- Hua Hin ready to clear beach/Satellite images show high flood risks/Price checks in flood-hit areas/All 50 Bangkok districts flood disaster areas/Eastern Bangkok under water/Khao Yai closes fover heavy rain/Nene Royal lands US TV interviews/Phuket prepares grand welcome for Nene Royal
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran proposes Hormuz plan/Houthi attacks aise risk of wider conflict/Renewable energy policies accelerate in ASEAN
- ECONOMY: Thailand’s August exports rise/Thailand Pushes for Global South Voice/China’s Innovation Drives Thailand’s Economy/Thailand eyes global energy majors/Thailand’s new AI regulations
- TOURISM: Thailand launches THIM app/Phuket named top wellness choice
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Those darn elephants!/‘Three-Water City’ is rewriting the rules/Thailand expat urges Aussies to consider a cheaper life/Vegetarian Festival in Phuket
- CLIMATE THAILAND: $5-billion low-carbon industrial hub/Thailand leads ASEAN-6 EV sales
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin ready to clear beach after decades-long dispute
Authorities in Hua Hin are stepping up their efforts to clear all houses and buildings encroaching on a public beach to resolve a decades-long dispute, in the face of defiance from some owners.
Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul yesterday led a team of 100 city officials to the disputed area to inform owners about the structures targeted for demolition, after the municipality signed a contract with a demolition contractor on Thursday. Continued …
GISTDA’s Satellite images show high flood risks across Thailand
Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has released satellite imagery showing widespread high-risk flood areas across several provinces following continued heavy rain, urging residents in areas marked red to closely monitor the situation.
GISTDA said yesterday that it was using satellite technology and geospatial data to monitor water conditions across Thailand in real time through its “Check Nam” application. The latest data showed areas already affected by flooding, as well as locations at high risk from continued heavy rainfall. Continued …
Commerce orders supply and price checks in flood-hit areas
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered commerce agencies to monitor essential supplies and prices in flood-affected areas, aiming to prevent shortages and keep goods affordable.
Suphajee said the Ministry of Commerce was closely monitoring heavy rain and flooding, directing relevant agencies and coordinating with businesses to deliver goods and essential supplies to affected communities. Continued …
Bangkok declares all 50 districts flood disaster areas
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has extended its flood-disaster declaration to cover all 50 districts, providing a framework for assistance under the applicable criteria. District offices have been instructed to advise residents on documenting damage, including keeping photographs taken before and after flooding, to support requests for assistance.
The governor called for close coordination between district offices and central agencies to ensure Bangkok’s flood response delivered assistance quickly and reached affected residents comprehensively. Continued …
Eastern Bangkok under water
Eastern Bangkok is heavily flooded, with all local canals full and 15 main roads deeply inundated this morning, according to Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt.
Chadchart said rain in the capital began at 4 pm on Thursday, with accumulated rainfall nearing 300 millimeters in Min Buri, Klong Sam Wa and Saphan Sung districts by ths morning. Continued …
Khao Yai closes for two days as heavy rain raises landslide risk
Khao Yai National Park will close temporarily for two days on today and tomorrow because of persistent heavy rain and concerns over visitor safety. The park announced yesterday that continuous rainfall had caused flash floods in several areas, leaving some routes impassable.
Officials also warned of the risk of landslides, rockfalls and falling trees, which could endanger tourists and members of the public traveling through the park. Continued …
AGT winner Nene Royal lands US TV interviews and global rock gigs
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.
Nene, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, 16, won America’s Got Talent Season 21 and the US$1 million grand prize after a run built around her vocals and guitar performances. She has since been invited to speak about her victory on three US television outlets. Continued …
Phuket prepares grand welcome for AGT winner Nene Royal
Phuket is preparing to welcome home 16-year-old Nene Royal after the young singer and guitarist from the province won the America’s Got Talent 2026 title.
The provincial administration congratulated Nene on her victory, describing it as a source of pride for Phuket and Thailand, particularly as the 16-year-old took her talent to an international stage and brought recognition to her hometown and country. Continued …
Iran proposes Hormuz plan, Trump reportedly refuses
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.
The waterway key to the world’s oil supply is central to the conflict between the United States and Iran, which is at a stalemate after nearly seven months. But new mediation efforts at the UN’s gathering of world leaders in New York this week offered some optimism of progress toward a deal. Continued …
Why new Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia raise risk of wider conflict
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will hold an urgent, high-level meeting under a joint defense pact to discuss ways to support the kingdom amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. But could the latest escalation push the region to the brink of an all-out-war? Video …
Long-term renewable energy policies accelerate in ASEAN as a result of Iran war
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.
The report noted that six major ASEAN economies – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – have introduced a total of 37 renewable energy and electrification policies since the start of the Iran war, compared with 29 fossil fuel policies. Continued …
Thailand’s August exports rise 24.3%, led by US
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.
The increase was slightly below the 24.9% rise forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll, but followed export growth of 21.6% in the previous month. Imports increased by 25.1% year-on-year in August. Thailand recorded a trade deficit of $2.48 billion during the month, smaller than the $3.9 billion deficit forecast by analysts. Continued …
Thailand Pushes for Global South Voice, Trade Expansion, and Regional Stability at UN Assembly
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.
Addressing shifting global geopolitics, power fragmentation, and heightened strategic competition, the prime minister emphasized the urgent need to rebuild trust through consistent adherence to international law and equitable global governance. Continued …
How China’s Innovation Drives the Transformation of Thailand’s Economy
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.
The factory floors of Rayong and the boardrooms of Bangkok are where that shift is now visible, and it is reshaping what Thai competitiveness looks like for the rest of this decade. This integration carries risks, including US scrutiny over transshipment and tariff evasion, currency dependency as yuan-baht settlements expand, and data governance concerns as Chinese platforms embed in Thai operations. Continued …
Thailand eyes global energy majors for Andaman gas exploration
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.
Worakorn Prommobol, director-general of the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF), said applications for exploration and production rights were expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 or, at the latest, early 2027. Continued …
What are the key measures in Thailand’s new AI regulations?
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.
The government’s strategy is built upon a four-pronged National AI Action Plan, which prioritizes digital sovereignty, AI governance, skilled talent development, and the creation of a globally competitive domestic AI industry. To bolster trust, the National AI Board is working on governance sandboxes and frameworks that emphasize human oversight, particularly for high-risk applications like automated decision-making. Additionally, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency is focusing on AI governance as a key pillar for strengthening digital trust in the country by 2027.
Thailand launches THIM app for foreign visitors
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has officially launched the THIM app, a digital platform intended to bring immigration and travel services for foreign nationals into one place.
The application, available since Aug. 1 through the App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery, currently gives users access to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and travel promotions. It has recorded more than 600,000 downloads and over 580,000 users, or 97.2% of total downloads, according to the bureau. Continued …
Phuket named top wellness choice by Canadian travelers
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.
This was the second year Air Canada Vacations has held the Travelers’ Top Picks Awards. Canadians were invited to vote through the Travellrs’ Top Picks website in 10 categories, with more than 1.3 million votes cast this year. Continued …
Those darn elephants! Being the smallest means you’re never walking alone
How the ‘Three-Water City’ is rewriting the rules of travel
As a group of visitors walks deep into the fruit orchard, they’re shown different fruits and vegetables along the way. At one stop, they’re offered a taste of mahatsajan — the “miracle berry” or Synsepalum dulcificum — said to turn any sour flavor sweet. Most take the bait, popping the berry before reaching for a wedge of lime, only to find the promise true.
The path into the orchard doesn’t look like much of a tourist route. It’s a dirt track cutting between raised-bed orchards, the soil mounded and channeled by hand to work with the freshwater that floods this part of Samut Songkhram every year. Getting there is part of the experience: participants move through the routes by bicycle and sa-leng (sidecar motorcycle), on foot and by boat, switching pace and vantage point as the landscape itself evolves from orchard to canal to open water. Continued …
Thailand expat urges Aussies to consider a cheaper life
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.
Houston, 50, said he can live what he describes as a luxury lifestyle for $1,800 a month, as rising living costs and pressure on household budgets prompt more Australians to consider working or living overseas. Speaking while sitting beside a pool at his condominium, Houston said: “This is my office, I’m in no hurry to leave it.” Continued …
Vegetarian Festival in Phuket to net 1.4 billion baht
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.
The festival is forecast to attract more than 140,000 visitors, with activities scheduled to run from Oct. 9 to 18 across more than 40 businesses on the island. Local officials expect this to provide a significant boost to tourism spending, noting that hotel occupancy rates in Phuket have already seen increases compared to last year.
PTT eyes $5-billion low-carbon industrial hub
PTT Plc is transforming the Map Ta Phut industrial zone into a low-carbon hub to drive new business growth and improve the competitiveness of Thai manufacturers in export markets. This transformation is being executed through the I-Spark initiative, which aims to attract climate-focused investors and international customers by offering access to green industrial development.
The initiative involves a planned investment of up to US$5 billion by 2035 and focuses on providing clean energy solutions and decarbonization technologies. Key components of this development include the creation of a carbon-neutral training center, the development of shared low-carbon infrastructure, and the implementation of advanced technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS). Additionally, the project will support high-value industries like sustainable aviation fuel and bio-based products through the development of specialized facilities and circular economy practices.
Thailand leads ASEAN-6 EV sales as volumes jump 47% in H1
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.
PwC’s overview of the ASEAN-6 automotive market: 6th market snapshot shows that electrified vehicles accounted for 32% of total ASEAN-6 vehicle sales in the first half of 2026. Thailand’s xEV penetration climbed from 32% in the first half of 2024 to 53% in the same period of 2026, signaling a rapid shift in consumer demand toward battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Continued …
Pentagon Evaluating Sending Personnel To Cuba Within 4 Months
The U.S. Army Reserve has been asked to evaluate if it could furnish police forces, a medical brigade and a support batallion with logistics expertise for possible deployment under the military’s Southern Command, according to internal documents reviewed by CBS News. – huffpost.com
What happened when Trump met Xi: big fanfare, but no breakthrough
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. Video …
UN delegates walk out as Netanyahu defends Israel’s actions
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. Continued …
Desolate Greenland outpost could host US troops
At a windswept gravel airstrip in eastern Greenland, a small Danish military detachment has quietly kept watch for decades. Now, under under a new US defense agreement, the outpost at Mestersvig could soon become a key American military foothold in the Arctic. 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
Happiness may be subjective, but living on lush tropical islands and eating delicious food is probably a good formula for the emotion when living abroad. And foreigners in Thailand appear to be the happiest of all.
Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony returns to Hua Hin Saturday
Be Well Medical Center and BPK9 International Hospital are teaming up to host an interactive health seminar in Hua Hin focusing on common vascular diseases and circulation problems.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwanchawee says he will personally investigate reports of Israeli-linked companies buying land worth nearly 100 million baht in Thailand’s three southern border provinces.
Grab is expanding its airport services to prepare for the fourth-quarter travel peak, a period when its airport ride bookings typically increase by 35% to 40% compared to non-peak times. To manage this anticipated surge, the company has expanded its pick-up area at Suvarnabhumi airport from three lanes to 12 lanes and introduced new booking tools, including a feature called NIP.
The competition in Thailand’s logistics and express-delivery market has shifted from price and scale toward faster, more reliable, and specialized services. This transition is driven by economic pressures, rising fuel costs, and increasing consumer expectations for service quality and reliability.
Nearly 1,000 doctors a year are leaving Thailand’s public healthcare system, according to the head of a young doctors’ network, who says heavy workloads, burnout and structural problems are pushing many out despite continued demand.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft Cannabis Control Act that would place tighter controls on cultivation, sales and medical prescribing. The proposal must now go before the House of Representatives.
Thailand is confronting a renewed energy-security challenge as the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz pushes global LNG prices to about US$28 per million British thermal units, close to levels seen during the Russia-Ukraine energy shock. Thailand is responding by accelerating domestic gas exploration, reviewing LNG procurement strategy and seeking to diversify away from spot-market exposure.
Assoc Prof. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics said yesterday the university had prepared an economic and international trade policy analysis of the Thai Household Cost of Living Index (CLI) for the third quarter of 2026 and the fourth-quarter outlook, titled “The impact of oil prices on Thai living costs”.
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a 43-billion-baht relief package yesterday, extending Thais Help Thais Plus through November and raising welfare-card support for October. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the measures would ease energy-related living costs and help keep Thailand’s 2026 growth on track for 2.5%.
The cabinet has endorsed a strategic plan for the Oil Fuel Fund and a fuel crisis response plan covering 2026-29 with wider use of biofuels made from domestic raw materials to help deal with volatility in global energy markets.
Thailand’s Greater Bangkok housing market is showing an increasingly sharp divide, with condominium sales rebounding while low-rise housing remains weighed down by weak purchasing power, tight lending conditions and a prolonged inventory overhang.
Healthcare in Thailand is expanding its medical tourism services, which include hospital healthcare, preventive health services, wellness programs, and tourism services, for international tourists in both Bangkok and Phuket.
It’s the holiday hotspot that draws in billions of dollars with the promise of sun, sand and sex. Police promise Pattaya is one of the safest cities in Thailand. But the shocking killing of a teenage girl earlier this year exposed the dark underbelly of the city’s sex industry.
Trips to Thailand booked by Russian tourists through the end of the year could face disruptions amid a rise in reported COVID-19 cases. Some Russian travelers who have already paid for holidays at Thai resorts between October and December have reportedly been warned about possible problems with their trips as infections increase.
More than 60 people attended Hua Hin Film Club’s first screening yesterday, joining actor Vithaya Pansringarm for an evening of cinema at Amara Resort Hua Hin.
Koh Phangan beach dispute spotlights nominee fears
Businesses in Thailand’s automotive parts, garment, rubber products and plastics industries are increasingly suspending operations temporarily, as falling orders, accumulated losses and higher production costs put pressure on employment.
Thai bank chiefs are warning that small businesses remain vulnerable to fresh defaults and a return to bad debt after restructuring, despite a decline in the commercial banking system’s overall non-performing loan ratio.
When discussing the economy in Southeast Asia, we often hear about semiconductor production, electric vehicles, combustion cars, and tourism. However, one of Thailand’s key economic pillars tends to receive less attention. Beyond being a global tourism destination, Thailand is recognized as the “Kitchen of the World”, playing a crucial role in producing and exporting food to over 350 million consumers worldwide each day.
Thailand is positioned to attract approximately $15.9 billion (570 bilion baht) in data center investments between 2026 and 2030, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) workloads and cloud computing across Southeast Asia.
Foreign arrivals to Thailand decline 3% in first eight months
Thailand’s new 30-day visa-exemption rule is opening a sharp fault line across its tourism industry before the crucial fourth-quarter peak. The Association of Thai Travel Agents says most genuine tourists need only seven to 10 days. It also wants tougher action against foreigners abusing tourist status.
Thai Airways International canceled flights to Jakarta today as eight Indonesian airports, including two serving the Indonesian capital, remained closed because of ash from erupting Krakatau volcano.
Riyadh Air has launched direct flights between Riyadh and Bangkok, initially operating three times a week before increasing to daily services in October. The inaugural aircraft arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport last Thursday.
How a debt-ridden mother of 6 built world-famous Bangkok noodle shop
Australians could be given the option of opting out of powerful social media algorithms under new legislation cracking down on big tech. The draft law requiring a “digital duty of care” is expected to be introduced to Australia’s parliament this week. It would require firms like Meta to give users the option of turning off algorithms that tailor recommendations to their personal taste. 
Personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln have reportedly been prohibited from entering Pattaya Soi 6 and Soi 7 after sunset as part of safety rules imposed during the aircraft carrier’s port call in Chonburi.
Hordes of US sailors were up early yesterday as they set out to explore this tourist city on their second day of shore leave. They began their explorations on Wednesday night, with many making a beeline for the famous Walking Street to soak up the atmosphere.
Thailand’s use of trade preferences under free trade agreements reached US$48.069 billion, or approximately 1.57 trillion baht, during the first six months of 2026, rising 7.3% from the same period last year. The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) reported that preferential treatment was claimed on 80.8% of the value of eligible exports between January and June.
Thailand has formally removed the foreign business license requirement for seven specified service activities, under a new ministerial regulation published by the Royal Gazette yesterday.
Asia still accounts for roughly half of global GDP on a purchasing-power-parity basis, and multilateral forecasters expect that share to keep inching up even as headline growth rates cool. The World Trade Organization sees Asia-Pacific trade growth slipping to 3.8% in 2026 from 4.1%, and the Asian Development Bank’s most recent outlook points to a similar moderation across the region.
Thailand’s ambition to become a global hub for wellness tourism and preventive healthcare is being held back not by a shortage of talent or infrastructure, but by regulation that has failed to keep pace with a rapidly evolving industry, according to senior executives and experts who spoke at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 yesterday.
Thai Navy schedules four September royal barge rehearsals
Thailand’s ‘Jurassic Park’ shines light on dinosaur evolution
Gallothai: Three Decades of Chocolate Craftsmanship
Phuket recorded a 52.5% year-on-year increase in Israeli visitors in July, with arrivals from Israel also up 1,205% on pre-Covid July 2019 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office.
Bangkok has been named the world’s best city for nightlife in 2026 by Time Out, climbing from 13th place last year to beat Berlin, New York City, Melbourne and Sao Paulo.
State energy agencies and policy experts have outlined a series of systemic reforms to modernize Thailand’s national power grid, refine the upcoming Power Development Plan (PDP 2026), and transition away from legacy utility structures.
US President Donald Trump said yesterday his administration has reached a huge oil deal with Venezuela that gives the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of proven petroleum reserves. 
Haakon, who comes to the throne as two major scandals batter his family, struggled for years to accept his status. “Yes, I was a royal, but I did not want to talk about it … At school it made me anxious,” he wrote in his 2023 autobiography “Haakon”, recalling his days in a state primary in the 1980s. 
Heavy rain and flash floods threaten upper Thailand
Bangkok gun dealers say Thailand’s long-running firearms import ban is forcing some businesses to seek other income, while proposed new restrictions could further reduce legal sales.
Thai and Australian Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese yesterday signed two joint statements on upgrading strategic partnership in four areas, across trade, law enforcement, defense and innovation, after their full-scale bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.
The world knows that U.S. President Donald Trump is angry with Iran. But he’s not happy with the small country lying across the Strait of Hormuz from the Islamic Republic, either: Oman.
Thailand’s exports and private investment are expected to remain important drivers of economic growth after gross domestic product expanded by only 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday.
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index rose for a second straight month in July due to strong electric vehicle (EV) sales and government support measures, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported yesterday. The federation’s industrial sentiment index rose to 90.0 in July from 88.2 in June.
Southeast Asian nations are close to finalizing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a landmark regional pact designed to govern their digital economy, projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030.
Foreigners arriving in Thailand may be asked by immigration to show they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. Depending on the entry route, the stated requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport.
“Oh, we’re on the wrong side of the road,” I blurted out as I hopped into our van after landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. “It’s not the wrong side,” said Lisa, the journalist I was traveling with. “It’s a different side.”
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na, a rare window into Bangkok’s royal past
A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that Thailand can accelerate rooftop solar deployment by reforming its current solar policies. This would reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), improve energy security, and limit future pressure on rising electricity costs.
Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and building resilience is no longer optional, said Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong. He added that such disasters also know no borders, making solidarity and collective action in ASEAN critical.
The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed yesterday, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fueled in part by President Donald Trump’s invalidated tariffs. 
Portugal’s president has enacted a law pushed by the far right banning the concealment of faces in public, a measure widely seen as targeting Muslim women wearing a full-face veil. 
PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) and Bangchak Corporation Plc (BCP) raised retail prices for petrol, gasohol and diesel by 0.85 baht, or 85 satang, per litre from 5am on Wednesday (August 19, 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
Thailand offers foreign retirees a clearer legal route to long-term residence than Vietnam, but Vietnam can cost considerably less for those able to manage more complicated visa arrangements. For people deciding where to spend retirement in Southeast Asia, the choice often comes down to predictable paperwork and healthcare versus lower rent and daily spending.
A Thai army explosives disposal specialist lost a leg after stepping on a landmine while clearing explosives near Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani yesterday. The accident happened in an area near the border under the responsibility of the 2nd Army Region.
Oil prices gained more than US$2 yesterday as faltering US-Iran diplomacy and a sharp slowdown in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz renewed concerns about global energy supplies.
Thailand’s economy is flashing disturbing warning signs beneath headline GDP growth of 1.9% in the second quarter. Output actually fell 0.2% from the previous quarter, while industrial capacity sank to a 24-quarter low.
Thailand’s economy grew by 1.9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, making it the slowest-growing of six major ASEAN economies tracked by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
Thailand’s next industrial upgrade may not be defined only by new roads, railways, factories and smart cities, but by how intelligently they can be designed, operated and maintained.
Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) ranked first in SEAsia Stats Research’s Top Manufacturing Hubs in Southeast Asia by Integrated Industrial Area, with more than 13,000 megawatts (MW) of power capacity in the Chon Buri–Rayong area.
Phuket has shut Freedom Beach after German tourist Jannik Jürgen Knobel, 30, was swept away in fierce monsoon seas despite red flags. His companion survived, but rescuers found his body near rocks the next day. Two other foreign tourists died at the secluded beach in 2025.
Discover the giant Buddha at Bangkok’s Wat Paknam
Thailand’s renewable power pipeline is gathering pace, with 449 projects licensed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and investment expected to reach up to US$2.61 billion.
Dow Thailand Group is producing high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins from plastic waste collected in Thailand, advancing a local recycling pathway that transforms used plastics into valuable materials for packaging and industrial applications.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has partnered with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to install solar rooftop systems at 25 pilot hospitals, aiming to reduce annual electricity costs by US$1.63 million and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7,211 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) a year.
US President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency, with an overwhelming majority of Americans concerned the U.S. war with Iran will last a long time, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded yesterday. 
Hua Hin Municipality officials met this week to discuss the installation of CCTV systems with 100 cameras and equipment in high-risk areas or areas with security needs. The project has already been reviewed and approved in principle.
Mayor visits Chat Chai market, hears concerns
Jaras Hua Hin at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has been awarded Thai Select 2 Stars for 2026, recognizing the restaurant’s Thai cuisine, quality ingredients, creative presentation, professional service and overall dining experience.
Thailand’s firearm controls face three persistent gaps involving illegal and modified guns sold outside the registration system, insufficient oversight of legally owned weapons after licences are issued, and the transfer of firearms bought through government welfare schemes.
How much is your personal information worth? Apparently, only a few hundred baht was enough to access sensitive information from a Thai government database.
Thai consumers continued to visit shops at almost the same frequency in July but sharply reduced the amount they were prepared to spend on each trip, pointing to weakening household purchasing power as the nationwide Retail Sentiment Index (RSI) fell 4.9 points to 46.6.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied reports that the United States plans to establish a production base for unmanned aerial vehicles in Thailand, saying he had received no such report.
From fan-favorite drunken noodles to spicy papaya salads and creamy curries, Thailand’s cuisine entices visitors from around the world. While over 17,400 Thai restaurants can be found internationally, eating pad Thai, fragrant coconut soups, and other punchy dishes in the “Land of Smiles” is a bucket list topper for many travelers.
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has received 1,397 applications for investment promotion under measures supporting the transition toward smart and sustainable industry, with combined investment worth more than 146 billion baht.
Solar panel recycling could generate $6 billion in recovered materials by 2040 and exceed $20 billion by 2050, as more than 400 gigawatts of photovoltaic (PV) capacity reaches end-of-life, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said.
President Donald Trump announced yesterday tariffs of up to 100% on imports of unmanned drones and their components to reduce US reliance on imports in an industry dominated by China. Donald Trump Jr. and his brother Eric Trump are prominent investors in Powerus, an American drone manufacturing and defense technology company seeking Pentagon contracts. 
Thai Singer Nene Royal Advances to AGT Judges’ Callbacks
Thailand must stop measuring tourism success simply by visitor numbers and build a system that protects destinations, local communities and infrastructure, according to two researchers at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
A severe drought and the peak travel season have left Koh Samui facing a water shortage that is affecting businesses, prompting tourism operators to call for greater investment in water infrastructure to keep pace with rising visitor numbers.
Thailand’s largest island records decline in hotel guests in first half
Wild tiger population in Thailand’s protected reserves reaches 210