Wednesday’s news-July 17 -

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Hua Hin to ‘organize’ overhead cables/Hua Hin to tackle blackchin tilapia/Feeding frenzy in Bangkok/Govt to buy alien blackchin tilapia/Dengue infections reach record/African swine fever outbreak/Partnership to boost ‘future food’/Fatal Poisoning Of Six Vietnamese/Killed in collision with wild elephant/Health volunteer wins 6 million baht lottery/Engaged to Thai bride 50 years his junior/Claws out for illegal tiger business/Economy: Economy faces liquidity crisis/New strategies to reduce household debt/Businesses chafe at wage hike/Industrial sentiment at 2-year low/Koh Chang bridge/Impacts on Thai economy and trade/Contemplating nuclear power/Relisting cannabis will cost 27B baht/Is cannabis a viable health option?/Thailand’s Cannabis History and Cultural Evolution/Tourism: TAT focuses on high value, sustainability/Airport wait to be cut to 45 seconds/Thailand Experience: Asia’s 50 Best Bars/Links: Climate Thailand/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 to ‘organize’ overhead cables

Continued …

Hua Hin to tackle blackchin tilapia problem

Continued …

Alien invasion sparks feeding frenzy in Bangkok

Reports of an alien invasion in Bangkok sparked frenzied scenes on Monday, as locals armed with nets, rods and other capture equipment descended on the spot in Din Daeng district.

The hunt was triggered after photos showing blackchin tilapia swimming in the Makkasan urban pond under Chaturathit Bridge surfaced online and went viral. Blackchin tilapia are an invasive species prized for their delicious flesh. Continued …

Govt to buy alien blackchin tilapia at 15 baht/kg to make fertilizer

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has approved a measure proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to buy blackchin tilapia caught in Thai waters at 15 baht per kilogram to make fertilizer, minister Thammanat Prompow said on Tuesday.

The move is expected to encourage the catching of the invasive species with the help of local fishermen and the general public, he added. Continued …

Dengue infections in Thailand reach record 44,387 cases in first six months of 2024

The latest epidemiological surveillance report from Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DCD) has revealed an alarming surge in dengue fever cases in 2024. As of July 10, the number of reported cases has reached 44,387, representing a 1.06-fold increase from the same period in 2023.

This marks a significant public health concern, as the first six months of 2024 have already surpassed the total number of infections recorded in 2020, which saw 32,585 cases for the entire year. Continued …

African swine fever outbreak reported in Chiang Mai

In a significant and concerning development, Thailand has reported its first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) for the year, as confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). This outbreak has occurred in Luang Nuea Village, located in the Doi Saket District of Chiang Mai Province.

The outbreak began on June 5 on a farm that housed 70 pigs. Of these, three pigs fell ill, and one died. To prevent the spread of the disease, 69 pigs were culled. The outbreak was officially reported to the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) on July 10. Continued …

New partnership to boost ‘future food’

The Commerce Ministry and private sector are joining forces to develop the future food industry to add value to agricultural products, aiming to introduce a new growth engine to the Thai economy.

Future food refers to innovative food products that are safe to eat, traceable and environmentally friendly, responding to emerging trends concerning good health and well-being. Continued …

5 Questioned All Night Over Fatal Poisoning Of Six Vietnamese At Luxury Hotel

Five people were questioned all night last night over the fatal poisoning of six Vietnamese visitors, two of them American citizens, with one being a friend of a sister of one of the victims.

At 1 am this morning, policemen took the suitcases of the six deceased Vietnamese, totaling eight of them, plus a backpack, shoes and other items from a Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel room to the second-floor meeting room at Lumpini police station where Police Col. Yingyot Suwanno, superintendent of this station, and his team then immediately started a meeting without the media allowed in to observe. Continued …

Motorcyclist killed in collision with wild elephant in Chachoengsao

A tragic incident occurred when a couple on a motorcycle collided with a wild elephant late at night, resulting in the husband’s death and the wife’s injury. The woman, still in shock, reported having no memory of the event.

Phanom Rescue Radio Center received a distress call yesterday at 11pm about a fatal elephant attack in Ang Rue Nai Forest, in the Ban Ang Sua Dam area, Tha Takiap District, Chachoengsao Province. Rescue teams, along with the village headman, were dispatched to the scene. Continued …

Thai village health volunteer wins 6 million baht in lottery

A village health volunteer from Yasothon has struck it rich by winning the first prize in the lottery, netting a total of 6 million baht. The lucky numbers were chosen from a ticket she had reserved but not yet paid for.

Rungaradee Sriwisat, a 53-year-old resident of Ban Hua Kham, Mueang Yasothon district, revealed her excitement after winning the lottery. She usually buys lottery tickets regularly but has taken a break recently due to never winning. Continued …

Former Irish terrorist engaged to Thai bride 50 years his junior

An infamous Irish terrorist revealed his engagement to a Thai bride half a century younger. Gormy McMullan, a prime suspect in the Loughinisland massacre, announced his upcoming nuptials to Thai national Bannapon Nuch Jathasan on social media, igniting a storm of reactions.

“I have decided she is my main one now,” the 71-year-old murder suspect proudly declared in response to a flurry of congratulatory messages. The pair reportedly met 18 months ago during one of McMullan’s many trips to Thailand and Vietnam. Continued …

Email link – kenbrown@businessclassasia.com

Claws out for illegal tiger business in Thailand

Following the arrest of illegal tiger cubs and ivory traffickers, the director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation ordered a thorough inspection of all tiger farms, with strict actions promised against any illegal activities.

This move is part of the intensifying efforts to clamp down on illegal wildlife trade in Thailand. Continued …

Economy faces liquidity crisis as the property and manufacturing sectors nosedive

There are rising signs that the country’s economic chiefs are finding themselves on a sticky wicket as the property sector and manufacturing continue to head south. In the meantime, access to credit is tightening as the banking sector pulls in its horns.

Previously, both Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira and the new Chairman of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) made it clear that all is not well. Indeed, analysts are beginning to anticipate that even the lackluster GDP projected growth rate of 2.6% may not be achieved in 2024. In short, Thailand is in the throes of a very tight liquidity crisis. Continued …

PM issues new strategies to reduce household debt

At Monday’s meeting of the economic cabinet, PM Srettha Thavisin outlined strategies to address household debt and restore economic confidence. He proposed the Bank of Thailand reduce the minimum credit card repayment rate and said he was planning discussions with financial institutions to extend housing debt terms and find measures to solve the issue of repossessed vehicles. Acknowledging that debt resolution is complex, he emphasised the need for unconventional measures.

Household debt is a major issue for the Thai economy, currently standing at 13.6 trillion baht, or 90% of GDP, affecting consumer purchasing power and the overall economy. Combined with business debt, especially for SMEs, this issue becomes increasingly difficult to resolve. Continued …

Businesses chafe at wage hike

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) in Chiang Mai has insisted hiking the daily minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide is excessive and unsuitable given the current economic conditions.

Chakrin Wangwiwat, chairman of FTI in Chiang Mai, said the private sector has expressed concern the decision to increase the daily minimum wage from May 1-Oct. 1 does not align with economic conditions, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with limited financial resources. Continued …

Thai industrial sentiment at 2-year low in June

The Thai industrial sentiment index fell for a third straight month to its lowest in two years in June due to a slow economy, weak demand and bad debt problems, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said today.

The FTI’s industrial sentiment index dropped to 87.2 in June from 88.5 in May. Political uncertainty had dented the confidence of business operators, while smaller firms faced liquidity problems as banks tightened lending, the FTI said. Continued …

Koh Chang bridge ‘likely to cost Bt10 billion’

Building a bridge to connect Trat on the mainland to Koh Chang, the province’s popular island, will likely cost 10 billion baht, according to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT).

EXAT Gov. Surachet Laophulsuk recently surveyed possible construction locations after the Transport Ministry called for a project feasibility study. Continued …

Impacts on Thai economy and trade inevitable after US election

Thailand has been advised to brace for potential impacts on the economy and trade following the U.S. presidential election in November. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, pointed out that the U.S. international trade policies have significantly affected the global market over the past 7-8 years.

Republican candidate Donald Trump’s America First Policy to protect national benefits and the ongoing trade war with China had led to slowdowns in both the Thai and global economies, he explained. Continued …

Officials contemplating nuclear power

Energy authorities are planning to conduct a feasibility study on small nuclear power plant development in line with the revised power development plan (PDP), which promotes greater use of clean energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, says an Energy Ministry official.

This type of nuclear power technology is called “small modular reactor” (SMR), with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, about one-third of the generating capacity of larger, traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Continued …

Relisting cannabis ‘will cause 27-billion-baht loss’

The government’s plan to put cannabis back on a list of illegal drugs will cause a 27-billion-baht loss to the local cannabis industry, said Wisan Potprasat, CEO of the Cannabis Medical Industrial Estate Assn. of Thailand.

Wisan, who is also the president of the Community Enterprise Network of Western Herbal Alliances, which is the largest licensed cannabis grower in the country, was commenting on the Public Health Ministry’s committee plan to relist cannabis as a narcotic. Continued …

Is cannabis a viable health option?

Cannabis has been known as a herbal plant with psychoactive effects for thousands of years. The herb has been used for both medical and recreational purposes. Several countries have categorized it as a narcotic drug.

(Editor note: The author claims marijuana is addictive. This is not true. Tobacco smoking is addictive, as is alcohol use.)

Thailand banned marijuana 90 years ago in 1934. Since, however, cannabis addiction is relatively mild compared with other narcotics, dozens of countries started to ease the ban more than a decade ago, allowing for medical cannabis or medical marijuana, while several countries granted a certain level of recreational use, as well. Continued …

Thailand’s Cannabis History and Cultural Evolution

Cannabis in Thailand is a fascinating topic, specifically as the country’s laws continue to change. With recreational use set to be banned by the end of 2024, Thailand is zeroing in on healthcare providers and research applications. Navigating this green maze might seem daunting, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

Cannabis in Thailand has seen significant legal changes recently. In February 2018, medical cannabis became legal, making Thailand the first Asian country to do so. This move aims to improve both the physical and mental health of the patient. The recreational use was briefly decriminalized in 2022, but there has been a recent U-turn on legalization. Continued …

TAT focuses on high value, sustainability

In order to fix the low level of competitiveness of Thai tourism, the industry must shift from a demand-driven to a supply-driven strategy, said the former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The TAT announced its marketing direction for 2025 on Monday with a goal to increase revenue by 7.5% from 2024, securing 39 million foreign arrivals and 205 million domestic trips, revised down from a projected 220 million trips announced last week. Continued …

Airport wait to be cut to 45 seconds

The Immigration Bureau (IB) is set to take measures to ensure immigration control at airports takes no more than 45 seconds per person. The move is part of efforts to support the government’s expanded visa-free scheme for foreign visitors, which took effect on Monday.

The number of immigration officials will also be increased to ease long queues in front of immigration check-in booths at airports during peak passenger hours. Continued …

Four Bangkok bars in top half of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024

Capping off days of guest bartender shifts, spirits brand pop-ups and everything boozy in between was the ninth edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards, held for the second consecutive year at The Rosewood Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.

This year, four venues in Bangkok are in the ranking. Continued …