- Hua Hin to Khon Kaen flights/Nakhon Pathom to Pranburi roadway/Soi 102 flooding issues/World Cup matches in Thailand/Makro Expands QR Credit Card Payments/Swedish Church representatives visit Hua Hin//Floods hit Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang/Situation ‘fragile’ at Cambodian border/Thai gold opens lower
- THE IRAN WAR: U.S. Strikes Iran Again/BOT affirms baht stability
- ECONOMY: Thai chamber proposes 10 urgent measures/Thai household income falls/Thailand GDP forecast to 1.6%-2.0%/Thailand’s misleading growth story/Greater focus on foreign investors/New shrimp markets/New data center investment/New Bangkok city plan
- TOURISM: TAT forecasts 33 million foreign tourists/Tourism levy in 3rd quarter/Three Phuket hotels raided
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Return to Khao Yai/Thailand’s best beaches/Thailand’s Highland Communities
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Thailand’s Low-Carbon Economy
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
EZY Airlines Hua Hin to Khon Kaen flights under review
Private sector officials in Khon Kaen have proposed new Khon Kaen-Hua Hin flights as part of plans to improve air links between the northeast and key tourism and economic centers.
Natthiya Tantasuk, president of the Khon Kaen Tourism and MICE Assn. and chair of the Tourism Industry Council of Khon Kaen, said discussions were held on June 8 with Thani Tharaphak, chief executive officer of EZY Airlines. Continued …
Nakhon Pathom to Pranburi roadway discussed
The Department of Highways held a public consultation meeting yesterday in Hua Hin on the review study for Motorway No. 8, the proposed Nakhon Pathom–Pranburi route, covering the Cha Am–Pranburi section.
The project involves hiring consulting engineers to review the economic feasibility study, conduct surveys, prepare detailed designs, and assess environmental impacts for the Cha Am–Pranburi section of Intercity Motorway No. 8. Continued …
Soi 102 flooding issues addressed
Hua Hin Municipality has carried out work to address Hua Hin flooding on Soi 102 after problems with standing water and slow drainage affected local roads and nearby agricultural areas.
City officials visited the area yesterday to monitor the situation and oversee work to open drainage channels in areas where water had built up and was not draining properly. Continued …
Monomax to show all World Cup matches in Thailand
Jasmine International (JAS) has officially secured the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Thailand, just hours before the first match kicks off, ensuring that all 104 matches will be available to football fans.
The announcement marks the end of prolonged uncertainty over whether fans in Thailand would have legal access to the tournament, which begins on June 11 and runs until July 19, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Continued …
Makro Expands QR Credit Card Payments Nationwide with Visa, Mastercard
Makro, a leading wholesale business under CP AXTRA, is making everyday shopping easier, faster, and more secure for millions of Thai customers with the nationwide launch of QR Credit Card Payment at Makro.
Developed in collaboration with Visa and Mastercard, and supported by leading Thai banks, the service has gone live across all Makro branches nationwide. The new payment solution allows customers to pay with their credit card directly through their mobile phone at checkout, without the need to present a physical card. In collaboration with Visa and Mastercard credit cards, and leading financial institutions across Thailand, the payment solution at Makro provides the full benefits of credit card usage and rewards options. Continued …
Swedish Church representatives visit Hua Hin
Representatives from the Swedish Church are visiting Hua Hin from June 12-16 for baptisms, home visits, hospital visits, and meetings with local businesses, the church announced.
The visit is part of the Swedish Church’s Mobile Priest in Asia program. During their stay, priest Olof Olsson and church representative Marie will be available to meet members of the local community. According to the announcement, the visit will include pastoral services and outreach activities in the Hua Hin area. Continued …
Floods hit Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported heavy rain and overflowing waterways in Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang, with floodwater entering homes in several areas.
The department has ordered provincial DDPM offices and regional disaster prevention and mitigation centers to closely monitor the situation, issue warnings, and provide swift assistance to affected residents. Continued …
Situation ‘fragile’ at Cambodian border as Chinese tanks arrive
The situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains fragile, but is still under control, says National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad. His comments came amid reports that China had delivered T-59D tanks to Cambodia.
Chatchai said officials had agreed conditions remained sensitive. However, local authorities on both sides were still able to communicate and manage problems on the ground, he said. Continued …
Thai gold opens B1,150 lower as global prices slide
Thai gold prices fell sharply at the market open today, with bullion dropping by 1,150 baht per baht-weight as global gold prices came under renewed pressure.
The Gold Traders Assn. announced its first price adjustment of the day, cutting domestic gold prices in one move after a volatile session yesterday. The latest adjustment brought the selling price of gold bullion to 63,900 baht per baht-weight, down from the previous day’s final level of 65,050 baht. Continued …
U.S. Strikes Iran In Second Day Of Renewed Fire
The United States launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran into this morning after President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations.
The new assault across multiple cities comes as efforts to negotiate an end the war again appeared stuck, with Iran insisting it would maintain its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and sent oil prices higher. Continued …
BOT affirms baht stability despite US-Iran market pressure
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has affirmed that the baht situation and Thailand’s external position remain strong, even as pressure from the conflict between the United States and Iran has caused the baht to weaken slightly.
The currency is still moving with stability, unlike Indonesia, which called an emergency meeting to raise interest rates to curb the depreciation of the rupiah. Continued …
Thai chamber proposes 10 urgent measures for Thai economic revival
Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, said yesterday, after talks with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the government’s economic agencies at Government House, that discussions with the government had covered strategies for reviving the Thai economy in 2026.
He said the business sector was facing severe challenges from geopolitical factors and economic volatility, affecting energy and logistics costs. A survey had found that business operators, especially SMEs, which form an important foundation of the country, had been hit hardest. Continued …
Thai household income falls for first time in six years
The SCB Economic Intelligence Center (SCB EIC) of Siam Commercial Bank has set out its view on Thai household vulnerability based on findings from the latest nationwide household survey. It found that incomes had shrunk, spending had been cut, and reliance on assistance and debt remained high despite some easing, putting pressure on consumption ahead.
Thai households are adjusting to a heavy debt burden and face six structural vulnerabilities that could become a drag on the Thai economy. It found that Thai households were facing structural vulnerabilities that could become a major drag on the Thai economy in the period ahead. Continued …
JSCCIB raises Thailand GDP forecast to 1.6-2.0%
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has raised its forecast for Thailand’s 2026 economic growth to 1.6%-2.0%, supported by the 170-billion-baht “Thais Help Thais Plus” stimulus scheme.
The committee also lifted its export growth forecast to 8%-10%, while warning that Thailand’s economy remains K-shaped, with the technology sector growing strongly but most businesses still facing high costs and weak purchasing power. Continued …
Thailand’s misleading growth story
Thailand’s quarterly GDP growth rate was 1.2% in the third quarter of 2025, rising to 2.5% in the fourth quarter, and further to 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
Judging from these figures, most people would conclude the economy is on the path to recovery, as higher growth rates are generally associated with stronger economic performance. The government even campaigned under the slogan “Cannot take being richer anymore”. Today, that slogan appears to be little more than a joke. Continued …
Call for greater focus on foreign investors
Amid rising global uncertainty, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has urged the government to step up efforts to attract foreign investors and encourage multinational companies to relocate their operations to Thailand.
Following a committee meeting yesterday, Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Assn., said businesses worldwide face growing risks from the prolonged war in the Middle East. Continued …
Government scrambles for new shrimp markets
The government is seeking new markets for Thai shrimp after Malaysia announced an import suspension earlier this month, says Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. Malaysia has suspended imports of five shrimp species from Thailand, starting June 1.
Suphajee said the ministry must urgently seek alternative markets to absorb the 300–400 tons of shrimp previously exported there each month. Continued …
Gulf prepares new data center investment
Gulf Development, Thailand’s largest energy company by market value and a major telecom operator, has announced plans to invest in new data centers with a combined capacity of 100 megawatts this year, underscoring its ambition to become a regional leader in digital infrastructure and cloud services.
Smith Banomyong, chief strategy officer at Gulf, said feasibility studies have begun for 1-2 additional projects, with final decisions expected before the end of the year. The expansion is part of Gulf’s broader target to reach roughly 2,000MW of service capacity within 3-5 years. Continued …
New Bangkok city plan set to boost high-rise projects in Thonburi
The drafting of Bangkok’s new comprehensive city plan, the fourth revision, is expected to take effect around late 2027 and bring major changes to land-use rules in several areas.
The changes are expected to benefit landowners and developers by increasing land values and allowing more intensive development in line with rising land prices. While northern and eastern Bangkok are seeing significant changes, Thonburi, or the capital’s western and southern zones, is also set to benefit from future development. Continued …
TAT forecasts 33 million foreign tourists
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said today that Thailand’s tourism situation had been affected by unrest in the Middle East, which had pushed up oil prices, increased the cost of goods, and affected the global economy.
As a result, TAT forecasts 33 million foreign tourists in 2026, generating B1.55 trillion in revenue, and 200.4 million domestic person-trips, generating B1.1 trillion. For the overseas market, in the first five months, foreign tourists traveling to Thailand totaled 14.03 million, close to the 14.36 million recorded in the same period of 2025, a slight decline of 2.3%, generating B679.274 billion in revenue. Continued …
Tourism levy now planned for the 3rd quarter, outbound fee suspended
Thailand is moving closer to introducing its long-delayed foreign tourism levy, with officials targeting a third-quarter launch and considering airline collection alongside visitor insurance coverage.
At the same time, the government has suspended a proposed B1,000 overseas departure charge on Thai travelers. The measure had been approved by the Cabinet but was later put on hold. The Ministry of Finance is now studying other ways to raise revenue. Continued …
Three Phuket hotels raided over alleged illegal operations
The Department of Provincial Administration’s special operations team has raided three major accommodation operators in Phuket accused of running hotel businesses without licenses.
The urgent operation targeted properties in the popular tourist areas of Karon and Rawai in Mueang Phuket district. Officials said the raids were part of the Interior Ministry’s social-order campaign and broader efforts to tackle corruption, influential figures, and unlawful business networks. Continued …
Return to Khao Yai Reveals Why Thailand’s Nature Escape Keeps Getting Better
Returning to Khao Yai after a previous visit, I was immediately reminded why this region remains one of Thailand’s most enduring travel destinations. Just a few hours from Bangkok, the landscape changes dramatically from urban congestion to rolling hills, forests and mountain views.
The contrast is particularly noticeable in the air itself. After spending weeks in the capital, the fresh countryside atmosphere felt like a welcome reset. Continued …
Thailand’s best beaches, and when to visit each one
Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world, and that is both the appeal and the problem. If you are looking for the perfect beach, Thailand offers options for every traveler, with hundreds of them spread across two coastlines, dozens of islands ranging from overdeveloped to barely touched, and more opinions online than anyone has time to read.
The best beaches in Thailand span two very different coastlines, and the Andaman side is where most of the dramatic scenery lives. Railay is a peninsula cut off from the mainland by limestone cliffs and reachable only by longtail boat from Ao Nang, about 15 minutes away. Railay West has the best swimming and some of the finest sunsets on the Andaman. Continued …
How Thailand’s Highland Communities Are Taking Local Wisdom Global
In the emerald hills of northern Thailand, a cultural renaissance is quietly unfolding. At the Highland People Discovery Museum in Chiang Mai’s Rama IX Lanna Park, the air recently buzzed with the sights, sounds, and scents of the 2026 Highland Ethnic Festival.
This three-day event, held in March, was more than just a celebration; it was a sophisticated bridge connecting centuries-old wisdom with the modern global marketplace. Continued …
Thailand: Building a Competitive Low-Carbon Economy
Thailand is accelerating its transition to a low-carbon economy, rolling out a series of policies, regulatory reforms, and investment incentives designed to align economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The multi-tiered reforms reflect a broader recognition among policymakers that long-term competitiveness will depend on how effectively the country can cut greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and respond to rising global expectations on sustainability. Continued …
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Nigerian Drug Boss Suspect Arrested in Bangkok – Continued …
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Israeli Suspect Held at Samui Airport Over Phangan Land Case – Continued …
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Israeli Fugitive Held in Bangkok for Deportation – Continued …
‘I love the inflation’: Backlash greets latest Trump comment
US President Donald Trump yesterday brushed off concerns about consumer inflation surging to a fresh three-year high in May, on the back of soaring energy prices caused by his war in Iran. “The numbers were great… I love the inflation,” Trump told reporters. Continued …
Russian conscripts recount pressure to fight in Ukraine
After Russian police started using facial-recognition cameras to identify men wanted by military authorities, a young bank worker spent weeks avoiding the Moscow metro. But on a snowy Friday evening in late 2024, heavy traffic pushed him underground to visit his mother. At the next station, two officers entered the carriage and detained him for draft evasion. Continued …
SpaceX on cusp of record IPO that could make Musk a trillionaire
SpaceX enters the final stretch today before its expected trading on Wall Street as part of the biggest initial public offering in history, which could propel co-founder Elon Musk to trillionaire status. 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
Tony Mancuso, one of the golf and turf industry’s most respected experts, has joined the Bunker Solution team as director of sales for the Asia-Pacific region.
Thailand’s rapid growth in international schools is sharpening debate over whether the trend is deepening educational inequality or creating new opportunities to strengthen the wider school system.
Gold prices in Thailand fell sharply this morning, with the selling price of gold ornaments dropping to 66,150 baht per baht-weight, according to the latest update from the Gold Traders Assn.
Three police special operations officers were injured yesterday morning when suspected insurgents detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Raman district in Yala province while the officers were conducting a routine school security operation.
Over 100 days into the US-Israel war against Iran, Asia has emerged as the region most exposed to the global energy shock unleashed by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with countries facing soaring fuel bills, rising food prices, inflationary pressures, and growing fiscal burdens.
At the Thailand Rule of Law Leadership Forum 2026: Competitiveness and OECD Readiness, a major forum on Thailand’s future direction, two key representatives from the public and private sectors shared the stage to outline a common direction.
The Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme will be available on four food delivery platforms from June 15, allowing participants to use government subsidies when ordering meals online, deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said yesterday.
The ongoing baht depreciation and rising US bond yields are pressuring the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and encouraging capital outflows after the benchmark index retreated from the key psychological level of 1,600 points, say analysts.
The dream of owning a home is slipping further away for many Thais, as weak income growth, high household debt, and tougher mortgage screening continue to weigh on the property market. A 2026 housing-demand survey by SCB EIC found that 56% of respondents had no plan to buy a home within the next five years, up from 47% a year earlier and the highest level in four years.
Industrial estate developer WHA Corp. is conducting a feasibility study for a new industrial estate dedicated to data centers, cloud services, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is calling on the government to set stricter investment conditions for the rapidly growing data center sector, ensuring local communities and businesses benefit from the influx of foreign capital.
Thailand’s own ‘Eye’ emerges in Pathum Thani
5 Scenic Hiking Trails In Thailand
For environmental monitoring professionals, regulatory change often looks abstract at first. But on the ground, those changes quickly become practical questions: where will the instruments be installed, what pollutants must be measured, how will data be verified, who will maintain the systems, and what happens when the numbers are no longer just internal records but live regulatory evidence?
The United States is urging European governments to introduce Ebola-related travel restrictions ahead of the FIFA World Cup, as Washington seeks to prevent the outbreak from spreading during one of the world’s biggest sporting events. 
UK Pensions Minister Torsten Bell has updated MPs on the impact of the frozen state pension policy on British retirees living overseas, including thousands based in Thailand. The policy affects nearly half a million UK pensioners who live in countries where annual state pension increases under the triple lock do not apply.
Fuel prices fell across major petrol, gasohol, and diesel products today, after PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp. announced a fresh round of retail price cuts.
Thailand is facing widespread rain and possible flash floods, as a relatively strong southwest monsoon continues to cover the Andaman Sea, the country, and the Gulf of Thailand, while a low-pressure cell remains over upper Myanmar.
The recent crackdown on alleged nominee structures linked to foreign land ownership on Koh Phangan has reignited debate over long-standing concerns in Thailand’s property sector, particularly in resort destinations popular with overseas buyers.
The Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 co-payment scheme has continued to draw strong public response, with total spending exceeding 10 billion baht just five days after the Finance Ministry opened the program for public use on June 1.
Thailand’s export engine is running hot — powered by electronics, AI-related demand, and a rebound in agriculture. But imports are running even hotter, especially in energy and electronic components, pushing the trade deficit to unprecedented levels.
Thailand’s flagship land bridge project has suffered a significant setback after an expert review committee ordered fresh Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) studies for planned deep-sea ports in Ranong and Chumphon. The ports are key components of the proposed transport corridor linking the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has reported the success of Thailand’s film incentive measures for foreign productions. Since 2017, a total of 100 foreign film productions from 12 countries and special administrative regions around the world have joined Thailand’s cash rebate scheme.
TAT launches ‘Wild Awake Journey’ to promote green-season conservation travel
Thai Airways International (THAI) has confirmed it will resume direct Bangkok-Amsterdam flights from July 1, expanding its international network as the carrier works to strengthen links between Thailand and Europe.
Shining beacon or failed city? Next four years could reveal Bangkok’s fate
Thailand pushes climate action at World Environment Day
As the war in the Strait of Hormuz continues to create havoc, Asia remains the worst hit by the global energy crisis. Whether it’s a large economy like Japan or China, or a struggling economy like Sri Lanka or Pakistan, the same fate holds.
CP ALL is inviting consumers across Thailand to take part in its environmental campaign, “Heal the World, Heal the Heart 24 Hours at 7-Eleven,” running from now until the end of 2026. The initiative encourages customers to adopt simple eco-friendly habits, such as reducing plastic consumption, in exchange for special rewards and loyalty points at 7-Eleven stores nationwide.
Authorities launched a multi-agency operation in Pai, Mae Hong Son province, targeting suspected foreign nominee business networks accused of concealing ownership structures and depriving local residents of business opportunities. The operation resulted in the arrest of three foreign nationals and searches at five locations linked to suspected illegal business activities. 
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a US$518-million emergency action plan to control the Ebola outbreak in Africa over the next six months, amid concerns that the outbreak is spreading rapidly and has become the fourth-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded. 
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has introduced a new mobile application aimed at reducing arrival processing times for international visitors, while maintaining security checks at the country’s borders. The new system, known as the Thailand Immigration Management System (THIM), allows foreign travellers to complete arrival card information digitally before reaching Thailand.
Tourism leaders in Prachuap Khiri Khan are pushing for more Hua Hin flights to connect the city with Chiang Mai, Isaan, and southern Thailand, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the role of Hua Hin Airport.
Thailand will enforce a nationwide alcohol ban on Sunday, as the country observes Visakha Bucha Day, one of the most important dates in the Buddhist calendar.
The Royal Gazette website yesterday published an announcement by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee on the revised prohibited hours for alcohol sales in 2026, updating the rules to reflect current conditions. Under the announcement, no person may sell alcoholic beverages outside the hours of 11am to midnight, except in several cases.
The Energy Policy Management Committee decided yesterday to maintain the ex-refinery price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at 20.9179 baht/kg for two more months, from June 1 to July 31, so that the retail price will be kept at 423 baht a 15Kg cylinder.
A foundation advocating for sex workers has put forward a draft bill in parliament to decriminalize sex work and extend labor protections to those in the industry. Submitted by the Empower Foundation yesterday, tthis move aims to replace the outdated 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which criminalizes voluntary sex workers.
Thailand’s app-based drivers have become part of everyday life. But as ride-hailing and delivery platforms continue to grow, so does the conflict with traditional taxi operators.
Several officials at Ban Huad subdistrict office in Lampang experienced stomach pain, diarrhea, and dizziness after consuming insects collected from a tree outside the office. The incident, which prompted a public warning, led to several individuals requiring hospital treatment.
In the first quarter of 2026, Thailand’s economy expanded by 2.8%, beating analyst expectations. But the economic outlook for the full year remains modest, with the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) forecasting between 1.5% and 2.5% growth. The World Bank is more cautious, forecasting 1.6% growth.
Factory output in Thailand remains weak, with the manufacturing production index in April falling 0.36% from a year earlier, the Ministry of Industry said yesterday.
Thailand’s banking sector maintained strong resilience in the first quarter of 2026, supported by robust capital buffers, ample liquidity, and high loan-loss provisions, according to the Bank of Thailand’s latest Banking Sector Quarterly Brief .
Continental has officially inaugurated the expansion of its tire plant in Rayong. The investment of more than 300 million euros, or 13 billion Thai baht, boosts the facility’s production capacity by an additional 3 million passenger car and light truck tires per year.
Thailand’s aviation industry began 2026 with stronger passenger traffic, more flights, and renewed demand from key Asian markets, but the recovery is now facing a fresh test from Middle East disruption, volatile jet fuel prices, and rising operating costs.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday with Vietnam Airlines to jointly advance marketing and air connectivity, particularly the opening of new routes between Thailand and Vietnam.
Thailand has emerged as one of the most considered relocation destinations for Americans seeking safety, quality of life, and financial freedom. New data from cultural-intelligence platform Country Navigator ranks Thailand among the 10 most-searched relocation destinations for U.S. citizens, with roughly 30,560 annual searches recorded between March 2025 and February 2026 — clear evidence that Thailand is no longer just a holiday memory, but a credible long-term home.
It has been 87 days since the energy crisis began on Feb. 28, following the sudden escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Even though the US and Iran extended a tentative ceasefire on April 21, the shockwaves have already fundamentally destabilized global energy markets.
Part of the government’s spending plan for the transition to clean energy involves encouraging the public to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) on a wider scale, says finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit.
Back in 2022, spotting an electric vehicle on the streets of Jakarta or Bali was a relatively rare occurrence. Heavily subsidized fuel, under-developed charging infrastructure, and an existing industrial ecosystem anchored by the production of gasoline-powered cars (mostly Japanese brands) made Indonesia an unlikely candidate for an EV boom.
Vilhelm Academy: Western qualifications for Hua Hin-based students
The Hua Hin 100K Ultra Marathon 2026 has been officially launched, with organizers aiming to strengthen the town’s reputation as a sports tourism destination while inviting runners to sign up for the endurance event.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the Foreign Ministry would today submit to the Cabinet a proposal to cancel the 60-day visa-free measure, known as P.60, and revise the 30-day visa-free measure, known as P.30.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp. (BCP) have raised retail fuel prices in Bangkok, effective today.
Thailand has yet to decide whether to buy the broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the asking price of at least 1.3 billion baht is far above the 600-million-baht framework previously used by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, while unfavorable match times in Thailand may reduce viewership, advertising revenue, and wider economic benefits.
The Thai Meteorological Department forecast heavy rain in parts of upper Thailand over the next 24 hours, covering the north, northeast, central region, Bangkok, and surrounding provinces, today.
Consumer confidence in April plunged into crisis territory, recording the sharpest monthly decline globally and across the Asia-Pacific region, as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, rising living costs, and dissatisfaction with government efforts to address the economy eroded public sentiment, according to the Ipsos Global Consumer Confidence Index.
Energy Minister Akanat Promphan has floated a plan to attract Middle Eastern oil producers to invest in a strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) in Thailand, positioning the country as a regional oil distribution hub while strengthening long-term energy security.
A high-level Thai delegation has robustly defended the kingdom’s trade practices during technical consultations with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), clarifying that Thai supply chains are completely free of forced labor.
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has launched an influencer-led campaign alongside Thai celebrity couple “Cee” Siwat Chotchaicharin and “Amy” Amika Klinpratoom to showcase the economic and culinary value of the nation’s Geographical Indication (GI) products.
The April 2026 Hotel Business Operator Sentiment Index, jointly prepared by the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT), was based on a survey conducted from April 16 to 30, among respondents from 134 accommodation businesses.
Thai tourism operators are looking beyond the sluggish low season and expect healthy bookings, particularly from European tourists, when the high season returns in the third quarter.
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau posted a video on Sunday warning travelers not to trust claims that a paid fast track immigration service is available at Suvarnabhumi Airport through Trip.com.
Chiang Mai On A Budget: Thailand’s Cosy Mountain Escape
Thailand is emerging as Southeast Asia’s most NEV-ready market, with 58% of consumers considering hybrid or electric vehicles — significantly above the regional average of 42.8%. Key purchase motivators include lower fuel costs, charging availability, and longer driving range.