- Sheraton Hua Hin Receives Award//Hua Hin video/Fuel prices rise/Deeper graft crisis/Better healthcare and job training in prisons/1.6 tons of cannabis seized
- THE IRAN WAR: Oil hits five-week high/The Persian threshold of pain/Iran control of Hormuz ‘dangerous precedent’
- ECONOMY: Thai Banks Post Profits/Thailand’s Secret Weapon/To raise Thai competitiveness
- TOURISM: Baggage inspections without passengers/Government targets resorts/Fight for Nui Beach
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Why You Should Skip This Thai Island/Listening to Buffalo Herders/3 sites for UNESCO list/Where to eat in Bangkok/Khao Tom is cool again
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Mother of all supply shocks
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Sheraton Hua Hin Receives the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard
Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, a five-star beachfront resort located between Hua Hin and Cha-am and part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, has announced it has been awarded the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard, recognizing its excellence in environmental management and commitment to sustainable tourism.
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. Continued …
How Livable Really … is Hua Hin
Dreaming of a life in Thailand that’s both vibrant and affordable? Join me on a journey through Hua Hin, a charming coastal town that offers incredible livability! In this video, I’ll address what you need to know about making Hua Hin your home, from where to stay to how to navigate the town like a local.
We’ll dive deep into Hua Hin’s incredible array of street markets and bustling night markets, where you’ll find everything from delicious Thai food and fresh seafood to local crafts. You’ll see the vibrant food courts where you can sample culinary delights, and we’ll even check out the live music scene for some evening entertainment. Video …
Fuel prices rise by 85 satang per liter from today
Fuel prices rose by 85 satang per liter across most product categories in Thailand today, following new retail price announcements by PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp.
The revised prices took effect at 5 am and apply to most petrol, gasohol and diesel products sold by PTT Station and Bangchak. Selected premium fuels remained unchanged. The adjustment is equivalent to 0.85 baht, or 85 satang, per liter. Continued …
Watchdog warns of deeper graft crisis
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.
Speaking at a Senate seminar on Sunday on OECD anti-corruption standards and Thailand’s bid for membership, Kittidet Chantangkul, director of the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), said the alleged fraud showed corruption had penetrated the civil service recruitment system. Continued …
Ex-inmates call for better healthcare and job training in prisons
The House subcommittee on prison reform invited four former inmates to share their experiences and propose improvements in welfare, healthcare and rehabilitation.
Their suggestions included better medical treatment along with vocational training consistent with the needs of the modern-day job market. Continued …
1.6 tons of cannabis bound for Netherlands seized
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.
The seizure took place on Monday during an operation involving customs officials, with representatives from the shipping line and the port authority also present. The exporter had declared the cargo as 626 packages of blankets and duvet covers with a combined weight of 32,390 kilograms, customs authorities said yesterday. Continued …
Oil hits five-week high as Middle East supply fears deepen
Global oil prices climbed about 2% to their highest closing levels in five weeks yesterday, as escalating conflict in the Middle East intensified concerns over possible disruption to major energy supply routes.
Brent crude futures for September delivery rose US$1.79, or 2.01%, to settle at US$91.01 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude gained US$1.68, or 2.02%, to close at US$84.91 a barrel. Continued …
Donald Trump and the Persian threshold of pain
It would be so easy for Donald Trump to escape from the trap he has built for himself in the Persian Gulf. Just declare a victory and leave.
So what if the Iranians also declare a victory (with a lot more accuracy)? The “nuclear weapons” that gave Trump (and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu) a pretext for attacking Iran never really existed. This would be as close to cost-free for the United States as a lost war ever gets: only a dozen American dead (17 actually). Continued …
Allowing Iran control of Hormuz ‘dangerous precedent’, Rubio tells ASEAN
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Southeast Asian foreign ministers today that Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent with repercussions beyond the Middle East.
(Editor: How stupid do you think ASEAN leaders are, Mr. Rubio? The US is the one responsible for the problem, which didn’t exist until you invaded Iran – after cancelling a peace/nuclear deal that was working.)
His comments came as US Central Command said it had begun striking military targets in Iran for the “11th consecutive night” in a bid to degrade the country’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the waterway. Continued …
Thai Banks Post 101-billion-baht H1 Profit
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 six lenders — SCB X Public Co. (SCBX), Kasikornbank (KBANK), Bangkok Bank (BBL), Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri/BAY), TMBThanachart Bank (TTB) and Kiatnakin Phatra Bank (KKP) — posted a mixed set of results, with some seeing profits decline on shrinking net interest income while others benefited from strong non-interest revenue, disciplined cost control and lower provisioning. Continued …
How Supply Chains Became Thailand’s Secret Weapon
Long considered a routine back-office operation focused on cutting costs, supply chain strategy has emerged as Thailand’s most powerful economic weapon in navigating a chaotic global landscape.
At the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Sustainability Forum yesterday, market regulators, financiers, and industrial heavyweights outlined how the kingdom is weaponizing supply chain resilience, digital integration, and carbon transparency to outperform regional rivals amid escalating trade conflicts and geopolitical decoupling. Continued …
Finance minister vows to raise Thai competitiveness
The government wants Thailand to break into the top 20 in a global competitiveness ranking over the next four years, rising from 26th. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the administration also seeks to raise the country’s potential economic growth rate from the 2.7% estimated by the Bank of Thailand to more than 3%.
Speaking at a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) seminar yesterday, Ekniti said the Board of Investment’s (BoI) investment strategy is no longer focused primarily on the number or value of investment projects, but rather on the quality of investment, including technology transfers. Continued …
Thailand airports to allow baggage inspections without passengers
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will introduce new rules allowing security officers to open checked baggage without passengers present if X-ray screening detects potentially dangerous items. The regulations take effect on Oct.16.
The new rules apply to checked baggage and are intended to strengthen airport security in line with international standards. Under the regulations, security officers may inspect checked luggage if X-ray images reveal prohibited items, suspicious objects or anything that could pose a risk to aviation security. Continued …
Government targets resorts on park land
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has intensified its crackdown on illegal resorts in Thap Lan National Park, ordering demolitions and preparing asset seizures and money-laundering charges against investors.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said yesterday the ministry remains committed to eliminating illegal land occupation within the national park and assisting local residents who qualify for legal land rights to claim land ownership in the area. Continued …
The never-ending fight for Nui Beach
More than a decade after the courts ruled that the land at Nui Beach belonged to the state, authorities on Monday returned to the popular Phuket beach to demolish 50 illegal structures built by encroachers.
About 400 officials from the Royal Forest Department and related agencies took part in the operation, marking the second demolition attempt since the Supreme Court in 2014 ordered the revocation of Nor Sor 3 land documents covering plots within the Khao Nak Kerd National Reserved Forest. Continued …
Why You Should Skip This Thai Island
After 19 years, I finally went back to Ko Lipe, the Thai island I spent close to a month on in 2006. Back then, it was one of those super off-the-beaten-path destinations that few but the most intrepid travelers visited, where electricity only ran a few hours a day, basic bungalows right on the beach cost something like $2 USD, and there really was a last boat for the season.
There wasn’t much to do here but that was the point. You hung out on the beach, read a book, went snorkeling, went back to the beach, drank beers at the one beach bar on the island, rotated meals between the five restaurants there, and went to bed early. Continued …
Listening to Buffalo Herders
What does One Health look like when it leaves the conference room? Not as a diagram with humans, animals and environments connected by arrows. Not as a policy phrase either.
In Ban Huay Phan, a Lua village in Nan Province, northern Thailand, One Health looks more like rice fields, forest paths, muddy salt licks, animal tracks, village rituals, and long conversations with people who have watched buffaloes for decades. The village has around 180 inhabitants and roughly 300 buffaloes. Continued …
Senators propose 3 sites for UNESCO list
A campaign has been launched to nominate Kanchanaburi’s Death Railway, ancient Chiang Saen and historic Chiang Mai for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The move is spearheaded by senators Sahaphan Rungrojpanich of Kanchanaburi, Maneerat Khemawong of Chiang Rai and Prayad Jatupornpitakkul of Chiang Mai, along with the World Heritage Conservation Club civic network. Continued …
Where to eat in Bangkok, from street food to fine dining
It was street food that first put Bangkok on the map as a culinary destination. From sweet and savoury stuffed crepes at morning markets like Trok Mor to wok-tossed noodles licked by leaping flames in Chinatown, casual dining here is an exhilarating sensory experience.
Part of that is down to sheer variety. Portuguese-inspired sweets and Indian- and Arab-spiced curries are evidence of the influences absorbed into Thai cuisine over the centuries. Bangkok offers the full flavor spectrum — whether it’s fresh and vegetal or sour and zesty, tropical sweetness or scorching spice. Continued …
Khao Tom is cool again
As the robots threaten to take it all away from us, nostalgia has never rung louder. On the food scene, we’ve noticed a series of stylish khao tom spots opening across Bangkok.
Not only reserved for late nights, hungover mornings, or in a hospital bed, the humble Thai rice soup has received a modern makeover. We’re calling it: khao tom is cool now. Here’s why. Continued …
Brace yourself, we’re about to be hit by what could be the mother of all supply shocks
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.”
“That matters because El Niño events can act as a multi-dimensional supply shock, with a causal link to higher food and energy prices, alongside broader supply-chain disruption,” said Henry Allen, macro strategist with Deutsche Bank Research Institute in a report out this week. Continued …
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Swiss man arrested over alleged Patong Beach sexual abuse – Continued …
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Brits arrested after Pattaya crypto robbery claim – Continued …
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New Zealander held in Surat Thani over watch theft – Continued …
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Foreign man sought after Bangla Road assault – 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
Thinking about retirement in Thailand and wondering where to live in Hua Hin? This video breaks down the truth about Hua Hin’s best and worst areas in 2026 — based on real-life retirement factors, not holiday impressions. One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning to retire in Hua Hin is choosing an area based on a short holiday instead of long-term lifestyle. The neighborhood that feels perfect for two weeks can be completely wrong for the next 10–20 years. 
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
Thailand is entering a new phase of trade uncertainty as the United States shifts its strategy from broad-based reciprocal tariffs to targeted investigations under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.
Thailand’s use of export privileges under free-trade agreements continued to expand in April, with the value of shipments claiming preferential treatment reaching US$31.77 billion.
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.
New partnerships with seven large corporations in China are expected to help Thailand attract a new, younger customer segment and generate total revenue of nearly 300 billion baht, despite limited flight capacity, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
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’
The United States will impose 50% tariffs on nearly US$20-billion worth of Canadian imports, escalating tensions between the two closely integrated economies and threatening a fresh phase in President Donald Trump’s global trade campaign. 
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
Thailand’s government has ordered nationwide inspections of electric vehicle dealers and showrooms, tightening scrutiny of a market that has grown faster than the regulatory and after-sales infrastructure built to support it.
Oil prices jumped today, with Brent crude rising above US$90 a barrel, as intensified attacks between the United States and Iran deepened concern over energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
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. 
Cocaine addiction rehab in Thailand spans budget value centers to five-star clinics, and the right fit depends on price, location, and clinical need. Clinicians treat cocaine dependence through the mind, not a prescription pad, which raises the stakes on choosing well. The wrong center wastes money and momentum, while the right one separates a person from triggers and rebuilds the brain’s reward system.
TrueMoney, Southeast Asia’s leading fintech platform under Ascend Money, has rolled out Thailand’s first inclusive “tap-to-pay” digital financial service. “The move is part of a strategy designed to make contactless payments more accessible for consumers,” said Monsinee Nakapanant, co-president of Ascend Money.
Thailand, a country of 67 million inhabitants, has an elderly population of more than 12 million people, and growing, with medical needs that require highly trained staff. This is straining the capacity to meet the needs of this age group and is negatively impacting health services that provide increasingly sophisticated medical services.
The government has insisted cannabis is “not freely available” in Thailand, reiterating that cannabis buds are strictly regulated and may only be bought or sold with a valid medical prescription.
U.S. And Iran Escalate Strikes Across Mideast
Vendors struggle despite aid plan
Thailand could face a significant blow to exports if proposed US Section 301 tariffs take effect after July 24, according to Pachara Naripthaphan, a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission board.
People’s Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun has strongly criticized the stricter eligibility criteria for the state welfare card program, arguing that the tighter screening process has excluded many genuinely poor people from receiving assistance.
Thailand has asked Japan to support four new water-management projects aimed at improving flood prevention, including measures for the flood-prone Chao Phraya River basin, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to strengthen resilience against increasingly frequent extreme weather.
A Russian-run nominee network controling more than 775 homes worth over B5 billion, was dismantled in Chonburi, with four arrests, 41 raids and a nationwide investigation now under way into hundreds of companies and suspected foreign land ownership. 
The past week saw tensions mount among Thais who are becoming increasingly alarmed about China’s growing influence and role in Thailand. Four issues have emerged that patriotic Thais should, at the very least, be concerned about and contemplate within the larger context of Sino-Thai relations.
Suvarnabhumi arrivals face 2-3 hour immigration queues
Thailand is considering a B2.45-billion tourism stimulus package that could offer 500,000 travel co-payment entitlements, discounts on 400,000 domestic airline seats and support for international flights.
Gastronomy Tourism Tipped to Spread Wealth Beyond Bangkok
The Thai government is preparing to support Phuket singer-guitarist Nene Royal in the next stage of her America’s Got Talent journey and involve her in promoting the country’s tourism, international image and soft power.
Dubai carrier flydubai is pressing ahead with its expansion in Thailand, doubling its daily flights to Bangkok from tomorrow as travel demand between the UAE and Southeast Asia continues to climb despite recent geopolitical uncertainty.
Why Isan Cuisine Is Part of Thailand’s Wellness Food Conversation
Koh Samui named world’s best island
The Future of Krabi’s Quiet Luxury
What It Costs To Stay At Hua Hin Wellness Retreat
Is Prachuap Khiri Khan The Most Underrated Thai Beach Town?
Hua Hin doesn’t look like a typical retirement hotspot in Thailand. No loud nightlife, no hype, no constant tourist energy. On paper it looks almost too quiet… but that’s exactly why it works so well for long-term living.
Households get more breaks on power bills
In Thailand, phone brands are seen as status symbols
Thailand seeks more EU investment with infrastructure and FTA drive
Saphan Pla Night Market (fishing pier)
BOT Monitors Middle East Tension as Baht Drops 6% Year to Date
New Thai-Malaysian checkpoint a boon for tourism
Thailand buckles to India, restores visa-free scheme
What Americans Get Wrong About Life in Thailand
Re: Odd-even parking signs installed on soi 94
Thailand Approves $3.1 Billion Investment for Seven Data Centers
Local e-marketplace players enter fray
Largest local solar roof opens in Korat
Thailand’s industrial green shift gains momentum with Seagate solar mega project
Baan Khun Por Food Court (Father’s House) on Soi 88, is one of the best places in Hua Hin for authentic local Thai food, international cuisine, great prices, live music and a really relaxed friendly local vibe. Open daily from 5 pm until midnight. If you’re visiting Hua Hin and want to try a variety of dishes all in one place, this is definitely a spot you shouldn’t miss. From sizzling stir-fries and fresh seafood to classic Thai favorites, there’s something here for everyone. 
If you are looking for great and tasty seafood where tourists don’t go to then this is the place to go. It is one of my favorites in Hua Hin. Bring your best translator along as there is no English script menu but that means that great Thai dishes are going to be served. 
Thailand’s urban workforce is facing an escalating squeeze on disposable income as the price of popular ready-to-eat meals climbs across the country, driven by stubborn energy costs and transport inflation.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded Thailand’s GDP growth forecast to 1.9% from 1.5%, supported by the government’s stimulus measures.
Thailand generated just over 4.025 billion baht from foreign film productions during the first half of this year, with 302 overseas projects filmed across the country. The figures reinforce its position as a leading production hub in Asia and put it on course to set another annual revenue record.
Thailand’s tourism sector continues to feel the impact of a sharp decline in Chinese visitors, despite China regaining its position as the country’s largest source market in 2026. Between Jan. 1 and July 4, Thailand welcomed 16,210,890 foreign visitors, down 3.1% year on year, generating 782.57 billion baht in tourism revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Thailand’s automatic rice transplanter can plant rice seedlings with incredible speed and precision. This smart farming technology helps farmers save time, reduce labor, and increase efficiency. 
For centuries, the identity of Thai textiles and handicrafts has been explicitly clear: vibrant, multi-colored regional weaves, intricate gold ornamentation, and complex motifs. These are not merely everyday materials but historic cultural artefacts reflecting local wisdom passed down through generations. Yet, a hard truth has loomed over the loom.