- PKK 2025 tourism/Hua Hin Heroes raises 2.1 million/Hua Hin students and sex education/Samui sea bridge set for 2029/To arrest plunging birth rate
- ECONOMY: Economy tops public wish list/Longstay Visa: To Attract Foreign Investment/Leveling the e-commerce playing field
- TOURISM: Call for police reform/Chiang Mai airport traffic/Pattaya Beach targets homeless
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Evolution of the ‘ghost’ expat/Spa package in Bangkok/Chiang Mai food tour/Discover Kaeng Ko’s sunken temple
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
PKK 2025 tourism: 10.7 million Thai visitors, 760,000 foreigners
Prachuap Khiri Khan public-private committee members were told that the province welcomed more than 11.4 million visitors in 2025, as officials opened their first meeting of 2026 with a detailed review of tourism performance.
According to figures presented at the meeting, Prachuap Khiri Khan recorded 11,474,581 visitors between January and December 2025, an increase of 1.4% compared with the previous year. Of these, 10,712,737 were Thai nationals, while 761,844 were international visitors. Continued …
Hua Hin Heroes Charity Golf Cup 2026 raises 2.1 million baht for local children
The Heroes Hua Hin Foundation, widely known as Hua Hin Heroes, brought together a coalition of community leaders, businesses, and supporters at the Hua Hin Heroes Charity Golf Cup 2026, united by one shared purpose: creating brighter futures for children in Hua Hin and across Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Built on the belief that education, health, and proper nutrition are the foundations of lifelong opportunity, the foundation supports under-resourced schools and vulnerable families across Thailand through classroom construction, IT learning centers, facility improvements, and community-led well-being initiatives. Continued …
Hua Hin students subject of sex education training
Hua Hin City Municipality has stepped up its sexual health education efforts ahead of Valentine’s Day, holding a campaign on sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention for local secondary school students.
On Thursday at the Hua Hin City Municipality Office, Nopporn Wutthikul, mayor of Hua Hin City Municipality, presided over the opening of a project focused on the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections and AIDS among at-risk groups. The program was organized for teachers and Year 7 students (Mathayom 1), with four sessions involving a total of 400 participants from Tessaban Ban Hua Hin Demonstration School, Tessaban Ban Bo Fai School, and Hua Hin Wittayakhom School. Continued …
74-billion-baht Samui sea bridge set for 2029, 400-billion-baht economic boost
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has unveiled the final study results for the proposed 74-billion-baht Samui Expressway project, a 37.4-kilometer route linking the mainland to Koh Samui via a 22-kilometer sea bridge.
The four-lane expressway will begin at Highway 4142 in Don Sak district, pass through Khanom district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and connect to Highway 4170 on Koh Samui. Its centerpiece is a cable-stayed bridge spanning 22 kilometers across the Gulf of Thailand, with a clearance of at least 50 meters to allow large vessels to pass in line with international standards. Continued …
Thailand pushes to arrest plunging birth rate
Authorities are launching a new push to address Thailand’s collapsing birth rate, now the lowest in 75 years, with a focus on ensuring that every pregnancy is safe, voluntary, and fully supported.
Thailand is facing a severe demographic crisis driven by a sharp decline in births, said Dr. Amporn Benjapolpitak, director-general of the Department of Health, at a press conference yesterday. The trend, she warned, poses long-term risks to the country’s economic growth, social structure, labor force, welfare system, and public health. Continued …
Economy tops public wish list
Addressing economic problems tops the public’s wish list for a new government led by the Bhumjaithai Party, with measures to reduce the cost of living ranking highest among expectations, according to a KPI poll released yesterday.
Economic issues were identified by 38% of respondents as the top priority for the new administration, ahead of social problems at 32.3% and political issues at 29.7%. The survey, conducted by King Prajadhipok’s Institute, polled 2,000 people aged 18 and over nationwide between Jan. 30 and Feb. 2. Continued …
Longstay Visa: A Move to Attract Foreign Investment and Boost Tourism Cities
Thailand Longstay has partnered with Sansiri to promote the Longstay Visa, offering foreign nationals the opportunity to purchase condos worth 3 million baht or more, and secure long-term residence rights. This collaboration aims to stimulate the economy in key tourist cities across Thailand.
The straightforward conditions for obtaining the visa allow foreign nationals to purchase a condo for 3 million baht or more, granting them the right to apply for the Longstay Visa. This not only sells prime locations in tourist cities like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya, but also offers “long-term residency rights.” Continued …
Leveling the e-commerce playing field
The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) has issued new guidelines for the Trade Competition Act of 2017, expected to be published in the Royal Gazette next month, aiming to curb unfair trade practices and prevent monopolistic behavior in multi-sided platform businesses, with a focus on e-commerce.
The guidelines are slated for reconsideration by the board next week after revisions, and should be published in the Royal Gazette in March. The guidelines were originally scheduled to be introduced in October 2025. Continued …
Call for police reform to boost tourism
Tourism operators are urging the government to reform law enforcement and regulation, as businesses and tourists suffer from worsening bribery issues, hampering the nation’s tourism reputation.
Thailand’s score in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index fell one point to 33 out of 100 points, while its global ranking was down nine places to 116th. Chinnawat Udomniyom, president of the Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium, said the poor corruption score was a mirror of tourism concerns in Phuket, such as bribery and a lack of law enforcement against criminals. Continued …
Chiang Mai airport traffic reaches post-Covid peak
The number of daily passengers using Chiang Mai Airport as reached a new post-pandemic high, underlining the city’s status as a tourist hub in northern Thailand.
A record 36,554 passengers used the airport on Thursday, said General Manager Karant Thanakuljeerapat. Airports of Thailand has said the average daily number of travelers at the northern hub is around 35,000. Continued …
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Pattaya Beach operation targets homeless and beggars
Pattaya City officials carried out an operation along Pattaya Beach Thursday to regulate homeless people and others staying overnight in the area, while urging the public to stop giving money to beggars.
The operation took place at Pattaya Beach in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, led by Deputy Mayor Damrongkiat Pinijkarn, with teams from the Department of Social Development and Welfare, the Social Welfare Office, Pattaya City Administration, and related agencies. Officials patroled the full length of Pattaya Beach to monitor the situation and identify homeless people and others sleeping in the city’s key tourist area. Continued …
The evolution of the ‘ghost’ expat
There is a type of foreigner in Thailand most tourists never notice. They don’t hang out in sports bars, don’t argue online about beer prices, and don’t complain that “Thailand isn’t what it used to be.” You won’t find them on Soi 6 or Walking Street, and if you do pass them somewhere local, you might not even realize they’re foreigners at all.
They aren’t hiding from the law. They aren’t antisocial. And they’re not trying to prove anything. They’re avoiding something else entirely: predictability.
At some point, many long-term foreigners get tired of the same loop. You meet another expat and, without meaning to, both of you fall into the same script. Where are you from? How long have you been here? What do you do? Why Thailand? After repeating this conversation hundreds, then thousands of times, it starts to feel less like socializing and more like maintenance work.
For some people, the solution isn’t isolation. It’s changing the environment completely. They stop going to “foreign-friendly” places. Breakfast isn’t eggs and bacon in a Norwegian café anymore. It’s khao tom in a local shop with plastic chairs. What many foreigners dismiss as “Thai style” becomes normal — not as a performance, but as a way to mentally step out of the bubble and reset.
One of my close friends is a good example. I’ve known him for years through management work in the industry — and no, that doesn’t mean working in bars. He’s lived here long enough to build a real life. Thai wife. Thai daughter. University degree earned locally, by choice. He speaks, reads, and writes Thai fluently. His professional and social circles are almost entirely Thai.
He consciously avoids places where he’ll have to interact with other foreigners. Not out of arrogance. Not because he thinks he’s better. Simply because he’s bored. There’s nothing new to exchange. The references are different, the rhythm is different, and the conversations feel like reruns.
Another acquaintance of mine comes from a very different background. He’s a social person, a nightlife guy. But he left Soi 6 and Walking Street years ago. These days you’ll find him in KTVs, Ran Lao venues, or snooker clubs. When asked why he avoids places with lots of foreigners, his answer is simple: “They’re predictable. I already know every question they’re going to ask. Only the order changes.”
There’s an old idea — often linked to linguistic theory — that the language you think in shapes how you perceive reality. Whether or not that theory is perfectly accurate, something definitely shifts when your daily life runs in a different language. When you work, joke, argue, and think in Thai, your social frequency changes. The foreigner-heavy environment starts to feel loud, repetitive, and oddly flat, like background noise you can’t turn off.
Sometimes I see this most clearly while working in Thai or Asian adult venues far from tourist zones. Occasionally you’ll notice another foreigner there — quiet, composed, almost invisible. They don’t socialize. They don’t explain themselves. At most, there’s a brief glance and a subtle nod when passing someone similar.
That nod says everything. “I see you.”
“I know why you’re here.”
“No need to talk.”
Is this loneliness? Usually not. It’s curated solitude. A conscious narrowing of social input. For these people, choosing Thai style isn’t a pose or an aesthetic. It’s the final step of stopping being a guest and simply existing in the environment they chose.
The real Thailand, for many of them, doesn’t begin with fluency or paperwork. It begins exactly where English signage stops being useful.
So the question isn’t whether this is healthy or unhealthy. The real question is simpler: have you ever caught yourself avoiding a place purely because there were too many foreigners there? And did that realization surprise you — or feel inevitable? From Pattaya Unfiltered
Spa package in Bangkok: How to pick the right one
Bangkok is famous for many things – incredible street food, stunning temples, and a wellness scene that draws visitors from around the world. With so many spas scattered across the city, finding the right spa package in Bangkok can feel overwhelming.
But don’t worry. A little know-how goes a long way in helping you discover an experience that truly fits your needs. Before scrolling through endless spa menus, take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you dealing with tension headaches from too much screen time? Feeling mentally drained after a busy week? Or maybe you just want to treat yourself to something special? Continued …
Chiang Mai food tour: Must-try eats, street food, hidden cafes
Embark on a vibrant food tour through Chiang Mai. Discover the best places to eat while sampling local northern Thai food, from charming cafes serving iced coffee and Thai iced tea to bustling street stalls offering classics like mango sticky rice, pad Thai, and roti.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply a food lover, this travel guide showcases Chiang Mai’s diverse food scene, highlighting delicious dishes such as Khao Soi, papaya salad, spring rolls, and coconut ice cream. Find out what makes Chiang Mai a top food destination and get tips for your own food adventure. Video …
Discover Kaeng Ko’s sunken temple and giant rain tree in Lamphun
Embark on a serene boat ride to uncover the hidden Lanna civilization at Kaeng Ko, located in the Mae Ping National Park, Lamphun province. Witness the marvel of the submerged temple and the giant rain tree in the river, a stunning sight visible only for a short time each year.
Amidst the tranquil Kaeng Ko reservoir, within the Mae Ping National Park, this area has become a popular destination for tourists. The ancient Wat Ban Kao, once a spiritual center for local communities and the birthplace of Kruba Chaiyawongsa Pattana, now rests submerged under water since the construction of the Bhumibol Dam in 1955. Continued …
- Korean Man Caught With 410 Live Animals at Airport – Continued …
- Pattaya Hotel Worker Stops Foreign Couple Over Public Indecency – Continued …
- Austrian Cocaine Suspect Held in Sattahip – Continued …
- Two Chinese Arrested in Pattaya Drug Chemicals Raid – Continued …
US military preparing for potential weeks-long operations against Iran
The US military is preparing for the possibility of extended operations lasting weeks against Iran, if President Donald Trump orders an attack, according to two US officials. This raises the stakes significantly in the ongoing diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran. 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
Travelers heading between Hua Hin and Bangkok are being advised to plan ahead following a Rama II Road closure at the Bang Khun Thian Bridge that will last for up to four months.
The Hua Hin Chinese New Year celebration will take place on Monday, Feb. 16, starting at 4 pm, with Hua Hin City Municipality confirming a full program of traditional processions, performances, and cultural activities.
Hua Hin’s electric vehicle master plan moved a step forward yesterday as city officials met with Shinawatra University to discuss EV adoption and charging infrastructure.
Traffic signs and road markings installed on Soi 78 to ease congestion
The World Bank now expects Thailand’s economic growth, measured by GDP, to slow to 1.6% in 2026, driven by weaker global trade, persistently high household debt, and a slower recovery in tourism. This is below its earlier projection of 1.8%, before a rebound to 2.2% in 2027.
The economy is expected to expand by 1.51%–1.75% this year, says a public opinion survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Thanavath Phonvichai, UTCC president and chairman of the advisory board at the university’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, said the survey on public expectations of the new administration shows voters prioritize structural economic reform over short-term populist measures.
Foreign investors are expected to continue investing in advanced technology, healthcare, and sustainability industries this year, following a record high of 324 billion baht in outlays last year, according to the Department of Business Development (DBD) at the Ministry of Commerce.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry insists the government’s plan to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days should not impact tourism, as most foreign tourists, on average, stay for less than a month.
The narrative surrounding Thailand’s tourism appeal has evolved. Visitors no longer come simply because the destination is affordable. Increasingly, travelers choose Thailand for its depth of experience, consistency, and a genuine sense of welcome that remains difficult to replicate elsewhere.
The average daily rate for hotels in Thailand surged by 3% last year to 4,984 baht and they recorded a longer average length of stay, with Booking.com, Agoda, and direct hotel bookings generating the most revenue, according to SiteMinder.
The “Disneyland Thailand” buzz has resurfaced after Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, deputy prime minister and minister of transport, floated the idea of moving ahead with a world-class theme park project in Chonburi under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme.
Thailand has significant untapped potential to develop advanced green manufacturing as a new engine of growth, with electric vehicles, solar photovoltaic components, and energy-efficient cooling technologies offering opportunities to raise GDP by an additional 2.9% by 2035, according to the World Bank’s latest Thailand Economic Monitor released yesterday.
Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) sales (passenger car and light duty vehicles) more than tripled year-on-year to over 44,000 units in January 2026, a record month for the country. Its penetration rate grew to 48%, another monthly record, surpassing its previous high of 37% set in December.
A record-breaking surge in wealthy people “relocating abroad” is reshaping the global balance of power. Countries are increasingly being treated like assets, while citizenship is becoming a tool for diversifying risk. In an era where state policy can change faster than economic fundamentals, capital moves first — and moves more aggressively than ever before. 
Passengers in Thailand can now utilize QR codes for enhanced taxi ride safety and convenience. This new feature allows users to verify driver details, real-time track their journey, share trip information, and rate their experience. The Department of Land Transport plans to equip around 70,000 taxis with these QR codes by June.
A ride-hailing driver posted a touching experience on the “Grab Car Driver Club Thailand” Facebook group, declaring: “I want 10 more jobs like this”. The first image showed the journey details – from Huai Khwang to Phra Khanong. The second revealed the adorable passenger: what appeared to be a long-coat Chihuahua.
The cabinet has been instructed to start preparing to void a 25-year-old memorandum of understanding (MoU) used by Thailand and Cambodia as a framework to settle their overlapping maritime boundaries.
Chula Researchers Transform Thai Silk into Medical Innovation
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to seek approval from Thailand’s next cabinet for two major airport expansion projects worth a combined 269 billion baht, covering Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.
Thailand’s once-robust manufacturing sector is facing a protracted slowdown, with factory capacity utilization hovering below 60% for the past two years, raising concerns about the country’s economic competitiveness and industrial policy effectiveness.
Arada Fueangthong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), said Thailand’s utilization of trade preferences under free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to expand in January–November 2025.
If the incoming coalition government implements its IT policies as pledged during the campaign, it should increase revenue growth of system integrator and data center businesses by 5.8% year-on-year to 260 billion baht this year, says Krungthai Compass, a research unit under Krungthai Bank.
The cabinet yesterday endorsed a comprehensive visa package proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to boost tourism, attract long-stay visitors, and stimulate the economy.
Chinese New Year in Thailand: A National Celebration and a Regional Travel Magnet
As Thailand enters the post-election period, many foreign tourists and long-term visitors say their expectations are not focused on political personalities or campaign rhetoric, but on practical changes that shape daily life, travel decisions, and confidence in Thailand as a long-stay destination. Conversations among foreign residents and repeat visitors consistently return to the same themes: clarity, fairness, and predictability.
If people used to talk about tourism in the past, it may have meant a short break and a change of scenery from everyday life, a brief moment of happiness that recharged the body before returning to normal routines. Today, however, tourism is shifting from “temporary rest” to “a long-term investment in health”.
With Chinese New Year approaching next week, Pattaya tourism operators expect similar conditions as last year. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Association of Chonburi Tourism Federation, said Pattaya operators expect a large number of foreign tourists for the holiday, particularly from long-haul markets, accounting for 80% and helping the occupancy rate near 90%.
Phuket is preparing to welcome a surge of visitors during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, with a month-long program of events beginning today aimed at stimulating early-year tourism and generating more than 600 million baht in revenue.
Picture this for a moment. You’ve worked decades, paid into Social Security your entire adult life, and when retirement finally arrives, the monthly check lands somewhere around $1,800. In many parts of the United States, that barely covers rent. It’s frustrating, I know.
13 Mouth-Watering Thai Dishes You Need To Try
Kintetsu World Express has taken another step toward cleaner operations by installing a solar power generation system at its warehouse in Prachinburi Province. The project has been carried out by its local subsidiary, KWE-Kintetsu World Express (Thailand) Co., as part of the group’s wider push toward decarbonized and sustainable business practices.
Planned or under-construction solar and wind projects slowed last year, analysis showed yesterday, casting doubts on whether countries will hit a goal of tripling renewable capacity by 2030. Dozens of nations agreed in 2023 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 as part of efforts to limit global warming.
At least 10 people died yesterday in a remote part of western Canada, including seven who were shot at a secondary school and two others found dead at a residence, federal police said. Twenty-seven people were injured. An individual believed to be responsible for the killing in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, was found deceased with what appears to be a self-inflicted injury. 
Noise pollution is affecting bird behavior across the globe, disrupting everything from courtship songs to the ability to find food and avoid predators, a large-scale new analysis showed today. 
Airport screening for Nipah virus, which has been stepped up across Asia this week after two cases were identified in India, are more about reassurance than science, several leading experts said yesterday.
A World Health Organization official said yesterday that the risk of the spread of the Nipah virus is low, saying that none of the over 190 contacts of the two people infected in India had tested positive or developed symptoms of the disease.
Most Thai working people are aware of the health risks posed by PM2.5 airborne pollution but are reluctant to buy quality N95 face masks to protect themselves, claiming that they are too expensive, according to Arkhom Praditsuwan, director general of the Health Service Support Department.
At the “Thailand Redesign 2026 The Next Level” debate, four major political parties — the People’s Party, Democrat Party, Pheu Thai, and Thai Kao Mai Party — presented their proposals to tackle the pressing issue of Thailand’s 40 million workers, with only 4 million currently paying taxes. The debate focused on the wealth protocol and the urgent need for tax reform to drive economic sustainability and fairness.
Thailand is sharpening its culinary edge on the global stage, not through its world-famous sauces or spices, but through a new wave of premium home-grown beef. The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has identified four “Beef Commanders” — Ko Dam Lam Takhong, Surin Wagyu Salakdai, Nong Sung, and Kamphaeng Saen — as the flagship models of Thai soft power destined for the international market.
Pattaya has introduced new rule assigning specific umbrella colors to beach chair operators, saying the move will improve orderliness and create a more attractive seaside view for visitors.
Think you’ve already done everything there is to do in Bangkok? Hate to break it to you, but probably not. Even if you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve visited, the city always finds new ways to surprise, including new attractions with thrilling rides and aesthetic shopping malls in BKK.
The Ministry of Culture has revealed plans for a major cultural celebration from April 22-26, marking the 244th Anniversary of the Foundation of Rattanakosin. The events will take place in three central locations in Bangkok and aim to bring the rich history of Thailand to life through a series of activities, exhibitions, and performances.
Thailand’s electric vehicle sector is facing fresh uncertainty after government proposals to sharply raise public EV charging prices, a move that could erase the cost benefits that have driven rapid adoption.
Thailand plans to tighten the rules for investors in data centers and other businesses that use a large amount of electricity, requiring them to provide a bank guarantee or collateral to secure power purchases.
Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract threat; it is part of everyday life. From unpredictable weather patterns to rising air pollution, communities across Thailand and around the world are already experiencing its impacts. As these challenges intensify, education is emerging as one of the most powerful starting points for meaningful climate action.
Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia have each carved out their own space in the long-term expat landscape. Thailand offers dependable healthcare and a well-established expat infrastructure. Vietnam stands out for rock-bottom costs and relentless urban energy. Malaysia brings modern living standards, cultural diversity, and an English-speaking environment that makes settling in remarkably smooth.
Following recent media coverage highlighting the Thai authorities’ increasing scrutiny of nominee company structures, MBMG Group and Hua Hin Accounting & Law have released further insights from their recent seminar, which examined the broader tax, business, and compliance framework now facing expatriates and foreign business owners in Thailand.
Red levels of PM2.5 cover about one-third of Thailand, including PKK
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) searched the residences of three active and one former officials of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and seized thousands of illegal crypto mining rigs, cash, laptops, phones, and bank passbooks.
Thailand has, for the first time, administered contraceptive vaccines to female wild elephants, as part of an initiative to control the elephant population safely and promote sustainable coexistence between humans and elephants.
Singapore Airlines plans a new service linking the island state with Chiang Mai, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok’s major international gateway. Here’s how to reach the city center upon arrival or travel to the airport for departure.
It’s too early to be sure, but it seems likely that we have just seen “Peak Trump”. Last week, US President Donald Trump arrived at the Davos conference radiating power and menace. Fresh from his attack on Venezuela, he was going to invade and annex Greenland. If his European allies in the NATO alliance tried to protect it, he would crush them with tariffs. And he would launch a rival to the United Nations that would make him World President for Life. 
Global gold prices continued to climb, hitting a new all-time high of $5,136 an ounce overnight, as uncertainty boosted demand for safe-haven assets. Markets expect the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged today. 
It’s easy to get cynical in Thailand. We complain about the heat, the traffic, the dual pricing, and the scams. But then, something happens that stops you in your tracks.
Thailand has long been a haven for those seeking tropical sun, beaches and a laidback lifestyle. It’s host to communities of expats, long-term freelancers, and foreign residents, some of whom have existed in a legal gray zone, taking advantage of visa runs to extend their stay indefinitely. Those days of extended stays in The Land of Smiles could be coming to a definitive end with the digital transformation of the immigration system.
The Hua Hin Provincial Court has denied bail to “Sam”, the suspect in the brutal murder of a female hotel employee in central Hua Hin, citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns that he could flee if released.
Unsafe levels of ultrafine dust at the orange level (starting to harm health) shrouded Bangkok and 53 provinces, mostly in the Central Plains and the northeast, late this morning.
The Pollution Control Department has ordered stepped-up surveillance of open burning as the seasonal risk of haze and dust pollution rises, according to Director-general Surin Worakitthamrong.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has finished repairing a stretch of railway track in Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima province in the wake of a fatal crane collapse that struck a passenger train on Jan. 14, killing 30 people, while a parallel technical investigation moves toward identifying the causes and accountability.
Siam Legal International, a full-service law firm with over 22 years of experience advisinginternational clients in Thailand, has released its comprehensive guidance for foreign nationals and businesses navigating Thailand’s regulatory environment in 2026. The firm highlights several national developments that may influence administrative procedures, compliance expectations, and regulatory focus throughout the year.
The baht has again become a growing concern after strengthening rapidly. Yesterday, the baht continued to appreciate and broke below the 31.00 level against the US dollar, reaching a strong level of THB30.88 per US dollar.
In November, Thai merchandise exports reached USD 27.45 billion, growing 7.1% year-on-year (YOY), slightly above SCB EIC’s 7% forecast but below the Reuters median of 8.3%. Despite solid expansion, seasonally adjusted exports showed signs of slowdown, declining 2.3% month-on-month.
Thailand’s commercial banking sector posted solid results in 2025, with the combined performance of 11 banks remaining at a healthy level: SCBX, Bangkok Bank (BBL), Kasikornbank (KBANK), Bank of Ayudhya (BAY), TMBThanachart Bank (TTB), Kiatnakin Phatra Bank (KKP), TISCO Financial Group (TISCO), Land and Houses Bank (LHFG), CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT), Thai Credit Bank (CREDIT) and Krungthai Bank (KTB).
Thailand’s e-commerce market is projected to post normalized growth this year, expanding by 7% to reach 1.15 trillion baht, as the maturing landscape is characterized by heightened complexity and fierce competition. To emerge as winners, brands must transition toward commerce operating systems, according to Priceza.
Thailand’s rice exports exceeded official targets in 2025, but the Ministry of Commerce has lowered its projection for 2026 amid intensifying global competition, currency volatility, and geopolitical risks. Officials say the focus next year will be on defending existing markets while expanding into selected new destinations to support farmer incomes and stabilize export volumes.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) latest promotional campaign, featuring pop icon Lisa of Blackpink, has drawn mixed reactions online, with critics arguing that the TAT has secured a “precious gem” but undermined her value through poor presentation.
Singha Park Chiang Rai marks 10 years of balloon fiesta
US President Donald Trump has withdrawn his threat to impose new tariffs on multiple countries that oppose US control of Greenland, saying he has now reached an outline framework agreement with NATO. “Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1,” Trump wrote online, without providing details. He posted the message after meeting Mark Rutte, secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. 
A recent seminar in Hua Hin has highlighted growing legal risks for foreign residents who bought property through Thai-registered companies using nominee shareholders, as Thailand intensifies a nationwide crackdown on structures used to bypass land and business ownership laws.
As the US Supreme Court holds off on a ruling on the Trump tariffs, the world waits and analysts anticipate trade with the US will continue despite some importers being skittish about placing large orders.
Academics and activists said over 40 million workers in Thailand remain stuck in low-paid, unsafe jobs with inadequate healthcare and social protection, urging parties to draft policies that ensure labor protection and fair employment.
Phuket International Airport recorded a significant boost in flight movements and passenger numbers in 2025, signaling a robust recovery in aviation and tourism. According to Monchai Tanod, the airport director, last year’s performance outshone 2024 and edged closer to the peak year of 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The decision by the administration of US President Donald Trump to suspend or significantly tighten US immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, including Thailand, has triggered widespread concern across the global travel, tourism, and meetings industries.
The tiny shopfront of Gu Long Bao in Bangkok’s Chinatown has seen a lot of history unfold over its century of operation, from the creation of Thailand as a nation to its rise as a cultural and tourism hotspot. The shop has a fan following for its pillowy buns, with fillings such as barbecued pork and black sesame.
Sugarcane farmers are using bundled incense sticks as slow starters to illegally burn off cane trash in their fields when they are not there, in a ploy to deny accountability for the resulting increase in air pollution.
A proposal to support Hua Hin smart city development was presented to Hua Hin City Municipality yesterday, outlining a technology-led vision to improve transport, tourism services, and urban safety as the city plans its next stage of growth.
Transport Minister Suspends Elevated Road and Rail Projects
The deadly Rama 2 Road: Why Thailand’s ‘Seven-Generation Road’ keeps claiming lives
Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has won 213 state projects worth 130 billion baht in 11 years. However, recent crane collapses involving ITD raise questions about safety.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, minister of foreign affairs, addressed the recent announcement by the US Department of State to suspend the processing of immigrant visas (permanent visas) for 75 countries, including Thailand.
China has shattered global records with a staggering trade surplus of approximately $1.2 trillion for 2025, fueled by a relentless export boom that has flooded international markets with everything from electronics to machinery. While this achievement underscores Beijing’s manufacturing prowess amid domestic headwinds, it poses both opportunities and significant challenges for Thailand, its largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Thailand was once the ultimate value-for-money destination. Cheap eats, affordable hotels, unforgettable experiences. That era is over. A soaring Thai baht is pushing travelers away — just as Thailand is fighting to revive its tourism-driven economy.
It’s been just over a year since I took the leap and made Thailand my home. Moving from regular visitor to someone who lives and works here has let me fully embrace what I love about the country — and given me a front-row seat to the same tourist mistakes playing out again and again.
Tourists and locals are raising alarms over the open sale of sex stimulants, sex toys, and illegal cigarettes along Pattaya Beach Road – without proper tax stamps.
On vacation in Thailand, my family and I visited Bangkok’s majestic Wat Pho, marveling at the temple’s 150-foot-long reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. In Chiang Mai, we rode ATVs through the rugged Mae Taeng Valley, then rafted in challenging whitewater rapids while elephants roamed the river banks. We spotted pigs on Koh Madsum and bright-orange clown fish while snorkeling Koh Samui. But nothing compares to the thrills we found in 7-Eleven.
The government has tightened controls on agricultural burning as part of a broader effort to address PM2.5 pollution, setting a nationwide target to reduce burned farmland by at least 15%. The measures prioritize major economic crops, for which reductions must be clearly demonstrated.
Thailand is stepping up efforts to support research and development in alternative energy, with officials preparing to allocate more financial resources to projects that advance clean technologies such as hydrogen.
Tech giants have blocked 4.7 million accounts under Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s, the country’s online safety watchdog said today. Initial figures showed platforms were taking meaningful action to remove underage users, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. 
The Hua Hin Wine Expo 2026 has officially confirmed a strategic move to March 19-20, promising a larger, more refined evolution of the event that has become part of the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
Amazing Three Bays City Prachuap Khiri Khan festival set for late April
The Thai real estate market is experiencing its most severe downturn in nearly three decades, since the 1997 financial crisis. The stock of unsold residential properties has skyrocketed, with new project launches falling sharply. Consumer purchasing power has weakened due to high household debt, and the mortgage lending situation is tighter than ever before.
Chartsiri Sophonpanich, president of Bangkok Bank, pointed out that in 2026 the world will continue to face risks, volatility, and uncertainty, driven by five key factors that will serve as both obstacles and opportunities in shaping ASEAN’s future. He made this remark during the opening of the AEC Business Forum 2026 yesterday.
Thai business giants Saha Group and Central Restaurants Group (CRG) are aggressively expanding their restaurant portfolios. Despite a competitive landscape, both groups see the Thai food market, valued at Bt572 billion, as a high-growth sector where “Capital, Brand, and Culture” create long-term value.
Thailand has set a target to increase revenue from foreign film productions by at least 10% in 2026, building upon a record-breaking performance in the previous year, the Department of Tourism said yesterday.
Riding on a record-breaking 2024 and strong momentum in 2025, Thailand is setting an ambitious target of welcoming 2.5 million Indian visitors this year. With more than 1.3 million Indians having already traveled to the country by July, the market is emerging as one of Thailand’s most important growth drivers, underpinned by a strategic shift from volume-led recovery to value-focused tourism.
Three political parties – the People’s Party, Democrat, and Pheu Thai – have pledged to put cannabis back on the narcotics list and allow its use only for approved medical purposes, while operators urged the future administration to eliminate foreign businesses using nominees and unfair competition from illegal businesses.
Thailand dominates global night market rankings with 3 markets in the top 10
Bangkok has been ranked 12th in the world for the worst air quality, as PM2.5 levels soar to dangerous levels. According to the IQAir real-time air quality index on Wednesday, the capital’s air quality index (AQI) hit 161, marking it in the red zone, which is unhealthy for all groups.
On long weekends, the road from Bangkok to Hua Hin resembles a faulty production line. City dwellers racing to beat the rush, often end up cooled by car air conditioning instead of ocean winds.
3 Beachside Cities Where You Can Retire On US Social Security Alone
The Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Election Commission has reported strong voter turnout in the latest elections for subdistrict administrative organizations (SAO), with more than 72% of eligible voters casting their ballots.
Unsafe levels of ultrafine dust covered 59 provinces, while red and seriously harmful levels of smog blanketed Greater Bangkok this morning, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
Thai exports are expected to grow by 2%-4% this year due to foreign investment, particularly in the electronics sector, according to the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC).
Bangkok or Singapore: which megacity should be next on your travel list?
Guided by the Ministry of Energy of Thailand, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the ASEAN Smart Energy & Energy Storage Expo 2026 will return from March 25–27 at the IMPACT Exhibition Center, Bangkok.
The European Union’s defense and space commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, has warned that any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland by military force would effectively mark the end of NATO and trigger serious consequences for transatlantic relations.