- A little Thai history/Thailand Riviera coastal drive/Nominee investigations reach Hua Hin/Thailand widens checks on foreign-linked companies/Making a ‘better world possible’/Taco Bell opens in Hua Hin/Entry fees for Pranburi park/Digital platform liability for scams/Tak Bai police shooting/No bail for four murder suspects/Talay Noi swamp buffalo meat
- THE IRAN WAR: New Iran talks set to start/Thailand to avoid war oil shock
- ECONOMY: Thai Baht Hits 15-Month Low/Only 5.1 million Thais pay income tax/Why Nordics Queue Up to Pay Tax/Tariffs an opportunity to fight/Trade deficit marks sea change/To tackle Thailand’s economic malaise/Trade war pressures hit Thai jobs/Thailand Personal Spending Rises/Thais Help Thais Plus/Thailand’s Next Generation of Industry
- TOURISM: Tale of two tourist incidents/Bangkok’s Chao Phraya draws projects/Thailand launches 10 hiking schools
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Cobra by the bed/History of Talad Noi
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Green manufacturing no longer optional/Waste into wealth/Super El Niño to hit Thailand /Data center race faces power, water logjam
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
A little Thai history
Thailand Riviera coastal drive gets tourism push
Regional authorities are stepping up efforts to promote the Thailand Riviera coastal route as a major tourism corridor, as part of plans to improve public awareness, enhance visitor facilities and spread tourism income to communities along the Gulf of Thailand’s western coastline.
The project was discussed at a recent meeting of the Joint Public and Private Sector Committee for Economic Problem Solving (JPPCC) for the Lower Central Region 2, which comprises Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. Continued …
Business nominee investigations reach Hua Hin
Immigration and police in Hua Hin have stepped up efforts to investigate suspected nominee business structures involving foreign nationals, as authorities intensify scrutiny of foreign-linked companies and land transactions.
A meeting was held at Hua Hin Police Station on July 30 to establish operational guidelines for a joint task force investigating cases in which Thai nationals may be acting as nominees for foreigners. Continued …
Thailand widens checks on foreign-linked companies
Thailand’s Department of Business Development has begun tougher checks on company changes involving foreign investors, shareholders, directors and authorized signatories, under a new order taking effect from Aug. 1.
The measure is intended to stop Thai nationals being used as nominee shareholders, while the government says legitimate foreign investment will continue to be supported.Until now, screening focused mainly on the point at which a company was first registered. Continued …
Hua Hin students pitch making a ‘better world possible’
Choosing tailor-made digital platforms as their primary tool for social change, the young changemakers presented innovative non-profit solutions addressing some of the country’s most persistent social, ecological, and human challenges.
The Catholic Education Council of Thailand and LiCAS News co-organized the gathering at the Salesian Retreat House and Hua Hin Vittayalai School in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin under the theme, “Together We Make a Better World Possible.” Continued …
Taco Bell opens in Hua Hin
Hua Hin has a new Taco Bell, which opened a new branch on Phetkasem Road, near the Hua Hin Clock Tower.
The restaurant offers its usual tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, fries and other Mexican-inspired fast food. Dine-in and takeaway are available.
Entry fees start for Pranburi park
Visitors to Pranburi Forest Park are now being charged an entrance fee, ending many years in which access to the popular park was free.
The new fee structure was announced by Pranburi Forest Park in May and has now come into effect, introducing separate rates for Thai and foreign visitors, as well as charges for vehicles, camping and other services, in line with other national parks in Thailand. Continued …
Thailand lawsuit tests digital platform liability for scams
Thailand’s Civil Court will hold its first case-management hearing today in a consumer lawsuit against 17 digital platform, application and financial service providers over alleged losses linked to fraudulent investment advertisements and other online scams.
All 17 defendants, including entities based in Thailand and overseas, have now been legally served with copies of the claim and court summonses, according to the legal team representing the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC). Continued …
Tak Bai police shooting leaves two dead, three injured
Two police officers were killed and three were injured when a gunman opened fire on an investigation team in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat, yesterday.
The officers were conducting a search linked to a narcotics case at Ban Bueng Chalam in Phrai Wan subdistrict when they came under gunfire. The attacker escaped and was believed to still be carrying a rifle. Continued …
Pattaya court denies bail to four murder suspects
Pattaya Provincial Court has refused bail for four suspects in murder cases involving two Russian siblings and a family of three, citing the severity of the allegations and the possibility that they could flee.
The decisions were issued Saturday after police brought suspects before the court in connection with the two linked investigations. The court said the alleged crimes carry high penalties and that investigators opposed temporary release. Continued …
Appetite grows for Talay Noi swamp buffalo meat
A research-driven initiative to develop premium meat products from naturally raised swamp buffalo in the Talay Noi wetlands is gaining traction, with demand growing locally and from China.
The initiative, led by Thaksin University’s Phatthalung campus, in collaboration with local communities and livestock authorities, is looking to expand across southern Thailand. It aims to transform the area’s traditionally raised swamp buffalo into a high-value product while preserving the centuries-old farming system within Phatthalung’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). Continued …
Trump says new Iran talks set to start after calling off massive attack
US President Donald Trump said that new negotiations with Iran will begin today after he decided to hold off on striking the Islamic republic to pursue a deal to end the war entering its sixth month.
Trump told reporters yesterday that the talks would cover the Strait of Hormuz –- a route for global energy supplies that has become a key sticking point in the conflict — and ultimately, the denuclearization of Iran. Continued …
Thailand to avoid Mideast war oil shock
Thailand will not face a crude oil shortage in August despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, as supply remains sufficient for all six domestic refineries, according to the Department of Energy Business (DOEB).
Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of DOEB, said shipping routes remain partially open, ensuring continued transport of crude oil and petroleum products. Continued …
Thai Baht Hits 15-Month Low
The Thai baht is trading near its weakest level in over 15 months against the US Dollar, as a confluence of external pressures continues to erode its value. The currency’s decline has been driven by a renewed spike in oil prices, compounded by a firmer USD and rising US Treasury yields.
Thailand’s heavy reliance on imported energy makes it especially vulnerable to these global cost pressures, which, in turn, have stoked concerns about imported inflation. This dynamic has reinforced market expectations that US interest rates may remain elevated for longer, further diminishing the baht’s relative appeal and sustaining depreciation pressure across the currency pair. Continued …
Only 5.1 million Thais pay income tax
Thailand’s personal income-tax base remains heavily concentrated among a relatively small number of earners, with only 5.14 million of 12.57 million people who filed returns for the 2024 tax year required to pay tax.
Budget Committee data, based on returns filed in 2025, have put government revenue collection under fresh scrutiny as Thailand considers how to make its revenue structure more balanced and sustainable. Continued …
Why Nordics Queue Up to Pay Tax While 21 million Thais Stay Off the Books
When Thailand’s Revenue Department released its latest personal income tax filing figures, the headline number was not the roughly 12 million people who submitted a return. It was the much smaller group behind it: an estimated 5 million filers, or around 40%of those who filed, who actually owed any tax at all.
The gap looks starker still when set against the size of Thailand’s workforce, which numbers close to 40 million. That implies more than half the country’s workers — an estimated 21 to 22 million people — sit entirely outside the formal tax system. Continued …
New tariffs an opportunity to fight
Here he goes again. US President Donald Trump is increasing and decreasing tariffs willy-nilly, violating international agreements that he himself signed and almost surely violating federal law. The only difference this time is that he has a new pretext for abusing tariffs: stopping forced labor.
Of course, the administration is right that too little is being done about forced labor. But its stated concern is a ruse. With the new tariffs closely tracking the ones that Trump imposed on the basis of trade balances, are we supposed to believe that bilateral trade deficits just so happen to be highly correlated with the use of forced labor? Continued …
Trade deficit marks a sea change
Thailand’s widening trade deficit may appear alarming at first glance, but a deeper analysis suggests it is more a sign of economic transformation than deterioration. The surge in imports has been driven largely by machinery, production equipment, industrial raw materials and electronic components — inputs that businesses need.
Trade analysts argue as long as rising imports are for productive investment that strengthens the export base, lifts industrial output and generates higher economic growth, the trade deficit may reflect the country’s transition toward a more investment-driven, higher value-added economy with enhanced competitiveness. Continued …
Government outlines new plans to tackle Thailand’s economic malaise
Thailand’s biggest investment drive in years was unveiled on Friday as fresh Bank of Thailand data exposed a sharply deteriorating trade position, a US$3.5 billion current account deficit and a baht at its weakest level in 15 months. While Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned of a “New World Disorder”, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas responded with an ambitious five-part blueprint centered on AI, infrastructure and industrial transformation.
However, soaring imports, record trade deficits, new US tariffs and weakening external accounts are raising urgent questions over whether the government’s long-term vision can deal with economic pressures reshaping Thailand’s outlook. Continued …
Trade war pressures hit Thai jobs and spending
Thailand’s economy faces mounting pressure from global trade tensions, higher energy and shipping costs, and an influx of lower-priced Chinese goods, according to an analysis published last week.
The analysis argues that the effects are now reaching workers, farmers and small businesses, as companies cut costs, reduce operating hours and close unprofitable production lines or branches. Continued …
Thailand Personal Spending Rises at a Faster Pace
Private consumption in Thailand increased by 1.1% month-on-month in June, accelerating from 0.6% in the previous month. It marked the second straight month of growth, driven mainly by stronger spending on non-durable goods amid higher consumer goods sales following government stimulus measures, as well as improved fuel consumption as retail fuel prices declined and sales returned closer to normal levels.
Spending on durable goods also strengthened, supported by higher motorcycle registrations and passenger car sales, partly reflecting growing consumer interest in electric vehicles. Continued …
Thais Help Thais Plus sees over B86 billion circulate in two months
The government has welcomed what it described as an excellent response to the Thais Help Thais Plus (60/40) program after more than B86 billion circulated through the economy during its first two months.
It also highlighted AI tools in the Tung Ngern (Money Bag) app that help small retailers analyze their businesses and reminded participants to use their monthly entitlements before the program ends on Sept. 30. Continued …
Building the Infrastructure Behind Thailand’s Next Generation of Industry
Thailand’s emergence as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, electric vehicles, data centers, digital infrastructure, and smart industries is fundamentally reshaping the country’s industrial landscape.
Today’s factories are no longer merely production facilities — they are highly integrated ecosystems combining automation, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, industrial IoT, advanced analytics, renewable energy systems, and digitally connected supply chains. Continued …
A tale of two tourist incidents
Inviting the fury of the Thai public on a matter that is admittedly done and dusted, I cannot help but feel compelled to at least voice my misgivings over the recent “noisy Italian students” incident, especially how it played out compared with another similar occurrence.
By now, most readers are familiar with the details of the viral encounter. A raucous group of young Italians was told by a Thai woman to quiet down on a crowded public train in Bangkok. In defiance of her plea, they chose instead to berate and mock her, going as far as implying that because they had arrived in the country to spend money, they were somehow entitled to do as they please. Continued …
Bangkok’s Chao Phraya draws new hotels, attractions and megaprojects
A second major wave of investment is taking shape along both banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, as large corporations develop luxury hotels, entertainment attractions and mixed-use projects intended to strengthen the capital’s tourism economy.
The latest expansion follows the development of Iconsiam by Siam Piwat Co., Magnolia Quality Development Corp. and Charoen Pokphand Group, which helped establish the riverside as a major investment and tourism district. Continued …
Thailand launches 10 hiking schools for responsible forest tourism
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has launched the “Khon Doen Pa School… A First Step into the Wilderness with Understanding” project (“Khon Doen Pa” means “forest hikers” in Thai) at Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The initiative is intended to give visitors the knowledge, skills and appropriate attitudes needed before entering protected forest areas, while reducing accidents, waste and ecological impacts under the Leave No Trace principle, described as “leaving no burden on nature”. Continued …
Thailand hotel guest bolts awake as partner spots cobra by the bed
Footage from a hotel in Krabi is leaving viewers unsettled after a couple reportedly discovered a large cobra lurking near their bed before sunrise.One of the guests initially treated the commotion as just being startled from a bad dream or some other misunderstanding. Only moments later did they realize why their partner had suddenly woken up and run from the room in a panic at about 5 am.
The threat soon became unmistakable: There was a snake inside the room. Reports said the cobra was discovered near the bed and later found hidden underneath it. Continued and video …
The History of Talad Noi
The story of Talad Noi dates back to the early Rattanakosin period in the late 18th century. Following the establishment of Bangkok as the new capital, Chinese immigrants settled in Sampeng, which rapidly transformed into the city’s primary commercial center.
As trade boomed, business naturally spilt over into neighboring areas. This burgeoning satellite district quickly became known as the secondary trading hub, smaller than Sampeng, but equally vital to daily commerce. Continued …
Thailand told green manufacturing is no longer optional
Thailand must accelerate its transition to advanced green manufacturing if it hopes to remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-driven global economy, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
The agency says environmentally friendly manufacturing is no longer simply a corporate responsibility or additional business cost, but a new engine of economic growth capable of strengthening Thailand’s long-term position in international markets. Continued …
Waste into wealth: A regenerative path
Waste is often seen as the inevitable by-product of economic growth. In reality, it may become one of the most valuable resources economies possess.
Thailand generates more than 27 million tons of municipal solid waste each year, according to data from the Pollution Control Department (PCD), and more than half is either improperly managed or left to accumulate in expanding landfills. What appears to be an environmental problem is increasingly becoming an economic one. Continued …
Super El Niño to hit Thailand next year
A super El Niño is expected to hit Thailand in October and last through the early part of the 2027 rainy season, affecting crops, rice plantations and water consumption. The Thai Meteorological Department has warned that rainfall could fall by at least 10% as a result.
A super El Niño is an unusually strong warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, during which sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific become significantly warmer than normal. Continued …
Data center race faces power, water logjam
Power, not land prices, has become the biggest hurdle for data center investors evaluating Thailand, as growing demand is increasingly constrained by limited electricity and water infrastructure, according to property consultancy Savills Thailand.
Prapaporn Boonkajornkul, deputy managing director of the consultancy, said inquiries from overseas data center investors remain steady, although the market is dominated by a small number of hyperscale operators requiring extensive infrastructure. Continued …
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Police arrest four Africans in fake-dollar scam – Continued …
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Chinese fraud suspect held in Samut Sakhon – Continued …
Indonesian ferry fire leaves five dead and 41 missing
At least five people have died and 41 remain missing after an Indonesian ferry caught fire off Madura island in East Java, authorities said. Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said the ferry was carrying 271 passengers and crew, of whom 225 had been rescued by yesterday afternoon. A search and rescue operation was still under way. 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
Direct flights between Hua Hin and Kuala Lumpur are expected to resume as transport officials move to restore an international route that carried more than 130,000 passengers before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Thailand Riviera coastal road project is set to move forward again, with the Ministry of Transport seeking budget approval for fiscal year 2027 to study and design an extension from Chumphon to Songkhla.
Fuel prices in Bangkok were updated today after PTT Oil and Retail Business, or OR, and Bangchak Corp, or BCP, announced cuts to petrol and gasohol prices. The reductions ranged from 0.60 to 1.20 baht per liter, while diesel prices were left unchanged.
The government has welcomed Thailand being ranked the world’s eighth-best healthcare system in 2026 by the Numbeo website, saying the result reflects the country’s efficient healthcare management and broad access to medical services.
Nine monks were killed and 13 other people injured after a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy plowed into a morning pilgrimage in Muang district of Mukdahan province yesterday.
Thailand’s economy is sending two completely different signals. Official figures point to a country recovering faster than expected, with GDP expanding by 2.8%, exports surging by more than 23% in April, and tourism continuing to drive growth, albeit at a falling rate.
The narrowing trade deficit and easing inflationary pressure should support the baht regaining strength against the US dollar late in the third quarter this year, reversing a short-term depreciation trend, says Siam Commercial Bank Financial Markets (SCB FM).
There are growing signs that small and medium-sized Chinese entrepreneurs in auto sectors are interested in investing in Thailand, according to the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Thailand is on course for another record year in foreign film-production investment, as global streaming platforms and the fast-growing vertical-drama market continue to bring overseas crews and spending into the country.
The Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its 2026 list of countries and territories offering visa-free entry to holders of ordinary Thai passports. The revised list includes 35 destinations where Thai travelers can enter without applying for a visa, subject to each country’s entry conditions.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has emphasized the development of rail tourism as an important step toward creating new experiential and economic value for Thailand’s tourism industry. TAT Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that Thailand’s tourism sector has long drawn strength from its natural attractions, cultural heritage, and recognized hospitality.
Pattaya’s tourism is facing a particularly weak low season, with tourist numbers falling by around 20% to 30% in Pattaya and Chon Buri, while many hotels are reporting occupancy rates below break-even levels.
The Gulf of Thailand has always sold itself through color: turquoise water, coral gardens, fishing boats and island horizons. Now Thailand is adding another color to the seascape — the clean, clever green of technology.
Thailand’s islands have long sold the dream of clear waters, white sand and barefoot ease. Now, some of them are offering something more modern: the pleasure of arriving somewhere that is learning how not to drown in its own convenience.
Since China’s “National Sword” policy took effect in January 2018, banning imports of contaminated plastic and electronic waste, the recycling industry that was once concentrated inside China has scattered across the region. As a result, Thailand has absorbed a large share of it.
Honda Automobile (Thailand) is intensifying its strategy to challenge the Chinese-dominated electric vehicle (EV) market, announcing plans to make next-generation hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) the cornerstone of its lineup.
The first half of 2026 has been marked by a relentless rise in ocean temperatures, with global averages reaching a record 21 degrees Celsius, shattering previous highs recorded in 2023 and 2024.
Weight Loss Injections in Thailand/Thailand Riviera road construction/Thailand’s Yaba Crisis/Healthcare system faces crisis/Storms expected across country/Tigers killed by canine distemper virus/Students Clash with Weapons
Thailand, often celebrated for its vibrant street food and laid-back lifestyle, is also facing a quieter health challenge. The country now ranks second in ASEAN for obesity after Malaysia, with an estimated 48% of the population classified as overweight or obese.
Thailand Riviera road construction boosted
In towns and cities across Thailand, a small, brightly colored pill is quietly tearing communities apart. Known as yaba — literally “crazy drug” — these tablets of methamphetamine and caffeine have become one of the country’s most pressing public health emergencies, cutting across class, age, and geography.
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning for today, announcing a “stormy day” in Thailand. The northern and northeastern regions will be the hardest hit, with heavy rainfall expected in 40% of these areas.
Canine distemper caused the deaths of 72 tigers at two animal parks in Chiang Mai earlier this month, not avian influenza, and there was no transmission to humans, it was announced yesterday.
US President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs have come into effect at 10% despite a pledge to introduce them at a higher rate. After the Supreme Court blocked many of his sweeping import taxes on Friday, the president said he would introduce a 10% global rate. He then said on Saturday that the rate would be 15%.
The statistics of the kingdom have shown for 10 months inflation results lower than the experts’ statistical forecasts (these being on average negative for the whole of 2025 with -0.13% annual average, according to Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Economic and Trade Forecast Center .
The Bank of Thailand is upbeat about the country’s growth prospects, projecting GDP expansion of 1.9% this year, up from its previous estimate of 1.5%, after the economy grew stronger than forecast in the fourth quarter of last year.
The Thai automotive industry has kickstarted the “Year of the Horse” with a 53.8% surge in year-on-year sales for January. The growth was primarily propeled by a record-breaking influx of electric vehicle (EV) deliveries, though the heavy-duty pickup sector continues to flounder amid tightening credit conditions.
Thailand’s car exports fell in January, dropping 6% year-on-year to 58,405 units – the lowest level since May 2022 – which was attributed to stricter environmental regulations and currency fluctuations, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
The industrial and logistics property sector continues to outperform other segments, supported by robust demand and ongoing government backing despite prevailing uncertainties, according to property consultancy CBRE Thailand.
Phuket’s tourism recovery has surpassed pre-Covid levels, with daily flights setting a new record and visitor numbers reaching around 71,000. Provincial authorities expect arrivals to hold steady and are targeting 14 million tourists this year.
The planned new waste-management plant for Phuket is still at least two years away because of delays in receiving approval from state agencies, according to the provincial governor. Gov. Nirat Pongsitthithavorn aired his frustration over the delay in construction of the second waste incinerator,
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to India this week pushing to double trade and mend fractured ties, his first stop on an Asia-Pacific tour that also includes Australia and Japan, as he seeks to reduce reliance on the United States.