Ongoing situations
A situation is a storyline the pipeline has tracked across several developments — a flood season, a rule change and the enforcement that followed it, a court case working through the system. Each one carries a written state of play that no single article does, because it is written from the whole run of them. Most recently moved first.
Monsoon Flooding in Thailand
Heavy rain and potential flash floods are forecast for the Northeast, Greater Bangkok, and other regions through Friday, September 11. Expats should take precautions, especially in low-lying areas, and monitor local alerts as 51 provinces remain under a flood and runoff warning until September 2.
New International Flight Routes to Thailand
Several new international flight routes to Thailand have launched or are launching, increasing connectivity for foreigners. These include daily flights from Dubai (flydubai), Amsterdam (Thai Airways), and Jakarta (TransNusa), as well as new services from Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Kunming, and Riyadh.
Visa-free stay reduced, work rules tightened
Effective September 15, Thailand has reduced the visa-free stay for most nationalities from 60 to 30 days, with Seychelles and Mauritius limited to 15 days. Additionally, visa exemptions will no longer permit any work, requiring a Non-Immigrant B visa for business trips or short work.
50,000 Thais unaware they have HIV
Nationwide crackdown on foreign nominee businesses
Thailand is actively cracking down on foreign nominee arrangements for businesses and property nationwide, with investigations ongoing in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan. Foreigners using nominee structures or long-term leases for property or business face heightened scrutiny, legal risk, and potential loss of assets, as new business registrations in high-risk categories have dropped by 75% due to tightened checks and linked databases.
New rule expands foreign business exemptions in Thailand
New Deportation Regulations
Thailand has approved new regulations for deporting foreigners, including those deemed to violate moral norms or commit serious crimes. The Interior Minister now has broad authority to fast-track deportations, requiring prisons to submit case files 15 days before a foreign inmate's release.
SRT unit prepares to take over Airport Rail Link
Baht strengthens as interest rates hold
The Bank of Thailand has maintained its benchmark interest rate at 1%, despite the baht strengthening to a near 3-month high against the US dollar, trading around 23.85. This makes foreign income and remittances worth less when converted to Thai baht, impacting the purchasing power of foreigners in Thailand.
Thai birth registration tightened after 'fake fathers' scandal
Free weekend use of M6 Bang Pa-in–Pak Chong from 21 Aug 2026
M82 motorway free trial to begin in August
Thailand plans car excise overhaul favoring domestic makers
Thailand to Raise Electricity Tariffs From September
Baht Weakens Against US Dollar
The Thai Baht has weakened to 33.03 per US dollar, making foreign income and savings more valuable in Thailand. This also means remittances from abroad cost less, though imports may become more expensive.
Thai Baht Slumps 8% as Trade Deficit Fears Grow
Thailand warns travelers against carrying packages for others amid cannabis arrests
New drone rules extended for medium-risk flights in Thailand