- Hua Hin beachfront demolition begins/Ezy Airlines Adds Surat Thani-Hua Hin flights//Nene Royal receives US$1.2-million condo/Thunderstorms across 41 provinces/Soil fever warning after 136 deaths/Pattaya roads flood/Phuket landslide evacuation warning/Highest tidal flooding in a decade
- ECONOMY: Thailand’s digital economy/Bangkok condo glut/Bangkok ultra-luxury condos/Inside a modern seafood processing plant/Food industry expansion slows/Russia and Thailand Financial Links
- TOURISM: 450-baht tourist fee explained
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Climate change is shaking up Thai businesses
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin beachfront demolition begins
Hua Hin began beachfront clearance work this morning, with the municipality urging the public not to obstruct officials as it prepares to demolish 15 buildings encroaching on the beach between the fishing pier and the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine.
Municipal enforcement officers, legal officers, demolition contractors and 30 officers from Hua Hin Police Station were scheduled to assemble at the fishing pier forecourt at 10 am. A further 40 crowd-control police officers was to be on standby. Continued …
Ezy Airlines Adds Surat Thani-Hua Hin Flights From Nov 7
Thai carrier Ezy Airlines has launched its second scheduled route, offering nonstop Surat Thani–Hua Hin flights. Cessna aircraft will serve this route twice daily, although service will not be offered from Tuesdays to Thursdays. The first flight is scheduled on Nov. 7. The airline also operates Surat Thani–U-Tapao Airport twice daily, except for Tuesdays trough Thursdays). – Aeroroutes
CP tycoon gives Nene Royal gold Buddha as she receives US$1.2-million condo
Charoen Pokphand Group Senior Chairman Dhanin Chearavanont has given young Thai guitarist Nene Royal a gold Buddha image and his blessings as her family prepares to move into a luxury condominium worth 35 million baht (US$1.2 million).
Nene, 16, visited the Mulberry Grove The Forestias Condominiums yesterday to receive the keys to the family’s new home. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit has a floor area of about 98.69 square meters. It was reportedly given to Nene’s family before they traveled to the United States for the final of America’s Got Talent. Continued …
TMD warns of thunderstorms across 41 provinces today
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a nationwide weather advisory for today, warning residents across 41 provinces to brace for thunderstorms, gusty winds, and potential flash floods or forest runoffs.
Southern region (east oast): Sixty per cent of the area will see thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain, affecting Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla, with wave heights reaching up to two meters offshore. Continued …
Thailand issues soil fever warning after 136 deaths
Thailand has warned farmers, people with diabetes and residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions against melioidosis, also known as soil fever, after recording 3,102 cases and 136 deaths nationwide this year.
The warning, issued by the Department of Disease Control (DDC) yesterday, comes as continued rainfall leaves standing water and wet soil in parts of the country, increasing the risk of exposure to the bacteria that cause the disease. Continued …
Pattaya roads flood up to 80cm after heavy rain
Heavy rain in Pattaya yesterday caused flash flooding of up to 80 centimeters on several major roads in Pattaya, bringing traffic almost to a standstill in parts.
The downpour lasted for less than an hour, but water quickly surged across roads in parts of the resort city that are regularly affected by flooding. Pattaya City officials closed off heavily flooded routes, as small vehicles and motorcycles could not safely get through. Continued …
Phuket landslide evacuation warning issued for Karon
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has urged residents in parts of Karon, Phuket, to evacuate, as continuing heavy rain raises the danger of landslides and mudflows.
The warning, issued yesterday, covers communities around Patak sois 2, 4 and 6 in Karon subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district. Residents have been told to leave their homes for safer places or evacuation centers set up by Karon municipality. Continued …
Amphawa and Mae Klong hit by highest tidal flooding in a decade
Coastal flooding, triggered by high tides, has inundated key economic zones, homes, and tourist spots across Samut Songkhram, with local residents reporting the highest water levels in over a decade.
The Mae Klong River and its connecting canals overflowed yesterday, submerging low-lying areas in Mueang and Amphawa districts, including the famous Amphawa floating market, Mae Klong railway market, and roads leading to Phet Samut Worawihan Temple. Continued …
Thailand’s digital economy forecast to reach US$72 billion
Thailand’s digital economy is forecast to reach US$72 billion, or approximately 2.43 trillion baht, in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2026, growing 19% despite economic challenges, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2026 report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Co. The report projects that GMV will rise to US$104 billion by 2030 and US$167 billion by 2035, with compound annual growth of 10%.
Thailand’s established digital foundations and supportive government policies underpin the outlook. The national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy covers digital sovereignty, AI governance, the development of highly skilled workers and stronger long-term competitiveness. Continued …
Bangkok condo glut may take three years to clear
Bangkok’s condominium market may take another two to three years to return to normal, with more than 65,300 unsold units in the capital worth a combined 370 billion baht.
The market remains under pressure from a large backlog of completed and uncompleted homes, weak household purchasing power and a fall in demand from Chinese buyers, according to property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Thailand. Surachet Kongcheep, the firm’s head of research, said developers face continued uncertainty when planning new projects. Continued …
Bangkok ultra-luxury condos could top 1 million baht per square meter
Bangkok’s ultra-luxury condominium prices could exceed 1 million baht per square meter in the near future, according to Savills, as rising prime land costs, distinctive developments and demand from wealthy buyers support the top end of the market.
Phattarachai Taweewong, senior director of market research and public relations at Savills (Thailand), puts the potential price shift in the ultimate class segment in high-potential locations, rather than the broader condominium market. Continued …
Inside a modern seafood processing plant: from boat to shelf
A tuna boat docks in Samut Sakhon at sunrise. By lunch, that same fish is cleaned, portioned, cooked, and sitting in cans on a pallet bound for supermarket shelves in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. That speed is the result of efficient and seamless choreography most shoppers don’t think about, but it’s what a modern seafood processing plant handles daily.
Raw catch turns up fresh or frozen, gets sorted by species and size, and moves through cleaning lines where scales, bones, and skin come off. From there, depending on the product, it’s cooked, smoked, or frozen, then canned or pouched for retail. Every stop along the way has a temperature log, and there’s a metal detector waiting at the end. Continued …
Food industry expansion slows amid surging costs and weak consumer spending
Thailand’s food and beverage market is projected to reach 682 billion baht in 2026, marking a 3.9% year-on-year growth, according to the Kasikorn Research Center (Kresearch). The growth rate continues to decelerate though, and remains uneven across the sector due to fragile consumer purchasing power, intense competition and elevated operational costs depressing profit margins.
Department of Business Development Director-General Kittiwat Patchimnan stated that they are accelerating efforts to support food operators, grocery stores and small businesses. He emphasised the upgrading of skills, creating market opportunities and establishing business networks to help operators adapt to changing consumer behaviors and maintain competitiveness. Continued …
Russia and Thailand Seek Direct Financial Links to Unlock $1.7 billion in Trade
Bilateral trade and investment between Russia and Thailand are expanding at a rapid pace despite mounting global macroeconomic friction, but the lack of direct financial infrastructure and persistent regulatory barriers threaten to cap future growth, according to high-level commercial representatives.
Trade turnover reached approximately $1.7 billion in 2025 and accelerated further in the first eight months of 2026, surging by 25% year-on-year to hit $1.55 billion. This growth was driven primarily by a 90% leap in Russian exports, which reached $1.05 billion. Continued …
Thai 450-baht tourist fee explained
Relying solely on the national budget may not be sufficient to develop the “supply” of the tourism sector to keep pace with the continued demand flowing into Thailand. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is proceeding with the collection of a “tourist entrance fee” of 450 baht per person for air travel.
The revenue will be channeled into the “Thai Tourism Promotion Fund,” an off-budget mechanism to improve the quality of the supply side and strengthen confidence. The latest draft of the fee collection announcement proposes a rate of “450 baht per person” specifically for eligible foreign tourists entering Thailand via air once the announcement comes into effect. Continued …
Climate change is shaking up “Thai businesses,” urgent adaptation needed
The Thai Management Assn. (TMA) points out that Thai businesses must urgently adapt to the climate crisis while simultaneously mitigating environmental impacts. They must also accelerate investment in infrastructure, develop long-term plans, and elevate sustainability as a strategy to build competitiveness, especially by helping SMEs adapt to global trade regulations.
Veerathai Santiprabhob, chairman of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) and former governor of the Bank of Thailand, stated at the FUTURE FORUM 2026, organized by the TMA under the theme “The Future of Competitiveness: Building Sustainable Growth Through Mitigation and Adaptation,” that climate change is impacting Thailand more severely, causing floods, droughts, heavy rainfall, and rising sea levels. Therefore, businesses must prioritize adaptation alongside mitigation, reducing environmental impacts. Video …
Upmarket prostitution racket in Singapore procuring Thai women smashed
A seven-year prostitution racket trafficking Thai women to Singapore has been smashed in a major police operation. Four suspects, including two Singaporeans, were arrested in Thailand. A fifth faces charges. The breakthrough followed 19 sex worker arrests in Singapore. Continued …
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Thailand revokes Chabad leader’s Thai citizenship over US passport use – Continued …
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Chinese national charged over durian firm nominee claim – Continued …
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Phuket police arrest Chinese woman over nominee firms – Continued …
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Thai police detain two Chinese men wanted in China – Continued …
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Prachin Buri raid nets 18 Chinese and Myanmar workers – Continued …
Saudi Arabia using solar farms to breed endangered species
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Wildlife Sanctuary covers a vast area of 24,500 square kilometers, stretching from volcanic plains to the Red Sea coast. Although this area represents only 1% of the country’s land and 1.8% of its marine land area, it is home to more than 50% of all species in Saudi Arabia, distributed across 15 diverse ecosystems. Continued …
Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men actor, dies
Patrick Stewart, the Shakespearean actor who became a global screen star as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died aged 86. A statement on Stewart’s X account announced his death yesterday, saying he had died the previous day at his home in Los Angeles, in the care of his wife, American musician Sunny Ozell. 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
Hua Hin’s first-ever Halloween parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, with residents and visitors invited to dress up and join the celebrations on Soi Bintabaht.
More than 1,700 Thai and international runners took part in Run with the Flow 2026 in Hua Hin on Sunday, supporting heart and brain health, and raising funds to help disadvantaged patients access medical treatment.
Video of the panther and leopard at Kaeng Krachan
I’ve been coming to Thailand for 30 years and have lived here since 2014. Over the years, the word has come to play an increasingly absurd role in my life. I’m an alien in Thailand, and I see little prospect of that changing.
Thailand’s hotel and accommodation sector recorded 148 business closures in the first nine months of 2026, a 42% increase on the same period last year, according to the Kasikorn Research Center.
Thailand’s agricultural and agro-industrial exports fell 1.9% in the first nine months of 2026 as high production costs and intense global competition weighed on key products, even as booming electronics shipments pushed the country’s overall exports to record levels.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee approved in principle yesterday the designation of four new special economic promotion zones worth 25.66 billion baht, aiming to attract global technology enterprises and artificial intelligence investments.
Artificial intelligence has overtaken climate change as the top global risk, according to a 2026 report from French insurer Axa. This shift is driven by concerns that technological advancements are progressing faster than the ability of regulators to prepare for the potential consequences.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival set for March
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) are enhancing cooperation to modernize national park services, promote high-value nature tourism, and uphold environmental conservation standards.
Doi Luang Chiang Dao opens online bookings for 2026–27 treks
The government’s proposed 50,000-baht subsidy to encourage up to one million households to install a solar power system will be presented to the cabinet today for approval. The proposed scheme also involves three state-owned banks which would provide low-interest loans, eliminating the need for upfront capital.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has accelerated a study on nuclear energy adoption, setting a target to launch Thailand’s first commercial small modular reactor (SMR) by 2037.
US President Donald Trump attacked Norway during a campaign rally, calling it a “shit house country,” and said that Norwegian immigrants were not welcome in the United States because its Nobel Committee had not awarded him the Peace Prize. 
Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, the company said yesterdayy, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as the tech giant seeks to cut costs while pouring money into artificial intelligence. 
EZY Airlines Hua Hin flight timetable revealed
Thailand’s winter season is expected to begin about a week later than average this year, with temperatures forecast to be warmer than normal and heavy rain posing flood risks in the south, the Thai Meteorological Department said.
Energy prices contribute to inflation risks through several interconnected economic channels, most notably by driving up the cost of production and transportation for essential goods. Rising fuel costs act as an input cost for businesses, which then pass these expenses on to consumers, thereby increasing headline inflation. Furthermore, volatility in global energy markets, often triggered by geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, can lead to sudden price shocks that destabilize economic growth and put upward pressure on consumer prices globally.
Global economic growth may hold at 3.1% in 2026, but that resilience rests on increasingly fragile foundations, as investment in artificial intelligence (AI) drives uneven growth and governments confront high debt, inflation and rising energy costs, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.
Thailand’s domestic travel scene is experiencing a notable shift, with Khao Yai and Koh Chang emerging as the country’s fastest-rising destinations, according to Traveloka’s Q3 2026 SEA Index. Searches for Koh Chang have surged by over 40% year on year, while Khao Yai tops the list of domestic destinations gaining momentum.
Thai Airways has admitted its September baggage crisis was five times worse than first reported, with 25,000 bags stranded and over 200 flights cancelled. Now, the board has seized control, ordering worldwide luggage deliveries and automatic passenger compensation.
Thailand is turning to MICE tourism – meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions – to revive its tourism industry amid declining visitor arrivals, safety concerns and a stronger currency. With Bangkok rising in global rankings, the country is betting on international business events to attract more visitors and boost economic growth. 
Call for use of farm land for wind energy projects
Wind farms could lower electricity prices in Thailand by reducing the country’s dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is subject to costly spikes in global market prices. Additionally, wind energy can serve as a complementary power source by generating electricity at night, which helps improve the overall reliability of the national power system.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Return to Khao Yai Reveals Why Thailand’s Nature Escape Keeps Getting Better
Thailand’s best beaches, and when to visit each one
How Thailand’s Highland Communities Are Taking Local Wisdom Global
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.
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. 
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. 
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.