- Reader feedback/694 Hua Hin entities under the gun/Hua Hin, Pranburi under flood watch/Hua Hin properties earn real estate awards/August ‘hottest month ever recorded globally’/Samui zoo owner’s wife fights deportation/Pit bull kills 70-year-old owner/$1,999 iPhone Duo
- THE IRAN WAR: Oil tops $100 a barrel
- ECONOMY: US-Thai trade deal ready to be finalized/Don Mueang’s transport links draw luxury housing investment/August industrial sentiment drops/Probe into Israeli network in Pattaya/Nestlé invests $194 million in pet-food production
- TOURISM: Tourism stimulus scheme expected to start Nov 1/Two women detained with more than $1,000,000 in suitcases
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Top Family-Friendly Tourist Destinations
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar rooftop subsidy scheme/Thailand approves SMR rules/Saving trafficked wildlife in Thailand
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
“A clarifying question with respect to the new Hua Hin Hospital OPD operating hours, if I may – do the new hours, effective Oct. 1, refer to the Special Medical Clinic (SMC) OPD frequently used by expats and some Thais, and/or to the hospital’s main OPD, which is mainly used by Thais? Any clarification would be greatly appreciate.” – Jim
(Editor: Expat News has reached out to Hua Hin Hospital for an answer.)
694 Hua Hin entities under the gun in nominee crackdown
Authorities have identified 694 landholding entities in Hua Hin for in-depth investigation over possible nominee arrangements involving foreigners, accounting for almost nine in 10 entities flagged across Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The findings were presented at a provincial meeting on Tuesday, where officials also reported that 71 legal entities across the province met the criteria requiring them to sell their land because of foreign shareholding levels. Continued …
Hua Hin, Pranburi under flood watch
Hua Hin and Pranburi are among six districts in Prachuap Khiri Khan placed on flood watch from Sept. 9-13, with residents urged to prepare for possible flash floods, runoff and landslides. The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) cited a monsoon trough and a strengthening southwest monsoon that are expected to bring increased rainfall across Thailand, including heavy to very heavy rain in some areas.
The warning identifies Hua Hin, Pranburi, Kui Buri, Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thap Sakae and Bang Saphan as areas at risk of localized flooding, flash floods, forest runoff and landslides. Continued …
Two Hua Hin properties earn real estate awards
Orchid Palm Homes was named Developer of the Year Hua Hin and BelVida Parque Hua Hin won Best Villa Development Hua Hin at the Thailand Real Estate Awards 2026 in Bangkok on Aug. 27.
The ceremony, held at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, marked the awards’ 10th anniversary under the theme “10 Years, New Era”. Developers and projects from across Thailand were recognized, with AP (Thailand) Public Co. receiving the evening’s highest honor, Developer of the Year Thailand 2026. Continued …
August ‘hottest month ever recorded globally’
August was the hottest single month ever recorded globally, with ocean temperatures also reaching unprecedented highs as western Europe capped its warmest summer, the EU’s climate monitor said today.
In response to the assessment by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the United Nations warned that until humanity weaned off fossil fuels, the planet would only push deeper into uncharted territory. Continued …
Samui zoo owner’s wife fights deportation order
The French owner of Samui Exotic Park in Surat Thani has been ordered deported from Thailand, with his wife preparing to appeal the Interior Ministry’s decision tomorrow.
Kevin Dimino was formally informed of the order by Surat Thani Immigration on Tuesday, a day after the ministry issued the deportation decision. He has been held at Koh Samui Police Station while awaiting removal to his country of origin. Continued …
Pit bull kills 70-year-old owner in Bangkok home
A 70-year-old woman has died after being attacked by a male pit bull she cared for at a home in Bangkok’s Bueng Kum district yesterday.
Police said the woman was attempting to put a collar on the dog when it attacked her inside the property. She was found dead with bite wounds to her neck and hands. Continued …
Apple joins foldable phone race with $1,999 passport-shaped iPhone Duo
Apple unveiled its first foldable iPhone yesterday, introducing a US$1,999 passport-shaped handset as new chief executive John Ternus bets on design, productivity and privacy to win customers in a market established by Samsung and Chinese rivals.
The iPhone Duo opens into a 7.6-inch display and will be available from Oct. 23. Its launch marks the most substantial redesign of Apple’s flagship product since the iPhone X in 2017. Continued …
Oil tops $100 a barrel as Mideast conflict escalates
Benchmark Brent crude oil futures rose past $100 a barrel yesterday, breaching the symbolic barrier for the first time since July 24 as intensifying conflict in the Middle East fueled growing concern about supplies.
Brent crude futures were up $2.15, or 2.2%, to $100.07 a barrel as of mid-afternoon in Asia, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was up $1.70, or 1.8%, at $94.73. Continued …
US-Thai trade deal ready to be finalized by a call between Anutin and Trump, says Minister
Thailand and the United States are days from a sweeping trade deal reaching far beyond tariffs. Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun says every substantive issue is settled, with only legal drafting left. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is then expected to speak directly with US President Donald Trump to close the pact.
The deal would secure access to Thailand’s largest export market after a threatened 36% tariff. In return, Bangkok has discussed billions in US agriculture, energy and aircraft purchases. However, the most far-reaching terms cover electronic payments, cross-border data and telecommunications. Continued …
Don Mueang’s transport links draw luxury housing investment
Don Mueang is attracting more high-end housing development as transport links, international schools and demand from affluent families broaden its appeal beyond the airport, according to Cushman & Wakefield Thailand.
Surachet Kongcheep, the firm’s head of research and consultancy, described the district as an emerging “major infrastructure hub” in northern Bangkok. He cited an average annual increase of about 11% in appraised land values. Continued …
August industrial sentiment drops on heavy rain and high costs
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index slipped to 89.7 in August, from 90.0 in July, weighed down by heavy rainfall that disrupted economic hubs, high energy costs and weak domestic purchasing power, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
FTI Chair Pimjai Leeissaranukul stated the decline was further exacerbated by a prolonged contraction in the automotive sector, due to sluggish sales and tighter credit access. Vehicle sales fell 17.4% year-on-year over the first seven months of this year, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to struggle with high production costs, limited access to capital and stiff competition from imported goods. Continued …
Criminal charges considered by DSI in probe into substantial Israeli network in Pattaya
Thailand’s DSI is moving toward its first summons in a widening Israeli-linked business probe centered on Pattaya. Israeli businessman Maimon David Marsiano and several Thai shareholders are expected to face questioning over suspected nominee structures, company control and investment funding.
The inquiry follows August raids on a law office, condominium company and hotel business tied to assets worth hundreds of millions of baht. However, the investigation has now spread far beyond Chon Buri. The DSI says Israeli-linked real estate and other assets under wider examination nationwide are worth tens of billions of baht, with business interests also being examined in Bangkok, Phuket, Pai, Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan. Continued …
Nestlé invests $194 million in Purina pet-food production in Thailand
Nestlé is spending more than $194.1 million on “strengthening” Purina pet-food production in Thailand. The Swiss giant said the investment is in response to rising pet-food demand in Thailand and the rest of Asia.
It will be funneled into its manufacturing site in Rayong, which produces pet food and treats under the Felix, Friskies, Pro Plan, and Purina One brands. Continued …
Tourism stimulus scheme expected to start Nov 1
A new “Thai Tiew Thai Plus” tourism stimulus scheme, offering one million entitlements with a budget of 3.5 billion baht, is awaiting cabinet approval for a planned Nov. 1 start.
The scheme is expected to be submitted to the cabinet for approval on Sept. 22, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Tuesday after a meeting with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. Continued …
Two women detained at Bangkok Airport with more than $1,000,000 in their suitcases
During the search at Suvarnabhumi Airport, two Thai women were found carrying 32.5 million baht in cash and €186,000 hidden in their suitcases. They had failed to declare the currency as required by Thai law for amounts exceeding US$20,000 (approximately 700,000 baht) when leaving the country.
The total value of the undeclared cash exceeded the equivalent of 40 million baht (over US$1.1 million). After questioning, the suspects admitted that the money had been withdrawn from their accounts after profiting on the “BlueQubit” platform. Continued …
Top Family-Friendly Tourist Destinations in Thailand
Thailand is one of the Asian destinations that has maintained its popularity among families thanks to its diverse range of experiences in a single geographical area. From beaches and tropical islands to water parks, amusement parks, and cultural landmarks, families can choose programs that fit their ages and interests.
The appeal of the trip increases when families combine more than one city. Starting an adventure in Bangkok offers cultural and recreational landmarks, then moving to Phuket or Hua Hin for serene days at the beach. Nature and animal lovers can head north to Chiang Mai, while Pattaya offers a mix of water parks, family activities, and boat trips. Continued …
Solar rooftop subsidy scheme to open in mid-October
Registration will open in mid-October for a solar rooftop scheme offering subsidies of up to 50,000 baht per installation, initially targeting one million households.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said yesterday the 50 billion baht for the program would come from the 200 billion baht earmarked for energy transition projects. Continued …
Thailand approves SMR rules for possible nuclear power
Thailand has approved a regulatory policy framework for small modular reactors (SMRs), beginning work on the laws, specialist skills and safety arrangements needed if it eventually adopts nuclear power.
Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat chaired the Nuclear Energy for Peace Commission’s second meeting of 2026 at Government House on Tuesday. Officials stressed that no decision has been made to build a nuclear plant, select a location or choose reactor technology. Continued …
Online and undercover: saving trafficked wildlife in Thailand
Nawee Changpirom has spent years working to rescue trafficked wildlife in Thailand, but even he can sometimes hardly believe the creatures he has found: leopards, hornbills, and once an anteater. “We even found living corals hidden in a ceiling,” he said.
Nawee heads a raid unit in the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) that tries to stop the sale of everything from African elephant ivory to monkeys wanted as pets or for laboratory testing. Continued …
-
Chinese man held in Pattaya over 162-million-baht crypto theft – Continued …
-
Thai police arrest 13 foreigners in Bang Phli call-center raid – Continued …
Trump offers $5,000 bribe to voters
US President Donald Trump promised every adult U.S. citizen would receive a $5,000 check if Republicans retain their majorities in Congress during the party’s first-ever midterm convention yesterday. The president capped off the event by attacking Democrats while rallying supporters in Texas in a bid to boost GOP enthusiasm across the country. Continued …
How hot can the US-Canada trade war get?
The US-Canada trade war has escalated rapidly, rupturing what was once one of the world’s closest economic partnerships. But the conflict is a mismatch, with the $31 trillion US economy roughly 13 times larger than Canada’s, raising questions about the limits of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s defiance. 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
A Western content creator has warned foreigners against moving to Thailand without a clear financial plan, saying many end up “packing up and going home” after under estimating their costs.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) yesterday removed a street lighting charge from public electricity bills, leading to 6-satang reduction in the rate to 3.89 baht a unit from next month (September). The rate structure for residential electricity has also been adjusted, with the first 200 units capped at 3 baht per unit.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has called on mobile phone users to finish mandatory SIM identity verification and update their information by Aug. 30 as it seeks to combat mule accounts and technology crime.
Thailand is moving toward more targeted regulation of ride-hailing and on-demand delivery platforms, as each of the markets consolidates around two dominant players, with competition authorities preparing new guidelines to address structural barriers, algorithmic practices and potential abuses of market power.
Sixteen-year-old Thai musician Nene Royal has officially advanced to the Live Shows on America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 21, following a series of powerhouse performances that have captivated international audiences and judges alike.
The government’s upcoming measures to screen data center investment projects in Thailand are designed to safeguard electricity security without derailing the country’s ambition to attract foreign capital into this fast-growing industry, says an energy official who requested anonymity.
At least 11 French nationals who were arrested in Thailand with cannabis in their luggage, claimed they were deceived into carrying “locked bags” in exchange for free holidays.
Chinese arrivals target set at 5.1 million this year
Thai authorities have resolved a major administrative backlog dating back to 2018 by issuing hotel licenses to 275 properties in Phuket as part of a broader government drive to regulate unlicensed hospitality businesses and crack down on illegal foreign nominee operations.
Thailand Outlines Plan to Commercialize 231 Forgotten Heritage Dishes
Long before modern advocacy, romantic and deeply intimate bonds between women existed behind the closed doors of the ancient Thai royal courts. Known traditionally as “Len Puean” (เล่นเพื่อน), these relationships were a recognized, if sometimes hushed, part of court culture.
From the Elephant Sanctuaries of Thailand
I was in Thailand this week visiting my wife’s family and I had to satisfy some professional curiosity and see what was going on in the country’s cannabis market for myself.
Hundreds of thousands of gig workers in Australia have been granted a huge pay rise from next week under a decision by the country’s workplace relations tribunal lauded as “world-leading”. The order from the Fair Work Commission, issued Tuesday, will see delivery drivers working for online platforms such as UberEats and HungryPanda earn Aus$31.30 (731.56 baht) an hour. 
Tourism of Si Khiri Khan Festival opens at Hua Hin train station
The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin has announced that its 16th Amateur Charity Golf Classic will take place at Pineapple Valley Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 27. The annual tournament is one of the club’s main fundraising events, with proceeds supporting community projects, medical institutions and schools in Hua Hin and other areas.
Thailand’s sex trade remains illegal, but its presence is highly visible from Soi Cowboy in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area to Pattaya’s Walking Street, where nightlife businesses continue to draw visitors from around the world.
Thailand allows eligible civilians to apply for firearm ownership, but its licensing system draws clear legal distinctions between buying a gun, possessing and using it, and carrying it in public.
Thailand is recording between 8,000 and 9,000 new HIV infections a year, more than eight times the target of under 1,000 annual cases needed for the country to end AIDS as a public health problem by 2030.
US President Donald Trump has introduced new compensation demands in negotiations with Iran, further complicating efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran set conditions of its own for ending the confrontation.
Oil prices rose to their highest levels in nearly two weeks today after negotiations between the United States and Iran over a peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz reached an impasse, while Asian stock markets traded cautiously ahead of key US inflation data.
The baht has weakened by about 5% since the beginning of the year, making it the third-biggest decliner among major Asian currencies. A broader measure of its value against Thailand’s trading partners, however, suggests the depreciation continues to support the competitiveness of Thai exports.
Thailand is pressing China for deeper use of local materials and suppliers, wider market access for Thai SMEs and investment in agricultural processing. It seeks to reduce a trade imbalance that could reach a cumulative 12.14 trillion baht over 2016-2026.
Thailand’s trade with its free trade agreement partners rose by 21.8% year on year to US$243.67 billion in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than half of the country’s total global trade.
Thailand’s unemployment rate remains relatively low, but the labor market is showing signs of weakening, says SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), the research arm of Siam Commercial Bank.
The government is preparing tougher screening criteria for data center investments amid concerns over their heavy use of electricity and water. The Board of Investment (BOI) is preparing to assess projects based on four key areas: benefits to Thailand, energy and water availability, and environmental impacts.
At least 132 people have died, and 570 have been injured as a result of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck earlier yesterday, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities, which earlier took part in an disaster response meeting with the president. 
Torrential rain from Typhoon Dolphin flooded roads and commercial areas across Shanghai yesterday, forcing the city’s two airports to cancel 943 flights and reducing their combined capacity by nearly 40%. 
A majority of Americans across the political divide support stronger government oversight of social media companies, including age-verification requirements intended to prevent children under 16 from using their platforms. 
Father after father Agence France-Presse (AFP) spoke to in Afghanistan about the education ban that stops their daughters going beyond primary school choked up in despair. The pain and anguish it is causing behind closed doors is clear from interviews AFP conducted across the country, with even deeply religious fathers questioning the ruling.