• Hua Hin’s treatment center for cocaine addiction/King’s Cup Elephant Polo/Hua Hin videos/TrueMoney unveils digital payment service/Lessons from the Lat Phrao fire/Hospitals hard hit by nurse shortages/Weed not ‘freely available’
• THE IRAN WAR: U.S. And Iran Escalate Strikes/Severe impact on tourism/Thai oil fund faces fresh strain
• ECONOMY: Co-pay scheme helps/Vendors struggle despite aid plan/Thailand steps up US trade talks/Tariff could hit Thai exports/What’s on tap for the Thai shrimp industry?”Genuinely poor people behind’/ASEAN Consumer Boom
• TOURISM: Thailand seeks flights to Surat Thani/Hotels cut rates/Calls grow to halt entry fee
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Rescuers Save Mother Elephant and Baby/Aging blacksmith in Nonthaburi
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Backing for flood-control projects
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Hua Hin’s treatment center for cocaine addiction one of nationwide programs

Cocaine addiction rehab in Thailand spans budget value centers to five-star clinics, and the right fit depends on price, location, and clinical need. Clinicians treat cocaine dependence through the mind, not a prescription pad, which raises the stakes on choosing well. The wrong center wastes money and momentum, while the right one separates a person from triggers and rebuilds the brain’s reward system.

Sahwan International offers a comprehensive addiction program in a Thai-style residential setting near Hua Hin. The center blends clinical treatment with spiritual awareness work and physical recovery, and runs both a main facility and a Bangkok office. It appeals to clients who want a structured program within easy reach of the capital. Continued … 

10th annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Hua Hin Sept 5-11

Players held a practice session after the opening parade of the 10th annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Hua Hin, to be held Sept. 5-11. Twelve international teams will ride Thai street elephants during the week-long tournament, which will conclude on Sept. 11 with the final. – Reuters

Walking Naresdamri Road: The Heart of Hua Hin

The Naresdamri Road-soi 55 Chomsin Road-Poon Suk road area is one of the most neighborhoods in Hua Hin. Explore the unique blend of traditional fishing village charm and modern nightlife. Experience the famous stilt-house seafood restaurants, iconic hotels like the Hilton, and the lively bars that make this area so special and shows the atmosphere of old Hua Hin. Video … 

Retiring to Hua Hin? Here’s What a Normal Day Actually Looks Like

Thinking of retiring to Hua Hin, and wondering what a normal day would look like as a Hua Hin expat? This video takes you through a typical day in the life of a retired individual living in Hua Hin, giving you a glimpse into the Hua Hin life and what it has to offer.

From the beautiful beaches to the bustling markets, Hua Hin has become a popular destination for retirees looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. As a Hua Hin retiree, you can expect a relaxed pace of life, with plenty of opportunities to get involved in local activities and meet like-minded people. Video … 

TrueMoney unveils new digital payment service

TrueMoney, Southeast Asia’s leading fintech platform under Ascend Money, has rolled out Thailand’s first inclusive “tap-to-pay” digital financial service. “The move is part of a strategy designed to make contactless payments more accessible for consumers,” said Monsinee Nakapanant, co-president of Ascend Money.

Technology, artificial intelligence and deep customer understanding will be the key forces shaping the next era of payment technology, she said. Continued … 

Lessons from the Lat Phrao fire

The deadly fire at a beer hall in Lat Phrao has left the public with a haunting image: a long jet of flame bursting through the upper part of the main entrance like a fire-breathing dragon, even as people at floor level were still trying to escape.

Preliminary inspection findings, witness accounts, photographs and video evidence support a working hypothesis I formed soon after the incident: the most dangerous phase of the fire may have begun and developed inside the concealed space above the suspended ceiling, particularly near the stage, where electrical wiring and other building services were located above the ceiling near the stage. Continued … 

Thailand’s state-run hospitals hard hit by nurse shortages

Thailand, a country of 67 million inhabitants, has an elderly population of more than 12 million people, and growing, with medical needs that require highly trained staff. This is straining the capacity to meet the needs of this age group and is negatively impacting health services that provide increasingly sophisticated medical services.

What is more, the shortage in qualified nursing staff is not only affecting the country’s capacity to meet local needs, but also its medical tourism sector, which has seen major growth in recent years. Increasingly nurses are leaving the public sector to work in healthcare facilities that offer better paid, especially abroad, where the demand is high. Continued … 

Weed not ‘freely available’ now

The government has insisted cannabis is “not freely available” in Thailand, reiterating that cannabis buds are strictly regulated and may only be bought or sold with a valid medical prescription.

It also warned that smuggling cannabis out of the country is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine equal to four times the value of the goods, including duties, or both. Continued … 

U.S. And Iran Escalate Strikes Across Mideast

The United States and Iran exchanged strikes aimed at infrastructure and military targets today as their battle over the Strait of Hormuz intensified.

The region has endured days of back-and-forth attacks in a conflict increasingly focused on control of the strait. The collapse of an interim ceasefire leaves no clear end in sight for the war that the U.S. and Israel began more than four months ago. Continued … 

Middle East War having more severe impact on tourism than previously feared

Thailand’s hotel industry is coming under mounting pressure as the Middle East conflict drives a sharper-than-expected collapse in guest numbers, forcing widespread room discounts, cost-cutting and emergency marketing campaigns while fresh industry data points to another weak quarter ahead.

With Phangnga forecasting occupancy of just 20%, billions of baht in tourism revenue at risk, and business leaders warning the low season could spill into the peak travel period, operators are urging faster government action on tourism promotion, infrastructure and new overseas markets before the slowdown deepens. Continued … 

Thai oil fund faces fresh strain as global crude prices rise

Thailand’s policy of cutting retail fuel prices is coming under growing pressure, as renewed confrontation between the United States and Iran drives global oil prices higher and raises fresh concerns over supplies from the Middle East.

The Oil Fuel Fund, which is being used to cushion domestic consumers from energy costs, was already 58.43 billion baht in deficit as of July 12. Its position could deteriorate further if crude prices continue rising while the government keeps domestic pump prices below their full market cost. Continued … 

Most Thais say ‘Thai Chuay Thai Plus’ scheme helps with cost of living

A majority of Thais surveyed credit the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme with effectively easing their daily financial burden, though more than half use their monthly allowance within the first two weeks of the month, according to a recent poll by the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI).

The KPI Poll, conducted between July 10 and 13 among 2,000 respondents aged 18 and older nationwide, revealed that 87.4% of participants felt the program alleviated their living costs to some degree; 51.4% stated it helped a lot or quite a lot, while 36.0% felt it helped somewhat, but not enough; 10.5% reported little to no benefit from the initiative. Continued … 

Vendors struggle despite aid plan

The Commerce Ministry’s proposed 40-baht khao kaeng scheme was intended to ease living costs. Instead, it has exposed a simple reality in markets across Thailand: many vendors are already selling meals at that price without government support.

At a busy Lat Pla Khao market in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, customers queue before dawn at Pee Pen’s Southern Food stall, where khao kaeng, or a dish of rice with one choice of kab khao (side dishes), has cost 40 baht for more than a decade. Continued … 

Thailand steps up US trade talks as tariff pressure grows

Thailand has urged the United States to accelerate negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, as Bangkok seeks a competitive tariff outcome and greater clarity over two US Section 301 investigations.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun held bilateral talks with three senior US officials in Washington, DC, on July 15 and 16. Suphajee said the main purpose of the visit was to secure as much progress as possible in negotiations on the Thailand-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, or ART. Continued … 

US Section 301 tariff could hit Thai exports

Thailand could face a significant blow to exports if proposed US Section 301 tariffs take effect after July 24, according to Pachara Naripthaphan, a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission board.

Pachara said Thailand’s proposed 12.5% rate would exceed the 10% rates facing Indonesia and Malaysia. He urged the government to address structural weaknesses rather than relying solely on economic stimulus. Continued … 

What’s on tap for the Thai shrimp industry?

The shrimp industry has become a hot topic for the government after Malaysia suspended imports of Thai shrimp on June 1. Although this trade dispute may soon be resolved following meetings in early July, Thailand’s shrimp industry continues to grapple with a longstanding and more significant challenge that has persisted for more than a decade.

Ekapoj Yodpinit, president of the Thai Shrimp Assn., said Thailand was once the world’s largest producer and exporter of shrimp. At its peak in 2010, the country produced 640,000 tons of shrimp annually, with exports valued at more than 110 billion baht. Continued … 

Welfare card changes ‘left genuinely poor people behind’

People’s Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun has strongly criticized the stricter eligibility criteria for the state welfare card program, arguing that the tighter screening process has excluded many genuinely poor people from receiving assistance.

She made the comment yesterday as public anger mounted about the system that used data from state agencies — tax, property and vehicle registration, along with banking records — to reduce the number of people eligible for welfare benefits by nearly 30%. Continued … 

ASEAN Consumer Boom: A $5 Trillion Growth Opportunity by 2035

As income rises and the middle class expands across the region, consumers are prioritizing convenience, trading up to better quality, and increasingly living and shopping online. These shifts are shaping companies across ASEAN markets that are best positioned to gain from the trend.

Yet, despite the momentum, many investors remain underexposed to the ASEAN consumer theme. Part of the reason is simple: there is no single ASEAN story, but six distinct markets with different levels of income, spending and digital adoption. Continued … 

Thailand seeks China and Europe flights to Surat Thani

Thailand’s Transport Ministry is pursuing direct international flights from China and Europe to Surat Thani Airport, alongside a luggage-transfer system for passengers continuing to Koh Samui.

The proposals, discussed on Thursday are intended to relieve pressure on Bangkok’s main airports, improve access to the upper south and direct more tourism income toward Surat Thani and neighboring provinces. Continued … 

Hotels cut rates amid low-season swoon

Nearly 40% of hotels report a sharper decline in guest numbers than expected last month due to the Middle East conflict, prompting them to offer deeper discounts while cutting costs to stay afloat.

According to the Thai Hotels Assn. and a recent Bank of Thailand survey, hotels projected a year-on-year decrease for both local and foreign guests in the third quarter, particularly in Phangnga, where hotel operators expect an average occupancy rate of only 20%, attributed to its heavy reliance on the European market. Continued … 

Calls grow to halt entry fee

Tourism operators have called on the government to postpone plans to introduce a 300-baht tourist entry fee, warning it could discourage cross-border travel and duplicate existing insurance coverage for visitors. The proposal was raised at a tourism development meeting chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul in Hat Yai.

The meeting brought together government agencies, the private sector, the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce, tourism associations and hotel operators to discuss border-crossing facilitation and safety measures. Continued … 

Rescuers Save Mother Elephant and Baby in Thailand

During a severe storm in Nakhon Nayok province, a tiny one-year-old elephant calf slipped and fell deep into a concrete drainage manhole. The devoted mother elephant refused to leave her baby’s side, standing guard in absolute distress.

To get close enough to retrieve the calf, wildlife rescue volunteers had to administer tranquillizers to the mother. Tragically, as she succumbed to the sedation, she fainted from intense stress and struck her head on the concrete, rendering her completely unconscious. Video … 

Aging blacksmith in Nonthaburi preserves knife-making heritage

Surapol Booonrueng, a veteran blacksmith born in Ayutthaya and now based in Nonthaburi, has spent decades hand-forging knives using family-taught techniques. He says years of hammering and heat taught him patience and that hand-forged blades outlast machine-made ones. Video … 

Thailand seeks Japan’s backing for flood-control projects as climate risks intensify

Thailand has asked Japan to support four new water-management projects aimed at improving flood prevention, including measures for the flood-prone Chao Phraya River basin, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to strengthen resilience against increasingly frequent extreme weather.

Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri said after talks with Japanese Ambassador Masato Otaka that Bangkok had proposed four technical cooperation projects to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), covering flood forecasting, river management and public participation in water governance. Continued … 

Massive Russian nominee property empire smashed by police in Chonburi

A Russian-run nominee network controling more than 775 homes worth over B5 billion, was dismantled in Chonburi, with four arrests, 41 raids and a nationwide investigation now under way into hundreds of companies and suspected foreign land ownership. Continued … 

• Patong police detain Australian over road skateboarding – Continued … 

• Chinese investor arrested over Chon Buri nominee shares – Continued … 

• Chinese man held in Pattaya over pyramid scheme case – Continued … 

• Indian fortune teller arrested over illegal work in Pattaya – Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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