- Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony/Prachuap Bay coastal defenses/Hua Hin Food Fest/Hiking, running and water-based events held/Youth Ministry delegates in Hua Hin/Thailand road deaths/Thailand finally reaches the Olympics/3,868 local officials fired
- THE IRAN WAR: Oil rises again after US-Iran attacks
- ECONOMY: Thailand Needs ‘Radical’ Overhaul/True Price of the Cloud/Rising business suspensions/Airbus to develop Thai digital aviation hub
- TOURISM: Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stays/Pattaya hopes for US carrier boost/Pattaya to bar US Navy personnel/Satun Riviera plan
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Legacy of Thai Elephants/Thailand’s Dinosaur Renaissance/Selling live cockroaches for fishing
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Fruits and vegetables risk heavy metal contamination
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony returns to Hua Hin
The Hua Hin Ship to Sea Ceremony will return on Saturday, Sept. 26, offering residents and visitors the chance to witness one of the town’s longstanding fishing community traditions.
The annual event, officially known as the Sea Misfortune-Casting Ceremony, is also sometimes referred to as the Blessing of the Fleet. It will be held at the Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine, next to the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa. Continued …
Prachuap Bay coastal defenses reviewed
Officials, community leaders and residents have discussed plans to improve Prachuap Bay coastal defenses, including repairs to the aging seawall and upgrades to the surrounding public area.
Prachuap Khiri Khan Deputy Gov. Pratheep Boriboonrat chaired the third public consultation on the project at Prachuap Khiri Khan Municipality’s offices yesterday. The meeting formed part of the first phase of a project to design improvements to the coastal erosion protection system along Prachuap Bay. Continued …
Hua Hin Food Fest held at Khao Takiab
The Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 concluded at Hua Don Beach on Sunday after three days of food, entertainment and activities in Khao Takiab.
The festival opened on Friday with 500 free servings of “Hua Hin International Pad Thai” among the highlights, as large crowds attended the first evening. The signature dish combined Thai and Western cooking, using pasta to represent Western cuisine and local seafood to give it a Hua Hin identity. Continued …
Hiking, running and water-based events held
Three community events brought people together for hiking, running and water-based fun in Pranburi and Hua Hin over the weekend.
The weekend began on Saturday when hikers and runners set off from Racer Marina in Pranburi to explore the surrounding area. Continued …
Youth Ministry delegates gather in Hua Hin for regional meeting
The regional meeting of Youth Ministry delegates from the East Asia-Oceania region took place Aug. 24-27 at the retreat house of the Vitthayalai School in Hua Hin.
The four-day program brought together 21 participants, including 12 delegates, two representatives and a further nine team members, for formation, discussion and planning activities centered on youth ministry in the region. Continued …
Thailand road deaths stood at 220 last week
Thailand recorded 220 deaths and 19,316 injuries in road accidents during the latest week, according to figures from the ThaiRSC accident reporting centre released on Sunday.
Although both daily averages were lower than the previous week, the nationwide toll remains high. The figures add to a 2026 total of 8,722 deaths and 606,132 injuries as of Aug. 29. Continued …
From heartbreak to history as Thailand finally reaches the Olympics
Thailand’s women’s national volleyball team has completed a journey spanning decades of near misses by qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time in the country’s history.
The breakthrough came on Sunday when Thailand defeated hosts China 3-2 in the final of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship in Tianjin. The victory secured Thailand’s fourth Asian title, defended the crown they won in 2023 and earned the team an automatic place at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. Continued …
3,868 local officials fired for cheating in recruitment exam
The Department of Local Administration terminated the employment of 3,868 officials nationwide yesterday, suspecting them of rigging their recruitment examination results late last year.
Nirat Pongsitthaworn, deputy permanent secretary for interior and acting director-general of the department, said the dismissal of the officials was the decision of committees supervising local administrative officials in 76 provinces. Continued …
Oil rises again after US-Iran attacks renew supply fears
Oil prices settled more than 2.5% higher yesterday after renewed military action between the United States and Iran revived concerns about disruption to global supplies.
Brent crude futures rose US$2.39, or 2.71%, to settle at US$90.49 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained US$2.36, or 2.83%, to US$85.76. Brent reached an intraday high of US$91.52, its highest level since Aug. 25. Continued …
Thailand Needs ‘Radical’ Overhaul to Reach High-Income Goal, Says NESDC
Thailand must undertake a “radical overhaul” of its production structure if it is to meet its ambitious target of becoming a high-income nation within 12 years, the head of the country’s top economic planning agency has warned.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), outlined a critical road map for escaping the middle-income trap. He stressed that the kingdom must build upon its traditional strengths, embrace high-tech sectors, and leverage major international platforms to restore global investor confidence. Continued …
The True Price of the Cloud: Inside Thailand’s Battle for Water and Power
The headlines across Southeast Asia read like an economic renaissance: multibillion-dollar pledges, sprawling server farms, and a digital transformation drive reshaping the region’s economy.
Investment applications worth more than 728 billion baht ($20 billion), spanning 36 data center and cloud-service projects, piled into Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) before the agency halted new data-center investment-promotion applications altogether in April, as regulators moved to get ahead of a sector outpacing its own oversight. Continued …
BOT warns rising Section 75 business suspensions put Thai workers at risk
Thailand’s labor market is showing growing signs of vulnerability, as more businesses temporarily suspend operations under Section 75 of the Labor Protection Act, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has warned.
Although lay-off indicators and employment within the social security system were broadly unchanged in July from the previous month, other labor indicators pointed to significant underlying weakness. Continued …
BOI, Airbus work to develop Thai digital aviation hub
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has met with aerospace giant Airbus to bolster the nation’s role as a regional hub for digital technology and aviation engineering, leveraging Thailand as the sole global testing ground for the firm’s flight operations software.
Speaking after talks with Bert Porteman, president of Airbus Thailand, BOI Secretary General Narit Therdsteerasukdi stated that “Airbus regards Thailand as a core strategic base… The manufacturer has established its regional Flight Operations Center of Excellence in the country to support digital aviation systems and service markets across Asia.” Continued …
Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stays from September 15
Thailand has formally ended its 60-day visa-exemption scheme for 93 countries and territories, with a new 30-day visa-free entry rule taking effect on Sept. 15.
The Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette, Volume 143, Special Issue 207, dated Aug. 31. As the notices take legal effect 15 days after publication, travelers arriving up to and including Sept. 14 will still receive the current 60-day stamp. Foreigners already in Thailand will retain the period of stay stamped into their passport on arrival. Continued …
Pattaya hopes for US carrier boost as police tighten checks
Businesses in Pattaya are hoping the arrival of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln will provide a much-needed economic lift, while local authorities step up policing amid concerns over illegal prostitution, sexual exploitation and public health.
The carrier is due to arrive at Laem Chabang Port near Pattaya tomorrow, accompanied by two other US Navy vessels. Nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines will be given shore leave to rest and recuperate following more than 200 days at sea, according to Thai officials. Continued …
Pattaya to bar US Navy personnel from Soi 6, cannabis shops
Pattaya authorities have designated Soi 6, Soi 6/1 and Soi 7 as “off-limits” areas for US Navy personnel during the upcoming visit of the USS Abraham Lincoln and two accompanying vessels to Chon Buri.
As part of measures to prevent crime and ensure safety, authorities have designated several areas and activities as off-limits to US Navy personnel. US Navy personnel will still be allowed to visit entertainment areas such as Walking Street, but must follow designated time restrictions and leave the area by 2 am. Continued …
Satun Riviera plan goes to Thailand’s Cabinet
Thailand’s Cabinet is due to consider a plan to develop Satun into “The Riviera of Southeast Asia” at its traveling meeting in the southern province yesterday. The proposal includes longer opening hours at the Wang Prachan Thai-Malaysian border checkpoint, and a free flow zone for trade and tourism projects aimed at Muslim visitors.
Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit inspected progress on projects under the scheme during a visit to Satun on Saturday. The initiative is formally titled “World Class Southern Border, Thailand. The Riviera of Southeast Asia”. Continued …
The Legacy of Thai Elephants
From ancient battlefields to sacred royal traditions, elephants have been deeply tied to Thailand’s identity for over seven centuries.
Discover how these majestic animals served as symbols of royal authority, formidable war machinery in legendary duels, sacred icons in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, and the hardworking backbone of everyday life before modern machinery. Video …
Celebrating 50 Years of Thailand’s Dinosaur Renaissance
As Thailand marks a half-century of palaeontological wonder, the nation prepares for 2026: a grand celebration of the titanic giants that once roamed the Isan plateau, bridging ancient Mesozoic strata with a vibrant, high-value future of global geo-tourism.
The year 2026 represents far more than a chronological marker; it signifies a national coming-of-age for Thai science. This golden jubilee commemorates the 1976 discovery of the nation’s first dinosaur fossil in the Phu Wiang Valley of Khon Kaen. It is a moment to reflect on how a serendipitous search for energy transformed Thailand into a prestigious sanctuary of prehistoric heritage. Continued …
Woman builds thriving concern selling live cockroaches for fishing in nearby rivers
Live cockroaches are delivering a fast-growing income for a 29-year-old woman in northern Thailand, as anglers scramble for her unusual bait. Natliya Amhasime earns up to 5,200 baht weekly from her Phitsanulok farm, yet production cannot match orders.
Fed quality chicken feed, protected from ants and refrigerated alive, the insects command 130 baht per bottle. Fishermen say their scent, underwater flash and frantic wriggling attract fish better than grasshoppers or shrimp. Continued …
Fruits and vegetables grown in Kok River basin risk heavy metal contamination
Environmental forensic science will be employed to test samples of fruit and vegetables, taken from the Kok River basin in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces, to determine the origin of heavy metal contamination, whether it was caused by mining activities in Myanmar or overuse of pesticides.
A meeting held at the Tha Ton Subdistrict Administrative Organization on Sunday convened to discuss the problem of chemical contamination of plants grown in the Kok River basin in Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai. Continued …
Hundreds feared stuck in hydropower tunnels as flood deaths surpass 950 in Nepal and Tibet
Rescuers raced yesterday to free hundreds of workers believed to be trapped in tunnels at hydropower sites that were buried in mud by catastrophic flooding on the Nepal-China border, as the death toll climbed and increasingly desperate families searched for missing loved ones. Continued …
Another Ukrainian town lies in ruins as Russians creep closer
In the Ukrainian frontline town of Druzhkivka, the buzz of Russian drones and sound of artillery shelling have become daily life for the few residents who still remain there, sheltering in damaged apartment blocks and homes ripped by years of Russian attacks. Video …
Trump says US reviewing position on Falkland Islands
President Donald Trump said yesterday the United States is reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands, after reports that Washington threatened to oppose Britain’s sovereignty if it does not increase defense spending. Continued …
US Army Secretary Driscoll submits resignation
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation, the White House confirmed yesterday, following reports of tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. If accepted, Driscoll’s resignation would mark the latest departure of a senior military leader under President Donald Trump’s administration. 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
PropertyGuru Group has announced the shortlisted nominees for the 21st PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, identifying the kingdom’s leading real estate companies ahead of the black-tie gala celebration at Dusit Thani Bangkok on Sept. 18. The shortlist represents a broad cross-section of Thailand’s property sector, with recognition extending from Bangkok to Phuket, the Eastern Seaboard, Hua Hin, and southern Thailand.
Krabi bridge to Koh Lanta set for 2029 opening
First phase of Thai-Cambodian border fence finished, Navy to start second
At an impromptu press conference last week, US President Donald Trump waxed lyrical about his helipad, his ballroom and his granite paving stones. The one thing he barely mentioned? The Iran war.
Southeast Asia’s budget airlines are hoping the worst of the fuel-price shock triggered by the Middle East conflict has passed, but pressure on margins and household finances threatens to prolong the sector’s difficult recovery.
Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD) has introduced new registration requirements aimed at closing loopholes that allow foreigners to control Thai companies through nominee shareholders. Order No. 2/2026 of the Office of the Central Company and Partnership Registration took effect on Aug. 1, and marks the latest step in a regulatory push that has been building steadily since the beginning of the year.
Northern Thailand could become a crucial pillar of global food security, as severe climate shocks, unpredictable weather and shifting trade patterns place unprecedented pressure on agricultural supplies worldwide.
Tourism in important economic areas such as Phuket province and Koh Samui is facing a new challenge. There have been reports that some groups of foreign tourists, particularly groups of Israeli tourists, behaved inappropriately and caused trouble and disruption after entering the areas.
A Thai nationalist group went to the Israeli Embassy in Thailand yesterday to submit a letter over alleged misconduct by Israeli tourists and residents, but embassy staff refused to accept it.
Ryan Blackley, 35, and his wife Jess, 34, left the UK for Chiang Mai with their sons Noah, six, and Bodhi, four, in February. The family now holds five-year Destination Thailand Visas and is using Thailand as a base for a longer period of travel across Asia.
A confidential US diplomatic memo, circulated to a handful of countries in late July, formally committed the United States to blocking binding limits on plastic production and chemical additives at United Nations treaty negotiations — a position that peer-reviewed lifecycle modeling published in January shows is the single most important intervention for reducing a global disease burden currently costing more than $1.5 trillion a year.
Heavy rain and flash floods threaten upper Thailand
Bangkok gun dealers say Thailand’s long-running firearms import ban is forcing some businesses to seek other income, while proposed new restrictions could further reduce legal sales.
Thai and Australian Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese yesterday signed two joint statements on upgrading strategic partnership in four areas, across trade, law enforcement, defense and innovation, after their full-scale bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.
Thailand’s exports and private investment are expected to remain important drivers of economic growth after gross domestic product expanded by only 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday.
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index rose for a second straight month in July due to strong electric vehicle (EV) sales and government support measures, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported yesterday. The federation’s industrial sentiment index rose to 90.0 in July from 88.2 in June.
Thailand is preparing to overhaul the rules and investment incentives governing data centers, with the government seeking to ensure that future projects deliver measurable benefits to the Thai economy while managing their heavy demands on electricity and water.
Data from CBRE Research showed that the downtown Bangkok condominium market recorded more new project launches in the first half of 2026 than in the same period a year earlier. Luxury and super-luxury developments were the main drivers, with both segments again attracting developers’ attention.
Southeast Asian nations are close to finalizing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a landmark regional pact designed to govern their digital economy, projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030.
Foreigners arriving in Thailand may be asked by immigration to show they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. Depending on the entry route, the stated requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport.
“Oh, we’re on the wrong side of the road,” I blurted out as I hopped into our van after landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. “It’s not the wrong side,” said Lisa, the journalist I was traveling with. “It’s a different side.”
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na, a rare window into Bangkok’s royal past
A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that Thailand can accelerate rooftop solar deployment by reforming its current solar policies. This would reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), improve energy security, and limit future pressure on rising electricity costs.
Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and building resilience is no longer optional, said Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong. He added that such disasters also know no borders, making solidarity and collective action in ASEAN critical.
The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed yesterday, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fueled in part by President Donald Trump’s invalidated tariffs. 
Portugal’s president has enacted a law pushed by the far right banning the concealment of faces in public, a measure widely seen as targeting Muslim women wearing a full-face veil. 
Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab Aug. 28-30, featuring local food, fresh seafood, cooking competitions and live entertainment. The three-day festival will bring together restaurants, hotels and food businesses from Hua Hin and Cha-am, giving visitors the opportunity to sample regional dishes beside the beach.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
A nine-day Hua Hin cultural tourism event will be held at the old Hua Hin Railway Station Aug. 10-18, showcasing the art, culture and historical identity of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Thailand has launched a digital application that allows diners to find certified street-food vendors, forming part of a government program to raise operating standards and expand market opportunities for small businesses.
Concerns over children’s mental health is renewing debate whether excessive use of mobile devices is harming academic performance and learning capability, while boosting social isolation and criminal behavior influenced by online personalities.
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a native plant closely associated with local ways of life and traditional Thai medicine. Its removal from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021 marked an important turning point, opening the way for broader research, economic value creation and commercial development.
A police sergeant fought back after being shot in a daylight ambush by four gunmen in Thailand’s insurgency-hit deep south yesterday, returning fire despite a bullet wound before his attackers escaped by motorcycle and boat.
Amid a slowing economy and intense competition in the property market, developers of new housing projects are accelerating promotional campaigns offering discounts, giveaways and added incentives.
Despite US efforts to impose tariffs, Thai exports to America expanded over the first nine months of the fiscal year, up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion baht. In contrast, exports to China grew by only 0.78%, totaling 1 trillion baht.
The private sector is optimistic that new US tariffs will not have a major impact on Thai exports, though businesses are urging the government to expedite trade negotiations to enhance the country’s competitiveness on the global stage.
China’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China. Speaking at the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Friday, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.
Thailand is tightening its screening of data center investments, shifting its focus from the number and value of projects to their quality as the expansion of artificial intelligence drives demand for electricity, water and large-scale computing infrastructure.
The robot army is coming
Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033
Thailand has built a strong medical-tourism industry and begun investing in genomic medicine and connected health data, but it still lacks a clear national strategy for competing in the emerging longevity economy.
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s leading healthcare providers, has unveiled WellEra Bangkok, an approximately US$865 million (THB 29 billion) wellness-integrated development that reimagines how the built environment can actively support healthier, longer lives.
The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status
Mitsubishi Motors is set to invest B16 billion ($473.23m) in Thailand by 2030, backing the automotive sector’s move toward electric vehicles (EVs). The funding will be channeled into EV technology.
The world is sinking under more than 460 million tons of plastic waste each year. More alarming than the figure itself is the fact that about 19 million tons escape into the environment, wreaking havoc, damaging biodiversity, worsening the greenhouse-gas crisis and ultimately harming our own health.
Kratom May Be Reclassified as Narcotic
Cambodian labor exodus sparks robot rush in Thai factories
Thai Tourism Giants Defy Slowdown with Strong Profits
Cha-am–Hua Hin Chefs’ Club prepares for Hua Hin Food Festival
Second phase of stimulus plan to address tariff impacts
Border conflict tarnishes tourists’ perceptions of Thailand
PureCycle Raises $300M to Expand Plastic Recycling Capacity
Denmark zoo asks people to donate their small pets as food for captive predators
Bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in BangkokThe first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin offers two round trips daily. The fare is 200 baht each way and takes three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure is from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.(We recommend checking with the bus company about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
Thai-Cambodia Trade Rises in Early 2025, Despite Border Tensions
New Hua Hin flight to Don Mueang and U-Tapao for 16,545 baht
