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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Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
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Phanom district grows kitchen gardens for food security boost
Local cuisine serves as a captivating cultural heritage, embodying the essence of each community. A new initiative in Phanom district in the southern province of Surat Thani embodies this spirit by utilising the vacant space in front of the district office to cultivate kitchen gardens, promoting food security. The District Chief of Phanom, Suchau Tumosik, in collaboration with local leaders…
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Thailand set to rock world stage with plans to boost events scene
Thailand is getting ready to rock the world stage with a grand plan to revitalise its events infrastructure, turning it into a prime destination for global sports and entertainment. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong outlined an ambitious vision to transform Bangkok’s National Stadium into a state-of-the-art multi-function stadium, poised to host everything from international sports competitions to blockbuster concerts.…
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Thai beauty influencer named first Phuket tourism ambassador
Thai social media influencer, Sasisom Phadungkingtrakul, also known as Mook, has made history as she takes on the role of the first-ever Phuket Tourism Ambassador of Thailand. The accolade, awarded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) under the Amazing Thailand initiative, designates Sasisom as the island’s cultural and promotional representative until the end of 2025. The announcement was made…
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Tourists report smelly water at northern Thailand waterfall
Visitors to Phu Soi Dao National Park in northern Thailand are raising concerns over the origin of the water from the Sai Thip Waterfall. Reports of an unusual smell from the water have sparked debate and curiosity among tourists. Phu Soi Dao, covering areas in Nam Pat and Ban Khok districts in Uttaradit province, as well as Chat Trakan district in…
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Phuket goes green: Old town steps up for carbon-free tourism
Phuket Old Town took centre stage on Monday, November 18, as the Department of Tourism unveiled its bold initiative to promote low-carbon tourism routes, marking a milestone in sustainable travel for the 2024 fiscal year. Local leaders and media gathered for the showcase event in the historic heart of Phuket, which spotlighted eco-friendly travel practices and the charm of the…
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Phuket Festival returns to kickstart tourism season this December
Patong City Municipality officially announced the return of the annual Phuket Festival, set to take place from December 8 to 10, marking the kick off of the island’s bustling tourism season. The 38th Phuket Tourism Festival, themed Phuket Memories of a Lifetime, was revealed during a press event held on Patong Beach yesterday, November 19. The event was led by…
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Cheers to safety: Thailand’s plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled crashes
Thailand is ringing in the new year with a determined focus on safety, as Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin reveals a no-nonsense plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled road accidents during the festive celebrations. With the Christmas and new year season notorious for its spike in drink-related mishaps, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee has rolled out four game-changing measures to keep partygoers…
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Cheers: Thai hotels to offer 24-hour alcohol service over new year
Hotel guests will soon enjoy the convenience of ordering alcoholic beverages to their rooms at any time over the new year period. This change, sanctioned by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, was announced following their recent meeting. Somsak Thepsutin, the Public Health Minister, led the approval for this adjustment, which allows hotel patrons unrestricted access to alcohol from in-house bars…
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Thailand airports to rival global top 20 within five years, says AoT
Thailand’s major airports are set for a significant transformation as Airports of Thailand (AoT) aims to elevate them into the top 20 globally within five years, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s renowned Changi Airport. This ambitious plan, spearheaded by the Transport Ministry, targets Suvarnabhumi International Airport as a key player in achieving this goal. Permanent Secretary for Transport, Chayatan Phromsorn, confirmed…
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Phuket’s tourism set to earn 500 billion baht this year
Phuket’s tourism industry is poised for a financial boom, with anticipated earnings reaching an impressive 500 billion baht this year. The island’s strategic focus on attracting visitors through sports tourism, even during the traditional off-season, is driving this growth, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Phuket office. Director of TAT Phuket, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee highlighted that the island effectively…
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Tourists in Trang thrilled by rare dugong sighting near Koh Libong
Tourists in Trang were thrilled to encounter a fully grown dugong grazing on seagrass, a sight not witnessed for several months. The boat operator quickly launched a drone to capture the memorable moment, creating a buzz among the visitors. At Ban Phrang Pier in the Koh Libong area of Kantang district, Trang province, Anon Kingkoyao, a tour operator on Koh…
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Pattaya beach turns into unregulated booze and kratom market
Pattaya Beach, a once serene paradise for tourists and locals, is now teetering on the edge of chaos as unlicenced vendors run rampant. Once discreet, these sellers now brazenly set up stalls along the shoreline, peddling kratom-laced cocktails and alcoholic beverages, ignoring the law with apparent ease. Despite frequent police patrols, vendors openly resume business the moment officers leave, leaving…
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High ambitions: Suvarnabhumi aims to triple transit traffic by 2030
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s busiest international gateway, is gearing up for a major transformation to become Southeast Asia’s ultimate transit hub. Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to raise the airport’s transit flights from a mere 4% to a soaring 20% as part of an ambitious master plan to rank among the world’s top 20 airports by 2030. This bold goal is…
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British expats uncovered in Thailand as UK probes pension fraud
In a fresh twist for British expats soaking up the sun abroad, the cloak of UK banking secrecy is about to be lifted if there’s a whiff of state pension fraud. The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, currently being dissected in the House of Lords, is pegged to hit the legal books in early 2025. This new legislation will…
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Discover Thailand’s dreamiest beaches for your next getaway
Thailand, known as the Land of Smiles, lures millions with its sun-kissed sands, vibrant culture, and world-renowned cuisine. If you’re craving a beach holiday with tranquil waters and unbeatable scenery, these Thai beaches, rated by Conde Nast Traveller and Hotels ID, as reported by Tempo, promise an unforgettable escape. Kata Beach, Phuket Golden sands, azure waters, and warm tropical weather…
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Missing in Thailand: Taiwanese woman suspected to be trafficked
A Taiwanese woman’s dream trip to Thailand turned into a nightmare as her father reports a chilling ransom demand for her safe return. Police are now urgently investigating a suspected human trafficking case involving a young woman from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan in her twenties, who vanished after arriving in Thailand on Wednesday, November 6. The case came to light…
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Fare play: Pattaya police spark taxi reminder ahead of fireworks fest
Pattaya police have issued a reminder to motorbike taxi drivers regarding fare regulations as the city prepares for the upcoming International Fireworks Festival. The festival is set to take place on November 29 and 30, promising a spectacle that draws large crowds to the coastal city. In a meeting held on Tuesday, November 12, at the Caesar Palace Hotel, the…
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Foreign vendors in Pattaya exploit kids to tug at tourist heartstrings
Pattaya’s bustling tourist spots have taken a darker turn as foreign vendors, believed to be predominantly Vietnamese, are using children to drive aggressive street sales. Concerned reporters documented these vendors in action along Walking Street and Petchtrakool Road, North Pattaya, at around 4am yesterday, November 12, showcasing a worrying new trend that has locals and tourists alike on edge. These…
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Israeli tourists face terror threat at Koh Pha Ngan Full Moon party
Royal Thai Police (RTP) issued a spine-tingling warning, revealing that terrorists are targeting Israeli holidaymakers at the infamous Full Moon party on Thailand’s tourist haven, Koh Pha Ngan. In a bombshell announcement, the RTP disclosed that they’ve received info indicating a sinister plot to attack Israeli tourists at the island celebration. The party, a hot favourite among Israeli adventurers, coincides…
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Lost Chinese tourists veer off course, end up at Myanmar border
In a bizarre turn of events, five Chinese tourists were intercepted by Thai immigration officers in Tak after they were mistakenly driven to the Thai-Myanmar border instead of their intended destination of Pattaya. The startling incident unfolded yesterday, November 12, at the Mae Sot checkpoint, located on the Mae Sot-Tak road, when Thai immigration officers stopped the tourists’ vehicle and…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport to offer early check-in by February
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is set to introduce an early check-in service, allowing passengers to complete their check-in process up to 24 hours before departure. This initiative, announced on the Transport Ministry’s social media platform, is aimed at enhancing traveller convenience and reducing congestion at Thailand’s primary international gateway. Airports of Thailand (AoT) President Kerati Kijmanawat indicated that the service is…
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Hippo hooray: Moo Deng ‘charges’ up Chon Buri’s tourism boom
Chon Buri province is experiencing a significant boost in tourism revenue, largely due to the popularity of a baby pygmy hippo named Moo Deng. This charming young hippo, only four months old, has become a major attraction at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Governor Thawatchai Srithong announced that Chon Buri’s tourism-related revenue reached 27 billion baht (US$777 million) from July…
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Pattaya lights up: Giant 3D screen draws crowds
Walking Street in South Pattaya just turned up the heat on its nightlife scene, and tourists are lapping it up. On Saturday night, November 9, the city’s iconic strip of bars, clubs, and neon lights added a high-tech twist—a gigantic 3D LED screen that has quickly become the area’s newest magnet for visitors. Crowds of both local and international tourists…
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Phuket Airport sees surge with over 30,000 passengers daily
Phuket International Airport is experiencing a significant upswing in passenger traffic this High Season, with daily figures surpassing 30,000 travellers and over 300 flights. This uptick in activity has prompted plans for an expansion of the international terminal to accommodate up to 18 million passengers annually. Monchai Tanod, the director of Phuket Airport, shared insights on the anticipated passenger numbers…
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Loy Krathong festival to generate 6.9 billion baht tourism revenue
Thailand’s Loy Krathong festival is set to boost the economy, with an expected 6.9 billion baht in tourism revenue from 1.9 million domestic trips, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The northern region is forecasted to be the most popular destination, drawing the highest number of tourists. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool projected a 9% increase in tourist…
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Thailand crowned 2025 Destination of the Year by Travel + Leisure
New York City-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure has recognised Thailand as the 2025 Destination of the Year. The editor-in-chief shared her love for Thailand and highlighted the charm that drew her to this enchanting country. This marks the tenth consecutive year that Travel + Leisure announced its Destination of the Year, recognising a country that travellers simply must visit…
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Halal Food Festival in Pattaya showcases culinary delights
A feast for the senses awaits at the upcoming Halal Food Festival in Pattaya. Set to take place over the weekend, starting tomorrow, November 9 until Sunday, November 10 at the Nurul Yakin Mosque in Ban Nern Plub Wan, this event promises a delightful culinary journey. Organised by the Tourism Promotion Club of the Nern Plub Wan Club, the festival…
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EF Ultimate Break partners with Thailand for eco-friendly holidays
EF Ultimate Break, the experiential travel leader for the 18 to 35 crowd, is taking travel to a whole new level of responsibility with its latest initiative, launched in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Aimed at delivering sustainable, ethically crafted adventures, this new line-up of Thailand tours promises eco-conscious itineraries that will make every traveller feel like…
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Phuket Tourist Police boosts safety with new High Season drive
Phuket Tourist Police have initiated a comprehensive campaign to enhance tourist safety as the island gears up for the approaching High Season. The initiative, announced on Wednesday, November 6, involves collaboration between various agencies, including the Marine Police, Phuket Provincial Police, and the Phuket Marine Office, among others. This campaign is in line with national efforts to reinforce tourist safety…
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Thailand targets 8 million European tourists to boost long-haul numbers
Thailand aims to attract eight million European tourists next year as part of a strategy to boost the number of long-haul visitors to a record 11 million, the Tourism and Sports Ministry announced. This move follows plans to collaborate with airlines and foreign ambassadors to ensure a full resumption of international flights. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong emphasised the…
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