• Feedback Re: Thailand’s overtourism/Afternoon alcohol sales/Thais assured to view World Cup live/Citizens urged to fight NCD crisis/World of Coffee coming/Ready for life after 60?
• THE IRAN WAR: US defense chief downplays effort to open Hormuz/Trump suspends Hormuz ship aid/Thai exports disrupted/400-billion-baht loan to tackle energy crisis
• ECONOMY: Thai condo market faces pressure/Thailand, US trade deal/Land bridge faces backlash/Operators applaud nominee crackdown/Farmers’ loans unlikely to be repaid
• TOURISM: Foreign arrivals decline/Hotel bookings sink/Taxing tourism/80 billion baht airport expansion/Tourists told to move at Wat Arun
• THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Bangkok food vendor curbs/Bangkok Chinatown comes alive/Redefining Longevity Tourism/Best Time to Visit Thailand
• CLIMATE THAILAND: One-stop center for solar rooftop/EV pickup boom
• FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS 

---

Re: Thailand’s overtourism

“Over-tourism has blighted many parts of Thailand – Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket, Koh Chang, Koh Samet, Pattaya…….. and yet there is constant talk of quality rather than quantity. In the meantime, the relatively ‘undiscovered’ areas such as Koh Phayam, Khanom…..are soon to be ruined (according to local people) by the land bridge. Tragic.” – AJB

Afternoon alcohol sales: No increase in accident rates

Thailand’s Alcohol Control Committee has opened a public consultation on a draft regulation setting days when alcohol sales would be prohibited, with feedback accepted until May 30. The move signals a potential update to existing restrictions, while confirming that recent changes to daytime alcohol sales have not increased accident rates.

Data reviewed covered the first 90 days after the lifting of alcohol sale restrictions between 2-5 pm, comparing December 2025 to March 2026 with the same period the previous year. Officials reported no rise in overall accidents, including during the 2 pm to 8 pm window where impacts had been anticipated. Continued … 

Thais assured to view World Cup 2026 live

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday confirmed that Thais will definitely view World Cup 2026 football games to be broadcast live from host  countries in North America between next month and July.

Anutin told reporters at Government House that the Bhumjaithai-led government will see to it that the World Cup tournament be broadcast live from the United States, Mexico, and Canada to Thailand but declined to confirm whether viewers in this country will see all 104 matches to play as scheduled by the FIFA from June 12 until July 20. Continued … 

Health wake-up call — Active citizens urged to fight Thailand’s NCD crisis

Thailand is being urged to promote “active citizens” to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) after new findings show they account for 70% of all deaths and impose an economic burden of B1.6 trillion.

According to the “Report on the Health Status of Thai People, Health Service System and Health Workforce for National Strategy Development”, published in March by the National Health Foundation with support from the Health Systems Research Institute, the country is undergoing a clear epidemiological transition. Continued … 

World of Coffee coming to Bangkok

Even if you don’t drink coffee, you will know that the coffee business has grown tremendously because coffee shops, either small or large, have been mushrooming. Due to the growth of this market, Thailand is set to host one of the world’s most influential coffee events – World Of Coffee Bangkok 2026.

Following successful editions in Busan, South Korea, in 2024, and Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2025, Bangkok is the third Asian city to host the internationally recognized event. The move reflects the rapid development of Thailand’s speciality coffee sector over the past decade, driven by rising consumer demand, a vibrant café culture and an increasingly sophisticated ecosystem spanning from farm to cup. Continued … 

Is Thai society ready for life after 60?

Is 60 truly the perfect endpoint of a working life? This question is becoming ever more pressing as Thailand, and the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, rapidly transform into a “super-aged society” – a definition for a country or society where 20% or more of the population is aged 65 or older.

In a “gray society”, the economic and social structures once driven by a young workforce face mounting pressure. This is not merely a fiscal crisis or a social welfare burden – it is a pivotal moment that calls for a collective effort to revive the potential of an experience-rich human resource and restore it as a core engine of growth. Continued … 

US defense chief downplays effort to open Hormuz Strait as ‘temporary mission’

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth downplayed the U.S. military’s new effort to clear the Strait of Hormuz as a “temporary mission” that does not break the ceasefire with Iran, even after the Pentagon said it sank half a dozen small Iranian boats.

President Donald Trump has called the effort to allow commercial ships to pass through the Strait a “mini war” and said any interference with the U.S. military will be “dealt with forcefully.” But Hegseth said “Project Freedom,” as the Pentagon has dubbed the operation, is temporary and won’t see U.S. forces enter Iranian territory. Continued … 

Trump suspends Hormuz ship aid, cites progress in Iran talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday he would briefly pause an operation to help ships escape the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran. Video … 

Exports disrupted — Thai rice loses ground in Middle East

Thailand’s rice exporters say the Iran war has dealt a major blow to shipments to the Middle East, wiping out more than 200,000 tons of exports over the past three months.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Assn., said Thailand’s rice exports remained active in all major markets during the first four months of 2026, except the Middle East, where shipments had been suspended for three months because of the war. Continued … 

Cabinet approves 400-billion-baht loan decree to tackle energy crisis

The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft emergency decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow up to 400 billion baht to address the impact of the energy crisis and support Thailand’s energy transition. Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the decision was necessary because conflict in the Middle East had severely affected energy prices and economic activity worldwide.

He said the crisis, which began with surging energy prices, had spread to food prices and was putting pressure on the cost of living for Thai people. He stressed that the situation was not a normal one that the government could ignore. Continued … 

Thai condo market faces pressure as property developers slow launches

Thailand’s condominium market in 2026 is facing pressure from all sides, including the domestic economy and external factors, particularly tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel that have pushed oil prices higher, significantly affecting the cost of goods and services, as well as the cost of living for Thai consumers.

The situation has prompted consumers to delay spending and become more cautious about buying big-ticket items, especially housing. At the same time, delays in forming the government early in the year further undermined private-sector confidence, causing investment and new project launches to slow, despite state stimulus measures such as a reduction in transfer fees for homes priced at no more than B7 million and an easing of loan-to-value (LTV) rules. Continued … 

Thailand, US move ahead on reciprocal trade deal

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand and the United States have agreed to move forward with talks on a reciprocal trade agreement after discussions with senior US trade officials. Suphajee made the remarks after meeting US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer on Monday.

She said the talks were constructive and reflected the shared intention of Thailand and the United States to accelerate negotiations on the agreement on reciprocal trade (ART), so that progress can be made and the talks concluded as soon as possible. Continued … 

Land bridge faces backlash as petition exceeds target overnight

An environmental advocacy organization, the Environmental Law Foundation (EnLAW), yesterday launched a nationwide campaign titled “Stop SEC Act & Land Bridge”, calling on the public to oppose the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), or land bridge project, through an online petition.

The petition drive, hosted on stop-sec.com https://stop-sec.com/, aims to gather at least 50,000 signatures by June 30 to support submissions to the government and relevant agencies. As of 10.53 am today, however, the number of signatories had already reached 72,648. Continued … 

Koh Phangan tourism operators applaud nominee crackdown

Tourism operators on Koh Phangan have urged the government to continue cracking down on illegal businesses run by foreigners, while also improving the tourism image and rolling out further stimulus measures amid growing concerns among tourists resulting in fewer arrivals.

A school on Koh Phangan was recently raided for illegally operating, and most of its students were Israeli nationals. The incident raised concerns about nominee arrangements and illegal businesses on the island, which undermine tourism. Continued … 

More than half of farmers’ loans unlikely to be repaid

More than 50% of farmer debtors are unlikely to fully repay their debts within their lifetime, largely because most of them are elderly, according to the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research (PIER). The institute says a combination of debt relief measures is needed to address the issue.

PIER, a research center under the Bank of Thailand, estimates 52% of the country’s 3.97 million farmer debtors in the National Credit Bureau database will be unable to fully repay their debts over their lifetime. Continued … 

Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students

Vilhelm International Academy launched in March 2026 and has is campus at “The Hub” in Hin Lek Fai, less than 10 minutes from the center of town. They provide mentor-led academic supervision for students studying through accredited online school programs, whether independently enrolled or through integrated programs offered at Vilhelm. This means that students follow a fixed timetable, complete coursework under supervision, and receive ongoing progress monitoring.  They can do this whist studying for their GCSE’s, A-Levels, NCAA approved US courses, or any other online school they choose to use.

Unlike more traditional options, at the academy children can learn at their own pace, not being forced forward before they are ready and also not being held back by the rest of the class. When they are ready to move on they do so. By coming to the academy each day, they are able to complement their studies with activities that develop leadership skills, community service (such as the recent helmet initiative), complemented by daily sports and physical activity to support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

You can visit the website for more details, or you can book an appointment to meet with the academy co-ordinator to discuss what you are looking for and explain what they can offer. There is a completely free five-day trial period that can be taken advantage of by anyone interested in seeing if the academy is the right fit for them.

Website; Email: info@vilhelminternationalacademy.com; Phone: +66 065 991 5500; Facebook; Map location.

Foreign arrivals decline amid airline upheaval

Foreign arrivals to Thailand fell 3.45% year-on-year in the first four months of 2026, with three of the top five markets posting declines of 11% to 23% in April due to unrest in the Middle East, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

As of May 3, total arrivals tallied just shy of 12 million, down 3.45%, while tourism revenue registered 584 billion baht for the first four months, a decrease of 3.28%. Continued … 

Hotel bookings sink — airlines and tourism hit by oil crisis

Thailand’s hotel industry is bracing for a weaker low season as rising oil prices, fewer flights, and softer travel demand begin to weigh on bookings. The prolonged conflict in the Middle East, now running for more than two months, has pushed global oil prices sharply higher and added fresh pressure to the tourism sector, which had only recently recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Airlines have been hit by higher fuel costs, forcing some to raise fares and reduce flight frequencies. The impact is now being felt by hotels, which are seeing slower forward bookings for the rest of the year. Continued … 

Taxing tourism: A lesson we keep relearning

Before we go too far down the road of new tourism taxes, it is worth pausing to ask a simple question. Are we really talking about something new, or are we revisiting an old idea that has already been tried, tested and, in many cases, quietly abandoned?

Having spent more than four decades in travel and tourism, I have seen this cycle more than once. A government identifies tourism as a major revenue generator, proposes a modest fee or levy, and presents it as a painless contribution from travelers. On paper, it always looks straightforward. Continued … 

Thailand plans 80 billion baht airport expansion to become aviation hub

Thailand airport expansion projects worth around 80 billion baht are being prepared as the government moves ahead with plans to position the country as a regional aviation hub.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn recently met with Airports of Thailand (AoT) executives and related officials to discuss aviation development projects aimed at improving airport facilities and passenger capacity. Continued … 

Tourists told to move by Wat Arun photographers in fresh complaint

A tourist complaint has put photographers at Wat Arun back in the spotlight after visitors claimed they were told to move from public areas to make way for paying photo clients.

The incident was shared on social media yesterday with claims that a group of photographers at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan in Bangkok told tourists to move away from certain spots to reserve space for their own clients. The reports have raised questions over whether existing rules for photographers and commercial photo services at the temple are being enforced. Continued … 

Bangkok food vendor curbs push city staple from the streets

Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli, and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital.

Convenient, full of flavor and popular among locals and tourists alike, Bangkok’s street food is one of the city’s signatures – where sizzling woks and smoky charcoal grills turn boulevards and sidewalks into open-air kitchens from morning until late at night. Continued … 

Bangkok Chinatown comes alive with culture and street food

Chinatown in Bangkok is one of the world’s most vibrant Chinese districts, famous for its atmosphere and energy. Visitors can explore Yaowarat Road, admire landmarks like China Gate and Wat Traimit, wander through Sampheng Lane, and enjoy a rich variety of street food after dark. Video … 

How Thailand is Redefining Longevity Tourism

In 2026, longevity tourism has shifted to focus on maximizing health span, with Thailand at the forefront. The country integrates medical innovation with cultural wisdom, addressing its aging society through proactive health management.

This includes personalized nutrition, regular checkups, and mental wellness. As a result, Thailand’s “Medical Hub” strategy has paved the way for marketing initiatives like “Healing is the New Luxury,” blending high-tech medical care with traditional methods. Continued … 

Best Time to Visit Thailand

What’s the best time to visit Thailand? It sounds like a simple problem to solve, as it has only three variables: geography, climate, and tourist flow. But, in reality, it’s a little more complicated, especially once you factor in why you’re coming.

Thailand stretches more than 1,200 miles from north to south. Drive the entire length, and you’ll move through three distinct climate zones: tropical savanna in the north and central plains, tropical monsoon further south and east, and tropical rainforest in the far south. Continued …

One-stop center for solar rooftop inquiries planned

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the Ministry of Energy and related organizations to set up a one-stop center for solar rooftop consulting.

Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said yesterday the prime minister wanted the center to be established quickly so that people would have accurate and adequate information if they want to adopt the renewable energy source. Continued … 

EV pickup boom gains momentum

Thailand’s electric pickup market is shifting into high gear, fueled by a mix of global energy pressures and domestic policy support, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Rising oil prices driven by Middle East tensions have made battery-powered alternatives more appealing, while the government’s EV3.5 incentive scheme, which offers tax cuts and subsidies for electric vehicles, has provided a strong boost to adoption. Continued … 

Phuket tourists deported after sexual act on public transport

Police have deported a Spanish man and a Peruvian woman after they were sexually inappropriate in a tuk-tuk, earlier this week. The 41-year-old man and 43-year-old woman were filmed engaging in oral sex aboard a moving tuk-tuk in tambon Patong of Kathu district on Sunday. Continued … 

• Locals denounce foreigners’ indecent exposures in Pattaya bay – Continued … 
• Thai Man Scammed of 58,000 Baht by foreigners in Phuket – Continued … 
• Chinese Fraud Suspect Arrested at Pattaya Viewpoint – Continued … 
• British Couple Held in Turkey After Thai Flight – Continued … 
• South Korean Scammer Arrested in Pattaya Condo – 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