- More rain expected locally/Blessing of the Fleet ceremony/Vascular health discussed/Thailand flood news/Thailand to tighten ride-hailing checks/Chateau de Loei ends wine production/LISA Leads MTV Video Music Awards/Nene Royal returns home
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran warns US/Gulf’s War Is Now Southeast Asia’s Problem/
- ECNOMY: Thailand-US tariff talks/Economy Forces Many to Cut Back on Food
- TOURISM: Thailand’s high season test begins/Five Phuket hotels ordered shut
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Government defends solar sector/Oversight of waste-to-energy plants
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
More rain expected locally, flood concerns aired
Authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been ordered to closely monitor heavy rain and water conditions and prepare to assist residents if flooding or other disasters occur.
The government cited forecasts of rain-bearing systems moving westward through Wednesday, bringing heavy rain to many areas and potentially very heavy rain in some locations. Continued …
Hua Hin holds Blessing of the Fleet ceremony
Residents and visitors gathered at Hua Hin’s Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine on Saturday for the traditional Ship to Sea ceremony.
The Hua Hin Fishing Community Committee organised the Sea Misfortune-Casting Ceremony alongside merit-making for the shrine, beside the Hilton Hua Hin hotel. Continued …
Vascular health discussed at Hua Hin seminar
Recognizing the warning signs of blood clots, strokes and poor circulation was the focus of a Hua Hin seminar held by Be Well Medical Center and Bangpakok 9 International Hospital on Saturday.
The event, titled “Common Vascular Diseases & Disorders”, took place at iSanook Hotel in Khao Takiab. It covered prevention, symptoms and treatment, alongside advice on when patients should seek specialist or emergency care. Continued …
Thailand floods hit 174,000 families, eight dead
Flooding has affected more than 174,000 families across 25 provinces and all 50 Bangkok districts, with eight deaths reported, Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said yesterday.
Flooding had reached 128 districts, 587 subdistricts and 2,500 villages. DDPM recorded 174,803 affected families, or 545,022 people, in the 25 provinces and Bangkok. Heavy rain, combined with water flowing south from northern Thailand into the central region, had caused the widespread flooding. Continued …
Thailand unlikely to see 2011-scale floods, experts say
Thailand is “virtually impossible” to face a repeat of the 2011 flood disaster this year, according to two disaster and environmental specialists, despite heavy rain and flooding in parts of the country.
Assoc. Prof. Seree Supratid of Rangsit University’s Climate Change and Disaster Center and Asst. Prof. Thon Thamrongnawasawat of Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Fisheries said current conditions differ sharply from 2011. However, they urged people to watch for run-off in western Thailand and intense local downpours known as “rain bombs”. Continued …
Commerce Ministry coordinates essential supplies in flood-hit areas
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT), under the Ministry of Commerce, is coordinating retailers, convenience stores, fresh markets, wholesale markets and local department stores to ensure essential consumer goods remain available as flooding disrupts travel and distribution in some areas.
The department’s director-general, Wittayakorn Maneenetr, explained that residents in some flood-affected areas had increased their purchases to build up reserves. Continued …
Bangkok shoppers stock up as flooding empties convenience-store shelves
Heavy rain and widespread flooding across Bangkok have prompted residents to stock up on food and essential goods, leaving shelves empty at some convenience stores and neighborhood shops amid concerns over travel disruption and possible shortages.
Shopping conditions in Bangkok were surveyed after continuous rain from the early hours of Friday lasted for more than 30 hours, causing flooding in several areas awaiting drainage. Continued …
Thailand warns retailers against price hikes amid floods
The Thai government has warned retailers against unjustified price hikes and hoarding essential goods as flooding affects Bangkok and other parts of the country. Businesses that raise prices without justification face up to seven years in prison.
Deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksamisaengchan announced the warning yesterday, saying the government was closely monitoring flooding and had instructed agencies to coordinate relief efforts for affected residents. Continued …
Airlines offer free flight changes, credits amid Bangkok flooding
Airlines have introduced special measures for passengers affected by flooding and severe traffic congestion in Bangkok, including free flight changes and travel credits.
Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X are allowing passengers booked on flights to or from Bangkok from Sept 26-28 to change their flight once free of charge. The new travel date must be within seven days of the original date and will be subject to seat availability. Alternatively, passengers may retain the full ticket value as a credit against future travel. Continued …
Rayong flood alert widens as dam and reservoir raise concerns
Authorities in Rayong have ordered residents in at-risk areas to evacuate urgently after damage was reported at the spillway of Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir, also known as Khao Chuk Dam, while a separate warning has been issued over critically high water at Prasae Reservoir.
The Thung Khwai Kin Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) in Klaeng district warned on that part of the Khao Chuk Dam spillway structure had been damaged, raising fears of a possible breach and rapid downstream flooding. Residents in affected areas were told to evacuate within one hour. Continued …
Bangkok bears brunt of estimated 25.3-billion-baht Thai flood losses
Assoc. Prof. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics estimates that flooding across 48 provinces, including Bangkok, during Sept. 24–27, could cause economic losses of 25.345 billion baht under a moderate-damage scenario.
Bangkok accounts for the largest share of that estimate, at 10.586 billion baht, as flooding disrupts commerce, services and travel. Business leaders have warned that many companies were unprepared for the intensity and duration of the inundation. Continued …
Bangkok floodwater eases after affecting 329,000 households
Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said rainfall across the capital was beginning to ease on today, allowing the city to focus on lowering water levels in major canals and accelerating drainage from flooded roads and communities.
Chadchart said the low-pressure system responsible for the intense rain of the previous two to three days had moved away, reducing the likelihood of rainfall on the same scale. Bangkok had recorded accumulated rainfall of more than 300 millimeters in some areas during the prolonged downpour. Continued …
Bangkok’s 48-hour deluge exposes limits of city drainage system
More than 300 millimeters of accumulated rain over Bangkok during Sept. 25–26 has exposed the limits of the capital’s drainage infrastructure and prompted experts to call for a fundamental reassessment of how the city prepares for extreme rainfall.
The prolonged downpour lasted for more than two days and inundated major roads even though there was no significant influx of upstream water into Bangkok. Continued …
Flooding causes severe baggage problems at Suvranabhumi Airport
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul rushed to Suvarnabhumi Airport today as a crippling baggage crisis entered its third day. Passengers waited up to six hours while exhausted Thai Airways crews battled mountains of stranded luggage after flooding stopped replacement workers reaching the airport.
Broken baggage carts deepened the breakdown, forcing office staff and managers into ground operations as military personnel were deployed. Officials warned the backlog could take another two to three days to clear. Continued …
Khlong Chan residents plead for food and water amid floods – Continued …
Bangkok region gets flood holiday and free expressways – Continued …
Khao Yai park closure extended after bridge collapse – Continued …
Chinese driver pulled out of car swept into canal during Rayong flooding – Continued …
Chanthaburi floods reach one meter, villagers evacuate – Continued …
Bangkok rain drives commuters onto packed trains – Continued …
Taxi carrying foreigner swept off by floodwaters on Sa Kaeo road – Continued …
Four 2-meter crocodiles loose in flooded Sa Kaeo – Continued …
Two missing after pickup swept away when Kanchanaburi weir collapses – Continued …
Thailand to tighten ride-hailing checks from Thursday
Thailand will begin tougher enforcement of rules covering ride-hailing apps, drivers and vehicles on Thursday, the Ministry of Transport has announced.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat chaired a meeting on the measures with Department of Land Transport Director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong and representatives from eight platforms: Grab, Bolt, inDrive, TADA, MAXIM, LINE MAN, Lalamove and FINGOGO. Continued …
Chateau de Loei ends wine production in Loei
Thailand’s pioneering premium wine label Chateau de Loei has formally ended wine production and stopped growing grapes for winemaking at its site in Phu Ruea district, Loei province.
Excise officials destroyed remaining wine and spirits at the factory last week as part of the legal closure process. The estate is now moving its land and business toward alternative agriculture and processed produce. Continued …
LISA Leads Historic Night at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
Thai global icon LISA, Lalisa Manoban, made history at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards yesterday, becoming the first K-pop solo artist to win the coveted Best Pop award.
The Blackpink star secured the major category with her cinematic music video “Dream”, featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi. The landmark victory came amidst fierce competition from music industry heavyweights, including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tate McRae. Continued …
Nene Royal returns home to a grand Phuket welcome
The Phuket girl who recently busked at night markets in her native Thailand received a grand welcome from crowds of fans and local residents yesterday after winning America’s Got Talent and gaining fans around the world.
Nene Royal, 16, whose real name is Rattikan Amloy, made history by becoming the first Thai to win America’s Got Talent Season 21, taking home the US$1 million prize. Nene arrived in Phuket at about 10:50 am yesterday and was greeted at the airport by a large crowd, including her grandmother. Continued …
Iran warns US after Trump rejects seven-day Hormuz plan
Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said yesterday that Iran’s armed forces were fully prepared to confront any renewed US attack, according to Iranian state media.
Akraminia warned that the United States would suffer greater damage if it attacked Iran again. His remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had rejected Tehran’s seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the fighting. Continued …
Beijing Envoy: The Gulf’s War Is Now Southeast Asia’s Problem
Some 6,000 kilometers separate the anchorage off Hormuz from a petrol station forecourt in Nonthaburi. In 2026, that distance has counted for very little.
On Friday, Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on Middle East issues, stood before delegates at the 17th FutureChina Global Forum and made the connection explicit. The conflict convulsing the Gulf, he argued, is no longer a regional security file. It is a Southeast Asian economic emergency arriving by sea, in the form of freight invoices, insurance premiums and pump prices. Continued …
Thailand’s K-Shaped Economy Forces Many to Cut Back on Food
Thailand is attracting billions of baht in investment into data centers, electronics and advanced industries, while household finances remain under pressure. A government survey found that 32.8% of respondents had reduced the number of meals they eat or were eating less. Almost two-thirds were buying cheaper food or waiting for discounts.
The figures come from the Department of Health’s Anamai Poll, which surveyed 941 people under the title “How to Live in Difficult Times”. The survey found that 64.8% were buying cheaper food or waiting for discounts, 37.5% were cooking at home more often, 33.6% were growing vegetables and 25.7% had reduced food-delivery orders. Another 18.5% were buying larger quantities for storage. Continued …
Costly efforts cushion against energy prices
Fuel subsidies in Thailand are being maintained or extended primarily to shield consumers and businesses from the volatility of global oil prices and the rising cost of living. Authorities are utilizing the Oil Fuel Fund to keep diesel and gasohol prices stable, which helps protect households and food vendors from the impact of high energy costs.
The government is employing a multi-pronged strategy to address energy instability, which includes maintaining diesel refinery price cuts and considering fuel excise tax reductions. These measures aim to mitigate the economic pressure caused by geopolitical conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, which have driven up global energy prices. Additionally, the government is focusing on long-term energy security by promoting biofuels like E20 and B20 to reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
Thailand-US tariff talks reach in-principle deal
Thailand and the United States have reached an agreement in principle on tariff negotiations, with the remaining work focused on reviewing technical details and the wording of the agreement, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun confirmed today.
Suphajee explained that officials were carefully reviewing the technical provisions and wording. Thailand aims to complete the process before Washington takes further action under Section 301. Continued …
Thailand’s high season test begins as tourism numbers rise
Thailand’s final quarter of 2026 is shaping up to be a closely watched high season, with the government adjusting tourism stimulus plans while airlines, hotels, restaurants, nightlife venues and other businesses prepare for more visitors.
One key question is whether rising visitor numbers will translate into stronger spending for businesses, particularly smaller operators and nightlife venues that continue to see significant differences in purchasing power across tourism markets. Continued …
Five Phuket hotels ordered shut over license failures
Five hotels in Phuket have been ordered to suspend operations after failing to secure licenses and complete required improvements, provincial authorities said.
The closures were imposed after operators did not make the necessary changes despite being given extra time. The action follows a provincial review of hotels operating without licenses or with structural issues. Authorities had allowed affected properties 30 days to correct physical deficiencies. Continued …
Government defends solar sector as China supplies 99.3% of imports
The Thai government has defended its domestic solar industry by emphasizing the need to maintain national safety and quality standards for electrical installations and components. This defense follows reports that China supplied 99.3% of solar panel imports to Thailand during the first seven months of 2026.
Officials stated that the high level of imports does not mean all solar panels used in Thailand are sourced from China, nor does it imply that the government is funding the domestic sector based solely on those import figures. Instead, the government aims to ensure that all solar power expansion meets specific technical and safety requirements, such as those set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), to protect consumers. Additionally, the government is promoting domestic manufacturing capabilities and exploring ways to ensure that clean energy expansion remains safe and cost-effective for the public.
Call for oversight of waste-to-energy plants
JustPow is calling for stronger environmental oversight of waste-to-energy plants because they believe the current regulatory framework is too weak to ensure the safety of local communities and the surrounding environment. The advocacy group argues that current regulations lack sufficient environmental impact assessments, particularly for smaller facilities that generate less than 10 megawatts of capacity.
The group also highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency and public participation in waste-to-energy projects. Residents in areas near these plants have reported issues including air pollution and health concerns linked to emissions, as well as problems stemming from waste storage and transport operations. JustPow has warned that the rapid expansion of the waste-to-energy sector could create problematic cross-border waste movements, potentially incentivizing the import of waste to fuel industrial projects.
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Chinese CEO held in Pattaya over sugar fraud claim – Continued …
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US man held after Pattaya drug lab raid – 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
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.
Thailand is developing a risk-based legal framework for artificial intelligence that focuses on enhancing digital accountability, consumer protection, and ethics. These regulations aim to establish safeguards for AI adoption and development while addressing potential risks such as bias, security, and privacy.
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
Australian expat Jay Houston says he has cut his rent to a quarter of what he paid in Australia after moving to Thailand, and is now running an online business to help other Australians make the move.
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. 
Hua Hin-Cha-am among six new MICE Cities
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau ((TCEB), has certified six new destinations across the country as official “MICE Cities”, a network that is now expanded to 16 destinations. It is a network that gives event organizers and international clients a wide choice of destinations, while enabling more cities across Thailand to leverage MICE as a driver of local economic development.
AGT winner Nene Royal gifted Bangkok home
Oil prices settled about 3% higher yesterday, as a Houthi missile attack on Saudi Arabia revived fears of supply disruptions. Reports of US-Iran talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz subsequently tempered the gains.
Diesel prices at pumps across the European Union (EU) have hit a new high of €2.23 per liter, up from €2.16 the previous week, an Agence France-Presse (AFP) analysis of European Commission data published yesterday showed.
Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has not approved reported 5%–10% increases in consumer goods prices scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026, Director-general Wittayakorn Maneenetr said yesterday. Some manufacturers had submitted applications, but the department had not authorized the increases.
Thailand is positioning itself as a strategic gateway to the ASEAN regional market, which consists of approximately 700 million people, to provide US businesses with access to broader Southeast Asian trade and investment opportunities.
Thailand has suffered from sluggish economic growth, with only 2% GDP growth, while regional peers have reached higher growth.
Thailand’s six hospitals are expected to post an 11% year-on-year (YoY) increase in aggregate net profit to $243.9 million (8.16 billion baht) in the third quarter (Q3), according to CGS International. CGS International attributed the growth to the recovery of foreign patient traffic and rising demand during influenza and COVID-19 outbreaks.
Bangkok is approaching a major turning point in urban development, as its expanding rail network pushes growth beyond the city center and into suburban areas. Location is therefore becoming less about distance from central Bangkok and more about connectivity, access to services and the quality of life an area can offer.
The appeal of the Thai DTV is obvious – you get up to five years of multiple entry access to Thailand so you can do more without relying on short tourist stays. However, before you apply, you’ll need to check the financial eligibility requirements, what remote work does and does not cover, and the documents and application process that applies.
Thailand aims to welcome 1.5 million Americans in 2026 as it shifts its tourism strategy to draw higher-spending visitors to boost international tourism. Last year, 1.08 million Americans visited Thailand, with 716,983 Americans arriving between January and September of this year.
The Family-Run Restaurants Preserving Southern Thailand’s Culinary Heritage
The Best Places to Eat During Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival
Thai Basil Vs. Italian Basil: What’s The Difference?
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has held talks with Google executives in New York on developing environmentally friendly data-center standards in Thailand, alongside plans for an open data institute to improve Thai digital skills.
Thailand’s nuclear power ambitions have been repeatedly delayed by concerns over safety and radioactive waste management following major international accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima. Additionally, the country faces significant challenges in developing the necessary infrastructure, technical expertise, and regulatory frameworks required to manage nuclear technology safely.
Nepal’s catastrophic flooding last month “was a warning to the world” about the rising dangers of climate change, Prime Minister Balendra Shah told the United Nations yesterday, urging countries to step up to help his country adapt.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a difficult reelection campaign at home, delivered a fiery UN speech yesterday assailing enemies and allies alike – and sparking uproar in the chamber. Netanyahu used the global platform at the UN General Assembly to attack everyone from the leaders of Iran to New York’s first Muslim mayor and partners Britain, France and Turkey. 
Canada is answering US President Donald Trump’s obsession with renaming things by unveiling a name change of its own – Trump Avenue in Ottawa will soon be history. The city is hitting back at the US leader, who among other things insists Canada should cease to exist as a country and instead become the 51st US state. 
The Hua Hin Film Club will screen The Imitation Game at Sundance Beach Club on Sunday, Oct. 18, with actor David Charkham joining the evening as a special guest. The event begins at 6.30 pm and will include a conversation with Charkham, who appeared in the film. 
Nene Royal set for America’s Got Talent final
China’s robot dancers limber up for America’s Got Talent final
Seniors urged to use traditional Chinese medicine to slow cognitive decline
Young leopard makes rare daytime appearance in Kaeng Krachan forest
The new postal law in Thailand aims to address regulatory gaps and market distortions within the country’s growing delivery and logistics sector. A primary objective is to ensure equal access to basic postal services for all citizens, preventing these essential services from falling under the control of purely commercial delivery and logistics providers.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis has driven LNG prices to US$28 per million British thermal units, putting pressure on Thailand’s public and private sectors to undertake a major review of their energy strategies. The response ranges from adding “flexibility” to the energy-security framework to accelerating domestic gas exploration, advancing small modular reactor technology and restructuring major energy companies.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has embarked on a high-stakes investment mission to New York, positioning Thailand as an emerging hub for next-generation technology and global capital as he attends the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).
Thailand and the United States have reached a substantive agreement on the primary elements of their Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. While the core framework is established, negotiations continue regarding technical details and specific tariff treatments for Thai exports.
Larger data center projects are shifting away from Bangkok primarily due to infrastructure constraints and increasingly strict regulatory requirements. Companies are seeking locations outside the capital that can offer more reliable access to land and water, as well as sufficient electricity capacity to support massive operations.
A Look at Phuket Old Town’s Revival and Rising Challenges
What a way to start a day! Watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Thailand, cool ocean breezes, with a gentle sea lapping at the white sand beach. And behind you is breakfast, served by the attentive staff of the 
Warning issued after driver nearly hits Khao Yai elephants
Thailand named Asia’s top beach destination for 2026
Thailand’s solar panel imports jumped 88.7% year-on-year to US$426.7 million, around 14.93 billion baht, during the first seven months of 2026, with China accounting for almost the entire market. According to figures from the Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department, the January to July increase marked a sharp recovery after import values contracted during both 2024 and 2025.
Ask an economist to put a price on Bangkok’s haze, and the number is startling: US$45.3 billion a year, or 3.9% of Thailand’s GDP, according to a World Bank assessment that ranks the country 20th worst out of 180 for the health costs of PM2.5 pollution — the second-heaviest burden in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.
Major television networks suspended their White House pool coverage and will no longer send camera crews to cover President Donald Trump’s pool events, standing in solidarity with CNN after Trump denied White House access to reporters for three outlets. The move from the five networks that make up the television pool ‒ ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News, in addition to CNN ‒ means a broadcast television feed that is distributed widely for media won’t be carried for most of Trump’s events. 
Highway police arrested a 23-year-old man and seized approximately 464 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine after the van he was driving crashed into a resident’s fence during a pursuit in Prachuap Khiri Khan last week.
‘Hands off Koh Kut’: Thailand stands firm at UN maritime talks
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said yesterday that Gastech 2026 in Bangkok had generated more than US$17 billion in energy business agreements. Thailand also handed over hosting duties for the 2027 event to Houston in the United States.
Thailand has signed an international tax information exchange agreement as part of the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules to support the collection of top-up taxes.
A media review of Pattaya has highlighted the resort city’s enduring association with sex tourism, despite efforts by local authorities to promote beaches, sport, conventions and family holidays.
TAT’s Amazing Thailand Ambassador Campaign Generates Over 448 Million Impressions
Thailand is shifting the way it measures tourism success, moving beyond visitor numbers toward a model focused on value, distribution and sustainability.
Thailand has shortened the standard visa-free stay for tourists from 60 days to 30, and this change may have a bigger effect on tourism spending than on the number of foreign visitors entering the country.
Thai industrial estate developer Amata Corp. and energy producer B.Grimm Power will invest 1.2 billion baht (USD36.1 million/EUR33.9 million) in a 42.5-MWp floating solar project at an industrial site in eastern Thailand’s Chon Buri province.
Bangkok is transitioning to electric vehicles to significantly reduce energy costs and mitigate air pollution. The plan to replace diesel rubbish trucks with electric vehicles is estimated to cut energy costs by approximately 4.75 billion baht, or 54%, over a five-year period.
Energy leaders urge balanced path for Asia’s energy transition
The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space, a remarkable revelation after previous warnings about countries such as Russia possibly weaponizing a global frontier long agreed in treaties to be used for only peaceful purposes. 
Thailand has long appealed to retirees seeking sunshine, affordability, reliable healthcare, and a slower pace of life.
Thailand has ranked third in the world for digital nomads and fourth for retirees in the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, which assessed 192 countries and territories.
A new concrete road and drainage system for Hua Hin Soi 10 have been completed under a municipal project, with a construction budget of 5.42 million baht. Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul and municipal officials inspected the work last week as part of the formal acceptance process.
Camera traps have recorded tigers in Prachuap Khiri Khan alongside Fea’s muntjac and other rare wildlife during a five-month survey, conservation officials announced yesterday.
A new NIDA Poll has found that many Thai respondents who had heard reports of, or experienced, alleged inappropriate or illegal behavior by Israelis in Thailand said their main concern was a lack of respect for the law.
Thailand’s Interior Ministry has expanded its investigation into Gan Chabad Co., from a Jewish cemetery in Chachoengsao to land holdings, company structures and possible nominee arrangements involving dozens of linked businesses.
Thailand still has 2,574 subdistricts without adequate standard emergency medical units, while a Senate working group is pushing for expanded local coverage and plans to increase the number of paramedics to 7,500 within five years.
Thailand’s proposed Thai Travel Plus, or Thai Tiew Thai Plus, scheme has an admirable objective: to encourage domestic tourism and spread tourism spending more widely across the country. The proposal is expected to go before Cabinet on Sept. 22, with a government budget of around 3.5 billion baht.
Chiang Mai farmers move to preserve local herb as ‘Makwean’ earns GI registration
What began as a defensive response to a global energy supply shock is rapidly turning into Thailand’s most ambitious economic transformation in decades.
Indonesian rescuers continued searching today for 129 people missing after the Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea. Six people have died and 108 have been rescued. The vessel carried 243 people and was sailing from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when it encountered bad weather early yesterday. 
Rescuers retrieved more remains from a passenger ferry in the Philippine that was gutted by fire, bringing the death toll on Saturday to 76, with 13 missing. Forty-three people survived the fire on Wednesday night among the 132 on board. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney calls Canada “the most European of non-European countries,” and while formal EU membership may be tricky, he is pursuing unprecedented closeness with the bloc to reduce dependence on a hostile United States. 
August was the hottest single month ever recorded globally, with ocean temperatures also reaching unprecedented highs as western Europe capped its warmest summer, the EU’s climate monitor said today.
Apple joins foldable phone race with $1,999 passport-shaped iPhone Duo
Thailand and the United States are days from a sweeping trade deal reaching far beyond tariffs. Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun says every substantive issue is settled, with only legal drafting left. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is then expected to speak directly with US President Donald Trump to close the pact.
Don Mueang is attracting more high-end housing development as transport links, international schools and demand from affluent families broaden its appeal beyond the airport, according to Cushman & Wakefield Thailand.
Thailand’s DSI is moving toward its first summons in a widening Israeli-linked business probe centered on Pattaya. Israeli businessman Maimon David Marsiano and several Thai shareholders are expected to face questioning over suspected nominee structures, company control and investment funding.
Nestlé invests $194 million in Purina pet-food production in Thailand
Top Family-Friendly Tourist Destinations in Thailand
Registration will open in mid-October for a solar rooftop scheme offering subsidies of up to 50,000 baht per installation, initially targeting one million households.
Thailand has approved a regulatory policy framework for small modular reactors (SMRs), beginning work on the laws, specialist skills and safety arrangements needed if it eventually adopts nuclear power.
Nawee Changpirom has spent years working to rescue trafficked wildlife in Thailand, but even he can sometimes hardly believe the creatures he has found: leopards, hornbills, and once an anteater. “We even found living corals hidden in a ceiling,” he said.
US President Donald Trump promised every adult U.S. citizen would receive a $5,000 check if Republicans retain their majorities in Congress during the party’s first-ever midterm convention yesterday. The president capped off the event by attacking Democrats while rallying supporters in Texas in a bid to boost GOP enthusiasm across the country. 
Most fuel prices at PTT Station and Bangchak rose yesterday, while premium grades remained unchanged. PTT Station increased petrol and non-premium gasohol prices by 0.80 baht a liter and non-premium diesel by 0.70 baht.
Thailand’s proposed secondary alcohol rules could severely limit how breweries, bars and restaurants display beer products, according to the Craft Beer Business Assn. The draft measures will be discussed at a public consultation today and are not yet in force.
10 popular lunch dishes in Thailand loaded with sodium that could wreck your kidneys
The Thai baht weakened against the US dollar from 33.90 to 32.70, supported by dollar softness and Middle East risks. Thailand’s central bank kept rates unchanged at 1.00%, maintaining accommodative stance through H1 2027. Commerzbank expects near-term consolidation around 32.50-33.00 range.
Thailand’s consumer confidence strengthened for a third consecutive month in August, reaching its highest level in six months, as purchasing power and economic activity showed early signs of improvement, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Bangkok ranked second among Asia’s most revisited destinations in Agoda’s latest repeat visitor ranking, behind Tokyo and ahead of Bali, based on accommodation bookings made during the first half of 2026.
Royal Thai Navy opens free ticket bookings for Royal Barge Procession
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast for Thailand to 2.1%-2.5%, from 1.6%-2.0%, but warned that stronger exports and private investment are producing increasingly uneven benefits across the economy.
Thailand recorded a trade deficit of US$35.3545 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to the Commerce Ministry. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said more than 70% of imports were materials and capital goods used in production.
Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, released the findings of the chamber’s confidence index survey for the fourth quarter of 2026. Conducted from Aug. 18-20, the survey covered 503 respondents and found that 46.2% expected Thailand’s economy to grow by 1.5%-2% this year, while 37.8% forecast growth of 2%-2.5%. The results pointed to an outlook below the government’s midpoint forecast of 2.2%.
Thailand’s retail sector is calling for stronger economic stimulus, including the revival of the Easy e-Receipt scheme, with an eligible spending ceiling of 100,000 baht, as household debt and accumulated living costs continue to squeeze consumers’ purchasing power.
The government is moving to address a regulatory gap in the data center sector, with the Data Center Business Policy Committee preparing an urgent meeting to develop a coordinated oversight framework.
U.S. Shrimp Coalition seeks zero tariffs for Thai shrimp
Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand fell 11.6% year-on-year between Aug. 1-22, making India the only one of the country’s four main overseas markets to record a decline during the period.
Thai Airways International (THAI) will operate 66 domestic and international routes during its winter 2026/27 timetable, covering destinations across Europe, Australia and Asia. The schedule will run from Oct. 25 to March 27, 2027), coinciding with Thailand’s peak tourism season.
AirAsia has signed its first-ever codeshare agreement, teaming up with Turkey’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, to open seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul, the two airlines announced at AirAsia’s headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia, yesterday.
Thailand currently ranks as the world’s 20th-largest coffee producer, down from the top 15 a decade ago. The country grows mainly robusta, although arabica production is growing, highlighting a sharper focus on quality.
EGAT explores SMRs to bolster Thailand’s energy security
The world has failed in its goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, the United Nations (UN) said yesterday, in a sober assessment that laid out a new goal for fighting climate change that would set the world on an uncertain path.
US energy firms yesterday signed a raft of multibillion-dollar deals with Venezuela, days after the South American country agreed to grant the United States control of a huge chunk of its vast oil reserves. Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Caracas to oversee the signing of deals worth “tens of billions of dollars of investment,” seen as a quid pro quo for Washington winning majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. 
The Dutch central bank said yesterday it had moved 86 tons of its gold reserves out of the United States and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest”. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) said gold reserves held in London could be traded more easily than those held in New York and Ottawa. 
Fuel prices at PTT Station and Bangchak outlets rose today, with most petrol and gasohol products increasing by 0.60 baht per liter. PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Co. (OR) and Bangchak Corp. (BCP) announced the new retail rates.
The 2026 Siam PGA Pairs Classic brought 104 golfers to Hua Hin for two days of competition at Black Mountain Golf Club and Pineapple Valley Golf Club. Held on Aug, 15-16, the tournament marked its ninth staging since launching in 2017.
Oil prices jumped more than US$4 a barrel to five-week closing highs yesterday, after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran intensified concerns over Middle East supply disruptions.
Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said yesterday that there are some data centers in Bangkok that are located in restricted areas where permission cannot be granted.
Thailand is slashing visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days while imposing tough new worldwide restrictions on its five-year Destination Thailand Visa. From Sept. 15, long-haul Western visitors face shorter stays, uncertain extensions and tighter land-border limits.
‘Lisa Effect’ Turns Thailand’s Travel Dreams into Real Search Demand
Euro zone inflation jumped to 3.3% in August, the highest level in three years, as the war in the Middle East kept pushing up energy costs, official data showed yesterday. Well above the European Central Bank’s 2% target, the figure from the EU’s statistical office was up sharply from 2.9% in July and in line with forecasts by analysts. 
A sell-off of bonds from key countries worldwide deepened yesterday, sending government borrowing costs soaring and equities lower as investors fretted that energy-driven inflation would force central bankers to hike interest rates. The latest bout of fighting between the United States and Iran has pushed oil prices higher, stoking the fears of tighter monetary policy that could weigh on economic growth.