- PKK evaluates land bridge project/Coffee helps protect your body
- THE IRAN WAR: US will not leave Iran early/Thailand oil reserves cover 108 days
- ECONOMY: Thailand Minimum Wage Growth/Discounts combat soaring prices/Thailand revives Malaysia link plan/Fruit export push
- TOURISM: Mandatory health insurance for tourists/Mixed mood for travel/Phi Phi Denies Airport Claim/Beachfront reclaimed in Phuket
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thais can’t get enough of moo kratha/Thailand’s longevity paradox
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Writing’s on the wall for oil industry
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
PKK evaluates possible links to land bridge project
Prachuap Khiri Khan officials have discussed how the province could connect with and benefit from the Southern Economic Corridor, as Thailand moves forward with plans for the land bridge project.
The issue was raised during a meeting of the Joint Public and Private Sector Committee for Economic Development and Problem Solving of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, held on April 27 at Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall. Continued …
Coffee helps protect your body from aging and disease, study says
Does your morning coffee make you feel invincible? There may be some truth to that, as new research explains how coffee helps protect against aging and chronic disease.
In the study, published in the journal Nutrients in March, researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences found coffee can activate NR4A1, a receptor in the body recognized for its role in aging, stress response, and disease. Continued …
Trump says the US will not leave Iran early
U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday said the United States would not exit its confrontation with Iran early “and then have the problem arise in three more years.” Video …
Thailand says oil reserves cover 108 days amid energy volatility
Thailand has enough oil reserves to meet domestic demand for about 108 days, the Energy Ministry said yesterday, as global energy markets remained volatile amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The ministry reported the latest domestic and international energy situation, diesel stock, and sales volumes, and the status of the Oil Fuel Fund, saying several global factors were continuing to affect prices. Continued …
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Vilhelm International Academy launched in March 2026 and has is campus at “The Hub” in Hin Lek Fai, less than 10 minutes from the center of town. They provide mentor-led academic supervision for students studying through accredited online school programs, whether independently enrolled or through integrated programs offered at Vilhelm. This means that students follow a fixed timetable, complete coursework under supervision, and receive ongoing progress monitoring. They can do this whist studying for their GCSE’s, A-Levels, NCAA approved US courses, or any other online school they choose to use.
Unlike more traditional options, at the academy children can learn at their own pace, not being forced forward before they are ready and also not being held back by the rest of the class. When they are ready to move on they do so. By coming to the academy each day, they are able to complement their studies with activities that develop leadership skills, community service (such as the recent helmet initiative), complemented by daily sports and physical activity to support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
You can visit the website for more details, or you can book an appointment to meet with the academy co-ordinator to discuss what you are looking for and explain what they can offer. There is a completely free five-day trial period that can be taken advantage of by anyone interested in seeing if the academy is the right fit for them.
Website; Email: info@vilhelminternationalacademy.com; Phone: +66 065 991 5500; Facebook; Map location.
Thailand Minimum Wage Growth Lags Living Costs Nationwide
Thailand’s minimum wage has risen by an average of just 1.7% per year over the past decade, with limited improvement in real incomes as rising living costs offset gains, according to analysis by Bnomics, the research unit of Bangkok Bank.
While nominal wages have increased, higher expenses for food, transport, and housing have eroded purchasing power. As a result, many workers have seen little to no meaningful improvement in their quality of life. Continued …
Nationwide discounts combat soaring prices
The government has launched the “Thai Chuay Thai” campaign, offering discounted consumer goods at district offices nationwide every Friday throughout May.
The campaign is a collaborative effort between the Interior Ministry, the Commerce Ministry, and the private sector, including modern trade operators, wholesalers and retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers, offering essential goods at prices up to 58% lower than market rates, helping to ease the burden on consumers as living costs spike. Continued …
Thailand revives Malaysia link plan
Thailand is accelerating plans to upgrade its southern rail network and revive cross-border links with Malaysia, as part of a broader push to position the country as a regional logistics hub.
The Ministry of Transport has outlined a strategy to strengthen rail as a key mode of transport connecting Thailand with neighboring countries. The policy calls for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to expedite Phase 2 of its double-track railway program, with a particular focus on the south. Continued …
Fruit export push — Commerce targets B179 billion in 2026
The Commerce Ministry is accelerating efforts to boost Thai fruit exports, with a target of 179 billion baht this year, as eastern fruit, especially durian, begins entering the market from May 10 through June.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said she had instructed agencies to roll out measures ahead of the eastern fruit season, covering durian and other fruit varieties. Continued …
Thailand plans mandatory health insurance for tourists
On health insurance for foreign populations, including both workers and tourists, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said yesterday said that foreigners entering Thailand — whether for tourism, work or short cross-border visits — could become a major economic burden if they were unable to pay for medical treatment. He said the health insurance system could help fill that gap and offset the cost.
He said the ministry was therefore considering making health insurance mandatory for tourists, particularly those regarded as quality visitors who could afford cover. Premium levels are still being reviewed, but he said they would not be set so high as to become an excessive burden for travelers. Continued …
Mixed mood for travel in Southeast Asia as flight disruptions mount
Travel motivation among Thais appears to have faltered amid energy and economic troubles, while the mood remains upbeat among Singaporean and Malaysian neighbors.
Outbound specialists in Singapore and Malaysia say their customers are still showing an appetite for holidays now and into the near future despite news of unfolding flight disruptions due to jet fuel challenges. Edmund Ong, general manager, Trip.com Singapore, has not seen “signs of any significant pullback in travel demand”. Continued …
Phi Phi Park Denies Airport Claim in Krabi
Thailand’s Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park has dismissed viral claims that an international airport is being built on Phi Phi Island, warning the public not to believe false information.
Officials confirmed yesterday that posts circulating on social media, particularly Instagram, are untrue and based on AI-generated imagery. The park stressed that the area cannot support such construction. Continued …
Public beachfront area reclaimed in Phuket
Officials have reclaimed more than five rai of public beachfront land at Bang Tao-Choeng Talay from illegal commercial encroachment, with legal action to follow.
Rungruang Thimabut, the deputy governor of Phuket, said yesterday that a joint operation led by provincial and district authorities found that investors had fenced off public beach land and converted it for commercial use, including 16 restaurants and related structures. Continued …
Why Thais can’t get enough of moo kratha — and why some can’t stand it
Few dining experiences inspire as much devotion in Thailand as the Thai-style barbecue known as moo kratha. Not everyone is convinced, though.
The combination charcoal grill and hot pot meal draws packed tables every night across the country, and for most, that is reason enough. But what exactly keeps people coming back, and why do some want nothing to do with it? Continued …
Thailand’s longevity paradox
Healthcare is often a topic that sparks debates among the 30-something and over-50 set, from discussions over treatments, physicians, and insurance policies to preventive care, which has now become an industry of its own.
Thailand has risen to become a leader in medical wellness, boosting wellness tourism amid strong domestic demand for IV drips, self-care practices, and high-end spa services. It’s risen to become one of our leading money-making verticals, so much so that the Tourism Authority of Thailand launched its “Healing Is The New Luxury” campaign at the Amazing Thailand Health And Wellness Trade Meet 2026 last week. Continued …
The writing’s on the wall for the oil industry
Eat your hearts out Pablo Escobar, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes. The richest cartel by far is still the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and its leaders also get to die in bed. But one of its oldest members, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has just quit. No notice, no explanations — just quit.
The UAE is the cartel’s third-biggest producer, so this is going to have several major consequences. The first, which will happen as soon as the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, is that the price of oil will drop, possibly even below the pre-war price. Continued …
Trump to lift EU auto tariffs to 25% as trade tensions deepen
US President Donald Trump said yesterday he would raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25% next week, accusing the bloc of failing to carry out its trade commitments with Washington. The planned increase would replace the previously agreed 15% tariff level under a US-EU trade arrangement reached last year. Continued …
US withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany
The United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced yesterday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between President Donald Trump and Europe. Video …
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
Songkran events calendar for Hua Hin
AirAsia has confirmed its summer flight schedule for the Hua Hin–Chiang Mai route, with direct flights operating until Oct. 30.
Prachuap Khiri Khan has introduced the “Khirikhan Guarantee” as part of efforts to strengthen its position in wellness tourism, with officials aiming to raise standards and build confidence among visitors.
Located around 1 hour 30 minutes from Hua Hin, the viewpoint offers panoramic views across Prachuap Bay and the surrounding coastline, along with a cave at the top. The hike is suitable for those with a moderate level of fitness, with park rangers on hand to assist and rope sections installed along parts of the trail. 
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said in its weather report today that temperatures could reach 42°C. The north, northeast and central regions should brace for strong winds and thunderstorms, while 30% of the south’s west coast is forecast to see heavy rain.
The world may be heading toward a powerful El Niño later this year, with major climate agencies warning that the odds of El Niño are rising from mid-2026. NOAA says ENSO-neutral conditions are still favored through May-July, but El Niño is likely to emerge in June-August and persist through at least the end of the year.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas yesterday warned that energy prices may not return to pre-conflict low level for another one to two years. The impact is not limited to energy, he said, but could also spread to the prices of other goods, as the Middle East is a major exporter of oil, natural gas, chemical fertilizers, and many other important raw materials.
Thailand’s economic outlook is facing mounting uncertainty as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to weigh on global energy markets, prompting authorities to reassess growth projections and warn of rising stagflation risks.
Bangchak Corp. has confirmed it did not pay the Iranian government to allow an oil tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, following reports suggesting a financial exchange.
Thai consumer confidence dropped sharply in March, with the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) falling to 51.8, its lowest level in six months. The decline marks the steepest monthly fall since October last year, reflecting growing concern over rising living costs and global instability. The downturn is already affecting spending behavior, with households cutting back on non-essential purchases.
Thailand continues to attract foreign buyers seeking both lifestyle and investment exposure, but strict ownership rules and highly localized market conditions mean that choosing the right city is critical.
Thai Sugar Millers Corp. (TSMC) has outlined its approach to managing domestic sugar prices as production costs continue to rise due to global economic pressures and energy market volatility. The corporation confirmed that retail sugar prices would remain frozen throughout April in a bid to help ease the cost-of-living burden on the public.
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has revised down its forecast for this year’s Songkran spending to as low as 120 billion baht, from a previous 129.6 billion baht, citing rising diesel prices.
Thailand’s tourism minister has vowed to restore tourism revenue to more than 3 trillion baht, exceeding pre-pandemic levels within the new government’s four-year term, and will proceed with a 300-baht tourism fee, as adopted in many countries.
12 Bold, Bright Thai Recipes to Celebrate Songkran
Three of Thailand’s leading energy and industrial players — REPCO NEX, B.Grimm Power, and SCG Cleanergy — have officially launched a joint utility-scale solar project with a total capacity of 247MWp. Spanning across Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, and Saraburi provinces, the initiative is designed to replace fossil fuel dependency with clean energy, providing enough electricity to power approximately 100,000 households.
Government data released yesterday pointed to a weaker finish to last year for the US economy than earlier estimated, after lower business investment, including inventory accumulation, led to a fresh downgrade in fourth-quarter growth, even as corporate profits jumped sharply. 
The emperor penguin, one of the most recognizable symbols of Antarctica, has officially been reclassified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, in a stark new sign of the accelerating damage caused by global warming.