Khao Hin Lek Fai Hua Hin to be developed/Grassy Hua Hin Wine Festival/Thailand’s cool season begins/Scam Gangs Shift Base To Thailand/Construction giant denies links to scams/Minister under fire on alleged Cambodia scam link/Thai defense minister warns Cambodia/Bangkok Clinics Quit Universal Coverage/Two Killed in Wild Elephant Attacks/Malaysia okays border wall/Thai herbal formulas for erectile dysfunction/ECONOMY: Second phase of co-payment scheme/Authorities Raid Koh Phangan/TOURISM: Measures aim to boost domestic tourism/Scammer Crisis Hits Thai Tourism/Vegetarian festival in Phuket and Songkhla/Surge in Thailand Golden Visa/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 3 years in Thailand changed me/CLIMATE THAILAND: House paves way for clean air act/Thailand’s Indigenous people blamed for climate change/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Khao Hin Lek Fai Hua Hin to be developed into new landmark attraction
Khao Hin Lek Fai, one of Hua Hin’s most recognizable viewpoints, is set to undergo major improvements aimed at transforming it into a new landmark attraction, following discussions led by Hua Hin City Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul.
The project’s main objectives are to upgrade the area’s infrastructure and improve visitor facilities. Planned developments include renovating the entrance archway, expanding the car park, and improving the tourist service center. Viewpoint 4 will be upgraded and connected to the King Rama VII Memorial Plaza, while new ramps for people with disabilities will be built to ensure accessibility throughout the site. Continued …
Thailand’s cool season begins officially tomorrow
Thailand will officially enter the cool season tomorrow, with the coldest period between mid-December and early February, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.
The cool season is considered to have begun once temperatures in the upper part of the country consistently drop, winds shift to the northeast or east, and rainfall decreases significantly, said Suchada Thaensap, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. Continued …
Scam Gangs Shift Base From Cambodia To Thailand
Scam gangs are allegedly relocating their operations from Cambodia to Thailand after a joint crackdown by South Korean and Cambodian police, according to a report by Sisa Journal. The South Korean magazine’s investigation revealed that the move follows increased law enforcement pressure in Cambodia, with scammers seeking safer ground in neighboring Thailand.
A journalist from Sisa Journal contacted a middle manager of a scam center in Thailand,between Oct. 17- 21. The manager said that scam operations linked to human trafficking continue without signs of stopping, despite international efforts to dismantle them. He noted that some gang members in Cambodia mocked the recent crackdown, even as signs emerged of their relocation into Thailand. Continued …
Thai construction giant denies links to call center scams
One of Thailand’s leading construction companies, Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Public Co. (STECON), filed a complaint against two members of Parliament (MPs) from the People’s Party, claiming both accused the company of involvement in a call center scam network.
The United States and United Kingdom recently accused the Prince Holding Group, owned by 32-year-old Chinese-born Chen Zhi, of operating a call center scam in Southeast Asia. The company now faces financial sanctions and asset seizures worth hundreds of billions of baht. Continued …
Minister under fire as PM seeks clarification on alleged Cambodia scam link
Deputy Finance Minister Vorapak Tanyawong has been ordered by the prime minister to clarify, in writing, an allegation that he is among seven Thai politicians believed to be connected with Cambodia’s Prince Group, a major transnational scam syndicate named by the US Department of Justice.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Vorapak promised to send him a written clarification and would also give a press conference about the allegation against him, adding that, if anyone in his administration is found to be involved with scam activities, they will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Continued …
Thai defense minister warns Cambodia: No deal, no summit
Thailand’s defense minister warned Cambodia that if border talks fail, there will be no peace deal, no ASEAN summit signing, and no further negotiations. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated as Defense Minister General Nattapol Nakphanit issued a firm ultimatum over ongoing border negotiations.
Speaking at Government House yesterday, Nattapol declared that the upcoming Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting would be the last if no progress is made. Continued …
Bangkok Clinics Quit Universal Coverage Over Mounting Debt
Community clinics across Bangkok are withdrawing from Thailand’s universal coverage scheme (Gold Card), citing mounting debts and inadequate government reimbursements that fail to meet real operating costs.
The withdrawal has raised concerns about access to primary healthcare, with over 220,000 patients already affected. Yesterday, representatives of the Warm Community Clinic Assn. submitted a petition to the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), urging urgent reforms to funding and management under the National Health Security Office (NHSO). Continued …
Two Killed in Wild Elephant Attacks in Khon Kaen and Loei
Two men have been killed in separate wild elephant attacks in Khon Kaen and Loei provinces, prompting urgent orders from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for heightened monitoring and swift compensation for the victims’ families.
The first fatal attack occurred on Monday in the Samliang Forest in Khon Kaen. The victim was fatally attacked by a wild elephant while DNP officers from Phu Wiang National Park were conducting monitoring and deterrent operations in the area, which lies outside a protected forest zone. Continued …
Malaysia okays US$356 million border wall with Thailand
The Malaysian government has approved an allocation of RM1.5 billion for the construction of a security wall along the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan.
Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the matter was made by the National Security Council (NSC) recently. He said the security wall will be built along the border from Tumpat to Tanah Merah. Continued …
Thai herbal formulas launched for erectile dysfunction
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has launched three formulas for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, which it said is a major problem among Thai men.
Department director Nanthasak Chotichanadechawong said yesterday that data going back to 2004 showed erectile dysfunction affected up to 43% of Thai men aged 40-70 years, and the problem was getting worse. Continued …
Thailand announces second phase of co-payment scheme
The Thai government is preparing to launch the second phase of its popular co-payment consumer subsidy scheme in January in a bid to jumpstart domestic spending and bolster economic growth.
The announcement was made by government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat, who confirmed that the upcoming phase will be financed from the 2026 fiscal budget. However, the total budget allocation has not yet been finalized. Continued …
Authorities Raid Koh Phangan, Uncover 89 Nominee Companies
Authorities have conducted raids on Koh Phangan, targeting businesses linked to foreign nationals and uncovering 89 nominee companies suspected of tax evasion and illegal property operations.
Officials also investigated luxury villas illegally operating as tourist accommodation, prompting the questioning of foreign visitors. The operation marks a crackdown on hidden business structures on the island. Continued …
Five new measures aim to boost domestic tourism
The government has approved five new measures to boost domestic tourism in the final quarter to prevent the economy from slowing down before the year’s end, according to finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit.
The five measures approved by the cabinet this week include personal income tax deductions for domestic travel expenses, corporate tax deductions for domestic seminars and training, front-loaded government budget disbursement for official meetings and training, tax incentives for hotel renovations, and extension of excise tax reduction for entertainment venues. Continued …
Cambodia Scammer Crisis Hits Thai Tourism Confidence
The growing crisis surrounding Cambodia’s online scammer centers is severely damaging confidence in Thailand’s tourism sector, prompting the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) to urge the government to take a leadership role as the “ASEAN Safety Hub.”
ATTA warned that the scam operations have caused East Asian tourists, particularly from key markets like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, to become increasingly wary of traveling to countries bordering Cambodia, including Thailand. Continued …
Vegetarian festival enlivens Phuket and Songkhla
Phuket and Songkhla are seeing more visitors and expect tourism revenue to exceed 4.1 billion baht during their vegetarian festivals this week, while Phuket is pushing the event as a flagship cultural celebration.
The vegetarian festival from Oct. 20-29 is expected to generate 382,710 domestic trips, a 28% increase year-on-year, in the two southern provinces, said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Continued …
Surge in Thailand Golden Visa as Global Citizens Seek Residency Options
Siam Legal International, a legal services firm in Thailand, reports increased interest in the Thailand Privilege Visa program, as individuals from the United States and other nations explore residency options beyond traditional European golden visa programs.
The firm has observed a notable uptick in inquiries and applications for the Thailand Golden Visa, reflecting a broader shift in global migration patterns. This trend aligns with recent data showing high-net-worth individuals increasingly considering Latin America and Asia for alternative residency arrangements. Continued …
3 years in Thailand changed the way I see America forever
When I first booked my one-way ticket to Bangkok, I told myself it would just be a long break — somewhere between a career pause and a personal reset. I’d been working for years in high-end hospitality, obsessed with precision, speed, and presentation. Every detail mattered, every minute counted. Thailand completely flipped that script.
Three years later, I came home with a calmer nervous system, a different sense of time, and a deep respect for a way of living that doesn’t rush — or measure — life the way we do in America. Continued …
House paves way for vital clean air act
The House of Representatives has unanimously approved the much-anticipated Clean Air Management Bill with 309 votes in favour, marking a major legislative milestone in efforts to improve air quality nationwide.
Presided over by Deputy House Speaker Chaiya Promma, parliament passed the bill yesterday after nearly a month of deliberation. Initially comprising 104 sections, the draft expanded to almost 300 following detailed revisions by a parliamentary committee. Continued …
The latest lie, Thailand’s Indigenous people blamed for climate change
A new report by the Asia Center highlights how fake news and phony arguments have turned Thai public opinion against Indigenous groups (most of whom are not officially recognized by the Thai government), leading to the belief that their traditional practices are an obstacle to forest protection. In fact, the evidence shows exactly the opposite, with the responsibility squarely on business groups, despite their greenwashing attempts.
In Thailand, climate misinformation is increasingly used to force Indigenous populations off their lands, according to a report released last month by the Asia Center. The study shows how, starting from a legitimate need, the urgency of combating the climate crisis, in particular deforestation, a chain of actions is disproportionately impacting the rights of Indigenous communities. Continued …
Japan’s parliament elects nation’s first female prime minister
Japan’s parliament elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister yesterday, a day after her struggling party struck a coalition deal with a new partner expected to pull her governing bloc further to the right. Continued …
Vietnam-Malaysia-Singapore offshore wind project to complete first phase by 2034
The development of a 2,000-megawatt offshore wind energy project linking Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore is expected to complete its first phase by 2034, Malaysia’s Energy Minister said today. Malaysia will use 700 MW of capacity, while the remaining 1,300 MW will be exported to Singapore. Continued …
Hanoi to bar petrol-powered motorbikes from city center from mid-2026
The Japanese government and some of the nation’s top manufacturers have warned Vietnam that a planned ban on petrol-powered motorbikes in Hanoi could spark job losses and disrupt a US$4.6-billion market that is dominated by Honda. In July, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a directive prohibiting petrol motorbikes from entering the center of the capital from the middle of 2026. Continued …
Gold Suffers Biggest Drop in Five Years as Safe-Haven Appeal Fades
Gold prices suffered their sharpest one-day drop in five years yesterday, plummeting from a recent record high as safe-haven demand evaporated on signs of easing political and trade tensions. The decline was primarily attributed to investor profit-taking following a period of intense buying, driven by reduced anxiety over the potential for a US government shutdown and renewed optimism regarding US-China trade negotiations. Continued …
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