- Hua Hin ready to clear beach/Satellite images show high flood risks/Price checks in flood-hit areas/All 50 Bangkok districts flood disaster areas/Eastern Bangkok under water/Khao Yai closes fover heavy rain/Nene Royal lands US TV interviews/Phuket prepares grand welcome for Nene Royal
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran proposes Hormuz plan/Houthi attacks aise risk of wider conflict/Renewable energy policies accelerate in ASEAN
- ECONOMY: Thailand’s August exports rise/Thailand Pushes for Global South Voice/China’s Innovation Drives Thailand’s Economy/Thailand eyes global energy majors/Thailand’s new AI regulations
- TOURISM: Thailand launches THIM app/Phuket named top wellness choice
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Those darn elephants!/‘Three-Water City’ is rewriting the rules/Thailand expat urges Aussies to consider a cheaper life/Vegetarian Festival in Phuket
- CLIMATE THAILAND: $5-billion low-carbon industrial hub/Thailand leads ASEAN-6 EV sales
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin ready to clear beach after decades-long dispute
Authorities in Hua Hin are stepping up their efforts to clear all houses and buildings encroaching on a public beach to resolve a decades-long dispute, in the face of defiance from some owners.
Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul yesterday led a team of 100 city officials to the disputed area to inform owners about the structures targeted for demolition, after the municipality signed a contract with a demolition contractor on Thursday. Continued …
GISTDA’s Satellite images show high flood risks across Thailand
Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has released satellite imagery showing widespread high-risk flood areas across several provinces following continued heavy rain, urging residents in areas marked red to closely monitor the situation.
GISTDA said yesterday that it was using satellite technology and geospatial data to monitor water conditions across Thailand in real time through its “Check Nam” application. The latest data showed areas already affected by flooding, as well as locations at high risk from continued heavy rainfall. Continued …
Commerce orders supply and price checks in flood-hit areas
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered commerce agencies to monitor essential supplies and prices in flood-affected areas, aiming to prevent shortages and keep goods affordable.
Suphajee said the Ministry of Commerce was closely monitoring heavy rain and flooding, directing relevant agencies and coordinating with businesses to deliver goods and essential supplies to affected communities. Continued …
Bangkok declares all 50 districts flood disaster areas
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has extended its flood-disaster declaration to cover all 50 districts, providing a framework for assistance under the applicable criteria. District offices have been instructed to advise residents on documenting damage, including keeping photographs taken before and after flooding, to support requests for assistance.
The governor called for close coordination between district offices and central agencies to ensure Bangkok’s flood response delivered assistance quickly and reached affected residents comprehensively. Continued …
Eastern Bangkok under water
Eastern Bangkok is heavily flooded, with all local canals full and 15 main roads deeply inundated this morning, according to Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt.
Chadchart said rain in the capital began at 4 pm on Thursday, with accumulated rainfall nearing 300 millimeters in Min Buri, Klong Sam Wa and Saphan Sung districts by ths morning. Continued …
Khao Yai closes for two days as heavy rain raises landslide risk
Khao Yai National Park will close temporarily for two days on today and tomorrow because of persistent heavy rain and concerns over visitor safety. The park announced yesterday that continuous rainfall had caused flash floods in several areas, leaving some routes impassable.
Officials also warned of the risk of landslides, rockfalls and falling trees, which could endanger tourists and members of the public traveling through the park. Continued …
AGT winner Nene Royal lands US TV interviews and global rock gigs
Thai teenage rock musician Nene Royal is extending her breakthrough on America’s Got Talent into US television appearances and major concert opportunities, days after becoming the first Thai contestant to win the competition.
Nene, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, 16, won America’s Got Talent Season 21 and the US$1 million grand prize after a run built around her vocals and guitar performances. She has since been invited to speak about her victory on three US television outlets. Continued …
Phuket prepares grand welcome for AGT winner Nene Royal
Phuket is preparing to welcome home 16-year-old Nene Royal after the young singer and guitarist from the province won the America’s Got Talent 2026 title.
The provincial administration congratulated Nene on her victory, describing it as a source of pride for Phuket and Thailand, particularly as the 16-year-old took her talent to an international stage and brought recognition to her hometown and country. Continued …
Iran proposes Hormuz plan, Trump reportedly refuses
Iran offered a plan to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Tehran said yesterday, but within hours reports indicated that US President Donald Trump rejected the proposal.
The waterway key to the world’s oil supply is central to the conflict between the United States and Iran, which is at a stalemate after nearly seven months. But new mediation efforts at the UN’s gathering of world leaders in New York this week offered some optimism of progress toward a deal. Continued …
Why new Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia raise risk of wider conflict
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will hold an urgent, high-level meeting under a joint defense pact to discuss ways to support the kingdom amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. But could the latest escalation push the region to the brink of an all-out-war? Video …
Long-term renewable energy policies accelerate in ASEAN as a result of Iran war
With the Iran war causing energy prices to spike across most of Southeast Asia, governments in this region are accelerating the roll-out of renewable energy policies, according to report by Zero Carbon Analytics, a research group focused on energy transition.
The report noted that six major ASEAN economies – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – have introduced a total of 37 renewable energy and electrification policies since the start of the Iran war, compared with 29 fossil fuel policies. Continued …
Thailand’s August exports rise 24.3%, led by US
Thailand’s customs-cleared exports rose 24.3% in August from a year earlier, driven by strong shipments to the United States and continuing demand for electronics, the Commerce Ministry said yesterday.
The increase was slightly below the 24.9% rise forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll, but followed export growth of 21.6% in the previous month. Imports increased by 25.1% year-on-year in August. Thailand recorded a trade deficit of $2.48 billion during the month, smaller than the $3.9 billion deficit forecast by analysts. Continued …
Thailand Pushes for Global South Voice, Trade Expansion, and Regional Stability at UN Assembly
Speaking at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a statement under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All,” marking 80 years of Thai membership in the organization.
Addressing shifting global geopolitics, power fragmentation, and heightened strategic competition, the prime minister emphasized the urgent need to rebuild trust through consistent adherence to international law and equitable global governance. Continued …
How China’s Innovation Drives the Transformation of Thailand’s Economy
For most of the past two decades, the Thailand-China relationship was defined by trade volume and Chinese manufacturing relocation. Increasingly, it is defined by something else: the transfer of Chinese technology, standards, and industrial know-how directly into the operating base of the Thai economy.
The factory floors of Rayong and the boardrooms of Bangkok are where that shift is now visible, and it is reshaping what Thai competitiveness looks like for the rest of this decade. This integration carries risks, including US scrutiny over transshipment and tariff evasion, currency dependency as yuan-baht settlements expand, and data governance concerns as Chinese platforms embed in Thai operations. Continued …
Thailand eyes global energy majors for Andaman gas exploration
Thailand is preparing to open its 26th petroleum exploration and production bidding round in the Andaman Sea as part of efforts to increase domestic gas supplies, reduce dependence on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and strengthen long-term energy security.
Worakorn Prommobol, director-general of the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF), said applications for exploration and production rights were expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 or, at the latest, early 2027. Continued …
What are the key measures in Thailand’s new AI regulations?
Thailand is developing a risk-based legal framework for artificial intelligence that focuses on enhancing digital accountability, consumer protection, and ethics. These regulations aim to establish safeguards for AI adoption and development while addressing potential risks such as bias, security, and privacy.
The government’s strategy is built upon a four-pronged National AI Action Plan, which prioritizes digital sovereignty, AI governance, skilled talent development, and the creation of a globally competitive domestic AI industry. To bolster trust, the National AI Board is working on governance sandboxes and frameworks that emphasize human oversight, particularly for high-risk applications like automated decision-making. Additionally, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency is focusing on AI governance as a key pillar for strengthening digital trust in the country by 2027.
Thailand launches THIM app for foreign visitors
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has officially launched the THIM app, a digital platform intended to bring immigration and travel services for foreign nationals into one place.
The application, available since Aug. 1 through the App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery, currently gives users access to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and travel promotions. It has recorded more than 600,000 downloads and over 580,000 users, or 97.2% of total downloads, according to the bureau. Continued …
Phuket named top wellness choice by Canadian travelers
Phuket has been voted the leading wellness destination by Canadian travelers in Air Canada Vacations’ 2026 Travelers’ Top Picks Awards. The result was announced at the company’s Toronto Product Launch at Universal Event Space in Toronto, Canada.
This was the second year Air Canada Vacations has held the Travelers’ Top Picks Awards. Canadians were invited to vote through the Travellrs’ Top Picks website in 10 categories, with more than 1.3 million votes cast this year. Continued …
Those darn elephants! Being the smallest means you’re never walking alone
How the ‘Three-Water City’ is rewriting the rules of travel
As a group of visitors walks deep into the fruit orchard, they’re shown different fruits and vegetables along the way. At one stop, they’re offered a taste of mahatsajan — the “miracle berry” or Synsepalum dulcificum — said to turn any sour flavor sweet. Most take the bait, popping the berry before reaching for a wedge of lime, only to find the promise true.
The path into the orchard doesn’t look like much of a tourist route. It’s a dirt track cutting between raised-bed orchards, the soil mounded and channeled by hand to work with the freshwater that floods this part of Samut Songkhram every year. Getting there is part of the experience: participants move through the routes by bicycle and sa-leng (sidecar motorcycle), on foot and by boat, switching pace and vantage point as the landscape itself evolves from orchard to canal to open water. Continued …
Thailand expat urges Aussies to consider a cheaper life
Australian expat Jay Houston says he has cut his rent to a quarter of what he paid in Australia after moving to Thailand, and is now running an online business to help other Australians make the move.
Houston, 50, said he can live what he describes as a luxury lifestyle for $1,800 a month, as rising living costs and pressure on household budgets prompt more Australians to consider working or living overseas. Speaking while sitting beside a pool at his condominium, Houston said: “This is my office, I’m in no hurry to leave it.” Continued …
Vegetarian Festival in Phuket to net 1.4 billion baht
Phuket expects this year’s Vegetarian Festival to generate at least 1.4 billion baht in economic activity. Visitors from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and Singapore are expected to be the primary groups attending the festival.
The festival is forecast to attract more than 140,000 visitors, with activities scheduled to run from Oct. 9 to 18 across more than 40 businesses on the island. Local officials expect this to provide a significant boost to tourism spending, noting that hotel occupancy rates in Phuket have already seen increases compared to last year.
PTT eyes $5-billion low-carbon industrial hub
PTT Plc is transforming the Map Ta Phut industrial zone into a low-carbon hub to drive new business growth and improve the competitiveness of Thai manufacturers in export markets. This transformation is being executed through the I-Spark initiative, which aims to attract climate-focused investors and international customers by offering access to green industrial development.
The initiative involves a planned investment of up to US$5 billion by 2035 and focuses on providing clean energy solutions and decarbonization technologies. Key components of this development include the creation of a carbon-neutral training center, the development of shared low-carbon infrastructure, and the implementation of advanced technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS). Additionally, the project will support high-value industries like sustainable aviation fuel and bio-based products through the development of specialized facilities and circular economy practices.
Thailand leads ASEAN-6 EV sales as volumes jump 47% in H1
Thailand recorded the highest electrified vehicle (xEV) sales among ASEAN-6 markets in the first half of 2026, with volumes rising 47% year on year to 206,000 units, according to PwC. Sales outpaced Vietnam at 127,000 units and Indonesia at 114,000 units, reinforcing Thailand’s position as a leading regional hub for electric mobility.
PwC’s overview of the ASEAN-6 automotive market: 6th market snapshot shows that electrified vehicles accounted for 32% of total ASEAN-6 vehicle sales in the first half of 2026. Thailand’s xEV penetration climbed from 32% in the first half of 2024 to 53% in the same period of 2026, signaling a rapid shift in consumer demand toward battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Continued …
Pentagon Evaluating Sending Personnel To Cuba Within 4 Months
The U.S. Army Reserve has been asked to evaluate if it could furnish police forces, a medical brigade and a support batallion with logistics expertise for possible deployment under the military’s Southern Command, according to internal documents reviewed by CBS News. – huffpost.com
What happened when Trump met Xi: big fanfare, but no breakthrough
US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a lavish summit that was heavy on symbolism but light on substance, with no sign of breakthroughs on thorny issues such as AI, trade, Taiwan and the war with Iran. Video …
UN delegates walk out as Netanyahu defends Israel’s actions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative speech at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, defending Israel’s actions in the region as dozens of delegates walked out of the chamber in protest. Continued …
Desolate Greenland outpost could host US troops
At a windswept gravel airstrip in eastern Greenland, a small Danish military detachment has quietly kept watch for decades. Now, under under a new US defense agreement, the outpost at Mestersvig could soon become a key American military foothold in the Arctic. Video …
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
Hua Hin-Cha-am among six new MICE Cities
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau ((TCEB), has certified six new destinations across the country as official “MICE Cities”, a network that is now expanded to 16 destinations. It is a network that gives event organizers and international clients a wide choice of destinations, while enabling more cities across Thailand to leverage MICE as a driver of local economic development.
AGT winner Nene Royal gifted Bangkok home
Oil prices settled about 3% higher yesterday, as a Houthi missile attack on Saudi Arabia revived fears of supply disruptions. Reports of US-Iran talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz subsequently tempered the gains.
Diesel prices at pumps across the European Union (EU) have hit a new high of €2.23 per liter, up from €2.16 the previous week, an Agence France-Presse (AFP) analysis of European Commission data published yesterday showed.
Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has not approved reported 5%–10% increases in consumer goods prices scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026, Director-general Wittayakorn Maneenetr said yesterday. Some manufacturers had submitted applications, but the department had not authorized the increases.
Thailand is positioning itself as a strategic gateway to the ASEAN regional market, which consists of approximately 700 million people, to provide US businesses with access to broader Southeast Asian trade and investment opportunities.
Thailand has suffered from sluggish economic growth, with only 2% GDP growth, while regional peers have reached higher growth.
Thailand’s six hospitals are expected to post an 11% year-on-year (YoY) increase in aggregate net profit to $243.9 million (8.16 billion baht) in the third quarter (Q3), according to CGS International. CGS International attributed the growth to the recovery of foreign patient traffic and rising demand during influenza and COVID-19 outbreaks.
Bangkok is approaching a major turning point in urban development, as its expanding rail network pushes growth beyond the city center and into suburban areas. Location is therefore becoming less about distance from central Bangkok and more about connectivity, access to services and the quality of life an area can offer.
The appeal of the Thai DTV is obvious – you get up to five years of multiple entry access to Thailand so you can do more without relying on short tourist stays. However, before you apply, you’ll need to check the financial eligibility requirements, what remote work does and does not cover, and the documents and application process that applies.
Thailand aims to welcome 1.5 million Americans in 2026 as it shifts its tourism strategy to draw higher-spending visitors to boost international tourism. Last year, 1.08 million Americans visited Thailand, with 716,983 Americans arriving between January and September of this year.
The Family-Run Restaurants Preserving Southern Thailand’s Culinary Heritage
The Best Places to Eat During Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival
Thai Basil Vs. Italian Basil: What’s The Difference?
Toey Wattana Mongkhonnam began thinking about outfitting his family home in Thailand’s northeastern province of Yasothon with solar panels during the Covid-19 pandemic. In his household of five, electricity use rises with the day’s heat, and the monthly bill could range from 1,000 baht to 1,500 baht (US$30 to US$45).
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has held talks with Google executives in New York on developing environmentally friendly data-center standards in Thailand, alongside plans for an open data institute to improve Thai digital skills.
Thailand’s nuclear power ambitions have been repeatedly delayed by concerns over safety and radioactive waste management following major international accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima. Additionally, the country faces significant challenges in developing the necessary infrastructure, technical expertise, and regulatory frameworks required to manage nuclear technology safely.
Nepal’s catastrophic flooding last month “was a warning to the world” about the rising dangers of climate change, Prime Minister Balendra Shah told the United Nations yesterday, urging countries to step up to help his country adapt.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a difficult reelection campaign at home, delivered a fiery UN speech yesterday assailing enemies and allies alike – and sparking uproar in the chamber. Netanyahu used the global platform at the UN General Assembly to attack everyone from the leaders of Iran to New York’s first Muslim mayor and partners Britain, France and Turkey. 
Canada is answering US President Donald Trump’s obsession with renaming things by unveiling a name change of its own – Trump Avenue in Ottawa will soon be history. The city is hitting back at the US leader, who among other things insists Canada should cease to exist as a country and instead become the 51st US state. 
Thai teen Nene Royal wins AGT 2026 title
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), which operates PTT Station, and Bangchak Corp. raised standard diesel and B20 prices in Thailand by 0.75 baht a liter from today. PTT Station and Bangchak kept petrol and gasohol prices unchanged.
Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is forecast over Thailand until Sunday, according to the Meteorological Department, which has urged people to follow weather updates from official sources after an online panic over a “great flood”.
A survey reveals that Thais are sparking thought-provoking discussions on “flexible retirement,” disregarding the traditional 60-year retirement age, but warning of the risk of financial insufficiency.
The World Bank urged Thailand to strengthen secondary cities alongside Bangkok to help achieve high-income status by 2037. Its modeling shows that directing 80% of a US$20 billion urban investment envelope to secondary cities could lift national gross domestic product (GDP) per capita 12.4% above a no-investment baseline by 2050.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised its forecast for Thailand’s economic growth in 2026 to 2.0% from the 1.8% projected in July, supported by technology and electronics exports and a strong global investment cycle in artificial intelligence (AI). Growth is forecast at 1.9% in 2027.
ASEAN must remain united while strengthening its resilience and ability to create value within the region, as geopolitical rivalry, tariffs and technological competition reshape global trade, two senior Thai policy figures told the Southeast Asia Trade and Development Forum 2026.
Mars is expanding its presence in Asia by establishing Thailand as a strategic production and export hub for its Pringles brand. The company recently opened a new factory in Chon Buri, located within the Eastern Economic Corridor, to serve markets in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
AirAsia and other budget airlines serving Thailand are facing renewed pressure on costs and cash flow after the global average jet fuel price rose 7.4% to US$194.90 a barrel in the week ending Sept. 18. The increase is particularly difficult for carriers that sold tickets before fuel costs surged.
Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X will resume temporarily suspended international services and increase flight frequencies in the fourth quarter of 2026, offering direct flights to as many as 46 cities across 53 routes to meet year-end travel demand.
Millions of Americans travel worldwide every year for medical care. These aren’t just aesthetic procedures; they’re also essential healthcare and life-saving treatments. Many destinations are known for high-quality, relatively affordable healthcare systems, which motivates Americans struggling to pay for similar procedures in the U.S.
Where to Stay in Chiang Rai: 3 Best Areas & Hotels
Planning a trip to Chiang Rai and wondering which part of the city is best to stay in? We’ve got you covered! We loved how laid-back Chiang Rai felt compared to some of Thailand’s bigger cities, but there’s still plenty to see here, from colorful temples and night markets to mountain scenery. Although the city itself is fairly compact, where you stay can make a big difference to how easy it is to get around.
A draft bill on the operation of digital infrastructure services would regulate data centers, cloud services and digital platforms. Operators would need a license from the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, while the rules for applying for, issuing, suspending and revoking licenses for each type of business would be set out in ministerial regulations.
Extreme heat caused by this year’s “super-El Niño” could result in as many as 451,000 excess deaths across the globe from June this year to February 2027, researchers with the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab said yesterday. The number of extremely hot days is likely to rise by 44% compared to normal years, Climate Impact Lab said.
The tsunami-like flood that cut a swathe of destruction through Nepal on Aug. 26 has left the Himalayan nation grappling with heavy losses and mounting reconstruction needs. On Aug. 26 at 8.37 am, a mass of ice and rock broke away from the north face of Nepal’s Langtang Lirung mountain, sending a huge mass of debris racing down the valley. 
Happiness may be subjective, but living on lush tropical islands and eating delicious food is probably a good formula for the emotion when living abroad. And foreigners in Thailand appear to be the happiest of all.
Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony returns to Hua Hin Saturday
Be Well Medical Center and BPK9 International Hospital are teaming up to host an interactive health seminar in Hua Hin focusing on common vascular diseases and circulation problems.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwanchawee says he will personally investigate reports of Israeli-linked companies buying land worth nearly 100 million baht in Thailand’s three southern border provinces.
Grab is expanding its airport services to prepare for the fourth-quarter travel peak, a period when its airport ride bookings typically increase by 35% to 40% compared to non-peak times. To manage this anticipated surge, the company has expanded its pick-up area at Suvarnabhumi airport from three lanes to 12 lanes and introduced new booking tools, including a feature called NIP.
The competition in Thailand’s logistics and express-delivery market has shifted from price and scale toward faster, more reliable, and specialized services. This transition is driven by economic pressures, rising fuel costs, and increasing consumer expectations for service quality and reliability.
Nearly 1,000 doctors a year are leaving Thailand’s public healthcare system, according to the head of a young doctors’ network, who says heavy workloads, burnout and structural problems are pushing many out despite continued demand.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft Cannabis Control Act that would place tighter controls on cultivation, sales and medical prescribing. The proposal must now go before the House of Representatives.
Thailand is confronting a renewed energy-security challenge as the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz pushes global LNG prices to about US$28 per million British thermal units, close to levels seen during the Russia-Ukraine energy shock. Thailand is responding by accelerating domestic gas exploration, reviewing LNG procurement strategy and seeking to diversify away from spot-market exposure.
Assoc Prof. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics said yesterday the university had prepared an economic and international trade policy analysis of the Thai Household Cost of Living Index (CLI) for the third quarter of 2026 and the fourth-quarter outlook, titled “The impact of oil prices on Thai living costs”.
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a 43-billion-baht relief package yesterday, extending Thais Help Thais Plus through November and raising welfare-card support for October. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the measures would ease energy-related living costs and help keep Thailand’s 2026 growth on track for 2.5%.
The cabinet has endorsed a strategic plan for the Oil Fuel Fund and a fuel crisis response plan covering 2026-29 with wider use of biofuels made from domestic raw materials to help deal with volatility in global energy markets.
Thailand’s Greater Bangkok housing market is showing an increasingly sharp divide, with condominium sales rebounding while low-rise housing remains weighed down by weak purchasing power, tight lending conditions and a prolonged inventory overhang.
Healthcare in Thailand is expanding its medical tourism services, which include hospital healthcare, preventive health services, wellness programs, and tourism services, for international tourists in both Bangkok and Phuket.
It’s the holiday hotspot that draws in billions of dollars with the promise of sun, sand and sex. Police promise Pattaya is one of the safest cities in Thailand. But the shocking killing of a teenage girl earlier this year exposed the dark underbelly of the city’s sex industry.
Trips to Thailand booked by Russian tourists through the end of the year could face disruptions amid a rise in reported COVID-19 cases. Some Russian travelers who have already paid for holidays at Thai resorts between October and December have reportedly been warned about possible problems with their trips as infections increase.
The Hua Hin Film Club will screen The Imitation Game at Sundance Beach Club on Sunday, Oct. 18, with actor David Charkham joining the evening as a special guest. The event begins at 6.30 pm and will include a conversation with Charkham, who appeared in the film. 
Nene Royal set for America’s Got Talent final
China’s robot dancers limber up for America’s Got Talent final
Seniors urged to use traditional Chinese medicine to slow cognitive decline
Young leopard makes rare daytime appearance in Kaeng Krachan forest
The new postal law in Thailand aims to address regulatory gaps and market distortions within the country’s growing delivery and logistics sector. A primary objective is to ensure equal access to basic postal services for all citizens, preventing these essential services from falling under the control of purely commercial delivery and logistics providers.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis has driven LNG prices to US$28 per million British thermal units, putting pressure on Thailand’s public and private sectors to undertake a major review of their energy strategies. The response ranges from adding “flexibility” to the energy-security framework to accelerating domestic gas exploration, advancing small modular reactor technology and restructuring major energy companies.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has embarked on a high-stakes investment mission to New York, positioning Thailand as an emerging hub for next-generation technology and global capital as he attends the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).
Thailand and the United States have reached a substantive agreement on the primary elements of their Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. While the core framework is established, negotiations continue regarding technical details and specific tariff treatments for Thai exports.
A Look at Phuket Old Town’s Revival and Rising Challenges
What a way to start a day! Watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Thailand, cool ocean breezes, with a gentle sea lapping at the white sand beach. And behind you is breakfast, served by the attentive staff of the 
Warning issued after driver nearly hits Khao Yai elephants
Thailand named Asia’s top beach destination for 2026
Thailand’s solar panel imports jumped 88.7% year-on-year to US$426.7 million, around 14.93 billion baht, during the first seven months of 2026, with China accounting for almost the entire market. According to figures from the Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department, the January to July increase marked a sharp recovery after import values contracted during both 2024 and 2025.
Ask an economist to put a price on Bangkok’s haze, and the number is startling: US$45.3 billion a year, or 3.9% of Thailand’s GDP, according to a World Bank assessment that ranks the country 20th worst out of 180 for the health costs of PM2.5 pollution — the second-heaviest burden in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.
Major television networks suspended their White House pool coverage and will no longer send camera crews to cover President Donald Trump’s pool events, standing in solidarity with CNN after Trump denied White House access to reporters for three outlets. The move from the five networks that make up the television pool ‒ ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News, in addition to CNN ‒ means a broadcast television feed that is distributed widely for media won’t be carried for most of Trump’s events. 
Hua Hin beacfront building owners request demolition delay
Sivana Hills held an open house on Saturday showcasing its new pool villa development on Soi 126 in Hua Hin’s Khao Tao area.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of heavy rain across Thailand today, naming 55 provinces in its regional forecasts and also warning Bangkok and surrounding areas.
A deadly night of violence hit Yala’s Bannang Sata district before security forces moved in yesterday. Assistant village headman Hamdee Jehsoh, 42, was shot dead in a roadside ambush. Hours later, attackers struck Highway 410, burning tires, scattering road spikes and leaving a suspicious wired object.
Hong Kong customs has made its largest-ever drug seizure from a sea shipment, finding cannabis worth HK$125 million, or about 530 million baht, in a 40-foot container declared as arriving from Thailand.
Disruption to Gulf shipping routes could raise transport costs and lengthen delivery times for Thai businesses, the Dubai office of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) warned in a report.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced that Thailand has secured its desired tariff rate from the United States, though one final condition from Washington still needs to be finalized.
Following increased immigration traffic at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand has now made the immigration eGates widely accessible. The immigration department at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is now allowing citizens of 33 foreign countries to utilize the electronic gates in order to enter the country.
For many Thai people, 7-Eleven is much more than a place to grab a quick snack. It has become part of everyday life, offering everything from morning coffee and ready-to-eat meals to drinks, beauty products, accessories and household essentials.
A three-meter python was captured after a homeowner in Udon Thani discovered it attacking chickens, solving the mystery of 25 fighting cocks that had disappeared over nearly two weeks.
Protected Areas Regional Office 9 (Ubon Ratchathani) officially opened Kaeng I Khiao as a new natural attraction at Buntharik-Yot Mon Wildlife Sanctuary in Kho Laen subdistrict, Buntharik district, Ubon Ratchathani province, on Friday.
Thailand data-center boom raises wider clean-power challenge
Thailand’s 65- billion-baht coffee market is moving beyond the beverage business, as consumers increasingly prioritize quality, experience and sustainability.
Ukrainian forces fired more than 1,000 drones at Russia overnight Saturday, including hundreds that were launched toward Moscow, officials said yesterday, as the Kremlin was wrapping up the third and last day of its parliamentary elections. 
Bangkok authorities are preparing a shared rail fare system that would limit the maximum charge to 45 baht per trip across the capital and surrounding areas from Jan. 1.The plan would remove duplicate entry fees for passengers changing between rail lines.
A minimart worker in Lopburi won 12 million baht in the Thai government lottery, but decided to keep working at his regular job, saying he would use some of the winnings to build a new home.
At Gastech 2026, we go behind the scenes of Thailand’s energy crossfire as the nation navigates an unprecedented surge in electricity demand driven by AI data centers and green industrial transitions.
Government moving to fully relocate Bangkok port to Laem Chabang
There is no currently established gold transaction tax rate in Thailand. While the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Thailand have been studying the possibility of imposing taxes on gold imports and domestic trading to curb money laundering and gray capital, no such tax has been implemented..
The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) is targeting Shopee following allegations that the platform unfairly used its market power to dominate the e-commerce industry. Specifically, the regulator is investigating claims that Shopee allegedly coerced vendors into participating in promotions without their consent, such as the CashBack Coins and free shipping schemes.
Prominent AI researchers and industry leaders have proposed several measures to slow the pace of artificial intelligence development to allow society and regulatory frameworks to catch up. These proposals include calling for a coordinated slowdown in the development of advanced models, implementing licensing regimes similar to those used in aviation or medicine, and establishing global coordination to prevent a competitive race between companies..
The Rise (and Rise and Rise) of the Suddenly Ubiquitous Jellyfish
Increasing concern among farmers about Kok River contamination
US President Donald Trump said yesterday e had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security that would bar Russia and China from setting up bases in the Arctic territory. 
US President Donald Trump said yesterday he was banning news outlets CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing them without specifics of reporting “fiction and lies.” Trump added that “other Fake News Media Outlets” would face a similar fate, but did not say which ones. 
Thai star Lisa hits big time in US
LISA brings Thai food and drinking culture to Jimmy Fallon show
Shipping costs are being driven by a combination of geopolitical tensions, severe weather events, and capacity constraints in critical maritime corridors. Conflicts in the Middle East, specifically involving Iran, have caused shipping standstills in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing vessels to seek alternative and often more expensive routes.
Average household debt in Thailand has risen to nearly 800,000 baht, reaching its highest level in 17 years, according to a 2026 survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Thai Airways will operate the new Bangkok-Da Nang service with 41 flights per week. The service is scheduled to begin on Dec. 1.
Thailand Ecotourism Is Now Third in ASEAN
Tiger Conservation in Thailand Shows Results
Government plans to liberalize forest use have sparked fears that Thailand’s pristine natural landscapes will be opened to industrial activities, including waste disposal. The Cabinet this month approved in principle a draft regulation allowing the commercial and industrial use of larger forest zones – including national reserves. If enacted, the scope of permitted activities will be expanded from the current 10 categories to 16.
Thailand has built much of the machinery of sustainable finance — a taxonomy, disclosure rules, transition loans and a coming climate fund. What it has not yet solved is who can afford to use it.
Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan have reviewed efforts to address wild elephant problems in Hua Hin and Kui Buri, including assistance and compensation for affected residents.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned all provinces nationwide, including Bangkok, to prepare for very heavy rain during Sept. 16-20, with risks of flash floods, forest run-off, landslides, waterlogging and rough seas.
Thailand is piloting a system that replaces the name, address and phone number on a parcel with a six-digit code and QR code, in an attempt to stop personal data leaking to scam gangs.
Nene Royal vows to give her all to win AGT final
Professor Watcharapong Kasaree, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, warns that Thailand’s fiscal system could face a severe crisis within a decade if urgent reforms are not undertaken. He expresses concern that the current trajectory of increasing public debt, which could reach 80%-90% of GDP within 5-10 years if revenue is not significantly increased, could lead to a loss of economic stability.
The new Employee Welfare Fund is expected to increase operating costs for restaurants due to mandatory monthly contributions from both employers and employees. These contributions are set at a rate of 5% of employee wages, beginning on Oct. 1.
The cabinet has granted oil and gas exploration concessions to two companies following the Round 25 onshore petroleum auction. The winning companies are PETTP International and Pan Orion Energy (Siam) Co., which were awarded concessions for areas in the central and northeastern regions.
Thailand could impose an excise tax of around 30% on fully imported electric vehicles, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, revealing for the first time the potential rate of a levy designed to steer automakers toward local production.
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that foreigners can now operate hotels, restaurants or tour businesses without a license under a new Foreign Business Act regulation.
A police lieutenant colonel and three other men were arrested Tuesday after they allegedly extorted 200,000 baht from a Chinese national in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai province.
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has announced that its 2026-27 season for mountaintop visits and overnight stays will run from Oct. 1 to May 31, 2027.
The US Federal Reserve yesterday raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, defying President Donald Trump’s demand for cuts, as central bank chief Kevin Warsh stressed the need to combat inflation that has been “too high” for “too long.” The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise rates by 25 basis points to between 3.75% and 4.00%. 
Asia-Pacific will account for 45% of global demand for new passenger aircraft between 2026 and 2045, requiring 19,120 aircraft as passenger traffic grows faster than the worldwide average, Airbus forecasts. Airbus’s Global Market Forecast (GMF) for 2026–2045 puts worldwide demand at 42,060 new aircraft. 
Highway police arrested a 23-year-old man and seized approximately 464 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine after the van he was driving crashed into a resident’s fence during a pursuit in Prachuap Khiri Khan last week.
‘Hands off Koh Kut’: Thailand stands firm at UN maritime talks
Thailand has signed an international tax information exchange agreement as part of the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules to support the collection of top-up taxes.
A media review of Pattaya has highlighted the resort city’s enduring association with sex tourism, despite efforts by local authorities to promote beaches, sport, conventions and family holidays.
TAT’s Amazing Thailand Ambassador Campaign Generates Over 448 Million Impressions
Thailand is shifting the way it measures tourism success, moving beyond visitor numbers toward a model focused on value, distribution and sustainability.
Thailand has shortened the standard visa-free stay for tourists from 60 days to 30, and this change may have a bigger effect on tourism spending than on the number of foreign visitors entering the country.
Thai industrial estate developer Amata Corp. and energy producer B.Grimm Power will invest 1.2 billion baht (USD36.1 million/EUR33.9 million) in a 42.5-MWp floating solar project at an industrial site in eastern Thailand’s Chon Buri province.
Bangkok is transitioning to electric vehicles to significantly reduce energy costs and mitigate air pollution. The plan to replace diesel rubbish trucks with electric vehicles is estimated to cut energy costs by approximately 4.75 billion baht, or 54%, over a five-year period.
Energy leaders urge balanced path for Asia’s energy transition
The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space, a remarkable revelation after previous warnings about countries such as Russia possibly weaponizing a global frontier long agreed in treaties to be used for only peaceful purposes.