- Holiday immigration office hours/Hua Hin Jazz Festival/Smog rising in Thailand/’Operation Bad Guys Out’ Crackdown/Loan Shark Arrested Over 2,400% Interest/Thailand’s Chearavanont Family Among World’s Wealthiest/Thailand rewrites SEA Games/Southern Thailand Flooding/Series of Earthquakes Felt Near Thailand
- THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT: Thailand and Cambodia’s deadliest border year/Two Weeks of Needless Thai-Cambodian War/Heavy Border Clashes/F-16s Bomb Cambodian Positions/Thailand sets three ceasefire terms/Hun Sen’s war/Cambodian Migrant Workers Face Uncertain Future
- ECONOMY: The sick man of Southeast Asia?/Big C shuts 170 Big C Mini outlets/US trade talks still on course/US trade deal must wait/Deloitte forecasts 3% growth/Thai brands eye China/Automaker ramps up Thai EV production
- TOURISM: Firmer Baht May Be Good for Tourism
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand is quietly changing/The incident that never existed/Chinese Vs Thai Fried Rice
- CLIMATE THAILAND: New era of extreme weather/Importers face EU carbon restrictions/Mekong arsenic levels deemed safe
- HUA HIN LINKS
Hua Hin holiday immigration office hours
Immigration offices in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi have confirmed their opening arrangements over the Christmas and New Year period, with services continuing on key dates before a short year-end closure.
The Immigration Bureau said offices will be closed from Dec. 31 to Jan. 4, reopening as normal after the New Year break. However, immigration services will remain open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, as these are not official public holidays in Thailand. Continued …
Hua Hin Jazz Festival draws crowds to the beach
Unhealthy smog rising in Thailand throughout this week
People in Thailand have been warned of experiencing higher levels of harmful smog throughout this week, according to Pollution Control Department (PCD). The overall levels of particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (PM2.5) have begun to increase in several areas, the PCD reported.
The orange level that starts to affect health was detected mainly in the northeast (Nong Khai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, and Yasothon) and the Central Plains (Sing Buri, Saraburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, and Samut Songkhram). Continued …
Police Launch Nationwide ‘Operation Bad Guys Out’ Crackdown
Police have launched a nationwide operation targeting foreign nationals who have violated immigration and criminal laws, resulting in hundreds of arrests on its first day.
The campaign, titled “Operation Bad Guys Out”, involved coordinated raids across the country beginning Saturday. The immediate impact was the arrest of 870 suspects in a single day, most for illegal entry into Thailand. Continued …
Nonthaburi Loan Shark Arrested Over 2,400% Annual Interest
Police have arrested a 28-year-old man accused of operating an illegal lending business in Nonthaburi province, charging borrowers interest rates of more than 2,400% per year and publicly shaming those who paid late.
The suspect was detained in Pak Kret district following complaints from victims who said they were threatened and humiliated online. Authorities said the case highlights the ongoing harm caused by unregulated loan sharks targeting financially vulnerable people. Continued …
Thailand’s Chearavanont Family Among World’s Top 25 Wealthiest
Thailand’s influential Chearavanont family, behind the giant Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, has been spotlighted as Southeast Asia’s sole representative in Bloomberg’s 2025 list of the world’s 25 richest families.
They boast a wealth of $53.3 billion (approximately 1.92 trillion Thai baht), amid an exclusive list typically dominated by the U.S., Middle East, and Europe. Continued …
Thailand rewrites SEA Games history with record-breaking gold rush
As the SEA Games conclude today, Thailand is set to put the icing on its success in reclaiming the overall title with a new record total of gold medals after their athletes continued to win one title after another on the penultimate day of the 33rd SEA Games on Friday.
The Kingdom already shattered the previous best overall haul of 205 gold medals set by Vietnam when it hosted the Covid-delayed Games three years ago after another profitable day for Thai athletes propeled the country to a tally of 232 titles. Continued …
Southern Thailand Flooding: Travel Conditions Stabilize Across the Region
Travel conditions across southern Thailand have largely returned to normal following recent flooding, with steady improvements reported in all affected provinces, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Authorities say transport access has stabilized, tourism services have resumed, and most destinations are fully operational.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand said it continues to coordinate closely with local authorities, consulates, airlines, and tourism operators to support travelers and provide verified, up-to-date information. Assistance remains available for visitors who experienced delays returning home during the flooding period, while officials urge travelers to stay alert to weather-related changes and monitor official updates. Continued …
Series of Earthquakes Felt Near Thailand as Regional Seismic Activity Intensifies
Thailand’s Earthquake Monitoring Division has issued a cautionary update after a series of earthquakes were recorded in and around the country in the early hours yesterday, underscoring heightened seismic activity across the region.
According to the division, tremors were detected multiple times overnight and into the morning, with the strongest nearby activity occurring close enough to be felt in parts of northern Thailand. While no major damage or injuries have been reported, authorities warned residents to remain alert, particularly in the north, northeast, and south. Continued …
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Temples, tanks, and landmines: Thailand and Cambodia’s deadliest border year
This year witnessed renewed border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia that sparked deadly armed clashes in July and December, opening fresh wounds in a centuries-old dispute. Relations have deteriorated so badly that a return to normality appears unlikely anytime soon.
This year’s two rounds of border fighting were described as the deadliest since the 15th century, when the Ayutthaya kingdom ousted the Khmer Empire as the region’s dominant power. Continued …
Two Weeks of Needless Thai-Cambodian War or War for Votes
Two weeks of needless Thai-Cambodian border war with no end in sight is depressing, particularly when very few Thais — especially public figures or semi-public figures — are willing to publicly call for an end to this tragic madness.
The war is so “popular” among ultranationalist Thais to the point where one risks being accused of being pro-Cambodia, or even being Cambodian or a spy for Cambodia, for calling for an end to the war. Continued …
Thai Army Reports Heavy Border Clashes Over Past 24 hours
The Thai Army’s Second Army Region reported intense fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border over a 24-hour period, marked by heavy weapons fire and drone strikes, with no confirmed Thai casualties.
The update summarized security conditions yesterday, highlighting sustained exchanges of artillery, mortars, and drones in several frontier areas. The military said the clashes affected multiple provinces in the lower northeastern region, prompting heightened security measures. Continued …
F-16s Again Bomb Cambodian Positions Amid Border Clashes
Thai fighter jets carried out air strikes against Cambodian military positions early today, intensifying clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border and prompting evacuations in nearby communities.
The Royal Thai Air Force deployed F-16 aircraft to drop four bombs on targets in the Ta Phraya–Bueng Takuan area, as fighting on the ground escalated with heavy artillery exchanges. Residents near the frontier were forced to flee to shelters as the violence spread across several locations. Continued …
ASEAN meets in Kuala Lumpur as Thailand sets three ceasefire terms
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow arrived in Kuala Lumpur yesterdayto attend a special ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting today convened by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as ASEAN chair.
Sihasak travelled with Nikorndej Plangoon, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as regional diplomats gather to discuss the Thailand–Cambodia situation amid international attention over whether the talks could help pave the way for a ceasefire. Continued …
Hun Sen’s war is his last gasp
Hun Sen, the patriarch of Cambodian politics and Senate president, has seemingly dusted off an old playbook: the “externalixation of internal problems.” By instigating a series of sharp and unprovoked armed attacks against Thailand, the regime is attempting to wrap itself in the national flag to obscure a far more dangerous reality – the rot consuming Cambodia from within.
For decades, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) has traded on stability and control. But as 2025 closes, that narrative is fracturing. The recent, intense skirmishes – involving airstrikes and evacuations of hundred thousands – are conveniently timed. They distract a restless population from a cratering economy and, more critically, from the deluge of exposés revealing the grotesque, unfounded wealth of the Hun family empire. Continued …
Nearly Half a Million Cambodian Migrant Workers in Thailand Face Uncertain Future
As the border war between Thailand and Cambodia enters its second week today, and thevcrackdown specifically targeting unregistered migrant workers from Cambodia is on the rise, Thai-based Cambodian labor right activist Saing Ry reported about how she and the more than 400,000 migrant workers are coping and their future.
QUESTION: What is the overall current situation of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand like? Do they feel afraid or unsafe?
Saing Ry: I feel confused, anxious, scared, and unable to think clearly about which path to take, because the (Thai) prime minister has announced an indefinite postponement of the registration and renewal process for Cambodian migrant workers. Many workers’ permits will expire, and there is still no clear solution. Continued …
Thailand, the sick man of Southeast Asia?
Thailand is confronting a convergence of economic and political pressures that threaten to lock in prolonged stagnation caused by weak growth, demographic decline, and low productivity. Decades of political instability, repeated intervention by unelected ‘tutelary’ powers and the blocking of reformist forces have undermined policy continuity, discouraged investment and diverted spending away from long-term growth drivers like education and public investment.
Renewed border tensions with Cambodia and looming elections now compound these structural weaknesses, leaving Thailand trapped in a cycle of political uncertainty and economic underperformance that erodes its regional standing. Continued …
Big C shuts 170 Big C Mini outlets as growth falters
BJC Big C, the consumer goods and retail arm of Berli Jucker Plc (BJC), is still grappling with growth challenges as Thailand’s economy expands only slowly.
Over the first nine months of 2025, performance across BJC’s business groups was mixed. In the third quarter, its key pillars — packaging manufacturing, healthcare, and technical supplies and services, and retail — all contracted, driven by multiple factors. Continued …
US trade talks still on course
Trade talks between Thailand and the US remain on track even as Thailand operates under a caretaker government. According to Chotima Iemsawasdikul, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Thailand is continuing technical negotiations with the US regarding the tariffs, which she reaffirmed remain at 19%.
“The issues in the technical negotiations are similar to those in trade liberalization talks, covering market access for goods and services, as well as investment,” Chotima said. “The US raised issues cited in its ‘National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers’, particularly non-tariff measures, which the US views as affecting trade and its economic security.” Continued …
Any US trade deal must wait for new parliament and cabinet
A top official at the Ministry of Commerce on Friday warned that the United States could raise tariffs if peace is not quickly restored between Thailand and Cambodia, while the director-general of the Department of International Trade Negotiations confirmed that technical talks with the U.S. Trade Representatives’ office are ongoing.
As things stand, Thailand cannot sign any trade deal until a new government is formed, likely in May 2026, because the caretaker government is barred from making binding commitments, and any agreement will also require approval from the House of Representatives, dissolved by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Dec. 12. Continued …
Deloitte forecasts 3% growth under stable government
Thailand can accelerate economic growth to nearly 3% if it secures a stable post-election government and implements targeted investment policies, says Deloitte Thailand, while reaffirming the nation’s strong potential to emerge as a regional data center hub.
Metinee Jongsaliswang, country managing director at Deloitte Thailand, said the firm projects economic growth in 2026 at around 2% under its base-case scenario, factoring in multiple uncertainties beyond the country’s control. Continued …
Thai brands eye China’s booming premium health and beauty market
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), citing information from the Thai Trade Center in Kunming, China, reports that China’s premium health and beauty market is continuing to grow, particularly in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. Consumers in these top-tier markets increasingly prioritize high-quality products, modern design, and brands that reflect their individual lifestyles.
Recent indicators suggest that premium consumption in China remains a meaningful economic opportunity for Thai entrepreneurs and international businesses, even as the broader economy faces headwinds. Continued …
Chinese automaker ramps up Thai EV production
Omoda & Jaecoo (Thailand), a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned automaker Chery Automobile, has announced plans to produce 28,000-30,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) locally in 2026, as demand for electric mobility continues to rise among Thai consumers.
Company President Cedric Cui said 85%-90% of production will serve the domestic market under the government’s EV incentive schemes, while 10%-15% will be exported to Australia, Europe, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Continued …
Why a Firmer Baht May Be Good for Thailand’s Tourism Future
Thailand’s strengthening baht is back in the spotlight as the peak travel season gathers pace. Trading in the range of 31.4–31.8 baht to the US dollar, the currency has firmed in recent weeks, prompting renewed debate across the tourism sector.
Does a stronger baht discourage visitors, or does it signal a more fundamental shift in how Thailand positions itself globally? On the surface, the answer appears to be no. Arrival numbers remain healthy, flights are full and hotels in major destinations continue to report strong occupancy. Yet spending patterns tell a more nuanced story. Continued …
From tourists to residents, Thailand is quietly changing
Thailand has always been good at attracting people. For decades, visitors have come for the obvious reasons: climate, affordability, food, and a lifestyle that feels lighter than the one they left behind.
What is different now is not the attraction itself, but who is staying and for how long. In 2025, Thailand recorded just over 30 million foreign arrivals, generating an estimated 1.4 trillion baht in tourism revenue. These figures are often quoted, usually to demonstrate recovery or growth. They matter but they do not tell the whole story. A quieter change is taking place beneath the headline numbers. Continued …
Pattaya and the incident that never existed
There is a story one of the lawyers in our office likes to recount. It always brings a knowing smile – not because it is humorous, but because it captures something deeply and unmistakably Thai.
An Indian man had arranged to purchase sexual services from a person he believed to be a woman in Pattaya. The terms were agreed upon: a price, a place, and a mutual understanding. The encounter took place as arranged. Trouble began afterward, when the man refused to pay. His explanation was blunt: “You are transgender, not a real woman. I paid for a real woman.” Continued …
Chinese Vs Thai Fried Rice: What’s The Difference?
We dare foodies to name a more versatile comfort food than fried rice. When epicures are yearning for a taste of something warming, nourishing, and easy on the stomach, chances are, they’re picking up the phone or taking a walk down the block to secure the bag (it’s also wicked easy to whip up a killer batch of fried rice at home, for the record).
Maybe folks are headed toward the plexiglass window of their go-to local Chinese restaurant, beaming softly like an everyman’s “Nighthawks.” Or maybe they’re headed to their local Thai joint and unfolding a paper takeout menu. For foodies hungry for a taste of the truth, what’s the actual difference between Chinese and Thai-style fried rice? Continued …
2026 may bring Thailand’s new era of extreme weather
Tara Buakamsri, director of the Climate Connectors program, says Thailand is entering a period of rapidly shifting climate conditions — and that global heating is no longer just an environmental issue, but the backdrop shaping economic security, public health, energy stability, and people’s quality of life.
Thai politics, he argues, can no longer respond with slogans or by brushing aside scientific evidence. Tara cited the latest outlook from the UK Met Office, which forecasts that average global temperatures in 2026 are likely to be more than 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900). Continued …
Thai importers face EU carbon restrictions
Thailand’s exports to Europe face fresh pressure from the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which enters its definitive phase on Jan. 1.
The EU has also rolled out Regulation (EU) 2025/2083, described as a CBAM “simplification” package, aimed at reducing complexity and easing the burden on small importers ahead of full implementation. Continued …
Mekong arsenic levels deemed safe
Recent water quality tests have confirmed the Mekong River is safe, with arsenic levels within acceptable limits, according to a senior local environmental official.
Tests of samples collected between Nov. 12 and 17 in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, and Nakhon Phanom found arsenic levels below 0.010 milligrams per liter (mg/L) at monitoring stations, said Saichon Laophakdee, director for environment at the provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment. Continued …
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