- Foreign property owners in Hua Hin face scrutiny/Huahin Surf Paradise/Swedish Drug Suspect Arrested in Hua Hin/Rama II Road sinkhole repair/ITD faces mounting pressure/Bangkok crime rates drop
- ECONOMY: Blueprint for 14th plan to lift GDP/Waiting game on US tariffs/40 million workers ‘getting a poor deal’/The new global power
- TOURISM: Chaos as 121 flights cancelled or delayed/Fake news on visa-free entry rules/Phuket Airport Soars/Cable car project moves ahead/Nudist resort sparks controversy/Borders, barriers, and business
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Bangkok’s Chinatown brims with art/Sakon Nakhon: Thailand’s quiet soul
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Incense used to start cane fires/Changan ramps up battery EV production
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Foreign property owners in Hua Hin face scrutiny under nominee crackdown
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.
The seminar, titled “2026 Expat Crackdown: What Every Expat Must Understand”, was organized by MBMG Group and Hua Hin Accounting & Law at the G Hotel. It brought together long-term foreign residents, legal advisers, and accountants to explain how enforcement has shifted from periodic checks to sustained, data-driven investigations. Continued …
Huahin Surf Paradise set for February 21-22
Huahin Surf Paradise 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach on Feb. 21-22, with organizers in Hua Hin promoting the weekend as a mix of surf competition, community activities, and live entertainment aimed at drawing both residents and visitors.
Now in its fifth consecutive year, Huahin Surf Paradise 2026 is being presented by Rising Creation and organized by Pineapple Surf Club, a local group that began the event in 2021 with the aim of building a surfing community and highlighting Hua Don–Hua Hin Beach as a spot for board sports. Continued …
Swedish Drug Suspect on Interpol List Arrested in Hua Hin
Immigration police have arrested a Swedish national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice on serious drug charges after locating him at a condominium in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The suspect, identified as Mr Noa, had been hiding in Thailand for about one year after fleeing Sweden, according to authorities. His arrest led to the immediate revocation of his permission to stay in the Kingdom and his detention under immigration law. Continued …
Rama II Road sinkhole repair advances, one lane reopened
Repairs to Rama II Road were nearly complete after a burst water main caused a subsidence on the inbound frontage lane to Bangkok, and one of the closed lanes was expected to reopen later yesterdayy afternoon. Full access was expected to have been restored by midday today.
The Samut Sakhon district highway office said it was coordinating with Highway Police in filling the hole and stabilizing the damaged section near kilometer marker 29+300 on the inbound frontage road in Muang district. Continued …
ITD faces mounting pressure as projects stall, debentures extended and credit cut
Italian-Thai Development Public Co. (ITD) is facing its heaviest pressure in years, following a string of serious incidents on major construction projects, alongside a large debenture debt burden, an operating recovery that has yet to prove sustainable, and credit risks reflected in rating downgrades. The company’s financial position and market confidence are now being closely watched by both the capital market and regulators.
On Jan. 14, a construction crane accident occurred on the Thai-China high-speed rail project in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima, when a crane lifting a concrete segment dropped it onto a train, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. Continued …
Bangkok crime rates drop 17% in 2025, arrests increase
Bangkok recorded a 17% decline in crime rates in 2025, alongside increased arrest rates. This reflected more proactive and targeted policing by the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), according to MPB Commissioner Siam Boonsom. He reported a significant year-on-year reduction in overall criminal cases across the capital.
In total, 76,744 criminal cases were reported in Bangkok in 2025. This marked a decrease of more than 16,000 cases, or approximately 17%. This was in comparison with the previous year. Police solved nearly 90% of all cases and arrested more than 85% of suspects. Continued …
Blueprint for 14th plan to lift GDP and break low-growth trap
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), has outlined Thailand’s economic direction, as the agency drafts the 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan, which is scheduled to take effect from 2028 to 2032.
He said the central objective of the 14th plan is to boost national economic growth, arguing that without sufficient growth the country will struggle to distribute benefits and welfare effectively across different groups. Continued …
Waiting game on US tariffs takes a toll
As the US Supreme Court holds off on a ruling on the Trump tariffs, the world waits and analysts anticipate trade with the US will continue despite some importers being skittish about placing large orders.
Some analysts speculate the court is likely to rule against US President Donald Trump, though the administration is expected to explore alternative approaches to impose tariffs on select products. Continued …
40 million workers said ‘getting a poor deal’
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.
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) teamed up with Thammasat University, the Friends of Women Foundation, and a broad network of civil society organizations to press parties to place labor and health rights high on their agenda ahead of the general election, during an academic forum held yesterday at Thammasat University. Continued …
Energy, critical minerals, semiconductors the new global power
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.
The United States, as the world’s dominant power, is actively reshaping the global order by redesigning supply chains to secure strategic advantage. The objective is clear: reduce dependence on geopolitical rivals, particularly China, while locking access to key resources within trusted alliances. This is not economic policy in the traditional sense. It is geopolitics by other means. Continued …
Chaos as 121 flights cancelled or delayed
On Saturday, Thailand experienced 121 flight cancellations and delays, hitting Suvarnabhumi Airport (393 delays, 5 cancellations), Don Mueang Airport (366 delays), Phuket Intl Airport (170 delays), Chiang Mai Intl Airport (93 delays), Samui Airport (48 delays, 2 cancellations), and Krabi Intl Airport (44 delays).
The most affected airlines included Thai AirAsia (273 delays), Thai Lion Air (146 delays), Thai VietJet Air (109 delays), Thai Airways (102 delays, 2 cancellations), and Bangkok Airways (84 delays, 6 cancellations). Other popular carriers not among the worst hit but still impacted included Malaysia Airlines, Scoot, IndiGO, China Eastern, Vietnam Airlines, and AirAsia. Continued …
Thai ministry warns of fake news on visa-free entry rules
Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has warned the public about a false claim circulating online that new rules limit visa-free entry for foreign nationals to twice a year.
Wetang Puangsup, spokesman for the ministry, said the warning followed monitoring and reports handled by the Anti-Fake News Center of Thailand, in line with government policy to prevent and address security and social threats. The ministry has prioritized raising public awareness of technology-related crime, fake news, and disinformation. Continued …
Phuket Airport Soars with Booming Tourism and Flights
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.
In 2025, the airport managed 106,581 flights, including 48,762 domestic and 57,819 international services, marking a 2.8% rise from 103,675 flights the previous year. Passenger traffic also climbed to 17.4 million, including 6.6 million domestic travelers and 10 million international visitors, which represents a 1.5% increase over 2024. Continued …
Phu Kradueng cable car project moves ahead, set for completion in 2028
The Phu Kradueng cable car project is on the move despite decades of debate, after memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed. With the environmental impact assessment (EIA) expected by mid-year, the cable car is tentatively set for completion in 2028.
Two MoUs were signed on Friday by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), together with the faculty of architecture of Chulalongkorn University, to support the systematic development of tourism areas and academic research in Phu Kradueng National Park. Continued …
Unnamed nudist resort sparks controversy
An online buzz erupted as netizens scrambled to locate a mysterious nudist resort in Thailand after a woman shared her experience there. The resort, previously unknown to many Thais, is a naturist haven where guests are required to be nude at all times during activities. The woman’s post, paired with photos and videos, has opened many eyes to this unusual escape.
The woman revealed that strict rules govern this resort. Guests must remain unclothed while walking, swimming, sunbathing, and using communal spaces. Harsh regulations are in place to ensure safety, including bans on photography without consent and prohibitions of sexual activities in public areas. Continued …
Borders, barriers, and business
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.
Although the policy has been described as temporary, the absence of a defined end date has fueled uncertainty and raised more profound questions about trust, reliability and the future direction of international mobility. Continued …
Bangkok’s Chinatown brims with succulent food and even better art
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.
However, in recent times, queues have developed next to the shop, for photos with Steamed Buns, a vibrant mural depicting Gu Long Bao’s specialties. This isn’t a one-off; Chinatown is now known as much for its art as it is for its food. Continued …
Sakon Nakhon: Thailand’s quiet soul beyond the familiar
Sakon Nakhon is a city rooted in ancient traditions. Temples here do not just exist as places of worship; they tell stories from history. The famed indigo dyeing industry, organic farm-to-table food, and produce sourced straight from local farms form the backbone of everyday life.
Home-grown rice varieties and handcrafted alcohol, locally known as white spirit, distilled from coconut flowers, are not just products, but proud symbols of Sakon Nakhon’s identity. Continued …
Slow-burn incense used to start deniable, illegal cane fires
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.
Officials reported numerous incidents of burning-off sugarcane fields, including a major fire on 50-rai of land in Koh Manoa subdistrict of Bamnet Narong district. Bundles of burned incense sticks were later found at the scene. They were believed to have been used as slow-burning igniters to delay detection, officials said. Continued …
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Changan ramps up battery EV production in Thailand
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 company set an annual production capacity for the second phase of 100,000 units, matching the output target of the first phase, which ran through 2025. Continued …
- Bangkok Police Arrest Three Vietnamese Men With Guns and Drugs – Continued …
- Wat Pha Lat Urges Respect After Tourists Perform Yoga Poses – Continued …
- Chinese National Arrested in Pattaya E-Cigarette Sting – Continued …
Surging billionaire wealth a political threat, Oxfam warns as Davos opens
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. Continued …
Hua Hin Links
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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.
Authorities are closely monitoring developments after a road collapse on Rama II Road caused major disruption this morning, with traffic at a standstill and a citywide water outage declared in Samut Sakhon.
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. 
On long weekends, the road from Bangkok to Hua Hin resembles a faulty production line. City dwellers racing to beat the rush, often end up cooled by car air conditioning instead of ocean winds.
3 Beachside Cities Where You Can Retire On US Social Security Alone
The ultimate event for wine lovers and industry professionals is set to return as the Hua Hin Wine Expo 2026 announces its official schedule and line-up. Hosted at the Amari Hua Hin, the two-day event Jan. 15-16, will offer an immersive experience, combining high-level wine education with an extensive showcase of global vintages.
The Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Election Commission has reported strong voter turnout in the latest elections for subdistrict administrative organizations (SAO), with more than 72% of eligible voters casting their ballots.
Unsafe levels of ultrafine dust covered 59 provinces, while red and seriously harmful levels of smog blanketed Greater Bangkok this morning, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
Thai exports are expected to grow by 2%-4% this year due to foreign investment, particularly in the electronics sector, according to the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC).
The Thai Tourist Police have launched an effort to improve services to visitors around the Grand Palace, aiming to tackle issues of overcharging and passenger refusals. This comprehensive strategy involves coordination with multiple government sectors and seeks to boost the image of this key national attraction.
Bangkok or Singapore: which megacity should be next on your travel list?
Guided by the Ministry of Energy of Thailand, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the ASEAN Smart Energy & Energy Storage Expo 2026 will return from March 25–27 at the IMPACT Exhibition Center, Bangkok.
US President Donald Trump has drawn a wave of criticism for his actions in Venezuela, violations of international law, disdain for longstanding norms, and threats against other countries – not least allies like Denmark and Canada. Around the world, there is a palpable sense of uncertainty and foreboding. But it should already be obvious that things will not end well, neither for the United States nor the rest of the world. 
The European Union’s defense and space commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, has warned that any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland by military force would effectively mark the end of NATO and trigger serious consequences for transatlantic relations. 
President Donald Trump said yesterday any country that does business with Iran will face a tariff rate of 25% on trade with the United States, as Washington weighs a response to the situation in Iran, which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years. 
In 2026, Thailand is expected to complete one of the most significant transformations in its immigration system, the abolition of passport stamping and the full adoption of a 100% digital immigration platform.
International Living magazine has identified the five most affordable places to live or retire in 2026, which scored the highest in the cost-of-living category of its 2026 Global Retirement Index. It evaluated retirement destinations across climate, healthcare, visa and lifestyle, along with cost.
Thailand is tightening its grip on gold trading to curb its impact on the baht. Authorities plan to cap daily online gold trading between 100 million and 200 million baht, as announced by the Bank of Thailand. Additionally, a cap on foreign currency transactions at money changers is set at 800,000 baht daily.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has detailed a high-stakes strategy to revitalize the nation’s economy, appointing global icon Lalisa Manobal — known professionally as LISA — as its ‘Amazing Thailand Ambassador’ for 2026. The partnership is the cornerstone of an ambitious plan to attract an additional five to 10 million ‘high-quality’ international travelers.
A grayscale sky is showing signs of life over slumbering waves, with sunshine breaking through clouds that had earlier brought steamy tropical rain to the northeast coast of Koh Samui.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. will seize control of Greenland “the easy way” or “the hard way” and warned that he won’t miss out on the opportunity to Russia or China. “We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” he said. 
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province has begun preparations for a potential drought and domestic water shortages after authorities reported low water reserves and a forecast of below-average rainfall in the coming months.
Well-known virologist Yong Poovorawan has warned that a mutating influenza strain A H3N2 is spreading in Thailand. It is more resistant to vaccines but does not increase in severity.
Sarah Sajedi was walking along a beach on Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands when she noticed plastic fragments mixed into the sand beneath her feet. “I was standing there looking out at this gorgeous view of the Andaman Sea, and then I looked down and beneath my feet were all these pieces of plastic, most of them water bottles,” she recalls.
Assoc. Prof. Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, said Thailand has entered “technical deflation” after headline inflation stayed negative for nine consecutive months. He said economists typically define technical deflation as a sustained fall in prices for more than six months.
Despite a recent surge in trade with the United States, Thailand’s economic outlook for 2026 is overshadowed by two looming “high-stakes” risks. Supanutt Sasiwuttiwat, a leading researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), warns that new American trade enforcement could see Thai goods slapped with tariffs as high as 40%.
Khao Yai: Wineries, Wildlife and Organic Farms
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has set a target to reduce burning in agricultural areas by 15% this year to address the PM2.5 dust problem, as well as emphasizing a prohibition on importing crops produced using the burning method, especially corn, from neighboring countries to prevent cross-border PM2.5 pollution.
For 50 years, the automotive sector has been the crown jewel of Thai industry, accounting for roughly 10% of the nation’s GDP. But as the world pivots to electric vehicles (EVs), Thailand’s traditional dominance is being challenged by a leaner, faster neighbor.
Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, and GAC, a global pioneer in smart electric mobility, have forged a strategic partnership to deploy an initial 20,000 high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) across the region.
The fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Minnesota mother by a U.S. immigration agent has put the city of Minneapolis and much of the United States on edge, with the potential of becoming another flashpoint in a polarized country. 
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has strongly criticized US foreign policy under President Donald Trump and urged natio not to let the world order disintegrate into a “den of robbers” where the unscrupulous take what they want. 
President Donald Trump is withdrawing the United States from a foundational climate treaty as part of a sweeping exit from collective global action, the White House announced on Wednesday. A total of 66 global organizations and treaties — roughly half affiliated with the United Nations — were listed in a White House memorandum as “contrary to the interests of the United States”. 
Jan. 1 marked a decade since China repealed its one-child policy. Just 10 days earlier, Peng Peiyun, who long oversaw the often-brutal enforcement of China’s family-planning rules, died at the age of 96, having never been held accountable for her actions. Some obituaries praised Peng for being “reform-minded”, even though, in practice, she only perpetuated an utterly inhumane policy, whose consequences have barely begun to materialize. 
Expat Thailand 2025: Open Doors, Uneven Rules
AIS launches simple SMS scam reporting service via 1185
Indian Boycott Calls Grow After Hindu Statue Damage Near Thai Border
Thailand offers 39 free camping sites for new year holidays
Brigitte Bardot, the French 1960s sex symbol who became one of the greatest screen sirens of the 20th century and later a militant animal rights activist and far-right supporter, has died. She was 91. 
Strong baht threatens Thailand’s tourism price competitiveness
Thailand promotes festivals to global audiences with new campaign
‘US Plus One’ trade strategy gains ground
DayOne to expand Thailand data center, use power from floating solar
