- Mrs. Tourism International at Market Village/Prachuap sees red skies/Safety standards for automated cars/Thailand’s first moon mission/Cannabis shop enforcement/Giant sinkholes in Khon Kaen
- ECONOMY: Thailand property market shaken/Uneven recovery ahead/Thailand records export growth/Robot Supply Chain Comes to Thailand
- TOURISM: Hotels warn abou Bangkok 3% tax/What Phuket’s Record Tourism Numbers Mean/Flight turbulence injures 12/Birth certificate to leave Thailand/New Indonesia flights
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Shan Mines an ‘Environmental Catastrophe’/Stricter data center rules
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Mrs. Tourism International 2026 pageant held at Market Village
Vietnamese representative Van Pham recently won the Mrs. Tourism Queen International 2026 competition, and also won the title of Charity Queen 2026 (Beauty with a Purpose), creating a remarkable mark for Vietnamese beauty on the international stage.
The final competition included representatives from 21 nations and territories, such as Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, Malaysia, Taiwan (China), Cambodia, and the Philippines. The final night took place at Market Village Hua Hin shopping center. Continued …
Chumphon and Prachuap see red skies amid rough seas warning
Residents along the southern coast have been advised to prepare for strong winds and rough seas after reports of unusual sky conditions and worsening weather in Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Reports today said the sky over parts of Chumphon, including Muang, Tha Sae and Pathio districts, as well as areas bordering Prachuap Khiri Khan, turned a deep red color yesterday evening. Continued …
Five new safety standards prepare Thailand for automated cars
The Royal Gazette has published five Ministry of Industry announcements introducing new Thai industrial standards for intelligent transport systems involving driver-assistance and automated-driving technologies.
The standards were developed by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) to establish a technical framework for vehicle manufacturers, technology developers and related service providers, as vehicles equipped with varying levels of automated driving capability are expected to enter the Thai market more widely in the near future. Continued …
Thailand’s first moon mission to launch Thai-made payload
Thailand is preparing for a historic step in space exploration, with a Thai-designed and developed scientific payload set to travel to the Moon as part of China’s Chang’e 7 mission on Aug. 24.
The CE-7 MATCH scientific payload, developed by Thai researchers and engineers at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), will be one of seven international scientific instruments carried by the Chang’e 7 mission. Continued …
Thailand steps up cannabis shop enforcement
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has intensified enforcement against cannabis businesses, inspecting 1,326 shops since October 2025 and seizing products worth more than 109 million baht.
Authorities have carried out 83 seizures and started legal action against 40 people or businesses since the campaign began last October. They have suspended 84 operating licenses, revoked four licenses and considered 39 appeals against suspensions or revocations. Continued …
Seven giant sinkholes open up in Khon Kaen farmland
Seven large sinkholes have emerged in farmland in Phu Pha Man district, Khon Kaen province, alarming local residents and prompting authorities to investigate the cause. The sinkholes were reported yesterday in an agricultural area used by local residents.
An initial survey found seven sinkholes at the site. Each hole was reportedly large and deep, with signs that the affected areas could continue to expand.The incident has caused concern among residents, who fear further ground collapses in the area. Continued …
Thailand property market shaken by nominee crackdown on luxury homes
Thailand’s crackdown on nominee structures used to hold property on behalf of foreign interests is creating new pressure on the luxury housing and condominium markets, as authorities intensify checks on ownership arrangements in the real estate sector.
The issue gained attention after officials investigated the purchase of 33 luxury houses worth more than 1.27 billion baht in the Pattanakarn and Krungthep Kreetha areas of Bangkok. The purchases were linked to a network allegedly using more than 33 companies as fronts, with Thai nationals acting as nominee shareholders to hold ownership of luxury homes across several projects. Continued …
BofA views uneven recovery ahead
The Thai economy is expected to miss the country’s potential growth level of 2.5%-3% over the next two years, says Bank of America (BofA), noting that the ongoing recovery remains “limited and uneven”, while energy supply shocks and price volatility persist.
In recent research by BofA Securities, the corporate and investment banking division of BofA reported that Thailand’s economy has improved sequentially, but the recovery remained limited and uneven. Continued …
Thailand records export growth in US and Europe
Phantong Loykulnanta, director-general of the Customs Department, reported that Thailand’s international trade reached B21.4 trillion in the first 10 months of fiscal 2026. The figure was close to the full-year total of B22 trillion recorded the previous year.
Although economic conditions may appear to be slowing, the country’s actual trade figures have continued to grow across all major markets. Exports to the United States alone increased by 30%-34% from the same period a year earlier. Continued …
Robot Supply Chain Comes to Thailand: Inside China’s Humanoid Push into the EEC
For years, the story of Chinese robotics in Southeast Asia was a trade story: finished machines shipped south to serve a growing industrial base. That story is changing. China is no longer just exporting robots to the region — it is exporting the supply chain that builds them, and Thailand has just landed one of the first major pieces of it.
In February, Thailand’s Board of Investment approved more than 10 billion baht in combined investment from five Chinese companies — Xusheng Group, Sanhua Intelligent Drives, Hangzhou Seenpin Electromechanical Transmission, Beite Technology and Tuopu Technology — to build what the BOI describes as the country’s first humanoid robot component production base, sited in the Eastern Economic Corridor. Continued …
Hotels warn Bangkok 3% tax could hurt tourism recovery
As the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to introduce a 3% hotel tax to increase revenue, the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has urged the authority to begin with a lower rate of 0.5%-1% and provide additional support to help tourism operators affected by the Middle East conflict.
Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt earlier proposed amendments to the BMA Act to allow the city to levy new local taxes, including a 3% tax on hotel and accommodation room charges. Continued …
What Phuket’s Record Tourism Numbers Mean for Long-Term Residents
Siam Legal Phuket is noting that Phuket’s first-half 2026 tourism figures, which show the island attracted nearly 7 million visitors and generated 263 billion baht in revenue between January and June, reflect a structural shift in how foreign nationals are engaging with Thailand rather than simply a strong season for the hospitality sector.
What the headline numbers do not capture is a quieter but equally significant trend running alongside the tourism figures. The nationalities that dominate Phuket’s visitor data are increasingly the same nationalities that make up Phuket’s long-term foreign resident population. Russians, British, Australians, and Germans account for four of the top nine source markets and also represent the dominant demographics among foreign nationals seeking long-term visa arrangements, property ownership, and business registration in Phuket. Continued …
Air India Phuket-Delhi flight turbulence injures 12
Twelve people were injured after an Air India Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence yesterday, forcing some passengers who were not wearing seatbelts into the cabin ceiling.
Flight A12379 was carrying 134 people when it was hit by a sudden drop about 90 minutes after leaving Phuket. The early-morning service was cruising at altitude when the turbulence struck, with reports of cracks to the aircraft’s interior. Continued …
Thai children under 18 to need birth certificate to leave Thailand
Thai nationals aged under 18 leaving Thailand via Suvarnabhumi Airport must now show a birth certificate to immigration officers, under a new measure announced Monday.
Previously, Thai children under 18 could travel overseas using only their passport. Immigration said the change is intended to protect children’s best interests and prevent them being taken out of Thailand unlawfully or without the permission of a parent or legal guardian. Continued …
New Indonesia flights support Thailand’s 890,000-visitor target
Thailand is strengthening its tourism links with Indonesia through agreements with TransNusa Airlines and Traveloka, as it seeks to attract 890,000 Indonesian visitors in 2026.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) signed separate memoranda of understanding with the Indonesian airline and the regional travel platform at the Fairmont Jakarta yesterday, during Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s official visit to Indonesia. Continued …
Shan Mines an ‘Environmental Catastrophe for Thailand’
Citizens in northern Thailand are enduring an environmental catastrophe from the ballooning number of gold and rare earth mines in eastern Myanmar, speakers told an event in Bangkok on Monday night.
A boom in unregulated mining in Shan State – most reportedly set up by Chinese companies because of bans in their homeland – have polluted rivers that flow into northern Thailand with heavy metals, a forum on transboundary pollution featuring a Thai senator, a UN representative and a local activist warned. Continued …
Thailand plans stricter data center rules over power and water use
The Thai government is drafting a new regulation to oversee data center operations, aiming to manage the sector’s impact on national resources and improve control over investment-related risks.The planned regulation would allow authorities to monitor data center activities more comprehensively, particularly their use of national resources such as electricity and water.
Once the regulation is issued, a new legally empowered committee would be established to specifically supervise the data center sector, including approvals, permissions, monitoring and assessments of potential impacts from projects operating in Thailand. Continued …
High bills, cheap panels drive Philippines solar surge
Edwin Salas watched as the first of 20 solar panels was installed on the roof of his home, joining a Philippine solar energy boom sent into overdrive by the Middle East war. The country’s eye-watering electric bills – the highest in the region – were the primary driver of his decision, he said. Regular brownouts were a factor, too. Continued …
Trump’s sale of access to Truth Social raises eyebrows
US President Donald Trump’s move to charge for early access to his often market-moving Truth Social posts is raising eyebrows a year and a half into an administration that has already seen unprecedented enrichment for the First Family. 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
Scholarship students of the T&C Foundation are embarking on a journey to expand the scope of their empathy by directly facing the climate crisis and ecological environment issues on site.
The Faculty of Medicine at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) has unveiled progress in using locally developed CAR-T Cell therapy to treat blood cancers and autoimmune diseases, reporting that nearly 90% of patients have achieved complete remission.
A 13-year-old schoolboy has died after being stung by jellyfish while swimming at Ban Fai Tha beach in Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Three people who went to help him were also injured by the stings but are now safe and recovering.
Jiew Sai Yok, a lost wild elephant calf being cared for at Sai Yok National Park, died peacefully at around 2am yesterday, leaving veterinarians and park officials deeply saddened.
A Thai analysis published Sunday has challenged government claims of a strong GDP recovery, arguing that headline growth is failing to reach ordinary households and small businesses.
The government has not ruled out extending the Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme following positive public feedback. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government would consider any measure that benefits the public while taking into account economic conditions and fiscal constraints.
Thailand Post is repositioning itself as a key driver of Thailand’s digital economy, unveiling a new corporate strategy dubbed “RelationSHIFT” as it seeks to transform from a traditional postal operator into a lifestyle logistics brand that connects people, businesses, communities and government services through its nationwide network.
Thailand Retains Rank as World’s Second-Largest Pet Food Exporter
Thailand’s repeat visitors are showing stronger loyalty to Hua Hin and Pattaya than to Phuket, according to a new analysis by travel platform 12Go.
Thai travelers are increasingly choosing short restorative breaks, marathon-related holidays and more in-depth visits to secondary cities as travel patterns shift in 2026.
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the launch of new direct air routes connecting key cities in Indonesia and Thailand, highlighting expanded aviation connectivity as a vital driver for strengthening people-to-people ties and boosting regional tourism.
Some history behind Thailand’s Naga serpent
How History Made Thais Obsessed with Sugar
North Korea’s state media has recommended dog meat soup as protection against summer heat, reviving Pyongyang’s long-running effort to promote the controversial dish as record high temperatures grip both sides of the Korean peninsula. 
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged authorities to step up support for people affected by a record heat wave in the country, saying the death toll had risen to 16 and warning that extreme weather was becoming more frequent. 
Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross yesterday, her son Kim Aris said, who has not heard from her directly in years. 
Searchlights sweep across the rivers of Malaysia’s Sarawak state as licensed hunters track crocodiles in the dark. Their work is part of a broader effort to manage a tension between wildlife and the communities that rely on the water every day. 
Immigration and police in Hua Hin have stepped up efforts to investigate suspected nominee business structures involving foreign nationals, as authorities intensify scrutiny of foreign-linked companies and land transactions.
Hua Hin has a new Taco Bell, which opened a new branch on Phetkasem Road, near the Hua Hin Clock Tower.
Thailand’s Civil Court will hold its first case-management hearing today in a consumer lawsuit against 17 digital platform, application and financial service providers over alleged losses linked to fraudulent investment advertisements and other online scams.
Appetite grows for Talay Noi swamp buffalo meat
Thailand will not face a crude oil shortage in August despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, as supply remains sufficient for all six domestic refineries, according to the Department of Energy Business (DOEB).
The Thai baht is trading near its weakest level in over 15 months against the US Dollar, as a confluence of external pressures continues to erode its value. The currency’s decline has been driven by a renewed spike in oil prices, compounded by a firmer USD and rising US Treasury yields.
When Thailand’s Revenue Department released its latest personal income tax filing figures, the headline number was not the roughly 12 million people who submitted a return. It was the much smaller group behind it: an estimated 5 million filers, or around 40%of those who filed, who actually owed any tax at all.
Here he goes again. US President Donald Trump is increasing and decreasing tariffs willy-nilly, violating international agreements that he himself signed and almost surely violating federal law. The only difference this time is that he has a new pretext for abusing tariffs: stopping forced labor.
Trade deficit marks a sea change
Private consumption in Thailand increased by 1.1% month-on-month in June, accelerating from 0.6% in the previous month. It marked the second straight month of growth, driven mainly by stronger spending on non-durable goods amid higher consumer goods sales following government stimulus measures, as well as improved fuel consumption as retail fuel prices declined and sales returned closer to normal levels.
Inviting the fury of the Thai public on a matter that is admittedly done and dusted, I cannot help but feel compelled to at least voice my misgivings over the recent “noisy Italian students” incident, especially how it played out compared with another similar occurrence.
Bangkok’s Chao Phraya draws new hotels, attractions and megaprojects
Thailand launches 10 hiking schools for responsible forest tourism
Footage from a hotel in Krabi is leaving viewers unsettled after a couple reportedly discovered a large cobra lurking near their bed before sunrise.One of the guests initially treated the commotion as just being startled from a bad dream or some other misunderstanding. Only moments later did they realize why their partner had suddenly woken up and run from the room in a panic at about 5 am.
The History of Talad Noi
Thailand must accelerate its transition to advanced green manufacturing if it hopes to remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-driven global economy, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Waste is often seen as the inevitable by-product of economic growth. In reality, it may become one of the most valuable resources economies possess.
Data center race faces power, water logjam
Stopping alcohol is often presented as a simple decision, but in reality, learning how to stop drinking alcohol isn’t the same for everyone. At one end, some people can reduce their drinking with structure and support. At the other, those dependent on alcohol may face withdrawal symptoms and serious risks without medical guidance.
Amid volatility of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices globally, the Energy Ministry confirmed that as of July 30 Thailand has sufficient oil reserves for 101 days, with several measures being implemented to mitigate the impact of higher oil prices and electricity costs on the public.
Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has unveiled a comprehensive draft bill aimed at reining in the country’s cannabis sector, establishing a strict regulatory framework focused purely on health and wellness.
Lost wild elephant calf rescued in Sai Yok National Park
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has unveiled an ambitious blueprint to reshape Thailand for what he calls a chaotic “New World Disorder,” arguing that only sweeping government reform, rapid AI adoption, stronger research investment, regional economic expansion and a smarter civil service can keep the country competitive.
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of theDepartment of Business Development (DBD) under the Ministry of Commerce, disclosed yesterday that the department had issued Order No. 2/2026 of the Office of the Central Company and Partnership Registration. The order sets criteria and supporting-document requirements for applications to incorporate partnerships and limited companies or amend their registrations.
A review conducted after the United States imposed a 12.5% tariff under Section 301 because Thailand lacked measures banning imports of goods produced with forced labor found that a total of 2,120 items under Annex II – Part A were exempt, with a value of US$56.201 billion, or 61.6% of Thailand’s total exports to the United States.
An Indian travel influencer’s video describing four aspects of life in Thailand that surprised her has drawn mixed reactions online, after being highlighted by the Hindustan Times.
From comforting Hainanese-style noodles and bold peppery goat soup to southern Thai family recipes, intimate home-style cooking, and regional specialties from Phetchaburi, these four Bib Gourmand restaurants from The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2026 showcase some of Bangkok’s best-value dining.
Thailand possesses substantial latent capability to become a major regional hub for green manufacturing, provided the country accelerates its transition toward advanced eco-friendly industries, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Court upholds Thailand’s ban on toxic farm chemicals
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport is seeking public views on a proposal to ban petrol-powered tuk tuks in central Bangkok, particularly around major historic and tourist sites.
Electric vehicles are often viewed as a technology reserved for wealthy nations, but new analysis suggests this perception is rapidly becoming outdated. Research supported by the World Bank shows that EV adoption in developing countries is not only feasible — it is increasingly economically advantageous, especially for public transport systems and the millions who rely on two- and three-wheelers for daily mobility.
Plastic Bank has recovered 200 000 tons of plastic since launching in 2013, marking a new collection milestone of 10 billion plastic bottles. The Vancouver-based social enterprise announced that more than 68, 500 collectors have contributed to the effort across six countries.
Retail fuel prices in Thailand remained unchanged yesterday, despite the Oil Fuel Fund reducing subsidies for several diesel and gasohol products and raising the contribution collected from petrol.
Best known as Viagra, the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil started off as a treatment for reduced blood flow but soon saw its value spike after its other effects became clear.
Thai Singer Nene Royal Advances to AGT Judges’ Callbacks
Geopolitical conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran erupted in late February. Although negotiation efforts produced an agreement at one stage, fighting subsequently resumed, leaving shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea facing uncertainty.
Out of the blue, the Anutin government has made an abrupt policy U-turn by announcing it will abandon the 1-trillion-baht land bridge project. The reversal follows an official review that found the original project carried significant financial risks and uncertain economic returns.
Thailand must stop measuring tourism success simply by visitor numbers and build a system that protects destinations, local communities and infrastructure, according to two researchers at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
A severe drought and the peak travel season have left Koh Samui facing a water shortage that is affecting businesses, prompting tourism operators to call for greater investment in water infrastructure to keep pace with rising visitor numbers.
Thailand’s largest island records decline in hotel guests in first half
The private sector and Thailand’s Department of Health Service Support (HSS) are collaborating to push for the creation of “Wellness Special Economic Zones”. The scheme will begin with a three-to-five-year pilot phase dubbed the “Wellness Sandbox”, designed to generate economic value, stimulate employment, and attract foreign investors.
Wild tiger population in Thailand’s protected reserves reaches 210
Hua Hin City’s Waterworks Division has launched a citywide survey to update customer water meter records and improve the efficiency of meter-reading routes.
Avani+ Hua Hin appoints new general manager
A collection of camera-trap images documenting Kaeng Krachan tigers over eight years has been released as evidence of the continued health of the forest ecosystem. The images were shared yesterday to mark Global Tiger Day.
Global Tiger Day: How we’re helping wild tigers
Thailand’s premier resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui are rapidly transitioning from traditional holiday destinations into major global real estate investment hubs, driven by evolving international buyer demographics and expanding private investment networks.
There is a comforting myth that poverty in Asia and the Pacific is a story about the region’s least-developed economies. The assumption goes that if we can just lift the poorest nations, the job is largely done.
Why Men Are Drawn to Thailand for Sex Tourism
The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest-rate target unchanged at 3.50–3.75% yesterday, extending its pause for a fifth consecutive meeting as inflation remained above the central bank’s 2% target. The Federal Open Market Committee voted nine to three to maintain the target range, a decision that was broadly expected by financial markets. 
Up to 23 people were feared dead today after a major earthquake in Japan, with four bodies now pulled out from the tangled wreckage of a shopping mall ripped apart by a suspected massive gas explosion. The Kumamoto disaster-management office’s latest tally put fatalities at 17 and those without vital signs at six, with five more in critical condition two days after the 7.1-magnitude tremor. 
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for two consecutive days this week to mark the Buddhist holidays of Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, with many shops, convenience stores and restaurants prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks, unless in areas falling under current exemptions.
Samui water rationing begins Monday after drought
Thailand Schools Struggle to Break Children’s Phone Addiction
Bangkok authorities have ordered 79 entertainment venues and similar establishments to halt operations after inspecting 865 premises across the capital in a week-long safety and licensing campaign.
The Thai baht has slid to 33.640 per US dollar, its 2026 high, marking an 8.% decline since February. This weakness stems primarily from the 250–275 basis point policy rate gap between the Fed (3.5%–3.75%) and the Bank of Thailand (1.00%), which sustains a strong carry advantage for dollar assets.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says Thailand is two-thirds of the way through concluding a free trade agreement with the European Union and is pressing Beijing on three fronts to correct an increasingly lopsided trade relationship — all part of a wider strategy to reduce Thailand’s reliance on any single major power.
More tourists are good news for Thailand. But not if the country cannot cope with the pressures they bring. Tourism is one of Thailand’s biggest sources of income. For decades, success was measured by the number of visitors. That yardstick no longer tells the whole story.
Phuket generated 263 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first six months of this year, attracting nearly seven million visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued a warning that an impending El Niño phenomenon could prove more severe than the country’s 2015 drought crisis, with prolonged dry spells potentially stretching well into 2027.
The era in which global order rested on a US monopoly over military and economic power and values has finally come to an end, taking Europe’s long period of stability with it. The world has become significantly more turbulent and uncertain, and the near future will bring even more instability. 
Planning a trip to Hua Hin, and looking for the best accommodation recommendations? Hua Hin, a coastal resort city just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, is famous for its vibrant night markets, unique creative markets, and an impressive range of accommodation options.
The Thai government has indefinitely postponed peace talks with southern insurgency groups after two attacks last week, with five rangers killed and six civilians injured in one of them, while a police officer was slightly injured in a car bomb blast.
Despite rising costs, the Thai restaurant industry is expected to continue expanding this year, according to an executive of Central Restaurants Group Co . (CRG). Nath Vongphanich, chief executive of CRG, anticipates the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme will help lift sales among small restaurateurs in the second half of 2026.
Thailand’s manufacturing production index dropped 3.1% in June from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said yesterday, weaker than analysts’ forecasts. The June reading compared with a forecast increase of 0.2% in a Reuters poll. The May reading was revised to a fall of 1.3% from an original figure of a 0.8% drop.
In economics, few indicators of food security are as simple — and as powerful — as the price of eggs. Affordable, accessible, and nutritious, eggs should be the most democratic source of protein in any society. Yet, in Thailand, a single egg tells a far more complex story — one of market power, distorted incentives, and a system that may no longer serve the public interest.
The Cabinet yesterday decided to retain the 7% value-added tax (VAT) rate for another year, until Sept. 30, 2027. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said maintaining the 7% VAT rate will help ease the cost-of-living burden, stimulate domestic consumption and stabilize the economy.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday defended the government’s decision to scale back the land bridge megaproject, saying it had been adapted – not abandoned – in response to financial, environmental and geopolitical realities.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul at a meeting with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) board and senior executives yesterday delivered key policies to drive Thailand’s tourism industry.
Thai AirAsia has announced it will temporarily suspend services from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) from July 15 to Sept. 30, then resume operations on Oct. 1. During the period, the airline will suspend all flights on the nine routes it had operated from Suvarnabhumi.
Surin lies about 450 kilometers from Bangkok, in Thailand’s lower northeast. It is flat, agricultural country: rice paddies stretching to the horizon, sugar palms standing like sentinels along the roads, and the occasional water buffalo chewing at overgrown grass.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said Thailand will seek UNESCO World Heritage status for seven temples in Chiang Mai. The move follows the inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage site.
Deer trapped by walls of flame, lizards unable to escape the heat, habitats reduced to charred wood and ash: wildlife are paying a steep price as France’s forests burn. Some 42,000 hectares (103,000 acres) of forest west of Bordeaux has burned since Wednesday and authorities fear a heatwave forecast this week could breathe fresh fury into the blaze. 
Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab Aug. 28-30, featuring local food, fresh seafood, cooking competitions and live entertainment. The three-day festival will bring together restaurants, hotels and food businesses from Hua Hin and Cha-am, giving visitors the opportunity to sample regional dishes beside the beach.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
A nine-day Hua Hin cultural tourism event will be held at the old Hua Hin Railway Station Aug. 10-18, showcasing the art, culture and historical identity of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Thailand has launched a digital application that allows diners to find certified street-food vendors, forming part of a government program to raise operating standards and expand market opportunities for small businesses.
Concerns over children’s mental health is renewing debate whether excessive use of mobile devices is harming academic performance and learning capability, while boosting social isolation and criminal behavior influenced by online personalities.
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a native plant closely associated with local ways of life and traditional Thai medicine. Its removal from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021 marked an important turning point, opening the way for broader research, economic value creation and commercial development.
Despite US efforts to impose tariffs, Thai exports to America expanded over the first nine months of the fiscal year, up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion baht. In contrast, exports to China grew by only 0.78%, totaling 1 trillion baht.
China’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China. Speaking at the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Friday, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.
Thailand is tightening its screening of data center investments, shifting its focus from the number and value of projects to their quality as the expansion of artificial intelligence drives demand for electricity, water and large-scale computing infrastructure.
Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s leading healthcare providers, has unveiled WellEra Bangkok, an approximately US$865 million (THB 29 billion) wellness-integrated development that reimagines how the built environment can actively support healthier, longer lives.
The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status
Mitsubishi Motors is set to invest B16 billion ($473.23m) in Thailand by 2030, backing the automotive sector’s move toward electric vehicles (EVs). The funding will be channeled into EV technology.
The world is sinking under more than 460 million tons of plastic waste each year. More alarming than the figure itself is the fact that about 19 million tons escape into the environment, wreaking havoc, damaging biodiversity, worsening the greenhouse-gas crisis and ultimately harming our own health.
Thailand’s coastal destinations are witnessing a significant rise in staycation bookings, with Krabi leading the charge, according to recent data from Traveloka. Krabi’s bookings have more than doubled year on year, followed by Hua Hin with an increase of over 80%, Pattaya at around 65%, and Phuket nearly 60%.
Thailand’s private hospital sector is facing a new source of competition as the government expands premium services at public hospitals, putting pressure on mid-tier operators that rely on domestic self-pay and insured patients.
Thailand has uncovered one of its biggest suspected cryptocurrency power theft operations after investigators seized 1,900 bitcoin mining machines. Detectives uncovered more than B280 million in stolen electricity and have launched a widening hunt for the financiers behind the organized criminal network.
Thailand shelves Land Bridge plan after study
Exports surged 20.8% year-on-year to US$34.7 billion in June, driven by strong demand for industrial goods such as electronics, smartphones, electrical appliances, and automobiles and auto parts, says the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
The Cabinet has approved a 12.76-billion-baht fisheries management plan targeting the recovery of aquatic resources, tighter controls against illegal fishing and stronger competitiveness for Thailand’s seafood industry by 2027.
Thailand’s sex industry is illegal under the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, but an analysis on Thursday argues that it remains deeply embedded in the country’s tourism economy, supporting hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis and other businesses.
By 5:30 in the morning, the Trok Mor alley in Old Bangkok is already awake. Metal shutters rattle open one by one. A woman arranges bundles of holy basil and Chinese celery beneath a bare light bulb while another vendor lays out bitter beans and kitchen herbs on a wooden table.