- Why are Pattaya Soi 6 and Soi 7 off-limits/US sailors begin exploring Pattaya/HIV and AIDS still lurk/Rayong newborn found alive/Thailand’s friend-for-hire services
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran war is not a war, US VP Vance says
- ECONOMY: Thai FTA use hits 1.57 trillion baht/Thailand exempts seven services/Bangkok’s 34 data centers raise concerns/Disaster cover for 30 million households/Thailand’s Bet on AI and Semiconductors
- TOURISM: Thailand sends a message to ‘bad’ foreigners/Thailand Risks Losing Wellness Crown
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: September royal barge rehearsals/Thailand’s ‘Jurassic Park’/Three Decades of Chocolate Craftsmanship
- HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Why are Pattaya Soi 6 and Soi 7 off-limits to US Navy personnel after dark?
Personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln have reportedly been prohibited from entering Pattaya Soi 6 and Soi 7 after sunset as part of safety rules imposed during the aircraft carrier’s port call in Chonburi.
Pattaya Soi 6 is located in northern Pattaya, connecting Pattaya Beach Road with Pattaya Second Road. It is regarded as one of the city’s most distinctive entertainment districts. The street, which stretches for only a few hundred meters, is lined on both sides with around 60 to 70 small beer bars. Continued …
US sailors on leave begin exploring Pattaya
Hordes of US sailors were up early yesterday as they set out to explore this tourist city on their second day of shore leave. They began their explorations on Wednesday night, with many making a beeline for the famous Walking Street to soak up the atmosphere.
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group arrived in the eastern province of Chon Buri early Wednesday for a five-day rest and relaxation stop for 5,000 personnel who had been aboard their vessels for 286 days with only one other port call, last December in Guam. Continued …
HIV and AIDS still lurk behind the neon signs of Thailand’s sex industry
Behind the neon signs of Thailand’s vast nightlife industry, HIV remains a deadly and deeply entrenched threat. Prostitutes and customers increasingly arrange paid sex through websites, applications and private messages. They then meet inside hotels, rented rooms or homes, bypassing medical checks once imposed through established sex venues.
UNAIDS estimates that 620,000 people nationwide now carry HIV, while almost 60,000 may remain undiagnosed. Thailand’s infection rate is twice the American level and four times that across the European Union. Meanwhile, 10,217 AIDS-related deaths were projected for 2025, alongside 8,862 new infections. Continued …
Rayong newborn found alive in bin after cries heard
A newborn boy was rescued from a rubbish bin in Rayong after residents heard him crying from inside a black plastic bag. Police examined evidence and nearby CCTV footage to try to trace the person who left the baby at the site.
The child was found yesterday in the Song Phi Nong community, on Soi Phongdee off Suan Pa Sirikit Road, Choeng Noen, Mueang Rayong district. Continued …
Thailand’s friend-for-hire services grow in Bangkok
Friend-for-hire services are gaining ground in Thailand, with people paying companions to join trips, take photographs or take part in activities.
The emerging trend reflects a changing Thai social landscape, including an aging population and more unmarried people, although there are no official figures for the sector. Providers say demand has risen in recent years as more people live alone, lifestyles change and social media raises the appeal of shareable experiences. Continued …
Iran war is not a war, US VP Vance says
US Vice President JD Vance said yesterday he would not categorize the Iran war as a war, despite continuing clashes with Tehran six months after the start of the conflict.
Vance’s comments came amid growing signs that President Donald Trump is trying to draw a line under the conflict that has bogged down his administration. Continued …
Thai FTA use hits 1.57 trillion baht
Thailand’s use of trade preferences under free trade agreements reached US$48.069 billion, or approximately 1.57 trillion baht, during the first six months of 2026, rising 7.3% from the same period last year. The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) reported that preferential treatment was claimed on 80.8% of the value of eligible exports between January and June.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT under the Ministry of Commerce, described the figures as evidence that Thai exporters were using FTAs to strengthen their competitiveness. Continued …
Thailand exempts seven services from foreign licenses
Thailand has formally removed the foreign business license requirement for seven specified service activities, under a new ministerial regulation published by the Royal Gazette yesterday.
The regulation, titled the Ministerial Regulation Prescribing Service Businesses Not Requiring Permission for Foreigners to Operate Businesses (No. 5) B.E. 2569, was signed by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. It was issued under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Continued …
Bangkok’s 34 data centers raise concerns over resource use and safety
The siting of a data center in central Bangkok near Praram 9 Hospital, along with concerns among nearby communities about a data center in Hua Mak storing several hundred thousand liters of fuel, has prompted questions about how such facilities can be located in the capital.
Chaichanok Chidchob, minister of Digital Economy and Society, said in an interview that data centers in Bangkok were located in areas where they were not permitted. Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt, meanwhile, announced that he had ordered a halt to new data center permits in Bangkok and that urban-planning law and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process would be reviewed. Continued …
Thailand backs disaster cover for 30 million households
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved in principle a national disaster insurance system intended to cover around 30 million households against floods, windstorms and earthquakes.
The proposed scheme would provide household protection for the three specified hazards, with payments structured differently according to the type of event. Continued …
Thailand’s Bet on AI and Semiconductors Tests Asia’s Next Growth Cycle
Asia still accounts for roughly half of global GDP on a purchasing-power-parity basis, and multilateral forecasters expect that share to keep inching up even as headline growth rates cool. The World Trade Organization sees Asia-Pacific trade growth slipping to 3.8% in 2026 from 4.1%, and the Asian Development Bank’s most recent outlook points to a similar moderation across the region.
None of that changes the underlying story: Asia remains the world’s principal growth engine. What has changed is that the opportunity is no longer automatic. It has to be seized, through reform, positioning, and the willingness to move before the window narrows. Thailand and its ASEAN neighbors offer one of the clearer test cases for how that plays out on the ground. Continued …
Thailand sends a message to ‘bad’ foreigners
Thailand has introduced its first official deportation regulation, creating a clearer process for removing foreign nationals who break the law.
The rules also cover conduct deemed contrary to public order, good morals, or public welfare. With Thailand cracking down on transnational crime while pursuing “quality tourism,” the regulation has sparked questions about exactly how those powers will be used. Video …
Thailand Risks Losing Wellness Crown Without Rule Reform
Thailand’s ambition to become a global hub for wellness tourism and preventive healthcare is being held back not by a shortage of talent or infrastructure, but by regulation that has failed to keep pace with a rapidly evolving industry, according to senior executives and experts who spoke at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 yesterday.
Speaking on a panel titled “The Future of the Human-Centric Economy: Leveraging Tourism, Wellness and Healthcare”, held under the summit’s theme “Reinvent Thailand, Resilient ASEAN”, four prominent voices from medicine, hospitality, neuroscience and landscape design converged on a single message: Thailand has the ingredients for a world-class wellness economy, but bureaucratic constraints are preventing it from realizing that potential. Continued …
Thai Navy schedules four September royal barge rehearsals
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) will conduct four minor rehearsals for the 2026 Royal Barge Procession in September, with the royal barges due to begin moving from the Rama VIII Bridge area at 3 pm and finish at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan.
The sessions will be used to practice the ceremonial formation for His Majesty the King’s river journey to present royal Kathin robes. TheRoyal Barge Procession and royal Kathin robe-offering ceremony will take place on Friday, Nov. 6. Continued ….
Thailand’s ‘Jurassic Park’ shines light on dinosaur evolution
A dinosaur statue stands guard outside a temple, a hint at the ancient giants buried deep in the earth below making up northeastern Thailand’s “dinosaur rush”.
Researchers have found a trove of dinosaur fossils across the region, which holds the country’s richest deposits, offering insight into the creatures that roamed the planet millions of years ago. Continued …
Gallothai: Three Decades of Chocolate Craftsmanship
Since 1993, Gallothai has been one of Thailand’s leading chocolate manufacturers, blending Belgian craftsmanship with the character of Thai ingredients and terroir. The company has offices in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, and has spent the last 33 years handcrafting chocolates and pastries that blend Belgian expertise with locally sourced Thai ingredients.
That craftsmanship has made Gallothai the go to chocolate and pastry solution for a wide range of industries. Hotels, bakeries, patisseries, airlines, cafés, retailers and food businesses throughout Thailand and the wider region turn to Gallothai as their partner for chocolate and pastry made to order at any scale. 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 cinemas/Emergency numbers
Thailand’s Energy Ministry has warned that global oil prices could remain highly volatile and continue rising after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while the country’s Oil Fuel Fund is running a deficit of more than 80 billion baht.
US President Donald Trump yesterday suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait,” asserting US control of the vital waterway even as fighting raged there with Iran.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast for Thailand to 2.1%-2.5%, from 1.6%-2.0%, but warned that stronger exports and private investment are producing increasingly uneven benefits across the economy.
Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, released the findings of the chamber’s confidence index survey for the fourth quarter of 2026. Conducted from Aug. 18-20, the survey covered 503 respondents and found that 46.2% expected Thailand’s economy to grow by 1.5%-2% this year, while 37.8% forecast growth of 2%-2.5%. The results pointed to an outlook below the government’s midpoint forecast of 2.2%.
Thailand’s retail sector is calling for stronger economic stimulus, including the revival of the Easy e-Receipt scheme, with an eligible spending ceiling of 100,000 baht, as household debt and accumulated living costs continue to squeeze consumers’ purchasing power.
Bangkok has suspended three planned standalone data center projects and ordered them to undergo a fresh review, as authorities prepare tighter regulations covering fuel storage, land use, safety, and pressure on electricity and water supplies.
The government is moving to address a regulatory gap in the data center sector, with the Data Center Business Policy Committee preparing an urgent meeting to develop a coordinated oversight framework.
U.S. Shrimp Coalition seeks zero tariffs for Thai shrimp
Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand fell 11.6% year-on-year between Aug. 1-22, making India the only one of the country’s four main overseas markets to record a decline during the period.
Thai Airways International (THAI) will operate 66 domestic and international routes during its winter 2026/27 timetable, covering destinations across Europe, Australia and Asia. The schedule will run from Oct. 25 to March 27, 2027), coinciding with Thailand’s peak tourism season.
AirAsia has signed its first-ever codeshare agreement, teaming up with Turkey’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, to open seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul, the two airlines announced at AirAsia’s headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia, yesterday.
Thailand currently ranks as the world’s 20th-largest coffee producer, down from the top 15 a decade ago. The country grows mainly robusta, although arabica production is growing, highlighting a sharper focus on quality.
EGAT explores SMRs to bolster Thailand’s energy security
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is preparing 1,520 electric buses to replace aging vehicles, with deliveries expected to begin in March 2027. Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul, BMTA director, said the transition would improve passenger convenience, safety and environmental performance while reducing the organization’s fuel and maintenance costs by an estimated 4.1 billion baht annually.
The world has failed in its goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, the United Nations (UN) said yesterday, in a sober assessment that laid out a new goal for fighting climate change that would set the world on an uncertain path.
US energy firms yesterday signed a raft of multibillion-dollar deals with Venezuela, days after the South American country agreed to grant the United States control of a huge chunk of its vast oil reserves. Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Caracas to oversee the signing of deals worth “tens of billions of dollars of investment,” seen as a quid pro quo for Washington winning majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. 
The Dutch central bank said yesterday it had moved 86 tons of its gold reserves out of the United States and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest”. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) said gold reserves held in London could be traded more easily than those held in New York and Ottawa. 
Fuel prices at PTT Station and Bangchak outlets rose today, with most petrol and gasohol products increasing by 0.60 baht per liter. PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Co. (OR) and Bangchak Corp. (BCP) announced the new retail rates.
The 2026 Siam PGA Pairs Classic brought 104 golfers to Hua Hin for two days of competition at Black Mountain Golf Club and Pineapple Valley Golf Club. Held on Aug, 15-16, the tournament marked its ninth staging since launching in 2017.
Civil society groups have come out against proposed changes to the universal healthcare law, warning the amendments could erode rights to public health coverage.
Oil prices jumped more than US$4 a barrel to five-week closing highs yesterday, after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran intensified concerns over Middle East supply disruptions.
The intensive crackdown on nominee companies nationwide is now targeting 14,000 more firms suspected to have used Thai nationals to circumvent restrictions under Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said yesterday that there are some data centers in Bangkok that are located in restricted areas where permission cannot be granted.
Thailand is slashing visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days while imposing tough new worldwide restrictions on its five-year Destination Thailand Visa. From Sept. 15, long-haul Western visitors face shorter stays, uncertain extensions and tighter land-border limits.
‘Lisa Effect’ Turns Thailand’s Travel Dreams into Real Search Demand
Thailand’s draft Power Development Plan for 2026–2050, or PDP 2026, sets out a major restructuring of the country’s energy system, including about 50,900 megawatts of new capacity in its first phase and a substantial increase in clean power.
Euro zone inflation jumped to 3.3% in August, the highest level in three years, as the war in the Middle East kept pushing up energy costs, official data showed yesterday. Well above the European Central Bank’s 2% target, the figure from the EU’s statistical office was up sharply from 2.9% in July and in line with forecasts by analysts. 
A sell-off of bonds from key countries worldwide deepened yesterday, sending government borrowing costs soaring and equities lower as investors fretted that energy-driven inflation would force central bankers to hike interest rates. The latest bout of fighting between the United States and Iran has pushed oil prices higher, stoking the fears of tighter monetary policy that could weigh on economic growth. 
China has seen an explosive growth in its renewable installation, with coal’s share in its energy mix edging down in recent years. Now, China’s solar energy capacity has surpassed that of coal-fired power for the first time ever. 
The Hua Hin Ship to Sea Ceremony will return on Saturday, Sept. 26, offering residents and visitors the chance to witness one of the town’s longstanding fishing community traditions.
Prachuap Bay coastal defenses reviewed
Thailand recorded 220 deaths and 19,316 injuries in road accidents during the latest week, according to figures from the ThaiRSC accident reporting centre released on Sunday.
From heartbreak to history as Thailand finally reaches the Olympics
The Department of Local Administration terminated the employment of 3,868 officials nationwide yesterday, suspecting them of rigging their recruitment examination results late last year.
The Legacy of Thai Elephants
Celebrating 50 Years of Thailand’s Dinosaur Renaissance
In the Ukrainian frontline town of Druzhkivka, the buzz of Russian drones and sound of artillery shelling have become daily life for the few residents who still remain there, sheltering in damaged apartment blocks and homes ripped by years of Russian attacks. 
A Western man walks down Beach Road holding hands with a Thai girl and naturally assumes the local men are glaring at him with quiet jealousy. He thinks he is a predator who just entered the local ecosystem and stole the best women from the dating pool, leaving the native men with fewer options.
Police detained 25 woman during a late-night prostitution crackdown in Pattaya on Saturday, as authorities prepare for the arrival of about 5,000 US military personnel in Chon Buri next week.
InterContinental Residences Hua Hin Achieves Complete Sell-Out
Thai teenage rocker Nene Royal has advanced to the live semifinals of America’s Got Talent Season 21 after Mel B awarded her a Live Golden Buzzer for her performance of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”.
The Financial Times (FT), a British financial news outlet, published an analysis asking why Thailand has “one of the world’s lowest” interest rates. The analysis followed a vote by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) this week to keep the policy rate at 1%.
Thailand’s Excise Department is pressing ahead with plans to overhaul cigarette taxation by introducing a single tax rate in a move aimed at improving revenue collection and reducing price distortions created by the existing two-tier system.
Thailand is introducing new rules for visa applications, requiring applicants for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) to submit proof of permanent residence and a police clearance certificate. Applications under the new rules will have to be submitted from today.
Bangkok is set to host Ultra Thailand 2027, organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with London-based Private Luxury Events. Scheduled for June 20–24, 2027, at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, this gathering marks Ultra’s first venture into Southeast Asia.
Thailand wants 2027 to transform its tourism industry, but what will actually change for visitors? Perhaps high-value tourism shouldn’t simply mean higher prices.
The Finance Ministry is considering lower excise taxes for manufacturers that invest in production bases in the country, use domestically produced raw materials or components, and have begun manufacturing for export.
Royal water project lifts farming and livelihoods in Chiang Mai
Thailand’s Energy Ministry plans to increase the quota for electricity purchased from household rooftop solar systems fivefold, from 100 megawatts to 500MW, as part of efforts to encourage more people to generate and sell clean power.
Thailand will accelerate its energy transition following parliamentary approval of a 400-billion-baht borrowing decree, with plans for household solar rooftops and a restructuring of vehicle taxes expected to become clearer in September, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said.
Authorities in Nepal warned of possible fresh flooding yesterday and urged residents in flood-affected districts to remain on high alert after water levels rose in the Bhotekoshi River. Wednesday’s catastrophic floods killed at least 800 people and left more than 3,000 missing in Nepal and Tibet. 
Covid-19 cases are increasing in Thailand, with the total number of patients from Jan. 1 up to yesterday reaching 94,402, with 14 deaths, but it is the NB.1.8.1 variant that does not cause severe illness that is dominant, accounting for over 50.9% of cases.
Foreign condominium demand in Thailand weakened during the first half of 2026, but a sharp rise in purchases by Russian nationals suggests that the market is shifting rather than experiencing a uniform decline.
Phuket recorded a 52.5% year-on-year increase in Israeli visitors in July, with arrivals from Israel also up 1,205% on pre-Covid July 2019 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office.
From canals to city streets: The story of Thai boat noodles
Bangkok has been named the world’s best city for nightlife in 2026 by Time Out, climbing from 13th place last year to beat Berlin, New York City, Melbourne and Sao Paulo.
US President Donald Trump said yesterday his administration has reached a huge oil deal with Venezuela that gives the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of proven petroleum reserves. 
Haakon, who comes to the throne as two major scandals batter his family, struggled for years to accept his status. “Yes, I was a royal, but I did not want to talk about it … At school it made me anxious,” he wrote in his 2023 autobiography “Haakon”, recalling his days in a state primary in the 1980s. 
Thailand has published new regulations setting out how foreign nationals can be deported for immigration, employment and other offenses, as well as conduct considered contrary to public order, morality or public wellbeing. The regulation was published in the Royal Gazette on yesterday and takes effect today.
Suvarnabhumi Airport has postponed planned repair and maintenance work on expansion joints along the elevated road serving the passenger terminal following widespread criticism over potential disruption during the tourism high season.
An anonymous donor has given 100 million baht to Pattaya Patamakun Hospital in Chon Buri, with the money earmarked for a new six-story premium outpatient and inpatient building.
Nene Royal, the young Thai performer who has captured hearts on America’s Got Talent (AGT), is heading back to Thailand with her family after receiving a warm send-off from fans in Los Angeles.
A rare 10-baht Thai coin minted in 1990 has sold for 2.54 million baht at an online auction, despite its face value being just 10 baht. The coin was made for the 16th Mint Directors Conference, held in the United Kingdom in 1990. Only 100 examples were produced, making it one of Thailand’s rarest circulating coin issues.
Myanmar’s civil war is increasingly becoming Thailand’s problem. Violence has crossed the border, criminal networks are exploiting the instability, and Thailand continues to shelter tens of thousands of refugees.
Thailand’s exports rose 21.6% in July from a year earlier, beating market expectations, while imports climbed even faster and pushed the country’s trade deficit to a record $34.35 billion over the first seven months of 2026.
The housing market shook off a downturn in the first half of this year with transfers reaching 167,000 units, a 17.6% increase, driven by government measures. Sales of second-hand homes soared, accounting for 63% of the total, reflecting a focus on value for money.
The United States’ national debt has surpassed $40 trillion, potentially having a significant impact on global financial markets, including Thailand’s economy.
Bouygues Construction, through its Thai subsidiary Bouygues-Thai, was selected in June by developer Honour Thailand to design and build the ONCE Wongamat. Standing 239 meters tall, this 56-story tower project in Pattaya will be one of the tallest buildings in Thailand.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing to embrace rail tourism as a new vehicle to revive Thailand’s fading appeal. Its plans span low-cost heritage excursions, packaged journeys, premium charters and possible luxury routes developed with Belmond.
Bangkok’s Loha Prasat: The world’s third ‘Iron Castle’
Betong, a small town in Thailand with some good surprises
Thailand is staring at the dire consequences of the El Niño phenomenon and below-average rainfall on the economy, as well as the wider impact on society, many experts have warned.
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” for US federal purposes, escalating an increasingly hostile trade dispute with Canada. The order applies to references used by the US federal government and does not determine what Canada, international bodies, state authorities, private companies or map providers call the lake. 
InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has been named The Most Favorite Pet-Friendly Hotel at the 16th AROUND AWARDS 2026. The annual awards, organized as part of AROUND Magazine’s 16th anniversary, recognize hotels, restaurants and lifestyle businesses across Thailand.
Thai police say they arrested suspects in 7,261 firearms-related cases and seized 7,872 guns during a nationwide 15-day crackdown between Aug. 12-26.
New vehicle sales in Thailand increased by over 20% to 59,196 units in July, up from 49,102 units a year earlier, according to the latest data released by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Thailand’s passport has been ranked 99th worldwide by Passport Reports, with a mobility score of 93. The assessment places Thailand fifth among the 11 ASEAN countries and 21st among 50 Asian countries assessed.
A Glimpse of Solar Energy in Thailand
Since Aug. 12, any Thai exporter shipping packaged goods into the EU has technically fallen under the bloc’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) – whether they know it or not.
As the world shifts toward a greener future, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) is stepping up to ensure Thai businesses don’t just survive, but thrive.
Thailand is facing a double crisis: an overwhelming volume of illegally dumped hazardous waste and a deadly climate of intimidation against activists trying to stop it.
Philippe Meranger just finished his grocery shopping in Montreal. The 61-year-old held several products under his arm as he said: “Tariffs hurt our economy, but they force us to buy Canadian. And I’m all for that.” 
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s commercialhub, is proposing to gradually restrict gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles from its downtown area from mid-2027 as part of a planned low-emission zone (LEZ). Under the proposal, the city would pilot the LEZ from July 2027 in its core downtown area and the new Thu Thiem urban area, which covers roughly 930 hectares (3.59 square miles). 
Most people who live in Hua Hin have made the drive south at some point. Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot, maybe as far as Prachuap for the day. Rather fewer keep going, and that is where it gets interesting.
Thailand’s biggest financial regulatory overhaul in 27 years threatens tougher, more intrusive banking for foreigners. The Bank of Thailandn is bringing digital payments and providers under tighter control. Banks must intensify checks on mule accounts, gray capital, foreign QR payments and unusual transfers.
23,536 violent incidents, 7,790 deaths and 14,794 injuries
Tharina Botes wins Miss Universe Thailand 2026 crown
Thailand’s economy is facing three overlapping economic storms: an energy-price shock and current-account deficit, a system-wide rise in production costs, and weakening domestic purchasing power, Vice Minister for Finance Santitarn Sathirathai said.
Thai retailers have called on the government to crack down on the massive influx of cheap foreign goods entering the country through cross-border e-commerce platforms, warning that unfair price competition is threatening the survival of millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Japanese carmakers will not relocate manufacturing hubs instantly, but the current flood of Chinese electric vehicles is catalyzing price wars in the Thai market, according to Archanun Kohpaiboon.
For thousands of Thai smallholders, cattle rearing has long been a traditional cornerstone of rural livelihood, insulated from international supply chains. However, under a sweeping economic modernization drive led by the Royal Thai government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, this grassroots industry is being systematically propelled onto the global stage.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has unveiled a comprehensive drive to upgrade provincial airport infrastructure and airspace management, aiming to turn regional hubs into growth engines for trade, tourism, and investment.
Phuket’s waste disposal system is under growing pressure, with 1,200-1,300 tons of rubbish being sent for disposal each day and the province’s landfill already exceeding its capacity, Phuket City Mayor Suppachoke Laongphet has said. 
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on a range of US goods after President Donald Trump introduced 50% tariffs on Canadian products, following the collapse of trade negotiations between the two neighboring countries. 
Humanoid robots on Sunday (August 23) took over the athletic arena at the World Robot Games, competing in sparring, sprinting, and taichi. 
21 provinces face heavy rain as depression strengthens
Flood conditions in Nan and Sukhothai have begun to improve, but another 7-9 storms could form before the end of the current storm season, climate and disaster specialist Seree Supratid has warned.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) Yodchanan Wongsawat ordered the rehabilitation and restoration of public utilities today in flood-ravaged Pua and Wiang Sa districts of Nan province, as floodwater is steadily receding.
Thai authorities have searched three locations in Pattaya and Bang Lamung as part of an investigation into suspected Thai nominee arrangements used to hold land and run businesses for foreigners.
Thailand’s electronics industry is entering a significant upcycle, as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers accelerate global demand for components, with a clear impact on the country’s production base.
Investments and fishing communities clash in Rayong
Thailand’s grip on China’s vast tourism market is slipping, as safety fears drive holidaymakers toward fast-rising Vietnam. The kingdom now expects only 5.1 million Chinese arrivals, less than half its 2019 total.
Thai Airways is set to resume direct non-stop services between Bangkok and Auckland ahead of schedule, with launch plans brought forward by a year to March 2027.
Somsak Pu Ob: The Master of Bangkok’s Crab Glass Noodles
Thailand, done differently