• Returning sponsor: Anantasila Beach Restaurant Hua Hin/Frenchman arrested in Cha Am/Hua Hin Table Tennis Championship/Hua Hin land titles explained/Foreign buyers hit pause on villas/Thailand Driving Out Foreigners/Police Seize Land in Nominee Crackdown /Tighten Foreign Condo Ownership Rules/Bid-Rigging Claims at Suvarnabhumi/Tunnel Collapse Kills Two/Wild Elephant Kills Mushroom Forager/Can a person outrun an elephant?/Medical cannabis enforcement
• THE IRAN WAR: US and Iran conclude high-level talks/Still a long way to go
• ECONOMY: Deficit and baht risks/Foreign investment tops 154-billion-baht/FastPass Expansion Targets Investment/Can Land Bridge Challenge Malacca?/Exports face slower growth/Pressure on Thai exporters/Export window for Thai pet food/Bangkok Faces Japan-Style Housing Crisis/$800-million wellness hub in Bangkok/Italy wants Thai workers/Defend farmland from data centers
• TOURISM: International departure fee rises/Green season tourism shift/Phuket may triple hotel tax/Phuket hotel demolitions/Pattaya operators turn pushy/Culture means more than tourism/War in Middle East pushing tourists to Asia
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Horrifying methods to make elephants rideable /Ordering Som Tum Like a Thai Local/Southern springboard to growth/The Great Hornbill
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Accelerate energy transition/Shift away from fossil fuels/Mekong wildlife trafficking
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Please welcome returning sponsor

Anantasila Beach Restaurant Hua Hin

The Anantasila Beach Restaurant Hua Hin beach bar and restaurant veranda give access to beautiful, unobstructed views of the sea and Khao Takiab shoreline. The restaurant’s tree-canopied outdoor dining area offers a casual, yet sophisticated dining experience.

The restaurant offers a taste of local specialties, but also a wide choice of European dishes. Diners hoping for something a little more personalized can enjoy a fresh custom-made pizza. Wine drinkers are invited to visit the wine pantry, which stocks a handpicked selection of Old World and New World wines. For those looking to enjoy a refreshing seaside cocktail or an evening aperitif, the bar serves a menu of classic and signature drinks.

The restaurant is open seven days a week from 7.00-23.00 hrs. and welcomes all residents and non-residents. For reservation, Tel : +66 32 527 638; Email : fb@anantasila.com

Frenchman arrested in Cha Am over alleged 8-billion-baht Ponzi scheme

Thai immigration police have arrested a 33-year-old French man in Cha Am, who is alleged to be a key figure in a transnational pyramid investment scam causing damages of more than 200 million Euros. The suspect, identified by authorities only as Mr. Dogan, was found hiding in a villa and is wanted by authorities in France, Turkey, and by Interpol.

On Saturday, investigators received intelligence that the suspect was hiding in a luxury villa in the Cha Am area. Officers moved in to inspect the property, requested to check his passport, and confirmed his identity against international arrest records. He was subsequently detained on site. Continued … 

Hua Hin Table Tennis Championship held at Bluport

The first Hua Hin Table Tennis Championship was held at Bluport Hua Hin over the weekend, with Jetphat Phetsanthad and Wiranchana Srichak winning the men’s and women’s singles titles. The tournament was organized by the Lions Club of Raspakdi Hua Hin, in cooperation with the Fantastic Hua Hin Table Tennis Club.

The final day featured the general singles categories, with 46 players competing in the men’s singles and 13 in the women’s singles. Players first competed in the group stage before progressing to the knockout rounds. Continued … 

Hua Hin land titles explained for foreign buyers

Hua Hin land titles and property ownership can be confusing, especially for foreign buyers trying to understand leases, title deeds, and what is legally safe. Many people have seen the recent crackdowns on nominee company ownership (see below), with more than 46,900 companies reportedly under investigation across Thailand.

Fortunately, for most buyers in the Hua Hin region, this has not been as common as in some other parts of the country. The problem is that some buyers were previously advised to set up nominee company structures and told: “Don’t worry, it will be fine.” In many cases, these advisers were not lawyers. They were often accountants creating an annual income stream. Continued … 

Foreign buyers hit pause on villas as nominee loophole closes

Thailand’s crackdown on a loophole that effectively bypasses its restrictions on land ownership by foreigners is causing prospective buyers to delay purchase decisions on luxury villas in resort destinations such as Phuket and Koh Samui, according to agents.

Bangkok has stepped up its scrutiny of business and property ownership in the country, with the Department of Business Development (DBD) flagging 11,426 companies on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui where foreigners hold stakes, accounting for nearly 68% of all registered firms on the two islands, which are districts in the southern Thai province of Surat Thani. Continued … 

Thailand Driving Out Foreigners It Once Courted

Thailand is pursuing two major policy directions that appear to conflict with one another: opening its economy to foreign business while intensifying enforcement against foreign-linked property ownership structures.

The contrast has become increasingly visible following reforms to the Foreign Business Act. In April 2025, the Cabinet approved the most significant overhaul of the law in 25 years. In January 2026, it confirmed plans to remove 10 business categories, including software development, from restricted lists, allowing foreign companies to operate without local partners or special licenses. The reforms form part of the Thailand 4.0 strategy aimed at improving competitiveness and attracting investment. Continued … 

Police Seize Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga Land in Nominee Crackdown

Thai police have seized 49 rai of land worth more than B1.05 billion in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga as part of the latest operation targeting alleged foreign nominee business networks. The coordinated raids on Saturday involved more than 500 officers and resulted from 59 arrest warrants, 60 search warrants, and investigations into 89 land plots linked to suspected illegal ownership structures.

Authorities said the investigation focused on companies suspected of using Thai nationals as nominees to hold shares on behalf of foreign investors, allowing them to control land and businesses in violation of Thai law. Across Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi, investigators identified 29 companies allegedly operating as nominees and 48 companies holding land while having foreign shareholders in the majority. Continued … 

Government Urged to Tighten Foreign Condo Ownership Rules

Thailand is facing renewed calls to tighten regulations governing foreign condominium ownership as the government considers raising the foreign ownership quota in condominium projects to attract overseas investment and support a property market still struggling with a slowdown.

The proposal is viewed as a way to improve liquidity in the real estate sector and help developers clear unsold inventory. However, concerns have emerged over housing affordability for Thai citizens, property speculation, and the long-term impact of increased foreign ownership. Continued … 

DSI Probes AOT Bid-Rigging Claims at Suvarnabhumi

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has ordered a preliminary investigation into allegations of bid rigging linked to projects at Airports of Thailand (AOT) worth 74.9 million baht. The inquiry follows a complaint submitted by a lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd, who alleged that a former deputy prime minister and a major news organization were involved in coordinating work for individuals and companies under scrutiny.

Sittra, secretary-general of the People’s Lawyer Team Foundation, submitted evidence to the DSI on June 16. He asked the agency to investigate whether offenses related to bid rigging had occurred and requested that his tip-off letter be treated as a formal criminal complaint if evidence of wrongdoing is found. Continued … 

Tunnel Collapse Kills Two at Chiang Rai Rail Project

Two workers were killed and two others injured after a section of wall collapsed inside the Doi Luang railway tunnel on the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project in Doi Luang district, Chiang Rai, on Saturday. The collapse occurred in an area of the tunnel that had not yet been lined with concrete, with debris falling onto workers inside the construction site.

The Doi Luang tunnel is 3.4 kilometers long and was successfully bored through last year. Construction is currently focused on installing a permanent concrete lining to protect the tunnel walls, with more than three-quarters of the work already completed. The collapse occurred in an exposed section that was awaiting protective treatment as part of the normal construction process. Continued … 

Wild Elephant Kills Mushroom Forager in Buriram Forest

A 58-year-old man was found dead in Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary in Buriram province after apparently being attacked by a wild elephant while foraging for mushrooms in the forest. The victim was discovered on Saturday in a remote forest area near Nong Bon village in Lam Nang Rong subdistrict, Non Din Daeng district.

Officers and rescue workers found the victim lying face down on a mound of earth. The body had significantly decomposed. Investigators also found extensive elephant footprints around the scene, with the surrounding ground appearing heavily trampled. Continued … 

Can a person outrun an elephant?

Elephants can certainly shift. African elephants can reach top speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour, albeit over short distances only. This is more than twice as fast as the average human runner, so it seems like an open and shut case.

Elephants win. Humans lose. Only not so fast. Unleash your inner pedant, and let’s think, for a moment, about what running actually is. Continued … 

Thailand steps up medical cannabis enforcement with more than 1,200 inspections nationwide

Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) says it has intensified oversight of medical cannabis businesses nationwide, carrying out more than 1,200 inspections in recent weeks as authorities seek to ensure cannabis is used strictly for medical purposes.

According to figures released by DTAM and cited by government and health-sector media outlets, authorities inspected more than 1,247 cannabis establishments across the country, resulting in enforcement actions including arrests, license suspensions, and the seizure of suspicious items. Continued … 

US and Iran conclude high-level talks in Switzerland

The first round of talks between high-ranking US and Iranian officials in Switzerland ended today, mediators said, after a tense opening marked by ‌Tehran’s announcement it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz and US President Donald Trump repeating his threats to resume attacks on Iran.

A joint statement from mediating nations Qatar and Pakistan said the United States and Iran agreed to a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days. Technical talks will continue for the rest of the week in the Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock, according to the statement, which was released by the Qatari Foreign Ministry. Continued … 

Still a long way to go

During the past week, global attention focused on the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, bringing months of protracted conflict to a halt.

While crude oil prices fell sharply in response to signs of progress toward peace, most businesses remain cautious, preferring to reassess the outlook once tangible results emerge and all trade restrictions have been fully removed. Continued … 

Thailand faces deficit and baht risks

Thailand is entering the second half of 2026 with a mixed economic signal: S&P Global Ratings has maintained the country’s sovereign rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook, but economists warn that pressure from oil prices, rising imports, fiscal deficits, and global uncertainty could keep the current account and the baht under strain.

The concern has sharpened even after the United States and Iran signed a ceasefire agreement last week. Markets remain focused on the 60-day negotiation period, during which both sides must seek a final settlement, as well as the possible commercial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Continued … 

Foreign investment in Thailand tops 154-billion-baht in first five months, up 73%

Foreign investment in Thailand exceeded 153.56 billion baht in the first five months of 2026, surging 73% from the same period last year.

Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development under the Commerce Ministry, in his capacity as secretary of the Foreign Business Committee, said foreign investment during the first five months of 2026 saw 528 foreign investors approved to operate businesses in Thailand under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Continued … 

FastPass Expansion Targets B223 billion in Investment

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to launch the Thailand FastPass program at Government House tomorrow, aiming to accelerate major investment projects by removing regulatory barriers and streamlining approvals.

The initiative currently covers 25 projects with a combined investment value of 223.216 billion baht, reflecting the government’s efforts to convert approved investments into real economic activity. Continued … 

Can Thailand’s Land Bridge Challenge Malacca and Redefine Asian Trade Routes?

For decades, Thailand has occupied a strategic location between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, yet much of the economic value generated by regional maritime trade has flowed through neighboring shipping hubs such as Singapore. The proposed land bridge project seeks to change that equation.

The government’s plan involves building deep-sea ports on both coasts of the southern peninsula, Ranong on the Andaman Sea and Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand, and connecting them through rail and road infrastructure. The goal is to create an alternative logistics corridor that allows cargo to move across Thailand instead of passing entirely through the Strait of Malacca. Continued … 

National shippers warn Thai exports face slower growth as risks mount

Thailand’s exporters are heading into a more uncertain second half of 2026, with growth expected to slow as global trade risks pile up across energy, logistics, and major export markets.

The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) expects exports to expand by around 2%-4% year on year in the second half of the year, while full-year growth could still reach 3%-5% if global trade avoids any major new disruption. Continued … 

Vietnam FTA push raises pressure on Thai exporters in Gulf markets

Vietnam is moving aggressively to expand its global trade reach through a new generation of free trade agreements (FTAs) targeting the Middle East and South Asia, a strategy that could increase competitive pressure on Thai exporters in markets where both countries sell similar goods.

Thailand’s Office of Commercial Affairs in Ho Chi Minh City, under the Ministry of Commerce, has urged Thai businesses to closely monitor developments in Vietnam’s trade policy and new regulatory requirements under its latest FTAs. Continued … 

China’s pet-friendly boom opens new export window for Thai pet food makers

China’s growing pet-friendly culture is creating a new export opening for Thailand, as demand for premium and health-focused pet food rises among Chinese consumers who increasingly treat pets as family members.

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), through the Thai Trade Center in Shanghai, reported that China is seeing notable changes in its social structure and consumer behavior, with pets no longer viewed merely as household animals but increasingly regarded as part of the family. Continued … 

Bangkok Area Faces Japan-Style Housing Crisis as Unsold Stock Tops 213,000 Units

A toxic mix of record household debt, strict lending criteria, and a severe demographic slowdown leaves Bangkok’s property market heavily oversupplied. The accumulated inventory of unsold residential properties in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces is projected to surge to an unprecedented 213,000 units by the end of 2026, triggering warnings that Thailand is on the brink of a chronic, Japan-style vacant housing crisis.

Industry analysts attribute the looming property glut to a severe contraction in consumer purchasing power. This downturn has been exacerbated by historically high levels of household debt, sluggish economic growth, and significantly tightened lending criteria imposed by commercial banks. Continued … 

Largest Thai hospital group plans $800-million wellness hub in Bangkok

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) has announced plans for WellEra, a wellness-integrated development in the city’s Lumphini district that will redefine the relationship between healthcare, residential living, hospitality, and lifestyle.

Scheduled for completion in 2030, the project represents one of Thailand’s most ambitious investments in the growing global wellness economy and reflects the country’s wider aspirations to become an international wellness hub. Continued … 

Italy wants up to 30,000 Thai workers a year

Italy has offered to employ 20,000-30,000 Thai workers a year to remedy labor shortages in three sectors, deputy government spokeswoman Patdarat Thongsaluaykorn said yesterday.

She said Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat was advised of the offer by the Italian ambassador. Italy was interested in employing 20,000-30,000 Thai workers a year in the farming, health, and service sectors. Continued … 

State promises to defend farmland from data centers

The government has reiterated that investments in data centers must not adversely affect local communities or the agricultural sector. According to government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, the data center investment boom reflects the country’s potential to become a regional digital infrastructure hub, supporting the growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), e-commerce, fintech, and other digital services.

The government, however, is monitoring site readiness and the potential impacts on local communities, particularly regarding water resources, energy consumption, and environmental concerns. Continued … 

International departure fee rises at six Thai airports

Thailand has raised the passenger service charge for international departures at six major airports to 1,120 baht per person from Saturday. The increase applies to outbound international passengers and raises the charge by 390 baht, from the previous rate of 730 baht.

The six airports covered by the new rate are Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai. The passenger service charge is already included in the price of air tickets, meaning travelers do not need to pay it separately at the airport. Continued … 

Green season tourism shift focuses on wellness and nature experiences

Thailand is redefining its annual green season, promoting the rainy months as a prime opportunity for wellness, nature-based experiences, and meaningful travel. Through its “Healing is the New Luxury” campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is encouraging travelers to view the season not as an off-peak period, but as a time for restoration, reflection, and deeper connections with nature and local communities.

The green season transforms much of Thailand into a landscape of lush rice fields, mist-covered mountains, and thriving forests. While the period has traditionally been considered part of the low season, this period is an ideal time to visit, thanks to fewer crowds, attractive travel offers, and some of the country’s most dramatic natural scenery. Continued … 

Phuket considers tripling hotel tax rate

Authorities in Phuket are considering a proposal to raise the provincial tax on hotels from 1% to 3% of room rates to generate additional revenue for local development and tourism promotion.

The proposal was raised on Friday during a workshop on tourism management amid the global energy crisis. The law already allows provinces to collect local development taxes from hotels at rates of up to 3%, outgoing governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn told the gathering. Continued … 

Minister warns of Phuket hotel demolitions

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin has vowed to permanently reclaim Phuket’s beaches from illegal occupation, promising sweeping enforcement action from next month and warning that more demolitions of illegally built structures, including well-known hotels, are imminent. Continued … 

Pattaya operators turn pushy as tourist numbers fall

Pattaya’s tourism businesses are fighting for every customer, as falling walk-in numbers push vendors to take a more direct approach with visitors. Along the resort city’s busiest streets, shop owners and staff are increasingly stepping out to call to passersby, and in some cases gently guiding them toward their shops, as competition for tourist spending intensifies.

The trend is most visible in high foot-traffic areas, where massage parlors, bars, and retail shops line the walkways. Vendors say visibility and direct engagement have become essential just to secure enough daily income. Continued … 

Culture means more than tourism

The recent proposal to merge the Ministry of Culture with the Ministry of Tourism should be treated with great caution. This idea may appear to be just a bureaucratic restructuring. But the two ministries have distinct missions, functions and skill sets that should not be combined.

The Ministry of Culture protects cultural heritage and supports the arts. The Ministry of Tourism promotes and regulates tourism as a key driver of economic growth. Culture might attract tourists or generate revenue, but that is not why it is valuable. Continued … 

How the war in the Middle East is pushing tourists to Asia

Catalina Agudelo “couldn’t wait” to escape the Melbourne winter and travel overseas. While she repeatedly checked the latest travel advice about the war in Iran, she was confident she picked the right destination.

“All those countries around Europe and the Middle East wouldn’t be a good place to go at the moment, I would be scared about going,” she said. “But since we are traveling to Thailand, it hasn’t changed our plans.” Continued … 

The horrifying methods used to make elephants rideable

In the opening sequence of episode seven of The Life of Mammals, Sir David Attenborough rides an Asian elephant along an empty beach of white sand in Thailand. At a gesture from Attenborough, the elephant turns into the turquoise water and animal and rider go for a dip. It’s an experience that many tourists seek out when visiting countries where elephants are native.

Since that sequence aired, filmed in 2002, Attenborough has publicly condemned elephant riding and the use of these sensitive animals as entertainment for tourists. His 2017 documentary, Attenborough and the Giant Elephant revealed some of the suffering elephants undergo in captivity and the damage and distress riding, dancing, and performing tricks can cause the animals. Continued … 

Master the Art of Ordering Som Tum Like a Thai Local

Som Tum is far more than a staple of Thai street gastronomy; it represents the culinary heartbeat of an entire nation. For anyone exploring the profound depths of Thai cuisine, this vibrant green papaya salad remains the definitive baseline of flavor symmetry.

To truly comprehend its brilliance, one must journey to Som Tum Khun Kan. This revered establishment secured the national championship title in 1999, and it continues to safeguard an unmatched gastronomic legacy. Continued … 

Phangnga: Southern springboard to growth

Phangnga is transforming itself from a seasonal beach destination into a fast-growing premium tourism market, supported by strong visitor spending, niche attractions, and growing investor confidence.

“The structure of the green season market has shifted, with Thai travelers helping fill rooms alongside arrivals from Australia, Europe, Britain, and Italy,” said Uthit Limsakul, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phangnga office. Continued … 

The Great Hornbill, one of the largest birds in Thailand

The Great Hornbill forages in the treetops, usually living in pairs. Outside the breeding season, they can sometimes gather in flocks of up to 150, roosting in trees in valleys. However, they occasionally descend to the ground to forage. Their loud call, “Kok Kok Kok, Kahang Kahang Kahang” or “Kawa Kawa Kawa,” is the origin of their name. Great Hornbills are found in moist evergreen forests, dry evergreen forests, or mixed deciduous forests. Video … 

Thailand urged to accelerate energy transition as US-Iran sign MoU

Thailand needs to accelerate its transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) and expand the use of renewable energy to strengthen long-term energy security, according to Areeporn Asawinpongphan, a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).

While the United States and Iran have signed a 60-day memorandum of understanding aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Areeporn warned that geopolitical risks remain unpredictable and could continue to threaten global energy markets. Continued … 

Analyst urges shift away from fossil fuels

Thailand must accelerate its transition to renewable energy if it is to reduce dependence on imported oil and gas and avoid repeating the painful consequences of global conflicts, according to Praipol Koomsap, economist at Thammasat University and former assistant to ex-energy minister Narongchai Akrasanee.

Praipol said even if peace negotiations between the US and Iran succeed in stabilizing crude oil prices at around US$70-80 per barrel, refined oil prices are expected to remain high. Continued … 

Laos exposes notorious Mekong wildlife trafficking

A series of high-profile seizures of endangered animals and wildlife products along the borders of Laos and Thailand has exposed a thriving black market that is harming countless species in the wild.

Lao authorities rescued animals and seized wildlife products in Luang Prabang and Champasak provinces last week, which signaled that traffickers are active in the region. The animals were being transported on an international passenger bus traveling between Pakse and Bangkok. Continued … 

• Foreign Nationals Defecate Outside Phuket Shop – Continued … 

• Chinese Capital Network Linked to Crypto Mining Probe – Continued … 

• Drunk Foreigner Sparks Chaos in Pattaya Brawl, 10 Cops Needed – Continued … 

• American DJ Arrested for Illegal Work in Chiang Mai – Continued … 

• Australian man arrested after crashing into Phuket police checkpoint, injuring officer – Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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