- Mrigadayavan Palace as Royal Heritage Escape/Landslide threatens village school/Rescuers save wild elephant/Former abbot held in embezzlement scandal/Growing Anti-Israel Sentiment
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran, Houthis block shipping routes/Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Oil Pipeline
- ECONOMY: Energy costs stoke inflation/Food prices in Thailand/Property market faces slow recovery/Condo transfers to foreigners rise/BOI adds 17 projects worth 121 billion baht/Foreign nominee companies down by 82% /Pattaya nominee business concerns
- TOURISM: Unruly tourists from Middle Eastern countries/Chinese Golden Week/Thailand Bets on Film Tourism/Russian men flee war/Thailand regains ASEAN aviation second place
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Thailand Unveils Mrigadayavan Palace as a Stunning Royal Heritage Escape
The Mrigadayavan Palace, located in Cha-am, has emerged as one of the most important tourist destinations for people interested in learning about royal history and impressive architecture. The palace was constructed during the reign of King Rama VI.
The wooden structures of the palace illustrate the life of the royal family vacationing by the sea, and exemplify the unique Thai architecture style. Because of its uniqueness, this culture heritage site is the best place to learn about the Thai royal family and their fascinating history. Continued …
Growing Nan landslide threatens village school
Geological experts have warned of the high risk of a landslide at Ban Doi Tiew School in Nan’s Tha Wang Pha district, after ground subsidence expanded from a minor two-meter tension crack into one over 100 meters long over the past year.
The finding follows an urgent inspection yesterday, led by Benjarat Suwannasri, a senior environmental specialist from the Nan Natural Resources and Environment Office, accompanied by Mineral Resources Region 1 experts, local park officials, school administrators and community leaders. Continued …
Rescuers save wild elephant trapped in abandoned septic tank in Rayong
A wild elephant was safely rescued yesterday after falling into an abandoned septic tank in Khao Chamao district, Rayong, in a swift joint operation by wildlife officers, local leaders and rescue workers.
The elephant had fallen into a disused pit at Ban Khao Ngoe in Huai Thap Mon subdistrict. Rescuers brought in a backhoe to excavate around the edges of the pit, creating a sloped path that allowed the trapped animal to climb out safely, before heading back into the surrounding forest. Continued …
Former abbot held on remand in 92-million-baht embezzlement scandal
The former abbot of Phutthaisawan Temple and his close female associate are being held on remand following their arrest in a high-profile corruption probe, exposing regulatory loopholes in the management of temple funds and the lucrative commerce surrounding sacred amulets. Investigators filed a motion opposing bail, citing the risk of flight and potential interference with evidence.
Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) escorted Atichot Thanprasert, 66, formerly known as Phra Wachirayan or “Luang Por Choti”, alongside Punyavee Rungreung, also known as “Sika Ae”, to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1 in Saraburi province yesterday. Continued …
Growing Anti-Israel Sentiment in Thailand: A Covergence of Factors
The past two weeks saw two anti-Israel protests in Bangkok outside the embassy itself. This is a convergence of a few factors. It is alarming enough that concerned Thais should try to understand it and take an active role in navigating Thai society wisely.
These Thais are unhappy, or rather outraged, by more than one issue. Some are offended by what they describe as “gray Jews” or “gray Israeli” visitors who are disrespectful of Thai ways and culture, as well as some Israeli expats whom they fear are planning to take root in Thailand and control real estate, businesses, and even subvert Thai sovereignty. Continued …
Iran, Houthis block 2 key global shipping routes, straining the global economy
Iran and its allies are ramping up operations to disrupt major oil shipping lanes in the Middle East on which much of the world relies, threatening to drive up U.S. and global fuel prices further.
Iranian forces responded to President Donald Trump and Israel’s Feb. 28 attacks on the country by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran’s coast and the Arabian Peninsula. The Islamic republic’s efforts made the channel a household name as oil prices rose precipitously. Continued …
Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Major Cross-Country Oil Pipeline As Houthis Seize An Island
Saudi Arabia said yesterday it shut down a major pipeline a day after it was attacked by drones, and Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels captured a strategic island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, two officials said, opening a new front in the Iran war.
The Houthis made their biggest territorial gains in years along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s key shipping lanes. The advance could boost Iran’s strategy of driving up world oil and gas prices to pressure the United States. Continued …
Investors on edge as energy costs stoke inflation
High oil prices and US diesel prices at record levels kept inflation fears at the fore yesterday, ratcheting up expectations that more central banks will have to hike interest rates despite the risk of weighing on economic growth.
All eyes are on US consumer prices later Friday that could see the Federal Reserve raise rates as soon as next week, a move increasingly expected by investors after strong producer inflation data this week. Continued …
Food prices in Thailand push 32.8% of poll respondents to eat less
Rising food prices in Thailand are changing how people eat, with nearly one in three respondents to a Department of Health poll saying they had reduced the number of meals they eat or were eating less as living costs climbed. Almost two-thirds also said expensive food was making it harder to maintain a healthy diet.
The Department of Health released the findings Thursday from its Anamai Poll on how people are coping during difficult economic conditions. The survey ran from July 1 to 31 and received responses from 941 people. Continued …
Five signs Thailand’s property market faces a slow recovery into 2027
Thailand’s housing market is entering only a limited recovery as fragile purchasing power, high living costs, elevated property prices and strict lending standards continue to weigh on consumers, according to the SCB EIC Real Estate Survey 2026.
The survey shows that many prospective buyers remain reluctant to return to the market and are delaying decisions while they assess the economic outlook and their own financial position. Continued …
Condo transfers to foreigners rise 1.4% in Q2
The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of Government Housing Bank reported that foreign buyers took ownership of 3,292 condominium units in Thailand in the second quarter of 2026, up 1.4% from a year earlier. The value of those transfers increased 20.2% to 14.803 billion baht.
REIC’s report on second-quarter and first-half 2026 foreign condo transfers, released yesterday, also showed that the combined floor area transferred to foreign buyers in the second quarter rose 8.1% year on year to 145,140 square meters. Continued …
BOI adds 17 projects worth 121 billion baht to Thailand FastPass
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has selected 17 additional projects from 15 companies for the Thailand FastPass mechanism, representing planned investment of more than 121 billion baht and employment for over 14,000 Thai workers.
The latest additions span four industry groups: animal feed, processed food, electronics and electrical appliances, and automotive manufacturing and components. Continued …
Foreign nominee companies down by 82% as government seizes or freezes assets of over 20 billion baht
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government has put hard numbers behind a widening crackdown on foreign nominee businesses, illegal landholding and suspect financial networks. High-risk company registrations have plunged 81.8%, while AMLO has seized or frozen assets worth more than 20 billion baht.
Meanwhile, around 14,000 companies and thousands of land plots face scrutiny across Thailand. The drive now links corporate records, land ownership, immigration and money trails, while deportation orders and Israeli-linked investigations add fresh political pressure. Continued …
Pattaya nominee business concerns put under scrutiny
Concerns over foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses and hold property in Pattaya have prompted Chonburi officials to promise tougher enforcement against unlawful investors of any nationality.
The issue was examined by a TV program on Thursday, which questioned whether Thailand had become a base for transnational criminal gangs and foreign mafia networks. It said the problem extended beyond Pattaya and could spread to other major tourist destinations. Continued …
Rising concerns about unruly tourists from Middle Eastern countries refusing to pay
A foreign tourist’s refusal to pay a 40-baht Phuket motorcycle fare has become a flashpoint in Thailand’s growing backlash over visitor behavior. Video shows the man mocking the rider, sticking out his tongue and walking away after an hour-long payment row.
The incident comes amid a string of disputes involving Saudi, Moroccan, Jordanian, Kuwaiti and Israeli visitors in Phuket and Pattaya. Recent cases have included unpaid bills, fights, assaults, transport rows and clashes over services. At the same time, anger over Israeli conduct has spread from resort towns to Bangkok, drawing protests, diplomatic intervention and closer scrutiny of foreign businesses, nominee structures and property holdings. Continued …
Chinese Golden Week expected to bring 250,000 visitors and 11.5 billion baht to Thailand
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the Chinese travel market was showing clearer signs of improvement ahead of China’s National Day holiday, or Golden Week, in 2026. TAT is focusing on the period from Sept. 25 to Oct. 7, covering both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday over a total of 13 days.
Around 250,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit Thailand during the period, up 24% from the same period last year, generating an estimated 11.5 billion baht in revenue, an increase of 37%. Continued …
Thailand Bets on Film Tourism to Turn Movie Locations Into Travel Destinations
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched “Amazing Locations: From Scene to Scenic,” a campaign built to convert the country’s rising profile as a filming destination into lasting tourism, as productions ranging from “The White Lotus” to “The Challenge” Season 42 continue to draw international attention to Thai locations.
TAT Deputy Gov. Nithee Seeprae says the campaign grew out of watching how quickly the “set-jetting” trend has taken hold among travelers who plan trips around what they have seen on screen. Continued …
Russian men flee war to work Pattaya’s strip bars
Young Russian men working in Pattaya’s nightlife district say they left home partly because they fear being called up to fight in Ukraine.
Sam, 23, from Moscow, and Ilya, 25, from St Petersburg, work at a club on Walking Street. Both said they preferred work in Pattaya to the prospect of military service in Russia. Continued …
Thailand regains ASEAN aviation second place
Thailand has reclaimed its position as Southeast Asia’s second-largest aviation market by scheduled airline seat capacity in September, overtaking Vietnam after two months in third place.
Figures from UK aviation analytics company OAG put Thailand’s scheduled capacity at 6.6 million seats this month, 0.2% lower than in September last year. Vietnam recorded 6.4 million seats, despite much stronger annual growth of 9.2%. Continued …
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American wanted in US child sex case held in Chiang Mai – Continued …
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Canadian held over alleged assaults at Bangkok malls – Continued …
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Four Chinese held over Hat Yai ritual scam – Continued …
US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks
Americans commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 yesterday, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity. Friday’s milestone anniversary brought memorial rituals — wreath-laying, flag-flying, moments of silence, vigils and readings of victims’ names — and volunteer projects in tribute to a day that about half of U.S. adults remember as the most historic event of their lifetime. 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
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
Phetchaburi, Cha Am and Hua Hin are being touted as increasingly attractive locations for buy-to-rent investment, as Thailand’s wider property market faces pressure from household debt, tighter lending rules, and weaker demand from domestic homebuyers.
Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental threats to human health. Every day, 99% of the global population breathes in invisible microparticles from dirty air, which enter our bloodstream and cause damage to our cells and organs.
Muay Thai Saturday Superfight returned to The Legend Arena at Bluport Hua Hin on Saturday, with organizers saying the monthly event is aimed at promoting Muay Thai and creating more opportunities for fighters in Hua Hin.
The Disease Control Department has reported a rise in COVID-19 infections over the past month, but the rate of increase is still far below the median level recorded five years ago.
The train-bus crash at the Makkasan railway crossing in Bangkok on May 16, which killed eight people and injured 32 others, continues to put Thailand’s rail safety standards into question, as level crossings pose a risk nationwide.
A Thai masseuse from Nakhon Si Thammarat has won a gold medal in the oil massage category at the Wellness World Championship 2026 in Bangkok. Soraya Thaoram secured the top prize during the international competition held at TK Palace & Convention Hotel on Chaeng Watthana Road.
Registration for the government’s Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 co-payment scheme opens today for up to 30 million eligible people, ahead of the spending rollout on June 1.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has thrown its weight behind the government’s newly launched “Thais Help Thais Plus” initiative, estimating it could boost the country’s small and medium enterprise (SME) GDP by 35% to 40%, provided it is executed thoroughly.
Amid still-fragile economic conditions and geopolitical conflicts weighing on purchasing power worldwide, Thailand’s private hospital business is facing challenges on several fronts, including rising energy costs, patients delaying non-urgent treatment, and the impact on travel by foreign patients.
Thailand’s latest effort to tighten cannabis controls has introduced stricter rules – but on Bangkok’s streets, particularly in tourist areas where cannabis shops thrive, little appears to have changed.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is offering incentives to airlines to launch new domestic and international routes to airports in secondary cities in a bid to boost tourism and strengthen local economies. The measures include service fee reductions for new routes and a temporary 50% discount on aircraft parking charges at airports managed by the Department of Airports (DOA).
400-Year-Old Lanna Ruins Found in Mae Hong Son Forest
Thailand pushes UNESCO bid for Thai costume heritage status
Official: Solar power can lead energy transition
When “biodiversity” is no longer just about planting forests, but also about “economic capital” and a tool for tackling the global climate crisis, a new sustainability strategy is emerging — one that turns forests into a mechanism for the bioeconomy while pushing Thai community models toward international standards such as OECMs and biodiversity credits.
China launched three astronauts to its Tiangong space station yesterday, beginning a Shenzhou-23 mission that will include the country’s first year-long stay in orbit and support research into how humans cope with extended time in space. The mission is also tied to Beijing’s wider plan for a crewed moon landing by 2030. 
Most petrol stations in Hua Hin have introduced temporary refueling limits as fuel demand continues to rise across Prachuap Khiri Khan, with officials urging motorists not to panic buy despite stable national supply levels.
So-called “smart poles” are being installed at key locations across Hua Hin as part of efforts to strengthen public safety and support the development of smart infrastructure. The initiative forms part of the Hua Hin Smart City Phase 1 project, under which Hua Hin City Municipality has installed no fewer than 30 CCTV cameras, along with related equipment throughout the municipal area.
The Cha Am Blue Swimming Crab Festival will conclude on Saturday at the Cha Am Beach viewpoint, featuring fresh seafood, conservation activities, and nightly live music.
The Hua Hin Wine Expo 2026 is being held today and tomorrow, promising a larger, more refined evolution of the event that has become part of the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
Thailand Riviera tourist road to improve access to Hua Hin
NH Hua Hin Hotel has appointed Nartsupak Thaweewong as general manager. Nartsupak brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience in Thailand and Singapore to the role.
Airin Phanrit, deputy spokeswoman for the prime minister’s office, said yesterday that this year’s heat index is expected to be more severe than last year’s, with levels in April and May likely to rise into the “very dangerous” range of more than 52°C.
Brent crude rose sharply above US$110 a barrel in early trading today, as fresh attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East heightened fears of broader supply disruption.
Whether Bangchak and PTT service stations are selling fuel at higher or lower prices than those in other ASEAN countries remains a matter of continuing public interest and frequent scrutiny. This is especially the case at present, amid the Middle East war following the attacks launched by the United States and Israel on Iran.
Thailand’s heavy industries are coming under renewed pressure from high oil prices, with production costs rising sharply and supply-chain strains raising the risk of shortages in plastic bags and packaging materials, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
The Airline Association of Thailand (AAT) is seeking government intervention for relief measures, as the aviation industry faces escalating cost pressures. In a recent meeting with executives from its member airlines, including Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia, the AAT discussed challenges posed by global economic conditions and external factors, particularly the geopolitical tensions affecting fuel prices.
Saha Pathanapibul and BJC, two major consumer goods companies, have warned retailers of the impact of unrest in the Middle East, which has driven up raw material, packaging, and transport costs and may affect product availability and deliveries.
The Land Transport Federation of Thailand has issued five demands for the government to address the energy crisis, warning it may escalate to a nationwide transport shutdown if no action is taken.
Thai fishermen staying ashore as fuel prices bite
Thais say their top concern is rising living costs and they are urging the new government to take swift action on the issue, according to a National Statistical Office (NSO) survey.
Despite declines in new launches and inventory in Bangkok, condo developers are likely to delay new supply this year, as sales remain sluggish and absorption rates continue to fall, according to the Real Estate Information Center (REIC).
Bangkok’s Chatuchak Named the Best Night Market in the World
Small businesses and households are being urged to reduce their reliance on the state electricity grid and adopt solar power solutions, as global energy price volatility threatens to drive up costs, despite Thailand’s capped power tariffs, according to solar firms.
Swedish solar technology company Midsummer has expanded its operations into Thailand, bringing advanced renewable energy solutions to the Southeast Asian region. As part of this expansion, the company has opened a new regional office in Bangkok to strengthen its presence and respond to the growing demand for clean energy in the country.
Thwaites Glacier in west Antarctica, covering more than 192,000 square kilometers, has been dubbed the “Doomsday Glacier” because it acts as the final barrier preventing the west Antarctic ice sheet from flowing into the ocean. But the glacier is now melting rapidly, raising fears that many coastal cities around the world could eventually be submerged.
‘Logistics hub of Asia’ efforts prioritized
