- Hua Hin tourism plans/Demolition begins on Hua Hin beach/Heavy rain warning for PKK/Thap Sakae severely flooded/Climate Crisis in Hua Hin Explored/Stricter safety checks for older drivers/How safe are senior motorists?/Lifetime Driving Licenses Valid/No reports of food stockpiling/Phuket’s Karon named ‘disaster area’/Gold prices in Thailand plunge
- ECONOMY: US midterm elections to impact Thai economy/Real estate drives green energy push
- TOURISM: Year-end tourism campaigns/Koh Kood calls for visitor limits/Refunds if hotels fail to make good/Thai taxi fare proposal/’Nightlife sandbox’ for Khao San
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Electricity reliability concerns/Striking an energy balance
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin tourism plans revealed
Hua Hin is gearing up for four months of fun. A new campaign aims to make the seaside destination even more appealing to travelers. Video …
Demolition begins on buildings encroaching on Hua Hin beach
Hua Hin Municipality has launched an operation to demolish 15 structures encroaching on the beach, from the fishing pier to the Thap Tim Shrine. A large number of officials and machinery have been deployed, aiming to return the public area to citizens in November. Video …
Beachfront demolition video
Heavy rain warning for PKK, Thai Gulf coast provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts thundershowers across 60% of Bangkok and surrounding areas today, and isolated heavy rain on the south’s east coast. The forecast is valid from 6 am today until 6 am tomorrow.
Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani face isolated heavy rain, with thundershowers forecast across 60% of the south’s east coast. Minimum temperatures in the region will range from 23–24°C and maximums from 30–34°C. Continued …
Thap Sakae severely flooded – Flash floods in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Residents in the Thap Sakae Market area of Thap Sakae district woke up to heavy rain yesterday that had been falling continuously since Oct. 28, causing floodwaters on the roads to be over 10 centimeters high (above ankles), making travel difficult. Some homeowners had to use sandbags to prevent the water from flowing into their houses.
Images show a mass of water flowing from the Tanaosri Mountains resembling a “muddy ocean” descending to the lower areas. This is at Tham Ta Muak, Ban Pa Ron, Ron Thong subdistrict, Bang Saphan District. In Prachuap Khiri Khan province, residents of Bang Saphan district are fearful of flooding after accumulated rainfall. Continued and video …
Climate Crisis in Hua Hin and Thailand Explored in Documentary ‘Climate Empathy’
A documentary has been released chronicling the journey of young people and university students who helped restore mangrove forests in Thailand and met local children. It captures how the climate crisis affects not only the natural environment but also residents’ lives and children’s futures.
According to the T&C Foundation, its documentary “Climate Empathy” documents an overseas empathy tour in Hua Hin, involving 25 people, including the foundation’s high school scholarship recipients, known as Fellows, and its university scholarship recipients, known as Amis. Continued …
Thailand considers stricter safety checks for older drivers
Thailand is considering additional measures to improve road safety among older motorists, including reviewing physical fitness requirements for new driving license applicants aged 55 and above. However, officials have stressed that existing lifetime driving licenses will not be revoked.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat, deputy transport minister, said one growing concern was the increasing proportion of road accidents involving older drivers. He cited incidents in which elderly motorists drove cars into U-turn areas designed for motorcycles and became stuck, as well as cases involving older people riding electric motorcycles, colloquially dubbed “inheritance accelerators”, on public roads. Continued …
How safe are Thailand’s senior motorists?
Last week, a 67-year-old motorist drove her white sedan through the glass doors of a Big C outlet in Bangkok’s Onnut area after accidently pressing the accelerator instead of the brake. Six people were injured in the accident, including a six-year-old girl and an 81-year-old woman.
A few months earlier in Saraburi province, an 82-year-old lost control of his vehicle, causing it to swerve across several lanes before crashing into parked vehicles. Rescue workers found the driver unconscious at the scene. In other cases, death and injury was only averted by chance or the evasive maneuvers of other drivers on the road. Continued …
Thailand Keeps Lifetime Driving Licenses Valid
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport has denied reports that it plans to cancel or recall lifetime driving licenses, saying existing holders can continue using them legally as normal.
Sorapong Paitoonpong, the department’s director-general, issued the clarification yesterday after claims circulated widely on social media that authorities were preparing to withdraw the licenses. Continued …
No reports of food stockpiling in Thailand
There are no signs of mass stockpiling of consumer goods, says a member of the Thai Wholesale and Retail Trade Assn.
Many countries, including the US, the UK, Japan and several European nations, have issued guidance encouraging households to stockpile essential supplies in preparation for emergencies, according to international media reports. Continued …
Phuket’s Karon named ‘disaster area’ after heavy downpours
Phuket has declared parts of Muang district a disaster-hit area after heavy rain and strong winds caused flooding and mudslides. Gov. Chotnarin Kerdsom said the declaration, issued on Thursday, covers communities in tambon Karon where public, private and state property was damaged.
The designation under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act 2007 allows government agencies, local authorities and private organizations to carry out urgent relief and recovery work. Continued …
Gold prices in Thailand plunge 1,550 baht as AI stock rout hits
Gold prices in Thailand fell sharply by 1,550 baht at the opening of trading today, extending losses from the previous day as a sell-off in Wall Street technology stocks triggered a wider retreat in global precious metals markets.
The Gold Traders Assn. announced the first domestic price adjustment, bringing the selling price of 96.5% gold bullion down to 62,200 baht per baht-weight, compared with yesterday’s closing price of 63,750 baht. Continued …
US midterm elections set to impact Thai economy
The US midterm elections are likely to influence the development of the Middle East war and impact Thai economic growth, says an academic. Assoc. Prof. Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, discussed the potential impact of the elections on Thailand’s economy.
He said a Republican loss of its House majority could make it harder to escalate military action against Iran and would increase the possibility of negotiations. Continued …
Real estate recovery drives wider green energy push
Thailand’s real estate sector is beginning to show signs of recovery, following a 12% expansion in real estate lending during the first half of the year, says Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.
Speaking at the opening of the 50th House and Condo Expo, Ekniti said on Thursday the real estate sector underpins Thailand’s economic growth and stability, as it is closely linked to a wide range of related industries such as construction, labor, building materials, financial institutions and lending services. Continued …
Year-end tourism campaigns expected to generate 630 million baht
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects three flagship year-end campaigns to generate 630 million baht in domestic tourism revenue, contributing to a projected 206 million domestic trips worth 1.1 trillion baht for the year.
The agency has invested more than 100 million baht in the three projects to encourage Thais to travel during the year-end, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing, said. Continued …
Koh Kood group calls for visitor limits
Koh Kood’s tourism association has urged the government and private-sector operators to manage visitor numbers, warning that rapid growth could overwhelm the Trat island during the high season.
Plubplueng Permsap, president of the Koh Kood Tourism Assn., said tourism has expanded markedly since the Covid-19 pandemic, driven particularly by Thai visitors and Europeans who tend to stay for longer periods. Continued …
Thailand proposes refunds if hotels fail to make good on advertising
Room rates, booking conditions and advertising promises would become part of binding contracts with guests under a proposed Thai law aimed at strengthening protections for travelers.
The Thai government said the draft would allow guests to cancel bookings or end their stays if accommodation providers fail to deliver what they advertise. Continued …
Thai taxi fare proposal links prices to vehicle size
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat discussed a proposal to set Thailand’s taxi fares according to four vehicle sizes during talks with three taxi associations yesterday. The approach is intended to align charges with operating costs.
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is examining small, medium, large and extra-large taxi categories, labeled S, M, L and XL, alongside two service types, “Universal” and “Luxury”, Siripong said. The proposed rates will go to the Transport Ministry for consideration before being submitted to the Cabinet. Continued …
‘Nightlife sandbox’ to enforce laws on Khao San, Rambuttri
The government plans to introduce a sandbox scheme covering Khao San and Rambuttri roads in Bangkok to improve law enforcement at entertainment venues and prevent corruption among state officials.
PM’s Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantakul, who chaired a meeting on the scheme yesterday, said discussions focused on problems with the implementation of the existing zoning decree, issued in 2002, which no longer reflects current conditions. Continued …
Net-zero drive causes electricity reliability concerns
Thailand’s ambitious drive toward a net-zero future and a major expansion of renewable energy capacity is prompting growing concerns among energy officials over the country’s ability to maintain a stable electricity supply.
Jakree Sirimaneewattana, assistant governor for corporate strategy at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), warned that rapid renewable energy expansion without corresponding infrastructure upgrades could pose risks to national power security. Continued …
Clarifying plans to strike an energy balance
As Thailand accelerates its transition to a low-carbon economy, energy policymakers are revising the country’s oil strategy to balance decarbonization goals with energy security.
Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of the Department of Energy Business (DOEB), is outlining how the revised 2026 oil plan aims to expand biofuel use, modernize oil infrastructure and prepare the industry for declining fossil fuel demand. Continued …
Thailand investigates 19 firms linked to Rabbi Kantor
Thai authorities are investigating 19 companies linked to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, head of the Chabad network in Thailand, following the revocation of his Thai citizenship. Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said yesterday that officials were also checking whether Kantor’s relatives who hold Thai nationality had committed offenses. Continued …
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Krabi arrests 18 in Ao Nang nominee crackdown – Continued …
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US fugitive, Mexican overstayer arrested in Pattaya – Continued …
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Chinese woman held over Thai ID and Chumphon land – Continued …
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Five foreigners held over overstays in Kamphaeng Phet – Continued …
Thailand braces for US-Iran fallout
The National Security Council (NSC) will convene an urgent meeting on Wednesday to review national preparedness measures amid growing concerns over the situation in the Middle East. The meeting follows warnings by several countries urging their citizens to stockpile sufficient food and drinking water for at least 72 hours and to prepare for possible emergencies. Continued …
Thailand ready to evacuate citizens if Mideast tensions escalate
Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to respond to developments in the Middle East, saying preparations are under way to evacuate Thai nationals if necessary, amid reports that the United States may launch another military operation against Iran. Continued …
Brent ends October up 13.6% as Iran war risks unsettle markets
Brent and US crude futures gained more than 2% yesterday, reaching their highest settlements since the end of April, as traders worried that the Iran war could intensify after the US midterm elections. A tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz added to concerns about Middle East oil supplies. Brent’s October advance totaled 13.6%, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 15.2% over the month. Continued …
Iran’s Navy says four tankers catch fire in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said yesterday that four oil tankers had caught fire and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz, while attempting to use what it described as unauthorized routes, Iranian state media reported. The IRGC Navy said a fourth vessel, a tanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil, had hit a mine, suffered a powerful explosion and was burning. Continued …
Vietnam’s growth reshapes Southeast Asia’s economic rankings
Vietnam is poised to overtake Indonesia in nominal gross domestic product (GDP) per capita this year, as rapid economic expansion, foreign investment and rising exports strengthen its position among Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts that Vietnam’s nominal GDP per capita will increase by 8.9% in 2026 to US$5,259, almost doubling its level over the past decade. Continued …
Hackers allegedly from North Korea steal US$6.3 billion from Binance in world’s biggest crypto heist
Hackers stole US$6.3 billion from Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, in a record theft that analysts blamed on North Korea and said could be the largest financial heist of all time. Continued …
Trump, Milei under pressure to explain Bolsonaro flight from Brazil
US President Donald Trump and Argentina’s Javier Milei faced mounting pressure yesterday to explain the role their countries played in helping Flavio Bolsonaro flee Brazil after he had his passports cancelled. The 45-year-old Brazilian senator bolted his country two days after being defeated by incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a presidential election on Sunday. 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 carrier Ezy Airlines has launched its second scheduled route, offering nonstop Surat Thani–Hua Hin flights. Cessna aircraft will serve this route twice daily, although service will not be offered from Tuesdays to Thursdays. The first flight is scheduled on Nov. 7. The airline also operates Surat Thani–U-Tapao Airport twice daily, except for Tuesdays trough Thursdays). – Aeroroutes
Charoen Pokphand Group Senior Chairman Dhanin Chearavanont has given young Thai guitarist Nene Royal a gold Buddha image and his blessings as her family prepares to move into a luxury condominium worth 35 million baht (US$1.2 million).
Thailand has warned farmers, people with diabetes and residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions against melioidosis, also known as soil fever, after recording 3,102 cases and 136 deaths nationwide this year.
Thailand’s digital economy is forecast to reach US$72 billion, or approximately 2.43 trillion baht, in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2026, growing 19% despite economic challenges, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2026 report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Co. The report projects that GMV will rise to US$104 billion by 2030 and US$167 billion by 2035, with compound annual growth of 10%.
Bangkok’s condominium market may take another two to three years to return to normal, with more than 65,300 unsold units in the capital worth a combined 370 billion baht.
Bangkok ultra-luxury condos could top 1 million baht per square meter
Inside a modern seafood processing plant: from boat to shelf
Food industry expansion slows amid surging costs and weak consumer spending
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Wildlife Sanctuary covers a vast area of 24,500 square kilometers, stretching from volcanic plains to the Red Sea coast. Although this area represents only 1% of the country’s land and 1.8% of its marine land area, it is home to more than 50% of all species in Saudi Arabia, distributed across 15 diverse ecosystems. 
Flooding raises vegetable and egg prices
The flood crisis is not over just because floodwaters have receded, as around 1.64 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face major challenges regarding capital and employment, raising the risk of liquidity crunches – or even business closures.
Toyota Motor Thailand Co. said yesterday it would suspend production at three plants from Oct. 5-10 due to flooding that has disrupted parts deliveries in Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao and Chon Buri provinces.
Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport has set out plans to become an aviation and logistics hub for Thailand’s upper north, including cargo links to China and the Middle East.
A Real Estate Information Center (REIC) survey of five major northeastern provinces in the first half of 2026 points to a shared finding that “purchasing power remains”.
Thailand’s tourism recovery is entering a more complicated phase. The country is trying to revive travel demand while higher fuel and food costs continue to put pressure on households and businesses.
Thailand’s soft power play: Culture as global currency
Thai Airways International’s board has suspended and removed chief executive Chai Eamsiri from his post, effective yesterday, following disruption to baggage, flights and ground services at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The board appointed Samrit Samniang, a company director and executive director, as acting chief executive.
How Coffee Is Helping Thailand Reduce Human-Elephant Conflict
Hua Hin ready to clear beach after decades-long dispute
Thai teenage rock musician Nene Royal is extending her breakthrough on America’s Got Talent into US television appearances and major concert opportunities, days after becoming the first Thai contestant to win the competition.
With the Iran war causing energy prices to spike across most of Southeast Asia, governments in this region are accelerating the roll-out of renewable energy policies, according to report by Zero Carbon Analytics, a research group focused on energy transition.
Thailand’s customs-cleared exports rose 24.3% in August from a year earlier, driven by strong shipments to the United States and continuing demand for electronics, the Commerce Ministry said yesterday.
Speaking at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a statement under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All,” marking 80 years of Thai membership in the organization.
For most of the past two decades, the Thailand-China relationship was defined by trade volume and Chinese manufacturing relocation. Increasingly, it is defined by something else: the transfer of Chinese technology, standards, and industrial know-how directly into the operating base of the Thai economy.
Thailand is preparing to open its 26th petroleum exploration and production bidding round in the Andaman Sea as part of efforts to increase domestic gas supplies, reduce dependence on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and strengthen long-term energy security.
Thailand is developing a risk-based legal framework for artificial intelligence that focuses on enhancing digital accountability, consumer protection, and ethics. These regulations aim to establish safeguards for AI adoption and development while addressing potential risks such as bias, security, and privacy.
Phuket has been voted the leading wellness destination by Canadian travelers in Air Canada Vacations’ 2026 Travelers’ Top Picks Awards. The result was announced at the company’s Toronto Product Launch at Universal Event Space in Toronto, Canada.
Those darn elephants! Being the smallest means you’re never walking alone
How the ‘Three-Water City’ is rewriting the rules of travel
Australian expat Jay Houston says he has cut his rent to a quarter of what he paid in Australia after moving to Thailand, and is now running an online business to help other Australians make the move.
Phuket expects this year’s Vegetarian Festival to generate at least 1.4 billion baht in economic activity. Visitors from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and Singapore are expected to be the primary groups attending the festival.
Thailand recorded the highest electrified vehicle (xEV) sales among ASEAN-6 markets in the first half of 2026, with volumes rising 47% year on year to 206,000 units, according to PwC. Sales outpaced Vietnam at 127,000 units and Indonesia at 114,000 units, reinforcing Thailand’s position as a leading regional hub for electric mobility.
US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a lavish summit that was heavy on symbolism but light on substance, with no sign of breakthroughs on thorny issues such as AI, trade, Taiwan and the war with Iran. 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative speech at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, defending Israel’s actions in the region as dozens of delegates walked out of the chamber in protest. 
Telepharmacy in Thailand has moved from the development of the regulatory framework to its implementation phase. With the FDA’s telepharmacy framework now in place and telepharmacy platforms entering the market, the focus is increasingly turning to how businesses can participate in this emerging healthcare ecosystem.
Flood conditions in Nan and Sukhothai have begun to improve, but another 7-9 storms could form before the end of the current storm season, climate and disaster specialist Seree Supratid has warned.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) Yodchanan Wongsawat ordered the rehabilitation and restoration of public utilities today in flood-ravaged Pua and Wiang Sa districts of Nan province, as floodwater is steadily receding.
An Israeli property developer and his wife, arrested in a Koh Samui investigation into alleged nominee-shareholder arrangements, say a Thai lawyer and accountant were responsible for guiding their business setup.
Thai authorities have searched three locations in Pattaya and Bang Lamung as part of an investigation into suspected Thai nominee arrangements used to hold land and run businesses for foreigners.
Thailand’s pitch to the world’s technology companies has, for the past two years, been built on numbers that keep climbing. The Board of Investment approved 26 data center projects worth almost 500 billion baht in 2025, and by the first quarter of 2026, fresh applications had already reached 1.01 trillion baht — roughly 2.4 times what they were a year earlier.
Thailand’s electronics industry is entering a significant upcycle, as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers accelerate global demand for components, with a clear impact on the country’s production base.
Investments and fishing communities clash in Rayong
Thailand’s grip on China’s vast tourism market is slipping, as safety fears drive holidaymakers toward fast-rising Vietnam. The kingdom now expects only 5.1 million Chinese arrivals, less than half its 2019 total.
Thai Airways is set to resume direct non-stop services between Bangkok and Auckland ahead of schedule, with launch plans brought forward by a year to March 2027.
Somsak Pu Ob: The Master of Bangkok’s Crab Glass Noodles
Thailand, done differently
As pressure mounts on industries to treat climate action as systemic rather than a compliance exercise, Tetra Pak Thailand is pointing to a philosophy it says predates the current wave of ESG regulation by decades.
Here is why Thailand might be entering a second consecutive lost decade. The first lost decade, between May 2014 and August 2023 was largely brought about by coup leader Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, who ushered in a period of relative economic stagnation and uncertainty.
Thailand’s competition regulator is preparing new rules for ride-hailing and on-demand delivery platforms amid concerns over market concentration, unfair commission structures, opaque algorithms and unequal operating conditions.
Nine people were gunned down after a 14-year-old took his grandfather’s gun and opened fire at a school just outside Bangkok. Within days, Thailand saw two more different but deadly shootings.
TikTok has expanded its ThaisAware campaign as it enters its third year, bringing together 13 public-sector and civil-society partners to strengthen online-scam awareness in Thailand.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed reports that Japanese investors are moving their production bases out of Thailand, saying the government will not abandon long-standing investors and will fully support the country’s traditional automotive industry.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is gearing up for the launch, tentatively on Oct. 1, of the first phase of the “Thai Tiew Thai Plus” program, aimed at boosting domestic tourism.
Most Thai hotel operators expect their revenue to decline year on year during the third quarter of 2026, with lower-rated properties and hotels in the south likely to face the greatest pressure during the low season.
Chao Phraya express boat fares to rise by 1 baht from today
A Guide to Phang Nga: Beyond James Bond Island, Where Southern Thailand Slows Down
Bangkok eighth in global attractive city index
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is preparing for a major operational overhaul, as it transitions to electric buses, with a plan to lease 1,520 electric vehicles (EVs) over seven years under a 14.9-billion-baht contract with Nakhonchai Air Co.
GAC has delivered 115 Aion EVs for use on Grab’s ride-hailing platform in Thailand through two separate partnerships: 100 units under a tie-up with CLVG and ICBC (Thai) Leasing, and 15 units through a collaboration with Siam Taxi Cooperative.
Despite US market turbulence from the discontinuation of federal tax credits and supply disruptions caused by on-again, off-again tariffs, electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, according to a new report from BloombergNEF.
Heavy rain and flash floods threaten upper Thailand
Bangkok gun dealers say Thailand’s long-running firearms import ban is forcing some businesses to seek other income, while proposed new restrictions could further reduce legal sales.
Thai and Australian Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese yesterday signed two joint statements on upgrading strategic partnership in four areas, across trade, law enforcement, defense and innovation, after their full-scale bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.
Thailand’s exports and private investment are expected to remain important drivers of economic growth after gross domestic product expanded by only 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday.
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index rose for a second straight month in July due to strong electric vehicle (EV) sales and government support measures, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported yesterday. The federation’s industrial sentiment index rose to 90.0 in July from 88.2 in June.
Foreigners arriving in Thailand may be asked by immigration to show they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. Depending on the entry route, the stated requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport.
“Oh, we’re on the wrong side of the road,” I blurted out as I hopped into our van after landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. “It’s not the wrong side,” said Lisa, the journalist I was traveling with. “It’s a different side.”
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na, a rare window into Bangkok’s royal past
A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that Thailand can accelerate rooftop solar deployment by reforming its current solar policies. This would reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), improve energy security, and limit future pressure on rising electricity costs.
Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and building resilience is no longer optional, said Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong. He added that such disasters also know no borders, making solidarity and collective action in ASEAN critical.
The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed yesterday, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fueled in part by President Donald Trump’s invalidated tariffs. 
Portugal’s president has enacted a law pushed by the far right banning the concealment of faces in public, a measure widely seen as targeting Muslim women wearing a full-face veil. 
Russia wins Hua Hin World Cup after sudden-death penalty shoot-out
Thailand retools for a tougher global economy
Thailand on forefront of battle against plastics
Phuket’s Waste Crisis Sparks Health Concerns Amid Local Deaths
Bangkok Chokes: Dangerous Smog Levels Grip City Again
Deadly Asian floods are no fluke. They’re a climate warning, scientists say
Passenger service charge to increase from 730 to 1,120 baht starting 2026
Thai Power Giant EGAT Unveils ‘Triple S’ Strategy to Hit Net Zero by 2050