Thai fuel prices reduced/EV charging station in Thap Sakae/New ATM licenses/Bangkok police station to be demolished/Oct 9 reopening for sinkhole-affected road/Peace in deep south/Tensions with Cambodia grow/ECONOMY: PM pledges economic sustainability/Thailand considering sovereign wealth fund/TOURISM: Bt300 Tourism Tax Revived/Foreign tourist arrivals drop 7.6%/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand’s convenience stores on wheels/CLIMATE THAILAND: Sustainable Transport in Thailand/HUA HIN LINKS
Thai fuel prices reduced by Bt0.50 a liter
Retail fuel prices are being reduced by 50 satang per liter from 5am today as part of a series of government measures to ease the cost of living. The Fuel Fund executive committee yesterday approved a reduction of the oil fund levy on diesel by 50 satang per liter, and sought cooperation from oil traders nationwide to pass the savings on to drivers, according to Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon.
As a result, the retail price of diesel at petrol stations is expected to drop from 31.94 baht to 31.44 baht per liter. Prices of all types of petrol and gasohol are expected to be cut by the same amount. Continued …
New EV fast-charging station opens in Thap Sakae
New ATM licenses to expand availability
The Bank of Thailand plans to introduce new business licenses for white-label automated teller machines (ATMs) next year. The licenses are available to both banks and non-bank operators, with the goal of expanding financial inclusion nationwide.
The central bank expects to submit the proposal to the ministry in early 2026, with implementation anticipated by late next year. Applications for the new licenses are open to a broad range of operators, including banks, non-banks, fintech companies, and ATM vendors. Continued …
Bangkok police station to be demolished after sinkhole damages foundation
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today addressed the urgent issue of Samsen Metropolitan Police Station. Following the assessment of the building, additional foundation piles were found broken due to the sinkhole that occurred on Sept.24.
The prime Mminister confirmed that if the structure is deemed unsafe, the building must be demolished and rebuilt. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, alongside relevant agencies, will inspect the structure. Continued …
Bangkok eyes Oct 9 reopening for sinkhole-affected Samsen Road
Bangkok authorities are working around the clock to stabilize the area around Samsen police station and restore the road in front of Vajira Hospital, following the recent major subsidence that caused a sinkhole.
The sinkhole, measuring about 30 by 30 meters and 20 meters deep, opened on Sept. 23, apparently caused by a leaking water pipe that led to soil subsidence and the collapse into a subway tunnel under construction. Continued …
Peace in deep south demands more than guns
The southern insurgency has been a conundrum for all governments. But, currently, much of the kingdom’s attention has been on the Cambodian-Thai border, and so the violence in the deep south just blips on and off our radar.
The problem of this region won’t just fade away of its own accord. Silence and a lack of policy attention from the central government only goads insurgents to stage more violence. Continued …
Thai PM draws red line on border as tensions with Cambodia grow
Pr ime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a National Security Council (NSC) meeting to address ongoing tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. The focus was on Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaeo in Sa Kaeo province, where Cambodian encroachments have raised concerns over sovereignty.
The meeting covered bilateral mechanisms such as Regional Border Committee (RBC), General Border Committee (GBC), and Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) talks. However, officials noted a lack of sincerity from Cambodia, which they claim continues provocations while showing no intention to honor previous agreements. Continued …
PM pledges economic sustainability
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared sustainability will be the new cornerstone of Thailand’s economic strategy and emphasized the need to build resilient foundations in industry, trade, and investment to navigate global volatility.
During a seminar titled “A Call for Adaptation: The Sustainability in Trade & Industry at the Sustainability Expo 2025 (SX2025) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Anutin delivered a keynote speech on the topic of “Elevating Industry, Trade and Investment Toward Sustainability”. Continued …
(Sustainability is the practice of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing environmental, social, and economic factors to ensure long-term viability for both people and the planet. It involves conserving natural resources like water, food, and energy, promoting fair social equity, and creating stable economies in harmony with ecological limits. The ultimate goal is to achieve productive harmony between humanity and nature, supporting current and future generations.)
Thailand considering sovereign wealth fund
The creation of a Thai sovereign wealth fund (SWF) has been debated in the country for several years. Most recently, Supavud Saicheua, chairman of the National Economic and Social Development Council, reiterated his support for the proposal, pointing to Singapore’s success as a model.
Established in 1981, Singapore’s SWF has grown to manage assets of roughly US1.2 trillion, contributing returns equivalent to 20% of government revenue. Continued …
Minister Vows to Impose Long-Delayed Bt300 Tourism Tax
The new minister of tourism and sports has pledged to implement a long-delayed 300-baht tourism tax within his four-month term in office, stressing the need to clearly communicate its benefits to international visitors. Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn said yesterday the proceeds from the levy would fund visitor insurance coverage and support tourism infrastructure development.
The minister acknowledged that the additional charge could affect traveler sentiment, with foreign tourists having raised concerns about the tax in past online discussions. He underlined the importance of ensuring tourists understand what they would gain from the scheme. Continued …
Foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand in first 9 months of 2025 drop 7.6%
According to a report from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand during the first nine months of 2025 (from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30) totaled 24,115,328, a decrease of 7.6% compared to the same period last year. The country earned 1,113,755 million baht in revenue from foreign tourists, which is a 5.85% decline.
Top 10 Foreign Tourist Markets to Thailand in the First 9 Months of 2025: Malaysia – 3.47 million (down 7%); China – 3.41 million (down 35%); India – 1.77 million (up 15.3%); Russia – 1.27 million (up 9.7%); South Korea – 1.13 million (down 17.7%); Japan – 800,000 (up 5.4%); United Kingdom – 750,000 (up 13.7%); United States – 740,000 (up 5.6%); Taiwan – 730,000 (down 9.1%); and Singapore – 680,000 (down 1.6%). Continued …
Thailand’s convenience stores on wheels
In bustling Bangkok and across Thailand, you may have spotted a familiar sight: a mobile grocery truck filled with fresh produce, spices, and everyday essentials. These trucks are known as Rot Phumphuang (or Rot Kapkhao), which translates to “food truck” or “grocery truck” in Thai.
But don’t mistake them for your average delivery van; they are a vital part of Thai culture, offering convenience and variety to communities, especially in more suburban or rural areas. Continued …
Three Key Pillars Identified for Sustainable Transport in Thailand
The operator of Bangkok’s Skytrain, BTS Group Holdings, has identified three critical factors necessary to make electric rail the backbone of the nation’s transport system and help Thailand achieve its net zero emissions target possibly earlier than the 2050 goal.
Daniel Ross, group chief investment officer and head of sustainability development at BTS Group Holdings Public Co., outlined the company’s perspective on sustainability during a recent industry seminar. Continued …
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