Wednesday’s news-Aug 30 -

Today’s news: Chomsin Road expansion faces delay/How to find EV charging stations/EV charging stations in Hua Hin/Local developers earn property awards/Flood warnings for much of Thailand/Military coups in Thailand are gone/Solar for Bangkok rail lines/Thai tourism faces strain/Thailand likely to ease visa rules/Don Mueang to build third terminal/September festivals, art, sports/World Gravy Wrestling Championships/Existential threat to marine life/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

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Chomsin Road expansion in Hua Hin faces 100-day delay

The road expansion project of Chomsin Road in Hua Hin, which aimed to alleviate traffic congestion by expanding from two lanes to four, faces a setback.

An additional 100 days of work has been projected following the discovery of decayed metal drainage covers that can no longer support vehicle weight. Continued …

How to find EV charging stations in Hua Hin and throughout Thailand

The future of motoring in Thailand is electric. That might seem hard to imagine just now but Thailand has gone full throttle on electric vehicles (EV).

With the entry of Tesla and the rise of Chinese electric vehicle makers in Thailand, the choices for buyers have expanded, and the industry has witnessed substantial growth. Continued …

EV charging stations in Hua Hin, Cha Am and PKK

FN Factory Outlet Cha Am
Bang Chak Pump Cha Am (Lemon Green Square)
BluPort Hua Hin
Market Village Hua Hin
Chocolate Factory
MG Showroom, Phetkasem Road (All MG showrooms in Thailand have charging stations)
Provincial Electricity Authority Office, Phetkasem Road
EleX by EGAT, PT Gas Station, Bang Saphan Noi, Prachuap Khiri Khan
Most major hotels in Hua Hin and Cha-am now provide EV charging stations for guests

Three local developers earn property awards

The Dot Property Thailand Awards acknowledged a record-breaking 44 winners from all corners of the Kingdom, with two developers in Cha Am and one in Hua Hin earning recognition.

The eighth annual Dot Property Thailand Awards illuminated winners who are not only nurturing growth but also accommodating the evolving needs of home seekers. Honored in Cha Am and Hua Hin were:

Best Luxury Villa Development Hua Hin – La Felice Villa Hua Hin by PNP Real Estate Co.
Best Villa Development Cha Am – The Cielo Haus Cha-Am Beach by The Cielo Haus Co.
Best Beach Villa Architectural Design Cha Am – Casa Contento x Contenta by Casa Moderna Co. Continued … https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2637983

Flood warnings as heavy rain forecast for much of Thailand

Downpours are likely to increase today, causing possible flash flooding in many parts of the country, especially in the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions as well as on the west coast in the South and in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

This weather pattern is due to the influence of the southwest monsoon moving across the northern, northeastern, and central parts of Thailand. Continued …

New defense chief: The days of military coups in Thailand are gone

Sutin Klungsang, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party and tipped to be the new defense minister, said today that Thailand has long passed the days of military coups.

He expressed confidence that, with the help of advisers who are former military officers, he will be able to manage the affairs of one of country’s most important ministries effectively. Continued …

MRT to partially power two Bangkok rail lines with solar energy

Thailand’s first deal to use electricity from solar energy to power the rail transport system was finalized on Tuesday with a contract signing between CKPower (CKP) and Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM).

CKP, a leading producer of power from renewable energy in the ASEAN region, has entered into an agreement with BEM, operator of MRT trains, as well as several expressways in Bangkok, to use solar energy in powering the MRT trains for the first time in Thailand. Continued …

Thai tourism faces strain from sluggish Chinese, Japanese economies

Tourism operators in Thailand are facing significant challenges due to the sluggish economies of China and Japan and an uneven recovery in Thai tourism that benefits larger operators.

A recent survey by the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) and the Bank of Thailand revealed that 29% of three-star or lower-rated hotels have been severely impacted by interest rate hikes and may require debt restructuring. Continued …

Thailand likely to ease visa rules to lure Chinese, Indian tourists

Thailand is likely to ease visa rules for Chinese and Indian travelers and allow longer stays for visitors from all nations as new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin looks for ways to boost tourism revenue to nearly US100 billion next year.

Chinese — the largest group of visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic — face a costly and cumbersome visa-application process, which has has been a drag on the tally this year, according to the premier. Meanwhile, travelers from India must pay 2,000 baht ($57) for a 15-day visa on arrival. Srettha of the Pheu Thai Party said he wants the list of visa-exempt countries expanded, as well as increased stay limits for most international travelers, with caps of 15 days or 30 days for many nationalities. Continued …

Don Mueang set to build third terminal

Airports of Thailand (AoT) has announced it will build a third passenger terminal at Don Mueang International Airport to increase capacity to handle up to 50 million passengers a year in 2029.

AoT President Kerati Kijmanawat said on Tuesday that the airport can support 30 million passengers a year and will soon reach its full capacity. Continued …

Thailand’s September sizzle: Festivals, art, sports, and much more

A vibrant array of festivals and events await visitors in Thailand this September. The calendar is packed with religious festivities, art and craft exhibitions, and a variety of sports events. Among these, the Tenth Lunar Month Festival, Ko Lae Boat Racing, Long-boat Racing, Cross-Region Travel Fair, and several marathons and half marathons stand out as key events, promising an exciting month ahead.

The Cross-Region Travel Fair, set to take place from Sept. 1 to 3 in central Hatyai, Songkhla, is the last in a series of five travel fairs organized throughout the year. The fair encourages cross-region travel and showcases a variety of promotions, deals, and DIY workshops reflecting local wisdom from all five regions of Thailand. Continued …

Inside the World Gravy Wrestling Championships

Competitors participated in a peculiar method of fundraising on Monday at the World Gravy Wrestling Championships in the English village of Stacksteads. Wrestlers donned themselves in fancy dress and battled in a gravy-filled pool to raise money for the local East Lancashire Hospice, which supports people with life-limiting illnesses. Continued …

Existential threat to marine life as oceans impacted by global warming

Marine life is facing a serious threat, as global warming is leading to oceans absorbing excessive carbon, as well as contamination caused by human waste. Ratnavali Poosawat, a specialist on ecology at the Department of Fisheries, said: “The oceans absorb approximately 90% of the Earth’s heat energy. As global temperatures rise, coupled with the absorption of around 30% of emitted carbon dioxide, this results in a decrease in oxygen levels in the water, leading to the condition known as ‘ocean acidification’.” Continued …

Hua Hin-Suvarnabhumi bus schedule

Leaving Hua Hin: 6am, 8am, 10am, 11am, 12:00, 2pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, and 6pm
Leaving Suvarnabhumi: 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:00, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm

The one-way fare is 325 baht.

The VIP bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi Airport has a new Cha Am boarding location in front of Government Savings Bank.

Hua Hin-Pattaya bus service twice a day

Hua Hin now has once-daily bus service to Pattaya, leaving Hua Hin at 9am and departing from Pattaya at 8am. Tickets are 473 THB.

Tickets can be bought in person at the Hua Hin bus station or online. Buses depart from the Hua Hin bus station and in front of Government Savings Bank, Cha Am.. Tickets