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Thailand News

All the latest news stories from Thailand are written in English. Fresh news and stories from around the kingdom brought to you daily.

Nong Khai police arrest two Chinese after Mekong crossing

Immigration police in Nong Khai have arrested two Chinese men who allegedly crossed illegally from Laos by boat, along with a Thai woman accused of collecting and hiding them at her home.

The arrests took place on the evening of 5 September 2026 in Phon Phisai district, Nong Khai, after officers monitoring the Mekong spotted a long-tail boat travelling from the Lao bank towards Thailand. The case was announced on 6 September by Pol Lt Col Theeranat Rangsiphramanakul, deputy superintendent of Nong Khai Immigration under Immigration Division 4.

The operation involved immigration investigators, ranger troops and local administrative officers. It was overseen by Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phanumart Boonyalak, his deputies Pol Maj Gen Pattana Nuchnarot, Pol Maj Gen Thanit Thaiwatcharamas and Pol Maj Gen Nattakorn Praphayon, and Immigration Division 4 commander Pol Maj Gen Phairat Phukcharoen and his deputies Pol Col Kritsakorn Klinkasorn and Pol Col Manuwat Kosanan.

Officers followed men into a house

Using binoculars, officers said they saw two passengers aboard the boat as it approached a pier near Ban Daen Muang, Soi 5, Moo 3, Wat Luang subdistrict.

A 42-year-old Thai woman, identified only as Suwanna, was waiting by the riverbank. Police said she signalled for the two men to leave the boat, then led them towards her nearby house after spotting officers moving in.

The men allegedly ran into the property and hid in the bathroom. Officers said Suwanna allowed them to search the house, where the two Chinese nationals were found without identity documents. No illegal items were found during the initial search.

Suwanna told investigators that a Thai man known only as Boy had contacted her through Line at about 11am that day. She said he offered her 10,000 baht to collect the two men and take them to the Caltex petrol station at Ban Phu Kratae, Wat Luang, on the Nong Khai-Phon Phisai road.

One man claims gold-smuggling job

One of the men, 35-year-old Chinese national Lin Zhao Shi, told police he had accepted an offer from another Chinese man to transport gold from Laos to China. He said payment would depend on the amount carried, at about 10,000 to 20,000 yuan per trip.

Lin said he entered Laos illegally from the China-Laos border in August 2026, before meeting the second suspect, 34-year-old Shen Xinxin, at a bar in Vientiane. He said he was later instructed to cross into Thailand, where a vehicle was supposed to collect him.

Police said Lin was also carrying a Taiwanese passport. He claimed he had paid 1,000 yuan as a deposit and a further 3,000 yuan to obtain it after responding to a Chinese-language roadside advertisement in Laos.

Charges and next steps

Suwanna was charged with bringing foreign nationals into Thailand illegally and providing shelter or assistance to help them avoid arrest.

Lin was charged with illegal entry and using or possessing a forged passport under Section 269/8. Shen was charged with illegal entry. All three were handed to investigators at Phon Phisai Police Station for legal proceedings.


Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid

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7 September 2026
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Thailand orders deportation of French national

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed an order deporting French national Kevin Dimino from Thailand, citing behaviour deemed a threat to public order, morality and public welfare.

The Ministry of Interior order, numbered 2354/2569, was signed on 7 September 2026. It is the second deportation order issued by Anutin, according to the announcement.

The order says Dimino had engaged in threatening, intimidation and physical assault, caused nuisance to others, and created serious racial and religious divisions, including among tourists. It also alleges reckless conduct that could endanger people or property, without regard for others' safety or inconvenience.

Koh Samui court conviction

The decision followed a judgment by Koh Samui Provincial Court, which found Dimino guilty under Sections 43(4), 43(8) and 158/1, second paragraph, of the Land Traffic Act 1979.

The court initially imposed a 10,000-baht fine. Because the defendant's guilty plea was considered beneficial to the proceedings, the penalty was halved under Section 78 of the Criminal Code, leaving a fine of 5,000 baht.

Authorities said the conduct was contrary to public order, good morals and the wellbeing of the public, making deportation necessary under Section 5 of the Deportation Act 1956.

Appeal remains possible

Using powers under the Deportation Act and Clause 4 of the Prime Minister's Office regulations on deportation, issued in 2026, Anutin ordered Dimino's removal from the Kingdom.

Dimino may appeal to the prime minister under Section 8 of the Deportation Act. He can seek to have the deportation order revoked or ask not to be removed from Thailand, but must do so within seven days of being informed of the order.



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7 September 2026
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Khao Yai runway shut as Anutin-linked probe continues

Flights and aviation business at the private Khanong Phra airstrip in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, have stopped following an investigation into claims that its runway crosses a public road.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has not publicly confirmed when operations stopped, or whether the airstrip's permission expired, was suspended, or flights were halted voluntarily. Officials are being urged to disclose a timeline and flight records.

The airstrip is near Rancho Charnvee Resort Khaoyai & Country Club and land owned by Golf Khaoyai Co Ltd, linked to members of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's family.

Runway found to cross public road

Lawyer Phattharaphong Suphaksorn, known as Lawyer Aun Buriram, visited the DSI on 4 September to seek an update on investigation file 108/2568. The DSI's Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Bureau is examining the use of a public road as a runway at Khanong Phra airport.



The investigation followed complaints from local people about a road used jointly by the public being used for private aircraft take-offs and landings, allegedly as part of a commercial operation.

During an inspection on 17 July 2025, DSI officers found a runway about 19 metres wide and 1,000 metres long crossing a public road about 3.5 metres wide and 450 metres long.

The report said the road is under the Lam Takhong Self-Help Settlement, rather than Khanong Phra Subdistrict Administrative Organisation. Any permission to use it must therefore be checked with the settlement and other relevant agencies, not solely the local authority.

Questions over ownership and permissions

The airport area reportedly covers around 17 land plots totalling about 174 rai, held in several names including Anutin, family members and business associates.

Charoen Khiri Co Ltd, connected to the site, previously had Anutin as a director and shareholder before he transferred his shares to his daughter on 30 April 2019, according to the report.

Investigators have sought documents from at least five bodies: Khanong Phra SAO, the Land Department, Lam Takhong Self-Help Settlement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Reform Office.

Questions remain over who controlled and operated the airport, paid for its construction and running costs, used aircraft, and received any commercial benefit. These are allegations and matters for investigators to establish.

NACC inquiry awaits progress

Pak Chong police sent their case file to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on 3 July 2025, alleging misconduct by state officials and failure to perform duties under Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

The file named Charoen Khiri Co Ltd, Anutin, his sister Anilrat Nitisarot, daughter Nainphak Charnvirakul and Pranee Piriyamaskul among those connected to the matter for NACC consideration.

The DSI also sent its investigation file to the NACC in December 2025. More than nine months later, no public update has emerged on action against any individual.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News
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7 September 2026
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Koh Phangan beach dispute spotlights nominee fears

A long-running dispute over public land at Laem Son Beach on Koh Phangan has revived concerns about alleged nominee companies used by foreign investors to bypass Thai land and business laws.

The Truth Investigation TV programme visited the Surat Thani island on Friday, 4 September, examining foreign capital in accommodation, restaurants, yoga businesses, real estate and long-term land leases. Its focus was a beach area occupied by businesses despite the absence of legal land title deeds.

A beach without land titles

Laem Son Beach was once a mining area. After its concession ended more than 30 years ago, local people gradually occupied plots and put up buildings.

The area originally covered about 12.8 hectares, but sand deposited by currents later extended the beach to around 19.04 hectares. As beachfront plots became more valuable, restaurants, resorts, accommodation and other structures appeared.

One operator said development began in 1983 and that the business held valid registration, but had "no land title documents". Accounts differ on the number of occupants, with one putting it at 14 and another referring to 13.

The central legal question is whether long-term occupation amounts to a right to use the land. The area is described as public land for common use.

Court rulings and alleged nominee networks

Pittaya Inkong, a former mayor of Phet Phangan Subdistrict Municipality who pursued the case, said conditions had not changed despite legal action and structures being built without title documents.

He said enforcement by state and local authorities had proved difficult. When municipal officials attempted to post notices, an official at municipal-clerk level was transferred out of the area; whether that move was connected to the official's duties requires examination.

Dr Preecha Thongyad, a Koh Phangan property businessman, said the issue extended beyond Laem Son Beach to land, construction and nominee businesses.

"Problems on Koh Phangan are not confined to Laem Son Beach but extend to land, construction and nominee businesses," he said, adding that foreign capital had expanded partly because of weak enforcement.

He also raised questions over networks of Thais allegedly helping investors find land, seek permits and establish companies. Similar concerns have been raised over encroachment in mountainous areas, where excavation and machinery have been seen but those responsible have not been identified.

Weak law enforcement and the failure to enforce existing court rulings are cited as primary reasons why these illegal land occupations and nominee arrangements persist.

Local residents stressed that the concern was not law-abiding foreign tourists, but groups of Thais alleged to be helping others evade the law. They called for any investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and other agencies to cover the entire system.

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7 September 2026
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Thailand to open volunteer soldier scheme for 2027

Thailand will open applications next week for its new Volunteer Soldier Programme, offering eligible reservists and former conscripts a monthly salary and allowance package of 15,000 baht.

Applications will run from 10 September 2026 until 24 January 2027, ahead of the programme's introduction in the 2027 fiscal year. The initiative is part of the government's stated plan to move military recruitment towards a voluntary system.

Government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said Prime Minister Anutin had declared the policy to parliament and that it was now being put into practice by the Royal Thai Army.

Four-year contracts and 15,000 baht package

Successful applicants will sign an initial four-year contract, with the option to renew once, for a maximum total service period of eight years.

The scheme is open to people who have completed Territorial Defence Student training at years three to five, known in Thailand as Ror Dor, as well as reservists and former enlisted soldiers.

Commissioned officer positions require a bachelor's degree and applicants aged 18 to 35. Non-commissioned officer posts require upper-secondary school or vocational certificate qualifications, with an age limit of 18 to 30.

Applicants will be able to select from units and positions for which they meet the specified requirements.

Participants will receive a combined salary and allowance of 15,000 baht per month, along with medical treatment rights, financial support if their home is affected by a natural disaster, and life insurance.

Training and future career routes

Ratchada said the programme offers four main benefits: income and welfare, personal development, educational and vocational opportunities, and future career prospects.

Volunteers will receive training and operational experience intended to build discipline, physical and mental fitness, and skills that can later be used in employment.

They may also improve their educational qualifications and vocational skills, potentially widening their career choices after leaving service.

The programme provides a possible route into the military civil service. Volunteers will receive special quotas when applying for Royal Thai Army non-commissioned officer school, as well as additional academic marks in entrance examinations for army posts. Skills and experience gained may also be used in private-sector work or self-employment.

Where to apply

Applications can be made online at rcm.rta.mi.th, or in person at participating military units nationwide, district military offices and provincial military offices.

Ratchada said the policy would benefit both applicants and the country, giving volunteers income, skills, education and career opportunities while allowing the military to recruit motivated personnel better suited to its missions.

She said the longer-term aim was to reduce reliance on conscription, create a force of an appropriate size and composition, and use state manpower and budget resources more efficiently.


Picture courtesy of Amarin

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7 September 2026

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Pattaya raid of unlicensed Argentinian steakhouse

Authorities in Chon Buri raided El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse in North Pattaya on September 4, detaining a Slovakian manager and six Myanmar nationals over alleged labour, licensing and hygiene breaches.

The restaurant, near the Dolphin Roundabout, was targeted after officials received several tip-offs alleging illegal foreign employment and unlicensed trading.

The operation was ordered by Chon Buri governor Naris Niramaiwong and involved Bang Lamung district officials, the Provincial Employment Office, Immigration police and public health inspectors.

Workers found in kitchen and bar roles

Officers found six Myanmar nationals working at the restaurant: four as kitchen chefs and two behind the bar.

Their work permits were reportedly registered for general manual labour rather than skilled positions including cooking and bartending. Thai labour regulations restrict foreign workers from taking certain occupations reserved for Thai nationals, while work permit holders must work within their approved role.

The restaurant's 40-year-old Slovakian manager, identified only as Tomas, was also detained. He told officers the business was awaiting permit approval, but officials said their records showed that no municipal licence for food service or food storage had ever been issued.

Running an unlicensed food establishment can carry a prison term of up to six months, a fine of up to 50,000 baht, or both.

Hygiene concerns raised during inspection

Public health inspectors also reported several kitchen hygiene problems, including substandard food containers, overflowing bins and toxic cleaning chemicals kept beside food preparation areas.

Food samples were seized for laboratory testing.

Tomas and the six Myanmar workers were taken to Pattaya City Police Station, where they face formal legal proceedings.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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7 September 2026
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Truck couple die after plunge into Nakhon Phanom water

A husband and wife died after their 12-wheel lorry crashed through a bridge barrier and fell into water in Nakhon Phanom province, where the vehicle remained submerged for around eight hours.

The crash happened at about 9pm on 5 September on Highway 212, the Nakhon Phanom-That Phanom route, near Ban Nong Sao in Tha Kho district. Police said the couple had returned to Thailand after delivering fruit to Vietnam.

Police and rescue teams recovered the bodies of the 56-year-old driver and his 55-year-old wife on 6 September. The couple were from Ban Chanot Yai, Kham Tao subdistrict, in Mueang Nakhon Phanom district.



Lorry crossed lanes after tyre burst

According to initial police inquiries, the lorry, registered in Loei, had crossed the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge after the fruit delivery and was travelling back empty.

The truck was reportedly only three to four kilometres from the couple's home when its front left tyre burst on a bend at Nong Sao. The driver lost control, crossed lanes and hit and crashed through the bridge barrier, police said.



The cab with the bodies trapped inside was submerged in water about two metres deep below a steep seven-metre embankment. The crash occurred on the inbound side of a four-lane road at kilometre marker 327.

Eight-hour recovery operation

Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthaphon Phosarn, an investigating officer at Mueang Nakhon Phanom Police Station, attended the scene with a doctor from Nakhon Phanom Hospital.

Rescue workers from Sawang Nawa That Phanom, Khong Friendship Rescue, Si Sattanak Nakhon Phanom Rescue, Tha Kho Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and Kham Tao Subdistrict Administrative Organisation took part in the operation.

Authorities closed two lanes while crews brought in 20-tonne and 16-tonne cranes to lift the truck from the water. Nakhon Phanom governor Acting Sub-Lieutenant Colonel Adisak Noisuwan, deputy governor Wira Rerkwanitchakul and provincial disaster prevention officials also attended.


Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

It took about eight hours to recover the vehicle and the bodies.

Family identified truck through social media

Relatives and the couple's daughter arrived after learning of the crash through social media. The daughter recognised her parents' truck and broke down in tears at the scene.

After the recovery, relatives said they had no further concerns and accepted the bodies for religious rites.


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7 September 2026
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Thailand warning raised over child exploitation claims

A UK criminal defence solicitor has raised concerns about alleged online material and Thailand-based arrangements that he says can enable the sexual exploitation of children.

Marcus Johnstone, managing director of PCD Solicitors, made the claims in comments published on Saturday, 5 September 2026. He said he had seen an "exponential growth" in men accused of sexual offences, although no supporting figures were provided.

Solicitor cites websites and arranged trips

Johnstone, who specialises in defending people accused of sexual offences, said there was an increasing number of websites and videos explaining where people could go in Thailand to access prostitutes.

He also alleged that men were making money by arranging "holidays" to Thailand that gave visiting men access to "young girls".

He said some men sought private apartment accommodation rather than hotels, claiming this allowed prostitutes to come and go without scrutiny. According to Johnstone, the lack of monitoring in such settings could allow offenders easier access to children.

"The gangs can make more money from prostituting children. More children are being trafficked to cater for the demand. The men will pay more. The 'travel agent' based in Thailand will earn more," he said.

The comments are Johnstone's assessment, rather than findings from Thai authorities or a reported criminal case. They should not be read as suggesting that ordinary apartment rentals, hotels or visitors are connected to criminal activity.

Internet access and blackmail concerns

Johnstone said the internet gave people immediate access to pornography, and claimed some men sought "barely legal" material. He said Thai girls could be perceived as younger than they are.

"Online porn becomes an addiction to many men who contact me," he said, comparing progression towards illegal material with drug addiction.

He said this could begin with illegal images and develop into online communications or efforts to arrange meetings with children for sex. Johnstone said he had represented many men accused of such communications, with "devastating outcomes for all involved".

He also warned that men attempting to contact children could themselves be blackmailed by criminal gangs controlling victims after identifying them.


Picture courtesy of Daily Express

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7 September 2026
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Thailand sets permanent team to trace nominee firms

Thailand's Commerce and Interior ministries will form a permanent joint team to pursue suspected nominee arrangements used by foreigners to operate businesses or hold land through Thai nationals.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and Deputy Interior Minister Pholphee Suwanchawee agreed the plan at a meeting at 3pm on 4 September 2026 in the Kittiyakon meeting room at the Ministry of Commerce.

The Department of Business Development, Department of Provincial Administration and Land Department will link and exchange their records. Their shared database will be updated monthly, allowing officials to cross-check company registrations, shareholder changes, people connected to firms and land ownership.

Shareholder changes will be checked

A central part of the approach is the examination of historical records, rather than just a company's current shareholder structure.



Officials said some companies had changed their structures after the government intensified its action against nominees, increasing the proportion of Thai shareholders so that paperwork appeared to meet legal requirements and avoided scrutiny.

Pholphee said officials would be able to look back even where a company had since changed its shareholders. The Department of Business Development has been asked to provide historical shareholder-change data, particularly for companies identified as targets, so the facts before any restructuring can be examined.

"Thai people should not be concerned," he said. "Following today's discussion, the Department of Business Development has already been asked to cooperate by sending historical shareholder-change information, especially for companies in the target group."

Land and business arrangements in focus

The stated aims are to protect Thai businesses and legally compliant operators from being disadvantaged by capital groups exploiting nominee channels, and to prevent Thai land being controlled by foreigners through individuals or legal entities acting as holders.

For foreigners living in or investing in Thailand, the announcement does not change the rules on legitimate foreign business ownership. It does, however, signal closer and more sustained scrutiny of structures involving Thai shareholders, as well as arrangements connected with land. Foreign investors should ensure company registrations, shareholder records and land-related transactions accurately reflect the real parties involved.

Pholphee said cases would not stop with the individual or company currently named in records. Investigations will be extended to everyone involved, including accounting offices, law firms or others who helped establish and register companies, if they are found to have known about or participated in wrongdoing.

State officials found to have been involved, or to have used their positions to assist foreigners in breaking the law, will also be investigated and prosecuted without exception, he said.

A continuing joint operation

The ministries said the team will be a continuing operation rather than a one-off task force. By connecting company, personal and land data, the three departments aim to close gaps allowing nominees to be used in both business operations and land holding.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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7 September 2026
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Tourist sought over alleged assault at Pattaya cannabis shop

Pattaya police are investigating a complaint from a 34-year-old cannabis shop employee who says she was sexually harassed by a foreign male tourist in the Walking Street area early on 6 September.

The woman, identified only as Ms A, told police the man entered the shop in Soi 15, Walking Street, South Pattaya, and later allegedly grabbed her genitals as residents tried to drive him away. The suspect fled after being struck with a stick.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Suphakit Khonthee, a deputy investigation inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, received the complaint.

CCTV footage and video filmed by local residents reportedly captured part of the confrontation.

Employee describes early-morning encounter

Ms A said she was checking stock behind the cashier counter at about 5.50am when the man, who she described as a dark-skinned foreigner, approached a glass door beside the shop.

She said he pressed himself against the glass, rapidly moved his tongue and made thrusting movements before attempting to enter. When he could not initially open the door, he allegedly began banging on it loudly before getting inside.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

The employee said the man tried to get close to her while she moved away and asked him what he wanted. She said she feared he intended to harm her, adding that she has a partner who is a tom - the Thai term commonly used for a masculine-presenting woman.

According to her account, the man crossed a metal barrier inside the premises as she tried to reach her phone. She said she eventually lured him outside, ran back in and locked the door.

In her police report, Ms A also alleged that the man behaved indecently by exposing his genitals.

Residents intervene as suspect flees

After the shop was locked, a 64-year-old woman and two or three other local residents came to help and tried to chase the man away, Ms A said.

The older woman was allegedly kissed on the cheek by the man. When Ms A went outside to record video evidence, she said he walked directly towards her. Residents shouted for her to return to the shop, but she alleged that, as they passed each other, he reached out and grabbed her genitals.

Residents then used sticks to chase and strike the man, who ran away.

The 64-year-old woman, who works the daytime shift looking after an apartment building, told reporters she had gone over after seeing the man apparently trying to harm the shop employee. She said he harassed her and kissed her cheek, prompting her to hit him with a stick.

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7 September 2026
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Thailand Penis Enlargement Procedure Linked to Influencer's Death

British-Nigerian businessman and influencer Igho Ubiribo died after a cosmetic penile filler procedure at an unnamed clinic in Thailand while holidaying in Bangkok with his wife, a London inquest has heard.

The 43-year-old suffered a pulmonary embolism after receiving injections of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine in March. Assistant coroner Jean Harkin recorded a narrative conclusion that the embolism was caused by the cosmetic procedure abroad.

Ubiribo, known online as "Tiny" and "Ego", had 185,000 Instagram followers. He was visiting Thailand with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, and the couple were staying at the Marriott Hotel in Bangkok.

Chest pain during massage

The inquest at Inner West London Coroners' Court heard that Ubiribo received 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine at the clinic before going for a massage with his wife.



He later complained of chest pain and fainted twice. Dr Thongchai Chansirirattingkul of Sukhumvit Hospital said Ubiribo had experienced two cases of syncope, or fainting, during the massage and had received the penile filler injections earlier that day.

Ms Harkin said he was able to answer questions normally while travelling by ambulance to hospital. On arrival at Sukhumvit Hospital, doctors recommended a CT scan, but he lost consciousness before it could be carried out.

His wife told hospital staff about the procedure. Doctors diagnosed a pulmonary embolism, in which a clot blocks a blood vessel in the lungs, and transferred him to intensive care.

Despite more than 100 minutes of CPR and ROSC procedures (return of spontaneous circulation), Ubiribo died in the early hours of March 6.

Postmortem findings supported Thai diagnosis

Pathologist John du Parcq carried out a postmortem examination in the UK. He found that cellular material in Ubiribo's lungs matched the hyaluronic acid used in the filler injection, consistent with a pulmonary embolism.

"This matches the Thai autopsy," Dr du Parcq said in his report.

Ubiribo's London-based primary care doctor said he had previously undergone a joint operation, was pre-diabetic and had gout, but had no other medical issues.

The coroner said: "Igho Ubiribo, a businessman, died as the result of a cosmetic procedure abroad. His death was caused by a pulmonary embolism as the result of an injection of hyaluronic acid into the penis."

What medical tourists should consider

Thailand is a major destination for cosmetic procedures, including for visitors and foreign residents. This case underlines the importance of checking a provider's medical credentials, discussing health conditions and possible complications in advance, and ensuring travel insurance covers elective treatment and any resulting emergency care.

Hyaluronic acid filler procedures have been criticised by medical professionals. The British Association of Urological Surgeons has issued warnings, while NHS andrologist Professor Vaibhav Modgil said complications could be "devastating for the patient".

The clinic involved in Ubiribo's procedure was not named at the inquest.

With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, Ubiribo is known for his luxurious lifestyle. He owns a $1.1 million house in Crenshaw, Los Angeles, and a $600,000 apartment in London. His wife is a fashion designer and socialite, and the couple had a lavish wedding in Zimbabwe in 2022.


Pictures courtesy of Daily Mail

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7 September 2026
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Thailand visa-free entry ends for short business trips

Thailand will restrict visa-exempt entry to tourism only, from September 15, ending the previous allowance for short-term business engagements and urgent or ad-hoc assignments.

The former 60-day visa-exemption arrangement is being replaced by a 30-day tourism-only stay. Foreigners travelling to Thailand specifically for business meetings, contract work or urgent assignments should no longer assume they can enter without first arranging the appropriate visa.

The change was published in the Royal Gazette on August 31 and takes effect 15 days later. Thailand's Government Public Relations Department confirmed on September 4 that visa-exempt entry under the revised system is for tourism only.

Short business visits now need planning

Thailand introduced the 60-day exemption on July 15, 2024, allowing nationals of 93 countries and territories to enter for tourism, short-term business engagements or urgent and ad-hoc work. Eligible visitors could also seek an extension of up to 30 days, subject to immigration approval.

That framework is now being withdrawn. The replacement 30-day exemption covers 60 countries and territories, while Mauritius and Seychelles will receive separate 15-day tourism exemptions.

For expats, overseas companies and frequent business travellers, the practical effect is likely to be felt most by those making brief work-related trips. This could include consultants on a one-week assignment, engineers sent to install equipment, conference speakers, and visitors travelling to attend meetings, sign contracts or conduct similar business activity.

Anyone entering for these purposes from September 15 may need to obtain a Non-Immigrant B visa before travel. A work permit may also be needed, depending on the activity.

Urgent assignments remain unclear

One unresolved question concerns Thailand's urgent-work notification process, which previously allowed certain necessary and urgent assignments for up to 15 days.

Immigration advisory firm Newland Chase said it remains unclear whether applications for an Urgent Work Permit can be made by people arriving under the new 30-day tourism exemption. The Department of Employment has yet to provide clarification.

Until that guidance is issued, foreigners with short-notice assignments in Thailand face uncertainty if they rely on visa-exempt entry. Those with work-related travel already booked may wish to confirm their visa and work-authorisation requirements before flying.

Existing arrivals keep their permitted stay

The rule change is not retrospective. Foreigners who arrive before September 15 under the existing exemption can remain until the date stamped in their passport, with the current rules applying to their stay.

For those planning a business-related visit after that date, travelling before the deadline may avoid the immediate change. Even then, the safest course is to obtain suitable visa and work authorisation rather than relying on the exemption for short-term business or urgent assignments.

Extension rules have not changed

Travellers on the 30-day exemption can still apply for one extension of up to 30 additional days at any immigration office, for a fee of 1,900 baht. That makes the practical maximum stay on a visa exemption 60 days, down from 90 days under the old 60-day scheme with its extension.

Caps visa-exempt land border entries at two a year

From September 15 most nationalities will continue to be able to can use the exemption at a land checkpoint twice a calendar year, and no more. Air arrivals are not affected by the counting.

Four nationalities are exempt from the cap. Malaysians, Bruneians, Indonesians and Singaporeans may keep crossing by land without a limit.

The same twice-a-year ceiling covers the new 15-day exemption given to Seychelles and Mauritius.

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7 September 2026
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Lucky Air cancels Udon Thani-Kunming September launch

Lucky Air has cancelled the planned September 8 launch of its charter route linking Kunming and Udon Thani, disrupting September tour programmes arranged around the new service.

The airline told the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Sunday, September 6, 2026, that it could not operate the inaugural Kunming-Udon Thani-Kunming flight as scheduled. No replacement launch date has been announced.

Two tour operators, Maxtour Education and Journey Ticket, said they had been informed by Lucky Air that September flights from Udon Thani to Kunming had been cancelled, meaning their groups could not travel as planned.

Tour operators promise immediate refunds

Maxtour Education and Journey Ticket said they would issue full and immediate refunds for payments received for affected programmes. They said they would not wait for Lucky Air to complete its own reimbursement process before returning customers' money.

The companies were still waiting for formal cancellation letters from the airline, which they had been told would be issued by Monday, September 7.

However, with some groups close to their intended departure dates, the operators said they had begun warning customers in advance. They said this would give travellers more time to alter onward plans and make other arrangements.

Both operators apologised for the disruption, describing the cancellation as an airline decision beyond their control. Staff will contact affected customers directly to organise the refunds.

Lucky Air cites charter-partner failure

In its letter to CAAT, Yunnan Lucky Air Co., Ltd apologised for the failed launch and blamed what it described as a serious breach of its commercial agreement by its charter partner.

Lucky Air said it had acted quickly after identifying the problem, repeatedly asking the partner to meet its obligations and considering alternative arrangements in an effort to retain the September 8 launch date.

It said the necessary conditions for starting flights had ultimately not been met. The airline did not name the charter partner it alleges breached the agreement.

Lucky Air acknowledged the support given to the route by CAAT and Udon Thani provincial authorities. It noted that Udon Thani Airport had obtained approval for international flights and had assisted with operations and marketing.

No timetable for return

The carrier said it had been active in the China-Thailand aviation market for many years and had intended the Kunming-Udon Thani link to become an important route for northeastern Thailand.

It said it would improve its operating capability, marketing and passenger-service systems, and would continue cooperating with Thai authorities. Lucky Air said the route would start once conditions allowed, but gave no indication of when that might be.

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6 September 2026
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USS Abraham Lincoln leaves Thailand after Pattaya visit

The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln left Laem Chabang Port on Sunday, ending a five-day stop in Thailand after a lengthy Middle East deployment. AFP journalists reported the ship depart at about 11am local time.

The carrier, with a crew of around 5,000, arrived on Wednesday at the port north of Pattaya, about a half-hour drive from the resort city. It was the Lincoln's first port call after reports of worsening conditions aboard during nine months at sea.

For Pattaya businesses, the visit brought a timely influx of customers during Thailand's tourism low season. Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches estimated enlisted personnel spent up to 100 million baht, during their time ashore.

Pattaya businesses benefit

Poramase said the city also earned millions of baht from supplying the ship with goods, including toothpaste, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.

Many sailors and Marines spent their time on Thailand's coast shopping and visiting tourist sites, Poramase said.

"It shows that they are missing their families and want to buy some souvenirs for them," he told AFP.

The carrier call offered a short-term lift for shops, restaurants and attractions around Pattaya, a city known for beaches and nightlife but also for its reputation as a sex-tourism hub.

No major incidents reported

Authorities increased security in Pattaya during the visit. They also stepped up action against sex workers before the sailors arrived, although the mayor denied that the crackdown was connected to the port call.

Police said the visit ended with no major problems. "Everything went fine," Pattaya police chief Anek Srathongyoo told AFP on Sunday.

"There were no arrests or arguments except on the first day when Americans had an argument among themselves," he said.

Two sailors were returned to the Lincoln by the US Navy after a drunken altercation near Walking Street in the early hours of Thursday. Anek had earlier described the incident as a "small scuffle" and "trivial", saying local residents called police only to stop it escalating.



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6 September 2026
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Rayong mother charged after newborn found in bin

Police in Rayong have charged a 28-year-old woman after her newborn son was found alive inside a black rubbish bag in a roadside bin in Mueang Rayong district.

The woman took police to the location on Sirikit Forest Park Road in the Song Phi Nong community, Choeng Noen subdistrict, on 5 September, where officers staged a reconstruction of events. The baby had been left there just before midnight on 2 September.

Woman says she believed baby had died

According to Mueang Rayong Police, the woman said she had gone into labour and delivered the child alone. She told officers that the baby did not breathe or cry after the birth, leading her to believe he had died.

She then put the newborn boy in a black bag and left him in a rubbish bin, police said.

The infant was later discovered by a scrap collector named Meechok, who alerted residents of the Song Phi Nong community. Local people stepped in to help the baby before authorities became involved.

Police investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the area and identified the woman as the suspected person who had left the bag. She subsequently surrendered to police and admitted the offence, according to the report.

Officers recorded the reconstruction as evidence for the criminal case.

Charge carries up to three years in prison

The woman has initially been charged under Section 306 of Thailand's Criminal Code, which covers abandoning a child aged no more than nine years in a way that leaves the child without care.

The offence carries a maximum prison sentence of three years, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.

The baby is now safe but remains under medical care at Rayong Hospital. Officials from the Rayong Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, along with staff from the Rayong Provincial Shelter for Children and Families, are providing welfare support for the child.

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6 September 2026
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South African waits 3 hours over Pattaya clamp

A South African man spent more than three hours trying to pay a 500-baht parking fine and have a wheel clamp removed from his car in Pattaya early on 5 September.

Jeandre, 28, had parked on Pattaya Beach Road with his girlfriend in the evening before going out in the city. When they returned at about 1.10am, they found one wheel clamped and an A4 notice left on the vehicle.

Unable to read the Thai-language instructions, the couple took the document to Pattaya City Police Station for help.

Directed between police and City Hall

Police told them the clamp had been fitted by Pattaya municipal enforcement officers as part of beachfront parking controls. The measures particularly apply to vehicles in red-and-white zones and at public transport stops.

They were instructed to go to Pattaya City Hall, where staff were supposed to be available overnight to accept payment and arrange the clamp's removal. Jeandre said he did not object to the penalty and was ready to pay.



However, after taking motorcycle taxis to City Hall, the couple found nobody at the payment point. They travelled back and forth three times but could not find an officer responsible for collecting the fine.

After more than three hours, they returned to Pattaya City Police Station, where they met a local reporter and asked for assistance.

The reporter called a contact number for the responsible officers, but although the call connected, nobody answered. A second number for Pattaya City's radio communications centre was repeatedly busy.

Staff member eventually arranged

The reporter then checked the municipal administrative office at Pattaya City Hall, where fines are processed. The room was lit and air conditioning was running, but there were no staff inside, no response to calls for an officer and no security personnel nearby.

Later, the reporter found municipal enforcement officers on patrol elsewhere in Pattaya and explained what had happened. Those officers contacted the fine-payment point and arranged for a staff member to deal with the case.

Jeandre paid the 500-baht fine, the wheel clamp was removed and he and his girlfriend drove back to their accommodation. He thanked the reporter for the help.

A municipal officer later said the administrative employee assigned to collect fines had left the office to attend another incident after Pattaya City Police Station requested assistance. The officer said night-shift staffing was insufficient, meaning the payment office could be temporarily unattended.

Pattaya City is working to increase overnight staffing to avoid similar problems.


Picture courtesy of Rak Siam News

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6 September 2026
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Samut Prakan man held over underage prostitution claims

Thai anti-trafficking police have arrested a 38-year-old Samut Prakan man accused of arranging underage girls for prostitution through online channels and private groups.

Police identified the suspect as Saran, also known as "Yod", who allegedly operated social-media accounts under the name "Yod The Kids". He was arrested on 5 September 2026 in what police described as their second arrest of him.

The operation was ordered by Police Lieutenant General Nattasak Chaowanasai, head of the Central Investigation Bureau. Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertphap, commander of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, led the investigation alongside senior officers from its Division 1.

Police allege online recruitment of minors

Officers seized the "Yod The Kids" social-media account, photographs of children holding signs bearing that name, purported customer reviews, chat records concerning sexual services and referral payments, bank-account details and a mobile phone.

Division 1 investigators said they had been tracking networks suspected of sourcing people under 18 for prostitution online. They allegedly found a Line account using the "Yod The Kids" alias, with a profile phrase translated as: "I will never die from the prostitution business."

Police said an undercover officer joined the account's network. Investigators allege Saran contacted girls under 18 via social media and by befriending those living around Soi Dan Samrong, near his home.

According to police, he would begin with the message: "There is work that pays money, are you interested?" If a child showed interest, he allegedly told them it involved selling sexual services before discussing pay and conditions.

Police said details including names, physical measurements, rates, restrictions and locations were then circulated in closed groups, explicitly identifying the girls as under 18. Children were allegedly made to hold "Yod The Kids" signs as proof they were part of his network.

Fees allegedly separate from girls' payments

Investigators said he charged clients referral fees separate from the girls' payments: 500 baht to introduce one person on one occasion, 1,000 baht for three people, or 1,500 baht for unlimited introductions. Police said the girls were paid around 3,000 to 5,000 baht per encounter.

Police said several under-18 girls were found in the suspect's network, including a 17-year-old whom he allegedly contacted, encouraged into prostitution and supplied with clients.

Saran reportedly confessed to having a sexual interest in underage girls and said he had referred about 50 girls. He was taken to Division 1 for further legal proceedings.

Previous conviction and new charges

Police records show he was arrested by the same division on 11 January 2022 during an operation against underage sexual-abuse material. Officers then found a large quantity of such material on his computer, and he admitted receiving 500 baht per referral, police said.

A court sentenced him to 12 months in prison for importing and distributing obscene computer data for commercial purposes, suspended for two years.

He now faces charges including human trafficking; procuring, luring or taking a person for prostitution even with consent; facilitating or benefiting from another person's prostitution; and taking a minor aged over 15 but under 18 from a parent, guardian or carer for profit or indecency.


Picture courtesy of Komchadluek

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6 September 2026
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Electric car rolls into Bang Phli canal

A white electric Porsche car rolled backwards into a canal in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, on 5 September after it was left on a sloping frontage outside an automotive parts shop.

The vehicle crossed the road before plunging into the Suvarnabhumi water-supply canal, which is almost five metres deep. No one was injured, and CCTV footage recorded the car disappearing into the water.

The car had an auction personal registration plate. Its owner had parked outside her shop on Khlong Send Nam Suvarnabhumi Road in Bang Pla, Bang Phli, then got out of the vehicle only seconds before it began to roll.

Recovery takes more than two hours

The owner contacted traffic police from Bang Phli Police Station and Bang Phli rescue workers for help recovering the vehicle.



Officials brought in a large crane and spent more than two hours lifting the car from the canal. One lane was temporarily closed during the operation, causing traffic queues for several kilometres after the recovery work began.

Driver had not secured the car

The car owner's son said his mother had arrived at the shop but had not turned off the vehicle, selected Park or applied the parking brake, when she got out.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Less than a minute later, the car rolled across the road and into the canal. He said drivers travelling along the road saw the vehicle and managed to brake in time, avoiding a collision with other cars.

The family apologised to people using the shop and said the case should serve as a warning for motorists to check that a vehicle is secure before getting out.

The car was a relatively new imported electric vehicle, ordered less than two years ago. It was covered by voluntary insurance.


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6 September 2026
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Phuket dive boats seized over Racha Yai coral moorings

Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has seized two dive boats at Racha Yai Island, Phuket, after they were allegedly left tied to mooring buoys for several consecutive days, creating a risk of damage to nearby coral.

Two boat operators were arrested on 4 September and handed to investigators at Chalong Police Station. The department said the vessels had been found at Ao Tue, on Racha Yai, after an unnamed local resident made a complaint.

Risk of coral being dragged or damaged

Dr Pinsak Suraswadi, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, ordered its protection, suppression and protected-area management division to inspect the site and take urgent legal action.

Officials found that the sterns of the boats had been tied directly to buoy bases and that the vessels had remained in position for several days.



According to the department, this could cause a buoy base to move under the pull of a boat and the force of waves and wind. If shifted, the base could strike or scrape across the coral reef, potentially breaking and damaging coral.

The practice also prevents other boats from using the mooring buoy, the department said.

Protected waters around Racha islands

Authorities said the alleged conduct breaches a 2023 Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment notification setting protected-area boundaries and measures for beaches, coral, sea fans and coral-reef organisms around Racha Yai and Racha Noi islands, Rawai subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket.

The two suspects, both boat operators, were taken to Chalong Police Station along with the boats. Police recorded the cases on 4 September 2026: criminal case 969/2569 at 1.31pm and criminal case 967/2569 at 1.25pm.

The department said the case falls under Section 22 of the Marine and Coastal Resources Management Promotion Act 2015. Anyone who breaches or fails to comply with marine and coastal resource protection measures faces up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both.

The department said it would continue patrols, monitoring and enforcement in marine protected areas. It also asked residents, tourists and marine-tourism businesses to follow the protection measures strictly and report activity that may damage marine resources.


Pictures courtesy of Matichon

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6 September 2026
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Riyadh Air starts Riyadh-Bangkok flights

Riyadh Air has launched direct flights between Riyadh and Bangkok, initially operating three times a week before increasing to daily services in October. The inaugural aircraft arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday, 3 September 2026.

Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor for international marketing in Europe, America, the Middle East and Africa at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), welcomed the first flight.

TAT said the new route should reinforce tourism, transport, trade and investment links between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, while helping to rebuild the Saudi visitor market after arrivals fell this year.

Three flights a week, then daily

The first flight departed King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 10.15pm on Wednesday, 2 September, and landed at Suvarnabhumi at 10.35am the following day. The journey took around seven hours and 20 minutes.



Bangkok was Riyadh Air's 14th destination. The airline is using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with capacity for up to 290 passengers.

Initially, flights leave Riyadh every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Bangkok return services operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The carrier will raise frequency to seven flights a week from October. TAT said the initial operation will provide an estimated 3,840 inbound seats each month.

Saudi market remains a priority

Thailand recorded 121,907 Saudi visitors so far in 2026, down 14.62% from 142,774 during the same period last year.

TAT considers the Middle East an important long-haul market because of visitors' spending power. Chiravadee said July to September is the region's summer and a peak period for outbound travel.

Saudi travellers commonly visit in large family groups, stay for 10 to 12 days on average and spend about 110,000 baht per person per trip. Their main interests include shopping, beaches, nature, Thai food, and medical and wellness tourism.

While Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya remain key destinations, travel is increasingly extending to Krabi, Phang Nga, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai. TAT said Thailand can compete for Saudi visitors through its climate, natural attractions, healthcare services and leisure facilities.

The authority plans to use the extra capacity to target family, luxury, wellness and medical travellers from Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. Its priorities include Muslim-friendly products, more halal food, suitable facilities for Muslim visitors, digital promotion, and cooperation with Saudi government agencies and private firms.

Gala dinner marks route launch

Riyadh Air and TAT marked the launch with the "TAT x Riyadh Air - A New Era of Travel Gala Dinner 2026" at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok, on Thursday evening.

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Thailand, HE Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Alsuhaibani, opened the event. Riyadh Air chief executive Tony Douglas and Chiravadee also welcomed guests.


Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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6 September 2026


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LISA's SaWaDiKa sets 2026 24-hour view record

LISA has claimed the highest first-day music-video viewing total of 2026 with SaWaDiKa, which recorded 70.8 million views in its first 24 hours.

The Thai star released the track as the lead single from her forthcoming PRESS PLAY mini-album. LISA, whose full name is Lalisa Manobal, thanked the production team and fans after the release.

Record first-day figures

The reported 70.8 million views surpassed the 33.3 million first-day views achieved this year by BTS's Swim.

SaWaDiKa is also said to be the second most-viewed solo artist music-video debut in its first 24 hours in global music history. It trails only LISA's own 2021 single LALISA, which reached 73.6 million views over the same period.



The video reached between 30 million and 35 million views within its first 10 to 12 hours, before passing 50 million after 15 hours. That made it the fastest music video to reach 50 million views in a single day for several years, since Shakira and Bizarrap's Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 in 2023.

In an Instagram post, LISA wrote: "It has been one day since SaWaDiKa was released for people around the world to hear. From Thailand to Korea and LA, bringing this project to life required everyone's collaboration."

She added: "Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone involved. And thank you to all the Lilies for supporting and loving SaWaDiKa. I really could not have done this without you."

A Thai greeting with a stylised spelling

The title is intended to be read as sawasdee ka, the polite Thai greeting commonly used by women, rather than pronounced as English words. However, neither LISA nor her label, LLOUD, has explained the spelling SaWaDiKa or its alternating capital letters.



Thai elements feature throughout the song and its wider project, including Bangkok scenes, Muay Thai, tuk-tuks, the baht and the phrase keng mak, meaning "very good".

EP, documentary and Las Vegas dates

PRESS PLAY is due for release on 23 October and follows LISA's February 2025 debut record, Alter Ego. Rolling Stone has reported that the six-track EP explores her Thai roots more deeply and takes a more personal approach to her solo work.

LISA promoted the release through the Hello Sawadika global campaign, including a website displaying "Hello" in 11 languages and billboards around Bangkok. Her documentary Always Lalisa premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival from 10 to 20 September.

She will then begin her first concert residency, VIVA LA LISA, at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on 13, 14, 27 and 28 November.


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6 September 2026
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Chinese women detained at Pattaya school over work permits

Two Chinese women have been detained after officials inspected a language school in Bang Lamung, Chonburi, and found alleged breaches of Thailand's foreign-worker rules.

One woman was accused of working without a permit, while the other held a permit naming a different employer and workplace, according to authorities. Both were handed to investigators at Pattaya City Police Station for further legal action.

Inspection followed complaint

The inspection took place on 4 September 2026 at the HuaQiao language school in Na Kluea, Bang Lamung district.

Chonburi Employment Office officers carried out the operation with Chonburi Immigration Police and the Chonburi branch of the Internal Security Operations Command, or ISOC. The action was ordered under the direction of Chonburi governor Narit Niramaiwong.



Officials said they had received a complaint asking them to check whether the school was operating lawfully and whether its Chinese teachers and staff held valid work permits. The complaint referred to information that the school's management and teaching staff were Chinese, and that student visas were issued to Chinese applicants enrolling at the school.

Inside the premises, officers found two Chinese women said to be working on marketing and content production: 25-year-old Xiaodie Jiang and 28-year-old Li Yanxin.

Online promotion work examined

Authorities said Jiang held a work permit for a Chinese-language teaching position, but it named Zhong Thai Thong Language School as her workplace and employer. This did not match the school where she was found working, officials said.

Li was found not to have a work permit, according to the inspection.

During initial questioning, both women said they had worked for about three months on online promotion and marketing for HuaQiao language school. Their duties included producing content, filming promotional videos and advertising for students through the Chinese app Douyin.

They said their employer was HuaQiao Education Group Co Ltd and that they were paid about 20,000 baht a month, transferred to their bank accounts at the end of each month.

Jiang was charged as a foreigner authorised to work who allegedly failed to notify the registrar within the legally required period of changes to her employer, workplace and main type of work. Li was charged with working in Thailand without a permit.

The authorities said the inspection formed part of measures to control foreign employment, prevent illegal work and ensure businesses comply with the law.


Pictures courtesy of Manager Online

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6 September 2026
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Koh Tao tattoo shop owner held over fatal stabbing

Police on Koh Tao have arrested a 40-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing his former tattoo shop business partner after an argument at a rice-and-curry restaurant on the island.

The victim, 63-year-old Koh Tao resident Sorchai, later died in hospital from multiple knife wounds. The attack was witnessed by local people and foreign tourists, police said.

Koh Tao police superintendent Pol Col Sarayut Buriwachira disclosed details of the case on 4 September. The incident happened outside a restaurant on the road between Boon Sri Pier and Lomprayah Pier in Moo 2, Koh Tao subdistrict, Koh Pha-ngan district, Surat Thani.

Argument linked to tattoo business

Police and an investigation team led by Pol Maj Suttichai Phraephetthong arrived after receiving reports of a fight involving a knife.

They found blood across the area outside the restaurant and Sorchai lying in a pool of blood. He had suffered stab wounds to his neck, shoulder and right chest.

Officers rushed him to Koh Tao Hospital, but he later died from his injuries.

Police identified the suspect as 40-year-old Koh Tao resident Jirasak, known as Golf. He had fled the scene before officers arrived.



Initial inquiries found that the two men had once been close friends and partners in a tattoo shop business. Police said their relationship had deteriorated over an unresolved dispute about business interests.

The pair reportedly met by chance at the restaurant and began arguing intensely about the tattoo shop. Jirasak is alleged to have taken a kitchen knife from inside the restaurant and stabbed Sorchai repeatedly until he collapsed on the road.

Arrested while trying to leave the island

After the attack, Jirasak allegedly ran towards a pier in an attempt to board a boat to Chumphon province.

Koh Tao police tracked him down and arrested him at the pier before he could leave the island. He was handed to investigators and faces a charge of murder.

The road where the killing occurred links two of Koh Tao's main ferry piers, an area regularly used by visitors travelling to and from the island. Foreign tourists were among those present during the attack, according to police.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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6 September 2026
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Thailand says core US reciprocal trade terms agreed

Thailand and the United States have agreed the main terms of an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said after talks in Washington.

The remaining technical details are to be completed as quickly as possible, following meetings with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer on September 1. Suphajee announced the progress on Friday, September 4.

Tariff assurances as Section 301 decision awaits
Suphajee said the substantive issues had been settled before Washington announces the outcome of its Section 301 investigation into structural excess production capacity.

US officials assured Thailand that any tariffs resulting from that investigation would be fair and competitive, she said. The two sides agreed their technical teams should now resolve the outstanding points.

The discussions followed four consecutive days of talks between Thai and US officials, including work on technical areas where their positions had differed. Before travelling, Suphajee spoke with Greer by telephone on August 27 to stress Thailand's intention to speed up the negotiations.

She said the prime minister and Cabinet had entrusted her with the talks, supported by co-operation between the relevant Thai agencies, to protect the countries' long-term interests.

Two US tariff cases affect Thailand

Thailand originally faced a 36% reciprocal tariff under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, later reduced to 19%. A joint framework announced on October 26, 2025, said the United States would retain the 19% rate.

After the US Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 that IEEPA did not authorise the tariffs, Washington imposed a temporary 10% general import tariff under Section 122. As that measure has a time limit, the US began two Section 301 investigations involving Thailand and other trading partners.

One concerns forced-labour import restrictions. Washington has set a 12.5% tariff for economies that have not adopted a prohibition, and 10% for those making qualifying commitments to introduce and enforce one, including through reciprocal trade agreements. Product exemptions apply.

The lower forced-labour-related rate depends on those commitments, rather than simply completing a trade agreement. The separate excess-production-capacity case remained under consideration when Suphajee made her announcement.

Why the agreement matters in Thailand

The United States is Thailand's largest export market and was its second-largest trading partner in 2025. Total two-way trade exceeded 3 trillion baht, with Thai exports worth 2.37 trillion baht and imports from the US about 700 billion baht, leaving Thailand with a reported surplus of 1.68 trillion baht.

Suphajee said ART negotiations were important for keeping Thai exports competitive and protecting more than 400,000 domestic jobs, while supporting investor confidence. Talks cover non-tariff barriers, digital trade and commercial opportunities.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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6 September 2026
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BKS bus to link Udon Thani airport and Vientiane

Thailand's Transport Co, known as BKS, will launch a daily cross-border bus route between Udon Thani, Udon Thani International Airport and Vientiane on 9 September.

The 87-kilometre Route No 2 service will operate once each way daily, using 40-seat, second-class air-conditioned buses. Tickets will cost 80 baht per journey.

The new service is intended to give passengers landing at Udon Thani airport a direct onward connection to the Lao capital, removing the need for several transfers.

Daily timetable and stops

The Thailand-bound service will begin at Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1 at 9am. It is scheduled to call at Udon Thani International Airport at 9.30am before arriving in Vientiane at noon.

The return journey will leave Vientiane at 2pm, reach Udon Thani International Airport at 4.30pm and arrive at Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1 at 5pm.

A low-cost Laos connection

For foreign residents, tourists and other travellers in northeast Thailand, the route offers a comparatively inexpensive option for reaching Vientiane from Udon Thani airport. At 80 baht, it may be particularly useful for those arriving on domestic flights and heading directly to Laos rather than arranging separate transport to the border or Vientiane.

Passengers using the service for an international journey will still need to ensure they have the necessary passport, Lao entry permission and any documents required for their onward travel. The bus route itself does not alter immigration or visa requirements.

The airport stop should make the new route more straightforward for travellers carrying luggage, compared with changing vehicles after arriving in Udon Thani.

Where to book

Tickets can be booked through the BKS website, the BKS E-Ticket application, the official BKS Facebook page, the LINE account @BKS99 and BKS ticket counters nationwide.

Bookings are also available through BKS Social Booking on 02-936-2841-48, or from Udon Thani bus station on 080-079-7315.

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6 September 2026
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