- Breakfast at Anantasila/Hua Hin beacfront owners request delay/Sivana Hills debuts new pool villas/Heavy rain, flood warning/Surat Thani floods shut Highway 401/Deadly night of violence in Yala/533-million-baht cannabis shipment/Delivery driver pay/Man dies trying to save newborn puppies
- THE IRAN WAR: US-Iran conflict raises Thai shipping cost risks
- ECONOMY: US tariff deal ‘taking shape’/Co-payment scheme spending
- TOURISM: Thailand Opens E-Gate Immigration/Songkhla woman dies at Pha Taem falls/Thai Airways higher in global rankings
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 7-Eleven Thailand Guide/Python blamed for disappearance of 25 roosters/Kaeng I Khiao in Ubon Ratchathani/Unprecedented El Niño/Data-center boom raises clean-power challenge/Coffee market moves toward sustainability
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Breakfast at the Anantasila Beach Restaurant
What a way to start a day! Watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Thailand, cool ocean breezes, with a gentle sea lapping at the white sand beach. And behind you is breakfast, served by the attentive staff of the Anantasila Beach Reataurant in Khao Takiab. Hendrik van den Heuvel is the executive food and beverage manager.
Expat News had the opportunity recently to sample the restaurant’s morning buffet, and was not disappointed. So much delicious food to choose from – made-to-order eggs (we tried the salmon omelette), breads and Danish made fresh on site, fruits of all kinds, and a variety of Thai dishes.
And don’t forget the coffee, made fresh from beans in a variety of styles. We tried the Americano and Caffe Latte, among the many options offered.
The menu is changed regularly, but on our visit waiting for hungry diners was fish rice soup (a Thai breakfast staple), Jasmine and white rice, egg Thai fried rice, stir-fried noodles with chicken, bell pepper with beef, pork red curry, baked beans, grilled tomato, hash browns, sausages, cold cuts, cheese, juices, and waffles with real maple syrup.
The beach bar and restaurant veranda give access to beautiful, unobstructed views of the sea and Khao Takiab shoreline. The restaurant’s tree-canopied outdoor dining area offers a casual yet sophisticated dining experience.
The restaurant is open seven days a week from 7 am-11 pm. and welcomes all residents and non-residents. For reservation, Tel : +66 32 527 638; Email : fb@anantasila.com; Web.
Hua Hin beacfront building owners request demolition delay
Building owners have petitioned Hua Hin City Municipality to postpone waterfront demolition scheduled to begin on , Friday, citing a pending appeal over their claimed land rights.
The petition concerns 15 buildings between the fishing pier and Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine that the municipality plans to remove from public land following court rulings. Continued …
Sivana Hills debuts new pool villas in Khao Tao
Sivana Hills held an open house on Saturday showcasing its new pool villa development on Soi 126 in Hua Hin’s Khao Tao area.
The 56-villa project offers four layouts, each with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a private swimming pool. Prices start from 12.5 million baht. Continued …
Heavy rain, flood warning for Hua Hin, PKK
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of heavy rain across Thailand today, naming 55 provinces in its regional forecasts and also warning Bangkok and surrounding areas.
Thunderstorms will cover 70% of the south, east coast, region during Sept. 21–22, according to the TMD, with isolated heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Continued …
Surat Thani floods shut Highway 401, tourists evacuated
Heavy rain flooded part of Highway 401 in Surat Thani on Saturday, leaving the route impassable to small vehicles and leading officials to evacuate Thai and foreign tourists from the affected area.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) sent officers to Khlong Sok subdistrict, where floodwater made travel difficult. The area is on a key road corridor used by travelers heading between Surat Thani and Thailand’s Andaman coast. Continued …
Deadly night of violence in Yala
A deadly night of violence hit Yala’s Bannang Sata district before security forces moved in yesterday. Assistant village headman Hamdee Jehsoh, 42, was shot dead in a roadside ambush. Hours later, attackers struck Highway 410, burning tires, scattering road spikes and leaving a suspicious wired object.
CCTV cameras were destroyed, construction machinery torched and a civilian vehicle burned. Gov. Kongsakul Chantharat tightened security and ordered increased patrols. Meanwhile, police launched separate investigations into the murder and overnight attacks, with no link yet confirmed. Continued …
Hong Kong seizes 533-million-baht cannabis shipment from Thailand
Hong Kong customs has made its largest-ever drug seizure from a sea shipment, finding cannabis worth HK$125 million, or about 530 million baht, in a 40-foot container declared as arriving from Thailand.
The Customs and Excise Department said the container was examined at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound earlier this month after a risk assessment and intelligence analysis. It had been declared as carrying insulated boxes. Continued …
Ministry makes headway on delivery driver pay
Thailand is developing a driver payment framework to establish a fair minimum payment standard and serve as a common reference for the delivery industry. The initiative aims to create a structure that reflects actual costs, such as vehicle types, distance, and working time, while providing a foundation for future regulations to protect platform workers.
The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) are working to address growing concerns from drivers regarding insufficient earnings and unfair service cuts. Beyond pay, the framework seeks to address issues like lack of welfare, transparency in algorithmic decisions, and the need for better compensation for vehicle maintenance and insurance. Currently, the ETDA has proposed a preliminary benchmark of 5 baht per kilometer to help determine a fair compensation point for delivery riders. – Bangkok Post
Chon Buri man dies trying to save newborn puppies from flood
A man has died inside a burrow in Chon Buri after going in to reach newborn puppies he feared would be flooded. Two of the puppies were found dead beside him.
Wanna Sae Li, 65, crawled into a burrow beside a drainage canal in Ban Bueng as the rain rose. Rescuers had to dig him out and found two newborn puppies at his fingertips. Continued …
Six-month US-Iran conflict raises Thai shipping cost risks
Disruption to Gulf shipping routes could raise transport costs and lengthen delivery times for Thai businesses, the Dubai office of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) warned in a report.
The office urged companies to keep inventories and delivery arrangements flexible while retaining their presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand’s largest export market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Continued …
US tariff deal ‘taking shape’
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced that Thailand has secured its desired tariff rate from the United States, though one final condition from Washington still needs to be finalized.
The specific numerical tariff rate secured has not been explicitly disclosed, but the prime minister indicated that the negotiations proceeded as expected. Previously, in July, the US had imposed a 12.5% tariff on Thai imports, an increase from the prior 10% rate, citing concerns over production capacity and labor practices. The Thai government has been working to ensure trade conditions remain competitive with regional rivals. – Bangkok Post
Over 161 billion baht spent under co-payment scheme
The cumulative spending under the government’s Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 co-payment scheme has surpassed 161 billion baht. The Finance Ministry is expected to request a cabinet consideration to extend the program, which was designed to support the grassroots economy by easing household expenses and boosting purchasing power amidst rising living costs.
According to government figures, approximately people utilized their entitlements 326,040,623 times, with spending distributed among various sectors, including 43.551 billion baht for participating shops and 22.6 billion baht specifically for food delivery services. While the scheme has helped mitigate the impact of higher energy and living costs, officials are monitoring the potential for further measures if economic pressures persist. – Bangkok Post
Thailand Opens E-Gate Immigration To 33 Foreign Nationalities At Suvarnabhumi Airport
Following increased immigration traffic at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand has now made the immigration eGates widely accessible. The immigration department at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is now allowing citizens of 33 foreign countries to utilize the electronic gates in order to enter the country.
In addition to electronic entry for Thai citizens, roughly a year ago Thailand also opened the option for repeat visitors holding Singapore and Hong Kong passports to use the e-gates. Continued …
Songkhla woman dies after falling more than 10 meters at Pha Taem falls
A 48-year-old tourist slipped while photographing the second tier of Kwang Tone waterfall in Pha Taem National Park last Friday. Rescuers walked three kilometers of forest trail and took more than two hours to reach her.
Park staff and rescue volunteers found Wanwisa, who was 48 and from Songkhla province, with no vital signs. Officers gave CPR at the scene but could not revive her. Continued …
Thai Airways flies higher in global rankings
Thai Airways International has promised the best has yet to come after climbing up the global rankings and entering the top 20 best airlines list.
This year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards saw the Thai carrier moving up nine spots to 20th in the best airlines ranking, with Singapore Airlines regaining the top position after being surpassed last year by Qatar Airways. Continued …
7-Eleven Thailand Guide: What Tourists Should Eat, Buy and Try
For many Thai people, 7-Eleven is much more than a place to grab a quick snack. It has become part of everyday life, offering everything from morning coffee and ready-to-eat meals to drinks, beauty products, accessories and household essentials.
For travelers, 7-Eleven Thailand can also be an easy introduction to local daily life. Visitors can explore popular 7-Eleven Thailand food, discover products commonly bought by locals and pick up useful items while traveling around the country. Some branches even offer freshly prepared dishes or special experiences that are different from the standard store format. Continued …
Python blamed for disappearance of 25 roosters in Udon Thani
A three-meter python was captured after a homeowner in Udon Thani discovered it attacking chickens, solving the mystery of 25 fighting cocks that had disappeared over nearly two weeks.
Rescue workers from the Udon Thani Songserm Tham Foundation were called to a house on Udon Thani–Nong Samrong Road in Ban Bo Nam, Mu Mon subdistrict, on Saturday after the large snake was spotted in a pomelo tree. Continued …
Kaeng I Khiao in Ubon officially opens as new ecotourism destination
Protected Areas Regional Office 9 (Ubon Ratchathani) officially opened Kaeng I Khiao as a new natural attraction at Buntharik-Yot Mon Wildlife Sanctuary in Kho Laen subdistrict, Buntharik district, Ubon Ratchathani province, on Friday.
The opening is intended to promote ecotourism, stimulate the grassroots economy and generate sustainable income for communities bordering the forest. Continued …
UN Warns of Unprecedented “El Niño” Intensity
The United Nations has issued a top-level warning: the world is facing a “Super El Niño,” shattering all previous heat records. This is closer than you think. Why do vulnerable areas like northern Thailand need to prepare now? Find out in this report. Video …
Thailand data-center boom raises wider clean-power challenge
Thailand’s drive to attract data-center and artificial intelligence investment could bring major economic and technological opportunities, but speakers warned that growth must be matched by stronger water, energy and waste infrastructure, clear regulation and wider access to clean power.
Speaking during the roundtable discussion “Sustainable Thailand: No Choice Left — Ready to Stay in the Game?”, they highlighted the challenge of preventing large digital facilities from placing greater pressure on resources also needed by households, communities, manufacturers and smaller businesses, while ensuring the technology and infrastructure built around them create broader benefits for Thailand. Continued …
Thailand’s 65-billion-baht coffee market moves toward sustainability
Thailand’s 65- billion-baht coffee market is moving beyond the beverage business, as consumers increasingly prioritize quality, experience and sustainability.
This shift is reflected in the coffee market’s growth in 2025 and the expansion of specialty coffee, while businesses are paying greater attention to reducing their environmental impact throughout the supply chain. Continued …
Taiwanese man held over Thai woman’s body in freezer
Taiwanese police have detained a 43-year-old man surnamed Wu on suspicion of murdering his 36-year-old Thai girlfriend, identified as “Art”, and concealing her body in a freezer for six days at his workplace in Taichung. Continued …
Ukraine fires over 1,000 drones at Russia, including hundreds launched at Moscow
Ukrainian forces fired more than 1,000 drones at Russia overnight Saturday, including hundreds that were launched toward Moscow, officials said yesterday, as the Kremlin was wrapping up the third and last day of its parliamentary elections. Continued …
Macron, Carney pledge closer ties in Atlantic island meeting
The leaders of France and Canada yesterday pledged closer ties to grapple with rising geopolitical tensions, climate change and the erosion of democratic values, after they met in the French territory of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon off Canada’s Atlantic coast. Video …
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 Energy Ministry has warned that global oil prices could remain highly volatile and continue rising after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while the country’s Oil Fuel Fund is running a deficit of more than 80 billion baht.
US President Donald Trump yesterday suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait,” asserting US control of the vital waterway even as fighting raged there with Iran.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast for Thailand to 2.1%-2.5%, from 1.6%-2.0%, but warned that stronger exports and private investment are producing increasingly uneven benefits across the economy.
Thailand recorded a trade deficit of US$35.3545 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to the Commerce Ministry. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said more than 70% of imports were materials and capital goods used in production.
Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, released the findings of the chamber’s confidence index survey for the fourth quarter of 2026. Conducted from Aug. 18-20, the survey covered 503 respondents and found that 46.2% expected Thailand’s economy to grow by 1.5%-2% this year, while 37.8% forecast growth of 2%-2.5%. The results pointed to an outlook below the government’s midpoint forecast of 2.2%.
Thailand’s retail sector is calling for stronger economic stimulus, including the revival of the Easy e-Receipt scheme, with an eligible spending ceiling of 100,000 baht, as household debt and accumulated living costs continue to squeeze consumers’ purchasing power.
Bangkok has suspended three planned standalone data center projects and ordered them to undergo a fresh review, as authorities prepare tighter regulations covering fuel storage, land use, safety, and pressure on electricity and water supplies.
The government is moving to address a regulatory gap in the data center sector, with the Data Center Business Policy Committee preparing an urgent meeting to develop a coordinated oversight framework.
U.S. Shrimp Coalition seeks zero tariffs for Thai shrimp
Indian tourist arrivals to Thailand fell 11.6% year-on-year between Aug. 1-22, making India the only one of the country’s four main overseas markets to record a decline during the period.
Thai Airways International (THAI) will operate 66 domestic and international routes during its winter 2026/27 timetable, covering destinations across Europe, Australia and Asia. The schedule will run from Oct. 25 to March 27, 2027), coinciding with Thailand’s peak tourism season.
AirAsia has signed its first-ever codeshare agreement, teaming up with Turkey’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, to open seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul, the two airlines announced at AirAsia’s headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia, yesterday.
Thailand currently ranks as the world’s 20th-largest coffee producer, down from the top 15 a decade ago. The country grows mainly robusta, although arabica production is growing, highlighting a sharper focus on quality.
EGAT explores SMRs to bolster Thailand’s energy security
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is preparing 1,520 electric buses to replace aging vehicles, with deliveries expected to begin in March 2027. Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul, BMTA director, said the transition would improve passenger convenience, safety and environmental performance while reducing the organization’s fuel and maintenance costs by an estimated 4.1 billion baht annually.
The world has failed in its goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, the United Nations (UN) said yesterday, in a sober assessment that laid out a new goal for fighting climate change that would set the world on an uncertain path.
US energy firms yesterday signed a raft of multibillion-dollar deals with Venezuela, days after the South American country agreed to grant the United States control of a huge chunk of its vast oil reserves. Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Caracas to oversee the signing of deals worth “tens of billions of dollars of investment,” seen as a quid pro quo for Washington winning majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. 
The Dutch central bank said yesterday it had moved 86 tons of its gold reserves out of the United States and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest”. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) said gold reserves held in London could be traded more easily than those held in New York and Ottawa. 
Alcohol Sales Prohibited March 3/Anantara Hua Hin Resort celebrates 25 years
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for Makha Bucha Day, which falls on March 3 this year. According to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, sales are prohibited on specific Buddhist holidays.
Thailand’s housing market in 2025 was like a ship battling rough seas all year, only beginning to see a glimmer of light in the final quarter. Data from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) show that in Q4 2025, the market started to recover quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) after short-term stimulus measures, or a “Quick Big Win”, including cuts to transfer and mortgage registration fees and relaxed loan-to-value (LTV) criteria.
The Bank of Thailand says the cycle of policy rate cuts has ended, with yesterday’s reduction deemed sufficient to support the Thai economy. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 4-2 yesterday to cut the policy rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 1%, effective immediately.
Thai rice exports fell by 17.5% in January compared with the same month last year, as a strong baht reduced the country’s price competitiveness. Export volume totaled 530,287 tons, down from 643,144 tons a year earlier. Export value dropped to B9.707 billion, a 30.7% decrease.
U-Tapao Airport project to kick off on April 3
Lazada Thailand is shifting its strategy to “confidence commerce”, prioritizing trust and reliability over price or delivery speed. The strategy aims to strengthen LazMall in response to the continued growth of Thailand’s e-commerce market.
Your vape just got you arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport. You thought it was fine, legal in your home country, tucked discreetly in your carry-on. But Thailand does not care if what you bring is legal back home. The customs officer is now holding your device, citing a 2014 import ban, and you are facing up to 10 years in prison and a 500,000 baht fine.
Most Thais expect Anutin’s minority govt to survive no more than four months
Thailand’s logistics sector draws 2.5-billion baht in foreign investment
Pattaya’s past holds back growth as Western crowds decline and Asia steps in
Debt storm warning as economy faces slowdown
Safety Fears Drop Chinese Tourism to Thai Hotels by 30%
Thai Man Rides Motorbike on Mattress in Sisaket
Thailand Has New Tourist Scam – Fake Hotel Bookings
Indonesia to make producers responsible for plastic waste
Trump admin sows doubt over vaccines
Report Traffic Violations for Cash Rewards, Say Thai Police
Phase 2 of 10,000-baht handout may be paid in installments
Prachuap Khiri Khan is no longer in drought crisis
Special blends, unique brands key to Thai coffee’s global appeal
Thailand’s health services strain as dental appointments delayed
Pheu Thai cruising toward power, but at what price?
The continuing crisis of Thai democracy
Fruit exports fare well in first 5 months
Thailand’s data center market to grow in triple digits
Tourist visa requirements eased for Chinese visitors
Motorbike collision sparks street fight between Thais and Kuwaitis in Pattaya
Maui fire fatalities rise to 53
Russia launches moon lander in race to find water on moon
Virgin Galactic rockets its first tourist passengers into space
