- Beachfront demolitions to proceed/Swimming warning in Hua Hin/Melioidosis kills 45/Bangkok diner sued 1 million baht/Ministry plans China rail pact/PM: Don’t let unrest happen in Thailand
- ECONOMY: Bank CEOs express concern/Fuel tax cuts loom/Thai export growth to slow/Foreign Direct Investment down/Strong VAT revenue/10 Thai banks record 3.6% decline
- TOURISM: Thailand delays 1,000-baht exit tax/Thai outbound travel holds up/38th in WEF tourism index/Thai Airways cancels six Taiwan flights
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand’s traditional Thai crêpe/An Authentic Thailand Experience/Best Snorkeling in the World/18 of the best family hotels/Chiang Mai Southeast Asia’s safest city
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thai town became the world’s dump/570 million baht for Net Zero plan
- IRAN WAR:Seven vessels hit/Houthi attacks fuel supply fears
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Appeal denied, beachfront demolitions to proceed
Hua Hin beachfront demolitions are set to proceed under the existing timetable following a meeting yesterday, at which the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it would not interfere with the court ruling.
Water and electricity supplies are scheduled to be disconnected on Oct. 29. Plans also include installing concrete barriers to prevent the area from being reoccupied. Continued …
Swimming warning at Hua Hin beach
People are being advised to avoid swimming at Hua Hin beach, as strong winds and waves bring marine debris ashore and may create swirling currents. Hua Hin municipality issued the advice as municipal staff and community volunteers carried out a beach clean-up on Wednesday.
The municipality said the accumulation of debris is associated with the monsoon season and the annual “kite wind” period, which occurs during October and November. Continued …
Melioidosis kills 45 across four northeastern provinces
Health authorities in lower northeastern Thailand have recorded 570 cases of melioidosis and 45 deaths in four provinces so far this year. The figures, covering Jan. 1 to Oct. 22, were released yesterday.
Melioidosis, sometimes called soil fever, is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which occurs naturally in soil and water. It can enter the body through cuts or other broken skin, by breathing in contaminated dust or droplets, or by consuming contaminated food or water. Serious infections can be fatal. Continued …
Bangkok diner sued 1 million baht over 260-baht basil rice review
A Bangkok food shop has reportedly sued a customer for 1 million baht after he posted a video questioning why chicken basil rice with a fried egg cost 260 baht at a hospital food court.
The case has prompted renewed discussion about food prices and the risks consumers can face when reviewing businesses online. The man later told Channel 3’s news program that his wife had also been accused in connection with the case. Continued …
Transport ministry plans China rail pact covering 7 areas
Thailand’s Transport Ministry plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with China’s National Railway Administration in the fourth quarter of 2026, establishing a framework for cooperation in seven areas of rail development.
Stronger railway connections between Thailand, China and Laos would be a priority under the proposed agreement, which aims to improve regional transport and logistics through exchanges of expertise, technology and operating standards. Continued …
PM: Don’t let unrest like France happen in Thailand
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed the national police chief to monitor unrest in France and prepare measures to prevent similar incidents in Thailand, saying the two countries have different social contexts.
Anutin said Thailand did not have the same internal conflicts as France and described Thai society as living in peace and unity. He also cited differences in the countries’ social and cultural makeup. Continued …
Bank CEOs express concern over high economic risks, say volatility is not temporary
The outlook for the Thai economy for the remainder of 2026 remains uncertain, facing fragile household purchasing power, high debt burdens, uneven recovery, and the impact of the floods.
Furthermore, risks from global events that may affect energy prices, business costs, and financial markets mean that businesses must prioritize risk management and asset quality alongside revenue generation and maintaining consistent profitability. Continued …
Fuel tax cuts loom as a last resort for relief
The Thai government is considering fuel tax cuts and reducing contributions to the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund as a last resort to alleviate the financial burden caused by high fuel prices. These measures aim to provide direct relief to consumers and help stabilize retail prices amid global market volatility.
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan noted that while the government has already intervened to reduce gross refining margins, further actions like oil tax reductions may be necessary if global oil prices continue to climb due to Middle East tensions. Such measures are particularly critical for Thailand’s transport, agricultural, and industrial sectors, which rely heavily on diesel. However, officials are balancing these relief efforts with the need to maintain sufficient funding for energy conservation and renewable energy projects. – Bangkok Post AI
Thai export growth set to slow significantly next year
Thai export growth is projected to slow to 7.4% in 2027 as a result of several economic headwinds, most notably risks associated with US tariff policies. These trade risks are expected to impact various sectors, potentially weakening export competitiveness and adding pressure to overall economic growth.
The slowdown is anticipated due to a combination of factors, including US tariff risks, the electronics production cycle, and potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. While some sectors like electronics may remain partially protected or driven by AI demand, broader trade measures and uncertainties regarding transshipments through Thailand could pose significant challenges. Additionally, the potential for US trade measures to address trade surpluses could create further volatility for Thai exporters in the coming years. – Bangkok Post AI
Foreign Direct Investment for the first six months is down nearly 5%
Thailand is boasting of rising foreign investment as actual capital inflows plunge and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul launches a nationwide crackdown on foreign property ownership. Bank of Thailand figures expose a 24.6% second-quarter collapse in inward investment, dragging first-half FDI down 4.7%.
Meanwhile, foreign property owners and smaller investors face mounting uncertainty over assets acquired decades ago, with unlawful holdings facing forced sales. Japanese carmakers are also reportedly reviewing investment plans as Vietnam and Indonesia compete for their business. Yet, the government is promoting 271 billion baht in foreign investment commitments, up 7%, despite those figures representing business approvals rather than actual capital inflows. Continued …
Strong VAT revenue helps keep Thailand’s deficit below forecast
Thailand’s fiscal deficit for fiscal year 2026 stood at 3.4% of gross domestic product (GDP), below the earlier forecast of 4.4%, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, citing the latest Fiscal Policy Office figures.
Ekniti attributed the deficit coming in one percentage point below forecast to stronger-than-expected government revenue, saying the improvement had kept Thailand’s medium-term fiscal plan on track. Continued …
10 Thai banks record 3.6% decline in total profit
Ten listed banking companies recorded combined net profit of approximately 198.96812 billion baht in the first nine months of 2026, according to figures compiled by Thansettakij.
The total was down 7.42217 billion baht, or 3.6%, from 206.39029 billion baht a year earlier. The companies were BAY, BBL, CREDIT, KBANK, KKP, KTB, LHFG, SCB, TISCO and TTB. Continued …
Thailand delays 1,000-baht overseas exit tax
Thailand has put plans for a 1,000-baht charge on every overseas trip on hold, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said yesterday. The proposed tax had been under public consultation by the Revenue Department and would apply to people traveling out of Thailand.
The government has delayed it while assessing economic conditions and the impact of elevated energy prices linked to the war in the Middle East. Ekniti, who is also a deputy prime minister, said it would not be appropriate to add further costs at a time when energy expenses could affect both aviation and tourism. Continued …
Thai outbound travel holds up despite uncertainty
Thai consumers are continuing to travel overseas despite domestic flooding and international uncertainty, according to Krungsri Consumer. Rather than canceling trips, many are reducing spending in other areas, its executive says.
Atis Ruchirawat, head of unsecured lending at Bank of Ayudhya, or Krungsri, said outbound travel is expected to favor Asian destinations, particularly Japan, South Korea and China. The shift comes amid conflicts in the Middle East and protests in Europe. Continued …
Thailand rises to 38th in WEF tourism index
Thailand has climbed 10 places to 38th among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026, scoring 4.35 out of seven.
The score is 5.6% higher than in the 2024 edition, placing Thailand among the index’s 10 most improved economies. But the findings also identify weaknesses in infrastructure, environmental performance, local economic benefits and skilled staffing that could hinder its ambition to enter the global top 30. Continued …
Thai Airways cancels six Taiwan flights over Typhoon Champi
Thai Airways International has canceled six flights between Bangkok and Taiwan today, as Typhoon Champi disrupts aviation across the island. The cancellations affect services between Bangkok and both Taipei and Kaohsiung, the airline announced.
Typhoon Champi has brought strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan, prompting widespread flight disruption. Taiwan canceled hundreds of domestic and international flights as the storm approached, despite forecasts indicating it would not make a direct landfall. Continued …
Khanom buang: The history of Thailand’s traditional Thai crêpe
Known in English as Thai crêpes or crispy pancakes, khanom buang is a traditional Thai snack believed to date back centuries. References to the delicacy appear in Thai literature and historical accounts, while different versions reflect how recipes have evolved over time.
Its origins are often traced to the Sukhothai period, based on what is believed to be evidence in temple paintings in the ancient city. The snack continued into the Ayutthaya period, appearing in Khun Chang Khun Phaen, one of Thailand’s best-known literary works, and was associated with royal ceremonies held throughout the year. Continued …
An Authentic Thailand Experience Only an Hour Away From Bangkok
This town offers an authentic experience of Thailand without all the tourist crowds. In this video, we visited the charming riverside town of Chachoengsao that’s only a day trip away from Bangkok. You can see the town’s iconic pink Ganesha statue, visit colorful shrines, or enjoy a peaceful afternoon enjoying tea and cake at a local cafe. Video …
This Stunning Island Has Some of the Best Snorkeling in the World
Wading into the pale blue water off Koh Tao’s southern coast, you might spot the unmistakable silhouette that gives Shark Bay its name — a blacktip reef shark cruising the shallows. Juveniles are a fixture off the shore of this Thai island, though the species tends to be timid and disappear almost as quickly as you can register them.
If you still prefer to give them a wide berth, you can instead seek out the green sea turtles that love to graze on seagrass or rise languidly toward the surface for air. Look even closer, and you’re likely to spot smaller denizens like needlefish hovering just below the surface or pink skunk clownfish darting among the tentacles of sea anemone. Continued …
18 of the best family hotels in Thailand
Memorable moments with the family come easy in Thailand — searching for pink dolphins, white-water river rafting, plunging into waterfalls, learning to snorkel. Thai culture embraces children, so there’s no need to worry about anyone turning their noses up either.
This extends to the hotel scene, too — many welcome families, with spacious rooms (often with private pools), easy mealtimes and stimulating kids’ clubs. With somewhere for every type of family — from jungle hideaways to urban resorts — we’ve put together our pick of the best places for a proper family holiday in Thailand. All you need to decide is where to go next. Continued …
Chiang Mai named Southeast Asia’s safest city
Chiang Mai has been named Southeast Asia’s safest city in Numbeo’s 2026 Safety Index, narrowly overtaking Singapore in a public-perception survey of urban safety.
The northern Thai city scored 77.9 and ranked 19th worldwide, compared with Singapore’s 77.5. Qingdao in China topped the global table on 89.2, while Abu Dhabi and Doha were also among the highest-rated cities. Continued …
This Thai town became the world’s dump
Flooding was bad enough for Prachin Buri. Then came the suspected industrial waste contamination. Now, with factories under investigation and a district chief known for scrutinizing industrial sites controversially transferred, the question is: how was this allowed to happen? Video …
Germany grants Thailand 570 million baht for Net Zero plan
Thailand has secured 15 million euros in German grant funding for climate and biodiversity work linked to its Net Zero 2050 target. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said the Department of Climate Change and Environment – known as the “Department of Global Warming Reduction” – had won support through two major projects.
The grants come from Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), under the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN). Continued …
Iran’s Navy says seven vessels hit, warns US of wider response
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said yesterday that four vessels involved n illegal oiltransfers in the northern Persian Gulf were simultaneously hit and caught fire after being tracked by its forces on Wednesday.
The IRGC added that three more vessels collided with mines west of the Strait of Hormuz, and warned the US militarythat continued provocations could lead to a wider response against its regional bases. Continued …
Brent rises 4% as Houthi attacks fuel supply fears
Brent crude reached its highest closing price since May 4 yesterday, rising 4% as Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia intensified concerns about further disruption to Middle East energy supplies.
Brent futures settled US$4.35 higher at US$113.17 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude gained US$2.32, or 2.4%, to finish at US$99.47 a barrel. Brent also remained in technically overbought territory for the third session in a week. US stocks fell sharply yesterday. Continued …
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Thai police arrest 11 Chinese in Bangkok scam and gambling raids – Continued …
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Chinese Gray Capital Linked to Bitcoin Mining Raid – Continued …
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Chinese suspects in Dubai triple murder held in Bangkok – 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
Thai people are being advised to brace for a prolonged and possibly extreme drought, which may last for up to three years due to El Niño weather phenomenon, according to the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) and Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
They die quietly, one by one, doing the forest officials’ job, rewarded with little more than praise that masks state hypocrisy. In early April, Boonma Phadaeng, 56, collapsed and died after days of fighting a forest fire in Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai province.
Critics have warned that the military-led approach to handling the conflict in Thailand’s southern border provinces may be prolonging unrest rather than resolving it. Since violence resumed in 2004, the conflict in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat remains entrenched, rooted in historical, identity, and religious differences involving separatist groups.
The Thai retail landscape has reached a historic tipping point, with e-commerce now established as the sector’s primary engine of growth. Recent data reveals the digital market has surpassed the 1 trillion baht ($30 billion) threshold, accounting for 30% of total national retail value.
Thailand’s Fiscal Policy Office has cut its 2026 economic growth forecast to 1.6%, down from the 2.0% projection made in January, citing rising pressure from geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.
Economists have played down the impact of the long-awaited second phase of the government’s latest co-payment plus scheme in propping up the subdued economy, citing a limited budget, while goods prices are expected to rise substantially from the second quarter due to elevated oil prices.
Thailand is emerging as one of Asia’s new wealth hubs as the global capital landscape shifts and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) become increasingly mobile, creating fresh momentum for Thailand’s high-end property, investment, and luxury lifestyle sectors.
Number of Japanese restaurants in Thailand declines
The Thai Travel Agents Assn. (TTAA) strongly opposes the government’s plan to levy a 1,000-baht departure tax on Thai travelers, warning it will hamper two-way tourism and hurt the economy during a cost-of-living crisis.
Thai Airways International has issued an important announcement on revisions to its fuel surcharge rates for tickets on international routes. The move comes under pressure from a “fuel crisis”, with global aviation fuel prices volatile and rising far beyond forecasts.
LA Songkran Event Sets Guinness Record with Pad Thai Sales
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Bangkok’s heat index has been sitting in the “danger” category since April 1, and as of today, that is nearly four weeks without a break. Actual air temperatures are running at 38 to 40 degrees celsius, with high humidity pushing the feels-like temperature significantly higher.
Twenty-two Sri Lankan Buddhist monks who had just returned from Thailand were arrested on April 25 at an airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after customs officers allegedly found cannabis hidden in their luggage. The monks were detained after officers found 110 kilograms of cannabis concealed in secret compartments inside their suitcases. 
The United Arab Emirates has confirmed it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the wider OPEC+ alliance from May 1, ending more than five decades of membership and dealing a fresh blow to the producers’ group as the Iran war continues to disrupt global energy flows. 
If the ancestors of Donald Trump and King Charles could see them today, the US president mused yesterday, they “would surely be filled with awe and pride that the Anglo-American revolution in human freedom” had survived to the present day. The White House captioned a photo of the moment, “TWO KINGS”.