- Qatari tourist assaults Hua Hin residents/Hua Hin Accommodation Guide/Peace talks put off after attacks
- THE IRAN WAR: Energy sector to purchase oil outside Middle East/Oil prices dip
- ECONOMY: Restaurants push ahead amid cost pressures/Thai June factory output falls/Thailand’s Egg Market and Monopoly Power/Cabinet keeps VAT at 7%/From land bridge to ‘missing link’/Thai vehicle sales rise
- TOURISM: Seven policies for sustainable tourism/Thailand steps up wellness tourism/Thailand’s Luxury Tourism Boom/Thai AirAsia suspends nine routes/Indian Tourists Rescued After Kidnap Ordeal/Four Pattaya Ladyboys Arrested
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Saving Surin’s Elephant/Chiang Mai temples next in line
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Qatari tourist assaults Hua Hin residents, to be deported
A Qatari tourist is accused of injuring five people during a violent outburst that began inside a cannabis shop in Hua Hin, before spilling onto the street and ending with members of the public restraining him.
The incident took place Sunday evening and prompted a response from Hua Hin Police. Witnesses said the man damaged property, assaulted shop staff and attacked several people nearby, including a disabled flower seller using a wheelchair. Continued …
Hua Hin Accommodation Guide: 12 Best Beach Resorts and Budget Hotels
Planning a trip to Hua Hin, and looking for the best accommodation recommendations? Hua Hin, a coastal resort city just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, is famous for its vibrant night markets, unique creative markets, and an impressive range of accommodation options.
(Editor: While we are sure the businesses represented in this listing are all quality resorts or hotels, it should be noted that lists such as these are often a “pay to play” opportunity, and those that do not want to pay are left off the list.)
This Hua Hin hotel guide features 12 carefully selected properties, including luxury sea-view resorts, private pool villas, comfortable suites, and great-value budget hotels. Whether you prefer the bustling Hua Hin city center, the convenient Hua Hin Beach, or the tranquil Cha-am Beach, you will find the perfect base for your luxurious getaway. Continued …
Peace talks with southern insurgency groups put off after Narathiwat attacks
The Thai government has indefinitely postponed peace talks with southern insurgency groups after two attacks last week, with five rangers killed and six civilians injured in one of them, while a police officer was slightly injured in a car bomb blast.
Thanat Suwannanon, director of the National Intelligence Agency and head of the peace talks delegation for southern border provinces, said negotiations had started well but then the attacks suddenly occurred and a statement was issued while the technical team was attending the talks. Continued …
Energy sector to purchase oil outside the Middle East
Energy authorities and oil traders are preparing to import more crude oil from outside the Middle East, as the escalating conflict disrupts two key shipping routes – the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
Before the war, Thailand relied heavily on the Middle East for crude oil, with 58% of imports coming mainly from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The remaining 42% was sourced from the US and Asia-Pacific. Continued …
Oil prices dip over 6% after US, Iran pause fighting over weekend
Oil prices tumbled more than 6% yesterday after the U.S. and Iran paused strikes over the weekend after two weeks of attacks, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution that would de-escalate the conflict and allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz. Video …
Restaurants push ahead amid cost pressures
Despite rising costs, the Thai restaurant industry is expected to continue expanding this year, according to an executive of Central Restaurants Group Co . (CRG). Nath Vongphanich, chief executive of CRG, anticipates the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme will help lift sales among small restaurateurs in the second half of 2026.
He said the scheme is expected to boost Thai consumers’ purchasing power while it is in effect, supporting industry growth. The scheme runs from June to September and should provide support to the industry during the low season, said Nath. Continued …
Thai June factory output falls 3.1% y/y, weaker than forecast
Thailand’s manufacturing production index dropped 3.1% in June from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said yesterday, weaker than analysts’ forecasts. The June reading compared with a forecast increase of 0.2% in a Reuters poll. The May reading was revised to a fall of 1.3% from an original figure of a 0.8% drop.
The main drags on the MPI were weaker automobile and petroleum production, while tensions in the Middle East added pressure from volatile energy and freight costs, the ministry said. Continued …
Thailand’s Egg Market and the Hidden Cost of Monopoly Power
In economics, few indicators of food security are as simple — and as powerful — as the price of eggs. Affordable, accessible, and nutritious, eggs should be the most democratic source of protein in any society. Yet, in Thailand, a single egg tells a far more complex story — one of market power, distorted incentives, and a system that may no longer serve the public interest.
Over the past two decades, Thailand’s egg industry has undergone a profound transformation. What was once a sector consisted of smallholder farmers has gradually evolved into a vertically integrated system, where big large firms control the supply chain — from breeding stock and feed production to distribution and retail. This structural shift has not only changed how eggs are produced, but benefits sharing within the whole system. Continued …
Cabinet keeps VAT at 7% for another year
The Cabinet yesterday decided to retain the 7% value-added tax (VAT) rate for another year, until Sept. 30, 2027. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said maintaining the 7% VAT rate will help ease the cost-of-living burden, stimulate domestic consumption and stabilize the economy.
She also said the measure will boost private-sector confidence in the Thai economy, encourage greater domestic investment and further support economic growth. Continued …
PM defends shift from land bridge to ‘missing link’
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday defended the government’s decision to scale back the land bridge megaproject, saying it had been adapted – not abandoned – in response to financial, environmental and geopolitical realities.
His remarks came after the government announced last week that it would replace the land bridge proposal with a narrower “missing link” transport strategy after a formal review found low financial viability, increased budget risks and environmental concerns. Continued …
Thai vehicle sales rise 17% in June
New vehicle sales in Thailand expanded by 17% to 58,724 units in June, up from 50,079 units a year earlier, according to the latest data released by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
The market was driven higher by continued strong demand for passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs), sales of which surged by 140% year-on-year to 22,275 units last month, while sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) passenger vehicles declined by 34% to 8,114 units. Continued …
Thailand sets out seven policies for sustainable tourism growth
Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul at a meeting with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) board and senior executives yesterday delivered key policies to drive Thailand’s tourism industry.
The policies aim to elevate the country as a meaningful, high-value and sustainable tourism destination, The minister set out seven key policies and operational guidelines under the concept “Tourism for All, Tourism for the Future: Thai tourism for everyone, toward a sustainable future”. Continued …
Thailand steps up wellness tourism growth ambitions
Thailand is positioning itself as a leading destination for wellness and longevity in Asia within three years, combining modern medical technology, world-class tourism and traditional Thai medicine.
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat announced the government’s ambitious plan to transform the nation’s medical and wellness sector into a major health economy, citing strong infrastructure development as a key driver of growth. Continued …
Thailand’s Luxury Tourism Boom Is Creating a New Problem
Thailand has never had more to offer the luxury traveler. New flagship properties are opening across Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui. The country generated $48.5 billion in tourism revenue in 2024 alone. The Southeast Asia luxury travel market reached $91.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to more than double to $205.8 billion by 2034, according to IMARC Group.
By every measure, Thailand is at the center of one of the most significant luxury travel expansions in the world. And yet the traveler who sits down to plan a high-end trip to Thailand in 2026 faces a problem that has grown alongside the market itself: there is simply too much to evaluate, too many conflicting sources to consult, and no single structured framework for making decisions that actually reflect how a person wants to travel. Continued …
Thai AirAsia temporarily suspends nine routes from Suvarnabhumi
Thai AirAsia has announced it will temporarily suspend services from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) from July 15 to Sept. 30, then resume operations on Oct. 1. During the period, the airline will suspend all flights on the nine routes it had operated from Suvarnabhumi.
The move follows Thai AirAsia’s earlier reduction of average capacity by 30% in May and June because of sharply higher aviation fuel costs and slower travel demand in the middle of the year. Continued …
Indian Tourists Rescued After Kidnap Ordeal in Pattaya
Three Indian tourists have been rescued by Thai police after being kidnapped, tortured and held for ransom for five days in Pattaya in what investigators believe is a new form of scam targeting foreign visitors.
The rescue took place yesterday after officers from Pattaya City Police, Chonburi Immigration, Nong Prue Police and investigators from all three agencies surrounded a townhouse in Moo 13, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district. Police said the suspected kidnappers fled on motorcycles moments before officers entered the property. Inside, they found three Indian men bound with their hands tied behind their backs and their mouths taped shut. Continued …
Four Pattaya Ladyboys Arrested Over Australian Tourist Robbery
Four ladyboys have been arrested in connection with the violent robbery of an Australian tourist in Pattaya, more than seven months after the alleged attack took place. Tourist Police announced the arrests yesterday following a lengthy investigation into the incident involving a 53-year-old Australian national.
Police said the robbery occurred on Dec. 27 when the victim reported that a group of ladyboys attacked him and stole his belongings in the resort city. Continued …
Saving Surin’s Elephants, One Herbal Block at a Time
Surin lies about 450 kilometers from Bangkok, in Thailand’s lower northeast. It is flat, agricultural country: rice paddies stretching to the horizon, sugar palms standing like sentinels along the roads, and the occasional water buffalo chewing at overgrown grass.
The elephant village I had come to visit sat a few kilometers outside the main town. A mahout — the traditional term for an elephant keeper — met me at the roadside, and we drove along a red dirt path between rows of palms until it opened onto a clearing where three elephants stood beneath rain trees. Continued …
7 Chiang Mai temples next in line for UNESCO listing
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said Thailand will seek UNESCO World Heritage status for seven temples in Chiang Mai. The move follows the inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage site.
Suchart described the inscription, approved on Saturday at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, as a major cultural achievement and a source of pride for the country. Continued …
Wildlife face ‘catastrophic’ losses as France’s forests burn
Deer trapped by walls of flame, lizards unable to escape the heat, habitats reduced to charred wood and ash: wildlife are paying a steep price as France’s forests burn. Some 42,000 hectares (103,000 acres) of forest west of Bordeaux has burned since Wednesday and authorities fear a heatwave forecast this week could breathe fresh fury into the blaze. 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
Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab Aug. 28-30, featuring local food, fresh seafood, cooking competitions and live entertainment. The three-day festival will bring together restaurants, hotels and food businesses from Hua Hin and Cha-am, giving visitors the opportunity to sample regional dishes beside the beach.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
A nine-day Hua Hin cultural tourism event will be held at the old Hua Hin Railway Station Aug. 10-18, showcasing the art, culture and historical identity of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Thai authorities have expanded an enforcement campaign targeting suspected nominee-owned businesses in Phuket, with more than 361 companies now facing inspection following a confrontation at Chabad House in Patong.
Thailand has launched a digital application that allows diners to find certified street-food vendors, forming part of a government program to raise operating standards and expand market opportunities for small businesses.
Concerns over children’s mental health is renewing debate whether excessive use of mobile devices is harming academic performance and learning capability, while boosting social isolation and criminal behavior influenced by online personalities.
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a native plant closely associated with local ways of life and traditional Thai medicine. Its removal from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021 marked an important turning point, opening the way for broader research, economic value creation and commercial development.
Amid a slowing economy and intense competition in the property market, developers of new housing projects are accelerating promotional campaigns offering discounts, giveaways and added incentives.
Despite US efforts to impose tariffs, Thai exports to America expanded over the first nine months of the fiscal year, up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion baht. In contrast, exports to China grew by only 0.78%, totaling 1 trillion baht.
The private sector is optimistic that new US tariffs will not have a major impact on Thai exports, though businesses are urging the government to expedite trade negotiations to enhance the country’s competitiveness on the global stage.
China’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China. Speaking at the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Friday, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.
Thailand is tightening its screening of data center investments, shifting its focus from the number and value of projects to their quality as the expansion of artificial intelligence drives demand for electricity, water and large-scale computing infrastructure.
The robot army is coming
Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s leading healthcare providers, has unveiled WellEra Bangkok, an approximately US$865 million (THB 29 billion) wellness-integrated development that reimagines how the built environment can actively support healthier, longer lives.
The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status
Mitsubishi Motors is set to invest B16 billion ($473.23m) in Thailand by 2030, backing the automotive sector’s move toward electric vehicles (EVs). The funding will be channeled into EV technology.
The world is sinking under more than 460 million tons of plastic waste each year. More alarming than the figure itself is the fact that about 19 million tons escape into the environment, wreaking havoc, damaging biodiversity, worsening the greenhouse-gas crisis and ultimately harming our own health.
Thailand’s coastal destinations are witnessing a significant rise in staycation bookings, with Krabi leading the charge, according to recent data from Traveloka. Krabi’s bookings have more than doubled year on year, followed by Hua Hin with an increase of over 80%, Pattaya at around 65%, and Phuket nearly 60%.
Thailand’s private hospital sector is facing a new source of competition as the government expands premium services at public hospitals, putting pressure on mid-tier operators that rely on domestic self-pay and insured patients.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued an urgent public health warning following a surge in bacterial infections linked to the rainy season, with combined fatalities from leptospirosis and melioidosis surpassing 100 since the start of the year.
Thailand has uncovered one of its biggest suspected cryptocurrency power theft operations after investigators seized 1,900 bitcoin mining machines. Detectives uncovered more than B280 million in stolen electricity and have launched a widening hunt for the financiers behind the organized criminal network.
Thailand shelves Land Bridge plan after study
Global trade-policy tensions have returned to the fore as the United States presses ahead with protectionist measures to safeguard its interests and supply chains. The latest action invokes Section 301, a law that allows the US to take retaliatory trade action against trading partners.
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.5% from the 1.6% projected in April, after exports, private investment and household consumption performed more strongly than expected.
Exports surged 20.8% year-on-year to US$34.7 billion in June, driven by strong demand for industrial goods such as electronics, smartphones, electrical appliances, and automobiles and auto parts, says the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Thailand is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic ties with Europe by racing to finalize the free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of 2026 the Thai-EU FTA. Experts say, however, that Thai businesses doing trade with the bloc need to prioritize the traceability of their exported goods.
The Cabinet has approved a 12.76-billion-baht fisheries management plan targeting the recovery of aquatic resources, tighter controls against illegal fishing and stronger competitiveness for Thailand’s seafood industry by 2027.
Thailand’s sex industry is illegal under the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, but an analysis on Thursday argues that it remains deeply embedded in the country’s tourism economy, supporting hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis and other businesses.
Thailand plans three tourism-boosting schemes: a 1.75-billion-baht co-payment program covering hotels, restaurants, and attractions nationwide; 200-million-baht domestic airfare discounts for 400,000 seats; and a 500-million-baht international flight initiative targeting 487,000 visitors. All require Cabinet and committee approval before implementation, expected late 2026.
By 5:30 in the morning, the Trok Mor alley in Old Bangkok is already awake. Metal shutters rattle open one by one. A woman arranges bundles of holy basil and Chinese celery beneath a bare light bulb while another vendor lays out bitter beans and kitchen herbs on a wooden table.
As part of its sustainability journey, the resort has implemented a wide range of initiatives designed to reduce its environmental impact and promote responsible hospitality. These include reducing single-use plastics through the use of water filtration systems and glass bottles, implementing energy-saving systems in meeting facilities, and operating an on-site wastewater treatment system that allows treated water to be reused for landscape irrigation. 
Dreaming of a life in Thailand that’s both vibrant and affordable? Join me on a journey through Hua Hin, a charming coastal town that offers incredible livability! In this video, I’ll address what you need to know about making Hua Hin your home, from where to stay to how to navigate the town like a local.
Fuel prices rose by 85 satang per liter across most product categories in Thailand today, following new retail price announcements by PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp.
An anti-corruption watchdog has urged the government to step up its fight against graft after a local government recruitment exam scandal, warning the case exposes deep-rooted problems in the bureaucracy and could damage Thailand’s international reputation.
Thai customs officials have seized 1.6 tons of dried cannabis buds concealed among blankets and duvet covers in two export containers destined for the Netherlands at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri province.
Global oil prices climbed about 2% to their highest closing levels in five weeks yesterday, as escalating conflict in the Middle East intensified concerns over possible disruption to major energy supply routes.
It would be so easy for Donald Trump to escape from the trap he has built for himself in the Persian Gulf. Just declare a victory and leave.
Six of Thailand’s largest listed banks reported a combined net profit of approximately 101.4 billion baht for the first half of 2026, as wealth management and fee income cushioned the impact of falling interest margins, though ratings agency Fitch has warned that earnings and asset quality across the sector face further pressure in the second half of the year.
The never-ending fight for Nui Beach
Why You Should Skip This Thai Island
Listening to Buffalo Herders
Senators propose 3 sites for UNESCO list
Khao Tom is cool again
There’s a new threat on the horizon that could soon sweep the world, raising food and energy prices and disrupting supply chains at a time when the world is least able to cope. It’s called El Niño and forecasts are calling for the one of the strongest on record in the fourth quarter of this year — in other words a “super El Niño.”
Thinking about retirement in Thailand and wondering where to live in Hua Hin? This video breaks down the truth about Hua Hin’s best and worst areas in 2026 — based on real-life retirement factors, not holiday impressions. One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning to retire in Hua Hin is choosing an area based on a short holiday instead of long-term lifestyle. The neighborhood that feels perfect for two weeks can be completely wrong for the next 10–20 years. 
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, through the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AirAsia Group to elevate mutual tourism promotion under the concept “Amazing Thailand: Feel All the Feelings.” The agreement encompasses marketing collaborations, communications, aviation route connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia, and market intelligence exchanges to drive short-haul travel — particularly from the Malaysian market.
The Cha Am Squid Festival will return Sept. 12–19, with the annual event taking place at the Cha Am Beach viewpoint. The festival is officially known as the 25th Eat Shellfish, Catch Squid @ Cha Am Festival.
Prachuap Khiri Khan has launched a vaping campaign to improve awareness among young people about the dangers of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction. Deputy Gov. Prateep Boriboonrat opened the training program at Hadthong Hotel in Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
A recent wedding controversy involving a Thai bride and a foreign groom has renewed attention on Sin Sod, the Thai marriage custom in which the groom or his family presents money, gold or other valuables during the ceremony.
Nearly a year after border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia were shut, intermittent diplomatic overtures have yet to produce the political trust needed to reopen them, leaving border communities and businesses facing an increasingly prolonged economic standstill.
Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early today, forcing its crew to abandon the ship even as the United States conducted yet-another round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic over control of the key waterway.
The baht is expected to continue weakening against the US dollar this week after falling to a nearly 15-month low, driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East.
The Thai Restaurant Assn. is asking the government to connect raw material wholesalers with restaurants to lower ingredient costs, rather than providing subsidies for each dish.
Thailand studies Bangkok Port closure and entertainment complex plan
The Industry Ministry is drafting a landmark law aimed at regulating data center investments in Thailand, as the country grapples with the environmental and infrastructural challenges posed by the sector’s rapid growth.
Thai Beverage, the maker of Chang beer and SangSom rum, is considering a potential sale of its KFC restaurant franchise business in Thailand, according to people familiar with the matter.
Thailand’s rich culture, beautiful landscapes and distinctive cuisine aren’t the only reasons why tourists keep flocking to the country. Thailand has been leading Asia in medical tourism, with more than a million foreigners travelling to the country every year for medical and surgical procedures.
Bangkok is preparing to host its largest HYROX event yet, as the global fitness race returns for four days of competition, bringing together more than 20,000 athletes from Aug. 13–16.
Korat Buddhist Lent candle festival returns with grand parade
Thailand is leaning hard into solar and wind power, and households are beginning to see the payoff: lower electricity bills. A report says cleaner energy and more competitive long-term contracts are pushing down the average cost of power, an important signal in a region where air-conditioning demand can hammer family budgets.
Heavily reliant on pesticides, Thai agriculture is ‘trapped in a vicious cycle’
French lawmakers are expected to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15 today, putting France at the forefront of similar efforts in the European Union (EU). 
Cocaine addiction rehab in Thailand spans budget value centers to five-star clinics, and the right fit depends on price, location, and clinical need. Clinicians treat cocaine dependence through the mind, not a prescription pad, which raises the stakes on choosing well. The wrong center wastes money and momentum, while the right one separates a person from triggers and rebuilds the brain’s reward system.
TrueMoney, Southeast Asia’s leading fintech platform under Ascend Money, has rolled out Thailand’s first inclusive “tap-to-pay” digital financial service. “The move is part of a strategy designed to make contactless payments more accessible for consumers,” said Monsinee Nakapanant, co-president of Ascend Money.
Thailand, a country of 67 million inhabitants, has an elderly population of more than 12 million people, and growing, with medical needs that require highly trained staff. This is straining the capacity to meet the needs of this age group and is negatively impacting health services that provide increasingly sophisticated medical services.
The government has insisted cannabis is “not freely available” in Thailand, reiterating that cannabis buds are strictly regulated and may only be bought or sold with a valid medical prescription.
U.S. And Iran Escalate Strikes Across Mideast
A majority of Thais surveyed credit the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme with effectively easing their daily financial burden, though more than half use their monthly allowance within the first two weeks of the month, according to a recent poll by the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI).
Vendors struggle despite aid plan
People’s Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun has strongly criticized the stricter eligibility criteria for the state welfare card program, arguing that the tighter screening process has excluded many genuinely poor people from receiving assistance.
Nearly 40% of hotels report a sharper decline in guest numbers than expected last month due to the Middle East conflict, prompting them to offer deeper discounts while cutting costs to stay afloat.
Thailand has asked Japan to support four new water-management projects aimed at improving flood prevention, including measures for the flood-prone Chao Phraya River basin, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to strengthen resilience against increasingly frequent extreme weather.
Patio Old Town Market Hua Hin
A construction pile driving crane rig collapsed and fatally crushed a worker on Rama II Road, forcing authorities to completely close traffic in the affected area while emergency crews responded and began recovery operations.
The Yoovidhya family of Red Bull fame have retained the top spot as the richest in Thailand for the third consecutive year with a net worth of $47 billion, followed by the CP Group’s Chearavanont brothers with $36.6 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Ayutthaya elephants win praise for waiting at red light
The June 2026 Retail Sentiment Index (RSI) survey pointed to a narrow-based recovery in Thailand’s economy after government measures provided short-term support to purchasing power.
Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to swiftly resolve a recent fisheries trade dispute that disrupted seafood exports between the two countries, with both governments aiming to reopen affected markets within a week.
Nestlé has announced plans to invest 23 billion baht in a new Nescafé factory in Thailand after terminating its joint-venture agreement with Quality Coffee Products Co. (QCP), the company that previously manufactured Nescafé products in the country. The 50:50 joint venture between Nestlé and the Mahagitsiri family ended on Dec. 31, 2024, leaving QCP without the right to continue producing Nescafé products.
Sumed Prasongpongchai, director-general of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, or GIT, said exports of gems and jewelry excluding gold were worth US$860.73 million in May, up 1.8% and extending growth for a third consecutive month. Including gold, exports were worth US$2.27442 billion, up 29.7%.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) met Israeli diplomatic representatives in Bangkok this week to discuss attracting more high-spending Israeli tourists to Thailand under its “Value over Volume” tourism strategy ahead of the coming travel season.
Thailand’s concert industry is growing rapidly, but so are complaints about ticket scalpers, scams, and organized groups buying up tickets before genuine fans have a chance.
Chiang Mai Ranked Third-Best City Worldwide
Chiang Mai, northern Thailand’s largest city, presents enduring Lanna heritage across living temples, artisan quarters, and surrounding mountain landscapes, underscoring its cultural and historical significance.Viewers encounter Chiang Mai travel context through Lanna architecture, historic temples in the Old City, and daily practices such as alms rounds and evening chants.
Why forest preservation begins with rewarding communities
Line Man Wongnai is stepping up its electric vehicle push in Thailand’s ride-hailing market, using a rental model to bring more drivers onto its Line Man Ride platform and piloting a new “Comfort” service for passengers seeking larger electric cars.
What happens to a PET bottle after it leaves the consumer’s hand can determine whether it becomes accumulated waste or raw material for a new product. In Thailand, a program created by Indorama Ventures, in partnership with Amata Corp., uses this path to transform used plastic packaging into school backpacks intended for children from communities near industrial hubs.
Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin has offered a first look inside its new Zone B building ahead of its official opening in early July. The expansion will add 50 inpatient rooms and upgraded specialist departments, including the Heart Center, Gastrointestinal and Liver Department, Health Check-up Unit, Internal Medicine Department and Dermatology Department.
Residents and visitors in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been advised to monitor weather updates closely after officials issued a weather warning for heavy rain, flash floods, landslides and strong winds through Friday.
The Sam Roi Yot Run 2026 drew more than 500 Thai and international runners to Sam Roi Yot Beach on Sunday for the seventh edition of the community race. The event was held under the theme “Through the villages, along the sea”.
For decades, Thailand’s economic engine was driven by manufacturing and export-led industries. Today, the kingdom is decoupling its growth from the factory floor and tethering it to the server rack.
Thailand’s vehicle production fell sharply in May 2026, as weaker exports, particularly to the Middle East, weighed on the automotive industry, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Live commerce is becoming a more powerful sales channel for Thailand’s farm produce, with a joint TikTok and Department of Internal Trade (DIT) campaign pushing durian sales on TikTok Shop up 10.6-fold.
America celebrates its 250th birthday this week. The US is now the world’s most powerful country, and every word and signature of President Donald Trump can shape events around the globe.
Last year, I moved to Chiang Mai, a city known for what Thais have termed “slow life”. I’m almost five years living in Thailand, and came to the country’s second city for a new teaching job.
The ghostly white creature curled up on a weighing scale is almost unrecognizable in the Facebook post offering it for sale. Only closer inspection reveals it to be a dead pangolin.
People in the Philippines are flocking to install solar power on rooftops and escape the burden of soaring electricity prices, making it the world’s biggest spender on solar panels since the war in Iran started. 
Volkswagen management has told employee representatives that the job cuts already agreed are not enough, according to a works council note. The note said any further reductions had not yet been quantified, at least not to the employee side. 
The Commerce Ministry is preparing action against 140 “grey accountants” as part of a nationwide crackdown on the use of Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership in restricted businesses.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has issued new penalty guidelines that include license suspensions or revocations for cannabis businesses found to breach the department’s requirements.
The price of fertilizers is trending downward, with shipments from the Middle East currently en route to Thailand, says the Commerce Minister.
The Thai baht opened the week at 32.94 per US dollar yesterday, drifting toward the psychologically significant 33 threshold as a confluence of external headwinds and domestic vulnerabilities battered sentiment.
Thailand’s exports posted double-digit growth in May but at a slower pace than April, a Commerce Ministry official said yesterday. Customs-cleared exports rose by 23.1% in April from a year earlier. May data is due later this week.
Thailand’s property market is seeing a major shift as developers move beyond simply delaying new launches and begin selling land and ready-to-develop projects to preserve liquidity.
Thailand’s luxury hotel sector is emerging as one of the country’s most attractive investment assets, as global economic uncertainty pushes investors toward properties seen as resilient, scarce, and capable of generating long-term returns.
Thailand’s world heritage-level performing arts have taken center stage in Europe and South Korea, as Khon, Nora, Songkran traditions, and Thai classical dance were showcased in Frankfurt and Seoul as part of a wider push to promote Thai cultural soft power overseas.
Tha Phra Chan clings to Thai herbal traditions
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced yesterday that he was resigning, paving the way for what is expected to be an orderly transfer of power to frontrunner Andy Burnham. 
Thailand’s consideration of an expanded foreign ownership quota for condominium units is being viewed as a possible measure to attract overseas investment, support the property sector, and improve liquidity in a market still facing a slowdown.
Thailand’s cannabis policy is facing fresh scrutiny after the House Public Health Committee convened a tense meeting to examine whether cannabis should be returned to the narcotics list, as concerns grow over widespread sales, legal loopholes, and public health risks.
Residents have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing army of stray dogs roaming the grounds of Chiang Mai City Hall, saying the animals are intimidating visitors, chasing pedestrians, and creating safety concerns at the government complex.
Bypassing Malacca is a bridge too far for Thailand’s ports project
The Finance Ministry is expediting its review of welfare reforms to ensure the benefits target those most in need, minimize duplication across programs, and promote greater participation in the labor force. This approach is based on the concept of a negative income tax (NIT) system.
Chiang Mai’s bid to become UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in jeopardy
For decades, Thailand built its economy on the assumption that energy would remain cheap, stable, and someone else’s responsibility. That assumption is beginning to break. Many see this as a threat. It may also be an opportunity.
Thailand’s rapid solar energy expansion has grown from 2.5 megawatts to nearly 5,000 megawatts, supported by government policy and falling costs. End-of-life panel management remains largely unaddressed, however, with projections estimating between 431,000 and 728,000 tons of solar waste by 2050.