Saturday 31 October

Flight information boards and seating at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Travel

CAAT asks AOT to explain Suvarnabhumi runway damage

AOT blames soft, waterlogged ground and is scanning the surface for spots to repair, mainly turning points, taxiway exits and runway thresholds, rather than resurfacing everything.

Thailand’s aviation regulator has asked Airports of Thailand (AOT) to explain Suvarnabhumi runway damage after a China Airlines jet got stuck on 28 October.

Why it matters: AOT plans repairs at night and says it cannot close the whole runway because of traffic, so night flights are the ones to watch.

The wheels of China Airlines flight CI840 to Kaohsiung got stuck in the runway surface, with heavy rain and groundwater blamed. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has asked AOT for a report on the cause and on how it will prevent a repeat. It also suggested AOT use technology to test the strength of the runway, taxiways and aprons. CAAT said deteriorated construction materials may be a factor, which is not yet confirmed.

AOT said engineering checks found the runway layers sit on soft soil with a high water content, and recent flooding and rain added water near the surface. As an example of the work, AOT cited about 10 nights between 8pm and 6am. It has not announced dates.

Reports did not say whether the aircraft was damaged, anyone was hurt or flights were delayed.

Background Background

Suvarnabhumi has operated for about 20 years. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand regulates airport safety and can ask operators for reports after incidents. Airports of Thailand, a listed company, runs the airport and maintains its runways, taxiways and aprons.

What to do If your flight leaves or lands between 8pm and 6am, check its status with your airline before you head to the airport.

Travel

Thai PM says Cambodia border crossings will stay closed

The crossings have been shut for more than a year. Anutin tied any reopening to four unresolved issues and said relations cannot be restored until they are settled.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand’s border with Cambodia will stay closed, without giving a reopening date.

Why it matters: all seven checkpoints are shut to people and goods, so overland trips into Cambodia and border runs there are not possible.

Speaking on a television programme reported on 31 October, Anutin said the border will remain closed “because there remain several conflicting issues” between the two countries. He listed the land border, the maritime dispute, the scammer problem and the security of Thai people.

He also said economic indicators have improved since the closure and that Thai people are satisfied with it.

Background Background

Thailand and Cambodia have long disputed parts of their land border and their maritime boundary. Thailand closed its crossings in mid-2025, and the closure has covered both travellers and trade. Visa-exempt visitors who want more time in Thailand extend their stay at an Immigration office instead of crossing out and back.

What to do Don't plan an overland trip into Cambodia or a border run there. Ask an Immigration office about your options for extending a stay.

Law

Bangkok plans Khao San Road pilot for later venue hours

The plan would test later alcohol-sales hours in a small area first. Officials will consult the alcohol regulator and meet again in about two weeks; no new hours have been set.

Bangkok and national officials plan a pilot on Khao San and Rambuttri roads that could let venues apply for longer alcohol-sales hours.

Why it matters: the two streets are popular with visitors, and the plan would change how their bars are licensed and policed.

A coordination meeting on 30 October brought together the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), police, the Excise Department and the Department of Provincial Administration. It was chaired by Paradorn Prissananantakul, a minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, and attended by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.

A survey found more than 30 venues on the two roads, and only four hold valid entertainment-venue licences. Venues that want to keep operating must meet the BMA’s 17-item safety standard. Officials said that if longer hours work safely in a small area, they could be considered elsewhere.

The plan is at the proposal stage. The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission will consult agencies including the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee on extending service hours.

Background Background

Bangkok's 2002 zoning decree allows entertainment venues in only three areas: RCA, Phat Phong and Ratchada. Elsewhere, bars and clubs operate under restaurant licences, which require them to stop at midnight. Khao San and Rambuttri roads sit outside the three zones.

In brief

TransportTransport ministry weighs taxi fares by vehicle size.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat met three taxi associations on 30 October about their request to adjust fares. The Department of Land Transport is studying fares for four size classes and two service types, but no fare figures have been published, and any change would need Cabinet approval.
TravelContractor suspends Suvarnabhumi search officer after row.
A 23 October argument over liquid limits at a domestic checkpoint reached social media on 28 October, and the officer was suspended on 29 October pending an investigation. The airport apologised, said the conduct fell short of service standards, and said it would press the contractor for strict penalties if misconduct is confirmed.
WeatherForecasters warn of heavy rain on southern Gulf coast.
The Thai Meteorological Department expects isolated heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani on 31 October, with flash-flood risk in parts of the south. Thunderstorms cover about 60% of Bangkok. Waves may top two metres near storms in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, and boaters are advised to avoid storm areas.
TravelTak suspends informal border trade amid Myanmar fighting.
Stray fire from fighting near Myawaddy hit the Thai side in Mae Sot between 25 and 29 October, injuring one resident and damaging a house. The Naresuan Task Force then suspended goods trade through unofficial crossings in Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts from 30 October to 5 November, or until the situation eases. Reports did not say whether travellers can still use the official crossings.
LawThailand requires ID for paid social ads from 1 November.
From 1 November, anyone paying to advertise to people in Thailand, including overseas advertisers, must verify with government ID or an approved digital identity service before platforms such as Meta and TikTok run the ad, the government said. Ordinary posts are not covered, and foreign advertisers can use qualifying documents issued abroad.
Visas & entryImmigration police arrest Chinese man 267 days past stay.
A 36-year-old Chinese man entered Thailand on 6 December 2025 with permission to stay until 3 February 2026. Officers arrested him in Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok, after Chinese officials shared information with Thai Immigration. He is also wanted on a Chinese warrant issued in January, reports said; the offence was not disclosed.

Money & fees

Binance TH pauses crypto transfers after exchange hack

The exchange describes the pause as a precaution and has given no date for reopening deposits and withdrawals. Binance has said it will cover losses from its emergency fund.

Binance TH has paused crypto deposits and withdrawals after a cyberattack on the global Binance exchange on 29 October.

Why it matters: Thai users can still trade but cannot move crypto in or out of the platform. The Securities and Exchange Commission, which licenses the exchange, had issued no public statement by 31 October.

Binance TH, run by Gulf Binance, said its customers’ assets are safe and that its cold wallets and systems are separate from the global exchange. Trading and other services are running normally.

Binance said early findings point to a compromised laptop used to submit unauthorised withdrawals, and that it found no sign that wallet private keys leaked. It put the impact at about US$6.3 billion and said it will cover losses from its emergency fund and company funds. Binance has not said who was responsible.

What to do If you hold crypto on Binance TH, check the app and its announcements before planning a transfer, because deposits and withdrawals are paused.

The Thursday Newsletter

The week, every Thursday.

The stories that matter most, plus what's on and one guide, in the Thursday Newsletter.

What's on in Bangkok this weekend
Entry and visa changes, in plain English
One guide worth reading, kept up to date