- PKK officials: No shortage of fuel/200,000 Baht Solar Tax Relief/PKK energy-efficiency program/Soi 112 motorcycle accidents/Cha Am water shortage/New water production system for Bor Fai/New road near Yarm Saad School
- IRAN INVASION: Airfare Surge/Thailand to secure new oil supplies/Plan to cushion oil and power bills/Fuel price rises start to bite/To ban fare hikes for taxis/Impact on medical supplies/War to hobble supply chain/Cash is king as war lifts oil and dollar/US Senate fails/US sinks Iranian warship
- ECONOMY: Inflation negative for 11th straight month/Business group keeps 2026 GDP growth forecast/China Tops Thai Condo Market/Global import tariff to 15% this week
- TOURISM: Mideast conflict a blow to long-haul tourism/Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand down/Top Songkran travel destinations
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Growing cost of elephant intrusions/Nan Province a Slow-Travel Dream
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS visa
PKK officials: No shortage of fuel – currently
The governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan has confirmed that fuel supplies in Prachuap Khiri Khan remain sufficient and urged residents not to panic buy, following concerns about potential price increases linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking during an inspection of petrol stations yesterday afternoon, Gov. Sitthichai Sawat Saen said authorities were closely monitoring the situation and reassured the public that there is currently no shortage of fuel in the province. Continued …
Royal Gazette Confirms 200,000 Baht Solar Tax Relief
The Royal Gazette has published a royal decree granting income tax relief of up to 200,000 baht for individuals who install on-grid rooftop solar power systems at home. The measure, effective from March 3 until Dec. 31, 2028, allows eligible taxpayers to claim the exemption once in the tax year their system is successfully connected to the electricity grid.
The exemption applies to individuals, excluding ordinary partnerships, non-juristic groups, and undivided estates, for actual payments made to purchase and install a solar electricity generation system on a roof, rooftop terrace or any part of a building used for occupation. The system must be connected to the grid of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) or the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), with total relief capped at 200,000 baht. Continued …
PKK officials propose energy-efficiency program
The governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan has accelerated plans to improve energy efficiency as part of efforts to position the province as a model environmentally friendly tourism city.
Sitthichai Sawat Saen, governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, chaired a meeting Monday to discuss policies under the “Smart and Sustainable Industry” initiative. The discussions focused on improving energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy, and reducing environmental impacts. Continued …
Soi 112 motorcycle accidents leave one dead, one seriously injured
Two Soi 112 motorcycle accidents occurred within hours of each other in Hua Hin on Monday, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured on the same stretch of road in Nong Kae. The incidents both took place in front of the Moo Kratha 154 restaurant on Soi Hua Hin 112, prompting responses from the Sawang Hua Hin Rescue Foundation and local police.
The first accident was reported at approximately 7.30 am, when the radio center of the Sawang Hua Hin Rescue Foundation received a call from a member of the public reporting that a motorcycle rider had fallen from the vehicle. Continued …
Cha Am water shortage: city installs pumps to restore supply
Cha Am Municipality is taking urgent steps to address a growing water shortage after construction works on an irrigation canal disrupted the flow of raw water used to produce tap water for residents.
The water shortage began after the Royal Irrigation Department carried out a project to excavate two canals and merge them into a single larger canal. The project was intended to improve flood management and support agricultural water use across Cha Am district. However, the work also affected the flow of raw water feeding the municipality’s water-production system. Continued …
New water production system for Bor Fai area discussed
A new water production system planned for the Bor Fai area was the focus of a meeting chaired by Hua Hin City Municipality officials this week, as authorities reviewed design proposals and the next steps for the project.
Nopporn Wutthikul, mayor of Hua Hin City Municipality, presided over the meeting on Tuesday. The discussion brought together municipal leaders, technical officials, and representatives from Asian Engineering Consultants Co., who are advising on the project. Continued …
New road being constructed near Yarm Saad School
Construction of a reinforced concrete road near Yarm Saad School is under way as part of a 15.37-million-baht project aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing local flooding.
Municipal officials said the project has entered the stage of pouring concrete for the road surface. The road is being built to a width of about 7.20 meters, with a length of about 790 meters and a thickness of 0.15 meters, covering at least 5,613 square meters of road surface. Continued …
Airfare Surge: Bangkok–London Economy Reaches 70,000 Baht
Airfares from Thailand to Europe have surged by up to 100% due to airspace closures in the Middle East caused by the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The suspension of flights by eight Middle Eastern airlines has significantly reduced seat availability on these critical international routes.
Previously handling over 10,000 passengers daily, Gulf carriers’ suspension has led to soaring ticket prices for remaining flights. For example, one-way economy fares on Thai Airways International from Bangkok to London have jumped to over 70,000 baht, significantly higher than the usual 30,000 baht. Singapore Airlines has seen fares rise to around 58,000 baht, with many flights fully booked through the next week. Continued …
Thailand to secure new oil supplies within one week to cut Middle East reliance
Ekniti Nitithanprapas, deputy prime minister and finance minister, said at Government House yesterday that the impact of the Middle East war on Thailand’s economy remained limited at present.
On the overall economy, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) presented the latest situation on Tuesday, noting that average crude oil prices across three benchmark markets and natural gas prices rose 12.9% and 6.8%, respectively, compared with Feb. 27. Continued …
Thailand unveils plan to cushion oil and power bills, cap diesel prices
The war involving Iran in the Middle East remains protracted, with the United States and Israel continuing to strike Iran, while Iran insists it will exercise its right to self-defense to the fullest extent.
The impact on energy prices has become clearer after the announcement of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, affecting shipments of crude oil and natural gas from Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Bloomberg reported that liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices in Asia surged to their highest level in three years, or since 2023, due to the Middle East conflict. Continued …
Fuel price rises start to bite
Fears of a prolonged Middle East conflict disrupting global energy supplies are rippling across Thailand, triggering price anxieties, panic buying, and warnings of logistical strain.
Tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, particularly the risk of disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, have heightened concerns over oil availability and costs. While Thailand maintains strategic reserves, regional leaders and businesses warn that extended conflict could test supply chains and inflate prices nationwide. Continued …
Transport Ministry to ban fare hikes for taxis, riders, and motorcycle taxis from today
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the Transport Ministry will ban fare increases for taxis, ride-hailing riders, and motorcycle taxi services from today, warning of legal action against profiteering.
He added the government can keep transport costs capped for as long as the prime minister maintains the fuel price freeze, with the Oil Fund used as a buffer if crude prices stay high. Continued …
Thailand monitors war impact on medical supplies
The Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring potential drug price inflation amid unrest in the Middle East, with possible intervention in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce if necessary.
The public health system has yet to experience any direct impact from the escalating conflict in the region, acting Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said yesterday. Continued …
War to hobble supply chain as trade costs soar
Thai business and industry leaders are concerned that the Mideast war could significantly disrupt logistics and transport costs, with ripple effects for manufacturing in Thailand and other countries.
Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the war threatens to destabilize global supply chains by disrupting shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime passages for oil and gas. Continued …
Cash is king as war lifts oil and dollar, sinks stocks, gold, bonds
“Cash” has become the most prized asset in global markets as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, triggering a rare sell-off in gold, bonds, and equities at the same time and reshaping what investors see as traditional hedges.
The US dollar has stood out as the preferred safe haven, while Brent crude climbed to US$83.60 a barrel. Gold slid as much as 4% after hitting a four-week high on Monday, reflecting what traders described as “indiscriminate” selling. Continued …
US Senate blocks bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers
The US Senate yesterday voted 53-47 to block a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at requiring Congress to authorize any further US hostilities against Iran, a move that effectively backs President Donald Trump’s military campaign as the conflict escalates.
The measure — led by Sen. Tim Kaine (Democrat, Virginia) and backed by Sen. Rand Paul (Republican, Kentucky) — fell largely along party lines. Paul was the only Republican to vote in favor, while Sen. John Fetterman (Democrat, Pennsylvania) voted against it. Continued …
US sinks Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, NATO destroys Iranian missile heading for Turkey
The US–Iran war widened sharply yesterday after a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, killing at least 80 people, and NATO air defenses destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile fired toward Turkey.
The escalation came as the powerful son of Iran’s slain supreme leader emerged as a frontrunner to succeed him, suggesting Tehran was not about to buckle to pressure, five days after the United States and Israel launched a military campaign that has killed hundreds and convulsed global markets. Continued …
Thai inflation negative for 11th straight month
Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) dropped 0.88% in February from a year earlier, following an annual fall of 0.66% in the previous month, the Ministry of Commerce said today.
The decline marked the 11th consecutive month that headline inflation has been negative. The reading compared with a forecast decline of 0.5% in a Reuters poll, and remained well below the Bank of Thailand’s target inflation range of 1% to 3%. Continued …
Thai business group keeps 2026 GDP growth forecast at 1.6% to 2.0%
A leading business group maintained its forecast for Thailand’s economic growth this year at 1.6% to 2.0%, but said yesterday a prolonged conflict in the Middle East would hit activity.
The group’s forecast for exports, a key driver of Thai growth, was kept at a fall of 0.5% to 1.5%, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) reported. Continued …
China Tops Thai Condo Market, Myanmar Rises to 2nd
Foreign buyers remained a significant force in Thailand’s condominium market in 2025, with Chinese nationals retaining the top position despite a decline in purchases, while buyers from Myanmar recorded the strongest growth to rank second.
According to Narongpol Prabhanirin, acting director of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), foreign condominium transfers totalled 14,899 units for the year, up 2.2% from 2024. However, total transfer value fell 10.7% to 60.92 billion baht. Continued …
US to raise global import tariff to 15% this week
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said yesterday that President Donald Trump’s plan to raise a worldwide import tariff from 10% to 15% is likely to be implemented within this week, telling CNBC there is a strong possibility it will happen during the week.
The plan follows the Supreme Court’s ruling that Trump’s earlier “reciprocal” tariff measures were unlawful. After the court decision in February, Trump invoked Section 122 to impose a global import tariff at 10%, and later said the rate would be increased to 15%. Continued …
Mideast conflict a blow to long-haul tourism
As the conflict in the Middle East weighs on global travel prices and travelers’ pocketbooks, tourism operators in Thailand project arrivals from long-haul markets in 2026 will fall short of the 10.8 million seen last year.
“Thailand’s tourism sector will definitely be hit by this new storm of events,” said Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Assn. “Tourism arrivals this year could dip even more severely than last year.” Continued …
Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand down in first two months of 2026
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has reported that Thailand welcomed a cumulative 6,541,710 foreign visitors in the first two months of 2026, covering Jan. 1–Feb. 28. That figure was down 4.2% year on year.
Cumulative international-market revenue totaled B322,595 million, down 0.6% from the same period last year. The largest inbound market was China, with 1,078,089 visitors. February was supported by the Chinese New Year, when many Chinese travelers took extended holidays in Thailand. Continued …
Traveloka reveals top Songkran travel destinations
Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Krabi have emerged as the top travel destinations for Thai travelers during the upcoming Songkran holiday, according to new data from Traveloka. The insights highlight a continued preference for festive coastal escapes and culturally rich city celebrations, as the festival evolves into a globally recognized event.
In 2025, Songkran generated over $800 million (28.7 billion baht), marking a 17% increase in tourism revenue. This growth is expected to continue into 2026, driven by large-scale events and increased festival participation. Charles Wong, VP of Commercial Traveloka, emphasized the significance of Songkran, stating, “Songkran is Thailand’s most cherished season, a time for homecoming, tradition, and new beginnings.” Continued …
The growing cost of elephant intrusions
The death of a 20-year-old wild elephant during relocation in Loei has intensified scrutiny of the government’s handling of escalating human-elephant conflict in the northeast. Seedor Hu Pub died during a translocation operation intended to return it to its original habitat in the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. The incident has prompted public concern over wildlife protection and exposed mounting tensions between rural communities and roaming herds.
The relocation followed a ruling by the Khon Kaen Administrative Court last November ordering the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to remove four aggressive wild elephants, including Seedor Hu Pub, from farmland in Khon Kaen’s Phu Wiang district. Continued …
Nan Province in Thailand Is a Slow-Travel Dream Come True
“You could see on your flight that you are the only Westerners here,” laughed Sunee Jaurueng, our private guide with the luxury travel outfitter Red Savannah, as she greeted us, smiling, at Nan Nakhon Airport, northern Thailand. “Nan is unseen. It’s not on the way anywhere,” she said. “You have to come here on purpose.”
And we had — for exactly that reason. Jaurueng, it turned out, foreshadowed the five days in Nan Province that were to come, blissfully embedded in local culture with hardly a foreigner in sight — we ran into just one Kiwi couple the whole time — and instead a host of the friendliest, sweetest people I’ve met anywhere. Continued …
- 94 Vietnamese arrested in Bangkok raid linked to gambling network – Continued …
- Naked Foreigner Arrested in Pattaya Linked to Speedboat Theft Attempt – Continued …
- Foreigner “Dine n Dash” caught on camera in Phuket – 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
‘No pause’ in Thai-US trade talks
Phuket tops southern Thailand’s tourism revenue in early 2025
Thailand plots solar rooftop shake-up
Thailand’s pharmaceutical industry: a cornerstone of the nation’s economy
Video: Vibrant Chinatown Bangkok – Largest Chinatown in the World
Thailand braces for 770,000 Chinese tourists this Lunar New Year
