Tag Archives: Visakha Bucha Day

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Thursday’s news-May 23

May 23, 2024 Hua Hin Expat News

Today’s news: Migrant workers take over house/20 in intensive care/Malaysian student recounts ordeal/Narcotic-level penalties for vaping/Lop Buri monkey blitz/Bail sought for lese majeste prisoners/Economy: Baht fundamentals have deteriorated/PM warns of recession risk/Budget to fund digital wallet/Thailand power supply in question/Regulations, support for influencers/US-China trade war/THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2024/Tourism: Southeast Asia six-nation visa/Thailand Experience: Visakha Bucha Day in Thailand/Luxurious ‘Tour in Train’/Climate Thailand: Today’s Thai environmental news/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

In our ongoing effort to help entrepreneurial businesses in Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Hua Hin Expat News is pleased to announce the continued sponsorship of Tony’s Book Store, located on Phetchkasem Road in the middle of Hua Hin.

Tony and his wife have re-energized the long-standing book emporium, offering books in numerous languages for the foreign residents and visitors in Hua Hin. Come and browse their selection of more than 10,000 books – and take advantage of the book exchange and sales offerings.

Migrant workers take over house of Thai-Australian couple in Korat

A Thai woman and her Australian husband filed a police complaint after a group of migrant workers took over their house in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat.

The Thai woman, 66-year-old Somporn Rolland, told officers at Sikhio Police Station that she returned home from Australia in February to find the group of migrants living in her house and making numerous changes to the property. Continued …

20 in intensive care after turbulence scare

Fifty-eight of the passengers injured when Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 encountered severe turbulence en route from London to Singapore yesterday are still being treated in hospital, including 20 who are in intensive care units (ICU), according to a statement from Bangkok’s Samitivej Srinagarind Hospital.

Yesterday, 103 passengers were taken to Samitivej Srinagarind, Samitivej Sukhumvit and Bangkok hospitals and the Samitivej Suvarnabhumi Clinic, 27 of whom have already been discharged. Continued …

Malaysian student recounts ordeal on SIA flight: Unbelted flung to ceiling

With around three hours left on the journey from London to Singapore, Malaysian student Dzafran Azmir got the uneasy feeling the Boeing 777-300R plane was tilting upward and beginning to shake.

The 28-year-old braced himself and checked he had his seat belt on. He did. Many of the other passengers did not, he said on Tuesday. Continued …

Narcotic-level penalties await for vaping in schools

The Education Ministry will amend its regulations to list e-cigarettes in the prohibited category of narcotics, Suthep Kaengsanthia, permanent secretary, said on Wednesday.

Suthep said the ministry wants to crimp the growing popularity of e-cigarette use among students and has ordered schools nationwide to take action against vape use in schools. Continued …

Lop Buri monkey blitz resumes

National parks officials will resume an operation to remove troublesome monkeys from the city of Lop Buri on Friday to reduce the conflict between residents and the primate population there.

Local people for years have complained about problems with the animals stealing their food or destroying their property, especially those who live near the ancient palace of Phra Prang Sam Yod that is well-known as a sanctuary for the monkeys. Continued …

Bail sought for political prisoners under lese majeste law

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) is working to secure bail for 19 political prisoners, predominantly those charged under Section 112, commonly known as the lese majeste law, to uphold their human rights.

TLHR announced yesterday that the number of political prisoners, especially those detained under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, has surged since last year. Many of these individuals have been denied the right to apply for bail while awaiting trial. Continued …

Baht fundamentals have deteriorated

Uncertainty surrounding the U.S. interest rate trajectory, alongside geopolitical tensions, underpin much of the baht’s weakness so far this year, according to BMI officials. “We think the baht will trade sideways and reach 37.50 to. the U.S. dollar by year-end once these temporary factors subside,” they predict.

“We are, however, less optimistic about the baht’s long-term outlook, especially as the key fundamentals that originally supported the currency have deteriorated.” Continued …

PM warns of recession risk, seeks new ideas

The economy is not safe from the risk of a recession amid slow GDP growth, high household debt and burgeoning bad loans, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Wednesday.

Srettha, who is on an official trip to Japan, said he would chair an urgent meeting of ministers in charge of the economy and related agencies on Monday to brainstorm ideas to revitalize the economy. Continued …

Thailand to add $3.4 billion to budget to fund digital wallet

Thailand is planning a supplementary budget of up to $3.4 billion to boost state spending and stimulate the economy. The budget will fund a digital wallet program, providing 10,000 baht to around 50 million Thais in the fourth quarter.

The government aims to counter lower-than-expected economic growth and avoid a technical recession. The plan has faced criticism for potential inflationary effects and fiscal risks, but the government is prioritizing the cash stimulus to prevent delays in public expenditure. Continued …

Thailand power supply in question as tech investment floods in

Thailand’s industrial parks could face an increasing risk of power shortages as early as next year as numerous new factories producing printed circuit boards come online, a leading industry body is warning.

Nearly 30 investments in PCBs – on which chips and components are mounted before being assembled into final products – were announced in Thailand between January 2023 and April this year, according to the Taiwan Printed Circuit Assn. Continued …

Govt urged to consider regulations, support for influencers

With the ever-growing popularity of social media and e-commerce drawing more and more people to become influencers, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has urged the government to regulate and provide the necessary support to those adopting this emerging career with a potentially high economic value.

According to statistics from Niesen, the ASEAN region had some 13.5 million influencers in 2023, while global revenue through advertising and other channels generated by influencers was about $19 billion. It is estimated that influencers’ contributions to the global economy will grow to $140 billion by 2030, a more than seven-fold increase. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Group seeks gain from US-China trade war

The U.S. recently imposed very high tariffs on Chinese products, notably electric vehicles and semiconductors, which will cause China to concentrate on expanding its EV manufacturing within Asia, with Thailand poised to become a key export hub, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

President Joe Biden’s administration cited Beijing’s unfair trade practices for the hike, with EV tariffs to be quadrupled to a 100% rate, solar cells and semiconductors doubled to a 50% rate, and certain steel and aluminum imports from China raised to 25%, more than triple the current level, according to media reports. Continued …

THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2024 starts May 28

THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2024, organized by the Department International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Koelnmesse from Germany, stands as the largest and most comprehensive food and beverage trade show in Asia.

Held under the concept of “Beyond Food Experience”, it aims to connect industry players, facilitate business negotiations with global leaders, explore opportunities, and foster new experiences toward greater success. Continued …

Proposed Southeast Asia six-nation visa to draw more tourists to Vietnam

A Thailand-initiated single visa program for six ASEAN countries is expected to help Vietnam attract more long-haul and high-spending travelers, according to insiders.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has discussed the Schengen-type visa with his counterparts in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam in recent months, aiming to ensure seamless mobility for travelers in all six countries. Continued …

Sacred and ancient: The evolution of Visakha Bucha Day in Thailand

Known in Thailand as Visakha Bucha, Vesak is an annual public holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha on the same day of different years. The name derives from the sixth lunar month of the year, known as Vaisakha in Pali.

Vesak (Visakha Bucha) is marked on the full moon of this month, when Prince Siddhartha is said to have been born in Lumbini – now a Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal. Continued …

Luxurious ‘Tour in Train’ explores heritage sites in Korat

Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University is collaborating with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to offer a special “Tour in Train” to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat).

The luxurious SRT Prestige train will first take passengers to the Dong Phaya Yen Forest in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Khao Yai Forest complex, where they can view breathtaking scenery and wildlife. It will then stop at the historic newly restored two-story Sung Noen train station, where King Rama IX and Queen Sirikit’s train would stop when they were traveling. The quaint wooden building has now been turned into a museum. Continued …

UK national election called for July 4

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday set July 4 as the date for a national election that will determine who governs the UK, as his divided and demoralized Conservative Party faces its biggest challenge to its 14-year rule. Continued …

Today’s Thai environmental news

#climatethailand #digitalwallet #lopburimonkeys #thailandinfluencers,#thaifexanuga #lesemajeste #singaporeairlines #nakhonratchasima

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Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule May 3-Aug 31

FD901: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
10:20 – 11:50
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
12:20 – 13:35

FD900: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Chiang Mai – Hua Hin
09:00 – 10:30
Hua Hin – Chiang Mai
11:00 – 12:15

Hua Hin train schedule

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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.

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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

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Monday’s news-May 20

May 20, 2024 Hua Hin Expat News

Today’s news: Alcohol Ban Wednesday/Heavy rains this week/Can Durian kill?/Hua Hin to host U19 football/Ministry clarifies school uniform exemption/Committee debates amnesty for lese majeste violators/Thai tourists working as hostesses in Taipei/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Q1 GDP grows 1.5%/Thailand could gain from US tariffs/Thailand Seeks Boost from Film Productions/5G factory by China, Thailand/Businesses up in smoke/Thais support relisting marijuana/Tourism: Changing face of Thai tourism/270 million passengers by 2037/Daily flights from Delhi to Phuket/Thailand Experience: 4 wellness activities to try/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

Thailand Imposes Alcohol Ban for Visakha Bucha Day Wednesday

Visakha Bucha Day, also called Vesak, will be celebrated on Wednesday in Thailand, marking a significant public holiday. On this highly revered Buddhist day, Thai law mandates a ban on selling all types of alcoholic beverages in convenience stores and entertainment venues.

Vesak Day holds spiritual importance in Thailand as it commemorates three major events in the Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment, and passing away. Continued …

Heavy rains throughout this week

The Meteorological Department predicts heavy rains in the western parts of the north, the central plain and the south from May 20 to 26 due to southwesterly winds and low pressure areas.

The department said on Sunday that heavy rains were possible from Monday to Sunday because southwesterly winds would be more powerful in the Andaman Sea, the country and the Gulf of Thailand from Monday to Thursday. Continued …

Can Durian kill you when you drink alcohol?

Durian, the notorious “king of fruits,” is a culinary adventure synonymous with Thailand. Its spiky exterior hides a creamy, custard-like flesh with a flavor that’s been described as anything from sweet caramel to pungent onion.

Durian has a devoted following throughout Thailand, where it’s enjoyed in everything from ice cream to savory curries. But what happens when this tropical king encounters the fermented grape’s spirited companion – alcohol? Continued …

Hua Hin to host inaugural “Copa Tailandesa” U19 football tournament

The first “Copa Tailandesa” U19 football tournament will take place at Arena Hua Hin from June 16 to 18.

The tournament, aimed at showcasing emerging talent and giving them a platform in which to shine, was formally announced by coach Eakapol “Eak” Jantawong of the Wild Boars, during an event at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin. Continued …

Ministry clarifies school uniform exemption

The Education Ministry clarified on Sunday that its recent letter exempts students from wearing uniforms on a case-by-case basis and did not “cancel” the school uniform requirement, as claimed on some social media accounts.

Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob issued a letter dated May 16 authorizing all schools to make their own decisions about whether to exempt certain students from wearing uniforms and instead opt to wear appropriate outfits. Continued …

House committee debates amnesty for lese majeste law violators

A special House committee is urging the government to decide whether to include those who violated the lese majeste law in an amnesty bill following the death of Netiporn Saneysangkhom.

Nikorn Jamnong, chairman of the House subcommittee focusing on politically motivated cases, announced that the meeting addressed several key topics. Among these was the demand from Thalufah, a political group, to include individuals convicted under Section 112 of the Criminal Code in the proposed amnesty law. Continued …

24 Thai tourists caught working as hostesses in Taipei bar

Taipei police on Saturday arrested 24 female Thai tourists for working as hostesses and engaging in illegal activities at an underground bar in Zhongshan District, the police precinct in the district said in a statement Sunday.

The police also arrested five people involved in the operation, including the 29-year-old bar owner surnamed Chiang, and 17 customers, the statement said. Continued …

Chinese Visitor Drunkenly Vandalizes Bangkok Hotel Room – Continued …
Police Pursue a Pakistani and Thai Wife for Killing Indian Man in Phang Nga – Continued …

Q1 GDP grows 1.5% y/y, above forecast

Thailand’s economy expanded 1.5% in the first quarter from a year earlier, official data showed today, beating analysts’ expectations.

On a quarterly basis, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy grew a seasonally adjusted 1.1% in the January-March quarter, data from the National Economic and Social Development Council showed. Continued …

Thailand could gain from US increase in tariffs on Chinese goods

The decision of the United States to levy higher tariffs on imports from China could benefit some industries in Thailand and push up exports of some products, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has said.

FTI Chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul was reacting to the recent announcement by the U.S. of raising import tariffs on most goods from China to 25%, while it will be 100% for electric vehicles and 50% for semiconductors, solar cells, and syringes and needles. The new tariffs come into effect within the next three months. Continued …

Thailand Seeks 7.5-Billion-Baht Boost from Film Productions

The Thai government has unveiled an ambitious plan to generate 7.5 billion baht this year by positioning Thailand as a leading destination for international film productions. This initiative was prominently promoted at the Cannes Film Festival in France, where the country’s achievements in attracting foreign film projects were showcased.

Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Arrun Boonchai explained that various government departments have been working diligently to enhance Thailand’s film industry. Continued …

Jointly built 5G factory by China, Thailand to help Thailand’s digital transformation

5G robotic arms performed corresponding operations accurately and automated guided vehicles moved beyond preset routes and physical markers for navigation. This is part of the assembly line of Midea Refrigeration Equipment Thailand, which gave visitors a feel of fancy technology of automation, digitization and intelligence.

As the first overseas 5G factory of China’s electrical appliance manufacturer Midea Group, the factory is located in Thailand’s Chonburi province, covering an area of approximately 208,000 square meters, with an overall planned annual production capacity of more than 4 million units. Continued …

Businesses up in smoke

A deadline set by cannabis advocacy groups is rapidly approaching for the government to justify its plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic.

Whether the Public Health Ministry intends to fully or partially reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, the decision must be supported by scientific evidence, said the Cannabis Future Network, one of the pro-cannabis groups, last week. The group stated the government had 15 days to substantiate its stance. Continued …

More than 60% Thais support relisting marijuana as a drug

The majority of Thais support the government’s plan to put cannabis back on the national list of Category 5 narcotics, an opinion survey has found.

The survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA Poll) found that 60.4% of the respondents “totally agreed” with the plan and 15.3% “rather agreed” with it. The survey was carried out nationwide among 1,310 respondents, at least 15 years old, on May 14-15. Continued …

Post-Covid and the changing face of Thai tourism

One of the biggest changes in Thai tourism is how Thai tourism officials view prospective visitors to their country. For a long-time, the focus was on attracting high-income tourists with the Thai Elite program being a reflection of that desire. Indeed, during former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s time in power in the early 2000s, there was talk of turning Koh Chang into a five-star island.

But the COVID-19 pandemic, and the restrictions brought in, really changed that viewpoint. It’s not that those Thai officials don’t still want to attract high-income earners, but they began to realize the benefits that middle-to-lower income travelers bring to the country. Continued …

Thailand aims for 270 million passengers by 2037

To solidify its position as the aviation powerhouse of the Asia Pacific, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) unveiled a comprehensive three-stage strategy Friday.

This ambitious plan aims to skyrocket the nation’s air traveler capacity to 270 million passengers annually by 2037, propelling Thailand into the region’s top five countries for air logistics. Continued …

SpiceJet launches daily flights from Delhi to Phuket

Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet unveiled its latest venture: daily non-stop flights connecting Delhi to Phuket, commencing on May 31.

Ajay Singh, SpiceJet’s chairman and managing director, expressed his enthusiasm for the new route. “We are incredibly excited to launch our first-ever service to Phuket, a world-renowned destination. We are confident that our new daily non-stop flights will be a popular choice for both leisure and business travelers. Continued …

4 wellness activities to try when visiting Thailand

With the ever-increasing pace of contemporary living showing no signs of slowing down, people are looking for ways to escape the urban hustle and welcome a space offering less stress and more self-enrichment.

According to Sadudee Sangnil, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand for UK, Ireland and South Africa, Thailand is by far one of the most frequently visited destinations for its wellness offerings. Continued …

#thailandmarijuana #thailandwellness #thailandlesemajeste #thailandfilmproduction

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