- Hua Hin Ban Krut tourism rally/Hua Hin videos/Scottish Hua Hin resident in motorbike crash/Thailand’s medical doctor crisis/Push to help regional airports/The Rise of Plai
- THE IRAN WAR: A Strategic Win for China
- ECONOMY: Thailand must act swiftly/Living costs may stay high/Nationwide nominee crackdown/Chambers Urge Corruption Curb/Data center industry touts benefits/Harness full potential of AI/Bangkok’s ultra-wealthy population/Cannabis industry on the brink
- TOURISM: Seaplane takeoff grounded
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: 2,000-year-old burial site in Phetchaburi
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand’s Energy Reform/Thai village finally seeing the light
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin Ban Krut tourism rally this weekend
The Hua Hin Ban Krut Tourism Rally will take place Saturday and Sunday, with organizers inviting drivers, travelers and car enthusiasts to join a two-day route through Prachuap Khiri Khan. The event is being organized by the Prachuap Khiri Khan Tourism Industry Council and tourism partners under the theme “Drive along the two seas and discover the charm of Prachuap Khiri Khan.”
The rally will follow a route from Hua Hin to Ban Krut, covering about 120 kilometers. The starting point will be Sundance Beach Club 19 Rai in Hua Hin, with the rally finishing at Ban Krut Beach in Bang Saphan district. Continued …
What Does it Cost to Live in Hua Hin?
If you’ve ever wondered what it really costs to live in Hua Hin, this in-depth video breaks down everything you need to know after nearly two years of real-life experience living in Hua Hin. From rent and utilities to groceries, transportation, and healthcare, this guide is packed with valuable insights for expats, retirees, digital nomads, and anyone considering moving to Thailand. Video …
Soi 80 Walking Street
Welcome to Soi 80. Full of bars, street food, live music and a vibrant nightlife atmosphere – whether you’re planning a trip to Hua Hin or just curious about Thai nightlife. Video …
Hua Hin Walking Street Soi 94 city athmosphere at night
This Hua Hin walking tour captures the unique city ambience after dark, offering an experience for those who love to explore the local Thai food scene, live music, bars, restaurants and more. Video …
Scottish Hua Hin resident ‘may never walk again’ after motorbike crash
A Scottish man involved in a head-on motorbike crash in Thailand has been told he may never walk again. Darren Cummins, who has lived in the country for more than a decade, says he was T-boned by another driver at around 100km/h (60mph) during a crash on Saturday, June 13.
The Scot says the other driver was “traveling in the opposite direction” and “suddenly decided to u-turn directly across all three lanes”, leaving him with no time to react. The 34-year-old, originally from Falkirk, moved to Thailand in October 2015, and lives in Hua Hin. Continued …
Thailand’s brewing medical doctor crisis
The recent call by more than 1,200 doctors urging the government to halt the approval of new medical degree programs proposed by Rajabhat universities must prompt policymakers to examine a more fundamental question than whether Thailand needs more medical schools.
Thailand’s healthcare crisis cannot be solved simply by a simplistic law of demand and supply. Expanding medical schools without addressing the structural weaknesses of the public health system risks treating the symptoms rather than the disease. Continued …
New push to help regional airports grow
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit has instructed Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) to develop an upgraded air traffic-management system to support the growth of the country’s regional airports and strengthen tourism links across Thailand’s lower northern provinces.
Phattrapong said the initiative aims to modernize aviation infrastructure and improve airport services through the adoption of advanced technology. He said the plan would help turn secondary provinces into stronger tourism destinations while boosting local economies. Continued …
The Rise of Plai: How an Ancient Thai Root Became a Modern Pharmaceutical Heavyweight
In the rapidly expanding global wellness economy, the line between traditional folklore and modern biochemistry is becoming increasingly blurred. Nowhere is this pharmaceutical evolution more apparent than in Thailand, where a humble, subterranean root belonging to the ginger family has quietly staged a medical revolution.
Once relegated to rural kitchen gardens and traditional massage clinics, the medicinal plant Plai has undergone a massive state-backed transition into mainstream clinical practice. Continued …
How Trump’s Middle East War Handed China a Strategic Win It Never Asked For
Some foreign policy failures don’t make headlines or appear in casualty counts or ceasefire agreements. They surface months later, buried in a consultancy report no one in the White House was eager to read. Last week, the geopolitical research firm Asia Group confirmed what should have been clear from the beginning: the biggest winner of Donald Trump’s Middle East war isn’t the United States, Israel, or even Iran — it’s China.
The bare facts are stark enough to make the point on their own. After the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in the process, Tehran responded by effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. That single act of retaliation choked off a waterway carrying roughly 80% of the region’s oil exports and nearly 90% of its liquefied natural gas, almost all of it bound for Asia. Continued …
Finance minister: Thailand must act swiftly to avoid crisis
Thailand must act quickly to stem its mounting current account deficit before it spirals into a current account crisis, says Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. Ekniti said that while the government’s emergency borrowing decree would increase public debt, the loans are necessary to accelerate Thailand’s transition from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy.
“If we fail to act now, we risk facing one crisis on top of another,” he wrote, citing the fact that, after Thailand was hit by soaring oil prices in April and May, the country’s current account, which had traditionally remained in surplus, swung into a deficit of nearly 500 billion baht over the past two months. Continued …
Thai inflation past peak but living costs may stay high
Thailand’s inflation rate is showing signs of moving past its sharpest point, as production costs and global oil pressure begin to ease, but households may still face a more lasting rise in daily living expenses.
The Trade Policy and Strategy Office, or TPSO, said the headline consumer price index for June stood at 102.85, up 2.42% from the same month last year. The rate marked a third consecutive month of annual increase, although the pace began to slow. Headline inflation for the first six months of 2026 averaged 1.08%. Continued …
Anutin orders nationwide nominee crackdown amid EEC land concerns
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered police and relevant agencies to inspect suspected nominee landholdings nationwide, following concerns over Chinese-linked capital acquiring large plots in the Eastern Economic Corridor to develop illegal industrial estates.
Anutin rejected claims that illegal industrial estates could be operating in the EEC, saying any such development would require official approval, utility systems and compliance with multiple legal conditions before it could proceed. Continued …
Foreign Chambers Urge Thailand to Curb Corruption
Thailand must strengthen anti-corruption efforts, improve law enforcement and reform regulations to restore investor confidence and maintain its competitiveness, according to Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT) Chairwoman Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag.
She said foreign investors closely assess a country’s anti-corruption record before making investment decisions, with concerns over transparency, regulatory uncertainty and inconsistent enforcement causing some existing and prospective investors to reconsider expanding or relocating operations in Thailand. Continued …
Data center industry touts economic benefits
Thailand’s data center industry is seeking to recast concerns over resource strain as an economic opportunity, arguing that Thailand’s unused power capacity can be converted into investment, tax revenue and a new industrial growth engine if the government moves quickly and ensures more benefits stay in the country.
According to the Thailand Data Center Assn., the sector’s direct GDP contribution could rise from about 0.93% to 2.47% over five years, supported by roughly 2 trillion baht in capital inflows, significant fiscal revenue and wider private sector spillovers. Continued …
Thai businesses urged to harness full potential of AI
True Corp. is urging businesses to look beyond artificial intelligence as a standalone technology and instead combine AI with data-driven human insights to better understand increasingly complex consumer behavior and strengthen their competitiveness in the digital economy.
Speaking at the company’s recent “Human Insights in the AI Era” forum, Oliver Kittipong Veeratacha, True’s chief brand officer, said businesses are entering an environment where customer journeys are becoming more fragmented as AI becomes embedded across every stage of consumer decision-making. Continued …
Bangkok sees ultra-wealthy population expand rapidly
Bangkok is emerging as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing hub for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, reinforcing Thailand’s appeal as a destination for global wealth despite persistent economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
According to wealth intelligence firm Altrata’s World Ultra Wealth Report 2026, Thailand was home to 2,090 UHNW individuals in 2025, including 1,210 primary residents in Bangkok. Continued …
Cannabis industry on the brink, huge seizures worldwide
Thailand’s landmark cannabis revolution is on the brink of collapse after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the architect of Asia’s first cannabis decriminalization policy, warned he is prepared to recriminalize the drug and shut down the industry following a wave of major international cannabis seizures linked to Thailand.
Backed by senior Bhumjaithai Party legal adviser Supachai Jaisamut’s insistence that the party only ever intended cannabis for medical use, the intervention signals the gravest threat yet to the 2022 reforms, as organized trafficking networks, collapsing prices, stalled legislation and mounting international pressure drive the government toward a historic policy reversal. Continued …
Seaplane takeoff grounded by regulations
While Thailand holds the potential to lead the regional seaplane market due to its tourism resources, it faces regulatory challenges that have delayed development, says aviation operator Siam Seaplane.
“Thailand has recorded strong demand for seaplane services, but the industry developed slower than regional competitors such as Vietnam and Indonesia,” said Worakanya Siripidej, chief executive of Siam Seaplane. Continued …
What a 2,000-year-old burial site reveals about ancient Phetchaburi
What began as the accidental discovery of a bronze drum beneath a rice field has become one of Thailand’s most significant archaeological excavations in recent years.
Months after archaeologists broke ground at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Ban Don Phlap, Ban Lat district, Phetchaburi, the picture emerging from the excavation is no longer about a single artefact. Instead, it tells the story of an affluent prehistoric community connected to regional trade networks stretching from present-day Vietnam to India some 2,000 years ago. Continued …
Thailand’s Energy Reform: Supercharging Our Way to a Future-Forward Economy?
Countries laser-focused on attracting the next wave of investment may soon find that tax breaks and affordable labor may not be enough to keep investors engaged. The new criteria for raising funds may very well be in the energy space, and more specifically, which country has clean, stable, and scalable energy, with credible governance to ensure that the landscape is ready for future industries.
For Thailand, this makes the latest sweeping energy policy reforms more significant than the passing headlines about 3-baht tariffs or short-term cost reductions. The real question here is the future-forward industries at stake, those fueling Thailand’s regional ambitions. Continued …
After years in darkness, this Thai village is finally seeing the light
“Do you see those flowers?” the driver asked as our vehicle wound slowly along a narrow hillside road. He pointed to rows of chrysanthemums stretching across the slope, their outlines fading in the late afternoon light. “They need light at night,” he said.
“What happens if there isn’t any?” “No light, no flowers.” It was a simple explanation, but one that perfectly captured life in Huay Nam Rin. Continued …
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South Korean Drug Smuggler Held in Bangkok – Continued …
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Indian Duo Caught With Zombie Vape Drug at Suvarnabhumi – 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 cinemas/Emergency numbers
The end of Bangkok Street food
Bangkok is known for its extensive and varied street food scene. Its presence comes up in virtually any discussion about tourism in Thailand. Techically, some might argue, you haven’t really “visited” Thailand if you have not experienced Bangkok’s street food. Quite simply, it’s a selling point for Thailand’s tourism industry.
What your go-to street food in Thailand says about you
Hua Hin Red Cross Fair on June 5-14
Four Thai police officers and a civilian have been arrested in Sa Kaeo province after allegedly detaining five Chinese nationals and demanding money in exchange for their release.
Thailand’s worsening corruption situation was raised as a key proposal at a joint meeting between the government and the private sector on ways to improve the country’s economic competitiveness, held at Government House on Friday.
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Poll Urges End to Hidden School Fees and Equal Access
Is 60 truly the perfect endpoint of a working life? This question is becoming ever more pressing as Thailand and the broader ASEAN region rapidly transition into a “Super-Aged Society.” The economic and social structures that were once driven by a young workforce are facing mounting pressure.
Thailand has urged Iran to allow the safe passage of eight Thai-flagged ships stranded at either end of the near-closed Strait of Hormuz. The call was made by Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi last week.
Oil prices extended gains today as efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran appeared to have stalled, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran.
The Anutin government is under immediate pressure to ease living costs and restore economic confidence, as most respondents to a new Suan Dusit Poll want urgent action on prices and debt, while nearly half expect the economy to worsen over the next three months.
Thailand’s economy grew by 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, official data showed today, higher than the median forecast of 2.2% in a Reuters poll of analysts
Nearly three months have passed since the US-Israeli air strikes on Iran began, with no resolution to the war in sight, while almost two months have elapsed since the Thai government took office.
Thailand Land Bridge Faces Investor Doubts
Chinese investment continues to make inroads into Thai retail, with “Chinese supermarkets” expanding into Huai Khwang, Rama 9, and tourist cities. The stores stock Chinese goods ranging from snacks, drinks, tea, soft drinks, mala sauces, and instant noodles to ready-to-eat food, responding to strong online trends.
Thailand’s influencer economy is no longer just about content creation but has become a fast-growing business sector worth 45 billion baht, prompting calls for clearer standards, stronger oversight, and support to help Thai influencers compete internationally.
Swedish defense company Saab plans to expand investment in Thailand following the Royal Thai Air Force’s decision to procure Gripen E/F fighter jets, with ambitions to develop the country into a regional defense technology and production hub.
On Feb. 28, when the US-Israeli war with Iran began, Thailand’s tourism industry was looking forward to reaping the benefits of the final month of the high season.
Elephant Nature Park: Inside Chiang Mai’s Ethical Elephant Haven
Thailand’s Largest Lake Is A Breathtaking Body Of Water With Islands, Bird Sanctuaries, And Fishing
In our latest travel title, Thailand: The Monocle Handbook, we showcase the very best of this sunny nation, including the multitude of excellent hospitality hotspots on offer.
Preparing for Climate-Related Losses
Global stocks slumped and oil prices rose yesterday with worries about sustained inflation driving up bond yields with no conclusion to the Iran war in sight. The international oil benchmark Brent crude contract rose more than 3% to $109.26 a barrel.
Hormuz crisis shows clean energy is key to reducing the economic cost of fossil fuel dependence
Thailand’s business travel and exhibition sector is facing a severe downturn as the protracted conflict in the Middle East sends shockwaves through global energy and aviation markets. Industry leaders warn that the escalating crisis could prove more damaging to the economy than the Covid-19 pandemic.
A noodle vendor in Ratchaburi has continued selling bowls for 10 baht despite rising ingredient and fuel costs, offering one of the cheapest meals still available as inflation continues to affect household spending in Thailand.
As Thailand adopts artificial intelligence (AI), IT specialists warn some government agencies developing AI projects may repeat the mistakes of the app development era, when huge budgets were spent on digital projects that allegedly delivered little benefit to the public.
Thailand and India plan to expand trade, investment, and regional cooperation as both countries prepare to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
In Thailand, burned sugarcane plantations become traps for leopard cat cubs
Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Commerce, has issued a rallying cry to domestic firms of all sizes to aggressively secure intellectual property rights, as new data reveals a global surge in sustainability-driven technologies.
U.S. President Donald Trump left China oyesterday with no major breakthroughs on trade or tangible help from Beijing to end the Iran war, despite two days spent heaping praise on his host, Xi Jinping. 
The global technology industry has entered another round of mass layoffs in 2026, with more than 100,000 jobs cut worldwide in the first five months of the year as companies restructure operations, control costs, and shift more resources into artificial intelligence. 
The Kite and Art Festival Prachuap Khiri Khan will take place at Saran Withi Pier today and tomorrow, bringing two evenings of kite displays, art, and family-friendly activities to the seafront.
Ren Lexander, PhD, gave a timely talk, “Taking Stock in Uncertain Times: What Global Shifts Mean for Us in Thailand,” at a meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. He invited his audience to “take stock” of the rapidly changing global situation. Although the current Middle East conflict is less than two months old, its ripple effects are already being felt worldwide.
Thailand will officially enter the rainy season today, but with less rain than usual in the forecast, the Meteorological Department announced yesterday.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has given ride-hailing platforms one month to improve passenger safety measures or risk license suspension, as new rules are prepared for app-based taxi services. The planned measures include requiring drivers to hold public driving licenxes, installing CCTV cameras in vehicles, and providing passenger insurance coverage.
The Thai baht is projected to depreciate further, potentially reaching 33.50 per US dollar this week. This forecast follows a recent testing of a nine-month low at 33.04 on Monday. The primary driver for this expected weakening is the heightened uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, which is bolstering the US dollar as a safe-haven asset.
Geoeconomics of Thai ‘land bridge’
Thailand’s visa-free entry for nationals of 93 countries is set to be cut from 60 days to 30 days after government officials confirmed plans to end the policy introduced in July 2024. The proposal, confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Foreign Ministry, is expected to go to Cabinet next week, and an official start date will be announced after approval.
Flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to add European flights, yet still maintain proactive fuel cost and route network management amid short-term concerns about spillover impacts from the war in the Middle East and geopolitical tensions.
Erawan-Wasserfall: Thailand’s Seven-Tiered River Escape
Just north of Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi has quietly become one of Thailand’s most practical destinations for short stays. Whether you are in town for business meetings, a family visit, a medical appointment, or a weekend away from the capital, choosing the right place to stay can shape your entire experience.
The government has ordered the Office of the Consumer Protection Board to urgently investigate unsafe solar rooftop installations linked to fire risks and consumer losses exceeding 500,000 baht, following complaints about substandard equipment and improper electrical work.
Electric vehicles are selling faster across Southeast Asia than at any point in history. Thailand is manufacturing them at scale. Vietnam has produced a homegrown brand bold enough to challenge in global markets. Indonesia is betting its vast mineral wealth on becoming the world’s battery supplier. By nearly every headline metric, the region’s clean transport revolution is on track.
Russian forces launched waves of missiles and drones at Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions for a third consecutive day yesterday, killing at least nine people, including a 12-year-old girl, according to Ukrainian officials. 
Immigration office closures during Songkran and other April public holidays are set to affect Hua Hin, Cha Am and the rest of Thailand, with foreigners being advised to plan ahead for visa extensions, 90-day reporting, and other services.
Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved an average electricity tariff of 3.95 baht per unit for the May-August 2026 billing cycle, up from the current 3.88 baht, after setting the fuel tariff, or Ft, at 16.23 satang per unit.
Cha Am is preparing for its Songkran celebrations, with local officials confirming a 10-day program of events that will culminate in the Wan Lai Cha-am festival on April 16-17. Nukun Pornsombunsiri recently inspected preparations for the event, with a focus on safety measures and facilities for both residents and visitors.
Thap Sakae will host the Na Hu Kwang Festival 2026 during the Songkran holiday, with organizers aiming to boost tourism and local economic activity through a two-day beachfront event centered around light installations and live entertainment.
Cha Am Municipality is asking for cooperation from all agencies and the public to help save energy, in order to prepare for future situations and ensure resources are used efficiently.
Thailand is bracing for another day of intense heat, with the Thai Meteorological Department warning that temperatures could soar to as high as 42C in some parts of the country today.
The cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding on overlapping maritime claims with Cambodia, popularly known as MoU 44, will be included in the government’s policy statement to parliament, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday.
Oil prices jumped by more than 5% today after US President Donald Trump said Washington would continue striking Iran, including energy and oil targets, over the coming weeks, while offering no firm timetable for an end to the war.
Thailand’s diesel price will rise by B3.50 per liter today after the Oil Fuel Fund Committee reduced its subsidy, pushing the retail price of standard diesel to B44.24 per liter.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has assessed the latest situation and made clear that risks are now spreading from energy prices to the real economy as a whole, while cutting its 2026 outlook for Thailand again amid mounting inflationary pressure and clearer signs of stagflation.
Thailand Post plans to impose a fuel surcharge of 3 baht per item on domestic Express Mail Service (EMS) and e-CoPost services from April 16, citing higher fuel costs.
While the rationale for US President Donald Trump’s Iran war is difficult to decipher, its main beneficiary is far easier to identify: Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Thailand’s banking sector is moving deeper into crisis-response mode as prolonged global uncertainty and rising energy prices place fresh pressure on businesses, prompting lenders to shift their role from straightforward credit providers to active supporters helping customers stay afloat.
The Ministry of Public Health has begun a full transition to ensuring cannabis use in Thailand will be for medicinal purposes only, allowing dispensaries a three-year timeframe to convert into medical clinics in order to continue operating.
Northern tourism operators expect a poor showing during the Songkran holiday, as the region remains choked by smog, amid weak spending attributed to the war in the Middle East and the subsequent oil shock.
Thailand’s PM2.5 crisis has reached a severe level, with fresh data today from IQAir showing air quality in Chiang Mai Municipality had worsened dramatically, pushing it up to the rank of the world’s second most polluted city.
Thailand’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) market is expected to gain significant momentum this year, with sales projected to surpass 120,000 units partially due to soaring oil prices, says the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT).
Banks and car buyers are increasingly shifting toward battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as surging oil prices, fueled by Middle East tensions, reshape Thailand’s auto market, says Ford Thailand. The trend reflects both consumer anxiety over fuel shortages and financial institutions’ growing confidence in electric mobility.
Motorists across the Asia-Pacific region are switching to electric vehicles at a rapid pace, as rising fuel costs due to the Middle East war force consumers and companies to reconsider their reliance on petrol and diesel vehicles.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a system trial of the On Nut waste-to-energy plant to help tackle the city’s waste problem and provide a new source of sustainable power.
NASA launched four astronauts from Florida yesterday aboard Artemis II, sending them on a high-stakes, nearly 10-day journey around the moon and back in the United States’ boldest move yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade, ahead of China’s first planned crewed landing. 
A Thai truck driver was found dead inside his vehicle at a petrol station in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday, allegedly after he had been waiting in a refueling queue for more than 10 hours.
Beach polo will return to Hua Hin on April 4, as the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort hosts the 15th edition of the annual charity sporting event. Organized by B.Grimm, the one-day Beach Polo Hua Hin event will take place from 12.30 pm to 9 pm and is expected to draw polo enthusiasts, residents, and visitors for an afternoon and evening of sport and entertainment by the sea.
Miracle of the Three Bays City Fair set for April 24-May 4
Starting times for the Hua Hin Marathon 2026 have been confirmed, with organizers expecting more than 3,500 runners to take part in the annual race on Sunday, May 10. The event will include four race distances and aims to raise funds for environmental conservation in the city.
Thailand has abandoned attempts to cap domestic fuel prices that have been pushed up by the Middle East war, and instead will offer targeted assistance for the sectors hardest-hit by high prices.
Thailand fuel prices were updated for today in a daily report from the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) under the Ministry of Energy, covering five major service station brands, including PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, and Shell.
The Provincial Administration Department, under the Ministry of Interior, has issued instructions to provincial governors nationwide — along with district chiefs and local leaders, including subdistrict heads and village headmen — to inspect petrol stations across Thailand and submit daily reports on fuel stock levels. The move is intended to prevent traders from secretly hoarding fuel and forcing the public to shoulder the burden.
Long queues continue for even pricier fuel
Thai motorists rushed to refuel their vehicles last night, ahead of a steep 6 baht/liter price hike, which took effect today, triggering heavy congestion at service stations nationwide. In many areas, queues stretched for kilometers, with some outlets forced to close earlier than usual as they ran out of fuel.
The Iranian government has confirmed that it is reviewing a proposal from the United States aimed at ending the war in the Gulf region, but has made it clear that it has no intention of entering direct negotiations with Washington, even as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate.
ASEAN’s energy security at risk
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is preparing to expand its controlled goods list to 71 items, and tighten rules on price increases for a wider range of everyday products, according to Nantapong Jiralertpong, director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy and the ministry’s spokesperson.
Roughly 300 billion baht in investment expenditure is expected to be available for transfer to the central budget to support the “Khon La Khrueng” co-payment scheme and urgent government emergency projects.
Thailand is poised to capitalize on supply chain diversification as global tensions mount. With disruptions impacting traditional supply routes, Thailand’s geographical advantages and robust manufacturing base present significant opportunities for businesses seeking alternative sourcing locations.
Thailand’s energy crisis in 2026 is not the first time the country has been forced to grapple with fuel prices rising beyond what ordinary people can bear. Each time such a crisis has erupted, Thai governments have turned to the Oil Fuel Fund as an emergency tool to contain the damage. But the price of that decision has often been a mountain of debt, eventually passed on to the public in the long run.
Songkran: Pattaya tops Thai travelers’ search list, Hua Hin second
Khon Kaen tourism, meetings take a hit
Global air quality worsened significantly in 2025, with only 14% of cities meeting the World Health Organization’s PM2.5 guideline, as reported by IQAir’s World Air Quality Report. This marked a decline from the previous year when 17% of cities met the standard. Severe weather events like wildfires and dust storms, exacerbated by climate change, were major contributors to the decline.
Southeast Asia faces a critical $150-billion annual shortfall in clean energy investment required to meet its 2050 climate commitments amid rising economic growth and energy demand. To bridge this gap and reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports, the region must implement strategic reforms to enhance financial transparency, leverage blended finance through development institutions, and mitigate currency risks for private investors.
The global push for environmental responsibility has transformed the packaging industry from a linear “take-make-waste” model into a high-tech frontier of circularity. As plastic pollution remains a critical global challenge, both multinational corporations and agile startups are racing to develop sustainable packaging solutions that protect products without harming the planet.
The discovery of the oldest-ever dog DNA suggests they have been our best friends for nearly 16,000 years — 5,000 years earlier than had previously been thought, new research said yesterday. Despite being ubiquitous in the homes, backyards, and hearts of people across the world, surprisingly little is known about where dogs come from. 
A Los Angeles jury yesterday found Meta and YouTube liable for harming a young woman through the addictive design of their social media platforms, ordering the companies to pay $3 million in damages and opening the door to potentially far larger punitive awards. 
Passengers in Thailand can now utilize QR codes for enhanced taxi ride safety and convenience. This new feature allows users to verify driver details, real-time track their journey, share trip information, and rate their experience. The Department of Land Transport plans to equip around 70,000 taxis with these QR codes by June.
A ride-hailing driver posted a touching experience on the “Grab Car Driver Club Thailand” Facebook group, declaring: “I want 10 more jobs like this”. The first image showed the journey details – from Huai Khwang to Phra Khanong. The second revealed the adorable passenger: what appeared to be a long-coat Chihuahua.
Chula Researchers Transform Thai Silk into Medical Innovation
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to seek approval from Thailand’s next cabinet for two major airport expansion projects worth a combined 269 billion baht, covering Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.
Thailand’s once-robust manufacturing sector is facing a protracted slowdown, with factory capacity utilization hovering below 60% for the past two years, raising concerns about the country’s economic competitiveness and industrial policy effectiveness.
The cabinet yesterday endorsed a comprehensive visa package proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to boost tourism, attract long-stay visitors, and stimulate the economy.
Chinese New Year in Thailand: A National Celebration and a Regional Travel Magnet
As Thailand enters the post-election period, many foreign tourists and long-term visitors say their expectations are not focused on political personalities or campaign rhetoric, but on practical changes that shape daily life, travel decisions, and confidence in Thailand as a long-stay destination. Conversations among foreign residents and repeat visitors consistently return to the same themes: clarity, fairness, and predictability.
If people used to talk about tourism in the past, it may have meant a short break and a change of scenery from everyday life, a brief moment of happiness that recharged the body before returning to normal routines. Today, however, tourism is shifting from “temporary rest” to “a long-term investment in health”.
With Chinese New Year approaching next week, Pattaya tourism operators expect similar conditions as last year. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Association of Chonburi Tourism Federation, said Pattaya operators expect a large number of foreign tourists for the holiday, particularly from long-haul markets, accounting for 80% and helping the occupancy rate near 90%.
Phuket is preparing to welcome a surge of visitors during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, with a month-long program of events beginning today aimed at stimulating early-year tourism and generating more than 600 million baht in revenue.
13 Mouth-Watering Thai Dishes You Need To Try
Kintetsu World Express has taken another step toward cleaner operations by installing a solar power generation system at its warehouse in Prachinburi Province. The project has been carried out by its local subsidiary, KWE-Kintetsu World Express (Thailand) Co., as part of the group’s wider push toward decarbonized and sustainable business practices.
Planned or under-construction solar and wind projects slowed last year, analysis showed yesterday, casting doubts on whether countries will hit a goal of tripling renewable capacity by 2030. Dozens of nations agreed in 2023 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 as part of efforts to limit global warming.
At least 10 people died yesterday in a remote part of western Canada, including seven who were shot at a secondary school and two others found dead at a residence, federal police said. Twenty-seven people were injured. An individual believed to be responsible for the killing in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, was found deceased with what appears to be a self-inflicted injury. 
Noise pollution is affecting bird behavior across the globe, disrupting everything from courtship songs to the ability to find food and avoid predators, a large-scale new analysis showed today. 
PKK debuts emergency warning system to warn of impeding storms
Costly crabmeat supplier defends Jay Fai
Thailand faces thunderstorms and high waves
Google ranked as most desirable employer in Thailand
Thailand braces for scorching summer
Culprits behind dense smog choking Thailand: Corn and wildfires
Top 10 reasons to retire in Thailand
How can I be eligible for O visa in Thailand?
Report exposes a decade of corruption involving politicians in Thailand
Thai exporters are facing a rocky year
Former Kiwi PM commends Thailand for cannabis decriminalization
Myanmar Man Found Dead, Likely Infected With New Omicron Strain
Tom Kha Gai ranked 9th in TasteAtlas’s Best Rated Soups in the World
Bali considers tourist entry tax
