Pacific Tips 2025 July 6

We hope you had a safe and fun long holiday weekend!

As we settle into the week, let’s keep the travel vibes strong. Today, we’re bringing you fresh insights, destination spotlights, and tips to make your next journey unforgettable. Whether you’re on the go or planning your next escape, we’ve got something for you.

🚨 Thailand Rolls Back Marijuana Laws — What Travelers Need to Know

As of late June 2025, Thailand has taken a sharp turn on cannabis regulation. The Ministry of Public Health reclassified cannabis flower as a controlled herb, meaning it can now only be sold with a doctor’s prescription. Recreational use isn’t officially criminalized yet, but the days of walk-in dispensaries selling to tourists without questions are over.

This shift follows political changes. The pro-legalization Bhumjaithai Party exited the ruling coalition, and the Pheu Thai-led government, which favors stricter controls, moved quickly. Their concerns? A spike in youth cannabis use, inconsistent dispensary oversight, and fears that Thailand had become too liberal too fast.

What does this mean in practice?

• Dispensaries must now have certified supply chains, track inventory, and sell only to those with medical need.

• Selling cannabis without proper documentation is now punishable by fines or jail time.

• Tourists are not criminalized for possession, but can no longer buy freely from shops without risk of those shops facing penalties.

Bottom line: Cannabis is no longer “freely legal” in Thailand. If you’re heading there, avoid purchasing unless you’re working with a licensed medical provider. And remember—full recriminalization may still be on the table.

✈️ Oman Air Becomes oneworld’s 15th Member

On 30 June 2025, oneworld® officially welcomed Oman Air as its 15th full member airline, marking a significant expansion for the alliance  . As the flag carrier of Oman, Oman Air brings its growing global network and award‑winning services into the fold.

🚀 What This Means for Travelers Starting 1 July, oneworld Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby members can earn and redeem miles on Oman Air flights. They’ll also enjoy priority check‑in, boarding, and access to lounges—including new oneworld lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol and Seoul Incheon . Conversely, top‑tier Oman Air passengers will access oneworld privileges across a vast network.

🌍 Broader Network Reach Oman Air operates to 42 destinations across 22 countries, flying a modern fleet of Boeing 737s and 787s  . The move adds a crucial Middle‑East hub at Muscat International Airport, complementing oneworld’s presence in the Gulf. Oman Air is also launching a new nonstop Muscat–Amsterdam service to celebrate the partnership  .

🌟 Strategic & Service Advantages Nat Pieper, oneworld’s CEO, highlighted the carrier’s “award‑winning product and service” and its strategic reach to South Asia  . Oman Air CEO Con Korfiatis expressed excitement, inviting global travelers to experience Oman’s culture, landscapes, and renowned hospitality.
 oneworld welcomes Oman Air This move enhances one world’s premium global connectivity and gives frequent flyers new routes, lounges, and benefits!

✈️ Great Sardine Experiment: 7 Seat Across - Trident Jet 🍿 

Imagine the horror: you’re boarding a Hawker Siddeley Trident in the late ’60s, expecting a cozy six-across layout… but surprise! Channel Airways thought it’d be clever to squeeze seven seats across the forward cabin. Yes, really.

With a cabin width barely wider than a Boeing 737 (just 3.56 meters), someone in corporate must’ve said, “Families love togetherness, right?” Sure—just not this much. The logic was to target budget-conscious charter flights. The result? Passengers practically shared a single seatbelt and swapped elbow rights every 15 seconds.

The seat pitch was described as “brutal” and the feedback? Let’s just say claustrophobia got its wings. Reviews ranged from “worse than a dentist’s waiting room” to “emotional support required after landing.” Unsurprisingly, Channel Airways folded shortly after. Coincidence? Probably not.

Today, this type of madness is banned. Thanks to modern evacuation regulations, airlines can’t put more than two seats between a passenger and the aisle. So, unless Ryanair decides to sell standing tickets, you’re safe in your six-across seat.

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