- 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
Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan have reviewed efforts to address wild elephant problems in Hua Hin and Kui Buri, including assistance and compensation for affected residents.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned all provinces nationwide, including Bangkok, to prepare for very heavy rain during Sept. 16-20, with risks of flash floods, forest run-off, landslides, waterlogging and rough seas.
Thailand is piloting a system that replaces the name, address and phone number on a parcel with a six-digit code and QR code, in an attempt to stop personal data leaking to scam gangs.
Nene Royal vows to give her all to win AGT final
Energy concerns have resurfaced in Thailand as the Middle East war becomes more complex. Traders are assessing regional supply risks, particularly the shutdown of a major Saudi Arabian oil pipeline following an attack, while shipping conditions through the Strait of Hormuz have failed to improve.
Thailand is accelerating its energy diversification to mitigate risks from extreme global market volatility and geopolitical instability. Specifically, the country is seeking to reduce its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports following surges in crude oil prices and significant spikes in liquefied natural gas costs driven by ongoing regional conflicts.
Professor Watcharapong Kasaree, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, warns that Thailand’s fiscal system could face a severe crisis within a decade if urgent reforms are not undertaken. He expresses concern that the current trajectory of increasing public debt, which could reach 80%-90% of GDP within 5-10 years if revenue is not significantly increased, could lead to a loss of economic stability.
The new Employee Welfare Fund is expected to increase operating costs for restaurants due to mandatory monthly contributions from both employers and employees. These contributions are set at a rate of 5% of employee wages, beginning on Oct. 1.
Thailand is accelerating talks on a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States amid concerns that a separate US investigation into excess production capacity could lead to higher tariffs on Thai exports. Department of Trade Negotiations Director-general Chotima Iemsawasdikul said there was still no firm timetable for concluding the deal.
The cabinet has granted oil and gas exploration concessions to two companies following the Round 25 onshore petroleum auction. The winning companies are PETTP International and Pan Orion Energy (Siam) Co., which were awarded concessions for areas in the central and northeastern regions.
Thailand could impose an excise tax of around 30% on fully imported electric vehicles, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, revealing for the first time the potential rate of a levy designed to steer automakers toward local production.
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that foreigners can now operate hotels, restaurants or tour businesses without a license under a new Foreign Business Act regulation.
Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, Alona Fisher-Kamm, has again urged Israeli visitors to respect Thai laws and culture after protests and a series of disputes involving tourists. Fisher-Kamm said both countries needed to ensure the Middle East conflict was not brought into Thailand. She nevertheless pushed back against describing recent protests as antisemitic.
A police lieutenant colonel and three other men were arrested Tuesday after they allegedly extorted 200,000 baht from a Chinese national in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai province.
Koh Lanta truly is a magical place. It feels like stepping back in time, allowing you to experience the essence of what Thailand is all about. Located on the Andaman Sea, it’s a collection of rugged islands in the Krabi province. The biggest and most inhabited is Koh Lanta Yai, which is highlighted by nine golden sand beaches and lush, palm tree jungles.
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has announced that its 2026-27 season for mountaintop visits and overnight stays will run from Oct. 1 to May 31, 2027.
The US Federal Reserve yesterday raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, defying President Donald Trump’s demand for cuts, as central bank chief Kevin Warsh stressed the need to combat inflation that has been “too high” for “too long.” The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise rates by 25 basis points to between 3.75% and 4.00%. 
Asia-Pacific will account for 45% of global demand for new passenger aircraft between 2026 and 2045, requiring 19,120 aircraft as passenger traffic grows faster than the worldwide average, Airbus forecasts. Airbus’s Global Market Forecast (GMF) for 2026–2045 puts worldwide demand at 42,060 new aircraft. 
Orchid Palm Homes was named Developer of the Year Hua Hin and BelVida Parque Hua Hin won Best Villa Development Hua Hin at the Thailand Real Estate Awards 2026 in Bangkok on Aug. 27.
August was the hottest single month ever recorded globally, with ocean temperatures also reaching unprecedented highs as western Europe capped its warmest summer, the EU’s climate monitor said today.
Apple joins foldable phone race with $1,999 passport-shaped iPhone Duo
Benchmark Brent crude oil futures rose past $100 a barrel yesterday, breaching the symbolic barrier for the first time since July 24 as intensifying conflict in the Middle East fueled growing concern about supplies.
Thailand and the United States are days from a sweeping trade deal reaching far beyond tariffs. Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun says every substantive issue is settled, with only legal drafting left. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is then expected to speak directly with US President Donald Trump to close the pact.
Don Mueang is attracting more high-end housing development as transport links, international schools and demand from affluent families broaden its appeal beyond the airport, according to Cushman & Wakefield Thailand.
Thailand’s DSI is moving toward its first summons in a widening Israeli-linked business probe centered on Pattaya. Israeli businessman Maimon David Marsiano and several Thai shareholders are expected to face questioning over suspected nominee structures, company control and investment funding.
Nestlé invests $194 million in Purina pet-food production in Thailand
Top Family-Friendly Tourist Destinations in Thailand
Registration will open in mid-October for a solar rooftop scheme offering subsidies of up to 50,000 baht per installation, initially targeting one million households.
Thailand has approved a regulatory policy framework for small modular reactors (SMRs), beginning work on the laws, specialist skills and safety arrangements needed if it eventually adopts nuclear power.
Nawee Changpirom has spent years working to rescue trafficked wildlife in Thailand, but even he can sometimes hardly believe the creatures he has found: leopards, hornbills, and once an anteater. “We even found living corals hidden in a ceiling,” he said.
US President Donald Trump promised every adult U.S. citizen would receive a $5,000 check if Republicans retain their majorities in Congress during the party’s first-ever midterm convention yesterday. The president capped off the event by attacking Democrats while rallying supporters in Texas in a bid to boost GOP enthusiasm across the country. 
The US-Canada trade war has escalated rapidly, rupturing what was once one of the world’s closest economic partnerships. But the conflict is a mismatch, with the $31 trillion US economy roughly 13 times larger than Canada’s, raising questions about the limits of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s defiance. 
Most fuel prices at PTT Station and Bangchak rose yesterday, while premium grades remained unchanged. PTT Station increased petrol and non-premium gasohol prices by 0.80 baht a liter and non-premium diesel by 0.70 baht.
Thailand’s proposed secondary alcohol rules could severely limit how breweries, bars and restaurants display beer products, according to the Craft Beer Business Assn. The draft measures will be discussed at a public consultation today and are not yet in force.
10 popular lunch dishes in Thailand loaded with sodium that could wreck your kidneys
The Thai baht weakened against the US dollar from 33.90 to 32.70, supported by dollar softness and Middle East risks. Thailand’s central bank kept rates unchanged at 1.00%, maintaining accommodative stance through H1 2027. Commerzbank expects near-term consolidation around 32.50-33.00 range.
Thailand’s consumer confidence strengthened for a third consecutive month in August, reaching its highest level in six months, as purchasing power and economic activity showed early signs of improvement, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Thailand had 26 companies licensed to operate data centers by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) as of July 27, with their declared electricity demand exceeding 1,059MW.
Bangkok ranked second among Asia’s most revisited destinations in Agoda’s latest repeat visitor ranking, behind Tokyo and ahead of Bali, based on accommodation bookings made during the first half of 2026.
Royal Thai Navy opens free ticket bookings for Royal Barge Procession
What do people want most in life? For many residents of Ban Khok Lam and Ban Saeng Aram in Kud Mak Fai subdistrict, Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani Province, the answer is not wealth or material possessions.
Thailand is about to remove work from what a visa-exempt visitor is allowed to do. Under the framework taking effect on Sept. 15, entering without a visa covers tourism and nothing else.
Thai superstar Lisa, Lalisa Manobal, released the music video for her latest single, “SaWaDiKa”, yesterday, showcasing Thai identity through Muay Thai, tuk-tuks, Chula kites and energetic choreography.
Thailand is forecast to become wetter from September 8–10, with isolated very heavy rain expected in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the lower North, lower Northeast, Central region, East and the South’s west coast, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD).
Thailand’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to maintain cash flow as sales weaken, customers take longer to pay and banks tighten lending, prompting calls for further government support.
Thailand must move past the binary debate of either welcoming data center investment unconditionally or shutting the door entirely, and instead establish rigorous regulations, clear data visibility, and a strategy that treats the sector as a shared national investment.
Thailand’s trade deficit with China has surged to US$55.13 billion, alarming even the Thai-Chinese business community. Imports from China jumped 38.5%, while the bilateral deficit widened 59.3% in seven months.
China’s global influence campaign has been particularly evident in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Historically, the Thai public and many elites have had relatively warm views of China. However, Beijing has launched a multitude of efforts to expand its influence within Thailand’s society and politics.
Phuket’s foreign arrivals by air rebounded in July, with more than 379,000 travelers recorded as the impact of the Middle East conflict eased, according to Travel Link data.
Electricity tariffs in Thailand could reach 4.11–4.58 baht per unit in 2050 under four scenarios in the draft Power Development Plan, as planners weigh the cost of integrating renewable energy and capturing carbon emissions.
Former Twitter employees have launched a new social media platform called Twitter.now, featuring an automated artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to detect misinformation and fake news, alongside the revival of the iconic blue bird logo and signature blue-and-white theme amid an ongoing trademark dispute with X Corp. 
The day after Volkswagen management, shareholders and unions agreed to cut a total of 100,000 jobs over the coming years, automotive workers said yesterday they were feeling a mix of fury and disappointment. The 10-brand group, which apart from its namesake also includes the likes of Skoda, Audi, Seat and Porsche, said late Thursday it would cut an additional 50,000 jobs, bringing total planned reductions to 100,000. 
Personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln have reportedly been prohibited from entering Pattaya Soi 6 and Soi 7 after sunset as part of safety rules imposed during the aircraft carrier’s port call in Chonburi.
Hordes of US sailors were up early yesterday as they set out to explore this tourist city on their second day of shore leave. They began their explorations on Wednesday night, with many making a beeline for the famous Walking Street to soak up the atmosphere.
Thailand’s use of trade preferences under free trade agreements reached US$48.069 billion, or approximately 1.57 trillion baht, during the first six months of 2026, rising 7.3% from the same period last year. The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) reported that preferential treatment was claimed on 80.8% of the value of eligible exports between January and June.
Thailand has formally removed the foreign business license requirement for seven specified service activities, under a new ministerial regulation published by the Royal Gazette yesterday.
Asia still accounts for roughly half of global GDP on a purchasing-power-parity basis, and multilateral forecasters expect that share to keep inching up even as headline growth rates cool. The World Trade Organization sees Asia-Pacific trade growth slipping to 3.8% in 2026 from 4.1%, and the Asian Development Bank’s most recent outlook points to a similar moderation across the region.
Thailand’s ambition to become a global hub for wellness tourism and preventive healthcare is being held back not by a shortage of talent or infrastructure, but by regulation that has failed to keep pace with a rapidly evolving industry, according to senior executives and experts who spoke at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 yesterday.
Thai Navy schedules four September royal barge rehearsals
Thailand’s ‘Jurassic Park’ shines light on dinosaur evolution
Gallothai: Three Decades of Chocolate Craftsmanship
US President Donald Trump yesterday suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait,” asserting US control of the vital waterway even as fighting raged there with Iran.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast for Thailand to 2.1%-2.5%, from 1.6%-2.0%, but warned that stronger exports and private investment are producing increasingly uneven benefits across the economy.
Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, released the findings of the chamber’s confidence index survey for the fourth quarter of 2026. Conducted from Aug. 18-20, the survey covered 503 respondents and found that 46.2% expected Thailand’s economy to grow by 1.5%-2% this year, while 37.8% forecast growth of 2%-2.5%. The results pointed to an outlook below the government’s midpoint forecast of 2.2%.
Thailand’s retail sector is calling for stronger economic stimulus, including the revival of the Easy e-Receipt scheme, with an eligible spending ceiling of 100,000 baht, as household debt and accumulated living costs continue to squeeze consumers’ purchasing power.
The government is moving to address a regulatory gap in the data center sector, with the Data Center Business Policy Committee preparing an urgent meeting to develop a coordinated oversight framework.
U.S. Shrimp Coalition seeks zero tariffs for Thai shrimp
Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand fell 11.6% year-on-year between Aug. 1-22, making India the only one of the country’s four main overseas markets to record a decline during the period.
AirAsia has signed its first-ever codeshare agreement, teaming up with Turkey’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, to open seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul, the two airlines announced at AirAsia’s headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia, yesterday.
Thailand currently ranks as the world’s 20th-largest coffee producer, down from the top 15 a decade ago. The country grows mainly robusta, although arabica production is growing, highlighting a sharper focus on quality.
EGAT explores SMRs to bolster Thailand’s energy security
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is preparing 1,520 electric buses to replace aging vehicles, with deliveries expected to begin in March 2027. Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul, BMTA director, said the transition would improve passenger convenience, safety and environmental performance while reducing the organization’s fuel and maintenance costs by an estimated 4.1 billion baht annually.
The world has failed in its goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, the United Nations (UN) said yesterday, in a sober assessment that laid out a new goal for fighting climate change that would set the world on an uncertain path.
US energy firms yesterday signed a raft of multibillion-dollar deals with Venezuela, days after the South American country agreed to grant the United States control of a huge chunk of its vast oil reserves. Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Caracas to oversee the signing of deals worth “tens of billions of dollars of investment,” seen as a quid pro quo for Washington winning majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. 
The Dutch central bank said yesterday it had moved 86 tons of its gold reserves out of the United States and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest”. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) said gold reserves held in London could be traded more easily than those held in New York and Ottawa. 
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.
Suvarnabhumi Airport has postponed planned repair and maintenance work on expansion joints along the elevated road serving the passenger terminal following widespread criticism over potential disruption during the tourism high season.
An anonymous donor has given 100 million baht to Pattaya Patamakun Hospital in Chon Buri, with the money earmarked for a new six-story premium outpatient and inpatient building.
Nene Royal, the young Thai performer who has captured hearts on America’s Got Talent (AGT), is heading back to Thailand with her family after receiving a warm send-off from fans in Los Angeles.
A rare 10-baht Thai coin minted in 1990 has sold for 2.54 million baht at an online auction, despite its face value being just 10 baht. The coin was made for the 16th Mint Directors Conference, held in the United Kingdom in 1990. Only 100 examples were produced, making it one of Thailand’s rarest circulating coin issues.
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 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.
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. 
Most people who live in Hua Hin have made the drive south at some point. Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot, maybe as far as Prachuap for the day. Rather fewer keep going, and that is where it gets interesting.
Thailand’s biggest financial regulatory overhaul in 27 years threatens tougher, more intrusive banking for foreigners. The Bank of Thailandn is bringing digital payments and providers under tighter control. Banks must intensify checks on mule accounts, gray capital, foreign QR payments and unusual transfers.
A video featuring messages and photographs from 100 Thai supporters has appeared on a giant billboard in New York’s Times Square as Phuket performer Nene Royal prepares for the live quarter-finals of America’s Got Talent Season 21.
Thai retailers have called on the government to crack down on the massive influx of cheap foreign goods entering the country through cross-border e-commerce platforms, warning that unfair price competition is threatening the survival of millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As Thailand prepares to host the 2026 IMF-World Bank annual meetings, it finds itself at an economic inflection point. As the second-largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Indonesia, it remains one of the region’s most sophisticated manufacturing and service economies, with an established automotive industry and growing electronics and digital services. Yet, these advantages have not translated into stronger growth.
Japanese carmakers will not relocate manufacturing hubs instantly, but the current flood of Chinese electric vehicles is catalyzing price wars in the Thai market, according to Archanun Kohpaiboon.
For thousands of Thai smallholders, cattle rearing has long been a traditional cornerstone of rural livelihood, insulated from international supply chains. However, under a sweeping economic modernization drive led by the Royal Thai government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, this grassroots industry is being systematically propelled onto the global stage.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has unveiled a comprehensive drive to upgrade provincial airport infrastructure and airspace management, aiming to turn regional hubs into growth engines for trade, tourism, and investment.
Phuket’s waste disposal system is under growing pressure, with 1,200-1,300 tons of rubbish being sent for disposal each day and the province’s landfill already exceeding its capacity, Phuket City Mayor Suppachoke Laongphet has said. 
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on a range of US goods after President Donald Trump introduced 50% tariffs on Canadian products, following the collapse of trade negotiations between the two neighboring countries. 
Humanoid robots on Sunday (August 23) took over the athletic arena at the World Robot Games, competing in sparring, sprinting, and taichi. 
Telepharmacy in Thailand has moved from the development of the regulatory framework to its implementation phase. With the FDA’s telepharmacy framework now in place and telepharmacy platforms entering the market, the focus is increasingly turning to how businesses can participate in this emerging healthcare ecosystem.
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.
Thailand’s electronics industry is entering a significant upcycle, as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers accelerate global demand for components, with a clear impact on the country’s production base.
Investments and fishing communities clash in Rayong
Thailand’s grip on China’s vast tourism market is slipping, as safety fears drive holidaymakers toward fast-rising Vietnam. The kingdom now expects only 5.1 million Chinese arrivals, less than half its 2019 total.
Thai Airways is set to resume direct non-stop services between Bangkok and Auckland ahead of schedule, with launch plans brought forward by a year to March 2027.
Somsak Pu Ob: The Master of Bangkok’s Crab Glass Noodles
Thailand, done differently
As pressure mounts on industries to treat climate action as systemic rather than a compliance exercise, Tetra Pak Thailand is pointing to a philosophy it says predates the current wave of ESG regulation by decades.