Japan has extended its temporary visa exemption scheme for holders of ordinary Thai passports by another year, allowing Thai tourists to enter the country without a visa for stays of up to 15 days per visit.

The Thai Department of Consular Affairs confirmed on 8 July that the visa-free measure remains in effect from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

Thai authorities reminded travellers to strictly comply with Japan's immigration rules by not overstaying their permitted period of stay and not engaging in employment without the appropriate authorization.

Under the current arrangements, Thai passport holders can travel visa-free to 35 countries and territories, with the permitted length of stay varying by destination. Thai citizens may stay for up to one year in Georgia without a visa.

Countries allowing visa-free stays of up to 90 days include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, South Korea, Peru and Haiti. Visa-free stays of up to 60 days are available in Samoa, Panama and Cambodia.

Thai passport holders may stay for up to 30 days without a visa in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan.

Visa-free stays of 14 to 15 days are available in Japan (15 days under the temporary scheme valid from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027), Taiwan (14 days until 31 July 2026), Myanmar (14 days for arrivals via international airports only), Brunei and Oman.

On July 9, 2026, Deputy Police Commissioner Samran Nualmma, along with National Police Office Commander Nopsit Poolswat, launched Operation 'Scale of the Dragon' to arrest a man using the alias 'Thipaya' who was hired to register false births for foreign nationals. He worked in collaboration with hospital staff from a private hospital in the Thonburi area and local district office officials.

Simultaneously, Bangkok Metropolitan Police investigation chief Colonel Chotiwat Leungvilai and his team arrested Ms. S., a medical records officer at a private hospital in Thonburi, identified as a broker for the 'Chinese children' operation. She coordinated the arrangement of Chinese clients seeking delivery services at the hospital, with package fees of 70,000 baht, earning 20,000 baht in commission for arranging paperwork. The scheme had been operating for over five years.

Medical records review revealed 164 Chinese nationals who used the same Thai father for birth registration over approximately five years. Hospital records showed no prior pregnancy records under this Thai father, yet birth certificates were subsequently issued with him retroactively listed as the father.

Colonel Chotiwat read the arrest warrant and charges including misconduct in office and corruption. A district official identified as Ms. S. was also arrested for registering and issuing birth certificates to Chinese children. Both suspects were taken to Bangkok Metropolitan Police Division 8 for further questioning and investigation.

Police are currently executing search warrants on the homes of the Thai parents of Chinese children involved in the scheme.

Nene Royal, a 16-year-old Thai rock performer, stunned the America's Got Talent audience with a powerful performance of "Zombie," earning four yes votes from the judges. The Phuket native's performance of the iconic rock song featured commanding vocals and impressive guitar playing that left judges and audience members amazed, with the show highlighting her surprising transformation from her initially shy appearance with the caption "16-Year-Old Nene Royal Is Shy… Until She Starts Singing 'Zombie'." Judges praised Nene for her incredible stage presence, rock authenticity, and exceptional vocal control, with one remarking that despite her young age of 15, she sounds like a true rock star with remarkable guitar skills, as if born to perform rock music.

At noon on July 9, 2025, at Parliament, Nattapong Ruengpanyawuthit, Pheu Thai list MP and party leader, along with Sirikanya Tansukul, list MP and party deputy leader, held a press conference following the Constitutional Court's ruling that the 400 billion baht loan decree did not violate the constitution. They expressed disappointment but said the outcome was unsurprising and aligned with the party's prediction.

The party maintains the government had no legitimate urgent reason to invoke special powers for this loan decree. Instead, they allege it was an attempt to bundle various projects that could already be included in the annual budget bill. Nattapong noted that the special committee currently reviewing the 2570 fiscal year budget bill is examining these very projects, and that morning, local government agencies had presented details on projects they wanted to fund using the 400 billion baht loan.

Examples included solar sports courts, electric garbage trucks, and other initiatives that could be budgeted through regular appropriations without requiring special procedures or emergency borrowing. Nattapong stated these examples confirm Pheu Thai's long-standing assertion that the government's proposed projects do not meet the legal criteria for an emergency loan decree.

He also referenced Article 172 of the constitution, which explicitly allows the cabinet to call an extraordinary session to expedite parliamentary consideration of a decree only if outside regular session and waiting for normal proceedings would cause delays. The party will await clarity on the government's next steps.

When asked if Pheu Thai had discussed strategy with the Democrat Party, Nattapong said all actions must follow constitutional procedures. Whether to call an extraordinary session is the cabinet's decision. Pheu Thai reaffirms its opposition to the court's ruling, even though the outcome matched its predictions.

Sirikanya added that the party had previously monitored signals from the government regarding the ruling's outcome. She noted that before the court decision, no single energy transition project from the 200 billion baht allocation had even entered the committee screening process. However, within just one to two weeks prior, multiple ministers from Interior and Transport had announced projects intended for the loan.

Sirikanya revealed the party received documents circulated to local administrations that resembled a catalog or menu of projects and goods eligible for the 400 billion baht loan, rather than locally-initiated proposals. Many projects—including EV garbage trucks, solar sports courts, solar-powered oxygen generators, and rooftop solar installations—do not genuinely reflect meaningful energy transition or significant fossil fuel reduction. The party questions whether the loan's true purpose aligns with legitimate energy transition goals.

The House of Representatives approved a draft amnesty bill on July 9, 2024, with 307 votes in favor and 141 against, with 2 abstentions. A review of voting records shows the 307 supporting votes came predominantly from government coalition MPs. Bhumjaithai Party members cast 183 of the party's 192 total votes in favor, with Deputy House Speaker Mallika Jirapontavanicha abstaining and 8 other members absent from voting.

Notably absent from voting were Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister serving as a party list MP and party leader, Digital Economy Minister Chaiyachon Chidchop serving as party secretary, and Deputy Digital Economy Minister Nanbunyida Somchai serving as party spokesperson.

The Pheu Thai Party provided 66 supporting votes from its 74 MPs, with MP Adisorn Piangket voting against the measure in defiance of party position. Seven Pheu Thai members did not cast votes, including MP Jaturont Chayaeng. The Palang Pracharath Party contributed 4 supporting votes, with party leader Thawee Sodsai absent from voting. The Kao Klai Party had 44 supporting votes and 25 absent, including brothers Thammanas and Akara Phromphao.

Opposition came from 141 votes, with the Democrat Party casting 119 against votes. The Democratic Party, led by former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, cast 16 opposing votes, though MP Pitakdej Detchdetcho from Nakhon Si Thammarat abstained. Four other Democratic members did not cast votes, including Deputy Party Leader Kardee Reauyphirun and former party leaders Chuan Leekpai, Sathit Wongnongti, and Sakolthee Pattiyakul. The United Thai gave 4 opposing votes from 6 members, and the New Dimension Party cast 1 opposing vote.

Sixteen-year-old Thai guitarist Nene Royal (Nene Royal, or Phraew-Rattikarn Amloy) from Phuket has created a buzz on the global stage of America's Got Talent Season 21, showcasing both her vocal prowess and guitar skills to win over judges and audiences alike. The performance went viral on social media as Nene chose to perform the legendary rock song "Zombie" by The Cranberries in her own style, delivering a raw, unfiltered performance with guitar solos that displayed maturity beyond her years, mesmerizing the entire hall.

Nene's performance impressed all four judges tremendously, who unanimously praised her abilities and called her a true rockstar, earning her four unanimous passes. Regarding her musical journey, Nene previously shared on the program SUPER10 that she began playing guitar in first grade, though not by initial choice—she originally preferred academic subjects, but when those classes filled up, music was her only option. This turned out to be a pivotal moment in her life.

Nene typically plays Western rock music and counts AC/DC as her favorite band, with legendary guitarist Angus Young as her idol. She has also performed at street venues and the Chao Fa Market variety show in Phuket to gain real stage experience. Participating in America's Got Talent was one of Nene's dreams, and this performance has not only fulfilled that dream but also opened doors for her to advance to the global stage.