- Contraband cigarettes seized in PKK/Khiri Khan Crab of Kui Buri Forest/Hua Hin plans city museum/Wastewater discharge in Cha-am/Hard Rock Cafe Hua Hin donates US$5,000/Hua Hin Welcomes 27 Miss International Queen/Fuel prices in Thailand rise
- THE IRAN WAR: Oil gains about 1%/Gas recovery will take time
- ECONOMY: New data center rules considered/Data Center Demand Surges/AI leaders are talking about slowing down/Nestle plans $900-million expansion
- TOURISM: New visa rules start today/Offers to boost Chinese Golden Week/Chiang Mai Airport expects nearly 10 million/Maya Bay reports record 278 blacktip reef sharks
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: What Defines a Luxury Home in Thailand/I moved my family from Utah to Thailand/Bikini Beach Race Returns
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand studies first nuclear power plant
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Prachuap Khiri Khan Customs seizes over 2 million contraband cigarettes
Customs officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan, in collaboration with security agencies, launched Operation Khiri Khan to intercept smuggling operations targeting the southern region’s transportation of contraband into Bangkok via land, rail, and logistics systems.
Between Sept. 1-10, they seized over 2.2 million untaxed foreign cigarettes, along with e-cigarettes and other contraband, resulting in accumulated tax losses exceeding 25 million baht. Video …
Khiri Khan Crab, the Seven-Colored Gem of Kui Buri Forest
The “Khirikhan Crab,” a freshwater crab in the Potamidae family. It’s found living in streams and clean water sources in forest areas, especially in mountainous and stream regions with suitable environments. This particular “Khirikhan Crab” is found in Kui Buri National Park, Hat Kham subdistrict, Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
Its striking colors have earned it the name “Seven-Colored Crab.” This freshwater animal reflects the biodiversity of the forest. Seeing this crab isn’t just about finding a beautiful aquatic creature; it’s an indicator of the abundance of nature. Video …
Hua Hin plans city museum
A Hua Hin city museum is included in plans for a new seven-story municipal office building to be constructed directly behind the existing offices on Phetkasem Road.
The proposed design provides space for the museum and an exhibition highlighting the municipality’s history and achievements, alongside offices and public service facilities. Continued …
Wastewater discharge in Cha-am under investigation
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered an investigation into the south Cha-am wastewater discharge, with detailed laboratory results still pending despite initial checks finding seawater readings within recreational standards.
Suchart instructed the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) to investigate after reports of wastewater entering the sea at South Cha-am Beach circulated on social media. Continued …
Hard Rock Cafe Hua Hin donates US$5,000 to Jungle Aid
Jungle Aid has received a US$5,000 grant from the Hard Rock Heals Foundation to support its healthcare, welfare and education work in communities in and around Hua Hin.
Hard Rock Cafe Hua Hin co-owner Frank Colvyn presented the check to Jungle Aid founder Emma Neve last week, after the venue successfully nominated the charity for funding. Continued …
Hua Hin Welcomes 27 Miss International Queen contestants
The Miss International Queen 2026 pageant, organized by Tiffany’s Show Pattaya, in collaboration with Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Prachuap Khiri Khan Office, brought together delegates from 27 countries for a special three-day, two-night journey to Hua Hin from Sept. 10–12.
Designed around the concept of nature, culture and wellness tourism, the program brought fashion, natural heritage, local culture, and well-being together in one immersive journey. Continued …
Fuel prices in Thailand rise 0.85 baht a liter
Thailand will raise retail prices for petrol, gasohol and diesel by 0.85 baht per liter from today, as mounting subsidy costs place increasing pressure on the Oil Fuel Fund.
The Oil Fuel Fund Executive Committee approved the increase at its meeting yesterday, citing prolonged geopolitical tensions and attacks on oil tankers along key Middle Eastern shipping routes. Continued …
Oil gains about 1% after Saudi strikes fuel supply fears
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.
Brent crude futures gained US$1.07, or 1.0%, to close at US$105.68 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude added US$1.34, or 1.3%, to settle at US$101.39 a barrel. Continued …
Gastech leaders warn gas recovery will take time after Hormuz reopens
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.
Shell’s president of integrated gas, Cederic Cremers, said nearly seven months of Middle East disruption had left 36 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates absent from the global market compared with 2025. Continued …
Thailand targets new data center rules
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), said today that officials aimed to clarify a regulatory framework and minimum standards for data centers in about one month.
The work would address resource efficiency and effects on surrounding areas, while seeking to minimize disruption to existing operators. Continued …
Thailand Approves $29-Billion Investment Wave as Data Center Demand Surges
Thailand’s Board of Investment has approved six landmark projects totaling 958 billion baht (approximately USD29 billion), with TikTok System (Thailand) leading the initiative through a massive 842-billion-baht data infrastructure expansion. This approval demonstrates Thailand’s emerging prominence as a regional hub for data centers, cloud services, and AI-driven digital infrastructure.
The projects span multiple sectors, including three significant data center investments valued at 913 billion baht collectively. Additional approved projects include Skyline Data Center’s 46-billion-baht investment and Bridge Data Centers’ 24.6-billion-baht facility, both strategically positioned to support growing regional digital demands. Continued …
Why AI leaders are suddenly talking about slowing down
Questions are growing about whether artificial intelligence is outpacing safety measures for the technology. What’s driving the sudden push to “slow down” AI development, and is slowing the race even possible. Video …
Nestle plans $900-million Thai expansion
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.
Breaking its silence on the bitter breakdown of its 35-year joint venture with the Mahagitsiri family, the Swiss food and beverage giant confirmed it has successfully cleared legal blockades on its flagship Nescafé product line, while committing nearly $900 million (30 billion baht) in fresh domestic investments. Continued …
Thailand’s new visa rules start today
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 previous 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and territories has ended. Under the new system, 60 nationalities and territories receive a 30-day exemption, Mauritius and Seychelles receive 15 days, and only Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia remain eligible for visa on arrival. Continued …
Special offers to boost Chinese Golden Week travel
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.
Announced yesterday, the campaign runs under the theme “China and Thailand are one family”, strengthening ties through tourism and culture, while seeking to sustain travel demand into the low season and Chinese New Year 2027. Continued …
Chiang Mai Airport expects nearly 10 million passengers in 2026
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.
Airport Director Karan Thanakuljeerapat said the airport recorded 43,544 flights between January and August. Overall passenger and flight numbers were broadly similar to the same period in 2025, although overseas travel continued to grow. Continued …
Maya Bay reports record 278 blacktip reef sharks during annual closure
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).
Maya Bay is closed from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 to allow corals and beach areas to regenerate naturally without human disturbance, while also ensuring visitor safety during the southwest monsoon season. Continued …
What Defines a Luxury Home in Thailand Today
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.
What has changed most is not the price tag attached to luxury, rather it is the definition of the term itself. Buyers today weigh architecture, wellness infrastructure, security, and long-term livability alongside size and location, producing a market that looks markedly different from the one of a decade ago. Continued …
I moved my family from Utah to Thailand to work remotely; 8 months later, we came home
Living abroad was never really on my radar until I got married. My wife had always wanted to travel and live outside the US, and as I looked into it more, it started to feel like an experience we should try together.
We talked about it for years, but never followed through. Then, after our son was born in 2023, we felt it was the right time to finally give it a try. My wife is a stay-at-home mom, and since I run an online fitness coaching business, I could work remotely. Continued …
Thailand’s Largest Bikini Beach Race Returns for Its 10th Anniversary
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.
Last year, the event attracted more than 5,000 runners from around the world, establishing the Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race as one of Thailand’s most popular and distinctive seaside running events. Continued …
Thailand studies first nuclear power plant
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has signed an agreement with a US government agency to study American small modular reactor technology as the country considers its first nuclear power plant.
The study will examine US small modular reactor (SMR) technology capable of generating about 600 megawatts of electricity, which the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) said would be enough to supply several hundred thousand households. Continued …
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American wanted in Texas arrested in Phuket – Continued …
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Phuket police arrest Chinese man on 2,823-day overstay – Continued …
US Supreme Court blocks Trump mail-in ballot restrictions
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. Continued …
Number of centenarians in Japan tops 100,000
The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan reached a record high of 107,677 in September, climbing for the 56th consecutive year, health ministry data showed today. The total number of centenarians grew by 7,914 from the previous year, surpassing the 100,000 threshold for the first time. Women made up 87.6% of the cohort. Continued …
Nepal tunnel survivor recounts being trapped for nine days
After nine days trapped in a hydropower tunnel and a week of hospital care following his dramatic rescue, Sanjay Sah, a rare survivor of last month’s devastating glacier collapse in Nepal, finally returned to his village and family on Sunday. It was a homecoming marked by relief and joy, but also grief. Video …
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
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.
Thailand’s diesel prices are set to fall from Wednesday, after the Energy Policy Administration Committee approved a cut of 2.40 baht per liter (roughly $0.07) at the refinery level.
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.
Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained more than 2% in early trading today, following renewed Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and Iranian attacks on ships in the Gulf.
Thailand’s Energy Ministry hopes to launch its 26th petroleum bidding round in the Andaman Sea by late 2026, with five major energy companies identified as potential participants, but Cabinet approval of key fiscal terms remains pending, according to media reports.
This week, the global energy industry gathers in Bangkok for Gastech, the world’s premier gas conference. Thailand is a fitting host, both for its own industrial ambitions and because it sits at the heart of the region that is reshaping global energy demand.
Thailand’s Customs Department collected more than 4 billion baht in import duties on goods worth no more than 1,500 baht in the first 11 months of fiscal 2026, Director-general Phantong Loykulnanta said, reporting a shift toward purchases from domestic sellers.
Phuket’s property market has reached a total value of more than 705 billion baht, the highest among Thailand’s regional provinces, with resort condominiums and villas accounting for more than half of residential supply and foreign buyers remaining a major source of demand.
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. 
Growing Nan landslide threatens village school
Rescuers save wild elephant trapped in abandoned septic tank in Rayong
The former abbot of Phutthaisawan Temple and his close female associate are being held on remand following their arrest in a high-profile corruption probe, exposing regulatory loopholes in the management of temple funds and the lucrative commerce surrounding sacred amulets. Investigators filed a motion opposing bail, citing the risk of flight and potential interference with evidence.
The past two weeks saw two anti-Israel protests in Bangkok outside the embassy itself. This is a convergence of a few factors. It is alarming enough that concerned Thais should try to understand it and take an active role in navigating Thai society wisely.
Iran, Houthis block 2 key global shipping routes, straining the global economy
High oil prices and US diesel prices at record levels kept inflation fears at the fore yesterday, ratcheting up expectations that more central banks will have to hike interest rates despite the risk of weighing on economic growth.
Food prices in Thailand push 32.8% of poll respondents to eat less
Thailand’s housing market is entering only a limited recovery as fragile purchasing power, high living costs, elevated property prices and strict lending standards continue to weigh on consumers, according to the SCB EIC Real Estate Survey 2026.
The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of Government Housing Bank reported that foreign buyers took ownership of 3,292 condominium units in Thailand in the second quarter of 2026, up 1.4% from a year earlier. The value of those transfers increased 20.2% to 14.803 billion baht.
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has selected 17 additional projects from 15 companies for the Thailand FastPass mechanism, representing planned investment of more than 121 billion baht and employment for over 14,000 Thai workers.
Concerns over foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses and hold property in Pattaya have prompted Chonburi officials to promise tougher enforcement against unlawful investors of any nationality.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the Chinese travel market was showing clearer signs of improvement ahead of China’s National Day holiday, or Golden Week, in 2026. TAT is focusing on the period from Sept. 25 to Oct. 7, covering both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday over a total of 13 days.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched “Amazing Locations: From Scene to Scenic,” a campaign built to convert the country’s rising profile as a filming destination into lasting tourism, as productions ranging from “The White Lotus” to “The Challenge” Season 42 continue to draw international attention to Thai locations.
Thailand has reclaimed its position as Southeast Asia’s second-largest aviation market by scheduled airline seat capacity in September, overtaking Vietnam after two months in third place.
Americans commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 yesterday, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity. Friday’s milestone anniversary brought memorial rituals — wreath-laying, flag-flying, moments of silence, vigils and readings of victims’ names — and volunteer projects in tribute to a day that about half of U.S. adults remember as the most historic event of their lifetime. 
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.
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.
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.
The US-Canada trade war has escalated rapidly, rupturing what was once one of the world’s closest economic partnerships. But the conflict is a mismatch, with the $31 trillion US economy roughly 13 times larger than Canada’s, raising questions about the limits of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s defiance. 
The Hua Hin Ship to Sea Ceremony will return on Saturday, Sept. 26, offering residents and visitors the chance to witness one of the town’s longstanding fishing community traditions.
Prachuap Bay coastal defenses reviewed
Thailand recorded 220 deaths and 19,316 injuries in road accidents during the latest week, according to figures from the ThaiRSC accident reporting centre released on Sunday.
From heartbreak to history as Thailand finally reaches the Olympics
The headlines across Southeast Asia read like an economic renaissance: multibillion-dollar pledges, sprawling server farms, and a digital transformation drive reshaping the region’s economy.
Thailand has formally ended its 60-day visa-exemption scheme for 93 countries and territories, with a new 30-day visa-free entry rule taking effect on Sept. 15.
Pattaya authorities have designated Soi 6, Soi 6/1 and Soi 7 as “off-limits” areas for US Navy personnel during the upcoming visit of the USS Abraham Lincoln and two accompanying vessels to Chon Buri.
The Legacy of Thai Elephants
Celebrating 50 Years of Thailand’s Dinosaur Renaissance
In the Ukrainian frontline town of Druzhkivka, the buzz of Russian drones and sound of artillery shelling have become daily life for the few residents who still remain there, sheltering in damaged apartment blocks and homes ripped by years of Russian attacks. 
Wisut Janwatanakul, senior assistant vice president of condominium project development at Sansiri Public Co, stated the real estate market in Hua Hin is expected to grow significantly in 2026, transitioning into a global wellness and medical tourism destination, which is a key driver for the luxury real estate market and long-stay accommodations.
Thai teenage singer Nene Royal flew to the United States with her family today to compete in the Live Show round of America’s Got Talent on Aug. 25, asking Thais around the world to cheer her on and vote.
Thailand’s commercial banking system is facing an increase in new non-performing loans, reflecting continued financial pressure on businesses despite a slight decline in the overall NPL ratio during the second quarter of 2026.
The Department of Business Development (DBD) reported a total investment of B219 billion by foreign businesses approved to operate in Thailand during the first seven months of 2026, up 37% from the same period in 2025. Singapore recorded the highest investment value at B61.1 billion, followed by Japan at B45 billion and China at B38.6 billion.
Video captured the moment flash floods swept away tourists near the Mae Sa Waterfall. Park officials say they alerted visitors to the rising water, but the flood came too quickly for some to escape. 
Thai farmers battle elephant raids to protect crops, livelihoods
Tourism in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi continues to show resilience, with stronger foreign visitor revenue and higher per-person spending helping offset softer domestic demand and wider economic pressures.
Thailand ranks third of 31 destinations for expats on the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, behind Panama and Mexico. The survey ran from Feb. 1 to March 31 this year, drawing about 7,786 respondents of 162 nationalities across 31 countries.
A single night in a private room at Bangkok Hospital can run past 25,000 baht before any treatment is added to the bill. Most expats assume their health insurance handles that kind of cost without a second thought. But the truth is, the exclusions section of the policy, the part almost nobody reads past the first page, is often where that assumption falls apart.
Thailand will send a technical team to the United States from Aug. 27 to 29 for further negotiations on an agreement on reciprocal trade, or ART, before policy-level talks led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.
Thailand plans to restructure automotive excise taxes by offering lower rates for vehicles produced domestically and charging more on fully built imports from companies without manufacturing investment in the country.
AOT studies fast-track services, return of arrival duty-free shops
Chiang Mai Waterfall closed after tourists swept away
Four Spanish tourists injured by falling tree at Ayutthaya temple
A prominent Thai plastic surgeon has publicly urged people not to take everything in the Australian 60 Minutes investigation into Thai cosmetic surgery at face value, saying he has been contacted by a surgeon connected to one of the featured cases who told him the reality was not as the program presented it.
Where one lives in Thailand strongly determines how easily one can see a doctor. The agricultural sector suffers the most, with farmers making up 45.5% of all poor households. This is largely because gross farm incomes fluctuate wildly with weather and market prices.
Theerasak “Pop” Saksritawee spends up to eight hours every day swimming, hiking and filming dugongs near Phuket. Now, he’s warning the animals may soon disappear from one of the few places outside Australia that they gather. 
Bangkok’s floating markets: Where trade still floats
Australia’s New South Wales state will begin a major gun buyback on November 2, offering owners up to A$1,000, or about US$700, for each eligible rifle or handgun surrendered. The federal government passed legislation in January establishing a gun buyback, strengthening checks on firearm license applicants and introducing measures against hate-related conduct. 
Alma Ronen has been fighting in the Israeli military nearly constantly for more than two years. Spending her Saturday not in uniform but in a T-shirt and jeans, she would like to enjoy a coffee outside – and resents that her more religious compatriots think otherwise. 
US President Donald Trump said he was “not happy” about US participation in joint military exercises with close ally South Korea and is scaling back the drills aimed at deterring rival North Korea that start today. 
Cha-am residents are being urged to store enough water for up to a week ahead of possible water supply disruption from Aug. 21, when water releases from Kaeng Krachan Dam are due to be temporarily suspended.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered work to be accelerated on two Cha-am groundwater projects worth about 301 million baht, as authorities seek to address drought and water shortages affecting local communities.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is working towards a Jan. 1 launch of its common-ticket policy for electric rail services in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, with fares capped at 45 baht per trip and an initial charge of no more than 17 baht.
U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday urged Americans to accept slightly higher gasoline prices as the cost of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and said he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S territory. 
Thailand is seeking to combine artificial intelligence with agriculture innovation as part of a broader industrial strategy aimed at raising productivity, strengthening domestic businesses and spreading the benefits of technological growth more widely across the economy.
Thailand is preparing to offer 500,000 domestic travel subsidies under the proposed Thai Travel Thai Plus 2026 scheme, with the government paying half of accommodation costs up to 3,000 baht per entitlement.
ASEAN’s commitment to net-zero is crucial for global environmental targets, despite its current fossil fuel dependency. The region faces an energy crisis but has strong decarbonization goals.
A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia early today, collapsing buildings and homes, killing at least two people and causing panic in a region prone to deadly quakes.
A weather warning has been issued for Prachual Khiri Khan Province for today through Sunday, with heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides and rough sea conditions possible across the province.
Huay Mongkol robe ceremony to be held this weekend
PKK takes on human-elephant conflict problems
A new initiative connecting wellness with community and environmental sustainability, “Friends of Chiva-Som 2026” brings together industry advocates, including Global Wellness Day Founder Belgin Aksoy, to support healthcare outreach and conservation efforts.
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani has temporarily closed to tourists after a staff member died while on duty in what officials believe was a tiger attack.
Thailand’s headline consumer price index rose 1.95% in July from a year earlier, slowing from 2.42% in June and coming in below market expectations, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, reported that Thailand exported 3.28 million tons of rice in the first six months of 2026, from January to June, down 18.8% from the same period a year earlier. Shipments were worth more than US$1.911 billion.
Thailand bets big on AI despite talent shortage
Thailand has opened registration for businesses installing rooftop solar power systems and for approved equipment from Aug. 3 to Sept. 30, as it seeks to strengthen safety standards and prepare for wider household adoption nationwide under its clean-energy transition policy.
Asia and the Pacific is urbanizing faster than any other region. By 2050, its cities will be home to 3.4 billion people, up from 2.2 billion today – the equivalent of adding around two Delhi-sized cities every year. The region’s future will depend on how this urban expansion is managed – whether it delivers shared prosperity and well-being or deepens exclusions and vulnerability. 
A 13-year-old schoolboy has died after being stung by jellyfish while swimming at Ban Fai Tha beach in Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Three people who went to help him were also injured by the stings but are now safe and recovering.
Jiew Sai Yok, a lost wild elephant calf being cared for at Sai Yok National Park, died peacefully at around 2am yesterday, leaving veterinarians and park officials deeply saddened.
A Thai analysis published Sunday has challenged government claims of a strong GDP recovery, arguing that headline growth is failing to reach ordinary households and small businesses.
Thailand Post is repositioning itself as a key driver of Thailand’s digital economy, unveiling a new corporate strategy dubbed “RelationSHIFT” as it seeks to transform from a traditional postal operator into a lifestyle logistics brand that connects people, businesses, communities and government services through its nationwide network.
Thailand’s repeat visitors are showing stronger loyalty to Hua Hin and Pattaya than to Phuket, according to a new analysis by travel platform 12Go.
Thai travelers are increasingly choosing short restorative breaks, marathon-related holidays and more in-depth visits to secondary cities as travel patterns shift in 2026.
Some history behind Thailand’s Naga serpent
How History Made Thais Obsessed with Sugar
North Korea’s state media has recommended dog meat soup as protection against summer heat, reviving Pyongyang’s long-running effort to promote the controversial dish as record high temperatures grip both sides of the Korean peninsula. 
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged authorities to step up support for people affected by a record heat wave in the country, saying the death toll had risen to 16 and warning that extreme weather was becoming more frequent. 
Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross yesterday, her son Kim Aris said, who has not heard from her directly in years. 
Searchlights sweep across the rivers of Malaysia’s Sarawak state as licensed hunters track crocodiles in the dark. Their work is part of a broader effort to manage a tension between wildlife and the communities that rely on the water every day.