Jazz Festival set for Nov 28–29/Garland vendor wins lottery/Ayutthaya worker hits jackpot/ECONOMY: Thailand Faces Mounting Economic Pressures/US shutdown may affect Thailand/Thailand’s Export Growth Slumps/Phuket’s second-hand property market soars/Thai rice prices near 9-year lows/TOURISM: Health tourism in Thailand/Tourism chief urges mindset modification/Chinese Tourist Missing From Phuket Beach/Electric Flying Ferries for Koh Kood/AirAsia Launches New Domestic Routes/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: I went on a 4,000 km motorbike trip across Thailand/Thai street foods foreigners rate as the worst/CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand’s Green Tourism Plan/Thailand flunks on clean energy/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Hua Hin International Jazz Festival set for Nov 28–29 on the beach
The Hua Hin International Jazz Festival 2025 will return to Hua Hin Beach on Nov. 28–29, bringing two evenings of international and Thai jazz performances to one of the city’s most iconic seaside venues.
The festival will feature more than 20 performances across two stages — one at the Hua Hin beach exit and the other in front of Centara Grand Beach Resort Hua Hin. Concerts are scheduled to run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. each evening. Continued …
Humble garland vendor in central Thailand wins 12 million baht
A garland vendor from Prachin Buri won the top lottery prize but surprised locals by continuing her work at a roadside stall the very next day. The winner, a 55-year-old woman named Kinaree, discovered she held two first-prize tickets with the winning number 876978, announced in the Government Lottery Office’s Oct. 1 draw. The two-digit number for the same draw was 77. Continued …
Ayutthaya worker hits jackpot with 12 million baht lottery win
A worker in Ayutthaya became an instant millionaire after winning the top prize in the national lottery, sparking celebration in the hometown community. The lucky winner held two tickets that matched the first-prize number in the Oct. 1 draw, announced by the Government Lottery Office. Continued …
Thailand Faces Mounting Economic Pressures Amid Global Headwinds: Fitch
Thailand is grappling with intensified economic challenges stemming from slower global growth, diminished fiscal capacity, and ongoing political uncertainty, Fitch Ratings warned at its annual conference on Thailand held in Bangkok on Wednesday.
The event, which brought together senior economists and credit analysts, painted a sobering picture of the kingdom’s economic trajectory as public debt continues to climb and external headwinds mount. Continued …
US government shutdown may hit Thai exports and baht
Amid the US federal government shutdown triggered by Congress failing to pass a budget by the Oct. 1 deadline, the Thai Ministry of Finance has issued a warning about potential impacts on the global economy, including Thailand, and outlined mitigation measures for the export sector and currency fluctuations.
Deputy Finance Minister Vorapak Tanyawong stated that the US shutdown has affected approximately 750,000 federal employees, as non-essential services were suspended, immediately impacting businesses and citizens in the United States. Continued …
Thailand’s Export Growth Slumps Amid Impact of US Tariffs
Thailand’s export growth has significantly decelerated, hampered by the ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs and sluggish global demand. The country’s Ministry of Commerce reported that exports rose just 3.1% year-on-year in August, a stark contrast to a 10.5% increase recorded earlier in the year.
The slowdown reflects broader trends affecting Southeast Asia’s economic landscape. Analysts attribute the decline to heightened tariffs on key Thai products, including electronics and agricultural goods, imposed during ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The Thai economy heavily depends on exports, which constitute about 60% of its GDP. Continued …
Phuket’s second-hand property market soars, outpacing new builds
In recent years, Phuket has not only been a prime tourist destination but also a battleground for high-end property developers, particularly those focusing on luxury villa projects scattered across the island’s prime locations.
This surge in development was propeled by the massive purchasing power of foreign investors, especially from Russia and China, which led to a booming market. Villas in Phuket were once sold even before construction began, with prices continually rising. However, in 2025, the landscape took a noticeable shift. Continued …
Thai rice prices hover near 9-year lows
Thai export prices retreated further this week and hovered near nine-year lows, hurt by ample supplies and meager demand, while Indian prices edged up from three-year lows, supported by a slight improvement in demand.
Thailand’s 5% broken rice was quoted at US$345 per metric ton yesterday, its lowest since November 2016, down from the $350 quoted last week. Continued …
Health tourism in Thailand surges to Bt670 billion
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in 2025, Thailand’s health tourism sector comprises 92,813 operators, generating an estimated Bt670 billion in revenue. This includes 28,203 direct health service businesses, valued at Bt220 billion, and 64,610 related businesses (e.g. retail, transport, tourism), worth Bt450 billion.
A growing area of interest among tourists is the spa services sector, including oil massages, foot reflexology, Thai massages, and wellness-related treatments such as scrubs, yoga, detox, and nail care, alongside health spa packages. Continued …
Tourism chief urges mindset modification
The tourism and sports minister has acknowledged Thailand is no longer a “tourism giant”, but he plans to attract 2-3 million more Chinese tourists during his four-month term.
“Thailand is not a tourism giant anymore, as new competitors are emerging. This situation has forced us to adjust our mindset. We should target markets that truly have growth potential,” said Tourism and Sports Minister Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn during his first visit to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) yesterday. Continued …
Chinese Tourist Still Missing From Phuket Beach
The search for a 21-year-old Chinese tourist swept out to sea at Nai Han Beach in Rawai subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket, remains ongoing. The man was carried away by strong waves in front of his girlfriend on Wednesday and authorities have yet to locate him as of last evening.
Rescue teams have been deployed across several locations to widen the search area. Operations have focused on the waters around Yanui Beach-Koh Kaew and the Nai Han Beach-Ao Sen areas. Officials continue to coordinate efforts on both land and sea in a bid to locate the missing man. Continued …
Electric Flying Ferries to Serve Thailand’s Koh Kood
Swedish electric boat maker Candela and Thai operator Seudamgo by Leopard Transportation Co., have entered an agreement for 10 Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferries to initially operate on the route between the mainland and Koh Kood in Trat province.
Koh Kood, often described as Thailand’s most pristine island paradise, has been intentionally kept less developed than tourist hotspots such as Phuket or Koh Samui. Access to this unique destination has relied on conventional gasoline-powered speedboats – vessels that generate noise, large damaging wakes, and heavy emissions, threatening marine life, shorelines, and the quiet character of the island. Continued …
AirAsia Launches Suvarnabhumi–Chiang Rai, Suvarnabhumi–Nakhon Si Thammarat Routes
AirAsia is taking off with two new domestic routes from its Suvarnabhumi base: Bangkok-Chiang Rai (2 flights daily) and Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat (1 flight daily).
AirAsia will launch a special inaugural fare starting from Bt950 per segment. Bookings can be made via airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app. Continued …
I went on a 4,000 km motorbike trip across Thailand in 19 days — and here’s what I learned
Instead of only seeing the top-10 attractions, a motorbike trip allows you to stop anywhere — by a rice field, a border river with Myanmar — and often discover places that aren’t on the map. You meet people, experience Thai culture, and realize that sticking only to tourist destinations gives you a distorted picture of a country.
You start to question how conditional your own traditions and values really are. What’s considered a value in one culture may mean the opposite in another. Continued …
12 Thai street foods foreigners rate as the worst, but locals love them
Thailand’s street food scene is beloved for its bold flavors, affordability, and vibrant culture. But not every dish lands the same way for every diner. According to TasteAtlas, a global platform dedicated to traditional food and travel, some well-loved Thai street foods are ranked among the least favorite by international visitors.
In its 2025 list of 12 Worst Rated Thai Street Food, the site highlights dishes that locals enjoy regularly but which might be a little challenging for newcomers. Here’s a closer look at the list, why these dishes are popular in Thailand, and why they may not appeal to all travelers. Continued …
Thailand Green Tourism Plan 2030 advances sustainable future
The Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has advanced the “Thailand Green Tourism Plan 2030,” marking a milestone in the nation’s journey toward sustainable tourism. At the heart of the initiative is the “Thailand Good Travel” mark, a standard created to enhance the competitiveness of Thai tourism and reinforce the country’s ambition to be recognized among the world’s Top 100 sustainable destinations.
Guided by the theme ”Igniting the Path to Global Green Success”, the Thailand Green Tourism Plan 2030 unites four key partners: the Department of Tourism, Mahidol University International College as the Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Center (STAC Thailand), the Green Destinations Foundation, an Travelife for Tour Operators. Continued …
Thailand climbs climate ranks but flunks on clean energy
Thailand was ranked 24th in a global climate index, receiving praise for emissions control but criticism for its weak renewable energy efforts and policies. The ranking highlights a high score for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a medium score for energy use, but a disappointing low score for renewable energy adoption, and a low score for climate policy.
To further align economic activity with environmental goals, the Thai government is currently accepting public feedback on Taxonomy Phase 2. This updated framework will define sustainable practices in key sectors such as agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, and waste management. It aims to support both government and businesses in aligning with international and local environmental standards, while promoting green finance and sustainable investment. Continued …
- Dutch Suspect Arrested in Pattaya Underage Sex Case – Continued …
- Portuguese Scammer Arrested in Bangkok After 2-Year Hunt – Continued …
Elon Musk’s fortune tops $500 billion
Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday became the first person ever to achieve a net worth of $500 billion, propeled by a rebound in the EV company’s shares and surging valuations of the tech entrepreneur’s other companies. Continued …
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