- Nipah virus: Fatality rate 50%-70%/Thailand watches out for Nipah/Thai Embassy warns Thais in India/Highways Department Awaits Probe/Staff warning failure blamed for crane incident/Major Scam Hub at Border Crossing/Cambodia building ‘many bunkers’
- ECONOMY: 5 global megatrends shaping Thailand’s future/Thai trade deficit with China continues/Foreign demand for Thai condominiums
- TOURISM: Tourists Warned Against Smoking
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: An ode to free-loading ‘begpackers’
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Accelerates Net-Zero Target
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Nipah virus: Fatality rate 50%-70%, no cure, human-to-human transmission
The Nipah virus is a dangerous infectious disease with a 50%-70% fatality rate and no specific cure. It can be transmitted from animals to humans, with fruit bats being the primary carriers, and can also spread from person to person through close contact with the infected person’s bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, and feces.
The Nipah virus is classified as a dangerous communicable disease under the Ministry of Public Health’s regulations. The virus primarily spreads from animals to humans when people come into direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals, especially fruit bats. It can also spread when consuming contaminated food, such as fruit bitten by infected bats or contaminated beverages. Continued …
Thailand watches out for Nipah cases
Thailand has not recorded any Nipah virus infection case but is watching out for any possible infection in the wake of an outbreak in India, according to a warning from the Department of Disease Control late last night.
Dr. Montien Kanhaswad, director-general of the department, said that five cases of Nipah virus infection have been confirmed in India and three of them were detected early this week. Continued …
Thai Embassy warns Thais in India to follow health advice
The Thai Consulate General in Kolkata, India, has issued a warning about the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, which has led to five confirmed cases in Kolkata since Jan. 12. The outbreak has raised concerns, particularly for Thai pilgrims heading to Bodh Gaya and nearby areas in Bihar.
The consulate advised Thai citizens, especially those planning to visit these regions, to follow strict hygiene practices and keep up with news on the virus’s spread. They emphasized avoiding consumption of unclean food, raw fruits, and ensuring proper hygiene at all times. Continued …
Highways Department Awaits Probe Before Axing Italian-Thai Deal
The Department of Highways says it will wait for the outcome of a formal investigation into the collapse of a concrete beam and construction crane on Rama II Road before deciding whether to terminate its contract with Italian-Thai Development Plc, warning that the incident has already disrupted plans to open a major motorway project.
Director-General Piyapong Jiwattanakulphaisal said the accident has affected the timeline for opening Motorway No. 82, which had previously been expected to begin service in April 2026. He confirmed that the original schedule is now likely to be delayed and that no new official opening date can yet be set. Continued …
Staff warning failure blamed for deadly Korat crane incident
The deadly crane accident in Nakhon Ratchasima province last week was caused by on-site staff “failing to notify” that construction was underway, despite the contract requiring notice before trains pass, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said yesterday.
The Transport Ministry’s preliminary conclusion into the Jan. 14 accident found that site personnel failed to warn that construction was underway, despite requirements set out in the contractor’s agreement with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Continued …
Thai Forces Uncover Major Scam Hub at Border Crossing
Thai military and police discovered significant evidence of online scam operations at the Chong Chom–O Smach border crossing in Surin province.
The inspection was part of an operation carried out yesterday, uncovering rooms arranged to mimic police offices and foreign government agencies. Led by high-ranking officials from the Army Intelligence and the Technology Crime Suppression Division, the operation targeted areas linked to technology crimes. Continued …
Your Turnkey Energy Provider
As Hua Hin’s longest-running solar installer serving the expat community, we’ve built our reputation on something rare in Thailand: we’re still here, and so are our 2,000+ customers. We’re not just installing solar systems – we’re your long-term partner in achieving true energy self-sufficiency.
And now, we’ve been recognized by Asia Business Outlook as one of the Top 10 renewable energy companies in Southeast Asia.
Our fully employed local team (never subcontractors) designs every system bespoke to your home and lifestyle, sources premium components directly from trusted Thai suppliers for unbeatable value, then walks alongside you through every stage of your journey to energy independence. With comprehensive aftercare including maintenance contracts, responsive call-out service, and 24/7 support through our Line official store, we ensure your path to self-sufficiency is smooth from day one through year ten and beyond. We speak your language, understand expat needs, and provide the hands-on guidance that turns a solar installation into lasting energy freedom.
Choose Solar Solution Ltd:,your committed partner in the journey to self-sufficiency, for the long haul. Call Clark today at +66 80825 2413, or Clive at +66640528172.
Cambodia building ‘many bunkers along Sa Kaeo border’
A photo online shows Cambodians building a bunker along K5 road bordering Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, with his Khmer source saying over a hundred such structures had already been constructed there.
In the accompanying message, the Cambodian source commented: “Just a few days after the fighting stopped they’ve managed to build this many. It’s shocking. Cambodia is preparing, as I always say, don’t trust Cambodia and don’t believe they will stop.” Continued …
NESDC highlights 5 global megatrends shaping Thailand’s future
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), presented a speech Thursday at the Leadership Program on Trade and Development Strategy (LTD), organized by the International Trade and Development Institute (ITD). He discussed five global megatrends that will shape the future of Thailand’s economy in the new global order.
These trends include polarized economies and escalating trade wars. This trend has become part of the broader competition for economic dominance, with tariffs and trade barriers replacing the previous model of globalization. The impact on Thailand’s exports, especially in key industries like hard disk drives, automobile tires, and printed circuit boards, may be significant due to trade wars led by the United States. Continued …
Thai trade surplus with US, deficit with China continues, 2026 export risks
Over the past five years (2021-2025), Thailand has consistently enjoyed a trade surplus with the United States, while its trade deficit with China has increased every year. The United States has remained a key export market for Thailand, driving growth in products like computers and electronics. Meanwhile, China has been a major source of imports, particularly for capital goods and raw materials. Despite this, Thailand’s trade balance with China continues to show a deficit.
For 2026, the outlook for Thai exports is more uncertain, as risks are emerging from both tariff measures from the United States and increasing geopolitical tensions that may impact global trade. Continued …
Foreign demand for Thai condominiums steady despite economic uncertainty
Amid the fluctuations in the domestic economy, the purchasing power in the country remains fragile, particularly in the real estate market. Meanwhile, the foreign demand, which had been a key driver of the condominium market, has weakened due to economic factors, fluctuations in the Thai baht, stricter regulations in various countries, and a decline in tourism to Thailand, especially from China.
However, despite a decrease in condominium ownership transfers, the overall demand from foreign buyers in the Thai condominium market continues, although the reasons for this demand remain to be seen. Continued …
Tourists Warned Against Public Cannabis and Cigarette Smoking in Pai
Police in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, are cracking down on public smoking of cannabis and cigarettes, particularly on the bustling Pai walking street.
On Thursday, local authorities, in collaboration with public health and tourist police, reinforced a strict ban on such activities in public areas. During the enforcement operation, seven violations were identified, leading to legal action against one individual for smoking cannabis and six for smoking cigarettes. Continued …
We found this online:
An ode to free-loading ‘begpackers’
To the “Begpackers” of Bangkok: Your poverty cosplay is disgusting. Let’s get one thing straight.
Sitting on the sidewalk of Sukhumvit with a cardboard sign that says “Traveling around the world, please support my trip” doesn’t make you a free spirit. It makes you a parasite.
You come from countries with strong currencies, universal healthcare, and safety nets. You likely paid $800 for a plane ticket just to get here. You have an iPhone in your pocket and a passport that opens every door in the world.
Yet, you have the audacity to sit there and beg for money from Thai locals who work 12-hour shifts for 350 baht a day. To you, being broke is a fun little “adventure.” It’s a story for your blog. It’s an aesthetic choice. To the grandmother selling fruit next to you, poverty isn’t a “vibe.” It’s a harsh reality she fights every single day to survive.
You aren’t “hacking the system.” You are exploiting the kindness of people who have far less than you, just so you don’t have to dip into your savings account or, heaven forbid, actually work.
Pack up your ukulele and your entitlement. If you can’t afford to travel, call your parents or go home. – Thai Vibe
Thailand Accelerates Net-Zero Target to 2050 Amid Implementation Challenges
Thailand has sharply accelerated its climate ambitions, advancing its net-zero emissions target by 15 years to 2050 in an updated climate pledge released in November. The move signals Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy is positioning itself as a regional climate leader, but experts warn that political turbulence and entrenched fossil fuel interests could complicate execution.
The revised nationally determined contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations marks a significant policy shift for Thailand, which previously aimed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2065. The accelerated timeline reflects growing international pressure on emerging economies to align their decarbonization pathways with the Paris Agreement’s temperature goals. Continued …
- German Woman and Austrian Man Arrested Over Phuket Spa Theft – Continued …
- Briton, five Thai women arrested for investment scam – Continued …
Oil Prices Surge Nearly 3% After US Sends Naval Fleet to Iran
Oil prices surged nearly 3% yesterday following the US decision to send a naval fleet to the Middle East and announce new sanctions on Iranian oil. The price hike was driven by increased geopolitical tensions after US President Donald Trump imposed new sanctions targeting Iranian oil transport vessels and announced the deployment of US warships, including an aircraft carrier and missile destroyers, heading toward the Middle East. Continued …
Silver hits $100, gold nears $5,000 amid geopolitical turmoil
Reuters reported yesterday that silver prices soared above $100 per ounce for the first time, while gold reached a new high near $5,000 per ounce. Investors have turned to precious metals as safe-haven assets amid ongoing geopolitical unrest and expectations that the US will cut interest rates. Continued …
Anger in UK after Trump insults NATO troops
US President Donald Trump’s comments that NATO troops stayed off the front line in Afghanistan were “deeply disappointing”, a British minister said yesterday, noting that many European soldiers had died supporting American-led operations. Criticising NATO in an interview on Thursday, Trump said the United States had “never needed” the alliance and that its allies stayed “a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan. Continued …
Is demographic decline reversible?
China has just announced that births in 2025 plunged to 7.92 million, from 9.54 million the previous year, and almost half of what was projected (14.33 million) when the one-child policy was repealed in 2016. In fact, China’s births have fallen to a level comparable to that of 1738, when the country’s total population was only about 150 million. Continued …
Hua Hin Links
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 recent seminar in Hua Hin has highlighted growing legal risks for foreign residents who bought property through Thai-registered companies using nominee shareholders, as Thailand intensifies a nationwide crackdown on structures used to bypass land and business ownership laws.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), has outlined Thailand’s economic direction, as the agency drafts the 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan, which is scheduled to take effect from 2028 to 2032.
As the US Supreme Court holds off on a ruling on the Trump tariffs, the world waits and analysts anticipate trade with the US will continue despite some importers being skittish about placing large orders.
Academics and activists said over 40 million workers in Thailand remain stuck in low-paid, unsafe jobs with inadequate healthcare and social protection, urging parties to draft policies that ensure labor protection and fair employment.
In the 21st century, global power is no longer measured primarily by troop numbers or nuclear warheads. Instead, it is increasingly defined by control over scarcity energy, critical minerals, and the semiconductor supply chains that underpin modern economies.
Phuket International Airport recorded a significant boost in flight movements and passenger numbers in 2025, signaling a robust recovery in aviation and tourism. According to Monchai Tanod, the airport director, last year’s performance outshone 2024 and edged closer to the peak year of 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The decision by the administration of US President Donald Trump to suspend or significantly tighten US immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, including Thailand, has triggered widespread concern across the global travel, tourism, and meetings industries.
The tiny shopfront of Gu Long Bao in Bangkok’s Chinatown has seen a lot of history unfold over its century of operation, from the creation of Thailand as a nation to its rise as a cultural and tourism hotspot. The shop has a fan following for its pillowy buns, with fillings such as barbecued pork and black sesame.
Sugarcane farmers are using bundled incense sticks as slow starters to illegally burn off cane trash in their fields when they are not there, in a ploy to deny accountability for the resulting increase in air pollution.
Chinese electric vehicle maker Changan Automobile is gearing up to launch the second phase of its battery electric vehicle (BEV) production in Thailand in the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing its ambitions in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing EV markets.
The collective wealth of the planet’s billionaires soared to a record level in 2025, charity Oxfam reported today, warning of “highly dangerous” political consequences as the global elite gathers for the World Economic Forum. 
The idea of what a “home” should be is quietly but powerfully changing. Homes are no longer just places to rest, entertain guests, or escape the heat. They are becoming active partners in how people live, move, breathe, and age well.
Thailand’s best beach towns for long-term living
Italian-Thai Development Public Co. secured seven government construction projects worth a combined 26 billion baht following the collapse of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) building, according to procurement records on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
This year’s rainy season is expected to arrive earlier and bring heavier rainfall than usual, Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno has warned, urging agencies to step up preparedness for major flooding.
Toxic haze continued to blanket Bangkok and large parts of the country, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding safe limits in 45 provinces nationwide, authorities said, warning that unhealthy air conditions could persist until Jan. 23.
One police officer has been dismissed and four others face criminal and disciplinary action for their alleged involvement in corruption linked to the unlawful release of Chinese detainees, the Royal Thai Police said yesterday.
Excessive workloads, long teaching hours, and a worsening work-life balance are raising concerns about teachers’ wellbeing and the quality of education, especially at Thailand’s small schools, a new study finds.
Recently, market analysts pointed out that as Thailand’s economic growth forecast is revised down from 2.2% in 2025 to 1.5% in 2026, the petrochemical and plastics industry, which accounts for about 20% of the country’s GDP, is facing severe challenges. The core difficulties in the industry’s development currently stem from the dual pressures of currency appreciation and trade barriers.
Chonburi’s tourism sector faces mounting challenges in 2026, with a strengthening baht weighing on long-haul markets and Asian arrivals remaining weak, according to Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Chonburi Tourism Federation Assn. (ACTF).
Solar energy has emerged as a central pillar of the European Union’s clean energy transition, with new data highlighting rapid capacity growth, rising consumer adoption, and increasing economic benefits across the bloc. In a historic milestone, solar energy became the EU’s largest source of electricity generation for the first time in June 2025. 
Multiple earthquakes strike Thailand and Myanmar
Thailand to negotiate US trade policies, avoid pork imports
6 cities in Thailand you can live well for under $1,000 monthly as a digital nomad
Free fertilizers for farmers proposed
