Trial runs of a new cross-border rail service linking Bangkok and Vientiane will be carried out between Nong Khai Station and Vientiane Station in Laos on 13 July 2024, with passenger services officially commencing this Friday 19 July 2024.

The service, which has been accepting bookings since 10 July, will begin its first commercial run from Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal Station in Bangkok to Vientiane on 19 July 2024. The train, which departs at 9.25pm, will run through the night and reach its destination at 9.05am the following morning.

There are various options for tickets on the night train, with prices varying depending on the comfort level. A 3rd class fan seat costs 281 baht, a 2nd class air-conditioned seat costs 574 baht, a 2nd class upper bunk bed with air conditioning costs 784 baht, and a more spacious 2nd class lower bunk bed with air conditioning costs 874 baht. Discounted fares are available if you board from an intermediate station.

Passengers can reserve seats at any train station in Thailand up to 180 days in advance.

The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather advisory predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in most parts of Thailand from July 14 to July 18, 2024.

The heaviest downpours are expected in the northeastern provinces, including Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, and Ubon Ratchathani. Heavy rains are also expected to hit the central provinces, including Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Significant rainfall is expected in other provinces, including Chanthaburi, Trat, Phetchaburi, Surat Thani and Phuket, as well.

The approaching rains are due to a strong monsoon trough affecting the northern and northeastern regions and an active low pressure system in the central South China Sea. In addition, the ongoing southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand is expected to worsen the weather conditions in many areas.

TMD has warned residents to prepare for possible flash flooding and inundation, especially along waterways and in low-lying areas. As thunderstorms may be widespread and severe, TMD has advised all modes of transport to exercise maximum caution during this period.

Maritime conditions are expected to be severe over the next five days, according to TMD, with wave heights of 2-3 metres expected in the northern Andaman Sea and over 3 metres during thunderstorms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The agency has warned all vessels planning to go to sea to proceed with caution, while smaller craft have been advised to stay on land during this period for safety.

Starting July 19, 2024, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will operate one round trip international train per day between Bangkok (Krungthep Apiwat Station) and Vientiane (Khamsawat Station), the capital of Laos. Tickets have already gone on sale on July 10.

The train has 152 third-class seats (fan), 64 second-class seats (air-conditioned), and 30 second-class sleeper (air-conditioned).

The train schedule is as follows: the outbound journey departs from Krungthep Apiwat Station at 9:25 p.m. and arrives at Khamsawat Station the next day at 9:05 a.m. The return journey departs from Khamsawat Station at 6:25 p.m. and arrives at Krungthep Apiwat Station the next day at 7:30 a.m.

Batik Air Malaysia, a member of the Lion Air Group, has announced that it will operate new routes from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi and Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai from September 13, 2024.

The aircraft used will be a Boeing 737.

The planned flight schedule is as follows:
Kuala Lumpur⇔Krabi (From September 13, 2024)
OD586 KUL11:40 KBV12:05 Daily
OD587 KBV13:05 KUL15:40 Daily

Kuala Lumpur⇔Hat Yai (From September 13, 2024)
OD588 KUL11:35 HDY11:50 Daily
OD589 HDY12:40 KUL15:00 Daily

For details and reservations, please refer to the official Batik Air Malaysia website.

In commemoration of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 92nd birthday, the Thai Red Cross will hold a Mother's Day celebration event on 12 August 2024 at Siam Amazing Park.

The event, which was first held in 1976, will mark its 49th anniversary this year. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the ceremony on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

The celebration will award 230 mothers in various fields, including social contribution, perseverance, dedication to agriculture and volunteer work. These awards will honour the mothers' extraordinary commitment to their families and communities.

In addition, the event will honour 123 dedicated children from various fields, including academics, sports, government service and the arts, to recognise their significant contributions to society and personal achievements.

A special highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Devoted Child Award to Thai-born Lalisa Manoban, known worldwide as Lisa of BLACKPINK, in recognition of her influential contributions in Thailand and internationally.

State-run bus operator Transport Co. announced on July 8, 2024 that it will introduce bus services to three major airports managed by the Airports of Thailand (AOT).

The new routes will connect Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang and Phuket airports with provinces in Thailand, including Pattaya, Chanthaburi, Trat, Nakhon Ratchasima and Hua Hin, and are scheduled to start by the end of 2024.

The expansion of the bus network is expected to increase tourist traffic, stimulate economic activity in each province and revitalize the local economy.

LLC Thai Vietjet Air has announced that it will increase the number of direct flights between Bangkok and Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam from 5 round trips per week to 2 round trips per day from October 27, 2024.

The planned flight schedule is as follows.
Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) ⇒ Phu Quoc
VZ980 BKK09:40 PQC11:00 Daily
VZ982 BKK14:40 PQC16:00 Daily

Phu Quoc ⇒ Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi)
VZ981 PQC12:00 BKK13:20 Daily
VZ983 PQC17:00 BKK18:20 Daily

For details and reservations, please refer to the official Vietjet Air website.

The Thai Ministry of Public Health has decided to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic drug. This change will come into effect on January 1, 2025. From January 1, 2025, cannabis will be restricted to medical purposes rather than recreational.

Under the new classification, cannabis buds and substances containing 0.2% or more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will be listed as narcotics, but branches, roots, seeds, etc. will be excluded.

However, some committee members and many civic groups have voiced opposition.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will hold the Amazing Beach Life Festival as part of its Ignite Tourism Thailand initiative.

The festival will take place on the following dates:
July 12-14: Laem Charoen Beach, Rayong
July 26-28: Phang Nga
August 2-4: Patong Beach, Phuket
August 9-11: Chalatat Beach, Songkhla

The event is aimed at foreign and local tourists interested in beach activities and aims to distribute economic benefits throughout the local community during the off-peak season.

Planned activities include water sports, music concerts, DJ performances, and beach-themed DIY workshops. The event will also feature a local arts and crafts fair, food trucks, beach bars, and fashion displays.

Entry to the Amazing Beach Life Festival is free. For more information, please visit the official TAT Website or call the Travel Buddy Hotline on 1672.

There are the following Buddhist days in Thailand:
Makha Bucha (All Buddhas' Day)
Visakha Bucha (Buddha's Birthday)
Asaraha Bucha (Three Treasures Day)
Khao Phansa (Entry into the Temple)
Og Phansa (Exiting the Temple)

In Thailand, the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on this Buddhist day.

Thailand's National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee has decided to lift the ban on alcoholic beverage sales on Buddhist Day at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, Chiang Mai Airport, Chiang Rai Airport, Phuket Airport, and Hat Yai Airport. The lifting of the ban is aimed at promoting the tourism economy. It is unclear when the lifting will begin.

The Thai government is also discussing a review of regulations that would ban alcohol sales nationwide between 2pm and 5pm.