- EZY Airlines Hua Hin-U-Tapao flights/Fish along Hua Hin beaches/Bintabaht to host Halloween parade/Run with the Flow event/Video of the panthers and leopards/You’re an alien/Thailand targets 10,000 visa overstayers/Phuket flash floods/Seven-language 7-Eleven worker
- ECONOMY: Thai hotel closures rise/Thai farm exports weaken/4 new investment zones/AI top worldwide concern
- TOURISM: Nok Air suspends 3 southern routes/15-day visa waiver for 3 nations/Thailand’s visa processing delays
- THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival/High-value nature tourism/Naga Fireballs: Thailand’s unexplained lights/Doi Luang Chiang Dao opens bookings
- CLIMATE THAILAND: Solar for households scheme/Nuclear study accelerated
- FOREIGNERS BEHAVING BADLY/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN TRANSPORT and LINKS
We have this video for you just for fun. This is actor Jackie Chan filming the movie Skiptrace in 2014, as he sang Rolling in the Deep, only to discover the Mongolian extras in the film knew the lyrics. Video …
EZY Airlines Hua Hin-U-Tapao flights to start Oct 23
EZY Airlines has announced that scheduled services on its Hua Hin–U-Tapao route would begin on Oct. 23. The airline plans to launch flights between Hua Hin and Surat Thani in November.
‘Nam biat’ phenomenon leaves fish along Hua Hin beaches
Fish washing ashore in Hua Hin may be linked to changing coastal water conditions known locally as “nam biat”, a phenomenon that can leave marine life struggling for oxygen.
The seawater at Hua Hin and Khao Takiab beaches turned a murky red on Sunday, as large shoals gathered close to shore. Residents and local fishermen arrived with nets and other equipment, while some took small boats offshore to herd fish toward their nets. Continued …
Bintabaht to host Halloween parade
Hua Hin’s first-ever Halloween parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, with residents and visitors invited to dress up and join the celebrations on Soi Bintabaht.
The Hua Hin Ghost Parade will begin at 8.30 pm at Hua Hin Walking Street, bringing a night of Halloween costumes, spooky fun and entertainment to the town’s nightlife district. Continued …
Run with the Flow event draws 1,700 runners
More than 1,700 Thai and international runners took part in Run with the Flow 2026 in Hua Hin on Sunday, supporting heart and brain health, and raising funds to help disadvantaged patients access medical treatment.
The charity run, presented by Bangkok Hospital, returned to Suan Son Pradiphat for its third year. Participants competed over distances of 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers and 21 kilometers, with the half marathon introduced for the first time at the Hua Hin event. Continued …
Video of the panther and leopard at Kaeng Krachan
You’re an alien
I’ve been coming to Thailand for 30 years and have lived here since 2014. Over the years, the word has come to play an increasingly absurd role in my life. I’m an alien in Thailand, and I see little prospect of that changing.
And honestly, before coming to Thailand, I had never thought of myself as an alien. It took the Thai authorities to inform me that I was one. Officially, I’m an alien, but to most Thais I’m a farang, which, incidentally, is also the Thai word for guava. Bottom line, I am different and will remain different. An alien in a country I now call home. Continued …
Thailand targets 10,000 visa overstayers nationwide
Thai immigration police have been ordered to track down more than 10,000 foreigners believed to be overstaying their visas, in a nationwide operation stretching from Bangkok to tourist islands and border provinces.
For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the message is straightforward: immigration checks are being intensified, and officers are increasingly using international wanted-person databases and criminal intelligence when screening people entering or staying in the country. Continued …
Phuket flash floods damage hotels and block roads
Heavy rain triggered flash flooding and runoff from Khao 50 Pi hill, into Patong, Phuket, early yesterday, damaging homes, hotels, shops and vehicles across the resort town.
Officials are clearing roads and assessing losses, while Phuket authorities prepare to move tourists from affected hotels to safer accommodation. Visitors in Patong have been advised to avoid routes with fast-flowing water or debris and to follow official weather warnings closely. Continued …
Seven-language 7-Eleven worker goes viral in Thailand
A 48-year-old 7-Eleven assistant store manager in Bangkok has gone viral for his ability to communicate in seven languages, drawing attention to how he uses his multilingual skills to welcome and assist international customers.
Known as Tony, or Phi Tho among his younger colleagues, Teerawat Wanichkam works at a 7-Eleven branch at BITEC Bang Na. He has been with the convenience store chain for more than three years and also works as an interpreter and master of ceremonies. Continued …
Thai hotel closures rise 42% as 2027 outlook darkens
Thailand’s hotel and accommodation sector recorded 148 business closures in the first nine months of 2026, a 42% increase on the same period last year, according to the Kasikorn Research Center.
The increase follows a difficult 2025, when about 51% of operators reported losses. Smaller businesses were hardest hit: 54% experienced losses, while 42% had accumulated losses for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025. Across the sector, 38% reported accumulated losses over those three years. Continued …
Thai farm exports weaken as electronics power record September shipments
Thailand’s agricultural and agro-industrial exports fell 1.9% in the first nine months of 2026 as high production costs and intense global competition weighed on key products, even as booming electronics shipments pushed the country’s overall exports to record levels.
Exports in September reached a record US$38.44 billion, up 24% year-on-year and marking a 27th consecutive month of growth. Imports, however, surged 50.4% to an all-time high of US$44.30 billion, leaving Thailand with a trade deficit of US$5.86 billion for the month. Continued …
EEC board approves 4 new investment zones
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee approved in principle yesterday the designation of four new special economic promotion zones worth 25.66 billion baht, aiming to attract global technology enterprises and artificial intelligence investments.
The largest project in the newly approved batch is the E-Tech Smart Park in Baan Bueng district, Chonburi province, covering over 610 rai with an estimated investment of 19.75 billion baht. It targets modern automotive, smart electronics, aviation, logistics, digital, and comprehensive medical sectors, with an expected creation of 3,500 to 5,500 jobs upon full development. Continued …
AI replaces climate change as top worldwide concern
Artificial intelligence has overtaken climate change as the top global risk, according to a 2026 report from French insurer Axa. This shift is driven by concerns that technological advancements are progressing faster than the ability of regulators to prepare for the potential consequences.
Experts and the general public are increasingly wary of technology-related risks, particularly as AI development accelerates. While climate change remains a leading concern, particularly in Thailand, the rapid rise of AI and big data has created a new era of risk assessment. Some researchers have even warned that advanced AI could pose an existential threat to humanity, with some estimates suggesting a greater than 10% chance of such an outcome within the decade. – Bangkok Post AI
Nok Air suspends 3 southern routes due to fuel costs
Budget carrier Nok Air has temporarily suspended its domestic services from Don Mueang International Airport to Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Hat Yai, effective yesterday through Dec. 20, amid soaring jet fuel expenditures.
Wutthiphum Jurangkool, chief executive officer of Nok Air, confirmed the suspension, stating that the airline is buckling under extreme fuel cost pressures. Continued …
Tourism Ministry proposes 15-day visa waiver for 3 nations
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to propose a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from Colombia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan, aiming to resolve severe processing delays and boost long-haul arrivals, officials announced yesterday.
The initiative comes in response to mounting logistical hurdles faced by international carriers. Emirates airline recently lodged an official complaint with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) after experiencing 20 to 30 passenger no-shows per flight from Mexico because travelers failed to receive their Thai visas in time for departure. Continued …
What actions is Thailand’s Tourism Authority taking to resolve visa processing delays?
Tourism Minister Surasak Phanakarn has acknowledged the ongoing issue of slow visa processing and stated that a committee will meet on Nov. 9 to discuss the matter. The discussions are expected to address both security and economic factors to help resolve the disruptions that have caused many travelers to opt for alternative destinations like Vietnam.
While the minister has acknowledged the problem, specific details on the exact technical or administrative actions being implemented to resolve the delays have not yet been released. The current situation has already led to significant consequences, including a reported 3%-4% increase in no-show passengers for airlines like Emirates following the withdrawal of visa-free privileges in certain countries. – Bangkok Post AI
Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival set for March
The Phra Nakhon Khiri Festival will return to Phetchaburi from March 5–14, bringing 10 days and 10 nights of celebrations to the historic hilltop landmark better known as Khao Wang.
Celebrations will center on Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park, with the main venues expected to include the Phra Nakhon Khiri National Museum, King Mongkut Memorial Park and surrounding areas. Continued …
Thailand promotes high-value nature tourism while protecting national parks
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) are enhancing cooperation to modernize national park services, promote high-value nature tourism, and uphold environmental conservation standards.
On Oct. 22, TAT Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool attended the second 2026 National Parks Committee meeting, chaired by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin. DNP Director-General Yongyut Nakawiroj, committee members, and representatives from relevant agencies participated both in person and via video conference. Continued …
Naga Fireballs: Thailand’s unexplained lights draw crowds
Under the scorching afternoon sun, visitors spread mats, unfold chairs and open umbrellas along the Mekong River in northeastern Thailand, waiting for nightfall and a phenomenon that has fascinated believers and puzzled observers for generations.
They had come to witness the Naga Fireballs, glowing reddish-pink orbs said to rise silently from the river on the night marking the end of Buddhist Lent. At Wat Thai in Phon Phisai district, Nong Khai province, one of the main gathering points for the annual event, residents and tourists secured places along the riverbank yesterday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious lights. Continued …
Doi Luang Chiang Dao opens online bookings for 2026–27 treks
Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Mai begia accepting online rewildlifesanctuaryfca16.com/chiangdaoservations yesterday for nature-study treks and overnight stays at Doi Luang Chiang Dao during the 2026–27 season.
Bookings will be available exclusively through the sanctuary’s official website, , through 4 pm on Oct. 30. Visitors will be permitted to explore the designated nature trail between Nov. 16 and Feb. 12. Continued …
Expanded solar for households scheme set for cabinet approval today
The government’s proposed 50,000-baht subsidy to encourage up to one million households to install a solar power system will be presented to the cabinet today for approval. The proposed scheme also involves three state-owned banks which would provide low-interest loans, eliminating the need for upfront capital.
The government would provide direct financial support of 50,000 baht per household, with one million eligible slots. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), both under the interior ministry, would serve as one-stop-service centers assisting with the registration process. Continued …
Nuclear study accelerated in bid to install reactors by 2037
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has accelerated a study on nuclear energy adoption, setting a target to launch Thailand’s first commercial small modular reactor (SMR) by 2037.
The initiative forms a core part of the nation’s 2026 Power Development Plan, aiming to secure clean, stable energy while mitigating exposure to volatile global liquefied natural gas prices. Continued …
Israeli arrested on drug and sex charges threatens police
Israeli Tomer Kahiri, 54, was arrested in Bangkok on Friday over claims he drugged women with cake and secretly filmed sex encounters. During the raid, he reportedly threatened to kill prominent police investigator Inspector Jae, boasting that powerful friends would free him within two hours. Continued …
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Foreign tourist caught on CCTV taking necklaces in Krabi – Continued …
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Laem Chabang customs seizes 3.1 tons of ivory – Continued …
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan hold Iran talks as Houthi attacks escalate
Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have held talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran in an effort to reduce regional tensions, as Yemen’s Houthis intensified attacks on Saudi targets and the wider Middle East conflict showed little sign of easing.
The meeting yesterday) marked the first high-level contact between Iran and the three countries since the war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran spread to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca mutual defense pact in August. Continued …
Houthis say they attacked Saudi oil pumping stations, Riyadh airport as fighting intensifies
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said yesterday they had attacked Saudi Arabia’s east-west crude oil pumping stations and Riyadh airport, as rising hostilities choke oil supplies and threaten to erupt into a larger conflict.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said earlier it had destroyed two ballistic missile launchers in the capital Sanaa, including one used to fire a missile toward Riyadh that the coalition said it had intercepted. Continued …
Houthi attacks have grounded flights across Saudi Arabia
Attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have nearly emptied the skies over Riyadh this month, aviation data showed yesterday, with cancellations grounding almost nine out of every 10 scheduled flights at the Saudi capital’s airport.
About 86% of scheduled flights at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, or 4,071 out of 4,736, were canceled between Oct. 8 and Oct. 25, according to the latest data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Continued …
Trump blasts Norway over Nobel Peace Prize snub
US President Donald Trump attacked Norway during a campaign rally, calling it a “shit house country,” and said that Norwegian immigrants were not welcome in the United States because its Nobel Committee had not awarded him the Peace Prize. Continued …
Microsoft offers voluntary exit packages to 60,000 staff
Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, the company said yesterdayy, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as the tech giant seeks to cut costs while pouring money into artificial intelligence. 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’s Transport Ministry is pushing nine road and bridge projects worth more than 240 billion baht to ease southern traffic bottlenecks and support the regional economy. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn called for faster development of southern routes, which he said had lagged behind.
Two Black Panthers and Three Leopards Spotted in Kaeng Krachan Forest
Thailand has dropped three places to 80th out of 143 countries in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index. The decline was driven by weaker scores for anti-corruption measures and regulatory enforcement.
Thailand has approved plans for a major reservoir in Chanthaburi that could flood forest, wildlife habitat and rural communities, as officials seek more water for the rapidly expanding eastern seaboard.
A survey by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) found that 50.4% of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) surveyed expect business costs to rise over the next six months.
Surging global demand for artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs), and clean energy technology has driven $690 million (23.5 billion baht) in advanced materials investment proposals into Thailand, according to the government’s investment promotion agency.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed confidence Friday that Thailand’s economy would grow by more than 2.1% this year, citing improvements in investment, exports, employment and tax receipts.
Thailand and the European Union could potentially conclude their free-trade agreement by the end of 2026. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has indicated that the talks are in their final stages and could reach a conclusion by year-end, provided there is sufficient mutual political will. The negotiations have reached a critical phase, with the 10th round of talks having made significant progress on the negotiating text.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun’s push for fairer trade has advanced with new rules addressing the lengthy payment periods imposed on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by large trading partners.
Thailand has slipped to 66th place in the 2026 Henley Passport Index ranking. The Henley Passport Index unveiled its global rankings for October, with Singapore securing the top spot. Japan, South Korea and the UAE share the second position, with access to 188 destinations, while Sweden ranks third with a score of 187.
Thailand is not simply a golf market. It’s one of Asia’s most closely watched golf destinations – a country where the condition of a fairway at 7 am on a Tuesday can directly influence a TripAdvisor rating, a tour operator’s rebooking decision, and a golfer’s next holiday itinerary.
The low-carbon rice project in Suphan Buri was established as a flagship pilot to test climate-smart farming techniques, specifically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Research conducted by the Suphan Buri Rice Research Center has demonstrated that implementing alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water management can reduce methane emissions by as much as 84%.
Sydney’s new $3.94 billion (A$5.6 billion) airport opened to passengers yesterdayafter more than a decade of planning, in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said was a milestone for the country’s most populous city. 
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection on Saturday, pulling off a stunning comeback to secure a fourth term in office and defeat conservative candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, an ally of US President Donald Trump. The 80-year-old liberal leader defeated Bolsonaro with 51.76% of the vote in the country’s runoff election, in which affordability and the country’s relationship with the United States were prominent issues. 
The 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank that ended last week in Bangkok may have come and gone, but the lessons for economic development remain relevant.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand reached 971 projects in the first nine months of this year, a 26% year-on-year increase, with a combined value of more than 271 billion baht. The approved projects covered engineering and technical services, industrial parts manufacturing, goods distribution, machinery services, energy and electric vehicles.
The Thai banking industry experienced a nearly 10% year-on-year decline in net profit during the third quarter of 2026. This downturn was primarily driven by lower interest income and the implementation of financial assistance measures designed to reduce financing costs for customers.
Thailand is seeking to strengthen its position in Asia’s cannabis, hemp and kratom industries by raising medical, cultivation and production standards, while expanding research and higher-value processing.
Younger Thais planning to build homes are placing greater importance on practical space, energy efficiency and long-term running costs than on large properties designed to display social status, according to the Home Builder Assn. (HBA).
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has proposed using 3.5 billion baht in borrowed funds to subsidize domestic travel for 200,000 Thai tourists in 2027, offering accommodation support and digital spending vouchers under Thai Teaw Thai Plus.
Siam Legal International has released a guide to airport fast-track immigration, a priority lane that many travelers can access without a first or business class ticket. The guide sets out which groups already qualify for free, how other travelers can book the service, and how two long-stay visas include it as a built-in benefit.
4 Thailand Getaways to Visit This Winter Beyond Bangkok and Phuket
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is preparing on-site checks at 44 more waste-related companies in Prachin Buri over possible use of Thai nominee shareholders for foreign owners. The expanded inquiry follows preliminary inspections that found four companies whose conduct suggested possible nominee arrangements. 
Ukraine is still recording issues with the Starlink internet network, sources within the defense ministry say, after Donald Trump said limits had been reversed by Elon Musk, who owns the satellite system. 
Appeal denied, beachfront demolitions to proceed
Health authorities in lower northeastern Thailand have recorded 570 cases of melioidosis and 45 deaths in four provinces so far this year. The figures, covering Jan. 1 to Oct. 22, were released yesterday.
Bangkok diner sued 1 million baht over 260-baht basil rice review
The outlook for the Thai economy for the remainder of 2026 remains uncertain, facing fragile household purchasing power, high debt burdens, uneven recovery, and the impact of the floods.
Thai export growth is projected to slow to 7.4% in 2027 as a result of several economic headwinds, most notably risks associated with US tariff policies. These trade risks are expected to impact various sectors, potentially weakening export competitiveness and adding pressure to overall economic growth.
Thailand’s fiscal deficit for fiscal year 2026 stood at 3.4% of gross domestic product (GDP), below the earlier forecast of 4.4%, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, citing the latest Fiscal Policy Office figures.
This Stunning Island Has Some of the Best Snorkeling in the World
Thailand has secured 15 million euros in German grant funding for climate and biodiversity work linked to its Net Zero 2050 target. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said the Department of Climate Change and Environment – known as the “Department of Global Warming Reduction” – had won support through two major projects.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said yesterday that four vessels involved n illegal oiltransfers in the northern Persian Gulf were simultaneously hit and caught fire after being tracked by its forces on Wednesday.
Brent crude reached its highest closing price since May 4 yesterday, rising 4% as Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia intensified concerns about further disruption to Middle East energy supplies.
Uthai Uthaisangsuk, president of Sansiri Public Co., sees improving travel from Bangkok supporting a recovery in Hua Hin’s property market, where he puts beachfront land prices at 160 million baht per rai. Uthai’s assessment follows a prolonged slowdown after the Covid-19 pandemic. Better transport connections and infrastructure development are beginning to restore confidence, although the recovery remains uneven.
Most people notice thinning hair long before they do anything about it, and when they finally act, the first move is usually a trip to the pharmacy for a shampoo or serum that promises the fastest results.
Victims of an alleged Australian job scam have filed a complaint with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, seeking an urgent investigation into losses exceeding 10 million baht.
The Transport Ministry will seek Cabinet approval on Oct. 26 for a unified fare scheme covering eight electric rail lines in Bangkok and surrounding areas, with fares capped at 45 baht per trip, a deputy transport minister said yesterday.
The Asian Development Bank is providing $212 million to upgrade five public hospitals and improve access to specialist medical care for about 14 million people living outside Bangkok.
Thailand is committing to build a sustainable longevity society in which people live not merely longer but better, a senior health official told a Bangkok forum on Tuesday.
Data centers are a new industry attracting significant investment in Thailand, but they are also under public scrutiny. It’s well known that data centers consume vast amounts of resources, including electricity and clean water, and also release heat and generate noise pollution, causing concern for communities located near them.
JPMorgan Chase executives suggest that Thailand should prioritize the production of advanced products such as chips and electronic components. This focus would allow the country to capitalize on the ongoing global supply chain shift and the emergence of power from artificial intelligence.
Nestlé has begun construction of a 23-billion-baht (US$685 million) coffee manufacturing facility in Samut Prakan, with the factory expected to begin operations in late 2028 and create more than 500 jobs.
Thailand exported 4.99 million tons of rice in the first nine months of 2026, down 19.3% year-on-year, as stronger competition from India and Pakistan and a sharp fall in Iraqi demand weighed on sales.
Forum highlights local Thai cuisine to boost tourism growth
Khao Sok: Living beneath an ancient landscape
Travel Expert Unveils Insider Guide for Thailand’s Best Meals
Chiang Mai unveils Thailand’s first electric tram
The world is heading for more warming than scientists projected a year ago, and the United States is a big reason, the United Nations Environment Program said in its annual assessment.
Brent crude rose to US$110.11 a barrel today after fresh Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia prompted the United States to order some diplomats and family members to leave its missions in the kingdom.
The shock of oil prices at a five-month high of $110 a barrel and gas prices in Asia and Europe hitting their highest levels since December 2022 is making its mark on household budgets. As well as raising the costs of transport and heating, it adds to pressure on food, clothing and packaging prices, and contributes to elevated levels of inflation and borrowing costs.
The warnings about El Niño continue to roll in. The United Nations’ weather agency weighed in yesterday, calling the potent climate pattern a “behemoth” and a “wrecking ball.” “It will tear through Latin America, eastern and southern Africa, Asia and the Pacific with extreme heat, droughts and flood,” the U.N.’s Tom Fletcher said, warning of profound humanitarian consequences. 
A New Mexico judge ruled yesterday that Meta must pay $25 billion to the state after a jury found last month that the social media giant had deceived users in a case related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, according to media reports. 
Rising healthcare expenditure is placing increasing strain on private health insurance across Southeast Asia. Population aging, chronic disease, greater healthcare utilization, provider charges, and advances in medical treatment are contributing factors to this pressure.
Thailand is stepping up preparations to tackle potential PM2.5 fine particulate pollution, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul directing relevant agencies to put response measures in place amid reports of pollution in neighboring countries.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), which operates PTT Station, and Bangchak Corp. have raised selected retail fuel prices in Thailand by 0.60 baht per liter. The changes took effect today.
Thailand is preparing new rules requiring major ride-hailing and delivery apps to justify service fee increases, after regulators found that some platforms’ charges had risen by as much as 400% over five years.
Facebook accounted for nearly 74% of reported online shopping scams in Thailand last week.
Thai retailer CP Axtra has partnered with Minor Food Group to introduce five global restaurant brands across select Makro and Lotus stores.
Rising energy prices create inflationary pressures primarily by increasing the production and transport costs of goods, which then bleeds into the wider economy. As global energy supplies face shocks — such as those caused by the US-Israeli war with Iran — the increased cost of fuels like diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) forces businesses and households to cope with higher living costs.
Thailand’s labor market is facing growing pressure as artificial intelligence transforms jobs and skills, while young people with university degrees are experiencing much higher unemployment than the national average, speakers at Nation Forum 2027 warned.
Thailand will knit its road, rail, water and air networks into a single economic system to become the region’s center of trade and logistics, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said yesterday.
Thailand’s US$4.4-billion luxury retail market is expected to grow by around 5% a year through 2028, according to property consultancy CBRE, as the country gains influence beyond its role as a destination for international brands.
The introduction of a tax on outbound travel in Thailand could be postponed if economic conditions are deemed inappropriate. Specifically, the Fiscal Policy Office has indicated that the timing of the measure depends on the outcome of public consultations and the assessment of the prevailing economic situation.
Thailand must turn its cultural strengths into higher-value tourism while spreading economic opportunities beyond established destinations, speakers told Nation Forum 2027: Thailand’s Agenda in Bangkok yesterday.
Elephant calves: Learning to walk and use their trunks
Thailand is moving closer to introducing a 50,000-baht solar panel subsidy for up to one million households after a government screening committee approved a proposed 50-billion-baht funding package.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is focusing on several key initiatives to modernize Thailand’s energy market and facilitate a transition to clean energy. One primary measure involves the progress of a Direct Power Purchase Agreement framework through Third Party Access (TPA), which enables companies to buy renewable electricity directly from producers.
Chinese-made electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common choice for taxi operators in Thailand, as imports rise and fleet owners look for lower-cost alternatives to ICE-powered cars.
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.
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.
Where will young people stand in a world where there might be more people than jobs?
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.
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?
Chiang Mai’s iconic elephant camp marks golden anniversary with major transformation
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a fresh warning today for heavy to very heavy rain across parts of Thailand during Oct. 18–25, with accumulated rainfall raising the risk of flash floods, rapid run-off and landslides.
Thailand has some of the most dangerous roads in Asia, with thousands of people killed every year and motorcycles involved in the vast majority of fatal crashes. But why is the problem so severe?
The Interior Ministry has ordered an investigation into possible involvement by government officials in a human trafficking network accused of forcing children from Myanmar to sell flowers and juice on Khaosan Road and at other locations in Bangkok.
Floods deepen Thai shrimp crisis amid disease and export setbacks
13 Foods Under $1 In Bangkok
The massive floods and extreme storms currently devastating major cities around the world are undeniable evidence that humanity has fully entered the era of “climate extremes.”
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is preparing to deploy virtual power plant technologies after successfully testing a relevant project. According to a report, the country is moving toward a more flexible electricity supply system with digital management.
EZY Airlines Hua Hin flight timetable revealed
Energy prices contribute to inflation risks through several interconnected economic channels, most notably by driving up the cost of production and transportation for essential goods. Rising fuel costs act as an input cost for businesses, which then pass these expenses on to consumers, thereby increasing headline inflation. Furthermore, volatility in global energy markets, often triggered by geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, can lead to sudden price shocks that destabilize economic growth and put upward pressure on consumer prices globally.
Thai Airways has admitted its September baggage crisis was five times worse than first reported, with 25,000 bags stranded and over 200 flights cancelled. Now, the board has seized control, ordering worldwide luggage deliveries and automatic passenger compensation.
Thailand is turning to MICE tourism – meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions – to revive its tourism industry amid declining visitor arrivals, safety concerns and a stronger currency. With Bangkok rising in global rankings, the country is betting on international business events to attract more visitors and boost economic growth. 
Call for use of farm land for wind energy projects
Wind farms could lower electricity prices in Thailand by reducing the country’s dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is subject to costly spikes in global market prices. Additionally, wind energy can serve as a complementary power source by generating electricity at night, which helps improve the overall reliability of the national power system.
Connecting Hua Hin by air to Thailand’s major tourist destinations and developing the railway bypass road are among the priorities Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul has outlined as the city prepares for continued growth.
Yesterday, staff from Hua Hin municipality’s Public Health and Environment Division collected rubbish along the beach from Hua Hin Soi 77 through Soi 85 and south to Khao Takiab.
Stilt houses in villages north of Bangkok are no longer high enough to stay dry as Thai authorities deliberately flood riverside communities to spare the capital.
160-billion-baht Chao Phraya 2 canal approved to tackle flooding
Thailand needs more long-term investment to revive economic growth, former commerce and energy minister Narongchai Akrasanee says.
Ripe mangosteen and rambutan are being left unpicked in eastern Thailand as a shortage of migrant workers forces growers to decide which crops are worth harvesting.
Netflix says Thailand could develop into a global entertainment production center comparable to South Korea, but says stronger intellectual property protection and creative freedom will be needed for Thai content to compete internationally.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) will use a packed program of year-end festivals, concerts and international events in an effort to bring foreign arrivals to about 33 million in 2026. The campaign follows a 3.8% fall in international arrivals during the first nine months of the year, while a strengthening baht has made Thailand less price-competitive against rival destinations.
Energy demand is soaring, fuel prices have been rattled by conflict in the Middle East, and much of Asia still runs on coal. Can renewables step in fast enough?
Australia said today it refused to allow big tech to have “unfettered” access to its children, as it formally introduced new legislation that would give users choice over what they see on their feeds. Under the “Digital Duty of Care” bill, firms behind popular platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram will be required to give users the choice to opt out of the powerful algorithms that dictate what we see online. 
Corruption can reduce real GDP per capita growth by 3% for up to two years, while money laundering amounts to as much as US$6 trillion annually worldwide, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Case studies of efforts to combat corruption and money laundering were presented at the 2026 annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group yesterday in Bangkok.