Thursday’s news-Oct 3 -

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Feedback Re: Weather reports/Cooler weather forecast/Thailand about to be drenched/Jellyfish on Hua Hin beaches/Sansiri closes sale of Standard hotels stake/Stricter regulations for transportation/The teachers killed in the bus fire/School prepares to receive bodies/Inferno-bus driver charged/School field trips suspended/Child Road Deaths in Thailand/Why are Thailand’s roads so deadly?/Bangkok safe from floods/New Yorker flies to see Moo Deng/’Moo Deng’ zoo logo/Decriminalizing Sex Work/Best countries/TIME100 Next list/Vegetable prices surge/Thai rum makes a splash/Student documentary wins top prize/Surge in cross-border drug trade/Economy: The casino debate/2.68-Trillion-Baht Transport Overhaul/Foreign Investment $3 Billion/March toward cashless society/Lawmakers toast booze bill rejection/Data center investment revving up/Thai digital hub status/Central Group acquires Globus/No reverse of ganja policy/Tourism: Thailand Vegetarian Festival/Satun gears up for Vegetarian Festival/Thailand Welcomes 26M Tourists/Thailand Experience: Exploring Kui Buri/Locals’ guide to Chiang Mai/Oddest flower set for rare appearance/Climate Thailand: CPF Wins ASEAN Energy Project Award/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

Re: Weather reports

“I like and benefit from reading the news of weather events throughout Thailand. Please do not drop this part of your excellent service.” – Alastair

“I totally agree with your correspondent regarding Hua Hin weather forecasts. I think I am right in saying that Hua Hin has one of, if not, the lowest annual rainfall figures in Thailand. The editor comment about expats going to other regions has little validity when we want to know the accurate local forecast, if that is technically possible. After all the name is hhexpatnews! – TW

Editor: As we said previously, most of our readers are interested in what’s going on in Thailand, not just in Hua Hin. Thailand’s weather, when appropriate, will continue to be covered. And now we also have a weather report for Hua Hin only (see at left). We finally found an app that worked for this task.

Also, our name is Hua Hin Expat News, not Hua Hin News, meaning its news for expats in Hua Hin. We cover the limited amount of local news, but we believe our readers are interested in more than that. It’s a newspaper, folks, with a variety of news coverage for the variety of interests of our audience. If there’s something that doesn’t interest you, move on to the next story.

Cooler weather forecast for Thailand later this month

This year’s “cold” season is forecast to arrive in the third week of this month, with minimum temperatures expected to drop to 6-8oC in the northern and northeastern regions and a minimum of between 16-18oC in Bangkok, according to the Meteorological Department.

This year is forecast to be colder than last year, with average minimum temperatures around 20oC in the northern and northeastern regions. Minimum temperatures in Bangkok’s suburbs will be from 14-16oC, and the coldest period will be from the beginning of December until early January. Continued …

Thailand is about to be drenched as heavy rain hits 54 provinces

Thailand is bracing for a deluge today, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) sounding the alarm for 54 provinces. Heavy rain is set to drench Bangkok and its surrounding areas, while the central region is looking at a 80% chance of rainfall, and the north isn’t far behind with a 70% prediction.

The southern region’s eastern coast will witness thunderstorms in 60% of the area, with heavy rain in some parts. Provinces like Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat will be affected. Temperatures will range from 24 to 26°C at the lowest to 31 to 35°C at the highest. The sea will see waves about 1 meter high, rising to over 2 meters in areas with thunderstorms. Continued …

Rainy season brings jellyfish to Hua Hin beaches

Continued …

Sansiri closes sale of Standard hotels stake to Hyatt

Developer Sansiri Plc (SIRI) says it has successfully concluded the sale of its majority stake in the hotel group Standard International, which has now been acquired by Hyatt.

“This strategic exit marks a significant milestone for Sansiri, paving the way for a new era of collaboration with one of the world’s leading hospitality companies,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday. Continued …

PM calls for stricter regulations for transportation after deadly fire tragedy

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a meeting with her deputy PMs, ministers and other officials to address the deadly fire incident involving a tour bus carrying teachers and students before her departure to attend the 3rd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit in Doha.

Acting National Police Commissioner Kitrat Phanphet reported that forensic teams were still inspecting the bus involved in the accident, and the findings would be used to establish safety standards and regulations. There will be stricter measures for vehicle inspections involving local authorities, transportation, private sectors, and other relevant bodies, he said. Continued …

The teachers killed in the bus fire

From left: Pimthong Sombat, Kanokwan Sriphong and Saranya Homkesorn (thaipbs.com)

Uthai Thani school prepares to receive bodies of bus fire victims

Wat Khao Phraya Sangkaram School in Uthai Thani is getting ready to receive the bodies of the 20 students and three teachers killed in the bus fire tragedy. The bodies are expected to arrive in the next couple of days.

The bus fire occurred on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road opposite the National Memorial in Pathum Thani on Tuesday afternoon. As of press time, the parents of the deceased and missing students were still waiting for answers, while officials from relevant agencies were at hand to help. Continued …

Inferno-bus driver charged on four counts

Police have pressed four charges against the driver of the bus that burst into flames, killing a least 20 students and three teachers in Pathum Thani on Tuesday. The driver, Samarn Chankut, 48, fled the scene of Tuesday’s tragedy.

He turned himself in to police in Ang Thong’s Wiset Chai Chan district on Tuesday night and was returned to Pathum Thani’s Khu Khut police station for further questioning. Continued …

Education Ministry suspends all school field trips

The Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate suspension of educational field trips organized by all schools under its supervision, following an accident on Vibhavadi Rangsit highway in Pathum Thani province yesterday, involving a double-decked coach that caught fire, killing 20 young students and three teachers.

Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob said, however, that an educational field trip is possible if it is deemed necessary, but those arranging it must ensure that the vehicles transporting students meet safety requirements, adding that, in the case of children, they must be accompanied by their parents, because there are insufficient teachers to take care of all the children. Continued …

Save The Children Urges Action on Child Road Deaths in Thailand

Save the Children Thailand has issued an urgent plea for action after revealing that one in three child deaths in Thailand are caused by road accidents. Over the past decade, more than 26,930 children have tragically died in road crashes, highlighting the severity of the problem.

Road traffic accidents are now recognized as a leading cause of death for individuals aged 5 to 29 globally, with Thailand being a particularly affected nation. This data is supported by the Global Alliance – Cities 4 Children 2023 report, which emphasizes the need for immediate intervention to address this growing crisis. Continued …

Why are Thailand’s roads so deadly?

Around 20,000 people are killed every year on Thailand’s roads – an average of more than 50 a day. This means Thailand has the second-deadliest roads in Asia after Nepal, and ranks 16th in the world for traffic mortality, alongside Chad and Guinea-Bissau, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

There were 25.7 deaths due to traffic injuries per 100,000 people in 2021 in Thailand, compared with a global average of 15. Road safety watchdog Thai RSC says that already this year there have been more than 10,000 fatalities and 600,000 injuries on the country’s roads. Continued …

Bangkok safe from floods, PM says

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has reassured the public that Bangkok will not be inundated by floods, as the current volume of rainwater is lower than it was in 2011, when a major flood occurred.

Paetongtarn inspected the water situation on Wednesday at the Royal Irrigation Department in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi. She said that in 2011 the country was hit by five storms, compared to this year, when only one storm has affected the country. Continued …

New Yorker flies over 18 hours just to see Moo Deng in Thailand

One Swiftie has gone the distance, traveling thousands of miles to reach eastern Thailand, the birthplace and home of Moo Deng, the baby hippopotamus that has stolen hearts worldwide.

Molly Swindall, a content creator known for her Taylor Swift devotion, decided “super last minute” to fly to Bangkok from New York to “see the legend that is the Diva Moo Deng!” she shared in a Tuesday video. “Cannot wait to show her off.” Continued …

Entries invited for ‘Moo Deng’ zoo logo

The Zoological Park Organization of Thailand is inviting people to help design a new logo featuring its bouncy new star, the young pygmy hippo Moo Deng, for use on official souvenirs.

Director-general Attapon Srihayrun said on Wednesday the organization will offer a prize for the successful entry. The logo must include the words “Moo Deng”. Continued …

Decriminalizing Sex Work Sparks National Debate

Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is causing a stir with a proposal to develop an entertainment complex that would bring underground businesses, including sex work, into the formal economy. This initiative aims to boost government revenue through taxation, funding crucial welfare programs in education, public health, and infrastructure.

Surang Janyam, director of SWING, an organization advocating for sex workers’ rights, underscores the importance of decriminalizing sex work. “During Covid, many sex workers were left without compensation or welfare. Over 50% of the 500 sex workers we spoke to expressed a desire to be part of the labor system and pay taxes.” Continued …

Thailand 28th in ‘best countries in the world’ ranking

Thailand has been ranked 28th among 89 “best countries in the world” for 2024, according to a listing prepared by the US News & World Report, moving up one place from the previous year.

The ranking has been prepared in collaboration with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. and WPP, a global communication company. It surveyed the opinions of some 17,000 respondents in 89 countries from March to May this year. Continued …

Thai PM and LGBTQ+ rights activist named in TIME100 Next list

TIME magazine has named Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and gay rights activist Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd on the 2024 TIME100 Next list, which highlights emerging leaders who are shaping the future of the world.

According to TIME, Paetongtarn made history on Aug. 18, just days before her 38th birthday, by becoming the youngest premier of Thailand. TIME also reported that when gay rights activist and author Plaifah spoke in Thailand’s parliament the weight of a generation was on her shoulders. Continued …

Market shoppers face steep prices ahead of Pattaya Vegetarian Festival

The Rai Vanasin Market in East Pattaya was buzzing with anticipation yesterday as eager shoppers scrambled to stock up on fresh produce for the upcoming Pattaya Vegetarian Festival, which kicks off today and runs until Oct. 12. However, as the crowds grew, so did the prices – with many vegetables seeing surges just days before the festival begins.

Vegetable prices spiked by an average of 20% compared to the previous week, with staples such as cabbage, radishes, and Chinese cabbage bearing the brunt of the increase. Cabbage now costs 140 baht per kilogram, while radishes have skyrocketed to 300 baht, and Chinese cabbage has hit 350 baht per kilogram. Continued …

Thai rum makes a splash

Rum is a distilled spirit renowned worldwide as a premium liquor. Many countries, especially those in the Caribbean, produce rum, contributing to economic growth. The rum made in Thailand, especially by small producers, also supports community products and agricultural resources.

From Sept. 18-27, 2024, I was invited to serve as one of the five judges for the national OTOP (One Tambon One Product) alcoholic beverage competition dubbed “OTOP Product Champion”, with the rums in the contest having been preliminarily selected by their respective provinces. Continued …

Low-budget student documentary wins Thailand’s top prize

“The Last Breath of Sam Yan” won the prestigious Suphannahong National Film Award for best documentary in 2023, proving that even a low-budget student film can win high honors if it tells a story well.

Produced by Settanant Thanakitkoses and Netiwit Chotphatphaisal while they were students at Chulalongkorn University, the film took two years to make on a small budget of 200,000 baht they raised from working at the Sam Yan Press. Continued …

Myanmar civil war fuels surge in cross-border drug trade: Thailand official

Thailand has seen a surge in illegal drugs trafficked from neighboring Myanmar and a sharp increase in methamphetamines and heroin seizures, as a civil war adds fuel to the regional drug trade, a senior Thai counter-narcotics official said.

Apikit Ch. Rojprasert, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said the northern region remains the main trafficking route into Thailand, with dealers going through the mountains or on the Mekong River to bring in methamphetamine tablets and crystal meth, also known as ice. Continued …

Thailand’s economic strategy: the casino debate

Thailand is on the cusp of a significant economic transformation with the government’s proposal to legalize casinos. This move is part of a broader strategy to boost the nation’s economy by tapping into the global gaming market, which could potentially reshape Thailand’s economic landscape.

The initiative has received substantial support from the House of Representatives, with a majority voting in favor of establishing a study panel to explore the feasibility of integrating casinos within large entertainment complexes. This reflects a shift in the nation’s stance on gambling, aiming to generate more jobs and increase state revenue. Continued …

Thailand Embarks on Mega 2.68-Trillion-Baht Transport Overhaul

Thailand’s Ministry of Transport has unveiled an ambitious 2.68-trillion-baht initiative aimed at radically transforming the nation’s transportation landscape.

The expansive project prioritizes enhancing rail networks, upgrading key airports, and encouraging environmentally friendly logistics practices, all with the goal of significantly reducing road congestion and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 45.6 million tons by the year 2030. Continued …

Foreign Investment in Thailand Hits $3 Billion in 8 Month

The Department of Business Development reported that foreign investment in Thailand amounted to 100.062 billion baht ($3 billion) in the first eight months of 2024, with Japan remaining the top investor with 136 companies and investment of 53.176 billion baht ($1.6 billion). Meanwhile, 163 companies were approved in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), accounting for 30% of foreign investors this year.

Oramon Subthaveetham, director-general of the Department of Economic Development and secretary of the Foreign Business Committee, announced that 535 foreign companies were allowed to operate in Thailand in the first eight months of 2024 (January to August). Continued …

Thailand leads march toward a cashless society

Thailand is expected to transition to a cashless society faster than its regional peers, driven by the country’s rapid digital adoption and transformation, according to a Visa survey.

Visa, a leading global digital payment service provider, recently conducted the Consumer Payment Attitude Study and found that Thailand could become a cashless society by 2028, ahead of the ASEAN region overall, which is expected to reach this milestone post-2028. Continued …

Thailand’s lawmakers toast booze bill rejection

The House of Representatives decisively rejected a bill aiming to liberalize Thailand’s alcohol industry, proposed by the opposition People’s Party. The bill, introduced by Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, was voted down with 237 votes against and 137 in favor.

The proposed legislation sought to permit individuals to own alcohol distillation equipment and produce booze for personal use without needing government approval. Government chief whip Wisut Chainarun from the coalition-core Pheu Thai Party labeled the bill impractical and potentially dangerous. Continued …

Analysts see data center investment revving up

New data center investments in Thailand could accelerate over the next 3-5 years, as global data usage is surging, with the electronics, industrial estate, contractor, and power plant sectors set to be the major beneficiaries, say analysts.

Google announced its plan earlier this week to invest USD1 billion (32.6 billion baht) in data centers and cloud services in Bangkok and Chon Buri. The investment is expected to create 14,000 jobs in the country and boost Thai GDP by 140 billion baht, or 0.9 percentage points in terms of annual GDP during the period 2025-2029. Continued …

BoI targets Thai digital hub status

Thailand has the potential to become a digital economic hub in Southeast Asia, driven by the growth of domestic data centers and cloud service businesses, including a recent investment from Google, says the Board of Investment (BoI).

Google’s plan to develop a data center and cloud region here under a US1billion investment reflects Thailand’s readiness for regional hub status in terms of digital infrastructure and market, said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the BoI. Continued …

Central Group completes 100% acquisition of Swiss department store Globus

Thailand’s Central Group has finalized the complete acquisition of Globus, a luxury department store chain in Switzerland, the company said. As one of Thailand’s leading retail companies, Central Group has employed “shortcuts” through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to accelerate its business growth and expand its presence on the world stage.

Recently, the group announced the full acquisition of Globus after holding a stake since 2020. This acquisition includes all nine Globus department stores and reinforces Central Group’s ambition to build a multi-billion-baht empire in Europe. Continued …

PM: Businesses can rest assured govt will not reverse ganja policy again

After Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced her policy to continue allowing the use of marijuana and hemp for medical and business purposes, businesspeople who have invested in making products from the two plants can rest assured the policy would not be reversed.

The policy statement delivered by Paetongtarn to Parliament last month prompted even Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, who is seen as advocating the re-listing of marijuana and hemp as drugs, to tone down his stand, while the policy announcement drew strong support from the Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department. Continued …

Thailand Vegetarian Festival 2024

Visitors to Thailand this October, especially from the 2nd to the 11th, are invited to experience one of the kingdom’s most unique and vibrant annual events — the Vegetarian Festival. This grand celebration offers insights into Thai culture and tradition.

The festival coincides with the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar when Thai people of Chinese origin observe a vegetarian diet for nine to 10 days. This practice is aimed at spiritual cleansing, merit-making, enhancing good luck, and ensuring long life and prosperity. The festival is also an opportunity to witness processions of Chinese deities and displays of spiritual beliefs.

Major Thai cities with large Chinese communities will host these events. Highlights include celebrations in Chon Buri, Bangkok, Chumphon, Songkhla, Narathiwat, Phuket, Nakhon Sawan, Phang-nga, Ranong, and Trang. Visitors can also delight in an array of vegetarian delicacies available throughout these locales. – thailand-business-news.com

Satun gears up for influx of tourists during Vegetarian Festival

With the Vegetarian Festival this year starting today and running until the following Friday, among the provinces getting ready for an influx of tourists is southernmost Satun.

Every year, large numbers of tourists, especially Malaysians, travel to join this traditional event, during which those observing it abstain from all types of meat, including vegetables with strong smells, and foods containing eggs and milk. Continued …

Thailand Welcomes 26M Tourists, Rakes In 1.214 Trillion Baht

Thailand’s tourism sector has made a robust comeback, welcoming over 26 million international tourists from Jan. 1 to Oct. 1, generating 1.214 trillion baht in revenue. Sorawong Thienthong, minister of Tourism and Sports, announced these figures, signaling a strong recovery for the nation as a premier travel destination.

China topped the list of contributing countries with 5,227,573 tourists, followed by Malaysia with 3,734,847, India with 1,530,712, South Korea with 1,378,474, and Russia with 1,156,753 visitors. Continued …

Exploring Kui Buri

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The locals’ guide to Chiang Mai

“We do all sorts of things: visit the lady boy cabaret show at Ram Bar or watch Thai boxing at Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium,” says Faii Suporn, an ethnic Akha who leads residents of the Family Home 2 hostel to sample the best nightlife Chiang Mai has to offer.

For visitors keen to have a go at Muay Thai, she recommends The Bear Fight Club, a gym in the old city that has “good coaches who work you hard. I go there to train when I have time,” says Faii, who sells locally made silverware by day. Continued …

‘Owl’s Eye’: Thailand’s oddest flower set for rare appearance

One of the rarest and strangest-looking plants in Thailand is about to poke its head above the soil for its annual appearance in a remote forest on the western border with Myanmar. The Thismia thaithongiana was discovered growing on the slopes of Doi Hua Mot, Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tak Province in 2018.

Tourists and botanists are now scouring the sanctuary’s forest floor to catch sight of this bizarre owl-shaped plant, which glows green and goes by the Thai name of Phisawong Thaithong or Phisawong Owl’s Eye. Continued …

CPF Wins ASEAN Energy Project Award for Waste-to-Energy Initiative

Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) has been awarded the ASEAN Renewable Energy Project Award 2024 by the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) for its innovative waste-to-energy project at the Wang Thong Layer Complex in Phitsanulok Province. The project, which converts chicken manure into renewable energy, showcases the company’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly egg production.

This marks the second time CP Foods’ egg business has received this prestigious award, following the recognition of the Chok Chai Farm Complex in Nakhon Ratchasima province in 2022 for renewable energy development. Continued …