- Bangkok to Hua Hin roadway opens/Underground cables along soi 76/Vascular health seminar/Intercontinental best pet-fiendly hotel/Dengue cases cause 31 deaths/Police seize 7,872 guns/Pattaya readies for USS Abraham Lincoln/5,000 ‘fake Thais’
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran says US sanctions will achieve nothing
- ECONOMY: Cold War support accelerated Thailand’s rise/Billion-dollar data center question:/Thai MPC holds 1% policy rate/Thai vehicle sales rise
- TOURISM: Caught in the tourism trap/Airport rail contractor bows out/Roadworks to disrupt terminal access/Thai passport placed 99th
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Restaurants Anthony Bourdain visited in Thailand
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar Energy in Thailand/Grid modernization strengthens clean energy shift/Thailand’s Trade Survival Test/Sustainability is the new standard/War against Thailand’s eco-defenders
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/Devastating flash floods in Nepal/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
New section of Bangkok to Hua Hin roadway opens
A 25-kilometer section of the M82 motorway between Bang Khun Thian and Ban Phaeo will open toll-free on Aug. 28, marking a long-awaited improvement for people traveling between Bangkok, Hua Hin and southern Thailand.
The opening includes a 16.4-kilometer extension from Ekkachai to Ban Phaeo, allowing drivers to use the full elevated motorway continuously from the Bang Khun Thian interchange. Continued …
Hua Hin plans underground cables along soi 76
Plans to install underground cables in Hua Hin along a 600-meter section of Soi 76, have received backing from local residents. The 71.87-million-baht project will cover the route from Hua Hin Railway Station to the junction with Naresdamri Road.
Residents approved the proposal by a show of hands during a public consultation held on Monday. Continued …
Vascular health seminar set for Sept 26
Be Well Medical Center and BPK9 International Hospital are teaming up to host an interactive health seminar in Hua Hin focusing on common vascular diseases and circulation problems.
Taking place on Saturday, Sept. 2 at iSanook Resort in Khao Takiab, the session will cover three important areas: varicose veins, blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and arterial health and circulation. Continued …
Intercontinental Hua Hin named best pet-friendly hotel
InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has been named The Most Favorite Pet-Friendly Hotel at the 16th AROUND AWARDS 2026. The annual awards, organized as part of AROUND Magazine’s 16th anniversary, recognize hotels, restaurants and lifestyle businesses across Thailand.
The resort offers several facilities and activities for guests traveling with pets, including space to play at Art Botanic Garden, a dedicated pet pool, mini-train rides and pet ice cream. Continued …
Thailand 2026 dengue cases reach 21,620, with 31 deaths
Thailand has recorded 21,620 dengue infections and 31 deaths so far this year, as the seasonal outbreak continues to gather pace, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said yesterday.
The figures cover Jan. 1 to Aug. 19. While infections remain below both last year’s level and the 2026 forecast, the upward trend is continuing during dengue season, according to Dr. Anek Mungaomklang, the DDC’s deputy director-general at the Ministry of Public Health. Continued …
Thai police seize 7,872 guns in 15-day crackdown
Thai police say they arrested suspects in 7,261 firearms-related cases and seized 7,872 guns during a nationwide 15-day crackdown between Aug. 12-26.
The operation targeted illegal guns, military weapons, ammunition, explosives and imitation firearms, as well as unlawful sales conducted both in person and through social-media channels. Continued …
Pattaya readies for USS Abraham Lincoln crew
Pattaya is preparing for the influx of US Navy personnel when the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and two accompanying vessels are scheduled to dock at Laem Chabang from Sept. 2-6.
Around 5,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel are believed to be aboard the carrier. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet said the city was ready to receive those who are permitted to come ashore for rest after a lengthy Middle East deployment. Continued …
Citizenship bust targets 5,000 ‘fake Thais’ in Chiang Mai
Local officials and migrants were among 20 suspects arrested in Chiang Mai as part of a fake citizenship bust believed to involve about 5,000 “fake Thais” made in just one district.
Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit said that about 200 police and administrative officials made the arrests while raiding the places of suspects in Chai Prakan district yesterday morning, as they found a network of fake Thai citizenship issuance there. Continued …
Iran says US sanctions will achieve nothing
Iran’s president insisted yesterday the United States would achieve nothing with its new sanctions campaign after Washington laid out plans to collapse the country’s economy.
Almost six months into their war, the two sides are locked in a stalemate, with Iran keeping the key Strait of Hormuz shut and Washington persisting with a naval counter-blockade of Iran. Continued …
How US Cold War support accelerated Thailand’s rise in Southeast Asia
American money, military spending and technical assistance helped Thailand build roads, airports and modern institutions while neighboring states faced wars. The transformation brought rapid growth, but also strengthened military rule and widened social inequality.
The Friendship Highway between Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima looks like an ordinary part of Thailand’s transport network today. When the 147-kilometer road opened in 1958, however, it represented a profound shift in the country’s development. Continued …
The billion-dollar data center question: How much does Thailand gain?
Data centers have dominated the discourse in Thailand over the past year, becoming a symbol of technological advancement and innovation and evidence that Thailand is capturing a valuable component of the AI value chain.
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has labeled data centers the golden child of the country’s investment pipeline, with total investment value already surpassing 700 billion baht and spanning 42 projects between 2024 and now. Continued …
Thai MPC holds 1% policy rate while economic growth remains subdued
Don Nakornthab, secretary of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), announced the committee voted unanimously to keep the policy rate unchanged at 1% per annum. The technology and artificial intelligence (AI) cycle continues to provide momentum to the Thai economy, but growth remains low and uneven, he said.
Inflation is lower than previously projected, he added, although it is expected to rise over the remainder of 2026 and into early 2027. Continued …
Thai vehicle sales rise 20% in July, led by EVs
New vehicle sales in Thailand increased by over 20% to 59,196 units in July, up from 49,102 units a year earlier, according to the latest data released by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
The market was driven higher by continued strong demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), sales of which surged by 122% year-on-year to 20,990 units last month, while sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) passenger cars declined by 35% to 7,553 units. Continued …
Thailand is caught in the tourism trap
For two decades, Thailand was regarded as a sure-fire success story in the Asian travel industry. In 2019, the last year before the pandemic, just under 40 million international visitors traveled to the country, generating revenue of around three trillion baht.
That level is now further out of reach than the official statements of recent years would have suggested. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has lowered its forecast for 2026 to between 30 and 34 million international arrivals, a decline of around 18% compared with the original target. Continued …
Airport high-speed rail contractor bows out – again
A CP-linked company has reaffirmed its intention to exercise its right to end the public-private partnership for Thailand’s three-airport high-speed rail project, raising the possibility that it will stop operating the Airport Rail Link on Sept. 30.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Asia Era One Co. had sent a second letter to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), maintaining its request to exercise its right to terminate the partnership contract. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi roadworks to disrupt terminal access
Passengers heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport face seven months of traffic diversions on the elevated roads serving the passenger terminal, starting on Aug.31. The maintenance program will run until April 7, 2027, affecting elevated access routes to and from the terminal, which connect with Motorway No. 7, the Bangkok-Chonburi route.
Three lanes in affected sections will be closed in phases during the work, leaving two lanes open through diversions. Airport authorities warned that this could lead to slower traffic, particularly at busy times. Continued …
Thai passport placed 99th worldwide
Thailand’s passport has been ranked 99th worldwide by Passport Reports, with a mobility score of 93. The assessment places Thailand fifth among the 11 ASEAN countries and 21st among 50 Asian countries assessed.
The score should not be read as visa-free access to 93 countries. It combines 40 fully visa-free destinations, 48 where a visa on arrival or another facilitated entry process is available, and five destinations requiring an electronic travel authorization (eTA). A conventional visa or other advance approval is still needed for 105 destinations, representing 53% of those covered in the report. Continued …
The restaurants Anthony Bourdain visited in Thailand (and what he ate there)
While devout foodies will say he never really leaves the conversation, A24’s recent release of “Tony” arguably catapults the late chef, author, and television host back into the mainstream. Having visited Thailand several times, we put together a kind of checklist of restaurants in Bangkok and Chiang Mai that Anthony Bourdain once visited. True fans will know: he would have hated this listicle.
For many people, Bourdain’s first book, Kitchen Confidential, completely changed perceptions around life in the kitchen and the restaurant industry as a whole. Shattering stereotypes many may have had around the prestigious world of fine dining (verbal abuse, drug abuse, and the secrets of your brunch-time Hollandaise), the brilliant chef-turned-author wrote with incredible relatability, and a refreshingly raw honesty. Continued …
A Glimpse of Solar Energy in Thailand
Thailand is among the countries in Southeast Asia that are beginning the transition to solar energy. Yet, the journey was not sleek at first. With less than two megawatts (MW) of installed capacity, Thailand’s solar power business was at a halt in 2008.
However, the government was beginning to provide incentives for renewable energy providers, and the cost of technology was decreasing. Also, the country’s concerns over the past decade have changed from depleting domestic gas supplies to figuring out how rapidly it can increase its solar energy capacity. Solar is presently at the center of energy security, trade competitiveness, and rural development. Continued …
Grid modernization strengthens Thailand’s clean energy shift
Thailand’s move toward cleaner energy is putting greater pressure on the country’s electricity network to accommodate more renewable power while maintaining reliability, affordability and system stability.
As climate change intensifies, governments and businesses are accelerating efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Thailand has also stepped up its environmental ambitions, with a national target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Continued …
Green Rules, Real Risk: Thailand’s Trade Survival Test
Since Aug. 12, any Thai exporter shipping packaged goods into the EU has technically fallen under the bloc’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) – whether they know it or not.
Combined with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), now in its financial phase, the rules mark a structural shift in how Europe, Thailand’s fourth-largest export market, decides who gets shelf space. EXIM Thailand, the state export credit agency, has already warned that unprepared exporters risk losing orders outright. Continued …
Sustainability is the new standard for Thai businesses
As the world shifts toward a greener future, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) is stepping up to ensure Thai businesses don’t just survive, but thrive.
In this exclusive interview, Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, explains: Why sustainability is no longer an “option” but a compulsory requirement for global trade, and more. Video …
The ongoing war against Thailand’s eco-defenders
Thailand is facing a double crisis: an overwhelming volume of illegally dumped hazardous waste and a deadly climate of intimidation against activists trying to stop it.
In Prachin Buri province, environmental campaigner Sumet Rienpongnam now lives with a bounty of 2 million baht on his head. Sumet, 54, began campaigning when the stench from a local dump site spread across his community, causing daily misery. Continued …
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Chinese-funded factory in Chonburi shut over buried waste – Continued …
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Chinese smuggling suspect arrested in Chiang Rai – Continued …
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Ukrainian arrested in Buriram after gun report – Continued …
Hundreds of tourists and locals feared dead after devastating flash floods in Nepal
At least 160 people are known to have died in massive flash floods and mudslides that engulfed a remote region on the Nepal-Tibet border. Hundreds more people, including travelers from many countries, are missing following the catastrophe. The missing tourists include more than 100 from India, 54 from the US, and 33 from the UK, as well as more than 100 from Nepal itself, according to Nepal’s tourist board. The area is popular with pilgrims and trekkers. Video …
Glacier collapse may have triggered Nepal-Tibet floods
The collapse of the lower section of a Himalayan glacier may have unleashed the ice, rock and sediment that caused catastrophic flooding near Nepal’s border with Tibet, although experts have not established why the glacier failed. Satellite images indicated that part of the glacier broke away at an altitude of about 5,200 meters before plunging approximately 1,200 meters onto the valley floor. Continued …
Canada renews push to boycott US products
Philippe Meranger just finished his grocery shopping in Montreal. The 61-year-old held several products under his arm as he said: “Tariffs hurt our economy, but they force us to buy Canadian. And I’m all for that.” Continued …
Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City proposes curbs on gasoline, diesel vehicles
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s commercialhub, is proposing to gradually restrict gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles from its downtown area from mid-2027 as part of a planned low-emission zone (LEZ). Under the proposal, the city would pilot the LEZ from July 2027 in its core downtown area and the new Thu Thiem urban area, which covers roughly 930 hectares (3.59 square miles). 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
21 provinces face heavy rain as depression strengthens
Flood conditions in Nan and Sukhothai have begun to improve, but another 7-9 storms could form before the end of the current storm season, climate and disaster specialist Seree Supratid has warned.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) Yodchanan Wongsawat ordered the rehabilitation and restoration of public utilities today in flood-ravaged Pua and Wiang Sa districts of Nan province, as floodwater is steadily receding.
An Israeli property developer and his wife, arrested in a Koh Samui investigation into alleged nominee-shareholder arrangements, say a Thai lawyer and accountant were responsible for guiding their business setup.
Thai authorities have searched three locations in Pattaya and Bang Lamung as part of an investigation into suspected Thai nominee arrangements used to hold land and run businesses for foreigners.
Thai teenage singer-guitarist Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, has been selected to receive the Best New International Artiste 2026 award at The Phil Lynott Convention in Ireland, marking another milestone in the 16-year-old Phuket musician’s growing international career.
Thailand’s electronics industry is entering a significant upcycle, as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers accelerate global demand for components, with a clear impact on the country’s production base.
Investments and fishing communities clash in Rayong
Thailand’s grip on China’s vast tourism market is slipping, as safety fears drive holidaymakers toward fast-rising Vietnam. The kingdom now expects only 5.1 million Chinese arrivals, less than half its 2019 total.
Thai Airways is set to resume direct non-stop services between Bangkok and Auckland ahead of schedule, with launch plans brought forward by a year to March 2027.
Somsak Pu Ob: The Master of Bangkok’s Crab Glass Noodles
Thailand, done differently
Heavy rain and flash floods threaten upper Thailand
Bangkok gun dealers say Thailand’s long-running firearms import ban is forcing some businesses to seek other income, while proposed new restrictions could further reduce legal sales.
Thai and Australian Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese yesterday signed two joint statements on upgrading strategic partnership in four areas, across trade, law enforcement, defense and innovation, after their full-scale bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.
Thailand’s exports and private investment are expected to remain important drivers of economic growth after gross domestic product expanded by only 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday.
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index rose for a second straight month in July due to strong electric vehicle (EV) sales and government support measures, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported yesterday. The federation’s industrial sentiment index rose to 90.0 in July from 88.2 in June.
Data from CBRE Research showed that the downtown Bangkok condominium market recorded more new project launches in the first half of 2026 than in the same period a year earlier. Luxury and super-luxury developments were the main drivers, with both segments again attracting developers’ attention.
Southeast Asian nations are close to finalizing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a landmark regional pact designed to govern their digital economy, projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030.
Foreigners arriving in Thailand may be asked by immigration to show they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. Depending on the entry route, the stated requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport.
“Oh, we’re on the wrong side of the road,” I blurted out as I hopped into our van after landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. “It’s not the wrong side,” said Lisa, the journalist I was traveling with. “It’s a different side.”
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na, a rare window into Bangkok’s royal past
A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that Thailand can accelerate rooftop solar deployment by reforming its current solar policies. This would reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), improve energy security, and limit future pressure on rising electricity costs.
The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed yesterday, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fueled in part by President Donald Trump’s invalidated tariffs. 
Portugal’s president has enacted a law pushed by the far right banning the concealment of faces in public, a measure widely seen as targeting Muslim women wearing a full-face veil. 
A Western content creator has warned foreigners against moving to Thailand without a clear financial plan, saying many end up “packing up and going home” after under estimating their costs.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) yesterday removed a street lighting charge from public electricity bills, leading to 6-satang reduction in the rate to 3.89 baht a unit from next month (September). The rate structure for residential electricity has also been adjusted, with the first 200 units capped at 3 baht per unit.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has called on mobile phone users to finish mandatory SIM identity verification and update their information by Aug. 30 as it seeks to combat mule accounts and technology crime.
Thailand is moving toward more targeted regulation of ride-hailing and on-demand delivery platforms, as each of the markets consolidates around two dominant players, with competition authorities preparing new guidelines to address structural barriers, algorithmic practices and potential abuses of market power.
The government’s upcoming measures to screen data center investment projects in Thailand are designed to safeguard electricity security without derailing the country’s ambition to attract foreign capital into this fast-growing industry, says an energy official who requested anonymity.
At least 11 French nationals who were arrested in Thailand with cannabis in their luggage, claimed they were deceived into carrying “locked bags” in exchange for free holidays.
Chinese arrivals target set at 5.1 million this year
Thai authorities have resolved a major administrative backlog dating back to 2018 by issuing hotel licenses to 275 properties in Phuket as part of a broader government drive to regulate unlicensed hospitality businesses and crack down on illegal foreign nominee operations.
Thailand Outlines Plan to Commercialize 231 Forgotten Heritage Dishes
Long before modern advocacy, romantic and deeply intimate bonds between women existed behind the closed doors of the ancient Thai royal courts. Known traditionally as “Len Puean” (เล่นเพื่อน), these relationships were a recognized, if sometimes hushed, part of court culture.
From the Elephant Sanctuaries of Thailand
I was in Thailand this week visiting my wife’s family and I had to satisfy some professional curiosity and see what was going on in the country’s cannabis market for myself.
Hundreds of thousands of gig workers in Australia have been granted a huge pay rise from next week under a decision by the country’s workplace relations tribunal lauded as “world-leading”. The order from the Fair Work Commission, issued Tuesday, will see delivery drivers working for online platforms such as UberEats and HungryPanda earn Aus$31.30 (731.56 baht) an hour. 
Tourism of Si Khiri Khan Festival opens at Hua Hin train station
The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin has announced that its 16th Amateur Charity Golf Classic will take place at Pineapple Valley Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 27. The annual tournament is one of the club’s main fundraising events, with proceeds supporting community projects, medical institutions and schools in Hua Hin and other areas.
Thailand’s sex trade remains illegal, but its presence is highly visible from Soi Cowboy in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area to Pattaya’s Walking Street, where nightlife businesses continue to draw visitors from around the world.
Thailand is recording between 8,000 and 9,000 new HIV infections a year, more than eight times the target of under 1,000 annual cases needed for the country to end AIDS as a public health problem by 2030.
US President Donald Trump has introduced new compensation demands in negotiations with Iran, further complicating efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran set conditions of its own for ending the confrontation.
Oil prices rose to their highest levels in nearly two weeks today after negotiations between the United States and Iran over a peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz reached an impasse, while Asian stock markets traded cautiously ahead of key US inflation data.
Thailand is pressing China for deeper use of local materials and suppliers, wider market access for Thai SMEs and investment in agricultural processing. It seeks to reduce a trade imbalance that could reach a cumulative 12.14 trillion baht over 2016-2026.
Thailand’s trade with its free trade agreement partners rose by 21.8% year on year to US$243.67 billion in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than half of the country’s total global trade.
Thailand’s unemployment rate remains relatively low, but the labor market is showing signs of weakening, says SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), the research arm of Siam Commercial Bank.
To qualify for the government subsidy for installing rooftop solar panels, households must have a minimum monthly electricity bill of around 3,000 baht, according to the Finance Ministry.
The contiguous United States sizzled to its hottest month ever last month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July averaged 76.89 degrees Fahrenheit (24.94 degrees Celsius) across the lower 48 states, eclipsing the Dust Bowl’s July 1936 by an eighth of a degree. Records go back to 1895. – USA Today
At least 132 people have died, and 570 have been injured as a result of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck earlier yesterday, according to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities, which earlier took part in an disaster response meeting with the president. 
Torrential rain from Typhoon Dolphin flooded roads and commercial areas across Shanghai yesterday, forcing the city’s two airports to cancel 943 flights and reducing their combined capacity by nearly 40%. 
A majority of Americans across the political divide support stronger government oversight of social media companies, including age-verification requirements intended to prevent children under 16 from using their platforms. 
Father after father Agence France-Presse (AFP) spoke to in Afghanistan about the education ban that stops their daughters going beyond primary school choked up in despair. The pain and anguish it is causing behind closed doors is clear from interviews AFP conducted across the country, with even deeply religious fathers questioning the ruling. 
AGT gives Nene Royal’s Judges’ Callbacks performance early release
Egg prices have climbed to a two-year high of 4 baht each, driven by reduced supplies due to hot weather and high animal feed prices. Prices are expected to ease in October as climate conditions improve.
The government will review its fiscal position before deciding whether to proceed with the second phase of the “Thais Help Thais Plus” co-payment scheme or revise its conditions.
Regional airport upgrade plan takes off
Ukrainians have adopted the term “safari” to describe drones “hunting down” civilians or vehicles in the street – something residents of Kherson, a smaller southern city on the front line, have long suffered from. The viral video of a vegetable seller being targeted by a bomb-laden drone has highlighted the threat faced by residents of the city. 
Hong Kong’s tourism industry has called for more experiential events, enhanced transport measures and closer cross-border cooperation to draw overnight visitors, after tourist spending fell to HK197.5 billion (830 billion baht) last year, 44% below its 2018 level. 
Thailand has been named the world’s fourth best retirement destination in a new index comparing all 192 UN member states. Malaysia, Panama and Portugal took the top three places in RUMAVI’s inaugural Global Relocation Index, published in July.
A weather warning has been issued for Prachual Khiri Khan Province for today through Sunday, with heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides and rough sea conditions possible across the province.
Huay Mongkol robe ceremony to be held this weekend
PKK takes on human-elephant conflict problems
A new initiative connecting wellness with community and environmental sustainability, “Friends of Chiva-Som 2026” brings together industry advocates, including Global Wellness Day Founder Belgin Aksoy, to support healthcare outreach and conservation efforts.
Petrol and gasohol prices at major filling stations across Thailand fell by 0.70 baht per liter from today, while diesel prices remained unchanged.
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani has temporarily closed to tourists after a staff member died while on duty in what officials believe was a tiger attack.
Prepared food prices expected to increase
Thailand’s headline consumer price index rose 1.95% in July from a year earlier, slowing from 2.42% in June and coming in below market expectations, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, reported that Thailand exported 3.28 million tons of rice in the first six months of 2026, from January to June, down 18.8% from the same period a year earlier. Shipments were worth more than US$1.911 billion.
Thailand bets big on AI despite talent shortage
The 60-day visa exemption is still on the books, but the shortcuts around it are closing. Land border crossings are now capped at two visa-exempt entries per calendar year, and immigration officers are actively enforcing proof of onward travel, confirmed accommodation, and a 20,000 baht cash reserve at the border. If your plan for staying in Thailand long-term was another border run, that plan no longer works.
Thailand is preparing for a historic step in space exploration, with a Thai-designed and developed scientific payload set to travel to the Moon as part of China’s Chang’e 7 mission on Aug. 24.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has intensified enforcement against cannabis businesses, inspecting 1,326 shops since October 2025 and seizing products worth more than 109 million baht.
Thailand’s crackdown on nominee structures used to hold property on behalf of foreign interests is creating new pressure on the luxury housing and condominium markets, as authorities intensify checks on ownership arrangements in the real estate sector.
Phantong Loykulnanta, director-general of the Customs Department, reported that Thailand’s international trade reached B21.4 trillion in the first 10 months of fiscal 2026. The figure was close to the full-year total of B22 trillion recorded the previous year.
Robot Supply Chain Comes to Thailand: Inside China’s Humanoid Push into the EEC
As the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to introduce a 3% hotel tax to increase revenue, the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has urged the authority to begin with a lower rate of 0.5%-1% and provide additional support to help tourism operators affected by the Middle East conflict.
Siam Legal Phuket is noting that Phuket’s first-half 2026 tourism figures, which show the island attracted nearly 7 million visitors and generated 263 billion baht in revenue between January and June, reflect a structural shift in how foreign nationals are engaging with Thailand rather than simply a strong season for the hospitality sector.
Twelve people were injured after an Air India Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence yesterday, forcing some passengers who were not wearing seatbelts into the cabin ceiling.
Thailand is strengthening its tourism links with Indonesia through agreements with TransNusa Airlines and Traveloka, as it seeks to attract 890,000 Indonesian visitors in 2026.
Edwin Salas watched as the first of 20 solar panels was installed on the roof of his home, joining a Philippine solar energy boom sent into overdrive by the Middle East war. The country’s eye-watering electric bills – the highest in the region – were the primary driver of his decision, he said. Regular brownouts were a factor, too. 
Hua Hin has a new Taco Bell, which opened a new branch on Phetkasem Road, near the Hua Hin Clock Tower.
Appetite grows for Talay Noi swamp buffalo meat
Thailand will not face a crude oil shortage in August despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, as supply remains sufficient for all six domestic refineries, according to the Department of Energy Business (DOEB).
The Thai baht is trading near its weakest level in over 15 months against the US Dollar, as a confluence of external pressures continues to erode its value. The currency’s decline has been driven by a renewed spike in oil prices, compounded by a firmer USD and rising US Treasury yields.
When Thailand’s Revenue Department released its latest personal income tax filing figures, the headline number was not the roughly 12 million people who submitted a return. It was the much smaller group behind it: an estimated 5 million filers, or around 40%of those who filed, who actually owed any tax at all.
Here he goes again. US President Donald Trump is increasing and decreasing tariffs willy-nilly, violating international agreements that he himself signed and almost surely violating federal law. The only difference this time is that he has a new pretext for abusing tariffs: stopping forced labor.
Trade deficit marks a sea change
Private consumption in Thailand increased by 1.1% month-on-month in June, accelerating from 0.6% in the previous month. It marked the second straight month of growth, driven mainly by stronger spending on non-durable goods amid higher consumer goods sales following government stimulus measures, as well as improved fuel consumption as retail fuel prices declined and sales returned closer to normal levels.
Inviting the fury of the Thai public on a matter that is admittedly done and dusted, I cannot help but feel compelled to at least voice my misgivings over the recent “noisy Italian students” incident, especially how it played out compared with another similar occurrence.
Bangkok’s Chao Phraya draws new hotels, attractions and megaprojects
Thailand launches 10 hiking schools for responsible forest tourism
Footage from a hotel in Krabi is leaving viewers unsettled after a couple reportedly discovered a large cobra lurking near their bed before sunrise.One of the guests initially treated the commotion as just being startled from a bad dream or some other misunderstanding. Only moments later did they realize why their partner had suddenly woken up and run from the room in a panic at about 5 am.
The History of Talad Noi
Thailand must accelerate its transition to advanced green manufacturing if it hopes to remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-driven global economy, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Waste is often seen as the inevitable by-product of economic growth. In reality, it may become one of the most valuable resources economies possess.
Data center race faces power, water logjam
At least five people have died and 41 remain missing after an Indonesian ferry caught fire off Madura island in East Java, authorities said. Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said the ferry was carrying 271 passengers and crew, of whom 225 had been rescued by yesterday afternoon. A search and rescue operation was still under way. 
Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab Aug. 28-30, featuring local food, fresh seafood, cooking competitions and live entertainment. The three-day festival will bring together restaurants, hotels and food businesses from Hua Hin and Cha-am, giving visitors the opportunity to sample regional dishes beside the beach.
New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule
A nine-day Hua Hin cultural tourism event will be held at the old Hua Hin Railway Station Aug. 10-18, showcasing the art, culture and historical identity of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Thailand has launched a digital application that allows diners to find certified street-food vendors, forming part of a government program to raise operating standards and expand market opportunities for small businesses.
Concerns over children’s mental health is renewing debate whether excessive use of mobile devices is harming academic performance and learning capability, while boosting social isolation and criminal behavior influenced by online personalities.
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a native plant closely associated with local ways of life and traditional Thai medicine. Its removal from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021 marked an important turning point, opening the way for broader research, economic value creation and commercial development.
A police sergeant fought back after being shot in a daylight ambush by four gunmen in Thailand’s insurgency-hit deep south yesterday, returning fire despite a bullet wound before his attackers escaped by motorcycle and boat.
Amid a slowing economy and intense competition in the property market, developers of new housing projects are accelerating promotional campaigns offering discounts, giveaways and added incentives.
Despite US efforts to impose tariffs, Thai exports to America expanded over the first nine months of the fiscal year, up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion baht. In contrast, exports to China grew by only 0.78%, totaling 1 trillion baht.
The private sector is optimistic that new US tariffs will not have a major impact on Thai exports, though businesses are urging the government to expedite trade negotiations to enhance the country’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s leading healthcare providers, has unveiled WellEra Bangkok, an approximately US$865 million (THB 29 billion) wellness-integrated development that reimagines how the built environment can actively support healthier, longer lives.
The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status
The world is sinking under more than 460 million tons of plastic waste each year. More alarming than the figure itself is the fact that about 19 million tons escape into the environment, wreaking havoc, damaging biodiversity, worsening the greenhouse-gas crisis and ultimately harming our own health.