- Hua Hin beachfront demolition begins/Ezy Airlines Adds Surat Thani-Hua Hin flights//Nene Royal receives US$1.2-million condo/Thunderstorms across 41 provinces/Soil fever warning after 136 deaths/Pattaya roads flood/Phuket landslide evacuation warning/Highest tidal flooding in a decade
- ECONOMY: Thailand’s digital economy/Bangkok condo glut/Bangkok ultra-luxury condos/Inside a modern seafood processing plant/Food industry expansion slows/Russia and Thailand Financial Links
- TOURISM: 450-baht tourist fee explained
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Climate change is shaking up Thai businesses
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin beachfront demolition begins
Hua Hin began beachfront clearance work this morning, with the municipality urging the public not to obstruct officials as it prepares to demolish 15 buildings encroaching on the beach between the fishing pier and the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine.
Municipal enforcement officers, legal officers, demolition contractors and 30 officers from Hua Hin Police Station were scheduled to assemble at the fishing pier forecourt at 10 am. A further 40 crowd-control police officers was to be on standby. Continued …
Ezy Airlines Adds Surat Thani-Hua Hin Flights From Nov 7
Thai carrier Ezy Airlines has launched its second scheduled route, offering nonstop Surat Thani–Hua Hin flights. Cessna aircraft will serve this route twice daily, although service will not be offered from Tuesdays to Thursdays. The first flight is scheduled on Nov. 7. The airline also operates Surat Thani–U-Tapao Airport twice daily, except for Tuesdays trough Thursdays). – Aeroroutes
CP tycoon gives Nene Royal gold Buddha as she receives US$1.2-million condo
Charoen Pokphand Group Senior Chairman Dhanin Chearavanont has given young Thai guitarist Nene Royal a gold Buddha image and his blessings as her family prepares to move into a luxury condominium worth 35 million baht (US$1.2 million).
Nene, 16, visited the Mulberry Grove The Forestias Condominiums yesterday to receive the keys to the family’s new home. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit has a floor area of about 98.69 square meters. It was reportedly given to Nene’s family before they traveled to the United States for the final of America’s Got Talent. Continued …
TMD warns of thunderstorms across 41 provinces today
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a nationwide weather advisory for today, warning residents across 41 provinces to brace for thunderstorms, gusty winds, and potential flash floods or forest runoffs.
Southern region (east oast): Sixty per cent of the area will see thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain, affecting Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla, with wave heights reaching up to two meters offshore. Continued …
Thailand issues soil fever warning after 136 deaths
Thailand has warned farmers, people with diabetes and residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions against melioidosis, also known as soil fever, after recording 3,102 cases and 136 deaths nationwide this year.
The warning, issued by the Department of Disease Control (DDC) yesterday, comes as continued rainfall leaves standing water and wet soil in parts of the country, increasing the risk of exposure to the bacteria that cause the disease. Continued …
Pattaya roads flood up to 80cm after heavy rain
Heavy rain in Pattaya yesterday caused flash flooding of up to 80 centimeters on several major roads in Pattaya, bringing traffic almost to a standstill in parts.
The downpour lasted for less than an hour, but water quickly surged across roads in parts of the resort city that are regularly affected by flooding. Pattaya City officials closed off heavily flooded routes, as small vehicles and motorcycles could not safely get through. Continued …
Phuket landslide evacuation warning issued for Karon
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has urged residents in parts of Karon, Phuket, to evacuate, as continuing heavy rain raises the danger of landslides and mudflows.
The warning, issued yesterday, covers communities around Patak sois 2, 4 and 6 in Karon subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district. Residents have been told to leave their homes for safer places or evacuation centers set up by Karon municipality. Continued …
Amphawa and Mae Klong hit by highest tidal flooding in a decade
Coastal flooding, triggered by high tides, has inundated key economic zones, homes, and tourist spots across Samut Songkhram, with local residents reporting the highest water levels in over a decade.
The Mae Klong River and its connecting canals overflowed yesterday, submerging low-lying areas in Mueang and Amphawa districts, including the famous Amphawa floating market, Mae Klong railway market, and roads leading to Phet Samut Worawihan Temple. Continued …
Thailand’s digital economy forecast to reach US$72 billion
Thailand’s digital economy is forecast to reach US$72 billion, or approximately 2.43 trillion baht, in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2026, growing 19% despite economic challenges, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2026 report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Co. The report projects that GMV will rise to US$104 billion by 2030 and US$167 billion by 2035, with compound annual growth of 10%.
Thailand’s established digital foundations and supportive government policies underpin the outlook. The national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy covers digital sovereignty, AI governance, the development of highly skilled workers and stronger long-term competitiveness. Continued …
Bangkok condo glut may take three years to clear
Bangkok’s condominium market may take another two to three years to return to normal, with more than 65,300 unsold units in the capital worth a combined 370 billion baht.
The market remains under pressure from a large backlog of completed and uncompleted homes, weak household purchasing power and a fall in demand from Chinese buyers, according to property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Thailand. Surachet Kongcheep, the firm’s head of research, said developers face continued uncertainty when planning new projects. Continued …
Bangkok ultra-luxury condos could top 1 million baht per square meter
Bangkok’s ultra-luxury condominium prices could exceed 1 million baht per square meter in the near future, according to Savills, as rising prime land costs, distinctive developments and demand from wealthy buyers support the top end of the market.
Phattarachai Taweewong, senior director of market research and public relations at Savills (Thailand), puts the potential price shift in the ultimate class segment in high-potential locations, rather than the broader condominium market. Continued …
Inside a modern seafood processing plant: from boat to shelf
A tuna boat docks in Samut Sakhon at sunrise. By lunch, that same fish is cleaned, portioned, cooked, and sitting in cans on a pallet bound for supermarket shelves in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. That speed is the result of efficient and seamless choreography most shoppers don’t think about, but it’s what a modern seafood processing plant handles daily.
Raw catch turns up fresh or frozen, gets sorted by species and size, and moves through cleaning lines where scales, bones, and skin come off. From there, depending on the product, it’s cooked, smoked, or frozen, then canned or pouched for retail. Every stop along the way has a temperature log, and there’s a metal detector waiting at the end. Continued …
Food industry expansion slows amid surging costs and weak consumer spending
Thailand’s food and beverage market is projected to reach 682 billion baht in 2026, marking a 3.9% year-on-year growth, according to the Kasikorn Research Center (Kresearch). The growth rate continues to decelerate though, and remains uneven across the sector due to fragile consumer purchasing power, intense competition and elevated operational costs depressing profit margins.
Department of Business Development Director-General Kittiwat Patchimnan stated that they are accelerating efforts to support food operators, grocery stores and small businesses. He emphasised the upgrading of skills, creating market opportunities and establishing business networks to help operators adapt to changing consumer behaviors and maintain competitiveness. Continued …
Russia and Thailand Seek Direct Financial Links to Unlock $1.7 billion in Trade
Bilateral trade and investment between Russia and Thailand are expanding at a rapid pace despite mounting global macroeconomic friction, but the lack of direct financial infrastructure and persistent regulatory barriers threaten to cap future growth, according to high-level commercial representatives.
Trade turnover reached approximately $1.7 billion in 2025 and accelerated further in the first eight months of 2026, surging by 25% year-on-year to hit $1.55 billion. This growth was driven primarily by a 90% leap in Russian exports, which reached $1.05 billion. Continued …
Thai 450-baht tourist fee explained
Relying solely on the national budget may not be sufficient to develop the “supply” of the tourism sector to keep pace with the continued demand flowing into Thailand. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is proceeding with the collection of a “tourist entrance fee” of 450 baht per person for air travel.
The revenue will be channeled into the “Thai Tourism Promotion Fund,” an off-budget mechanism to improve the quality of the supply side and strengthen confidence. The latest draft of the fee collection announcement proposes a rate of “450 baht per person” specifically for eligible foreign tourists entering Thailand via air once the announcement comes into effect. Continued …
Climate change is shaking up “Thai businesses,” urgent adaptation needed
The Thai Management Assn. (TMA) points out that Thai businesses must urgently adapt to the climate crisis while simultaneously mitigating environmental impacts. They must also accelerate investment in infrastructure, develop long-term plans, and elevate sustainability as a strategy to build competitiveness, especially by helping SMEs adapt to global trade regulations.
Veerathai Santiprabhob, chairman of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) and former governor of the Bank of Thailand, stated at the FUTURE FORUM 2026, organized by the TMA under the theme “The Future of Competitiveness: Building Sustainable Growth Through Mitigation and Adaptation,” that climate change is impacting Thailand more severely, causing floods, droughts, heavy rainfall, and rising sea levels. Therefore, businesses must prioritize adaptation alongside mitigation, reducing environmental impacts. Video …
Upmarket prostitution racket in Singapore procuring Thai women smashed
A seven-year prostitution racket trafficking Thai women to Singapore has been smashed in a major police operation. Four suspects, including two Singaporeans, were arrested in Thailand. A fifth faces charges. The breakthrough followed 19 sex worker arrests in Singapore. Continued …
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Thailand revokes Chabad leader’s Thai citizenship over US passport use – Continued …
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Chinese national charged over durian firm nominee claim – Continued …
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Phuket police arrest Chinese woman over nominee firms – Continued …
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Thai police detain two Chinese men wanted in China – Continued …
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Prachin Buri raid nets 18 Chinese and Myanmar workers – Continued …
Saudi Arabia using solar farms to breed endangered species
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Wildlife Sanctuary covers a vast area of 24,500 square kilometers, stretching from volcanic plains to the Red Sea coast. Although this area represents only 1% of the country’s land and 1.8% of its marine land area, it is home to more than 50% of all species in Saudi Arabia, distributed across 15 diverse ecosystems. Continued …
Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men actor, dies
Patrick Stewart, the Shakespearean actor who became a global screen star as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died aged 86. A statement on Stewart’s X account announced his death yesterday, saying he had died the previous day at his home in Los Angeles, in the care of his wife, American musician Sunny Ozell. 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
Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul visited the park on Damnoen Kasem Road with municipal executives, the director of the Engineering Department, construction supervisors and relevant officials to check progress. 
Khao Tao Reservoir renovations planned after complaints
A Prachuap Khiri Khan weather warning covering Oct. 28–31 has urged residents to remain alert for heavy rain, strong wind gusts, flash floods and landslides.
Thailand’s Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee approved reductions in retail fuel prices yesterday, cutting the price of B7 diesel by 1 baht per liter and the prices of E10-95 and E10-91 gasohol by 50 satang per liter, effective from today.
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has deployed rapid response units to track a hostile wild gaur and monitor elephant movements in Chanthaburi following two separate wildlife attacks yesterday that left one person dead and three others injured.
At a government wildlife rescue center in Thailand, dozens of lost and injured baby leopard cats are receiving a second chance at life in the wild. Annual admission of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation rescue center in Khon Kaen, in northeastern Thailand, have surged from an average of about 10 cats per year before to 2023 to as many as 65 now.
Three Thai property associations are preparing to seek additional tax relief from Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, as the housing industry warns that mortgage rejection rates could reach 50% in 2026.
The Bank of Thailand has upgraded its economic growth forecast for 2026 to 3.2%, up from its previous projection of 2.4%. This upward revision is driven by stronger momentum in both exports and private investment.
Thailand’s upgraded economic outlook is primarily driven by stronger momentum in exports and increased private investment. The Bank of Thailand has specifically raised its growth forecasts due to robust performance in sectors like technology and electronics, alongside a surge in foreign direct investment.
Consumer goods companies are planning price hikes to cover rising operational costs driven by geopolitical instability and supply chain issues. Major brands including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, and Reckitt have warned that further increases are necessary to offset higher expenses for raw materials, energy, and transportation.
Pickups were long Thailand’s largest vehicle segment, at times accounting for around half the market, before contracting sharply in recent years. For the latest eight-month period, Tri Petch Isuzu Sales said the overall vehicle market grew by 18%, driven mainly by passenger cars and SUVs, while pickup sales were close to the level recorded in the same period last year.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday the ministry had worked with three major e-commerce platforms – Shopee, TikTok Shop and Lazada – to lower sales fees and ease costs for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which had been affected by repeated fee increases since the start of the year.
Thailand Targets Global Pet Hub Status as Pet Food Exports Reach $3.28 Billion
Small contractors risk being excluded from the government’s 50-billion-baht solar rooftop program due to excessively harsh regulatory frameworks and stringent technical requirements. Industry groups, such as the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Assn., have noted that these rules are particularly disproportionate for small and medium-sized operators.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has defended Thailand’s “public solar” program against criticism that it favors large businesses, saying it will lower household costs and encourage renewable energy use.
A Renfe high-speed train struck a stationary Iryo service in Castilla-La Mancha, south of Madrid, yesterday, killing at least 68 people in Spain’s second major high-speed rail disaster of the year. 
Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance, said the Cabinet had formally approved a household solar program targeting one million homes nationwide. The program will support rooftop, ground-mounted and floating solar power systems, with a government subsidy of 50,000 baht per household toward a standard 140,000-baht package using equipment certified by the electricity utilities.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast heavy rain in 17 central and southern provinces today. The department warned that persistent rain could cause flash floods and runoff in the south, while thunderstorms and strong gusts remain a threat across upper Thailand, particularly the central region.
The Thai cabinet approved a three-month reduction in excise taxes on E20 gasohol and B20 biodiesel to provide financial relief to farmers, transport operators, and consumers. This measure aims to lower domestic living costs and ease the burden of high fuel prices.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), which operates PTT Station, and Bangchak Corp. have lowered B20 diesel and E20 gasohol prices to 33.50 baht per liter in Bangkok from today.
Thai food study finds bacteria in raw enoki mushroom samples
Thailand’s consumer sentiment in October reveals a notable shift in the issues weighing on people’s minds. While financial and political corruption remains the country’s leading concern, poverty and social inequality has returned to second place, and climate change has emerged as one of the month’s fastest-rising worries.
Thailand’s Parliament has opened public consultation on a proposed overhaul of the country’s firearms law, including a requirement for personal gun possession licenses to be renewed every five years.
Thailand’s private investment growth is being driven by a surge in digital infrastructure, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, cloud services, and data centers. Additionally, investment is being propelled by robust performance in the technology and electronics export sectors.
Car production in Thailand dropped 6.1% in September from a year earlier to 120,319 units, due partially to disruptions caused by flooding, the Federation of Thai Industries said yesterday. The reading followed a rise of 10.9% in August.
Thailand and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to achieving US$30 billion in bilateral trade by 2027 during ministerial talks in Bangkok yesterday, while backing faster progress on border transport projects and closer security cooperation.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has warned that Chinese group-tour business in Thailand could fall by as much as 50% during the Lunar New Year holiday in 2027 unless the government moves quickly to address safety concerns raised by the Chinese embassy.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit is leading efforts to introduce seaplane services in the Andaman region to stimulate the local economy and boost tourism. This strategic plan involves coordinating with various authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the Department of Airports, to manage landing sites, staff training, and environmental protection.
The war in Iran has cost the U.S. military $47.1 billion as of Oct. 16, according to an estimate U.S. Central Command provided to Congress. The cost update is almost certainly a significant undercount of the total cost of the war, as it does not include estimates about damage to U.S. bases and facilities across the Middle East that were hit by Iranian strikes. 
Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has warned that prolonged high oil prices could put pressure on inflation and the current account. Energy economist Praipol Koomsup has called for broader fuel tax cuts, while suggesting prices could ease within one to two months if conflicts subside. 
Hua Hin’s first-ever Halloween parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, with residents and visitors invited to dress up and join the celebrations on Soi Bintabaht.
More than 1,700 Thai and international runners took part in Run with the Flow 2026 in Hua Hin on Sunday, supporting heart and brain health, and raising funds to help disadvantaged patients access medical treatment.
Video of the panther and leopard at Kaeng Krachan
I’ve been coming to Thailand for 30 years and have lived here since 2014. Over the years, the word has come to play an increasingly absurd role in my life. I’m an alien in Thailand, and I see little prospect of that changing.
Thailand’s hotel and accommodation sector recorded 148 business closures in the first nine months of 2026, a 42% increase on the same period last year, according to the Kasikorn Research Center.
Thailand’s agricultural and agro-industrial exports fell 1.9% in the first nine months of 2026 as high production costs and intense global competition weighed on key products, even as booming electronics shipments pushed the country’s overall exports to record levels.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee approved in principle yesterday the designation of four new special economic promotion zones worth 25.66 billion baht, aiming to attract global technology enterprises and artificial intelligence investments.
Artificial intelligence has overtaken climate change as the top global risk, according to a 2026 report from French insurer Axa. This shift is driven by concerns that technological advancements are progressing faster than the ability of regulators to prepare for the potential consequences.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival set for March
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) are enhancing cooperation to modernize national park services, promote high-value nature tourism, and uphold environmental conservation standards.
Doi Luang Chiang Dao opens online bookings for 2026–27 treks
The government’s proposed 50,000-baht subsidy to encourage up to one million households to install a solar power system will be presented to the cabinet today for approval. The proposed scheme also involves three state-owned banks which would provide low-interest loans, eliminating the need for upfront capital.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has accelerated a study on nuclear energy adoption, setting a target to launch Thailand’s first commercial small modular reactor (SMR) by 2037.
US President Donald Trump attacked Norway during a campaign rally, calling it a “shit house country,” and said that Norwegian immigrants were not welcome in the United States because its Nobel Committee had not awarded him the Peace Prize. 
Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, the company said yesterdayy, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as the tech giant seeks to cut costs while pouring money into artificial intelligence. 
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.
Two Black Panthers and Three Leopards Spotted in Kaeng Krachan Forest
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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. 
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. 
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.
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
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’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 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.
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
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.
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