- Lots of tourists at train station/13 foreigners arrested in Hua Hin/Hua Hin foreign property network exposed /Tourism of Si Khiri Khan Festival opens/Amateur Charity Golf Classic/Hua Hin police seize ice/Thailand sex work reform calls grow/Thailand’s firearm laws face scrutiny/50,000 Thais living with HIV unaware/Years of dog poisonings on Koh Phangan beach
- THE IRAN WAR: Hormuz deal hopes fade/Oil climbs/Trump’s Iran Debacle
- ECONOMY: Baht weakens 5%/To narrow China trade deficit/Thai trade with FTA partners/Crackdown uncovers bribery claims/Fragile employment market/Data centers face tough new checks
- TOURISM: Foreign visitor fee and travel subsidy/Suvarnabhumi defends food prices/Pattaya suspends six staff
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Story behind Thailand’s Mother’s Day
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Minimum monthly bill for solar panel subsidy
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Lots of tourists at Hua Hin train station
13 foreigners arrested in Hua Hin in nominee crackdown
Thai police have arrested 13 foreign suspects during an operation targeting alleged nominee company arrangements linked to pool villas in Hua Hin. The operation, launched yesterday, involved more than 200 officers and officials. Police issued arrest warrants for 45 foreign suspects, summonses for 39 Thais, and search warrants for 15 locations.
The searches centered on the A Hua Hin project in Thap Tai, a modern detached-house and pool-villa development where homes are priced at about 10-20 million baht each. Police said their investigation found six companies allegedly using Thai nominee shareholders to acquire property in the development. Continued …
Hua Hin foreign property network exposed after Thai nominees hand over control
Police have uncovered a suspected foreign nominee network using Thai nationals to establish companies and acquire property in Hua Hin before transferring full control to foreign owners, with authorities warning that online company registration has created a loophole for abuse.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma said authorities searched 15 locations in Hua Hin during the sixth phase of an ongoing investigation into suspected foreign nominee businesses and illegal pool-villa operations. Investigators identified more than 3,000 companies in Prachuap Khiri Khan holding land and property, with foreigners holding shares in more than 1,500 companies. Authorities identified 849 companies considered potentially suspicious, with 33 targeted in the latest operation. Continued …
Tourism of Si Khiri Khan Festival opens at Hua Hin train station
A huge crowd attended the Tourism of Si Khiri Khan event at Hua Hin’s classic train station, with food and product vendors winding around the railroad tracks and all along to road to the municial offices on Phetchkasem Road. The event continued through Aug. 18.
16th Amateur Charity Golf Classic set for Nov 27
The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin has announced that its 16th Amateur Charity Golf Classic will take place at Pineapple Valley Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 27. The annual tournament is one of the club’s main fundraising events, with proceeds supporting community projects, medical institutions and schools in Hua Hin and other areas.
Since its establishment in 2010, the Rotary Club has raised millions of baht for charitable causes, with particular emphasis on projects supporting children, education and health. Continued …
Hua Hin police seize 166kg of ice, detain Malaysian
Police in Hua Hin have seized about 166 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice, after stopping a BMW allegedly carrying the drugs. A 20-year-old Malaysian man was detained after the car reportedly attempted to avoid a police checkpoint.
Police said the man claimed the suitcases found in the BMW did not belong to him and that he did not know the combinations needed to open them. Continued …
Thailand sex work reform calls grow after murder
Thailand’s sex trade remains illegal, but its presence is highly visible from Soi Cowboy in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area to Pattaya’s Walking Street, where nightlife businesses continue to draw visitors from around the world.
The issue has again come under scrutiny following the case of an Australian man who murdered a 17-year-old Thai teenager, putting the safety of sex workers and Thailand’s night-time economy in the spotlight. Continued …
Thailand’s firearm laws face scrutiny over estimated 10 million guns
Thailand allows eligible civilians to apply for firearm ownership, but its licensing system draws clear legal distinctions between buying a gun, possessing and using it, and carrying it in public.
Those distinctions have returned to the center of public debate following two shootings in Nonthaburi within days of each other: an attack involving a student at a school on Aug. 7 and a separate shooting involving a former MP and the head of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization yesterday. Continued …
50,000 people in Thailand are living with HIV unaware
Thailand is recording between 8,000 and 9,000 new HIV infections a year, more than eight times the target of under 1,000 annual cases needed for the country to end AIDS as a public health problem by 2030.
The rate has held steady for the past five years, and infections are now rising among young people aged 15 to 24, according to the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre. Associate Professor Dr. Opass Putcharoen, deputy director of the center, described the trend as close to critical if it continues. Continued …
Years of dog poisonings on Koh Phangan beach remain unsolved
Animal welfare groups on Koh Phangan are warning residents after a suspected poisoning incident left multiple dogs dead and others hospitalized on Ban Tai Beach, the latest in a series of similar incidents reported in the same area since at least 2022.
According to posts from local animal welfare pages, poison was found hidden inside pieces of chicken meat left along the beach. Phangan Hug Satt Animal Clinic said it had received multiple poisoned dogs on the day of the incident, and residents were advised to keep pets on a leash. Continued …
Trump demands Iran pay damages as Hormuz deal hopes fade
US President Donald Trump has introduced new compensation demands in negotiations with Iran, further complicating efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran set conditions of its own for ending the confrontation.
Trump said yesterday Iran should pay compensation for deaths and damage linked to wars, attacks and protests, responding to Iranian demands for compensation, the lifting of US sanctions and an end to military threats. His proposal had not previously been part of the negotiations. Continued …
Oil climbs as stalled US-Iran talks keep Asian markets on edge
Oil prices rose to their highest levels in nearly two weeks today after negotiations between the United States and Iran over a peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz reached an impasse, while Asian stock markets traded cautiously ahead of key US inflation data.
Brent crude futures climbed to US$88 a barrel, while US crude futures rose to US$82.45. Both benchmarks reached their highest levels since July 31 after surging by about 5% yesterday. Continued …
Trump’s Iran Debacle Chalks Up Yet Another Loss
As US President Donald Trump’s “four to five week” war against Iran stretches toward the six-month mark, three American allies in the region ― including one armed with nuclear weapons ― announced a regional self-defense pact separate and apart from the United States, another apparent strategic loss for the nation.
Having already killed 18 U.S. service members and wounded hundreds more, depleted the military’s stocks of precision weapons and anti-missile interceptors, jacked up gasoline and diesel prices, slowed economic growth, and left Iran effectively in charge of the critical Strait of Hormuz, Trump’s war of choice now has led to an “attack-on-one-is-an-attack-on-all” alliance among Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. Continued …
Baht weakens 5% to rank third in Asia
The baht has weakened by about 5% since the beginning of the year, making it the third-biggest decliner among major Asian currencies. A broader measure of its value against Thailand’s trading partners, however, suggests the depreciation continues to support the competitiveness of Thai exports.
Kasikorn Research Center data showed the baht had fallen 4.9% through Aug. 5, behind only the Indonesian rupiah, which declined 6.9%, and the Indian rupee, down 5.5%. Continued …
Thailand seeks three-way plan to narrow China trade deficit
Thailand is pressing China for deeper use of local materials and suppliers, wider market access for Thai SMEs and investment in agricultural processing. It seeks to reduce a trade imbalance that could reach a cumulative 12.14 trillion baht over 2016-2026.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand had proposed a “co-creation” approach under which Chinese investment should generate more benefits inside the country rather than relying heavily on imported Chinese materials and components. Continued …
Thai trade with FTA partners rises 21.8% to US$243.7 billion
Thailand’s trade with its free trade agreement partners rose by 21.8% year on year to US$243.67 billion in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than half of the country’s total global trade.
The Department of Trade Negotiations said exports to several FTA markets expanded strongly, including Singapore, Australia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and India. Agricultural, food and industrial exports also continued to grow. Continued …
Foreign business crackdown uncovers bribery claims
The Interior Ministry is investigating claims that businesses in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang area were making regular payments to state officials to avoid enforcement action, following a crackdown on businesses allegedly operated by Chinese nationals.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee led a task force from the Department of Provincial Administration and other agencies in raids on businesses and hotels in the area on Sunday. Continued …
Signs amass indicating a fragile employment market
Thailand’s unemployment rate remains relatively low, but the labor market is showing signs of weakening, says SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), the research arm of Siam Commercial Bank.
According to Yunyong Thaicharoen, chief economist at EIC, the unemployment rate was 0.94% of the workforce in the first half of 2026, edging up from 0.90% year-on-year. While the headline figure remains low, there are evident signs of labor market fragility across several dimensions, he said. Continued …
Data centers face tough new checks
The government is preparing tougher screening criteria for data center investments amid concerns over their heavy use of electricity and water. The Board of Investment (BOI) is preparing to assess projects based on four key areas: benefits to Thailand, energy and water availability, and environmental impacts.
Government deputy spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said the government was developing a regulatory framework governing data center investments, with the BOI having approved 42 projects worth a combined 750 billion baht. Continued …
Thailand proposes foreign visitor fee and travel subsidy
Thailand is preparing to launch its Thai Travel Thai Plus domestic tourism subsidy in September while proposing a fee on foreign visitors to finance tourism-site development, visitor protection and environmental restoration.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the four-month co-payment program would have a preliminary budget of 1.75 billion baht and offer 500,000 entitlements through Krungthai Bank’s Pao Tang application. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi defends food prices
Suvarnabhumi Airport has defended food prices at its international passenger terminal, saying restaurants and beverage outlets are required to keep their prices within 20% of normal market prices.
The clarification from Airports of Thailand (AOT) came after a report asking followers whether food at Suvarnabhumi Airport was too expensive. The report cited complaints from some passengers who said food inside the international departure terminal was significantly more expensive than similar items outside the airport, with some saying certain prices were several times higher than normal. Continued …
Pattaya suspends six staff over alleged tourist money demand
Pattaya City has temporarily suspended six people from duty after tourists allegedly were asked to pay 2,000-3,000 baht without receiving official fine documents or receipts.
The allegations involve people dressed similarly to Pattaya City special affairs officers at Bali Hai Pier. Tourists, business operators and tour guides reportedly complained that they had been taken into a tent and accused of offenses including loud motorcycle exhausts and smoking before being asked to pay money. Continued …
The story behind Thailand’s Mother’s Day
Each August, jasmine becomes one of Thailand’s most meaningful flowers. Its small white blooms are traditionally woven into garlands and offered to mothers on Mother’s Day, a gesture of gratitude, respect and enduring love.
This year, those garlands may be harder to find. With Mother’s Day arriving tomorrow, jasmine supplies are running low, as demand outstrips production. A source at the Department of Internal Trade said output is below usual levels, while demand has surged; some areas have already run out. Continued …
B3,000 minimum monthly bill for solar panel subsidy
To qualify for the government subsidy for installing rooftop solar panels, households must have a minimum monthly electricity bill of around 3,000 baht, according to the Finance Ministry.
A source from the Finance Ministry, who requested anonymity, said that under the initial criteria being considered, households eligible for the 50,000-baht government subsidy would need to have monthly electricity bills of at least 3,000 baht for the installation of rooftop solar panels to be considered economically worthwhile. Continued …
Contiguous US Breaks Its Record For Hottest Month Ever
The contiguous United States sizzled to its hottest month ever last month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July averaged 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius) across the lower 48 states, eclipsing the Dust Bowl’s July 1936 by an eighth of a degree. Records go back to 1895. – USA Today
Death toll rises to 132, hundreds injured, in Colombia earthquake
At least 132 people have died, and 570 have been injured as a result of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck earlier yesterday, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities, which earlier took part in an disaster response meeting with the president. Continued …
Typhoon Dolphin floods Shanghai as 943 flights canceled
Torrential rain from Typhoon Dolphin flooded roads and commercial areas across Shanghai yesterday, forcing the city’s two airports to cancel 943 flights and reducing their combined capacity by nearly 40%. Continued …
Two-thirds of Americans back social media age checks for under-16s
A majority of Americans across the political divide support stronger government oversight of social media companies, including age-verification requirements intended to prevent children under 16 from using their platforms. Continued …
Torment of Afghan fathers as daughters deprived of education
Father after father Agence France-Presse (AFP) spoke to in Afghanistan about the education ban that stops their daughters going beyond primary school choked up in despair. The pain and anguish it is causing behind closed doors is clear from interviews AFP conducted across the country, with even deeply religious fathers questioning the ruling. 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
Electric vehicle drivers in Hua Hin now have access to 61 charging stations offering 162 charging points, according to figures published by the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Energy Office. Across the province, there are 109 EV charging stations with a total of 294 charging points, covering all eight districts.
Large crowds gathered at Wat Huay Mongkol in Hua Hin yesterday for the 13th Luang Pu Thuat robe-draping ceremony, one of the region’s main faith-based tourism events.
Prachuap Khiri Khan officials are reviewing preparations for the possible reopening of the Singkhon border crossing, as authorities look to resume trade between Thailand and Myanmar.
People in Thailand lost nearly B9 billion to online scam networks during the first six months of 2026, when more than 170,000 online fraud cases were recorded. Average losses exceeded B52,000 per case.
Thai teenager Nene Royal has put one of Muse’s most recognizable rock tracks back in the spotlight after performing Hysteria during the Judges’ Callbacks on America’s Got Talent 2026.
Thailand is bracing for a worsening wave of corporate liquidations in the second half of the year, following fresh government data showing that major corporations are shutting down at an unprecedented rate alongside struggling small enterprises.
Thailand’s small and medium-sized enterprises have emerged as one of the most vulnerable parts of the economy, as financial and business indicators point to rising bad debt, prolonged credit contraction, weaker profitability and an increasing number of factory closures.
The Thai economy in June remained broadly stable from the previous month. Private consumption increased, supported in part by government measures and continued growth in electric vehicle sales.
Thailand has captured more than $26.8 billion (approx. 900 billion baht) in investment applications for its semiconductor and advanced electronics sectors over the past three years, cementing its position as a primary beneficiary of global supply chain diversification away from traditional manufacturing hubs.
Thailand’s exports rose 17.6% year-on-year to US$196.74 billion in the first six months of 2026, with technology and electronics leading the increase, the government said yesterday.
Putting the spotlight on an open secret
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has urged Chinese citizens attending cultural performances, sporting events and fan meetings in Thailand to comply strictly with local laws and venue regulations, following several incidents involving Chinese tourists.
Pattaya Bay moves to cap tour boat operators
When Lynda Lazaridis gets dressed, she chooses her clothes carefully. The Melbourne grandmother’s breasts were virtually removed, and her nipples relocated up near her armpits.
12 mythical giants watch over Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok ranks ninth on Time Out’s 2026 street food list
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has reaffirmed that the remaining 200 billion baht ($6.05 billion) from the government’s 400 billion baht ($12.1 billion) emergency loan decree will be strictly prioritized for Thailand’s clean energy transition.
When 35% of a year’s rainfall falls within a single week, as it did in parts of Thailand last year, the failure is not simply meteorological. It is a failure of design, of coordination, and — increasingly — of economics.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July on record as climate change fuels an historic summer of heat, drought and wildfires across the region, the EU’s global warming monitor said today. 
Chinese start-ups and researchers are racing to bring brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to market that can be implanted in just a few minutes, as Beijing pushes to nurture home-grown players in the sector to compete with Elon Musk’s Neuralink. 
AGT gives Nene Royal’s Judges’ Callbacks performance early release
Egg prices have climbed to a two-year high of 4 baht each, driven by reduced supplies due to hot weather and high animal feed prices. Prices are expected to ease in October as climate conditions improve.
The government will review its fiscal position before deciding whether to proceed with the second phase of the “Thais Help Thais Plus” co-payment scheme or revise its conditions.
Regional airport upgrade plan takes off
Ukrainians have adopted the term “safari” to describe drones “hunting down” civilians or vehicles in the street – something residents of Kherson, a smaller southern city on the front line, have long suffered from. The viral video of a vegetable seller being targeted by a bomb-laden drone has highlighted the threat faced by residents of the city. 
Hong Kong’s tourism industry has called for more experiential events, enhanced transport measures and closer cross-border cooperation to draw overnight visitors, after tourist spending fell to HK197.5 billion (830 billion baht) last year, 44% below its 2018 level. 
US President Donald Trump said he expected the war with Iran to end soon as negotiations over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz moved closer to an agreement but remained complicated by Iranian proposals to restrict US and Israeli vessels.
An NBC News review through July 10 found dozens of instances where Trump said the war was won or almost won — comments that were often followed by more threats of military action. 
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) expects the baht to remain weak for the rest of the year, despite its recent appreciation this week driven by external factors. The baht strengthened to around 33 per US dollar this week, primarily due to global developments.
Thailand will use private-sector investment and broader economic cooperation as bargaining tools in late-August trade talks with the United States, as it seeks exemptions for 13 additional export items and relief for the roughly 28% of Thai products that remain subject to US duties, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said.
CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT) has urged policymakers to prioritize sustainable investment in data center projects to maximize the long-term benefits for the Thai economy.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has outlined plans to provide grants of 50,000 baht per household for rooftop solar installations, alongside low-interest loans from state banks.
Thailand has been named the world’s fourth best retirement destination in a new index comparing all 192 UN member states. Malaysia, Panama and Portugal took the top three places in RUMAVI’s inaugural Global Relocation Index, published in July.
A weather warning has been issued for Prachual Khiri Khan Province for today through Sunday, with heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides and rough sea conditions possible across the province.
Huay Mongkol robe ceremony to be held this weekend
PKK takes on human-elephant conflict problems
A new initiative connecting wellness with community and environmental sustainability, “Friends of Chiva-Som 2026” brings together industry advocates, including Global Wellness Day Founder Belgin Aksoy, to support healthcare outreach and conservation efforts.
Petrol and gasohol prices at major filling stations across Thailand fell by 0.70 baht per liter from today, while diesel prices remained unchanged.
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani has temporarily closed to tourists after a staff member died while on duty in what officials believe was a tiger attack.
Prepared food prices expected to increase
Thailand’s headline consumer price index rose 1.95% in July from a year earlier, slowing from 2.42% in June and coming in below market expectations, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, reported that Thailand exported 3.28 million tons of rice in the first six months of 2026, from January to June, down 18.8% from the same period a year earlier. Shipments were worth more than US$1.911 billion.
Thailand bets big on AI despite talent shortage
The 60-day visa exemption is still on the books, but the shortcuts around it are closing. Land border crossings are now capped at two visa-exempt entries per calendar year, and immigration officers are actively enforcing proof of onward travel, confirmed accommodation, and a 20,000 baht cash reserve at the border. If your plan for staying in Thailand long-term was another border run, that plan no longer works.
Thailand has opened registration for businesses installing rooftop solar power systems and for approved equipment from Aug. 3 to Sept. 30, as it seeks to strengthen safety standards and prepare for wider household adoption nationwide under its clean-energy transition policy.
Asia and the Pacific is urbanizing faster than any other region. By 2050, its cities will be home to 3.4 billion people, up from 2.2 billion today – the equivalent of adding around two Delhi-sized cities every year. The region’s future will depend on how this urban expansion is managed – whether it delivers shared prosperity and well-being or deepens exclusions and vulnerability. 
Thailand is preparing for a historic step in space exploration, with a Thai-designed and developed scientific payload set to travel to the Moon as part of China’s Chang’e 7 mission on Aug. 24.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has intensified enforcement against cannabis businesses, inspecting 1,326 shops since October 2025 and seizing products worth more than 109 million baht.
Thailand’s crackdown on nominee structures used to hold property on behalf of foreign interests is creating new pressure on the luxury housing and condominium markets, as authorities intensify checks on ownership arrangements in the real estate sector.
Phantong Loykulnanta, director-general of the Customs Department, reported that Thailand’s international trade reached B21.4 trillion in the first 10 months of fiscal 2026. The figure was close to the full-year total of B22 trillion recorded the previous year.
Robot Supply Chain Comes to Thailand: Inside China’s Humanoid Push into the EEC
As the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to introduce a 3% hotel tax to increase revenue, the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has urged the authority to begin with a lower rate of 0.5%-1% and provide additional support to help tourism operators affected by the Middle East conflict.
Twelve people were injured after an Air India Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence yesterday, forcing some passengers who were not wearing seatbelts into the cabin ceiling.
Thailand is strengthening its tourism links with Indonesia through agreements with TransNusa Airlines and Traveloka, as it seeks to attract 890,000 Indonesian visitors in 2026.
Edwin Salas watched as the first of 20 solar panels was installed on the roof of his home, joining a Philippine solar energy boom sent into overdrive by the Middle East war. The country’s eye-watering electric bills – the highest in the region – were the primary driver of his decision, he said. Regular brownouts were a factor, too. 
The Faculty of Medicine at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) has unveiled progress in using locally developed CAR-T Cell therapy to treat blood cancers and autoimmune diseases, reporting that nearly 90% of patients have achieved complete remission.
A 13-year-old schoolboy has died after being stung by jellyfish while swimming at Ban Fai Tha beach in Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Three people who went to help him were also injured by the stings but are now safe and recovering.
Jiew Sai Yok, a lost wild elephant calf being cared for at Sai Yok National Park, died peacefully at around 2am yesterday, leaving veterinarians and park officials deeply saddened.
A Thai analysis published Sunday has challenged government claims of a strong GDP recovery, arguing that headline growth is failing to reach ordinary households and small businesses.
Thailand Post is repositioning itself as a key driver of Thailand’s digital economy, unveiling a new corporate strategy dubbed “RelationSHIFT” as it seeks to transform from a traditional postal operator into a lifestyle logistics brand that connects people, businesses, communities and government services through its nationwide network.
Thailand Retains Rank as World’s Second-Largest Pet Food Exporter
Thailand’s repeat visitors are showing stronger loyalty to Hua Hin and Pattaya than to Phuket, according to a new analysis by travel platform 12Go.
Thai travelers are increasingly choosing short restorative breaks, marathon-related holidays and more in-depth visits to secondary cities as travel patterns shift in 2026.
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the launch of new direct air routes connecting key cities in Indonesia and Thailand, highlighting expanded aviation connectivity as a vital driver for strengthening people-to-people ties and boosting regional tourism.
Some history behind Thailand’s Naga serpent
How History Made Thais Obsessed with Sugar
North Korea’s state media has recommended dog meat soup as protection against summer heat, reviving Pyongyang’s long-running effort to promote the controversial dish as record high temperatures grip both sides of the Korean peninsula. 
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged authorities to step up support for people affected by a record heat wave in the country, saying the death toll had risen to 16 and warning that extreme weather was becoming more frequent. 
Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross yesterday, her son Kim Aris said, who has not heard from her directly in years. 
Searchlights sweep across the rivers of Malaysia’s Sarawak state as licensed hunters track crocodiles in the dark. Their work is part of a broader effort to manage a tension between wildlife and the communities that rely on the water every day. 
Appetite grows for Talay Noi swamp buffalo meat
Thailand will not face a crude oil shortage in August despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, as supply remains sufficient for all six domestic refineries, according to the Department of Energy Business (DOEB).
The Thai baht is trading near its weakest level in over 15 months against the US Dollar, as a confluence of external pressures continues to erode its value. The currency’s decline has been driven by a renewed spike in oil prices, compounded by a firmer USD and rising US Treasury yields.
When Thailand’s Revenue Department released its latest personal income tax filing figures, the headline number was not the roughly 12 million people who submitted a return. It was the much smaller group behind it: an estimated 5 million filers, or around 40%of those who filed, who actually owed any tax at all.
Here he goes again. US President Donald Trump is increasing and decreasing tariffs willy-nilly, violating international agreements that he himself signed and almost surely violating federal law. The only difference this time is that he has a new pretext for abusing tariffs: stopping forced labor.
Trade deficit marks a sea change
Private consumption in Thailand increased by 1.1% month-on-month in June, accelerating from 0.6% in the previous month. It marked the second straight month of growth, driven mainly by stronger spending on non-durable goods amid higher consumer goods sales following government stimulus measures, as well as improved fuel consumption as retail fuel prices declined and sales returned closer to normal levels.
Inviting the fury of the Thai public on a matter that is admittedly done and dusted, I cannot help but feel compelled to at least voice my misgivings over the recent “noisy Italian students” incident, especially how it played out compared with another similar occurrence.
Bangkok’s Chao Phraya draws new hotels, attractions and megaprojects
Thailand launches 10 hiking schools for responsible forest tourism
Footage from a hotel in Krabi is leaving viewers unsettled after a couple reportedly discovered a large cobra lurking near their bed before sunrise.One of the guests initially treated the commotion as just being startled from a bad dream or some other misunderstanding. Only moments later did they realize why their partner had suddenly woken up and run from the room in a panic at about 5 am.
The History of Talad Noi
Thailand must accelerate its transition to advanced green manufacturing if it hopes to remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-driven global economy, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Waste is often seen as the inevitable by-product of economic growth. In reality, it may become one of the most valuable resources economies possess.
Data center race faces power, water logjam
Stopping alcohol is often presented as a simple decision, but in reality, learning how to stop drinking alcohol isn’t the same for everyone. At one end, some people can reduce their drinking with structure and support. At the other, those dependent on alcohol may face withdrawal symptoms and serious risks without medical guidance.
Amid volatility of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices globally, the Energy Ministry confirmed that as of July 30 Thailand has sufficient oil reserves for 101 days, with several measures being implemented to mitigate the impact of higher oil prices and electricity costs on the public.
Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has unveiled a comprehensive draft bill aimed at reining in the country’s cannabis sector, establishing a strict regulatory framework focused purely on health and wellness.
Lost wild elephant calf rescued in Sai Yok National Park
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has unveiled an ambitious blueprint to reshape Thailand for what he calls a chaotic “New World Disorder,” arguing that only sweeping government reform, rapid AI adoption, stronger research investment, regional economic expansion and a smarter civil service can keep the country competitive.
An Indian travel influencer’s video describing four aspects of life in Thailand that surprised her has drawn mixed reactions online, after being highlighted by the Hindustan Times.
From comforting Hainanese-style noodles and bold peppery goat soup to southern Thai family recipes, intimate home-style cooking, and regional specialties from Phetchaburi, these four Bib Gourmand restaurants from The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2026 showcase some of Bangkok’s best-value dining.
Thailand possesses substantial latent capability to become a major regional hub for green manufacturing, provided the country accelerates its transition toward advanced eco-friendly industries, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Court upholds Thailand’s ban on toxic farm chemicals
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport is seeking public views on a proposal to ban petrol-powered tuk tuks in central Bangkok, particularly around major historic and tourist sites.
Electric vehicles are often viewed as a technology reserved for wealthy nations, but new analysis suggests this perception is rapidly becoming outdated. Research supported by the World Bank shows that EV adoption in developing countries is not only feasible — it is increasingly economically advantageous, especially for public transport systems and the millions who rely on two- and three-wheelers for daily mobility.
Plastic Bank has recovered 200 000 tons of plastic since launching in 2013, marking a new collection milestone of 10 billion plastic bottles. The Vancouver-based social enterprise announced that more than 68, 500 collectors have contributed to the effort across six countries.
Out of the blue, the Anutin government has made an abrupt policy U-turn by announcing it will abandon the 1-trillion-baht land bridge project. The reversal follows an official review that found the original project carried significant financial risks and uncertain economic returns.
Thailand must stop measuring tourism success simply by visitor numbers and build a system that protects destinations, local communities and infrastructure, according to two researchers at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
A severe drought and the peak travel season have left Koh Samui facing a water shortage that is affecting businesses, prompting tourism operators to call for greater investment in water infrastructure to keep pace with rising visitor numbers.
Thailand’s largest island records decline in hotel guests in first half
Wild tiger population in Thailand’s protected reserves reaches 210