- Soi 102 burglaries/Charm of Su Suek event/Food Fest to feature nightly fireworks/Flash floods threaten upper Thailand/Nan floods kill 2/Nan Province flood videos/Thailand mobilizes flood aid/Thailand gun dealers squeezed/Thailand and Australia to boost strategic partnership
- THE IRAN WAR: Trump is threatening to bomb Oman, but why?
- ECONOMY: Exports and investment to support growth/Thai industrial sentiment rises/Profit and loss figures for 8 hotel and airline giants/Thailand rethinks data center incentives/Growing interest in Bangkok and Phuket condos/$2 Trillion Digital Economy Agreement
- TOURISM: Thailand entry funds/Tourist arrivals dip/Suvarnabhumi immigration and baggage delays
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Lives along Bangkok’s floating market/Three religions living together/Thai Well-Being 2 Ways/Inside Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar incentives can accelerate rooftop solar growth/Disasters know no borders
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/Thailand issues arrest warrants for 20 Israelis/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Soi 102 hit by string of burglaries
A CCTV image showing a suspected burglar inside a Hua Hin home while the residents slept has emerged amid reports of a spate of Hua Hin burglaries around the Soi 102 area.
There reportedly have been at least 10 reported break-ins in the area over the past month. The latest incident happened at around 4.20 am on Saturday. Continued …
Charm of Su Suek event to be held in Prachuap Sept 3-7
Prachuap Khiri Khan will stage a five-day event on Su Suek Cultural Street Sept. 3-7, combining heritage activities, markets and performances as part of plans to develop the area into a nationally recognized cultural tourism destination.
The “Back in Time: The Charm of Su Suek” event will run from 5 pm to 10 pm each day in the Hua Ban community and is being organized by the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) and Prachuap Khiri Khan Municipality. Admission is free. Continued …
Hua Hin Food Fest to feature nightly fireworks
The Hua Hin Food Fest on Aug 28-30 will feature a fireworks display at 9 pm on each of the festival’s three nights. Hua Hin City Municipality has confirmed the fireworks will take place on Aug. 28, 29 and 30 at Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab, next to the ferry pier.
The fireworks will be one of the main evening attractions at Hua Hin Food Fest, which is one of the city’s biggest and most popular annual events. Continued …
Heavy rain and flash floods threaten upper Thailand
Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast across parts of northern, northeastern, central and eastern Thailand today, raising the risk of flash floods, forest run-off and overflowing waterways.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued the warning in its 24-hour forecast covering the period from 6 am today to 6 am tomorrow. The conditions are being driven by a monsoon trough extending across the upper north and upper northeast into a strong low-pressure cell over Hainan Island, China. Continued …
Nan floods kill 2 and affect more than 16,000 people
Flooding and flash run-off in Nan province had killed two people and affected more than 16,000 residents across 8,000 households as of 4 pm yesterday. Pua district was among the worst-hit areas, with flooding reported across seven subdistricts and 60 villages.
The first fatality was a bedridden resident who could not evacuate without assistance and lived with their mother in Moo 8 of Sila Phet subdistrict, Pua district. The victim was swept from the house by fast-moving floodwater and later found dead. Continued …
Videos of flooding in Nan Province
Thailand mobilizes flood aid for Nan, Phayao, Lamphun
Thailand’s Interior Ministry has ordered round-the-clock emergency assistance for residents of Nan, Phayao and Lamphun after the prime minister instructed agencies to accelerate flood aid yesterday.
The immediate operational focus is Nan, where flash floods have led authorities to step up rescue work. Officials have been told to continue moving people considered at risk from affected areas and to act swiftly on requests for help. Continued …
Thailand gun dealers squeezed further by proposed new curbs
Bangkok gun dealers say Thailand’s long-running firearms import ban is forcing some businesses to seek other income, while proposed new restrictions could further reduce legal sales.
At Suchart and Friends Gun in Wang Burapha, Bangkok’s historic gun district, sourdough loaves have replaced pistols and rifles in the display window. Owner Warintorn Boonyachai began baking bread five months ago to help cover staff salaries. Continued …
Thailand and Australia agree to boost strategic partnership in four areas
Thai and Australian Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese yesterday signed two joint statements on upgrading strategic partnership in four areas, across trade, law enforcement, defense and innovation, after their full-scale bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.
Albanese officially welcomed Anutin, noting that this is the first official visit by a Thai prime minister in 14 years, reflecting the importance Australia places on Thailand as a close ally, in preparation for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. Continued …
Trump is threatening to bomb Oman, but why?
The world knows that U.S. President Donald Trump is angry with Iran. But he’s not happy with the small country lying across the Strait of Hormuz from the Islamic Republic, either: Oman.
Oman has played a relatively low-profile role since the Iran war began, including as a mediator. But its geography has thrust the sultanate into the uncomfortable position of negotiating with Tehran over management of the strait while facing Trump’s threats. Continued …
Exports and investment expected to support Thai growth
Thailand’s exports and private investment are expected to remain important drivers of economic growth after gross domestic product expanded by only 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday.
Suphajee acknowledged that the latest GDP figure was unsatisfactory but said exports continued to make a significant contribution to the economy. She expects Thai exports to record double-digit growth for the full year and reach a total value of 12 trillion baht, provided there are no additional developments beyond the government’s control. Continued …
Thai industrial sentiment rises for a second straight month
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index rose for a second straight month in July due to strong electric vehicle (EV) sales and government support measures, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported yesterday. The federation’s industrial sentiment index rose to 90.0 in July from 88.2 in June.
The government in June rolled out a 176-billion-baht (US$5.3 billion) consumer subsidy scheme to ease the cost of living, under a wider 400-billion-baht borrowing plan to address the impact of higher oil prices. Continued …
Profit and loss figures for 8 hotel and airline giants in Q2 and H1 2026
Hotel, hospitality and airline businesses listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand have reported their results for the second quarter and first six months of 2026. The companies faced global geopolitical challenges and intense competition for tourists.
Although some suffered losses because of the energy crisis, several maintained their growth momentum from the first quarter. Continued …
Thailand rethinks data center incentives over power and water
Thailand is preparing to overhaul the rules and investment incentives governing data centers, with the government seeking to ensure that future projects deliver measurable benefits to the Thai economy while managing their heavy demands on electricity and water.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the policy review was intended to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology and ensure that investment in the sector creates genuine economic value for Thailand. Continued …
Foreign investors show growing interest in Bangkok and Phuket condos
Data from CBRE Research showed that the downtown Bangkok condominium market recorded more new project launches in the first half of 2026 than in the same period a year earlier. Luxury and super-luxury developments were the main drivers, with both segments again attracting developers’ attention.
This trend contrasted with property market conditions in recent years, when economic pressure and weakening purchasing power weighed on the sector. The upper end of the market nevertheless demonstrated resilience, particularly projects in high-potential locations. Continued …
ASEAN Moves Closer to Landmark $2 Trillion Digital Economy Agreement
Southeast Asian nations are close to finalizing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a landmark regional pact designed to govern their digital economy, projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030.
This agreement, supported by the World Economic Forum, aims to harmonize digital trade rules, facilitate cross-border data flows, and establish coherent regulations for e-commerce and digital payments across the region. Continued …
Thailand entry funds: what travelers may need to show
Foreigners arriving in Thailand may be asked by immigration to show they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. Depending on the entry route, the stated requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reiterated the rules in July, stressing that proof-of-funds checks are not new. They have formed part of immigration regulations since 1980, while the current thresholds were set in a Ministry of Interior announcement in 2000. Continued …
Tourist arrivals dip by 2.9%
Thailand recorded 19.76 million foreign tourist arrivals between Jan. 1 and Aug. 15, down 2.9% year on year, and generating 957.6 billion baht in spending. Chinese visitors remained the largest group, with 3.33 million arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 2.49 million and India with 1.45 million.
For Aug 9-15, Thailand welcomed 612,643 foreign tourists, down 24,126, or 3.8%, from the previous week, averaging 87,520 arrivals a day. Short-haul visitors fell 1.8% to 413,815, while long-haul arrivals dropped 7.8% to 198,828. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi targets immigration and baggage delays
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport.
The plans, announced after a government visit to the airport on Tuesday, also cover tighter security and the use of real-time flight information to deploy staff and manage passenger areas more efficiently. Continued …
Growing old, staying rooted: Lives along Bangkok’s floating market
At Wat Nimmanoradee’s 100-year-old market, in Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen district, memories of life along the canals remain vivid among longtime residents, even as the landscape around them has continued to change.
For 73-year-old Orawan Wanasabodeekul, who has lived opposite Wat Nimmanoradee all her life, the canal was once a place to watch sunsets, stars and boats passing by. “I used to sit on the bridge with my legs dangling and watch the sunset,” she said. “Now the view is blocked by condominiums. The natural beauty and atmosphere we used to have are gone.” Continued …
Three religions living together in Thailand
This community in Bangkok features people of three different faiths – Islam, Buddhism and Christianity – living together peacefully and participating in each other’s events. Video …
Thai Well-Being 2 Ways: What Restorative Travel Looks Like in Bangkok Vs Koh Samui
“Oh, we’re on the wrong side of the road,” I blurted out as I hopped into our van after landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. “It’s not the wrong side,” said Lisa, the journalist I was traveling with. “It’s a different side.”
I’d traveled from Los Angeles to Thailand to experience wellness in two places: Koh Samui and Bangkok. Thailand’s second-largest island, Koh Samui, is home to both luxury spa resorts and holistic retreats where therapists are trained in traditions that trace back to the island’s Buddhist temples. Bangkok, on the other hand, is a tangle of skyscrapers that feels like a dozen downtown LAs stacked together, where motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and trains cut through muggy air. Continued …
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na, a rare window into Bangkok’s royal past
Hidden within the grounds of the former Front Palace, Wat Bowon Sathan Sutthawat, widely known as Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na, is welcoming visitors into its ordination hall through Sept. 20. The special opening offers a rare opportunity to step beyond its exterior and explore a site where royal court history, Buddhist devotion and early Rattanakosin art converge.
Unlike most temples, Wat Bowon Sathan Sutthawat has no resident monks. Its location within the former Bowon Sathan Mongkhon Palace, or Front Palace, gives it an unusual status comparable in some respects to Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, within the Grand Palace. Continued …
Reforming solar incentives can accelerate rooftop solar growth in Thailand
A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that Thailand can accelerate rooftop solar deployment by reforming its current solar policies. This would reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), improve energy security, and limit future pressure on rising electricity costs.
Thailand’s power sector remains heavily reliant on natural gas, which accounts for 66% of electricity generation. As domestic gas production declines, the country has become increasingly dependent on LNG imports, increasing exposure to global fuel price volatility and supply disruptions. Continued …
Disasters know no borders; climate change escalation requires shared ASEAN response
Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and building resilience is no longer optional, said Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong. He added that such disasters also know no borders, making solidarity and collective action in ASEAN critical.
Tong was speaking at the ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management 2026 held at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay yesterday. The event saw some 200 government officials, academics and practitioners present, including representatives from ASEAN countries, the European Union, Canada and New Zealand. Continued …
Thailand issues arrest warrants for 20 Israelis in Koh Samui business crackdown
Thai police launched a sweeping operation against foreign business networks suspected of using Thai citizens as nominee shareholders to conceal foreign ownership of companies, land and restricted businesses, with arrest warrants issued for 20 Israelis on Koh Samui. Continued …
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Rayong police arrest 18 Chinese workers at data center – Continued …
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Four Chinese men held in Nong Khai scam probe – Continued …
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Phuket CCTV shows foreign woman urinating at Karon shop – Continued …
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Foreigner denies theft at Koh Pha Ngan shop, CCTV says otherwise – Continued …
US national debt exceeds $40 trillion
The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed yesterday, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fueled in part by President Donald Trump’s invalidated tariffs. Continued …
Portugal bans full-face veils
Portugal’s president has enacted a law pushed by the far right banning the concealment of faces in public, a measure widely seen as targeting Muslim women wearing a full-face veil. 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
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.
The Commerce Ministry recently discovered that there have been irregularities in the registration of 35 companies in four districts of northeastern Sakon Nakhon province, with unwitting Thai villagers used to set up these 100% Chinese-owned nominee firms while 14 were totally Thai owned but none were conducting any business at all at their registered addresses.
The Naka Market in Phuket was packed with fans as “Nene Royal” held a farewell concert ahead of her trip to the United States to compete in the live shows round of America’s Got Talent Season 21.
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.
Eight Thai industrial groups responsible for US$52.23 billion in exports to the United States in 2025 could face more intensive checks on product origin and manufacturing processes as Washington steps up enforcement against illegal transshipment.
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’s property market is increasingly looking to foreign buyers, as slowing economic growth, high household debt and tighter lending conditions put pressure on domestic purchasing power.
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.
Where one lives in Thailand strongly determines how easily one can see a doctor. The agricultural sector suffers the most, with farmers making up 45.5% of all poor households. This is largely because gross farm incomes fluctuate wildly with weather and market prices.
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. 
Tourism of Si Khiri Khan Festival opens at Hua Hin train station
The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin has announced that its 16th Amateur Charity Golf Classic will take place at Pineapple Valley Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 27. The annual tournament is one of the club’s main fundraising events, with proceeds supporting community projects, medical institutions and schools in Hua Hin and other areas.
Thailand’s sex trade remains illegal, but its presence is highly visible from Soi Cowboy in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area to Pattaya’s Walking Street, where nightlife businesses continue to draw visitors from around the world.
Thailand allows eligible civilians to apply for firearm ownership, but its licensing system draws clear legal distinctions between buying a gun, possessing and using it, and carrying it in public.
Thailand is recording between 8,000 and 9,000 new HIV infections a year, more than eight times the target of under 1,000 annual cases needed for the country to end AIDS as a public health problem by 2030.
US President Donald Trump has introduced new compensation demands in negotiations with Iran, further complicating efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran set conditions of its own for ending the confrontation.
Oil prices rose to their highest levels in nearly two weeks today after negotiations between the United States and Iran over a peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz reached an impasse, while Asian stock markets traded cautiously ahead of key US inflation data.
Thailand is pressing China for deeper use of local materials and suppliers, wider market access for Thai SMEs and investment in agricultural processing. It seeks to reduce a trade imbalance that could reach a cumulative 12.14 trillion baht over 2016-2026.
Thailand’s trade with its free trade agreement partners rose by 21.8% year on year to US$243.67 billion in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than half of the country’s total global trade.
Thailand’s unemployment rate remains relatively low, but the labor market is showing signs of weakening, says SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), the research arm of Siam Commercial Bank.
To qualify for the government subsidy for installing rooftop solar panels, households must have a minimum monthly electricity bill of around 3,000 baht, according to the Finance Ministry.
The contiguous United States sizzled to its hottest month ever last month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July averaged 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius) across the lower 48 states, eclipsing the Dust Bowl’s July 1936 by an eighth of a degree. Records go back to 1895. – USA Today
At least 132 people have died, and 570 have been injured as a result of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck earlier yesterday, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities, which earlier took part in an disaster response meeting with the president. 
Torrential rain from Typhoon Dolphin flooded roads and commercial areas across Shanghai yesterday, forcing the city’s two airports to cancel 943 flights and reducing their combined capacity by nearly 40%. 
A majority of Americans across the political divide support stronger government oversight of social media companies, including age-verification requirements intended to prevent children under 16 from using their platforms. 
Father after father Agence France-Presse (AFP) spoke to in Afghanistan about the education ban that stops their daughters going beyond primary school choked up in despair. The pain and anguish it is causing behind closed doors is clear from interviews AFP conducted across the country, with even deeply religious fathers questioning the ruling. 
Electric vehicle drivers in Hua Hin now have access to 61 charging stations offering 162 charging points, according to figures published by the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Energy Office. Across the province, there are 109 EV charging stations with a total of 294 charging points, covering all eight districts.
Large crowds gathered at Wat Huay Mongkol in Hua Hin yesterday for the 13th Luang Pu Thuat robe-draping ceremony, one of the region’s main faith-based tourism events.
Prachuap Khiri Khan officials are reviewing preparations for the possible reopening of the Singkhon border crossing, as authorities look to resume trade between Thailand and Myanmar.
People in Thailand lost nearly B9 billion to online scam networks during the first six months of 2026, when more than 170,000 online fraud cases were recorded. Average losses exceeded B52,000 per case.
Thailand is bracing for a worsening wave of corporate liquidations in the second half of the year, following fresh government data showing that major corporations are shutting down at an unprecedented rate alongside struggling small enterprises.
Thailand’s small and medium-sized enterprises have emerged as one of the most vulnerable parts of the economy, as financial and business indicators point to rising bad debt, prolonged credit contraction, weaker profitability and an increasing number of factory closures.
The Thai economy in June remained broadly stable from the previous month. Private consumption increased, supported in part by government measures and continued growth in electric vehicle sales.
Thailand has captured more than $26.8 billion (approx. 900 billion baht) in investment applications for its semiconductor and advanced electronics sectors over the past three years, cementing its position as a primary beneficiary of global supply chain diversification away from traditional manufacturing hubs.
Thailand’s exports rose 17.6% year-on-year to US$196.74 billion in the first six months of 2026, with technology and electronics leading the increase, the government said yesterday.
Putting the spotlight on an open secret
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has urged Chinese citizens attending cultural performances, sporting events and fan meetings in Thailand to comply strictly with local laws and venue regulations, following several incidents involving Chinese tourists.
Pattaya Bay moves to cap tour boat operators
When Lynda Lazaridis gets dressed, she chooses her clothes carefully. The Melbourne grandmother’s breasts were virtually removed, and her nipples relocated up near her armpits.
12 mythical giants watch over Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok ranks ninth on Time Out’s 2026 street food list
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has reaffirmed that the remaining 200 billion baht ($6.05 billion) from the government’s 400 billion baht ($12.1 billion) emergency loan decree will be strictly prioritized for Thailand’s clean energy transition.
When 35% of a year’s rainfall falls within a single week, as it did in parts of Thailand last year, the failure is not simply meteorological. It is a failure of design, of coordination, and — increasingly — of economics.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July on record as climate change fuels an historic summer of heat, drought and wildfires across the region, the EU’s global warming monitor said today. 
Chinese start-ups and researchers are racing to bring brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to market that can be implanted in just a few minutes, as Beijing pushes to nurture home-grown players in the sector to compete with Elon Musk’s Neuralink. 
AGT gives Nene Royal’s Judges’ Callbacks performance early release
Egg prices have climbed to a two-year high of 4 baht each, driven by reduced supplies due to hot weather and high animal feed prices. Prices are expected to ease in October as climate conditions improve.
The government will review its fiscal position before deciding whether to proceed with the second phase of the “Thais Help Thais Plus” co-payment scheme or revise its conditions.
Regional airport upgrade plan takes off
Ukrainians have adopted the term “safari” to describe drones “hunting down” civilians or vehicles in the street – something residents of Kherson, a smaller southern city on the front line, have long suffered from. The viral video of a vegetable seller being targeted by a bomb-laden drone has highlighted the threat faced by residents of the city. 
Hong Kong’s tourism industry has called for more experiential events, enhanced transport measures and closer cross-border cooperation to draw overnight visitors, after tourist spending fell to HK197.5 billion (830 billion baht) last year, 44% below its 2018 level. 
US President Donald Trump said he expected the war with Iran to end soon as negotiations over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz moved closer to an agreement but remained complicated by Iranian proposals to restrict US and Israeli vessels.
An NBC News review through July 10 found dozens of instances where Trump said the war was won or almost won — comments that were often followed by more threats of military action. 
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) expects the baht to remain weak for the rest of the year, despite its recent appreciation this week driven by external factors. The baht strengthened to around 33 per US dollar this week, primarily due to global developments.
CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT) has urged policymakers to prioritize sustainable investment in data center projects to maximize the long-term benefits for the Thai economy.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has outlined plans to provide grants of 50,000 baht per household for rooftop solar installations, alongside low-interest loans from state banks.
Thailand has been named the world’s fourth best retirement destination in a new index comparing all 192 UN member states. Malaysia, Panama and Portugal took the top three places in RUMAVI’s inaugural Global Relocation Index, published in July.
A weather warning has been issued for Prachual Khiri Khan Province for today through Sunday, with heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides and rough sea conditions possible across the province.
Huay Mongkol robe ceremony to be held this weekend
PKK takes on human-elephant conflict problems
A new initiative connecting wellness with community and environmental sustainability, “Friends of Chiva-Som 2026” brings together industry advocates, including Global Wellness Day Founder Belgin Aksoy, to support healthcare outreach and conservation efforts.
Petrol and gasohol prices at major filling stations across Thailand fell by 0.70 baht per liter from today, while diesel prices remained unchanged.
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani has temporarily closed to tourists after a staff member died while on duty in what officials believe was a tiger attack.
Prepared food prices expected to increase
Thailand’s headline consumer price index rose 1.95% in July from a year earlier, slowing from 2.42% in June and coming in below market expectations, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, reported that Thailand exported 3.28 million tons of rice in the first six months of 2026, from January to June, down 18.8% from the same period a year earlier. Shipments were worth more than US$1.911 billion.
Thailand bets big on AI despite talent shortage
Asia and the Pacific is urbanizing faster than any other region. By 2050, its cities will be home to 3.4 billion people, up from 2.2 billion today – the equivalent of adding around two Delhi-sized cities every year. The region’s future will depend on how this urban expansion is managed – whether it delivers shared prosperity and well-being or deepens exclusions and vulnerability. 
Thailand is preparing for a historic step in space exploration, with a Thai-designed and developed scientific payload set to travel to the Moon as part of China’s Chang’e 7 mission on Aug. 24.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has intensified enforcement against cannabis businesses, inspecting 1,326 shops since October 2025 and seizing products worth more than 109 million baht.
Thailand’s crackdown on nominee structures used to hold property on behalf of foreign interests is creating new pressure on the luxury housing and condominium markets, as authorities intensify checks on ownership arrangements in the real estate sector.
Phantong Loykulnanta, director-general of the Customs Department, reported that Thailand’s international trade reached B21.4 trillion in the first 10 months of fiscal 2026. The figure was close to the full-year total of B22 trillion recorded the previous year.
Robot Supply Chain Comes to Thailand: Inside China’s Humanoid Push into the EEC
Twelve people were injured after an Air India Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence yesterday, forcing some passengers who were not wearing seatbelts into the cabin ceiling.
Thailand is strengthening its tourism links with Indonesia through agreements with TransNusa Airlines and Traveloka, as it seeks to attract 890,000 Indonesian visitors in 2026.
Edwin Salas watched as the first of 20 solar panels was installed on the roof of his home, joining a Philippine solar energy boom sent into overdrive by the Middle East war. The country’s eye-watering electric bills – the highest in the region – were the primary driver of his decision, he said. Regular brownouts were a factor, too. 
A 13-year-old schoolboy has died after being stung by jellyfish while swimming at Ban Fai Tha beach in Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Three people who went to help him were also injured by the stings but are now safe and recovering.
Jiew Sai Yok, a lost wild elephant calf being cared for at Sai Yok National Park, died peacefully at around 2am yesterday, leaving veterinarians and park officials deeply saddened.
A Thai analysis published Sunday has challenged government claims of a strong GDP recovery, arguing that headline growth is failing to reach ordinary households and small businesses.
Thailand Post is repositioning itself as a key driver of Thailand’s digital economy, unveiling a new corporate strategy dubbed “RelationSHIFT” as it seeks to transform from a traditional postal operator into a lifestyle logistics brand that connects people, businesses, communities and government services through its nationwide network.
Thailand Retains Rank as World’s Second-Largest Pet Food Exporter
Thailand’s repeat visitors are showing stronger loyalty to Hua Hin and Pattaya than to Phuket, according to a new analysis by travel platform 12Go.
Thai travelers are increasingly choosing short restorative breaks, marathon-related holidays and more in-depth visits to secondary cities as travel patterns shift in 2026.
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the launch of new direct air routes connecting key cities in Indonesia and Thailand, highlighting expanded aviation connectivity as a vital driver for strengthening people-to-people ties and boosting regional tourism.
Some history behind Thailand’s Naga serpent
How History Made Thais Obsessed with Sugar
North Korea’s state media has recommended dog meat soup as protection against summer heat, reviving Pyongyang’s long-running effort to promote the controversial dish as record high temperatures grip both sides of the Korean peninsula. 
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged authorities to step up support for people affected by a record heat wave in the country, saying the death toll had risen to 16 and warning that extreme weather was becoming more frequent. 
Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross yesterday, her son Kim Aris said, who has not heard from her directly in years. 
Searchlights sweep across the rivers of Malaysia’s Sarawak state as licensed hunters track crocodiles in the dark. Their work is part of a broader effort to manage a tension between wildlife and the communities that rely on the water every day. 
Appetite grows for Talay Noi swamp buffalo meat
Thailand will not face a crude oil shortage in August despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, as supply remains sufficient for all six domestic refineries, according to the Department of Energy Business (DOEB).
The Thai baht is trading near its weakest level in over 15 months against the US Dollar, as a confluence of external pressures continues to erode its value. The currency’s decline has been driven by a renewed spike in oil prices, compounded by a firmer USD and rising US Treasury yields.
When Thailand’s Revenue Department released its latest personal income tax filing figures, the headline number was not the roughly 12 million people who submitted a return. It was the much smaller group behind it: an estimated 5 million filers, or around 40%of those who filed, who actually owed any tax at all.
Trade deficit marks a sea change
Private consumption in Thailand increased by 1.1% month-on-month in June, accelerating from 0.6% in the previous month. It marked the second straight month of growth, driven mainly by stronger spending on non-durable goods amid higher consumer goods sales following government stimulus measures, as well as improved fuel consumption as retail fuel prices declined and sales returned closer to normal levels.
Inviting the fury of the Thai public on a matter that is admittedly done and dusted, I cannot help but feel compelled to at least voice my misgivings over the recent “noisy Italian students” incident, especially how it played out compared with another similar occurrence.
Bangkok’s Chao Phraya draws new hotels, attractions and megaprojects
Thailand launches 10 hiking schools for responsible forest tourism
Footage from a hotel in Krabi is leaving viewers unsettled after a couple reportedly discovered a large cobra lurking near their bed before sunrise.One of the guests initially treated the commotion as just being startled from a bad dream or some other misunderstanding. Only moments later did they realize why their partner had suddenly woken up and run from the room in a panic at about 5 am.
The History of Talad Noi
Thailand must accelerate its transition to advanced green manufacturing if it hopes to remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-driven global economy, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Waste is often seen as the inevitable by-product of economic growth. In reality, it may become one of the most valuable resources economies possess.
Data center race faces power, water logjam