The Thai cabinet approved plans to shorten visa-free stays currently granted to tourists from countries including members of Europe’s Schengen area, the United States, Israel and several South American nations, Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul told reporters in Bangkok.

Under the revised framework, most eligible foreign visitors will be permitted to remain in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa, down from the current 60-day allowance introduced in July 2024 to stimulate tourism and economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Some nationalities could face shorter stays of only 15 days, officials said.

The government said extensions would still be available through immigration offices, but approvals would no longer be automatic.
“The renewal will be decided by the officer and tourists will have to explain why they are staying longer,” a government spokeswoman said.

Thai authorities linked the policy shift to rising concerns over transnational crime and misuse of long visa-free stays by foreigners operating illegally in the country.

Recent police investigations have involved foreign nationals accused of drug trafficking, sex trafficking and operating businesses such as hotels, schools and entertainment venues without proper permits.

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said last week the changes formed part of a broader strategy targeting criminal networks exploiting Thailand’s immigration system.

Officials stressed the policy was not aimed at any particular nationality but at individuals violating Thai laws while using tourist entry privileges.

Government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek said the existing framework had generated economic benefits through tourism but also created loopholes for illegal activities.

Tourism remains a central pillar of Thailand’s economy, contributing more than 10 percent of gross domestic product. However, visitor numbers have yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels despite aggressive government campaigns to revive the sector.
According to tourism ministry data, foreign arrivals fell by approximately 3.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

Arrivals from the Middle East declined by nearly one-third during the period.

Thailand expects approximately 33.5 million foreign tourists this year, marginally above the nearly 33 million arrivals recorded in 2025, according to government projections.

The freight train struck the bus at a congested railway crossing in the Thai capital on Saturday afternoon, igniting the vehicle and leaving 30 people injured, according to emergency authorities. Police later revised down an earlier injury toll of 35.

Local police chief Urumporn Koondejsumrit said the train driver, who was also injured in the collision, and a railway-crossing guard had both been charged with negligence causing injury and death. The two denied the allegations, he said.

Urumporn said a preliminary urine test detected illicit substances in the driver’s system, although authorities did not specify the drugs involved. Additional testing would also be conducted on another driver and a technician aboard the train, he added.

The collision has intensified scrutiny over railway safety and traffic management at level crossings in Thailand, where congestion and infrastructure bottlenecks remain persistent concerns in urban areas.

Video footage circulated on social media appeared to show the train approaching the crossing at moderate speed before crashing into the bus, which was stranded on the tracks amid heavy traffic.

Bangkok police commissioner Siam Boonsom said investigators were examining surveillance footage and operational procedures at the crossing to determine whether railway staff acted negligently.

“We see the official holding the red flag which means the track was not safe but we also see that the train did not stop or slow down, causing the crash,” Siam told reporters on Sunday.

He said authorities had reviewed footage from previous days showing vehicles halted on the tracks while crossing officials used red flags to warn approaching trains to stop until traffic cleared.

Investigators are also examining the train’s speed and braking distance at the time of impact, Siam said.
Emergency services said 17 injured passengers remained hospitalized as of Sunday evening.

The crash occurred near the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan station when the container freight train struck the bus after it became trapped on the tracks at a red light, according to Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat.

Preliminary findings indicated the bus had stopped on the crossing, preventing the rail barriers from closing before the train approached, Siripong told reporters.
“The train was unable to stop in time to avoid colliding with the bus,” he said, adding that all eight fatalities were passengers aboard the bus.

Emergency crews and firefighters rushed to the scene as flames spread through the bus and nearby vehicles on Asok-Din Daeng Road. Rescue workers pulled injured passengers from the wreckage while fire crews battled the blaze with water hoses.

Videos circulating on social media showed the train striking the bus and dragging multiple vehicles along the tracks before the fire erupted.

A witness, motorcycle taxi driver Wanthong Kokpho, told Reuters the bus had been immobilized by traffic at the crossing.

“The bus was stuck at a red light, so it couldn’t move,” he said. “The fire broke out immediately.”

Officials said the fire was later brought under control as emergency teams continued cooling operations and searched the site for additional victims.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision.

Thailand has one of the world’s highest road fatality rates, according to the World Health Organization, with safety experts frequently citing weak enforcement of traffic and transport regulations.

The 40-year-old suspect is alleged to have headed a hacking organization operating from overseas bases, including Thailand, that targeted websites of low-cost mobile carriers and other companies between August 2023 and April 2025, according to a statement from South Korea’s Justice Ministry.

The suspect was arrested in Bangkok during an Interpol-coordinated operation and transferred to South Korea through cooperation between Thai authorities and Seoul’s National Police Agency. He arrived at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday, officials said.

Investigators allege the group used illegally acquired personal data to infiltrate financial and cryptocurrency accounts before making unauthorized withdrawals from victims.

South Korean media reports said the alleged victims included celebrities, senior business executives and startup founders. Jungkook, a member of global K-pop group BTS, was among those reportedly targeted.

According to the Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper, Jungkook’s securities account identity was allegedly compromised and shares in HYBE valued at 8.4 billion won ($5.6 million) were transferred without authorization.

The report said the singer avoided financial losses after payment suspension measures were implemented immediately.

South Korean authorities said an alleged accomplice, a 36-year-old Chinese national arrested in Thailand in May 2025, had already been extradited to South Korea in August last year and was indicted the following month. Court proceedings against him remain ongoing.

South Korean prosecutors and investigators traveled to Thailand in July 2025 for meetings with Thai police and prosecutors as part of the cross-border investigation, according to officials.

The case highlights growing regional cooperation among Asian law enforcement agencies against cybercrime networks that increasingly operate across jurisdictions and target digital financial systems, cryptocurrency holdings and personal data infrastructures.

The 76-year-old telecommunications tycoon left a Bangkok prison facility early Monday morning, greeting supporters gathered outside before departing with family members. Under the terms of his release, Thaksin will remain under probation for four months and wear an electronic monitoring device.

Several hundred supporters wearing the red shirts associated with his political movement assembled outside the prison, with many chanting slogans backing the former leader, according to AFP journalists at the scene.

Thaksin did not address reporters before leaving the facility, though supporters expressed confidence that he would continue to shape Thai politics despite his release conditions.

His return to public life is likely to revive tensions between populist forces aligned with the Shinawatra family and Thailand’s conservative establishment, including military and royalist factions that have opposed his influence for more than two decades.
Thaksin’s political network, led primarily through the Pheu Thai Party, has dominated much of Thailand’s electoral politics since the early 2000s, drawing strong backing from rural and working-class voters through populist economic policies.

The Shinawatra family has produced four Thai prime ministers, including Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who previously led the party before stepping aside.

However, Pheu Thai suffered its weakest electoral showing in February, finishing third and raising doubts over the long-term strength of the Shinawatra political dynasty.

Political analysts say Thaksin’s release could still stabilize support for the party in the near term, particularly among loyalists who view him as the movement’s central figure.

“People will feel that the Pheu Thai owner is back,” political science lecturer Wanwichit Boonprong said, while cautioning that conservative rivals would likely consolidate behind Prime Minister Anutin Charnviraku

Thaksin was first elected prime minister in 2001 and won re-election in 2005 before being ousted in a military coup the following year. He spent years in self-imposed exile before returning to Thailand in August 2023.
Upon his return, he was sentenced to eight years in prison on corruption and abuse-of-power charges. His sentence was later reduced to one year through a royal pardon.

Controversy surrounded his imprisonment after authorities transferred him almost immediately to a hospital suite on medical grounds rather than keeping him in prison. Critics accused authorities of granting preferential treatment as Pheu Thai negotiated participation in a coalition government.

Thailand’s Supreme Court ruled in September that Thaksin’s hospital stay could not count toward his sentence because he was not suffering from a critical condition, forcing him back into prison custody.
Thailand’s corrections department approved his parole last month, citing his age and the limited time remaining on his sentence. Officials said he was among more than 850 prisoners granted early release under similar criteria.

Thaksin’s nephew Yodchanan Wongsawat, who led Pheu Thai’s campaign in the February election, now serves as higher education minister in Anutin’s cabinet, underscoring the family’s continued political relevance despite recent setbacks.

The suspects were detained at an office building in the Indonesian capital after police investigations linked the group to an online gambling enterprise that had allegedly operated for the past two months, officials said at a press conference.

According to Wira Satya Triputra, director of the Indonesian police force’s crime investigation unit, those arrested included 228 Vietnamese nationals, 57 Chinese citizens, 13 people from Myanmar, 11 from Laos, five from Thailand and three from Cambodia.

Wira said 275 of the detainees were being investigated under Indonesia’s criminal code provisions on gambling, which carry a maximum prison sentence of nine years. He added that most of the suspects were aware they had entered Indonesia to participate in online gambling activities primarily targeting customers outside the country.

Online gambling is prohibited in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, where authorities have stepped up enforcement efforts against digital gambling platforms and cross-border criminal syndicates amid concerns over financial fraud and illicit online operations.The arrests marked the second major enforcement operation involving foreign nationals in two days.

On Friday, Indonesian immigration authorities detained 210 foreigners on Batam island in Riau Islands province over allegations they were involved in online investment scams operating from an apartment complex near Singapore.

Interpol Indonesia official Untung Widyatmoko said there had been a recent shift in regional online gambling operations from Cambodian cities into Indonesia, reflecting changing enforcement patterns across Southeast Asia.

The latest raids underscore growing regional concern over organized cybercrime networks that have increasingly used Southeast Asian countries as operational hubs for online gambling, fraud and investment scams targeting international victims.

Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, told reporters in Singapore that while crude prices had fallen below $100 per barrel following a U.S.-Iran ceasefire announcement, jet fuel costs were likely to remain elevated due to constraints on refining output.

“If it were to reopen and remain open, I think it will still take a period of months to get back to where supply needs to be given the disruption to the refining capacity in the Middle East,” Walsh said, adding that the region is critical to global supply of refined products beyond aviation fuel.

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil trade, has been heavily disrupted during the recent conflict, squeezing fuel availability and driving up costs across the aviation sector.

Airlines in Asia have responded by cutting flights, carrying additional fuel from origin airports and adding refueling stops, measures that have increased operational costs for carriers already dealing with a sharp rise in jet fuel prices.

The impact has been most acute in import-dependent markets such as Vietnam, Myanmar and Pakistan, where supply constraints have tightened further after China and Thailand halted jet fuel exports and South Korea capped shipments at previous levels.

Walsh said a resumption of crude flows could encourage exporters such as China and South Korea to restart shipments of refined products, easing pressure on the market over time.

However, he noted that higher refinery margins, known as crack spreads, would be needed to incentivize increased jet fuel production.

“There is capacity available once we get the crude oil flowing, but it’ll take a little bit of time,” Walsh said.

Surging global fuel prices are placing mounting pressure on households and small businesses across continents, with workers and entrepreneurs reporting rising costs, shrinking incomes and difficult trade-offs in daily life.

On a small dairy farm north of Auckland in New Zealand, a farmer managing 200 cows said higher diesel and petrol costs are eroding already tight margins. The farm consumes around 900 litres of diesel and up to 300 litres of petrol each month to operate tractors, machinery and quad bikes. Recent price increases have added more than NZ$1,200 to monthly expenses, translating to over NZ$15,000 annually.

The farmer said the burden extends beyond direct fuel use. Contractors charge more for their services and fertiliser prices have risen by about 40%, compounding operational costs. With commodity prices largely dictated by markets, the farmer said there is little scope to pass on higher costs, forcing decisions to delay maintenance and investment.

In Port Vila, bus driver Daniel Thomas described similar pressures in the transport sector. Driving from early morning until late evening, he earns about A$120 a day but expects that rising fuel prices could reduce his take-home income significantly. With vehicles requiring frequent refuelling and air-conditioning essential in tropical temperatures, Thomas said higher costs may force drivers to raise fares despite concerns about passenger affordability.

Across Vanuatu, many drivers are servicing loans on their vehicles, increasing financial vulnerability. Thomas said without fare increases, drivers may struggle to meet repayments, highlighting the limited options available to absorb cost shocks.In South Korea, the response has included policy measures to reduce fuel consumption.

Kim Hooin, a public sector worker commuting from Cheongju to Sejong, said mandatory vehicle restrictions introduced in late March have altered daily routines. Under the system, government employees are prohibited from driving one day a week based on licence plate numbers, encouraging greater use of public transport.

Kim said he now takes the bus daily, extending his commute time but reducing fuel expenses. At work, he manages government vehicles and said usage is being tightly controlled, with electric vehicles prioritised where possible. The government has also promoted broader energy-saving measures, including reduced water and electricity use, framing the campaign as a collective response to economic pressures.

In rural Surin Province, small-scale trader Teerayut Ruenrerng said fuel shortages and price increases have disrupted both supply chains and daily operations. Running a mobile grocery business, he often visits multiple fuel stations to secure limited quantities of diesel. Inconsistent access has made it difficult to plan routes and maintain regular sales.

Ruenrerng said rising input costs, including higher prices for meat, produce and packaging, have reduced profits by up to 20%. Supply disruptions mean that orders are frequently only partially fulfilled, forcing adjustments to inventory and pricing. He has increased some retail prices but said doing so risks losing customers in already constrained markets.

In Tokyo, Koichi Matsumoto, who operates a traditional bathhouse established by his family in the 1930s, said energy costs are a growing concern. Although the business switched from oil to gas five years ago, heating expenses remain high and are expected to increase further if global energy markets tighten.

Bathhouse operators face additional constraints, including regulated pricing set by local authorities. Matsumoto said admission fees cannot be raised freely, limiting the ability to offset rising costs. With declining customer numbers and ageing infrastructure, he said many similar establishments are weighing whether to continue operating.

In Sydney, interior designer Belinda Morgan said uncertainty linked to global energy markets is affecting demand in the construction sector. She said projects have slowed as clients delay spending decisions, prompting her to seek additional work and cut household expenses.

The family is reassessing routine activities, including discretionary travel, to conserve fuel and money.In Delhi, warehouse worker Rajesh Singh described a more acute impact, with rising cooking gas prices and food inflation forcing him to reduce meals. Earning about 12,000 rupees per month, he said essential expenses including rent and food have surged, leaving little room for savings. He reported eating once a day in recent weeks and borrowing money to manage basic needs.

Singh said several colleagues have already left the city due to rising costs, and he is considering returning to his home village if conditions do not improve. The situation reflects broader pressures on low-income urban workers facing simultaneous increases in energy, housing and food prices.

In Beijing, taxi driver Cui Xinming said fuel price increases have added to the strain of long working hours. Driving up to 12 hours a day, he said rising costs are a concern but expressed confidence in government measures to stabilise prices. He noted that China’s investment in alternative energy and electric vehicles could reduce reliance on oil over time.

Cui said he is considering leaving the profession due to fatigue and changing economic conditions, highlighting how cost pressures are influencing career decisions in addition to daily finances.

Across regions, the accounts point to a common pattern: rising fuel costs are feeding through supply chains, increasing the price of goods and services while compressing incomes. For many, the adjustments involve reducing consumption, raising prices where possible, or reconsidering long-term plans in an increasingly uncertain economic environment.

Air quality monitors recorded PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 900 micrograms per cubic meter in parts of Pai, roughly 60 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 24-hour exposure limit, according to monitoring data cited this week. Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted major cities during the period.

Residents reported acute health effects linked to prolonged exposure. Pon Doikam, a 36-year-old vendor working outdoors in Chiang Mai, said she experienced nasal bleeding and persistent respiratory irritation after spending hours in polluted conditions. “It feels like you’re trapped in the smoke constantly,” she said.

The pollution surge is part of an annual haze season affecting much of Southeast Asia, driven by crop burning and forest fires. However, locals described current conditions as unusually severe. Geographic factors have compounded the situation, with mountainous terrain trapping smoke and hindering firefighting access to remote forest areas.

Field observations confirmed multiple active fires along routes between Chiang Mai and Pai. Volunteer firefighter Maitree Nuanja said local response capacity remains limited, relying heavily on donated supplies. He noted that teams are operating with constrained fuel and equipment support while facing prolonged exposure to hazardous air.

Authorities confirmed the death of a volunteer firefighter earlier this week, citing suspected exhaustion combined with heat exposure and pre-existing health conditions.Public health risks are particularly acute for vulnerable groups. In Chiang Mai, authorities have set up “dust-free rooms” equipped with air filtration systems to protect residents, including elderly populations.

Watwilai Chaiwan, an 82-year-old resident of a care facility, said the pollution has worsened symptoms such as dizziness and migraines and discouraged outdoor activity.Medical professionals warned of broader health implications.

Thanakrit Im-iam, a doctor in Chiang Mai, said fine particulate matter can penetrate deep into the body, carrying toxins and heavy metals. He reported common symptoms including eye irritation, respiratory inflammation and mucus buildup, adding that long-term exposure could have severe consequences.

The haze has also weighed on tourism, a key economic driver in northern Thailand. Local transport operator Chakkrawat Wichitchaisilp reported a noticeable decline in visitors during what is typically a peak travel season. Visibility across Chiang Mai has been significantly reduced, with skyline views obscured by dense smog.

Government officials held discussions this week to address the crisis, while some districts in Chiang Mai declared disaster zones to expedite financial assistance. However, environmental groups said policy responses remain insufficient.

Kanongnij Sribuaiam of the Thailand Clean Air Network urged faster progress on stalled clean air legislation, warning that delays could force the process to restart if deadlines are missed.

The recurring haze crisis underscores ongoing challenges in managing cross-border pollution, agricultural practices and forest fire control across the region.

Despite ongoing exchanges between the two militaries in disputed areas, Thai officials underscored that diplomatic channels remain open and active, with Prime Minister Anutin set to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump to provide a direct update on the situation and explore avenues for de-escalation.

The call is expected to center on reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to dialogue while ensuring the safety and sovereignty of its territory. The Thai leadership has stressed that the priority remains to end hostilities and create space for peaceful negotiation, supported by regional allies and long-standing international relationships.

Cambodia has likewise expressed readiness for communication, with officials stating that they remain open to discussions at any time. The growing international attention has encouraged both sides to consider less confrontational approaches, despite tensions and accusations exchanged over the past week.

The United States has conveyed strong interest in helping restore stability, noting the importance of safeguarding Southeast Asia’s long-term peace and economic resilience. Trump has expressed confidence that diplomatic outreach can guide both countries back toward a cessation of hostilities and renewed cooperation.

Thai officials highlighted the importance of conveying accurate information to global partners, reassuring allies that Thailand remains committed to maintaining order while seeking solutions that prevent further humanitarian impact. This engagement is seen as essential for protecting regional development and trade routes shared by both nations.

Despite military activity in several areas, senior Thai leaders reiterated that any strategic action taken has been grounded in the responsibility to safeguard lives and maintain national security. At the same time, they emphasized their openness to efforts that reduce confrontation and encourage dialogue.

Thai diplomats have been actively speaking with international counterparts, reinforcing that Thailand supports peaceful conflict resolution grounded in sincerity, accountability, and respect for borders. These diplomatic exchanges have helped spotlight the shared regional interest in minimizing disruptions that could affect economic recovery and cross-border cooperation.

In Cambodia, government representatives noted that their leadership remains receptive to communication, with officials reaffirming willingness to participate in discussions that lower tensions and protect civilians on both sides. Their statements have added to optimism that renewed dialogue is possible with sufficient international support.

The situation has displaced thousands of families, but relief teams in border provinces are working to ensure access to food, shelter, and medical care. Local communities expressed hope that the increasing diplomatic momentum will soon bring stability and enable them to return home safely.

Thailand’s political landscape has also shifted, with the prime minister dissolving parliament ahead of an upcoming election. Though this adds uncertainty, analysts believe democratic processes can strengthen national unity during a difficult moment and reinforce public confidence in peaceful governance.

As both nations face the challenges of conflict, economic pressure, and shifting political dynamics, officials from Thailand, Cambodia, and the United States continue to highlight the importance of restraint, communication, and constructive partnership. With active diplomacy underway, there is cautious optimism that tensions can ease and that both countries will return to cooperation and shared prosperity.