Editor: Expat News will be traveling next week, July 12-16. We wil try to keep you up to date on the news during this time, but our reports may be fewer and at a different time. We will return to full service next Friday, July 17.
- Phuket teen rocks AGT/Top 5 Beachfront Pool Villas in Hua Hin/Hua Hin videos/Airport rail deal faces review/CP Group confirms rail commitment/DSI Raids Nominee Networks/Bangkok underground tunnel problems/Four monks missing/Thailand’s heroin trafficking network
- ECONOMY: Price Hikes Hit Lunch Staples/Consumers upbeat, businesses cautious/IMF raises Thai GDP forecast/Foreign film boom
- TOURISM: Thailand Needs to Soak Its Own Rich/Ministry restructure a tourism priority/China Tourist Numbers Still Trail/New Sadao checkpoint/Luxury cruise line debut
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand’s Automatic Rice Planting Machine/Thai Craft Heritage Being Redesigned/Witchcraft lands in Bangkok
- HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Phuket teen Nene Royal transforms from shy girl to rock star on AGT
(Editor: This article also includes a video of the entire performance – and it is not something you want to miss, even if you don’t like the song selection. This Thai girl is talented! Today’s moment of pure joy.)
When the 15-year-old girl from Phuket introduced herself to the four judges of America’s Got Talent, she looked shy, almost overwhelmed, and admitted it was her first time performing on a stage of that scale.
But the moment she struck the opening chords of The Cranberries’ Zombie, the room changed. The audience roared, the judges leaned in, and Nene Royal was no longer the nervous newcomer. She had transformed into a young rock star in full command of the stage. Continued …
Top 5 Beachfront Pool Villas in Hua Hin For a Luxury Escape
Sometimes, you just need to pack a bag, leave the traffic behind, and head straight to where the waves hit the sand. Hua Hin has lately become the ultimate spot for this exact kind of escape. It offers a slower, calmer rhythm than other beach towns, making it a favorite for quick weekend getaways.
If you want to wake up to the ocean breeze and step directly from your bed into a private pool, a beachfront villa is the only way to go. Here is a curated look at the top five luxury beachfront sanctuaries in the area that deliver total privacy and coastal bliss. Continued …
Try These Thai Seafood Dishes in Hua Hin
If you are looking for great and tasty seafood where tourists don’t go to then this is the place to go. It is one of my favorites in Hua Hin. Bring your best translator along as there is no English script menu but that means that great Thai dishes are going to be served. Video …
Is Hua Hin Soi 94 the new heart of city’s nightlife?
Take a walk through Soi 94, Hua Hin’s fastest-growing entertainment zone. While Soi Bintabaht is the classic choice, Soi 94 offers a massive variety of themed bars, live music venues, and some of the friendliest spots in town. Explore the entire length of the street after dark, checking out the bar scene, the local “bar girl” culture, and why so many expats and tourists are choosing this area over the town center. Video …
Airport rail deal faces July 15 review after eight-year delay and 21.8-billion-baht investment
Thailand’s long-delayed high-speed railway linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports is heading toward a crucial review on July 15, after more than eight years without construction beginning and combined public and private investment exceeding 21.8 billion baht.
The project has remained stalled since the invitation to tender was issued on May 30, 2018. Its progress has been held back by prolonged negotiations over revisions to the public-private partnership agreement, including requests by the private concessionaire for relief following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued …
CP Group confirms rail commitment after PM warns against unilateral withdrawal
PMAnutin Charnvirakulhas insisted that the three-airport high-speed rail project must continue under its existing agreement, warning that a private concessionaire cannot unilaterally terminate a contract with the state.
His remarks followed reports that a company within CP Group had submitted a letter to the State Railway of Thailand seeking to end the contract for the rail link connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports. Continued …
DSI Raids Nominee Networks in Surat Thani
Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI), together with the Ministry of Justice and multiple government agencies, announced yesterday the results of coordinated raids at five locations on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, as part of an investigation into suspected nominee companies allegedly used by foreign nationals to own land and operate restricted businesses.
Investigators said they uncovered luxury villa developments, land holdings and corporate structures worth billions of baht linked to the probe. The first target was a Chinese-owned luxury villa development in Bo Phut. The project covers more than 14,000 square meters and was found to include 15 land plots totaling 97 rai, 3 ngan and 88.4 square wah, with an estimated land value of 1.567 billion baht. Continued …
Bangkok underground tunnel causes subsidence and cracks in buildings and roads
A widening underground engineering emergency beneath one of Bangkok’s busiest intersections has forced evacuations, road closures and round-the-clock repairs after a leaking Purple Line MRT tunnel triggered ground subsidence and fresh cracking around Wongwian Yai, reviving memories of the capital’s 2025 sinkhole disaster.
Although a minister says subsidence has slowed and engineers expect to seal the leak within 12 days, residents remain displaced and businesses are closed as investigators race to stabilize the ground and determine what caused the crisis. Continued …
Four monks missing after bamboo raft breaks up in Surat Thani
A search operation has been launched for four Buddhist monks who vanished after a bamboo raft carrying 12 monks broke apart while drifting along a canal in Kaengkrung National Park in Surat Thani province on Thursday night.
Park officials, local community leaders, villagers and rescue workers yesterday joined forces to search for the missing monks after the incident in Khlong Mui, located within Bang Yuan forest of Kaengkrung National Park, which stands in Vibhavadi district of the southern province. Continued …
Police in Thailand and Laos moving to take out heroin trafficking network
The arrest of Thai airline hostess Meena in Melbourne has exposed what investigators now believe is only the outer edge of a far larger international heroin trafficking syndicate stretching from Laos through Thailand to Australia and Taiwan.
As Thai authorities widen their investigation, secure four new arrest warrants, make another arrest, and intensify cross-border operations with Laos, police say those caught so far were merely couriers, while the organization’s leaders remain at large, prompting an increasingly aggressive hunt for the network directing one of the region’s most sophisticated heroin smuggling operations. Continued …
Price Hikes Hit Lunch Staples as Thai Workers Face Living Cost Crunch
Thailand’s urban workforce is facing an escalating squeeze on disposable income as the price of popular ready-to-eat meals climbs across the country, driven by stubborn energy costs and transport inflation.
A market survey conducted by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), under the Ministry of Commerce, revealed that prices have been adjusted upward for 438 items across seven staple one-dish meals — including fried rice, noodles, and the ubiquitous Pad Kra Prow (basil stir-fry). The increases affect 28.5% of all surveyed items. Continued …
Consumers upbeat, businesses cautious
Consumer confidence rebounded for the first time in four months in June, supported by falling oil prices and the implementation of the “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” (Thais Help Thais) co-payment scheme, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). The consumer confidence index (CCI) tallied 50.7 in June, according to a survey by the UTCC’s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting.
Meanwhile, the Thai Chamber of Commerce confidence index (TCC-CI), based on a survey of 369 business operators nationwide, was 41.4, down 0.3 points from May and roughly three points below the level recorded before the Middle East conflict began, at 44.5 in February. Continued …
IMF raises Thai GDP growth forecast
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded Thailand’s GDP growth forecast to 1.9% from 1.5%, supported by the government’s stimulus measures.
According to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook Update released on Wednesday, the uptick reflects the emergency fiscal measures and is supported by robust technology-related exports and investment. The lender also raised its 2027 growth forecast for Thailand by 0.1 percentage points to 2.2%. Continued …
Foreign film boom spurs national revenue
Thailand generated just over 4.025 billion baht from foreign film productions during the first half of this year, with 302 overseas projects filmed across the country. The figures reinforce its position as a leading production hub in Asia and put it on course to set another annual revenue record.
The financial figures exceed half of the total investment recorded throughout last year, reflecting continued confidence among international content producers in Thailand as a regional production base, she said. Continued …
Thailand Needs to Soak Its Own Rich, Not Just Wealthy Tourists
Thailand’s government has decided, like Japan and others, that the quality of the tourists it attracts is far more appealing than the quantity. After receiving just 33 million foreign arrivals to the Kingdom this year, far below the record 40 million it recorded in 2019, Thailand is betting that a smaller number of more wealthy tourists can generate the same amount of revenue.
It is seeking to attract them, in part, by providing “meaningful experiences” for the rich in the form of golf resorts, wellness retreats, fine dining, and luxury packages. Thailand is suffering not only from a decline in tourism volume, as a strong baht, a rising Vietnam, and an ugly transnational crime problem have hampered interest, but also from the fact that its solution to the problem is a loser, as there are other wealthy people to “soak” right at home. Continued …
Ministry restructure a tourism priority
Once the Bhumjaithai Party assumed government leadership earlier this year, one of its key tourism priorities was to restructure the Tourism and Sports Ministry, creating a dedicated Sports Ministry and merging the Tourism and Culture ministries.
This proposal is not new, raised by previous governments to promote tourism and sports more effectively. There are several approaches to managing and developing the tourism industry that depend on a strategic vision and long-term objectives. Continued …
China Tourist Numbers Still Trail in Thailand
Thailand’s tourism sector continues to feel the impact of a sharp decline in Chinese visitors, despite China regaining its position as the country’s largest source market in 2026. Between Jan. 1 and July 4, Thailand welcomed 16,210,890 foreign visitors, down 3.1% year on year, generating 782.57 billion baht in tourism revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
China accounted for 2,654,728 arrivals during the period, ahead of Malaysia with 2,109,956, followed by India with 1,239,023, Russia with 1,022,483 and South Korea with 596,673. In one recent summer week, Continued …
New Sadao checkpoint linking Malaysia opens today
A new Sadao checkpoint compound and road linking southern Thailand and northern Malaysia has been slated to open for users today after the prime ministers of both nations officiated its launch yesterday.
The new, larger checkpoint is located about six kilometers east of the present office in Sadao district of Songkhla. Construction began in 2016 with a budget of 1.5 billion baht and an aim to ease congestion for trucks, cars and buses at the border. The checkpoint connects Songkha with Kedah state through the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint. Continued …
Luxury cruise line debuts in Thailand
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, one of the world’s leading ultra-luxury travel and cruise brands, has officially launched its brand in Thailand for the first time through a strategic partnership with World Travel Designer (WTD), a specialist in luxury travel marketing and distributor of leading global cruise brands.
The partnership aims to capture the growing demand among Thailand’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), whose travel preferences are shifting beyond traditional luxury toward exclusive, meaningful experiences that cannot easily be found elsewhere. Continued …
Thailand’s Automatic Rice Planting Machine
Thailand’s automatic rice transplanter can plant rice seedlings with incredible speed and precision. This smart farming technology helps farmers save time, reduce labor, and increase efficiency. Video …
How Thai Craft Heritage is Being Redesigned for Foreign Lifestyles
For centuries, the identity of Thai textiles and handicrafts has been explicitly clear: vibrant, multi-colored regional weaves, intricate gold ornamentation, and complex motifs. These are not merely everyday materials but historic cultural artefacts reflecting local wisdom passed down through generations. Yet, a hard truth has loomed over the loom.
Without adapting to the shifting habits of modern consumers, these ancient practices risk fading into obsolescence. Enter the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (SACIT). Continued …
Glastonbury-style witchcraft lands in Bangkok
Voralapa “Pyn” Lochaya, a “green witch” and Destiny Matrix coach, says witchcraft is a lifestyle rooted in the five elements and herbal healing.
After studying Thai, Chinese and Yunani herbal medicine and training in Glastonbury, she’s opening a “witch shop” in Thailand to promote healing, astrology and a new, less fearful view of witchcraft. Video …
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 cinemas/Emergency numbers
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has introduced a new mobile application aimed at reducing arrival processing times for international visitors, while maintaining security checks at the country’s borders. The new system, known as the Thailand Immigration Management System (THIM), allows foreign travellers to complete arrival card information digitally before reaching Thailand.
Tourism leaders in Prachuap Khiri Khan are pushing for more Hua Hin flights to connect the city with Chiang Mai, Isaan, and southern Thailand, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the role of Hua Hin Airport.
Thailand will enforce a nationwide alcohol ban on Sunday, as the country observes Visakha Bucha Day, one of the most important dates in the Buddhist calendar.
The Royal Gazette website yesterday published an announcement by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee on the revised prohibited hours for alcohol sales in 2026, updating the rules to reflect current conditions. Under the announcement, no person may sell alcoholic beverages outside the hours of 11am to midnight, except in several cases.
The Energy Policy Management Committee decided yesterday to maintain the ex-refinery price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at 20.9179 baht/kg for two more months, from June 1 to July 31, so that the retail price will be kept at 423 baht a 15Kg cylinder.
Thailand is currently among four out of a total of 11 ASEAN countries where the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have not yet been bought, while Thais may be more or less anticipating to view the world football tournament live and free as usual anyway.
A foundation advocating for sex workers has put forward a draft bill in parliament to decriminalize sex work and extend labor protections to those in the industry. Submitted by the Empower Foundation yesterday, tthis move aims to replace the outdated 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which criminalizes voluntary sex workers.
Thailand’s app-based drivers have become part of everyday life. But as ride-hailing and delivery platforms continue to grow, so does the conflict with traditional taxi operators.
Several officials at Ban Huad subdistrict office in Lampang experienced stomach pain, diarrhea, and dizziness after consuming insects collected from a tree outside the office. The incident, which prompted a public warning, led to several individuals requiring hospital treatment.
More than three months after the spark for the “US-Iran war” was ignited, global assets, including oil, stock markets, and currencies, have swung sharply, forcing central banks in many countries to grapple once again with inflation.
In the first quarter of 2026, Thailand’s economy expanded by 2.8%, beating analyst expectations. But the economic outlook for the full year remains modest, with the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) forecasting between 1.5% and 2.5% growth. The World Bank is more cautious, forecasting 1.6% growth.
Thailand’s foreign condominium market is entering a new phase, with Chinese buyers pulling back sharply while Russian demand rises and keeps the luxury segment in key tourism destinations alive.
Factory output in Thailand remains weak, with the manufacturing production index in April falling 0.36% from a year earlier, the Ministry of Industry said yesterday.
Thailand’s banking sector maintained strong resilience in the first quarter of 2026, supported by robust capital buffers, ample liquidity, and high loan-loss provisions, according to the Bank of Thailand’s latest Banking Sector Quarterly Brief .
Continental has officially inaugurated the expansion of its tire plant in Rayong. The investment of more than 300 million euros, or 13 billion Thai baht, boosts the facility’s production capacity by an additional 3 million passenger car and light truck tires per year.
Thailand’s aviation industry began 2026 with stronger passenger traffic, more flights, and renewed demand from key Asian markets, but the recovery is now facing a fresh test from Middle East disruption, volatile jet fuel prices, and rising operating costs.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday with Vietnam Airlines to jointly advance marketing and air connectivity, particularly the opening of new routes between Thailand and Vietnam.
Thailand has emerged as one of the most considered relocation destinations for Americans seeking safety, quality of life, and financial freedom. New data from cultural-intelligence platform Country Navigator ranks Thailand among the 10 most-searched relocation destinations for U.S. citizens, with roughly 30,560 annual searches recorded between March 2025 and February 2026 — clear evidence that Thailand is no longer just a holiday memory, but a credible long-term home.
It has been 87 days since the energy crisis began on Feb. 28, following the sudden escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Even though the US and Iran extended a tentative ceasefire on April 21, the shockwaves have already fundamentally destabilized global energy markets.
Part of the government’s spending plan for the transition to clean energy involves encouraging the public to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) on a wider scale, says finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit.
Back in 2022, spotting an electric vehicle on the streets of Jakarta or Bali was a relatively rare occurrence. Heavily subsidized fuel, under-developed charging infrastructure, and an existing industrial ecosystem anchored by the production of gasoline-powered cars (mostly Japanese brands) made Indonesia an unlikely candidate for an EV boom.
The World Health Organization on May 17 declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a “public health emergency of international concern”, and said there was a high risk it could spread to neighboring countries. The decision has prompted governments to step up travel-related containment measures. Here is a list of screening steps and travel restrictions announced by different countries. 
The end of Bangkok Street food
Bangkok is known for its extensive and varied street food scene. Its presence comes up in virtually any discussion about tourism in Thailand. Techically, some might argue, you haven’t really “visited” Thailand if you have not experienced Bangkok’s street food. Quite simply, it’s a selling point for Thailand’s tourism industry.
What your go-to street food in Thailand says about you
Hua Hin Red Cross Fair on June 5-14
The Thai private sector’s damning report on the 10 most-corrupt state agencies has sent a shockwave through the government bureaucracy, prompting immediate reactions, from Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to the director general of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), who has demanded to see evidence of the alleged bribe taking.
Four Thai police officers and a civilian have been arrested in Sa Kaeo province after allegedly detaining five Chinese nationals and demanding money in exchange for their release.
Thailand’s worsening corruption situation was raised as a key proposal at a joint meeting between the government and the private sector on ways to improve the country’s economic competitiveness, held at Government House on Friday.
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Poll Urges End to Hidden School Fees and Equal Access
Is 60 truly the perfect endpoint of a working life? This question is becoming ever more pressing as Thailand and the broader ASEAN region rapidly transition into a “Super-Aged Society.” The economic and social structures that were once driven by a young workforce are facing mounting pressure.
Thailand has urged Iran to allow the safe passage of eight Thai-flagged ships stranded at either end of the near-closed Strait of Hormuz. The call was made by Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi last week.
Oil prices extended gains today as efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran appeared to have stalled, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran.
Thailand Land Bridge Faces Investor Doubts
Chinese investment continues to make inroads into Thai retail, with “Chinese supermarkets” expanding into Huai Khwang, Rama 9, and tourist cities. The stores stock Chinese goods ranging from snacks, drinks, tea, soft drinks, mala sauces, and instant noodles to ready-to-eat food, responding to strong online trends.
Thailand’s influencer economy is no longer just about content creation but has become a fast-growing business sector worth 45 billion baht, prompting calls for clearer standards, stronger oversight, and support to help Thai influencers compete internationally.
Swedish defense company Saab plans to expand investment in Thailand following the Royal Thai Air Force’s decision to procure Gripen E/F fighter jets, with ambitions to develop the country into a regional defense technology and production hub.
Elephant Nature Park: Inside Chiang Mai’s Ethical Elephant Haven
Thailand’s Largest Lake Is A Breathtaking Body Of Water With Islands, Bird Sanctuaries, And Fishing
In our latest travel title, Thailand: The Monocle Handbook, we showcase the very best of this sunny nation, including the multitude of excellent hospitality hotspots on offer.
Preparing for Climate-Related Losses
The BECC Primary International School has begun construction on a new purpose-built campus off Soi 112 in Hua Hin, with the school scheduled to open at the site in August 2027.
The Kite and Art Festival Prachuap Khiri Khan will take place at Saran Withi Pier from May 15-16, bringing two evenings of kite displays, art and family-friendly activities to the seafront.
Thailand could face a “dual water crisis” in 2026 after the Thai Meteorological Department forecast that El Niño could occur during May to July, putting many areas at risk of water shortages and prompting the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) to accelerate nationwide response plans and monitor 20 branches at risk of shortages.
Thailand’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) is pushing ahead with four new rail projects in Bangkok, while accelerating tram developments in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima, with all three provincial tram systems targeted to open by 2032.
From Epic Fury to Project Freedom: Who Pays the Bill for a Blocked Strait?
Given the sagging economy and conflict in the Middle East, the residential market is expected to contract for a fourth consecutive year in 2026, weighed down by persistent high household debt, rising living costs, and tight lending, according to Siam Commercial Bank Economic Intelligence Center (EIC).
Thais Feel the Pinch as ‘Single-Dish’ Prices Surge Amid Fuel Price Crisis
Land bridge faces uphill battle
Kukrit Areepakorn, manager of the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Assn., revealed that the export situation and prices of chicken are currently declining due to two main reasons: China suspending exports from 17 processing plants, and the Middle East war.
Foreign tourists in Thailand are actively observing the Thai baht’s depreciation against the US dollar, a trend that directly impacts their vacation budgets. The currency opened at 31.77 per dollar, a slight weakening from 31.60, and analysts foresee continued fluctuation within the range of 31.55 to 31.95 as global economic conditions evolve.
Thailand’s tourism industry is coming under severe pressure as foreign arrivals fall, visitor spending weakens, and operating costs surge across key destinations. In Pattaya, hotel occupancy has collapsed to as low as 30%, while bookings on Bangkok’s Khao San Road remain more than 20% below last year following Songkran.
Thailand Bets on Revamp of Chaing Mai Hot Springs to Spearhead Wellness Drive
Did you know Thailand is actually the first nation in Southeast Asia to successfully revive its tiger population? While most of the world is losing these incredible big cats, Thailand’s jungles are seeing a serious comeback. We’re talking about a massive conservation effort that’s bringing the king of the jungle back to the Western Forest Complex. It’s a huge win for wildlife and shows a side of Thai conservation history that most people completely miss. 
This Unknown City Wants To Become Thailand’s Next Vacation Hotspot
Why Koh Kut remains one of Thailand’s most beautiful island escapes
The Thai government is significantly ramping up its national energy infrastructure and streamlining investment protocols to capitalize on a new wave of global digital and clean energy interest.
Thailand’s energy crisis, sparked by Middle East tensions, has rapidly turned solar power from a green option into an economic necessity. As electricity costs surge, homes and businesses are rushing to install rooftop panels, with demand outpacing supply and installers struggling to keep up.
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) is exploring ways to make loans more accessible for households joining the rooftop solar buyback scheme, aiming to encourage wider adoption of clean energy and help families generate their own electricity.
Immigration office closures during Songkran and other April public holidays are set to affect Hua Hin, Cha Am and the rest of Thailand, with foreigners being advised to plan ahead for visa extensions, 90-day reporting, and other services.
Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved an average electricity tariff of 3.95 baht per unit for the May-August 2026 billing cycle, up from the current 3.88 baht, after setting the fuel tariff, or Ft, at 16.23 satang per unit.
Cha Am is preparing for its Songkran celebrations, with local officials confirming a 10-day program of events that will culminate in the Wan Lai Cha-am festival on April 16-17. Nukun Pornsombunsiri recently inspected preparations for the event, with a focus on safety measures and facilities for both residents and visitors.
Thap Sakae will host the Na Hu Kwang Festival 2026 during the Songkran holiday, with organizers aiming to boost tourism and local economic activity through a two-day beachfront event centered around light installations and live entertainment.
Cha Am Municipality is asking for cooperation from all agencies and the public to help save energy, in order to prepare for future situations and ensure resources are used efficiently.
Thailand is bracing for another day of intense heat, with the Thai Meteorological Department warning that temperatures could soar to as high as 42C in some parts of the country today.
The cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding on overlapping maritime claims with Cambodia, popularly known as MoU 44, will be included in the government’s policy statement to parliament, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday.
Oil prices jumped by more than 5% today after US President Donald Trump said Washington would continue striking Iran, including energy and oil targets, over the coming weeks, while offering no firm timetable for an end to the war.
Thailand’s diesel price will rise by B3.50 per liter today after the Oil Fuel Fund Committee reduced its subsidy, pushing the retail price of standard diesel to B44.24 per liter.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has assessed the latest situation and made clear that risks are now spreading from energy prices to the real economy as a whole, while cutting its 2026 outlook for Thailand again amid mounting inflationary pressure and clearer signs of stagflation.
Thailand Post plans to impose a fuel surcharge of 3 baht per item on domestic Express Mail Service (EMS) and e-CoPost services from April 16, citing higher fuel costs.
While the rationale for US President Donald Trump’s Iran war is difficult to decipher, its main beneficiary is far easier to identify: Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In February, Thailand’s economy softened, with declines in exports, tourism, and private consumption, despite growth in private investment and government spending. Headline inflation decreased, while core inflation remained stable. Key issues include geopolitical events and energy policy impacts.
The Ministry of Public Health has begun a full transition to ensuring cannabis use in Thailand will be for medicinal purposes only, allowing dispensaries a three-year timeframe to convert into medical clinics in order to continue operating.
Amid global volatility and surging energy prices, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced a major strategic adjustment to respond to signs of a slowdown among long-haul visitors, shifting greater attention to the domestic market and short-haul travelers through an approach centered on value and world-class experiences.
Northern tourism operators expect a poor showing during the Songkran holiday, as the region remains choked by smog, amid weak spending attributed to the war in the Middle East and the subsequent oil shock.
Thailand’s PM2.5 crisis has reached a severe level, with fresh data today from IQAir showing air quality in Chiang Mai Municipality had worsened dramatically, pushing it up to the rank of the world’s second most polluted city.
Thailand’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) market is expected to gain significant momentum this year, with sales projected to surpass 120,000 units partially due to soaring oil prices, says the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT).
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a system trial of the On Nut waste-to-energy plant to help tackle the city’s waste problem and provide a new source of sustainable power.
NASA launched four astronauts from Florida yesterday aboard Artemis II, sending them on a high-stakes, nearly 10-day journey around the moon and back in the United States’ boldest move yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade, ahead of China’s first planned crewed landing. 
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) has announced it will stop selling Gasohol E85, effective Feb. 1, citing a continued decline in consumer demand. The decision has drawn wide attention because Gasohol E85 is used by a significant number of motorists.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is forecasting a moderate high-pressure system from China to extend into upper Thailand, bringing a decrease in temperature and strong winds. The northeast is expected to experience a drop in temperature by 2-4°C, while other regions, excluding the lower south, will see a temperature decrease of 1-2°C.
Thai global sensation Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban — already an Amazing Thailand Ambassador for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), promoting Thai tourism worldwide — has further cemented her status as a global icon.
Thai netizens condemned a foreign man for ignoring national park regulations and flying a drone near a herd of elephants in Khao Yai National Park, causing the animals to panic and putting both tourists and wildlife at risk.
Thailand’s chicken industry braces for slower growth in 2026
Manat Chavanaprayoon, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), has outlined Thailand’s aviation outlook for 2025, saying the global industry continued to face heavy external pressures, from international conflicts and geopolitical tensions to airspace restrictions linked to disputes in several regions, including Pakistan–India, Israel–Iran, and Russia–Ukraine. He also cited an ongoing global shortage of aircraft.
Travelers are advised to be alert to visa application scams, such as false appointment letters or requests for additional payment for fast-track visa guarantees, as outbound travel grows.
The Michelin Guide, first published in 1900 by the French tire company Michelin, was originally created to help motorists find quality eateries — while subtly encouraging them to drive more and, in turn, buy more tires.
The giant reptiles reclaiming the world’s most visited city
Southeast Asia floods may be the new normal, scientists say
New stimulus efforts target higher growth
Thailand’s travel trends shift for 2026
Thai Park Chief Explains Why Young Tiger Approached Cars Near Popular Viewpoint
Thailand sites earn ‘Top 100 Green Destinations’ honors
Opium crops in Myanmar expand to 10-year high
More Thai rivers and downstream communities at risk from Myanmar’s rare earth mines
US, Australia sign rare earths deal as Trump promises submarines
Thailand Agrees to Join BRICS
Chumphon residents force asphalt factory closure over decade-long pollution
