On July 31, 2026, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin officially opened the 'Hiking School—First Steps into the Forest with Understanding' project at Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The program aims to elevate Thailand's nature tourism while supporting conservation efforts, building a nationwide network of 'conservation hiking instructors,' and promoting the 'Leave No Trace' philosophy as standard practice among Thai travelers.

Minister Suchat emphasized that the government prioritizes natural resource conservation alongside sustainable tourism development. He noted that creating quality tourists and knowledgeable staff is essential for long-term forest protection. The hiking school will instill knowledge, skills, and conservation awareness among both officials and the public to ensure sustainable growth in nature tourism.

According to Parks Department Director Arthapol Jarangchantrasaan, hiking popularity has surged but many trail users lack proper knowledge and skills, leading to accidents, litter, and ecosystem disruption. The hiking school addresses this by training staff as 'conservation hiking instructors' capable of effectively teaching tourists about environmental responsibility.

In fiscal year 2026, the Parks Department completed five training courses with 175 graduates and allocated funding to establish 'Hiking Schools' in 133 national parks and 20 forest parks nationwide. Khao Yai National Park, Thailand's first national park and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, serves as the pilot model before expanding to parks throughout the country, with the goal of raising Thailand's nature tourism standards to international levels and making 'Leave No Trace' a universal practice among all visitors.

Is Thailand safe to visit? What every tourist (and expats) should knowLegacyThailand receives more than 35 million international visitors a year. The vast majority leave without any safety incident worth reporting. So when people ask whether Thailand is safe, the accurate answer is yes, with some qualifications that are worth understanding before you arrive rather than after. The three areas that actually catch tourists and expats out are road safety, scams, and the legal framework. Natural hazards matter in specific seasons and locations. Violent crime against foreign visitors is rare, but it is not zero. Here is what the evidence shows for each. On this page:

Section (Click to jump) Summary

Road safety: the biggest real risk for visithreors Learn why road accidents, particularly involving motorcycles, remain the greatest safety risk for tourists and how to reduce your chances of becoming a statistic.

Scams: common, mostly non-violent, avoidable Understand Thailand’s most common tourist scams, from tuk-tuks to taxis and jet skis, and the simple precautions that help you avoid them.

Laws that catch visitors off guard Familiarise yourself with Thailand’s strict laws on drugs, alcohol and the monarchy to avoid offences that can carry severe penalties.

Regional and seasonal risk See how safety risks vary by destination and season, from southern border provinces to monsoon beaches and northern Thailand’s smoke season.

The big picture Take away the key safety advice for safe visiting in Thailand, including the practical habits that help most travellers enjoy a trouble-free trip.

Road safety: the biggest real risk for visitors Road deaths are the single most significant safety risk in Thailand, and the numbers are not close. The WHO recorded 25.4 road deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, one of the highest rates globally. Motorcycles account for 83.8% of estimated road fatalities. Younger people aged roughly 15 to 29 are disproportionately affected. Photo by sommaiphoto from Getty Images For visitors, the risk is concentrated. An expat or tourist who does not ride a motorcycle significantly removes the largest component of everyday risk in Thailand. The problem is that motorcycles are also the most convenient and cheapest way to get around many parts of the country, which is exactly why so many visitors end up on them, often unlicensed, uninsured, and unfamiliar with local road conditions. If you ride, wear a helmet, carry an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement, and do not ride after drinking. These are not optional precautions. Traffic enforcement in Thailand intensified in 2026, with fines of up to 20,000 baht and potential imprisonment for drink driving. If you do not ride motorcycles, use metered taxis, Grab, or the BTS and MRT in Bangkok. Songkran and New Year are the highest-risk periods. Thai police prosecuted nearly 3,000 drink driving cases over the five-day 2026 New Year campaign, according to justice ministry figures, with probation cases across all traffic offences numbering in the thousands daily at the height of enforcement. Long road journeys during these periods carry significantly elevated risk. Scams: common, mostly non-violent, avoidable Petty crime and scams are the most common problems tourists report when it comes to how safe Thailand is. Serious incidents against foreign tourists in Bangkok remained low in the first quarter of 2026, with Royal Thai Police figures showing a continued year-on-year decline in reported cases. Photo by GizemBDR from Getty Images The typical visitor encounter is a tuk-tuk driver offering a suspiciously cheap sightseeing tour, a gem shop with a convincing government endorsement sign, an overpriced taxi with a broken meter, or a jet ski damage claim at a resort beach. The common scams in Thailand follow well-documented patterns that have not changed significantly in years. The tourist who knows them going in is much harder to target than one who does not. Key rules: always use metered taxis or Grab; be sceptical of unsolicited offers from strangers near major attractions; never leave your passport as a deposit; photograph any vehicle or watercraft before you rent it. Online scams, romance fraud, and investment fraud are a growing category. These target people who are already in Thailand and building a life here rather than short-stay tourists, but the volume is significant. Online scams, romance fraud, and investment fraud caused daily financial losses running into the tens of millions of baht, even after enforcement crackdowns in late 2025 drove reported incidents down significantly. Laws that catch visitors off guard Thailand has several laws that visitors from Western countries may not be familiar with, and the penalties are serious enough to treat carefully.

Lèse-majesté, under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, makes it an offence to defame, insult, or threaten the monarch, the queen, the heir apparent, or the regent. It applies to foreign nationals and carries a sentence of three to fifteen years per count. This is not theoretical: foreigners have been arrested and imprisoned under this law. Understanding why foreigners sometimes feel the law does not apply to them in Thailand is worth reading before making any public comment about the royal institution. Drug laws carry severe penalties. Possession of category one narcotics, including heroin and methamphetamine, can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty. Cannabis was reclassified as a controlled substance in 2025 and is now legal only for medical use with a prescription. Recreational possession is an offence. Alcohol rules changed in 2026. The legal blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.05%. Alcohol cannot be sold in certain public spaces, near schools, temples, or during election periods. Some nightlife venues in areas like Pattaya and Phuket’s Patong operate beyond normal licensed hours, but the customer is not immune from the consequences if enforcement happens. Regional and seasonal risk Whether Thailand is safe or not for you also depends on where you are. The three southernmost provinces bordering Malaysia, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, are subject to an active insurgency. Foreign governments including the UK, US, and Australia advise against non-essential travel to these areas. For the vast majority of tourist itineraries, this region does not feature and poses no practical risk.

The Andaman coast, including Phuket and Krabi, experiences rough seas, rip currents, and flash flooding during the southwest monsoon from May to October. Obey red flag warnings. Do not take small boat trips when marine conditions are flagged as unsafe by the Thai Meteorological Department. Chiang Mai’s smoke season, typically February to April, brings PM2.5 levels that can reach hazardous concentrations. Outdoor activity during severe episodes is inadvisable. The big picture Is Thailand safe? For most people doing ordinary tourist activities, yes. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, and the major resort areas are not dangerous destinations. The risks are real, but they are largely specific, and most of them are avoidable with basic awareness. Do not ride motorcycles unless you are licensed and experienced. Use Grab or metered taxis. Treat any approach by a stranger near a famous temple or attraction with scepticism. Know the laws before you arrive rather than learning them the hard way. Stay out of the southern border provinces unless you have a specific reason to be there and have checked your government’s current travel advisory. Thailand rewards the visitor who pays attention. The ones who get into serious trouble are almost always the ones who did not. Sources: WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023; Deep South Watch; OECD 2025 Thailand Crime and Justice Assessment; Royal Thai Police statistics; research compiled for The Thaiger, 2026. The story Is Thailand safe to visit? What every tourist (and expats) should know as seen on Thaiger News.

No need to travel to Bangkok or pay for accommodation—just walk out the door of Naresuan University and a national-level opportunity awaits.

The competition has now reached its fifth stop of the season. The "CJ MORE Microphone Gold On Tour 5" singing contest filled the CJ MORE store near Naresuan University's Gate 4 in Phitsanulok on Saturday, July 25, 2025, with a bustling atmosphere from morning onwards. The event was more than just entertainment and shopping bargains—it served as a "bridge connecting dreams" for 82 contestants of all ages, each bringing confidence and distinctive voices to the stage.

This marked the second time the national-level competition came to Phitsanulok, reaffirming CJ MORE's vision to be a "community center" growing sustainably with local areas. The company offers a platform for children, youth, and the public to perform nearby, without wasting time or money traveling far to pursue dreams in Bangkok.

Among the 82 contestants, each came with different stories and backgrounds, yet all shared a common love for music. A mother-daughter pair, Pawaret and Ms. Praphasinee Meung In, both spoke of their excitement. The 18-year-old daughter explained that she regularly sang with her mother at home. When she saw the news on CJ MORE's Facebook page, she wanted to gain experience. "I've never been to a big stage in Bangkok because it's far and travel costs are a concern," she said. "I'm so happy CJ MORE opened this opportunity. Whether I advance or not, I won't give up on my dream of becoming a singer."

Similarly, Sayan Phong Nak, a 49-year-old from Phitsanulok who drives for Grab, shared with a smile: "I drive Grab around Naresuan University and saw the event poster at the CJ MORE store. My fans encouraged me to apply because they hear me singing every morning. If I had to travel to Bangkok to compete, it would feel like a dream too far away due to travel costs and financial concerns. I'm really pleased that CJ MORE brought the competition to Phitsanulok, giving people who want to sing a chance to showcase their talents without traveling far."

The stage also welcomed aspiring singers from nearby provinces. Kalyanrat Tri Intong, known as "Poy," an 11-year-old from Phichit who grew up in a family funeral procession business surrounded by music, also seized this opportunity. "I was planning to audition for the Microphone Gold show, but we were busy with the family business and never made it. Today's event was excellent—the lights, colors, and sound were all perfect. Thank you CJ MORE for organizing a competition venue in Phitsanulok and giving everyone in the area a chance to compete."

Ms. Nuchjaree Suwan, a 25-year-old from Sukhothai seven months pregnant, also took the stage alongside her unborn child to follow her heart once more. She successfully advanced to the final 10. "I'm seven months pregnant now, so my voice might sound a bit tight and I'm nervous," she said. "But I feel good about coming. At least I get to have my baby sing along with me once. This venue helps people who might struggle to travel to a Bangkok studio or those who missed previous opportunities get another chance. Even if I don't win today, I won't be discouraged. If there's another opportunity, I'll come back for sure."

Two Fast Track winners will now advance toward the national stage.

Prime Minister Anuthun Chanyaweerakul briefed the media at Government House on preparations for Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's official state visit to Thailand on August 6-7. The visit will include bilateral meetings and private four-eyes talks between the two leaders, as well as meetings with the Thai-Myanmar Business Council. The PM emphasized the importance of combining government and private-sector efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and facilitate business partnerships.

When asked whether Salween River toxicity would be a main discussion point, the PM confirmed it would be among several key issues, including haze, ethnic minority problems, and drug trafficking. He noted that as neighboring countries, Thailand and Myanmar must maintain good relations and support each other in addressing mutual challenges. The PM acknowledged that Myanmar may seek Thai assistance on certain matters, and vice versa, given their solid foundation of cooperation. When pressed on whether online scam operations would also be discussed, the PM replied that all relevant issues would be on the agenda.

Bua Luang Securities has announced continued investor uptake of its Auto Top Funds Portfolio service, pushing assets under management (AUM) beyond 5.7 billion baht and reflecting strong confidence among investors seeking efficient, systematic investment without the need for active portfolio oversight. Chaiyaporn Noompitaksorn, executive director of securities trading at Bua Luang, explained that the Auto Top Funds Portfolio—an automated mutual fund portfolio service—appeals to investors wanting systematic investing without constant monitoring. The service now manages 5.7 billion baht in AUM, demonstrating investor trust in delegated portfolio management by expert teams.

The service is designed to serve investors across all risk levels through eight distinct investment strategies covering diverse financial goals, with emphasis on multi-asset diversification through expert-selected quality funds and automatic rebalancing to keep portfolios aligned with changing market conditions. According to Chaiyaporn, multi-strategy portfolio performance has generated returns exceeding the average for comparable fund categories, owing to rigorous fund selection, risk diversification, and continuous expert management paired with automated investment systems that enhance portfolio efficiency.

Additionally, clients receive comprehensive portfolio management at no extra advisory fees, making it an attractive option for investors seeking expert guidance and return opportunities through continuous professional oversight.