Hua Hin sees tourism boost/Pa La-U Fruit Fair/Armed robbery at Khao Tao store/Transport Co adjusting bus routes/Thailand Braces for Flash Floods/Over 80% Want PM to Step Down/ECONOMY: US Tariff Talks Amid Military Base Rumors/US has no plan to build naval base/Thai Academic Sounds Alarm/Thailand mulls zero duty/Thais Doubt Cabinet’s Ability to Cut Tariffs/Thailand’s chocolate industry/TOURISM: Surge In The New Travel Agencies/Cyclical Resilience of Thailand’s Tourism/Special Immigration Lanes for Chinese/Pattaya imposes 5,000 baht fine/Thailand’s hot spring tourism plan/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: The Seven Best Road Trips/Quirky Thai desserts/CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Eyes Small Nuclear Reactors/LINKS: 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 sees tourism boost during long weekend with hotel occupancy at 80%
Hotels in Hua Hin and other parts of Prachuap Khiri Khan reported strong occupancy levels during the recent four-day weekend, with average rates reaching 80%, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Data collected during the Asalha Bucha and Buddhist Lent holidays, from July 10–13, showed a steady flow of domestic visitors to the province. Most tourists stayed in Hua Hin, Pranburi and nearby areas, where hotel occupancy ranged from 80% to 90%. Continued …
12th Pa La-U Fruit Fair Opens in Hua Hin
Varawut Silpa-archa, minister of Natural Resources and Environment, on Sunday presided over the opening of the 12th Pa La-U Fruit and Local Products Fair in Huai Sat Yai subdistrict, Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Held at the grounds of the Huai Sat Yai Subdistrict Administrative Organization, the event aims to promote agrotourism and generate income for local communities by showcasing the region’s agricultural produce, including the renowned Pa La-U durian. Continued …
Man arrested for armed robbery at Khao Tao convenience store
Police have arrested a 20-year-old man suspected of carrying out an armed robbery at a convenience store in Khao Tao earlier this month.
The arrest was made yesterday by officers from Hua Hin Police Station, including Superintendent Kampanat Na Wichai and members of the investigative team, following an incident that occurred on July 4. Continued …
Transport Co adjusting bus routes as travel patterns change
The state-owned Transport Company is planning to upgrade its bus services and adjust routes to align with changing travel patterns, as more double-track railway lines enter service in Thailand.
The state enterprise known as Bor Kor Sor began looking at ways to improve its market share as it expects some long-distance passengers may choose to travel by rail instead, Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote said. Continued …
Thailand Braces for Flash Floods Amid Intense Monsoon Warning
Thailand is on high alert as the Meteorological Department warns of potential heavy rainfall and flash floods across the country, with intensified monsoon conditions expected until July 24. Based on models from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), regions could see rainfall exceeding 750 millimeters.
The upper north and northeast regions are facing the brunt of the monsoon, experiencing both light and heavy rainfall. Provinces such as Tak, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai are particularly vulnerable. In the northeast, heavy rain is forecast for Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, and Sakon Nakhon, raising fears of flash floods and runoff due to their location along the monsoon ridge. Continued …
Thai Poll Reveals Over 80% Want Suspended PM to Step Down
In a recent opinion poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration, over 80% of Thai respondents expressed their desire for suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to either resign or dissolve the House of Representatives.
From July 4-7, the survey reached 1,310 individuals nationwide, with 42.4% urging Paetongtarn to resign, allowing a new leader to take charge. Meanwhile, 39.9% favored dissolving the House to enable fresh elections, and a small fraction (1%) supported a coup d’état. Continued …
Thai Government Resists US Tariff Talks Amid Military Base Rumors
In a recent development, the Thai government is under pressure regarding a substantial 36% U.S. tariff on Thai goods, set to begin on Aug. 1. Concerns have intensified over a rumored proposal allowing the U.S. to establish a military base in Thailand as a bargaining chip for reducing these tariffs.
Nantiwat Samart, a former secretary to the Foreign Ministry, expressed his disapproval in a Facebook post titled “Oppose Foreign Military Base.” He urged Thailand not to risk entanglement in international conflicts by succumbing to military base demands. “Don’t expect to gain from negotiating the Trump tariff,” he stated, noting a global shift toward divided alliances. He highlighted Indonesia’s similar dilemma, with pressure to exit the BRICS economic group for tariff alleviation. Continued …
US says it has no plan to build naval base in southern Thailand
The United States has not planned to build a naval base in Thai territory on shore of the Andaman Sea as otherwise widely feared by the Thai public, a navy source said yesterdayday.
The U.S. navy’s Indo-Pacific-based Seventh Fleet has had no alleged plan to build a naval base in Tablamu area of Phang Nga, which would otherwise lie in proximity of the Thai navy’s Phang Nga naval base in the southern coastal province, as many may have unduly speculated, according to the source who only spoke on condition of anonymity due to his current, working position in the navy. Continued …
Thai Academic Sounds Alarm on Key Trump Tariff Issues
A leading Thai academic is urging citizens to pay close attention to the unfolding negotiations regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive 36% tariff, which is set to hit Thai exports.
The imminent deadline of Aug.1 puts the country in a precarious position, demanding transparency and public scrutiny. Suriyasai Katasila, dean of Rangsit University’s College of Social Innovation, has issued a stark warning about the potential economic and sovereign repercussions for Thailand. Continued …
Thailand mulls zero duty for more US goods to win tariff deal
Thailand is weighing allowing zero-duty market access for more U.S. goods to help persuade the Trump administration to lower a threatened 36% tariff on its exports.
Thailand, which has previously cut tariffs on imports of longan and tilapia fish from other countries, could lower the levy for the United States on those goods to zero, Finance Minister Pichai Chunahavajira said. The government may also amend existing regulations to allow left-hand drive vehicles from the U.S. and eliminate taxes on goods already included in free-trade agreements with other countries, he said. Continued …
Majority of Thais Doubt New Cabinet’s Ability to Cut Trump’s Tariffs
A Suan Dusit nationwide poll reveals stark doubt among Thais, with over half questioning the new Cabinet’s ability to convince U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce hefty retaliatory tariffs. From July 8 to 11, 1,191 respondents voiced their concerns, with the results unveiled this weekend.
Fgures from the poll suggest that 50.6% of respondents are not confident the government can tackle Trump’s punitive tariffs, with only 29% hopeful of success and 20.4% undecided. This sentiment is further echoed in their belief that Trump’s 36% tariffs could severely impact Thai products, with 50% expecting significant damage. Continued …
Why Thailand could bring a fresh start to the world’s chocolate industry
Over 60%of cacao fruit, the raw ingredient of chocolate, is grown in West Africa. However, Thailand has recently emerged as a cacao-producing country. In this episode of Eat Drink Asia, Post reporter Lisa Cam travels to Thailand to try out some unique desserts and drinks made from local Thai chocolate and cacao. She also visits a farm and learns how the emerging chocolate industry in Thailand could potentially avoid the social and environmental problems in the cacao industry in other parts of the world. Video …
Surge In The New Travel Agencies In Thailand Causes Growing Pains
Thailand’s tourism industry, which is a key part of the country’s economy remaining strong for many years, experienced drastic reforms and changing challenges over the past year. More than 3,400 new travel agencies opened in the first half of 2025. The first half of 2025 saw the opening of new travel agencies; a whopping 3,409 were granted licensing to form new businesses.
And despite the influx of new businesses, which are born of an optimism among entrepreneurs based on earnings in what is the world’s most popular tourist destination, Thailand’s notoriously fickle tourism industry faces growing threats from within and without. Continued …
The Cyclical Resilience of Thailand’s Tourism
In recent months, the tone surrounding Thailand’s tourism economy has shifted, drifting from buoyant optimism to a more cautious outlook. Concerns over softening arrivals have sparked speculation about long-term growth and viability, but for those of us who have observed this sector closely over the decades, the picture is more nuanced.
I was quoted in an editorial back in 1996, during my time with Siam Express, saying that “Thailand’s tourism industry is facing tough times with consumer choice, internet disruption, and geopolitical impact. Even then, we were speaking about patterns, waves of popularity, moments of saturation, and the inevitable dips that follow. The current downturn, while real, is far from unprecedented. Continued …
Special Immigration Lanes Unveiled as Thailand Courts Chinese Families
In response to a significant drop in Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, nearly halving since 2019, Thai tourism operators have called for measures to boost Chinese tourism. On Sunday, the Immigration Bureau of Thailand initiated a program to attract Chinese tourists during their school holidays, typically from July to September.
This period provides Chinese families a chance to travel, as schooling is highly competitive in China and holidays are often the only opportunity for trips. Continued …
Pattaya imposes 5,000 baht fine for smoking on beaches and footpaths
Pattaya City has implemented a strict no-smoking policy on all its beach areas, including the footpaths, to promote public health and maintain cleanliness. Prominent signs have been installed along the beachfronts clearly informing visitors and locals that smoking is prohibited everywhere on the beach and adjacent footpaths.
This initiative aims to reduce litter from cigarette butts, improve air quality, and provide a cleaner, more family-friendly environment for everyone enjoying the beaches. Continued …
Thailand’s tropical hot spring tourism plan
Thailand plans to start developing spa towns, similar to popular sites in Japan and Europe, and creating tourism routes that promote wellness. Its government has a hefty budget and multi-year strategy to develop infrastructure – but can the plan work? Video …
The Seven Best Road Trips To Take From Bangkok
The outdoors don’t get much more rewarding than in Thailand. Not only is the landscape remarkably varied and lush, but it is also dotted with an incredible spectrum of experiences. Choose your backdrop from forested hills, sun-drenched coastlines, rolling rice fields or dramatic limestone cliffs, and you’ll find it just a few hours’ drive from Bangkok on a road trip.
The balance of bustling neighborhoods set against an unbeatable skyline, charming towns, serene northern hill tribes, and coastal villages is uniquely Thai, with scenic routes leading to everything from sleepy fishing villages to beach towns and mountain retreats where you’ll want to linger. Continued …
Quirky Thai desserts with hilarious names you won’t believe
When it comes to Thai cuisine, the food is as rich in flavor as it is in character. But some of Thailand’s desserts come with names that are sure to make you do a double-take!
From the hilarious “Rat Droppings Dessert” to the delightfully named “Going Broke Dessert,” these treats have more than just surprising names — they’re bursting with flavor, too! Here are some of the quirkiest Thai desserts with names you just have to know about! Continued …
Thailand Eyes Small Nuclear Reactors to Boost Clean Energy
Thailand is poised to embrce small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of a broader initiative to stabilize power supplies and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This push is gaining traction among key corporations, including Ratch Group, the power arm of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), and Global Power Synergy, a PTT subsidiary.
The move aligns with governmental efforts to diminish carbon emissions from fossil fuel-dependent power plants. Global Power Synergy has already embarked on a feasibility study, driven by increasing energy demands and its commitment to decarbonization. Continued …
Bus service between Hua Hin, Don Mueang Airport in BangkokThe first-class bus service between Don Mueang Airport and Hua Hin offers two round trips daily. The fare is 200 baht each way and takes three-and-a-half hours. The Hua Hin departure is from the current Transport Co. terminal just north of Hua Hin Airport.
(We recommend checking with the bus company about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
Starting May 1, the Don Mueang-Hua Hin route will offer two round trips per day. The two outbound trips from Don Mueang Airport will depart at 8 am and 3 pm. The bus will stop at eight locations, including the Service Hall at Don Mueang, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Mahachai, Phetchaburi Big C, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, and the Hua Hin Bus Station.
For the return trips from Hua Hin, buses will depart at 9 am and 3:30 pm, stopping at seven locations, including the Hua Hin Bus Station, Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall, Cha Am PTT Petrol Station, Phetchaburi Bus Station, Mahachai, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, and Don Mueang Airport.
Online Booking and Customer Service: Facebook Page: BorKorSor; LINE ID: @TCL99; Website: TCL99 Transport.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
(We recommend checking with the airline about this schedule, as it changes without notice.)
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 12:10 pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 10:20 am
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
90-day online reporting 
Emergency hotline numbers:
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- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
- State Railway – 1590
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