- British man arrested in Hua Hin/Late start for cold season/Thailand reports 470 mpox cases/PM warns over food security/45-baht cap on Bangkok electric train fares
- ECONOMY: Four priorities for upper northeast/Alarm on fragile labor market/Phuket to host Global Wellness Summit/Phuket’s property boom/Thailand to raise imported EV excise tax/Chinese firm opens battery factory/40 Thai employers earn spot on Fortune list
- TOURISM: Thailand’s tourism recovery falters/20% Spike in Chonburi Searches/Sky lantern festival poised for surge/Suvarnabhumi runway claims another victim
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Dinosaur kingdom closer to UNESCO designation/26 New Bib Gourmands/Muang Boran: A whistle-stop tour
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand clean-air bill/Banpu Next ramps up solar ambitions/Phuket airport-Rawai electric bus
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
British man arrested in Hua Hin over 140-day overstay
A 27-year-old British man has been arrested in Hua Hin after immigration officers found he had overstayed his permission to stay in Thailand by 140 days.
Police said the man used a photograph of a friend’s passport information page to rent a motorcycle and check into hotels, allegedly trying to conceal his own immigration status. The arrest was announced yesterday. Continued …
Late start for cold season expected
The Meteorological Department expects the cold season in Thailand to start later than usual this year due to the strong El Nino weather phenomenon. According to the department, El Nino this year is at least as severe as the one the region experienced in 2023.
The intensified El Nino phenomenon three years ago caused rain to continue in the Central Plains and the east in the first half of November. Afterward, temperatures fell and the department announced the cold season began on Nov. 14, 2023. The department has forecast that the arrival of the cold season this year may also come in mid-November. Continued …
Thailand reports 470 mpox cases and three deaths
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.
Dr. Montien Kanasawadse, director-general of the DDC, reported the figures yesterday, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, continued disease surveillance and measures to prevent further transmission. Continued …
PM warns over food security
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered government agencies to prepare for potential cyberattacks targeting food storage and supply systems. The move follows incidents in Europe in which hackers reportedly manipulated supermarket refrigeration controls, raising concerns about Thailand’s food security and agricultural exports.
He said the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau were monitoring the situation, adding that the reported attacks, which caused refrigeration temperatures to rise across food storage facilities, represented a new type of threat that required further investigation. Continued …
Cabinet approves 45-baht cap on electric train fares for Thais only
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 decision was reached during a mobile cabinet meeting held in Udon Thani province. Under the new fare structure, ticket prices will start at 17 baht and be capped at a maximum of 45 baht per trip. Continued …
PM outlines four priorities for upper northeast development
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined four government priorities for developing the upper northeast after a mobile Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani yesterday. These cover agricultural and food production and trade, border trade, tourism, and comprehensive action to tackle drug problems.
The first priority is to improve the production of and trade in agricultural and food products. Anutin said the government aimed to raise agricultural prices through new production methods and build on these to develop future food and bio-based industries. Continued …
BoT sounds alarm on fragile labor market
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.
Speaking at a press conference following last week’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, Don Nakornthab, the MPC secretary, said Thailand’s unemployment rate hiked to 1.1% from a recent low of 0.8%, reflecting growing fragility in the labor market. Continued …
Phuket to host Global Wellness Summit November 10-13
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.
The four-day summit at Angsana Laguna Phuket is expected to attract around 600 Thai and international delegates, including wellness industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, academics and medical specialists. Continued …
Phuket’s property boom brings pressure on local communities
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.
The island’s appeal to developers and foreign purchasers remains strong, supported by rental returns and demand for expensive homes. Yet, growing competition and signs of slower sales are complicating the outlook, while disputes over public space expose pressures on local communities. Continued …
Thailand to raise imported EV excise tax to 35%
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.
BEVs are vehicles powered solely by batteries and electric motors. REEVs, under the government’s definition, use both fuel and electricity, can be charged, and are driven only by electric motors. Continued …
Chinese firm opens first overseas battery factory in Thailand
Guangzhou Automobile Corp. (GAC) said yesterday that its first overseas self-developed battery pack plant has begun production in Thailand, marking a key step in localizing its EV supply chain overseas.
The facility will complement the Chinese automaker’s existing vehicle manufacturing operations in Thailand, allowing it to localize both vehicle assembly and core battery components, according to a company statement. Continued …
40 Thai employers earn spot on Fortune’s 100 ‘Best Companies to Work For’
Forty companies certified in Thailand have been named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia 2026 list, released yesterday by Fortune and Great Place To Work.
Now in its second year, the Southeast Asia list builds on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, which has drawn on Great Place To Work’s workplace research in the U.S. since 1998. The 2026 Southeast Asia ranking is informed by confidential survey responses from 1,322,537 employees across 10 countries, 141,019 of which came from Thailand. Continued …
Thailand’s tourism recovery falters as Asian rivals gain ground
Thailand’s tourism industry is losing ground to Asian rivals as domestic obstacles add to global pressures, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), which forecasts a 4.5% decline in foreign arrivals to 31.5 million in 2026.
The university’s 2026 projection is below its earlier estimate of 32–34 million visitors and compares with nearly 33 million arrivals in 2025. Conflict in the Middle East, volatile oil prices and higher travel costs are among the pressures weighing on the outlook. Continued …
Traveloka Data Shows 20% Spike in Chonburi Accommodation Searches
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.
According to recent insights from Traveloka, accommodation searches for Chonburi have jumped by 20% year-on-year. The sharp increase highlights growing enthusiasm for one of the kingdom’s most established holiday spots, proving that well-known getaways can continuously reinvent themselves to capture fresh attention. Continued …
Sky lantern festival poised for visitor surge
The sky lantern festival in Chiang Mai at the end of this month is expected to attract 20% more visitors than last year, generating 2-2.5 billion baht in revenue, as more operators have submitted proposals to organize events this year to meet growing tourist demand, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Keng Chaivarin, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office, said the traditional Lanna event consistently attracts more travelers annually, prompting new operators to apply for organizing licenses from the province to capitalize on growing demand from both domestic and international markets. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi runway claims another victim, this time an Emirates A380
Suvarnabhumi Airport has begun emergency repairs to taxiway E21 after an Emirates Airbus A380 bound for Dubai became immobilizsed there on Monday night. The problem came less than a week after a China Airlines Boeing 737-800 became stuck in damaged pavement on runway 02R while preparing to depart for Kaohsiung.
Airport officials said Emirates flight EK373 was unable to continue taxiing at 9.11 pm on Monday. Bangkok Flight Services, the ground-handling operator, sent an aircraft towing vehicle and the A380 was removed at 10.18 pm before departing at 10.22 pm. Continued … 
Thailand’s dinosaur kingdom moves closer to UNESCO designation
Khon Kaen Geopark has moved closer to becoming Thailand’s third UNESCO Global Geopark after its application received approval from a UNESCO council, with final recognition expected to be considered in April 2027.
The application will now proceed to the UNESCO Executive Board for formal approval in April next year. If successful, Khon Kaen will join Satun and Khorat as Thailand’s third UNESCO Global Geopark. Continued …
26 New Bib Gourmands Join the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2027
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.
Among the newcomers, 9 are in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, 1 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, 3 in Chiang Mai, 2 in Khon Kaen, 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima, 2 in Ubon Ratchathani, 2 in Chon Buri, 2 in Phuket, 3 in Phang-Nga, and 1 in Surat Thani. Continued …
Muang Boran: A whistle-stop tour of Thailand’s wonders
Surely it’s not possible to see all of Thailand’s famous sights in a single day? After all, the country covers over half a million square kilometers. Yet, if you’re savvy, you can remain in Bangkok and find out all you need to know in a single afternoon with a simple visit to Muang Boran, where the country (and the heavens) are presented in a gilded golden outdoor museum.
The 320-hectare park, which claims to be the biggest private museum in the world, was the brainchild of Khun Lek Viriyaphan, an eccentric businessman who also created the nearby Erewan Museum and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya. From the sky, the park is shaped roughly like Thailand itself and includes around 120 exhibits of Thailand’s most famous buildings. Continued …
Thailand clean-air bill pushed for PM2.5 season
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.
MP Kandeeliao Phairoj and Senator Palawat Tansiri, spokespersons for the joint committee, said committee members agreed the legislation was important and should ultimately be enforced, but stressed that it must be carefully drafted, workable and linked properly to existing laws. She said responsibilities should not overlap between agencies, while those whose activities cause pollution should share responsibility and be broadly involved under a balanced approach. Continued …
Banpu Next ramps up solar ambitions
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.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and data center investments in Thailand are power-intensive, requiring clean, reliable energy to support operations. Continued …
Phuket airport-Rawai electric bus route begins service
A new electric bus service linking Phuket International Airport with Rawai beach began operating on Sunday, offering travelers and commuters a lower-cost public transport option across the island.
Route 8580 is operated by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PAO) and is the fifth bus line introduced on Phuket. The air-conditioned buses cover a 51-kilometer route between the airport and Rawai, in the island’s south. Fares range from 40 to 120 baht, depending on the journey. Continued …
Iran, US still far apart on deal
Iran and the United States are still far from a deal to end their war, a senior Iranian official said yesterday, as US President Donald Trump declined to rule out a resumption of US combat operations after the elections in the United States.
Trump made his comments in separate interviews as Americans voted in pivotal midterm elections in which the unpopular Iran war has been a key factor and as mediator Qatar stepped up efforts to avert a renewed escalation. 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
Don Mueang airport transport guide covers buses, taxis and trains
Phuket was lashed by heavy rain again last night, leading to several parts of three districts, including Patong seaside town, getting flooded.
CP Axtra is reshaping Makro from a store-based wholesaler into an omni-channel retailer. Its branches draw business customers in, while its online platform takes a growing share of their orders. Makro PRO, the online arm, is heading for annual sales of between 100 billion and 110 billion baht this year.
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.
The government’s rooftop solar subsidy scheme should not become a commercial contest that only the biggest installers can afford to enter. Such concerns follow complaints from small operators that the government’s requirements for rooftop solar installers put them at a disadvantage.
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.
Hua Hin BluesFest 2026 will take place at The Kaset Hua Hin on Sunday, Dec. 6, bringing Thai and international musicians together for seven and a half hours of live music over Thailand’s Father’s Day long weekend.
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. 
The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts thundershowers across 60% of Bangkok and surrounding areas today, and isolated heavy rain on the south’s east coast. The forecast is valid from 6 am today until 6 am tomorrow.
Last week, a 67-year-old motorist drove her white sedan through the glass doors of a Big C outlet in Bangkok’s Onnut area after accidently pressing the accelerator instead of the brake. Six people were injured in the accident, including a six-year-old girl and an 81-year-old woman.
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport has denied reports that it plans to cancel or recall lifetime driving licenses, saying existing holders can continue using them legally as normal.
There are no signs of mass stockpiling of consumer goods, says a member of the Thai Wholesale and Retail Trade Assn.
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.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects three flagship year-end campaigns to generate 630 million baht in domestic tourism revenue, contributing to a projected 206 million domestic trips worth 1.1 trillion baht for the year.
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.
Brent and US crude futures gained more than 2% yesterday, reaching their highest settlements since the end of April, as traders worried that the Iran war could intensify after the US midterm elections. A tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz added to concerns about Middle East oil supplies. Brent’s October advance totaled 13.6%, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 15.2% over the month. 
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said yesterday that four oil tankers had caught fire and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz, while attempting to use what it described as unauthorized routes, Iranian state media reported. The IRGC Navy said a fourth vessel, a tanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil, had hit a mine, suffered a powerful explosion and was burning. 
Vietnam is poised to overtake Indonesia in nominal gross domestic product (GDP) per capita this year, as rapid economic expansion, foreign investment and rising exports strengthen its position among Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts that Vietnam’s nominal GDP per capita will increase by 8.9% in 2026 to US$5,259, almost doubling its level over the past decade. 
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
Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul visited the park on Damnoen Kasem Road with municipal executives, the director of the Engineering Department, construction supervisors and relevant officials to check progress. 
Khao Tao Reservoir renovations planned after complaints
A Prachuap Khiri Khan weather warning covering Oct. 28–31 has urged residents to remain alert for heavy rain, strong wind gusts, flash floods and landslides.
Thailand’s Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee approved reductions in retail fuel prices yesterday, cutting the price of B7 diesel by 1 baht per liter and the prices of E10-95 and E10-91 gasohol by 50 satang per liter, effective from today.
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has deployed rapid response units to track a hostile wild gaur and monitor elephant movements in Chanthaburi following two separate wildlife attacks yesterday that left one person dead and three others injured.
At a government wildlife rescue center in Thailand, dozens of lost and injured baby leopard cats are receiving a second chance at life in the wild. Annual admission of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation rescue center in Khon Kaen, in northeastern Thailand, have surged from an average of about 10 cats per year before to 2023 to as many as 65 now.
Three Thai property associations are preparing to seek additional tax relief from Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, as the housing industry warns that mortgage rejection rates could reach 50% in 2026.
The Bank of Thailand has upgraded its economic growth forecast for 2026 to 3.2%, up from its previous projection of 2.4%. This upward revision is driven by stronger momentum in both exports and private investment.
Consumer goods companies are planning price hikes to cover rising operational costs driven by geopolitical instability and supply chain issues. Major brands including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, and Reckitt have warned that further increases are necessary to offset higher expenses for raw materials, energy, and transportation.
Pickups were long Thailand’s largest vehicle segment, at times accounting for around half the market, before contracting sharply in recent years. For the latest eight-month period, Tri Petch Isuzu Sales said the overall vehicle market grew by 18%, driven mainly by passenger cars and SUVs, while pickup sales were close to the level recorded in the same period last year.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday the ministry had worked with three major e-commerce platforms – Shopee, TikTok Shop and Lazada – to lower sales fees and ease costs for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which had been affected by repeated fee increases since the start of the year.
Thailand Targets Global Pet Hub Status as Pet Food Exports Reach $3.28 Billion
Small contractors risk being excluded from the government’s 50-billion-baht solar rooftop program due to excessively harsh regulatory frameworks and stringent technical requirements. Industry groups, such as the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Assn., have noted that these rules are particularly disproportionate for small and medium-sized operators.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has defended Thailand’s “public solar” program against criticism that it favors large businesses, saying it will lower household costs and encourage renewable energy use.
A Renfe high-speed train struck a stationary Iryo service in Castilla-La Mancha, south of Madrid, yesterday, killing at least 68 people in Spain’s second major high-speed rail disaster of the year. 
Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance, said the Cabinet had formally approved a household solar program targeting one million homes nationwide. The program will support rooftop, ground-mounted and floating solar power systems, with a government subsidy of 50,000 baht per household toward a standard 140,000-baht package using equipment certified by the electricity utilities.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast heavy rain in 17 central and southern provinces today. The department warned that persistent rain could cause flash floods and runoff in the south, while thunderstorms and strong gusts remain a threat across upper Thailand, particularly the central region.
The Thai cabinet approved a three-month reduction in excise taxes on E20 gasohol and B20 biodiesel to provide financial relief to farmers, transport operators, and consumers. This measure aims to lower domestic living costs and ease the burden of high fuel prices.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), which operates PTT Station, and Bangchak Corp. have lowered B20 diesel and E20 gasohol prices to 33.50 baht per liter in Bangkok from today.
Thai food study finds bacteria in raw enoki mushroom samples
Thailand’s consumer sentiment in October reveals a notable shift in the issues weighing on people’s minds. While financial and political corruption remains the country’s leading concern, poverty and social inequality has returned to second place, and climate change has emerged as one of the month’s fastest-rising worries.
Thailand’s Parliament has opened public consultation on a proposed overhaul of the country’s firearms law, including a requirement for personal gun possession licenses to be renewed every five years.
Thailand’s private investment growth is being driven by a surge in digital infrastructure, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, cloud services, and data centers. Additionally, investment is being propelled by robust performance in the technology and electronics export sectors.
Car production in Thailand dropped 6.1% in September from a year earlier to 120,319 units, due partially to disruptions caused by flooding, the Federation of Thai Industries said yesterday. The reading followed a rise of 10.9% in August.
Thailand and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to achieving US$30 billion in bilateral trade by 2027 during ministerial talks in Bangkok yesterday, while backing faster progress on border transport projects and closer security cooperation.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has warned that Chinese group-tour business in Thailand could fall by as much as 50% during the Lunar New Year holiday in 2027 unless the government moves quickly to address safety concerns raised by the Chinese embassy.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit is leading efforts to introduce seaplane services in the Andaman region to stimulate the local economy and boost tourism. This strategic plan involves coordinating with various authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the Department of Airports, to manage landing sites, staff training, and environmental protection.
Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has warned that prolonged high oil prices could put pressure on inflation and the current account. Energy economist Praipol Koomsup has called for broader fuel tax cuts, while suggesting prices could ease within one to two months if conflicts subside. 
Hua Hin’s first-ever Halloween parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, with residents and visitors invited to dress up and join the celebrations on Soi Bintabaht.
More than 1,700 Thai and international runners took part in Run with the Flow 2026 in Hua Hin on Sunday, supporting heart and brain health, and raising funds to help disadvantaged patients access medical treatment.
Video of the panther and leopard at Kaeng Krachan
I’ve been coming to Thailand for 30 years and have lived here since 2014. Over the years, the word has come to play an increasingly absurd role in my life. I’m an alien in Thailand, and I see little prospect of that changing.
Thailand’s hotel and accommodation sector recorded 148 business closures in the first nine months of 2026, a 42% increase on the same period last year, according to the Kasikorn Research Center.
Thailand’s agricultural and agro-industrial exports fell 1.9% in the first nine months of 2026 as high production costs and intense global competition weighed on key products, even as booming electronics shipments pushed the country’s overall exports to record levels.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee approved in principle yesterday the designation of four new special economic promotion zones worth 25.66 billion baht, aiming to attract global technology enterprises and artificial intelligence investments.
Artificial intelligence has overtaken climate change as the top global risk, according to a 2026 report from French insurer Axa. This shift is driven by concerns that technological advancements are progressing faster than the ability of regulators to prepare for the potential consequences.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival set for March
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) are enhancing cooperation to modernize national park services, promote high-value nature tourism, and uphold environmental conservation standards.
Doi Luang Chiang Dao opens online bookings for 2026–27 treks
The government’s proposed 50,000-baht subsidy to encourage up to one million households to install a solar power system will be presented to the cabinet today for approval. The proposed scheme also involves three state-owned banks which would provide low-interest loans, eliminating the need for upfront capital.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has accelerated a study on nuclear energy adoption, setting a target to launch Thailand’s first commercial small modular reactor (SMR) by 2037.
US President Donald Trump attacked Norway during a campaign rally, calling it a “shit house country,” and said that Norwegian immigrants were not welcome in the United States because its Nobel Committee had not awarded him the Peace Prize. 
Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, the company said yesterdayy, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as the tech giant seeks to cut costs while pouring money into artificial intelligence. 
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is pushing nine road and bridge projects worth more than 240 billion baht to ease southern traffic bottlenecks and support the regional economy. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn called for faster development of southern routes, which he said had lagged behind.
Two Black Panthers and Three Leopards Spotted in Kaeng Krachan Forest
Thailand has dropped three places to 80th out of 143 countries in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index. The decline was driven by weaker scores for anti-corruption measures and regulatory enforcement.
Thailand has approved plans for a major reservoir in Chanthaburi that could flood forest, wildlife habitat and rural communities, as officials seek more water for the rapidly expanding eastern seaboard.
A survey by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) found that 50.4% of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) surveyed expect business costs to rise over the next six months.
Surging global demand for artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs), and clean energy technology has driven $690 million (23.5 billion baht) in advanced materials investment proposals into Thailand, according to the government’s investment promotion agency.
Thailand and the European Union could potentially conclude their free-trade agreement by the end of 2026. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has indicated that the talks are in their final stages and could reach a conclusion by year-end, provided there is sufficient mutual political will. The negotiations have reached a critical phase, with the 10th round of talks having made significant progress on the negotiating text.
Thailand has slipped to 66th place in the 2026 Henley Passport Index ranking. The Henley Passport Index unveiled its global rankings for October, with Singapore securing the top spot. Japan, South Korea and the UAE share the second position, with access to 188 destinations, while Sweden ranks third with a score of 187.
Thailand is not simply a golf market. It’s one of Asia’s most closely watched golf destinations – a country where the condition of a fairway at 7 am on a Tuesday can directly influence a TripAdvisor rating, a tour operator’s rebooking decision, and a golfer’s next holiday itinerary.
The low-carbon rice project in Suphan Buri was established as a flagship pilot to test climate-smart farming techniques, specifically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Research conducted by the Suphan Buri Rice Research Center has demonstrated that implementing alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water management can reduce methane emissions by as much as 84%.
Sydney’s new $3.94 billion (A$5.6 billion) airport opened to passengers yesterdayafter more than a decade of planning, in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said was a milestone for the country’s most populous city. 
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection on Saturday, pulling off a stunning comeback to secure a fourth term in office and defeat conservative candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, an ally of US President Donald Trump. The 80-year-old liberal leader defeated Bolsonaro with 51.76% of the vote in the country’s runoff election, in which affordability and the country’s relationship with the United States were prominent issues. 
The 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank that ended last week in Bangkok may have come and gone, but the lessons for economic development remain relevant.
The Thai banking industry experienced a nearly 10% year-on-year decline in net profit during the third quarter of 2026. This downturn was primarily driven by lower interest income and the implementation of financial assistance measures designed to reduce financing costs for customers.
Thailand is seeking to strengthen its position in Asia’s cannabis, hemp and kratom industries by raising medical, cultivation and production standards, while expanding research and higher-value processing.
Younger Thais planning to build homes are placing greater importance on practical space, energy efficiency and long-term running costs than on large properties designed to display social status, according to the Home Builder Assn. (HBA).
4 Thailand Getaways to Visit This Winter Beyond Bangkok and Phuket
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is preparing on-site checks at 44 more waste-related companies in Prachin Buri over possible use of Thai nominee shareholders for foreign owners. The expanded inquiry follows preliminary inspections that found four companies whose conduct suggested possible nominee arrangements.