- Alcohol Sales Banned/Government backs paperless e-Office/Samui water rationing begins/Schools Struggle with Children’s Phone Addiction/HIV Cases Rise in Chiang Mai/79 Bangkok entertainment venues shut
- THE IRAN WAR: Saudi Arabia joins US fight
- ECONOMY: Why Is the Thai Baht So Weak?/Thailand seeks US tariff exemptions/Thai exports set to take a hit/September Finish Line for EU Trade Deal
- TOURISM: Spending money in Thailand/Travel demand brighter/Thailand Expects Record Indian Tourism/More tourists are not enough/7 million visit Phuket/Thai Airways Bangkok–Da Nang
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand has second-most national parks
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Braces for Severe El Niño
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Thailand Alcohol Sales Banned for Two Buddhist Holidays
Thailand will enforce a ban on alcohol sales for two consecutive days this week to mark the Buddhist holidays of Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, with many shops, convenience stores and restaurants prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks, unless in areas falling under current exemptions.
The restriction began at 12.01 am today, and remains in force until midnight tomorrow. The Royal Thai Police have reminded businesses across the country that anyone selling alcohol outside the legal exemptions could face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both. Continued …
Government backs paperless e-Office
The government has backed the Education Ministry’s plan to introduce a fully paperless e-Office system across all agencies from Jan. 1, 2027, as part of its drive to modernize Thailand’s public administration through digital technology.
The initiative aims to improve efficiency, reduce paperwork and administrative duplication, and speed up decision-making, coordination and document tracking, while ensuring transparency and accountability. Continued …
Samui water rationing begins Monday after drought
Koh Samui will introduce rotating water supplies for seven days from Monday after drought reduced available production well below daily demand, the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Samui branch has announced.
The move follows a continuing decline in raw-water levels, leaving the island unable to produce enough tap water for residents and businesses. According to the authority, Samui’s main available water supply for tap-water production, from the pipeline system from the mainland, is now about 16,000 cubic meters a day. Average demand on the island is 34,000 cubic meters a day. Continued …
Thailand Schools Struggle to Break Children’s Phone Addiction
Thailand’s schools are grappling with the lasting effects of children’s increased reliance on smartphones and tablets, as educators warn that habits formed during the Covid-19 pandemic are proving difficult to reverse.
The debate comes amid growing concern over the impact of excessive screen time on children’s mental health, learning and behavior. Unicef says nearly half of young people under 25 have participated in online gambling, while 33% are addicted to cyber gaming. Meanwhile, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation estimates that 98.2% of Thai children are now screen addicts. Continued …
HIV Cases Continue to Rise in Chiang Mai
Health authorities in Chiang Mai have warned that HIV infections continue to rise across the province, with the virus increasingly affecting the wider community rather than remaining concentrated within traditionally recognized high-risk groups.
According to the Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office, the province has recorded around 23,900 cumulative HIV infections, with approximately 700 new cases each year – the equivalent of almost two new infections every day. Continued …
Bangkok orders 79 entertainment venues shut in citywide safety checks
Bangkok authorities have ordered 79 entertainment venues and similar establishments to halt operations after inspecting 865 premises across the capital in a week-long safety and licensing campaign.
The inspections, conducted from July 19–26, covered 72% of the city’s target of 1,204 establishments. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration classified the 865 inspected establishments into three groups. Continued …
Saudi Arabia joins US fight against Iran-linked fighters
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the United States in attacking fighters aligned with Iran, the Gulf state’s Ministry of Defense announced today.
Saudi Arabia struck Iran-linked militias based in Iraq, the kingdom said. The strikes come in response to attacks from the militants on the oil and gas facilities in the kingdom. Defense ministry officials said the strikes were conducted in coordination with U.S. Central Command, the military arm overseeing operations in the Middle East. Continued …
Why Is the Thai Baht So Weak?
The Thai baht has slid to 33.640 per US dollar, its 2026 high, marking an 8.% decline since February. This weakness stems primarily from the 250–275 basis point policy rate gap between the Fed (3.5%–3.75%) and the Bank of Thailand (1.00%), which sustains a strong carry advantage for dollar assets.
Compounding this, Brent crude near $88.50, up nearly 30% year-on-year, has increased Thailand’s energy import costs and dollar demand. Meanwhile, a B875.3-billion trade deficit from January–May, alongside a 19% US tariff on Thai exports, has further eroded currency support. Notably, softer US inflation and elevated gold prices — historically supportive of the baht — have failed to offset these combined pressures. Continued …
Thailand seeks 78 additional US tariff exemptions for key export goods
The United States recently announced Section 301 tariff rates for 60 countries that had not introduced and enforced bans on imports of goods produced with forced labor, with Thailand placed in the highest rate band of 12.5%.
The latest measure followed a US Supreme Court ruling that import tariffs imposed through presidential powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful. The earlier US reciprocal tariff announced for Thailand was 36%. Continued …
Thai exports set to take a hit from new US tariffs
The US tariff of 12.5% imposed on Thailand could weaken export competitiveness and add pressure to economic growth in the second half, with further US trade measures still looming, warns Asia Plus Securities (ASPS).
Therdsak Taveeteeratham, executive vice-president at ASPS, said the export sector faces growing uncertainty after the US introduced new tariffs under its Section 301 trade measures, raising concerns over the country’s competitiveness despite a strong recent export performance. Continued …
Thailand Eyes September Finish Line for EU Trade Deal
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says Thailand is two-thirds of the way through concluding a free trade agreement with the European Union and is pressing Beijing on three fronts to correct an increasingly lopsided trade relationship — all part of a wider strategy to reduce Thailand’s reliance on any single major power.
While the bulk of public attention has been fixed on Thailand’s tariff negotiations with Washington, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said two other relationships — with the European Union and China — are just as central to her ministry’s strategy for insulating the Thai economy from the volatility of US trade policy. Continued …
Spending money in Thailand does not afford foreign nationals special privileges
Tourists cannot buy special treatment in Thailand simply because they spend money, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul declared yesterday as two explosive disputes involving Chinese and Italian visitors spiraled into diplomatic rows, official investigations, a GMMTV inquiry and police intervention.
As public anger intensified, the government delivered a blunt warning that Thai law applies equally to everyone, vowing to protect its citizens, reject foreign privilege and stop viral confrontations from damaging Thailand’s tourism industry or international diplomatic relations. Continued …
Travel demand outlook turns brighter
A weak baht, an incentive offering free domestic flights to foreign travelers, and the reintroduction of visa-free entry for Indian tourists offer upsides for travel demand in Thailand during the second half of the year through to 2027, although conflicts in the Middle East linger, say analysts.
Boonyakorn Amornsank, an analyst with Maybank Securities (Thailand), said recent data from Cirium, an aviation data and analytics company, indicates that travel demand in the fourth quarter of 2026 is likely to remain relatively flat, despite a 3% year-on-year increase in airline seat capacity in the third quarter. Continued …
Thailand Expects Record Indian Tourism in 2027
Thailand expects to welcome a record 2.7 million Indian visitors next year after recommending a 30-day visa-free entry, instead of the visa on arrival initially proposed, for Indian nationals, with tourism officials also banking on expanded flight connections from smaller Indian cities to boost demand.
The Thai cabinet has approved the visa exemption, although it will only take effect once the decision is published in the Royal Gazette. According to Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director for the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Indian market remains one of Thailand’s strongest tourism performers despite an overall slowdown in international arrivals this year. Continued …
Why more tourists are not enough
More tourists are good news for Thailand. But not if the country cannot cope with the pressures they bring. Tourism is one of Thailand’s biggest sources of income. For decades, success was measured by the number of visitors. That yardstick no longer tells the whole story.
More visitors mean more revenue. They also mean greater pressure on local capacity. The challenge is to make sure that tourism money does not come at the expense of natural resources, local communities, public infrastructure, and the industry’s long-term competitiveness. Continued …
7 million visit Phuket in H1, B263 billion in revenue
Phuket generated 263 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first six months of this year, attracting nearly seven million visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The TAT Phuket office reported yesterday the island welcomed 6.96 million visitors between January and June, generating 263.01 billion baht in revenue. It said hotels recorded an average occupancy rate of 81.9% during the period. Continued …
Thai Airways Bangkok–Da Nang Flights from Dec. 1
Thai Airways will operate direct flights between Bangkok (BKK) and Da Nang (DAD), offering travelers a more convenient option for journeys between Thailand and central Vietnam, while further expanding Da Nang’s international air connectivity.
Thai Airways will operate two daily flights in each direction between Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and Da Nang International Airport. Continued …
Thailand Braces for Severe El Niño as Water Office Warns of Dry Spells into 2027
Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued a warning that an impending El Niño phenomenon could prove more severe than the country’s 2015 drought crisis, with prolonged dry spells potentially stretching well into 2027.
The agency convened an urgent meeting with 14 key government entities — including the Thai Meteorological Department, the Royal Irrigation Department, EGAT, GISTDA, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration — to coordinate emergency measures for the 2026 rainy season. Continued …
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Four Europeans Held at Phuket Airport in Cannabis Smuggling Case – Continued …
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Chinese Fugitive Held in Chiang Mai, Faces Deportation – Continued …
Who will top the next world order?
The era in which global order rested on a US monopoly over military and economic power and values has finally come to an end, taking Europe’s long period of stability with it. The world has become significantly more turbulent and uncertain, and the near future will bring even more instability. Continued …
Airbus completes record 24-hour flight
A specially modified Airbus A350 plane touched down in France yesterday after a record 24-hour test flight from Australia, ahead of it joining Qantas’s fleet next year. Its 23,076-kilometer (14,339-mile) journey was across three continents and two oceans, and through two sunsets and two dawns. Continued …
J&J reaches sweeping talc product settlement
Johnson & Johnson has announced that it will pay an estimated $5.5 billion to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its baby powder and other talc products cause ovarian cancer, in a landmark deal that could end a contentious legal battle that has dogged the company for a decade. 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
A proposal to support Hua Hin smart city development was presented to Hua Hin City Municipality yesterday, outlining a technology-led vision to improve transport, tourism services, and urban safety as the city plans its next stage of growth.
Transport Minister Suspends Elevated Road and Rail Projects
A construction crane for the high-speed rail project collapsed onto a passenger train near Sikhio district in Nakhon Ratchasima province, killing more than 30 people. Metal debris, fire and smoke replaced what had been an ordinary journey home and left families facing sudden loss.
The deadly Rama 2 Road: Why Thailand’s ‘Seven-Generation Road’ keeps claiming lives
Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has won 213 state projects worth 130 billion baht in 11 years. However, recent crane collapses involving ITD raise questions about safety.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, minister of foreign affairs, addressed the recent announcement by the US Department of State to suspend the processing of immigrant visas (permanent visas) for 75 countries, including Thailand.
Thailand’s finance minister has outlined an economic restructuring program centered on fast-tracking stalled investments and developing new industrial sectors, as the government seeks to reverse declining growth potential that has dragged the economy to its weakest performance in decades.
China has shattered global records with a staggering trade surplus of approximately $1.2 trillion for 2025, fueled by a relentless export boom that has flooded international markets with everything from electronics to machinery. While this achievement underscores Beijing’s manufacturing prowess amid domestic headwinds, it poses both opportunities and significant challenges for Thailand, its largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Thailand was once the ultimate value-for-money destination. Cheap eats, affordable hotels, unforgettable experiences. That era is over. A soaring Thai baht is pushing travelers away — just as Thailand is fighting to revive its tourism-driven economy.
It’s been just over a year since I took the leap and made Thailand my home. Moving from regular visitor to someone who lives and works here has let me fully embrace what I love about the country — and given me a front-row seat to the same tourist mistakes playing out again and again.
Bangkok was named the third best city to visit in the world today in The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2026 list, praised for its green spaces, vibrant art scene, and recent innovations in public transport.
Tourists and locals are raising alarms over the open sale of sex stimulants, sex toys, and illegal cigarettes along Pattaya Beach Road – without proper tax stamps.
On vacation in Thailand, my family and I visited Bangkok’s majestic Wat Pho, marveling at the temple’s 150-foot-long reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. In Chiang Mai, we rode ATVs through the rugged Mae Taeng Valley, then rafted in challenging whitewater rapids while elephants roamed the river banks. We spotted pigs on Koh Madsum and bright-orange clown fish while snorkeling Koh Samui. But nothing compares to the thrills we found in 7-Eleven.
PM2.5 fine dust pollution has surged this week nationwide, prompting the government to call for stricter controls and work-from-home arrangements. Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana warned that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels have risen sharply since Wednesday and are expected to also rise today.
The government has tightened controls on agricultural burning as part of a broader effort to address PM2.5 pollution, setting a nationwide target to reduce burned farmland by at least 15%. The measures prioritize major economic crops, for which reductions must be clearly demonstrated.
Thailand is stepping up efforts to support research and development in alternative energy, with officials preparing to allocate more financial resources to projects that advance clean technologies such as hydrogen.
Tech giants have blocked 4.7 million accounts under Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s, the country’s online safety watchdog said today. Initial figures showed platforms were taking meaningful action to remove underage users, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. 
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with hotels, resorts, and branded residences across 59 countries, has announced the upcoming launch of NH Hua Hin in Thailand’s royal seaside town. Minor Hotels will assume management of the hotel from Jan. 1.
The Road Safety Operation Center (RSOC) has reported 27 deaths and 174 injuries from 175 road accidents on Jan. , marking day six of the New Year road safety campaign.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a fresh weather outlook as another wave of cold air sweeps over upper Thailand, causing temperatures to drop, especially in northern provinces. Meanwhile, strong monsoonal winds are expected to affect the south and coastal areas starting this weekend.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has set out a plan to steer the economy through the transition period before a new government takes office, saying the administration will rely on pre-approved “quick win” measures to sustain momentum and support growth toward 2% in 2026.
Thailand’s exports are expected to keep expanding in 2026, but at a more modest pace of 2%-4%, as the surge seen in 2025 fades and the sector returns to a more “normalized” growth path, the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) said.
The Ministry of Public Health is pushing to enact a new ministerial regulation on cannabis before the next government takes office, with the draft now under review by the Office of the Council of State.
Thailand has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism, attracting millions of international patients every year. Known for its affordable high-quality care, internationally accredited hospitals, and world-class hospitality, Thailand offers a unique combination of healthcare excellence and tourism appeal.
Photographers at Bangkok’s Wat Arun temple have been accused of rudely shooing away tourists to photograph paying customers in rented Thai costumes, leading to social-media complaints and a response from the Tourist Police and temple officials to inspect the site and implement preventive measures for tourist safety and Thailand’s image.
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, or DASTA, has launched the “The Soul of Thailand” campaign, inviting visitors to experience the spirit of Thai identity through nine travel routes across nine designated areas for sustainable tourism.
Hidden Bangkok Secrets for an Unforgettable Authentic Adventure
Thailand’s industrial sector has demonstrated resilience in the face of tightening European environmental standards, with exports of carbon-intensive goods to the European Union (EU) surging by nearly 55%.
The solar energy market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period 2025-2031, driven by global commitments to decarbonization, supportive government policies, and significant cost reductions in photovoltaic (PV) technology.
Thailand has implemented a new car excise tax structure effective from Jan. 1, reshaping vehicle prices across the market. Petrol-p owered vehicles, especially large-engine and high-emission models, have become more expensive, while electric vehicles (EVs) and some hybrids now face lower tax rates.
Thailand’s New Year holiday 2026 concluded with more than eight million people traveling across the country, while road accidents and transport disruptions declined compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Transport.
As Thailand moves toward its 2026 general election, the future of the country’s tourism industry has become a central issue for investors, operators, and local communities. With tourism accounting for a significant share of national income, the policies adopted by the next government are expected to influence foreign direct investment, public safety, and long-term infrastructure planning, particularly in rail transport.
Thailand’s property sector endured its most punishing year in decades throughout 2025, with household debt, stringent lending conditions, and collapsing purchasing power battering the market. Yet, major developers are unveiling distinct 2026 strategies — from luxury pivots to multinational expansion — while economists warn that structural headwinds will persist.
With Thailand’s economy in 2026 projected to grow modestly at around 1.5%, several business sectors have begun preparing for potential headwinds – some persisting from last year and others emerging as new risks, particularly with a planned general election in February.
With global and domestic headwinds pressuring the Thai economy this year, the new government should consider “focused domestic intervention” measures to enhance tourism and attract foreign investments in specific sectors, says the Thai unit of German insurer Allianz.
The so-called “medical economy” championed by the government is being positioned as a new growth engine for Thailand. Policymakers describe it as a potential game changer for state-owned hospitals struggling under mounting financial pressure.
Climate change is no longer limited to shifting weather patterns, but is a growing force reshaping Thailand’s economic outlook in 2026, according to Treethep Palakavong Na Ayudhya, chief executive of Global Carbon Corp., a local greenhouse gas-management consultancy.
Thailand’s exports in 2026 are expected to face volatility and challenges due to a global economic slowdown that is dampening demand in key trading nations.
The online shopping sector will be driven by product discounts, the buy now-pay later (BNPL) strategy, and improved operating efficiency among e-commerce platforms powered by artificial intelligence (AI), said Paul Srivorakul, group chief executive of aCommerce, a pioneer in e-commerce enablement services.
As Thailand’s tourism sector enters 2026, some foreign visitors are raising concerns over the rising cost of enjoying Pattaya’s nightlife and attractions. Despite high visitor numbers, local bars and restaurants report low takings, with many international tourists — particularly from India, Korea, and China — spending primarily within their own cultural establishments rather than at local businesses.
Thai food businesses in the United States are poised for growth in 2026, fueled by an increasing trend of dining out. Director-General Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of the Commerce Ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion cited recent consumer behavior surveys as proof of this surge.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez is known for her anti-imperialist rhetoric, earning her the nickname “the tigress” from toppled leader Nicolas Maduro. A fierce defender of Maduro, who was snatched by US forces in an extraordinary raid early Saturday, Rodriguez is now seeking to portray herself as a steady hand to lead the country’s political transition. 
Denmark called on the United States to stop “threatening” Greenland yesterday as President Donald Trump told US media he “absolutely” needed the territory, a day after Washington seized the leader of Venezuela. 
The demonstrations began again in Iran last week, only two years after the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement convulsed the country for months. However, the current protests are potentially much broader than that episode because they are driven by the collapse in Iran’s currency, the rial (now 1,420,000 to the US dollar), and the explosive rise in the cost of living. 
Brit visiting Hua Hin learns Thai ‘escorts’ can play pool
Israeli visitors to Thailand plummet as ‘Unwelcome’ signs come out
Call for speedy passage of clean air bill
Bangkok Hospital opens clinic in Cha-am
Hua Hin, Thailand’s other holiday resort areas unaffected by border crisis
Chinese arrivals to dip below 5 million
Park rangers drive large herd of elephants off farmland
How High Could Oil Prices Soar Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict?
Singkhon border crossing upgrade considered
Bangkok to receive 500 electric buses in clean energy transition
China, Cambodia agree on canal linking the Mek
