- Five Hua Hin hotels awarded Michelin Keys/Portland’s restaurant named Hua Hin/Is HIV making a comeback?/Thailand ineligible for Miss Universe 2026/Thai official insists Thailand will compete at Miss Universe/Bangkok 45-baht rail fare cap/Lopburi minimart worker wins 12 million baht/Two dead in Narathiwat attack
- ECONOMY: Balancing Data Centers and Household Bills/2,100 firms with potential nominee links/Phuket widens Chabad House probe/World Bank’s FY2027–2032 Thailand plan/Fitch upgrades Thailand outlook/Government moving to fully relocate Bangkok port/Thailand’s gold regime at risk/To beef up digital platform rules/AI companies confront their darkest fears
- TOURISM: AirAsia says travel demand remains strong/TAT praises Lisa after US talk show goes viral/Is there a problem with Indian tourists?
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: UK woman trades 15-hour workdays for Chiang Mai calm/The Suddenly Ubiquitous Jellyfish
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Farmers concerned about Kok River contamination
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Five Hua Hin hotels, 66 other Thai hotels awarded Michelin Keys
The Michelin Guide’s Thai Key selection has grown to 71 hotels and resorts for 2026, including six properties awarded the highest distinction of three Keys. Fourhotels in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiva-som in Hua Hin were recognized with keys, including: Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, V Villas Hua Hin, Aleenta Resort & Spa, Hua-Hin, and Devasom Hua Hin.
A list of all the Michelin Key winners
Thailand’s recipients span luxury city hotels, beachfront and island resorts, and smaller boutique properties reflecting local culture. The selection follows months of anonymous inspections assessing the quality of the stay experience. Continued …
Portland, Oregon, now has a restaurant named Hua Hin
Named after owner and chef Piyanut Sampaotong’s hometown in Thailand, the new Southeast Portland restaurant is quickly gaining fans for its vibrant dishes and refreshing cocktails. Video …
Is HIV making a comeback?
Thailand once brought nearly 200,000 new HIV infections a year down dramatically through decades of prevention and expanded access to treatment. But in 2026, young Thais disproportionately make up the newly infected.
Despite leaps in modern medicine that have transformed HIV prevention, Thailand is still struggling to reach its 2030 targets. Amid restrictions on community-led PrEP services and persistent stigma, activists are raising questions about whether the country’s approach needs to change. Continued …
Thailand, five other nations’ delegates ineligible for Miss Universe 2026
JKN Universe LLC said in a statement issued by the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) that delegates from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore would be ineligible to compete in the 75th Miss Universe pageant in 2026.
The statement maintained that Miss Universe Eastern Pte. Ltd. had no authority to grant, transfer or issue licenses for the Miss Universe brand and that all legal authority rested with JKN Universe LLC. Continued …
Thai official insists Thailand and five nations will compete at Miss Universe
Nawat Itsaragrisil, chief executive of Miss Universe Eastern, has rejected a move to exclude Thailand and five other Southeast Asian countries from Miss Universe 2026, insisting that their delegates, including Thailand’s Tharina Botes, remain entitled to compete in Puerto Rico.
His comments came after a statement issued in the name of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said franchise agreements involving Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore were not recognized by JKN Universe LLC and that their delegates would therefore be ineligible for the 75th Miss Universe pageant. Continued …
Bangkok 45-baht rail fare cap planned for January
Bangkok authorities are preparing a shared rail fare system that would limit the maximum charge to 45 baht per trip across the capital and surrounding areas from Jan. 1.The plan would remove duplicate entry fees for passengers changing between rail lines.
Under the proposed scheme, passengers would pay the actual cost of their journey. Where that fare exceeds 45 baht, the government would refund the difference, subject to the scheme’s conditions. Continued …
Lopburi minimart worker wins 12 million baht then clocks in as usual
A minimart worker in Lopburi won 12 million baht in the Thai government lottery, but decided to keep working at his regular job, saying he would use some of the winnings to build a new home.
Sompong Phusakul bought two lottery tickets from his regular seller at Tha Wung Market on the morning of Sept. 16. Both carried the first-prize number 730640, earning him a combined 12 million baht. Continued …
Two dead, 16 hurt in Narathiwat volunteer convoy attack
Two members of Sukhirin’s territorial defense volunteer force were killed and 16 were injured in a roadside bombing and gun attack in Narathiwat province yesterday.
The six-wheel truck carrying all 18 volunteers overturned after the blast on a village road in Ban Blukaya-ing, Moo 2, Rom Sai subdistrict, Sukhirin district. Gunmen then opened fire from dense roadside vegetation, officials said. Continued …
Balancing Data Centers and Household Bills in Thailand
At Gastech 2026, we go behind the scenes of Thailand’s energy crossfire as the nation navigates an unprecedented surge in electricity demand driven by AI data centers and green industrial transitions.
With data center power applications exceeding 30,000 megawatts, over half of Thailand’s total installed capacity, learn how regulators and EGAT are balancing massive industrial growth without inflating household electricity bills. Video …
Thailand identifies about 2,100 firms with potential nominee links
The government is continuing its crackdown on nominee arrangements, gray capital and identity-card fraud networks under instructions from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Agencies are integrating data and linking financial transactions, individuals, legal entities, shareholders and landholdings to extend investigations from those involved to their networks and assets. Continued …
Phuket widens Chabad House probe to firms with 262 million baht in assets
Phuket Gov. Chotnarin Kerdsom has ordered broader checks into businesses and shareholding structures associated with Chabad House Patong after preliminary inspections found unauthorized building alterations. Officials have identified two associated companies with combined assets of approximately 261.58 million baht.
Chotnarin said public attention and reports raising several issues about the premises on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, had prompted the province to investigate the facts comprehensively. Continued …
World Bank’s FY2027–2032 Thailand plan targets jobs in four sectors
The World Bank Group’s board of executive directors has discussed a new country partnership framework (CPF) for Thailand for fiscal years 2027–2032, aimed at accelerating economic growth and job creation, while improving competitiveness and strengthening the economy’s ability to withstand disruption.
Building on more than 75 years of cooperation with Thailand, the framework will combine knowledge and support for reform with selective public-sector financing and efforts to encourage private investment. The World Bank Group said the partnership would support Thailand’s transition to high-income status. Continued …
Fitch upgrades Thailand outlook to ‘stable’
Fitch Ratings has revised Thailand’s outlook to “stable” from “negative”, citing increased confidence that government debt will broadly stabilize over the medium term and that political conditions will improve following the general elections heldearlier this year.
The outlook revision reverses a downgrade warning issued last year, when concerns over rising debt and weak growth weighed on the country’s credit profile. Continued …
Government moving to fully relocate Bangkok port to Laem Chabang
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the government’s goal to fully cease operations of Bangkok port in Klong Toei and shift them to Laem Chabang if this is feasible, so as to allow for commercial development of the area, thereby generating far more revenue for the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) than is currently possible.
However, if it becomes necessary to retain certain operations — such as the transport of fresh food or fruit requiring rapid handling — each case will be studied individually. PAT management has been instructed to review the original intent behind the construction of Laem Chabang port to determine whether it was built to consolidate all transport operations or only alleviate the burden on Bangkok port. Continued …
Thailand’s liberal gold regime at risk
There is no currently established gold transaction tax rate in Thailand. While the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Thailand have been studying the possibility of imposing taxes on gold imports and domestic trading to curb money laundering and gray capital, no such tax has been implemented..
The proposal to introduce a gold transaction tax is intended to increase visibility into transactions to prevent illicit funds, rather than to generate government revenue. Some discussions have suggested a potential rate of 7%, though officials have noted that even a low rate, such as 0.5%, could be significant for certain transactions. The Gold Traders Assn. has expressed opposition to such a tax, warning that it could undermine Thailand’s position as a regional gold trading hub. – Bangkok Post
Competition watchdog to beef up digital platform rules
The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) is targeting Shopee following allegations that the platform unfairly used its market power to dominate the e-commerce industry. Specifically, the regulator is investigating claims that Shopee allegedly coerced vendors into participating in promotions without their consent, such as the CashBack Coins and free shipping schemes.
The TCCT recently imposed an 84.3-million-baht fine on Shopee after finding the platform violated the law by automatically enrolling sellers in certain promotional programs. These programs reportedly forced vendors to accept additional service fees without their permission, which led to reduced profits and unexpected costs for those businesses.
In response to these and other complaints from e-commerce platforms regarding fee increases and changes to contract terms, the TCCT plans to strengthen digital platform regulations to address unfair competition and assess whether such fees are fair and appropriate. – Bangkok Post
AI companies confront their darkest fears
Prominent AI researchers and industry leaders have proposed several measures to slow the pace of artificial intelligence development to allow society and regulatory frameworks to catch up. These proposals include calling for a coordinated slowdown in the development of advanced models, implementing licensing regimes similar to those used in aviation or medicine, and establishing global coordination to prevent a competitive race between companies..
Specific calls for caution have come from figures such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who have suggested that developers might need to voluntarily pause rapid advances. Additionally, more than 1,000 tech employees have petitioned the US government to help deliberately pace the frontier of automated AI development.
To ensure safety, some experts advocate for the use of independent evaluators to scrutinize AI systems and the creation of joint standards bodies among major AI rivals like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. – Bangkok Post
AirAsia’s Fernandes says travel demand remains strong
AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes said yesterday the low-cost carrier’s challenges from soaring jet fuel costs were “far, far” less severe than those it faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, as he sought to reassure investors aboutthe airline’s financial health.
Fernandes also said AirAsia had “strong liquidity” and was adept at managing cash, adding the current crisis was largely driven by geopolitical tensions and higher fuel prices, while travel demand remained strong. Continued …
TAT praises Lisa after Thai food showcase on US talk show goes viral
Thai superstar Lalisa Manobal, known professionally as LISA, drew worldwide attention after appearing on the US talk show The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote her new mini-album and the hit song “SaWaDiKa”.
During the program, she served host Jimmy Fallon som tam and a Thai drink, while teaching him to say “Bottoms up!” The segment became an overnight viral clip, with “Som Tum” and “LISAonFallon” trending on social media. Continued …
Why some Indian tourists are turning travel into a reputational problem
In recent years, Indian travelers have appeared in reports from aircraft cabins, airports, and streets abroad. The cases include drunken misconduct, fights, theft, assault, fraud, and alleged wildlife smuggling. Social media has added videos of tourists shouting, littering or treating landmarks as private stages.
Most Indian tourists do not behave this way. But when the same conduct keeps making news, it deserves a serious look. “Incredible India” cannot be a tourism slogan at home and a punchline abroad. Continued …
UK woman trades 15-hour workdays for Chiang Mai calm
Sophia Moulson, 23, says she has exchanged 15-hour working days in West Sussex for a slower routine in Chiang Mai after moving to Thailand in April 2025. The former salon barber, care assistant and online fitness coach said she once worked three jobs, sometimes seven days a week, but now focuses on her online business for only a few hours a day.
“My quality of life has changed dramatically,” she said. “Before moving, I was working three jobs and had very little free time.” Continued …
The Rise (and Rise and Rise) of the Suddenly Ubiquitous Jellyfish
On a hot, humid day in Samut Songkhram, near where the Mae Klong River meets the Gulf of Thailand, Wanlee Muensawat strolls through her factory, inspecting crates filled with flattened, dried jellyfish. More than a thousand tons of the ghostly plankton pass through her processing facility every year, scooped out of coastal waters by fishermen in the gulf and the Andaman Sea.
A little over 20 years ago, Muensawat had her doubts about starting Chockdee Sea Products. “I remember thinking, This is a very smelly business,” she says. She knew, however, there were markets for edible jellies, most prominently in China, where jellyfish are typically sliced into strips and served dressed or seasoned as a cold salad. And in the years since, as the Chinese middle class has swelled — and as culinary interest has picked up in South Korea and Japan —Muensawat has only watched demand climb. Continued …
Increasing concern among farmers about Kok River contamination
Farmers in the Kok river basin in Chiang Rai province are complaining that their livelihoods have been seriously affected by heavy metals discharged by unregulated mines in Shan state of Myanmar, and that their fruits and vegetables are hard to sell because consumers are worried about the health risk from contaminants.
Komchit Taerod, a villager of Ban Nong Klauy in Doi Luang district, said that they used to grow sweet corn for a company in Chiang Mai, but the company recently stopped asking them to grow sweet corns because the produce was found to be contaminated with heavy metals. Continued …
Bangkok police Taser German tourist on Khao San Road
Thai police used a Taser to restrain a German tourist during a confrontation on Bangkok’s Khao San Road after he allegedly directed racist abuse at a Canadian visitor and praised Adolf Hitler. Continued …
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Foreign Tourist Held Over Visa Overstay in Phuket – Continued …
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Doi Inthanon tourists reported over rare moss damage – Continued …
Russia seizes assets of Nestle, French firms
Russian authorities have seized the businesses and assets of the Swiss food giant Nestle and three French groups, a move the Kremlin defended yesterday as a justified measure against firms representing “unfriendly countries” that back Ukraine. Continued …
Trump claims ‘infinite’ Greenland security deal with Denmark
US President Donald Trump said yesterday e had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security that would bar Russia and China from setting up bases in the Arctic territory. Continued …
Trump bans leading media reporters from White House
US President Donald Trump said yesterday he was banning news outlets CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing them without specifics of reporting “fiction and lies.” Trump added that “other Fake News Media Outlets” would face a similar fate, but did not say which ones. 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
Thailand will raise retail prices for petrol, gasohol and diesel by 0.85 baht per liter from today, as mounting subsidy costs place increasing pressure on the Oil Fuel Fund.
Brent and US crude futures settled about 1% higher yesterday, with fresh strikes on Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure and attacks on Middle Eastern shipping intensifying concerns over global supplies.
Gastech 2026 panellists in Bangkok warned yesterday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would not immediately restore normal gas supplies, with damaged facilities and disrupted shipping requiring time to recover.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), said today that officials aimed to clarify a regulatory framework and minimum standards for data centers in about one month.
Thailand’s Board of Investment has approved six landmark projects totaling 958 billion baht (approximately USD29 billion), with TikTok System (Thailand) leading the initiative through a massive 842-billion-baht data infrastructure expansion. This approval demonstrates Thailand’s emerging prominence as a regional hub for data centers, cloud services, and AI-driven digital infrastructure.
Questions are growing about whether artificial intelligence is outpacing safety measures for the technology. What’s driving the sudden push to “slow down” AI development, and is slowing the race even possible. 
Yesterday, Nestlé (Thailand) took a stand on its Southeast Asian growth strategy, signaling to global investors that even a multi-billion-dollar legal breakdown with its long-standing local partner will not derail its operational roadmap.
Thailand ends its 60-day visa exemption today, replacing it with 30-day and 15-day schemes, a shorter visa on arrival list and tighter limits at land borders. Thailand’s revised tourist entry rules change how long millions of foreign visitors can stay without arranging a visa before departure.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched Nihao Month 2026 to encourage Chinese visitors to travel to Thailand during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Golden Week holiday marking China’s National Day on Oct. 1.
Chiang Mai Airport handled more than 6.53 million passengers in the first eight months of 2026, with international travel rising 14% year-on-year. The airport expects passenger numbers to reach about 9.97 million for the full year as the winter flight schedule begins in late October.
Marine researchers recorded a peak of 278 adult blacktip reef sharks gathering near the shore of Maya Bay early this month, setting a record high for the 2026 fiscal year and providing strong evidence of ecological recovery during the bay’s annual closure, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
The concept of a luxury home in Thailand has moved well beyond the postcard image of a beachfront villa with an infinity pool. Industry estimates value the country’s luxury residential segment at roughly USD73.7 billion in 2025, with continued growth projected through the next decade as rising regional wealth, tourism recovery, and international demand for premium living converge.
Living abroad was never really on my radar until I got married. My wife had always wanted to travel and live outside the US, and as I looked into it more, it started to feel like an experience we should try together.
Central Pattaya, a global beachfront landmark in the heart of Pattaya, has invited runners and travelers from around the world to join the Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race 2026: Run the wave. Own the night on Oct. 31. Celebrating its 10th anniversary under the theme “The Sunset to Moonlight Beach Race,” the 5K race will bring thousands of runners to the sands of Pattaya Beach for a one-of-a-kind night combining sunset running, music, entertainment and Pattaya’s vibrant beach lifestyle.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has signed an agreement with a US government agency to study American small modular reactor technology as the country considers its first nuclear power plant.
The US Supreme Court dealt a major blow yesterday to President Donald Trump’s attempts to restrict mail-in voting before the November midterm elections, denying his request to lift an order halting the divisive plan. Only two of the six conservative justices on the nine-member panel offered a dissent. 
The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan reached a record high of 107,677 in September, climbing for the 56th consecutive year, health ministry data showed today. The total number of centenarians grew by 7,914 from the previous year, surpassing the 100,000 threshold for the first time. Women made up 87.6% of the cohort. 
After nine days trapped in a hydropower tunnel and a week of hospital care following his dramatic rescue, Sanjay Sah, a rare survivor of last month’s devastating glacier collapse in Nepal, finally returned to his village and family on Sunday. It was a homecoming marked by relief and joy, but also grief. 
Thailand has long appealed to retirees seeking sunshine, affordability, reliable healthcare, and a slower pace of life.
Thailand has ranked third in the world for digital nomads and fourth for retirees in the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, which assessed 192 countries and territories.
A new concrete road and drainage system for Hua Hin Soi 10 have been completed under a municipal project, with a construction budget of 5.42 million baht. Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul and municipal officials inspected the work last week as part of the formal acceptance process.
Camera traps have recorded tigers in Prachuap Khiri Khan alongside Fea’s muntjac and other rare wildlife during a five-month survey, conservation officials announced yesterday.
Thailand’s diesel prices are set to fall from Wednesday, after the Energy Policy Administration Committee approved a cut of 2.40 baht per liter (roughly $0.07) at the refinery level.
A new NIDA Poll has found that many Thai respondents who had heard reports of, or experienced, alleged inappropriate or illegal behavior by Israelis in Thailand said their main concern was a lack of respect for the law.
Thailand still has 2,574 subdistricts without adequate standard emergency medical units, while a Senate working group is pushing for expanded local coverage and plans to increase the number of paramedics to 7,500 within five years.
Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained more than 2% in early trading today, following renewed Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and Iranian attacks on ships in the Gulf.
Thailand’s Energy Ministry hopes to launch its 26th petroleum bidding round in the Andaman Sea by late 2026, with five major energy companies identified as potential participants, but Cabinet approval of key fiscal terms remains pending, according to media reports.
This week, the global energy industry gathers in Bangkok for Gastech, the world’s premier gas conference. Thailand is a fitting host, both for its own industrial ambitions and because it sits at the heart of the region that is reshaping global energy demand.
Thailand’s Customs Department collected more than 4 billion baht in import duties on goods worth no more than 1,500 baht in the first 11 months of fiscal 2026, Director-general Phantong Loykulnanta said, reporting a shift toward purchases from domestic sellers.
Phuket’s property market has reached a total value of more than 705 billion baht, the highest among Thailand’s regional provinces, with resort condominiums and villas accounting for more than half of residential supply and foreign buyers remaining a major source of demand.
Chiang Mai farmers move to preserve local herb as ‘Makwean’ earns GI registration
What began as a defensive response to a global energy supply shock is rapidly turning into Thailand’s most ambitious economic transformation in decades.
Indonesian rescuers continued searching today for 129 people missing after the Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea. Six people have died and 108 have been rescued. The vessel carried 243 people and was sailing from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when it encountered bad weather early yesterday. 
Rescuers retrieved more remains from a passenger ferry in the Philippine that was gutted by fire, bringing the death toll on Saturday to 76, with 13 missing. Forty-three people survived the fire on Wednesday night among the 132 on board. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney calls Canada “the most European of non-European countries,” and while formal EU membership may be tricky, he is pursuing unprecedented closeness with the bloc to reduce dependence on a hostile United States. 
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.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said flash floods and landslides struck areas along Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday, with deaths reported and more than 600 Nepalis and foreign nationals missing. No Thai nationals have been reported injured or killed.
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.
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.
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.
A group fight involving rival speedboat operators broke out on Tawaen Beach road on Koh Larn, off Pattaya, yesterday. Video shared online showed men who operate the Pattaya-Koh Larn tourist speedboats arguing before punches were thrown in front of beachgoers.
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.
Thailand has recorded 21,620 dengue infections and 31 deaths so far this year, as the seasonal outbreak continues to gather pace, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said yesterday.
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.
Pattaya is preparing for the influx of US Navy personnel when the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and two accompanying vessels are scheduled to dock at Laem Chabang from Sept. 2-6.
American money, military spending and technical assistance helped Thailand build roads, airports and modern institutions while neighboring states faced wars. The transformation brought rapid growth, but also strengthened military rule and widened social inequality.
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.
The collapse of the lower section of a Himalayan glacier may have unleashed the ice, rock and sediment that caused catastrophic flooding near Nepal’s border with Tibet, although experts have not established why the glacier failed. Satellite images indicated that part of the glacier broke away at an altitude of about 5,200 meters before plunging approximately 1,200 meters onto the valley floor. 
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). 
Thai teenage singer and guitarist Nene Royal has advanced directly to the final of America’s Got Talent Season 21 after judge Mel B awarded her the Live Golden Buzzer during the program’s second live quarter-final.
A widening US campaign to isolate Iran economically could expose Thailand to higher energy costs and unstable capital flows, while Washington’s scrutiny of Beijing may create a difficult foreign-policy choice for Bangkok, a CIMB Thai Bank economist has warned.
The Labor Ministry will propose an expansion of social security coverage under Section 33 to include agricultural workers, street vendors and domestic workers. Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat said before going into yesterday’s cabinet meeting he would submit two proposals for approval.
Car production in Thailand rose 6.1% in July from a year earlier to 117,383 units, the Federation of Thai Industries said yesterday. The reading follows a year-on-year fall of 7.5% in June. The FTI has previously forecast a 3.33% drop in car production for the whole of 2026.
Thailand has revoked an Israeli tourist’s visa after a Koh Samui zoo dispute triggered nationalist protests and reported death threats from Paris. Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul also ordered airlines to brief all Thailand-bound passengers on Thai laws and culture.
Thailand generated 984.32 billion baht in tourism revenue from 20.32 million foreign arrivals between Jan. 1 1 and Aug.22, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said. However, the visitor total was 2.96% lower than during the corresponding period last year, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul.
Ezy Airlines has suspended a plan to fly in northern Thailand, reportedly due to high parking fees at Chiang Mai airport, prompting the governor of Mae Hong Son to seek a review of the fees to support tourism.
For generations, summer in Europe has been languid and dreamy, bringing fine weather and lengthy days on sunny beaches and terraces. But in 2026, the brutal reality of climate change forced its way into daily life. “I felt a sense of the apocalypse this summer,” said Cyril Chedeville, a 59-year-old from Bordeaux in southwestern France. He was not alone. 
A can of Fanta sold in London has 63 calories. Buy the same brand in India, and it contains three times as much sugar. It also includes artificial dye, whose presence in food products in Europe requires a prominent health warning. Reuters India Co. News Editor Aditya Kalra explains why Big Food in India has resisted efforts to mandate nutritional warnings on the front of packaged products. 
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
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
Tourism in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi continues to show resilience, with stronger foreign visitor revenue and higher per-person spending helping offset softer domestic demand and wider economic pressures.
Thailand ranks third of 31 destinations for expats on the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, behind Panama and Mexico. The survey ran from Feb. 1 to March 31 this year, drawing about 7,786 respondents of 162 nationalities across 31 countries.
A single night in a private room at Bangkok Hospital can run past 25,000 baht before any treatment is added to the bill. Most expats assume their health insurance handles that kind of cost without a second thought. But the truth is, the exclusions section of the policy, the part almost nobody reads past the first page, is often where that assumption falls apart.
Thailand will send a technical team to the United States from Aug. 27 to 29 for further negotiations on an agreement on reciprocal trade, or ART, before policy-level talks led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.
The White House has accused more than 40 countries, including Thialnd, Canada, Mexico, Japan and EU member states, of helping China evade US tariffs by rerouting exports through lower-tariff jurisdictions — a practice it labels “The Great Transshipment Scam”.
Thailand plans to restructure automotive excise taxes by offering lower rates for vehicles produced domestically and charging more on fully built imports from companies without manufacturing investment in the country.
AOT studies fast-track services, return of arrival duty-free shops
Chiang Mai Waterfall closed after tourists swept away
Four Spanish tourists injured by falling tree at Ayutthaya temple
A prominent Thai plastic surgeon has publicly urged people not to take everything in the Australian 60 Minutes investigation into Thai cosmetic surgery at face value, saying he has been contacted by a surgeon connected to one of the featured cases who told him the reality was not as the program presented it.
Theerasak “Pop” Saksritawee spends up to eight hours every day swimming, hiking and filming dugongs near Phuket. Now, he’s warning the animals may soon disappear from one of the few places outside Australia that they gather. 
Bangkok’s floating markets: Where trade still floats
Australia’s New South Wales state will begin a major gun buyback on November 2, offering owners up to A$1,000, or about US$700, for each eligible rifle or handgun surrendered. The federal government passed legislation in January establishing a gun buyback, strengthening checks on firearm license applicants and introducing measures against hate-related conduct. 
Alma Ronen has been fighting in the Israeli military nearly constantly for more than two years. Spending her Saturday not in uniform but in a T-shirt and jeans, she would like to enjoy a coffee outside – and resents that her more religious compatriots think otherwise. 
US President Donald Trump said he was “not happy” about US participation in joint military exercises with close ally South Korea and is scaling back the drills aimed at deterring rival North Korea that start today. 
A Western content creator has warned foreigners against moving to Thailand without a clear financial plan, saying many end up “packing up and going home” after under estimating their costs.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) yesterday removed a street lighting charge from public electricity bills, leading to 6-satang reduction in the rate to 3.89 baht a unit from next month (September). The rate structure for residential electricity has also been adjusted, with the first 200 units capped at 3 baht per unit.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has called on mobile phone users to finish mandatory SIM identity verification and update their information by Aug. 30 as it seeks to combat mule accounts and technology crime.
Thailand is moving toward more targeted regulation of ride-hailing and on-demand delivery platforms, as each of the markets consolidates around two dominant players, with competition authorities preparing new guidelines to address structural barriers, algorithmic practices and potential abuses of market power.
At least 11 French nationals who were arrested in Thailand with cannabis in their luggage, claimed they were deceived into carrying “locked bags” in exchange for free holidays.
Chinese arrivals target set at 5.1 million this year
Thai authorities have resolved a major administrative backlog dating back to 2018 by issuing hotel licenses to 275 properties in Phuket as part of a broader government drive to regulate unlicensed hospitality businesses and crack down on illegal foreign nominee operations.
Thailand Outlines Plan to Commercialize 231 Forgotten Heritage Dishes
Long before modern advocacy, romantic and deeply intimate bonds between women existed behind the closed doors of the ancient Thai royal courts. Known traditionally as “Len Puean” (เล่นเพื่อน), these relationships were a recognized, if sometimes hushed, part of court culture.
From the Elephant Sanctuaries of Thailand
I was in Thailand this week visiting my wife’s family and I had to satisfy some professional curiosity and see what was going on in the country’s cannabis market for myself.
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for two consecutive days this week to mark the Buddhist holidays of Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, with many shops, convenience stores and restaurants prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks, unless in areas falling under current exemptions.
Samui water rationing begins Monday after drought
Thailand Schools Struggle to Break Children’s Phone Addiction
Bangkok authorities have ordered 79 entertainment venues and similar establishments to halt operations after inspecting 865 premises across the capital in a week-long safety and licensing campaign.
The Thai baht has slid to 33.640 per US dollar, its 2026 high, marking an 8.% decline since February. This weakness stems primarily from the 250–275 basis point policy rate gap between the Fed (3.5%–3.75%) and the Bank of Thailand (1.00%), which sustains a strong carry advantage for dollar assets.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says Thailand is two-thirds of the way through concluding a free trade agreement with the European Union and is pressing Beijing on three fronts to correct an increasingly lopsided trade relationship — all part of a wider strategy to reduce Thailand’s reliance on any single major power.
Thailand expects to welcome a record 2.7 million Indian visitors next year after recommending a 30-day visa-free entry, instead of the visa on arrival initially proposed, for Indian nationals, with tourism officials also banking on expanded flight connections from smaller Indian cities to boost demand.
More tourists are good news for Thailand. But not if the country cannot cope with the pressures they bring. Tourism is one of Thailand’s biggest sources of income. For decades, success was measured by the number of visitors. That yardstick no longer tells the whole story.
Phuket generated 263 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first six months of this year, attracting nearly seven million visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).