Canadian arrested for assault, Thaksin Shinawatra pardoned, visa rules tightened

Several significant events have occurred in Thailand, including stricter visa rules, a royal pardon for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the arrest of a former Canadian teacher. Stricter Visa Rules Thailand has reduced the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days for visitors from over 90 countries. This decision, according to officials, aims to combat overstayers, illegal workers, and unauthorized business operators abusing tourist status. The change followed months of public discontent over reports of foreign visitors' misbehavior. Tour operators believe that most genuine holidaymakers will not be significantly affected, as many visitors stay for considerably less than 30 days. Critics argue that short stays alone may not deter disruptive behavior and that stricter enforcement might be a more effective solution. Royal Pardon for Thaksin Shinawatra Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was granted a royal pardon by a royal decree issued for Queen Suthida's birthday on June 3, 2026. The pardon removes the remaining restrictions of his parole, including monthly probation reporting and wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet. Thaksin was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for misconduct during his premiership, but this term was reduced to one year after his return from 17 years of self-imposed exile. He spent time in a police hospital before being released on parole. The latest pardon concludes his sentence before its original completion date in September. Former Canadian Teacher Arrested A 68-year-old former Canadian teacher was arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan on charges of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl during private tutoring in Nakhon Ratchasima. Police identified the suspect only as James and stated that he had previously worked as a math teacher and assistant principal at an international school. The alleged crime occurred last October when he was tutoring the student at her home. After being temporarily released, he reportedly failed to appear in court, prompting the victim's family to seek assistance from The Hug Project. Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau later tracked him down in Prachuap Khiri Khan, where he was arrested and charged. Pattaya Incident A woman from Pattaya left her apartment after CCTV footage showed a man climbing a fire escape and entering her fourth-floor room while she was not home. The incident occurred around 6:55 PM on June 1st in an apartment building in Bang Lamung, Chonburi. A 22-year-old resident became suspicious after finding one of her cats hiding under the bed and noticing that the balcony door was open, despite her having closed it. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, she saw a man climbing a fire escape onto her balcony. Following this incident, the woman decided to move out of the apartment.