- Hua Hin clock tower to be replaced/Design plans for Phon Kingphet Park/PKK wellness tourism program/Prachuap Khiri Khan Night Run/PKK 5th in tourism numbers/Nominee Crackdown in Surat Thani/El Niño impact on water/Reservoirs above maximum storage levels/Driving E-Trike Through Traffic/High level shakeup in Phuket
- THE IRAN WAR: Lebanon fighting tests truce deal/Deal unlikely to revive Thai tourism
- ECONOMY: Thai Baht Under Pressure/Second-hand home listings rise/Thai industrial sentiment falls/Seafood stand-off nears an end/MR. D.I.Y. Eyes Double-Digit Growth
- TOURISM: TAT Looks to Rail Travel/Thai destinations gaining global interest/British Boxer Dies
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand’s Best Hotels
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Mining pollution from Myanmar
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin clock tower to be replaced
Hua Hin Municipality is moving ahead with plans to build a new Hua Hin clock tower after community leaders approved the proposal to replace the existing structure, which is more than 40 years old.
The project is intended to improve the surrounding townscape and create an updated landmark for residents and visitors. Construction is expected to begin in the 2027 fiscal year, subject to the required approvals and budget process. Continued …
Design plans reviewed for Phon Kingphet Public Park
Hua Hin Municipality is reviewing design plans for the City Activity Plaza upgrade at Phon Kingphet Public Park, as work continues on improving one of the town’s public activity areas.
The project is aimed at improving the plaza for community activities, public events, and everyday use by residents. Municipal officials met yesterday to inspect progress on the project and consider details of the next stage of work. Continued …
Prachuap Khiri Khan launches wellness tourism program
Prachuap Khiri Khan has launched Wellness Tourism 2026 as part of a plan to promote the province as an international health and wellness destination.
Officials said Wellness Tourism 2026 is intended to bring together tourism, sport, music, arts and culture, local knowledge, and health-related services, while supporting community businesses and the local economy. Continued …
Prachuap Khiri Khan Night Run July 3
Registration is opening for the Wellscape Prachuap Khiri Khan Night Run 2026, an evening health run taking runners through the “City of Three Bays”. The event, organized by Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and the Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports, will take place on Friday, July 3.
The run will start at 7 pm from Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall, which will also serve as the finish point. Participants can choose between 5km and 10km routes, with the course passing six key landmarks and check-in points around the city. Continued …
PKK 5th in tourism numbers, 4th in revenue
New electricity rates put off until review
Authorities have postponed a plan to impose higher electricity rates on large households with heavy consumption, citing the need to revise how power bills are calculated, says Energy Minister Akanat Promphan.
The new electricity prices were proposed by the Energy Regulatory Commission last month and slated for enforcement in July. They are based on progressive power tariff rates, which increase when people use more electricity. Continued …
Police Push Nominee Crackdown in Surat Thani
Thailand’s deputy national police chief has stepped up efforts to crack down on nominee business arrangements and transnational crime in Surat Thani, as part of an urgent government policy aimed at protecting investment, tourism, and national interests.
On Tuesday, Police Gen. Samran Nuanma, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police responsible for security affairs and director of the Center for Suppression of Transnational Criminals and Illegal Immigration, visited Surat Thani to monitor enforcement operations. The move follows instructions from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet to intensify action against nominee schemes in which Thai nationals hold shares on behalf of foreign investors. Continued …
Thailand prepares for El Niño impact on water
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed concern about the economic impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, especially in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and called for accelerated efforts to increase water reserves in the eastern region.
According to government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, water demand in the EEC region — Chon Buri, Rayong, and Chachoengsao provinces — is projected to nearly double from current levels next year. Continued …
Five Thai reservoirs above maximum storage levels
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) summarized the nationwide water situation yesterday, saying rainfall had been scattered across all regions. The highest rainfall was in Buri Ram province, at 74 millimetres.
It also issued an alert to monitor five large reservoirs where water volumes had exceeded their maximum storage levels, and forecast that Thailand would see more rain and heavy falls in some areas today and tomorrow. Continued …
Elderly Rider Fined After Driving E-Trike Through Traffic
A 75-year-old man has been fined by police after being filmed riding an electric three-wheeled trike through the busy Ha Yaek Lat Phrao intersection in Bangkok, prompting safety concerns.
Police used the case to remind the public that electric scooters, certain types of electric bicycles, electric three-wheeled bicycles, trikes, and electric suitcases are not permitted on public roads. Authorities said such vehicles may pose risks to both riders and other road users and do not comply with current traffic regulations. Continued …
High level shakeup in Phuket – Governor and deputies transferred
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dramatically shaken up Phuket’s administration, removing the governor and transferring two deputy governors amid escalating allegations of internal conflict, influential networks, disputed beachfront land, intimidation, and claims of political protection.
The intervention follows high-level inspections, public accusations, and mounting concern within Government House that infighting among senior officials was obstructing efforts to tackle beach encroachment, alleged mafia activity, and corruption claims in one of Thailand’s most important tourism and economic provinces. Continued …
Lebanon fighting tests fragile US-Iran truce deal
World leaders have welcomed a fragile US-Iran interim agreement aimed at extending a ceasefire and opening the way to a permanent truce, but warned that the diplomatic breakthrough must also halt fighting in Lebanon and address wider security concerns across the region.
The agreement, released by Washington and Tehran yesterday, was digitally signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to officials from both countries. Iran’s foreign ministry said the memorandum had already taken effect. Continued …
Peace deal unlikely to revive Thai tourism
Hotels and airlines remain cautious about the potential end of the Middle East conflict as the positive impact could be delayed due to a steep slowdown in purchasing power, particularly among domestic tourists, during this low season.
Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, head of commercial at Thai Lion Air, said the average load factor for June and July has fallen year-on-year, as travelers are exercising greater caution with their spending in the off-peak season after shelling out for holidays in April and early May. Continued …
Thai Baht Under Pressure as Energy Import Costs Drive Volatility
Commerzbank’s analysis highlights that global energy market volatility, particularly in early 2026, is exerting substantial downward pressure on the Thai baht. Thailand’s significant reliance on energy imports, primarily crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), means that rising global energy costs directly worsen its trade balance.
This amplified vulnerability is clearly reflected in the USD/THB exchange rate, which has become a key indicator for currency traders closely observing potential policy responses from the Bank of Thailand (BOT). The historical precedent of the 2022 energy crisis, which saw USD/THB surpass 37.00, underscores the baht’s sensitivity to such price shocks, influencing current market evaluations. Continued …
Second-hand home listings, value rise
Thailand’s property market is sending an interesting signal, as the number and value of “second-hand” homes listed for sale nationwide have risen significantly.
In Bangkok in particular, the listed value of properties jumped by more than twofold within a year. The question is whether this is simply normal turnover of properties or whether it reflects hidden pressure in the property market. Continued …
Thai industrial sentiment falls for the third straight month
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index dropped for a third straight month in May due to the impact of the war in the Middle East, slowing production, and a shortage of labor, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported yesterday.
The FTI said its industrial sentiment index fell to 84.7 in May from 85.3 in the previous month. A leading business group last week raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 1.6%-2.0%, citing support from government stimulus measures. Last year’s growth was 2.4%. Continued …
Costly Malaysia-Thailand seafood stand-off nears an end
Malaysia and Thailand are edging closer to resolving a tit-for-tat seafood safety dispute, offering a lifeline to exporters after weeks of halted shipments and retaliatory restrictions on Thai shrimp and Malaysian sea bass.
Tentative signs of a way out emerged yesterday when Malaysian officials confirmed that their Thai counterparts had returned a completed food safety standards questionnaire for formal assessment. Continued …
MR. D.I.Y. Thailand Eyes Double-Digit Sales Growth
Arnupharp Kongmalai, vice president of marketing at MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) evealed that the company’s operational outlook for the second half of 2026 continues to be supported by ongoing branch expansion, a value-focused business model, and government economic stimulus measures, which may partially support consumer spending.
Additionally, the company has launched the “MR. D.I.Y. Lock Price” campaign, guaranteeing unchanged prices on all items throughout its stores nationwide and online for a three-month period, from May 1 to July 31. This initiative aims to help consumers better plan their expenses amid challenging living costs. Continued …
TAT Looks to Rail Travel for the Next Chapter of Thailand’s High-Value Tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has emphasized the development of rail tourism as an important step toward creating new experiential and economic value for Thailand’s tourism industry.
TAT Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that Thailand’s tourism sector has long drawn strength from its natural attractions, cultural heritage, and recognized hospitality. However, as travel behavior evolves, tourism success is measured not only by visitor numbers but also by the quality of experiences and sustainable income distribution to local economies and communities. Continued …
Traveloka reveals Thai destinations gaining global interest
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s campaign, featuring BLACKPINK’s Lisa as the global tourism ambassador, is significantly influencing travel trends, according to Traveloka’s latest data. The campaign, “Amazing Thailand: Feel All The Feelings,” has sparked a surge in searches and bookings for featured Thai destinations, aligning with a broader trend of pop culture shaping travel decisions.
The initiative is expected to attract 5–10 million additional international visitors and generate $6.9–13.8 billion (B250–500 billion) in tourism revenue, contributing to Thailand’s 2026 target of $82.8 billion (B3 trillion). Continued …
British Boxer Dies After Phuket Tuk-Tuk Fall
Colin Cairney, an undefeated Scottish welterweight boxer, has died aged 22 after suffering catastrophic injuries in a road incident during a holiday in Thailand. Cairney had been left on life support following the incident, which occurred in the early hours of June 14 on the island of Phuket.
According to reports, Cairney was returning to his hotel after a night of partying in Phuket when the incident happened. It is understood he became involved in a dispute with the driver of a tuk-tuk over payment of the fare. Continued …
Thailand’s Best Hotels, Pools, Spas, and More
Thai hospitality is world renowned for a reason — a heartfelt service culture anchored in deep cultural roots perfectly complements the kingdom’s spectacular locales. Over the last few decades, luxury here has followed a skyward trajectory that all but erases the country’s “pancake trail” origins, placing destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai firmly on the luxury traveler’s must-visit map.
Hotels and resorts here give you the best of all worlds: local charm, cosmopolitan style, innovative cuisine, and the full gamut of wellness experiences. Here are the top hotels, spas, pools, and GMs for 2026. Continued …
Mining pollution from Myanmar may be hard to contain
A US expert in the rehabilitation of contaminated environments is currently in Chiang Rai province to advise and share his experience with Thai counterparts on how to cope with toxic substances being discharged into the Kok and Sai rivers by mining activities in Myanmar, which are flowing into Thailand.
The US expert, Professor Danny Reible of Texas Tech University, conducted a field trip to the Kok and Sai rivers in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces, accompanied by Dr. Thanaphol Penrat of the Thailand Science, Research and Innovation (TSRI) office, and Dr. Suebsakun Kidnukorn of Mae Fah Luang University. Continued …
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Chinese Fraud Suspect Arrested in Chiang Mai – Continued …
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Briton Held in Phang Nga Nominee Business Probe – Continued …
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Wanted South Korean fraud suspect caught after 9-month visa overstay – Continued …
Vietnam Police Rescue Hundreds of Cats From Slaughter
Police in Vietnam have rescued more than 500 cats after dismantling a suspected cat meat trafficking network in one of the country’s largest animal welfare operations in recent years. The raid, carried out in and around Ho Chi Minh City last week, followed an investigation into a series of pet thefts. Authorities detained nine suspects and uncovered hundreds of live cats allegedly destined for the meat trade. 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