63% of Thai women want children/Thailand braces for storm chaos/Tap water shortage in Phuket/ECONOMY: Economic challenges for new regime/Thailand’s Development ‘Stalled’/TOURISM: The rise of secondary destinations/Minister eyes domestic spending/Co-payment scheme to cover 33 million/Asia’s leading wellness destination/Extorting Tourist in Chiang Mai/CLIMATE THAILAND: Wind and solar to meet majority of power demand/Turbines for Thai wind farms/HUA HIN LINKS
Survey finds that 63% of Thai women want children
A Health Department survey has revealed that just 63% of Thai women aged 19–49 want children, underscoring the need for comprehensive support to ensure quality maternal care.
The survey, conducted among 404 Thai women aged 19–49, or on average 34.2 years, found that 63% wish to have children, while 53% demonstrated adequate health literacy. Continued …
Thailand braces for storm chaos with heavy floods ahead
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued the second warning regarding Tropical Storm Bualoy, forecasting heavy rainfall across regions in Thailand, including Bangkok, with an 80% chance of precipitation.
Intense rain is expected in the northeast and eastern regions, particularly in provinces such as Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Chanthaburi, and Trat. The northern and central regions, including Bangkok and nearby areas, will also experience heavy rainfall in certain areas. Continued …
Plan to fix tap water shortage in Phuket ‘going nowhere’
A long-delayed project to end water shortages in Phuket has been sent back to the drawing board pending the results of a new feasibility study, which could pave the way for private-sector involvement, according to the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA).
Singhachai Inthapichai, director of the PWA’s Division 4, said the study — covering a plan to pump raw water from Ratchaprapha Dam in Surat Thani’s Ban Khun district to Phuket, Phangnga, and Krabi via a 300-kilometer pipeline network — is expected to be finished by February 2027. Continued …
Economic challenges for the new regime
The Thai economy appears to be showing signs of life amid optimism about the new government and its economic team, but it also faces new challenges. The outcome will depend on how these emerging challenges are managed.
InnovestX views the Thai economy as entering a more severe slowdown in the fourth quarter that may extend into the first half of 2026. Over the next four quarters, growth may expand by less than 1%, resulting in full-year GDP growth of only 1.8% this year and 1.4% next year. Continued …
Thailand’s Development ‘Stalled’ Despite 3.37-Trillion-Baht Spending
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has issued a warning that Thailand’s national development has stalled, with key targets now at severe risk of failure, despite the government allocating over 3.37 trillion baht to drive the 13th National Development Plan over the past three years.
Speaking at the NESDC’s annual conference yesterday, Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan conceded that while continuous efforts had been made to implement the plan, concrete progress was lacking. Continued …
Today is World Tourism Day: The rise of secondary destinations
As we mark World Tourism Day today, we’re turning the spotlight on one of the unsung heroes of travel — secondary destinations. This international awareness day gives our industry an opportunity to take a pause and reflect on how travel is evolving.
At Agoda, we see the growing popularity of secondary cities as a notable development in the travel market. Based on accommodation searches made on our platform for top destinations in Asia, we can see that searches for secondary destinations outpaced the traditional hotspots. Continued …
New tourism minister eyes domestic spending
Thailand’s new tourism and sports minister wants to see the sector return to its healthy pre-pandemic level next year, prioritizing budget usage to subsidize local consumption rather than giving handouts to foreign tourists.
Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn said that tourism revenue and foreign arrivals — down 7.4% through Sept. 21 — are likely to contract this year in light of negative factors, primarily weaker tourist confidence in safety and the strong baht. Continued …
Co-payment scheme will cover 33 million recipients in first phase
Key government figures confirmed that the Khon La Khrueng (half-half) co-payment stimulus program will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase set to roll out between December and January, covering 33 million people.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said yesterday the cabinet will review budget allocations for fiscal year 2025 following the government’s policy statement next week. Continued …
Traveloka sees Thailand growing as Asia’s leading wellness destination
With wellness tourism gaining ground in Asia and beyond, Southeast Asian online travel platform Traveloka shares fresh insights on the growing demand for wellness tourism. In its latest report, Traveloka revealed several travel trends that point to a shift in how people choose to spend their holidays; these include:
Accommodations such as guest houses, villas, homestays, and even camping sites are emerging as popular options for those seeking rest, rejuvenation, and balance. At the same time, searches for spa and massage services, hot springs, medical/aesthetic clinics, and reflexology/specialty experiences have surged. Continued …
Police Officer Investigated for Extorting Tourist in Chiang Mai
A video capturing a police officer in Chiang Mai allegedly extorting money from a foreign motorcyclist has triggered an investigation into potential corruption. The incident occurred near Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. The footage shows the officer in conversation with the motorcyclist, followed by an exchange where the officer appears to accept money, allowing the foreigner to leave without charges.
Locals have commented that such practices are common, claiming that officers set up random checkpoints near tourist areas to target foreigners unfamiliar with local traffic laws. Legally, fines should be processed at a police station with official receipts, suggesting misconduct since the officer is seen pocketing the cash. Continued …
Wind and solar to meet majority of power demand to 2035
Wind and solar power generation are expected to meet over 80% of the increase in electricity demand out to 2035, led by China.
“Solar generation continues to grow more rapidly than wind power, reflecting faster declines in costs, shorter deployment timelines and greater policy support. This large expansion in wind and solar means that power systems need to enhance their resilience to increasing generation from variable sources,” BP said in its Energy Outlook 2025. Continued …
Goldwind’s turbines to power 286 MW of Thai wind farms
Goldwind Science & Technology Co. has secured a deal from Gulf Energy Development to deliver its hardware for 286 MW of wind projects in Thailand.
The Chinese wind turbine manufacturer’s machines will be used at four of Gulf’s projects. The turbines will be installed on its proprietary steel-concrete hybrid towers designed to boost power output in low-to-medium wind speed conditions, adding that the project will be the first deployment of its hybrid tower technology in Southeast Asia. The four wind farms are scheduled to begin commercial operation in 2027. Continued …
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