- Deepavali Hua Hin at Market Village/Thailand’s winter has begun/Major transport upgrades for south/Foreign employees in Thailand under draft labor law
- CONOMY: Ministry asks firms to hold prices/Thailand cyberattacks top ASEAN rankings/Thai banks boost cyber monitoring/AI and Electronics Surge/Thai industries target 5.37 trillion baht
- TOURISM: Vietnam’s Meteoric Rise/13 million Thai overseas trips/Tomorrowland’s Thai debut expects a loss/Nine women injured in Pattaya speedboat collision
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Climate Change Spawns The Next Epidemic/Contamination of Sai River/Thailand must rethink disaster strategy/Subsidy for EV motorbikes/WHAUP plans to expand renewables
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Deepavali Hua Hin 2026 opens at Market Village
Deepavali Hua Hin 2026 opened on Saturday on the third floor of Market Village Hua Hin, where residents and visitors gathered to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights. Deepavali is a Hindu religious and cultural festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
Hua Hin Deputy Mayor Pailin Kongpan presided over the opening ceremony on behalf of the mayor. She was joined by fellow Deputy Mayor Bussaba Choksuchat, Hua Hin–Cha-am Tourism Business Assn. President Kitipong Siriphetkasem and the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan office. Continued …
Thailand’s winter has begun
Thailand officially entered its 2026-27 winter season yesterday, the Meteorological Department has announced, although much of the country should expect milder conditions than usual.
The season is forecast to run until around the end of February 2027, with January expected to bring the lowest temperatures. The department said El Nino and longer-term global warming trends are likely to keep temperatures above normal overall. Continued …
Government outlines major transport upgrades for south
The Transport Ministry has outlined 14 major infrastructure projects worth about 362.6 billion baht in the south, including the 106.8-billion-baht second phase of the southern double-track railway.
Deputy Transport Minister Sanphet Bunyamanee said yesterday the ministry was working to speed up the projects to cut transport costs, improve connectivity and support local economies. Continued …
Foreign employees in Thailand could gain menstrual, family leave under draft labor law
Thailand’s Labor Ministry is pushing a draft labor law that would give employees leave for menstrual pain and for caring for family members, more annual leave and protection from discrimination based on origin or race.
The draft is not yet law, and the ministry is preparing a second round of public hearings before it goes to the Cabinet. Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat set out the plan in a social media post Sunday. The ban on discrimination would also cover sex, age, physical condition, religious belief and political opinion. Continued …
Commerce Ministry asks firms to hold prices as four economic strategies advance
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has asked businesses to consider maintaining product prices despite rising production costs, as it strengthens cooperation with the Thai Chamber of Commerce on four economic strategies aimed at improving competitiveness, expanding opportunities for smaller businesses and supporting international trade.
Permanent Secretary for Commerce Poonpong Naiyanapakorn led senior ministry officials in discussions with representatives of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, headed by Chairman Poj Aramwattananont. Continued …
Thailand cyberattacks top ASEAN rankings, banking at risk
Thailand is among ASEAN’s most frequently reported targets for cyberattacks, with financial institutions, energy suppliers and public utilities facing the greatest exposure, according to an analysis by a Rangsit University economist.
Ath Pisalvanich, a lecturer at the university’s Faculty of Economics, said cyber threats could disrupt sectors worth more than 12.74 trillion baht, equivalent to over 60% of Thailand’s GDP, unless state agencies and businesses strengthen their defenses. Continued …
Thai banks boost IT spending and 24-hour cyber monitoring
Thai banks are increasing technology spending and strengthening 24-hour monitoring as the Bank of Thailand presses lenders to tighten defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Bank of Thailand (BOT) Gov. Vitai Ratanakorn said attempted attacks and efforts to probe Thai systems had increased over the preceding one to two weeks, reflecting a global trend, but remained within institutions’ ability to defend against them. Continued …
AI and Electronics Surge Lift Thailand’s GDP Outlook, but Vulnerabilities Loom
Thailand’s economic growth is picking up momentum, driven by a surge in global demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and a revised manufacturing index that better captures the country’s evolving industrial base.
However, financial analysts warn that the recovery remains deeply asymmetric, exposing the nation to potential global AI market corrections, persistent inflation, and severe vulnerabilities among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Continued …
Seven Thai industries target 5.37 trillion baht in added revenue by 2030
Thailand’s private sector has proposed a restructuring plan covering seven major industries, with the aim of generating an additional 5.37 trillion baht in revenue by 2030, attracting investment and improving the country’s competitiveness in global markets.
The proposals form part of the Reinvent Thailand initiative, which aims to stimulate a new phase of economic growth, as the country’s traditional growth drivers lose momentum. Continued …
Vietnam’s Meteoric Rise Tests Thailand’s Tourism Supremacy
Thailand’s lead over Vietnam in international tourist arrivals has narrowed sharply, from nearly 22 million visitors in 2019 to 5.9 million during the first 10 months of 2026. Vietnam’s growth has been supported by expanded direct flights and strong gains from Russian, Indian, and regional markets, while Thailand faces weaker arrivals and connectivity challenges.
Thai tourism operators identify declining competitiveness, border delays, inconsistent entry procedures, and changing cost-value perceptions as key concerns. Proposed responses include expanding direct air routes, improving immigration and border processes, and developing higher-value experiences and digital services. Continued …
More than 13 million Thai overseas trips expected this year
Around 13.45 million overseas trips by Thai travelers are expected in 2026, according to Kasikorn Research Center, although growth is set to slow sharply as economic conditions and travel costs weigh on demand.
The forecast represents year-on-year growth of 3%. That compares with expansion of 12% last year. The figures count trips rather than individual people, meaning one traveler may make several journeys or visit more than one country. Continued …
Tomorrowland’s Thai debut expects a loss despite being sold out
Tomorrowland Thailand’s organizer expects a loss on its Dec. 11–13 debut despite sold-out tickets, after the inaugural budget rose from 1.6 billion to 2 billion baht. Rachata Thunyavuthi, an executive board member of Wearone.World (Thailand) Co., said the first event would be decisive for the Belgian partners’ plans to continue in Thailand for five years.
The electronic dance music festival will take place at Wisdom Valley in Khao Mai Kaeo subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Rachata said Thailand would join Belgium and Brazil as one of three countries hosting a full-scale Tomorrowland festival, after the founders and Belgian team spent more than a decade exploring opportunities and searching for a Thai venue. Continued …
Nine women injured in Pattaya speedboat collision near Bali Hai Pier
Nine women, including two Russian nationals and one Ukrainian, were injured when a passenger speedboat collided with a two-deck fishing boat near Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya last night.
The collision left both vessels damaged, with the speedboat sustaining extensive damage to its left side before gradually sinking into the sea. The injured comprised six Thai women, two Russian women and one Ukrainian woman. Most suffered abrasions and were shaken by the incident. Continued …
How Climate Change Spawns The Next Epidemic
The accelerating climate crisis extends far beyond rising temperatures, severe droughts, and catastrophic floods. As natural ecosystems fragment, the intricate balance between humans, wildlife, and pathogens is breaking down, unleashing a heightened risk of novel infectious disease outbreaks.
This growing threat took center stage at the Sustainability Expo 2026 during a panel session titled “Prepare Before the Spread: When Natural Disasters Awaken Emerging Diseases”, held on Saturday. Continued …
Chinese-operated mines in Myanmar blamed for contamination of Sai River
Contamination of the Sai River, which has disrupted tap water production in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province, is being blamed on unregulated mining activities in Myanmar’s Tachileik province, according to well-informed border sources.
Some of the mining is done in the middle of the river and, when the area was hit by heavy rain recently, a huge amount of mud and sediment was washed downstream into Mae Sai district, turning the water in Ban Hua Fai, where it is drawn for tap water production, muddy, said the sources. Continued …
Thailand must rethink disaster strategy as Earth approaches tipping points
As climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss push the planet closer to potentially irreversible tipping points, Thailand faces an increasingly urgent question: how prepared is the country for a future in which environmental disasters become more frequent, unpredictable and severe?
Speaking at the Sustainability Expo 2026 (SX2026), Weerasak Kowsurat, board member and secretary-general of the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation of the Thai Red Cross Society, stressed that Thailand must first understand its position in a rapidly changing world before it can develop effective strategies to address emerging threats. Continued …
Government proposes 6-billion-baht subsidy for EV motorbikes
The government is considering a 6-billion-baht scheme to subsidize the purchase of 400,000 locally produced battery electric vehicle (BEV) motorcycles, in an effort to curb fossil fuel consumption and accelerate the country’s energy transition.
Under the proposed ‘MTC EV++’ scheme, buyers of domestically manufactured BEV motorcycles would receive a direct subsidy of 17,000 baht per vehicle. Continued …
WHAUP plans to expand renewables business
WHA Utilities and Power Plc (WHAUP), the utility and power arm of industrial developer WHA Corp., plans to expand its renewable energy business in line with the new Power Development Plan (PDP), which is expected to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy.
The government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in Thailand’s power generation mix to 50% during the first decade of the PDP, which is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2050. Continued …
Brit jailed over Thailand bigamy wedding
A British contracts manager who flew to Thailand to marry a younger woman while still married to his wife in England has been given a suspended prison sentence for bigamy. David Curtis, 56, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Feb. 26 after his first wife, Kirsty Curtis, 51, discovered Facebook wedding invitations sent to his family. He admitted bigamy at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court last week. Continued …
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Phuket pubs raided, suspected of foreign ownership – Continued …
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Chinese scam gang arrested at Pattaya villa – Continued …
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Chinese fugitive caught hiding in Samut Sakhon home – Continued …
Trump declares the Iran war ‘effectively over’
In the face of voter resentment over the Iran war, US President Donald Trump said it “won’t be necessary” to escalate the months-long conflict that caused gas prices to spike and put his Pentagon chief in the congressional crosshairs. “Iran, militarily, is effectively over. We’re just keeping it the status quo,” Trump declared at a surprise news conference yesterday. Continued …
Trump holds off fresh Iran strikes but keeps Strait of Hormuz blockade
US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington will refrain from launching further military strikes against Iran for the time being, following appeals from Gulf countries seeking to prevent another escalation in the conflict.
However, the United States intends to maintain its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, while senior American and Gulf officials remain doubtful that an agreement to end the war can be reached soon. Continued …
France blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for supermarket fridge cyberattacks
France has accused a cyber unit linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of carrying out attacks on commercial refrigeration systems that disrupted hundreds of businesses, damaged equipment and caused substantial food losses. Continued …
Nvidia’s Huang scandal rattles AI industry built around him
Nvidia chief Jensen Huang sits at the center of the artificial intelligence boom, and the spy scandal that erupted over the weekend threatens to shake the company at a time when confidence in the AI investment frenzy is already fragile. Continued …
What we know about the Nvidia CEO spy scandal
Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, whose chips power the global AI boom and who has the ear of US President Donald Trump, has admitted to an affair with a Chinese executive who US intelligence reportedly believes was working for Beijing. Continued …
Australia to adopt mandatory AI safeguards
Artificial intelligence companies will have to abide by new “mandatory” safeguards when operating in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said today. Global unease about the power of advanced AI is growing after a string of hacking incidents involving leading companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic. Continued …
ASEAN countries need up to $7.1 trillion for infrastructure but face funding gap
Southeast Asia’s economies need US$7.1 trillion in infrastructure investments through 2040 but the region faces a huge funding gap, the Asian Development Bank said in a new report published today. 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
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport is considering stricter requirements for foreigners seeking Thai driving licenses, including mandatory theory and practical tests regardless of whether applicants already hold a license overseas.
A Prachuap Khiri Khan flood alert was sent to mobile phones in five districts on Saturday, 7 November, after prolonged heavy rain raised the risk of flash flooding.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning today forecasting heavy to very heavy rain in parts of southern Thailand from today through Friday, alongside cooler weather and strong winds across upper Thailand.
A black panther has again been spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park, highlighting the rich biodiversity of Thailand’s largest national park and one of its most elusive predators.
Thirty years ago, global economists were convinced Thailand would become Asia’s 5th economic superpower alongside Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Between 1987 and 1996, Thailand’s economy was expanding at a blistering 8% to 10% every year, earning it the title “Detroit of the East.”
Tax cuts on two selected fuels have failed to address the energy-cost crisis, as protests loom and pressure mounts on the government.
Protest leader Mano Khrueakaew demanded a 10-baht-per-liter reduction in all fuel prices outside Government House in Bangkok yesterday, threatening to escalate the demonstration if the government failed to act.
Thailand’s push to become a regional data center hub is attracting investment, but growing concerns over electricity demand, environmental impacts and public participation are raising questions about how the industry should be regulated.
As the conflict in the Middle East continues, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to allocate part of its emergency budget to stimulate foreign markets during the final two months of the year.
Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport carried out random drug searches on international passengers and luggage on Friday, using sniffer dogs on both arriving and departing flights. No illegal drugs were found during the operation, but random checks inside the airport will continue.
Southeast Asia’s 10 best soups, according to TasteAtlas
Phuket City has halted the dumping of garbage at its primary landfill indefinitely, because it is already overfull and trucks are dumping rubbish on an access road, preventing other vehicles from entering the site.
Russia has recorded close to 400,000 deaths on its side of the war with Ukraine, according to previously undisclosed data from the country’s statistics agency, Rosstat.
Donald Trump vowed a political comeback yesterday as the major parties clashed over Democrat threats to prosecute top administration officials after the president’s Republicans lost control of Congress in midterm elections. 
Chip giant Nvidia’s board announced yesterday it opened a probe into chief executive and co-founder Jensen Huang after he acknowledged an affair with a woman US officials say was working for Chinese intelligence. 
Hua Hin municipality is pressing ahead with beachfront demolitions where owners have consented to the work, while awaiting court rulings before proceeding at properties affected by legal disputes.
Very heavy rain is expected tomorrow in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, and Narathiwat, while heavy rain will affect Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Phatthalung, Pattani, Yala, Trang, and Satun.
Thailand has issued revised regulations allowing alcohol sales at five categories of venues on major Buddhist religious holidays, while maintaining the general prohibition at other establishments.
Pattaya City has secured a special budget of about 2.75 billion baht for a four-phase drainage program intended to reduce flooding across key parts of the resort city.
Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.9% in October from a year earlier, driven by higher fuel prices, which accounted for 56% of inflation.
Thailand’s economic growth could jump to 2.9% after sweeping revisions to factory output figures, Bank of Thailand Gov. Vitai Ratanakorn revealed on Thursday. Meanwhile, the central bank has raised its export growth forecast to 22%.
Thailand’s Cabinet is due to consider a proposed policy that would classify data centers into seven categories according to electricity use, imposing tougher conditions on the largest facilities.
A recent report by leading economists has raised significant alarms regarding the retirement preparedness of the Thai population, revealing that a staggering 86% are unprepared for their retirement years. This stark figure underscores the urgent need for financial education and planning, as the aging population faces increased longevity and healthcare costs.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has advised passengers to book early for the 2027 New Year holiday, after a survey of eight domestic routes found that lower-priced tickets remained available on some flights but were limited in number.
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has tightened checks on Thai children under 18 leaving the country, and adults traveling with them must now prove their relationship with a birth certificate and, in most cases, a consent letter.
Thailand has installed dozens of electronic immigration gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport to help travelers clear passport control faster. The automated e-gates look crisp, modern, and promising. Following recent expansions by the Thai Immigration Bureau to speed up queues, hopes were high that long airport waits would finally become a relic of the past.
Royal barges mark birthday
For over 30 years, Pacific island countries have issued the same warning at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference: the warming ocean threatens not just food and energy security, but global survival itself.
After decades of making bumper profits in China, Germany’s carmakers have run out of road and sales have slumped dramatically, forcing painful job losses at home. Volkswagen’s woes in China pushed Europe’s largest carmaker to a €5.8-billion (US$6.5 billion) loss for the three months to end-September. 
Hua Hin’s Cape Nidhra Hotel recognized by Conde Nast
Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin, a premier five-star beachfront property under the Cape & Kantary Hotels Group, has achieved a major international milestone by securing a spot among Thailand’s top nine resorts in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, earning a score of 97.63. Adding to this success, the property has also been selected for inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2026.
Dusit Thani Hua Hin Unveils Devarana Wellness Shop
For today and tomorrow, thundershowers are forecast across 60% of the Ssuth’s east coast, with isolated heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat. Minimum temperatures will be 22–25°C and maximum temperatures 32–34°C. – The Nation
Thailand’s national wage committee is preparing to review proposals for changes to the minimum wage in 2027 after receiving recommendations from every province, including Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul heard investment plans and proposals from 33 US companies across seven business groups at Government House yesterday, as Thailand worked to attract further investment and complete a reciprocal trade agreement with Washington.
The Thai e-commerce market is undergoing a transition, as modern shoppers are no longer solely swayed by discount signs but instead utilize data and technology to inform their decisions. Competition is shifting from price wars to focusing on superior quality, value for money, enhanced shopping experience, and long-term trust.
Thailand’s trade deficit with China surged 53% year on year to 2.43 trillion baht in the first nine months of 2026, raising concerns over the growing influx of Chinese goods and mounting pressure on domestic manufacturers.
The massive sell-off across Asian tech and equity markets today marks one of the most severe contractions for the region’s electronics and semiconductor supply chains in recent years. The regional rout follows a brutal overnight session on Wall Street, where the Nasdaq composite plunged 5.5%.
Krabi welcomes more European air links for the 2026 High Season
Pattaya faces a high-season tourism crisis as hotel bookings fail to materialize, with airfares soaring 30%–40% amid the US-Iran war. Meanwhile, Chinese group bookings have slumped by over 30%, with warnings of a 50% fall during Lunar New Year. Chinese safety alerts have also sparked a diplomatic clash between Bangkok and Beijing.
Buriram MotoGP 2027 tickets on sale Monday
Thais worldwide invited to wear traditional clothing throughout December
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee has assured that households participating in the government’s solar rooftop scheme won’t need to pay a deposit.
Energy and climate specialists have proposed an alternative version of Thailand’s power-development plan (PDP) dubbed the “Resilient PDP”, aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to a low-carbon economy without relying heavily on natural gas as a bridging fuel.
Nearly 200 nations gather for the COP31 summit in Turkey on Monday but tensions over geopolitics, finance and fossil fuels are tempering expectations of a major breakthrough in tackling the climate crisis.
Renewed attacks on tankers pushed Brent crude futures US$3.67 a barrel higher yesterday, 2026, as concerns about secure oil deliveries tempered optimism over a possible diplomatic resolution to the US-Israeli war with Iran. 
The Democratic sweep in US midterm elections opens doors to new aid for Ukraine as it battles Moscow’s invasion, and could bring scrutiny over President Donald Trump’s Russia policies, analysts said yesterday. 
Google has announced plans to invest $15 billion in Malaysia from 2027 to 2028, with the spending going toward data center campuses, clean energy, bolstering water security and upskilling workers. 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s brash campaign posters are still up on Israeli public buses — images of him, US President Donald Trump and soaring warjets that laud the two leaders attacking Iran together. Neither is now advertising the state of the two countries’ alliance. 
Criminal warnings issued on beach demolitions
Proud Group and its partners have launched a tourism campaign worth more than 90 million baht, offering free sports sessions, water park admission and beachfront fitness activities to promote Hua Hin as a wellness lifestyle destination.
Four international tennis tournaments in Hua Hin will offer more than two million baht in prize money this November and December, with the first men’s main-draw matches starting on Monday.
Thailand’s Ministry of Energy has pledged to consider proposals to reduce fuel prices and reform the country’s oil-pricing structure following demands from transport and logistics operators. Officials received the demands at a protest outside the ministry in Bangkok yesterday.
The National Security Council (NSC) has urged the public not to panic or stockpile food, saying domestic supplies remain sufficient despite rising global tensions.
Thailand is preparing evidence that could lead to the revocation of Thai citizenship for another three foreign businessmen, Justice Minister Rutthaphol Naowarat said following a ten-agency meeting in Bangkok yesterday.
A Thai-French female streamer has drawn more than two million views after posting footage of a confrontation with a convenience store employee near Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya.
Gold bullion in Thailand closed at a selling price of 64,400 baht per baht-weight yesterday, according to the Gold Traders Assn. The quotation for 96.5%-purity gold was 1,900 baht, or 3.04%, above the Nov. 3 close.
Thai business leaders and market analysts say the Democratic sweep in the US midterm elections could improve conditions for Thailand, by placing greater checks on President Donald Trump’s policies and encouraging capital flows into emerging markets.
The European Union has pitched itself as a “trusted and long-term partner” for Thailand’s economic transformation, with its ambassador saying a free trade agreement (FTA) now under negotiation could anchor deeper investment, technology transfer and a shift toward a greener, higher-value economy.
Thailand is accelerating petroleum exploration both onshore and in the Andaman Sea as it seeks to increase domestic energy supplies and reduce reliance on imports amid continued volatility in global fuel markets.
Thailand’s rice exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) more than doubled to approximately 1.25 million tons in the first nine months of 2026, as stronger purchases from the Philippines and Malaysia helped offset declining shipments to Iraq, according to the Department of Foreign Trade.
CP Axtra, the operator of Makro and Lotus’s wholesale and retail businesses, plans to develop 78 projects in 2027, including opening new locations and renovations of existing stores across 37 provinces.
Automatic passport control extended to 33 countries
Sky ICT plans Suvarnabhumi humanoid robot trial
Doctors and nurses in Thailand fear eating KFC on shift because of a long-standing medical superstition known as the “KFC Fried Chicken Curse” (or “เวรเยิน” / wen yern, meaning a disastrously busy shift).
Bangkok lists 16 Royal Barge Procession viewing points for tomorrow
Iran’s government savored the stinging rebuke delivered to Donald Trump in the midterm elections, declaring voters had rejected the war launched by the US president even as Tehran remained on high alert for the possibility of renewed strikes. 
The Bank of England is expected to raise its benchmark interest rate today for the first time in more than three years, as soaring energy costs push up global inflation. The BoE is forecast to tighten borrowing costs by a quarter point to 4.0%. 
Google has said it will switch off its AI tools for schoolchildren by default, after drawing criticism for pushing artificial intelligence features to students while schools are still debating how the technology should be used in classrooms. 
Thailand recorded 470 mpox cases and three deaths between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, prompting the Department of Disease Control (DDC) to urge people with suspicious symptoms to seek medical attention without delay.
The cabinet approved a Transport Ministry proposal yesterday to cap Bangkok’s electric train fares at 45 baht across all lines to ease the cost of living for commuters. The fare cap will be in effect for the 2027 calendar year.
The Bank of Thailand has raised concerns over growing fragility in the country’s labor market, as rising unemployment threatens to weigh on domestic consumption.
Phuket will host the Global Wellness Summit 2026 from Nov. 10-13, with Her Majesty Queen Suthida scheduled to officially open the event on Nov. 11.
Phuket’s housing market has properties worth 194.545 billion baht awaiting buyers in 2026, placing it second only to Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, as continued investment brings closer scrutiny of nominee ownership and encroachment on public land.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a sharp rise in excise tax on imported battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), setting a 35% rate from Jan. 1, 2027.
Familiar coastal destinations are proving that nostalgia and convenience are a winning combination, with new data revealing a strong resurgence in domestic travel interest along Thailand’s eastern seaboard.
Sky lantern festival poised for visitor surge
Thailand’s dinosaur kingdom moves closer to UNESCO designation
Setting the stage for the highly anticipated MICHELIN Star announcement on Nov. 10, the MICHELIN Guide Thailand unveils the 2027 MICHELIN Bib Gourmand selection in its milestone 10th edition, welcoming 26 first-time entries that bring the total to 151 dining venues.
Thailand’s joint committee reviewing the Clean Air Management Bill said it hopes to finish its work during the current parliamentary session, with the aim of bringing the law into force before the next PM2.5 season.
The booming data center segment is prompting Banpu Next, a clean and smart energy solution provider under energy conglomerate Banpu Plc, to scale up its solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) businesses to serve industrial estates and large-scale businesses, targeting more than 300 megawatts of clean power generation capacity in Thailand by 2030.
Don Mueang airport transport guide covers buses, taxis and trains
Trade Boom Pushes Thailand’s Biggest Port Past Capacity
The architecture of global finance is undergoing a profound transformation. As tokenized assets, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and stablecoins reshape traditional boundaries, regional hubs are seeking innovative ways to connect capital markets and streamline cross-border payments.
Thailand records 25.46 million arrivals, down 4.6%
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport could double its annual passenger capacity to 120 million within seven years under an Airports of Thailand (AOT) plan for a new terminal, a proposed fourth runway and expanded processing areas.
The Southeast Asia Medical Tourism Market reached USD 6.1 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 35.5 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 21.68% during 2026-2034. This growth rests on Thailand’s established leadership attracting over a million medical tourists annually, Malaysia’s dedicated medical tourism year in 2026, Indonesia’s push to retain patients currently traveling abroad, and Vietnam’s formal medical tourism development plan through 2030 .
Chiang Mai saw autumn flight bookings rise 84.3% year-on-year, the largest increase recorded by any city in the Asia-Pacific region, according to online travel company Trip.com Group.
Southeast Asia remains a growth pillar for luxury travel amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, as more travelers shift to the region, including Thailand, viewing it as a safe haven, according to global hospitality brand Accor.
Increased presence of elephants near communities causes concern
From chedi to the classroom: Making Thai architecture tangible
In Bangkok, heat is becoming harder to escape. Concrete roads, glass towers, and dense traffic absorb the sun through the day and release it long after dark, a phenomenon urban planners call the urban heat island effect.
As artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers drive demand for reliable electricity, small modular reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a potential source of round-the-clock, low-carbon power.
Six destinations in Thailand have been recognized in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2026 awards in Kranj, Slovenia, for locally led projects in sustainable tourism.
At least 26 people were killed after Russian bombs hit an aid distribution center, in an attack that Ukraine’s leader has called “utterly horrific”. Five people were injured and 27 initially reported missing after at least nine 3,000-kilogram aerial bombs hit the village of Komyshuvakha in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. 
Thai AirAsia’s Hua Hin–Chiang Mai flights are now operating daily, with the increased frequency scheduled to continue until March 27, 2027.
Wyndham Hua Hin Pranburi Resort & Villas has received a certificate of recognition from the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (BEDO) for its participation in projects promoting environmentally responsible tourism and the sustainable use of biodiversity.
Kaeng Krachan’s Khao Phanoen Thung reopens Nov 1
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Saturday that the Thai-Cambodian border will remain closed because there remain several conflicting issues between the two countries that are yet to be resolved.
Thailand’s political confidence index fell to 3.52 out of 10 in October, with ratings for the government and prime minister also declining, according to a nationwide Suan Dusit Poll released yesterday.
Robot used in new heart surgery
Thailand aims to become a high-income economy by 2037, with a new five-year science and innovation strategy targeting annual GDP growth of 5%.
Thailand eyes status as AI medical hub
Thailand is keen to leverage small artificial intelligence (AI) to create a big impact in many sectors. Small AI solutions are focused applications designed to solve specific, practical problems, often using less data, computing power and money than large, general purpose systems.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to cut the floor space given to duty-free shops in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, moving more sales to pick-up counters and handing part of the area to automated gates. The airport operator also expects to announce details of a new paid premium service for arriving and departing passengers this month.
The accusation of “favoring tycoons” continues to haunt the Bhumjaithai government after the Cabinet meeting on Oct. 27 approved the solar power project for the public, with the government incentivizing Thais to install “solar rooftops” with a subsidy of 50,000 baht per household.
As Thailand accelerates its transition to a low-carbon economy, energy policymakers are revising the country’s oil strategy to balance decarbonization goals with energy security.
Hua Hin is gearing up for four months of fun. A new campaign aims to make the seaside destination even more appealing to travelers. 
Hua Hin Municipality has launched an operation to demolish 15 structures encroaching on the beach, from the fishing pier to the Thap Tim Shrine. A large number of officials and machinery have been deployed, aiming to return the public area to citizens in November. 
Gold prices in Thailand fell sharply by 1,550 baht at the opening of trading today, extending losses from the previous day as a sell-off in Wall Street technology stocks triggered a wider retreat in global precious metals markets.
Koh Kood’s tourism association has urged the government and private-sector operators to manage visitor numbers, warning that rapid growth could overwhelm the Trat island during the high season.
Room rates, booking conditions and advertising promises would become part of binding contracts with guests under a proposed Thai law aimed at strengthening protections for travelers.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat discussed a proposal to set Thailand’s taxi fares according to four vehicle sizes during talks with three taxi associations yesterday. The approach is intended to align charges with operating costs.
Thailand’s ambitious drive toward a net-zero future and a major expansion of renewable energy capacity is prompting growing concerns among energy officials over the country’s ability to maintain a stable electricity supply.
Hackers stole US$6.3 billion from Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, in a record theft that analysts blamed on North Korea and said could be the largest financial heist of all time. 
Thai carrier Ezy Airlines has launched its second scheduled route, offering nonstop Surat Thani–Hua Hin flights. Cessna aircraft will serve this route twice daily, although service will not be offered from Tuesdays to Thursdays. The first flight is scheduled on Nov. 7. The airline also operates Surat Thani–U-Tapao Airport twice daily, except for Tuesdays trough Thursdays). – Aeroroutes
Charoen Pokphand Group Senior Chairman Dhanin Chearavanont has given young Thai guitarist Nene Royal a gold Buddha image and his blessings as her family prepares to move into a luxury condominium worth 35 million baht (US$1.2 million).
Thailand has warned farmers, people with diabetes and residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions against melioidosis, also known as soil fever, after recording 3,102 cases and 136 deaths nationwide this year.
Bangkok’s condominium market may take another two to three years to return to normal, with more than 65,300 unsold units in the capital worth a combined 370 billion baht.
Bangkok ultra-luxury condos could top 1 million baht per square meter
Inside a modern seafood processing plant: from boat to shelf
Food industry expansion slows amid surging costs and weak consumer spending