- Hua Hin waterfront demolition to begin/New road through Hua Hin/Hua Hin reviews wild elephant problems/All Thai provinces on five-day flood alert/Thailand to replace names and addresses on parcels/Nene Royal vows to give her all
- THE IRAN WAR: Thailand plans diesel subsidy cuts/New gas suppliers sought as prices spike
- ECONOMY: Thailand warned of fiscal collapse/Restaurants fear surge in costs/Thailand pushes US tariff deal/2,200 firms suspected of nominee land holding/Ministry to clamp down data center power requests/Gastech energy deals reach US$40 billion/New oil, gas onshore concessions/Thailand could tax EV imports 30%
- TOURISM: Tourism stimulus likely to be postponed/Thailand denies hotels exemption/Israel envoy urges tourists to respect Thai culture/Thailand Privilege Card strengthens checks/Chiang Mai police lieutenant caught extorting Chinese tourist
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: How to stay in Thailand longer/Solo traveler’s guide to Koh Lanta/Phu Kradueng hiking opens October 1
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin waterfront demolition to begin September 25
Demolition of waterfront buildings between Hua Hin’s fishing pier and Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine is scheduled to begin on Sept. 5. Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul said the municipality had appointed a contractor after owners failed to comply with a 30-day deadline to remove the buildings.
The mayor held a meeting to review preparations before joining officials at the fishing pier to post demolition notices outside affected properties. Officials also explained the legal position to building owners and sought their cooperation. Continued …
New road through Hua Hin under review
A major Hua Hin road project is intended to ease congestion by creating an alternative route along the eastern side of the railway, parallel to Phetkasem Road and behind Market Village and Bluport.
The road will be seven meters wide and carry traffic in both directions. Formal start and completion dates are expected to be announced soon. The project covers approximately eight kilometers across three sections. Continued …
Hua Hin reviews Kui Buri wild elephant problems
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.
At a meeting Tuesday, a committee reviewed reports on prevention work and the activities of operational teams in Hua Hin and Kui Buri. It also heard reports on elephants straying outside protected areas in Khao Chao subdistrict, Pranburi, and the impact on surrounding communities. Continued …
Heavy rain puts all Thai provinces on five-day flood alert
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.
All provinces should remain alert for flash floods, forest run-off, landslides and waterlogging. In Bangkok, particular attention is needed in urban areas prone to recurring flooding or where drainage cannot keep pace with rainfall. Continued …
Thailand to replace names and addresses on parcels with a digital delivery code
Thailand is piloting a system that replaces the name, address and phone number on a parcel with a six-digit code and QR code, in an attempt to stop personal data leaking to scam gangs.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Thailand Post and the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) agreed to push the scheme, called Digital Post ID or D/ID, at a meeting on 10 September chaired by digital minister Chaichanok Chidchob. Continued …
Nene Royal vows to give her all to win AGT final
Thai teenage rocker Nene Royal says she is 100% confident ahead of the America’s Got Talent (AGT) final, after stepping up her training to about four hours a day and setting her sights on winning the competition.
“I’m still practicing every day, from around 5 pm until 9.30 pm, to prepare myself as well as possible for this important round,” she said. The final will take place on Sept. 22 in the US. Continued …
Thailand plans diesel subsidy cuts as fund deficit could hit 100 billion baht in October
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.
Global crude prices remain above US$100 a barrel. Diesel prices last closed above US$195 a barrel and are expected to remain elevated toward the end of 2026. Continued …
New gas suppliers sought as prices spike
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.
To bolster energy security and stabilize power generation costs, the government is pursuing several strategic shifts, including the development of a new power development plan to increase renewable energy adoption. Efforts are also focused on promoting biofuels to lower emissions in the transport sector and exploring waste-to-energy technologies, such as pyrolysis, to transform plastic waste into fuel. – Bangkok Post
Thailand warned of fiscal collapse
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 expert highlights that the government currently lacks sufficient revenue to cover its growing expenses, forcing it to rely on annual borrowing. He suggests that reforms should focus on improving revenue collection efficiency, such as by reviewing unnecessary tax expenditures and broadening the tax base, to build long-term fiscal sustainability. – Bangkok Post
Restaurants fear surge in costs for new welfare fund
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.
Restaurant associations have expressed mixed reactions to the fund, with some members feeling overwhelmed by the additional expenses. Beyond the direct wage contributions, businesses may also face increased costs related to tax registration and value-added tax. For example, a restaurant with 70 employees could see monthly contributions of 12,000 baht, while an operator with a monthly salary of 210,000 baht would face an additional annual cost of 126,000 baht. – Bangkok Post
Thailand pushes US trade deal amid 12.5% tariff
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.
Thailand is seeking tariff conditions comparable with those granted to its regional neighbors, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expected to discuss the negotiations with US President Donald Trump by telephone today or tomorrow. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Washington had yet to select the date. Continued …
2,200 firms suspected of nominee land holding
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.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said after a meeting with the Justice and Commerce ministries that agencies were sharing information on nominees, foreign capital and scam operations. Continued …
Energy Ministry to clamp down on data center power requests
The Ministry of Energy is clamping down on inflated electricity capacity requests from data centers, from which it can be inferred that they have reached an unprecedented 35 gigawatts (GW), a figure nearly matching Thailand’s national peak electricity consumption of 40GW.
To prevent wasteful infrastructure spending, the ministry has started vetting applications to identify actual capacity needs. Consequently, Thailand’s draft Power Development Plan (PDP 2026) will cap baseline capacity for the data center sector at a conservative 8.8GW. Continued …
Gastech 2026 energy deals and investment plans reach US$40 billion
Gastech 2026 has seen energy agreements and investment plans with an estimated combined value of US$40 billion announced during its first three days, turning international energy discussions into commercial cooperation.
The announcements include memoranda of understanding (MOUs), sales contracts and investment plans. They reflect the event’s role as a forum for negotiations and partnerships across the energy value chain, supporting diverse energy needs, industrial expansion, and the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy. Continued …
Cabinet approves new oil, gas onshore concessions
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.
These concessions aim to bolster Thailand’s domestic energy supply as natural reserves decrease, specifically supporting critical facilities such as the Nam Phong power plant. The selection process for these concessions was conducted by the Department of Mineral Fuels (FMD) using a merit-based system to ensure energy security and reduce dependence on imports. – Bangkok Post
Thailand could tax EV imports around 30%, finance chief says
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.
The government is working with the auto industry to finalize the rate and expects to decide on it as soon as this month, Ekniti said Tuesday. Asked whether the tax could be around 31% to 32%, he said it “should be around” the 30% level. Continued …
Tourism stimulus likely to be postponed until April
The government’s planned “Thai Tiew Thai Plus” domestic tourism stimulus scheme is likely to be postponed until April next year, amid concerns that staging a promotion during the high season starting in October would have limited economic benefits.
The move followed discussions among cabinet members and representatives of relevant ministries. Most agreed on the need for tourism stimulus but expressed concerns over the program’s timing, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said. Continued …
Thailand denies hotels exemption from foreign business license
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.
The new rule removes licensing requirements for eight service businesses in three groups, but hotels, tour operators, restaurants, souvenir shops, sports services and language schools are not included, according to Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development. Continued …
Israel envoy urges tourists to respect Thai culture
Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, Alona Fisher-Kamm, has again urged Israeli visitors to respect Thai laws and culture after protests and a series of disputes involving tourists. Fisher-Kamm said both countries needed to ensure the Middle East conflict was not brought into Thailand. She nevertheless pushed back against describing recent protests as antisemitic.
“We have to work together to make sure that the conflict in the Middle East is not imported here to Thailand,” she said. “It’s still very hard for me to use the word antisemitic here in Thailand. It’s really, really far from their mentality, from their tolerance, from what they think.” Continued …
Thailand Privilege Card strengthens checks against foreign scammers
To deter scammers and support a policy aimed at building confidence and safety for foreign tourists and Thai citizens, the Thailand Privilege Card Co. has tightened background screening under the Thailand Privilege Card program, formerly known as the Elite Card, through a 4+1 agency mechanism.
This represents a significant tightening from two to three years ago, when checks involved only the Immigration Bureau and the Department of Consular Affairs, and closes more security loopholes. Continued …
Chiang Mai police lieutenant, 3 others caught extorting Chinese tourist
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.
San Kamphaeng Police Station officers arrested the lieutenant colonel, who served as an inspector with the Special Operations Subdivision of Provincial Police Region 5. Three others were arrested in connection with the case on the same day. Continued …
How to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days
If your 30 days in Thailand are nearly up and you are not ready to leave, the first option to check is usually a Thailand visa extension. For eligible travelers on the current 30-day visa exemption, Immigration can grant up to another 30 days, subject to approval, without requiring you to leave the country.
If you want to stay for several months or make Thailand a longer-term base, another extension may only postpone the real decision about the type of visa you want. Tourist visas, the Destination Thailand Visa, work and education visas, marriage and retirement routes, the LTR Visa and Thailand Privilege all serve different purposes. Continued …
A solo traveler’s guide to Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta truly is a magical place. It feels like stepping back in time, allowing you to experience the essence of what Thailand is all about. Located on the Andaman Sea, it’s a collection of rugged islands in the Krabi province. The biggest and most inhabited is Koh Lanta Yai, which is highlighted by nine golden sand beaches and lush, palm tree jungles.
There isn’t much infrastructure. Instead, motorbikes are the main mode of transportation for tourists, while gas is sold on the roadside in reusable 1L bottles. Ultimately, the biggest priority is finding a spot to relax, until you finish the day with a world-famous Thai sunset. Continued …
Phu Kradueng hiking and camping season opens October 1
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 park has set hiking hours and access arrangements for several attractions, with some routes requiring visitors to be accompanied by park staff. The permitted hiking hours are 6 am to noon for the ascent and 7 am to 1 pm for the descent. Continued …
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Chinese fugitive held over Samut Sakhon nominee firms – Continued …
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Patong stylist chases tourist who skipped 4,000 baht braiding bill – Continued …
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Chinese Interpol red notice suspect held in Pattaya – Continued …
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Vietnamese woman held over Suvarnabhumi baggage theft – Continued …
Fed raises US rates to tackle ‘too high’ inflation, irking Trump
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%. Continued …
Airbus sees Asia-Pacific driving 45% of global jet demand by 2045
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. 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
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