- Hospitality Classic tees off/Thailand Second in Retirement Index/World Cup sports-streaming power play/5,999 baht FIFA World Cup package/FIFA World Cup scams
- THE IRAN WAR: Trump touts imminent deal/Wait for September/Global Growth to Lowest Rate/
- ECONOMY: Job groups risk AI disruption/Consumer confidence at 4-year low/Bank insists baht is stable/Global economic structural shift/Water security key to investments/Bangkok condo glut/Thai farm debt crisis/Health Expo 2026
- TOURISM: Safety spotlight on amusement and water parks/New airport slots/Elephant tourism in Thailand
- CLIMATE THAILAND: How Thai rivers are being poisoned/Rare earth mining in Myanmar/Changan Hits 20,000 Vehicle Milestone
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hospitality Classic tees off at Royal Lakeside today to support Hua Hin Heroes
Fore Management Group is conducting the inaugural Misthos Group Hospitality Classic today, a one-day charity golf tournament to be held at Royal Lakeside Golf Club, with proceeds supporting Hua Hin Heroes Foundation.
The event will be played in a four-man team Texas Scramble format and is expected to attract more than 120 expat golfers living in Thailand, including individual players and corporate teams. Fore Management Group said 100% of funds raised on the day will be donated to Hua Hin Heroes. Continued …
Thailand Ranks Second in 2026 Retirement Abroad Index
Thailand has been named the second-best country in the world for retirement in 2026, according to the Retirement Abroad Index 2026 published by Expatriate Group. The ranking places Thailand behind the Philippines and ahead of destinations including Colombia, Portugal, Spain, and France.
The index assessed 20 countries across five key areas: healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community and integration. The findings were compiled by Expatriate Group, a specialist provider of international health insurance serving expatriates and retirees in more than 180 countries. Continued …
JAS-Monomax turns World Cup rights into Thailand sports-streaming power play
JAS and Monomax’s acquisition of FIFA World Cup rights is more than a broadcast deal. It is a strategic move to turn football’s biggest tournament into a long-term sports and entertainment ecosystem, offering all 104 World Cup 2026 matches on Monomax while putting more than 40 matches on free TV.
Jasmine International, or JAS, has secured the Thai broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and 2030, as well as other FIFA-affiliated events, in a deal worth US$70 million, or about 2.3 billion baht. Mono Next, which operates Monomax and traditional TV platforms, will serve as the broadcaster under the group’s broader sports-content strategy. Continued …
Thailand unveils 5,999 baht FIFA World Cup 2026 package
Jasmine International, or JAS, has officially confirmed it secured the broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030 for Thailand, announcing a 5,999 baht premium viewing package.
The premium package on Monomax will cost 5,999 baht and allow family viewing, averaging about 250 baht per month. Customers can pay in 0% installments for up to 10 months and watch on two screens at the same time. Continued …
Cybercriminals exploit FIFA World Cup fans with scams
Cybercriminals are using the FIFA World Cup to launch scams and steal credentials, warns FortiGuard Labs, the research arm of cybersecurity firm Fortinet.
New research from FortiGuard Labs reveals cybercriminal infrastructure linked to this year’s World Cup is already operational. The tournament runs from Thursday to July 19. Continued …
Trump cancels Iran strikes, touts imminent deal (40th time)
US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat of further strikes against Iran yesterday and said a deal with Tehran to end the war could be signed in coming days. As the World Cup opening ceremony got underway in Mexico, Trump posted news of a potential breakthrough, triggering a stock market rally and a drop in oil prices.
Claiming that talks with Iran had been “brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved,” Trump said he had “cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening.” Continued …
Middle Eastern wars: Wait for September
Last Tuesday, US President Donald Trump told journalists that the United States and Iran are “in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal”.
On Wednesday, after an American helicopter gunship crashed in the Strait of Hormuz, presumably downed by Iranians, he declared angrily that “They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!” Continued …
Middle East Conflict to Push Global Growth to Lowest Rate Since COVID-19
Global growth is forecast to slow to 2.5% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025. Forecasts for two-thirds of economies have been downgraded relative to January of this year. Global growth is expected to improve to 2.8% in 2027 but will remain 0.4 percentage point below the average during the 2010s.
Weak growth in developing economies has stalled progress toward advanced-economy income levels. By 2028, developing economies other than China and India will have collectively experienced nearly a decade of no progress on narrowing their per capita income gap with advanced economies, the report finds. Continued …
Thai labor market faces skills mismatch, four job groups risk AI disruption
Thailand’s labor market is facing growing pressure from demographic change, education mismatch, and the rise of artificial intelligence, with four major occupational groups at risk of disruption.
Thailand’s changing population structure — longer lifespans, fewer births, and an aging society — is reshaping the country’s health, social, and economic landscape. The challenges are not confined to any single age group, but are linked across the entire life course. Continued …
Thai consumer confidence at 4-year low
The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) fell to 49.5 in May, the lowest level since December 2022, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) said yesterday.
The drop was mainly attributed to concerns over the Middle East war and persistently high oil prices, which are expected to weigh on Thailand’s economic growth and raise the cost of living, the university’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting said. Continued …
Central bank insists the baht is stable
The Bank of Thailand says it is confident about the baht’s stability despite recent depreciation against the US dollar amid heightened external uncertainties.
Given the baht’s resilience and Thailand’s strong external fundamentals, the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sees no need to convene a special meeting, unlike its counterpart in Indonesia, said Chayawadee Chai-anant, assistant governor for corporate relations and spokesperson for the regulator. Continued …
BOT points to global economic structural shift and rising uncertainty
Vitai Ratanakorn, governor of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), said in his opening remarks at the IMF Economic Review Conference, held under the theme “Power, Markets, and Strategy in a Changing Global Order”, that over recent decades, trade liberalization, global financial integration, and regional co-operation had been key drivers of economic growth and opportunities for countries in Asia and around the world.
However, this global economic order is changing, with the world economy facing a major structural shift alongside rising uncertainty, while international political tensions are intensifying and the dividing line between geopolitics and economics is beginning to blur. Continued …
World Bank says water security key to Thailand’s investment appeal
Water is no longer simply a basic factor for consumption or agriculture in the modern era. It has become a decisive factor in foreign investors’ decisions and part of the national security strategy.
Melinda Good, the World Bank director for Thailand and Myanmar and a World Bank representative, emphasized at the “Navigating Thailand’s Water Future” forum that global geopolitics is being reshaped, moving from a focus on competition between major powers to competition to attract investment in future industries. Continued …
Bangkok condo glut hits 350,000 units, may take six years to clear
Greater Bangkok’s condominium market is facing a heavy stock overhang of around 350,000 unsold units, which could take five to six years to clear, according to Knight Frank Thailand.
The company said that in the first quarter of 2026, 6,174 new condominium units were launched in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. Notably, no new projects were launched in the central business district (CBD). Continued …
Thai farm debt crisis a test for Anutin government
Ahead of the Feb. 8 general election, politicians often came to court voters like 69-year-old rice farmer Chaon Taiupok in Ayutthaya, about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok.
“Once they won and formed the government, they disappeared,” said Chaon, who is struggling to make ends meet, as rising costs of fuel and fertilizer triggered by the Iran war combine with falling rice prices to hammer farmers. Continued …
Health Expo 2026 to boost hub dreams
Phuket is preparing to host the Phuket Health Expo 2026 from July 1–5 in a bid to better connect with global health and wellness networks.
The event, themed “Longevity – Wellness for a Long Life”, is expected to generate over 50 million baht in economic activity and reinforce Phuket’s role as a regional centre for medical, health and wellness tourism. Continued …
Safety spotlight on amusement and water parks across Thailand
A minister attached to the prime minister’s office, Supamas Isarabhakdi, has ordered increased inspections of amusement parks and water parks nationwide following concerns about consumer safety. The directive was announced during a safety inspection at Siam Amazing Park in Bangkok conducted with officials from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and other relevant agencies.
Supamas said operators must comply with legal safety requirements, including annual inspections of rides, buildings, electrical systems, fire protection equipment, and emergency exits. Water parks are also required to meet public health standards covering water quality and treatment systems. Authorities said any ride or equipment found to pose a safety risk could be suspended immediately. Continued …
New airport slots agreed with 87 airlines to boost tourism
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic will launch a new three-times-weekly London Heathrow to Phuket service as Thailand’s tourism fightback gathers pace, with 87 international airlines competing for new routes and flight slots into the kingdom.
The surge in global aviation interest marks a powerful turnaround after a bruising start to 2026, when weaker demand, soaring airfares, and instability linked to the US-Iran conflict hit the sector, with Thailand now betting on expanded air links to revive visitor numbers and tourism earnings. Continued …
Intrepid matches Aussie donations to transform elephant tourism in Thailand
Twelve years after becoming the first global tour operator to remove elephant rides from its trips, Intrepid Travel is putting money behind the next phase of elephant tourism welfare reform in Thailand, matching donations to World Animal Protection Thailand dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 throughout June via its not-for-profit arm, The Intrepid Foundation.
The Room to Roam end-of-financial-year appeal will help fund the transition of elephant tourism venues from rides and performances to higher-welfare sanctuary models. Continued …
How Thai rivers are being poisoned
Communities across northern Thailand are raising the alarm after tests detected dangerous levels of arsenic and other heavy metals in major waterways.
As concerns grow over public health, livelihoods, and the future of the Mekong river basin, attention is increasingly turning upstream. Video …
How rare earth mining in Myanmar threatens Thailand’s rice and fish
Thongkham Inprom has been farming for more than six decades, growing jasmine rice and sticky rice in Chiang Rai. The 71-year-old harvests about 60 tons each year and keeps 1% for his family. The rest is sent to a rice mill and eventually sold in central Thailand.
But now he is worried that he might not be able to sell his rice. Government agencies have found arsenic in the soil and water at his farm. It is already affecting his crops. Continued …
Changan’s Rayong EV Plant in Thailand Hits 20,000 Vehicle Milestone
Changan Automobile’s plant in Rayong rolled out its 20,000th vehicle, with the Qiyuan Q05 as the main model. The facility officially commenced production in May 2025 and is located in the core area of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor.
It marks Changan’s first overseas new energy vehicle manufacturing base, featuring five intelligent workshops for welding, painting, final assembly, engine assembly, and battery assembly, with a 90% automation rate at key quality control stations. Continued …
-
Foreign Couple Held After Baby Found Dead in Udon Thani – Continued …
-
Chinese Tourists Brawl Outside Pattaya Restaurant – Continued …
-
American man caught for assault, property damage in Chon Buri – Continued …
UK defense minister quits with stinging rebuke of PM Starmer
British Defense Secretary John Healey quit yesterday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country. His resignation weakens Starmer’s authority at a precarious moment for the Labor leader, a week before a by-election that could prompt a bid to replace him. 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
Private sector officials in Khon Kaen have proposed new Khon Kaen-Hua Hin flights as part of plans to improve air links between the northeast and key tourism and economic centers.
Makro, a leading wholesale business under CP AXTRA, is making everyday shopping easier, faster, and more secure for millions of Thai customers with the nationwide launch of QR Credit Card Payment at Makro.
Representatives from the Swedish Church are visiting Hua Hin from June 12-16 for baptisms, home visits, hospital visits, and meetings with local businesses, the church announced.
The situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains fragile, but is still under control, says National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad. His comments came amid reports that China had delivered T-59D tanks to Cambodia.
Thai gold prices fell sharply at the market open today, with bullion dropping by 1,150 baht per baht-weight as global gold prices came under renewed pressure.
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has affirmed that the baht situation and Thailand’s external position remain strong, even as pressure from the conflict between the United States and Iran has caused the baht to weaken slightly.
The SCB Economic Intelligence Center (SCB EIC) of Siam Commercial Bank has set out its view on Thai household vulnerability based on findings from the latest nationwide household survey. It found that incomes had shrunk, spending had been cut, and reliance on assistance and debt remained high despite some easing, putting pressure on consumption ahead.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its forecast for Thailand’s 2026 economic growth to 1.6%-2.0%, supported by the 170-billion-baht “Thais Help Thais Plus” stimulus scheme.
Thailand’s quarterly GDP growth rate was 1.2% in the third quarter of 2025, rising to 2.5% in the fourth quarter, and further to 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
Amid rising global uncertainty, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has urged the government to step up efforts to attract foreign investors and encourage multinational companies to relocate their operations to Thailand.
The government is seeking new markets for Thai shrimp after Malaysia announced an import suspension earlier this month, says Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. Malaysia has suspended imports of five shrimp species from Thailand, starting June 1.
Gulf Development, Thailand’s largest energy company by market value and a major telecom operator, has announced plans to invest in new data centers with a combined capacity of 100 megawatts this year, underscoring its ambition to become a regional leader in digital infrastructure and cloud services.
The drafting of Bangkok’s new comprehensive city plan, the fourth revision, is expected to take effect around late 2027 and bring major changes to land-use rules in several areas.
Thailand is moving closer to introducing its long-delayed foreign tourism levy, with officials targeting a third-quarter launch and considering airline collection alongside visitor insurance coverage.
Return to Khao Yai Reveals Why Thailand’s Nature Escape Keeps Getting Better
Thailand’s best beaches, and when to visit each one
How Thailand’s Highland Communities Are Taking Local Wisdom Global
Thailand is accelerating its transition to a low-carbon economy, rolling out a series of policies, regulatory reforms, and investment incentives designed to align economic growth with environmental sustainability.
US President Donald Trump yesterday brushed off concerns about consumer inflation surging to a fresh three-year high in May, on the back of soaring energy prices caused by his war in Iran. “The numbers were great… I love the inflation,” Trump told reporters. 
After Russian police started using facial-recognition cameras to identify men wanted by military authorities, a young bank worker spent weeks avoiding the Moscow metro. But on a snowy Friday evening in late 2024, heavy traffic pushed him underground to visit his mother. At the next station, two officers entered the carriage and detained him for draft evasion. 
SpaceX enters the final stretch today before its expected trading on Wall Street as part of the biggest initial public offering in history, which could propel co-founder Elon Musk to trillionaire status. 
Tony Mancuso, one of the golf and turf industry’s most respected experts, has joined the Bunker Solution team as director of sales for the Asia-Pacific region.
Thailand’s rapid growth in international schools is sharpening debate over whether the trend is deepening educational inequality or creating new opportunities to strengthen the wider school system.
Gold prices in Thailand fell sharply this morning, with the selling price of gold ornaments dropping to 66,150 baht per baht-weight, according to the latest update from the Gold Traders Assn.
Three police special operations officers were injured yesterday morning when suspected insurgents detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Raman district in Yala province while the officers were conducting a routine school security operation.
Over 100 days into the US-Israel war against Iran, Asia has emerged as the region most exposed to the global energy shock unleashed by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with countries facing soaring fuel bills, rising food prices, inflationary pressures, and growing fiscal burdens.
At the Thailand Rule of Law Leadership Forum 2026: Competitiveness and OECD Readiness, a major forum on Thailand’s future direction, two key representatives from the public and private sectors shared the stage to outline a common direction.
The Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme will be available on four food delivery platforms from June 15, allowing participants to use government subsidies when ordering meals online, deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said yesterday.
The ongoing baht depreciation and rising US bond yields are pressuring the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and encouraging capital outflows after the benchmark index retreated from the key psychological level of 1,600 points, say analysts.
The dream of owning a home is slipping further away for many Thais, as weak income growth, high household debt, and tougher mortgage screening continue to weigh on the property market. A 2026 housing-demand survey by SCB EIC found that 56% of respondents had no plan to buy a home within the next five years, up from 47% a year earlier and the highest level in four years.
Industrial estate developer WHA Corp. is conducting a feasibility study for a new industrial estate dedicated to data centers, cloud services, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is calling on the government to set stricter investment conditions for the rapidly growing data center sector, ensuring local communities and businesses benefit from the influx of foreign capital.
Thailand’s own ‘Eye’ emerges in Pathum Thani
5 Scenic Hiking Trails In Thailand
For environmental monitoring professionals, regulatory change often looks abstract at first. But on the ground, those changes quickly become practical questions: where will the instruments be installed, what pollutants must be measured, how will data be verified, who will maintain the systems, and what happens when the numbers are no longer just internal records but live regulatory evidence?
The United States is urging European governments to introduce Ebola-related travel restrictions ahead of the FIFA World Cup, as Washington seeks to prevent the outbreak from spreading during one of the world’s biggest sporting events. 
The government will cut electricity tariffs to no more than 3 baht per unit for the first 200 units, starting from the June billing cycle, in a cost-of-living relief measure expected to benefit more than 20 million households nationwide.
Egg prices in Thailand have risen by 20 satang per egg from yesterday, as poultry farmers come under growing pressure from higher feed and maize costs. The Central Region Small-Scale Egg-Layer Farmers Trade Assn. said the latest price movement reflects rising production expenses rather than an increase in the recommended farm-gate ceiling.
One in three Thai children cannot read properly by the age of ten. Youth unemployment is rising. And the workforce needed to power Thailand’s next decade of growth is simply not being trained. Against this backdrop of mounting urgency, a roundtable yesterday brought together some of the country’s foremost voices in education, policy, academia, and student leadership to confront what many are now calling a systemic crisis.
Thailand is being warned that its economic challenge is no longer only about whether growth will recover in the second half of the year, but whether the country can reform fast enough before today’s structural risks turn into a deeper crisis. The warning comes as economists and business leaders point to a shift in Thailand’s long-standing economic strengths.
Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the Thai Restaurant Assn., said the association submitted a letter directly to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, asking him to consider expanding eligibility or introducing additional measures for small restaurant operators with annual revenue above 1.8 million baht, who are currently unable to join the Thais Help Thais Plus scheme.
The outlook for the restaurant industry in the third quarter remains pessimistic, with high costs, weak consumer spending power, and a potential drop in tourist numbers continuing to loom over the industry.
Multiple Thai airlines have canceled approximately 3,800 flights due to skyrocketing jet fuel prices, spurred on by the prolonged crisis in the Middle East. The crisis has led to jet fuel becoming 2 to 3 times more expensive than normal, thereby pushing up the airlines’ fuel costs and other operating costs.
Luxury Golf Escapes: The Finest Courses in Hua Hin
Every year, Time Out publishes the results of its international survey ranking the world’s best cities. To get there, we surveyed thousands of city dwellers and asked them to rate their city’s food scene across 18 different criteria, including quality, affordability and diversity.
The plan to allocate 200 billion baht toward energy transition, focusing on rooftop solar systems and battery-powered vehicles, has raised concerns among economists and lawmakers over transparency and feasibility.
Oceans are in a “deepening crisis” that demands urgent global action, a major UN report warned yesterday, with seas warming and rising faster, ice cover shrinking, and marine ecosystems under mounting strain.
Hong Kong will soon open its first convenience store operated by a humanoid robot as part of the city’s push to integrate AI into everyday life and deepen residents’ understanding of the technology, the finance chief has said. 
Registration has opened for the Hua Hin International Half Marathon 2026, with runners invited to sign up for the event, which will take place on Sunday. July 19.
A 42-year-old former factory worker died after being bitten by a centipede in Si Racha, Chon Buri, with her partner claiming they could not afford treatment after discovering her social security coverage had expired.
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) today filed a lawsuit against Meta, the owner of Facebook, covering both its Thailand office and headquarters. The council accused the platform of allowing scam advertisements and online fraud to spread continuously, despite discussions and repeated calls for stronger preventive measures over more than a year.
More airlines could face insolvency or be taken over by stronger rivals as jet fuel prices rise because of the conflict in the Middle East, Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Assn. said on Saturday.
Commerzbank’s FX analysts note that the USD/THB exchange rate experienced a decline to 32.55, primarily attributed to portfolio inflows. This movement occurred despite Thailand’s April trade deficit widening significantly to a record USD10.0 billion.
Thai businesses are increasingly exploring opportunities in Russia despite concerns over sanctions, payment restrictions, and potential repercussions for companies with links to Western markets, as Thai delegates attended the St. Petersburg International Economic (SPIEF).
Dozens of dead cubs found at Thai tiger temple
Where street food shapes the region’s top culinary cities
Energy authorities are preparing to expand Thailand’s electricity generation capacity amid mounting concerns that rising demand from resource-intensive businesses, particularly data centers, could strain the national grid.
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines this morning, killing at least one person, collapsing buildings, and sparking tsunami warnings across the region. Authorities in the Philippines and Indonesia urged residents in affected coastal regions to move to higher ground immediately. 
Residents of St. Petersburg were told not to leave their homes after a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack targeted Russia’s second-largest city Saturday morning, underscoring Kyiv’s growing ability to hit deep inside Russia. The attack came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin refused an offer to meet his Ukrainian counterpart. 
U.S. President Donald Trump stormed out of an interview with NBC airing yesterday after a heated exchange during “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker”. The interview ended abruptly when Trump – after repeating unsubstantiated claims that U.S. elections are “rigged”- walked out after calling Welker, her show, and other U.S. TV networks “crooked.” 
Fuel prices fell across major petrol, gasohol, and diesel products today, after PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp. announced a fresh round of retail price cuts.
Thailand is facing widespread rain and possible flash floods, as a relatively strong southwest monsoon continues to cover the Andaman Sea, the country, and the Gulf of Thailand, while a low-pressure cell remains over upper Myanmar.
The recent crackdown on alleged nominee structures linked to foreign land ownership on Koh Phangan has reignited debate over long-standing concerns in Thailand’s property sector, particularly in resort destinations popular with overseas buyers.
Thailand’s export engine is running hot — powered by electronics, AI-related demand, and a rebound in agriculture. But imports are running even hotter, especially in energy and electronic components, pushing the trade deficit to unprecedented levels.
Thailand’s flagship land bridge project has suffered a significant setback after an expert review committee ordered fresh Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) studies for planned deep-sea ports in Ranong and Chumphon. The ports are key components of the proposed transport corridor linking the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has reported the success of Thailand’s film incentive measures for foreign productions. Since 2017, a total of 100 foreign film productions from 12 countries and special administrative regions around the world have joined Thailand’s cash rebate scheme.
TAT launches ‘Wild Awake Journey’ to promote green-season conservation travel
Thai Airways International (THAI) has confirmed it will resume direct Bangkok-Amsterdam flights from July 1, expanding its international network as the carrier works to strengthen links between Thailand and Europe.
Shining beacon or failed city? Next four years could reveal Bangkok’s fate
Thailand pushes climate action at World Environment Day
As the war in the Strait of Hormuz continues to create havoc, Asia remains the worst hit by the global energy crisis. Whether it’s a large economy like Japan or China, or a struggling economy like Sri Lanka or Pakistan, the same fate holds.
CP ALL is inviting consumers across Thailand to take part in its environmental campaign, “Heal the World, Heal the Heart 24 Hours at 7-Eleven,” running from now until the end of 2026. The initiative encourages customers to adopt simple eco-friendly habits, such as reducing plastic consumption, in exchange for special rewards and loyalty points at 7-Eleven stores nationwide.
Authorities launched a multi-agency operation in Pai, Mae Hong Son province, targeting suspected foreign nominee business networks accused of concealing ownership structures and depriving local residents of business opportunities. The operation resulted in the arrest of three foreign nationals and searches at five locations linked to suspected illegal business activities. 
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a US$518-million emergency action plan to control the Ebola outbreak in Africa over the next six months, amid concerns that the outbreak is spreading rapidly and has become the fourth-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded. 
This year’s fair will help raise money for disaster relief, support for low-income residents, people with disabilities, disadvantaged groups, and other public charity activities. Funds raised will be used to provide assistance, including consumer goods, survival bags, kitchen equipment, bedding, mosquito nets, medicine, home repairs for low-income residents, support for bedridden patients, and wheelchair donations. 
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecast today that upper Thailand would see more rain over the next 24 hours, with heavy rain in some areas. Very heavy rain is expected in parts of the north, the western side of the central region, the east, and the west coast of the south, as a fairly strong south-westerly monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand.
A new US tariff could pose a severe threat to Thai exports in the latter half of this year, causing fresh trade uncertainties, say economists and businesses.
Global businesses are moving away from the old model of anchoring headquarters, factories, or innovation centers in a single major city, as rising geopolitical, economic, and climate risks force companies to rethink how they manage location strategy.
Second-hand homes have become more popular among Thai homebuyers since the pandemic, with their share of both transaction volume and value increasing as new home transfers declined, reflecting weaker purchasing power amid a slowing economy.
Thailand’s tourism industry faces a fresh setback after the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) cut its 2026 forecast for Chinese visitor arrivals from 9 million to 7 million. The downgrade reflects growing safety concerns among Chinese travelers, alongside rising travel costs linked to higher oil prices caused by conflict in the Middle East.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, yesterday said it would suspend operations to six international destinations, including Krabi, citing higher operating costs and broader pressure from continued airspace restrictions. The move comes a week after IndiGo reported a fourth-quarter loss, largely due to higher jet fuel costs.
Fuel prices in Thailand rose today after PTT Oil and Retail Business, or OR, and Bangchak Corp. adjusted retail prices across petrol, gasohol and diesel products. The increases apply to Bangkok retail prices, excluding local maintenance tax.
We often think of cancer as just bad luck or purely genetic, something inevitable. But what if the way we live is actually the biggest factor?
A national park in Thailand has not one but three reasons to celebrate after confirming a rare Bengal tiger is raising a trio of cubs in the protected area. Park rangers first spotted a single cub with its mother on a camera trap last year in Kaeng Krachan National Park, around 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of Bangkok.
The Gulf crisis deepened yesterday after attacks linked to Iran damaged Kuwait International Airport and injured dozens, while the United States launched fresh strikes near the Strait of Hormuz amid stalled efforts to end the war.
Thailand could face an additional 12.5% tariff on exports to the United States under a new proposal from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which targets imports from 60 countries over concerns about forced labor in global supply chains.
Industry analysts say while the asset sales by Electricity Generating (EGCO), Banpu Power and BCPG, the power-generation arm of Bangchak Corp., may superficially resemble a withdrawal of Thai capital from Western markets, each transaction is underpinned by distinct strategic, corporate, and legal motivations aimed at optimizing portfolios for a low-carbon future or higher renewable exposure.
The Finance Ministry has backed away from the old-car trade-in plan after running into problems over the management of end-of-life vehicles and old batteries, amid concerns that the scheme may not work in practice.
A Thai massage training program has opened in Hua Hin as part of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s push to develop wellness-related services, including alternative medicine, spa treatments, and Thai massage.
Thai Airways International marked a historic milestone yesterday when a female pilot operated a commercial flight for the national carrier for the first time in its 66-year history.
The Thai real estate sector is facing a quiet but catastrophic crisis, described by industry experts as a “slow-motion tsunami” driven by chronic economic stagnation and an aging population.
The Ministry of Commerce has been ordered to accelerate negotiations with the United States on trade and tariff issues, aiming to reach a conclusion swiftly to safeguard Thailand’s export sector.
In economics, few indicators of food security are as simple – and as powerful – as the price of eggs. Affordable, accessible, and nutritious, eggs should be the most democratic source of protein in any society. Yet in Thailand, a single egg tells a far more complex story – one of market power, distorted incentives, and a system that may no longer serve the public interest.
Pride celebrations have evolved from simple parades to major economic drivers through tourism. For example, the NYC Pride March attracts millions, boosting local tourism, though as an open-access event, spending per attendee is limited.
The Industry Ministry plans to announce an industrial standard for solar rooftop panels and related equipment within three months. Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said at Government House yesterday he would accelerate the introduction of an industrial standard to ensure the safety of the increasing number of households switching to home solar power.
As the world pursues decarbonization, the concept of a “just transition” has become ubiquitous, particularly when describing the shift away from fossil fuels in emerging and developing economies.
The World Meteorological Organization has warned that El Niño conditions are likely to develop in the coming months, raising concerns that global weather patterns could become more extreme at a time when the planet is already under pressure from human-driven climate change. 
Hua Hin Airport Upgrade Targets International Flights
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has recommended restructuring the alcoholic beverage tax system to help reduce consumption.
The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of continued rain across Thailand today, with heavy downpours in several areas and isolated very heavy rain expected along the south’s west coast.
Thai police have blocked 717,425 gambling-related URLs and social media channels across Thailand as part of an intensified crackdown on online betting, particularly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Factories across Southeast Asia are beginning to close and cut jobs as war-driven increases in raw-material, energy, and shipping costs squeeze manufacturers, exposing a widening divide between booming electronics exporters and struggling industries such as furniture, footwear, plastics, and local manufacturing.
Thailand’s economy may be growing faster than expected, but Commerce Minister Supajee Suthamphan has warned that the recovery is increasingly turning its back on small business concerns. Behind soaring exports, rising investment and stronger GDP growth lies a widening divide, with large corporations capturing up to 90% of export growth while many SMEs struggle for finance, technology and market access.
The government should accelerate infrastructure development to strengthen Thailand’s position as a leading destination for foreign investment in advanced industries, particularly those involving artificial intelligence (AI), says WHA Corp., which operates industrial estates, logistics, utilities, and power businesses.
Malaysia has begun enforcing new social media rules banning children under 16 from having accounts on major online platforms, as the government steps up efforts to protect young users from digital risks. The measure, which took effect yesterday, covers millions of children and teenagers across the country. 
The pavements of Hanoi’s wide boulevards and narrow lanes have long been clogged with bustling food stalls, weaving scooters, and crowds of coffee and beer drinkers sitting on low plastic stools. But the spontaneity that charmed tourists and supported street vendors in Vietnam’s capital has subsided in recent months as authorities clamp down on illegal use of footpaths.