- Bangkok to Hua Hin roadway opens/Underground cables along soi 76/Vascular health seminar/Intercontinental best pet-fiendly hotel/Dengue cases cause 31 deaths/Police seize 7,872 guns/Pattaya readies for USS Abraham Lincoln/5,000 ‘fake Thais’
- THE IRAN WAR: Iran says US sanctions will achieve nothing
- ECONOMY: Cold War support accelerated Thailand’s rise/Billion-dollar data center question:/Thai MPC holds 1% policy rate/Thai vehicle sales rise
- TOURISM: Caught in the tourism trap/Airport rail contractor bows out/Roadworks to disrupt terminal access/Thai passport placed 99th
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Restaurants Anthony Bourdain visited in Thailand
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar Energy in Thailand/Grid modernization strengthens clean energy shift/Thailand’s Trade Survival Test/Sustainability is the new standard/War against Thailand’s eco-defenders
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/Devastating flash floods in Nepal/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
New section of Bangkok to Hua Hin roadway opens
A 25-kilometer section of the M82 motorway between Bang Khun Thian and Ban Phaeo will open toll-free on Aug. 28, marking a long-awaited improvement for people traveling between Bangkok, Hua Hin and southern Thailand.
The opening includes a 16.4-kilometer extension from Ekkachai to Ban Phaeo, allowing drivers to use the full elevated motorway continuously from the Bang Khun Thian interchange. Continued …
Hua Hin plans underground cables along soi 76
Plans to install underground cables in Hua Hin along a 600-meter section of Soi 76, have received backing from local residents. The 71.87-million-baht project will cover the route from Hua Hin Railway Station to the junction with Naresdamri Road.
Residents approved the proposal by a show of hands during a public consultation held on Monday. Continued …
Vascular health seminar set for Sept 26
Be Well Medical Center and BPK9 International Hospital are teaming up to host an interactive health seminar in Hua Hin focusing on common vascular diseases and circulation problems.
Taking place on Saturday, Sept. 2 at iSanook Resort in Khao Takiab, the session will cover three important areas: varicose veins, blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and arterial health and circulation. Continued …
Intercontinental Hua Hin named best pet-friendly hotel
InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has been named The Most Favorite Pet-Friendly Hotel at the 16th AROUND AWARDS 2026. The annual awards, organized as part of AROUND Magazine’s 16th anniversary, recognize hotels, restaurants and lifestyle businesses across Thailand.
The resort offers several facilities and activities for guests traveling with pets, including space to play at Art Botanic Garden, a dedicated pet pool, mini-train rides and pet ice cream. Continued …
Thailand 2026 dengue cases reach 21,620, with 31 deaths
Thailand has recorded 21,620 dengue infections and 31 deaths so far this year, as the seasonal outbreak continues to gather pace, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said yesterday.
The figures cover Jan. 1 to Aug. 19. While infections remain below both last year’s level and the 2026 forecast, the upward trend is continuing during dengue season, according to Dr. Anek Mungaomklang, the DDC’s deputy director-general at the Ministry of Public Health. Continued …
Thai police seize 7,872 guns in 15-day crackdown
Thai police say they arrested suspects in 7,261 firearms-related cases and seized 7,872 guns during a nationwide 15-day crackdown between Aug. 12-26.
The operation targeted illegal guns, military weapons, ammunition, explosives and imitation firearms, as well as unlawful sales conducted both in person and through social-media channels. Continued …
Pattaya readies for USS Abraham Lincoln crew
Pattaya is preparing for the influx of US Navy personnel when the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and two accompanying vessels are scheduled to dock at Laem Chabang from Sept. 2-6.
Around 5,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel are believed to be aboard the carrier. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet said the city was ready to receive those who are permitted to come ashore for rest after a lengthy Middle East deployment. Continued …
Citizenship bust targets 5,000 ‘fake Thais’ in Chiang Mai
Local officials and migrants were among 20 suspects arrested in Chiang Mai as part of a fake citizenship bust believed to involve about 5,000 “fake Thais” made in just one district.
Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit said that about 200 police and administrative officials made the arrests while raiding the places of suspects in Chai Prakan district yesterday morning, as they found a network of fake Thai citizenship issuance there. Continued …
Iran says US sanctions will achieve nothing
Iran’s president insisted yesterday the United States would achieve nothing with its new sanctions campaign after Washington laid out plans to collapse the country’s economy.
Almost six months into their war, the two sides are locked in a stalemate, with Iran keeping the key Strait of Hormuz shut and Washington persisting with a naval counter-blockade of Iran. Continued …
How US Cold War support accelerated Thailand’s rise in Southeast Asia
American money, military spending and technical assistance helped Thailand build roads, airports and modern institutions while neighboring states faced wars. The transformation brought rapid growth, but also strengthened military rule and widened social inequality.
The Friendship Highway between Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima looks like an ordinary part of Thailand’s transport network today. When the 147-kilometer road opened in 1958, however, it represented a profound shift in the country’s development. Continued …
The billion-dollar data center question: How much does Thailand gain?
Data centers have dominated the discourse in Thailand over the past year, becoming a symbol of technological advancement and innovation and evidence that Thailand is capturing a valuable component of the AI value chain.
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has labeled data centers the golden child of the country’s investment pipeline, with total investment value already surpassing 700 billion baht and spanning 42 projects between 2024 and now. Continued …
Thai MPC holds 1% policy rate while economic growth remains subdued
Don Nakornthab, secretary of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), announced the committee voted unanimously to keep the policy rate unchanged at 1% per annum. The technology and artificial intelligence (AI) cycle continues to provide momentum to the Thai economy, but growth remains low and uneven, he said.
Inflation is lower than previously projected, he added, although it is expected to rise over the remainder of 2026 and into early 2027. Continued …
Thai vehicle sales rise 20% in July, led by EVs
New vehicle sales in Thailand increased by over 20% to 59,196 units in July, up from 49,102 units a year earlier, according to the latest data released by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
The market was driven higher by continued strong demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), sales of which surged by 122% year-on-year to 20,990 units last month, while sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) passenger cars declined by 35% to 7,553 units. Continued …
Thailand is caught in the tourism trap
For two decades, Thailand was regarded as a sure-fire success story in the Asian travel industry. In 2019, the last year before the pandemic, just under 40 million international visitors traveled to the country, generating revenue of around three trillion baht.
That level is now further out of reach than the official statements of recent years would have suggested. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has lowered its forecast for 2026 to between 30 and 34 million international arrivals, a decline of around 18% compared with the original target. Continued …
Airport high-speed rail contractor bows out – again
A CP-linked company has reaffirmed its intention to exercise its right to end the public-private partnership for Thailand’s three-airport high-speed rail project, raising the possibility that it will stop operating the Airport Rail Link on Sept. 30.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Asia Era One Co. had sent a second letter to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), maintaining its request to exercise its right to terminate the partnership contract. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi roadworks to disrupt terminal access
Passengers heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport face seven months of traffic diversions on the elevated roads serving the passenger terminal, starting on Aug.31. The maintenance program will run until April 7, 2027, affecting elevated access routes to and from the terminal, which connect with Motorway No. 7, the Bangkok-Chonburi route.
Three lanes in affected sections will be closed in phases during the work, leaving two lanes open through diversions. Airport authorities warned that this could lead to slower traffic, particularly at busy times. Continued …
Thai passport placed 99th worldwide
Thailand’s passport has been ranked 99th worldwide by Passport Reports, with a mobility score of 93. The assessment places Thailand fifth among the 11 ASEAN countries and 21st among 50 Asian countries assessed.
The score should not be read as visa-free access to 93 countries. It combines 40 fully visa-free destinations, 48 where a visa on arrival or another facilitated entry process is available, and five destinations requiring an electronic travel authorization (eTA). A conventional visa or other advance approval is still needed for 105 destinations, representing 53% of those covered in the report. Continued …
The restaurants Anthony Bourdain visited in Thailand (and what he ate there)
While devout foodies will say he never really leaves the conversation, A24’s recent release of “Tony” arguably catapults the late chef, author, and television host back into the mainstream. Having visited Thailand several times, we put together a kind of checklist of restaurants in Bangkok and Chiang Mai that Anthony Bourdain once visited. True fans will know: he would have hated this listicle.
For many people, Bourdain’s first book, Kitchen Confidential, completely changed perceptions around life in the kitchen and the restaurant industry as a whole. Shattering stereotypes many may have had around the prestigious world of fine dining (verbal abuse, drug abuse, and the secrets of your brunch-time Hollandaise), the brilliant chef-turned-author wrote with incredible relatability, and a refreshingly raw honesty. Continued …
A Glimpse of Solar Energy in Thailand
Thailand is among the countries in Southeast Asia that are beginning the transition to solar energy. Yet, the journey was not sleek at first. With less than two megawatts (MW) of installed capacity, Thailand’s solar power business was at a halt in 2008.
However, the government was beginning to provide incentives for renewable energy providers, and the cost of technology was decreasing. Also, the country’s concerns over the past decade have changed from depleting domestic gas supplies to figuring out how rapidly it can increase its solar energy capacity. Solar is presently at the center of energy security, trade competitiveness, and rural development. Continued …
Grid modernization strengthens Thailand’s clean energy shift
Thailand’s move toward cleaner energy is putting greater pressure on the country’s electricity network to accommodate more renewable power while maintaining reliability, affordability and system stability.
As climate change intensifies, governments and businesses are accelerating efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Thailand has also stepped up its environmental ambitions, with a national target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Continued …
Green Rules, Real Risk: Thailand’s Trade Survival Test
Since Aug. 12, any Thai exporter shipping packaged goods into the EU has technically fallen under the bloc’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) – whether they know it or not.
Combined with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), now in its financial phase, the rules mark a structural shift in how Europe, Thailand’s fourth-largest export market, decides who gets shelf space. EXIM Thailand, the state export credit agency, has already warned that unprepared exporters risk losing orders outright. Continued …
Sustainability is the new standard for Thai businesses
As the world shifts toward a greener future, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) is stepping up to ensure Thai businesses don’t just survive, but thrive.
In this exclusive interview, Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, explains: Why sustainability is no longer an “option” but a compulsory requirement for global trade, and more. Video …
The ongoing war against Thailand’s eco-defenders
Thailand is facing a double crisis: an overwhelming volume of illegally dumped hazardous waste and a deadly climate of intimidation against activists trying to stop it.
In Prachin Buri province, environmental campaigner Sumet Rienpongnam now lives with a bounty of 2 million baht on his head. Sumet, 54, began campaigning when the stench from a local dump site spread across his community, causing daily misery. Continued …
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Chinese-funded factory in Chonburi shut over buried waste – Continued …
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Chinese smuggling suspect arrested in Chiang Rai – Continued …
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Ukrainian arrested in Buriram after gun report – Continued …
Hundreds of tourists and locals feared dead after devastating flash floods in Nepal
At least 160 people are known to have died in massive flash floods and mudslides that engulfed a remote region on the Nepal-Tibet border. Hundreds more people, including travelers from many countries, are missing following the catastrophe. The missing tourists include more than 100 from India, 54 from the US, and 33 from the UK, as well as more than 100 from Nepal itself, according to Nepal’s tourist board. The area is popular with pilgrims and trekkers. Video …
Glacier collapse may have triggered Nepal-Tibet floods
The collapse of the lower section of a Himalayan glacier may have unleashed the ice, rock and sediment that caused catastrophic flooding near Nepal’s border with Tibet, although experts have not established why the glacier failed. Satellite images indicated that part of the glacier broke away at an altitude of about 5,200 meters before plunging approximately 1,200 meters onto the valley floor. Continued …
Canada renews push to boycott US products
Philippe Meranger just finished his grocery shopping in Montreal. The 61-year-old held several products under his arm as he said: “Tariffs hurt our economy, but they force us to buy Canadian. And I’m all for that.” Continued …
Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City proposes curbs on gasoline, diesel vehicles
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s commercialhub, is proposing to gradually restrict gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles from its downtown area from mid-2027 as part of a planned low-emission zone (LEZ). Under the proposal, the city would pilot the LEZ from July 2027 in its core downtown area and the new Thu Thiem urban area, which covers roughly 930 hectares (3.59 square miles). 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
Heavy rain and flash floods threaten upper Thailand
Bangkok gun dealers say Thailand’s long-running firearms import ban is forcing some businesses to seek other income, while proposed new restrictions could further reduce legal sales.
Thai and Australian Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Anthony Albanese yesterday signed two joint statements on upgrading strategic partnership in four areas, across trade, law enforcement, defense and innovation, after their full-scale bilateral meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.
Thailand’s exports and private investment are expected to remain important drivers of economic growth after gross domestic product expanded by only 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said yesterday.
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index rose for a second straight month in July due to strong electric vehicle (EV) sales and government support measures, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported yesterday. The federation’s industrial sentiment index rose to 90.0 in July from 88.2 in June.
Data from CBRE Research showed that the downtown Bangkok condominium market recorded more new project launches in the first half of 2026 than in the same period a year earlier. Luxury and super-luxury developments were the main drivers, with both segments again attracting developers’ attention.
Southeast Asian nations are close to finalizing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a landmark regional pact designed to govern their digital economy, projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030.
Foreigners arriving in Thailand may be asked by immigration to show they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. Depending on the entry route, the stated requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport.
“Oh, we’re on the wrong side of the road,” I blurted out as I hopped into our van after landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. “It’s not the wrong side,” said Lisa, the journalist I was traveling with. “It’s a different side.”
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Wang Na, a rare window into Bangkok’s royal past
A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that Thailand can accelerate rooftop solar deployment by reforming its current solar policies. This would reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), improve energy security, and limit future pressure on rising electricity costs.
Thai police launched a sweeping operation against foreign business networks suspected of using Thai citizens as nominee shareholders to conceal foreign ownership of companies, land and restricted businesses, with arrest warrants issued for 20 Israelis on Koh Samui. 
The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed yesterday, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fueled in part by President Donald Trump’s invalidated tariffs. 
Portugal’s president has enacted a law pushed by the far right banning the concealment of faces in public, a measure widely seen as targeting Muslim women wearing a full-face veil. 
Thinking about retirement in Thailand and wondering where to live in Hua Hin? This video breaks down the truth about Hua Hin’s best and worst areas in 2026 — based on real-life retirement factors, not holiday impressions. One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning to retire in Hua Hin is choosing an area based on a short holiday instead of long-term lifestyle. The neighborhood that feels perfect for two weeks can be completely wrong for the next 10–20 years. 
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, through the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AirAsia Group to elevate mutual tourism promotion under the concept “Amazing Thailand: Feel All the Feelings.” The agreement encompasses marketing collaborations, communications, aviation route connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia, and market intelligence exchanges to drive short-haul travel — particularly from the Malaysian market.
The Cha Am Squid Festival will return Sept. 12–19, with the annual event taking place at the Cha Am Beach viewpoint. The festival is officially known as the 25th Eat Shellfish, Catch Squid @ Cha Am Festival.
Prachuap Khiri Khan has launched a vaping campaign to improve awareness among young people about the dangers of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction. Deputy Gov. Prateep Boriboonrat opened the training program at Hadthong Hotel in Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
A recent wedding controversy involving a Thai bride and a foreign groom has renewed attention on Sin Sod, the Thai marriage custom in which the groom or his family presents money, gold or other valuables during the ceremony.
Nearly a year after border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia were shut, intermittent diplomatic overtures have yet to produce the political trust needed to reopen them, leaving border communities and businesses facing an increasingly prolonged economic standstill.
The fallout from Thailand’s decriminalization of marijuana in 2022 is spreading rapidly beyond its borders, with large shipments of smuggled Thai weed threatening to overwhelm customs officials across the world.
Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early today, forcing its crew to abandon the ship even as the United States conducted yet-another round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic over control of the key waterway.
The Thai Restaurant Assn. is asking the government to connect raw material wholesalers with restaurants to lower ingredient costs, rather than providing subsidies for each dish.
Thailand studies Bangkok Port closure and entertainment complex plan
Thailand is entering a new phase of trade uncertainty as the United States shifts its strategy from broad-based reciprocal tariffs to targeted investigations under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.
Thailand’s use of export privileges under free-trade agreements continued to expand in April, with the value of shipments claiming preferential treatment reaching US$31.77 billion.
The Industry Ministry is drafting a landmark law aimed at regulating data center investments in Thailand, as the country grapples with the environmental and infrastructural challenges posed by the sector’s rapid growth.
Thai Beverage, the maker of Chang beer and SangSom rum, is considering a potential sale of its KFC restaurant franchise business in Thailand, according to people familiar with the matter.
New partnerships with seven large corporations in China are expected to help Thailand attract a new, younger customer segment and generate total revenue of nearly 300 billion baht, despite limited flight capacity, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Thailand’s rich culture, beautiful landscapes and distinctive cuisine aren’t the only reasons why tourists keep flocking to the country. Thailand has been leading Asia in medical tourism, with more than a million foreigners travelling to the country every year for medical and surgical procedures.
Bangkok is preparing to host its largest HYROX event yet, as the global fitness race returns for four days of competition, bringing together more than 20,000 athletes from Aug. 13–16.
Korat Buddhist Lent candle festival returns with grand parade
Thailand is leaning hard into solar and wind power, and households are beginning to see the payoff: lower electricity bills. A report says cleaner energy and more competitive long-term contracts are pushing down the average cost of power, an important signal in a region where air-conditioning demand can hammer family budgets.
Heavily reliant on pesticides, Thai agriculture is ‘trapped in a vicious cycle’
The United States will impose 50% tariffs on nearly US$20-billion worth of Canadian imports, escalating tensions between the two closely integrated economies and threatening a fresh phase in President Donald Trump’s global trade campaign. 
French lawmakers are expected to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15 today, putting France at the forefront of similar efforts in the European Union (EU). 
Re: Odd-even parking signs installed on soi 94
Power bills set to rise in final four months
AGT sensation Nene says fame came too fast
Gold tumbles below $4,000 as oil surge fuels rate fears
Thailand Approves $3.1 Billion Investment for Seven Data Centers
Local e-marketplace players enter fray
Visa-free period halved, many countries dropped
Content fight shapes Thailand’s EV future
Thailand remains one of the most attractive destinations in Asia for foreign investors, retirees, entrepreneurs, and long-term residents. In 2025 alone, Thailand welcomed more than 32.9 million foreign visitors, while tourism continued to contribute enormously to the national economy.
Thailand’s Consumer Council (TCC) and the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) are pushing for a major overhaul of Bangkok’s traffic-management system after a deadly train–bus collision exposed critical weaknesses at railway crossings.
Rescuers are racing against time to free seven people who have been trapped for nearly a week in a flooded cave in Laos. The seven were part of a group of villagers from the central province of Xaysomboun who had gone into the cave last Wednesday in search of gold and wildlife, but could not get out as rain and landslides blocked the cave’s entrance.
Sentient Animals Like Elephants Deserve More Respect
Thailand is accelerating efforts to become a top 10 global food exporter, leveraging its agricultural richness, manufacturing strength, and innovation in food technology. As part of this ambition, THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026 is being held this week in Bangkok. The event is expected to generate over 130 billion baht in trade value, attracting 90,000 visitors from 130 countries.
The US and Thailand are in talks on new long-term supply of US-produced liquefied natural gas, two sources said yesterday, negotiations that have accelerated since the US-Israeli-led war on Iran led to LNG production damage in key exporter Qatar.
The global influencer economy is experiencing explosive growth, evolving from simple online content into a complex commercial ecosystem. This sector now encompasses advertising, e-commerce, brand promotion, digital services, and consumer engagement.
Thailand has long captured the imagination of travelers seeking more than just a holiday — it calls to those yearning for transformation. From the mist-draped mountains of the north to the turquoise-fringed islands of the south, the country offers a rare alchemy of natural splendor, centuries-old healing wisdom, and world-class hospitality.
Thailand’s rainy season has a reputation it doesn’t entirely deserve. Yes, it rains, sometimes heavily, but the idea that monsoon months mean washed-out days and ruined plans is largely a myth.
Thai food manufacturer and exporter Thai Choice says resilience, product innovation, and easier-to-cook authentic meals are helping transform Thai cuisine from a niche export into an everyday global food category.
Local residents have raised concerns that a proposed coastal highway could damage mangrove forests and threaten oyster-farming livelihoods, despite government claims the project would boost tourism and the local economy.
Phetchaburi, Cha Am and Hua Hin are being touted as increasingly attractive locations for buy-to-rent investment, as Thailand’s wider property market faces pressure from household debt, tighter lending rules, and weaker demand from domestic homebuyers.
Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental threats to human health. Every day, 99% of the global population breathes in invisible microparticles from dirty air, which enter our bloodstream and cause damage to our cells and organs.
Muay Thai Saturday Superfight returned to The Legend Arena at Bluport Hua Hin on Saturday, with organizers saying the monthly event is aimed at promoting Muay Thai and creating more opportunities for fighters in Hua Hin.
The Disease Control Department has reported a rise in COVID-19 infections over the past month, but the rate of increase is still far below the median level recorded five years ago.
The train-bus crash at the Makkasan railway crossing in Bangkok on May 16, which killed eight people and injured 32 others, continues to put Thailand’s rail safety standards into question, as level crossings pose a risk nationwide.
A Thai masseuse from Nakhon Si Thammarat has won a gold medal in the oil massage category at the Wellness World Championship 2026 in Bangkok. Soraya Thaoram secured the top prize during the international competition held at TK Palace & Convention Hotel on Chaeng Watthana Road.
Registration for the government’s Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 co-payment scheme opens today for up to 30 million eligible people, ahead of the spending rollout on June 1.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has thrown its weight behind the government’s newly launched “Thais Help Thais Plus” initiative, estimating it could boost the country’s small and medium enterprise (SME) GDP by 35% to 40%, provided it is executed thoroughly.
Amid still-fragile economic conditions and geopolitical conflicts weighing on purchasing power worldwide, Thailand’s private hospital business is facing challenges on several fronts, including rising energy costs, patients delaying non-urgent treatment, and the impact on travel by foreign patients.
Thai airlines, which reported mixed financial results in the first three months of 2026, will remain under pressure in the second and third quarters from the oil price spike as the uptick in airfares and fuel surcharges are insufficient to cover the surge in costs.
Thailand’s latest effort to tighten cannabis controls has introduced stricter rules – but on Bangkok’s streets, particularly in tourist areas where cannabis shops thrive, little appears to have changed.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is offering incentives to airlines to launch new domestic and international routes to airports in secondary cities in a bid to boost tourism and strengthen local economies. The measures include service fee reductions for new routes and a temporary 50% discount on aircraft parking charges at airports managed by the Department of Airports (DOA).
Chinese tourists are losing confidence in traveling in Thailand again as their bookings slow for the coming months, following a recent case involving police officers extorting Chinese nationals in Sa Kaeo, says the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA).
400-Year-Old Lanna Ruins Found in Mae Hong Son Forest
Thailand pushes UNESCO bid for Thai costume heritage status
When “biodiversity” is no longer just about planting forests, but also about “economic capital” and a tool for tackling the global climate crisis, a new sustainability strategy is emerging — one that turns forests into a mechanism for the bioeconomy while pushing Thai community models toward international standards such as OECMs and biodiversity credits.
China launched three astronauts to its Tiangong space station yesterday, beginning a Shenzhou-23 mission that will include the country’s first year-long stay in orbit and support research into how humans cope with extended time in space. The mission is also tied to Beijing’s wider plan for a crewed moon landing by 2030. 
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
Thailand is currently undergoing one of its most aggressive and coordinated crackdowns on nominee companies to date. As of May, the Department of Business Development (DBD) has partnered with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to actively investigate and dismantle these structures.
The director of Thailand’s Land Department stated that foreign nationals own only 6% of land on Koh Phangan, following growing concerns among residents about increasing foreign influence on the island.
Hua Hin turns into a city of jazz from May 29–June 1. Experience the Hua Hin Jazz City Event 2026 across 40+ locations, featuring Thai and international artists, smooth jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, live improvisation, local culture, cafés, shops, and community vibes. 
Prachuap Khiri Khan authorities have issued a weather warning, as heavy rain, possible flash floods, and strong waves are expected across the province from May 14–18. The warning covers all areas of Prachuap Khiri Khan, including Hua Hin, where thunderstorms are forecast for much of the week.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft exchange of letters between the Thai and Dutch governments allowing the Netherlands to purchase land and buildings on Soi Ruam Rudi in Bangkok for use as the new residence of the Dutch ambassador to Thailand.
Will debt sink Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market?
The Bank of Thailand expects business operators to raise prices for goods and services by no more than 20%, with more frequent price adjustments in response to higher energy costs.
Thailand’s retail sentiment weakened sharply in April, as consumers cut back on spending after panic buying in March, while high fuel prices, rising utility bills, and concerns over product costs continued to weigh on household purchasing power.
Thai Airways International Public Co. (THAI) announced its operating results for the first quarter of 2026 today, showing strength and a continued recovery. Thai Airways recorded a net profit of B10.107 billion, up B268 million (+2.7%) from the same period last year.
Royal Ploughing ceremony predicts low water, stronger trade
Retired Californian finds fulfilment as Lumphini cat caretaker
Prolonged contact with wildfire smoke would increase the risk of developing different types of cancer, according to a study presented at a recent meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Thailand plans to expand biomass energy as part of its net-zero strategy, but disputes between communities and biomass operators are intensifying over allegations of air pollution and health impacts.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping began high-stakes talks in Beijing today, opening a closely watched meeting that could shape the next phase of relations between the world’s two largest economies. 
From her home in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Anna Sloutskin yearns to expand her country’s borders and one day move to southern Lebanon. And she is not alone. With fighting between Israel and Hezbollah displacing more than a million Lebanese, a far-right fringe of Israel’s settler movement is turning its gaze northward. 
In less than two years, Britain’s governing Labor Party has gonefrom a landslide election victory to a historic rout at last week’s local and regional votes that has put Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s job on the line. While incumbents across Europe face similar difficulties, Britain’s politics have become ever more febrile in the decade since it voted to leave the European Union. 
Starting times for the Hua Hin Marathon 2026 have been confirmed, with organizers expecting more than 3,500 runners to take part in the annual race on Sunday, May 10. The event will include four race distances and aims to raise funds for environmental conservation in the city.
Dear Doctors: I just read about people who are called super-agers and how they don’t have the memory problems that happen when you get older. Supposedly, they have more brain cells. Do you know if that’s true? The idea of super-agers is really interesting, and I want to know more.
Thailand is facing the risk of water shortages after its “source water” reserves, stored supplies used during the dry season, declined due to climate change and El Niño.
Thailand’s economy is being hit by what economists describe as a “cost tsunami”, as the Middle East conflict enters its third month following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, driving up energy prices and placing pressure on both businesses and households.
There is a phrase that has quietly become the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) defining axiom for our era: there is no AI without energy. It sounds simple enough. But the International Energy Agency’s newly published report, Key Questions on Energy and AI, shows just how staggeringly complex and urgent that relationship has become.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has been appointed to lead a government committee tasked with studying the proposed land bridge project within a 90-day timeframe, according to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Thailand will benefit from its southern land bridge project, as the Strait of Malacca is to reach full capacity in 10 years, according to Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat.
The housing market in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) continued to soften in 2025, with both demand and supply contracting year-on-year, according to the Real Estate Information Center (REIC).
Thailand is seeking to reposition its healthcare sector as a strategic investment engine, moving beyond a buyer-seller model toward long-term partnerships in clinical research, drug production, medical AI, and advanced healthcare technology.
Thai Union Group expects a positive outlook for the pet food business, although Thailand’s pet food export growth is expected to moderate this year.
Thailand’s tourism sector is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises, as geopolitical tensions, soaring energy costs, and structural economic weaknesses collide to form what analysts are calling a “perfect storm.”
The Koh Phi Phi islands in Thailand deliver some of the most breathtaking scenery you’re ever likely to see. Set in the Andaman Sea, they’re made up of dramatic limestone cliffs and white sand bays surrounded by turquoise waters filled with tropical fish.
Video of Railay Beach, Krabi
Bangkok’s Street Food Scene Is Disappearing
Stronger promotion of solar power by Thai authorities amid an energy crisis holds promise, but still faces challenges, say industry analysts. Clean energy is in the spotlight after global conflicts continue to push electricity prices higher, leaving households and businesses vulnerable to volatility.
Chief government whip Korrawee Prissananantakul yesterday expressed confidence that the Clean Air Bill, which lapsed with the previous House, will be approved by the cabinet within the set timeframe.
As wildfires swept through forests across Thailand, animals fled through smoke and flames. Experts urged the government to act more proactively to tackle the wildfires, particularly by adopting modern technology.
TotalEnergies ENEOS has entered into a long-term agreement with Jintana Intertrade, a garment manufacturer in Thailand, to supply solar power to its production facility. The two companies have signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) that will support the installation and operation of a 1.2 MWp solar photovoltaic system at the factory.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced a wellness-focused travel experience tailored to modern lifestyles through the “Run with the Rhythm” event. The event forms part of the “Central Rhythm – Fit Body, Relax Mind, Find Your New Life Rhythm in the Central Region” campaign and is presented as a mini-wellness festival.
We often joke that our country has three seasons: hot, very hot, and extremely hot. Last summer, however, the country recorded its highest heat index or “feels-like temperature” of 59.5C, or 41C in actual temperature, a level classified as extreme danger beyond the limits of human endurance.
Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat says he has found the key to unlocking Thailand’s decades-long middle-income trap: human capital development. Yodchanan is now staking the country’s future on an ambitious education roadmap aimed at lifting Thailand into a high-value economy.
Rising living costs are intensifying pressure on families as education reforms ease school dress rules nationwide, yet household spending remains high.
For years, the pattern was always the same. Farmers would wake up to destroyed fields. Crops flattened overnight. Entire harvests gone in hours. The cause wasn’t a mystery.
Thailand’s exports to the United States surged 41.8% in the first quarter of 2026, as US importers accelerated orders following a court ruling that voided retaliatory tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump’s policy.
Reports indicate that Thailand is beginning to face a problem of oil storage tanks nearing capacity, with limited space left, as refineries continue operating at full production. Some refineries are said to be running at more than 100% of capacity, as high as 110%, in order to produce enough fuel to meet public demand in line with government policy.
Thailand is positioning itself as one of the region’s fastest-growing wealth markets, with Knight Frank’s The Wealth Report 2026 forecasting a 26% rise in the country’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) between 2026 and 2031 — a sign of Thailand’s expanding role as a magnet for global capital.
Hotel operators in the south are bracing for losses during the low season, mainly attributed to war in the Middle East causing sluggish demand and flight cancellations.
Thai AirAsia X has reduced flights to four destinations in three countries and temporarily terminated services to two nations in response to high fuel prices in the face of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
‘Super dull and boring’: Foreign visitor’s take on Suvarnabhumi
Westerners in Thailand notice unique street food, vibrant markets, beautiful temples, friendly locals, chaotic traffic, respectful gestures, and cultural practices, all contributing to a richly immersive experience within 30 days.
The Transport Ministry is preparing an action plan to boost EV adoption by 300,000 vehicles, supported by tax incentives and a car trade-in scheme. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat outlined two key measures following discussions with the Department of Land Transport (DLT), aimed at accelerating the shift from petrol-powered vehicles.
Venice, the historic city of canals, is facing a deepening crisis from climate change that is putting it at growing risk of permanent submersion, as sea levels rise faster than expected and the city’s flood defensce system may no longer be able to cope indefinitely. 
Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, one of the largest man-made disasters in human history. The catastrophe that unfolded in 1986 was the result of a reactor experiment carried out under Moscow’s orders, in blatant violation of basic safety protocols. 
Hua Hin celebrates famed boxer Pone Kingpetch
Wyndham Hua Hin Pranburi Resort & Villas has launched its “Introduction to Tennis” camp this April, designed to help kids learn the sport or enhance their skills during the school holidays. The three-day program aims to build players’ confidence, skills, and friendships in a fun and supportive environment under the guidance of an experienced tennis coach and trainer.
Traffic accidents and injuries over the first six “dangerous days” of the Songkran holiday were down by 20% from the same period a year ago, while fatalities declined by 6.5%, according to data released yesterday.
US President Donald Trump yesterday dismissed high fuel costs amid his war with Iran, claiming that the economic damage inflicted by the war was much less severe than expected.
The energy crisis may pose a challenge for the Thai government in pursuing its fiscal plan, which aims to reduce the fiscal deficit to no more than 3% of GDP, increase revenue through a higher value-added tax (VAT), and keep public debt below 70% of GDP, according to the Finance Ministry.
An analysis by Commerzbank indicates that global energy market fluctuations are putting significant downward pressure on the Thai baht. As Thailand imports over 50% of its energy, mainly through crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), rising global energy costs have worsened its trade balance. Consequently, the USD/baht exchange rate has become a focal point for currency traders, closely monitoring the potential policy reactions from the Bank of Thailand (BOT).
Thailand is expected to enter a state of stagflation late in the second quarter and the beginning of the third quarter of this year, as businesses begin material restocking while oil prices remain high amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, according to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).
Thailand is pivoting away from broad-based subsidies toward targeted support and long-term investment, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, as the country prepares to host the IMF–World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok this October.
Thailand’s retail sector showed a temporary improvement in March, but the industry is still flashing warning signs for the months ahead, with confidence for the second quarter falling back below the 50-point threshold, as oil prices, higher operating costs, and weak purchasing power weigh on the outlook.
Thailand’s workforce is broadly happy — but warning signs are emerging beneath the surface. A new survey by Jobsdb by SEEK shows that overall workplace happiness among Thai employees stands at 67%, placing the country third in the region, behind Indonesia and the Philippines.
Almost 5 million people joined Songkran celebrations across Bangkok this year, up 93.4% from last year, with Siam Square topping 1.5 million, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
True Corp. said its latest mobility data highlights shifting travel patterns and real-time digital usage during Songkran 2026, showing more evenly distributed travel nationwide, led by the northeast (Isaan), while international arrivals continued to rise, with Chinese tourists ranking first.
Middle East conflict hits Phang Nga tourism – hundreds of tour boats sitting idle
Thai Gen Z travelers are reshaping travel habits in 2026 by favoring short but frequent trips over traditional long holidays, with mental well-being and value for money emerging as top priorities, according to the online booking platform Agoda.
Returning to Bangkok after two years, I found the city far more organized than expected. The once-chaotic and disorderly image of a Southeast Asian metropolis — especially the dire conditions on Bangkok’s streets during the COVID-19 pandemic — had faded. Instead, I was struck by a sense of managed order and tidy streets.
Rice farmers Siriporn and Amnat Taidee used to burn their paddy fields between plantings — a common method of clearing crop residue partly blamed for toxic smog that blankets much of Thailand every spring.