Hua Hin concerns over cloudy water/PKK seeks Thailand Biennale 2027/Alcohol Sale Hours Under Review/How Foreigners Can Open a Bank Account/Thai cow milk ‘100% safe’/’Peace with Cambodia is over’/Malaysia to revive talks/Thailand Freezes Cambodian Worker Renewals/Rohingya survivor recalls deadly sinking/Rogue scam towers
- ECONOMY: Thais look to the state for lower prices/Big jump in US corn imports
- TOURISM: Scrap alcohol sale time limits/Efforts to revive domestic tourism/27.5 million foreign tourists, down 7%/Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng Festival/Campaigns and mega events to attract tourists
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: High prices at Thai floating market/How to choose a Phuket beach resort
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Hua Hin addresses concerns over cloudy water
Hua Hin City Municipality is working with the Royal Irrigation Department to increase the city’s tap water supply and reassure residents following recent reports of cloudy water.
Addressing recent public concerns about cloudy tap water, the deputy mayor said the problem stemmed from unusually turbid raw water flowing from the Phetchaburi Dam. When the water reached the city’s sedimentation tanks, the normal amount of coagulant used to separate impurities proved insufficient to clarify the water before distribution. The Waterworks Division has since been instructed to increase the amount of coagulant, which has already led to noticeable improvements in water clarity. Continued …
Prachuap Khiri Khan makes its case to host Thailand Biennale 2027
Prachuap Khiri Khan has presented its case to host the Thailand Biennale 2027, positioning the province as a venue for contemporary art and culture that can draw Thai and international visitors.
Officials said the bid aims to build on Prachuap Khiri Khan’s existing creative networks and public spaces, with an emphasis on programing that would connect communities, schools, and visitors. The plan also highlights transport links and accommodation capacity, alongside venues that could host large-scale installations and satellite events across districts. Continued …
Alcohol Sale Hours in Restaurants Under Review
Thailand’s Alcohol Control Policy Committee is set to address confusion regarding alcohol sale hours in restaurants. A meeting scheduled for tomorrow aims to provide clarity by Dec. 4, as stated by PPTVHD36 yesterday. This follows the enactment of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act B.E. 2568 (2025) on Nov. 8, which does not specify restricted sale hours.
The current confusion stems from adherence to a 2015 Prime Minister’s Office announcement, which restricts alcohol sales to 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight. This regulation does not apply to international airports, legal entertainment venues, and hotels. Continued …
How Foreigners Can Open a Bank Account in Thailand
Opening a bank account in Thailand remains a priority for expatriates, long-term visitors, and investors seeking to manage local payments, receive salaries, or conduct cross-border transactions. However, the regulatory environment has tightened significantly in recent years, driven by stricter anti-money-laundering (AML) standards and the sector’s accelerated digital transformation.
While opening an account is still feasible, foreign nationals must prepare for increased documentation scrutiny and policy differences between banks and individual branches. Continued …
Thai cow milk ‘100% safe’, minister insists
The milk produced by Thai cows is 100% pure, safe, and meets international nutritional standards, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow said yesterday.
Responding to a controversy on social media questioning the quality and authenticity of local milk, he reassured the public that no adulteration or mixing occurs in milk produced under Thailand’s rigorous agricultural regulations. Continued …
‘Peace with Cambodia is over’ – Thai PM
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced to Thai troops yesterday at the Phu Makua mountainous outpost in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province that peace with Cambodia has come to an end.
He said his government has suspended its compliance with the commitments under the joint declaration, which was signed with Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur last month. From now on, he said, Thailand will do whatever we consider appropriate and beneficial to the country, without consulting with or seeking permission from anyone. Continued …
Malaysia to revive talks as Thai-Cambodian border tensions flare
Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the peace process between Thailand and Cambodia following the Thai government’s decision to suspend the peace agreement with Cambodia after a landmine explosion injured two of its personnel.
Chief of Defense Force Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar said Malaysia’s stance was to ensure that the peace process remained uninterrupted, given its importance to regional stability. He said the process should continue without disruption, as any delay could risk a return to previous hostilities. Continued …
Thailand Freezes Cambodian Worker Renewals After Landmine Incident
Thailand has postponed the renewal of work permits for Cambodian laborers following renewed border tensions with Cambodia, after a Thai soldier was injured by what officials said was a newly planted landmine along the frontier. The incident has prompted Bangkok to suspend implementation of a recently signed Thailand–Cambodia peace declaration, escalating diplomatic and security concerns.
Labor Minister Treenuch Thienthong said after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that while Thailand will continue allowing migrant workers from Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar to renew their registrations, the process for Cambodian workers has been temporarily put on hold. Continued …
Rohingya survivor recalls deadly sinking, Death toll rises to 27
The death toll from the sinking of a boat carrying members of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority climbed to 27 yesterday, as a survivor recalled a harrowing journey that left him floating for days in the Andaman Sea.
He said he was aboard a large boat for eight days before being transferred to a smaller one with around 70 people. But the vessel sank shortly after and he clung on to wreckage for days before washing up on a Malaysian island. Continued …
Thailand vows to tear down rogue scam towers in forests
A Thai Senate committee is pushing for the removal of illegal telecom towers built in forest areas that are allegedly aiding cross-border scam operations.
Committee chairperson Chiwaphap Chiwatham announced the move ahead of a committee meeting this week, revealing that numerous telecom towers suspected of supporting scam syndicates in Myanmar and Cambodia had been illegally built in protected forest areas. Continued …
Thais look to the state for lower prices, living costs
More than a third of Thais expect the government to reduce living costs or control the prices of consumer goods, according to a National Statistical Office (NSO) survey.
The survey was conducted from Oct. 17-23 with 5,000 participants aged 18 or older who reside in private households nationwide. The survey found 40.3% of respondents expect the government to reduce the cost of living and control prices of consumer goods. Continued …
Thailand approves big jump in US corn imports
Thailand’s cabinet has agreed to increase the amount of feed corn the country imports from the United States and to cut the tariff to zero, as part of ongoing trade negotiations with Washington, an official said yesterday.
Thailand will import 1 million tons of zero-tariff corn from the United States between February and June 2026, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said. That compares with a previous annual quota of 54,700 tons at a tariff of 20%. Continued …
Tourism associations urge PM to scrap alcohol sale time limits and review zoning rules
Eight leading tourism and hospitality associations submitted a petition to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today urging the government to revoke time restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages under the new Alcohol Control Act B.E. 2568 (2025).
Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khaosan Business Assn., said the network is deeply concerned about the negative effects of the amended Alcohol Control Act (No. 2) B.E. 2568, which took effect last Saturday. The law, he said, has already caused confusion among citizens and tourists and inflicted serious damage on the tourism and service sectors, harming Thailand’s image during the peak tourist season. Continued …
Sputtering growth blunts Thai efforts to revive domestic tourism
The southern Thailand coastal province of Trang boasts lush islands and an emerald cave but has long been overshadowed by neighboring foreign tourist hotspots Phuket and Krabi.
The government, as part of an effort to stimulate the economy, wants to change that, by providing tax incentives to jumpstart domestic travel, particularly to second-tier provinces. Continued …
Thailand welcomes 27.5 million foreign tourists, down 7%
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has reported that between Jan. 1 and Nov. 9, Thailand welcomed a total of 27,587,845 foreign visitors, a 7.14% decrease compared with the same period last year. Despite the drop, tourism generated 1.27 trillion baht in revenue from foreign travelers.
During the week of Nov. 3-9, foreign arrivals rose significantly due to the high travel season, with both short-haul and long-haul markets contributing to the growth. Strong performances were recorded from key markets such as Malaysia, China, and India, as well as from Europe and the Americas, reflecting a positive trend for long-haul travel this season. Continued …
Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng Festival pumped Bt2.7 billion into local economy
This year’s Yi Peng Festival pumped an estimated 2.765 billion baht into the local economy, money spent by more than 184,800 visitors. The festival ran from Oct 31 to Nov 8.
All tourism indicators exceeded 2024 figures, including public transport usage, private vehicles and accommodation bookings. The occupancy rate was about 90%. The festival generated about 2.765 billion baht in revenue and attracted more than 184,800 visitors. Continued …
TAT ramps up campaigns and mega events to attract tourists in 2026
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has rolled out its 2026 tourism stimulus strategy, taking aim at intensifying competition from regional powerhouses such as Japan, China, and Vietnam, which are all stepping up efforts to capture a larger share of the lucrative international tourism market.
TAT aims to expand Thailand’s base of high-spending tourists, particularly among niche-market segments, while maintaining existing markets, developing new ones, and revitalizing key target markets. Continued …
High prices at Thai floating market raises eyebrows
A video taken by two popular Korean YouTubers at a floating market in Ratchaburi has sparked widespread comment about overpricing and aggressive sales tactics at tourist attractions in Thailand.
Cullen and Jung travel the country extensively to promote Thai tourism on their channel Cullen HateBerry, which has 3 million subscribers. A recent video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHcRIEr3L-E raised eyebrows when it showed a clothing vendor using a hook to pull their boat over to her shop. Continued …
How to choose a Phuket beach resort if you like affordable luxury
Phuket is one of Thailand’s most beloved destinations for a reason: stunning beaches, vibrant culture, rich culinary experiences, and some of the best resorts in Southeast Asia. But when it comes to finding a Phuket beach resort that blends affordable rates with premium experiences, the choices can feel overwhelming.
In Phuket, affordable luxury doesn’t mean compromising on quality. It means getting more value for your money. With the right resort, you can enjoy beachfront access, large pools, thoughtful amenities, and excellent service at a price that leaves room in your budget for food, fun, and local experiences. Continued …
Japanese automakers hit by US tariffs — 7 major brands lose US$9.7 billion in first half of 2025
Japan’s seven major automakers have collectively lost around ¥1.5 trillion (US$9.7 billion/310 billion baht) in the first half of 2025 as a result of US import tariffs, marking the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that all seven companies have reported simultaneous profit declines. Continued …
Demand for air con set to triple by 2050, warns UN
Global demand for air conditioning could more than triple by 2050, the United Nations warned yesterday, calling for more sustainable cooling solutions. The UN Environment Program said demand could surge due to increases in population and wealth around the world, combined with more extreme heat. Continued …
Hua Hin Links
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