- Controlled Forest Burning in Cha Am/Black leopard in Kaeng Krachan/Bangkok delays pet-microchip project
- ECONOMY: ‘Recession’ a concern/Thai Banking Titans Warn of ‘Era of Exhaustion’/Headline inflation set to rise/Middle Class Braced for Tax Hikes/Foreign condo transfers slump/Gloomy outlook for eateries/Wellness industry pays dividends
- TOURISM: Nine countries to introduce tourist tax
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thai-Born Hotel Brands Learned to Host the World
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Top 5 Solar Energy Innovations
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN LINKS
Controlled Forest Burning Launched in Cha Am to Curb PM2.5
A controlled forest-burning operation has begun in Cha Am district to reduce wildfire risk and airborne dust, with authorities saying the initiative is aimed at preventing severe forest fires and limiting PM2.5 pollution during the dry season.
The pilot operation was carried out on Tuesday in the Ban Rong non-hunting area, targeting accumulated forest fuel that could intensify uncontrolled fires. Continued …
Black leopard photographed in Kaeng Krachan National Park
Bangkok delays pet-microchip project for a year
Authorities in Bangkok plan to delay enforcement of a regulation requiring pet dogs and cats to be fitted with microchips for a year in order to help all sides prepare and ensure broader adoption.
The postponement of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) ordinance would allow officials to improve service delivery, expand outreach, and address practical obstacles faced by residents. Continued …
‘Recession’ a concern, says Thai business group
Thailand’s economy is bracing for its weakest expansion in 30 years, with GDP growth projected at less than 2% in 2026, attributed to sluggish exports, high household debt, and declining competitiveness in global markets, warns the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB).
The growth projection does not include years when Thailand faced crises, including the pandemic that caused GDP to contract by 6.1% in 2020. Continued …
Thai Banking Titans Warn of ‘Era of Exhaustion’ Amid Low-Growth Outlook
The leadership of Thailand’s three largest commercial banks have issued a unified warning for 2026, describing the upcoming financial year as a period of “all-around exhaustion.”
Faced with a sluggish economy and a projected GDP growth of less than 2%, the “Big Three” have signaled a strategic shift away from aggressive expansion in favor of stringent asset quality management and climate risk mitigation. Continued …
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Headline inflation set to see slight rise
Average headline inflation is expected to rise slightly in 2026, driven by increasing prices of agricultural products and the recovery of the tourism sector, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
The TPSO estimates average headline inflation of 0%-1.0%, with a midpoint of 0.5%, rising from a 0.14% contraction in 2025. Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the TPSO, said the headline consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.28% year-on-year to 100.19 in December. Continued …
Thai Middle Class Braced for Tax Hikes
Leading economists have issued a stark warning over the proliferation of short-term populist campaign pledges, asserting that these policies are laying a “fiscal trap” that threatens Thailand’s long-term economic sovereignty and its international credit standing.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) entitled “They Hand Out, But We Pay: Time to End Populism,” Athiphat Muthitacharoen of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Economics warned that the nation is entering a “deeply concerning” fiscal phase. Continued …
Foreign condo transfers slump
Thailand’s property market is facing another major test in 2026, after new figures from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of the Government Housing Bank pointed to a clear slowdown in foreign demand in 2025 — long viewed as a key engine of the condominium market.
A global economic slowdown has hit foreign condo demand hard, with the first nine months of 2025 showing sharp declines in both volume and value, as Chinese buyers — still the largest group — pulled back amid liquidity strains. In contrast, Indian buyers have emerged as a fast-rising force, typically purchasing larger, higher-priced units for real residential use. Continued …
Gloomy outlook dampens prospects for eateries
The outlook for the restaurant industry in 2026 appears grim as there are no new positive factors. A Thai Michelin-starred chef urged restaurant operators to think carefully about business expansion.
Thitid Tassanakajohn, a renowned Thai chef and restaurateur, said the restaurant industry last year was affected by people cutting back their budgets for dining out and a stagnant economy, while foreign tourist arrivals declined year-on-year. Continued …
Wellness industry pays dividends
Health and wellness are increasingly viewed as a new form of luxury, driving lifestyle changes and fueling rapid growth across global well-being industries this year. Dr. Tanupol Virunhagarun, chief executive of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, said the wellness trend will continue expanding over the next five years worldwide.
Thailand has recorded the fastest growth rate at 28.4% annually, far above the global average of 7.6%, generating more than 120 billion baht a year. The country remains among the world’s top wellness destinations, ranking 15th last year, though down from seventh in 2019. Continued …
Nine countries to introduce tourist tax this year
Tourism has surged beyond pre-pandemic levels, placing pressure on popular cities, islands, and natural landmarks. By charging tourists, governments aim to generate dedicated funding to manage crowds, upgrade infrastructure, and preserve destinations, while allowing tourism to continue.
International travel is set to become more expensive as several countries introduce new tourist taxes and visitor fees. From entry charges and hotel levies to higher fees at museums and national parks, travelers planning trips in 2026 will need to account for additional costs at multiple stages of their journey. Continued …
How Thai-Born Hotel Brands Learned to Host the World
The Land of Smiles is no empty tagline. With an innate sense of graciousness and a natural flair for service, it comes as no surprise that hospitality is a field in which Thais truly excel.
Here, hospitality is not merely a profession but part of the cultural fabric — one that has helped position Thailand as a powerhouse in the global luxury hotel landscape. In 2025, Thailand became one of the leading countries in Asia, alongside Japan, to receive the highest number of MICHELIN Keys, with 62 properties recognized for delivering exceptional experiences. Continued …
Top 5 Solar Energy Innovations Driving Thailand Transformation in 2026
Southeast Asia is accelerating its energy transition with growing momentum from both policy and capital. Stronger regulatory support and expanding clean-energy financing are creating a more predictable investment environment, enabling governments and developers to move from planning to delivery.
According to 2025 Boomberg NEF report on Southeast Asia, this year’s auction pipeline — nearly 20 GW of clean power capacity, concentrated in the second half of 2025 — signals a shift from ambition to actionable procurement across the region, and is already reshaping project pipelines and developer strategies. Continued …
Chiang Mai Locals Criticize Tourists for Temple Sunbathing
Tourists in Chiang Mai faced backlash for sunbathing outside Wat Ratchamonthian yesterday. Photographs of the incident were shared online, sparking criticism for cultural insensitivity. The images showed foreign women in bikinis, lounging near the temple moat. Continued …
- Japanese Man’s False Robbery Claim Leads to Jail Time in Phuket – Continued …
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