- Four lanes for soi 102?/Hua Hin Profile/Pranburi’s Villa Maroc new manager/Nene Royal to voice Disney’s Hexed in Thailand/Nene Royal to sing at IMF–World Bank reception/UK Banker who exposed Epstein links found dead/No signs of plague in Thailand/Heavy rain forecast across Thailand/Bangkok could be increasingly inundated/Manufacturers face flood hit/Eastern flooding persists/Hospitals told to stock medicines, food/Bangkok plans flood defenses
- ECONOMY: Thai inflation rises 2.82%/World Bank ups Thai GDP outlook/Foreign nominee businesses targeted beyond islands/Trump hopes to sign Thai tariff deal/Ministry to cut fuel subsidies/Tax perks to support MICE sector/Higher VAT urged/Eight EEC promotion zones/Starbucks expansion in Thailand/Vegetarian Festival spending/Infrastructure projects diversify Phuket’s economy
- TOURISM: Tourist tax goes ahead
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Introducing the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards/Trading Crowded Beaches For Soulful Culture
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Time to Rewrite Energy Rules/Southeast Asia could save US$45.4 billion with solar/Solar Project At Sats Thailand
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Four lanes for soi 102?
Hua Hin municipality is preparing to widen Hua Hin Soi 102 from two lanes to four and install new drainage along a 1.93-kilometer stretch. No construction start date has been announced.
The proposed work would run from the front of the municipality’s machinery center to Setthawit School. More than 28,000 square meters of road surface would be resurfaced with asphalt concrete. The existing two lanes, each 3.5 meters wide, would be replaced by four lanes, each 3 meters wide. Continued …
Hua Hin Profile: Humanitarianism in action
Kim Warren is not just a pragmatic optimist; she is a force for change in some of the world’s most dangerous and complex places. She recalls a conversation with a neighbour at the age of 12 when she boldly voiced her intention to do something to help people in developing countries when she grew up, and his assertion to her that there were plenty of people in her native England who needed her help, so she didn’t need to look so far afield.
Kim knew instinctively that her future lay outside her country, and this has indeed been the case. An adventurous spirit and a childhood free from restriction equipped Kim well for leaving England as a young woman and calling countries all around the world her home, as she pursued her career in humanitarian mine action. Continued …
Pranburi’s Villa Maroc names new manager
Sirithip Thipthammakhun has been named as the new hotel manager of Villa Maroc Pranburi. Prior to joining Villa Maroc Pranburi, she served as general manager of Kundala Beach Resort Hua Hin from August 2023, overseeing overall hotel operations, strategic planning, business development, financial performance and team leadership.
She previously served as hotel operations manager at The Tree Riverside Kaeng Krachan, managing daily operations, service standards, guest satisfaction, and departmental performance. She also spent more than eight years at Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin, progressing through senior roles in food and beverage, event and catering, and wedding and event sales, gaining extensive experience in hotel operations, events and business development. – thaipr.net
Nene Royal to voice Disney’s Hexed in Thailand
Thai rocker Nene Royal, winner of America’s Got Talent 2026, will make her acting debut as the Thai voice of Billie Doe in Disney’s animated fantasy Hexed.
The 16-year-old performer, whose real name is Rattikarn Amloy, will voice the film’s lead character when it opens in Thai cinemas on Nov. 26. The original English-language version of Billie is voiced by Hailee Steinfeld. Continued …
Nene Royal to sing for over 400 guests at IMF–World Bank reception
Nene Royal is set to perform for more than 400 guests at Thailand’s official reception for the International Monetary Fund (IMF)–World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 on Wednesday evening (October 14, 2026). The event will take place at Government House’s Santi Maitri Building, Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Ekkaphop Phianphiset said.
Ekkaphop said the government aims to generate positive publicity and showcase Thai culture to dignitaries and senior guests from around the world, using the reception to demonstrate Thailand’s readiness as a host. Continued …
UK Banker who exposed Epstein links found dead outside Bangkok
British banker and whistleblower Simon Andriesz, 57, was found dead in Khlong Luang, just outside Bangkok, on the morning of September 23. The local municipality recorded his cause of death as “asphyxiation from hanging”.
Andriesz, who had worked on Wall Street and had recently been living in Cornwall, was known for allegations concerning his former employer, BGC Group, and its former chief executive Howard Lutnick, now US Commerce Secretary under President Donald Trump. Continued …
No signs of plague in Thailand
Thailand has not implemented any additional measures regarding the suspected plague in Russia, as Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat stated there are currently no plans for further action unless new developments emerge.
While the Department of Disease Control is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Ministry of Transport to watch for potential risks from travelers, officials consider the risk of transmission to Thailand to be low. Dr. Direk Khampaen, the deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, noted that special measures for international travel and flights are not necessary at this time. – Bangkok Post AI
Heavy rain forecast across Thailand as authorities monitor flood risks
Thailand’s Joint Information Coordination Center (JICC) has warned of widespread moderate to heavy rain from Oct. 10–13, urging people in flood-prone areas to closely monitor weather and water levels, particularly in the eastern provinces where the Bang Pakong River is at risk of overflowing its flood barriers.
Rain is expected to move from the central plains toward the western region and then southward. Heavier rainfall is forecast in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla and provinces along the Andaman coast. Continued …
As the planet warms, cities like Bangkok could be increasingly inundated by deadly floods
In the humid tropics of Southeast Asia, afternoon thunderstorms roll through almost every day. Daytime heat causes towering, fluffy cumulonimbus clouds to form and swell before unleashing torrential rain on cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. In these places, drainage systems are designed to cope with short, heavy downpours of rain. But the rains in Bangkok over the last week were far from typical.
September is the wettest month in Thailand’s bustling capital, with a monthly average of 344 millimeters usually spread across 18 rainy days. But just last week, roughly 300 millimeters of rain fell in Bangkok over 48 hours, overwhelming the city’s drainage systems. Continued …
Manufacturers face flood hit of 2.13 billion baht
The recent floods in Thailand have caused an estimated economic loss of approximately 2.13 billion baht, primarily affecting the manufacturing sector. This economic impact includes damage to over 4,500 factories across the country, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) bearing much of the burden.
While the Ministry of Industry reported these industrial losses, the Finance Ministry has suggested the overall impact on the national economy may be less than 0.1% of GDP. Some analysts have expressed concern that the long-term economic impact could be more significant due to potential supply chain disruptions and the financial strain on affected households. – Bangkok Post AI
Eastern flooding persists
Flooding in eastern Thailand has persisted for seven consecutive days as of today. The stagnant water in the region has led to issues such as foul odors in certain areas.
In provinces like Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao, the ongoing situation involves difficult drainage and concerns over stagnant, potentially polluted water. While flood levels in some eastern provinces like Chon Buri and Rayong have been reported as declining, other areas such as Chachoengsao have seen deeper flooding. Additionally, officials are managing risks related to industrial runoff in Prachin Buri, where stagnant water has displayed a rainbow-colored sheen, suggesting contamination from factory waste. – Bangkok Post AI
Hospitals told to stock seven days of medicines
To prepare for upcoming heavy rainfall, the Ministry of Public Health has instructed hospitals to maintain a stockpile of medicines for at least seven days and food for up to 10 days.
These emergency protocols were issued to ensure healthcare facilities are ready for potential disruptions, such as those seen in recent surveys where some provinces faced significant flooding. In addition to these stockpiles, hospitals have been advised to prepare patient transfers in advance and select alternative routes for emergency access. Authorities are also working to improve communication and electricity systems to maintain operations during disasters. – Bangkok Post AI
Bangkok plans at least 100 billion baht in flood defenses
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has drawn up a five-to-seven-year flood-management program expected to require at least 100 billion baht, combining drainage maintenance with major canal, tunnel and water-retention projects to protect the capital’s role as Thailand’s economic center.
The BMA’s program follows flooding in Bangkok that has begun to ease but has caused widespread economic damage and disrupted daily life. Parts of eastern Bangkok remained inundated for at least a week as the drainage network struggled to move water arriving from multiple directions. Continued …
Thai inflation rises 2.82% in September
Thailand’s headline consumer price index rose 2.82% in September from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said yesterday, as food and fuel prices increased.
September’s increase followed annual headline inflation of 2.53% in August. It also remained within the Bank of Thailand’s target range of 1% to 3%. The ministry now expects inflation to pick up further during the final quarter of 2026, with October’s annual rate expected to exceed that recorded in September. Continued …
World Bank ups Thai GDP outlook
The World Bank has upgraded its GDP growth forecast for Thailand in 2026 to 2.3%, up from a previous estimate of 1.5%. This upward revision is primarily attributed to robust exports fueled by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom and a smaller-than-expected impact from energy shocks.
While the Bank of Thailand has maintained a projection of 2.3% for the year, other organizations have offered varying outlooks, such as the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, which upgraded its forecast to 2.5%, and the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, which maintained a growth expectation between 1.6% and 2.0%. – Bangkok Post AI
Thailand targets foreign nominee businesses beyond the islands
Thailand has expanded a crackdown on suspected foreign nominee businesses from Koh Phangan into seven provinces, according to a media report, as concern grows over overseas investors, land deals and long-stay visitors on the country’s resort islands.
The campaign, known as the “Phangan model”, has examined thousands of businesses with potentially dubious Thai-foreign ownership structures. It has led to more than 110 arrests and dozens of warrants, Bloomberg reported. Continued …
Trump hopes to sign Thai tariff deal during November Asia visit
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed officials to advance tariff negotiations after receiving a letter from US President Donald Trump expressing hope that an agreement with Thailand can be signed soon, government spokesman Ekkapop Pianpises said oyesterday.
Speaking at Government House after a Cabinet meeting, Ekkapop said Anutin had briefed ministers on the letter and assigned Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun to continue the Thailand–US tariff negotiations and prepare for signing. Continued …
Energy Ministry to cut fuel subsidies as oil fund deficit exceeds 100 billion baht
Thailand’s Oil Fuel Fund has begun scaling back diesel support as its deficit has passed 100 billion baht, an Energy Ministry source said. The ministry is preparing a gradual withdrawal of subsidies to slow cash outflows while awaiting policy direction on further measures.
The Oil Fuel Fund Office’s Oct. 4 financial statement put the fund’s net deficit at 98.942 billion baht, comprising 58.429 billion baht in the oil account and 40.513 billion baht in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) account. The ministry source’s subsequent estimate above 100 billion baht reflects continued pressure from fuel and cooking-gas subsidies. Continued …
Cabinet okays tax perks to support MICE sector
The Thai cabinet has approved tax measures for the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) sector that allow businesses to claim a double tax deduction for expenses related to space rental and services for trade fairs and exhibitions. These incentives are intended to stimulate economic activity by attracting international events and increasing spending in related industries such as tourism, transport, and hospitality.
The government expects these tax measures to result in a tax revenue increase of approximately 897 million baht. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance estimates that approximately 3,800 businesses will claim these benefits, potentially generating 99.3 billion baht in total annual spending from participation in trade fairs and exhibitions. The broader goal of these policies is to strengthen Thailand’s position as a major international destination for MICE events and to drive regional and local economic income. – Bangkok Post AI
Higher VAT urged amid net deficit
An increase in the value-added tax (VAT) of 3% was discussed during a session where senators also called for a broader tax base to address a reported net deficit of 760 billion baht for fiscal 2025.
While the proposed 3% increase was described as modest, the senator acknowledged that it could potentially affect low-income earners. Other discussions surrounding tax reform included calls to improve tax collection through digital technology and expanding the tax base to cover the informal economy. – Bangkok Post AI
Thai cabinet notes establishment of eight EEC promotion zones
The Thai cabinet has acknowledged the establishment of eight special economic promotion zones within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
The designated zones include industrial estates, a specialized medical center, a food-processing cluster, an LNG terminal, and a smart logistics hub. Continued …
Major Starbucks expansion in Thailand planned
Singapore-listed DFI Retail plans to open 250 new Starbucks outlets over the next three years, mainly in Thailand and Vietnam, after taking full control of the licensed business operating more than 1,100 coffeehouses across seven Asian markets.
Thailand, which already has 574 Starbucks outlets, will be an initial focus alongside Vietnam, where the chain has 156 stores. The expansion was outlined by DFI executives following a reorganization of Maxim’s Caterers, its joint venture with Hongkong Caterers. Continued …
Vegetarian Festival spending set to hit 6-year high
Spending during the 2026 Vegetarian Festival is projected to reach a six-year high of 46.9 billion baht. This figure represents a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
The survey, which included 1,123 respondents, highlights a shift in consumer behavior where people are increasingly choosing to eat at vegetarian stalls rather than cooking at home. While the overall share of vegetarians in the country has fallen to 11% over the last few years, individual spending during the festival period is expected to rise by 7% from Oct. 10 to 18. – Bangkok Post AI
Infrastructure projects diversify Phuket’s economy beyond tourism
Major public and private projects worth more than 214 billion baht are changing the investment landscape of Phuket, according to Phattarachai Taweewong, senior director of market research and public relations at Savills Thailand.
The island, long associated with beaches, hotels and foreign visitors, is attracting investment in airports, public transport, healthcare, shopping centers and large mixed-use and destination developments. Continued …
Tourist tax goes ahead despite floods
The Thai government is proceeding with the 450-baht tourism tax because an online public hearing showed that 80.5% of respondents supported the collection. Officials intend to use the funds, which are expected to generate 8 billion baht annually, to finance tourism infrastructure and development.
Despite calls from the private sector to delay the scheme due to ongoing flooding, the government remains committed to the rollout in the first quarter of next year. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul noted that the revenue is essential for addressing the lack of sufficient financial resources for national tourism development. – Bangkok Post AI
Introducing the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards
There are certain travel trends you can feel before you see them in the numbers. This year the message from our Readers’ Choice Awards is remarkably clear: Asia is more enticing than ever.
Japan, of course, has been booming since the pandemic. I traveled there for the first time only last year and was lucky enough to be in Osaka and Kyoto the week the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. I rode an e-bike early in the mornings as the first rays of the sun started to illuminate Kyoto, and I’d stop every so often just to take in the beauty of the flowers up close, in complete solitude before the crowds arrived. It remains one of my most enchanting travel memories. Continued …
Smart Travel Lovers Are Trading Crowded Beaches For Soulful Culture In Nakhon Si Thammarat
Beyond the beaches that everyone dreams about, southern Thailand has a rhythm that is waiting to be experienced. When you walk through the streets of southern Thailand and step into local markets every single moment feels very personal. It makes you feel a sense of wonder and a real connection.
Analysts suggest that southern Thailand extends far beyond standard tropical shorelines. Observers point out that the territory features an extraordinary mosaic of deep-rooted heritage, pristine ecosystems, distinct culinary traditions, traditional craftsmanship, and serene rural landscapes. Continued …
Time to Rewrite Energy Rules: Unavoidable Transition for Thailand
The Middle East conflict and oil price volatility have highlighted Thailand’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, prompting calls to accelerate its clean energy transition. A seminar involving energy experts, policymakers, and industry representatives concluded that reducing fossil fuel dependence is now an economic and security necessity, not just an environmental goal, with ASEAN neighbors facing similar pressures.
Research presented showed growing industrial demand for green electricity, though supply and infrastructure remain insufficient, while another study emphasized protecting jobs tied to natural gas industries during the transition. Experts recommend modernizing the electricity grid, expanding battery storage, and shifting from the enhanced single buyer model toward market liberalization, including broader direct power purchase agreements. The upcoming Power Development Plan 2026-2050 is seen as a key opportunity to implement these reforms, balancing renewable energy expansion with affordability and economic competitiveness. Continued …
Southeast Asia could save US$45.4 billion with solar instead of planned gas projects
Southeast Asia could save approximately US$45.4 billion by installing enough solar photovoltaic capacity to generate the same amount of electricity as planned gas power projects across five major economies, according to research group Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA).
Nearly 49 gigawatts (GW) of gas capacity is in pre-construction or construction across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, according to ZCA’s analysis of Global Energy Monitor data. If completed, the projects could generate around 263 terawatt-hour (TWh) of electricity annually. Continued …
Clean Kinetics Begins Construction Of 3.27 MW Solar Project At Sats Thailand
Clean Kinetics, a Singapore-based solar energy developer, has started construction of a $2-million solar photovoltaic project at Sats Thailand’s central kitchen facility in Pathum Thani province, around 40 kilometers north of Bangkok.
The project will feature a 3.27 MWp solar power system comprising approximately 5,000 solar panels. The panels will be installed across rooftops, carports, and ground-mounted areas within the facility. Clean Kinetics will be responsible for the complete project lifecycle, including design, equipment supply, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance. Continued …
Three foreign gunmen rob foreigner at Pattaya home
Police in Chon Buri are continuing the search for three armed men who broke into a luxury-home estate in Nong Prue and robbed a foreign resident, reported by local media to be Turkish, of cash, Rolex watches and cryptocurrency worth almost 30 million baht. Investigators have identified leads linked to three suspects, who may be Chinese nationals, according to preliminary information. Continued …
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UK man admits cannabis plot after Thai arrests – Continued …
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Vietnam Red Notice suspect held at Phuket mall – Continued …
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Two Maldivians held in Bangkok over ice and cannabis – 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’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a warning regarding a severe fever linked to Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), a potentially fatal tick-borne viral infection, following three reported cases and two deaths in the country this year.
Covid-19 infections in Thailand are on an upward trend, with an average of 15,000 new cases reported each week over the past four weeks, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC).
Thai star Lisa hits big time in US
LISA brings Thai food and drinking culture to Jimmy Fallon show
Shipping costs are being driven by a combination of geopolitical tensions, severe weather events, and capacity constraints in critical maritime corridors. Conflicts in the Middle East, specifically involving Iran, have caused shipping standstills in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing vessels to seek alternative and often more expensive routes.
Average household debt in Thailand has risen to nearly 800,000 baht, reaching its highest level in 17 years, according to a 2026 survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
No official date has been confirmed for tariff and trade talks between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and US President Donald Trump ahead of Anutin’s Sept. 21–27 visit to the United States.
Ally Logistic Property (ALP) selected the Eastern Economic Corridor for its Omega 1 Bangna smart warehouse to access its logistics route project, which offers a business model known as infrastructure-as-a-service. This model allows tenants to utilize integrated automated warehouses without the high upfront costs or the need to own their own storage facilities.
Thai Airways will operate the new Bangkok-Da Nang service with 41 flights per week. The service is scheduled to begin on Dec. 1.
Thailand Ecotourism Is Now Third in ASEAN
Tiger Conservation in Thailand Shows Results
Government plans to liberalize forest use have sparked fears that Thailand’s pristine natural landscapes will be opened to industrial activities, including waste disposal. The Cabinet this month approved in principle a draft regulation allowing the commercial and industrial use of larger forest zones – including national reserves. If enacted, the scope of permitted activities will be expanded from the current 10 categories to 16.
Thailand has built much of the machinery of sustainable finance — a taxonomy, disclosure rules, transition loans and a coming climate fund. What it has not yet solved is who can afford to use it.
Highway police arrested a 23-year-old man and seized approximately 464 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine after the van he was driving crashed into a resident’s fence during a pursuit in Prachuap Khiri Khan last week.
The Energy Policy Administration Committee (EPAC) has announced a discount on the ex-refinery price of high-speed diesel by 4 baht per liter, effective from today until Oct.31.
‘Hands off Koh Kut’: Thailand stands firm at UN maritime talks
European buyers pushed some physical oil cargo prices above US$130 a barrel yesterday, while Brent and US crude futures reached their highest settlements since May 19 as disruptions to Saudi exports intensified.
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said yesterday that Gastech 2026 in Bangkok had generated more than US$17 billion in energy business agreements. Thailand also handed over hosting duties for the 2027 event to Houston in the United States.
Stallholders working a market along Rama XI, one of Bangkok’s arterial roads, started noticing a nauseating oil odor drifting from a boxy structure covered in gunmetal grey panels that had gone up across from their stalls with almost no warning.
Cargill is expanding its food production in Thailand by investing 2 billion baht (US$60 million) to enhance its feed business and processing facilities. This strategic move aims to increase production efficiency and reliability in the production process, while also providing better control over raw materials.
A media review of Pattaya has highlighted the resort city’s enduring association with sex tourism, despite efforts by local authorities to promote beaches, sport, conventions and family holidays.
TAT’s Amazing Thailand Ambassador Campaign Generates Over 448 Million Impressions
Thailand is shifting the way it measures tourism success, moving beyond visitor numbers toward a model focused on value, distribution and sustainability.
Thailand has shortened the standard visa-free stay for tourists from 60 days to 30, and this change may have a bigger effect on tourism spending than on the number of foreign visitors entering the country.
Thailand’s revised Destination Thailand Visa rules, effective from Aug. 31, have created uncertainty for applicants applying outside their home country as Thai embassies and consulates publish differing residence requirements.
Thai industrial estate developer Amata Corp. and energy producer B.Grimm Power will invest 1.2 billion baht (USD36.1 million/EUR33.9 million) in a 42.5-MWp floating solar project at an industrial site in eastern Thailand’s Chon Buri province.
Bangkok is transitioning to electric vehicles to significantly reduce energy costs and mitigate air pollution. The plan to replace diesel rubbish trucks with electric vehicles is estimated to cut energy costs by approximately 4.75 billion baht, or 54%, over a five-year period.
Energy leaders urge balanced path for Asia’s energy transition
A former Google DeepMind researcher warned on Monday that artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially “kill all humans”, saying the world may be running out of time to prevent such an outcome. 
The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space, a remarkable revelation after previous warnings about countries such as Russia possibly weaponizing a global frontier long agreed in treaties to be used for only peaceful purposes. 
Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) and the Zero Corruption Organization have identified the top 10 most corrupt state agencies, highlighting serious bribery issues.
The true cost of Thailand’s ‘free’ education
Global stocks slumped and oil prices rose yesterday with worries about sustained inflation driving up bond yields with no conclusion to the Iran war in sight. The international oil benchmark Brent crude contract rose more than 3% to $109.26 a barrel.
Financially weak airlines, particularly those that avoided hedging on fuel costs and focus on leisure travel, are more exposed to financial distress amid persistently high fuel costs, according to consultancy Alton Aviation.
Hormuz crisis shows clean energy is key to reducing the economic cost of fossil fuel dependence
A noodle vendor in Ratchaburi has continued selling bowls for 10 baht despite rising ingredient and fuel costs, offering one of the cheapest meals still available as inflation continues to affect household spending in Thailand.
As Thailand adopts artificial intelligence (AI), IT specialists warn some government agencies developing AI projects may repeat the mistakes of the app development era, when huge budgets were spent on digital projects that allegedly delivered little benefit to the public.
Thailand and India plan to expand trade, investment, and regional cooperation as both countries prepare to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
In Thailand, burned sugarcane plantations become traps for leopard cat cubs
Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Commerce, has issued a rallying cry to domestic firms of all sizes to aggressively secure intellectual property rights, as new data reveals a global surge in sustainability-driven technologies.
U.S. President Donald Trump left China oyesterday with no major breakthroughs on trade or tangible help from Beijing to end the Iran war, despite two days spent heaping praise on his host, Xi Jinping. 
The global technology industry has entered another round of mass layoffs in 2026, with more than 100,000 jobs cut worldwide in the first five months of the year as companies restructure operations, control costs, and shift more resources into artificial intelligence. 
WFFT celebrates 25 years
Kui Buri National Park safari vehicle fee rises to 1,200 baht
The government is preparing an integrated approach to improve the management of local water resources, with the goal of tackling floods and drought across all 22 major river basins in the country.
A 21-year-old man survived a serious facial injury after doctors at Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital worked with rescue workers to remove a metal spear more than one meter long embedded in his face.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. is currently in “what some people would call” a war with Iran, a new distinction from the president one day before the Trump administration prepares to cross the 60-day threshold to receive congressional approval for the war or withdraw troops from Iran.
Thailand’s economy is beginning to feel the full force of prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with rising energy costs, weakening demand, and global uncertainty combining to pressure businesses across multiple sectors.
Amid stagflation fears, fledgling Anutin government juggles economic tools
Rice supply is expected to fall this year as farmers cut planting acreage across Asia because of fertilizer shortages and soaring fuel costs from the Iran war, with an emerging El Nino also set to squeeze output of the world’s most consumed staple.
When the tankers stop, the tractors stop
Thailand is marking Labor Day today, a date that underscores the importance of workers’ rights while also highlighting a long-standing distinction between private-sector employees and civil servants.
The baht is expected to weaken further, possibly testing 33.5 to the US dollar in the near term after the US Federal Reserve caused the dollar to rise by signaling that policy easing is unlikely this year, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).
Fitch Ratings expects the sector outlook for Thai banks to deteriorate this year, despite solid earnings in the first quarter at the six domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs).
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) edged up 0.75% year-on-year to 108.69 points in March amid tensions in the Middle East affecting some industries and discouraging purchases of oil-powered cars, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE).
The government is pushing ahead with the Chumphon-Ranong Land Bridge, a mega-project worth more than 1 trillion baht, and is preparing to submit it to the Cabinet, with construction targeted by 2030. But study findings cited in recent public debate suggest the project may not offer value for money, while civic groups are calling for a review over concerns about environmental damage and the impact on local ways of life.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said pressure from rising energy prices and living costs had made Thais more cautious about spending and led them to adjust their travel behavior, with a greater focus on budgets, especially after the travel and spending during the Songkran festival.
Thailand has evolved into one of Asia’s most established hubs for expats and remote workers, supported by extensive fiber broadband, near-universal mobile coverage, and a growing ecosystem of coworking spaces.
Thai iced tea has been named one of the world’s top 10 non-alcoholic beverages, with TasteAtlas ranking the Thai favorite ninth in its latest global list.
Exploring Koh Yao Noi, a relaxing alternative in Thailand
Three Thai shores make the World’s 50 Best Beaches
A study by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) asserts that Southeast Asia could generate up to $2.19 trillion annually by investing in the protection of its biodiversity and natural infrastructure.
Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be moved to house arrest, state media reported yesterday, more than five years after the military ousted the civilian government she led and jailed the Nobel laureate. 
US economic growth rebounded less than expected in the first quarter as consumer spending cooled, while inflation surged in March with fallout from the Middle East war beginning to bite, government data showed yesterday. 
The government has added bottled drinking water and seasoning sauces to its price-control list, along with plastic pellets, in order to prevent undue price increases in light of cost pressures arising from the Middle East war.
The Energy Policy and Planning Office has announced updated petrol prices effective from yesterday. This report details current prices at five major service stations: PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, and Shell, providing an overview of costs per liter for various fuel types.
The 15th edition of the Princess Pa’s Cup InterContinental–B.Grimm Beach Polo Hua Hin took place on Saturday, bringing a blend of sport, society, and seaside elegance to the beachfront of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort.
Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust covered Bangkok and 58 of Thailand’s 76 provinces yesterday afternoon, with air quality reaching levels considered harmful to health.
Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Phayao have been declared emergency disaster zones, as persistent hazardous air quality continues to grip northern Thailand, unlocking emergency funds for provincial governors to deploy relief efforts.
Thailand is set to experience widespread hot to extremely hot conditions through April 11, with temperatures in some areas expected to exceed 42°C, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.
Inspectors from the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), under the Commerce Ministry, have been conducting random inspections of outlets selling LPG cooking gas and gas-filling facilities to ensure they are not cheating customers by selling less gas than the tanks’ stated capacity.
The war in the Middle East, now dragging on for more than a month, is casting a shadow over travel during the Songkran festival, a global event for Thailand. Hotel, retail, and event operators largely see Songkran tourism in 2026 as either weaker or flat compared with last year, even as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates domestic spending at 30.35 billion baht, up 6%.
The war in the Middle East, now in its second month, is hitting global trade, as shipping costs climb in line with higher oil prices, while freight rates have also risen sharply.
Thailand’s rising cost of living is becoming increasingly hard for households to bear, with a new survey showing that most people are already feeling the strain as Songkran approaches.
Restaurants are bracing for less vibrant sales during the Songkran holiday this year, which runs from April 11-15, according to the Thai Restaurant Assn. With the Middle East war driving up the cost of living and reducing consumer purchasing power, Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, said food is often the first thing people cut from their budgets.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told shoppers while inspecting prices of goods on sale at a shopping mall in Bangkapi area of Bangkok Saturday that a round of 50:50 co-payment scheme will be implemented after April 30.
Thai manufacturers have been further hit with a double whammy as a severe shortage of microchips has thrown this market into turmoil, while prices of all types of steel products are initially rising by 10%-15% this month.
Thailand is pushing for regulations that would require international tourists to obtain accident insurance before entering the country, as rising unpaid medical bills and accident risks place a mounting strain on public healthcare.
Tourist numbers along Jomtien Beach have dropped noticeably in recent days, leaving normally busy beachfront areas unusually quiet and raising concerns among local operators. A survey of the area found a clear decline in visitors, with long stretches of beach appearing sparse compared to the typically lively atmosphere Pattaya is known for.
Thailand’s aviation sector is starting to show clearer signs of strain from the worsening oil crisis, with Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X suspending selected routes during the 2026 summer schedule as surging fuel costs weigh more heavily on operations. The move comes as energy tensions linked to the Middle East conflict continue to push up aviation costs globally.
On the right track along Bangkok’s rail lines
Organic farming becomes a new pillar in the global food trade
Grab Thailand is accelerating its Grab EV program in response to the ongoing energy crisis by announcing strategic partnerships with nine new partners, including EV manufacturers and distributors, as well as taxi cooperatives.
For the first time in more than half a century, astronauts will fly around the Moon today, marking the high point of the Artemis 2’s lunar mission. The flyby will last around seven hours, starting today around 2:45 p.m. eastern US time (1845 GMT) and ending around 9:20 p.m. (0120 GMT). 
Moon x Moonlight Party at Hua Don Beach tomorrow
Over 10 million Thais affected by PM 2.5 dust, with severe health impacts
Surin Hit by Severe Livestock Disease Outbreak, 900 Animals Dead
Prices dip again in November
ESG: The New ‘Path to Survival’ for Thai Businesses
Koh Samui Travel Guide
Thai Households Tighten Belts: Energy Drinks and Instant Noodles Feel the Pinch
Thai Taxi Protesters Threaten Suvarnabhumi Airport Escalation
Soaking up the past in present-day Lamphun
Taiwanese Students on Scenic Thai Rail Adventure
Thai schools to shift lessons online amid severe air pollution threat
Hospitality industry comments on entertainment complex issue
World Bank lauds Thailand’s climate initiatives
