- Cha Am Music Festival/Hua Hin videos/Pub fire victims died from cyanide poisoning/Chonburi raids target nominee firms
- THE IRAN WAR: Red Sea oil route closure
- ECONOMY: China’s Growing Influence/Chinese Investments in Thailand
- TOURISM: 2-3 hour immigration queues/B2.45-billion travel subsidy package/Gastronomy Tourism Beyond Bangkok/Thailand taps Nene Royal/flydubai doubles Bangkok flights
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Isan Cuisine Part of Wellness Food Conversation/Koh Samui named world’s best island/Krabi’s Quiet Luxury
- HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Cha Am Music Festival set for August 7–9
The Cha Am Music Festival will be held Aug. 7–9, offering three evenings of free live music, food and fireworks beside Cha Am beach. The festival will take place at the Cha Am Beach viewpoint, with admission free throughout the three-day event.
Phetchaburi province is organizing the festival in partnership with Cha Am municipality, Cha Am District, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thai Hotels Association Western Chapter, and public and private sector organizations. Continued …
9 Best Areas To Stay In Thailand’s favorite Beachside City – Hua Hin
Walk through all of the best areas to stay in Hua Hin. Hua Hin has long been a favorite holiday for locals and expats, so in today’s video we breakdown all of the best neighborhoods to stay in while visiting this amazing beachside town in Thailand. Video …
Hua Hin Tamarind Market Night Walk
Explore the atmosphere, street food stalls, seafood, grilled meats, desserts, Thai snacks, preserved fruits, and the relaxing evening vibe that makes Tamarind Market one of the most popular night markets in Hua Hin. Video …
Autopsies reveal Lat Phrao pub fire victims died from cyanide poisoning within four minutes
Preliminary evidence from the investigation into the fatal fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao indicates that an overloaded electrical system may have triggered a short circuit, while an emergency exit near the toilets was reportedly bolted shut when the blaze broke out.
More than 106 people have been questioned, including the business’s management and employees, relatives of those killed or injured, forensic officers, engineers and electricity officials. Investigators are also seeking testimony from electricians previously involved in alterations at the premises. Continued …
Chonburi raids target 33 suspected nominee firms
Thai police and Chonburi provincial authorities launched coordinated searches at 41 locations on 17 July, targeting 33 companies suspected of using Thai nominees to hold land for foreign nationals.
The operation also covered a housing development in the district. Officers are examining suspected arrangements involving 32 land plots with a combined estimated value of about 235 million baht. Continued …
Iran urges Houthis to prepare for possible Red Sea oil route closure
The Middle East’s two principal oil-export corridors could be disrupted simultaneously if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is closed. At the same time, the Strait of Hormuz remains shut, deepening the global energy crisis and opening another front in Iran’s wider conflict with the United States.
Three sources said yesterday that Iran had asked Yemen’s Houthi movement to prepare to close the Red Sea oil route should the United States attack Iranian power infrastructure. Such a move would create a serious new threat to global energy supplies. Continued …
China’s Growing Influence Calls for a Measured Thai Response
The past week saw tensions mount among Thais who are becoming increasingly alarmed about China’s growing influence and role in Thailand. Four issues have emerged that patriotic Thais should, at the very least, be concerned about and contemplate within the larger context of Sino-Thai relations.
First, there is the ongoing crackdown on cases involving children allegedly fraudulently registered as Thai despite being born to Chinese parents. Dozens of cases have emerged, with several Thai and Chinese nationals arrested. The Thai government has ordered nationwide scrutiny of other potential cases. Continued …
Chinese Firms Eye Data Centers, Smart Manufacturing, New Energy Investments in Thailand
Leading Chinese companies have shifted their investment plans in Thailand to data centers, the manufacturing industry’s intelligent transformation, and new energy opportunities amid rising land and labor costs and stricter compliance requirements in the country, as well as global tariff shocks.
Internet giants ByteDance and Alibaba Group Holding are investing in Thai artificial intelligence data centers, while leading home appliance firms Haier Group, Midea Group, and Skyworth Group focus on building smart manufacturing bases and developing new energy businesses. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi arrivals face 2-3 hour immigration queues
Foreign visitors arriving at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport are again reportedly facing waits of two to three hours at immigration during some periods, as stricter screening and staff shortages create bottlenecks.
Tourism industry sources say the long queues have returned as a major concern at the airport, with the delay affecting travelers’ first experience on arrival in Thailand. The problem is most apparent during busy flight periods, when checks can build into lengthy lines. Continued …
Thailand proposes B2.45-billion travel subsidy package
Thailand is considering a B2.45-billion tourism stimulus package that could offer 500,000 travel co-payment entitlements, discounts on 400,000 domestic airline seats and support for international flights.
None of the measures is available yet. They must be approved by the main joint public-private committee and the Cabinet, while funding would need to be allocated from the central budget. Continued …
Gastronomy Tourism Tipped to Spread Wealth Beyond Bangkok
Southeast Asian tourism officials are pushing gastronomy tourism as a tool to redistribute visitor spending away from saturated hotspots such as Bangkok and Phuket, delegates heard at the Nikkei Asia Forum 2026 yesterday.
Speaking on a panel titled “From Arrival to After-Dinner: Upgrading Tourism Value Chain Across the Region”, Noor Ahmad Hamid, chief executive of the Pacific Asia Travel Assn. (PATA), said national tourism bodies were increasingly using regional cuisine to steer travelers toward secondary destinations. Continued …
Thailand taps Nene Royal for global tourism promotion drive
The Thai government is preparing to support Phuket singer-guitarist Nene Royal in the next stage of her America’s Got Talent journey and involve her in promoting the country’s tourism, international image and soft power.
The 16-year-old musician, whose real name is Rattikarn “Praew” Amloy, gained worldwide attention after combining powerful vocals with live guitar in a rock-driven performance of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” during her audition for Season 21 of the US talent show. Continued …
flydubai doubles Bangkok flights
Dubai carrier flydubai is pressing ahead with its expansion in Thailand, doubling its daily flights to Bangkok from tomorrow as travel demand between the UAE and Southeast Asia continues to climb despite recent geopolitical uncertainty.
The additional service was first announced by the airline in February and comes just a week after Thai tourism officials visiting the UAE confirmed that airlines would continue increasing seat capacity between the two countries. Thailand expects the number of weekly flights between the UAE and the Southeast Asian destination to rise to around 140 as demand continues to grow. Continued …
Why Isan Cuisine Is Part of Thailand’s Wellness Food Conversation
“Food is medicine” is an idea that predates modern wellness by centuries. Yet, in an era increasingly defined by mindful eating and nutrition, it has taken on renewed relevance.
Few culinary traditions illustrate the point quite as convincingly as Isan cuisine, where bold flavors are built from fresh herbs, fermented ingredients, and techniques that have long prioritized balance over excess. Continued …
Koh Samui named world’s best island
Koh Samui has been named the World’s Best Island for 2026 in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, giving Thailand another major boost on the international tourism stage.
The Surat Thani island received a reader score of 95.64, placing it ahead of globally renowned destinations including the Maldives, Bali and Milos. Continued …
The Future of Krabi’s Quiet Luxury
As the tourism industry continues to chase volume, one Andaman province is quietly betting on something else entirely. For decades, Thailand’s tourism strategy has mostly been about volume – more visitors, more hotels, more revenue. But on the Andaman coast, Krabi, with its dramatic limestone karsts, emerald-green waters, and slow-paced coastal charm, has long been the antidote to mass tourism.
Yet, its popularity is booming. The province now ranks as the fifth highest revenue-generating destination in Thailand for international tourism, with annual visitor numbers swelling to between 3.8 and 6.3 million travelers. 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
What It Costs To Stay At Hua Hin Wellness Retreat
Is Prachuap Khiri Khan The Most Underrated Thai Beach Town?
Hua Hin doesn’t look like a typical retirement hotspot in Thailand. No loud nightlife, no hype, no constant tourist energy. On paper it looks almost too quiet… but that’s exactly why it works so well for long-term living.
Households get more breaks on power bills
In Thailand, phone brands are seen as status symbols
Thailand seeks more EU investment with infrastructure and FTA drive
Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin held the official opening ceremony for its new building, marking another important milestone in the hospital’s development as it celebrates 15 years of service.
Dive into everything that makes Hua Hin amazing — stunning beaches, royal history, next-level seafood, hidden gems, and some wild activities (like kite surfing, releasing rescued marine creatures, and hiking to an epic hidden temple cave!). 
Expat health insurance costs in Thailand are one of those numbers everyone searches for and nobody quite trusts, because the real answer ranges from under US$100 a month to well over US$900. Almost none of that gap comes down to luck. It comes down to two things: how old you are, and how much cover you actually want.
Thaimart, a home-grown Thai e-commerce platform, was officially introduced at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok yesterday, positioning itself as a new home for Thai business owners.
The 2026 US–Israel war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are posing an unprecedented challenge to Thailand’s energy security and economy. While the country has contained the immediate economic fallout to some extent, the crisis highlights the need for a coherent long-term strategy to diversify supply chains, strengthen energy security and accelerate economic restructuring.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed the Energy Ministry to find ways to reduce retail oil prices, saying domestic fuel prices should fall now that global oil prices have declined and stabilized.
Thailand will cut retail fuel prices from today, with diesel falling by 2.56 baht per liter and all petrol and gasohol grades dropping by 2.51 baht per liter.
Asking prices for land in Greater Bangkok have stagnated this year, with some sites facing discounts of up to 40% as buyers negotiate aggressively amid a sharp contraction in the condo market caused by economic weakness.
Pattana Promphat, Public Health minister, pressed ahead with the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act yesterday, aiming to control cannabis for medical use only. He ordered tighter oversight from source to destination after problems were found involving illegal transport abroad and the use of fake licenses.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has warned that the country’s cannabis industry could be shut down if authorities conclude it is causing more harm than benefit, following a series of major international cannabis smuggling cases linked to Thailand.
Bangkok has emerged as one of the world’s 10 most expensive cities for high-net-worth individuals, according to the Julius Baer Global Wealth & Lifestyle Report 2026, released yesterday.
Thailand welcomes 16.21 million foreign tourists, down 3.1%
Tickets for the inaugural Tomorrowland Thailand music festival have sold out, with all 150,000 tickets purchased shortly after sales opened, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul announced yesterday following the weekly Cabinet meeting.
The Anutin government’s decision to allow householders to sell their excess rooftop solar energy to the electricity authorities marks a major milestone in the country’s clean energy transition. It is also a rare and welcome instance of a government fulfilling its promises to the public.
The recent call by more than 1,200 doctors urging the government to halt the approval of new medical degree programs proposed by Rajabhat universities must prompt policymakers to examine a more fundamental question than whether Thailand needs more medical schools.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit has instructed Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) to develop an upgraded air traffic-management system to support the growth of the country’s regional airports and strengthen tourism links across Thailand’s lower northern provinces.
The Rise of Plai: How an Ancient Thai Root Became a Modern Pharmaceutical Heavyweight
Thailand must act quickly to stem its mounting current account deficit before it spirals into a current account crisis, says Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. Ekniti said that while the government’s emergency borrowing decree would increase public debt, the loans are necessary to accelerate Thailand’s transition from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy.
Thailand’s inflation rate is showing signs of moving past its sharpest point, as production costs and global oil pressure begin to ease, but households may still face a more lasting rise in daily living expenses.
Thailand must strengthen anti-corruption efforts, improve law enforcement and reform regulations to restore investor confidence and maintain its competitiveness, according to Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT) Chairwoman Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag.
Thailand’s data center industry is seeking to recast concerns over resource strain as an economic opportunity, arguing that Thailand’s unused power capacity can be converted into investment, tax revenue and a new industrial growth engine if the government moves quickly and ensures more benefits stay in the country.
True Corp. is urging businesses to look beyond artificial intelligence as a standalone technology and instead combine AI with data-driven human insights to better understand increasingly complex consumer behavior and strengthen their competitiveness in the digital economy.
Bangkok is emerging as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing hub for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, reinforcing Thailand’s appeal as a destination for global wealth despite persistent economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
Thailand’s landmark cannabis revolution is on the brink of collapse after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the architect of Asia’s first cannabis decriminalization policy, warned he is prepared to recriminalize the drug and shut down the industry following a wave of major international cannabis seizures linked to Thailand.
Seaplane takeoff grounded by regulations
Countries laser-focused on attracting the next wave of investment may soon find that tax breaks and affordable labor may not be enough to keep investors engaged. The new criteria for raising funds may very well be in the energy space, and more specifically, which country has clean, stable, and scalable energy, with credible governance to ensure that the landscape is ready for future industries.
After years in darkness, this Thai village is finally seeing the light
Direct flights between Hua Hin and Kuala Lumpur are expected to resume as transport officials move to restore an international route that carried more than 130,000 passengers before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Thailand Riviera coastal road project is set to move forward again, with the Ministry of Transport seeking budget approval for fiscal year 2027 to study and design an extension from Chumphon to Songkhla.
Nine monks were killed and 13 other people injured after a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy plowed into a morning pilgrimage in Muang district of Mukdahan province yesterday.
Thailand’s economy is sending two completely different signals. Official figures point to a country recovering faster than expected, with GDP expanding by 2.8%, exports surging by more than 23% in April, and tourism continuing to drive growth, albeit at a falling rate.
The narrowing trade deficit and easing inflationary pressure should support the baht regaining strength against the US dollar late in the third quarter this year, reversing a short-term depreciation trend, says Siam Commercial Bank Financial Markets (SCB FM).
Thailand is on course for another record year in foreign film-production investment, as global streaming platforms and the fast-growing vertical-drama market continue to bring overseas crews and spending into the country.
The Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its 2026 list of countries and territories offering visa-free entry to holders of ordinary Thai passports. The revised list includes 35 destinations where Thai travelers can enter without applying for a visa, subject to each country’s entry conditions.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has emphasized the development of rail tourism as an important step toward creating new experiential and economic value for Thailand’s tourism industry. TAT Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that Thailand’s tourism sector has long drawn strength from its natural attractions, cultural heritage, and recognized hospitality.
Pattaya’s tourism is facing a particularly weak low season, with tourist numbers falling by around 20% to 30% in Pattaya and Chon Buri, while many hotels are reporting occupancy rates below break-even levels.
The Gulf of Thailand has always sold itself through color: turquoise water, coral gardens, fishing boats and island horizons. Now Thailand is adding another color to the seascape — the clean, clever green of technology.
Thailand’s islands have long sold the dream of clear waters, white sand and barefoot ease. Now, some of them are offering something more modern: the pleasure of arriving somewhere that is learning how not to drown in its own convenience.
Since China’s “National Sword” policy took effect in January 2018, banning imports of contaminated plastic and electronic waste, the recycling industry that was once concentrated inside China has scattered across the region. As a result, Thailand has absorbed a large share of it.
Honda Automobile (Thailand) is intensifying its strategy to challenge the Chinese-dominated electric vehicle (EV) market, announcing plans to make next-generation hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) the cornerstone of its lineup.
The first half of 2026 has been marked by a relentless rise in ocean temperatures, with global averages reaching a record 21 degrees Celsius, shattering previous highs recorded in 2023 and 2024.
Thai herbs targeted for pharma use
Thailand’s Election Commission is facing its biggest test yet, as powerful new evidence, conflicting findings from its own committees, and a newly filed police complaint pile unprecedented pressure on the watchdog to decide whether 229 people linked to the fiercely disputed 2024 Senate election should face the Constitutional Court.
Thailand seeks solution to human-elephant conflict
Commercial viability key to land bridge, panel says
Tourism operators expect the domestic market will be flat or contract from last year unless the government launches an effective stimulus scheme to increase low-season trips, as Thai household income generation weakened last year.
The Transport Ministry is speeding up infrastructure development to support economic and tourism growth, with the government now positioning Udon Thani as a key mechanism linking the northeast with international markets.
Wellness is a fast-growing industry in Thailand and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), the country’s largest private healthcare group, has set its sights on becoming a global leader. Thailand’s flagbearer for preventative medicine, BDMS has a flagship address in central Bangkok and a portfolio to match, including 60 hospitals, drug-making laboratories, and a nationwide pharmacy with more than 140 stores.
Il dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing. The Italian saying celebrates the simple pleasure of slowing down, something Thailand has long mastered. Beyond its breathtaking landscapes stretching from north to south, the Land of Smiles is renowned for its warm hospitality and deep-rooted wellness traditions, making it a world-class destination for anyone seeking to recharge, both physically and mentally.
The death toll after a two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela soared to more than 900, as crews worked for the third day yesterday to comb through rubble for signs of life. 
Bangkok commuters may finally be getting closer to something they have wanted for years: multiple trains, one ticket, and cheaper transportaion. Thailand’s Cabinet yesterday approved a cost-of-living measure to introduce a common fare system across urban rail transit lines, allowing passengers to travel for between 17 and 45 baht under a single-ticket scheme.
Crayfish on the loose in Phayao Lake
An average of 76% of adults surveyed in 35 countries, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, have no confidence in US President Donald Trump’s leadership of global affairs, with ratings for the United States negative in many places in Europe and Asia, an established research institute said yesterday.
The Thai economy is facing an uphill battle against a trio of deep-seated structural vulnerabilities, even as major economic research centers nudge short-term growth forecasts upward. In its latest economic outlook, the Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (SCB EIC) upgraded Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for this year to 2% from a previous estimate of 1.7%.
The cabinet has approved the expansion of the list of price-controled goods and services to 66. The list now includes 61 essential goods and five services, for which providers must seek prior approval for price changes.
The SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), a research center under Siam Commercial Bank, expects energy costs will continue to propel inflation in the second half of the year, even as the Middle East war shows signs of de-escalation.
Thai Generation Z and millennials are experiencing greater concern about their financial future than their peers in many other countries, with housing affordability a particularly acute pressure point, a survey by Deloitte has found.
Among Bangkok’s prime land locations with strong potential and the most public discussion, few rival the Charoen Nakhon, Charoen Krung, and Khlong San areas across the Phra Nakhon and Thon Buri sides. The Chao Phraya River runs through the middle, drawing the two banks together.
Chinese investors are becoming a more powerful force in Thailand’s industrial-property market, with growing demand for factory land in the Eastern Economic Corridor pushing Chonburi and Rayong further into the spotlight.
Why travelers are saying “Thank you, Thailand” before they fly home
In the old language of travel, the final souvenir was something tucked into a suitcase: silk, spices, ceramics, perhaps a fridge magnet from Bangkok or Phuket. In 2026, Thailand’s most elegant keepsake may be something lighter, cheaper and far more powerful: a palms-pressed wai, a smile, and a sincere “kob khun”.
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is preparing to revive a state-backed tourism co-payment scheme as part of a wider push to stimulate travel in the second half of 2026.
As summer 2026 gets underway, the global tourism industry is regaining strong momentum, and one metropolis drawing attention from travelers from around the world is “Bangkok”.
The sizzle of socialization: How Moo Kata makes Thailand’s table glow
In Thailand, the most talked-about travel ritual of 2026 may not begin at a temple, rooftop bar, or Michelin-listed restaurant. It starts under fluorescent lights, beside a refrigerated aisle, with a plastic-wrapped sandwich waiting to be toasted.
In Bangkok, the dining room of the moment does not always arrive polished in marble and glass. It may sit behind a narrow frontage, up a steep old staircase, beside the roar of a wok, or inside a building that still carries the memory of trade, family, and neighborhood life.
Cutting Thailand’s Giant Jackfruit
Journey Through Wellness, Sustainability, and Authentic Thai Hospitality in Krabi and Koh Lanta
Ubon park put forward for UNESCO listing
Thailand must accelerate its shift away from fossil fuels or risk falling permanently behind its regional peers, the chief economist of SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) warned this week, as the kingdom’s heavy dependence on imported energy leaves it acutely vulnerable to global volatility.
Waste management is one of the most essential public services a city can and must provide. When it breaks down – even briefly – thousands of tons of rubbish pile up fast. Foul odors spread across neighborhoods.
In the next few weeks, Britain’s ruling Labor Party will select a new leader to replace Keir Starmer. But this prospect has not inspired hope of a political or economic renewal. Among British media and, more importantly, global financial markets, the consensus is that any revisions to the failing Starmer government’s policies will only make things worse. 
As Australia moves to scrap key property investment tax breaks, some investors are taking a wait-and-see approach as the new policy takes shape. The shift, the biggest in decades, is seen by some as ending Australia’s long love affair with property investment. 
Hua Hin land titles and property ownership can be confusing, especially for foreign buyers trying to understand leases, title deeds, and what is legally safe. Many people have seen the recent crackdowns on nominee company ownership (see below), with more than 46,900 companies reportedly under investigation across Thailand.
Thai police have seized 49 rai of land worth more than B1.05 billion in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga as part of the latest operation targeting alleged foreign nominee business networks. The coordinated raids on Saturday involved more than 500 officers and resulted from 59 arrest warrants, 60 search warrants, and investigations into 89 land plots linked to suspected illegal ownership structures.
Elephants can certainly shift. African elephants can reach top speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour, albeit over short distances only. This is more than twice as fast as the average human runner, so it seems like an open and shut case.
During the past week, global attention focused on the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, bringing months of protracted conflict to a halt.
Can Thailand’s Land Bridge Challenge Malacca and Redefine Asian Trade Routes?
Thailand’s exporters are heading into a more uncertain second half of 2026, with growth expected to slow as global trade risks pile up across energy, logistics, and major export markets.
Vietnam is moving aggressively to expand its global trade reach through a new generation of free trade agreements (FTAs) targeting the Middle East and South Asia, a strategy that could increase competitive pressure on Thai exporters in markets where both countries sell similar goods.
China’s growing pet-friendly culture is creating a new export opening for Thailand, as demand for premium and health-focused pet food rises among Chinese consumers who increasingly treat pets as family members.
A toxic mix of record household debt, strict lending criteria, and a severe demographic slowdown leaves Bangkok’s property market heavily oversupplied. The accumulated inventory of unsold residential properties in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces is projected to surge to an unprecedented 213,000 units by the end of 2026, triggering warnings that Thailand is on the brink of a chronic, Japan-style vacant housing crisis.
Italy has offered to employ 20,000-30,000 Thai workers a year to remedy labor shortages in three sectors, deputy government spokeswoman Patdarat Thongsaluaykorn said yesterday.
Thailand is redefining its annual green season, promoting the rainy months as a prime opportunity for wellness, nature-based experiences, and meaningful travel. Through its “Healing is the New Luxury” campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is encouraging travelers to view the season not as an off-peak period, but as a time for restoration, reflection, and deeper connections with nature and local communities.
Authorities in Phuket are considering a proposal to raise the provincial tax on hotels from 1% to 3% of room rates to generate additional revenue for local development and tourism promotion.
The recent proposal to merge the Ministry of Culture with the Ministry of Tourism should be treated with great caution. This idea may appear to be just a bureaucratic restructuring. But the two ministries have distinct missions, functions and skill sets that should not be combined.
Master the Art of Ordering Som Tum Like a Thai Local
Phangnga: Southern springboard to growth
The Great Hornbill forages in the treetops, usually living in pairs. Outside the breeding season, they can sometimes gather in flocks of up to 150, roosting in trees in valleys. However, they occasionally descend to the ground to forage. Their loud call, “Kok Kok Kok, Kahang Kahang Kahang” or “Kawa Kawa Kawa,” is the origin of their name. Great Hornbills are found in moist evergreen forests, dry evergreen forests, or mixed deciduous forests. 
Thailand needs to accelerate its transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) and expand the use of renewable energy to strengthen long-term energy security, according to Areeporn Asawinpongphan, a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
Analyst urges shift away from fossil fuels
Thailand has welcomed the ceasefire framework between the United States and Iran but warned that global energy markets could remain under pressure despite an easing of tensions in the Middle East.
Oil tankers have begun crossing the Strait of Hormuz again following a newly signed US–Iran agreement aimed at easing a war that has disrupted global energy flows.
Thailand’s average household income declined in 2025, while lower-income households increasingly relied on financial assistance, according to several research institutions.
Parliament has approved five major international trade agreements, paving the way for Thailand to expand market access in Europe and South Asia.
Quick meals, noodles, and coffee or tea are among the top orders via food delivery platforms under the “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” state co-payment scheme. As of June 17, spending via food delivery platforms tallied 272 million baht.
Meta has positioned Instagram as a driver of Thai digital economic growth, highlighting the platform’s growing influence in commerce, creator monetization, and cultural engagement as businesses increasingly seek new avenues for expansion.
Vietnam is no longer being viewed only as Asia’s “manufacturing base”. It is becoming one of Southeast Asia’s most closely watched tourism destinations, especially after foreign visitor numbers rebounded rapidly following COVID-19 and began moving closer to leading tourism markets such as Thailand.
Thailand welcomes 33 to 35 million international tourists annually. In 2024, Thailand changed its visa policy, allowing visitors from 93 countries to stay for 60 days without needing to apply for a visa in advance.
As global oil volatility continues to push transportation costs higher, more Thai consumers are turning to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as a practical hedge against unpredictable long-term running costs. The shift is already visible across the market.
Ukraine yesterday launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, sparking fires, hitting a major oil refinery, and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport. At least 17 people were wounded in the strikes, which also set a shopping center and apartment building ablaze, authorities said. 
The Digital News Report 2026, which surveyed news consumers in 48 countries, found that 54% of respondents used social media and video platforms for news, compared with 51% who accessed news through the websites and apps of news organisations. This marks the first time that external platforms have become more popular than digital channels directly owned by news outlets. 
When did the first smartphone appear? The first mobile phone prototype came from Motorola in 1973. The first one approved, affectionately called The Brick, came out in 1983. In 1992 an IBM engineer created the Sweetspot but it didn’t hit the market until 1994, as the IBM Simon Personal Communicator.
Thailand faces a 96%–98% probability of entering an El Niño phase between June and July, with conditions potentially persisting into early 2027, warned Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin.
Thais are expected to spend an average of 6.9 years living with illness or disability in later life, highlighting growing pressure on healthcare services and long-term care systems, according to the Thai Health Report 2026.
Thailand has welcomed an agreement reached between the United States and Iran to end their conflict, expressing hope that the deal will bring lasting peace and stability to the Middle East and safeguard global economic interests.
Thailand is preparing to reform its electricity tariff structure in an effort to make power prices fairer and reduce electricity costs for households and local industries. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan announced that the government is reviewing the current pricing system to ensure that electricity charges better reflect actual costs.
DTAM pushes 5-point plan to boost kratom industry
Vana Nava Hua Hin is the ultimate all-ages fun escape
As Thailand approaches the halfway mark of its national climate commitments, businesses are increasingly viewing sustainability not merely as protection against environmental and regulatory risks, but as a pathway to growth amid climate disruption, resource insecurity, and energy volatility.