Sunday 1 November

Chao Phraya River at golden hour with boats and riverside towers

Weather

Tidal flood alert covers Bangkok and seven provinces

Water levels at river mouths are expected to rise. Unsettled weather with thundershowers and gusty winds is forecast from 2 to 6 November, and the report gave no tide times.

A tidal flood alert covers Bangkok and seven provinces until 4 November, the national water agency said on 1 November.

Why it matters: commuters and visitors on Sukhumvit, Suksawat and Rama II roads face the most disruption, the agency said.

The Office of the National Water Resources said in its 7am report that high pressure from China is driving easterly winds that raise sea levels, with stronger winds and waves adding to the rise. The alert covers Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Songkhram.

Communities on the Chao Phraya, Tha Chin, Bang Pakong and Mae Klong rivers are most exposed where they sit outside flood embankments or lack permanent flood protection. A separate Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation alert ran to 5 November.

What to do Until 4 November, check tide and road conditions before riverside or coastal trips, and allow extra time on the roads named.

Visas & entry

Thailand weighs 30-day visa exemption for Mexico, Colombia

The Tourism Authority of Thailand says travellers from both countries stay longer and spend more per trip than average. Reports differ on whether the waiver would be 30 or 15 days.

Thailand’s tourism policy committee has agreed in principle to review a 30-day visa exemption for visitors from Mexico and Colombia.

Why it matters: both nationalities have needed a visa before flying since 15 September, and nothing is approved.

The National Tourism Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, referred the proposal to the Visa Policy Review Committee. The Tourism Ministry has said the separate 15-day plan goes to the Visa Policy Committee on 9 November; the 30-day report gave no date.

Reports differ on the details. The Tourism Ministry said on 27 October that it would ask for a 15-day waiver covering Mexico, Colombia and Uzbekistan. Officials have not said when any waiver could take effect.

What to do Mexican and Colombian passport holders should keep applying for a visa before travel; nothing changes until a waiver is published in the Royal Gazette.

Money & fees

Thailand opens 50,000-baht rooftop solar subsidy for homes

Systems must be five to 10 kilowatts and fitted by a registered installer. The money arrives only after installation, and the subsidy cannot be stacked with the solar tax deduction.

Thai households can claim 50,000 baht toward rooftop solar under a government scheme; registration is open until 31 January 2027.

Why it matters: applicants must be Thai nationals, so foreign residents are not eligible unless a Thai national holds the household meter.

The Cabinet approved a 50-billion-baht budget on 27 October for up to one million households, and Deputy Government Spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana announced it on 29 October. Registration opened on 27 October and drew more than 50,000 applicants on its first day.

The applicant’s name must be linked to the household meter.

Grid-connection applications are due by 31 August 2027, and connection must be complete by 30 September 2027. The subsidy cannot be combined with the personal income tax deduction of up to 200,000 baht for rooftop solar.

State Welfare Cardholders can join, but they give up their 315-baht monthly electricity subsidy for 20 years from the grid connection date.

What to do If a Thai national holds your household electricity meter, register online with the PEA (outside Bangkok) or MEA (Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan) before 31 January 2027.

In brief

Money & feesOil fund sets new fuel levies and subsidies from 1 November.
Oil Fuel Fund Committee Notice No. 181 puts 7.81 baht a litre on benzene (petrol), 0.35 baht on gasohol 91 and 95, and a 3.90-baht subsidy on regular diesel. The notice sets fund rates, not pump prices, and the report did not say how retail prices will change.
TransportM6 motorway opens new toll plaza access points on 2 November.
The Department of Highways says new entry and exit points open at noon on 2 November at the Sikhio and Kham Thale So plazas. The Sikhio point moves from kilometre 5+500 to 6+000 on Highway 201, and drivers must use the two right-hand M-Flow lanes at both plazas. The change does not start full toll collection on the M6, and no fares were announced.
SafetyTests find toxic metals at suspected Chonburi waste dump.
Preliminary results from the Banglamung site show antimony, cadmium and lead, the government said on 29 October. Laboratory results are pending and no suspects have been named. The environment minister ordered the Pollution Control Department to trace the waste’s origin.
TravelUdon Thani's international horticultural expo opens.
The expo at Nong Dae Wetland runs from 1 November to 14 March 2027, daily from 8am to 8pm, with general admission at 199 baht. Organisers expect more than 3.6 million visitors and list 32 international gardens from 17 countries.

Living here

PM urges calm as foreign governments advise stocking up

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the ministry is monitoring the Middle East situation. Thai PBS World reported that 17 countries advise citizens to hold three days of necessities, without naming them.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on 31 October that Thais should not panic over other countries’ advice to keep three days of supplies amid the Middle East situation.

Why it matters: the government says Thailand’s food supply is secure, so residents are not being told to stockpile, and Thai embassies abroad will wait for host countries’ announcements before advising Thais there.

Anutin said Thailand has access to food production sources and that the government is fully prepared to handle the consequences even if the United States attacks Iran again.

Some Thais are not convinced and have started stockpiling anyway, the outlet said.

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