- Feedback Re: Nene Royal/Chinese influencers to experience Hua Hin/Thailand flood news/Nene Royal’s AGT win drives 105 million social engagements/Lisa accepts MTV Pop award
- ECONOMY: Thailand’s high-income action plan/$80-billion Semiconductor Strategy
- TOURISM: Thailand toughens stance on badly behaved visitors /Thailand’s Soft Power Is Its Hospitality Edge/Floods threaten China Golden Week/Thai Airways Cancels Flights/Suvarnabhumi handled 59.6 million passengers/Suvarnabhumi to add 122 automated passenger gates/Thailand’s souring welcome for Israeli tourists
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 5 Thai Cities, 5 Iconic Street Food Dishes/5 Days In Bangkok
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Re: Nene Royal
“It’s great that Nene played “Som San” by Loso when she returned to Phuket. It’s a good opportunity to promote Thai music, alongside the standard classics she usually plays.” – alwaysstarlight
Chinese influencers to experience Hua Hin culture, wellness
As part of the Nihao Month 2026 campaign, Amazing Thailand Mid-Autumn Celebration 2026 is being organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Bangkok. This festival will help Thailand and China strengthen their ties in culture, wellness and experiential travels. A total of 31 Chinese travel bloggers will take part in the program, themed “Healing is the New Luxury”, and visit various places in Thailand.
The Amber Gastronomy segment of the program focuses on Thailand’s culinary traditions and coastal lifestyle by connecting Phetchaburi and Hua Hin through food, culture and wellness experiences. In Hua Hin, travelers will explore creative markets, enjoy local rail experiences, participate in wellness and spa activities, experience seaside dining and visit a safari attraction. Continued …
Thai health ministry reports 19 flood deaths, 49 health facilities affected
The Ministry of Public Health reported 19 flood-related deaths and 23 affected provinces, with drowning and electrocution accounting for most fatalities. Flooding had also affected 49 health facilities, including 22 that had closed completely.
Dr. Somruek Chungsaman, permanent secretary for public health, said 24 of the affected facilities continued operating normally, while three had partially suspended services. Continued …
Bangkok floods ease but losses put at 12.3 billion baht
Floodwaters were still affecting several Bangkok communities yesterday despite reduced rainfall, as officials continued drainage work and moved some residents to temporary shelters.
At least eight people have reportedly died in flooding nationwide over the past 10 days. The government has allocated about 2 billion baht from central funds for nationwide flood relief covering flooding. Continued …
700,000 suffering under Bangkok floods
Severe flooding in Bangkok was affecting about 329,000 families, about 700,000 people, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said yesterday. Deputy city Gov. Tavida Kamolvej said the hardest hit part of the capital was Lat Krabang district with 30,000-40,000 flood victims.
Aerial view of Bangkok flooding
In Bang Kapi district, there were about 20,000 affected people. There were another 30,000-40,000 victims in Khannayao district and about 10,000 in communities near canals in Laksi, Saphan Sung and Suan Luang districts. Continued …
Floods hit car factories in key provinces
Automotive and auto parts manufacturing facilities in Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong are undergoing inspections following flooding in those provinces. These inspections are being conducted as the industry manages the impacts of heavy rainfall on production sites and logistics operations.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is closely monitoring the situation, particularly in the eastern region, to manage risks such as industrial waste, chemical protection, and worker safety. While some facilities have reported flooding inside their premises, initial assessments suggest that operations remain manageable. Manufacturers in the affected areas are also adjusting their business continuity plans to prepare for potential run-off from the north. – Bangkok Post AI
Tourism trade seeks to restore confidence
To restore traveler confidence amid ongoing flooding, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working to improve communication regarding the safety of specific areas and the overall situation. The agency is also focusing on countering negative international media coverage that has highlighted flooding in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.
TAT is working to address the perception that the entire country is flooded by clearly communicating which areas remain safe for visiting and staying. Furthermore, the agency is looking to mitigate the impact on Chinese arrivals, who could see a 20% decrease during the Golden Week holiday if flooding persists. To support travelers during this period, the TAT has proposed issuing travel advisories and banners in both Thai and English to provide updates on rainfall, flooding, and traffic conditions. Additionally, the TAT hotline 1672 is being utilized as a primary channel for providing essential information to those affected. – Bangkok Post AI
Thai Airways clears delayed baggage after floods disrupt ground services
Thai Airways International said it expected to begin delivering passengers’ delayed baggage by yesterday afternoon, after heavy rain and flooding disrupted ground operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The airline said the weather conditions had affected baggage sorting and delivery processes, causing delays over the previous two days. Thai Airways has deployed additional personnel during that period to increase handling capacity and accelerate efforts to clear the backlog. Continued …
Floods disrupt deliveries, operators warn of delays
Flooding has disrupted logistics operations by making roads impassable and forcing companies to adjust delivery routes and service timing. Major parcel operators have warned of delays because local road accessibility and water levels directly dictate when and how safely deliveries can be made.
The disruption extends to various sectors, with manufacturers adjusting business continuity plans to protect staff and secure supply chains against ongoing inundations. In some regions, flooding has even cut off normal food and supply deliveries to essential facilities like hospitals. Additionally, the shortage of ground staff due to flooding has caused significant backlogs in airport luggage handling, leading to hours-long delays for passengers. – Bangkok Post AI
Flood videos
Nene Royal’s AGT win drives 105 million social engagements in Thailand
Thai teenager Nene Royal’s victory on America’s Got Talent (AGT) 2026 generated more than 105 million social media engagements in Thailand, with positive sentiment growing as she progressed from a relatively unknown Phuket street performer to an international talent-show winner.
Nene Royal, the stage name of 16-year-old Praew Rattikan Amlouy, became the first Thai contestant to win the NBC talent show, triggering a surge of online attention and national pride. Continued …
Nene Royal Phuket homecoming – Video …
Lisa accepts MTV Pop award – Video …
Thailand unveils high-income action plan
In a bid to reach high-income nation status by 2037, Thailand has forged an ambitious action plan between economic policymakers, state agencies and industry leaders to channel capital into high-capability manufacturing, digital ecosystems, and green infrastructure.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Bangkok Business Summit 2026, key economic architects outlined a coordinated roadmap to overhaul productivity and shift the country’s growth focus from low-cost assembly to an investment-led, high-capability economy. Continued …
Thailand Unveils $80-billion Semiconductor Strategy
Thailand has approved its first national strategy for the semiconductor and advanced electronics industry, targeting about $80 billion in cumulative investment and $150 billion in annual industry revenue by 2050. The long-term “Made in Thailand” initiative also aims to create more than 230,000 jobs.
The strategy seeks to build an integrated domestic semiconductor ecosystem covering chip research and design, front-end manufacturing, assembly, packaging and testing, and high-value electronics applications. Continued …
Thailand toughens stance on badly behaved visitors
Thailand is reassessing how it welcomes overseas visitors, with public anger over misconduct, illegal businesses and perceived disrespect contributing to tougher official language and visa changes.
The shift comes despite tourism remaining vital to the economy, accounting for roughly one-fifth of activity across destinations from Phuket and Koh Samui to Pattaya’s jet-ski operators and massage parlors. For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the message from ministers and many Thai businesses is increasingly clear: follow the law, respect local culture and avoid behavior that can rapidly become a viral flashpoint. Continued …
Banyan Founder: Thailand’s Soft Power Is Its Hospitality Edge
Thailand should lean into its unique cultural identity and pair its long tradition of wellness with its strong medical sector to secure a distinctive place on the world stage, according to Ho Kwon Ping, founder and executive chairman of Banyan Group.
Speaking during the second day of the 17th FutureChina Global Forum at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on Friday, Ho — whose Banyan Tree brand pioneered the tropical spa concept more than three decades ago — said Thailand’s private hospitals, doctors and traditional medicine practices give it a natural advantage in medical and wellness tourism. Continued …
Bangkok floods threaten China Golden Week arrivals
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has warned that recent flooding in Bangkok could affect Chinese visitor numbers during Golden Week 2026, with its Chengdu office estimating a possible decline of 5%-10% from its original target in the most likely scenario.
Images of submerged roads and flooded vehicles were widely reported by international media, including CNBC, Reuters, AFP, AP, Sky News and Al Jazeera, and spread quickly across Chinese digital platforms such as WeChat, Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Toutiao and Baidu News. Continued …
Thai Airways Cancels Flights as Stranded Passengers Await Answers
Thai Airways International (THAI) announced select flight cancellations this morning following a night of operational turmoil at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where severe ground-handling failures left thousands of passengers stranded for hours without their luggage or official communication.
In an official statement, the flag carrier confirmed the cancellation of several domestic and international round-trip services. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi handled 59.6 million passengers from Oct 2025–Aug 2026
Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport handled 59,626,075 passengers from October 2025 to August 2026, up 2.43% from the same period a year earlier, according to airport director Kittipong Kittikachorn. The airport is upgrading passport checks and passenger facilities to accommodate growing traffic.
Kittipong said Suvarnabhumi, operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), would continue improving service quality and deploying modern technology to strengthen operational efficiency. Marking the airport’s 20th anniversary on Sept. 28, he outlined its ambition to support aviation industry growth and become a global aviation hub. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi to add 122 automated passenger gates
Suvarnabhumi Airport plans to install 122 additional automated gates for arriving and departing passengers, taking its total to 228 from the current 106.
Airport Director Kittipong Kittikachorn said the extra gates are intended to cut waiting times and improve efficiency at Thailand’s main international gateway, which is handling increasing numbers of flights and passengers. Continued …
Viral videos and ‘No Israelis’ signs: Thailand’s souring welcome for Israeli tourists
Even on a slow news day, a recent incident in Thailand hardly merited mention, let alone sustained media coverage. But because Israelis were involved, it became headline news for days. Anything negative about Israelis now does so, going instantly viral in the Buddhist nation with no history of antisemitism.
In this case, a young Israeli couple walked into a small phone shop in Phuket, a southern Thai island with a large Muslim population. On the way out the woman noticed a Free Palestine flag and confronted the visibly Muslim owner about it. In a widely shared video clip from a CCTV camera, she cusses at Palestine as he harrumphs back at her. After they leave, they shout insults from the door. Continued …
5 Thai Cities, 5 Iconic Street Food Dishes Worth Traveling For
Thailand’s best street food is not confined to any one city. It can be found across the country, from Ayutthaya’s richly flavored noodles and Khon Kaen’s fiery lab to Chiang Mai’s aromatic khao soi and a standout plate of phad thai in the heart of Bangkok.
Each dish tells a story that goes beyond flavor, reflecting local ingredients, culinary know-how, culture and distinct regional ways of eating. Together, they offer a delicious reason to travel and taste each specialty where it belongs. Continued …
5 Days In Bangkok: Cafes Hopping, Vintage Shops, Temples and Street Food
This week, we’re spending a few days exploring Bangkok, cafe-hopping, wandering through vintage and ceramic shops, visiting beautiful temples, and trying all the amazing Thai food.
From quiet neighborhood walks and hidden cafes to iconic temples like Wat Pho and the Dragon Temple, this trip was the perfect mix of exploring the city and traditional areas. Of course, there were plenty of coffee stops, massages, and mango sticky rice along the way. Video …
India, Nepal floods kill at least 83 as heavy rain damages homes
Heavy flooding after three days of rain in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state has killed at least 62 people, officials said yesterday. In neighboring Nepal, the National Disaster Management Authority said 21 people died in weather-related incidents. Five people remained missing. Continued …
Central Tokyo records 34 consecutive days of rain, longest on record
Central Tokyo today registered 34 consecutive days of rain, marking the longest streak on record, according to the weather agency. The area has seen precipitation since Aug. 27, with typhoons approaching. The previous record was 33 consecutive days from June 27 to July 29 in 2019. Continued …
Indonesia eyes China for massive 2,772-kilometer railway project
Indonesia is considering Chinese investment to help build a massive 2,772 kilometer railway network through the vast, resource-rich region of Kalimantan, following the completion of Southeast Asia’s first high-speed line between Jakarta and Bandung, state media and analysts said. 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
Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan have reviewed efforts to address wild elephant problems in Hua Hin and Kui Buri, including assistance and compensation for affected residents.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned all provinces nationwide, including Bangkok, to prepare for very heavy rain during Sept. 16-20, with risks of flash floods, forest run-off, landslides, waterlogging and rough seas.
Nene Royal vows to give her all to win AGT final
Energy concerns have resurfaced in Thailand as the Middle East war becomes more complex. Traders are assessing regional supply risks, particularly the shutdown of a major Saudi Arabian oil pipeline following an attack, while shipping conditions through the Strait of Hormuz have failed to improve.
Thailand is accelerating its energy diversification to mitigate risks from extreme global market volatility and geopolitical instability. Specifically, the country is seeking to reduce its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports following surges in crude oil prices and significant spikes in liquefied natural gas costs driven by ongoing regional conflicts.
Professor Watcharapong Kasaree, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, warns that Thailand’s fiscal system could face a severe crisis within a decade if urgent reforms are not undertaken. He expresses concern that the current trajectory of increasing public debt, which could reach 80%-90% of GDP within 5-10 years if revenue is not significantly increased, could lead to a loss of economic stability.
The new Employee Welfare Fund is expected to increase operating costs for restaurants due to mandatory monthly contributions from both employers and employees. These contributions are set at a rate of 5% of employee wages, beginning on Oct. 1.
Thailand is accelerating talks on a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States amid concerns that a separate US investigation into excess production capacity could lead to higher tariffs on Thai exports. Department of Trade Negotiations Director-general Chotima Iemsawasdikul said there was still no firm timetable for concluding the deal.
Thai authorities have identified about 2,200 companies suspected of illegally holding land through foreign-majority ownership as part of a crackdown on nominee businesses.
The cabinet has granted oil and gas exploration concessions to two companies following the Round 25 onshore petroleum auction. The winning companies are PETTP International and Pan Orion Energy (Siam) Co., which were awarded concessions for areas in the central and northeastern regions.
Thailand could impose an excise tax of around 30% on fully imported electric vehicles, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, revealing for the first time the potential rate of a levy designed to steer automakers toward local production.
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that foreigners can now operate hotels, restaurants or tour businesses without a license under a new Foreign Business Act regulation.
A police lieutenant colonel and three other men were arrested Tuesday after they allegedly extorted 200,000 baht from a Chinese national in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai province.
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has announced that its 2026-27 season for mountaintop visits and overnight stays will run from Oct. 1 to May 31, 2027.
The US Federal Reserve yesterday raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, defying President Donald Trump’s demand for cuts, as central bank chief Kevin Warsh stressed the need to combat inflation that has been “too high” for “too long.” The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise rates by 25 basis points to between 3.75% and 4.00%. 
Asia-Pacific will account for 45% of global demand for new passenger aircraft between 2026 and 2045, requiring 19,120 aircraft as passenger traffic grows faster than the worldwide average, Airbus forecasts. Airbus’s Global Market Forecast (GMF) for 2026–2045 puts worldwide demand at 42,060 new aircraft. 
Growing Nan landslide threatens village school
Rescuers save wild elephant trapped in abandoned septic tank in Rayong
The past two weeks saw two anti-Israel protests in Bangkok outside the embassy itself. This is a convergence of a few factors. It is alarming enough that concerned Thais should try to understand it and take an active role in navigating Thai society wisely.
Iran, Houthis block 2 key global shipping routes, straining the global economy
High oil prices and US diesel prices at record levels kept inflation fears at the fore yesterday, ratcheting up expectations that more central banks will have to hike interest rates despite the risk of weighing on economic growth.
Food prices in Thailand push 32.8% of poll respondents to eat less
Thailand’s housing market is entering only a limited recovery as fragile purchasing power, high living costs, elevated property prices and strict lending standards continue to weigh on consumers, according to the SCB EIC Real Estate Survey 2026.
The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of Government Housing Bank reported that foreign buyers took ownership of 3,292 condominium units in Thailand in the second quarter of 2026, up 1.4% from a year earlier. The value of those transfers increased 20.2% to 14.803 billion baht.
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has selected 17 additional projects from 15 companies for the Thailand FastPass mechanism, representing planned investment of more than 121 billion baht and employment for over 14,000 Thai workers.
Concerns over foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses and hold property in Pattaya have prompted Chonburi officials to promise tougher enforcement against unlawful investors of any nationality.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the Chinese travel market was showing clearer signs of improvement ahead of China’s National Day holiday, or Golden Week, in 2026. TAT is focusing on the period from Sept. 25 to Oct. 7, covering both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday over a total of 13 days.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched “Amazing Locations: From Scene to Scenic,” a campaign built to convert the country’s rising profile as a filming destination into lasting tourism, as productions ranging from “The White Lotus” to “The Challenge” Season 42 continue to draw international attention to Thai locations.
Americans commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 yesterday, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity. Friday’s milestone anniversary brought memorial rituals — wreath-laying, flag-flying, moments of silence, vigils and readings of victims’ names — and volunteer projects in tribute to a day that about half of U.S. adults remember as the most historic event of their lifetime. 
Covid-19 cases are increasing in Thailand, with the total number of patients from Jan. 1 up to yesterday reaching 94,402, with 14 deaths, but it is the NB.1.8.1 variant that does not cause severe illness that is dominant, accounting for over 50.9% of cases.
The government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is moving ahead with a broad overhaul of Thailand’s bureaucracy, including organizational structures, staffing and regulations that have become obstacles for individuals and businesses dealing with state agencies.
Thailand is seeking a larger share of the global wellness economy, which is forecast to grow from US$6.8 trillion in 2024 to US$9.75 trillion by 2029, as consumers increasingly prioritize preventive physical and mental healthcare. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) expects the 11-sector market to expand by nearly US$3 trillion over five years, with average annual growth of 7.6%.
From canals to city streets: The story of Thai boat noodles
Bangkok has been named the world’s best city for nightlife in 2026 by Time Out, climbing from 13th place last year to beat Berlin, New York City, Melbourne and Sao Paulo.
State energy agencies and policy experts have outlined a series of systemic reforms to modernize Thailand’s national power grid, refine the upcoming Power Development Plan (PDP 2026), and transition away from legacy utility structures.
US President Donald Trump said yesterday his administration has reached a huge oil deal with Venezuela that gives the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of proven petroleum reserves. 
Haakon, who comes to the throne as two major scandals batter his family, struggled for years to accept his status. “Yes, I was a royal, but I did not want to talk about it … At school it made me anxious,” he wrote in his 2023 autobiography “Haakon”, recalling his days in a state primary in the 1980s. 
Thai teenage singer and guitarist Nene Royal has advanced directly to the final of America’s Got Talent Season 21 after judge Mel B awarded her the Live Golden Buzzer during the program’s second live quarter-final.
A widening US campaign to isolate Iran economically could expose Thailand to higher energy costs and unstable capital flows, while Washington’s scrutiny of Beijing may create a difficult foreign-policy choice for Bangkok, a CIMB Thai Bank economist has warned.
The Labor Ministry will propose an expansion of social security coverage under Section 33 to include agricultural workers, street vendors and domestic workers. Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat said before going into yesterday’s cabinet meeting he would submit two proposals for approval.
Car production in Thailand rose 6.1% in July from a year earlier to 117,383 units, the Federation of Thai Industries said yesterday. The reading follows a year-on-year fall of 7.5% in June. The FTI has previously forecast a 3.33% drop in car production for the whole of 2026.
Thailand generated 984.32 billion baht in tourism revenue from 20.32 million foreign arrivals between Jan. 1 1 and Aug.22, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said. However, the visitor total was 2.96% lower than during the corresponding period last year, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul.
Ezy Airlines has suspended a plan to fly in northern Thailand, reportedly due to high parking fees at Chiang Mai airport, prompting the governor of Mae Hong Son to seek a review of the fees to support tourism.
For generations, summer in Europe has been languid and dreamy, bringing fine weather and lengthy days on sunny beaches and terraces. But in 2026, the brutal reality of climate change forced its way into daily life. “I felt a sense of the apocalypse this summer,” said Cyril Chedeville, a 59-year-old from Bordeaux in southwestern France. He was not alone. 
A can of Fanta sold in London has 63 calories. Buy the same brand in India, and it contains three times as much sugar. It also includes artificial dye, whose presence in food products in Europe requires a prominent health warning. Reuters India Co. News Editor Aditya Kalra explains why Big Food in India has resisted efforts to mandate nutritional warnings on the front of packaged products. 
Canadians yesterday said U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” is “unnecessary” and “just a matter of attention”. 
Brit visiting Hua Hin learns Thai ‘escorts’ can play pool
Call for speedy passage of clean air bill
Immigration Denies Reports of Korean Kidnappings
Phuket recognized as one of the world’s top 25 destinations for 2026
Tourist-friendly Guide On How To Behave As Thailand Mourns Her Majesty Queen Sirikit
Sweden’s Electrolux highlights sustainability goals in Thailand
Customer orders food via delivery app, later realizes restaurant is opposite house
Border closure impacts Thai-Cambodian tourism; hotel occupancy drops
EU to blacklist 25 more Chinese entities for flouting Russia sanctions