2026 in Thailand
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Following is a list of events and scheduled events in the year 2026 in Thailand. The year 2026 is reckoned as the year 2569 in Buddhist Era, the Thai calendar.
Incumbents
[edit]Events
[edit]January
[edit]- 2 January – The Royal Gazette officially places the date for a referendum on a new constitution for February 8.[1][2]
- 6 January – A Thai soldier is injured in mortar shelling blamed on an accident by Cambodian forces along their common border in Ubon Ratchathani province.[3]
- 11 January – Eleven PTT petrol stations in the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala are targeted in a series of bomb attacks that leave a police officer and three civilians injured.[4][5]
- 14 January – A construction crane falls on a passenger train in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, killing 32 people and injuring 66 others.[6]
- 15 January – A construction crane collapses onto vehicles on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon province, killing two people.[7]
- 20 January –
- Fourteen Thai nationals believed to have escaped from a scam center in Cambodia are detained after crossing the international border into Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province.[8]
- Prime minister Charnvirakul announces the end of a four-month operation to curb drug trafficking, resulting in the seizure of over 330 million methamphetamine tablets and over 3.39 billion baht, the arrest of over 88,000 suspects, and the dismantling of several crime syndicates.[9]
- 20–26 January – 2026 ASEAN Para Games[10]
- 25 January – Authorities reintroduce endangered Indo-Pacific leopard sharks off the coast of Phuket province in efforts to increase the wild populations.[11]
- 29 January – An AT-6TH Wolverine aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force crashes during a training flight in Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai, killing its two pilots.[12]
- 30 January –
- Two Thai soldiers are injured in a detonation of unexploded munitions caused by a grassfire near the Cambodia-Thailand border in Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province.[13]
- One person is killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Don Chedi district, Suphan Buri province.[14]
February
[edit]- 3 February – Authorities announce the first case of psittacosis in Thailand.[15]
- 4 February – A police officer is injured in a bomb attack on a petrol station in Mueang Pattani district, Pattani province.[16]
- 7 February –
- 8 February –
- 2026 Thai general election: Prime minister Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party wins a plurality of at least 194 of 500 seats in the House of Representatives.[19]
- 2026 Thai constitutional referendum: A motion to replace the 2017 constitution passes with the support of two-thirds of voters.[19]
- A soldier is injured in a bomb attack on a military convoy in Bannang Sata district, Yala province.[20]
- 9 February – A fire at the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok damages 28 shops.[21]
- 11 February –
- Three people are injured in a roadside bombing in Rueso district, Narathiwat province.[22]
- 2026 Hat Yai school shooting: One person is killed while two others are injured in a school shooting in Hat Yai.[23]
- A Thai soldier is injured after stepping on a landmine near the Cambodia-Thailand border in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province.[24]
- 12 February – A wildfire breaks out at the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Nakhon Ratchasima province, affecting 6,400 rai.[25]
- 13 February – The Bhumjaithai Party reaches an agreement to form a coalition government with the Pheu Thai Party.[26]
- 15 February – Seven bomb attacks are made overnight on Yi-ngo and Ra-ngae districts in Narathiwat province.[27]
- 16 February — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission formally withdraws a defamation case it filed in a Thai court against Australian journalist and Thai resident Murray Hunter over articles published on his Substack newsletter after reaching a settlement.[28]
- 20 February – At least 72 tigers are reported to have died following an outbreak of canine distemper at Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai.[29]
- 22 February – The Royal Thai Navy seizes a Cambodian fishing vessel along the maritime boundary between the two countries off the coast of Trat province.[30]
- 25 February – UNESCO announces the honorary recognition of Queen Rambai Barni as a World Important Person on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of her royal initiatives in education, social development, and gender equality.[31] The celebration is based on the centenary of her investiture as Queen.[32]
March
[edit]- 11 March – The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier MV Mayuree Naree is hit by two Iranian missiles shortly after passing the Strait of Hormuz. Twenty people are rescued and three are reported missing after the vessel catches on fire.[33]
- 12 March – The Government of Thailand summons Iran's ambassador, demanding an apology and an explanation for the attack on the bulk carrier MV Mayuree Naree in the waters of the Strait the previous day.[34]
- 15 March – Sophon Saram of the Bhumjaithai Party is elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.[35]
- 17 March – A court in Bangkok sentences eSports players Naphat Warasin and Kong Sutprom to three months' imprisonment for cheating during the 2025 SEA Games.[36]
- 19 March – The House of Representatives reelects Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister after the latter gains the support of 293 of 498 voting MPs.[37]
- 31 March – The Thailand national football team qualifies for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup after defeating Turkmenistan to finish top of their qualification group.[38]
April
[edit]- 6 April – King Vajiralongkorn administers the oath of office to the cabinet members of Anutin Charnvirakul.[39]
May
[edit]- 5 May – Thailand revokes a 2001 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia aimed at resolving maritime border disputes.[40]
- 11 May – Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is released from prison.[41]
- 15 May – Chadchart Sittipunt resigns as Governor of Bangkok ahead of the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election.[42]
- 16 May – A freight train crashes into a bus near Makkasan station in Bangkok, killing at least eight people and injuring 15 others.[43]
- 19 May – The government revises its visa policy and reduces visa-exemption periods for citizens of 93 countries.[44]
- 28 May – The Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge No.2 is opened for the first time in more than 10 months.[45]
- 30 May – The inaugural all-star edition of Miss Grand International is held in Bangkok.[46]
June
[edit]- 2 June – Cambodia files a notice to UNCLOS seeking compulsory conciliation of its maritime border dispute with Thailand.[47] On 5 June, Thailand agrees to send two representatives to the UNCLOS negotiations.[48]
- 11 June – The Bangkok South Criminal Court sentences two suspects to death over the 2015 Bangkok bombing.[49]
- 27 June – An Australian national is arrested after the body of 17-year old Tunchanok Donhomla is found in a suitcase in Pattaya.[50]
- 28 June – 2026 Bangkok gubernatorial election
July
[edit]- 2 July – An 11-year-old child crashes a pickup truck into a group of monks on a pilgrimage walk in Mukdahan province, killing 11.[51]
- 5 July – 2026 Bangkok Metropolitan Council election
- 12 July – Forty-one people are killed in a fire at a bar in Bangkok.[52]
- 22 July – Five paramilitary soldiers are killed and six others are injured after militants attack a security checkpoint in Narathiwat province.[53]
- 24 July – The United States imposes a 12.5% tariff on Thailand, citing the presence of alleged forced labour in the supply chain.[54]
- 25 July – The Wat Phra Mahathat temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[55]
- 26 July – Killings of Diana and Roman Nazimova in Chonburi province.[56]
August
[edit]- 7 August –
- At least nine people, including the 14-year-old assailant, are killed in a mass shooting in Nonthaburi.[57]
- A car crashes into a Kanchanaburi childcare center, injuring 16 people.[58]
- 10 August – Former MP Chalong Riewrang is arrested after fatally shooting Thongchai Yenprasert, the president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, and injuring his driver outside Thongchai's office.[59]
- 14 August – A French national is released on bail after an antisemitic attack that injured two Israeli women in Ko Pha-ngan.[60]
- 22 August – At least two people are injured in a series of bombing and arson attacks across Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani provinces.[61]
- 24 August – An arson attack is carried out on a convenience store in Pattani province, resulting in two arrests.[62]
September
[edit]- 9 September – A gunman fatally shoots a teacher at a kindergarten in Chonburi province.[63]
- 11 September – Phra Wachirayan Wi, a former abbot at Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya, is arrested on suspicion of embezzling 100 million baht ($3 million) from the monastery and having inappropriate sexual relations.[64]
- 15 September – Thailand reduces visa-free stays for citizens of 60 countries from 60 days to 30 days.[65]
- 26 September – Following three days of rainfall that resulted in flooding, authorities declare a disaster zone over Bangkok.[66]
October
[edit]- 2 October – The board of Thai Airways International dismisses Chai Eamsiri as CEO.[67]
Scheduled
[edit]- 14 November – Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 will be held at the IdeaLive arena in Bangkok.[68]
- 11–13 December – The Belgium-based Tomorrowland festival will stage its first Asian edition in Pattaya.[69]
Art and entertainment
[edit]Holidays
[edit]- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 17 February – Chinese New Year
- 3 March – Makha Bucha Day
- 19–20–March – Hari Raya Puasa
- 6 April – Chakri Memorial Day
- 13–15 April – Songkran Festival
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 4 May – Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn Holiday
- 13 May – Royal Ploughing Ceremony
- 31 May – Visakha Bucha Day
- 3 June – Queen Suthida's Birthday
- 28 July – King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday
- 29 July – Asahna Bucha Day
- 12 August – The Queen Mother's Birthday
- 13 October – King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day
- 23 October – Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
- 5 December – King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Birthday
- 10 December – Constitution Day
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 31 December – New Year's Eve
Deaths
[edit]- 5 January – Induratana Paribatra, 103, royal[72]
- 12 January – Asda Jayanama, 84, diplomat[73]
- 22 January – Bunjop Bunnag, 100, politician, minister of defence (1992).[74]
- 19 February – Jaranthada Karnasuta, 76, politician, member of the Privy Council (since 2016).[75]
- 8 March – Mantana Morakul, 102, singer.[76]
- 5 April – Thitinan Saengnak, 65, MP (2019–2023).[77]
- 11 June – Bajrakitiyabha, 47, princess and diplomat.[78]
- 20 July – Rang Thurapon, 69, MP (since 2023).[79]
- 31 July – Phon Paradraksa, 103, police officer.[80]
- 11 August – Kriang Kalptinan, 73, MP (1995–2006, 2023–2025).[81]
- 19 August – Ray MacDonald, 49, actor.[82]
- 24 September – Piak Poster, 93, filmmaker, film poster artist and actor (The Billionaire).[83]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Royal Gazette Declares 8 Feb 2026 as Referendum and Election Day". Thairath. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ↑ "Referendum date officially set for same election day". Bangkok Post. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ↑ "Thai army says Cambodia claims new border strike was accident amid truce". Al Jazeera. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
- ↑ "Bomb attacks hit 11 petrol stations across Thailand's deep South". The Nation. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ↑ "Security stepped up after bomb, arson attacks on 11 petrol stations in Thailand's Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat". The Star. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ↑ "Nakhon Ratchasima crane tragedy: Search ends with 32 fatalities". The Nation Thailand. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ↑ "Rama II Road crane collapse kills two". Bangkok Post. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ↑ "Thai forces detain 14 Thais after escape from job scam in Cambodia". The Nation Thailand. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand seizes over 330 million methamphetamine tablets in 4-month crackdown". The Straits Times. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ↑ "13th ASEAN Para Games opens in Korat with spectacle". The Nation Thailand. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ↑ Wesshasartar, Napat (26 January 2026). "Thailand releases endangered leopard sharks in conservation push". Reuters. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ↑ "Thai Air Force says 2 pilots killed in plane crash during training mission". AP News. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ↑ "Explosion at Thai-Cambodian border injures two Thai soldiers after grass fire ignites munitions". The Nation. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ↑ "One killed, three injured in fireworks factory explosion in Suphan Buri". Bangkok Post. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand confirms first parrot fever case and urges caution among bird owners". The Nation. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ↑ "Explosion at PTT petrol station in Pattani; EOD officer injured". The Nation. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ↑ "Situation command centre set up to salvage sunken cargo ship off Phuket". The Nation. 9 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ↑ "Tower crane arm collapses near Asoke mall, 2 injured". The Nation. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Thailand's Bhumjaithai set for coalition talks after surprise election win". Al Jazeera. 9 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bomb hits REVA armoured vehicle convoy in Yala's Bannang Sata, one soldier injured". The Nation. 9 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ↑ "A fire broke out at Chatuchak Weekend Market, damaging two blocks and 28 shops". The Nation. 10 February 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ↑ "Road-culvert bomb injures three in Narathiwat, missing police patrol". The Nation. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "Teenager steals gun from police and attacks a school in southern Thailand, killing 1". AP News. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ "Breaking: Army confirms landmine incident in Kantharalak, Si Sa Ket". The Nation. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ "Wildfire at Sakaerat under control; 6,400 rai affected, authorities on high alert". The Nation. 14 February 2026. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ↑ "Thai PM agrees coalition with Thaksin-backed party". France 24. 13 February 2026. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ↑ "Seven bomb attacks hit Narathiwat's Yi-ngo and Ra-ngae overnight". The Nation. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ↑ "A writer is cleared by Thai court after Malaysian agency withdraws defamation case". Associated Press. 17 February 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ↑ "Virus kills dozens of tigers in Thailand park". France 24. 21 February 2026. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ↑ "Navy confirms Cambodian fishing boat seized in Thai waters". The Nation. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "'UNESCO' honors King Rama IX and Queen Rambhai Barni". Matichon (in Thai). 14 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ↑ Chumphon, M.R. Prudsathorn. "Honoring Queen Rambhai Barni" (PDF). National Assembly of Thailand (in Thai). Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ↑ "Thailand says 3 crew missing after ship hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz".
- ↑ "Thailand Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Attack On Thai Cargo Ship". BERNAMA. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ↑ "Bhumjaithai's Sophon elected as new House Speaker". Thai PBS World. 15 March 2026. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- ↑ "Thai eSports players sentenced over SEA Games cheating scandal". France 24. 17 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to remain in power following Parliament vote". AP News. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand beat Turkmenistan 2-1 to reach Asian Cup 2027". The Nation Thailand. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand's new coalition gov't sworn in". Xinhua. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand scraps 2001 maritime territory deal with Cambodia after years of deadlock". AP News. 5 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand's divisive ex-PM is out of jail, but is the Thaksin era over?". BBC. 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ "Chadchart resigns as Bangkok governor ahead of May 21 term end". nationthailand. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "Eight found dead after freight train hits Bangkok bus near Makkasan". nationthailand. 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand cuts visa-free stay period for more than 90 countries including UK". BBC. 19 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Mae Sot-Myawaddy border crossing shut by Myanmar conflict reopens after 10 months". Khaosod. 28 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑ Flores Layno, Karen (31 May 2026). "Colombia wins MGI All Stars; PH's Gazini Ganados ends journey in Top 5". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- ↑ "Cambodia initiates action with UN agency to force conciliation of maritime dispute with Thailand". AP News. 2 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand to join UN maritime arbitration with Cambodia, halts other two-way talks". Rappler. 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ Saksornchai, Jintamas (11 June 2026). "Thai court sentences 2 Uyghur men to death over 2015 Bangkok bombing that killed 20". AP News. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- ↑ "Australian arrested after teenage girl's body found in Thailand". ABC News. 27 June 2026. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ "10 Thai monks killed as boy crashes truck into procession". NHK. 3 July 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- ↑ "Death toll from Bangkok pub fire rises to 41". Bangkok Post. 18 August 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Five soldiers killed in southern Thailand checkpoint attack". Al Jazeera. AFP. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- ↑ Race, Michael; Velasquez, Francisco; Crew, Jemma; Chia, Osmond (24 July 2026). "US hits dozens of countries with new wave of tariffs". BBC News. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Kim, Tong-hyung (26 July 2026). "Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp among new additions to join UNESCO's World Heritage List". AP News. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Russian siblings dead, suspects confess". Bangkok Post. 31 July 2026. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
- ↑ "I was standing in front of my teacher when she was shot, Thai pupil says". BBC. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Driver in childcare centre crash tests positive for drugs, not medical issue". Phuket Gazette. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Former Thai MP allegedly kills official and confesses on YouTube". BBC. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "French national reportedly released on bail in Thailand after brutal attack on Israeli mother, daughter". The Times of Israel. 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dozens of co-ordinated arson attacks hit southern Thailand". BBC. 23 August 2026. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
- ↑ "Unrest continues in Thailand's southern provinces". NHK. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Gunman shoots and kills a teacher at a kindergarten in eastern Thailand". Associated Press. 9 September 2026. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
- ↑ "Buddhist monk arrested in suspected $3m embezzlement scandal". BBC. 11 September 2026. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand cuts visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days". NHK. 4 September 2026. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
- ↑ "Disaster zone declared across Bangkok as heavy rain triggers flooding". Al Jazeera. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
- ↑ "Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri sacked". Thai PBS World. 2 October 2026. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
- ↑ "'Eurovision Asia 2026' announced; Himalayan TV to hold auditions in Nepal". OnlineKhabar. 31 March 2026. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ↑ "Tomorrowland to hold its first ever Asia festival in Thailand". BBC. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ↑ "Thailand Public Holidays 2026". Public Holidays Global. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
- ↑ "Thailand Public Holidays List 2026". Public Holidays. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
- ↑ ""พระองค์หญิงอินทุรัตนา บริพัตร" (พระวรวงศ์เธอ พระอ���ค์เจ้าอินทุรัตนา) สิ้นพระชนม์ สิริพระชันษา ๑๐๓ ปี". Pantip. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ↑ "สิ้น "อัษฎา ชัยนาม" อดีตเอกอัครราชทูตและผู้แทนถาวรไทยประจำUN ถึงแก่อนิจกรรม". JS100. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ↑ สยามรัฐ. "สิ้น "พล.อ.บรรจบ บุนนาค" อดีต รมว.กลาโหม ถึงแก่อนิจกรรม". Siamrath (in Thai). Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "จรัลธาดา กรรณสูต องคมนตรี ถึงแก่อนิจกรรม ที่รพ.จุฬาลงกรณ์". Matichon (in Thai). 19 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ↑ "สิ้นศิลปินแห่งชาติ 'มัณฑนา โมรากุล'ด้วยโรคชราสิริอายุ 103 ปี". Naewna. 8 March 2026.
- ↑ "ปิดฉาก "ฐิตินันท์" อดีต สส.อนาคตใหม่ ปลิดชีพตัวเองหนีมะเร็งตับ ริมบึงแก่นนคร". Daily News (in Thai). 5 April 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Wee, Sui-Lee (12 June 2026). "Princess Bha, Seen by Some as Heir to Thai Throne, Dies at 47". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "หรั่ง ธุระพล สส.อุดรธานี พรรคภูมิใจไทย เสียชีวิตจากโรคประจำตัว". Naewna (in Thai). 20 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
- ↑ "สิ้น พล.ต.ท.ผ่อน ปลัดรักษา บิดาภรรยาอดีต นายกฯ เศรษฐา สิริอายุ 103 ปี". ผู้จัดการออนไลน์ (in Thai). 31 July 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ ""เกรียง กัลป์ตินันท์" อดีต รมช.มหาดไทย เสียชีวิตอย่างสงบในวัย 73 ปี ครอบครัวอาลัย". Thairath (in Thai). 11 August 2026. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "ช็อกวงการ! "เรย์ แมคโดนัลด์" นักแสดง-พิธีกรสายลุย เสียชีวิตแล้วในวัย 49 ปี" [Industry shocked! "Ray MacDonald", action actor-host, passes away at 49]. Thairath (in Thai). 19 August 2026. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
- ↑ "'Piak Poster', National Artist master of film posters, dies". Bangkok Post. 24 September 2026. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
