• Hua Hin waterfront demolition to begin/New road through Hua Hin/Hua Hin reviews wild elephant problems/All Thai provinces on five-day flood alert/Thailand to replace names and addresses on parcels/Nene Royal vows to give her all
• THE IRAN WAR: Thailand plans diesel subsidy cuts/New gas suppliers sought as prices spike
• ECONOMY: Thailand warned of fiscal collapse/Restaurants fear surge in costs/Thailand pushes US tariff deal/2,200 firms suspected of nominee land holding/Ministry to clamp down data center power requests/Gastech energy deals reach US$40 billion/New oil, gas onshore concessions/Thailand could tax EV imports 30%
• TOURISM: Tourism stimulus likely to be postponed/Thailand denies hotels exemption/Israel envoy urges tourists to respect Thai culture/Thailand Privilege Card strengthens checks/Chiang Mai police lieutenant caught extorting Chinese tourist
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: How to stay in Thailand longer/Solo traveler’s guide to Koh Lanta/Phu Kradueng hiking opens October 1
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS

Hua Hin waterfront demolition to begin September 25

Demolition of waterfront buildings between Hua Hin’s fishing pier and Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine is scheduled to begin on Sept. 5. Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul said the municipality had appointed a contractor after owners failed to comply with a 30-day deadline to remove the buildings.

The mayor held a meeting to review preparations before joining officials at the fishing pier to post demolition notices outside affected properties. Officials also explained the legal position to building owners and sought their cooperation. Continued … 

New road through Hua Hin under review

A major Hua Hin road project is intended to ease congestion by creating an alternative route along the eastern side of the railway, parallel to Phetkasem Road and behind Market Village and Bluport.

The road will be seven meters wide and carry traffic in both directions. Formal start and completion dates are expected to be announced soon. The project covers approximately eight kilometers across three sections. Continued … 

Hua Hin reviews Kui Buri wild elephant problems

Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan have reviewed efforts to address wild elephant problems in Hua Hin and Kui Buri, including assistance and compensation for affected residents.

At a meeting Tuesday, a committee reviewed reports on prevention work and the activities of operational teams in Hua Hin and Kui Buri. It also heard reports on elephants straying outside protected areas in Khao Chao subdistrict, Pranburi, and the impact on surrounding communities. Continued … 

Heavy rain puts all Thai provinces on five-day flood alert

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned all provinces nationwide, including Bangkok, to prepare for very heavy rain during Sept. 16-20, with risks of flash floods, forest run-off, landslides, waterlogging and rough seas.

All provinces should remain alert for flash floods, forest run-off, landslides and waterlogging. In Bangkok, particular attention is needed in urban areas prone to recurring flooding or where drainage cannot keep pace with rainfall. Continued … 

Thailand to replace names and addresses on parcels with a digital delivery code

Thailand is piloting a system that replaces the name, address and phone number on a parcel with a six-digit code and QR code, in an attempt to stop personal data leaking to scam gangs.

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Thailand Post and the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) agreed to push the scheme, called Digital Post ID or D/ID, at a meeting on 10 September chaired by digital minister Chaichanok Chidchob. Continued … 

Nene Royal vows to give her all to win AGT final

Thai teenage rocker Nene Royal says she is 100% confident ahead of the America’s Got Talent (AGT) final, after stepping up her training to about four hours a day and setting her sights on winning the competition.

“I’m still practicing every day, from around 5 pm until 9.30 pm, to prepare myself as well as possible for this important round,” she said. The final will take place on Sept. 22 in the US. Continued … 

Thailand plans diesel subsidy cuts as fund deficit could hit 100 billion baht in October

Energy concerns have resurfaced in Thailand as the Middle East war becomes more complex. Traders are assessing regional supply risks, particularly the shutdown of a major Saudi Arabian oil pipeline following an attack, while shipping conditions through the Strait of Hormuz have failed to improve.

Global crude prices remain above US$100 a barrel. Diesel prices last closed above US$195 a barrel and are expected to remain elevated toward the end of 2026. Continued … 

New gas suppliers sought as prices spike

Thailand is accelerating its energy diversification to mitigate risks from extreme global market volatility and geopolitical instability. Specifically, the country is seeking to reduce its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports following surges in crude oil prices and significant spikes in liquefied natural gas costs driven by ongoing regional conflicts.

To bolster energy security and stabilize power generation costs, the government is pursuing several strategic shifts, including the development of a new power development plan to increase renewable energy adoption. Efforts are also focused on promoting biofuels to lower emissions in the transport sector and exploring waste-to-energy technologies, such as pyrolysis, to transform plastic waste into fuel. – Bangkok Post

Thailand warned of fiscal collapse

Professor Watcharapong Kasaree, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, warns that Thailand’s fiscal system could face a severe crisis within a decade if urgent reforms are not undertaken. He expresses concern that the current trajectory of increasing public debt, which could reach 80%-90% of GDP within 5-10 years if revenue is not significantly increased, could lead to a loss of economic stability.

The expert highlights that the government currently lacks sufficient revenue to cover its growing expenses, forcing it to rely on annual borrowing. He suggests that reforms should focus on improving revenue collection efficiency, such as by reviewing unnecessary tax expenditures and broadening the tax base, to build long-term fiscal sustainability. – Bangkok Post

Restaurants fear surge in costs for new welfare fund

The new Employee Welfare Fund is expected to increase operating costs for restaurants due to mandatory monthly contributions from both employers and employees. These contributions are set at a rate of 5% of employee wages, beginning on Oct. 1.

Restaurant associations have expressed mixed reactions to the fund, with some members feeling overwhelmed by the additional expenses. Beyond the direct wage contributions, businesses may also face increased costs related to tax registration and value-added tax. For example, a restaurant with 70 employees could see monthly contributions of 12,000 baht, while an operator with a monthly salary of 210,000 baht would face an additional annual cost of 126,000 baht. – Bangkok Post

Thailand pushes US trade deal amid 12.5% tariff

Thailand is accelerating talks on a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States amid concerns that a separate US investigation into excess production capacity could lead to higher tariffs on Thai exports. Department of Trade Negotiations Director-general Chotima Iemsawasdikul said there was still no firm timetable for concluding the deal.

Thailand is seeking tariff conditions comparable with those granted to its regional neighbors, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expected to discuss the negotiations with US President Donald Trump by telephone today or tomorrow. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Washington had yet to select the date. Continued … 

2,200 firms suspected of nominee land holding

Thai authorities have identified about 2,200 companies suspected of illegally holding land through foreign-majority ownership as part of a crackdown on nominee businesses.

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said after a meeting with the Justice and Commerce ministries that agencies were sharing information on nominees, foreign capital and scam operations. Continued … 

Energy Ministry to clamp down on data center power requests

The Ministry of Energy is clamping down on inflated electricity capacity requests from data centers, from which it can be inferred that they have reached an unprecedented 35 gigawatts (GW), a figure nearly matching Thailand’s national peak electricity consumption of 40GW.

To prevent wasteful infrastructure spending, the ministry has started vetting applications to identify actual capacity needs. Consequently, Thailand’s draft Power Development Plan (PDP 2026) will cap baseline capacity for the data center sector at a conservative 8.8GW. Continued … 

Gastech 2026 energy deals and investment plans reach US$40 billion

Gastech 2026 has seen energy agreements and investment plans with an estimated combined value of US$40 billion announced during its first three days, turning international energy discussions into commercial cooperation.

The announcements include memoranda of understanding (MOUs), sales contracts and investment plans. They reflect the event’s role as a forum for negotiations and partnerships across the energy value chain, supporting diverse energy needs, industrial expansion, and the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy. Continued … 

Cabinet approves new oil, gas onshore concessions

The cabinet has granted oil and gas exploration concessions to two companies following the Round 25 onshore petroleum auction. The winning companies are PETTP International and Pan Orion Energy (Siam) Co., which were awarded concessions for areas in the central and northeastern regions.

These concessions aim to bolster Thailand’s domestic energy supply as natural reserves decrease, specifically supporting critical facilities such as the Nam Phong power plant. The selection process for these concessions was conducted by the Department of Mineral Fuels (FMD) using a merit-based system to ensure energy security and reduce dependence on imports. – Bangkok Post

Thailand could tax EV imports around 30%, finance chief says

Thailand could impose an excise tax of around 30% on fully imported electric vehicles, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, revealing for the first time the potential rate of a levy designed to steer automakers toward local production.

The government is working with the auto industry to finalize the rate and expects to decide on it as soon as this month, Ekniti said Tuesday. Asked whether the tax could be around 31% to 32%, he said it “should be around” the 30% level. Continued … 

Tourism stimulus likely to be postponed until April

The government’s planned “Thai Tiew Thai Plus” domestic tourism stimulus scheme is likely to be postponed until April next year, amid concerns that staging a promotion during the high season starting in October would have limited economic benefits.

The move followed discussions among cabinet members and representatives of relevant ministries. Most agreed on the need for tourism stimulus but expressed concerns over the program’s timing, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said. Continued … 

Thailand denies hotels exemption from foreign business license

Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that foreigners can now operate hotels, restaurants or tour businesses without a license under a new Foreign Business Act regulation.

The new rule removes licensing requirements for eight service businesses in three groups, but hotels, tour operators, restaurants, souvenir shops, sports services and language schools are not included, according to Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development. Continued … 

Israel envoy urges tourists to respect Thai culture

Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, Alona Fisher-Kamm, has again urged Israeli visitors to respect Thai laws and culture after protests and a series of disputes involving tourists. Fisher-Kamm said both countries needed to ensure the Middle East conflict was not brought into Thailand. She nevertheless pushed back against describing recent protests as antisemitic.

“We have to work together to make sure that the conflict in the Middle East is not imported here to Thailand,” she said. “It’s still very hard for me to use the word antisemitic here in Thailand. It’s really, really far from their mentality, from their tolerance, from what they think.” Continued … 

Thailand Privilege Card strengthens checks against foreign scammers

To deter scammers and support a policy aimed at building confidence and safety for foreign tourists and Thai citizens, the Thailand Privilege Card Co. has tightened background screening under the Thailand Privilege Card program, formerly known as the Elite Card, through a 4+1 agency mechanism.

This represents a significant tightening from two to three years ago, when checks involved only the Immigration Bureau and the Department of Consular Affairs, and closes more security loopholes. Continued … 

Chiang Mai police lieutenant, 3 others caught extorting Chinese tourist

A police lieutenant colonel and three other men were arrested Tuesday after they allegedly extorted 200,000 baht from a Chinese national in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai province.

San Kamphaeng Police Station officers arrested the lieutenant colonel, who served as an inspector with the Special Operations Subdivision of Provincial Police Region 5. Three others were arrested in connection with the case on the same day. Continued … 

How to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days

If your 30 days in Thailand are nearly up and you are not ready to leave, the first option to check is usually a Thailand visa extension. For eligible travelers on the current 30-day visa exemption, Immigration can grant up to another 30 days, subject to approval, without requiring you to leave the country.

If you want to stay for several months or make Thailand a longer-term base, another extension may only postpone the real decision about the type of visa you want. Tourist visas, the Destination Thailand Visa, work and education visas, marriage and retirement routes, the LTR Visa and Thailand Privilege all serve different purposes. Continued … 

A solo traveler’s guide to Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta truly is a magical place. It feels like stepping back in time, allowing you to experience the essence of what Thailand is all about. Located on the Andaman Sea, it’s a collection of rugged islands in the Krabi province. The biggest and most inhabited is Koh Lanta Yai, which is highlighted by nine golden sand beaches and lush, palm tree jungles.

There isn’t much infrastructure. Instead, motorbikes are the main mode of transportation for tourists, while gas is sold on the roadside in reusable 1L bottles. Ultimately, the biggest priority is finding a spot to relax, until you finish the day with a world-famous Thai sunset. Continued … 

Phu Kradueng hiking and camping season opens October 1

Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has announced that its 2026-27 season for mountaintop visits and overnight stays will run from Oct. 1 to May 31, 2027.

The park has set hiking hours and access arrangements for several attractions, with some routes requiring visitors to be accompanied by park staff. The permitted hiking hours are 6 am to noon for the ascent and 7 am to 1 pm for the descent. Continued … 

• Chinese fugitive held over Samut Sakhon nominee firms – Continued … 

• Patong stylist chases tourist who skipped 4,000 baht braiding bill – Continued … 

• Chinese Interpol red notice suspect held in Pattaya – Continued … 

• Vietnamese woman held over Suvarnabhumi baggage theft – Continued … 

Fed raises US rates to tackle ‘too high’ inflation, irking Trump

The US Federal Reserve yesterday raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, defying President Donald Trump’s demand for cuts, as central bank chief Kevin Warsh stressed the need to combat inflation that has been “too high” for “too long.” The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise rates by 25 basis points to between 3.75% and 4.00%. Continued … 

Airbus sees Asia-Pacific driving 45% of global jet demand by 2045

Asia-Pacific will account for 45% of global demand for new passenger aircraft between 2026 and 2045, requiring 19,120 aircraft as passenger traffic grows faster than the worldwide average, Airbus forecasts. Airbus’s Global Market Forecast (GMF) for 2026–2045 puts worldwide demand at 42,060 new aircraft. Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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