• New General Manager at Avani+ Hua Hin/Euro Village in Hua Hin/DBD Steps up Nominee Crackdown/Petrol and gasohol prices drop/Heavy rain expected/Groups act on shrimp prices/Lisa’s Instagram Posts
• THE IRAN WAR: Iran calls peace pact ‘declaration of US defeat’/Brent oil falls below US$75
• ECONOMY: Thai Baht Buckles/BoT upgrades GDP forecast/Interest rate unchanged/Thailand’s Foreign Investment Paradox/Pressure on insurance sector/TikTok Shop flexes muscle
• TOURISM: Hidden crisis of homeless foreigners/Call for new tourism plan/Elite Global Education Destination/TAT Launches Surf Therapy/Luxury train plan
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Rooftop Solar for Meyer Industries/Communityworks to protect its dugongs
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

Minor Hotels Names Kanruethai Roongruang General Manager of Avani+ Hua Hin Resort

Minor Hotels has appointed Kanruethai Roongruang as general manager of Avani+ Hua Hin Resort. Originally from Phuket, Kanruethai brings more than 25 years of hospitality experience across Thailand and international markets, with expertise in resort operations, wellness, commercial strategy, business development, and luxury hospitality management.

Most recently, Kanruethai served as chief executive officer of Island Escape Burasari and Burasari Residences in Phuket, where she was responsible for strategic direction, resort operations, commercial performance, property development, and team leadership. Continued … 

Supalai plans Euro Village, with shops and restaurants in Hua Hin

A major new lifestyle destination is being planned in Hua Hin, with Thai property developer Supalai aiming to create a European-style village beside a lagoon in the Hin Lek Fai area.

The project, called Supalai Euro Village Hua Hin, is planned next to the Supalai Lagoon Hua Hin residential development and is being positioned as a new destination for dining, shopping, leisure, events, and short stays. The mixed-use development is expected to include shops, restaurants, public walkways, event spaces, a boutique hotel, a rooftop terrace, and a swimming pool with elevated views. Continued …

Thailand DBD Steps up Nominee Crackdown

Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD) is tightening enforcement against “nominee” businesses by requiring Thai shareholders in foreign co-investment firms to submit three months of financial evidence, including bank statements, to prove genuine investment capacity. The move is part of a broader crackdown on concealed foreign ownership structures and is already affecting thousands of companies across high-risk sectors.

The department’s investigation identified more than 2,040 companies operating in sectors including tourism, real estate, e-commerce and logistics, hotels and resorts, agriculture, and construction. The inspections covered eight provinces: Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Surat Thani, Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga. Continued … 

Petrol and gasohol prices drop 80 satang

OR and Bangchak have announced a reduction in retail fuel prices, cutting petrol and all types of gasohol by 80 satang per liter.

The new prices took effect from this morning. Diesel prices remain unchanged. Continued … 

Heavy rain expected in east and south as storms persist

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecast today that Thailand would continue to see thundershowers over the next 24 hours, with isolated heavy rain in the east and along the south’s west coast.

Along the south’s east coast, thundershowersare expected in 60% of the area, mostly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Minimum temperature 24-26 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-37 degrees Celsius. Continued … 

Industry groups act on shrimp prices

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and the Thai Frozen Foods Assn. began direct purchases of shrimp from farmers yesterday to mitigate the effects of Malaysia’s suspension of Thai shrimp imports.

Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the chamber, said the initiative is coordinated through the chamber’s Agricultural and Food Coordination and Public Relations Center (AFC). The goal is to maintain price stability, facilitate product distribution, and preserve market confidence both domestically and internationally. Continued … 

Lisa’s Instagram Posts Reach 58-million-baht Value Worldwide

Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal’s influence on social media has reached a new milestone, with digital analytics platform IAA estimating that a single post on her personal Instagram account is now worth more than 58 million baht in advertising value.

Her Instagram stories are also estimated to generate more than 27 million baht each, underlining her growing impact on global marketing, fashion and entertainment. The latest 2026 assessment highlights Lisa’s position as one of the world’s most influential Thai-born celebrities. Continued … 

Iran calls peace pact ‘declaration of US defeat’

Iran called the deal it struck to end the Middle East war “a declaration of America’s defeat” yesterday, as the top US diplomat kicked off a tour of Gulf countries hit hardest by Tehran.

The war that began with a massive US-Israeli campaign of strikes against Iran on Feb. 28 ended with the Islamic republic striking an agreement its leaders have sought to portray as a victory. Continued … 

Brent oil falls below US$75 as Nasdaq drops for third straight day

Oil prices retreated yesterday to their lowest levels since the start of the United States-Iran war, while tech shares continued to show weakness on a mixed day for global stocks.

Brent crude dropped below US$75 a barrel for the first time since the start of the Middle East war at the end of February as more tankers returned to the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Iran agreement. “The carnage continues in oil prices,” said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG. Continued … 

Thai Baht Buckles Under the Weight of Oil Shock and a Hawkish Fed

The Thai baht is currently facing short-term pressure, with market strategists indicating it could test the 33.00–33.20 resistance band. This weakness is influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the Federal Reserve’s rate-hike expectations.

A de-escalation of the Middle East conflict, however, or signs of softening US economic data that dampen rate-hike anticipation could trigger a baht recovery toward the 32.50 support level. Krungthai Global Markets has established a weekly trading range for the baht at 32.50–32.20, with a tighter 24-hour band of 32.85–33.05. Continued … 

BoT upgrades GDP growth forecast

The Bank of Thailand has upgraded its GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 2.3% from 1.5%, attributed to strong exports, government stimulus, and easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The committee slashed the GDP growth forecast for 2027 to 1.8% from 2% due to the base effect, said MPC Secretary Don Nakornthab. Continued … 

Bank of Thailand leaves interest rate unchanged

The Bank of Thailand yesterday left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.00% as widely expected, saying it would continue to monitor inflation trends and expectations.

The vote of the seven-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was unanimous, said Don Nakornthap, the committee secretary. The Thai economy is projected to expand at a faster rate than previously estimated, but the growth rate is low and uneven, the MPC said. “Thailand’s economic expansion is projected to be stronger than previously assessed, but growth remains low and uneven,” Don told a briefing. Continued … 

Thailand’s Foreign Investment Paradox: Open for Business, Closed to Homebuyers

Thailand is dismantling long-standing barriers to foreign business while simultaneously implementing its most stringent crackdown on foreign property ownership in decades — a paradox that analysts caution is undermining the kingdom’s reputation as a dependable destination for long-term international investment.

The two-track policy is not subtle. On one hand, the same government that is rewriting its business laws to attract the world’s capital is, on the other hand, prosecuting the people who already brought it. Continued … 

Medical inflation puts pressure on Thailand’s insurance sector

Thailand is facing a rapidly escalating medical inflation crisis, raising concerns among insurers and regulators about its long-term implications for the healthcare and insurance sectors.

Medical inflation has exceeded 10%, more than 15 times the country’s overall inflation rate, placing increasing pressure on healthcare financing and insurance costs. The sharp rise in medical expenses is expected to have a significant impact on household budgets and long-term health planning. Continued … 

TikTok Shop flexes muscle in 3-way Thailand tussle

Three dominant foreign e-commerce players in Thailand posted combined revenue of roughly 172 billion baht in 2025. TikTok Shop ranked second in revenue generation for the first time, while Shopee remained the market leader, though its profit declined.

TikTok Shop posted the highest profit in the market last year. Revenue for the trio surged last year despite a challenging economy. The value of the e-commerce market in 2024 tallied 89 billion baht. Continued … 

How does Thailand’s tourism lead to a hidden crisis of homeless foreigners?

An investigation has revealed that an increasing number of foreign travelers are ending up homeless on the streets of Bangkok. This crisis is driven by a dangerous combination of factors: scams, sudden job losses, and a lack of preparation, according to the Issarachon Foundation.

Once these tourists run out of money, they fall into a legal trap. Without funds, they cannot afford a flight home, which causes them to overstay their visas. This status makes them undocumented, rendering them unable to legally work, rent housing, or access healthcare. Continued … 

Call for new tourism plan to hit high-income target

With the government wanting Thailand to become a high-income nation within 12 years, tourism operators have urged it to incorporate measurable indicators for its tourism strategy, such as job creation, income distribution, and average length of stay.

In addition, they said that persistent obstacles commonly found in less developed nations, such as corruption, insufficient infrastructure, and education, must be addressed. “The government still lacks a comprehensive viewpoint and appropriate policies to lift tourism,” said Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents. Continued … 

Thailand Pivots from Tourism Hotspot to Elite Global Education Destination

High-net-worth parents across Asia, the Middle East, and Russia are fundamentally rewriting the equation for elite schooling. Facing a volatile matrix of escalating geopolitical friction, erratic financial markets, and skyrocketing living costs in traditional Western markets, affluent families are increasingly asking whether a premium education requires sending children across the globe.

The unfolding answer is positioning Thailand as one of the most lucrative and rapidly growing educational destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. This paradigm shift marks a critical transition for the kingdom, moving beyond volatile, volume-driven holiday tourism into high-yield, long-term educational investment. Continued … 

TAT Launches Surf Therapy as Thailand’s Coastal Wellness Tourism Model

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has organized the “Thailand Surf Therapy Real Experience and Trust Building Journey” in Phang-nga. This initiative precedes the concept’s official unveiling at Thailand Health Excellence 2026 on June 30.

Collaborating with Prince of Songkla University, La Vita Sana, and international partner Waves for Change, the event gathered 36 tourism and wellness stakeholders to explore surf therapy’s potential in boosting coastal tourism and wellness. Continued … 

Luxury train plan takes step forward

The Transport Ministry is pushing ahead with plans to upgrade the rail transport and tourism sectors by developing a world-class luxury train service, leveraging newly enacted rail legislation to attract private-sector investment and boost local economies.

A meeting of rail officials and the private sector focused on creating a premium rail tourism experience aimed at generating sustainable revenue for the SRT while stimulating grassroots economic activity across the country. Continued … 

Rooftop Solar Project for Meyer Industries Commissioned in Laem Chabang

Constant Energy, a leading renewable energy developer in Southeast Asia, has announced the successful inauguration of a 5.26 MW solar rooftop installation at the manufacturing facilities of Meyer Industries and Meyer Aluminium (Thailand) Co. in Laem Chabang, Thailand.

The solar installation is expected to reduce approximately 3,200 tons of carbon emissions annually and generate estimated energy cost savings of 360 million baht over the contract period. Continued … 

An island community in Thailand works to protect and revive its dugongs

Once a lush field of green, the seagrass meadows surrounding Thailand’s Koh Libong are now largely barren stretches of sand, devastating the island’s iconic dugong population.

Koh Libong’s seagrass meadows were once Thailand’s largest, and a critical coastal habitat that is protected nationally. Yet, between 2020 and 2024, seagrass cover in these protected waters shrank by up to 50%. Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) attributes this decline to a range of factors, from marine heat waves to river-mouth dredging. Continued … 

Foreign Resident Reports Rooster Noise on Koh Samui

A foreign resident living in Mae Nam, Koh Samui, in Surat Thani province has filed a formal complaint to Koh Samui Municipality over persistent noise from crowing roosters, which he says has disrupted his sleep for around seven months. Continued … 

• Police Arrest Two Indians Over 200kg Ice Haul in Bangkok – Continued …

• Pakistani Broker Arrested in Pattaya Herbal Scam – Continued … 

• French Fugitives Arrested at Bangkok Condo – Continued …

Massive earthquakes rock Venezuela, collapse buildings in Caracas

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela yesterday, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas and prompting scientists to warn of potentially heavy casualties and widespread destruction across the South American nation. Continued … 

Airbus to inspect 16 A380s after cracks found on plane wings

Airbus on Tuesday said it would inspect 16 A380 planes, five of them immediately, after cracks were found in a key wing component on aircraft used by the Emirates and Qantas airlines. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has ordered urgent inspections requiring airlines to examine the wing-spar structure on the affected jets after inspectors found cracks during routine maintenance checks. Continued … 

Europe wilts under record heat as AC sales soar

Europe braced yesterday for another day of an unprecedented heatwave that has smashed records in many countries and sent air conditioner sales zooming in a continent unused to and ill-equipped to handle searing heat. 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