• Hua Hin to Khon Kaen flights/Nakhon Pathom to Pranburi roadway/Soi 102 flooding issues/World Cup matches in Thailand/Makro Expands QR Credit Card Payments/Swedish Church representatives visit Hua Hin//Floods hit Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang/Situation ‘fragile’ at Cambodian border/Thai gold opens lower
• THE IRAN WAR: U.S. Strikes Iran Again/BOT affirms baht stability
• ECONOMY: Thai chamber proposes 10 urgent measures/Thai household income falls/Thailand GDP forecast to 1.6%-2.0%/Thailand’s misleading growth story/Greater focus on foreign investors/New shrimp markets/New data center investment/New Bangkok city plan
• TOURISM: TAT forecasts 33 million foreign tourists/Tourism levy in 3rd quarter/Three Phuket hotels raided
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Return to Khao Yai/Thailand’s best beaches/Thailand’s Highland Communities
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand’s Low-Carbon Economy
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

EZY Airlines Hua Hin to Khon Kaen flights under review

Private sector officials in Khon Kaen have proposed new Khon Kaen-Hua Hin flights as part of plans to improve air links between the northeast and key tourism and economic centers.

Natthiya Tantasuk, president of the Khon Kaen Tourism and MICE Assn. and chair of the Tourism Industry Council of Khon Kaen, said discussions were held on June 8 with Thani Tharaphak, chief executive officer of EZY Airlines. Continued … 

Nakhon Pathom to Pranburi roadway discussed

The Department of Highways held a public consultation meeting yesterday in Hua Hin on the review study for Motorway No. 8, the proposed Nakhon Pathom–Pranburi route, covering the Cha Am–Pranburi section.

The project involves hiring consulting engineers to review the economic feasibility study, conduct surveys, prepare detailed designs, and assess environmental impacts for the Cha Am–Pranburi section of Intercity Motorway No. 8. Continued … 

Soi 102 flooding issues addressed

Hua Hin Municipality has carried out work to address Hua Hin flooding on Soi 102 after problems with standing water and slow drainage affected local roads and nearby agricultural areas.

City officials visited the area yesterday to monitor the situation and oversee work to open drainage channels in areas where water had built up and was not draining properly. Continued … 

Monomax to show all World Cup matches in Thailand

Jasmine International (JAS) has officially secured the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Thailand, just hours before the first match kicks off, ensuring that all 104 matches will be available to football fans.

The announcement marks the end of prolonged uncertainty over whether fans in Thailand would have legal access to the tournament, which begins on June 11 and runs until July 19, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Continued … 

Makro Expands QR Credit Card Payments Nationwide with Visa, Mastercard

Makro, a leading wholesale business under CP AXTRA, is making everyday shopping easier, faster, and more secure for millions of Thai customers with the nationwide launch of QR Credit Card Payment at Makro.

Developed in collaboration with Visa and Mastercard, and supported by leading Thai banks, the service has gone live across all Makro branches nationwide. The new payment solution allows customers to pay with their credit card directly through their mobile phone at checkout, without the need to present a physical card. In collaboration with Visa and Mastercard credit cards, and leading financial institutions across Thailand, the payment solution at Makro provides the full benefits of credit card usage and rewards options. Continued … 

Swedish Church representatives visit Hua Hin

Representatives from the Swedish Church are visiting Hua Hin from June 12-16 for baptisms, home visits, hospital visits, and meetings with local businesses, the church announced.

The visit is part of the Swedish Church’s Mobile Priest in Asia program. During their stay, priest Olof Olsson and church representative Marie will be available to meet members of the local community. According to the announcement, the visit will include pastoral services and outreach activities in the Hua Hin area. Continued … 

Floods hit Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported heavy rain and overflowing waterways in Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang, with floodwater entering homes in several areas.

The department has ordered provincial DDPM offices and regional disaster prevention and mitigation centers to closely monitor the situation, issue warnings, and provide swift assistance to affected residents. Continued … 

Situation ‘fragile’ at Cambodian border as Chinese tanks arrive

The situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains fragile, but is still under control, says National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad. His comments came amid reports that China had delivered T-59D tanks to Cambodia.

Chatchai said officials had agreed conditions remained sensitive. However, local authorities on both sides were still able to communicate and manage problems on the ground, he said. Continued … 

Thai gold opens B1,150 lower as global prices slide

Thai gold prices fell sharply at the market open today, with bullion dropping by 1,150 baht per baht-weight as global gold prices came under renewed pressure.

The Gold Traders Assn. announced its first price adjustment of the day, cutting domestic gold prices in one move after a volatile session yesterday. The latest adjustment brought the selling price of gold bullion to 63,900 baht per baht-weight, down from the previous day’s final level of 65,050 baht. Continued … 

U.S. Strikes Iran In Second Day Of Renewed Fire

The United States launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran into this morning after President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations.

The new assault across multiple cities comes as efforts to negotiate an end the war again appeared stuck, with Iran insisting it would maintain its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and sent oil prices higher. Continued … 

BOT affirms baht stability despite US-Iran market pressure

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has affirmed that the baht situation and Thailand’s external position remain strong, even as pressure from the conflict between the United States and Iran has caused the baht to weaken slightly.

The currency is still moving with stability, unlike Indonesia, which called an emergency meeting to raise interest rates to curb the depreciation of the rupiah. Continued … 

Thai chamber proposes 10 urgent measures for Thai economic revival

Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, said yesterday, after talks with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the government’s economic agencies at Government House, that discussions with the government had covered strategies for reviving the Thai economy in 2026.

He said the business sector was facing severe challenges from geopolitical factors and economic volatility, affecting energy and logistics costs. A survey had found that business operators, especially SMEs, which form an important foundation of the country, had been hit hardest. Continued … 

Thai household income falls for first time in six years

The SCB Economic Intelligence Center (SCB EIC) of Siam Commercial Bank has set out its view on Thai household vulnerability based on findings from the latest nationwide household survey. It found that incomes had shrunk, spending had been cut, and reliance on assistance and debt remained high despite some easing, putting pressure on consumption ahead.

Thai households are adjusting to a heavy debt burden and face six structural vulnerabilities that could become a drag on the Thai economy. It found that Thai households were facing structural vulnerabilities that could become a major drag on the Thai economy in the period ahead. Continued … 

JSCCIB raises Thailand GDP forecast to 1.6-2.0%

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its forecast for Thailand’s 2026 economic growth to 1.6%-2.0%, supported by the 170-billion-baht “Thais Help Thais Plus” stimulus scheme.

The committee also lifted its export growth forecast to 8%-10%, while warning that Thailand’s economy remains K-shaped, with the technology sector growing strongly but most businesses still facing high costs and weak purchasing power. Continued … 

Thailand’s misleading growth story

Thailand’s quarterly GDP growth rate was 1.2% in the third quarter of 2025, rising to 2.5% in the fourth quarter, and further to 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

Judging from these figures, most people would conclude the economy is on the path to recovery, as higher growth rates are generally associated with stronger economic performance. The government even campaigned under the slogan “Cannot take being richer anymore”. Today, that slogan appears to be little more than a joke. Continued … 

Call for greater focus on foreign investors

Amid rising global uncertainty, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has urged the government to step up efforts to attract foreign investors and encourage multinational companies to relocate their operations to Thailand.

Following a committee meeting yesterday, Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Assn., said businesses worldwide face growing risks from the prolonged war in the Middle East. Continued … 

Government scrambles for new shrimp markets

The government is seeking new markets for Thai shrimp after Malaysia announced an import suspension earlier this month, says Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. Malaysia has suspended imports of five shrimp species from Thailand, starting June 1.

Suphajee said the ministry must urgently seek alternative markets to absorb the 300–400 tons of shrimp previously exported there each month. Continued … 

Gulf prepares new data center investment

Gulf Development, Thailand’s largest energy company by market value and a major telecom operator, has announced plans to invest in new data centers with a combined capacity of 100 megawatts this year, underscoring its ambition to become a regional leader in digital infrastructure and cloud services.

Smith Banomyong, chief strategy officer at Gulf, said feasibility studies have begun for 1-2 additional projects, with final decisions expected before the end of the year. The expansion is part of Gulf’s broader target to reach roughly 2,000MW of service capacity within 3-5 years. Continued … 

New Bangkok city plan set to boost high-rise projects in Thonburi

The drafting of Bangkok’s new comprehensive city plan, the fourth revision, is expected to take effect around late 2027 and bring major changes to land-use rules in several areas.

The changes are expected to benefit landowners and developers by increasing land values and allowing more intensive development in line with rising land prices. While northern and eastern Bangkok are seeing significant changes, Thonburi, or the capital’s western and southern zones, is also set to benefit from future development. Continued … 

TAT forecasts 33 million foreign tourists

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said today that Thailand’s tourism situation had been affected by unrest in the Middle East, which had pushed up oil prices, increased the cost of goods, and affected the global economy.

As a result, TAT forecasts 33 million foreign tourists in 2026, generating B1.55 trillion in revenue, and 200.4 million domestic person-trips, generating B1.1 trillion. For the overseas market, in the first five months, foreign tourists traveling to Thailand totaled 14.03 million, close to the 14.36 million recorded in the same period of 2025, a slight decline of 2.3%, generating B679.274 billion in revenue. Continued … 

Tourism levy now planned for the 3rd quarter, outbound fee suspended

Thailand is moving closer to introducing its long-delayed foreign tourism levy, with officials targeting a third-quarter launch and considering airline collection alongside visitor insurance coverage.

At the same time, the government has suspended a proposed B1,000 overseas departure charge on Thai travelers. The measure had been approved by the Cabinet but was later put on hold. The Ministry of Finance is now studying other ways to raise revenue. Continued … 

Three Phuket hotels raided over alleged illegal operations

The Department of Provincial Administration’s special operations team has raided three major accommodation operators in Phuket accused of running hotel businesses without licenses.

The urgent operation targeted properties in the popular tourist areas of Karon and Rawai in Mueang Phuket district. Officials said the raids were part of the Interior Ministry’s social-order campaign and broader efforts to tackle corruption, influential figures, and unlawful business networks. Continued … 

Return to Khao Yai Reveals Why Thailand’s Nature Escape Keeps Getting Better

Returning to Khao Yai after a previous visit, I was immediately reminded why this region remains one of Thailand’s most enduring travel destinations. Just a few hours from Bangkok, the landscape changes dramatically from urban congestion to rolling hills, forests and mountain views.

The contrast is particularly noticeable in the air itself. After spending weeks in the capital, the fresh countryside atmosphere felt like a welcome reset. Continued … 

Thailand’s best beaches, and when to visit each one

Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world, and that is both the appeal and the problem. If you are looking for the perfect beach, Thailand offers options for every traveler, with hundreds of them spread across two coastlines, dozens of islands ranging from overdeveloped to barely touched, and more opinions online than anyone has time to read.

The best beaches in Thailand span two very different coastlines, and the Andaman side is where most of the dramatic scenery lives. Railay is a peninsula cut off from the mainland by limestone cliffs and reachable only by longtail boat from Ao Nang, about 15 minutes away. Railay West has the best swimming and some of the finest sunsets on the Andaman. Continued … 

How Thailand’s Highland Communities Are Taking Local Wisdom Global

In the emerald hills of northern Thailand, a cultural renaissance is quietly unfolding. At the Highland People Discovery Museum in Chiang Mai’s Rama IX Lanna Park, the air recently buzzed with the sights, sounds, and scents of the 2026 Highland Ethnic Festival.

This three-day event, held in March, was more than just a celebration; it was a sophisticated bridge connecting centuries-old wisdom with the modern global marketplace. Continued … 

Thailand: Building a Competitive Low-Carbon Economy

Thailand is accelerating its transition to a low-carbon economy, rolling out a series of policies, regulatory reforms, and investment incentives designed to align economic growth with environmental sustainability.

The multi-tiered reforms reflect a broader recognition among policymakers that long-term competitiveness will depend on how effectively the country can cut greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and respond to rising global expectations on sustainability. Continued … 

• Nigerian Drug Boss Suspect Arrested in Bangkok – Continued … 

• Israeli Suspect Held at Samui Airport Over Phangan Land Case – Continued … 

• Israeli Fugitive Held in Bangkok for Deportation – Continued … 

‘I love the inflation’: Backlash greets latest Trump comment

US President Donald Trump yesterday brushed off concerns about consumer inflation surging to a fresh three-year high in May, on the back of soaring energy prices caused by his war in Iran. “The numbers were great… I love the inflation,” Trump told reporters. Continued … 

Russian conscripts recount pressure to fight in Ukraine

After Russian police started using facial-recognition cameras to identify men wanted by military authorities, a young bank worker spent weeks avoiding the Moscow metro. But on a snowy Friday evening in late 2024, heavy traffic pushed him underground to visit his mother. At the next station, two officers entered the carriage and detained him for draft evasion. Continued … 

SpaceX on cusp of record IPO that could make Musk a trillionaire

SpaceX enters the final stretch today before its expected trading on Wall Street as part of the biggest initial public offering in history, which could propel co-founder Elon Musk to trillionaire status. Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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