- Prachuap Khiri Khan video/Thailand faces heavy rain and flood risks/December deadline for foreign land nominee probes/New Cold War tests Thai choices
- ECONOMY: France unrest offers Thailand lesson/Data centers and AI to fuel investment/World where there might be more people than jobs/Prepare for AI pain points/What do jobseekers need in the age of AI?
- TOURISM: Thailand’s foreign arrivals fall 4.12%/French protests threatening Thai tourism/Travel subsidies for tour groups/Virgin Atlantic lands in Phuket
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Chiang Mai’s iconic elephant camp/Bangkok ranked best culinary city in Asia
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Toyota investing in pickup plant
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
A Secret in Paradise – Prachuap Khiri Khan
A collaboration of the Hua Hin community reveals why “Prachuap Khiri Khan” is the peoples’ choice in Thailand. A group of local residents, together with schools supported by ex-minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat and local government tell the story of “A Secret in Paradise – Prachuap Khiri Khan”. Continued …
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Thailand faces heavy rain and flood risks until Sunday
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its seventh heavy-rain warning today, alerting parts of Thailand to heavy to very heavy downpours through Sunday. The warning also forecasts waves above three meters in thunderstorm areas of the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.
South, east coast: Thunderstorms will cover 70% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pattani and Narathiwat, and isolated very heavy rain in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla. Minimum temperatures will be 23–24°C and maximum temperatures 31–33°C. Continued …
Thailand sets December deadline for foreign land nominee probes
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered officials to complete investigations into suspected nominee arrangements used by foreigners to hold Thai land by December.
Anutin said enquiries must not stop with the name on a land title deed or company share certificates. Authorities must identify the person exercising real control and benefiting from the land, trace assets and examine those connected with any suspected network. Continued …
New Cold War tests Thai choices
Scholars and experts advise Thailand to maintain strategic flexibility and avoid picking sides to preserve its ability to balance relations between the United States and China. This approach is intended to help the nation navigate the complexities of a new Cold War and avoid the risks associated with being caught in a direct geopolitical confrontation.
The advice emphasizes the importance of preserving strategic balance and flexibility to manage the competing interests of both superpowers. Experts suggest that choosing a side could trigger economic or security-related repercussions, as the competition spans critical sectors like trade, finance, technology, and outer space. Furthermore, maintaining a balanced stance allows Thailand to better manage its diverse relationships, which include navigating US trade policies and managing significant economic ties with China. – Bangkok Post AI
France unrest offers Thailand lesson in debt and fiscal discipline
France’s latest wave of unrest is drawing attention to the financial pressure on one of Europe’s largest welfare states, prompting Thai economists to warn that persistent budget deficits and weak fiscal discipline can eventually constrain public services and leave governments with fewer options during a crisis.
More than 500,000 people joined nationwide demonstrations in France after protests that began among secondary-school students over deteriorating school conditions and teacher shortages broadened into anger over living costs and underfunded public services. Continued …
Data centers and AI to fuel digital investment boom
The Thai government is prioritizing investments in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure to transform the country into a regional leader and an intelligent nation. These investments are designed to strengthen national economic competitiveness, enhance digital sovereignty, and unlock new sources of economic growth through improved productivity.
By focusing on these areas, the government aims to transition from a fragmented digital presence to a unified, AI-driven backbone that supports both public and private sectors. Key strategic goals include building a robust foundation of data centers, cloud services, and advanced networking to support high-quality data and computing resources. Additionally, the strategy emphasizes developing a skilled local workforce and creating a globally competitive domestic AI industry to ensure that Thailand can effectively utilize emerging technologies rather than merely relying on imported solutions. – Bangkok Post AI
Where will young people stand in a world where there might be more people than jobs?
As young people hone their skills to enter the labor market, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we work, and in 15 years, there may be more job seekers than available positions. How will they prepare, and will the labor market create enough opportunities for this new generation?
A conference a the recent IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok featured a key panel discussion under the session Small AI, More and Better Jobs”. The main focus was on sharing data indicating that over the next 15 years, 1.2 billion young people will turn 18 and enter the labor market. The key question is whether the global economy at that time will be able to create enough jobs for these people, especially when AI is transforming work processes, from data searching and analysis to tasks that previously required human skills and experience. Continued …
Employees warned to prepare for AI pain points as organizations prepare to downsize
Thanit Sorat , vice president of the Thai Employers’ Confederation of Trade and Industry, drew lessons and reflected on the perspectives of global financial leaders at the IMF – World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, pointing out that both the IMF and the World Bank share grave concerns about the impact of AI and advanced technologies, which will have an unprecedented and widespread effect on labor markets and employment.
A report by the IMF and the International Labor Organization (ILO) indicates that businesses in Europe and the United States have adopted AI in more than one-third of their operations to enhance competency and productivity. This has already impacted employment in the West by 34%, and it is projected that this impact will expand globally, both directly and indirectly, by an average of 40% in the future. Continued …
What do jobseekers need in the age of AI?
Artificial intelligence is changing how people work across a wide range of professions, from researching information and writing content to preparing reports and conducting basic data analysis. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed much faster with AI tools. But for jobseekers, an important question remains: as AI becomes capable of doing more, what skills do employers still need from people?
An analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), presented during the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok found that hiring demand in occupations highly exposed to AI fell by about 10% before beginning to stabilize, even as AI capabilities continued to advance. The analysis drew on millions of online job advertisements across Asia. Continued …
Thailand’s foreign arrivals fall 4.12%
Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals totaled 24,423,680 from Jan. 1 to Oct. 17, down 4.12% year-on-year, according to preliminary figures released by Tourism and Sports Ministry. Foreign visitors spent 1,189.555 billion baht in Thailand during the period.
Thailand recorded 487,410 foreign arrivals during Oct. 11–17, up 4,035, or 0.83%, from the previous week. The weekly total represented an average of 69,630 arrivals a day. Continued …
French protests seen threatening Thai tourism
Tourism operators in Thailand are concerned that mass protests in France could weaken inbound travel from Europe, a key source market for the country. These protests, driven by cost-of-living concerns and student demonstrations, threaten to disrupt the economy and further reduce European arrivals, which are already being impacted by unrest in the Middle East.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has noted that French tourists remain a strong source of demand, but prolonged unrest could lead to a gradual economic decline for travelers in the region. While Thailand has not seen an immediate impact on bookings due to recent demonstrations, industry experts worry that continued instability and high costs of living in France may influence the travel decisions of budget-conscious families and long-haul travelers. This situation adds pressure to a Thai tourism sector that is already navigating various global challenges. – Bangkok Post AI
New travel subsidies for tour groups
The Amazing Thailand campaign, specifically the Around Thailand with Tours initiative, aims to generate at least 208.8 million baht in tourism revenue. The government launched the domestic travel subsidy initiative to encourage group travel.
The program aims to reduce transportation costs for domestic tour groups through various subsidies, such as up to 40,000 baht per trip for groups traveling by van with at least six passengers. Additionally, tour groups traveling by bus can receive a subsidy of up to 10,000 baht per day, capped at 40,000 baht per trip for groups of at least 30 people. – Bangkok Post AI
Virgin Atlantic lands in Phuket
Thailand welcomed Virgin Atlantic’s inaugural direct flight from London Heathrow to Phuket yesterday, as advance bookings from the UK rose 17.5% ahead of the high season.
Virgin Atlantic launched the service to eliminate the need for passengers to connect through the Middle East. This seasonal route, which operates three times weekly from Oct. 18 to March 26, 2027, is the airline’s first service in both Thailand and Southeast Asia.
The service utilizes a Boeing 787-9 aircraft with 258 seats, and the inaugural flight saw a 98% passenger load factor. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the new route is expected to add approximately 3,096 seats to the monthly capacity as the country prepares for the high season. – Bangkok Post AI
Chiang Mai’s iconic elephant camp marks golden anniversary with major transformation
Mae Sa Elephant Camp, one of Chiang Mai’s longest-established tourist attractions, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with plans to revitalize its facilities, expand community partnerships and embrace a more sustainable approach to elephant tourism.
Founded in 1976 by the late Choochart Kalmapijit, Mae Sa Elephant Camp has played an important role in shaping Chiang Mai’s tourism industry for five decades. Now, under the leadership of his eldest daughter, Anchalee Kalmapijit, the camp is preparing to enter its 51st year with renewed ambitions for the future. Continued …
Bangkok ranked best culinary city in Asia
Bangkok was named Asia’s Best Culinary City Destination at the 2026 World Culinary Awards, marking its second consecutive win.Bangkok has now won three of the past four editions, with the Vietnamese capital Hanoi interrupting its run in 2024.
Bangkok’s food scene extends from street stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants, offering both traditional Thai cooking and contemporary interpretations. A food walk here can move from a bowl of rolled rice noodles in peppery pork broth to crab fried rice to noodles topped with homemade fish balls. Continued …
Toyota allots 1.49 billion baht for pickup plant
Toyota Motor Thailand is investing 1.49 billion baht to establish the country’s first production line for fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) pickup trucks.
This project, which is expected to begin commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2027, will have an annual production capacity of 3,000 units. The FCEV technology utilizes a hydrogen fuel cell system to generate electricity, emitting only water as a byproduct, which supports Thailand’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. To support this new line, Toyota plans to upgrade its plant in Chachoengsao with specialized workstations for assembling critical FCEV components, including fuel cells, electric motors, batteries, and hydrogen storage tanks. – Bangkok Post AI
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Thai police raid Bangkok Chinese-Korean scam network – Continued …
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5 foreigners held with 5 tons of cannabis in Bangkok raid – 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
Thailand is stepping up its fight against fake medicine, but recent cases show how lucrative and sophisticated the trade has become. With counterfeit products increasingly finding buyers online, stopping them before they reach consumers is becoming its own challenge. 
Nene Royal didn’t apply to America’s Got Talent. An American fan did it for her. His name is Sean, and like thousands of others, he first saw her playing on the street in Phuket. Unlike most of them, he didn’t just film it and walk away.
Thai singer Nene Royal, named as the winner of America’s Got Talent 2026, has said she will take the program’s prize money as a one-off payment rather than in instalments.
Always Lalisa, a documentary following Thai singer and actor Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal during a year away from Blackpink’s group activities, opens in Thai cinemas on Oct. 12. Screenings run until Oct. 18 in IMAX and standard formats, with standard tickets starting at 350 baht.
A night out in Thailand turned into a wildlife rescue story after an intoxicated man brought a wild python home. Even more amazingly, the man, who had no recollection of bringing the animal home, woke up to rescuers removing it from his house.
Thailand weather warning: storms and hail until October 15
Thailand is facing a week of thunderstorms, strong winds, hail and lightning, with heavy to very heavy rain possible in some areas through Oct. 15. The Thai Meteorological Department warned that accumulated rain could bring flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in vulnerable areas.
Flood conditions in Prachin Buri have begun to improve, with water levels falling steadily in several areas and along the province’s main river. Local authorities are deploying pumps and sandbags to protect economic zones, while preparing recovery efforts as the disaster’s death toll reaches 24.
Bangkok’s severe flash floods, exploring how extreme rainfall, sinking geography, and communication breakdowns are testing the city’s infrastructure limits.
Toyota Motor Thailand has extended production suspensions at its Samrong, Ban Pho and Gateway plants, with operations now expected to resume between Oct. 14 and 19 as flooding continues to disrupt parts deliveries.
Residents of Pak Nam subdistrict in Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao, have endured flooding for more than two weeks, with reports that the situation could continue for another 30 days, adding to their anxiety over how long they must live with the hardship.
Media has reported that oil tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz are being targeted almost daily, as Iran is escalating its attacks in an attempt to halt its recovering crude oil exports.
The Revenue Department collected 2.52 trillion baht in tax revenue in the 2026 fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, exceeding its target by 7.5 billion baht, according to Acting Director-general Salakjit Phongsirichan.
A US–Thailand trade deal is heading for a November signing after President Donald Trump wrote directly to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. However, critical terms remain unresolved despite agreement in principle. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun is targeting the ASEAN summit in the Philippines.
Thailand’s high-tech industries require a diverse array of specialized technical and soft skills to keep pace with rapid technological transitions. Key requirements include expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) development, coding, and robotics, as well as proficiency in digital technologies, data science, and automated systems.
Tourism operators oppose the 450-baht fee because they believe it is unfair to genuine travelers. They argue that the funds intended for travel insurance for all foreign visitors are more likely to cover unpaid medical bills incurred by foreign workers rather than tourists.
How CNH Equipment Is Helping Thai Rice Farmers End Stubble Burning
US President Donald Trump slammed the “disgraceful” Nobel Peace Prize choice yesterday as leaving an “indelible stain” on Norway, arguing that the award should have gone to him. South African judge and human rights champion Navi Pillay won the prestigious prize in recognition of her work against war crimes and crimes against humanity. 
A Khao Tao power outage is scheduled for tomorrow from 9 am to 5 pm, affecting residents and businesses in parts of the area.
Officials to keep tabs on Hua Hin beachfront demolition
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Phetchaburi Province and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) have officially launched Hua Hin–Cha-am MICE City, presenting the neighboring destinations as one choice for meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions.
Water released from Pranburi Reservoir
Erik Brown, Tham Luang cave rescue diver, dies at 44
Canadian cave diver Erik Brown, who helped rescue the Wild Boars football team and their coach from Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai in 2018, has died aged 44. Brown’s family and friends announced his death, but did not give the precise date and cause of death, or any further details.
Chai Nat-Gulf canal plan faces Bangkok flood doubts
Flooding in Thailand has forced Toyota Motor to halt operations at four factories temporarily. A Toyota spokesperson said flooding had disrupted parts deliveries to the company’s factories in Thailand.
Farmers in the Bua Yai district of Nakhon Ratchasima are primarily struggling with severe drought conditions that are threatening their rice crops. This lack of sufficient water has left many rice fields unable to survive, forcing some farmers to release water into their fields to save crops or face losing their entire harvest.
Thailand’s long-awaited US trade deal has hit a serious hiatus as conflicting accounts emerge from Bangkok’s top negotiators. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun says an agreement has been reached in principle. Yet, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow says market access remains the key issue.
Thailand is preparing a new 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan for 2028–2032 that places digital technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced electronics and cleaner energy at the center of the country’s next development cycle. The government seeks to reposition Thailand as a higher-value investment and production base.
Phuket developers are promoting long-term residence visas and registered property-use rights to attract foreign residents and investors, as the island’s property market cools after several years of rapid growth.
Bangkok has recorded one of the strongest increases in luxury residential prices among major global cities over the past decade, with values rising by about 75%, according to Savills Research.
Russia has proposed bilateral cooperation with Thailand on small modular reactors (SMRs), Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin said yesterday. He added that Moscow wants to build on a run of high-level contacts to lift trade, which he described as far below its potential.
Southeast Asia’s digital economy was valued at $300 billion in 2025 and could reach $1 trillion by 2030. Structural shifts in ASEAN countries drive growth, with e-commerce dominating. Policy, platform evolution, and investment opportunities support this growth potential.
A World Economic Forum report on ASEAN’s digital economy highlights the gap between digital ambition and practical execution, positioning Thailand’s leadership as pivotal. Having chaired negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) across 14 rounds culminating in 2026, Thailand now faces the challenge of translating this agreement into functional cross-border systems for payments, digital identity, and data governance.
Suvarnabhumi Cargo Terminal Stays Open as Thai Airways Clears 8,000 Delayed Bags
When an expatriate dies in Thailand, relatives may have to deal with Thai authorities, the deceased’s embassy, funeral arrangements and an estate spread across several countries. The process is easier when each step is handled in the correct order.
Living in Thailand does not mean your estate exists only in Thailand. An expat may own a Thai condominium, maintain bank accounts offshore, hold US shares through an international platform and have pensions or property in their home country.
A retiree who ditched Australia for a “better life” in Thailand has revealed how he “lives like a king” for roughly $65 a day and is now helping other older Aussies do the same.
US President Donald Trump unveiled what he called a “damn good” AI chatbot, but it quickly drew attention for contradicting some of his contentious political claims. A day later, however, it stopped answering some political questions. 
Japan has toughened requirements for foreigners wanting to obtain permanent residency. Under new rules that will come into effect in stages, foreign residents wishing to stay in Japan permanently will have to prove their annual income is above average and they can carry casual conversations in Japanese. 
Switzerland’s glaciers, which are disproportionately impacted by climate change, have lost nearly 20% of their mass in five years, experts said today, with 2026 registering the second-biggest melt on record. 
Toyota ‘to expand hybrid output in Thailand’
Northern Thailand flooding: Phichit’s Yom River water levels rise
NACC accuses 3 police of being ‘unusually rich’
What Motivates Thailand to Pursue BRICS Membership?
Fuel tariff charge for May-August period to remain unchanged
Toyota to make electric pickups in Thailand
Green Yellow’s solar power installations to boost Thai clean energy adoption
Hua Hin World Cup won by Swiss team
Baht hits 6-month high against dollar after US Fed rate hike
CP and Toyota join forces to study path toward carbon neutrality in Thailand
Thai firm to buy used cooking oil to convert to plane fuel
Industrial estates to install solar systems
EV producers cheered by bookings at motor show
House panel reverses cannabis status as narcotic
TAT sees Chinese tourists returning soon
Thailand renowned for high medical care standards at friendly rates among foreign tourists
Call of the mountains
Covid surge spooks Beijing residents, disrupts government
Japan unveils future-food breakthrough: ‘meat’ made from rice bran