- Coffee In Hua Hin/Retire On US Social Security Alone/Hua Hin Wine Expo/Harmony Family Festival/PKK subdistrict election turnout/Unsafe levels of smog in 59 provinces/Thai Satellite Fails
- ECONOMY: US Supreme Court tariff ruling/Exports set to expand
- TOURISM: Parties Push Tourism Overhaul/Tourist Scams at Grand Palace
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Bangkok or Singapore?/Best Airbnbs in Thailand
- CLIMATE THAILAND: ASEAN Smart Energy & Energy Storage Expo
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
The Sprudge Guide To Coffee In Hua Hin
On long weekends, the road from Bangkok to Hua Hin resembles a faulty production line. City dwellers racing to beat the rush, often end up cooled by car air conditioning instead of ocean winds.
Once they eventually arrive, what awaits them is sun, sea, and superb coffee. That weekend-bump helps keep many small businesses afloat, fostering a market for people with discerning tastes. Continued …
3 Beachside Cities Where You Can Retire On US Social Security Alone
According to the latest figures from US Social Security Administration, the average Social Security income for a couple is $3,208 a month. Look overseas, and you can find havens where your social security dollars will not only cover your monthly expenses but also get you serious bang for buck.
In these three beachside cities (in luding Hua Hin), not only can you enjoy the good life on a monthly budget of $3,208 — in some cases far less — but you’ll also have access to world-class health care, a wealth of entertainment and recreational options, and enjoy abundant sunshine, sea views, and laidback living. Continued …
Hua Hin Wine Expo 2026 Jan. 15-16
The ultimate event for wine lovers and industry professionals is set to return as the Hua Hin Wine Expo 2026 announces its official schedule and line-up. Hosted at the Amari Hua Hin, the two-day event Jan. 15-16, will offer an immersive experience, combining high-level wine education with an extensive showcase of global vintages.
The expo will serve as a platform for the Thai hospitality industry, culminating in “The Grand Evening Tasting 2026” public event, where over 150 wine labels from more than 15 international and local exhibitors will be available for public tasting and retail sales. Continued …
Harmony Family Festival Saturday
Hua Hin will host the Harmony Family Festival on Saturday, a new event designed to celebrate creativity, community spirit, and family-friendly activities. Designed as a joyful day for all ages, the festival will bring together live music, a human circus, art, workshops, local schools, and family-friendly fun in a beautiful outdoor setting.
The festival is built around the belief that happiness grows when we share it, and every ticket sold or sponsorship pledged helps extend that spirit. Continued …
PKK subdistrict election turnout above 72%
The Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Election Commission has reported strong voter turnout in the latest elections for subdistrict administrative organizations (SAO), with more than 72% of eligible voters casting their ballots.
According to the Election Commission of Thailand, voter participation in the SAO elections held Sunday reached 72.6%, reflecting a high level of public engagement in local governance. Continued …
Unsafe levels of smog in 59 provinces, red levels in Greater Bangkok
Unsafe levels of ultrafine dust covered 59 provinces, while red and seriously harmful levels of smog blanketed Greater Bangkok this morning, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
GISTDA reported that unsafe levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5) ranged from 38.1 to 85.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) of air in Bangkok and 59 provinces. The government-set safe threshold for PM2.5 is 37.5µg/m³ in Thailand. There are 76 provinces. Continued …
Thai Satellite THEOS-2 Fails to Reach Orbit After Launch
Thailand’s first domestically built Earth observation satellite, THEOS-2A, failed to reach its intended orbit after launching from India yesterday. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) confirmed that an anomaly occurred during the launch sequence, impacting the rocket’s flight path and preventing the satellite from achieving its goal.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency led the launch at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, India. The satellite aimed to enhance data collection for disaster response and environmental protection. Continued …
Thai exporters brace for US Supreme Court tariff ruling
Thailand’s exporters are closely watching a US Supreme Court ruling due tomorrow on President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariff” policy, with officials warning the decision could become a turning point for global trade conditions and Thailand’s 2026 outlook.
Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent secretary for finance, said Thailand has prepared for both scenarios. If the Supreme Court allows the policy to continue, he said conditions would remain broadly unchanged because both government and the private sector have already adapted and put mitigation plans in place. If the court blocks the tariffs, he said it would immediately become a positive factor for Thailand’s economy and exports. Continued …
Exports set to expand by 4%
Thai exports are expected to grow by 2%-4% this year due to foreign investment, particularly in the electronics sector, according to the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC).
Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the TNSC, said exports would reach roughly US$340 billion in 2026, with the electronics sector estimated to grow by 20%-25%. Continued …
Parties Push Tourism Overhaul Ahead of Thai Election
With the general election just weeks away, Thai political parties are unveiling strategies to boost the economy, taking aim at the tourism industry’s long-standing structural issues.
As concerns mount over declining arrivals, parties are eyeing tourism reforms to reignite growth, especially since the sector declined by 7.2% in visitors last year, with revenue falling by 4.7% to 1.53 trillion baht. Historically crucial to the Thai economy, tourism once contributed 17% to GDP before the pandemic struck. Continued …
Tourist Police Crack Down on Tourist Scams at Grand Palace
The Thai Tourist Police have launched an effort to improve services to visitors around the Grand Palace, aiming to tackle issues of overcharging and passenger refusals. This comprehensive strategy involves coordination with multiple government sectors and seeks to boost the image of this key national attraction.
Yesterday, Police Lt. Gen. Saksira Phueak-am presided over a workshop aimed at preventing tourist exploitation, including 80 local taxi drivers and vendors. Continued …
Bangkok or Singapore: which megacity should be next on your travel list?
Two Asian megacities dazzle for attention. Both capitals are viscerally experiential visions of the 21st century. Both host UNESCO-listed culture, and an electrifying street life that makes every interaction a story to share back home. So far, so good. The only conundrum is – which city to choose?
(Editor: Not that anyone asked, but like many of our readers, we’ve been to both Bangkok and Singapore – and there is no comparison. First, about the “electrifying street life”. Bangkok has this, including its famous street food scene, which does not exist in Singapore, where “street food” vendors are hidden away in office building basements (a bad idea Bangkok is trying to emulate). And things to see and do? Bangkok offers far and away more interesting choices. Cost? No contest! Bangkok is much less expensive. Shopping opportunies are comparable, except prices are generally lower for the same items in Bangkok. About the only advantage for Singapore is it is sanitized, without the “messiness” that is Bangkok, which some would call Bangkok’s redeeming charm.)
Bangkok and Singapore boast futuristic transportation systems. Bangkok’s SkyTrain is an elevated railroad where air-conditioned cars zip past skyscrapers like a scene from Blade Runner. Singapore’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system mixes underground and elevated sections. It is fully automated, and mostly driverless, as carriages speed around six lines to every major attraction. Continued …
Your Turnkey Energy Provider
As Hua Hin’s longest-running solar installer serving the expat community, we’ve built our reputation on something rare in Thailand: we’re still here, and so are our 2,000+ customers. We’re not just installing solar systems – we’re your long-term partner in achieving true energy self-sufficiency. Our fully employed local team (never subcontractors) designs every system bespoke to your home and lifestyle, sources premium components directly from trusted Thai suppliers for unbeatable value, then walks alongside you through every stage of your journey to energy independence. With comprehensive aftercare including maintenance contracts, responsive call-out service, and 24/7 support through our Line official store, we ensure your path to self-sufficiency is smooth from day one through year ten and beyond. We speak your language, understand expat needs, and provide the hands-on guidance that turns a solar installation into lasting energy freedom.
Choose Solar Solution Ltd:,your committed partner in the journey to self-sufficiency, for the long haul. Call Clark today at +66 80825 2413, or Clive at +66640528172.
The Best Airbnbs in Thailand, From Jungle Cabins to Floating Villas
It didn’t require a season of The White Lotus to illustrate Thailand’s appeal, but it certainly had all of us pining for a visit. The Southeast Asian country is the sort of destination that hits all the marks as far as natural beauty and cultural heritage go, from limestone karsts and evergreen rainforests to Buddhist temples and exhilarating spice markets.
The best Airbnbs in Thailand take advantage of these settings by immersing travelers in the thick of it all, whether that’s a floating villa on a river, or a traditional Thai estate perched on the jungle hillside. Continued …
ASEAN Smart Energy & Energy Storage Expo March 25-27
Guided by the Ministry of Energy of Thailand, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the ASEAN Smart Energy & Energy Storage Expo 2026 will return from March 25–27 at the IMPACT Exhibition Center, Bangkok.
This event will gather industry leaders, innovators, and experts from 80+ countries and regions, including well-known companies such as JA Solar, Bangkok Cable, JJ LAPP, Bangkok Solar Power, LONGi, Solis, Solomon, Ponix, Deye, Sumitra Power, Heliotech, Honeywell, Thai Solar Power, Hithium, AIKO, Prysmian, Zunax Energy, TONEJI, TMDA Electric, SCG Living, RAP/D Solar Cell, Demco Public, Leyden Power, Paddle Power, CYPE Engineering, Dday Solar, and many more. Continued …
- Israeli Drug Gang Busted at Koh Phangan Party – Continued …
- Pattaya Immigration Raid: 37 Foreigners Detained – Continued …
- French Mafia Figure Arrested in Pattaya After Global Manhunt – Continued …
- Uzbek man detained after alleged assault on teenage girl in Phuket – Continued …
- US Paraglider Hits Power Line, Plunging Koh Larn Into Blackout – Continued …
America’s new age of empire dawns
US President Donald Trump has drawn a wave of criticism for his actions in Venezuela, violations of international law, disdain for longstanding norms, and threats against other countries – not least allies like Denmark and Canada. Around the world, there is a palpable sense of uncertainty and foreboding. But it should already be obvious that things will not end well, neither for the United States nor the rest of the world. Continued …
EU commissioner warns NATO would end if US seized Greenland
The European Union’s defense and space commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, has warned that any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland by military force would effectively mark the end of NATO and trigger serious consequences for transatlantic relations. Continued …
Trump says nations doing business with Iran face 25% tariff on US trade
President Donald Trump said yesterday any country that does business with Iran will face a tariff rate of 25% on trade with the United States, as Washington weighs a response to the situation in Iran, which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years. Continued …
Hua Hin Links
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
Bangkok Hospital opens clinic in Cha-am
Everyone’s buzzing about the blood test that detects 50 types of cancer
