Hua Hin 4th for Chinese tourists/PROUD posts record revenue/Centara Hua Hin owner sets growth target/Red Cross urges urgent blood donations/Repair of Bangkok sinkhole/Coconut Crisis: Prices Crash- ECONOMY: Thailand economic plan targets 3%-5% GDP growth/Border Trade Crisis/European business eyes Thai rail investment/Global labor crunch
- TOURISM: Dual pricing as tourism dilemma/Too soon to predict China tourism rebound/Why Tomorrowland’s Chose Thailand/MotoGP 2026 Season Starts
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Khao Soi ranks second in world noodle list/Thailand’s Night Markets and Street Eats/Thailand’s 9 UNESCO Creative Cities/How Thais Will Holiday in 2026
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Oil Spill Near Phuket/Similan divers lift ‘ghost nets’
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
Hua Hin 4th best choice in Thailand for Chinese tourists
Chinese New Year is one of the most important times in many Asian countries, particularly in China, where people travel back home, go sightseeing, and spend to celebrate the lunar new year. According to China’s People’s Daily, Chinese consumers tend to spend more during the holiday across six key industries: restaurants, accommodation, transportation, tourism, personal goods, and entertainment.
The top popular destinations in Thailand for Chinese travelers during Chinese New Year were: Ao Nang Beach, Krabi; Koh Samet, Rayong; Koh Lipe, Satun; Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan; Chiang Mai; Kata Beach, Phuket; Karon Beach, Phuket; Patong Beach, Phuket; Bangkok; and Phuket Town. Continued …
PROUD posts record revenue of B6.4 billion, up 183%
Pasu Liptapanlop, director of Proud Real Estate Public Co. (PROUD), revealed the company achieved its highest success in history, setting an all-time high with total revenue of 6,407 million baht, up from 2,268 million baht in the same period last year, representing growth of 183%, and net profit of 168 million baht, up from 57 million baht a year earlier.
This performance was driven by continuous recognition of ownership transfers from three key projects: Nue District R9, which recorded the highest revenue of 4,706 million baht; VEHHA Hua Hin at 1,267 million baht; and VI ARI at 294 million baht. Continued …
Centara Hua Hin owner sets robust growth target
Central Plaza Hotel Public Co., parent company of Hua Hin’s Centara’s Grand Beach Resort and Villas, is setting robust growth targets for 2026, aiming for total revenue of T35 billion, a subsubstantial 14%-15% increase from the previous year, according to CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.
This growth will be driven by both hotel and food business segments — hotels are projected to contribute between B15.7-15.9 billion, while the food business is forecast to bring in approximately B19.1-19.3 billion, each reflecting around 14%-15% growth. Continued …
Thai Red Cross urges urgent blood donations as reserves fall
The Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS) is appealing for blood donations from the public, as reserves in its blood bank have dropped drastically below acceptable levels, posing a direct threat to patients who require transfusions.
The TRCS says that blood reserves at its blood bank and at hospitals normally fall to their lowest levels during February and March each year. However, accidents and emergencies can occur at any time, requiring blood to be readily available. Continued …
Repair of Bangkok sinkhole to cost 1 billion baht, reopening in March 2027
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has unveiled its plan to repair the sinkhole on Samsen Road, caused by the ongoing construction of the Purple Line from Tao Poon to Rat Burana.
The repair work, which involves a series of complex engineering tasks, is expected to cost at least 1 billion baht, with the private contractor responsible for the expenses. Continued …
Coconut Crisis: Prices Crash to 1–2 Baht
Farm-gate prices for Thailand’s Nam Hom (aromatic) coconuts have fallen sharply to just 1–2 baht per fruit, pushing growers toward financial ruin. The slump has prompted urgent action from Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.
Has ordered officials to closely monitor the situation and assist farmers and entrepreneurs across the supply chain. Authorities are also expanding export efforts and investigating nominee firms accused of distorting the market. Continued …
Thailand economic plan targets 3%-5% GDP growth
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), delivered a keynote address titled “Thailand’s Sustainomy Context: Capturing New Growth and Mitigating Unprecedented Risks” at the Future Ready 2026 event yesterday.
He said the NESDC is currently drafting Thailand’s 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2027-2032), with a focus on restructuring the Thai economy to deliver quality growth, while also putting in place mechanisms to cope with risks stemming from a rapidly changing global context and rising uncertainties. Continued …
Border Trade Crisis: Businesses Seek Government Help
Businesses along the Thai-Cambodia border are urging the government to intervene as prolonged checkpoint closures cause significant financial losses. The ongoing tensions have halted cross-border trade, impacting local economies and export revenues.
Before the closures, border trade was a vital economic activity, generating substantial income. However, the estimated losses in 2025 have reached around 30 billion baht. Industries like construction materials are particularly affected, with annual losses of at least 100 million baht due to halted exports of concrete products and cement. Continued …
European business group eyes Thai rail investment
A working group of the European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) has expressed strong interest in supporting Thailand’s expanding logistics and rail sectors, citing the country’s 2,400-kilometer double-track railway network as a key driver of lower regional transport costs and stronger supply-chain efficiency.
The interest was conveyed during a meeting yesterday between the Ministry of Transport and an EABC delegation led by Roderich Hoffmann, head of the working group on transport, rail systems, and logistics. Continued …
World Bank warns of global labor crunch: 1.2B entrants chasing just 400M jobs
Melinda Good, the World Bank’s country director for Thailand and Myanmar, outlined the challenges facing the global and Thai economies from a labor-market and investment perspective at the “Futuready Dinner Thought” event. She said the world is entering an era of the highest uncertainty on record — akin to a “tax” that drags on private-sector investment decisions — amid the rapid advance of AI and robotics, which are significantly reshaping the global value chain.
She said that over the next decade, 1.2 billion people worldwide are expected to enter the labor market, but forecasts suggest there will be only 400 million jobs available. The resulting gap of more than 800 million jobs represents a major crisis for young people globally, who will face intense competition and a shortage of opportunities. Continued …
Dual pricing as Thailand’s tourism dilemma
Thailand welcomed 32.9 million foreign visitors in 2025, a 7.23% decline from the year before. While no single factor explains the drop in visitor numbers, the question of whether tourists feel fairly treated is one the industry cannot afford to ignore, and it is a debate that cuts deeper than the price gap alone.
Dual pricing is not unique to Thailand. The Taj Mahal in India and Petra in Jordan both charge foreign tourists more than local visitors, typically framed as a maintenance fee. In Thailand, public attractions like temples and national museums operate under ministerial regulations, while private operators are overseen by the Department of Internal Trade, though the latter are considerably harder to regulate. Continued …
Too soon to predict China tourism rebound
Despite early signs of a rebound in Chinese arrivals during the first two months, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is downplaying expectations for a strong recovery, preferring to wait until May to assess whether demand has stabilized.
Chinese arrivals rose 0.3% to 991,718 as of Feb. 23, up from 988,451 year-on-year. According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the total number of Chinese arrivals for the first two months is projected to tally 1.08 million, increasing 4.5% year-on-year. Continued …
Tomorrowland’s CEO on Choosing Thailand for First Asian Launch
WEAREONE.world (Thailand) Co. has received approval from Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) to host “Tomorrowland Thailand,” marking the festival’s first venture into Asia. Scheduled for Dec. 11-13, the event will take place at Wisdom Valley in Pattaya and aims to attract 50,000 attendees per day. This move is expected to significantly boost the local economy and tourism industry.
Tomorrowland, a renowned electronic music festival, chose Thailand due to its strong cultural appeal, excellent tourism services, and supportive infrastructure, according to CEO Bruno Vanwelsenaers, who noted Thailand’s readiness in terms of transportation and amenities. The government’s facilitation in areas like visas and taxes has also played a crucial role in making Thailand an attractive destination for the festival. Continued …
MotoGP 2026 Season Starts in Thailand
The MotoGP 2026 season has officially kicked off with the PT Grand Prix of Thailand at Chang International Circ uit in Buriram through March 1. Fans gathered to witness the season’s first race featuring the world’s top riders.
This race marks the last year of the 1,000cc engines before transitioning to 850cc in 2027. Fans can view the new bikes as part of the season’s “kick-off.” Participants include Marc Márquez with Ducati Lenovo, Álex Márquez from Gresini Racing, and Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia Racing. Continued …
Khao Soi ranks second in TasteAtlas world noodle list
Thailand’s Khao Soi has been ranked No.2 in the 2026 “Best Rated Noodle Dishes in the World” by TasteAtlas, placing the northern Thai specialty among the top noodle dishes globally.
The coconut curry noodle soup is known for its rich broth made with coconut milk and red curry paste, served with egg noodles and a choice of chicken, beef, or pork. It is topped with crispy fried noodles and accompanied by condiments such as lime, pickled cabbage, shallots, and chilies. Continued …
Thailand’s Night Markets and Street Eats
There’s something magical about Thailand after sunset. Lemongrass, charcoal, something frying in oil nearby, and underneath it all, that warm evening air that Thailand does better than almost anywhere. Travelers talk about the temples and the beaches and the sunsets, which are all deserved, but ask anyone who has spent real time in Thailand, and nine times out of 10, the food memories are what they actually go on about.
Bangkok is a city of contrast, with all its different faces and styles. If you’ve only seen it during the daylight, then you haven’t seen the “real” Bangkok – perhaps just half of it. At about 7 pm, it becomes a very different city, as the temperature drops ever so slightly and the streets, which were previously gridlocked and filled with chaos, start to loosen and feel more like a fabulous party to which you didn’t know you had been invited. Continued …
Explore Thailand’s 9 UNESCO Creative Cities
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has invited tourists to embark on a journey to discover the meaning of nature and local wisdom, while enjoying the happiness of the UNESCO Creative Cities Thailand routes.
Thailand’s 9 UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), along with one aspiring creative city, is preparing special pilot activities in three provinces to raise awareness and encourage travel. The first province to kick off the initiative is Sukhothai, a city renowned for its handicrafts and folk arts. Continued …
Three Generations, Three Travel Styles: How Thais Will Holiday in 2026
A Thai holiday used to be easy to stereotype: a family trip at Songkran, a beach weekend when the heat bites, a once-a-year splurge overseas. But AirAsia MOVE’s latest behavioral data suggests Thailand’s travelers are now split into three distinct camps — each with its own rhythm, priorities, and idea of what counts as “worth it”.
From how far ahead they book to what they’re willing to pay extra for, the differences between Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y (Millennials) are shaping how Thailand will be traveled in 2026 — especially within the country, as more Thais chase experiences that fit their lifestyles, budgets and time. Continued …
Oil Spill Near Phuket Raises Environmental, Tourism Concerns
A sunken Panama-flagged cargo ship has caused large oil slicks to wash ashore near Phuket, posing threats to marine life and tourism. The incident began when the vessel sank off Koh Kaew Noi on Feb. 7. Since Feb. 25, oil clumps have been seen on Koh Hey’s beaches, heightening concerns.
The ship carried 297 containers and over 90 tons of fuel oil, leading to environmental worries as oil-coated marine life has been observed. Crabs along the shores are visibly impacted, with some appearing weakened, reflecting growing ecosystem damage. The threat to Phuket’s tourism industry is also significant, given its reliance on clean and safe beaches. Continued …
Similan divers lift ‘ghost nets’ from deep-sea coral reef
Divers have recovered abandoned fish aggregating devices (FADs) tangled around deep-sea coral reefs, preventing serious harm to marine life, including turtles, dolphins, and dugongs in Mu Ko Similan National Park.
Rangers spotted two large FADs drifting near Koh Payan (Similan No.3) during a patrol on Thursday. The devices are believed to have dragged lost or abandoned fishing nets — known as ghost nets — into a sea fan coral formation about 45 meters below the surface, park chief Siriwat Suebsai said yesterday. Continued …
- Chinese Fraud Suspect Arrested in Chiang Mai – Continued …
- Chinese Man Held in Songkhla for 335-Day Overstay – Continued …
Pakistan is in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan after latest strikes
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border attacks overnight in a dramatic escalation of tensions that led Pakistan’s defense minister to say yesterday that the two countries are in a state of “open war.” Continued …
Court orders Greenpeace to pay $345 million to US oil pipeline company
Greenpeace must pay US$345 million in damages to the operator of the US oil pipeline it protested, a North Dakota court ordered yesterday. The decision finalizes this phase of the explosive, years-long case that has pitted the environmental organization against the company Energy Transfer, opening the door to an appeals process in the closely watched legal saga. 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
Royal Hua Hin Golf Course hosts first Thai LPGA event of year
Road accidents in Thailand fell in 2025, according to new data released yesterday at the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Police Gen. Samran Nuanma, deputy commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police and director of the Traffic Management Center, said statistics show a decline in crashes, fatalities, and injuries. However, speeding remains the leading cause of accidents nationwide.
The Election Commission (EC) has announced the final voter turnout for the 2026 general election, with 37.8 million voters (71.4%) participating on Feb.8. 
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has started upgrading traffic signals at various intersections, incorporating an adaptive system using CCTV and AI technology to adjust in real time. This initiative aims to transition from fixed-timing to automated adaptive control, improving convenience and reducing time on the roads.
Rising memory component costs have pushed up launch prices for Samsung’s latest flagship lineup, with several models in the new Galaxy S26 series debuting up to 20% higher than their Galaxy S25 predecessors in Thailand.
The operator of the BTS Skytrain has called on passengers to refrain from flicking or tossing their hair while traveling during peak hours, warning that loose locks could accidentally strike fellow commuters in the face, shoulders, eyes, or mouth.
This year continues to be a period of high uncertainty for Thai businesses, driven by geopolitical tensions, global economic policies, interest rate directions, and the transition to new technologies. Meanwhile, domestic factors such as a strong Thai baht, high household debt, weak demand, and a fragile economic structure are further intensifying the pressure on the business sector.
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) expects the baht to gradually weaken against the US dollar, reaching 33 baht per dollar in the fourth quarter of this year, driven by a combination of domestic and external factors.
Factory activity in Thailand picked up in January, driven by heightened political activity during the election campaign and strong demand in the automotive sector, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE).
The global semiconductor industry is entering an increasingly strategic phase, driven by accelerated investments in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, and electric vehicles (EV).
Suphajee Suthumpun, minister of Commerce, has revealed that the Thai government and the government of the People’s Republic of China have reached a government-to-government rice-trading agreement for a volume of 40,000 tons.
US trading partners, including China and the EU, are responding to Trump’s recent tariff setbacks and warnings of potential new tariffs. They are likely adopting cautious or defensive strategies in light of these developments, reflecting concerns over economic stability and trade relations. The situation underscores ongoing tensions between the US and its trade partners over tariffs and trade policies.
Over the past few weeks, local news headlines have been dominated by complaints from some foreign tourists claiming that Thailand is becoming too expensive, while some Thais are being perceived as unfriendly — or even rude — to visitors.
Dual-pricing, where foreigners pay more to enter certain places than local visitors, is common at major destinations in Thailand. When the double standard system blurs into confusion and exploitation, it could damage the country’s tourism.
Thailand’s wellness market expanded from $38.8 billion in 2023 to $42.7 billion in 2024. According to the latest Global Wellness Economy: Country Ranking Report by GWI, Thailand ranked #7 among the world’s top 25 wellness markets for growth between 2023 and 2024, achieving an impressive 10.1% increase.
Thailand is every wanderer’s dream: temples rising into brilliant blue skies, tuk-tuks zipping past street carts sizzling with spice, and tropical beaches that seem to glow at sunset. But because the kingdom stretches from misty northern hills to two distinct coastal systems, deciding when to go is almost as important as where you go.
A Short-Stay Guide to Koh Tao — Thailand’s Tiny Gulf Escape
Technology giants, including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta, have in recent months announced plans to spend over US$600 billion on AI in 2026 alone. The investment wave has already fueled unease among some investors about the profitability of this strategy. They have reason to be worried, as the ambitious US AI expansion plans are likely to be hobbled by severe power-infrastructure bottlenecks, including turbine shortages, slow grid expansion, and regulatory red tape. 
Unsafe levels of smog in most of Thailand, including Bangkok
Thailand Post Raises EMS and eCo-Post Fees in 85 Areas
Five Arrests Made in Alleged Abduction and Killing
ASEAN-China trade to top US$984 billion as Chinese FDI surges in region
Finance Ministry seeks approval for online gold tax
Exit the Snake, enter the Horse
The Black Sea country on the European Union’s southeast frontier will become the 21st country to join the euro currency zone after it met the formal entry criteria this year, including for inflation, budget deficit, long-term borrowing costs, and exchange-rate stability. 
Tomorrowland to attract 1 million visitors in 5 years, says TAT
Authorities plan to continue capping diesel price
Thailand establishing new SEZ for clean energy, EV battery investments
Tomorrowland denies Thailand to host EDM event
