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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South Korean YouTubers say they fell in love with Bangkok within one day
Two South Korean YouTubers shared their unexpected experiences during their holiday in Bangkok, saying “they fell in love with Bangkok very quickly within one day.” The South Korean siblings, who choose to keep their personal details private, uploaded a travel vlog of their Bangkok trip on their YouTube channel, 누룽지자매 nurungji sisters, on Friday, December 13. They stated in the…
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Thailand tightens screening for visa-free arrivals
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has tightened screening measures at airports this month after border clashes raised concerns that foreign mercenaries could enter under visa-free schemes. The move follows growing concerns on social media from academics who warned that foreign mercenaries could pose a threat to national security. The analysts’ warnings came after new clashes that erupted along the Thai-Cambodian border, prompting…
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Tourism operators calls for clarity on new Thai immigration rules
Tourism operators want Thai authorities to clearly publicise new immigration rules after a rise in the number of tourists being denied entry. The concerns follow new measures introduced by the Immigration Bureau to crack down on multiple visa runs and prevent the misuse of visa-free entry. The updated rules aim to stop foreigners from entering the country while engaging in…
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Thai government studies Disneyland project instead of casino complex
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed a new plan to bring Disneyland to Thailand, replacing the previously proposed entertainment complex. The earlier proposal introduced by the Pheu Thai Party aimed to create a large entertainment complex to boost tourism and the national economy. The project was expected to include theme parks, water parks, sports stadiums, concert…
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Tourist denied entry at Don Mueang Airport over minimum cash rule
A foreign tourist took to social media to warn travellers to avoid Don Mueang Airport after immigration officers denied her entry into Thailand. In a video posted online, the woman said officers at Don Mueang Immigration denied her entry because of a lack of sufficient funds. She insisted she had never been informed of this rule before, despite entering Thailand…
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Patong roads close for Phuket Carnival parade on December 19
Patong Municipality has advised residents and visitors to steer clear of the main roads at the southern end of Patong and Thaweewong Road, also known as Patong Beach Road, on the evening of December 19. This request is due to the annual parade of the ‘Phuket Carnival‘ marking the official start of the tourism high season. The parade is scheduled…
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Packed Pattaya December 2025 events calendar unveiled
Pattaya plans to end 2025 with a festive bang by launching a calendar full of events throughout December as the city aims to cement its reputation as one of Thailand’s top event destinations. From December 5 to 9, the Sanctuary of Truth will host a five-religion ceremony to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. This spiritual tribute marks one of…
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Crackdown on illegal alcohol sales at Pattaya Fireworks Festival
Banglamung District officials conducted a late-night operation on Pattaya Beach, targeting vendors illegally selling alcoholic beverages in a restricted area during the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival 2025. The focus was to curb the distribution of illegal alcohol at the event. Yesterday, on November 29, at approximately 10.16pm, Patcharapat Sritanyanon, the Chief District Officer of Banglamung, instructed Tharit Chanchareun, a senior…
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Thailand eyes Saudi, Chinese and CIS tourist markets for 2025-26 growth
Thailand’s Tourism Ministry is ramping up efforts to attract high-spending tourists from emerging markets for the remainder of 2025, focusing on Saudi Arabia, China and several countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a group of former Soviet republics. Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn said the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to open a new office in…
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Tourists urged to stop rock stacking at natural attractions in Thailand
Rangers at Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park in the eastern province of Rayong urged tourists to stop stacking rocks while visiting natural attractions, warning that the seemingly harmless activity can seriously affect local ecosystems. The park’s official Facebook page shared information about the negative impacts of rock stacking yesterday, November 24, to raise awareness among visitors and request…
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Brit tourist stunned by 7-Eleven bargains in Thailand (video)
A British tourist in Thailand has gone viral on TikTok after sharing the surprisingly cheap haul he picked up from a local 7-Eleven convenience store. The TikTok user @middlenamemason, who boasts nearly 800,000 followers, recently posted a video showcasing a bargain haul from a 7-Eleven store in Thailand, and it’s got Brits doing double takes. His video has since racked…
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Discover Thailand’s rich heritage at Ancient City: a journey through time
Thailand holds centuries of stories, traditions, and eye-catching buildings. For those wanting to see it all at once, the Ancient City—also called Muang Boran—is a solid pick. Much like how playing Pusoy feels thrilling, walking around this huge outdoor spot near Bangkok stirs curiosity and wonder. Found in Samut Prakan Province, it packs temples, palaces, and old-world charm into one…
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Phuket to fast-track 21m baht tourism and infrastructure push
The government has approved four priority projects in Phuket to boost tourism, improve infrastructure and enhance local livelihoods, officials confirmed during a site visit. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Aree Krainara visited Phuket yesterday, November 21, to accelerate progress on the initiatives, which will be funded through central government reserves and agency budgets. His visit was part of…
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Thailand opens doors to inclusive tourism with Taiwan visit
Thailand welcomed a group of Taiwanese travellers with mobility disabilities for a five-day pilot tour, aiming to promote the country as an inclusive destination. The initiative is part of a pilot programme led by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with the Association of Thai Travel Agents. The group, hailing from FLOW, Inc., a Taiwanese social enterprise that…
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Three Thai double-track railway projects set for Cabinet review
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to submit three major double-track railway projects in the southern region for Cabinet consideration in December, aiming to begin the bidding process in 2026. Anan Pho-nimdaeng, SRT deputy governor and acting governor, announced today, November 17, that three southern routes under the second phase of the double-track rail development programme are progressing the…
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Phuket leads Thailand’s tourist rebound with Russian boom
Phuket’s tourism sector has surged ahead of other Thai regions as international arrivals, led by Russian travellers, boosted hotel occupancy and revenue. From January to October this year, more than 4.16 million international travellers arrived directly in Phuket, bringing the island’s tourism recovery to 97.5% of pre-pandemic levels. That’s up from 4.09 million during the same period last year, according…
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Thai push for new airline routes in north to boost tourism
Transport Deputy Minister Mallika Jirapanwanich is advocating for airlines to expand routes in North Thailand to boost tourism and the local economy. The Department of Airports is promoting the ‘New Route – New Airline’ policy to encourage new flight paths. Mallika highlighted yesterday, on November 8 that the northern region has become a popular destination for both Thai and international…
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Phuket airport expansion delay threatens tourism growth
Phuket’s tourism sector is facing concerns as Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, criticises the delay in the Phuket International Airport Phase 2 expansion. He warned that waiting nearly another decade could leave the island struggling to meet increasing passenger demands. During a meeting at Splash Beach Resort in Mai Khao on Thursday, November 6, Thaneth highlighted the…
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Thailand’s tourism tax stalled again despite 11 billion baht potential
Thailand’s plan to introduce a tourist tax for foreign visitors remains stalled due to political delays, despite full readiness and strong industry backing. Initially backed by the National Tourism Policy Committee in February 2023, the fee would charge inbound travellers 300 baht by air or 150 baht by land or sea, applying only to overnight visitors. Despite its potential to…
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UK lifts travel warning as Trat tourism gears up for rebound
The United Kingdom has officially lifted its travel advisory against non-essential travel to Trat, a move welcomed by local tourism operators hoping to revive bookings ahead of peak season. Wichit Sukrasuyanon, president of the Trat Tourism Association, confirmed that the change has already led to a noticeable boost in bookings, especially from European markets. He said average hotel occupancy rates…
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Thailand adds extra day to new year break to boost travel
The Thai Cabinet has approved an extended new year holiday to boost domestic tourism and economic activity, adding one more day to the annual break. The government has approved an extended five-day new year holiday for 2026, declaring Friday, January 2, a special public holiday to boost tourism and spending. The full holiday period will now run from Wednesday, December…
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UK mum’s Thailand trip ruined over son’s passport sticker mark
A British mum claims her family was barred from flying to Thailand after airline staff said a faint sticker mark had damaged her son’s passport. Meghan Law, a 33 year old NHS nurse from Aberdeen, was due to fly from Edinburgh to Phuket with her two children on October 8 for a two-week, £3,000 (approximately 133,000 Thai baht) family getaway…
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Thai tourism chiefs urge bold fixes to win back visitors
Tourism experts gathered in Bangkok to discuss how Thailand can regain traveller confidence, adapt to new demands, and boost its global tourism standing. Thailand must move quickly to restore tourist confidence, enhance safety, and offer modern, meaningful experiences if it wants to remain a top global destination, experts said during The Nation Visionary Club’s latest roundtable, Rebuilding Thai Tourism Trend:…
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Thai tourism shines in London with wellness-themed showcase
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) led 50 Thai businesses to the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025 in London, aiming to court high-spending long-haul travellers with a strong focus on health and wellness tourism. Held from November 4 to November 6 (today) at ExCeL London, WTM is one of the world’s premier travel trade shows. Thailand’s pavilion this year was…
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Loy Krathong to rake in 6.5 billion baht despite toned-down mood
Thailand’s Loy Krathong Festival is expected to draw nearly 2 million local tourists and generate billions in revenue, despite scaled-back celebrations nationwide. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that around 1.91 million domestic tourists will take part in the nationwide festival today, November 5, opting for serene celebrations over the usual fanfare due to the national mourning period honouring…
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Thailand splashes 4 billion baht to keep MotoGP roaring till 2031
Thailand has approved a multi-billion baht budget to extend its MotoGP hosting rights, securing the international racing event for another five years. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ayrin Phanrit announced yesterday, November 4, that the Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ proposal to extend Thailand’s MotoGP hosting rights from 2027 to 2031. The budget set aside for the high-octane…
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Malaysian tourist goes viral for taking over Thai motorcycle taxi
A Malaysian tourist went viral for his unexpected motorcycle taxi adventure in Thailand after he had to become an impromptu rider because his elderly Thai Grab driver repeatedly missed turns, which turned a five-minute journey into a 20-minute city tour. The Malaysian man, Clifford, shared a video of himself riding a motorcycle in Thailand with the elderly Thai rider as…
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Thai MotoGP extension revs up for Cabinet approval
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) plans to extend its MotoGP hosting rights following completed talks, with a five-year deal set for Cabinet approval soon. The proposal, aimed at securing the race’s place on the global calendar until 2031, will be tabled at the upcoming Cabinet meeting on November 4. SAT Governor Dr Kongsak Yodmanee confirmed that negotiations with Dorna…
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Tourism dips as Thailand tackles debt and sluggish growth
Thailand’s foreign arrivals declined over a recent 10-month period, prompting officials to revise forecasts and accelerate economic recovery efforts. Thailand welcomed 26.25 million foreign visitors from January 1 to October 26 this year, marking a 7.25% drop compared to the same period in 2024, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced today, October 28. Malaysia led the pack as the…
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Thailand eyes 1.2 million US tourists with new flight boom
Thailand is preparing to welcome a surge in tourists from the US, as new flight routes and increased interest in luxury travel drive up arrival forecasts. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced that the country expects nearly 1.2 million visitors from the United States in 2026, an 8% jump from this year. The forecast follows the return…
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