Tourism News
Thailand tourism news, travel updates, visa policies, and destination highlights—stay informed on hospitality trends, cultural experiences, and major infrastructure projects. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thailand travel news.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Chiang Mai airport’s 24/7 operation boosts hopes for tourism rebound
The tourism sector is gearing up for an influx of foreign visitors as Chiang Mai Airport prepares to operate round-the-clock from November. This move is expected to open up the northern region to more international tourists arriving on direct flights. Sittipong Wongsomboon, general manager of Northern Smile Travel, stated that the average hotel occupancy rate for September had dipped to…
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Taxi turmoil on Pattaya Beach Road: Bangkok driver’s threatening encounter
In the early hours yesterday, Pattaya City Police received a complaint from a Bangkok taxi driver alleging that he was threatened by an unidentified man he believed to be a Pattaya taxi driver. The incident took place on Pattaya Beach Road, where Chanai Waisuwan was trapped in a traffic jam while heading back to Bangkok after dropping off a passenger…
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Phuket set for 148 billion baht infrastructure boost to uplift tourism
The renowned resort island of Phuket is set to undergo a significant infrastructural facelift, courtesy of a proposed budget of 148 billion baht by the Transport Ministry. The ambitious Phuket infrastructure upgrade plan includes the addition of a second airport on the island, a move aimed at transforming Phuket into a prime regional tourism hub. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit disclosed the…
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Thai AirAsia CEO urges government to curb rising travel costs
Thai AirAsia‘s chief executive Santisuk Klongchaiya advocates for government intervention to mitigate escalating travel expenses for tourists, alongside the visa-free scheme for Chinese visitors. He justifies this by citing the disproportionate resumption of travel demand compared to the supply side, particularly in the airline industry, in the past year. Thai AirAsia’s capacity to serve China routes has notably reduced. Previously,…
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Tourist surge at Si Thep sparks concerns over sacred site damage
An unexpected surge in tourists at Si Thep Historical Park, recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19, sparked concerns among locals in Phetchabun. The locals are worried about the increasing number of visitors scaling Khao Klang Nok, a historical site within the park. The site, considered sacred and located approximately 2 kilometres from the old city…
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THAI’S high-flying ambition: Soaring to new heights in tourist traffic
Thai Airways International (THAI) unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its international flight offerings in the forthcoming high season. The airline’s primary focus is to draw in a higher number of tourists. A notable feature of this expansion is the airline’s decision to recommence flights to Istanbul, Turkey, which is a significant aviation hub for Asia, Europe, and Africa. This…
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Lost in translation: Thai road sign riddle baffles tourists
The director of the Phitsanulok Highway District, Awirut Thapthimthae, addressed the public confusion caused by the road sign for Wat Chan Thawan Ok. The sign, situated on the Phitsanulok-Nakhon Sawan highway or Si Racha Dechochai Road, in Wat Chan, Mueang, Phitsanulok, has been in place for over a decade. However, it has led to mispronunciations by foreign tourists, causing confusion…
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Climbing restrictions loom for tourists at sacred Khao Klang Nok
Phetchabun’s Si Thep Historical Park may soon restrict tourists from climbing Khao Klang Nok, a ruin considered sacred by locals. The move comes in response to the increasing number of visitors following the park’s declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. Locals expressed concerns about the influx of tourists, many of whom have been climbing Khao…
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Thailand anticipates Chinese tourism boost with visa-free scheme in 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) indicated that the revival of charter flights and large Chinese tourism groups could occur by the first quarter of 2024. This projected resurgence comes despite the forthcoming implementation of a visa-free scheme set to kick off this month. A preparation phase will span the final quarter of 2023 with charter flights beginning to cater…
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AIS and Trip.com partner to boost Chinese tourism in Thailand
Thailand’s leading 5G digital service provider, Advanced Info Service (AIS), is partnering with China’s top online travel agent, Trip.com, to create a smooth travel experience for Chinese tourists. This move comes in response to the government’s recent introduction of a visa-free policy for Chinese visitors. AIS aims to stimulate Thailand’s tourism sector by offering a comprehensive user experience for Chinese…
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Rise in expatriate residence in Thailand prompts tourism benefits plan
Thailand’s popularity as a residence of choice for expatriates and remote workers is on the rise. As per the data from the Employment Department and Colliers Thailand, the first quarter of this year saw 156,596 expatriates, with over half based in Bangkok. The leading nationalities were Japanese, Chinese, and Indian last year. However, recent reports show an increased interest among…
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Pattaya heightens safety measures ahead of Chinese and Kazakh tourist influx
Pattaya, a renowned tourist destination in Thailand, is ramping up safety measures in anticipation of a surge in visitors from China and Kazakhstan. Local police held a comprehensive safety inspection of floating restaurants and squid fishing rafts in Pattaya Bay yesterday, September 23, focusing on the establishments’ adherence to safety guidelines and legal obligations. This intensification of safety checks is…
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Phuket hotels thrive amid economic uncertainty, thanks to diverse visitor base
Phuket hotels are showing resilience amid a sluggish European economy and a weak British pound, with Laguna Phuket setting sights on its best high season yet. This optimism is fuelled by the return of Chinese tourists and a rebound in international travel demand. Paul Wilson, who holds the position of Vice-President and Deputy Managing Director at Laguna Phuket, revealed that…
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Box office shocker: Thai trafficking thriller spooks Chinese tourists from coming to Thailand (video)
A Thai box office movie highlighting the real-life dangers of human trafficking in Thailand and Southeast Asia has been blamed for scaring Chinese tourists away from the kingdom. The movie, No More Bets, is a gripping thriller grounded in true events. It follows the harrowing journey of a computer programmer who finds himself ensnared in a violent scamming ring in…
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Phuket’s 191 hotline control room gets ‘ready to dial’
The Phuket control room, part of the National Emergency Notification Center and commonly referred to as the 191 police hotline, yesterday underwent an operational readiness inspection. Police Major General Saksira Phueakam, the Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police, conducted the assessment. This control room serves as a crucial hub for receiving reports from both Thai and foreign tourists, as well…
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Heartbroken British mother accuses Thai officials of ‘lies’ in son’s alleged suicide in Thailand
A British mother slammed the Thai authorities as “liars” after they informed her of her son’s alleged suicide in Thailand. Darnel Kimbia was reportedly found dead in a Bangkok car park on Sukhumvit Soi 50 on Thursday, September 7 with a suicide note lying by his side. The 24 year old man from Brighton had been travelling in Thailand for a…
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Phuket’s tourism boom: Visa-free policy sparks influx of Chinese and Kazakhstani visitors
The popular tourist destination of Phuket is on the cusp of a significant increase in Chinese and Kazakhstani visitors, thanks to a new visa-free policy set to take effect next week. The policy, unveiled in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, grants 30-day visa-free stays for nationals from both countries, starting from Monday and extending until February 29. The Tourism Authority…
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Thai economy to be driven by private consumption, tourism in 2023
Stimulating private consumption is a reasonable strategy for the government to maintain economic growth amidst global uncertainties, according to Tim Leelahaphan, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank Thailand. The first half of 2023 saw a 7% year-on-year increase in the country’s private consumption. Expectations are high for private consumption and tourism to be the main drivers of economic growth in…
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Four Thailand hotels make a ‘suite’ entrance in world’s 50 best awards
Four celebrated Thai hotels proved life is “suite” at the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels grand awards ceremony held at London’s Guildhall. The prestigious event, held yesterday, September 19, marked the first-ever global gathering of the hotel industry, celebrating the crème de la crème of hospitality experiences worldwide. Drawing from a diverse array of hotels spanning 35 destinations across six…
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Taking flight: AOT’s 70-billion baht plan for new airport in Phang Nga takes off
Airports of Thailand (AoT) is progressing with a 70 billion baht plan to construct an airport in Phang Nga, located north of Phuket, to cater to the growing tourist influx to the Andaman region. This information was shared by AoT President Keerati Kitmanawat, as he responded to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisiin’s recent visit to Chiang Mai to deliberate on the…
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Chinese tourism to Thailand lags despite lifted travel restrictions
The number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand continues to fall behind predictions, despite China lifting travel restrictions over eight months ago. By September 10, a total of 2.28 million Chinese arrivals had been recorded for the year, with estimates for the end of the year standing between 4 and 4.4 million. This falls short of the initial target of 5…
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Visa-free policy for Chinese, Kazakh tourists boosts Suvarnabhumi Airport readiness
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is preparing to welcome an influx of tourists from China and Kazakhstan following the announcement of a new visa-free policy, effective from next week. The Immigration Bureau (IB) is set to bolster its officer presence at the airport in anticipation of the increased arrivals. The visa-free policy, approved on Wednesday, September 13 and publicised in the Royal…
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Spider senses tarantula tingling: Arachnologists spin a web of discovery in Thailand
If you go down in the Thailand woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise, but it’s almost guaranteed there’ll be no Teddy Bears’ picnic, as arachnologists found while discovering a new species of tarantula. Arachnologists discovered the new species of tarantula deep in a mangrove forest in Phang Nga province, on the southwestern coast of Thailand. They stumbled upon…
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Chiang Mai tourism recovery slower than expected despite visa-free policy
Despite the gradual revival of tourism, a significant number of rooms in Chiang Mai‘s hotels and the international airport remain unoccupied, with the return of travellers seemingly slower than anticipated post-pandemic. Adding to the concerns is the anticipated PM2.5 dust during the peak season. Over the weekend, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin undertook an inspection of the airport in light of…
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Thai PM’s ‘spice of life’ plan: Srettha Thavisin to boost Thai-Indian tourism in Modi meet
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced his impending visit to India, scheduled for later this year, with an agenda to discuss boosting Indian tourism in Thailand with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders aim to resolve ongoing issues with visa application procedures and achieve approval for a visa-free policy for Indian tourists. Srettha told the media yesterday that he…
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Srettha Thavisin to bolster Thai-Chinese tourism, bilateral ties in China visit
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is slated for a diplomatic visit to China from Oct 8-10 to negotiate on 10 pivotal issues, among which strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing Thai-Chinese tourism cooperation take precedence. The announcement came yesterday during his visit to Chiang Mai, where he also hinted at the renewal of the Thai-Chinese memorandum of understanding on the loaning of…
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Chaiya Pier 60m baht investment to boost Surat Thani tourism
A significant boost to Chaiya district’s tourism is on the horizon as provincial authorities of Surat Thani have earmarked a budget of 60 million baht for the construction of a new pier. The announcement came from Surat Thani governor, Witchawut Jinto, who confirmed that construction will commence shortly. The construction is said to be positioned near a public park in…
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Phuket tourism and property sectors propose Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor
Phuket’s tourism and property development sectors have called on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to swiftly consider their proposal for an Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC). This initiative is intended to align with the global wellness trend, enhancing the tourism industry and related investments. This came to light during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Phuket and Phang Nga, where he…
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Thailand and Laos in talks to link tourism routes and build second bridge
In a bid to boost tourism and enhance relations, Thailand and Laos initiated discussions to connect tourism routes and expedite the construction of a second Thai-Lao friendship bridge in the Pak Chom district of Loei. The talks took place yesterday between Tawee Sermpakdeekul, the governor of Loei, and Khamphan Sithidampha, the governor of Laos’ Vientiane province, during the 20th Thai-Lao…
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Online immigration system launched for foreign tenant registration
Phuket Immigration called for property owners and managers across Thailand to register for the new online notification system for foreign tenants. This system, which became operational yesterday, replaces the previous one. This digital registration demands the submission of pertinent documents, but immigration officials have guaranteed that the approval process will be automatic. They further stipulated that property owners previously registered…
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