- Hua Hin Heroes Charity Golf Cup/Wellness Sandbox initiative launched/Monsoon Valley Wine run/Khao Takiab crab bank/Schedule for Run Khan Do 3 events/Online scams up again/Women Leaders Bridge Gaps for Migrant Communities
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran war could shave up to 1% off Thailand’s GDP/Trump signals Iran war may be nearing end/Crisis seen as opportunity for Thailand/Gradual petrol price rise/Restaurants call for support/Oil shock prompts urgent action/Energy price spike threatens global economy
- ECONOMY: To tighten foreign business registration rules/Thailand’s smartphone market/Amazon Web Services eyes Thailand/New supply chain order
- TOURISM: Thailand may lose 600,000 visitors/Flight connections being restored/Don Mueang launches automated passport checks/Tourism braces for impact of Mideast war/Visitors Keep an Eye on Weakening Baht/Thais as leading ‘foodie’ travelers/Hungry monkeys snatching food from visitors/Phuket restaurant owner refuses to serve Israeli
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Exploring Bangkok’s many charms/Bangkok in the world’s top 5 for food/Experts Reveal Bangkok Food Trends/Discover Thailand Through Taste’Yan’ defines the Thai soul
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Oil shock accelerates Asia’s EV revolution
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin Heroes Charity Golf Cup raises 2.1 million baht for local schools
The Heroes Hua Hin Foundation, widely known as Hua Hin Heroes, brought together community leaders, businesses, and supporters at the Hua Hin Heroes Charity Golf Cup 2026, united by a shared goal of improving opportunities for children in Hua Hin and across Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Built on the belief that education, health, and nutrition form the foundation of lifelong opportunity, the foundation supports under-resourced schools and vulnerable families through classroom construction, IT learning centers, facility upgrades, and wellbeing initiatives. Continued …
Wellness Sandbox initiative launched across Prachuap Khiri Khan
The Wellness Sandbox Prachuap Khiri Khan initiative was officially launched yesterday as provincial authorities outlined plans to develop health-focused model subdistricts across all eight districts of the province.
The project aims to create eight model subdistricts under the Lifestyle Medicine Healthy Model Area Project, encouraging communities to adopt healthier daily habits in order to reduce the growing impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Continued …
Monsoon Valley Wine run draws 200
Around 200 people took part in the Harvest Wine Run at Monsoon Valley Vineyard on Saturday, combining a fun run with wine tasting, harvest activities, and food from local producers. Participants could choose from three distances — 3km, 5km or 10km — running through the vineyard landscape while sampling Monsoon Valley wines.
The event was designed to bring together the local community, wine lovers, and fitness enthusiasts in a relaxed setting. The run began at 4 pm following registration and bib collection earlier in the afternoon. The event was limited to 200 participants and was fully booked. Continued …
Khao Takiab crab bank receives municipal support
Yesterday, Phailin Kongpan, deputy mayor of Hua Hin Municipality, together with Cheep Suksri, president of the Municipal Council, and Nuengruethai Sukchan, deputy municipal clerk, brought Rungroj Nooklib, a former lecturer from Wang Klai Kangwon Vocational College in Hua Hin, to repair the solar power system at the Khao Takiab Blue Swimming Crab Bank.
The crab bank is managed by Sakchai Thonghiang (Tai Juk), who is responsible for breeding egg-bearing blue swimming crabs in cages before releasing them back into the sea. The solar energy system helps reduce electricity costs for the facility from around 6,000 baht per month to just over 3,000 baht. Continued …
Schedule announced for Run Khan Do 3 running events
The schedule for Run Khan Do 3, a province-wide series of running events across Prachuap Khiri Khan, has been officially announced, with activities set to take place from March to July 2026 in every district of the province.
The announcement came during a ceremony Sunday at the activity ground in front of the Pranburi District Office, where Preeda Sukjai, deputy governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, presided over the handover of the “Healthy Province” flag and the Run Khan Do 3 activity flag. The ceremony marks the start of preparations for Pranburi district to host the opening event on March 25. Continued …
Online scams up again, investment fraud worst
The number of online-scam complaints rose again over the past week, with investment fraud causing the most damage, according to police.
Police Lt. Gen. Jirabhop Bhuridej said yesterday that from March 1-7 police received 7,682 complaints of online scams, up 4% on the 7,344 complaints over the previous week, which was up 611 on the week before that. However, reported damage from the complaints dropped by 5.6% to 433.86 million baht. Continued …
At Thailand’s Border, Women Leaders Bridge Gaps for Migrant Communities
At dawn on the Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sai, the first crossings of the day are already underway. Men and women from Myanmar move steadily into northern Thailand, some carrying small bags, others holding documents in plastic folders. On the Thai side, vans and labor brokers wait to take them to construction sites, farms, and factories across the province.
Lin wonders what fate awaits these migrants. The 49-year-old has observed this routine for years. Each morning, she studies the crowd and wonders what will happen once they leave the bridge – who will find stable work, and who may need someone to stand beside them. Continued …
Iran war hits global economy, could shave up to 1% off Thailand’s GDP
Former commerce and energy minister Narongchai Akrasanee said the Iran war is deeply concerning for Thailand, with oil prices already surging to around US$110 a barrel, leaving the country hard-pressed to avoid fallout because it relies heavily on imported oil and natural gas.
He said higher energy costs would feed through to prices of goods in the period ahead. While the Thai government may be able to cushion the impact for a time, he warned the support would be constrained by fiscal limits and the fact that Thailand remains dependent on imported energy. Continued …
Trump signals Iran war may be nearing end, sees global oil prices heading lower
US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran would end soon and that oil prices would come down, striking an upbeat tone after crude prices surged above US$100 a barrel over the weekend and sent shockwaves through global financial markets.
Speaking at Trump National Doral near Miami, Trump said the United States was making major progress toward its military objectives and claimed the operation was close to completion. He said some might even say the mission was almost complete. Continued …
Crisis seen as opportunity for Thailand
The crises arising from geopolitics and geoeconomics may represent Thailand’s last chance to adapt and seize new opportunities, according to caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.
Delivering a keynote speech at a Siam Cement Group event on the topic of “Smart Industry”, Ekniti said the energy crisis – with oil prices rising above USD100 per barrel – underscores the urgent need for adjustment, not only in the industrial sector but also in the agricultural and service sectors. Continued …
Government prepares gradual petrol price rise as oil crisis deepens
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon yesterday gave an update on measures to manage energy prices following the impact of unrest in the Middle East. The remarks were made after a meeting of the Center for Monitoring and Managing the Situation of the Middle East Conflict at Government House in Bangkok.
Phiphat said discussions had covered measures related to petrol, diesel, and gas prices. He noted that although the Energy Ministry had announced three days earlier that diesel prices could be held steady for 15 days, there was now growing concern over how long this could be sustained if the crisis continued without resolution. Continued …
Restaurants call for anti-inflation support
The Thai Restaurant Assn. is calling on the government to support the restaurant industry amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The association wants the government to cap energy prices for this sector, including freezing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, reducing electricity prices for businesses during the crisis period, and establishing an energy fund for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector. Continued …
Oil shock prompts urgent action: price caps, subsidies and tariff cuts across Asia
Global oil prices jumped sharply yesterday, pushing crude back into the $100-a-barrel era for the first time since the Russia-related energy shock of 2022, and briefly spiking to almost $120. Brent hit an intraday high of $119.50 a barrel and WTI $119.48, before prices later eased as markets weighed diplomatic signals and shifting supply risks.
By early today, oil had fallen more than 6% from the previous session’s highs, with Brent down to around $92 a barrel and WTI to about $89, underlining the extreme volatility as policymakers and markets grappled with Middle East supply and shipping uncertainty. Continued …
Energy price spike threatens global economic recovery
Global oil prices have entered a “danger zone” after surging to around US110 per barrel following reports that an Iranian oil storage facility had been struck, warned Bangkok Bank’s (BBL) chief economist.
Kobsak Pootrakool, senior executive vice president and chief economist at BBL, said the situation has become increasingly concerning, particularly as the conflict appears to be entering a second phase of attacks on Iran, raising the risk of retaliation. Continued …
DBD to tighten foreign business registration rules to curb nominee arrangements
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development (DBD), under the Commerce Ministry, said the department had held consultations and gathered feedback from more than 17 leading law firms to exchange views and brainstorm measures to strengthen the prevention and suppression of the use of Thai nationals as nominees for foreign investors conducting business in Thailand.
The department will compile opinions on possible approaches and their potential impact to support the drafting of the “Office of the Central Company and Partnership Registration Order No. …/2026 on the rules and procedures for registration in cases involving amendments to designate foreigners as partners in partnerships or as authorized signatories in limited companies”. Continued …
Thailand’s smartphone market likely to face contraction
Thailand’s smartphone market is likely to contract amid economic uncertainty, the Middle East conflict, and rising memory component costs, according to Thai Samsung Electronics Co.
The company said smartphone prices are expected to increase starting this month, while shortages of some models may occur in the second quarter due to supply constraints and higher component costs. Installment payments now account for 70% of smartphone purchases. Continued …
Amazon Web Services eyes Thailand as future AI hub
Cloud service provider Amazon Web Services (AWS) Thailand has positioned its local cloud region as a future artificial intelligence (AI) hub, targeting enterprises’ rising demand for highly complex, independent “frontier AI agents”. This signals an enterprise shift from basic AI tools toward more advanced, enterprise-grade automation.
With the National Board of Digital Economy and Society expecting Thailand’s digital economy to expand by 4.2% this year to reach 5.6 trillion baht, cloud infrastructure could become a strategic backbone. Continued …
The new supply chain order
Over the past decade, accelerated by the pandemic and rising geopolitical tensions, global trade has entered a structural reset. Global trade in goods now exceeds $25 trillion annually, yet its structure is shifting.
Supply chains once optimized purely for cost are being redesigned for resilience, redundancy, and geopolitical risk management. As a result, the geography of manufacturing is being redrawn and Southeast Asia is emerging as one of the most strategic regions in this transformation. Continued …
Thailand may lose 600,000 visitors from Europe and the Middle East as Iran war decimates tourism
Thailand’s already rattled foreign tourism industry, with traffic down 4% since the start of the year, has been dealt a severe blow by the Middle East conflict. After a Monday meeting chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn, officials warned that an eight-week war could cost Thailand 600,000 visitors and strip more than B40 billion from already reduced revenue targets.
The conflict is generating uncertainty and disrupting global flight networks, particularly links through Gulf aviation hubs. As a result, European and Middle Eastern travel to Thailand has been hit hardest, despite being the only markets showing growth and promise last year. Continued …
Flight connections between Europe and Gulf region hubs are gradually being restored
Amid repatriations and a gradual return to operations, air traffic is slowly picking up as several airlines begin reopening some of their routes.
The recovery is starting timidly in the Middle East. After several days of paralysis, long-haul air traffic is gradually resuming. On Friday, several Emirati airlines relaunched some of their international routes, particularly to Europe, with reduced schedules. Continued …
Don Mueang launches 24-hour automated passport checks
Outbound passengers at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport can now opt to use automated passport screening machines installed at immigration checkpoints around the clock.
Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Veeravithayanant told the media that the 24-hour automated passport check service has been officially launched for outbound passengers at the airport since March 5. Continued …
Tourism braces for impact of Mideast war
Thai tourism should brace for an influx of foreigners seeking a safe haven amid growing geopolitical conflict, similar to the surge experienced during the Russia-Ukraine War a few years ago, when Russian arrivals rose to 1.74 million in 2024, significantly impacting property markets in tourism cities.
Yuthasak Supasorn, chairman of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, said the current conflict in the Middle East has reminded the tourism industry of the Russia-Ukraine war, where the short-term impact first falls on fuel prices and consequently affects international airfares, reducing long-haul markets. Continued …
Thailand Visitors Keep an Eye on Weakening Baht Against US Dollar
Foreign tourists in Thailand are closely monitoring the recent weakening of the Thai baht against the US dollar, a trend fueled by global financial uncertainties. As the baht opened at 31.77 per dollar, down from 31.60, many visitors are keenly aware of how this affects their purchasing power in areas like hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.
Analysts predict the baht will fluctuate between 31.55 and 31.95 in the coming days, influenced by ongoing economic data and geopolitical situations. A weaker baht generally translates to greater spending power for tourists, especially from regions like Europe and North America. Continued …
Thais emerge as leading ‘foodie’ travelers
Thai travelers have secured a spot among Asia’s most dedicated culinary explorers, according to new data from Agoda. The digital travel platform’s ‘Agoda 2026 Travel Outlook Report’ reveals that one in five Thai tourists now considers the pursuit of new dining experiences a primary motivator for their trips.
The shift toward “foodie” tourism is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the regional travel industry. A growing number of Asian holidaymakers are now selecting destinations specifically to satisfy their palates, suggesting that gastronomy and local dining culture are increasingly dictating where people go, what activities they choose, and where they book their stay. Continued …
Hungry monkeys swarm Hat Yai park, snatching food from visitors
A group of tourists in Hat Yai complained yesterday that hungry monkeys are coming down from a nearby mountain to snatch food, and, in some cases, try to bite people at Hat Yai Municipality Public Park in Songkhla province.
The complaint was raised after visitors said a large troop of monkeys was targeting people carrying meals inside the public park in Khlong Hae subdistrict, Hat Yai district. Continued …
Phuket restaurant owner sparks debate for refusing to serve Israeli man
A Phuket restaurant owner drew mixed reactions online after posting videos showing him chasing an Israeli man from his restaurant and shouting “free Palestine” as the man walked away.
The restaurant owner shared two videos on his Facebook account yesterday. In his caption, he said he asked the man to leave after seeing Hebrew on the man’s phone screen. In the first video, the owner is heard saying, “No Israeli. I don’t want to sell anything to Israeli. Go away, go, go!” Continued …
Exploring the many charms behind Bangkok’s rise to Asia’s best city
Bangkok has once again won regional acclaim, rising to No. 1 in the Best Cities in Asia 2026 category of the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, reinforcing its status as a favorite destination for travelers worldwide.
Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), said the achievement saw Bangkok surpass major global cities, including Tokyo in second place and Singapore in third, to become the No. 1 city among readers of a leading luxury travel magazine in the Asia-Pacific region. Continued …
Bangkok has just been named one of the best food cities in the world, and honestly, if you’ve eaten there, you already know that. A new study by UK-based long-haul travel specialists Travelbag ranked Bangkok fifth on its list of the world’s top foodie destinations for 2026.
The ranking looked at four key factors across 36 cities globally: the number of food-related activities available, average meal costs, social media presence, and annual Google search volume. Bangkok didn’t just scrape into the top five, as it dominated in the categories that matter most to anyone who actually wants to eat well. Continued …
Experts Reveal Food Trends Every Tourist Will Taste In Bangkok This Year
What will become the Dubai chocolate of 2026? As food and drink trends are running wild in Bangkok, 14 industry professionals were asked to determine exactly which ingredients are most likely to end up on your plate, or in your glass, in 2026.
Across different neighborhoods, styles, and cuisines, it seems that local experts are unified on many fronts. Wellness plays a big role in the kitchen but also behind the bar. Japanese flavor profiles and techniques continue to inspire. Local produce climbs up to the top of must-have items in your pantry and on your liquor shelf. Someone, somewhere, even wants to put subterranean ants on your table. Continued …
Discover Thailand Through Taste: A Complete Guide to Asia’s Hottest Foodie Travel Destination
Thailand has quickly become one of Asia’s most exciting destinations for travelers who love food. In 2026, culinary experiences are now a key motivation for visits, with one in five Thai tourists planning trips specifically for food. This shift shows how tourism in Thailand is evolving from traditional sightseeing to immersive experiences that connect travelers with culture through taste.
Today, the country offers a rich tapestry of flavors, from bustling street markets to refined dining experiences. For global travelers, Thailand is no longer just a holiday spot — it is a food adventure waiting to be savored. Continued …
Why the ambiguity of ‘Yan’ defines the Thai soul
If you ask a Bangkokian where they live, they will never give you a zip code or a district name. Instead, they give you a “Yan”. Often translated as “neighborhood”, “area” or “district”, the Thai word “Yan” is far more fluid than one meaning or any map can capture.
It is a spatial identity defined not by administrative borders, but by the hum of specific trades, or the weight of local history. From the trend-setting alleys of Yan Thong Lo to the riverside heritage of Yan Bang Lamphu, understanding the Yan is the secret to navigating the organic, beautiful chaos of Thai life and, at the same time, the Thai culture of double (or triple) meanings of one word. Continued …
Iran war oil shock accelerates Southeast Asia’s EV revolution
A man in a Mercedes drives up to a Bangkok forecourt, cash in hand, ready to buy an electric vehicle he hadn’t planned on owning. Southeast Asia’s EV revolution has found a new accelerant.
“He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to fill up his car any more,” said Samart Prakotkancharna, managing director of Ratchapruek P Car Center in Thailand’s capital, describing the scene that played out on his forecourt. Continued …
- Chinese-Run Warehouse Busted With 100,000 Fake Cosmetics – Continued …
- Russian DJ Arrested for Drug Sales via Telegram on Koh Phangan – Continued …
- 2 Russian women caught on CCTV taking pet cat from Phuket man – 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
Run Khan Do event/Pone Kingphet Park renovation/Royal Hua Hin Course hosts Thai LPGA/Meth arrest in Prauchap Khiri Khan/Road Accidents, Deaths Decreased/EC announces 71% voter turnout/Masked Gang Raid Brit’s Pattaya Home/AI-Driven Traffic Lights in Bangkok/Prices of new Samsung Galaxy to rise/Keep their hair in check/Bomb on husband’s mistress’ car
Royal Hua Hin Golf Course hosts first Thai LPGA event of year
Road accidents in Thailand fell in 2025, according to new data released yesterday at the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Police Gen. Samran Nuanma, deputy commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police and director of the Traffic Management Center, said statistics show a decline in crashes, fatalities, and injuries. However, speeding remains the leading cause of accidents nationwide.
The Election Commission (EC) has announced the final voter turnout for the 2026 general election, with 37.8 million voters (71.4%) participating on Feb.8. 
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has started upgrading traffic signals at various intersections, incorporating an adaptive system using CCTV and AI technology to adjust in real time. This initiative aims to transition from fixed-timing to automated adaptive control, improving convenience and reducing time on the roads.
Rising memory component costs have pushed up launch prices for Samsung’s latest flagship lineup, with several models in the new Galaxy S26 series debuting up to 20% higher than their Galaxy S25 predecessors in Thailand.
The operator of the BTS Skytrain has called on passengers to refrain from flicking or tossing their hair while traveling during peak hours, warning that loose locks could accidentally strike fellow commuters in the face, shoulders, eyes, or mouth.
This year continues to be a period of high uncertainty for Thai businesses, driven by geopolitical tensions, global economic policies, interest rate directions, and the transition to new technologies. Meanwhile, domestic factors such as a strong Thai baht, high household debt, weak demand, and a fragile economic structure are further intensifying the pressure on the business sector.
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) expects the baht to gradually weaken against the US dollar, reaching 33 baht per dollar in the fourth quarter of this year, driven by a combination of domestic and external factors.
TRIS Rating has raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.1% from 1.7%, following stronger-than-expected momentum in the fourth quarter of 2025, when the economy expanded 2.4%. Despite the upward revision, growth is still projected to moderate from last year, reflecting persistent structural constraints.
Factory activity in Thailand picked up in January, driven by heightened political activity during the election campaign and strong demand in the automotive sector, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE).
The global semiconductor industry is entering an increasingly strategic phase, driven by accelerated investments in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, and electric vehicles (EV).
Suphajee Suthumpun, minister of Commerce, has revealed that the Thai government and the government of the People’s Republic of China have reached a government-to-government rice-trading agreement for a volume of 40,000 tons.
US trading partners, including China and the EU, are responding to Trump’s recent tariff setbacks and warnings of potential new tariffs. They are likely adopting cautious or defensive strategies in light of these developments, reflecting concerns over economic stability and trade relations. The situation underscores ongoing tensions between the US and its trade partners over tariffs and trade policies.
Over the past few weeks, local news headlines have been dominated by complaints from some foreign tourists claiming that Thailand is becoming too expensive, while some Thais are being perceived as unfriendly — or even rude — to visitors.
Thailand is every wanderer’s dream: temples rising into brilliant blue skies, tuk-tuks zipping past street carts sizzling with spice, and tropical beaches that seem to glow at sunset. But because the kingdom stretches from misty northern hills to two distinct coastal systems, deciding when to go is almost as important as where you go.
A Short-Stay Guide to Koh Tao — Thailand’s Tiny Gulf Escape
Technology giants, including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta, have in recent months announced plans to spend over US$600 billion on AI in 2026 alone. The investment wave has already fueled unease among some investors about the profitability of this strategy. They have reason to be worried, as the ambitious US AI expansion plans are likely to be hobbled by severe power-infrastructure bottlenecks, including turbine shortages, slow grid expansion, and regulatory red tape.