- British man arrested in Hua Hin/Late start for cold season/Thailand reports 470 mpox cases/PM warns over food security/45-baht cap on Bangkok electric train fares
- ECONOMY: Four priorities for upper northeast/Alarm on fragile labor market/Phuket to host Global Wellness Summit/Phuket’s property boom/Thailand to raise imported EV excise tax/Chinese firm opens battery factory/40 Thai employers earn spot on Fortune list
- TOURISM: Thailand’s tourism recovery falters/20% Spike in Chonburi Searches/Sky lantern festival poised for surge/Suvarnabhumi runway claims another victim
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Dinosaur kingdom closer to UNESCO designation/26 New Bib Gourmands/Muang Boran: A whistle-stop tour
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand clean-air bill/Banpu Next ramps up solar ambitions/Phuket airport-Rawai electric bus
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
British man arrested in Hua Hin over 140-day overstay
A 27-year-old British man has been arrested in Hua Hin after immigration officers found he had overstayed his permission to stay in Thailand by 140 days.
Police said the man used a photograph of a friend’s passport information page to rent a motorcycle and check into hotels, allegedly trying to conceal his own immigration status. The arrest was announced yesterday. Continued …
Late start for cold season expected
The Meteorological Department expects the cold season in Thailand to start later than usual this year due to the strong El Nino weather phenomenon. According to the department, El Nino this year is at least as severe as the one the region experienced in 2023.
The intensified El Nino phenomenon three years ago caused rain to continue in the Central Plains and the east in the first half of November. Afterward, temperatures fell and the department announced the cold season began on Nov. 14, 2023. The department has forecast that the arrival of the cold season this year may also come in mid-November. Continued …
Thailand reports 470 mpox cases and three deaths
Thailand recorded 470 mpox cases and three deaths between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, prompting the Department of Disease Control (DDC) to urge people with suspicious symptoms to seek medical attention without delay.
Dr. Montien Kanasawadse, director-general of the DDC, reported the figures yesterday, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, continued disease surveillance and measures to prevent further transmission. Continued …
PM warns over food security
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered government agencies to prepare for potential cyberattacks targeting food storage and supply systems. The move follows incidents in Europe in which hackers reportedly manipulated supermarket refrigeration controls, raising concerns about Thailand’s food security and agricultural exports.
He said the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau were monitoring the situation, adding that the reported attacks, which caused refrigeration temperatures to rise across food storage facilities, represented a new type of threat that required further investigation. Continued …
Cabinet approves 45-baht cap on electric train fares for Thais only
The cabinet approved a Transport Ministry proposal yesterday to cap Bangkok’s electric train fares at 45 baht across all lines to ease the cost of living for commuters. The fare cap will be in effect for the 2027 calendar year.
The decision was reached during a mobile cabinet meeting held in Udon Thani province. Under the new fare structure, ticket prices will start at 17 baht and be capped at a maximum of 45 baht per trip. Continued …
PM outlines four priorities for upper northeast development
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined four government priorities for developing the upper northeast after a mobile Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani yesterday. These cover agricultural and food production and trade, border trade, tourism, and comprehensive action to tackle drug problems.
The first priority is to improve the production of and trade in agricultural and food products. Anutin said the government aimed to raise agricultural prices through new production methods and build on these to develop future food and bio-based industries. Continued …
BoT sounds alarm on fragile labor market
The Bank of Thailand has raised concerns over growing fragility in the country’s labor market, as rising unemployment threatens to weigh on domestic consumption.
Speaking at a press conference following last week’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, Don Nakornthab, the MPC secretary, said Thailand’s unemployment rate hiked to 1.1% from a recent low of 0.8%, reflecting growing fragility in the labor market. Continued …
Phuket to host Global Wellness Summit November 10-13
Phuket will host the Global Wellness Summit 2026 from Nov. 10-13, with Her Majesty Queen Suthida scheduled to officially open the event on Nov. 11.
The four-day summit at Angsana Laguna Phuket is expected to attract around 600 Thai and international delegates, including wellness industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, academics and medical specialists. Continued …
Phuket’s property boom brings pressure on local communities
Phuket’s housing market has properties worth 194.545 billion baht awaiting buyers in 2026, placing it second only to Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, as continued investment brings closer scrutiny of nominee ownership and encroachment on public land.
The island’s appeal to developers and foreign purchasers remains strong, supported by rental returns and demand for expensive homes. Yet, growing competition and signs of slower sales are complicating the outlook, while disputes over public space expose pressures on local communities. Continued …
Thailand to raise imported EV excise tax to 35%
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a sharp rise in excise tax on imported battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), setting a 35% rate from Jan. 1, 2027.
BEVs are vehicles powered solely by batteries and electric motors. REEVs, under the government’s definition, use both fuel and electricity, can be charged, and are driven only by electric motors. Continued …
Chinese firm opens first overseas battery factory in Thailand
Guangzhou Automobile Corp. (GAC) said yesterday that its first overseas self-developed battery pack plant has begun production in Thailand, marking a key step in localizing its EV supply chain overseas.
The facility will complement the Chinese automaker’s existing vehicle manufacturing operations in Thailand, allowing it to localize both vehicle assembly and core battery components, according to a company statement. Continued …
40 Thai employers earn spot on Fortune’s 100 ‘Best Companies to Work For’
Forty companies certified in Thailand have been named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia 2026 list, released yesterday by Fortune and Great Place To Work.
Now in its second year, the Southeast Asia list builds on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, which has drawn on Great Place To Work’s workplace research in the U.S. since 1998. The 2026 Southeast Asia ranking is informed by confidential survey responses from 1,322,537 employees across 10 countries, 141,019 of which came from Thailand. Continued …
Thailand’s tourism recovery falters as Asian rivals gain ground
Thailand’s tourism industry is losing ground to Asian rivals as domestic obstacles add to global pressures, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), which forecasts a 4.5% decline in foreign arrivals to 31.5 million in 2026.
The university’s 2026 projection is below its earlier estimate of 32–34 million visitors and compares with nearly 33 million arrivals in 2025. Conflict in the Middle East, volatile oil prices and higher travel costs are among the pressures weighing on the outlook. Continued …
Traveloka Data Shows 20% Spike in Chonburi Accommodation Searches
Familiar coastal destinations are proving that nostalgia and convenience are a winning combination, with new data revealing a strong resurgence in domestic travel interest along Thailand’s eastern seaboard.
According to recent insights from Traveloka, accommodation searches for Chonburi have jumped by 20% year-on-year. The sharp increase highlights growing enthusiasm for one of the kingdom’s most established holiday spots, proving that well-known getaways can continuously reinvent themselves to capture fresh attention. Continued …
Sky lantern festival poised for visitor surge
The sky lantern festival in Chiang Mai at the end of this month is expected to attract 20% more visitors than last year, generating 2-2.5 billion baht in revenue, as more operators have submitted proposals to organize events this year to meet growing tourist demand, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Keng Chaivarin, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office, said the traditional Lanna event consistently attracts more travelers annually, prompting new operators to apply for organizing licenses from the province to capitalize on growing demand from both domestic and international markets. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi runway claims another victim, this time an Emirates A380
Suvarnabhumi Airport has begun emergency repairs to taxiway E21 after an Emirates Airbus A380 bound for Dubai became immobilizsed there on Monday night. The problem came less than a week after a China Airlines Boeing 737-800 became stuck in damaged pavement on runway 02R while preparing to depart for Kaohsiung.
Airport officials said Emirates flight EK373 was unable to continue taxiing at 9.11 pm on Monday. Bangkok Flight Services, the ground-handling operator, sent an aircraft towing vehicle and the A380 was removed at 10.18 pm before departing at 10.22 pm. Continued … 
Thailand’s dinosaur kingdom moves closer to UNESCO designation
Khon Kaen Geopark has moved closer to becoming Thailand’s third UNESCO Global Geopark after its application received approval from a UNESCO council, with final recognition expected to be considered in April 2027.
The application will now proceed to the UNESCO Executive Board for formal approval in April next year. If successful, Khon Kaen will join Satun and Khorat as Thailand’s third UNESCO Global Geopark. Continued …
26 New Bib Gourmands Join the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2027
Setting the stage for the highly anticipated MICHELIN Star announcement on Nov. 10, the MICHELIN Guide Thailand unveils the 2027 MICHELIN Bib Gourmand selection in its milestone 10th edition, welcoming 26 first-time entries that bring the total to 151 dining venues.
Among the newcomers, 9 are in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, 1 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, 3 in Chiang Mai, 2 in Khon Kaen, 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima, 2 in Ubon Ratchathani, 2 in Chon Buri, 2 in Phuket, 3 in Phang-Nga, and 1 in Surat Thani. Continued …
Muang Boran: A whistle-stop tour of Thailand’s wonders
Surely it’s not possible to see all of Thailand’s famous sights in a single day? After all, the country covers over half a million square kilometers. Yet, if you’re savvy, you can remain in Bangkok and find out all you need to know in a single afternoon with a simple visit to Muang Boran, where the country (and the heavens) are presented in a gilded golden outdoor museum.
The 320-hectare park, which claims to be the biggest private museum in the world, was the brainchild of Khun Lek Viriyaphan, an eccentric businessman who also created the nearby Erewan Museum and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya. From the sky, the park is shaped roughly like Thailand itself and includes around 120 exhibits of Thailand’s most famous buildings. Continued …
Thailand clean-air bill pushed for PM2.5 season
Thailand’s joint committee reviewing the Clean Air Management Bill said it hopes to finish its work during the current parliamentary session, with the aim of bringing the law into force before the next PM2.5 season.
MP Kandeeliao Phairoj and Senator Palawat Tansiri, spokespersons for the joint committee, said committee members agreed the legislation was important and should ultimately be enforced, but stressed that it must be carefully drafted, workable and linked properly to existing laws. She said responsibilities should not overlap between agencies, while those whose activities cause pollution should share responsibility and be broadly involved under a balanced approach. Continued …
Banpu Next ramps up solar ambitions
The booming data center segment is prompting Banpu Next, a clean and smart energy solution provider under energy conglomerate Banpu Plc, to scale up its solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) businesses to serve industrial estates and large-scale businesses, targeting more than 300 megawatts of clean power generation capacity in Thailand by 2030.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and data center investments in Thailand are power-intensive, requiring clean, reliable energy to support operations. Continued …
Phuket airport-Rawai electric bus route begins service
A new electric bus service linking Phuket International Airport with Rawai beach began operating on Sunday, offering travelers and commuters a lower-cost public transport option across the island.
Route 8580 is operated by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PAO) and is the fifth bus line introduced on Phuket. The air-conditioned buses cover a 51-kilometer route between the airport and Rawai, in the island’s south. Fares range from 40 to 120 baht, depending on the journey. Continued …
Iran, US still far apart on deal
Iran and the United States are still far from a deal to end their war, a senior Iranian official said yesterday, as US President Donald Trump declined to rule out a resumption of US combat operations after the elections in the United States.
Trump made his comments in separate interviews as Americans voted in pivotal midterm elections in which the unpopular Iran war has been a key factor and as mediator Qatar stepped up efforts to avert a renewed escalation. 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
Don Mueang airport transport guide covers buses, taxis and trains
Phuket was lashed by heavy rain again last night, leading to several parts of three districts, including Patong seaside town, getting flooded.
CP Axtra is reshaping Makro from a store-based wholesaler into an omni-channel retailer. Its branches draw business customers in, while its online platform takes a growing share of their orders. Makro PRO, the online arm, is heading for annual sales of between 100 billion and 110 billion baht this year.
Trade Boom Pushes Thailand’s Biggest Port Past Capacity
The architecture of global finance is undergoing a profound transformation. As tokenized assets, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and stablecoins reshape traditional boundaries, regional hubs are seeking innovative ways to connect capital markets and streamline cross-border payments.
Thailand records 25.46 million arrivals, down 4.6%
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport could double its annual passenger capacity to 120 million within seven years under an Airports of Thailand (AOT) plan for a new terminal, a proposed fourth runway and expanded processing areas.
The Southeast Asia Medical Tourism Market reached USD 6.1 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 35.5 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 21.68% during 2026-2034. This growth rests on Thailand’s established leadership attracting over a million medical tourists annually, Malaysia’s dedicated medical tourism year in 2026, Indonesia’s push to retain patients currently traveling abroad, and Vietnam’s formal medical tourism development plan through 2030 .
Chiang Mai saw autumn flight bookings rise 84.3% year-on-year, the largest increase recorded by any city in the Asia-Pacific region, according to online travel company Trip.com Group.
Southeast Asia remains a growth pillar for luxury travel amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, as more travelers shift to the region, including Thailand, viewing it as a safe haven, according to global hospitality brand Accor.
Increased presence of elephants near communities causes concern
From chedi to the classroom: Making Thai architecture tangible
In Bangkok, heat is becoming harder to escape. Concrete roads, glass towers, and dense traffic absorb the sun through the day and release it long after dark, a phenomenon urban planners call the urban heat island effect.
The government’s rooftop solar subsidy scheme should not become a commercial contest that only the biggest installers can afford to enter. Such concerns follow complaints from small operators that the government’s requirements for rooftop solar installers put them at a disadvantage.
As artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers drive demand for reliable electricity, small modular reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a potential source of round-the-clock, low-carbon power.
Six destinations in Thailand have been recognized in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2026 awards in Kranj, Slovenia, for locally led projects in sustainable tourism.
At least 26 people were killed after Russian bombs hit an aid distribution center, in an attack that Ukraine’s leader has called “utterly horrific”. Five people were injured and 27 initially reported missing after at least nine 3,000-kilogram aerial bombs hit the village of Komyshuvakha in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. 
Thai AirAsia’s Hua Hin–Chiang Mai flights are now operating daily, with the increased frequency scheduled to continue until March 27, 2027.
Hua Hin BluesFest 2026 will take place at The Kaset Hua Hin on Sunday, Dec. 6, bringing Thai and international musicians together for seven and a half hours of live music over Thailand’s Father’s Day long weekend.
Wyndham Hua Hin Pranburi Resort & Villas has received a certificate of recognition from the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (BEDO) for its participation in projects promoting environmentally responsible tourism and the sustainable use of biodiversity.
Kaeng Krachan’s Khao Phanoen Thung reopens Nov 1
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Saturday that the Thai-Cambodian border will remain closed because there remain several conflicting issues between the two countries that are yet to be resolved.
Thailand’s political confidence index fell to 3.52 out of 10 in October, with ratings for the government and prime minister also declining, according to a nationwide Suan Dusit Poll released yesterday.
Robot used in new heart surgery
Thailand aims to become a high-income economy by 2037, with a new five-year science and innovation strategy targeting annual GDP growth of 5%.
Thailand eyes status as AI medical hub
Thailand is keen to leverage small artificial intelligence (AI) to create a big impact in many sectors. Small AI solutions are focused applications designed to solve specific, practical problems, often using less data, computing power and money than large, general purpose systems.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to cut the floor space given to duty-free shops in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, moving more sales to pick-up counters and handing part of the area to automated gates. The airport operator also expects to announce details of a new paid premium service for arriving and departing passengers this month.
The accusation of “favoring tycoons” continues to haunt the Bhumjaithai government after the Cabinet meeting on Oct. 27 approved the solar power project for the public, with the government incentivizing Thais to install “solar rooftops” with a subsidy of 50,000 baht per household.
As Thailand accelerates its transition to a low-carbon economy, energy policymakers are revising the country’s oil strategy to balance decarbonization goals with energy security.
Oil prices extended gains today, as the Middle East conflict escalated after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis stepped up strikes on Saudi Arabia, while two tankers were attacked over the weekend, raising concerns about oil supply from the region.
Thailand plans to use the 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group to attract foreign investment in future industries and expand international economic cooperation, the government said today.
Thailand’s health economy, spanning medical care, preventive health and wellness, is emerging as a new engine of growth. Panelists warned, however, that regulatory delays and heavy reliance on imported products could limit the benefits.
Thong Pha Phum National Park in Kanchanaburi will reopen its Khao Chang Phueak long-distance nature trek from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. Numbers will be capped at 60 visitors a day, with hikers aged 13 to 70 only.
The new power development plan is expected to unlock trillions of baht in renewable energy investment and create broader opportunities for private sector participation in the electricity market. This expansion includes several key areas for engagement, such as wind power, solar energy, battery energy storage systems, and the development of small modular reactors.
Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa program has approved 12,010 foreign nationals in its first four years, the Board of Investment (BOI) says.
Thailand’s government has denied claims that proposed legal changes would end taxes on alcohol and tobacco or dismantle four public bodies funded through levies linked to those products.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has assessed the risk of plague being imported from Russia as low, as it awaits further confirmation from the World Health Organization (WHO) over a suspected pneumonic plague case involving a laboratory worker in Siberia.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritized urgent payments to ensure that affected households receive relief funds as quickly as possible. He stated that it is important for people to receive their money as soon as possible, ordering authorities to distribute the first batch of payments this week based on verified claims without waiting for the entire nationwide processing to conclude.
The government has ordered a comprehensive review of its flood-risk maps to ensure they provide the highest possible accuracy and completeness. Additionally, officials have instructed all relevant agencies to utilize a single, unified data set to manage water and coordinate responses.
Insurance companies are expected to suffer the most significant and long-lasting impact on their earnings due to the current flooding. This prolonged recovery period is driven by the high volume of severe claims and losses that insurers must process as floodwaters recede.
Heavy overnight rain left roads flooded across parts of Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom early today, slowing traffic and forcing motorists to take extra care or avoid several affected routes.
Southeast Asian energy ministers meeting in Manila this week face the prospect of a prolonged Middle East war that has exposed the region’s vulnerabilities to imported energy.
The World Bank has cautioned that damage from a severe El Niño, including flooding of the kind seen across the region a decade ago, could prove larger than current forecasts assume. The warning came as Thailand’s economy was singled out for both its gains from the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom and its slow adoption of the technology at home.
Thailand is struggling to reach its 7 million ton rice export goal because several key trading partners have reduced their import volumes. The shortfall is driven largely by decreased demand from Malaysia and the Philippines, with the latter citing concerns over relatively high prices for Thai rice.
Leading artificial intelligence companies do not know how to keep AI systems from pursuing objectives their developers did not assign, whistleblower Jacob Coxon, a former OpenAI and Anthropic employee, warned yesterday. “Companies are being extremely reckless given the stakes,” Coxon told local lawmakers at a hearing before the New York City Council.
Thailand is seeking to turn its food, entertainment, wellness sector and recognizable cultural symbols into longer-lasting economic influence, as competition for visitors across Southeast Asia intensifies.
Siam Legal International, a Thailand-based law firm, has published a step-by-step arrival checklist for first-time visitors to Thailand, covering the entry process from passport condition and pre-arrival paperwork to the documents immigration officers may request at the counter. The guide reflects entry procedures as of October 2026 and sets out each stage in the order travelers generally encounter it.
Bangkok’s Yaowarat is preparing for the 2026 Vegetarian Festival, with the traditional nine-day vegetarian observance running from Oct. 10–18, while the main Yaowarat festival runs from Oct. 9–18.
Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have launched a joint action plan to tackle seasonal haze and forest fires that cause serious air pollution across the Mekong sub-region. The trilateral initiative was launched by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the governments of Lao PDR and Myanmar.
Vietnamese police have arrested 12 men accused of stealing nearly 2,700 cats during night raids into residential neighborhoods, taking the pets to be slaughtered for food, police and state media said yesterday. Consumption of dogs and cats is legal in Vietnam, where many restaurants openly advertise the meat, but vendors are required to obtain certificates showing the origin of the animals. 
As part of the Nihao Month 2026 campaign, Amazing Thailand Mid-Autumn Celebration 2026 is being organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Bangkok. This festival will help Thailand and China strengthen their ties in culture, wellness and experiential travels. A total of 31 Chinese travel bloggers will take part in the program, themed “Healing is the New Luxury”, and visit various places in Thailand.
Flooding has disrupted logistics operations by making roads impassable and forcing companies to adjust delivery routes and service timing. Major parcel operators have warned of delays because local road accessibility and water levels directly dictate when and how safely deliveries can be made.
Thailand has approved its first national strategy for the semiconductor and advanced electronics industry, targeting about $80 billion in cumulative investment and $150 billion in annual industry revenue by 2050. The long-term “Made in Thailand” initiative also aims to create more than 230,000 jobs.
Even on a slow news day, a recent incident in Thailand hardly merited mention, let alone sustained media coverage. But because Israelis were involved, it became headline news for days. Anything negative about Israelis now does so, going instantly viral in the Buddhist nation with no history of antisemitism.
This week, we’re spending a few days exploring Bangkok, cafe-hopping, wandering through vintage and ceramic shops, visiting beautiful temples, and trying all the amazing Thai food.
Central Tokyo today registered 34 consecutive days of rain, marking the longest streak on record, according to the weather agency. The area has seen precipitation since Aug. 27, with typhoons approaching. The previous record was 33 consecutive days from June 27 to July 29 in 2019. 
Indonesia is considering Chinese investment to help build a massive 2,772 kilometer railway network through the vast, resource-rich region of Kalimantan, following the completion of Southeast Asia’s first high-speed line between Jakarta and Bandung, state media and analysts said. 
Thai teen Nene Royal wins AGT 2026 title
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), which operates PTT Station, and Bangchak Corp. raised standard diesel and B20 prices in Thailand by 0.75 baht a liter from today. PTT Station and Bangchak kept petrol and gasohol prices unchanged.
Brent crude settled 3.86% higher at US$103.08 a barrel after volatile trading yesterday, as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected surrender to the United States while maintaining his support for diplomacy.
The World Bank urged Thailand to strengthen secondary cities alongside Bangkok to help achieve high-income status by 2037. Its modeling shows that directing 80% of a US$20 billion urban investment envelope to secondary cities could lift national gross domestic product (GDP) per capita 12.4% above a no-investment baseline by 2050.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised its forecast for Thailand’s economic growth in 2026 to 2.0% from the 1.8% projected in July, supported by technology and electronics exports and a strong global investment cycle in artificial intelligence (AI). Growth is forecast at 1.9% in 2027.
ASEAN must remain united while strengthening its resilience and ability to create value within the region, as geopolitical rivalry, tariffs and technological competition reshape global trade, two senior Thai policy figures told the Southeast Asia Trade and Development Forum 2026.
Mars is expanding its presence in Asia by establishing Thailand as a strategic production and export hub for its Pringles brand. The company recently opened a new factory in Chon Buri, located within the Eastern Economic Corridor, to serve markets in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
AirAsia and other budget airlines serving Thailand are facing renewed pressure on costs and cash flow after the global average jet fuel price rose 7.4% to US$194.90 a barrel in the week ending Sept. 18. The increase is particularly difficult for carriers that sold tickets before fuel costs surged.
Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X will resume temporarily suspended international services and increase flight frequencies in the fourth quarter of 2026, offering direct flights to as many as 46 cities across 53 routes to meet year-end travel demand.
Where to Stay in Chiang Rai: 3 Best Areas & Hotels
A draft bill on the operation of digital infrastructure services would regulate data centers, cloud services and digital platforms. Operators would need a license from the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, while the rules for applying for, issuing, suspending and revoking licenses for each type of business would be set out in ministerial regulations.
Extreme heat caused by this year’s “super-El Niño” could result in as many as 451,000 excess deaths across the globe from June this year to February 2027, researchers with the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab said yesterday. The number of extremely hot days is likely to rise by 44% compared to normal years, Climate Impact Lab said.
US President Donald Trump is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House in Washington today for their second summit of the year. A two-month extension of their tariff truce gives the countries more time for trade negotiations, while Taiwan, Iran and artificial intelligence (AI) remain central issues. 
The tsunami-like flood that cut a swathe of destruction through Nepal on Aug. 26 has left the Himalayan nation grappling with heavy losses and mounting reconstruction needs. On Aug. 26 at 8.37 am, a mass of ice and rock broke away from the north face of Nepal’s Langtang Lirung mountain, sending a huge mass of debris racing down the valley. 
Happiness may be subjective, but living on lush tropical islands and eating delicious food is probably a good formula for the emotion when living abroad. And foreigners in Thailand appear to be the happiest of all.
Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony returns to Hua Hin Saturday
Be Well Medical Center and BPK9 International Hospital are teaming up to host an interactive health seminar in Hua Hin focusing on common vascular diseases and circulation problems.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwanchawee says he will personally investigate reports of Israeli-linked companies buying land worth nearly 100 million baht in Thailand’s three southern border provinces.
Grab is expanding its airport services to prepare for the fourth-quarter travel peak, a period when its airport ride bookings typically increase by 35% to 40% compared to non-peak times. To manage this anticipated surge, the company has expanded its pick-up area at Suvarnabhumi airport from three lanes to 12 lanes and introduced new booking tools, including a feature called NIP.
The competition in Thailand’s logistics and express-delivery market has shifted from price and scale toward faster, more reliable, and specialized services. This transition is driven by economic pressures, rising fuel costs, and increasing consumer expectations for service quality and reliability.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft Cannabis Control Act that would place tighter controls on cultivation, sales and medical prescribing. The proposal must now go before the House of Representatives.
Thailand is confronting a renewed energy-security challenge as the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz pushes global LNG prices to about US$28 per million British thermal units, close to levels seen during the Russia-Ukraine energy shock. Thailand is responding by accelerating domestic gas exploration, reviewing LNG procurement strategy and seeking to diversify away from spot-market exposure.
Assoc Prof. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics said yesterday the university had prepared an economic and international trade policy analysis of the Thai Household Cost of Living Index (CLI) for the third quarter of 2026 and the fourth-quarter outlook, titled “The impact of oil prices on Thai living costs”.
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a 43-billion-baht relief package yesterday, extending Thais Help Thais Plus through November and raising welfare-card support for October. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the measures would ease energy-related living costs and help keep Thailand’s 2026 growth on track for 2.5%.
The cabinet has endorsed a strategic plan for the Oil Fuel Fund and a fuel crisis response plan covering 2026-29 with wider use of biofuels made from domestic raw materials to help deal with volatility in global energy markets.
Thailand’s Greater Bangkok housing market is showing an increasingly sharp divide, with condominium sales rebounding while low-rise housing remains weighed down by weak purchasing power, tight lending conditions and a prolonged inventory overhang.
Healthcare in Thailand is expanding its medical tourism services, which include hospital healthcare, preventive health services, wellness programs, and tourism services, for international tourists in both Bangkok and Phuket.
It’s the holiday hotspot that draws in billions of dollars with the promise of sun, sand and sex. Police promise Pattaya is one of the safest cities in Thailand. But the shocking killing of a teenage girl earlier this year exposed the dark underbelly of the city’s sex industry.
Trips to Thailand booked by Russian tourists through the end of the year could face disruptions amid a rise in reported COVID-19 cases. Some Russian travelers who have already paid for holidays at Thai resorts between October and December have reportedly been warned about possible problems with their trips as infections increase.
More than 60 people attended Hua Hin Film Club’s first screening yesterday, joining actor Vithaya Pansringarm for an evening of cinema at Amara Resort Hua Hin.
Koh Phangan beach dispute spotlights nominee fears
A restricted zone will be announced outside the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, Mohsen Rezaei, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said yesterday according to state media. He added that the zone would include areas in the Gulf. 
Businesses in Thailand’s automotive parts, garment, rubber products and plastics industries are increasingly suspending operations temporarily, as falling orders, accumulated losses and higher production costs put pressure on employment.
When discussing the economy in Southeast Asia, we often hear about semiconductor production, electric vehicles, combustion cars, and tourism. However, one of Thailand’s key economic pillars tends to receive less attention. Beyond being a global tourism destination, Thailand is recognized as the “Kitchen of the World”, playing a crucial role in producing and exporting food to over 350 million consumers worldwide each day.
Foreign arrivals to Thailand decline 3% in first eight months
Thailand’s new 30-day visa-exemption rule is opening a sharp fault line across its tourism industry before the crucial fourth-quarter peak. The Association of Thai Travel Agents says most genuine tourists need only seven to 10 days. It also wants tougher action against foreigners abusing tourist status.
Thai Airways International canceled flights to Jakarta today as eight Indonesian airports, including two serving the Indonesian capital, remained closed because of ash from erupting Krakatau volcano.
Riyadh Air has launched direct flights between Riyadh and Bangkok, initially operating three times a week before increasing to daily services in October. The inaugural aircraft arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport last Thursday.
How a debt-ridden mother of 6 built world-famous Bangkok noodle shop
Australians could be given the option of opting out of powerful social media algorithms under new legislation cracking down on big tech. The draft law requiring a “digital duty of care” is expected to be introduced to Australia’s parliament this week. It would require firms like Meta to give users the option of turning off algorithms that tailor recommendations to their personal taste. 
Personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln have reportedly been prohibited from entering Pattaya Soi 6 and Soi 7 after sunset as part of safety rules imposed during the aircraft carrier’s port call in Chonburi.
Hordes of US sailors were up early yesterday as they set out to explore this tourist city on their second day of shore leave. They began their explorations on Wednesday night, with many making a beeline for the famous Walking Street to soak up the atmosphere.
Thailand has formally removed the foreign business license requirement for seven specified service activities, under a new ministerial regulation published by the Royal Gazette yesterday.
Thai Navy schedules four September royal barge rehearsals
Gallothai: Three Decades of Chocolate Craftsmanship