- Hua Hin Among Top Luxury Property Markets/More Hua Hin videos/Soi 102 water drainage problem/Pa La-U Fruit Festival/Hua Hin Ban Krut tourism rally/Hua Hin trail run/Wild boar carcasses on PKK train/Heavy rain warning/Netherlands to relocate embassy/5,500-baht teacher salary sparks outrage
- THE IRAN WAR: US-Iran peace deal brings whiff of hope/Oil drops to four-month low
- ECONOMY: Economic fears persist/Land bridge faces reality check/GDP forecast at 1.6% to 2.0%/Co-payment spending reaches B43 billion/Thailand’s energy consumption rises/Thai Developers Facing H2 Stagnation/Shrimp exports to Malaysia
- TOURISM: No place for illegal resorts/Thailand ranks 2nd in medical tourism/Pattaya sex tourism reputation/Thailand courts Europeans/Tourist destinations betting food/Thai Airways resumes Amsterdam route/Koh Samui shines/Jet fuel prices to remain elevated
- CLIMATE: From trash to treasure
- HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin Among Top 5 Luxury Property Markets in Thailand
Thailand has established itself as one of Southeast Asia’s leading destinations for luxury real estate, attracting buyers who appreciate high-quality homes, exceptional lifestyles, and a wide variety of residential options. From dynamic city centers to peaceful coastal communities, the country offers something for every type of buyer.
Those searching for new luxury condos for sale in Hua Hin are increasingly recognizing that some of Thailand’s most attractive opportunities can be found beyond its largest metropolitan areas, particularly in destinations that combine modern conveniences with a relaxed way of life. Continued …
More Hua Hin videos:
Why Some Foreigners Regret Moving To Hua Hin After Retirement
A lot of people dream about retiring to Thailand, and Hua Hin often appears near the top of the list. It is a beautiful seaside town with a relaxed atmosphere, good restaurants, and a large expat community. But living somewhere full time is very different from visiting on holiday.
In this video, I talk honestly about Hua Hin, why many foreigners love living here, and why some eventually realize it was not quite what they expected. We look at the lifestyle, the quieter pace of life, retirement reality, and some of the things people only discover after they have already moved here. Video …
Soi 102 water drainage problem addressed
Hua Hin Municipality has ordered Soi 102 drainage work after residents complained about standing water and foul smells in the Na Ta Chang area.
Officials found that the affected area had previously been a pond before being filled in. The work appears to have blocked a natural waterway, causing water to overflow onto the road surface. Continued …
Pa La-U Fruit Festival under way
The Pa La-U Fruit Festival 2026 has opened in Hua Hin, with locally grown GI durians on sale for 200 baht per kilogram, as organisers look to attract visitors and support farmers in Huai Sat Yai.
This year’s festival runs through Sunday and marks the 13th consecutive year of the event. It is held to promote agricultural produce and local products from Huai Sat Yai, a subdistrict known for Pa La-U durians and other seasonal fruit. Continued …
Hua Hin Ban Krut tourism rally set for July 11-12
The Hua Hin Ban Krut Tourism Rally will take place July 11-12, with organizers inviting drivers, travelers and car enthusiasts to join a two-day route through Prachuap Khiri Khan. The event is being organized by the Prachuap Khiri Khan Tourism Industry Council and tourism partners under the theme “Drive along the two seas and discover the charm of Prachuap Khiri Khan.”
The rally will follow a route from Hua Hin to Ban Krut, covering about 120 kilometers. The starting point will be Sundance Beach Club 19 Rai in Hua Hin, with the rally finishing at Ban Krut Beach in Bang Saphan district. Continued …
Hua Hin trail run set for Nov 21
Registration is now open for the AIA One Billion Trail 2026 by TMS, which will take place in Hua Hin on Nov. 21. The event will bring runners to one of Thailand’s best-loved seaside destinations, with routes combining sea views, natural landscapes and plenty of adventure.
There are five race categories to choose from: Fun Run, 10km, 15km, 30km and 50km. Continued …
Illegal wild boar carcasses found on PKK train
Customs officers seized illegal wild boar carcasses and untaxed alcohol hidden inside parcel boxes on a southern-line passenger train at Prachuap Khiri Khan Railway Station yesterday, following an intelligence-led operation targeting smuggling routes into Bangkok.
During the inspection yesterday, they found five wild boar carcasses, weighing a combined 250 kilograms, concealed inside sealed parcel boxes with other luggage stacked on top to avoid detection. Officials said there were no import documents or permits authorizing the transport of the animal carcasses. Continued …
Heavy rain warning as monsoon batters Thailand
Thailand is bracing for another day of widespread rain, with the Thai Meteorological Department warning of heavy downpours in several parts of the country on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are expected to see thunderstorms across 70% of the area, while the North and Northeast face rain over 80% of their areas.
In the southern east coast, thunderstorms are expected across 60% of the region, with heavy rain in parts of Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani. Temperatures will range from 23-25°C to highs of 32-35°C. From Surat Thani northward, southwesterly winds will blow at 20-35 kilometers per hour, with waves of 1-2 meters, rising above two meters offshore and during thunderstorms. Continued …
Netherlands to relocate embassy
The Dutch embassy will relocate from its historic Wireless Road premises to new offices on Rama IV Road in August, ending nearly 80 years at its current site.
The embassy marked the move with a farewell event on June 25, which brought together the government, academics, business leaders and long-standing partners to celebrate decades of Dutch-Thai cooperation before beginning a new chapter at Central Park Offices. Continued …
School’s 5,500-baht teacher salary sparks outrage
A primary school in Kalasin province has sparked widespread criticism after advertising a temporary English teaching position with a monthly salary of just 5,500 baht. Ban Non Yang School in Kuchinarai district announced yesterday it is seeking one temporary employee for the position of assistant teacher/English teacher.
Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in English. The advertised salary is 5,500 baht per month. Continued …
US-Iran peace deal brings whiff of hope for Thai economy
The decline in crude oil prices following the interim peace agreement between the United States and Iran is creating a more optimistic outlook for the Thai economy in the second half of the year.
Thailand is a net importer of energy, including both oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), with 80% of its crude oil requirement sourced from abroad, mostly from the Middle East. Continued …
Oil drops to four-month low as Iran talks stay on track
Global oil prices settled at their lowest level in four months yesterday, after US President Donald Trump said the latest talks between the United States and Iran in Qatar had gone well, easing investor concern over possible supply disruption.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for August delivery fell 92 US cents, or 1.32%, to close at US$68.58 a barrel. Brent crude for September delivery dropped US$1.38, or 1.89%, to settle at US$71.57 a barrel. Continued …
Survey shows economic fears persist
Confidence in the broader economy remains “subdued”, with concerns centering on corruption, inflation, and divided opinions about what direction the country should move in, market research firm Ipsos says.
The study “What worries Thailand? June 2026”, released on Tuesday, outlined the major challenges and concerns the country is now facing, with 55% of the Thais surveyed identifying financial and political corruption as the issue weighing most heavily on local consumers. Continued …
Land bridge faces commercial and legal reality check
Thailand’s land bridge project is facing a fresh commercial and legal reality check, as a government subcommittee prepares to assess whether the proposed Gulf-Andaman transport corridor is economically viable and whether a new southern economic corridor law is necessary after mounting public concern.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, said yesterday the subcommittee studying the project would meet again tomorrow to hear further views from transport experts, private-sector representatives, academics and specialists with knowledge of shipping routes. Continued …
Thai business group keeps GDP growth forecast at 1.6% to 2.0%
Thailand’s economy is expected to grow by 1.6% to 2.0% this year, a leading business group said yesterday, maintaining its earlier forecast. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) also maintained its forecast that exports, a key driver of Thai growth, would rise by 8% to 10% this year.
Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which has lagged regional peers sincethe coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, expanded 2.4% last year. Continued …
Co-payment spending reaches B43 billion in first month
Total spending in the first month of the government’s “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” (Thais Help Thais) co-payment scheme reached 43.2 billion baht, with 1.2 billion remaining unspent, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday.
Of the total amount, 18.4 billion baht came from consumer spending, comprising 18 billion spent at participating stores and 448 million spent through food delivery platforms, according to the ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO). Continued …
Thailand’s energy consumption rises 2.1% on 2.8% GDP growth
Wattanapong Kurovat, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), has reported that Thailand’s energy situation in the first three months of 2026 showed primary commercial energy consumption at around 2.08 million barrels of crude oil equivalent per day, up 2.1% from the same period last year.
The increase was driven by a 5.0% rise in oil consumption, following stronger demand for refined petroleum products. Natural gas use rose 4.6% due to higher demand for power generation, while hydropower and imported electricity increased 19.1%, supported by rises in both imported electricity and hydropower generation. Continued …
Cash Flow Beats Growth for Thai Developers Facing H2 Stagnation
Three of Thailand’s most senior property executives have delivered a sober assessment of the sector’s prospects for the second half of 2026, warning that sluggish economic growth, tightening credit and a climate of global uncertainty will keep the residential market subdued despite modest bright spots in tourism, branded residences and the luxury segment.
Speaking separately, Uthai Uthaisangsuk, president and director of Sansiri Public Co., Korn Narongdej, chief executive officer of Raimon Land, and Kessara Thanyalakpark, managing director of SENA Development, all pointed to a market that is holding steady in terms of underlying demand but struggling to convert that demand into completed sales, as buyers hesitate amid low growth, tighter lending and unresolved global risks. Continued …
Export of five Thai shrimp species to Malaysia will likely resume soon
Thai Agriculture & Cooperatives Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said after holding talks with Malaysia’s Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu that the neighboring country will likely lift its temporary ban on import of five Thai shrimp species within 30 says.
Shrimp farmers had urged the government to urgently stabilize prices of their product and expedite negotiations with Malaysia, which, as of June 1, has banned the import of brown tiger prawn, banana prawn, whiteleg shrimp, giant tiger prawn and blue shrimp. Continued …
No place for illegal resorts
The renewed campaign against illegal resorts built on public beaches and protected forests is a welcome sign that authorities are taking conservation more seriously.
Encroachers have been ordered to demolish resorts, restaurants or even shops they built on public beaches in Phuket, for example, such as Bang Tao, Nui Beach or Freedom Beach. That follows similar crackdowns in other tourist destinations, and sends an important message that public land cannot simply be appropriated for private gain. Continued …
Thailand ranks 2nd in the world’s top medical tourism destinations
Travel And Tour World has released its Top 50 Medical Tourism Destinations for 2026, and Thailand has taken second place, bested only by Turkey and finishing ahead of a global field.
The ranking weighs the things that matter most to patients traveling abroad for treatment: trusted care, specialist expertise, modern medical technology, competitive pricing, shorter waiting times and somewhere appealing to recover afterward. On those counts, Thailand clearly makes a strong case. Continued …
How Pattaya tried to shed its sex tourism reputation
The Thai city of Pattaya is known for a brightly lit strip of go-go bars known as Walking Street frequented by tourists after dark. Its international reputation for seedy nightlife is justified, even if the city’s red light district is confined to only a few streets, according to travel bloggers and Thai tourism experts.
“This is not exaggerated or just an old stereotype. It is actually there,” said Pipatpong Fakfare, an associate professor and tourism researcher at Bangkok University. “The nightlife district is small geographically but huge in terms of how much it shapes Pattaya’s global reputation.” Continued …
Thailand courts Europeans fleeing heat
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) wants to capitalize on the relatively cool rainy season by rolling out campaigns with airlines and tour operators to promote discounted holidays for those seeking to escape the heatwave in Europe.
Seven overseas TAT offices in Europe – in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Prague, Stockholm, Moscow and Rome – were instructed to roll out the marketing campaign dubbed “Blooming & Bright Amazing Thailand” to promote summer trips to Thailand during the rainy season, offering travelers a break from the extreme heat and lower room rates than during the fourth quarter. Continued …
World’s top tourist destinations are done selling sunsets and are betting everything on dinner
The next trip you book may come down to a question that barely mattered a decade ago: What will you eat when you get there? Scenery and price once settled the idea, and the food was something you figured out after you landed. That order has reversed, and the places competing for your visit know it; more and more, they are selling the meal, not the view.
You can taste this change in the way destinations sell themselves. The same coastlines and skylines that once anchored a tourism campaign now share the frame with night markets, chef tables and family recipes. The kitchen has moved from the back of the brochure to its cover, and travelers are following. Continued …
Thai Airways resumes Amsterdam route after 28-year hiatus
Thai Airways International on Tuesday launched its inaugural direct flight between Bangkok and Amsterdam, marking the airline’s return to the Dutch capital after a 28-year hiatus. A ceremony was held at Suvarnabhumi Airport, attended by Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri, Chief Commercial Officer Kittipong Sarnsombat, airline executives, staff and invited guests.
The Bangkok–Amsterdam service will operate daily, with Flight TG936 departing Bangkok at 5:35 am and arriving in Amsterdam at 12:40pm local time, while Flight TG937 departs Amsterdam at 14:15 pm local time and arrives in Bangkok at 6:35 am the following day. Continued …
Koh Samui shines in Asia-Pacific awards
Koh Samui in Surat Thani has been ranked the top island in Asia-Pacific in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026. Also, Samui International Airport was ranked second in the “Best Airports” category in Asia-Pacific, behind Singapore’s Changi Airport, with praise for its design that blends with nature and its passenger-friendly services.
In the “Best Beach + Island Resorts in Thailand” category, five Koh Samui resorts were listed among the region’s top 10. Cape Fahn Hotel ranked second, followed by Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in fifth, Kimpton Kitalay Samui in seventh, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort in eighth, and Centara Reserve Samui in ninth. Continued …
Jet fuel prices likely to remain elevated
Despite optimism around the US-Iran ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, it will take time for jet fuel prices to return to pre-crisis levels and airfares could remain high for longer than passengers expect, says the International Air Transport Assn. (IATA).
Sheldon Hee, regional vice president for Asia-Pacific at IATA, said it will take several months for the energy supply chain to normalize and have an impact on the aviation sector. Continued …
From trash to treasure
Thai grandmother Nom Prom-on rummages through rubbish bins looking for bottles, cans and paper to trade for food and other goods at a recycling cooperative providing a lifeline for Bangkok’s poor. Riding an old motorcycle with a rubbish cart attached, the 61-year-old and her husband Rai rise early to beat rival scavengers to claim the best of the city’s recyclabletrash, which they take to a cash-free “zero baht shop”.
The couplehave combed bins for decades, but their earnings of less than 10 dollars per day are not always enough to live on, so they turned to the cooperative.”When we’re starving, we can find rubbish to exchange for rice to eat, detergent, soap and everything,” said Nom, who also has grandchildren to raise and feed. 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
Hua Hin will mark Pride Month 2026 with the LGBTQ+ Festival Thailand and Hua Hin Pride Parade on Thursday, June 4. The celebration will begin at Market Village Hua Hin, with activities from 3 pm before the parade sets off at 5:30 pm and makes its way to Amari Hua Hin.
Smoking is linked to at least 15 types of cancer, while e-cigarettes are no safe alternative, a Chiang Mai cancer specialist warned on World No Tobacco Day yesterday. Dr. Thanika Ketpueak of Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Medicine said many people still mistakenly associate smoking primarily with lung cancer.
Thailand is considering a Nicotine-free generation law that would prevent children and young people born after a specified year, or within a specified age group when the law takes effect, from ever legally buying cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or nicotine products, as the government seeks to cut off new smokers at the source.
Thailand’s restaurant industry is facing a difficult year, as rising costs, weaker consumer purchasing power, and fierce price competition put pressure on both major chains and smaller operators. Several large restaurant groups reported weaker first-quarter earnings, with net profits falling sharply despite their strong brand positions.
Taste alone no longer sells food in Asia. That is the central takeaway from the Top F&B Trends in Asia 2026 report by Netherlands-based research firm Innova Market Insights, unveiled at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026, the continent’s premier food and beverage trade forum.
PowerChina has expressed confidence in Thailand’s potential and is preparing to establish PowerChina (Thailand) Co. to support full-scale investment in the country’s transport infrastructure.
Australia, Belgium, and Norway are using THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2026, one of Asia’s largest food trade shows, as a key platform to promote their premium and quality food and beverage exports in Bangkok, strategically positioning Thailand as one of Southeast Asia’s competitive markets.
Phuket Airport denied rumors of money being extorted from passengers to quickly get them through Immigration when the arrival terminal is packed with tourists waiting to enter the popular resort island.
Every country has its landmarks. Thailand, according to some travelers on social media, has one that is a little less glamorous than most: the “Depresscalator.” The nickname refers to the long moving staircase that carries departing passengers from the international check-in area toward security screening at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Is Bangkok a good place to live?
50-Year-Old Bangkok Stall Perfectly Preps the Most Iconic Thai Comfort Food
Chiang Mai has earned a place among the world’s top eight destinations for digital nomads and creators, after Forbes magazine included the northern Thai city in its 2026 ranking. The city joins Medellín, Cape Town, Lisbon, Bali, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Berlin on the list.
Thailand is accelerating its transition toward cleaner transport, with commercial electric vehicles (EVs) emerging as a centerpiece of the country’s sustainability drive.
Fears of a global energy crisis rose yesterday as the war in the Middle East raged on, with more U.S.-Israeli strikes on the Iranian capital and Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon. An Iranian drone strike temporarily shut Dubai’s airport, a crucial global travel hub, underscoring the threats to the world economy.
The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran is spreading across the Middle East. Air strikes have forced airspace closures, while oil prices are surging — creating a domino effect that has become a “global aviation crisis”, described as one of the most serious since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thailand’s business sector has called on the government to ease the impact of rising energy costs, with transport and industry groups urging measures to stabilize diesel prices and reduce taxes.
PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Co. (OR) has assured the public that fuel supplies remain stable across its 2,400 service stations in Thailand, despite ongoing unrest in the Middle East. OR Chief Executive M.L. Peakthong Thongyai announced that the company is actively monitoring the situation to maintain uninterrupted access to fuel services.
Thailand is set to receive a new shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from overseas, ensuring adequate fuel for power generation as electricity demand surges during the hot season, according to an energy official who requested anonymity.
Anan Phonimdang, deputy governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and acting SRT governor, said the rise in fuel prices has had a direct impact on the railway operator.
The Thai Board of Investment (BOI) has warned the business sector to prepare for the impact of rising global conflicts and wars, saying they are becoming part of a new world economic order.
A transformative shift in the labor market is taking place as Thailand approaches “super-aged society” status by 2030, according to Jobsdb by SEEK, a leading online job platform.
The Thai banking industry is entering a transition period in which banks can no longer rely on strong interest income or generate the high levels of return on equity (ROE) as seen in the past, according to the chief executive of TMBThanachart Bank (ttb).
Thailand’s healthcare system is facing six major pressures that are beginning to affect services, with some hospitals now at risk of having to reduce the number of beds they operate.
Venice is drowning – not just in rising waters but also in tourists. The city is charging a day-tripper fee and has banned large tour groups and loudspeakers in an effort to curb the crush. Barcelona residents march with squirt guns and “Tourists go home” signs to protest rising rents and crowds. Amsterdam is moving to cap and eventually ban ocean-going cruise ships to reduce pollution and visitor pressure.
Thailand’s former National Intelligence Agency deputy director, Nantiwat Samart, has urged the government to prioritize national security and public safety over boosting tourist numbers. Concerns have grown on social media, with calls to revoke the existing visa-free entry policy due to issues allegedly linked to Israeli tourists.
European tourists are increasingly favoring eastern Thailand’s attractions over the traditionally popular southern areas, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This shift is linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has notably decreased southern Thailand’s appeal.
For the past decade, Whitney Spielfogel’s family has taken an annual multi-generational trip over the holiday season and New Year’s with her parents. Hawaii, Costa Rica, Cabo, Tulum, Turks and Caicos. They had done them all together, her parents and her husband, Ross, and eventually her children, Sienna and Slade.
