• Hua Hin Airport Upgrade/Canadian teacher held in PKK/Overhaul of alcohol tax structure/Rainy-season diseases and hazards/Influenza cases top 170,000/Heavy rain forecast /Anatomy of Laos cave rescue/Hope for two missing/Thai TV faces ‘slow collapse’/Police Block Gambling URLs
• THE IRAN WAR: ASEAN factories face closures/Soaring prices jeopardize tourism-dependent countries
• ECONOMY: Thais Help Thais Plus/Economy turning its back on small concerns/Thailand as advanced AI hub
• TOURISM: Rising Dine-and-Dash Cases
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thai destinations earn global recognition
• CLIMATE THAILAND: AI global disputes over power, water/Data center energy concerns/Kok River pollution threat
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Hua Hin Airport Upgrade Targets International Flights

Thailand is accelerating infrastructure upgrades at Hua Hin Airport in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, with a road tunnel and runway safety area expansion scheduled for completion by August. The project aims to meet international safety standards, secure an operating certificate, and attract foreign airlines to launch direct international services, supporting tourism and economic growth in the region.

The development forms part of the government’s wider strategy to stimulate regional economies and strengthen tourism in secondary cities. Authorities aim to position Hua Hin as a major gateway for the upper south and the Gulf of Thailand coast, while creating new opportunities for local businesses and communities. Continued … 

Canadian teacher held in Prachuap Kiri Khan for child sex abuse

A former Canadian teacher was arrested in Prachuap Kiri Khan province for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl during a private tutoring session at her home in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested the 68-year-old Canadian national, identified only as James, yesterday. Police said he previously worked as a mathematics teacher and assistant director at an international school in Nakhon Ratchasima. Continued … 

Panel calls for overhaul of alcohol tax structure

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has recommended restructuring the alcoholic beverage tax system to help reduce consumption.

Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the NESDC, said consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes increased during the quarter. Alcoholic beverages, which have a negative effect on public health, should be reconsidered in terms of tax structure, he noted. Continued … 

DDC warns over rainy-season diseases and hazards

Dr. Montien Kanasawadse, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said Thailand had now entered the rainy season, which starts in mid-May and lasts until around mid-October. This has brought continuous rain to many areas, damp conditions, and possible thunderstorms in several parts of the country.

Such changing weather conditions are conducive to the spread of communicable diseases and increase the risk of various health hazards. The DDC has therefore issued an announcement entitled “Prevention of diseases and health hazards occurring during Thailand’s rainy season, 2026”. Continued … 

Influenza cases top 170,000 nationwide

Dr. Montien Kanasawat, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said data from the Digital Disease Surveillance (DDS) system of the Division of Epidemiology for 2026, as of May 28, showed 171,731 cumulative influenza cases and 16 deaths.

The top three age groups by illness rate began with children aged 5–9. They were followed by children aged 0–4 and 10–14, respectively. Cases were trending below the level seen in the same period last year, but remained higher than the five-year median. Continued … 

Heavy rain forecast as strong monsoon grips Thailand

The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of continued rain across Thailand today, with heavy downpours in several areas and isolated very heavy rain expected along the south’s west coast.

Thunderstorms are expected in 60% of the south’s east coast area. Heavy rain in some places, especially Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Minimum temperature: 23-26°C. Maximum temperature: 32-36°C.sSouthwesterly winds: 20-35 km/h. Continued … 

Anatomy of the Laos cave rescue

The five villagers found alive in a partially flooded cave in Xaysomboun province in Laos are all now reported to have been extracted by specialist cave-divers.

The successful operation followed what was effectively a “trial run”, when members of the international cave-rescue team helped the first of the trapped men effectively to scuba dive for 10 minutes through a zero-visibility underwater passage. The entire extraction had taken 37 minutes. Continued … 

New knocking sounds offer hope for two missing in Laos cave

A rappeling rescue team descending into a vertical shaft above a cave in their search for the two still missing Laotians heard knocking sounds again this afternoon, which they do not believe were echoes.

Thai chief rescuer Kengkaj Bongkawong said, in an update clip posted on social media, that the knocking sounds were first heard yesterday and again this afternoon, raising hopes that rescuers may be able to locate the pair. Continued … 

Thai TV faces ‘slow collapse’

Thailand’s television industry is at risk of a “slow collapse”, with a 75% chance of gradual deterioration if no structural reforms are introduced by the government and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), veteran journalist Suthichai Yoon has warned.

The warning is based on research by a Srinakharinwirot University team, supported by the Thai Media Fund, which examined possible futures for Thai television over the next decade. Continued … 

Police Block 717,425 Gambling URLs Across Thailand

Thai police have blocked 717,425 gambling-related URLs and social media channels across Thailand as part of an intensified crackdown on online betting, particularly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet has ordered a nationwide campaign targeting all forms of online gambling. Measures include investigations, arrests, and the blocking of websites and social media platforms used to promote gambling. Continued …

ASEAN factories face closures and layoffs as war-driven cost shock spreads

Factories across Southeast Asia are beginning to close and cut jobs as war-driven increases in raw-material, energy, and shipping costs squeeze manufacturers, exposing a widening divide between booming electronics exporters and struggling industries such as furniture, footwear, plastics, and local manufacturing.

While strong production in electronics has helped keep headline economic indicators looking relatively resilient, economists and industry leaders warn that deeper stress is spreading through small and medium-sized enterprises across the region. Continued … 

Soaring prices during the Iran war jeopardize travel to tourism-dependent countries in Asia

With summer around the corner, soaring prices and other complications from the war with Iran are straining the tourism-dependent economies of countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Vietnam.

The region’s peak tourist summer season is at risk as elevated jet fuel costs coupled with ceasefire uncertainties prompt flight cancellations and higher ticket prices. Some families are pulling back on travel as visiting gas stations and grocery stores gets more expensive worldwide. Crowds have thinned at some places once synonymous with travel. Continued … 

Thais Help Thais Plus spending tops 797 million baht on first day

Thailand’s Thais Help Thais Plus (60/40) scheme recorded a strong response on its first day, with total spending exceeding 797 million baht within hours of the program opening for use.

The Fiscal Policy Office under the Ministry of Finance said that as of 3 pm yesterday more than 3.82 million people had successfully used their benefits, while over 860,000 shops nationwide had joined the scheme. Continued … 

Economy dominated by geopolitics turning its back on small concerns – Commerce Minister

Thailand’s economy may be growing faster than expected, but Commerce Minister Supajee Suthamphan has warned that the recovery is increasingly turning its back on small business concerns. Behind soaring exports, rising investment and stronger GDP growth lies a widening divide, with large corporations capturing up to 90% of export growth while many SMEs struggle for finance, technology and market access.

At the same time, Thailand faces mounting pressure from trade tensions, climate risks, rising costs, trade deficits and intensifying US-China rivalry. As officials push to strengthen domestic supply chains and secure new trade deals, Supajee has delivered a stark warning that growth alone is no longer enough if most Thai businesses are being left behind. Continued … 

WHA touts Thailand as advanced AI hub

The government should accelerate infrastructure development to strengthen Thailand’s position as a leading destination for foreign investment in advanced industries, particularly those involving artificial intelligence (AI), says WHA Corp., which operates industrial estates, logistics, utilities, and power businesses.

Group Chief Executive Jareeporn Jarukornsakul stressed that Thailand must move beyond being a passive user of AI technologies and instead establish itself as a regional hub, leveraging unique local datasets to strengthen national resilience and generate high-value jobs. Continued … 

Thailand Restaurants Hit by Rising Dine-and-Dash Cases

Small restaurants across Thailand’s tourist destinations are reporting a growing number of cases involving foreign visitors who consume food and drinks before refusing to pay, leaving business owners with limited legal options to recover losses.

One widely shared incident occurred on April 26 in Mai Khao, Phuket, when a Russian couple underpaid a restaurant bill by 120 baht. When confronted by the owner, the couple reportedly told her to call the police, claiming officers could do nothing. Continued … 

Thai destinations earn global tourism recognition

Thailand’s tourism sector is continuing to gain global momentum, with several destinations across the country earning top rankings and international recognition in 2025-2026.

Thailand’s tourist destinations have received rankings and honors from several global platforms, reinforcing confidence in the country as a key destination for travelers worldwide. Continued … 

AI data center boom triggers global disputes over power and water

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now growing rapidly, forcing the accelerated construction of enormous data centers, large-scale facilities for processing and storing vast volumes of data, around the world.

But data centers also consume large amounts of electricity and water, prompting residents in many countries to oppose them over fears of higher power bills and environmental damage. Continued … 

Data center firm highlights data center energy concerns

ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (STT GDC) urged the government to secure sufficient electricity supply, explore the establishment of small modular nuclearreactors, and keep power prices competitive for the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven economy.

“Apart from Indonesia, Thailand is one of the highest-growth markets within our footprint in the Southeast Asian region, which comprises more than 100 facilities across 12 global markets with a total capacity exceeding 2 gigawatts,” said Budsarin Pradityont, country head at ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (Thailand), also known as STT GDC Thailand. Continued … 

Kok River pollution threat persists

The government should treat transboundary pollution in the Kok River basin as a national agenda issue, the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) says, as the threat to locals’ health and incomes persists.

Toxic contamination from heavy metals could create severe long-term health, economic, and environmental consequences for communities in the north, it warned. Continued … 

• Police Raid Unlicensed Indian Nightclub in Pattaya – Continued … 

• Foreigner confronts Phuket police after disturbance, theft attempt – Continued … 

Social media ban begins in Malaysia for under-16s

Malaysia has begun enforcing new social media rules banning children under 16 from having accounts on major online platforms, as the government steps up efforts to protect young users from digital risks. The measure, which took effect yesterday, covers millions of children and teenagers across the country. Continued … 

Hanoi curbs street culture as city clamps down on pavement vendors

The pavements of Hanoi’s wide boulevards and narrow lanes have long been clogged with bustling food stalls, weaving scooters, and crowds of coffee and beer drinkers sitting on low plastic stools. But the spontaneity that charmed tourists and supported street vendors in Vietnam’s capital has subsided in recent months as authorities clamp down on illegal use of footpaths. Continued … 

WHO chief urges stronger Congo response as Ebola outbreak widens

The head of the World Health Organization has ended his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo after briefing President Felix Tshisekedi on the response to the Ebola outbreak, as an aid agency warned that the true scale of the crisis is likely far larger than official figures suggest. The outbreak, already the third-largest on record, went undetected for several weeks, according to health officials. Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

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