- Run for Hunger set Saturday at Monsoon Valley/
- Campfire Fest on the Beach Saturday/
- Crab festival set in Cha Am March 11-18/
- Headline CPI up 3.79% y/y in Feb, less than forecast/
- The hot season arrives: Thailand expected to be hotter this year than last/
- Bangkokians urged to mask up, avoid outdoor activity as PM2.5 levels rise/
- Haze and blazes hit North/
- Why Thailand Needs More Women Sports Stars/
- More cancer patients get health cover/
- Abundant cash crops help make Thailand 2nd-biggest bioplastics producer/
- Poachers who killed rare Tigers lenient sentence angers activists/
- ‘Rare’ tiger — with three ‘even rarer’ cubs — spotted in Thai rainforest – video/
- 47 smuggled monkeys intercepted on their way to China via Laos/
- Why Are Russians Buying Real Estate in Phuket?/
- General Election turns into a referendum on marijuana/
- McDonald’s plans 300 million baht investment in Thailand/
- Tourism: TAT unfazed by tourism giveaways across Asia/Northern Thailand tourism plan expected to rake in Bt2.38 trillion/
- Thailand Experience: Camping at Ban Krang, at Kaeng Krachan National Park/One of the best locations for snorkeling near Hua Hin/-Journey through Vietnam, Thailand among top once-in-a-lifetime trips/The Secret To Tasty Photharam Grilled Bananas/
- Covid: Covid hospitalizations in Thailand continue dropping/
- International: Archaeologists in Egypt discover Sphinx statue related to Roman emperor/
- 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
Run for Hunger set Saturday at Monsoon Valley
Scholars of Sustenance Thailand (SOS Thailand) is organizing a charity walk-run to be held at Monsoon Valley Vineyard on Saturday.
The first annual “Run for Hunger” event will support the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation’s food rescue mission in Hua Hin.
By participating in this event, you’ll be taking a step toward reducing food waste and creating food security in Thailand. And, the best part is that the entire family, including furry friends, can join in on the fun! Continued …
Crab festival set in Cha Am March 11-18
Cha Am municipality has announced its crab festival – “Gin Pu Chak@Cha-am festival” will take place March 11-18 at Cha Am viewpoint. Expect lots of fresh seafood and local cuisine, live music, entertainment, shopping and much more.
Headline CPI up 3.79% y/y in Feb, less than forecast
The headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.79% in February from a year earlier, less than analyst forecasts, due mainly to lower energy and food prices, Commerce Ministry data showed today.
The reading compared with a forecast for a 4.18% rise in February in a Reuters poll, and followed January’s 5.02% increase. – Bangkok Post
The hot season arrives: Thailand expected to be hotter this year than last
The director of the Meteorological Office in Thailand has predicted that this year will be hotter than last, with four northern provinces taking the brunt of the highs.
Chompharee Chomphurat declared that the cool season is now over as of last Saturday.
The hot season will last until mid-May, she said. Continued …
Bangkokians urged to mask up, avoid outdoor activity as PM2.5 levels rise
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has advised residents to wear face masks and avoid outdoor activities after fine-dust levels climbed above safe levels in several areas of the city this morning.
Data from air-quality monitoring stations showed the level of PM2.5 – particulate matter under 2.5 micrometers in diameter – ranged from 61 to 93 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg) of air in 69 areas of the city this morning.
Any level above 50mcg is considered unsafe, as long-term exposure is linked with chronic diseases, including lung and heart problems. Continued …
Haze and blazes hit North
Haze pollution is exceeding safe levels in 36 provinces, particularly in the North, while Bangkok and surrounding provinces will remain blanketed in smog for two more days.
Jatuporn Buruspat, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said on Monday that ultra-fine dust particles (PM2.5) have remained at critical levels in the North and the Northeast for the past week, as a result of slash-and-burn activities in forests and farms, with more than 2,500 hotspots found on both sides of the border. Continued …
Why Thailand Needs More Women Sports Stars
Professional sports have long been a male-dominated arena. Both regionally and globally, this prevailing domination of the playing field by men disadvantages women and girls from media to participation.
A European Union study of five countries found the percentage of media coverage for women’s professional sports was, at best, 14%, and, at worst, as low as 2%.
In some countries before the COVID-19 pandemic, 90% of girls were insufficiently physically active, with rates recently worsening. Gender inequality in sports – whether at school or at the professional level – is indeed deeply rooted. This inequality is a symptom of a broader social condition where women’s pursuits are undervalued across many currently male-dominated fields.
But Thailand is bucking the trend impressively. For starters, Thailand has a rich history of producing world-class athletes, and recently, Thai women in sports have been dominating both regional and global headlines. Continued …
More cancer patients get health cover
At least 250,000 cancer patients benefited from the National Health Security Office’s (NHSO) gold card universal healthcare scheme in 2022, up from an annual average of 100,000 beneficiaries in the five years prior, the office has said.
Dr. Lalitaya Kongkam, NHSO’s deputy secretary-general, stated on Monday that the NHSO has covered at least 12 billion baht in medical fees for cardholders – some 7% of the NHSO fund budget.
This amount may increase in response to increasing numbers of cancer patients, Dr. Lalitaya said. Continued …
Abundant cash crops help make Thailand 2nd-biggest bioplastics producer
With a yearly production capacity of 95,000 tons, Thailand is now the second-largest producer of bioplastics in the world after the United States, which produces 150,000 tons.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri made the announcement on Monday, citing data from the Thai Bioplastics Industry Assn.
Anucha said Thailand is close on the heels of the U.S. thanks to an abundance of cash crops like sugarcane and cassava, and hopes to boost its annual capacity to 170,000 tons soon. Continued …
Poachers who killed rare Tigers lenient sentence angers activists
Five defendants were all found guilty by the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court of shooting at, luring, or removing wild animals from their habitat, acting cruelly toward them, all of which are separate offenses. The plaintiffs’ punishment was reduced in half as a result of their guilty plea. Initially, they received a 9 1/2-year sentence.
The court determined that the plaintiffs’ basis for filing the lawsuit, which was done out of retaliation for the Bengal tigers eating their cattle and to protect their property, was incorrect.
This serious issue is not only illegal, endangering the ecosystem and upsetting the natural order. Officials seized four guns, extra firearms, and further equipment, including 176 rounds of ammunition, two bottles of gunpowder, and one bag of gunpowder, from the five suspects to establish their intent to hunt wild animals and their capacity to survive for an extended period in the forest. Continued …
‘Rare’ tiger — with three ‘even rarer’ cubs — spotted in Thai rainforest – video
A mother tiger prowls through the muggy rainforest of Thailand, her three cubs close behind. Emerging from the brush, the cats pass by a trail camera before vanishing again.
The mother tiger and her three cubs were filmed walking through the Upper Western Forest Complex, the World Wildlife Fund said in a Friday, March 3, news release. This region is one of the last two areas in Thailand where wild tigers still roam.
The brief footage shows the tigress with two cubs behind her. A third cub emerges from the foliage a few seconds later. The mother crosses the foreground and leaves the camera’s view. Continued …
47 smuggled monkeys intercepted on their way to China via Laos
Thai wildlife officials and police intercepted a shipment of 47 macaque monkeys in a pickup truck Monday morning, at a checkpoint on Friendship highway in Non Sung district of the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.
The two men in the truck were arrested after the officials found the monkeys, which are believed to be being shipped to China through Laos.
The driver of the truck, Kritaya, reportedly told the officials that they took delivery of the monkeys in Ratchaburi province, to be delivered to a customer in the province of Nong Khai, opposite Vientiane of Laos, who would then have sent the monkeys on to China. Continued …
Why Are Russians Buying Real Estate in Phuket?
On Oct. 30, an Ikar Airlines jet landed at Phuket International Airport with 449 passengers on board. The flight’s arrival in Thailand marked the resumption of direct service from Moscow after a break of nearly three years and opened the floodgates to a surge of winter tourism from Russia.
By late January, Phuket had welcomed 233,000 Russian vacationers, the single largest contingent of international arrivals to the island.
A local newspaper called the return of the Russians a “stunning comeback.” The unexpected influx helped Thailand’s tourism industry cross a coveted post-COVID-19 milestone of 10 million visitors in 2022.
The arrival of the “snowbirds” had far-reaching consequences for the local economy beyond tourism revenues. Last year, Russians became the leading purchasers of condominiums on the island, dislodging Chinese buyers from the top spot. Continued …
General Election turns into a referendum on marijuana
Cannabis policy is turning into an electoral nightmare for the Bhumjaithai Party, with growing public opposition to the recreational free-for-all and the easy access to it being seen throughout the country, something that is now being plugged into by opposition parties and activist firebrand Chuwit Kamolvisit.
This opposition is being bolstered by medical arguments suggesting both mental and physical health problems of a serious nature are linked to the regular use of cannabis.
In November, an authoritative Lancet published study showed firm evidence of mental health deterioration linked with pot use across all age groups but particularly among young adults, while just this week a study in California compared the use of pot to using tobacco, with both activities reportedly causing inflammation and impacting the body’s cardiovascular system. Continued …
McDonald’s plans 300 million baht investment in Thailand
Fast-food lovers will be lovin’ the latest news that McThai Co., the operator of McDonald’s restaurants in Thailand, just announced a massive 300-million-baht investment plan that will bring more McDonald’s outlets to the country. The company has upgraded its original plan from 200 million baht after seeing a rise in consumption and the economy.
According to CEO Kittiwan Anuwatesakul, the funds will be used to open 10-15 new restaurants, adding up to about 237-242 outlets by the end of this year. The new restaurants will be strategically located in high-demand areas.
More than 30 existing restaurants will also be renovated this year, featuring the latest store design concept with a focus on sustainability and simplicity. Continued …
TAT unfazed by tourism giveaways across Asia
Many countries in Asia recently announced giveaway campaigns to bolster their tourism industry, aiming to drive post-pandemic economic growth.
These include Hong Kong’s giveaway of 500,000 flight tickets to foreign visitors and Taiwan’s proposal to offer a cash incentive worth NT$5,000 (5,633 baht) per person.
Japan and South Korea, perennial favorite destinations among Asian tourists, also lifted most entry restrictions for all travelers and are poised to loosen tight curbs for Chinese visitors as the fear of Covid-19 subsides. Continued …
Northern Thailand tourism plan expected to rake in Bt2.38 trillion
The provincial Public-Private Economic Development Committee and the Provincial Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Office on Monday discussed a plan to bring 2.38 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year.
The talks, led by Chiang Mai Deputy Gov. Weerapong Ritrod, focused on the economy and tourism in the northern region.
Officials during the meeting agreed the recovery would continue during this trimester due to many factors, including the increasing number of foreign visitors after the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …
Camping at Ban Krang, at Kaeng Krachan National Park
Hua Hin has many appealing factors, and one of them is its close proximity to stunning countryside and nature.
Ban Krang campsite is located in the Kaeng Krachan National Park, which is the largest national park in Thailand, covering an area of over 2,900 square kilometers, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is a popular spot for campers who love to enjoy nature and wildlife. The campsite offers good facilities, including tent rentals, making it an ideal destination for a weekend camping trip. Continued …
One of the best locations for snorkeling near Hua Hin
The Hat Wanakon National Park in Thap Sakae district is now welcoming tourists during the Thai school holiday season in March and April.
The park, which includes small uninhabited islands of Ko Chan and Ko Thai See, offers one of the best areas in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province for snorkeling.
One of the main attractions of Hat Wanakon National Park are the coral reefs around Ko Chan and Ko Thai See. Continued …
Journey through Vietnam, Thailand among top once-in-a-lifetime trips
American magazine Travel+Leisure has called a journey through Vietnam and Thailand one of world’s 21 life-changing trips everyone should experience at least once.
“A trip through Southeast Asia is a must for any traveler, especially foodies who love street eats,” the magazine said. “Thailand and Vietnam can easily be paired for an exciting trip packed with lush scenery, cultural experiences, and delicious food.”
Thailand is famous for its golden pagodas, ancient ruins, royal temples and is a paradise of street foods, while Vietnamese cuisine has become better known around the world over the last couple of years. Continued …
The Secret To Tasty Photharam Grilled Bananas
“Photharam Grilled Banana”, known for its sweet, soft, sticky and charcoal-scented grilled bananas, is located on the corner of Song Praphat Street, in front of Photharam Shop, Photharam district, Ratchaburi.
The shop has been open for 19 years and has become a trademark of the area, so much so that there is a saying that if you have not visited Photharam Grilled Banana, you have not yet arrived in Photharam.
Poj Reungthep, 56, the owner of the shop, said he used to work as a leather sewer in Bangkok until the business collapsed. He returned to his hometown of Photharam. During that time, his younger brother, who owned a grilled banana shop at Mahachai Market in Samut Sakhon, brought him grilled bananas as a gift and told him to visit if he wanted a recipe. Continued …
Covid hospitalizations in Thailand continue dropping
The rate of Covid-19 infections is dropping in Thailand, with an average of 21 patients being hospitalized per day over the past week.
This number has dropped from about 29 patients hospitalized per day during the previous week, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) announced on Monday.
The DDC website said that 147 Covid-19 patients had been hospitalized from Feb. 26 to March 4, compared to 203 patients the week before. Continued …
Archaeologists in Egypt discover Sphinx statue related to Roman emperor
Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered one of the most important finds in decades in the southern region of the country. According to the antiquity ministry, a sphinx-like statue and the remains of an ancient shrine have been unearthed near the Hathor Temple, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sites. 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-Chiang Mai flight schedules
Baht declines amid volatile markets
Elephant time: Have a smile at Thailand’s new elephant heartthrob
2% fewer drinkers in Thailand since booze controls in 2008
Thai government plans major push to Laos train service
Thailand and China to Expand Free Trade Agreement
Mega-flood ‘likely’ in the next decade
Pattaya’s Songkran Day on April 19
Expats voice their opinions on Thailand vs Vietnam
Hong Kong scraps mask mandate after almost 1,000 days
Exporters fear costs of EU carbon scheme
Antarctic sea ice shrinks to record low
Kremlin ‘drift’? Georgia turns on Russian opposition exiles
Finland moves closer to joining NATO without Sweden
The mass return to Bangkok begins
Thailand in 2023: Tiptoeing through the minefield
Thai industries moving toward a cleaner future
Navy scours Chumphon waters for last 5 HTMS Sukhothai crew
High momentum of EV growth seen for Thailand
Green is Thai tourism’s new mandate
Thai tourism workers urged to have Covid vaccine booster
Flying back into profit after pandemic
Canada bans most foreigners from buying homes
US stocks mark end to ‘terrible year’ of rate hikes and inflation
