- Thailand Pickleball Open in Hua Hin/Thai juniors at Hua Hin/Don Mueang airport transport guide/Violent storms, heavy rain forecast/Torrential rain pounds Phuket/Thailand urges emergency bag preparations/Makro Online Targets 110 Billion Baht/Social Security Act will extend insured age
- ECONOMY: Trade Boom Pushes Port Past Capacity/Benefits from US midterms/US Midterms Unlikely Game Changer for Thailand/Industrial depth anchors Thailand’s edge/Tokyo and Thailand Pioneer Digital Finance
- TOURISM: Thailand records 25.46 million arrivals/Suvarnabhumi plans to double capacity/11 million long-haul tourists in 2027/Southeast Asia Medical Tourism Market/Chiang Mai tops Asia-Pacific booking growth/Luxury travel demand boosts hotels
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Increased presence of elephants causes concern/Making Thai architecture tangible
- CLIMATE THAILAND: The Heat They’ll Inherit/Level the solar field/Small modular reactors/EV use in state sector/Green Destinations honors
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
7th Thailand Pickleball Open in Hua Hin
A category for everyone: from relative beginners and casual players to seasoned court veterans. Entries are open HERE.
Thai juniors rule world meet at Hua Hin
Thailand’s young golfers claimed several titles at the Singha Thailand Junior World Golf Championship, which concluded at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Sunday.
The four-day event attracted 144 players from 14 countries, split into four age groups: Class A (15-17), Class B (13-14), Class C (11-12) and Class D (9-10). Individual and team honors were contested. Continued …
Don Mueang airport transport guide covers buses, taxis and trains
Don Mueang International Airport has published a transport guide outlining the public transport services available to passengers, including airport buses, taxis, trains, car hire and intercity coaches.
The airport’s infographic provides information on fares, operating hours and boarding locations for travel into Bangkok, transfers to Suvarnabhumi Airport, and onward journeys to Pattaya and Hua Hin. Continued …
Violent storms, heavy rain forecast for Thailand Nov 5-9
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its fourth advisory warning of volatile weather, severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across northern and southern Thailand from Nov. 5-9.
According to the TMD, a strong high-pressure system from China is spreading southward, pushing a cold air mass over northern Thailand and the South China Sea. This atmospheric shift will strengthen easterly winds across the country and the Gulf of Thailand, triggering widespread and unseasonably turbulent weather. Continued …
Torrential rain pounds Phuket, with some areas flooded again
Phuket was lashed by heavy rain again last night, leading to several parts of three districts, including Patong seaside town, getting flooded.
The intense downpour started at 5.30 pm, leading to floods swamping Mueang Phuket, Kathu, and Thalang districts, while a flash flood that originated from the Khao 50 Pi (50-Year Hill) area gushed down to Na Nai road in Patong, making travel difficult. Continued …
Are you ready for 72 hours? Thailand urges emergency bag preparations
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has urged households to prepare emergency bags containing enough food, water, medicine and essential supplies to survive for at least 72 hours, citing international concerns over conflicts in the Middle East and the need for disaster preparedness.
Nirat Pongsitthithavorn, director-general of the DDPM, said several countries had advised their citizens to stockpile essential supplies for three days amid concerns over the situation in the Middle East. Continued …
Makro’s Online as Makro PRO Targets Up to 110 Billion Baht
CP Axtra is reshaping Makro from a store-based wholesaler into an omni-channel retailer. Its branches draw business customers in, while its online platform takes a growing share of their orders. Makro PRO, the online arm, is heading for annual sales of between 100 billion and 110 billion baht this year.
Tanit Chearavanont, group chief executive officer of the wholesale business at CP Axtra, told reporters in Bangkok that customer behavior had changed faster than expected. Continued …
Draft of Social Security Act will extend insured age to 65, adjust numerous benefits
The Cabinet has approved the draft Social Security Act as proposed by the Ministry of Labor. This amendment aims to revise the law to align with the current context, accommodate an aging society, and provide more comprehensive protection for insured persons.
This draft expands the age of insured persons and increases benefits by raising the maximum age for employees insured under Section 33 from 60 years to a maximum of 65 years, in order to accommodate older workers. Continued …
Trade Boom Pushes Thailand’s Biggest Port Past Capacity
Thailand’s Port Authority is considering a fourth development phase for Laem Chabang, the country’s largest deep-sea port, after cargo volumes rose beyond its existing capacity.
The Chon Buri port is already being expanded under a third-phase project. Officials are now examining the potential size, cost and timetable for further works as trade through the gateway continues to grow. Continued …
Analysts see benefits from US midterms
Thes US midterm elections could benefit Thailand and global trade, as stronger checks and balances between Congress and President Donald Trump could reduce US policy uncertainty and ease market volatility, analysts say.
Apichart Phubanjerdkul, senior director of the strategic analysis division at Tisco Securities, expects the Nov. 3 US midterm elections to have a positive impact on financial markets, potentially easing policy uncertainty and supporting a recovery in Thai equities later this month. Continued …
US Midterms Unlikely to be a Game Changer for Thailand, says KKP Economist
The US midterm elections are unlikely to be a “game changer” for Thailand, though a weaker Republican grip on Congress could unsettle global sentiment and make life harder for emerging markets, according to Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, chief economist at KKP Research.
Pipat said markets had largely priced in the likelihood that President Donald Trump’s Republican Party would lose control of the House of Representatives. The real surprise, he said, would be a Republican sweep. Continued …
Industrial depth anchors Thailand’s edge
Thailand’s industrial systems and seasoned workforce are its strongest competitive advantages as companies look to diversify production across Southeast Asia.
But infrastructure bottlenecks in grid capacity, green energy and high-end technical skills need to be addressed to help drive future investment, according to Jan Metzger, global head of coverage banking at Standard Chartered. Continued …
Tokyo and Thailand Pioneer Digital Finance
The architecture of global finance is undergoing a profound transformation. As tokenized assets, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and stablecoins reshape traditional boundaries, regional hubs are seeking innovative ways to connect capital markets and streamline cross-border payments.
At a media roundtable at the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, leading economists, financial authorities, and fintech experts convened to explore how Tokyo and Thailand can together build ASEAN’s next financial corridor through advanced digital finance and tokenization. Continued …
Thailand records 25.46 million arrivals, down 4.6%
Thailand’s long-haul tourist arrivals rose 13.6% week on week, extending growth to a fifth consecutive week ahead of the winter holiday season, while total foreign arrivals reached 25.46 million in the first 10 months of 2026.
However, January–October arrivals remained 4.59% below the same period last year, according to preliminary figures released by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi plans to double capacity to 120 million
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport could double its annual passenger capacity to 120 million within seven years under an Airports of Thailand (AOT) plan for a new terminal, a proposed fourth runway and expanded processing areas.
The state-owned airport operator is preparing to submit its fifth development plan for Suvarnabhumi, in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok, to the cabinet. It includes a southern terminal, a fourth runway and an east expansion project. Continued …
TAT targets 11 million long-haul tourists in 2027 despite rising costs
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is targeting 11 million long-haul international visitors and 730 billion baht in tourism revenue in 2027, despite rising oil prices, prolonged conflict in the Middle East and economic pressures affecting European travelers.
Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT deputy governor for international marketing covering Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, expects the long-haul market to maintain its growth momentum next year, with an anticipated expansion of approximately 4%. Continued …
Southeast Asia Medical Tourism Market Size, Share, Growth Trends
The Southeast Asia Medical Tourism Market reached USD 6.1 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 35.5 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 21.68% during 2026-2034. This growth rests on Thailand’s established leadership attracting over a million medical tourists annually, Malaysia’s dedicated medical tourism year in 2026, Indonesia’s push to retain patients currently traveling abroad, and Vietnam’s formal medical tourism development plan through 2030 .
Thailand was ranked the world’s second-leading medical tourism destination in the Top 50 Medical Tourism Destinations for 2026 by Travel and Tour World, behind Turkey but ahead of India, Mexico, and South Korea . The country attracted over one million medical tourists annually, with its medical tourism market valued at USD 17.8 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 76.5 billion by 2035. Continued …
Chiang Mai tops Asia-Pacific autumn booking growth
Chiang Mai saw autumn flight bookings rise 84.3% year-on-year, the largest increase recorded by any city in the Asia-Pacific region, according to online travel company Trip.com Group.
The northern Thai city led a group of destinations whose booking growth was driven largely by travelers from mainland China. Trip. com said the trend reflected demand for affordable, short-haul trips and a growing willingness to explore destinations beyond the best-known tourism hubs. Continued …
Luxury travel demand boosts hotels in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia remains a growth pillar for luxury travel amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, as more travelers shift to the region, including Thailand, viewing it as a safe haven, according to global hospitality brand Accor.
Maud Bailly, chief executive of Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems at Accor, said that despite global conflicts and soaring travel expenses, the appetite for luxury travel remains positive around the world. Continued …
Increased presence of elephants near communities causes concern
The presence of wild elephants in or near human settlements in several provinces of Thailand is causing concern among villagers living near forests and tourists visiting forest resorts. Park rangers have been deployed to several locations where the pachyderms are reported to have ventured out of their habitats toward communities, apparently to forage for food.
In Trat, for instance, an elephant named Shorty is reported to have strayed into a village and loitered in front of a shop, prompting people in the village to alert officials. Meanwhile, in another village in Bo Rai district of Trat, officials from Klong Kaew Waterfall National Park have been on alert for an elephant reported in a state of musth, to prevent it from harming people. Continued …
From chedi to the classroom: Making Thai architecture tangible
Wat Arun’s soaring chedi, or prang, is a familiar Bangkok landmark. But to someone trained in Thai architecture, its grandeur is only part of the story. Assistant Professor Napat Kwanmuang, an architecture lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, created TORTHAI to help students and children explore that way of seeing. Video …
The Heat They’ll Inherit: A City, a Reef, and the Next Generation
In Bangkok, heat is becoming harder to escape. Concrete roads, glass towers, and dense traffic absorb the sun through the day and release it long after dark, a phenomenon urban planners call the urban heat island effect.
For the young people growing up here, an unbearable afternoon is no longer just weather. It’s becoming a preview of the world they’re set to inherit. The heat doesn’t stop at the city limits. Continued …
Level the solar field
The government’s rooftop solar subsidy scheme should not become a commercial contest that only the biggest installers can afford to enter. Such concerns follow complaints from small operators that the government’s requirements for rooftop solar installers put them at a disadvantage.
The government is offering subsidies of 50,000 baht per household for up to 1 million homes, funded by a 50-billion-baht framework. Installers must provide a 50,000-baht bank guarantee for each job, with a six-month deadline to complete the work. They must also provide a separate 10,000-baht security deposit for after-sales obligations over seven years. Continued …
Small modular reactors: What Thailand needs to assess first
As artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers drive demand for reliable electricity, small modular reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a potential source of round-the-clock, low-carbon power.
For Thailand, however, adopting the technology involves more than choosing a nuclear reactor. Safety, compatibility with the national electricity system and long-term economic value must all be carefully considered. Continued …
EPPO advances EV use in state sector
The Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) has laid out a roadmap to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations across government agencies, describing it as a crucial step toward clean energy and the country’s net-zero emissions target.
Under the initiative, EPPO is promoting guidelines for EV adoption and the installation of charging points at public-sector workplaces, designed to lay the foundation for a shift toward cleaner, more efficient transport that fits the way the government operates. Continued …
Six Thai destinations win Green Destinations 2026 honors
Six destinations in Thailand have been recognized in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2026 awards in Kranj, Slovenia, for locally led projects in sustainable tourism.
The entries, supported by the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), cover projects ranging from electric transport in Sukhothai to marine-waste upcycling in Chonburi. DASTA said this was its largest number of recognized entries since it began taking part in the program. Continued …
Living costs, housing, job uncertainty fuel European youth anger
Countries across Europe have been swept by a wave of protests by young people angry at the spiraling cost of living who have little trust in traditional institutions. While local grievances have fueled the fire, the movements that brought hundreds of thousands to the streets of France, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Germany on the weekend are all linked by shared continent-wide issues such as sky-high housing costs, poor pay and the climate crisis. Continued …
Hackers turn up the heat in Europe’s frozen food aisles, again
European supermarket fridges are under cyberattack once again, with stores across a vast swathe of the continent, from Sweden to Belgium, hit by a hack yesterday that turned up their temperatures, echoing an incident in France just last month. Video …
US strategy links Myanmar peace talks to rare-earth access
Washington aims to use peace diplomacy in Myanmar as a way to expand US influence and potentially gain access to the country’s rare-earth deposits, according to a recently published State Department strategy document. Continued …
Bangkok preps for renewed war between Iran and the United States in coming weeks
Thailand is bracing for fresh US strikes on Iran, with oil supplies threatened and fuel prices soaring. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered emergency preparations as Washington weighs attacks after Tuesday’s American midterm elections. Meanwhile, Thai embassies are on alert, with military evacuations under consideration.
Half of Thailand’s crude oil imports come from the Middle East, while Brent has topped $113 a barrel. Iranian attacks reportedly targeted 25 ships in October, threatening further disruption. Continued …
Iran says contacts over ending war continue after talks finish with no breakthrough
Contacts between Iran and the United States to end their eight-month war are continuing, Tehran said yesterday, after days of Iranian talks with Qatari mediators ended with altered proposals but no breakthrough.
“Consultations through mediators are very intensive. We have presented our conditions and proposals and everything depends on the political rationality of Washington,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. Continued …
Trump’s Iran threat renews Gulf fears of a war it didn’t choose
US President Donald Trump’s threat to strike Iran again confronts America’s Gulf allies with a stark prospect: another war decided in Washington in which the US bases built to protect them could instead make them targets for harsh Iranian reprisal.
Iranian missiles that struck US military bases and Gulf energy facilities in the last round of fighting exposed a vulnerability at the heart of Washington’s decades-old security architecture. Continued …
Oil falls over 7% amid Iran peace hopes
Prospects of a negotiated end to the US-Israeli war with Iran drove oil prices more than 7% lower yesterday, as Qatari mediation and signals from Tehran raised expectations of more stable crude supplies from the Middle East. Continued …
Hacked emergency alert apps spread fear in Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine and Russia said their emergency alert apps had been hacked overnight, sending false warnings to citizens about impending air raids, chemical and nuclear attacks. Video …
Russian bombing kills 26 people at Ukraine aid center, Kyiv says
At least 26 people were killed after Russian bombs hit an aid distribution center, in an attack that Ukraine’s leader has called “utterly horrific”. Five people were injured and 27 initially reported missing after at least nine 3,000-kilogram aerial bombs hit the village of Komyshuvakha in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. 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
Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance, said the Cabinet had formally approved a household solar program targeting one million homes nationwide. The program will support rooftop, ground-mounted and floating solar power systems, with a government subsidy of 50,000 baht per household toward a standard 140,000-baht package using equipment certified by the electricity utilities.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast heavy rain in 17 central and southern provinces today. The department warned that persistent rain could cause flash floods and runoff in the south, while thunderstorms and strong gusts remain a threat across upper Thailand, particularly the central region.
The Thai cabinet approved a three-month reduction in excise taxes on E20 gasohol and B20 biodiesel to provide financial relief to farmers, transport operators, and consumers. This measure aims to lower domestic living costs and ease the burden of high fuel prices.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), which operates PTT Station, and Bangchak Corp. have lowered B20 diesel and E20 gasohol prices to 33.50 baht per liter in Bangkok from today.
Thai food study finds bacteria in raw enoki mushroom samples
Thailand’s consumer sentiment in October reveals a notable shift in the issues weighing on people’s minds. While financial and political corruption remains the country’s leading concern, poverty and social inequality has returned to second place, and climate change has emerged as one of the month’s fastest-rising worries.
Thailand’s Parliament has opened public consultation on a proposed overhaul of the country’s firearms law, including a requirement for personal gun possession licenses to be renewed every five years.
Thailand’s private investment growth is being driven by a surge in digital infrastructure, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, cloud services, and data centers. Additionally, investment is being propelled by robust performance in the technology and electronics export sectors.
Car production in Thailand dropped 6.1% in September from a year earlier to 120,319 units, due partially to disruptions caused by flooding, the Federation of Thai Industries said yesterday. The reading followed a rise of 10.9% in August.
Thailand and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to achieving US$30 billion in bilateral trade by 2027 during ministerial talks in Bangkok yesterday, while backing faster progress on border transport projects and closer security cooperation.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has warned that Chinese group-tour business in Thailand could fall by as much as 50% during the Lunar New Year holiday in 2027 unless the government moves quickly to address safety concerns raised by the Chinese embassy.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit is leading efforts to introduce seaplane services in the Andaman region to stimulate the local economy and boost tourism. This strategic plan involves coordinating with various authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the Department of Airports, to manage landing sites, staff training, and environmental protection.
Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has warned that prolonged high oil prices could put pressure on inflation and the current account. Energy economist Praipol Koomsup has called for broader fuel tax cuts, while suggesting prices could ease within one to two months if conflicts subside. 
EZY Airlines has announced that scheduled services on its Hua Hin–U-Tapao route would begin on Oct. 23. The airline plans to launch flights between Hua Hin and Surat Thani in November.
Hua Hin’s first-ever Halloween parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, with residents and visitors invited to dress up and join the celebrations on Soi Bintabaht.
More than 1,700 Thai and international runners took part in Run with the Flow 2026 in Hua Hin on Sunday, supporting heart and brain health, and raising funds to help disadvantaged patients access medical treatment.
Video of the panther and leopard at Kaeng Krachan
I’ve been coming to Thailand for 30 years and have lived here since 2014. Over the years, the word has come to play an increasingly absurd role in my life. I’m an alien in Thailand, and I see little prospect of that changing.
Thailand’s hotel and accommodation sector recorded 148 business closures in the first nine months of 2026, a 42% increase on the same period last year, according to the Kasikorn Research Center.
Thailand’s agricultural and agro-industrial exports fell 1.9% in the first nine months of 2026 as high production costs and intense global competition weighed on key products, even as booming electronics shipments pushed the country’s overall exports to record levels.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee approved in principle yesterday the designation of four new special economic promotion zones worth 25.66 billion baht, aiming to attract global technology enterprises and artificial intelligence investments.
Artificial intelligence has overtaken climate change as the top global risk, according to a 2026 report from French insurer Axa. This shift is driven by concerns that technological advancements are progressing faster than the ability of regulators to prepare for the potential consequences.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival set for March
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) are enhancing cooperation to modernize national park services, promote high-value nature tourism, and uphold environmental conservation standards.
Doi Luang Chiang Dao opens online bookings for 2026–27 treks
The government’s proposed 50,000-baht subsidy to encourage up to one million households to install a solar power system will be presented to the cabinet today for approval. The proposed scheme also involves three state-owned banks which would provide low-interest loans, eliminating the need for upfront capital.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has accelerated a study on nuclear energy adoption, setting a target to launch Thailand’s first commercial small modular reactor (SMR) by 2037.
US President Donald Trump attacked Norway during a campaign rally, calling it a “shit house country,” and said that Norwegian immigrants were not welcome in the United States because its Nobel Committee had not awarded him the Peace Prize. 
Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, the company said yesterdayy, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as the tech giant seeks to cut costs while pouring money into artificial intelligence. 
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is pushing nine road and bridge projects worth more than 240 billion baht to ease southern traffic bottlenecks and support the regional economy. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn called for faster development of southern routes, which he said had lagged behind.
Two Black Panthers and Three Leopards Spotted in Kaeng Krachan Forest
Thailand has dropped three places to 80th out of 143 countries in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index. The decline was driven by weaker scores for anti-corruption measures and regulatory enforcement.
Thailand has approved plans for a major reservoir in Chanthaburi that could flood forest, wildlife habitat and rural communities, as officials seek more water for the rapidly expanding eastern seaboard.
A survey by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) found that 50.4% of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) surveyed expect business costs to rise over the next six months.
Surging global demand for artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs), and clean energy technology has driven $690 million (23.5 billion baht) in advanced materials investment proposals into Thailand, according to the government’s investment promotion agency.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed confidence Friday that Thailand’s economy would grow by more than 2.1% this year, citing improvements in investment, exports, employment and tax receipts.
Thailand and the European Union could potentially conclude their free-trade agreement by the end of 2026. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has indicated that the talks are in their final stages and could reach a conclusion by year-end, provided there is sufficient mutual political will. The negotiations have reached a critical phase, with the 10th round of talks having made significant progress on the negotiating text.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun’s push for fairer trade has advanced with new rules addressing the lengthy payment periods imposed on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by large trading partners.
Thailand has slipped to 66th place in the 2026 Henley Passport Index ranking. The Henley Passport Index unveiled its global rankings for October, with Singapore securing the top spot. Japan, South Korea and the UAE share the second position, with access to 188 destinations, while Sweden ranks third with a score of 187.
Thailand is not simply a golf market. It’s one of Asia’s most closely watched golf destinations – a country where the condition of a fairway at 7 am on a Tuesday can directly influence a TripAdvisor rating, a tour operator’s rebooking decision, and a golfer’s next holiday itinerary.
The low-carbon rice project in Suphan Buri was established as a flagship pilot to test climate-smart farming techniques, specifically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Research conducted by the Suphan Buri Rice Research Center has demonstrated that implementing alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water management can reduce methane emissions by as much as 84%.
Sydney’s new $3.94 billion (A$5.6 billion) airport opened to passengers yesterdayafter more than a decade of planning, in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said was a milestone for the country’s most populous city. 
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection on Saturday, pulling off a stunning comeback to secure a fourth term in office and defeat conservative candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, an ally of US President Donald Trump. The 80-year-old liberal leader defeated Bolsonaro with 51.76% of the vote in the country’s runoff election, in which affordability and the country’s relationship with the United States were prominent issues. 
Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa program has approved 12,010 foreign nationals in its first four years, the Board of Investment (BOI) says.
Thailand’s government has denied claims that proposed legal changes would end taxes on alcohol and tobacco or dismantle four public bodies funded through levies linked to those products.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has assured protesters that universal healthcare benefits will not be cut. He stated that instead of being reduced, these benefits can only be expanded, arguing that such rights should only increase.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has assessed the risk of plague being imported from Russia as low, as it awaits further confirmation from the World Health Organization (WHO) over a suspected pneumonic plague case involving a laboratory worker in Siberia.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritized urgent payments to ensure that affected households receive relief funds as quickly as possible. He stated that it is important for people to receive their money as soon as possible, ordering authorities to distribute the first batch of payments this week based on verified claims without waiting for the entire nationwide processing to conclude.
The government has ordered a comprehensive review of its flood-risk maps to ensure they provide the highest possible accuracy and completeness. Additionally, officials have instructed all relevant agencies to utilize a single, unified data set to manage water and coordinate responses.
Insurance companies are expected to suffer the most significant and long-lasting impact on their earnings due to the current flooding. This prolonged recovery period is driven by the high volume of severe claims and losses that insurers must process as floodwaters recede.
Heavy overnight rain left roads flooded across parts of Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom early today, slowing traffic and forcing motorists to take extra care or avoid several affected routes.
Southeast Asian energy ministers meeting in Manila this week face the prospect of a prolonged Middle East war that has exposed the region’s vulnerabilities to imported energy.
The World Bank has cautioned that damage from a severe El Niño, including flooding of the kind seen across the region a decade ago, could prove larger than current forecasts assume. The warning came as Thailand’s economy was singled out for both its gains from the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom and its slow adoption of the technology at home.
Leading artificial intelligence companies do not know how to keep AI systems from pursuing objectives their developers did not assign, whistleblower Jacob Coxon, a former OpenAI and Anthropic employee, warned yesterday. “Companies are being extremely reckless given the stakes,” Coxon told local lawmakers at a hearing before the New York City Council.
Thailand is seeking to turn its food, entertainment, wellness sector and recognizable cultural symbols into longer-lasting economic influence, as competition for visitors across Southeast Asia intensifies.
Siam Legal International, a Thailand-based law firm, has published a step-by-step arrival checklist for first-time visitors to Thailand, covering the entry process from passport condition and pre-arrival paperwork to the documents immigration officers may request at the counter. The guide reflects entry procedures as of October 2026 and sets out each stage in the order travelers generally encounter it.
Bangkok’s Yaowarat is preparing for the 2026 Vegetarian Festival, with the traditional nine-day vegetarian observance running from Oct. 10–18, while the main Yaowarat festival runs from Oct. 9–18.
Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have launched a joint action plan to tackle seasonal haze and forest fires that cause serious air pollution across the Mekong sub-region. The trilateral initiative was launched by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the governments of Lao PDR and Myanmar.
Vietnamese police have arrested 12 men accused of stealing nearly 2,700 cats during night raids into residential neighborhoods, taking the pets to be slaughtered for food, police and state media said yesterday. Consumption of dogs and cats is legal in Vietnam, where many restaurants openly advertise the meat, but vendors are required to obtain certificates showing the origin of the animals. 
A Khao Tao power outage is scheduled for tomorrow from 9 am to 5 pm, affecting residents and businesses in parts of the area.
Officials to keep tabs on Hua Hin beachfront demolition
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Phetchaburi Province and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) have officially launched Hua Hin–Cha-am MICE City, presenting the neighboring destinations as one choice for meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions.
Water released from Pranburi Reservoir
Erik Brown, Tham Luang cave rescue diver, dies at 44
Canadian cave diver Erik Brown, who helped rescue the Wild Boars football team and their coach from Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai in 2018, has died aged 44. Brown’s family and friends announced his death, but did not give the precise date and cause of death, or any further details.
Thailand has sharply widened its foreign nominee crackdown, sending details of over 100,000 foreign-linked companies to 43 embassies covering 48 nationalities. The move comes as officials trace investment funds, property holdings and corporate structures nationwide. Separate screening covers 125,622 companies, while 36,277 foreign-invested firms hold over 305,000 land plots.
Chai Nat-Gulf canal plan faces Bangkok flood doubts
Flooding in Thailand has forced Toyota Motor to halt operations at four factories temporarily. A Toyota spokesperson said flooding had disrupted parts deliveries to the company’s factories in Thailand.
Farmers in the Bua Yai district of Nakhon Ratchasima are primarily struggling with severe drought conditions that are threatening their rice crops. This lack of sufficient water has left many rice fields unable to survive, forcing some farmers to release water into their fields to save crops or face losing their entire harvest.
Thailand’s long-awaited US trade deal has hit a serious hiatus as conflicting accounts emerge from Bangkok’s top negotiators. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says an agreement has been reached in principle. Yet, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow says market access remains the key issue.
Thailand is preparing a new 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan for 2028–2032 that places digital technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced electronics and cleaner energy at the center of the country’s next development cycle. The government seeks to reposition Thailand as a higher-value investment and production base.
Phuket developers are promoting long-term residence visas and registered property-use rights to attract foreign residents and investors, as the island’s property market cools after several years of rapid growth.
Bangkok has recorded one of the strongest increases in luxury residential prices among major global cities over the past decade, with values rising by about 75%, according to Savills Research.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised its 2026 GDP growth projection for Thailand from 1.8% to 2.0%, primarily citing a robust performance in the export sector. This growth is particularly driven by strong performance in the technology and electronics industries.
A World Economic Forum report on ASEAN’s digital economy highlights the gap between digital ambition and practical execution, positioning Thailand’s leadership as pivotal. Having chaired negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) across 14 rounds culminating in 2026, Thailand now faces the challenge of translating this agreement into functional cross-border systems for payments, digital identity, and data governance.
Suvarnabhumi Cargo Terminal Stays Open as Thai Airways Clears 8,000 Delayed Bags
Living in Thailand does not mean your estate exists only in Thailand. An expat may own a Thai condominium, maintain bank accounts offshore, hold US shares through an international platform and have pensions or property in their home country.
A retiree who ditched Australia for a “better life” in Thailand has revealed how he “lives like a king” for roughly $65 a day and is now helping other older Aussies do the same.
US President Donald Trump unveiled what he called a “damn good” AI chatbot, but it quickly drew attention for contradicting some of his contentious political claims. A day later, however, it stopped answering some political questions. 
Japan has toughened requirements for foreigners wanting to obtain permanent residency. Under new rules that will come into effect in stages, foreign residents wishing to stay in Japan permanently will have to prove their annual income is above average and they can carry casual conversations in Japanese. 
Switzerland’s glaciers, which are disproportionately impacted by climate change, have lost nearly 20% of their mass in five years, experts said today, with 2026 registering the second-biggest melt on record. 
Hua Hin ready to clear beach after decades-long dispute
Thai teenage rock musician Nene Royal is extending her breakthrough on America’s Got Talent into US television appearances and major concert opportunities, days after becoming the first Thai contestant to win the competition.
Iran offered a plan to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Tehran said yesterday, but within hours reports indicated that US President Donald Trump rejected the proposal.
With the Iran war causing energy prices to spike across most of Southeast Asia, governments in this region are accelerating the roll-out of renewable energy policies, according to report by Zero Carbon Analytics, a research group focused on energy transition.
Thailand’s customs-cleared exports rose 24.3% in August from a year earlier, driven by strong shipments to the United States and continuing demand for electronics, the Commerce Ministry said yesterday.
Speaking at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a statement under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All,” marking 80 years of Thai membership in the organization.
For most of the past two decades, the Thailand-China relationship was defined by trade volume and Chinese manufacturing relocation. Increasingly, it is defined by something else: the transfer of Chinese technology, standards, and industrial know-how directly into the operating base of the Thai economy.
Thailand is preparing to open its 26th petroleum exploration and production bidding round in the Andaman Sea as part of efforts to increase domestic gas supplies, reduce dependence on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and strengthen long-term energy security.
Phuket has been voted the leading wellness destination by Canadian travelers in Air Canada Vacations’ 2026 Travelers’ Top Picks Awards. The result was announced at the company’s Toronto Product Launch at Universal Event Space in Toronto, Canada.
Those darn elephants! Being the smallest means you’re never walking alone
How the ‘Three-Water City’ is rewriting the rules of travel
Phuket expects this year’s Vegetarian Festival to generate at least 1.4 billion baht in economic activity. Visitors from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and Singapore are expected to be the primary groups attending the festival.
Thailand recorded the highest electrified vehicle (xEV) sales among ASEAN-6 markets in the first half of 2026, with volumes rising 47% year on year to 206,000 units, according to PwC. Sales outpaced Vietnam at 127,000 units and Indonesia at 114,000 units, reinforcing Thailand’s position as a leading regional hub for electric mobility.
US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a lavish summit that was heavy on symbolism but light on substance, with no sign of breakthroughs on thorny issues such as AI, trade, Taiwan and the war with Iran. 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative speech at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, defending Israel’s actions in the region as dozens of delegates walked out of the chamber in protest. 
Thai teen Nene Royal wins AGT 2026 title
A survey reveals that Thais are sparking thought-provoking discussions on “flexible retirement,” disregarding the traditional 60-year retirement age, but warning of the risk of financial insufficiency.
Brent crude settled 3.86% higher at US$103.08 a barrel after volatile trading yesterday, as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected surrender to the United States while maintaining his support for diplomacy.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised its forecast for Thailand’s economic growth in 2026 to 2.0% from the 1.8% projected in July, supported by technology and electronics exports and a strong global investment cycle in artificial intelligence (AI). Growth is forecast at 1.9% in 2027.
AirAsia and other budget airlines serving Thailand are facing renewed pressure on costs and cash flow after the global average jet fuel price rose 7.4% to US$194.90 a barrel in the week ending Sept. 18. The increase is particularly difficult for carriers that sold tickets before fuel costs surged.
Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X will resume temporarily suspended international services and increase flight frequencies in the fourth quarter of 2026, offering direct flights to as many as 46 cities across 53 routes to meet year-end travel demand.
Where to Stay in Chiang Rai: 3 Best Areas & Hotels
Planning a trip to Chiang Rai and wondering which part of the city is best to stay in? We’ve got you covered! We loved how laid-back Chiang Rai felt compared to some of Thailand’s bigger cities, but there’s still plenty to see here, from colorful temples and night markets to mountain scenery. Although the city itself is fairly compact, where you stay can make a big difference to how easy it is to get around.
Extreme heat caused by this year’s “super-El Niño” could result in as many as 451,000 excess deaths across the globe from June this year to February 2027, researchers with the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab said yesterday. The number of extremely hot days is likely to rise by 44% compared to normal years, Climate Impact Lab said.
The tsunami-like flood that cut a swathe of destruction through Nepal on Aug. 26 has left the Himalayan nation grappling with heavy losses and mounting reconstruction needs. On Aug. 26 at 8.37 am, a mass of ice and rock broke away from the north face of Nepal’s Langtang Lirung mountain, sending a huge mass of debris racing down the valley. 
Happiness may be subjective, but living on lush tropical islands and eating delicious food is probably a good formula for the emotion when living abroad. And foreigners in Thailand appear to be the happiest of all.
Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony returns to Hua Hin Saturday
Be Well Medical Center and BPK9 International Hospital are teaming up to host an interactive health seminar in Hua Hin focusing on common vascular diseases and circulation problems.
Grab is expanding its airport services to prepare for the fourth-quarter travel peak, a period when its airport ride bookings typically increase by 35% to 40% compared to non-peak times. To manage this anticipated surge, the company has expanded its pick-up area at Suvarnabhumi airport from three lanes to 12 lanes and introduced new booking tools, including a feature called NIP.
The competition in Thailand’s logistics and express-delivery market has shifted from price and scale toward faster, more reliable, and specialized services. This transition is driven by economic pressures, rising fuel costs, and increasing consumer expectations for service quality and reliability.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft Cannabis Control Act that would place tighter controls on cultivation, sales and medical prescribing. The proposal must now go before the House of Representatives.
Thailand is confronting a renewed energy-security challenge as the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz pushes global LNG prices to about US$28 per million British thermal units, close to levels seen during the Russia-Ukraine energy shock. Thailand is responding by accelerating domestic gas exploration, reviewing LNG procurement strategy and seeking to diversify away from spot-market exposure.
Assoc Prof. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics said yesterday the university had prepared an economic and international trade policy analysis of the Thai Household Cost of Living Index (CLI) for the third quarter of 2026 and the fourth-quarter outlook, titled “The impact of oil prices on Thai living costs”.
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a 43-billion-baht relief package yesterday, extending Thais Help Thais Plus through November and raising welfare-card support for October. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the measures would ease energy-related living costs and help keep Thailand’s 2026 growth on track for 2.5%.
The cabinet has endorsed a strategic plan for the Oil Fuel Fund and a fuel crisis response plan covering 2026-29 with wider use of biofuels made from domestic raw materials to help deal with volatility in global energy markets.
Thailand’s Greater Bangkok housing market is showing an increasingly sharp divide, with condominium sales rebounding while low-rise housing remains weighed down by weak purchasing power, tight lending conditions and a prolonged inventory overhang.
Healthcare in Thailand is expanding its medical tourism services, which include hospital healthcare, preventive health services, wellness programs, and tourism services, for international tourists in both Bangkok and Phuket.
It’s the holiday hotspot that draws in billions of dollars with the promise of sun, sand and sex. Police promise Pattaya is one of the safest cities in Thailand. But the shocking killing of a teenage girl earlier this year exposed the dark underbelly of the city’s sex industry.
Trips to Thailand booked by Russian tourists through the end of the year could face disruptions amid a rise in reported COVID-19 cases. Some Russian travelers who have already paid for holidays at Thai resorts between October and December have reportedly been warned about possible problems with their trips as infections increase.
Brent and US crude futures settled about 1% higher yesterday, with fresh strikes on Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure and attacks on Middle Eastern shipping intensifying concerns over global supplies.
Gastech 2026 panellists in Bangkok warned yesterday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would not immediately restore normal gas supplies, with damaged facilities and disrupted shipping requiring time to recover.
Yesterday, Nestlé (Thailand) took a stand on its Southeast Asian growth strategy, signaling to global investors that even a multi-billion-dollar legal breakdown with its long-standing local partner will not derail its operational roadmap.
Thailand ends its 60-day visa exemption today, replacing it with 30-day and 15-day schemes, a shorter visa on arrival list and tighter limits at land borders. Thailand’s revised tourist entry rules change how long millions of foreign visitors can stay without arranging a visa before departure.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched Nihao Month 2026 to encourage Chinese visitors to travel to Thailand during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Golden Week holiday marking China’s National Day on Oct. 1.
Chiang Mai Airport handled more than 6.53 million passengers in the first eight months of 2026, with international travel rising 14% year-on-year. The airport expects passenger numbers to reach about 9.97 million for the full year as the winter flight schedule begins in late October.
Marine researchers recorded a peak of 278 adult blacktip reef sharks gathering near the shore of Maya Bay early this month, setting a record high for the 2026 fiscal year and providing strong evidence of ecological recovery during the bay’s annual closure, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
The concept of a luxury home in Thailand has moved well beyond the postcard image of a beachfront villa with an infinity pool. Industry estimates value the country’s luxury residential segment at roughly USD73.7 billion in 2025, with continued growth projected through the next decade as rising regional wealth, tourism recovery, and international demand for premium living converge.
Central Pattaya, a global beachfront landmark in the heart of Pattaya, has invited runners and travelers from around the world to join the Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race 2026: Run the wave. Own the night on Oct. 31. Celebrating its 10th anniversary under the theme “The Sunset to Moonlight Beach Race,” the 5K race will bring thousands of runners to the sands of Pattaya Beach for a one-of-a-kind night combining sunset running, music, entertainment and Pattaya’s vibrant beach lifestyle.
The US Supreme Court dealt a major blow yesterday to President Donald Trump’s attempts to restrict mail-in voting before the November midterm elections, denying his request to lift an order halting the divisive plan. Only two of the six conservative justices on the nine-member panel offered a dissent.