• Hua Hin Food Fest returns/Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flights/New Hua Hin municipal office building/Cultural event at Hua Hin Railway Station/Thailand Riviera promotion/Phuket Widens Business Probe/Thailand launches street-food app/Fighting the phone addiction/Thailand Drives Kratom Use//Police sergeant fends off four attackers
• THE IRAN WAR: Conflict spreads to Red Sea and Caspian
• ECONOMY: Thai sellers cut home prices/Exports to the US skyrocket/Exporters shrug off Trump tariffs/China envoy sets three-point plan/Thailand tightens data center rules/Robot army is comin/Thailand Food Supplement Market
• TOURISM: Global longevity race/BDMS Launches Wellness Complex/Indian arrivals may surge/Phuket cracks down on jet skis
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Temple Wins UNESCO Status/Kai yok krok-Thai Street Food
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Mitsubishi Motors to Invest B16 billion/Global plastic pollution efforts
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/Italian students apologize
• HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Hua Hin Food Fest returns August 28-30

Hua Hin Food Fest 2026 will return to Hua Don Beach in Khao Takiab Aug. 28-30, featuring local food, fresh seafood, cooking competitions and live entertainment. The three-day festival will bring together restaurants, hotels and food businesses from Hua Hin and Cha-am, giving visitors the opportunity to sample regional dishes beside the beach.

(Editor: Check out our page dedicated to Hua Hin events – HERE.)

The program will include live cooking demonstrations, concerts and other entertainment. Popular artists are scheduled to perform during the festival, with admission to the concerts free. Continued … 

New Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule

Hua Hin Airport has confirmed the latest schedule for Thai AirAsia flights between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai, which will remain in effect until Oct. 24. The airline will operate four return flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

(Editor: Check out our page dedicated to Hua Hin transport information – planes, trains, buses and minivans – HERE.)

Flight FD3900 will depart Chiang Mai at 3:40 pm and arrive in Hua Hin at 5:05 pm. The return flight, FD3901, will leave Hua Hin at 5:35 pm and arrive in Chiang Mai at 6:50 pm. Continued … 

New Hua Hin municipal office building design reviewed

Hua Hin municipality is moving ahead with plans for a new seven-story municipal office designed to improve public services and provide additional space for local government departments.

The building will be constructed behind the existing municipal offices and will accommodate the Office of the municipal clerk and other departments. Continued … 

Cultural event set for old Hua Hin Railway Station

A nine-day Hua Hin cultural tourism event will be held at the old Hua Hin Railway Station Aug. 10-18, showcasing the art, culture and historical identity of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The event, titled “Under the Royal Patronage: Discover Si Khiri Khan”, is being organized by the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Tourism and Sports Office as part of a project to promote tourism, local products and tourism-related services. Continued … 

Thailand Riviera promotion discussed by four provinces

Officials from four lower central provinces are preparing new measures to raise awareness of the Thailand Riviera route and encourage motorists to visit attractions and communities along the western Gulf coast.

The proposals were discussed last Thursday July during a meeting of the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee for Lower Central Provinces Cluster 2, which includes Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. Continued … 

‘This Is Israeli Territory’: Phuket Widens Business Probe

Thai authorities have expanded an enforcement campaign targeting suspected nominee-owned businesses in Phuket, with more than 361 companies now facing inspection following a confrontation at Chabad House in Patong.

The move was announced after officials inspecting the premises were reportedly challenged by an unidentified person who asked: “Don’t you know that this is Israeli territory?” Deputy Interior Minister Polpee Suwanchawee responded: “This is Thailand. Everyone on Thai soil must comply with Thai law. No one has the right to claim sovereignty over Thai territory.” Continued … 

Thailand launches street-food app and certification scheme

Thailand has launched a digital application that allows diners to find certified street-food vendors, forming part of a government program to raise operating standards and expand market opportunities for small businesses.

The Thai Street Gold Star app lists participating outlets alongside recommended dishes, locations and travel information. It is being introduced initially in Bangkok, Pattaya in Chonburi and Chiang Mai. Continued … 

Fighting the phone addiction scourge

Concerns over children’s mental health is renewing debate whether excessive use of mobile devices is harming academic performance and learning capability, while boosting social isolation and criminal behavior influenced by online personalities.

At the heart of the debate is a tug-of-war between schools and families over who should bear primary responsibility for regulating children’s mobile device use and setting appropriate boundaries for the digital age. Continued … 

Thailand Drives Kratom Toward Global Herbal Innovation Economy

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a native plant closely associated with local ways of life and traditional Thai medicine. Its removal from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021 marked an important turning point, opening the way for broader research, economic value creation and commercial development.

In traditional practice, particularly in southern Thailand, kratom leaves have been chewed or brewed to reduce fatigue during physically demanding work. They have also been used in folk remedies for pain and diarrhea. Continued … 

Police sergeant fends off four attackers in latest southern insurgency attack in Pattani

A police sergeant fought back after being shot in a daylight ambush by four gunmen in Thailand’s insurgency-hit deep south yesterday, returning fire despite a bullet wound before his attackers escaped by motorcycle and boat.

The brazen attack has triggered an intensive manhunt across Pattani, with checkpoints, roadblocks and forensic teams deployed as investigators race to identify the assailants, reconstruct their escape and uncover who carried out the carefully coordinated assault. Continued … 

US pauses Iran strikes but conflict spreads to Red Sea and Caspian

The Iran war broadened over the weekend despite a pause in U.S. strikes, as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis attacked Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast and Iran accused Ukraine of targeting one of its vessels in the Caspian Sea. Video … 

Thai sellers cut prices on new and second-hand homes amid tight lending

Amid a slowing economy and intense competition in the property market, developers of new housing projects are accelerating promotional campaigns offering discounts, giveaways and added incentives.

These include price cuts, support for expenses on the ownership-transfer date and all-inclusive free extras, aimed at encouraging purchase decisions and closing sales more quickly. Continued … 

Thai exports to the US skyrocket despite tariffs

Despite US efforts to impose tariffs, Thai exports to America expanded over the first nine months of the fiscal year, up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion baht. In contrast, exports to China grew by only 0.78%, totaling 1 trillion baht.

According to the Customs Department’s trade statistics, for the first nine months of the fiscal year (Oct. 1 to June 30), Thailand’s total trade value (imports and exports combined) tallied 19 trillion baht, rising from 11 trillion year-on-year. Continued … 

Exporters shrug off new Trump tariffs

The private sector is optimistic that new US tariffs will not have a major impact on Thai exports, though businesses are urging the government to expedite trade negotiations to enhance the country’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Starting from midnight US time on Friday, the Trump administration has imposed new tariffs of either 10% or 12.5% on goods from its top 60 trading partners, including Thailand, due to allegations of forced labor violations, according to US officials. Continued … 

China envoy sets three-point plan for Thai trade

China’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China. Speaking at the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Friday, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.

Zhang said Thai companies should make greater use of China’s domestic market, particularly as China pursues growth in green technology, digital development and smart manufacturing. He described these sectors as potential entry points for high-quality Thai goods and services. Continued … 

Thailand tightens data center rules as AI demand grows

Thailand is tightening its screening of data center investments, shifting its focus from the number and value of projects to their quality as the expansion of artificial intelligence drives demand for electricity, water and large-scale computing infrastructure.

The Board of Investment (BOI) approved 26 data center projects worth 498.716 billion baht in 2025 and a further eight projects valued at 162.044 billion baht in 2026. Authorities have slowed consideration of new projects while drawing up additional investment criteria based on project readiness, resource availability and the overall benefits to the country. Continued … 

The robot army is coming

Thailand is positioning itself to become a regional hub for humanoid robotics by leveraging its established automotive and electronics infrastructure. Addressing national security concerns is vital, as domestic control over artificial intelligence (AI) systems prevents reliance on foreign technology that could be remotely compromised.

“Rather than focusing solely on manufacturing complete humanoid robots, Thailand should develop a robot orchestration platform that enables multiple robots to work together,” Djitt Laowattana, executive board member of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and board chairman of the Robotics and AI Committee, said. Continued … 

Thailand Food Supplement Market to Reach US$ 2.52B by 2033

The Thailand food supplement market is on an upward trajectory, anticipated to grow from approximately USD 2.02 billion in 2025 to USD 2.52 billion by 2033, maintaining a CAGR of 5.9%.

This growth is fueled by rising health consciousness, a shift toward preventive healthcare, and increasing interest in nutritional supplements. Consumers are keen on products that enhance overall wellness, immune function, weight management, and beauty. Continued … 

Thailand risks falling behind as global longevity race gathers pace

Thailand has built a strong medical-tourism industry and begun investing in genomic medicine and connected health data, but it still lacks a clear national strategy for competing in the emerging longevity economy.

Countries worldwide are shifting beyond the wellness economy, which centers on businesses such as fitness, spas, healthy food and wellness tourism. They increasingly view longer, healthier lives as a source of economic growth, investment and national policy. Continued … 

BDMS Launches WellEra Bangkok, a US$865 Million Wellness Complex

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), one of Asia-Pacific’s leading healthcare providers, has unveiled WellEra Bangkok, an approximately US$865 million (THB 29 billion) wellness-integrated development that reimagines how the built environment can actively support healthier, longer lives.

Scheduled to open in 2030, WellEra defines a new paradigm for wellness real estate, integrating scientific wellness, preventive healthcare, luxury residences, hospitality and lifestyle within a single ecosystem. The project combines BDMS’ medical expertise with Capella Hotel Group as its residential partner. Continued … 

Indian arrivals may surge with visa waiver

The decision to give Indians 30-day visa-free entry is expected to drive the market to a new record of 2.7 million visitors next year, supported by more flights from second- and third-tier cities to Thailand, say authorities.

Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director of the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the outlook for the Indian market remains positive following cabinet approval of visa-free entry for 30 days for Indian visitors. Continued … 

Phuket cracks down on jet skis

Phuket authorities have taken legal action against eight jet ski operators following a province-wide inspection campaign targeting unlicensed businesses and illegal foreign nominee arrangements.

Led by Deputy Gov. Romdon Hayiawae and officials from the Phuket Regional Harbor Office, the inspections on Saturday covered operators across the island. Teams checked operating licenses, business ownership structures and whether Thai nationals were unlawfully acting as nominees for foreign business owners. Continued … 

Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status

Thailand has secured a new place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List after Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat was officially recognized as a cultural World Heritage Site.

The decision was made unanimously during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, on Saturday. The temple becomes Thailand’s ninth World Heritage Site, the country’s sixth cultural World Heritage Site, and the first in southern Thailand to receive the designation. Continued … 

Making Kai yok krok on the street

Video …

Mitsubishi Motors to Invest B16 billion in Thailand’s EV Push

Mitsubishi Motors is set to invest B16 billion ($473.23m) in Thailand by 2030, backing the automotive sector’s move toward electric vehicles (EVs). The funding will be channeled into EV technology.

The Japanese carmaker is currently assessing options for manufacturing and exporting pickup trucks, alongside developing an electric variant of its Pajero sports utility vehicle, with Thailand positioned as the production hub for these plans. Continued … 

Global plastic pollution efforts focus on recycling and cooperation

The world is sinking under more than 460 million tons of plastic waste each year. More alarming than the figure itself is the fact that about 19 million tons escape into the environment, wreaking havoc, damaging biodiversity, worsening the greenhouse-gas crisis and ultimately harming our own health.

If the trend continues, global plastic use could triple by 2060. The message from global forums, from London Climate Action Week to efforts to advance the Global Plastics Treaty, is consistent: “incremental” measures are no longer enough. Continued … 

Italian students apologize as BTS dispute ends following fines

Five Italian students and their supervisor apologized to a Thai woman known as Sugus at Samrae Metropolitan Police Station on Saturday after a dispute over their conduct on a BTS train. Police fined five members of the group, and both sides agreed to end the matter and pursue no further legal action against each other. Continued … 

• Chinese Gray Network Busted at Nonthaburi Hotel –Continued … 

• Drunk Myanmar Driver Kills Two in Phuket Crash – Continued … 

• Russian Crime Boss Arrested in Phuket Extradition Case – Continued … 

• Indian Man Held with 6kg of Etomidate at Bangkok Airport – Continued … 

• Chinese Fugitives Held in Pattaya Villa Raid – Continued … 

Hua Hin Links and Transport

Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers