Thailand

The President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has called for the government to exclude travel insurance coverage from the 450 THB tourism fee, noting that this should be the responsibility of the visitor, and that visitors by all modes of transport should be required to have travel insurance before entry. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) noted that tourism operators are unclear about the budget allocation for insurance and tourism development from the fee, and that the top markets for unpaid bills were largely foreigners working in Thailand, not tourists. The ATTA are calling for 20% of the fund to provide assistance to tourists impacted by unexpected events such as natural disasters, whilst the 80% should be dedicated to tourism development, training and digital transformation

Marriott International signed an agreement with FICO Corporation to develop 7 hotels with 1,262 rooms in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, introducing the citizenM, Four Points Flex by Sheraton and Series by Marriott brands to Thailand. The pipeline comprises the 288-room JW Marriott Bangkok Sathorn, the 147-room citizenM Bangkok Sukhumvit 11, 3 Four Points Flex by Sheraton hotels in Bangkok with 493 rooms in total, the 192-room Easy Planet North Pattaya and the 142-room Easy Planet Phuket Patong

Flooding cut foreign arrivals by 14.8% from 25 Sep-5 Oct 2026, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), mainly from short-haul markets like South Korea (-69.5%), Taiwan (-52.7%) and Malaysia (-23.6%). Chinese arrivals over Golden Week reached 196,700, +7% YoY, below the +24% projected before the floods. TAT expects tourism revenue in Bangkok and surrounding areas to contract 2-3% in Oct 2026, with arrivals 1-2% lower, whilst long-haul forward bookings for the high season remain strong: UK +14.8%, France +17.1%, Israel +20.4% and Saudi Arabia +22.4%. Riverside attractions, floating markets and canal-side markets in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Kanchanaburi remain closed due to the flood

Bangkok will host the Eurovision Asia Grand Final on 14 Nov 2026, the first pan-Asian edition of the Eurovision franchise, with finalists from 11 countries. Agoda reported that accommodation searches for Bangkok from across Asia rose by +14% YoY, with travel searches from Vietnam up 105%, India +43% and Malaysia +4%, whilst domestic travel interest in Thailand was +30% YoY

The online public consultation on the proposed 450-THB foreign tourist fee, held from 24 Aug-28 Sep 2026 showed that 80.5% of the 5,954 respondents supported the draft measure, and 78.3% supported the 450-THB rate. Collection through air tickets was the most popular option, chosen by 36.26% of respondents. The fee would initially apply to eligible foreign visitors arriving by air, with collection at land and sea borders delayed by 1 year, and a single payment would cover multiple entries within 30 days while the traveller remains covered by the accompanying insurance. Officials estimate the fee would leave at least 8 billion THB a year for the Tourism Promotion Fund after collection and insurance costs. Private-sector representatives asked the ministry to consider exemptions for border traders and frequent cross-border travellers. The proposal will go to the National Tourism Policy Committee and then the Cabinet for consideration

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports still aims to start collecting the 450-THB tourist fee from air travellers in Q1 2027, despite private-sector calls to delay it due to ongoing flooding. The Tourism and Sports Minister noted that part of the fee will fund tourist insurance, which is expected to save the government 7 billion THB a year in foreign tourists' medical costs. More than 30 public and private organisations joined a meeting on 6 Oct hosted by the ministry to discuss the planned fee

The Thai Meteorological Department warned of thunderstorms, strong winds, hail and heavy to very heavy rain across Thailand from 9-13 Oct 2026, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces. Waves could exceed 2m in thunderstorm areas of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand

Thailand rose 10 places to 38th in the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026, with a score of 4.35, +5.6% from 2024. It ranked 13th for natural resources, 16th for cultural resources and 19th for air transport infrastructure, but 95th for safety and security and 68th for tourist services and infrastructure

Malaysia's inflation was 1.9% in Aug 2026, below Thailand (2.5%), Indonesia (3.2%), Vietnam (4.9%) and the Philippines (6.1%), according to the World Bank. It expects headline inflation of 2% in 2026, but warned that producer price inflation of almost 11% in Aug 2026 could become a risk later in the year

The Board of Investment reported that it has approved Long-Term Resident (LTR) visas for 12,010 foreigners since Sep 2022, generating 43 billion THB in economic value. LTR holders comprise 4,561 wealthy pensioners, 1,779 highly skilled professionals, 1,043 work-from-Thailand professionals, 737 wealthy global citizens and 3,891 dependents. The US accounted for the most holders (more than 2,400), followed by Japan (more than 1,300) and the UK (more than 1,000)

The Transport Ministry signed an MOU with 6 partners, including the Department of Airports, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thai Airways, the Airlines Association of Thailand, Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel and Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Engineering, to offer free short tours to international transit passengers with layovers of 6-8 hours. The pilot is expected to start in early 2027 at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Phuket and Krabi airports, with packages covering culture, street food, and health and wellness. The TAT Governor noted that Suvarnabhumi handles about 1.3 million transit passengers a year, and that TAT aims to attract about 10% of them to the programme

Thais made 153.96 million domestic trips from 1 Jan-3 Oct 2026, +2.42% YoY, generating 902.95 billion THB, +3.19% YoY, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports

Siam Piwat, the developer of Bangkok's Siam Paragon and Iconsiam, announced a 10-billion-THB ($300 million USD) retail, attraction and entertainment project, Iconphuket, scheduled to open in 2029 in Thalang district, between Phuket International Airport and Phuket Town. The developer stated that it expects 80,000-100,000 visitors a day once the project is fully operational, with one-third of the site given to at least 12 attractions and entertainment, while over 40% will be allocated to green and open space. Iconphuket will anchor CV Group's 50-billion-THB Synthesis Ark Phuket mixed-use development. Its first district, The Nexus, will include a 70-room hotel and is scheduled to open in 2028. Phase one of Synthesis Ark Phuket is set to be completed in 2032

5 partners, including the Phuket Boutique Accommodation Association, the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (Southern Chapter), the Tourism Council of Thailand, Eastern University of Management and Technology, and the “Baan Bamrung Mueang” group launched the Phuket Licence Lab on 5 Oct 2026 to help small accommodation operators obtain hotel licences. The project will send volunteer architects to inspect properties and advise on compliance. Cases that need government action will feed into proposals for regulatory reform

Thailand recorded 522,532 foreign arrivals in the week of 27 Sep-3 Oct 2026, +8.24% WoW, with China's Golden Week and holidays in Hong Kong and South Korea boosting short-haul travel. China was the top market with 133,946 arrivals, +41.98% WoW, followed by Malaysia (59,871, -0.64% WoW), India (46,942, +16.53% WoW), Russia (22,326, +14.23% WoW) and South Korea (21,219, +3.66% WoW). Cumulative arrivals from 1 Jan-3 Oct 2026 reached 23,452,895, -3.88% YoY, with foreign tourist revenue of 1.142485 trillion THB, -2.26% YoY. China remained the top source market YTD with 3,999,854 arrivals, followed by Malaysia (2,982,095), India (1,751,485), Russia (1,281,214) and South Korea (860,655)

The flood death toll since mid-Sep 2026 rose to 31 across 8 provinces, including 4 in Bangkok, with more than 3.5 million people affected nationwide as of 5 Oct 2026, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The government approved more than 4.1 billion THB (about $122 million USD) in emergency funds for flood recovery

Siam Amazing Park said it is keen to resume operations and has no plans to lay off staff after being fully inundated. It estimated asset damage of at least 100 million THB and a further 100-200 million THB in losses from its closure, with its flood insurance cover capped at 5 million THB. Its operator urged the government to arrange a 3-6-month debt holiday with commercial banks and faster overdraft loan approvals for flood-hit operators

Laos and Thailand set a bilateral trade target of $11 billion USD by 2027 and a tourism target of 3 million visits per year. Bilateral trade reached $4.39 billion USD in the first 8 months of 2026, and Thailand was Laos' largest source of foreign visitors in H1 2026 with 833,738 trips, according to the Laos Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The 2 countries also proposed a sixth Friendship Bridge between Salavan and Ubon Ratchathani and agreed to cooperate on improved border crossing regulations, roads and bridges

Laos and Thailand have completed the environmental and social impact assessment and detailed design for the 820m Xiengman-Luang Prabang Mekong Bridge, which will connect Chomphet District with Luang Prabang Town. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and take 4 years, with the bridge due to open in 2031. The 2 sides have negotiated a concessional loan, and Laos is preparing to sign the loan agreement. The bridge is expected to cut the journey between Thailand's Nan Province and Luang Prabang by 30-45 minutes from about 9 hours

The Finance Ministry Spokesman stated that flooding will not disrupt the 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group in Bangkok on 12-18 Oct 2026, and that evacuation plans are ready if water levels rise. More than 15,000 participants from 191 countries have registered for the meetings, and a command and control centre at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center will operate around the clock. The spokesman said simulated emergency tests of the agencies' business continuity plans showed a high level of readiness

About 5,000 US Navy personnel from the aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush and the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D Black arrived in Phuket on 4 Oct 2026 for a 6-day visit. They are allowed to travel freely around the island, but are barred from renting vehicles or riding pillion on motorcycles

Foreign film productions generated a record 7.51 billion THB in Thailand from Jan-Sep 2026, with 423 productions applying to shoot in the country, the Deputy Government Spokesperson reported. The US generated the most (38 productions, 2.379 billion THB), followed by the UK (27, 1.679 billion THB), Finland (1, 448 million THB), Hong Kong (18, 382 million THB), Germany (15, 379 million THB), India (44, 341 million THB), Spain (3, 336 million THB), China (52, 253.23 million THB), Singapore (24, 253.20 million THB) and France (17, 185 million THB). The Department of Tourism expects full-year revenue from foreign productions of 8-10 billion THB

PTT Oil and Retail Business and Centara Hotels & Resorts formed a joint venture, Pit Stop Hotel Co, to develop budget hotels at PTT service stations and other locations, starting with 6 pilot hotels in Bangkok's Don Mueang, Ayutthaya, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, Hat Yai and Phuket at an estimated investment of 700 million-1 billion THB. The partners plan to open the first hotels in 2027-28 and are targeting 50 properties by 2031. Each hotel will have 79 rooms and 10 capsule rooms, with average rates of 800-1,300 THB a night and targeted occupancy rate of 75-80%. PTT OR aims to raise daily traffic at over 2,000 PTT service stations nationwide from about 3.9 million visits to 5 million through the expansion of business range and services

Thailand's tourism revenue reached 235.166 billion THB in Jul 2026, +1.2% YoY. The North grew fastest (17.985 billion THB, +14.8% YoY), followed by the Northeast (10.44 billion THB, +5.2% YoY) and the Central region (51.483 billion THB, +0.7% YoY), whilst Bangkok and surrounding provinces (73.438 billion THB, -0.1% YoY) and the South (81.82 billion THB, -0.4% YoY) declined

Stronger Malaysian ringgit and Singapore dollar exchange rates are boosting arrivals in Hat Yai and Dan Nok in Songkhla, according to the founder of the Songkhla Professional Tour Guide Association. The ringgit has strengthened to more than 8.20 THB from about 7 THB, and the Singapore dollar to 26.10 THB from 25 THB. Chinese visitors based in Malaysia are among the highest spenders, though some have reported vehicle departures going unrecorded at the border, leading to 10,000-THB fines on later visits. Chinese and Malaysian tourists could spend 2,000-10,000 THB a day on meals and entertainment

The Prime Minister ordered authorities in all 76 provinces to accelerate water drainage from reservoirs and waterways ahead of fresh heavy rain forecast for 4-7 Oct 2026 in the Upper North, North-east, Central Region, South and Greater Bangkok. Coastal high tides expected on 5-10 Oct 2026 could also slow river discharge into the Gulf of Thailand and worsen existing flooding in the Chao Phraya river basin

Siam Amazing Park management estimated flood damage at the Bangkok amusement and water park at more than 500 million THB. The park's chairman and founder stated it was prepared to sell the business for about 10 billion THB if an interested party came forward, and management is also considering selling tickets in advance to fund the restoration

A Noctiluca plankton bloom, triggered by heavy rain and flood runoff, turned parts of the sea off Koh Larn in the northern Gulf of Thailand green in early Oct 2026, keeping some swimmers out of the water, though other stretches of the shoreline were unaffected. Researchers at Burapha University’s Institute of Marine Science noted that such blooms typically last 2-3 days. Beach food vendors reported fewer customers, with some visitors moving to unaffected parts of the island

The Thai Hotels Association reported 5,433 room nights cancelled or postponed nationwide from 27 Sep-4 Oct 2026 because of flooding in Bangkok and the central and eastern regions, including 1,389 in Bangkok and 875 in Chon Buri for 27-29 Sep. The THA Eastern Chapter President said hotels in Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi had seen about 50% of rooms cancelled, with many in Rayong and Chanthaburi unable to reopen because main roads remained flooded. He expected a 5-10% YoY drop in average occupancy in Oct. The THA President called on the government to postpone collection of the 450-THB foreign tourist fee and consider tax relief for hotel operators

Operators on Koh Kut in Trat expect tourism to recover from late 2026 into 2027, with the Koh Kut Tambon Administrative Organisation Chairman expecting bookings of 70-80% from Oct through the New Year holiday, though advance bookings remained relatively low. Manager of Boon Siri Speed Boat Co Ltd said domestic visitors dominate the market, especially on long weekends and public holidays, while overall arrivals remained relatively the same YoY with some foreign markets falling. The island has about 1,600 hotel rooms, which may fall short at peak times from Nov-Feb, and operators pointed to limited roads, electricity, water and toilet facilities

The government proposed replacing the Hotel Act with an Accommodation Establishment Act to bring homestays, hostels, boutique hotels and short-term rentals arranged through online platforms into the regulatory system. The 98-section bill would sort establishments into 3 tiers: those with no more than 8 rooms and 30 guests could operate after notifying the registrar, those with up to 40 rooms or 30-150 guests would need to register, and larger properties with more than 40 rooms or capacity for over 150 guests would need a licence. The bill would also introduce a single "super licence" available to cover up to 10 related activities such as restaurants, pools, health and fitness facilities, and alcohol sales. The bill would strengthen consumer protection, allowing guests to cancel and receive proportional refunds when accommodation does not match its advertising

Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh in Krabi reopened to visitors on 1 Oct 2026 after its annual closure from 1 Aug-30 Sep to allow for ecosystem recovery. Swimming remains prohibited, and boats must dock on the opposite side of the island rather than entering the bay

Corporate groups from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India are moving meetings and incentive programmes from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, citing security concerns and costs, according to travel agencies and corporate buyers. Lahore-based Urdam Tours & Travels estimated that groups save about 50% by choosing Southeast Asia over Central Europe. Dhaka-based Discover Holidays said large groups need smoother immigration processing, citing long queues for an 850-delegate group in Bangkok

Pan Pacific Hotels Group has 10 new-build and major renovation projects planned across Southeast Asia in 2027. They include Siam Pan Pacific Bangkok and Pan Pacific Phnom Penh, which will introduce the Pan Pacific brand to both cities, and Parkroyal Siem Reap. They also include renovations of Parkroyal Collection Pickering in Singapore, Parkroyal Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur and Parkroyal Gurney Bay Penang

Thailand's Immigration Bureau launched the Thai Immigration (THIM) mobile app, which aims to cut the time each traveller spends at an immigration counter to no more than 40 seconds. The app currently includes a Digital Arrival Card for submitting details before travel, and later phases will add queue booking, visa extensions, 90-day residence reporting, residence certificate issuance and visa-on-arrival applications. The app also features an "Explore Thailand" section, with QR codes for discounts on tourism and accommodation services. THIM recorded more than 600,000 downloads during a pilot that began on 1 Aug 2026, recording an activation rate of over 97%

Thailand recorded 482,751 foreign arrivals in the week of 20-26 Sep 2026, +4% WoW, driven by Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day Golden Week and Chuseok travel. China was the top market with 94,343 arrivals, +42.62% WoW, followed by Malaysia (60,254, -13% WoW), India (40,284, +17% WoW), Japan (24,853, -18.5% WoW) and Taiwan (24,135, +33.25% WoW). Cumulative arrivals from 1 Jan-26 Sep 2026 reached 22,666,429, -3.65% YoY, with foreign tourist spending totalling 1.105407 trillion THB. China remained the top source market with 3,822,928 arrivals, followed by Malaysia (2,891,908), India (1,680,725), Russia (1,249,801) and South Korea (831,716). The figures exclude arrivals and revenue for 22-25 Jun in both 2026 and 2025 due to data collection system failure

The Tourism and Sports Minister said the ministry will meet hotels and tour companies to assess the business impact of the flooding, and may ask the Prime Minister for a central budget allocation to support tourism businesses. Promotional programmes for flood-hit cities, along with special loans for affected businesses in coordination with the Finance Ministry, are under consideration

Siam Amazing Park in Bangkok's Khan Na Yao district announced a 6-month closure after flooding submerged almost the entire amusement and water park for 5 days. The Managing Director of operator Siam Park City estimated losses at more than 100 million THB and said restoration would take at least 3-4 months, with the park hoping to reopen before Songkran 2027. He noted that the 2026 flooding was the most severe for the park, affecting nearly 100% of the site, compared to 30% during the 2011 flood

Long-haul corporate buyers attending IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2026 said they were directing more incentive groups and regional meetings to Thailand, citing its culture, food, air connectivity and the leisure time it offers after business. Belgium-based incentive agency Yuzu Land will bring 130 participants to Thailand in Nov 2026, and its owner said new requests were arriving every month

TAT will mark the 140th anniversary of Thailand-Japan diplomatic relations in 2027 by promoting 140 historical and cultural routes for Japanese visitors, to be showcased at Thai festivals planned for Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka, alongside a stronger focus on premium health and wellness products. TAT has signed letters of intent with 10 Japanese partners, including Hokkaido, Shizuoka, Akita, Wakayama and Tochigi, the Japan Association of Travel Agents and TV Asahi to promote joint tourism. TAT aims to raise average spend per Japanese visitor from 40,400 THB to 42,000-44,000 THB per trip, driven by a growing segment of working-age women who have a higher average spending compared to other segments. Seat capacity in the market stood at 753,978 in Q4 2026, up from 740,895 in Q3. TAT is collaborating with Thai airlines and tour operators to secure more passengers, as well as pushing new potential areas that still do not have direct flights, such as the Tohoku region

The Philippines ranked 7th among the fastest improvers in the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026, with its score rising 5.5% since 2024 to 4.08 points, and a 9.6% rise since 2019. The top 7 improvers were Albania (+7% to 4.14), Vietnam (+6.3% to 4.15), Laos (+6.1% to 3.69), Qatar (+6% to 4.23), Malaysia (+5.8% to 4.5), Thailand (+5.6% to 4.35) and the Philippines

King Power Group expects a 39.7% rise in visitor numbers at its outlets in Q4 2026, as it runs a 37th anniversary campaign from 28 Sep-1 Nov 2026 with gift cards, discounts, shopping rewards and prize draws aimed at boosting tourist spending. King Power will host a 5km city run on 17 Oct at King Power Rangnam in collaboration with Monster Run BKK, as part of the campaign’s active-lifestyle theme

Phuket will host about 5,000 US Navy personnel during a port call by USS George HW Bush, the second aircraft carrier to visit Thailand after service in the Middle East war, and the destroyer USS Delbert D Black from 4-9 Oct 2026

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that flooding has affected 2,602,309 people in 940,300 households across 167 districts in 29 provinces, including all 50 districts of Bangkok, with 22 deaths reported as of 6am on 29 Sep 2026

The TAT Chengdu Office Deputy Director said Chinese arrivals during the 1-7 Oct 2026 Golden Week could fall 5-10% below TAT's previous forecast in the most likely scenario, if Bangkok's flooding eased by 30 Sep, and 15-20% in the worst case, if the flooding was perceived to have spread nationwide. He said Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai were expected to see limited disruption. The THA President said declaration of flood disaster zones and images circulating in global media were likely to impact short-term foreign tourist confidence. He said hotels in Bangkok are offering flexible cancellation policies and allowing tourists to delay their bookings until the situation improves. He noted hotels in Bangkok's central business districts were less affected than those in the east of the city, and urged the government to make clear which areas remained safe for tourists

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park in Chiang Mai temporarily closed 2 waterfalls, and Doi Inthanon National Park warned visitors to avoid water activities at 2 of its waterfalls, after rainfall near the Doi Inthanon summit caused strong currents. The closures will stay in place until conditions return to normal

Phuket received 9,200,166 visitors from Jan-Aug 2026, -1.76% YoY, with foreign tourists at 6,790,293 (-2.52% YoY) and Thai visitors at 2,409,873 (+0.46% YoY). Tourism revenue stood at 356.21 billion THB, -0.99% YoY, with foreign tourists accounting for 328.93 billion THB (-1.19% YoY) and Thais accounting for 27.29 billion THB (+1.44% YoY). Average hotel occupancy was 66.20%. Russia remained the top foreign market with 661,876 visitors, followed by China (459,218), India (393,277), Australia (167,345), the UK (152,866), Germany (115,795), France (111,701), Malaysia (101,639), South Korea (90,341), and Kazakhstan (86,071)

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's Centre for Business and Economic Forecasting estimated economic losses from the floods of 25-29 Sep 2026 at 12.28 billion THB, or 0.066% of GDP, within a possible range of 5.9-20.6 billion THB. Bangkok is expected to see the largest losses, at around 7.01 billion THB or 57% of the total. The eastern region is estimated to lose 2.98 billion THB, while Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom are expected to see combined losses of about 1.84 billion THB. The estimate excludes damage to property, vehicles, inventories or agricultural output. Consumer spending, tourism and urban services were among the hardest-hit sectors. The government spokesperson said rainfall in Bangkok had declined, with drainage continuing, but some communities remain heavily flooded

Bangkok's main tourism areas, including Silom, Sukhumvit and Ratchaprasong, were largely unaffected by the floods, and both Bangkok airports, the BTS, MRT, SRT Red Line and Airport Rail Link remained operational. Travellers reportedly faced long baggage waits at the airports and difficulty getting taxis and ride-hailing services

TAT renewed its letter of intent with Sendai and Japan's Tohoku region for the fifth time. TAT’s Deputy Governor of International Marketing in Asia and the South Pacific said the agency has received consistent support for the past 20 years of the trilateral cooperation, including establishing a Bangkok-Sendai flight route, organising the Thai Festival Sendai, and conducting regular promotions of Thai tourism in the region. Japanese arrivals to Thailand reached 665,368 from Jan-Aug 2026, -5.42% YoY. TAT's Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka offices are running campaigns with OTAs and airlines, including Thai AirAsia X, ANA, Japan Airlines and Peach Aviation, to draw repeat visitors to second-tier destinations. TAT aims to attract 1.05 million Japanese visitors in 2026. TAT also launched its first joint campaign with Bhutan, "Two Kingdoms, One Destination", during the Tourism Expo Japan 2026 in Tokyo. The two countries will promote the campaign to European travellers at ITB Berlin in early 2027, under the theme “Healing & Happiness: Discover a Better You”

28 and 29 Sep have been declared official government holidays in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan due to the heavy flooding

Khao Yai National Park closed indefinitely to all visitors for safety reasons after runoff from days of heavy rain destroyed a bridge in the park

Phuket ordered 5 hotels to suspend operations temporarily after they failed to obtain licences or complete required structural improvements within a 30-day deadline. Another 40 hotels are awaiting licence renewals, with some missing documents such as environmental impact assessments or structural safety certificates, which the province expects by Oct 2026

Bangkok's governor declared all 50 of the city's districts disaster zones on 26 Sep 2026, after almost 48 hours of heavy rain caused widespread flooding, giving the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and other agencies expanded powers to speed up the flood response. Pathum Thani's Rangsit municipality separately declared its own emergency disaster zone. Bangkok recorded 487mm of rain from 1-25 Sep 2026, against a 1991-2020 average of 269mm for the same period, with the city's pumping stations running at full capacity. Flooding was also reported across 20 other provinces. The PM cut short an investment roadshow in London to return and oversee the flood response. Bangkok's public schools will close on 28 Sep, with civil servants asked to work from home on 28-29 Sep where their duties allow

The Expressway Authority of Thailand waived tolls on 8 Bangkok expressways from 1pm on 26 Sep to midnight on 27 Sep 2026 to ease flood-related congestion. Suvarnabhumi Airport advised travellers to avoid the flooded Lat Krabang area and use the Motorway (Highway 7) or Burapha Withi Expressway instead. The TAT, Ministry of Tourism, Tourist Police and Tourist Assistance centres are closely collaborating to provide information and working with tourism businesses to help impacted tourists

Phuket expects its Vegetarian Festival, held at more than 40 shrines from 9-18 Oct 2026, to draw more than 140,000 visitors, mainly Thais and visitors from China, Singapore and Malaysia. The festival is expected to generate at least 1.4 billion THB. The Phuket Deputy Governor said hotel bookings in Phuket City had increased by about 10% YoY, with average occupancy forecast at 80%

Hua Hin municipality began clearing 26 structures built illegally on a public beach between the fishing pier and the Goddess of the Sea shrine, following a 2014 Supreme Administrative Court ruling. Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul said 15 buildings are to be demolished within 120 days from 25 Sep 2026, with the municipality funding 15 removals and the Marine Department covering another 11. Some owners are seeking a court order to protect their occupancy rights

Ferry services to Koh Sichang in Chon Buri were temporarily suspended on the morning of 25 Sep 2026 due to storms, before resuming for afternoon departures, whilst sailings to Koh Chang in Trat were reduced rather than halted. The Thai Meteorological Department forecast waves of 2-3m, rising above 3m during storms, with winds of 20-40km/h, and advised small boats in the upper Gulf of Thailand to stay ashore through 27 Sep 2026

Klook and Visa signed an MoU covering Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, with joint marketing and promotional initiatives and Klook becoming a partner on Visa Destinations, Visa’s travel platform. The companies will also build a creator framework across Southeast Asia, hosting affiliate links from Visa creators on Klook’s Kreator Shops storefronts. Visa’s 2026 Global Travel Intentions study found 37% of Asia-Pacific respondents planned trips around local experiences, against a global average of 29%, and Klook’s Travel Pulse 2026 found more than half of Asia-Pacific travellers surveyed did not begin planning with a fixed destination, with 23% starting from a particular activity

The Climate Impact Lab at the University of Chicago projects El Nino phenomenon could cause 19,300 additional heat-related deaths in Indonesia between June 2026 and February 2027, part of 451,000 worldwide. A further 19,400 are projected across the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. The researchers project global land temperatures 1.2℃ above normal in the coming months and 44% more extremely hot days than in a regular year, and said the toll could climb higher if El Niño extends further into 2027

Australia confirmed Thai students are exempt from its new international-student visa restrictions, which curb "visa hopping" and family members accompanying students. This is part of Canberra’s plan to cut net overseas migration from about 290,000 to 225,000 by 2027-28. Thai students can continue bringing family members to Australia and studying at Australian universities and technical colleges

Khao San Road operators are bracing for a weak high season as the prolonged Middle East conflict deters long-haul, mainly European, backpackers and pushes up fares on non-Gulf carriers. Occupancy on Khao San fell to 50% in Q3 2026. A new cabinet-endorsed cannabis bill restricting sales to medical use is also expected to force more than half of the roughly 100 cannabis dispensaries near Khao San Road to close. The new restriction requires shops to employ medical personnel, costing them an additional 30,000-50,000 THB a month

Thailand is targeting 1.5 million US visitors in 2026, up from 1.08 million in 2025, as it pursues a "Value over Volume" strategy through its New York, Chicago and Los Angeles offices. The country recorded 716,983 US arrivals from 1 Jan to 15 Sep 2026, meaning it needs more than 780,000 further arrivals in the remaining three and a half months

Extended-stay searches on Agoda for stays of 30 nights or more show international travellers’ interest in Thailand's coasts and islands. Pattaya ranked first, followed by Phuket and Koh Samui, with Hua Hin, Cha-am, Krabi, Koh Pha-ngan, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, Koh Chang, Khao Lak and Rayong also featuring in the top 15

TAGTHAi, developer of Thailand's national digital tourism platform, is sponsoring HENRY's First Dates, a Sony Pictures/GDH 559 romantic comedy released 17 Sep 2026, to spotlight filming locations in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi and Chiang Rai as part of its strategy to use film to inspire travel

Thailand's MICE Cities network has expanded to 16 destinations after the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau certified six new members: Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Hua Hin-Cha-am, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Surat Thani, Phitsanulok and Udon Thani renewed their existing certifications. Public and private sector specialists evaluated the destinations against eight criteria, including accessibility, connectivity, event support, accommodation and facilities, venue standards, destination reputation, safety and risk management, and the range of pre- and post-event activities. TCEB will focus on three areas across the newly certified cities, namely strengthening infrastructure and connectivity, building on its existing “EEC MICE Sandbox” model; strengthening local MICE ecosystems; and developing an Area-based MICE Development Playbook to provide practical guidance that can be adapted to local conditions, focusing on “City-as-Content” and Destination DNA to create MICE programmes around local culture, industries and experiences. It will also promote sustainable event management through the Thailand Sustainable Event Management Standard

Direct flights between Israel and Phuket could rise to 5-6 a week, from 4-5 currently, if Israir Airline joins El Al and Arkia on the route, though the carrier and Phuket authorities have not confirmed a new service. TAT's Phuket office recorded 16,152 Israeli arrivals in Jul 2026, +52.43% YoY and +1,204.68% vs Jul 2019. Phuket received 8,096,059 visitors from Jan-Jul 2026, -1.53% YoY, with tourism revenue of about 310.96 billion THB, -0.72% YoY, and hotel occupancy at 75.56%, -1.74 percentage points. Russia remained Phuket’s top source market with 619,130 visitors, followed by China (383,918), India (354,066), Australia (149,542), the UK (131,344), Germany (106,902), France (103,752), Malaysia (87,854), Kazakhstan (81,673) and South Korea (79,960)

Thailand's inbound incentive travel market is booking up through 2027, with leading DMCs reporting they are already turning away work. Demand from India has rebounded following the restoration of 30-day visa-free entry, while large Chinese corporate groups are also returning. A Mumbai-Bengaluru sales roadshow in Aug connected around 80 Thai sellers with 200 buyers per city, and is expected to generate at least 6 billion THB in bookings. Director of tour operator JIE Centre said every incentive group is “spending more than before” and that the company has 2-3 incentive groups booked every month through Mar 2027. Large-scale incentive business is concentrated from Q1 2027, with Oct 2026 anchored by the IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit National Convention Center

YOTEL will open its first Thailand property, the 250-key YOTEL Bangkok Sukhumvit, on 15 Oct 2026 within the Cloud 11 mixed-use development in South Sukhumvit. It is YOTEL's 24th hotel globally, its fourth in Asia, and the brand's first in Asia under Select by Hilton. The hotel connects to Bangkok's BTS Skytrain via a 300-metre skywalk

TAT is staging VIJIT Thailand 2026, a light, sound and projection-mapping festival, across three provinces from 25 Sep to 18 Oct: Lamphun's Old Town (25 Sep-4 Oct), Trang (2-11 Oct), and Roi Et's Bueng Phlan Chai (9-18 Oct), each themed around local heritage and culture. TAT is targeting 200 million THB in economic circulation, 150,000 online and on-site participations, and 1.5 million awareness impressions across the three destinations

Dusit International reported that Suan Dusit Arun, the 11,200 sq m rooftop park at Bangkok's Dusit Central Park, welcomed more than 951,000 visitors in its first year. Around 98% of the park’s landscape consists of green space. Early environmental monitoring recorded air temperatures 2°C lower and suspended particulate matter around 35% lower inside the park than outside, while its planted roof is estimated to cut stormwater runoff by 30-50% compared with a conventional roof

The TCEB President outlined five trends reshaping meetings and events beyond 2026: a shift from attendance to measurable outcomes, AI as an "intelligent event companion," personalisation replacing traditional luxury, wellbeing built into event design, and lasting destination impact ("Return on Impact") as a success measure. He also outlined five areas where the industry needs to improve its readiness: becoming more outcome-driven, digital intelligence, a more human-centred approach, trust and resilience, as well as sustainability by design

Thailand's Cabinet approved a two-month extension of the Thai Chuay Thai Plus cost-of-living programme, giving recipients a 1,000-THB spending allowance for Oct and Nov, funded under a 2026 emergency decree. State Welfare Card recipients will receive 1,000 THB in Oct, up from the regular monthly amount of 300 THB

Thailand's Cabinet endorsed a strategic plan for the Oil Fuel Fund and a fuel crisis response plan covering 2026-29, prioritising wider use of domestically-produced biofuels to reduce reliance on imported oil and stabilise fuel prices during crises. The fund currently subsidises diesel B7 at 8.75 THB per litre and B20 at 12.62 THB, and is running a deficit of 92 billion THB, expected to approach 110 billion THB. The Oil Fuel Fund Office is considering a new borrowing programme of up to 100 billion THB

The Tourism Ministry reported that weekly foreign arrivals to Thailand rose 5.72% to 464,200 in the week of 13-19 Sep 2026, driven by Malaysia Day and Japan's Silver Week holidays. Malaysia was the top source market with 69,255 arrivals, +29.12% WoW, followed by China (66,151 visitors; +1.18% WoW), India (34,432; -13.61%), Japan (30,494, +55.36%), and Russia (19,531; +7.59%). Short-haul markets for the week accounted for 324,816 visitors, +8.59% WoW, while long-haul arrivals dropped 0.41% to 139,384. Cumulative arrivals from 1 Jan-19 Sep reached 22,183,678, -3.67% YoY, with foreign tourism revenue of 1.082821 trillion THB. China remained the top source market with 3,728,585 arrivals YTD, followed by Malaysia (2,831,654), India (1,640,441), Russia (1,230,256) and South Korea (811,246). TAT cited that Oct bookings from China are already 16% higher, while flight searches have climbed 24%, driven by the Golden Week holiday

The Finance Minister said the government is considering a cut to the fuel excise tax to ease cost-of-living pressure from the energy crisis, targeting fuels blended with ethanol from sugarcane or cassava (such as E20) and palm oil biodiesel. Any cut would likely take effect in fiscal 2027, subject to the fiscal discipline framework, with the government holding only 10 billion THB of remaining borrowing room in fiscal 2026

Phuket's House Committee on Tourism heard complaints over traffic, waste, infrastructure, environmental pressure and cost of living from more than 300 residents, entrepreneurs, students and community leaders at a "Phuket Tourism 2030: Voice to Action" forum. The committee plans to consolidate the feedback into 10 policy actions for provincial and local authorities

TAT’s New Delhi Office and the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association hosted an LGBTQ+ tourism showcase and familiarisation trip for Indian LGBTQ+ influencers in Bangkok in Sep. TAT reported in 2025 that Thailand's LGBTQ+ travel segment is worth an estimated $1.5 billion USD

TAT reported that over 123,000 Norwegian tourists visited Thailand in 2025, generating more than 8.8 billion THB, with an average spend of 71,985 THB per trip and an average stay of 19 days. Norwegian tourists account for the fourth-highest average spend among Thailand's European long-haul markets. TAT is promoted Nakhon Si Thammarat and northeastern Thailand as alternatives to Norwegian visitors' established routes at a travel industry event in Oslo on 8 Sep, which was attended by around 50 Norwegian tour operators, travel agents, online travel agencies, airlines and media representatives

Sirinat National Park in Phuket recorded a 10% YoY fall in visitor numbers to 40,525 as of Aug 2026, with revenue of about 5.5 million THB. Officials attributed the decline to weaker economic conditions, higher energy costs and international conflicts, and expected tourism to improve towards the end of the year. The Sirinat National Park Advisory Committee reviewed revenue and tourism services, as well as rules governing activities inside the park including research, nature studies, filming, maintenance of existing infrastructure, and tourism activities

Laos and Thailand are studying a proposed new Friendship Bridge linking Vientiane's Muen district with Loei's Pak Chom district in Thailand, following discussions at the 21st Laos-Thailand Joint Committee on Border Security and Order meeting in Chiang Khan on 17 Sep 2026. The roughly 400m crossing over the Mekong River would connect the Banvang and Ban Khok Phai border checkpoints. Further feasibility and environmental studies are needed before formal negotiations, cabinet approval and funding can proceed, with no construction site or timeline yet confirmed

PM Anutin instructed provincial governors to use their legal authority to speed up deportations of foreigners who exploit, threaten or behave unacceptably towards Thai citizens, specifically in Phuket and Surat Thani. The government will cover deportation costs upfront rather than delay cases over budget concerns. He said that foreigners are welcome to live and work in Thailand as long as they earn a living legally and respect local culture and society. He also ordered a parallel crackdown on foreigners using Thai nominees to illegally own land or work without permits.

Kaeng I Khiao, a natural rock terrace and year-round stream in the Buntharik-Yot Mon Wildlife Sanctuary in Ubon Ratchathani, officially opened as a new ecotourism destination. The sanctuary has prepared staff and round-the-clock safety coverage, established a visitor service point and a first-aid post, introduced visitor regulations to avoid wildlife disruption

Thailand will host the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026, a key event certified by the International Association of Horticultural Producers, from 1 Nov 2026 to 14 Mar 2027 in the Nong Dae wetland. The expo will feature gardens from about 20 countries alongside displays on Isan culture and Udon Thani's heritage

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is advancing 11 expressway projects worth more than 296.6 billion THB, including: • The 18.7km Rama III-Daokanong-Western Outer Ring Road Expressway, costing 31.244 billion baht is 95.98% complete as of Aug and is expected to begin trial operations in 2026 before fully opening in 2027 • The 16.21km Chalong Rat Expressway extension from Chatuchot to Lam Luk Ka, costing 24.06 billion THB is 9.57% complete and is scheduled to open in 2028 • The 3.98km Kathu-Patong expressway and tunnel in Phuket, costing 16.757 billion THB, awaits Cabinet approval by end-2026, targeting construction from Oct 2027 and opening in Oct 2031, with a second 30.62km phase costing 67.461 billion THB planned to open at the same time • The 15.8km expressway linking Srinakarin with Suvarnabhumi International Airport, costing 20.538 billion THB, is undergoing a review of its PPP investment model. EXAT targets approval in 2028, construction from 2030, and opening in 2033 • The proposed 2.25km connection between Bangkok Port and the Bang Na-At Narong Expressway, costing 4.984 billion THB, is awaiting clarity over the port redevelopment and how construction costs would be shared, with a tentative opening in 2031 • The proposed 37.41km Koh Samui link, costing 66.487 billion THB, is targeted for approval in 2028, construction from 2029 and opening in 2034 • The proposed 5.9km Koh Chang expressway in Trat, costing 15.475 billion THB, is expected to conclude its feasibility study in Oct, targeting approval in 2029, construction from 2031 and opening in 2035

Thailand's Ministry of Culture is preparing a UNESCO bid to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Kruba Sriwichai, a Buddhist monk associated with Lanna culture and northern Thailand's temple restoration and community development. The completed proposal is due to be submitted to Thailand's National Commission for UNESCO in Oct 2026, with a nomination list to be submitted to UNESCO on 1 Dec 2026. UNESCO consideration is expected in 2027, and, if approved, anniversary events would run from Jan-Dec 2028

The Tourism Minister said the 4-billion-THB Thai Tiew Thai Plus domestic tourism stimulus scheme, previously due to launch on 1 Oct 2026, is likely to be postponed to Apr 2027. Cabinet members and ministries agreed on the need for stimulus but said staging it during the high season from late 2026 into early 2027, when hotels are already near full occupancy, would generate limited additional economic activity. The scheme, expected to generate about 20 billion THB in economic activity, would keep its budget and 1 million entitlements unchanged. Under the scheme, the government would subsidise 1,500 THB per night in accommodation costs for up to five nights, along with a 50:50 co-payment digital vouchers worth 1,500 THB per day in major tourist cities and 2,000 THB per day in secondary cities. The initial plan was for the scheme to run from Nov 2026 to Feb 2027, with a blackout period from 15 Dec-15 Jan to avoid the New Year holiday period, but there were concerns that the gap could lead to criticism that the stimulus measures lacked continuity. The scheme is now most favoured to be consolidated into a single programme after the New Year Holiday. The minister said the separate Thai Chuay Thai Plus scheme is considered to be extended through Oct-Dec 2026, and the new domestic tourism stimulus could then be introduced during the low season

The Transport Ministry is pushing ahead with an electric and solar-hybrid taxi boat service on Klong Phasi Charoen linking 15 piers, including stops at the tourist attractions Talat Phlu and Wat Kampeang Water Market. The service is expected to carry more than 1,500 passengers a day once fully operational. A feasibility study found more than 77% of Thai respondents were ready to switch to taxi boats for their commute

Haze from wildfires in Indonesia reached Thailand's Songkhla province, with PM2.5 levels in Hat Yai reaching 67.2 micrograms per cubic metre in places, well above Thailand's 37.5-microgram safe threshold. Fire emissions from Indonesia have exceeded 19 million metric tonnes since the start of Sep, more than a third of the global total. Air quality has also worsened in Singapore and Malaysia

Bangkok Art Biennale 2026, the fifth edition of the citywide contemporary art event, will run from 29 Oct 2026 to 28 Feb 2027 under the theme "Angels & Mara", with Thai and international artists staging works across the capital's temples, museums, landmarks and public spaces

TAT's LISA-led Amazing Thailand Ambassador campaign generated more than 448 million impressions, 89.4 million television commercial views, more than 464 million media engagements, and a PR value exceeding 567 million THB. Traveloka reported international travel demand to Thailand rose 10% and demand among Thai travellers rose 25% in 2026. Southeast Asian accommodation bookings to Thailand grew more than 30% YoY. Destinations featured in the campaign saw sharp increases, including the Red Lotus Sea in Udon Thani (+79.66% in visitors and +208.07% in tourism revenue in Feb 2026) and Khao Sok National Park (+34% visitors between Feb-Jun). TAT plans to build on the campaign in 2027 under a "Year of Transformation" strategy shifting from volume to value-driven tourism

Thailand is seeking ASEAN Heritage Park status for Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, with experts from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity assessing the site from 16-18 Sep 2026. The government said the designation would support conservation, ecotourism and community economic development. Following the assessment, the nomination must still pass through the ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee, ASEAN senior environmental officials and the ministerial-level environmental meeting before formal recognition. Thailand currently has 10 ASEAN Heritage Parks

TAT is expanding its Nihao Month 2026 campaign to sustain Chinese visitor demand through the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Golden Week, and towards the Chinese New Year period in Jan-Feb 2027. The campaign combines a Meituan sales partnership targeting at least 10,000 purchasers, a Chinese Passport Privilege programme with 20 partner businesses, and a KOL fam trip through four Thai destinations. TAT forecasts about 250,000 Chinese arrivals from 25 Sep to 7 Oct 2026, up 24% YoY, generating an estimated 11.5 billion THB, with the National Day Golden Week period (1-7 Oct) alone expected to bring 137,000 arrivals, up 21% YoY, generating about 4.2 billion THB

96% of Southeast Asian travellers plan a trip within the region in the next 12 months, with Thailand-based travellers showing the region's strongest spending intent at 69% expecting to spend more per trip, rising to 73% among Thai Gen Z travellers, according to Hilton's South East Asia Pulse Check. Thailand-based travellers favour wellness, at 35%. Bangkok was the destination most travellers from the region want to visit over the next 12 months, at 41%

Pattaya is developing a digital twin, Pattaya Twin City, built with satellite mapping by Thailand's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, giving event planners remote access to venue data and live conditions from the city's network of more than 3,000 CCTV cameras. A first version is set to premiere at ITB Asia 2026 in Singapore in Oct. The first phase will map the broader city landscape, while the second phase will add 3D interior views of individual venues. Registered businesses will be integrated into the system, including the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Centre and adjacent properties under the Royal Cliff Hotels Group

Thailand is seeking to expand medical and wellness tourism. Executive Advisor for International Strategy at Inspire IVF and Inspire Wellness, who is also a former TAT deputy governor, said international patients typically spend 100,000 to more than 1 million THB per trip, well above leisure tourists, due to high healthcare costs and longer stays. She called for stricter regulation of clinics following cases of fatalities and poor outcomes at both illegal clinics and licensed operators that lacked expertise. Traditional Thai medicine, including herbal steam baths and Thai postpartum maternal care, was cited as a further point of differentiation beyond Thai massage, with Siriraj Centre of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine hoping to increase the share of foreign patients at the centre, which currently stands at less than 10%. The faculty has been approached by hospitality operators such as Chiva-Som Resort for collaboration in expanding wellness services. Authorities are also aiming to advance telecom, cloud systems, and AI to help transform medical tourism. ZeroAge.life, a longevity division of Singapore-based Borderless Healthcare, launched its new Longevity 5.0 Cloud platform in Thailand and Indonesia. Thailand was selected for its product launch due to its mature medical hub and its famed hospitality

The Commerce Ministry denied online claims that a new regulation lets foreigners run hotels, restaurants and tour businesses without a licence, calling it fake news. Department of Business Development director-general explained that the new regulation exempts eight businesses in three groups from the Foreign Business Act 1999 licensing requirement, none of which include hotels, restaurants, tour operators, souvenir shops, sports services or language schools. The department's nominee crackdown, in force since 1 Aug 2026, has cut new company registrations with 0.01-49.99% foreign shareholding to 163 in Aug 2026 from 894 a year earlier, -81.77% YoY

A Thai House committee monitoring the national budget inspected the "World Landmark Suvarnabhumi: Rattanakosin Era" tourism project in Samut Prakan after the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) confirmed it had not authorised the construction, which it said could obstruct drainage between Bangkok and Samut Prakan. The project was being developed by Rachatheva Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) in Bang Phli district. RID has ordered construction suspended and is preparing legal action, while the committee plans to refer its findings to the State Audit Office and the National Anti-Corruption Commission

Thailand's Energy Policy Administration Committee approved a 2.40-THB cut per litre on all three diesel grades (B0, B7 and B20), effective 16 Sep-31 Oct 2026, citing volatility in global crude markets linked to the Middle East conflict