- Reader Feedback/Khao Lom Muak climbing dates/Foreign Tourists Injured in Cha Am/Healthcare when living in Thailand/First Chao Phraya Pedestrian Bridge
- ECONOMY: Trump tariffs to bite in 2026/Inequality time bomb ticks away/Vietnam Poised to Overtake Thailand’s Economy
- TOURISM: Why Thailand’s Foreign Tourist Numbers Slipped/Phuket Nightlife Operators Demand Probe/More than 20 speedboats destroyed in Phuket
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand’s roads and driving habits/7 best night markets in Bangkok/Koh Chang Tops Agoda’s ‘New Horizons’
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Imposes ‘Burn-Free’ Mandate/Bo Thong Probes Wastewater
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Re: Airline’s pricing
“Regarding the topics of “decline in domestic tourism,” “exorbitant holiday surcharges,” and “rip-offs”: A few days ago, I booked a flight with my son. The outbound flight cost approximately 2,800 baht. The return flight, the date of which was uncertain, then cost approximately 9,000 baht! Dear Thai Airways, after 13 years of loyalty, that’s it. I will never book with Thai Airways again. Goodbye! (There are other airlines in Thailand, after all.)” – RBM
PKK’s Khao Lom Muak climbing dates for 2026 announced
The 2026 climbing schedule has been confirmed for Khao Lom Muak, one of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s most popular viewpoints, with access granted only on selected dates throughout the year.
Khao Lom Muak is located within Wing 5 of the Royal Thai Air Force base in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Rising to around 300 meters above sea level, the mountain is known for its demanding ascent and clear views across the surrounding bays, including Ao Manao, Ao Prachuap, and Ao Noi. Because of its location inside an active military area, public access is tightly controlled and only permitted on specific occasions. Continued …
Foreign Tourists Injured in Six-Vehicle Crash in Cha Am
A multi-vehicle collision involving six vehicles left two unnamed foreign tourists seriously injured and caused major traffic disruption on the Cha Am–Pranburi bypass in Phetchaburi province yesterday.
The crash occurred at a U-turn point on the southbound carriageway in Cha Am district, resulting in long tailbacks stretching several kilometers. Continued …
A practical way to think about healthcare when living in Thailand
Living in Thailand means co-existing with a healthcare system that’s brilliant in some ways and frustrating in others. Oftentimes, private hospitals feel like five-star hotels, with doctors trained internationally, and the costs seem reasonable compared to Western countries – until you’re actually sitting in that consultation room without insurance, watching the bill climb.
Here’s the thing most people don’t tell you about healthcare in Thailand: the gap between what you think it’ll cost and what you’ll actually pay can be massive. Whether you’re retired and dealing with age-related health issues or you’re younger and convinced you’re invincible, understanding how healthcare really works here changes everything. Continued …
Bangkok Reveals Model for First Chao Phraya Pedestrian Bridge
Bangkok has revealed plans for its first dedicated pedestrian bridge across the Chao Phraya River. The design aims to enhance connectivity and serve as a new tourist attraction.
The proposed bridge will span the river with a modern golden lattice structure and include a central garden area for relaxation and viewing. Continued …
Trump tariffs to bite in 2026, Thai exports may shrink
Thailand’s exports in 2026 could slow sharply — or even contract — as the full-year impact of US tariff policy begins to bite, with weaker momentum also expected in shipments to China, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) said.
TPSO forecasts Thailand’s 2026 exports in a range of -3.1% to +1.1%, warning that the fading of last year’s front-loading effect and a clearer full-year impact from US tariff measures are key downside risks. Continued …
Inequality time bomb ticks away
Thailand’s inequality is not just unfair, it is unethical. It decides who gets a future and who does not long before effort, talent, or choice has any chance to matter.
As a new year begins, the scale of Thailand’s disparity should unsettle us. In 2018, Thailand was ranked the worst in the world for wealth inequality. Years later, it remains among the world’s 10 most unequal countries. Last year, it ranked the worst in ASEAN, according to the World Inequality Report. Continued …
Vietnam Poised to Overtake Thailand’s Economy This Year Amid Growth Surge
Nikkei Asia reports that Vietnam is on track to overtake Thailand in economic size as soon as this year, fueled by a major state-led infrastructure push. While Vietnam targets real GDP growth of 8% in 2025 and over 10% in the following years, Thailand’s growth is slowing.
Domestic political uncertainty and border tensions with Cambodia are weighing on the Thai economy, with the OECD forecasting its real GDP will grow by only 1.5% in 2026. The shift is driven largely by Vietnam’s nationwide infrastructure development, with public investment expected to increase by 26% in 2026. Continued …
Why Thailand’s Foreign Tourist Numbers Slipped in 2025 and What it Means for 2026
Thailand’s long-running tourism growth story hit a pause in 2025. For the first time in a decade, excluding the pandemic years, the country recorded an annual fall in foreign visitor arrivals.
Thailand saw 32.9 million international tourists in 2025, down 7.23% from 2024, according to figures from the Thai tourism ministry. Revenue from foreign visitors also declined, falling 4.7% year-on-year to about Bt1.53 trillion ($49 billion). The figures mark a clear break from the steady rebound Thailand had enjoyed since borders reopened. Continued …
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Phuket Nightlife Operators Demand Probe Into Alleged Extortion
Entertainment venue operators in Phuket have formally petitioned provincial authorities to investigate allegations of officials demanding illicit payments from nightlife businesses, raising concerns about transparency and confidence in the tourism sector.
The complaint was submitted on Monday at the Phuket Provincial Hall, with operators warning that the issue could damage trust among investors and tourism stakeholders if left unaddressed. Continued …
More than 20 speedboats destroyed in Phuket marina fire
A pre-dawn fire this morning at Chalong Pier in Phuket has destroyed more than 20 speedboats, prompting the provincial governor to order an investigation into the cause and emergency measures to prevent any oil from spreading into the sea.
Initial information from witnesses and officials indicated that an explosion and fire broke out on the first speedboat before sea winds carried burning debris to other vessels moored nearby, causing the blaze to spread rapidly. Early assessments suggested more than 20 speedboats were damaged. Continued …
How Thailand’s roads and driving habits haunt foreign tourists
For many foreign tourists, Thailand’s biggest travel anxiety isn’t crime, illness, or even scams — it’s the road. Despite the country’s image as a relaxed holiday paradise, Thailand consistently ranks among the world’s deadliest countries for road accidents.
Long overnight drives, exhausted drivers, loosely regulated passenger vans, and dangerous mountain highways form a risk cocktail that visitors rarely understand until it’s too late. Continued …
7 best night markets to visit in Bangkok
Bangkok is a perennial favorite among travelers, and it’s no surprise why! Between the mouthwateringly good local cuisine, unique cultural experiences, and endless shopping destinations that await, visiting Bangkok is a magical experience unlike any other.
And when you’re in Bangkok, one of the top places you have to visit is a night market. The city’s vibrant night markets truly capture its soul, offering a sensory feast of street food, unique shopping finds, and a lively atmosphere. Continued …
Koh Chang Tops Agoda’s ‘New Horizons’ as Thailand’s Fastest-Growing Hub
Koh Chang has been named the fastest-growing destination for international visitors to Thailand, according to the latest “New Horizons” report released by digital travel platform Agoda yesterday. The annual ranking, which tracks the highest climbers in accommodation bookings year-on-year, highlights a significant shift in traveler behavior.
Visitors are increasingly bypasssing traditional tourist hubs in favor of destinations that offer “authenticity, accessibility, and meaningful experiences.” Koh Chang has made a remarkable ascent on the Thai travel map, jumping five places to rank 12th among inbound destinations for 2025. Continued …
Thailand Imposes ‘Burn-Free’ Mandate on Corn Imports to Combat PM2.5 Crisis
The Thai government has officially enforced a pioneering trade mandate requiring all imported animal-feed corn to be certified “burn-free.” The move, effective from Jan. 1, is a cornerstone of the nation’s strategy to tackle transboundary PM2.5 pollution and align its agricultural supply chain with global environmental standards.
The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has released four comprehensive regulations designed to “green” the nation’s imports. Corn destined for animal feed must be sourced exclusively from farms that do not employ agricultural burning in their cultivation processes. Continued …
Bo Thong Probes Wastewater as 4 Chinese Plants Fail Tests
The Bo Thong Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) has found that wastewater from four out of six inspection points linked to Chinese-owned factories failed basic treatment standards, amid reports of polluted canals and mass fish deaths in Kabin Buri district, Prachin Buri province.
Authorities have ordered the immediate halt of discharges and are preparing legal action under environmental and public health laws. Continued …
Trump renews push to acquire Greenland, says military an option
The White House has said President Donald Trump and his advisers are weighing “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, including the possibility of using US military force, as European leaders warned that only Denmark and Greenland can decide the territory’s future. Continued …
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