Is Shortening Thailand’s Visa-Free Stay More About Appearances Than Action?

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28 May 2026, 19:29

The Anutin Charnvirakul government’s decision last week to cancel the extended visa-free entry scheme, which allowed stays of up to 60 days instead of 30, was based on the belief that it would strengthen national security, combat transnational crime, and prevent foreigners from exploiting the policy to work illegally, engage in business without permits, or behave unruly.

The government cited reports of foreign nationals and criminal syndicates posing as tourists in order to work illegally, engage in drug-related activity, use illegal business ownership structures, and commit other crimes. Authorities could strengthen immigration controls and improve the tracking and screening of foreign visitors without shortening the visa-free stay. They simply need to work harder and smarter

In an increasingly competitive global tourism market, the Thai government has decided to undermine one of its key competitive advantages. It is as if the government believes that the longer foreigners stay in Thailand, the greater the likelihood they will commit crimes, rather than the greater the likelihood that police will apprehend them.

Tourism competitiveness vs populist policymaking
While there is no solid evidence that these anti-crime objectives will be achieved, it is also premature to conclude that the move will not affect them. What is clear, however, is that the decision makes it more inconvenient for tourists wishing to stay longer than 30 days, as citizens of 93 eligible nationalities return to a 30-day limit.

This comes at a time when Thailand needs to maintain its tourism competitiveness and attract more foreign visitors amid global economic and political uncertainty and sluggish GDP growth. Last year, the Thai government also chose to shut down border trade with Cambodia during two disputes that could reasonably be described as avoidable, causing significant economic damage to both countries.

The government cited a study showing that most tourists stay just over nine days. If so, why reduce the limit instead of maintaining it to encourage longer stays? Officials say they fear criminals posing as tourists, as if 30 days were not enough time to commit crimes.

It is unfortunate that the government chose a populist response to rising concern over crimes involving foreign visitors. Admittedly, the move was popular among many Thais who have a tendency to blame foreigners for many of the things that go wrong in the kingdom. Some expatriates are also relieved, believing complaints about foreigners in Thailand may decrease and will not unfairly tar them by association.

The Role of Media and Stereotyping
Beyond the tendency to blame “outsiders” while ignoring Thai accomplices in many of these crimes — such as Thais acting as legal proxies for foreign criminals — the Thai press has inadvertently reinforced perceptions of certain nationalities as crime-prone or unruly. This occurs when the Thai press highlights cases of unlawful activities by foreign visitors and expats as ‘exotic news’, while the public often forgets that such cases represent a tiny minority of the more than 30 million foreigners who visit Thailand annually.

The urge to stereotype foreigners, or ‘the other,’ so we do not have to examine ourselves is real and problematic. Because misconduct and criminal activity involving foreigners are often treated as newsworthy by the Thai press, more Thais may be susceptible to drawing sweeping conclusions about people from certain nationalities, even when such behaviour does not represent most visitors from those countries.

We should refrain from being tempted to draw overly generalised views of the conducts of people from different nations, as much as we would detest any generalised views of Thais being bent on becoming illegal migrant workers in South Korea because tens of thousands of Thais are currently living illegally in South Korea.

Thais would oppose anyone who thinks all Thais are bent on becoming illegal migrant workers in South Korea. For the very same reason, we should avoid drawing a stereotypical conclusion about tourists from certain nationalities in Thailand.

A Call for Evidence-Based Policy
It is regrettable that the Thai government has taken a lazy option in dealing with the growing illegal activities and/or unruly behaviour by foreign tourists in Thailand, particularly when there is no hard evidence to suggest that longer stays lead to more crimes committed.

Steps to prevent people from misbehaving have been taken by at least one embassy in Thailand when the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok reminded its citizens to respect the laws of the countries they visit and reside in. Such an approach could be adopted by a few other embassies when more than a few of their citizens end up on the wrong side of the news.

“Please, for your own good, be sure to act according to the procedures and the laws of the place,” the Embassy of Israel wrote in the notice earlier this month with a focus on their nationals in Phuket after a series of incidents received media attention.

And since the government should base its decisions on facts and evidence, we need to follow up on the number of crimes committed by foreigners and the number of tourist arrivals and see whether the former drops significantly while the latter does not decline sharply in the next three to six months. If there is little correlation between shorter stays and less crime, then it is hoped that the Anutin government would be sane enough to revisit the decisions they made this month and reverse them.

According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Thailand welcomed more than 13.4 million foreign tourists between 1 January and 24 May, generating nearly 654 billion baht in tourism revenue.

The top arrivals by nationality include:
China: 2.24 million visitors (largest group)
Malaysia and India (with arrivals officially surpassing the one million mark this year)
Russia, and South Korea.

Now the police and the Ministry of Tourism will need to analyse the figures in the next three to six months from now and see whether the visa move was justified or not. If there’s not enough hard evidence, they should reinstate the 60-day visa-free entry scheme as soon as possible.

I do not want to be more pessimistic, but some see the move as an act of political performance — an attempt by the government to appear as though it is doing something about the situation. There is a Thai saying for this: ‘dumb but diligent’ — ngo tae khayan. I hope that is not the case.

Mae Sot-Myawaddy border crossing shut by Myanmar conflict reopens after 10 months

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28 May 2026, 18:18

TAK — 28 May 2026, The second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and its permanent border checkpoint at Mae Sot reopened on Thursday for the first time in more than 10 months, as security officials from both sides cleared the way for trade to resume across one of Southeast Asia’s busiest land crossings.

The checkpoint at Ban Wang Takhian Tai, Moo 7, Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, Mae Sot district, had been closed by Myanmar authorities since mid-2025 due to ongoing fighting in Myawaddy. The closure had dealt a heavy blow to border trade and investment in Tak province.

Officials from both sides met at the Myawaddy No. 2 checkpoint on the Myanmar side at midday, with talks described as going well. Shortly after, the first Thai cargo truck crossed the bridge into Myawaddy to unload goods, drawing smiles from traders and drivers who had been waiting months for the route to reopen.

Yotphon Wichayakul, chief of Mae Sot Customs, said Thai authorities were fully ready to process crossings across all departments. However, he noted the Myanmar side was still experiencing unstable electricity, as the Myawaddy checkpoint is currently running on solar power after Thailand cut its power supply. Myanmar officials have requested that Thailand restore electricity to the checkpoint so its systems can return to full operation.

Full operations are expected to resume within a month. Thursday’s reopening was described as a trial run to test both checkpoints’ systems and address remaining technical issues on the Myanmar side after the prolonged closure.

Yotphon said the reopening was expected to revive exports, imports, and logistics business in the area, and boost the broader border economy in Tak province.

Vietnam’s first lady dons traditional Thai dress on Bangkok cultural tour

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28 May 2026, 17:43

BANGKOK — 28 May 2026, The wife of Vietnamese President To Lam turned heads on Thursday when she wore a traditional Thai dress during a cultural tour of Bangkok, as part of her husband’s official visit to Thailand.

Ngo Phuong Ly was hosted by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s wife, Thananon Charnvirakul, who led her guest through the Temple of the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace, where the two paid respects to the revered Emerald Buddha and admired the complex’s ornate architecture.

The pair then visited the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, also within the Grand Palace grounds, where exhibitions showcasing Thai silk and traditional craftsmanship are on display — a reflection of what the government has promoted as a key element of Thai soft power.

Thananon hosted a luncheon in honour of her guest at Wang Chakrabongse, where the two exchanged views on the role of women in people-to-people diplomacy and future cultural cooperation.
The visit coincides with the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of Thai-Vietnamese diplomatic relations.

Thailand, Vietnam sign MOU for aircraft maintenance hub at U-Tapao

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28 May 2026, 17:09

BANGKOK — 28 May 2026, Thailand and Vietnam signed four cooperation agreements onThursday, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam witnessing the exchange at Government House.

The agreements cover a action plan for comprehensive strategic partnership for 2026–2031, science and technology cooperation, academic links between the Institute of Public Administration and Governance of Vietnam and Khon Kaen University, and a memorandum of understanding to develop an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre at U-Tapao International Airport.

The MRO deal, signed between the Eastern Special Development Zone Policy Committee Office (EECO) and VietJet Group, is seen as a key step in deepening industrial cooperation. U-Tapao, located within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Rayong province, is being developed as a major aviation hub.

On trade, Anutin said bilateral trade currently stands at around $24 billion annually, and both sides agreed to push toward a $25 billion target as quickly as possible.

“It doesn’t seem out of reach,” he said.

The two leaders also agreed to step up cooperation on security, including combating online scams and illegal fishing, as well as science and technology exchanges covering satellites, semiconductors, and agricultural biotechnology.

To Lam praised Thailand’s economic development and its role in strengthening ASEAN, and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means under international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

He also welcomed progress in the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire and the resumption of talks between the two countries. Both leaders co-presided over the launch of the official logo for the 50th anniversary of Thai-Vietnamese diplomatic relations, under the theme “Growing Together.” The anniversary falls on 6 Aug. 2026.

To Lam extended an invitation to Anutin to visit Vietnam at the earliest opportunity.

Thai navy buys 2 Airbus C295s to boost its ‘aerial dimension at sea’

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28 May 2026, 16:20

BANGKOK — 27 May 2026, The Royal Thai Navy has signed a procurement agreement with Airbus Defence and Space for two C295 maritime patrol and transport aircraft, along with support systems and auxiliary equipment, navy spokesman Rear Adm. Parach Rattanachaiphan announced Tuesday.

Navy commander Adm. Pairoj Fueangchan signed the agreement, which aims to strengthen what the navy describes as its “aerial dimension at sea” — the integration of air assets into naval operations.

The C295 is a military transport aircraft in service with more than 37 countries, with over 300 units delivered worldwide. The Royal Thai Army already operates this type of planes, a factor the navy said would ease joint operations, maintenance, logistics, and long-term aircrew development across services.

The aircraft will be capable of maritime patrol using modern detection systems, short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations, troop and equipment transport, aerial delivery, day and night search and rescue (SAR), and medical evacuation (Medevac).

Rattanachaiphan said the acquisition goes beyond simply adding aircraft to the fleet.

“This is an upgrade of joint operational capability between naval and air forces to respond to threats and maritime situations in the future — across security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions,” he said.

The navy described the procurement as transparent and cost-effective relative to long-term national interests.

Thai cave rescue team appeals for oxygen tanks as extraction looms

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28 May 2026, 15:43

VIENTIANE, Laos — 28 May 2026, Rescue teams working to extract five survivors trapped in a cave in Laos’s Xaisomboun province are urgently appealing for oxygen tanks as the operation enters a critical phase, with two others still missing.

The Thai rescue team leader, Ting Li Gengkat Bongkawong, president of the Metta Tham Rescue Association, said the team needs a large number of four-litre oxygen tanks to be placed inside the cave ahead of the extraction, as the cave’s air supply system does not yet reach all areas where the operation will take place.

“Does anyone in Laos have tanks to lend?” he posted, appealing directly to the public for assistance.

Ting Li said extracting the five survivors would be far from straightforward, with rescuers needing to navigate several hundred metres of narrow passages and move through more than 27 metres of flooded sections.

“Safety is the absolute priority — there is no room for error,” he said. “The air supply inside must be sufficient, and the safety plan must be airtight and ready to deploy immediately in an emergency.”

The rescue operation involves divers and officials from Laos, Thailand and Finland — several of whom took part in the 2018 rescue of 13 members of the Wild Boars football team from a cave in Chiang Rai.

Ting Li said the team remains hopeful that the two missing individuals will be found safe.

“We who are on the ground always hold onto hope that they are safe,” he said. “Their families must not give up either.”

Thai rapper Milli appointed honorary diplomacy supporter by Korean Embassy

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28 May 2026, 15:19

BANGKOK — 27 May 2026, The South Korean Embassy in Thailand has appointed Thai rapper Milli as an honorary public diplomacy supporter, recognising her contribution to strengthening cultural understanding between Thailand and South Korea through music and popular culture.

Milli, whose real name is Danupha Khanatheerakul, was officially appointed during a ceremony held at the South Korean Embassy in Bangkok on 15 May.

South Korean Ambassador to Thailand Park Yong-min attended the event alongside 15 honorary public diplomacy supporters selected for this year’s programme.

The embassy said Milli was chosen because her work creatively blends Thai and Korean cultural influences and helps promote mutual understanding between people in both countries.

Milli recently drew widespread attention after becoming the first foreign contestant to reach the final round of “Show Me the Money” Season 12, a major South Korean hip-hop competition, in April.

The embassy praised her as an example of public diplomacy through music and Korean popular culture, saying her work had helped expand cultural exchange between Thailand and South Korea.

“Milli has successfully entered South Korea’s popular culture industry and communicates with audiences in both countries through her music,” Ambassador Park said. “She has also played an important role in promoting Thai and Korean culture to wider audiences.”

He also praised her willingness to take on new challenges and expressed hope to see more of her work in South Korea in the future.

The South Korean Embassy in Thailand organises its honorary public diplomacy programme annually, with this year marking the seventh group of participants.

During the event, Milli also shared her experiences communicating with global audiences through music and Korean popular culture to inspire other participants in the programme.

Search Continues for 2 Missing as Laos Cave Rescue Plan Takes Shape

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28 May 2026, 13:52

cave_rescue-laos — Photo Credit: Kengkard Bongkawong / Facebook

XAISOMBOUN, Laos — 28 May 2026, Rescue teams are finalising the next stage of a difficult operation to extract five Lao men found alive inside a flooded cave in central Laos, while preparing to continue the search for two others still missing, according to a Thai rescue volunteer assisting the mission.

The seven villagers reportedly entered the cave in Xaisomboun province on 19 May to search for gold before heavy rain and flooding blocked their way out. Divers reached five of the men on Wednesday after more than a week underground, finding them alive inside the cave system. Rescuers have since been working to supply food, water and air while preparing a difficult extraction.

Thai rescue volunteer Ting Li Gengkat Bongkawong, who is leading a Thai team assisting the operation, wrote in a new Facebook update that the next mission plan was nearly complete and that rescuers were preparing to search for the two remaining missing men.

Earlier, Gengkat said the mission was far from over.

1 1web — Photo Credit: Gengkat Bongkawong / Facebook

“The job is not finished. The next step is finding a way to bring all five people safely out of the cave, which is not easy at all. Safety must come first and mistakes cannot happen,” he wrote, describing tight crawl spaces stretching hundreds of metres and a flooded section that rescuers must navigate while ensuring enough air remains inside the cave.

Thai rescue personnel and expert cave divers, including a veteran of the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, have joined Lao teams in the operation. Rescue workers have described narrow passages, floodwater, debris and limited air supply as major obstacles.

Reuters reported Thursday that Thai volunteers had confirmed five survivors had been found, while a Lao organisation claimed all seven had been located safely, a claim that had not been independently verified. The latest update from the Thai rescue team continued to describe two people as still missing.

Gengkat said the team had consulted experts from multiple fields and was adapting procedures to conditions at the site.

“This mission is extremely difficult. No one can be arrogant or think only their own knowledge matters. We must continue listening to specialists and adapt the correct procedures to the actual situation on site,” he wrote.

He added that rescuers were focused on extracting the five survivors while continuing to search for the two others whose condition remained uncertain.

“As the rescue team, we always hope they are safe. Families must not lose hope either,” he wrote.

2 2web — Photo Credit: Gengkat Bongkawong / Facebook

4 4web — Photo Credit: Gengkat Bongkawong / Facebook

Bangkok schools tighten food safety rules to tackle child obesity

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28 May 2026, 13:22

BANGKOK — 28 May 2026, Bangkok’s education authority is rolling out stricter food safety and nutrition standards across schools under its jurisdiction, as part of an effort to tackle child obesity and improve student health.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Office of Education announced the measures on Wednesday, saying all schools must now follow standardised procedures for tracking meal quality under the Bangkok City for Better Health programme.

Schools are required to log ingredient receipts and photograph meals through the Thai School Lunch for BMA and TSL Check systems. Central kitchen schools must also store 300-gram food samples from every meal each day for three days for inspection purposes.

All schools must undergo a food sanitation assessment once per semester. Central kitchen schools are subject to monthly chemical and microbial testing, while other schools must carry out microbial checks monthly. Staff are also being trained to test for common contaminants, including borax in meat, formalin in seafood and bleaching agents in fruits and vegetables.

Office of Education Director Phissamai Rueangsin said child obesity is among the authority’s most pressing concerns, noting that half of Bangkok’s adult population is obese and that the figure among children is estimated to exceed 20 percent.

“We cannot solve this through rules and regulations alone,” she said. “It has to start with building good habits, with teachers serving as role models for healthy behaviour.”

The authority said the goal is to make Bangkok schools safe and sustainable environments for student health in the long term.

Chiang Mai surgeons make history with world-first robotic liver donor surgery

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28 May 2026, 12:40

CHIANG MAI — 28 May 2026, Surgeons at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Medicine have performed the world’s first living donor liver surgery using the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system, a breakthrough that also marks Thailand’s first robot-assisted living donor liver transplant.

The faculty announced the achievement at a press conference on Wednesday, revealing that its team had successfully used the Hugo RAS system to remove the left lobe of the liver from living donors in two separate transplant cases — one involving a child patient and one an adult.

In the first case, a 40-year-old mother donated part of her liver to her nine-year-old daughter, who was born with biliary atresia, a condition that blocks the bile ducts, and had developed severe cirrhosis with complications affecting her lungs and blood pressure. The girl had previously undergone a Kasai procedure as an infant and required supplemental oxygen at home before the transplant.

In the second case, a 27-year-old woman donated part of her liver to her 61-year-old father, who had cirrhosis and liver cancer. This case also marked Thailand’s first robot-assisted adult-to-adult living donor liver transplant.

Both donors recovered well, while both recipients underwent successful transplants under the care of a multidisciplinary team at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sanhawit Chanrangsri, the operating surgeon, said the Hugo system’s precision was critical given the complexity of operating around the liver’s key structures.

“Living donor liver surgery demands the highest priority on donor safety, because these are healthy individuals undergoing surgery solely to save another person’s life,” he said. “The robotic system provides 3D visualisation and instruments that move like a human wrist, allowing surgeons to work with far greater precision in a narrow and deep space.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Worakit Laphisetphan, deputy director of the Centre of Medical Excellence, said Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital is the only institution in Thailand with continuous experience in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation. He added that removing the left lobe rather than the more commonly used right lobe reduces the impact on the donor’s remaining liver function.

All four patients — both donors and both recipients — are recovering well, according to the surgical team.
The nine-year-old recipient, who attended Wednesday’s press conference with her mother, thanked her doctors and said she hoped to become a doctor herself one day. She added that she had been looking forward to trying iced tea after the surgery — and confirmed it was worth the wait.

The faculty’s dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Naren Chotiros Niramit, noted the milestone coincided with the unit completing its 100th robotic-assisted surgery overall, spanning urology, hepatobiliary and colorectal procedures.

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