• Crystal meth seized in Khiri Khan/Ex-refinery diesel price cut by 4 Baht/Kui Buri elephants huddle under trees/Thailand birth rate tumbles/’Hands off Koh Kut’/Villagers carry elderly woman 9 kilometers
• THE IRAN WAR: Saudi oil export disruption
• ECONOMY: US$17 billion in Gastech deals/Thailand signs global minimum tax agreement/Bangkok’s Data Center Boom/Cargill commits 2 billion baht/MICE sector valued at 200 billion baht
• TOURISM: Pattaya battles sex tourism image/TAT’s Amazing Thailand Ambassador Campaign/More emphasis on visitor value/Thailand’s visa crackdown/DTV rules vary between Thai embassies
• CLIMATE THAILAND: 42.5-MWp Thai floating solar park/Why is Bangkok replacing diesel trucks?/Balanced path for Asia’s energy transition
• THAIS BEHAVING BADLY/FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

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Police seize 464 kilograms of crystal meth in Khiri Khan

Highway police arrested a 23-year-old man and seized approximately 464 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine after the van he was driving crashed into a resident’s fence during a pursuit in Prachuap Khiri Khan last week.

The suspect, identified only as Minthada, was detained near the Don Sai traffic-light junction on Suk Chit Road in Ko Lak subdistrict, Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan district. Continued … 

Government cuts ex-refinery diesel price by 4 Baht

The Energy Policy Administration Committee (EPAC) has announced a discount on the ex-refinery price of high-speed diesel by 4 baht per liter, effective from today until Oct.31.

Published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, the measure aims to mitigate domestic fuel price volatility being caused by ongoing Middle East tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which continue to disrupt global crude and refined oil supplies. The discount applies across all standard high-speed diesel grades, including B0, B7 and B20. – thaipbsworld.com

Kui Buri elephants huddle under trees as rain pours down

Thailand ‘must act’ as birth rate tumbles

Thailand is being urged to implement a coordinated effort across government, academia, and the private sector to address its declining birth rate crisis. The proposed approach involves covering the entire lifecycle, ranging from the initial stages of having and raising children to preparing them for the workforce.

The strategy emphasizes creating an environment that makes it easier for people to start families and raising children to be healthy and capable. Key focus areas include improving access to quality healthcare, promoting physical and mental health for children, infants, and mothers, and providing care during pregnancy. Additionally, government ministers have suggested that strengthening family support systems and enhancing digital skills and lifelong learning will be essential to helping child development and reducing inequality. – Bangkok Post

‘Hands off Koh Kut’: Thailand stands firm at UN maritime talks

Thailand maintains that the island of Koh Kut is not subject to the current maritime reconciliation process, as the government considers its sovereignty over the island to be a matter of land territory rather than maritime boundary. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has stated that the ongoing conciliation proceedings should be strictly limited to the maritime boundary dispute and should exclude land borders, which includes Koh Kut.

The Thai government specifically rejects Cambodia’s 1972 continental shelf claim line, asserting that this unilateral claim lacks a legal basis. Officials have emphasized that any maritime demarcation conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should clearly demonstrate that the island belongs to Thailand. This dispute is being addressed through a UN-facilitated conciliation commission currently meeting in Singapore. – Bangkok Post

Kanchanaburi villagers carry elderly woman 9 kilometers to bank

Villagers and local volunteers in Kanchanaburi carried an elderly woman 9 kilometers through continuous rain so she could reach a bank after her ATM card stopped working and she needed to verify her identity in person.

The journey took place on Monday, in a remote community in Sangkhla Buri district near the Thai-Myanmar border. The woman, who is in her 90s and bedridden, needed to resolve the banking issue so she could access money deposited by relatives each month for her living and care expenses. Continued … 

Saudi export disruption sends some physical cargoes above US$130 a barrel

European buyers pushed some physical oil cargo prices above US$130 a barrel yesterday, while Brent and US crude futures reached their highest settlements since May 19 as disruptions to Saudi exports intensified.

Shipping industry sources said crude loadings at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea export hub of Yanbu had been suspended. Trade sources also said Riyadh had informed European customers that some late-September crude cargoes would be cancelled, raising concerns that disruption could last for weeks. Continued … 

Energy minister reports over US$17 billion in Gastech deals

Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said yesterday that Gastech 2026 in Bangkok had generated more than US$17 billion in energy business agreements. Thailand also handed over hosting duties for the 2027 event to Houston in the United States.

Akanat credited cooperation among all those involved in Gastech 2026 in Bangkok with helping the event secure the agreements. The outcome reinforced Asia’s potential as a center for global energy business, he said. Continued … 

Thailand signs up to global minimum tax agreement

Thailand has signed an international tax information exchange agreement as part of the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules to support the collection of top-up taxes.

The agreement is part of Thailand’s participation in the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on the Exchange of Information. This move aims to facilitate the exchange of tax information concerning large multinational enterprises (MNEs) and reduce the burden of compliance by minimizing the need for duplicate information in multiple countries. – Bangkok Post

Bangkok’s Data Center Boom Runs Into a Regulatory Reckoning

Stallholders working a market along Rama XI, one of Bangkok’s arterial roads, started noticing a nauseating oil odor drifting from a boxy structure covered in gunmetal grey panels that had gone up across from their stalls with almost no warning.

A nearby hospital sat close enough to raise its own alarms. When authorities finally looked, they found 200,000 liters of oil being stored on site without a permit. The facility, known as BKK01, was tied to a $1 billion investment from the Dubai-based conglomerate DAMAC, part of a plan to turn Thailand into a Southeast Asian hyperscale hub. Continued … 

Cargill commits 2 billion baht to Thailand expansion

Cargill is expanding its food production in Thailand by investing 2 billion baht (US$60 million) to enhance its feed business and processing facilities. This strategic move aims to increase production efficiency and reliability in the production process, while also providing better control over raw materials.

The investment includes upgrading machinery at three processing and slaughtering facilities in Nakhon Ratchasima and upgrading one primary facility in Saraburi. Cargill also plans to build a new silo in Nakhon Ratchasima with an expected capacity of 30,000 tons of feed to help manage costs during harvest seasons and mitigate the impact of fluctuating feed ingredient prices. These upgrades are intended to boost total production capacity to between 150,000 and 160,000 tons per year by late 2028. – Bangkok Post

Revived MICE sector valued at 200 billion baht

Thailand’s MICE sector is expected to be worth 200 billion baht this year as it transitions into recovery mode. This projection comes as the industry steadily moves toward economic recovery, with the sector’s growth playing a vital role in the nation’s broader economic landscape.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has noted that the sector’s revival is essential for driving national revenue. While some earlier targets for the MICE segment in 2026 were set at 163 billion baht, with 29.4 million participants, the current outlook suggests a stronger valuation of 200 billion baht. To maintain competitiveness, the bureau is focusing on high-value industries and addressing challenges such as the need for more specialized incentives for international organizers and attendees. – Bangkok Post

Pattaya battles sex tourism image as crimes investigated

A media review of Pattaya has highlighted the resort city’s enduring association with sex tourism, despite efforts by local authorities to promote beaches, sport, conventions and family holidays.

The report comes as two Western foreigners face separate murder investigations linked to deaths in the Pattaya area. Pattaya Mayor Poramet “Beer” Ngampichet acknowledged the city’s nightlife reputation but said officials were trying to broaden its appeal. Continued … 

TAT’s Amazing Thailand Ambassador Campaign Generates Over 448 Million Impressions

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that its “Amazing Thailand Ambassador” project has generated more than 448 million impressions across media and digital channels.

The initiative reflects TAT’s efforts to evolve how Thailand is communicated as a destination in response to today’s changing traveler behaviors and digital landscape, using contemporary stories, content, and perspectives to connect audiences with Thailand’s unique charm.

As part of the initiative, Lisa, as the Amazing Thailand Ambassador, helped showcase Thailand’s stories and perspectives to travelers through the “Feel All the feelings” campaign, sparking widespread conversation and inspiring people to experience and discover Thailand for themselves.

Thailand is redefining tourism success by putting more emphasis on visitor value

Thailand is shifting the way it measures tourism success, moving beyond visitor numbers toward a model focused on value, distribution and sustainability.

TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications Nithee Seeprae said the agency is increasingly tracking indicators including per-capita tourism revenue, length of stay, repeat visitation rates, the dispersion of tourists to secondary provinces and the quality of life of local communities. The approach is built around five strategies: life economy, sub-culture economy, night economy, circular economy and platform economy. Continued … 

Thailand’s visa crackdown could cost more in tourist spending than in arrivals

Thailand has shortened the standard visa-free stay for tourists from 60 days to 30, and this change may have a bigger effect on tourism spending than on the number of foreign visitors entering the country.

The new rules took effect yesterday, as Thailand tries to shift its tourism strategy toward higher-value visitors. Most ordinary holidays will remain unaffected. But for travelers who stay for several weeks, the change could mean shorter trips, additional visa applications or a decision to spend their money elsewhere. Continued … 

Thailand DTV rules vary between Thai embassies

Thailand’s revised Destination Thailand Visa rules, effective from Aug. 31, have created uncertainty for applicants applying outside their home country as Thai embassies and consulates publish differing residence requirements.

The Department of Consular Affairs replaced the previous requirement for proof of an applicant’s current location with proof of permanent residence. Applicants must now also submit a criminal record clearance certificate. Continued … 

Amata, B.Grimm to co-develop 42.5-MWp Thai floating solar park

Thai industrial estate developer Amata Corp. and energy producer B.Grimm Power will invest 1.2 billion baht (USD36.1 million/EUR33.9 million) in a 42.5-MWp floating solar project at an industrial site in eastern Thailand’s Chon Buri province.

The proposed photovoltaic (PV) park will be installed at a water reservoir within Amata City Chonburi Industrial Estate, a major industrial estate development managed by Amata, to help meet growing demand for renewable energy and support the industrial sector’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Its output is expected to help mitigate around 29,300 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Continued … 

Why is Bangkok replacing diesel trucks with EVs?

Bangkok is transitioning to electric vehicles to significantly reduce energy costs and mitigate air pollution. The plan to replace diesel rubbish trucks with electric vehicles is estimated to cut energy costs by approximately 4.75 billion baht, or 54%, over a five-year period.

This shift is part of a broader effort to improve environmental performance and air quality by reducing carbon emissions and PM2.5 pollution. For instance, the government is also working to convert various public-service vehicle categories to electric power, a move that could potentially reduce national oil consumption by 212 million liters annually.

Beyond waste management, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority is preparing to roll out 1,520 electric buses to improve passenger convenience and safety while lowering fuel and maintenance costs by an estimated 4.1 billion baht per year. – Bangkok Post

Energy leaders urge balanced path for Asia’s energy transition

Energy leaders at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok called for a balanced approach to the energy transition, arguing that reducing emissions cannot be pursued separately from energy security, affordability, reliability and economic growth.

Speaking during the panel “On track or off course? Navigating the path towards lower carbon energy systems” yesterday, executives from PETRONAS, PTT, Saipem and Wood, alongside the CNPC Economics & Technology Research Institute, broadly agreed that the transition would require both existing energy systems and new lower-carbon technologies. Continued … 

• Russian tourist robbed at gunpoint in Pattaya – Continued … 

• Pattaya police hold teens over Turkish man’s robbery – Continued … 

• Five Indian tourists report North Pattaya hotel assault – Continued … 

• British man injured in attempted Pattaya phone robbery – Continued … 

Over 200 Brits held over Thailand cannabis mule trips

More than 200 British nationals are currently detained overseas in drug-smuggling cases involving cannabis originating from Thailand, Foreign Office figures show. The UK government said consular cases involving Britons arrested abroad for drug smuggling more than quadrupled between 2023 and 2025, rising from just over 80 to more than 340. There have already been more than 160 new cases in 2026. Continued … 

• Chinese fugitive held after Malaysia visa run – Continued … 

Former Google DeepMind researcher warns of AI extinction risk

A former Google DeepMind researcher warned on Monday that artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially “kill all humans”, saying the world may be running out of time to prevent such an outcome. Continued … 

US acknowledges that it has deployed weapons in space

The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space, a remarkable revelation after previous warnings about countries such as Russia possibly weaponizing a global frontier long agreed in treaties to be used for only peaceful purposes. Continued … 

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