What are the latest news in Thailand? September 1st, 2026
Visa and Immigration Policy Overhaul
- Reduction of Visa-Free Stay Duration: Thailand has officially published regulations ending the temporary 60-day visa exemption scheme. Starting September 15, 2026, nationals from 60 countries and territories (including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) will be granted a 30-day visa-free stay for tourism. VisasNews
- New Entry Categories: A separate 15-day visa exemption has been established for Mauritius and Seychelles, while the Visa-on-Arrival scheme has been narrowed to just three eligible nationalities: Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia. Land border visa-exempt entries are capped at two per calendar year. VisasNews+ 1
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) Scrutiny: Stricter proof and application criteria have taken effect across several Thai embassies, alongside increased scrutiny for holders re-entering the country. YouTube
- Southern Connectivity Megaprojects: Contracts have been signed for two major bridge projects totaling over 6.38 billion THB, backed in part by World Bank loans. The projects include the 7-kilometer Songkhla Lake bridge (connecting Songkhla and Phatthalung) and the 2.24-kilometer Koh Lanta bridge in Krabi, aimed at cutting travel times and boosting regional tourism. Bangkok Post+ 1
- Mobile Cabinet Meeting in Songkhla: The government held its first off-site cabinet meeting of 2026 in Songkhla to review 96 regional development and disaster-preparedness initiatives across the southern border provinces. Bangkok Post
- Urban Fire Incident: Authorities in Bangkok responded to a major fire in the Makkasan community that destroyed 15 homes and resulted in one fatality. Bangkok Post
- Monsoon Disruptions: Persistent heavy rainfall in central and northern regions has triggered localized warnings, temporarily closing recreational spots and waterfalls in provinces such as Saraburi. Bangkok Post