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Today’s news: Valentine’s Day spending/Thais to go online for Valentine’s/Thailand braces for cold front/Thailand Jet Ski Championship/Orientation program for expatriates/Bangkok considers 50kph limit/Village issues 9 rules/10,000 baht fine for riding e-unicycles/5 meth pills too much?/Reporter, photographer arrested/Journalism, criminality, and Thailand/Economy: Thai economy needs more stimulus/PM defends digital wallet/Cheap goods flooding Thai market/Revenue collection beats target/Malaysia unfazed by land bridge plan/Phuket prices reach record levels/Tourism: Alcohol, sunbeds to be banned/Japanese tourist’s murder mystery/Environment: GWM Plans 15 Additional EV Models/Thailand Experience: Responsible relaxation/International news/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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Valentine’s Day spending to reach more than 2.5 billion baht

Valentine’s Day is expected to cost consumers more this year as inflation remains sticky. Yet, despite the economic doldrums, they are planning to celebrate the official day of love with their sweethearts and buy gifts for them to show how much they care.

Flowers rank third on the list of top gifts, even though the price of roses, the queen of flowers, is lower than in previous years. Continued …

80% of Thais to go online for Valentine’s gifts

According to a recent study conducted by the YouGov analysis institute, sponsored by Visa, 80% of Thais will be ordering their Valentine’s Day treats from the comfort of their screens.

The research delved deep into the hearts and wallets of Thai consumers, uncovering fascinating insights into how lovebirds navigate the digital aisles in search of that perfect gift for their special someone. Continued …

Thailand braces for cold front and fierce monsoons

The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning due to a powerful cold front and strong northeastern monsoons affecting various regions of the country.

The warning, specifically targeting the upper part of Thailand and the lower Gulf of Thailand, indicates that the nation is experiencing unusually volatile weather patterns, leading to cooler to cold temperatures in the north and northeastern parts, and heavy monsoonal impacts in the southern region. Continued …

Thailand Jet Ski Championship coming to Hua Hin in April

Hua Hin will host the first round of the Thailand Jet Ski Championship “WaterJet ProTour Thailand 2024.”

The event, which marks the beginning of this year’s championship series, will take place on April 6-7, at Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab. Continued …

A comprehensive orientation program for expatriates

The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT) has announced the organization of the Fourth Expatriate Orientation Program (EOP 4), scheduled to take place at Vithes Samosorn Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, April 3-4.

This initiative, a collaboration between the Thailand Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is crafted to enrich the living and working experience of expatriates in Thailand. The program is tailored for a diverse group of international residents, including diplomats, business professionals, experts, and journalists. Continued …

Bangkok considers 50kph limit

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is asking the police to impose a 50-kilometer-per-hour speed limit on 40 roads in inner Bangkok and around major residential areas.

The request will be lodged with the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) to reduce traffic accidents and improve road safety, said Thaiphat Tanasombatkul, director-general of the BMA’s Traffic and Transportation Department. Continued …

Mystical Isaan village issues 9 rules after a series of mysterious deaths

A mystical village, Ban Khop Klang Nuea, in the Isaan province of Kalasin, has established nine strict rules in response to a series of mysterious deaths, with 15 reported in January.

Among the rules: Do not bring dead bodies from other places into the village; do not kill four-legged animals within the village. Continued …

2 foreign men to face 10,000 baht fine for riding e-unicycles in Chiang Mai

Thai motorists demanded police take action against two foreign men riding electric unicycles, or e-unicycles, on a crowded road in the northern province of Chiang Mai.

The two foreign men were seen riding the e-wheels in the right lane of the road. Their practice is considered dangerous and illegal because the right lane is reserved for vehicles traveling at high speed. Furthermore, this type of vehicle is not allowed on Thai roads. Continued …

Is possessing 5 meth pills too much?

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday said the government is ready to review a ministerial policy that will lower punishment for drug users found in possession of five meth pills or less.

The new policy specifies that five methamphetamine pills are the maximum amount that a person may possess and still be regarded as a user. Continued …

Reporter, photographer arrested for covering political activist news

Officers from Phrarachawang Police Station arrested a reporter and a freelance photographer from the Prachathai news agency for covering the story of the political activist who sprayed number 112 and an anarchy symbol on the wall of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace last year.

A news reporter from Prachathai news agency, Nuttaphol Meksobhon, was one of the reporters who covered the activist story and provided an update on the case. Continued …

Journalism, criminality, and Thailand’s troubling history

In recent years, Thailand has faced significant scrutiny over its treatment of journalists and media freedom, a concern that has been highlighted by several high-profile cases.

The arrest of Natthaphon Meksophon from Prachatai and a freelance photographer for their involvement in reporting an incident at Wat Phra Kaew is the latest in a series of events that underscore the precarious state of press freedom in the country. Continued …

Thai economy needs more stimulus amid global challenges, says K-Research

The Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research) has warned that the Thai economy requires additional government stimulus to boost domestic consumption amid challenges such as global politics, China’s economic deceleration, and fluctuating currency rates.

The center’s managing director, Burin Adulwattana, emphasized that the decrease in headline inflation for the fourth consecutive month in January does not suggest deflation risks, but rather highlights consumers’ dwindling purchasing power. Continued …

Thai PM defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid criticism

The implementation of the controversial 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was defended yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This came following a statement by Move Forward Party Deputy Leader Sirikanya Tansakul, suggesting the government develop a backup plan due to the scheme’s uncertain future.

Tansakul pointed out that the scheme’s success hinges on the decision of the government’s digital wallet policy committee, which is scheduled to meet on Thursday. Continued …

Cheap, low-quality goods flooding Thai market due to duty exemption

The Finance Ministry is convening this week to review the exemption of import duties for goods valued under 1,500 baht.

Currently, goods not exceeding 1,500 baht in value, including packaging, transportation and insurance costs, are exempt from duties and 7% value-added tax (VAT). Continued …

Revenue collection beats quarterly target by Bt1.62 billion

The government’s revenue collection for the first three months of fiscal 2024 exceeded its target by 0.3%, or 1.62 billion baht, says Fiscal Policy Office Director-general Pornchai Thiraveja.

Pornchai, who is also a spokesman for the Finance Ministry, said the government’s net revenue collection in the first three months of fiscal 2024 (October to December 2023) was 623 billion baht. Continued …

Malaysia’s largest port unfazed by Thailand’s land bridge plan

Malaysia’s biggest port operator, Westports Holdings, remains unfazed by Thailand’s land bridge project, according to its executive chairman.

The firm is considering external strategic investors to fund a 39.6 billion ringgit (US$8.3 billion) expansion, aiming to nearly double its capacity in the coming decades. Continued …

Prices of condos and houses in Phuket reach record levels

Foreign interest in owning a home in Phuket pushed real estate costs to unprecedented heights in 2023, with newly launched sales breaking records and land prices soaring to as much as 25-100 million baht per rai (approximately 1,600 square meters), Phattarachai Taweewong, director of Research and Communications at Colliers International (Thailand), revealed last week.

The unprecedented opening of condominium and vacation house sales reached a historic peak, accumulating a total value exceeding 100 billion baht. Continued …

Alcohol, sunbeds to be banned on Phuket hideaway beach

Provincial and park authorities will kick off regular joint patrols on Freedom Beach today with strict checks on alcoholic drinks part of the mission, an MP on the resort island said on Monday.

Personnel from the Royal Forestry Department will combine with provincial counterparts to wipe out sales of alcoholic drinks on the beach. Continued …

Japanese tourist’s murder mystery in Thailand haunts family

In a heart-wrenching tale spanning over a decade, the unresolved murder of Japanese tourist Tamako Kawashita continues to cast a long shadow of sorrow and frustration over her family.

Tamako’s father, Yasuaki, stood at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, his voice heavy with grief as he recounted the tragic events. “Her life ended tragically during the trip and, sadly, her killer is still at large.” Continued …

Great Wall Motor Plans 15 Additional Models for Thailand’s EV Cars

Great Wall Motor (GWM), present in the Thai market for three years, which anticipates 70% growth in electric vehicle (EV) cars, plans to introduce 15 new models by 2025, and aims to secure its position among the top 3 xEV manufacturers by 2026.

GWM anticipates that the Thai car market will reach approximately 820,000 total sales, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. The xEV segment is expected to grow by about 40%, constituting 33% of the total market, with approximately 270,000 units sold. Continued …

Responsible relaxation

Krabi and Koh Lanta are two of Thailand’s most popular destinations, known for their stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and unique experiences. Krabi is a province located on the southwest coast of Thailand, famous for its limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and pristine beaches. The province is also home to several national parks, not to mention some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Koh Lanta, on the other hand, is a beautiful island located in the Andaman Sea, just off the coast of Krabi. Less developed than the mainland, the island features stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back atmosphere. Continued …

Egypt threatens to void peace treaty with Israel. What does that mean?

In a historic moment at Camp David, President Jimmy Carter witnessed the unlikely handshake between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. This landmark agreement, bathed in sunlight, has fostered over 40 years of peace between Israel and Egypt. It has served as an important source of stability in a volatile region. Continued …