Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul apologized in Bangkok on Saturday for the poor management of the fuel supply in Thailand. After weeks of tense war in the Middle East, rising subsidies, and a sudden price increase of six baht per liter, the government now wants to prevent hoarding, smuggling, and new shortages. According to Anutin, there is enough fuel for Songkran.
Thailand will experience warm to very warm weather in the coming days, interspersed with local thunderstorms, wind gusts, and hail in some places. Extra caution is required, particularly in the north and northeast. It will also remain hot in Bangkok and the south, while temporarily higher waves are expected at sea during showers.
In Chalong on Phuket, police have arrested a 30-year-old Thai man following reports of sexual assault of at least four Thai and foreign women in March. The case caused unrest in the neighborhood, partly because, according to the police, victims were injured while attempting to escape.
A small American study suggests that a low dose of lithium may potentially inhibit the verbal memory of elderly people with mild cognitive decline. The effect appeared to be stronger, particularly in participants with amyloid-beta, a known marker of Alzheimer's. However, it is still far too early to recommend lithium as a treatment.
Bangkok Airways is raising domestic flight fares by 15 to 20 percent starting April 1. The airline aims to offset rapidly rising fuel costs with this measure. At the same time, the company is seeing bookings for the second quarter decline, particularly on international routes. As a result, popular connections such as Bangkok, Samui, and Phuket are under extra pressure.
In a personal trip through Thailand, I came into contact with the uncomfortable world of cockfighting. My first experience, an initiative of my mother-in-law, turned out to be only a foretaste of what awaited me later. The harsh reality of these battles, from jacked-up coaches to the bloody fate of the roosters, was in stark contrast to the illusion of an 'enjoyable' outing. Even a second chance, this time on my wife's advice, could not change my opinion.
The merlin (Falco columbarius) is a bird of prey from the falcon family (Falconidae) and a small falcon. The scientific name of the species was published in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus. It is a migratory bird that flies to warm regions such as Thailand in winter.
In 2016 I will go to Thailand for the first time. After a few other cities I decide to visit Ao Nang. Arriving at Krabi airport, thanks to YouTube I immediately know where to find the bus tickets to Ao Nang. The bus will drop me off at “The Morning Minihouse Aonang” and the driver immediately knows where it is.
The elite, also called the ruling class in Thailand, demands the monopoly to rule Thailand. Only they could do it properly. Here Tino discusses the underlying beliefs that have a lot to do with the Hindu and Buddhist concept of 'karma'.
Pad Pak Bung Fai Daeng is a delicious street dish for vegetarians. Stir-fried morning glory in oyster sauce is a tasty dish that you can easily make at home. You have to go to the toko to buy morning glory (also called water spinach). This delicious vegetable is very popular in Thai cuisine because of its soft shoots and leaves, the ideal stir-fry vegetable. It is prepared in a few minutes. It can be eaten as a main course or as a side dish.
Lonnie successfully renewed his visa permit in Khon Kaen using a combination of bank funds and income. However, he was required to meet a locally required minimum bank balance of 400.000 baht.
Between the hustle and bustle of Chinatown and the banks of the Chao Phraya lies Song Wat Road, a street full of history, character and quiet beauty. Here the lines between then and now blur. Old warehouses, creative makers and local stories make this one of Bangkok’s most intriguing neighbourhoods, rightly named one of the world’s 40 coolest.
VAT, VAT, is levied when a good is brought into economic circulation. But what if that good leaves the country? Then there are rules for refunds. Thailand also has those rules, and has just changed. Attached is an overview.
Houses in the Isaan often stand on simple point foundations with concrete columns rather than on a heavy continuous foundation. This construction method is fast, affordable, and suited to the local soil, but it can also cause cracks and subsidence if the work is carried out too simply. It is precisely this difference that makes this everyday building practice striking and relevant.
Thailand has announced emergency measures as panic buying of fuel in many provinces is leading to shortages and unrest. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul aims to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control through strict supervision, higher market prices, and rapid support for vulnerable groups, just as the country prepares for the heavy Songkran traffic in April.
Thailand is once again betting on a megaproject in the Eastern Economic Corridor. The government wants to entice Walt Disney to build the first Disneyland in Southeast Asia, with Chonburi as the intended location. No agreement has been reached yet, but Bangkok views the theme park as a driver for tourism, investment, and the long-delayed high-speed rail line connecting three airports.
The official Songkran days in Thailand are short, but in Pattaya, the water festival grows into a long and intense period of festivities. It is precisely this that causes irritation among many foreign residents and winter visitors. They complain about crowds, wet streets, higher prices, and an atmosphere that, in their view, is drifting further and further away from tradition and relaxation.
A protracted war in the Middle East could cost Thailand up to three million foreign visitors this year. That would amount to nearly 10% of last year's total and economic damage of approximately 150 billion baht. The Thai government aims to partially offset the loss by focusing more strongly on wealthy travelers from the Middle East.
Thailand is considering shortening the visa-free stay period for tourists from 60 to 30 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the current arrangement is sometimes abused for purposes other than vacation. According to Bangkok, the measure need not harm tourism, but it should help to better manage security risks.
The higher Dutch aviation tax has not pushed travelers en masse to Belgium or Germany. New research shows that most Dutch people simply continue to depart from an airport in their own country. Schiphol also remains the logical choice for flights to Thailand for the time being, although long-haul flights will become significantly more expensive starting in 2027.
Online dating has become a normal way for many singles and expats in Thailand to meet new people. Especially in cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya, dating sites and apps have become indispensable. Choosing wisely increases the chance of a good match, but at the same time, one must remain alert to fake accounts, financial motives, and very different expectations.
Long lines at gas stations and 'no fuel' signs are causing growing unrest in Thailand. This is happening while the government continues to insist that there is enough oil for the time being. It is precisely this contradiction that fuels mistrust, especially now that investigations into hoarding, smuggling, and price gouging are reinforcing the feeling that there is more at play than just consumer nervousness.
