- New Sponsor: Aquatek/App could simplify 90-day reporting/Hua Hin domestic flights/No alcohol sales on Sunday/Afternoon alcohol sales confirmed/PKK e-work permit system/Biodiversity-based tourism plan for PKK/Price of LPG frozen/Thailand not yet buying World Cup broadcast/Sex Work Rights/Forever war between gig and taxi drivers/Koh Samui Taxi Driver Killing/Firms Face Koh Phangan Probe/Ill from Eating Insects/Laos cave rescue
- ECONOMY: US-Iran war winners and losers/Is 2026 the Year Economy Bounces Back?/Russians reshape Thai condo demand/Thai factory output remains weak/Thailand needs technology, investment/Banking System Remains Resilient/Continental Tire Plant Expansion
- TOURISM: More About Appearances Than Action?/Thai aviation recovery faces cost test/TAT, Vietnam Airlines to boost tourism
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: US Citizens Are Choosing Thailand/International arts festival returns
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Rooftop solar PV – a promising solution/Funds nudge motorists toward EVs/Southeast Asia’s electric vehicle race
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
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New immigration app could simplify 90-day reporting
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has introduced a new mobile application aimed at reducing arrival processing times for international visitors, while maintaining security checks at the country’s borders. The new system, known as the Thailand Immigration Management System (THIM), allows foreign travellers to complete arrival card information digitally before reaching Thailand.
Immigration authorities plan to expand the capabilities of the THIM platform beyond arrival registration. Future updates are expected to include online visa extension services and digital 90-day reporting for foreign residents. Continued …
Hua Hin campaigns for more domestic flights
Tourism leaders in Prachuap Khiri Khan are pushing for more Hua Hin flights to connect the city with Chiang Mai, Isaan, and southern Thailand, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the role of Hua Hin Airport.
The Prachuap Khiri Khan Tourism Industry Council said cross-regional flights could help connect major tourist destinations, attract more visitors to the province, and support the development of Hua Hin as a tourism hub. Continued …
No alcohol sales on Sunday
Thailand will enforce a nationwide alcohol ban on Sunday, as the country observes Visakha Bucha Day, one of the most important dates in the Buddhist calendar.
The ban lasts for 24 hours, from midnight to midnight, and prohibits the sale of alcohol at convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, entertainment venues, nightlife businesses, events, and any activities involving the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages. Continued …
Afternoon alcohol sales are officially OK
The Royal Gazette website yesterday published an announcement by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee on the revised prohibited hours for alcohol sales in 2026, updating the rules to reflect current conditions. Under the announcement, no person may sell alcoholic beverages outside the hours of 11am to midnight, except in several cases.
The change follows a wider effort to modernize Thailand’s alcohol-control rules after authorities earlier allowed a 180-day trial lifting the long-standing afternoon sales ban, which had dated back to 1972. The move was framed partly as support for tourism and retail activity. Continued …
PKK aims for improvement in e-work permit system
Senior labor officials have visited Prachuap Khiri Khan to follow up on the province’s e-work permit system, as the Ministry of Labor moves to improve the management of foreign workers through digital services.
Officials said the e-work permit system is intended to make foreign worker registration and work permit approvals faster, more transparent, and easier to check. They said the system would help raise employment standards and support economic and industrial growth in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Continued …
Biodiversity-based tourism plan moves ahead in PKK
Prachuap Khiri Khan is moving ahead with biodiversity-based tourism in three pilot districts as part of plans to support sustainable tourism and create new options for visitors. An action plan for 2025-2027 has been prepared for three pilot districts: Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot, and Kui Buri.
At a meeting Wednesay, officials reviewed the progress of the MBT-GEF 7 project, an integrated biodiversity-based tourism project for sustainable tourism development implemented by BEDO. The meeting also considered how to include the sustainable biodiversity-based tourism master plan in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s provincial development plan for 2028-2032. Continued …
Price of LPG frozen until end of July
The Energy Policy Management Committee decided yesterday to maintain the ex-refinery price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at 20.9179 baht/kg for two more months, from June 1 to July 31, so that the retail price will be kept at 423 baht a 15Kg cylinder.
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan attributed the committee’s decision to the continuing conflict in the Middle East and global oil and gas price fluctuations. Continued …
Thailand among 4 ASEAN countries not yet buying World Cup broadcasting rights
Thailand is currently among four out of a total of 11 ASEAN countries where the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have not yet been bought, while Thais may be more or less anticipating to view the world football tournament live and free as usual anyway.
The FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled between June 12 and July 20 and jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is selling its broadcasting rights at undisclosed prices to countries around the globe, including Thailand, where the Bhumjaithai-led government is yet undecided as to whether to manage for the Thais to view it live via free TV as they did for previous World Cup games. Continued …
Foundation Bids for Sex Work Rights in Thailand
A foundation advocating for sex workers has put forward a draft bill in parliament to decriminalize sex work and extend labor protections to those in the industry. Submitted by the Empower Foundation yesterday, tthis move aims to replace the outdated 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which criminalizes voluntary sex workers.
The proposed Sex Service Provider Protection Act seeks to categorize sex work as legitimate labor, offering sex workers the same rights and protections as other professions. The current laws leave sex workers vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination, according to the foundation’s spokesperson. Continued …
The forever war between gig and taxi drivers
Thailand’s app-based drivers have become part of everyday life. But as ride-hailing and delivery platforms continue to grow, so does the conflict with traditional taxi operators.
What started as competition over passengers and territory is increasingly spilling into public confrontations, protests, and even violence. Video …
Family Seek Justice for Koh Samui Taxi Driver Killing
A 31-year-old taxi driver and former soldier was shot dead while at the wheel in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, on May 24, after being attacked by a group of nearly 10 men.
The victim died at the scene after being ambushed following a passenger drop-off near a hotel. The vehicle subsequently crashed into a wall after the man was shot multiple times in the chest. Continued …
Israeli-Thai Firms Face Koh Phangan Probe
Thai authorities are preparing to investigate the business records of Israeli nationals who obtained Thai citizenship after concerns emerged over alleged nominee business activities on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province.
Officials are examining whether some companies used financial transactions to disguise investment figures in order to qualify for Thai citizenship under the Nationality Act 1965. The scrutiny follows an ongoing government crackdown on foreign nominee businesses operating in tourist areas. Continued …
Lampang Officials Fall Ill from Eating Local Insects
Several officials at Ban Huad subdistrict office in Lampang experienced stomach pain, diarrhea, and dizziness after consuming insects collected from a tree outside the office. The incident, which prompted a public warning, led to several individuals requiring hospital treatment.
The insects in question were identified as Pear Hoy Yak, or giant scale insects. Typically found on tree bark, these insects are notable for their white shell-like coating. Initially, one official consumed the insects with no ill effects, leading others to gather, deep-fry, and share them, mistakenly trusting their safety. Continued …
Chances said slim in finding two still-missing Laotians
Rescuers searching for two people still trapped inside a flooded gold mine in Laos say the chances of finding them are becoming increasingly slim after teams nearly completed a search of the entire underground tunnel network without success.
Finnish cave diver Mikko Paasi said rescue teams have searched about 95% of the mine but have found no trace of the two missing men. He said the five people found alive earlier did not even know that two others were also believed to be trapped. Continued …
US-Iran war creates market winners and losers as inflation fears rise
More than three months after the spark for the “US-Iran war” was ignited, global assets, including oil, stock markets, and currencies, have swung sharply, forcing central banks in many countries to grapple once again with inflation.
At the same time, this battlefield has produced both “winners” and “losers”. Crude oil has become the hottest asset, jumping 40% to stand above US$100 per barrel. In early April, oil prices had nearly doubled from pre-war levels. Continued …
Is 2026 the Year Thailand’s Economy Bounces Back?
In the first quarter of 2026, Thailand’s economy expanded by 2.8%, beating analyst expectations. But the economic outlook for the full year remains modest, with the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) forecasting between 1.5% and 2.5% growth. The World Bank is more cautious, forecasting 1.6% growth.
Thailand has been stuck in a low-growth equilibrium since the pandemic, as its heavily export-dependent economy has been battered by trade wars, geopolitical turmoil, and unstable domestic politics. Continued …
China retreats — Russians reshape Thai condo demand
Thailand’s foreign condominium market is entering a new phase, with Chinese buyers pulling back sharply while Russian demand rises and keeps the luxury segment in key tourism destinations alive.
Transfers of condominium ownership to foreign buyers fell steeply in the first quarter of 2026, even as the wider Thai housing market began to show signs of recovery. The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) said nationwide housing transfers rose 11.2% year on year to 72,583 units in the quarter, with total value up 3.1% to 187.18 billion baht. Foreign condo transfers, however, moved in the opposite direction. Continued …
Thai factory output remains weak
Factory output in Thailand remains weak, with the manufacturing production index in April falling 0.36% from a year earlier, the Ministry of Industry said yesterday.
The April reading compared with a year-on-year increase of 0.2% forecast in a Reuters poll, and followed a gain of 1.3% the previous month. Factory outputfor the full year is forecast to rise by between 1.0% and 2.0%, lower than the earlier predicted range of 1.5% to 2.5%. Continued …
Finance official says Thailand needs technology, investment, leap in productivity
A senior Thai finance official has warned the economy is facing simultaneous “economic waves” as falling industrial output, surging war-driven costs, and shifting high-tech investment converge. Speaking in Bangkok, Assistant Minister Santithar Sathienthai made the comments as Thailand reported a 0.36% drop in April manufacturing output.
He linked the decline to Middle East disruption, which has raised factory costs and weakened competitiveness. However, he also pointed to rising foreign investment in advanced industries as a key signal for Thailand’s policy direction. The mission, he declared, was higher productivity. Continued …
Thai Banking System Remains Resilient Despite Slower Loan Growth
Thailand’s banking sector maintained strong resilience in the first quarter of 2026, supported by robust capital buffers, ample liquidity, and high loan-loss provisions, according to the Bank of Thailand’s latest Banking Sector Quarterly Brief .
Overall loan growth was nearly flat at 0.2% year-on-year, reflecting subdued credit demand across the system . Lending to large corporates resumed expansion, driven by higher working-capital needs amid rising energy and raw-material costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Continued …
Continental Inaugurates Thailand Tire Plant Expansion
Continental has officially inaugurated the expansion of its tire plant in Rayong. The investment of more than 300 million euros, or 13 billion Thai baht, boosts the facility’s production capacity by an additional 3 million passenger car and light truck tires per year.
The expansion will enable Continental to meet growing demand for tires across Thailand and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The event also marks the start of local production of radial motorcycle tires at Rayong. Continued …
Is Shortening Thailand’s Visa-Free Stay More About Appearances Than Action?
The Anutin Charnvirakul government’s decision last week to cancel the extended visa-free entry scheme, which allowed stays of up to 60 days instead of 30, was based on the belief that it would strengthen national security, combat transnational crime, and prevent foreigners from exploiting the policy to work illegally, engage in business without permits, or behave unruly.
The government cited reports of foreign nationals and criminal syndicates posing as tourists in order to work illegally, engage in drug-related activity, use illegal business ownership structures, and commit other crimes. Continued …
Fuel shock — Thai aviation recovery faces cost test
Thailand’s aviation industry began 2026 with stronger passenger traffic, more flights, and renewed demand from key Asian markets, but the recovery is now facing a fresh test from Middle East disruption, volatile jet fuel prices, and rising operating costs.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) reported 42.07 million air passengers in the first quarter of 2026, up 6.8% from the previous quarter. The total comprised 19.22 million domestic passengers and 22.86 million international passengers, supported by New Year travel, Lunar New Year demand, and the recovery of Chinese and Indian tourists. Continued …
TAT, Vietnam Airlines sign MOU to boost tourism and air links
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday with Vietnam Airlines to jointly advance marketing and air connectivity, particularly the opening of new routes between Thailand and Vietnam.
The two sides will also conduct joint marketing in various forms, including shared booths at international sales promotion events, co-produced tourism publicity materials, and familiarization trips for tour operators, the media, and influencers. Continued …
Why More U.S. Citizens Are Choosing Thailand
Thailand has emerged as one of the most considered relocation destinations for Americans seeking safety, quality of life, and financial freedom. New data from cultural-intelligence platform Country Navigator ranks Thailand among the 10 most-searched relocation destinations for U.S. citizens, with roughly 30,560 annual searches recorded between March 2025 and February 2026 — clear evidence that Thailand is no longer just a holiday memory, but a credible long-term home.
Thailand Elite, the kingdom’s official long-stay residency program operated by Thailand Privilege Card — a state enterprise under the Tourism Authority of Thailand — sits at the center of that movement, offering Thailand long-stay visas designed for the entrepreneurs, retirees, families, and remote professionals now arriving in record numbers. Continued …
International arts festival returns to Bangkok with 12 major shows
Bangkok’s 28th International Festival of Dance & Music is set to return with a full program of world-class performances throughout September and October.
The line-up features 12 productions from nine countries, spanning opera, ballet, contemporary performance, and multimedia shows, as the performing arts sector seeks to restore momentum in Thailand’s cultural market and among audiences. This year’s festival will be held from Sept. 5 to Oct. 17, at the main hall of the Thailand Cultural Center. Continued …
Rooftop solar PV – a promising solution for the energy crisis in Thailand
It has been 87 days since the energy crisis began on Feb. 28, following the sudden escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Even though the US and Iran extended a tentative ceasefire on April 21, the shockwaves have already fundamentally destabilized global energy markets.
From the viewpoint of Thailand, this crisis has exposed a painful reality: the country’s current energy system is not resilient and is placing an unequal economic burden on vulnerable communities. Continued …
Transition funds nudge motorists toward EVs
Part of the government’s spending plan for the transition to clean energy involves encouraging the public to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) on a wider scale, says finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit.
Several ministries have begun discussions and are designing projects to request funds for the energy transition initiative, with a total budget framework of 200 billion baht from the 400-billion emergency loan decree, he said. Continued …
Southeast Asia’s electric vehicle race heats up
Back in 2022, spotting an electric vehicle on the streets of Jakarta or Bali was a relatively rare occurrence. Heavily subsidized fuel, under-developed charging infrastructure, and an existing industrial ecosystem anchored by the production of gasoline-powered cars (mostly Japanese brands) made Indonesia an unlikely candidate for an EV boom.
Yet, if you visit Jakarta today, electric vehicles are a common sight. Showrooms for big Chinese brands like BYD are spreading rapidly across the city as a wave of imported, as well as domestically assembled cars, overwhelmingly led by Chinese brands, are hitting the market. Continued …
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Chinese Scam Boss Arrested in Bangkok Probe – Continued …
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Chinese Workers Arrested in Chon Buri Raid – Continued …
Countries tighten travel rules as Ebola risk rises
The World Health Organization on May 17 declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a “public health emergency of international concern”, and said there was a high risk it could spread to neighboring countries. The decision has prompted governments to step up travel-related containment measures. Here is a list of screening steps and travel restrictions announced by different countries. 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
Thailand’s Alcohol Control Committee has opened a public consultation on a draft regulation setting days when alcohol sales would be prohibited, with feedback accepted until May 30. The move signals a potential update to existing restrictions, while confirming that recent changes to daytime alcohol sales have not increased accident rates.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday confirmed that Thais will definitely view World Cup 2026 football games to be broadcast live from host countries in North America between next month and July.
Thailand is being urged to promote “active citizens” to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) after new findings show they account for 70% of all deaths and impose an economic burden of B1.6 trillion.
Even if you don’t drink coffee, you will know that the coffee business has grown tremendously because coffee shops, either small or large, have been mushrooming. Due to the growth of this market, Thailand is set to host one of the world’s most influential coffee events – World Of Coffee Bangkok 2026.
Is 60 truly the perfect endpoint of a working life? This question is becoming ever more pressing as Thailand, and the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, rapidly transform into a “super-aged society” – a definition for a country or society where 20% or more of the population is aged 65 or older.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth downplayed the U.S. military’s new effort to clear the Strait of Hormuz as a “temporary mission” that does not break the ceasefire with Iran, even after the Pentagon said it sank half a dozen small Iranian boats.
U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday he would briefly pause an operation to help ships escape the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran. 
Thailand’s rice exporters say the Iran war has dealt a major blow to shipments to the Middle East, wiping out more than 200,000 tons of exports over the past three months.
The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft emergency decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow up to 400 billion baht to address the impact of the energy crisis and support Thailand’s energy transition. Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the decision was necessary because conflict in the Middle East had severely affected energy prices and economic activity worldwide.
Thailand’s condominium market in 2026 is facing pressure from all sides, including the domestic economy and external factors, particularly tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel that have pushed oil prices higher, significantly affecting the cost of goods and services, as well as the cost of living for Thai consumers.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand and the United States have agreed to move forward with talks on a reciprocal trade agreement after discussions with senior US trade officials. Suphajee made the remarks after meeting US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer on Monday.
An environmental advocacy organization, the Environmental Law Foundation (EnLAW), yesterday launched a nationwide campaign titled “Stop SEC Act & Land Bridge”, calling on the public to oppose the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), or land bridge project, through an online petition.
More than 50% of farmer debtors are unlikely to fully repay their debts within their lifetime, largely because most of them are elderly, according to the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research (PIER). The institute says a combination of debt relief measures is needed to address the issue.
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Thailand’s hotel industry is bracing for a weaker low season as rising oil prices, fewer flights, and softer travel demand begin to weigh on bookings. The prolonged conflict in the Middle East, now running for more than two months, has pushed global oil prices sharply higher and added fresh pressure to the tourism sector, which had only recently recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before we go too far down the road of new tourism taxes, it is worth pausing to ask a simple question. Are we really talking about something new, or are we revisiting an old idea that has already been tried, tested and, in many cases, quietly abandoned?
A tourist complaint has put photographers at Wat Arun back in the spotlight after visitors claimed they were told to move from public areas to make way for paying photo clients.
Bangkok food vendor curbs push city staple from the streets
Chinatown in Bangkok is one of the world’s most vibrant Chinese districts, famous for its atmosphere and energy. Visitors can explore Yaowarat Road, admire landmarks like China Gate and Wat Traimit, wander through Sampheng Lane, and enjoy a rich variety of street food after dark. 
In 2026, longevity tourism has shifted to focus on maximizing health span, with Thailand at the forefront. The country integrates medical innovation with cultural wisdom, addressing its aging society through proactive health management.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the Ministry of Energy and related organizations to set up a one-stop center for solar rooftop consulting.
Thailand’s electric pickup market is shifting into high gear, fueled by a mix of global energy pressures and domestic policy support, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
A rare astronomical event, a total lunar eclipse, will take place tomorrow, which also falls on Makha Bucha Day. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand says the Moon will appear brick-red across the entire disk.
A thunderstorm warning has been issued for Prachuap Khiri Khan, with officials urging residents to prepare for thunderstorms and strong winds across the province from tomorrow through Friday.
Food safety training was the focus of a workshop held in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday, as local food business operators gathered to strengthen hygiene standards and protect consumer health.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned yesterday that combat operations in Iran were continuing and would carry on until all of Washington’s objectives are achieved.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Air Force commander to prepare aircraft to evacuate Thai nationals stranded in Iran, placing all relevant agencies on 24-hour standby. The order was issued yesterday as tensions in the Middle East escalate.
Crude oil prices jumped more than 10% on Monday, surging about 13% at the market open as the escalating war in the Middle East rattled global markets. US stock index futures opened sharply lower, while gold climbed alongside oil as investors moved into perceived safe havens.
Thailand’s exports to Iran, led by canned and processed fruit and rubber-related products, could face disruption risks as fighting involving Iran, the United States, and Israel escalates, raising concerns over logistics, insurance costs, and payment channels for trade with the region.
Medical Tourism Corp. (MTC), a Dallas-based international healthcare facilitation organization, has released its Thailand Dental Tourism Market Research Report 2026, a comprehensive analysis of patient demand patterns, competitive positioning, and strategic growth opportunities across six major Thai cities.
Essential Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Summer Vacation in Thailand
The Thai food delivery market recorded significant consolidation and growth between 2024 and 2025.The market is increasingly defined by a duopoly between Grab and Line Man, as smaller competitors exit, according to Singapore-based research firm Momentum Works.
Thailand’s annual headline inflation rate was negative for a 10th consecutive month in January, driven by lower energy prices and government measures to ease living costs, the Ministry of Commerce said today. The headline consumer price index (CPI) dropped 0.66% in January from a year earlier, following an annual fall of 0.3% in the previous month, the ministry said.
Berlayar Estate, a boutique property developer specializing in refined, lifestyle-driven living, has announced the official launch of its newest premium villa collection under the theme “The Journey to Serenity.” This latest portfolio introduces a curated selection of private residential projects in Hua Hin and Pranburi.
High-street coffee chains across Thailand are set to undergo a radical transformation next week as the Department of Health launches a new nationwide standard for freshly brewed drinks. Beginning Feb. 11, any customer ordering a “normal sweetness” beverage will automatically receive a drink containing only 50% of the original sugar recipe.
Thailand will hold a general election on Sunday, in a three-way contest of major political parties to decide the leader of the Southeast Asian nation over the next four years.
Thailand is well-known for its wats (Buddhist temples), breathtaking beaches and islands, and vibrant night bazaars. Yet, one feature often overlooked is our convenience stores. Although not one of our cultural monuments, with more than 14,000 outlets nationwide as of 2024 – among the highest densities per capita globally – these stores have become iconic landmarks in their own right.
Park rangers are trying to keep wild elephants away from communities and tourist attractions during the dry season. The measures cover a bull elephant that has killed three people, including a camper, in this Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Krungthai researchers are warning that Thailand’s economy in 2026 could record its weakest growth outlook in three decades, as the country remains stuck in a low-growth trap with no new engines of expansion. They also caution that SMEs could remain mired in difficulties, with shrinking profits and mounting debt, risking a broad-based “downgrade” across the sector unless business structures are reshaped quickly.
Fresh research from MoneyTransfers.com has unveiled the planet’s most jam-packed tourist hotspots. The team’s findings reveal that Phuket in Thailand stands as the globe’s most congested tourist magnet. This Thai paradise boasts a staggering 118 tourists for every local inhabitant.
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) has released its “Tourism Business Confidence Index in Thailand, Q4 2025”, based on a survey of 302 foreign tourists using accidental sampling: 200 respondents in Bangkok and 102 in Chonburi.
A Thai family in Nakhon Si Thammarat province mistakenly hosted foreign tourists at a funeral, providing them with food when they believed it to be a restaurant. The tourists apologized after realizing they were at a funeral, not a dining venue.
Chinese New Year celebrations in the island province are expected to be particularly vibrant this year. The upbeat outlook is driven by a strong rebound in the Chinese tourism market and an increase in direct flights from China, according to the Phuket Tourist Business Assn. (PTBA).
Mae Hong Son officials on Monday launched a joint campaign aimed at preventing wildfires and reducing air pollution in the province, with multiple key leaders participating in a kick-off event held in front of the municipal office. The campaign was led by Mae Hong Son Gov. Wiboon Waewbandit, alongside Deputy Gov. Udomsak Khaonoona and Mae Hong Son Mayor Mallika Jeenakham.
Drainage contractor discharged black water into Jomtien sea
From field to forest, restoring rice in Ubon Ratchathani
The last Russia-U.S. nuclear arms control treaty, known as New START, is due to expire tomorrow. We look at what the treaty does, what its expiration would mean, and what it may take to establish a new treaty. 
Spain will ban access to social media for minors under 16 and hold company CEOs criminally liable for illegal content, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said yesterday, as he announced several measures to guarantee a safe digital environment. 
France summoned billionaire Elon Musk to a “voluntary interview” as cybercrime authorities yesterday searched the French offices of his social media network X, the Paris public prosecutor’s office said. The operation, which involves the EU police agency Europol, is part of an investigation opened in January 2025 into whether X’s algorithm was used to interfere in French politics. 
Thailand has implemented a new car excise tax structure effective from Jan. 1, reshaping vehicle prices across the market. Petrol-p owered vehicles, especially large-engine and high-emission models, have become more expensive, while electric vehicles (EVs) and some hybrids now face lower tax rates.
Thailand’s New Year holiday 2026 concluded with more than eight million people traveling across the country, while road accidents and transport disruptions declined compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Transport.
There were 1,185 traffic accidents over the first five days of the New Year travel period, claiming 207 people’s lives and injuring 1,141 others. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said yesterday the figures applied from Dec. 30 to Jan. 3.
Thailand’s property sector endured its most punishing year in decades throughout 2025, with household debt, stringent lending conditions, and collapsing purchasing power battering the market. Yet, major developers are unveiling distinct 2026 strategies — from luxury pivots to multinational expansion — while economists warn that structural headwinds will persist.
With Thailand’s economy in 2026 projected to grow modestly at around 1.5%, several business sectors have begun preparing for potential headwinds – some persisting from last year and others emerging as new risks, particularly with a planned general election in February.
With global and domestic headwinds pressuring the Thai economy this year, the new government should consider “focused domestic intervention” measures to enhance tourism and attract foreign investments in specific sectors, says the Thai unit of German insurer Allianz.
The so-called “medical economy” championed by the government is being positioned as a new growth engine for Thailand. Policymakers describe it as a potential game changer for state-owned hospitals struggling under mounting financial pressure.
Climate change is no longer limited to shifting weather patterns, but is a growing force reshaping Thailand’s economic outlook in 2026, according to Treethep Palakavong Na Ayudhya, chief executive of Global Carbon Corp., a local greenhouse gas-management consultancy.
Thailand’s exports in 2026 are expected to face volatility and challenges due to a global economic slowdown that is dampening demand in key trading nations.
The online shopping sector will be driven by product discounts, the buy now-pay later (BNPL) strategy, and improved operating efficiency among e-commerce platforms powered by artificial intelligence (AI), said Paul Srivorakul, group chief executive of aCommerce, a pioneer in e-commerce enablement services.
As Thailand’s tourism sector enters 2026, some foreign visitors are raising concerns over the rising cost of enjoying Pattaya’s nightlife and attractions. Despite high visitor numbers, local bars and restaurants report low takings, with many international tourists — particularly from India, Korea, and China — spending primarily within their own cultural establishments rather than at local businesses.
The first time I ever spent a night in the hospital was in Bangkok. A CT scan during my annual check-up revealed a condition requiring the opinion of a specialist. I was panic-stricken.
Thai food businesses in the United States are poised for growth in 2026, fueled by an increasing trend of dining out. Director-General Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of the Commerce Ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion cited recent consumer behavior surveys as proof of this surge.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez is known for her anti-imperialist rhetoric, earning her the nickname “the tigress” from toppled leader Nicolas Maduro. A fierce defender of Maduro, who was snatched by US forces in an extraordinary raid early Saturday, Rodriguez is now seeking to portray herself as a steady hand to lead the country’s political transition. 
Denmark called on the United States to stop “threatening” Greenland yesterday as President Donald Trump told US media he “absolutely” needed the territory, a day after Washington seized the leader of Venezuela. 
Pattaya tourists slam strong baht and bank fees
Thailand Targets 6.7 Million Chinese Tourists in 2026
Phuket villa scam leaves Thais and foreigners with over 100-million-baht loss
UTCC estimates southern flood damages at 40 billion baht
Thailand’s Economy Set to Slow Further in 2026, UTCC Warns
Floods Wipe Out 42% of Thailand’s Key Malaysian Tourism Market
Italian Drug Suspect Caught in Bangkok on DTV
Legend Fighting Championships returns to Bluport on Saturday
2,500 scammer-linked Starlink rigs disabled in Myanmar
Thailand on flood alert as monsoon brings heavy downpours
Bangkok zookeeper killed by lions highlights risks of wildlife tourism
