• Two Killed in Cha Am Crash/Fuel prices fall/Heavy rain and flood risk/First Lao Man Rescued/Taxi business crackdown on Koh Samui
• THE IRAN WAR: How the Iran Conflict Threatens Thailand
• ECONOMY: 26 million sign up for stimulus/House rejects land bridge study/Thailand’s transit trade rises/Myanmar-Thailand bridge reopens/Thailand’s rising demand for quality/Thailand’s concert boom
• TOURISM: Pivot to ‘Value Tourism’ Tested/Asian tourists keep travel plans
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Growing Up in the Heat/University’s rare book room
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Sustainable aquaculture in Thailand/5.26 MW Solar Rooftop Project/EVs, almost a third of global new-vehicle sales
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Doctor Among Two Killed in Cha Am Bypass Crash

Two people were killed and a 53-year-old woman seriously injured after a car crashed into a central reservation barrier on the Cha Am-Pran Buri bypass road in Phetchaburi province yesterday morning. The metal barrier pierced through the vehicle from the front windscreen to the rear, leaving the car severely damaged.

Cha Am Highway Rescue and Cha Am Hospital rushed to the scene on the inbound carriageway toward Bangkok near kilometer marker 18+100 in Sam Phraya subdistrict. Continued … 

Fuel prices fall by up to 1 baht at Thai pumps

Fuel prices at major petrol stations across Thailand fell again today. The new pump prices cover major oil retailers, including PTT Station, Bangchak, PT, Shell, and Caltex. The update comes as retail fuel prices continue to move in line with market conditions.

Most petrol and gasohol products were reduced by 70 satang per liter, while selected premium diesel products dropped by 1 baht per liter. Some diesel categories remained unchanged, depending on the retailer and product type. Continued … 

56 provinces warned of heavy rain and flood risk

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rain across 56 provinces today, with people in risk areas urged to prepare for possible flash floods and forest run-off.

Thunderstorms are forecast in 60% of the southern east coast region. Heavy rain is expected in some areas. Provinces at risk include Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Continued … 

First Lao Man Rescued From Flooded Gold Mine

A Lao worker trapped inside a gold mine cave in Laos has been rescued after a major international operation involving Thai and Finnish cave diving experts. Rescue teams successfully brought one of five survivors out of the flooded tunnel at 8:40 pm yesterday, according to the Thailand Rescue Diver Facebook page.

The worker was among seven Lao laborers trapped inside a gold mine cave in Long Chaeng, Xaysomboun province, Laos, since May 19. Heavy rain and flash flooding had swept through the mine, cutting off access and leaving the workers stranded underground. Continued … 

Taxi business crackdown on Koh Samui after murder of taxi driver

A Koh Samui taxi mafia crackdown in Surat Thani began Thursday, as officials moved to dismantle taxi queue groups accused of occupying public areas and stopping other legal taxis from picking up passengers.

Koh Samui District Chief Amorn Chumchuay led the operation with Koh Samui district officials, transport officers, police, tourist police, and municipal officers. The operation targeted public hire vehicles violating the law and formed part of a wider campaign to regulate public transport across Koh Samui. Continued … 

How the Iran Conflict Threatens Thailand’s Energy Security and Economy

The military conflict in the Middle East, involving Iran, the US, and Israel, poses a significant threat to the Thai economy primarily through surging global energy prices. As a major net importer of oil and gas, Thailand faces a downward revision of its GDP growth forecast to as low as 1.3% and heightened inflationary pressures.

The Thai government and central bank are currently implementing emergency measures, including energy price caps and interest rate adjustments, to mitigate the impact on domestic consumers, the stock market, and the safety of tens of thousands of Thai laborers working in the region. Continued … 

26 million sign up for ‘Thais Help Thais’ stimulus

More than 26 million people and over one million businesses registered for Thailand’s “Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40” co-payment scheme ahead of yesterday’s registration deadline.

Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said yesterday the scheme, which opened for registration on May 25, had continued to attract widespread participation from both consumers and businesses nationwide. As of Thursday, more than 26.2 million people had registered, with 25.48 million successfully approved for benefits. Continued … 

House rejects land bridge study panel

The House of Representatives rejected a proposal to establish a special committee to further study the land bridge megaproject, with government MPs arguing that multiple reviews had already been conducted and additional scrutiny would duplicate existing work.

MPs yesterday voted 266 to 174 against setting up the committee after hours of debate over the proposed transport corridor linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea under the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) scheme. Continued … 

 

Thailand’s transit trade rises as durian exports to China surge

Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce, said border and transit trade in April was worth a combined B211.146 billion, up 27.5%.

Exports totaled B121.521 billion, up 25.4%, and imports B89.625 billion, up 30.5%, leaving Thailand with a trade surplus of B31.896 billion for the month. Continued … 

Myanmar-Thailand cargo bridge resumes border trade at Mae Sot

The Myawady-Mae Sot No. 2 Friendship Bridge, a key cargo route on the Myanmar-Thailand border, resumed trade on Thursday morning, local sources said. The bridge had been shut by the Myanmar side since the morning of August 18, 2025, because of continuing military conflict.

A Myawady border trader said the reopening was confirmed at the bridge, where Buddhist protective Parittas were being recited for safety and protection. Cargo movements from both Myanmar and Thailand remain limited, he said, adding that it could take around a week before operations return to normal. Continued … 

Thailand’s rising demand for quality offers new opportunities for EU

Flavors in fine dining have increasingly evolved beyond the appreciation of familiar delicacies, as organic agriculture and sustainably sourced food redefine culinary experiences through a stronger emphasis on long-term wellbeing, environmental responsibility, and fair value for those throughout the food ecosystem.

From the grass-fed artisanal butter from France to the succulent langoustine from Denmark, the trademarks of quality have been delivered through the clean, mildly sweet, and natural aroma that reaffirm enduring milestones among European agriculture and food production. Continued … 

Thailand’s concert boom tests venues, standards, and who really benefits

Thailand is entering a peak year for concerts and music festivals, with global acts such as Post Malone, The Weeknd, BTS, and Tomorrowland Thailand driving momentum, but industry insiders warn that limited venues, rising foreign capital, and weak domestic value capture could become major challenges.

The second half of 2026 is expected to be particularly active. Post Malone is scheduled to perform at Rajamangala National Stadium on Sept. 22, while The Weeknd has announced two concerts at the same venue on Oct. 11 and 12. Continued … 

Thailand Pivot to ‘Value Tourism’ Tested by Global Economic Storms

The Thai government’s overhaul of its visa framework — approved by the Cabinet on May 19 — marks a decisive shift toward tightening immigration controls and safeguarding domestic security. However, the policy arrives just as the kingdom faces a severe barrage of external economic shocks.

An impact assessment by the Kasikorn Research Center suggests the immediate market disruption will be negligible. The restrictions directly affect a mere 0.7% of total foreign arrivals, based on data from the first four months of 2026. Crucially, Thailand’s economic lifelines — including mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, and South Korea — remain unaffected due to prior bilateral agreements. Continued … 

Asian tourists keep travel plans in place despite war

Thais and other Southeast Asian travelers are continuing to plan travel in the second half of the year, opting for regional destinations even though they might slash their budgets or number of trips, according to online travel agent AirAsia Move.

Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, head of country representative for Thailand at AirAsia Move, said the platform has not noticed a significant slowing of bookings from Thailand or Southeast Asia for the remainder of 2026. Continued … 

Growing Up in the Heat: Children are among the most vulnerable

On a stretch of fine sand, facing south reveals the slow-moving Mekong River. Turn left at dawn or right at dusk, and the same sun slowly rises above — and later slips behind — the mountains and water. This is Ban Tamui, a small community in Khong Chiam district of Ubon Ratchathani province.

It is home to six-year-old Payuda “Maya” Panyasu, a lively girl who opens up easily around people she trusts. Maya is about to begin Grade 2. After her parents separated several years ago, she came to live with her 82-year-old grandfather and other family members in a modest single-story concrete house shared by five people. Continued … 

Chulalongkorn University’s rare book room safeguards 25,000 historic volumes

Chulalongkorn University’s rare book room, anchored by the Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana and Prince Dhani Nivat collections, preserves about 25,000 items, including early Thai press works from King Rama III’s era.

The room combines conservation techniques and digitization to protect and share Thailand’s historic publications worldwide via Chula Digiverse. Video … 

Innovative technology powers more sustainable aquaculture in Thailand

Aquaculture is a key provider of food in Thailand, but the sector faces growing challenges from climate change, environmental pressures, and rising energy prices that threaten its long-term sustainability.

Many Thai farmers still depend on outdated and inefficient energy-intensive systems that consume electricity generated from burning fossil fuels, so authorities have started looking at alternatives. These include solar panels and smart technologies to optimize energy use and cut electricity costs by significant amounts without compromising yields, while shrinking the sector’s carbon footprint. Continued … 

Constant Energy and Meyer Industries Inaugurate 5.26 MW Solar Rooftop Project

Constant Energy, a leading renewable energy developer in Southeast Asia, announced the successful inauguration of a 5.26 MW solar rooftop installation at the manufacturing facilities of Meyer Industries and Meyer Aluminium (Thailand) Co. in Laem Chabang.

Meyer Industries is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-quality cookware and Meyer Aluminium (Thailand) Co. is a leading aluminium rolling mill. The project enables Meyer to reduce approximately 3,200 tons of carbon emissions annually, while delivering an estimated B360 million in energy cost savings over the contract period. Continued … 

EVs, PHEVs to reach almost a third of global new-vehicle sales in 2026

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates electric vehicle (EV) sales – including not only EVs but also plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and extended-range EVs (EREVs) – will hit 23 million this year, and account for around 28% of all new cars sold. In a report, the IEA used recent trends and sales data from the first quarter of this year, and forecast EV sales to rise from 20 million last year.

According to the IEA’s numbers, 3.9 million EVs were sold in the first three months of 2026 – down 8% from the same time last year. This is primarily due to falling sales in China, the world’s largest EV market, and the US. Continued … 

• Chinese Fraud Suspects Arrested in Pattaya – Continued … 

• Phuket Airport Seizes 38 Phones From Foreign Trio – Continued … 

• Foreign Nationals Clash with Thais at Bali Hai Pier – Continued … 

Japan passes bill to raise visa fees, introduce online pre-entry screening

Japan’s parliament yesterday passed an immigration control law revision to raise the maximum fee for residence status applications by foreigners and introduce an online pre-entry travel authorisation system for overseas arrivals. Once the fee changes are implemented later this fiscal year, the upper limit will be set at 100,000 yen (20,450 baht) for visa renewals and 300,000 yen for permanent residency applications. Continued … https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3262808/japan-passes-bill-to-raise-visa-fees-introduce-online-preentry-screening

Why great white sharks are vanishing from South Africa’s Cape coast

Once feared by surfers and prized by thrill-seeking cage divers, great white sharks have all but disappeared from parts of South Africa’s Cape coastline, leaving scientists and tour operators searching for answers. Video … 

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