📰 News

Russian Traveller Arrested at Phuket Airport with 17kg of Cannabis A 30-year-old Russian national was arrested at Phuket International Airport on July 8, 2026, after customs officers found more than 17 kilograms of cannabis packed into his luggage.

Israeli Visitors to Thailand: 442,000 Expected in 2026 Thailand is on track to welcome over 442,000 Israeli tourists in 2026, with numbers up slightly from last year as flight routes between the two countries stabilise.

Thailand's Planned Tourism Fee: Still Not Happening Yet Thailand has been trying to introduce a 300-baht fee on foreign visitors since 2020, but the plan keeps hitting walls.

Thailand's planned 300-baht tourism fee is still on the table, but the government is rethinking how to collect it after airlines pushed back hard on being asked to do the work.

Belgian Tourist Arrested at Phuket Airport with 31kg of Cannabis A 21-year-old Belgian national was arrested at Phuket International Airport on July 7, 2026, after security found more than 31 kilograms of cannabis in her checked luggage.

Fuel Prices Drop Across Thailand from Wednesday Morning Thailand is cutting petrol and diesel prices at the pump from 5am on Wednesday, July 9, 2026, following a significant fall in global crude oil prices. The reductions are over 2.

Thailand's Rainy Season Gets a Campaign of Its Own Thailand's Tourism Authority has launched "Blooming and Bright Amazing Thailand," a new campaign announced in Bangkok on 7 July 2026, positioning the country's rainy season as a worthwhile travel window rather than something to avoid.

Expat Health Insurance in Thailand: What It Actually Costs in 2026 If you're living in or moving to Thailand, health insurance is one of those things you can't really ignore.

Coral Bleaching Hits Mu Koh Surin as Sea Temperatures Rise A late-June survey at Mu Koh Surin National Park in Phangnga province has found coral bleaching at multiple dive sites, triggered by seawater temperatures climbing to 30-31C, above the seasonal average.

Thailand has a proof-of-funds requirement for foreign visitors entering the country, and immigration officers are permitted to ask you to show it at the border.

Thai Flight Attendant Arrest Triggers Tighter Airport Security Across Thailand The arrest of a Thai Airways flight attendant carrying approximately 1 kg of heroin into Australia has prompted Thailand's government to roll out stricter baggage screening measures at airports nationwide.

flydubai Launches Daily Dubai-Bangkok Route flydubai began flying directly between Dubai and Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport on July 1, 2026, giving Middle Eastern travellers a one-stop connection to Thailand without layovers.

Thailand News Roundup: July 6, 2026 Two separate murder investigations involving foreign nationals in Pattaya, a neighbourhood flooded by foam waste from a collapsed factory wall, …

Thailand Weather: July 5 — Heavy Rain and Rough Seas Nationwide Thailand is under significant weather pressure today, July 5, 2026, with the Thai Meteorological Department warning of heavy to very heavy rain across most regions.

Thailand Weather Forecast: July 4, 2026 Heavy rain is sweeping across most of Thailand today, driven by a monsoon trough over the North and Northeast linking up with Tropical Storm Maysak, plus a strong southwest monsoon pushing across the Andaman Sea, the mainland, and the Gulf of Thailand.

Spirit Offerings at the Beach: What Every Visitor Should Know A short video from Pattaya South Beach went viral on Facebook in July 2026, showing two Russian-speaking tourists pick…

Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand: What the Label Actually Means Thailand's relationship with elephants runs deep, from royal battlefields to national symbols to the logging camps of the 20th century.

Portuguese Man-of-War Warning at Koh Lanta National Park Lifeguard staff at Mu Ko Lanta National Park issued a warning on 5 June 2026 after Portuguese man-of-war were spotted washed up on the beach at Laem Tonad, inside the national park.

Thailand's "Feel All the Feelings" Campaign: What It Means for Travellers Thailand's Tourism Authority (TAT) launched a campaign in June 2026 called "feel all the feelings," positioning travel across Thailand as an emotional and sensory experience rather than just a checklist of sights.

Thailand's New Power Bank Rules for Air Travellers Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) published updated regulations on 4 June 2026 covering how passengers can carry and use power banks on flights.

Thailand's Dominant Covid Strain in 2025–2026: What Visitors Need to Know Thailand's current dominant Covid-19 strain is NB.1.8.1, which has been circulating since mid-2025. Health authorities say the variant spreads more easily than some earlier strains but is not causing more severe illness.

HM the Queen's 48th Birthday Celebrated with 21-Gun Salutes Across Bangkok On 3 June 2026, Thailand marked HM the Queen's 48th birthday with ceremonies across Bangkok and beyond.

Phuket Airport Gets Automated Passport Gates from June 13 Phuket International Airport is introducing automated outbound passport gates on June 13, 2026, aiming to cut waiting times at international departures.

Thailand's Health Insurance Co-Payment Rule: What It Means for Expats on Koh Lanta If you hold a Thai individual health insurance policy, your renewal paperwork may look different than it used to.

Thailand Weather Forecast: June 3, 2026 A strong southwest monsoon is driving unsettled weather across all regions of Thailand on June 3, 2026, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasting thunderstorms everywhere from the far north to the southern peninsula.

Thailand News Roundup: Visa Changes, Royal Pardon and More Thailand has been making headlines on several fronts this week, with a significant shift in visa-free entry rules affecti…

Tourists Face Charges After Driving on Historic Death Railway Site in Kanchanaburi A group of tourists has been ordered to report to authorities after videos emerged showing at lea…

Dine and Dash in Thailand: What Tourists Should Know A growing number of deliberate non-payment incidents at restaurants across Thailand's tourist areas has put small, family-run eateries under real financial pressure.

Queen Suthida's Birthday Celebrations: What to Expect Across Thailand in 2026 Thailand will mark Queen Suthida's 4th Cycle Birthday Anniversary in June 2026 with ceremonies and eve…

Thailand Weather Forecast: June 1, 2026 – Heavy Rain Nationwide Thailand's Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a forecast for June 1, 2026 warning of heavy rain and thundershowers across the entire country, driven by a strengthening southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.

Thailand Pushes to Become Aviation Hub: What It Means for Travellers to Krabi and Beyond Thailand is making a serious push to position itself as a regional aviation hub, with a government-led strategy involving airport upgrades, new domestic routes, and expanded international connections.

Thailand has introduced a mandatory 21-day quarantine for all travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Uganda, effective Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Thailand's Tasteful Thailand Series Wins Gold at the Telly Awards Thailand's Tourism Authority (TAT) picked up a Gold Award in the General-Documentary category at the 47th Annual Telly Awards, announced on 26 May 2026.

Thailand News Roundup: What Tourists and Expats Should Know A busy week in Thailand news covers several incidents relevant to visitors and residents, including a serious hit-and-ru…

Thailand Rainy Season Guide: What to Expect and When Thailand's rainy season runs from roughly June to late October across most of the country, but the reality is more nuanced than most guides suggest.

Thailand Weather Forecast: Heavy Rain and Rough Seas, May 26–29 A moderate southwest monsoon is currently active across the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, bringing thunderstorms to every region of the country during the 24-hour period from 6:00 AM May 26 to 6:00 AM May 27.

Thailand Introduces Ebola Screening for Travellers from Risk Areas Thailand has introduced Ebola screening measures at all international entry points following a WHO-declared Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain.

Thailand Steps Up Tourism Safety Standards: What It Means for Visitors to Koh Lanta Thailand's government launched a major national push in May 2026 to raise tourism safety and qua…

LOT Polish Airlines Launches Direct Warsaw–Bangkok Flights from October 2026 Starting 7 October 2026, LOT Polish Airlines will operate direct flights between Warsaw and Bangkok, removing the need for Polish travellers to connect through other European or Middle Eastern hubs.

Maggots Found in Street Market Fried Chicken in Nakhon Ratchasima A woman in Nakhon Ratchasima Province had a deeply unpleasant experience in May 2026 after buying crispy fried chi…

Thailand Weather Forecast: May 25, 2026 Thailand is deep into its rainy season on May 25, 2026, with the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) warning of thundershowers across the entire country.

Thailand Steps Up Ebola Screening: What Travellers Need to Know Thailand has introduced new health screening and quarantine measures following the World Health Organization's decla…

Thailand Raises International Airport Departure Charge from June 2026 Airports of Thailand (AOT) will increase the International Passenger Service Charge (PSC) from 730 Baht to 1,120 Baht per person, effective 20 June 2026.

Thailand Scales Back 60-Day Visa Exemption: What It Means for Visitors to Koh Lanta The Thai Cabinet approved a revision to the country's 60-day visa exemption scheme on 21 May 2026, affecting nationals from 93 countries and territories.

June 2026 Festivals and Events Across Thailand June 2026 is a busy month for festivals, sports events, and cultural celebrations across Thailand.

Pride Month 2026 in Thailand: Festivals, Parades & Events Across the Country Thailand is going all out for Pride Month 2026, with events running from late May through late June across five regions of the country.

If you have ever arrived at the pier and found things running late, tides are often the reason. Songserm Tran, one of the main ferry operators on the Koh Lanta route, has published a clear guide explaining how water levels affect their service. The Three Service Levels Normal service (2.10 to 2.