Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, April 27th to Sunday May 3rd.
They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.
-
Thai authorities are exploring the reintroduction of a 1000 Baht exit fee on Thai nationals traveling abroad, wanting to generate billions of baht annually to subsidize domestic tourism and keep more spending within the country.
2. A panel under Thailand’s Ministry of Justice has officially approved parole for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, paving the way for his release from prison on May 11th.
3. Hotels nationwide, spanning budget to luxury segments, are experiencing a sharp decline in forward bookings starting in May, according to the Thai Hotels Association (THA).
Hotel Bookings Plunge Across Thailand as Middle East Conflict and High Airfares Hit Tourism
4. Thai cyber police have arrested a 42-year-old dual Swedish-Finnish national identified only as Mr. Mikael for allegedly hacking into a prominent hotel’s guest database in Pattaya. He is accused of using the stolen information to impersonate hotel staff and extort money from guests by falsely claiming they had damaged hotel property.
Thai Police Arrest Swedish-Finnish Man for Hacking Pattaya Hotel Database in Guest Scam
5. Officers from the Pattaya Tourist Police, working with investigators from Region 2, raided a hotel in central Pattaya on the evening of April 28th, 2026, arresting a Thai woman and three Nigerian men believed to be part of a nationwide network using “money mule” bank accounts for romance scams and money laundering.
Pattaya Police Bust Nigerian-Led Money Mule Gang Involved in Romance Scams
6. Provincial leaders, security agencies, and foreign representatives gathered today at the Sarasin Conference Room, Phuket Provincial Hall, to discuss strategies for managing and regulating the behavior of international tourists in the province.
7. Joint Thai security forces conducted a raid on an unlicensed private school operating as a childcare center on Koh Phangan, uncovering significant violations including far more children than permitted and numerous illegal foreign workers.
8. A foreign couple was safely rescued after becoming stranded during a guided kayaking trip in the mangrove-lined Tha Len canal (Ao Thalane) in Krabi province on Saturday evening, according to local reports and the tour guide involved.
Foreign Couple Rescued After Kayaking Mishap in Krabi’s Tha Len Canal
9. Authorities have dismissed circulating rumors alleging that Israeli tourists seized control of a public beach in Phuket and attempted to drive away Thai visitors.
Phuket Authorities Refute Rumors of Israeli Foreigners Seizing Public Beach
That’s all for this week, as always thanks for your support.
