- Amazing Muay Thai Festival/Attorney General Warns Online Commentators/Red levels of PM2.5/Thai bats carry Nipah virus
- ECONOMY: Thai gold shops face closures/Baht set to keep rising/Chamber sees 2026 export growth/Commerce minister outlines trade strategy/China’s rise ‘poses risks, opportunities’/Turnarounds Featured in Thai Hotel Industry
- TOURISM: Thailand’s tourism reality check/Bangkok remains a leading Asian destination
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 12 Thai Islands More Beautiful Than Phuket
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Can Southeast Asia keep the lights on for solar?/Climate action can unlock competitiveness/Sustainable Tourism in Phuket/Thailand releases bred leopard sharks
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Amazing Muay Thai Festival Set for Feb 4-7
The Amazing Muay Thai Festival 2026 will be held Feb. 4-7 at Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin, with the Royal Thai Army working alongside tourism and provincial authorities to showcase Muay Thai as a key part of Thailand’s cultural heritage.
Organized by the Royal Thai Army in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Prachuap Khiri Khan province, the Amazing Muay Thai Festival 2026 aims to promote Muay Thai internationally while strengthening Thailand’s reputation as a destination for cultural tourism. Organizers say the festival is also intended to support the peak tourism season, encourage travel by both Thai and overseas visitors, and contribute to local employment and economic activity. Continued …
Attorney General Warns Online Commentators of Legal Risks
The attorney general for the Protection of People’s Rights has warned social media users that commenting on high-profile criminal cases without verified facts could expose them to prosecution, including possible imprisonment. The warning follows growing online criticism of ongoing cases and highlights that every post and comment can be recorded and used as evidence in court.
(Editor: This restriction on free speech can apply to just about anyone commenting on Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms.)
Kossolwat Intuchanyong, director-general of the Office of the Attorney General for the Protection of People’s Rights, said online commentators who rely on belief rather than evidence, or who were not present at the scene, risk violating others’ rights, and may themselves become suspects under defamation laws or the Computer Crime Act. Continued …
Red levels of PM2.5 reach three digits in Greater Bangkok
Seriously harmful levels of ultrafine dust, three times the safe limit, were reported in Greater Bangkok this morning, while most of Thailand was blanketed with unsafe smog.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency reported that red levels (seriously harmful to health) of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5) ranged from 78.8 to 116.4 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) of air in Bangkok and 19 provinces. Continued …
Thai bats carry Nipah virus, but the danger comes from infected tourists
Some Thai fruit bats carry a strong strain of the Nipah virus, but the bigger danger comes from infected people arriving from countries where there is an outbreak of the disease, health authorities said yesterday.
Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn, deputy permanent secretary for health, told reporters the Nipah virus was found in fruit bats in Thailand, but at a lower viral density than in countries where there were outbreaks of the disease. Continued …
Thai gold shops face closures as prices top 70,000 baht
Jitti Tangsitpakdee, president of the Gold Traders Assn., said the sharp rise in gold prices — with the current selling price now exceeding 70,000 baht per baht-weight of gold — could force dozens more gold shops to close this year, following closures seen last year.
He said sales of gold ornaments have slumped because prices have risen beyond consumers’ purchasing power, while many buyers have shifted to gold bars for speculative trading. In addition, a key income stream for many shops — gold pawnbroking — has weakened, as many people have already decided to sell their gold after prices surged. Continued …
Baht set to keep rising in Q1 alongside surge in bullion
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) expects the baht to continue to appreciate against the US dollar in the first quarter of this year, in line with rising global gold prices. However, the Thai currency is projected to return to its fundamental level in the second half of the year, the bank noted.
According to Tim Leelahaphan, senior economist at Standard Chartered for Thailand and Vietnam, global gold prices have now surged to around US$5,100 per ounce, up about 20% year-to-date and exceeding the bank’s forecast. Continued …
Thai Chamber sees 2026 export growth at 5%+ if reforms bite; DFT warns of price wars
Thailand’s export outlook for 2026 could improve if reforms accelerate, but speakers at a trade forum warned that global competition is intensifying and domestic growth may remain subdued.
The comments were made at the Department of Foreign Trade’s event yesterday, titled “Mission to Win for The Game Changer: ‘Win the mission, change the game fast, seize an edge in global trade’”, which featured a panel on Thailand’s trade strategy as the “rules of the game” shift. Continued …
Commerce minister outlines trade strategy amid global uncertainty
Suphajee Suthumpun, minister of commerce, opened a seminar and delivered a special keynote on yesterday, titled “Mission to Win for The Game Changer”, organized by the Department of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce.
Suphajee said the global economy is facing major shifts and heightened uncertainty, while Thailand’s economic growth last year remained sluggish at below 2%, lagging behind neighboring countries and weighing on national competitiveness. Continued …
China’s rise ‘poses risks, opportunities’ for Thailand
Thailand must rethink its economic resilience strategies to respond to China’s accelerating outward expansion, which presents both significant opportunities and growing risks for the Thai economy, experts said at a regional forum yesterday.
As Thailand undergoes a transition under a new government amid intensifying regional competition, participants stressed the need for a shift from zero-sum thinking toward complementary and joint partnerships with key regional players, including China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Continued …
Turnarounds Featured in Thai Hotel Industry Success
Thailand’s hotel sector is shifting toward a more mature phase, which will see more of the country’s hotel assets repositioned to accommodate changing market dynamics.
This new cycle is explained in a new report from CBRE Thailand. The agent says the change will fill in “structural gaps in competitiveness and product differentiation” that have become visible following the post-pandemic market recovery. Changing consumer tastes include increasing demand for luxury and lifestyle hotels, plus a desire to enjoy a more digitally connected and experience-rich stay. Continued …
Thailand’s tourism reality check
As 2026 unfolds, Thailand’s tourism industry faces a complex and delicately balanced moment. The long-expected rebound in Chinese arrivals has fallen short of official forecasts, while breaking news of a new virus outbreak in India and Nepal now threatens to disrupt one of Thailand’s fastest-growing source markets.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand originally forecast around 8 million Chinese arrivals for 2025, banking on a strong post-pandemic recovery and restored air capacity. In reality, Chinese arrivals came in closer to 5.5 million, a shortfall of roughly 2.5 million visitors and a decline of about 30% year-on-year. Overall foreign arrivals fell by 7.2% to 32.97 million, the first annual decline since the pandemic years and nearly 20% below the 2019 peak. These headline figures, however, mask an important structural shift. Continued …
Bangkok remains a leading Asian destination during Chinese New Year
Agoda, a digital travel platform, says Bangkok ranked second among the most popular Asian destinations for international travelers during the Chinese New Year period. Tokyo topped the list, followed by Bangkok, Taipei, Osaka, and Seoul.
For domestic travel, Bangkok remained the number-one choice for Thai travelers. Agoda’s data also shows Tokyo as the most popular overseas destination for Thai travelers planning to travel during the Chinese New Year. Continued …
12 Thai Islands More Beautiful Than Phuket (And Often Cheaper)
Phuket can be stunning, but it can also feel expensive and crowded once you add hotels, transport, and day tours. Thailand has plenty of islands with similarly clear water and beach scenery, only with a slower pace and better value. Some are built for snorkeling right off the sand, while others work better for cycling, jungle viewpoints, or quiet nights.
This list focuses on 12 islands that are easier on the budget without sacrificing the “wow” factor. Each stop includes what makes it special and a few practical tips to help you plan the day. Pick one as a base, or combine two nearby islands for a trip that feels varied without extra stress. Continued …
Can Southeast Asia keep the lights on for solar projects as costs rise?
In the weeks since China announced its timeline for ending export subsidies for solar photovoltaic (PV) parts, prices for panels and their components have surged – leaving some Southeast Asian project proponents feeling the heat.
Industry players say that while the change in policy was expected, the announcement coincided with an ongoing rise in raw material prices for silver paste, aluminium, polysilicon, and wafers, increasing input costs. China is the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of solar PV products. Continued …
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Climate action can unlock Thailand’s future competitiveness
Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia all filed new climate action plans toward the end of last year. While the ambition of these “nationally determined contributions” under the Paris Agreement will rightly be scrutinized, they all point in the direction of a cleaner future.
Malaysia’s plan introduces its first absolute-emissions reduction goal. Thailand’s brings forward its net-zero goal from 2065 to 2050. And Indonesia’s reiterates an ambition to reach net zero in 2060 or sooner, while adopting absolute-emissions targets that imply a peak before 2035. Continued …
Sustainable Tourism in Phuket: How the Island Is Protecting Its Wildlife and Ecosystems
Phuket has long been synonymous with tropical splendor thanks to its world-famous beaches, emerald rainforests, and waters teeming with life. This profound natural beauty is the very soul of its allure. Yet, for years, the pressures of overtourism, relentless development, and pervasive pollution have threatened to unravel the delicate ecological balance that sustains this paradise.
The island’s pre-pandemic footprint was hard to miss: immense strain on freshwater resources, mountains of waste, soaring energy demands, and the gradual degradation of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The island stood at a crossroads. Continued …
Thailand releases bred leopard sharks to boost wild population
Thailand has begun its first effort to “rewild” Indo-Pacific leopard sharks, releasing aquarium-bred pups off the southern Maiton Island in a bid to revive a species that has sharply declined in the wild due to overfishing and habitat loss. Video …
French lawmakers pass bill banning social media for under-15s
French lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban social media use by under-15s, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron as a way to protect children from excessive screen time. Continued …
Hua Hin Links
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
The Nipah virus is a dangerous infectious disease with a 50%-70% fatality rate and no specific cure. It can be transmitted from animals to humans, with fruit bats being the primary carriers, and can also spread from person to person through close contact with the infected person’s bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, and feces.
The Department of Highways says it will wait for the outcome of a formal investigation into the collapse of a concrete beam and construction crane on Rama II Road before deciding whether to terminate its contract with Italian-Thai Development Plc, warning that the incident has already disrupted plans to open a major motorway project.
The deadly crane accident in Nakhon Ratchasima province last week was caused by on-site staff “failing to notify” that construction was underway, despite the contract requiring notice before trains pass, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said yesterday.
Thai military and police discovered significant evidence of online scam operations at the Chong Chom–O Smach border crossing in Surin province.
A photo online shows Cambodians building a bunker along K5 road bordering Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, with his Khmer source saying over a hundred such structures had already been constructed there.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), presented a speech Thursday at the Leadership Program on Trade and Development Strategy (LTD), organized by the International Trade and Development Institute (ITD). He discussed five global megatrends that will shape the future of Thailand’s economy in the new global order.
Police in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, are cracking down on public smoking of cannabis and cigarettes, particularly on the bustling Pai walking street.
We found this online:
Thailand has sharply accelerated its climate ambitions, advancing its net-zero emissions target by 15 years to 2050 in an updated climate pledge released in November. The move signals Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy is positioning itself as a regional climate leader, but experts warn that political turbulence and entrenched fossil fuel interests could complicate execution.
Oil prices surged nearly 3% yesterday following the US decision to send a naval fleet to the Middle East and announce new sanctions on Iranian oil. The price hike was driven by increased geopolitical tensions after US President Donald Trump imposed new sanctions targeting Iranian oil transport vessels and announced the deployment of US warships, including an aircraft carrier and missile destroyers, heading toward the Middle East. 
Reuters reported yesterday that silver prices soared above $100 per ounce for the first time, while gold reached a new high near $5,000 per ounce. Investors have turned to precious metals as safe-haven assets amid ongoing geopolitical unrest and expectations that the US will cut interest rates. 
US President Donald Trump’s comments that NATO troops stayed off the front line in Afghanistan were “deeply disappointing”, a British minister said yesterday, noting that many European soldiers had died supporting American-led operations. Criticising NATO in an interview on Thursday, Trump said the United States had “never needed” the alliance and that its allies stayed “a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan. 
China has just announced that births in 2025 plunged to 7.92 million, from 9.54 million the previous year, and almost half of what was projected (14.33 million) when the one-child policy was repealed in 2016. In fact, China’s births have fallen to a level comparable to that of 1738, when the country’s total population was only about 150 million. 
Hua Hin water supply issues were the focus of an urgent meeting held yesterday as city officials moved to address ongoing problems affecting residents, including supply interruptions, low water pressure, and concerns over water quality.
A planning meeting has been held to prepare for the Hua Hin City Creates Happiness, Healthy Hua Hin Residents festival, a community wellness event scheduled to take place Feb. 2 in Hua Hin.
Rising treatment costs, combined with Thailand’s medical inflation in 2025 (estimated at 14%–15%), have prompted major insurers such as AIA and Krungthai-AXA to reduce the share of new lump-sum (all-inclusive) health plans for new customers.
Thailand is on high alert as authorities warn of an impending air pollution crisis. Forecasts predict rising PM2.5 levels nationwide through to Jan. 25, sparking serious health concerns.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry plans to include travel insurance in train ticket fares, aiming to provide automatic passenger coverage in accidents. This follows the fatal Nakhon Ratchasima crash, which resulted in 30 fatalities.
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) is intensifying efforts to ensure a fair election on Feb. 8 after a survey indicated that over a quarter of voters might accept cash for their votes. Allegedly, payments range from 3,000 to 7,500 baht per person.
Marathon Teaching: The strained tasks of small school teachers
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released an updated World Economic Outlook (WEO), raising its forecast for global growth in 2026 to 3.3%, up 0.2 percentage points from its earlier projection.
How is Thailand’s Dining Landscape Set to Shift?
Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has announced that 1,520 conventional buses will be converted into electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority’s (BMTA) ongoing modernization program.
The future of the electric vehicle Asia Pacific market is set for robust expansion, as the green mobility revolution transforms the regional automotive ecosystem. The Asia Pacific EV market was valued at USD 221.95 billion in 2022 and is forecast to grow to approximately USD 459.06 billion by 2029, registering a CAGR of around 10.94% over this period.
Germany’s finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, said in Berlin yesterday that Europe was “constantly facing new provocations and hostility” that President Trump was seeking, and that Europeans needed to make clear “this is the limit”. 
U.S. President Donald Trump’s intensified push to wrest sovereignty over Greenland from fellow NATO member Denmark has prompted the European Union to weigh hitting back with its own measures. 
The Trump administration has ordered nearly 30 ambassadors in embassies around the world to return to the United States within weeks, a move that would leave a large gap in the American diplomatic corps even as President Donald Trump has said he wants to resolve conflicts through diplomacy. 
Spanish police said yesterday that at least 39 people are confirmed dead in a high-speed rail collision the previous night in the south of the country, when the tail end of a train jumped the track, causing another train speeding past in the opposite direction to derail. 
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.
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.
In the 21st century, global power is no longer measured primarily by troop numbers or nuclear warheads. Instead, it is increasingly defined by control over scarcity energy, critical minerals, and the semiconductor supply chains that underpin modern economies.
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.
Chinese electric vehicle maker Changan Automobile is gearing up to launch the second phase of its battery electric vehicle (BEV) production in Thailand in the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing its ambitions in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing EV markets.
The collective wealth of the planet’s billionaires soared to a record level in 2025, charity Oxfam reported today, warning of “highly dangerous” political consequences as the global elite gathers for the World Economic Forum. 
The idea of what a “home” should be is quietly but powerfully changing. Homes are no longer just places to rest, entertain guests, or escape the heat. They are becoming active partners in how people live, move, breathe, and age well.
Thailand’s best beach towns for long-term living
Italian-Thai Development Public Co. secured seven government construction projects worth a combined 26 billion baht following the collapse of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) building, according to procurement records on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
This year’s rainy season is expected to arrive earlier and bring heavier rainfall than usual, Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno has warned, urging agencies to step up preparedness for major flooding.
Toxic haze continued to blanket Bangkok and large parts of the country, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding safe limits in 45 provinces nationwide, authorities said, warning that unhealthy air conditions could persist until Jan. 23.
One police officer has been dismissed and four others face criminal and disciplinary action for their alleged involvement in corruption linked to the unlawful release of Chinese detainees, the Royal Thai Police said yesterday.
Excessive workloads, long teaching hours, and a worsening work-life balance are raising concerns about teachers’ wellbeing and the quality of education, especially at Thailand’s small schools, a new study finds.
Recently, market analysts pointed out that as Thailand’s economic growth forecast is revised down from 2.2% in 2025 to 1.5% in 2026, the petrochemical and plastics industry, which accounts for about 20% of the country’s GDP, is facing severe challenges. The core difficulties in the industry’s development currently stem from the dual pressures of currency appreciation and trade barriers.
Chonburi’s tourism sector faces mounting challenges in 2026, with a strengthening baht weighing on long-haul markets and Asian arrivals remaining weak, according to Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Chonburi Tourism Federation Assn. (ACTF).
Solar energy has emerged as a central pillar of the European Union’s clean energy transition, with new data highlighting rapid capacity growth, rising consumer adoption, and increasing economic benefits across the bloc. In a historic milestone, solar energy became the EU’s largest source of electricity generation for the first time in June 2025. 
Two people were killed after a construction crane collapsed onto vehicles on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon province this morning, prompting road closures and warnings for motorists to avoid the area.
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 United States has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, including Thailand, aiming to prevent the entry of individuals deemed likely to become a public charge. This decision, effective from Jan. 21, results from the US State Department’s reassessment of its screening and vetting procedures under current immigration law. The suspension aims to block applicants potentially dependent on public benefits in the US.
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.
The next government is urged to reform investment strategy and streamline working processes to lift economic growth, including attracting high-value sectors such as wellness tourism, high-tech industry, and green infrastructure.
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.
Gold and silver prices reached historic highs yesterday, driven by mounting geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Gold surged to a record $4,641.40 per ounce, and silver followed with a 5.2% rise, touching $92.23 per ounce.
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.
Authorities in Bangkok plan to delay enforcement of a regulation requiring pet dogs and cats to be fitted with microchips for a year in order to help all sides prepare and ensure broader adoption.
Thailand’s economy is bracing for its weakest expansion in 30 years, with GDP growth projected at less than 2% in 2026, attributed to sluggish exports, high household debt, and declining competitiveness in global markets, warns the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB).
The leadership of Thailand’s three largest commercial banks have issued a unified warning for 2026, describing the upcoming financial year as a period of “all-around exhaustion.”
Average headline inflation is expected to rise slightly in 2026, driven by increasing prices of agricultural products and the recovery of the tourism sector, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Leading economists have issued a stark warning over the proliferation of short-term populist campaign pledges, asserting that these policies are laying a “fiscal trap” that threatens Thailand’s long-term economic sovereignty and its international credit standing.
Thailand’s property market is facing another major test in 2026, after new figures from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of the Government Housing Bank pointed to a clear slowdown in foreign demand in 2025 — long viewed as a key engine of the condominium market.
The outlook for the restaurant industry in 2026 appears grim as there are no new positive factors. A Thai Michelin-starred chef urged restaurant operators to think carefully about business expansion.
Tourism has surged beyond pre-pandemic levels, placing pressure on popular cities, islands, and natural landmarks. By charging tourists, governments aim to generate dedicated funding to manage crowds, upgrade infrastructure, and preserve destinations, while allowing tourism to continue.
Southeast Asia is accelerating its energy transition with growing momentum from both policy and capital. Stronger regulatory support and expanding clean-energy financing are creating a more predictable investment environment, enabling governments and developers to move from planning to delivery.
Thailand’s New Year holiday 2026 concluded with more than eight million people traveling across the country, while road accidents and transport disruptions declined compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Transport.
There were 1,185 traffic accidents over the first five days of the New Year travel period, claiming 207 people’s lives and injuring 1,141 others. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said yesterday the figures applied from Dec. 30 to Jan. 3.
The Department of Probation has reported a cumulative total of 2,957 drink-driving cases over five days during the New Year holiday period, with Nonthaburi province recording the highest number nationwide.
With Thailand’s economy in 2026 projected to grow modestly at around 1.5%, several business sectors have begun preparing for potential headwinds – some persisting from last year and others emerging as new risks, particularly with a planned general election in February.
With global and domestic headwinds pressuring the Thai economy this year, the new government should consider “focused domestic intervention” measures to enhance tourism and attract foreign investments in specific sectors, says the Thai unit of German insurer Allianz.
The so-called “medical economy” championed by the government is being positioned as a new growth engine for Thailand. Policymakers describe it as a potential game changer for state-owned hospitals struggling under mounting financial pressure.
Climate change is no longer limited to shifting weather patterns, but is a growing force reshaping Thailand’s economic outlook in 2026, according to Treethep Palakavong Na Ayudhya, chief executive of Global Carbon Corp., a local greenhouse gas-management consultancy.
The online shopping sector will be driven by product discounts, the buy now-pay later (BNPL) strategy, and improved operating efficiency among e-commerce platforms powered by artificial intelligence (AI), said Paul Srivorakul, group chief executive of aCommerce, a pioneer in e-commerce enablement services.
As Thailand’s tourism sector enters 2026, some foreign visitors are raising concerns over the rising cost of enjoying Pattaya’s nightlife and attractions. Despite high visitor numbers, local bars and restaurants report low takings, with many international tourists — particularly from India, Korea, and China — spending primarily within their own cultural establishments rather than at local businesses.
The first time I ever spent a night in the hospital was in Bangkok. A CT scan during my annual check-up revealed a condition requiring the opinion of a specialist. I was panic-stricken.
Thai food businesses in the United States are poised for growth in 2026, fueled by an increasing trend of dining out. Director-General Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of the Commerce Ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion cited recent consumer behavior surveys as proof of this surge.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez is known for her anti-imperialist rhetoric, earning her the nickname “the tigress” from toppled leader Nicolas Maduro. A fierce defender of Maduro, who was snatched by US forces in an extraordinary raid early Saturday, Rodriguez is now seeking to portray herself as a steady hand to lead the country’s political transition. 
Denmark called on the United States to stop “threatening” Greenland yesterday as President Donald Trump told US media he “absolutely” needed the territory, a day after Washington seized the leader of Venezuela. 
The demonstrations began again in Iran last week, only two years after the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement convulsed the country for months. However, the current protests are potentially much broader than that episode because they are driven by the collapse in Iran’s currency, the rial (now 1,420,000 to the US dollar), and the explosive rise in the cost of living. 
A 20-year-old Myanmar national has died following a violent assault at Hua Hin fishing pier, with police arresting three teenage suspects within hours of the incident. The victim succumbed to severe injuries at Hua Hin Hospital after being attacked late on New Year’s Eve, prompting a swift investigation by local authorities.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said yesterday that another moderate to fairly strong high-pressure system from China is extending over upper Thailand and the upper south, bringing cool to cold weather and strong winds in many areas.
In a situation where the Thai economy faces challenges on all sides, especially the high level of household debt, reaching 90% of GDP, and the slowdown in nationwide residential property transfers, projected to fall by 6% in 2026, the Thai real estate market is inevitably dependent on foreign investment.
Thailand’s exports in 2026 are expected to face volatility and challenges due to a global economic slowdown that is dampening demand in key trading nations. High household debt will curb purchasing power, while a sluggish recovery in the global labor market, geopolitical uncertainties, and rising trade protectionism will continue to influence this sector, noted the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC).
Phuket’s tourism industry is calling on the government to urgently resolve what it describes as a deepening infrastructure crisis, warning that the island’s rapid tourism growth is outstripping its ability to cope.
Direct international flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai have officially begun, marking the first such service since the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthening air connectivity to northern Thailand.
At least nine people have died and more than 200 ?have been hospitalized in the central Indian city of Indore after a diarrhea outbreak that officials said was linked to contaminated drinking water, according to a lawmaker and local ?health authorities. 
China’s BYD has surpassed Tesla to become the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles (EVs) in annual sales. This marks the first time BYD has outpaced its American competitor, with BYD’s sales increasing by nearly 28% to over 2.25 million vehicles in 2025. Meanwhile, Tesla’s sales dropped by almost 9% to 1.64 million vehicles globally. 
Gold, silver and platinum surge to fresh peaks
Thai year of environmental upheaval
Thailand’s top 10 cleanest coasts and rivers