- Mrigadayavan Palace as Royal Heritage Escape/Landslide threatens village school/Rescuers save wild elephant/Former abbot held in embezzlement scandal/Growing Anti-Israel Sentiment
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran, Houthis block shipping routes/Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Oil Pipeline
- ECONOMY: Energy costs stoke inflation/Food prices in Thailand/Property market faces slow recovery/Condo transfers to foreigners rise/BOI adds 17 projects worth 121 billion baht/Foreign nominee companies down by 82% /Pattaya nominee business concerns
- TOURISM: Unruly tourists from Middle Eastern countries/Chinese Golden Week/Thailand Bets on Film Tourism/Russian men flee war/Thailand regains ASEAN aviation second place
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Thailand Unveils Mrigadayavan Palace as a Stunning Royal Heritage Escape
The Mrigadayavan Palace, located in Cha-am, has emerged as one of the most important tourist destinations for people interested in learning about royal history and impressive architecture. The palace was constructed during the reign of King Rama VI.
The wooden structures of the palace illustrate the life of the royal family vacationing by the sea, and exemplify the unique Thai architecture style. Because of its uniqueness, this culture heritage site is the best place to learn about the Thai royal family and their fascinating history. Continued …
Growing Nan landslide threatens village school
Geological experts have warned of the high risk of a landslide at Ban Doi Tiew School in Nan’s Tha Wang Pha district, after ground subsidence expanded from a minor two-meter tension crack into one over 100 meters long over the past year.
The finding follows an urgent inspection yesterday, led by Benjarat Suwannasri, a senior environmental specialist from the Nan Natural Resources and Environment Office, accompanied by Mineral Resources Region 1 experts, local park officials, school administrators and community leaders. Continued …
Rescuers save wild elephant trapped in abandoned septic tank in Rayong
A wild elephant was safely rescued yesterday after falling into an abandoned septic tank in Khao Chamao district, Rayong, in a swift joint operation by wildlife officers, local leaders and rescue workers.
The elephant had fallen into a disused pit at Ban Khao Ngoe in Huai Thap Mon subdistrict. Rescuers brought in a backhoe to excavate around the edges of the pit, creating a sloped path that allowed the trapped animal to climb out safely, before heading back into the surrounding forest. Continued …
Former abbot held on remand in 92-million-baht embezzlement scandal
The former abbot of Phutthaisawan Temple and his close female associate are being held on remand following their arrest in a high-profile corruption probe, exposing regulatory loopholes in the management of temple funds and the lucrative commerce surrounding sacred amulets. Investigators filed a motion opposing bail, citing the risk of flight and potential interference with evidence.
Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) escorted Atichot Thanprasert, 66, formerly known as Phra Wachirayan or “Luang Por Choti”, alongside Punyavee Rungreung, also known as “Sika Ae”, to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1 in Saraburi province yesterday. Continued …
Growing Anti-Israel Sentiment in Thailand: A Covergence of Factors
The past two weeks saw two anti-Israel protests in Bangkok outside the embassy itself. This is a convergence of a few factors. It is alarming enough that concerned Thais should try to understand it and take an active role in navigating Thai society wisely.
These Thais are unhappy, or rather outraged, by more than one issue. Some are offended by what they describe as “gray Jews” or “gray Israeli” visitors who are disrespectful of Thai ways and culture, as well as some Israeli expats whom they fear are planning to take root in Thailand and control real estate, businesses, and even subvert Thai sovereignty. Continued …
Iran, Houthis block 2 key global shipping routes, straining the global economy
Iran and its allies are ramping up operations to disrupt major oil shipping lanes in the Middle East on which much of the world relies, threatening to drive up U.S. and global fuel prices further.
Iranian forces responded to President Donald Trump and Israel’s Feb. 28 attacks on the country by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran’s coast and the Arabian Peninsula. The Islamic republic’s efforts made the channel a household name as oil prices rose precipitously. Continued …
Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Major Cross-Country Oil Pipeline As Houthis Seize An Island
Saudi Arabia said yesterday it shut down a major pipeline a day after it was attacked by drones, and Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels captured a strategic island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, two officials said, opening a new front in the Iran war.
The Houthis made their biggest territorial gains in years along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s key shipping lanes. The advance could boost Iran’s strategy of driving up world oil and gas prices to pressure the United States. Continued …
Investors on edge as energy costs stoke inflation
High oil prices and US diesel prices at record levels kept inflation fears at the fore yesterday, ratcheting up expectations that more central banks will have to hike interest rates despite the risk of weighing on economic growth.
All eyes are on US consumer prices later Friday that could see the Federal Reserve raise rates as soon as next week, a move increasingly expected by investors after strong producer inflation data this week. Continued …
Food prices in Thailand push 32.8% of poll respondents to eat less
Rising food prices in Thailand are changing how people eat, with nearly one in three respondents to a Department of Health poll saying they had reduced the number of meals they eat or were eating less as living costs climbed. Almost two-thirds also said expensive food was making it harder to maintain a healthy diet.
The Department of Health released the findings Thursday from its Anamai Poll on how people are coping during difficult economic conditions. The survey ran from July 1 to 31 and received responses from 941 people. Continued …
Five signs Thailand’s property market faces a slow recovery into 2027
Thailand’s housing market is entering only a limited recovery as fragile purchasing power, high living costs, elevated property prices and strict lending standards continue to weigh on consumers, according to the SCB EIC Real Estate Survey 2026.
The survey shows that many prospective buyers remain reluctant to return to the market and are delaying decisions while they assess the economic outlook and their own financial position. Continued …
Condo transfers to foreigners rise 1.4% in Q2
The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of Government Housing Bank reported that foreign buyers took ownership of 3,292 condominium units in Thailand in the second quarter of 2026, up 1.4% from a year earlier. The value of those transfers increased 20.2% to 14.803 billion baht.
REIC’s report on second-quarter and first-half 2026 foreign condo transfers, released yesterday, also showed that the combined floor area transferred to foreign buyers in the second quarter rose 8.1% year on year to 145,140 square meters. Continued …
BOI adds 17 projects worth 121 billion baht to Thailand FastPass
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has selected 17 additional projects from 15 companies for the Thailand FastPass mechanism, representing planned investment of more than 121 billion baht and employment for over 14,000 Thai workers.
The latest additions span four industry groups: animal feed, processed food, electronics and electrical appliances, and automotive manufacturing and components. Continued …
Foreign nominee companies down by 82% as government seizes or freezes assets of over 20 billion baht
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government has put hard numbers behind a widening crackdown on foreign nominee businesses, illegal landholding and suspect financial networks. High-risk company registrations have plunged 81.8%, while AMLO has seized or frozen assets worth more than 20 billion baht.
Meanwhile, around 14,000 companies and thousands of land plots face scrutiny across Thailand. The drive now links corporate records, land ownership, immigration and money trails, while deportation orders and Israeli-linked investigations add fresh political pressure. Continued …
Pattaya nominee business concerns put under scrutiny
Concerns over foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses and hold property in Pattaya have prompted Chonburi officials to promise tougher enforcement against unlawful investors of any nationality.
The issue was examined by a TV program on Thursday, which questioned whether Thailand had become a base for transnational criminal gangs and foreign mafia networks. It said the problem extended beyond Pattaya and could spread to other major tourist destinations. Continued …
Rising concerns about unruly tourists from Middle Eastern countries refusing to pay
A foreign tourist’s refusal to pay a 40-baht Phuket motorcycle fare has become a flashpoint in Thailand’s growing backlash over visitor behavior. Video shows the man mocking the rider, sticking out his tongue and walking away after an hour-long payment row.
The incident comes amid a string of disputes involving Saudi, Moroccan, Jordanian, Kuwaiti and Israeli visitors in Phuket and Pattaya. Recent cases have included unpaid bills, fights, assaults, transport rows and clashes over services. At the same time, anger over Israeli conduct has spread from resort towns to Bangkok, drawing protests, diplomatic intervention and closer scrutiny of foreign businesses, nominee structures and property holdings. Continued …
Chinese Golden Week expected to bring 250,000 visitors and 11.5 billion baht to Thailand
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the Chinese travel market was showing clearer signs of improvement ahead of China’s National Day holiday, or Golden Week, in 2026. TAT is focusing on the period from Sept. 25 to Oct. 7, covering both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday over a total of 13 days.
Around 250,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit Thailand during the period, up 24% from the same period last year, generating an estimated 11.5 billion baht in revenue, an increase of 37%. Continued …
Thailand Bets on Film Tourism to Turn Movie Locations Into Travel Destinations
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched “Amazing Locations: From Scene to Scenic,” a campaign built to convert the country’s rising profile as a filming destination into lasting tourism, as productions ranging from “The White Lotus” to “The Challenge” Season 42 continue to draw international attention to Thai locations.
TAT Deputy Gov. Nithee Seeprae says the campaign grew out of watching how quickly the “set-jetting” trend has taken hold among travelers who plan trips around what they have seen on screen. Continued …
Russian men flee war to work Pattaya’s strip bars
Young Russian men working in Pattaya’s nightlife district say they left home partly because they fear being called up to fight in Ukraine.
Sam, 23, from Moscow, and Ilya, 25, from St Petersburg, work at a club on Walking Street. Both said they preferred work in Pattaya to the prospect of military service in Russia. Continued …
Thailand regains ASEAN aviation second place
Thailand has reclaimed its position as Southeast Asia’s second-largest aviation market by scheduled airline seat capacity in September, overtaking Vietnam after two months in third place.
Figures from UK aviation analytics company OAG put Thailand’s scheduled capacity at 6.6 million seats this month, 0.2% lower than in September last year. Vietnam recorded 6.4 million seats, despite much stronger annual growth of 9.2%. Continued …
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American wanted in US child sex case held in Chiang Mai – Continued …
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Canadian held over alleged assaults at Bangkok malls – Continued …
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Four Chinese held over Hat Yai ritual scam – Continued …
US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks
Americans commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 yesterday, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity. Friday’s milestone anniversary brought memorial rituals — wreath-laying, flag-flying, moments of silence, vigils and readings of victims’ names — and volunteer projects in tribute to a day that about half of U.S. adults remember as the most historic event of their lifetime. Continued …
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
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Thailand is currently undergoing one of its most aggressive and coordinated crackdowns on nominee companies to date. As of May, the Department of Business Development (DBD) has partnered with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to actively investigate and dismantle these structures.
The director of Thailand’s Land Department stated that foreign nationals own only 6% of land on Koh Phangan, following growing concerns among residents about increasing foreign influence on the island.
Hua Hin turns into a city of jazz from May 29–June 1. Experience the Hua Hin Jazz City Event 2026 across 40+ locations, featuring Thai and international artists, smooth jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, live improvisation, local culture, cafés, shops, and community vibes. 
Prachuap Khiri Khan authorities have issued a weather warning, as heavy rain, possible flash floods, and strong waves are expected across the province from May 14–18. The warning covers all areas of Prachuap Khiri Khan, including Hua Hin, where thunderstorms are forecast for much of the week.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft exchange of letters between the Thai and Dutch governments allowing the Netherlands to purchase land and buildings on Soi Ruam Rudi in Bangkok for use as the new residence of the Dutch ambassador to Thailand.
Will debt sink Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market?
The Bank of Thailand expects business operators to raise prices for goods and services by no more than 20%, with more frequent price adjustments in response to higher energy costs.
Thailand’s retail sentiment weakened sharply in April, as consumers cut back on spending after panic buying in March, while high fuel prices, rising utility bills, and concerns over product costs continued to weigh on household purchasing power.
Royal Ploughing ceremony predicts low water, stronger trade
Retired Californian finds fulfilment as Lumphini cat caretaker
Prolonged contact with wildfire smoke would increase the risk of developing different types of cancer, according to a study presented at a recent meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
The government’s push for solar rooftop installations must not burden citizens with debt but instead serve as a tool to reduce living costs and expand energy choices, says Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee.
Thailand plans to expand biomass energy as part of its net-zero strategy, but disputes between communities and biomass operators are intensifying over allegations of air pollution and health impacts.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping began high-stakes talks in Beijing today, opening a closely watched meeting that could shape the next phase of relations between the world’s two largest economies. 
From her home in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Anna Sloutskin yearns to expand her country’s borders and one day move to southern Lebanon. And she is not alone. With fighting between Israel and Hezbollah displacing more than a million Lebanese, a far-right fringe of Israel’s settler movement is turning its gaze northward. 
In less than two years, Britain’s governing Labor Party has gonefrom a landslide election victory to a historic rout at last week’s local and regional votes that has put Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s job on the line. While incumbents across Europe face similar difficulties, Britain’s politics have become ever more febrile in the decade since it voted to leave the European Union. 
Travel activity at Hua Hin Airport has surged during the 2026 Songkran holiday period, with both Thai and international tourists arriving in large numbers, resulting in fully booked flights and a sharp rise in hotel reservations across the region.
Hua Hin Songkran crowds swell as tourists flock to water festival
A gun accident in Cha Am has left one person dead and another injured after a man from Phetchaburi claimed his firearm discharged accidentally, with the bullet striking a police officer’s son.
Traffic on Rama 2 Road was flowing smoothly in both directions as of 7 pm Saturday, with vehicles moving at speeds of 80 to 100 kilometers per hour. The Department of Highways confirmed the update after temporarily halting all construction work on the road, reopening main lanes to ease travel during the Songkran festival.
Bangkok Ramps Up Real-Time Security as Silom Overwhelmed by 140,000 Revelers
Thailand recorded 71 deaths and 344 road accidents over the first two days of the 2026 Songkran holiday period, according to the updated figures from the Road Safety Operation Center (RSOC). The figures highlight a rise in fatalities during what is traditionally known as the “Seven Dangerous Days”.
Mae Hong Son province has suffered wave after wave of forest fires, with the total number of hotspots so far this year exceeding what was registered the entire last year, while arson continues.
The long Songkran holiday is Thailand’s annual window for family get-togethers. However, as social structures break down, the traditional New Year holiday joy is being eroded by a deep anxiety: the fear of dying alone.
Trump Orders Naval Blockade of Hormuz as Iran Talks Collapse
The United States military has announced a blockade on all shipping entering and leaving Iranian ports, sending global oil prices sharply higher and marking a major escalation after talks between Washington and Tehran failed to end the conflict.
Thailand has launched a diplomatic effort to secure the safe passage of nine cargo ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The vessels are carrying fertilizer shipments deemed critical for the country’s agricultural sector and national food security.
Thailand’s export competitiveness is weakening, as global freight costs surge 30%, raising concerns over trade and consumer prices, a shipping industry leader said. While the United States and Iran have reached a two-week ceasefire, ongoing uncertainty continues to disrupt shipping routes and supply chains.
Asia’s ‘panicked farmers’ brace for a looming rice crisis post-Iran war
Thailand backs land bridge and EEC infrastructure investment drives
Thailand’s property market is witnessing a curious paradox as it enters the second quarter of 2026. According to the latest data from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), international buyers are flocking to the kingdom in increasing numbers, yet they are significantly tightening their purse strings.
There have been a number of announcements from state agencies to do with visa policies in Thailand over the past several months that seem to have made the matter rather convoluted.
Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Thitiporn Chirasawadi has underscored the growing importance of medical tourism from Bangladesh to Thailand, noting that a significant number of Bangladeshi patients have chosen Thailand as a trusted destination for healthcare over the years.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat yesterday, after the country’s opposition party Tisza was projected to win the parliamentary elections in a landslide, marking a setback for his allies in Russia and US President Donald Trump. 
US President Donald Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV on social media over the pontiff’s criticism of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, calling him “weak” on crime and “terrible” for foreign policy. “I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the president of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected,” Trump wrote yesterday. 
The “Nakhon Hua Hin Run 2026” event in Hua Hin will take place on March 29 at the Khao Tao Reservoir area.
The Department of Disease Control has warned the public to take extra care of their health during periods of extreme heat, which is a major factor allowing many kinds of germs to thrive, particularly those causing food- and water-borne illnesses.
After a trial at 10 schools showed controling use of digital devices improved student concentration and increased parental satisfaction, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is gearing up to expand the clampdown at all its schools from the next academic year.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is preparing to draft the country’s first Cancer Act, as officials seek to respond to a continuing rise in the number of patients, with around 140,000 new cancer cases and 86,000 deaths recorded each year.
A worst-case scenario for the Middle East conflict, which is war dragging on without a clear end, would reduce Thai GDP by 2.31 percentage points, according to the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Thailand’s oil refiners have sought to allay public concerns by confirming that the country’s oil reserves remain sufficient despite reports of motorists rushing to filling stations in provincial areas.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has signaled readiness to manage potential medicine price increases stemming from rising transport costs, and has asked pharmaceutical manufacturers to temporarily slow or stop exports so domestic needs are met first amid uncertainty linked to the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz.
Asian stocks retreated yesterday as dwindling hopes of a resolution to the war with Iran kept oil prices aloft, though a US waiver allowing purchases of Russian crude helped keep a floor under losses.
Cambodia is bracing for fuel supply disruptions, with plans to temporarily close around 2,000 of its 6,300 petrol stations amid an energy shortage linked to ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts, commerce minister Cham Nimol announced yesterday.
Thailand could face a period of stagflation if energy prices surge sharply amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to an economist at Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (EIC).
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is joining forces with the private sector to set up a war room to manage the impact of the Middle East crisis, while also preparing to propose the revival of a buy-one-get-one campaign to stimulate foreign arrivals.
Luxury travel has evolved, and Thailand’s “Healing is the New Luxury” campaign invites you to experience the country in a way that nurtures your soul and spirit. Through its new Thailand Co-Creator initiative, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) presents five carefully curated travel routes, each designed to rejuvenate, heal, and connect visitors with authentic experiences across the kingdom.
Ayutthaya marks Thai Elephant Day with feast for 70 elephants
Chiang Mai Zoo marks Thai National Elephant Day with feast and parade
The ITB Berlin 2026 event recognized community-based environmental achievements of Thailand, which created new attractions for eco-friendly travelers to discover Thailand’s three destinations of Ko Lanta, Chiang Khan, and Uthai Thani.
The Indonesian government is preparing to enforce a landmark law banning children under the age of 16 from using social media, joining a growing global movement to shield minors from digital harms. Under the new regulations, platforms will begin shutting down accounts held by users under the age of 16 starting on March 28. The crackdown targets tech giants including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the gaming platform Roblox. 
Most Thais deported from Cambodia took jobs in scam centers for high pay
Lazada highlights rise of ‘She Economy’
Thailand’s tourism sector faces watershed moment
A Life Changing Move to Rural Thailand
Flooding persists in six provinces
Python Unlikely to Return After Attack, Says Wildlife Specialist
Ex-Arsenal Player Arrested for $800K Cannabis Smuggle from Thailand
FTI proposes corporate tax exemption for businesses affected by flooding
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya’s 37 years career in Thai tourism
Three corporate giants reveal plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
WWF Thailand teams up with food delivery platforms for plastic reduction
Planting seeds of sustainability: Grab’s carbon offset journey
British Couple Outraged Over £9 Tin of Heinz Beans in Thailand
World Bank urges Thailand to invest in infrastructure, green economy
Thai international airports see 20% more passengers YOY
Chef’s Koh Samui cooking school teaches popular dishes
Cooking gas subsidies extended to Sept 30
A common ASEAN visa may be too ambitious to realise
Thai Post Launches Euro 2024 Contest with 10 Million Baht in Prizes 
