- Waterfront demolition to start/Hua Hin’s mayor outlines priorities/Hua Hin beach cleanup/PKK has a new governor/Marriott plans new hotel in Cha-am/Police dog challenge event in Cha-am/Floods hit 4,635 businesses/Thai villages flooded to protect capital/160-billion-baht canal approved
- THE IRAN WAR: How is Thailand’s food industry affected?/Iran shifting tactics/Energy risks are far from over
- ECONOMY: Economic Slowdown Is a Wake-Up Call//IMF forecasts Thailand growth/Thai economy facing multiple challenges/12-point Bangkok Blueprint/Labor shortage leaves fruit rotting on trees/Netflix sees Thailand as global production hub/Bridge projects in Songkhla, Krabi
- TOURISM: Warning over losses from exit tax/TAT targets 33 million foreign arrivals/Tuk-tuk driver charges 4,000-baht Bangkok fare/Thai Airways and LOT in codeshare
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Clean Energy Cheaper But Faster Transition Needed
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Waterfront demolition to start tomorrow
Work to remove waterfront buildings along Hua Hin beach is set to begin on tomorrow, with the initial demolition expected to focus on buildings and plots that have already been vacated.
The operation covers the stretch between the Fishing Pier and the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine. Contractors will begin with structures and sections that can be removed without affecting residents, including extensions projecting into the sea, non-residential sections and signs. Continued …
Hua Hin’s mayor outlines his priorities
Connecting Hua Hin by air to Thailand’s major tourist destinations and developing the railway bypass road are among the priorities Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul has outlined as the city prepares for continued growth.
In an interview, Nopporn set out his ambition for Hua Hin to become a domestic air hub, with direct connections to destinations including Phuket, Samui, Krabi and Udon Thani. He called for government support to help establish regional routes and shared his longer-term vision for a new international airport outside the city center. Continued …
Hua Hin beach cleanup continues
Yesterday, staff from Hua Hin municipality’s Public Health and Environment Division collected rubbish along the beach from Hua Hin Soi 77 through Soi 85 and south to Khao Takiab.
The seasonal “Kite Wind” affects the Gulf of Thailand coastline, including Hua Hin, during October and November. This year, the winds and waves have brought an unusually large amount of rubbish ashore. Continued …
PKK has a new governor
The Cabinet has approved the appointment of Police Lt. Col. Khetrat Chansilp as the next Prachuap Khiri Khan governor, subject to royal approval.
Khetrat will leave his position as security adviser at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Interior to become the province’s 57th governor. He will succeed Sitthichai Sawatsaen, who is due to retire. Continued …
Marriott plans new hotel in Cha-am
Plans for a 215-room AC Hotel by Marriott in Cha-am have been detailed in official Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documents, confirming approval for the project on Soi Ruam Chit, off Chao Lai Road, close to Cha-am South 5 Road.
The development, registered as AC Hotel by Marriott Hua-Hin Cha-Am, is owned by Fountain Tree Co.. The hotel will occupy a 16,516-square-meter site, equivalent to just over 10 rai. Plans include four accommodation buildings: a nine-story block standing 38.7 meters high and three three-story blocks. Continued …
Police dog challenge event set for Cha-am this weekend
Police dogs and their handlers will compete in the BPP K-9 Challenge 2026 in Cha-am starting tomorrow, with free admission throughout the three-day event.
Organized by the Border Patrol Police Bureau, the competition will be held at the Police Dog Training Center, Rama VI Camp, in Phetchaburi. Visitors can watch teams demonstrate the speed, accuracy, quick thinking and coordination required for police work. Continued …
Floods hit 4,635 businesses with losses at 18.2 billion baht
Flooding has affected 4,635 businesses across 59 provinces, causing preliminary damage estimated at 18.21 billion baht, with Chonburi accounting for the overwhelming majority of losses, according to the Industry Ministry.
Businesses in industrial estates accounted for 17.84569 billion baht of the losses, while those outside industrial estates suffered an estimated 359.94 million baht in damage. Continued …
Deluge by design: Thai villages flooded to protect capital
Stilt houses in villages north of Bangkok are no longer high enough to stay dry as Thai authorities deliberately flood riverside communities to spare the capital.
Inside the home of Kamonchanok Sathaphonamonwut, raised more than three meters above the ground in Ayutthaya province, her family of three sleeps on makeshift platforms and cannot use the waterlogged toilet. Continued …
160-billion-baht Chao Phraya 2 canal approved to tackle flooding
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the Chai Nat-Pa Sak-Gulf of Thailand flood-drainage canal, widely known as “Chao Phraya 2”, a national mega-project intended to provide a long-term response to flooding.
The project, approved yesterday, will create and expand a waterway of more than 270 kilometers across nine provinces. The Royal Irrigation Department is the project owner, with construction scheduled to take eight years, from 2027 to 2034. The overall investment has been put at about 160 billion baht, including land acquisition costs. Continued …
How is Thailand’s food industry affected by Iran war?
The Middle East conflict presents both risks and opportunities for Thailand’s food industry. Rising energy and raw material costs, particularly fertilizers and plastic packaging inputs, are increasing production expenses, while transportation disruptions threaten supply chains across agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors, potentially slowing consumption of discretionary food products.
However, the crisis may benefit Thai exporters of long-shelf-life foods like ready-to-eat meals and basic proteins, as countries stockpile for food security. Businesses are advised to manage logistics risks, diversify export markets, lock in costs through long-term contracts, and reduce plastic dependence through alternative packaging materials. Continued …
Iran shifting tactics to step up attacks on shipping before US vote, officials say
Iran is deploying new tactics to target ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, as it seeks to keep oil prices high and influence the US midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters.
Tehran has tried to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. It has restricted passage through the waterway, which carried about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade before the war, in an effort to gain leverage over Washington, Reuters said. Continued …
IMF warns that energy risks are far from over
At the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, senior IMF executives held a joint press briefing with the media titled “Asia and Pacific Department” to release the latest Regional Economic Outlook report.
Krishna Srinivasan, Ddirector of the Asia and Pacific Division at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), revealed that the economies of Asia and the Pacific continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience amid global uncertainty. Continued …
Thailand’s Economic Slowdown Is a Wake-Up Call
Thailand needs more long-term investment to revive economic growth, former commerce and energy minister Narongchai Akrasanee says.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, Narongchai said a lack of long-term industrial investment and inefficient government infrastructure spending have weighed on the economy. Video …
IMF forecasts Thailand growth at 2.1% in 2026, among ASEAN’s slowest
Thailand’s economy is projected to grow by 2.1% in 2026, placing it among the slowest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, ahead of only Myanmar and Brunei, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest forecasts.
The IMF’s October 2026 World Economic Outlook projects Vietnam to lead the region with 8.4% growth, four times Thailand’s forecast rate. Malaysia is projected to grow by 5.2%, followed by Indonesia at 5.1%, Singapore at 5%, Laos at 4.5%, Timor-Leste at 4%, Philippines at 3.4% and Cambodia at 3%. Myanmar’s economy is forecast to expand by 2%, while Brunei is projected to grow by 1.9%. Continued …
BofT chief economist says Thai economy growing better but facing multiple challenges
Helen Qiao, cheif economist of Bank of Thailand, said the Thai economy may grow faster, but the country is facing multiple challenges.
She added that the Bank of Thailand should not raise its policy rate following major central banks, as the BOT should have deep considerations before a rate hike. Video …
IMF, World Bank launch 12-point Bangkok Blueprint
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group, working with the Bank of Thailand, launched the Bangkok Blueprint in Bangkok yesterday, setting out 12 considerations under five pillars to help countries combat digital financial fraud.
The Bangkok Blueprint provides an adaptable policy framework, covering legislation, identity verification, suspicious transaction detection, money tracing, victim support and international coordination. Countries can apply the guidance according to their laws, financial systems and capabilities, without being subject to a uniform global law. Continued …
Thailand labor shortage leaves fruit rotting on trees
Ripe mangosteen and rambutan are being left unpicked in eastern Thailand as a shortage of migrant workers forces growers to decide which crops are worth harvesting.
For durian farmer Jomsak Putirattana in Chanthaburi, the loss of his five Cambodian workers after the border dispute disrupted crossings has intensified competition for staff during the crucial fruit season. Daily pay for farm workers has more than doubled in some cases, rising from about 350-400 baht to as much as 800-1,000 baht, Jomsak said. At those rates, harvesting lower-value fruit is no longer viable for some growers. Continued …
Netflix sees Thailand as potential global production hub
Netflix says Thailand could develop into a global entertainment production center comparable to South Korea, but says stronger intellectual property protection and creative freedom will be needed for Thai content to compete internationally.
Andrew Ure, Netflix vice president of global affairs for Asia-Pacific, set out the streaming company’s view at the Creativity as Capital: Driving the Next Growth Frontier forum in Bangkok on Tuesday. The event was held in connection with the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group annual meetings. Continued …
Key bridge projects due to start in Songkhla, Krabi
Two major bridge projects in southern Thailand are being constructed to improve transport connectivity, support the tourism industry, and stimulate local economic activity. By linking key areas, these developments aim to enhance regional competitiveness and lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth. The total cost of the two major bridge projects is 6.38 billion baht.
The Songkhla Lake bridge is designed to connect parts of Songkhla and Phatthalung, potentially reducing a two-hour journey to just 10 minutes. The Koh Lanta bridge in Krabi will connect Koh Klang with Koh Lanta Noi, further improving accessibility in the region. These infrastructure improvements are intended to facilitate easier travel for tourists and improve the overall quality of life for local residents. – Bangkok Post AI
Warning over massive losses from exit tax
Thailand’s tourism industry could face annual revenue losses ranging from 50 billion to 150 billion baht due to a proposed departure tax. While the tax is expected to raise approximately 45.9 billion baht, industry experts warn that the levy could undermine the sector’s overall competitiveness.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents has expressed concerns that the tax might discourage travelers, with some projections suggesting a worst-case scenario loss of up to 150 billion baht. This potential decline is viewed as a significant risk, especially since the tax could influence the decisions of budget-conscious travelers and impact two-way tourism. – Bangkok Post AI
TAT targets 33 million foreign arrivals with year-end events
Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) will use a packed program of year-end festivals, concerts and international events in an effort to bring foreign arrivals to about 33 million in 2026. The campaign follows a 3.8% fall in international arrivals during the first nine months of the year, while a strengthening baht has made Thailand less price-competitive against rival destinations.
Thailand received 23.2 million overseas visitors between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Foreign tourism revenue dropped 2.26% year on year to 1,142.485 billion baht. Continued …
Tuk-tuk driver criticized over 4,000-baht Bangkok fare
A Bangkok tuk-tuk driver has drawn online criticizm after demanding 4,000 baht from two foreign tourists for a trip from Rajamangala National Stadium to a hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 4 following a concert.
The driver posted video of the dispute, which occurred after the pair arrived at their hotel. The tourists paid 400 baht but refused to hand over the remaining amount, saying the charge was excessive for a journey that took about 15 minutes. Continued …
Thai Airways and LOT to expand Europe-Asia links with codeshare
Thai Airways International and LOT Polish Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a codeshare partnership aimed at expanding travel connections across Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Kittiphong Sansomboon, chief commercial officer of Thai Airways, said yesterday the planned codeshare is expected to begin at the start of the 2027 summer schedule, subject to approval from the relevant regulatory authorities. Continued …
Clean Energy Cheaper But Faster Transition Needed, Panel Warns
Energy demand is soaring, fuel prices have been rattled by conflict in the Middle East, and much of Asia still runs on coal. Can renewables step in fast enough?
A panel at CNN Global Perspectives in Bangkok yesterday, “Powering the Next Economy”, answered with a cautious yes. Clean power is now often the cheapest option, the speakers said, but the speed of the shift and who pays for it remain the problem. Continued …
Australia fights ‘unfettered’ access to children by big tech
Australia said today it refused to allow big tech to have “unfettered” access to its children, as it formally introduced new legislation that would give users choice over what they see on their feeds. Under the “Digital Duty of Care” bill, firms behind popular platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram will be required to give users the choice to opt out of the powerful algorithms that dictate what we see online. Continued …
Money laundering worldwide hits $6 trillion
Corruption can reduce real GDP per capita growth by 3% for up to two years, while money laundering amounts to as much as US$6 trillion annually worldwide, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Case studies of efforts to combat corruption and money laundering were presented at the 2026 annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group yesterday 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
Naresdamri Road resurfacing/Chinese New Year festival in Hua Hin/Ceremony held to honor King Narai/Huai Nam Sap Forest Park festival/Prachuap Valentine’s Day kayaking/Cha Am shooting suspect surrenders/Educational support for underprivileged children in PKK/
Hua Hin City Municipality has announced temporary road closures on Naresdamri Road from Feb. 19 to March 1, as resurfacing and drainage repair works get under way.
Prachuap kayaking for eternal love was the focus of Valentine’s Day celebrations on Saturday, as 14 couples took part in a nature-based activity organized by Prachuap Town Municipality.
Thailand is sliding into another political crisis as questions intensify over the conduct of the Feb. 8 general election. The poll faces a mounting wave of legal challenges across a widening field of disputes. Foremost is the escalating row over barcodes and QR codes, now a serious threat to the already embattled Election Commission’s conduct of the poll.
Witsanu Attavanich, an associate professor of economics at Kasetsart University and an expert in resource, environmental, and climate-change economics, provided an update on Thailand’s flood-drought outlook as of yesterday, saying the country has entered the “mid-phase” of the El Niño phenomenon and is likely to shift into a full El Niño by May 2026 — earlier than previously expected. He said the event could persist until at least February 2027.
The Department of Land Transport (DLT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), is upgrading its service standards to allow motorists aged under 55 to renew their driving licenses online from June.
Department unveils plan for Songkhla Lake bridge
Thailand’s Ministry of Industry has signaled its intent to conclude free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union by mid-2026, despite the current transition to a caretaker government.
Thailand is witnessing not deglobalization but “reglobalization” — a strategic realignment of trade, production, and finance — requiring the country to integrate its economic and foreign policies more closely than ever before, Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said yesterday.
Business operators along the Thai–Cambodian frontier in Trat province are bracing for a prolonged border shutdown, urging authorities to reopen checkpoints while rapidly pivoting toward domestic markets to survive.
Hotel operators say requesting land and building tax discounts on a yearly basis will not help the business sector reduce its fixed-cost burden in the long run, and urged the government to revise this tax structure to be based on revenue, similar to the previous property tax.
Redefining the future of food
Bangkok has introduced the “EV for Win Riders” initiative to transition motorcycle taxis to electric vehicles. Launched by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and supported by partners like Germany’s GIZ, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, and the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, the project aims to reduce pollution and operational expenses for riders in the city.
The Department of Energy Business (DOEB) has moved to establish national standards for electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen fuel infrastructure, aiming to streamline investment and ensure safety as Thailand accelerates its transition to clean energy.
