- More rain expected locally/Blessing of the Fleet ceremony/Vascular health discussed/Thailand flood news/Thailand to tighten ride-hailing checks/Chateau de Loei ends wine production/LISA Leads MTV Video Music Awards/Nene Royal returns home
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran warns US/Gulf’s War Is Now Southeast Asia’s Problem/
- ECNOMY: Thailand-US tariff talks/Economy Forces Many to Cut Back on Food
- TOURISM: Thailand’s high season test begins/Five Phuket hotels ordered shut
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Government defends solar sector/Oversight of waste-to-energy plants
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
More rain expected locally, flood concerns aired
Authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been ordered to closely monitor heavy rain and water conditions and prepare to assist residents if flooding or other disasters occur.
The government cited forecasts of rain-bearing systems moving westward through Wednesday, bringing heavy rain to many areas and potentially very heavy rain in some locations. Continued …
Hua Hin holds Blessing of the Fleet ceremony
Residents and visitors gathered at Hua Hin’s Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine on Saturday for the traditional Ship to Sea ceremony.
The Hua Hin Fishing Community Committee organised the Sea Misfortune-Casting Ceremony alongside merit-making for the shrine, beside the Hilton Hua Hin hotel. Continued …
Vascular health discussed at Hua Hin seminar
Recognizing the warning signs of blood clots, strokes and poor circulation was the focus of a Hua Hin seminar held by Be Well Medical Center and Bangpakok 9 International Hospital on Saturday.
The event, titled “Common Vascular Diseases & Disorders”, took place at iSanook Hotel in Khao Takiab. It covered prevention, symptoms and treatment, alongside advice on when patients should seek specialist or emergency care. Continued …
Thailand floods hit 174,000 families, eight dead
Flooding has affected more than 174,000 families across 25 provinces and all 50 Bangkok districts, with eight deaths reported, Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said yesterday.
Flooding had reached 128 districts, 587 subdistricts and 2,500 villages. DDPM recorded 174,803 affected families, or 545,022 people, in the 25 provinces and Bangkok. Heavy rain, combined with water flowing south from northern Thailand into the central region, had caused the widespread flooding. Continued …
Thailand unlikely to see 2011-scale floods, experts say
Thailand is “virtually impossible” to face a repeat of the 2011 flood disaster this year, according to two disaster and environmental specialists, despite heavy rain and flooding in parts of the country.
Assoc. Prof. Seree Supratid of Rangsit University’s Climate Change and Disaster Center and Asst. Prof. Thon Thamrongnawasawat of Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Fisheries said current conditions differ sharply from 2011. However, they urged people to watch for run-off in western Thailand and intense local downpours known as “rain bombs”. Continued …
Commerce Ministry coordinates essential supplies in flood-hit areas
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT), under the Ministry of Commerce, is coordinating retailers, convenience stores, fresh markets, wholesale markets and local department stores to ensure essential consumer goods remain available as flooding disrupts travel and distribution in some areas.
The department’s director-general, Wittayakorn Maneenetr, explained that residents in some flood-affected areas had increased their purchases to build up reserves. Continued …
Bangkok shoppers stock up as flooding empties convenience-store shelves
Heavy rain and widespread flooding across Bangkok have prompted residents to stock up on food and essential goods, leaving shelves empty at some convenience stores and neighborhood shops amid concerns over travel disruption and possible shortages.
Shopping conditions in Bangkok were surveyed after continuous rain from the early hours of Friday lasted for more than 30 hours, causing flooding in several areas awaiting drainage. Continued …
Thailand warns retailers against price hikes amid floods
The Thai government has warned retailers against unjustified price hikes and hoarding essential goods as flooding affects Bangkok and other parts of the country. Businesses that raise prices without justification face up to seven years in prison.
Deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksamisaengchan announced the warning yesterday, saying the government was closely monitoring flooding and had instructed agencies to coordinate relief efforts for affected residents. Continued …
Airlines offer free flight changes, credits amid Bangkok flooding
Airlines have introduced special measures for passengers affected by flooding and severe traffic congestion in Bangkok, including free flight changes and travel credits.
Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X are allowing passengers booked on flights to or from Bangkok from Sept 26-28 to change their flight once free of charge. The new travel date must be within seven days of the original date and will be subject to seat availability. Alternatively, passengers may retain the full ticket value as a credit against future travel. Continued …
Rayong flood alert widens as dam and reservoir raise concerns
Authorities in Rayong have ordered residents in at-risk areas to evacuate urgently after damage was reported at the spillway of Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir, also known as Khao Chuk Dam, while a separate warning has been issued over critically high water at Prasae Reservoir.
The Thung Khwai Kin Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) in Klaeng district warned on that part of the Khao Chuk Dam spillway structure had been damaged, raising fears of a possible breach and rapid downstream flooding. Residents in affected areas were told to evacuate within one hour. Continued …
Bangkok bears brunt of estimated 25.3-billion-baht Thai flood losses
Assoc. Prof. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics estimates that flooding across 48 provinces, including Bangkok, during Sept. 24–27, could cause economic losses of 25.345 billion baht under a moderate-damage scenario.
Bangkok accounts for the largest share of that estimate, at 10.586 billion baht, as flooding disrupts commerce, services and travel. Business leaders have warned that many companies were unprepared for the intensity and duration of the inundation. Continued …
Bangkok floodwater eases after affecting 329,000 households
Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said rainfall across the capital was beginning to ease on today, allowing the city to focus on lowering water levels in major canals and accelerating drainage from flooded roads and communities.
Chadchart said the low-pressure system responsible for the intense rain of the previous two to three days had moved away, reducing the likelihood of rainfall on the same scale. Bangkok had recorded accumulated rainfall of more than 300 millimeters in some areas during the prolonged downpour. Continued …
Bangkok’s 48-hour deluge exposes limits of city drainage system
More than 300 millimeters of accumulated rain over Bangkok during Sept. 25–26 has exposed the limits of the capital’s drainage infrastructure and prompted experts to call for a fundamental reassessment of how the city prepares for extreme rainfall.
The prolonged downpour lasted for more than two days and inundated major roads even though there was no significant influx of upstream water into Bangkok. Continued …
Flooding causes severe baggage problems at Suvranabhumi Airport
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul rushed to Suvarnabhumi Airport today as a crippling baggage crisis entered its third day. Passengers waited up to six hours while exhausted Thai Airways crews battled mountains of stranded luggage after flooding stopped replacement workers reaching the airport.
Broken baggage carts deepened the breakdown, forcing office staff and managers into ground operations as military personnel were deployed. Officials warned the backlog could take another two to three days to clear. Continued …
Khlong Chan residents plead for food and water amid floods – Continued …
Bangkok region gets flood holiday and free expressways – Continued …
Khao Yai park closure extended after bridge collapse – Continued …
Chinese driver pulled out of car swept into canal during Rayong flooding – Continued …
Chanthaburi floods reach one meter, villagers evacuate – Continued …
Bangkok rain drives commuters onto packed trains – Continued …
Taxi carrying foreigner swept off by floodwaters on Sa Kaeo road – Continued …
Four 2-meter crocodiles loose in flooded Sa Kaeo – Continued …
Two missing after pickup swept away when Kanchanaburi weir collapses – Continued …
Thailand to tighten ride-hailing checks from Thursday
Thailand will begin tougher enforcement of rules covering ride-hailing apps, drivers and vehicles on Thursday, the Ministry of Transport has announced.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat chaired a meeting on the measures with Department of Land Transport Director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong and representatives from eight platforms: Grab, Bolt, inDrive, TADA, MAXIM, LINE MAN, Lalamove and FINGOGO. Continued …
Chateau de Loei ends wine production in Loei
Thailand’s pioneering premium wine label Chateau de Loei has formally ended wine production and stopped growing grapes for winemaking at its site in Phu Ruea district, Loei province.
Excise officials destroyed remaining wine and spirits at the factory last week as part of the legal closure process. The estate is now moving its land and business toward alternative agriculture and processed produce. Continued …
LISA Leads Historic Night at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
Thai global icon LISA, Lalisa Manoban, made history at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards yesterday, becoming the first K-pop solo artist to win the coveted Best Pop award.
The Blackpink star secured the major category with her cinematic music video “Dream”, featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi. The landmark victory came amidst fierce competition from music industry heavyweights, including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tate McRae. Continued …
Nene Royal returns home to a grand Phuket welcome
The Phuket girl who recently busked at night markets in her native Thailand received a grand welcome from crowds of fans and local residents yesterday after winning America’s Got Talent and gaining fans around the world.
Nene Royal, 16, whose real name is Rattikan Amloy, made history by becoming the first Thai to win America’s Got Talent Season 21, taking home the US$1 million prize. Nene arrived in Phuket at about 10:50 am yesterday and was greeted at the airport by a large crowd, including her grandmother. Continued …
Iran warns US after Trump rejects seven-day Hormuz plan
Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said yesterday that Iran’s armed forces were fully prepared to confront any renewed US attack, according to Iranian state media.
Akraminia warned that the United States would suffer greater damage if it attacked Iran again. His remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had rejected Tehran’s seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the fighting. Continued …
Beijing Envoy: The Gulf’s War Is Now Southeast Asia’s Problem
Some 6,000 kilometers separate the anchorage off Hormuz from a petrol station forecourt in Nonthaburi. In 2026, that distance has counted for very little.
On Friday, Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on Middle East issues, stood before delegates at the 17th FutureChina Global Forum and made the connection explicit. The conflict convulsing the Gulf, he argued, is no longer a regional security file. It is a Southeast Asian economic emergency arriving by sea, in the form of freight invoices, insurance premiums and pump prices. Continued …
Thailand’s K-Shaped Economy Forces Many to Cut Back on Food
Thailand is attracting billions of baht in investment into data centers, electronics and advanced industries, while household finances remain under pressure. A government survey found that 32.8% of respondents had reduced the number of meals they eat or were eating less. Almost two-thirds were buying cheaper food or waiting for discounts.
The figures come from the Department of Health’s Anamai Poll, which surveyed 941 people under the title “How to Live in Difficult Times”. The survey found that 64.8% were buying cheaper food or waiting for discounts, 37.5% were cooking at home more often, 33.6% were growing vegetables and 25.7% had reduced food-delivery orders. Another 18.5% were buying larger quantities for storage. Continued …
Costly efforts cushion against energy prices
Fuel subsidies in Thailand are being maintained or extended primarily to shield consumers and businesses from the volatility of global oil prices and the rising cost of living. Authorities are utilizing the Oil Fuel Fund to keep diesel and gasohol prices stable, which helps protect households and food vendors from the impact of high energy costs.
The government is employing a multi-pronged strategy to address energy instability, which includes maintaining diesel refinery price cuts and considering fuel excise tax reductions. These measures aim to mitigate the economic pressure caused by geopolitical conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, which have driven up global energy prices. Additionally, the government is focusing on long-term energy security by promoting biofuels like E20 and B20 to reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
Thailand-US tariff talks reach in-principle deal
Thailand and the United States have reached an agreement in principle on tariff negotiations, with the remaining work focused on reviewing technical details and the wording of the agreement, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun confirmed today.
Suphajee explained that officials were carefully reviewing the technical provisions and wording. Thailand aims to complete the process before Washington takes further action under Section 301. Continued …
Thailand’s high season test begins as tourism numbers rise
Thailand’s final quarter of 2026 is shaping up to be a closely watched high season, with the government adjusting tourism stimulus plans while airlines, hotels, restaurants, nightlife venues and other businesses prepare for more visitors.
One key question is whether rising visitor numbers will translate into stronger spending for businesses, particularly smaller operators and nightlife venues that continue to see significant differences in purchasing power across tourism markets. Continued …
Five Phuket hotels ordered shut over license failures
Five hotels in Phuket have been ordered to suspend operations after failing to secure licenses and complete required improvements, provincial authorities said.
The closures were imposed after operators did not make the necessary changes despite being given extra time. The action follows a provincial review of hotels operating without licenses or with structural issues. Authorities had allowed affected properties 30 days to correct physical deficiencies. Continued …
Government defends solar sector as China supplies 99.3% of imports
The Thai government has defended its domestic solar industry by emphasizing the need to maintain national safety and quality standards for electrical installations and components. This defense follows reports that China supplied 99.3% of solar panel imports to Thailand during the first seven months of 2026.
Officials stated that the high level of imports does not mean all solar panels used in Thailand are sourced from China, nor does it imply that the government is funding the domestic sector based solely on those import figures. Instead, the government aims to ensure that all solar power expansion meets specific technical and safety requirements, such as those set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), to protect consumers. Additionally, the government is promoting domestic manufacturing capabilities and exploring ways to ensure that clean energy expansion remains safe and cost-effective for the public.
Call for oversight of waste-to-energy plants
JustPow is calling for stronger environmental oversight of waste-to-energy plants because they believe the current regulatory framework is too weak to ensure the safety of local communities and the surrounding environment. The advocacy group argues that current regulations lack sufficient environmental impact assessments, particularly for smaller facilities that generate less than 10 megawatts of capacity.
The group also highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency and public participation in waste-to-energy projects. Residents in areas near these plants have reported issues including air pollution and health concerns linked to emissions, as well as problems stemming from waste storage and transport operations. JustPow has warned that the rapid expansion of the waste-to-energy sector could create problematic cross-border waste movements, potentially incentivizing the import of waste to fuel industrial projects.
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Chinese CEO held in Pattaya over sugar fraud claim – Continued …
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US man held after Pattaya drug lab raid – 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
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.
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province officials met Monday to discuss the Hua Hin nominee crackdown that has seen 13 foreigners arrested, and to strengthen checks on businesses suspected of using Thai nominees on behalf of foreigners.
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.
Sixteen-year-old Thai musician Nene Royal has officially advanced to the Live Shows on America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 21, following a series of powerhouse performances that have captivated international audiences and judges alike.
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
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.
Hundreds of thousands of gig workers in Australia have been granted a huge pay rise from next week under a decision by the country’s workplace relations tribunal lauded as “world-leading”. The order from the Fair Work Commission, issued Tuesday, will see delivery drivers working for online platforms such as UberEats and HungryPanda earn Aus$31.30 (731.56 baht) an hour. 
Thailand’s coastal destinations are witnessing a significant rise in staycation bookings, with Krabi leading the charge, according to recent data from Traveloka. Krabi’s bookings have more than doubled year on year, followed by Hua Hin with an increase of over 80%, Pattaya at around 65%, and Phuket nearly 60%.
Thailand’s private hospital sector is facing a new source of competition as the government expands premium services at public hospitals, putting pressure on mid-tier operators that rely on domestic self-pay and insured patients.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued an urgent public health warning following a surge in bacterial infections linked to the rainy season, with combined fatalities from leptospirosis and melioidosis surpassing 100 since the start of the year.
Thailand has uncovered one of its biggest suspected cryptocurrency power theft operations after investigators seized 1,900 bitcoin mining machines. Detectives uncovered more than B280 million in stolen electricity and have launched a widening hunt for the financiers behind the organized criminal network.
Thailand shelves Land Bridge plan after study
Global trade-policy tensions have returned to the fore as the United States presses ahead with protectionist measures to safeguard its interests and supply chains. The latest action invokes Section 301, a law that allows the US to take retaliatory trade action against trading partners.
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.5% from the 1.6% projected in April, after exports, private investment and household consumption performed more strongly than expected.
Exports surged 20.8% year-on-year to US$34.7 billion in June, driven by strong demand for industrial goods such as electronics, smartphones, electrical appliances, and automobiles and auto parts, says the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Thailand is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic ties with Europe by racing to finalize the free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of 2026 the Thai-EU FTA. Experts say, however, that Thai businesses doing trade with the bloc need to prioritize the traceability of their exported goods.
The Cabinet has approved a 12.76-billion-baht fisheries management plan targeting the recovery of aquatic resources, tighter controls against illegal fishing and stronger competitiveness for Thailand’s seafood industry by 2027.
Thailand’s sex industry is illegal under the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, but an analysis on Thursday argues that it remains deeply embedded in the country’s tourism economy, supporting hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis and other businesses.
Thailand plans three tourism-boosting schemes: a 1.75-billion-baht co-payment program covering hotels, restaurants, and attractions nationwide; 200-million-baht domestic airfare discounts for 400,000 seats; and a 500-million-baht international flight initiative targeting 487,000 visitors. All require Cabinet and committee approval before implementation, expected late 2026.
By 5:30 in the morning, the Trok Mor alley in Old Bangkok is already awake. Metal shutters rattle open one by one. A woman arranges bundles of holy basil and Chinese celery beneath a bare light bulb while another vendor lays out bitter beans and kitchen herbs on a wooden table.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
During the past week, global attention focused on the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, bringing months of protracted conflict to a halt.
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.
Foreign investment in Thailand exceeded 153.56 billion baht in the first five months of 2026, surging 73% from the same period last year.
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.
Can Thailand’s Land Bridge Challenge Malacca and Redefine Asian Trade Routes?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Master the Art of Ordering Som Tum Like a Thai Local
Phangnga: Southern springboard to growth
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. 
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).
Analyst urges shift away from fossil fuels
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a heat warning from today until Thursday. Many areas in Thailand could see temperatures exceed 42°C, along with hazy skies during the day.
We don’t have to look very far to find a useful historical analogy for the current crisis in the Middle East. In 1967, Egypt closed the Strait of Tiran to Israeli ships, and Israel replied with a surprise air attack that destroyed almost the entire Egyptian air force on the ground.
Saudi Arabia has sharply raised the official selling price of its Arab Light crude for Asian buyers for May delivery, adding fresh pressure to oil-importing economies such as Thailand as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt energy markets.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the outcome of the special Cabinet meeting held yesterday at Government House, saying that the fighting in the Middle East, a key global source of oil and natural gas, has caused the prices of oil and natural gas, as well as by-products of oil and gas production such as fertilizer and plastic pellets, to rise rapidly on world markets.
The oil-rich monarchies of the Persian Gulf are often described as petrostates. But the US-Israeli war with Iran has highlighted that they are also saltwater kingdoms, societies whose survival depends on desalination, or converting seawater into potable water at industrial scale.
The increasingly loud debate over the future of alliances – after reports that the US could scale back or even withdraw from NATO – is nerve-racking. It has caused alarm across Europe and in Southeast Asia, another node of the US alliance network.
Confidence among Thai business leaders has fallen sharply, with only 24% of chief executives expressing strong confidence in their organizations’ revenue growth this year, down from 47% in 2023 and the lowest level in three years.
Thai exports in February slowed to a growth of 9.9% year-on-year (YOY), with a total export value of US$29.4 billion. This was a significant deceleration from January’s 24.4% YOY surge and below forecasts.
Motor Show bookings hit record high, reaching 21% of annual target
Rising fuel prices, fears of shortages, and the ongoing war in the Middle East are dampening travel sentiment in Thailand ahead of the Songkran festival, with operators warning domestic demand may be weaker or flat compared with last year. Higher costs are discouraging long-distance trips, prompting many people to stay closer to home.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has launched chartered tourist and luxury train services aimed at increasing revenue and promoting domestic travel. The initiative allows organizations and travelers to hire entire trains or individual carriages for tourism, leisure, or business purposes.
The Thai Hotels Association’s southern chapter is urging authorities to boost direct flights from Europe to Phuket in response to tourism disruptions from the Middle East conflict. The ongoing war has led to abrupt halts in flights, as several airlines suspended operations. This has caused a decrease in European tourist arrivals at Phuket International Airport by 4% in late March.
Tastes of Nostalgia: The region’s disappearing recipes
Bangkok Bank Bars Tourists from Accounts in Fraud Crackdown
Schools told to stay open despite Covid
In Thailand, Eating Plants Could Prevent 100,000 Deaths from the Burning Season
New Phuket, Samui tollways hope to end traffic horrors
German Tourist Severely Beaten in Pattaya by Group of Men
The rise of vegetarian food in Thailand
Health officials issue Zika virus warning in Hua Hin
KResearch predicts 3.6% Thai economic growth in 2024 with digital wallet adoption
Changan set to produce electric SUVs locally – by 2025
