Three food festivals/Cha-am water supply disruption/Lions Kill Zoo Staffer/Safari World vows urgent safety review/Urgent flood warning issued/Monsoon mayhem looms/Weak laws as domestic violence surges/Thais among top 10 global gold buyers/PM Anutin reveals assets/ECONOMY: Thailand and US Begin Tariff Talks/US capital moves from China to Thailand/Thailand’s FTA trade benefits/European firms keen on Thailand/Flaws in proposed Hotel Act/TOURISM: Sex tourism in Thailand spotlighted/Chinese Tourist Dies off Koh Larn/Thai Airways to phase out its first class/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Khao Yai Asia’s No.2 rural destination/Luxury Travelers Are Flocking to Secluded Resorts/CLIMATE THAILAND: Face masks: An environmental time bomb/FOREIGNERS/INTERNATIONAL/NEW PAGE – HUA HIN LINKS
Three food festivals to take place near Hua Hin this weekend
Food lovers are in for a treat this weekend, with three food festivals set to get underway near Hua Hin. Each event will highlight local cuisine, seafood, and community culture across the region. Continued …
Cha-am water supply disruption today
Cha-am Municipality has announced a temporary suspension of the water supply in several communities today. The disruption will take place between 9am and 5pm. Continued …
Lions Kill Zoo Staffer in Bangkok Attack
A zoo employee in the Ram Intra area of Bangkok was fatally attacked by a group of lions yesterday in an incident that lasted approximately 15 minutes. Witnesses, including tourists, attempted to intervene by honking car horns and shouting for help, but were unable to stop the animals.
The incident occurred when the staff member, identified as former surgeon Dr. Thawatchai Kanchanarin, exited a vehicle and was approached from behind by one lion. The lion grabbed him and dragged him to the ground before biting him, and within minutes, four additional lions joined the attack, inflicting severe injuries. Continued …
Safari World vows urgent safety review after zookeeper killed in lion attack
Safari World issued a statement following the death of a 58-year-old zookeeper who was attacked by a lion at the open zoo in Bangkok.
“In light of the recent accident involving a staff member in the lion zone, the employee sustained severe injuries and later passed away. The company expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and will provide full support and assistance to them,” the statement read. Continued …
Urgent flood warning issued as Chao Phraya River reaches crisis level
Chai Nat province has issued an urgent warning after the Chao Phraya River rose to a critical level, with water north of the Chao Phraya Dam surging more than 0.35 meters following heavy rainfall.
The Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command has alerted residents in three riverside districts — Manorom (Tha Chanuan, Siladan, Wat Khok, Khung Samphao subdistricts), Wat Sing (Makham Thao, Wat Sing subdistricts), and Mueang Chainat (Thammamool, Hat Tha Sao, Khao Tha Phra, Tha Chai, Ban Kluai, Chainat subdistricts) — to prepare for possible flash floods. Continued …
Monsoon mayhem looms with storms and floods in Thailand
Thailand faces heavy rain, flash flood risks, and rough seas as the monsoon continues to impact multiple regions, prompting warnings from officials. The active monsoon trough remains across the north and upper northeast, while moderate southwesterly winds persist over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected across the upper regions.
Scattered thundershowers are expected on the east coast in the southern region, particularly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Temperatures range from 23 to 25 °C in the early hours to 31 to 34 °C later in the day. Winds will blow at 15 to 35 km/h. Continued …
Thailand blasted for weak laws as domestic violence surges
Campaigners are calling out Thailand’s weak domestic violence laws, accusing them of protecting abusers more than victims, and demanding urgent reform. Civil society groups are ramping up pressure on the new government to prioritize a long-delayed draft law that would strengthen protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Yesterday, the Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence Thailand hosted a public forum to scrutinize the legal shortcomings in tackling gender-based violence. The event brought together activists, legal experts, and lawmakers to push for faster legislative progress. Continued …
Thais among top 10 global gold buyers
Thailand has emerged as one of the world’s top 10 gold buyers, with demand jumping 21% year-on-year to 20.7 tons in the first half of 2025, supported by expected US interest rate cuts, safe-haven demand, and a global de-dollarization trend, says YLG Bullion International.
Pawan Nawawattanasub, chief executive of the Bangkok-based gold trader, said global prices, which this week hit a record high of more than $3,670 an ounce, would remain firmly on an upward trajectory over the next 6-12 months. Continued …
PM Anutin reveals billions in assets, private jets, and antiques
PM Anutin Charnvirakul has disclosed assets amounting to 3.9 billion baht, which include three private jets, two speedboats, and a luxury property in Bangkok. Among his assets, the former construction magnate also listed 1.09 billion baht in cash and deposits spread across over 24 bank accounts.
The 58-year-old Bhumjaithai leader revealed his financial status to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) as part of a mandatory process for government officials, with the agency releasing the details publicly yesterday. Continued …
Thailand and US Begin Tariff Talks with ‘Flexible’ Approach
Thailand and the United States have commenced their first round of technical negotiations on trade tariffs, with a senior source from the Thai Ministry of Commerce revealing that the US has adopted a “flexible” and cooperative stance.
The discussions are highly detailed, involving multiple government agencies from both sides and focusing on the wording of more than one hundred articles. Continued …
US capital moves from China as Thai industrial estates expand 34,000 rai in three years
Amid rising US-China trade tensions, Thai industrial investment has surged, with new industrial estates expanding by 34,000 rai over the past three years. The trade friction between the United States and China intensified earlier this year, although some temporary tariff relief measures were introduced in mid-May. Last month, both countries agreed to extend the trade truce for another 90 days, until mid-November.
According to a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai, nearly half of US businesses — 47% — had shifted planned investments away from China to other regions over the past year, primarily to ASEAN countries. This represents the highest proportion recorded since AmCham Shanghai first conducted the survey. Continued …
Thailand’s FTA trade benefits hit Bt1.4 trillion in first half of 2025
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, revealed that during the first six months of 2025 (January-June), the value of Thailand’s trade benefits under free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to expand.
Total utilization reached US$44.79 billion (around Bt1.4 trillion), representing 79.6% of eligible FTA trade, up 10.2% from the same period last year. Continued …
European firms keen on Thailand
Thailand remains a key destination in Southeast Asia for European companies seeking to expand business operations to withstand ongoing global economic shocks and uncertainties, according to a recent survey by the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC).
ASEAN has emerged as “the region with the best economic opportunity for European businesses”, beating India and China for the third year running in the EU-Asean Business Sentiment Survey, published by the EU-ABC yesterday. Continued …
Hospitality industry sees flaws in proposed Hotel Act changes
The Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) has expressed concern about attempts to revise the Hotel Act, saying any changes must ensure that tourist safety will not be compromised and shoddy operations will face consequences.
The association does not say the 2004 Hotel Act has any loopholes, President Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun said yesterday. The problem is ineffective law enforcement against operators that do not follow the rules, he said. Continued …
Sex tourism from the UK to Thailand spotlighted in BBC documentary series
A new BBC documentary series is turning heads in the UK as it exposes Thailand’s booming sex industry. The show pulls no punches, diving deep into the country’s thriving sex tourism trade — one that continues to lure British men in droves.
These encounters are more than casual transactions; they’ve given rise to a growing number of Anglo-Thai relationships. The phenomenon isn’t new. It began in the 1960s in Bangkok and Pattaya, but decades later, it’s still alive and kicking. Continued …
Chinese Tourist Dies After Jet Ski Incident off Koh Larn
A Chinese tourist has died and another survived after a jet ski incident off Koh Larn near Pattaya. The couple, who rented the craft from Tawaen Beach on Tuesday, failed to return it by the agreed time. Rescue teams launched a large-scale search and discovered the man alive in the early hours of yesterday, while his wife was later found dead.
Police were first alerted when the jet ski owner reported that the craft had not been brought back. Officials from Pattaya City Police, the Marine Department, tourist police, and Sawang Boriboon rescue units joined the overnight search. Boats and specialist teams were deployed across the waters surrounding Koh Larn. Continued …
Thai Airways to phase out its first class cabins
Thai Airways intends to phase out its first class cabins within the next two to three years as part of a strategic transformation aimed at enhancing its premium travel offerings and reclaiming market share.
Instead, the airline will prioritize upgrading its business class to a more luxurious standard, in line with global aviation trends. This decision follows Thai Airways’ successful financial restructuring and exit from its reorganization plan. Continued …
Khao Yai ranked Asia’s No.2 rural destination
Khao Yai has been ranked the second most popular rural destination in Asia in 2025 by online travel agency Agoda, reinforcing Thailand’s appeal on the global tourism stage.
The ranking, based on accommodation searches between Feb. 15 and Aug. 15, considered destinations in rural areas with fewer than 50,000 residents across eight Asian countries. Continued …
Luxury Travelers Are Flocking to Secluded Resorts in the Heart of Nature
In recent years, the travel landscape has undergone a major transformation. Today, travelers are seeking more than just typical vacations. They are looking for extraordinary, immersive experiences in the world’s most remote and awe-inspiring locations.
However, this desire for isolation is balanced with an equally strong craving for luxury, meaning comfort, world-class service, and top-tier amenities. It’s no longer just about escaping to secluded places; it’s about doing so in style and enjoying the finest services available. Continued …
Face masks: An environmental time bomb
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, face masks have become an essential tool for personal protection. However, along with their widespread use, billions of discarded masks have accumulated in both landfills and waterways.
Scientists are now warning that used face masks are an “environmental time bomb” that are breaking down into “microplastics” and continuously releasing harmful chemicals. Continued …
- Taiwanese Man Arrested for Call Center Money Laundering – Continued …
- 2 Chinese and 11 Burmese arrested in Bangkok e-cigarettes factory raid – Continued …
Indonesian democracy on brink
The anti-government protests sweeping Indonesia over the past two weeks are not fleeting outbursts but the culmination of long-suppressed grievances against abuses of power, the erosion of constitutional norms, and the violation of basic human rights. The protesters are not seeking an apology or even sympathy from the president; they demand the chance to live a decent life in which their dignity and human rights are respected and upheld. Continued …
Oracle chief Ellison challenges Musk for ‘world’s richest’ title
Billionaire Elon Musk is at risk of losing his title as the world’s wealthiest person to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, whose software giant appears poised for massive AI riches through a major deal with OpenAI. Ellison, 81, amassed about $95 billion in additional wealth yesterday as Oracle shares skyrocketed after the nearly 50-year-old company forecast massive revenue growth thanks to large contracts that will dwarf current revenue. Continued …
NEW PAGE – Hua Hin Links
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-Chiang Mai flights go daily May 4
How to learn and master Thai language in 6 months
Threat from contaminated fruit and vegetables from China part of a wider problem
