- Cha Am crab festival/Developer plans new project in Hua Hin
- IRAN INVASION: Trump Signals Prolonged Conflict/NSC Tightens Embassy Security/Foreign Ministry Outlines Evacuation Routes/Many Thai workers in Middle East choose to stay/Thailand braces for oil price shock/PTTEP Boosts Gas Output/Visa waivers, discounted hotel stays/Stranded Tourists Granted Visa Amnesty/Phuket Offers Aid to Tourists/Thai EXIM Bank Unveils Emergency Relief/Stocks slide, inflation fears/Closure of Strait of Hormuz/Hormuz crisis disrupts trade/Drones hit US embassy in Riyadh
- ECONOMY: Thai government braces for US tariffs
- TOURISM: Navigating Thailand’s Tourism Challenges/Don Mueang to open 24-hour automated departure gates
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE:What I Loved and Hated About Thailand/Phetchaburi’s palm sugar
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Two key renewable projects face delay
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Cha Am crab festival set for March 14-21
The Cha Am crab festival will take place from March 1-21 at the Cha Am Beach viewpoint, celebrating the town’s well-known blue swimming crab and its coastal food culture.
Organized along the beachfront, the eight-day event, officially titled “Chim Pu Chak @ Cha Am”, will focus on fresh seafood sourced from local waters, alongside Thai dishes prepared by vendors from the area. Visitors can expect a large selection of crab-based dishes, including steamed crab, spicy salads, and traditional seafood recipes popular in Phetchaburi province. Continued …
Developer plans new project in Hua Hin
Developer AP Thailand is sharpening its focus on provincial expansion this year, increasing launches outside Greater Bangkok by entering at least five new provinces, despite maintaining a cautious rollout plan.
The company plans to launch 42 new residential projects worth a combined 55 billion baht, with eight projects valued at 8 billion baht located in provincial markets. New destinations include Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Hat Yai in Songkhla, Saraburi, Chon Buri, and Chanthaburi, adding to the 14 provinces where AP already operates. Continued …
Trump Signals Prolonged Conflict in Iran as ‘Big Wave’ Looms
US President Donald Trump has signaled that the US military campaign against Iran may be more protracted than initially anticipated, even as he maintains that the most devastating phase of the assault has yet to begin.
In a series of weekend communications and a Monday morning interview with CNN, the 79-year-old president sought to clarify the objectives of Operation Epic Fury, which he described as the “last best chance” to neutralize Washington’s long-standing adversary. Continued …
NSC Tightens Embassy Security Amid Middle East Attacks
The National Security Council (NSC) has ordered intensified intelligence monitoring and tightened security at the embassies of the United States, Israel, and Iran in Bangkok, as authorities respond to tensions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said measures are in place and officials have also identified the number of Thai nationals wishing to return home from the Middle East. Continued …
Thai Foreign Ministry Outlines Complex Evacuation Routes Amid Middle East Escalation
Thailand Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow has warned that the conflict in the Middle East has evolved beyond a limited strike on nuclear facilities and is likely to become a “prolonged” engagement. Speaking after a National Security Council (NSC) meeting at Government House yesterday, the minister detailed urgent plans to repatriate Thai citizens as regional tensions soar.
The minister revealed that any evacuation of Thai nationals from Iran would require a difficult 1,000-kilometer road journey to the Turkish border, from which they would board connecting flights. Continued …
Many Thai workers in Middle East choose to stay on despite escalating conflict
Many Thai workers in the Middle East said they do not want to return to Thailand despite the escalating conflict involving Iran and a US-Israel military coalition, with Thai residents posting updates on social media.
Thai people living and working in the region, particularly in Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), shared photos and videos of themselves running to bunkers during air strikes on their social media accounts and in Facebook groups for Thai communities in each country. Continued …
Thailand braces for oil price shock
Thai energy officials are intensifying measures to shield the country from a crisis reminiscent of the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, as mounting tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US raise fears of global oil supply disruptions and economic instability.
Authorities are working with power companies to avoid a repeat of the sharp price hikes that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said an energy official who requested anonymity. Continued …
PTTEP Boosts Gas Output Amid Middle East Unrest
PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) has increased natural gas extraction in the Gulf of Thailand to its maximum possible levels to safeguard national energy security. The move comes in response to potential global energy supply disruptions caused by instability in the Middle East.
The company is also postponing non-essential maintenance at its gas fields to ensure an uninterrupted supply to the national grid. Yesterday, PTTEP confirmed it had activated its comprehensive Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to shield Thailand from the impact of international energy shocks. The measures are designed to insulate the Thai public and industrial sectors from potential shortages. The company said it is monitoring the situation with “the utmost vigilance”. Continued …
Visa waivers, discounted hotel stays and 2,000 baht a person per day for stranded tourists
Thailand’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Natthariya Thaweewong moved yesterday to secure discounted accommodation for foreign tourists stranded by the U.S.–Iran conflict that erupted on Saturday, as hundreds of flights scheduled to land at the country’s main airports were scrapped over the weekend and signals from Washington DC and Tel Aviv indicated the war could last another four to five weeks.
Meanwhile, Immigration Bureau authorities confirmed a waiver of overstay penalties for genuine tourists unable to leave, and the ministry announced support payments of B2,000 per day capped at B20,000 per person. Continued …
Stranded Tourists Granted Visa Amnesty as Middle East Airspace Closure Paralyzes Flights
The Thai Immigration Bureau has announced emergency relief measures for foreign nationals stranded within the Kingdom following the abrupt closure of Middle East airspace.
The move aims to assist thousands of travelers caught in a legal limbo after hostilities in the region led to a total suspension of many international flight paths. Major aviation hubs across the Middle East have remained inaccessible for the past four days, preventing tourists and business travelers from returning home. Continued …
Phuket Offers Aid to Tourists Affected by Flight Delays
Phuket officials are urging hotels and tour operators to assist tourists affected by flight disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Collaboration efforts are in place with the Phuket Tourism Assn. and the Thai Hotels Assn. to support those whose travel plans have been complicated by flight schedule changes.
The proposed measures include waiving fees for rescheduling or canceling bookings, offering special rates for extended stays, and providing updated travel guidance. Disrupted flight operations have impacted major airports such as Phuket, Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Chiang Mai. Continued …
Thai EXIM Bank Unveils Emergency Relief as Middle East Tensions Burn Through Trade Routes
Thailand’s state-owned Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) has triggered an emergency rescue package for domestic businesses caught in the crossfire of the escalating Middle East conflict. The bank has moved to freeze debt repayments for up to a year and slash interest rates as the regional crisis begins to choke vital shipping lanes.
Chalat Rattanabunnithi, managing director of EXIM Bank, announced the measures yesterday, citing the “direct impact” of the volatility on Thai international trade. The Middle East remains a critical corridor for the kingdom, representing 6% of total trade value. In 2025 alone, Thai exports to the region topped $12 billion, while imports — primarily energy — surged to $28 billion. Continued …
Stocks slide as Middle East conflict fans inflation fears
Stocks resumed their selloff and the dollar strengthened in early Asian trading today as investors considered the implications of US and Israeli strikes on Iran on energy prices and the global economy.
“Economic policy uncertainty was already elevated and now with the Iran conflict, the geopolitical risk is expected to rise, too,” said Rupal Agarwal, Asia quant strategist at Bernstein in Singapore. “Last time both spiked was in 2022 during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which didn’t work well for Asian markets.” Continued …
Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz and threatens vessels that enter
Iran announced this morning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important shipping routes — while threatening to set fire to any vessel that attempts to pass through, amid sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East.
A commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the strait had been ordered “closed” following multiple explosions along the key oil-export route in recent days. Continued …
Hormuz crisis disrupts trade as freight rates double, exporters warn
Thanakorn Kasetsuwan, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC), said escalating tensions in the Middle East between Iran, Israel, and the United States are severely affecting supply chains and the mechanisms of global trade. The crisis has had an immediate impact on maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf.
The latest information indicates that a large number of cargo vessels have been forced to drop anchor and stop moving to assess the situation. Shipping lines have had to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and other high-risk areas, switching to routes around the African continent via the Cape of Good Hope. Continued …
Drones hit US embassy in Riyadh
In the early hours of today, foreign media reported a fire at the US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters, citing two sources, said the fire broke out after an explosion.
Meanwhile, four witnesses told AFP they heard a loud blast and saw smoke rising over the diplomatic quarter, which hosts multiple embassies and residences for foreign diplomats in Riyadh. Continued …
Thai government considers 150-day measures to brace for US tariffs
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas convened an urgent meeting yesterday with Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. Joined by Thailand’s ambassador in Washington and private-sector representatives, the meeting aimed to set a national strategy in response to the United States’ new tariff policy and trade-restricting measures.
Ekniti said the emergency meeting with the foreign affairs and commerce ministers, together with private-sector representatives, was carried out under a Cabinet mandate assigning the three key economic ministries to integrate efforts and define the country’s strategy. Continued …
Navigating Thailand’s Tourism Challenges Amid Rising Oil Costs and Global Tensions
The economic landscape in Thailand is undergoing significant changes as Middle East tensions and the resulting surge in global oil prices create shockwaves throughout its markets. These rising oil costs, primarily driven by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following military actions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, have begun to significantly impact key industries in Thailand, particularly airlines and tourism.
The geopolitical crisis has already triggered a surge in energy stocks, posing a major challenge for those reliant on jet fuel and travel. Airlines, including Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Asia Aviation, are facing mounting fuel costs, potentially leading to profitability declines. At the same time, Thailand’s robust medical tourism sector may also suffer as Middle Eastern patients cancel visits. Continued …
Don Mueang to open 24-hour automated departure gates on Thursday
Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok will open its new 24-hour Automated Border Control (ABC) passport gates for departures on Thursday, to reduce queues for the convenience of passengers. The opening follows a trial period in mid-February when the gates were available only from 7 am to 7 pm.
Immigration checkpoint is now ready to operate the automated gates around the clock, deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Periswiwatana said today. Continued …
What I Loved and Hated About Traveling in Thailand
Thailand sells a powerful dream: golden temples, turquoise bays, fragrant street food, and smiles at every turn. Much of that dream is still real, and traveling here can be one of the most rewarding experiences in Southeast Asia.
Yet, Thailand in 2026 is not the same place many backpackers fell in love with a decade ago. Costs are higher, crowds thicker, and the fine print of travel has become more complex. After several extended trips, here is what I genuinely loved about traveling in Thailand, and what I learned to hate enough to plan differently next time. Continued …
Phetchaburi’s palm sugar: the sweet heart of the ‘City of Three Flavors’
The sweetness found in many Thai desserts in Phetchaburi comes mainly from the toddy palm tree, known in Thai as “Tanot”. These trees are grown in abundance in the province, especially in Ban Lat district.
Toddy palms in Phetchaburi have produced high-quality palm sugar since ancient times. The province’s famous palm sugar is sweet, fragrant, and delectable, and it is essential for making a wide range of local delicacies such as Khanom Mo Kaeng Sangkhaya (Thai custard) and Khanom Tan (toddy palm cake). Continued …
Two key renewable projects face delay
Two key renewable energy projects pushed by the caretaker government of Anutin Charnvirakul need to be delayed until a new government is formed, says energy Permanent Secretary Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo.
A solar-powered water pump project and the direct power purchase agreement (PPA) still require approval from the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), chaired by the prime minister. Continued …
Arrest Warrants Issued For Ben Smith Over Bt1-billion Fraud
Arrest warrants have been issued for Ben Smith, also known as Benjamin Mauerberger, and his wife, Katriya Beaver, on charges of transnational investment fraud and money laundering, with alleged losses exceeding 1 billion baht. The warrants were approved on March 2 following an investigation by The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). Continued …
- Tycoon arrested off first class flight, convicted in Pattaya of fraud and forgery – Continued …
- Drunk Indian Jet Ski Rider Injures Russian Tourist at Jomtien – Continued …
Trump expected to continue tariff binge
Although the US Supreme Court recently ruled that President Donald Trump could not invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose “reciprocal” tariffs on countries, trade uncertainty may intensify, warns Sompop Manarungsan, an analyst focused on the US and Chinese economies. 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
Alcohol Sales Prohibited March 3/Anantara Hua Hin Resort celebrates 25 years
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for Makha Bucha Day, which falls on March 3 this year. According to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, sales are prohibited on specific Buddhist holidays.
Thailand’s housing market in 2025 was like a ship battling rough seas all year, only beginning to see a glimmer of light in the final quarter. Data from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) show that in Q4 2025, the market started to recover quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) after short-term stimulus measures, or a “Quick Big Win”, including cuts to transfer and mortgage registration fees and relaxed loan-to-value (LTV) criteria.
The Bank of Thailand says the cycle of policy rate cuts has ended, with yesterday’s reduction deemed sufficient to support the Thai economy. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 4-2 yesterday to cut the policy rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 1%, effective immediately.
Thai rice exports fell by 17.5% in January compared with the same month last year, as a strong baht reduced the country’s price competitiveness. Export volume totaled 530,287 tons, down from 643,144 tons a year earlier. Export value dropped to B9.707 billion, a 30.7% decrease.
U-Tapao Airport project to kick off on April 3
Thailand’s overall border and transit trade in January reached a total value of 161.1 billion baht, a 10.9% increase year-on-year, with China remaining a leading transit market, said deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana.
Lazada Thailand is shifting its strategy to “confidence commerce”, prioritizing trust and reliability over price or delivery speed. The strategy aims to strengthen LazMall in response to the continued growth of Thailand’s e-commerce market.
Your vape just got you arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport. You thought it was fine, legal in your home country, tucked discreetly in your carry-on. But Thailand does not care if what you bring is legal back home. The customs officer is now holding your device, citing a 2014 import ban, and you are facing up to 10 years in prison and a 500,000 baht fine.
Thailand’s coffee landscape is being rewritten. Once seen mainly as a local staple or bulk commodity, Thai coffee is evolving into a globally recognized premium product.
Thailand, often celebrated for its vibrant street food and laid-back lifestyle, is also facing a quieter health challenge. The country now ranks second in ASEAN for obesity after Malaysia, with an estimated 48% of the population classified as overweight or obese.
Thailand Riviera road construction boosted
In towns and cities across Thailand, a small, brightly colored pill is quietly tearing communities apart. Known as yaba — literally “crazy drug” — these tablets of methamphetamine and caffeine have become one of the country’s most pressing public health emergencies, cutting across class, age, and geography.
Sen. Veerapun Suvannamai has warned of a looming financial crisis in the healthcare system due to unpaid debts from the National Health Security Office (NHSO) under the universal healthcare scheme.
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning for today, announcing a “stormy day” in Thailand. The northern and northeastern regions will be the hardest hit, with heavy rainfall expected in 40% of these areas.
Canine distemper caused the deaths of 72 tigers at two animal parks in Chiang Mai earlier this month, not avian influenza, and there was no transmission to humans, it was announced yesterday.
The statistics of the kingdom have shown for 10 months inflation results lower than the experts’ statistical forecasts (these being on average negative for the whole of 2025 with -0.13% annual average, according to Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Economic and Trade Forecast Center .
The Bank of Thailand is upbeat about the country’s growth prospects, projecting GDP expansion of 1.9% this year, up from its previous estimate of 1.5%, after the economy grew stronger than forecast in the fourth quarter of last year.
The Thai automotive industry has kickstarted the “Year of the Horse” with a 53.8% surge in year-on-year sales for January. The growth was primarily propeled by a record-breaking influx of electric vehicle (EV) deliveries, though the heavy-duty pickup sector continues to flounder amid tightening credit conditions.
Thailand’s car exports fell in January, dropping 6% year-on-year to 58,405 units – the lowest level since May 2022 – which was attributed to stricter environmental regulations and currency fluctuations, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
The industrial and logistics property sector continues to outperform other segments, supported by robust demand and ongoing government backing despite prevailing uncertainties, according to property consultancy CBRE Thailand.
Phuket’s tourism recovery has surpassed pre-Covid levels, with daily flights setting a new record and visitor numbers reaching around 71,000. Provincial authorities expect arrivals to hold steady and are targeting 14 million tourists this year.
The planned new waste-management plant for Phuket is still at least two years away because of delays in receiving approval from state agencies, according to the provincial governor. Gov. Nirat Pongsitthithavorn aired his frustration over the delay in construction of the second waste incinerator,
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to India this week pushing to double trade and mend fractured ties, his first stop on an Asia-Pacific tour that also includes Australia and Japan, as he seeks to reduce reliance on the United States. 
The Hua Hin property market is emerging as a relative bright spot in Thailand’s challenging real estate sector, supported by sustained foreign demand that is helping to offset weak domestic purchasing power.
Forest fires, suspected to have been caused by human activity, have been raging uncontrollably in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son, driving PM2.5 levels beyond the 37.5-micron safety threshold, according to reports from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
A group of foreign residents in Pattaya has lodged a complaint with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) after allegedly losing more than 300 million baht in a fraudulent gold-trading investment scheme branded “King Power Gold”.
Thailand’s Industrial Confidence Index rose marginally to 88.7 in January, up from 88.2 in December, as the manufacturing sector returned to full swing following the New Year holiday and demand picked up ahead of the Lunar New Year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Thai hotel operators are forecasting stable foreign tourist arrivals in 2026, particularly from short-haul markets excluding China, while urging the government to strengthen safety measures and boost traveler confidence.
Thailand is steadily cementing its reputation as one of the leading global destinations for medical tourism, attracting millions of international patients each year with its high-quality healthcare services, affordability, and attractive recovery options.
Two listed firms, PTT Oil and Retail (OR) and Central Plaza Hotel (Centel), announced a joint venture that will run budget hotels at PTT petrol stations. OR, oil trade flagship of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc, reported on Tuesday night that its board of directors approved the establishment of the joint venture.
Chiang Mai International Airport has recorded a new post-Covid high in passenger traffic, with daily numbers surpassing 36,000, as airlines added 69 extra and charter flights to accommodate Lunar New Year demand.
Puphaman National Park, located in Loei and Khon Kaen provinces, has called on the public to stop feeding wild elephants by leaving fruit and other edible items for them, warning that such well-intentioned acts could ultimately harm the animals and increase the risk of human-elephant conflict.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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
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.
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.