Hua Hin Forum2025-07-28T15:33:13+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/app.php/feed/topics2025-07-28T15:33:13+07:002025-07-28T15:33:13+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=616062#p616062<![CDATA[News • Breaking news ..Shooter in BKK kills 6 persons]]> Bangkok: At least six people were killed at a market in a shooting incident in the Thai capital Bangkok on Monday, a police official said, adding that the attacker had also taken his own life.
The number of fatalities includes the gunman who took his own life, Charin Gopatta, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, told Reuters. Four security guards at the Or To Ko market, which sells agricultural produce and local food, were killed by the gunman, as well as a woman, according to the Erawan Emergency Medical Centre that monitors Bangkok hospitals.
Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/world/at-l ... ok-3651746
]]>2025-07-24T09:00:04+07:002025-07-24T09:00:04+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=615783#p615783<![CDATA[Health Issues • Walking 7,000 steps a day a huge boost to health]]> The most widely promoted target for people tracking their number of steps is 10,000 -- but that figure reportedly originally came from a 1960s marketing campaign for a Japanese pedometer.
To find a more scientific target, an international team of researchers sifted through 57 previous studies that covered 160,000 people.
The results published in the Lancet Public Health journal found that walking 7,000 steps a day nearly halved people's risk of early death from all causes, compared to 2,000 steps.
The study also looked into health problems not previously covered by research into step counts.
Walking 7,000 steps a day was linked to people's risk of dementia falling by 38 percent, depression dropping 22 percent and diabetes decreasing 14 percent.
It was also associated with lower rates of cancer and falls, though the researchers warned this was based on less evidence.
Walking anywhere in Thailand is a challenge due to the oppressive heat, moon-like pavement surfaces, collapsing drains, and lunatic drivers trying to kill you. I try to get my walking and running done up Hin Lek Fai where there are some nice quiet trails away from the whacky racers.
]]>2025-07-19T15:13:21+07:002025-07-19T15:13:21+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=615588#p615588<![CDATA[News • Thaksin touts golden visa]]> https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... t-thailand#
]]>2025-07-16T16:05:08+07:002025-07-16T16:05:08+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=615427#p615427<![CDATA[News • Explosives Found Near Hua Hin Rubbish Bin]]> The discovery was reported at around 11:30 a.m. today, 16 July, when Hua Hin Radio Centre received a call from a concerned resident who had spotted a suspicious item next to a bin opposite the Amnat Timber Shop in Moo 4, Hin Lek Fai Subdistrict.
Officers from Hua Hin Police Station responded to the alert and were joined by a bomb disposal unit (EOD) and rescue workers from the Phetkasem Foundation.
Upon inspecting the scene, officials found a one-pound block of M112 (C4) plastic explosive in working condition, along with an anti-personnel mine and an M61 fragmentation hand grenade—both also functional. Additionally, approximately 100 deteriorated .30 calibre (carbine) rounds were recovered.
The EOD team safely secured and removed the items for disposal. Police confirmed that the explosives were active and posed a serious risk to public safety.
Investigators are working to identify who may have left the items at the site and why. Officers are reviewing available evidence and gathering witness statements as part of the ongoing investigation.
No injuries or damage were reported in connection with the incident.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward. As of Wednesday afternoon, the investigation remains ongoing.
Source: Hua Hin Today
]]>2025-07-01T14:05:27+07:002025-07-01T14:05:27+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=614521#p614521<![CDATA[News • Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspended]]>Breaking News: More when the stories are published.
BREAKING: The Constitutional Court on Tuesday afternoon ordered PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to stop carrying out her duties as PM as they start considering whether Paetongtarn violated the Charter by telling Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen that the Second Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang is "on the opposing side," of Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, and should be impeached or not.
The judges voted 7 against 2.
Pravit Rojanaphruk's take: The beginning of the end of another Shinawatra government.
Charter Court voted 7 vs 2 to suspend Paetongtarn from PM duties. It's not even 6 vs 3, and means the chance of her being impeached in the days, or weeks ahead, is considerable. Will remaining coalition partners start pulling out or risk being branded as traitors?
Deputy PM and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit (Pheu Thai) will serve as acting Prime Minister.
]]>2025-06-21T20:08:23+07:002025-06-21T20:08:23+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=614175#p614175<![CDATA[Health Issues • A Medical Emergency in Hua Hin]]> Warning: Don’t try this at home – it bloody hurts!!!
This is quite a long report, so I have split it up, trip report style.
NB: I have written this report in a light hearted manner. I was in a lot of pain during this process, and I have tried to reflect my emotions as they happened. In reality, I have no complaints whatsoever with any of the treatments I received. In fact, my treatment couldn’t have been better. I’d classify it as brilliant throughout.
I had been dreading the period 7th June to 14th June for a couple of weeks as it approached i.e.:
7th – vet 8th – vet 9th – HHH Eye Appointment 10th – vet 11th - HHH Appointment 14th – Double HHH Appointment
Each of the above events involved an early start, and a lot of hanging around.
11th June 2025
I dropped my wife off at her hospital appointment, and then because of atrocious parking restrictions at the hospital, moved to the local Bangchak Service Station to sit and wait. I’d watch a few movies whilst waiting, and might even nip inside for a coffee. The benefit of the service station was the availability of half decent toilets – after all, at 69 years old, the old bladder does play up a bit. Parking was quite empty, so I chose a spot in close proximity to the toilets – perfect.
I thought rather than disturb the movie, I’d have a pee before I started. Off I trot for the coveted pee – everything was locked up. No problems, there’s another toilet block about 20 yards away. As it turned out, a very clean loo. It had just been cleaned inside, and there was a cleaner hosing down the pavement outside.
Duty done, I started walking back to my car, which included stepping over the cleaner’s hose. Next thing I knew, I was laying on a very wait pavement. She’d moved her hose, and took me straight down. I just laid there, hurting a bit, but my initial assessment was sit there a minute or two and I’d be fine.
Of course, it always hurts more when somebody sees you go down, and a small group of rubberneckers were gathering. Next personal assessment – left leg hurts a bit, but its hurt before – why don’t you all go away? Amongst the crowd was the cleaning lady who had done for me, asking what had happened. I explained that she had happened, but it was going in one ear, and straight out the other with her. She clearly spoke a lot more English words than she understood.
I was still sat inside my rather large puddle, and people were becoming concerned. Some of the more concerned people were asking if I’d like an ambulance, whilst others were simply recording the event on their smartphones. I was denying that I needed an ambulance.
Final smart assessment, and 15 minutes had passed by now. My left leg had lost all mobility – I had no option but to accept an offer of an ambulance. At least something was going to happen now. Another kind bystander produced some cream, and started rubbing it in to the left leg.
I could hear the ambulance coming. It was Sawang Rescue – I have family work for them. It pulled right in beside me. My granddaughter’s boyfriend jumped out. OK a friendly face, but he most likely speaks less English than I speak Thai. At least, he’d let the rest of the family know.
Then the not so good bit. I don’t trust Bangkok Hospital (BH) after several mishaps (which is why I usually stand up for Hua Hin Hospital (HHH)). He starts to tell me I was going to BH – no I am not!!! Fortunately, one of relatives he’d phoned was my daughter, who told him to take me to HHH.
Now the elephant in the room, or maybe it should be the elephant in the puddle. I weigh about 130Kg, and am 196Cms tall. Not your average Thai size. The ambulance was crewed by 4 midgets. However, the fact remained, how was their combined might going to get this giant into the ambulance? I was actually expecting a fire engine or the Army to turn up.
The answer was, PAINFULLY. I think the rubberneckers might have learned a few words rarely heard outside of Devonport Naval Dockyard that morning. They say Thais like noise, and I gave them plenty that morning. I think there were also a few rubberneckers enjoying the show so much, they helped me into the ambulance as well.
I think the driver went over every bump and hole in the role en-route to the hospital. I was in agony. When I watch programmes like Casualty on TV, the injured party is receiving pain relief from the start. It seems I didn’t get any in case they wanted to operate further downstream.
We pulled up outside A&E, and Thailand was about to receive another lesson in Devonport Dockyard vocabulary. They bumped me out of the ambulance on the ambulance trolley, bumped me on to a hospital trolley (this in itself would answer a long time question in my mind – my wife is normally the one on the trolley, and I‘ve often wondered if I would fit. I did, but very badly), up a wrinkled ramp, around a couple of corners and I was in A&E. I was inside A&E, and had been dumped in a dark little corner – would they realise I was there?
After what had felt like a couple of hours of pain (about 60 seconds in reality), they approached me and asked for my Passport. I felt like saying I wasn’t going anywhere because I couldn’t actually walk anymore, but I kept my cool, reached into my pocket and withdrew my wallet and removed my Pink ID card. I felt quite happy with myself. They then asked again for my Passport, I said I didn’t have it, but I had my driving licence – yes that would do. I started to ask why, but gave up. Detail on my driving licence was identical to my ID Card, not my Passport. I decided resistance was futile. They were the experts, and should have known what they were doing – you just can’t help some people. Driving licence accepted, they sent me for an x-ray – yes, some progress.
……………………… to be continued.
]]>2025-06-13T05:14:03+07:002025-06-13T05:14:03+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=613944#p613944<![CDATA[Health Issues • What is going rate for Health Insurance?]]>
]]>2025-06-06T07:37:43+07:002025-06-06T07:37:43+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=613639#p613639<![CDATA[News • Snubbed middle-income retirees look beyond Thailand to SE Asia]]>This article hits the nail on the head for me, every country mentioned has an easier visa process and a more favorable cost of living and many are opening up while this one is closing.
Snubbed middle-income retirees look beyond Thailand to SE Asia For decades, Thailand has been the quintessential destination for retirees seeking an affordable, beautiful, and culturally rich new home. With its golden beaches, vibrant cuisine, and famously welcoming population, the Land of Smiles has lured hundreds of thousands of Westerners to spend their golden years soaking up its tropical hospitality.
Yet, a quiet transformation is taking place beneath the palm trees. As Thailand sharpens its focus on attracting wealthy global citizens, the reality for middle-income retirees is changing: the gate is closing, and quickly.
In the past, Thailand’s retirement visas were considered among the most accessible in Asia. The longstanding Non-Immigrant O-A and O-X visa categories allowed foreigners aged 50 and above to take up residence in Thailand.
The requirements were fairly modest by global standards: a minimum of 800,000 baht (US$22,000) in a Thai bank account, or proof of a monthly income of 65,000 baht (US$1,800), plus a clean criminal record and health insurance.
But in recent years, the winds have shifted. As part of an ongoing effort to target high-spending retirees and stem what it perceives as an influx of budget expats, Thai officials have steadily raised the bar.
In 2023, the so-called Long Term Resident (LTR) visa was launched: a programme explicitly marketed to the wealthy global citizen. The requirements? At least US$80,000 annual income for the past two years and US$1 million in assets, effectively pricing out anyone but the truly affluent.
Meanwhile, health insurance requirements for the regular retirement visas have been tightened in the wake of Covid-19, and there is persistent speculation that the financial benchmarks may rise further.
Anecdotally, many retirees have also reported increasingly arcane and shifting application processes, with the subtle message being: unless you’re bringing significant wealth, Thailand’s doors are closing.
What’s behind this strategic pivot and does it make sense? On paper, the prospect of turning the country into a magnet for affluent retirees is tempting.
Wealthier residents inject more money into the economy, pay more for healthcare and housing, and theoretically bring fewer headaches in the form of visa overstays or illegal work. Thailand’s policymakers see this as a clear win.
Yet, this logic is blinkered. The notion of barring the merely comfortable middle class is short-sighted, especially when one considers the country’s decades-long reputation as an affordable, friendly destination perfectly matched for retirees seeking value and quality of life, rather than luxury and exclusivity.
For every millionaire foreigner, there are dozens more with more modest means: early retirees, teachers, small business owners, civil servants, who could have spent their pensions in Thailand, stimulating local economies in cities, towns, and villages across the nation.
[See link for alternative countries]
Thailand must pay attention. If it wants to remain the true Land of Smiles for the world’s retirees, not simply a playground for the wealthy few, it must reevaluate its retirement visa policies.
By shutting out the middle class, the country risks losing far more than just a few bank transfers, but the vibrant, respectful community of foreigners who have long called Thailand their second home.
There is still time for Thailand to reconsider, to craft smarter, more flexible, and more welcoming visa policies.
It would do well to look at its neighbours and rediscover the open, affordable spirit that first made it Asia’s retirement capital. Because, in the end, accessible does not mean exclusive, and the happiest retirements, for both expats and host countries, are built on true inclusion, not just affluence.
Of course, the Thailand apologists and those stuck here will probably pick holes in it to defend their utopia. My research into alternatives has been ongoing for some time, I won't be retiring here permanently and will likely visit now and then.
You'd think with the tourist slump they'd look to supporting expats more ... but as we know, Thailand is very myopic, and only the Chinese hoards matter.
]]>2025-06-03T07:50:30+07:002025-06-03T07:50:30+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=613436#p613436<![CDATA[News • Thailand Cambodia conflict news and updates]]> Cambodia to take up long-running border dispute with Thailand at UN's top court Cambodia has said it plans to seek a ruling from the UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) over border disputes with Thailand, one of which triggered a fatal military clash last week.
Cambodia's National Assembly, where Prime Minister Hun Manet's ruling Cambodian People's Party holds all but a handful of seats, voted on Monday to support the government's decision.
In 1962, the ICJ awarded to Cambodia disputed territory on which a historic temple is located, a move that rankled Thailand and to this day remains a major irritant in bilateral relations.
The ICJ reaffirmed that ruling in 2013.
Speaking on Monday at a meeting of the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said Cambodia has the right to file a case with the court, but that would not affect talks between the two countries under existing mechanisms.
He said Thai officials will meet later this week to issue a clear stance on the matter that we will avoid escalation of the conflict that would only result in losses for both sides in every aspect," he wrote.
Routine border patrol turns violent A border dispute near Morokot village in Cambodia's northwestern province of Preah Vihear on 28 May left one Cambodian soldier dead.
It started when Cambodian troops were conducting a routine patrol along the border when the Thai side opened fire, according to Cambodian officials.
The Thai army says that Cambodian soldiers entered a disputed patch of land and opened fire when Thai soldiers approached them to negotiate.
Hun Manet in social media posts on Sunday said that his government will ask the court to rule on the demarcation of several disputed areas, including where the centuries-old Hindu-style Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Kro Bei temples are located.
In February, Cambodian troops and their family members entered the Ta Moan Thom temple in disputed territory and sang the Cambodian national anthem, leading to a brief argument with Thai forces.
Following last week's incident, both sides called for calm and talks to ease their differences, while reserving the right to use military action to safeguard their sovereignty.
On 29 May, the two countries' army commanders met to discuss how to avoid more clashes.
On Monday, Hun Manet called for the two countries to have their Joint Border Commission continue the work of border demarcation, as well as having the ICJ take up the issue.
He said his government would take the cases of the other disputed areas to the ICJ to determine ownership even if Thailand did not join in the appeal, in order "to end this problem and extinguish it once and for all so that there is no further confusion."
"In particular, let's not fall for the incitement of a handful of extremist groups in Cambodia and Thailand, and let’s not fall into the problem of confrontation by armed forces of the two countries," he said.
Sore point for Thai nationalists Hun Manet's intention to appeal to The Hague-based court may touch a nerve in Thailand because the 1962 ruling awarding the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia is a touchstone issue for Thai nationalists and often comes up in domestic politics.
Last year, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinatwatra’s government was attacked on nationalist grounds for proposing to resume talks with Cambodia on demarcation of maritime territory believed to hold profitable hydrocarbon resources.
In 2008, there were several deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thai forces at the Preah Vihear promontory, an area on which sits a 1,000-year-old temple that was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site the same year.
Physically she seems quite nice, I know the competition is supposed to be about more than that.
Does she fit the frame of a 'traditional Thai beauty'? I see far more lovely and interesting Thai faces daily than the internationally accepted model of female beauty. '... in the eye of the beholder' though, obviously.
]]>2025-05-24T15:08:22+07:002025-05-24T15:08:22+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=612936#p612936<![CDATA[News • 3 killed in police helicopter crash in Prachuap Khiri Khan]]>https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... khiri-khan. (Photos)
A police helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Muang district of Prachuap Khiri Khan on Saturday afternoon. Three people were killed and one person parachuted out.
The crash took place at Nong Kok village in tambon Ao Noi of Muang district at about 1pm. The helicopter was engulfed in flames, and firefighters and rescuers were working to put the blaze out.
Two pilots and a flight mechanic died, according to the Fire & Rescue Thailand Facebook page. The status of the person who parachuted to safety is not yet known.
Authorities said the aircraft was a Bell 212 helicopter from the Kanchanaburi Police Aviation Unit. It reportedly encountered problems during flight operations.
Police were expected to release more details about the incident later in the day.
]]>2025-05-23T12:29:45+07:002025-05-23T12:29:45+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=612880#p612880<![CDATA[Health Issues • Government run hospital in Cha-am]]>I recently moved to Cha-am and am hoping to get some information. (I realize this is HH forum, but there may be someone who knows about Cha-am.....)
I am a retired person, but I still pay for Thai Social security funds every month. As I moved to Cha-am, I need to change hospital from where I was. Before going to the Social security office, I thought it will be nice to know what my choices are.
Do you know which hospital that is covered by social security is good one? Maybe the one with English speaking staff?
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
]]>2025-05-16T10:18:41+07:002025-05-16T10:18:41+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=612538#p612538<![CDATA[News • Thailand's food monopoly records profit surge of 642% in Q1]]> Prasit Boondoungprasert, chief executive of CPF, attributed this performance to efficiency improvements and cost reductions throughout the entire supply chain.
What a surprise ... meanwhile, consumers are facing higher food prices and less choice ... while the bankers tell us there is deflation in Thailand.
]]>2025-05-14T09:22:58+07:002025-05-14T09:22:58+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=612382#p612382<![CDATA[News • 2 killed by live wire in floods on Soi 94]]> Tragedy struck on Soi 94 in Hua Hin on Saturday, May 10, when two people lost their lives after being electrocuted amid torrential rain and street flooding.
The pair were riding a motorbike near the Dusit Land 10 housing estate at around 8.30pm when they tried to steer around a submerged section of road. In doing so, their bike reportedly made contact with a low-hanging electrical wire, causing it to topple and sending a deadly current through the victims.
Hua Hin Today reported that witnesses say they heard one of the riders cry out that they’d been electrocuted. Members of the public rushed to help and took both victims to Hua Hin Hospital but they were tragically pronounced dead a short time later.
It doesn't say what nationality, anyone heard anything about this tragic accident?
]]>2025-05-14T07:21:35+07:002025-05-14T07:21:35+07:00https://www.huahinforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=612368#p612368<![CDATA[News • British man badly injured in Koh Samui]]> The case has drawn public attention since the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper reported the accident on May 3. According to the report, Liam Gibson, 21, a serving member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), sustained catastrophic injuries after slipping from the waterfall while attempting to take a photo on April 12.
The couple had reportedly seen the location promoted widely on social media as a must-visit spot. "It looked like a fun day out. But we didn't see the dangers until it was too late," said Lucy Burnett, his girlfriend.
Ms Burnett described the horrific moment in a GoFundMe appeal: "We were in a life-changing accident in Thailand at Na Mueang Waterfall 2 where he slipped off the edge whilst innocently taking a picture."
She said her boyfriend is a British soldier who has served for five years now and has done multiple charity events for various causes.
She said: "We then had two hours to wait for a rescue team in which Liam was in a horrific state with bones sticking out of his legs, broken bones everywhere, completely shattered face and skull and bleeding out fast!"
"Once the rescue team had gotten to us, it took them three hours to get him down the mountain to the ambulance. Once getting to the hospital, we discovered he had completely shattered his femur in three pieces, broken his right arm, shattered his left hand, shattered his eye socket, cheekbone, nose and skull and had multiple open wounds to the bone on his left leg.
"He has now been in hospital ever since and has had three major surgeries, multiple blood transfusions, antibiotics & medications and is still awaiting his main surgery once back in the UK to fix his femur and enable him to eventually learn to walk again."
Ms Burnett has launched a fundraising campaign via GoFundMe in a desperate attempt to raise the money needed to cover his medical expenses and the cost of a medevac jet.
"We both did not want to make this GoFundMe," she wrote. "But this is our last option... He cannot leave the hospital until this bill is paid."
According to a local source, Mr Gibson has been treated in Bangkok Hospital Samui. The source said Mr Gibson had no travel insurance, a factor complicating both his treatment and repatriation. The hospital has not permitted press access or interviews due to patient confidentiality.
This is not the first time tragedy has struck at Na Mueang 2 Waterfall.
In recent years, the site has seen multiple fatalities -- including an Indian tourist in 2024 and a French national in 2019 -- both of whom fell to their deaths after venturing beyond safety barriers. Despite visible signage warning visitors not to climb to the upper levels of the waterfall, the area remains popular with tourists seeking scenic photos, said the source.
Calls are growing for authorities to take stronger safety measures, including the possible installation of railings or restricting access to dangerous sections of the site.
Whilst you have to feel for this guy whose obviously gone/going through a hell of an ordeal, you have to question why he never took out travel insurance?
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