- Breakfast at Anantasila/Hua Hin beacfront owners request delay/Sivana Hills debuts new pool villas/Heavy rain, flood warning/Surat Thani floods shut Highway 401/Deadly night of violence in Yala/533-million-baht cannabis shipment/Delivery driver pay/Man dies trying to save newborn puppies
- THE IRAN WAR: US-Iran conflict raises Thai shipping cost risks
- ECONOMY: US tariff deal ‘taking shape’/Co-payment scheme spending
- TOURISM: Thailand Opens E-Gate Immigration/Songkhla woman dies at Pha Taem falls/Thai Airways higher in global rankings
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 7-Eleven Thailand Guide/Python blamed for disappearance of 25 roosters/Kaeng I Khiao in Ubon Ratchathani/Unprecedented El Niño/Data-center boom raises clean-power challenge/Coffee market moves toward sustainability
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Breakfast at the Anantasila Beach Restaurant
What a way to start a day! Watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Thailand, cool ocean breezes, with a gentle sea lapping at the white sand beach. And behind you is breakfast, served by the attentive staff of the Anantasila Beach Reataurant in Khao Takiab. Hendrik van den Heuvel is the executive food and beverage manager.
Expat News had the opportunity recently to sample the restaurant’s morning buffet, and was not disappointed. So much delicious food to choose from – made-to-order eggs (we tried the salmon omelette), breads and Danish made fresh on site, fruits of all kinds, and a variety of Thai dishes.
And don’t forget the coffee, made fresh from beans in a variety of styles. We tried the Americano and Caffe Latte, among the many options offered.
The menu is changed regularly, but on our visit waiting for hungry diners was fish rice soup (a Thai breakfast staple), Jasmine and white rice, egg Thai fried rice, stir-fried noodles with chicken, bell pepper with beef, pork red curry, baked beans, grilled tomato, hash browns, sausages, cold cuts, cheese, juices, and waffles with real maple syrup.
The beach bar and restaurant veranda give access to beautiful, unobstructed views of the sea and Khao Takiab shoreline. The restaurant’s tree-canopied outdoor dining area offers a casual yet sophisticated dining experience.
The restaurant is open seven days a week from 7 am-11 pm. and welcomes all residents and non-residents. For reservation, Tel : +66 32 527 638; Email : fb@anantasila.com; Web.
Hua Hin beacfront building owners request demolition delay
Building owners have petitioned Hua Hin City Municipality to postpone waterfront demolition scheduled to begin on , Friday, citing a pending appeal over their claimed land rights.
The petition concerns 15 buildings between the fishing pier and Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine that the municipality plans to remove from public land following court rulings. Continued …
Sivana Hills debuts new pool villas in Khao Tao
Sivana Hills held an open house on Saturday showcasing its new pool villa development on Soi 126 in Hua Hin’s Khao Tao area.
The 56-villa project offers four layouts, each with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a private swimming pool. Prices start from 12.5 million baht. Continued …
Heavy rain, flood warning for Hua Hin, PKK
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of heavy rain across Thailand today, naming 55 provinces in its regional forecasts and also warning Bangkok and surrounding areas.
Thunderstorms will cover 70% of the south, east coast, region during Sept. 21–22, according to the TMD, with isolated heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Continued …
Surat Thani floods shut Highway 401, tourists evacuated
Heavy rain flooded part of Highway 401 in Surat Thani on Saturday, leaving the route impassable to small vehicles and leading officials to evacuate Thai and foreign tourists from the affected area.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) sent officers to Khlong Sok subdistrict, where floodwater made travel difficult. The area is on a key road corridor used by travelers heading between Surat Thani and Thailand’s Andaman coast. Continued …
Deadly night of violence in Yala
A deadly night of violence hit Yala’s Bannang Sata district before security forces moved in yesterday. Assistant village headman Hamdee Jehsoh, 42, was shot dead in a roadside ambush. Hours later, attackers struck Highway 410, burning tires, scattering road spikes and leaving a suspicious wired object.
CCTV cameras were destroyed, construction machinery torched and a civilian vehicle burned. Gov. Kongsakul Chantharat tightened security and ordered increased patrols. Meanwhile, police launched separate investigations into the murder and overnight attacks, with no link yet confirmed. Continued …
Hong Kong seizes 533-million-baht cannabis shipment from Thailand
Hong Kong customs has made its largest-ever drug seizure from a sea shipment, finding cannabis worth HK$125 million, or about 530 million baht, in a 40-foot container declared as arriving from Thailand.
The Customs and Excise Department said the container was examined at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound earlier this month after a risk assessment and intelligence analysis. It had been declared as carrying insulated boxes. Continued …
Ministry makes headway on delivery driver pay
Thailand is developing a driver payment framework to establish a fair minimum payment standard and serve as a common reference for the delivery industry. The initiative aims to create a structure that reflects actual costs, such as vehicle types, distance, and working time, while providing a foundation for future regulations to protect platform workers.
The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) are working to address growing concerns from drivers regarding insufficient earnings and unfair service cuts. Beyond pay, the framework seeks to address issues like lack of welfare, transparency in algorithmic decisions, and the need for better compensation for vehicle maintenance and insurance. Currently, the ETDA has proposed a preliminary benchmark of 5 baht per kilometer to help determine a fair compensation point for delivery riders. – Bangkok Post
Chon Buri man dies trying to save newborn puppies from flood
A man has died inside a burrow in Chon Buri after going in to reach newborn puppies he feared would be flooded. Two of the puppies were found dead beside him.
Wanna Sae Li, 65, crawled into a burrow beside a drainage canal in Ban Bueng as the rain rose. Rescuers had to dig him out and found two newborn puppies at his fingertips. Continued …
Six-month US-Iran conflict raises Thai shipping cost risks
Disruption to Gulf shipping routes could raise transport costs and lengthen delivery times for Thai businesses, the Dubai office of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) warned in a report.
The office urged companies to keep inventories and delivery arrangements flexible while retaining their presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand’s largest export market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Continued …
US tariff deal ‘taking shape’
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced that Thailand has secured its desired tariff rate from the United States, though one final condition from Washington still needs to be finalized.
The specific numerical tariff rate secured has not been explicitly disclosed, but the prime minister indicated that the negotiations proceeded as expected. Previously, in July, the US had imposed a 12.5% tariff on Thai imports, an increase from the prior 10% rate, citing concerns over production capacity and labor practices. The Thai government has been working to ensure trade conditions remain competitive with regional rivals. – Bangkok Post
Over 161 billion baht spent under co-payment scheme
The cumulative spending under the government’s Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 co-payment scheme has surpassed 161 billion baht. The Finance Ministry is expected to request a cabinet consideration to extend the program, which was designed to support the grassroots economy by easing household expenses and boosting purchasing power amidst rising living costs.
According to government figures, approximately people utilized their entitlements 326,040,623 times, with spending distributed among various sectors, including 43.551 billion baht for participating shops and 22.6 billion baht specifically for food delivery services. While the scheme has helped mitigate the impact of higher energy and living costs, officials are monitoring the potential for further measures if economic pressures persist. – Bangkok Post
Thailand Opens E-Gate Immigration To 33 Foreign Nationalities At Suvarnabhumi Airport
Following increased immigration traffic at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand has now made the immigration eGates widely accessible. The immigration department at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is now allowing citizens of 33 foreign countries to utilize the electronic gates in order to enter the country.
In addition to electronic entry for Thai citizens, roughly a year ago Thailand also opened the option for repeat visitors holding Singapore and Hong Kong passports to use the e-gates. Continued …
Songkhla woman dies after falling more than 10 meters at Pha Taem falls
A 48-year-old tourist slipped while photographing the second tier of Kwang Tone waterfall in Pha Taem National Park last Friday. Rescuers walked three kilometers of forest trail and took more than two hours to reach her.
Park staff and rescue volunteers found Wanwisa, who was 48 and from Songkhla province, with no vital signs. Officers gave CPR at the scene but could not revive her. Continued …
Thai Airways flies higher in global rankings
Thai Airways International has promised the best has yet to come after climbing up the global rankings and entering the top 20 best airlines list.
This year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards saw the Thai carrier moving up nine spots to 20th in the best airlines ranking, with Singapore Airlines regaining the top position after being surpassed last year by Qatar Airways. Continued …
7-Eleven Thailand Guide: What Tourists Should Eat, Buy and Try
For many Thai people, 7-Eleven is much more than a place to grab a quick snack. It has become part of everyday life, offering everything from morning coffee and ready-to-eat meals to drinks, beauty products, accessories and household essentials.
For travelers, 7-Eleven Thailand can also be an easy introduction to local daily life. Visitors can explore popular 7-Eleven Thailand food, discover products commonly bought by locals and pick up useful items while traveling around the country. Some branches even offer freshly prepared dishes or special experiences that are different from the standard store format. Continued …
Python blamed for disappearance of 25 roosters in Udon Thani
A three-meter python was captured after a homeowner in Udon Thani discovered it attacking chickens, solving the mystery of 25 fighting cocks that had disappeared over nearly two weeks.
Rescue workers from the Udon Thani Songserm Tham Foundation were called to a house on Udon Thani–Nong Samrong Road in Ban Bo Nam, Mu Mon subdistrict, on Saturday after the large snake was spotted in a pomelo tree. Continued …
Kaeng I Khiao in Ubon officially opens as new ecotourism destination
Protected Areas Regional Office 9 (Ubon Ratchathani) officially opened Kaeng I Khiao as a new natural attraction at Buntharik-Yot Mon Wildlife Sanctuary in Kho Laen subdistrict, Buntharik district, Ubon Ratchathani province, on Friday.
The opening is intended to promote ecotourism, stimulate the grassroots economy and generate sustainable income for communities bordering the forest. Continued …
UN Warns of Unprecedented “El Niño” Intensity
The United Nations has issued a top-level warning: the world is facing a “Super El Niño,” shattering all previous heat records. This is closer than you think. Why do vulnerable areas like northern Thailand need to prepare now? Find out in this report. Video …
Thailand data-center boom raises wider clean-power challenge
Thailand’s drive to attract data-center and artificial intelligence investment could bring major economic and technological opportunities, but speakers warned that growth must be matched by stronger water, energy and waste infrastructure, clear regulation and wider access to clean power.
Speaking during the roundtable discussion “Sustainable Thailand: No Choice Left — Ready to Stay in the Game?”, they highlighted the challenge of preventing large digital facilities from placing greater pressure on resources also needed by households, communities, manufacturers and smaller businesses, while ensuring the technology and infrastructure built around them create broader benefits for Thailand. Continued …
Thailand’s 65-billion-baht coffee market moves toward sustainability
Thailand’s 65- billion-baht coffee market is moving beyond the beverage business, as consumers increasingly prioritize quality, experience and sustainability.
This shift is reflected in the coffee market’s growth in 2025 and the expansion of specialty coffee, while businesses are paying greater attention to reducing their environmental impact throughout the supply chain. Continued …
Taiwanese man held over Thai woman’s body in freezer
Taiwanese police have detained a 43-year-old man surnamed Wu on suspicion of murdering his 36-year-old Thai girlfriend, identified as “Art”, and concealing her body in a freezer for six days at his workplace in Taichung. Continued …
Ukraine fires over 1,000 drones at Russia, including hundreds launched at Moscow
Ukrainian forces fired more than 1,000 drones at Russia overnight Saturday, including hundreds that were launched toward Moscow, officials said yesterday, as the Kremlin was wrapping up the third and last day of its parliamentary elections. Continued …
Macron, Carney pledge closer ties in Atlantic island meeting
The leaders of France and Canada yesterday pledged closer ties to grapple with rising geopolitical tensions, climate change and the erosion of democratic values, after they met in the French territory of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon off Canada’s Atlantic coast. Video …
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
Thailand once brought nearly 200,000 new HIV infections a year down dramatically through decades of prevention and expanded access to treatment. But in 2026, young Thais disproportionately make up the newly infected.
Bangkok authorities are preparing a shared rail fare system that would limit the maximum charge to 45 baht per trip across the capital and surrounding areas from Jan. 1.The plan would remove duplicate entry fees for passengers changing between rail lines.
A minimart worker in Lopburi won 12 million baht in the Thai government lottery, but decided to keep working at his regular job, saying he would use some of the winnings to build a new home.
At Gastech 2026, we go behind the scenes of Thailand’s energy crossfire as the nation navigates an unprecedented surge in electricity demand driven by AI data centers and green industrial transitions.
The government is continuing its crackdown on nominee arrangements, gray capital and identity-card fraud networks under instructions from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Government moving to fully relocate Bangkok port to Laem Chabang
There is no currently established gold transaction tax rate in Thailand. While the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Thailand have been studying the possibility of imposing taxes on gold imports and domestic trading to curb money laundering and gray capital, no such tax has been implemented..
The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) is targeting Shopee following allegations that the platform unfairly used its market power to dominate the e-commerce industry. Specifically, the regulator is investigating claims that Shopee allegedly coerced vendors into participating in promotions without their consent, such as the CashBack Coins and free shipping schemes.
Prominent AI researchers and industry leaders have proposed several measures to slow the pace of artificial intelligence development to allow society and regulatory frameworks to catch up. These proposals include calling for a coordinated slowdown in the development of advanced models, implementing licensing regimes similar to those used in aviation or medicine, and establishing global coordination to prevent a competitive race between companies..
The Rise (and Rise and Rise) of the Suddenly Ubiquitous Jellyfish
Increasing concern among farmers about Kok River contamination
US President Donald Trump said yesterday e had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security that would bar Russia and China from setting up bases in the Arctic territory. 
US President Donald Trump said yesterday he was banning news outlets CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing them without specifics of reporting “fiction and lies.” Trump added that “other Fake News Media Outlets” would face a similar fate, but did not say which ones. 
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is implementing a comprehensive strategy to enhance healthcare accessibility and attract international patients. The initiative includes establishing a health marketplace that centralizes public and private healthcare services, alongside a data and access initiative linking national health databases to improve service delivery and inform policy decisions.
Covid-19 infections in Thailand are on an upward trend, with an average of 15,000 new cases reported each week over the past four weeks, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC).
Thai star Lisa hits big time in US
LISA brings Thai food and drinking culture to Jimmy Fallon show
Shipping costs are being driven by a combination of geopolitical tensions, severe weather events, and capacity constraints in critical maritime corridors. Conflicts in the Middle East, specifically involving Iran, have caused shipping standstills in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing vessels to seek alternative and often more expensive routes.
Average household debt in Thailand has risen to nearly 800,000 baht, reaching its highest level in 17 years, according to a 2026 survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
No official date has been confirmed for tariff and trade talks between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and US President Donald Trump ahead of Anutin’s Sept. 21–27 visit to the United States.
Thailand is aiming to be more than a destination for global events, it wants to become a trusted MICE gateway connecting the world with Asia.
Ally Logistic Property (ALP) selected the Eastern Economic Corridor for its Omega 1 Bangna smart warehouse to access its logistics route project, which offers a business model known as infrastructure-as-a-service. This model allows tenants to utilize integrated automated warehouses without the high upfront costs or the need to own their own storage facilities.
Thai Airways will operate the new Bangkok-Da Nang service with 41 flights per week. The service is scheduled to begin on Dec. 1.
Thailand Ecotourism Is Now Third in ASEAN
Tiger Conservation in Thailand Shows Results
Government plans to liberalize forest use have sparked fears that Thailand’s pristine natural landscapes will be opened to industrial activities, including waste disposal. The Cabinet this month approved in principle a draft regulation allowing the commercial and industrial use of larger forest zones – including national reserves. If enacted, the scope of permitted activities will be expanded from the current 10 categories to 16.
Thailand has built much of the machinery of sustainable finance — a taxonomy, disclosure rules, transition loans and a coming climate fund. What it has not yet solved is who can afford to use it.
Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan have reviewed efforts to address wild elephant problems in Hua Hin and Kui Buri, including assistance and compensation for affected residents.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned all provinces nationwide, including Bangkok, to prepare for very heavy rain during Sept. 16-20, with risks of flash floods, forest run-off, landslides, waterlogging and rough seas.
Thailand is piloting a system that replaces the name, address and phone number on a parcel with a six-digit code and QR code, in an attempt to stop personal data leaking to scam gangs.
Nene Royal vows to give her all to win AGT final
Energy concerns have resurfaced in Thailand as the Middle East war becomes more complex. Traders are assessing regional supply risks, particularly the shutdown of a major Saudi Arabian oil pipeline following an attack, while shipping conditions through the Strait of Hormuz have failed to improve.
Thailand is accelerating its energy diversification to mitigate risks from extreme global market volatility and geopolitical instability. Specifically, the country is seeking to reduce its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports following surges in crude oil prices and significant spikes in liquefied natural gas costs driven by ongoing regional conflicts.
Professor Watcharapong Kasaree, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, warns that Thailand’s fiscal system could face a severe crisis within a decade if urgent reforms are not undertaken. He expresses concern that the current trajectory of increasing public debt, which could reach 80%-90% of GDP within 5-10 years if revenue is not significantly increased, could lead to a loss of economic stability.
The new Employee Welfare Fund is expected to increase operating costs for restaurants due to mandatory monthly contributions from both employers and employees. These contributions are set at a rate of 5% of employee wages, beginning on Oct. 1.
The cabinet has granted oil and gas exploration concessions to two companies following the Round 25 onshore petroleum auction. The winning companies are PETTP International and Pan Orion Energy (Siam) Co., which were awarded concessions for areas in the central and northeastern regions.
Thailand could impose an excise tax of around 30% on fully imported electric vehicles, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, revealing for the first time the potential rate of a levy designed to steer automakers toward local production.
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that foreigners can now operate hotels, restaurants or tour businesses without a license under a new Foreign Business Act regulation.
Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, Alona Fisher-Kamm, has again urged Israeli visitors to respect Thai laws and culture after protests and a series of disputes involving tourists. Fisher-Kamm said both countries needed to ensure the Middle East conflict was not brought into Thailand. She nevertheless pushed back against describing recent protests as antisemitic.
A police lieutenant colonel and three other men were arrested Tuesday after they allegedly extorted 200,000 baht from a Chinese national in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai province.
Koh Lanta truly is a magical place. It feels like stepping back in time, allowing you to experience the essence of what Thailand is all about. Located on the Andaman Sea, it’s a collection of rugged islands in the Krabi province. The biggest and most inhabited is Koh Lanta Yai, which is highlighted by nine golden sand beaches and lush, palm tree jungles.
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has announced that its 2026-27 season for mountaintop visits and overnight stays will run from Oct. 1 to May 31, 2027.
The US Federal Reserve yesterday raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, defying President Donald Trump’s demand for cuts, as central bank chief Kevin Warsh stressed the need to combat inflation that has been “too high” for “too long.” The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise rates by 25 basis points to between 3.75% and 4.00%. 
Asia-Pacific will account for 45% of global demand for new passenger aircraft between 2026 and 2045, requiring 19,120 aircraft as passenger traffic grows faster than the worldwide average, Airbus forecasts. Airbus’s Global Market Forecast (GMF) for 2026–2045 puts worldwide demand at 42,060 new aircraft. 
Highway police arrested a 23-year-old man and seized approximately 464 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine after the van he was driving crashed into a resident’s fence during a pursuit in Prachuap Khiri Khan last week.
‘Hands off Koh Kut’: Thailand stands firm at UN maritime talks
European buyers pushed some physical oil cargo prices above US$130 a barrel yesterday, while Brent and US crude futures reached their highest settlements since May 19 as disruptions to Saudi exports intensified.
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said yesterday that Gastech 2026 in Bangkok had generated more than US$17 billion in energy business agreements. Thailand also handed over hosting duties for the 2027 event to Houston in the United States.
Thailand has signed an international tax information exchange agreement as part of the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules to support the collection of top-up taxes.
Stallholders working a market along Rama XI, one of Bangkok’s arterial roads, started noticing a nauseating oil odor drifting from a boxy structure covered in gunmetal grey panels that had gone up across from their stalls with almost no warning.
Cargill is expanding its food production in Thailand by investing 2 billion baht (US$60 million) to enhance its feed business and processing facilities. This strategic move aims to increase production efficiency and reliability in the production process, while also providing better control over raw materials.
A media review of Pattaya has highlighted the resort city’s enduring association with sex tourism, despite efforts by local authorities to promote beaches, sport, conventions and family holidays.
TAT’s Amazing Thailand Ambassador Campaign Generates Over 448 Million Impressions
Thailand is shifting the way it measures tourism success, moving beyond visitor numbers toward a model focused on value, distribution and sustainability.
Thailand has shortened the standard visa-free stay for tourists from 60 days to 30, and this change may have a bigger effect on tourism spending than on the number of foreign visitors entering the country.
Thailand’s revised Destination Thailand Visa rules, effective from Aug. 31, have created uncertainty for applicants applying outside their home country as Thai embassies and consulates publish differing residence requirements.
Thai industrial estate developer Amata Corp. and energy producer B.Grimm Power will invest 1.2 billion baht (USD36.1 million/EUR33.9 million) in a 42.5-MWp floating solar project at an industrial site in eastern Thailand’s Chon Buri province.
Bangkok is transitioning to electric vehicles to significantly reduce energy costs and mitigate air pollution. The plan to replace diesel rubbish trucks with electric vehicles is estimated to cut energy costs by approximately 4.75 billion baht, or 54%, over a five-year period.
Energy leaders urge balanced path for Asia’s energy transition
A former Google DeepMind researcher warned on Monday that artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially “kill all humans”, saying the world may be running out of time to prevent such an outcome. 
The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space, a remarkable revelation after previous warnings about countries such as Russia possibly weaponizing a global frontier long agreed in treaties to be used for only peaceful purposes. 
Thailand will raise retail prices for petrol, gasohol and diesel by 0.85 baht per liter from today, as mounting subsidy costs place increasing pressure on the Oil Fuel Fund.
Brent and US crude futures settled about 1% higher yesterday, with fresh strikes on Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure and attacks on Middle Eastern shipping intensifying concerns over global supplies.
Questions are growing about whether artificial intelligence is outpacing safety measures for the technology. What’s driving the sudden push to “slow down” AI development, and is slowing the race even possible. 
Yesterday, Nestlé (Thailand) took a stand on its Southeast Asian growth strategy, signaling to global investors that even a multi-billion-dollar legal breakdown with its long-standing local partner will not derail its operational roadmap.
Thailand ends its 60-day visa exemption today, replacing it with 30-day and 15-day schemes, a shorter visa on arrival list and tighter limits at land borders. Thailand’s revised tourist entry rules change how long millions of foreign visitors can stay without arranging a visa before departure.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched Nihao Month 2026 to encourage Chinese visitors to travel to Thailand during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Golden Week holiday marking China’s National Day on Oct. 1.
Chiang Mai Airport handled more than 6.53 million passengers in the first eight months of 2026, with international travel rising 14% year-on-year. The airport expects passenger numbers to reach about 9.97 million for the full year as the winter flight schedule begins in late October.
Marine researchers recorded a peak of 278 adult blacktip reef sharks gathering near the shore of Maya Bay early this month, setting a record high for the 2026 fiscal year and providing strong evidence of ecological recovery during the bay’s annual closure, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
The concept of a luxury home in Thailand has moved well beyond the postcard image of a beachfront villa with an infinity pool. Industry estimates value the country’s luxury residential segment at roughly USD73.7 billion in 2025, with continued growth projected through the next decade as rising regional wealth, tourism recovery, and international demand for premium living converge.
Central Pattaya, a global beachfront landmark in the heart of Pattaya, has invited runners and travelers from around the world to join the Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race 2026: Run the wave. Own the night on Oct. 31. Celebrating its 10th anniversary under the theme “The Sunset to Moonlight Beach Race,” the 5K race will bring thousands of runners to the sands of Pattaya Beach for a one-of-a-kind night combining sunset running, music, entertainment and Pattaya’s vibrant beach lifestyle.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has signed an agreement with a US government agency to study American small modular reactor technology as the country considers its first nuclear power plant.
The US Supreme Court dealt a major blow yesterday to President Donald Trump’s attempts to restrict mail-in voting before the November midterm elections, denying his request to lift an order halting the divisive plan. Only two of the six conservative justices on the nine-member panel offered a dissent. 
The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan reached a record high of 107,677 in September, climbing for the 56th consecutive year, health ministry data showed today. The total number of centenarians grew by 7,914 from the previous year, surpassing the 100,000 threshold for the first time. Women made up 87.6% of the cohort. 
After nine days trapped in a hydropower tunnel and a week of hospital care following his dramatic rescue, Sanjay Sah, a rare survivor of last month’s devastating glacier collapse in Nepal, finally returned to his village and family on Sunday. It was a homecoming marked by relief and joy, but also grief. 
Thailand has long appealed to retirees seeking sunshine, affordability, reliable healthcare, and a slower pace of life.
Thailand has ranked third in the world for digital nomads and fourth for retirees in the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, which assessed 192 countries and territories.
A new concrete road and drainage system for Hua Hin Soi 10 have been completed under a municipal project, with a construction budget of 5.42 million baht. Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul and municipal officials inspected the work last week as part of the formal acceptance process.
Camera traps have recorded tigers in Prachuap Khiri Khan alongside Fea’s muntjac and other rare wildlife during a five-month survey, conservation officials announced yesterday.
A new NIDA Poll has found that many Thai respondents who had heard reports of, or experienced, alleged inappropriate or illegal behavior by Israelis in Thailand said their main concern was a lack of respect for the law.
Thailand still has 2,574 subdistricts without adequate standard emergency medical units, while a Senate working group is pushing for expanded local coverage and plans to increase the number of paramedics to 7,500 within five years.
Thailand’s Energy Ministry hopes to launch its 26th petroleum bidding round in the Andaman Sea by late 2026, with five major energy companies identified as potential participants, but Cabinet approval of key fiscal terms remains pending, according to media reports.
This week, the global energy industry gathers in Bangkok for Gastech, the world’s premier gas conference. Thailand is a fitting host, both for its own industrial ambitions and because it sits at the heart of the region that is reshaping global energy demand.
Phuket’s property market has reached a total value of more than 705 billion baht, the highest among Thailand’s regional provinces, with resort condominiums and villas accounting for more than half of residential supply and foreign buyers remaining a major source of demand.
Chiang Mai farmers move to preserve local herb as ‘Makwean’ earns GI registration
What began as a defensive response to a global energy supply shock is rapidly turning into Thailand’s most ambitious economic transformation in decades.
Indonesian rescuers continued searching today for 129 people missing after the Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea. Six people have died and 108 have been rescued. The vessel carried 243 people and was sailing from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when it encountered bad weather early yesterday. 
Rescuers retrieved more remains from a passenger ferry in the Philippine that was gutted by fire, bringing the death toll on Saturday to 76, with 13 missing. Forty-three people survived the fire on Wednesday night among the 132 on board. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney calls Canada “the most European of non-European countries,” and while formal EU membership may be tricky, he is pursuing unprecedented closeness with the bloc to reduce dependence on a hostile United States. 
Growing Nan landslide threatens village school
Rescuers save wild elephant trapped in abandoned septic tank in Rayong
Iran, Houthis block 2 key global shipping routes, straining the global economy
High oil prices and US diesel prices at record levels kept inflation fears at the fore yesterday, ratcheting up expectations that more central banks will have to hike interest rates despite the risk of weighing on economic growth.
Food prices in Thailand push 32.8% of poll respondents to eat less
The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of Government Housing Bank reported that foreign buyers took ownership of 3,292 condominium units in Thailand in the second quarter of 2026, up 1.4% from a year earlier. The value of those transfers increased 20.2% to 14.803 billion baht.
Concerns over foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses and hold property in Pattaya have prompted Chonburi officials to promise tougher enforcement against unlawful investors of any nationality.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the Chinese travel market was showing clearer signs of improvement ahead of China’s National Day holiday, or Golden Week, in 2026. TAT is focusing on the period from Sept. 25 to Oct. 7, covering both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday over a total of 13 days.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched “Amazing Locations: From Scene to Scenic,” a campaign built to convert the country’s rising profile as a filming destination into lasting tourism, as productions ranging from “The White Lotus” to “The Challenge” Season 42 continue to draw international attention to Thai locations.
Americans commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 yesterday, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity. Friday’s milestone anniversary brought memorial rituals — wreath-laying, flag-flying, moments of silence, vigils and readings of victims’ names — and volunteer projects in tribute to a day that about half of U.S. adults remember as the most historic event of their lifetime. 
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reassured consumers that PET water bottles are not made using BPA, after social media posts claimed bottles left in hot cars or direct sunlight could release dangerous chemicals and cause cancer.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat has outlined six projects under the second phase of Thailand’s double-track railway program, describing them as essential infrastructure that must extend across every region of the country.
August was the hottest single month ever recorded globally, with ocean temperatures also reaching unprecedented highs as western Europe capped its warmest summer, the EU’s climate monitor said today.
Apple joins foldable phone race with $1,999 passport-shaped iPhone Duo
Thailand and the United States are days from a sweeping trade deal reaching far beyond tariffs. Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun says every substantive issue is settled, with only legal drafting left. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is then expected to speak directly with US President Donald Trump to close the pact.
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Registration will open in mid-October for a solar rooftop scheme offering subsidies of up to 50,000 baht per installation, initially targeting one million households.
Nawee Changpirom has spent years working to rescue trafficked wildlife in Thailand, but even he can sometimes hardly believe the creatures he has found: leopards, hornbills, and once an anteater. “We even found living corals hidden in a ceiling,” he said.