Insights

THéo COurant

Travelling around South East Asia

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Cannabis in Thailand in 2026: how to buy legally after the new restrictions?

Cannabis in Thailand in 2026: how to buy legally after the new restrictions?
Thailand’s cannabis market has changed dramatically since the government tightened regulations in June 2025. While cannabis has not been fully banned, buying it legally now requires following a medical framework that many tourists still misunderstand.

Thailand Closes Similan Islands Again as Tourism Pressure Grows

Thailand Closes Similan Islands Again as Tourism Pressure Grows
Thailand has once again closed access to the famous Similan and Surin Islands ahead of the monsoon season.

Thailand Discovers 400-Year-Old Ruins Hidden in a Remote Northern Forest

Thailand Discovers 400-Year-Old Ruins Hidden in a Remote Northern Forest
A major archaeological discovery has been reported in northern Thailand after ancient ruins believed to be more than 400 years old were found deep inside a remote forest in Mae Hong Son province, near the Myanmar border.

Thailand Confirms Return to 30-Day Visa-Free Stay for 93 Countries

Thailand Confirms Return to 30-Day Visa-Free Stay for 93 Countries
Thailand has reinstated a 30-day visa-free entry limit for nationals of 93 countries in 2026. The decision has been officially validated and is now awaiting publication in the Royal Gazette, the final step before it comes into force.

EU Opens Long-Term Schengen Visa Pathway for Thai Travelers

EU Opens Long-Term Schengen Visa Pathway for Thai Travelers
Thailand has officially joined the European Union’s Visa Cascade system, allowing eligible Thai passport holders to obtain longer-term multiple-entry Schengen visas more easily.

Thailand officially enters the rainy season as monsoon begins

Thailand officially enters the rainy season as monsoon begins
Thailand officially enters the rainy season on May 15, 2026. The period marks the return of the southwest monsoon, bringing more frequent storms and changing weather conditions across the kingdom.

Phuket, Samui, Koh Phangan: Thailand Tightens Scrutiny on Foreign-Owned Businesses

Phuket, Samui, Koh Phangan: Thailand Tightens Scrutiny on Foreign-Owned Businesses
Restaurants, villas, cafés, real estate agencies and yoga schools: across Thailand’s southern tourist islands, authorities are stepping up investigations into businesses allegedly controlled by foreigners through Thai nominee structures. Behind this crackdown, Bangkok is trying to regain control over a tourism economy that has become increasingly international.

Is Thailand Becoming More Expensive for Travellers in 2026?

Is Thailand Becoming More Expensive for Travellers in 2026?
For decades, Thailand represented a form of affordable freedom. Travellers could cross the country on a modest budget, book a guesthouse at the last minute, eat street food for a few dollars and spend weeks travelling without constantly watching their expenses. That image still exists, but it is slowly beginning to change.

Bangkok Eyes Youth Olympic Games 2030 With Thailand’s Sustainable Sports Plan

Bangkok Eyes Youth Olympic Games 2030 With Thailand’s Sustainable Sports Plan
Bangkok and Thailand are stepping up their campaign to host the 2030 Youth Olympic Games. With existing venues, modern transport networks and a youth-focused vision, the Thai bid aims to position Bangkok and Chonburi as Southeast Asia’s next major Olympic destination.

Thailand fuel shortage: should you worry about Songkran travel?

Thailand fuel shortage: should you worry about Songkran travel?
As Songkran approaches, one question is on the minds of both travelers and expats: will fuel supply tensions disrupt travel across Thailand? Behind the images of long queues at some gas stations, the reality is more nuanced.

Fuel shortage in Thailand: should you worry about your trip?

Fuel shortage in Thailand: should you worry about your trip?
A fuel shortage is affecting several provinces in Thailand. Should you change your travel plans, or simply adjust how you move around?

Thailand: Whale Sharks and Dolphins Are Making a Comeback

Thailand: Whale Sharks and Dolphins Are Making a Comeback
In mid-March 2026, two rare marine sightings were reported in southern Thailand: a whale shark near Phi Phi and more than 120 dolphins in the Similan Islands.

Return to Sender: Thailand Sends 284 Tonnes of E-Waste Back to the United States

Return to Sender: Thailand Sends 284 Tonnes of E-Waste Back to the United States
Sometimes international diplomacy can be summed up in a very simple gesture: sending something back to the person who sent it.

Makha Bucha and Total Lunar Eclipse in Thailand on March 3: Public Holiday and Red Moon

Makha Bucha and Total Lunar Eclipse in Thailand on March 3: Public Holiday and Red Moon
March 3 in Thailand will be more than just another date on the calendar. The Buddhist holiday of Makha Bucha coincides with a total lunar eclipse, creating a rare evening where temples and telescopes share the same sky.

Thailand Summer 2026: Extreme Heat Up to 42°C and Lower Rainfall

Thailand Summer 2026: Extreme Heat Up to 42°C and Lower Rainfall
Thailand’s summer 2026 is forecast to be hotter than last year, with temperatures exceeding 42°C in some northern provinces and rainfall expected to drop 30–40% below normal levels. For expatriates living in the country and travelers planning trips between March and May, this is more than a weather update — it directly affects health, transport, air quality and daily life.

Thailand Elections: What Changes for Travelers and Expats

Thailand Elections: What Changes for Travelers and Expats
Thailand’s elections raise new questions for travelers and expats. Political change, national stability and the impact on travel to Thailand: what to know before you go.

Air Pollution in Thailand: Bangkok and 45 Provinces on PM2.5 Alert

Air Pollution in Thailand: Bangkok and 45 Provinces on PM2.5 Alert
Bangkok and large parts of Thailand are facing a new and prolonged episode of air pollution, with PM2.5 levels well above health safety thresholds. Authorities warn that unhealthy air conditions could persist until January 23, forcing travelers to adapt their plans and closely monitor air quality.

Thailand Dissolves Parliament: What Travelers Need to Know

Thailand Dissolves Parliament: What Travelers Need to Know
Thailand dissolves its parliament and moves toward early elections, creating a sensitive political context travelers should understand before planning their trip.

Thailand–Cambodia: what travellers need to know after the latest border tensions

Thailand–Cambodia: what travellers need to know after the latest border tensions
Since 7 December 2025, new clashes have erupted along the Thailand–Cambodia border. Here is everything travellers need to know.

Southern Thailand Floods: Updated Travel Information and Safety Guidance for Visitors

Southern Thailand Floods: Updated Travel Information and Safety Guidance for Visitors
Flood conditions in Southern Thailand have significantly improved. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), most destinations and essential services now operate normally. Here is the updated situation and the key information travellers need.

Thailand’s New Alcohol Rules: What Travelers Need to Know – December 2025

Thailand’s New Alcohol Rules: What Travelers Need to Know – December 2025
Thailand has updated its alcohol regulations. Consumers can now be fined for drinking at restricted hours or in unauthorized places. Here is everything visitors and residents need to know to avoid unexpected penalties.

Thailand Tightens Visa Run Rules: What Travellers and Expats Must Know

Thailand Tightens Visa Run Rules: What Travellers and Expats Must Know
Visa runs, entry refusals and overstays are now more tightly monitored in Thailand. Here is everything travellers and expats should understand before arriving.

Thailand’s New Alcohol Rules: What Tourists and Expats Need to Know

Thailand’s New Alcohol Rules: What Tourists and Expats Need to Know
Thailand has updated its alcohol regulations. Consumers can now be fined for drinking at restricted hours or in unauthorized places. Here is everything visitors and residents need to know to avoid unexpected penalties.

Tourist DigiPay: Thailand Allows Tourists to Convert Crypto into Baht

Tourist DigiPay: Thailand Allows Tourists to Convert Crypto into Baht
Thailand is launching Tourist DigiPay, an 18-month pilot program allowing international visitors to convert their cryptocurrencies into Thai baht for everyday spending. A regional first, introduced just in time for the 2025–2026 high season.

Rice in Thailand : traditions, know-how and agrotourism

Rice in Thailand : traditions, know-how and agrotourism
Rice underpins Thai life, shaping language, culture and economy. A symbol of prosperity, it presents itself in traditions, varieties and agrotourism experiences across the Kingdom.

Thailand: What Travelers Should Know After the Death of Queen Mother Sirikit

Thailand: What Travelers Should Know After the Death of Queen Mother Sirikit
Thailand is entering a period of national mourning following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sirikit. Travelers, here is what you need to know and how to explore the country respectfully during this time of mourning.

Death of Queen Mother Sirikit: The End of an Era for the Thai Monarchy

Death of Queen Mother Sirikit: The End of an Era for the Thai Monarchy
Queen Mother Sirikit has passed away at the age of 93. A symbol of grace, modernity, and devotion, her death marks a moment of deep mourning for Thailand.

Thailand Weather Update: Cool Winds, Heavy Rain and Tropical Storm Fengshen

Thailand Weather Update: Cool Winds, Heavy Rain and Tropical Storm Fengshen
Thailand is on alert as cooler air from China and tropical storm Fengshen shape contrasting weather patterns across the country. The north cools down while the south faces heavy rain.

Thailand plans to introduce a tourist arrival tax

Thailand plans to introduce a tourist arrival tax
As Thailand prepares to introduce a tourist arrival tax, the proposal is stirring controversy among travelers. With rising costs and concerns over fairness, the country may be undermining its own appeal.

Storm Bualoi and Typhoons in Thailand: What Travelers Need to Know

Storm Bualoi and Typhoons in Thailand: What Travelers Need to Know
Tropical Storm Bualoi is approaching Thailand. Like other similar events, it highlights the importance of understanding typhoons and taking simple precautions when traveling in the country.

Typhoon Ragasa in Thailand: Forecasts, Floods and Safety Risks

Typhoon Ragasa in Thailand: Forecasts, Floods and Safety Risks
Although Typhoon Ragasa will not make landfall in Thailand, it is intensifying the monsoon, bringing heavy rain, flash floods and coastal hazards across the country.

Global Peace Index 2025: Thailand and Southeast Asia in the global ranking

Global Peace Index 2025: Thailand and Southeast Asia in the global ranking
The 2025 Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics & Peace measures global peace with 23 indicators. This article examines Thailand, its Southeast Asian neighbors, and compares them with United Kingdom, Australia and United States.

Thailand–Cambodia Travel Advisory: Safety Measures and Closed Border Zones

Thailand–Cambodia Travel Advisory: Safety Measures and Closed Border Zones
Since August 16, 2025, heightened security measures are in effect along the Thailand–Cambodia border. Here is everything you need to know to travel safely.

Thailand Allows Tourists to Pay with Crypto-Currencies

Thailand Allows Tourists to Pay with Crypto-Currencies
Thailand takes a bold step by letting tourists pay with crypto linked to their wallets. A system designed to boost tourism and ensure financial security.

Thailand May End Tax on Foreign Income for Tax Residents

Thailand May End Tax on Foreign Income for Tax Residents
Thailand is considering a major tax reform that would exempt tax residents from paying income tax on foreign earnings to boost the national economy.

Cambodian Workers Flee Thailand: Causes and Economic Consequences

Cambodian Workers Flee Thailand: Causes and Economic Consequences
In late July 2025, a border crisis between Thailand and Cambodia triggered the sudden departure of an estimated 400,000 Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand.

Thailand–Cambodia Ceasefire: A Fragile Agreement Under Pressure

Thailand–Cambodia Ceasefire: A Fragile Agreement Under Pressure
A direct and unconditional ceasefire was signed on July 28, 2025, but both Thailand and Cambodia immediately accused each other of violations — amid an already devastating humanitarian toll.

Thailand-Cambodia Conflict 2025: Human Impact, Travel Safety and Tourism Consequences

Thailand-Cambodia Conflict 2025: Human Impact, Travel Safety and Tourism Consequences
In July 2025, a long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia escalated into the most violent clash in over a decade, causing dozens of deaths, mass evacuations, and major concerns for travelers.

Thailand–Cambodia border clashes: deadly violence and travel warnings

Thailand–Cambodia border clashes: deadly violence and travel warnings
A deadly escalation along the Thailand–Cambodia border has left nine dead and triggered diplomatic tensions. For travelers, caution is now critical.

Energy Drinks in Thailand: Red Bull, M-150 & Carabao

Energy Drinks in Thailand: Red Bull, M-150 & Carabao
Thailand is one of the world’s top consumers and exporters of energy drinks. Behind the flashy cans lies a powerful story of industry, identity, and influence.

Bangkok Is Sinking: Floods, Rising Seas and a Looming Climate Crisis

Bangkok Is Sinking: Floods, Rising Seas and a Looming Climate Crisis
The Thai capital faces a growing environmental crisis: land subsidence, rising sea levels, polluted canals and increasingly chaotic rainfall. Without urgent action, Bangkok could be permanently underwater by 2050.

Thailand Bans Cannabis and Moves to Legalize Casinos: A Strategic Shift?

Thailand Bans Cannabis and Moves to Legalize Casinos: A Strategic Shift?
In late June 2025, Thailand announced two major policy changes: a return to banning recreational cannabis and a new plan to legalize casinos in specific economic zones. These decisions mark a significant shift in the country’s economic and tourism strategy.