- Hyatt opens The Barai Hua Hin/Petrol and gasohol prices cut/Some of Bangkok’s highway system/630,000 treated for cancer
- THE IRAN WAR: Thailand assesses economic impacts/What are risks to Thailand?/Business sector welcomes Iran pact/Minister warns of energy risks/First tankers cross Strait of Hormuz
- ECONOMY: v declined/Parliament passes new trade deals/Financial hub scheme/Thailand 26th in competitiveness/Thailand credit rating at BBB+/Branded residences take off/Co-pay scheme fuels food delivery/Instagram seen as new force/Swedish Plastics Producer in Thailand
- TOURISM: Travel is reorganizing/Levy for tourists to Koh Samui/Vietnam tourism rise challenges Thailand/Thai railway tourism to offer food/Countries Are Changing Visa Policies
- CLIMATE THAILAND: New EV Insurance Challenge
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hyatt Welcomes Its First Hotel In Thailand, The Barai Hua Hin
Hyatt Hotels Corp. has announced the opening of The Barai Hua Hin, marking the debut of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Thailand. Set along the historic Khao Takiap coastline in Hua Hin, the 98-room beachfront resort brings together wellness tradition, locally inspired design, and the spirit of Sanook – the Thai expression for the joy of living.
The Barai Hua Hin first opened as a spa 20 years ago, earning a reputation for fusing Thai healing traditions with modern Western wellness. Now expanded into a boutique resort, the reimagined property offers a restorative sanctuary grounded in classic Thai hospitality. Continued …
Petrol and gasohol prices cut by 1.50 baht per liter, diesel down 1.30 baht
Thailand’s major fuel retailers have adjusted pump prices after announcing reductions across petrol and diesel categories. The changes, made by PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp., came into effect this morning.
According to the announcement, petrol and gasohol prices were reduced by 1.50 baht per liter, while diesel prices were cut by 1.30 baht per liter. Continued …
Amazing! Just some of Bangkok’s highway system
630,000 treated for cancer under universal healthcare
More than 630,000 cancer patients received treatment under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme in the 2025 fiscal year, with breast cancer remaining the most common cancer among women and colorectal cancer topping the list among men.
Of the 633,866 cancer patients treated during the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30 last year, 247,608, or 39.1%, were newly diagnosed cases, said Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee, secretary-general of the National Health Security Office (NHSO). Continued …
Thailand assesses economic impacts of US-Iran 60-day peace talks
The wait is over as the US and Iranian presidents signed a memorandum of understanding, which both sides announced takes immediate effect. They now have 60 days to negotiate a peace agreement.
Analysts view Iran as holding the upper hand, while the US has not achieved the goals it declared before the strikes. CNBC reported that US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) digitally on Wednesday. Continued …
What are risks to Thailand after US-Iran deal signed
Dr. Areeporn Asawinpongphan of the Thailand Development Research Institute warns that Thailand should not be overly optimistic about the peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, as any renewed conflict could pose risks to the Thai economy. Video …
Business sector welcomes Iran pact
Businesses and economists took a deep breath after the US and Iran signed off on a deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lifting optimism as oil prices fell, which could ease inflation and support potential economic growth.
Tanit Sorat, chairman of the National Labor Development Advisory Council, hailed the signing after more than three months of war rattling energy markets and spiking inflation. Continued …
Minister warns of energy risks despite US-Iran deal
Thailand has welcomed the ceasefire framework between the United States and Iran but warned that global energy markets could remain under pressure despite an easing of tensions in the Middle East.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government was closely monitoring developments, noting that while the agreement could improve investor confidence and support economic stability, damage to oil and natural gas infrastructure in the region would continue to pose risks to energy supplies. Continued …
First tankers cross Strait of Hormuz, Israeli strikes in Lebanon fuel doubt
Oil tankers have begun crossing the Strait of Hormuz again following a newly signed US–Iran agreement aimed at easing a war that has disrupted global energy flows.
Shipping data showed multiple large crude carriers moving through the strategic waterway yesterday, marking the first significant return of maritime traffic since the deal came into effect. The agreement has allowed for the reopening of the route, which carries a substantial share of global oil shipments. Continued …
Average Thai household income declined in 2025
Thailand’s average household income declined in 2025, while lower-income households increasingly relied on financial assistance, according to several research institutions.
The latest study by SCB EIC, a research center under Siam Commercial Bank, reveals that the average household income in 2025 stood at 28,308 baht per month, a 2.5% decrease from the previous surveyed figure of 29,030 baht in 2023. Continued …
Parliament passes new trade deals
Parliament has approved five major international trade agreements, paving the way for Thailand to expand market access in Europe and South Asia.
Following debate, lawmakers approved the package, which includes the Thailand–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement, the Thailand–Bhutan Free Trade Agreement, upgrades to the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), and Thailand’s accession to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Continued …
Financial hub scheme still a priority
The government remains committed to turning Thailand into a financial hub, says the chief of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO).
According to Vinit Visessuvanapoom, director-general of the FPO, the draft Financial Hub Act, which was prepared during the previous administration but was not considered by the House of Representatives, has been returned for further review. Continued …
Thailand rises to 26th in competitiveness ranking
Thailand has climbed four places to 26th out of 70 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2026, but the improvement masks deeper structural weaknesses in productivity, education, technology, and governance, while Vietnam’s debut at 27th place puts fresh pressure on Thailand to accelerate reforms.
The Thailand Management Assn., or TMA, through its Center for Competitiveness, said the latest ranking by the World Competitiveness Center under Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development reflected an improvement in Thailand’s business sector and infrastructure. Continued …
S&P keeps Thailand credit rating at BBB+
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Thailand’s sovereign credit rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook, citing continued economic recovery and resilient external fundamentals.
Jindarat Viriyataveekul, director of the Public Debt Management Office, said yesterday S&P’s latest review projected Thailand’s real GDP growth at 2.0% in 2026, reflecting pressure from volatility in global energy markets that continues to weigh on domestic economic activity. Continued …
Branded residences take off in Thailand
While Vietnam has surpassed Thailand as Asia’s most valuable branded residence market, Thailand still leads its peer with the largest launch of luxury development, according to hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks.
Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, said Vietnam has been growing at a rapid pace, particularly in the mass market segment, as the country is still in the early stages of branded residences. Continued …
State co-pay scheme fuels food delivery growth
Quick meals, noodles, and coffee or tea are among the top orders via food delivery platforms under the “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” state co-payment scheme. As of June 17, spending via food delivery platforms tallied 272 million baht.
According to Line Man Wongnai, more than 300,000 users who participated in the scheme redeemed benefits on Line Man on June 15 — the first day the platform offered the scheme. Continued …
Instagram seen as new force for digital commerce in Thailand
Meta has positioned Instagram as a driver of Thai digital economic growth, highlighting the platform’s growing influence in commerce, creator monetization, and cultural engagement as businesses increasingly seek new avenues for expansion.
Instagram reaches 80% of Thailand’s Gen Z population, while also attracting more than half of users across the Millennial, Gen X, and Baby Boomer demographics, creating a broad, high-value audience for advertisers and content creators. Continued …
Swedish Plastics Producer Establishes First Factory in Thailand
Swedish plastics manufacturer Polykemi has taken a major step into Southeast Asia by securing land for its first production facility in Thailand. The company signed a land purchase agreement with Amata City Rayong at the Amata City Rayong Industrial Estate, located in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Founded in Ystad, Sweden, Polykemi is one of Europe’s largest independent producers of customized plastic compounds. The company currently operates production facilities in Sweden, China, and the United States, alongside a network of sales offices across Europe. Continued …
Travel is reorganizing along ‘paths of least resistance’
The ideal the travel industry dreamt about – the global traveler – the passport-holding, visa-free, frictionlessly mobile citizen of the world – is less real today than it’s ever been, said Michael Dykes, vice president, market management, Expedia Group. The past few years, he argued, have seen the accumulation of barriers growing around the movement of people, capital, and goods.
He pointed to the evidence, which is visible everywhere. Airline corridors connecting Asia and Europe have been disrupted by conflict. Visa wait times for the United States stretch to hours. Immigration counters are becoming more intrusive. Thailand has reduced visa duration. Some countries have been cut off from global payment systems. Continued …
Minister proposes levy for tourists traveling to Koh Samui
A taxi murder linked to an influential transport group and the death of Australian sprint star Jemma Stapleton have placed Koh Samui under an uncomfortable spotlight, drawing attention to concerns over criminal influence, road safety, and aging infrastructure on one of Thailand’s most valuable tourism destinations.
Following a high-level visit this week, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul unveiled a proposed tourist levy, a crackdown on mafia-style activity, stricter enforcement measure,s and a new “Koh Samui model” designed to improve safety, lift standards, and fund long-delayed infrastructure upgrades across the island that are overdue. Continued …
Vietnam tourism rise challenges Thailand and quality goals
Vietnam is no longer being viewed only as Asia’s “manufacturing base”. It is becoming one of Southeast Asia’s most closely watched tourism destinations, especially after foreign visitor numbers rebounded rapidly following COVID-19 and began moving closer to leading tourism markets such as Thailand.
Fortune magazine reported that Vietnam received more than 21 million foreign visitors in 2025, up by about 20% from the previous year. Crucially, Vietnam has already overtaken Thailand in the Chinese tourist market, with 5.3 million Chinese visitors compared with around 4.5 million to Thailand. Continued …
Thai railway tourism to offer OTOP products and local food to passengers
Thailand is preparing to improve railway tourism by adopting elements of Japan’s community-based tourism model, including the sale of local food and OTOP products on tourism train services.
The initiative was discussed during the 3rd Thailand-Japan Railway Workshop on June 17, when the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) welcomed Okuda Tetsuya, president of the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute ASEAN-India Regional Office (JTTRI-AIRO). Continued …
Countries Are Changing Visa Policies, What It Means for Digital Nomads
Thailand welcomes 33 to 35 million international tourists annually. In 2024, Thailand changed its visa policy, allowing visitors from 93 countries to stay for 60 days without needing to apply for a visa in advance.
The 60-day visa exemption made it easier for digital nomads, nomadic founders, and business leaders to come to Thailand and stay for longer periods without the complication of applying for a visa in advance. Now, however, the country is reversing course. Continued …
Thailand’s EV Transition and the New Insurance Challenge
As global oil volatility continues to push transportation costs higher, more Thai consumers are turning to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as a practical hedge against unpredictable long-term running costs. The shift is already visible across the market.
Thailand’s EV market grew by 80% in 2025, surpassing 120,000 registrations, while the Bangkok International Motor Show 2026 recorded an all-time high of more than 132,951 vehicle bookings, driven largely by strong EV demand and changing consumer preferences toward value, technology, and cost efficiency. Continued …
Ukraine sets Moscow refinery ablaze in biggest attack in years
Ukraine yesterday launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, sparking fires, hitting a major oil refinery, and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport. At least 17 people were wounded in the strikes, which also set a shopping center and apartment building ablaze, authorities said. Continued …
Social media overtakes news websites as AI reshapes global media
The Digital News Report 2026, which surveyed news consumers in 48 countries, found that 54% of respondents used social media and video platforms for news, compared with 51% who accessed news through the websites and apps of news organisations. This marks the first time that external platforms have become more popular than digital channels directly owned by news outlets. 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
Outgoing Thai PM found guilty of neglect of duty over PM2.5 pollution
Expect heavy rain in 42 provinces including Bangkok
El Nino will expose Thailand’s lack of defense against climate change
Survey shows progress in adolescent births, worrying trends in education, child development
Thailand’s foreign direct investment skyrockets with focus on EV industry
PTT puts renewable strategy into overdrive
Thai rice exports poised to hit 9 million tons amid climate anxieties
Myanmar crisis to dominate ASEAN meeting
Turkey gives green light to Swedish NATO membership bid
Germany sends troops to Australia as Berlin shifts focus to Indo-Pacific
