- Some beachfront buildings still locked/Nationwide border crackdown/More rain for PKK/Super El Niño effect could worsen PM2.5/Five exemptions to alcohol sales ban/Pattaya’s flood drainage plan
- ECONOMY: Inflation at 45-month high/Revised GDP/Seven-tier rules for data centers/86% of Thais are not ready for retirement/Mercedes-Benz Reaffirms Thailand Asian Hub
- TOURISM: Compare fares and extra fees/Bomb threats hamper European fliers/What we know about the bomb threats/Thai children must show birth certificates/E-gates leave many visitors waiting
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thai Spicy Salad/Foreign tourists flock to Koh Mak/Thailand tops Wanderlust’s list/Royal barges mark birthday
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Warmer ocean puts us all at risk
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Some beachfront buildings still locked, protected by lawsuits
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.
Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul inspected progress yesterday, as contractors used machinery to break up concrete surfaces and demolish structures near the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine. Continued …
Thailand orders nationwide border crackdown on Monday
Thailand’s Department of Provincial Administration has ordered tougher security measures across all border districts, with new checkpoints and interception operations due to begin on Monday.
The campaign targets narcotics, illegal goods, unlawful border crossings and other offenses, following an urgent directive issued on Thursday by Naret Khosasihavilai, director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration. Continued …
More rain forecast for PKK
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.
On Monday, very heavy rain is projected for Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, and Narathiwat, with heavy rain forecast for Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Yala, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. – The Nation
Super El Niño effect could worsen PM2.5 next year
The Ministry of Public Health has warned that the “Super El Niño” phenomenon could worsen Thailand’s PM2.5 air pollution situation next year, especially in 40 high-risk provinces, including Bangkok.
(Editor: Readers can check PM2.5 levels daily with the link provided on this site.)
The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Dr. Sarawut Boonsuk, said yesterday the potential development of a Super El Niño, which would lead to prolonged drought conditions, suggests that PM2.5 pollution may become more severe than in previous years. Continued …
Thailand confirms five exemptions to alcohol sales ban on Buddhist holidays
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.
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The notification, issued by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee, was published in the Royal Gazette yesterday and takes effect today. Continued …
Pattaya sets 2.75-billion-baht flood drainage plan
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.
Mayor Poramet Ngampichet told Pattaya City Council on Thursday that the work is scheduled to run from 2027 to 2030. Once complete, the upgraded network is expected to handle rainfall of up to 130 millimeters an hour, compared with around 70mm currently. Continued …
Energy prices push inflation to 45-month high
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.
Higher vegetable prices, caused by flooding in key vegetable cultivation areas in October, also contributed to inflation. The impact was temporary, however, with fresh produce prices gradually returning to normal by the end of the month. Continued …
Bank of Thailand boss sees revised GDP data growth of up to 2.9%
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%.
However, US President Donald Trump’s crushing midterm election setback has thrown fresh uncertainty over US tariffs, Bangkok’s pending trade deal and possible renewed American-Israeli strikes against Iran. The Thai Chamber of Commerce sees opportunities for exporters as Democrats seize Congress. Yet, Washington’s next moves remain uncertain, with oil prices already falling 9% amid expectations of easing Middle East tensions. Continued …
Thailand plans seven-tier rules for data centers
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.
The proposal is intended to regulate the fast-growing sector more systematically, while balancing Thailand’s drive to attract artificial intelligence investment against the need to protect resources and social interests. Continued …
Economists warn that 86% of Thais are not ready for retirement
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.
With traditional family support systems becoming less reliable due in part to urbanization and changing social dynamics, the financial security of future retirees is more precarious than ever. Continued …
Mercedes-Benz Reaffirms Thailand as Core Southeast Asian Hub
German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz has reaffirmed its long-term strategic commitment to using Thailand as a key regional production hub and pillar for its Southeast Asian business, using the domestic launch of its newest top-end luxury sedans to highlight the critical role local manufacturing plays in its global operations.
Senior global and regional executives yesterday outlined how local production capabilities shield the brand from shifting tax landscapes while serving as an engine for electrified transformation across the region. Continued …
Compare fares and extra fees before booking New Year domestic flights
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.
The survey used prices recorded on Nov. 2 covering flights from Bangkok to Phuket, Hat Yai, Trang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nakhon Phanom. Continued …
Bomb threats hamper waning European fliers
Bomb threats targeting several European flights on Thursday are likely to further disrupt long-haul tourism during the high season, following a 20%-30% market contraction due to soaring travel costs.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) is urging the government to incentivize 300 flights from China and Russia, targeting 2.25 billion baht in revenue from 45,000 tourists, while restoring confidence in the Chinese market amid a travel alert issued by the Chinese embassy. Continued …
What we know about the bomb threats to European flights
This is, in the long term, going to lead to higher costs for passengers. It’s very disruptive, of course, for operations because a sweep of the plane after a bomb threat means unloading passengers and baggage, thoroughly searching the aircraft, and reloading, and that can, in turn, push crews past their duty limits, leading to more missed connections and cancellations. Video …
Thai children under 18 must show birth certificates to leave Thailand
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.
Immigration Bureau Commissioner Nopsin Poonsawat said the screening focuses on whether the adult has a genuine link to the child, and its aim is to prevent human trafficking, cross-border child abduction and children being taken out of Thailand unlawfully. Continued …
Thailand’s e-gates leave many visitors waiting
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.
The idea is simple. Scan an e-passport, look into a camera for a biometric facial check, and walk through without waiting to see an immigration officer. It is a familiar system for travelers who have used e-gates in many other parts of the world. Ideally, a person using one of these gates could breeze through immigration in under a minute. Continued …
Street food: Authentic Thai Spicy Salad
Watch how they prepare this authentic Thai spicy salad. This dish is known as “Yum Moo Sab” (spicy Thai minced pork salad), a local favorite in Thailand. The star of the dish is savory minced pork, which is mixed with fresh herbs, onions, and chili, then tossed in a vibrant, spicy, and sour lime dressing. It is super convenient to buy from street stalls, as the vendor quickly mixes it up and packs it neatly in a bag to easily take home. A perfect street food experience! Video …
Foreign tourists flock to Koh Mak in Trat for longer island holidays
Koh Mak in Trat province is attracting more foreign tourists for extended holidays as the island enters its peak travel season, with improved ferry connections making it easier for visitors to travel between nearby islands.
Nol Suwajnanon, president of the Koh Mak Subdistrict Administrative Organization, said foreign visitors account for approximately 70% to 80% of tourists on the island, with many choosing to stay for more than two weeks. Continued …
Thailand tops Wanderlust’s 2026 food destinations
Thailand has been named the world’s most desirable country for gastronomy at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2026, taking the Gold Award after rising from eighth place last year.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool collected the award on Wednesday at Maritime Greenwich in London, during the 25th anniversary Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards. The result places Thailand ahead of Italy and France in the food tourism category. Continued …
Royal barges mark birthday
People gathered along the banks of the Chao Phraya River yesterday to watch the Royal Barge Procession and the royal kathin presentation ceremony, held to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 48th birthday.
The procession traveled from Wasukri Pier to Wat Arun, where the royal kathin robes were presented. Kathin is a Buddhist tradition in which laypeople present robes to monks during the month following the end of Buddhist Lent. Continued …
A warmer ocean puts us all at risk
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.
And almost every year, our warning has been treated as a regional problem, a challenge confined to remote small islands and thus not warranting more than lip service from international leaders. Continued …
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Chinese suspects held in Pattaya 100-million-baht scam raid – Continued …
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Russian Arrested for Illegal Tour Guiding in Phuket – Continued …
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Myanmar couple held in Phatthalung over 629-day overstay – Continued …
Protests spread across Europe over AI data center expansion, environmental concerns
More than 100 activists entered a Microsoft AI data center construction site in Amsterdam yesterday, climbing cranes and hanging balloons. The action opened two days of protests planned in 16 countries by the Stop Dirty Data Centers coalition, which wants construction paused until governments set clearer rules. Continued …
German carmakers hit a dead end as China drives past
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. Continued …
Singapore Airlines to splash $1.6 billion on luxury long-haul cabins
Singapore Airlines, long a benchmark for premium travel, is spending more than $1.6 billion to upgrade long-haul seats and provide larger double-bed suites to compete with rivals that are pouring money into high-end cabins. 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
