- Feedback Re: Nene Royal/Chinese influencers to experience Hua Hin/Thailand flood news/Nene Royal’s AGT win drives 105 million social engagements/Lisa accepts MTV Pop award
- ECONOMY: Thailand’s high-income action plan/$80-billion Semiconductor Strategy
- TOURISM: Thailand toughens stance on badly behaved visitors /Thailand’s Soft Power Is Its Hospitality Edge/Floods threaten China Golden Week/Thai Airways Cancels Flights/Suvarnabhumi handled 59.6 million passengers/Suvarnabhumi to add 122 automated passenger gates/Thailand’s souring welcome for Israeli tourists
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 5 Thai Cities, 5 Iconic Street Food Dishes/5 Days In Bangkok
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Re: Nene Royal
“It’s great that Nene played “Som San” by Loso when she returned to Phuket. It’s a good opportunity to promote Thai music, alongside the standard classics she usually plays.” – alwaysstarlight
Chinese influencers to experience Hua Hin culture, wellness
As part of the Nihao Month 2026 campaign, Amazing Thailand Mid-Autumn Celebration 2026 is being organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Bangkok. This festival will help Thailand and China strengthen their ties in culture, wellness and experiential travels. A total of 31 Chinese travel bloggers will take part in the program, themed “Healing is the New Luxury”, and visit various places in Thailand.
The Amber Gastronomy segment of the program focuses on Thailand’s culinary traditions and coastal lifestyle by connecting Phetchaburi and Hua Hin through food, culture and wellness experiences. In Hua Hin, travelers will explore creative markets, enjoy local rail experiences, participate in wellness and spa activities, experience seaside dining and visit a safari attraction. Continued …
Thai health ministry reports 19 flood deaths, 49 health facilities affected
The Ministry of Public Health reported 19 flood-related deaths and 23 affected provinces, with drowning and electrocution accounting for most fatalities. Flooding had also affected 49 health facilities, including 22 that had closed completely.
Dr. Somruek Chungsaman, permanent secretary for public health, said 24 of the affected facilities continued operating normally, while three had partially suspended services. Continued …
Bangkok floods ease but losses put at 12.3 billion baht
Floodwaters were still affecting several Bangkok communities yesterday despite reduced rainfall, as officials continued drainage work and moved some residents to temporary shelters.
At least eight people have reportedly died in flooding nationwide over the past 10 days. The government has allocated about 2 billion baht from central funds for nationwide flood relief covering flooding. Continued …
700,000 suffering under Bangkok floods
Severe flooding in Bangkok was affecting about 329,000 families, about 700,000 people, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said yesterday. Deputy city Gov. Tavida Kamolvej said the hardest hit part of the capital was Lat Krabang district with 30,000-40,000 flood victims.
Aerial view of Bangkok flooding
In Bang Kapi district, there were about 20,000 affected people. There were another 30,000-40,000 victims in Khannayao district and about 10,000 in communities near canals in Laksi, Saphan Sung and Suan Luang districts. Continued …
Floods hit car factories in key provinces
Automotive and auto parts manufacturing facilities in Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong are undergoing inspections following flooding in those provinces. These inspections are being conducted as the industry manages the impacts of heavy rainfall on production sites and logistics operations.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is closely monitoring the situation, particularly in the eastern region, to manage risks such as industrial waste, chemical protection, and worker safety. While some facilities have reported flooding inside their premises, initial assessments suggest that operations remain manageable. Manufacturers in the affected areas are also adjusting their business continuity plans to prepare for potential run-off from the north. – Bangkok Post AI
Tourism trade seeks to restore confidence
To restore traveler confidence amid ongoing flooding, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working to improve communication regarding the safety of specific areas and the overall situation. The agency is also focusing on countering negative international media coverage that has highlighted flooding in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.
TAT is working to address the perception that the entire country is flooded by clearly communicating which areas remain safe for visiting and staying. Furthermore, the agency is looking to mitigate the impact on Chinese arrivals, who could see a 20% decrease during the Golden Week holiday if flooding persists. To support travelers during this period, the TAT has proposed issuing travel advisories and banners in both Thai and English to provide updates on rainfall, flooding, and traffic conditions. Additionally, the TAT hotline 1672 is being utilized as a primary channel for providing essential information to those affected. – Bangkok Post AI
Thai Airways clears delayed baggage after floods disrupt ground services
Thai Airways International said it expected to begin delivering passengers’ delayed baggage by yesterday afternoon, after heavy rain and flooding disrupted ground operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The airline said the weather conditions had affected baggage sorting and delivery processes, causing delays over the previous two days. Thai Airways has deployed additional personnel during that period to increase handling capacity and accelerate efforts to clear the backlog. Continued …
Floods disrupt deliveries, operators warn of delays
Flooding has disrupted logistics operations by making roads impassable and forcing companies to adjust delivery routes and service timing. Major parcel operators have warned of delays because local road accessibility and water levels directly dictate when and how safely deliveries can be made.
The disruption extends to various sectors, with manufacturers adjusting business continuity plans to protect staff and secure supply chains against ongoing inundations. In some regions, flooding has even cut off normal food and supply deliveries to essential facilities like hospitals. Additionally, the shortage of ground staff due to flooding has caused significant backlogs in airport luggage handling, leading to hours-long delays for passengers. – Bangkok Post AI
Flood videos
Nene Royal’s AGT win drives 105 million social engagements in Thailand
Thai teenager Nene Royal’s victory on America’s Got Talent (AGT) 2026 generated more than 105 million social media engagements in Thailand, with positive sentiment growing as she progressed from a relatively unknown Phuket street performer to an international talent-show winner.
Nene Royal, the stage name of 16-year-old Praew Rattikan Amlouy, became the first Thai contestant to win the NBC talent show, triggering a surge of online attention and national pride. Continued …
Nene Royal Phuket homecoming – Video …
Lisa accepts MTV Pop award – Video …
Thailand unveils high-income action plan
In a bid to reach high-income nation status by 2037, Thailand has forged an ambitious action plan between economic policymakers, state agencies and industry leaders to channel capital into high-capability manufacturing, digital ecosystems, and green infrastructure.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Bangkok Business Summit 2026, key economic architects outlined a coordinated roadmap to overhaul productivity and shift the country’s growth focus from low-cost assembly to an investment-led, high-capability economy. Continued …
Thailand Unveils $80-billion Semiconductor Strategy
Thailand has approved its first national strategy for the semiconductor and advanced electronics industry, targeting about $80 billion in cumulative investment and $150 billion in annual industry revenue by 2050. The long-term “Made in Thailand” initiative also aims to create more than 230,000 jobs.
The strategy seeks to build an integrated domestic semiconductor ecosystem covering chip research and design, front-end manufacturing, assembly, packaging and testing, and high-value electronics applications. Continued …
Thailand toughens stance on badly behaved visitors
Thailand is reassessing how it welcomes overseas visitors, with public anger over misconduct, illegal businesses and perceived disrespect contributing to tougher official language and visa changes.
The shift comes despite tourism remaining vital to the economy, accounting for roughly one-fifth of activity across destinations from Phuket and Koh Samui to Pattaya’s jet-ski operators and massage parlors. For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the message from ministers and many Thai businesses is increasingly clear: follow the law, respect local culture and avoid behavior that can rapidly become a viral flashpoint. Continued …
Banyan Founder: Thailand’s Soft Power Is Its Hospitality Edge
Thailand should lean into its unique cultural identity and pair its long tradition of wellness with its strong medical sector to secure a distinctive place on the world stage, according to Ho Kwon Ping, founder and executive chairman of Banyan Group.
Speaking during the second day of the 17th FutureChina Global Forum at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on Friday, Ho — whose Banyan Tree brand pioneered the tropical spa concept more than three decades ago — said Thailand’s private hospitals, doctors and traditional medicine practices give it a natural advantage in medical and wellness tourism. Continued …
Bangkok floods threaten China Golden Week arrivals
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has warned that recent flooding in Bangkok could affect Chinese visitor numbers during Golden Week 2026, with its Chengdu office estimating a possible decline of 5%-10% from its original target in the most likely scenario.
Images of submerged roads and flooded vehicles were widely reported by international media, including CNBC, Reuters, AFP, AP, Sky News and Al Jazeera, and spread quickly across Chinese digital platforms such as WeChat, Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Toutiao and Baidu News. Continued …
Thai Airways Cancels Flights as Stranded Passengers Await Answers
Thai Airways International (THAI) announced select flight cancellations this morning following a night of operational turmoil at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where severe ground-handling failures left thousands of passengers stranded for hours without their luggage or official communication.
In an official statement, the flag carrier confirmed the cancellation of several domestic and international round-trip services. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi handled 59.6 million passengers from Oct 2025–Aug 2026
Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport handled 59,626,075 passengers from October 2025 to August 2026, up 2.43% from the same period a year earlier, according to airport director Kittipong Kittikachorn. The airport is upgrading passport checks and passenger facilities to accommodate growing traffic.
Kittipong said Suvarnabhumi, operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), would continue improving service quality and deploying modern technology to strengthen operational efficiency. Marking the airport’s 20th anniversary on Sept. 28, he outlined its ambition to support aviation industry growth and become a global aviation hub. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi to add 122 automated passenger gates
Suvarnabhumi Airport plans to install 122 additional automated gates for arriving and departing passengers, taking its total to 228 from the current 106.
Airport Director Kittipong Kittikachorn said the extra gates are intended to cut waiting times and improve efficiency at Thailand’s main international gateway, which is handling increasing numbers of flights and passengers. Continued …
Viral videos and ‘No Israelis’ signs: Thailand’s souring welcome for Israeli tourists
Even on a slow news day, a recent incident in Thailand hardly merited mention, let alone sustained media coverage. But because Israelis were involved, it became headline news for days. Anything negative about Israelis now does so, going instantly viral in the Buddhist nation with no history of antisemitism.
In this case, a young Israeli couple walked into a small phone shop in Phuket, a southern Thai island with a large Muslim population. On the way out the woman noticed a Free Palestine flag and confronted the visibly Muslim owner about it. In a widely shared video clip from a CCTV camera, she cusses at Palestine as he harrumphs back at her. After they leave, they shout insults from the door. Continued …
5 Thai Cities, 5 Iconic Street Food Dishes Worth Traveling For
Thailand’s best street food is not confined to any one city. It can be found across the country, from Ayutthaya’s richly flavored noodles and Khon Kaen’s fiery lab to Chiang Mai’s aromatic khao soi and a standout plate of phad thai in the heart of Bangkok.
Each dish tells a story that goes beyond flavor, reflecting local ingredients, culinary know-how, culture and distinct regional ways of eating. Together, they offer a delicious reason to travel and taste each specialty where it belongs. Continued …
5 Days In Bangkok: Cafes Hopping, Vintage Shops, Temples and Street Food
This week, we’re spending a few days exploring Bangkok, cafe-hopping, wandering through vintage and ceramic shops, visiting beautiful temples, and trying all the amazing Thai food.
From quiet neighborhood walks and hidden cafes to iconic temples like Wat Pho and the Dragon Temple, this trip was the perfect mix of exploring the city and traditional areas. Of course, there were plenty of coffee stops, massages, and mango sticky rice along the way. Video …
India, Nepal floods kill at least 83 as heavy rain damages homes
Heavy flooding after three days of rain in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state has killed at least 62 people, officials said yesterday. In neighboring Nepal, the National Disaster Management Authority said 21 people died in weather-related incidents. Five people remained missing. Continued …
Central Tokyo records 34 consecutive days of rain, longest on record
Central Tokyo today registered 34 consecutive days of rain, marking the longest streak on record, according to the weather agency. The area has seen precipitation since Aug. 27, with typhoons approaching. The previous record was 33 consecutive days from June 27 to July 29 in 2019. Continued …
Indonesia eyes China for massive 2,772-kilometer railway project
Indonesia is considering Chinese investment to help build a massive 2,772 kilometer railway network through the vast, resource-rich region of Kalimantan, following the completion of Southeast Asia’s first high-speed line between Jakarta and Bandung, state media and analysts said. 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
