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- PKK Kite and Art Festival/What global shifts mean for expats/Rainy season officially begins/Ride-hailing apps told to improve safety/Southeast Asia’s largest dinosaur/Anutin calls corrupt Phuket officials ‘disgusting’
- ECONOMY: Baht Likely to Decline Further/Corruption crisis is worsening/Koh Phangan nominee crackdown/Geoeconomics of Thai land bridge
- TOURISM: End to 60-day visa-free stays/THAI to add Europe flights
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Thailand’s Seven-Tiered River Escape/Bangkok Street Food Queen/Daily accommodation in Nonthaburi
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar rooftop panels to be inspected/Electric Vehicle Boom Outpaces Energy Grid
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
PKK Kite and Art Festival starts today
The Kite and Art Festival Prachuap Khiri Khan will take place at Saran Withi Pier today and tomorrow, bringing two evenings of kite displays, art, and family-friendly activities to the seafront.
What to expect: Kite shows, LED kite shows, art, craft and handmade products, an exhibition on the history of Thai kites. The event will be held at Saran Withi Pier, one of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s most popular check-in spots. Continued …
What global shifts mean for expats in Thailand
Ren Lexander, PhD, gave a timely talk, “Taking Stock in Uncertain Times: What Global Shifts Mean for Us in Thailand,” at a meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. He invited his audience to “take stock” of the rapidly changing global situation. Although the current Middle East conflict is less than two months old, its ripple effects are already being felt worldwide.
The speaker emphasized that in an increasingly interconnected world, shocks travel faster and hit harder — a reality seen in both the 2008 financial crisis and today’s geopolitical tensions. A key concept he introduced was “normality bias” which is the human tendency to assume that life will soon return to “how it was.” Continued …
Rainy season officially begins today
Thailand will officially enter the rainy season today, but with less rain than usual in the forecast, the Meteorological Department announced yesterday.
The season’s official start is dependent on three conditions: continuing rain over 60% or more of upper Thailand, lower-level winds shifting to southwesterly, and upper-altitude winds turning to easterly, Director-general Sukanyanee Yawinchan said. Continued …
Ride-hailing apps given one month to improve safety standards
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has given ride-hailing platforms one month to improve passenger safety measures or risk license suspension, as new rules are prepared for app-based taxi services. The planned measures include requiring drivers to hold public driving licenxes, installing CCTV cameras in vehicles, and providing passenger insurance coverage.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the measures are aimed at improving standards for ride-hailing services operating through mobile applications. The announcement comes as ride-hailing platform Bolt seeks renewal of its operating license. Continued …
Scientists dig up Southeast Asia’s largest dinosaur in Thailand
Along a meandering river in a warm and arid region that is now Thailand roughly 113 million years ago, a plant-eating behemoth almost 27 meters long browsed on the treetops without much fear of predators due to its sheer size. This was Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, the largest-known dinosaur from Southeast Asia.
Researchers have unearthed skeletal remains of Nagatitan, a member of the dinosaur lineage called sauropods known for having a long neck, long tail, small head, and four columnar legs. Continued …
Anutin calls corrupt Phuket officials ‘disgusting’ after beach encroachment
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul criticized corrupt officials in Phuket for facilitating land encroachment at Freedom Beach, describing the actions as “disgusting”. The Freedom Beach encroachment case gained national attention after People’s Party MP Chaloempong “Sam” Saengdee claimed he received death threats while investigating illegal occupation on Freedom Beach and surrounding land under the Khao Nak Kerd National Forest in Kathu district.
According to Chaloempong, parts of the protected forest had been converted into a luxury resort development. Visitors were reportedly charged an entry fee of 300 baht to access the beach despite it being public land. He also found that sections of forest land had been sold illegally to foreign investors for more than 18 million baht. Continued …
Baht Likely to Decline Further Amid Escalating Mideast Tensions
The Thai baht is projected to depreciate further, potentially reaching 33.50 per US dollar this week. This forecast follows a recent testing of a nine-month low at 33.04 on Monday. The primary driver for this expected weakening is the heightened uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, which is bolstering the US dollar as a safe-haven asset.
Investors are increasingly revising their expectations, now anticipating that the US Federal Reserve will refrain from further policy rate cuts this year, consequently leading to rising US bond yields. Furthermore, the baht’s movement is mirroring that of other regional currencies, which are also experiencing depreciation against the dollar. Continued …
Thai businesses warn corruption crisis is worsening
Thailand’s private sector has warned that corruption remains a structural crisis undermining the business environment, after a new survey found nearly nine in 10 businesses see graft as an obstacle and, for the first time, identified state agencies with the highest alleged bribery risks.
The survey was released by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, or JSCCIB, through its Zero Corruption working group and Puean Mai Thon. It covered 401 business executives and representatives nationwide between March 26 and April 10. Continued …
Koh Phangan nominee crackdown shows 68% of firms with foreign ownership links
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived on Koh Phangan on Wednesday as hundreds of police, DSI investigators and land officials launched one of Thailand’s biggest crackdowns on suspected illegal foreign business networks, raiding companies and land plots amid allegations of nominee ownership, hidden foreign control and proxy shareholders across the island’s tourism economy.
The operation came as authorities revealed that nearly 68% of registered businesses on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui involve foreign investment. Meanwhile, investigators widened their probes into high-value firms, suspicious land holdings, and concealed ownership structures linked to Israeli, French, British, and Russian investors. Continued …
Geoeconomics of Thai ‘land bridge’
After nearly two decades of ups and downs, Thailand’s “land bridge” idea has regained attention amid the ongoing military standoff between the United States and Iran over threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.
Previously, local perceptions held that Singapore would oppose any attempt to build what would amount to a 90-kilometer road and rail corridor linking Ranong and Chumphon provinces on Thailand’s southern peninsula. Continued …
Thailand confirms end to 60-day visa-free stays
Thailand’s visa-free entry for nationals of 93 countries is set to be cut from 60 days to 30 days after government officials confirmed plans to end the policy introduced in July 2024. The proposal, confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Foreign Ministry, is expected to go to Cabinet next week, and an official start date will be announced after approval.
The 60-day exemption was launched to support Thailand’s post-pandemic economic recovery. It applied to travelers from 93 countries, but officials said the scheme has been misused by some foreigners for illegal work, overstays, and criminal activity. Continued …
THAI to add Europe flights despite jet fuel concerns
Flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to add European flights, yet still maintain proactive fuel cost and route network management amid short-term concerns about spillover impacts from the war in the Middle East and geopolitical tensions.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed short-term unease about potential jet fuel shortages and predicted flight cancellations would begin this month in Europe and parts of Asia, THAI said in its filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday. Continued …
Erawan-Wasserfall: Thailand’s Seven-Tiered River Escape
Erawan-Wasserfall rises out of the forest in Kanchanaburi with a sequence of limestone pools that look almost unreal in the morning light. Better known locally as Erawan Waterfall, this seven-tiered cascade draws travelers for its clear turquoise water, shaded trail, and the kind of calm that makes time feel slower the moment you arrive.
Erawan-Wasserfall is one of the most recognizable outdoor attractions in western Thailand, and it has become a classic stop for visitors based in Bangkok or exploring Kanchanaburi Province. The appeal is immediate: a jungle-framed river, cool water, and a stepped series of pools that reward patience as much as they reward a camera lens. Continued …
Bangkok Street Food Queen Making Giant Banana Egg Roti
Experience one of the most famous Thai street foods in Bangkok. Watch this amazing street food queen make giant banana egg roti fresh on the hot grill with incredible speed and skill. Crispy, buttery, sweet, and loaded with bananas and eggs — this Bangkok street food is absolutely irresistible! Video …
How to choose daily accommodation in Nonthaburi for short stays
Just north of Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi has quietly become one of Thailand’s most practical destinations for short stays. Whether you are in town for business meetings, a family visit, a medical appointment, or a weekend away from the capital, choosing the right place to stay can shape your entire experience.
Nonthaburi offers the rare combination of riverside calm and big-city convenience. The area is well-connected to central Bangkok via the MRT Purple and Pink Lines, making downtown destinations, transit hubs, and Don Mueang Airport via the SRT Red Line interchange easy to reach. The pace, however, is noticeably gentler, with tree-lined streets, fresh markets, and cleaner air than the city center. Continued …
Solar rooftop panels to be inspected due to fire hazard risk
The government has ordered the Office of the Consumer Protection Board to urgently investigate unsafe solar rooftop installations linked to fire risks and consumer losses exceeding 500,000 baht, following complaints about substandard equipment and improper electrical work.
PM’s office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi, who oversees that office, said yesterday she had instructed officials to expedite a fact-finding probe into solar installation companies accused of using low-quality materials and unsafe installation practices. Continued …
Southeast Asia’s Electric Vehicle Boom Outpaces Its Energy Grid
Electric vehicles are selling faster across Southeast Asia than at any point in history. Thailand is manufacturing them at scale. Vietnam has produced a homegrown brand bold enough to challenge in global markets. Indonesia is betting its vast mineral wealth on becoming the world’s battery supplier. By nearly every headline metric, the region’s clean transport revolution is on track.
But a growing body of evidence, from the International Energy Agency, energy research firm Ember, and on-the-ground reporting across the region, points to a structural problem that enthusiastic sales figures tend to obscure: the electrical grids these vehicles depend on are not ready for them. Continued …
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Vilhelm International Academy launched in March 2026 and has is campus at “The Hub” in Hin Lek Fai, less than 10 minutes from the center of town. They provide mentor-led academic supervision for students studying through accredited online school programs, whether independently enrolled or through integrated programs offered at Vilhelm. This means that students follow a fixed timetable, complete coursework under supervision, and receive ongoing progress monitoring. They can do this whist studying for their GCSE’s, A-Levels, NCAA approved US courses, or any other online school they choose to use.
Unlike more traditional options, at the academy children can learn at their own pace, not being forced forward before they are ready and also not being held back by the rest of the class. When they are ready to move on they do so. By coming to the academy each day, they are able to complement their studies with activities that develop leadership skills, community service (such as the recent helmet initiative), complemented by daily sports and physical activity to support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
You can visit the website for more details, or you can book an appointment to meet with the academy co-ordinator to discuss what you are looking for and explain what they can offer. There is a completely free five-day trial period that can be taken advantage of by anyone interested in seeing if the academy is the right fit for them.
Website; Email: info@vilhelminternationalacademy.com; Phone: +66 065 991 5500; Facebook; Map location.
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Thai police arrest Nigerian man for nearly 3-year overstay – Continued …
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Korean Scam Gang Busted in Bangkok – Continued …
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Immigration Arrests Chinese Fraud Suspect in Bangkok – Continued …
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Malaysian Held With 102kg Ice at Hat Yai Checkpoint – Continued …
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Chinese Man Damages Suvarnabhumi Auto Gates – Continued …
Beijing summit — Trump and Xi seek stability amid global turmoil
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday, as both leaders sought to set a new direction for relations between the world’s two most powerful countries. Xi said the world was facing changes unseen in a century, with the international situation marked by volatility and turbulence. Continued …
Russia Strikes Ukraine for Third Day, 9 Dead
Russian forces launched waves of missiles and drones at Kyiv and several other Ukrainian regions for a third consecutive day yesterday, killing at least nine people, including a 12-year-old girl, according to Ukrainian officials. Continued …
Cuba sinks into blackout crisis as fuel runs dry under US pressure
Cuba has run out of diesel and fuel oil, pushing its national power grid into a critical state and leaving parts of Havana without electricity for up to 22 hours a day, as US restrictions on fuel shipments deepen the island’s worst energy crisis in decades. 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
Plans for a Hua Hin Smart City development are moving forward, with proposals including free public WiFi, a pet registration platform, and smart drinking water dispensers currently under consideration by local authorities.
A mangrove restoration plan has been approved for the Sirinart Rajini Mangrove Forest, with officials proposing a 4.9-million-baht budget to address water system issues and support long-term ecological recovery.
Two decades after declaring an official war on air pollution, Thailand is losing the battle. Despite a flurry of committees and high-profile promises, crucial indicators show that the sources of the smog and its deadly health impacts are rising once again. What began as a seasonal nuisance in the northern highlands has metastasized into a year-round national health crisis that threatens the very fabric of Thai society.
The heat index in Bangkok today entered the “extreme danger” zone for the first time this season, with “feels like” temperatures higher than or equal to 52 degrees Celsius, City Hall has warned.
As the global order fractures and major powers like China, Russia, and the United States drift toward the precipice of open conflict, the very definition of “wealth” is undergoing a radical transformation.
Global oil markets are entering a new phase of volatility, caught between immediate supply shocks in the Middle East and a structural shift that could reshape production dynamics in the years ahead.
For decades, the economic heartbeat of South Asia has been inextricably linked to the pulse of the Persian Gulf. From the crude oil that fuels its growing industries to the billions in remittances that prop up its foreign exchange reserves, the region has long been the primary beneficiary of Gulf stability.
The Thai Food Processors’ Assn. is calling on the government to reduce energy costs, pursue negotiations on free-trade agreements (FTAs), and explore new market opportunities. The association said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is pressuring logistics, raw materials, and packaging costs.
Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, disclosed the results of a February 2026 survey on the public’s debt burden and future trends, based on the opinions of 6,469 respondents.
Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), said that against the backdrop of global volatility and shifts in production bases, Thailand had continued to attract investor interest.
Known for its pungent aroma and rich, custard-like texture, the durian has recently become a focal point of Thai national discourse. However, the current debate centers not on its flavor, but on its role as a litmus test for the government’s ability to engineer sustainable solutions for the nation’s agricultural sector.
Hotels nationwide across all segments, including luxury, have reported a significant drop in bookings from May, with provinces dependent on European markets such as Phangnga facing a 50% decline, according to the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA).
Traveling the Road to Ordination on an Elephant
Chef Pam is putting Thai cuisine back into the global conversation
The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) has approved a new electricity tariff structure that will help millions of Thai households save money, along with sweeping measures to unlock residential rooftop solar development.
Senior officials from Laos and Thailand met in Vientiane yesterday for consultations on cross-border smog, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to cleaner air and stronger pollution-control cooperation.
Viral posts of an Australian street dubbed the country’s “most beautiful” have enticed coachloads of visitors to a picturesque seaside town — and locals have had enough of it. Just a two-hour drive south of Sydney, Gerringong is much like many other photogenic hamlets along Australia’s east coast, with multi-million-dollar properties set against stunning views of the azure blue sea. 
Buckets of blooms adorn Yuvita Anggi Prinanda’s sidewalk flower stall in Bali, but their perfume can’t mask the stench of accumulating trash bespoiling parts of the resort island famed for its natural beauty. Bali’s largest landfill was declared off-limits for organic waste from the beginning of April, as the government moves to enforce a longstanding ban on open pits. 
Thailand is widely perceived as a relatively safe destination compared with many countries at similar income levels, yet risk profiles vary considerably between cities. For expats and digital nomads planning a medium to long-term stay, understanding which Thai cities offer the most predictable and manageable safety environment is critical.
The Ministry of Energy is pressing ahead with a major overhaul of the entire electricity tariff structure for the first time in more than 20 years. Its plan to introduce a new tiered tariff structure is creating ripples for households using more than 400 units a month and for the business sector.
The baht closed last week, on April 24, at a fresh two-week low of 32.51 baht per US dollar, as markets awaited the outcomes of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting and the US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting.
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has unveiled a nationwide contingency plan to mitigate the potential impact of a looming Super El Nino, warning that hotter temperatures and below-normal rainfall could threaten crops, water supplies, and rural incomes this year.
The rapid increase in energy prices caused by the prolonged war in the Middle East is taking a toll on Thai consumers, who are already reeling under high household debt. The prices of crude oil and natural liquid gas have risen sharply since the US-Israel war on Iran broke out in late February.
Dramatic developments unfolded in Islamabad on Saturday as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi landed, held talks, and departed without meeting a US delegation. Soon after, US President Donald Trump canceled a planned flight by his two envoys to the Pakistani capital.
International trade between Thailand and China remains brisk, but the overall picture points to structural fragility as the trade deficit continues to widen. A review of data from the Information and Communication Technology Center found that Thailand-China trade totaled B1.278 trillion in the first three months of 2026, up 18.% from the same period a year earlier.
Thailand’s automotive industry showed fresh signs of recovery in March, as total vehicle production rose to 133,413 units and domestic sales were boosted by strong demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, according to the Federation of Thai Industries.
The information center of LWS Wisdom and Solutions Co. has pointed to a new picture of the property market in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), saying it is moving from growth driven by investment and infrastructure stimulus toward a housing market powered by “real demand” from the workforce and industrial sector. This has significantly changed the equation for project development and property investment in the area.
The battle for Thailand’s skincare market is intensifying as local and international beauty brands race to capture consumers who are spending more on science-based, skin-health-focused products.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is advancing plans to integrate medical cannabis into the country’s health economy. This initiative aligns with recent changes in U.S. cannabis policy, as the U.S. eases restrictions on certain cannabis products.
Searches for short-haul travel destinations have risen sharply ahead of Thailand’s upcoming long weekend from April 30 to May 4, covering Labor Day and Coronation Day. The trend reflects growing demand for convenient, budget-conscious holidays, with Thai travelers showing stronger interest in both domestic destinations close to Bangkok and nearby international cities.
Call it a different kind of sticker shock. The Beijing Auto Show that opened to the public this week is a showcase for how hypercompetition in China has driven new car prices in the world’s largest car market to a fraction of the level of the next-largest market, the United States.
The industrial sector in Bangkok is seeing a noticeable shift as factories and warehouses begin turning their rooftops into productive financial assets through solar power installations. This change is being driven by rising electricity costs and supportive government policies, making solar energy an increasingly attractive option for businesses in Thailand’s capital and nearby areas.
Representatives of about 50 governments meet in Colombia today for the first international talks on phasing out planet-heating fossil fuels, against a backdrop of the Iran war and a global energy crunch.
Police have arrested two Chinese tourists accused of carrying out a gold shop robbery in Nakhon Ratchasima, stealing rings worth about 300,000 baht before fleeing. The suspects were detained later the same day in Bangkok after investigators traced their getaway vehicle. The stolen items were recovered and authorities are preparing legal proceedings. 
The man who authorities say tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives was charged yesterday with the attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump, as federal authorities suggested an attack that disrupted one of Washington’s glitziest events had been planned for at least several weeks. 
Phuket villa scam leaves Thais and foreigners with over 100-million-baht loss
UTCC estimates southern flood damages at 40 billion baht
Thailand’s Economy Set to Slow Further in 2026, UTCC Warns
Floods Wipe Out 42% of Thailand’s Key Malaysian Tourism Market
Italian Drug Suspect Caught in Bangkok on DTV
Thailand pushes for free trade deal with Gulf nations
Unlocking Solar Potential: Thailand’s Regulatory Shift on Rooftop Solar Systems
