- New padel community in Hua Hin/Thailand or Vietnam: Retirement choices/DBD scrutinizes 36,277 firms/Frenchman’s Koh Samui business empire/Nene’s sendoff to America/Thai visa firm raided/Thailand warns dentists over cannabis/Thai soldier loses leg
- THE IRAN WAR: Trump threatens to bomb Oman/Hormuz traffic plunges
- ECONOMY: GDP growth flounders/Thailand Q2 growth of 1.9%/Thailand’s Next Manufacturing Shift/Thailand’s EEC tops ranking
- TOURISM: Redefining Wellness Travel/Suvarnabhumi Airport Upgrades/Phuket’s Freedom Beach closed/SAS expands flights to Thailand
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Giant Buddha at Bangkok’s Wat Paknam
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand Renewable Energy Pipeline/High-Quality Resins From Recycled Plastic/Thailand Solar Hospital Scheme
- INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Three danes bring a new padel community to Hua Hin
Only a month after opening its doors, Padel Sozial is becoming a place for both playing and community in Hua Hin. The center was founded by three Danish men, who set out to create a padel venue that could bring together both newcomers and experienced players.
Hidden inside a massive warehouse on a quiet residential back street on the outskirts of Hua Hin, the reflecting glass of the padel courts can be seen through the bottom of a large garage door. Continued …
Thailand or Vietnam: Retirement choices
Thailand offers foreign retirees a clearer legal route to long-term residence than Vietnam, but Vietnam can cost considerably less for those able to manage more complicated visa arrangements. For people deciding where to spend retirement in Southeast Asia, the choice often comes down to predictable paperwork and healthcare versus lower rent and daily spending.
Thailand has developed visa options specifically for retirement. The Non-Immigrant O visa allows foreigners aged 50 and above to stay for one or more years, when renewed, for retirement purposes. Continued …
DBD scrutinizes 36,277 foreign-linked landholding firms
The Department of Business Development (DBD) is preparing to examine 36,277 foreign-linked legal entities found to hold land title deeds nationwide, with particular attention on possible nominee shareholding arrangements.
The designation does not mean that every entity has broken the law. Some are legally entitled to own land under industrial-estate legislation or investment privileges granted by the Board of Investment. Continued …
Frenchman’s Koh Samui business empire enmeshed in knotty police probe of nominee firms and pot farm
A sweeping immigration crackdown on Koh Samui has closed in on French businessman Stephane Thierry Bastok, 74, over suspected nominee companies, land holdings and an unlicensed 12-room hotel. Police have traced more than B9.2 million in corporate transfers to Bastok and his son, while five Thai shareholders face nominee charges.
Investigators are also probing possible money laundering and a reported B300-million property sale. Meanwhile, Bastok faces separate proceedings after eight French nationals invested more than B26.4 million in a cannabis farm that police say was never established. Continued …
Nene’s sendoff to America
This is the crowd to hear Nene Royal’s last performance at the Phuket Naka Market before she heads to US for the America’s Got Talent live competition. Video …
Thai visa firm raided over alleged fake bank statements
Thai immigration police have raided a visa consultancy in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district after a European embassy alerted authorities to suspected forged financial documents submitted with visa applications. Investigators say more than 400 Thai clients may have been affected, with the firm allegedly charging 40,000 baht per person – a total potential loss exceeding 16 million baht.
The case concerns Thai nationals applying for visas to travel to an unnamed European country. It does not concern Thai visa extensions or immigration procedures for foreign residents, tourists or other visitors in Thailand. Continued …
Thailand warns dentists over pre-signed cannabis forms
Thailand has warned dentists that pre-signing cannabis prescription forms without personally examining, diagnosing or treating a patient could lead to legal action and professional disciplinary consequences.
Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan, the deputy government spokesperson, said dental practitioners must take particular care when prescribing cannabis as a controlled herb using Form Phor Thor 33. The warning is part of continued efforts to tighten control and monitoring of cannabis use under the Ministry of Public Health’s 2025 notification on controlled herbs. Continued …
Thai soldier loses leg in Ubon border mine blast
A Thai army explosives disposal specialist lost a leg after stepping on a landmine while clearing explosives near Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani yesterday. The accident happened in an area near the border under the responsibility of the 2nd Army Region.
The soldier was working with an explosive ordnance disposal team from the National Mine Action Centre, under the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. The team was conducting an operation to remove explosive devices in the Chong An Ma area when he stepped on a mine. He suffered severe injuries, including the loss of a leg. Continued …
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of US-Iran talks
US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Oman, an ally of the United States, if its negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz interfere with U.S. efforts to reach a peace deal with Tehran.
“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s— out of them,” Trump told Fox News in a phone interview yesterday , according to the network’s chief foreign correspondent who talked to the president. Continued …
US-Iran impasse sends Brent above US$90 while Hormuz traffic plunges
Oil prices gained more than US$2 yesterday as faltering US-Iran diplomacy and a sharp slowdown in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz renewed concerns about global energy supplies.
The market ended the session with both major benchmarks up more than 2%: Brent crude futures rose US$2.35, or 2.65%, to settle at US$90.87 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude gained US$2.10, or 2.55%, to US$84.50 a barrel. Continued …
GDP growth flounders. Deeply disturbing underlying data. Real economy in retreat. 1.1 trillion deficit
Thailand’s economy is flashing disturbing warning signs beneath headline GDP growth of 1.9% in the second quarter. Output actually fell 0.2% from the previous quarter, while industrial capacity sank to a 24-quarter low.
Automotive activity contracted 7.2%, factory construction fell and almost 50,000 more insured workers became unemployed. Meanwhile, private investment surged 13.4%, driven heavily by imported equipment for booming data centers. Thailand’s trade deficit has already exceeded ฿1.1 trillion in six months. Continued …
Thailand Q2 growth of 1.9% trails ASEAN peers
Thailand’s economy grew by 1.9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, making it the slowest-growing of six major ASEAN economies tracked by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
NESDC Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan yesterday said growth had slowed markedly from 2.8% in the first quarter. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the economy contracted 0.2% from the previous quarter. Vietnam recorded the fastest expansion at 8.4%, followed by Malaysia at 6%, Singapore at 5.9%, Indonesia at 5.29% and the Philippines at 2.3%. Continued …
Industrial AI Powers Thailand’s Next Manufacturing Shift
Thailand’s next industrial upgrade may not be defined only by new roads, railways, factories and smart cities, but by how intelligently they can be designed, operated and maintained.
As the country accelerates investment in infrastructure, manufacturing and smart-city development, industrial systems are becoming more complex. At the same time, artificial intelligence is beginning to move beyond data processing and general office tasks into engineering decisions, operational planning and real-world industrial environments. Continued …
Thailand’s EEC tops Southeast Asian manufacturing hub ranking
Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) ranked first in SEAsia Stats Research’s Top Manufacturing Hubs in Southeast Asia by Integrated Industrial Area, with more than 13,000 megawatts (MW) of power capacity in the Chon Buri–Rayong area.
Vietnam’s VSIP Industrial System took second place. Spread across several locations nationwide, it has more than 10,000 MW of power capacity. Malaysia’s Bintulu Industrial Area followed in third place with 8,000 MW. Continued …
How Thailand Is Redefining the Future of Wellness Travel
There is a particular kind of traveler who is no longer satisfied with simply visiting a beautiful place. They want to feel it in their body. They want to leave measurably better than they arrived. For this traveler, Thailand is not just a destination. It is beginning to look like a blueprint for how life should be lived.
The Global Wellness Institute’s 2024 Wellness Real Estate report identifies Thailand as one of the most advanced markets in Asia for wellness-integrated living and hospitality. The concept, which defines spaces designed intentionally to support physical, mental, social, and environmental health, has found in Thailand a natural home. Continued …
Thailand Accelerates Suvarnabhumi Airport Upgrades Ahead of Peak Season
The Thai government has launched a coordinated push to streamline international passenger processing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, pledging to expand automated passport gates to 31 additional nationalities by the end of August 2026.
The initiative follows a high-level site inspection at the capital’s primary international hub yesterday led by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, and senior transport officials. Continued …
Phuket’s Freedom Beach closed after drowning deaths
Phuket has shut Freedom Beach after German tourist Jannik Jürgen Knobel, 30, was swept away in fierce monsoon seas despite red flags. His companion survived, but rescuers found his body near rocks the next day. Two other foreign tourists died at the secluded beach in 2025.
Meanwhile, Phuket recorded 56 beach drownings during 2024-2026, including 20 at Karon. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered tighter safety measures as Andaman waves reach three meters or higher. Continued …
SAS expands flights to Thailand for winter 2026
SAS will expand its flight services to Thailand during the 2026–27 winter season, adding new routes to Phuket and Krabi, while increasing capacity on its existing Copenhagen–Bangkok route.
The Scandinavian airline will launch direct flights from Copenhagen to Phuket on Dec. 9, operating two to three times a week. A new Copenhagen–Krabi route will follow on Dec. 8, with two weekly flights. Continued …
Discover the giant Buddha at Bangkok’s Wat Paknam
Rising 69 meters above Bangkok, the Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Thep Mongkol is the largest Buddha statue in Bangkok and the third-tallest statue in Thailand. The monumental Buddha statue stands at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen in Bangkok and has become one of the temple’s most prominent landmarks.
The idea to build the statue was initiated in 2016 by Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangkalachan, the ninth abbot of Wat Paknam, as an offering to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, as well as a royal merit-making dedication to members of the Thai royal family. Continued …
Thailand Renewable Energy Pipeline Draws Up to US$2.61 billion in Investment
Thailand’s renewable power pipeline is gathering pace, with 449 projects licensed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and investment expected to reach up to US$2.61 billion.
The expansion comes as businesses and industries respond to the global energy transition and evolving international trade and sustainability standards. Renewable power is increasingly being used to strengthen energy security, reduce electricity costs and support long-term competitiveness. Continued …
Dow Creates High-Quality Resins From Recycled Plastic
Dow Thailand Group is producing high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins from plastic waste collected in Thailand, advancing a local recycling pathway that transforms used plastics into valuable materials for packaging and industrial applications.
By creating new value from plastic waste and enabling resources to re-enter the production cycle, the initiative supports Thailand’s transition toward a more circular economy while expanding recycled materials options for manufacturers. Continued …
Thailand Solar Hospital Scheme Targets US$1.63 million in Power Savings
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has partnered with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to install solar rooftop systems at 25 pilot hospitals, aiming to reduce annual electricity costs by US$1.63 million and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7,211 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) a year.
The savings are expected to be redirected towards improving medical services for the public, while the project will later be expanded to hospitals under the ministry across the country. Continued …
Trump’s approval tanks to lowest of his presidency
US President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency, with an overwhelming majority of Americans concerned the U.S. war with Iran will last a long time, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that concluded yesterday. 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 recent call by more than 1,200 doctors urging the government to halt the approval of new medical degree programs proposed by Rajabhat universities must prompt policymakers to examine a more fundamental question than whether Thailand needs more medical schools.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit has instructed Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) to develop an upgraded air traffic-management system to support the growth of the country’s regional airports and strengthen tourism links across Thailand’s lower northern provinces.
The Rise of Plai: How an Ancient Thai Root Became a Modern Pharmaceutical Heavyweight
Thailand must act quickly to stem its mounting current account deficit before it spirals into a current account crisis, says Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. Ekniti said that while the government’s emergency borrowing decree would increase public debt, the loans are necessary to accelerate Thailand’s transition from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy.
Thailand’s inflation rate is showing signs of moving past its sharpest point, as production costs and global oil pressure begin to ease, but households may still face a more lasting rise in daily living expenses.
Thailand must strengthen anti-corruption efforts, improve law enforcement and reform regulations to restore investor confidence and maintain its competitiveness, according to Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT) Chairwoman Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag.
Thailand’s data center industry is seeking to recast concerns over resource strain as an economic opportunity, arguing that Thailand’s unused power capacity can be converted into investment, tax revenue and a new industrial growth engine if the government moves quickly and ensures more benefits stay in the country.
True Corp. is urging businesses to look beyond artificial intelligence as a standalone technology and instead combine AI with data-driven human insights to better understand increasingly complex consumer behavior and strengthen their competitiveness in the digital economy.
Bangkok is emerging as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing hub for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, reinforcing Thailand’s appeal as a destination for global wealth despite persistent economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
Thailand’s landmark cannabis revolution is on the brink of collapse after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the architect of Asia’s first cannabis decriminalization policy, warned he is prepared to recriminalize the drug and shut down the industry following a wave of major international cannabis seizures linked to Thailand.
Seaplane takeoff grounded by regulations
Countries laser-focused on attracting the next wave of investment may soon find that tax breaks and affordable labor may not be enough to keep investors engaged. The new criteria for raising funds may very well be in the energy space, and more specifically, which country has clean, stable, and scalable energy, with credible governance to ensure that the landscape is ready for future industries.
After years in darkness, this Thai village is finally seeing the light
Authorities from Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) raided a warehouse in Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani, seizing more than 120,000 dried gecko carcasses and nearly 30 tons of protected timber allegedly prepared for export to China.
Chai Arunanondchai, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), said that after one week of fighting in the Middle East, Thailand’s tourism sector had been directly affected and was facing severe volatility, both in terms of travel costs and tourist numbers.
The conflict in the Middle East is shaking the global economy, but it may also create an opportunity for Thailand’s property sector to emerge as a new destination for wealthy buyers shifting away from Dubai and into the ultra-luxury residential market.
The Ministry of Commerce has stated that the ongoing unrest in the Middle East is expected to have limited direct effects on Thailand, as the country’s trade share with the countries involved in the conflict remains relatively small. The assessment followed a recent meeting led by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun to review potential economic consequences.
The auto industry could record sluggish car exports this year following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, which also raises inflation concerns if the conflict is prolonged, says Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and spokesman for its Automotive Industry Club.
Iran has formally nominated Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, as the nation’s supreme leader. The move signals that the regime’s hardline factions intend to maintain an iron grip on power despite a week of devastating conflict with Israel and the United States.
Weakening consumer confidence, rather than rising costs alone, has become the biggest threat to Thailand’s property market, as global uncertainty prompts buyers to delay major purchases, according to Pornnarit Chuanchaisit, president of the Thai Real Estate Assn.
The Commerce Ministry has launched a “Resilience” strategy aimed at protecting the country’s export sector from global risks, including geopolitical conflicts and trade polarization. The policy seeks to strengthen Thailand’s ability to maintain export growth while navigating an increasingly uncertain global trading environment.
Passengers intending to travel between Asia and Europe will need to plan their trips well in advance to secure reasonable ticket prices, as the Middle East conflict has driven significant demand for a limited number of direct flights, says the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
Songkran 2026 travel demand rises as Pattaya leads domestic destinations
For decades, Pattaya has been one of Thailand’s most talked-about tourist destinations. Known for its beaches, nightlife, and lively streets, the coastal city attracts millions of visitors each year. But as discussions on travel forums and social media show, opinions about Pattaya can vary dramatically depending on personal experiences.
The Hostel and Small Accommodation Assn. (Thailand) has urged the new government to continue pushing for a new accommodation act for small hotels, but strongly opposes allowing condo units to be registered as legal lodging.
Indonesia bans elephant riding
This is the story of a Garden of Eden, hidden deep within the jungles of Southeast Asia. A national park that’s home to an almost unimaginable variety of animals. Not only noteworthy for its countless species, Kui Buri National Park in southwestern Thailand is also known for its abundance of large animals, like Asian elephants and wild bovines. The scarce gaur lives here, the world’s largest bovine species, and it is also home to the smaller, ruddy banteng. 
Breathtaking Region Between Phuket And Krabi One Of The World’s Most Welcoming Destinations
Lingering In Chiang Mai: Temples, Tea, And Tranquillity In Northern Thailand
Inflation in Venezuela soared to 475% in 2025, the highest in the world, driven by a tightening of US sanctions in the lead-up to the ouster of leader Nicolas Maduro. Full-year inflation far exceeded the International Monetary Fund’s forecast of 270%, figures released by the central bank showed on Friday. 
The Japanese government is moving to abolish the need for most foreign tourists to meet face-to-face with immigration officers to enter the country, as it seeks to streamline entry procedures amid the inbound tourism surge. The Immigration Services Agency said it would instead rely on visitor information collected through an online pre-travel screening system called Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or JESTA, set to launch in fiscal 2028. 
Indonesia will restrict access to social media platforms for children under 16, its communications and digital ministry said on Friday, making it the latest country to install online guardrails to reduce the risks of addiction and cyberbullying. 
Walk on Hua Hin beach sparks ‘trash art’ effort
PKK ranks 5th in domestic tourism in June
No Survivors Reached Yet in Collapsed High-Speed Rail Tunnel
Deficit with China sparks concern amid uptick in imports
Tourism losses from floods close to Bt500 miilion
Mike Tyson explains his cannabis business effort in Thailand
Bangkok residents enjoyed just 31 days of good air in 2023
