- Sun Power Solar sponsors Expat News/Visa-Free Stay Cut to 30 DaysMonsoon to bring heavy rain/Thailand has a password problem/Private sector encouraged to sponsor World Cup/Thai Teen Wins Snooker Title
- THE IRAN WAR: Trump warns Iran of fresh US strikes/Iran agrees to help Thai cargo ships
- ECONOMY: Cabinet approves relief scheme/Why our workplaces aren’t working/EEC land prices surge/EEC condo prices decline/Nippon Steel pledges long-term commitment/Migrants to ease labor shortage/Humanoid robots to reshape manufacturing/NT picked for digital infrastructure projects
- TOURISM: TAT banks on quality travel/Thailand Wellness Industry/Thai Airways cuts June flights
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Amazing Coconut Cutting Skills/Enormous snake moving through floodwaters
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Land bridge comes at environmental cost/Businesses face green reckoning/Save mangroves, save global water cycle/Power demand from data centers, EVs
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Editor: We’re always pleased, and humbled, when sponsors decide to renew their commitment to Expat News, and today thank Hua Hin’s Sun Power Solar for continuing with their sponsorship.
Sun Power Solar
We are passionate about solar energy. We had our own solar system installed. After a few days, we found it so inspiring we were hooked and decided to start a business.
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We had been hearing of people with less than positive experiences after having their system installed, so decided we should provide a professional service to ensure people do not experience anything other than excellence in their new venture, whilst making a significant contribution to the environment.
The solar industry is rapidly expanding, largely due to falling prices, along with peoples desire to see their monthly electricity bill reduced, as the cost of electricity steadily increases. Couple this with more and more people being aware and taking action against global warming, solar power is one of the obvious ways to help achieve this.
Therefore, it not only becomes a financial saving, but also helps the environment for future generations. A win win situation for all.
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Cabinet Cuts Visa-Free Stay Back to 30 Days
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for travelers from more than 90 countries and territories, reverting instead to the previous arrangements that mostly allow stays of around 30 days.
The move marks a significant shift in the country’s tourism policy, with authorities citing security concerns and the need to focus on “quality tourists” rather than visitor numbers alone. Continued …
Strong monsoon to bring heavy rain across Thailand’s regions
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today forecast continued rain across Thailand over the next 24 hours, with heavy to very heavy rain in some areas of the south’s west coast, the northeast, and the east.
Isolated heavy rain was also forecast for the north and the central region, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces. People were advised to beware of heavy to very heavy rain and accumulated rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and run-off . Continued …
Thailand has a password problem
Thailand’s cybersecurity authority has warned that weak and reused passwords remain one of the biggest gateways to modern cyber-attacks, with leaked login credentials increasingly being exploited to gain access to mobile banking accounts, corporate systems, and users’ broader digital identities.
National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) Secretary-general AVM Amorn Chomchoey delivered the warning during the recent Fortinet Accelerate 26 APAC – Thailand Edition Fast Forward Edition, where he outlined the country’s evolving cyber-threat landscape and revealed statistics on the “Top 20 Most Used Passwords in Thailand”. Continued …
Private sector encouraged to sponsor World Cup 2026
Prime Minister’s Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi said yesterday the government might have to find potential private sponsors for the World Cup tournament to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada during June 12 and July 20 since, she commented, the FIFA broadcasting rights were considered “unfairly costly” for Thailand.
For instance, Thailand has been asked to pay the price that would be “unfairly costly” and higher than that offered to another country, though the former roughly has a 70-million population, compared to the latter’s one-billion population, according to the Bhumjaithai-attached Prime Minister’s Office minister. Continued …
Thai Teen Wins 2026 World Women’s Snooker Title
Thai teenager “Mind Sakol” Panchaya Channoi made snooker history yesterday by defeating 12-time world champion, Reanne Evans, to capture her maiden World Women’s Snooker Championship title and become Thailand’s 3rd world snooker champion.
The 2026 “World Women’s Snooker Championship,” held at the Changping Snooker Center in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, reached its climax yesterday with the highly anticipated final match. The 18-year-old Thai sensation, ranked 15th in the world, defeated her fellow compatriot world number 3 and 2022 world champion, “Mink Saraburi” Nutcharut Wongharuthai, 5-3. She overcame England’s Reanne Evans, the world number 4 and legendary 12-time world champion, 6-2 in the best-of-11 frame final. Continued …
Trump warns Iran of fresh US strikes as deal pressure grows
US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may strike Iran again if negotiations fail, even as he claimed Tehran’s leaders were now seeking a deal to end the US-Israeli war.
Speaking at the White House yesterday, Trump said he had been close to ordering a new attack before deciding to delay the move. “I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” Trump told reporters. Continued …
Iran agrees to help Thai cargo ships pass Strait of Hormuz
Two Thai cargo ships waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz are expected to receive assistance from Iran after a meeting at Government House Monday.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, chief adviser to the prime minister, met Mehdi Zare, cultural counsellor at the Embassy of Iran in Thailand, to discuss bilateral ties and the regional situation. Continued …
Cabinet approves 176-billion-baht relief scheme
The cabinet has approved the “Thais Help Thais Plus” program, together with additional support measures for vulnerable groups, with a combined budget of 176 billion baht, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced yesterday.
The program is designed to ease the burden of rising living costs, as Thailand faces what the government has described as a second wave of the global energy crisis. Continued …
Why our workplaces aren’t working
For years, companies have built teams around a simple idea: hiring experienced people who can execute reliably within a stable system. People who know what to do, how to do it, and how to deliver consistently over time.
It worked when the world was stable, when change was incremental, when industries moved in cycles, when experience was the strongest predictor of success. But that world is gone. Continued …
EEC land prices surge as foreign capital reshapes Thailand’s industrial market
Foreign capital, particularly Chinese investment, is significantly reshaping Thailand’s industrial estate market. Although investment decisions briefly slowed in early March due to travel-related factors and economic uncertainty, most investors resumed negotiations and continued expanding their investments once the situation eased.
This has kept Thailand’s industrial land and logistics market hot in the first quarter of 2026, especially in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), a key magnet for foreign capital. Continued …
Eastern Economic Corridor condo prices decline again in Q1
Condo prices in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) declined in the first quarter, marking a second consecutive quarterly decrease as developers accelerated stock clearance campaigns amid sluggish purchasing power and elevated unsold inventory.
According to the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), the EEC condominium price index was 101.9 points in the first quarter, down 1% year-on-year and 0.3% quarter-on-quarter. Continued …
Nippon Steel pledges long-term commitment to Thailand
Nippon Steel has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Thailand, urging stronger government protection against an influx of substandard steel imports and expressing readiness to further expand investments in the country.
Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steel producer and expected to become the world’s third-largest steelmaker following its US$14.9-billion acquisition of US Steel, reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Thailand through investments in around 30 companies employing approximately 8,000 workers across the steel supply chain, from upstream production to downstream manufacturing. Continued …
Call for more migrants to ease labor shortage
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has urged the government to act swiftly in tackling worker shortages for Thailand’s labor-intensive industries.
The committee said easing legal barriers and renewing work permits for migrant workers from neighboring countries is critical to sustaining competitiveness, economic growth, and exports. Continued …
Humanoid robots set to reshape manufacturing
Humanoid robots are rapidly moving out of laboratories and into industrial reality as advances in artificial intelligence (AI) converge with growing global labor shortages, creating a pivotal moment for automation.
A study by Roland Berger projects that the humanoid robotics market could generate between US$300 billion and $750 billion in annual revenue by 2035, with long-term potential to reach $4 trillion by 2050, rivaling the size of the global automotive industry. Continued …
NT picked to spearhead 6 digital infrastructure projects
The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has assigned state telecom enterprise National Telecom (NT) to steer six projects that aim to strengthen Thailand’s digital infrastructure.
The effort is expected to help transform NT into the country’s leading provider of digital services for the public sector, while reinforcing Thailand’s long-term cybersecurity resilience. Continued …
TAT banks on quality travel as long-haul markets hold steady
Thailand is moving to defend its long-haul tourism markets as global geopolitical tensions, higher fuel prices, and cautious travel sentiment continue to affect the industry.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said global geopolitical risks were still weighing on the economy and tourism sector, particularly through higher supply-side costs and operating expenses linked to oil prices. Continued …
Thailand Tells Wellness Industry: Scientific Proof Is the Only Path to Premium Pricing
Senior government officials delivered a blunt message to Thailand’s wellness sector yesterday: no amount of customer satisfaction will substitute for hard clinical evidence, and without it, the industry will never escape the pricing trap holding it back from global competitiveness.
Speaking at the opening of a national seminar and networking forum entitled “Beyond Relaxation: Innovation, Science and the Future of Value Creation in the Wellness Industry”, hosted by the National Innovation Agency (NIA), the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), and Chulalongkorn University, MHESI minister Yodchanan Wongsawat argued that the single missing piece in Thailand’s wellness puzzle is an evidence base — and that without one, operators will continue hitting a hard ceiling on what they can charge. Continued …
Thai Airways cuts June flights on 10 Asia services
Thai Airways International will cancel and reduce flights on 10 international services in June, covering routes to India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and China, as passenger demand slows during the low tourism season.
A source from Thai Airways International said the airline needed to adjust its flight plan again in June after a previous round of changes in May. The latest adjustment will affect selected international services, with some flights canceled for the whole of June and others suspended on specific dates. Continued …
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Vilhelm International Academy launched in March 2026 and has is campus at “The Hub” in Hin Lek Fai, less than 10 minutes from the center of town. They provide mentor-led academic supervision for students studying through accredited online school programs, whether independently enrolled or through integrated programs offered at Vilhelm. This means that students follow a fixed timetable, complete coursework under supervision, and receive ongoing progress monitoring. They can do this whist studying for their GCSE’s, A-Levels, NCAA approved US courses, or any other online school they choose to use.
Unlike more traditional options, at the academy children can learn at their own pace, not being forced forward before they are ready and also not being held back by the rest of the class. When they are ready to move on they do so. By coming to the academy each day, they are able to complement their studies with activities that develop leadership skills, community service (such as the recent helmet initiative), complemented by daily sports and physical activity to support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
You can visit the website for more details, or you can book an appointment to meet with the academy co-ordinator to discuss what you are looking for and explain what they can offer. There is a completely free five-day trial period that can be taken advantage of by anyone interested in seeing if the academy is the right fit for them.
Website; Email: info@vilhelminternationalacademy.com; Phone: +66 065 991 5500; Facebook; Map location.
Amazing Coconut Cutting Skills of Thailand
Thai street food vendors use incredible speed, precision, and knife techniques to prepare fresh coconuts in seconds. Video …
Video shows enormous snake moving through Thailand floodwaters
A video of an enormous snake moving through muddy water has startled viewers online. The clip shows what appears to be a large python gliding through floodwaters in Thailand. Video …
Thailand’s mega project land bridge comes at environmental cost
Thailand’s trillion-baht land bridge project may put environments at risk, as one conservation scientist calls the mega-project a “trade-off” between economic growth and environmental protection.
Petch Manopawitr, a scientist and technical adviser to international organizations, criticized that the mega-project represents a sacrifice of natural resources for economic growth. “A project like land bridge brings us to the question of trade-offs again. We have to destroy this capital in order to develop,” he said. Continued …
Thai businesses face a green reckoning
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. The big question is whether companies can keep up with this particular “green” goal.
Environmental pressures are rocking global trade and its supply chains to the core. Businesses are expected to take responsibility for their environmental impact, not as a choice, but as a condition of market access. Continued …
Save mangroves, save the global water cycle
The global water cycle is our planet’s life-support system. It is a powerful environmental pump, with forests transpiring moisture and replenishing giant atmospheric rivers of freshwater.
It is also a global thermostat, regulating the climate through evaporation and cloud formation. And it is a giant filter, purifying water as it percolates through the soils and wetlands. Continued …
SE Asia’s power demand from data centers, EVs to grow
Power demand growth for green industrial parks, data centers and electric vehicles in Southeast Asia is forecast to grow by more than 100 terawatts per hour (TWh) in the next three to four years, according toa report published by Bain & Co. and Standard Chartered.
The demand from these sectors is expected to require more than $200billion of investments, according to the 2026 Southeast Asia’s Green Economy Report. More than half of this investment will go to data centers, with almost all operators willing to pay a premium to avoid grid connection delays. Continued …
Police Target International Crime Networks in Pattaya
Thailand’s Tourist Police have stepped up efforts to improve safety in Pattaya through closer cooperation with embassies, consulates, and foreign volunteer networks to tackle nominee businesses, scam gangs, and transnational crime. Continued …
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Chinese Nationals Held in Chon Buri Drug Lab Bust – Continued …
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Brit Arrested in Pattaya Drug and Gun Busts – Continued …
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Chinese Film Crew Workers Arrested in Chiang Mai – Continued …
WHO worried about ‘scale and speed’ of deadly Ebola outbreak
The World Health Organization yesterday voiced concern about the “scale and speed” of an Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 130 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and warned it could be lengthy. The UN health agency has declared the surge of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever in the east of the country an international health emergency. Continued …
Standard Chartered to cut over 7,000 jobs as bank steps up AI adoption
Standard Chartered plans to cut more than 7,000 jobs over the next four years as it boosts adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) while targeting growth. The London-headquartered lender is one of the first major global banks to lay out official plans to cut thousands of jobs, citing AI as a driver to make its operations slimmer as it seeks to increase its profitability and tackle competition. 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
The Hua Hin 100K Ultra Marathon 2026 has been officially launched, with organizers aiming to strengthen the town’s reputation as a sports tourism destination while inviting runners to sign up for the endurance event.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the Foreign Ministry would today submit to the Cabinet a proposal to cancel the 60-day visa-free measure, known as P.60, and revise the 30-day visa-free measure, known as P.30.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp. (BCP) have raised retail fuel prices in Bangkok, effective today.
Thailand has yet to decide whether to buy the broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the asking price of at least 1.3 billion baht is far above the 600-million-baht framework previously used by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, while unfavorable match times in Thailand may reduce viewership, advertising revenue, and wider economic benefits.
The Thai Meteorological Department forecast heavy rain in parts of upper Thailand over the next 24 hours, covering the north, northeast, central region, Bangkok, and surrounding provinces, today.
Consumer confidence in April plunged into crisis territory, recording the sharpest monthly decline globally and across the Asia-Pacific region, as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, rising living costs, and dissatisfaction with government efforts to address the economy eroded public sentiment, according to the Ipsos Global Consumer Confidence Index.
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan has floated a plan to attract Middle Eastern oil producers to invest in a strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) in Thailand, positioning the country as a regional oil distribution hub while strengthening long-term energy security.
A high-level Thai delegation has robustly defended the kingdom’s trade practices during technical consultations with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), clarifying that Thai supply chains are completely free of forced labor.
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has launched an influencer-led campaign alongside Thai celebrity couple “Cee” Siwat Chotchaicharin and “Amy” Amika Klinpratoom to showcase the economic and culinary value of the nation’s Geographical Indication (GI) products.
The Department of Business Development (DBD) has joined forces with the Royal Thai Police and border control agencies to launch an aggressive, widespread crackdown on illegal corporate nominees operating within Thailand’s primary tourist destinations.
The April 2026 Hotel Business Operator Sentiment Index, jointly prepared by the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT), was based on a survey conducted from April 16 to 30, among respondents from 134 accommodation businesses.
Thai tourism operators are looking beyond the sluggish low season and expect healthy bookings, particularly from European tourists, when the high season returns in the third quarter.
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau posted a video on Sunday warning travelers not to trust claims that a paid fast track immigration service is available at Suvarnabhumi Airport through Trip.com.
Chiang Mai On A Budget: Thailand’s Cosy Mountain Escape
Thailand is emerging as Southeast Asia’s most NEV-ready market, with 58% of consumers considering hybrid or electric vehicles — significantly above the regional average of 42.8%. Key purchase motivators include lower fuel costs, charging availability, and longer driving range.
The end of Bangkok Street food
Bangkok is known for its extensive and varied street food scene. Its presence comes up in virtually any discussion about tourism in Thailand. Techically, some might argue, you haven’t really “visited” Thailand if you have not experienced Bangkok’s street food. Quite simply, it’s a selling point for Thailand’s tourism industry.
What your go-to street food in Thailand says about you
Hua Hin Red Cross Fair on June 5-14
The Thai private sector’s damning report on the 10 most-corrupt state agencies has sent a shockwave through the government bureaucracy, prompting immediate reactions, from Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to the director general of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), who has demanded to see evidence of the alleged bribe taking.
Four Thai police officers and a civilian have been arrested in Sa Kaeo province after allegedly detaining five Chinese nationals and demanding money in exchange for their release.
Thailand’s worsening corruption situation was raised as a key proposal at a joint meeting between the government and the private sector on ways to improve the country’s economic competitiveness, held at Government House on Friday.
Poll Urges End to Hidden School Fees and Equal Access
Is 60 truly the perfect endpoint of a working life? This question is becoming ever more pressing as Thailand and the broader ASEAN region rapidly transition into a “Super-Aged Society.” The economic and social structures that were once driven by a young workforce are facing mounting pressure.
Thailand has urged Iran to allow the safe passage of eight Thai-flagged ships stranded at either end of the near-closed Strait of Hormuz. The call was made by Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi last week.
Oil prices extended gains today as efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran appeared to have stalled, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran.
The Anutin government is under immediate pressure to ease living costs and restore economic confidence, as most respondents to a new Suan Dusit Poll want urgent action on prices and debt, while nearly half expect the economy to worsen over the next three months.
Thailand’s economy grew by 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, official data showed today, higher than the median forecast of 2.2% in a Reuters poll of analysts
Nearly three months have passed since the US-Israeli air strikes on Iran began, with no resolution to the war in sight, while almost two months have elapsed since the Thai government took office.
Thailand Land Bridge Faces Investor Doubts
Chinese investment continues to make inroads into Thai retail, with “Chinese supermarkets” expanding into Huai Khwang, Rama 9, and tourist cities. The stores stock Chinese goods ranging from snacks, drinks, tea, soft drinks, mala sauces, and instant noodles to ready-to-eat food, responding to strong online trends.
Thailand’s influencer economy is no longer just about content creation but has become a fast-growing business sector worth 45 billion baht, prompting calls for clearer standards, stronger oversight, and support to help Thai influencers compete internationally.
On Feb. 28, when the US-Israeli war with Iran began, Thailand’s tourism industry was looking forward to reaping the benefits of the final month of the high season.
Elephant Nature Park: Inside Chiang Mai’s Ethical Elephant Haven
Thailand’s Largest Lake Is A Breathtaking Body Of Water With Islands, Bird Sanctuaries, And Fishing
In our latest travel title, Thailand: The Monocle Handbook, we showcase the very best of this sunny nation, including the multitude of excellent hospitality hotspots on offer.
Preparing for Climate-Related Losses
Global stocks slumped and oil prices rose yesterday with worries about sustained inflation driving up bond yields with no conclusion to the Iran war in sight. The international oil benchmark Brent crude contract rose more than 3% to $109.26 a barrel.
Hormuz crisis shows clean energy is key to reducing the economic cost of fossil fuel dependence
Thailand’s business travel and exhibition sector is facing a severe downturn as the protracted conflict in the Middle East sends shockwaves through global energy and aviation markets. Industry leaders warn that the escalating crisis could prove more damaging to the economy than the Covid-19 pandemic.
A noodle vendor in Ratchaburi has continued selling bowls for 10 baht despite rising ingredient and fuel costs, offering one of the cheapest meals still available as inflation continues to affect household spending in Thailand.
As Thailand adopts artificial intelligence (AI), IT specialists warn some government agencies developing AI projects may repeat the mistakes of the app development era, when huge budgets were spent on digital projects that allegedly delivered little benefit to the public.
Thailand and India plan to expand trade, investment, and regional cooperation as both countries prepare to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
In Thailand, burned sugarcane plantations become traps for leopard cat cubs
Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Commerce, has issued a rallying cry to domestic firms of all sizes to aggressively secure intellectual property rights, as new data reveals a global surge in sustainability-driven technologies.
U.S. President Donald Trump left China oyesterday with no major breakthroughs on trade or tangible help from Beijing to end the Iran war, despite two days spent heaping praise on his host, Xi Jinping. 
The global technology industry has entered another round of mass layoffs in 2026, with more than 100,000 jobs cut worldwide in the first five months of the year as companies restructure operations, control costs, and shift more resources into artificial intelligence. 
The Kite and Art Festival Prachuap Khiri Khan will take place at Saran Withi Pier today and tomorrow, bringing two evenings of kite displays, art, and family-friendly activities to the seafront.
Ren Lexander, PhD, gave a timely talk, “Taking Stock in Uncertain Times: What Global Shifts Mean for Us in Thailand,” at a meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. He invited his audience to “take stock” of the rapidly changing global situation. Although the current Middle East conflict is less than two months old, its ripple effects are already being felt worldwide.
Thailand will officially enter the rainy season today, but with less rain than usual in the forecast, the Meteorological Department announced yesterday.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has given ride-hailing platforms one month to improve passenger safety measures or risk license suspension, as new rules are prepared for app-based taxi services. The planned measures include requiring drivers to hold public driving licenxes, installing CCTV cameras in vehicles, and providing passenger insurance coverage.
The Thai baht is projected to depreciate further, potentially reaching 33.50 per US dollar this week. This forecast follows a recent testing of a nine-month low at 33.04 on Monday. The primary driver for this expected weakening is the heightened uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, which is bolstering the US dollar as a safe-haven asset.
Flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to add European flights, yet still maintain proactive fuel cost and route network management amid short-term concerns about spillover impacts from the war in the Middle East and geopolitical tensions.
Erawan-Wasserfall: Thailand’s Seven-Tiered River Escape
Just north of Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi has quietly become one of Thailand’s most practical destinations for short stays. Whether you are in town for business meetings, a family visit, a medical appointment, or a weekend away from the capital, choosing the right place to stay can shape your entire experience.
The government has ordered the Office of the Consumer Protection Board to urgently investigate unsafe solar rooftop installations linked to fire risks and consumer losses exceeding 500,000 baht, following complaints about substandard equipment and improper electrical work.
Russian forces launched waves of missiles and drones at Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions for a third consecutive day yesterday, killing at least nine people, including a 12-year-old girl, according to Ukrainian officials. 
Thailand is currently undergoing one of its most aggressive and coordinated crackdowns on nominee companies to date. As of May, the Department of Business Development (DBD) has partnered with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to actively investigate and dismantle these structures.
The director of Thailand’s Land Department stated that foreign nationals own only 6% of land on Koh Phangan, following growing concerns among residents about increasing foreign influence on the island.
Hua Hin turns into a city of jazz from May 29–June 1. Experience the Hua Hin Jazz City Event 2026 across 40+ locations, featuring Thai and international artists, smooth jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, live improvisation, local culture, cafés, shops, and community vibes. 
Prachuap Khiri Khan authorities have issued a weather warning, as heavy rain, possible flash floods, and strong waves are expected across the province from May 14–18. The warning covers all areas of Prachuap Khiri Khan, including Hua Hin, where thunderstorms are forecast for much of the week.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft exchange of letters between the Thai and Dutch governments allowing the Netherlands to purchase land and buildings on Soi Ruam Rudi in Bangkok for use as the new residence of the Dutch ambassador to Thailand.
Will debt sink Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market?
The Bank of Thailand expects business operators to raise prices for goods and services by no more than 20%, with more frequent price adjustments in response to higher energy costs.
Thailand is increasingly being viewed as a safe-haven destination for wealthy foreign buyers seeking investment security, quality of life, and greater flexibility in where they live, as global economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and wars in several regions continue to reshape capital flows.
Thai Airways International Public Co. (THAI) announced its operating results for the first quarter of 2026 today, showing strength and a continued recovery. Thai Airways recorded a net profit of B10.107 billion, up B268 million (+2.7%) from the same period last year.
Royal Ploughing ceremony predicts low water, stronger trade
Retired Californian finds fulfilment as Lumphini cat caretaker
Prolonged contact with wildfire smoke would increase the risk of developing different types of cancer, according to a study presented at a recent meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
The government’s push for solar rooftop installations must not burden citizens with debt but instead serve as a tool to reduce living costs and expand energy choices, says Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee.
Thailand plans to expand biomass energy as part of its net-zero strategy, but disputes between communities and biomass operators are intensifying over allegations of air pollution and health impacts.
From her home in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Anna Sloutskin yearns to expand her country’s borders and one day move to southern Lebanon. And she is not alone. With fighting between Israel and Hezbollah displacing more than a million Lebanese, a far-right fringe of Israel’s settler movement is turning its gaze northward. 
In less than two years, Britain’s governing Labor Party has gonefrom a landslide election victory to a historic rout at last week’s local and regional votes that has put Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s job on the line. While incumbents across Europe face similar difficulties, Britain’s politics have become ever more febrile in the decade since it voted to leave the European Union. 
Fuel prices across Thailand rose across all major categories today, with diesel increasing by 0.80 baht per liter and petrol and gasohol products rising by 0.90 baht per liter.
Solar energy in Hua Hin is becoming an increasingly practical option for homeowners and businesses looking to reduce electricity costs and improve energy efficiency. Solar energy systems have moved from being a niche technology to a mainstream solution for residential and commercial use.
Thailand has introduced eight new regulations governing the sale and consumption of alcohol, with the measures taking effect immediately following their publication in the Royal Gazette yesterday. The updated rules expand restrictions across transport hubs, public spaces, and government-controlled areas as authorities seek to modernize legislation first introduced in 2008.
While Thailand’s general economy grapples with near-zero inflation, its healthcare sector is battling a severe fever. “Medical inflation” — the rising cost of healthcare services — has surged to 10.8%, a rate that far outstrips the general cost of living and is now significantly higher than the global average of 10.3%.
A sum of 1.3 billion baht in initial budget was yesterday approved by the Bhumjaithai-led government for Thailand to buy broadcasting rights for World Cup 2026 football games from North America during a five-and-a-half-weeks period.
Asia is in the grip of a deepening plastics emergency, as the Iran oil shock chokes off supplies of a critical petrochemical feedstock, sending packaging prices soaring and raising alarm across food, medical, and consumer goods industries from Indonesia to Japan.
President Donald Trump has accused parts of the US news media of committing “virtual treason” by suggesting that Iran is performing well in the ongoing war, saying such reports provide encouragement to an enemy of the United States.
The Thai-Cambodian border conflict and border-closure measures over the past year have had wide-ranging effects on border economies, trade, investment, and businesses in both countries, amid concerns that the prolonged situation has created more room for rival countries to replace Thai goods and businesses in Cambodia.
A coalition of 10 automotive associations representing more than 1,500 operators will urge the government to raise the excise tax on fully imported electric vehicles to at least 32%, in a bid to protect Thai vehicle production and auto-parts suppliers from cheaper Chinese imports.
Tourism operators say plans to introduce or raise taxes on travel services in Thailand remain unjustified and inappropriate at this time, given the lack of clarity on how the revenue would be allocated for development.
A British tourist has warned travelers heading to Thailand not to pack vapes in their luggage after her partner was fined 40,000 Thai baht during a family holiday. She and her partner were stopped twice by Thai police within three days for using electronic cigarettes on a beach.
The deadliest animals are not lions, spiders, or snakes, but the tiny mosquitoes that suck our blood, make us itchy, and infect us with disease.
The Transport Ministry will ask the Finance Ministry to allocate 10-20 billion baht from the government’s 400-billion-baht borrowing decree to help public transport and freight operators replace aging vehicles with electric vehicles.
The global gold market has reached a critical crossroads. Following a record-breaking rally in early 2026, prices have entered a significant consolidation phase, caught between the opposing forces of aggressive monetary policy and heightening systemic fragility.
Lisa joins FIFA World Cup 2026 opening show in LA
Six stray dogs were found dead after being poisoned in Pathum Thani, with some also showing gunshot wounds to the head, according to local residents and animal carers.
The war in the Middle East, which began on Feb. 28, is entering its third month and has inflicted damage on several countries, surged energy prices, affected crude oil and natural gas prices, and affected goods prices and inflation.
Provincial restaurant associations are calling on the government to provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises during this tough period, as they are seeing a decline in consumer spending power and a drop in traveler numbers in their areas.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand is accelerating negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States in a bid to reduce tariff risks ahead of a Section 301 review.
Thai rice exporters are forecasting a significant recovery in the latter half of the year, driven by the intensifying Super El Niño phenomenon. As weather patterns threaten global harvests, major importing nations have begun aggressive stockpiling to ensure domestic food security, providing a much-needed boost to Thai export volumes.
Bangkok’s street food stalls threatened by citywide crackdown
Thai tea emerged as one of the most sought-after items at the Thai Festival in Tokyo over the weekend, with visitors reportedly waiting up to 30-40 minutes for a single cup. Japanese social media users posted photos and comments about long queues at the ChaTraMue booth during the 26th Thai Festival, held at Yoyogi Park.
The government has ordered urgent action to address mounting problems with electric vehicles (EVs), including defects, service center closures, and steep post-purchase price cuts.
Myanmar claimed yesterday that “discriminatory measures” are shutting it out of the ASEAN bloc after a summit last week saw the organization continue to blacklist the country’s post-coup leadership. 
The BECC Primary International School has begun construction on a new purpose-built campus off Soi 112 in Hua Hin, with the school scheduled to open at the site in August 2027.
The Kite and Art Festival Prachuap Khiri Khan will take place at Saran Withi Pier from May 15-16, bringing two evenings of kite displays, art and family-friendly activities to the seafront.
Thailand could face a “dual water crisis” in 2026 after the Thai Meteorological Department forecast that El Niño could occur during May to July, putting many areas at risk of water shortages and prompting the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) to accelerate nationwide response plans and monitor 20 branches at risk of shortages.
Thailand’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) is pushing ahead with four new rail projects in Bangkok, while accelerating tram developments in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima, with all three provincial tram systems targeted to open by 2032.
From Epic Fury to Project Freedom: Who Pays the Bill for a Blocked Strait?
Thais Feel the Pinch as ‘Single-Dish’ Prices Surge Amid Fuel Price Crisis
Land bridge faces uphill battle
Thai economists are expressing concern that the government’s much-touted-but-stalled land bridge project will neither be a success nor boost the economy as they hope. Some suggest that the Thai government should first revive existing economic projects left unfinished.
Kukrit Areepakorn, manager of the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Assn., revealed that the export situation and prices of chicken are currently declining due to two main reasons: China suspending exports from 17 processing plants, and the Middle East war.
Foreign tourists in Thailand are actively observing the Thai baht’s depreciation against the US dollar, a trend that directly impacts their vacation budgets. The currency opened at 31.77 per dollar, a slight weakening from 31.60, and analysts foresee continued fluctuation within the range of 31.55 to 31.95 as global economic conditions evolve.
Thailand’s tourism industry is coming under severe pressure as foreign arrivals fall, visitor spending weakens, and operating costs surge across key destinations. In Pattaya, hotel occupancy has collapsed to as low as 30%, while bookings on Bangkok’s Khao San Road remain more than 20% below last year following Songkran.
Thailand Bets on Revamp of Chaing Mai Hot Springs to Spearhead Wellness Drive
Did you know Thailand is actually the first nation in Southeast Asia to successfully revive its tiger population? While most of the world is losing these incredible big cats, Thailand’s jungles are seeing a serious comeback. We’re talking about a massive conservation effort that’s bringing the king of the jungle back to the Western Forest Complex. It’s a huge win for wildlife and shows a side of Thai conservation history that most people completely miss. 
This Unknown City Wants To Become Thailand’s Next Vacation Hotspot
Why Koh Kut remains one of Thailand’s most beautiful island escapes
Thailand’s energy crisis, sparked by Middle East tensions, has rapidly turned solar power from a green option into an economic necessity. As electricity costs surge, homes and businesses are rushing to install rooftop panels, with demand outpacing supply and installers struggling to keep up.
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) is exploring ways to make loans more accessible for households joining the rooftop solar buyback scheme, aiming to encourage wider adoption of clean energy and help families generate their own electricity.
The Bank of Thailand is scheduled to introduce standardized banking fees in July this year, seeking to reduce financial costs for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
MOU 44 row deepens — Anutin says Koh Kood remains Thai
Southeast Asian nations hit by soaring fuel and food prices caused by the Middle East war are weighing solutions that include setting up a regional oil reserve, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said yesterday.
An online petition launched by environmental group EnLAW has gathered over 100,000 signatures in three days, signaling widespread opposition to the government’s proposed land bridge megaproject.
Senate pushes for turning Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi into single ASEAN hub
WHAUP continues to strengthen its position as a renewable energy leader by securing a major deal with Yida New Material for the installation of a 16.64-megawatt solar rooftop project. The project is expected to help the customer reduce electricity costs by more than B1.22 billion over the 20-year contract period and cut carbon emissions by over 206,491 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Weeks after the Pacific Ocean engine that helps drive the world’s weather shifted into neutral, meteorologists and scientists are now laser-focused on the developing signals of its warm phase: El Niño. It’s what the global forecast models are making of the early signals that is drawing attention.