- Buddhist Ceremony in Hua Hin/PKK part of tourist rail trips/International migration from West to East /Immigration Struggles to Act on overstayers/B20 billion needed to lift road lights power bill off households/Affordable advanced cancer treatment/Chadchart Wins Second Bangkok Term/Two rangers hurt by wild elephant/Fake Cannabis Prescriptions/Three petrol stations bombed
- THE IRAN WAR: US and Iran agree to pause attacks/More aid for airlines/Plastic shortages causing anxiety
- ECONOMY: ‘Expat Economy’ gathers pace/Gen Z’s penchant for debt worrying/$4 trillion ‘pink economy’ boom/Thailand Opens Rail Network/ASEAN rises as beauty economy hub/Thai cocoa and chocolate products
- TOURISM: Elephant ride ends with mahout death/Thailand tourism yet to recover/365-day tourism strategy/Foreign travelers drive hotel bookings/Thailand Tourism Slowdown/Pattaya bar streets turn to discounts/Short summer trips surge/Airports of Thailand Cuts Growth
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Kai yok krok-Thai Street Food
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Rooftop solar power purchases/Community Forest Restoration
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
PM Anutin Presides Over Buddhist Consecration Ceremony in Hua Hin
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over a Buddhist consecration ceremony for Luang Pu Thuat commemorative amulets at Huay Mongkol Temple in Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, on Saturday.
The ceremony was led by the abbot of Huay Mongkol Temple on behalf of the monastic community. Attendees included Minister of Public Health Pattana Promphat, senior ministry officials, Permanent Secretary for the Interior Unsit Sampuntharat, Prachuap Khiri Khan Gov. Sittichai Sawatsan, government representatives, private-sector guests, and Buddhist devotees. Continued …
PKK part of new nine rainy-season tourist rail trips across Thailand
The State Railway of Thailand is turning the rainy season into a new travel window, launching nine special rail-tourism programs across the country from July to September. The programs are designed to promote rail-based tourism while connecting travelers with nature, local culture, religious traditions, history, and lesser-known destinations in several provinces.
Included is “Sea & Serenity Journey” in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Aug. 15-16, combining beaches, temples, and a rare sugar-palm-wood ordination hall. The trip is priced at 4,499 baht. Continued …
International migration from West to East is a rising phenomenon
Western men and indeed families are moving to Thailand in growing numbers, turning holiday romances into marriages, businesses and permanent new lives as high living costs, remote work, COVID-19 controls, and anger over Western dating culture drive a quieter migration east.
The trend, amplified by Passport Bro influencers, has ignited fierce criticism over sexism and stereotypes. However, interviews from rural Thailand to Pattaya and Bangkok show a broader shift involving families, digital entrepreneurs, falling birth rates, and younger Western men questioning the social settlement and economic policies of the last 60 years. Continued …
Thailand Immigration Flags Overstayers But Struggles to Act
Thailand’s immigration system holds detailed records of foreign arrivals and overstayers but continues to struggle to consistently act on that information, meaning some long-term overstayers are only detected during raids, at departure points, or after unrelated criminal investigations.
The gap between digital records and enforcement has become a recurring issue, with known violations sometimes left unaddressed for months or years despite being visible in official systems. Continued …
B20 billion needed to lift road lights power bill off households
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee will request a 20-billion-baht budget for the state to pay the power bill for road and government organization lighting, as the government moves to end the decades-long practice of passing the cost of public lighting onto householders.
Polapee said he would first discuss budgetary preparation with the energy minister, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, and the Provincial Electricity Authority. He would then present a proposal to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Continued …
Thai university develops affordable advanced cancer treatment
The Faculty of Medicine at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) has developed CAR-T cell therapy, a highly effective and affordable treatment for patients diagnosed with lymphoma, leukemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
CAR-T cell therapy is an advanced, locally developed cancer immunotherapy that programs a patient’s own immune cells to precisely target and destroy cancer cells, providing a highly effective and affordable alternative to imported treatments. Continued …
Chadchart Wins Second Bangkok Term
Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt has declared victory in the Bangkok governor election after unofficial results showed the independent incumbent heading for a landslide second term.
With 89.9% of ballots counted last night, Chadchart had received around 1.444 million votes, compared with 288,171 for his nearest rival, Mallika Boonmeetrakool Mahasuk. The result, pending official certification by the Election Commission, gives him another four years to continue his administration of the capital. Continued …
Two rangers hurt as injured wild elephant charges team in Kui Buri
Two national park rangers were injured after an injured wild elephant charged at a rescue team attempting to provide emergency treatment in Kui Buri National Park, officials said. Officials received an urgent report on Friday that a male wild elephant with small tusks had suffered a serious foot injury.
The elephant’s right rear foot had partially detached, leaving it unable to bear weight on the leg. A veterinary team was dispatched with antibiotics to provide urgent treatment. Continued …
Thailand Cracks Down on Fake Cannabis Prescriptions
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has launched a strict crackdown on the use of forged cannabis prescription forms after uncovering evidence of identity fraud and the online sale of fake documents used to obtain cannabis for recreational purposes.
The investigation found that fake reporting forms were being used to sell cannabis flowers to members of the public without medical examinations or professional consultations. Officials also discovered cases where healthcare practitioners had allegedly signed blank prescription forms, allowing retailers to add details later. Continued …
Three petrol stations bombed in south
Two PT service stations in Pattani province and another in Yala province were set on fire by what appeared to be coordinated bombings last night. One man was injured.
They each targeted a PT station – one in Muang district of Yala and the two others in Sai Buri and Yaring districts of neighboring Pattani. The blasts started fires at all three stations. Continued …
US and Iran agree to pause attacks before the latest negotiations
The United States and Iran have agreed to halt attacks on each other before peace talks resume this week to discuss the Strait of Hormuz and other issues linked to ending the war. The move is seen as a sign of easing tensions after several days of retaliatory attacks that affected a fragile ceasefire agreement.
The exchange of attacks on a vital shipping route for oil and natural gas trade began last Thursday when the Islamic Republic of Iran attacked a container ship. Washington responded by striking Iran the following day. The US then launched another attack on Saturday night after Tehran targeted a ship carrying Qatari oil. Both sides accused the other of violating the ceasefire agreement. Continued …
More aid for airlines hit by Mideast war
The Transport Ministry will extend measures to support airlines affected by unrest in the Middle East, including a 30% reduction in air navigation service charges for domestic flights during July and August, Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit said.
The ministry instructed the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) to continue assistance for airline operators facing rising costs linked to volatility in global energy markets. Continued …
Plastic shortages causing anxiety among Asian small business owners
One of the key raw materials for the production of plastic products is ethylene, which is produced from naphtha – a byproduct of oil refining. Approximately 60% of Asia’s current naphtha imports come from the Gulf region.
Although the US and Iran have reached an agreement to end the conflict, the market needs more time to recover and supply chains to return to normal. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – a strategic global shipping route – remains fraught with uncertainty, continuing to put pressure on commodity prices. Continued …
Foreign consumers become new engine of Thai retail as ‘Expat Economy’ gathers pace
Foreign consumers are emerging as a powerful new driver of Thailand’s retail sector, with average spending 1.5 times higher than that of Thai consumers, as more foreigners choose the country not only for holidays, but also for long-term living, according to The 1 Insight.
The trend reflects the rise of what The 1 describes as the “Expat Economy”, in which long-stay foreign residents and frequent visitors are increasingly shaping demand across major retail categories, from beauty and fashion to groceries, children’s products, home improvement, and health-related goods. Continued …
Gen Z’s penchant for debt worrying for the Thai economy
Thailand is experiencing a continuous deterioration in household credit quality amid expanding household debt, which has risen to 86.7%of national gross domestic product.
The secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Danucha Pichayanan, revealed recently that total household debt had expanded to 16.44 trillion baht, rising from 16.31 trillion baht in the third quarter of 2025. Continued …
Kingdom targets slice of $4 trillion ‘pink economy’ boom
Thailand is eyeing growth in the “global pink economy” as speakers at a forum highlight rising market value, changing consumer behavior and new investment opportunities. Speaking on the topic of “Pink Economy: From Visibility to Economic Value”, Tanachai Kulsomboonsin, chief executive and co-founder of Canvas Ventures International, said awareness of the pink economy has expanded in Thailand over the past two years.
Pink economy refers to the purchasing power of the LGBTQ+ community. The global market is worth about US$4 trillion (about 133.51 trillion baht) and could grow up to $7 trillion within five years. Continued …
Thailand Opens Rail Network to Private Operators
Thailand has officially opened its state-owned railway network to private operators for the first time, allowing companies to apply for track access to run passenger, tourism, and freight train services.
The move follows the publication of the State Railway of Thailand’s 2026 network statement and is intended to make use of unused track capacity while creating new transport options, strengthening logistics, and generating additional revenue for the state. Continued …
ASEAN rises as a new beauty economy hub for global cosmetics
The global beauty industry is no longer being shaped only by Western markets. Southeast Asia, once seen largely as a follower of K-Beauty, J-Beauty, and European brands, is now positioning itself as a beauty economy hub with growing influence over the direction of the global industry.
According to Statista, ASEAN’s beauty and personal-care market is expected to grow strongly, with market value projected at US$7.4 billion in 2026 before rising to more than US$9 billion by 2031. Continued …
Growing global niche market seen for Thai cocoa and chocolate products
Thai cocoa and chocolate products are expected to benefit from a growing but niche global market, particularly for high-value, environmentally friendly, and health-focused products.
Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), said the global cocoa and chocolate market is projected to grow from more than US$55.8 billion in 2025 to more than US$86.5 billion by 2034. Continued …
Elephant ride ends with mahout death, tourist injured
A 20-year-old male elephant used for tourist rides killed its mahout and injured an Omani tourist after becoming agitated in Phang Nga on Saturday. The fatal attack occurred after the elephant reportedly became distressed during a tour carrying two foreign tourists.
Authorities said the elephant attempted to enter a stream, but its mahout used a hook to prevent it from doing so. According to witnesses, the elephant became aggressive, throwing one of the tourists from its back. The injured tourist, a 33-year-old man from Oman, was taken to Phang Nga Hospital for treatment. Continued …
Thailand tourism yet to recover despite 15 million foreign visitors
Thailand’s tourism recovery has yet to fully rebound despite welcoming more than 15 million foreign visitors this year, with international arrivals still falling short of last year’s levels, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Between Jan. 1 and June 20, Thailand welcomed 15,447,571 foreign tourists, generating more than 745.39 billion baht in visitor spending, although arrivals were down 2.8% from the same period in 2025. Continued …
Thailand pushes 365-day tourism strategy
The government is moving ahead with its “Thailand 365 Days” policy to position the country as a year-round, high-value tourism destination, using rising interest in natural attractions and local experiences to spread income beyond major tourist cities and support sustainable growth.
Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, said the strategy is in line with changing global travel trends, as tourists increasingly seek destinations that offer a wide range of experiences, including nature, culture, food, and local lifestyles. Continued …
Foreign travelers drive 96.6% of Thailand’s mid-year hotel bookings
Thailand’s hotel industry is seeing resilient mid-year demand from international travelers, who now account for 96.6% of forward bookings and are reserving rooms earlier than last year, giving operators more room to manage pricing, promotions, and guest experiences.
According to SiteMinder’s mid-year Hotel Booking Trends report, which analyzed hotel stays between June and September across 22 major travel markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, Thailand’s share of forward hotel bookings from international travelers rose from 95.8% in the same period last year. Continued …
Thailand Tourism Slowdown: Why the Extended Green Season Won’t Last
Having lived and worked in Thailand’s hospitality and tourism industry for more than 35 years, I have learned one simple truth: tourism rarely moves in a straight line.
If you were to plot Thailand’s hotel occupancy throughout a typical year, the graph would resemble a series of rolling waves — rising to predictable peaks before settling into seasonal troughs. Today, Thailand finds itself in one of those troughs. Continued …
Pattaya bar streets turn to discounts as June low season bites
Pattaya‘s nightlife strip is leaning hard on discounts and happy hour deals this June, as bar operators describe a slow season where every customer counts. As the sun sets, colored lights flick on and staff step outside with familiar routines: smiles, greetings, and quiet invitations to passing tourists and hotel guests. Behind the lively atmosphere, though, June has become what many in the trade call a “survival month”.
With the low season firmly in place, bars can no longer count on steady walk-ins. Survival now depends on visibility, flexibility, and pricing. Extended happy hours, discounted drinks, and bundled offers have become the main tools for stopping customers who might otherwise walk past. Continued …
Trip.com sees short summer trips surge
Short breaks are becoming one of the defining travel trends of summer 2026, as travelers look for quicker, more flexible escapes without giving up the sense of a rewarding holiday, according to Trip.com Group.
Global travel continued to grow strongly in the first half of 2026, with data from Trip.com Group showing that travelers from mainland China, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia recorded some of the longest cumulative travel distances. Continued …
Airports of Thailand Cuts Growth Forecast
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has sharply reduced its passenger growth forecast for the 2026 fiscal year to possibly below 1%, citing global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, while maintaining expansion plans to meet long-term demand.
The revised forecast marks a significant downgrade from AOT’s earlier projections of 6% growth, later cut to around 3%. The latest reduction follows the impact of conflict in the Middle East, which has driven up aviation fuel prices, increasing operating costs for airlines. Continued …
Kai yok krok-Thai Street Food
Energy Regulatory Commission to open registration for rooftop solar power purchases July 1
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has launched a solar rooftop power purchase program for the public sector. Applications to sell electricity from solar rooftops can begin on July 1.
The purchase price is 2.20 baht per unit, with a 10-year contract. The production capacity is limited to 5 kilowatts per meter. A total of 500 megawatts will be accepted, using a “first come, first served” principle until the quota is reached. Continued …
Mitsubishi Electric Thai Foundation Continues Community Forest Restoration
The Mitsubishi Electric Thai Foundation, together with the Mitsubishi Electric Group companies in Thailand, continues its commitment to natural resource and environmental conservation through the “Community Forest Partnership for Climate Action Project”, now entering its 9th consecutive year.
The project aims to restore community forests, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen the long-term carbon sequestration capacity of the ecosystem at Ban Nong Khro community forest, Wang Dan subdistrict, Kabin Buri District, Prachin Buri Province. Continued …
Australian man confesses to killing teen girl and hiding body
An Australian man has confessed to killing a 17-year-old girl in Pattaya before stuffing her body into a suitcase and dumping it near railway tracks. The victim was found dead in a suitcase abandoned in a grass area beside railway tracks in the Khao Makok area, about 4.2 kilometers from a condominium on Jomtien Second Road where the incident allegedly took place. Continued …
-
Chinese woman linked to huge 20 billion baht fraud arrested in Chiang Mai – Continued …
-
Turk Held With Cocaine at Suvarnabhumi – Continued …
-
Hong Kong Beautician Admits Thailand Scam Lure – Continued …
-
Taiwanese man caught smuggling protected tortoises from Thailand – Continued …
Death Toll From Venezuela Earthquakes Climbs To 1,450
Rescue teams raced yesterday to find more survivors of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week, with signs of life bringing occasional relief to a grim quest to whittle down a list of tens of thousands missing. The death toll from Wednesday’s twin earthquakes rose to at least 1,450 as of Saturday. Continued …
Europe heatwave disrupts power, transport and healthcare systems
Europe faced temperatures of up to 40°C (104°F) yesterday as storms swept other areas, with France reporting 1,000 excess deaths in a record-breaking heatwave. Its public health agency said most heat-related fatalities involved older people and warned the toll was expected to rise as more details emerged from residential care and private homes. Continued …
Putin acknowledges fuel shortages after Ukraine strikes
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the country was suffering from “a certain shortage” of fuel in an interview published by the Kremlin yesterday, after repeated Ukrainian strikes in their four-year war. 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
Thai herbs targeted for pharma use
Thailand seeks solution to human-elephant conflict
Commercial viability key to land bridge, panel says
Tourism operators expect the domestic market will be flat or contract from last year unless the government launches an effective stimulus scheme to increase low-season trips, as Thai household income generation weakened last year.
The Transport Ministry is speeding up infrastructure development to support economic and tourism growth, with the government now positioning Udon Thani as a key mechanism linking the northeast with international markets.
As Thailand advances its “life economy” strategy, Polakit Teekakirikul, CEO of VitalLife, discusses the growing role of science-backed wellness, longevity programs, and partnerships in shaping the country’s tourism offering.
Wellness is a fast-growing industry in Thailand and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), the country’s largest private healthcare group, has set its sights on becoming a global leader. Thailand’s flagbearer for preventative medicine, BDMS has a flagship address in central Bangkok and a portfolio to match, including 60 hospitals, drug-making laboratories, and a nationwide pharmacy with more than 140 stores.
Il dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing. The Italian saying celebrates the simple pleasure of slowing down, something Thailand has long mastered. Beyond its breathtaking landscapes stretching from north to south, the Land of Smiles is renowned for its warm hospitality and deep-rooted wellness traditions, making it a world-class destination for anyone seeking to recharge, both physically and mentally.
WFFT celebrates 25 years
Kui Buri National Park safari vehicle fee rises to 1,200 baht
The government is preparing an integrated approach to improve the management of local water resources, with the goal of tackling floods and drought across all 22 major river basins in the country.
A 21-year-old man survived a serious facial injury after doctors at Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital worked with rescue workers to remove a metal spear more than one meter long embedded in his face.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. is currently in “what some people would call” a war with Iran, a new distinction from the president one day before the Trump administration prepares to cross the 60-day threshold to receive congressional approval for the war or withdraw troops from Iran.
Thailand’s economy is beginning to feel the full force of prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with rising energy costs, weakening demand, and global uncertainty combining to pressure businesses across multiple sectors.
Amid stagflation fears, fledgling Anutin government juggles economic tools
PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Co. (OR) and Bangchak Corp. announced a 60 satang-per-liter increase for diesel B7 and diesel B20. Premium diesel prices were unchanged.
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Rice supply is expected to fall this year as farmers cut planting acreage across Asia because of fertilizer shortages and soaring fuel costs from the Iran war, with an emerging El Nino also set to squeeze output of the world’s most consumed staple.
When the tankers stop, the tractors stop
Thailand is marking Labor Day today, a date that underscores the importance of workers’ rights while also highlighting a long-standing distinction between private-sector employees and civil servants.
The baht is expected to weaken further, possibly testing 33.5 to the US dollar in the near term after the US Federal Reserve caused the dollar to rise by signaling that policy easing is unlikely this year, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).
Fitch Ratings expects the sector outlook for Thai banks to deteriorate this year, despite solid earnings in the first quarter at the six domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs).
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) edged up 0.75% year-on-year to 108.69 points in March amid tensions in the Middle East affecting some industries and discouraging purchases of oil-powered cars, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE).
The government is pushing ahead with the Chumphon-Ranong Land Bridge, a mega-project worth more than 1 trillion baht, and is preparing to submit it to the Cabinet, with construction targeted by 2030. But study findings cited in recent public debate suggest the project may not offer value for money, while civic groups are calling for a review over concerns about environmental damage and the impact on local ways of life.
Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry is facing a sharp slowdown in new bookings as airfares surge by around 20% amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Thailand has evolved into one of Asia’s most established hubs for expats and remote workers, supported by extensive fiber broadband, near-universal mobile coverage, and a growing ecosystem of coworking spaces.
Thai iced tea has been named one of the world’s top 10 non-alcoholic beverages, with TasteAtlas ranking the Thai favorite ninth in its latest global list.
Exploring Koh Yao Noi, a relaxing alternative in Thailand
Three Thai shores make the World’s 50 Best Beaches
Education Minister Prasert Chandraruangthong has announced the government is preparing to pilot solar cell installations in schools, with priority given to institutions facing high electricity costs. The plan will be studied jointly by the ministries of education, interior, energy, and finance to develop a clear implementation framework.
Amata B.Grimm Power 5 has signed an 11.98 megawatt-peak (MWp) floating solar project contract with Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co. (STM).
Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be moved to house arrest, state media reported yesterday, more than five years after the military ousted the civilian government she led and jailed the Nobel laureate. 
US economic growth rebounded less than expected in the first quarter as consumer spending cooled, while inflation surged in March with fallout from the Middle East war beginning to bite, government data showed yesterday. 
Thailand is widely perceived as a relatively safe destination compared with many countries at similar income levels, yet risk profiles vary considerably between cities. For expats and digital nomads planning a medium to long-term stay, understanding which Thai cities offer the most predictable and manageable safety environment is critical.
The Ministry of Energy is pressing ahead with a major overhaul of the entire electricity tariff structure for the first time in more than 20 years. Its plan to introduce a new tiered tariff structure is creating ripples for households using more than 400 units a month and for the business sector.
The baht closed last week, on April 24, at a fresh two-week low of 32.51 baht per US dollar, as markets awaited the outcomes of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting and the US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting.
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has unveiled a nationwide contingency plan to mitigate the potential impact of a looming Super El Nino, warning that hotter temperatures and below-normal rainfall could threaten crops, water supplies, and rural incomes this year.
Dramatic developments unfolded in Islamabad on Saturday as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi landed, held talks, and departed without meeting a US delegation. Soon after, US President Donald Trump canceled a planned flight by his two envoys to the Pakistani capital.
International trade between Thailand and China remains brisk, but the overall picture points to structural fragility as the trade deficit continues to widen. A review of data from the Information and Communication Technology Center found that Thailand-China trade totaled B1.278 trillion in the first three months of 2026, up 18.% from the same period a year earlier.
Thailand’s automotive industry showed fresh signs of recovery in March, as total vehicle production rose to 133,413 units and domestic sales were boosted by strong demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, according to the Federation of Thai Industries.
The information center of LWS Wisdom and Solutions Co. has pointed to a new picture of the property market in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), saying it is moving from growth driven by investment and infrastructure stimulus toward a housing market powered by “real demand” from the workforce and industrial sector. This has significantly changed the equation for project development and property investment in the area.
Thailand is set to revert to its previous visa-free entry policy, reducing the number of eligible countries and territories from 93 to 57. This decision by the Tourism and Sports Ministry aims to improve visitor screening and promote high-value tourism.
Call it a different kind of sticker shock. The Beijing Auto Show that opened to the public this week is a showcase for how hypercompetition in China has driven new car prices in the world’s largest car market to a fraction of the level of the next-largest market, the United States.
The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) will meet tomorrow to consider a plan to buy more solar power from households and businesses, with the intention of encouraging people to generate their own electricity.
The industrial sector in Bangkok is seeing a noticeable shift as factories and warehouses begin turning their rooftops into productive financial assets through solar power installations. This change is being driven by rising electricity costs and supportive government policies, making solar energy an increasingly attractive option for businesses in Thailand’s capital and nearby areas.
Representatives of about 50 governments meet in Colombia today for the first international talks on phasing out planet-heating fossil fuels, against a backdrop of the Iran war and a global energy crunch.
Police have arrested two Chinese tourists accused of carrying out a gold shop robbery in Nakhon Ratchasima, stealing rings worth about 300,000 baht before fleeing. The suspects were detained later the same day in Bangkok after investigators traced their getaway vehicle. The stolen items were recovered and authorities are preparing legal proceedings. 
The man who authorities say tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives was charged yesterday with the attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump, as federal authorities suggested an attack that disrupted one of Washington’s glitziest events had been planned for at least several weeks. 
Australia unveiled draft laws today that would tax tech giants Meta, Google, and TikTok unless they voluntarily strike deals to pay local outlets for news. Traditional media companies around the world are in a battle for survival as readers increasingly consume their news on social media. Australia wants big tech companies to compensate local publishers for sharing articles that drive traffic on their platforms. 
The death toll from a train collision near the Indonesian capital Jakarta has risen to 14, with another 84 injured, the train operator said today, as rescuers worked to extract survivors still trapped in the wreckage. The collision between a commuter train and a long-distance train happened late yesterday in Bekasi, just outside Jakarta. 
When we talk about retiring abroad, we hear endless stories about bitter expats fighting the exchange rate or guys trying to live like billionaires on a tap-water budget. Let’s celebrate the perfect antidote to all that noise: The Contented Elder.
Residents and visitors can now view CCTV cameras in Hua Hin in real time, with Hua Hin City launching public access to live traffic footage along Phetkasem Road. The initiative allows users to monitor key sections of one of the town’s busiest routes, including major intersections, traffic flows, and other important locations.
A severe environmental and public health crisis is unfolding across Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar as widespread forest fires and agricultural burning create dangerous levels of air pollution.
Thailand continues to face an air pollution crisis caused by fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, a problem that recurs every year. In recent periods, the severity of the problem has varied from area to area, both in terms of timing and the extent to which PM2.5 levels exceed the standard, particularly in major urban centers and industrial areas.
The Comptroller-General’s Department, in collaboration with relevant agencies, is exploring guidelines to increase the starting income of newly appointed civil servants as it looks to ease the burden of medical care expenditure.
Thailand’s plastics industry is facing a crisis on several fronts, as the cost of key resin raw materials has surged by nearly 100% in a short period, adding pressure to consumer goods and packaging prices through cost-push inflation.
In almost every industry in Thailand, parasitic nominee businesses are being used to bypass foreign ownership laws, creating revenue leaks across multiple industries like tourism and hospitality.
See how these structures work, where they persist, and what it means for Thailand’s economy. 
Thailand’s Industry Ministry is planning a B100-billion Industrial Transformation Fund to modernize industry and support smaller businesses, with the scheme set to be rolled out in phases. The fund aims to attract private-sector co-investment and is expected to help SMEs upgrade machinery and shift toward future industries.
On Wednesday, Thailand’s newly installed Minister of Tourism and Sports, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, made clear the kingdom will tighten screening of foreign tourists before arrival. He confirmed visa-on-arrival access for 124 countries, including 93 now granted 60-day visa waivers, is under review.
Southern tourism operators are calling for more government support and incentives for the green transition, as Phuket recently hosted an international sustainable tourism conference in a bid to create global recognition in this sector.
Unusual Funeral in Ron Phibun with Coyote Dancers Draws Crowds
Thailand’s Environmental Law Reform Wave
Russian billionaires increased their wealth by 11% to a record $696.5 billion over the past year despite the war in Ukraine and the toughest Western sanctions ever imposed on a major economy, Forbes Russia has reported. Russia’s richest men are all linked to the vast reserves of natural resources that Russia has exported to global markets for decades. 
As the Thai New Year approaches, the Brahmanical Astrology Division of the Royal Ceremonial Bureau and the Department of Cultural Promotion have officially unveiled the prophecy for Songkran 2026.
The “Nakhon Hua Hin Run 2026” event in Hua Hin will take place on March 29 at the Khao Tao Reservoir area.
After a trial at 10 schools showed controling use of digital devices improved student concentration and increased parental satisfaction, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is gearing up to expand the clampdown at all its schools from the next academic year.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is preparing to draft the country’s first Cancer Act, as officials seek to respond to a continuing rise in the number of patients, with around 140,000 new cancer cases and 86,000 deaths recorded each year.
US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s leader but have not toppled the government, which now, from its perch on the Strait of Hormuz, has put the entire world economy on the frontlines of the war.
A worst-case scenario for the Middle East conflict, which is war dragging on without a clear end, would reduce Thai GDP by 2.31 percentage points, according to the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Thailand’s oil refiners have sought to allay public concerns by confirming that the country’s oil reserves remain sufficient despite reports of motorists rushing to filling stations in provincial areas.
Analysts are lifting their oil price estimates for this year and 2027 amid transport disruption in the Middle East, even though the potential release of reserves by the G7 and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) could help temporarily alleviate supply pressures.
Asian stocks retreated yesterday as dwindling hopes of a resolution to the war with Iran kept oil prices aloft, though a US waiver allowing purchases of Russian crude helped keep a floor under losses.
Cambodia is bracing for fuel supply disruptions, with plans to temporarily close around 2,000 of its 6,300 petrol stations amid an energy shortage linked to ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts, commerce minister Cham Nimol announced yesterday.
Thailand’s condominium sector is facing a potential liquidity crisis, as nearly 150-billion-baht worth of new units are scheduled for transfer in 2026, coinciding with more than 180 billion baht in corporate bonds that property developers must repay within the same year.
The real estate market in Thailand continues to attract strong interest from foreign buyers. While Chinese buyers still dominate the market, accounting for approximately 31% of the foreign ownership transfer value in 2025, the overall buyer demographic is becoming more diverse.
Thailand could face a period of stagflation if energy prices surge sharply amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to an economist at Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (EIC).
Ayutthaya marks Thai Elephant Day with feast for 70 elephants
Chiang Mai Zoo marks Thai National Elephant Day with feast and parade
The ITB Berlin 2026 event recognized community-based environmental achievements of Thailand, which created new attractions for eco-friendly travelers to discover Thailand’s three destinations of Ko Lanta, Chiang Khan, and Uthai Thani.
The Indonesian government is preparing to enforce a landmark law banning children under the age of 16 from using social media, joining a growing global movement to shield minors from digital harms. Under the new regulations, platforms will begin shutting down accounts held by users under the age of 16 starting on March 28. The crackdown targets tech giants including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the gaming platform Roblox. 
Phuket villa scam leaves Thais and foreigners with over 100-million-baht loss
UTCC estimates southern flood damages at 40 billion baht
Floods Wipe Out 42% of Thailand’s Key Malaysian Tourism Market
Italian Drug Suspect Caught in Bangkok on DTV
Tourism associations urge PM to scrap alcohol sale time limits and review zoning rules
Climate-fighting efforts have ‘barely moved the needle,’ UN report finds
Khao Hin Lek Fai Hua Hin to be developed into new landmark attraction
