Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule/Create a Wellness Routine in Hua Hin/Officials inspect railway canal/Private hospitals back cheaper drugs/Tham Luang Cave Rescue Hero Hospitalized/Death toll from floods at 22/Thailand to Register Migrant Workers/New US ambassador to Thailand/ECONOMY: Co-payment scheme’s GDP boost/World Bank Ups Thai Growth Forecast/Red tape and bureaucracy/FTA Talks with the EU/TOURISM: Pattaya’s Issue of Overcharging Foreign Tourists/Event tourism gives Thailand a lift/Israelis working illegally on Koh Phangnan?/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Trekking route opens in Kaeng Krachan/Nakhon Phanom’s Illuminated Boat Festival/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule changed
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday). This new schedule runs from Oct. 26, 2025, to March 28, 2026.
The new schedule:
- Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15 pm (departs 12:10 pm until Oct. 26)
- Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25 am (departs !0:20 am until Oct. 26)
How to Create a Wellness Routine While on Holiday in Hua Hin
Hua Hin, with its calm beaches, great food, and appealing atmosphere, is the perfect spot for a restorative getaway. Sure, holidays often mean indulgence, but they’re also a chance to truly reset your well-being.
Adding a wellness routine to your Hua Hin trip isn’t a chore; it’ll actually make your relaxation deeper, boost your energy, and leave you feeling genuinely rejuvenated. Here’s how to craft a holistic wellness experience in this coastal town. Continued …
Hua Hin officials inspect railway canal flood-prevention work
Prachuap Khiri Khan Gov. Sitthichai Sawaetsan and State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Gov. Veerith Amrapal have inspected progress on a canal dredging project designed to prevent flooding and improve water management along the railway line.
The inspection took place on Monday and focused on areas near the railway in Mueang District, including Moo 1 and under the bridge near Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Stadium. The officials, joined by representatives from the Hydro-Informatics Institute and local agencies, discussed solutions with the Provincial Waterworks Authority to address recurring flooding problems. Continued …
Thai private hospitals back cheaper drug options
More than 350 private hospitals in Thailand have signed on to a government initiative to offer patients the option of buying medicines from external sources, according to the Department of Internal Trade.
The initiative aims to benefit Thais and expatriates, and is anticipated to reduce living costs by 32.4 billion baht, said Wittayakorn Maneenetr, director-general of the department, part of the Ministry of Commerce. Continued …
Vernon Unsworth, British Tham Luang Cave Rescue Hero, Hospitalized
Vernon Unsworth, the British cave explorer who played a crucial role in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue, has been visited by Thai officials as he recovers in hospital. Unsworth is battling pneumonia.
Unsworth was a key figure in the operation to save the 12 boys and their coach who were trapped in the cave system in Chiang Rai. His expertise and prior exploration of the Tham Luang cave provided invaluable insights to the Thai authorities and international rescue teams. These contributions included crucial details about the cave’s environment, aiding the complex rescue mission. Continued …
Death toll from Thailand floods at 22
The death toll from floods in Thailand has risen to 22, authorities said yesterday, as they rushed to get relief to an estimated 370,000 people affected by heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers.
Nineteen provinces were affected, the Disaster Prevention Department said, with Uttaradit and Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, among the worst-hit areas. Authorities said emergency teams were distributing food and supplies, and were closely monitoring water levels as the monsoon season brings widespread rainfall. – Reuters
Thailand to Register 700,000 Undocumented Migrant Workers
Thailand will legalize an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 undocumented migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam under a special registration drive this month. The 15-day registration window, from Oct. 15-29, aims to address ongoing labor shortages, while bringing unregistered foreign workers into the formal employment system.
The plan targets workers already employed in Thailand who lack legal status,. The Department of Employment will operate an online registration platform, allowing employers to apply on behalf of their workers at any time during the registration period. Continued …
Trump’s nominee confirmed as ambassador to Thailand
The US Senate has confirmed Sean O’Neill, a former consul general in Chiang Mai, as the next US ambassador to Thailand. He was among a group of more than 100 nominees proposed by US President Trump voted in with a simple majority.
The party-line vote comes after Senate Republicans changed the rules last month to allow most executive branch nominees to be confirmed as a group, whereas lawmakers previously had to hold a vote on each one. Continued …
Co-payment scheme to provide Q4 GDP boost
The government’s “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, worth 44 billion baht, is expected to bolster GDP in the fourth quarter, said Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.
The cabinet yesterday approved the budget for the scheme, which will be effective from Oct. 29 until the end of this year, with the aim of preventing the economy from becoming trapped in contraction in the current quarter, the minister said. Continued …
World Bank Ups Thai Growth Forecast Despite Political Risk
The World Bank has revised its growth forecast for the Thai economy (GDP) for 2025, raising the projection to 2.0%. The bank expects growth to slow slightly to 1.8% in the following year. The 2.0% forecast for 2025 is an increase from the earlier estimate of just 1.8% made in July. However, the bank’s report highlights persistent risks from political uncertainty, which could stifle consumer spending and overall investment.
This optimistic adjustment for Thailand comes as the broader East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region faces a general slowdown in growth. Aaditya Mattoo, the World Bank’s chief economist for the region, noted that the high growth seen over the last three decades in the EAP is now trending downward. Continued …
Red tape and bureaucracy said killing the Thai economy
A survey by the Federation of Thai Industries warns that Thailand’s red tape and outdated bureaucracy are choking growth, with 91.2% of executives saying it is too much. Despite lower government employment than in the West, outdated rules and laws, including Section 157 of the Penal Code, block decisive action.
Foreigners struggle as every document must be translated, duplicated, and resubmitted. Executives say unless Bangkok slashes red tape, investment, infrastructure, and competitiveness will continue to stall. Bureaucracy is no longer inconvenient — it is a straight-up drag on the economy. Continued …
Thai Trade Negotiators Accelerate Crucial FTA Talks with the EU
The Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) is moving swiftly to implement the policy directive from Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun to accelerate the free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the European Union (EU).
Chotima Iemsawasdikul, director-general of the DTN and Thai chief negotiator, confirmed that the Thai team attended the 7th round of the Thailand-EU FTA negotiations in Brussels, Belgium, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. Continued …
Pattaya Faces Growing Issue of Overcharging Foreign Tourists
Thailand’s Pattaya is well-known for its exciting nightlife, which attracts thousands of foreign visitors looking for entertainment. However, the frequent reports of inflated bills targeting unwary tourists have given this busy city a concerning reputation.
The most recent instance concerns a Russian visitor who got into a fight after refusing to pay an exaggerated bar bill. The incident has rekindled discussions about accountability and fairness in the tourism industry and brought the topic of transparent pricing in Pattaya’s nightlife venues to the fore once more. Continued …
Event tourism gives Thailand a lift
There was a time when travelers chased only sunsets and souvenirs. Today, travel behavior is evolving, with pop culture emerging as a powerful force behind tourism trends.
Major international events are proving to be strong travel motivators and the upcoming Blackpink concerts, scheduled to take place in Bangkok from Oct. 24-26, have already sparked an increase in global travel interest. Continued …
Are Israelis being recruited to work illegally on Koh Phangnan?
A Koh Phangnan journalist has alleged that Israeli nominee companies are recruiting only their country folk or those who speak Hebrew to work for them, and they could be coming here on tourist visas to illegally take up these jobs.
Many businesses on the island are now owned by Israelis, he said, and they primarily communicated via social media to share information and also recruit only Israelis or those who can speak Hebrew to work for them. Continued …
Trekking route opens in Kaeng Krachan
For travelers who love adventure and are searching for a new destination where nature remains unspoiled in Phetchaburi Province, Pha Daeng trekking in Kaeng Krachan should not be missed. This viewpoint, hidden in Ban Pa Ka Yor, Pa Deng subdistrict, Kaeng Krachan District, offers breathtaking views of a misty sea of clouds and mountain landscapes.
This newly launched adventure route promises diverse experiences. Visitors trek through dense forest to reach the summit of Pha Daeng, and also learn about the simple, warm lifestyle of the Pga K’nyau (Karen) people, who live in harmony with the forests of Kaeng Krachan National Park. Continued …
Hundreds of thousands flock to Nakhon Phanom for World Illuminated Boat Festival
Along the banks of the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom Municipality, crowds of locals and visitors from both Thailand and Laos gathered in excitement to witness the illuminated boat procession at the World Illuminated Boat Festival.
This year marks the first time the event has been elevated into a global-scale celebration, showcasing even grander displays than ever before. The festival aims to transform Nakhon Phanom from a secondary city into a major tourism destination. Continued …
- Taiwanese Arrested for Wildlife Smuggling at Bangkok Airport – Continued …
- Overstaying Indian National Arrested, Faces Deportation – Continued …
- Police Raid Chinese Man’s Condo Over Illegal Signal Devices – Continued …
Geopolitical Shocks Reshape OPEC and Global Oil
When tensions in the Middle East began to escalate earlier this year, markets braced for the familiar chain reaction: fears of disrupted supply, speculative spikes in crude prices, and renewed volatility across global assets. In oil, these shifts are amplified. A targeted attack on infrastructure, a diplomatic breakdown, or a sudden production cut by an OPEC member can trigger price movements that ripple from regional economies to the world’s largest financial centers. Continued …
Trump seeks ASEAN summit photo op over Thailand–Cambodia peace deal
US President Donald Trump has asked Thailand and Cambodia to sign a peace deal while he attends the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this month, according to informed sources at the Foreign Ministry. The sources said Trump wants to “preside” over the proposed signing for a “photo op.” Continued …
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Treasury targets massive increase in revenue growth
As we celebrate Earth Day today, it’s tempting to believe that the world is on the brink of environmental collapse. We are constantly inundated by dire predictions of climate catastrophe and warnings about the planet’s imminent destruction. But this is misleading. Rather than panic, we should take a moment to appreciate the remarkable progress we’ve made in improving the environment — and acknowledge that a key factor is prosperity.
Investors pour into European equity funds, flee US on tariff woes
