- Hua Hin to Kuala Lumpur flights/Thailand Riviera coastal road/More Hua Hin videos//Petrol and gasohol prices cut/Thailand healthcare ranked 8th/Nine monks killed by pickup/Thai police arrest two in Melbourne heroin case/Indonesia arrests 12 over cannabis from Thailand
- ECONOMY: Everyday Thais pinched tighter/Thailand confronts its next economic test/Bank predicts baht uptick/Thailand eyes Future Fund revival/Keen on Thai investment/Thailand’s foreign film production
- TOURISM: Thai Visa-Free List Updated/Thailand Looks to Rail Travel/Pattaya tourism hit by low season
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand’s ocean clean-up/Thailand’s zero-waste islands/Chinese recycling plants leaked toxic waste/Honda targets hybrid EV leadership/Ocean Temperatures Become Warmer
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin to Kuala Lumpur flights being revived
Direct flights between Hua Hin and Kuala Lumpur are expected to resume as transport officials move to restore an international route that carried more than 130,000 passengers before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattharaphong Phattharaprasit said the Ministry of Transport is working with the Department of Airports, Thai AirAsia and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to support the development of Hua Hin Airport as a commercial aviation and tourism gateway. Continued …
Thailand Riviera coastal road back on agenda
The Thailand Riviera coastal road project is set to move forward again, with the Ministry of Transport seeking budget approval for fiscal year 2027 to study and design an extension from Chumphon to Songkhla.
The route, which already passes through parts of Prachuap Khiri Khan, is familiar to many in Hua Hin through the coastal cycle route that starts in Khao Takiab and continues south toward Pak Nam Pran, Sam Roi Yot and beyond. Continued …
More Hua Hin videos:
The Truth About Moving to Hua Hin Nobody Tells You
Moving to Thailand for retirement or a lifestyle change can be a dream, but choosing Hua Hin without knowing these six mistakes can turn into a financial nightmare. Whether you are looking for Bangkok alternatives or the best beach towns in Thailand, you need to understand the hidden costs of living in Hua Hin before you sign a lease.
Hua Hin is often marketed as the “perfect middle ground,” but in 2026, the reality of Thailand real estate and the cost of living in Hua Hin has changed. From hidden transport friction to the “tourist bubble” draining your bank account, I’m breaking down the traps that catch most foreigners off guard. Video …
Is Hua Hin Becoming Too Like Pattaya, Phuket?
Some say Hua Hin is boring, others say it’s getting a bit too Pattaya, Phuket, and even shades of Bangkok. Which is it? Video …
OR and Bangchak cut petrol and gasohol prices
Fuel prices in Bangkok were updated today after PTT Oil and Retail Business, or OR, and Bangchak Corp, or BCP, announced cuts to petrol and gasohol prices. The reductions ranged from 0.60 to 1.20 baht per liter, while diesel prices were left unchanged.
The latest retail prices in the Bangkok area, excluding local maintenance tax, are as follows. Bangchak’s official oil price page also states that listed retail prices exclude the Bangkok provincial tax. Continued …
Thailand ranked 8th for best healthcare system
The government has welcomed Thailand being ranked the world’s eighth-best healthcare system in 2026 by the Numbeo website, saying the result reflects the country’s efficient healthcare management and broad access to medical services.
Deputy government spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangjan said today that the ranking was published by Numbeo, the world’s largest crowd-sourced cost-of-living and quality-of-life database, which compiles user-reported data on healthcare, housing, crime, transportation, cost of living and other indicators. According to the 2026 survey, Thailand ranked eighth globally for healthcare. Continued …
Nine monks killed by pickup driven by 11-year-old boy
Nine monks were killed and 13 other people injured after a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy plowed into a morning pilgrimage in Muang district of Mukdahan province yesterday.
The accident took place at 11.55 am as a group of 34 monks were walking along a road near the entrance to the Huai Sing area at Na Si Nuan village. According to local reports, the monks were traveling from Nam Khun district in Ubon Ratchathani province and had reached the area near the Na Si Nuan Market in Mukdahan when the crash took place. Continued …
Thai police arrest husband and wife in Melbourne heroin case
Police investigators in Loei, working with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and related police units, have detained a husband and wife as Thai authorities widen their investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network linked to a Thai Airways flight attendant arrested in Australia.
The operation followed the case of a Thai Airways flight attendant identified in Thai reports as Mina, who was detained by Australian police at Melbourne Airport over allegations that about 1 kilogram of heroin had been concealed in her luggage. Thai police and related agencies then expanded the inquiry to identify the person who had allegedly sent the parcel linked to the case. Continued …
Indonesia arrests 12 over 3.37 tons of cannabis from Thailand
Indonesian authorities have seized 3.37 tons of cannabis buds allegedly imported from Thailand and arrested 12 suspects, including foreigners, in a drug trafficking case linked to the production of cannabis-laced vape products.
National Narcotics Agency chief Suyudi Ario Seto said the cannabis buds were hidden inside suitcases and rubber boxes. The shipment originated from Thailand and was seized in East Java province. Continued …
Everyday Thais pinched tighter despite stronger GDP growth
Thailand’s economy is sending two completely different signals. Official figures point to a country recovering faster than expected, with GDP expanding by 2.8%, exports surging by more than 23% in April, and tourism continuing to drive growth, albeit at a falling rate.
Yet, consumer confidence has slumped to a three-year low, household debt remains among the highest in Asia at nearly 87% of GDP, private spending is barely growing, and factories are operating at less than 60% capacity. At the same time, a 2027 budget constrained by rising public debt is reducing the government’s ability to revive domestic demand. Continued …
From currency crisis to low-growth trap, Thailand confronts its next economic test
Thailand has spent 29 years rebuilding its economic defenses after the baht was floated in 1997, but economists warn that the country’s biggest risk has shifted from a sudden currency crisis to a slower and more persistent threat: weak growth that could erode competitiveness, incomes and long-term resilience.
The anniversary of the baht float on July 2, 1997, remains one of the most important turning points in Thailand’s modern economic history. The decision to abandon the fixed exchange-rate regime and move to a managed float came after the country faced heavy pressure from currency speculation and a sharp loss of international reserves. Continued …
Siam Bank predicts baht uptick in H2
The narrowing trade deficit and easing inflationary pressure should support the baht regaining strength against the US dollar late in the third quarter this year, reversing a short-term depreciation trend, says Siam Commercial Bank Financial Markets (SCB FM).
Wachirawat Banchuen, senior financial markets strategist at SCB FM, said the baht depreciation trend is largely temporary and does not signal a prolonged weakening. The Thai currency recently weakened below 33 baht to the dollar, briefly approaching 33.5, driven by short-term factors rather than underlying economic deterioration, he said. Continued …
Thailand eyes Future Fund revival to finance infrastructure as debt room tightens
Thailand is preparing to revive the Thailand Future Fund as an off-budget financing tool, using revenue-generating roads and expressways to raise money for new infrastructure projects as the government tries to keep investment moving without adding pressure to the public debt ceiling.
The move comes as public investment faces tighter budget constraints and Thailand’s debt room narrows. Public Debt Management Office data showed public debt at 66.8% of GDP as of May, while the country’s internal public debt ceiling is currently set at 70% of GDP. Continued …
Small Chinese auto firms keen on Thai investment
There are growing signs that small and medium-sized Chinese entrepreneurs in auto sectors are interested in investing in Thailand, according to the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said Chinese business investment in Thailand increased over the past 4-5 years. Poj, who is also a member of the Board of Investment, said a large number of Chinese entrepreneurs have signaled their interest in investing here. Continued …
Netflix and vertical dramas drive Thailand’s foreign film production
Thailand is on course for another record year in foreign film-production investment, as global streaming platforms and the fast-growing vertical-drama market continue to bring overseas crews and spending into the country.
The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that 302 foreign productions applied for permission to film in Thailand in the first half of 2026, generating 4.025 billion baht in investment. Continued …
Thai Visa-Free List Updated for 35 Destinations
The Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its 2026 list of countries and territories offering visa-free entry to holders of ordinary Thai passports. The revised list includes 35 destinations where Thai travelers can enter without applying for a visa, subject to each country’s entry conditions.
The permitted length of stay varies widely depending on the destination, ranging from 14 days to as long as 365 days. Some countries also offer visa-free entry only on a temporary basis, while others apply specific conditions to the exemption. Continued …
Thailand Looks to Rail Travel for the Next Chapter of High-Value Tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has emphasized the development of rail tourism as an important step toward creating new experiential and economic value for Thailand’s tourism industry. TAT Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that Thailand’s tourism sector has long drawn strength from its natural attractions, cultural heritage, and recognized hospitality.
As travel behavior evolves, however, tourism success is measured not only by visitor numbers but also by the quality of experiences and sustainable income distribution to local economies and communities. Rail tourism can support this transition by making travel time part of the visitor experience. Train journeys offer travelers new perspectives on Thailand and develop transportation routes into meaningful tourism itineraries. Continued …
Pattaya tourism hit by low season as hotels struggle to fill rooms
Pattaya’s tourism is facing a particularly weak low season, with tourist numbers falling by around 20% to 30% in Pattaya and Chon Buri, while many hotels are reporting occupancy rates below break-even levels.
The slowdown has affected several parts of the tourism sector, with fewer visitors, a decline in the meetings and seminars market, and reduced flight services contributing to weaker business conditions for hotels and tourism operators. Continued …
Thailand’s ocean clean-up becomes a high-tech blueprint for the Gulf
The Gulf of Thailand has always sold itself through color: turquoise water, coral gardens, fishing boats and island horizons. Now Thailand is adding another color to the seascape — the clean, clever green of technology.
The challenge is real. Research on marine debris in the Gulf of Thailand cites estimates of at least 500 kilotons of ocean-plastic inputs annually, while identifying abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear as a critical threat to marine ecosystems and wildlife. Yet, Thailand’s response is no longer limited to beach clean-ups after the damage is done. Increasingly, the country is moving upstream, where plastic can be intercepted before it becomes ocean waste. Continued …
Thailand’s zero-waste islands shape the future of sustainable travel
Thailand’s islands have long sold the dream of clear waters, white sand and barefoot ease. Now, some of them are offering something more modern: the pleasure of arriving somewhere that is learning how not to drown in its own convenience.
From Koh Samet in Rayong to Koh Libong in Trang, a quiet zero-waste movement is reshaping what responsible Thai tourism can look like. It is not a glossy campaign imposed from a distant office, but a practical local shift built around sorted rubbish, reusable bags, natural materials and community pressure. Continued …
Nominee-run Chinese recycling plants leaked toxic waste across Thailand
Since China’s “National Sword” policy took effect in January 2018, banning imports of contaminated plastic and electronic waste, the recycling industry that was once concentrated inside China has scattered across the region. As a result, Thailand has absorbed a large share of it.
For decades, China took in almost half the world’s recyclable waste. When it shut its doors, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam became the new destinations. Thai government data show the country imported more than 1.1 million tons of plastic scrap between 2018 and 2021. Over the same period, sorting and e-waste recycling plants multiplied across several provinces. Continued …
Honda targets hybrid EV leadership in the Thai market
Honda Automobile (Thailand) is intensifying its strategy to challenge the Chinese-dominated electric vehicle (EV) market, announcing plans to make next-generation hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) the cornerstone of its lineup.
By 2029, the Japanese automaker expects nearly 90% of the cars it sells in Thailand to be HEVs, aiming to counter the rapid rise of Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which dominate the market. Continued …
Ocean Temperatures Become Warmer Amid Record-Breaking El Nino
The first half of 2026 has been marked by a relentless rise in ocean temperatures, with global averages reaching a record 21 degrees Celsius, shattering previous highs recorded in 2023 and 2024.
Carlo Buontempo, director of C3S, warned that the combination of record-breaking ocean temperatures and a developing El Nino may signal the onset of a dangerous new climate era, with further records likely to be broken in the coming months. Continued …
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Cambodian Man Sets Five Myanmar Workers Ablaze in Bangkok – Continued …
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Uzbek Men Held With Cannabis at Phuket Airport – Continued …
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French Fugitive Arrested in Phuket – 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
If you’re an expat living in Thailand and you’ve had the same health insurance policy for years, it’s easy to assume you’re set. You pay your renewal, you stay covered, and that’s that.
When did the first smartphone appear? The first mobile phone prototype came from Motorola in 1973. The first one approved, affectionately called The Brick, came out in 1983. In 1992 an IBM engineer created the Sweetspot but it didn’t hit the market until 1994, as the IBM Simon Personal Communicator.
Thailand faces a 96%–98% probability of entering an El Niño phase between June and July, with conditions potentially persisting into early 2027, warned Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin.
Thais are expected to spend an average of 6.9 years living with illness or disability in later life, highlighting growing pressure on healthcare services and long-term care systems, according to the Thai Health Report 2026.
The family of a Thai farmer were stunned to discover 1.84 million baht in cash hidden inside a modified metal storage box used for tools after his death, revealing years of careful saving that even his wife did not know about.
The world’s oil and gas majors have high hopes for a quick reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but they have few illusions about a return to normal for the Gulf energy industry after more than three months of blockage.
Thailand has welcomed an agreement reached between the United States and Iran to end their conflict, expressing hope that the deal will bring lasting peace and stability to the Middle East and safeguard global economic interests.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the collection of a 15% global minimum corporate tax on large multinational companies under an agreement led by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), aiming to prevent profit shifting to tax havens and generate about 10 billion baht in additional state revenue each year.
Thailand needs to decide what role it wants to play in a world being reordered by artificial intelligence — or have that decision made for it. That was the stark warning from Burin Adulwattana, chief economist at KASIKORNbank, during a special segment of the KASIKORN Research Center’s half-year briefing.
Thailand’s investments in data centers are projected to reach US$4.31 billion by 2030, representing average annual growth of 18% from 2024 and achieving total capacity of 2.93 gigawatts, helped by strong government support and solid demand, says CGS International Securities.
Thailand is preparing to reform its electricity tariff structure in an effort to make power prices fairer and reduce electricity costs for households and local industries. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan announced that the government is reviewing the current pricing system to ensure that electricity charges better reflect actual costs.
DTAM pushes 5-point plan to boost kratom industry
The Transport Ministry expects Bangkok’s two main airports to handle around 120 million passengers annually by 2029 as it accelerates efforts to make the country a regional aviation hub.
Vana Nava Hua Hin is the ultimate all-ages fun escape
As Thailand approaches the halfway mark of its national climate commitments, businesses are increasingly viewing sustainability not merely as protection against environmental and regulatory risks, but as a pathway to growth amid climate disruption, resource insecurity, and energy volatility.
UK Pensions Minister Torsten Bell has updated MPs on the impact of the frozen state pension policy on British retirees living overseas, including thousands based in Thailand. The policy affects nearly half a million UK pensioners who live in countries where annual state pension increases under the triple lock do not apply.
Fuel prices fell across major petrol, gasohol, and diesel products today, after PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp. announced a fresh round of retail price cuts.
The Federation Internationale de Football Assn. has so far declined to meet Thailand’s persistent call for a substantial cut in price of the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026, whereas Vietnam, a fellow ASEAN member country, has been reportedly offered a relatively low price.
The recent crackdown on alleged nominee structures linked to foreign land ownership on Koh Phangan has reignited debate over long-standing concerns in Thailand’s property sector, particularly in resort destinations popular with overseas buyers.
Thailand’s inflation rose again in May, as high domestic fuel prices, transport fares, and prepared food costs continued to feed into household expenses, while the Commerce Ministry said the government’s “Thais Help Thais Plus” measure had not created significant price pressure.
The Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 co-payment scheme has continued to draw strong public response, with total spending exceeding 10 billion baht just five days after the Finance Ministry opened the program for public use on June 1.
Thailand’s export engine is running hot — powered by electronics, AI-related demand, and a rebound in agriculture. But imports are running even hotter, especially in energy and electronic components, pushing the trade deficit to unprecedented levels.
Thailand’s flagship land bridge project has suffered a significant setback after an expert review committee ordered fresh Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) studies for planned deep-sea ports in Ranong and Chumphon. The ports are key components of the proposed transport corridor linking the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has reported the success of Thailand’s film incentive measures for foreign productions. Since 2017, a total of 100 foreign film productions from 12 countries and special administrative regions around the world have joined Thailand’s cash rebate scheme.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with François Corbin, vice president of the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF) International and chairman of the France–Thailand Business Forum (FTBF), along with French Ambassador to Thailand HE Jean-Claude Poimboeuf and representatives from 16 French companies on Thursday.
TAT launches ‘Wild Awake Journey’ to promote green-season conservation travel
Thai Airways International (THAI) has confirmed it will resume direct Bangkok-Amsterdam flights from July 1, expanding its international network as the carrier works to strengthen links between Thailand and Europe.
Shining beacon or failed city? Next four years could reveal Bangkok’s fate
Thailand pushes climate action at World Environment Day
As the war in the Strait of Hormuz continues to create havoc, Asia remains the worst hit by the global energy crisis. Whether it’s a large economy like Japan or China, or a struggling economy like Sri Lanka or Pakistan, the same fate holds.
CP ALL is inviting consumers across Thailand to take part in its environmental campaign, “Heal the World, Heal the Heart 24 Hours at 7-Eleven,” running from now until the end of 2026. The initiative encourages customers to adopt simple eco-friendly habits, such as reducing plastic consumption, in exchange for special rewards and loyalty points at 7-Eleven stores nationwide.
Authorities launched a multi-agency operation in Pai, Mae Hong Son province, targeting suspected foreign nominee business networks accused of concealing ownership structures and depriving local residents of business opportunities. The operation resulted in the arrest of three foreign nationals and searches at five locations linked to suspected illegal business activities. 
Fuel prices across Thailand will fall from today, with diesel dropping by 4 baht to 44.4 baht per liter and benzine also reduced, providing immediate relief ahead of the Songkran holiday period.
What Is Songkran, the Thai New Year Festival, and Where to Enjoy It
Songkran Thailand: A Timeless Tradition of Splashing Through Generations
Due to the surge in fuel prices, many travelers are booking trains to their hometowns ahead of the Songkran holiday. Passenger numbers at Buri Ram Railway Station rose by 30% compared to previous festival periods.
As Thais gear up for the upcoming Songkran holiday, I can’t help but notice how this year’s highly anticipated days off and time off work have a bit more nuance to them than usual. Granted, people are still discussing rest, relaxation and how they will fully utilize their time away from the office, while the jetset crowd will undoubtedly make full use of flying overseas and avoiding Middle Eastern routes, but something feels a bit different this year.
The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast weather conditions for April 11-16, saying Thailand will generally see hot to very hot weather, with hazy conditions during the day and thunderstorms in some areas.
Natural gas remains a cornerstone of global power generation despite mounting concerns over liquefied natural gas (LNG) shortages linked to Middle East tensions, according to Gulf Developmentc, Thailand’s largest energy company by market value and a major telecoms operator.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has rejected calls for an excise tax cut on refined oil products, saying that such a move would affect medical services and warning that the era of cheap oil prices is over, at least for the next two years, due to damage inflicted on oil infrastructure in the Middle East.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with fee collection as proposed by Iran, together with high oil prices, is dampening the prospects for Thai exports and may push overseas shipments into contraction this year, economists say.
Thailand has not yet entered full-blown stagflation, but the country is moving closer to a point where weak growth and rising prices could collide in a far more damaging way.
15-year-old girl collects bottles to support family
A major Thai manufacturer of plastic tanks and boats is set to close down after more than 50 years in business, as soaring costs and weakening demand finally pushed the company beyond its limit.
The Department of Medical Services recommends that anyone planning to visit countries where Meningococcal disease is prevalent be vaccinated first to prevent infection. Dr. Sakan Bunnag, the department’s deputy chief, said the disease is caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It leads to meningitis and spinal cord infection, he said.
Elephants join in Songkran festivities in Ayutthaya
Phuket’s Songkran celebrations have long stood apart from the rest of Thailand’s travel experiences — not merely for the scale of the water fights, but for the particular alchemy of beach culture, Sino-Portuguese heritage, and deep Buddhist tradition that gives the island its distinct New Year character.
Need some inspiration for your next vacation? Consider a short getaway to nearby Thailand, which is brimming with some of the region’s most beautiful and luxurious resort destinations. Here’s what to see and do in the idyllic enclaves of Hua Hin, Krabi, Phuket, Samui, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai, and the best hotels to stay at.
Huay Nam Rin village is off the grid. Perched in the mountains about 45 kilometers from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, the small Hmong farming community has long lived with minimal electricity. What little power it has comes from a handful of diesel generators and repurposed car batteries, charged with second-hand solar cells.
In 2020, Thai authorities announced that they would endeavour to make Thailand a regional electric vehicle (EV) hub in just five years. True enough, by 2025, Chinese EV manufacturing companies had made the country a solid base.
Humanity took a giant leap closer to the lunar surface last evening as the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, Integrity, successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The safe return of the four-person crew marks the conclusion of a historic 10-day mission and the first time humans have journeyed to the vicinity of the Moon in over half a century. 
New 24/7 Pet Channel targets China’s growing pet market