• Drought comes to Hua Hin/Hua Hin Heroes school building/Thap Thai Fitness Park/Sunscreen Absorbed into Blood/Rise of Running Clubs/Phuket Officials Moved Over Corruption/Car Hits Elephants
• ECONOMY: Factory closures outpace openings/Industrial sentiment drops/Global startup Top 50/Developers race to clear stock/Wellness Industry Set to Thrive
• TOURISM: Thailand defends visa-free rollback/Pattaya backs visa-free cut/Foreign arrivals target cut/Samui Revokes Four Tour Firm Licenses/Thailand Eyes Higher Tourist Tax/Pai’s Long-Stay Tourists Affected/Thailand’s medical tourism recovering/Australian Tourist Found Dead/Chinese Tourist Dies/Brit Tourist Critical
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Bangkok Sinking Faster/Redesign growth model around sustainability/World built more coal power
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

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Drought comes to Hua Hin

Hua Hin drought zone areas have been officially declared as Prachuap Khiri Khan continues to face widespread water shortages following months of low rainfall and falling reservoir levels.

The Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command has declared drought-affected areas in six districts, covering 19 subdistricts, 177 villages, and three communities. A total of 82,172 people from 34,460 households have been affected. Continued … 

Hua Hin Heroes opens new school building

Hua Hin Heroes has officially opened a new multipurpose classroom building at Ban Nong Phai School in Thap Tai, providing a safer and more suitable learning space for more than 100 students.

A merit-making ceremony was held yesterday to mark the opening of the new building, which will support a range of learning activities and help improve the school environment for children in the local community. Continued … 

Thap Thai Fitness Park to open June 13

The Thap Thai Fitness Park will officially open its gates on June 13 with a free obstacle event as a fitness challenge. More than 600,000 baht has been raised for the park, and with the combined support of volunteers and professionals, the total project value exceeds 1.5 million baht.

The park will feature the area’s first public, environmentally friendly waste-separation center. This addition was made possible through a donation from Paul Van Slyke and Adrienne Inskeep, and their company, Executive Homes. Continued … 

Sunscreen Ingredients Absorbed into Blood: Study

Scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have shown that active chemicals in sunscreens can readily soak into the bloodstream, confirming the need for more testing on whether these products are safe, the researchers said.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, replicates findings of a pilot study by FDA scientists in May. That touched off a flurry of questions over the safety of sunscreens, Dr. Adam Friedman, chairman of dermatology at George Washington University, said in a telephone interview. Continued … 

The Rise of Running Clubs: More Than Just Exercise

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen this trend everywhere: people waking up at 5 am, putting on their running gear, heading out before sunrise… or even meeting strangers just to go for a run.

Over the past two or three years, running clubs have been popping up across almost every neighborhood in Bangkok. Running has evolved into more than just exercise — it’s become a modern urban lifestyle that transcends generations. Continued … 

Phuket Officials Moved Over Patong Corruption Claims

Five senior Phuket provincial officials have been transferred pending an investigation linked to allegations of extortion and bribery involving entertainment venues in Patong. The Department of Provincial Administration issued the order yesterday after complaints from business operators and nightlife workers in Bangla Road, Patong, accused state officials of demanding illegal payments and obstructing licensing procedures.

The order stated that the transfers were necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent interference with evidence. The move follows mounting pressure from entertainment venue operators and staff in Patong, who publicly gathered to oppose what they described as extortion and unlawful demands for benefits from state officials. Continued … 

Driver Killed as Car Hits Elephants in Kanchanaburi

A tragic car accident in Kanchanaburi province resulted in the death of a Thai man and injuries to two others after their sedan reportedly collided with wild elephants and caught fire.

Rangers believe the elephants had journeyed from Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, crossing the Kwai Yai River to forage. This location, poorly lit despite nearby street lights, had not previously encountered incidents involving these animals. It remains unclear how many elephants were involved or if any sustained injuries. Continued … 

Thailand factory closures outpace openings as SME strain deepens

The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported on the industrial situation in the first quarter of 2026, pointing to worrying economic warning signs as the number of factory closures rose above the number of new factory openings for the first time in two-and-a-half years, or 10 quarters.

This reflected an uneven economic recovery in which medium-sized and large businesses were still able to expand, while SMEs had entered a downturn, with more closures, particularly in vulnerable sectors facing economic risks from the situation in the Middle East. Continued … 

Thai industrial sentiment drops for second straight month

Thailand’s industrial sentiment index dropped?for ?a second straight month in April, hurt by high oil prices, a manufacturing slowdown, and the ?war in the Middle East, the Federation of Thai Industries said yesterday. The federation said its industrial sentiment?index fell to 85.3 in April from ?88.6 in the previous month.

?On Tuesday, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking maintained its 2026 economic growth forecast ?at 1.2%?to 1.6% despite stronger-than-expected first-quarter growth. Continued … 

Thailand breaks into global startup Top 50, leads ASEAN in MedTech

Thailand has broken into the world’s Top 50 startup ecosystems for the first time in six years, ranking 49th globally in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, while emerging as ASEAN’s top medtech startup hub and recording 62.6% ecosystem growth. The National Innovation Agency, or NIA, said the ranking, compiled by global startup research platform StartupBlink, covered 120 countries and more than 1,500 cities.

Thailand ranked fourth in Southeast Asia, behind Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, while its strong growth rate pointed to rising investor confidence and broader development of innovation ecosystems across the country. Continued … 

Thai property developers race to clear stock

Thailand’s property market has entered a fresh round of intense mid-year competition, with major and mid-sized developers launching aggressive promotions to stimulate buying decisions and clear housing stock.

The push comes as the sector remains under pressure from a fragile economy, weak purchasing power, high financing costs, and growing competition to offload inventory, particularly ready-to-move-in units. Continued … 

Thailand’s Wellness Industry Set to Thrive, Aiming for Top 5 Global Hub Status

Thailand is aggressively positioning its wellness industry to become a top-five global hub, leveraging a current market value of approximately US$40 billion and a robust annual growth rate of 28%.

While the nation currently ranks 24th globally, it already leads the world in wellness tourism and is focusing on integrating modern technology with traditional Thai medicine, healthy nutrition, and beauty services to surpass regional competitors like Japan and India. Experts emphasize that while the goal is achievable, success depends on maintaining momentum, fostering innovation in herbal processing, and adapting to emerging trends such as personalized and spiritual wellness. Continued … 

Thailand defends visa-free rollback as tourism fears grow

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul  said yesterday the government’s decision to cancel the 60-day visa-free scheme for visitors from 93 countries and territories would not negatively affect Thailand’s tourism industry.

He sought to ease concerns among tourism operators worried about losing key overseas markets, adding that the government was considering a 15-day visa-free scheme for Indian travelers, while Chinese tourists would continue to receive 30-day visa-free entry under the existing Thailand-China reciprocal agreement. Continued … 

Pattaya’s tourism business association backs visa-free stay cut

Pattaya’s tourism business association has backed the government’s decision to reduce Thailand’s visa-free stay periods from 60 days to around 30 days, saying the move could help address scammer concerns, illegal business activity, and support tourism revenue.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the Cabinet agreed to cancel the 60-day visa-free scheme for more than 90 countries. Countries with more than one visa category will also return to their previous visa types, most of which allow stays of about 30 days. Continued … 

TAT may cut 2026 foreign arrivals target below 33 million

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said yesterday the Middle East conflict, energy prices, and the global economic slowdown were external factors continuing to affect Thailand’s tourism sector.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set a target of around 33 million foreign tourist arrivals for 2026, based on a scenario in which the Middle East conflict remains unresolved within the second quarter. Continued … 

Samui Revokes Four Tour Firm Licenses Over Nominee Issues

Authorities in Koh Samui have revoked the licenses of four tour companies after investigators found alleged nominee arrangements involving Thai nationals and foreign operators. Officials said the firms breached legal requirements governing ownership and management structures for tourism businesses in Thailand.

Pathakorn Kaewmorakot, registrar for tourism businesses and tour guides for Southern Region 1, said he signed the revocation orders following inspections carried out with Koh Samui Tourist Police and the Surat Thani Tourism and Sports Office. Officers inspected 12 tour operators in Koh Samui district, Surat Thani province, after suspecting some businesses were using Thai nationals as nominees to conceal foreign control. Continued … 

Thailand Eyes Higher Tourist Tax, 300 baht not enough

Thailand is considering raising its proposed tourist entry fee for foreign visitors above 300 baht, as officials review rising insurance and healthcare costs linked to the tourism sector.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the long-delayed tourism levy, first proposed in 2020, may need to increase because of inflation and higher insurance premiums. Most of the revenue would be used to provide insurance coverage for foreign tourists, particularly for treatment at private hospitals, while the remainder would fund maintenance of tourist attractions and infrastructure improvements. Continued … 

Pai’s Long-Stay Tourists Affected by Visa Policy Shift

The Thai government’s decision to cancel the 60-day visa-free stay for foreign tourists is predicted to impact long-stay visitors in Mae Hong Son province. According to Panudej Chaiyasakul, president of the Mae Hong Son Tourism Business Assn., while ordinary tourists may remain unaffected, those planning extended stays, particularly in Pai district, will need to reevaluate their visa strategies.

Previously, tourists could choose durations ranging from 30 days to a year, but now the process will require more meticulous planning under stricter regulations. Pai, which sees about 15% of its tourists staying for longer periods, will likely face the brunt of this policy change. Continued … 

Thailand’s medical tourism recovering, amid rising demand for cosmetic surgery

In 2018, Thailand stood at the peak of its medical tourism boom. Millions of international patients traveled to the country each year, drawn by internationally trained doctors, modern hospitals, and treatment costs often significantly lower than in Western markets. Then the pandemic paused global travel.

Today, that momentum has returned. By 2024 to 2025, the estimated number of foreign patients visiting private hospitals in Thailand reached around 3 million, approximately 88% of its 2018 peak. According to analysts, Thailand’s medical and wellness tourism market was worth US$31.5 billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it could more than triple by 2034, growing at a compound annual rate of 13%. Continued … 

• Australian Tourist Found Dead in Phuket Condo – Continued … 

• Chinese Tourist Dies in Pattaya Hotel Fall – Continued … 

• Brit Tourist Critical After Pattaya Truck Fall – Continued … 

Bangkok Sinks Faster as Seas Keep Rising

Bangkok is among the world’s fastest-sinking cities, with scientists warning that land subsidence is accelerating the impact of rising sea levels and increasing flood risks for millions of residents.

A new study by researchers at the Technical University of Munich found that heavily urbanized coastal areas are experiencing relative sea level rises of around 6mm per year, three times the global average of 2.1mm annually. The study identified Bangkok as a major subsidence hotspot, with the Thai capital sinking at an average rate of 8.5mm per year. Continued … 

‘Sustainomy’: Thailand urged to redesign growth model around sustainability

Thailand’s old growth formula is coming under mounting pressure from rising debt, inequality, technological disruption, and environmental risk, raising urgent questions over whether the country can continue relying on the same economic model in a world being reshaped by sustainability standards, artificial intelligence, and climate stress.

That question was at the heart of the “Sustainomy: Walk the Thought” forum, where the chief sustainomist at BiOST and author of Sustainomy, called for a redesign of the economic system so sustainability becomes part of the growth engine, rather than a separate activity added after profits have been made. Continued … 

World built more coal power in 2025 but used less

The world built and commissioned more coal power in 2025, but used the polluting fuel less, with the United States the only major economy to substantially increase generation, a new analysis shows.

Coal is a key contributor to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, and phasing it out is crucial to taming climate change. The growing affordability and abundance of renewable energy means solar and wind power can now cover growing electricity demand in much of the world. Continued … 

• Nigerian Drug Dealer Busted in Bangkok – Continued … 

• Austrian to be Deported For Drunken Behaviour in Phuket – Continued … 

AI shakes banking industry as HSBC prepares 20,000 job cuts

HSBC, Europe’s largest bank, is preparing to cut more than 20,000 jobs — roughly 10% of its global workforce — as it accelerates the adoption of artificial intelligence and automation technologies across the organization in a bid to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Continued … 

China says it will buy 200 Boeing jets, seek extension of US tariff truce

China will?buy 200 Boeing jets and seek an extension of the trade ?agreement with the United States that was reached in Kuala Lumpur last year, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said yesterday. Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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