- Thailand’s wellness economy is poised to lead Asia/40 Road Deaths Daily/Unsafe levels of smog/Cannabis Shops Must Become Clinics/Gold Sets 50th Daily Record/Condo residents protest rooftop dog farm
- THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT: ASEAN Intervenes as Conflict Intensifies/Thailand and Cambodia to Resume Ceasefire/8 injured in Cambodia rocket strike
- ECONOMY: Thailand to tax low-cost imported goods/Customs Targets Online Sales/Eight-Point Housing Roadmap/Thailand Broadens FTA Network/Car exports decline/Construction sector at critical juncture
- TOURISM: Hotels Expect 33 Million in 2026/Thailand as a World-Class Healing Destination/Thailand eyes Chinese tourism market/Hands-Free Travel Trend
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Top Countdown Destinations For 2026
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thai EV Production Skyrockets
- HUA HIN LINKS
Why Thailand’s wellness economy is poised to lead Asia’s aging future
Thailand is entering a demographic turning point. Within a few years, almost one-third of the population will be over 60 years old. Births have fallen below deaths, and the country is on a clear path toward becoming a super-aged society. This shift carries deep consequences for fiscal sustainability, labor productivity and long-term growth.
At the same time, the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions is placing unprecedented strain on the health system. According to the World Health Organization, NCDs already account for 74% of all deaths in Thailand — imposing both direct medical costs and large productivity losses estimated in the hundreds of billions of baht annually. Continued …
Thailand Faces 40 Road Deaths Daily as Drunk Driving Persists
Thailand’s road crisis is making headlines as civil society groups highlight the grim reality of 40 fatalities daily and losses reaching 600 billion baht annually. These groups are advocating for tough measures against drunk drivers, including vehicle confiscation during the New Year 2026.
In the lead-up to the upcoming New Year festivities, civil society networks, including the Foundation Against Drunk Driving, are raising alarm over the surge in road deaths, particularly during the “seven dangerous days.” Continued …
Unsafe levels of smog cover Bangkok, 26 provinces
Ultra-fine dust reached unsafe levels in Bangkok and 26 provinces this morning, primarily in the Central Plains, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
GISTDA reported that particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller (PM2.5) ranged from 38.2 to 67.9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in the affected areas. The safe threshold for PM2.5 set by the Thai government is 37.5 µg/m³. Continued …
Cannabis Shops Must Become 100% Clinics Under New Thai Law
In a major shake-up, Thailand’s cannabis shops must now transform into fully-fledged clinics to continue operating. Despite existing licenses, all outlets need to reregister and must employ certified medical professionals onsite. This rule follows a new governmental decree aiming for stricter regulation to ensure cannabis is used solely for medical purposes.
Yesterday, Dr. Thewan Thaneerat, deputy director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, announced the cabinet’s approval of a draft ministerial regulation. The regulation requires cannabis shops to upgrade their operations to comply with new medicinal standards by January–February. The goal is to elevate over 10,000 licensed cannabis shops into medical facilities or clinics that meet the Ministry of Public Health’s approval. Continued …
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Gold Sets 50th Daily Record This Year on Rate-Cut Bets and Risk
Bullion climbed past US$4,465 an ounce for the first time, extending a sharp move that followed a 2.4% jump in the previous session, its strongest one-day gain in more than a month.
Traders have increasingly priced in another round of Federal Reserve easing next year, a backdrop that typically supports non-yielding assets such as precious metals. Continued …
Condo residents protest after former manager turns rooftop into dog farm
Residents of a condominium in Nonthaburi province staged a protest after the building’s former juristic person manager took over a shared rooftop area to breed dogs for sale, with nearly 100 Thai Ridgeback dogs reportedly kept at the property.
According to residents, the rooftop was originally designed as a common area where occupants could enjoy a 360-degree view of Nonthaburi, nearby provinces, and the Chao Phraya River. Continued …
ASEAN Intervenes as Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict Intensifies
Following a special summit, ASEAN Foreign Ministers have demanded an immediate ceasefire and military de-escalation between Thailand and Cambodia.
The bloc’s intervention calls for a mutual withdrawal of troops from the border, to be monitored by an ASEAN observer team, and a return to bilateral dialogue. Continued …
Thailand and Cambodia to Resume Ceasefire Talks After Clashes
Thailand and Cambodia will resume bilateral talks later this week aimed at securing a more durable ceasefire along their shared border following deadly clashes that have killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said progress depends on detailed negotiations between the two sides rather than public statements that draw in international pressure. The announcement followed a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Continued …
8 injured in Cambodia rocket strike on Sa Kaeo civilian area
The Royal Thai Army has condemned Cambodia for firing BM-21 multiple rocket launchers into a civilian area in Sa Kaeo province, injuring eight people and damaging several homes.
Major Gen. Winthai Suvaree said that at about 4 pm yesterday, Cambodian forces fired BM-21 rockets into Ban Nong Samet in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo — an area of Thai civilian homes and community buildings, not a military zone. Continued …
Thailand to tax under-1,500-baht imported goods
The Thai Customs Department has announced a landmark policy shift that will see all imported goods taxed from the first baht, effectively ending the long-standing tax exemption for items valued under 1,500 baht. The new regulations are set to come into force on Jan. 1.
The move is designed to provide a fairer environment for domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have struggled to compete with a flood of low-cost, tax-free imports from abroad. Continued …
Customs Targets Online Sales
The Thai Customs Department is clamping down on the sale of non-certified products through online platforms. In a bid to tackle the flow of illegal or substandard goods, the department has signed agreements with online sales platforms.
The primary focus is on goods lacking standard certifications from bodies like the Thai Industrial Standards Institute and the Food and Drug Administration. The effort also targets prohibited items such as e-cigarettes. Continued …
National Housing Authority Unveils Eight-Point Roadmap for 2026
The National Housing Authority (NHA) has announced an ambitious strategic plan for 2026, centering on eight “urgent missions” designed to bridge the housing gap for all segments of Thai society. The “Housing for All” initiative aims to deliver more than 13,000 new units through a variety of purchase, hire-purchase, and rental schemes.
According to the NHA, the 2026 roadmap is built upon the dual principles of universal design (UD) — ensuring accessibility for the elderly and disabled — and eco-friendly development, following “eco-village” standards. Continued …
Thailand Broadens FTA Network to 17 Agreements, Anticipates More Deals
Thailand’s Department of Trade Negotiations announced the successful conclusion and signing of three new free trade agreements (FTAs) this year, raising the total to 17 agreements with 24 trading partners. The newly established FTAs with Sri Lanka, the European Free Trade Assn. (EFTA), and Bhutan are set to take effect in 2026.
Thailand is expediting negotiations on several key FTAs, including those with the European Union, South Korea, the ASEAN–Canada FTA, upgrades to the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement, and the Thailand–Peru FTA. Continued …
Car exports decline 12%
Thailand’s car exports dropped 12% year-on-year between January and November to 78,692 units, as internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles lost ground in overseas markets amid growing competition, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Surapong Paisitpatanapong, FTI vice chairman and spokesman for the federation’s Automotive Industry Club, said the decline stemmed from global automakers phasing out ICE models in favor of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), new carbon emission taxes on oil-fuelled cars in some countries, and the economic slowdown among Thailand’s trade partners. Continued …
Thailand construction sector at a critical juncture
The Thai construction industry stands at a critical juncture, grappling with persistent challenges that threaten its long-term viability. A recent analysis by the Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) highlights a sector besieged by low labor productivity, escalating costs, liquidity concerns, and the growing imperative to align with global sustainability trends. However, the report also offers a clear path forward: embracing technology and fostering international partnerships.
For years, productivity in the Thai construction workforce has lagged behind other industries, showing only a modest 2.7% CAGR over the past decade, significantly lower than sectors like hospitality and food services. This structural issue, coupled with business constraints such as limited new project acquisitions and rising operational costs, has created a precarious financial landscape for many contractors. Continued …
Thai Hotels Group Sees Foreign Arrivals at About 33 Million in 2026
Thailand’s hotel industry expects the number of foreign visitors to hold steady at around 33 million in 2026, despite economic uncertainty, weather disruptions, and regional tensions, the Thai Hotels Assn. said.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the association, said hotel revenues grew in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the previous quarter, driven by an increase in long-haul travelers and government domestic tourism stimulus programs. Those measures, including the government-subsidized domestic tourism scheme and the government travel tax refund program, helped support revenues, particularly at four-star hotels and above. Continued …
TAT Prepares Global Campaign to Position Thailand as a World-Class Healing Destination
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing to introduce “Healing Journey Thailand,” an upcoming global campaign under the “Experience Thailand: Celebrity & Lifestyle Stories platform. The initiative is designed to further strengthen Thailand’s positioning as a premier destination for healing, balance, and high-value travel experiences.
Built around the core concept of “Unforgettable Experience” and the message “Healing is the New Luxury,” the campaign will highlight Thailand as a sanctuary where wellness, culture, nature, and refined living come together to offer travelers meaningful and restorative journeys. Continued …
Thailand eyes Chinese tourism market
As political tensions continue to divert Chinese tourists from Japan to other countries, Thai tourism operators are urging authorities to take a more aggressive approach in attracting this market, reinforcing safety perceptions to compete with other Asia-Pacific nations targeting tourists from the mainland.
Chinese tourists have canceled hundreds of thousands of trips to Japan since November, after China issued warnings to its citizens over a diplomatic spat concerning Taiwan. The dispute follows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stating a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Continued …
Why ‘Hands-Free Travel’ Is Becoming a Key Trend for Visitors to Thailand
As the New Year holiday season approaches, Thailand tourism continues to attract a growing number of international travelers seeking leisure, culture, and convenience. Alongside the continued momentum of tourism, however, one familiar challenge remains unchanged: crowded airports, tight schedules, and the growing complexity of managing luggage throughout increasingly dynamic journeys.
Recent travel behavior points to a clear shift in priorities, as highlighted in global travel trend reports by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Modern travelers are placing greater value on the quality and ease of the travel experience itself. As a result, “hands-free travel” — defined as traveling without the need to physically manage luggage — is emerging as a key travel trend for 2026, particularly during peak periods such as the New Year holiday season. Continued …
Spending New Year’s Eve In Thailand? Top Countdown Destinations For 2026
There is no one-size-fits-all way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, particularly in Thailand. Some people are drawn to late nights spent moving between fireworks displays and open-bar parties, gravitating toward large, high-energy gatherings where crowds come together for the countdown. New Year’s Eve, after all, has a reputation as the ultimate amateur night.
Others actively avoid the crush, preferring quiet walks through uncrowded outdoor spaces or trips to lesser-known destinations, where the turn of the year is marked with smaller, more intimate celebrations away from the big cities. Continued …
Thai EV Production Skyrockets by 1,974% as Offset Deadlines Loom
Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sector recorded a staggering 1,974.14% year-on-year increase in production this November, driven by the urgent need for carmakers to meet government-mandated local production quotas.
According to the Automotive Industry Group at the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), total vehicle production for November 2025 reached 130,222 units. Continued …
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