Latest travel updates, rules and practical tips
Thailand continues to evolve rapidly, and whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveller, a few important changes for 2025–2026 could affect your trip. From visa rules to transport upgrades, here’s a clear rundown of what’s new — plus essential tips to help you plan with confidence.

1. Visa-Free Stay May Change
Thailand’s temporary 60-day visa-free entry is still active, but the government is reviewing a proposal to reduce it back to 30 days.
What this means for travellers:

You can currently stay 60 days, with the option to extend another 30 days in Thailand.
If the rule changes, long stays will require either an onsite extension or a pre-arranged visa. Especially with the new crack down on border runs. You no longer can extend your 60 day tourist visa more than once without leaving the country for at 3 months before returning and even then it’s not guaranteed they will let you extend it again after the first one.

Always check the latest entry rules before booking long-term accommodation.


2. Small Increase in Airport Service Fees
Six regional airports have implemented a 25-baht fee increase, bringing international passenger charges to 425 baht and domestic to 75 baht.
Good news: This fee is already included in your airfare — you won’t pay anything extra at the airport.

3. Bangkok Transport Is Now More Convenient
Most of Bangkok’s major train and metro lines now accept contactless Visa and Mastercard payments, including:

MRT Blue Line
MRT Purple Line
MRT Yellow Line
MRT Pink Line
Airport Rail Link
SRT Red Line

Important note:
The BTS Skytrain still does not accept contactless payments. You’ll need cash, a ticket, or a stored-value card.
Tip:
Use contactless for the MRT/ARL and keep small notes for the BTS.

4. New Phuket Beach-to-Beach Boat Taxi Trial
Phuket is testing a speedboat taxi service between popular beaches to help reduce road congestion.

Trial dates: 15–30 December 2025
Potential travel time from the airport to beach areas: around 40 minutes

Because it’s only a trial, treat this as a potential bonus — not something to rely on fully.

5. Faster Rail Travel to Southern Thailand
A major double-track rail upgrade from Bangkok to Chumphon (421 km) is now complete. This means:

Quicker and more reliable trains
Newer, air-conditioned carriages
Smoother access to Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and other coastal towns

Areas south of Chumphon still operate on older tracks, so travel becomes slower again beyond that point.

6. Tourist Entry Tax Still Delayed
Thailand’s proposed 300-baht tourist entry fee has been postponed again.
For now, travellers do not need to pay this fee when entering the country.

Essential Travel Tips for Thailand (2025 Edition)
✔ Bring a Contactless Payment Card
It works on the MRT, Airport Rail Link, stores, and restaurants — but keep cash for markets and BTS Skytrain.
✔ Book Flexible Accommodation
If visa rules change suddenly, flexible bookings will save you stress and money.
✔ Travel Insurance Is Worth It
Thailand is safe, but insurance protects you from medical costs, bike accidents, and delayed flights.
✔ Respect Local Culture and Temples
Dress modestly at temples, remove shoes where required, and avoid touching monks if you’re female.
✔ Use Official Taxis or Grab or Bolt
Skip unlicensed taxis. Bolt is the most reliable, cheap, and transparent on pricing.
✔ Be Cautious With Motorbike Rentals
Always wear a helmet, take photos and videos of the bike before hiring, and avoid renting if you don’t have experience.
✔ Prepare for Hot Weather Year-Round
Thailand is always warm, but April–May can be extremely hot. Cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai are more humid than beach destinations.
✔ Avoid Tap Water
Buy bottled or filtered water. Most hotels provide free refill stations.
✔ ATMs Charge a High Fee
Thailand charges a foreign card fee (usually around 250 baht). Withdraw more at once to reduce repeated charges, the maximum at most ATMs is 25,000-30,000 baht.
✔ Be Temple-Smart
Shoulders and knees covered, quiet behaviour, and no photos where signs say not to.
✔ Plan Ahead During Festivals
Songkran (April) and Loy Krathong (Nov) are incredible — but prices rise fast and places book out early, plus traffic is a nightmare so add extra time for travelling in and out of the city.