Traffic nightmare expected on Rama 2/PKK province’s public relations plan- ECONOMY: Finance proposes excise tax restructuring/10 Plus economic plan/Five Nations Invest B33.8 billion/110,000 companies at risk
- TOURISM: Foreign arrivals down 7.6%/Chinese flock to Thailand/Tourism’s 2-speed economy/Visa plan upsets Phuket tourism
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Ten species flagged as birdstrike threat/Monitor lizard invasion in Korat
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Severe heat alarm sounds
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Traffic nightmare expected from partial closure of Rama 2 road for four months
The partial closure of Rama 2 road for four months 24 hours a day from Feb. 15 to June 15 to install beams for a new expressway is expected to have widespread impact on the traffic flow.
Samart Ratchapolsitte, former deputy leader of the Democrat Party and former deputy governor of Bangkok, said this partial shutdown of a major artery connecting Bangkok with Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, and the south, and with there being large business and residential areas of both sides, is a gamble between safety and traffic paralysis. Continued …
PKK province’s public relations plan: Inform residents of policies
Prachuap Khiri Khan province has approved a new public relations plan aimed at improving awareness and understanding of key government policies among local residents. The Provincial National Public Relations Plan for the 2026 fiscal year was endorsed during the first meeting of the year of the Provincial Subcommittee on National Public Relations, held on Monday.
The public relations plan focuses on raising domestic awareness across five main areas: the economy; society and culture; natural resources and the environment; security and political governance; and public administration. Continued …
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Finance proposes excise tax restructuring to boost revenue by 7.6%
The Ministry of Finance is preparing a proposal for the new government to restructure the excise tax system, aiming for a 7.6% increase in revenue for fiscal year 2026, reaching 578 billion baht.
This includes revising tax rates on various products, including a unified rate for cigarettes, adjustments to fuel and alcohol taxes, and the introduction of new taxes on health and environmental hazards, such as salt and carbon taxes. Continued …
10 Plus economic plan targets B1.1 trillion investments
The general election on Feb. 8 concluded with a landslide victory for the Bhumjaithai Party, sweeping 193 MP seats (unofficial data). They have become the core leaders in forming the new government led by Anutin Charnvirakul.
The key figure driving the economy is Ekniti Nitithanprapas, deputy prime minister and minister of finance. Ekniti’s mission is to restructure the Thai economy through the “10-Pill” or “10 Plus” policy. Continued …
Five Nations Invest B33.8 billion in January
Thailand approved B33.779 billion in foreign investment from 113 investors in January, marking a 46% increase in total investment value and a 10% rise in permitted investors.
The approvals were granted under the Foreign Business Act 1999, according to Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development and secretary of the Foreign Business Commission. A total of 262 Thai nationals were employed by investors holding foreign business licenses, representing a 15% increase. Continued …
DBD targets 110,000 companies at risk of nominee and shell accounts
Yesterday, the Department of Business Development announced plans to conduct in-depth investigations of over 110,000 companies with foreign investments to prevent the use of Thai nationals as nominees and the opening of shell accounts. This is part of a broader effort to safeguard Thailand’s business environment.
The focus will be on 12 key provinces, including Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, which are major economic and tourism hubs. Measures to prevent new nominee companies have helped reduce the problem, but a new loophole has emerged: criminals are buying up defunct companies to use them for fraudulent purposes. Authorities are closely monitoring these activities. Continued …
Foreign arrivals down 7.6% so far this year
Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals dropped 7.6% year-on-year in the period Jan. 1 to Feb. 15, to about 5.07 million people, the Tourism Ministry said yesterday.
China was the biggest source market with 770,427 visitors, followed by Malaysia with 461,742, the ministry said. Continued …
Many tour packages sold out as Chinese flock to Thailand
So many Chinese tourists are heading to Thailand for Lunar New Year holidays that many tour packages offered by travel agencies are completely sold out, according to Chinese media.
Top Thai tourist destinations are currently packed with Chinese tourists, but those who had not purchased a tour package in advance now have to wait until at least the end of February. Several travel companies in Beijing, Wuhan, Xi’an, and other cities said that tour packages to Thailand were sold out approximately a week ago. Continued …
Tourism’s 2-speed economy
Tourism is a key industry for Thailand, but over the past decade it has faced a critical challenge: income disparity, with a sharp divide between a handful of major destinations and second-tier locations.
Although the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recognized the imbalance and introduced a scheme in 2018 separating 22 major provinces from 55 second-tier ones to grant privileges aimed at boosting less popular destinations, such as tax deductions for travel expenses, the disparity persists. Continued …
‘Buy property, get visa’ plan upsets Phuket tourism operators
Phuket tourism operators oppose the government’s policy allowing foreigners who buy real estate worth 3 million baht to qualify for a long-stay visa, arguing the investment threshold is too low and could attract “non-quality” visitors, as well as risking an increase in property prices.
According to the Immigration Bureau, since Oct. 1, 2025, foreigners who bought a condo worth a minimum of 3 million baht or rent housing for at least 85,000 baht per month can apply for a one-year long-stay visa. Continued …
Ten species flagged as birdstrike threat to flights in Thailand
Ten species of bird have been flagged as a growing threat to aviation safety in Thailand, with 6,118 birdstrikes reported nationwide over the past five years, causing damage worth hundreds of millions of baht.
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has sounded the alarm over the mounting menace birdstrike poses to flight safety. The problem has intensified in recent years, with birdstrikes in 2024 and 2025 alone causing direct damage costing more than 530 million baht to repair, underscoring mounting safety and cost pressures on the aviation industry. Continued …
Monitor lizard invasion in Korat sees 200 to 300 reptiles gather
Safety concerns are rising in Nakhon Ratchasima after hordes of water monitor lizards turned up along the city moat and wandered into the nearby market, prompting residents to call for agencies to manage the animals.
Lizard numbers reportedly vary by area, with some stretches said to have 200 to 300 animals, including several large ones that residents say roam roadsides and drift close to homes and market shops. Continued …
Severe heat alarm sounds
The Department of Medical Services (DoMS) has issued an advisory urging citizens and businesses to prepare for the upcoming summer, which is expected to be more severe than last year.
DoMS Deputy Director-general Dr. Akkarathan Jitnuyanon said global temperatures are rising, with Thailand facing particular risks of heatstroke. He noted that hot weather can also exacerbate chronic illnesses, especially cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Continued …
- Chinese Call Center Gang Arrested in Pattaya – Continued …
- Two Russians Arrested Over Pattaya Condo Theft – Continued …
- Gold Lion Statue Stolen From Chiang Mai Pub by Foreign Duo – Continued …
The Epstein Files Unraveled: How Millions of Secret Documents Are Shaking the Global Elite
One story has dominated global headlines entering 2026 with unusual ferocity — and unlike trade wars or geopolitical tensions, this one strikes at the personal reputations of the world’s most powerful individuals. The United States Department of Justice has released classified documents relating to the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the late American financier and convicted sex offender who ran one of history’s most far-reaching sex trafficking networks. Continued …
Canada launches huge defense plan to curb reliance on US
Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday launched a multi-billion dollar plan to strengthen the Canadian military and rely less on the United States. Carney’s announcement of Canada’s first defense industrial strategy built on themes he has emphasized throughout his 11-month tenure as President Donald Trump rips through traditional US alliances. Continued …
Google launches new feature to purge explicit images and personal data
Google has unveiled a new feature allowing users to request the removal of non-consensual explicit images and sensitive personal information from search results more easily, as part of its latest privacy and safety push. Continued …
US towns resist Trump plans to jail immigrants in warehouses
Residents in a leafy, conservative New Jersey suburb have erupted in protest against plans to convert a vast warehouse into an immigration detention center as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. 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
The Election Commission of Thailand has confirmed that the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited across all provinces to ensure order during the voting process. The prohibition begins at 6 pm on Saturday, Feb. 7, and remains in effect until 6 pm on Sunday, Feb. .
The Thai food delivery market recorded significant consolidation and growth between 2024 and 2025.The market is increasingly defined by a duopoly between Grab and Line Man, as smaller competitors exit, according to Singapore-based research firm Momentum Works.
Thailand’s annual headline inflation rate was negative for a 10th consecutive month in January, driven by lower energy prices and government measures to ease living costs, the Ministry of Commerce said today. The headline consumer price index (CPI) dropped 0.66% in January from a year earlier, following an annual fall of 0.3% in the previous month, the ministry said.
Despite a slowdown in foreign tourist arrivals in 2025, the long-term recovery potential of Thailand’s tourism industry has renewed investor confidence, creating a thriving hotel market. Both Thai and foreign investors are aggressively acquiring assets in high-potential locations to renovate, upgrade, and add long-term value.
Thailand’s electric vehicle industry is struggling to improve after-sales services, which remain unsatisfactory due to the rapid growth of EV sales and growing maintenance demand, says Omoda & Jaecoo (Thailand), a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned automaker Chery Automobile.
Berlayar Estate, a boutique property developer specializing in refined, lifestyle-driven living, has announced the official launch of its newest premium villa collection under the theme “The Journey to Serenity.” This latest portfolio introduces a curated selection of private residential projects in Hua Hin and Pranburi.
High-street coffee chains across Thailand are set to undergo a radical transformation next week as the Department of Health launches a new nationwide standard for freshly brewed drinks. Beginning Feb. 11, any customer ordering a “normal sweetness” beverage will automatically receive a drink containing only 50% of the original sugar recipe.
Thailand will hold a general election on Sunday, in a three-way contest of major political parties to decide the leader of the Southeast Asian nation over the next four years.
The Ministry of Public Health has intensified preventive and surveillance measures against the Nipah virus, even as authorities stress that the risk of infection in the country remains very low.
Thailand is well-known for its wats (Buddhist temples), breathtaking beaches and islands, and vibrant night bazaars. Yet, one feature often overlooked is our convenience stores. Although not one of our cultural monuments, with more than 14,000 outlets nationwide as of 2024 – among the highest densities per capita globally – these stores have become iconic landmarks in their own right.
Park rangers are trying to keep wild elephants away from communities and tourist attractions during the dry season. The measures cover a bull elephant that has killed three people, including a camper, in this Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The era of Thailand as a high-growth “economic yiger” has come to an abrupt halt. Once the envy of its neighbors, the country is increasingly being referred to as the “sick man of Asia,” as reported by the Financial Times.
Krungthai researchers are warning that Thailand’s economy in 2026 could record its weakest growth outlook in three decades, as the country remains stuck in a low-growth trap with no new engines of expansion. They also caution that SMEs could remain mired in difficulties, with shrinking profits and mounting debt, risking a broad-based “downgrade” across the sector unless business structures are reshaped quickly.
Fresh research from MoneyTransfers.com has unveiled the planet’s most jam-packed tourist hotspots. The team’s findings reveal that Phuket in Thailand stands as the globe’s most congested tourist magnet. This Thai paradise boasts a staggering 118 tourists for every local inhabitant.
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) has released its “Tourism Business Confidence Index in Thailand, Q4 2025”, based on a survey of 302 foreign tourists using accidental sampling: 200 respondents in Bangkok and 102 in Chonburi.
A Thai family in Nakhon Si Thammarat province mistakenly hosted foreign tourists at a funeral, providing them with food when they believed it to be a restaurant. The tourists apologized after realizing they were at a funeral, not a dining venue.
Chinese New Year celebrations in the island province are expected to be particularly vibrant this year. The upbeat outlook is driven by a strong rebound in the Chinese tourism market and an increase in direct flights from China, according to the Phuket Tourist Business Assn. (PTBA).
Mae Hong Son officials on Monday launched a joint campaign aimed at preventing wildfires and reducing air pollution in the province, with multiple key leaders participating in a kick-off event held in front of the municipal office. The campaign was led by Mae Hong Son Gov. Wiboon Waewbandit, alongside Deputy Gov. Udomsak Khaonoona and Mae Hong Son Mayor Mallika Jeenakham.
Drainage contractor discharged black water into Jomtien sea
From field to forest, restoring rice in Ubon Ratchathani
The last Russia-U.S. nuclear arms control treaty, known as New START, is due to expire tomorrow. We look at what the treaty does, what its expiration would mean, and what it may take to establish a new treaty. 
Spain will ban access to social media for minors under 16 and hold company CEOs criminally liable for illegal content, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said yesterday, as he announced several measures to guarantee a safe digital environment. 
France summoned billionaire Elon Musk to a “voluntary interview” as cybercrime authorities yesterday searched the French offices of his social media network X, the Paris public prosecutor’s office said. The operation, which involves the EU police agency Europol, is part of an investigation opened in January 2025 into whether X’s algorithm was used to interfere in French politics. 
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.
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.
Thai gold shops face closures as prices top 70,000 baht
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can Southeast Asia keep the lights on for solar projects as costs rise?
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 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.
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?
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. 
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.”
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.