• Thailand to scrap 60-day visa waiver/Hua Hin in the radar/Army Building Border Fence/Gold Markets at ‘Point of No Return’/Lisa joins FIFA World Cup/Pathum Thani Dogs Poisoned/African Ivory Smuggling/Miss World Thailand 2026
• ECONOMY: Thailand’s economic cushion under pressure/Eateries call for SME support/Thailand rushes US trade deal/Thai Rice Exports Set for Recovery/US corn imports will not hurt
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Bangkok’s street food stalls threatened/Thai tea craze hits Tokyo
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Surge in EV problems
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

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Thailand to scrap 60-day visa waiver

Thailand is preparing its toughest tourism and immigration crackdown in years as ministers move to slash visa-free stays, tighten screening across all visa categories, impose new tourist charges, and openly discuss limiting foreign arrivals.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phanjaroenworakul confirmed yesterday the government will revoke 60-day visa-free entry and enforce stricter immigration controls amid rising concern over foreign criminality, nominee business networks, and tourist misconduct. Meanwhile, authorities are pushing ahead with a B300 tourist levy and steep airport fee increases as Thailand shifts away from mass tourism toward what ministers called “quality over quantity” arrivals. Continued … 

Hua Hin in the radar of nominee business investigations

Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development (DBD), said yesterday the DBD and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) had discussed the nominee situation in Thailand, and that the agencies had jointly set out a rigorous approach to inspecting nominee companies.

The DBD and DSI, together with relevant agencies, will carry out enforcement operations against nominee activity in Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Samui, as well as in key tourist destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya, and Hua Hin. Continued … 

Thai Army Building Border Fence in Chanthaburi

Thailand’s military is pressing ahead with the construction of a new border fence along the Thai-Cambodian frontier in Chanthaburi province, covering the area between boundary markers 52 and 54 in Pong Nam Ron district. The project stretches approximately 1,310 meters and is intended to strengthen border security and improve safety for residents living near the frontier.

Security sources confirmed yesterday that the work is taking place entirely within Thai sovereign territory. The area is described as flat terrain with clearly defined border lines, while both Thailand and Cambodia maintain patrol roads running alongside the frontier. Continued … 

Gold Markets at ‘Point of No Return’ , Analysts Warn of Imminent ‘Time Bomb’

The global gold market has reached a critical crossroads. Following a record-breaking rally in early 2026, prices have entered a significant consolidation phase, caught between the opposing forces of aggressive monetary policy and heightening systemic fragility.

Analysts now describe the current technical setup as a “time bomb,” suggesting a violent breakout is imminent. According to Warawut Benjaputtarak, managing director of Hua Seng Heng Gold Futures, the precious metal is currently oscillating within a broad corridor of $4,400 to $4,800 per ounce. Continued … 

Lisa joins FIFA World Cup 2026 opening show in LA

FIFA is preparing a historic launch for the 2026 World Cup, with separate opening ceremonies to be staged across the three host countries — Mexico, Canada, and the United States — as football and global music come together on one of the world’s biggest stages.

For Thai fans, the biggest highlight is the inclusion of Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, or Lisa of Blackpink, in the line-up for the United States opening show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, near Los Angeles, on June 12. She is set to perform alongside major international stars including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Rema, and Tyla, in a high-energy ceremony ahead of the United States’ opening match against Paraguay. Continued … 

Pathum Thani Dogs Poisoned and Shot Dead

Six stray dogs were found dead after being poisoned in Pathum Thani, with some also showing gunshot wounds to the head, according to local residents and animal carers.

The incident was reported yesterday along Khlong Song roadside in Khlong Song subdistrict, Khlong Luang district. Local residents who regularly fed and cared for the dogs led reporters to a burial site where nearly 10 dog carcasses had been buried. Continued … 

Nine Arrested in Thailand for African Ivory Smuggling

Nine people were arrested in Thailand during simultaneous sting operations across seven provinces for illegal possession of 250 kilograms of African ivory. The Central Investigation Bureau uncovered the ivory smuggling ring, which was operating through a Facebook group.

Following the investigation, coordinated raids on May 7 led to the capture of nine suspects and the confiscation of ivory products, along with tools used in their production. The illegal operation involved trade through a group named “Khiaw Nga Khrueang Rang Chak Sat,” which advertised and sold ivory products online. Ivory was trafficked from Africa to Vietnam by sea and then smuggled across the Mekong River into Thailand. Continued … 

Namphueng Kanteera crowned Miss World Thailand 2026

Repeated crises put Thailand’s economic cushion under pressure

The war in the Middle East, which began on Feb. 28, is entering its third month and has inflicted damage on several countries, surged energy prices, affected crude oil and natural gas prices, and affected goods prices and inflation.

Chayawadee Chai-anant, assistant governor of the Corporate Relations Group at the Bank of Thailand (BOT), told a seminar at Money EXPO 2026, under the theme “Thai economy in the Year of the Horse: ready to respond, quick to adapt”, that the Thai economy continued to face challenges and uncertainty. Continued … 

Provincial eateries call for SME support

Provincial restaurant associations are calling on the government to provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises during this tough period, as they are seeing a decline in consumer spending power and a drop in traveler numbers in their areas.

The situation facing the restaurant industry in Phuket is dismal. Operators are bearing rising costs, now averaging around 20%, while tourist arrivals are falling, said Pisut Suttijindawong, president of the Phuket Restaurant Assn. Continued … 

Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students

Vilhelm International Academy launched in March 2026 and has is campus at “The Hub” in Hin Lek Fai, less than 10 minutes from the center of town. They provide mentor-led academic supervision for students studying through accredited online school programs, whether independently enrolled or through integrated programs offered at Vilhelm. This means that students follow a fixed timetable, complete coursework under supervision, and receive ongoing progress monitoring.  They can do this whist studying for their GCSE’s, A-Levels, NCAA approved US courses, or any other online school they choose to use.

Unlike more traditional options, at the academy children can learn at their own pace, not being forced forward before they are ready and also not being held back by the rest of the class. When they are ready to move on they do so. By coming to the academy each day, they are able to complement their studies with activities that develop leadership skills, community service (such as the recent helmet initiative), complemented by daily sports and physical activity to support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

You can visit the website for more details, or you can book an appointment to meet with the academy co-ordinator to discuss what you are looking for and explain what they can offer. There is a completely free five-day trial period that can be taken advantage of by anyone interested in seeing if the academy is the right fit for them.

Website; Email: info@vilhelminternationalacademy.com; Phone: +66 065 991 5500; Facebook; Map location.

Thailand rushes US trade deal ahead of possible Section 301 review

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand is accelerating negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States in a bid to reduce tariff risks ahead of a Section 301 review.

Suphajee said following her recent visit to the United States, talks were held with Jamieson Greer and Rick Switzer to push forward the pending ART negotiations. She said Thai officials remain in the United States for technical-level discussions on two issues: asset capacity and forced labor. Continued … 

Thai Rice Exports Set for Second-Half Recovery

Thai rice exporters are forecasting a significant recovery in the latter half of the year, driven by the intensifying Super El Niño phenomenon. As weather patterns threaten global harvests, major importing nations have begun aggressive stockpiling to ensure domestic food security, providing a much-needed boost to Thai export volumes.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Assn., suggests that while the first four months of the year were sluggish, the outlook has shifted. Thailand is now back on track to meet its annual export target of 7 million tons, despite shipping only 2.2 million tons between January and April. Continued … 

Thai Chamber says US corn imports will not hurt farmers

Thailand’s business sector has moved to reassure farmers over plans to import one million tons of animal-feed corn from the United States, insisting the move is intended to stabilize supply chains and reduce feed costs rather than replace domestic produce.

Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, said the country currently consumes around 8.5–9 million tons of animal-feed corn each year but can produce only about 4.8–5 million tons domestically. Continued … 

Bangkok’s street food stalls threatened by citywide crackdown

Bangkok’s world-famous street food culture is being reshaped as the city clears footpaths and relocates vendors. Since 2022, the number of mobile vendors on the streets has fallen by more than 60% – a loss of around 10,000 traders. Officials say they are focusing on stalls that obstruct main roads with heavy foot traffic. Video … 

Thai tea craze hits Tokyo festival with 40-minute queues

Thai tea emerged as one of the most sought-after items at the Thai Festival in Tokyo over the weekend, with visitors reportedly waiting up to 30-40 minutes for a single cup. Japanese social media users posted photos and comments about long queues at the ChaTraMue booth during the 26th Thai Festival, held at Yoyogi Park.

The festival is regarded as the largest Thai festival held overseas and one of Tokyo’s biggest cultural exchange events, attracting more than 300,000 visitors annually. Continued … 

Government to ‘look into’ surge in EV problems

The government has ordered urgent action to address mounting problems with electric vehicles (EVs), including defects, service center closures, and steep post-purchase price cuts.

Speaking after chairing a consumer protection meeting at Government House yesterday, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi said complaints had surged from consumers who bought EVs under the government’s clean energy campaign. Continued … 

• 3 Chinese men held for turning Pattaya house into Pod K production – Continued … 

• Indian tourists accused of ganging up on Thai man in Phuket – Continued … 

• Six Foreign Women Detained in Bangkok Prostitution Bust – Continued … 

• Foreign man remains at large after injuring Phuket teenager in hit-and-run – Continued … 

What’s at stake in the upcoming Trump–Xi meeting?

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to discuss Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and nuclear weapons as they weigh extending a critical minerals deal, according to U.S. officials previewing Trump’s two-day visit to China this week. Video … 

Myanmar complains over pariah treatment in ASEAN bloc

Myanmar claimed yesterday that “discriminatory measures” are shutting it out of the ASEAN bloc after a summit last week saw the organization continue to blacklist the country’s post-coup leadership. Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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