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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Pattaya vendors fined for causing a ‘jam’ on Pattaya-Naklua road
Vendors operating along Pattaya-Naklua Road have come under scrutiny for causing traffic congestion with their sidecars while selling goods and food. This issue prompted numerous complaints from both residents and tourists, urging the city to take action. In response, Pattaya municipal officers inspected the area. During their visit, officials informed the vendors about their violations, highlighting how their roadside stalls…
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Rayong governor assesses delayed U-Tapao Airport progress
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, along with Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister Nahathai Tiwphaingam and Rayong Governor Traipob Wongtrairat, visited the delayed U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project sites yesterday to assess ongoing progress. Tharit Issarayangyun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), provided a comprehensive progress update on the project, which is…
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Phuket launches urgent cleanup to boost tourism on Karon Beach
Phuket officials initiated an urgent cleanup operation at Karon Beach, aiming to address concerns over its impact on tourism. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a meeting with the local Joint Public and Private Sector Committee on Economic Development, focusing on regulating beach umbrellas at Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Patong Beach. The cleanup drive targets the removal of beach umbrellas and…
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Chiang Mai selects local dishes for One Province, One Menu
Chiang Mai has selected some local dishes for the One Province, One Menu initiative across three categories, with three dishes per category. The chosen dishes, including Khao Bai Pla Buang and Khanom Pad, advanced in a meeting held in Room 5, Fifth Floor, Administrative Building, Chiang Mai Provincial Hall. Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pong-itsitthaworn assigned Deputy Governor Weerapong Ritrod to…
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Phuket motorists disrupted by Heroines Underpass pole relocation
Motorists in Phuket should prepare for further disruptions at the Heroines Monument as Thalang Traffic Police continue the relocation of power poles along Thepkrasattri Road. This work is part of the preparations for constructing the Heroines Underpass. The initial phase of this relocation project, which started last Wednesday, July 31, has been completed. Yesterday, August 4, Thalang Traffic Police announced…
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Chon Buri launches Nong Phlap festival to boost cultural tourism
Chon Buri province has launched the Scent of the Earth, Local Way of Nong Phlap festival to boost cultural tourism. The festival kicked off today at Wat Velluwanaram in Nong Phlap Village, Takian Tia sub-district, Banglamung district, with the Deputy Governor of Chon Buri, Prachaya Unpechwarakorn, presiding over the opening ceremony. The Chon Buri Provincial Cultural Office is behind this…
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Villagers flock to Pattaya for blessed amulets from revered monk
Excitement filled the air at Sawangboriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Pattaya City today as villagers and amulet enthusiasts gathered to secure amulets from Luang Pu Buaket Pathumsiro, a revered monk from the eastern region. The Barami Pathumsiro model, believed to bestow blessings, attracted significant interest. This initiative aims to raise funds for Bang Lamung Hospital. Since early morning, parents, siblings, and…
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Pattaya rebranding as family-friendly destination to boost tourism
Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling. The Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation (ACTF) recently convened with Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to discuss the initiative. The meeting also included insights from a workshop that…
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Thai tourists favour China and Japan over South Korea
A marked decline in the number of Thai tourists travelling to South Korea has been observed over the past seven months, with many opting instead for trips to China and Japan. The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) reported that 20,150 Thais visited South Korea in June, a significant drop from the 25,023 recorded during the same period last year. This downward…
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Thailand outbound travel takes a dive amid economic woes
Thailand’s outbound travel market is facing a sharp decline, with consumer spending power plummeting and overseas holiday plans on hold. Charoen Wangananont, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), revealed in an exclusive interview with Krungthep Turakij that economic uncertainties have led many Thais to postpone international trips to avoid extra costs during these tough times. “We had initially…
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Officials tee up hunt for wayward crocodile at Phuket golf course
Officials in Phuket are stepping up efforts to capture a crocodile spotted at Mission Hills Golf Course. The sighting on July 31 prompted an urgent response from local authorities and specialist crocodile capture teams. It seems the croc is making a real ‘swing’ at disrupting the course, and officials are keen to ‘par’ the situation before it escalates. Nikhom Suksawat,…
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Pattaya City launches nature restoration to enhance ecotourism
Pattaya City has embarked on a significant nature restoration project aimed at enhancing ecotourism and revitalising the ecosystem in the Na Kluea area. The initiative kicked off with a ceremony at Khlong Nok Yang in Na Kluea, attended by local officials, including Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngampiches, Pattaya City Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, and the mayor’s secretary, Phumipat Kamolnat. The…
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Motorbike taxi driver assaults UAE tourists in Patong
Patong Police are still yet to confirm any action taken against a motorbike taxi driver who assaulted two tourists from the United Arab Emirates in Soi Saen Sabai on July 29. The incident took place in front of the Hallo Massage shop, leaving the two tourists injured. The police were alerted to the situation around 10pm. The victims, identified as…
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Vaping troubles: British tourists warned of costly holiday mistake
British tourists heading abroad this summer are being warned of a costly mistake that could ruin their holiday. E-cigarette smokers need to be aware of strict anti-vaping laws in popular South East Asian destinations. The penalties for breaking these rules range from hefty fines to imprisonment. Countries like Thailand and Singapore have some of the strictest vaping bans in the…
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SCB X delays end of Robinhood food delivery service
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) X PCL has made a significant decision to delay the termination of its Robinhood food delivery service, initially planned for the end of this month. The company yesterday, July 29, submitted a formal request to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to extend the service’s operation. Manop Sangiambut, Chief Financial Officer of SCB X, revealed the…
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Man dies after fainting and falling off bicycle in Phuket
A 60 year old man tragically died early today, falling off his bicycle after fainting en route to Thalang Hospital in Phuket for his regular medication. Police Captain Kraisorn Boonprasop of Thalang Police was alerted to the incident at approximately 6.50am and promptly arrived at the scene with Pol. Lt. Sin Saijit and an EMS Advance Unit from Thalang Hospital.…
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Thailand anticipates record 2.2 million Russian tourists in 2024
Thailand’s tourism sector is set to witness a surge in Russian travellers, with projections indicating a record 2.2 million arrivals next year, buoyed by a new 60-day visa-free scheme. However, a shortage of aircraft in Russian airlines poses a challenge, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). In 2025, TAT aims for a 7.5% increase in revenue, targeting 39…
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Bad Apple: Thailand ad blunder sparks boycott fury (video)
A condescending new advertisement by US giant Apple sparked outrage in Thailand, with locals threatening to ditch Apple and their iPhones for Samsung. Thai resident and English teacher David William, who boasts 1.6 million Facebook followers and 2.9 million TikTok followers, slammed the ad on his TikTok account @davidwilliamdw. His critique of the ad, The Underdogs: OOO (Out Of Office)…
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Foreign tourists found safe after night search in Doi Nang Mo forest
San Kamphaeng police, forest officers, and other relevant agencies initiated a search at 8.30pm yesterday, July 28, for two missing foreign tourists who had become lost in the Doi Nang Mo forest area near the Mae Pha Nhaen Reservoir in Chiang Mai. The search was prompted by the coordinates sent by the tourists before their signal was lost. The dense…
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Thailand’s walking tourism boosts local culture, sustainability
Walking tourism is increasingly popular as travellers seek to immerse themselves in local cultures and explore neighbourhoods more intimately. The United Nations Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) notes that walking tourism fosters a deeper connection with local communities, nature, and culture. This growing trend aligns with the global push for sustainable tourism and satisfies the rising demand for outdoor activities. However, the…
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Phetchaburi unveils arch to celebrate Thai king’s 72nd birthday
Phetchaburi Governor Nattachai Namphoonsuksan presided over the inauguration of a celebratory arch to mark the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua‘s 72nd birthday tomorrow, July 28, enhancing the area’s tourism appeal. Governor Nattachai led the ceremony with local government officials, students, and residents participating. The event took place in front of Ban Tha Takhro Mittraphap 192…
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Maya Bay to close for two months for monsoon season recovery
The renowned Maya Bay in the Phi Phi Islands will be closed to tourists from August 1 to September 30 to allow nature to recover and ensure visitor safety during the monsoon season. Despite the rough seas, tourists continue to flock to this destination made famous by the Danny Boyle movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Yutthapong Damsrisuk, head of…
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Central Group, Thai banks initiate tourist QR payments
The Central Group of companies, which includes Central Retail Corporation, Central Pattana, and Centara Hotels and Resorts, has joined forces with the Bank of Thailand and six leading commercial banks to launch a cross-border QR payment service for tourists. The banks involved in this collaboration are Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Krungthai Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, and CIMB Thai…
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Thailand eases visa rules to attract long-term visitors
New visa regulations issued by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have made it significantly easier to visit and stay in the country long-term. The number of countries eligible for visa-free entry has increased from 57 to 93, now including India and China. Visitors from these countries will receive a 60-day entry stamp, which can be extended for another 30 days…
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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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