- Nene Royal reaches AGT final/From Phuket markets to the AGT final
- THE IRAN WAR: US warns China, all other nations to cut Iran ties/Could force Thailand to choose sides/Markets shrug off Iran sanctions/US carrier plans Thailand port call
- ECONOMY: Social security cover to farm, street, domestic workers/Southern projects worth 57 billion baht/Thai car production up
- TOURISM: Thai tourism attacked on three fronts/Extra insurance for risky activities/Foreigners on tourism fee/984 billion baht from foreign tourists /Ezy Airlines halts northern flights
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Phuket teenager Nene Royal reaches AGT final
Phuket singer and guitarist Nene Royal has secured a place in the America’s Got Talent final after receiving Mel B’s Live Golden Buzzer during the quarter-finals.
The 16-year-old performed Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, prompting the crowd to rise to its feet as she delivered the rock classic. Cheers broke out during the performance. Continued and video of performance …
From Phuket markets to the AGT final: Meet Nene Royal
Thai teenage singer and guitarist Nene Royal has advanced directly to the final of America’s Got Talent Season 21 after judge Mel B awarded her the Live Golden Buzzer during the program’s second live quarter-final.
The 16-year-old from Phuket performed her own version of Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun during the live broadcast last night in the United States. Mel B praised Nene’s voice, guitar playing, overall image, energy and stage presence before pressing the buzzer, sending her straight to the final without requiring a public vote or a place in the semifinals. Continued …
US warns China, all other nations to cut Iran ties or face sanctions
The United States on Monday warned that China and all other countries now face an increased risk of secondary sanctions if they do business with Iran, as Washington launches a fresh campaign aimed at severing crucial economic lifelines for Tehran.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the campaign, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, will focus on five sectors – digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. Continued …
US economic pressure could force Thailand to choose sides
A widening US campaign to isolate Iran economically could expose Thailand to higher energy costs and unstable capital flows, while Washington’s scrutiny of Beijing may create a difficult foreign-policy choice for Bangkok, a CIMB Thai Bank economist has warned.
Amonthep Chawla, assistant managing director and head of research at CIMB Thai Bank, said Thailand had relatively little direct trade with Iran. The greater risk would emerge if the United States extended its measures to Iran’s partners, particularly China, one of Thailand’s most important trading partners. Continued …
Oil falls more than 3% as markets shrug off Iran sanctions
US oil prices extended their losses in early trading today, as renewed discussions between Iran and Oman raised hopes that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen.
Iran said it had restarted talks with neighboring Oman over managing the strategic waterway as Tehran faced increased economic pressure from US President Donald Trump. Continued …
USS Abraham Lincoln plans Thailand port call
The USS Abraham Lincoln is expected to make a port call in Thailand in early September after its crew spent around 250 days at sea, according to messages sent by sailors to family members.
The US aircraft carrier is now sailing home following an extended, record-setting deployment in the Middle East during the US war in Iran. The Navy has not publicly confirmed the planned Thai stop, citing operational security. Continued …
Cabinet to extend social security cover to farm, street, domestic workers
The Labor Ministry will propose an expansion of social security coverage under Section 33 to include agricultural workers, street vendors and domestic workers. Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat said before going into yesterday’s cabinet meeting he would submit two proposals for approval.
The first concerns Thailand’s participation in the Global Coalition for Social Justice, an initiative launched by the director-general of the International Labor Organization (ILO). More than 400 academic institutions have joined the network. Continued …
Nearly 200 southern projects worth 57 billion baht head to mobile Cabinet
The government’s mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla is expected to consider 199 development proposals from five southern provinces with a combined preliminary value of more than 57 billion baht.
The proposals cover Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat and will be presented to the mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla on Sept. 1. However, Phiphat stressed that the proposals remained preliminary and would undergo further screening before being submitted to the Cabinet. Continued …
Thai car production up 6.1% in July
Car production in Thailand rose 6.1% in July from a year earlier to 117,383 units, the Federation of Thai Industries said yesterday. The reading follows a year-on-year fall of 7.5% in June. The FTI has previously forecast a 3.33% drop in car production for the whole of 2026.
July domestic car sales rose 20.1% versus a rise of 17.3% in June, the federation said. Exports in July rose 2.4% compared to a drop of 7.4% in the previous month, according to the FTI. Continued …
Thai tourism attacked on three fronts
Thailand has revoked an Israeli tourist’s visa after a Koh Samui zoo dispute triggered nationalist protests and reported death threats from Paris. Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul also ordered airlines to brief all Thailand-bound passengers on Thai laws and culture.
The unprecedented move comes as weekly foreign arrivals plunge 9.2% and the 2026 total falls 2.9%. Meanwhile, a Chinese tourist’s kidnapping threatens Thailand’s largest market, while southern unrest places vital Malaysian arrivals at risk. Continued …
Thailand weighs tourist fee and extra insurance for risky activities
Thailand is considering a three-tier insurance system for foreign tourists, under which visitors taking part in high-risk activities or renting vehicles could be required to purchase additional cover beyond a proposed 450-baht tourism fee.
Weerasak Kowsurat, a former tourism and sports minister and chairman of the advisory team to Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, said the proposed fee, commonly referred to as the tourist entry levy, was undergoing a consultation process lasting at least 30 days. Continued …
Foreigners given a say on tourism fee
The government is conducting an online public hearing for both Thais and foreigners on the proposed 450-baht tourism fee for foreign tourists and the fund’s budget usage, insisting the procedures must be transparent and open to assessment.
“We need to listen to as many perspectives as possible in order to implement the foreign tourism fee efficiently,” said Weerasak Kowsurat, advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and chairman of the working group on creative economy and visitor economy development. Continued …
Thailand earns 984 billion baht from foreign tourists
Thailand generated 984.32 billion baht in tourism revenue from 20.32 million foreign arrivals between Jan. 1 1 and Aug.22, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said. However, the visitor total was 2.96% lower than during the corresponding period last year, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul.
China remained Thailand’s largest overseas market, supplying 3,440,752 visitors during the period. Malaysia followed with 2,559,676 arrivals, ahead of India with 1,494,003, Russia with 1,158,680 and South Korea with 749,202. Continued …
Ezy Airlines halts northern flights over high fees
Ezy Airlines has suspended a plan to fly in northern Thailand, reportedly due to high parking fees at Chiang Mai airport, prompting the governor of Mae Hong Son to seek a review of the fees to support tourism.
The small-aircraft operator had previously announced a plan to operate flights between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, and Chiang Mai and Pai. A trial period was scheduled in September, with full services to follow in October. Continued …
Thailand revokes Samui Israeli’s visa over bounty
An Israeli national accused of offering a bounty against the owner of an open zoo on Koh Samui has had their permission to stay in Thailand revoked, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul. Continued …
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Chinese fugitive held in Chiang Mai after 549-day overstay – Continued …
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Foreign customer flees Patong phone repair shop bill – Continued …
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German tenant sought after Krabi rental home wrecked – Continued …
Climate change becomes a scorching reality for Europe
For generations, summer in Europe has been languid and dreamy, bringing fine weather and lengthy days on sunny beaches and terraces. But in 2026, the brutal reality of climate change forced its way into daily life. “I felt a sense of the apocalypse this summer,” said Cyril Chedeville, a 59-year-old from Bordeaux in southwestern France. He was not alone. Continued …
India wanted better food label warnings, then Big Food fought back
A can of Fanta sold in London has 63 calories. Buy the same brand in India, and it contains three times as much sugar. It also includes artificial dye, whose presence in food products in Europe requires a prominent health warning. Reuters India Co. News Editor Aditya Kalra explains why Big Food in India has resisted efforts to mandate nutritional warnings on the front of packaged products. Video …
Canadians say Trump’s threat to rename Lake Ontario is ‘unnecessary’
Canadians yesterday said U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” is “unnecessary” and “just a matter of attention”. 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 crackdown on foreign control of property is expanding, with 36,277 foreign-linked legal entities now under scrutiny over land ownership nationwide. The probe is concentrated in 16 major provinces and has already moved from nominee company abuses into land, villas and 30-year leases using surreptitious arrangements.
Wisut Janwatanakul, senior assistant vice president of condominium project development at Sansiri Public Co, stated the real estate market in Hua Hin is expected to grow significantly in 2026, transitioning into a global wellness and medical tourism destination, which is a key driver for the luxury real estate market and long-stay accommodations.
PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) and Bangchak Corporation Plc (BCP) raised retail prices for petrol, gasohol and diesel by 0.85 baht, or 85 satang, per litre from 5am on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).
A doctor working in a Thai hospital emergency room says the department has been overwhelmed for the past two to three months. Even with more than 10 doctors rostered on the morning shift, the team cannot examine patients fast enough.
Thailand’s commercial banking system is facing an increase in new non-performing loans, reflecting continued financial pressure on businesses despite a slight decline in the overall NPL ratio during the second quarter of 2026.
The Department of Business Development (DBD) reported a total investment of B219 billion by foreign businesses approved to operate in Thailand during the first seven months of 2026, up 37% from the same period in 2025. Singapore recorded the highest investment value at B61.1 billion, followed by Japan at B45 billion and China at B38.6 billion.
Video captured the moment flash floods swept away tourists near the Mae Sa Waterfall. Park officials say they alerted visitors to the rising water, but the flood came too quickly for some to escape. 
Thai farmers battle elephant raids to protect crops, livelihoods
Thailand offers foreign retirees a clearer legal route to long-term residence than Vietnam, but Vietnam can cost considerably less for those able to manage more complicated visa arrangements. For people deciding where to spend retirement in Southeast Asia, the choice often comes down to predictable paperwork and healthcare versus lower rent and daily spending.
Thailand has warned dentists that pre-signing cannabis prescription forms without personally examining, diagnosing or treating a patient could lead to legal action and professional disciplinary consequences.
A Thai army explosives disposal specialist lost a leg after stepping on a landmine while clearing explosives near Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani yesterday. The accident happened in an area near the border under the responsibility of the 2nd Army Region.
Oil prices gained more than US$2 yesterday as faltering US-Iran diplomacy and a sharp slowdown in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz renewed concerns about global energy supplies.
Thailand’s economy grew by 1.9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, making it the slowest-growing of six major ASEAN economies tracked by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
Thailand’s next industrial upgrade may not be defined only by new roads, railways, factories and smart cities, but by how intelligently they can be designed, operated and maintained.
Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) ranked first in SEAsia Stats Research’s Top Manufacturing Hubs in Southeast Asia by Integrated Industrial Area, with more than 13,000 megawatts (MW) of power capacity in the Chon Buri–Rayong area.
The Thai government has launched a coordinated push to streamline international passenger processing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, pledging to expand automated passport gates to 31 additional nationalities by the end of August 2026.
Phuket has shut Freedom Beach after German tourist Jannik Jürgen Knobel, 30, was swept away in fierce monsoon seas despite red flags. His companion survived, but rescuers found his body near rocks the next day. Two other foreign tourists died at the secluded beach in 2025.
Discover the giant Buddha at Bangkok’s Wat Paknam
Thailand’s renewable power pipeline is gathering pace, with 449 projects licensed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and investment expected to reach up to US$2.61 billion.
Dow Thailand Group is producing high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins from plastic waste collected in Thailand, advancing a local recycling pathway that transforms used plastics into valuable materials for packaging and industrial applications.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has partnered with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to install solar rooftop systems at 25 pilot hospitals, aiming to reduce annual electricity costs by US$1.63 million and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7,211 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) a year.
US President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency, with an overwhelming majority of Americans concerned the U.S. war with Iran will last a long time, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded yesterday. 
Tourism in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi continues to show resilience, with stronger foreign visitor revenue and higher per-person spending helping offset softer domestic demand and wider economic pressures.
Thailand ranks third of 31 destinations for expats on the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, behind Panama and Mexico. The survey ran from Feb. 1 to March 31 this year, drawing about 7,786 respondents of 162 nationalities across 31 countries.
A single night in a private room at Bangkok Hospital can run past 25,000 baht before any treatment is added to the bill. Most expats assume their health insurance handles that kind of cost without a second thought. But the truth is, the exclusions section of the policy, the part almost nobody reads past the first page, is often where that assumption falls apart.
The Commerce Ministry recently discovered that there have been irregularities in the registration of 35 companies in four districts of northeastern Sakon Nakhon province, with unwitting Thai villagers used to set up these 100% Chinese-owned nominee firms while 14 were totally Thai owned but none were conducting any business at all at their registered addresses.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas recently unveiled a new economic plan aimed at steering Thailand toward a high-income nation, but experts have flagged obstacles that need immediate attention.
Thailand will send a technical team to the United States from Aug. 27 to 29 for further negotiations on an agreement on reciprocal trade, or ART, before policy-level talks led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.
Eight Thai industrial groups responsible for US$52.23 billion in exports to the United States in 2025 could face more intensive checks on product origin and manufacturing processes as Washington steps up enforcement against illegal transshipment.
The White House has accused more than 40 countries, including Thialnd, Canada, Mexico, Japan and EU member states, of helping China evade US tariffs by rerouting exports through lower-tariff jurisdictions — a practice it labels “The Great Transshipment Scam”.
Thailand’s property market is increasingly looking to foreign buyers, as slowing economic growth, high household debt and tighter lending conditions put pressure on domestic purchasing power.
Thailand plans to restructure automotive excise taxes by offering lower rates for vehicles produced domestically and charging more on fully built imports from companies without manufacturing investment in the country.
AOT studies fast-track services, return of arrival duty-free shops
Chiang Mai Waterfall closed after tourists swept away
Four Spanish tourists injured by falling tree at Ayutthaya temple
A prominent Thai plastic surgeon has publicly urged people not to take everything in the Australian 60 Minutes investigation into Thai cosmetic surgery at face value, saying he has been contacted by a surgeon connected to one of the featured cases who told him the reality was not as the program presented it.
Where one lives in Thailand strongly determines how easily one can see a doctor. The agricultural sector suffers the most, with farmers making up 45.5% of all poor households. This is largely because gross farm incomes fluctuate wildly with weather and market prices.
Theerasak “Pop” Saksritawee spends up to eight hours every day swimming, hiking and filming dugongs near Phuket. Now, he’s warning the animals may soon disappear from one of the few places outside Australia that they gather. 
Bangkok’s floating markets: Where trade still floats
Australia’s New South Wales state will begin a major gun buyback on November 2, offering owners up to A$1,000, or about US$700, for each eligible rifle or handgun surrendered. The federal government passed legislation in January establishing a gun buyback, strengthening checks on firearm license applicants and introducing measures against hate-related conduct. 
Alma Ronen has been fighting in the Israeli military nearly constantly for more than two years. Spending her Saturday not in uniform but in a T-shirt and jeans, she would like to enjoy a coffee outside – and resents that her more religious compatriots think otherwise. 
US President Donald Trump said he was “not happy” about US participation in joint military exercises with close ally South Korea and is scaling back the drills aimed at deterring rival North Korea that start today. 
A Western content creator has warned foreigners against moving to Thailand without a clear financial plan, saying many end up “packing up and going home” after under estimating their costs.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) yesterday removed a street lighting charge from public electricity bills, leading to 6-satang reduction in the rate to 3.89 baht a unit from next month (September). The rate structure for residential electricity has also been adjusted, with the first 200 units capped at 3 baht per unit.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has called on mobile phone users to finish mandatory SIM identity verification and update their information by Aug. 30 as it seeks to combat mule accounts and technology crime.
Thailand is moving toward more targeted regulation of ride-hailing and on-demand delivery platforms, as each of the markets consolidates around two dominant players, with competition authorities preparing new guidelines to address structural barriers, algorithmic practices and potential abuses of market power.
The government’s upcoming measures to screen data center investment projects in Thailand are designed to safeguard electricity security without derailing the country’s ambition to attract foreign capital into this fast-growing industry, says an energy official who requested anonymity.
At least 11 French nationals who were arrested in Thailand with cannabis in their luggage, claimed they were deceived into carrying “locked bags” in exchange for free holidays.
Chinese arrivals target set at 5.1 million this year
Thai authorities have resolved a major administrative backlog dating back to 2018 by issuing hotel licenses to 275 properties in Phuket as part of a broader government drive to regulate unlicensed hospitality businesses and crack down on illegal foreign nominee operations.
Thailand Outlines Plan to Commercialize 231 Forgotten Heritage Dishes
Long before modern advocacy, romantic and deeply intimate bonds between women existed behind the closed doors of the ancient Thai royal courts. Known traditionally as “Len Puean” (เล่นเพื่อน), these relationships were a recognized, if sometimes hushed, part of court culture.
From the Elephant Sanctuaries of Thailand
I was in Thailand this week visiting my wife’s family and I had to satisfy some professional curiosity and see what was going on in the country’s cannabis market for myself.
Thailand’s national police chief has ordered a nationwide drive against illegal firearms, ammunition and explosives, alongside increased security at schools, shopping centers, parks and other public spaces.
Heavy rain is forecast across northern, northeastern, central and eastern Thailand today, with authorities warning of flash floods and forest run-off after a monsoon trough moved across the upper north.
Thailand’s digital economy is projected to expand by 5.6% in 2026, reaching a valuation of 5.7 trillion baht ($171.8 billion). According to forecasts released by the National Board of Digital Economy and Society Office (BDE), the sector is set to grow 2.2 times faster than the country’s overall gross domestic product (GDP), establishing itself as a vital engine for national growth.
The online debate over whether restaurants in Thailand should accept orders only in Thai highlights an underlying issue in the industry: a persistent labor shortage, as many Thais do not want to work in the sector.
Thai Airways International (THAI) reported a net profit of 1.54 billion baht for the second quarter of 2026, down from 12.13 billion baht in the same period last year, as the Middle East conflict drove jet fuel prices sharply higher.
Agoda has released data on travel interest among European travelers for summer 2026, showing that Thailand remained the Asian destination attracting the strongest interest for a second consecutive year. The result reflects the strength of Thailand’s tourism market among European travelers.
Asia Pacific commercial real estate investment reached a record USD $92.5 billion in the first half of 2026, a 35% year-on-year increase, according to JLL data. Japan led the region with USD $10.6 billion in the second quarter, while Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong all posted sharp volume gains driven by large portfolio and landmark transactions. 
Jorge Gonzalez searches with his bare hands for his aunt under the ruins of a four-story building in Pereira, one of the cities hardest hit by the powerful earthquake in Colombia that has left at least 240 dead. Like hundreds of volunteers and rescuers, he has spent hours clinging to the faintest hope there may be survivors in the rubble, despite the 7.4 magnitude quake that struck this coffee capital on Monday morning. 
Thai Singer Nene Royal Advances to AGT Judges’ Callbacks
Diplomacy is no longer confined to diplomats and politicians. Increasingly, and for better or worse, people-to-people relations shape ties between two nations. It is not just face-to-face contact, but the use of social media that shapes the trajectory relations between two nations.
Geopolitical conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran erupted in late February. Although negotiation efforts produced an agreement at one stage, fighting subsequently resumed, leaving shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea facing uncertainty.
As the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme approaches its halfway point, industry associations view its impact as minimal. Somchai Pornrattanacharoen, honorary advisor to the Thai Wholesale and Retail Trade Association, said small retailers participating in the scheme could see sales rise by up to 50% during the program.
Thailand must stop measuring tourism success simply by visitor numbers and build a system that protects destinations, local communities and infrastructure, according to two researchers at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
A severe drought and the peak travel season have left Koh Samui facing a water shortage that is affecting businesses, prompting tourism operators to call for greater investment in water infrastructure to keep pace with rising visitor numbers.
Thailand’s largest island records decline in hotel guests in first half
The private sector and Thailand’s Department of Health Service Support (HSS) are collaborating to push for the creation of “Wellness Special Economic Zones”. The scheme will begin with a three-to-five-year pilot phase dubbed the “Wellness Sandbox”, designed to generate economic value, stimulate employment, and attract foreign investors.
Wild tiger population in Thailand’s protected reserves reaches 210
Leading Chinese companies have shifted their investment plans in Thailand to data centers, the manufacturing industry’s intelligent transformation, and new energy opportunities amid rising land and labor costs and stricter compliance requirements in the country, as well as global tariff shocks.
Gastronomy Tourism Tipped to Spread Wealth Beyond Bangkok
Dubai carrier flydubai is pressing ahead with its expansion in Thailand, doubling its daily flights to Bangkok from tomorrow as travel demand between the UAE and Southeast Asia continues to climb despite recent geopolitical uncertainty.
Why Isan Cuisine Is Part of Thailand’s Wellness Food Conversation
Koh Samui named world’s best island
The Future of Krabi’s Quiet Luxury
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. 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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.