• More rain expected locally/Blessing of the Fleet ceremony/Vascular health discussed/Thailand flood news/Thailand to tighten ride-hailing checks/Chateau de Loei ends wine production/LISA Leads MTV Video Music Awards/Nene Royal returns home
• THE IRAN WAR: Iran warns US/Gulf’s War Is Now Southeast Asia’s Problem/
• ECNOMY: Thailand-US tariff talks/Economy Forces Many to Cut Back on Food
• TOURISM: Thailand’s high season test begins/Five Phuket hotels ordered shut
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Government defends solar sector/Oversight of waste-to-energy plants
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

More rain expected locally, flood concerns aired

Authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been ordered to closely monitor heavy rain and water conditions and prepare to assist residents if flooding or other disasters occur.

The government cited forecasts of rain-bearing systems moving westward through Wednesday, bringing heavy rain to many areas and potentially very heavy rain in some locations. Continued … 

Hua Hin holds Blessing of the Fleet ceremony

Residents and visitors gathered at Hua Hin’s Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine on Saturday for the traditional Ship to Sea ceremony.

The Hua Hin Fishing Community Committee organised the Sea Misfortune-Casting Ceremony alongside merit-making for the shrine, beside the Hilton Hua Hin hotel. Continued … 

Vascular health discussed at Hua Hin seminar

Recognizing the warning signs of blood clots, strokes and poor circulation was the focus of a Hua Hin seminar held by Be Well Medical Center and Bangpakok 9 International Hospital on Saturday.

The event, titled “Common Vascular Diseases & Disorders”, took place at iSanook Hotel in Khao Takiab. It covered prevention, symptoms and treatment, alongside advice on when patients should seek specialist or emergency care. Continued … 

Thailand floods hit 174,000 families, eight dead

Flooding has affected more than 174,000 families across 25 provinces and all 50 Bangkok districts, with eight deaths reported, Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said yesterday.

Flooding had reached 128 districts, 587 subdistricts and 2,500 villages. DDPM recorded 174,803 affected families, or 545,022 people, in the 25 provinces and Bangkok. Heavy rain, combined with water flowing south from northern Thailand into the central region, had caused the widespread flooding. Continued … 

Thailand unlikely to see 2011-scale floods, experts say

Thailand is “virtually impossible” to face a repeat of the 2011 flood disaster this year, according to two disaster and environmental specialists, despite heavy rain and flooding in parts of the country.

Assoc. Prof. Seree Supratid of Rangsit University’s Climate Change and Disaster Center and Asst. Prof. Thon Thamrongnawasawat of Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Fisheries said current conditions differ sharply from 2011. However, they urged people to watch for run-off in western Thailand and intense local downpours known as “rain bombs”. Continued … 

Commerce Ministry coordinates essential supplies in flood-hit areas

The Department of Internal Trade (DIT), under the Ministry of Commerce, is coordinating retailers, convenience stores, fresh markets, wholesale markets and local department stores to ensure essential consumer goods remain available as flooding disrupts travel and distribution in some areas.

The department’s director-general, Wittayakorn Maneenetr, explained that residents in some flood-affected areas had increased their purchases to build up reserves. Continued … 

Bangkok shoppers stock up as flooding empties convenience-store shelves

Heavy rain and widespread flooding across Bangkok have prompted residents to stock up on food and essential goods, leaving shelves empty at some convenience stores and neighborhood shops amid concerns over travel disruption and possible shortages.

Shopping conditions in Bangkok were surveyed after continuous rain from the early hours of Friday lasted for more than 30 hours, causing flooding in several areas awaiting drainage. Continued … 

Thailand warns retailers against price hikes amid floods

The Thai government has warned retailers against unjustified price hikes and hoarding essential goods as flooding affects Bangkok and other parts of the country. Businesses that raise prices without justification face up to seven years in prison.

Deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksamisaengchan announced the warning yesterday, saying the government was closely monitoring flooding and had instructed agencies to coordinate relief efforts for affected residents. Continued … 

Airlines offer free flight changes, credits amid Bangkok flooding

Airlines have introduced special measures for passengers affected by flooding and severe traffic congestion in Bangkok, including free flight changes and travel credits.

Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X are allowing passengers booked on flights to or from Bangkok from Sept 26-28 to change their flight once free of charge. The new travel date must be within seven days of the original date and will be subject to seat availability. Alternatively, passengers may retain the full ticket value as a credit against future travel. Continued … 

Rayong flood alert widens as dam and reservoir raise concerns

Authorities in Rayong have ordered residents in at-risk areas to evacuate urgently after damage was reported at the spillway of Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir, also known as Khao Chuk Dam, while a separate warning has been issued over critically high water at Prasae Reservoir.

The Thung Khwai Kin Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) in Klaeng district warned on that part of the Khao Chuk Dam spillway structure had been damaged, raising fears of a possible breach and rapid downstream flooding. Residents in affected areas were told to evacuate within one hour. Continued … 

Bangkok bears brunt of estimated 25.3-billion-baht Thai flood losses

Assoc. Prof. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics estimates that flooding across 48 provinces, including Bangkok, during Sept. 24–27, could cause economic losses of 25.345 billion baht under a moderate-damage scenario.

Bangkok accounts for the largest share of that estimate, at 10.586 billion baht, as flooding disrupts commerce, services and travel. Business leaders have warned that many companies were unprepared for the intensity and duration of the inundation. Continued … 

Bangkok floodwater eases after affecting 329,000 households

Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said rainfall across the capital was beginning to ease on today, allowing the city to focus on lowering water levels in major canals and accelerating drainage from flooded roads and communities.

Chadchart said the low-pressure system responsible for the intense rain of the previous two to three days had moved away, reducing the likelihood of rainfall on the same scale. Bangkok had recorded accumulated rainfall of more than 300 millimeters in some areas during the prolonged downpour. Continued … 

Bangkok’s 48-hour deluge exposes limits of city drainage system

More than 300 millimeters of accumulated rain over Bangkok during Sept. 25–26 has exposed the limits of the capital’s drainage infrastructure and prompted experts to call for a fundamental reassessment of how the city prepares for extreme rainfall.

The prolonged downpour lasted for more than two days and inundated major roads even though there was no significant influx of upstream water into Bangkok. Continued … 

Flooding causes severe baggage problems at Suvranabhumi Airport

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul rushed to Suvarnabhumi Airport today as a crippling baggage crisis entered its third day. Passengers waited up to six hours while exhausted Thai Airways crews battled mountains of stranded luggage after flooding stopped replacement workers reaching the airport.

Broken baggage carts deepened the breakdown, forcing office staff and managers into ground operations as military personnel were deployed. Officials warned the backlog could take another two to three days to clear. Continued … 

Khlong Chan residents plead for food and water amid floods – Continued … 

Bangkok region gets flood holiday and free expressways – Continued … 

Khao Yai park closure extended after bridge collapse – Continued … 

Chinese driver pulled out of car swept into canal during Rayong flooding – Continued … 

Chanthaburi floods reach one meter, villagers evacuate – Continued … 

Bangkok rain drives commuters onto packed trains – Continued … 

Taxi carrying foreigner swept off by floodwaters on Sa Kaeo road – Continued …

Four 2-meter crocodiles loose in flooded Sa Kaeo – Continued … 

Two missing after pickup swept away when Kanchanaburi weir collapses – Continued … 

Thailand to tighten ride-hailing checks from Thursday

Thailand will begin tougher enforcement of rules covering ride-hailing apps, drivers and vehicles on Thursday, the Ministry of Transport has announced.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat chaired a meeting on the measures with Department of Land Transport Director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong and representatives from eight platforms: Grab, Bolt, inDrive, TADA, MAXIM, LINE MAN, Lalamove and FINGOGO. Continued … 

Chateau de Loei ends wine production in Loei

Thailand’s pioneering premium wine label Chateau de Loei has formally ended wine production and stopped growing grapes for winemaking at its site in Phu Ruea district, Loei province.

Excise officials destroyed remaining wine and spirits at the factory last week as part of the legal closure process. The estate is now moving its land and business toward alternative agriculture and processed produce. Continued … 

LISA Leads Historic Night at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards

Thai global icon LISA, Lalisa Manoban, made history at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards yesterday, becoming the first K-pop solo artist to win the coveted Best Pop award.

The Blackpink star secured the major category with her cinematic music video “Dream”, featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi. The landmark victory came amidst fierce competition from music industry heavyweights, including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tate McRae. Continued … 

Nene Royal returns home to a grand Phuket welcome

The Phuket girl who recently busked at night markets in her native Thailand received a grand welcome from crowds of fans and local residents yesterday after winning America’s Got Talent and gaining fans around the world.

Nene Royal, 16, whose real name is Rattikan Amloy, made history by becoming the first Thai to win America’s Got Talent Season 21, taking home the US$1 million prize. Nene arrived in Phuket at about 10:50 am yesterday and was greeted at the airport by a large crowd, including her grandmother. Continued … 

Iran warns US after Trump rejects seven-day Hormuz plan

Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said yesterday that Iran’s armed forces were fully prepared to confront any renewed US attack, according to Iranian state media.

Akraminia warned that the United States would suffer greater damage if it attacked Iran again. His remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had rejected Tehran’s seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the fighting. Continued … 

Beijing Envoy: The Gulf’s War Is Now Southeast Asia’s Problem

Some 6,000 kilometers separate the anchorage off Hormuz from a petrol station forecourt in Nonthaburi. In 2026, that distance has counted for very little.

On Friday, Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on Middle East issues, stood before delegates at the 17th FutureChina Global Forum and made the connection explicit. The conflict convulsing the Gulf, he argued, is no longer a regional security file. It is a Southeast Asian economic emergency arriving by sea, in the form of freight invoices, insurance premiums and pump prices. Continued … 

Thailand’s K-Shaped Economy Forces Many to Cut Back on Food

Thailand is attracting billions of baht in investment into data centers, electronics and advanced industries, while household finances remain under pressure. A government survey found that 32.8% of respondents had reduced the number of meals they eat or were eating less. Almost two-thirds were buying cheaper food or waiting for discounts.

The figures come from the Department of Health’s Anamai Poll, which surveyed 941 people under the title “How to Live in Difficult Times”. The survey found that 64.8% were buying cheaper food or waiting for discounts, 37.5% were cooking at home more often, 33.6% were growing vegetables and 25.7% had reduced food-delivery orders. Another 18.5% were buying larger quantities for storage. Continued … 

Costly efforts cushion against energy prices

Fuel subsidies in Thailand are being maintained or extended primarily to shield consumers and businesses from the volatility of global oil prices and the rising cost of living. Authorities are utilizing the Oil Fuel Fund to keep diesel and gasohol prices stable, which helps protect households and food vendors from the impact of high energy costs.

The government is employing a multi-pronged strategy to address energy instability, which includes maintaining diesel refinery price cuts and considering fuel excise tax reductions. These measures aim to mitigate the economic pressure caused by geopolitical conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, which have driven up global energy prices. Additionally, the government is focusing on long-term energy security by promoting biofuels like E20 and B20 to reduce dependence on imported crude oil.

Thailand-US tariff talks reach in-principle deal

Thailand and the United States have reached an agreement in principle on tariff negotiations, with the remaining work focused on reviewing technical details and the wording of the agreement, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun confirmed today.

Suphajee explained that officials were carefully reviewing the technical provisions and wording. Thailand aims to complete the process before Washington takes further action under Section 301. Continued … 

Thailand’s high season test begins as tourism numbers rise

Thailand’s final quarter of 2026 is shaping up to be a closely watched high season, with the government adjusting tourism stimulus plans while airlines, hotels, restaurants, nightlife venues and other businesses prepare for more visitors.

One key question is whether rising visitor numbers will translate into stronger spending for businesses, particularly smaller operators and nightlife venues that continue to see significant differences in purchasing power across tourism markets. Continued … 

Five Phuket hotels ordered shut over license failures

Five hotels in Phuket have been ordered to suspend operations after failing to secure licenses and complete required improvements, provincial authorities said.

The closures were imposed after operators did not make the necessary changes despite being given extra time. The action follows a provincial review of hotels operating without licenses or with structural issues. Authorities had allowed affected properties 30 days to correct physical deficiencies. Continued … 

Government defends solar sector as China supplies 99.3% of imports

The Thai government has defended its domestic solar industry by emphasizing the need to maintain national safety and quality standards for electrical installations and components. This defense follows reports that China supplied 99.3% of solar panel imports to Thailand during the first seven months of 2026.

Officials stated that the high level of imports does not mean all solar panels used in Thailand are sourced from China, nor does it imply that the government is funding the domestic sector based solely on those import figures. Instead, the government aims to ensure that all solar power expansion meets specific technical and safety requirements, such as those set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), to protect consumers. Additionally, the government is promoting domestic manufacturing capabilities and exploring ways to ensure that clean energy expansion remains safe and cost-effective for the public.

Call for oversight of waste-to-energy plants

JustPow is calling for stronger environmental oversight of waste-to-energy plants because they believe the current regulatory framework is too weak to ensure the safety of local communities and the surrounding environment. The advocacy group argues that current regulations lack sufficient environmental impact assessments, particularly for smaller facilities that generate less than 10 megawatts of capacity.

The group also highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency and public participation in waste-to-energy projects. Residents in areas near these plants have reported issues including air pollution and health concerns linked to emissions, as well as problems stemming from waste storage and transport operations. JustPow has warned that the rapid expansion of the waste-to-energy sector could create problematic cross-border waste movements, potentially incentivizing the import of waste to fuel industrial projects.

• Chinese CEO held in Pattaya over sugar fraud claim – Continued … 

• US man held after Pattaya drug lab raid – Continued … 

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