- Breakfast at Anantasila/Hua Hin beacfront owners request delay/Sivana Hills debuts new pool villas/Heavy rain, flood warning/Surat Thani floods shut Highway 401/Deadly night of violence in Yala/533-million-baht cannabis shipment/Delivery driver pay/Man dies trying to save newborn puppies
- THE IRAN WAR: US-Iran conflict raises Thai shipping cost risks
- ECONOMY: US tariff deal ‘taking shape’/Co-payment scheme spending
- TOURISM: Thailand Opens E-Gate Immigration/Songkhla woman dies at Pha Taem falls/Thai Airways higher in global rankings
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 7-Eleven Thailand Guide/Python blamed for disappearance of 25 roosters/Kaeng I Khiao in Ubon Ratchathani/Unprecedented El Niño/Data-center boom raises clean-power challenge/Coffee market moves toward sustainability
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Breakfast at the Anantasila Beach Restaurant
What a way to start a day! Watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Thailand, cool ocean breezes, with a gentle sea lapping at the white sand beach. And behind you is breakfast, served by the attentive staff of the Anantasila Beach Reataurant in Khao Takiab. Hendrik van den Heuvel is the executive food and beverage manager.
Expat News had the opportunity recently to sample the restaurant’s morning buffet, and was not disappointed. So much delicious food to choose from – made-to-order eggs (we tried the salmon omelette), breads and Danish made fresh on site, fruits of all kinds, and a variety of Thai dishes.
And don’t forget the coffee, made fresh from beans in a variety of styles. We tried the Americano and Caffe Latte, among the many options offered.
The menu is changed regularly, but on our visit waiting for hungry diners was fish rice soup (a Thai breakfast staple), Jasmine and white rice, egg Thai fried rice, stir-fried noodles with chicken, bell pepper with beef, pork red curry, baked beans, grilled tomato, hash browns, sausages, cold cuts, cheese, juices, and waffles with real maple syrup.
The beach bar and restaurant veranda give access to beautiful, unobstructed views of the sea and Khao Takiab shoreline. The restaurant’s tree-canopied outdoor dining area offers a casual yet sophisticated dining experience.
The restaurant is open seven days a week from 7 am-11 pm. and welcomes all residents and non-residents. For reservation, Tel : +66 32 527 638; Email : fb@anantasila.com; Web.
Hua Hin beacfront building owners request demolition delay
Building owners have petitioned Hua Hin City Municipality to postpone waterfront demolition scheduled to begin on , Friday, citing a pending appeal over their claimed land rights.
The petition concerns 15 buildings between the fishing pier and Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine that the municipality plans to remove from public land following court rulings. Continued …
Sivana Hills debuts new pool villas in Khao Tao
Sivana Hills held an open house on Saturday showcasing its new pool villa development on Soi 126 in Hua Hin’s Khao Tao area.
The 56-villa project offers four layouts, each with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a private swimming pool. Prices start from 12.5 million baht. Continued …
Heavy rain, flood warning for Hua Hin, PKK
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of heavy rain across Thailand today, naming 55 provinces in its regional forecasts and also warning Bangkok and surrounding areas.
Thunderstorms will cover 70% of the south, east coast, region during Sept. 21–22, according to the TMD, with isolated heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Continued …
Surat Thani floods shut Highway 401, tourists evacuated
Heavy rain flooded part of Highway 401 in Surat Thani on Saturday, leaving the route impassable to small vehicles and leading officials to evacuate Thai and foreign tourists from the affected area.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) sent officers to Khlong Sok subdistrict, where floodwater made travel difficult. The area is on a key road corridor used by travelers heading between Surat Thani and Thailand’s Andaman coast. Continued …
Deadly night of violence in Yala
A deadly night of violence hit Yala’s Bannang Sata district before security forces moved in yesterday. Assistant village headman Hamdee Jehsoh, 42, was shot dead in a roadside ambush. Hours later, attackers struck Highway 410, burning tires, scattering road spikes and leaving a suspicious wired object.
CCTV cameras were destroyed, construction machinery torched and a civilian vehicle burned. Gov. Kongsakul Chantharat tightened security and ordered increased patrols. Meanwhile, police launched separate investigations into the murder and overnight attacks, with no link yet confirmed. Continued …
Hong Kong seizes 533-million-baht cannabis shipment from Thailand
Hong Kong customs has made its largest-ever drug seizure from a sea shipment, finding cannabis worth HK$125 million, or about 530 million baht, in a 40-foot container declared as arriving from Thailand.
The Customs and Excise Department said the container was examined at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound earlier this month after a risk assessment and intelligence analysis. It had been declared as carrying insulated boxes. Continued …
Ministry makes headway on delivery driver pay
Thailand is developing a driver payment framework to establish a fair minimum payment standard and serve as a common reference for the delivery industry. The initiative aims to create a structure that reflects actual costs, such as vehicle types, distance, and working time, while providing a foundation for future regulations to protect platform workers.
The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) are working to address growing concerns from drivers regarding insufficient earnings and unfair service cuts. Beyond pay, the framework seeks to address issues like lack of welfare, transparency in algorithmic decisions, and the need for better compensation for vehicle maintenance and insurance. Currently, the ETDA has proposed a preliminary benchmark of 5 baht per kilometer to help determine a fair compensation point for delivery riders. – Bangkok Post
Chon Buri man dies trying to save newborn puppies from flood
A man has died inside a burrow in Chon Buri after going in to reach newborn puppies he feared would be flooded. Two of the puppies were found dead beside him.
Wanna Sae Li, 65, crawled into a burrow beside a drainage canal in Ban Bueng as the rain rose. Rescuers had to dig him out and found two newborn puppies at his fingertips. Continued …
Six-month US-Iran conflict raises Thai shipping cost risks
Disruption to Gulf shipping routes could raise transport costs and lengthen delivery times for Thai businesses, the Dubai office of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) warned in a report.
The office urged companies to keep inventories and delivery arrangements flexible while retaining their presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand’s largest export market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Continued …
US tariff deal ‘taking shape’
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced that Thailand has secured its desired tariff rate from the United States, though one final condition from Washington still needs to be finalized.
The specific numerical tariff rate secured has not been explicitly disclosed, but the prime minister indicated that the negotiations proceeded as expected. Previously, in July, the US had imposed a 12.5% tariff on Thai imports, an increase from the prior 10% rate, citing concerns over production capacity and labor practices. The Thai government has been working to ensure trade conditions remain competitive with regional rivals. – Bangkok Post
Over 161 billion baht spent under co-payment scheme
The cumulative spending under the government’s Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 co-payment scheme has surpassed 161 billion baht. The Finance Ministry is expected to request a cabinet consideration to extend the program, which was designed to support the grassroots economy by easing household expenses and boosting purchasing power amidst rising living costs.
According to government figures, approximately people utilized their entitlements 326,040,623 times, with spending distributed among various sectors, including 43.551 billion baht for participating shops and 22.6 billion baht specifically for food delivery services. While the scheme has helped mitigate the impact of higher energy and living costs, officials are monitoring the potential for further measures if economic pressures persist. – Bangkok Post
Thailand Opens E-Gate Immigration To 33 Foreign Nationalities At Suvarnabhumi Airport
Following increased immigration traffic at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand has now made the immigration eGates widely accessible. The immigration department at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is now allowing citizens of 33 foreign countries to utilize the electronic gates in order to enter the country.
In addition to electronic entry for Thai citizens, roughly a year ago Thailand also opened the option for repeat visitors holding Singapore and Hong Kong passports to use the e-gates. Continued …
Songkhla woman dies after falling more than 10 meters at Pha Taem falls
A 48-year-old tourist slipped while photographing the second tier of Kwang Tone waterfall in Pha Taem National Park last Friday. Rescuers walked three kilometers of forest trail and took more than two hours to reach her.
Park staff and rescue volunteers found Wanwisa, who was 48 and from Songkhla province, with no vital signs. Officers gave CPR at the scene but could not revive her. Continued …
Thai Airways flies higher in global rankings
Thai Airways International has promised the best has yet to come after climbing up the global rankings and entering the top 20 best airlines list.
This year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards saw the Thai carrier moving up nine spots to 20th in the best airlines ranking, with Singapore Airlines regaining the top position after being surpassed last year by Qatar Airways. Continued …
7-Eleven Thailand Guide: What Tourists Should Eat, Buy and Try
For many Thai people, 7-Eleven is much more than a place to grab a quick snack. It has become part of everyday life, offering everything from morning coffee and ready-to-eat meals to drinks, beauty products, accessories and household essentials.
For travelers, 7-Eleven Thailand can also be an easy introduction to local daily life. Visitors can explore popular 7-Eleven Thailand food, discover products commonly bought by locals and pick up useful items while traveling around the country. Some branches even offer freshly prepared dishes or special experiences that are different from the standard store format. Continued …
Python blamed for disappearance of 25 roosters in Udon Thani
A three-meter python was captured after a homeowner in Udon Thani discovered it attacking chickens, solving the mystery of 25 fighting cocks that had disappeared over nearly two weeks.
Rescue workers from the Udon Thani Songserm Tham Foundation were called to a house on Udon Thani–Nong Samrong Road in Ban Bo Nam, Mu Mon subdistrict, on Saturday after the large snake was spotted in a pomelo tree. Continued …
Kaeng I Khiao in Ubon officially opens as new ecotourism destination
Protected Areas Regional Office 9 (Ubon Ratchathani) officially opened Kaeng I Khiao as a new natural attraction at Buntharik-Yot Mon Wildlife Sanctuary in Kho Laen subdistrict, Buntharik district, Ubon Ratchathani province, on Friday.
The opening is intended to promote ecotourism, stimulate the grassroots economy and generate sustainable income for communities bordering the forest. Continued …
UN Warns of Unprecedented “El Niño” Intensity
The United Nations has issued a top-level warning: the world is facing a “Super El Niño,” shattering all previous heat records. This is closer than you think. Why do vulnerable areas like northern Thailand need to prepare now? Find out in this report. Video …
Thailand data-center boom raises wider clean-power challenge
Thailand’s drive to attract data-center and artificial intelligence investment could bring major economic and technological opportunities, but speakers warned that growth must be matched by stronger water, energy and waste infrastructure, clear regulation and wider access to clean power.
Speaking during the roundtable discussion “Sustainable Thailand: No Choice Left — Ready to Stay in the Game?”, they highlighted the challenge of preventing large digital facilities from placing greater pressure on resources also needed by households, communities, manufacturers and smaller businesses, while ensuring the technology and infrastructure built around them create broader benefits for Thailand. Continued …
Thailand’s 65-billion-baht coffee market moves toward sustainability
Thailand’s 65- billion-baht coffee market is moving beyond the beverage business, as consumers increasingly prioritize quality, experience and sustainability.
This shift is reflected in the coffee market’s growth in 2025 and the expansion of specialty coffee, while businesses are paying greater attention to reducing their environmental impact throughout the supply chain. Continued …
Taiwanese man held over Thai woman’s body in freezer
Taiwanese police have detained a 43-year-old man surnamed Wu on suspicion of murdering his 36-year-old Thai girlfriend, identified as “Art”, and concealing her body in a freezer for six days at his workplace in Taichung. Continued …
Ukraine fires over 1,000 drones at Russia, including hundreds launched at Moscow
Ukrainian forces fired more than 1,000 drones at Russia overnight Saturday, including hundreds that were launched toward Moscow, officials said yesterday, as the Kremlin was wrapping up the third and last day of its parliamentary elections. Continued …
Macron, Carney pledge closer ties in Atlantic island meeting
The leaders of France and Canada yesterday pledged closer ties to grapple with rising geopolitical tensions, climate change and the erosion of democratic values, after they met in the French territory of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon off Canada’s Atlantic coast. 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
Hua Hin’s Most Atmospheric Night Markets? Tamarind & Cicada Walking Tour
Thailand’s government has ordered nationwide inspections of electric vehicle dealers and showrooms, tightening scrutiny of a market that has grown faster than the regulatory and after-sales infrastructure built to support it.
Oil prices jumped today, with Brent crude rising above US$90 a barrel, as intensified attacks between the United States and Iran deepened concern over energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
A total of 7,024 businesses ceased operations in the first half of this year, up 12.5% year-on-year, with total registered capital of 98.9 billion baht, an increase of 224%, according to the Department of Business Development (DBD).
Thailand expects more than B70 billion in investment from four leading Chinese electric vehicle and advanced-technology companies, following talks in Chengdu yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the commitments followed a Thailand investment roadshow led by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in the Chinese city.
Corrupt government officials are seen as the leading reason foreigners can illegally run businesses in Thailand, according to a nationwide NIDA Poll. Some 67.1% of respondents blamed corruption or misconduct among state officials for businesses directly operated by foreigners or run through Thai nominees.
Pet ownership creates a new economic opportunity
Thailand plans to halve visa-free entry from 60 to 30 days for citizens of 54 countries, including Switzerland, a move likely to affect those seasonal retirees who spend much of the European winter in the kingdom. The change has not yet appeared in the Royal Gazette. It will take effect 15 days after publication. Until then, Swiss visitors and other eligible nationals can still enter visa-free for 60 days.
Thailand advances B12-billion Koh Samui cruise terminal project
How to Ride MRT: Easy Thai Phrases for Asoke and Sukhumvit Transit
It’s no secret that Thailand is home to some of the world’s most stunning stays. Beyond breezy beachfront resorts, Thailand is also home to stunning art-filled hotels where art takes center stage — whether through paintings, sculptures, bold design, traditional Thai craftsmanship, or contemporary installations.