- Explore Ban Kruk/New bank regulatory plan/Fire drill at Market Village/Koh Pha Ngan nominee crackdown/23,536 violent incidents, 7,790 deaths/Incidents in Narathiwat total 40/Two schools, child care center closed/Malaysians told to avoid southern Thailand/Australian’s ICU care costs $50,000 a week/Samui Palestinian flag row/AI and Robotics to Bridge Regional Healthcare Gaps.Tharina Botes wins Miss Universe Thailand/Nene Royal reaches Times Square
- THE IRAN WAR: New US sanctions, Iran stays defiant
- ECONOMY: Economic storms squeeze Thai SMEs/Thai businesses turn cautious/Growth path for Thai SMEs/Thai Retailers Demand Crackdown/Thailand must reinvent its growth model/Commerce heads to US for tariff talks/Carmakers won’t relocate instantly/Thailand is Transforming Its Beef Industry
- TOURISM: TAT unveils four moves/Thailand Modernizing Regional Airports/Phuket shop sign bars Israeli tourists
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Phuket waste crisis deepens
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Two hours south of Hua Hin, and almost nobody gets off
By Michael Lauritzen
Most people who live in Hua Hin have made the drive south at some point. Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot, maybe as far as Prachuap for the day. Rather fewer keep going, and that is where it gets interesting.
Ban Krut is a village in the south of our own province, roughly two hours down the southern railway line from Hua Hin. It has its own station. Three trains a day stop there. That single fact explains most of what the place is like: it is on the map, it is easy to reach, and almost nobody gets off.
What is there is 12 kilometers of beach. Not a resort strip with a beach behind it, but an actual working coastline with a road along it, coconut groves behind, fishing boats at one end and very little else. There is no beach club. There is no bar street. In the evening, the loudest thing is usually somebody’s motorbike. Continued …
New bank regulatory plan may affect foreigners’ dealings with tougher, intrusive actions
Thailand’s biggest financial regulatory overhaul in 27 years threatens tougher, more intrusive banking for foreigners. The Bank of Thailandn is bringing digital payments and providers under tighter control. Banks must intensify checks on mule accounts, gray capital, foreign QR payments and unusual transfers.
Moreover, many customers initially face daily online transfer limits of 50,000 baht. However, overseas pensions, property purchases and cross-border business income could trigger automated controls. Foreign customers may then face blocked transfers, document demands and compulsory branch visits. Continued …
Fire drill held at Market Village
Around 700 people took part in a Hua Hin fire drill at Market Village last Thursday, testing emergency procedures for a major fire inside the shopping center.
The annual fire suppression and evacuation exercise was observed by Hua Hin District Chief Supachai Krutdam, representatives from Hua Hin Municipality, Hua Hin Police, Tourist Police and Market Village management. Continued …
Koh Pha Ngan land action targets 112 companies in nominee crackdown
Surat Thani authorities are moving to revoke land rights held by 112 companies on Koh Pha Ngan after finding their foreign shareholdings exceeded limits set by law. Gov. Jumpot Wannachatsiri has instructed officials to take action against the landholdings, as part of an ongoing scrutiny of corporate ownership of land on the island.
The cases involve 124 land plots with a combined area of about 87 rai. While the announcement concerns companies rather than individual property owners, it is a reminder for foreign investors and expats using Thai companies to hold land that authorities are examining ownership structures on Koh Pha Ngan. Continued …
23,536 violent incidents, 7,790 deaths and 14,794 injuries
Thailand allocated 340.71 billion baht under its principal programs for addressing unrest in the southern border provinces over 23 fiscal years from 2004 to 2026, while separate statistics recorded 23,536 violent incidents, 7,790 deaths and 14,794 injuries between January 2004 and December 2025.
The figures have come under renewed scrutiny following a preliminary count of 34 coordinated incidents across Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani on Saturday night. Continued …
Overnight incidents in Narathiwat total 40, three injured
At least 40 incidents were reported in Narathiwat province Saturday night, leaving three people injured and causing damage to government buildings, utility and telecommunications infrastructure, businesses, vehicles, and roads.
The Narathiwat Center for Assistance and Rehabilitation reported yesterday the incidents occurred across all 13 districts of the province on Saturday night. They mainly involved explosions, arson, the burning of vehicle tires and gunfire, according to the center. Continued …
Two schools, child care center closed after Pattani attack
Two primary schools and a child care center in Por Ming subdistrict, Panare district of Pattani province, were closed after suspected insurgents torched the Por Ming municipal office and three cars parked in the same compound last night.
Yusarun Yuso, vice mayor of Por Ming municipality, said he was alerted by officials that a group of men had restrained two security guards before setting fire to cars parked in the garage and breaking through a barricade into the office building, which they also set ablaze. Continued …
Avoid southern Thailand for now, police warn Malaysian travelers
Malaysians have been advised to defer non-essential travel to parts of southern Thailand following a series of bombings, arson attacks and sabotage incidents reported overnight.
Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Yusoff Mamat said the security situation in the affected areas had worsened after 51 incidents were recorded across three districts, prompting authorities to urge travelers to exercise greater caution. Continued …
Australian’s Bangkok ICU care costs $50,000 a week
An Australian man is in a coma in a Bangkok intensive care unit following an accident in Thailand, with his family saying his medical bills have already exceeded $135,000.
Sydney model and Copini Beauty co-founder Casey James said her father had undergone multiple emergency brain operations and had spent 10 days in the ICU as of Sunday. Continued …
Samui visa action sought over Palestinian flag row
Surat Thani security officials are seeking visa revocation and deportation for an Israeli restaurant owner and a French businessman after a Palestinian flag dispute on Koh Samui escalated into online threats and concerns for tourism.
Col Thitiphong Inwasa, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command in Surat Thani, said Saturday that officials were preparing information for a provincial committee to consider action against Israeli national Jacob and French national Kevin. Continued …
How Thailand is Deploying AI and Robotics to Bridge Regional Healthcare Gaps
For decades, the standard of healthcare a person received was often dictated by their postcode. Rural provinces worldwide routinely lag behind major cosmopolitan centers in accessing specialist doctors and advanced medical technologies.
However, Thailand is systematically rewriting this script. Through a policy shift orchestrated by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the Southeast Asian kingdom is deploying an ecosystem of artificial intelligence (AI), medical robotics, and nationwide big data networks to build a fairer, healthier society. Continued …
Tharina Botes wins Miss Universe Thailand 2026 crown
Tharina Botes, representing Bangkok, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2026 yesterday, earning the right to represent the country at the next Miss Universe pageant.
Botes secured the national title following her performance in the final question-and-answer round. She received the winner’s crown and sash and will enter an intensive training program before competing internationally. Continued and more photos …
Nene Royal campaign reaches Times Square before AGT performance
A video featuring messages and photographs from 100 Thai supporters has appeared on a giant billboard in New York’s Times Square as Phuket performer Nene Royal prepares for the live quarter-finals of America’s Got Talent Season 21.
Nene, also known as Praew Rattikarn Amloy, is scheduled to compete in the second live quarter-final tomorrow (August 25, US time), which falls on Wednesday in Thailand. Continued …
Oil falls ahead of new US sanctions as Iran stays defiant
Oil prices fell by more than US$1 a barrel in early Asian trading today as investors took profits before Washington was due to announce further sanctions against Iran that could intensify disruption to Middle Eastern supplies.
Brent crude futures declined by US$1.22, or 1.29%, to US$93.17 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell by US$1.20, or 1.38%, to US$85.86. Continued …
Three economic storms squeeze Thai SMEs and consumers
Thailand’s economy is facing three overlapping economic storms: an energy-price shock and current-account deficit, a system-wide rise in production costs, and weakening domestic purchasing power, Vice Minister for Finance Santitarn Sathirathai said.
The pressures come as economic growth loses momentum. The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported that gross domestic product expanded by 1.9% year on year in the second quarter, slowing from 2.8% in the first. Continued …
Thai businesses turn cautious
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), in its report on second-quarter economic conditions and the 2026 outlook, cited Department of Business Development (DBD) data on new business registrations and closures.
The data showed that 44,773 businesses were newly registered in the first half of 2026, up 2.1% from the same period a year earlier. The combined registered capital of new businesses stood at 111.2 billion baht, down 25.4% from 149.1 billion baht in the first half of 2025. Continued …
Minister sets out growth path for Thai SMEs amid global economic change
Suphajee Suthumpun, minister of Commerce, delivered a keynote address entitled “Opportunities and the Path Forward for Thailand’s Economy and SMEs” at the “SME Must Survive 2026” event at the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Saturday.
Suphajee said the world was changing on several fronts at once, including competition among major powers, geopolitical conflicts, trade barriers, climate change, an aging society, and rapid advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Continued …
Thai Retailers Demand Crackdown on Influx of Cheap Foreign Imports
Thai retailers have called on the government to crack down on the massive influx of cheap foreign goods entering the country through cross-border e-commerce platforms, warning that unfair price competition is threatening the survival of millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Thailand’s 3.3 million SMEs employ roughly 13.6 million people, accounting for nearly 70% of total private sector employment. However, shifting consumer habits and aggressive foreign market expansion have placed unprecedented pressure on domestic traders. Continued …
From manufacturing to AI, Thailand must reinvent its growth model
As Thailand prepares to host the 2026 IMF-World Bank annual meetings, it finds itself at an economic inflection point. As the second-largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Indonesia, it remains one of the region’s most sophisticated manufacturing and service economies, with an established automotive industry and growing electronics and digital services. Yet, these advantages have not translated into stronger growth.
Although Thailand’s economy has expanded by an annual average of 3.2% over the past 25 years — a little faster than the global average of 3% — growth is expected to slow sharply to around 1.5% in 2026 and 2.1% in 2027. This slowdown reflects Thailand’s heavy dependence on imported energy and urea from the Middle East, as well as its heavy reliance on trade with China, leaving it vulnerable to disruptions caused by the Iran war, intensifying US-China competition, and growing fragmentation in global trade and supply chains. Continued …
Commerce heads to US Aug 27-Sept 1 to conclude tariff talks
Thailand will send a trade delegation to the United States from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 in an attempt to conclude negotiations on an agreement on reciprocal trade (ART), according to the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT).
DFT Director-General Arada Fuangtong said the negotiations were about 60% complete and that the Thai side had prepared detailed information to support its positions. Continued …
Carmakers won’t relocate instantly, but risks persist, expert says
Japanese carmakers will not relocate manufacturing hubs instantly, but the current flood of Chinese electric vehicles is catalyzing price wars in the Thai market, according to Archanun Kohpaiboon.
s Indonesia has urged Toyota to move its production base from Thailand to Indonesia with investment incentives, Archanun said it is too early to say whether Toyota would move, but Japanese automakers have voiced concerns over policy discrimination. Continued …
How Thailand is Transforming Its Beef Industry to Capture the Chinese Market
For thousands of Thai smallholders, cattle rearing has long been a traditional cornerstone of rural livelihood, insulated from international supply chains. However, under a sweeping economic modernization drive led by the Royal Thai government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, this grassroots industry is being systematically propelled onto the global stage.
By bridging domestic farming communities with multinational trade corridors, the public sector is turning agricultural tradition into a high-value commercial engine. Continued …
TAT unveils four moves to make Thailand Asia’s top high-value destination
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled four strategic moves aimed at increasing tourism revenue by at least 5% in 2027 and positioning Thailand as “Asia’s No. 1 High-Value & Meaningful Destination”.
TAT announced its 2027 marketing action plan under the theme “The Year of Transformation” at Rajadamnern Stadium today, turning the historic boxing venue into a stage for what it described as a major turning point for Thai tourism. Continued …
Thailand Modernizes Regional Airports to Boost Aviation Sector
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has unveiled a comprehensive drive to upgrade provincial airport infrastructure and airspace management, aiming to turn regional hubs into growth engines for trade, tourism, and investment.
Despite ongoing geopolitical volatility, Thailand recorded 85.16 million air passengers between January and July, up 1.48% year-on-year. Domestic traffic reached 39.26 million passengers (up 1.64%), while international journeys rose to 45.91 million (up 1.34%). Continued …
Phuket shop sign bars Israeli tourists, sparks debate
A Phuket shopkeeper has put up a sign barring Israeli tourists from entering, prompting a strong reaction on Thai social media. According to a report, the shop owner said the move followed a previous confrontation outside the business. The report did not identify the shop or give its precise location on the island.
The shopkeeper said: “I was once verbally abused by Israelis in front of my shop. I cursed back that time, but my intention in putting up the sign is to prevent future problems arising from among #Israeli tourists.” Continued …
Phuket waste crisis deepens as landfill exceeds capacity
Phuket’s waste disposal system is under growing pressure, with 1,200-1,300 tons of rubbish being sent for disposal each day and the province’s landfill already exceeding its capacity, Phuket City Mayor Suppachoke Laongphet has said. Continued …
Tourists Accused of Dine-and-Dash Over 8,000-Baht Patong Bill
Patong police are investigating a restaurant payment dispute involving four foreign tourists who allegedly refused to pay an 8,000-baht food and drinks bill before trying to leave. The group was said to include one male tourist from Saudi Arabia and three female tourists from Morocco. Both sides were taken to an investigating officer for formal proceedings under Thai law. Continued …
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Pattaya police arrest Chinese over ‘Pot K’ drug network – Continued …
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American held after Bangkok officer slashed in the neck – Continued …
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Udon Thani resort asks Russian guest to leave after disturbance – Continued …
Canada vows dollar-for-dollar tariffs on US after trade talks collapse
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on a range of US goods after President Donald Trump introduced 50% tariffs on Canadian products, following the collapse of trade negotiations between the two neighboring countries. Continued …
The U.S. demands in Canada tariff talks
At China’s ‘robot Olympics’, humanoids spar, sprint and perform taichi
Humanoid robots on Sunday (August 23) took over the athletic arena at the World Robot Games, competing in sparring, sprinting, and taichi. 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 cinemas/Emergency numbers
Telepharmacy in Thailand has moved from the development of the regulatory framework to its implementation phase. With the FDA’s telepharmacy framework now in place and telepharmacy platforms entering the market, the focus is increasingly turning to how businesses can participate in this emerging healthcare ecosystem.
21 provinces face heavy rain as depression strengthens
Flood conditions in Nan and Sukhothai have begun to improve, but another 7-9 storms could form before the end of the current storm season, climate and disaster specialist Seree Supratid has warned.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) Yodchanan Wongsawat ordered the rehabilitation and restoration of public utilities today in flood-ravaged Pua and Wiang Sa districts of Nan province, as floodwater is steadily receding.
Thai authorities have searched three locations in Pattaya and Bang Lamung as part of an investigation into suspected Thai nominee arrangements used to hold land and run businesses for foreigners.
Thailand’s pitch to the world’s technology companies has, for the past two years, been built on numbers that keep climbing. The Board of Investment approved 26 data center projects worth almost 500 billion baht in 2025, and by the first quarter of 2026, fresh applications had already reached 1.01 trillion baht — roughly 2.4 times what they were a year earlier.
Thailand’s electronics industry is entering a significant upcycle, as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers accelerate global demand for components, with a clear impact on the country’s production base.
Investments and fishing communities clash in Rayong
Thailand’s grip on China’s vast tourism market is slipping, as safety fears drive holidaymakers toward fast-rising Vietnam. The kingdom now expects only 5.1 million Chinese arrivals, less than half its 2019 total.
Thai Airways is set to resume direct non-stop services between Bangkok and Auckland ahead of schedule, with launch plans brought forward by a year to March 2027.
Somsak Pu Ob: The Master of Bangkok’s Crab Glass Noodles
Thailand, done differently
As pressure mounts on industries to treat climate action as systemic rather than a compliance exercise, Tetra Pak Thailand is pointing to a philosophy it says predates the current wave of ESG regulation by decades.
Here is why Thailand might be entering a second consecutive lost decade. The first lost decade, between May 2014 and August 2023 was largely brought about by coup leader Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, who ushered in a period of relative economic stagnation and uncertainty.
Thailand’s competition regulator is preparing new rules for ride-hailing and on-demand delivery platforms amid concerns over market concentration, unfair commission structures, opaque algorithms and unequal operating conditions.
Nine people were gunned down after a 14-year-old took his grandfather’s gun and opened fire at a school just outside Bangkok. Within days, Thailand saw two more different but deadly shootings.
TikTok has expanded its ThaisAware campaign as it enters its third year, bringing together 13 public-sector and civil-society partners to strengthen online-scam awareness in Thailand.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed reports that Japanese investors are moving their production bases out of Thailand, saying the government will not abandon long-standing investors and will fully support the country’s traditional automotive industry.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is gearing up for the launch, tentatively on Oct. 1, of the first phase of the “Thai Tiew Thai Plus” program, aimed at boosting domestic tourism.
Most Thai hotel operators expect their revenue to decline year on year during the third quarter of 2026, with lower-rated properties and hotels in the south likely to face the greatest pressure during the low season.
Chao Phraya express boat fares to rise by 1 baht from today
A Guide to Phang Nga: Beyond James Bond Island, Where Southern Thailand Slows Down
Bangkok eighth in global attractive city index
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is preparing for a major operational overhaul, as it transitions to electric buses, with a plan to lease 1,520 electric vehicles (EVs) over seven years under a 14.9-billion-baht contract with Nakhonchai Air Co.
GAC has delivered 115 Aion EVs for use on Grab’s ride-hailing platform in Thailand through two separate partnerships: 100 units under a tie-up with CLVG and ICBC (Thai) Leasing, and 15 units through a collaboration with Siam Taxi Cooperative.
Despite US market turbulence from the discontinuation of federal tax credits and supply disruptions caused by on-again, off-again tariffs, electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, according to a new report from BloombergNEF.
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.
Thailand has warned dentists that pre-signing cannabis prescription forms without personally examining, diagnosing or treating a patient could lead to legal action and professional disciplinary consequences.
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.
There is a particular kind of traveler who is no longer satisfied with simply visiting a beautiful place. They want to feel it in their body. They want to leave measurably better than they arrived. For this traveler, Thailand is not just a destination. It is beginning to look like a blueprint for how life should be lived.
The Thai government has launched a coordinated push to streamline international passenger processing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, pledging to expand automated passport gates to 31 additional nationalities by the end of August 2026.
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. 
Thailand’s national police chief has ordered a nationwide drive against illegal firearms, ammunition and explosives, alongside increased security at schools, shopping centers, parks and other public spaces.
Heavy rain is forecast across northern, northeastern, central and eastern Thailand today, with authorities warning of flash floods and forest run-off after a monsoon trough moved across the upper north.
Thailand’s digital economy is projected to expand by 5.6% in 2026, reaching a valuation of 5.7 trillion baht ($171.8 billion). According to forecasts released by the National Board of Digital Economy and Society Office (BDE), the sector is set to grow 2.2 times faster than the country’s overall gross domestic product (GDP), establishing itself as a vital engine for national growth.
The online debate over whether restaurants in Thailand should accept orders only in Thai highlights an underlying issue in the industry: a persistent labor shortage, as many Thais do not want to work in the sector.
Thai Airways International (THAI) reported a net profit of 1.54 billion baht for the second quarter of 2026, down from 12.13 billion baht in the same period last year, as the Middle East conflict drove jet fuel prices sharply higher.
Agoda has released data on travel interest among European travelers for summer 2026, showing that Thailand remained the Asian destination attracting the strongest interest for a second consecutive year. The result reflects the strength of Thailand’s tourism market among European travelers.
Asia Pacific commercial real estate investment reached a record USD $92.5 billion in the first half of 2026, a 35% year-on-year increase, according to JLL data. Japan led the region with USD $10.6 billion in the second quarter, while Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong all posted sharp volume gains driven by large portfolio and landmark transactions. 
Jorge Gonzalez searches with his bare hands for his aunt under the ruins of a four-story building in Pereira, one of the cities hardest hit by the powerful earthquake in Colombia that has left at least 240 dead. Like hundreds of volunteers and rescuers, he has spent hours clinging to the faintest hope there may be survivors in the rubble, despite the 7.4 magnitude quake that struck this coffee capital on Monday morning. 
Electric vehicle drivers in Hua Hin now have access to 61 charging stations offering 162 charging points, according to figures published by the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Energy Office. Across the province, there are 109 EV charging stations with a total of 294 charging points, covering all eight districts.
Large crowds gathered at Wat Huay Mongkol in Hua Hin yesterday for the 13th Luang Pu Thuat robe-draping ceremony, one of the region’s main faith-based tourism events.
Prachuap Khiri Khan officials are reviewing preparations for the possible reopening of the Singkhon border crossing, as authorities look to resume trade between Thailand and Myanmar.
People in Thailand lost nearly B9 billion to online scam networks during the first six months of 2026, when more than 170,000 online fraud cases were recorded. Average losses exceeded B52,000 per case.
Thailand is bracing for a worsening wave of corporate liquidations in the second half of the year, following fresh government data showing that major corporations are shutting down at an unprecedented rate alongside struggling small enterprises.
Thailand has captured more than $26.8 billion (approx. 900 billion baht) in investment applications for its semiconductor and advanced electronics sectors over the past three years, cementing its position as a primary beneficiary of global supply chain diversification away from traditional manufacturing hubs.
Thailand’s exports rose 17.6% year-on-year to US$196.74 billion in the first six months of 2026, with technology and electronics leading the increase, the government said yesterday.
Putting the spotlight on an open secret
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has urged Chinese citizens attending cultural performances, sporting events and fan meetings in Thailand to comply strictly with local laws and venue regulations, following several incidents involving Chinese tourists.
Pattaya Bay moves to cap tour boat operators
When Lynda Lazaridis gets dressed, she chooses her clothes carefully. The Melbourne grandmother’s breasts were virtually removed, and her nipples relocated up near her armpits.
12 mythical giants watch over Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok ranks ninth on Time Out’s 2026 street food list
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has reaffirmed that the remaining 200 billion baht ($6.05 billion) from the government’s 400 billion baht ($12.1 billion) emergency loan decree will be strictly prioritized for Thailand’s clean energy transition.
When 35% of a year’s rainfall falls within a single week, as it did in parts of Thailand last year, the failure is not simply meteorological. It is a failure of design, of coordination, and — increasingly — of economics.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July on record as climate change fuels an historic summer of heat, drought and wildfires across the region, the EU’s global warming monitor said today. 
Chinese start-ups and researchers are racing to bring brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to market that can be implanted in just a few minutes, as Beijing pushes to nurture home-grown players in the sector to compete with Elon Musk’s Neuralink. 
AGT gives Nene Royal’s Judges’ Callbacks performance early release
To reach a deal with Iran that reopens the economically vital Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump may need to do something out of character — compromise.
Egg prices have climbed to a two-year high of 4 baht each, driven by reduced supplies due to hot weather and high animal feed prices. Prices are expected to ease in October as climate conditions improve.
The government has pledged to leverage free trade agreements (FTAs) to help Thai businesses integrate into global supply chains, expand export markets and attract investment.
Regional airport upgrade plan takes off
Ukrainians have adopted the term “safari” to describe drones “hunting down” civilians or vehicles in the street – something residents of Kherson, a smaller southern city on the front line, have long suffered from. The viral video of a vegetable seller being targeted by a bomb-laden drone has highlighted the threat faced by residents of the city. 
Hong Kong’s tourism industry has called for more experiential events, enhanced transport measures and closer cross-border cooperation to draw overnight visitors, after tourist spending fell to HK197.5 billion (830 billion baht) last year, 44% below its 2018 level. 
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.
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 Retains Rank as World’s Second-Largest Pet Food Exporter
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.
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the launch of new direct air routes connecting key cities in Indonesia and Thailand, highlighting expanded aviation connectivity as a vital driver for strengthening people-to-people ties and boosting regional tourism.
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. 
Hua Hin City’s Waterworks Division has launched a citywide survey to update customer water meter records and improve the efficiency of meter-reading routes.
Avani+ Hua Hin appoints new general manager
A collection of camera-trap images documenting Kaeng Krachan tigers over eight years has been released as evidence of the continued health of the forest ecosystem. The images were shared yesterday to mark Global Tiger Day.
Global Tiger Day: How we’re helping wild tigers
Thailand’s premier resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui are rapidly transitioning from traditional holiday destinations into major global real estate investment hubs, driven by evolving international buyer demographics and expanding private investment networks.
There is a comforting myth that poverty in Asia and the Pacific is a story about the region’s least-developed economies. The assumption goes that if we can just lift the poorest nations, the job is largely done.
The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest-rate target unchanged at 3.50–3.75% yesterday, extending its pause for a fifth consecutive meeting as inflation remained above the central bank’s 2% target. The Federal Open Market Committee voted nine to three to maintain the target range, a decision that was broadly expected by financial markets. 
Up to 23 people were feared dead today after a major earthquake in Japan, with four bodies now pulled out from the tangled wreckage of a shopping mall ripped apart by a suspected massive gas explosion. The Kumamoto disaster-management office’s latest tally put fatalities at 17 and those without vital signs at six, with five more in critical condition two days after the 7.1-magnitude tremor. 
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for two consecutive days this week to mark the Buddhist holidays of Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, with many shops, convenience stores and restaurants prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks, unless in areas falling under current exemptions.
Samui water rationing begins Monday after drought
Thailand Schools Struggle to Break Children’s Phone Addiction
Bangkok authorities have ordered 79 entertainment venues and similar establishments to halt operations after inspecting 865 premises across the capital in a week-long safety and licensing campaign.
The Thai baht has slid to 33.640 per US dollar, its 2026 high, marking an 8.% decline since February. This weakness stems primarily from the 250–275 basis point policy rate gap between the Fed (3.5%–3.75%) and the Bank of Thailand (1.00%), which sustains a strong carry advantage for dollar assets.
The United States recently announced Section 301 tariff rates for 60 countries that had not introduced and enforced bans on imports of goods produced with forced labor, with Thailand placed in the highest rate band of 12.5%.
The US tariff of 12.5% imposed on Thailand could weaken export competitiveness and add pressure to economic growth in the second half, with further US trade measures still looming, warns Asia Plus Securities (ASPS).
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says Thailand is two-thirds of the way through concluding a free trade agreement with the European Union and is pressing Beijing on three fronts to correct an increasingly lopsided trade relationship — all part of a wider strategy to reduce Thailand’s reliance on any single major power.
Tourists cannot buy special treatment in Thailand simply because they spend money, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul declared yesterday as two explosive disputes involving Chinese and Italian visitors spiraled into diplomatic rows, official investigations, a GMMTV inquiry and police intervention.
Thailand expects to welcome a record 2.7 million Indian visitors next year after recommending a 30-day visa-free entry, instead of the visa on arrival initially proposed, for Indian nationals, with tourism officials also banking on expanded flight connections from smaller Indian cities to boost demand.
More tourists are good news for Thailand. But not if the country cannot cope with the pressures they bring. Tourism is one of Thailand’s biggest sources of income. For decades, success was measured by the number of visitors. That yardstick no longer tells the whole story.
Phuket generated 263 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first six months of this year, attracting nearly seven million visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued a warning that an impending El Niño phenomenon could prove more severe than the country’s 2015 drought crisis, with prolonged dry spells potentially stretching well into 2027.