• New sponsor: Palapon Kitchen/Hua Hin landlord accuses tenant/Thailand alcohol controls
• THE IRAN WAR: Oil market could enter danger zone/US pins hopes on mediator Pakistan
• ECONOMY: Police Chief Targets Foreign Nominee Networks/Banks Join Nominee Effort/Economists stress inflation warning/Bangkok Port Overhaul/Co-pay unlikely to help/Chinese capital expands beyond tourism/Thailand fruit exports rebound
• TOURISM: Thailand updates visa-free rules/Tourists react to visa cuts/200 Chinese charter flights canceled/8.24 million short-haul tourists/AirAsia chief slams tax hike/TAT tries something new/Travel trends of 2026
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Leopard sighting in Kaeng Krachan/Rainy season sparks scarab beetle hunt
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Community rallies to protect dugongs/Rooftop solar buyback
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

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Palapon Kitchen

Hua Hin landlord accuses tenant of trashing rental

A woman in Hua Hin has alerted fellow property owners and local women after her rental house was severely damaged by a Swiss tenant, who continued to invite women to the property post-lease.

The homeowner’s Facebook post, featuring photos and details, swiftly caught online attention. She reports the tenant left the house in disarray, with damaged items including a stabbed mattress and electrical appliances in the swimming pool. Continued … 

Thailand alcohol controls take effect

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2) 2025 has been in force since Nov. 8, 2025. Several sections require subordinate legislation, including rules on places where alcoholic beverages may not be sold or consumed, and rules on advertising and publicity.

The latest eight notifications of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee on places or areas where the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited took effect on Tuesday, May 12. Continued … 

IEA warns global oil market could enter danger zone in July-August

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that the global oil market could enter a “danger zone” in mid-year, after the Iran war disrupted more than 14 million barrels per day of Middle East supply.

The global oil market is facing the risk of a severe crisis between July and August, as summer oil demand rises while supply from the Middle East has yet to recover amid the impact of the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Continued … 

US pins hopes on mediator Pakistan in push to end Iran war

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced hope of progress on ending the war with Iran, as he looked to Pakistani mediators to help advance efforts to strike an agreement.

Previous comments by US President Donald Trump had suggested weeks of stop-start negotiations to strike a permanent end to the war were teetering on the “borderline” between a deal and renewed attacks. Continued … 

Police Chief Targets Foreign Nominee Networks Nationwide

Thailand’s national police chief has announced a nationwide crackdown on foreign nominee networks accused of illegally controling businesses and property through Thai proxies. The operation will focus on tracing financial transactions and dismantling networks linked to unlawful foreign ownership schemes across the country.

Police Gen. Kitrat Phanphet, commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, said authorities had been compiling an in-depth intelligence database since January. He said updates had been regularly reported to the prime minister, while Police Gen. Samran Nuanma, deputy commissioner-general, had been appointed to lead a dedicated task force targeting foreigners involved in illegal business activities in all sectors. Continued … 

Banks Join Effort to Curb Thai Nominee Companies

The Department of Business Development (DBD) is collaborating with the Thai Bankers Assn. and various banks to link their databases to the department’s AI system. This initiative aims to monitor the financial status of Thai nationals co-investing with foreign partners in local companies.

The move should enhance the credibility of Thai investors and identify whether they are genuine stakeholders or merely acting as nominees. The effort targets around 800,000 companies in Thailand, of which about 120,000 have foreign co-ownership under 50%. Continued … 

Economists stress inflation warning for Thai economy

Escalating inflation poses a significant risk to the Thai economy, especially if the US-Iran war drags on until the second half of the year, as domestic consumption remains fragile and small businesses in provincial markets face a liquidity crunch, say economists.

Amonthep Chawla, executive vice president and head of research at CIMB Thai Bank, said despite significant growth in the first quarter, the Thai economy remains at risk for the rest of the year, as energy prices are high while overseas bond yields have risen. Continued … 

Transport Ministry Accelerates Bangkok Port Overhaul

Deputy Transport Minister Sanphet Boonyamanee has ordered the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) to fast-track its commercial development plans for Bangkok Port, aiming to unlock fresh revenue streams and modernize the surrounding urban areas.

Under the new policy directives, the state enterprise is zoning the total port area to separate core maritime logistics from lucrative commercial ventures. The centerpiece of the strategy is a massive mixed-use development project designed to boost cargo logistics and high-end tourism, which officials explicitly clarified will not include a casino. Continued … 

Co-pay unlikely to help big eateries

The government co-payment stimulus scheme “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” is unlikely to benefit mid-sized to large restaurant operators, says the Thai Restaurant Assn., calling on the government to provide support to the neglected segment.

The government is subsidizing 60% of payments, with participants paying the remaining 40%. The government subsidy is capped at 200 baht per day and 1,000 baht per month, running from June to September. Continued … 

Chinese capital expands beyond tourism into a Thai business base

For years, when people spoke of “Chinese people” and Thailand, the image many had in mind may still have been tour groups, buses, and famous tourist districts. But a closer look shows that the relationship between “Chinese capital” and “Thailand” is now changing significantly.

What is happening is not only travel for tourism, but an effort to establish a foothold in investment, business operations, residential rental, and even the relocation of production bases. Continued … 

Thailand fruit exports rebound 17.9% in April as durian surges 109%

Thailand’s agricultural exports staged a sharp recovery in April, with fruit shipments, particularly durian, posting explosive growth after months of contraction, according to the Commerce Ministry. The ministry said overall agricultural exports in April rose 17.9%, ending eight consecutive months of negative growth.

Among the strongest performers were durian exports, which surged 109.5% year-on-year, while rambutan exports climbed 92.8%, and lychee shipments increased 70%. Continued … 

Thailand updates visa-free rules after scrapping 60-day scheme

Thailand has updated its visa-free entry and visa privilege rules for 2026 after the Cabinet approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free scheme for 93 countries and territories.

The Department of Consular Affairs said the Cabinet approved the revised visa exemption and visa-on-arrival measures on Tuesday as part of a wider effort to reorganize Thailand’s visa categories and reduce confusion over entry privileges. Continued … 

Tourists in Thailand react to cuts to visa-free stays

The backpackers on Khao San Road, the Bangkok thoroughfare beloved by budget travelers, are waking up this week with an extra headache: the government is preparing to shorten the length of visa-free stays.

Near the Tha Tian pier, where tourists catch ferries to Wat Arun, Irishman Alex Brady said the new 30-day limit would have affected his plans a lot — because he and his friends “initially came here with no plan at all”. Continued ,,, 

Fuel costs force cancellation of over 200 Chinese charter flights to Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says surging global fuel prices have led to the cancellation of more than 200 Chinese charter flights to Thailand, prompting the agency to consider extending its Thailand Summer Blast campaign until September.

Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT deputy governor for international marketing for Asia and the South Pacific, said yesterday that Thailand welcomed around 13.1 million foreign tourists during the first four months of 2026. Continued … 

Thailand welcomes 8.24 million short-haul tourists by mid-May

Thailand has welcomed more than 8.24 million tourists from short-haul markets so far this year, with China continuing to dominate as the country’s largest inbound market and fastest-growing source of arrivals in the region, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The agency said East Asia remained the key engine driving regional tourism growth, while India, Taiwan, Myanmar, and the Philippines also continued expanding steadily amid support from holiday travel, concert tourism, and targeted marketing campaigns aimed at high-value travelers and special-interest groups. Continued … 

AirAsia chief slams tax hike for international flyers

The founder of AirAsia has strongly criticized Airports of Thailand’s (AoT) passenger service charge (PSC) hike, slamming the inappropriate timing during the Middle East war and suggesting varying rates for different airports.

The PSC increase for international flights was published in the Royal Gazette, paving the way for AoT to collect an additional 390 baht for a total of 1,120 baht, starting on June 20. Continued … 

TAT tries something new to boost tourism

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is enhancing tourism on both domestic and international fronts by promoting weekday travel through special offers on tourism products and services. The project, titled Workation Paradise Throughout Thailand Season 4, is part of TAT’s Workation Thailand campaign.

It follows the success of the initial “100 travel-and-work” activity, which saw significant participation and interest due to its blend of work and leisure opportunities. This push toward workation tourism aligns with current demand trends, offering a novel way for professionals to enjoy travel while staying connected to their work. Continued … 

Travel trends of 2026, and what they mean if you are heading to Thailand

Every year produces a new set of travel trend reports, and most of them say roughly the same thing. The 2026 edition from Hilton, built on a survey of over 14,000 travelers across 14 countries conducted by Ipsos, is different in one important respect: its findings align almost point for point with what Thailand already does well.

The five trends the report identifies, intentional travel, the search for silence, the pull of home comforts on the road, multi-generational family holidays, and inherited travel habits, describe a destination Thailand has been building toward for years without necessarily calling it a trend. Continued … 

Leopard sighting ‘sign of thriving habitat’

Images of a leopard crossing a road in Kaeng Krachan National Park have been released, showing signs of a thriving ecosystem, according to the park office.

Yesterday, the national park in Phetchaburi released striking images that delighted conservationists and tourists. Captured by wildlife photographer Kittipong Ngamjling, the photos taken in May last year show a leopard crossing the road en route to the Phanoen Thung area. Continued … 

Rainy season sparks scarab beetle hunt in northeast Thailand

Villagers in northeastern Thailand have begun digging for “mang jeenoon”, a seasonal scarab beetle delicacy popular in Isaan cuisine, as the arrival of the rainy season creates opportunities for extra income.

Residents in several communities in Chaiyaphum province said the insects emerge only once a year during the early rainy season, allowing villagers to collect and sell them for up to 1,000-1,500 baht a day. Continued … 

Thai island community rallies to protect beloved dugongs, revive declining seagrass

Growing up on the island of Koh Libong, Tipusa Sangsawang remembers fondly how vast numbers of dugongs used to feed on local seagrass meadows teaming with fish, crabs and mollusks.

“Out there, it was like a football field,” Tipusa says, as she watches waves lap across a seemingly barren sandflat that fringes this stretch of shoreline. “It used to be green all around this area. Now, it’s only sand.” Continued … 

SPCG preps for rooftop solar buyback

Solar farm developer SPCG is preparing to capitalize on the government’s newly approved rooftop solar buyback program, which offers households the chance to sell electricity back to the grid. Yuttapong Artharn, chief financial officer of SPCG, said the company is ready to stock equipment and rooftop solar solutions to meet demand once the scheme begins.

The program, endorsed by the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), allows the government to purchase electricity generated from on-grid rooftop solar panels at a fixed rate of 2.20 baht per unit for 10 years. Continued … 

CIB Raids 23 Sites, Arrests 22 in Chinese Smuggling Ring

Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) launched coordinated raids across 23 locations in 16 provinces yesterday, arresting 22 suspects linked to an alleged network smuggling Chinese nationals in and out of the country illegally. Investigators said the operation uncovered links to call center scam gangs and mule bank accounts, with more than 20 million baht in assets seized. Continued … 

• Immigration Police Raid Chinese Spa Brothel in Rayong – Continued … 

• Austrian man deported for blocking road and demanding money in Phuket – Continued … 

• Russian Illegal Guide Arrested in Phang Nga – Continued … 

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