• Hua Hin’s new municipal building/Food sanitation standards under scrutiny/Provinces search for sand/Mövenpick Hua Hin hotel and spa/Harvest Wine Run Festival returns/Why Thailand’s enforcement is suddenly feeling very real/Bhumjaithai in landslide victory/Shift Toward Nationalism and Monarchy/PM2.5 pollution rises/Thailand’s burned area hits 2.26-million rai/Choosing the right air purifier/Thai–Cambodian Border Residents Brace/Thai Navy Intercepts Cambodian Fishing Boats/Buri Ram’s Airport terminal/Attack Raises Urgent Wildlife Safety Questions
• ECONOMY: Bhumjaithai’s economic policy roundup/Business urges swift economic action/Bhumjaithai export plan/Infrastructure key for Thai growth/Turning local beef into premium product/U.S. Proposes 25% Tariff on AI Chips/Strengths to Attract Global Chip Giant/Thailand as global halal hub
• TOURISM: Thailand’s tourism reality check/Chiang Mai tourism in flux/Tourists use hands to remove ice
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: One of Thailand’s Oldest Organic Tea Farms/Ayutthaya Travel Guide/Learn how to cook Thai food/Bangkok’s oldest Thai restaurants
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Climate change discourse takes a new turn/Cargo ship sinks near Phuket
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT AND LINKS 

Hua Hin to get new 7-story municipal building

Hua Hin City has approved the design for a new seven-story municipal office building, marking the next stage of a major infrastructure project that will combine a comprehensive medical service hub and a city museum, alongside an expanded disaster-prevention center.

The plans were reviewed on Friday during a meeting chaired by Nopporn Wutikul, mayor of Hua Hin. The seven-story building will be constructed behind the current Hua Hin City Municipality office. Once completed, it is expected to serve as an integrated public service center, with a strong focus on health and community facilities. Continued …

Food sanitation standards under scrutiny

Efforts to raise food sanitation standards across the western central region were the focus of a regional network meeting attended by representatives from eight provinces, including Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The meeting of the western central regional network was held on Friday at the Phetchaburi Provincial Public Health Office. The event brought together 120 participants from the restaurant, street food, and fresh market sectors to discuss how to improve food sanitation standards and strengthen cooperation between operators and public health authorities. Continued …

Provinces search for sand as beaches erode

Authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan are studying new sand sources as part of plans for beach nourishment to address coastal erosion along the central Gulf of Thailand. The Regional Marine Office, Prachuap Khiri Khan Branch, held a public consultation on Friday morning to outline a project to survey potential sand reserves for use in reinforcing beaches in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon.

Officials said beach nourishment is considered one of the most effective non-structural measures for stabilizing shorelines affected by coastal erosion. The approach involves adding sand to restore balance to the coastline and improve beach conditions. Continued …

Mövenpick to open new hotel and spa in Hua Hin

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing for a new hotel and spa in Thailand. The Swiss company will open a new beach resort in Hua Hin.

the new 190-room Mövenpick Resort & Spa, Hua Hin, will be located on the West Coast of the Gulf of Thailand – a leisure destination famous for its pristine beaches, golf courses, and hill hiking. The new hotel will take its inspiration from the Thai beach resort atmosphere and offer landscaped gardens, a luxury spa, two restaurants, a lobby lounge, ballroom, pool, and function rooms. – sportsmanagement.co.uk

Harvest Wine Run Festival returns to Monsoon Valley March 7

The Harvest Wine Run Festival Hua Hin returns to Monsoon Valley Vineyard on March 7, inviting runners, walkers and wine lovers to combine fitness, food, and vineyard fun in one unique event.

This one-of-a-kind wine run through Monsoon Valley Vineyardis perfect for runners, joggers, walkers, wine lovers, and families. To join the event, complete the registration form. Continued …

Nominees, Bank Accounts, and Border Checks: Why Thailand’s enforcement is suddenly feeling very real

For years, there has been a quiet understanding among many foreign business owners in Thailand – as long as nothing goes wrong, nobody looks too closely. That assumption is starting to crack.

Over the past few days, Phuket has become a very public reminder that Thailand’s authorities are no longer content with rules existing on paper. They are enforcing them on the ground, across agencies, and with consequences that are no longer theoretical. Continued …

Bhumjaithai in landslide victory with counting nearly complete

The Bhumjaithai Party of caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has won 174 House constituency seats, followed by the People’s Party with 87, and 58 for the Pheu Thai Party, according to the Election Commission.

The unofficial vote result dashboard of the EC reported the results after 94% of ballots was counted at 3.57 am on Monday. There are 400 House seats for constituency MPs. Continued …

Thailand’s Election Reflects Shift Toward Nationalism and Monarchy

Thailand’s election marked a significant shift as the nation embraced nationalism and the monarchy, moving away from a progressive movement that had gained traction in recent years. The election results are a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape.

The outcome indicates a return to traditional values, with voters favoring candidates who support the monarchy and national identity over progressive reforms. This election result underscores the complex dynamics within Thailand’s political environment, where traditional and modern influences continue to vie for dominance. – binance.com

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PM2.5 pollution rises for fifth day amid illegal agricultural fires

PM2.5 pollution across northeastern Thailand continued to worsen for a fifth consecutive day, as authorities reported daily illegal agricultural burning, with satellite data showing multiple fire hotspots despite air quality in some areas remaining within official limits.

Montri Kiatphaophan, director of the regional office, said authorities have detected repeated illegal burning of rice stubble and agricultural waste across four provinces under its jurisdiction — Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram, and Surin. The burning is being carried out to clear land for new planting cycles, as well as through open fires that have triggered wildfires and widespread smoke, worsening air pollution. Continued …

Thailand’s burned area hits 2.26-million rai in January

Thailand recorded a cumulative burned area of 2.26 million rai between Jan. 1–31, according to an analysis of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, or GISTDA. One rai equals 1,600 square meters, 0.4 acres, or 10,764 square feet.

The agency said the scale of burning reflects the severity of the problem and has a clear link to surging PM2.5 levels in many parts of the country, particularly early in the year when weather conditions can trap pollution and limit air circulation. Continued …

Choosing the right air purifier for Thailand’s rising air pollution

As Thailand continues to battle worsening PM2.5 pollution and persistent urban smog, air purifiers have quickly shifted from optional home appliances to essential health safeguards, especially for expatriates adjusting to the country’s environmental conditions. Understanding how these machines improve indoor air quality can make a substantial difference to daily comfort and long-term well-being.

Air purifiers are designed to remove microscopic dust and PM2.5 particles that accumulate indoors, offering immediate relief for those sensitive to respiratory irritation. During peak pollution seasons, when haze blankets major cities, these devices help residents breathe more easily and reduce the strain on their lungs. Continued …

Thai–Cambodian Border Residents Brace for Possible Third Clash

Residents near the Chong Chom border crossing in Surin province say they are preparing for a possible third round of fighting, citing daily provocations by Cambodian troops and rising insecurity, with some households ready to evacuate. The comments came as uncertainty along the Thai–Cambodian border continued to affect local communities and cross-border trade.

The concerns surfaced after reports that the Japanese government had urged Thailand and Cambodia to reopen border crossings quickly, following closures that have reportedly affected several Japanese companies operating in the area. Continued …

Thai Navy Intercepts Cambodian Fishing Boats Near Koh Kood

The Royal Thai Navy’s First Naval Area Command deployed patrol vessels yesterday to intercept approximately 25 Cambodian fishing boats that were found illegally operating in Thai territorial waters south of Koh Kood. The incident prompted an immediate security response, though no arrests were ultimately made as the vessels fled back into Cambodian waters.

According to the First Naval Area Command Operations Center, naval authorities received intelligence reports from maritime sources indicating that a group of Cambodian-flagged fishing boats had crossed into Thai waters and were actively fishing. The vessels were detected around 2 kilometers inside Thai territorial waters, an area under routine naval surveillance. Continued …

Buri Ram’s Airport terminal begins trial run

The Department of Airports (DOA) has held a soft opening of the new passenger terminal at Buri Ram airport, marking a major upgrade to regional transport infrastructure.

The trial service processed passengers from four Thai AirAsia flights on the Don Mueang–Buri Ram route to test systems and readiness before the MotoGP 2026 Grand Prix of Thailand later this month. Continued …

Thailand Park Elephant Attack Raises Urgent Wildlife Safety Questions

A tragic encounter in Thailand is sparking renewed debate about how we share space with large wild animals in popular parks. A 65-year-old Thai tourist was killed on Feb. 2 after being trampled during a morning walk in Khao Yai National Park. Officials said the bull elephant, Oyewan, has now been linked to three deaths, and they will meet to decide next steps, including relocation or attempts to change the animal’s behavior.

It is tempting to frame this as a single “dangerous elephant” story. However, the bigger picture is about rising pressure where people and wildlife overlap. Thailand’s park agency has reported more than 220 deaths from wild elephants since 2012. At the same time, wild elephant numbers have grown sharply in the past decade, which increases the chances of conflict, especially in places where tourism, roads, campsites, and farms push deeper into elephant territory. Continued …

Bhumjaithai’s economic policy roundup

The Bhumjaithai Party’s economic policy under the “Thailand 10 Plus” strategy focuses on driving Thailand’s economy out of a slowdown, with a targeted “GDP growth of 3% plus”, broken down into the following areas:

1. Policies for inclusive growth (Inclusive Growth): The Bhumjaithai Party emphasizes supporting people on low incomes and reducing inequality, including Small People Plus (Kon Tua Lek Plus), with its measures to ease household costs and reduce the cost-of-living burden, such as an electricity tariff of below 3 baht per unit for the first 200 units. Continued …

Stability first: Business urges swift economic action

In January, Thailand weathered baht appreciation, volatile gold prices, and the likelihood of a temporary halt in government spending as the country awaits the formation of a new government following yesterday’s election.

Businesses expect that once a new government is formed, the leadership will promptly implement measures to prevent a fragile economy from facing further risks in the aftermath of the power vacuum. Continued …

Bhumjaithai export plan: cut US, China reliance

Bhumjaithai has outlined an export policy aimed at reducing reliance on traditional markets and strengthening SMEs to compete globally.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thai exports face risks from heavy dependence on the United States and China, which together account for around one-third of Thailand’s total export value. She stressed the need to accelerate expansion into new markets and reduce concentration across markets, exporters, and product categories, while upgrading SMEs and promoting “Made in Thailand” to build a stronger and more sustainable long-term economic base. Continued …

Infrastructure key for Thai growth

Short-term economic stimulus measures introduced by the next government are expected to provide temporary relief, though sustainable growth will depend on continued infrastructure investment and policies that encourage long-term savings, says InnovestX Securities.

Piyasak Manason, head of economic research at InnovestX, said populist stimulus schemes such as cash handouts, debt relief, consumption incentives, tax rebates for domestic tourism, and receipt-based lottery programs may help support consumption in the near term, but their impact typically fades quickly. Continued … 

How Thailand is turning local beef into a global premium product

Thailand is strengthening its food soft power by transforming local beef into a premium global product. The National Innovation Agency, or NIA, has launched Thailand Beef Fest 2026, showcasing how innovation can raise the quality and international competitiveness of Thai beef.

Under the concept “Thai Innovative Beef, Global Taste,” the festival highlights the role of agricultural and food innovation in upgrading Thai beef to international standards and expanding opportunities in the global premium market. Continued …

Global Supply Chains at Risk as the U.S. Proposes 25% Tariff on AI Chips

The United States will enforce a 25% import tariff on certain advanced AI chips, effective Jan. 15. This applies globally, including imports from Thailand. The tariff targets high-performance processors such as Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X, aiming to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Some exemptions apply, including chips used in U.S. data centers, research, and startups, which will face a 0% tariff initially.

The tariff increase is expected to disrupt the global semiconductor supply chain, raising production costs and encouraging investment to return to the U.S. This could cause ripple effects in Thailand, particularly in electronic exports and component supply chains to economies like China and Taiwan. Although Thailand’s direct exports of advanced chips to the U.S. remain limited, indirect impacts and investment volatility in the region may occur. Continued …

Thailand’s 4 Strengths to Attract Global Chip Giant: Grand Strategy Needed

Thailand possesses four key strengths that make it an attractive location for ASML, the world’s leading chip machinery manufacturer: a strong electronics industry, reliable electrical infrastructure, low risk of conflict, and a trusted production base that respects intellectual property.

Academics suggest that the government should develop a clear “grand strategy” to link the semiconductor industry with other sectors, ensuring quick returns on investment and attracting long-term foreign investments. Continued …

Push for development of Thailand into global halal hub

The Thai halal industry, which includes food and tourism, has strong growth potential, according to the Thai Muslim Trade Assn. (TMTA). Marut Mekloy, president of the TMTA, said Thailand has a wide range of halal-certified products across various sectors, positioning the country as a prospective global halal trade hub.

He said halal tourism can potentially drive growth. Heurged stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors to develop the halal industry, noting the private sector’s robust presence in production, exports, and education. Continued …

Thailand’s tourism reality check as China forecast misses and new risk emerges from India

Thailand’s tourism industry enters 2026 at a complex and delicately balanced moment. The long-anticipated rebound in Chinese arrivals has fallen short of official forecasts, while breaking news of a virus outbreak in India and Nepal now threatens to disrupt one of Thailand’s fastest-growing source markets. Together, these developments point to a tourism sector moving beyond recovery and into a period of structural adjustment.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand originally forecast around eight million Chinese arrivals for 2025, expecting a strong post-pandemic recovery supported by restored air capacity. In reality, Chinese arrivals reached approximately 5.5 million, a shortfall of about 2.5 million visitors and a decline of roughly 30% year on year. Continued … 

Chiang Mai tourism in flux

Chiang Mai, once dominated by Chinese visitors, has gradually changed as the foreign market diversifies, with more arrivals from South Korea and Japan, as well as a notable resurgence of long haul tourists.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the province set a new record in 2025 with 12 million visitors, including 4 million from overseas. Among the top five markets, the US ranked fifth after China, South Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Continued …

Tourists use hands to remove ice, fear it will make them sick on Koh Samui

A foreign tourist has sparked online backlash after posting a video of herself removing ice from a drink at a restaurant on Koh Samui, prompting debate over hygiene and cultural awareness.

In the clip, the woman is seen dipping her hand into a glass, taking out the ice and throwing it away, accompanied by captions suggesting concern about being in Thailand and fearing illness from unsafe water. She later clarified in comments that she and her friend were worried the ice might be unclean and could make them sick. Continued …

I Visited One of Thailand’s Oldest Organic Tea Farms

Scanning the yellow-green bushes lining the foothills of Chiang Mai, I looked up in defeat. With an oversized bamboo basket strapped over my shoulders, I had been instructed to pluck tea leaves that bore a specific pattern: one big and one small leaf sandwiching an unfurled one.

The combo seemed so specific and impossible to find among the endless clusters of shrubs. Growing restless, I turned around, when … jackpot! Snapping off the perfect formation with glee, I proudly marched it over to the resident plucker. She smiled gently and nodded slightly in approval. Continued …

Ayutthaya Travel Guide: Explore Thailand’s Most Fascinating UNESCO Day Trip

Once Thailand’s capital, Ayutthaya is about 90 minutes (80 kilometers) from Bangkok and feels like a different country altogether, quieter, slower, and filled with ruins that reward unhurried wandering. It took me about 90 minutes on a local bus from the Bangkok Bus Terminal (aka Chatuchak or Mochit 2) to turn back the clock and travel back to a different world.

Ayutthaya was once one of the power centers in Southeast Asia, a city that housed a million residents. If the name has a familiar ring to it, it’s because this former capital took its name from Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram. Continued …

Don’t just eat in Thailand, learn how to cook Thai food, too

The air is alive with the mouth-watering aromas of lemongrass, coriander, and freshly grated ginger. We can almost taste them, and taste them we will, because today we’ll be preparing traditional Thai fare – in Thailand, no less.

A group of 10 culinary-curious tourists have gathered at the Zabb E Lee Cooking School in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. There are two five-hour courses to choose from, in the morning and late afternoon, held in an airy bamboo pavilion surrounded by tropical greenery. Continued …

Bangkok’s oldest Thai restaurants you should visit

They say mother knows best, so mother’s mother must know even better, and what about her mother? Perhaps these historic Thai restaurants can tell us; the ones that have been in Bangkok for so long that our parents can reminisce along with us.

These places are proud of their recipes. After all, they have been serving the same since their shops opened. It’s the peak definition of “tried-and-true.” Continued …

Climate change discourse takes a new turn

What a difference a single year makes. The once-dominant push to radically reshape society to avert climate catastrophe has collapsed. Look at Davos – the talkfest long dominated by climate advocacy. That consensus has been abandoned by its once strongest proponents.

Emblematic of the shift: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen didn’t mention the climate transition once in her 2026 Davos talk – after putting it front and center in preceding years. Continued …

Oil spill cleanup underway after cargo ship sinks near Phuket

• Colombian Suspect Arrested Over Iraqi National Killing in Patong – Continued …
• Two Turkish Men Arrested at Phuket Airport Over Fake Stamps – Continued …

Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ Takaichi forges stunning election win

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition swept to a landslide election win yesterday, paving the way for her tax cuts that have spooked financial markets and increased military spending aimed at countering China. Video …

Bad Bunny celebrates Puerto Rico in joyous Super Bowl halftime show

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny yesterday turned the Super Bowl into a giant street party, delivering his hits on one of the world’s biggest stages – and becoming the first-ever halftime show headliner to sing only in Spanish. Anticipation was high for the 31-year-old’s set, amid rampant speculation about whether he would use his platform to renew his criticism of President Donald Trump’s administration in front of tens of millions of viewers. Continued …

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