- Hua Hin 300-baht guest fee/Thai Woman Done With the American Dream/Unlock food waste value/TrueVisions rallies support for Nene Royal
- THE IRAN WAR: Again? Trump expects Iran war to end soon/32 times Trump suggested the war in Iran was almost over
- ECONOMY: Weak baht for rest of 2026/SMEs struggle/Thailand seeks wider US tariff relief/Sustainable data center investment
- TOURISM: Thailand to adopt checked baggage opening/Gulf visitor arrivals save Thai tourism/Creative cities drive/Resort begins demolition
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Eat your way across Thailand
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand plans rooftop solar grants
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin tenant raises 300-baht guest fee issue, dorm cites safety rule
A dispute over a dormitory charging an additional 300 baht after a tenant brought a friend to stay overnight has been clarified after Hua Hin officials inspected the property and found that the condition was included in the rental agreement.
The issue gained attention after a female tenant posted on social media claiming she was charged an extra 300 baht on top of her monthly rent because she had allowed a friend to stay in her room for one night. The post included a rental bill showing the additional charge, prompting questions over whether the tenant had been treated unfairly. Continued …
Thai Woman Who Moved to America Three Years Ago Is Done With the American Dream
A video of a Thai woman shared on Reddit shows her explaining why she no longer wants to live in the United States. As a result, Reddit users are weighing in on whether the “American dream” still exists and how life in the U.S. compares with Thailand.
In the video, a man introduces the topic by saying his wife moved to the U.S. three years ago but now wants to return to Thailand. The woman then says, “I came here three years ago because of the American dream. It’s not like what I thought at all. I feel like the American dream is dead. It’s not like 20 or 30 years ago anymore.” Continued …
Laws must unlock food waste value
Thailand throws away food on a massive scale. Yet, much of what ends up in the bin could still feed people, animals, or even produce energy. The real problem is not simply waste but a system that makes reuse difficult.
Each person in Thailand generates about 154 kilograms of food waste a year. In 2024 alone, the country produced more than 10.1 million tons, almost one-third of all municipal waste nationwide. Continued …
TrueVisions rallies support for Nene Royal on America’s Got Talent
TrueVisions is inviting viewers across Thailand to support NENE Royal as the talented Thai artist showcases her abilities on the global stage in America’s Got Talent Season 21.
Audiences can follow every important moment of her competition journey from on the TrueVisions NOW app and True X-ZYTE, channel 340, from 1pm. Continued …
Again? Trump expects Iran war to end soon as Hormuz talks progress
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.
“I think it’s going to end pretty soon. I don’t think they can go much longer,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday (August 6), referring to Iran. Continued …
32 times Trump suggested the war in Iran was almost over
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. Continued …
Bank sees weak baht for rest of 2026
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.
According to Tim Leelahaphan, the bank’s senior economist, the appreciation was largely driven by a joint yen-buying intervention by the US and Japanese central banks, which began late last week and has continued this week. The intervention put downward pressure on the US dollar. Continued …
SMEs struggle as business outlook remains subdued
The SMEs Competitiveness Index fell by 0.8 points to 45.1 in the second quarter of this year, as businesses urge the government to help reduce costs and improve liquidity, according to a survey by the Institute of Trade Strategies at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
The index is based on the SMEs Situation Index, SMEs Competency Index and SMEs Sustainability Index, all of which were below 50, indicating a worse situation for operators than in the first quarter. Continued …
Thailand seeks wider US tariff relief in August talks
Thailand will use private-sector investment and broader economic cooperation as bargaining tools in late-August trade talks with the United States, as it seeks exemptions for 13 additional export items and relief for the roughly 28% of Thai products that remain subject to US duties, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said.
Suphajee said at Government House yesterday she would lead Team Thailand to the United States at the end of the month for negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, or ART. Continued …
CIMBT calls for sustainable data center investment
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.
Amid robust growth in foreign direct investment, particularly in data center projects, the Thai government should focus on the quality rather than the quantity of investment, said Amonthep Chawla, chief economist at CIMBT. Continued …
Thailand to adopt checked baggage opening without owners present
Authorities in Thailand will be able to open air travelers’ checked baggage for security reasons without an owner’s consent starting on Oct. 16, but the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has affirmed that checks will follow strict guidelines.
According to the CAAT, officials will open only checked bags bound for an aircraft’s hold that have been x-rayed and suspected to contain illegal objects or items that could jeopardize aircraft safety. Continued …
Gulf visitor arrivals save Thai tourism from low season disaster
A surge in visitors from the Gulf countries in July saved the beleaguered Thai tourism sector from what would have been an unmitigated disaster. A few weeks of relative calm in the Gulf allowed flights to operate more or less normally, leading to a spectacular surge in arrivals during the so-called low season, lifting hotel occupancies, supporting thousands of jobs and distributing income. Even arrivals from Iran and Israel rose.
This growth would not have materialized had the US and Israel launched another attack on Iran, as they did in February, and have repeatedly threatened to do again ever since. Continued …
Thailand to ramp up creative cities drive
Thailand aims to secure UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) recognition for two new destinations every two years as part of a national strategy to have at least 35 Thai cities designated by 2037, according to the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA).
The agency said receiving recognition is expected to increase tourism revenue in those areas by 10%-30%. The strategy calls for Thailand to achieve international standards such as the UCCN or Top 100 Sustainable Destinations by Green Destinations for 35 cities or communities by 2037. Continued …
Resort begins demolition of buildings in national park
Another tourism operator has agreed to demolish all buildings encroaching on Thap Lan National Park, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said yesterday.
He said the operator of Starwell Home Garden Resort began demolition work in July last year and has so far removed more than 40% of the structures. Heavy machinery will be brought in to demolish the remaining buildings, with work expected to be completed by the end of this month, he said. Continued …
Eat your way across Thailand with TAT’s new GI food map
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled a culinary map featuring five geographical indication (GI) products from across the country, encouraging travelers to discover regional specialties recognized for their unique origins and local production methods.
The featured products include Doi Chang Coffee from Chiang Rai, Phon Yang Kham premium beef from Sakon Nakhon, Sam Phran aromatic coconut from Nakhon Pathom, Chanthaburi durian from Chanthaburi, and Trang roast pork from Trang. Each product is certified as a GI item, identifying goods whose quality or reputation is closely linked to their place of origin. Continued …
Thailand plans rooftop solar grants of 50,000 baht per household
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.
Ekniti said the Finance Ministry was working with the Interior Ministry, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to accelerate the rooftop solar program. Continued …
-
Phuket police arrest 2 Canadians over alleged school nominees – Continued …
-
Phuket CCTV shows foreigner taking spirit house offerings – Continued …
-
Vietnamese call-center suspects held in Bangkok raid – 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
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
As the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to introduce a 3% hotel tax to increase revenue, the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has urged the authority to begin with a lower rate of 0.5%-1% and provide additional support to help tourism operators affected by the Middle East conflict.
Siam Legal Phuket is noting that Phuket’s first-half 2026 tourism figures, which show the island attracted nearly 7 million visitors and generated 263 billion baht in revenue between January and June, reflect a structural shift in how foreign nationals are engaging with Thailand rather than simply a strong season for the hospitality sector.
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.
The Thai government is drafting a new regulation to oversee data center operations, aiming to manage the sector’s impact on national resources and improve control over investment-related risks.The planned regulation would allow authorities to monitor data center activities more comprehensively, particularly their use of national resources such as electricity and water.
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. 
Retail fuel prices in Thailand remained unchanged yesterday, despite the Oil Fuel Fund reducing subsidies for several diesel and gasohol products and raising the contribution collected from petrol.
Best known as Viagra, the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil started off as a treatment for reduced blood flow but soon saw its value spike after its other effects became clear.
Diplomacy is no longer confined to diplomats and politicians. Increasingly, and for better or worse, people-to-people relations shape ties between two nations. It is not just face-to-face contact, but the use of social media that shapes the trajectory relations between two nations.
Geopolitical conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran erupted in late February. Although negotiation efforts produced an agreement at one stage, fighting subsequently resumed, leaving shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea facing uncertainty.
As the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme approaches its halfway point, industry associations view its impact as minimal. Somchai Pornrattanacharoen, honorary advisor to the Thai Wholesale and Retail Trade Association, said small retailers participating in the scheme could see sales rise by up to 50% during the program.
Out of the blue, the Anutin government has made an abrupt policy U-turn by announcing it will abandon the 1-trillion-baht land bridge project. The reversal follows an official review that found the original project carried significant financial risks and uncertain economic returns.
Thailand must stop measuring tourism success simply by visitor numbers and build a system that protects destinations, local communities and infrastructure, according to two researchers at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
A severe drought and the peak travel season have left Koh Samui facing a water shortage that is affecting businesses, prompting tourism operators to call for greater investment in water infrastructure to keep pace with rising visitor numbers.
Thailand’s largest island records decline in hotel guests in first half
The private sector and Thailand’s Department of Health Service Support (HSS) are collaborating to push for the creation of “Wellness Special Economic Zones”. The scheme will begin with a three-to-five-year pilot phase dubbed the “Wellness Sandbox”, designed to generate economic value, stimulate employment, and attract foreign investors.
Wild tiger population in Thailand’s protected reserves reaches 210
Hua Hin City’s Waterworks Division has launched a citywide survey to update customer water meter records and improve the efficiency of meter-reading routes.
Avani+ Hua Hin appoints new general manager
A collection of camera-trap images documenting Kaeng Krachan tigers over eight years has been released as evidence of the continued health of the forest ecosystem. The images were shared yesterday to mark Global Tiger Day.
Global Tiger Day: How we’re helping wild tigers
Thailand’s premier resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui are rapidly transitioning from traditional holiday destinations into major global real estate investment hubs, driven by evolving international buyer demographics and expanding private investment networks.
Foreign patients are increasing in Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) hospitals as investment in the industrial zone grows, says Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, part of the Phyathai-Paolo Hospital Group.
There is a comforting myth that poverty in Asia and the Pacific is a story about the region’s least-developed economies. The assumption goes that if we can just lift the poorest nations, the job is largely done.
Why Men Are Drawn to Thailand for Sex Tourism
Southeast Asia has quietly become one of the most contested electric vehicle battlegrounds on the planet. Vietnam and Singapore have pushed EV sales shares to roughly 40% of new car sales, a level that now exceeds the UK and the EU, while Indonesia has overtaken the United States on EV penetration and Thailand has sold more EVs in three quarters of 2025 than Denmark managed in the same period, according to energy think tank Ember.
The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest-rate target unchanged at 3.50–3.75% yesterday, extending its pause for a fifth consecutive meeting as inflation remained above the central bank’s 2% target. The Federal Open Market Committee voted nine to three to maintain the target range, a decision that was broadly expected by financial markets. 
Up to 23 people were feared dead today after a major earthquake in Japan, with four bodies now pulled out from the tangled wreckage of a shopping mall ripped apart by a suspected massive gas explosion. The Kumamoto disaster-management office’s latest tally put fatalities at 17 and those without vital signs at six, with five more in critical condition two days after the 7.1-magnitude tremor. 
Planning a trip to Hua Hin, and looking for the best accommodation recommendations? Hua Hin, a coastal resort city just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, is famous for its vibrant night markets, unique creative markets, and an impressive range of accommodation options.
The Thai government has indefinitely postponed peace talks with southern insurgency groups after two attacks last week, with five rangers killed and six civilians injured in one of them, while a police officer was slightly injured in a car bomb blast.
Despite rising costs, the Thai restaurant industry is expected to continue expanding this year, according to an executive of Central Restaurants Group Co . (CRG). Nath Vongphanich, chief executive of CRG, anticipates the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme will help lift sales among small restaurateurs in the second half of 2026.
Thailand’s manufacturing production index dropped 3.1% in June from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said yesterday, weaker than analysts’ forecasts. The June reading compared with a forecast increase of 0.2% in a Reuters poll. The May reading was revised to a fall of 1.3% from an original figure of a 0.8% drop.
In economics, few indicators of food security are as simple — and as powerful — as the price of eggs. Affordable, accessible, and nutritious, eggs should be the most democratic source of protein in any society. Yet, in Thailand, a single egg tells a far more complex story — one of market power, distorted incentives, and a system that may no longer serve the public interest.
The Cabinet yesterday decided to retain the 7% value-added tax (VAT) rate for another year, until Sept. 30, 2027. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said maintaining the 7% VAT rate will help ease the cost-of-living burden, stimulate domestic consumption and stabilize the economy.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday defended the government’s decision to scale back the land bridge megaproject, saying it had been adapted – not abandoned – in response to financial, environmental and geopolitical realities.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul at a meeting with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) board and senior executives yesterday delivered key policies to drive Thailand’s tourism industry.
Thai AirAsia has announced it will temporarily suspend services from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) from July 15 to Sept. 30, then resume operations on Oct. 1. During the period, the airline will suspend all flights on the nine routes it had operated from Suvarnabhumi.
Surin lies about 450 kilometers from Bangkok, in Thailand’s lower northeast. It is flat, agricultural country: rice paddies stretching to the horizon, sugar palms standing like sentinels along the roads, and the occasional water buffalo chewing at overgrown grass.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said Thailand will seek UNESCO World Heritage status for seven temples in Chiang Mai. The move follows the inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage site.
Deer trapped by walls of flame, lizards unable to escape the heat, habitats reduced to charred wood and ash: wildlife are paying a steep price as France’s forests burn. Some 42,000 hectares (103,000 acres) of forest west of Bordeaux has burned since Wednesday and authorities fear a heatwave forecast this week could breathe fresh fury into the blaze. 
Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab Aug. 28-30, featuring local food, fresh seafood, cooking competitions and live entertainment. The three-day festival will bring together restaurants, hotels and food businesses from Hua Hin and Cha-am, giving visitors the opportunity to sample regional dishes beside the beach.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
A nine-day Hua Hin cultural tourism event will be held at the old Hua Hin Railway Station Aug. 10-18, showcasing the art, culture and historical identity of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Thai authorities have expanded an enforcement campaign targeting suspected nominee-owned businesses in Phuket, with more than 361 companies now facing inspection following a confrontation at Chabad House in Patong.
Thailand has launched a digital application that allows diners to find certified street-food vendors, forming part of a government program to raise operating standards and expand market opportunities for small businesses.
Concerns over children’s mental health is renewing debate whether excessive use of mobile devices is harming academic performance and learning capability, while boosting social isolation and criminal behavior influenced by online personalities.
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a native plant closely associated with local ways of life and traditional Thai medicine. Its removal from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021 marked an important turning point, opening the way for broader research, economic value creation and commercial development.
Despite US efforts to impose tariffs, Thai exports to America expanded over the first nine months of the fiscal year, up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion baht. In contrast, exports to China grew by only 0.78%, totaling 1 trillion baht.
China’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China. Speaking at the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Friday, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.
Thailand is tightening its screening of data center investments, shifting its focus from the number and value of projects to their quality as the expansion of artificial intelligence drives demand for electricity, water and large-scale computing infrastructure.
Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s leading healthcare providers, has unveiled WellEra Bangkok, an approximately US$865 million (THB 29 billion) wellness-integrated development that reimagines how the built environment can actively support healthier, longer lives.
The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status
Mitsubishi Motors is set to invest B16 billion ($473.23m) in Thailand by 2030, backing the automotive sector’s move toward electric vehicles (EVs). The funding will be channeled into EV technology.
The world is sinking under more than 460 million tons of plastic waste each year. More alarming than the figure itself is the fact that about 19 million tons escape into the environment, wreaking havoc, damaging biodiversity, worsening the greenhouse-gas crisis and ultimately harming our own health.
Thailand’s coastal destinations are witnessing a significant rise in staycation bookings, with Krabi leading the charge, according to recent data from Traveloka. Krabi’s bookings have more than doubled year on year, followed by Hua Hin with an increase of over 80%, Pattaya at around 65%, and Phuket nearly 60%.
Thailand’s private hospital sector is facing a new source of competition as the government expands premium services at public hospitals, putting pressure on mid-tier operators that rely on domestic self-pay and insured patients.
Thailand has uncovered one of its biggest suspected cryptocurrency power theft operations after investigators seized 1,900 bitcoin mining machines. Detectives uncovered more than B280 million in stolen electricity and have launched a widening hunt for the financiers behind the organized criminal network.
Thailand shelves Land Bridge plan after study
Global trade-policy tensions have returned to the fore as the United States presses ahead with protectionist measures to safeguard its interests and supply chains. The latest action invokes Section 301, a law that allows the US to take retaliatory trade action against trading partners.
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.5% from the 1.6% projected in April, after exports, private investment and household consumption performed more strongly than expected.
Exports surged 20.8% year-on-year to US$34.7 billion in June, driven by strong demand for industrial goods such as electronics, smartphones, electrical appliances, and automobiles and auto parts, says the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
The Cabinet has approved a 12.76-billion-baht fisheries management plan targeting the recovery of aquatic resources, tighter controls against illegal fishing and stronger competitiveness for Thailand’s seafood industry by 2027.
Thailand’s sex industry is illegal under the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, but an analysis on Thursday argues that it remains deeply embedded in the country’s tourism economy, supporting hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis and other businesses.
By 5:30 in the morning, the Trok Mor alley in Old Bangkok is already awake. Metal shutters rattle open one by one. A woman arranges bundles of holy basil and Chinese celery beneath a bare light bulb while another vendor lays out bitter beans and kitchen herbs on a wooden table.
Thailand will observe three consecutive public holidays from Tuesday, July 28 to Thursday, July 30, with alcohol sales restricted during the final two days.
InterContinental Hua Hin Resort named Thailand’s best resort hotel
Discover where locals truly eat in Hua Hin. Visit five stops spanning 3.5 hours, sampling 18 different dishes: First, a 100-year-old, three-generation noodle shop serving Gaolao beef soup with multiple cuts, including tender gristle (nature’s collagen supplement!) Next, Yum Naem Khao Tod – fermented pork sausage wrapped in betel leaves with herbs, peanuts, and ginger, eaten like tiny flavor-packed tacos. 
Expat health insurance in Thailand gets harder to buy the closer you get to 60. If that birthday is creeping up on you, you’ve probably already wondered whether your current coverage will actually hold up when you need it most.
The Origin of the Word ‘Farang’ Did Not Begin in Thailand
Thailand presses on with Cambodia border fence
Oil prices settled at their highest level since June 11 yesterday as escalating US-Iran hostilities and growing threats to shipping through two major waterways heightened fears of global supply disruption.
I have a monumental task: convincing readers that Thailand’s economy is performing poorly and is likely to contract this year. My strongest evidence is not the abundance of statistics or economic theories at my disposal. It is far simpler: people are spending much more on energy and, inevitably, less on everything else.
The Thai baht has fallen to its weakest level in 15 months, depreciating by more than 6% since the start of the year, as soaring global energy costs and lingering Middle East tensions push Thailand’s current account into deficit.
Thailand’s trade relationship with the United States is entering a critical new phase as Washington prepares to use Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 to examine countries accused of unfair trade practices.
The financial results of Thai Airways International (THAI) are expected to bottom out in the second quarter, while recently approved tourism stimulus efforts should help airlines in the second half even as renewed US-Iran tensions cause jet fuel prices to rise, say analysts.
Thai travelers are increasingly turning marathon weekends into full travel experiences, as the “run-cation” trend — traveling while joining running events — gains momentum across Asia.
Chon Buri tourism operators are urging the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to address persistent issues affecting the low season and safety, including unlicensed hotels, illegal tour operators and unregulated entertainment venues.
If you’ve ever had a conversation with a Thai person, you might have encountered their unique way of telling time.
A new set of trade rules is sweeping through the business world. This time, it is not about price or quality. It is about carbon reduction — and whether companies can keep up.
As part of its sustainability journey, the resort has implemented a wide range of initiatives designed to reduce its environmental impact and promote responsible hospitality. These include reducing single-use plastics through the use of water filtration systems and glass bottles, implementing energy-saving systems in meeting facilities, and operating an on-site wastewater treatment system that allows treated water to be reused for landscape irrigation. 
Dreaming of a life in Thailand that’s both vibrant and affordable? Join me on a journey through Hua Hin, a charming coastal town that offers incredible livability! In this video, I’ll address what you need to know about making Hua Hin your home, from where to stay to how to navigate the town like a local.
An anti-corruption watchdog has urged the government to step up its fight against graft after a local government recruitment exam scandal, warning the case exposes deep-rooted problems in the bureaucracy and could damage Thailand’s international reputation.
Thai customs officials have seized 1.6 tons of dried cannabis buds concealed among blankets and duvet covers in two export containers destined for the Netherlands at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri province.
Global oil prices climbed about 2% to their highest closing levels in five weeks yesterday, as escalating conflict in the Middle East intensified concerns over possible disruption to major energy supply routes.
Six of Thailand’s largest listed banks reported a combined net profit of approximately 101.4 billion baht for the first half of 2026, as wealth management and fee income cushioned the impact of falling interest margins, though ratings agency Fitch has warned that earnings and asset quality across the sector face further pressure in the second half of the year.
The never-ending fight for Nui Beach
Why You Should Skip This Thai Island
Listening to Buffalo Herders
Senators propose 3 sites for UNESCO list
Khao Tom is cool again
There’s a new threat on the horizon that could soon sweep the world, raising food and energy prices and disrupting supply chains at a time when the world is least able to cope. It’s called El Niño and forecasts are calling for the one of the strongest on record in the fourth quarter of this year — in other words a “super El Niño.”
Hua Hin’s Most Atmospheric Night Markets? Tamarind & Cicada Walking Tour
A total of 7,024 businesses ceased operations in the first half of this year, up 12.5% year-on-year, with total registered capital of 98.9 billion baht, an increase of 224%, according to the Department of Business Development (DBD).
Thailand expects more than B70 billion in investment from four leading Chinese electric vehicle and advanced-technology companies, following talks in Chengdu yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the commitments followed a Thailand investment roadshow led by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in the Chinese city.
Corrupt government officials are seen as the leading reason foreigners can illegally run businesses in Thailand, according to a nationwide NIDA Poll. Some 67.1% of respondents blamed corruption or misconduct among state officials for businesses directly operated by foreigners or run through Thai nominees.
Pet ownership creates a new economic opportunity
Thailand plans to halve visa-free entry from 60 to 30 days for citizens of 54 countries, including Switzerland, a move likely to affect those seasonal retirees who spend much of the European winter in the kingdom. The change has not yet appeared in the Royal Gazette. It will take effect 15 days after publication. Until then, Swiss visitors and other eligible nationals can still enter visa-free for 60 days.
Thailand advances B12-billion Koh Samui cruise terminal project
How to Ride MRT: Easy Thai Phrases for Asoke and Sukhumvit Transit
It’s no secret that Thailand is home to some of the world’s most stunning stays. Beyond breezy beachfront resorts, Thailand is also home to stunning art-filled hotels where art takes center stage — whether through paintings, sculptures, bold design, traditional Thai craftsmanship, or contemporary installations.
Russia battered Ukraine’s capital Kyiv overnight with one of its biggest ballistic missile barrages of the war, killing at least one person and wounding 16 others, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said yesterday.