- Hospitality Classic to support Hua Hin Heroes/Thailand is still an expat favorite/Parliament elects Anutin Prime Minister/Thai gold tumbles 3,400 baht/Netherlands Embassy to Relocate/Embassy sites and Bangkok’s property market
- THE IRAN WAR: Baht may fall to 35 per dollar/Consumer goods prices to rise soon/Time to rethink what needs to be done/Allies vow to protect Hormuz shipping/US, Israel seek to ease concerns/Fuel shortages continue/Energy woes dent Songkran/Penalties for gas gouging/Impacts of Iran war on Southeast Asia
- TOURISM: 6 reasons you can be denied entry/War, oil and the future of tourism/Foreigner Criticizes Thai Tourism
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand Cat Lovers Fair/Red ant eggs sell at 500 baht a kilo
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Hat Yai’s floods are a warning/EV boom erases oil need/Electric boat taxi service
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hospitality Classic tees off at Royal Lakeside June 12 to support Hua Hin Heroes
Fore Management Group has announced the inaugural Misthos Group Hospitality Classic, a one-day charity golf tournament to be held at Royal Lakeside Golf Club on June 12, with proceeds supporting Hua Hin Heroes Foundation.
The event will be played in a four-man team Texas Scramble format and is expected to attract more than 120 expat golfers living in Thailand, including individual players and corporate teams. Fore Management Group said 100% of funds raised on the day will be donated to Hua Hin Heroes. Continued …
Thailand is still an expat favorite, only if you play by the new rules
Thailand ranked fourth in the InterNations Expat Insider survey in 2025, its best result ever, thus reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most appealing places for foreigners to live. But in the same period, the cost of living here rose, the tax rules changed, and informal visa workarounds have become far harder to rely on.
Thailand hasn’t become a worse place to live, it merely has become a more selective one. The country that housed many long-term expats, living through a patchwork of gray-area arrangements, has made a deliberate shift toward formal pathways, targeted incentives, and stricter enforcement. Continued …
Parliament elects Anutin as Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister
Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul was elected Thailand’s 32nd prime minister (PM) during a Parliamentary vote held yesterday. Anutin previously served as PM after former PM Partongtar Shinawatra was removed from office over a leaked phone conversation with Hun Sen.
He later announced the dissolution of Parliament on Dec. 11 last year, leading to the General Election on Febr. 8 this year. Anutin and Bhumjaithai Party secured victory in the election. Ahead of today’s prime ministerial vote, Bhumjaithai Party announced the formation of a coalition government with 16 other political parties, including the Pheu Thai Party. Continued …
Thai gold tumbles 3,400 baht
Thailand’s gold market came under heavy pressure yesterday, with the Gold Traders Assn. revising prices 53 times during the day before bullion closed sharply lower, reflecting a steep global sell-off in the precious metal.
By the close, local gold prices had dropped by 3,400 baht from the previous day. Gold bullion was quoted at 72,900 baht per baht-weight for buying and 73,100 baht for selling, while gold ornaments were quoted at 71,449.08 baht for buying and 73,900 baht for selling. Spot gold was last reported at US$4,707 an ounce. Continued …
Netherlands Embassy in Thailand to Relocate to Dusit Central Park in August
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Thailand will relocate to Dusit Central Park in Bangkok in August, without disrupting consular services for Dutch citizens and businesses across Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.
The announcement was made by Ambassador Remco Johannes van Wijngaarden, ensuring that emergency consular assistance will remain available during the move. The new location is within Bangkok’s central business district and will provide convenient access through private and public transportation. Continued …
How former embassy sites helped reshape Bangkok’s prime property market
Embassy land in Thailand has become a prime target for investors, not only because many plots are located in high-potential central business districts, but also because they carry a historical legacy for future generations to remember. In recent years, several embassy land sales in Thailand have significantly boosted the value of surrounding areas.
Surachet Kongcheep, head of research and consultancy at Cushman & Wakefield Thailand, said that looking back at embassy sites that have already been sold and redeveloped into major projects in the city center, the trend began in 2007. Continued …
Baht may fall to 35 per dollar if war persists
The baht is expected to weaken to 34-35 to the US dollar if the Middle East conflict drags on for two months, pushing oil prices above US$100 per barrel, according to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).
K-Research views a prolonged two-month conflict as the most likely scenario. Under this outlook, global crude oil prices would rise beyond $100 per barrel, putting downward pressure on the baht and increasing currency volatility, said Burin Adulwattana, the center’s chief economist. Continued …
Consumer goods prices to rise soon as production costs soar
Major consumer product manufacturers and distributors are warning customers of possible price increases in April due to the Middle East war disrupting the oil supply chain.
In letters to customers, companies cited the war’s impact on the oil-related supply chain, resulting in difficulty sourcing raw materials, decreased packaging availability, and rising prices, higher transport costs, and delivery delays. Continued …
As the war against Iran is felt economically in Thailand, it’s time to rethink what needs to be done
The psychological irony of telling the public not to worry about Thailand running out of petrol and other forms of energy — due to the ongoing, unjust war by Israel and the United States against Iran — is that people feel even more uncertain and panicked by the “reassurance”. By simply following the news, they can conclude that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively choking global fuel supplies due to the conflict and, by extension, the world econom.
Whether you like it or not, and regardless of which side you root for in the Middle East, the global economic impact is undeniable and increasingly reverberating around the world. This includes Thailand, where several provinces report long queues at petrol stations and acute fuel shortages. Continued …
Allies vow to protect Hormuz shipping, urge Iran to halt attacks
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada have declared their readiness to support appropriate efforts to ensure the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while urging Iran to halt attacks on vessels and energy infrastructure.
The leaders condemned what they described as recent Iranian attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces. Continued …
Oil declines as US, Israel seek to ease concerns over Iran war
Oil dropped from its highest close since July 2022, as the leaders of the United States and Israel sought to reassure investors rattled by damage to major Persian Gulf energy facilities.
Brent crude fell toward $107 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate for May was around $94. President Donald Trump told reporters he’s “not putting troops anywhere” after being asked about the possibility of deploying US ground forces, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would refrain from more attacks on Iranian energy facilities. Continued …
Fuel shortages continue despite adequate reserves
Fuel remains scarce at many service stations across Thailand, even though reserves are more than adequate, amid continuing problems with delivery and unusually high demand, officials said yesterday.
The Ministry of Energy surveyed 2,649 service stations from Sunday to Tuesday and found that 1,912 had completely or nearly run out of some kinds of fuel. The survey found 241 stations were temporarily closed, while 496 remained fully open. Continued …
Energy woes dent Songkran travel sentiment
Tourism operators are increasingly concerned about declining energy confidence, fearing it could dampen their high expectations for the upcoming Songkran holiday.
Wasuchet Sophonsathien, adviser to the Thai Transportation Operators Assn., said that in the short term rising fuel prices could affect next month’s Songkran holiday. Some tourists have already booked cross-provincial trips, but many have yet to decide, as they are monitoring fuel prices until they feel more confident. Continued …
Penalties vowed for gas gouging
Caretaker energy minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon has vowed to take action against petrol station operators who charge prices that exceed government-regulated, subsidized levels, while pledging to intensify efforts to ensure smooth oil distribution nationwide.
He told the public yesterday they will be able to buy oil at affordable prices, and the nation will have sufficient fuel for transport and business. “Officials found oil retailers in some areas sell fuel at high prices, claiming they do not receive subsidies from the government,” said Auttapol. Continued …
Impacts of Iran war on Southeast Asia
For the most part, Southeast Asia as a region has taken a neutral stance toward the joint attack between the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Even the Philippines and Thailand, two formal US treaty allies, have distanced themselves, calling for restraint and de-escalation.
As Southeast Asia is trade- and export-dependent, the war will have severe repercussions for the region as oil prices rise and international commerce is disrupted. The longer the war goes on, the more regional economies will suffer. Continued …
6 reasons you can be denied entry into Thailand
Thailand has significantly tightened its border controls since 2024, and what used to be casual entry procedures have become strict enforcement checkpoints. While most travelers enter without issues, understanding what can get you denied entry into Thailand and detained at the airport is essential for anyone planning a trip to the kingdom.
The legal framework comes from the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), specifically Section 12, which lists 11 grounds for refusing entry. Immigration officers have broad discretion to deny entry if they believe you fall under any prohibited category. Here are the six most common reasons travelers face denial, detention, and deportation. Continued …
Shockwaves in Asia: War, oil and the future of tourism
Global power shifts do not remain confined to geopolitics. They travel quickly, and often invisibly, through economic systems. For Asia, and particularly for Thailand, the consequences of the Gulf War are immediate. The most direct transmission channel is energy.
Any sustained disruption in Middle Eastern supply routes pushes oil prices higher. This feeds directly into aviation fuel costs, which in turn drives airfares upward. The result is predictable. Long-haul travel demand weakens, particularly from Europe, where consumers are already sensitive to economic uncertainty. Continued …
Foreign Tourist Criticizes Thai Tourism as Overrated
A foreign tourist has publicly criticized Thai tourism in a video, labeling the country “overrated” and pointing to high accommodation costs, poor food hygiene, crowded attractions, and unfriendly locals. The video highlights her two-week experience in Thailand, which she felt was unlike positive reviews she had read before her visit.
She compared Thailand unfavorably with other Asian destinations, noting that even the cheapest hostel was priced at 600 baht per night, which she found expensive for a backpacker. She was also critical of Thai food, citing instances where her friends suffered from food poisoning. She expressed dissatisfaction with the food, describing it as sweet, oily, and causing her to feel bloated. Continued …
Thailand Cat Lovers Fair is back at Muang Thong Thani
A troupe of Thailand’s ancient cat breeds will take center stage during Thailand Cat Lovers Fair 2026, which will kick off on March 27 and run daily from 10 am to 8 pm until March 29. The venue is Bangkok’s Impact Exhibition Hall 5, Muang Thong Thani.
The fair will transform over 5,000m² space into a “Meow Land” where visitors will be amazed by the beauty of legendary and rarely-seen ancient Thai cats, namely the lotus petal-colored cat – an auspicious and extremely rare-colored breed that will make its first appearance in Thailand at the event. Continued …
Dry season turns profitable as red ant eggs sell at 500 baht a kilo
Villagers in Ban Don Tat Ruea, Non Daeng district, are turning to harvesting red ant eggs as a source of food and income during the dry season, when farming activities have slowed.
Residents in Non Daeng subdistrict said they have been collecting the eggs from nests built by red ants on roadside trees, particularly along the route linking Ban Don Tat Ruea and Ban Don Udom in Don Yai subdistrict. The seasonal activity has drawn many villagers seeking both household consumption and supplementary earnings. Continued …
Hat Yai’s floods are a warning for cities built against nature
Every year, Chinese New Year festivals in southern Thailand’s Hat Yai attract tourists, mostly from neighboring Malaysia, generating a significant proportion of annual income for a city dependent on tourism. But not this year.
Three months after the November 2025 flood disaster, the new year is being celebrated with continuing cleaning, scrubbing mud from people’s homes and shops, and clearing away piles of water-damaged vehicles, furniture and rotting rubbish. More than 40% of hotels, shops, and restaurants remain shut. Some might not reopen at all. Continued …
EV boom replaces millions of oil barrels
In 2025, electric vehicles displaced between 1.7 million barrels per day (Ember estimate) and 2.3 million barrels per day (BloombergNEF scenario) of oil demand, a volume close to 70% of Iran’s daily exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
This marks a sharp rise from 2024’s 1.3 million barrels per day displacement, driven by expanding charging networks, falling battery costs, and cumulative policy incentives. The oil savings are now visible in refinery balances and fuel-tax receipts across multiple economies. Continued …
Electric boat taxi service launches on Bangkok’s historic canals
TTA Mariner Co. (TMC) and MuvMi have introduced a new electric boat taxi service for commuting within Bangkok’s old town waterways. Operating daily from 9 am to 5 pm, the current fleet consists of eight electric boats. Each vessel accommodates up to six passengers and travels at an average speed of 12 kilometres per hour.
Following a free trial run that will conclude in mid-April, standard fares will start at 35 baht (US$1.07) per passenger. Prices increase in a tiered structure based on passenger volume and travel distance, with bookings made through the MuvMi application. Continued …
- Seven Chinese Arrested in Thai Immigration Sweep – Continued …
- Chinese Fugitive Arrested in Bangkok for Fraud, Overstay – Continued …
- Taiwanese Fugitive Arrested in Chon Buri Over Drug Charges – Continued …
- French fugitive nabbed by Immigration Bureau in Phuket – 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