- Thailand advances road and bridge plans/Panthers and Leopards Spotted/Traffic police ordered to unmask/South Thailand flood warning/Rain, runoff, rocks and mud slam Phuket/80th in rule of law index/Birth rate crisis/Thai woman sells house opposite police station
- ECONOMY: Data-center boom could flood villages/50.4% expect cost rises/$690 million Advanced Materials Investment/PM expects Thai GDP growth to exceed 2.1%/Free-trade pact with European Union/Thailand sets new payment deadlines/Thailand assesses trade risks amid European protests
- TOURISM: Thailand 66th in Passport Index/Thailand trails in international flight growth
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Best Places To Retire/Thailand’s Golf Market
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Province hailed for green rice farming
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Thailand advances nine southern road and bridge plans
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is pushing nine road and bridge projects worth more than 240 billion baht to ease southern traffic bottlenecks and support the regional economy. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn called for faster development of southern routes, which he said had lagged behind.
Phiphat pointed to heavy reliance on the Phetkasem and Rama II road corridor as a cause of recurring congestion, particularly during major holidays. The Pak Tho–Pran Buri project would widen a route parallel to Phetkasem Road from four lanes to eight, running toward Phetchaburi through Kaeng Krachan before reaching Pran Buri. Continued …
Two Black Panthers and Three Leopards Spotted in Kaeng Krachan Forest
Five young big cats, two black panthers and three leopards, were spotted together in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province. According to Mongkol Chaiphakdee, head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, the rare sighting occurred on yesterday morning along the road leading to Ban Krang, close to the Khao Sam Yot ranger station.
The animals were discovered between by Natnalee Suraplanan (“Nong”), an independent wildlife photographer. She reported seeing five juvenile cats, estimated to be between two and three years old, consisting of two black panthers and three leopards. Park officials believe they may be siblings from the same parents, although scientific confirmation is still required.
Black Panthers and leopards are not separate species, but simply Leopards born with an increased amount of dark pigments. These melanistic genes can be inherited and passed down with siblings in the same litter born with different colored fur. – Destination Cha-am
Traffic police ordered to unmask, start with warnings, not take bribes
Traffic police nationwide have been ordered to always show their face when disciplining motorists, to start with warnings before progressive fines, and not to take proffered bribes.
Pol Lt. Gen. Nithithorn Chintakanont, assistant national police chief, said yesterday the written order had been sent to police units in Bangkok and all provinces. Traffic police were instructed to not wear full-face helmets or any other facial covering when dealing with road users, so that people could see their faces. Continued …
South Thailand flood warning covers Phuket and Samui
Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has warned that 14 southern provinces face heavy to very heavy rain, flash floods, runoff, river overflows and urban flooding from today through Thursday.
The alert covers popular foreign visitor areas, including Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Hat Yai. Travelers and residents should allow extra time for road journeys, monitor local alerts, and avoid driving or walking through floodwater. Continued …
Rain, runoff, rocks and mud slam Phuket
Persistent rain caused runoff that washed big rocks and mud into communities and tourist venues in this southern island province early this morning.
As much as 142.8 millimeters of rain pounded Phuket over 24 hours, generating runoff that tore into communities and attractions in tambon Patong of Kathu district. Damaged areas included Na Nai Nai 5 and 8 roads. Shopfront windows were shattered and many vehicles inundated. Continued …
Thailand falls to 80th in rule of law index
Thailand has dropped three places to 80th out of 143 countries in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index. The decline was driven by weaker scores for anti-corruption measures and regulatory enforcement.
Thailand received an overall score of 0.50 out of 1.00. It ranked 10th among 15 countries in East Asia and the Pacific, and 24th among 44 upper-middle-income countries worldwide. The index assesses eight areas of the rule of law, including checks on government power, rights, justice systems, corruption and enforcement of regulations. Continued …
Birth rate crisis: Why are young Thais refusing to have kids
This video investigates Thailand’s birth rate crisis, exploring how skyrocketing living costs, broken education systems, and lack of state support are pushing young Thais away from parenthood. Video …
Thai woman sells house opposite police station after three break-ins
A Thai woman put her house up for sale yesterday, after it was broken into three times in three years, despite being located opposite several police and government facilities in Khon Kaen province. The homeowner said repeated burglaries had continued despite several security upgrades, leaving her unwilling to keep the property.
The property is in Sila subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen district, opposite the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Regional Center 6, a Tourist Police office and the Provincial Police Region 4 training center. Continued …
Thailand’s data-center boom could flood villages and forests
Thailand has approved plans for a major reservoir in Chanthaburi that could flood forest, wildlife habitat and rural communities, as officials seek more water for the rapidly expanding eastern seaboard.
The proposed Khlong Wang Tanot reservoir, around four hours southeast of Bangkok, would hold 99.5 million cubic meters of water. It is intended to strengthen supplies for local farms, households and, eventually, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), where new industry and data centers are driving demand. Continued …
Thai SME survey finds 50.4% expect cost rises in six months
A survey by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) found that 50.4% of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) surveyed expect business costs to rise over the next six months.
Sangchai Theerakulwanich, chairman for strategy at the Federation of Thai SMEs, said rising costs were putting businesses under pressure as consumer purchasing power weakened. Continued …
AI and EV Boom Drives $690 million Advanced Materials Investment Surge into Thailand
Surging global demand for artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs), and clean energy technology has driven $690 million (23.5 billion baht) in advanced materials investment proposals into Thailand, according to the government’s investment promotion agency.
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) confirmed that global manufacturers have submitted 35 advanced materials projects between 2023 and the first half of 2026. Continued …
PM expects Thai GDP growth to exceed 2.1% in 2026
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed confidence Friday that Thailand’s economy would grow by more than 2.1% this year, citing improvements in investment, exports, employment and tax receipts.
Anutin has asked the state planning agency to reassess the projection. Anutin said stronger economic indicators warranted a fresh examination of the growth outlook. Continued …
Free-trade pact with European Union shaping up for end of year
Thailand and the European Union could potentially conclude their free-trade agreement by the end of 2026. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has indicated that the talks are in their final stages and could reach a conclusion by year-end, provided there is sufficient mutual political will. The negotiations have reached a critical phase, with the 10th round of talks having made significant progress on the negotiating text.
While most issues have been concluded, some complexities remain regarding market access, services, and investment sectors. Authorities are also closely monitoring potential impacts on sensitive industries and evaluating the readiness of various sectors to ensure a balanced and mutually acceptable agreement. – Bangkok Post AI
Thailand sets new payment deadlines to ease cash flow pressures on SMEs
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun’s push for fairer trade has advanced with new rules addressing the lengthy payment periods imposed on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by large trading partners.
The Trade Competition Commission’s notification was published in the Royal Gazette on Friday and will take effect on Nov. 2. The move marks another important step toward improving trade rules, reducing disparities in bargaining power and increasing liquidity for smaller businesses. Continued …
Thailand assesses trade risks amid protests in six European countries
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has instructed trade officials to assess potential risks and provide guidance to businesses as demonstrations continue in several parts of Europe.
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and Thailand’s overseas trade promotion offices are monitoring developments and evaluating possible consequences for international trade. Continued …
Thailand ranks 66th in Passport Index
Thailand has slipped to 66th place in the 2026 Henley Passport Index ranking. The Henley Passport Index unveiled its global rankings for October, with Singapore securing the top spot. Japan, South Korea and the UAE share the second position, with access to 188 destinations, while Sweden ranks third with a score of 187.
The Henley Passport Index is a widely recognized ranking of passports. It covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, providing comprehensive and reliable insights into international travel freedom and global mobility. Continued …
Thailand trails rivals in international flight growth
Thailand is falling behind several Asian rivals in international flight growth, as foreign tourist arrivals decline and direct services to some major resort destinations are cut ahead of the high season.
Kasikorn Research Center said scheduled incoming international flights to Thailand will rise by 5.8% in the final quarter of 2026, above global growth of 2.5%. However, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, South Korea and Singapore are all expanding faster. Continued …
Best Places To Retire: Chiang Mai, Phuket, Or Hua Hin?
Maintaining Distinctive Thai Golf Market
Thailand is not simply a golf market. It’s one of Asia’s most closely watched golf destinations – a country where the condition of a fairway at 7 am on a Tuesday can directly influence a TripAdvisor rating, a tour operator’s rebooking decision, and a golfer’s next holiday itinerary.
With approximately 250 golf courses, the stakes of course management in Thailand carry a commercial weight that few other markets in Southeast Asia can match. Varit Pakdeeyingyong, Thailand country manager at Jebsen & Jessen, discusses what makes the Thai golf market genuinely distinctive – and what it demands of the people and technology that keep its courses playing at their best. Continued …
Province hailed for green rice farming
The low-carbon rice project in Suphan Buri was established as a flagship pilot to test climate-smart farming techniques, specifically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Research conducted by the Suphan Buri Rice Research Center has demonstrated that implementing alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water management can reduce methane emissions by as much as 84%.
This initiative is part of the Thai Rice GCF project, a multi-sector collaboration backed by approximately 18.4 billion baht from the Green Climate Fund. Beyond environmental benefits, the project focuses on enhancing production efficiency and increasing income for local farmers through these new water-management technologies. – Bangkok Post AI
French premium meat seized at Suvarnabhumi
Thai authorities have seized more than 2,000 kilograms of premium meat and animal products from France at Suvarnabhumi Airport, saying the shipment was brought in without the required livestock import permission. The goods, valued at 1,201,850 baht, were concealed among seafood and other agricultural products. Continued …
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Customs log 40 cannabis arrests in 24 days, Indians top arrest list – Continued …
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Vietnamese gang held over Bangkok ‘zombie vape’ factory – Continued …
Flights resume at Riyadh airport as Houthis attack Saudi Arabia
Flights resumed at Riyadh’s international airport yesterday following a series of deadly attacks on the facility that saw it closed for two weeks, even as Yemen’s Houthis targeted the country with strikes. Continued …
Iran has ramped up efforts to target US personnel, intelligence memo warns
Iran has ramped up efforts to target US personnel, and lethal plots by Tehran against American citizens have reached “advanced stages”, a senior intelligence official in the Trump administration warned in a memo. The alert from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton came after Washington scaled back staffing at its mission in Saudi Arabia earlier this week in response to intensified attacks by Iran-allied Houthi forces. Continued …
Houthis say they targeted Saudi oil sites; attacks reported in Aden
Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthis said they launched attacks on Saudi oil facilities and airports on Saturday, and the Saudi-led coalition fighting the group said it downed two missiles, as clashes between the two sides intensified. Yemen’s Saudi-backed government said the Houthis also fired three ballistic missiles at coast guard sites in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden. Continued …
Sydney’s new airport opens to passengers
Sydney’s new $3.94 billion (A$5.6 billion) airport opened to passengers yesterdayafter more than a decade of planning, in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said was a milestone for the country’s most populous city. Video …
Lula wins historic fourth term in Brazil, denying Trump a close ally
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection on Saturday, pulling off a stunning comeback to secure a fourth term in office and defeat conservative candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, an ally of US President Donald Trump. The 80-year-old liberal leader defeated Bolsonaro with 51.76% of the vote in the country’s runoff election, in which affordability and the country’s relationship with the United States were prominent issues. 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
The 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank that ended last week in Bangkok may have come and gone, but the lessons for economic development remain relevant.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand reached 971 projects in the first nine months of this year, a 26% year-on-year increase, with a combined value of more than 271 billion baht. The approved projects covered engineering and technical services, industrial parts manufacturing, goods distribution, machinery services, energy and electric vehicles.
The Thai banking industry experienced a nearly 10% year-on-year decline in net profit during the third quarter of 2026. This downturn was primarily driven by lower interest income and the implementation of financial assistance measures designed to reduce financing costs for customers.
Thailand is seeking to strengthen its position in Asia’s cannabis, hemp and kratom industries by raising medical, cultivation and production standards, while expanding research and higher-value processing.
Younger Thais planning to build homes are placing greater importance on practical space, energy efficiency and long-term running costs than on large properties designed to display social status, according to the Home Builder Assn. (HBA).
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has proposed using 3.5 billion baht in borrowed funds to subsidize domestic travel for 200,000 Thai tourists in 2027, offering accommodation support and digital spending vouchers under Thai Teaw Thai Plus.
Siam Legal International has released a guide to airport fast-track immigration, a priority lane that many travelers can access without a first or business class ticket. The guide sets out which groups already qualify for free, how other travelers can book the service, and how two long-stay visas include it as a built-in benefit.
4 Thailand Getaways to Visit This Winter Beyond Bangkok and Phuket
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is preparing on-site checks at 44 more waste-related companies in Prachin Buri over possible use of Thai nominee shareholders for foreign owners. The expanded inquiry follows preliminary inspections that found four companies whose conduct suggested possible nominee arrangements. 
Ukraine is still recording issues with the Starlink internet network, sources within the defense ministry say, after Donald Trump said limits had been reversed by Elon Musk, who owns the satellite system. 
Appeal denied, beachfront demolitions to proceed
Health authorities in lower northeastern Thailand have recorded 570 cases of melioidosis and 45 deaths in four provinces so far this year. The figures, covering Jan. 1 to Oct. 22, were released yesterday.
Bangkok diner sued 1 million baht over 260-baht basil rice review
The outlook for the Thai economy for the remainder of 2026 remains uncertain, facing fragile household purchasing power, high debt burdens, uneven recovery, and the impact of the floods.
Thai export growth is projected to slow to 7.4% in 2027 as a result of several economic headwinds, most notably risks associated with US tariff policies. These trade risks are expected to impact various sectors, potentially weakening export competitiveness and adding pressure to overall economic growth.
Thailand is boasting of rising foreign investment as actual capital inflows plunge and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul launches a nationwide crackdown on foreign property ownership. Bank of Thailand figures expose a 24.6% second-quarter collapse in inward investment, dragging first-half FDI down 4.7%.
Thailand’s fiscal deficit for fiscal year 2026 stood at 3.4% of gross domestic product (GDP), below the earlier forecast of 4.4%, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, citing the latest Fiscal Policy Office figures.
This Stunning Island Has Some of the Best Snorkeling in the World
Thailand has secured 15 million euros in German grant funding for climate and biodiversity work linked to its Net Zero 2050 target. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said the Department of Climate Change and Environment – known as the “Department of Global Warming Reduction” – had won support through two major projects.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said yesterday that four vessels involved n illegal oiltransfers in the northern Persian Gulf were simultaneously hit and caught fire after being tracked by its forces on Wednesday.
Brent crude reached its highest closing price since May 4 yesterday, rising 4% as Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia intensified concerns about further disruption to Middle East energy supplies.
Uthai Uthaisangsuk, president of Sansiri Public Co., sees improving travel from Bangkok supporting a recovery in Hua Hin’s property market, where he puts beachfront land prices at 160 million baht per rai. Uthai’s assessment follows a prolonged slowdown after the Covid-19 pandemic. Better transport connections and infrastructure development are beginning to restore confidence, although the recovery remains uneven.
Most people notice thinning hair long before they do anything about it, and when they finally act, the first move is usually a trip to the pharmacy for a shampoo or serum that promises the fastest results.
Victims of an alleged Australian job scam have filed a complaint with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, seeking an urgent investigation into losses exceeding 10 million baht.
The Transport Ministry will seek Cabinet approval on Oct. 26 for a unified fare scheme covering eight electric rail lines in Bangkok and surrounding areas, with fares capped at 45 baht per trip, a deputy transport minister said yesterday.
The Asian Development Bank is providing $212 million to upgrade five public hospitals and improve access to specialist medical care for about 14 million people living outside Bangkok.
Thailand is committing to build a sustainable longevity society in which people live not merely longer but better, a senior health official told a Bangkok forum on Tuesday.
Data centers are a new industry attracting significant investment in Thailand, but they are also under public scrutiny. It’s well known that data centers consume vast amounts of resources, including electricity and clean water, and also release heat and generate noise pollution, causing concern for communities located near them.
JPMorgan Chase executives suggest that Thailand should prioritize the production of advanced products such as chips and electronic components. This focus would allow the country to capitalize on the ongoing global supply chain shift and the emergence of power from artificial intelligence.
Nestlé has begun construction of a 23-billion-baht (US$685 million) coffee manufacturing facility in Samut Prakan, with the factory expected to begin operations in late 2028 and create more than 500 jobs.
Thailand exported 4.99 million tons of rice in the first nine months of 2026, down 19.3% year-on-year, as stronger competition from India and Pakistan and a sharp fall in Iraqi demand weighed on sales.
Forum highlights local Thai cuisine to boost tourism growth
Khao Sok: Living beneath an ancient landscape
Travel Expert Unveils Insider Guide for Thailand’s Best Meals
Chiang Mai unveils Thailand’s first electric tram
The world is heading for more warming than scientists projected a year ago, and the United States is a big reason, the United Nations Environment Program said in its annual assessment.
Brent crude rose to US$110.11 a barrel today after fresh Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia prompted the United States to order some diplomats and family members to leave its missions in the kingdom.
The shock of oil prices at a five-month high of $110 a barrel and gas prices in Asia and Europe hitting their highest levels since December 2022 is making its mark on household budgets. As well as raising the costs of transport and heating, it adds to pressure on food, clothing and packaging prices, and contributes to elevated levels of inflation and borrowing costs.
The warnings about El Niño continue to roll in. The United Nations’ weather agency weighed in yesterday, calling the potent climate pattern a “behemoth” and a “wrecking ball.” “It will tear through Latin America, eastern and southern Africa, Asia and the Pacific with extreme heat, droughts and flood,” the U.N.’s Tom Fletcher said, warning of profound humanitarian consequences. 
A New Mexico judge ruled yesterday that Meta must pay $25 billion to the state after a jury found last month that the social media giant had deceived users in a case related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, according to media reports. 
Rising healthcare expenditure is placing increasing strain on private health insurance across Southeast Asia. Population aging, chronic disease, greater healthcare utilization, provider charges, and advances in medical treatment are contributing factors to this pressure.
Thailand is stepping up preparations to tackle potential PM2.5 fine particulate pollution, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul directing relevant agencies to put response measures in place amid reports of pollution in neighboring countries.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), which operates PTT Station, and Bangchak Corp. have raised selected retail fuel prices in Thailand by 0.60 baht per liter. The changes took effect today.
Thailand is preparing new rules requiring major ride-hailing and delivery apps to justify service fee increases, after regulators found that some platforms’ charges had risen by as much as 400% over five years.
Facebook accounted for nearly 74% of reported online shopping scams in Thailand last week.
Thai retailer CP Axtra has partnered with Minor Food Group to introduce five global restaurant brands across select Makro and Lotus stores.
Rising energy prices create inflationary pressures primarily by increasing the production and transport costs of goods, which then bleeds into the wider economy. As global energy supplies face shocks — such as those caused by the US-Israeli war with Iran — the increased cost of fuels like diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) forces businesses and households to cope with higher living costs.
Thailand’s labor market is facing growing pressure as artificial intelligence transforms jobs and skills, while young people with university degrees are experiencing much higher unemployment than the national average, speakers at Nation Forum 2027 warned.
Thailand will knit its road, rail, water and air networks into a single economic system to become the region’s center of trade and logistics, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said yesterday.
Thailand’s US$4.4-billion luxury retail market is expected to grow by around 5% a year through 2028, according to property consultancy CBRE, as the country gains influence beyond its role as a destination for international brands.
The introduction of a tax on outbound travel in Thailand could be postponed if economic conditions are deemed inappropriate. Specifically, the Fiscal Policy Office has indicated that the timing of the measure depends on the outcome of public consultations and the assessment of the prevailing economic situation.
Thailand must turn its cultural strengths into higher-value tourism while spreading economic opportunities beyond established destinations, speakers told Nation Forum 2027: Thailand’s Agenda in Bangkok yesterday.
Elephant calves: Learning to walk and use their trunks
Thailand is moving closer to introducing a 50,000-baht solar panel subsidy for up to one million households after a government screening committee approved a proposed 50-billion-baht funding package.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is focusing on several key initiatives to modernize Thailand’s energy market and facilitate a transition to clean energy. One primary measure involves the progress of a Direct Power Purchase Agreement framework through Third Party Access (TPA), which enables companies to buy renewable electricity directly from producers.
Chinese-made electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common choice for taxi operators in Thailand, as imports rise and fleet owners look for lower-cost alternatives to ICE-powered cars.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its seventh heavy-rain warning today, alerting parts of Thailand to heavy to very heavy downpours through Sunday. The warning also forecasts waves above three meters in thunderstorm areas of the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.
Scholars and experts advise Thailand to maintain strategic flexibility and avoid picking sides to preserve its ability to balance relations between the United States and China. This approach is intended to help the nation navigate the complexities of a new Cold War and avoid the risks associated with being caught in a direct geopolitical confrontation.
Where will young people stand in a world where there might be more people than jobs?
Thanit Sorat , vice president of the Thai Employers’ Confederation of Trade and Industry, drew lessons and reflected on the perspectives of global financial leaders at the IMF – World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, pointing out that both the IMF and the World Bank share grave concerns about the impact of AI and advanced technologies, which will have an unprecedented and widespread effect on labor markets and employment.
Artificial intelligence is changing how people work across a wide range of professions, from researching information and writing content to preparing reports and conducting basic data analysis. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed much faster with AI tools. But for jobseekers, an important question remains: as AI becomes capable of doing more, what skills do employers still need from people?
Chiang Mai’s iconic elephant camp marks golden anniversary with major transformation
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a fresh warning today for heavy to very heavy rain across parts of Thailand during Oct. 18–25, with accumulated rainfall raising the risk of flash floods, rapid run-off and landslides.
Thailand has some of the most dangerous roads in Asia, with thousands of people killed every year and motorcycles involved in the vast majority of fatal crashes. But why is the problem so severe?
The Interior Ministry has ordered an investigation into possible involvement by government officials in a human trafficking network accused of forcing children from Myanmar to sell flowers and juice on Khaosan Road and at other locations in Bangkok.
Floods deepen Thai shrimp crisis amid disease and export setbacks
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The massive floods and extreme storms currently devastating major cities around the world are undeniable evidence that humanity has fully entered the era of “climate extremes.”
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is preparing to deploy virtual power plant technologies after successfully testing a relevant project. According to a report, the country is moving toward a more flexible electricity supply system with digital management.
EZY Airlines Hua Hin flight timetable revealed
Thailand and Norway have signed a new convention to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion and avoidance during the 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group in Bangkok.
Energy prices contribute to inflation risks through several interconnected economic channels, most notably by driving up the cost of production and transportation for essential goods. Rising fuel costs act as an input cost for businesses, which then pass these expenses on to consumers, thereby increasing headline inflation. Furthermore, volatility in global energy markets, often triggered by geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, can lead to sudden price shocks that destabilize economic growth and put upward pressure on consumer prices globally.
Thai Airways has admitted its September baggage crisis was five times worse than first reported, with 25,000 bags stranded and over 200 flights cancelled. Now, the board has seized control, ordering worldwide luggage deliveries and automatic passenger compensation.
Thailand is turning to MICE tourism – meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions – to revive its tourism industry amid declining visitor arrivals, safety concerns and a stronger currency. With Bangkok rising in global rankings, the country is betting on international business events to attract more visitors and boost economic growth. 
Call for use of farm land for wind energy projects
Wind farms could lower electricity prices in Thailand by reducing the country’s dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is subject to costly spikes in global market prices. Additionally, wind energy can serve as a complementary power source by generating electricity at night, which helps improve the overall reliability of the national power system.
Connecting Hua Hin by air to Thailand’s major tourist destinations and developing the railway bypass road are among the priorities Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul has outlined as the city prepares for continued growth.
Yesterday, staff from Hua Hin municipality’s Public Health and Environment Division collected rubbish along the beach from Hua Hin Soi 77 through Soi 85 and south to Khao Takiab.
Stilt houses in villages north of Bangkok are no longer high enough to stay dry as Thai authorities deliberately flood riverside communities to spare the capital.
160-billion-baht Chao Phraya 2 canal approved to tackle flooding
Thailand needs more long-term investment to revive economic growth, former commerce and energy minister Narongchai Akrasanee says.
Ripe mangosteen and rambutan are being left unpicked in eastern Thailand as a shortage of migrant workers forces growers to decide which crops are worth harvesting.
Netflix says Thailand could develop into a global entertainment production center comparable to South Korea, but says stronger intellectual property protection and creative freedom will be needed for Thai content to compete internationally.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) will use a packed program of year-end festivals, concerts and international events in an effort to bring foreign arrivals to about 33 million in 2026. The campaign follows a 3.8% fall in international arrivals during the first nine months of the year, while a strengthening baht has made Thailand less price-competitive against rival destinations.
Energy demand is soaring, fuel prices have been rattled by conflict in the Middle East, and much of Asia still runs on coal. Can renewables step in fast enough?
Australia said today it refused to allow big tech to have “unfettered” access to its children, as it formally introduced new legislation that would give users choice over what they see on their feeds. Under the “Digital Duty of Care” bill, firms behind popular platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram will be required to give users the choice to opt out of the powerful algorithms that dictate what we see online. 
Corruption can reduce real GDP per capita growth by 3% for up to two years, while money laundering amounts to as much as US$6 trillion annually worldwide, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Case studies of efforts to combat corruption and money laundering were presented at the 2026 annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group yesterday in Bangkok. 
Thailand has eliminated rubella as a public health problem, an achievement the World Health Organization described as a “major milestone”.
Thailand has blocked 945,075 URLs linked to online gambling during the 2026 fiscal year, according to the government, as it steps up action against illegal online content and cybercrime.
AGT 2026 champion Nene Royal fulfilled a dream by performing alongside metal giants Avenged Sevenfold during their concert in Singapore last night, delivering a 13-minute set that had fans rocking out.
Another jet-ski excursion involving foreign tourists was cut short last week after riders repeatedly ignored safety warnings and alarmed other participants with risky manoeuvers, Phuket Tourist Police have confirmed. 
Mu Koh Similan National Park reopens
Phetchabun authorities face calls to review adventure tourism safety rules and compliance after two foreigners were injured in a fall from a cliff while abseiling over the weekend.
Phuket Festival Devotees Pierce Cheeks With Swords and Guns