- Bottled drinking water on price-control list/Diesel to 50.54 Baht/Thailand petrol prices updated/Beach polo returns/Hazardous Smog Across 58 Provinces/Northern Thailand declared emergency disaster zone/Thailand swelters/Underfilled gas tanks
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran Conflict is Reshaping Thailand’s Tourism/Making Tourists Cancel Their Thailand Trips/Confidence for Songkran trips down/Trump gives Iran until tomorrow night/Oil rises as war disruption deepens/Worldwide energy policy shift/Global tensions hit home/War hits Thai food exports
- ECONOMY: PM to unveil economic strategy/Rising prices hard to bear/Dining sector poised for downturn/Co-payment scheme to be implemented/Severe shortage of microchips
- TOURISM: Rising prices affecting foreign tourists/Mandatory accident insurance for foreign visitors/Jomtien Beach falls quiet/Fuel shock grounds Thai AirAsia routes
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: On the right track/Loei’s Tha Sawan Waterfall
- CLIMATE THAILAND: MICE sector goes green/Organic farming becomes a new pillar/Grab Thailand Ramps Up EV Push
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Bottled drinking water placed on price-control list
The government has added bottled drinking water and seasoning sauces to its price-control list, along with plastic pellets, in order to prevent undue price increases in light of cost pressures arising from the Middle East war.
The controls will be in effect for one year, according to the announcement from the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services, signed by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and published in the Royal Gazette on Saturday. Continued …
Thailand Hikes Diesel to 50.54 Baht as Fuel Crisis Deepens
The Fuel Fund Board has approved an increase in diesel prices, with the retail price of B7 diesel rising to 50.54 baht per liter and B20 diesel to 45.54 baht per liter, effective yesterday. The decision follows a reduction in subsidy rates aimed at easing the financial burden on the state Oil Fuel Fund. The adjustment will have an immediate impact on transport costs and the wider economy.
The board agreed to cut the subsidy for B7 diesel by 2.61 baht per liter, reducing it from 20.71 baht to 18.10 baht per liter. Subsidies for B20 diesel were also reduced by 2.61 baht per liter, from 22.22 baht to 19.61 baht per liter. These measures are intended to reduce the fund’s daily outflow from 1,708.75 million baht to 1,496.72 million baht. Continued …
Thailand petrol prices updated: details from five major stations
The Energy Policy and Planning Office has announced updated petrol prices effective from yesterday. This report details current prices at five major service stations: PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, and Shell, providing an overview of costs per liter for various fuel types.
At PTT stations as of Saturday, gasohol 95 is priced at 43.95 baht per liter, gasohol E20 at 38.95 baht, gasohol E85 at 34.89 baht, and gasohol 91 at 43.58 baht. Premium gasohol 95 is available at 53.04 baht, benzine 95 at 52.54 baht, regular diesel at 50.54 baht, diesel B20 at 45.54 baht, and premium diesel at 70.44 baht. Continued …
Beach polo returns to Intercontinental
The 15th edition of the Princess Pa’s Cup InterContinental–B.Grimm Beach Polo Hua Hin took place on Saturday, bringing a blend of sport, society, and seaside elegance to the beachfront of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort.
Organized by B.Grimm in collaboration with Proud Group, InterContinental Hua Hin Resort and Bluport Hua Hin, the annual event has become a fixture on Thailand’s lifestyle and sporting calendar. Held under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the tournament continues to support the Kamlangjai Project, which focuses on rehabilitation, vocational training, and reintegration opportunities for inmates. Continued …
Thailand Reports Hazardous Smog Across 58 Provinces
Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust covered Bangkok and 58 of Thailand’s 76 provinces yesterday afternoon, with air quality reaching levels considered harmful to health.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported that particulate matter (PM2.5) ranged from 38.2 to 96.2 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), exceeding the government’s safe threshold of 37.5µg/m3. Ten provinces in the north and northeast recorded red-level pollution, indicating conditions that are seriously harmful. Continued …
Northern Thailand declared emergency disaster zone over air quality
Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Phayao have been declared emergency disaster zones, as persistent hazardous air quality continues to grip northern Thailand, unlocking emergency funds for provincial governors to deploy relief efforts.
The announcement was made on Saturday by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Unsit Sampuntharat, as he provided an update on wildfires, haze, and fine-dust pollution affecting 17 provinces across the region. Continued …
Thailand swelters as temperatures soar past 42°C
Thailand is set to experience widespread hot to extremely hot conditions through April 11, with temperatures in some areas expected to exceed 42°C, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.
The department said upper Thailand will face intense heat combined with hazy daytime skies, driven by a low-pressure system caused by heat covering the region. At the same time, weak southerly and westerly winds are prevailing, contributing to unstable weather conditions. Continued …
Crackdown uncovers underfilled gas tanks nationwide
Inspectors from the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), under the Commerce Ministry, have been conducting random inspections of outlets selling LPG cooking gas and gas-filling facilities to ensure they are not cheating customers by selling less gas than the tanks’ stated capacity.
The inspectors visited several outlets in Nonthaburi yesterday and discovered that the amount of cooking gas in some tanks did not match the quantity shown on the tags. Continued …
Iran Conflict is Reshaping Thailand’s 2026 Tourism Outlook
The palm-fringed beaches of Phuket and the neon-lit streets of Bangkok feel worlds away from the geopolitical tremors of the Middle East. However, in our interconnected world, a shadow cast in Tehran is quickly felt in Thailand.
As the conflict involving Iran fluctuates, the Thai tourism industry — the lifeblood of the national economy — is finding itself at a critical crossroads. For decades, Thailand has been a sanctuary for travelers seeking sun, culture, and affordability. But as 2026 unfolds, the “Land of Smiles” is navigating a complex landscape where rising fuel costs, rerouted flight paths, and shifting traveler demographics are rewriting the rules of the game. Continued …
Iran-Israel War And Viral Videos Making Tourists Cancel Their Thailand Trips
For decades, the neon-lit streets of Bangkok’s Nana district have been a sanctuary for Middle Eastern travelers. But today, the bustling hotel lobbies and fragrant Arabic restaurants stand eerily quiet.
The escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, which intensified in late February, has sent a shockwave through Thailand’s vital tourism sector — an industry that contributes 12% to the nation’s GDP. The impact has been swift and severe. What began as a regional skirmish has transformed into a geopolitical crisis that is “hollowing out” one of the world’s most resilient travel destinations. Continued …
Expensive fuel and war fears hit Thai confidence for Songkran trips
The war in the Middle East, now dragging on for more than a month, is casting a shadow over travel during the Songkran festival, a global event for Thailand. Hotel, retail, and event operators largely see Songkran tourism in 2026 as either weaker or flat compared with last year, even as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates domestic spending at 30.35 billion baht, up 6%.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), said that after more than a month of turmoil in the Middle East, the association expected Thai travel during the long Songkran holiday to be affected by high fuel prices, a factor beyond operators’ control. Continued …
Trump gives Iran until tomorrow night to reopen Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has said Iran has until tomorrow night to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on key infrastructure, according to an interview with The Wall Street Journal published yesterday.
“If they don’t do something by Tuesday evening, they won’t have any power plants and they won’t have any bridges standing,” Trump told the newspaper. Later yesterday, Trump posted on social media: “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” without mentioning Iran or giving further details. White House representatives could not immediately be reached for comment on the post. Continued …
Oil rises as war disruption deepens and OPEC+ move offers little relief
Oil prices opened higher today as the US-Israeli war with Iran continued to disrupt global supply, reinforcing concerns over one of the most severe energy shocks in years, according to Reuters.
Brent crude rose US$2.40, or 2.2%, to US$111.43 a barrel in early trade, while US West Texas Intermediate gained US$3, or 2.7%, to US$114.57 a barrel, as markets reacted to ongoing supply constraints and geopolitical tensions. Continued …
Middle East conflict drives a worldwide energy policy shift
The conflict in the Middle East that erupted on Feb. 28, has sent the biggest shock through global energy markets in history. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries more than 20 million barrels a day of crude oil and oil products, or around 20% of global oil consumption, has almost ground to a halt.
As a result, crude oil prices have surged above US$100 per barrel, while refined products, diesel, jet fuel, and LPG have risen even more sharply. Global LNG supply has also fallen by around 20% as a result of the crisis. Continued …
Global tensions hit home
With the US-Israel battle against Iran entering its sixth week, the global economy continues to feel the effects stemming from the closure of a key oil shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.Production costs are poised to rise further due to constraints in procuring certain materials.
The International Energy Agency warned the energy crisis could persist until late April, which is expected to be the worst period due to a twofold reduction in oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Continued …
Middle East war hits Thai food exports, with market at risk of 50% slump
The war in the Middle East, now in its second month, is hitting global trade, as shipping costs climb in line with higher oil prices, while freight rates have also risen sharply.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Friday that the global food price index rose in March, driven mainly by higher energy prices and increased transport costs linked to the war in the Middle East. Continued …
PM to unveil Thailand’s economic strategy as energy turmoil grows
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to deliver the government’s policy statement to Parliament before assuming full authority to administer the country in accordance with constitutional procedures, on April 9-10.
In recent months, the government has administered the country amid uncertainty on multiple fronts, including the economy, society, politics, international relations and global geopolitics. Continued …
Most Thais say rising prices are becoming hard to bear
Thailand’s rising cost of living is becoming increasingly hard for households to bear, with a new survey showing that most people are already feeling the strain as Songkran approaches.
An opinion poll by Suan Dusit University, or Suan Dusit Poll, found that many Thais are struggling with higher prices for essential goods in the wake of the oil crisis. The survey was conducted among 1,272 respondents nationwide, both online and in the field, from March 31 to April 3. The findings were released yesterday. Continued …
Dining sector poised for downturn
Restaurants are bracing for less vibrant sales during the Songkran holiday this year, which runs from April 11-15, according to the Thai Restaurant Assn. With the Middle East war driving up the cost of living and reducing consumer purchasing power, Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, said food is often the first thing people cut from their budgets.
She said she expects this year’s Songkran to be less festive than last year. Although many Thais will still travel during this period, they may opt for more budget-friendly places to eat. Continued …
Co-payment scheme to be implemented after April 30
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told shoppers while inspecting prices of goods on sale at a shopping mall in Bangkapi area of Bangkok Saturday that a round of 50:50 co-payment scheme will be implemented after April 30.
The co-payment, in which the government will subsidize up to 50% of the costs of certain food and consumer goods purchased by qualified Thai citizens, would cover more areas but the amount of money would be the same, that is 2,000 baht each. However the government might be able to run it multiple times, he said. Continued …
Severe shortage of microchips, while steel prices rise
Thai manufacturers have been further hit with a double whammy as a severe shortage of microchips has thrown this market into turmoil, while prices of all types of steel products are initially rising by 10%-15% this month.
Nawa Chantanasurakorn, vice president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and honorary chairman of the Steel Industry Group, said since steel is not an upstream industry, with there being limited domestic iron ore supply, production requires importing scrap metal from abroad for smelting and shaping. The end product is reinforced steel bars, wire rods, steel sheets, structural steel, and other types of steel used in both construction and automotive industries. Continued …
Rising prices are affecting foreign tourists across hotels, transport, food, and nightlife
As Thailand moves to adjust fuel policies and households continue to feel cost-of-living pressures, discussions in online forums have once again highlighted a broader issue: how inflation and inconsistent pricing are impacting both locals and foreign tourists. For visitors arriving in Thailand, the effect of rising costs is increasingly visible across multiple parts of the travel experience.
In the hotel sector, room rates in major destinations such as Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai have generally increased compared to previous years, particularly during high season and major holidays like Songkran. Budget accommodation remains available, but mid-range and beachfront properties are seeing stronger pricing driven by demand and higher operating costs. Continued …
Thailand plans mandatory accident insurance for foreign visitors
Thailand is pushing for regulations that would require international tourists to obtain accident insurance before entering the country, as rising unpaid medical bills and accident risks place a mounting strain on public healthcare.
“Each year, we absorb about 10 million baht in treatment costs for foreign patients without insurance,” the director of Vachira Phuket Hospital said. He pointed to inexperienced motorcycle use and consumption of alcohol and drugs. “Many visitors come to Phuket and try riding motorcycles for the first time, which increases accident risks.” Continued …
Jomtien Beach falls quiet as tourist numbers drop, Pattaya businesses hit by economic slowdown
Tourist numbers along Jomtien Beach have dropped noticeably in recent days, leaving normally busy beachfront areas unusually quiet and raising concerns among local operators. A survey of the area found a clear decline in visitors, with long stretches of beach appearing sparse compared to the typically lively atmosphere Pattaya is known for.
Beach vendors, including umbrella and chair operators, as well as seaside shops, say their incomes have been steadily falling due to the slowdown. Many report that fewer tourists are spending time at the beach, impacting daily earnings across the board. Continued …
Fuel shock grounds Thai AirAsia routes as costs surge
Thailand’s aviation sector is starting to show clearer signs of strain from the worsening oil crisis, with Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X suspending selected routes during the 2026 summer schedule as surging fuel costs weigh more heavily on operations. The move comes as energy tensions linked to the Middle East conflict continue to push up aviation costs globally.
Thai AirAsia temporarily suspends: Suvarnabhumi–Narathiwat (FD4252/4253), April 21–Oct. 24; Don Mueang–Xi’an (FD588/589), May 11–Oct. 23; Hong Kong–Okinawa (FD518/519), May 7–Oct. 24; Phuket–Chennai (FD192/193), April 13–Oct. 24; Phuket–Kochi (FD196/197), April 17–Oct. 23. Continued …
On the right track along Bangkok’s rail lines
At a time when travel feels uncertain — the result of conflicts in West Asia and rising fuel costs — Bangkok’s rail lines offer a quiet kind of freedom.
You don’t have to go far to enjoy a travel experience. A short ride can carry you from the city’s outer edges to narrow canal networks, or from a modern art museum to neighborhoods alive with a vibrant ambience and promising tastes. Continued …
Discover the ‘Unseen’ Beauty of Loei’s Tha Sawan Waterfall
As Thailand enters a blistering April, with temperatures set to soar well above the seasonal average, holidaymakers are desperately seeking sanctuary from the “boiling” heat. One destination currently topping the charts for those “in the know” is the Tha Sawan Waterfall (also known locally as Tad Tone) in the Na Duang district of Loei.
With the 2026 Songkran Festival (13–15 April) fast approaching, this “unseen” natural wonder is preparing to welcome a surge of visitors drawn by its reputation for icy-clear waters and its serene, primeval atmosphere. Continued …
MICE sector goes green
The MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) sector includes business activities at event venues, as well as the entire supply chain, including catering companies, organizers, and transport providers.
According to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), this sector has a significant impact on the environment and local communities, and it is growing annually. MICE operators and customers are now more aware of sustainable travel trends, planning events aligned with the UN’s sustainable development goals. Continued …
Organic farming becomes a new pillar in the global food trade
“Organic agriculture” is moving beyond its status as a niche product to become a “core structure” of the modern global food system, reflecting data from Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) under the Ministry of Commerce, which points to continued growth in the organic market despite volatility in the global economy.
Nantapong Chiralerspong, director general of the TPSO, said the global organic food and drink market had reached a new record of 145 billion euros, or around US$157 billion, while global organic farming area had expanded to about 619 million rai, accounting for 2.1% of total agricultural land. The number of organic producers worldwide had risen to 4.84 million, with Asia accounting for around 56% of the global total. Continued …
Grab Thailand Ramps Up EV Push Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Grab Thailand is accelerating its Grab EV program in response to the ongoing energy crisis by announcing strategic partnerships with nine new partners, including EV manufacturers and distributors, as well as taxi cooperatives.
These partnerships aim to expand access to electric vehicles for drivers and riders on the platform through “End-to-End EV Rental” and “Drive-to-Own” models, supporting long-term fleet solutions and lowering drivers’ operating costs. Continued …
- Chinese Student Kills Thai Girlfriend, Jumps to Death in Pathum Thani – Continued …
- Rhino Horn Smuggling Bust at Suvarnabhumi Airport – Continued …
- Brit Arrested For Heroin Smuggling on Flight From Thailand – Continued …
- Russian Man Arrested For Illegal Tour Guiding in Phuket – Continued …
- Foreign Run Illegal Daycares Raided on Koh Phangan – Continued ….
- Chinese Network Raided Over Zombie Vape Chemicals in Samut Prakan – Continued …
What to know about the Artemis 2 mission’s Moon flyby
For the first time in more than half a century, astronauts will fly around the Moon today, marking the high point of the Artemis 2’s lunar mission. The flyby will last around seven hours, starting today around 2:45 p.m. eastern US time (1845 GMT) and ending around 9:20 p.m. (0120 GMT). Continued …
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