- Pranburi expands biodiversity-based tourism/Artist Village Hua Hin ‘Beach Art’ exhibition/Valentine’s Day flowers/How expensive is healthcare in Asia?/Will election deliver a stable government?/Thai Baht Strengthens
- ECONOMY: Tackle Four Economic Crises First/’10 Plus’ to revive confidence/Hotel sector braces for challenging year/Restaurant association: expand co-pay stimulus/Digital tech seen key
- TOURISM: Airports Expect 4.1 million passengers
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Pranburi expands biodiversity-based tourism efforts
Prachuap Khiri Khan province is stepping up plans to expand biodiversity-based tourism in Pranburi district, with officials aiming to generate greater economic value through conservation tourism while protecting local natural resources. The move was discussed yesterday at a meeting of the committee and working group responsible for driving biodiversity-based tourism at the local level in Pranburi.
The meeting followed the completion of a master plan by the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office, or BEDO, which has identified Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot, and Kui Buri as three pilot districts for biodiversity-based tourism in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Continued …
Artist Village Hua Hin ‘Beach Art’ exhibition starts Saturday
The Beach Art exhibition Hua Hin will run from Feb. 14–28 at Artist Village Hua Hin, featuring works by Swiss artist Frederic Waelti, who has been living in Hua Hin for several years.
The exhibition brings together a body of work created from discarded materials and objects collected along the shoreline, including driftwood and other remnants shaped by the sea. Waelti’s pieces explore how materials often seen as worthless can be transformed into artworks with visual impact and meaning, while also encouraging reflection on coastal environments and human responsibility toward them. Continued …
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Valentine’s Day flowers: meanings and the best pick for your partner
Every year on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day is observed as a time when people around the world express love for their spouses, partners, and those close to them.
Traditions and customs passed down over hundreds of years have shaped it into the celebration we recognize today. This year, it falls on Saturday. Continued …
How expensive is healthcare in Asia?
As global healthcare costs continue to rise, access to affordable and reliable medical care has become an increasingly important factor in travel decisions. For retirees, digital nomads, long-stay visitors, and medical tourists, healthcare is no longer merely a matter of safety. It is part of the destination value proposition.
Rather than comparing complex surgical procedures, this analysis examines routine private healthcare services. Health check-ups, blood tests, dental treatment and basic diagnostic imaging are the services most travelers actually use and typically pay for themselves. Continued …
Will Thailand’s election deliver a stable government?
The ruling Bhumjaithai Party scored a decisive victory in Thailand’s general election, routing progressive and populist parties to put leader Anutin Charnvirakul in the running to become the first premier voted back to office in 20 years.
Bhumjaithai grabbed and retained a sizeable lead in early vote counting, despite opinion polls that favored the liberal People’s Party, whose leaders, along with those of the Pheu Thai Party, had conceded early. Continued …
Thai Baht Strengthens Following Bhumjaithai Party’s Election Victory
The Thai baht rose by 1.3% to 31.2 per dollar yesterday, recovering from previous losses and reaching a high not seen in over a week. This rebound can be largely attributed to enhanced market sentiment following the substantial election success of the Bhumjaithai Party.
As Thailand’s ruling conservative party, the Bhumjaithai Party has made a significant impact by winning 191 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives, a notable increase nearly triple that of their 2023 performance. This solid victory has instilled confidence among investors, signaling a more stable political environment. Continued …
FTI Urges New Government to Tackle Four Economic Crises First
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has urged the incoming government to prioritize urgent economic and cost-of-living problems as its first agenda, warning that household debt, SME distress, export pressures, and an influx of cheap imports now pose a critical threat to growth and public welfare. T
FTI Chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul said the private sector hopes Thailand will soon have a capable and ethical government, noting that the composition of the cabinet directly affects public and investor confidence. He stressed the need for a swift government formation to ensure uninterrupted economic management and policy implementation. Continued …
Bhumjaithai rolls out ’10 Plus’ to revive confidence, economy
Unofficial results of the 2026 general election clearly point to the Bhumjaithai Party taking the lead in forming the next government. The party campaigned on its “10 Plus” economic platform, which is set to become the core economic policy of the new administration.
Ekniti Nitithanprapas, deputy prime minister and minister of finance, said post-election economic management must proceed simultaneously on three fronts: short-term economic recovery, long-term structural growth, and income distribution to reduce inequality. These pillars form the backbone of the “10 Plus” policy. Continued …
Hotel sector braces for challenging year
Thailand’s hotel sector will remain highly challenging in 2026, pressured by multiple factors, including uncertainty in key foreign markets amid global geopolitical risks and the continued strength of the baht, according to Kasikorn Research Center.
Prolonged tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border are expected to continue affecting hotels in certain provinces, while fast-changing travel trends and a growing supply of accommodation are intensifying competition, particularly in established destinations. Continued …
Restaurant association wants to expand co-pay stimulus
The Thai Restaurant Assn. is calling for small eateries registered as juristic persons to be included in the anticipated revival of the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme under the new government led by the Bhumjaithai Party.
Association President Thaniwan Kulmongkol said the association is keen to see the reintroduction of the Khon La Khrueng scheme. However, many association members operate medium-sized restaurants that exceed the scheme’s income limits, making them ineligible for participation. Continued …
Digital tech seen key under new government
The public sector under the new government is expected to accelerate the adoption of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to bridge its legacy bureaucratic systems with advanced digital technology.
With the 2027 fiscal budget expected to see IT spending by each state agency climb to 30%, this presents a gold-rush opportunity for tech service providers to tap government agencies that are expected to provide or upgrade their e-services and consolidate fragmented applications into a unified intelligent infrastructure. Continued …
Thai Airports Expect 4.1m Passengers Over Chinese New Year
Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) expects more than 4.11 million passengers to pass through its six airports during the Chinese New Year holiday period from Feb. 13-22. The surge is driven largely by a continued recovery in the Chinese market, increasing pressure on airport operations nationwide. Authorities are preparing for heavier traffic and longer processing times during peak travel days.
AOT President Pavina Jariyathitipong said passenger traffic across Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai airports is projected to reach about 4.11 million. This total includes around 2.6 million international passengers and 1.51 million domestic travelers. Continued …
- Russian Tourist Caught on Camera Defecating in Pattaya’s Traffic Island – Continued …
- Tourist Couple Caught on CCTV Stealing Bag in Phuket – Continued …
Hua Hin Links and Transport
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