- Flood risk for PKK this weekend/Hua Hin railway road changes/Thailand closes 132 railway crossings/Horror care center closed/Thailand warns of storms, heavy rain/Thai flood damage at $178 million/Central region hardest hit//Chachoengsao floods remain high/Firms asked to hold prices/Floods halt over 10 auto-parts plants/International markets most affected
- ECONOMY: Five priorities to avert a property crisis/Thailand unemployment tops 400,000/Thailand at ‘last paragraph’ of US trade deal/IMF chief warns of debt, energy and AI risks/Thailand and Japan $11.7-Billion Industrial Alliance/Thailand weighs higher EV import taxes/Thailand-EU free trade pact talks/Thailand’s next growth opportunities/Marriott Signs Deal for 7 New Thailand Hotels/Bangkok’s culinary stars fade/Iran Seeks Closer Economic Ties With Thailand
- TOURISM: 1,000-baht tax on air departures/Minister defends 1,000-baht departure tax/Health Ministry backs 450-baht tourist fee/Thailand’s New Accommodation Law
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Hot towel service or a simple trim?/Tiger helping tell Thailand’s recovery story/Preparing Thailand’s rescued leopard cats
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Bangkok faces submersion risk/Second incinerator key for Phuket
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Flood risk for PKK and 22 other provinces this weekend
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has warned 23 provinces and three Bangkok districts of the risk of flooding, flash floods, forest runoffs and mudslides from Oct. 10-12.
The areas at risk are: Central: Bangkok – Nong Khaem, Bang Khae and Bang Bon districts; Samut Sakhon; North: Nan; East: Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat; West: Samut Songkhram, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan; and south: Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat. Continued …
Hua Hin railway road changes discussed
Hua Hin municipality is seeking to speed up construction of the Hua Hin railway road by resolving design issues and relocating electricity poles, with the aim of opening the new route to residents as soon as possible.
Officials found that the layout and dimensions of construction areas in sections one and two did not match the land covered by the lease agreement. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning is preparing to revise the designs to fit the area authorized for use. Continued …
Thailand closes 132 risky railway crossings
Thailand’s Transport Ministry says it has closed 132 high-risk unofficial railway crossings nationwide as part of a wider effort to improve safety where roads meet rail tracks.
The ministry is also working with Bangkok and 15 other provinces to resolve problems at railway-road crossings, including converting some unauthorized routes into properly approved crossings fitted with standard safety equipment. Continued …
Horror care center closed in Kanchanaburi where patients were locked into caged beds and prison cells
Thailand has shut a Kanchanaburi care home after inspectors found psychiatric patients behind bars and sleeping in steel cage beds. Sothornchai Nursing Home was licensed for elderly care, yet psychiatric patients made up more than 90% of residents.
Inspectors found 129 beds despite approval for 50, while the facility had swollen to almost three times its licensed size. The scandal began with abuse claims before inspectors uncovered barred rooms, razor wire and serious safety breaches. Meanwhile, Thailand has ordered checks on 1,200 care centers as questions grow over how Sothornchai’s license was renewed just weeks before inspectors shut it down. Continued …
Thailand warns of storms, heavy rain and hail
Thailand’s Meteorological Department has issued its second warning for heavy to very heavy rain, with thunderstorms, strong winds and hail forecast across the country from 9-13 Oct. 9-13.
The department said the unsettled conditions could bring intense downpours and accumulated rainfall in some locations, raising the risk of flash floods, runoff and local flooding. Residents and travelers have been urged to plan journeys and outdoor activities carefully during the five-day period. Continued …
Thai flood damage estimated at $178 million, industry federation says
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) estimates that Thailand’s industrial sector has suffered damages worth approximately 6 billion baht (US$178 million) due to recent flooding. The flooding has impacted a wide range of businesses, affecting 4,523 industrial and business operations across 55 provinces, including 4,113 small and medium-sized factories and 316 large factories.
While the manufacturing sector has faced significant disruptions, some automotive assembly plants have maintained enough stock to continue production through mid-October. Beyond direct industrial damage, the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce suggests the total economic loss from the flooding could reach 22.5 billion baht, with the service sector facing the largest portion of those losses. – Bangkok Post AI
Central region hardest hit by floods
The Central region has been the hardest hit by flooding between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4, with Nakhon Sawan’s rice paddies among the worst affected, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
GISTDA said yesterday 7 that analysis of satellite imagery showed flooding in 45 provinces nationwide, covering more than 5.12 million rai. The Central region accounted for more than 4.09 million rai of flooded areas across 22 provinces, directly affecting the livelihoods of more than 1.58 million people and more than 21,800 households, it said. Continued …
Chachoengsao floods remain high as homes nearly disappear
Floodwaters in Bang Khla district remain high with no sign of receding, leaving some homes nearly submerged up to their roofs, while some residents have chosen to stay behind rather than evacuate.
Some residents have already evacuated, while others remain concerned about their homes and have refused to leave. Some have been using pieces of foam as makeshift vessels to travel through the flooded areas. Continued …
Commerce Ministry asks firms to hold prices for flood recovery
Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has asked retailers, service providers and carmakers to keep prices unchanged and prepare stocks, spare parts and repair services to support households recovering from flooding.
Director-General Wattanasak Sur-iam said the department had met businesses involved in post-flood recovery and asked them to ensure adequate supplies of products and replacement parts, replenish stocks quickly, and distribute goods to areas where demand is rising. Continued …
Floods halt over 10 auto-parts plants with Oct 12 restart expected
Flooding has halted production at more than 10 auto-parts factories at Thailand’s Amata City Chonburi Industrial Estate, with suppliers expecting to restart deliveries from Oct. 12, according to representatives of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Supoj Sukpisan, honorary chairman of the FTI’s Auto Parts Industry Club, said suppliers unable to restore production in time would have to import components to fulfil contracts with carmakers and avoid penalties, despite the higher costs. Continued …
Which international markets were most affected by Thailand’s flooding?
Short-haul markets, specifically South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia, have been most significantly impacted by the recent flooding in Thailand, seeing arrivals drop by 5.96%, 7.25%, and 8.32%, respectively, between late September and early October. The Chinese market also experienced a notable decline, which the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) noted coincided with the Golden Week holiday period.
While short-haul Asian markets saw immediate declines, long-haul markets such as France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UK have demonstrated more resilience, with continued strong booking trends for the upcoming high season. To mitigate the impact on the broader tourism sector, the government is considering various relief measures, including potential promotional offers and infrastructure improvements in Bangkok to restore tourist confidence. Authorities are also closely monitoring water levels and transport conditions to provide real-time updates to travelers. – Bangkok Post AI
Five priorities to avert a property crisis: unlocking home loans and tackling global warming
Three property associations have identified five major challenges in reviving the market through action by the government and banks. These range from unlocking home loans for a new generation of borrowers, promoting energy-efficient homes and developing urban infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, to regulating foreign property transactions and building stronger communities.
The property market is approaching a turning point. Problems with purchasing power no longer concern only “high prices”, but extend to access to credit, changing consumer behavior, urban infrastructure that must withstand natural disasters, sustainability and community management. Continued …
Thailand unemployment tops 400,000, led by new graduates
Thailand officially had 401,000 unemployed people in the second quarter of 2026, up 10% year-on-year and the highest level in seven quarters, Kasikorn Research Center has reported.
The figure was last above 400,000 in the third quarter of 2024. Of those currently unemployed, more than 44% – about 174,000 people – were new graduates aged 20 to 24, according to the report released in Bangkok on Tuesday. Continued …
Thailand at ‘last paragraph’ of US trade deal, says PM
Thailand is at “the last paragraph” of a trade agreement with the United States, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday. Speaking at a forum in Singapore, Anutin said he expected to sign the agreement on reciprocal trade during President Donald Trump’s next visit to Asia, likely in Manila at the ASEAN meetings from Nov. 16-18, or Shenzhen at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Nov. 18-19.
Anutin said that he received a letter from Trump last week confirming the deal is at its final stage. “He told me that I was to make sure that my people and the United States Trade Representative would write up the final clause.” Continued …
IMF chief warns of debt, energy and AI risks before Bangkok talks
The global economy faces a difficult combination of record public debt, persistently high energy costs, and both the opportunities and risks created by artificial intelligence, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned ahead of next week’s IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok.
Georgieva delivered her 2026 annual meetings curtain raiser speech in Singapore yesterday, setting out the main economic issues expected to confront finance ministers and central bank governors when they gather in Thailand from Oct. 12–18. Continued …
Thailand and Japan Cement $11.7-Billion Industrial Alliance in High-Tech Shift
Thailand has attracted more than $11.72 billion (approx. 396.5 billion baht) in investment applications from Japanese enterprises across 1,380 projects between 2021 and mid-2026, according to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI).
The capital injection deepens a decades-long industrial partnership as both nations reconfigure regional supply chains around semiconductors, next-generation vehicles, and clean energy. Continued …
Thailand weighs higher EV import taxes to support local industry
Thailand’s Cabinet has acknowledged a proposal to overhaul vehicle excise taxes, under which certain imported cars would face the highest proposed rates, while domestically manufactured vehicles could qualify for lower rates linked to investment and locally produced components.
The proposed restructuring aims to encourage vehicle manufacturers to establish or expand production facilities in Thailand, strengthen the domestic automotive supply chain and support the transition toward environmentally friendly vehicles. Continued …
Thailand-EU free trade pact talks at final stage
The 10th round of Thailand-EU free trade agreement negotiations has seen significant progress, with most negotiating texts now concluded. The commerce minister reported that major issues resolved include trade in goods, services, investment, and market access, as well as provisions regarding sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, energy, war materials, and rules of origin.
While most topics have been settled, discussions are still ongoing regarding market access and political issues. Both sides are currently working toward a mutually acceptable and balanced outcome, specifically navigating sensitive business products and sectors to ensure the agreement creates concrete economic benefits and open markets. – Bangkok Post AI
Thailand’s next growth opportunities as ASEAN investment gateway
Supply chain diversification, AI adoption and the energy transition are creating a new phase of investment opportunity in Thailand, strengthening the country’s position as a gateway to ASEAN, according to a new PwC Thailand report.
This shift is directing a new wave of foreign direct investment (FDI) toward Thailand’s digital infrastructure, electronics, automotive and food-processing industries, as global businesses restructure supply chains for greater resilience and scale. Continued …
Marriott Signs Deal for 7 New Thailand Hotels
Marriott Internationalhas signed an agreement with FICO Corp. to bring seven hotels to Thailand, which are projected to add a further 1,262 keys to Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.
The portfolio deal includes the expansion of the JW Marriott brand and is set to introduce citizenM, Four Points Flex by Sheraton and Series by Marriott to Thailand for the first time.
The agreement includes a JW Marriott Bangkok Sathorn and the anticipated debut of citizenM, Four Points Flex by Sheraton and Series by Marriott in Thailand. Continued …
Bangkok’s culinary stars fade amid rising costs, tighter budgets and fewer tourists
Earlier this year, Bangkok’s food and beverage scene pulled off a coup. At Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards in Macau, eight venues from Asia’s “City of Angels” crowded the list – rankings historically dominated by Hong Kong and Singapore – with four more in the 51-100 tier. The city’s restaurant honors tell a similar story – Sühring recently joined Sorn in holding three Michelin stars, and Bangkok claims nine spots on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, more than any other city.
The tourism figures are equally bullish: Bangkok again ranks as the world’s most visited city, with food-led travel a stated priority for visitors. Clearly, Bangkok’s food and beverage scene is commanding more attention than ever before. And yet, on the ground, the picture is less rosy. Continued …
Iran President Seeks Closer Economic Ties With Thailand
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran sees substantial scope to expand its relationship with Thailand, including through closer economic cooperation.
Speaking as he received the credentials of Thailand’s new ambassador to Tehran, Pezeshkian said bilateral ties could be developed further in economic, scientific and technological fields, according to Iran’s state-affiliated Tasnim news agency. Continued …
Thailand considers 1,000-baht tax on air departures
Thailand’s Finance Ministry is considering a departure tax of 1,000 baht for every person leaving the country by air, regardless of nationality, under draft legislation now open to public comment. The Revenue Department’s consultation on the proposed Departure Tax Act runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 29.
For foreigners living in Thailand, frequent visitors and tourists, the key point is that the charge would apply each time they fly out of the country, including on short regional trips. Continued …
Minister defends 1,000-baht departure tax plan, as ATTA objects
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas defended the idea of a 1,000-baht departure tax as a way to encourage Thais to holiday domestically and keep more tourism spending within Thailand. However, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) opposed the proposal yesterday, warning that it would impose overlapping charges on travelers.
Adith Chairattananon, ATTA’s secretary-general, said the proposal could have widespread repercussions for tourism and put further pressure on operators during a weak economy. The association is preparing to submit a formal objection to the Finance Ministry. Continued …
Health Ministry backs 450-baht tourist fee as hospitals face billions in unpaid bills
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has backed a proposed 450-baht fee for foreign tourists, calling for part of the revenue to fund insurance or health cover that could reduce hospitals’ exposure to unpaid medical bills.
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said a preliminary survey of more than 30 regional hospitals found that they incur several billion baht in unrecovered treatment costs involving foreign patients each year. Continued …
Thailand’s New Accommodation Law: What It Means for Hotels, Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals
Thailand is preparing to replace the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 (2004). In July 2026, the House of Representatives accepted in principle proposed amendments to the Hotel Act and referred them to an extraordinary committee. On Sept. 29, the government set out its draft Accommodation Establishment Act. The draft moves away from a single hotel licensing regime and toward a tiered system based on the size of the property.
The draft has not yet been enacted and must still proceed through the remainder of the legislative process before it can enter into force. Until that happens, the Hotel Act remains in force and must be applied as it stands. Continued …
Hot towel service or a simple trim?
Fifteen minutes with a pair of clippers, a mirror check, and out the door for the price of a sandwich. Or: lying back on a reclined chair, eyes covered, a hot towel over the face, a straight razor worked slowly along the jaw, warm oil worked into the beard, a shoulder press at the end, someone offering you a coffee while you wait for the chair — 45 minutes, and a bill that can run to three or four times the first one.
Ask either customer what they walked out with and they will say the same thing: a trimmed beard. The outcome looks identical in the mirror. Continued …
From one mother to nine cubs: the tiger helping tell Thailand’s recovery story
In 2021, Mae Kaew moved out of the renowned Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and established her own territory in the Upper Western Forest Complex. Since then, camera traps have documented an extraordinary journey. Over just a few years, she has successfully raised three litters. That is nine new tigers from a single mother.
And the story continues… with another chapter. One of Maw Kaew’s daughters, born in 2022, has now had her own two cubs. After establishing her territory in the same park in late 2023, she has become a mother herself for the first time. And that means Maw Kaew is officially a grandmother! Continued …
Preparing Thailand’s rescued leopard cats for life in the wild
A wildlife officer holds a leopard cat cub in one hand, its entire body small enough for her fingers to wrap around its torso. With the other hand, she feeds it formula milk from a syringe. This is the latest rescue at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife’s rescue center in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand, which rehabilitates and ultimately releases dozens of lost and injured leopard cat cubs every year.
Behind the officer, 15 larger leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), rescued as young cubs months earlier, pace around inside their cages. They look a lot like domestic cats, only slightly more slender and with sharply defined markings on their fur; unlike domestic cats, they bare their teeth and growl whenever a human walks past. Continued …
Bangkok faces submersion risk
Experts have warned that as much as one-third of Bangkok could be permanently submerged by 2050. This risk is driven by the failure to overhaul water management systems and take aggressive action against climate change.
The potential for submersion is compounded by rising sea levels and land subsidence, which makes the city particularly vulnerable due to its use of groundwater. Projections suggest that the Chao Phraya River levels could rise by 30 to 50 centimeters by 2050, while extreme climate events could see sea levels rise even further. – Bangkok Post AI
Second incinerator key to solving Phuket’s waste problem
Authorities in Phuket are seeking a land plot to build a second incinerator to handle a growing amount of garbage. Phuket is facing increasing challenges in dealing with as much as 1.3 million tons of waste that has accumulated at landfills supervised by the Phuket municipal office.
Phuket has only one incinerator, which is capable of handling about 700 tons of garbage per day. The capacity is too small, so a second incinerator is needed. Continued …
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Chinese fraud suspect arrested at Suvarnabhumi – Continued …
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South Korean betting ring raided in Bangkok condo – Continued …
Russia rejects Siberian plague reports amid second death claims
Unverified reports of a second death in Russia’s Irkutsk region in Siberia have raised concerns about a possible pneumonic plague outbreak, although Russian authorities maintain that no cases of the disease have been detected. 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
Hua Hin Profile: Humanitarianism in action
Thai rocker Nene Royal, winner of America’s Got Talent 2026, will make her acting debut as the Thai voice of Billie Doe in Disney’s animated fantasy Hexed.
Nene Royal to sing for over 400 guests at IMF–World Bank reception
British banker and whistleblower Simon Andriesz, 57, was found dead in Khlong Luang, just outside Bangkok, on the morning of September 23. The local municipality recorded his cause of death as “asphyxiation from hanging”.
Thailand has not implemented any additional measures regarding the suspected plague in Russia, as Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat stated there are currently no plans for further action unless new developments emerge.
As the planet warms, cities like Bangkok could be increasingly inundated by deadly floods
Flooding in eastern Thailand has persisted for seven consecutive days as of today. The stagnant water in the region has led to issues such as foul odors in certain areas.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has drawn up a five-to-seven-year flood-management program expected to require at least 100 billion baht, combining drainage maintenance with major canal, tunnel and water-retention projects to protect the capital’s role as Thailand’s economic center.
Thailand’s headline consumer price index rose 2.82% in September from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said yesterday, as food and fuel prices increased.
The World Bank has upgraded its GDP growth forecast for Thailand in 2026 to 2.3%, up from a previous estimate of 1.5%. This upward revision is primarily attributed to robust exports fueled by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom and a smaller-than-expected impact from energy shocks.
Thailand has expanded a crackdown on suspected foreign nominee businesses from Koh Phangan into seven provinces, according to a media report, as concern grows over overseas investors, land deals and long-stay visitors on the country’s resort islands.
Thailand’s Oil Fuel Fund has begun scaling back diesel support as its deficit has passed 100 billion baht, an Energy Ministry source said. The ministry is preparing a gradual withdrawal of subsidies to slow cash outflows while awaiting policy direction on further measures.
The Thai cabinet has approved tax measures for the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) sector that allow businesses to claim a double tax deduction for expenses related to space rental and services for trade fairs and exhibitions. These incentives are intended to stimulate economic activity by attracting international events and increasing spending in related industries such as tourism, transport, and hospitality.
An increase in the value-added tax (VAT) of 3% was discussed during a session where senators also called for a broader tax base to address a reported net deficit of 760 billion baht for fiscal 2025.
Singapore-listed DFI Retail plans to open 250 new Starbucks outlets over the next three years, mainly in Thailand and Vietnam, after taking full control of the licensed business operating more than 1,100 coffeehouses across seven Asian markets.
The Middle East conflict and oil price volatility have highlighted Thailand’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, prompting calls to accelerate its clean energy transition. A seminar involving energy experts, policymakers, and industry representatives concluded that reducing fossil fuel dependence is now an economic and security necessity, not just an environmental goal, with ASEAN neighbors facing similar pressures.
Southeast Asia could save approximately US$45.4 billion by installing enough solar photovoltaic capacity to generate the same amount of electricity as planned gas power projects across five major economies, according to research group Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA).
Clean Kinetics, a Singapore-based solar energy developer, has started construction of a $2-million solar photovoltaic project at Sats Thailand’s central kitchen facility in Pathum Thani province, around 40 kilometers north of Bangkok.
Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa program has approved 12,010 foreign nationals in its first four years, the Board of Investment (BOI) says.
Thailand’s government has denied claims that proposed legal changes would end taxes on alcohol and tobacco or dismantle four public bodies funded through levies linked to those products.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritized urgent payments to ensure that affected households receive relief funds as quickly as possible. He stated that it is important for people to receive their money as soon as possible, ordering authorities to distribute the first batch of payments this week based on verified claims without waiting for the entire nationwide processing to conclude.
Insurance companies are expected to suffer the most significant and long-lasting impact on their earnings due to the current flooding. This prolonged recovery period is driven by the high volume of severe claims and losses that insurers must process as floodwaters recede.
Heavy overnight rain left roads flooded across parts of Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom early today, slowing traffic and forcing motorists to take extra care or avoid several affected routes.
Southeast Asian energy ministers meeting in Manila this week face the prospect of a prolonged Middle East war that has exposed the region’s vulnerabilities to imported energy.
The World Bank has cautioned that damage from a severe El Niño, including flooding of the kind seen across the region a decade ago, could prove larger than current forecasts assume. The warning came as Thailand’s economy was singled out for both its gains from the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom and its slow adoption of the technology at home.
Thailand is struggling to reach its 7 million ton rice export goal because several key trading partners have reduced their import volumes. The shortfall is driven largely by decreased demand from Malaysia and the Philippines, with the latter citing concerns over relatively high prices for Thai rice.
Leading artificial intelligence companies do not know how to keep AI systems from pursuing objectives their developers did not assign, whistleblower Jacob Coxon, a former OpenAI and Anthropic employee, warned yesterday. “Companies are being extremely reckless given the stakes,” Coxon told local lawmakers at a hearing before the New York City Council.
Thailand is seeking to turn its food, entertainment, wellness sector and recognizable cultural symbols into longer-lasting economic influence, as competition for visitors across Southeast Asia intensifies.
Thailand is advancing a 10-year strategy for 2025–2034 to become an international center for medical and wellness industries through five areas of development, extending its ambitions beyond hospital treatment to health products, research, training and international events.
Siam Legal International, a Thailand-based law firm, has published a step-by-step arrival checklist for first-time visitors to Thailand, covering the entry process from passport condition and pre-arrival paperwork to the documents immigration officers may request at the counter. The guide reflects entry procedures as of October 2026 and sets out each stage in the order travelers generally encounter it.
Bangkok’s Yaowarat is preparing for the 2026 Vegetarian Festival, with the traditional nine-day vegetarian observance running from Oct. 10–18, while the main Yaowarat festival runs from Oct. 9–18.
Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have launched a joint action plan to tackle seasonal haze and forest fires that cause serious air pollution across the Mekong sub-region. The trilateral initiative was launched by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the governments of Lao PDR and Myanmar.
Vietnamese police have arrested 12 men accused of stealing nearly 2,700 cats during night raids into residential neighborhoods, taking the pets to be slaughtered for food, police and state media said yesterday. Consumption of dogs and cats is legal in Vietnam, where many restaurants openly advertise the meat, but vendors are required to obtain certificates showing the origin of the animals. 
Rare serow makes unusual appearance on Prachuap beach
Nene Royal: Global Stardom Won’t Change Me, Says AGT Winner at Bangkok Homecoming
Thai singer and guitarist Nene Royal has attracted partnerships with at least 10 brands in Thailand within 10 days of winning America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 21 on Sept. 24.
Disaster risks are considered structural challenges because they are becoming normalized and represent a long-term weight on Thailand’s economic growth. The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, driven by climate change, require fundamental changes to infrastructure and economic resilience rather than just short-term fixes.
Nine dead as floods submerge seven Prachin Buri districts
Flooding in Thailand has significantly impacted the food industry by disrupting transport routes, hindering the movement of essential goods, and forcing manufacturers to adjust their business continuity plans. These disruptions have led to delivery delays for parcel services and the temporary suspension of cargo operations for major carriers.
While the flooding has eased in Chanthaburi, around 4,000 fruit farmers are in deep distress as stagnant floodwaters led to durian trees grown on over 20,000 rai of orchards having died.
Sinking city, rising rage: Bangkok’s floods fuel fury over government inaction
Insurance regulator sets 5 flood-damage levels for vehicles
The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until seven Iranian conditions set out in a June interim agreement with the US are met, state media reported Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying yesterday.
Brent crude futures rose 0.79% to US$103.06 a barrel in early trading today, after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said they had launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco sites in Riyadh and the Khurais area. The claim raised concerns about production in Saudi Arabia, the region’s leading oil exporter.
The Ministry of Commerce’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) reported uneven conditions in Thailand’s regional economies in its August 2026 review. Rising living costs remained a key source of pressure and consumer confidence stayed weak, although business formation and tourism continued to grow well in some areas.
Thailand is stepping up a crackdown on foreigners accused of using nominee companies and other arrangements to control businesses and property illegally, as growing local resentment over foreign investment threatens to reshape the country’s lucrative tourism industry.
Thailand and Laos have set an ambitious goal of boosting bilateral trade to US$11 billion by 2027 during high-level talks in Luang Prabang on Friday. The two countries’ economic push is part of a broader strategy to transform border transport networks into major international trade corridors.
As Thailand cracks down on foreigners, a tourist paradise reconsiders its welcome
Thailand has emerged as a leader in medical and wellness tourism, attracting a large number of tourists worldwide. Specifically in the medical field, most tourists travel for major procedures such as heart surgery, orthopedic surgery, dentistry, IVF and ICSI, as well as cosmetic surgery, eye surgery, and cancer treatment.
The best mental health retreat in Thailand, for anyone dealing with a clinical condition, is one that pairs licensed clinical care with a restful setting. For depression, anxiety, burnout or trauma, The Dawn Wellness Center and Rehab in Chiang Mai is one of the options most often cited: it is licensed by the Ministry of Public Health and runs a mental health program separate from its addiction treatment. First, though, it helps to know that “retreat” means very different things in Thailand.
In early 2020, international and national health authorities alike in Laos watched with disbelief as hospitals in New York City, a city in one of the world’s richest countries, were overwhelmed with patients. During the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 203,000 cases of laboratory-confirmed COVID were reported in New York and a third of people hospitalized died. 
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic will head to Beijing on Thursday for two days of make-or-break meetings with Chinese officials to try to stave off a trade war. The European Union has toughened its stance toward Beijing to defend businesses against what it believes is unfair competition in critical sectors, including cars. 
Major US automakers have watched their domestic market share shrink even more thanks to their Asian competitors — a situation that may worsen if Chinese firms are able to enter the US market, an idea floated by President Donald Trump. 
A Khao Tao power outage is scheduled for tomorrow from 9 am to 5 pm, affecting residents and businesses in parts of the area.
Officials to keep tabs on Hua Hin beachfront demolition
Water released from Pranburi Reservoir
Erik Brown, Tham Luang cave rescue diver, dies at 44
Canadian cave diver Erik Brown, who helped rescue the Wild Boars football team and their coach from Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai in 2018, has died aged 44. Brown’s family and friends announced his death, but did not give the precise date and cause of death, or any further details.
Chai Nat-Gulf canal plan faces Bangkok flood doubts
Flooding in Thailand has forced Toyota Motor to halt operations at four factories temporarily. A Toyota spokesperson said flooding had disrupted parts deliveries to the company’s factories in Thailand.
Farmers in the Bua Yai district of Nakhon Ratchasima are primarily struggling with severe drought conditions that are threatening their rice crops. This lack of sufficient water has left many rice fields unable to survive, forcing some farmers to release water into their fields to save crops or face losing their entire harvest.
Thailand’s long-awaited US trade deal has hit a serious hiatus as conflicting accounts emerge from Bangkok’s top negotiators. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says an agreement has been reached in principle. Yet, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow says market access remains the key issue.
Thailand is preparing a new 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan for 2028–2032 that places digital technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced electronics and cleaner energy at the center of the country’s next development cycle. The government seeks to reposition Thailand as a higher-value investment and production base.
Phuket developers are promoting long-term residence visas and registered property-use rights to attract foreign residents and investors, as the island’s property market cools after several years of rapid growth.
Bangkok has recorded one of the strongest increases in luxury residential prices among major global cities over the past decade, with values rising by about 75%, according to Savills Research.
Russia has proposed bilateral cooperation with Thailand on small modular reactors (SMRs), Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin said yesterday. He added that Moscow wants to build on a run of high-level contacts to lift trade, which he described as far below its potential.
Southeast Asia’s digital economy was valued at $300 billion in 2025 and could reach $1 trillion by 2030. Structural shifts in ASEAN countries drive growth, with e-commerce dominating. Policy, platform evolution, and investment opportunities support this growth potential.
A World Economic Forum report on ASEAN’s digital economy highlights the gap between digital ambition and practical execution, positioning Thailand’s leadership as pivotal. Having chaired negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) across 14 rounds culminating in 2026, Thailand now faces the challenge of translating this agreement into functional cross-border systems for payments, digital identity, and data governance.
Suvarnabhumi Cargo Terminal Stays Open as Thai Airways Clears 8,000 Delayed Bags
When an expatriate dies in Thailand, relatives may have to deal with Thai authorities, the deceased’s embassy, funeral arrangements and an estate spread across several countries. The process is easier when each step is handled in the correct order.
Living in Thailand does not mean your estate exists only in Thailand. An expat may own a Thai condominium, maintain bank accounts offshore, hold US shares through an international platform and have pensions or property in their home country.
A retiree who ditched Australia for a “better life” in Thailand has revealed how he “lives like a king” for roughly $65 a day and is now helping other older Aussies do the same.
US President Donald Trump unveiled what he called a “damn good” AI chatbot, but it quickly drew attention for contradicting some of his contentious political claims. A day later, however, it stopped answering some political questions. 
Switzerland’s glaciers, which are disproportionately impacted by climate change, have lost nearly 20% of their mass in five years, experts said today, with 2026 registering the second-biggest melt on record. 
Authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been ordered to closely monitor heavy rain and water conditions and prepare to assist residents if flooding or other disasters occur.
Residents and visitors gathered at Hua Hin’s Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine on Saturday for the traditional Ship to Sea ceremony.
Thailand will begin tougher enforcement of rules covering ride-hailing apps, drivers and vehicles on Thursday, the Ministry of Transport has announced.
Thai global icon LISA, Lalisa Manoban, made history at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards yesterday, becoming the first K-pop solo artist to win the coveted Best Pop award.
Nene Royal returns home to a grand Phuket welcome
Thailand is attracting billions of baht in investment into data centers, electronics and advanced industries, while household finances remain under pressure. A government survey found that 32.8% of respondents had reduced the number of meals they eat or were eating less. Almost two-thirds were buying cheaper food or waiting for discounts.
Thailand’s high season test begins as tourism numbers rise
JustPow is calling for stronger environmental oversight of waste-to-energy plants because they believe the current regulatory framework is too weak to ensure the safety of local communities and the surrounding environment. The advocacy group argues that current regulations lack sufficient environmental impact assessments, particularly for smaller facilities that generate less than 10 megawatts of capacity.
Hua Hin-Cha-am among six new MICE Cities
Diesel prices at pumps across the European Union (EU) have hit a new high of €2.23 per liter, up from €2.16 the previous week, an Agence France-Presse (AFP) analysis of European Commission data published yesterday showed.
Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has not approved reported 5%–10% increases in consumer goods prices scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026, Director-general Wittayakorn Maneenetr said yesterday. Some manufacturers had submitted applications, but the department had not authorized the increases.
Thailand is positioning itself as a strategic gateway to the ASEAN regional market, which consists of approximately 700 million people, to provide US businesses with access to broader Southeast Asian trade and investment opportunities.
Thailand has suffered from sluggish economic growth, with only 2% GDP growth, while regional peers have reached higher growth.
The appeal of the Thai DTV is obvious – you get up to five years of multiple entry access to Thailand so you can do more without relying on short tourist stays. However, before you apply, you’ll need to check the financial eligibility requirements, what remote work does and does not cover, and the documents and application process that applies.
Thailand aims to welcome 1.5 million Americans in 2026 as it shifts its tourism strategy to draw higher-spending visitors to boost international tourism. Last year, 1.08 million Americans visited Thailand, with 716,983 Americans arriving between January and September of this year.
The Family-Run Restaurants Preserving Southern Thailand’s Culinary Heritage
The Best Places to Eat During Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival
Thai Basil Vs. Italian Basil: What’s The Difference?
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has held talks with Google executives in New York on developing environmentally friendly data-center standards in Thailand, alongside plans for an open data institute to improve Thai digital skills.
Thailand’s nuclear power ambitions have been repeatedly delayed by concerns over safety and radioactive waste management following major international accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima. Additionally, the country faces significant challenges in developing the necessary infrastructure, technical expertise, and regulatory frameworks required to manage nuclear technology safely.
Nepal’s catastrophic flooding last month “was a warning to the world” about the rising dangers of climate change, Prime Minister Balendra Shah told the United Nations yesterday, urging countries to step up to help his country adapt.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a difficult reelection campaign at home, delivered a fiery UN speech yesterday assailing enemies and allies alike – and sparking uproar in the chamber. Netanyahu used the global platform at the UN General Assembly to attack everyone from the leaders of Iran to New York’s first Muslim mayor and partners Britain, France and Turkey. 
Canada is answering US President Donald Trump’s obsession with renaming things by unveiling a name change of its own – Trump Avenue in Ottawa will soon be history. The city is hitting back at the US leader, who among other things insists Canada should cease to exist as a country and instead become the 51st US state. 
Happiness may be subjective, but living on lush tropical islands and eating delicious food is probably a good formula for the emotion when living abroad. And foreigners in Thailand appear to be the happiest of all.
Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony returns to Hua Hin Saturday
Grab is expanding its airport services to prepare for the fourth-quarter travel peak, a period when its airport ride bookings typically increase by 35% to 40% compared to non-peak times. To manage this anticipated surge, the company has expanded its pick-up area at Suvarnabhumi airport from three lanes to 12 lanes and introduced new booking tools, including a feature called NIP.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft Cannabis Control Act that would place tighter controls on cultivation, sales and medical prescribing. The proposal must now go before the House of Representatives.
Thailand is confronting a renewed energy-security challenge as the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz pushes global LNG prices to about US$28 per million British thermal units, close to levels seen during the Russia-Ukraine energy shock. Thailand is responding by accelerating domestic gas exploration, reviewing LNG procurement strategy and seeking to diversify away from spot-market exposure.
Assoc Prof. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics said yesterday the university had prepared an economic and international trade policy analysis of the Thai Household Cost of Living Index (CLI) for the third quarter of 2026 and the fourth-quarter outlook, titled “The impact of oil prices on Thai living costs”.
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a 43-billion-baht relief package yesterday, extending Thais Help Thais Plus through November and raising welfare-card support for October. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the measures would ease energy-related living costs and help keep Thailand’s 2026 growth on track for 2.5%.
The cabinet has endorsed a strategic plan for the Oil Fuel Fund and a fuel crisis response plan covering 2026-29 with wider use of biofuels made from domestic raw materials to help deal with volatility in global energy markets.
Thailand’s Greater Bangkok housing market is showing an increasingly sharp divide, with condominium sales rebounding while low-rise housing remains weighed down by weak purchasing power, tight lending conditions and a prolonged inventory overhang.
Healthcare in Thailand is expanding its medical tourism services, which include hospital healthcare, preventive health services, wellness programs, and tourism services, for international tourists in both Bangkok and Phuket.
It’s the holiday hotspot that draws in billions of dollars with the promise of sun, sand and sex. Police promise Pattaya is one of the safest cities in Thailand. But the shocking killing of a teenage girl earlier this year exposed the dark underbelly of the city’s sex industry.
Trips to Thailand booked by Russian tourists through the end of the year could face disruptions amid a rise in reported COVID-19 cases. Some Russian travelers who have already paid for holidays at Thai resorts between October and December have reportedly been warned about possible problems with their trips as infections increase.
The Hua Hin Film Club will screen The Imitation Game at Sundance Beach Club on Sunday, Oct. 18, with actor David Charkham joining the evening as a special guest. The event begins at 6.30 pm and will include a conversation with Charkham, who appeared in the film. 
China’s robot dancers limber up for America’s Got Talent final
Seniors urged to use traditional Chinese medicine to slow cognitive decline
Young leopard makes rare daytime appearance in Kaeng Krachan forest
The new postal law in Thailand aims to address regulatory gaps and market distortions within the country’s growing delivery and logistics sector. A primary objective is to ensure equal access to basic postal services for all citizens, preventing these essential services from falling under the control of purely commercial delivery and logistics providers.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis has driven LNG prices to US$28 per million British thermal units, putting pressure on Thailand’s public and private sectors to undertake a major review of their energy strategies. The response ranges from adding “flexibility” to the energy-security framework to accelerating domestic gas exploration, advancing small modular reactor technology and restructuring major energy companies.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has embarked on a high-stakes investment mission to New York, positioning Thailand as an emerging hub for next-generation technology and global capital as he attends the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).
Larger data center projects are shifting away from Bangkok primarily due to infrastructure constraints and increasingly strict regulatory requirements. Companies are seeking locations outside the capital that can offer more reliable access to land and water, as well as sufficient electricity capacity to support massive operations.
A Look at Phuket Old Town’s Revival and Rising Challenges
What a way to start a day! Watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Thailand, cool ocean breezes, with a gentle sea lapping at the white sand beach. And behind you is breakfast, served by the attentive staff of the 
Warning issued after driver nearly hits Khao Yai elephants
Thailand named Asia’s top beach destination for 2026
Thailand’s solar panel imports jumped 88.7% year-on-year to US$426.7 million, around 14.93 billion baht, during the first seven months of 2026, with China accounting for almost the entire market. According to figures from the Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department, the January to July increase marked a sharp recovery after import values contracted during both 2024 and 2025.
Ask an economist to put a price on Bangkok’s haze, and the number is startling: US$45.3 billion a year, or 3.9% of Thailand’s GDP, according to a World Bank assessment that ranks the country 20th worst out of 180 for the health costs of PM2.5 pollution — the second-heaviest burden in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.
Major television networks suspended their White House pool coverage and will no longer send camera crews to cover President Donald Trump’s pool events, standing in solidarity with CNN after Trump denied White House access to reporters for three outlets. The move from the five networks that make up the television pool ‒ ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News, in addition to CNN ‒ means a broadcast television feed that is distributed widely for media won’t be carried for most of Trump’s events. 
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.
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.
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.
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.
Government moving to fully relocate Bangkok port to Laem Chabang
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 Rise (and Rise and Rise) of the Suddenly Ubiquitous Jellyfish
Increasing concern among farmers about Kok River contamination
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. 
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. 
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.