In 2025, several alcohol-free days are scheduled in Thailand. On these days, most bars and entertainment venues will be closed to observe religious or local events. Additionally, sales of alcohol, even at restaurants or convenience stores, are forbidden these days.
Here are the dates to note if you are visiting Thailand in 2025:
Chonburi local elections (for people in Chonburi Pattaya): Likely from January 31st at 5 PM to February 1st at 5 PM. This is not yet final as of press time but is nearly certain. In Thailand, by law, election days prohibit alcohol sales for a 24 hour period the night before the election and during voting hours, regardless if one is eligible to vote or not. There may be local elections in other parts of Thailand throughout the year but this is the main election to be concerned about for Pattaya, focused on provincial positions. The Pattaya Mayor position is NOT up for election this year.
Religious Holidays
Makha Bucha Day: Wednesday, February 12th.
Visakha Bucha Day: Sunday, May 11th. A government holiday will be scheduled for Monday, May 12th, but that will not see bar closures.
Asalha Bucha Day: Thursday, July 10th.
Buddhist Lent Day: Friday, July 11th.
End of Buddhist Lent Day: Tuesday, October 7th.
These days are observed to honor Buddhist traditions or support local elections. Plan your activities accordingly during these dates! It's worth noting that some sports bars or restaurant/bar hybrids may be open but are legally not allowed to sell alcohol on the religious holidays. Generally speaking the closure times are 24 hours in total, from midnight to midnight, but may occasionally differ slightly based on local authorities.
In a move causing a stir among the tourism community, Thailand's Prime Minister recently unveiled plans to elevate Phuket to "premium" tourist status, seemingly leaving Pattaya in the shadows. This decision positions Phuket as a primary international hub, celebrated for hosting significant tourist events and benefiting from substantial private sector investment.
This strategic push is aimed at capitalising on the thousands of tourists flocking directly to Phuket and bolstering its appeal through projects tackling urban challenges like traffic congestion, waste management, and organised crime, writes Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail
Instructions have been issued to local Phuket authorities to initiate innovative solutions for these urban issues, like community-led recycling efforts and promoting sustainable tourism. The president of the Phuket Tourism Association has joyfully embraced this designation, seeing it as a pathway to enhanced global attractiveness and economic growth.
However, Pattaya, a long-standing competitor to Phuket in the tourism sector, finds itself conspicuously missing from this "premium" narrative despite boasting many similar attributes.
The term "premium," often thrown around in tourism circuits, lacks formal definition and has been criticised for its ambiguity. This isn't the first time the label has caused a fuss.
Back in 2018, Pattaya had its moment of triumph when Democrat Party deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij expressed a vision for the city to become a "premium" resort destination—albeit to rally support for the party's local election candidates.
Pattaya's exclusion from the new "premium" label should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt. The city can effortlessly hold its own against Phuket, both in terms of tourist draw, bustling events, and tackling the same urban issues concerning traffic and waste.
The notion of "premium" tourism has faced scrutiny from figures like former Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who urged a move away from low-cost tourism to lure in higher-spending visitors.
In light of this, Pattaya's stakeholders might find solace in ignoring labels and continuing to focus on the tangible qualities that have established the city as a staple on Thailand's tourist map.
Perhaps it's time to retire the vague "premium" tag to the realms of marketing, alongside ice cream promotions and exclusive visa privileges. Pattaya remains a vibrant, competitive destination, with or without the label, offering a unique blend of attractions capable of captivating a global audience.
Temperatures are set to plunge from Friday as a four-day cold spell sweeps the country, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD)'s latest weather advisory.
.Cold air carried by a strong high-pressure system from China will blanket Thailand and the South China Sea, also bringing strong winds to the whole region, the TMD said on Wednesday.
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Thailand has announced a total of 436 deaths with 2,376 injuries from 2,467 road accidents of the Ten Dangerous Days New Year Road Campaign from December 27th, 2024 to January 5th, 2025.
The Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported on January 6th, 2025 that the highest total number of fatalities was in Bangkok with 26 deaths. The highest number of injuries and accidents were Surat Thani with 100 injuries from 89 accidents.
The DDPM reported details on the tenth day (January 5th) of the road campaign. There were 29 deaths and 128 injuries in 239 road accidents.
Accidents were mostly caused by speeding (34%). Most accidents involved motorbikes (82%). Fifty percent of road accidents occurred most on national highways. Most accidents occurred between 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.. (10%).
The world of Thai visas and immigration is forever on the move.
Entry Travel Authorization (ETA)
This will apply to the tourists from 93 countries currently taking advantage of the visa exempt, no-charge category: 60 days on entry plus, if needed, a further 30 days extension at local immigration for a fee of 1,900 baht (US$55). Currently, the only registration procedure is the post-arrival form TM30 submitted to local immigration by the hotel, condo owner, house master or tourist in person. Enforcement of TM 30 is selective and is a paper-driven bureaucracy.
The new ETA will require a pre-flight or pre-entry submission by e-portal, but the Thai Cabinet has yet to endorse fully the details. If the Cambodian equivalent is any clue, these tourists will need to upload the ID page of their passport and provide details of the proposed Thai address, proof of entry and exit tickets and a phone number. A key advantage of the new system, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be possible use of electronic gates at Thai airports by using the ETA's QR code thus bypassing an immigration counter. ETA is free but requires a new submission on every entry. The latest starting date for most tourists is June 2025, but that is still provisional.
Tourist fee of 300 baht
In spite of many announcements, the fee for stepping onto Thai soil (Kha Yeap Pan Din) has not yet been introduced. The 300 baht (US$8) fee would pay for limited insurance for short-stay tourists – mostly compensation for death or serious injury – and provide funds for improving tourist sites, e.g. installing or upgrading toilets. Some versions of the proposal reduce the fee to 150 baht if entering by land or sea, but a common charge is thought more likely. The delay in implementation is the difficulty of collecting the fee and deciding who is or is not a "tourist". The most likely outcome later this year will be a pre-entry electronic payment linked to Krungthai Bank. Another possibility is linking payment to the "free" ETA. Critics say the whole fee exercise isn't worth the effort and will lead to unnecessary confusion.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
This five-year validity "Activity" visa was the brainchild of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated in July 2024. More than 70,000 have been issued in many dozens of Thai embassies abroad. The ambiguity arises because the actual admission of visitors, together with extensions, is the responsibility of the immigration bureau which is part of the Ministry of the Interior which has never uttered a single word about DTV. Immigration officers individually have the right to challenge or refuse entry or extension irrespective of the visa category. The prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is known to be a firm supporter of DTV. Any significant changes to DTV policy is most unlikely to affect existing visa holders. The rest is guesswork at present. There will be feedback from late January onwards as early-bird DTV holders request extensions at local immigration.
Annually renewable retirement and marriage
The "O" non-immigrant retirement visa and annual extension of stay is by far the most popular long-stay permit for those over 50 years. A former top police general Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn promised to reform the process by ending the scam practice of applicants using third party funds to maintain a bank account minimum, but nothing has been heard of late. Nor has there been any rumored change in the situation whereby the retiree OA visa (awarded at embassies abroad) requires ongoing medical insurance, whereas the O version (awarded at immigration offices in Thailand) does not.
The "O" non-immigrant marriage visa for a longstay foreigner with a Thai spouse is used mainly by married men under 50. This is likely because the retirement alternative is available from that age and has a less onerous application and extension bureaucracy. An early change may be the admission of same sex marriages, available from late January 2025, into the visa system. However, the government has said that while the marriage ceremony becomes a legal entity very soon, there may be a delay before the regulations covering adoption, pensions and hospital care in terminal cases come into play.
Elite and Long Term Residence
Elite or Privilege visa lasts from 5-20 years with limitless multiple entries, if needed, and has perks such as fast-track immigration and discounts on shopping, sports and hotels. It has had a checkered history and has been threatened with closure on a couple of occasions. Until the end of 2024, the initial checking fee of 50,000 baht (US$1,500) had been temporarily cancelled. A new five year Bronze Elite visa is available until June 2025 at a knock-down cost of 650,000 baht (US$20,000). The majority of new subscribers to Elite are Chinese citizens according to the Ministry of Tourism and, with a grand total of over 40,000 customers, the future in 2025 looks safe enough.
LTR is a ten year multiple entry which has several application routes including wealthy retirees (minimum annual income US$80,000) and business people and executives. The visa is sponsored by the Board of Investment. One of the attractions of LTV is apparent exemption from income tax due on overseas transfers of cash to Thailand. People in business can receive tax incentives whilst freedom from regular address reporting to immigration is a perk. No statistics have been issued as regards LTR applications, but an early report stated that the majority of successful applications were from the retirement category.
Tax identification number (TIN)
There has been ongoing speculation in social media that, starting in 2025, renewal of longterm visas will require holders to show that they have a TIN issued by the Thai Revenue Department. This is a very unlikely scenario. Many "tax resident" foreigners in Thailand for six months or more in a calendar year have no requirement to obtain a tax number based on remittances from overseas. They include foreigners who did not transfer any overseas cash in the calendar year 2024, or those who are (or will be) transferring savings in foreign bank accounts held there before on December 31 2023. Many Elite holders live in Thailand for far less than 180 days in a year but enjoy the travel flexibility given by the visa. For these and many other reasons, Thai immigration cannot equate visa eligibility with tax status. Nor will officers want to get involved.
In a strategic move to bolster the security of mobile banking, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) is putting mechanisms in place to protect vulnerable users such as teenagers and the elderly. The plan introduces a daily transfer cap of 50,000 baht for these groups, aiming to shield them from fraud and financial abuse.
Feedback from the public has already been gathered by the BoT as it gears up to amend regulations surrounding financial service security. The focus is on curbing the risks associated with mobile banking apps, which have become increasingly popular yet fraught with security concerns.
Prime groups affected by these changes include the elderly and individuals under the age of 15. Considered more susceptible to scams, these users often fall prey to fraudsters who dupe them into sending large sums of money. By instituting a daily transfer limit, the BoT is taking proactive steps to safeguard their financial wellbeing.
Beyond limiting transfers for certain users, banks will also be required to enhance their mobile app security protocols. Transactions over 50,000 baht per instance, or exceeding 200,000 baht daily, must incorporate advanced measures like facial recognition and biometric verification to thwart identity theft and unauthorized access.
Moreover, the BoT stipulates that mobile banking providers implement robust security technology to defend against malware and hacking - including ensuring apps do not function on jailbroken devices or those employing outdated operating systems.
The announcement of these stringent measures is expected this month. The BoT aims for all non-bank service providers under its oversight to adhere to equivalent security standards by early next year.
A step further in regulatory efforts, there's an ongoing discussion regarding the liability of financial institutions in cases of fraudulent transfers. Drawing inspiration from Singapore's Cyber Security Agency, the BoT is considering frameworks that would define institutional responsibility and liability sharing between banks and regulatory bodies in the event of fraudulent activity.
The amended regulations will also impose stricter penalties on entities peddling customer data—a significant loophole currently exploited by scammers.
In a recent incident, BoT spokesperson Chayawadee Chaianan highlighted a complaint in Udon Thani, where an auditing firm claimed a loss of 2 million baht via mobile banking.
The BoT has since instructed the banks involved to meticulously probe the matter, underscoring the urgent need for vigilance on account activity, particularly for business clients.
By reforming digital transaction protocols, the BoT is not only fortifying the financial landscape against fraud but also reinforcing trust in Thailand's digital banking future, reported Bangkok Post.
Mr Pichai noted that since the government is seeking to bolster revenue to pay for rising expenses, raising value added tax would be appropriate.
In 2025, a key government policy to monitor is tax reform initiatives recently floated by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
Mr Pichai said Thailand should follow the example of many countries that have reformed their tax systems by reducing personal and corporate income taxes while increasing consumption taxes, such as value-added tax (VAT).
The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has promoted tax reforms for more than a decade, but has not achieved much because of what are described as political challenges.
Following the pandemic in 2020-21 and the global economic slowdown, the government's public debt level surged compared with the pre-Covid period.
In September 2019, the government's public debt totalled 41.1% of GDP. This figure rose during the pandemic, prompting the government to raise the public debt ceiling from a maximum of 60% to 70%.
As of October 2024, public debt tallied 64%, causing fiscal pressure and reducing fiscal space, according to the FPO.
Government revenue has not increased significantly relative to GDP. Over the past decade, state revenue as a percentage of GDP was the highest in 2016, at 16.4%.
Following the pandemic and its impact on the global economy, government revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2022 was at its lowest point in 10 years, at 14.6%.
In fiscal 2023, the figure increased slightly to 14.9%.
Moreover, revenue from categories that are difficult for the government to cut, such as civil servant salaries, civil servant benefits, public welfare and contributions to various funds that mandate government contributions, such as Social Security and the Government Pension Fund, as well as expenditures for principal and interest payments on government debt, have increased.
In fiscal 2023, these expenditures accounted for 67.2% of the government's total expenditure budget, up from 65.8% in fiscal 2022.
The FPO considers tax system reforms, based on the approach proposed by the Finance Minister, to be essential.
Studies conducted in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries found having high personal income tax and corporate income tax rates can lead people to feel discouraged from working.
In other words, once they reach a certain income level, they may decide to quit their jobs and instead rely on government welfare, a phenomenon particularly noticeable in Scandinavian countries.
However, Thailand cannot adopt a Scandinavian-style welfare state because of insufficient government revenue.
The approach should be to encourage people to work and earn income, with a reduced personal income tax rate to motivate people to work more, according to authorities.
As the government seeks to bolster revenue to pay for rising expenses, raising the VAT would be appropriate, said Mr Pichai.
Increasing VAT by 1% is expected to generate around 70-80 billion baht in state revenue. Although many essential goods for people's livelihoods are exempt from VAT, a VAT hike is expected to affect low-income groups and vulnerable segments in society.
Therefore, any VAT increase should be accompanied by measures to assist these groups in order to offset the impact, said the minister.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, previously suggested that if VAT is hiked, the additional revenue should be used to care for the country's steadily growing ageing population.
Thailand became a "complete aged society" in 2024, with individuals aged 60 and older accounting for 20% of the total population.
He said the idea of increasing VAT should be considered by the government as one option to support the elderly population.
The Department of Probation has reported that 1,305 legal cases have been processed by the courts as of December 28 as part of the "10 Dangerous Days" traffic safety campaign, running from December 27, 2024, to January 5, 2025.
According to Department of Probation Director-General Police Major Suriya Singhakamol, drunk driving accounted for the majority, with 1,255 offenses recorded, followed by 48 cases of drug-influenced driving and 2 cases of reckless driving. Chiang Mai province reported the highest number of drunk driving incidents, with 288 cases.
Over the first two days of the campaign, a total of 1,685 cases have been recorded. Drunk driving constituted 94.89% of the offenses, with drug-influenced driving at 4.87% and reckless driving at 0.24%.
To enhance enforcement, courts have mandated the use of Electronic Monitoring (EM) devices for four individuals convicted of drunk driving. The offenders will be required to wear the devices for four months, allowing their movements to be monitored around the clock.
Thailand has announced a total of 52 deaths with 318 injuries from 322 road accidents on the first day of the Ten Dangerous Days of the New Year Road Campaign.
The Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported on December 28th details on the first day (December 27th) of the Ten Dangerous Days of the New Year Road Campaign from December 27th, 2024 to January 5th, 2025.
The highest fatalities were in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Bangkok with four deaths each. The highest total number of road accidents and injuries were also in Nakhon Si Thammarat with 17 times and 17 injuries.
Accidents were mostly caused by excessive speeding (39%), followed by reckless driving (20%) and drunk driving (15%). Most accidents involved motorbikes (85%). Forty-seven percent of road accidents occurred most on national highways (47%). Most accidents occurred between 4:0 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. (9%).
On December 26th, 2024, Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan announced the Ministry of Transport's plans to facilitate travel during the upcoming New Year 2025 holiday.
With over 34 million mostly domestic trips expected, including private vehicles and public transport, the ministry aims to ensure smooth and safe journeys under the campaign "Happiness Festival Everywhere in Thailand."
Notable perks include free tolls on Motorways M7 and M9, trial openings for M81 and M6 sections, and free camping spots.
Public transport services, such as buses and trains, will extend operating hours for major Countdown events and New Year's Eve prayers.
Airlines will also offer special discounts, while apps like "Highway Traffic" and "NAMTANG" will assist in travel planning.
For those celebrating in Bangkok, Countdown event areas, including Central World, One Bangkok, and Icon Siam, will have public transit extended until 2 AM. The MRT and Red Line trains will also provide extended services through the night.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather alert for a depression over the southern South China Sea. The system, as of December 22, was moving west-northwest with sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and is expected to intensify into a tropical storm. It is forecast to reach Vietnam's eastern coast between December 24 and 25 before weakening into a low-pressure system after making landfall.
The effects of the weather system are expected to bring increased rains across Thailand on December 25 and 26. Scattered rain is forecast for parts of the lower North, Northeast, Central regions, Bangkok, and the East. Southern Thailand is likely to see heavier rainfall as winds from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand carry moisture across the region. The northeast monsoon will also remain active, contributing to the wet conditions.
Rough seas are anticipated, with waves reaching up to 2 meters in the lower Gulf of Thailand and 1 to 2 meters in the upper Gulf and Andaman Sea. Thunderstorms in some areas could cause waves to rise above 2 meters. Mariners are urged to proceed with caution and avoid areas with stormy conditions.
The TMD has advised people in affected areas to stay updated on weather reports and take precautions, as conditions could worsen over the coming days.
Pattaya Beach thrives during high season as foreign tourists flock to soak up the sun, but locals call for urgent road repairs and improved traffic management."
PATTAYA, Thailand – During this high season, Pattaya Beach has been bustling with foreign tourists enjoying the sunny weather and vibrant atmosphere. However, residents have taken to social media to express their concerns about various issues in the city that they believe require attention and improvement.
Roads and Traffic Concerns
"Fix the roads to be as good as the beach renovations. Right now, the streets feel like the surface of the moon."
"South Pattaya Road is full of sand and dust—feels like riding a motorbike through a desert."
"Stop digging up roads everywhere. It's causing massive traffic jams. Why not finish one project completely before starting another?"
"The one-way traffic system on Jomtien Beach Road has made traffic worse, not better. It's not solving any problems."
World-class beach or bustling harbor? Residents urge officials to address overcrowded boat zones and prioritize cleanliness at Jomtien Beach.
Beach and Environmental Issues
"Jomtien Beach needs better cleanliness maintenance—send someone to take care of it."
"There are too many boats, making the beach look more like a harbor. This is a world-famous beach, but the view is far from appealing."
Tourism and Atmosphere
"Right now, 100% of the tourists on the beach are foreigners enjoying the sun. The weather is fantastic, especially during sunsets."
"Money is circulating well this peak season, with lots of tourists coming in."
Tourism is booming, but so is traffic! Locals demand better urban planning to ease congestion and maintain Pattaya's global appeal.
Criticism of City Management
"Traffic in Pattaya is constantly congested. The city mayor should seriously address this issue."
"Please manage the boats and environmental issues better to maintain the image of a world-class beach."
While residents acknowledge the bustling tourism and positive economic activity during the high season, they are calling for improvements in city management, particularly in road conditions, traffic systems, and environmental maintenance. These voices highlight the need for better urban planning to match Pattaya's reputation as a global tourist destination.
In a firm stance against recent appeals for the abolition of the death penalty, Thailand's cabinet has unanimously decided to retain capital punishment in its legal system. This decision emerged after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) advocated for a gradual end to this severe form of punishment, citing its abolition in many other nations as an impetus for change.
The cabinet, however, remained unconvinced by these arguments, with Deputy Government Spokesman Kharom Polpornklang affirming the need for the death penalty.
The cabinet's decision aligns with views from the judiciary, which stress the necessity of such measures due to the severity and nature of certain crimes. The judiciary contends that the existence of capital punishment serves not only as a deterrent but also as a vital component of justice for heinous acts.
The NHRC's proposal, presented at a seminar marking World Day Against the Death Penalty, suggested a phased approach to abolishing the death penalty.
This plan included four strategic steps: refraining from instituting the death penalty in new laws, amending existing statutes to offer courts alternative sentencing options, reviewing the proportionality of current capital punishment laws, and ultimately, purging the death penalty from all legal codes.
Despite the NHRC's efforts, the Thai government remains resolute. Their position reflects a broader societal debate on the balance between human rights and crime deterrence. While human rights advocates and various civil sectors back the NHRC's push for legislative reform, the government prioritises public security and justice.
For context, Thailand has not carried out an execution since 2018, and it has been periodically pressured by international human rights organisations to re-evaluate its stance on the death penalty.
Such entities argue that capital punishment is an irreversible act that has proven to be ineffective as a crime deterrent. Furthermore, they emphasise the importance of aligning with global human rights standards, particularly as Thailand is a key player in international discussions and the ASEAN community.
At present, the cost of preserving the death penalty lies not only in potential human rights fallout but also in the broader implications for Thailand's international reputation.
With ongoing debates and human rights organisations keeping a watchful eye, Thailand's retention of capital punishment will continue to spark dialogue, both domestically and abroad, reported Bangkok Post.
