- PKK included in foreign property ownership probe/Developer touts Hua Hin/Public broadcasts to be quieter/Hua Hin school conducts shooter drill/Former Hua Hin Crossfit coach dies/Petrol and diesel rise/Fire death toll rises to 41/Flash floods across Nan’s Pua/Thailand will not allow SpaceX full ownership/Thai actress named ‘most beautiful woman’/Nene Royal heads to US/Nene Royal videos/Times Square campaign rallies support for Nene/10 doctors a shift still cannot keep up
- ECONOMY: New bad debts rise/Foreign business approvals rise
- TOURISM: Video of Thailand tourists being swept away by flood waters
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thai farmers battle elephant raids
- HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
PKK included in foreign property ownership probe looking at condos in 16 provinces
Thailand’s crackdown on foreign control of property is expanding, with 36,277 foreign-linked legal entities now under scrutiny over land ownership nationwide. The probe is concentrated in 16 major provinces and has already moved from nominee company abuses into land, villas and 30-year leases using surreptitious arrangements.
Condominium ownership is next, as the Department of Business Development (DBD) prepares to trace shareholders, bank funding and the real source of investment to facilitate condominium ownership, sometimes involving multiple units. Suspected nominee structure abuses face forced land sales, fines of up to B1 million and prison terms of up to three years. Continued …
Developer touts Hua Hin as future wellness destination
Wisut Janwatanakul, senior assistant vice president of condominium project development at Sansiri Public Co, stated the real estate market in Hua Hin is expected to grow significantly in 2026, transitioning into a global wellness and medical tourism destination, which is a key driver for the luxury real estate market and long-stay accommodations.
This trend, he says, is transforming Hua Hin from a weekend getaway into the “Capital of Health and Longevity” in Southeast Asia, alongside the benefits of large-scale government transportation infrastructure development. Hua Hin is becoming a full-fledged wellness destination, collaborating with leading healthcare facilities and wellness resorts such as The Barai, Chiva-Som Hua Hin Wellness Resort, and the launch of the high-end CHEVALA Wellness Hua Hin center, and Hua Hin Health Park, which includes a comprehensive medical center.
Furthermore, Janwatanakul says, the Hua Hin real estate market is significantly supported by comprehensive transportation networks, including the opening of the M82 expressway (Bang Khun Thian – Ekachai – Ban Phaew) in August and the Rama 3 – Dao Khanong – Western Ring Road expressway, set to open in Q4, which will reduce travel time from Bangkok.
Additionally, the upgrade of Hua Hin Airport (HHQ) with expanded runways and security tunnels to accommodate international direct flights aims to establish it as a central aviation hub connecting Singapore, Taipei, Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur.
The southern dual-track railway project, spanning 421 kilometers from Nakhon Pathom to Hua Hin and Chumphon, is now fully operational, he adds,reducing travel time to the south by 2-3 hours. The development of the high-speed rail station in Hua Hin or high-speed rail (Bok Fai) connects rail, land, and air transport, allowing train travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin in just 1.5 hours. – terrabkk.com
Hua Hin’s public broadcasts to be quieter
Hua Hin Municipality is reducing the volume of its public announcement system and changing its broadcasting schedule following concerns from residents about disruption.
After a meeting to review the municipality’s wireless public address network, officials agreed to reduce the volume at certain locations to what the municipality described as more appropriate levels, while also introducing a revised timetable for broadcasts. Continued …
Sign of the times: Hua Hin school conducts active shooter drill
Hua Hin Municipality has held an active shooter drill at Khao Phithak Municipal School, training teachers, staff and students in how to respond to an armed attack on school grounds. The training took place yesterday.
Officers from Hua Hin Police Station provided instruction on active shooter incidents and the “Run, Hide, Fight” approach, which sets out steps people can take to protect themselves during an attack. Continued …
Former Hua Hin Crossfit coach dies in Bangkok Hydrox event
Leroy Saunders, a well-known figure in Thailand’s CrossFit community and a former head coach in Hua Hin, has died after collapsing during the Hyrox Bangkok 2026 competition.
The 41-year-old South African lost consciousness during the event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center last Thursday. He was resuscitated at the venue and taken to hospital, where he died. Continued …
Petrol and diesel rise by 0.85 baht per liter
PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) and Bangchak Corporation Plc (BCP) raised retail prices for petrol, gasohol and diesel by 0.85 baht, or 85 satang, per litre from 5am on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).
The following retail prices apply in Bangkok and exclude local maintenance tax. Petrol: 46.68 baht per liter; Super Power Gasohol 95: 47.79 baht per liter (OR); SUPER POWER X petrol: 49.79 baht per liter; Gasohol 98+: 48.44 baht per liter, (Bangchak); Gasohol E85: 28.63 baht per liter (Bangchak); Gasohol 95: 37.69 baht per liter; Gasohol 91: 37.32 baht per liter; and Gasohol E20: 32.69 baht per liter. Continued …
Bangkok pub fire death toll rises to 41
Two customers who had been receiving treatment for severe injuries after the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao fire in Bangkok have died, raising the confirmed death toll to 41.
Police working on the case at Metropolitan Police Division 2 said the latest victims were a male customer treated at Rajavithi Hospital and a female customer treated at Taksin Hospital. Both had been critically injured in the blaze on the night of July 12. Continued …
Flash floods cut major roads and inundate homes across Nan’s Pua
Flash floods swept through Pua district in Nan province early today, inundating homes, damaging farmland and cutting major roads after more than 110 millimeters of rain fell overnight.
Reports received at around 6 am indicated that heavy rain had continued throughout the night in Phu Kha subdistrict, a forested headwater area. The Doi Phu Kha National Park office recorded more than 110 millimeters of rainfall, triggering rapid runoff and flooding across several parts of Pua. Continued …
Why Thailand will not allow SpaceX full ownership of Starlink operations
Thailand’s refusal to allow SpaceX to wholly own a satellite telecommunications business has returned to the spotlight as the government moves to build the country’s space economy and update its laws to accommodate rapidly changing technology.
The government is seeking to create a framework that would allow foreign satellite operators, including Starlink, to provide services in Thailand. However, it remains firm that SpaceX cannot hold 100% ownership of a Thai telecommunications operation. Continued …
Thai actress named ‘most beautiful woman’
Popular Thai actress Sirilak Kwong, also known as Lingling Kwong, has made waves internationally after The Netizens Choice Magazine officially announced its 2026 rankings. She secured a double crown by winning two titles in the same season, backed by a huge number of votes from fans worldwide through its website, app and social media platforms.
The highlight was Lingling’s first-place finish in the “Most Beautiful Woman Alive 2026” ranking after receiving more than 22 million votes. Lingling also took first place in the “Most Beautiful Thai Actresses 2026” ranking. Continued …
Nene Royal heads to US with family for AGT live show
Thai teenage singer Nene Royal flew to the United States with her family today to compete in the Live Show round of America’s Got Talent on Aug. 25, asking Thais around the world to cheer her on and vote.
Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn Amlai, 16, departed Phuket International Airport with her father Narong Amlai, mother Aom and younger brother. The family flew Bangkok Airways from Phuket to Suvarnabhumi Airport before continuing to the United States, where Nene will take the stage in the upcoming America’s Got Talent live show. Continued …
(Editor: Yes, I am totalled enthralled with this Thai musical prodigy. Her talent is unmistakeable, even if you don’t care for some of the music she performs.)
Times Square campaign rallies Thai support for Nene Royal at AGT
Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) is taking messages of support for Thai musician Nene Royal to New York’s Times Square as the 16-year-old prepares for a crucial live appearance on America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 21.
The campaign brings together photographs and messages from Thai supporters, which are set to appear on a giant LED display at one of New York’s best-known landmarks. CP invited fans to submit photographs and messages of encouragement on social media from Aug. 14–16, with 100 images selected for the Times Square display. Continued …
ER doctor says 10 doctors a shift still cannot keep up
A doctor working in a Thai hospital emergency room says the department has been overwhelmed for the past two to three months. Even with more than 10 doctors rostered on the morning shift, the team cannot examine patients fast enough.
The doctor set out the daily staffing in an online post, alongside photographs of patients lying on trolleys. The post gives the roster as more than 10 doctors on the morning shift, eight on the afternoon shift and four overnight. Continued …
New bad debts rise as high costs and weak demand strain Thai firms
Thailand’s commercial banking system is facing an increase in new non-performing loans, reflecting continued financial pressure on businesses despite a slight decline in the overall NPL ratio during the second quarter of 2026.
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) said the banking system remained stable, with strong capital buffers and high liquidity, even as Thailand’s uneven, K-shaped economic recovery continued to affect some SMEs and households through weaker incomes, higher costs and subdued purchasing power. Continued …
Foreign business approvals in Thailand rise 26%, with investment up 37%
The Department of Business Development (DBD) reported a total investment of B219 billion by foreign businesses approved to operate in Thailand during the first seven months of 2026, up 37% from the same period in 2025. Singapore recorded the highest investment value at B61.1 billion, followed by Japan at B45 billion and China at B38.6 billion.
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the DBD under the Ministry of Commerce and secretary to the Foreign Business Commission, said 736 foreign investors had been granted permission to invest in and operate businesses in Thailand under the Foreign Business Act 1999 during the first seven months of 2026. Continued …
Thailand tourists swept away by raging flood waters
Video captured the moment flash floods swept away tourists near the Mae Sa Waterfall. Park officials say they alerted visitors to the rising water, but the flood came too quickly for some to escape. Video …
Thai farmers battle elephant raids to protect crops, livelihoods
Agriculture looks very different as you travel around the world, but uncertainty is something every farmer deals with. In Minnesota, farmers prepare for drought, storms, volatile markets and wildlife ravaging their crops.
A group of American college students recently learned that farmers and villagers in Thailand must also contend with local wildlife but on a much grander scale. Continued …
Hua Hin Links and Transport
Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
Thailand offers foreign retirees a clearer legal route to long-term residence than Vietnam, but Vietnam can cost considerably less for those able to manage more complicated visa arrangements. For people deciding where to spend retirement in Southeast Asia, the choice often comes down to predictable paperwork and healthcare versus lower rent and daily spending.
Thailand has warned dentists that pre-signing cannabis prescription forms without personally examining, diagnosing or treating a patient could lead to legal action and professional disciplinary consequences.
A Thai army explosives disposal specialist lost a leg after stepping on a landmine while clearing explosives near Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani yesterday. The accident happened in an area near the border under the responsibility of the 2nd Army Region.
Oil prices gained more than US$2 yesterday as faltering US-Iran diplomacy and a sharp slowdown in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz renewed concerns about global energy supplies.
Thailand’s economy is flashing disturbing warning signs beneath headline GDP growth of 1.9% in the second quarter. Output actually fell 0.2% from the previous quarter, while industrial capacity sank to a 24-quarter low.
Thailand’s economy grew by 1.9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, making it the slowest-growing of six major ASEAN economies tracked by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
Thailand’s next industrial upgrade may not be defined only by new roads, railways, factories and smart cities, but by how intelligently they can be designed, operated and maintained.
Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) ranked first in SEAsia Stats Research’s Top Manufacturing Hubs in Southeast Asia by Integrated Industrial Area, with more than 13,000 megawatts (MW) of power capacity in the Chon Buri–Rayong area.
The Thai government has launched a coordinated push to streamline international passenger processing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, pledging to expand automated passport gates to 31 additional nationalities by the end of August 2026.
Phuket has shut Freedom Beach after German tourist Jannik Jürgen Knobel, 30, was swept away in fierce monsoon seas despite red flags. His companion survived, but rescuers found his body near rocks the next day. Two other foreign tourists died at the secluded beach in 2025.
Discover the giant Buddha at Bangkok’s Wat Paknam
Thailand’s renewable power pipeline is gathering pace, with 449 projects licensed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and investment expected to reach up to US$2.61 billion.
Dow Thailand Group is producing high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins from plastic waste collected in Thailand, advancing a local recycling pathway that transforms used plastics into valuable materials for packaging and industrial applications.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has partnered with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to install solar rooftop systems at 25 pilot hospitals, aiming to reduce annual electricity costs by US$1.63 million and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7,211 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) a year.
US President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency, with an overwhelming majority of Americans concerned the U.S. war with Iran will last a long time, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded yesterday. 
Tourism in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi continues to show resilience, with stronger foreign visitor revenue and higher per-person spending helping offset softer domestic demand and wider economic pressures.
Thailand ranks third of 31 destinations for expats on the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, behind Panama and Mexico. The survey ran from Feb. 1 to March 31 this year, drawing about 7,786 respondents of 162 nationalities across 31 countries.
A single night in a private room at Bangkok Hospital can run past 25,000 baht before any treatment is added to the bill. Most expats assume their health insurance handles that kind of cost without a second thought. But the truth is, the exclusions section of the policy, the part almost nobody reads past the first page, is often where that assumption falls apart.
The Commerce Ministry recently discovered that there have been irregularities in the registration of 35 companies in four districts of northeastern Sakon Nakhon province, with unwitting Thai villagers used to set up these 100% Chinese-owned nominee firms while 14 were totally Thai owned but none were conducting any business at all at their registered addresses.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas recently unveiled a new economic plan aimed at steering Thailand toward a high-income nation, but experts have flagged obstacles that need immediate attention.
Thailand will send a technical team to the United States from Aug. 27 to 29 for further negotiations on an agreement on reciprocal trade, or ART, before policy-level talks led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.
Eight Thai industrial groups responsible for US$52.23 billion in exports to the United States in 2025 could face more intensive checks on product origin and manufacturing processes as Washington steps up enforcement against illegal transshipment.
The White House has accused more than 40 countries, including Thialnd, Canada, Mexico, Japan and EU member states, of helping China evade US tariffs by rerouting exports through lower-tariff jurisdictions — a practice it labels “The Great Transshipment Scam”.
Thailand’s property market is increasingly looking to foreign buyers, as slowing economic growth, high household debt and tighter lending conditions put pressure on domestic purchasing power.
Thailand plans to restructure automotive excise taxes by offering lower rates for vehicles produced domestically and charging more on fully built imports from companies without manufacturing investment in the country.
AOT studies fast-track services, return of arrival duty-free shops
Chiang Mai Waterfall closed after tourists swept away
Four Spanish tourists injured by falling tree at Ayutthaya temple
A prominent Thai plastic surgeon has publicly urged people not to take everything in the Australian 60 Minutes investigation into Thai cosmetic surgery at face value, saying he has been contacted by a surgeon connected to one of the featured cases who told him the reality was not as the program presented it.
Where one lives in Thailand strongly determines how easily one can see a doctor. The agricultural sector suffers the most, with farmers making up 45.5% of all poor households. This is largely because gross farm incomes fluctuate wildly with weather and market prices.
Theerasak “Pop” Saksritawee spends up to eight hours every day swimming, hiking and filming dugongs near Phuket. Now, he’s warning the animals may soon disappear from one of the few places outside Australia that they gather. 
Bangkok’s floating markets: Where trade still floats
Australia’s New South Wales state will begin a major gun buyback on November 2, offering owners up to A$1,000, or about US$700, for each eligible rifle or handgun surrendered. The federal government passed legislation in January establishing a gun buyback, strengthening checks on firearm license applicants and introducing measures against hate-related conduct. 
Alma Ronen has been fighting in the Israeli military nearly constantly for more than two years. Spending her Saturday not in uniform but in a T-shirt and jeans, she would like to enjoy a coffee outside – and resents that her more religious compatriots think otherwise. 
US President Donald Trump said he was “not happy” about US participation in joint military exercises with close ally South Korea and is scaling back the drills aimed at deterring rival North Korea that start today. 
Cha-am residents are being urged to store enough water for up to a week ahead of possible water supply disruption from Aug. 21, when water releases from Kaeng Krachan Dam are due to be temporarily suspended.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered work to be accelerated on two Cha-am groundwater projects worth about 301 million baht, as authorities seek to address drought and water shortages affecting local communities.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is working towards a Jan. 1 launch of its common-ticket policy for electric rail services in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, with fares capped at 45 baht per trip and an initial charge of no more than 17 baht.
U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday urged Americans to accept slightly higher gasoline prices as the cost of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and said he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S territory. 
Ekniti Nitithanprapas, minister of Finance, said realized investment through the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) reached about B250 billion in the second quarter of this year, up 31% from the same period last year. This lifted the total for the first half of the year above B500 billion.
Thailand is seeking to combine artificial intelligence with agriculture innovation as part of a broader industrial strategy aimed at raising productivity, strengthening domestic businesses and spreading the benefits of technological growth more widely across the economy.
Thailand is preparing to offer 500,000 domestic travel subsidies under the proposed Thai Travel Thai Plus 2026 scheme, with the government paying half of accommodation costs up to 3,000 baht per entitlement.
ASEAN’s commitment to net-zero is crucial for global environmental targets, despite its current fossil fuel dependency. The region faces an energy crisis but has strong decarbonization goals.
A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia early today, collapsing buildings and homes, killing at least two people and causing panic in a region prone to deadly quakes.
Hua Hin Municipality officials met this week to discuss the installation of CCTV systems with 100 cameras and equipment in high-risk areas or areas with security needs. The project has already been reviewed and approved in principle.
Mayor visits Chat Chai market, hears concerns
Jaras Hua Hin at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has been awarded Thai Select 2 Stars for 2026, recognizing the restaurant’s Thai cuisine, quality ingredients, creative presentation, professional service and overall dining experience.
Chiva-Som Hua Hin has received a Prime Minister’s Export Award 2026 in the Best Services Enterprise – Wellness Services category, recognizing its contribution to Thailand’s wellness sector and international reputation.
Movie lovers in Hua Hin have a new place to come together with the launch of the Hua Hin Film Club, a new cultural initiative bringing selected films to local audiences alongside discussions, special events and opportunities to meet actors, filmmakers and others involved in the movies being screened.
Thailand’s firearm controls face three persistent gaps involving illegal and modified guns sold outside the registration system, insufficient oversight of legally owned weapons after licences are issued, and the transfer of firearms bought through government welfare schemes.
How much is your personal information worth? Apparently, only a few hundred baht was enough to access sensitive information from a Thai government database.
Thai consumers continued to visit shops at almost the same frequency in July but sharply reduced the amount they were prepared to spend on each trip, pointing to weakening household purchasing power as the nationwide Retail Sentiment Index (RSI) fell 4.9 points to 46.6.
Sorry, but you will have to pay to read this one. See article on Bangkok Post’s new subscription service above. 
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied reports that the United States plans to establish a production base for unmanned aerial vehicles in Thailand, saying he had received no such report.
Thailand has approved 42 data center projects since 2024, but is Thailand’s energy system prepared for the surge? Some question Thailand’s grid system is not smart yet, noting that the government should balance energy security with data center development. 
From fan-favorite drunken noodles to spicy papaya salads and creamy curries, Thailand’s cuisine entices visitors from around the world. While over 17,400 Thai restaurants can be found internationally, eating pad Thai, fragrant coconut soups, and other punchy dishes in the “Land of Smiles” is a bucket list topper for many travelers.
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has received 1,397 applications for investment promotion under measures supporting the transition toward smart and sustainable industry, with combined investment worth more than 146 billion baht.
Solar panel recycling could generate $6 billion in recovered materials by 2040 and exceed $20 billion by 2050, as more than 400 gigawatts of photovoltaic (PV) capacity reaches end-of-life, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said.
A Western content creator has warned foreigners against moving to Thailand without a clear financial plan, saying many end up “packing up and going home” after under estimating their costs.
A British man faces deportation from Thailand after allegedly threatening and verbally abusing staff at a Hua Hin currency exchange booth during a dispute over a Western Union payment. Hua Hin Police said the incident happened on Friday, Aug. 7, at the Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri) currency exchange booth on Naebkehardt Road.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) yesterday removed a street lighting charge from public electricity bills, leading to 6-satang reduction in the rate to 3.89 baht a unit from next month (September). The rate structure for residential electricity has also been adjusted, with the first 200 units capped at 3 baht per unit.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has called on mobile phone users to finish mandatory SIM identity verification and update their information by Aug. 30 as it seeks to combat mule accounts and technology crime.
Thailand is moving toward more targeted regulation of ride-hailing and on-demand delivery platforms, as each of the markets consolidates around two dominant players, with competition authorities preparing new guidelines to address structural barriers, algorithmic practices and potential abuses of market power.
The government’s upcoming measures to screen data center investment projects in Thailand are designed to safeguard electricity security without derailing the country’s ambition to attract foreign capital into this fast-growing industry, says an energy official who requested anonymity.
At least 11 French nationals who were arrested in Thailand with cannabis in their luggage, claimed they were deceived into carrying “locked bags” in exchange for free holidays.
Chinese arrivals target set at 5.1 million this year
Thai authorities have resolved a major administrative backlog dating back to 2018 by issuing hotel licenses to 275 properties in Phuket as part of a broader government drive to regulate unlicensed hospitality businesses and crack down on illegal foreign nominee operations.
Thailand Outlines Plan to Commercialize 231 Forgotten Heritage Dishes
Long before modern advocacy, romantic and deeply intimate bonds between women existed behind the closed doors of the ancient Thai royal courts. Known traditionally as “Len Puean” (เล่นเพื่อน), these relationships were a recognized, if sometimes hushed, part of court culture.
From the Elephant Sanctuaries of Thailand
I was in Thailand this week visiting my wife’s family and I had to satisfy some professional curiosity and see what was going on in the country’s cannabis market for myself.
Heavy rain is forecast across northern, northeastern, central and eastern Thailand today, with authorities warning of flash floods and forest run-off after a monsoon trough moved across the upper north.
The online debate over whether restaurants in Thailand should accept orders only in Thai highlights an underlying issue in the industry: a persistent labor shortage, as many Thais do not want to work in the sector.
Thai Airways International (THAI) reported a net profit of 1.54 billion baht for the second quarter of 2026, down from 12.13 billion baht in the same period last year, as the Middle East conflict drove jet fuel prices sharply higher.
Agoda has released data on travel interest among European travelers for summer 2026, showing that Thailand remained the Asian destination attracting the strongest interest for a second consecutive year. The result reflects the strength of Thailand’s tourism market among European travelers.
Asia Pacific commercial real estate investment reached a record USD $92.5 billion in the first half of 2026, a 35% year-on-year increase, according to JLL data. Japan led the region with USD $10.6 billion in the second quarter, while Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong all posted sharp volume gains driven by large portfolio and landmark transactions. 
Tourism of Si Khiri Khan Festival opens at Hua Hin train station
The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin has announced that its 16th Amateur Charity Golf Classic will take place at Pineapple Valley Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 27. The annual tournament is one of the club’s main fundraising events, with proceeds supporting community projects, medical institutions and schools in Hua Hin and other areas.
Thailand’s sex trade remains illegal, but its presence is highly visible from Soi Cowboy in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area to Pattaya’s Walking Street, where nightlife businesses continue to draw visitors from around the world.
Oil prices rose to their highest levels in nearly two weeks today after negotiations between the United States and Iran over a peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz reached an impasse, while Asian stock markets traded cautiously ahead of key US inflation data.
The baht has weakened by about 5% since the beginning of the year, making it the third-biggest decliner among major Asian currencies. A broader measure of its value against Thailand’s trading partners, however, suggests the depreciation continues to support the competitiveness of Thai exports.
Thailand is pressing China for deeper use of local materials and suppliers, wider market access for Thai SMEs and investment in agricultural processing. It seeks to reduce a trade imbalance that could reach a cumulative 12.14 trillion baht over 2016-2026.
Thailand’s trade with its free trade agreement partners rose by 21.8% year on year to US$243.67 billion in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than half of the country’s total global trade.
Thailand’s unemployment rate remains relatively low, but the labor market is showing signs of weakening, says SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), the research arm of Siam Commercial Bank.
To qualify for the government subsidy for installing rooftop solar panels, households must have a minimum monthly electricity bill of around 3,000 baht, according to the Finance Ministry.
The contiguous United States sizzled to its hottest month ever last month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July averaged 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius) across the lower 48 states, eclipsing the Dust Bowl’s July 1936 by an eighth of a degree. Records go back to 1895. – USA Today
Torrential rain from Typhoon Dolphin flooded roads and commercial areas across Shanghai yesterday, forcing the city’s two airports to cancel 943 flights and reducing their combined capacity by nearly 40%. 
A majority of Americans across the political divide support stronger government oversight of social media companies, including age-verification requirements intended to prevent children under 16 from using their platforms. 
Father after father Agence France-Presse (AFP) spoke to in Afghanistan about the education ban that stops their daughters going beyond primary school choked up in despair. The pain and anguish it is causing behind closed doors is clear from interviews AFP conducted across the country, with even deeply religious fathers questioning the ruling. 
Electric vehicle drivers in Hua Hin now have access to 61 charging stations offering 162 charging points, according to figures published by the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Energy Office. Across the province, there are 109 EV charging stations with a total of 294 charging points, covering all eight districts.
Large crowds gathered at Wat Huay Mongkol in Hua Hin yesterday for the 13th Luang Pu Thuat robe-draping ceremony, one of the region’s main faith-based tourism events.
Prachuap Khiri Khan officials are reviewing preparations for the possible reopening of the Singkhon border crossing, as authorities look to resume trade between Thailand and Myanmar.
People in Thailand lost nearly B9 billion to online scam networks during the first six months of 2026, when more than 170,000 online fraud cases were recorded. Average losses exceeded B52,000 per case.
Thailand is bracing for a worsening wave of corporate liquidations in the second half of the year, following fresh government data showing that major corporations are shutting down at an unprecedented rate alongside struggling small enterprises.
Thailand’s small and medium-sized enterprises have emerged as one of the most vulnerable parts of the economy, as financial and business indicators point to rising bad debt, prolonged credit contraction, weaker profitability and an increasing number of factory closures.
Thailand’s exports rose 17.6% year-on-year to US$196.74 billion in the first six months of 2026, with technology and electronics leading the increase, the government said yesterday.
Putting the spotlight on an open secret
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has urged Chinese citizens attending cultural performances, sporting events and fan meetings in Thailand to comply strictly with local laws and venue regulations, following several incidents involving Chinese tourists.
Pattaya Bay moves to cap tour boat operators
When Lynda Lazaridis gets dressed, she chooses her clothes carefully. The Melbourne grandmother’s breasts were virtually removed, and her nipples relocated up near her armpits.
12 mythical giants watch over Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok ranks ninth on Time Out’s 2026 street food list
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has reaffirmed that the remaining 200 billion baht ($6.05 billion) from the government’s 400 billion baht ($12.1 billion) emergency loan decree will be strictly prioritized for Thailand’s clean energy transition.
When 35% of a year’s rainfall falls within a single week, as it did in parts of Thailand last year, the failure is not simply meteorological. It is a failure of design, of coordination, and — increasingly — of economics.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July on record as climate change fuels an historic summer of heat, drought and wildfires across the region, the EU’s global warming monitor said today. 
Chinese start-ups and researchers are racing to bring brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to market that can be implanted in just a few minutes, as Beijing pushes to nurture home-grown players in the sector to compete with Elon Musk’s Neuralink. 
AGT gives Nene Royal’s Judges’ Callbacks performance early release
Egg prices have climbed to a two-year high of 4 baht each, driven by reduced supplies due to hot weather and high animal feed prices. Prices are expected to ease in October as climate conditions improve.
Regional airport upgrade plan takes off
Ukrainians have adopted the term “safari” to describe drones “hunting down” civilians or vehicles in the street – something residents of Kherson, a smaller southern city on the front line, have long suffered from. The viral video of a vegetable seller being targeted by a bomb-laden drone has highlighted the threat faced by residents of the city. 
Hong Kong’s tourism industry has called for more experiential events, enhanced transport measures and closer cross-border cooperation to draw overnight visitors, after tourist spending fell to HK197.5 billion (830 billion baht) last year, 44% below its 2018 level.