A video recently shared online showed a group of foreign men in a fight during Songkran celebrations on Pattaya Walking Street on April 17.

The footage, posted by a Thai woman, showed a group of three men, believed to be from Middle Eastern countries, confronting a foreign man reported to be European, aged between 50 and 60. In the caption, the woman wrote…

“Arab tourists caused problems again. Three of them attacked an elderly foreign man in a gang attack. The three men had initially argued with another foreigner after spraying water in his face. Where are the police?”

In the video, the older foreign man was seen attempting to defend himself as the group escalated the confrontation. All parties were initially holding water guns before dropping them and engaging in a fight.

The three men repeatedly punched and kicked the victim until he fell to the ground. Bystanders, including a Thai woman and other foreigners, later intervened and separated those involved.

The Pattaya News reported that the incident took place on Pattaya Walking Street. Mueang Pattaya Police Station confirmed with the media that no complaint had been filed by either party.

The cause of the dispute has not been officially confirmed. Entertainment venue operators and motorcycle taxi riders in the area told media they were not aware of the case.

In a related case during Songkran, two French nationals attacked a Thai motorcyclist in Phuket on April 13 after the victim refused to join a water fight.

On April 14, Phuket police arrested seven foreign tourists after a viral video showed them forcing open a van door and spraying water inside, despite the driver’s objections.

The group was also accused of blocking roads, harassing motorists and throwing water at a police checkpoint. Online users, both Thais and foreigners, called for harsher punishments for the gang involved, citing their aggressive behaviour.

The story 3 foreign men assault another foreigner in Pattaya Songkran celebration as seen on Thaiger News.

For a US$500,000 (17.5 million baht) budget, a buyer in Singapore’s Core Central Region walks away with roughly 20 square metres of property. The same budget at the Hong Kong Peak gets around 10. In prime Bangkok property along Sukhumvit, that same amount buys approximately 80 square metres of freehold condo, with change to spare.

That contrast is why Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean and Middle Eastern buyers keep choosing Bangkok over its regional rivals. The Thai capital is the only major Asian city where a foreign buyer can purchase freehold property at single-digit US$ thousands per square metre, pay no stamp duty equivalent, and collect gross rental yields of 5 to 7%, all at the same time.

Singapore and Hong Kong offer two of those three. Bangkok offers all of them.

How far does your money go?

Bangkok property prices average roughly 140,000 to 155,000 baht per square metre, or around US$4,200, with prime CBD stock across Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn running 200,000 to 350,000 baht per square metre.

Compare that to Singapore, where Urban Redevelopment Authority data for Q3 2025 put new-launch averages in the Core Central Region (CCR) at around US$26,900 per square metre. Hong Kong’s prime addresses, the Peak and Mid-Levels, trade at US$48,000 to 83,000 per square metre.

Put simply, Bangkok is roughly one-quarter the price of Singapore’s CCR and as little as one-tenth of Hong Kong’s flagship offerings. These figures represent a structural arbitrage that has persisted for over a decade, rather than a developing-market discount.

For buyers holding Hong Kong or Singapore dollars, the baht’s relative weakness stretches that price gap even further in real terms.

If the table above tells one story, it is this: Bangkok leads on yield, undercuts on price, and charges foreign buyers nothing extra to get in.

The income advantage

Bangkok’s citywide gross rental yield of around 6% outpaces Singapore’s 3.1 to 3.4%, and Hong Kong’s 3.9%, and that gap becomes even more striking when you look at specific districts.

Even Bangkok’s lowest-yielding zone, prime Sukhumvit around Asoke and Phrom Phong, delivers 4 to 5.5%, which still beats both rival cities’ citywide averages. Two neighbourhoods in particular illustrate why yield-focused buyers keep coming back to the same postcodes.

On Nut: Consistent returns

Running 25 to 40% cheaper than upper Sukhumvit, while sitting just fifteen minutes from Asoke by train. The lower BTS Sukhumvit corridor, covering Phra Khanong, Punnawithi, On Nut and Udom Suk, has become one of Bangkok’s most reliable rental belts.

Prices in the area average 128,000 to 160,000 baht per square metre, with gross yields running 5 to 6.5% and studios reaching 7%. One-bedroom units, on average, rent for around 20,000 baht a month and two-bedrooms around 34,000 baht.

Rent growth across Phra Khanong and Bang Na hit 8 to 13% year-on-year in early 2026, a strong performance at a time when sale prices have been largely flat. Much of that is driven by a structural tenant base of expatriate professionals, international school staff and a growing wave of digital nomads, all of whom cluster here because the BTS delivers them anywhere on the Sukhumvit line without a transfer.

With further BTS extensions planned along the lower Sukhumvit corridor, accessibility is only set to improve.

View condos for sale in On Nut listed by FazWaz

Huai Khwang: The growth play

Sitting on the MRT Blue Line at Thailand Cultural Centre, Huai Khwang and Sutthisan stations, with direct connections to Silom and Asoke, Huai Khwang has become one of the most compelling Bangkok property investment districts for foreign buyers. It is also the city’s established New Chinatown, a detail not lost on Chinese and Hong Kong buyers who have driven enquiries here for years.

Prices average 125,000 to 135,000 baht per square metre, sitting 13 to 17% below the Bangkok median, with gross yields running 5 to 7%, the strongest band of any major Bangkok submarket. Real Estate Information Centre (REIC) data for Q4 2024 flagged Huai Khwang–Chatuchak–Din Daeng as the fastest-appreciating submarket in greater Bangkok.

But the bigger catalyst still lies ahead. The MRT Orange Line, whose eastern section is targeted for late 2027 after BEM signed its 30-year PPP contract with MRTA in July 2024, will turn Phra Ram 9 into a triple-interchange hub connecting the Blue Line, Orange Line and Airport Rail Link at Makkasan. Current prices in Huai Khwang have not yet reflected that.

View condos for sale in Huai Khwang listed by FazWaz

The legal and tax case

One of the less-discussed reasons Bangkok property keeps attracting foreign capital is how straightforward the legal framework actually is.

Foreign nationals can buy freehold condominiums under the 1979 Condominium Act within a 49% foreign-quota ceiling, with the quota calculated per building, meaning popular developments in prime areas can reach their limit and leasehold structures of up to 30 years are the standard alternative when that happens.

There is no capital gains tax on exit, and annual land and building tax on a rented-out condo runs just 0.02 to 0.30% of assessed value. Total transaction costs sit between 2.5 and 6.3%, a fraction of what investors pay elsewhere in the region.

Singapore’s 60% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty is the number that tends to stop investors in their tracks. On a S$2 million Singapore condo, a foreign buyer would pay approximately S$1.27 million in stamp duty.

Hong Kong abolished its equivalent in February 2024, which helped, but with prime prices still running at US$48,000 to 83,000 per square metre, the absolute cost remains a constraint for most buyers.

Thailand also offers three practical visa options that make long-stay residency accessible. The Thailand Privilege Visa runs from 650,000 baht for a five-year Bronze tier to 1.5 million baht for the ten-year Platinum, with airport fast-track and immigration concierge included.

The Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is a ten-year BOI-administered option for wealthy global citizens, requiring US$1 million in assets and a US$500,000 Thai investment, with work-from-Thailand professionals paying a flat 17% income tax rate rather than up to 35% on the progressive scale.

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), launched in July 2024 at just 10,000 baht for a five-year multi-entry, allows stays of up to 180 days at a time and is designed specifically for remote workers and location-independent professionals, making it one of the strongest structural drivers of rental demand across On Nut and Phra Khanong.

Who is already buying

Context matters here. China’s domestic property market has been in a prolonged downturn since 2021, with major developers collapsing and home prices falling across most major cities, giving wealthy Chinese buyers a concrete reason to move capital offshore.

For Hong Kong buyers, post-2019 political uncertainty accelerated emigration and pushed a wave of liquid capital toward accessible, well-priced alternatives in the region. Bangkok, sitting at the intersection of affordability and familiarity, has absorbed much of that flow.

Foreign buyers transferred an estimated 14,899 condo units worth 60.92 billion baht in Thailand in 2025, around 14.7% of all condo transfers nationwide and roughly 18% of new Bangkok property sales.

Chinese buyers have led the market for seven consecutive years. Property data firm Juwai IQI’s 2024 survey found Thailand had overtaken the United States as the top destination for Chinese high-net-worth buyers purchasing homes above US$5 million, jumping from seventh place to first in a single year.

Hong Kong buyers are drawn by a price differential of roughly one-fifth per square metre versus their home market, with developer-reported enquiries up more than 30%.

Middle Eastern interest is growing steadily too, with enquiries from the Gulf, Turkey and Israel rising year-on-year, driven in part by Bangkok’s growing reputation as a lifestyle base with short-haul access to the rest of Asia, and a cost of living that makes long stays practical.

Rounding out the picture, Myanmar purchases were up 146%, Taiwan up 57%, and Indian buyers averaged the highest ticket price at 6.9 million baht per unit. That family end-user profile confirms Bangkok’s appeal is broadening rather than narrowing.

The window is open

Bangkok’s value case has been well-documented, but what makes 2026 a particularly interesting entry point is the gap between current pricing and imminent infrastructure. The MRT Orange Line’s eastern section opens in late 2027. One Bangkok and Dusit Central Park are said to complete their residential phases by 2026 to 2028. In both On Nut and Huay Khwang, prices are still running ahead of the full re-rating those projects will bring.

Add to that a legal framework that is foreign-friendly, with freehold ownership, no stamp duty surcharge and no capital gains tax, alongside gross yields that comfortably double what investors collect in Singapore or Hong Kong, and the question stops being why Bangkok property, and starts being why not sooner.

The story Why investors are choosing Bangkok property over Singapore and Hong Kong in 2026 as seen on Thaiger News.

Excise officers in Trat and marine police seized 3,800 litres of illegal diesel from a fishing boat in Khlong Yai in the early hours of today, April 17, after receiving a tip-off about untaxed fuel entering Thai waters.

At about 1am, officers searched the vessel at Por Kasemsiri pier in Khlong Yai district, Trat. Surachai, a 62 year old man who identified himself as the boat owner, led officers during the inspection.

Inside the boat, officers found 19 drums of untaxed diesel, each with a capacity of 200 litres, for a total of 3,800 litres. Surachai admitted buying the diesel for 28 to 30 baht per litre without tax documents or legal proof of payment.

He told officers the fuel had been bought at sea from a large vessel. It was transferred first to a smaller boat before being delivered to his fishing boat for use in fishing work.

Officers charged him with possessing untaxed goods under the Excise Tax Act 2017. Surachai confessed to the charge and agreed to pay the fine. He was then taken, along with the seized fuel, to Khlong Yai Police Station for legal action.

DailyNews reported that the excise tax was calculated at 7.44 baht per litre, with a penalty set at five times the tax amount. For 3,800 litres, the unpaid tax totalled 28,272 baht, and the fine came to 141,360 baht.

After agreeing to pay the tax and fine, Surachai was allowed to keep using the diesel because it had then been taxed in line with regulations.

Based on his claimed purchase price of at least 28 baht per litre, the 3,800 litres would have cost 106,400 baht. After tax and fines of 141,360 baht were added, the cost rose to about 65.2 baht per litre, which is higher than pump prices.

Officials said that if the diesel had not been seized, it would have cost about 50% less than market prices.

Elsewhere, officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) found three illegal fuel storage sites in Saraburi province, seizing more than 29,000 litres of suspected smuggled diesel and gasoline during a nationwide crackdown.

The story Trat fisherman fined over 140,000 baht for illegal diesel as seen on Thaiger News.

A Thai woman issued a public warning after alleging that she was exposed to gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), or date rape drug, through water sprayed from a water gun during a Songkran event at an entertainment venue in Bangkok.

The TikTok user, @jeeppji, shared a photo of herself unconscious in the hospital on Monday, April 13. In the caption, she wrote that she was drugged with GHB at a Songkran event at Route 66 and warned others to be careful.

GHB inherited the date rape drug title as it is often misused for criminal purposes, particularly in sexual assaults. A small amount of GHB can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness, allowing suspects to take advantage of victims.

The woman said she had not accepted any drinks from strangers and suspected the substance may have come from water in a gun that was sprayed into her face and mouth.

She said she suffered a seizure and foaming at the mouth. She further claimed that she was not the only person affected by GHB during the event.

Her account drew mixed reactions online. Some users questioned the claim, arguing that GHB would be too expensive to use in that way, while others said the amount of water entering her mouth would be unlikely to cause such severe symptoms.

The woman later posted a medical certificate on social media, saying it confirmed GHB was found in her system on the day of the incident.

She clarified further that she arrived at the venue at about 10pm, began experiencing symptoms at around 11pm after a drink and reached the hospital at about 1am.

She insisted that she had not consumed any drinks from strangers or clinked glasses with anyone. She added that her drink was covered with a lid and that her boyfriend drank from the same glass without showing any symptoms.

Although she admitted that she did not know exactly how the drug entered her body, she suspected it may have come from water deliberately and repeatedly sprayed into her face and mouth by someone at the venue.

She said she had no reason to invent the story and shared it to warn others. She also confirmed that her condition is now stable.

Online users called on relevant government departments to investigate the incident, identify the source of the substance and determine whether a suspect was involved. No further updates on the case had been reported at the time of writing.

The story Bangkok woman claims date rape drug was sprayed into her face at Songkran party as seen on Thaiger News.

Songkran is one of the biggest travel periods in Thailand, and when it ends, millions of people try to leave at the same time. In 2026, that pressure has combined with a series of disruptions, Middle East airspace closures, water-damaged passports, financial strain, and unexpected legal complications, leaving a significant number of tourists stranded in Thailand after Songkran with no clear exit. If that is you, here is what you are dealing with and what to do about it.

Getting stranded in Thailand during Songkran is more common than most people expect. The combination of peak travel volume, unpredictable global events, and the festival’s enthusiastic use of water creates a perfect storm for things to go wrong. The good news is that Thai authorities have put specific relief measures in place for exactly this situation, and there are real, practical options available; you just need to know where to look.

Before anything else: the overstay rules you need to know

If you find yourself stranded in Thailand after Songkran with an expired visa, you are accruing an overstay fine of 500 baht per day, capped at a maximum of 20,000 baht after 40 days. In crises, specifically for travellers whose visas expired after 28 February 2026 due to the Middle East airspace closures, Thai Immigration has waived these fines, provided you depart once flights resume. You can also apply for a 30-day extension at any Immigration office using form TM.7.

The blacklist rules matter here. If you surrender yourself at the airport and pay any applicable fine before departing, you will generally leave without a formal ban, though a record is made. If you are caught overstaying by immigration officers rather than surrendering voluntarily, you face an automatic five-year ban. Overstaying more than one year results in a ten-year ban and detention at the Immigration Detention Centre until you can arrange a flight home at your own expense.

One important exemption: children under 15 are not fined for overstays and do not receive travel bans. A stamp will be placed in the child’s passport, but no financial penalty applies, and future entry into Thailand is not affected.

The message is simple: do not hide your overstay. Declare it, apply for an extension if needed, and pay the fine if required.

Scenario 1: Your passport was damaged by water

The problem: Songkran is one of the biggest causes of passport damage in Thailand every year, and it is one of the most common reasons tourists end up stranded in Thailand after Songkran. Airlines are legally liable if they transport a passenger with a damaged document and that passenger is denied entry at their destination.

As a result, check-in agents at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang will refuse boarding if your passport shows liquid damage to the bio-data page, warped binding, or a compromised RFID chip, even if you are simply returning to your home country.

What to do: Contact your embassy immediately and request an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). Most embassies can process these within two to three working days. Key details by nationality:

• US citizens: Apply at the US Embassy at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok. Bring the damaged passport and two passport photos with a white background. Emergency passports are issued without a biometric chip and are valid for a single return journey only.
• UK nationals: ETDs are assessed case-by-case. They cover a single or return journey through a maximum of five countries and are not issued for holidays — only for urgent repatriation.
• Australians: Processing takes two to three working days. Note that the Australian ETD cannot be used to enter or transit the United States under ESTA, as it lacks a biometric chip.

If you lost your passport rather than just damaged it, file a police report first; this is a mandatory requirement before any embassy will issue replacement documentation.

Scenario 2: Your flight was cancelled due to Middle East airspace closures

The problem: Military conflict escalating through early 2026 has shut down critical aviation corridors over the Middle East, including the Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi hubs that handle a large share of intercontinental traffic between Southeast Asia and Europe or North America. Thousands of flights have been cancelled or indefinitely suspended, and rebooking options are extremely limited.

Although this is an issue that is preceding the Songkran season, the ceasefires that have been broken have extended the issue, making it a reason that someone can be stranded in Thailand even now.

What to do: Contact your airline directly and request rebooking on an alternative routing, typically via the Pacific or Central Asia rather than the Middle East. Keep all cancellation correspondence, voided boarding passes, and rebooking attempts in writing.

For your immigration status, go to the nearest Immigration office and apply for a 30-day extension under the crisis relief program. You will need form TM.7, a copy of your passport bio-data page and entry stamps, proof of the cancellation from your airline, and, ideally, a letter from your embassy confirming the situation.

The embassy letter has been a bottleneck for many travellers; if your consulate is overloaded, ask them to speak directly with the immigration officer by phone.

Scenario 3: You have run out of money

The problem: Between last-minute hotel extensions, rebooking fees, and the general cost of being stuck somewhere longer than planned, it is surprisingly easy to burn through your budget during a forced stay. Once your cards are maxed or your account is drained, you are stuck entirely differently.

What to do: Call your bank first. Explain the situation and ask whether your daily withdrawal limit can be temporarily increased or whether an emergency transfer can be expedited. Most international banks have crisis support lines specifically for this.

If that does not work, contact your embassy. Most Western embassies, including the US, UK, and Australian missions in Bangkok, can arrange an emergency cash loan for citizens in genuine financial distress. These loans are interest-free but must be repaid upon return home. Contact your embassy’s consular section directly and explain your situation clearly.

In the meantime, talk to your hotel. Thai hospitality staff are generally understanding during crisis periods, and many properties have been instructed by the Thai Hotels Association to offer extended stays at reduced rates during the current disruption.

Do not wait until you have nothing left; approach the front desk early and negotiate before the situation becomes worse.

Scenario 4: You are facing legal trouble

The problem: Thai law is strict, and the consequences of certain offences, drug possession in particular, are severe. Even minor incidents like a misunderstanding with a local business or an argument that escalates can result in a police report or detention. If you are arrested or detained, you are not going anywhere quickly.

What to do: Contact your embassy immediately. This is non-negotiable. Embassies cannot act as your lawyer or interfere in Thai judicial processes, but they can visit you in detention, provide a list of local attorneys, and ensure your government knows where you are. Do not attempt to resolve legal situations informally or by offering money to officers; this creates additional legal exposure.

The Tourist Police (1155) can help in lower-level disputes such as scams, overcharging, or misunderstandings with private businesses. They are multilingual and can mediate on the spot, which is often enough to defuse minor situations before they escalate.

If you need formal legal representation, firms such as Siam Legal operate across Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai and are experienced in handling expatriate and tourist legal cases, including immigration complications.

One important note on border runs: the Thailand-Cambodia border is fully closed as of April 2026 due to military conflict. Do not attempt to reach eastern border crossings in Chanthaburi or Trat. If you need to exit Thailand overland to reset your immigration status, use the Laos or Malaysia routes outlined below instead.

Getting out overland: Laos and Malaysia

If you are stranded in Thailand after Songkran and flights remain unavailable, two terrestrial corridors are open and functional to get you out by train.

North to Laos via Nong Khai: The State Railway of Thailand runs a direct train from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Vientiane’s Khamsavath Station. Thai exit immigration is processed at Nong Khai station. Fares range from around 574 baht for a fan seat to 974 baht for a sleeper. From Vientiane, you can access Wattay International Airport or connect to the Laos-China Railway for onward travel north. US, UK, EU, and Australian citizens can get a Laos visa on arrival for around $30.

Alternatively, buses depart from Mo Chit Bus Terminal throughout the day, taking approximately nine to ten hours to Nong Khai, with onward cross-border bus connections to Vientiane.

South to Malaysia via Padang Besar: A daily sleeper train (Special Express No. 45) departs Bangkok at 4.10pm and arrives at Padang Besar at approximately 9am Malaysian time the following morning. The fare is around 1,208 baht for a second-class sleeper. Thai and Malaysian immigration are both processed at Padang Besar station, making it one of the more seamless border crossings in the region.

From there, KTM Komuter services connect to Butterworth (for Penang), and ETS high-speed trains run to Kuala Lumpur, from where onward international flights are generally more available than from Bangkok during disruptions.

Avoid all road crossings through Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat for security reasons.

Key contacts to save now

Whether you are stranded in Thailand after Songkran due to a damaged passport, cancelled flight, or any other reason, these are the numbers worth having on your phone before you need them.

• Tourist Police (English-speaking, 24 hours): 1155
• TAT Tourist Information: 1672
• Thai Immigration Call Centre: 1178
• Suvarnabhumi Airport Tourist Assistance Centre: 02-134-4077
• US Embassy Bangkok: +66-2-205-4000
• UK Embassy Bangkok: +66-2-305-8333
• Australian Embassy Bangkok: +66-2-344-6300

The story Stranded in Thailand after Songkran? Here is what to do as seen on Thaiger News.

A 48 year old Chinese man died in a Pattaya motorcycle accident yesterday, April 16, after losing control of his motorbike and being run over by a six-wheel water truck.

Police were called at around 12pm to a road near a school in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, where a truck had collided with a motorcycle.

Officers from Nong Prue Police Station and rescue workers arrived to find a damaged white Honda motorbike at the scene.

The rider, identified as Yang Wang, was found trapped near the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A white six-wheel water truck was parked about 10 metres away, with traces of blood found on the rear right wheel.

Police found a damaged mobile phone mounted on the front of the motorcycle. Officers also recovered the victim’s passport and cash in both yuan and baht from his belongings.

The truck driver, 70 year old Prayong, told police he was delivering water when he saw the motorcycle swerving.

He said the rider appeared to be looking down at something near the handlebars before losing control and falling under the truck. He tried to brake but was unable to stop in time.

Police believe the victim may have been checking GPS directions on his phone while riding, causing him to lose control and fall beneath the truck. Officers said they will review CCTV footage in the area to confirm the cause of the accident.

Siam Chon News reported that CCTV footage near the scene shows the rider slowing down and looking at his phone shortly before losing control, at the same moment the truck was passing.

Elsewhere, a Thai pickup driver hit and killed a Chinese man while the victim was crossing a road in Rayong. Rescuers provided CPR to the victim and later rushed him to a hospital, but the foreigner later succumbed to his injuries.

The story Chinese man killed after falling under truck in Pattaya as seen on Thaiger News.

A 12 year old Thai boy with special needs was found dead in a scrap car about 800 metres away, four days after he went missing from his home in Yala province.

The 38 year old mother, Wanida, reported the disappearance of her son, Yuttasak, also known as Best, to Yarom Police Station on April 12 after the boy went missing from their home in Soi Sub Anan in the Betong district in the afternoon on the day.

Wanida told police that Best was a child with special needs who often played in the forest near the house or went fishing at Betong Canal. She said he had never been away from home for this long before. Wanida, relatives and locals searched for the boy but found no sign of him, leading her to file a police complaint.

Rescuers from the Muslim Betong Foundation later found Best’s body in a vehicle scrapyard behind a garage located about 800 metres from his home. The discovery was made after rescuers noticed a foul smell while searching near the garage.

They searched the area and found the boy inside a blue Ford sedan registered in Malaysia. KhaoSod reported that the vehicle was left at the garage by its Malaysian owner after it broke down.

Police from Yarom Police Station said there were no signs of physical assault on the boy’s body. Investigators suspect Best may have entered the vehicle to play or rest before falling asleep in the heat.

Police believe he may have died from a lack of oxygen, but his body was sent to the hospital for an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

Officers said the case has not yet been concluded. They collected fingerprints from the vehicle and have not ruled out other possibilities, including whether someone may have lured Best to the scene and attacked him.

The story Yala boy with special needs found dead in scrapyard car after four-day search as seen on Thaiger News.

Thailand is expected to record the slowest economic growth in ASEAN in 2026 after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its forecast to 1.5%, down from 1.6% projected in January. The downgrade, reported today, April 17, places Thailand behind its regional peers, including Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

The IMF said Vietnam is expected to lead the region with 7.1% growth, followed by Indonesia at 5%, Malaysia at 4.7%, the Philippines at 4.1% and Singapore at 3.5%. Cambodia and Laos are each forecast to grow by around 4%, while Myanmar is projected at 3%.

The new Thailand economy forecast came as the IMF cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1% from 3.3% earlier this year.

The fund said conflict in the Middle East continues to put pressure on energy markets, inflation and financial stability, warning that a prolonged crisis could trigger another energy shock similar to the one seen in 2022.

The IMF forecast Thailand’s inflation at 0.9% in 2026, far below estimates from Thai agencies. In Thailand, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) put inflation at 2.7% to 5.8% depending on how Middle East tensions develop, while the Bank of Thailand forecast 2.5% to 3.5%.

The IMF said countries that rely heavily on imported energy, particularly developing and low-income economies, are likely to face the biggest strain from rising energy costs and limited room for policy support.

It added that energy-exporting countries are also exposed to risks, including possible disruption to infrastructure, production and exports.

Thailand’s finance minister and deputy prime minister, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, said at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington DC, United States, that Thailand was preparing for growing global uncertainty and Asia’s changing role in the world economy.

Ekniti said Thailand still faced long-running problems, especially weak investment. He said the government wanted to speed up spending on infrastructure, digital technology and AI, while changing regulations and improving workforce skills to support stronger long-term growth.

On energy and geopolitical risks, he presented a “4T” framework consisting of Target, Transition, Transformation and Together. The approach includes targeted support measures, a faster shift to clean energy, broader economic restructuring and cooperation across sectors.

He also called for faster development of energy infrastructure, including smart grids and Direct PPA mechanisms, to improve flexibility and efficiency in the electricity system and promote renewable energy use.

On fiscal policy, the government said it would continue to focus on targeted support rather than broad stimulus measures.

Ejan reported that the government also plans to invest more in the green and digital economy to improve Thailand’s competitiveness and long-term resilience.

Despite the weaker outlook, Ekniti said ASEAN could still play a bigger role in supporting the global economy as international divisions deepen.

In a separate development, the IMF has warned Thailand to boost protections for struggling families or risk keeping millions trapped in a cycle of crushing debt, much of it borrowed just to put food on the table.

The story Thailand set for slowest economic growth in ASEAN in 2026, IMF says as seen on Thaiger News.

Two from three transgender suspects surrendered to police after sexually assaulting a man during Songkran celebrations in Phichit province, leaving a hickey on his neck.

The 24 year old victim, Chitsanupong, filed a complaint with Mueang Phichit Police Station after the incident on April 15 at a Songkran event on Khao Tang Road. He had earlier shared details of the Phichit Songkran sexual assault on his Facebook account.

Chitsanupong said three to four people approached him during the event, applied powder to him and then groped his genitals.

He said the suspects then left marks on his neck. Chitsanupong added that he attempted to resist but was unable to defend himself as the group outnumbered him.

Following his post, other social media users shared similar experiences in the comments, with some saying they had not reported incidents to police but felt distressed afterwards.

According to Amarin TV, two suspects surrendered at Mueang Phichit Police Station today, April 17. They were identified as 31 year old Nopporn and 32 year old Nattaphon. A third suspect, 33 year old That, has not yet reported to police.

The two suspects have been charged with committing an indecent act by using force under Section 278 of the Criminal Law, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both. Police said they will issue a summons for the remaining suspect as part of further legal proceedings.

In a separate case during Songkran, a 15 year old girl was raped in a public bathroom near Khao San Road in Bangkok on April 14. The suspect, a private, is being held by the First Army Area and will be transferred to Chana Songkram Police Station for further legal action.

The story 2 transgender suspects surrender after leaving hickey on victim’s neck as seen on Thaiger News.

A British pensioner from Liverpool died after being swept out to sea in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, on April 15. Police said he was swimming alone and was unable to return to shore.

The 75 year old man had entered the water in the morning as his girlfriend watched from the beach. His body was later found by a fisherman near a pier at about 4.30pm.

Police Captain Prasong Jaturat said the man was a widower and that his family lives in England, where he had been living with his children.

Prasong said the man had been swimming alone every morning at the same location in Hua Hin since arriving in Thailand and that conditions had usually been calm. On that day, however, the waves were strong, and no one else was in the water.

According to police, the man entered the water near the bay entrance, close to a ferry route serving boats travelling to Chon Buri. The section is unusually deep because it has been excavated to accommodate larger vessels.

Police believe the man may have been caught in a rip current before disappearing in the waves. His body was taken to Hua Hin Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The Sun reported that it had contacted the Foreign Office for comment.

Beach drownings remain a recurring safety concern in Thailand, particularly in tourist areas such as Phuket, Pattaya and Krabi. Fatal incidents are often linked to rip currents, limited swimming ability and failures to follow warning signs.

Elsewhere, a 37 year old British tourist drowned at Freedom Beach in Phuket after struggling in the water while swimming with his wife, despite repeated attempts by beach guards to resuscitate him.

The story British pensioner dies after being swept out to sea in Hua Hin as seen on Thaiger News.