Thailand plans visa-free stay cuts for foreigners

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11 May 2026, 15:48

Thailand plans visa-free stay cuts for foreigners

BANGKOK — 11 May 2026, Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to scrap extended visa-free stays for foreign visitors by reducing permitted lengths of stay in line with traveller behaviour. Data shows most tourists stay in Thailand for an average of only nine days; believed to have no significant impact on the Thai tourism market.

Speaking on 11 May 2026, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the proposal was being prepared for submission to the Cabinet.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will draft the full details of the plan, which would shorten permitted stays for travellers from 93 countries currently eligible for 60-day visa-free entry.

Surasak said the revised stay periods would be tailored to each country and aimed at matching actual tourist behaviour while helping authorities tackle criminals entering Thailand under the guise of tourism.

As studies found that foreign visitors to Thailand stayed for an average of just over nine days, he said. Visitors from Norway recorded the longest average stay at 21 days, meaning a 30-day visa period would still be sufficient for most travellers. He added that visitors entering Thailand for other purposes, such as internships or medical treatment, could apply for alternative visa categories suited to their needs.

Surasak said he was confident the reduction in permitted stays would not affect Thailand’s overall foreign tourism market.

The minister clarified that the government would continue pushing ahead with plans to impose an entry fee on foreign tourists. The preliminary rate has been set at 300 baht per person per visit, mainly targeting arrivals by air, with the revenue earmarked for Thailand’s tourism promotion fund. He expressed confidence that the plan would go ahead.

Thai tea craze hits Tokyo festival with 40-minute queues

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11 May 2026, 15:33

TOKYO, Japan — Thai tea emerged as one of the most sought-after items at the Thai Festival in Tokyo over the weekend, with visitors reportedly waiting up to 30-40 minutes for a single cup.

Japanese social media users posted photos and comments about long queues at the ChaTraMue booth during the 26th Thai Festival, held at Yoyogi Park from 9-10 May.

The festival is regarded as the largest Thai festival held overseas and one of Tokyo’s biggest cultural exchange events, attracting more than 300,000 visitors annually.

This year’s event was held under the theme “Creative Life and Creative Heartbeat” and featured Thai food, cultural performances, Muay Thai demonstrations, concerts and fan meetings with Thai artists and actors.

Among the most popular attractions was Thai milk tea, with many visitors sharing images of packed queues online. Japanese social media users said customers had to wait around 30-40 minutes to buy drinks from the famous Thai tea brand.

The Thai Festival in Tokyo aims to promote Thai culture and support Thailand’s creative industries and national branding efforts in Japan.

Thailand Confirms New Bat Coronavirus, No Human Cases

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11 May 2026, 14:48

Thailand Confirms New Bat Coronavirus, No Human Cases

BANGKOK — 11 May 2026, Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) confirmed reports of a newly discovered coronavirus strain found in bats in Thailand, while stressing that no human infections have been detected and the virus appears less capable of causing disease or spreading than COVID-19.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Wetang Puangsub, said on Monday that the latest findings from the Anti-Fake News Center (AFNC) as part of an intensified government crackdown on disinformation. The monitoring efforts follow a policy directive from DE Minister Chaichanok Chidchob to address threats to national and social security. Officials said the ministry is prioritising public awareness to combat technological crime, fake news, and the spread of distorted information.

The statement was issued following monitoring by Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC), which reviewed 160,397 online messages on 9 May 2026. Of those, 8,714 messages were flagged for verification, with nearly all originating from social media monitoring and one submitted through the Line Official channel.

Among the seven most widely discussed cases, two were classified as true, three as false and two as misleading. The confirmed reports included:

True News: the discovery of the new coronavirus strain in Thai bats.
True News: four stricter measures in 31 border provinces to curb smuggling and narcotics trafficking.
Fake News: claims of online driving licence applications through a TikTok account.
Fake News: allegations that new laws in the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) would allow casinos and 99-year land leases.
Distorted News: assertions that tongue characteristics could diagnose internal diseases.
Distorted News: the cancellation of the “MOU44” maritime agreement.
Fake News: a fraudulent Facebook page posing as the Department of Skill Development to recruit home-based paper bag packers.

The “discovery of the new coronavirus strain in Thai bats” had been verified as true news in cooperation with the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health. The discovery was made through wildlife disease surveillance conducted under the “One Health” approach, which monitors and controls diseases affecting humans, animals and the environment.

Authorities said studies so far suggest the virus has a lower potential for transmission and severe illness than COVID-19. Existing COVID-19 vaccines are also believed to remain effective in reducing severe symptoms should infections occur. Officials therefore assessed the current risk of a widespread outbreak as low.

The ministry urged the public to verify information before sharing it online and to rely only on information issued by official agencies to avoid confusion, misinformation and potential harm to personal data or property.

Phuket tightens patrols after foreign tourists spear parrotfish

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11 May 2026, 14:36

Phuket tightens patrols after foreign tourists spear parrotfish

PHUKET — 11 May 2026, Authorities have increased patrols at Kata Beach after foreign tourists were reportedly seen spearfishing protected parrotfish and handling starfish in a marine conservation area.

Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, led by Naret Chuphueng, along with Phuket Marine Police Division 8, Phuket Tourist Police Division 2, forestry police and Karon municipality inspected the area near Kata Beach on the evening of 10 May following the circulation of social media videos showing foreign tourists diving and spearing parrotfish near Phuket Ska Bar.

The tourists had reportedly brought the fish onto the beach, attracting crowds of onlookers who photographed the incident. Videos also showed starfish being removed from the water and handled by visitors.

Authorities said no suspects were found during the inspection.
A local business owner told officials that on 9 May at around 20:00, a group of unidentified Chinese tourists were seen spearfishing among rocks off the southern end of Kata Beach before bringing parrotfish ashore.

The owner said attempts had been made to stop the group, but they ignored warnings. He urged authorities to install information signs and increase monitoring in the area, which is popular for marine activities.

Karon municipality said warning signs would be installed along the beachfront and municipal officers would conduct more regular inspections. Police in Karon district also pledged to increase patrols.

Officials additionally warned businesses, residents and tourists that parrotfish are protected under Phuket environmental protection regulations introduced in 2024. The species, listed under the Scaridae family, is prohibited from being caught or possessed.

Violators face penalties under the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, including up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.

Authorities urged the public to report illegal fishing or possession of protected marine species through the marine protection hotline 1362.

Thai military builds border fence along Cambodian frontier

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11 May 2026, 13:22

CHANTHABURI — The Thai military is constructing a new border fence along part of the Thai-Cambodian frontier in Chanthaburi province, aiming to strengthen border security and improve safety for local residents, according to a security source.

The construction is taking place between border markers 52 and 54 in Pong Nam Ron district, covering a distance of about 1,310 metres near a permanent border crossing.

The source said the area is mostly flat terrain with a clearly demarcated boundary. Both Thailand and Cambodia already maintain patrol roads running along the border.

The new fence is being built with reinforced concrete foundations and steel mesh, with a total height of about 170 centimetres. Concrete panels measuring around 150 centimetres high are topped with an additional 20 centimetres of steel fencing to improve surveillance and security along the border.

Authorities said around 900 to 1,000 fence posts are being installed at intervals of roughly three metres.

The source added that some Cambodian soldiers had monitored and photographed the construction work, but Thai authorities insisted the project is being carried out entirely within Thai territory and falls under Thailand’s sovereign right to manage its own border areas.

Construction on the first phase began in late April and is expected to be completed within 45 days.

Photos of the fence construction, reportedly taken by Cambodian soldiers, have also been widely shared on Cambodian social media platforms.

Thai Festival in Tokyo attracts over 300,000 visitors

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11 May 2026, 13:04

TOKYO, Japan — Thai culture took centre stage in Japan as the 26th Thai Festival in Tokyo drew massive crowds over the weekend, with Japanese social media users marvelling at the popularity of Thai food and entertainment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow presided over the opening ceremony of the festival on 9 May at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. Shimada Tomoaki, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended as guest of honour.

Held from 9-10 May under the theme “Creative Life and Creative Heartbeat,” the Thai Festival in Tokyo is regarded as the largest Thai festival overseas and one of Tokyo’s major cultural exchange events, attracting more than 300,000 visitors annually.

The event featured booths promoting Thai products, services and creative industries, alongside cultural performances including traditional Thai dance, Muay Thai demonstrations, concerts and fan meetings with Thai artists and actors.

Photos and videos of packed crowds at the festival also went viral online. One Japanese X user, @Thai__Suki, posted images showing visitors filling the venue and wrote: “Look! This is Tokyo’s Thai Festival, where 300,000 Thai food lovers gather! It’s so packed!”

The user added: “This year too, Thai Fest is so crowded I can’t move forward. Japanese love for Thailand is seriously amazing. As a fellow Thai enthusiast, I’m nothing but thrilled.”

Trans woman forced to shave head after alleged insult to Islam

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11 May 2026, 12:37

BANGKOK — A transgender woman accused of insulting Islam during a livestream was surrounded by an angry crowd of Muslim protesters in Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng area on Sunday night, before police intervened to escort her away amid fears of violence.

The incident took place in Soi Ramkhamhaeng 53, Bangkok after controversy erupted online over a livestream by a person known as “Madam Lor,” originally from Narathiwat, who allegedly mocked verses from the Quran and made offensive remarks about Islam during an online debate. The dispute reportedly stemmed from an argument over the wearing of hijab by transgender Muslims, after some Muslim community members criticised transgender women for dressing in ways deemed inconsistent with Islamic teachings.

Video clips from the livestream spread rapidly across social media platforms and drew backlash from Muslim communities in Thailand and abroad, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and parts of the Arab world.

Community leaders later arranged a meeting at a restaurant in Ramkhamhaeng 53 on May 10 in an attempt to ease tensions and prevent the situation from escalating further. However, news of the meeting prompted thousands of angry protesters to gather outside the venue.

Inside the restaurant, Madam Lor reportedly apologised to her family and society, saying the remarks were made in a moment of anger. Protesters allegedly demanded that she slap herself and shave her head as a sign of repentance.

The situation later descended into chaos as people outside the venue, unaware of the apology, attempted to push through the crowd to confront her. More than 10 patrol police officers were deployed to break through the crowd and escort her safely from the area to a police station for legal proceedings.

The incident has sparked widespread debate online, with some condemning the alleged insult to religion, while others criticised the public humiliation and intimidation, saying it violated personal rights and risked provoking mob justice.

Roadside bomb injures three Thai rangers in Narathiwat

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11 May 2026, 12:31

NARATHIWAT — Three paramilitary rangers were injured in a roadside bomb attack in Waeng district on Sunday.

The attack took place on 11 May 2026 along Highway 4057 near Ban Mai Fad in Kayu Khla subdistrict, Waeng district, when a convoy of rangers from Ranger Task Force Regiment 11 was travelling to pick up an operational team.

Officials said the explosion was triggered near Ban Nam Khao, shortly before the convoy reached Nam Khao Bridge. The blast struck personnel from Ranger Company 1106, injuring three officers, including one volunteer ranger.

All three were transported to Sungai Kolok Hospital for treatment.

Security officials sealed off the area following the attack to allow explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams and forensic officers to examine the scene.

Govt says no hantavirus outbreak, increases screening

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11 May 2026, 11:28

Govt says no hantavirus outbreak, increases screening

BANGKOK — 11 May 2026, Thailand has not detected any outbreak of hantavirus infections and the current risk to the public remains low, the government said on Monday, while authorities continue to strengthen disease surveillance and screening measures.

Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Pherdsriwattana said the Public Health Ministry was closely monitoring the situation following a World Health Organization (WHO) report linking hantavirus infections to a cruise ship in the South Atlantic Ocean.

She said Thailand had increased monitoring at international disease control checkpoints and within domestic surveillance systems despite no confirmed local outbreak.

Hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents such as field rats and house rats. Infection usually occurs through inhaling airborne particles contaminated with rodent urine or droppings in poorly ventilated spaces.

Human-to-human transmission is considered very rare and has only been associated with certain strains of the virus.

Early symptoms typically resemble influenza, although some patients may later develop severe respiratory complications.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for hantavirus, with medical care focused on treating symptoms.

The government has instructed the Department of Disease Control to intensify screening of travellers arriving from high-risk areas and coordinate information sharing with airlines, ports and related agencies.

Public health units nationwide have also been advised to increase screening for patients with a history of rodent exposure.

Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee has approved a study into whether hantavirus should be classified as a dangerous communicable disease under the Communicable Disease Act of 2015.

Authorities are also preparing updated risk assessments, surveillance systems and response plans to match the evolving situation.

The government urged the public to reduce contact with rodents and contaminated environments, avoid entering enclosed spaces where rodents may live and disinfect risky areas before cleaning them.

Officials advised against sweeping or vacuuming contaminated areas directly and recommended maintaining clean homes and workplaces to prevent rodent infestations.

“The government is closely monitoring emerging diseases,” Lalida said. “Although Thailand’s current risk remains low, preparedness measures for surveillance, screening and public communication are being strengthened continuously to ensure public confidence and safety.”

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole

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11 May 2026, 10:57

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole

BANGKOK — 11 May 2026, Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole, from Klong Prem Central Prison.

At 7:40, Thaksin was granted parole and released after serving a total of 243 days in prison, under parole conditions and legal supervision measures. While the redshirt mob has been gathering in front of the prison to show support ofr the former PM.

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Thaksin has arrived home on Monday morning. After he was granted parole and released from Klong Prem Central Prison, following a total of 243 days in custody, he is now required to comply strictly with probation conditions during his parole period.

The conditions include:

He must reside at the address registered with the prison authorities.
He is prohibited from travelling outside his residential area without permission.
He must not engage in misconduct or commit another criminal offence.
He must engage in lawful employment.
He is prohibited from carrying any kind of weapon.
He is prohibited from visiting or contacting other inmates who are not relatives.
He must report to probation officers every month.

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“I can’t remember anything anymore. I have Alzheimer’s already”, Thaksin Shinawatra briefly joked when the reporter asked how he is, after reporting to the probation office and being fitted with an electronic monitoring bracelet on Monday morning following his release from prison.

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