📰 News

Thailand Cannabis Crackdown: 533 Phuket Shops Found Operating Without Valid Permits A joint enforcement operation in Phuket has found that 533 cannabis dispensaries had failed to renew their operating licences, with a further 12 businesses facing permit suspensions.

Thailand Weather Forecast: July 19, 2026 — Rain and Rough Seas Warning Scattered thunderstorms are expected across Thailand for the 24-hour period from 6am July 19 to 6am July 20, …

Thailand's Nationwide Nightlife Safety Sweep: What Travellers Need to Know Thailand's Interior Ministry has ordered a full inspection of entertainment venues and public buildings across the country, giving authorities 30 days from July 18, 2026 to complete the sweep.

Thailand Weather Forecast: July 18, 2026 The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its Saturday forecast with the southwest monsoon driving unsettled weather across the whole country.

Fire at Rong Beer Na Ladprao, Bangkok (July 2026) A fire at Rong Beer Na Ladprao, a venue in Bangkok, killed 33 people and injured dozens more on July 12, 2026.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Is Getting Faster: What Travellers Need to Know Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports conducted an inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 16 July 2026, brin…

Thailand News Roundup: 17 July 2026 Thailand's news cycle this week covers a significant slowdown at Suvarnabhumi Airport immigration, compensation updates from the Bangkok nightclub fire, a juvenile detention escape in Nakhon Ratchasima, and a few lighter stories from around the country.

The Krabi Convenience Store Cat Who Runs a Treat Racket A grey tabby cat in Krabi has gone viral twice over after video emerged showing it walking foreign tourists directly to the pet food aisle of a local convenience store, then fixing them with a slow-blink until they buy it something to eat.

Bangkok Nightclub Fire Kills 33, Including Performers A fire at a Bangkok nightclub on July 12, 2026 has killed 33 people as of July 16, with the death toll rising days after the blaze as critically injured survivors succumbed to their injuries.

Thailand's 2.45 Billion Baht Tourism Stimulus: What It Means for Visitors Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced three new schemes totalling 2.45 billion baht aimed at boosting both domestic travel and inbound tourism.

Thailand's Tourism Ministry has announced a 2.45 billion baht package of three travel incentive schemes aimed at boosting both domestic tourism and inbound visitor numbers, with the government projecting the measures could generate 56 billion baht in total economic value once approved and launched.

Thailand Pushes for Stronger China Tourism Ties Amid Slower Growth Thailand's tourism industry is urging Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to use his official visit to China in mid-July 2026 to lock in long-term cooperation agreements, rather than chasing short-term visitor numbers.

Bangkok Pub Fire: 31 Dead After Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao Blaze A fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, a popular nightlife venue in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district, has now claimed 31 lives following the death of Sudarat Pokkasub, 34, at Paolo Hospital Kaset on the evening of July 14.

Kuwaiti Tourists Report Roadside Cash Demands from Officers in Pattaya A group of Kuwaiti tourists held a press conference in Pattaya on July 14, 2026, to report being stopped repe…

Here is the article: --- Thailand Travel News: Hotel Fire, Venue Scams, and Visa Update (July 15, 2026) A handful of stories from around Thailand this week are worth knowing about if you are travelling or planning a trip.

New Sadao Checkpoint Opens on the Thai-Malaysian Border A new border crossing at Sadao, in Songkhla province, opened in July 2026, jointly inaugurated by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Chiang Mai Karaoke Bar Refunds British Tourist 150,000 Baht After Fraud Complaint A British man and his Thai wife were charged 150,000 baht across their credit cards at a karaoke bar near Chiang Mai's old moat on June 28, 2026.

Thailand Restores 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Indian Tourists India is back on Thailand's 30-day visa-free list as of July 14, 2026, reversing a policy change from May that had cut Indian visitors to a 15-day visa-on-arrival window.

Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Period to 30 Days and Drops 34 Countries Thailand's cabinet voted on Tuesday 14 July 2026 to significantly tighten its visa-free entry scheme, cutting the permitted stay from 60 days to 30 days and removing 34 countries from the programme entirely.

Thailand's Crackdown on Visa Runs: What It Means for Koh Lanta Visitors Thailand has launched one of its most aggressive immigration enforcement campaigns in years, and the old habit of hopping across a border every few months to reset a tourist entry is now a serious risk.

Thailand Retirement Visas in 2026: A Guide for Expats on Koh Lanta Thailand's retirement visa system is more layered than most people expect. In 2026, there are four separate routes available, each with different stay lengths, financial requirements, and eligibility rules.

Bangkok Nightclub Fire Kills 27, Triggers Safety Crackdown Across Thailand A deadly fire at a Bangkok nightclub has claimed at least 27 lives, injured dozens more, and set off a wave of safety inspections at entertainment venues across the country, including in Phuket.

Bangkok Pub Fire Kills 30, Injures Dozens A fire tore through Rong Beer Na Ladphrao, a pub in Bangkok's Chatuchak district, just before midnight on Sunday 13 July 2026, killing at least 30 people and sending dozens more to hospital.

Olive Ridley Turtle Rescued from Ghost Net at Karon Beach An olive ridley sea turtle was pulled to safety on 14 July 2026 after becoming tangled in a discarded fishing net on the shoreline at Karon Beach, Phuket.

New Sadao Road Opens a Smoother Land Route Between Thailand and Malaysia A new road connecting the Sadao border crossing in Songkhla province to Malaysia's Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpo…

Phuket Orders Safety Inspections at Venues Across the Island A deadly fire at a Bangkok entertainment venue has prompted Phuket's governor to launch an island-wide safety crackdown…

Bangkok Beer Hall Fire Kills 27, Investigators Focus on Blocked Exits A fire at a large beer hall in Bangkok's Chatuchak district has killed at least 27 people and injured 71 more, with around 45 people still unaccounted for as of Monday.

Bangkok Nightclub Fire Kills 27: What Travellers Need to Know A fire at a packed Bangkok bar in the early hours of July 13, 2026 killed 27 people and injured 63 others, making it one of Thailand's deadliest nightlife disasters in recent years.

Bangkok Nightclub Fire Kills 27 at Lat Phrao Venue A fire at a popular Bangkok live-music venue in the early hours of 13 July 2026 killed at least 27 people and injured 63 more, with 22 of those in critical condition.

A fire at a Bangkok nightclub in the early hours of July 12, 2026 killed at least 27 people and left 22 others critically injured, raising serious questions about fire safety enforcement at entertainment venues in Thailand.

Bangkok Beer Hall Fire Kills 27, Injures Dozens A fire at a popular beer hall in Bangkok's Chatuchak district late Sunday night killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others, making it one of the deadliest venue fires in the city in recent memory.

Bangkok Nightlife Fire Kills 27, Injures 63 A fire at a Bangkok eatery killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others in the early hours of 13 July 2026.

Two British Tourists Rescued from Phuket Beach After Drowning Two British men were pulled unconscious from the sea at Nai Thon Beach in Phuket's Thalang district on July 11, 2026.

Two British and New Zealand tourists were caught and fined for spray-painting a school fence in central Chiang Mai on July 12, 2026, after a member of the public tipped off police.

Two Phuket Cannabis Shops Raided After Ignoring Licence Suspensions Two cannabis shops in Phuket were raided by authorities on July 11, 2026, after continuing to operate and sell products despite having their licences suspended.

DSI Raids Five Koh Samui and Koh Phangan Sites in Foreign Nominee Crackdown Thai authorities raided five business locations across Koh Samui and Koh Phangan on Friday 11 July 2026, targeting suspected violations of the Foreign Business Act through the use of Thai nominee shareholders.

Thailand Weather Alert: July 11, 2026 — Rough Seas and Heavy Rain Nationwide The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a significant weather advisory for July 11, coverin…

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.

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 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 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 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…

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.