https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenYou get bigger protests for fox huntingWed, 20 May 2026 20:49:01 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/brits-sex-toy-delays-bag-on-thai-flight-r1899/A British traveller had her suitcase confiscated for 24 hours before her flight to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, after airport staff had flagged a sex toy packed inside her luggage. Oliwia Krol, 24, said she was left panicking after landing in Bangkok on a flight from Samui and spotting airport staff holding a sign with her name while her bag was missing. Get today's headlines by email The holidaymaker, from Abbey Wood in South East London, had been travelling around Thailand and was flying from Koh Samui to Bangkok when the incident happened. Airport staff told her the suitcase had not been loaded onto the plane because of a prohibited item, which she initially believed to be a cigarette lighter. Oliwia said she feared she was in serious trouble after being escorted to an office at the airport. She recalled memories of watching Border Force programmes while growing up and imagined different scenarios as officials questioned her about the bag. She said: “I was panicking as I didn’t understand what was happening and was thinking I was in a lot of trouble for something.” Officials later informed her they needed permission to search the suitcase in Samui. Oliwia said staff explained the item that triggered the alert could either be a lighter or “possibly an intimate item”. Oliwia admitted she had briefly wondered before flying whether the item should have been packed differently, but said she did not expect it to cause problems. The object was later confirmed to be her vibrator. Once she signed the relevant documents, airport staff searched the suitcase. The bag was held for 24 hours before she received an email informing her she could return to the airport to collect it. She later described the experience as embarrassing but humorous in hindsight. Oliwia said her friends “found the whole thing hilarious afterwards” and continued joking about the incident and she later confessed that she was allowed to keep the sex toy. The Mirror reported that case highlights how airport security systems can flag electronic or unusual personal items during baggage screening, even when passengers are unaware they may breach airline or airport restrictions. Travellers are often advised to check rules covering batteries, electronic devices and prohibited items before flying. ScreenRecording_05-20-2026 15-13-00_1.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 20:45:39 +0000A British traveller had her suitcase confiscated for 24 hours before her flight to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, after airport staff had flagged a sex toy packed inside her luggage. Oliwia Krol, 24, said she was left panicking after landing in Bangkok on a flight from Samui and spotting airport staff holding a sign with her name while her bag was missing. Get today's headlines by email The holidaymaker, from Abbey Wood in South East London, had been travelling around Thailand and was flying from Koh Samui to Bangkok when the incident happened. Airport staff told her the suitcase had not been loaded onto the plane because of a prohibited item, which she initially believed to be a cigarette lighter. Oliwia said she feared she was in serious trouble after being escorted to an office at the airport. She recalled memories of watching Border Force programmes while growing up and imagined different scenarios as officials questioned her about the bag. She said: “I was panicking as I didn’t understand what was happening and was thinking I was in a lot of trouble for something.” Officials later informed her they needed permission to search the suitcase in Samui. Oliwia said staff explained the item that triggered the alert could either be a lighter or “possibly an intimate item”. Oliwia admitted she had briefly wondered before flying whether the item should have been packed differently, but said she did not expect it to cause problems. The object was later confirmed to be her vibrator. Once she signed the relevant documents, airport staff searched the suitcase. The bag was held for 24 hours before she received an email informing her she could return to the airport to collect it. She later described the experience as embarrassing but humorous in hindsight. Oliwia said her friends “found the whole thing hilarious afterwards” and continued joking about the incident and she later confessed that she was allowed to keep the sex toy. The Mirror reported that case highlights how airport security systems can flag electronic or unusual personal items during baggage screening, even when passengers are unaware they may breach airline or airport restrictions. Travellers are often advised to check rules covering batteries, electronic devices and prohibited items before flying. ScreenRecording_05-20-2026 15-13-00_1.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:45:39 +0000The Thai government seems determined to introduce new populist policies that raise costs mainly for foreign visitors. After cutting the visa‑free stay for 93 countries in half, they're now saying that the planned tourist tax should rise above the originally planned ฿300 due to inflation and insurance funding needs. This follows the international passenger service charge rising in June by 50%. It will be interesting to see what impact these changes will have on visitor numbers, especially as even local tourism operators are questioning the logic. Maybe they haven't heard the saying "Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs"?Wed, 20 May 2026 20:45:30 +0000The worst thing about Thailand is some of the foreigners.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:45:05 +0000Allied governments condemn footage shared by Israeli minister showing detained Gaza flotilla activists being mocked and restrained Get today's headlines by email Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has triggered a wave of international condemnation after publishing footage showing Israeli security forces detaining and mocking foreign activists intercepted while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The video, shared online by Ben-Gvir, shows dozens of detainees kneeling in rows with their hands zip-tied behind their backs and their heads lowered to the ground. In one scene, the minister waves an Israeli flag while taunting a restrained activist and shouting slogans in Hebrew. The footage prompted sharp criticism from several governments whose citizens were among those detained, including the UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described Ben-Gvir’s conduct as “despicable”, saying the minister had “betrayed the dignity of his nation”. European leaders condemn treatmentItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the images “unacceptable” and demanded the immediate release of Italian nationals held by Israel, along with an apology over what she described as degrading treatment. “It is inadmissible that these demonstrators, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment that violates human dignity,” Meloni said in a statement posted on social media. Spain’s foreign minister condemned the scenes as “monstrous, disgraceful and inhumane”, while UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the footage and had been in contact with the families of British citizens detained by Israeli authorities. More than 400 activists from 40 countries were taking part in the flotilla mission, according to organisers. The group travelled aboard 50 vessels carrying food and humanitarian supplies in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Tuesday and transported those onboard to Israel. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also criticised the operation, questioning the legal basis for arrests carried out outside Israeli territorial waters. Netanyahu distances himself from ministerThe backlash quickly spread داخل Israel’s own government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly distancing himself from Ben-Gvir’s actions within hours of the video appearing online. “The way that minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms,” Netanyahu said, adding that he had instructed authorities to deport the detainees “as soon as possible”. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued an even stronger rebuke, accusing Ben-Gvir of damaging Israel’s international standing. “You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time,” Saar wrote on X. “You are not the face of Israel.” Rights groups warn of broader abuseHuman rights organisations said the incident reflected wider concerns over the treatment of detainees during the Gaza conflict. Public Committee Against Torture in Israel said the video demonstrated a culture of impunity surrounding abuse in Israeli detention facilities. Sari Bashi, the group’s director, said the public nature of the footage sent a dangerous message to prison staff and security personnel. Legal advocacy group Adalah, which represents some of the detained activists, said similar allegations had emerged during previous flotilla operations without accountability. The controversy came a day after Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to remove residents from the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank. Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported this week that prosecutors at the International Criminal Court were seeking arrest warrants for several Israeli officials, including Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:44:18 +0000When was Thailand ever a peaceful country? There are assaults, murders and raapes every damned day. Judge Bean here in his basement up in Isaan. The Swede (first real one in recent stories) should have stuck around and given the lot of them a sound thrashing. Fatty in the white shirt was about to meet Shiva and should thank his lucky stars the Swede didn't finish the job.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:38:29 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thai-union-demands-reform-after-bangkok-crash-r1898/Thailand’s Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation, has called on the government to overhaul the country’s rail system following the deadly train crash at the Asok-Din Daeng rail crossing in Bangkok on 16 May. The collision between a freight train and a passenger bus left eight people dead and more than 30 injured, prompting renewed scrutiny of long-standing structural problems within the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Get today's headlines by email In a statement issued on 20 May, the federation said the tragedy must not become “just another short-lived public outcry” and urged authorities to pursue comprehensive rail reform to improve safety and make rail transport the country’s main transport system. The group criticised senior officials and politicians for commenting publicly after disasters without fully understanding the issues or accepting responsibility, before allowing public attention to fade. The federation said the crash should not be blamed solely on rail crossing staff, the bus driver, or reports of drug use by a train driver. Instead, it argued that the government must address wider systemic failings involving law enforcement, policy, staffing, technology, equipment and public awareness campaigns through cooperation between state agencies, labour unions, local authorities and academics. The statement also highlighted long-standing financial and operational problems facing the SRT. According to the federation, the railway operator faces operating costs of 3.20 baht per passenger kilometre while government policy permits fares of only 24 satang. Although the law requires the state to compensate the difference, the group said payments have been heavily delayed. As of September 2025, the government reportedly owed the SRT around 320 billion baht in compensation payments. The federation said this had forced the railway authority to borrow money to maintain liquidity while paying more than 5 billion baht annually in interest costs. The statement further noted that the average age of locomotives has reached 40 years. It also pointed to staffing shortages linked to a 1998 cabinet resolution limiting new recruitment to only 5 percent of retiring staff, reducing the workforce from 20,000 employees to about 8,000 today. The federation declared its support for expanding rail transport as a national strategic priority but opposed proposals to ban train services from entering inner Bangkok. It argued that such measures would increase travel costs for low-income residents, students and commuters. The group also opposed any closure of Bangkok Railway Station, better known as Hua Lamphong. The Standard reported that the organisation expressed support for railway workers and the State Railway Workers’ Union of Thailand, saying any employees found guilty of wrongdoing should face legal action. However, it warned against treating all railway staff and the SRT itself as “defendants in the eyes of society”. Bus-hit-by-train-near-Rama-9-bursts-into-flames Train-driver-fails-drug-test-after-Bangkok-crash Train-driver-at-controls-before-Bangkok-crash Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now TheStandard 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 20:36:22 +0000Thailand’s Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation, has called on the government to overhaul the country’s rail system following the deadly train crash at the Asok-Din Daeng rail crossing in Bangkok on 16 May. The collision between a freight train and a passenger bus left eight people dead and more than 30 injured, prompting renewed scrutiny of long-standing structural problems within the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Get today's headlines by email In a statement issued on 20 May, the federation said the tragedy must not become “just another short-lived public outcry” and urged authorities to pursue comprehensive rail reform to improve safety and make rail transport the country’s main transport system. The group criticised senior officials and politicians for commenting publicly after disasters without fully understanding the issues or accepting responsibility, before allowing public attention to fade. The federation said the crash should not be blamed solely on rail crossing staff, the bus driver, or reports of drug use by a train driver. Instead, it argued that the government must address wider systemic failings involving law enforcement, policy, staffing, technology, equipment and public awareness campaigns through cooperation between state agencies, labour unions, local authorities and academics. The statement also highlighted long-standing financial and operational problems facing the SRT. According to the federation, the railway operator faces operating costs of 3.20 baht per passenger kilometre while government policy permits fares of only 24 satang. Although the law requires the state to compensate the difference, the group said payments have been heavily delayed. As of September 2025, the government reportedly owed the SRT around 320 billion baht in compensation payments. The federation said this had forced the railway authority to borrow money to maintain liquidity while paying more than 5 billion baht annually in interest costs. The statement further noted that the average age of locomotives has reached 40 years. It also pointed to staffing shortages linked to a 1998 cabinet resolution limiting new recruitment to only 5 percent of retiring staff, reducing the workforce from 20,000 employees to about 8,000 today. The federation declared its support for expanding rail transport as a national strategic priority but opposed proposals to ban train services from entering inner Bangkok. It argued that such measures would increase travel costs for low-income residents, students and commuters. The group also opposed any closure of Bangkok Railway Station, better known as Hua Lamphong. The Standard reported that the organisation expressed support for railway workers and the State Railway Workers’ Union of Thailand, saying any employees found guilty of wrongdoing should face legal action. However, it warned against treating all railway staff and the SRT itself as “defendants in the eyes of society”. Bus-hit-by-train-near-Rama-9-bursts-into-flames Train-driver-fails-drug-test-after-Bangkok-crash Train-driver-at-controls-before-Bangkok-crash Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now TheStandard 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:36:22 +0000I'm not familiar with the story. Who shot her?Wed, 20 May 2026 20:30:56 +0000150 baht and a pair of firm, young teats pressed up against him. Not a bad deal.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:29:13 +0000Two Russian fighter jets carried out what the UK has described as dangerous interceptions of an unarmed Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea last month, according to the Ministry of Defence. Get today's headlines by email The incident involved a British RC-135W Rivet Joint intelligence aircraft operating in international airspace as part of a routine mission supporting NATO’s eastern flank. British officials said a Russian Su-35 fighter jet approached the aircraft closely enough to trigger its emergency safety systems, temporarily disabling the plane’s autopilot. A second aircraft, a Su-27, reportedly made six separate passes directly in front of the RAF aircraft, at one point coming within six metres of its nose. Rising tensions over the Black SeaUK Defence Secretary John Healey condemned the manoeuvres as “dangerous and unacceptable”, praising the RAF crew for what he described as their professionalism during the encounter. Healey said the incident highlighted the risks posed by Russian military activity near NATO operations. “These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation,” he said. The Ministry of Defence described the interceptions as the most serious Russian aerial encounter involving the RAF since 2022, when a Russian pilot fired a missile near another Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea. British and foreign office officials have since summoned representatives from the Russian embassy and called on Moscow to condemn the conduct of its pilots. Concerns over Russian military activityThe latest confrontation comes amid broader concerns in London and among NATO allies over increased Russian military activity around Europe’s borders. The MoD pointed to recent Russian submarine operations near critical underwater infrastructure in the North Sea as further evidence of heightened aggression. Officials stressed that the RAF aircraft involved in the Black Sea incident was unarmed and flying legally in international airspace. Despite the encounter, the UK said it would continue surveillance and support operations alongside NATO allies. “We remain committed to defending NATO, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression,” Healey said. Echoes of the 2022 missile incidentThe encounter has drawn comparisons with a September 2022 incident involving another RAF Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea. At the time, a Russian pilot fired two missiles towards the British aircraft. Russia initially claimed the launch resulted from a technical malfunction. However, later reports citing Western defence sources said the missile firing followed confusion over instructions received from a Russian ground station, suggesting the pilot may have misunderstood an order. The UK government publicly accepted Moscow’s explanation at the time in an effort to avoid escalation. The RAF’s RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft, operated by No. 51 Squadron from Lincolnshire, is used for signals intelligence missions. According to the RAF, the aircraft collects and analyses electronic signals to provide strategic and tactical intelligence in real time. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:28:03 +0000Dirty Bibi should send a delegation over to negotiate a better deal for his tribe.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:25:04 +0000Wed, 20 May 2026 20:24:58 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/austrian-to-be-deported-for-drunken-behaviour-in-phuket-r1897/A 39-year-old Austrian man has been ordered deported from Thailand after Phuket immigration authorities revoked his visa over repeated drunken and disruptive behaviour in the Rawai area. Officers said the man, identified only as Raphael, had repeatedly harassed local residents, intimidated people in public and damaged Thailand’s tourism image. Get today's headlines by email Police and immigration officers took action on May 19, 2026 after videos circulated on local social media showing the man riding a motorcycle aggressively, blocking traffic and demanding money from people while appearing intoxicated. The posts, shared under the headline “Locals fed up with Austrian man causing trouble in Rawai”, prompted an investigation by Phuket Immigration and Chalong Police Station. Investigators found that Raphael had entered Thailand legally on a temporary stay permit before obtaining an education visa to study Thai language and culture. Authorities said he had previously received a warning and minor punishment for similar conduct but later reoffended within a short period. Immigration officials stated that his behaviour included consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances to the point of losing self-control and causing disturbances in public places. They said his actions affected public order, local customs and morality, and harmed the country’s image as a tourist destination. The operation was carried out under the direction of Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, along with other senior immigration commanders. Maj Gen Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, commander of Immigration Division 6, also supervised the case, while the investigation team was led by Acting Pol Maj Trin Khampathee. Authorities said the crackdown forms part of wider efforts targeting foreign nationals whose conduct damages Thailand’s tourism reputation. Phuket immigration officers formally revoked Raphael’s permission to remain in the kingdom under Section 54 of the Immigration Act BE 2522. Bangkokpost reported that officials confirmed that the Austrian national will now be processed for deportation and removed from Thailand in accordance with immigration law. Immigration authorities have not disclosed when the deportation will take place or whether further legal proceedings are pending. Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 20:23:45 +0000A 39-year-old Austrian man has been ordered deported from Thailand after Phuket immigration authorities revoked his visa over repeated drunken and disruptive behaviour in the Rawai area. Officers said the man, identified only as Raphael, had repeatedly harassed local residents, intimidated people in public and damaged Thailand’s tourism image. Get today's headlines by email Police and immigration officers took action on May 19, 2026 after videos circulated on local social media showing the man riding a motorcycle aggressively, blocking traffic and demanding money from people while appearing intoxicated. The posts, shared under the headline “Locals fed up with Austrian man causing trouble in Rawai”, prompted an investigation by Phuket Immigration and Chalong Police Station. Investigators found that Raphael had entered Thailand legally on a temporary stay permit before obtaining an education visa to study Thai language and culture. Authorities said he had previously received a warning and minor punishment for similar conduct but later reoffended within a short period. Immigration officials stated that his behaviour included consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances to the point of losing self-control and causing disturbances in public places. They said his actions affected public order, local customs and morality, and harmed the country’s image as a tourist destination. The operation was carried out under the direction of Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, along with other senior immigration commanders. Maj Gen Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, commander of Immigration Division 6, also supervised the case, while the investigation team was led by Acting Pol Maj Trin Khampathee. Authorities said the crackdown forms part of wider efforts targeting foreign nationals whose conduct damages Thailand’s tourism reputation. Phuket immigration officers formally revoked Raphael’s permission to remain in the kingdom under Section 54 of the Immigration Act BE 2522. Bangkokpost reported that officials confirmed that the Austrian national will now be processed for deportation and removed from Thailand in accordance with immigration law. Immigration authorities have not disclosed when the deportation will take place or whether further legal proceedings are pending. Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:23:45 +0000For users, I see this right here as the biggest problem. I doubt the genie will go back in the bottle as far as being able to actually obtain cannabis. The issue will be that the new law will provide an avenue for corruption such as people caught with it being shaken down, etc.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:23:10 +0000Why not sell them a comprehensive insurance policy instead? Because then the money couldn't disappear into the void known as 'general revenue'. This is a missed opportunity to enrich friends and cronies at the foreigners' expense.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:22:39 +0000Iran has outlined new conditions for ending hostilities with the United States and Israel, including reparations for war damage, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas near Iran and an end to attacks on Tehran and its allied group in Lebanon. Get today's headlines by email According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the proposal also calls for sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian funds and the removal of what Tehran describes as a U.S. blockade through the Strait of Hormuz. The demands represent Tehran’s first public comments on its latest peace offer. Reports indicate the proposal remains largely unchanged from an earlier version rejected by President Donald Trump last week. Diplomatic Efforts ContinueThe revised plan was reportedly passed to Washington through Pakistan in recent days as regional mediation efforts intensified. The proposal emerged as Trump announced on Monday that he would delay planned renewed military strikes against Iran. The president said the decision followed requests from leaders in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who are seeking to prevent further escalation in the conflict. Trump said “serious negotiations are now taking place” to find a diplomatic solution to the war. Despite the delay, Trump signalled that military action remains under consideration. He is expected to meet senior national security officials on Tuesday to discuss possible next steps, according to sources cited by Axios. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was “an hour away from making the decision” on whether to launch strikes. “The attacks would have been happening right now,” he said, adding that military assets were fully prepared. He also warned that Iran had “two or three days” to show progress in negotiations, though he suggested he could extend the timeframe to a week. Stalemate Over TalksEfforts to reach a settlement have repeatedly stalled in recent weeks, with both Washington and Tehran rejecting proposals from the other side. Last week, Trump dismissed an Iranian request to separate nuclear negotiations from broader peace discussions, calling the idea “totally unacceptable.” Iran has continued to insist that any agreement must address the wider conflict and economic restrictions imposed on the country. Economic Pressure BuildsThe conflict has also created mounting economic concerns for the United States and its allies, particularly over disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Rising energy prices and fears of prolonged instability in the region have increased pressure on the Trump administration to avoid a wider war and secure a negotiated settlement. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to global energy markets, with a significant share of the world’s oil exports passing through the narrow waterway. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:18:21 +0000Cannabis .... and the rest. Who removed the 'death penalty' sign at the airport for drugs ?Wed, 20 May 2026 20:18:04 +0000Even a 6 year old knows the difference between 'too' and 'to'. You fail, now back to India with you.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:17:06 +0000Add the British to the top of that list. Count the times their nationality appears in crime or self harm stories and there's your leader. Is it reasonable to keep all of them out? No more so than painting the others on your list with the same brush.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:13:47 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thailand-eyes-higher-tourist-tax-for-foreign-visitors-r1896/Thailand is considering raising its proposed tourist entry fee for foreign visitors above 300 baht as officials review rising insurance and healthcare costs linked to the tourism sector. Get today's headlines by email Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the long-delayed tourism levy, first proposed in 2020, may need to increase because of inflation and higher insurance premiums. Most of the revenue would be used to provide insurance coverage for foreign tourists, particularly for treatment at private hospitals, while the remainder would fund maintenance of tourist attractions and infrastructure improvements. The discussion comes just one day after the government announced plans to end the current 60-day visa exemption scheme for travellers from 93 countries. Authorities intend to return to shorter visa-free stays similar to the system used before 2024. Officials are considering two possible methods for collecting the fee. One option would add the charge to airline tickets, while another would collect it through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system, which foreign visitors are already required to complete before entry. Airlines have reportedly raised objections to charging only foreign passengers while exempting Thai nationals, warning the system could create discrimination concerns. One proposal under review would require all passengers to pay the fee initially, with Thai citizens later applying for refunds. Using the TDAC platform is viewed by officials as a more practical alternative because it is already integrated into the arrival process for foreign travellers. Authorities said further discussions are needed before a final decision is made. The final amount of the tourism fee will depend largely on the projected cost of accident insurance and unpaid medical treatment involving foreign tourists. Studies cited by officials estimate that unpaid medical bills from overseas visitors cost Thai hospitals around 2.5 billion baht each year. The Tourism and Sports Ministry is expected to continue talks with the Thai General Insurance Association to determine suitable insurance premium levels before the levy is finalised. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the government must clearly explain what incidents would be covered by the insurance fund. He questioned whether protection would extend to floods, construction accidents or motorcycle crashes involving riders without licences. Bangkok Post reported that he also called for greater transparency regarding how much revenue from the tourism levy would be directed towards infrastructure projects. Related story Cabinet-cuts-visa-free-stay-back-to-30-days Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 20:10:55 +0000Thailand is considering raising its proposed tourist entry fee for foreign visitors above 300 baht as officials review rising insurance and healthcare costs linked to the tourism sector. Get today's headlines by email Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the long-delayed tourism levy, first proposed in 2020, may need to increase because of inflation and higher insurance premiums. Most of the revenue would be used to provide insurance coverage for foreign tourists, particularly for treatment at private hospitals, while the remainder would fund maintenance of tourist attractions and infrastructure improvements. The discussion comes just one day after the government announced plans to end the current 60-day visa exemption scheme for travellers from 93 countries. Authorities intend to return to shorter visa-free stays similar to the system used before 2024. Officials are considering two possible methods for collecting the fee. One option would add the charge to airline tickets, while another would collect it through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system, which foreign visitors are already required to complete before entry. Airlines have reportedly raised objections to charging only foreign passengers while exempting Thai nationals, warning the system could create discrimination concerns. One proposal under review would require all passengers to pay the fee initially, with Thai citizens later applying for refunds. Using the TDAC platform is viewed by officials as a more practical alternative because it is already integrated into the arrival process for foreign travellers. Authorities said further discussions are needed before a final decision is made. The final amount of the tourism fee will depend largely on the projected cost of accident insurance and unpaid medical treatment involving foreign tourists. Studies cited by officials estimate that unpaid medical bills from overseas visitors cost Thai hospitals around 2.5 billion baht each year. The Tourism and Sports Ministry is expected to continue talks with the Thai General Insurance Association to determine suitable insurance premium levels before the levy is finalised. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the government must clearly explain what incidents would be covered by the insurance fund. He questioned whether protection would extend to floods, construction accidents or motorcycle crashes involving riders without licences. Bangkok Post reported that he also called for greater transparency regarding how much revenue from the tourism levy would be directed towards infrastructure projects. Related story Cabinet-cuts-visa-free-stay-back-to-30-days Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:10:55 +0000BoneWed, 20 May 2026 20:09:28 +0000