- Reader feedback/694 Hua Hin entities under the gun/Hua Hin, Pranburi under flood watch/Hua Hin properties earn real estate awards/August ‘hottest month ever recorded globally’/Samui zoo owner’s wife fights deportation/Pit bull kills 70-year-old owner/$1,999 iPhone Duo
- THE IRAN WAR: Oil tops $100 a barrel
- ECONOMY: US-Thai trade deal ready to be finalized/Don Mueang’s transport links draw luxury housing investment/August industrial sentiment drops/Probe into Israeli network in Pattaya/Nestlé invests $194 million in pet-food production
- TOURISM: Tourism stimulus scheme expected to start Nov 1/Two women detained with more than $1,000,000 in suitcases
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Top Family-Friendly Tourist Destinations
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar rooftop subsidy scheme/Thailand approves SMR rules/Saving trafficked wildlife in Thailand
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
“A clarifying question with respect to the new Hua Hin Hospital OPD operating hours, if I may – do the new hours, effective Oct. 1, refer to the Special Medical Clinic (SMC) OPD frequently used by expats and some Thais, and/or to the hospital’s main OPD, which is mainly used by Thais? Any clarification would be greatly appreciate.” – Jim
(Editor: Expat News has reached out to Hua Hin Hospital for an answer.)
694 Hua Hin entities under the gun in nominee crackdown
Authorities have identified 694 landholding entities in Hua Hin for in-depth investigation over possible nominee arrangements involving foreigners, accounting for almost nine in 10 entities flagged across Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The findings were presented at a provincial meeting on Tuesday, where officials also reported that 71 legal entities across the province met the criteria requiring them to sell their land because of foreign shareholding levels. Continued …
Hua Hin, Pranburi under flood watch
Hua Hin and Pranburi are among six districts in Prachuap Khiri Khan placed on flood watch from Sept. 9-13, with residents urged to prepare for possible flash floods, runoff and landslides. The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) cited a monsoon trough and a strengthening southwest monsoon that are expected to bring increased rainfall across Thailand, including heavy to very heavy rain in some areas.
The warning identifies Hua Hin, Pranburi, Kui Buri, Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thap Sakae and Bang Saphan as areas at risk of localized flooding, flash floods, forest runoff and landslides. Continued …
Two Hua Hin properties earn real estate awards
Orchid Palm Homes was named Developer of the Year Hua Hin and BelVida Parque Hua Hin won Best Villa Development Hua Hin at the Thailand Real Estate Awards 2026 in Bangkok on Aug. 27.
The ceremony, held at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, marked the awards’ 10th anniversary under the theme “10 Years, New Era”. Developers and projects from across Thailand were recognized, with AP (Thailand) Public Co. receiving the evening’s highest honor, Developer of the Year Thailand 2026. Continued …
August ‘hottest month ever recorded globally’
August was the hottest single month ever recorded globally, with ocean temperatures also reaching unprecedented highs as western Europe capped its warmest summer, the EU’s climate monitor said today.
In response to the assessment by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the United Nations warned that until humanity weaned off fossil fuels, the planet would only push deeper into uncharted territory. Continued …
Samui zoo owner’s wife fights deportation order
The French owner of Samui Exotic Park in Surat Thani has been ordered deported from Thailand, with his wife preparing to appeal the Interior Ministry’s decision tomorrow.
Kevin Dimino was formally informed of the order by Surat Thani Immigration on Tuesday, a day after the ministry issued the deportation decision. He has been held at Koh Samui Police Station while awaiting removal to his country of origin. Continued …
Pit bull kills 70-year-old owner in Bangkok home
A 70-year-old woman has died after being attacked by a male pit bull she cared for at a home in Bangkok’s Bueng Kum district yesterday.
Police said the woman was attempting to put a collar on the dog when it attacked her inside the property. She was found dead with bite wounds to her neck and hands. Continued …
Apple joins foldable phone race with $1,999 passport-shaped iPhone Duo
Apple unveiled its first foldable iPhone yesterday, introducing a US$1,999 passport-shaped handset as new chief executive John Ternus bets on design, productivity and privacy to win customers in a market established by Samsung and Chinese rivals.
The iPhone Duo opens into a 7.6-inch display and will be available from Oct. 23. Its launch marks the most substantial redesign of Apple’s flagship product since the iPhone X in 2017. Continued …
Oil tops $100 a barrel as Mideast conflict escalates
Benchmark Brent crude oil futures rose past $100 a barrel yesterday, breaching the symbolic barrier for the first time since July 24 as intensifying conflict in the Middle East fueled growing concern about supplies.
Brent crude futures were up $2.15, or 2.2%, to $100.07 a barrel as of mid-afternoon in Asia, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was up $1.70, or 1.8%, at $94.73. Continued …
US-Thai trade deal ready to be finalized by a call between Anutin and Trump, says Minister
Thailand and the United States are days from a sweeping trade deal reaching far beyond tariffs. Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun says every substantive issue is settled, with only legal drafting left. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is then expected to speak directly with US President Donald Trump to close the pact.
The deal would secure access to Thailand’s largest export market after a threatened 36% tariff. In return, Bangkok has discussed billions in US agriculture, energy and aircraft purchases. However, the most far-reaching terms cover electronic payments, cross-border data and telecommunications. Continued …
Don Mueang’s transport links draw luxury housing investment
Don Mueang is attracting more high-end housing development as transport links, international schools and demand from affluent families broaden its appeal beyond the airport, according to Cushman & Wakefield Thailand.
Surachet Kongcheep, the firm’s head of research and consultancy, described the district as an emerging “major infrastructure hub” in northern Bangkok. He cited an average annual increase of about 11% in appraised land values. Continued …
August industrial sentiment drops on heavy rain and high costs
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index slipped to 89.7 in August, from 90.0 in July, weighed down by heavy rainfall that disrupted economic hubs, high energy costs and weak domestic purchasing power, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
FTI Chair Pimjai Leeissaranukul stated the decline was further exacerbated by a prolonged contraction in the automotive sector, due to sluggish sales and tighter credit access. Vehicle sales fell 17.4% year-on-year over the first seven months of this year, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to struggle with high production costs, limited access to capital and stiff competition from imported goods. Continued …
Criminal charges considered by DSI in probe into substantial Israeli network in Pattaya
Thailand’s DSI is moving toward its first summons in a widening Israeli-linked business probe centered on Pattaya. Israeli businessman Maimon David Marsiano and several Thai shareholders are expected to face questioning over suspected nominee structures, company control and investment funding.
The inquiry follows August raids on a law office, condominium company and hotel business tied to assets worth hundreds of millions of baht. However, the investigation has now spread far beyond Chon Buri. The DSI says Israeli-linked real estate and other assets under wider examination nationwide are worth tens of billions of baht, with business interests also being examined in Bangkok, Phuket, Pai, Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan. Continued …
Nestlé invests $194 million in Purina pet-food production in Thailand
Nestlé is spending more than $194.1 million on “strengthening” Purina pet-food production in Thailand. The Swiss giant said the investment is in response to rising pet-food demand in Thailand and the rest of Asia.
It will be funneled into its manufacturing site in Rayong, which produces pet food and treats under the Felix, Friskies, Pro Plan, and Purina One brands. Continued …
Tourism stimulus scheme expected to start Nov 1
A new “Thai Tiew Thai Plus” tourism stimulus scheme, offering one million entitlements with a budget of 3.5 billion baht, is awaiting cabinet approval for a planned Nov. 1 start.
The scheme is expected to be submitted to the cabinet for approval on Sept. 22, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Tuesday after a meeting with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. Continued …
Two women detained at Bangkok Airport with more than $1,000,000 in their suitcases
During the search at Suvarnabhumi Airport, two Thai women were found carrying 32.5 million baht in cash and €186,000 hidden in their suitcases. They had failed to declare the currency as required by Thai law for amounts exceeding US$20,000 (approximately 700,000 baht) when leaving the country.
The total value of the undeclared cash exceeded the equivalent of 40 million baht (over US$1.1 million). After questioning, the suspects admitted that the money had been withdrawn from their accounts after profiting on the “BlueQubit” platform. Continued …
Top Family-Friendly Tourist Destinations in Thailand
Thailand is one of the Asian destinations that has maintained its popularity among families thanks to its diverse range of experiences in a single geographical area. From beaches and tropical islands to water parks, amusement parks, and cultural landmarks, families can choose programs that fit their ages and interests.
The appeal of the trip increases when families combine more than one city. Starting an adventure in Bangkok offers cultural and recreational landmarks, then moving to Phuket or Hua Hin for serene days at the beach. Nature and animal lovers can head north to Chiang Mai, while Pattaya offers a mix of water parks, family activities, and boat trips. Continued …
Solar rooftop subsidy scheme to open in mid-October
Registration will open in mid-October for a solar rooftop scheme offering subsidies of up to 50,000 baht per installation, initially targeting one million households.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said yesterday the 50 billion baht for the program would come from the 200 billion baht earmarked for energy transition projects. Continued …
Thailand approves SMR rules for possible nuclear power
Thailand has approved a regulatory policy framework for small modular reactors (SMRs), beginning work on the laws, specialist skills and safety arrangements needed if it eventually adopts nuclear power.
Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat chaired the Nuclear Energy for Peace Commission’s second meeting of 2026 at Government House on Tuesday. Officials stressed that no decision has been made to build a nuclear plant, select a location or choose reactor technology. Continued …
Online and undercover: saving trafficked wildlife in Thailand
Nawee Changpirom has spent years working to rescue trafficked wildlife in Thailand, but even he can sometimes hardly believe the creatures he has found: leopards, hornbills, and once an anteater. “We even found living corals hidden in a ceiling,” he said.
Nawee heads a raid unit in the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) that tries to stop the sale of everything from African elephant ivory to monkeys wanted as pets or for laboratory testing. Continued …
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Chinese man held in Pattaya over 162-million-baht crypto theft – Continued …
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Thai police arrest 13 foreigners in Bang Phli call-center raid – Continued …
Trump offers $5,000 bribe to voters
US President Donald Trump promised every adult U.S. citizen would receive a $5,000 check if Republicans retain their majorities in Congress during the party’s first-ever midterm convention yesterday. The president capped off the event by attacking Democrats while rallying supporters in Texas in a bid to boost GOP enthusiasm across the country. Continued …
How hot can the US-Canada trade war get?
The US-Canada trade war has escalated rapidly, rupturing what was once one of the world’s closest economic partnerships. But the conflict is a mismatch, with the $31 trillion US economy roughly 13 times larger than Canada’s, raising questions about the limits of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s defiance. 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
Heavy rain and flash floods threaten upper Thailand
Bangkok gun dealers say Thailand’s long-running firearms import ban is forcing some businesses to seek other income, while proposed new restrictions could further reduce legal sales.
Thai and Australian Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese yesterday signed two joint statements on upgrading strategic partnership in four areas, across trade, law enforcement, defense and innovation, after their full-scale bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.
The world knows that U.S. President Donald Trump is angry with Iran. But he’s not happy with the small country lying across the Strait of Hormuz from the Islamic Republic, either: Oman.
Thailand’s exports and private investment are expected to remain important drivers of economic growth after gross domestic product expanded by only 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday.
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index rose for a second straight month in July due to strong electric vehicle (EV) sales and government support measures, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported yesterday. The federation’s industrial sentiment index rose to 90.0 in July from 88.2 in June.
Thailand is preparing to overhaul the rules and investment incentives governing data centers, with the government seeking to ensure that future projects deliver measurable benefits to the Thai economy while managing their heavy demands on electricity and water.
Data from CBRE Research showed that the downtown Bangkok condominium market recorded more new project launches in the first half of 2026 than in the same period a year earlier. Luxury and super-luxury developments were the main drivers, with both segments again attracting developers’ attention.
Southeast Asian nations are close to finalizing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a landmark regional pact designed to govern their digital economy, projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030.
Foreigners arriving in Thailand may be asked by immigration to show they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. Depending on the entry route, the stated requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport.
“Oh, we’re on the wrong side of the road,” I blurted out as I hopped into our van after landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. “It’s not the wrong side,” said Lisa, the journalist I was traveling with. “It’s a different side.”
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na, a rare window into Bangkok’s royal past
A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that Thailand can accelerate rooftop solar deployment by reforming its current solar policies. This would reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), improve energy security, and limit future pressure on rising electricity costs.
Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and building resilience is no longer optional, said Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong. He added that such disasters also know no borders, making solidarity and collective action in ASEAN critical.
The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed yesterday, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fueled in part by President Donald Trump’s invalidated tariffs. 
Portugal’s president has enacted a law pushed by the far right banning the concealment of faces in public, a measure widely seen as targeting Muslim women wearing a full-face veil. 
Design plans reviewed for Phon Kingphet Public Park
Prachuap Khiri Khan has launched Wellness Tourism 2026 as part of a plan to promote the province as an international health and wellness destination.
Registration is opening for the Wellscape Prachuap Khiri Khan Night Run 2026, an evening health run taking runners through the “City of Three Bays”. The event, organized by Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and the Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports, will take place on Friday, July 3.
Authorities have postponed a plan to impose higher electricity rates on large households with heavy consumption, citing the need to revise how power bills are calculated, says Energy Minister Akanat Promphan.
Five Thai reservoirs above maximum storage levels
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dramatically shaken up Phuket’s administration, removing the governor and transferring two deputy governors amid escalating allegations of internal conflict, influential networks, disputed beachfront land, intimidation, and claims of political protection.
Commerzbank’s analysis highlights that global energy market volatility, particularly in early 2026, is exerting substantial downward pressure on the Thai baht. Thailand’s significant reliance on energy imports, primarily crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), means that rising global energy costs directly worsen its trade balance.
Thailand’s property market is sending an interesting signal, as the number and value of “second-hand” homes listed for sale nationwide have risen significantly.
Malaysia and Thailand are edging closer to resolving a tit-for-tat seafood safety dispute, offering a lifeline to exporters after weeks of halted shipments and retaliatory restrictions on Thai shrimp and Malaysian sea bass.
Arnupharp Kongmalai, vice president of marketing at MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) evealed that the company’s operational outlook for the second half of 2026 continues to be supported by ongoing branch expansion, a value-focused business model, and government economic stimulus measures, which may partially support consumer spending.
TAT Looks to Rail Travel for the Next Chapter of Thailand’s High-Value Tourism
Traveloka reveals Thai destinations gaining global interest
Thai hospitality is world renowned for a reason — a heartfelt service culture anchored in deep cultural roots perfectly complements the kingdom’s spectacular locales. Over the last few decades, luxury here has followed a skyward trajectory that all but erases the country’s “pancake trail” origins, placing destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai firmly on the luxury traveler’s must-visit map.
Police in Vietnam have rescued more than 500 cats after dismantling a suspected cat meat trafficking network in one of the country’s largest animal welfare operations in recent years. The raid, carried out in and around Ho Chi Minh City last week, followed an investigation into a series of pet thefts. Authorities detained nine suspects and uncovered hundreds of live cats allegedly destined for the meat trade. 
Hua Hin drought zone areas have been officially declared as Prachuap Khiri Khan continues to face widespread water shortages following months of low rainfall and falling reservoir levels.
Scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have shown that active chemicals in sunscreens can readily soak into the bloodstream, confirming the need for more testing on whether these products are safe, the researchers said.
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported on the industrial situation in the first quarter of 2026, pointing to worrying economic warning signs as the number of factory closures rose above the number of new factory openings for the first time in two-and-a-half years, or 10 quarters.
Thailand is aggressively positioning its wellness industry to become a top-five global hub, leveraging a current market value of approximately US$40 billion and a robust annual growth rate of 28%.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said yesterday the government’s decision to cancel the 60-day visa-free scheme for visitors from 93 countries and territories would not negatively affect Thailand’s tourism industry.
Pattaya’s tourism business association has backed the government’s decision to reduce Thailand’s visa-free stay periods from 60 days to around 30 days, saying the move could help address scammer concerns, illegal business activity, and support tourism revenue.
Thailand is considering raising its proposed tourist entry fee for foreign visitors above 300 baht, as officials review rising insurance and healthcare costs linked to the tourism sector.
In 2018, Thailand stood at the peak of its medical tourism boom. Millions of international patients traveled to the country each year, drawn by internationally trained doctors, modern hospitals, and treatment costs often significantly lower than in Western markets. Then the pandemic paused global travel.
Bangkok is among the world’s fastest-sinking cities, with scientists warning that land subsidence is accelerating the impact of rising sea levels and increasing flood risks for millions of residents.
Thailand’s old growth formula is coming under mounting pressure from rising debt, inequality, technological disruption, and environmental risk, raising urgent questions over whether the country can continue relying on the same economic model in a world being reshaped by sustainability standards, artificial intelligence, and climate stress.
The world built and commissioned more coal power in 2025, but used the polluting fuel less, with the United States the only major economy to substantially increase generation, a new analysis shows.
HSBC, Europe’s largest bank, is preparing to cut more than 20,000 jobs — roughly 10% of its global workforce — as it accelerates the adoption of artificial intelligence and automation technologies across the organization in a bid to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. 
China will?buy 200 Boeing jets and seek an extension of the trade ?agreement with the United States that was reached in Kuala Lumpur last year, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said yesterday. 
Thailand is bracing for an air pollution crisis, with authorities warning that fine dust (PM2.5) levels are expected to rise nationwide through Jan. 25, heightening health concerns.
Laos has tightened controls on outdoor burning, as air pollution continued to affect major cities yesterday, with the government warning that forest fires and agricultural burning remain the main drivers of seasonal haze and health risks.
Thailand’s economy in 2026 is projected to face significant uncertainty and potential stagnation, risking a decline in competitiveness. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is urging the government to accelerate free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations and implement structural reforms to navigate these challenges.
Thailand still has an undersupply of hotel rooms, according to international chain IHG Hotels & Resorts, which aims to add nearly 40 hotels here in 3-5 years. Elie Maalouf, chief executive at IHG, said Thailand is still “under-penetrated” in terms of hotel rooms per person, as many hotels have very high occupancy rates for much of the time.
The Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) has finished drafting amendments to the Petroleum Act to ensure the continuity of petroleum production when licenses expire, avoiding delays that can result in expensive electricity bills.
A wave of blunt, often frustrated comments from readers has reignited a long-running question: is Pattaya intentionally — or unintentionally — pushing away its traditional Western visitor base?
The friendliest Thai cities for foreigners
The influencer racing to save Thailand’s most endangered sea mammal
The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting 2026 in Davos has begun in a notably heated atmosphere, after Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney used a major address to declare that the so-called “rules-based order” is effectively “dead” in practice and urged the world’s middle powers to unite against growing coercion by larger states. 
If the US and the European Union (EU) implement tariff barriers against each other, it could cause severe disruptions to global trade, as both are crucial players in the global supply chain and major consumer markets, say economic analysts. Tensions are escalating after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs ranging up to 25% on eight European allies that oppose his demands for control of Greenland. 
Foreign visitors to Japan reached a record estimated 42.7 million in 2025, the government said yesterday, with their spending also at a new all-time high of 9.5 trillion yen (1.8 trillion baht), thanks to a weaker yen and increased flights to Japan. 
Global gold prices surged to another record high yesterday, rising above US$4,700 an ounce and moving closer to the US$4,800 mark, as escalating geopolitical tensions drove demand for safe-haven assets. Silver also hit an all-time high, briefly breaking above US$95 an ounce. 
Thai police use rubber bullets, tear gas against Cambodians on border
Thai consumers prioritize health, embrace food tech
Thai industrial sentiment hits 3-year low
Thai AirAsia X Launches Three New Routes
‘This tiny island airport is one of the best I’ve ever been to’
Miss Universe Strips Thai Runner-Up After Miss World Appearance
Currency Concerns and Origin Disputes Stall Thai-US Trade Talks
Future of automotive hub in Thailand: Opportunities and challenges
AOT reports record 2.6 million passengers during Songkran
Hua Hin road resurfacing work tomorrow, Friday
Finnish Business Networking Event in Hua Hin March 22
Dog alerts owners to 5-meter King Cobra under car hood
iCon Group suspects incarcerated for fraud
Blackchin tilapia sauce aims for double win
Chon Buri’s 153rd buffalo race
