- Cha Am rounds up homeless people/Gasohol E85 sales to end/Temperature drop and strong winds/Lisa Nike’s new global ambassador/Cobra Gold 2026/Children set homeless man on fire/Foreign man slammed for flying drone
- ECONOMY: Growth expected to slow/Thailand’s chicken industry
- TOURISM: Is Thailand’s tourism at the crossroads?/CAAT sees positive 2026 aviation outlook/Rise of visa scams/Trat relies on goddess event/Police Raid 25 Koh Phangan Sites/Brawl at Chiang Rai’s White Temple
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Michelin Guide Thailand 2026/Giant reptiles reclaiming Bangkok/King Narai the Great Reign Festival
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
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Cha Am rounds up homeless people after Hua Hin murder
Police began rounding up homeless people in places along Cha Am beach as part of a drive to prevent crimes such as the brutal murder in adjacent Hua Hin, where the detention of the suspect was extended yesterday.
The two tourist towns about 200 kilometers south of Bangkok have been shocked by the robbery and killing of a hotel receptionist early Monday in downtown Hua Hin. The murder suspect was arrested the following day. Continued …
Gasohol E85 sales to end from Feb 1 as demand declines
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) has announced it will stop selling Gasohol E85, effective Feb. 1, citing a continued decline in consumer demand. The decision has drawn wide attention because Gasohol E85 is used by a significant number of motorists.
OR said it had reviewed market demand and found that demand for Gasohol E85 has continued to decline. It attributed the trend largely to the government’s use of the Oil Fuel Fund mechanism, which has shifted from a compensation/subsidy model to a levy-collection model. As a result, OR said, the retail price of Gasohol E85 has become higher than Gasohol E20. Continued …
Temperature drop and strong winds to hit Thailand this weekend
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is forecasting a moderate high-pressure system from China to extend into upper Thailand, bringing a decrease in temperature and strong winds. The northeast is expected to experience a drop in temperature by 2-4°C, while other regions, excluding the lower south, will see a temperature decrease of 1-2°C.
The TMD also warns that the moderated northeast monsoon will dominate the Gulf and the south, bringing isolated thundershowers. In the lower Gulf, winds and waves are expected to reach about 2 meters high, and ships are advised to proceed with caution. Continued …
Lisa becomes Nike’s new global ambassador
Thai global sensation Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban — already an Amazing Thailand Ambassador for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), promoting Thai tourism worldwide — has further cemented her status as a global icon.
She has renewed her partnership as a brand ambassador for Dentiste, Thailand’s premium oral care brand, for a fourth consecutive year. Now, she has also signed a long-term partnership with Nike, joining the Nike family as its newest global ambassador. Continued …
Over 8,000 Troops Join Thailand for Cobra Gold 2026
Thailand is set to host the 45th Cobra Gold military exercise from Feb. 24 to March 6, involving over 8,000 personnel from 30 countries. This joint defense operation, co-hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and US Indo-Pacific Command, is one of the region’s largest and will focus on coordination across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains.
The annual exercise, traditionally a platform for enhancing regional defense cooperation, sees Cambodia absent this year, while Vietnam and Laos join as observers. Participants include core members such as Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. New participants this year are China, India, and Australia, along with other nations rotating through specific exercises. Continued …
3 Thai children set homeless man on fire, film incident as trophy
Three Thai attackers, aged between nine and 15, set a homeless man on fire by the roadside in the Prawet area of Bangkok and filmed the incident as a trophy. The victim was identified as a homeless man who lives under the Ban Ma Bridge in Prawet. He makes a living by collecting and reselling recyclable waste in the area.
The incident occurred on Monday while Karn was sleeping under the bridge as usual. He told local media that he suddenly felt what seemed like cold water poured over his body, before flames erupted moments later. Fortunately, Karn managed to escape from the fire before suffering fatal injuries. Continued …
Foreign man slammed for flying drone, scaring Khao Yai elephants
Thai netizens condemned a foreign man for ignoring national park regulations and flying a drone near a herd of elephants in Khao Yai National Park, causing the animals to panic and putting both tourists and wildlife at risk.
The incident occurred Wednesday at Tung Kwang Mineral Lick, a popular wildlife viewing area within the national park in Nakhon Nayok province. The site is well known among visitors as a natural spot where animals gather to consume mineral-rich soil. Continued …
Growth expected to slow amid political paralysis
CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT) expects Thai GDP growth in the first quarter of this year to slow from the previous quarter due to a domestic political vacuum and external uncertainties. According to CIMBT chief economist Amonthep Chawla, the economy is projected to grow by 0.7% year-on-year in the first quarter, down from 1.1% in the previous quarter.
The weaker performance is attributed to sluggish domestic consumption and investment, mainly caused by delays in fiscal budget disbursement while awaiting the formation of a new government. Continued …
Thailand’s chicken industry braces for slower growth in 2026
Thailand’s chicken meat production in 2026 is projected to reach 3.47 million tons, a modest 0.9% increase year-on-year, according to Kasikorn Research Center. This marks a slowdown from the 1.3% growth estimated in 2025, reflecting stable domestic consumption and weaker export demand.
Farm prices of live chicken are expected to remain flat despite a downward trend in feed prices. Rising costs in other areas— such as farm management and utilities — are likely to offset any relief. With ret ail prices constrained by government controls, producers face mounting challenges in maintaining profitability. Continued …
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Is Thailand’s tourism at the crossroads?
Thailand enters 2026 at a defining inflexion point, with regional travel demand across Asia moving up a gear as Thailand’s performance decelerates. The divergence is now clear. While neighboring destinations such as Vietnam and Japan are capturing growth and market share, Thailand is contending with declining foreign arrivals and softer momentum from core source markets.
Leadership in Asian tourism no longer depends solely on scale. It now rests on infrastructure readiness, ecosystem coordination, safety perception, and value competitiveness. Continued …
CAAT sees positive 2026 aviation outlook for 2026
Manat Chavanaprayoon, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), has outlined Thailand’s aviation outlook for 2025, saying the global industry continued to face heavy external pressures, from international conflicts and geopolitical tensions to airspace restrictions linked to disputes in several regions, including Pakistan–India, Israel–Iran, and Russia–Ukraine. He also cited an ongoing global shortage of aircraft.
Despite these headwinds, Thailand’s aviation sector still showed strong adaptability and resilience, he said. CAAT compiled and compared data across three key periods: 2019 as the pre-COVID baseline, 2024 during the recovery phase, and 2025 as the current year, finding continued growth and improved efficiency even as the global context shifted rapidly. Continued …
Thai travelers warned over rise of visa scams
Travelers are advised to be alert to visa application scams, such as false appointment letters or requests for additional payment for fast-track visa guarantees, as outbound travel grows.
“With increasing outbound travel from Thailand, demand for visa appointments is rising,” said Simon Peachey, chief operating officer for Australasia, China, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States at visa outsourcing firm VFS Global. “The increased demand can unfortunately create opportunities for scammers to target applicants by making false promises or attempting to profit illegally.” Continued …
Trat relies on goddess event to woo tourists
The eastern province of Trat hopes a forthcoming event honoring the Goddess of the Sea will be the first step in attracting more visitors to its border district, which remains quiet despite the end of the clashes with Cambodia.
Khlong Yai district will organize the five-day annual festival for the Chinese goddess, Chao Mae Thapthim, from tomorrow, highlighted by a parade taking the goddess from the shrine into the district town for worshippers to pay their respects. Continued …
Police Raid 25 Koh Phangan Sites, Charge 35 Suspects
Provincial police in Surat Thani have carried out coordinated raids at 25 locations across the resort island of Koh Phangan, charging 35 people and companies over alleged immigration, labor and nominee business offenses.
Authorities said the operation targeted restaurants, shops and hotels, with arrests and charges brought against both individuals and corporate entities. Officials said the action was intended to curb illegal activity in a key tourist destination and protect local economic interests. Continued …
Taiwanese and Thai tourists brawl at Chiang Rai’s White Temple
Taiwanese and Thai tourists were involved in a physical altercation at Wat Rong Khun, commonly known as the White Temple, in Chiang Rai province last week following a dispute over photography regulations at the site.
A video showing four tourists fighting on the temple’s well-known “Bridge of Rebirth” quickly went viral on Thai social media. The footage showed two couples exchanging punches and kicks in the middle of the narrow bridge, which was crowded with visitors at the time. Continued …
Michelin Guide Thailand 2026: Thai dining shines on the world stage
The Michelin Guide, first published in 1900 by the French tire company Michelin, was originally created to help motorists find quality eateries — while subtly encouraging them to drive more and, in turn, buy more tires.
Over the decades, the guide’s Michelin Stars evolved into one of the world’s most prestigious culinary honours. Thailand joined the Michelin map in 2018 with its inaugural guide covering only Bangkok. It was the seventh Asian city or region to receive a dedicated edition. Continued …
The giant reptiles reclaiming the world’s most visited city
Shortly before dawn in one of Bangkok’s largest inner-city green spaces, there is a stillness in the canals that surround Lumphini Park. Barely a ripple disturbs its large ponds. But as the day breaks in the Thai capital, the first scaly snouts emerge from the water’s surface.
These are Asian water monitors, the world’s second-largest lizard after the Komodo dragon. For travelers, Bangkok’s monitor lizards are not an attraction in the traditional sense, but a reminder of how nature persists even in the world’s most-visited city. To encounter these ancient reptiles, a species which dates back millions of years, in Lumphini Park – a short walk from luxury hotels, shopping malls and embassies – is to glimpse the city’s ecological past, when this was an area of wetlands and waterways rather than expressways and skyscrapers. Continued …
Lopburi prepares for the 38th King Narai the Great Reign Festival
Lopburi Province is set to host the 38th King Narai the Great Reign Festival from Feb. 13-22 at Phra Narai Ratchaniwet and surrounding historical sites.
The festival honors King Narai the Great, who laid the foundation for the kingdom’s prosperity during the Ayutthaya period. He strengthened trade relations with King Louis XIV of France and introduced modern technologies to Thailand for the first time. Continued …
Police Detain Pair Over Public Sex Act on Pattaya Beach – Continued …
Trump’s ‘America First’ in overdrive
US President Donald Trump’s extraterritorial capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on cocaine-trafficking and terrorism-related charges earlier this month and repeated demand to take over Greenland at the World Economic Forum this week are part and parcel of a belligerent and transformative “America First” paradigm that dates back at least four decades. Continued …
Hua Hin Links
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A proposal to support Hua Hin smart city development was presented to Hua Hin City Municipality yesterday, outlining a technology-led vision to improve transport, tourism services, and urban safety as the city plans its next stage of growth.
Transport Minister Suspends Elevated Road and Rail Projects
A construction crane for the high-speed rail project collapsed onto a passenger train near Sikhio district in Nakhon Ratchasima province, killing more than 30 people. Metal debris, fire and smoke replaced what had been an ordinary journey home and left families facing sudden loss.
The deadly Rama 2 Road: Why Thailand’s ‘Seven-Generation Road’ keeps claiming lives
Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has won 213 state projects worth 130 billion baht in 11 years. However, recent crane collapses involving ITD raise questions about safety.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, minister of foreign affairs, addressed the recent announcement by the US Department of State to suspend the processing of immigrant visas (permanent visas) for 75 countries, including Thailand.
Thailand’s finance minister has outlined an economic restructuring program centered on fast-tracking stalled investments and developing new industrial sectors, as the government seeks to reverse declining growth potential that has dragged the economy to its weakest performance in decades.
Business executives warn of renewed turbulence if the US Supreme Court eventually rules against President Donald Trump in a high-profile case challenging the legality of his global import tariffs, saying uncertainties would mar economic sentiment.
China has shattered global records with a staggering trade surplus of approximately $1.2 trillion for 2025, fueled by a relentless export boom that has flooded international markets with everything from electronics to machinery. While this achievement underscores Beijing’s manufacturing prowess amid domestic headwinds, it poses both opportunities and significant challenges for Thailand, its largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Thailand was once the ultimate value-for-money destination. Cheap eats, affordable hotels, unforgettable experiences. That era is over. A soaring Thai baht is pushing travelers away — just as Thailand is fighting to revive its tourism-driven economy.
It’s been just over a year since I took the leap and made Thailand my home. Moving from regular visitor to someone who lives and works here has let me fully embrace what I love about the country — and given me a front-row seat to the same tourist mistakes playing out again and again.
Bangkok was named the third best city to visit in the world today in The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2026 list, praised for its green spaces, vibrant art scene, and recent innovations in public transport.
Tourists and locals are raising alarms over the open sale of sex stimulants, sex toys, and illegal cigarettes along Pattaya Beach Road – without proper tax stamps.
On vacation in Thailand, my family and I visited Bangkok’s majestic Wat Pho, marveling at the temple’s 150-foot-long reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. In Chiang Mai, we rode ATVs through the rugged Mae Taeng Valley, then rafted in challenging whitewater rapids while elephants roamed the river banks. We spotted pigs on Koh Madsum and bright-orange clown fish while snorkeling Koh Samui. But nothing compares to the thrills we found in 7-Eleven.
PM2.5 fine dust pollution has surged this week nationwide, prompting the government to call for stricter controls and work-from-home arrangements. Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana warned that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels have risen sharply since Wednesday and are expected to also rise today.
The government has tightened controls on agricultural burning as part of a broader effort to address PM2.5 pollution, setting a nationwide target to reduce burned farmland by at least 15%. The measures prioritize major economic crops, for which reductions must be clearly demonstrated.
Thailand is stepping up efforts to support research and development in alternative energy, with officials preparing to allocate more financial resources to projects that advance clean technologies such as hydrogen.
Tech giants have blocked 4.7 million accounts under Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s, the country’s online safety watchdog said today. Initial figures showed platforms were taking meaningful action to remove underage users, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. 
The body of a Canadian tourist has been found off the coast of Sam Roi Yot, three days after he went missing while swimming in rough sea conditions near Khao Takiab Temple.
A leading luxury drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Hua Hin is set to expand its services with the opening of a new outpatient mental health clinic in the city. Diamond Rehab Thailand, fully licensed by the Thai Ministry of Public Health and founded by Theo de Vries and his wife, Panwadee de Vries, will begin offering outpatient counseling and psychological services at The Hub Hua Hin from January.
The Chatt Hua Hin–Pranburi Pool Villa has been launched by Chatt Asset Co., featuring 78 Thai-style homes on a 43-rai site with a total investment value of more than 1 billion baht.
The Hua Hin Championship Road Race 2026 will take place on Sunday, March 1, bringing competitive and recreational cyclists to the roads around Huay Mongkol for a full day of racing and touring in the Hua Hin area.
A coordinated wave of bombings and arson attacks struck 11 PTT petrol stations across three southern Thai provinces in the early hours yesterday, causing widespread property damage but no reported casualties.
The Customs Department in Thailand is considering a significant increase in import duty rates on low-value goods. The Customs Department deems the current variable rates, averaging around 10%, insufficient to ensure fair competition with domestically produced goods. There are plans to increase the rate to up to 30% in order to establish a more equitable market.
E-commerce entrepreneurs support the Customs Department’s suggestion to raise the import duty rate on low-value goods to promote fairer competition between domestically produced goods and imported products, according to Paul Srivorakul, group chief executive of aCommerce, a Southeast Asia e-commerce enablement company.
Thailand’s experiment with cannabis liberalization is undergoing a profound and contentious recalibration. The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is advancing a new draft ministerial regulation designed to impose stringent oversight on the sector, a decisive pivot away from the largely unregulated commercial free-for-all that emerged post-2022 and back towards a strictly medical framework.
Effective Jan. 1, the export of fishery products from 12 major Vietnamese fishing grounds to the United States has been officially suspended.
Contractors for rooftop solar installation must register with the Council of Engineers Thailand to enhance consumer confidence on safety, according to the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT).
Thailand needs a new law to help it handle around 400,000 tons of electronic waste a year — including used mobile phones — by recycling the waste for valuable materials, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) said.
A biomass fuel factory in Phrae province has been found to be operating without a required health hazard license, despite ongoing complaints that pollution from the site has caused illness among dozens of nearby residents.
Thai Honda, a leading manufacturer and distributor of motorcycles and multipurpose engines, has unveiled its first electric motorcycle in Thailand, marking a major step in the company’s strategy and positioning the country as a key export hub. The new model, UC3, was designed by a Thai engineer and is scheduled for production at Thai Honda’s local factory.
Authorities in Bangkok plan to delay enforcement of a regulation requiring pet dogs and cats to be fitted with microchips for a year in order to help all sides prepare and ensure broader adoption.
Thailand’s economy is bracing for its weakest expansion in 30 years, with GDP growth projected at less than 2% in 2026, attributed to sluggish exports, high household debt, and declining competitiveness in global markets, warns the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB).
The leadership of Thailand’s three largest commercial banks have issued a unified warning for 2026, describing the upcoming financial year as a period of “all-around exhaustion.”
Average headline inflation is expected to rise slightly in 2026, driven by increasing prices of agricultural products and the recovery of the tourism sector, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Leading economists have issued a stark warning over the proliferation of short-term populist campaign pledges, asserting that these policies are laying a “fiscal trap” that threatens Thailand’s long-term economic sovereignty and its international credit standing.
Thailand’s property market is facing another major test in 2026, after new figures from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of the Government Housing Bank pointed to a clear slowdown in foreign demand in 2025 — long viewed as a key engine of the condominium market.
The outlook for the restaurant industry in 2026 appears grim as there are no new positive factors. A Thai Michelin-starred chef urged restaurant operators to think carefully about business expansion.
Health and wellness are increasingly viewed as a new form of luxury, driving lifestyle changes and fueling rapid growth across global well-being industries this year. Dr. Tanupol Virunhagarun, chief executive of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, said the wellness trend will continue expanding over the next five years worldwide.
Tourism has surged beyond pre-pandemic levels, placing pressure on popular cities, islands, and natural landmarks. By charging tourists, governments aim to generate dedicated funding to manage crowds, upgrade infrastructure, and preserve destinations, while allowing tourism to continue.
Southeast Asia is accelerating its energy transition with growing momentum from both policy and capital. Stronger regulatory support and expanding clean-energy financing are creating a more predictable investment environment, enabling governments and developers to move from planning to delivery.
Living in Thailand means co-existing with a healthcare system that’s brilliant in some ways and frustrating in others. Oftentimes, private hospitals feel like five-star hotels, with doctors trained internationally, and the costs seem reasonable compared to Western countries – until you’re actually sitting in that consultation room without insurance, watching the bill climb.
Thailand’s inequality is not just unfair, it is unethical. It decides who gets a future and who does not long before effort, talent, or choice has any chance to matter.
Nikkei Asia reports that Vietnam is on track to overtake Thailand in economic size as soon as this year, fueled by a major state-led infrastructure push. While Vietnam targets real GDP growth of 8% in 2025 and over 10% in the following years, Thailand’s growth is slowing.
Thailand’s long-running tourism growth story hit a pause in 2025. For the first time in a decade, excluding the pandemic years, the country recorded an annual fall in foreign visitor arrivals.
Entertainment venue operators in Phuket have formally petitioned provincial authorities to investigate allegations of officials demanding illicit payments from nightlife businesses, raising concerns about transparency and confidence in the tourism sector.
Bangkok is a perennial favorite among travelers, and it’s no surprise why! Between the mouthwateringly good local cuisine, unique cultural experiences, and endless shopping destinations that await, visiting Bangkok is a magical experience unlike any other.
The Thai government has officially enforced a pioneering trade mandate requiring all imported animal-feed corn to be certified “burn-free.” The move, effective from Jan. 1, is a cornerstone of the nation’s strategy to tackle transboundary PM2.5 pollution and align its agricultural supply chain with global environmental standards.
The White House has said President Donald Trump and his advisers are weighing “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, including the possibility of using US military force, as European leaders warned that only Denmark and Greenland can decide the territory’s future. 
Thailand puts on stunning fireworks show in Bangkok
The microplastics derived from bottles represent an invisible risk to human health, according to a recent study. The most alarming data from the analysis reveals that those who consume bottled water daily can incorporate up to 90,000 plastic particles more per year than those who drink from the tap.
Jakarta ranked as the world’s largest city with 41.9 million inhabitants followed by Dhaka, while Tokyo slipped to third, a recent United Nations (UN) report shows.
The Nakhon Pathom–Cha-am Motorway project is among 11 megaprojects, valued at over Bt359.8 billion, that Thailand’s Transport Ministry has prepared for Cabinet approval in 2026.
Pongnakorn Pochakorn, assistant spokesperson for the Finance Ministry, said preliminary figures showed spending under the Khon La Khreung Plus scheme reached 84.19 billion baht before it ended on Dec. 31. A total of 19.76 million people used the scheme.
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has released its 2025 Thailand Water Quality Situation Report, revealing positive trends. Most coastal and surface water resources nationwide remain in “fair to good” condition.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s decision to dissolve the House adds challenges to the state push for a transition to clean energy in 2026.
Dozens were killed and over 100 injured when a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana early Thursday, as young revellers rang in the New Year. Horrified bystanders described “panic” as people tried to break the windows of the bar to escape, and others, covered in burns, poured into the street. 
Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Named Thailand’s Leading Family Resort
From Feb 14, 2026, Mobile Banking will support iOS 14 & Android 10+ only
Thailand sees over 140,000 new cancer cases annually, 400 per day
Hat Yai Flood Death Toll Climbs to Over 100
Minister admits government misjudged Hat Yai flood situation
Report declares Thai digital economy still robust
Fresh drive to promote Thailand and its food
5 More Bodies Recovered After Migrant Boat Sinks off Malaysia
Pickup Race Turns Deadly in Phitsanulok, 4 Killed, 7 Injured
Retailers ramp up for 11.11 sale to boost year-end spending
