Welcome to the first issue of What’s Good Thailand. Every week: practical Thailand news for people who live here, visit often, or do business here. — Eric Green
Updated October 4, 2026: this issue now distinguishes forecasts from arrivals, clarifies the land-border entry limit, and corrects the timing of TTM+ 2026. Unsupported numerical claims and route announcements have been removed.
1. Check the current visa exemption rules before you travel
Thailand’s revised exemption rules took effect on September 15, 2026. The 30-day tourism exemption covers 60 nationalities; other nationalities and bilateral arrangements have different conditions. The general two-entry-per-calendar-year restriction applies to entry at land borders under this scheme, with stated nationality exceptions. It is not a blanket cap on all visa-free arrivals.
What it means for you: check your nationality, arrival method and purpose of travel with your Thai embassy before booking. DTV applicants should also check the current checklist at the mission handling their application. Entry and extensions remain subject to official decisions.
Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand visa update; Royal Thai Embassy visa exemption guidance; Royal Thai Embassy London DTV document update.
2. Golden Week: a forecast, not a final arrival count
The Tourism Authority of Thailand forecast around 250,000 Chinese visitors across September 25–October 7, 2026, up 24% on the comparable period. That forecast covers a wider window than October 1–7 and should not be presented as a completed arrival count.
What it means for you: leave extra time at busy attractions and transport hubs, and compare cancellation terms before booking. Source: TAT Golden Week forecast.
3. Heavy rain: check your own route and booking
Flooding has disrupted parts of Thailand. Conditions vary by location, so check local alerts, airline notices and your accommodation directly before travelling. This issue no longer includes the unverified hotel cancellation total.
Source: Reuters flooding report, September 28.
4. Pattaya: check event dates carefully
Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2026 took place in Pattaya on June 10–12; it is not opening this October. Tomorrowland Thailand is scheduled for December 11–13, 2026 at Wisdom Valley in the Pattaya area, and its official announcement says the event is sold out.
What it means for you: use official event channels for ticket and travel information. Avoid relying on unverified ticket quantities or hotel price percentages. Sources: TAT TTM+ dates; TAT Tomorrowland announcement; Tomorrowland sold-out notice.
5. Business, property and flight announcements
Before opening a restaurant or buying property, check the actual ownership, licensing and visa requirements with the relevant authorities and a qualified Thai adviser. Putting a licence in someone else’s name should not be treated as a general solution.
The earlier restaurant raid, coconut purchasing, condo growth and new Phuket route claims have been removed pending reliable sourcing. For flights, confirm an operating schedule and ticket availability directly with the airline before making plans.
For future issues, visit the newsletter archive or check the subscription page. See you next week. — Eric Green