- Fire threatens Cha-am homes/Cha-am included in flood mitigation project/USS Abraham Lincoln closed to visitors/US sailors warmly welcomed/US Navy returns to its old stomping ground/Pattaya as Thailand’s ‘Sin City’
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran Fires On Its Gulf Neighbors/Two Filipinos killed on Saudi oil tanker/Thailand braces for higher oil prices/Strait of Hormuz as ‘Trump Strait’
- ECONOMY: Thai GDP outlook rises/Thailand’s US$35-billion deficit/Economic growth projections at 1.5% to 2.5%/Thai retailers urge more stimulus/Bangkok halts three planned data centers/To close data center regulatory gap/Data center faces action over diesel storage/Zero tariffs for Thai shrimp
- TOURISM: Indian tourist arrivals fall 11.6%/Thai Airways 66-route winter schedule/AirAsia in Codeshare With Pegasus/Free 10-kilogram fruit check-in
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Homegrown coffee is fueling Thailand’s specialty boom
- CLIMATE THAILAND: EGAT explores SMRs/1,520 electric buses in Bangkok/World will miss its climate target
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Fire threatens Cha-am homes
A Cha-am fire burned more than 200 rai of reed beds and came close to nearby homes last night, as crews battled for more than three hours to bring it under control.
The fire started beside the railway near Saeng Sawang Cha-am Church before spreading rapidly through a large area of reeds in strong winds. Thick black smoke rose above the town and could be seen from several kilometers away. Continued …
Cha-am included in Phetchaburi River Basin flood mitigation project
Phetchaburi is moving ahead with a 14.7-billion-baht flood project that includes a 38-kilometer drainage route between Tha Yang and Cha-am.
The lower Phetchaburi River Basin flood mitigation project, approved by the Cabinet under a royal initiative, is intended to reduce recurring flooding and improve long-term water management. Construction is scheduled to take place over 10 financial years, from 2027 to 2036. Continued …
USS Abraham Lincoln closed to visitors
The USS Abraham Lincoln docked at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri yesterdsy morning, but members of the public will not be allowed into the port to see the US Navy aircraft carrier.
Port authorities have increased patrols and tightened existing security arrangements around the nuclear-powered vessel, which is expected to remain under high-level protection throughout its stay. Continued …
US sailors warmly welcomed in Pattaya
More than 5,000 US Navy personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln have begun making their way into Pattaya, where they are expected to pour about 100 million baht into the local economy during five days of long-overdue shore leave.
Groups of sailors arrived at the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya aboard buses and vans at around 2 pm yesterday after disembarking earlier in morning at private piers in Laem Chabang and Sri Racha ports in Chon Buri province. Continued …
Cash is the name of game as the US Navy returns to its old Pattaya stomping ground
The boys are back in town, and Pattaya is humming again. Mobile ATMs were bused to the Hard Rock Hotel as 5,000 American sailors swept into the resort. The hotel became their shore-leave headquarters following disembarkations at Laem Chabang and Sri Racha.
After more than 200 operational days, the sailors arrived with months of accumulated wages and four nights to unwind. Each could spend US$100 to US$300, pushing Pattaya’s windfall beyond ฿100 million by Sunday. However, Navy discipline still shadows the party. Soi 6, Soi 7, cannabis outlets, pharmacies and water activities remain off limits. Walking Street, its go-go bars and Pattaya girls, however, are open for business. Continued …
The history behind Pattaya as Thailand’s ‘Sin City’
There’s no getting around the fact that Thailand’s seaside resort of Pattaya has a lingering reputation for sex tourism, even though that’s only part of the story for the city that’s a major shore leave destination of crew members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Social media ahead of the Lincoln’s visit has been awash with jibes about lusty sailors, but recent visitors say the development of more family-friendly attractions means the new, more wholesome Pattaya overshadows its former seedy self. Continued …
Iran Fires On Its Gulf Neighbors, Retaliating For U.S. Strikes After A Wedding Was Hit
Iran fired on U.S. allies in the Gulf early yesterday following a night of American bombardment that Iranian state media says included a deadly strike on a wedding party.
Sirens sounded in Kuwait, where air defenses were intercepting missile and drone attacks during a “blatant Iranian aggression,” the country’s Ministry of Defense said. Continued …
Two Filipinos killed in Monday attack on Saudi oil tanker in Hormuz
Two Filipino sailors were killed when a Saudi oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company said yesterday.
A Greek security firm earlier said “unknown projectiles” hit the ship on Monday. Fresh violence has flared between the US and Iran this week. Continued …
Thailand braces for higher oil prices as fund deficit tops 80 billion baht
Thailand’s Energy Ministry has warned that global oil prices could remain highly volatile and continue rising after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while the country’s Oil Fuel Fund is running a deficit of more than 80 billion baht.
Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo, deputy permanent secretary and spokesman for the Energy Ministry, said the ministry was closely monitoring the conflict because the latest escalation was directly affecting the stability of global energy markets and pushing crude prices higher. Continued …
Trump floats renaming Strait of Hormuz as ‘Trump Strait’
US President Donald Trump yesterday suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait,” asserting US control of the vital waterway even as fighting raged there with Iran.
It is the latest in a series of geographical name changes floated by Trump, and comes after he claimed US sovereignty over the strait that Tehran has effectively shut for six months. Continued …
Thai GDP outlook rises but SMEs face widening divide
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast for Thailand to 2.1%-2.5%, from 1.6%-2.0%, but warned that stronger exports and private investment are producing increasingly uneven benefits across the economy.
The committee also lifted its export growth forecast to 12%-16%, up from its previous projection of 8%-10%, after both exports and private investment expanded more strongly than expected. Continued …
Thailand’s US$35-billion trade deficit: 73% is for production
Thailand recorded a trade deficit of US$35.3545 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to the Commerce Ministry. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said more than 70% of imports were materials and capital goods used in production.
Machinery, electronic components and chemicals accounted for a combined 72.9% of all imports during the period, she said. Consumer goods made up only 9.2%. Continued …
Survey: Economic growth projections at 1.5% to 2.5%
Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, released the findings of the chamber’s confidence index survey for the fourth quarter of 2026. Conducted from Aug. 18-20, the survey covered 503 respondents and found that 46.2% expected Thailand’s economy to grow by 1.5%-2% this year, while 37.8% forecast growth of 2%-2.5%. The results pointed to an outlook below the government’s midpoint forecast of 2.2%.
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported that the Thai economy expanded by 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from 2.8% in the same quarter a year earlier. Private investment across the technology, digital and new-industry sectors, together with exports of technology products and electronic components, were key drivers. Continued …
Thai retailers urge more stimulus to boost spending
Thailand’s retail sector is calling for stronger economic stimulus, including the revival of the Easy e-Receipt scheme, with an eligible spending ceiling of 100,000 baht, as household debt and accumulated living costs continue to squeeze consumers’ purchasing power.
The fourth quarter is normally the year’s peak shopping season and a period of optimism for businesses. This year, however, Thai retailers face severe challenges as consumers tighten their budgets amid weakening real purchasing power and a series of economic pressures that leave limited room for growth. Continued …
Bangkok halts three planned data centers pending tighter safety rules
Bangkok has suspended three planned standalone data center projects and ordered them to undergo a fresh review, as authorities prepare tighter regulations covering fuel storage, land use, safety, and pressure on electricity and water supplies.
The Energy Ministry has separately halted the issuance of new permits for backup-fuel tanks at data centers pending clearer safety and environmental standards. Continued …
Thailand moves to close data center regulatory gap
The government is moving to address a regulatory gap in the data center sector, with the Data Center Business Policy Committee preparing an urgent meeting to develop a coordinated oversight framework.
A source at the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) said Thailand currently had no single law directly and comprehensively governing every aspect of data center operations. Continued …
Rama IX data center faces action over 200,000-liter diesel storage
The Department of Energy Business plans to file a police complaint today against the operator of a data center on Rama IX Road over the alleged unlicensed storage of more than 200,000 liters of diesel.
Thitipat Chotidechachainan, secretary to the energy minister, inspected the facility next to Rama 9 Hospital after residents and nearby shop operators complained about an oil-like smell that they said had persisted for more than two months. Continued …
U.S. Shrimp Coalition seeks zero tariffs for Thai shrimp
The U.S. Shrimp Coalition is urging the Trump administration to include shrimp and other seafood among products receiving zero-tariff treatment as the United States and Thailand work toward a reciprocal trade agreement.
In an Aug. 25 letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, the coalition argued that exempting Thai shrimp from tariffs would help maintain affordable seafood supplies while supporting U.S. businesses and jobs tied to processing, transportation, retail, restaurants and food service. Continued …
Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand fall 11.6%
Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand fell 11.6% year-on-year between Aug. 1-22, making India the only one of the country’s four main overseas markets to record a decline during the period.
The Bank of Thailand said the drop followed proposed revisions to visa-exemption rules affecting foreign visitors, including Indian nationals. The decline was nevertheless an improvement on the 20.2% contraction recorded in July. Continued …
Thai Airways sets 66-route winter schedule for peak season
Thai Airways International (THAI) will operate 66 domestic and international routes during its winter 2026/27 timetable, covering destinations across Europe, Australia and Asia. The schedule will run from Oct. 25 to March 27, 2027), coinciding with Thailand’s peak tourism season.
THAI announced the program yesterday, saying selected services and frequencies had been increased in response to passenger bookings and travel demand. Continued …
AirAsia Seals First Codeshare With Pegasus, Bridges Asia and Europe
AirAsia has signed its first-ever codeshare agreement, teaming up with Turkey’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, to open seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul, the two airlines announced at AirAsia’s headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia, yesterday.
The partnership will progressively open access to more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe, combining AirAsia’s Southeast Asian network with Pegasus’s reach across Europe from its hub at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Continued …
Seven airlines offer free 10-kilogram fruit check-in at 20 airports
Seven airlines will allow passengers to check up to 10 kilograms of fresh fruit into the aircraft hold free of charge under a year-long program covering 20 airports across Thailand.
The Commerce Ministry, through the Department of Internal Trade, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Transport Ministry’s Department of Airports and seven airline partners: Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air and EZY Airlines. Continued …
Homegrown coffee is fueling Thailand’s specialty boom
Thailand currently ranks as the world’s 20th-largest coffee producer, down from the top 15 a decade ago. The country grows mainly robusta, although arabica production is growing, highlighting a sharper focus on quality.
Domestic demand consistently outpaces the country’s supply, which is why the majority of Thailand’s speciality coffee stays within the country. But Thai drinking habits weren’t always coffee-centric. For much of the country’s history, people consumed herbal drinks, then tea, before coffee entered the picture. Continued …
EGAT explores SMRs to bolster Thailand’s energy security
Amid global efforts to achieve the net zero emission transition, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs) and data centers is driving enormous demand for electricity — the fundamental infrastructure underpinning the digital economy and requiring exceptional reliability and stability.
Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a potential solution to meet these growing energy needs, offering the prospect of reliable baseload power, more competitive investment costs and lower carbon emissions. Continued …
1,520 electric buses set for rollout in Bangkok
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is preparing 1,520 electric buses to replace aging vehicles, with deliveries expected to begin in March 2027. Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul, BMTA director, said the transition would improve passenger convenience, safety and environmental performance while reducing the organization’s fuel and maintenance costs by an estimated 4.1 billion baht annually.
The buses feature rooftop batteries, three emergency exits and universal-design features. The BMTA is developing 12 depots and charging stations, with each bus requiring about three hours to charge. Two prototype buses will soon undergo testing by BMTA drivers to assess safety before wider deployment. Continued …
UN says world will miss its climate target, warming must be reversed
The world has failed in its goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, the United Nations (UN) said yesterday, in a sober assessment that laid out a new goal for fighting climate change that would set the world on an uncertain path.
A decade ago, most of the world’s countries agreed in Paris to try to limit global temperature rise to “well below” 2°C while aiming for the more ambitious target of 1.5°C, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Continued …
Rare train of Pacific cyclones fueled by historic El Nino
Two powerful hurricanes and a strengthening tropical storm yesterday were churning through the Pacific Ocean where waters were being warmed by a historically strong El Nino climate episode. Furthest west is Hurricane Lowell, followed by Hurricane Karina. Both of the Category 4 storms are anticipated to pass well to the south and to the northeast of Hawaii, respectively. Continued …
US energy firms dominate Venezuela deals worth billions
US energy firms yesterday signed a raft of multibillion-dollar deals with Venezuela, days after the South American country agreed to grant the United States control of a huge chunk of its vast oil reserves. Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Caracas to oversee the signing of deals worth “tens of billions of dollars of investment,” seen as a quid pro quo for Washington winning majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. Continued …
Dutch shift 86 tons of gold from US and Canada to UK
The Dutch central bank said yesterday it had moved 86 tons of its gold reserves out of the United States and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest”. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) said gold reserves held in London could be traded more easily than those held in New York and Ottawa. 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 cinemas/Emergency numbers
Hua Hin’s Most Atmospheric Night Markets? Tamarind & Cicada Walking Tour
Oil prices jumped today, with Brent crude rising above US$90 a barrel, as intensified attacks between the United States and Iran deepened concern over energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
A total of 7,024 businesses ceased operations in the first half of this year, up 12.5% year-on-year, with total registered capital of 98.9 billion baht, an increase of 224%, according to the Department of Business Development (DBD).
Thailand expects more than B70 billion in investment from four leading Chinese electric vehicle and advanced-technology companies, following talks in Chengdu yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the commitments followed a Thailand investment roadshow led by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in the Chinese city.
Corrupt government officials are seen as the leading reason foreigners can illegally run businesses in Thailand, according to a nationwide NIDA Poll. Some 67.1% of respondents blamed corruption or misconduct among state officials for businesses directly operated by foreigners or run through Thai nominees.
Pet ownership creates a new economic opportunity
Thailand plans to halve visa-free entry from 60 to 30 days for citizens of 54 countries, including Switzerland, a move likely to affect those seasonal retirees who spend much of the European winter in the kingdom. The change has not yet appeared in the Royal Gazette. It will take effect 15 days after publication. Until then, Swiss visitors and other eligible nationals can still enter visa-free for 60 days.
Thailand advances B12-billion Koh Samui cruise terminal project
How to Ride MRT: Easy Thai Phrases for Asoke and Sukhumvit Transit
It’s no secret that Thailand is home to some of the world’s most stunning stays. Beyond breezy beachfront resorts, Thailand is also home to stunning art-filled hotels where art takes center stage — whether through paintings, sculptures, bold design, traditional Thai craftsmanship, or contemporary installations.
Russia battered Ukraine’s capital Kyiv overnight with one of its biggest ballistic missile barrages of the war, killing at least one person and wounding 16 others, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said yesterday. 
Hua Hin is exploring the use of CCTV with AI-enabled facial recognition systems as part of plans to strengthen public safety and modernize urban management. The proposal was discussed during a meeting chaired by Nopporn Wutthikul on Friday at Hua Hin City Municipality.
Five stray dogs were found dead after suspected poisoning in a residential area of Cha Am municipality, Phetchaburi, on Friday, prompting concern among local residents and calls for authorities to investigate. The animals were discovered lying on the road and nearby grass, showing signs of severe distress, including foaming at the mouth, bleeding, and loss of bodily control.
The likelihood of a “super El Niño” poses a serious threat to Thailand’s agricultural sector, particularly rice production, potentially increasing food security risks.
A senior doctor has warned that eating raw shrimp can lead to serious parasitic infection, after a case highlighted the risks beyond common food poisoning. Yesterday, Dr. Jessada Bunyawongviroj, deputy director of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, shared details of a patient who developed gnathostomiasis after consuming raw seafood. The condition caused swelling that moved across the body, as parasites migrated under the skin.
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Thailand’s Ministry of Energy is preparing to propose a new electricity pricing scheme to the cabinet, aimed at reducing costs for households that use no more than 200 units per month. Under the plan, these users would pay less than 3 baht per unit, with lower consumption leading to progressively cheaper rates, potentially benefiting around 14 million people.
At least 80% of governments will deploy AI agents to automate routine decision-making, enhancing efficiency and service delivery by 2028, according to the business and technology insights company Gartner Inc.
Thailand’s economic outlook is under increasing strain as uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict continues, with authorities warning that a prolonged war could extend into 2027, dragging down growth and pushing inflation higher.
Nine out of 10 ships that once passed through the Strait of Hormuz are not going anywhere. The consequences are already shaping Asia’s next harvest and the one after that.
The US-Iran conflict, which erupted two months ago, has triggered an oil price shock, sharp rises in the cost of living, and widespread flight cancellations worldwide.
As temperatures climb across Thailand, households are feeling more than just the heat. This year’s hot season has brought a sharp rise in living costs, particularly fuel prices, tightening budgets and amplifying financial strain. In this environment, effective financial management has become essential to easing the burden.
Government Outlines B1.38-trillion Transport Plan
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties with the United States following talks with US Ambassador to Thailand Sean O’Neill on Friday.
Quasar Medical, a manufacturer of interventional and minimally invasive devices, has opened its newest manufacturing facility in Chonburi, Thailand. This new facility adds to the company’s initial investment in Thailand, and is Quasar’s third site in the country.
Thailand’s famed massage industry is getting a reset. Last month, the government rolled out sweeping reforms to raise standards, improve training, and reshape its global image. In 2024, Thailand’s wellness tourism spending hit US$14 billion, up 36% from the previous year. This video looks at whether the changes will lift the sector or price it out of reach. 
The water has dried, the streets have cleared, and the music has faded, but for many long-term visitors in Pattaya, the aftermath of this year’s Songkran has left behind more frustration than fond memories.
The sights, sounds, and smells of Bangkok hit me immediately and simultaneously. The spiced aromas wafting from street food vendors mixed with the heavy traffic’s gasoline fumes. My head was constantly on a swivel, captured by the neon lights in Chinatown contrasting against the gold facades of the centuries-old wats (temples).
10 high-sodium Thai dishes that may quietly harm your kidneys
The government’s renewed focus on rooftop solar in early 2026 stems from overlapping economic pressures, described by policymakers as a “crisis on crisis”. Global energy costs have surged amid the war in the Middle East, affecting fuel used for electricity generation. This has pushed up the fuel tariff, with further increases expected between May and August.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with strategic partners, successfully concluded the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2026 in Phuket last week.
Phuket has been selected as the pilot province for a new nationwide push to transform Thailand’s hotel sector into a model of sustainable tourism, with the Bank of Thailand launching a major green financing initiative aimed at reshaping the industry. 