Stories that keep developing: a flood season, a rule change and the enforcement that followed it, a court case working through the system. Each one has a summary of where things stand, written from every update so far. Most recently updated first.
Flooding persists in three provinces (Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Satun) and parts of Phuket, with cleanup underway in affected areas. Eight provinces are warned of potential high-tide flooding from October 31 to November 4, while unsettled weather is expected from November 2-6.
Thailand's visa framework, effective September 15, 2026, replaced the 60-day visa exemption with 30-day and 15-day categories, and visa-exempt entry is now for tourism only, requiring a Non-Immigrant B visa or Destination Thailand Visa for work. The Tourism Minister is proposing to restore 15-day visa-on-arrival for Mexico, Colombia, and Uzbekistan, with a hearing scheduled for November 9, 2026.
Heavy rain continues to cause flooding across many regions of Thailand, including Bangkok and 17 provinces, with the death toll at 83 since mid-September. Flash floods and runoff are particularly affecting southern low-lying areas and Phuket, where roads are impassable and mudslides have occurred.
Thailand's Oil Fuel Fund deficit has reached ฿89 billion, driven by subsidies capping diesel prices. The government has set a new subsidy of ฿3.20 per litre for standard diesel, effective October 24, but energy prices are expected to remain high through February 2027 due to fiscal limits on further subsidies and global oil volatility.
A 450-baht tourism fee for foreign air arrivals, including insurance, is still being pushed for early 2027 implementation, pending Cabinet approval. Although a 1,000-baht departure tax was put on hold, the Finance Ministry is now considering reviving a departure tax on all international outbound passengers, with a maximum rate of 5,000 baht per departure, which could increase travel costs for foreigners.
Thailand is intensifying its nationwide crackdown on foreign nominee businesses, with the Prime Minister ordering provincial governors to identify illegally owned land plots by the end of December, which could lead to forced sales, deportation, and asset forfeiture. The government has tightened registration rules for foreign-invested firms, is reviewing citizenship rules, and has seen an 81.77% drop in high-risk nominee registrations, with over 20 billion baht in assets seized or frozen.
Thailand plans to implement a 30% tax on imported electric vehicles to promote local manufacturing, which will increase purchase prices for all buyers. The government is also considering lowering excise taxes on all domestically built cars and raising them on imports, with details expected by year-end.
Thailand has implemented new fast-track deportation rules allowing the Interior Ministry to begin proceedings before foreign convicts finish their sentences, with immediate removal and re-entry bans for various offenses. Prime Minister Anutin has ordered provincial governors, particularly in Phuket and Surat Thani, to strictly enforce laws against foreigners involved in illegal businesses, nominee schemes, and unlawful land holding, with immediate deportation for those meeting the criteria.
The Airport Rail Link will continue to operate under its current terms until January 31, 2027, as the existing private operator has agreed to an extension while the State Railway of Thailand prepares for a potential takeover. This means no immediate disruption to services for foreigners, though system upgrades are causing trains to run every 15 minutes, so extra travel time should be allowed.
Thailand's new deportation regulations, effective August 28, 2026, allow for fast-track removal of foreigners for various offenses, including document forgery, national security threats, drug offenses, visa overstay, tax evasion, and behavior against public order or morality. The Prime Minister has confirmed deportations are proceeding under these new rules and has ordered provincial governors, particularly in Phuket and Surat Thani, to intensify enforcement against illegal businesses, nominee schemes, and unlawful religious sites, and to expedite deportations.