• Sheraton Hua Hin Receives Award//Hua Hin video/Fuel prices rise/Deeper graft crisis/Better healthcare and job training in prisons/1.6 tons of cannabis seized
• THE IRAN WAR: Oil hits five-week high/The Persian threshold of pain/Iran control of Hormuz ‘dangerous precedent’
• ECONOMY: Thai Banks Post Profits/Thailand’s Secret Weapon/To raise Thai competitiveness
• TOURISM: Baggage inspections without passengers/Government targets resorts/Fight for Nui Beach
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Why You Should Skip This Thai Island/Listening to Buffalo Herders/3 sites for UNESCO list/Where to eat in Bangkok/Khao Tom is cool again
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Mother of all supply shocks
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Sheraton Hua Hin Receives the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, a five-star beachfront resort located between Hua Hin and Cha-am and part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, has announced it has been awarded the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard, recognizing its excellence in environmental management and commitment to sustainable tourism.

As part of its sustainability journey, the resort has implemented a wide range of initiatives designed to reduce its environmental impact and promote responsible hospitality. These include reducing single-use plastics through the use of water filtration systems and glass bottles, implementing energy-saving systems in meeting facilities, and operating an on-site wastewater treatment system that allows treated water to be reused for landscape irrigation. Continued … 

How Livable Really … is Hua Hin

Dreaming of a life in Thailand that’s both vibrant and affordable? Join me on a journey through Hua Hin, a charming coastal town that offers incredible livability! In this video, I’ll address what you need to know about making Hua Hin your home, from where to stay to how to navigate the town like a local.

We’ll dive deep into Hua Hin’s incredible array of street markets and bustling night markets, where you’ll find everything from delicious Thai food and fresh seafood to local crafts. You’ll see the vibrant food courts where you can sample culinary delights, and we’ll even check out the live music scene for some evening entertainment. Video … 

Fuel prices rise by 85 satang per liter from today

Fuel prices rose by 85 satang per liter across most product categories in Thailand today, following new retail price announcements by PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp.

The revised prices took effect at 5 am and apply to most petrol, gasohol and diesel products sold by PTT Station and Bangchak. Selected premium fuels remained unchanged. The adjustment is equivalent to 0.85 baht, or 85 satang, per liter. Continued … 

Watchdog warns of deeper graft crisis

An anti-corruption watchdog has urged the government to step up its fight against graft after a local government recruitment exam scandal, warning the case exposes deep-rooted problems in the bureaucracy and could damage Thailand’s international reputation.

Speaking at a Senate seminar on Sunday on OECD anti-corruption standards and Thailand’s bid for membership, Kittidet Chantangkul, director of the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), said the alleged fraud showed corruption had penetrated the civil service recruitment system. Continued … 

Ex-inmates call for better healthcare and job training in prisons

The House subcommittee on prison reform invited four former inmates to share their experiences and propose improvements in welfare, healthcare and rehabilitation.

Their suggestions included better medical treatment along with vocational training consistent with the needs of the modern-day job market. Continued … 

1.6 tons of cannabis bound for Netherlands seized

Thai customs officials have seized 1.6 tons of dried cannabis buds concealed among blankets and duvet covers in two export containers destined for the Netherlands at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri province.

The seizure took place on Monday during an operation involving customs officials, with representatives from the shipping line and the port authority also present. The exporter had declared the cargo as 626 packages of blankets and duvet covers with a combined weight of 32,390 kilograms, customs authorities said yesterday. Continued … 

Oil hits five-week high as Middle East supply fears deepen

Global oil prices climbed about 2% to their highest closing levels in five weeks yesterday, as escalating conflict in the Middle East intensified concerns over possible disruption to major energy supply routes.

Brent crude futures for September delivery rose US$1.79, or 2.01%, to settle at US$91.01 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude gained US$1.68, or 2.02%, to close at US$84.91 a barrel. Continued … 

Donald Trump and the Persian threshold of pain

It would be so easy for Donald Trump to escape from the trap he has built for himself in the Persian Gulf. Just declare a victory and leave.

So what if the Iranians also declare a victory (with a lot more accuracy)? The “nuclear weapons” that gave Trump (and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu) a pretext for attacking Iran never really existed. This would be as close to cost-free for the United States as a lost war ever gets: only a dozen American dead (17 actually). Continued … 

Allowing Iran control of Hormuz ‘dangerous precedent’, Rubio tells ASEAN

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Southeast Asian foreign ministers today that Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent with repercussions beyond the Middle East.

(Editor: How stupid do you think ASEAN leaders are, Mr. Rubio? The US is the one responsible for the problem, which didn’t exist until you invaded Iran – after cancelling a peace/nuclear deal that was working.)

His comments came as US Central Command said it had begun striking military targets in Iran for the “11th consecutive night” in a bid to degrade the country’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the waterway. Continued … 

Thai Banks Post 101-billion-baht H1 Profit

Six of Thailand’s largest listed banks reported a combined net profit of approximately 101.4 billion baht for the first half of 2026, as wealth management and fee income cushioned the impact of falling interest margins, though ratings agency Fitch has warned that earnings and asset quality across the sector face further pressure in the second half of the year.

The six lenders — SCB X Public Co. (SCBX), Kasikornbank (KBANK), Bangkok Bank (BBL), Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri/BAY), TMBThanachart Bank (TTB) and Kiatnakin Phatra Bank (KKP) — posted a mixed set of results, with some seeing profits decline on shrinking net interest income while others benefited from strong non-interest revenue, disciplined cost control and lower provisioning. Continued … 

How Supply Chains Became Thailand’s Secret Weapon

Long considered a routine back-office operation focused on cutting costs, supply chain strategy has emerged as Thailand’s most powerful economic weapon in navigating a chaotic global landscape.

At the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Sustainability Forum yesterday, market regulators, financiers, and industrial heavyweights outlined how the kingdom is weaponizing supply chain resilience, digital integration, and carbon transparency to outperform regional rivals amid escalating trade conflicts and geopolitical decoupling. Continued … 

Finance minister vows to raise Thai competitiveness

The government wants Thailand to break into the top 20 in a global competitiveness ranking over the next four years, rising from 26th. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the administration also seeks to raise the country’s potential economic growth rate from the 2.7% estimated by the Bank of Thailand to more than 3%.

Speaking at a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) seminar yesterday, Ekniti said the Board of Investment’s (BoI) investment strategy is no longer focused primarily on the number or value of investment projects, but rather on the quality of investment, including technology transfers. Continued … 

Thailand airports to allow baggage inspections without passengers

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will introduce new rules allowing security officers to open checked baggage without passengers present if X-ray screening detects potentially dangerous items. The regulations take effect on Oct.16.

The new rules apply to checked baggage and are intended to strengthen airport security in line with international standards. Under the regulations, security officers may inspect checked luggage if X-ray images reveal prohibited items, suspicious objects or anything that could pose a risk to aviation security. Continued … 

Government targets resorts on park land

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has intensified its crackdown on illegal resorts in Thap Lan National Park, ordering demolitions and preparing asset seizures and money-laundering charges against investors.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said yesterday the ministry remains committed to eliminating illegal land occupation within the national park and assisting local residents who qualify for legal land rights to claim land ownership in the area. Continued … 

The never-ending fight for Nui Beach

More than a decade after the courts ruled that the land at Nui Beach belonged to the state, authorities on Monday returned to the popular Phuket beach to demolish 50 illegal structures built by encroachers.

About 400 officials from the Royal Forest Department and related agencies took part in the operation, marking the second demolition attempt since the Supreme Court in 2014 ordered the revocation of Nor Sor 3 land documents covering plots within the Khao Nak Kerd National Reserved Forest. Continued … 

Why You Should Skip This Thai Island

After 19 years, I finally went back to Ko Lipe, the Thai island I spent close to a month on in 2006. Back then, it was one of those super off-the-beaten-path destinations that few but the most intrepid travelers visited, where electricity only ran a few hours a day, basic bungalows right on the beach cost something like $2 USD, and there really was a last boat for the season.

There wasn’t much to do here but that was the point. You hung out on the beach, read a book, went snorkeling, went back to the beach, drank beers at the one beach bar on the island, rotated meals between the five restaurants there, and went to bed early. Continued … 

Listening to Buffalo Herders

What does One Health look like when it leaves the conference room? Not as a diagram with humans, animals and environments connected by arrows. Not as a policy phrase either.

In Ban Huay Phan, a Lua village in Nan Province, northern Thailand, One Health looks more like rice fields, forest paths, muddy salt licks, animal tracks, village rituals, and long conversations with people who have watched buffaloes for decades. The village has around 180 inhabitants and roughly 300 buffaloes. Continued … 

Senators propose 3 sites for UNESCO list

A campaign has been launched to nominate Kanchanaburi’s Death Railway, ancient Chiang Saen and historic Chiang Mai for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The move is spearheaded by senators Sahaphan Rungrojpanich of Kanchanaburi, Maneerat Khemawong of Chiang Rai and Prayad Jatupornpitakkul of Chiang Mai, along with the World Heritage Conservation Club civic network. Continued … 

Where to eat in Bangkok, from street food to fine dining

It was street food that first put Bangkok on the map as a culinary destination. From sweet and savoury stuffed crepes at morning markets like Trok Mor to wok-tossed noodles licked by leaping flames in Chinatown, casual dining here is an exhilarating sensory experience.

Part of that is down to sheer variety. Portuguese-inspired sweets and Indian- and Arab-spiced curries are evidence of the influences absorbed into Thai cuisine over the centuries. Bangkok offers the full flavor spectrum — whether it’s fresh and vegetal or sour and zesty, tropical sweetness or scorching spice. Continued … 

Khao Tom is cool again

As the robots threaten to take it all away from us, nostalgia has never rung louder. On the food scene, we’ve noticed a series of stylish khao tom spots opening across Bangkok.

Not only reserved for late nights, hungover mornings, or in a hospital bed, the humble Thai rice soup has received a modern makeover. We’re calling it: khao tom is cool now. Here’s why. Continued … 

Brace yourself, we’re about to be hit by what could be the mother of all supply shocks

There’s a new threat on the horizon that could soon sweep the world, raising food and energy prices and disrupting supply chains at a time when the world is least able to cope. It’s called El Niño and forecasts are calling for the one of the strongest on record in the fourth quarter of this year — in other words a “super El Niño.”

“That matters because El Niño events can act as a multi-dimensional supply shock, with a causal link to higher food and energy prices, alongside broader supply-chain disruption,” said Henry Allen, macro strategist with Deutsche Bank Research Institute in a report out this week. Continued … 

• Swiss man arrested over alleged Patong Beach sexual abuse – Continued … 

• Brits arrested after Pattaya crypto robbery claim – Continued … 

• New Zealander held in Surat Thani over watch theft – Continued … 

• Foreign man sought after Bangla Road assault – 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