Naresdamri Road resurfacing/Chinese New Year festival in Hua Hin/Ceremony held to honor King Narai/Huai Nam Sap Forest Park festival/Prachuap Valentine’s Day kayaking/Cha Am shooting suspect surrenders/Educational support for underprivileged children in PKK/General Election to be voided?/ El Niño could arrive early/Online license renewals/Plan for Songkhla Lake bridge- ECONOMY: Thailand and EU Target Free Trade Agreement/Economy has ‘left ICU’/Diplomacy Strategy to Navigate ‘Reglobalization’/Thailand Seeks ‘Trusted Partner’ Status/Food industry growth fueled by health/Trat businesses brace for closures
- TOURISM: Tourism as key driver of GDP/Truth About Thailand Travel Costs/Hotel operators call for restructure of land tax/Fire ravages Koh Samui’s popular Fisherman’s Quarter/Dubai airline launches flights to Bangkok
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: The future of food/40-baht entry fee legal
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Electric Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Program/Standards for EV charging stations/Arsenic in Salween River
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Naresdamri Road resurfacing scheduled for Feb 19-March 1
Hua Hin City Municipality has announced temporary road closures on Naresdamri Road from Feb. 19 to March 1, as resurfacing and drainage repair works get under way.
Roadworks will take place on Naresdamri Road, from the junction at Hua Hin Soi 55 (Chomsin Road) to Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine. Work will be carried out daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Continued …
Chinese New Year festival lights up Hua Hin
Hua Hin’s Chinese New Year festival drew large crowds yesterday as the city officially welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse 2026 with a program of cultural performances, traditional rituals, and community celebrations.
The opening ceremony of the festival took place in front of Bluport Hua Hin. Earlier in the day, a procession featuring the God of Fortune, Chai Sing Eia, together with Chao Pho Sombun and Chao Mae Tubtim, moved along several roads within Hua Hin City Municipality. An elaborate dragon parade accompanied the deities, drawing residents onto the streets. Continued …
Ceremony held at Rajabhakti Park to honor King Narai
Prachuap Khiri Khan holds Huai Nam Sap Forest Park festival
For residents of Hua Hin looking to explore more of Prachuap Khiri Khan, the Huai Nam Sap Forest Park festival in Bang Saphan offered a chance to experience both nature and local tradition. The annual “Climb the Hill, Roast Sticky Rice in Bamboo, Admire the Beauty of Kassalong Blossoms” event was held on Saturday at Huai Nam Sap Forest Park.
Now in its 21st year, the festival has taken place every year since it began in 2005. Huai Nam Sap Forest Park is located in Bang Saphan district, around a two-hour drive south of Hua Hin. While the park may be less familiar to some in the north of the province, it has developed a steady following among visitors drawn by its seasonal kassalong blossoms and hilltop viewpoints. Continued …
14 couples take part in Prachuap Valentine’s Day kayaking
Prachuap kayaking for eternal love was the focus of Valentine’s Day celebrations on Saturday, as 14 couples took part in a nature-based activity organized by Prachuap Town Municipality.
The event was held at the 80th Anniversary Commemoration Park at Wat Thammikaram Worawihan in Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan district. Kamol Kaewthet, mayor of Prachuap Town Municipality, joined members of the municipal executive team, the director of the Tourism and Sports Division and staff in leading the “Kayaking for Eternal Love” activity. Continued …
Cha Am shooting suspect surrenders to police
The suspect in the Cha Am shooting that left one man dead on Sunday night has surrendered to police, according to investigators. Police said Anurat Buawan, 40, turned himself in at about 10 pm on Sunday, around two hours after allegedly shooting and killing his 42-year-old elder brother, Arun Buawan, at their home in Na Yang subdistrict, Cha Am.
The Cha Am shooting occurred at about 8 pm following a heated argument between the brothers as the family prepared offerings for Chinese New Year. Anurat fled the scene after the incident. Continued …
Firm provides educational support for underprivileged children in PKK
Generali Thailand has advanced initiatives under its global partnership network, The Human Safety Net (THSN), with the aim of enhancing the quality of life of young children by equipping them with basic life safety skills and providing age-appropriate experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
Executives and employee volunteers recently organized skill-building activities for 30 students in Grades 1–3 from Khai Thanarat School in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The program emphasizes play-based development that blends fun with creative learning through games and brain-training activities to enhance physical development and quick thinking. Continued …
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Rising chance Feb 8 General Election will be voided
Thailand is sliding into another political crisis as questions intensify over the conduct of the Feb. 8 general election. The poll faces a mounting wave of legal challenges across a widening field of disputes. Foremost is the escalating row over barcodes and QR codes, now a serious threat to the already embattled Election Commission’s conduct of the poll.
Beyond that are complaints over constituency-level irregularities, conflicting tabulation data, ballot box management, missing documentation, and the stalled count, frozen at 94% complete. On Monday, the Ombudsman gave the Election Commission seven days to justify its use of barcodes while it considers possible legal action. Continued …
El Niño 2026 could arrive early, raising Thailand’s heatwave risk
Witsanu Attavanich, an associate professor of economics at Kasetsart University and an expert in resource, environmental, and climate-change economics, provided an update on Thailand’s flood-drought outlook as of yesterday, saying the country has entered the “mid-phase” of the El Niño phenomenon and is likely to shift into a full El Niño by May 2026 — earlier than previously expected. He said the event could persist until at least February 2027.
He warned the shift could raise Thailand’s exposure to heat hazards, dry spells, and more variable rainfall across multiple regions. During the hot season from March to May, temperatures nationwide are expected to remain above average, with elevated heat continuing through August. The south and the lower eastern region face a higher heatwave risk than other areas. Continued …
Land Transport Department to allow online license renewals
The Department of Land Transport (DLT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), is upgrading its service standards to allow motorists aged under 55 to renew their driving licenses online from June.
Sorapong Paitoonpong, director-general of the Department of Land Transport, said the move will help manage the high volume of renewals for private cars and motorcycles, which average more than 2.5 million applicants per year. Continued …
Department unveils plan for Songkhla Lake bridge
The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has unveiled plans to build a bridge across Songkhla Lake at a cost of 4.7 billion baht, aimed at easing traffic congestion and strengthening economic and tourism links between Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces.
A DRR source said the project has completed the bidding process and is awaiting the formal announcement of the winning contractor. Construction is expected to begin this year and be completed by 2029. Continued …
Thailand and EU Target 2026 for Landmark Free Trade Agreement
Thailand’s Ministry of Industry has signaled its intent to conclude free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union by mid-2026, despite the current transition to a caretaker government.
During a high-level meeting yesterday, Industry Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana hosted H.E. Luisa Ragher, the EU ambassador to Thailand, to discuss a roadmap for industrial synergy. The talks focused on harmonizing Thailand’s manufacturing sector with stringent European environmental standards. Continued …
Economy has ‘left ICU’, says finance chief
Thailand’s economy has now “left the intensive care unit (ICU)”, reflected in fourth-quarter growth of 2.5%, which surpassed the earlier projection of 1.8% and lifted full-year 2025 growth to 2.4%, above the 2% forecast, said caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.
He said GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 came in at 2.5%, higher than the Finance Ministry’s forecast of 1.8% and also higher than the projection of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), which had previously expected growth of only 0.3%. Continued …
Thailand Launches Economic Diplomacy Strategy to Navigate ‘Reglobalization’
Thailand is witnessing not deglobalization but “reglobalization” — a strategic realignment of trade, production, and finance — requiring the country to integrate its economic and foreign policies more closely than ever before, Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said yesterday.
Speaking at an international seminar co-hosted by UNCTAD, the Ministry of Commerce, the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD), and the Harvard Club of Thailand, Sihasak outlined a comprehensive economic diplomacy strategy launched by his ministry last month to position Thailand advantageously in an increasingly complex global environment. Continued …
Thailand Seeks ‘Trusted Partner’ Status Amid Global Trade Shifts
Thailand must position itself as a “trusted partner” in an increasingly polarized world, where trade policy and foreign policy must work hand-in-hand to navigate complex geopolitical shifts, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday at an international seminar hosted by the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The minister acknowledged that Thailand faces a challenging environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, climate crisis, and technological disruption. She stressed that trade has become “very vulnerable” and requires careful positioning in what she described as an increasingly multipolar world order marked by extreme polarization. Continued …
Food industry growth fueled by health
The Thai food industry is continuing to grow this year, particularly in the healthy food sector focused on promoting longevity. Innovation is crucial to developing new offerings that meet consumer demand, say food industry veterans.
Visit Limlurcha, chairman of the Processed Food and Future Food Committee of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said that as the longevity trend grows, consumers are increasingly seeking healthier food that has a lower environmental impact. Continued …
Trat businesses brace for lengthy closures
Business operators along the Thai–Cambodian frontier in Trat province are bracing for a prolonged border shutdown, urging authorities to reopen checkpoints while rapidly pivoting toward domestic markets to survive.
In Khlong Yai district, where cross-border commerce has long sustained livelihoods, traders say they no longer expect the Ban Hat Lek checkpoint to reopen in the near term following the general election that saw the Bhumjaithai Party win the most House seats and move to form a new government. Continued …
Council sees tourism as key driver of GDP
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) expects the tourism industry to be a major driver of GDP growth this year, as flights and arrivals continue to rebound, though rising untaxed online travel agents and illegal foreign operators continue to limit the full benefits of the rebound.
According to the Tourism Ministry, Thailand currently welcomes over 130,000 arrivals a day, including Chinese tourists whose numbers have increased to 30,000 daily arrivals from 10,000. Continued …
Shocking Truth About Thailand Travel Costs
As global travelers plan their 2026 trips, many are asking if Thailand travel costs are rising. While some rumors suggest higher prices, official sources confirm that domestic travel expenses remain largely stable. Thailand continues to be one of Southeast Asia’s most affordable destinations for tourists.
From vibrant street markets in Bangkok to serene northern mountains, visitors can still experience Thailand without breaking the bank. The perception of higher costs often comes from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates rather than genuine increases in prices for accommodation, food, or attractions. Continued …
Hotel operators call for restructure of land tax
Hotel operators say requesting land and building tax discounts on a yearly basis will not help the business sector reduce its fixed-cost burden in the long run, and urged the government to revise this tax structure to be based on revenue, similar to the previous property tax.
Land prices are scheduled for appraisal every four years, with the next round effective in 2027. Prices are expected to increase by less than 10%, according to the Treasury Department. Continued …
Fire ravages Koh Samui’s popular Fisherman’s Quarter
One of Koh Samui’s most popular foreign tourist haunts was engulfed by fire yesterday, destroying several businesses and sending tourists and locals running in terror. The narrow, confined lanes of Fisherman’s Quarter hampered rescue crews from the outset. Meanwhile, electricity had to be cut before firefighters could deploy water at full force.
The blaze erupted in a well-known tailor shop, then tore through nearby fashion emporiums and the upper floor of a restaurant. Despite the scale of destruction, officials say island firefighting teams prevented even wider damage. An electrical fault is believed to have sparked the fire. No one was injured or killed. Continued …
Dubai airline launches double-daily flights to Bangkok
Dubai-based flydubai is expanding again in Southeast Asia, confirming a double-daily service to Bangkok from September that will lift its Thailand operation to 28 flights a week. The move gives travelers more choice, deepens links with one of Asia’s most popular markets, and adds extra connectivity through Dubai for passengers arriving from Europe, the GCC and beyond.
The new route will begin on Sept. 15, operating between Dubai and Don Mueang International Airport, one of the Thai capital’s two main gateways. With the addition, Bangkok becomes flydubai’s second point in Thailand, alongside Krabi. Across the country, the airline will now offer 28 weekly services. Continued …
Redefining the future of food
At a time when climate change, food waste, and rural inequality are converging into a single, complex crisis, Thailand’s agricultural debate can no longer be confined to yields, prices, or exports alone. The more urgent question is whether the way we produce food today can still sustain the land, the farmers, and consumers tomorrow.
In Bang Len district in Nakhon Pathom, a modest organic farm offers a compelling answer. Tan Khun Organic Farm, founded by Amnart Reansoi, produces organic eggs and chicken while quietly demonstrating how regenerative agriculture, when thoughtfully applied, can turn livestock farming from an environmental problem into part of the solution. Continued …
Phuket officials rule shop’s 40-baht entry fee legal
Officials from the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office addressed public backlash after a souvenir shop owner was filmed making a racist gesture toward a Chinese tourist and charging an entry fee of 40 baht.
The controversy erupted after a video of the owner of a ceramic and souvenir shop called “Positive Thinking” went viral on the Chinese social media platform Douyin. The footage showed the store owner sticking out her tongue and pulling at the corners of her eyes to mimic single eyelids in front of a Chinese customer. Continued …
Bangkok Launches Electric Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Program
Bangkok has introduced the “EV for Win Riders” initiative to transition motorcycle taxis to electric vehicles. Launched by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and supported by partners like Germany’s GIZ, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, and the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, the project aims to reduce pollution and operational expenses for riders in the city.
The transition is part of a broader strategy to lower carbon emissions and improve air quality. The initiative begins with a pilot model that offers motorcycles through a lease-to-ride approach, costing between 75–140 baht daily, with available charging and battery-swapping facilities. Continued …
Department to set standards for EV charging stations
The Department of Energy Business (DOEB) has moved to establish national standards for electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen fuel infrastructure, aiming to streamline investment and ensure safety as Thailand accelerates its transition to clean energy.
Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of the DOEB, said the initiative seeks to create a unified safety protocol and a single standard for alternative fuels. The goal is to make services more accessible for drivers while providing clarity for investors entering the downstream energy sector. Continued …
Arsenic in Salween River 55 times above safe levels
The quality of the water in the Salween River, along the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Hong Son province, is below standard and contains excessive amounts of heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, and mercury, according to findings by the Faculty of Science at Chiang Mai University.
The high content of heavy metals in the river is blamed on unregulated lead mining operations and the widespread ore dressing (processing) carried out by Karen civilians in the Karenni state. The water used in processing the ores is discharged directly into the river without treatment. Continued …
Four Myanmar Men Beat American to Death in Bangkok
An American man, who has not yet been named by authorities, was beaten to death by four Myanmar nationals in Bangkok yesterday, in an incident police say stemmed from a relationship dispute. Continued …
- Spanish couple allegedly fake assault video to discredit Chiang Mai laundry shop – 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
Airport screening for Nipah virus, which has been stepped up across Asia this week after two cases were identified in India, are more about reassurance than science, several leading experts said yesterday.
A World Health Organization official said yesterday that the risk of the spread of the Nipah virus is low, saying that none of the over 190 contacts of the two people infected in India had tested positive or developed symptoms of the disease.
Most Thai working people are aware of the health risks posed by PM2.5 airborne pollution but are reluctant to buy quality N95 face masks to protect themselves, claiming that they are too expensive, according to Arkhom Praditsuwan, director general of the Health Service Support Department.
At the “Thailand Redesign 2026 The Next Level” debate, four major political parties — the People’s Party, Democrat Party, Pheu Thai, and Thai Kao Mai Party — presented their proposals to tackle the pressing issue of Thailand’s 40 million workers, with only 4 million currently paying taxes. The debate focused on the wealth protocol and the urgent need for tax reform to drive economic sustainability and fairness.
Thailand is sharpening its culinary edge on the global stage, not through its world-famous sauces or spices, but through a new wave of premium home-grown beef. The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has identified four “Beef Commanders” — Ko Dam Lam Takhong, Surin Wagyu Salakdai, Nong Sung, and Kamphaeng Saen — as the flagship models of Thai soft power destined for the international market.
Pattaya has introduced new rule assigning specific umbrella colors to beach chair operators, saying the move will improve orderliness and create a more attractive seaside view for visitors.
Think you’ve already done everything there is to do in Bangkok? Hate to break it to you, but probably not. Even if you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve visited, the city always finds new ways to surprise, including new attractions with thrilling rides and aesthetic shopping malls in BKK.
The Ministry of Culture has revealed plans for a major cultural celebration from April 22-26, marking the 244th Anniversary of the Foundation of Rattanakosin. The events will take place in three central locations in Bangkok and aim to bring the rich history of Thailand to life through a series of activities, exhibitions, and performances.
Thailand’s electric vehicle sector is facing fresh uncertainty after government proposals to sharply raise public EV charging prices, a move that could erase the cost benefits that have driven rapid adoption.
Thailand plans to tighten the rules for investors in data centers and other businesses that use a large amount of electricity, requiring them to provide a bank guarantee or collateral to secure power purchases.
Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract threat; it is part of everyday life. From unpredictable weather patterns to rising air pollution, communities across Thailand and around the world are already experiencing its impacts. As these challenges intensify, education is emerging as one of the most powerful starting points for meaningful climate action.