Songkran events calendar/New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schdule/PKK wellness tourism initiative/Pickleball courts at Bluport/Bangkok Chess Club Open in Hua Hin/Prachuap Bay viewpoint open/Thailand faces 42°C heat/Possible ‘Super El Niño’

• THE IRAN WAR: Trump warns of harsher attacks/Thailand’s oil reserves at 109 days/Energy prices may not drop/Heavily reliant on gas for decades/Thailand GDP outlook tumbling/Bangchak Denies Iran Payment
• ECONOMY: Thai Consumers Lose Confidence/Thailand ASEAN’s weakest performer/The new consumption story/Best Cities in Thailand to Buy Property/Sugar prices to edge up
• TOURISM: Songkran spending set to fall/Surging costs dull Songkran/Chasing B3-trillion goal/Global Medical Wellness Hub/Jet ski backlash in Pattaya
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thai Recipes for Songkran/Unusual Stops Across Thailand
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Thai Energy Giants Solar Expansion
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Songkran events calendar for Hua Hin

Hua Hin Songkran 2026 is just around the corner, with a wide range of events taking place across Hua Hin and the surrounding region. From traditional ceremonies to foam parties and beach festivals, here’s what’s on. All events listed are free and open to the public. Continued … 

New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schdule for summer

AirAsia has confirmed its summer flight schedule for the Hua Hin–Chiang Mai route, with direct flights operating until Oct. 30.

The new schedule reflects a minor five-minute adjustment from the previous winter timetable. The service will run four times per week, offering a convenient connection between the two destinations. Continued … 

PKK launches wellness tourism initiative

Prachuap Khiri Khan has introduced the “Khirikhan Guarantee” as part of efforts to strengthen its position in wellness tourism, with officials aiming to raise standards and build confidence among visitors.

Officials said the Khirikhan Guarantee certification mark will play a central role in developing the province into an internationally recognized wellness tourism destination. The scheme is designed to certify both businesses and local products that meet defined standards, helping to establish a clear and consistent identity for wellness services in the province. Continued … 

New pickleball courts at Bluport

Arena Pickleball Club has officially opened its new indoor facility on the third floor of Bluport Hua Hin, offering a premium sports experience within a retail environment. The venue is designed to cater to beginners, recreational players, and more experienced athletes, welcoming both Thai and international visitors to take part in one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

A key feature of the facility is its Decoflex Universal court surface, a globally recognized standard used in professional competitions. The surface is designed to provide reliable grip while maintaining a cushioned feel, helping to reduce impact on joints without affecting ball control or consistency. Continued … 

Bangkok Chess Club Open Underway at Sheraton Hua Hin Resort

The 23rd BCC Open Chess Tournament is being held at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, through April 19,. This event welcomes players of all levels, featuring two categories: Masters (Open) section and Challenger section.

The tournament follows a 9-round Swiss format with a time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, 30 minutes added for the rest of the game, plus 30 seconds per move. The 23rd BCC Blitz runs during the tournament, with qualifiers in one evening and a final on the next. There will also be a Thai Chess tournament over two mornings. Continued … 

Prachuap Bay viewpoint open through April

A new hiking experience is opening in Prachuap Khiri Khan this April, as park officers at Khao Ta Mong Lai Forest Park give the public a rare chance to climb to the summit.

Located around 1 hour 30 minutes from Hua Hin, the viewpoint offers panoramic views across Prachuap Bay and the surrounding coastline, along with a cave at the top. The hike is suitable for those with a moderate level of fitness, with park rangers on hand to assist and rope sections installed along parts of the trail. Continued … 

Thailand faces 42°C heat

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said in its weather report today that temperatures could reach 42°C. The north, northeast and central regions should brace for strong winds and thunderstorms, while 30% of the south’s west coast is forecast to see heavy rain.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts that over the next 24 hours, upper Thailand will generally be hot, with very hot conditions in some areas and haze during the day. Continued … 

Possible ‘Super El Niño’ puts ASEAN on alert for severe heat and drought

The world may be heading toward a powerful El Niño later this year, with major climate agencies warning that the odds of El Niño are rising from mid-2026. NOAA says ENSO-neutral conditions are still favored through May-July, but El Niño is likely to emerge in June-August and persist through at least the end of the year.

Some scientists believe the event could become exceptionally strong. Official agencies, however, have not yet confirmed a “super El Niño”, and NOAA says the potential strength remains highly uncertain, with roughly a one-in-three chance of a strong event by October-December. Continued … 

Trump warns of harsher attacks if Iran peace deal collapses

US President Donald Trump said the United States would keep all military forces and equipment in the Middle East in place until a permanent peace deal with Iran is secured, while warning that Tehran could face an escalation unlike anything seen before if it failed to meet the conditions. The remarks came as global oil prices rose again amid concerns over supply disruptions and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said US warships, combat aircraft, and personnel, backed by extra ammunition and weapons, would remain in the region and stand ready to destroy “an already substantially degraded enemy” if necessary. Continued … 

Thailand’s oil reserves stand at 109 days amid renewed tensions

The global energy market remains highly volatile after tensions in the Middle East flared up again, despite earlier reports of a two-week temporary ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, which had pushed world oil prices lower on hopes that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would return to normal.

According to the Energy Ministry’s energy situation report yesterday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has once again announced a suspension of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israel’s attack on Lebanon. Continued … 

Energy prices may not drop for another one to two years

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas yesterday warned that energy prices may not return to pre-conflict low level for another one to two years. The impact is not limited to energy, he said, but could also spread to the prices of other goods, as the Middle East is a major exporter of oil, natural gas, chemical fertilizers, and many other important raw materials.

Thailand is currently being impacted by a global crisis, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, which has triggered an energy crisis. Furthermore, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy transportation, is highly uncertain. This uncertainty could be prolonged and complex, impacting the global economy broadly and inevitably affecting Thailand, he said. Continued … 

Heavily reliant on gas for decades, Thailand now finds it no longer cheap nor clean

The tiny fishing hamlet on a stretch of land that juts into the Gulf of Thailand looks just like countless others that dot the country’s coastline. It has the brightly colored boats, the packs of street dogs, and the delicate waves lapping onto the sands.

But this one, in Rayong province southeast of Bangkok, has a unique perspective. It stares straight into the heart of Thailand’s largest industrial gas complex. Map Ta Phut, one of Southeast Asia’s biggest petrochemical hubs, dominates a vast coastal area here. Continued … 

Middle East war scenarios send Thailand GDP outlook tumbling

Thailand’s economic outlook is facing mounting uncertainty as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to weigh on global energy markets, prompting authorities to reassess growth projections and warn of rising stagflation risks.

The conflict has yet to reach a resolution despite attempts at ceasefire negotiations and efforts to reopen shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The prolonged disruption has already begun to erode confidence in global energy markets and forced multiple agencies to revise their economic forecasts downward. Continued … 

Bangchak Denies Iran Payment For Hormuz Strait Oil Transit

Bangchak Corp. has confirmed it did not pay the Iranian government to allow an oil tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, following reports suggesting a financial exchange.

The company stated yesterday that the crude oil shipment from the Middle East arrived at its refinery in Si Racha safely, without any such payment arrangement. The clarification aims to address concerns over transparency and international compliance. Continued … 

Thai Consumers Lose Confidence

Thai consumer confidence dropped sharply in March, with the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) falling to 51.8, its lowest level in six months. The decline marks the steepest monthly fall since October last year, reflecting growing concern over rising living costs and global instability. The downturn is already affecting spending behavior, with households cutting back on non-essential purchases.

The latest figures were released by the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). The CCI fell from 53.7 in February to 51.8 in March, driven largely by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Continued … 

ADB flags Thailand as ASEAN’s weakest performer amid war impact

Thailand is on course to record the slowest economic growth in ASEAN this year, according to the Asian Development Bank, as the fallout from the Middle East conflict adds to mounting pressure from high energy costs, softer tourism, weak domestic demand, and fading export momentum.

In its latest Asian Development Outlook for April, ADB said Thailand’s economy is expected to grow by just 1.8% in 2026, before edging up to 2.0% in 2027. The bank said the worsening conflict in the Middle East has become an added drag on an economy that was already struggling with structural weaknesses at home. Continued … 

Rising middle classes and the new consumption story

The global consumer landscape is being reshaped by the rapid expansion of the middle class, particularly across Asia, giving rise to a new consumption story defined not just by growth, but by selectivity and shifting priorities.

By 2030, the global middle class is expected to exceed five billion people, with Asia accounting for nearly two-thirds of total middle-class consumption. Southeast Asia is a key contributor to this expansion, supported by urbanization, rising incomes, and increasing digital penetration. Continued … 

Best Cities in Thailand to Buy Property as a Foreigner

Thailand continues to attract foreign buyers seeking both lifestyle and investment exposure, but strict ownership rules and highly localized market conditions mean that choosing the right city is critical.

This briefing evaluates the leading Thai cities where foreigners typically buy property, with emphasis on what can actually be owned, how markets are performing, and which locations offer the most coherent risk and return profile for non-resident buyers in 2026. Continued … 

Sugar prices to edge up from May as plastic and oil cost pressures grow

Thai Sugar Millers Corp. (TSMC) has outlined its approach to managing domestic sugar prices as production costs continue to rise due to global economic pressures and energy market volatility. The corporation confirmed that retail sugar prices would remain frozen throughout April in a bid to help ease the cost-of-living burden on the public.

At the same time, the industry is reviewing the retail price structure to bring it more closely into line with changing costs. Any adjustment is expected to take effect from May onward, under a framework designed to carefully manage the impact on all sides and maintain a balance between consumers and businesses. Continued … 

Songkran spending set to fall this year

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has revised down its forecast for this year’s Songkran spending to as low as 120 billion baht, from a previous 129.6 billion baht, citing rising diesel prices.

Last week, the UTCC’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting projected that money circulated during the festival would reach 129 billion baht this year, a 3.7% drop from 2025 and a 4.6% decrease compared with the pre-pandemic figure in 2019. Continued … 

Surging costs dull Songkran spirits

Soaring fuel costs are rippling across Thailand just days before the Songkran festival, pushing up food prices, squeezing small vendors, raising costs for farmers and transport operators, and dampening travel sentiment in key tourism centers.

At a fresh market in Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima, vendors said higher fuel prices have driven up transport costs, forcing price increases and reducing customer traffic. One vegetable seller said she sources produce from the province’s Muang district and transports it by a diesel-powered pickup, adding that fuel now consumes most of her daily earnings, leaving little profit. Continued … 

Tourism minister chasing B3-trillion goal

Thailand’s tourism minister has vowed to restore tourism revenue to more than 3 trillion baht, exceeding pre-pandemic levels within the new government’s four-year term, and will proceed with a 300-baht tourism fee, as adopted in many countries.

Surasak Phancharoenworakul, the newly appointed minister of tourism and sports, said the government is prioritizing high-value tourism, focusing on revenue rather than volume. He added that attracting high-spending tourists and those unaffected by economic challenges will help offset arrivals lost due to financial constraints. Continued … 

Thailand’s Rise as a Global Medical Wellness Hub

With the rising demand for cost-effective, technologically advanced, and high-quality medical care, medical tourism is at an all-time high. Destinations like Thailand currently top the global list. However, over the past decade, the notion of healthcare has expanded far beyond its traditional definition.

Maintaining optimal health now involves more than consulting with a medical professional. It encompasses mental health, emotional well-being, and a holistic sense of vitality. Several key destinations throughout Thailand have been specifically designed to cater to this shift in consumer need. Continued … 

Jet ski backlash in Pattaya raises deeper concerns

Along Pattaya Beach, the sudden slowdown of jet ski activity — blamed on rising fuel costs — has exposed more than just economic pressure. It has reignited a long-simmering sentiment among foreign tourists: distrust.

Online reactions to the downturn have been strikingly unsympathetic. Instead of concern, many responses reflect frustration, even satisfaction. Words like “scam”, “mafia”, and “rip-off” appear repeatedly. For an industry already under pressure, this is more than bad PR — it’s a warning sign. Continued … 

12 Bold, Bright Thai Recipes to Celebrate Songkran

Sure, Asian New Year celebrations are about renewal, family, honoring elders, and cleansing. But let’s face it, it’s also about making and enjoying great food, from special-occasion dishes to everyday favorites.

Songkran offers the opportunity to explore yet another multi-faceted Asian country’s culture and traditions — this time through the cuisine of Thailand for Songkran, a New Year celebration observed in Thailand, Laos, and beyond. Continued … 

17 Unusual Stops Across Thailand Worth Adding

Thailand is full of places that make the trip feel more personal, surprising, and fun. Beyond the famous beaches, temples, and big cities, there are unusual markets, striking museums, strange sculptures, and offbeat roadside stops that stay with you long after the journey ends.

These quirky places add character to the route and give you stories that feel a little different from the usual travel list. Continued … 

Thai Energy Giants B.Grimm and SCG Partner for 247MWp Solar Expansion

Three of Thailand’s leading energy and industrial players — REPCO NEX, B.Grimm Power, and SCG Cleanergy — have officially launched a joint utility-scale solar project with a total capacity of 247MWp. Spanning across Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, and Saraburi provinces, the initiative is designed to replace fossil fuel dependency with clean energy, providing enough electricity to power approximately 100,000 households.

The project is a strategic move to accelerate Thailand’s transition toward a low-carbon economy and is expected to significantly reduce national greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2027. Continued … 

• Smugglers Caught With Rare Black Panther Cub at Thai Border – Continued … 
• Police Arrest Chinese Gambling Network Key Figure in Pattaya Raid – Continued … 
• Foreigners Accused of Theft From Chinese Tourist in Pattaya – Continued … 
• Israeli national arrested for nominee-run travel agency in Phuket – Continued … 

US revises fourth-quarter GDP down to 0.5%

Government data released yesterday pointed to a weaker finish to last year for the US economy than earlier estimated, after lower business investment, including inventory accumulation, led to a fresh downgrade in fourth-quarter growth, even as corporate profits jumped sharply. Continued … 

Melania Trump says rumours linking her to Jeffrey Epstein ‘need to end today’

US first lady Melania Trump yesterday rejected what she called “lies” about her relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in a rare White House address where she also called on Congress to hold public hearings for his victims. Continued … 

Huge bets on oil plunge placed just before ceasefire news

Investors placed approximately $950 million in bets on oil prices falling just hours before the United States and Iran announced a ceasefire, the latest large wager on the direction of the world’s most traded commodity ahead of a major policy announcement by President Donald Trump. Continued … 

Climate crisis pushes emperor penguin closer to extinction

The emperor penguin, one of the most recognizable symbols of Antarctica, has officially been reclassified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, in a stark new sign of the accelerating damage caused by global warming. 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