Tuesday’s news-April 23 -

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Today’s news: Hua Hin braces for sweltering week/Water truck in Khao Takiab/Temperatures continue to climb/Special treat for the tummy/30th Anniversary Of Mekong’s Peace Project/For Thailand’s expats, this is hardly surprising/Economy: Thailand’s Resilient Geopolitical Landscape/Baht expected to weaken/Thailand’s semiconductor industry/High-speed rail project approved/Elevate 10 second-tier provinces/Utility cost subsidy/Tourism: Air Asia daily flights between Hua Hin-Chiang Mai/Premier urged to tackle overtourism/Portuguese guest’s topless strut/Phuket anticipates one million Chinese tourists/Thailand Experience: Thai cuisine is having its moment/Climate Thailand: Today’s Thailand 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

Hua Hin braces for sweltering week, temperatures to 40°C expected

Residents of Hua Hin are facing a week of extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 40°C until Friday, and slightly cooler at 39°C over the weekend, according to the Meteorological Department.

The intense heatwave is attributed to a persistent low pressure zone over the region which is expected to last until April 28. With no rainfall forecast, concerns are mounting as the area continues to grapple with a severe drought crisis. Continued …

Water truck to be stationed in Khao Takiab

Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul held a meeting on Monday with local government officials to discuss immediate and long-term solutions for the severe drought affecting Hua Hin, particularly impacting residents in Khao Takiab.

The discussions focused on the declining water levels at the Hua Na reservoir, which have significantly reduced the capacity for normal water production and distribution. Continued …

Temperatures continue to climb

Thailand will experience a hot to very hot day today, with isolated thundershowers and gusty winds in some areas, the Thai Meteorological Department said.

Temperatures in the northern region can be expected to hit 44 °C during the day, it warned, adding that people should take care of their health during extreme weather. Continued …

A special treat for the tummy during the Thai summer

With temperatures in Thailand nudging 40 degrees Celsius during the summer months, have you ever wondered how our ancestors cooled themselves before refrigeration existed?

During the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868), chefs at the royal court created a dish with a cooling effect on the body. Called Khao Chae and consisting of cooked rice cooled in flower-scented water served with various condiments, it remains the go-to meal for the summer months even though it can be hard to find. Continued …

Thailand, Laos, Australia Mark 30th Anniversary Of Mekong’s Peace Project

Thailand, Laos and Australia are this week holding a series of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1st Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, the first infrastructure project to reinforce the peace and promote travel, tourism, transportation and trade as a conduit for the economic development of the post-war Indochina region.

The 1,170-kilometer bridge was launched on April 8, 1994, completed ahead of schedule at a cost of $A42 million (750 million baht, at the then exchange rates), including cost of construction, feasible studies, design and fabrication. Funded entirely by the Australian government, it was inaugurated by His Majesty the late King Rama IX the Great, Laotian President Nouhak Poumsavanh and Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. Continued …

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Thai police said corrupt, but for Thailand’s expats, this is hardly surprising

Long complained about in online forums, the open secret of police corruption has once again been thrust into the limelight with the case of suspended Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn.

Surachate, embroiled in allegations of bribery and money laundering linked to illegal online gambling rings, is just one of many police allegedly involved in the crime. This news is not shocking to many especially Thailand’s expatriate community who have long witnessed firsthand Thai police corruption. Continued …

Thailand’s Resilient Geopolitical Landscape: A Beacon of Stability

The geopolitical situation in Thailand has witnessed a positive shift, heralding a new era of stability, economic prosperity, and regional leadership.

Thailand has skillfully managed the intricacies of international relations in the context of the changing global order, cultivating alliances that support its economic expansion and regional influence. Continued …

Thai baht expected to weaken against US dollar

The Thai baht is expected to weaken to an estimated 37.20 baht against the U.S. dollar later this week, due to the continued Middle East tensions, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research). The economic indicators from the U.S., due for release this week, are also predicted to bolster the dollar’s strength.

Monday morning trading saw the Thai currency quoted at 36.97 baht to the greenback, the lowest in half a year. This was followed by a minor rally to 36.94-96 baht, in comparison to Friday’s close of 36.86 baht. The weakened state of the baht is attributed to the global gold price drop and the fluctuations of the Chinese yuan and Japanese yen. Continued …

Thailand’s semiconductor industry poised for global growth

The global semiconductor industry is facing supply and demand imbalances, driven by disruptions in the supply chain and increased demand from countries shifting toward digital economies.

Thailand has the potential to become a significant player in the semiconductor industry through the relocation of production facilities and increased investments. The country’s strategic geographical location, coupled with its robust infrastructure and workforce, provides a competitive advantage for the semiconductor industry. Continued …

Second phase of Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project approved

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has given the green light for the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. This phase, which spans from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, has an investment total of 341.35 billion baht.

Details were shared by SRT Gov. Nirut Maneepan, who disclosed that the project’s approval occurred during a recent board meeting. Chirute Visalachitra, deputy director-general of the Department of Land Transport (DLT), presided over the meeting. Continued …

Call to elevate 10 second-tier provinces

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has called on the government to promote 10 second-tier provinces as first-tier tourist provinces to expand revenue distribution.

Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the TCC, said in order to raise annual GDP growth to 3%, in accordance with the target, the TCC, in cooperation with the government, is preparing a flagship project to promote secondary cities with economic potential in terms of trade, investment and tourism to become major cities. Continued …

Government launches utility cost subsidy for welfare cardholders

A new government initiative has been launched to alleviate the burden of utility costs for households in Thailand. The program, aimed at state welfare cardholders, offers a single electricity and water subsidy per household, linked to one household registration code.

Eligible participants must confirm their identity and register for the subsidy, which applies to either electricity or water services, not both. Continued …

Air Asia to launch daily flights between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai until Aug 31

Air Asia has announced an expansion of its flights between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai. From May 3, travelers can look forward to daily flights between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai until Aug. 31.

The new daily flight schedule is divided as follows: flights will depart from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin at 10:20 AM and from Hua Hin to Chiang Mai at 12:20 PM every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Continued …

Premier urged to tackle overtourism

With opposition to overtourism arising in many countries, Thai tourism operators are urging the government to seriously consider the nation’s carrying capacity, while some have suggested collecting a 300-baht tourism tax in a bid to solve the problem.

As Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to make 2025 a landmark year for tourism, Adith Chairattananon, secretary-general of the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA), said a white paper that the federation will present to the government will include solutions to prevent overtourism, which was seen in Thailand before the pandemic. Continued …

Portuguese guest’s topless strut causes chaos

A Portuguese woman yesterday left guests gobsmacked by walking around a Phuket hotel with her boobs out and reportedly refused to settle her accommodation bill.

The Phuket Times, yesterday, April 21, issued a warning to accommodation operators in the province to be aware of the 31-year-old Portuguese woman, Nadiya Serivna Varshawa. Continued …

Phuket anticipates one million more Chinese tourists post-Songkran

The popular tourist resort island of Phuket is gearing up to welcome an additional influx of 1 million Chinese tourists this year. This forecast comes in the wake of a targeted tourism promotion that took place across three Chinese cities.

Anupab Vejwanichsanong, who occupies the role of the vice president for the Phuket Administration Organization, revealed yesterday that the road show’s organizers are confident that the event will bring an added one million Chinese vacationers to Phuket by the year’s end. Continued …

Why these two celebrity chefs believe Thai cuisine is having its moment now

It’s about time that Thai food is fully recognized for the talent that Thai cooks exhibit. They’re damn fine cooks, they’re instinctive cooks and they are splendid cooks,” says David Thompson with his trademark vigor from his abode in Krabi.

It’s no surprise that the Australian-born, naturalized Brit is so vocal about the talent of Thai cooks — as one of foremost chefs in the Thai culinary space, Thompson has devoted his entire career to promoting the kingdom’s fiery gastronomy. Continued …

Today’s Thailand environmental news

Amsterdam bans new hotels and puts limit on overnight tourists

Amsterdam continues to crack down on overtourism by prohibiting the development of new hotels and limiting the number of travelers allowed to stay overnight in the city. Continued …

Indonesia eyes September for mass relocation of civil servants to Nusantara

With just under four months to go until the country celebrates its 79th anniversary, the government is finalising its plans and preparations to relocate almost 12,000 civil servants to the new capital still under development in East Kalimantan. Continued …

First high-definition lunar geological atlas released

The world’s first complete high-definition geological atlas of the moon, released by China on Sunday, will provide basic map data for future lunar research and exploration. The atlas set, available in both Chinese and English, includes the Geological Atlas of the Lunar Globe and the Map Quadrangles of the Geological Atlas of the Moon, the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Geochemistry said. Continued …

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