Thailand News
Timely updates from around Thailand — travel rules, seasonal changes, new openings, events and the practical shifts that affect your visit or stay.
NewsA Thai senator has proposed letting foreigners own 100% of a business in Thailand to end the nominee system. Here is what was said and what it could mean.
NewsThe common scams in Phuket, from the jet ski and tuk-tuk tricks to gem, timeshare and bar-bill scams, with red flags, how to avoid each and the 1155 hotline.
NewsThailand drone laws in 2026: dual CAAT and NBTC registration, no tourist exemption, insurance, no-fly zones and fines. What visitors must know before flying.
NewsWeed in Thailand is medical-only in 2026: legal with a Thai prescription, illegal recreationally. Here are the rules, penalties and what tourists can do.
NewsYes. Vaping is illegal in Thailand: import, sale, possession and use, and even carrying a vape is an offence. Fines, police checks and what to do if stopped.
NewsThe honest 2026 update on Thailand's retirement visa: the 800,000 and 65,000 THB rules, O-A insurance, the new foreign income tax and what has not changed.
NewsUsing your own Starlink in Thailand is illegal: it is not NBTC-licensed, kit gets seized, and you risk confiscation. Here is why, plus the legal ways online.
NewsYour guide to the best Phuket events in August 2026, from the Por Tor ghost festival and a beach reef run to Offset live and world class DJs by the sea.
NewsThailand's alcohol ban on 29 and 30 July 2026 halts sales in Phuket for two Buddhist holy days. Here is who is exempt, where to still drink and how to plan.
NewsWhat's on in Phuket this July 2026: Buddhist Lent, the PYC yacht festival, Parkland Music Fest, the best night markets, beach clubs and green season tips.
Things change quickly in Thailand, from visa and entry rules to national-park seasons, festival dates and new openings. This is where we post the timely updates worth knowing before and during your trip, so you are not caught out by a closed island tour, a public holiday, or a change to the paperwork. For evergreen, how-to information, our travel and practical guides are the better starting point; this section is about what is current.
What you'll find here
We focus on the developments that actually affect travellers and expats rather than general headlines. That means updates on entry requirements and visa changes, transport and airport news, weather and seasonal patterns such as the monsoon and the northern burning season, and notable new openings and closures. We also cover major festivals and events, including moveable dates like Songkran and Loy Krathong, so you can plan around them or join in.
We try to add context rather than just relay a headline. If a rule tightens or a fee changes, we explain who it affects and what to do differently; if a park or route closes for the season, we say when it usually reopens. The idea is to save you the trouble of piecing together scattered announcements from operators, embassies and local outlets.
How to use this section
Because news dates quickly, always check the timestamp on a post and confirm anything time-sensitive, especially visa and entry rules, against official sources before you act. We keep our evergreen guides updated too, but for fast-moving matters an official government or operator source is always the final word.
If you are looking for what is on rather than what has changed, browse our events listings for festivals, markets and happenings across the country. For destination detail, the main guides index covers the whole of Thailand, while our Phuket section drills into the Andaman coast where seasonal closures and ferry schedules shift most.
Our aim is to be a reliable, no-hype signal amid a lot of noise: clear updates, dated and sourced, that help you make good decisions about a trip or a life in Thailand. When something important changes, we will explain what it means in practice and what, if anything, you need to do about it.