- 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
PropertyGuru Group has announced the shortlisted nominees for the 21st PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, identifying the kingdom’s leading real estate companies ahead of the black-tie gala celebration at Dusit Thani Bangkok on Sept. 18. The shortlist represents a broad cross-section of Thailand’s property sector, with recognition extending from Bangkok to Phuket, the Eastern Seaboard, Hua Hin, and southern Thailand.
Krabi bridge to Koh Lanta set for 2029 opening
First phase of Thai-Cambodian border fence finished, Navy to start second
At an impromptu press conference last week, US President Donald Trump waxed lyrical about his helipad, his ballroom and his granite paving stones. The one thing he barely mentioned? The Iran war.
Southeast Asia’s budget airlines are hoping the worst of the fuel-price shock triggered by the Middle East conflict has passed, but pressure on margins and household finances threatens to prolong the sector’s difficult recovery.
Northern Thailand could become a crucial pillar of global food security, as severe climate shocks, unpredictable weather and shifting trade patterns place unprecedented pressure on agricultural supplies worldwide.
Ryan Blackley, 35, and his wife Jess, 34, left the UK for Chiang Mai with their sons Noah, six, and Bodhi, four, in February. The family now holds five-year Destination Thailand Visas and is using Thailand as a base for a longer period of travel across Asia.
A confidential US diplomatic memo, circulated to a handful of countries in late July, formally committed the United States to blocking binding limits on plastic production and chemical additives at United Nations treaty negotiations — a position that peer-reviewed lifecycle modeling published in January shows is the single most important intervention for reducing a global disease burden currently costing more than $1.5 trillion a year.
OR has cut retail prices for selected premium fuels by B1.20-4.20 per liter, with the new prices taking effect from 5 am today.
According to Bain & Company’s fourth biennial Front Line of Healthcare report, drawing on surveys of 600 doctors and 6,300 consumers across nine markets, the region’s healthcare systems are caught in a compounding crisis of their own making: demand is surging, supply is crumbling, and the people meant to hold it all together are walking out the door. This is not a cyclical blip. It is a structural reckoning, and the window for decisive action is narrowing.
Bangkok commuters may finally be getting closer to something they have wanted for years: multiple trains, one ticket, and cheaper transportaion. Thailand’s Cabinet yesterday approved a cost-of-living measure to introduce a common fare system across urban rail transit lines, allowing passengers to travel for between 17 and 45 baht under a single-ticket scheme.
Crayfish on the loose in Phayao Lake
An average of 76% of adults surveyed in 35 countries, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, have no confidence in US President Donald Trump’s leadership of global affairs, with ratings for the United States negative in many places in Europe and Asia, an established research institute said yesterday.
The Thai economy is facing an uphill battle against a trio of deep-seated structural vulnerabilities, even as major economic research centers nudge short-term growth forecasts upward. In its latest economic outlook, the Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (SCB EIC) upgraded Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for this year to 2% from a previous estimate of 1.7%.
The cabinet has approved the expansion of the list of price-controled goods and services to 66. The list now includes 61 essential goods and five services, for which providers must seek prior approval for price changes.
The SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), a research center under Siam Commercial Bank, expects energy costs will continue to propel inflation in the second half of the year, even as the Middle East war shows signs of de-escalation.
Thai Generation Z and millennials are experiencing greater concern about their financial future than their peers in many other countries, with housing affordability a particularly acute pressure point, a survey by Deloitte has found.
Chinese investors are becoming a more powerful force in Thailand’s industrial-property market, with growing demand for factory land in the Eastern Economic Corridor pushing Chonburi and Rayong further into the spotlight.
Why travelers are saying “Thank you, Thailand” before they fly home
In the old language of travel, the final souvenir was something tucked into a suitcase: silk, spices, ceramics, perhaps a fridge magnet from Bangkok or Phuket. In 2026, Thailand’s most elegant keepsake may be something lighter, cheaper and far more powerful: a palms-pressed wai, a smile, and a sincere “kob khun”.
Tourism revival plans take shape
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is preparing to revive a state-backed tourism co-payment scheme as part of a wider push to stimulate travel in the second half of 2026.
As summer 2026 gets underway, the global tourism industry is regaining strong momentum, and one metropolis drawing attention from travelers from around the world is “Bangkok”.
The sizzle of socialization: How Moo Kata makes Thailand’s table glow
In Thailand, the most talked-about travel ritual of 2026 may not begin at a temple, rooftop bar, or Michelin-listed restaurant. It starts under fluorescent lights, beside a refrigerated aisle, with a plastic-wrapped sandwich waiting to be toasted.
In Bangkok, the dining room of the moment does not always arrive polished in marble and glass. It may sit behind a narrow frontage, up a steep old staircase, beside the roar of a wok, or inside a building that still carries the memory of trade, family, and neighborhood life.
Cutting Thailand’s Giant Jackfruit
Journey Through Wellness, Sustainability, and Authentic Thai Hospitality in Krabi and Koh Lanta
Ubon park put forward for UNESCO listing
Thailand must accelerate its shift away from fossil fuels or risk falling permanently behind its regional peers, the chief economist of SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) warned this week, as the kingdom’s heavy dependence on imported energy leaves it acutely vulnerable to global volatility.
Waste management is one of the most essential public services a city can and must provide. When it breaks down – even briefly – thousands of tons of rubbish pile up fast. Foul odors spread across neighborhoods.
The top 10% of global consumers cause $5.7 trillion in annual environmental damage, as they drive global challenges evolving into systemic economic and financial risks requiring immediate collective action, according to a Leiden University study.
In the next few weeks, Britain’s ruling Labor Party will select a new leader to replace Keir Starmer. But this prospect has not inspired hope of a political or economic renewal. Among British media and, more importantly, global financial markets, the consensus is that any revisions to the failing Starmer government’s policies will only make things worse. 
As Australia moves to scrap key property investment tax breaks, some investors are taking a wait-and-see approach as the new policy takes shape. The shift, the biggest in decades, is seen by some as ending Australia’s long love affair with property investment. 
Consumer spending tightens
They’re watching you! Cameras at tourism hotspots ID criminals
Thailand’s Most Overrated Beaches and Hidden Coastal Paradises
Far-Right Advances In EU Election, France Calls Snap National Vote
Bangkok considers 50kph limit
Alcohol, sunbeds to be banned on Phuket hideaway beach
Bangkok hottest in Thailand on Thursday as temperature soars past 50C
Six people caught allegedly trapping macaques at temple in Phetchaburi
With plastic-eating machines, Thai communities turn a profit fighting pollution
Thousands flee into Thailand amid renewed Myanmar fighting
Weed conundrum polarizes society ahead of election
How medical cannabis is changing the lives of Thai patients
Thailand’s promised cannabis bonanza disappoints as politicians trade blame
Thailand’s First Cannabis Greenhouse: Step Forward for Medical Cannabis Industry
Why ASEAN countries should not look at Thailand for legalizing medical cannabis
5 Thai beaches appear on list of top 100 beaches in the world
High flight costs said due to strong and swift recovery in tourism
Thailand to accept electronic VOA applications for 17 countries
Thai medical tourism market to recover to pre-Covid level in 2023
Phuket Close to a Drought, Phuket Officials Urge Residents to Save Water
Pattaya, Navy Helping Koh Larn Cope With Water Shortage
