- Phon Kingphet Park renovations/Khao Tao Reservoir renovations/Weather warning for Prachuap Khiri Khan/Water Eel Farm in Prachuap Khiri Khan/Thailand cuts fuel prices/Phuket floods/Wildlife attacks in Chanthaburi/Injured leopard cat cubs
- ECONOMY: Thai housing groups seek tax relief/Tale of two economies/Bank of Thailand upgrades GDP /Thailand’s upgraded economic outlook/Interest rate unchanged/Brands warn of more price hikes/Isuzu seeks urgent tax incentives/E-commerce platforms to cut fees/Pet Food Exports Reach $3.28 Billion
- TOURISM: Another Chinese abduction threatens bookings/Flood fears threaten Hat Yai tourism
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Rooftop solar terms too strict/Anutin Defends Solar Program/Kok and Sai rivers pose health risk/To inspect 1,500 waste factories
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
New date announced for Phon Kingphet Park renovations
Renovation work at Phon Kingphet Park in Hua Hin is expected to be completed no later than January, according to assurances given by the contractor during a municipal inspection yesterday. (Editor: Last March, it was reported the renovations would be completed in time for Songkran in April.)
Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul visited the park on Damnoen Kasem Road with municipal executives, the director of the Engineering Department, construction supervisors and relevant officials to check progress. Continued …
Khao Tao Reservoir renovations planned after complaints
Hua Hin municipal officials have outlined plans to repair railings, replace damaged or missing lights and improve cleanliness around Khao Tao Reservoir following complaints from residents.
Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul chaired a meeting on Tuesday after the municipality received a written complaint about damaged railings, litter, dog feces, lighting problems and disorder around the reservoir. Continued …
Weather warning for Prachuap Khiri Khan
A Prachuap Khiri Khan weather warning covering Oct. 28–31 has urged residents to remain alert for heavy rain, strong wind gusts, flash floods and landslides.
The provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center issued an urgent letter yesterday, instructing district authorities and the municipalities of Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan to prepare for possible impacts. Continued …
Converting Side-Yard Space into a Clean-Water Eel Farm in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Residents of Pak Phraek subdistrict, Bang Saphan Noi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, have transformed the area next to their houses into a cleanwater eel farm, emphasizing cleanliness, and generating supplementary income of hundreds of thousands of baht per year. Video …
Thailand cuts B7 diesel by 1 baht, gasohol by 50 satang
Thailand’s Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee approved reductions in retail fuel prices yesterday, cutting the price of B7 diesel by 1 baht per liter and the prices of E10-95 and E10-91 gasohol by 50 satang per liter, effective from today.
Under the decision, the subsidy for B7 diesel will be reduced by 0.38 baht to 2.93 baht per liter, bringing its retail price down to 42.54 baht per liter. Subsidies for E10-95 and E10-91 gasohol will each be reduced by 0.16 baht to 1.61 baht per liter. Their retail prices will fall by 0.50 baht per liter to 41.54 baht and 41.17 baht, respectively. Continued …
Phuket floods hit Kata Noi and Patong after 15-hour rain
Heavy rain lasting more than 15 hours caused flooding and runoff across parts of Phuket yesterday, with roads near Kata Noi Beach and the Nanai area of Patong among those affected.
The flooding disrupted journeys during the evening rush hour, with officials urging people not to drive through moving water and to move belongings to higher ground. Muddy red water flowed down from the hills and onto the road near Kata Noi Beach in Karon, Muang Phuket district. Continued …
One dead, three injured in wildlife attacks in Chanthaburi
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has deployed rapid response units to track a hostile wild gaur and monitor elephant movements in Chanthaburi following two separate wildlife attacks yesterday that left one person dead and three others injured.
The first incident occurred when an aggressive wild gaur outside the protected forest zone in Chamhan subdistrict of Makham district attacked local residents, injuring three people. Later that afternoon, officers from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary were notified of a fatal elephant attack in the subdistrict of Kaeng Hang Maeo district. Continued …
Thai rescue center gives injured leopard cat cubs a second chance
At a government wildlife rescue center in Thailand, dozens of lost and injured baby leopard cats are receiving a second chance at life in the wild. Annual admission of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation rescue center in Khon Kaen, in northeastern Thailand, have surged from an average of about 10 cats per year before to 2023 to as many as 65 now.
The cats are being displaced by worsening habitat fragmentation, agricultural burning in sugarcane fields, and increased public use of a government wildlife hotline. Between January and August this year, the facility admitted more than 60 kittens, more than half of them recovered from charred fields with burn injuries. Continued …
Thai housing groups seek tax relief as loan rejections may hit 50%
Three Thai property associations are preparing to seek additional tax relief from Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, as the housing industry warns that mortgage rejection rates could reach 50% in 2026.
Sunthorn Sathaporn, president of the Housing Business Assn., said his association was working with the Thai Real Estate Assn. and the Thai Condominium Assn. on proposals to strengthen homebuyer incentives and reduce developers’ costs. Continued …
Bank of Thailand confirms a tale of two economies – one booming, another struggling
Thailand is a tale of two economies, the Bank of Thailand confirmed yesterday. Technology exports are surging, yet households and smaller businesses remain under severe pressure. September exports jumped 24%, but SME lending continues to contract and household debt is crippling consumption.
Meanwhile, rising oil prices threaten tourism and inflation, with foreign arrivals expected to fall. The Monetary Policy Committee warned that growth remains below potential, despite the artificial intelligence boom. Worse, economic expansion is forecast to slow to 2.1% in 2027. Continued …
Bank of Thailand upgrades GDP growth for 2026
The Bank of Thailand has upgraded its economic growth forecast for 2026 to 3.2%, up from its previous projection of 2.4%. This upward revision is driven by stronger momentum in both exports and private investment.
While the central bank’s new forecast stands at 3.2%, other financial institutions have provided different outlooks; for instance, Tris Rating recently upgraded its 2026 Thai GDP growth forecast to 2%, while the IMF’s revised projection for the year sits at 2.1%. – Bangkok Post AI
What factors contributed to Thailand’s upgraded economic outlook?
Thailand’s upgraded economic outlook is primarily driven by stronger momentum in exports and increased private investment. The Bank of Thailand has specifically raised its growth forecasts due to robust performance in sectors like technology and electronics, alongside a surge in foreign direct investment.
The artificial intelligence boom is a significant catalyst, as the adoption of AI technology and associated investments in data centers and digital infrastructure are expected to unlock new growth sources. Furthermore, central bankers and international organizations have noted that the expansion is supported by resilient goods exports and a faster-than-expected recovery in economic momentum. While structural challenges like high household debt and an aging workforce remain, the current upward revisions reflect a more positive trajectory for the country’s GDP. – Bangkok Post AI
Bank of Thailand keeps interest rate unchanged
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) kept its key interest rate unchanged for a fourth straight meeting yesterday, as widely expected. The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to maintain the one-day repurchase rate at 1.00%.
All 26 economists polled by Reuters had expected the policy rate to remain unchanged, and most financial experts forecast the central bank would hold it there through the end of 2027. Continued …
Brands warn of more price hikes as Iran war costs bite
Consumer goods companies are planning price hikes to cover rising operational costs driven by geopolitical instability and supply chain issues. Major brands including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, and Reckitt have warned that further increases are necessary to offset higher expenses for raw materials, energy, and transportation.
These price increases are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the United States and Iran, which has escalated costs for energy and essential materials. Additionally, companies are facing heightened logistics and transportation expenses, as well as inflationary pressures stemming from global energy supply shocks. Some businesses are also navigating disruptions caused by extreme weather, such as flooding, which impacts the availability and cost of agricultural inputs. – Bangkok Post AI
Isuzu seeks urgent tax incentives to support Thailand’s pickup market
Pickups were long Thailand’s largest vehicle segment, at times accounting for around half the market, before contracting sharply in recent years. For the latest eight-month period, Tri Petch Isuzu Sales said the overall vehicle market grew by 18%, driven mainly by passenger cars and SUVs, while pickup sales were close to the level recorded in the same period last year.
The full-year vehicle market is forecast at 700,000 units, including 140,000 pickups, a figure similar to last year and representing a market share of just 20%. Continued …
Thai Commerce Ministry joins 3 e-commerce platforms to cut SME fees
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday the ministry had worked with three major e-commerce platforms – Shopee, TikTok Shop and Lazada – to lower sales fees and ease costs for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which had been affected by repeated fee increases since the start of the year.
The measure builds on cooperation overseen by the Trade Competition Commission (TCC), under which six platforms were required to freeze fee increases for six months, from Aug. 27 to Feb. 27, 2027. Continued …
Thailand Targets Global Pet Hub Status as Pet Food Exports Reach $3.28 Billion
Thailand is accelerating its ambition to become the world’s leading exporter of dog and cat food, backed by robust international trade figures and solidifying its position as the global pet industry’s second-largest supplier.
According to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, Thai pet food exports exceeded USD 3.28 billion (111 billion baht) in 2025, representing an 8.15% year-on-year increase. Continued …
Another Chinese abduction and a spat with embassy threaten bookings
A Chinese woman jumped from a moving car to escape kidnappers driving her toward the Burmese border after she was lured to Thailand by an online acquaintance. Police arrested two Thai suspects and are hunting a suspected Chinese organizer. The case follows another Chinese woman’s abduction in August, when four Thai men were arrested.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy’s warnings about kidnappings and trafficking have triggered a diplomatic row. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow initially criticized the warnings but is now seeking direct talks with Beijing. As Thailand scrambles to tackle cross-border criminal networks, tourism chiefs warn Chinese group bookings could plunge 50%. Continued …
Flood fears threaten Hat Yai tourism resurgence
Advance hotel bookings in Hat Yai for the upcoming November and December peak season are significantly slower than usual due to tourist anxiety regarding potential flooding. Many travelers remain wary of a repeat of the devastating floods that occurred last year, which has led to booking rates being between 30% and 50% below typical levels for this period.
The slowdown is particularly noticeable among Malaysian and Singaporean tourists, who are key markets for the city. Although tourism operators are attempting to reassure visitors and some are preparing contingency plans for potential weather disruptions, many travelers remain hesitant to commit to plans without more certainty regarding water management. Local industry representatives are currently urging the government to invest in long-term infrastructure and improved water-management systems to restore visitor confidence. – Bangkok Post AI
Smaller contractors say rooftop solar terms too strict
Small contractors risk being excluded from the government’s 50-billion-baht solar rooftop program due to excessively harsh regulatory frameworks and stringent technical requirements. Industry groups, such as the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Assn., have noted that these rules are particularly disproportionate for small and medium-sized operators.
Financial barriers also present a significant hurdle, as contractors face heavy financial burdens that can make participation nearly impossible for smaller players. For instance, a contractor might be required to have a total guarantee of up to 60 million baht for a relatively small project, which includes an additional 10 million baht to secure a seven-year maintenance guarantee. Furthermore, the lengthy processes involving government coordination, inspections, and final verification before receiving project approvals create severe financial and quality risks for these smaller businesses. – Bangkok Post AI
Anutin Defends Thailand’s Public Solar Program
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has defended Thailand’s “public solar” program against criticism that it favors large businesses, saying it will lower household costs and encourage renewable energy use.
The prime minister said rooftop solar could reduce spending on electricity, increase opportunities for savings and lessen reliance on power generated from fossil fuels. He also said the program promoted renewable energy produced from natural sources. Continued …
Kok and Sai rivers contaminated, pose health risk
Abnormal liver enzymes and thyroid hormones have been found among residents along the Kok and Sai rivers and the households there have to spend an additional 1,800 baht a month to buy clean water for consumption, according to findings by Chiang Mai University.
Recently, the Faculty of Public Health at Chiang Mai University and the Department of Disease Control launched a joint research project by surveying a sample of residents, living along Kok River in Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai, for biochemical indicators in their bodies. Continued …
Thailand to inspect 1,500 waste factories
Thailand’s Industry Ministry will send 50 teams to inspect about 1,500 waste-handling and recycling factories in five provinces from Nov. 2, Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said.
The operation follows repeated public complaints and a serious pollution case in Prachin Buri, where industrial-waste leachate flowed from a flooded landfill into local waterways. Operators found failing to meet required standards will face legal action. Continued …
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French VAT fraud suspect held on Koh Samui – Continued …
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Chiang Mai police arrest four Chinese men over meth – Continued …
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Trang Immigration arrests Lao woman for 482-day overstay – Continued …
US Fed holds rates at 3.75%–4%
The US Federal Reserve voted 10–2 to hold its benchmark interest rate at 3.75%–4% in Washington yesterday, opting to await more inflation data while delivering a stronger assessment of the economy. Continued …
Spain mourns at least 68 dead in second high-speed train crash
A Renfe high-speed train struck a stationary Iryo service in Castilla-La Mancha, south of Madrid, yesterday, killing at least 68 people in Spain’s second major high-speed rail disaster of the year. 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
Thailand has published new regulations setting out how foreign nationals can be deported for immigration, employment and other offenses, as well as conduct considered contrary to public order, morality or public wellbeing. The regulation was published in the Royal Gazette on yesterday and takes effect today.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said flash floods and landslides struck areas along Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday, with deaths reported and more than 600 Nepalis and foreign nationals missing. No Thai nationals have been reported injured or killed.
Suvarnabhumi Airport has postponed planned repair and maintenance work on expansion joints along the elevated road serving the passenger terminal following widespread criticism over potential disruption during the tourism high season.
An anonymous donor has given 100 million baht to Pattaya Patamakun Hospital in Chon Buri, with the money earmarked for a new six-story premium outpatient and inpatient building.
Nene Royal, the young Thai performer who has captured hearts on America’s Got Talent (AGT), is heading back to Thailand with her family after receiving a warm send-off from fans in Los Angeles.
A rare 10-baht Thai coin minted in 1990 has sold for 2.54 million baht at an online auction, despite its face value being just 10 baht. The coin was made for the 16th Mint Directors Conference, held in the United Kingdom in 1990. Only 100 examples were produced, making it one of Thailand’s rarest circulating coin issues.
Myanmar’s civil war is increasingly becoming Thailand’s problem. Violence has crossed the border, criminal networks are exploiting the instability, and Thailand continues to shelter tens of thousands of refugees.
Thailand’s exports rose 21.6% in July from a year earlier, beating market expectations, while imports climbed even faster and pushed the country’s trade deficit to a record $34.35 billion over the first seven months of 2026.
The United States’ national debt has surpassed $40 trillion, potentially having a significant impact on global financial markets, including Thailand’s economy.
Bouygues Construction, through its Thai subsidiary Bouygues-Thai, was selected in June by developer Honour Thailand to design and build the ONCE Wongamat. Standing 239 meters tall, this 56-story tower project in Pattaya will be one of the tallest buildings in Thailand.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing to embrace rail tourism as a new vehicle to revive Thailand’s fading appeal. Its plans span low-cost heritage excursions, packaged journeys, premium charters and possible luxury routes developed with Belmond.
A group fight involving rival speedboat operators broke out on Tawaen Beach road on Koh Larn, off Pattaya, yesterday. Video shared online showed men who operate the Pattaya-Koh Larn tourist speedboats arguing before punches were thrown in front of beachgoers.
Bangkok’s Loha Prasat: The world’s third ‘Iron Castle’
Betong, a small town in Thailand with some good surprises
Thailand is staring at the dire consequences of the El Niño phenomenon and below-average rainfall on the economy, as well as the wider impact on society, many experts have warned.
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” for US federal purposes, escalating an increasingly hostile trade dispute with Canada. The order applies to references used by the US federal government and does not determine what Canada, international bodies, state authorities, private companies or map providers call the lake. 
If you have spent any time researching weight loss camp in Thailand, you have probably noticed that the options range widely. Some are fitness retreats with Muay Thai and green smoothies. Others are medical programs with clinical staff and blood tests every week. A few are somewhere in between.
Thailand is set for more unsettled weather over the next 24 hours, with heavier rain expected in parts of the north, east, and south as the southwest monsoon strengthens over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
Rescuers say they are elated to have found survivors who have been trapped in a flooded cave in Laos for a week but caution that it will be difficult to extract them. Five people were found alive yesterday afternoon and rescuers are searching for two others who remain missing.
Iranian state television reported that it had received an unofficial draft preliminary framework of understanding between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the continuing conflict, with one key element being the restoration of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within one month.
An affordability crisis is approaching due to rising costs, says Vice Minister of Finance Santitarn Sathirathai, while urging all sectors to adapt to the challenges ahead.
Analysts are highlighting retail and consumer stocks as the major beneficiaries of Thailand’s latest consumer stimulus program called “Thai Chuay Thai Plus”, which is expected to provide short-term support for domestic consumption to stabilize the economy.
The energy transition is a game-changer for the economy, says Amonthep Chawla, executive vice president and head of the research office at CIMB Thai Bank.
Thailand’s housing market showed signs of recovery inthe first quarter of 2026, the Government Housing Bank said on yesterday, with transaction volumes rising amid government stimulus even as gains in value lagged, underscoring weak purchasing power.
Thailand’s exports to the United States remain exposed to renewed tariff pressure despite a recent decline in effective US import duties, as Washington is likely to deploy other trade measures, including Section 301 investigations, the National Economic and Social Development Council has warned.
Thai pig farmers are facing mounting losses as farm-gate prices continue to fall below production costs despite a recovery in pork consumption, prompting the National Swine Raisers Assn. to warn of possible market distortion from aggressive pork-shop competition and suspected external supply.
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has set up screening checkpoints at Suvarnabhumi Airport to monitor passengers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, following the Ministry of Public Health’s classification of both nations as dangerous communicable disease zones for Ebola.
Over recent years, the idea of being a “digital nomad”, or a worker able to work from anywhere in the world, has moved from a niche lifestyle into a widely popular way of life, especially after remote work became normal in many industries around the world. But 2026 has reflected a significant shift in digital nomad culture.
Phuket’s Banana Beach Breaks Into the World’s Top 10
Britain was thrown into meteorological confusion Tuesday after temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius, a temperature Thai people traditionally describe as “the walk from 7-Eleven to the motorbike.” The reading, recorded at London’s Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport, broke a century-old spring temperature record for the second time in 24 hours. 
Hua Hin City Municipality is moving to address recent low water pressure problems in part of the town after residents in the Hua Hin 55 area complained about weak water flow.
Iran blocks Hormuz oil traffic as Israel keeps hitting Lebanon
Israel pounded Lebanon with its heaviest strikes yet yesterday, killing hundreds of people and drawing a threat of retaliation from Iran, which suggested it would be “unreasonable” to proceed with talks to forge a permanent peace deal with the United States.
The government has outlined management guidelines to tackle the ongoing plastic pellet crisis. Key initiatives will focus on identifying high-priority items, promoting the use of alternative materials, and enhancing recycling.
Bangchak said its oil tanker MT.POLA arrived safely in Thailand at Si Racha district, Chon Buri, yesterday, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz and delivering crude oil to the company’s refinery. The voyage followed diplomatic coordination involving Thailand, Iran and Oman, which reportedly allowed Thai cargo vessels to use the route on March 23 to 24.
Thai Trade Office Signals End of Deflation as Q2 Price Hikes Loom
Despite worries from Thailand’s tourism sector that the Middle East war could reduce the number of long-haul travelers, two restaurant operators remain optimistic. They say that an increase in Asian travelers could help compensate for any decline in visitors from other regions.
Songkran 2026 travel surge: AOT expects 3.7 million passengers
Suvarnabhumi airport anticipates handling 1.82 million passengers over the 10-day Songkran holiday period (April 10–19), averaging about 182,000 travelers per day, says director Kittipong Kittikachorn. This represents a 1.9% drop compared to the same period last year.
Opposition parties have renewed calls for urgent action on air pollution, pledging to push forward a clean air bill while urging the government to address the wildfire and PM2.5 fine dust crisis through both immediate relief and long-term structural reforms.
Mae Hong Son is facing a deepening environmental crisis as PM2.5 pollution has surged and a large number of hotspots have been detected. In response, the province has imposed its strictest measures, banning people from entering nine national reserved forest areas covering seven districts from April 7-30, in a bid to tackle the root causes of wildfires.
Thailand to tax under-1,500-baht imported goods
(Editor: We have heard from a reader who has renewed her one-year retirement visa, that Hua Hin immigration is not asking for any Thai tax ID or information.)
Thailand and Cambodia Begin Troop Pullback Amid Border Tensions
Surprising Chinese origins of common Thai words
NATO learns as Ukraine’s ‘creativity’ changes battlefield
Free wi-fi soon for passengers on long-haul trains
