- Our newest sponsor: Palapon Kitchen/Prachuap accountants in nominee probe/Hua Hin Food Festival/Hua Hin Rotary Club/Some premium fuel prices cut/Under-16 Social Media Ban /9 million IDs stolen/Healthcare Heading for a Reckoning/Common fare plan for Bangkok rail/Crayfish on the loose
- THE IRAN WAR: Hope and doubt shadow agreement/US Senate backs move to end Iran war/US trying to work out a fair deal/No confidence in Trump
- ECONOMY: Fragile Triggers Drag Down Growth/Price-control list expanded/Energy to pressure inflation/Finances worry Thai Gen Z, millennials/Bangkok riverside land values climb/Chinese investment drives EEC land prices
- TOURISM: Why travelers are saying ‘Thank you, Thailand’/Tourism revival plans take shape/Tourism co-payment subsidy/Bangkok in top five for flight bookings/Demolition of encroaching beach hotels
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Moo Kata makes Thailand’s table glow/7-Eleven a must-visit for travelers/Shophouses shape Bangkok’s dining scene/Cutting Thailand’s Giant Jackfruit/Thai Hospitality in Krabi and Koh Lanta/Ubon park UNESCO listing
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Turns to Green Transition/’Waste not, want not’ /World’s richest causing environmental damage
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Please welcome our newest sponsor:
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We bring the proven nutrition system from Camp Palapon straight to your table! Our meals are designed for real results — fat loss, energy balance, and long-term wellness. Real food. Enough calories. No diet nonsense. Structured meal prep for fat loss and performance.
We cook with organic eggs, local produce, clean proteins, and healthy fats — no sugar, no processed carbs, no guilt.
We offer direct coordination between Camp Palapon and Palapon Kitchen. We want the local community to know that we offer a complete cycle for health and wellness. While Camp Palapon provides the intense physical training and martial arts instruction, Palapon Kitchen serves as the essential recovery fuel. We designed our “real food” delivery system to provide the exact, calorie-controlled nutrition that perfectly complements an active lifestyle. It is the ultimate combination of active life and eating clean.
Contact us today to reserve your meal prep slot for the upcoming week. Tel: 092 449 2560; Web; e-mail: palapon69@gmail.com.
Prachuap accountants caught up in nominee probe
Thailand’s nominee crackdown has widened to accounting firms in Prachuap Khiri Khan, as authorities investigate businesses suspected of using Thai nationals to hide foreign ownership.
The Department of Business Development, under the Ministry of Commerce, said on Monday it had expanded checks to accounting firms in eight tourism provinces, including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Surat Thani, Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. Continued …
Hua Hin Food Festival plans discussed
The Hua Hin Food Festival 2026 will include a “Hua Hin International Pad Thai” showcase as part of this year’s event, which will be held Aug. 28-30. Preparations for the festival were discussed on Monday during a meeting chaired by Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wuttikul at the Hua Hin municipal office.
The meeting brought together municipal officials, members of the Cha Am–Hua Hin Chefs Club and hotel business operators to discuss preparations for the event. Continued …
Hua Hin Rotary Club elects new president
The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin held its 17th annual Club Officers’ Installation Night yesterday at Amari Hua Hin Resort, marking the start of the 2026-2027 Rotary year. Napa Kaewtem was installed as the club’s new president, taking over from Brian Anderson, the outgoing president from the United States.
Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wuttikul attended the ceremony with Deputy Mayor Busaba Choksuchat to congratulate the new president and recognize the club’s contribution to the local community. Continued …
Some premium fuel prices cut by up to 4.20 baht
OR has cut retail prices for selected premium fuels by B1.20-4.20 per liter, with the new prices taking effect from 5 am today.
The reduction applies only to premium fuel products sold by PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), while prices for other OR petrol, gasohol and diesel products remain unchanged. Bangchak Corp. (BCP) has kept prices for all fuel types unchanged. Continued …
Thailand Studies Under-16 Social Media Ban
Thailand is again studying whether to introduce a law barring children under the age of 16 from using social media, in a move aimed at reducing excessive screen time among young users. The proposal could lead to tighter regulation of platform access for minors if implemented.
The idea was raised by Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri on Monday in his role as chairman of the board of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, known as ThaiHealth. He cited foundation data showing that more than 93% of Thai people use the internet, with an average daily online time of 7 hours and 54 minutes. ThaiHealth also reported that among children aged 0 to 2, about 72.6% have more than one hour of screen time per day, a level it warns may affect learning, communication, and age-appropriate development. Continued …
9 million IDs of doctors, retirees, and more stolen
Nine people were arrested on Monday for allegedly stealing the identities of about 9 million individuals, with the stolen data found categorized into “doctors”, “the rich”, “retirees” and “teachers”.
Deputy national Police Chief Suwat Saengnoom said the suspects were arrested in a series of raids spanning 22 locations in 16 provinces, including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Khon Kaen, Sa Kaeo, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Lop Buri, Amnat Charoen, Chanthaburi, and Ayutthaya. Continued …
Asia-Pacific Healthcare Heading for a Reckoning It Can No Longer Ignore
According to Bain & Company’s fourth biennial Front Line of Healthcare report, drawing on surveys of 600 doctors and 6,300 consumers across nine markets, the region’s healthcare systems are caught in a compounding crisis of their own making: demand is surging, supply is crumbling, and the people meant to hold it all together are walking out the door. This is not a cyclical blip. It is a structural reckoning, and the window for decisive action is narrowing.
Asia-Pacific is home to 60% of the world’s population and carries a disproportionate share of the global disease burden. Yet, it accounts for just 22% of global healthcare spending. Emerging Asia-Pacific countries average roughly 1.6 doctors per 1,000 people, and excluding China, that number falls to approximately 0.9. The World Health Organization’s minimum threshold is 2.5. Continued …
Cabinet approves 17–45 baht common fare plan for Bangkok rail
Bangkok commuters may finally be getting closer to something they have wanted for years: multiple trains, one ticket, and cheaper transportaion. Thailand’s Cabinet yesterday approved a cost-of-living measure to introduce a common fare system across urban rail transit lines, allowing passengers to travel for between 17 and 45 baht under a single-ticket scheme.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said yesterday the policy would cover all rail lines and colors, with passengers paying the entry fare only once when transferring between different networks. Continued …
Crayfish on the loose in Phayao Lake
Officials are scrambling to contain the spread of crayfish in Phayao Lake in Thailand’s Phayao province, after local fisherfolk have been finding them in increasing numbers in their traps. Phayao Lake is the largest freshwater lake in northern Thailand and the fourth largest in the country.
(Editor: Crayfish are considered a delicacy in many southern American states, with people comparing them to freshwater lobster.)
Phutana Chompooming, deputy governor of Phayao, has launched a campaign encouraging locals to catch the crayfish to eat, to help suppress what is regarded locally as an invasive species. Continued …
Hope and doubt shadow new Iran agreement
If is a big and most consequential word in the English language. The word connotes wishes, conditionality, and often aspirations. If also is one of the shortest words holding a very long explanatory meaning that embodies hope but just as easily signals fatalism.
If, for example, the Islamic Republic of Iran were to adhere to and honor the current memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States, there may be a mutually beneficial peace settlement for the US, Israel, and its Arab Gulf allies. Continued …
US Senate backs move to end Iran war, piling pressure on Trump
The US Senate has passed a resolution directing President Donald Trump to halt American military operations against Iran, with support from several Republican senators in a rare rebuke of the president.
The Senate voted 50-48 yesterday in favor of the War Powers Resolution, which had already been approved by the House of Representatives earlier this month. The vote reflects growing concern in Congress, including among some Republicans, over the conflict with Iran, which began on Feb. 28. Continued …
Trump says US trying to work out a fair deal with Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (June 23) said his administration was trying to work out a fair deal with Iran and that the U.S. and Iran were getting along well. Video …
Over 75% of adults in global survey have no confidence in Trump
An average of 76% of adults surveyed in 35 countries, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, have no confidence in US President Donald Trump’s leadership of global affairs, with ratings for the United States negative in many places in Europe and Asia, an established research institute said yesterday.
Pew Research Center, which did not ask people in the United States, found that a majority in only five countries surveyed – the Philippines, Israel, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana – rated Trump favorably. Continued …
Three Fragile Triggers Drag Down Growth as Baht Hits One-Year Low
The Thai economy is facing an uphill battle against a trio of deep-seated structural vulnerabilities, even as major economic research centers nudge short-term growth forecasts upward. In its latest economic outlook, the Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (SCB EIC) upgraded Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for this year to 2% from a previous estimate of 1.7%.
Economists warn, however, that the headline figure masks severe domestic friction. Economic growth is projected to slow further to 1.9% next year, reflecting a structural slowdown far below the country’s historical average growth rate of 2.5% to 3%. Continued …
Price-control list expanded to 66 items
The cabinet has approved the expansion of the list of price-controled goods and services to 66. The list now includes 61 essential goods and five services, for which providers must seek prior approval for price changes.
The new list consolidates previously approved controled goods and services, while adding five new categories: soybean meal, white sea bass, young coconuts and coconut products, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Continued …
Energy to pressure inflation in second half of year
The SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), a research center under Siam Commercial Bank, expects energy costs will continue to propel inflation in the second half of the year, even as the Middle East war shows signs of de-escalation.
Although tensions between the US and Iran have begun to subside, the Brent crude price is expected to remain elevated compared with the pre-war level. In the EIC’s view, Brent is expected to average US$85 per barrel throughout 2026, potentially falling to $80 in the second half, according to chief economist Yunyong Thaicharoen. Continued …
Finances worry Thai Gen Z and millennials
Thai Generation Z and millennials are experiencing greater concern about their financial future than their peers in many other countries, with housing affordability a particularly acute pressure point, a survey by Deloitte has found.
At the same time, the research shows, these two generational cohorts are prioritizing stability, work-life balance and purpose during times of financial pressures. Continued …
Bangkok riverside land values climb around heritage districts
Among Bangkok’s prime land locations with strong potential and the most public discussion, few rival the Charoen Nakhon, Charoen Krung, and Khlong San areas across the Phra Nakhon and Thon Buri sides. The Chao Phraya River runs through the middle, drawing the two banks together.
Today, the area is filled with condominium projects, luxury hotels, and premium shopping centers. Land prices have risen from below 25,000 baht per square meter to no less than 125,000 baht and as high as 250,000 baht per square meter, with further increases likely. Continued …
Chinese investment drives EEC land prices higher in Thailand
Chinese investors are becoming a more powerful force in Thailand’s industrial-property market, with growing demand for factory land in the Eastern Economic Corridor pushing Chonburi and Rayong further into the spotlight.
The shift is reflected in data from the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), which shows the share of Chinese investors in Thai industrial estates rising steadily over the past six years. In 2019, Chinese investors accounted for just 6% of investors in industrial estates. By the end of the first quarter of 2026, that share had climbed to 17.06%, behind only Japan at 22.75%. Continued …
Why travelers are saying “Thank you, Thailand” before they fly home
In the old language of travel, the final souvenir was something tucked into a suitcase: silk, spices, ceramics, perhaps a fridge magnet from Bangkok or Phuket. In 2026, Thailand’s most elegant keepsake may be something lighter, cheaper and far more powerful: a palms-pressed wai, a smile, and a sincere “kob khun”.
The viral #ThankYouThailand movement has turned the end-of-trip video into a small act of post-trip diplomacy. Thai media reported earlier this year that foreign visitors were posting “Thank you Thailand” clips as they wrapped up their holidays, often bowing in gratitude and sharing detailed recaps of their journeys — from food and massages to tuk-tuk rides, temples and the warmth of local people. Continued …
Tourism revival plans take shape
The government is considering a 15-day visa exemption for Indian travelers and a 30-day exemption for all European Union (EU) countries, while assessing that easing geopolitical tensions could lift tourism revenue this year back to 2025 levels.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said yesterday that revisions to visa rules for certain countries would be proposed at the next meeting of the visa policy committee. Continued …
Thailand seeks 3 billion baht to revive tourism co-payment subsidy and boost domestic travel
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is preparing to revive a state-backed tourism co-payment scheme as part of a wider push to stimulate travel in the second half of 2026.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the ministry expects to seek at least B3 billion baht from the 2027 central budget to support the program, which would subsidize hotel stays and tourism services for domestic travelers. Continued …
Bangkok ranks in global top five for first-half flight bookings
As summer 2026 gets underway, the global tourism industry is regaining strong momentum, and one metropolis drawing attention from travelers from around the world is “Bangkok”.
The latest data from Trip.com Group shows Bangkok has surged into the top five major cities worldwide for flight bookings in the first half of the year, alongside Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Continued …
Demolition of encroaching beach hotels in Phuket to start next month
Authorities will start to demolish hotels that encroach on beaches and reserved forest land in Phuket next month, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said yesterday.
Officials have surveyed buildings that encroached on Nui beach on the island’s southwest coast and already rejected petitions from the owners. Demolition notices have been posted on the encroaching properties, with owners given a deadline of July 9 to comply. Continued …
The sizzle of socialization: How Moo Kata makes Thailand’s table glow
In Thailand, dinner does not always arrive perfectly composed on porcelain. Sometimes it comes hissing on a dome-shaped grill, surrounded by broth, chopsticks, laughter, and the quiet diplomacy of passing the tongs.
That is the charm of Moo Kata, the cook-it-yourself Thai barbecue that has grown from an everyday craving into one of the country’s most expressive dining rituals. Continued …
Why Thailand’s 7-Eleven has become a must-visit for travelers
In Thailand, the most talked-about travel ritual of 2026 may not begin at a temple, rooftop bar, or Michelin-listed restaurant. It starts under fluorescent lights, beside a refrigerated aisle, with a plastic-wrapped sandwich waiting to be toasted.
For a new generation of travelers, Thailand’s 7-Eleven has become a 24-hour oasis: part snack stop, part cultural playground, part budget-friendly eatery. CP All says 7-Eleven had more than 15,000 branches nationwide in 2024, making it almost impossible for visitors not to stumble into one during a late-night walk, island transfer, or early-morning caffeine hunt. Continued …
Thailand’s shophouses shape Bangkok’s Michelin dining scene
In Bangkok, the dining room of the moment does not always arrive polished in marble and glass. It may sit behind a narrow frontage, up a steep old staircase, beside the roar of a wok, or inside a building that still carries the memory of trade, family, and neighborhood life.
The Thai shophouse, once regarded as everyday urban architecture, is becoming one of the country’s most valuable culinary stages. Its appeal lies in a delicious contradiction: food can be precise without becoming sterile, and refined without losing the heat, smoke, and instinct that made Bangkok one of the world’s great eating cities. Continued …
Cutting Thailand’s Giant Jackfruit
The jackfruit is the largest tree fruit, reaching as much as 55 kilograms (120 pounds) in weight, 90 centimeters (35 inches) in length, and 50 centimeters (20 inches) in diameter. A mature jackfruit tree produces some 200 fruits per year, with older trees bearing up to 500 fruits in a year. The jackfruit is a multiple fruit composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers; the fleshy petals of the unripe fruit are eaten in addition to the ripened fruit. Video …
Journey Through Wellness, Sustainability, and Authentic Thai Hospitality in Krabi and Koh Lanta
Some destinations captivate with their beauty, others leave a lasting impact through the experiences they offer. A recent journey through Krabi and Koh Lanta in southern Thailand revealed a destination where sustainability, wellness, and community-based tourism come together to create travel experiences that nourish both the planet and the traveler.
Towering limestone cliffs emerge dramatically from turquoise waters, while lush mangrove forests and pristine beaches reflect the region’s deep commitment to preserving its natural treasures. Yet, beyond the breathtaking scenery, it was the destination’s dedication to responsible tourism and holistic well-being that truly defined the experience. Continued …
Ubon park put forward for UNESCO listing
A proposal is going ahead to nominate Ubon Ratchathani Geopark for recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark, highlighting its unique geological formations, fossil heritage, and rich local culture.
The move, put forward by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and approved by the cabinet yesterday, aims to elevate Thailand’s natural and cultural assets to international prominence, while fostering sustainable tourism, education, and community-based economic development. Continued …
Thailand Turns to Green Transition as Energy Insecurity Threatens Growth
Thailand must accelerate its shift away from fossil fuels or risk falling permanently behind its regional peers, the chief economist of SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) warned this week, as the kingdom’s heavy dependence on imported energy leaves it acutely vulnerable to global volatility.
Speaking at a press conference on Thailand’s economic outlook for 2026–2027, Yunyong Thaicharoen said energy security had become one of the defining structural challenges for the country, particularly in the wake of continued instability in the Middle East. Continued …
‘Waste not, want not’ a winning mantra
Waste management is one of the most essential public services a city can and must provide. When it breaks down – even briefly – thousands of tons of rubbish pile up fast. Foul odors spread across neighborhoods.
Worse still, disease can follow, turning a local nuisance into a public health disaster. Yet, despite affecting daily life, waste rarely gets the attention it deserves. Continued …
World’s richest 10% causing environmental damage worth $5.7 trillion annually
The top 10% of global consumers cause $5.7 trillion in annual environmental damage, as they drive global challenges evolving into systemic economic and financial risks requiring immediate collective action, according to a Leiden University study.
Concentrated heavily in the global north, including over half of the US population and up to 45% of the EU, the wealthy group drives a stark disparity, with an individual American making up to $63,000 in yearly damage compared to India’s top 10% causing just $1,400 in per capita damage. Continued …
Chinese Envoy Challenges ‘Gray Chinese’ Label in Thailand
China’s ambassador to Thailand has expressed concern over the use of the term “gray Chinese”, saying it unfairly stereotypes Chinese people and has led some in China to view Thailand as unfriendly. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul revealed the discussion before a Cabinet meeting at Government House in Bangkok yesterday. Continued …
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Chinese Food Delivery Apps in Bangkok and Pattaya being investigated – Continued …
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Phuket Authorities Detain 19 Chinese Workers at Site – Continued …
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Thai Marine Police Seize Chinese Tour Boat in Phuket – Continued …
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Immigration Probes Chinese Agent Claims at Suvarnabhumi – Continued …
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British Man Assaults Municipal Officers in Chiang Mai – Continued …
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Foreign Man Throws Acid at Apartment Worker in Pattaya – Continued …
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Phuket Police Charge Icelandic Tourist Over Taxi Theft – Continued …
Reversing Brexit is the UK Labor Party’s best hope
In the next few weeks, Britain’s ruling Labor Party will select a new leader to replace Keir Starmer. But this prospect has not inspired hope of a political or economic renewal. Among British media and, more importantly, global financial markets, the consensus is that any revisions to the failing Starmer government’s policies will only make things worse. Continued …
Australia’s tax revamp chills its long love affair with property
As Australia moves to scrap key property investment tax breaks, some investors are taking a wait-and-see approach as the new policy takes shape. The shift, the biggest in decades, is seen by some as ending Australia’s long love affair with property investment. 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
The “Nakhon Hua Hin Run 2026” event in Hua Hin will take place on Sunday, March 29, at the Khao Tao Reservoir area.
A scandal has erupted on Koh Samui involving the island’s local government and municipal authority. The probe has already led to the suspension of a clerical officer linked to forged building permits and documents. These forgeries involve at least 10 luxury villa developments, where demand is high from wealthy international tourists.
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.
A rise in global oil prices poses a growing risk to Thailand’s economic outlook, with Tisco Financial Group warning that a 10% increase in crude from a baseline of US$72 per barrel could trim GDP growth by 0.3-0.4 percentage points, while lifting inflation by about 0.8%.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is set to review electricity tariffs for the May–August billing period amid a sharp rise in liquefied natural gas (LNG) costs driven by Middle East tensions.
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.
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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