- Hua Hin water meter survey/Cha-am-Bangkok motorway/Avani+ Hua Hin appoints new GM//Kaeng Krachan tigers doing fine/Global Tiger Day/Lat Phrao fire death toll
- THE IRAN WAR: US launches further strikes
- ECONOMY: Phuket and Samui: Global Property Investment Hubs/Thailand Pushes 27-billion-baht Rail Link/Revenue collection exceeds target/Foreign patients drive hospital expansion/Asia-Pacific Poverty Threatens 2.3 Billion
- TOURISM: Drawn to Thailand for Sex Tourism/Italian and Spanish tourists decline
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 24 things not to do in Thailand
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Water security fears grow/Southeast Asia’s EV Race Heats Up
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin water meter survey underway
Hua Hin City’s Waterworks Division has launched a citywide survey to update customer water meter records and improve the efficiency of meter-reading routes.
The project began on July 16 and will continue until Sept. 13. During this period, a contractor’s survey team will visit water meters throughout the municipality to verify customer information, record GPS coordinates, take photographs and update the municipal database. Continued …
Cha-am-Bangkok motorway plans addressed
Plans for a new motorway intended to improve road travel between the Cha-am area and Bangkok are expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval later this year. The Department of Highways is preparing to seek approval for the first phase of the M8 intercity motorway, covering 61 kilometers between Nakhon Pathom and Pak Tho in Ratchaburi province.
The proposed M8 will eventually extend for 109 kilometers from Nakhon Pathom through Pak Tho to Cha-am. The route is intended to provide an alternative to Phetkasem Road for motorists traveling between Bangkok, Cha-am, Hua Hin and other parts of the upper south. Continued …
Avani+ Hua Hin appoints new general manager
Avani+ Hua Hin Resort has appointed Kanruethai Roongruang as its new general manager, bringing more than 25 years of hospitality experience across Thailand and international markets.
A seasoned hospitality leader, Kanruethai joins Avani+ Hua Hin Resort with a wealth of expertise spanning resort operations, wellness, commercial strategy, business development, and luxury hospitality management. Throughout her career, she has led award-winning resorts and high-performing teams, driving business growth. Continued …
Cameras show Kaeng Krachan tigers doing fine
A collection of camera-trap images documenting Kaeng Krachan tigers over eight years has been released as evidence of the continued health of the forest ecosystem. The images were shared yesterday to mark Global Tiger Day.
The collection documents the presence of tigers in the Kaeng Krachan forest complex from 2019 to 2026, providing a record of their development, behavior and survival in the wild. Continued …
Global Tiger Day: How we’re helping wild tigers
Tigers once roamed across Asia, playing a vital role in keeping ecosystems healthy by controling herbivore numbers and allowing forest vegetation to thrive. However, habitat loss, poaching and the illegal wildlife trade caused numbers to drastically drop, and today, only about 5,574 tigers are estimated to be left in the wild.
Recovering tiger populations isn’t just important for the survival of this species. Protecting tigers also means the protecting forests and grasslands across Asia that support countless other species – from birds to elephants – and provide people with clean water and protection from the impacts of climate change. Continued …
Lat Phrao fire death toll rises to 37
The death toll from the fire at the Na Lat Phrao entertainment venue in Bangkok has reached 37 after a 25-year-old customer died at Rajavithi Hospital early yesterday.
Oranong Sarisri had been treated for injuries since the blaze, which broke out late on July 12. The fire had previously killed 36 people, either at the scene or after hospital treatment, while 79 people suffered burn injuries. Continued …
US launches further strikes on Iran amid regional military action
Military action spanning Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt widened the five-month Middle East conflict yesterday, with the United States beginning another round of strikes on Iran.
US Central Command announced that US forces had begun launching strikes against Iran. It added, “The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday’s attempted Iranian attacks on U.S. forces based in the Middle East.” Continued …
Phuket and Samui Evolve into Global Property Investment Hubs
Thailand’s premier resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui are rapidly transitioning from traditional holiday destinations into major global real estate investment hubs, driven by evolving international buyer demographics and expanding private investment networks.
While Russian buyers maintain their dominant market position in Phuket, Israeli investors are emerging as a fast-growing influence on Koh Samui and nearby Koh Phangan, according to a media report. Continued …
Thailand Pushes 27-billion-baht Rail Link Connecting Gulf to Andaman Coast
The Ministry of Transport is pushing ahead with a strategic 27-billion-baht ($750 million) dual-track railway line connecting Chumphon to Ranong Port, aiming to link Thailand’s primary national rail system with a deep-sea port on the Andaman coast for the first time.
Speaking yesterday, Deputy Minister of Transport Sanphet Boonyamanee outlined the initiative as a critical step in completing a “missing link” within the national logistics framework, aligning with infrastructure policies set out by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Continued …
Revenue collection exceeds state target
Government revenue collection has exceeded its target by 2.4% for the first nine months of fiscal 2026, reflecting the country’s economic recovery.
The Finance Ministry reported net government revenue collected during the first nine months of fiscal 2026, covering October 2025 to June 2026, totaled 2.15 trillion baht, outpacing the official estimate by 50.9 billion baht, or 2.4%. Continued …
Foreign patients drive EEC hospital expansion
Foreign patients are increasing in Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) hospitals as investment in the industrial zone grows, says Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, part of the Phyathai-Paolo Hospital Group.
The EEC, which spans parts of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao, has become a magnet for foreign direct investment, especially in industries such as electric vehicles and supply chains. Continued …
Asia-Pacific Poverty Threatens 2.3 Billion Well Beyond the Poorest Nations
There is a comforting myth that poverty in Asia and the Pacific is a story about the region’s least-developed economies. The assumption goes that if we can just lift the poorest nations, the job is largely done.
The groundwork being laid for the 2026 Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific, now being reviewed by experts from academia, research institutions, UN agencies, and governments, tells a far less comfortable story. Continued …
Why Men Are Drawn to Thailand for Sex Tourism
Thailand has become a popular destination for men seeking companionship and intimacy, largely due to the country’s vibrant nightlife and perceived affordability. The appeal lies in its entertainment districts teeming with bars, clubs, and massage parlors that promise an exhilarating experience.
Many tourists are drawn by the notion of an adventure that combines exotic allure with a sense of liberation. Cultural perceptions also play a role, as some men view Thailand as a place where societal norms are different, allowing for more freedom in personal interactions. Continued …
Italian and Spanish tourists to Thailand record sharp declines
Italian and Spanish tourist arrivals registered the biggest dips among European markets in the first six months of the year, with Italians posting lower spending than European peers due to a sluggish economy, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Prakaipruek Damrongvadha, director of the TAT’s Rome office, said southern Europe recorded arrivals growth of 22% year-on-year in 2025, reaching 1.1 million arrivals and generating 71 billion baht in revenue, with growth continuing in the first quarter of this year. Continued …
24 things not to do in Thailand
Water security fears grow
A series of emerging reports in recent weeks concerning tight water supplies and river pollution in central and northern Thailand mean the nation is now facing a challenging water security situation, experts say.
The reports include a Thai-owned waste-management plant in Saraburi province that has allegedly been polluting canals with heavy metals, a case of transboundary water pollution in Chiang Rai province caused by unregulated mining activity in a neighboring country, and a local protest against the construction of a Chinese-owned mining plant in Kanchanaburi province due to fears of pollution. Continued …
Southeast Asia’s EV Race Heats Up
Southeast Asia has quietly become one of the most contested electric vehicle battlegrounds on the planet. Vietnam and Singapore have pushed EV sales shares to roughly 40% of new car sales, a level that now exceeds the UK and the EU, while Indonesia has overtaken the United States on EV penetration and Thailand has sold more EVs in three quarters of 2025 than Denmark managed in the same period, according to energy think tank Ember.
The region’s electric car sales more than doubled year on year, the International Energy Agency notes in its 2026 Global EV Outlook, with Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand leading the charge. Continued …
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Phuket police seek Russian over mall robbery – Continued …
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Chinese burglary suspects arrested at Suvarnabhumi – Continued …
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British vlogger launches racist tirade against Thais, then blames AI – Continued …
US Fed holds rates at 3.50–3.75% as inflation remains above 2% target
The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest-rate target unchanged at 3.50–3.75% yesterday, extending its pause for a fifth consecutive meeting as inflation remained above the central bank’s 2% target. The Federal Open Market Committee voted nine to three to maintain the target range, a decision that was broadly expected by financial markets. Continued …
Up to 23 feared dead in Japan quake
Up to 23 people were feared dead today after a major earthquake in Japan, with four bodies now pulled out from the tangled wreckage of a shopping mall ripped apart by a suspected massive gas explosion. The Kumamoto disaster-management office’s latest tally put fatalities at 17 and those without vital signs at six, with five more in critical condition two days after the 7.1-magnitude tremor. Continued …
Hua Hin Links and Transport
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
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for two consecutive days this week to mark the Buddhist holidays of Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, with many shops, convenience stores and restaurants prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks, unless in areas falling under current exemptions.
Samui water rationing begins Monday after drought
Thailand Schools Struggle to Break Children’s Phone Addiction
Health authorities in Chiang Mai have warned that HIV infections continue to rise across the province, with the virus increasingly affecting the wider community rather than remaining concentrated within traditionally recognized high-risk groups.
Bangkok authorities have ordered 79 entertainment venues and similar establishments to halt operations after inspecting 865 premises across the capital in a week-long safety and licensing campaign.
The Thai baht has slid to 33.640 per US dollar, its 2026 high, marking an 8.% decline since February. This weakness stems primarily from the 250–275 basis point policy rate gap between the Fed (3.5%–3.75%) and the Bank of Thailand (1.00%), which sustains a strong carry advantage for dollar assets.
The United States recently announced Section 301 tariff rates for 60 countries that had not introduced and enforced bans on imports of goods produced with forced labor, with Thailand placed in the highest rate band of 12.5%.
The US tariff of 12.5% imposed on Thailand could weaken export competitiveness and add pressure to economic growth in the second half, with further US trade measures still looming, warns Asia Plus Securities (ASPS).
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says Thailand is two-thirds of the way through concluding a free trade agreement with the European Union and is pressing Beijing on three fronts to correct an increasingly lopsided trade relationship — all part of a wider strategy to reduce Thailand’s reliance on any single major power.
Tourists cannot buy special treatment in Thailand simply because they spend money, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul declared yesterday as two explosive disputes involving Chinese and Italian visitors spiraled into diplomatic rows, official investigations, a GMMTV inquiry and police intervention.
Thailand expects to welcome a record 2.7 million Indian visitors next year after recommending a 30-day visa-free entry, instead of the visa on arrival initially proposed, for Indian nationals, with tourism officials also banking on expanded flight connections from smaller Indian cities to boost demand.
More tourists are good news for Thailand. But not if the country cannot cope with the pressures they bring. Tourism is one of Thailand’s biggest sources of income. For decades, success was measured by the number of visitors. That yardstick no longer tells the whole story.
Phuket generated 263 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first six months of this year, attracting nearly seven million visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued a warning that an impending El Niño phenomenon could prove more severe than the country’s 2015 drought crisis, with prolonged dry spells potentially stretching well into 2027.
The era in which global order rested on a US monopoly over military and economic power and values has finally come to an end, taking Europe’s long period of stability with it. The world has become significantly more turbulent and uncertain, and the near future will bring even more instability. 
Planning a trip to Hua Hin, and looking for the best accommodation recommendations? Hua Hin, a coastal resort city just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, is famous for its vibrant night markets, unique creative markets, and an impressive range of accommodation options.
The Thai government has indefinitely postponed peace talks with southern insurgency groups after two attacks last week, with five rangers killed and six civilians injured in one of them, while a police officer was slightly injured in a car bomb blast.
Despite rising costs, the Thai restaurant industry is expected to continue expanding this year, according to an executive of Central Restaurants Group Co . (CRG). Nath Vongphanich, chief executive of CRG, anticipates the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme will help lift sales among small restaurateurs in the second half of 2026.
Thailand’s manufacturing production index dropped 3.1% in June from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said yesterday, weaker than analysts’ forecasts. The June reading compared with a forecast increase of 0.2% in a Reuters poll. The May reading was revised to a fall of 1.3% from an original figure of a 0.8% drop.
In economics, few indicators of food security are as simple — and as powerful — as the price of eggs. Affordable, accessible, and nutritious, eggs should be the most democratic source of protein in any society. Yet, in Thailand, a single egg tells a far more complex story — one of market power, distorted incentives, and a system that may no longer serve the public interest.
The Cabinet yesterday decided to retain the 7% value-added tax (VAT) rate for another year, until Sept. 30, 2027. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said maintaining the 7% VAT rate will help ease the cost-of-living burden, stimulate domestic consumption and stabilize the economy.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday defended the government’s decision to scale back the land bridge megaproject, saying it had been adapted – not abandoned – in response to financial, environmental and geopolitical realities.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul at a meeting with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) board and senior executives yesterday delivered key policies to drive Thailand’s tourism industry.
Thailand is positioning itself as a leading destination for wellness and longevity in Asia within three years, combining modern medical technology, world-class tourism and traditional Thai medicine.
Thailand has never had more to offer the luxury traveler. New flagship properties are opening across Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui. The country generated $48.5 billion in tourism revenue in 2024 alone. The Southeast Asia luxury travel market reached $91.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to more than double to $205.8 billion by 2034, according to IMARC Group.
Thai AirAsia has announced it will temporarily suspend services from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) from July 15 to Sept. 30, then resume operations on Oct. 1. During the period, the airline will suspend all flights on the nine routes it had operated from Suvarnabhumi.
Surin lies about 450 kilometers from Bangkok, in Thailand’s lower northeast. It is flat, agricultural country: rice paddies stretching to the horizon, sugar palms standing like sentinels along the roads, and the occasional water buffalo chewing at overgrown grass.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said Thailand will seek UNESCO World Heritage status for seven temples in Chiang Mai. The move follows the inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage site.
Deer trapped by walls of flame, lizards unable to escape the heat, habitats reduced to charred wood and ash: wildlife are paying a steep price as France’s forests burn. Some 42,000 hectares (103,000 acres) of forest west of Bordeaux has burned since Wednesday and authorities fear a heatwave forecast this week could breathe fresh fury into the blaze. 
Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab Aug. 28-30, featuring local food, fresh seafood, cooking competitions and live entertainment. The three-day festival will bring together restaurants, hotels and food businesses from Hua Hin and Cha-am, giving visitors the opportunity to sample regional dishes beside the beach.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
A nine-day Hua Hin cultural tourism event will be held at the old Hua Hin Railway Station Aug. 10-18, showcasing the art, culture and historical identity of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Thai authorities have expanded an enforcement campaign targeting suspected nominee-owned businesses in Phuket, with more than 361 companies now facing inspection following a confrontation at Chabad House in Patong.
Thailand has launched a digital application that allows diners to find certified street-food vendors, forming part of a government program to raise operating standards and expand market opportunities for small businesses.
Concerns over children’s mental health is renewing debate whether excessive use of mobile devices is harming academic performance and learning capability, while boosting social isolation and criminal behavior influenced by online personalities.
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a native plant closely associated with local ways of life and traditional Thai medicine. Its removal from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021 marked an important turning point, opening the way for broader research, economic value creation and commercial development.
Despite US efforts to impose tariffs, Thai exports to America expanded over the first nine months of the fiscal year, up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion baht. In contrast, exports to China grew by only 0.78%, totaling 1 trillion baht.
China’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China. Speaking at the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Friday, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.
Thailand is tightening its screening of data center investments, shifting its focus from the number and value of projects to their quality as the expansion of artificial intelligence drives demand for electricity, water and large-scale computing infrastructure.
The robot army is coming
Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s leading healthcare providers, has unveiled WellEra Bangkok, an approximately US$865 million (THB 29 billion) wellness-integrated development that reimagines how the built environment can actively support healthier, longer lives.
The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status
Mitsubishi Motors is set to invest B16 billion ($473.23m) in Thailand by 2030, backing the automotive sector’s move toward electric vehicles (EVs). The funding will be channeled into EV technology.
The world is sinking under more than 460 million tons of plastic waste each year. More alarming than the figure itself is the fact that about 19 million tons escape into the environment, wreaking havoc, damaging biodiversity, worsening the greenhouse-gas crisis and ultimately harming our own health.
Thailand’s coastal destinations are witnessing a significant rise in staycation bookings, with Krabi leading the charge, according to recent data from Traveloka. Krabi’s bookings have more than doubled year on year, followed by Hua Hin with an increase of over 80%, Pattaya at around 65%, and Phuket nearly 60%.
Thailand’s private hospital sector is facing a new source of competition as the government expands premium services at public hospitals, putting pressure on mid-tier operators that rely on domestic self-pay and insured patients.
Thailand has uncovered one of its biggest suspected cryptocurrency power theft operations after investigators seized 1,900 bitcoin mining machines. Detectives uncovered more than B280 million in stolen electricity and have launched a widening hunt for the financiers behind the organized criminal network.
Thailand shelves Land Bridge plan after study
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.5% from the 1.6% projected in April, after exports, private investment and household consumption performed more strongly than expected.
Exports surged 20.8% year-on-year to US$34.7 billion in June, driven by strong demand for industrial goods such as electronics, smartphones, electrical appliances, and automobiles and auto parts, says the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Thailand is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic ties with Europe by racing to finalize the free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of 2026 the Thai-EU FTA. Experts say, however, that Thai businesses doing trade with the bloc need to prioritize the traceability of their exported goods.
The Cabinet has approved a 12.76-billion-baht fisheries management plan targeting the recovery of aquatic resources, tighter controls against illegal fishing and stronger competitiveness for Thailand’s seafood industry by 2027.
Thailand’s sex industry is illegal under the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, but an analysis on Thursday argues that it remains deeply embedded in the country’s tourism economy, supporting hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis and other businesses.
Thailand plans three tourism-boosting schemes: a 1.75-billion-baht co-payment program covering hotels, restaurants, and attractions nationwide; 200-million-baht domestic airfare discounts for 400,000 seats; and a 500-million-baht international flight initiative targeting 487,000 visitors. All require Cabinet and committee approval before implementation, expected late 2026.
By 5:30 in the morning, the Trok Mor alley in Old Bangkok is already awake. Metal shutters rattle open one by one. A woman arranges bundles of holy basil and Chinese celery beneath a bare light bulb while another vendor lays out bitter beans and kitchen herbs on a wooden table.
Experience a mouthwatering journey in Hua Hin, with cheap eats and local street food to upscale dining at beachfront restaurants and everything in between. We’ll try appetizing Thai foods like creamy khao soi, delicious pad thai, fresh seafood, crispy pork belly, fried bananas and more in this Hua Hin food tour. 
Thailand is promoting its road-safety strategy on the world stage despite recording one of Asia’s worst motorcycle death tolls, as new figures reveal more than 14,000 riders died last year, British tourists remain under official travel warnings and two high-profile fatalities on Koh Samui have intensified international scrutiny.
Global energy supplies are being squeezed across three major shipping fronts, with conflicts threatening the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea route through Bab el-Mandeb and Russia’s Black Sea oil infrastructure at the same time.
Oil prices surged to $100 a barrel yesterday as Tehran-backed Houthi rebels targeted Red Sea shipping and US President Donald Trump threatened to strike them in return.
The current AI boom has triggered a wave of investment flowing into developing economies across Southeast Asia, including Thailand. According to Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), investment applications in the first quarter of 2026 exceeded B1 trillion across more than 600 projects, led by the digital and electronics industries to support AI-related growth.
Thailand’s government and Huawei set out a shared roadmap for the country’s artificial intelligence ambitions yesterday as the Huawei Thailand Digital & AI Summit 2026 opened in Bangkok under the theme “Advancing ALL Intelligence Thailand” — with the two sides using the occasion to launch a new national AI ecosystem initiative alongside fresh economic and talent figures.
Thailand should recognize its LGBTQ+ economy as a new growth engine that requires legal and structural reforms to attract investment and enhance global competitiveness, according to several speakers.
Culture Ministry selects 76 cultural highlights for Unseen Thai
If yesterday morning’s opening speeches at the Huawei Thailand Digital & AI Summit 2026 in Bangkok were about ambition, the address that followed was about plumbing. Poonpat Leesombatpaiboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), used his keynote — titled “Green Technology for AI Thailand: Powering the Foundation of the AI Era” — to argue that Thailand’s AI future will be decided as much in power plants and transmission lines as in data centers.
The Renewable Energy Industry Club, under the Federation of Thai Industries, has called on the government to allow renewable power producers with expired adder tariffs to sell electricity to businesses, which require vast amounts of clean energy.
InterContinental Hua Hin Resort named Thailand’s best resort hotel
Discover where locals truly eat in Hua Hin. Visit five stops spanning 3.5 hours, sampling 18 different dishes: First, a 100-year-old, three-generation noodle shop serving Gaolao beef soup with multiple cuts, including tender gristle (nature’s collagen supplement!) Next, Yum Naem Khao Tod – fermented pork sausage wrapped in betel leaves with herbs, peanuts, and ginger, eaten like tiny flavor-packed tacos. 
Thailand’s retail prices for most petrol, gasohol and diesel products increased by 0.90 baht per liter todat, following a decision by the Fuel Fund Executive Committee.
Expat health insurance in Thailand gets harder to buy the closer you get to 60. If that birthday is creeping up on you, you’ve probably already wondered whether your current coverage will actually hold up when you need it most.
The Origin of the Word ‘Farang’ Did Not Begin in Thailand
Thailand presses on with Cambodia border fence
Oil prices settled at their highest level since June 11 yesterday as escalating US-Iran hostilities and growing threats to shipping through two major waterways heightened fears of global supply disruption.
I have a monumental task: convincing readers that Thailand’s economy is performing poorly and is likely to contract this year. My strongest evidence is not the abundance of statistics or economic theories at my disposal. It is far simpler: people are spending much more on energy and, inevitably, less on everything else.
The Thai baht has fallen to its weakest level in 15 months, depreciating by more than 6% since the start of the year, as soaring global energy costs and lingering Middle East tensions push Thailand’s current account into deficit.
Thailand’s trade relationship with the United States is entering a critical new phase as Washington prepares to use Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 to examine countries accused of unfair trade practices.
The financial results of Thai Airways International (THAI) are expected to bottom out in the second quarter, while recently approved tourism stimulus efforts should help airlines in the second half even as renewed US-Iran tensions cause jet fuel prices to rise, say analysts.
Thai travelers are increasingly turning marathon weekends into full travel experiences, as the “run-cation” trend — traveling while joining running events — gains momentum across Asia.
Chon Buri tourism operators are urging the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to address persistent issues affecting the low season and safety, including unlicensed hotels, illegal tour operators and unregulated entertainment venues.
If you’ve ever had a conversation with a Thai person, you might have encountered their unique way of telling time.
A new set of trade rules is sweeping through the business world. This time, it is not about price or quality. It is about carbon reduction — and whether companies can keep up.
As part of its sustainability journey, the resort has implemented a wide range of initiatives designed to reduce its environmental impact and promote responsible hospitality. These include reducing single-use plastics through the use of water filtration systems and glass bottles, implementing energy-saving systems in meeting facilities, and operating an on-site wastewater treatment system that allows treated water to be reused for landscape irrigation. 
An anti-corruption watchdog has urged the government to step up its fight against graft after a local government recruitment exam scandal, warning the case exposes deep-rooted problems in the bureaucracy and could damage Thailand’s international reputation.
Thai customs officials have seized 1.6 tons of dried cannabis buds concealed among blankets and duvet covers in two export containers destined for the Netherlands at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri province.
Six of Thailand’s largest listed banks reported a combined net profit of approximately 101.4 billion baht for the first half of 2026, as wealth management and fee income cushioned the impact of falling interest margins, though ratings agency Fitch has warned that earnings and asset quality across the sector face further pressure in the second half of the year.
The never-ending fight for Nui Beach
Why You Should Skip This Thai Island
Listening to Buffalo Herders
Senators propose 3 sites for UNESCO list
Khao Tom is cool again
There’s a new threat on the horizon that could soon sweep the world, raising food and energy prices and disrupting supply chains at a time when the world is least able to cope. It’s called El Niño and forecasts are calling for the one of the strongest on record in the fourth quarter of this year — in other words a “super El Niño.”
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, through the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AirAsia Group to elevate mutual tourism promotion under the concept “Amazing Thailand: Feel All the Feelings.” The agreement encompasses marketing collaborations, communications, aviation route connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia, and market intelligence exchanges to drive short-haul travel — particularly from the Malaysian market.
The Cha Am Squid Festival will return Sept. 12–19, with the annual event taking place at the Cha Am Beach viewpoint. The festival is officially known as the 25th Eat Shellfish, Catch Squid @ Cha Am Festival.
Prachuap Khiri Khan has launched a vaping campaign to improve awareness among young people about the dangers of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction. Deputy Gov. Prateep Boriboonrat opened the training program at Hadthong Hotel in Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
A recent wedding controversy involving a Thai bride and a foreign groom has renewed attention on Sin Sod, the Thai marriage custom in which the groom or his family presents money, gold or other valuables during the ceremony.
Nearly a year after border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia were shut, intermittent diplomatic overtures have yet to produce the political trust needed to reopen them, leaving border communities and businesses facing an increasingly prolonged economic standstill.
Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early today, forcing its crew to abandon the ship even as the United States conducted yet-another round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic over control of the key waterway.
The baht is expected to continue weakening against the US dollar this week after falling to a nearly 15-month low, driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East.
The Thai Restaurant Assn. is asking the government to connect raw material wholesalers with restaurants to lower ingredient costs, rather than providing subsidies for each dish.
Thailand studies Bangkok Port closure and entertainment complex plan
The Industry Ministry is drafting a landmark law aimed at regulating data center investments in Thailand, as the country grapples with the environmental and infrastructural challenges posed by the sector’s rapid growth.
Thai Beverage, the maker of Chang beer and SangSom rum, is considering a potential sale of its KFC restaurant franchise business in Thailand, according to people familiar with the matter.
Thailand’s rich culture, beautiful landscapes and distinctive cuisine aren’t the only reasons why tourists keep flocking to the country. Thailand has been leading Asia in medical tourism, with more than a million foreigners travelling to the country every year for medical and surgical procedures.
Bangkok is preparing to host its largest HYROX event yet, as the global fitness race returns for four days of competition, bringing together more than 20,000 athletes from Aug. 13–16.
Korat Buddhist Lent candle festival returns with grand parade
Thailand is leaning hard into solar and wind power, and households are beginning to see the payoff: lower electricity bills. A report says cleaner energy and more competitive long-term contracts are pushing down the average cost of power, an important signal in a region where air-conditioning demand can hammer family budgets.
Heavily reliant on pesticides, Thai agriculture is ‘trapped in a vicious cycle’
French lawmakers are expected to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15 today, putting France at the forefront of similar efforts in the European Union (EU). 
Hua Hin’s Most Atmospheric Night Markets? Tamarind & Cicada Walking Tour
A total of 7,024 businesses ceased operations in the first half of this year, up 12.5% year-on-year, with total registered capital of 98.9 billion baht, an increase of 224%, according to the Department of Business Development (DBD).
Thailand expects more than B70 billion in investment from four leading Chinese electric vehicle and advanced-technology companies, following talks in Chengdu yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the commitments followed a Thailand investment roadshow led by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in the Chinese city.
Corrupt government officials are seen as the leading reason foreigners can illegally run businesses in Thailand, according to a nationwide NIDA Poll. Some 67.1% of respondents blamed corruption or misconduct among state officials for businesses directly operated by foreigners or run through Thai nominees.
Pet ownership creates a new economic opportunity
Thailand plans to halve visa-free entry from 60 to 30 days for citizens of 54 countries, including Switzerland, a move likely to affect those seasonal retirees who spend much of the European winter in the kingdom. The change has not yet appeared in the Royal Gazette. It will take effect 15 days after publication. Until then, Swiss visitors and other eligible nationals can still enter visa-free for 60 days.
Thailand advances B12-billion Koh Samui cruise terminal project
How to Ride MRT: Easy Thai Phrases for Asoke and Sukhumvit Transit
It’s no secret that Thailand is home to some of the world’s most stunning stays. Beyond breezy beachfront resorts, Thailand is also home to stunning art-filled hotels where art takes center stage — whether through paintings, sculptures, bold design, traditional Thai craftsmanship, or contemporary installations.
Russia battered Ukraine’s capital Kyiv overnight with one of its biggest ballistic missile barrages of the war, killing at least one person and wounding 16 others, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said yesterday.