- Sun Power Solar sponsors Expat News/Visa-Free Stay Cut to 30 DaysMonsoon to bring heavy rain/Thailand has a password problem/Private sector encouraged to sponsor World Cup/Thai Teen Wins Snooker Title
- THE IRAN WAR: Trump warns Iran of fresh US strikes/Iran agrees to help Thai cargo ships
- ECONOMY: Cabinet approves relief scheme/Why our workplaces aren’t working/EEC land prices surge/EEC condo prices decline/Nippon Steel pledges long-term commitment/Migrants to ease labor shortage/Humanoid robots to reshape manufacturing/NT picked for digital infrastructure projects
- TOURISM: TAT banks on quality travel/Thailand Wellness Industry/Thai Airways cuts June flights
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Amazing Coconut Cutting Skills/Enormous snake moving through floodwaters
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Land bridge comes at environmental cost/Businesses face green reckoning/Save mangroves, save global water cycle/Power demand from data centers, EVs
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Editor: We’re always pleased, and humbled, when sponsors decide to renew their commitment to Expat News, and today thank Hua Hin’s Sun Power Solar for continuing with their sponsorship.
Sun Power Solar
We are passionate about solar energy. We had our own solar system installed. After a few days, we found it so inspiring we were hooked and decided to start a business.
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The solar industry is rapidly expanding, largely due to falling prices, along with peoples desire to see their monthly electricity bill reduced, as the cost of electricity steadily increases. Couple this with more and more people being aware and taking action against global warming, solar power is one of the obvious ways to help achieve this.
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Cabinet Cuts Visa-Free Stay Back to 30 Days
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for travelers from more than 90 countries and territories, reverting instead to the previous arrangements that mostly allow stays of around 30 days.
The move marks a significant shift in the country’s tourism policy, with authorities citing security concerns and the need to focus on “quality tourists” rather than visitor numbers alone. Continued …
Strong monsoon to bring heavy rain across Thailand’s regions
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today forecast continued rain across Thailand over the next 24 hours, with heavy to very heavy rain in some areas of the south’s west coast, the northeast, and the east.
Isolated heavy rain was also forecast for the north and the central region, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces. People were advised to beware of heavy to very heavy rain and accumulated rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and run-off . Continued …
Thailand has a password problem
Thailand’s cybersecurity authority has warned that weak and reused passwords remain one of the biggest gateways to modern cyber-attacks, with leaked login credentials increasingly being exploited to gain access to mobile banking accounts, corporate systems, and users’ broader digital identities.
National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) Secretary-general AVM Amorn Chomchoey delivered the warning during the recent Fortinet Accelerate 26 APAC – Thailand Edition Fast Forward Edition, where he outlined the country’s evolving cyber-threat landscape and revealed statistics on the “Top 20 Most Used Passwords in Thailand”. Continued …
Private sector encouraged to sponsor World Cup 2026
Prime Minister’s Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi said yesterday the government might have to find potential private sponsors for the World Cup tournament to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada during June 12 and July 20 since, she commented, the FIFA broadcasting rights were considered “unfairly costly” for Thailand.
For instance, Thailand has been asked to pay the price that would be “unfairly costly” and higher than that offered to another country, though the former roughly has a 70-million population, compared to the latter’s one-billion population, according to the Bhumjaithai-attached Prime Minister’s Office minister. Continued …
Thai Teen Wins 2026 World Women’s Snooker Title
Thai teenager “Mind Sakol” Panchaya Channoi made snooker history yesterday by defeating 12-time world champion, Reanne Evans, to capture her maiden World Women’s Snooker Championship title and become Thailand’s 3rd world snooker champion.
The 2026 “World Women’s Snooker Championship,” held at the Changping Snooker Center in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, reached its climax yesterday with the highly anticipated final match. The 18-year-old Thai sensation, ranked 15th in the world, defeated her fellow compatriot world number 3 and 2022 world champion, “Mink Saraburi” Nutcharut Wongharuthai, 5-3. She overcame England’s Reanne Evans, the world number 4 and legendary 12-time world champion, 6-2 in the best-of-11 frame final. Continued …
Trump warns Iran of fresh US strikes as deal pressure grows
US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may strike Iran again if negotiations fail, even as he claimed Tehran’s leaders were now seeking a deal to end the US-Israeli war.
Speaking at the White House yesterday, Trump said he had been close to ordering a new attack before deciding to delay the move. “I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” Trump told reporters. Continued …
Iran agrees to help Thai cargo ships pass Strait of Hormuz
Two Thai cargo ships waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz are expected to receive assistance from Iran after a meeting at Government House Monday.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, chief adviser to the prime minister, met Mehdi Zare, cultural counsellor at the Embassy of Iran in Thailand, to discuss bilateral ties and the regional situation. Continued …
Cabinet approves 176-billion-baht relief scheme
The cabinet has approved the “Thais Help Thais Plus” program, together with additional support measures for vulnerable groups, with a combined budget of 176 billion baht, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced yesterday.
The program is designed to ease the burden of rising living costs, as Thailand faces what the government has described as a second wave of the global energy crisis. Continued …
Why our workplaces aren’t working
For years, companies have built teams around a simple idea: hiring experienced people who can execute reliably within a stable system. People who know what to do, how to do it, and how to deliver consistently over time.
It worked when the world was stable, when change was incremental, when industries moved in cycles, when experience was the strongest predictor of success. But that world is gone. Continued …
EEC land prices surge as foreign capital reshapes Thailand’s industrial market
Foreign capital, particularly Chinese investment, is significantly reshaping Thailand’s industrial estate market. Although investment decisions briefly slowed in early March due to travel-related factors and economic uncertainty, most investors resumed negotiations and continued expanding their investments once the situation eased.
This has kept Thailand’s industrial land and logistics market hot in the first quarter of 2026, especially in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), a key magnet for foreign capital. Continued …
Eastern Economic Corridor condo prices decline again in Q1
Condo prices in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) declined in the first quarter, marking a second consecutive quarterly decrease as developers accelerated stock clearance campaigns amid sluggish purchasing power and elevated unsold inventory.
According to the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), the EEC condominium price index was 101.9 points in the first quarter, down 1% year-on-year and 0.3% quarter-on-quarter. Continued …
Nippon Steel pledges long-term commitment to Thailand
Nippon Steel has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Thailand, urging stronger government protection against an influx of substandard steel imports and expressing readiness to further expand investments in the country.
Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steel producer and expected to become the world’s third-largest steelmaker following its US$14.9-billion acquisition of US Steel, reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Thailand through investments in around 30 companies employing approximately 8,000 workers across the steel supply chain, from upstream production to downstream manufacturing. Continued …
Call for more migrants to ease labor shortage
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has urged the government to act swiftly in tackling worker shortages for Thailand’s labor-intensive industries.
The committee said easing legal barriers and renewing work permits for migrant workers from neighboring countries is critical to sustaining competitiveness, economic growth, and exports. Continued …
Humanoid robots set to reshape manufacturing
Humanoid robots are rapidly moving out of laboratories and into industrial reality as advances in artificial intelligence (AI) converge with growing global labor shortages, creating a pivotal moment for automation.
A study by Roland Berger projects that the humanoid robotics market could generate between US$300 billion and $750 billion in annual revenue by 2035, with long-term potential to reach $4 trillion by 2050, rivaling the size of the global automotive industry. Continued …
NT picked to spearhead 6 digital infrastructure projects
The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has assigned state telecom enterprise National Telecom (NT) to steer six projects that aim to strengthen Thailand’s digital infrastructure.
The effort is expected to help transform NT into the country’s leading provider of digital services for the public sector, while reinforcing Thailand’s long-term cybersecurity resilience. Continued …
TAT banks on quality travel as long-haul markets hold steady
Thailand is moving to defend its long-haul tourism markets as global geopolitical tensions, higher fuel prices, and cautious travel sentiment continue to affect the industry.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said global geopolitical risks were still weighing on the economy and tourism sector, particularly through higher supply-side costs and operating expenses linked to oil prices. Continued …
Thailand Tells Wellness Industry: Scientific Proof Is the Only Path to Premium Pricing
Senior government officials delivered a blunt message to Thailand’s wellness sector yesterday: no amount of customer satisfaction will substitute for hard clinical evidence, and without it, the industry will never escape the pricing trap holding it back from global competitiveness.
Speaking at the opening of a national seminar and networking forum entitled “Beyond Relaxation: Innovation, Science and the Future of Value Creation in the Wellness Industry”, hosted by the National Innovation Agency (NIA), the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), and Chulalongkorn University, MHESI minister Yodchanan Wongsawat argued that the single missing piece in Thailand’s wellness puzzle is an evidence base — and that without one, operators will continue hitting a hard ceiling on what they can charge. Continued …
Thai Airways cuts June flights on 10 Asia services
Thai Airways International will cancel and reduce flights on 10 international services in June, covering routes to India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and China, as passenger demand slows during the low tourism season.
A source from Thai Airways International said the airline needed to adjust its flight plan again in June after a previous round of changes in May. The latest adjustment will affect selected international services, with some flights canceled for the whole of June and others suspended on specific dates. Continued …
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Vilhelm International Academy launched in March 2026 and has is campus at “The Hub” in Hin Lek Fai, less than 10 minutes from the center of town. They provide mentor-led academic supervision for students studying through accredited online school programs, whether independently enrolled or through integrated programs offered at Vilhelm. This means that students follow a fixed timetable, complete coursework under supervision, and receive ongoing progress monitoring. They can do this whist studying for their GCSE’s, A-Levels, NCAA approved US courses, or any other online school they choose to use.
Unlike more traditional options, at the academy children can learn at their own pace, not being forced forward before they are ready and also not being held back by the rest of the class. When they are ready to move on they do so. By coming to the academy each day, they are able to complement their studies with activities that develop leadership skills, community service (such as the recent helmet initiative), complemented by daily sports and physical activity to support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
You can visit the website for more details, or you can book an appointment to meet with the academy co-ordinator to discuss what you are looking for and explain what they can offer. There is a completely free five-day trial period that can be taken advantage of by anyone interested in seeing if the academy is the right fit for them.
Website; Email: info@vilhelminternationalacademy.com; Phone: +66 065 991 5500; Facebook; Map location.
Amazing Coconut Cutting Skills of Thailand
Thai street food vendors use incredible speed, precision, and knife techniques to prepare fresh coconuts in seconds. Video …
Video shows enormous snake moving through Thailand floodwaters
A video of an enormous snake moving through muddy water has startled viewers online. The clip shows what appears to be a large python gliding through floodwaters in Thailand. Video …
Thailand’s mega project land bridge comes at environmental cost
Thailand’s trillion-baht land bridge project may put environments at risk, as one conservation scientist calls the mega-project a “trade-off” between economic growth and environmental protection.
Petch Manopawitr, a scientist and technical adviser to international organizations, criticized that the mega-project represents a sacrifice of natural resources for economic growth. “A project like land bridge brings us to the question of trade-offs again. We have to destroy this capital in order to develop,” he said. Continued …
Thai businesses face a green reckoning
A new set of trade rules is sweeping through the business world. This time, it is not about price or quality. It is about carbon reduction. The big question is whether companies can keep up with this particular “green” goal.
Environmental pressures are rocking global trade and its supply chains to the core. Businesses are expected to take responsibility for their environmental impact, not as a choice, but as a condition of market access. Continued …
Save mangroves, save the global water cycle
The global water cycle is our planet’s life-support system. It is a powerful environmental pump, with forests transpiring moisture and replenishing giant atmospheric rivers of freshwater.
It is also a global thermostat, regulating the climate through evaporation and cloud formation. And it is a giant filter, purifying water as it percolates through the soils and wetlands. Continued …
SE Asia’s power demand from data centers, EVs to grow
Power demand growth for green industrial parks, data centers and electric vehicles in Southeast Asia is forecast to grow by more than 100 terawatts per hour (TWh) in the next three to four years, according toa report published by Bain & Co. and Standard Chartered.
The demand from these sectors is expected to require more than $200billion of investments, according to the 2026 Southeast Asia’s Green Economy Report. More than half of this investment will go to data centers, with almost all operators willing to pay a premium to avoid grid connection delays. Continued …
Police Target International Crime Networks in Pattaya
Thailand’s Tourist Police have stepped up efforts to improve safety in Pattaya through closer cooperation with embassies, consulates, and foreign volunteer networks to tackle nominee businesses, scam gangs, and transnational crime. Continued …
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Chinese Nationals Held in Chon Buri Drug Lab Bust – Continued …
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Brit Arrested in Pattaya Drug and Gun Busts – Continued …
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Chinese Film Crew Workers Arrested in Chiang Mai – Continued …
WHO worried about ‘scale and speed’ of deadly Ebola outbreak
The World Health Organization yesterday voiced concern about the “scale and speed” of an Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 130 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and warned it could be lengthy. The UN health agency has declared the surge of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever in the east of the country an international health emergency. Continued …
Standard Chartered to cut over 7,000 jobs as bank steps up AI adoption
Standard Chartered plans to cut more than 7,000 jobs over the next four years as it boosts adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) while targeting growth. The London-headquartered lender is one of the first major global banks to lay out official plans to cut thousands of jobs, citing AI as a driver to make its operations slimmer as it seeks to increase its profitability and tackle competition. Continued …
Hua Hin Links and Transport
Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
The end of Bangkok Street food
Bangkok is known for its extensive and varied street food scene. Its presence comes up in virtually any discussion about tourism in Thailand. Techically, some might argue, you haven’t really “visited” Thailand if you have not experienced Bangkok’s street food. Quite simply, it’s a selling point for Thailand’s tourism industry.
What your go-to street food in Thailand says about you
Hua Hin Red Cross Fair on June 5-14
The Thai private sector’s damning report on the 10 most-corrupt state agencies has sent a shockwave through the government bureaucracy, prompting immediate reactions, from Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to the director general of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), who has demanded to see evidence of the alleged bribe taking.
Four Thai police officers and a civilian have been arrested in Sa Kaeo province after allegedly detaining five Chinese nationals and demanding money in exchange for their release.
Thailand’s worsening corruption situation was raised as a key proposal at a joint meeting between the government and the private sector on ways to improve the country’s economic competitiveness, held at Government House on Friday.
Poll Urges End to Hidden School Fees and Equal Access
Is 60 truly the perfect endpoint of a working life? This question is becoming ever more pressing as Thailand and the broader ASEAN region rapidly transition into a “Super-Aged Society.” The economic and social structures that were once driven by a young workforce are facing mounting pressure.
Thailand has urged Iran to allow the safe passage of eight Thai-flagged ships stranded at either end of the near-closed Strait of Hormuz. The call was made by Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi last week.
Oil prices extended gains today as efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran appeared to have stalled, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran.
Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is investigating 21 companies on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province over suspected nominee shareholding arrangements linked to foreign ownership violations.
The Anutin government is under immediate pressure to ease living costs and restore economic confidence, as most respondents to a new Suan Dusit Poll want urgent action on prices and debt, while nearly half expect the economy to worsen over the next three months.
Thailand’s economy grew by 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, official data showed today, higher than the median forecast of 2.2% in a Reuters poll of analysts
Nearly three months have passed since the US-Israeli air strikes on Iran began, with no resolution to the war in sight, while almost two months have elapsed since the Thai government took office.
Thailand Land Bridge Faces Investor Doubts
Chinese investment continues to make inroads into Thai retail, with “Chinese supermarkets” expanding into Huai Khwang, Rama 9, and tourist cities. The stores stock Chinese goods ranging from snacks, drinks, tea, soft drinks, mala sauces, and instant noodles to ready-to-eat food, responding to strong online trends.
Thailand’s influencer economy is no longer just about content creation but has become a fast-growing business sector worth 45 billion baht, prompting calls for clearer standards, stronger oversight, and support to help Thai influencers compete internationally.
On Feb. 28, when the US-Israeli war with Iran began, Thailand’s tourism industry was looking forward to reaping the benefits of the final month of the high season.
Elephant Nature Park: Inside Chiang Mai’s Ethical Elephant Haven
Thailand’s Largest Lake Is A Breathtaking Body Of Water With Islands, Bird Sanctuaries, And Fishing
In our latest travel title, Thailand: The Monocle Handbook, we showcase the very best of this sunny nation, including the multitude of excellent hospitality hotspots on offer.
Preparing for Climate-Related Losses
Global stocks slumped and oil prices rose yesterday with worries about sustained inflation driving up bond yields with no conclusion to the Iran war in sight. The international oil benchmark Brent crude contract rose more than 3% to $109.26 a barrel.
Hormuz crisis shows clean energy is key to reducing the economic cost of fossil fuel dependence
Thailand’s business travel and exhibition sector is facing a severe downturn as the protracted conflict in the Middle East sends shockwaves through global energy and aviation markets. Industry leaders warn that the escalating crisis could prove more damaging to the economy than the Covid-19 pandemic.
A noodle vendor in Ratchaburi has continued selling bowls for 10 baht despite rising ingredient and fuel costs, offering one of the cheapest meals still available as inflation continues to affect household spending in Thailand.
As Thailand adopts artificial intelligence (AI), IT specialists warn some government agencies developing AI projects may repeat the mistakes of the app development era, when huge budgets were spent on digital projects that allegedly delivered little benefit to the public.
Thailand and India plan to expand trade, investment, and regional cooperation as both countries prepare to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
In Thailand, burned sugarcane plantations become traps for leopard cat cubs
Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Commerce, has issued a rallying cry to domestic firms of all sizes to aggressively secure intellectual property rights, as new data reveals a global surge in sustainability-driven technologies.
U.S. President Donald Trump left China oyesterday with no major breakthroughs on trade or tangible help from Beijing to end the Iran war, despite two days spent heaping praise on his host, Xi Jinping. 
The global technology industry has entered another round of mass layoffs in 2026, with more than 100,000 jobs cut worldwide in the first five months of the year as companies restructure operations, control costs, and shift more resources into artificial intelligence. 
Fuel prices across Thailand rose across all major categories today, with diesel increasing by 0.80 baht per liter and petrol and gasohol products rising by 0.90 baht per liter.
Solar energy in Hua Hin is becoming an increasingly practical option for homeowners and businesses looking to reduce electricity costs and improve energy efficiency. Solar energy systems have moved from being a niche technology to a mainstream solution for residential and commercial use.
Thailand has introduced eight new regulations governing the sale and consumption of alcohol, with the measures taking effect immediately following their publication in the Royal Gazette yesterday. The updated rules expand restrictions across transport hubs, public spaces, and government-controlled areas as authorities seek to modernize legislation first introduced in 2008.
While Thailand’s general economy grapples with near-zero inflation, its healthcare sector is battling a severe fever. “Medical inflation” — the rising cost of healthcare services — has surged to 10.8%, a rate that far outstrips the general cost of living and is now significantly higher than the global average of 10.3%.
There will be heavy to very heavy rains in Thailand from tomorrow to Monday next week, according to the Meteorological Department. Sugunyanee Yavinchan, director-general of the department, said there would be heavy to very heavy rains in the north, the central plains, the east, and the south.
A sum of 1.3 billion baht in initial budget was yesterday approved by the Bhumjaithai-led government for Thailand to buy broadcasting rights for World Cup 2026 football games from North America during a five-and-a-half-weeks period.
Asia is in the grip of a deepening plastics emergency, as the Iran oil shock chokes off supplies of a critical petrochemical feedstock, sending packaging prices soaring and raising alarm across food, medical, and consumer goods industries from Indonesia to Japan.
President Donald Trump has accused parts of the US news media of committing “virtual treason” by suggesting that Iran is performing well in the ongoing war, saying such reports provide encouragement to an enemy of the United States.
Business and consumer confidence indices dropped for the second consecutive month in April, primarily due to concerns about the Middle East conflict and oil shock disrupting various sectors, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
The Thai-Cambodian border conflict and border-closure measures over the past year have had wide-ranging effects on border economies, trade, investment, and businesses in both countries, amid concerns that the prolonged situation has created more room for rival countries to replace Thai goods and businesses in Cambodia.
A coalition of 10 automotive associations representing more than 1,500 operators will urge the government to raise the excise tax on fully imported electric vehicles to at least 32%, in a bid to protect Thai vehicle production and auto-parts suppliers from cheaper Chinese imports.
Tourism operators say plans to introduce or raise taxes on travel services in Thailand remain unjustified and inappropriate at this time, given the lack of clarity on how the revenue would be allocated for development.
A British tourist has warned travelers heading to Thailand not to pack vapes in their luggage after her partner was fined 40,000 Thai baht during a family holiday. She and her partner were stopped twice by Thai police within three days for using electronic cigarettes on a beach.
The deadliest animals are not lions, spiders, or snakes, but the tiny mosquitoes that suck our blood, make us itchy, and infect us with disease.
The Transport Ministry will ask the Finance Ministry to allocate 10-20 billion baht from the government’s 400-billion-baht borrowing decree to help public transport and freight operators replace aging vehicles with electric vehicles.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of widespread thunderstorms, gusty winds and heavy rain in some areas today, as another surge of high pressure (cool air mass) spreads over the upper northeast and the South China Sea.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp. (BCP) reduced retail fuel prices across major diesel and petrol products today. The price cut covered diesel B7, diesel B20, premium diesel, benzine, Gasohol 95, Gasohol 91, E85 and E20, all of which were lowered by 85 satang per liter.
Pawnshops and community initiatives are expanding support measures as families prepare for the new school term amid rising living costs.
Travelers across Asia were left stranded after major airlines cancelled hundreds of flights and delayed thousands of others in a single day. Thousands of people were affected by the disruptions across Thailand, Singapore, India, China, South Korea and Malaysia yesterday. It has been reported that 194 flights were cancelled and 2,603 delayed.
Thailand’s Department of Airports plans to build six new airports worth a combined B26 billion, with Bueng Kan Airport in upper northeast Thailand expected to become the first project submitted to Cabinet after its environmental impact assessment (EIA) received approval. The plan forms part of a wider strategy to expand regional air travel capacity and improve support for tourism and infrastructure projects across the country.
What is Thailand’s Royal Ploughing ceremony?
Thailand without the crowds: Where do you go when everywhere else is packed?
The European Union’s (EU) climate monitor said today that ocean temperatures are edging toward record highs as conditions shift toward a potentially powerful El Nino weather pattern.
A US trade court dealt another blow to President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy, ruling that his latest 10% temporary global duties are unjustified under a 1970s trade law, but blocked thelevies only for two private importers and the State of Washington. 
Hua Hin City Municipality is preparing for possible drought-related problems after a dry spell caused water levels in Pran Buri Reservoir to fall to a low level. A meeting was called yesterday after the Pran Buri Water Transmission and Maintenance Project reported that low rainfall since the start of 2026 had affected water levels in Pran Buri Reservoir.
Prachuap Khiri Khan province is facing severe drought conditions, with more than 512 million liters of water already distributed to households lacking water for daily use. Deputy Governor Prateep Boriboonrat chaired a meeting yesterday to monitor the drought situation.
Airpocalypse Forever: Thailand Gasps for Breath
Airlines worldwide hit by Iran war with fare rises, cuts, and closures
Middle East Conflict Sends Fertilizer Costs Soaring for Asia’s Rice Farmers
Thailand’s inflation rate increased by 2.89% in April compared to last year, driven by rising oil and food prices, reported Nantapong Chiralerspong of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office. The increase is linked to Middle Eastern conflicts causing a blockage in the Strait of Hormuz, which has sharply escalated global oil prices. This surge has impacted public transport and, subsequently, the cost of food and services in the country.
Thailand’s back-to-school season is expected to generate total consumer spending of 66 billion baht in 2026, a 6% increase on the previous year and the fastest rate of growth in 13 years, according to research released yesterday by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). The findings arrive as the broader Thai economy struggles for momentum, with GDP growth forecast at just 1.6% for the year.
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has approved six major investment projects worth a combined 29.9 billion dollars, led by a large-scale data infrastructure expansion by TikTok. The largest share comes from TikTok Systems (Thailand) Co., which plans to invest 26.3 billion dollars, across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chachoengsao.
Pattaya and Chon Buri tourism operators are suffering from the government’s work-from-home policies during the low season, expecting only 30%-40% occupancy rates this month, while they compete for markets with high potential such as Chinese and Indian tourists by offering discounts.
Bangkok is set to become the hottest major city in Southeast Asia by 2050, with temperatures projected to rise above 38C as climate change and the urban heat island effect intensify across the region.
Global debt climbed to a record near US$353 trillion by the end of March, with the IIF saying investors are showing growing interest in Japanese and European bonds over US Treasuries. 
Does your morning coffee make you feel invincible? There may be some truth to that, as new research explains how coffee helps protect against aging and chronic disease.
Thailand has enough oil reserves to meet domestic demand for about 108 days, the Energy Ministry said yesterday, as global energy markets remained volatile amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Thailand’s minimum wage has risen by an average of just 1.7% per year over the past decade, with limited improvement in real incomes as rising living costs offset gains, according to analysis by Bnomics, the research unit of Bangkok Bank.
Thailand is accelerating plans to upgrade its southern rail network and revive cross-border links with Malaysia, as part of a broader push to position the country as a regional logistics hub.
Fruit export push — Commerce targets B179 billion in 2026
On health insurance for foreign populations, including both workers and tourists, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said yesterday said that foreigners entering Thailand — whether for tourism, work or short cross-border visits — could become a major economic burden if they were unable to pay for medical treatment. He said the health insurance system could help fill that gap and offset the cost.
Why Thais can’t get enough of moo kratha — and why some can’t stand it
Eat your hearts out Pablo Escobar, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes. The richest cartel by far is still the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and its leaders also get to die in bed. But one of its oldest members, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has just quit. No notice, no explanations — just quit.
US President Donald Trump said yesterday he would raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25% next week, accusing the bloc of failing to carry out its trade commitments with Washington. The planned increase would replace the previously agreed 15% tariff level under a US-EU trade arrangement reached last year. 
The United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced yesterday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between President Donald Trump and Europe. 
They die quietly, one by one, doing the forest officials’ job, rewarded with little more than praise that masks state hypocrisy. In early April, Boonma Phadaeng, 56, collapsed and died after days of fighting a forest fire in Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai province.
Critics have warned that the military-led approach to handling the conflict in Thailand’s southern border provinces may be prolonging unrest rather than resolving it. Since violence resumed in 2004, the conflict in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat remains entrenched, rooted in historical, identity, and religious differences involving separatist groups.
The Thai retail landscape has reached a historic tipping point, with e-commerce now established as the sector’s primary engine of growth. Recent data reveals the digital market has surpassed the 1 trillion baht ($30 billion) threshold, accounting for 30% of total national retail value.
Thailand’s Fiscal Policy Office has cut its 2026 economic growth forecast to 1.6%, down from the 2.0% projection made in January, citing rising pressure from geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.
Thailand is emerging as one of Asia’s new wealth hubs as the global capital landscape shifts and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) become increasingly mobile, creating fresh momentum for Thailand’s high-end property, investment, and luxury lifestyle sectors.
Number of Japanese restaurants in Thailand declines
The Thai Travel Agents Assn. (TTAA) strongly opposes the government’s plan to levy a 1,000-baht departure tax on Thai travelers, warning it will hamper two-way tourism and hurt the economy during a cost-of-living crisis.
LA Songkran Event Sets Guinness Record with Pad Thai Sales
Twenty-two Sri Lankan Buddhist monks who had just returned from Thailand were arrested on April 25 at an airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after customs officers allegedly found cannabis hidden in their luggage. The monks were detained after officers found 110 kilograms of cannabis concealed in secret compartments inside their suitcases. 
The United Arab Emirates has confirmed it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the wider OPEC+ alliance from May 1, ending more than five decades of membership and dealing a fresh blow to the producers’ group as the Iran war continues to disrupt global energy flows. 
Thailand is widely perceived as a relatively safe destination compared with many countries at similar income levels, yet risk profiles vary considerably between cities. For expats and digital nomads planning a medium to long-term stay, understanding which Thai cities offer the most predictable and manageable safety environment is critical.
The Ministry of Energy is pressing ahead with a major overhaul of the entire electricity tariff structure for the first time in more than 20 years. Its plan to introduce a new tiered tariff structure is creating ripples for households using more than 400 units a month and for the business sector.
The baht closed last week, on April 24, at a fresh two-week low of 32.51 baht per US dollar, as markets awaited the outcomes of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting and the US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting.
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has unveiled a nationwide contingency plan to mitigate the potential impact of a looming Super El Nino, warning that hotter temperatures and below-normal rainfall could threaten crops, water supplies, and rural incomes this year.
International trade between Thailand and China remains brisk, but the overall picture points to structural fragility as the trade deficit continues to widen. A review of data from the Information and Communication Technology Center found that Thailand-China trade totaled B1.278 trillion in the first three months of 2026, up 18.% from the same period a year earlier.
Thailand’s automotive industry showed fresh signs of recovery in March, as total vehicle production rose to 133,413 units and domestic sales were boosted by strong demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, according to the Federation of Thai Industries.
The information center of LWS Wisdom and Solutions Co. has pointed to a new picture of the property market in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), saying it is moving from growth driven by investment and infrastructure stimulus toward a housing market powered by “real demand” from the workforce and industrial sector. This has significantly changed the equation for project development and property investment in the area.
The battle for Thailand’s skincare market is intensifying as local and international beauty brands race to capture consumers who are spending more on science-based, skin-health-focused products.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is advancing plans to integrate medical cannabis into the country’s health economy. This initiative aligns with recent changes in U.S. cannabis policy, as the U.S. eases restrictions on certain cannabis products.
Thailand is set to revert to its previous visa-free entry policy, reducing the number of eligible countries and territories from 93 to 57. This decision by the Tourism and Sports Ministry aims to improve visitor screening and promote high-value tourism.
Searches for short-haul travel destinations have risen sharply ahead of Thailand’s upcoming long weekend from April 30 to May 4, covering Labor Day and Coronation Day. The trend reflects growing demand for convenient, budget-conscious holidays, with Thai travelers showing stronger interest in both domestic destinations close to Bangkok and nearby international cities.
Call it a different kind of sticker shock. The Beijing Auto Show that opened to the public this week is a showcase for how hypercompetition in China has driven new car prices in the world’s largest car market to a fraction of the level of the next-largest market, the United States.
The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) will meet tomorrow to consider a plan to buy more solar power from households and businesses, with the intention of encouraging people to generate their own electricity.
The industrial sector in Bangkok is seeing a noticeable shift as factories and warehouses begin turning their rooftops into productive financial assets through solar power installations. This change is being driven by rising electricity costs and supportive government policies, making solar energy an increasingly attractive option for businesses in Thailand’s capital and nearby areas.
Representatives of about 50 governments meet in Colombia today for the first international talks on phasing out planet-heating fossil fuels, against a backdrop of the Iran war and a global energy crunch.
Police have arrested two Chinese tourists accused of carrying out a gold shop robbery in Nakhon Ratchasima, stealing rings worth about 300,000 baht before fleeing. The suspects were detained later the same day in Bangkok after investigators traced their getaway vehicle. The stolen items were recovered and authorities are preparing legal proceedings. 
The man who authorities say tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives was charged yesterday with the attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump, as federal authorities suggested an attack that disrupted one of Washington’s glitziest events had been planned for at least several weeks. 
Australia unveiled draft laws today that would tax tech giants Meta, Google, and TikTok unless they voluntarily strike deals to pay local outlets for news. Traditional media companies around the world are in a battle for survival as readers increasingly consume their news on social media. Australia wants big tech companies to compensate local publishers for sharing articles that drive traffic on their platforms. 
The death toll from a train collision near the Indonesian capital Jakarta has risen to 14, with another 84 injured, the train operator said today, as rescuers worked to extract survivors still trapped in the wreckage. The collision between a commuter train and a long-distance train happened late yesterday in Bekasi, just outside Jakarta. 
Hua Hin is exploring the use of CCTV with AI-enabled facial recognition systems as part of plans to strengthen public safety and modernize urban management. The proposal was discussed during a meeting chaired by Nopporn Wutthikul on Friday at Hua Hin City Municipality.
Five stray dogs were found dead after suspected poisoning in a residential area of Cha Am municipality, Phetchaburi, on Friday, prompting concern among local residents and calls for authorities to investigate. The animals were discovered lying on the road and nearby grass, showing signs of severe distress, including foaming at the mouth, bleeding, and loss of bodily control.
The likelihood of a “super El Niño” poses a serious threat to Thailand’s agricultural sector, particularly rice production, potentially increasing food security risks.
A senior doctor has warned that eating raw shrimp can lead to serious parasitic infection, after a case highlighted the risks beyond common food poisoning. Yesterday, Dr. Jessada Bunyawongviroj, deputy director of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, shared details of a patient who developed gnathostomiasis after consuming raw seafood. The condition caused swelling that moved across the body, as parasites migrated under the skin.
Thailand’s Ministry of Energy is preparing to propose a new electricity pricing scheme to the cabinet, aimed at reducing costs for households that use no more than 200 units per month. Under the plan, these users would pay less than 3 baht per unit, with lower consumption leading to progressively cheaper rates, potentially benefiting around 14 million people.
Nine out of 10 ships that once passed through the Strait of Hormuz are not going anywhere. The consequences are already shaping Asia’s next harvest and the one after that.
Government Outlines B1.38-trillion Transport Plan
Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said the government was pressing ahead with its economic plan to help households and businesses cope with global volatility, while also strengthening Thailand’s medium- and long-term competitiveness.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties with the United States following talks with US Ambassador to Thailand Sean O’Neill on Friday.
Quasar Medical, a manufacturer of interventional and minimally invasive devices, has opened its newest manufacturing facility in Chonburi, Thailand. This new facility adds to the company’s initial investment in Thailand, and is Quasar’s third site in the country.
Thailand’s famed massage industry is getting a reset. Last month, the government rolled out sweeping reforms to raise standards, improve training, and reshape its global image. In 2024, Thailand’s wellness tourism spending hit US$14 billion, up 36% from the previous year. This video looks at whether the changes will lift the sector or price it out of reach. 
The water has dried, the streets have cleared, and the music has faded, but for many long-term visitors in Pattaya, the aftermath of this year’s Songkran has left behind more frustration than fond memories.
The sights, sounds, and smells of Bangkok hit me immediately and simultaneously. The spiced aromas wafting from street food vendors mixed with the heavy traffic’s gasoline fumes. My head was constantly on a swivel, captured by the neon lights in Chinatown contrasting against the gold facades of the centuries-old wats (temples).
10 high-sodium Thai dishes that may quietly harm your kidneys
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with strategic partners, successfully concluded the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2026 in Phuket last week.