Hua Hin makes Forbes’ 2025 retirement list/New schedule for Hua Hin–Chiang Mai flights/Lunar Night Market Opens/Grassy Hua Hin Wine Festival/Thailand Plans March 29 Election/Bangkok’s giant sinkhole expanding/Army postpones border conflict talks/Flooding continues/ECONOMY: Exporters Brace for Q4 Slump/US-China trade tensions big risk to Thailand/Over 7,000 suspected nominee businesses found/Thai Industrial Confidence Rises/Co-pay scheme expects 900,000 stores/Thai grads shun full-time work/Call for power network upgrades/TOURISM: New measures to boost tourism/Agency Denies Forcing Tourists to Buy Souvenirs/Chinese embassy warns against buying ‘cheap tours’/Police bust 5 illegal tour guides/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Human-elephant conflict into economic opportunity/Mu Ko Similan National Park Opens/CLIMATE THAILAND: Storms in Southeast Asia becoming stronger/Should municipal waste fuel the clean energy transition?/’Eco-Friendly’ Loy Krathong/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Phuket top Forbes’ 2025 retirement destinations
Thailand has secured four spots in Forbes’ “Best Places to Retire Abroad in 2025,” underlining the country’s appeal as a desirable, affordable, and high-quality destination for international retirees. The cities making the list are Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Phuket.
Forbes evaluated each location based on a variety of factors, including cost of living, healthcare standards, safety, amenities, climate, and the friendliness of locals. The results crowned Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Phuket as the top choices. Continued …
New winter schedule for Hua Hin–Chiang Mai flights
(Expat News posted this new schedule more than a week ago. It can be found every day HERE.)
AirAsia will resume direct flights between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai under its new winter schedule, starting from Oct. 26.
The service will operate four times a week — every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday — connecting the northern capital with the seaside city until March 28. The route aims to make travel more convenient for both Thai and international visitors looking to explore two of Thailand’s most popular destinations. Continued …
New Lunar Night Market Opens in Hin Lek Fai
Lunar Market Hua Hin is night market in Hin Lek Fai, offering visitors a broad selection of local food, snacks and drinks, plus nightly live music.
Located on Pala-U Road, almost opposite the Shell petrol station, the market operates daily from 5 p.m. to midnight and provides a relaxed setting for families, friends, and visitors. Continued …
Grassy Hua Hin Wine Festival returns Nov 22
Wine lovers are set for an evening of music and fine vintages when the Grassy Hua Hin Wine Festival 2025 takes place at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on Saturday, Nov. 22. The annual event brings together more than 100 wine labels from around the world.
The festival will feature wine tastings, live performances, and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy jazz, rock, and blues, and acoustic guitar. More than 10 local food vendors will be on-site, offering a range of dishes to pair with the evening’s wines. Continued …
Thailand Plans Jan 31 House Dissolution, March 29 Election Day
The Thai government has tentatively set January 31st as the date for dissolving the House, aiming to hold a general election on March 29. The plan also includes proposing a new Constitution and conducting a public referendum. These steps are part of the agreement with the opposition People’s Party, promising dissolution after four months in office.
Since the government began its term on Oct.1, the timeline dictates the House must dissolve by the end of January. Following this, the general election should occur within 60 days, making March 29 the proposed date. The passage of the new Constitution needs to be completed by Dec. 20, allowing time for an official referendum on the same day as the election, potentially saving approximately six billion baht by combining the events. Continued …
Bangkok’s giant sinkhole expanding
The filling of the huge sinkhole on Bangkok’s Samsen Road will require much more sand that earlier thought because it’s getting bigger, according to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority.
The MRTA said yesterday the original sinkhole was 30 meters wide, 30 meters long and 20 meters deep, but had since expanded and was still getting bigger. The initial estimate that about 8,000 cubic meters of sand would be needed to fill it was now not enough. Continued …
Thai army postpones border conflict talks with Cambodia
The 2nd Army has postponed indefinitely the planned Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting with Cambodia, citing Phnom Penh’s failure to present a clear plan for the withdrawal of heavy weaponry and for landmine clearance.
The 2nd Army’s operations centre announced the decision late Tuesday. The statement said discussions with representatives of Cambodia’s 4th Military Region on the relocation of heavy weapons and mine clearance, timelines, locations, and monitoring had yet to yield a concrete action plan. Continued …
Flooding continues in 15 Thai provinces
Flooding remained in 15 provinces this morning, mostly with unchanged levels and affecting mainly the Central Plains.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported flooding in eight central provinces: Continued …
Thai Exporters Brace for Q4 Slump as US Tariffs Hit and Shipping Costs Plummet
Thailand’s export sector, the main engine of its economy, faces a significant downturn in the final quarter of the year, despite posting high growth of 13%— reaching $223.175 billion — in the first eight months of 2025.
This earlier growth was largely attributed to Thai exporters rushing goods to the US market ahead of the reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump starting Aug. 7. Now, both the public and private sectors predict a marked slowdown. Continued …
Flare-up in US-China trade tensions poses a big risk to Thailand’s growth
The fresh flare-up in trade tensions between the United States and China is a big risk to the outlook for Thailand’s economic growth, the country’s deputy central bank governor said, adding there was little room left to lower rates further.
US President Donald Trump last week shattered a relative calm in the trade war between the world’s top two economies by threatening 100% duties on Chinese goods – on top of rates averaging 55% – in retaliation for Beijing’s dramatically expanded export controls on rare earths. Continued …
Over 7,000 suspected nominee businesses found on Samui and Phangan islands
DBD has identified over 7,000 suspected nominee businesses on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, mostly in the real estate, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development (DBD), revealed that authorities are stepping up efforts to investigate and take legal action against companies using Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership. Continued …
Thai Industrial Confidence Rises First Time In Seven Months
Thai industrial sentiment rebounded in September, climbing for the first time in seven months. The latest survey by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), released yesterday, shows the Industrial Confidence Index (ICI) rising to 87.8, up from 86.4 in August.
According to Apichit Prasoprat, vice chairman of the FTI, the improvement is largely attributed to the rapid formation of the new government. This swift political resolution restored private sector confidence and is expected to facilitate the efficient rollout of key economic stimulus and investment measures. Continued …
Co-pay scheme expects 900,000 stores to participate
The government kicked off retail shop registration yesterday for the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, expecting participation from at least 900,000 stores and an estimated 88 billion baht in economic circulation.
According to Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the ministry wants to encourage small retailers to participate in the scheme to ensure funds are broadly distributed throughout the economy. Retail shop registration closes on Dec. 19. Continued …
Thai grads shun full-time work amid growing insecurity
The Thai labor market faces an increasingly challenging outlook, as new graduates show declining interest in working full-time for companies, while existing employees face heightened risks of layoffs amid economic uncertainty.
According to Tanit Sorat, vice chairman of the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry, younger generations are less inclined to seek full-time employment, particularly in factory settings, as they prioritize greater freedom and flexibility in terms of working hours. Continued …
Call for power network upgrades to fuel data centers
Thailand’s data center capacity is projected to more than double over the next few years, but the government must upgrade power transmission lines and substations, as electricity shortages are emerging in key provinces such as Chon Buri and Rayong.
Norasak Suphakorntanakit, head of capital markets and investment at property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Thailand, said the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is holding discussions to identify sites and accelerate substation upgrades to increase power capacity. Continued …
New measures to boost tourism
The government plans to roll out a package of measures, in addition to the Khon La Khrueng Plus scheme, to stimulate domestic tourism and economic activity, which are expected to boost this year’s GDP by 0.4%.
Speaking after the new economic policy committee met for the first time yesterday, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the panel has approved a raft of measures to revitalize the tourism sector, which has contracted by 8% over the past eight months. Continued …
Travel Agency Denies Forcing Tourists to Buy Souvenirs
A Thai travel agency has refuted allegations that it compelled Chinese tourists to purchase souvenirs for commission, following a viral video of a Chinese tour guide threatening travelers.
The video showed the guide angrily warning tourists on a bus that they would face issues returning home unless they bought products at a duty-free shop. This incident led to online backlash, with accusations of the guide exploiting tourists for personal gain. Continued …
Chinese embassy warns against buying ‘cheap tours’ to Thailand
The Chinese embassy yesterday warned Chinese travelers not to buy “cheap tours” to Thailand, advising them to use only well-known, licensed outbound tour operators to avoid problems.
The advisory was issued as Thai tourist police investigate a report of a Chinese man seen on video telling a tour group they must buy goods from a recommended store or they would not be allowed back on the bus. Continued …
Police bust 5 illegal tour guides working for Israeli-Thai couple on Koh Pha Ngan
Police arrested five illegal tour guides for offering ATV trips to foreigners on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province and launched a further investigation into an Israeli man and his Thai wife, who are alleged to be behind the illegal business.
Officers from the Koh Phangan Tourist Police and the Immigration Office monitored the area near the entrance to an unfinished airport on Thong Nang-Thong Nai Pan Road. They spotted five tour guides taking foreign tourists on ATV trips. Continued …
How a former farmer turned human-elephant conflict into an economic opportunity
It takes almost two years to grow a pineapple before it’s ripe and ready for harvest. For rubber trees, it can take at least six years before latex can be collected. So you could imagine the frustration and heartbreak of seeing the fruits of a farmer’s patience and dedication destroyed in a matter of minutes.
This has been the harsh reality for those living around Kui Buri National Park, where some of Thailand’s largest populations of Asian elephants roam. For years, these farmers have toiled to make a living from their crops, only to witness it all crumble under the footsteps of the wild giants. But the elephants are not to blame; with their usual foraging spots now converted into farmland, there is little left for them to eat. Continued …
Mu Ko Similan National Park Opens for Peak Season
Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga Province officially opened for its annual tourism season yesterday, drawing large crowds of Thai and international visitors on the first day. The renowned archipelago, famous worldwide as a paradise for divers and ocean lovers, was bustling with activity.
Tourists were impressed by the condition of the sea, which was described as being “crystal clear, like glass,” prompting many to take photographs of the rich, natural environment. Continued …
Fueled by air pollution, storms in Southeast Asia are becoming stronger
Air pollution from forest fires in Southeast Asia may be one reason why storms in the region are becoming stronger, new research has found. The study, led by Professor Steve Yim, who heads the NTU Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Health, analyzed 10 years of satellite and weather data from across Southeast Asia.
The data shows that powerful storms are becoming more frequent and intense, especially over maritime Southeast Asia. This region includes countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Continued …
Should municipal waste fuel the clean energy transition?
Municipal waste as an energy source is in popular discussion today as the Global South struggles with the triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Adding to the stress are projections that the production of plastic, a material made predominantly of fossil fuels, will continue to increase unless stronger commitments are made in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.
One of the leading solutions being promoted to the Global South is waste-to-energy incineration (WTE), a range of thermal technologies that subject waste to high temperatures. Continued …
Bangkok Prepares for ‘Eco-Friendly’ Loy Krathong with Strict Safety Measures
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced its preparations for the Loy Krathong Festival 2568 (2025), confirming a major event with a dual focus on environmental conservation and public safety.
Taiwut Khankaew, deputy permanent secretary of the BMA, detailed the plans following a preparatory meeting yesterday at Bangkok City Hall. He revealed a significant emphasis on “Eco-Friendly Loy Krathong,” urging city residents to use krathongs made only from natural, biodegradable materials. Continued …
US Treasury chief: Beijing’s rare earths move is ‘China vs world’
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slammed Beijing’s rare earth export curbs yesterday as “China versus the world,” vowing that Washington and its allies would “neither be commanded nor controlled.” Bessent spoke days after Beijing announced fresh controls on the export of rare earth technologies and items. Continued …
Trump is losing his geo-economic war
In an age of shifting geopolitics, many countries’ strategic planning includes imaginative exercises in weaponizing their positions in the world. While Russia and China have been moderately successful at this game, America’s efforts have already boomeranged back on it. Continued …
Trump cancels largest solar project in North America
The Trump administration’s cancellation of what would have been one of the world’s largest solar power projects has some industry observers fretting over the future of renewable energy on public lands. They predicted the Esmeralda 7 project — by far the largest solar project that had moved through the permitting process under former President Joe Biden’s Interior Department — won’t be the last major project in the pipeline to be pulled. Continued …
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Trump’s Trade Policies Threaten Thai Economy
