All Articles

Thailand’s leading hotel operators have proposed a package of eight measures aimed at stabilising and strengthening the country’s tourism sector amid growing economic and geopolitical pressures. The proposals were presented on May 15 during a meeting between Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and representatives of key business sectors. The tourism industry was represented by the Thai Hotels Association (THA), which used the opportunity to outline major

Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has officially declared the start of the country’s rainy season, confirming that weather conditions associated with the annual monsoon transition fully aligned on May 15. The announcement coincided with the traditional start of the low season in Thailand’s national parks, many of which begin seasonal closures around this time each year. Unlike the Department of National Parks, which follows fixed annual dates, the TMD bases its seaso

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Koh Samui and Koh Phangan as part of the government’s campaign to address concerns surrounding foreign-operated businesses in southern Thailand’s island tourism sector. Particular attention will focus on companies suspected of illegally using Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership. Authorities have also expressed concern about the growing number of businesses allegedly linked to foreign nationa

Thailand recorded its highest inflation rate in three years in April as rising global oil prices began affecting consumer costs across the country. Although inflation remains moderate compared to many other economies, the latest figures mark a significant shift for Thailand, where inflation had still been negative as recently as March. According to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), Thailand’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.89% year-on-year in April and r

Thailand is approaching the end of its high tourism season, with meteorologists warning that a seasonal transition could begin as early as mid-May. Phuket, in particular, is expected to feel the shift as prevailing winds change direction and rainfall becomes more frequent. According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), the recent increase in rainfall across southern provinces does not yet signal the official start of the rainy season. In contrast, northern and central

Thailand’s export sector continues to outperform expectations, reaching new historic highs even as the country’s tourism industry struggles to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. While tourism remains below its former peak, exports are acting as the primary engine of economic growth. According to data released by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), March marked a record-breaking month, with exports totaling $35.157 billion. This represents an 18.7% year-on-year inc

Thailand’s tourism authorities are exploring a proposal to introduce a departure fee for citizens traveling abroad, with the aim of channeling funds into domestic tourism support programs. According to Bangkok Post, the initiative was put forward by Surasak Phancharoenworakul, who suggested a charge of 1,000 baht per outbound trip. The revenue would be used to subsidize travel within the country and encourage local tourism spending. The proposal is based on an existing legal

Thailand is heading into an extended holiday period at the beginning of May, with government offices operating for only four days this week, from April 27 to April 30. From May 1 to May 4, the country will observe a four-day break running from Friday through Monday. Unlike some long weekends that are created by shifting official working days, this holiday stretch naturally aligns on the calendar without additional government adjustments. The long weekend includes two official

Thailand is gradually entering its low tourism season, and early forecasts suggest a noticeable, though not dramatic, decline in visitor arrivals. Analysts from Kasikornbank estimate that international arrivals between April and June 2026 will reach approximately 6.49 million, marking a year-on-year decrease of 9.2% compared to the same period in 2025. This projection aligns with earlier expectations from the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, both of

Fuel prices across Thailand have started to decline following Songkran, reflecting more favorable conditions on global energy markets. As of April 17, diesel prices dropped below the 43-baht-per-liter threshold, while gasohol and gasoline also saw smaller reductions. The adjustment followed the first post-Songkran meeting of the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO) on April 16, where officials reviewed subsidy policies and contribution rates. Based on fuel price benchmarks from Singap

A 19-year-old Chinese woman, her boyfriend, and several alleged accomplices have been arrested in Thailand after staging a fake kidnapping to extort money from her family. The case was announced on April 16 by Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), with additional details reported by local media. According to investigators, the scheme began in late March when the woman’s father received a message claiming his daughter had been abducted in Thailand and taken to Myanmar

A German national wanted for multiple cybercrime offences has been detained in Thailand following a joint operation by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and Immigration authorities. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Noah Christopher, was arrested in Bangkok, where he had been living in a high-end condominium in the Thonglor area. Authorities announced the arrest on April 11, noting that the operation was carried out in response to a request from German federal

Thailand recorded strong tourism performance during the Songkran Festival 2026, with figures surpassing expectations nationwide between April 11 and 15, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The festival is expected to generate more than US$909 million in total revenue, marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year. This growth highlights continued confidence among both domestic and international travelers and reinforces Songkran’s status as a globally r

Fuel prices in Thailand have surged dramatically over the past month, with diesel and gasoline costs rising by nearly 50% compared to early March. The latest increase took effect on April 2, following a government-approved adjustment. According to official figures, diesel prices have climbed by approximately 48% since March 2, while gasohol E10 has risen by around 42%, bringing overall retail fuel costs close to one-and-a-half times higher than a month ago. The decision was f

Electricity prices in Thailand are set to increase slightly beginning in May 2026, with the adjustment kept at a modest 1.8% compared to current rates. For residential consumers, the new tariff for the May–August period will be fixed at 3.95 baht per kilowatt-hour. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) reached this decision after reviewing public feedback and ultimately selected the least impactful option among three proposed scenarios. The approved structure includes a fuel

His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn has officially endorsed a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The approved list of ministers was published in the Royal Gazette on March 31. The newly formed administration, often referred to as the “second cabinet of Anutin,” is scheduled to be sworn in on April 6, which coincides with Chakri Day. The government is expected to present its policy agenda to parliament the following day. Observers have noted an unusually h

Thailand has officially introduced standardized sobriety tests that allow shop and bar staff to assess whether customers are intoxicated before selling alcohol. Although selling alcohol to intoxicated individuals has long been prohibited in the country, only recent amendments to the Alcohol Control Act have clearly defined how such checks should be carried out in practice. The Ministry of Public Health published the official guidelines on March 28, and they have already come

Thailand is preparing to introduce a new digital system that will automatically screen applicants for commercial driving licences against police records. Starting from around July 2026, individuals applying for or renewing licences for public and commercial transport will undergo automatic background checks. The initiative is part of a data integration project between the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and the Royal Thai Police (RTP). Digital integration of databases Foll

Fuel prices across Thailand jumped sharply on March 26 after the Oil Fuel Fund (OFFO) reduced subsidies, pushing retail costs up by 6 baht per liter. The updated subsidy rates were announced late on March 25. On the same day, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated that the government would no longer impose price caps on fuel, allowing prices to fluctuate according to market forces. Although official pricing tables initially remained unchanged overnight, they were updat