobs reserved for Thais.

Businesses currently run by groups of foreigners include taxi services and accommodation, with some foreigners renting villas and condo units abandoned during the Covid-19 pandemic, and then re-renting them out again to their countrymen – and often at highly inflated prices. Pramookpisitt claimed that they were “mostly Russians”. Continued …

Thai Health minister says no to 4am pub closing, except in tourist areas

The Ministry of Public Health is against a proposal to allow pubs to stay open until 4am (instead of 2am) as a matter of principle for public welfare and safety, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told a meeting of the board of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) on Sunday.

He also said, however, that the ministry may agree to allow pubs in certain major tourist destinations to operate up to 4am on case-by-case basis, adding that the ministry will try to maintain a balance between social and economic aspects, so no harm is caused.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports wants pubs in tourist destinations, such as Phuket and Pattaya, to stay open until 4am to attract tourists. Continued … 

Rejection of passengers tops list of complaints about Bangkok’s cabbies

The Land Transport Department has received more than 2,000 passenger complaints against taxi drivers in Bangkok, with most of them concerning cabbies’ rejection of passengers, since the new taxi fares came into effect on Jan. 16.

Of the 2,120 complaints, 720 concerned cabbies’ rejection of passengers, 455 concerned impolite behavior toward passengers, 358 were for reckless driving, 237 for not using meters and 221 cases of malfunctioning meters.

The department has already responded to 1,650 complaints and has taken legal action in 479 cases. – Thai PBS

Koh Samui Gears Up For Wellness Tourism With New Hospital

With the opening of a new hospital on Koh Samui over the weekend, Surat Thani authorities announced that it is now ready launch Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan as a wellness destination.

Provincial Gov. Wichawut Jinto joined Dr. Somchai Chansawang, CEO of Wattanapat Hospital Trang Plc, and other senior officials in opening this 53-bed hospital on Koh Samui.

With the new addition, Koh Samui now has five hospitals and altogether 380 beds. Wattanapat Hospital has a team of specialists in various fields, modern medical equipment and a referral system to more advanced hospitals. Continued … 

China-Laos high-speed train brings tourists to Thailand

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Vientiane in Laos, Nong Khai, and Udon Thani in Thailand has increased.

Suganda Punsue, chairman of the Nong Khai Travel Trade Promotion Assn., and executives from the Nong Khai-based travel company Kantana Tour explained that the Lao kip is currently devalued, trading at 1 baht for 500 kip. Previously, it was 1 baht for 250 kip, boosting the travel industry.

Tourists have to exchange into local currency to pay for accommodation and food while traveling in Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Tour operators usually advise tourists to swap travel expenses for local currency at the checkpoint in Laos. They can exchange the money back into Thai baht at a slightly higher rate. Continued … 

Marine Department reassures public that ‘river taxi’ travel is safe

The Marine Department is enforcing safety measures for boat passengers on waterways across the country, its acting director-general Sorapong Paithoonpong assured the public on Saturday.

The department’s officials in Bangkok and its regional offices have been instructed to check the readiness of passenger boats, crew, and safety gear – including life jackets – as well as piers, to ensure maximum safety, Sorapong said.

Boat pilots have been advised to closely follow weather forecasts, he said. Continued … 

V Villas Hua Hin

V Villas Hua Hin Among Top 10 Most Expensive Luxury Hotels In Thailand

Where should we even begin? Thailand is an absolute marvel, and it’s full of incredible adventures for travelers to experience. Foodies will love trying out authentic Thai dishes when they visit.

Adrenaline junkies will be thrilled to try some of the most exciting extreme sports in Thailand. History buffs will enjoy exploring the ancient temples with a complex, rich history. Even couples will find the most romantic resorts to spend their honeymoons or “baecations.”

Thailand is full of hidden gems that travelers should put on their bucket lists. This article showcases some of the most amazing, luxurious, and expensive hotels to elevate your trip to Thailand. Continued … 

Aleenta Hua Hin

Aleenta Hua Hin Among 9 Incredible Beachfront Resorts In Thailand

A visit to Thailand might include hiking lush mountains, touring ornate temples, and sampling savory street food. But I say a stay in this Southeast Asian country isn’t complete without a stint on its stellar beaches, where accommodations on the turquoise Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea range from boutique lodging to private villas to large resorts.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of Thailand’s best beach resorts. Rather, you might consider the highly rated options below to learn more about the variety of oceanfront properties as you plan a trip to the friendly country known as the “Land of Smiles.”

Here, in no particular order, are some incredible beachfront resorts to experience in Thailand. Continued …

Mangosteen

7 exotic Thai fruits that are high in nutrients and antioxidants

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” is a mantra we all remember by heart. Fruits have always played a key role in a healthy diet, and it is always advisable to include at least one fruit in your daily routine. Luckily, in Yhailand, we are spoiled for choices.

Not only do these fresh fruits taste good, but they are also very high in different nutrients. Many exotic fruits in Thailand are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and other such nutrients that aid good health. And its consumption is also a delicious affair.

You can include fruits in your daily diet in the form of fruit bowls, and smoothies or have it raw. You can also make oats or smoothie bowls. Here’s a list of yummy exotic fruits that are packed with goodness. Continued … 

‘Game over, Covid’: 10 things we learned about the virus in past 3 years

One of Thailand’s top virologists today listed 10 things we have learned from the new coronavirus as the world shifts out of pandemic mode.

This year will be “game over” for Covid-19, said Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University. However, he added the pandemic had changed the world in several aspects.

“We have lived with Covid-19 for more than three years. This is what we have learned so far and the estimation of what will happen next,” said Yong. Continued …

Taliban bars Afghan girls from school. Inside their secret classes with a teacher in the US

Still heavy and scratchy from sleep, the “good mornings” come in hushed but eager voices. It’s 7 a.m. in Afghanistan, but it’s not too early for the Afghan teen girls and women who meet secretly each week for a virtual English class that is based in New Jersey. Continued …

The coming storm

Climate change is an invisible killer. A family that lived in a hill station in India, an area known for its colder climate, took their sick child to the hospital. Nobody thought of dengue until a diagnosis confirmed it. Warmer temperatures in India and elsewhere make conditions more favorable for mosquitoes. Continued …

Economic problems due to Ukraine war to continue

The world’s economy and businesses have suffered from the Russia-Ukraine war over the past year, hamstrung by high energy prices, inflationary pressure and logistics disruptions. Continued … 

US says China mulls arming Russia in Ukraine war

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that China was considering providing weapons to Russia in its war against Ukraine, warning Beijing that any supplies would “cause a serious problem.” Continued …

New Study Shows Veganism сauses More Harm To The Environment Than Limited Meat Consumption

A new study has revealed that veganism can cause more harm to the environment than “limited meat consumption”. Citing a survey published by the Social Source Journal, scientists from the University of Georgia have found that several soybean products that are quite common in the vegan diet, are imported from places where their production can add to widespread deforestation and habitat loss. The studies also revealed that the transportation of these products can also cause a severe environmental impact. Continued …

Facebook-owner Meta to roll out paid subscription

Facebook and Instagram owner Meta will launch a paid subscription service starting at $1.99 a month, allowing users to verify their accounts, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Sunday, following a similar move by Elon Musk at Twitter. Continued …

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Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location 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

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has twice-daily bus service to Pattaya, starting Feb. 19. The bus leaves Hua Hin at 9am and 3pm, and departs from Pattaya at 8am and 4pm. 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 

 

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