- Please welcome returning sponsor S.Ken’s Kao Tao/Where Should You Actually Live in Hua Hin?/AirAsia Hua Hin-Kuala Lumpur flights/Cha Am Squid Festival/Why Hua Hin Expo/PKK campaign warns about smoking/Hua Hin half marathon/Thailand’s wedding payment custom/Thai-Cambodian border stays shut/Thailand’s medical cannabis dream/Thailand to buy eight more fighter jets
- THE IRAN WAR: Another Tanker Attacked In Strait/Houthi blockade threat/Baht set to decline again
- ECONOMY: Restaurants call for more reforms/Thailand studies Bangkok Port closure/US shifts trade war/Thai FTA exports US$31.8 billion/Law covers spread of data centers/ThaiBev Weighs Sale of KFC Franchise
- TOURISM: Foreign tourist arrivals reach 17.36 million/Chinese partnerships to attract more tourists/Thailand’s booming medical tourism/HYROX Bangkok returns
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Korat Buddhist Lent candle festival
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar boom cutting household power bills/Thai agriculture ‘trapped in a vicious cycle’
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Please welcome returning sponso:
Looking for the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a memorable meal? From perfectly seared steaks to vibrant, refreshing salads, every dish on our table is crafted with premium ingredients and passion. Come for the food, stay for the cozy vibes. S.Ken’s Khaotao is a Thai-European fusion restaurant located by the Khao Tao Reservoir in Hua Hin. It offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, uses quality ingredients, and serves delicious food. For reservations – Tel: +66 95 989 2451 ; email: s.kensbnb@gmail.com.
Where Should You Actually Live in Hua Hin?
Thinking about retirement in Thailand and wondering where to live in Hua Hin? This video breaks down the truth about Hua Hin’s best and worst areas in 2026 — based on real-life retirement factors, not holiday impressions. One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning to retire in Hua Hin is choosing an area based on a short holiday instead of long-term lifestyle. The neighborhood that feels perfect for two weeks can be completely wrong for the next 10–20 years. Video …
AirAsia Hua Hin-Kuala Lumpur flights under discussion
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, through the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AirAsia Group to elevate mutual tourism promotion under the concept “Amazing Thailand: Feel All the Feelings.” The agreement encompasses marketing collaborations, communications, aviation route connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia, and market intelligence exchanges to drive short-haul travel — particularly from the Malaysian market.
The partnership also pushes for direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Hua Hin, strengthening Thailand’s position as a premier regional tourism destination. Continued …
Cha Am Squid Festival set for September 12-19
The Cha Am Squid Festival will return Sept. 12–19, with the annual event taking place at the Cha Am Beach viewpoint. The festival is officially known as the 25th Eat Shellfish, Catch Squid @ Cha Am Festival.
September and October are considered the peak season for squid in the area, and squid fishing at sea has traditionally been one of the festival’s main attractions.Based on previous editions, visitors are also expected to be able to sample seafood and regional dishes from restaurants in Phetchaburi and neighboring provinces. Continued …
Why Hua Hin Expo to launch November 14-15
The Why Hua Hin? The Hua Hin Expo 2026 will be held at Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, on 14 and 15 Nov. 14-14. The two-day event will be free to enter and is designed to showcase Hua Hin as a place to visit, live, work, retire and invest.
The event will bring together local businesses, residents, visitors, investors, retirees, entrepreneurs and community groups in one venue, with around 4,000 to 6,000 visitors expected across the weekend. Continued …
PKK campaign warns young people about smoking and vaping
Prachuap Khiri Khan has launched a vaping campaign to improve awareness among young people about the dangers of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction. Deputy Gov. Prateep Boriboonrat opened the training program at Hadthong Hotel in Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
The project, organized by the National Alliance for a Tobacco-Free Thai Society, will train education and public health personnel to explain the health risks of tobacco and new types of e-cigarettes, as well as the laws governing the products. Continued …
Strong turnout for Hua Hin half marathon
Over 1,000 Thai and international runners took part in the inaugural Hua Hin City Half Marathon on Sunday. The event started and finished outside Market Village Hua Hin.
Runners competed across three distances: the 21-kilometer half marathon, the 10-kilometer mini-marathon and the 5-kilometer fun run. Sections of roads in Hua Hin were temporarily closed to accommodate participants. Continued …
Sin Sod: Why Thailand’s wedding payment custom divides
A recent wedding controversy involving a Thai bride and a foreign groom has renewed attention on Sin Sod, the Thai marriage custom in which the groom or his family presents money, gold or other valuables during the ceremony.
Often described in English as a dowry or bride price, Sin Sod remains a familiar feature of many Thai weddings. Yet, it is also among the country’s most disputed traditions, particularly where Thai and foreign partners are involved. Continued …
Thai-Cambodian border stays shut amid political and military tensions
Nearly a year after border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia were shut, intermittent diplomatic overtures have yet to produce the political trust needed to reopen them, leaving border communities and businesses facing an increasingly prolonged economic standstill.
Expectations of a possible thaw emerged in April following reports of informal contact between a person close to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and Thai officials operating near the border. Continued …
Thailand’s medical cannabis dream turns into a smuggling nightmare
The fallout from Thailand’s decriminalization of marijuana in 2022 is spreading rapidly beyond its borders, with large shipments of smuggled Thai weed threatening to overwhelm customs officials across the world.
The now-ruling Bhumjaithai Party’s flagship policy to transform the country’s medical sector has triggered a public health emergency at home and rising alarm overseas as Thai cannabis floods global black markets. Continued …
Thailand to buy eight more Gripen E/F fighter jets
Thailand will procure eight more Gripen E/F fighter jets in addition to four others of the same type, the purchase of which has been earlier placed with Swedish aircraft manufacturer Saab AB, according to an air force source.
The Thai air force earlier purchased four Gripen E/F fighter jets for 138 million dollars each, and plans to buy eight more of the Swedish-made, fourth-generation, tactical combat aircraft to make a new squadron of a dozen fighter jets for deployment at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, the country’s largest air force base, by fiscal 2028. Continued …
Another Tanker Attacked In Strait Of Hormuz As U.S. Strikes Iran For 10th Consecutive Night
Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early today, forcing its crew to abandon the ship even as the United States conducted yet-another round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic over control of the key waterway.
The 10 consecutive nights of U.S. airstrikes haven’t compelled Tehran to loosen its grip on the strait, through which about a fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded once passed in peacetime. Continued …
Houthi blockade threat opens new front in Iran war
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has threatened to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising the prospect of a new front in the widening US-Iran war and adding fresh danger to global energy supplies and maritime trade.
The Houthis announced that what they described as a maritime embargo would take effect immediately in response to an alleged Saudi siege of Yemen. Saudi Arabia’s coalition in Yemen responded by warning that it would use force against the group. Continued …
Baht set to decline again amid Mideast war
The baht is expected to continue weakening against the US dollar this week after falling to a nearly 15-month low, driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East.
According to Krungthai Global Markets, the baht is likely to remain under depreciation pressure in the near term as geopolitical risks intensify. The Thai currency could weaken to between 34.00 and 34.40 baht per US dollar this week, the research house said. Continued …
Restaurants call for more reforms to lower food prices
The Thai Restaurant Assn. is asking the government to connect raw material wholesalers with restaurants to lower ingredient costs, rather than providing subsidies for each dish.
Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, met with the Commerce Ministry’s Department of Internal Trade yesterday to provide feedback on the “40-baht Khao Kaeng scheme”, a program offering a dish of rice with one choice of kab khao (side dishes). Continued …
Thailand studies Bangkok Port closure and entertainment complex plan
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered a study into a plan to close Bangkok Port in Khlong Toei and centralize its operations at Laem Chabang Port. He also proposed redeveloping the Bangkok Port site as an entertainment complex after the port closes, while firmly ruling out the inclusion of a casino.
The project would focus on developing a cruise terminal, a yacht marina and premium residential properties, with the revenue used to improve the quality of life of surrounding communities. Continued …
Thailand on alert as US shifts trade war to Section 301 probes
Thailand is entering a new phase of trade uncertainty as the United States shifts its strategy from broad-based reciprocal tariffs to targeted investigations under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.
The move marks a change in Washington’s trade-war playbook under President Donald Trump, after earlier attempts to use sweeping reciprocal tariffs were constrained by a US Supreme Court ruling. Rather than ending the trade conflict, the ruling has pushed Washington toward legal tools with a more specific and potentially longer-lasting impact. Continued …
Thai FTA exports reach US$31.8 billion
Thailand’s use of export privileges under free-trade agreements continued to expand in April, with the value of shipments claiming preferential treatment reaching US$31.77 billion.
The figure represented an increase of 10.2% from the same period a year earlier and accounted for 81.4% of the total value of eligible exports, according to the Department of Foreign Trade. Continued …
New law covers spread of data centers
The Industry Ministry is drafting a landmark law aimed at regulating data center investments in Thailand, as the country grapples with the environmental and infrastructural challenges posed by the sector’s rapid growth.
Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa announced that the legislation will establish clear standards to prevent future problems, particularly those related to energy consumption, water usage and pollution. Continued …
ThaiBev Weighs Sale of Thailand’s Largest KFC Franchise With 500+ Restaurants
Thai Beverage, the maker of Chang beer and SangSom rum, is considering a potential sale of its KFC restaurant franchise business in Thailand, according to people familiar with the matter.
The company is working with Bank of America Corp., a financial-services company, to assess possible buyer interest in the business. Discussions remain ongoing. Continued …
Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals reach 17.36 million
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that Thailand recorded more than 17 million foreign tourist arrivals from Jan. 1 July 18). Foreign tourist spending generated B838.73 billion.
The five largest source markets were: China: 2,862,241 visitors; Malaysia: 2,250,015 visitors; India: 1,307,959 visitors; Russia: 1,061,349 visitors; and South Korea: 631,777 visitors. Continued …
Chinese partnerships set to attract more tourists to Thailand
New partnerships with seven large corporations in China are expected to help Thailand attract a new, younger customer segment and generate total revenue of nearly 300 billion baht, despite limited flight capacity, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Airline seats between Thailand and China totalled 7.9 million this year, still below the 13.1 million recorded before the pandemic, while surging jet fuel prices amid conflicts in the Middle East have further worsened the situation by driving up airfares. Continued …
Thailand’s booming medical tourism
Thailand’s rich culture, beautiful landscapes and distinctive cuisine aren’t the only reasons why tourists keep flocking to the country. Thailand has been leading Asia in medical tourism, with more than a million foreigners travelling to the country every year for medical and surgical procedures.
For years, the Thai government has established policies to develop the country into a leading global medical and wellness hub. Priorities primarily include inviting international patients to experience Thai medical care, strengthening private and public health sectors, and promoting wellness services such as preventive care, rehabilitation and traditional Thai medicine. Continued …
HYROX Bangkok returns August 13–16 for Asia’s largest event
Bangkok is preparing to host its largest HYROX event yet, as the global fitness race returns for four days of competition, bringing together more than 20,000 athletes from Aug. 13–16.
BYD HYROX Bangkok will take over the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center following strong demand for the previous event in March. Organizers said registrations have risen by 14%, prompting the competition to expand to four full days for the first time. Continued …
Korat Buddhist Lent candle festival returns with grand parade
Nakhon Ratchasima is preparing to transform central Korat into an open-air showcase of faith, imagination and local craftsmanship as its annual Buddhist Lent candle festival returns from July 28-30.
Elaborately carved candle floats will be displayed around the Thao Suranari Monument, Suan Suranari and Suan Mueang Thong, as well as along Ratchadamnoen and Chumphon roads. Continued …
Thailand’s solar boom is starting to cut household power bills
Thailand is leaning hard into solar and wind power, and households are beginning to see the payoff: lower electricity bills. A report says cleaner energy and more competitive long-term contracts are pushing down the average cost of power, an important signal in a region where air-conditioning demand can hammer family budgets.
The government hasn’t released a precise, nationwide figure for how much bills have dropped, but the direction is clear: Bangkok is using renewables to reduce reliance on imported fuels, especially liquefied natural gas (LNG), whose price swings have rattled power systems across Asia. Continued …
Heavily reliant on pesticides, Thai agriculture is ‘trapped in a vicious cycle’
As the sun rises over the village of Ban Wichit Pattana in northeast Thailand, 62-year-old Chuchart Srithachum does his morning exercise, walking as best he can on his prosthetic leg along the street outside his home.
These days, Chuchart is unable to work. He gets by with money from his son, as well as government allowances for his age and disability. He used to be a rice farmer, working 2.4 hectares of land on the outskirts of his village in Nong Bua Lamphu province. Continued …
Chiang Mai raids target alleged foreign nominee firms
Thai police have searched 18 locations across Chiang Mai in an operation targeting alleged foreign nominee company networks connected with land holdings valued at about 633 million baht. Continued …
Trump slaps 50% tariffs on US$20 billion of Canadian goods
The United States will impose 50% tariffs on nearly US$20-billion worth of Canadian imports, escalating tensions between the two closely integrated economies and threatening a fresh phase in President Donald Trump’s global trade campaign. Continued …
France expected to approve social media ban for under-15s
French lawmakers are expected to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15 today, putting France at the forefront of similar efforts in the European Union (EU). Continued …
27 bodies recovered, 83 still missing after ferry capsizes off Guyana
Guyana’s government said yesterday that 27 bodies had been recovered from a ferry that capsized off the coast over the weekend with 179 people on board. 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
The Thailand Riviera coastal road project is set to move forward again, with the Ministry of Transport seeking budget approval for fiscal year 2027 to study and design an extension from Chumphon to Songkhla.
Fuel prices in Bangkok were updated today after PTT Oil and Retail Business, or OR, and Bangchak Corp, or BCP, announced cuts to petrol and gasohol prices. The reductions ranged from 0.60 to 1.20 baht per liter, while diesel prices were left unchanged.
The government has welcomed Thailand being ranked the world’s eighth-best healthcare system in 2026 by the Numbeo website, saying the result reflects the country’s efficient healthcare management and broad access to medical services.
Nine monks were killed and 13 other people injured after a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy plowed into a morning pilgrimage in Muang district of Mukdahan province yesterday.
Thailand’s economy is sending two completely different signals. Official figures point to a country recovering faster than expected, with GDP expanding by 2.8%, exports surging by more than 23% in April, and tourism continuing to drive growth, albeit at a falling rate.
The narrowing trade deficit and easing inflationary pressure should support the baht regaining strength against the US dollar late in the third quarter this year, reversing a short-term depreciation trend, says Siam Commercial Bank Financial Markets (SCB FM).
There are growing signs that small and medium-sized Chinese entrepreneurs in auto sectors are interested in investing in Thailand, according to the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Thailand is on course for another record year in foreign film-production investment, as global streaming platforms and the fast-growing vertical-drama market continue to bring overseas crews and spending into the country.
The Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its 2026 list of countries and territories offering visa-free entry to holders of ordinary Thai passports. The revised list includes 35 destinations where Thai travelers can enter without applying for a visa, subject to each country’s entry conditions.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has emphasized the development of rail tourism as an important step toward creating new experiential and economic value for Thailand’s tourism industry. TAT Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that Thailand’s tourism sector has long drawn strength from its natural attractions, cultural heritage, and recognized hospitality.
Pattaya’s tourism is facing a particularly weak low season, with tourist numbers falling by around 20% to 30% in Pattaya and Chon Buri, while many hotels are reporting occupancy rates below break-even levels.
The Gulf of Thailand has always sold itself through color: turquoise water, coral gardens, fishing boats and island horizons. Now Thailand is adding another color to the seascape — the clean, clever green of technology.
Thailand’s islands have long sold the dream of clear waters, white sand and barefoot ease. Now, some of them are offering something more modern: the pleasure of arriving somewhere that is learning how not to drown in its own convenience.
Since China’s “National Sword” policy took effect in January 2018, banning imports of contaminated plastic and electronic waste, the recycling industry that was once concentrated inside China has scattered across the region. As a result, Thailand has absorbed a large share of it.
Honda Automobile (Thailand) is intensifying its strategy to challenge the Chinese-dominated electric vehicle (EV) market, announcing plans to make next-generation hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) the cornerstone of its lineup.
The first half of 2026 has been marked by a relentless rise in ocean temperatures, with global averages reaching a record 21 degrees Celsius, shattering previous highs recorded in 2023 and 2024.