---

• Prachuap Khiri Khan top-rated winter destination/Plan to Axe 1,000 and 500 Baht Notes/Eateries slam new alcohol law/Dec 26 tsunami victims remembered/Harrowing scenes 21 years/Bangkok issues PM2.5 warning/Flat-Headed Cat Return
• THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT: Thailand agrees to ceasefire/Border Clashes Intensify/F-16s Strike Cambodian Military Area/Three Thai Soldiers Killed/Cambodia stockpiling weapons
• ECONOMY: Pressure on condo market/Thailand’s Stock Market Crisis/Gold, silver and platinum surge/Thai rice exports may fall
• TOURISM: Thailand’s Air Travel Booms/What will power Southeast Asia?
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Inside return to medical-only cannabis/How to See Thailand’s Wonders
• CLIMATE THAILAND: Year of environmental upheaval/Plastic waste is choking the planet//Thailand’s top 10 cleanest coasts and rivers/Hospitality leaders commit to 100% cage-free eggs
• HUA HIN LINKS

Prachuap Khiri Khan makes it onto the list of top-rated winter destinations worldwide

Prachuap Khiri Khan has made the list of top global winter destinations, reflecting the new trend of easily accessible cities close to nature. According to an Airbnb survey, the 2025 winter travel trend highlights “Gateway Travel,” where travelers worldwide choose destinations that are conveniently located, easily accessible, yet offer beautiful natural surroundings and a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere ideal for true relaxation.

Given Prachuap Khiri Khan’s unique blend of convenient travel and immersive nature— including tranquil beaches, beautiful national parks, and diverse activities — it’s no surprise it’s a rising star destination. It also reinforces the fact that the charm of Thai tourism— its simplicity, warm atmosphere, and accessible experiences — are key reasons why international travelers “want to come back again.” Continued …

Thai Party Plans to Axe 1,000 and 500 Baht Notes

The Thai Pakdee Party has announced a plan to cancel the 1,000 and 500 baht banknotes throughout Thailand. This move aims to combat corruption and disrupt illicit cash flows. Warong Dechgitvigrom, the party leader, asserted these notes enable gray money operations to disguise illegal wealth.

Warong says eliminating these notes will restrict corrupt networks from using physical cash for storing, transferring, and paying bribes, which are difficult to trace. Unlike digital transfers, cash transactions in large amounts leave no record, making them ideal for underhand deals. Continued …

Eateries slam new alcohol law

The Restaurant Assn. opposes the new alcohol law requiring restaurant operators to share some responsibility for any issues caused by drunk patrons. The revised Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2025 prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to people under 20, as well as those who are already drunk.

Under the new legislation, alcoholic beverage sellers must verify a buyer’s age when there is reasonable doubt, using a national ID card or other officially issued identification. Continued …

Dec 26 tsunami victims remembered 21 years on

Phuket, Krabi, and Phangnga marked the 21st anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami yesterday with solemn remembrance ceremonies, interfaith prayers, and tributes to the thousands who died.

In Phuket, a memorial service at Mai Khao Cemetery was begun by Boonchu Chanwong, chief judge of the Phuket Administrative Court, with local officials, residents and visitors gathering to honor victims and reflect on the disaster that devastated six Andaman provinces. Continued … 

Harrowing scenes remembered 21 years on from Boxing Day tsunami

The catastrophic tsunami that killed at least 228,000 people in 15 countries across Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka, was triggered by an undersea 9.2–9.3 earthquake in the Indian Ocean on Dec. 2, 2004.

Entire communities were wiped out from 30-meter-high waves travelking at 800 kilometers per hour and Peter Baines, a former New South Wales Police forensic investigator, was in Thailand as part of the international recovery team. Continued …

Bangkok issues PM2.5 health warning

Bangkok has issued a public health warning from tomorrow to Jan. 3, as weather conditions are expected to increase the risk of PM2.5 pollution across the capital. Weak winds and low atmospheric ventilation, most pronounced from nighttime through early morning, are forecast to trap airborne particles and allow pollution levels to build.

City officials have urged residents, farmers, and business operators to avoid all forms of open burning, including agricultural-residue burning, waste incineration, and other outdoor burning, as such activities would significantly worsen air quality during the high-risk period. Continued … 

Flat-Headed Cat Deemed ‘Possibly Extinct’ Has Returned After 29 Years

Conservationists in Thailand are celebrating a surprising discovery. On Christmas day, Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization, announced that the endangered flat-headed cat has returned to southern Thailand for the first time in 29 years. Flat-headed cats are some of the world’s rarest felines, with just 2,500 remaining in the wild worldwide.

Panthera shared the news alongside Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation ahead of the country’s Wildlife Protection Day. Continued …

Thailand agrees to ceasefire, rejects pre-clash position return

Thailand says it is prepared to enter a short ceasefire with Cambodia but will not accept any deal that requires Thai forces to retreat from areas they have secured during the latest border clashes.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the National Security Council has approved a 72-hour ceasefire proposal and authorized Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit to represent Thailand at talks in Chanthaburi today. Continued …

Thai–Cambodian Border Clashes Intensify with BM-21 Rocket Fire

Fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border intensified today, as Cambodian forces launched BM-21 multiple rocket fire into Thai territory through the early morning, prompting Thai counterattacks using artillery, drones, and air power.

The Second Army Region reported that Thai forces retained control of all key strategic areas, despite injuries to personnel and damage reported in civilian zones in several provinces. Continued … 

Thai F-16s Strike Cambodian Military Area Ahead of Ceasefire

Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets carried out an airstrike on a Cambodian military area in Banteay Meanchey province this morning, shortly before a planned ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia was due to take effect.

The strike targeted the Phong Ro–Kong Wa military zone in Serei Saophoan district, marking a sharp escalation in fighting just hours before hostilities were expected to pause. Continued …

Three Thai Soldiers Killed Defending Border in Sa Kaeo

Three Thai soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, King’s Guard, were killed while on duty defending Thailand’s sovereignty along the Thai–Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo province yesterday.

According to the First Army Region, the incident occurred in the area of Ban Nong Chan, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo, during an operational mission to secure the border. Continued …

First Army Area reports Cambodia building positions and stockpiling weapons

The First Army Area, through the Burapha Task Force, yesterday reported detecting movements by Cambodian forces in Poipet, a strategic area and a key Cambodian stronghold. The army said it observed the establishment of military positions, preparations involving supporting weapons, and the use of the area as a site to store and stockpile military equipment.

A security source said relevant agencies are closely monitoring and assessing developments, with Thai forces also moving into the area, with the stated aim of targeting Cambodian military objectives if required. Continued …

Your Turnkey Energy Provider

As Hua Hin’s longest-running solar installer serving the expat community, we’ve built our reputation on something rare in Thailand: we’re still here, and so are our 2,000+ customers. We’re not just installing solar systems – we’re your long-term partner in achieving true energy self-sufficiency. Our fully employed local team (never subcontractors) designs every system bespoke to your home and lifestyle, sources premium components directly from trusted Thai suppliers for unbeatable value, then walks alongside you through every stage of your journey to energy independence. With comprehensive aftercare including maintenance contracts, responsive call-out service, and 24/7 support through our Line official store, we ensure your path to self-sufficiency is smooth from day one through year ten and beyond. We speak your language, understand expat needs, and provide the hands-on guidance that turns a solar installation into lasting energy freedom.
Choose Solar Solution Ltd:,your committed partner in the journey to self-sufficiency, for the long haul. Call Clark today at +66 80825 2413, or Clive at +66640528172.

Strong baht adds pressure on condo market

A stronger baht is emerging as another major headwind for Thailand’s property sector, particularly the condominium market that relies heavily on foreign high-spending buyers, with signs some are delaying both title transfers and new deals amid exchange-rate uncertainty.

Industry assessments say the baht’s appreciation against major currencies such as the US dollar and the yuan makes Thai condominiums instantly more expensive for foreign investors — even if developers do not raise prices — reducing investment yields, especially for buyers planning to rent out units or hold them for medium- to long-term gains. Continued …

Thailand’s Stock Market Crisis: Corporate Fraud Shatters Investor Confidence

Corporate scandals, executive flight, and delayed enforcement have left Thailand’s bourse struggling to restore credibility. Yesterday, Thailand’s Stock Exchange witnessed an extraordinary convergence of corporate disgrace.

As JKN Global Group’s shares traded for the final time before delisting, a Bangkok court delivered its verdict in the fraud case against the company’s founder, Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip. Continued …

Gold, silver and platinum surge to fresh peaks

Gold, silver, and platinum surged to new all-time highs after markets reopened yesterday, with gold reaching US$4,530.60, silver US$75.14, and platinum US$2,429.98 per ounce.

The rally was driven by a combination of momentum-based speculation, thin year-end trading liquidity, and expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will continue cutting interest rates. Continued …

Thai rice exports may fall as much as 12.5% in 2026

Thailand’s rice exports are projected to fall to 7 million tons next year from about 8 million in 2025, with the strong baht making it harder to compete with plentiful ‌supplies of India, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.

“If the baht continues in this direction, it will pose a major challenge for Thai agricultural products,” Arada Fuangtong, head of the Department of Foreign Trade, told a press conference. Continued …

Thailand’s Air Travel Booms Ahead of New Year with Increased Seats and Reduced Fares

Air travel across Thailand has surged ahead of the 2026 New Year holiday, with passenger numbers climbing steadily throughout December, prompting the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the Ministry of Transport to expand seat capacity and lower fares to support public travel.

As of Dec. 21, about 479,979 passengers had passed through Thai airports, including roughly 208,040 domestic travelers and 271,939 international passengers, bringing traffic close to pre-pandemic levels. Passenger volumes are expected to peak between Dec. 27 and Jan. 4. On international routes, travel between Thailand and China reached about 19,852 passengers, around 75% of pre-COVID levels, while arrivals from India totaled 10,616, exceeding pre-pandemic figures by about 10%. Continued …

What will power Southeast Asia in the coming year? 5 trends to watch

Fears of a major trade slowdown in 2025 following a barrage of US tariffs turned out to be less destructive than expected, as Southeast Asia’s growth remained relatively resilient.

Front-loaded shipments, electronics exports, and foreign direct investment (FDI) turned out to be the engines behind the region’s resilience this year. This was even as domestic spending and consumer confidence struggled in some economies. Continued …

Inside Thailand’s return to medical-only cannabis

In June 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize marijuana. What followed was a “gold rush” of sorts, as entrepreneurs, farmers, and investors rushed to open shops, plant fields, and invest in what then seemed like a booming new industry.

Just seven months later, over 18,000 cannabis shops lined Thailand’s streets. Tourists flocked to the country for a taste of what was banned back home, while locals in rural communities cultivated cannabis alongside rice and corn. Continued …

How to See Thailand’s Wonders Without Feeling Like a Tourist

Some incorrectly assume that Thailand is synonymous with full moon–partying backpackers, over-the-top resorts, crowded beaches, and tourist-thronged temples. In reality, there’s a collective desire among Thais I’ve spoken to across the country for travelers to discover what their homeland is truly about: diverse cultures, a symphony of food, remarkable landscapes, mountainscapes and seascapes, and mind-boggling artisanship and architecture.

Smiling Albino travel company founder Dan Fraser, a Bangkok resident for 26 years, emphasizes the thrill of going off the grid in the country. “You get that high adrenaline rush feeling that you’re one of the first (travelers) to ever walk this trail or bike that route or hang out in this little curry shop in a riverside fishing village,” he says. “Thailand has that kind of opportunity in spades — it’s around every corner, even in Bangkok.” Continued …

Thai year of environmental upheaval

In 2025, Thailand faced a convergence of challenges that laid bare its vulnerability to environmental degradation, natural disasters, and complex regional dynamics.

From polluted rivers and hazardous air quality to seismic disturbances, destructive floods, and sensitive diplomatic disputes, these developments have tested the nation’s preparedness, governance, and capacity for cross-border cooperation. Together, they underscore mounting pressures on ecosystems, public safety, and national values amid an increasingly volatile regional landscape. Continued …

Plastic waste is choking the planet — recycling won’t be enough

If the world continues with business as usual and fails to make urgent systemic changes, plastic pollution leaking into the environment — on land, in water, and in the air — will more than double by 2040, reaching an estimated 280 million metric tons a year. The scale is likened to dumping a truckload of plastic waste into the environment every single second, nonstop.

The economic damage caused by the plastics system is also rising to shocking levels — especially when “hidden costs” that are not reflected in material prices are included. The report estimates that health impacts from chemicals in plastics alone cost the world as much as US$1.5 trillion a year. Continued …

Thailand’s top 10 cleanest coasts and rivers

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has reported that coastal seawater quality nationwide in 2025 was rated “good” at 31%, “fair” at 60%, “degraded” at 6%, and “severely degraded” at 3%, based on monitoring at 210 sampling points.

PCD Director-General Surin Worakijthamrong said the monitoring covered six categories of coastal water use under national seawater-quality standards. The assessment used the Marine Water Quality Index (MWQI). Continued …

Three Thai hospitality leaders commit to 100% cage-free egg sourcing

Three of Thailand’s leading hospitality companies have announced new commitments to source only cage-free eggs for their dining operations, policy improvements that will benefit millions of guests across Thailand and tens of thousands of egg-laying hens.

Asset World Corp. (AWC), one of Thailand’s largest integrated lifestyle developers operating a diverse portfolio of hotels and serviced apartments, has committed to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs across all properties by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, S Hotels & Resorts, operating the SAii Hotels & Resorts brand across premium beach destinations and other well-known brands, has set a 2028 target for complete cage-free egg implementation across all operations in Thailand and the Maldives. Shangri-La Group has similarly committed to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs across its Thailand operations — including properties in Bangkok and Chiang Mai — by the end of 2029. Continued …

Hua Hin Links

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