- Hua Hin Couple Jump From Hotel/Government cuts power tariff/Egg prices rise/Laos acquires World Cup telecasts/Thailand’s Children Are Falling Behind/Phangan Host Denies Foreigner Stopped Temple Event
- ECONOMY: Thailand’s shrinking surplus raises fears/Thais Help Thais Plus/Eateries to face gloomy third quarter/Food delivery market heats up/Thai Industry Opportunities and Risks
- TOURISM: Thai Airlines Cancel Thousands Of Flights
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Finest Golf Courses in Hua Hin/Bangkok dining ranked second
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Energy scheme raises concerns/Thai exporters on notice/Thailand’s data center cost risk/’Deepening crisis’ in oceans
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin Couple Jump From Hotel Building, Die Together
Two Thai residents of Hua Hin died after jumping from the 16th floor of a hotel building in Hua Hin in the early hours Sunday. The man, aged 43, and the woman, aged 29, were found dead near each other on the ground below the building, having sustained severe head injuries.
Investigators found a handwritten suicide note inside the couple’s hotel room. According to police, the note contained apologies to family members, references to exhaustion from life problems, and a message asking the man’s mother to take care of herself. Continued …
Government cuts power tariff to 3 baht for first 200 units
The government will cut electricity tariffs to no more than 3 baht per unit for the first 200 units, starting from the June billing cycle, in a cost-of-living relief measure expected to benefit more than 20 million households nationwide.
Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, said the measure is part of the government’s broader effort to ease living costs under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Continued …
Egg prices rise 20 satang as feed costs squeeze Thai farmers
Egg prices in Thailand have risen by 20 satang per egg from yesterday, as poultry farmers come under growing pressure from higher feed and maize costs. The Central Region Small-Scale Egg-Layer Farmers Trade Assn. said the latest price movement reflects rising production expenses rather than an increase in the recommended farm-gate ceiling.
Payao Arikul, president of the association, said actual market prices had moved from 3.30 baht to 3.50 baht per egg, while the recommended farm-gate price for mixed-size eggs remains unchanged at 3.60 baht per egg. Continued …
Laos acquires World Cup telecasts, Thailand still dark
Laos has secured the broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing viewers across the country to watch all 104 matches free of charge, while negotiations over television rights in Thailand remain unresolved.
Telecommunications company Star Telecom, commonly known as Unitel, has reached an agreement with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to secure the official broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Continued …
Thailand’s Children Are Falling Behind — And the Nation’s Future Depends on What Happens Next
One in three Thai children cannot read properly by the age of ten. Youth unemployment is rising. And the workforce needed to power Thailand’s next decade of growth is simply not being trained. Against this backdrop of mounting urgency, a roundtable yesterday brought together some of the country’s foremost voices in education, policy, academia, and student leadership to confront what many are now calling a systemic crisis.
The event, titled Beyond the Classroom: Thai Education Beyond Borders, was held in Bangkok with the singular objective of imagining a fairer, more modern, and genuinely inclusive education system — one capable of reaching every province and every child, regardless of postcode or income. Continued …
Phangan Host Denies Foreigner Stopped Temple Event
A host of a Buddhist ordination celebration on Koh Phangan has denied claims that a foreign resident attempted to shut down the event, saying the matter was resolved peacefully after a simple conversation. The clarification follows widespread criticism on social media after reports suggested a foreigner had objected to a traditional community ceremony at a temple in Surat Thani province.
The controversy emerged after online posts claimed a foreign resident had tried to stop activities linked to an ordination ceremony at a temple on Koh Phangan. The story was widely shared and interpreted by some as an attempt to interfere with local traditions and cultural practices. Continued …
Thailand’s shrinking surplus raises baht stability fears
Thailand is being warned that its economic challenge is no longer only about whether growth will recover in the second half of the year, but whether the country can reform fast enough before today’s structural risks turn into a deeper crisis. The warning comes as economists and business leaders point to a shift in Thailand’s long-standing economic strengths.
For years, the country benefited from large current account surpluses, supported by exports and tourism. That position is now weakening as energy costs remain high, imports rise, competitiveness declines, and the country struggles to build new sources of income from future industries. Continued …
Thais Help Thais Plus hits non-participating restaurant sales by 50%
Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the Thai Restaurant Assn., said the association submitted a letter directly to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, asking him to consider expanding eligibility or introducing additional measures for small restaurant operators with annual revenue above 1.8 million baht, who are currently unable to join the Thais Help Thais Plus scheme.
The association said the measure was beneficial to the grassroots economy and helped stimulate domestic purchasing power. However, many small restaurants that operate legally, are registered in the value-added tax system, employ workers, and make social security contributions, but have average annual revenue of 2 million to 5 million baht, are unable to participate because the criteria are limited to operators with revenue of no more than 1.8 million baht per year. Continued …
Eateries expected to face gloomy third quarter
The outlook for the restaurant industry in the third quarter remains pessimistic, with high costs, weak consumer spending power, and a potential drop in tourist numbers continuing to loom over the industry.
Thitid Tassanakajohn, a chef and restaurateur, said the industry saw a brief rebound in the first quarter, supported by a recovery in tourism. However, in the second quarter, the industry declined due to geopolitical conflict, high energy costs and their ripple effects, making conditions worse than in the second quarter of 2025. Continued …
Food delivery market heats up
Grab and Line Man Wongnai are competing strongly to become market leaders in a duopolistic market amid a challenging economy, with the latter slashing fees to attract merchants.
According to the Department of Business Development, Line Man Thailand, which operates Line Man Wongnai, recorded a net profit for the first time of 542 million baht in 2025, compared with a net loss of 356 million baht in 2024. Continued …
Thai Industry Leader Highlights Opportunities and Risks
Pimjai Leeissaranukul, chairperson of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), revealed an overview of the Thai industrial sectors trend during the second quarter of 2026. S
he observed that many industries continue to expand, supported by export markets, strong domestic demand, and government policentives. However, some industries are still facing challenges such as rising production costs, shortages of raw materials, competition from imported products, and a slowdown in purchasing power. Continued …
Thai Airlines Cancel Thousands Of Flights Amid Ongoing Fuel Crisis
Multiple Thai airlines have canceled approximately 3,800 flights due to skyrocketing jet fuel prices, spurred on by the prolonged crisis in the Middle East. The crisis has led to jet fuel becoming 2 to 3 times more expensive than normal, thereby pushing up the airlines’ fuel costs and other operating costs.
According to a report, the Middle East crisis is not the only reason behind the reduced service. The low season across the region is another contributing factor. Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), said, “The aviation industry in the first half of the year had been affected by the Middle East war, with around 3,840 flights lost, affecting more than 1.2 million accumulated seats.” Continued …
Luxury Golf Escapes: The Finest Courses in Hua Hin
Imagine stepping onto a perfectly manicured green just as the morning sun rises over the Gulf of Thailand. A gentle breeze rustles the nearby palm trees, and the dramatic outlines of dark mountain peaks frame your view.
This is golf in Hua Hin. Once a quiet fishing village, this beautiful coastal town has grown into a world-class playground for golfers. It is the perfect place for people who want to combine a relaxing tropical vacation with some of the most exciting, high-end rounds of golf in all of Asia. Continued …
Bangkok ranked second among the world’s 20 best food cities
Every year, Time Out publishes the results of its international survey ranking the world’s best cities. To get there, we surveyed thousands of city dwellers and asked them to rate their city’s food scene across 18 different criteria, including quality, affordability and diversity.
Then we tapped our global network of chefs, editors and food critics to provide local insight into what makes their particular cities such wonderful places to eat. Continued …
B200-billion energy scheme raises concerns
The plan to allocate 200 billion baht toward energy transition, focusing on rooftop solar systems and battery-powered vehicles, has raised concerns among economists and lawmakers over transparency and feasibility.
The funding, which represents half of the controversial 400-billion-baht emergency loan approved by the cabinet, is being criticized for lacking clear details and oversight. Continued …
China’s green code puts Thai exporters on notice
China’s landmark environmental code is set to raise the green compliance bar for Thai exporters and manufacturers, turning carbon footprints and environmental performance from optional CSR into conditions for staying in Chinese supply chains and securing green finance at home.
The shift comes as China prepares to enforce its Ecological and Environmental Code on Aug. 15. The code is China’s second national legal code after the Civil Code and consolidates its previously fragmented environmental laws into a unified framework. Continued …
World Bank flags Thailand data center cost risk
Kwanpadh Suddhi-Dhamakit, senior country officer for World Bank Thailand, said the issue of water resources and data center investment in Thailand was a major global challenge, as data centers require large amounts of both water and electricity, a challenge almost every country is facing.
From a water-management perspective, he said, the question was how to deal with periods when large volumes of water arrive, or how to secure enough water when supply is insufficient. Continued …
UN warns of ‘deepening crisis’ in oceans
Oceans are in a “deepening crisis” that demands urgent global action, a major UN report warned yesterday, with seas warming and rising faster, ice cover shrinking, and marine ecosystems under mounting strain.
The culmination of five years of work by 600 international scientists, the 1,352-page tome details the growing toll of climate change, pollution, and overfishing in our oceans, which cover more than 70% of the planet. Continued ….
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Brit in doctor’s death case also faces nominee business charges – Continued …
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2 foreign women fined 10,000 baht for assault on Phuket bar guards – Continued …
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Chinese Scam Gang Busted at Chiang Mai Homes – Continued …
Hong Kong to open first convenience store operated by humanoid robot
Hong Kong will soon open its first convenience store operated by a humanoid robot as part of the city’s push to integrate AI into everyday life and deepen residents’ understanding of the technology, the finance chief has said. 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
Immigration office closures during Songkran and other April public holidays are set to affect Hua Hin, Cha Am and the rest of Thailand, with foreigners being advised to plan ahead for visa extensions, 90-day reporting, and other services.
Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved an average electricity tariff of 3.95 baht per unit for the May-August 2026 billing cycle, up from the current 3.88 baht, after setting the fuel tariff, or Ft, at 16.23 satang per unit.
Cha Am is preparing for its Songkran celebrations, with local officials confirming a 10-day program of events that will culminate in the Wan Lai Cha-am festival on April 16-17. Nukun Pornsombunsiri recently inspected preparations for the event, with a focus on safety measures and facilities for both residents and visitors.
Thap Sakae will host the Na Hu Kwang Festival 2026 during the Songkran holiday, with organizers aiming to boost tourism and local economic activity through a two-day beachfront event centered around light installations and live entertainment.
Thailand is bracing for another day of intense heat, with the Thai Meteorological Department warning that temperatures could soar to as high as 42C in some parts of the country today.
Eight police officers in Pathum Thani have been removed following allegations they extorted a valuable gold necklace from a local couple. The woman, who runs a snooker club, reported that the incident occurred at her home on March 25. Officers allegedly demanded 200,000 baht, ultimately taking a gold necklace valued at nearly 150,000 baht.
The cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding on overlapping maritime claims with Cambodia, popularly known as MoU 44, will be included in the government’s policy statement to parliament, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday.
Oil prices jumped by more than 5% today after US President Donald Trump said Washington would continue striking Iran, including energy and oil targets, over the coming weeks, while offering no firm timetable for an end to the war.
Thailand’s diesel price will rise by B3.50 per liter today after the Oil Fuel Fund Committee reduced its subsidy, pushing the retail price of standard diesel to B44.24 per liter.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has assessed the latest situation and made clear that risks are now spreading from energy prices to the real economy as a whole, while cutting its 2026 outlook for Thailand again amid mounting inflationary pressure and clearer signs of stagflation.
Thailand Post plans to impose a fuel surcharge of 3 baht per item on domestic Express Mail Service (EMS) and e-CoPost services from April 16, citing higher fuel costs.
While the rationale for US President Donald Trump’s Iran war is difficult to decipher, its main beneficiary is far easier to identify: Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In February, Thailand’s economy softened, with declines in exports, tourism, and private consumption, despite growth in private investment and government spending. Headline inflation decreased, while core inflation remained stable. Key issues include geopolitical events and energy policy impacts.
Thailand’s banking sector is moving deeper into crisis-response mode as prolonged global uncertainty and rising energy prices place fresh pressure on businesses, prompting lenders to shift their role from straightforward credit providers to active supporters helping customers stay afloat.
Corruption remains a structural problem undermining Thailand’s economy and significantly pushing up business costs, according to a new nationwide survey of industry leaders.
The Ministry of Public Health has begun a full transition to ensuring cannabis use in Thailand will be for medicinal purposes only, allowing dispensaries a three-year timeframe to convert into medical clinics in order to continue operating.
Amid global volatility and surging energy prices, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced a major strategic adjustment to respond to signs of a slowdown among long-haul visitors, shifting greater attention to the domestic market and short-haul travelers through an approach centered on value and world-class experiences.
Northern tourism operators expect a poor showing during the Songkran holiday, as the region remains choked by smog, amid weak spending attributed to the war in the Middle East and the subsequent oil shock.
Authorities in Phuket are being urged to investigate after images surfaced online showing a tour boat crew allegedly dumping rubbish into the sea near Tha Chin canal in Phuket province.
Thailand’s PM2.5 crisis has reached a severe level, with fresh data today from IQAir showing air quality in Chiang Mai Municipality had worsened dramatically, pushing it up to the rank of the world’s second most polluted city.
Thailand’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) market is expected to gain significant momentum this year, with sales projected to surpass 120,000 units partially due to soaring oil prices, says the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT).
Banks and car buyers are increasingly shifting toward battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as surging oil prices, fueled by Middle East tensions, reshape Thailand’s auto market, says Ford Thailand. The trend reflects both consumer anxiety over fuel shortages and financial institutions’ growing confidence in electric mobility.
Motorists across the Asia-Pacific region are switching to electric vehicles at a rapid pace, as rising fuel costs due to the Middle East war force consumers and companies to reconsider their reliance on petrol and diesel vehicles.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a system trial of the On Nut waste-to-energy plant to help tackle the city’s waste problem and provide a new source of sustainable power.
NASA launched four astronauts from Florida yesterday aboard Artemis II, sending them on a high-stakes, nearly 10-day journey around the moon and back in the United States’ boldest move yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade, ahead of China’s first planned crewed landing. 
The “Nakhon Hua Hin Run 2026” event in Hua Hin will take place on Sunday, March 29, at the Khao Tao Reservoir area.
Last month, a prominent Buddhist abbot in Thailand was defrocked after a video of two women physically fighting over him outside his temple went viral. Soon after, investigators divulged that the abbot of the ancient Wat Bua Kwan temple near Bangkok had maintained long-term relationships with at least six women, regularly sending them explicit messages and spending lavishly on them – for example, paying for their expensive plastic surgeries. Officials are now investigating whether those funds were stolen from his temple.
The outbound side of the highway in Na Kae district, Nakhon Phanom, heading toward Sakon Nakhon and opposite Na Kae Hospital, had residents parking their vehicles in a long queue along the roadside while waiting to refuel at a PTT station in Na Kae district. The queue stretched for more than 3 kilometers after word spread that fuel was available.
The petrol shortage is causing headaches for Mother Marketing, the operator of the Mother Supermarket chain in southern Thailand, prompting the company to urge the government to resolve the issue urgently.
The oil crisis has so badly hit the fishing industry that leaders of this sector in Samut Sakhon province, better known as Mahachai,yesterday warned that fishing boats may cease operation nationwide at the end of this month, leading to hundreds of thousands of job losses unless the government reins in soaring oil prices.
The government has decided to lower the proportion of oil reserves to 1% in a bid to ease fuel shortages, while expressing confidence that the fuel situation will stabilize within a week.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is significantly affecting global supply chains. Shipments of crude oil and petrochemicals through the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted, leading to halted operations at some plants and a surge in crude prices. Notably, SCC’s Rayong Olefins (ROC) plant in Thailand has suspended operations due to naphtha and propane shortages.
The United States and Israeli military operations against Iran are disrupting global supply chains, hitting semiconductor manufacturing hard and reverberating through chip-dependent industries, particularly the automotive sector, which is watching developments closely.
Thailand’s tightening energy supply and rising oil prices are beginning to ripple through everyday life, pushing up the cost of basic necessities – including something as simple as bottled drinking water.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is rolling out a three-phase plan to manage medicine supplies and healthcare services as the conflict in the Middle East shows signs of dragging on, with officials warning that drug prices are likely to rise.
Still not four full weeks into the war, and already Donald Trump’s “short-term excursion” – decapitate the Iranian regime with a surprise attack and impose harsh terms on the defeated survivors – has morphed into a global economic crisis and a region-wide war that could destroy the wealth of all the countries on both sides of the Gulf. At the very least.
Concerned by a nosedive in European arrivals and low confidence due to fuel shortages among local travelers, hotel operators have started to offer discounts of 20%-40% to attract tourists during the upcoming Songkran holiday.
Thailand is making significant strides in promoting wellness tourism by fostering collaboration between its private and public sectors. This initiative aims to attract affluent foreign tourists who are looking for comprehensive services that blend medical care, beauty treatments, and travel experiences.
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