• Thai ‘Rental Wives’/Covid cases rising in Thailand
• ECONOMY: Government targets 26 regulations/Russian condo purchases surge
• TOURISM: Phuket Israeli arrivals rise/Phuket residents urge cut to Israeli tourists’ visit/$9.75-trillion wellness economy/Thai Airways enters world’s top 10
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: The story of Thai boat noodles/Bangkok named world’s best nightlife city/Bangkok’s sacred Lakshmi Shrine
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Unlocks Direct Green Power Deals
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Thai ‘Rental Wives’ Serve Older Western Men, Vietnam Media Says

In a case of the pot calling the kettle black, Vietnamese media outlets have claimed Thai women are hired as “rental wives” by retired Western men, particularly in tourist centers including Pattaya. However, the reports provide no official figures, named providers or evidence that such arrangements are a recognized or widespread practice in Thailand.

The claims appeared in Vietnamese newspaper Tien Phong, which cited Chinese outlets Sina and Sohu. According to the reports, foreign visitors may pay Thai women to act as guides, partners and, in many cases, sexual companions. Continued … 

Covid cases rising in Thailand, with 2026 total exceeding 94,000

Covid-19 cases are increasing in Thailand, with the total number of patients from Jan. 1 up to yesterday reaching 94,402, with 14 deaths, but it is the NB.1.8.1 variant that does not cause severe illness that is dominant, accounting for over 50.9% of cases.

The Department of Disease Control said this variant, also called “Nimbus” and is a branch of the JN.1, has a mutation in the spike protein that allows it to evade immunity and spread more easily, but there is still no evidence of it causing more severe illness. Continued … 

Government targets 26 regulations blamed for raising business costs

The government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is moving ahead with a broad overhaul of Thailand’s bureaucracy, including organizational structures, staffing and regulations that have become obstacles for individuals and businesses dealing with state agencies.

The reforms are intended to simplify procedures, reduce costs and strengthen the country’s competitiveness without requiring additional budgetary expenditure. Continued … 

Russian condo purchases surge 75.9%, while wider foreign market slows

Foreign condominium demand in Thailand weakened during the first half of 2026, but a sharp rise in purchases by Russian nationals suggests that the market is shifting rather than experiencing a uniform decline.

Data from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) showed that condominium ownership transfers to foreign nationals totaled 6,533 units, down 8.8% from the same period last year. Continued … 

Phuket Israeli arrivals rise 52% as new flights planned

Phuket recorded a 52.5% year-on-year increase in Israeli visitors in July, with arrivals from Israel also up 1,205% on pre-Covid July 2019 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office.

While total visitor numbers were slightly lower over the first seven months of 2026, tourism income remained comparatively steady. Israel was the fastest-growing market among Phuket’s 10 leading visitor source countries in July, rising by more than 12 times compared with the same month in 2019. Continued … 

Phuket residents urge cut to Israeli tourists’ visit to maximum 15 days

Around 200 to 300 Phuket residents yesterday aired their bad experiences at the hands of foreign tourists at Loma Park, Patong Beach, and demanded the government restrict Israeli tourists to a maximum 15-day stay to prevent them from engaging in illegal businesses. The forum, entitled “Save Phuket, Save Patong, Respect Thai Law”, was tightly controlled, with numerous uniformed and plainclothes policemen watching over it.

Among those attending were tourism operators, including hotel owners, tuk-tuk drivers, tour guides and Phuket residents who said they were frustrated with the behavior of foreign tourists, particularly those from Israel. They want relevant agencies to convey their concerns to the government and find a solution to this tourist problem. Continued … 

Thailand seeks larger share of $9.75-trillion wellness economy

Thailand is seeking a larger share of the global wellness economy, which is forecast to grow from US$6.8 trillion in 2024 to US$9.75 trillion by 2029, as consumers increasingly prioritize preventive physical and mental healthcare. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) expects the 11-sector market to expand by nearly US$3 trillion over five years, with average annual growth of 7.6%.

Thailand’s wellness economy is valued at US$42.7 billion, or about 1.4 trillion baht, representing only 0.63% of the global market. The country ranks 24th among 145 economies assessed by GWI. Continued … 

Thai Airways enters world’s top 10 for 2026

Thai Airways International has been named the world’s 10th-best international airline in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2026, placing Thailand’s national carrier among the global top 10 after years of business rehabilitation.

Taiwan’s EVA Air took first place for the first time in the publication’s history, ahead of Qatar Airways and Emirates in second and third. EVA Air received a reader-survey score of 91.63. Continued … 

From canals to city streets: The story of Thai boat noodles

Few Thai dishes are as instantly recognizable as kuay tiew ruea, or boat noodles — a humble bowl of noodles known for its dark, aromatic broth, bold seasoning and small serving size. The dish has long been associated with Thailand’s waterways.

Its name comes from the vendors who once sold noodles from small boats along canals, serving customers from the water. What makes boat noodles different is not only the portion but also the intensely flavored broth. The soup is typically dark and savory, with a complex mix of herbs and spices. Depending on the recipe, it may contain pork or beef, along with meatballs, liver and other toppings. Continued … 

Bangkok named world’s best nightlife city for 2026

Bangkok has been named the world’s best city for nightlife in 2026 by Time Out, climbing from 13th place last year to beat Berlin, New York City, Melbourne and Sao Paulo.

The ranking was based on a survey of more than 24,000 residents in 150 cities, alongside views from more than 100 Time Out editors and city experts. It assessed nightlife quality and affordability, community, and whether a city feels exciting, lively, diverse, welcoming and safe after dark. Continued … 

Bangkok’s sacred Lakshmi Shrine and Varalakshmi Vratam

Nestled high above the bustling luxury of the Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok’s spiritual heart is home to a unique cluster of sacred shrines dedicated to nine revered deities.

While the district has long been famous for iconic landmarks like the Erawan Shrine’s Lord Brahma, Thao Amarindrathiraj (Lord Indra), Narai Song Suban (Lord Vishnu riding on Garuda), Trimurti, Ganesha, Shiva, Uma Devi, and the Thao Jatulokbal (Four Guardian Kings), one particular deity that has captured the imagination and deep devotion of the city in recent years is the Goddess Lakshmi. Continued … 

Thailand Unlocks Direct Green Power Deals to Modernize Grid

State energy agencies and policy experts have outlined a series of systemic reforms to modernize Thailand’s national power grid, refine the upcoming Power Development Plan (PDP 2026), and transition away from legacy utility structures.

Speaking at the KT Dialogue: Smart Grid forum yesterday, key officials and researchers highlighted a decisive shift from the traditional enhanced single-buyer model toward a decentralized, smart-grid-enabled power market. Continued … 

• Russian man collapses in Pattaya Walking Street toilet – Continued … 

• Vietnamese suspects arrested over 3.6-million-baht student scam – Continued …

Trump announces deal for huge US stake in Venezuelan oil reserves

US President Donald Trump said yesterday his administration has reached a huge oil deal with Venezuela that gives the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of proven petroleum reserves. Continued … 

Haakon, the reluctant prince who became Norway’s new king

Haakon, who comes to the throne as two major scandals batter his family, struggled for years to accept his status. “Yes, I was a royal, but I did not want ‌to talk about it … At school it made me anxious,” he wrote in his 2023 autobiography “Haakon”, recalling his days in a state primary in the 1980s. Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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