- Fire threatens Cha-am homes/Cha-am included in flood mitigation project/USS Abraham Lincoln closed to visitors/US sailors warmly welcomed/US Navy returns to its old stomping ground/Pattaya as Thailand’s ‘Sin City’
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran Fires On Its Gulf Neighbors/Two Filipinos killed on Saudi oil tanker/Thailand braces for higher oil prices/Strait of Hormuz as ‘Trump Strait’
- ECONOMY: Thai GDP outlook rises/Thailand’s US$35-billion deficit/Economic growth projections at 1.5% to 2.5%/Thai retailers urge more stimulus/Bangkok halts three planned data centers/To close data center regulatory gap/Data center faces action over diesel storage/Zero tariffs for Thai shrimp
- TOURISM: Indian tourist arrivals fall 11.6%/Thai Airways 66-route winter schedule/AirAsia in Codeshare With Pegasus/Free 10-kilogram fruit check-in
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Homegrown coffee is fueling Thailand’s specialty boom
- CLIMATE THAILAND: EGAT explores SMRs/1,520 electric buses in Bangkok/World will miss its climate target
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Fire threatens Cha-am homes
A Cha-am fire burned more than 200 rai of reed beds and came close to nearby homes last night, as crews battled for more than three hours to bring it under control.
The fire started beside the railway near Saeng Sawang Cha-am Church before spreading rapidly through a large area of reeds in strong winds. Thick black smoke rose above the town and could be seen from several kilometers away. Continued …
Cha-am included in Phetchaburi River Basin flood mitigation project
Phetchaburi is moving ahead with a 14.7-billion-baht flood project that includes a 38-kilometer drainage route between Tha Yang and Cha-am.
The lower Phetchaburi River Basin flood mitigation project, approved by the Cabinet under a royal initiative, is intended to reduce recurring flooding and improve long-term water management. Construction is scheduled to take place over 10 financial years, from 2027 to 2036. Continued …
USS Abraham Lincoln closed to visitors
The USS Abraham Lincoln docked at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri yesterdsy morning, but members of the public will not be allowed into the port to see the US Navy aircraft carrier.
Port authorities have increased patrols and tightened existing security arrangements around the nuclear-powered vessel, which is expected to remain under high-level protection throughout its stay. Continued …
US sailors warmly welcomed in Pattaya
More than 5,000 US Navy personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln have begun making their way into Pattaya, where they are expected to pour about 100 million baht into the local economy during five days of long-overdue shore leave.
Groups of sailors arrived at the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya aboard buses and vans at around 2 pm yesterday after disembarking earlier in morning at private piers in Laem Chabang and Sri Racha ports in Chon Buri province. Continued …
Cash is the name of game as the US Navy returns to its old Pattaya stomping ground
The boys are back in town, and Pattaya is humming again. Mobile ATMs were bused to the Hard Rock Hotel as 5,000 American sailors swept into the resort. The hotel became their shore-leave headquarters following disembarkations at Laem Chabang and Sri Racha.
After more than 200 operational days, the sailors arrived with months of accumulated wages and four nights to unwind. Each could spend US$100 to US$300, pushing Pattaya’s windfall beyond ฿100 million by Sunday. However, Navy discipline still shadows the party. Soi 6, Soi 7, cannabis outlets, pharmacies and water activities remain off limits. Walking Street, its go-go bars and Pattaya girls, however, are open for business. Continued …
The history behind Pattaya as Thailand’s ‘Sin City’
There’s no getting around the fact that Thailand’s seaside resort of Pattaya has a lingering reputation for sex tourism, even though that’s only part of the story for the city that’s a major shore leave destination of crew members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Social media ahead of the Lincoln’s visit has been awash with jibes about lusty sailors, but recent visitors say the development of more family-friendly attractions means the new, more wholesome Pattaya overshadows its former seedy self. Continued …
Iran Fires On Its Gulf Neighbors, Retaliating For U.S. Strikes After A Wedding Was Hit
Iran fired on U.S. allies in the Gulf early yesterday following a night of American bombardment that Iranian state media says included a deadly strike on a wedding party.
Sirens sounded in Kuwait, where air defenses were intercepting missile and drone attacks during a “blatant Iranian aggression,” the country’s Ministry of Defense said. Continued …
Two Filipinos killed in Monday attack on Saudi oil tanker in Hormuz
Two Filipino sailors were killed when a Saudi oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company said yesterday.
A Greek security firm earlier said “unknown projectiles” hit the ship on Monday. Fresh violence has flared between the US and Iran this week. Continued …
Thailand braces for higher oil prices as fund deficit tops 80 billion baht
Thailand’s Energy Ministry has warned that global oil prices could remain highly volatile and continue rising after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while the country’s Oil Fuel Fund is running a deficit of more than 80 billion baht.
Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo, deputy permanent secretary and spokesman for the Energy Ministry, said the ministry was closely monitoring the conflict because the latest escalation was directly affecting the stability of global energy markets and pushing crude prices higher. Continued …
Trump floats renaming Strait of Hormuz as ‘Trump Strait’
US President Donald Trump yesterday suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait,” asserting US control of the vital waterway even as fighting raged there with Iran.
It is the latest in a series of geographical name changes floated by Trump, and comes after he claimed US sovereignty over the strait that Tehran has effectively shut for six months. Continued …
Thai GDP outlook rises but SMEs face widening divide
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast for Thailand to 2.1%-2.5%, from 1.6%-2.0%, but warned that stronger exports and private investment are producing increasingly uneven benefits across the economy.
The committee also lifted its export growth forecast to 12%-16%, up from its previous projection of 8%-10%, after both exports and private investment expanded more strongly than expected. Continued …
Thailand’s US$35-billion trade deficit: 73% is for production
Thailand recorded a trade deficit of US$35.3545 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to the Commerce Ministry. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said more than 70% of imports were materials and capital goods used in production.
Machinery, electronic components and chemicals accounted for a combined 72.9% of all imports during the period, she said. Consumer goods made up only 9.2%. Continued …
Survey: Economic growth projections at 1.5% to 2.5%
Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, released the findings of the chamber’s confidence index survey for the fourth quarter of 2026. Conducted from Aug. 18-20, the survey covered 503 respondents and found that 46.2% expected Thailand’s economy to grow by 1.5%-2% this year, while 37.8% forecast growth of 2%-2.5%. The results pointed to an outlook below the government’s midpoint forecast of 2.2%.
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported that the Thai economy expanded by 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from 2.8% in the same quarter a year earlier. Private investment across the technology, digital and new-industry sectors, together with exports of technology products and electronic components, were key drivers. Continued …
Thai retailers urge more stimulus to boost spending
Thailand’s retail sector is calling for stronger economic stimulus, including the revival of the Easy e-Receipt scheme, with an eligible spending ceiling of 100,000 baht, as household debt and accumulated living costs continue to squeeze consumers’ purchasing power.
The fourth quarter is normally the year’s peak shopping season and a period of optimism for businesses. This year, however, Thai retailers face severe challenges as consumers tighten their budgets amid weakening real purchasing power and a series of economic pressures that leave limited room for growth. Continued …
Bangkok halts three planned data centers pending tighter safety rules
Bangkok has suspended three planned standalone data center projects and ordered them to undergo a fresh review, as authorities prepare tighter regulations covering fuel storage, land use, safety, and pressure on electricity and water supplies.
The Energy Ministry has separately halted the issuance of new permits for backup-fuel tanks at data centers pending clearer safety and environmental standards. Continued …
Thailand moves to close data center regulatory gap
The government is moving to address a regulatory gap in the data center sector, with the Data Center Business Policy Committee preparing an urgent meeting to develop a coordinated oversight framework.
A source at the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) said Thailand currently had no single law directly and comprehensively governing every aspect of data center operations. Continued …
Rama IX data center faces action over 200,000-liter diesel storage
The Department of Energy Business plans to file a police complaint today against the operator of a data center on Rama IX Road over the alleged unlicensed storage of more than 200,000 liters of diesel.
Thitipat Chotidechachainan, secretary to the energy minister, inspected the facility next to Rama 9 Hospital after residents and nearby shop operators complained about an oil-like smell that they said had persisted for more than two months. Continued …
U.S. Shrimp Coalition seeks zero tariffs for Thai shrimp
The U.S. Shrimp Coalition is urging the Trump administration to include shrimp and other seafood among products receiving zero-tariff treatment as the United States and Thailand work toward a reciprocal trade agreement.
In an Aug. 25 letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, the coalition argued that exempting Thai shrimp from tariffs would help maintain affordable seafood supplies while supporting U.S. businesses and jobs tied to processing, transportation, retail, restaurants and food service. Continued …
Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand fall 11.6%
Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand fell 11.6% year-on-year between Aug. 1-22, making India the only one of the country’s four main overseas markets to record a decline during the period.
The Bank of Thailand said the drop followed proposed revisions to visa-exemption rules affecting foreign visitors, including Indian nationals. The decline was nevertheless an improvement on the 20.2% contraction recorded in July. Continued …
Thai Airways sets 66-route winter schedule for peak season
Thai Airways International (THAI) will operate 66 domestic and international routes during its winter 2026/27 timetable, covering destinations across Europe, Australia and Asia. The schedule will run from Oct. 25 to March 27, 2027), coinciding with Thailand’s peak tourism season.
THAI announced the program yesterday, saying selected services and frequencies had been increased in response to passenger bookings and travel demand. Continued …
AirAsia Seals First Codeshare With Pegasus, Bridges Asia and Europe
AirAsia has signed its first-ever codeshare agreement, teaming up with Turkey’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, to open seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul, the two airlines announced at AirAsia’s headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia, yesterday.
The partnership will progressively open access to more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe, combining AirAsia’s Southeast Asian network with Pegasus’s reach across Europe from its hub at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Continued …
Seven airlines offer free 10-kilogram fruit check-in at 20 airports
Seven airlines will allow passengers to check up to 10 kilograms of fresh fruit into the aircraft hold free of charge under a year-long program covering 20 airports across Thailand.
The Commerce Ministry, through the Department of Internal Trade, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Transport Ministry’s Department of Airports and seven airline partners: Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air and EZY Airlines. Continued …
Homegrown coffee is fueling Thailand’s specialty boom
Thailand currently ranks as the world’s 20th-largest coffee producer, down from the top 15 a decade ago. The country grows mainly robusta, although arabica production is growing, highlighting a sharper focus on quality.
Domestic demand consistently outpaces the country’s supply, which is why the majority of Thailand’s speciality coffee stays within the country. But Thai drinking habits weren’t always coffee-centric. For much of the country’s history, people consumed herbal drinks, then tea, before coffee entered the picture. Continued …
EGAT explores SMRs to bolster Thailand’s energy security
Amid global efforts to achieve the net zero emission transition, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs) and data centers is driving enormous demand for electricity — the fundamental infrastructure underpinning the digital economy and requiring exceptional reliability and stability.
Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a potential solution to meet these growing energy needs, offering the prospect of reliable baseload power, more competitive investment costs and lower carbon emissions. Continued …
1,520 electric buses set for rollout in Bangkok
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is preparing 1,520 electric buses to replace aging vehicles, with deliveries expected to begin in March 2027. Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul, BMTA director, said the transition would improve passenger convenience, safety and environmental performance while reducing the organization’s fuel and maintenance costs by an estimated 4.1 billion baht annually.
The buses feature rooftop batteries, three emergency exits and universal-design features. The BMTA is developing 12 depots and charging stations, with each bus requiring about three hours to charge. Two prototype buses will soon undergo testing by BMTA drivers to assess safety before wider deployment. Continued …
UN says world will miss its climate target, warming must be reversed
The world has failed in its goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, the United Nations (UN) said yesterday, in a sober assessment that laid out a new goal for fighting climate change that would set the world on an uncertain path.
A decade ago, most of the world’s countries agreed in Paris to try to limit global temperature rise to “well below” 2°C while aiming for the more ambitious target of 1.5°C, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Continued …
Rare train of Pacific cyclones fueled by historic El Nino
Two powerful hurricanes and a strengthening tropical storm yesterday were churning through the Pacific Ocean where waters were being warmed by a historically strong El Nino climate episode. Furthest west is Hurricane Lowell, followed by Hurricane Karina. Both of the Category 4 storms are anticipated to pass well to the south and to the northeast of Hawaii, respectively. Continued …
US energy firms dominate Venezuela deals worth billions
US energy firms yesterday signed a raft of multibillion-dollar deals with Venezuela, days after the South American country agreed to grant the United States control of a huge chunk of its vast oil reserves. Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Caracas to oversee the signing of deals worth “tens of billions of dollars of investment,” seen as a quid pro quo for Washington winning majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. Continued …
Dutch shift 86 tons of gold from US and Canada to UK
The Dutch central bank said yesterday it had moved 86 tons of its gold reserves out of the United States and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest”. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) said gold reserves held in London could be traded more easily than those held in New York and Ottawa. 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
Fuel prices at PTT Station and Bangchak outlets rose today, with most petrol and gasohol products increasing by 0.60 baht per liter. PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Co. (OR) and Bangchak Corp. (BCP) announced the new retail rates.
The 2026 Siam PGA Pairs Classic brought 104 golfers to Hua Hin for two days of competition at Black Mountain Golf Club and Pineapple Valley Golf Club. Held on Aug, 15-16, the tournament marked its ninth staging since launching in 2017.
Civil society groups have come out against proposed changes to the universal healthcare law, warning the amendments could erode rights to public health coverage.
Oil prices jumped more than US$4 a barrel to five-week closing highs yesterday, after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran intensified concerns over Middle East supply disruptions.
The intensive crackdown on nominee companies nationwide is now targeting 14,000 more firms suspected to have used Thai nationals to circumvent restrictions under Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said yesterday that there are some data centers in Bangkok that are located in restricted areas where permission cannot be granted.
Thailand is slashing visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days while imposing tough new worldwide restrictions on its five-year Destination Thailand Visa. From Sept. 15, long-haul Western visitors face shorter stays, uncertain extensions and tighter land-border limits.
‘Lisa Effect’ Turns Thailand’s Travel Dreams into Real Search Demand
Thailand’s draft Power Development Plan for 2026–2050, or PDP 2026, sets out a major restructuring of the country’s energy system, including about 50,900 megawatts of new capacity in its first phase and a substantial increase in clean power.
Euro zone inflation jumped to 3.3% in August, the highest level in three years, as the war in the Middle East kept pushing up energy costs, official data showed yesterday. Well above the European Central Bank’s 2% target, the figure from the EU’s statistical office was up sharply from 2.9% in July and in line with forecasts by analysts. 
A sell-off of bonds from key countries worldwide deepened yesterday, sending government borrowing costs soaring and equities lower as investors fretted that energy-driven inflation would force central bankers to hike interest rates. The latest bout of fighting between the United States and Iran has pushed oil prices higher, stoking the fears of tighter monetary policy that could weigh on economic growth. 
China has seen an explosive growth in its renewable installation, with coal’s share in its energy mix edging down in recent years. Now, China’s solar energy capacity has surpassed that of coal-fired power for the first time ever. 
The Hua Hin Ship to Sea Ceremony will return on Saturday, Sept. 26, offering residents and visitors the chance to witness one of the town’s longstanding fishing community traditions.
Prachuap Bay coastal defenses reviewed
Thailand recorded 220 deaths and 19,316 injuries in road accidents during the latest week, according to figures from the ThaiRSC accident reporting centre released on Sunday.
From heartbreak to history as Thailand finally reaches the Olympics
The Department of Local Administration terminated the employment of 3,868 officials nationwide yesterday, suspecting them of rigging their recruitment examination results late last year.
Pattaya authorities have designated Soi 6, Soi 6/1 and Soi 7 as “off-limits” areas for US Navy personnel during the upcoming visit of the USS Abraham Lincoln and two accompanying vessels to Chon Buri.
The Legacy of Thai Elephants
Celebrating 50 Years of Thailand’s Dinosaur Renaissance
In the Ukrainian frontline town of Druzhkivka, the buzz of Russian drones and sound of artillery shelling have become daily life for the few residents who still remain there, sheltering in damaged apartment blocks and homes ripped by years of Russian attacks. 
A Western man walks down Beach Road holding hands with a Thai girl and naturally assumes the local men are glaring at him with quiet jealousy. He thinks he is a predator who just entered the local ecosystem and stole the best women from the dating pool, leaving the native men with fewer options.
Police detained 25 woman during a late-night prostitution crackdown in Pattaya on Saturday, as authorities prepare for the arrival of about 5,000 US military personnel in Chon Buri next week.
InterContinental Residences Hua Hin Achieves Complete Sell-Out
Thai teenage rocker Nene Royal has advanced to the live semifinals of America’s Got Talent Season 21 after Mel B awarded her a Live Golden Buzzer for her performance of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”.
The Financial Times (FT), a British financial news outlet, published an analysis asking why Thailand has “one of the world’s lowest” interest rates. The analysis followed a vote by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) this week to keep the policy rate at 1%.
Thailand’s Excise Department is pressing ahead with plans to overhaul cigarette taxation by introducing a single tax rate in a move aimed at improving revenue collection and reducing price distortions created by the existing two-tier system.
Thailand is introducing new rules for visa applications, requiring applicants for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) to submit proof of permanent residence and a police clearance certificate. Applications under the new rules will have to be submitted from today.
Bangkok is set to host Ultra Thailand 2027, organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with London-based Private Luxury Events. Scheduled for June 20–24, 2027, at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, this gathering marks Ultra’s first venture into Southeast Asia.
Thailand wants 2027 to transform its tourism industry, but what will actually change for visitors? Perhaps high-value tourism shouldn’t simply mean higher prices.
The Finance Ministry is considering lower excise taxes for manufacturers that invest in production bases in the country, use domestically produced raw materials or components, and have begun manufacturing for export.
Royal water project lifts farming and livelihoods in Chiang Mai
Thailand’s Energy Ministry plans to increase the quota for electricity purchased from household rooftop solar systems fivefold, from 100 megawatts to 500MW, as part of efforts to encourage more people to generate and sell clean power.
Thailand will accelerate its energy transition following parliamentary approval of a 400-billion-baht borrowing decree, with plans for household solar rooftops and a restructuring of vehicle taxes expected to become clearer in September, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said.
Authorities in Nepal warned of possible fresh flooding yesterday and urged residents in flood-affected districts to remain on high alert after water levels rose in the Bhotekoshi River. Wednesday’s catastrophic floods killed at least 800 people and left more than 3,000 missing in Nepal and Tibet. 
Covid-19 cases are increasing in Thailand, with the total number of patients from Jan. 1 up to yesterday reaching 94,402, with 14 deaths, but it is the NB.1.8.1 variant that does not cause severe illness that is dominant, accounting for over 50.9% of cases.
The government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is moving ahead with a broad overhaul of Thailand’s bureaucracy, including organizational structures, staffing and regulations that have become obstacles for individuals and businesses dealing with state agencies.
Foreign condominium demand in Thailand weakened during the first half of 2026, but a sharp rise in purchases by Russian nationals suggests that the market is shifting rather than experiencing a uniform decline.
Phuket recorded a 52.5% year-on-year increase in Israeli visitors in July, with arrivals from Israel also up 1,205% on pre-Covid July 2019 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office.
Thailand is seeking a larger share of the global wellness economy, which is forecast to grow from US$6.8 trillion in 2024 to US$9.75 trillion by 2029, as consumers increasingly prioritize preventive physical and mental healthcare. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) expects the 11-sector market to expand by nearly US$3 trillion over five years, with average annual growth of 7.6%.
From canals to city streets: The story of Thai boat noodles
Bangkok has been named the world’s best city for nightlife in 2026 by Time Out, climbing from 13th place last year to beat Berlin, New York City, Melbourne and Sao Paulo.
US President Donald Trump said yesterday his administration has reached a huge oil deal with Venezuela that gives the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of proven petroleum reserves. 
Haakon, who comes to the throne as two major scandals batter his family, struggled for years to accept his status. “Yes, I was a royal, but I did not want to talk about it … At school it made me anxious,” he wrote in his 2023 autobiography “Haakon”, recalling his days in a state primary in the 1980s. 
Thailand has published new regulations setting out how foreign nationals can be deported for immigration, employment and other offenses, as well as conduct considered contrary to public order, morality or public wellbeing. The regulation was published in the Royal Gazette on yesterday and takes effect today.
Suvarnabhumi Airport has postponed planned repair and maintenance work on expansion joints along the elevated road serving the passenger terminal following widespread criticism over potential disruption during the tourism high season.
An anonymous donor has given 100 million baht to Pattaya Patamakun Hospital in Chon Buri, with the money earmarked for a new six-story premium outpatient and inpatient building.
Nene Royal, the young Thai performer who has captured hearts on America’s Got Talent (AGT), is heading back to Thailand with her family after receiving a warm send-off from fans in Los Angeles.
A rare 10-baht Thai coin minted in 1990 has sold for 2.54 million baht at an online auction, despite its face value being just 10 baht. The coin was made for the 16th Mint Directors Conference, held in the United Kingdom in 1990. Only 100 examples were produced, making it one of Thailand’s rarest circulating coin issues.
Myanmar’s civil war is increasingly becoming Thailand’s problem. Violence has crossed the border, criminal networks are exploiting the instability, and Thailand continues to shelter tens of thousands of refugees.
Thailand’s exports rose 21.6% in July from a year earlier, beating market expectations, while imports climbed even faster and pushed the country’s trade deficit to a record $34.35 billion over the first seven months of 2026.
The housing market shook off a downturn in the first half of this year with transfers reaching 167,000 units, a 17.6% increase, driven by government measures. Sales of second-hand homes soared, accounting for 63% of the total, reflecting a focus on value for money.
The United States’ national debt has surpassed $40 trillion, potentially having a significant impact on global financial markets, including Thailand’s economy.
Bouygues Construction, through its Thai subsidiary Bouygues-Thai, was selected in June by developer Honour Thailand to design and build the ONCE Wongamat. Standing 239 meters tall, this 56-story tower project in Pattaya will be one of the tallest buildings in Thailand.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing to embrace rail tourism as a new vehicle to revive Thailand’s fading appeal. Its plans span low-cost heritage excursions, packaged journeys, premium charters and possible luxury routes developed with Belmond.
Bangkok’s Loha Prasat: The world’s third ‘Iron Castle’
Betong, a small town in Thailand with some good surprises
Thailand is staring at the dire consequences of the El Niño phenomenon and below-average rainfall on the economy, as well as the wider impact on society, many experts have warned.
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” for US federal purposes, escalating an increasingly hostile trade dispute with Canada. The order applies to references used by the US federal government and does not determine what Canada, international bodies, state authorities, private companies or map providers call the lake. 
Be Well Medical Center and BPK9 International Hospital are teaming up to host an interactive health seminar in Hua Hin focusing on common vascular diseases and circulation problems.
InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has been named The Most Favorite Pet-Friendly Hotel at the 16th AROUND AWARDS 2026. The annual awards, organized as part of AROUND Magazine’s 16th anniversary, recognize hotels, restaurants and lifestyle businesses across Thailand.
Thai police say they arrested suspects in 7,261 firearms-related cases and seized 7,872 guns during a nationwide 15-day crackdown between Aug. 12-26.
Data centers have dominated the discourse in Thailand over the past year, becoming a symbol of technological advancement and innovation and evidence that Thailand is capturing a valuable component of the AI value chain.
New vehicle sales in Thailand increased by over 20% to 59,196 units in July, up from 49,102 units a year earlier, according to the latest data released by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Thailand’s passport has been ranked 99th worldwide by Passport Reports, with a mobility score of 93. The assessment places Thailand fifth among the 11 ASEAN countries and 21st among 50 Asian countries assessed.
A Glimpse of Solar Energy in Thailand
Since Aug. 12, any Thai exporter shipping packaged goods into the EU has technically fallen under the bloc’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) – whether they know it or not.
As the world shifts toward a greener future, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) is stepping up to ensure Thai businesses don’t just survive, but thrive.
Thailand is facing a double crisis: an overwhelming volume of illegally dumped hazardous waste and a deadly climate of intimidation against activists trying to stop it.
Philippe Meranger just finished his grocery shopping in Montreal. The 61-year-old held several products under his arm as he said: “Tariffs hurt our economy, but they force us to buy Canadian. And I’m all for that.” 
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s commercialhub, is proposing to gradually restrict gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles from its downtown area from mid-2027 as part of a planned low-emission zone (LEZ). Under the proposal, the city would pilot the LEZ from July 2027 in its core downtown area and the new Thu Thiem urban area, which covers roughly 930 hectares (3.59 square miles). 
A widening US campaign to isolate Iran economically could expose Thailand to higher energy costs and unstable capital flows, while Washington’s scrutiny of Beijing may create a difficult foreign-policy choice for Bangkok, a CIMB Thai Bank economist has warned.
The Labor Ministry will propose an expansion of social security coverage under Section 33 to include agricultural workers, street vendors and domestic workers. Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat said before going into yesterday’s cabinet meeting he would submit two proposals for approval.
Car production in Thailand rose 6.1% in July from a year earlier to 117,383 units, the Federation of Thai Industries said yesterday. The reading follows a year-on-year fall of 7.5% in June. The FTI has previously forecast a 3.33% drop in car production for the whole of 2026.
Thailand generated 984.32 billion baht in tourism revenue from 20.32 million foreign arrivals between Jan. 1 1 and Aug.22, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said. However, the visitor total was 2.96% lower than during the corresponding period last year, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul.
Ezy Airlines has suspended a plan to fly in northern Thailand, reportedly due to high parking fees at Chiang Mai airport, prompting the governor of Mae Hong Son to seek a review of the fees to support tourism.
For generations, summer in Europe has been languid and dreamy, bringing fine weather and lengthy days on sunny beaches and terraces. But in 2026, the brutal reality of climate change forced its way into daily life. “I felt a sense of the apocalypse this summer,” said Cyril Chedeville, a 59-year-old from Bordeaux in southwestern France. He was not alone. 
A can of Fanta sold in London has 63 calories. Buy the same brand in India, and it contains three times as much sugar. It also includes artificial dye, whose presence in food products in Europe requires a prominent health warning. Reuters India Co. News Editor Aditya Kalra explains why Big Food in India has resisted efforts to mandate nutritional warnings on the front of packaged products. 
Krabi bridge to Koh Lanta set for 2029 opening
First phase of Thai-Cambodian border fence finished, Navy to start second
Southeast Asia’s budget airlines are hoping the worst of the fuel-price shock triggered by the Middle East conflict has passed, but pressure on margins and household finances threatens to prolong the sector’s difficult recovery.
Northern Thailand could become a crucial pillar of global food security, as severe climate shocks, unpredictable weather and shifting trade patterns place unprecedented pressure on agricultural supplies worldwide.
A confidential US diplomatic memo, circulated to a handful of countries in late July, formally committed the United States to blocking binding limits on plastic production and chemical additives at United Nations treaty negotiations — a position that peer-reviewed lifecycle modeling published in January shows is the single most important intervention for reducing a global disease burden currently costing more than $1.5 trillion a year.
Most people who live in Hua Hin have made the drive south at some point. Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot, maybe as far as Prachuap for the day. Rather fewer keep going, and that is where it gets interesting.
Thailand’s biggest financial regulatory overhaul in 27 years threatens tougher, more intrusive banking for foreigners. The Bank of Thailandn is bringing digital payments and providers under tighter control. Banks must intensify checks on mule accounts, gray capital, foreign QR payments and unusual transfers.
23,536 violent incidents, 7,790 deaths and 14,794 injuries
Tharina Botes wins Miss Universe Thailand 2026 crown
Thailand’s economy is facing three overlapping economic storms: an energy-price shock and current-account deficit, a system-wide rise in production costs, and weakening domestic purchasing power, Vice Minister for Finance Santitarn Sathirathai said.
Thai retailers have called on the government to crack down on the massive influx of cheap foreign goods entering the country through cross-border e-commerce platforms, warning that unfair price competition is threatening the survival of millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Japanese carmakers will not relocate manufacturing hubs instantly, but the current flood of Chinese electric vehicles is catalyzing price wars in the Thai market, according to Archanun Kohpaiboon.
For thousands of Thai smallholders, cattle rearing has long been a traditional cornerstone of rural livelihood, insulated from international supply chains. However, under a sweeping economic modernization drive led by the Royal Thai government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, this grassroots industry is being systematically propelled onto the global stage.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has unveiled a comprehensive drive to upgrade provincial airport infrastructure and airspace management, aiming to turn regional hubs into growth engines for trade, tourism, and investment.
Phuket’s waste disposal system is under growing pressure, with 1,200-1,300 tons of rubbish being sent for disposal each day and the province’s landfill already exceeding its capacity, Phuket City Mayor Suppachoke Laongphet has said. 
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on a range of US goods after President Donald Trump introduced 50% tariffs on Canadian products, following the collapse of trade negotiations between the two neighboring countries. 
Humanoid robots on Sunday (August 23) took over the athletic arena at the World Robot Games, competing in sparring, sprinting, and taichi.