Tourism News
Get your daily dose of Tourism News in Thailand with the latest updates on exciting destinations, events, and travel industry developments. We provide relevant and insightful information about Thailand’s diverse travel scene, which includes innovative hospitality trends, cultural experiences, and sustainable tourism practices. Stay informed on various tourism-related matters, including visa policies and major infrastructure projects, to ensure you’re always one step ahead in the vibrant world of travel.
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Sponsored Why is Bangkok's air quality so bad?
Imagine waking up early in Bangkok and you see all the beautiful morning fog from your balcony, but as you sip your coffee you realise it's just Bangkok's air pollution that's making the sun rise aesthetic. Ranked as the 36th...
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Indonesia launches golden visa with 10-year residency for investors
Indonesia has introduced a long-term visa scheme aimed at attracting rich, “good-quality” foreign investors, President Joko Widodo announced. The new Golden Visa offers a 10-year residency permit to those rich enough to invest up to US$10 million in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The scheme includes a five-year visa option, requiring an individual to set up a company worth US$2.5 million,…
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Phuket leads in dengue crisis: Kids worst hit in southern Thailand
Phuket has emerged as the hotspot for dengue fever in upper southern Thailand, with the highest infection rates among seven provinces, according to the Department of Disease Control’s regional office. Dr Darinda Rosa, acting Director of Health Region 11’s Disease Control Office, highlighted a significant surge in dengue cases from January 1 to yesterday, totalling 5,853. Children aged 10-14 are…
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Thailand expects record tourists from Taiwan, India with visa policy
Thailand anticipates a record influx of tourists from Taiwan and India this year, largely due to the recent visa-free policy. The visa exemption for Taiwanese and Indian tourists, initiated in late 2023, has been extended until November 11, with the allowed stay period increased to 60 days. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that Thailand has already agreed on…
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TAT, TikTok, and Klook Thailand launch incredible travel contest
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with TikTok Thailand and Klook Thailand to launch the Amazing Thailand Passion Ambassador initiative. Tourists and content creators are invited to share their unforgettable Thailand travel videos for a chance to win amazing prizes. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool stated that this initiative supports the policy of the Minister of Tourism and…
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Royal river revelry to celebrate king’s birthday
In a grand tribute to Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s birthday, oil giant PTT Pcl, in collaboration with government agencies, the private sector, and the Bang Lamphu and Phra Nakhon district communities, is hosting the Lam Nam Nathi Wari Somphot event from July 26 to 28. The king’s birthday is on Sunday, July 28. This spectacular celebration is set…
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Bangkok in top 30 most dangerous cities for tourists
Bangkok has been named the 30th most dangerous city for tourists, according to a recent Forbes Advisor article. The article, 12 Best Travel Insurance Companies of July 2024, compared 60 international cities across seven key risk metrics. The cities were evaluated on travel safety, crime risk, personal security risk, health security risk, infrastructure security risk, natural disaster risk, and digital…
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Sky-high tourism boom: Thai-Chinese flights to double
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co Ltd (Aerothai) announced a dramatic increase in flights between Thailand and China. The number of annual flights is expected to double from under 100,000 to a staggering 200,000, thanks to a new mutual permanent visa waiver policy. The policy, which began in March, allows Chinese and Thai passport holders to enjoy visa-free holidays and transits…
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Thailand’s DNP boosts disaster readiness amid heavy rains
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan ordered the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) to prepare for natural disasters, particularly flash floods and landslides. Emphasising the need for constant vigilance in tourist areas, he instructed that personnel and equipment be ready to assist the public 24/7. Patcharawat expressed concern for the public affected by heavy rains…
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Weed way to go! Thailand flip-flops on cannabis laws again
In yet another exercise of political flip-flopping in Thailand’s cannabis saga, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced plans to legislate marijuana for medical use. This unexpected move marks a significant U-turn from recent proposals to re-criminalise the plant, leaving many questioning whether the government knows whether it’s coming or going. Thailand made headlines as one of the first Asian countries…
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Patong tuk tuk driver fined after aggressive road confrontation
Patong tuk tuk drivers are again under scrutiny after an alarming confrontation between a driver and a resident in traffic. The incident, captured in a 51-second video, ignited a wave of criticism and concern among Phuket residents. A resident, who has been living in Phuket for eight years, documented the encounter and posted the video on the Facebook page Driving…
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Ana maintains pre-pandemic load on Thailand-Japan flights
Japanese carrier ANA has successfully maintained the load factor on Thailand-Japan routes at the same robust level as in 2019, despite the challenges posed by a weak yen. Notably, the majority of its passengers are now Thai tourists and long-haul travellers transiting through Japan. Thailand has emerged as one of ANA’s strongest routes in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia post-pandemic, alongside…
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Expats: New Thai visas make elite status obsolete
Longstay expats are in uproar as Thailand’s new visa policies render their costly long-term options nearly worthless. The introduction of a 60-day visa-exempt policy and the 180-day Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has left many feeling shortchanged. Geoffrey Fisher, a Brit who recently forked out 900,000 baht (approximately £20,000) for a five-year Elite visa, lamented, “I’ve wasted my money as more…
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Phuket enforces 48-hour alcohol ban for Buddhist holidays
Patong police announced a 48-hour ban on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants as Thailand observes the Buddhist holidays Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa this weekend. Violating the alcohol sales ban could result in up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 10,000 baht, according to the notice issued by Patong Police. Officers informed bar…
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Wichit conducts major tsunami evacuation drill in Phuket
Phuket’s Wichit Municipality conducted a comprehensive tsunami evacuation drill and rescue exercise yesterday, July 18, aimed at bolstering disaster preparedness in Phuket. Wichit Mayor Kreetha Chotiwichpipat and Mueang Phuket District Chief Worasit Putjeeb led the drill, which involved multiple agencies in a Table Top Exercise (TTX). The simulation was designed to test the municipality’s ability to respond to a tsunami…
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Phuket launches road safety campaign to curb tourist accidents
Phuket provincial police have initiated a new road safety campaign targeting the root causes of traffic accidents involving tourists. This effort, in collaboration with local partners, aims to reduce the high number of road incidents in the area. The campaign was officially launched yesterday, July 18, at the Phuket Merlin Hotel by Region 8 Police Police Lieutenant General Suraphong Thanomchit…
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Butterbear to boost Thai tourism, targets 10% of Chinese fans
Butterbear, a beloved mascot in Thailand, will soon serve as a new presenter for Thai tourism, targeting to attract at least 10% of its one million Chinese fans to engage in tourism activities within the country. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to draw eight million arrivals from the Chinese outbound market, which is estimated to reach 130 million…
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TAT shines on Sri Racha tourism with magical island light show
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with Sri Racha Municipality, is set to present the Vijitr Chon Buri The Lighting Illumination: The Magical Island. This event will take place from tomorrow, July 20 to July 28 at Koh Loy in Sri Racha. Mayor of Sri Racha District Chatchai Timkrajang and Nat Khrutasutta, the Director of the Activities Department…
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Chon Buri launches Travel Mart 2024 to boost tourism revenue
Chon Buri has taken a major step to boost its tourism industry with the launch of the Chon Buri Travel Mart 2024. Governor Thawatchai Srithong, along with leaders from both the public and private sectors, inaugurated the tourism hotspot showcasing event, aiming to generate over a billion baht in tourism revenue. The event promoted business-to-business (B2B) networking with travel trade…
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The White Lotus effect ignites travel frenzy on Koh Samui
Koh Samui, the idyllic paradise island in the Gulf of Thailand, is basking in a wave of tourism enthusiasm. Recent data from Agoda shows a remarkable spike in interest, with international searches for accommodation soaring by 26% and domestic searches rising by 8% in June compared to the same period last year. The surge in interest coincides with the buzz…
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Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption unleashes unlimited entry by land
Three days into Thailand’s 60-day entry visa exemption, a tourist discovered there are no restrictions on the number of entries by land in a calendar year. Tod Daniels, ASEAN NOW‘s visa expert reported that the tourist did two free stamp land entries this year, left Thailand then entered the country again, and got a new 60-day entry with no issues.…
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Bangkok’s Wat Pho climbs Asia’s top travel list
Bangkok’s Wat Phra Chetuphon, famously known as Wat Pho, clinched a coveted spot among TripAdvisor’s 25 most popular destinations in Asia for 2024. This year, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha proudly stands at 9th place, a testament to its enduring appeal since it first made the list in 2020. TripAdvisor’s glowing recommendation highlights the tranquil allure of Wat Pho,…
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Mae Hong Son cracks down on inappropriate tourist behaviour
Mae Hong Son Governor Chucheep Pongchai issued an urgent directive to tighten regulations and enhance supervision of tourism activities in the Pai district, following reports of inappropriate behaviour by some foreign tourists during river tubing on the Pai River. The matter came to the fore when a local resort owner in Pai raised concerns about the current state of tubing…
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Marriott International report reveals trends amongst affluent Asia Pacific travellers
A recent Marriott International report has outlined key emerging trends amongst high-income travellers in the Asia Pacific. The New Luxe Landscapes Report written by The Luxury Group (a brand which falls under the Marriott International business portfolio) explored how affluent tourists prefer to travel. The data included insights from the wealthiest 10% of people across six markets, Australia, Singapore, South…
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Agoda prepares for tourist boom in India as report shows growing interest from Thais
Multinational travel agency Agoda is preparing for increased tourism in India, as Thais have shown a growing interest in travelling to the country. Agoda, according to data from their digital platform, has observed a 16% increase in searches from Thailand looking for accommodation in India. This growth in search volume comes days after the Indian government announced they would waive…
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Thailand expects 42 billion boost from French tourists post-Olympics
The Paris Olympic Games are projected to draw fewer visitors than initially expected, prompting the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to anticipate a resurgence in the French market post-event. The TAT forecasts 42 billion baht in revenue from French tourists in 2024. Soraya Homchuen, TAT Director in Paris, indicated that the French market is experiencing a lull due to two…
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Transformer explosion traps tourist in Pattaya condo elevator
An electrical transformer explosion late last night at 11.30pm caused significant disruption at a luxury condominium in Pattaya. The incident, yesterday, July 16, left a young female foreign tourist trapped inside an elevator for over 20 minutes. The condominium, situated in Soi 16, Na Kluea, Banglamung District, Chon Buri Province, stands eight floors tall. Residents and condo officials quickly mobilised…
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TAT unveils 2025 plan to boost tourism
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled its 2025 marketing plan to revitalise Thai tourism. The annual TAT Strategic Direction conference was a star-studded affair, featuring Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports H.E. Sermsak Pongpanit, and TAT’s Chairperson of the Board Natthriya Thaweevong. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool declared that recognising 2025 as another challenging year, TAT will be putting its best…
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Udon Thani hotel calls for delay in electricity rate hike
A prominent hotel in Udon Thani urged the government to delay the planned electricity rate hike, citing concerns about the current purchasing power of consumers. They argue that customers are only spending on necessities, and an increase in electricity costs could further impact the number of patrons using their services. Apicha Veerachatiyanukul, the managing director of Udon Plaza Co., Ltd.,…
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The three tours recommended by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the nation’s leader in tourism operations, recommends three tours for travelers who want to truly experience Thailand’s beauty. Aiming to drive Thailand towards sustainable experience-based tourism activities, TAT promotes the tourism industry through marketing, communications and service provision. TAT hopes to grow Thailand’s tourism ecosystem by providing trustworthy resources, information and data for prospective…
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Govenor enforces stricter tourism rules after indecency incident
Mae Hong Son Governor Chucheep Phongchai announced immediate measures to regulate tourism activities following an incident involving a foreign tourist couple engaging in indecent behaviour after tubing and consuming alcohol at a resort in Pai District, northern Thailand. Concerned about the potential negative impact on Pai’s tourism image, the governor emphasised the need for stringent guidelines and enhanced tourism management.…
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