TODAY’S HEADLINES:
- Former pier restaurant opens new location/
- Pickup seating ban a slap in the face for Thailand’s poor/
- Pickup can carry up to six in bed/
- King signs new Constitution/
- Diplomats and businesses mix hope with caution on return of democracy/
- You can buy elite residency in Thailand for $60,000/
- The South is on fire/
- US launches missile strike on Syria in response to gas attack/
- Report warns of rough times for EU/
- Ferry schedule changes in April/
- Calendar/
- Songkran Activities/
- Easter Activities
Former pier restaurant opens new location
One of the “over-the-water” seafood places that were forced to close has relocated to Naebkhehard Road, opposite Baan Khrai Wang. The name now is Baan Suan Saeng Thai Seafood. You won’t miss it as there is a parking attendant out on Naebkhehard waving a wand and a large Singha sign mounted on high in a cherry picker.
It’s a little le odd as they have used the old menus from the original restaurant, with just a new cover. With such a vast fitout, a new look menu might have been prudent.
The place is large and airy, with multiple levels for dining. There are private rooms should you prefer to sit in A/C comfort and watch television. There are also more staff than you can poke a stick at, so you will never wait for service.
Don’t go looking for anything but seafood, though, as there are possibly 3 or 4 non-seafood dishes in a huge menu. There are large pools with crabs, bugs and other critters. There are a couple of fiercely hot ovens handling serious baking.
If you’re into the sort of seafood offerings from the places by the pier and you don’t mind paying through the nose, this might be your venue. It is not the place to go if there are only 2 of you, as the dishes are relatively large and you could find yourself up for around 1,000 baht for your meal if you included drinks. For larger groups, it may be perfect, allowing the ordering of a number of dishes with the cost split. – SO/FB
Pickup seating ban a slap in the face for Thailand’s poor
Thai Rath has commented strongly on the story on everyone’s lips this week: the government’s ban on traveling in the back of pickups.
Though PM Prayut has said that the implementation of the ban will be delayed until after the Songkran holidays, Thai Rath said that the ban was effectively a slap in the face for the nation’s poor, who are obliged through one reason or another to travel in this way.
In reality, the law banning traveling in the cargo bay of pickup has existed for a long time and is known to the people, the media organization said. But everyone has accepted that it is not enforced. To suddenly announce that it would be enforced is unfair, especially to the poor.
The Thai media group said that 35 million people are expected to be on the move next week in buses, planes, trains, minivans and cars. There are thought to be more than 7,000 bus and van trips per day alone, with upwards of 180,000 passengers per day using that mode of transport.
But it said that many poor people cannot afford to go in buses and vans.
They choose to club together with friends and travel in the back of pickups by splitting money for gas and thus saving cash on expensive bus travel.
While accepting that this has its own dangers, there are also dangers traveling in vans and buses. The media group said that poor driving of overtired and badly trained bus and van drivers was also very risky.
This was known to all Thais, as was the habit of fleecing the public for transport costs during times like Songkran.
So this is why the poor are prepared to suffer the blazing sun, the wind and the rain by sitting in the back of a pickup. Everyone always knew it was illegal but why now is it being enforced, they asked of the government:
“What are the poor to do now?”
“Poor families whose only asset is their pickup used to transport goods and people – vehicles bought in good faith – what are they going to do now?”
People have got used to using pickups as multi-utility vehicles and to expect them to suddenly change was unfair and a slap in the face from the authorities to the poor.
Thai Rath looked at accident statistics and quoted experts who identified areas where compromises to the enforcement of the law could be made. One of the main problems, it said, was that people in the back of a pickup changed the stability characteristics, especially if there were more than seven.
In this case there was two times more likelihood of an accident.
If people were standing in the back of a pickup, this further increased to four times more likely that an accident would happen. The more people that were carried, the more chance of an accident.
Thai Rath proposed that several measures could be made in the short term to “meet the law half way”. These included making it law to put a roof on the back of pickups, limiting the number of occupants in the back to just seven, and focusing on being strict in enforcing the law on fast roads such as highways, motorways and toll ways.
Pickup can carry up to six in bed
A pickup truck can carry up to six people in its bed, a government spokesman said on Thursday in an attempt to clear the confusion over the relaxed safety rule.
Wednesday was the D-day for enforcing the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) order banning sitting in the cab or the space behind the front seats and the beds of pickup trucks. But after the new rule met with strong criticism and opposition from the public ahead of the water festival, the government decided to back down by temporarily relaxing the enforcement of the rule in the evening.
Lt Gen Sansern said the government aimed to ensure safety for the public, especially during the upcoming Songkran holidays, when it stepped up enforcement of the law barring people from sitting in the cabs and beds of pickup trucks and requiring all passengers in almost all types of vehicle fasten their seat belts.
He said since many people were not ready for the new rules, the government would allow some adjustment time.
The government will for now allow up to six people to sit in the bed of a pickup truck. No one will be allowed to sit on pickup bed rails.
Meanwhile, a vehicle driver and front-seat passenger have to fasten seat belts but those in the back seats will only get a verbal warning if they fail to do so. – Bangkok Post
King signs new Constitution
His majesty the King yesterday signed the country’s new constitution – the 20th – giving it royal endorsement and setting in motion a process for the next general election, which is expected late next year.
Through a court secretary, HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed the new charter’s promulgation yesterday in a televised royal ceremony that included local and foreign dignitaries, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The new constitution was published in the Royal Gazette about an hour after the ceremony was completed.
The solemn and ritual-laden ceremony, held at the historically significant Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, was broadcast nationwide. The ornate building served as the venue for the country’s parliament until the early 1970s. His Majesty signed three copies of the new constitution, which were then stamped by officials and placed on gilded pillars before the King. After signing the three copies with gilded covers, the King ceremoniously handed them to the prime minister.
The new constitution reflects two changes advised by the Royal Household Bureau in January. One change involves Article 5, which allows the King to use his royal prerogative in line with the traditional rule in cases where no existing laws are applicable. This is the same as Article 7 in the 2007 constitution. In the constitutional draft approved in the referendum last August, Article 5 authorized the Constitutional Court to hold a special meeting with political leaders to deal with any severe crisis or impasse.
Another revision involves the appointment of a regent in Article 16, which allows the King to decide whether to appoint a regent or not when residing outside the Kingdom.
Prayut said yesterday his government still could not provide a clear schedule for the next general election, as organic laws needed to be issued in preparation for the vote. He promised that his government would hand over power to a new administration after the next election. – The Nation
Diplomats and businesses mix hope with caution on return of democracy
The international community yesterday expressed hope that the promulgation of a new Constitution would pave the way for Thailand’s return to full democracy, although some concerns remained because of restrictions on political rights and activities imposed by the junta.
The private sector had mixed reactions to the new constitution, expressing satisfaction about the upcoming general election but also worried about the prospects for political reconciliation.
Diplomatic corps in Bangkok said they will continue to monitor the political situation in Thailand closely, as the country was considered for years a model of “democratic achievement” in the region.
“We note that the promulgation of the new Constitution is a step along the government’s road map toward a return to elected government,” said US Embassy spokesperson Melissa Sweeney.
The US, since the 2014 coup that toppled an elected civilian government, has not minced words in criticizing the junta’s suppression of democracy and human rights. Washington, however, has lowered its critical tone since the new administration under President Donald Trump took office this year.
Like other European countries, Belgium’s Ambassador to Thailand Philippe Kridelka said the international community was closely following the situation in Thailand, as the country was a model in the region for not only economic development but also democratic achievements, freedom of media and a creative and independent-minded civil society.
“As friends of Thailand, we hope the promulgation of the new Constitution will speed up the process toward democratic elections, including the adoption of the needed bylaws,” he said.
Portuguese Ambassador to Thailand Francisco Vaz Patto expressed hope that the promulgation of the new constitution will help Thailand return to full democracy. “With a new constitution, we now have more clarity regarding the road map that we hope will lead to elections as soon as possible,” he said.
International scholars and civic groups, however, spoke plainly about new developments in Thai politics and said the promulgation of the new charter will not change the political atmosphere in the country.
Foreigners, notably investors, would view the promulgation of the new charter as a belated, nonetheless important, step forward political normalcy, said Yasuhito Asami, a lecturer of Thai studies at the Department of Global Politics, Hosei University in Tokyo. However, the promulgation of the Constitution alone will not do much to improve their confidence in Thailand’s investment climate, he said.
“The continuation of a ban on political activities even after the enforcement of the new Constitution will be viewed as evidence that Thailand remains many steps away from true political stability,” Asami said.
While the new Constitution set the stage for general elections and offered a wide range of rights and liberties, it did little to correct the dire human rights situation in the country, said Champa Patel, Amnesty International’s director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
“The new constitution keeps in place the full gamut of orders and decrees imposed by the military government since the 2014 coup, which have facilitated widespread human rights violations, from muzzling freedom of expression and peaceful assembly to torture and other ill-treatment,” Patel said.
Stanley Kang, chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce, yesterday welcomed the new Constitution. “It’s alright. We’re comfortable with Thailand’s political road map after [promulgation of the] new Constitution,” he said.
Politics may not count much in investment decision-making, but other factors like public investment in infrastructure and the streamlining of regulations, are important parts of the picture, he said.
There are still impediments to private investment, such as restrictions on work permits, issuance of visas and the high cost of setting up a company here. Foreign investors have proposed many revisions to regulations to make it easier to do business here but nothing much has changed so far, he said.
Tanit Sorat, a businessman and vice chairman of the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry, expressed confidence in the junta’s road map. “It has become much clearer about the general election, which will be held in the middle of next year,” he said.
That does not mean investors will rush to build factories here, as they have to look at other variables, such as production costs, profitability and the availability of skilled labor. He also expressed concern about the prospects for political reconciliation. The election may not necessarily lead to reconciliation, as Thailand has been deeply divided. Many issues remain unresolved, he said.
Kobsithi Silapachai, head of capital-markets research at Kasikornbank, said it would have a limited positive impact on financial markets – stocks and foreign exchange – because the next general election remains many months away.
The timeline for drafting organic laws is still uncertain and political parties have not yet been allowed to hold political activities. – The Nation
You can buy elite residency in Thailand for $60,000
The Thai government has started offering “elite” residency visas for wealthy foreign citizens, allowing them to live in the country for around $3,000 (£2,403) a year, aimed at capitalizing on increased global uncertainty over borders and immigration.
There are seven different packages, with the most expensive being the “Elite Ultimate Privilege” scheme. It costs $60,000 for 20 years residency, along with a $600 a year membership fee.
Included in the price is a state-sponsored concierge program, entitling members to VIP access to government agencies dealing with immigration, driving licences, and work permits. The government will also provide complimentary return airport transfers, an annual health checkup at a private hospital and 24 spa treatments and golfing trips a year.
The special residence visa is issued by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited — a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Pruet Boobphakam, president of the Thailand Elite program, said VIP residents would get extra help from the government: “We rise to the occasion for our members. We can apply for a work permit if they’d like to. We can apply for a driving license if they’d like to. We are helping them to get those licenses.”
He said he expects more than 1,000 people to apply for the program, which is aimed at retirees.
Other packages include a $15,000 deal for five years with no annual fee called “Elite Easy Access,” and also a 10-year, $30,000 membership that includes discounts for family members.
“There has been a sharp increase worldwide in the number of individuals wanting to acquire a beneficial second or third residence or citizenship to globalize their family’s opportunities and expand their business interests in a changing and uncertain world,” said Dominic Volek, head of Southeast Asia for Henley & Partners, a citizenship consultancy firm.
“More and more governments are seeing these programs as an innovative way of driving economic growth,” Volek said. – businessinsider.com
The South is on fire …
Three attacks reported in Songkhla
Insurgents carried out three coordinated attacks in two districts of Songkhla early Friday, the Internal Security Operations Commands’ Region 4 forward command announced. It said tires were torched in front of a rubber plant in Chana district and two arson attacks were carried out against power power poles in two villages of Saba Yoi district.
Nine attacks reported in Narathiwat
The Internal Security Operations Command’s Region 4 forward command reported that nine attacks were carried out by insurgents in five districts of Narathiwat early Friday. It said two bomb attacks were made in Sungai Kolo district, three attacks in Tak Bai district, two in Ru Soh district, one in Waeng district and another in Bacho district.
Seven attacks launched in Yala
Muslim insurgents carried out seven coordinated attacks in two districts of Yala late Thursday night and early Friday, the Internal Security Operations Command’s Region 4 forward command announced.
The forward command said three power poles were damaged with homemade bombs in Joh Bantang village in Bannang Sata district. The insurgents also torched a power transformer in front of the Bannang Sata tambon office and burned tires in two villages. They also burned tires in three villages and burned a power pole in Thanto district. – The Nation
US launches missile strike on Syria in response to gas attack
The US has fired 59 cruise missiles at targets in Syria two days after Bashar Assad’s regime used poison gas to kill scores of civilians, an act that drew international condemnation and that President Donald Trump called “an affront to humanity.”
“Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched,” Trump told reporters Thursday night at his Florida club, where he hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier in the evening.
It is in the “vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons. There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the chemical weapons conventions.”
The limited strike early Friday morning in Syria was aimed at hangars, planes, fuel tanks ammunition storage and air-defense systems at the Shayrat Airfield, according to the Pentagon. The airfield was hit with 59 Raytheon Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from the USS Porter and USS Ross, two navy destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea.
The task of military planners was made more complicated by the presence of Russian forces in Syria to support Assad’s regime in its battle against rebel groups that include Islamic State and al-Qaeda fighters but also some backed by the US. The Pentagon notified the Russians before the strike was launched, and US military planners “took precautions to minimize risk to Russian or Syrian personnel located at the airfield”, according to Captain Jeff Davis, a Defense Department spokesman.
Vladimir Safronkov, Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, said before the strikes were made public that any US military action would have “negative consequences”.
The decision to strike marked a stark reversal for Trump, who during his presidential campaign faulted past US leaders for getting embroiled in conflicts in the Middle East. But he said this week that deaths of children among the more than 70 killed in the April 4 attack, images of which were broadcast worldwide, crossed “beyond red lines” and changed his thinking.
“It was a slow and brutal death for so many,” Trump said Thursday. “Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered at this very barbaric attack. No child of God should ever suffer such horror.”
It was also a departure from the approach of his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, who had weighed a military response in 2013 after Assad launched a sarin gas attack that killed more than 1,000 people near Damascus. Although he had defined the use of chemical weapons as a “red line” that would draw a US response, Obama stepped back from military action after the parliament in the UK, a crucial ally, declined to participate and public support in the US waned.
Instead the US and Russia negotiated an agreement for Assad to surrender his chemical weapons stockpile, an accord that the Syrian government appears to have breached. The US has high confidence that the attack this week used a chemical nerve gas consistent with sarin, according to an American official who asked not to be identified discussing the findings.
At the time Obama was deciding whether to attack in Syria, Trump repeatedly tweeted that the US shouldn’t get bogged down there and that Obama shouldn’t act without approval from Congress. Trump didn’t get such a formal authorization vote before Thursday night’s strike.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson blasted Russia’s support for Assad’s regime and said they had not kept up their end of the agreement four years ago that was supposed to clear Syria of chemical weapons stockpiles.
“Clearly Russia has failed to deliver on that commitment from 2013,” Tillerson told reporters in Florida after Trump spoke. “So either Russia has been complicit or Russia has been incompetent in its ability to deliver.”
Tillerson told reporters earlier on Thursday that “steps are under way” to mobilize a coalition to remove Assad, he said that effort would probably come after Islamic State terrorists in the country are defeated and some stability returns to the Middle East country.
A State Department official said Thursday afternoon that Tillerson would go to Moscow as planned for meetings with senior officials on April 12. That visit was expected to include a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. – Bloomberg News
Report warns of rough times for EU
Key elections and troubling political sentiments in Europe throughout 2017 pose significant risks not only to economic recovery in the region, but also to the very existence of the European Union, according to a report by the SCB Economic Intelligence Center.
While the global economy has shown signs of recovery, political uncertainty in Europe now tops the list of potential disruptions to investor and consumer confidence. Inevitably, these risks will affect the Thai economy through global financial markets, fund flows, and Thai exports. The results of these elections will also reflect whether European citizens still support political and economic integration in the form of the EU.
Economic inequality across Europe, which is partly a result of the introduction of the common currency, remains at the center of the conflict among member states and could eventually lead to an end of the euro. Elections in France, Germany and Italy must be closely watched as the three countries make up 65% of the entire euro zone economy. Indeed, the results of these elections will dictate the future of the EU.
France
Frexit is unlikely even with Marine Le Pen’s victory. Uncertainty over the coming election in France on April 23 and a possible run-off on May 7 has been causing a ruckus in financial markets. Particularly, the gap between yields of 10-year French government bonds and German bunds reached a record high over the past four years on the day that Ms Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, reiterated her plan to pull France out of the EU.
Nonetheless, the latest polls by the Financial Times as of April 3 suggest that Ms Le Pen has a high probability of entering the second round but stands little chance of winning the final one to become the next president. She is likely to lose out to centrist Emmanuel Macron, a former minister turned independent presidential candidate.
Even in the event that Ms Le Pen becomes the next French president, it will be difficult to hold an exit referendum because such a move would have to go through parliament. A survey by Ifop in July 2016 also shows that more than 67% of the French public would choose to stay in the EU.
Germany
Anti-refugee rallies pose a challenge for Angela Merkel in her bid for a fourth term as chancellor. Ms Merkel will face tougher competition than before, as she struggles to lead her country through the European economic crisis and the rising popularity of extreme-right politics.
Also, her approval rating has suffered from brewing anti-refugee sentiment. So far, campaigns on refugee restrictions have proved a winning formula for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) populist party in local elections in some regions. But nationwide popularity of the AfD remains limited. The key rival to Ms Merkel is, in fact, Martin Schultz, the former president of the EU parliament and the leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD). His pro-EU stance means the case of Germany leaving the EU is not an immediate concern right now.
Italy
The rise of the Five Star Movement (M5S), a far-right political party, could mean Italexit. Since Matteo Renzi, the former prime minister of Italy, resigned after having lost in a referendum to reform the parliament in late 2016, the eurosceptic M5S has been gaining popularity among Italian voters. At the same time, Italians’ support for the euro has been on a steady decline, down to 41% at present, according to Eurobarometer.
Anti-EU sentiment in Italy has been on the rise partly due to its chronic economic problems, especially in the banking sector, where the non-performing loan levels reach as high as 18%. Italy has suffered from the introduction of the common currency and the regulations set by the EU. For example, using the common currency that is tied to a stronger economy like Germany, the weaker Italian economy has not been able to rely on exports to speed up its recovery because the euro remains too strong.
Moreover, the Italian government cannot bail out its troubled banks due to restrictive EU rules. The rules mandate that equity shareholders and debt holders of a failing bank must take at least an 8% loss of total liabilities before the government can step in. But doing so could lead to big financial losses among the Italian public. For now, the issue has been partly alleviated, yet many voters have expressed frustration toward the government and have called for an exit from the EU.
What will happen if EU members leave the euro?
In the worst-case scenario, the far right’s victory may lead to a disintegration of the EU and eventually the common currency. The desire to pull out of both has been gaining steam in different countries, supported by political parties such as the National Front, the AfD, the M5S, and the Party for Freedom (the Netherlands).
All argue that a return to a national currency would once again give each country control over their own monetary policy, leading to more country-specific developments for better long-term prospects. A weak currency, for weaker economies, will prove beneficial for the export sector, while cutting down imports and boosting foreign exchange reserves.
This could become key in solving many of the economic issues facing some European countries. In addition, leaving the EU would, of course, allow countries to break from the EU’s requirement for a free flow of people, a long-standing point of dispute. The issue of refugees, for example, has time and again been a major talking point among far-right politicians.
But the end of the euro may have a severe economic impact, as well. Investors may not have confidence in the new currency amid political uncertainty after exiting from the euro zone. Any new currency may, therefore, experience massive depreciation.
If France were to leave the EU, for example, government bonds worth more than €2 trillion (74 trillion baht) would have to be converted into franc, while the falling franc might induce a massive bond sell-off, pushing bond yields up. With high bond yields and a weak currency, borrowing costs would rise, dampening economic recovery prospects.
For Greece, already in the throes of a public debt crisis, a return to the drachma would result in higher debt as the majority of Greek debt is in euros. A weak drachma would push up Greece’s debt burden, potentially resulting in continuing defaults.
As for Italy, problems stemming from bad debt in the banking sector would be exacerbated due to a weaker currency, driving up recapitalization costs and potentially leading to an economic crisis. A currency switch would lead to higher prices of imported goods, affecting the cost of living and economic growth. And if the government were not careful about printing new bank notes, hyperinflation might follow, as happened in Russia in 1992.
Even if only one country decided to forgo the use of the euro, consequences may be wide-ranging, as all countries in the euro zone are closely linked economically.
A eurosceptic party victory could ramp up volatility in the financial markets similar to the case of the Brexit referendum. Unexpected election outcomes will cause panic among investors. Fund flows could fluctuate, leading to sudden changes in exchange rates.
Among others, the French election is the most concerning event as the market participants believe that Macron will win. This investment position is reflected in the closing gap between French and German government bond yields and falling credit default swap rates in France. Given this development, an opposite outcome could weaken the euro.
But a Frexit referendum is still a low probability event. According to a Bloomberg survey, most analysts forecast that, if Ms Le Pen wins, the euro could depreciate by 7% to a 15-year low at one euro per US dollar.
In the long run, an exit by any EU member could cause an economic recession, hurting Thai exports. But such an event could open opportunities to make new trade deals that are more beneficial for Thailand.
Thai exports to the euro zone make up 9% of the country’s total. Key products include computers and parts, and cars and parts. – Bangkok Post
Ferry schedule changes in April
The Pattaya – Hua Hin faily ferry schedule has been changed for April. The vessel will sail from Pattaya at 10 am and arrive at 12.00 pm. The return trip will leave Hua Hin at 12.30 pm, arriving in Pattaya at 2.30 pm.
Previously, departure times were 10:30 am from Pattaya and 1:30 pm from Hua Hin.
The schedule has been changed due to weather conditions. Please check the schedule for boat at all times. Please check in at the pier departure time before 1 hour.
April 6 – Chakri Day. Chakri Day is observed to commemorate the contribution of the kings of Chakri dynasty, who have been ruling Thailand since 1782.
Apri 13-15 – Songkran. The Songkran festival is the traditional Thai New Year’s Day. The most famous aspect of the Songkran celebrations is the throwing of water – Songkran is often known as the Thai Water Festival.
April 16 – Easter
April 16 – Memorial Day Hero Thai Boxers, Sunday, April 16 at 8 pm – 11:55 pm, Puts Kingpeth park. http://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34284
April 25-30 – Hua Hin Sailing Regetta 2017. 9 am-8 pm. Sailing Club Hua Hin, 851/3 Act Suan Son Road, Cha-Am 76120; tel: 087 888 7565.
April 26 – Power Tee Competition, from 12.00 pm, Banyan Golf Club; play the back, middle and forward tees all in the same round. THB 2,200 per person, golf carts THB 750. 0 3261 6200 or reservations@banyanthailand.com.
Easter Activities
4,200 baht = 1 Year of Advertising
That’s right! You can have an advertisement on Hua Hin Expat News for 12 months for just 4,200 baht – TOTAL!
Your ad will be 400×300 dpi. It will appear in the righthand sidebar on the HHEN website. (Lefthand sidebar also available.) It will also be placed within the daily news content – every day!
We have other options, also, such as our highly effective “Photo Slider” ads, currently used by two advertisers. Or our 2-times per week large-sized ads (600×600 dpi) placed within the daily news content.
But for the budget-conscious, our “Sidebar” ads might be the best choice. 4,200 baht total – that’s just 350 baht per month!
YOUR AD IS SEEN DAILY
HuaHinExpatNews.com is not a static website updated occasionally. New content is posted daily and news posts are sent to subscribers, meaning they will see your advertising daily, not if they happen to click on the site.
To discuss advertising opportunities with Hua Hin Expat News, please contact us by EMAIL.
Expat News discovered yesterday that the green songtaew that goes between the airport and Khao Takiap now makes a stop at the new minivan depot on Soi 51. The taxi makes the stop on the return from the airport.
Risinee Sarikaputra, director for research and consultancy, said developers have either delayed or paused the launch of new condo projects in Cha-am and Hua Hin since last year, as there are still a lot of existing condo units available in the market.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 will debut with quad stereo-sound speakers tuned by AKG. With premium 4K video playback and a vivid Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy Tab S3 will offer a cinema-like experience and feature S Pen productivity. The tablet’s AKG tuned speakers will produce pure sounds, free from distortion and distraction, inspiring listeners with a truly immersive acoustic experience.
The Phoenix 5 comes with multi-sport training function for a variety of sports. Its wrist-based monitor measures heart rates, and the battery can last 24 hours in GPS mode and 75 hours in UltraTrac mode. The QuickFit watch band is convenient to change to fit lifestyle and daily activities. Advanced workouts get improved with fitness features that help report body status and readiness. The smart notification alerts for incoming calls, emails, messages from smartphones display on the screen in Thai.
The Inspire 2 drone’s image processing system records at up to 5.2K in CinemaDNG RAW, Apple ProRes and more. It goes from 0-80kph in just five seconds and hits a maximum speed of 100kph and has a max descent speed of 9mps for unheard of speed and agility in an aircraft this size. A dual battery system prolongs the flight time to a maximum of 27 minutes. An upgraded video transmission system is now capable of dual signal frequency and dual channel.
The Axon 7 Max sports a 6-inch full HD Naked 3D display for viewing of 3D content. Running on Android Marshmallow, the smartphone comes with A 2.0GHz octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor, 4GB Ram, 64GB flash memory with microSD card slot, with dual-sim. It has 13MP dual rear camera with laser autofocus, 4,100mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0. – Bangkok Post
We hope our readers had a little fun with Saturday’s April Fools joke. Who said the Thais don’t have a sense of humor? And for those who didn’t “Get it,” they are not banning water splashing during Songkran (that would be impossible!) and the government is not taking over liquor sales and requiring farang to show passports to buy alcohol. (although the latter is certainly possible.)
Songkran faces ban! Water throwing set to be a crime this year
Trash Hero Hua Hin Sunday 2 April we will go to Soi 1 Neab Kehardt beach. That is the area at the weather station behind the pier in Hua Hin Meeting time 16:00 h Afterwards happy hour in Cool Breeze, Naresdamri road 62
