• Hua Hin tourism plans/Demolition begins on Hua Hin beach/Heavy rain warning for PKK/Thap Sakae severely flooded/Climate Crisis in Hua Hin Explored/Stricter safety checks for older drivers/How safe are senior motorists?/Lifetime Driving Licenses Valid/No reports of food stockpiling/Phuket’s Karon named ‘disaster area’/Gold prices in Thailand plunge
• ECONOMY: US midterm elections to impact Thai economy/Real estate drives green energy push
• TOURISM: Year-end tourism campaigns/Koh Kood calls for visitor limits/Refunds if hotels fail to make good/Thai taxi fare proposal/’Nightlife sandbox’ for Khao San
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Electricity reliability concerns/Striking an energy balance
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Hua Hin tourism plans revealed

Hua Hin is gearing up for four months of fun. A new campaign aims to make the seaside destination even more appealing to travelers. Video … 

 

Demolition begins on buildings encroaching on Hua Hin beach

Hua Hin Municipality has launched an operation to demolish 15 structures encroaching on the beach, from the fishing pier to the Thap Tim Shrine. A large number of officials and machinery have been deployed, aiming to return the public area to citizens in November. Video … 

Beachfront demolition video 

Heavy rain warning for PKK, Thai Gulf coast provinces

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts thundershowers across 60% of Bangkok and surrounding areas today, and isolated heavy rain on the south’s east coast. The forecast is valid from 6 am today until 6 am tomorrow.

Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani face isolated heavy rain, with thundershowers forecast across 60% of the south’s east coast. Minimum temperatures in the region will range from 23–24°C and maximums from 30–34°C. Continued … 

Thap Sakae severely flooded – Flash floods in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Residents in the Thap Sakae Market area of Thap Sakae district woke up to heavy rain yesterday that had been falling continuously since Oct. 28, causing floodwaters on the roads to be over 10 centimeters high (above ankles), making travel difficult. Some homeowners had to use sandbags to prevent the water from flowing into their houses.

Images show a mass of water flowing from the Tanaosri Mountains resembling a “muddy ocean” descending to the lower areas. This is at Tham Ta Muak, Ban Pa Ron, Ron Thong subdistrict, Bang Saphan District. In Prachuap Khiri Khan province, residents of Bang Saphan district are fearful of flooding after accumulated rainfall. Continued and video … 

Climate Crisis in Hua Hin and Thailand Explored in Documentary ‘Climate Empathy’

A documentary has been released chronicling the journey of young people and university students who helped restore mangrove forests in Thailand and met local children. It captures how the climate crisis affects not only the natural environment but also residents’ lives and children’s futures.

According to the T&C Foundation, its documentary “Climate Empathy” documents an overseas empathy tour in Hua Hin, involving 25 people, including the foundation’s high school scholarship recipients, known as Fellows, and its university scholarship recipients, known as Amis. Continued … 

Thailand considers stricter safety checks for older drivers

Thailand is considering additional measures to improve road safety among older motorists, including reviewing physical fitness requirements for new driving license applicants aged 55 and above. However, officials have stressed that existing lifetime driving licenses will not be revoked.

Siripong Angkasakulkiat, deputy transport minister, said one growing concern was the increasing proportion of road accidents involving older drivers. He cited incidents in which elderly motorists drove cars into U-turn areas designed for motorcycles and became stuck, as well as cases involving older people riding electric motorcycles, colloquially dubbed “inheritance accelerators”, on public roads. Continued … 

How safe are Thailand’s senior motorists?

Last week, a 67-year-old motorist drove her white sedan through the glass doors of a Big C outlet in Bangkok’s Onnut area after accidently pressing the accelerator instead of the brake. Six people were injured in the accident, including a six-year-old girl and an 81-year-old woman.

A few months earlier in Saraburi province, an 82-year-old lost control of his vehicle, causing it to swerve across several lanes before crashing into parked vehicles. Rescue workers found the driver unconscious at the scene. In other cases, death and injury was only averted by chance or the evasive maneuvers of other drivers on the road. Continued … 

Thailand Keeps Lifetime Driving Licenses Valid

Thailand’s Department of Land Transport has denied reports that it plans to cancel or recall lifetime driving licenses, saying existing holders can continue using them legally as normal.

Sorapong Paitoonpong, the department’s director-general, issued the clarification yesterday after claims circulated widely on social media that authorities were preparing to withdraw the licenses. Continued … 

No reports of food stockpiling in Thailand

There are no signs of mass stockpiling of consumer goods, says a member of the Thai Wholesale and Retail Trade Assn.

Many countries, including the US, the UK, Japan and several European nations, have issued guidance encouraging households to stockpile essential supplies in preparation for emergencies, according to international media reports. Continued … 

Phuket’s Karon named ‘disaster area’ after heavy downpours

Phuket has declared parts of Muang district a disaster-hit area after heavy rain and strong winds caused flooding and mudslides. Gov. Chotnarin Kerdsom said the declaration, issued on Thursday, covers communities in tambon Karon where public, private and state property was damaged.

The designation under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act 2007 allows government agencies, local authorities and private organizations to carry out urgent relief and recovery work. Continued … 

Gold prices in Thailand plunge 1,550 baht as AI stock rout hits

Gold prices in Thailand fell sharply by 1,550 baht at the opening of trading today, extending losses from the previous day as a sell-off in Wall Street technology stocks triggered a wider retreat in global precious metals markets.

The Gold Traders Assn. announced the first domestic price adjustment, bringing the selling price of 96.5% gold bullion down to 62,200 baht per baht-weight, compared with yesterday’s closing price of 63,750 baht. Continued … 

US midterm elections set to impact Thai economy

The US midterm elections are likely to influence the development of the Middle East war and impact Thai economic growth, says an academic. Assoc. Prof. Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, discussed the potential impact of the elections on Thailand’s economy.

He said a Republican loss of its House majority could make it harder to escalate military action against Iran and would increase the possibility of negotiations. Continued … 

Real estate recovery drives wider green energy push

Thailand’s real estate sector is beginning to show signs of recovery, following a 12% expansion in real estate lending during the first half of the year, says Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

Speaking at the opening of the 50th House and Condo Expo, Ekniti said on Thursday the real estate sector underpins Thailand’s economic growth and stability, as it is closely linked to a wide range of related industries such as construction, labor, building materials, financial institutions and lending services. Continued … 

Year-end tourism campaigns expected to generate 630 million baht

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects three flagship year-end campaigns to generate 630 million baht in domestic tourism revenue, contributing to a projected 206 million domestic trips worth 1.1 trillion baht for the year.

The agency has invested more than 100 million baht in the three projects to encourage Thais to travel during the year-end, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing, said. Continued … 

Koh Kood group calls for visitor limits

Koh Kood’s tourism association has urged the government and private-sector operators to manage visitor numbers, warning that rapid growth could overwhelm the Trat island during the high season.

Plubplueng Permsap, president of the Koh Kood Tourism Assn., said tourism has expanded markedly since the Covid-19 pandemic, driven particularly by Thai visitors and Europeans who tend to stay for longer periods. Continued … 

Thailand proposes refunds if hotels fail to make good on advertising

Room rates, booking conditions and advertising promises would become part of binding contracts with guests under a proposed Thai law aimed at strengthening protections for travelers.

The Thai government said the draft would allow guests to cancel bookings or end their stays if accommodation providers fail to deliver what they advertise. Continued … 

Thai taxi fare proposal links prices to vehicle size

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat discussed a proposal to set Thailand’s taxi fares according to four vehicle sizes during talks with three taxi associations yesterday. The approach is intended to align charges with operating costs.

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is examining small, medium, large and extra-large taxi categories, labeled S, M, L and XL, alongside two service types, “Universal” and “Luxury”, Siripong said. The proposed rates will go to the Transport Ministry for consideration before being submitted to the Cabinet. Continued … 

‘Nightlife sandbox’ to enforce laws on Khao San, Rambuttri

The government plans to introduce a sandbox scheme covering Khao San and Rambuttri roads in Bangkok to improve law enforcement at entertainment venues and prevent corruption among state officials.

PM’s Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantakul, who chaired a meeting on the scheme yesterday, said discussions focused on problems with the implementation of the existing zoning decree, issued in 2002, which no longer reflects current conditions. Continued … 

Net-zero drive causes electricity reliability concerns

Thailand’s ambitious drive toward a net-zero future and a major expansion of renewable energy capacity is prompting growing concerns among energy officials over the country’s ability to maintain a stable electricity supply.

Jakree Sirimaneewattana, assistant governor for corporate strategy at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), warned that rapid renewable energy expansion without corresponding infrastructure upgrades could pose risks to national power security. Continued … 

Clarifying plans to strike an energy balance

As Thailand accelerates its transition to a low-carbon economy, energy policymakers are revising the country’s oil strategy to balance decarbonization goals with energy security.

Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of the Department of Energy Business (DOEB), is outlining how the revised 2026 oil plan aims to expand biofuel use, modernize oil infrastructure and prepare the industry for declining fossil fuel demand. Continued … 

Thailand investigates 19 firms linked to Rabbi Kantor

Thai authorities are investigating 19 companies linked to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, head of the Chabad network in Thailand, following the revocation of his Thai citizenship. Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said yesterday that officials were also checking whether Kantor’s relatives who hold Thai nationality had committed offenses. Continued … 

• Krabi arrests 18 in Ao Nang nominee crackdown – Continued … 

• US fugitive, Mexican overstayer arrested in Pattaya – Continued … 

• Chinese woman held over Thai ID and Chumphon land – Continued … 

• Five foreigners held over overstays in Kamphaeng Phet – Continued … 

Thailand braces for US-Iran fallout

The National Security Council (NSC) will convene an urgent meeting on Wednesday to review national preparedness measures amid growing concerns over the situation in the Middle East. The meeting follows warnings by several countries urging their citizens to stockpile sufficient food and drinking water for at least 72 hours and to prepare for possible emergencies. Continued … 

Thailand ready to evacuate citizens if Mideast tensions escalate

Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to respond to developments in the Middle East, saying preparations are under way to evacuate Thai nationals if necessary, amid reports that the United States may launch another military operation against Iran. Continued … 

Brent ends October up 13.6% as Iran war risks unsettle markets

Brent and US crude futures gained more than 2% yesterday, reaching their highest settlements since the end of April, as traders worried that the Iran war could intensify after the US midterm elections. A tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz added to concerns about Middle East oil supplies. Brent’s October advance totaled 13.6%, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 15.2% over the month. Continued … 

Iran’s Navy says four tankers catch fire in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said yesterday that four oil tankers had caught fire and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz, while attempting to use what it described as ‌unauthorized routes, Iranian state media reported. The IRGC Navy said a fourth vessel, a tanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil, had hit a mine, suffered a powerful explosion and was burning. Continued … 

Vietnam’s growth reshapes Southeast Asia’s economic rankings

Vietnam is poised to overtake Indonesia in nominal gross domestic product (GDP) per capita this year, as rapid economic expansion, foreign investment and rising exports strengthen its position among Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts that Vietnam’s nominal GDP per capita will increase by 8.9% in 2026 to US$5,259, almost doubling its level over the past decade. Continued … 

Hackers allegedly from North Korea steal US$6.3 billion from Binance in world’s biggest crypto heist

Hackers stole US$6.3 billion from Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, in a record theft that analysts blamed on North Korea and said could be the largest financial heist of all time. Continued … 

Trump, Milei under pressure to explain Bolsonaro flight from Brazil

US President Donald Trump and Argentina’s Javier Milei faced mounting pressure yesterday to explain the role their countries played in helping Flavio Bolsonaro flee Brazil after he had his passports cancelled. The 45-year-old Brazilian senator bolted his country two days after being defeated by incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a presidential election on Sunday. Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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