- Alcohol Sales Banned/Government backs paperless e-Office/Samui water rationing begins/Schools Struggle with Children’s Phone Addiction/HIV Cases Rise in Chiang Mai/79 Bangkok entertainment venues shut
- THE IRAN WAR: Saudi Arabia joins US fight
- ECONOMY: Why Is the Thai Baht So Weak?/Thailand seeks US tariff exemptions/Thai exports set to take a hit/September Finish Line for EU Trade Deal
- TOURISM: Spending money in Thailand/Travel demand brighter/Thailand Expects Record Indian Tourism/More tourists are not enough/7 million visit Phuket/Thai Airways Bangkok–Da Nang
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand has second-most national parks
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Braces for Severe El Niño
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Thailand Alcohol Sales Banned for Two Buddhist Holidays
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for two consecutive days this week to mark the Buddhist holidays of Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, with many shops, convenience stores and restaurants prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks, unless in areas falling under current exemptions.
The restriction began at 12.01 am today, and remains in force until midnight tomorrow. The Royal Thai Police have reminded businesses across the country that anyone selling alcohol outside the legal exemptions could face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both. Continued …
Government backs paperless e-Office
The government has backed the Education Ministry’s plan to introduce a fully paperless e-Office system across all agencies from Jan. 1, 2027, as part of its drive to modernize Thailand’s public administration through digital technology.
The initiative aims to improve efficiency, reduce paperwork and administrative duplication, and speed up decision-making, coordination and document tracking, while ensuring transparency and accountability. Continued …
Samui water rationing begins Monday after drought
Koh Samui will introduce rotating water supplies for seven days from Monday after drought reduced available production well below daily demand, the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Samui branch has announced.
The move follows a continuing decline in raw-water levels, leaving the island unable to produce enough tap water for residents and businesses. According to the authority, Samui’s main available water supply for tap-water production, from the pipeline system from the mainland, is now about 16,000 cubic meters a day. Average demand on the island is 34,000 cubic meters a day. Continued …
Thailand Schools Struggle to Break Children’s Phone Addiction
Thailand’s schools are grappling with the lasting effects of children’s increased reliance on smartphones and tablets, as educators warn that habits formed during the Covid-19 pandemic are proving difficult to reverse.
The debate comes amid growing concern over the impact of excessive screen time on children’s mental health, learning and behavior. Unicef says nearly half of young people under 25 have participated in online gambling, while 33% are addicted to cyber gaming. Meanwhile, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation estimates that 98.2% of Thai children are now screen addicts. Continued …
HIV Cases Continue to Rise in Chiang Mai
Health authorities in Chiang Mai have warned that HIV infections continue to rise across the province, with the virus increasingly affecting the wider community rather than remaining concentrated within traditionally recognized high-risk groups.
According to the Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office, the province has recorded around 23,900 cumulative HIV infections, with approximately 700 new cases each year – the equivalent of almost two new infections every day. Continued …
Bangkok orders 79 entertainment venues shut in citywide safety checks
Bangkok authorities have ordered 79 entertainment venues and similar establishments to halt operations after inspecting 865 premises across the capital in a week-long safety and licensing campaign.
The inspections, conducted from July 19–26, covered 72% of the city’s target of 1,204 establishments. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration classified the 865 inspected establishments into three groups. Continued …
Saudi Arabia joins US fight against Iran-linked fighters
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the United States in attacking fighters aligned with Iran, the Gulf state’s Ministry of Defense announced today.
Saudi Arabia struck Iran-linked militias based in Iraq, the kingdom said. The strikes come in response to attacks from the militants on the oil and gas facilities in the kingdom. Defense ministry officials said the strikes were conducted in coordination with U.S. Central Command, the military arm overseeing operations in the Middle East. Continued …
Why Is the Thai Baht So Weak?
The Thai baht has slid to 33.640 per US dollar, its 2026 high, marking an 8.% decline since February. This weakness stems primarily from the 250–275 basis point policy rate gap between the Fed (3.5%–3.75%) and the Bank of Thailand (1.00%), which sustains a strong carry advantage for dollar assets.
Compounding this, Brent crude near $88.50, up nearly 30% year-on-year, has increased Thailand’s energy import costs and dollar demand. Meanwhile, a B875.3-billion trade deficit from January–May, alongside a 19% US tariff on Thai exports, has further eroded currency support. Notably, softer US inflation and elevated gold prices — historically supportive of the baht — have failed to offset these combined pressures. Continued …
Thailand seeks 78 additional US tariff exemptions for key export goods
The United States recently announced Section 301 tariff rates for 60 countries that had not introduced and enforced bans on imports of goods produced with forced labor, with Thailand placed in the highest rate band of 12.5%.
The latest measure followed a US Supreme Court ruling that import tariffs imposed through presidential powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful. The earlier US reciprocal tariff announced for Thailand was 36%. Continued …
Thai exports set to take a hit from new US tariffs
The US tariff of 12.5% imposed on Thailand could weaken export competitiveness and add pressure to economic growth in the second half, with further US trade measures still looming, warns Asia Plus Securities (ASPS).
Therdsak Taveeteeratham, executive vice-president at ASPS, said the export sector faces growing uncertainty after the US introduced new tariffs under its Section 301 trade measures, raising concerns over the country’s competitiveness despite a strong recent export performance. Continued …
Thailand Eyes September Finish Line for EU Trade Deal
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says Thailand is two-thirds of the way through concluding a free trade agreement with the European Union and is pressing Beijing on three fronts to correct an increasingly lopsided trade relationship — all part of a wider strategy to reduce Thailand’s reliance on any single major power.
While the bulk of public attention has been fixed on Thailand’s tariff negotiations with Washington, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said two other relationships — with the European Union and China — are just as central to her ministry’s strategy for insulating the Thai economy from the volatility of US trade policy. Continued …
Spending money in Thailand does not afford foreign nationals special privileges
Tourists cannot buy special treatment in Thailand simply because they spend money, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul declared yesterday as two explosive disputes involving Chinese and Italian visitors spiraled into diplomatic rows, official investigations, a GMMTV inquiry and police intervention.
As public anger intensified, the government delivered a blunt warning that Thai law applies equally to everyone, vowing to protect its citizens, reject foreign privilege and stop viral confrontations from damaging Thailand’s tourism industry or international diplomatic relations. Continued …
Travel demand outlook turns brighter
A weak baht, an incentive offering free domestic flights to foreign travelers, and the reintroduction of visa-free entry for Indian tourists offer upsides for travel demand in Thailand during the second half of the year through to 2027, although conflicts in the Middle East linger, say analysts.
Boonyakorn Amornsank, an analyst with Maybank Securities (Thailand), said recent data from Cirium, an aviation data and analytics company, indicates that travel demand in the fourth quarter of 2026 is likely to remain relatively flat, despite a 3% year-on-year increase in airline seat capacity in the third quarter. Continued …
Thailand Expects Record Indian Tourism in 2027
Thailand expects to welcome a record 2.7 million Indian visitors next year after recommending a 30-day visa-free entry, instead of the visa on arrival initially proposed, for Indian nationals, with tourism officials also banking on expanded flight connections from smaller Indian cities to boost demand.
The Thai cabinet has approved the visa exemption, although it will only take effect once the decision is published in the Royal Gazette. According to Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director for the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Indian market remains one of Thailand’s strongest tourism performers despite an overall slowdown in international arrivals this year. Continued …
Why more tourists are not enough
More tourists are good news for Thailand. But not if the country cannot cope with the pressures they bring. Tourism is one of Thailand’s biggest sources of income. For decades, success was measured by the number of visitors. That yardstick no longer tells the whole story.
More visitors mean more revenue. They also mean greater pressure on local capacity. The challenge is to make sure that tourism money does not come at the expense of natural resources, local communities, public infrastructure, and the industry’s long-term competitiveness. Continued …
7 million visit Phuket in H1, B263 billion in revenue
Phuket generated 263 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first six months of this year, attracting nearly seven million visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The TAT Phuket office reported yesterday the island welcomed 6.96 million visitors between January and June, generating 263.01 billion baht in revenue. It said hotels recorded an average occupancy rate of 81.9% during the period. Continued …
Thai Airways Bangkok–Da Nang Flights from Dec. 1
Thai Airways will operate direct flights between Bangkok (BKK) and Da Nang (DAD), offering travelers a more convenient option for journeys between Thailand and central Vietnam, while further expanding Da Nang’s international air connectivity.
Thai Airways will operate two daily flights in each direction between Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and Da Nang International Airport. Continued …
Thailand Braces for Severe El Niño as Water Office Warns of Dry Spells into 2027
Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued a warning that an impending El Niño phenomenon could prove more severe than the country’s 2015 drought crisis, with prolonged dry spells potentially stretching well into 2027.
The agency convened an urgent meeting with 14 key government entities — including the Thai Meteorological Department, the Royal Irrigation Department, EGAT, GISTDA, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration — to coordinate emergency measures for the 2026 rainy season. Continued …
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Four Europeans Held at Phuket Airport in Cannabis Smuggling Case – Continued …
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Chinese Fugitive Held in Chiang Mai, Faces Deportation – Continued …
Who will top the next world order?
The era in which global order rested on a US monopoly over military and economic power and values has finally come to an end, taking Europe’s long period of stability with it. The world has become significantly more turbulent and uncertain, and the near future will bring even more instability. Continued …
Airbus completes record 24-hour flight
A specially modified Airbus A350 plane touched down in France yesterday after a record 24-hour test flight from Australia, ahead of it joining Qantas’s fleet next year. Its 23,076-kilometer (14,339-mile) journey was across three continents and two oceans, and through two sunsets and two dawns. Continued …
J&J reaches sweeping talc product settlement
Johnson & Johnson has announced that it will pay an estimated $5.5 billion to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its baby powder and other talc products cause ovarian cancer, in a landmark deal that could end a contentious legal battle that has dogged the company for a decade. 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
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.
Thai authorities have expanded an enforcement campaign targeting suspected nominee-owned businesses in Phuket, with more than 361 companies now facing inspection following a confrontation at Chabad House in Patong.
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.
China’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China. Speaking at the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Friday, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.
Thailand is tightening its screening of data center investments, shifting its focus from the number and value of projects to their quality as the expansion of artificial intelligence drives demand for electricity, water and large-scale computing infrastructure.
The robot army is coming
Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033
Thailand has built a strong medical-tourism industry and begun investing in genomic medicine and connected health data, but it still lacks a clear national strategy for competing in the emerging longevity economy.
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
Mitsubishi Motors is set to invest B16 billion ($473.23m) in Thailand by 2030, backing the automotive sector’s move toward electric vehicles (EVs). The funding will be channeled into EV technology.
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.
Thailand’s coastal destinations are witnessing a significant rise in staycation bookings, with Krabi leading the charge, according to recent data from Traveloka. Krabi’s bookings have more than doubled year on year, followed by Hua Hin with an increase of over 80%, Pattaya at around 65%, and Phuket nearly 60%.
Thailand’s private hospital sector is facing a new source of competition as the government expands premium services at public hospitals, putting pressure on mid-tier operators that rely on domestic self-pay and insured patients.
Thailand has uncovered one of its biggest suspected cryptocurrency power theft operations after investigators seized 1,900 bitcoin mining machines. Detectives uncovered more than B280 million in stolen electricity and have launched a widening hunt for the financiers behind the organized criminal network.
Thailand shelves Land Bridge plan after study
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.5% from the 1.6% projected in April, after exports, private investment and household consumption performed more strongly than expected.
Exports surged 20.8% year-on-year to US$34.7 billion in June, driven by strong demand for industrial goods such as electronics, smartphones, electrical appliances, and automobiles and auto parts, says the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
Thailand is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic ties with Europe by racing to finalize the free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of 2026 the Thai-EU FTA. Experts say, however, that Thai businesses doing trade with the bloc need to prioritize the traceability of their exported goods.
The Cabinet has approved a 12.76-billion-baht fisheries management plan targeting the recovery of aquatic resources, tighter controls against illegal fishing and stronger competitiveness for Thailand’s seafood industry by 2027.
Thailand’s sex industry is illegal under the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, but an analysis on Thursday argues that it remains deeply embedded in the country’s tourism economy, supporting hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis and other businesses.
Thailand plans three tourism-boosting schemes: a 1.75-billion-baht co-payment program covering hotels, restaurants, and attractions nationwide; 200-million-baht domestic airfare discounts for 400,000 seats; and a 500-million-baht international flight initiative targeting 487,000 visitors. All require Cabinet and committee approval before implementation, expected late 2026.
By 5:30 in the morning, the Trok Mor alley in Old Bangkok is already awake. Metal shutters rattle open one by one. A woman arranges bundles of holy basil and Chinese celery beneath a bare light bulb while another vendor lays out bitter beans and kitchen herbs on a wooden table.
Is Hua Hin Actually Worth It?
Embark on a culinary journey through Hua Hin with this ultimate food guide featuring the 10 best restaurants in the area. From hidden gems to popular street food spots, explore the authentic and exotic flavors that make Hua Hin a foodie’s paradise. Taste test must-try dishes and sharid top food recommendations.
Thailand has been placed on alert for heavy rain, flash floods and rough seas as Tropical Storm Maysak intensifies monsoon conditions across the country, despite the storm not being expected to move directly into Thailand.
With memory prices surging and new gadgets becoming more expensive, the smartest smartphone buy in Thailand in 2026 may not be the newest flagship but last year’s premium model — still fast and polished and far less likely to make your credit card need a lie-down.
The government’s “Thais Help Thais Plus” co-payment scheme has helped to revive the economy and stimulate spending in the food and beverage sector, according to two online food delivery operators.
Households in the northeast are still struggling, and confidence in the economy remains weak, according to a new poll that gave the government’s economic performance low marks.
Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC), said yesterday that Thailand’s exports in May were worth US$34.333 billion, up 10.6% and expanding for a 23rd consecutive month.
Thailand will introduce tougher airport security measures based on a zero trust approach after a Thai airline cabin crew member was detained in Australia over alleged involvement in drug trafficking. The government said the case should not be viewed as an isolated incident but as a catalyst to strengthen aviation security across the entire air travel system.
Kui Buri – Where the Wild still roams
Scientists and environmental groups warn the land bridge project could threaten fragile marine ecosystems and coastal communities in southern Thailand, while the government promises economic growth. 
Thailand is intensifying its efforts to combat global warming by steering investment toward green manufacturing. At the center of this strategy is the bio-, circular and green (BCG) economic model — a framework that aims to balance growth with sustainability.
Sustainability has moved beyond the language of annual reports. In Thailand, it is becoming something far more tangible: solar panels on factory roofs, biogas from production by-products, lighter packaging, smarter energy systems and industrial discipline that can be measured in tons of avoided carbon.
Despite stricter laws, tougher penalties, and repeated safety campaigns, the country continues to rank among the most dangerous places in the world for road traffic deaths.
A Japanese travel content creator has gone viral after posting a video of an unexpected mishap at Hua Hin Railway Station, where a chair suddenly broke beneath him as he leaned back while waiting for a train.
Apple has officially increased prices across its Mac product line in Thailand, with adjustments now visible on the Apple Store Online and Apple Store app.
A reported attack on a cargo ship near Oman has renewed concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, just as shipping and oil flows through the vital waterway had begun returning toward pre-war levels.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has officially kicked off the Thailand FastPass program at Government House, unlocking over USD 21 billion (around 700 billion baht) in high-tech investments. Bringing together eight government agencies, the initiative aims to slash regulatory approval times by up to half, speeding up the journey from securing a license to running a fully operational factory.
Chinese investors’ growing appetite for factory sites in Thailand is reshaping the industrial land market in the Eastern Economic Corridor, with one planned industrial park in Chonburi now attracting close scrutiny over zoning, infrastructure demand, and possible gaps in state oversight.
Airports of Thailand Public Co. (AOT) has issued a long-term commitment to aggressively scale up the nation’s aviation ecosystem, pledging to expand its total airport capacity to handle over 160 million passengers annually within the next decade.
In 2026, Thailand is no longer defined solely by its beaches, temples, and tourism appeal. It has evolved into a global headquarters for a new kind of workforce — the digital nomad generation — earning a reputation as one of the world’s most attractive bases for remote professionals seeking both productivity and lifestyle.
Samui Tops Asia-Pacific Island Rankings
Thailand’s soft power shines through food, fun, and 5F charm
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said at the “Energy Transition: Transitioning Thai Energy to a Low-Carbon Economy” seminar, under the topic “Thai Energy Direction and PDP 2026 Progress”, that discussions on energy transition often focus solely on electricity.
How electric tuk-tuks are powering Bangkok’s quiet mobility revolution
Rescue crews and residents are searching for hundreds of people trapped under the rubble of buildings yesterday, after back-to-back major earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern coast and caused devastation across the region. At least 188 people had been confirmed dead and 200 were trapped under rubble. 
Sam Roi Yot Run Ep.7 will offer distances of 2.7km, 5km and 10km along scenic coastal routes through local communities. Entry fees vary depending on registration period, with general registration open until May 31. 
The Commerce Ministry is preparing action against 140 “grey accountants” as part of a nationwide crackdown on the use of Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership in restricted businesses.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has issued new penalty guidelines that include license suspensions or revocations for cannabis businesses found to breach the department’s requirements.
The price of fertilizers is trending downward, with shipments from the Middle East currently en route to Thailand, says the Commerce Minister.
The Thai baht opened the week at 32.94 per US dollar yesterday, drifting toward the psychologically significant 33 threshold as a confluence of external headwinds and domestic vulnerabilities battered sentiment.
Thailand’s exports posted double-digit growth in May but at a slower pace than April, a Commerce Ministry official said yesterday. Customs-cleared exports rose by 23.1% in April from a year earlier. May data is due later this week.
Thailand’s property market is seeing a major shift as developers move beyond simply delaying new launches and begin selling land and ready-to-develop projects to preserve liquidity.
Thailand’s luxury hotel sector is emerging as one of the country’s most attractive investment assets, as global economic uncertainty pushes investors toward properties seen as resilient, scarce, and capable of generating long-term returns.
Thailand’s world heritage-level performing arts have taken center stage in Europe and South Korea, as Khon, Nora, Songkran traditions, and Thai classical dance were showcased in Frankfurt and Seoul as part of a wider push to promote Thai cultural soft power overseas.
Tha Phra Chan clings to Thai herbal traditions
Thailand’s government is advancing its green hospital policy by promoting clean and renewable energy in public health facilities to reduce operating costs, improve energy efficiency, and support the country’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced yesterday that he was resigning, paving the way for what is expected to be an orderly transfer of power to frontrunner Andy Burnham. 
Hua Hin land titles and property ownership can be confusing, especially for foreign buyers trying to understand leases, title deeds, and what is legally safe. Many people have seen the recent crackdowns on nominee company ownership (see below), with more than 46,900 companies reportedly under investigation across Thailand.
Thailand is facing renewed calls to tighten regulations governing foreign condominium ownership as the government considers raising the foreign ownership quota in condominium projects to attract overseas investment and support a property market still struggling with a slowdown.
Elephants can certainly shift. African elephants can reach top speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour, albeit over short distances only. This is more than twice as fast as the average human runner, so it seems like an open and shut case.
Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) says it has intensified oversight of medical cannabis businesses nationwide, carrying out more than 1,200 inspections in recent weeks as authorities seek to ensure cannabis is used strictly for medical purposes.
Thailand is entering the second half of 2026 with a mixed economic signal: S&P Global Ratings has maintained the country’s sovereign rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook, but economists warn that pressure from oil prices, rising imports, fiscal deficits, and global uncertainty could keep the current account and the baht under strain.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to launch the Thailand FastPass program at Government House tomorrow, aiming to accelerate major investment projects by removing regulatory barriers and streamlining approvals.
Can Thailand’s Land Bridge Challenge Malacca and Redefine Asian Trade Routes?
Thailand’s exporters are heading into a more uncertain second half of 2026, with growth expected to slow as global trade risks pile up across energy, logistics, and major export markets.
China’s growing pet-friendly culture is creating a new export opening for Thailand, as demand for premium and health-focused pet food rises among Chinese consumers who increasingly treat pets as family members.
A toxic mix of record household debt, strict lending criteria, and a severe demographic slowdown leaves Bangkok’s property market heavily oversupplied. The accumulated inventory of unsold residential properties in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces is projected to surge to an unprecedented 213,000 units by the end of 2026, triggering warnings that Thailand is on the brink of a chronic, Japan-style vacant housing crisis.
Italy has offered to employ 20,000-30,000 Thai workers a year to remedy labor shortages in three sectors, deputy government spokeswoman Patdarat Thongsaluaykorn said yesterday.
The government has reiterated that investments in data centers must not adversely affect local communities or the agricultural sector. According to government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, the data center investment boom reflects the country’s potential to become a regional digital infrastructure hub, supporting the growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), e-commerce, fintech, and other digital services.
Thailand is redefining its annual green season, promoting the rainy months as a prime opportunity for wellness, nature-based experiences, and meaningful travel. Through its “Healing is the New Luxury” campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is encouraging travelers to view the season not as an off-peak period, but as a time for restoration, reflection, and deeper connections with nature and local communities.
Authorities in Phuket are considering a proposal to raise the provincial tax on hotels from 1% to 3% of room rates to generate additional revenue for local development and tourism promotion.
The recent proposal to merge the Ministry of Culture with the Ministry of Tourism should be treated with great caution. This idea may appear to be just a bureaucratic restructuring. But the two ministries have distinct missions, functions and skill sets that should not be combined.
Master the Art of Ordering Som Tum Like a Thai Local
Phangnga: Southern springboard to growth
The Great Hornbill forages in the treetops, usually living in pairs. Outside the breeding season, they can sometimes gather in flocks of up to 150, roosting in trees in valleys. However, they occasionally descend to the ground to forage. Their loud call, “Kok Kok Kok, Kahang Kahang Kahang” or “Kawa Kawa Kawa,” is the origin of their name. Great Hornbills are found in moist evergreen forests, dry evergreen forests, or mixed deciduous forests. 
Thailand needs to accelerate its transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) and expand the use of renewable energy to strengthen long-term energy security, according to Areeporn Asawinpongphan, a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
Analyst urges shift away from fossil fuels
The government will cut electricity tariffs to no more than 3 baht per unit for the first 200 units, starting from the June billing cycle, in a cost-of-living relief measure expected to benefit more than 20 million households nationwide.
Egg prices in Thailand have risen by 20 satang per egg from yesterday, as poultry farmers come under growing pressure from higher feed and maize costs. The Central Region Small-Scale Egg-Layer Farmers Trade Assn. said the latest price movement reflects rising production expenses rather than an increase in the recommended farm-gate ceiling.
Laos has secured the broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing viewers across the country to watch all 104 matches free of charge, while negotiations over television rights in Thailand remain unresolved.
One in three Thai children cannot read properly by the age of ten. Youth unemployment is rising. And the workforce needed to power Thailand’s next decade of growth is simply not being trained. Against this backdrop of mounting urgency, a roundtable yesterday brought together some of the country’s foremost voices in education, policy, academia, and student leadership to confront what many are now calling a systemic crisis.
Thailand is being warned that its economic challenge is no longer only about whether growth will recover in the second half of the year, but whether the country can reform fast enough before today’s structural risks turn into a deeper crisis. The warning comes as economists and business leaders point to a shift in Thailand’s long-standing economic strengths.
The outlook for the restaurant industry in the third quarter remains pessimistic, with high costs, weak consumer spending power, and a potential drop in tourist numbers continuing to loom over the industry.
Pimjai Leeissaranukul, chairperson of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), revealed an overview of the Thai industrial sectors trend during the second quarter of 2026. S
Multiple Thai airlines have canceled approximately 3,800 flights due to skyrocketing jet fuel prices, spurred on by the prolonged crisis in the Middle East. The crisis has led to jet fuel becoming 2 to 3 times more expensive than normal, thereby pushing up the airlines’ fuel costs and other operating costs.
Luxury Golf Escapes: The Finest Courses in Hua Hin
Oceans are in a “deepening crisis” that demands urgent global action, a major UN report warned yesterday, with seas warming and rising faster, ice cover shrinking, and marine ecosystems under mounting strain.
Hong Kong will soon open its first convenience store operated by a humanoid robot as part of the city’s push to integrate AI into everyday life and deepen residents’ understanding of the technology, the finance chief has said. 
BECC International School has officially broken ground on a major new campus in Hua Hin, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the school community.
Government agencies have placed Thailand under maximum environmental alert, warning that an intense “Super El Niño” phenomenon is set to trigger record-breaking heatwaves exceeding 45°C, alongside the most severe drought in the country’s recorded history.
PTT Station and Bangchak have reduced retail fuel prices from today, cutting petrol and gasohol prices by 60 satang per liter and diesel prices by 1 baht per liter.
The Department of Health says its “normal sweetness = 50% sweetness” campaign has received a positive response over the past three months, reflecting a shift in Thai consumers’ drinking habits. Eleven companies have joined the campaign, adjusting their formulas across more than 30,000 branches nationwide.
Two cave diving specialists who yesterday attempted to survey a flooded cave in Laos’s Xaysomboun province, where seven Laotian gold miners have remained trapped since last Tuesday, described the interior passages as so narrow that they could not even crawl on their knees.
Thailand’s labor market is entering a more fragile phase, with the National Economic and Social Development Council warning that workers face three major pressures: the conflict in the Middle East, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and the shift toward electric vehicles.
For the first time in records dating back to 1949, China is now home to more people aged 65 and above than children, the latest official data showed, underscoring the country’s deepening demographic pressure. By November last year, 15.9% of China’s roughly 1.4 billion-strong population was aged at least 65, compared with 15.3% aged between 0 to 14. 
Thailand’s Alcohol Control Committee has opened a public consultation on a draft regulation setting days when alcohol sales would be prohibited, with feedback accepted until May 30. The move signals a potential update to existing restrictions, while confirming that recent changes to daytime alcohol sales have not increased accident rates.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday confirmed that Thais will definitely view World Cup 2026 football games to be broadcast live from host countries in North America between next month and July.
Thailand is being urged to promote “active citizens” to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) after new findings show they account for 70% of all deaths and impose an economic burden of B1.6 trillion.
Even if you don’t drink coffee, you will know that the coffee business has grown tremendously because coffee shops, either small or large, have been mushrooming. Due to the growth of this market, Thailand is set to host one of the world’s most influential coffee events – World Of Coffee Bangkok 2026.
Is 60 truly the perfect endpoint of a working life? This question is becoming ever more pressing as Thailand, and the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, rapidly transform into a “super-aged society” – a definition for a country or society where 20% or more of the population is aged 65 or older.
U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday he would briefly pause an operation to help ships escape the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran. 
Thailand’s rice exporters say the Iran war has dealt a major blow to shipments to the Middle East, wiping out more than 200,000 tons of exports over the past three months.
The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft emergency decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow up to 400 billion baht to address the impact of the energy crisis and support Thailand’s energy transition. Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the decision was necessary because conflict in the Middle East had severely affected energy prices and economic activity worldwide.
Thailand’s condominium market in 2026 is facing pressure from all sides, including the domestic economy and external factors, particularly tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel that have pushed oil prices higher, significantly affecting the cost of goods and services, as well as the cost of living for Thai consumers.
An environmental advocacy organization, the Environmental Law Foundation (EnLAW), yesterday launched a nationwide campaign titled “Stop SEC Act & Land Bridge”, calling on the public to oppose the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), or land bridge project, through an online petition.
More than 50% of farmer debtors are unlikely to fully repay their debts within their lifetime, largely because most of them are elderly, according to the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research (PIER). The institute says a combination of debt relief measures is needed to address the issue.
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Thailand’s hotel industry is bracing for a weaker low season as rising oil prices, fewer flights, and softer travel demand begin to weigh on bookings. The prolonged conflict in the Middle East, now running for more than two months, has pushed global oil prices sharply higher and added fresh pressure to the tourism sector, which had only recently recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before we go too far down the road of new tourism taxes, it is worth pausing to ask a simple question. Are we really talking about something new, or are we revisiting an old idea that has already been tried, tested and, in many cases, quietly abandoned?
A tourist complaint has put photographers at Wat Arun back in the spotlight after visitors claimed they were told to move from public areas to make way for paying photo clients.
Bangkok food vendor curbs push city staple from the streets
Chinatown in Bangkok is one of the world’s most vibrant Chinese districts, famous for its atmosphere and energy. Visitors can explore Yaowarat Road, admire landmarks like China Gate and Wat Traimit, wander through Sampheng Lane, and enjoy a rich variety of street food after dark. 
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the Ministry of Energy and related organizations to set up a one-stop center for solar rooftop consulting.
Thailand’s electric pickup market is shifting into high gear, fueled by a mix of global energy pressures and domestic policy support, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).