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Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has instructed relevant agencies to assist visitors affected by flooding on Phuket, where heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides, damaging properties and forcing evacuations in Patong. Speaking on October 29, the minister said he had directed the Phuket Tourism and Sports Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Tourist Police to help affected visitors, prioritise their safety and coord

Thailand is considering introducing visa-free entry for citizens of Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan and other potential tourism markets following delays in visa processing that have disrupted travel plans and reportedly reduced passenger numbers on some international flights. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on October 27 that the ministry had acknowledged difficulties affecting travellers from Mexico and several Latin American countries. He plans to s

Phuket has begun training government employees, hospitality professionals and local business representatives ahead of the InterPride General Meeting and World Conference 2026, which will be the first event of its kind held in Asia. The training programme began on October 21, ahead of the conference scheduled for October 29 to November 1. Additional pre-conference activities are planned for October 28, according to InterPride’s published schedule. The event is expected to brin

Virgin Atlantic has launched its first route to Thailand, introducing direct seasonal flights between London Heathrow and Phuket on October 18, just as the island enters its high tourism season. The airline marked the inaugural service in a post on its official Facebook page. Photographs showed crew members holding Thai flags alongside performers wearing traditional Thai khon costumes. The new route operates three times a week. Flights from London depart on Wednesdays, Friday

Thailand’s Meteorological Department has issued its ninth warning for a period of unsettled weather expected to bring heavy and very heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong wind gusts, hail and lightning between October 11 and 13. The alert covers several regions, including Bangkok and Chonburi, with the affected area expected to narrow to the South on October 12 and 13. Warning No. 9 (255/2026) took effect at 5am on October 11. It was signed by Deputy Director-General Nattawut Dan

Thai singer Rattikan Amloy, known professionally as Nene Royal, met Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand on October 9, following her victory in the 2026 season of America’s Got Talent. The royal audience took place at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Dusit Palace in Bangkok. At 5:09pm, Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom accompanied Nene Royal and members of her family into the royal presence. During the audience, the group paid their respects and formally presented the

Thailand remains under a heavy rain alert through September 27, with Bangkok, surrounding provinces and several parts of central and eastern Thailand facing the risk of very heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The Thai Meteorological Department said a strong low-pressure area over lower central Thailand and Bangkok, combined with an increasingly active southwest monsoon, is expected to keep rainfall widespread across the country. Areas being closely monitored on September 26 i

Sixteen-year-old singer and guitarist Nene Royal from Phuket has won America’s Got Talent 2026, becoming the first contestant from Thailand to claim the title in the history of the US talent show. The result was announced by host Terry Crews during the live Season 21 finale on NBC on September 23. The broadcast took place on the morning of September 24 in Thailand. Nene, whose real name is Rattikan “Praew” Amloy, received the highest number of votes from eligible viewers in t

Thai fans are preparing to follow Phuket singer and guitarist Nene Royal as she takes the stage in the live final of America’s Got Talent Season 21. The 16-year-old performer, whose real name is Praew Rattikarn Amloy, is one of 10 finalists competing for the Season 21 title and the programme’s US$1 million prize. When to watch the AGT 2026 final The first part of the two-night finale will air live on NBC on Tuesday, September 22, from 9pm to 11pm Eastern Time. In Thailand, th

Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that a new regulation allows foreigners to operate hotels, restaurants and tour businesses without a licence, describing the reports circulating online as fake news. The regulation removes the licensing requirement under the Foreign Business Act of 1999 for eight specific services divided into three groups. Online posts had incorrectly claimed that the measure covered seven businesses closely linked to Thai livelihoods, includi

Phuket is gradually approaching the high season. In about six weeks, airlines will switch to their winter schedules, and the current 220 flights through Phuket International Airport are expected to increase to more than 300. At the same time, Thailand’s approach to the new tourism season is already becoming clear. The country is moving away from its post-pandemic policy of attracting tourists by virtually every available means and placing greater emphasis on regulation, secur

Thailand is set to experience more heavy thunderstorms and rainfall, with the Meteorological Department warning of heavy to very heavy rain across dozens of provinces, particularly in Bangkok and surrounding areas and parts of the South. The Meteorological Department said the increase in rainfall is being driven by the southward movement of the monsoon trough, a strengthening southwest monsoon and a strong low-pressure system over the South China Sea. Isolated very heavy rain

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a warning for 71 provinces and Bangkok over the risk of flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and flooding through September 13. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in many parts of the country, prompting authorities to urge people living in vulnerable areas to closely monitor weather conditions, rainfall and water levels and prepare for possible emergencies. The alert covers all provinces in

Phuket-based Peranakan clothing brand Yayee is continuing its bid for national recognition in Thailand’s annual small and medium enterprise awards. The local company has already made it into the shortlist of top contenders, while last week an Industry Ministry evaluation team visited its production facility as part of the on-site inspections for businesses competing for the award. The official name of the award is the Prime Minister’s Small and Medium Industry Award 2026. Yay

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the deportation of Israeli citizen Yaacov Ohayon after the Koh Samui Provincial Court convicted him of criminal intimidation under Section 392 of the Thai Penal Code. The case followed threatening messages allegedly sent by Ohayon that caused the victim to fear for their safety. The court found him guilty and initially sentenced him to one month in prison and a 10,000-baht fine. However, because he confessed

Thai AirAsia is preparing to increase the number of domestic flights to Phuket from Bangkok and several provinces in northeastern Thailand starting October 1. The move comes ahead of the high season and follows reductions made during the low season. At least part of the upcoming change is expected to restore domestic services that the Thai subsidiary of the Malaysian low-cost airline reduced during the low season amid higher aviation fuel costs and weaker demand for travel. H

Thai rock icon Ad Carabao has voiced his support for rising young performer Nene, praising her musical talent and the influence she is having on a new generation of musicians across Thailand. Ad said that children and their parents increasingly come to the backstage areas of his concerts hoping to meet him and get an autograph. Some young fans even bring guitars with them. He believes Nene’s growing popularity and musical achievements have contributed to this trend. “If this

Thailand has introduced a new set of regulations governing the deportation of foreign nationals who violate the law. The new rules officially came into force on August 28, 2026, following the publication of a regulation issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The Thai government said the new framework is intended to establish a clearer and more efficient process for state agencies dealing with the deportation of foreigners

Large cash withdrawals in Phuket have helped investigators uncover a nationwide call-centre scam network allegedly involved in defrauding an elderly woman of more than 12.2 million baht in life savings. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), working through the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), arrested 30 suspects during simultaneous raids at 30 locations across 11 provinces, including Phuket. The investigation began after the Anti-Online Fraud Center (ACSC) identified susp

Thai police have expanded their investigation into alleged nominee business structures on Koh Samui, uncovering dozens of companies suspected of helping foreign investors bypass ownership restrictions under Thai law. The large-scale operation took place on August 14 and was overseen by Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma. Authorities conducted coordinated searches across the island, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of a substantial amount of evid