- 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
Rare serow makes unusual appearance on Prachuap beach
Nene Royal: Global Stardom Won’t Change Me, Says AGT Winner at Bangkok Homecoming
Thai singer and guitarist Nene Royal has attracted partnerships with at least 10 brands in Thailand within 10 days of winning America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 21 on Sept. 24.
Disaster risks are considered structural challenges because they are becoming normalized and represent a long-term weight on Thailand’s economic growth. The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, driven by climate change, require fundamental changes to infrastructure and economic resilience rather than just short-term fixes.
Flooding has affected 141 healthcare facilities across 18 provinces in Thailand, forcing 50 of these facilities to suspend their services. The Public Health Ministry reported that these disruptions have increased the pressure on remaining healthcare resources and left many vulnerable people and shelters in need of support.
Nine dead as floods submerge seven Prachin Buri districts
Flooding in Thailand has significantly impacted the food industry by disrupting transport routes, hindering the movement of essential goods, and forcing manufacturers to adjust their business continuity plans. These disruptions have led to delivery delays for parcel services and the temporary suspension of cargo operations for major carriers.
While the flooding has eased in Chanthaburi, around 4,000 fruit farmers are in deep distress as stagnant floodwaters led to durian trees grown on over 20,000 rai of orchards having died.
Sinking city, rising rage: Bangkok’s floods fuel fury over government inaction
Insurance regulator sets 5 flood-damage levels for vehicles
The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until seven Iranian conditions set out in a June interim agreement with the US are met, state media reported Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying yesterday.
Brent crude futures rose 0.79% to US$103.06 a barrel in early trading today, after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said they had launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco sites in Riyadh and the Khurais area. The claim raised concerns about production in Saudi Arabia, the region’s leading oil exporter.
The Ministry of Commerce’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) reported uneven conditions in Thailand’s regional economies in its August 2026 review. Rising living costs remained a key source of pressure and consumer confidence stayed weak, although business formation and tourism continued to grow well in some areas.
Thailand is stepping up a crackdown on foreigners accused of using nominee companies and other arrangements to control businesses and property illegally, as growing local resentment over foreign investment threatens to reshape the country’s lucrative tourism industry.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) is partnering with Centara Hotels & Resorts to develop budget hotels at PTT service stations and other high-potential locations, as it seeks to increase daily traffic across its nationwide station network to 5 million visits.
Thailand and Laos have set an ambitious goal of boosting bilateral trade to US$11 billion by 2027 during high-level talks in Luang Prabang on Friday. The two countries’ economic push is part of a broader strategy to transform border transport networks into major international trade corridors.
As Thailand cracks down on foreigners, a tourist paradise reconsiders its welcome
Thailand has emerged as a leader in medical and wellness tourism, attracting a large number of tourists worldwide. Specifically in the medical field, most tourists travel for major procedures such as heart surgery, orthopedic surgery, dentistry, IVF and ICSI, as well as cosmetic surgery, eye surgery, and cancer treatment.
The best mental health retreat in Thailand, for anyone dealing with a clinical condition, is one that pairs licensed clinical care with a restful setting. For depression, anxiety, burnout or trauma, The Dawn Wellness Center and Rehab in Chiang Mai is one of the options most often cited: it is licensed by the Ministry of Public Health and runs a mental health program separate from its addiction treatment. First, though, it helps to know that “retreat” means very different things in Thailand.
In early 2020, international and national health authorities alike in Laos watched with disbelief as hospitals in New York City, a city in one of the world’s richest countries, were overwhelmed with patients. During the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 203,000 cases of laboratory-confirmed COVID were reported in New York and a third of people hospitalized died. 
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic will head to Beijing on Thursday for two days of make-or-break meetings with Chinese officials to try to stave off a trade war. The European Union has toughened its stance toward Beijing to defend businesses against what it believes is unfair competition in critical sectors, including cars. 
Major US automakers have watched their domestic market share shrink even more thanks to their Asian competitors — a situation that may worsen if Chinese firms are able to enter the US market, an idea floated by President Donald Trump. 
Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan have reviewed efforts to address wild elephant problems in Hua Hin and Kui Buri, including assistance and compensation for affected residents.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned all provinces nationwide, including Bangkok, to prepare for very heavy rain during Sept. 16-20, with risks of flash floods, forest run-off, landslides, waterlogging and rough seas.
Thailand is piloting a system that replaces the name, address and phone number on a parcel with a six-digit code and QR code, in an attempt to stop personal data leaking to scam gangs.
Nene Royal vows to give her all to win AGT final
Energy concerns have resurfaced in Thailand as the Middle East war becomes more complex. Traders are assessing regional supply risks, particularly the shutdown of a major Saudi Arabian oil pipeline following an attack, while shipping conditions through the Strait of Hormuz have failed to improve.
Thailand is accelerating its energy diversification to mitigate risks from extreme global market volatility and geopolitical instability. Specifically, the country is seeking to reduce its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports following surges in crude oil prices and significant spikes in liquefied natural gas costs driven by ongoing regional conflicts.
Professor Watcharapong Kasaree, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, warns that Thailand’s fiscal system could face a severe crisis within a decade if urgent reforms are not undertaken. He expresses concern that the current trajectory of increasing public debt, which could reach 80%-90% of GDP within 5-10 years if revenue is not significantly increased, could lead to a loss of economic stability.
The new Employee Welfare Fund is expected to increase operating costs for restaurants due to mandatory monthly contributions from both employers and employees. These contributions are set at a rate of 5% of employee wages, beginning on Oct. 1.
The cabinet has granted oil and gas exploration concessions to two companies following the Round 25 onshore petroleum auction. The winning companies are PETTP International and Pan Orion Energy (Siam) Co., which were awarded concessions for areas in the central and northeastern regions.
Thailand could impose an excise tax of around 30% on fully imported electric vehicles, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, revealing for the first time the potential rate of a levy designed to steer automakers toward local production.
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that foreigners can now operate hotels, restaurants or tour businesses without a license under a new Foreign Business Act regulation.
Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, Alona Fisher-Kamm, has again urged Israeli visitors to respect Thai laws and culture after protests and a series of disputes involving tourists. Fisher-Kamm said both countries needed to ensure the Middle East conflict was not brought into Thailand. She nevertheless pushed back against describing recent protests as antisemitic.
A police lieutenant colonel and three other men were arrested Tuesday after they allegedly extorted 200,000 baht from a Chinese national in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai province.
Koh Lanta truly is a magical place. It feels like stepping back in time, allowing you to experience the essence of what Thailand is all about. Located on the Andaman Sea, it’s a collection of rugged islands in the Krabi province. The biggest and most inhabited is Koh Lanta Yai, which is highlighted by nine golden sand beaches and lush, palm tree jungles.
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has announced that its 2026-27 season for mountaintop visits and overnight stays will run from Oct. 1 to May 31, 2027.
Asia-Pacific will account for 45% of global demand for new passenger aircraft between 2026 and 2045, requiring 19,120 aircraft as passenger traffic grows faster than the worldwide average, Airbus forecasts. Airbus’s Global Market Forecast (GMF) for 2026–2045 puts worldwide demand at 42,060 new aircraft. 
Growing Nan landslide threatens village school
Rescuers save wild elephant trapped in abandoned septic tank in Rayong
Iran, Houthis block 2 key global shipping routes, straining the global economy
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.
Food prices in Thailand push 32.8% of poll respondents to eat less
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reassured consumers that PET water bottles are not made using BPA, after social media posts claimed bottles left in hot cars or direct sunlight could release dangerous chemicals and cause cancer.
Brent and US crude futures climbed more than 6% yesterday, finishing above US$100 a barrel as escalating attacks on Middle Eastern shipping heightened fears for oil supplies. Reuters described the surge in attacks as the largest since the Iran war began, threatening further disruption to an already tight market.
Thailand’s been in a data center boom, flush with billions of dollars of AI investment cash. But these facilities weren’t built in remote, sparsely populated areas with uncontested resources. Instead, dozens of them were spotted across Bangkok, data centers that were unregistered or unauthorized.
Thailand must use data-center investment to create jobs and help local businesses raise productivity through wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), rather than treat capital inflows as an end in themselves, according to Arnaud Dupoizat, director for East Asia at the International Finance Corp. (IFC).
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat has outlined six projects under the second phase of Thailand’s double-track railway program, describing them as essential infrastructure that must extend across every region of the country.
Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent secretary for finance, said the Finance Ministry and Excise Department had the authority to draw up excise tax rates for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and other vehicle types. He expected the proposal to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval by the end of September.
Ysterday, the Hua Hin Municipality Ordinance Review Working Group met to consider the appropriateness of improving, drafting, and amending local laws enforced in the area to make them more effective and aligned with the city’s development.
The Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Statistical Office has requested the public’s cooperation in providing information for the September 2026 survey project. The survey will collect important statistical data useful for national economic and social development planning. The survey projects are as follows: The 2026 Labor Force Survey Project; project on surveying the use of information and communication technology in households; informal labor survey project; the household socio-economic survey project; projects to improve the country’s common framework of establishment database; and the construction site data-processing project.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude has rallied this month but stayed below $100 a barrel despite recent escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict that has disrupted Gulf exports from the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
EEC’s Hospitality and Retail Bet on Lifestyle
U-Tapao and High-Speed Rail: EEC’s Make-or-Break Infrastructure Bet
Thailand plans to provide government-funded disaster insurance to around 30 million households in high-risk areas against floods, storms and earthquakes under a scheme approved on Sept. 1.
The five-day visit by US sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln group has helped promote a “new image” of Pattaya as a diverse tourist destination, rather than mainly about “nightlife and beer bars”, according to Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet.
Cambodia Airways will begin flying between Siem Reap and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sept. 15, adding a direct link between Cambodia’s main Angkor tourism gateway and Thailand.
More than 60 people attended Hua Hin Film Club’s first screening yesterday, joining actor Vithaya Pansringarm for an evening of cinema at Amara Resort Hua Hin.
Businesses in Thailand’s automotive parts, garment, rubber products and plastics industries are increasingly suspending operations temporarily, as falling orders, accumulated losses and higher production costs put pressure on employment.
Thai bank chiefs are warning that small businesses remain vulnerable to fresh defaults and a return to bad debt after restructuring, despite a decline in the commercial banking system’s overall non-performing loan ratio.
When discussing the economy in Southeast Asia, we often hear about semiconductor production, electric vehicles, combustion cars, and tourism. However, one of Thailand’s key economic pillars tends to receive less attention. Beyond being a global tourism destination, Thailand is recognized as the “Kitchen of the World”, playing a crucial role in producing and exporting food to over 350 million consumers worldwide each day.
Foreign arrivals to Thailand decline 3% in first eight months
Thailand’s new 30-day visa-exemption rule is opening a sharp fault line across its tourism industry before the crucial fourth-quarter peak. The Association of Thai Travel Agents says most genuine tourists need only seven to 10 days. It also wants tougher action against foreigners abusing tourist status.
Thai Airways International canceled flights to Jakarta today as eight Indonesian airports, including two serving the Indonesian capital, remained closed because of ash from erupting Krakatau volcano.
Riyadh Air has launched direct flights between Riyadh and Bangkok, initially operating three times a week before increasing to daily services in October. The inaugural aircraft arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport last Thursday.
How a debt-ridden mother of 6 built world-famous Bangkok noodle shop
Australians could be given the option of opting out of powerful social media algorithms under new legislation cracking down on big tech. The draft law requiring a “digital duty of care” is expected to be introduced to Australia’s parliament this week. It would require firms like Meta to give users the option of turning off algorithms that tailor recommendations to their personal taste. 
The 2026 Siam PGA Pairs Classic brought 104 golfers to Hua Hin for two days of competition at Black Mountain Golf Club and Pineapple Valley Golf Club. Held on Aug, 15-16, the tournament marked its ninth staging since launching in 2017.
‘Lisa Effect’ Turns Thailand’s Travel Dreams into Real Search Demand
PropertyGuru Group has announced the shortlisted nominees for the 21st PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, identifying the kingdom’s leading real estate companies ahead of the black-tie gala celebration at Dusit Thani Bangkok on Sept. 18. The shortlist represents a broad cross-section of Thailand’s property sector, with recognition extending from Bangkok to Phuket, the Eastern Seaboard, Hua Hin, and southern Thailand.
Krabi bridge to Koh Lanta set for 2029 opening
First phase of Thai-Cambodian border fence finished, Navy to start second
Southeast Asia’s budget airlines are hoping the worst of the fuel-price shock triggered by the Middle East conflict has passed, but pressure on margins and household finances threatens to prolong the sector’s difficult recovery.
Northern Thailand could become a crucial pillar of global food security, as severe climate shocks, unpredictable weather and shifting trade patterns place unprecedented pressure on agricultural supplies worldwide.
Ryan Blackley, 35, and his wife Jess, 34, left the UK for Chiang Mai with their sons Noah, six, and Bodhi, four, in February. The family now holds five-year Destination Thailand Visas and is using Thailand as a base for a longer period of travel across Asia.
A confidential US diplomatic memo, circulated to a handful of countries in late July, formally committed the United States to blocking binding limits on plastic production and chemical additives at United Nations treaty negotiations — a position that peer-reviewed lifecycle modeling published in January shows is the single most important intervention for reducing a global disease burden currently costing more than $1.5 trillion a year.
Most people who live in Hua Hin have made the drive south at some point. Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot, maybe as far as Prachuap for the day. Rather fewer keep going, and that is where it gets interesting.
Thailand’s biggest financial regulatory overhaul in 27 years threatens tougher, more intrusive banking for foreigners. The Bank of Thailandn is bringing digital payments and providers under tighter control. Banks must intensify checks on mule accounts, gray capital, foreign QR payments and unusual transfers.
23,536 violent incidents, 7,790 deaths and 14,794 injuries
Tharina Botes wins Miss Universe Thailand 2026 crown
A video featuring messages and photographs from 100 Thai supporters has appeared on a giant billboard in New York’s Times Square as Phuket performer Nene Royal prepares for the live quarter-finals of America’s Got Talent Season 21.
Thai retailers have called on the government to crack down on the massive influx of cheap foreign goods entering the country through cross-border e-commerce platforms, warning that unfair price competition is threatening the survival of millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As Thailand prepares to host the 2026 IMF-World Bank annual meetings, it finds itself at an economic inflection point. As the second-largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Indonesia, it remains one of the region’s most sophisticated manufacturing and service economies, with an established automotive industry and growing electronics and digital services. Yet, these advantages have not translated into stronger growth.
Japanese carmakers will not relocate manufacturing hubs instantly, but the current flood of Chinese electric vehicles is catalyzing price wars in the Thai market, according to Archanun Kohpaiboon.
For thousands of Thai smallholders, cattle rearing has long been a traditional cornerstone of rural livelihood, insulated from international supply chains. However, under a sweeping economic modernization drive led by the Royal Thai government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, this grassroots industry is being systematically propelled onto the global stage.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has unveiled a comprehensive drive to upgrade provincial airport infrastructure and airspace management, aiming to turn regional hubs into growth engines for trade, tourism, and investment.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on a range of US goods after President Donald Trump introduced 50% tariffs on Canadian products, following the collapse of trade negotiations between the two neighboring countries. 
Humanoid robots on Sunday (August 23) took over the athletic arena at the World Robot Games, competing in sparring, sprinting, and taichi.