- Criminal warnings issued on beach demolitions/Hua Hin–Surat Thani flights/Hua Hin tourism wellness campaign/Dance-by-the-Sea in Cha-am/Arena Hua Hin international tournaments/Swedish man arrested in PKK/Growing ‘passport bro’ debate/Ministry to weigh fuel reform/PTT and Bangchak cut petrol prices/Thailand considers national food reserves/’No need’ to stockpile food/More citizenship revocations/Criticized for feeding stray dogs/Thai gold gains
- ECONOMY: Trump’s Midterm Setbacks Raises Hopes/Reinvent Thailand agenda/Minister identifies five opportunities/Business group raises forecast/Thailand Can be Europe’s Platform/Oil exploration ramped up/Thai rice exports to ASEAN jump/CP Axtra to develop 78 projects
- TOURISM: Tourist arrivals fall 4.59%/May not reach 40 million tourists until 2031/Automatic passport control for 33 countries/Europe expected to boost Thai tourism revenue/Suvarnabhumi humanoid robot trial/Thai Airways Dreamliner suffers window crack/Non-swimmer Chinese tourist rescued/Koh Chang bridge motorist fares
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Why doctors in Thailand fear KFC/Royal Barge Procession viewing points/Thai named World’s Best Pastry Chef
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Mining pushing Sai River to disaster/79 test above safe arsenic limits
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Criminal warnings issued on beach demolitions
Hua Hin municipality has warned that owners who obstruct court-ordered beach demolitions will face criminal complaints, as officials work to clear 15 encroaching buildings and structures within a 120-day deadline. Officials will also cut locks and proceed with demolition if owners fail to come forward on the date specified in the municipality’s posted notice.
The warning followed a progress meeting chaired by Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul at Hua Hin City Municipal Office yesterday. The demolition orders cover buildings along the beachfront between the fishing pier and the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine. Continued …
Hua Hin–Surat Thani direct flights begin Saturday
EZY Airlines is set to launch direct flights between Hua Hin and Surat Thani on Saturday, 7with services operating four days a week and a scheduled journey time of 90 minutes.
The route will run on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, providing a direct air link between Hua Hin and southern Thailand for residents, tourists and business travelers. Continued …
Hua Hin tourism wellness campaign launched
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.
The “Hua Hin Well Played” campaign runs from November to February 2027, bringing together sport, health, music and leisure activities to encourage visitors to stay longer and support local businesses. Continued …
Dance-by-the-Sea event Saturday in Cha-am
A free “Dance by the Sea” event will take place at the Cha-am Beach viewpoint on Saturday from 4 pm to 7 pm, with seaside exercise sessions, health checks and a bilingual health talk.
Residents and tourists are invited to attend, with 500 free event shirts available to those who register at the venue on a first-come, first-served basis. Continued …
Arena Hua Hin to host 4 international tournaments
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.
Arena Hua Hin Sports Club is working with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and partner organizations to host two men’s M15 and two women’s W15 events under the Cal-Comp & CCAU Industry 4.0 ITF World Tennis Tour 2026. Continued …
Swedish man arrested in PKK for 743-day overstay
A 33-year-old Swedish man was arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan last night, accused of overstaying his permission to remain in Thailand by 743 days.
Immigration officers and local security personnel stopped the man beside a public road in Moo 1, Khlong Wan, during an operation at about 11 pm. Police identified him as Nilsson Hansson Stefan Tobias Dennis and said he initially told officers he had forgotten his passport. Continued …
Thailand drawn into growing ‘passport bro’ debate
Thailand has been drawn into a growing debate over the so-called “passport bro” movement, with concerns about relationships between Western men and foreign women raising questions about financial dependence, immigration pressures and the potential consequences for families.
The issue has attracted renewed attention after media published accounts from adult children of cross-border relationships who described troubled childhoods, alleged abuse and family breakdowns. Although their experiences are not representative of all international marriages, their stories highlight some of the potential risks when relationships are shaped by significant differences in wealth, power and immigration status. Continued …
Energy Ministry to weigh fuel reform after 60-day ultimatum
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 Land Transport Federation of Thailand has given the government about 60 days to address its demands, centered on a one-year diesel price cap of 35 baht per liter. The federation could mobilize up to 1,000 lorries into Bangkok if there is no progress. Continued …
PTT and Bangchak cut petrol prices by 70 satang a liter
PTT Oil and Retail Business, which operates PTT Station, and Bangchak Corp. cut Bangkok prices for standard gasohol 91, gasohol 95 and E20 by 0.70 baht a liter today. PTT Station also cut regular petrol by the same amount to 50.33 baht a liter.
The reduction saves motorists 35 baht on a 50-liter purchase of any affected grade. Premium gasohol, Bangchak’s E85 and all diesel grades kept their previous prices. Continued …
Thailand considers national food reserves as NSC prepares for prolonged Middle East conflict
Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) is considering establishing a national food reserve as part of contingency planning for a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, which it considers the most likely outcome among four possible scenarios.
The council says fighting is more likely to remain geographically limited but continue for an extended period than to end quickly or escalate into a wider regional war. For Thailand, the duration of the conflict could be as significant as its geographical reach, with prolonged fighting adding pressure on energy prices and global supply chains. Continued …
‘No need’ to stockpile food
The National Security Council (NSC) has urged the public not to panic or stockpile food, saying domestic supplies remain sufficient despite rising global tensions.
The council is preparing to establish a national operations center to monitor international crises and coordinate measures to safeguard Thailand’s food and energy security. Continued …
Thailand eyes more citizenship revocations in Israeli probe
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.
The widening investigation follows the revocation of Thai nationality from Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, a leading figure in Thailand’s Chabad network. Authorities are examining suspected nominee companies, land transactions, foreign transfers, tax records and immigration compliance involving Israeli-linked businesses and religious organizations. Continued …
Pattaya streamer criticized for feeding stray dogs by pier
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.
Cat Justketh, a streamer from Bangkok visiting Pattaya, was livestreaming while playing with and feeding stray dogs outside the shop near the pier. The incident sparked intense online criticism of the male employee after the video was shared. In the clip, the employee can be heard loudly shooing away the dogs and challenging Cat, saying dogs should not be kept there because they could bite customers. Continued …
Thai gold gains 1,900 baht per baht-weight
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.
The Gold Traders Association issued 46 price announcements, including the opening quotation, with the final update at 4.11 pm Thai time. Domestic prices moved both up and down during the morning and afternoon. Continued …
Trump’s Midterm Setbacks Raises Hopes for Thai Stocks and Exports
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.
They cautioned, however, that US tariffs, global conflicts and higher energy costs remain significant risks for Thai exporters and investors. Ongart Kittikhunchai, president of the Thai Food Processors’ Assn., said the election outcome could restore checks and balances within the US political system. Continued …
Anutin sets out Reinvent Thailand agenda
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has set out a “Reinvent Thailand” vision focused on strengthening the country from within amid global economic, technological and geopolitical uncertainty.
Speaking at a forum yesterday, Anutin said the plan was not about starting Thailand again from zero, but improving, restructuring and making better use of what the country already has. He presented reforms across energy, the economy, people and politics, while calling for a less confrontational political culture and an end to the use of fake news against opponents. Continued …
Minister identifies five opportunities to turn Thailand into a global economic hub
Thailand has the potential to become a major hub in the global economy by developing five new growth engines, but must accelerate economic restructuring, technological development and investment reforms to remain competitive, according to Suphachai Chearavanont.
Suphachai, senior vice chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) and chairman and CEO of Arise Ventures Group, argued in a forum yesterday that the country’s future economic strategy must begin with an understanding of fundamental changes in the global economic order. Continued …
Thai business group raises 2026 growth forecast
Thailand’s economy is expected togrow 2.4% to 2.6% this year, up from a previous forecast of 2.1% to 2.5%, a leading business group said yesterday.
Thailand’s exports, a key growth driver, were forecast to rise 18% to 22%, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) said, a sharp increasefrom its previous projection of a 12% to 16% increase. Continued …
EU Envoy: Thailand Can be Europe’s Platform in Southeast Asia as FTA Talks Advance
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.
Luisa Ragher, the EU’s ambassador to Thailand, delivered a keynote at the “Economic Forum 2026: Reinvent Thailand”. “Thailand is not just a market for European companies. It can be a platform for European investment in Southeast Asia,” she said, describing the country as a potential regional production base.” Continued …
Oil exploration ramped up to cut imports
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.
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said the country remains heavily dependent on imported energy, sourcing up to 90% of its crude oil and nearly 46% of its natural gas from overseas. Continued …
Thai rice exports to ASEAN jump 109% Jan–Sept
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.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, put the increase in rice shipments to ASEAN at 109% year-on-year for January–September. The bloc’s share of Thailand’s total rice exports rose from 9.7% to 25.2%. Continued …
CP Axtra (Makro, Lotus’) to develop 78 projects next year
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.
Benchawan Ongsri, chief mall officer at CP Axtra, said the project development includes 60 mall extension projects under its existing plan and 18 additional commercial property developments. Continued …
Thailand’s tourist arrivals fall 4.59% to 25.46 million in 10 months
Thailand recorded 25,464,306 international tourist arrivals in the first 10 months of 2026, down 4.59% from a year earlier, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul. Spending by foreign visitors fell 2.85% to 1.24 trillion baht over the same period.
China remained Thailand’s largest source of tourists from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31. Arrivals from China rose 12.4% to 4.24 million, while those from Malaysia, the second-largest market, fell 16.3% to 3.23 million. Taiwan and the United States were the only other top 10 markets to record growth. South Korea saw the steepest decline among the 10, at 26.9%. Continued …
Thailand may not reach 40 million tourists again until 2031 or later
Thailand may have to wait until 2031 or later to welcome 40 million foreign tourists annually again, as the country’s tourism industry struggles to regain its pre-pandemic momentum amid growing competition from regional rivals, particularly Vietnam.
A survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) found that only 10.6% of tourism operators believed Thailand could return to 40 million annual visitors by 2029. Continued …
Automatic passport control extended to 33 countries
Thailand has expanded access to automated passport control to travelers from 33 countries and territories to speed up immigration processing, reduce queues and ease congestion at airports.
The 33 countries and territories include South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and 24 European countries, including Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Continued …
Europe expected to boost Thai tourism revenue 5%-7% next year
Amid the Middle East conflict, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is focusing on tailoring products to individual European markets to lift tourism revenue by 5%-7% next year, as the agency and Thai operators participate in this week’s World Travel Market (WTM) trade show.
UK travel agents have reported a growing shift among travelers from Middle Eastern destinations to Asia, including Thailand, while marketing packages to these destinations have become highly profitable for tour operators. Continued …
Sky ICT plans Suvarnabhumi humanoid robot trial
Thailand’s airports are moving toward greater use of artificial intelligence, automation, biometrics and robotics, with Sky ICT planning to pilot humanoid service robots at Suvarnabhumi Airport toward the end of this year.
The SET-listed aviation technology provider says the changes form part of an emerging “intelligent aviation” era, in which airports use shared data and automated systems to handle higher passenger numbers more efficiently. Continued …
Thai Airways Dreamliner returns to Shanghai after window crack
A Thai Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner returned safely to Shanghai yesterday morning after pilots found a crack in a cockpit window shortly after take-off.
Flight TG663 had departed Shanghai for Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport when the crew detected the damage and asked air traffic control for permission to return to the departure airport. Continued …
Non-swimmer Chinese tourist takes canoe trip, needs rescuing
A Chinese tourist in her early 20s who could not swim was rescued after her canoe capsized in waters off Phuket’s Koh Man Tuesday evening.
The woman had drifted far from Yanui Beach in Rawai, Phuket, when waves overturned the canoe at about 5.40 pm. She was eventually spotted and picked up by a passing fishing boat, which took her safely back to shore. Continued …
Koh Chang bridge could charge motorists 340 baht each way from 2035
Motorists could pay 340 baht each way to use the proposed Koh Chang bridge in Trat when it opens in 2035, according to preliminary toll rates released by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT).
The proposed charges, presented as part of a feasibility study Tuesday, would also see motorcyclists pay 90 baht per trip. The rates have not yet received final approval. Continued …
Why doctors in Thailand fear KFC
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).
Many healthcare workers believe that ordering or eating KFC during a shift will magically summon a sudden, chaotic flood of patients and emergencies. Bringing a bucket of KFC into a hospital ward is treated as a taboo; colleagues might get annoyed or worried because they fear it guarantees a sleepless, overwhelmed night. Some joke that local spirits (chao thi) are fond of fried chicken and deliberately dump a wave of cases on whoever orders it.
Bangkok lists 16 Royal Barge Procession viewing points for tomorrow
Members of the public can watch Bangkok’s Royal Barge Procession free of charge from designated public areas along the Chao Phraya River tomorrow, with 16 viewing locations announced on both banks and free shuttle buses available to help visitors reach the area.
The king and queen will travel in the Royal Barge procession to Wat Arun Ratchawararam for the Royal Kathin robe-offering ceremony, held as part of celebrations marking Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s 48th birthday anniversary. Continued …
Thai named World’s Best Pastry Chef 2026
Across the world, it was a big night for Thailand as Dej Kewkacha became the first Asian chef to be awarded the World’s Best Pastry Chef 2026, at the 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list revelation in Lima, Peru. Thailand is also home to the world’s No.2 best restaurant — Gaggan.
A self-taught pâtissier. Dej is a leading figure in Asia’s pastry industry, redefining the dessert experience by elevating local flavors into fine-dining omakase courses, which earned him the title of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2025. Continued …
Mining pushing Sai River to disaster
For the past few years, the Sai River in Chiang Rai, a tributary of the Mekong, has remained thick and muddy throughout the year.
The murky water is unprecedented. In the past, its waters ran clear during the cool and dry seasons. The change has been linked to rapid expansion of mining activities to extract gold, rare earth and other mineral mining upstream in Shan State, Myanmar. Continued …
79 test above safe arsenic limits in northeastern Thailand
Seventy-nine people in seven northern and northeastern provinces have been found with arsenic levels exceeding safety standards, including along the Mekong River basin.
Urine tests conducted by the Department of Disease Control (DDC) found arsenic levels exceeding safety standards in 40 urine samples from northern provinces – 31 in Chiang Rai, seven in Chiang Mai and two in Mae Hong Son, where the Kok, Sai and Salween rivers flow past. Continued …
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Thai police arrest Dubai triple murder suspect – Continued …
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Three Chinese held with false passports in Songkhla – Continued …
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Russian arrested in Phuket over 93 grams of crystal meth – Continued …
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Foreign man held in Nakhon Phanom over Thai ID fraud – Continued …
Trump under pressure on Iran war after Republicans’ midterms defeat
US President Donald Trump concedes that the war he ordered on Iran was partly to blame for his Republican Party’s sweeping midterms losses – but even as he comes under pressure, analysts said yesterday that he has few good options ahead. Continued …
Iranian officials gloat as US voters deal blow to Trump
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. Continued …
Iran’s Khamenei says US hostility will persist regardless of party in power
Washington’s hostility toward Tehran will not change through partisan shifts or any concessions to the US, and those who believe otherwise are “greatly mistaken”, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said yesterday, following the Republican Party’s defeats in the US midterm elections. Continued …
Bank of England poised to raise rate as inflation jumps
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%. Continued …
Google turning off AI for schoolchildren by default
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. 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.