- Phon Kingphet Park renovations/Khao Tao Reservoir renovations/Weather warning for Prachuap Khiri Khan/Water Eel Farm in Prachuap Khiri Khan/Thailand cuts fuel prices/Phuket floods/Wildlife attacks in Chanthaburi/Injured leopard cat cubs
- ECONOMY: Thai housing groups seek tax relief/Tale of two economies/Bank of Thailand upgrades GDP /Thailand’s upgraded economic outlook/Interest rate unchanged/Brands warn of more price hikes/Isuzu seeks urgent tax incentives/E-commerce platforms to cut fees/Pet Food Exports Reach $3.28 Billion
- TOURISM: Another Chinese abduction threatens bookings/Flood fears threaten Hat Yai tourism
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Rooftop solar terms too strict/Anutin Defends Solar Program/Kok and Sai rivers pose health risk/To inspect 1,500 waste factories
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
New date announced for Phon Kingphet Park renovations
Renovation work at Phon Kingphet Park in Hua Hin is expected to be completed no later than January, according to assurances given by the contractor during a municipal inspection yesterday. (Editor: Last March, it was reported the renovations would be completed in time for Songkran in April.)
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. Continued …
Khao Tao Reservoir renovations planned after complaints
Hua Hin municipal officials have outlined plans to repair railings, replace damaged or missing lights and improve cleanliness around Khao Tao Reservoir following complaints from residents.
Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul chaired a meeting on Tuesday after the municipality received a written complaint about damaged railings, litter, dog feces, lighting problems and disorder around the reservoir. Continued …
Weather warning for Prachuap Khiri Khan
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.
The provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center issued an urgent letter yesterday, instructing district authorities and the municipalities of Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan to prepare for possible impacts. Continued …
Converting Side-Yard Space into a Clean-Water Eel Farm in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Residents of Pak Phraek subdistrict, Bang Saphan Noi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, have transformed the area next to their houses into a cleanwater eel farm, emphasizing cleanliness, and generating supplementary income of hundreds of thousands of baht per year. Video …
Thailand cuts B7 diesel by 1 baht, gasohol by 50 satang
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.
Under the decision, the subsidy for B7 diesel will be reduced by 0.38 baht to 2.93 baht per liter, bringing its retail price down to 42.54 baht per liter. Subsidies for E10-95 and E10-91 gasohol will each be reduced by 0.16 baht to 1.61 baht per liter. Their retail prices will fall by 0.50 baht per liter to 41.54 baht and 41.17 baht, respectively. Continued …
Phuket floods hit Kata Noi and Patong after 15-hour rain
Heavy rain lasting more than 15 hours caused flooding and runoff across parts of Phuket yesterday, with roads near Kata Noi Beach and the Nanai area of Patong among those affected.
The flooding disrupted journeys during the evening rush hour, with officials urging people not to drive through moving water and to move belongings to higher ground. Muddy red water flowed down from the hills and onto the road near Kata Noi Beach in Karon, Muang Phuket district. Continued …
One dead, three injured in wildlife attacks in Chanthaburi
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.
The first incident occurred when an aggressive wild gaur outside the protected forest zone in Chamhan subdistrict of Makham district attacked local residents, injuring three people. Later that afternoon, officers from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary were notified of a fatal elephant attack in the subdistrict of Kaeng Hang Maeo district. Continued …
Thai rescue center gives injured leopard cat cubs a second chance
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.
The cats are being displaced by worsening habitat fragmentation, agricultural burning in sugarcane fields, and increased public use of a government wildlife hotline. Between January and August this year, the facility admitted more than 60 kittens, more than half of them recovered from charred fields with burn injuries. Continued …
Thai housing groups seek tax relief as loan rejections may hit 50%
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.
Sunthorn Sathaporn, president of the Housing Business Assn., said his association was working with the Thai Real Estate Assn. and the Thai Condominium Assn. on proposals to strengthen homebuyer incentives and reduce developers’ costs. Continued …
Bank of Thailand confirms a tale of two economies – one booming, another struggling
Thailand is a tale of two economies, the Bank of Thailand confirmed yesterday. Technology exports are surging, yet households and smaller businesses remain under severe pressure. September exports jumped 24%, but SME lending continues to contract and household debt is crippling consumption.
Meanwhile, rising oil prices threaten tourism and inflation, with foreign arrivals expected to fall. The Monetary Policy Committee warned that growth remains below potential, despite the artificial intelligence boom. Worse, economic expansion is forecast to slow to 2.1% in 2027. Continued …
Bank of Thailand upgrades GDP growth for 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.
While the central bank’s new forecast stands at 3.2%, other financial institutions have provided different outlooks; for instance, Tris Rating recently upgraded its 2026 Thai GDP growth forecast to 2%, while the IMF’s revised projection for the year sits at 2.1%. – Bangkok Post AI
What factors contributed to Thailand’s upgraded economic outlook?
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.
The artificial intelligence boom is a significant catalyst, as the adoption of AI technology and associated investments in data centers and digital infrastructure are expected to unlock new growth sources. Furthermore, central bankers and international organizations have noted that the expansion is supported by resilient goods exports and a faster-than-expected recovery in economic momentum. While structural challenges like high household debt and an aging workforce remain, the current upward revisions reflect a more positive trajectory for the country’s GDP. – Bangkok Post AI
Bank of Thailand keeps interest rate unchanged
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) kept its key interest rate unchanged for a fourth straight meeting yesterday, as widely expected. The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to maintain the one-day repurchase rate at 1.00%.
All 26 economists polled by Reuters had expected the policy rate to remain unchanged, and most financial experts forecast the central bank would hold it there through the end of 2027. Continued …
Brands warn of more price hikes as Iran war costs bite
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.
These price increases are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the United States and Iran, which has escalated costs for energy and essential materials. Additionally, companies are facing heightened logistics and transportation expenses, as well as inflationary pressures stemming from global energy supply shocks. Some businesses are also navigating disruptions caused by extreme weather, such as flooding, which impacts the availability and cost of agricultural inputs. – Bangkok Post AI
Isuzu seeks urgent tax incentives to support Thailand’s pickup market
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.
The full-year vehicle market is forecast at 700,000 units, including 140,000 pickups, a figure similar to last year and representing a market share of just 20%. Continued …
Thai Commerce Ministry joins 3 e-commerce platforms to cut SME fees
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.
The measure builds on cooperation overseen by the Trade Competition Commission (TCC), under which six platforms were required to freeze fee increases for six months, from Aug. 27 to Feb. 27, 2027. Continued …
Thailand Targets Global Pet Hub Status as Pet Food Exports Reach $3.28 Billion
Thailand is accelerating its ambition to become the world’s leading exporter of dog and cat food, backed by robust international trade figures and solidifying its position as the global pet industry’s second-largest supplier.
According to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, Thai pet food exports exceeded USD 3.28 billion (111 billion baht) in 2025, representing an 8.15% year-on-year increase. Continued …
Another Chinese abduction and a spat with embassy threaten bookings
A Chinese woman jumped from a moving car to escape kidnappers driving her toward the Burmese border after she was lured to Thailand by an online acquaintance. Police arrested two Thai suspects and are hunting a suspected Chinese organizer. The case follows another Chinese woman’s abduction in August, when four Thai men were arrested.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy’s warnings about kidnappings and trafficking have triggered a diplomatic row. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow initially criticized the warnings but is now seeking direct talks with Beijing. As Thailand scrambles to tackle cross-border criminal networks, tourism chiefs warn Chinese group bookings could plunge 50%. Continued …
Flood fears threaten Hat Yai tourism resurgence
Advance hotel bookings in Hat Yai for the upcoming November and December peak season are significantly slower than usual due to tourist anxiety regarding potential flooding. Many travelers remain wary of a repeat of the devastating floods that occurred last year, which has led to booking rates being between 30% and 50% below typical levels for this period.
The slowdown is particularly noticeable among Malaysian and Singaporean tourists, who are key markets for the city. Although tourism operators are attempting to reassure visitors and some are preparing contingency plans for potential weather disruptions, many travelers remain hesitant to commit to plans without more certainty regarding water management. Local industry representatives are currently urging the government to invest in long-term infrastructure and improved water-management systems to restore visitor confidence. – Bangkok Post AI
Smaller contractors say rooftop solar terms too strict
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.
Financial barriers also present a significant hurdle, as contractors face heavy financial burdens that can make participation nearly impossible for smaller players. For instance, a contractor might be required to have a total guarantee of up to 60 million baht for a relatively small project, which includes an additional 10 million baht to secure a seven-year maintenance guarantee. Furthermore, the lengthy processes involving government coordination, inspections, and final verification before receiving project approvals create severe financial and quality risks for these smaller businesses. – Bangkok Post AI
Anutin Defends Thailand’s Public Solar Program
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.
The prime minister said rooftop solar could reduce spending on electricity, increase opportunities for savings and lessen reliance on power generated from fossil fuels. He also said the program promoted renewable energy produced from natural sources. Continued …
Kok and Sai rivers contaminated, pose health risk
Abnormal liver enzymes and thyroid hormones have been found among residents along the Kok and Sai rivers and the households there have to spend an additional 1,800 baht a month to buy clean water for consumption, according to findings by Chiang Mai University.
Recently, the Faculty of Public Health at Chiang Mai University and the Department of Disease Control launched a joint research project by surveying a sample of residents, living along Kok River in Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai, for biochemical indicators in their bodies. Continued …
Thailand to inspect 1,500 waste factories
Thailand’s Industry Ministry will send 50 teams to inspect about 1,500 waste-handling and recycling factories in five provinces from Nov. 2, Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said.
The operation follows repeated public complaints and a serious pollution case in Prachin Buri, where industrial-waste leachate flowed from a flooded landfill into local waterways. Operators found failing to meet required standards will face legal action. Continued …
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French VAT fraud suspect held on Koh Samui – Continued …
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Chiang Mai police arrest four Chinese men over meth – Continued …
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Trang Immigration arrests Lao woman for 482-day overstay – Continued …
US Fed holds rates at 3.75%–4%
The US Federal Reserve voted 10–2 to hold its benchmark interest rate at 3.75%–4% in Washington yesterday, opting to await more inflation data while delivering a stronger assessment of the economy. Continued …
Spain mourns at least 68 dead in second high-speed train crash
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. 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
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. 
EZY Airlines has announced that scheduled services on its Hua Hin–U-Tapao route would begin on Oct. 23. The airline plans to launch flights between Hua Hin and Surat Thani in November.
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
Health authorities in lower northeastern Thailand have recorded 570 cases of melioidosis and 45 deaths in four provinces so far this year. The figures, covering Jan. 1 to Oct. 22, were released yesterday.
Bangkok diner sued 1 million baht over 260-baht basil rice review
The outlook for the Thai economy for the remainder of 2026 remains uncertain, facing fragile household purchasing power, high debt burdens, uneven recovery, and the impact of the floods.
Thai export growth is projected to slow to 7.4% in 2027 as a result of several economic headwinds, most notably risks associated with US tariff policies. These trade risks are expected to impact various sectors, potentially weakening export competitiveness and adding pressure to overall economic growth.
Thailand’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
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a fresh warning today for heavy to very heavy rain across parts of Thailand during Oct. 18–25, with accumulated rainfall raising the risk of flash floods, rapid run-off and landslides.
Thailand has some of the most dangerous roads in Asia, with thousands of people killed every year and motorcycles involved in the vast majority of fatal crashes. But why is the problem so severe?
The Interior Ministry has ordered an investigation into possible involvement by government officials in a human trafficking network accused of forcing children from Myanmar to sell flowers and juice on Khaosan Road and at other locations in Bangkok.
Floods deepen Thai shrimp crisis amid disease and export setbacks
13 Foods Under $1 In Bangkok
The massive floods and extreme storms currently devastating major cities around the world are undeniable evidence that humanity has fully entered the era of “climate extremes.”