Bangkok Post, as expected, has increased the number of articles you must pay to read. They will soon be only for paid subscribers. Our policy is to not link to paid content, or even to content requiring you to register, so articles from Bangkok Post will be disappearing from this newsletter, as they have from the Thailand Examiner, which closed its site to paid-only a year ago. Since Expat News gathers content from many sources, this latest paid subscriber effort will not affect our coverage. It just means other sources will gain the benefit of our reader traffic.

• Hua Hin, Cha-am defy tourism slump/Thailand ranks 3rd for expat life/Exclusions you probably haven’t read/Nominee drive on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan/35 Chinese nominee companies found/39th Bangkok pub fire death/Market packed for Nene Royal’s farewell
• ECONOMY: Ekniti’s high-income status goal/Suphajee heads to US tariff talks//US transshipment crackdown/White House Targets Thailand/Property developers turn to foreign buyers/Thailand plans auto tax overhaul
• TOURISM: AOT studies return of duty-free shops/Tourists swept away at waterfall/Family stranded at sea for 16 hours/Longtail boat capsizes off Krabi/Four Spanish tourists injured/British woman complains about hotel wedding/Thai surgeon says doctor dsputes TV report
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Health Riders in Thailand/Fighting to Save Thailand’s dying dugongs/Bangkok’s floating markets/Bangkok’s New Zoo
• INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Hua Hin, Cha-am defy tourism slump with foreign visitors spending more

Tourism in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi continues to show resilience, with stronger foreign visitor revenue and higher per-person spending helping offset softer domestic demand and wider economic pressures.

Sittichai Tanthasit, Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial tourism and sports officer, said the province generated 26.996 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first six months of 2026. Thai visitors accounted for 23.131 billion baht, while international visitors generated 3.866 billion baht. Continued … 

Thailand ranks 3rd for expat life in global 2026 survey

Thailand ranks third of 31 destinations for expats on the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, behind Panama and Mexico. The survey ran from Feb. 1 to March 31 this year, drawing about 7,786 respondents of 162 nationalities across 31 countries.

Panama held the top place for the third year running. Mexico placed second overall and first for ease of settling in. After Thailand came the UAE, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, Portugal, Malaysia and Luxembourg. Continued … 

The exclusions you probably haven’t read will cost you in Thailand

A single night in a private room at Bangkok Hospital can run past 25,000 baht before any treatment is added to the bill. Most expats assume their health insurance handles that kind of cost without a second thought. But the truth is, the exclusions section of the policy, the part almost nobody reads past the first page, is often where that assumption falls apart.

Health insurance for expats in Thailand is written to be technically complete, not easy to read. The difference between what a policy sounds like it covers and what it actually excludes is where expats lose the most money, usually at the exact moment they can least afford a surprise. Continued … 

Drive against foreign owned property and business on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan now targets leases

Thailand’s crackdown on foreign business and property control is now moving onto long-term land leases and the wider issue of foreign-controled businesses. Investigators are probing 30-year leases used to secure effective property control, alongside nominee companies, land holdings and overseas rental payments.

On Koh Samui, around 8,000 companies are under scrutiny, while 138 face urgent land action and another 2,579 are suspected nominee operations. Police are pursuing 101 warrants as the campaign widens across Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, reaching villas, hotels, advisers and business networks in Phuket and Bangkok. Continued … 

35 Chinese nominee companies found in Sakhon Nakhon

The Commerce Ministry recently discovered that there have been irregularities in the registration of 35 companies in four districts of northeastern Sakon Nakhon province, with unwitting Thai villagers used to set up these 100% Chinese-owned nominee firms while 14 were totally Thai owned but none were conducting any business at all at their registered addresses.

Investigation revealed that a woman based in Khok Si Suphan district of this northeastern province acted as a broker, procuring copies of household registration and national ID cards from villagers at 500 to 1,000 baht each. She then handed the 35 sets of documents to Chinese investors, receiving 1,500 baht per person. Continued … 

Police commando becomes 39th Bangkok pub fire death

Police Lance Corp. Thanakorn Phetthong, 23, has become the 39th person to die following the fire at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao venue in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.

Thanakorn, a squad leader with Division 1 of the Special Operations Division, died Saturday in the trauma intensive care unit at Police Hospital. He had been receiving continuous treatment for severe injuries since the blaze on July 12. Thanakorn, a police commando, was working as a security guard at the venue at the time of the fire. Continued … 

Market packed for Nene Royal’s farewell concert before America’s Got Talent live shows

The Naka Market in Phuket was packed with fans as “Nene Royal” held a farewell concert ahead of her trip to the United States to compete in the live shows round of America’s Got Talent Season 21.
Yesterday, Nene, whose real name is Rattikarn Amlam, or 16-year-old Praew, performed at Naka Market in Wichit subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district.

Praew is an international scholarship student at a leading international school in Phuket. She rose to global attention after competing on America’s Got Talent and successfully secured a place among the final 44 contestants from around the world advancing to the live shows. Continued … 

Ekniti’s high-income status goal for Thailand is a giant leap of faith

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas recently unveiled a new economic plan aimed at steering Thailand toward a high-income nation, but experts have flagged obstacles that need immediate attention.

The plan aims to push GDP growth beyond 3% — up from the current 2% — and increase investment to 30% of GDP to ride the next industrial wave. Continued … 

Suphajee heads to US with three trade red lines intact

Thailand will send a technical team to the United States from Aug. 27 to 29 for further negotiations on an agreement on reciprocal trade, or ART, before policy-level talks led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.

Suphajee will travel to the US from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, seeking to conclude the negotiations while retaining Thailand’s positions on three issues the government considers non-negotiable. Continued … 

US transshipment crackdown puts eight Thai sectors on alert

Eight Thai industrial groups responsible for US$52.23 billion in exports to the United States in 2025 could face more intensive checks on product origin and manufacturing processes as Washington steps up enforcement against illegal transshipment.

Under assumptions that 10%–20% of exports in the identified sectors could be selected for stricter examination, the analysis estimated that goods worth US$5.2 billion to US$10.4 billion, or about 172.359 billion to 344.718 billion baht, could be exposed to additional scrutiny. Continued … 

White House Targets Thailand, 40+ Countries Over China Tariff Evasion Scam

The White House has accused more than 40 countries, including Thialnd, Canada, Mexico, Japan and EU member states, of helping China evade US tariffs by rerouting exports through lower-tariff jurisdictions — a practice it labels “The Great Transshipment Scam”.

The report estimates that such transshipment covers about $60 billion in trade, with other US and private analyses placing the range between $40-$303 billion. Continued … 

Thai property developers turn to foreign buyers for high rental yields

Thailand’s property market is increasingly looking to foreign buyers, as slowing economic growth, high household debt and tighter lending conditions put pressure on domestic purchasing power.

Developers and property agents are consequently seeking opportunities beyond the local market, with overseas buyers continuing to show strong demand for Thai property for residential use, investment and rental income. Continued … 

Thailand plans auto tax overhaul after Indonesia’s Toyota bid

Thailand plans to restructure automotive excise taxes by offering lower rates for vehicles produced domestically and charging more on fully built imports from companies without manufacturing investment in the country.

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas described the reform as urgent and instructed senior officials to complete the new structure by September. Continued … 

AOT studies fast-track services, return of arrival duty-free shops

Airports of Thailand (AOT) is studying whether to restore duty-free shopping for arriving passengers, alongside possible premium fast-track services at its six airports.

The review follows a 14.812 billion baht net profit for the first nine months of fiscal 2026, up 549.96 million baht, or 3.9%, from a year earlier. The period ran from October 2025 to June 2026. Continued … 

Chiang Mai Waterfall closed after tourists swept away

Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai has been closed after a sudden rush of forest runoff swept several tourists downstream on Saturday. All visitors were rescued, with one person taken to hospital after suffering dizziness.

The incident happened at about 3 pm at the waterfall in Mae Rim district, within Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Visitors had been swimming and enjoying the falls when the water level and current suddenly intensified. Most of those involved were foreign tourists, according to park officials. Continued … 

Family stranded at sea for 16 hours after jet ski capsized off Koh Samui

A French family was left stranded at sea for more than 16 hours overnight after their rented jet ski capsized off the coast of Koh Samui.

A 50-year-old father and his sons, five and seven, were left “pale” and “exhausted after swallowing a lot of seawater” before being rescued, local government official Amorn Chomchoey said. Continued … 

All on board safe after longtail boat capsizes off Krabi

Ten tourists, a guide and a boat skipper were all safely rescued after a longtail boat capsized off Laem Hang Nak in Krabi province on Saturday. Officials at Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park were alerted about the accident at about 11.15 am on Saturday.

Upon arrival, they found a longtail boat overturned in the water. Crew from the speedboat Sayang Tour managed to pull all 12 people from the water — 10 tourists, one guide and the skipper. Continued … 

Four Spanish tourists injured by falling tree at Ayutthaya temple

Four Spanish tourists were injured after a large tree suddenly snapped and fell on them at Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya province yesterday. The incident occurred inside the historic temple complex in Pratu Chai subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district.

The four injured tourists were one man and three women. Rescue workers and local volunteers rushed to the scene and provided first aid before transferring them to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital. Continued … 

British woman complains about hotel wedding disruption to her vacation

A British woman has described how a three-day wedding at a five-star hotel in Thailand disrupted what she had expected to be a peaceful break after a long flight.

Angela Epstein, from Manchester, said she and her husband arrived to blue skies, spacious rooms and sea views, but soon discovered that a large destination wedding was under way. The celebration included lawn games, an MC using a loudspeaker, and, later, drunk guests and a DJ set. Continued … 

Thai surgeon says doctor in the 60 Minutes exposé told him a different story

A prominent Thai plastic surgeon has publicly urged people not to take everything in the Australian 60 Minutes investigation into Thai cosmetic surgery at face value, saying he has been contacted by a surgeon connected to one of the featured cases who told him the reality was not as the program presented it.

Dr. Surawej Namhawm, a plastic surgeon, posted his response after the Aug. 9 broadcast of the program, in an episode titled “Destination Disaster”. Reporter Amelia Adams spent six months investigating one of Bangkok’s largest medical tourism operators, featuring Australian women who said their procedures left them disfigured, including misplaced nipples and severe scarring. Continued … 

How Health Riders in Thailand are Expanding Healthcare Access

Where one lives in Thailand strongly determines how easily one can see a doctor. The agricultural sector suffers the most, with farmers making up 45.5% of all poor households. This is largely because gross farm incomes fluctuate wildly with weather and market prices.

The way people spend their money also reveals deep inequality. The poorest 20% of households use half of their income just to buy food, while the richest 10% spend more on things like vehicles, electronics, travel and medical care. Continued … 

Meet the man fighting to Save Thailand’s dying dugongs

Theerasak “Pop” Saksritawee spends up to eight hours every day swimming, hiking and filming dugongs near Phuket. Now, he’s warning the animals may soon disappear from one of the few places outside Australia that they gather. Video … 

Bangkok’s floating markets: Where trade still floats

Long before they became one of Thailand’s most recognizable tourist attractions, floating markets were the lifeblood of riverside communities. Built around the country’s vast network of canals, they served as bustling trading hubs where merchants bought and sold everything from fresh produce to household goods, shaping daily life for generations.

Today, while their purpose has evolved, they continue to preserve a centuries-old way of life, while offering visitors a glimpse of Thailand’s rich trading heritage. Continued … 

Bangkok’s New Zoo Set for 2027 Opening

Bangkok’s long-awaited replacement for Dusit Zoo is 92.5% complete, with the first public access planned as a free opening in April 2027. The full 300-rai Biodiversity Park at Khlong 6 in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, is scheduled to fully open in early 2029.

The new site stands on former Rangsit wetland, about an hour north of central Bangkok, depending on traffic. It will be three times the size of the former Dusit Zoo, which closed in September 2018 after 80 years in operation. Continued … 

Australia sets November 2 start for major gun buyback

Australia’s New South Wales state will begin a major gun buyback on November 2, offering owners up to A$1,000, or about US$700, for each eligible rifle or handgun surrendered. The federal government passed legislation in January establishing a gun buyback, strengthening checks on firearm license applicants and introducing measures against hate-related conduct. Continued … 

Cafe clash highlights Israel’s religious differences

Alma Ronen has been fighting in the Israeli military nearly constantly for more than two years. Spending her Saturday not in uniform but in a T-shirt and jeans, she would like to enjoy a coffee outside – and resents that her more religious compatriots think otherwise. Continued … 

Trump says US scaling back military drills with South Korea

US President Donald Trump said he was “not happy” about US participation in joint military exercises with close ally South Korea and is scaling back the drills aimed at deterring rival North Korea that start today. 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