Editor: Our circulation is booming, with hundreds of new subscribers to Hua Hin Expat News signing on recently. We welcome our new readers and thank all those who have supported us for the past 10 years.
- PKK Kite and Art Festival/What global shifts mean for expats/Rainy season officially begins/Ride-hailing apps told to improve safety/Southeast Asia’s largest dinosaur/Anutin calls corrupt Phuket officials ‘disgusting’
- ECONOMY: Baht Likely to Decline Further/Corruption crisis is worsening/Koh Phangan nominee crackdown/Geoeconomics of Thai land bridge
- TOURISM: End to 60-day visa-free stays/THAI to add Europe flights
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand’s Seven-Tiered River Escape/Bangkok Street Food Queen/Daily accommodation in Nonthaburi
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar rooftop panels to be inspected/Electric Vehicle Boom Outpaces Energy Grid
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
PKK Kite and Art Festival starts today
The Kite and Art Festival Prachuap Khiri Khan will take place at Saran Withi Pier today and tomorrow, bringing two evenings of kite displays, art, and family-friendly activities to the seafront.
What to expect: Kite shows, LED kite shows, art, craft and handmade products, an exhibition on the history of Thai kites. The event will be held at Saran Withi Pier, one of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s most popular check-in spots. Continued …
What global shifts mean for expats in Thailand
Ren Lexander, PhD, gave a timely talk, “Taking Stock in Uncertain Times: What Global Shifts Mean for Us in Thailand,” at a meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. He invited his audience to “take stock” of the rapidly changing global situation. Although the current Middle East conflict is less than two months old, its ripple effects are already being felt worldwide.
The speaker emphasized that in an increasingly interconnected world, shocks travel faster and hit harder — a reality seen in both the 2008 financial crisis and today’s geopolitical tensions. A key concept he introduced was “normality bias” which is the human tendency to assume that life will soon return to “how it was.” Continued …
Rainy season officially begins today
Thailand will officially enter the rainy season today, but with less rain than usual in the forecast, the Meteorological Department announced yesterday.
The season’s official start is dependent on three conditions: continuing rain over 60% or more of upper Thailand, lower-level winds shifting to southwesterly, and upper-altitude winds turning to easterly, Director-general Sukanyanee Yawinchan said. Continued …
Ride-hailing apps given one month to improve safety standards
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has given ride-hailing platforms one month to improve passenger safety measures or risk license suspension, as new rules are prepared for app-based taxi services. The planned measures include requiring drivers to hold public driving licenxes, installing CCTV cameras in vehicles, and providing passenger insurance coverage.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the measures are aimed at improving standards for ride-hailing services operating through mobile applications. The announcement comes as ride-hailing platform Bolt seeks renewal of its operating license. Continued …
Scientists dig up Southeast Asia’s largest dinosaur in Thailand
Along a meandering river in a warm and arid region that is now Thailand roughly 113 million years ago, a plant-eating behemoth almost 27 meters long browsed on the treetops without much fear of predators due to its sheer size. This was Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, the largest-known dinosaur from Southeast Asia.
Researchers have unearthed skeletal remains of Nagatitan, a member of the dinosaur lineage called sauropods known for having a long neck, long tail, small head, and four columnar legs. Continued …
Anutin calls corrupt Phuket officials ‘disgusting’ after beach encroachment
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul criticized corrupt officials in Phuket for facilitating land encroachment at Freedom Beach, describing the actions as “disgusting”. The Freedom Beach encroachment case gained national attention after People’s Party MP Chaloempong “Sam” Saengdee claimed he received death threats while investigating illegal occupation on Freedom Beach and surrounding land under the Khao Nak Kerd National Forest in Kathu district.
According to Chaloempong, parts of the protected forest had been converted into a luxury resort development. Visitors were reportedly charged an entry fee of 300 baht to access the beach despite it being public land. He also found that sections of forest land had been sold illegally to foreign investors for more than 18 million baht. Continued …
Baht Likely to Decline Further Amid Escalating Mideast Tensions
The Thai baht is projected to depreciate further, potentially reaching 33.50 per US dollar this week. This forecast follows a recent testing of a nine-month low at 33.04 on Monday. The primary driver for this expected weakening is the heightened uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, which is bolstering the US dollar as a safe-haven asset.
Investors are increasingly revising their expectations, now anticipating that the US Federal Reserve will refrain from further policy rate cuts this year, consequently leading to rising US bond yields. Furthermore, the baht’s movement is mirroring that of other regional currencies, which are also experiencing depreciation against the dollar. Continued …
Thai businesses warn corruption crisis is worsening
Thailand’s private sector has warned that corruption remains a structural crisis undermining the business environment, after a new survey found nearly nine in 10 businesses see graft as an obstacle and, for the first time, identified state agencies with the highest alleged bribery risks.
The survey was released by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, or JSCCIB, through its Zero Corruption working group and Puean Mai Thon. It covered 401 business executives and representatives nationwide between March 26 and April 10. Continued …
Koh Phangan nominee crackdown shows 68% of firms with foreign ownership links
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived on Koh Phangan on Wednesday as hundreds of police, DSI investigators and land officials launched one of Thailand’s biggest crackdowns on suspected illegal foreign business networks, raiding companies and land plots amid allegations of nominee ownership, hidden foreign control and proxy shareholders across the island’s tourism economy.
The operation came as authorities revealed that nearly 68% of registered businesses on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui involve foreign investment. Meanwhile, investigators widened their probes into high-value firms, suspicious land holdings, and concealed ownership structures linked to Israeli, French, British, and Russian investors. Continued …
Geoeconomics of Thai ‘land bridge’
After nearly two decades of ups and downs, Thailand’s “land bridge” idea has regained attention amid the ongoing military standoff between the United States and Iran over threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.
Previously, local perceptions held that Singapore would oppose any attempt to build what would amount to a 90-kilometer road and rail corridor linking Ranong and Chumphon provinces on Thailand’s southern peninsula. Continued …
Thailand confirms end to 60-day visa-free stays
Thailand’s visa-free entry for nationals of 93 countries is set to be cut from 60 days to 30 days after government officials confirmed plans to end the policy introduced in July 2024. The proposal, confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Foreign Ministry, is expected to go to Cabinet next week, and an official start date will be announced after approval.
The 60-day exemption was launched to support Thailand’s post-pandemic economic recovery. It applied to travelers from 93 countries, but officials said the scheme has been misused by some foreigners for illegal work, overstays, and criminal activity. Continued …
THAI to add Europe flights despite jet fuel concerns
Flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to add European flights, yet still maintain proactive fuel cost and route network management amid short-term concerns about spillover impacts from the war in the Middle East and geopolitical tensions.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed short-term unease about potential jet fuel shortages and predicted flight cancellations would begin this month in Europe and parts of Asia, THAI said in its filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday. Continued …
Erawan-Wasserfall: Thailand’s Seven-Tiered River Escape
Erawan-Wasserfall rises out of the forest in Kanchanaburi with a sequence of limestone pools that look almost unreal in the morning light. Better known locally as Erawan Waterfall, this seven-tiered cascade draws travelers for its clear turquoise water, shaded trail, and the kind of calm that makes time feel slower the moment you arrive.
Erawan-Wasserfall is one of the most recognizable outdoor attractions in western Thailand, and it has become a classic stop for visitors based in Bangkok or exploring Kanchanaburi Province. The appeal is immediate: a jungle-framed river, cool water, and a stepped series of pools that reward patience as much as they reward a camera lens. Continued …
Bangkok Street Food Queen Making Giant Banana Egg Roti
Experience one of the most famous Thai street foods in Bangkok. Watch this amazing street food queen make giant banana egg roti fresh on the hot grill with incredible speed and skill. Crispy, buttery, sweet, and loaded with bananas and eggs — this Bangkok street food is absolutely irresistible! Video …
How to choose daily accommodation in Nonthaburi for short stays
Just north of Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi has quietly become one of Thailand’s most practical destinations for short stays. Whether you are in town for business meetings, a family visit, a medical appointment, or a weekend away from the capital, choosing the right place to stay can shape your entire experience.
Nonthaburi offers the rare combination of riverside calm and big-city convenience. The area is well-connected to central Bangkok via the MRT Purple and Pink Lines, making downtown destinations, transit hubs, and Don Mueang Airport via the SRT Red Line interchange easy to reach. The pace, however, is noticeably gentler, with tree-lined streets, fresh markets, and cleaner air than the city center. Continued …
Solar rooftop panels to be inspected due to fire hazard risk
The government has ordered the Office of the Consumer Protection Board to urgently investigate unsafe solar rooftop installations linked to fire risks and consumer losses exceeding 500,000 baht, following complaints about substandard equipment and improper electrical work.
PM’s office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi, who oversees that office, said yesterday she had instructed officials to expedite a fact-finding probe into solar installation companies accused of using low-quality materials and unsafe installation practices. Continued …
Southeast Asia’s Electric Vehicle Boom Outpaces Its Energy Grid
Electric vehicles are selling faster across Southeast Asia than at any point in history. Thailand is manufacturing them at scale. Vietnam has produced a homegrown brand bold enough to challenge in global markets. Indonesia is betting its vast mineral wealth on becoming the world’s battery supplier. By nearly every headline metric, the region’s clean transport revolution is on track.
But a growing body of evidence, from the International Energy Agency, energy research firm Ember, and on-the-ground reporting across the region, points to a structural problem that enthusiastic sales figures tend to obscure: the electrical grids these vehicles depend on are not ready for them. 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.
-
Thai police arrest Nigerian man for nearly 3-year overstay – Continued …
-
Korean Scam Gang Busted in Bangkok – Continued …
-
Immigration Arrests Chinese Fraud Suspect in Bangkok – Continued …
-
Malaysian Held With 102kg Ice at Hat Yai Checkpoint – Continued …
-
Chinese Man Damages Suvarnabhumi Auto Gates – Continued …
Beijing summit — Trump and Xi seek stability amid global turmoil
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday, as both leaders sought to set a new direction for relations between the world’s two most powerful countries. Xi said the world was facing changes unseen in a century, with the international situation marked by volatility and turbulence. Continued …
Russia Strikes Ukraine for Third Day, 9 Dead
Russian forces launched waves of missiles and drones at Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions for a third consecutive day yesterday, killing at least nine people, including a 12-year-old girl, according to Ukrainian officials. Continued …
Cuba sinks into blackout crisis as fuel runs dry under US pressure
Cuba has run out of diesel and fuel oil, pushing its national power grid into a critical state and leaving parts of Havana without electricity for up to 22 hours a day, as US restrictions on fuel shipments deepen the island’s worst energy crisis in decades. 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
There’s a certain rhythm to life in Hua Hin that’s hard to ignore. Mornings start a little slower, the sea is never far away, and the pace feels more manageable than in larger cities.
Kaeng Krachan forest fire burns 5,000 rai in Phetchaburi
The Climate Change and Environment Department has warned that the country may face the effects of a “super El Niño,” which could extend the dry season by up to one and a half years.
Thailand has coordinated with Iran and Oman to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for three Thai vessels carrying oil and petrochemical cargoes. The breakthrough has helped reduce the risk of energy and petrochemical feedstock shortages in Thailand amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Thailand’s housing market is showing signs of a structural shift, with would-be buyers pulling back and more people turning to renting instead. The latest data from DDproperty shows that nationwide demand to buy residential property fell 6% in the first quarter of 2026, while rental demand rose 4%. In Bangkok, rental demand climbed even faster, jumping 9%.
KKP Research, the economic research unit of Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group, has cut its base-case forecast for Thailand’s 2026 GDP growth to 1.3% from 1.8% and raised its headline inflation forecast to 3.0% from 0.2%, warning that a prolonged oil shock could leave the country exposed to recession risks.
Thailand’s commercial banking sector delivered a resilient performance in the first quarter of 2026, with all 11 major lenders reporting combined net profits of 68.68 billion baht, a modest 0.62% increase from the same period last year and a sharp 20.13% rise from the previous quarter.
The government has firmly denied reports suggesting a planned hike in value-added tax (VAT) from 7% to 10%, describing the claims as misinformation and reiterating its commitment to easing the cost of living for the general public.
Thailand’s tourism industry is beginning to feel the strain from the war in the Middle East, with soaring oil prices pushing up airline costs and prompting some Chinese carriers to scale back international flights.
Local airlines have continued to reduce capacity by consolidating less profitable flights into remaining services to stay afloat amid rising jet fuel prices, while Japan Airlines and ANA announced a doubling of fuel surcharges, with Thailand-bound fuel surcharges increasing from about 3,000 baht to 6,000 baht.
The March 2026 Hotel Business Operator Sentiment Index survey, conducted by the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) and the Bank of Thailand between March 13-31, with responses from 138 operators, pointed to the outlook for Thailand’s hotel business during the Q2 2026 low season after the tourism sector was directly hit by the conflict in the Middle East.
Thailand’s cultural triumph
Blackpink’s Lisa brings Thai fashion to tourism
Chinese automaker Chery and its subsidiary Omoda & Jaecoo officially inaugurated their new energy vehicle (NEV) production facility in Thailand on Monday, marking a milestone in expanding their global manufacturing footprint.
The sales of electric vehicles have jumped in Asia as cost-conscious buyers have poured into dealerships looking to dodge the fuel price spikes driven by the Middle East war.
The gunman who killed a Canadian tourist and wounded 13 others at Mexico’s famed Teotihuacan pyramids had planned the attack days in advance, officials said yesterday, as evidence pointed to him being inspired by a US massacre. 
Workers load tons of rare earth minerals into bags ready for shipping at a refinery in eastern Malaysia, fueling the global pushback against China’s grip on the critical sector. Rare earths are a key ingredient in products ranging from smartphones to fighter jets, electric cars, and wind turbines – and increasingly for hardware powering the artificial intelligence boom. 
The Heroes Hua Hin Foundation, widely known as Hua Hin Heroes, brought together community leaders, businesses, and supporters at the Hua Hin Heroes Charity Golf Cup 2026, united by a shared goal of improving opportunities for children in Hua Hin and across Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The Wellness Sandbox Prachuap Khiri Khan initiative was officially launched yesterday as provincial authorities outlined plans to develop health-focused model subdistricts across all eight districts of the province.
Yesterday, Phailin Kongpan, deputy mayor of Hua Hin Municipality, together with Cheep Suksri, president of the Municipal Council, and Nuengruethai Sukchan, deputy municipal clerk, brought Rungroj Nooklib, a former lecturer from Wang Klai Kangwon Vocational College in Hua Hin, to repair the solar power system at the Khao Takiab Blue Swimming Crab Bank.
The schedule for Run Khan Do 3, a province-wide series of running events across Prachuap Khiri Khan, has been officially announced, with activities set to take place from March to July 2026 in every district of the province.
The number of online-scam complaints rose again over the past week, with investment fraud causing the most damage, according to police.
Former commerce and energy minister Narongchai Akrasanee said the Iran war is deeply concerning for Thailand, with oil prices already surging to around US$110 a barrel, leaving the country hard-pressed to avoid fallout because it relies heavily on imported oil and natural gas.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon yesterday gave an update on measures to manage energy prices following the impact of unrest in the Middle East. The remarks were made after a meeting of the Center for Monitoring and Managing the Situation of the Middle East Conflict at Government House in Bangkok.
The Thai Restaurant Assn. is calling on the government to support the restaurant industry amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Global oil prices jumped sharply yesterday, pushing crude back into the $100-a-barrel era for the first time since the Russia-related energy shock of 2022, and briefly spiking to almost $120. Brent hit an intraday high of $119.50 a barrel and WTI $119.48, before prices later eased as markets weighed diplomatic signals and shifting supply risks.
Global oil prices have entered a “danger zone” after surging to around US110 per barrel following reports that an Iranian oil storage facility had been struck, warned Bangkok Bank’s (BBL) chief economist.
Thailand’s smartphone market is likely to contract amid economic uncertainty, the Middle East conflict, and rising memory component costs, according to Thai Samsung Electronics Co.
Cloud service provider Amazon Web Services (AWS) Thailand has positioned its local cloud region as a future artificial intelligence (AI) hub, targeting enterprises’ rising demand for highly complex, independent “frontier AI agents”. This signals an enterprise shift from basic AI tools toward more advanced, enterprise-grade automation.
Over the past decade, accelerated by the pandemic and rising geopolitical tensions, global trade has entered a structural reset. Global trade in goods now exceeds $25 trillion annually, yet its structure is shifting.
Thailand’s already rattled foreign tourism industry, with traffic down 4% since the start of the year, has been dealt a severe blow by the Middle East conflict. After a Monday meeting chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn, officials warned that an eight-week war could cost Thailand 600,000 visitors and strip more than B40 billion from already reduced revenue targets.
Outbound passengers at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport can now opt to use automated passport screening machines installed at immigration checkpoints around the clock.
Foreign tourists in Thailand are closely monitoring the recent weakening of the Thai baht against the US dollar, a trend fueled by global financial uncertainties. As the baht opened at 31.77 per dollar, down from 31.60, many visitors are keenly aware of how this affects their purchasing power in areas like hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.
Exploring the many charms behind Bangkok’s rise to Asia’s best city
What will become the Dubai chocolate of 2026? As food and drink trends are running wild in Bangkok, 14 industry professionals were asked to determine exactly which ingredients are most likely to end up on your plate, or in your glass, in 2026.
Discover Thailand Through Taste: A Complete Guide to Asia’s Hottest Foodie Travel Destination