• Mrigadayavan Palace as Royal Heritage Escape/Landslide threatens village school/Rescuers save wild elephant/Former abbot held in embezzlement scandal/Growing Anti-Israel Sentiment
• THE IRAN WAR: Iran, Houthis block shipping routes/Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Oil Pipeline
• ECONOMY: Energy costs stoke inflation/Food prices in Thailand/Property market faces slow recovery/Condo transfers to foreigners rise/BOI adds 17 projects worth 121 billion baht/Foreign nominee companies down by 82% /Pattaya nominee business concerns
• TOURISM: Unruly tourists from Middle Eastern countries/Chinese Golden Week/Thailand Bets on Film Tourism/Russian men flee war/Thailand regains ASEAN aviation second place
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Thailand Unveils Mrigadayavan Palace as a Stunning Royal Heritage Escape

The Mrigadayavan Palace, located in Cha-am, has emerged as one of the most important tourist destinations for people interested in learning about royal history and impressive architecture. The palace was constructed during the reign of King Rama VI.

The wooden structures of the palace illustrate the life of the royal family vacationing by the sea, and exemplify the unique Thai architecture style. Because of its uniqueness, this culture heritage site is the best place to learn about the Thai royal family and their fascinating history. Continued … 

Growing Nan landslide threatens village school

Geological experts have warned of the high risk of a landslide at Ban Doi Tiew School in Nan’s Tha Wang Pha district, after ground subsidence expanded from a minor two-meter tension crack into one over 100 meters long over the past year.

The finding follows an urgent inspection yesterday, led by Benjarat Suwannasri, a senior environmental specialist from the Nan Natural Resources and Environment Office, accompanied by Mineral Resources Region 1 experts, local park officials, school administrators and community leaders. Continued … 

Rescuers save wild elephant trapped in abandoned septic tank in Rayong

A wild elephant was safely rescued yesterday after falling into an abandoned septic tank in Khao Chamao district, Rayong, in a swift joint operation by wildlife officers, local leaders and rescue workers.

The elephant had fallen into a disused pit at Ban Khao Ngoe in Huai Thap Mon subdistrict. Rescuers brought in a backhoe to excavate around the edges of the pit, creating a sloped path that allowed the trapped animal to climb out safely, before heading back into the surrounding forest. Continued … 

Former abbot held on remand in 92-million-baht embezzlement scandal

The former abbot of Phutthaisawan Temple and his close female associate are being held on remand following their arrest in a high-profile corruption probe, exposing regulatory loopholes in the management of temple funds and the lucrative commerce surrounding sacred amulets. Investigators filed a motion opposing bail, citing the risk of flight and potential interference with evidence.

Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) escorted Atichot Thanprasert, 66, formerly known as Phra Wachirayan or “Luang Por Choti”, alongside Punyavee Rungreung, also known as “Sika Ae”, to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1 in Saraburi province yesterday. Continued … 

​Growing Anti-Israel Sentiment in Thailand: A Covergence of Factors

The past two weeks saw two anti-Israel protests in Bangkok outside the embassy itself. This is a convergence of a few factors. It is alarming enough that concerned Thais should try to understand it and take an active role in navigating Thai society wisely.

These Thais are unhappy, or rather outraged, by more than one issue. Some are offended by what they describe as “gray Jews” or “gray Israeli” visitors who are disrespectful of Thai ways and culture, as well as some Israeli expats whom they fear are planning to take root in Thailand and control real estate, businesses, and even subvert Thai sovereignty. Continued … 

Iran, Houthis block 2 key global shipping routes, straining the global economy

Iran and its allies are ramping up operations to disrupt major oil shipping lanes in the Middle East on which much of the world relies, threatening to drive up U.S. and global fuel prices further.

Iranian forces responded to President Donald Trump and Israel’s Feb. 28 attacks on the country by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran’s coast and the Arabian Peninsula. The Islamic republic’s efforts made the channel a household name as oil prices rose precipitously. Continued … 

Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Major Cross-Country Oil Pipeline As Houthis Seize An Island

Saudi Arabia said yesterday it shut down a major pipeline a day after it was attacked by drones, and Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels captured a strategic island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, two officials said, opening a new front in the Iran war.

The Houthis made their biggest territorial gains in years along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s key shipping lanes. The advance could boost Iran’s strategy of driving up world oil and gas prices to pressure the United States. Continued … 

Investors on edge as energy costs stoke inflation

High oil prices and US diesel prices at record levels kept inflation fears at the fore yesterday, ratcheting up expectations that more central banks will have to hike interest rates despite the risk of weighing on economic growth.

All eyes are on US consumer prices later Friday that could see the Federal Reserve raise rates as soon as next week, a move increasingly expected by investors after strong producer inflation data this week. Continued … 

Food prices in Thailand push 32.8% of poll respondents to eat less

Rising food prices in Thailand are changing how people eat, with nearly one in three respondents to a Department of Health poll saying they had reduced the number of meals they eat or were eating less as living costs climbed. Almost two-thirds also said expensive food was making it harder to maintain a healthy diet.

The Department of Health released the findings Thursday from its Anamai Poll on how people are coping during difficult economic conditions. The survey ran from July 1 to 31 and received responses from 941 people. Continued … 

Five signs Thailand’s property market faces a slow recovery into 2027

Thailand’s housing market is entering only a limited recovery as fragile purchasing power, high living costs, elevated property prices and strict lending standards continue to weigh on consumers, according to the SCB EIC Real Estate Survey 2026.

The survey shows that many prospective buyers remain reluctant to return to the market and are delaying decisions while they assess the economic outlook and their own financial position. Continued … 

Condo transfers to foreigners rise 1.4% in Q2

The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of Government Housing Bank reported that foreign buyers took ownership of 3,292 condominium units in Thailand in the second quarter of 2026, up 1.4% from a year earlier. The value of those transfers increased 20.2% to 14.803 billion baht.

REIC’s report on second-quarter and first-half 2026 foreign condo transfers, released yesterday, also showed that the combined floor area transferred to foreign buyers in the second quarter rose 8.1% year on year to 145,140 square meters. Continued … 

BOI adds 17 projects worth 121 billion baht to Thailand FastPass

Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has selected 17 additional projects from 15 companies for the Thailand FastPass mechanism, representing planned investment of more than 121 billion baht and employment for over 14,000 Thai workers.

The latest additions span four industry groups: animal feed, processed food, electronics and electrical appliances, and automotive manufacturing and components. Continued … 

Foreign nominee companies down by 82% as government seizes or freezes assets of over 20 billion baht

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government has put hard numbers behind a widening crackdown on foreign nominee businesses, illegal landholding and suspect financial networks. High-risk company registrations have plunged 81.8%, while AMLO has seized or frozen assets worth more than 20 billion baht.

Meanwhile, around 14,000 companies and thousands of land plots face scrutiny across Thailand. The drive now links corporate records, land ownership, immigration and money trails, while deportation orders and Israeli-linked investigations add fresh political pressure. Continued …

Pattaya nominee business concerns put under scrutiny

Concerns over foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses and hold property in Pattaya have prompted Chonburi officials to promise tougher enforcement against unlawful investors of any nationality.

The issue was examined by a TV program on Thursday, which questioned whether Thailand had become a base for transnational criminal gangs and foreign mafia networks. It said the problem extended beyond Pattaya and could spread to other major tourist destinations. Continued … 

Rising concerns about unruly tourists from Middle Eastern countries refusing to pay

A foreign tourist’s refusal to pay a 40-baht Phuket motorcycle fare has become a flashpoint in Thailand’s growing backlash over visitor behavior. Video shows the man mocking the rider, sticking out his tongue and walking away after an hour-long payment row.

The incident comes amid a string of disputes involving Saudi, Moroccan, Jordanian, Kuwaiti and Israeli visitors in Phuket and Pattaya. Recent cases have included unpaid bills, fights, assaults, transport rows and clashes over services. At the same time, anger over Israeli conduct has spread from resort towns to Bangkok, drawing protests, diplomatic intervention and closer scrutiny of foreign businesses, nominee structures and property holdings. Continued … 

Chinese Golden Week expected to bring 250,000 visitors and 11.5 billion baht to Thailand

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the Chinese travel market was showing clearer signs of improvement ahead of China’s National Day holiday, or Golden Week, in 2026. TAT is focusing on the period from Sept. 25 to Oct. 7, covering both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday over a total of 13 days.

Around 250,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit Thailand during the period, up 24% from the same period last year, generating an estimated 11.5 billion baht in revenue, an increase of 37%. Continued … 

Thailand Bets on Film Tourism to Turn Movie Locations Into Travel Destinations

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched “Amazing Locations: From Scene to Scenic,” a campaign built to convert the country’s rising profile as a filming destination into lasting tourism, as productions ranging from “The White Lotus” to “The Challenge” Season 42 continue to draw international attention to Thai locations.

TAT Deputy Gov. Nithee Seeprae says the campaign grew out of watching how quickly the “set-jetting” trend has taken hold among travelers who plan trips around what they have seen on screen. Continued … 

Russian men flee war to work Pattaya’s strip bars

Young Russian men working in Pattaya’s nightlife district say they left home partly because they fear being called up to fight in Ukraine.

Sam, 23, from Moscow, and Ilya, 25, from St Petersburg, work at a club on Walking Street. Both said they preferred work in Pattaya to the prospect of military service in Russia. Continued … 

Thailand regains ASEAN aviation second place

Thailand has reclaimed its position as Southeast Asia’s second-largest aviation market by scheduled airline seat capacity in September, overtaking Vietnam after two months in third place.

Figures from UK aviation analytics company OAG put Thailand’s scheduled capacity at 6.6 million seats this month, 0.2% lower than in September last year. Vietnam recorded 6.4 million seats, despite much stronger annual growth of 9.2%. Continued … 

• American wanted in US child sex case held in Chiang Mai – Continued … 

• Canadian held over alleged assaults at Bangkok malls – Continued … 

• Four Chinese held over Hat Yai ritual scam – Continued … 

US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks

Americans commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 yesterday, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity. Friday’s milestone anniversary brought memorial rituals — wreath-laying, flag-flying, moments of silence, vigils and readings of victims’ names — and volunteer projects in tribute to a day that about half of U.S. adults remember as the most historic event of their lifetime. Continued … 

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